#basically: my main summary is i like neutral toned stuff

[cobble-stone]

Pssst Cobalt

I know I do this a lot but guess what

Tell me about interior design stuff you like! What's your favourite colour scheme? what's one specific thing that causes a visceral reaction of some kind? what is one of your favouritest things in either the construction of the space or ways to fill it? I wish to know

OKAY.

so i don’t know all the professional terms- i enjoy interior design more from a “ooo that looks Good” perspective not really a “i know why x y and z works together it’s because of the shittyflurbo rule-“

BUT. i really like neutral tones- greens, greys, blues, browns. i like neutral schemes that have a bit of color to em, and just like- incorporating different textures in order to have a cozy feel. like- you take a soft couch and a blanket with chunky knit and have curtains and strategically scattered little bits and bobs? *good.* good.

i try to kinda incorporate this into how i did my room- my room is actually pretty vibrant! the general color scheme is more so like- bold cobalt blue (heh) with blacks and grays- it’s not as like. Chill vibes as what i’d say is good for like living rooms and such but it’s a bedroom! it’s more so a place to align with my personal style, less of a shared living area. kinda how i see it is that like- shared spaces are more ambiguous and neutral, but things like bedrooms can be Whatever You Want it’s Your Room. also since the walls are white and we’re not allowed to repaint- i had to get pretty creative with things to take up wall space! nothing i hate more than a blank white room, so i have lots of little decorations and shelves and i have various album covers i made out of different mediums, i have some chains made of soda tabs draping from one corner of the ceiling and a little like- i can’t call it a tapestry. it’s a halloween decoration that’s just like this black knit tablecloth (?) that’s made to look like a spiderweb that i stole and put by my bed. (the way my bed is laid out is so weird. it’s like- it’s against the wall but not against the wall from the headboard. it’s so stupid but i love it.)

i really just like- i think that too much empty blank space is Bad. FUCK minimalism all my homies HATE minimalism. though i’m also not a huge fan of like- the typical “maximalist” designs cause one- a lot of the maximalist designs are kinda based in more dated patterns and details which- nothing wrong with, i just am not a fan. and also cause i feel like- there’s Too much going on. i like a good balance, i want there to be enough going on that you aren’t left with negative space, but like any art piece, negative and positive space is equally important.

as far as filling spaces- i like both shelves and kinda like- i’m not a huge fan of framed things. that’s just a personal thing- i don’t like things that are excessively fancy for no reason and framed things feel excessively fancy for no reason. like- if i could choose between a framed painting and the same painting but no frame, just the canvas- i’m going for painting with no frame. i also really like what i mentioned with my room- the little black tablecloth-turned-tapestry, it provides such a nice way to take away some negative space while still being fairly simple and not too distracting from other focal points. curtains are also amazing, they can really make or break a whole room’s atmosphere. i changed my curtains a while back from plain white ones to these bold blue ones with black trim and it just- makes the whole room come together better. it kinda helps carry the vibe of “teenager who just wants a space to make his own” that my room holds and i specifically crafted for that vibe

i’m kinda just thinking of style stuff now and like- i mentioned my idea on minimalist vs maximalist, but also like? fancy verses messy. i guess? just like. i don’t like disaster, obviously. i’m a fairly neat person by nature, my room being a mess Stresses Me Out. but also like- it i’m in a house i want it to feel Lived In. i don’t want everything to be perfectly neat and tidy and put away. i want evidence of life, evidence that this is not a static environment. small details like sticky notes in a mirror, plants, books laid haphazardly on a table. i really like those.

kinda just- with interior design stuff, i just. i like whatever makes the place feel like a Home. i want a place to feel lived in, to feel right, i want a place that i feel cozy and that i can just sit down on the countertop and drink hot chocolate or just lay on the couch and vibe. for me the key to just kinda- any design stuff is a good medium, at least for my personal taste. not so cluttered that it’s overwhelming, not so blank that the emptiness is equally overwhelming. not so fancy that it feels like a waiting room, not so messy that it’s stressful. just. a good medium, furniture that isn’t so absurdly trendy that it gets dated in a couple years, places to display fun knickknacks and a place that can tell a story of the person who lives there. i feel like that’s the real goal of interior design: not to have the nicest place possible, not to have a place that they’ll feature on HGTV, not to have the best house to sell: the goal is to showcase a story of the person who lives there.

[iceprincessviviane]

Flowers of the peace

Pairing: c!Technoblade x Fem!Nymph!Reader

Type: Romantic/fluff; oneshot.

Warnings: mild swearing, mention of angst and injury and silly jokes created by me.

Summary: Technoblade is travelling to the center of smp to get some buisness done. He met Y/n and finally decided to talk with her about a very important case for him. Including more characters.

Words in red colour are Technoblade's voices.

My first x reader fic, spontaneous one.

Today was a quite warm day even in tundra, small layer of snow was covering the ground and sky was half covered by the clouds, which weren't moving a lot. Around was very quiet despite the time, it was almost noon. Animals were resting or sleeping, deadly hound lied calmly around. It seemed, it was such a lazy day. Technoblade went outside holding small backpack and putting something into it. He tied his hair into small bun, rest of them was falling on his back and he was wearing part of casual armor. Phil seeing that, also went outside.

"Hi mate, where are you going?" He asked curiously with gentle smile.

"I'm heading to main Smp part. I have some buisness to finish with Ranboo. I hope in that time it won't be crowded." He responeded and closed backpack.

They both looked at old Ranboo's home in mountain wall. Actually there still were some basic stuff, active farm and some villagers. Enderman hybrid moved to his and Tubbo's mansion in Snowchester two weeks ago. They kinda missed him, but he promised to visit them a lot of times and even stay for some cold weather and fresh air. Also he was still involved in Syndicate stuff.

"Be careful mate then." Philza said with serious tone.

'We miss Enderboy.' 'Let's do it fast.' 'Who will we meet else?'

Technoblade nodded and took Karl. He put a small backpack near the saddle and check everything. Diamond armor was shinning brightly in the sunlight.

"I will don't worry, I just hope to not meet Tommy..." His eyes narrowed. He still didn't forget and forgive young boy.

"Well just avoid bench area. You are going to meet Ranboo in Snowchester?"

"He said that he will be around Community House or Prime path."

"Tell him my sincere greetings." Phil smile widened.

Technoblade jumped at Karl and waved to his companion. Soon he was headed to main Smp part. Today wasn't the day for using a portals. Beautiful weather was conductive for horse riding. Karl seemed to be happy at sudden trip.

}*{

After a two hours Technoblade reached the Community House. He could go to Snowchester first, but honestly he wanted to avoid that area, which smelled like government. He dismounted Karl and took his bridle. Not a chance leaving his horse alone. Here was much warm then in tundra, not coulds and even wind stopped. Around wasn't even a single soul, so he sighted and started to walking down on Prime path. Karl was complelty calm, so he trusted him, but checked his sword, if he can take it fast. When he got near to Tommy's dirt house, he heard Tommy's loud laughing. After reaching the top of the hill he spotted Bench Trio standing there and chatting. Suddenly three pair of eyes looked at him. There was dead silence. Tubbo moved near to Ranboo when Tommy put a hand on Axe of Peace, which hanged of his bolt. They don't have armour, clearly having a good time in this lazy day. Technoblade nodded to them.

"What are you doing here?" Tommy asked with sharp tone.

Since Dream have been in the prison Smp was more calm, most people was minding their buisness, the biggest war was over and it seemed like everyone sighted with relief. Even now this Eggpire cleaned awful vines. Tommy started building his hotel, none was fighting.

"I came here to finish buisness." Techno responed slowly moving his eyes on Ranboo.

Tall teenager looked at his clock, gave himself a facepalm and sighted.

"Oh I am so sorry, I wasn't watching the time..." He said with embarrassment.

"What the fuck man? What deal did you make with him?" Tommy spoke with anger.

'Why he need to be so loud?' 'Just make it done.' 'Cut him.'

Technoblade moved a little bit closer and Ranboo started to search something in his backpack, mumbled to himself.

"Oh... hi everyone...!"

On the path leading to La'Manhole now was standing Y/n with basket full of field flowers and some saplings of roses, tulips and pansies. Her light dress was waving a little on sudden wind and bright smile caused everyone to smiled back.

"Hi Y/n!" Tubbo said and get closer to look at flowers. "Where did you get them?"

"Filed flowers around the... La'Manburg and saplings are from my own flowerbends. You asked me to bring some to your garden and rooms." She responed slowly.

"Oh yes! We asked Foolish of possible ways to decorate garden and flowers for a bees!" Tubbo said with excitement.

When it comes to the bees, Tubbo could talk over and over. Y/n was patience and describe in details flowers which she brought. Meanwhile Tommy moved his eyes again on Technoblade only to rise eyebrows with surprise. Piglin hybrid was like frozen, carefuly observing Y/n. Teenager lips formed into mischief smile.

"I found it!" Ranboo screamed in victory, holding something like gold in his big hand.

Technoblade snapped back to reality and nodded to Enderboy, to move away. He didn't want rest to know, what about deal is. They moved to bench. Karl snorted a little bit.

"Here it is." Ranboo opened his hand, Totem of Undying was inside. Technoblade smiled and nodded to him with satisfied smile.

"As we agreed emeralds and netherite ingot."

They made an exchange, Technoblade quickly hid Totem in his pocket and Ranboo put stones and ingot inside his backpack.

"Pleasure making buisness with you." Blade said with teasing tone.

"You too and I have more, if you want."

" We will see in the future."

Enderman hybrid moved his eyes on his husband and Y/n, there were still chatting peacefuly. Tommy was listening quietly and seemed that he lost interesting at their deal.

'Finally!' 'Let's go home.' 'Maybe stay for a while...'

"Deal is done?" Tommy asked loudly causing Tubbo and Y/n to look at Technoblade and Ranboo.

"Yes. We are done." Piglin hybrid confirmed in neutral voice.

Ranboo moved closer to group, leaving Technoblade with Karl. They stepped again on path after that.

"I think we can head to Snowchester then. Y/n has everything to make gardening and I am willing to help her!" Tubbo clapped hands.

"Yup. I am going to choose my room finally." Tommy emphasized last word strongly.

"Oh you shloud do the same Y/n. As we promised, you can decorate it as you wish." Ranboo said with warm smile.

Y/n lifted head and her eyes meet Techno's. His cute ears dropped a little, but he moved closer to them. Tommy stepped a little to avoid crash with Karl. Soft smile appeard on Y/n lips.

"Technoblade."

"Y/n."

Bench Trio silenced immediately, they could feel the tension in the air. After La'Manburg destruction Y/n lost her home, actually she was neighbor with Ranboo there, but she managed to build one small house in wild fields full of flowers, which was quite away. The closest things were Kinoko Kingdom and Niki's Underground City. Sometimes she wandered to La'Manber ruins and after that usually hanging up with Tommy. She visited Ranboo couple of times in tundra and even had a small talk with Phil. But when Technoblade showed up... they shared awkward silence and shy glances, which were speaking instead of words.

In his retirement they spent a lot of time together, despite the cold in tundra. Her peacefuly pressence caused voices to melt, only quiet whispers appeard. When she was speaking, they were always silence. Technoblade could listen and observe her for ages. They were so diffrent, but something connected them and attraced them to each other. She was standing with Phil on balcony, holding his hand so hard and tears streaming from her beautiful eyes, when Technoblade have been lead to execution. He later told him that Y/n almost fainted when he survived and escaped. She stayed in threshold, knocking sotfly at cottage doors, same day, late night and silence around. When he opened, he immediately put a finger on her mouth and whispering explained that Tommy somehow escaped exile and was sleeping in cellar. So Y/n said nothing, when Technoblade let her in, just hugged him so tightly and burried her face in his chest. With smelling her scent, he calmed himself and slowly forget about rage and happenings on that day.

But after Doomsday everything changed. Technoblade was busy with revenge, deep inside he didn't want to involved Y/n for her safety... but they moved away from each other. She need to build new house, didn't want to completly leave her friends around. Especially when Tommy and Tubbo found in her big comfort. She visited Tommy in exile couple of times, always bringing warm words and usefull advices. After Discs Finale, when Dream have been put into a prison, they needed her a lot. Tommy would never confessed that he had nightmares about Tubbo's death and himself being trapped in cell. Technoblade was busy with forming Syndicate, spending days on planning, building and searching stuff. He heard from Ranboo how Y/n was doing, but there always weren't time to talk.

And now they were here.

'We miss her angelic voice.' 'Stop staring, do something.' 'Stab Tommy.'

"I really don't want to interrupt this strange moment, but..." He couldn't even end, because Technoblade stepped at his foot. His shoes had small heels and was shod with metal.

Y/n giggled softly breaking eye contact with Technoblade and blushed a little bit.

"Can we talk?" Blade asked with deep voice.

"Of course." She nodded then handed her basket to Tubbo. He immediately straigthed his back, because of this important task. Technoblade gave without hesitation Karl's bridle to Ranboo, which eyes expanded and he grabbed it with his full strenght. When horse would run away... oh boy.

"It looks like we got important tasks." Tubbo said with full serious in his voice.

Ranboo nodded to him, when Tommy literally rolled his eyes.

Technoblade and Y/n moved slowly and silently aside, stepping away from path and walking on grass. She faced the sun, pulling her hair together, it laid freely on her back. Some strands still stayed on her face and Technoblade had to use his all strenght to resist taking them off. He just couldn't. Her scent full of flowers reached his nose, taking deep breath felt like heaven.

"Weather is very good." He started slowly and little unsure.

Y/n turned back to him with shy smile, studing hia posture. "Oh yes, it's warmer this days. My flowers age growing fast and I really enjoy the sun." She glanced at him. " Isn't too hot for you in this cape?"

"Well, I am still living in tundra and come on, style is breathtaking "Technoblade spread a little his arms.

Y/n could easily spotted part of armor on his arms and legs. It wasn't his best one, but he was still prepared for any fight. Yes, he looked very good, handsome. She couldn't help her slighty blushing cheeks.

"Are you moving to the mansion?" Techno finally asked, his voice was dead serious.

Y/n looked directly at his eyes with surprise. She didn't expect such a question. "No, I mean they offered me room, to stay in longer visits or if I would like to have a nap. I really enjoy their company."

He made a step closer and lean down, almost forgot how small she was compared to him. They both felt burning glances of Bench Trio.

"I miss you." He whispered honestly.

'We are missing her voice, scent and pressence.' 'We need her.' "We want her.'

"I... I miss you too." She responded quietly.

Pleased smile crawled at Technoblade's lips. Deep inside he was really happy about that, but didn't want to show it in front of Bench Trio. Y/n looked down with sudden shyness.

He took gently her small, compared to his hand. She squeezed lightly his fingers in response. "Would you like to...?"

"Y/n! We need to go, hurry up!" Tubbo screamed while was holding her basket.

"Yeah come one, we have a lot of stuff to do!" Tommy agreed.

Technoblade sighted after this rude cut, but Y/n shrugged with helplessness and playful smile. She hugged him tightly for goodbye, his second hand rested on her flabby waist.

"Meet me here after sunset." She whispered before letting him go.

He nodded before he let go of her hand. Y/n waved to him and went to Trio Bench. Ranboo gave Techno Karl's bridle. He observed while group was heading to Snowchester, then he jumped at horse and started to moving into tundra's direction.

}*{

Technoblade left Karl in hurry, then almost ran into a cottage. Phil frowned observing this from his window, but then shrugged and went take care of his cases. An hour passed and he heard some suspicious sounds from Techno's home, also him swearing. He decided to see what is going on, so went outside and knocked loudly. His friend opened. "Hi Phil, I'm a little busy right now..."

"What happend mate?" Winged man asked looking inside.

"I need to clean whole area..." He sighted with awkward smile.

"But why?"

Technoblade said nothing, it was a little too early to talk about it. "You... need some help honestly?"

"I will be so greatful!" Techno said and went beck to cleaning. Actually he successfuly tided first floor and kitchen, for now put food into a chest and cups into cupboard.

"Chests in magazine too?" Phil asked looking at his friend with confusion. Technoblade made facepalm. "I completly forgot about them... she would like to have order there!" He dropped everything and went down. His companion rose eyebrows with surprise. She?

}*{

Heading second time to main Smp part was faster and full of unsure feelings for Technoblade. Karl seemed to be happy of another trip. When they again reached top of the hill, she was there. Y/n stood near bench in his old crimson cloak, hemmed by fur, watching the sunset. Slowly crimson glow was turned into grey. Horse snorted and she turned head to greet him with warm smile. Technoblade responded with lazy smile and dismount Karl. Moving slowly to her, spotted that she was holding avaraged size, lether backpack and near the bench was closed chest.

"Hi again." Blade said with smile. "I am little bit late but I hope that you wasn't waiting long."

"I actually just came here. Boys let me left mansion three hours ago." She giggled softly.

"You got your room in mansion?"

"Yes... we decorated it with Ranboo's and Tubbo's furnitures."

"So... you have in this chest more personal stuff to put there?" Technoblade asked taking deep breath.

Y/n ignored the question and smiled softly to him. "What did you want me to ask earlier?"

"Well... I think it doesn't matter now." His shoulder dropped.

She looked directly into his eyes. "It matters, because the answer is yes."

Technoblade moved closer with visible confusion. "What?"

"Yes. I am ready for a trip, I have this cloak if it happen to be very cold and even have gloves in pocket."

He studied her figure quickly, under cloak she was wearing warm, woolen dress, completly diffrent that early, light one. High boots and hair braided tightly.

"No." Technoblade looked at her in disbelief.

Y/n nodded and her smile widened. In a blink of eye piglin hybird hugged her tightly. She rested her head against his chest, feeling heat from his body.

'She is going with us.' 'We can't belive.' 'Hurry up, before someone will show up.'

"Let's go, you have to be tired." Technoblade said after a few minutes. He took her chest and pinned it to saddle, Karl stayed calmly. She pated his neck, smiling softly. Blade mounted horse and offer her his hand to help. She grabbed it strongly and sat down sideways.

"Karl can lifted us both?" She asked unsure.

"He lifted heavier things than you sweetheart, you can belive me, he will be good." Techno smiled, he always was impressed by her caring way.

Y/n hugged his waist and again rested her head against his chest. The trip was quietly, they enjoyed each other pressence, when they reached tundra, night fell and snow started slowly rain. Finally they stopped in front of Technoblade's house. Deadly hound didn't even react to new person nearbay and bears was sleeping peacefuly around. Piglin hybrid first dismounted Karl and help Y/n by grabbing her waist and put her on the ground. She nodded in gratitude and grabbed his hand. He took her chest and they reached the stairs.

"You didn't introduce me new visitor?" Phil's voice caught them near doors. Winged man stood in his threshold with crossed arms and playful smile.

"Hi Phil." Y/n said and blushed hardly.

"Tomorrow my friend. You shloud go to the sleep old man." Technoblade teased him.

"I hope you will be gentelman and offer lady a separate bed." Phil winked to them and then went inside his house. "Goodnight lovebirds."

Blade rolled his eyes and opened doors for Y/n. She went inside and looked around carefuly. Nothing changed at all, but maybe one thing...

"You... cleaned whole house." She giggled softly.

"Oh yes and I even created some spare place in cellar for your flowers." He put her chest on the ground and closed door. Their eyes met. Technoblade quickly had covered the distance between them, then cupped her face and gently pressed their lips together. Y/n breathing quickened, same as his heartbeating. After a kiss, their hands found themselfes, when Techno lean his forehead against her.

"I love you." He whispered softly.

"I love you too." She responded quietly.

'We love her.' 'We are going to take care of her.' 'Never, ever let her go again.'

[cocopubpotato]

a thor movie summary notes whatever

heya so nobody asked for this but here goes my entire notes of a summarry of the first thor movie

this was for a class work okay

saved you from having to scroll through this

New Mexico ; a person tries to register an anomaly an astrophysicist okay this movie starts differently than I thought thunder storms coming someone up there appears from the vortex and they run over him explanation of Norse mythology and they tell us about the war between Odin and the frost Giants. Orient took their power sources back to Asgard. Because it's a movie it has a chance to show us how radiant and perfect in comparison to New Mexico the reason the story is being told is to show thor and loki that war isn't good the next thing we see is thor being crowned Crown Prince in the event of a frost giant snake into the Asgardian vault to recover their power source and end up interrupting the ceremony. They failed their mission because security at the vault Teresa beat of a Maniac doesn't think properly of his actions this is a bunch of friends that don't matter.

I'm here thor decides to break the rules and still go to Jotunheim even though his brother Loki, who is a chaotic neutral at best, not to and also his friends advised he shouldn't do it but he doesn't care and does it anyway.

Thor's friends are going through Jotunheim to cause a big mess, Thor demands some answers from the ruler of jotunheim, he mentions theres a traitor(ps it's loki) it odins house and ignores that the frodt giant is actually nice and let's them leave but thor starts a fight anyway.

*insert action scene cause this is an action movie* (we also discover as does he that loki is actually a frost giant that was taken by odin during the war)

we can also see thors magnificent strength, odin come to save thors gang cause thors stupid and almost started a war then they have a fight and odin has to punish thor for his arrogance and stupidity by sending him to earth. While taking his powers away and giving the power to anyone worthy of holding mjiolnir thor's hammer.

now we retur to the start of the movie, thor being run over by a pair of scientists and getting tasered by an intern. thor goes a bit crazy on earth because who are these people doing something to the allmighty thor. we also get astrophyiscist science explained. then he gets runovered again. his friends over on asgard are talking about how horrible thors banishment is and loki reveals that he is the one that alerted odin, one of them suggests that loki might be a traitor ; loki goes for the frost giants powersource to learn more about what he is and finds odin. Now we go back to earth and see that thor doesn't know human etiquette.

talking about the hammer, here people find it and since noone is able to lift it a lot of people go near and try to take it; like the sword in the stone. until a certain organization comes and puts the whole area on lockdown to investigate.

the main scientist is called jane and honestly she makes very bad decisions(love interest) gets recommended not to keep on checking thor out; government takes away all her stuff and she gets pretty mad since they take her research. Shield James science equipment and research since discover for some reason she was there in the day the the aka the hammerfell I have some research basically no illegal wait but it's not illegal because they are the law. at Asgard well now remember at the Berkeley Loki is Apple Dutch angles oh yeah look at those odin link has fallen asleep and can't wake up loki is King in the meantime and denies the request to bring out door of his banishment.

back on Earth it's more about Norse mythology because he's curious about thor and everything. Jane takes by thor to the Hammer because she has nothing else to lose so might as well should we get some bad scenes of them flirting cringly that remind me so much of Star Wars Episode 2 which I hate. I really hate how back and forth to the plug go between now we are not now we are on earth we get a little bit of clear statement that I've actually loved Loki as her son as well no door is going to search for the hammer he's like right there I'll decide he only has two Frankie's weighing to hammer sentence on lockdown with hydrogen's hey I know that now PS he doesn't manage to lift the hammer heme Ethan Ward outfit because a crazy psycho that hasn't learned his lesson listen action scene action movie the good thing is that we get to see more dad even though you're lost his Godly Powers he is still very strong and at least holds his experience since most of what he did was close quarter combat combat that's it's an skis and able to live there he gets really mad barroso kinda sad to Luce these thoughts right now so it depends on the script on the right Bluetooth I submit my book like press that he can't do what he used to what's taken away government police.

Loki appears in front of thor and tells him the biggest lie the golden age that because because the war on coming to banish him kills me from the inside he also told him that because your character Golden Tones that I am the one on the throne home Barbie supplies. yeah I'm going to go to war as long as stars exiled and apparently agrees that he shouldn't come back and he has come to say goodbye the end. also Loki isn't worthy of the hammer.

now we give some bonding time foreign doctor Selvig because we need to to care about humans. but also thor takes note of how horrible person he has been. now we see the Loki is truly Daughtry tour and brought some of the soldiers into Asgard there is a key doesn't kill all them himself is because of the weekend that's suspicious if the new king kill the previous one. Heimdall doesn't believe any of lokis s*** price Val doesn't follow the rules he only believes in what's right it's like the most normal character in this thing

Now we get to see Torrid Jean because dorbrook dr. Selby after he drank passed out. Now we get to see more torrin James bonding okay but Jason is actually Exposition because store tells her about the 9 Realms of Asgard which is Earth and the others he apologizes for being a dick she apologizes for running him over oh and give her her research notebook because he grabbed it from the lockdown no to research more because she's actually right about her research on interpreting they have the look in their eyes pierdas relationship lasts yeah like two movies break up off screen. I want to sleep now. yay we get to see the sidekick Arjun game about going back to Rescue I'm bringing back to Asgard I have a lease on board because he doesn't believe inloki's reign yay now the sidekicks are not aired and they're going to search for tour but loki noticed that they left I never remember the name of this enemy but he reminds me so much of the one from X-Men Days of Future Past

Thor's friends found him yay I hear third Lair devil oketokun was a big lie because all his friends are like to know he's in there he's just asleep and then the enemy that guy Air Jordan wrecks havoc and beats Sidekicks up because they suck now they're evacuating the CD so that the Scythe cakes can keep the evil guy's he doesn't kill anyone going because killing is bad okay so because the bad guy is beating everyone really wants to kill tour Thor goes to find friends and he says some inspiring words to save so that she doesn't die kids and now he is worthy because he risked everything to save the others and has become a better person in the span of 10 minutes. thor tells Jane that he will come by he promises her that he will come back but we all know that he doesn't come back until like two years later because the bifrost is broken at the end of this movie because loki overcharge the bifrost it is going to destroy asgard and he can't let that happen but because of that he won't be able to see Jane ever again and he and Loki are almost falling to the universe and Loki let's go and disappears into the universe.

As a very merry and all the people in osgard are celebrating and everything Contender stories their mother and Thor are sad because Loki has gone and they love him like a son and brother and he also misses jane

[master-sass-blast]

Future: Realized.

HI!!!!!!!!!!!! I’M ALIVE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Sorry for disappearing. In short, health problems. I’ll expand more at some point --buT RIGHT NOW, IT’S FIC TIME!!!!!

Summary: You and Piotr begin the process of making your house a home  --and discuss some important very important details about your future life together while you’re at it.

Pairing(s): Piotr Rasputin x Reader.

Rating: G for Fluff. Just like... ignore the swear words.

Set after “It’s Truly Magical.”

Taglist: @marvel-is-perfection​, @chromecutie​, @super-darkcloudstudent​, @girl-obsessed-with-things​, @starman-thorsus-canos-jock 

“How in the fuck are all these choices so expensive?” you mutter as you scroll through a list of furnishing options. “They’re fucking couches, not twenty kajillion karat diamond rings. Sheesh.”

“Materials, labor, shipping,” Piotr says, gently rubbing your shoulder with his thumb as he reads the screen over your shoulder. “All adds up.”

The two of you are stationed at the island countertop, researching options for different couches and chairs to put in the living room space of your new house. You’re trying to do the purchasing in stages –you’d already furnished the kitchen, picked up a dining room table and chairs, and gotten a basic couch and recliner for the family room area—but chunking the effort out doesn’t seem to make the process any easier.

You continue to seethe while Piotr goes back to assembling the dining room table. “This is fucking impossible. Do we have to have a consistent theme for the whole house?”

“We do not ‘have to,” Piotr says as he screws the legs to the table base. “This is our home. We make all rules. It just can look nicer.”

You huff –then wrinkle up your face and gesture at the screen with your hand “Eight hundred dollars! I’m literally going to put my ass on you! I’m not paying eight hundred dollars to sit my ass on something every single day! Fuck you!”

Piotr chuckles and shakes his head as he tests the stability of his assembly job. “Easy, dorogoy. Perhaps take small break.”

“Don’t tell me to take a break,” you grumble as you stalk over to the couch and flop down on your back. “Eight hundred dollars! For a chair! Do you know what you do with chairs?”

“I am sure you will tell me,” Piotr says, tone amused, as he carries the table to the dining room.

“You put your ass on them! Eight hundred fucking dollars! To put your ass on it! The only thing worse than that is a toilet that costs eight hundred dollars, because you also shit in it!”

Piotr laughs, strides over to where you’re stretched out on the couch, and crouches next to you on the floor. “Worry not, we do not have to get eight hundred dollars chair.”

“Oh, I know we don’t,” you huff, crossing your arms over your chest. “It just pisses me off, is all.”

Piotr shakes his head, an amused smile playing on his lips, then leans over and kisses your forehead. “It is ridiculous.”

“It’s not just ridiculous! It’s fucking stupid!”

“That too.”

You sigh heavily, the sit up and bury your face in your husband’s shoulder. “I don’t want to live in a world where there are eight hundred dollar chairs, Piotr. I can’t do it.”

He laughs again and wraps his arms around you. “I hate to be bearer of bad news, but there are most definitely more expensive chairs, myshka.”

“No,” you moan, sliding your arms around his neck. “Don’t make me live with that knowledge. I can’t bear it. I can’t go on.”

“I know you can, moya lyubov’.”

“How?”

“One word: Cheetos.”

You laugh as Piotr pats your back, then sit up properly and cup his face in your hands. “You always know just what to say to make me feel better, honey.” You kiss the tip of his nose. “Thank you.”

Piotr grins, corners of his eyes crinkling up. “Konechno, moya dorogaya. V lyuboye vremya. If you are feeling recovered enough, though, I do want to talk about upstairs. We need to decide about four extra rooms.”

Your face goes blank at the thought of the extra bedrooms upstairs –and, more accurately, what Nate told you they were for. You have to stop yourself from touching your stomach. “I mean… we can. I don’t know if we really need to do anything with them though. We’re gonna be using the main floor more than we’ll use those rooms.”

“Da, but I do not want unused space. I was thinking guest bedrooms, perhaps office space—”

You swallow hard and do your best to keep your expression neutral. “I don’t know. Maybe we shouldn’t tie up that space just yet. We don’t want to fill it with stuff just to find out we can’t have it in there.”

Piotr frowns, perplexed. “This is our home. Why would we not use?”

“I mean…” You sigh and run your hand through your hair. “Dad told me…”

Piotr squints at you when your voice trails off. “What did Nathan tell you? Is everything okay with you two?”

“Yeah, yeah, just…” You can’t stop your hand from settling on your stomach as you mind casts towards the future. “He told me that they wanted to make sure we wouldn’t have to move from this place, given all the mutant stuff, so he looked into his future records for… information about future occupants.”

It takes Piotr a moment, but you can see the spark in his eyes when he realizes where your hand’s sitting. “We are having four kids.”

“At the very least, depending on how everything times out,” you confirm. “But, yeah, four seems like the logical answer.”

Piotr nods, processing the information. He takes a deep breath, then smiles giddily. “Well. That is exciting to know.”

“Yeah,” you agree, a grin crossing your face. “It is. I just… I don’t know when all that’s going to happen, or how fast, so…”

“I understand.” He kneels in front of you, smiling softly. “You are right that we will use main floor most. We can focus on that first –and, if we need upstairs space, we cross bridge when water passes under it.”

You beam –mostly at his earnestness, but also a little at the mangled phrase—and nod. “Alright. We’ll do that, then.”

Piotr grins back, then leans in and kisses you, his hand moving to cover your stomach as well.

[myghostmonument]

13 x Reader: Darkfall

Notes: Wow it’s only been 84 years since I posted something! I originally intended this to be a christmas-themed fic (and indeed started it in December) but unsurprisingly got too busy with other stuff and just now managed to pick it back up and finish it, with a few tweaks to make it more winter-themed than holiday. It is also gender-neutral for the reader, heck! I have several WIPS (including requests!) and will be posting more soon. Requests are also still open!  Summary: It takes a few tries but, annoyed at being labeled a Grinch, the Doctor takes you and the rest of the gang to one of her favorite winter planets. Although nothing goes horribly wrong (for once), you do all learn to be wary of hitting a certain blond alien with a snowball. Ends with a touch of fluff! Warnings: None! WC: 4100 

“You’re being a real Grinch, you know,” you panted, straining to reach over your head and hang up a section of the Christmas lights. You failed. “Augh! Ryan, why’d you have to put the hooks so high-” “It’s not my fault you lot are so short!” Ryan came to your rescue, taking the lights and continuing to hang them. “I am not being a Grinch,” the Doctor complained, hands on her hips. She was standing by the console, watching in bemusement as you and the rest of the team scurried around and decorated the console room. “I’m just saying, this is a timeship, decorating for a single planet’s single day’s worth of a single religion’s wildly inaccurate holiday doesn’t make sense-” “Christmas isn’t about making sense, or following a calendar, Doc,” Graham said wisely, sipping from his mug of peppermint cocoa. He was wearing festive, jingly reindeer antlers, and the only reason Ryan was still allowing it was because of the expression the Doctor made every time she caught sight of them. “Yeah, it’s about- being with the people you love, appreciating the light they bring in your life even when the days are at their shortest and darkest,” Yaz added, all but hidden beneath an armful of tinsel. “So basically it doesn’t have to follow linear time, it’s about being with your mates, and it’s for appreciating the past year’s worth of adventures,” Ryan said, ticking the items off on his fingers as he spoke. “Gosh, that sounds familiar, doesn’t it?” you mused, tapping your cheek in mock thought. “It’s so close I could almost put my finger on it-” “Alright! Alright!” the Doctor threw up her hands in exasperation while you and the others shared a grin. “Enough! I’m sorry for doubting Christmas-” “For being a Grinch,” Yaz corrected. “For being a Grinch,” the Doctor amended, glowering at Yaz and then the rest of you. “That’s alright, we forgive you. In the spirit of Christmas,” Graham said, and settled a santa hat on the Doctor’s head. The Doctor’s glower flickered, then she gave up, her face wrinkling into a scrunchy smile as she reached up and adjusted the hat so that it sat more securely. She then spun around, hands dancing across the console’s controls. “Graham, finish your drink. Everyone, fetch your coats.” She looked over her shoulder at you all as the TARDIS made its familiar wheezing groan and began to shudder. The Doctor’s eyes were bright, her face alight with enthusiasm. “You want Christmas? I’ll give you Christmas.” You and the others shared startled, delighted looks, then hurried off to get dressed properly. From behind you, you could just hear the Doctor muttering “teach them to call me a Grinch-” It was sure to have been a grand plan, some exotic and distinctly Christmas-y destination (or at least whatever constituted as Christmas-y, to the Doctor, which was questionable at best), but the TARDIS had apparently not been in a negotiatory mood that day. Which on the whole was fine; you were more than used to the TARDIS’ loose navigational structure, and indeed part of the thrill of traveling in it was that you could never be sure where or when you’d end up. But of all the places that the TARDIS felt you needed to be, did she have to pick a tropical planet? Because she did, and it was hot. Really hot. And not just a dry heat, but full on 95% humidity, ground squelches when you step, the air itself is almost a solid mist, hot. So stepping out into that delightful oven in your full winter gear, only to be immediately whisked away into captivity by the suspicious, warring locals (and thus unable to shed your suffocating winter clothes for some fair few hours) did not end up making your top ten list for ‘most enjoyed travel detours as conducted by the TARDIS’ list. It took several days to sort out that particular mess, and by the time you and the gang had made it back onto the TARDIS, something else had already come up, as it so often did. And by the time several linear weeks had passed (along with several wibbly-wobbly centuries) you and the others had quite forgotten about the Doctor’s Christmas-destination. She, however, had not. You had all been hanging about in the main console area while the Doctor conducted minor repairs, when she suddenly straightened up and whipped off her welding helmet. “Right, that should do it,” she declared, pulling off her smock. “You lot, get your coats.” When none of you moved, she lifted her brows. “What?” “Well, it’s just the last time you said that, we almost boiled alive in our clothes,” Graham said apologetically. “And I’m not keen to repeat it, to be honest-” The Doctor’s brows snapped together in a scowl, and she pulled a lever on the console. The TARDIS began to wheeze, the massive center crystal rising and falling. “I have apologized for that already,” the Doctor said in an aggrieved sort of way, and lifted a finger to point at the four of you. “This isn’t last time. Coats. Now.” Well, there was no arguing with that tone. Accepting the fact that it was better to risk overheating in a parka instead of arguing with an alien and her sentient timeship, you and the others scurried off to do as the Doctor said. The Doctor was waiting impatiently by the TARDIS doors when you and the others reappeared, dressed in your warmest clothes and wearing looks of resigned trepidation. Graham was last to arrive, tucking what looked suspiciously like a sandwich into a pocket as he went. The Doctor raised her brows at him, but didn’t comment. Everyone was used to Graham’s resource guarding by now. The Doctor hadn’t made any adjustments to her own wardrobe save for the rainbow scarf wound about her neck, but you weren’t surprised. She never seemed to feel the elements as keenly as her human companions, which you all thought was distinctly unfair. “If you’re quite ready,” the Doctor said, eyes lingering for a moment on Graham, who looked back blandly, “then behold: Christmas!” She turned and with a flourish, flung the doors of the TARDIS wide open. She then stood aside, letting you and the others step forwards and into the unknown. You glanced up at the Doctor as you stepped past, and she met your eyes briefly. She was grinning, and you couldn’t help but grin back. You felt her fall into place behind you, and your skin prickled with the awareness of her, as if the small space between her body and yours was electrically charged. Looking forwards again, you stepped out of the TARDIS... and into a Christmas card. Or maybe a winter wonderland. Some sort of cliche, anyway. The landscape was definitely mantled in white, pristine snow, and the trees and other flora surrounding you were picturesque in their winter austerity; several branches dripped delicate icicles, and the distant mountains were capped white. You halted, breath puffing into the air in front of you. “Still want to call me a Grinch?” The words startled you; you had been staring in delight at the landscape and hadn’t noticed the Doctor approach and lean over to murmur near one of your ears. She laughed as you jumped, and that low sound sent another thrill down your spine, this one utterly unrelated to surprise. The Doctor’s coat brushed lightly against your legs as she moved past you, but you knew she’d seen your half-hearted scowl. It had only made her smile deepen. “Where are we?” Graham asked. “When are we?” Yaz added quickly. “Welcome to the planet N’robac,” the Doctor said, spreading her arms wide to encompass the landscape. “We’re well off from your timelines, I’d say maybe 2500 years or so? In about, oh, twenty, maybe twenty-five rotations this planet becomes quite the tourist destination.” “What for?” Ryan asked. “It’s pristine winter landscape, of course,” the Doctor said, as if that were obvious. Ryan rolled his eyes. “Well I mean, a lot of planets have got to have nice winters, don’t they?” Graham said reasonably. “What’s so special about this one?” “You’ll see,” was the Doctor’s cryptic reply. “We’re a few hours early.” She put her hands in her pockets, gaze sweeping the landscape. “In fewer than a hundred rotations after its discovered, it’s ruined of course. Utterly destroyed by the traffic; so many beings coming to marvel at it, and none ever think of taking the time to care for it or their impact.” Her voice was sad, wistful as she looked around. “Perks of having a mate with a time machine all over again, then,” Yaz said, and the Doctor smiled, most of her melancholy seeping away. Yaz always knew what to say. You moved towards a tree, delighting in the way the snow crunched under your boots. It was perfect snow; deep and soft, but not powdery; it had enough moisture in it that you left perfect boot-prints, and you guessed that it would hold its shape very well if scooped into, something solid, like a snowball. You weren’t wearing gloves though, and decided against it. Soft scrabbling made you look up; something was moving around in the branches of the tree. Cautiously you stepped closer; traveling with the Doctor had imparted in you both great curiosity and great wariness for the unknown. You tilted your face up, squinting through the snow-laden branches as the scrabbling came again. There was a pause, then a small, round creature landed on a branch above you, its bright eyes fixing on you with interest. It was… a bird? It was camouflaged almost perfectly against the branches, but you could track its eyes, and the way it fluffed and settled its… feathers? Fur? It was hard to tell. Cautiously you moved closer, tried to get a better look. “Whatcha looking at- augh!” Ryan’s sudden words startled both you and the bird-creature, which twittered madly and vanished as thoroughly as if it had teleported. Well, for all you knew, maybe it had. You couldn’t be sure, though, because the creature’s rapid disappearance had resulted in a veritable deluge of snow dislodged from branch the creature had been sitting on. Ryan managed to get mostly out the way in time; you had not. Alien planet or not, the snow seemed as cold and eager to run down your spine as icy melt as earth snow, and you choked and gasped, wiping more of it out of your eyes. You were grimly pleased to see that in his haste to avoid your fate, Ryan had tripped and fallen backwards into a snowdrift. Not quite the same as a pile of snow on the head- but you could quickly fix that. Ryan obviously read the intention in your eyes as you advanced on him; he scrambled backwards on his hands, apologizing in an increasingly high-pitched voice even as you bent down and scooped up a handful of snow. You’d been right, earlier: it was perfect packing snow. You hefted the ball even as Ryan lurched to his feet, then coolly aimed and fired. Ryan screeched as only he could, taking the hit on his shoulder. He looked down in shock, then turned his face to you again in burgeoning outrage…. which was when you adjusted your calibration, and hit him directly in the face. Ah yes, that was much better- you could see the snow piling around his ears and collar. Revenge had been swift and devastating, and now you could both move on. Although it was odd that Ryan was bending down and digging through the snow. Had he dropped his phone? You’d feel bad if he had, he’d gone through so many since meeting up with the Doctor. Maybe you should help him look- oh. He was making a snowball. Oh. “Now wait a minute,” you began sternly, though you were stepping back carefully towards the shelter of the tree. “Mine was retaliation, a proportionate response. You can’t just-” Ryan straightened and launched his projectile, which you only just managed to avoid. You didn’t manage to avoid his second. You returned fire, and traded several increasingly wild volleys while the voices of the others egged you both on until- THWACK In an uncharacteristic display of coordination and timing, Ryan managed to duck your snowball. Unobstructed, the slushy missile continued blithely on its trajectory and exploded all over... the Doctor’s back. You and Ryan both froze. When the Doctor straightened slowly, pivoting on her heel to face you, both you and Ryan immediately pointed at each other in utter silence. The Doctor’s brows lifted, her face otherwise very still, expectant. There was a brief silence, in which Yaz was the only one smiling. Broadly. Something in the Doctor’s expression shifted, and without conscious choice you and Ryan both eased backwards a step. “Now, tell me Yaz,” the Doctor began, and at her musing, professorial tone you and Ryan took several more steps backwards, away from each other, “is it polite, when visiting an alien planet, to skive off and mess around, without listening to your mate who brought you there in the first place?” “Don’t think it is,” Yaz said, watching interestedly as the Doctor bent down, digging her fingers into the snow. “Is it clever, do you think, to go chasing after alien wildlife and get covered in alien snow, without first checking if it’s safe?” “Doubt it,” Yaz drawaled, as the Doctor straightened, her hands busily mashing a handful of snow together. “And most importantly, is it in any way wise, to challenge the annual Rings of Onantal snowball fight three-time defending champion?” “Seems unlikely,” Yaz replied, her eyes shining in what you thought to be a very malevolent way indeed as she watched the Doctor, who had created not one, but three perfect looking snowballs in very short time. The time lord swept her gaze from you to Ryan, and there was a moment of absolute, crystallized silence. Yaz’s smile deepened. Perhaps, out of the corner of her eye, the Doctor noticed this, or perhaps it had been her plan all along. You would never know. THWACK In one smooth motion, the Doctor had whirled, aimed, fired- and hit Yaz. You and Ryan both gasped. And then all hell broke loose. The thing you remembered most, later, (besides the sight of snowballs careening wildly all directions with variable speed and accuracy) was the ever present sound of Ryan’s screeching- you could always tell when he’d been hit because the screech would temporarily triple in pitch and volume. Other notable events that stood out from the general, all-encompassing pandemonium included: Graham (who had slipped back into the TARDIS not long after snow started flying) reappearing and dumping an entire bucket of loose snow on Yaz’s head as she pinned Ryan down (it turned out that she could screech almost as piercingly as Ryan), the Doctor upholding her reputation as a snowball fight champion and nailing almost every target she aimed at, only to trip on her own coat as she knelt down to gather more snow and end up bum over heels and unable to rise as everyone converged on her (Graham was an absolute menace with that bucket), and the suspicious way the TARDIS shields seemed to activate only when the duly deflected snowball was likely to hit someone in the back of the head. Eventually a truce was called and you all trooped back into the TARDIS, soaked to the skin and breathless with the cold. The Doctor flung off her coat (her clothes underneath seemed dry, which was absolutely outrageous) and vanished in the direction of the kitchen, promising to whip up a batch of what she called “hot cocoa juice” for everyone. You, Ryan and Yaz shared a horrified look, then as one blurted “not it!” Yaz finished just a beat behind you and Ryan. Wrinkling her nose, she stuck out her tongue and then trailed after the Doctor in an effort to mitigate the “hot cocoa juice” situation. She was largely successful; when you all gathered a short time later in the library to warm up with drinks and biscuits, only the Doctor’s mug contained questionable content. She drank it cheerfully and seemed oblivious as to why nobody else wanted to try it when she offered to share. The afternoon passed in much that way, with plenty of cocoa, biscuits, and pleasant conversation. At some point Graham had fallen asleep, and Ryan and the Doctor had started covering him in crumpled bits of paper. They had quite a pile going after a while, and Yaz lost a bet and five pounds to Ryan after he and the Doctor successfully began a stack on Graham’s face without waking him. You ended up dozing for a while, and when you woke you found yourself in need of the bathroom, and slipped away. Heading back through the main console towards the library, you hesitated and looked towards the doors. The light had changed; it seemed to be night proper now, or close to it. You thought about the landscape outside, and wondered how it would look at night, wondered if there would be a moon to shine on the snow, and before you had thought things through you were at the TARDIS doors. You hesitated, your hand on the door. You could just faintly make out the voices of the others, drifting from the library. “I lived in this town called Christmas, once,” the Doctor was saying. “No, really- lovely place, I’ve definitely spent worse centuries marooned in worse places. I might still be there, if it hadn’t been for this friend of mine-” You looked up, and could see a softly outlined pile of snow against the TARDIS windows. That decided you. Gently, you pulled open the door and stepped outside, shutting it softly behind you. It was snowing. You took in a slow, deep breath, reveling in the sharp air as it filled your lungs with that scent unique to snowfall on a winter’s night. The last of the day’s light seemed to be almost gone, just a slight glow edging around the distant horizon. You took a step away from the TARDIS, noting the signs of the earlier snowball battle being softened and erased by the new snowfall. You exhaled and closed your eyes, tipping your face back and quietly delighting in the soft pat pat pat of the snowflakes as they landed on your face. It was barely a sound at all, almost its own flavor of silence instead, something felt rather than heard. You realized that you were quite cold indeed, as you had neglected to put on proper outerwear, but as you continued to stand in the pristine, almost heartbreakingly beautiful snowfall, you decided you could make it a bit longer before heading back inside. You didn’t really need to feel your fingers or toes, right? “Didn’t your parents teach you not to go wandering off on alien planets by yourself?” You just about jumped out of your skin, eyes slamming open as you jerked around to see the Doctor stepping up next to you. “Surprisingly, they did not,” you replied tartly, your breath puffing into the air in front of you as you exhaled. Gods, you hadn’t even heard her come outside! “This friend of mine did, though,” you added, grudgingly. “Sounds like a wise friend,” the Doctor replied sternly. “You ought to listen to her.” You wrinkled your nose at the time lord, though you couldn’t help smiling. “I suppose so,” you condeded. “I wouldn’t want to get on the wrong end of one of her snowballs.” The Doctor grinned as she turned to look out across the landscape. “Almost true dark,” she said, sounding satisfied. At your quizzical look, she just shook her head mysteriously. “You’ll see,” she promised. “Any minute now, I should think.” You both stood in silence for a few heartbeats, shoulders gently brushing as your breaths made twin plumes of vapor that shimmered briefly in the sharp air, dissipating gracefully into the oblivion of night. It was really quite beautiful; it was also really quite bloody cold. You shifted your feet in an effort to warm them, and stuffed your hands in your armpits. But you couldn’t help again tilting back your face and letting the snow fall against your skin. The silence stretched out into the endless night, but you felt something in it… shift, as if a piece of it had focused on you. You opened your eyes and turned to see the Doctor watching you with an unreadable expression on her face. In the soft, muted colours of the night, her eyes seemed to shine like the night sky itself, vast and ancient and unknowable in its beauty. In that moment it was harder to forget that she was an alien, with the night shading her features and the stars themselves looking out of her eyes. “You’re cold,” the Doctor observed, though her eyes were not on your balled fists or hunched shoulders, but instead on the snowflakes that had collected on your eyelashes, dusted the bridge of your nose, kissed the curves of your lips. Her expression was still difficult to read, but something about it made your cheeks flush, and you looked away quickly. “I guess going outside on an alien planet without a coat is something else my parents neglected to teach me,” you replied, and the Doctor huffed out an exasperated, amused breath, some of that unknowable mystery receding from her expression. You were half-relieved, and half-disappointed. “Humans,” she muttered, and managed to infuse the simple word with several lifetime’s worth of fond irritation. You grinned. Then she moved to stand behind you and, before you could even begin to register what was happening, had opened her coat and, threading her arms under yours and around your waist, pulled the edges of it around you. She pulled you until your back was pressed against her own body, her arms keeping you in place. You began to warm up almost immediately, but weren’t aware of the fact for quite some time. Your breathing had hitched, snagging almost painfully in your throat, and you couldn’t focus on much of anything but the shape of the Doctor’s body against your own and the deafening thunder of your blood in your ears. “You’re shivering,” the Doctor murmured, and her lips were suddenly so close to your ear that you could almost feel the words against your skin. You could also hear the unspoken subtext, something along the lines of ‘foolish fragile life-form that you are,’ and it grounded you, a bit. Enough to breathe normally again, enough to let your spinning mind grind back into some semblance of orderly function. “This is worth it,” you said. You had meant the beautiful alien landscape, but as the words left your lips they acquired a subtext of their own, one that included the beautiful alien woman pressed against you. You bit your lip, and knew that the Doctor had felt the undercurrent of implication as well as her arms tightened, slightly. “Not yet, but it’s about to be,” she replied. “Ah, look at that! I’m good, tell me I’m good.” “Look at what- oh…” Your voice trailed away, and you just stared in awestruck silence at the trees, at the trees. They were glowing, each and every one. Just a soft glow, a subtle pale gold that limned every branch, rendered every leaf in gilded light. Most of the light was muted, softened and spread out by the snow that it shone through, but in other places it blazed, cutting through ice and fragmenting into geometric splendor. “Bio-luminescent trees,” the Doctor whispered, and the pure, unadulterated joy and wonder in her voice made your heart twist. The fact that she had known what the trees were going to look like, had probably even seen them before, but still managed such gentle enthusiasm when she saw them again, shared them...You leaned your head back, feeling the brush of her hair against your face. She made a soft sound, not quite a hum. “So am I still a Grinch, or-” “No,” you interrupted softly. “This is- perfect.” The Doctor hummed again, a pleased sort of sound that you could feel through her body into yours, then rested her chin on your shoulder. “It’s better than Christmas,” you murmured. “Thank you.” The Doctor didn’t reply. She just wrapped her arms tighter around you, nestling her head more snuggly on your shoulder and filling half of your vision with her curling, snow-dusted hair. You two stood like that for quite some time, and didn’t remember that the rest of the gang had yet to see the bio-luminescent trees (the whole point of the trip) until Ryan stuck his head out of the TARDIS and found you. It was several days before you and the Doctor heard the end of that one. But it had been, as you said earlier, very much worth it.

[tk-duveraun]

The Same Moonlight 1/?

Title: The Same Moonlight Fandom: SWTOR Rating: T Genre: Romance & Drama Summary: Cakara’s life has been a combination of bad luck and bad choices. She’s on her second fresh start, but maybe this one isn’t as fresh as she thought it would be. Notes:

I’ve made a lot of personal headcanons for echani because there is so little in canon. So don’t try to look stuff up.

Mandalorians in this time are officially allied with the Empire and, according to the Empire, this makes it illegal for them to have Force users in their ranks. They see it as a capital offense and will punish it as such regardless of the fact that Mandalorians are their own state and not actually subject to Imperial Law.

Mandalorians by tradition also don’t allow Forcers in their ranks regardless because of something terrible that happened in the past.

yaim = clan home/camp

alor = clan leader (more literally clan mother/father)

aliit = clan/family

cin’vhetin = the Mandalorian phrase meaning that your past is irrelevant and wiped clean.

beskar = Mandalorian iron, also shorthand for armor.

This is in the continuity of the Morning Comes AU wherein Rathi and Fox both live.

Meshurok’s yaim is in the middle of a thick forest. It’s not too different from Tiyaar’s. The wood making up the temporary defenses is less green and the twisting, creeping ivy is further up the ramshackle walls, but it’s not a complex with roots deep in the ground. The camp guards wear their armor as bright and polished as any other Mandalorian’s, though Meshurok’s grey gemstone sigil is more prominent than most clan symbols.

Cakara’s sunset orange armor doesn’t have Tiyaar’s mark. They had taken her in when she needed it, but she’d never felt like family. And she never would as long as people flinched at the first sight of her. She removes her helmet as Meshurok’s guards check her credentials, but neither one reacts nor comments. A green laser flashes over her armor, scanning for beskar and then the gate opens and she’s instructed to speak to the alor.

Eyes follow Cakara as she walks through the camp, but the expressions show only mild curiosity and the stares linger more on her weapons than her face. The command tent is impossible to miss, with its two meter tall standards. The grey gemstone is flanked by two smaller standards depicting the silhouette of some animal wearing a crown. It’s completely foreign to Cakara, but it’s no stranger than most symbols, so she doesn’t waste time thinking about it before nodding to the sentinel that lets her enter the tent.

The Hound of Meshurok is a tall, human woman with black hair so thick it fights against the braids keeping it in place, despite her undercut. Her expression is carefully neutral as she looks Cakara up and down. The muscles in her face twitch just the slightest bit, just the smallest movements that only an echani would catch, but aside from signifying that she has some thoughts, they don’t tell Cakara anything.

Cakara gives her new alor a shallow bow. “I’m Cakara. Wat Tiyaar said you’d be expecting me.”

“I was. Sit,” Hound says. Once Cakara is seated, she sits as well, her face still betraying nothing. “He said you were interested in joining our melee corps.”

“There was some tension because of my blood, as well,” Cakara says. Under her black tattoos, her skin is whiter than any sun-bleached bone. Even if the Hound is unfamiliar with echani bone structure and faces, there’s no other subhuman race with white irises like Cakara’s.

“Tiyaar are a hard lot. Good at what they do. Traditional,” Hound says. Her tone is slightly clipped, but not enough to suggest anything other than brusque professionalism.

“They took me in when I needed it. That’s what matters.”

Hound nods at her. “Good. I’ll tell you right now, if you’re looking for glory and constant engagements, you’re in the wrong place. We fight and we do it well, but we’re conservative with what jobs we take and our profits go to the children, not necessarily the newest weapons and the fastest ships.”

“I’m not here for glory. I’m here for…” Cakara hesitates, but finally says, “aliit.”

That puts a smile on Hound’s face, though it’s quickly wiped away. “That’s what I like to hear. I don’t tell newcomers what I’m going to say next, but with your training, you’d notice and it’s best to avoid any unpleasantness.”

It’s only her perfect muscle control that keeps Cakara from reacting. She doesn’t know which of the many things Cakara’s been trained in Hound is referring to. Nor does she have any idea what kind of unpleasantness the clan leader is imagining. She allows herself a single, quick nod.

“We don’t break up families for having gifts. The ideal warrior is one using all of their best abilities. If we don’t have a teacher for whatever they’re good at, we’ll find one. Even if someone has to leave for training, Meshurok will always be their home,” Hound says.

Cakara counts the steady, perfect beats of her heart as she mulls over those statements. There’s some specific talent Hound is referencing. One Cakara would recognize on sight. One she doesn’t want to talk about directly. Cakara fights off the urge to narrow her eyes in thought and leaves her face unchanged as her brain makes suggestions and tosses them aside. Despite her best efforts, an involuntary gasp escapes Cakara when the pieces fall into place. She whispers the word, barely giving it the breath for any sound. “Forcers?”

“No child will be ripped from their family for having a gift,” Hound says.

Cakara feels cold inside her armor, but also clammy and too warm all at once. More than half of her training in her old life had been to counter Thryssian sorcerers. They were evil, corrupted and couldn’t be trusted. She forces her eyes closed and shoves the old thoughts aside. Cin’vhetin. When she opens them again, Cakara meets Hound’s eyes and nods. “I understand.”

“The details aren’t something we discuss openly, even here, but rest assured, Mandalore already knows. That said, should the Empire take exception to our clan, we’re on our own. That’s what’s best for our people. Cerar and D’narr could have a place for you if that’s a problem.”

Wat had offered Cerar and D’narr to her, too. The four clans are close and often send warriors where they fit best. Everyone speaks highly of Meshurok, but the clan has no reputation… by design, clearly. They don’t want word getting back to the Empire that they’re ‘harboring’ Forcers. If the Empire finds out, summary execution is on the docket and Mandalore won’t intervene. It’s a dangerous position, but it could be worth it to find a family that accepts her for what she is and only what she is.

“I’d like to make a home here,” Cakara finally says.

“Excellent. You’ll be bunking with Zali for now. She’ll get you sorted and settled in. If you need more privacy after that, we can discuss it and work something out. I don’t anticipate any interpersonal issues, but should one arise, you are to bring it to my attention immediately so that it can be resolved before a true problem can arise. Arbitration doesn’t favor longevity, so do not hesitate to speak up.”

Meshurok is on the small side for a Mandalorian clan, but even so… “Your attention, personally?”

Hound grins. “Zali will tell you who can speak for the clan. She should be waiting for you outside.”

Cakara nods at the dismissal and stands. Just before she can step out, Hound stops her with a few words.

“One last thing. Welcome home, Cakara.”

“Thank you, alor.”

---

Meshurok’s mess tent is loud. Despite there being empty tables scattered around, the warriors are crowded onto the tables closest to the firepit in the center. The main ruckus seems focused on a red-haired human man that’s gesturing wildly as he tells a story. He has a long, intricate braid just as fancy as Hound’s pulled over his shoulder. Even from the distance, Cakara could easily read his lips and ‘listen’ to the story, but she doesn’t because she’s terrified. She has to imagine that no one else can see what she does, but they’re warriors, surely they should be able to recognize an apex predator.

It’s not that his smile doesn’t reach his eyes, because it does, there are even crinkles in the skin around his eyes that prove he smiles a lot. No, it’s the way he sits and how perfectly he moves his arms. Non-Echani shouldn’t have that kind of muscle control, especially not people in full beskar with its limited joints and lagging pneumatics. In order to compensate for those factors, the man would need years of training. Cakara’s been a Mandalorian for three years and she only has base proficiency at what this man does so carelessly.

Something of her fear must make it past her control over her expression because Zali puts a hand on her shoulder.

“Are you okay? Do you want to go back to the bunk?”

Cakara can’t take her eyes off the danger, so she doesn’t look at Zali when she speaks. Each word is deliberate and torn from her chest because she’s sure he can hear her, even from the distance, even over the crowd. “That man is-”

“Gorgeous, right?” Zali gives a wistful sigh. “Wherever alor got him, I want one.”

She chokes and feels weak in the knees even though she’s sitting. “Are you out of your mind? He could tear you apart with his bare hands.”

“Fox would never. He and Morathis, that’s the chiss on his left, they’re alor’s partners. They wouldn’t hurt anyone in the clan. You’re fine. Fox is the best person to go to with problems. Alor tries to make it a lesson and ensure we learn from our mistakes, blah blah, but Fox’ll just fix things.”

Zali sounds so confident that Cakara glances at her. “He’s a monster.”

“Well, yes, you met Hound, didn’t you? They’ve gotta be monsters to keep up with her.”

“Are you really not worried?” Cakara ask as she turns back to watch Fox.

Zali shrugs next to her and loudly picks up her plate. “Of course not. He pulled me outta the rubble on Balmorra and brings me food when I’m sick and stuff. Doesn’t matter that I’m not officially adopted, he’s basically my dad now.”

Cakara lets a frown sit on her face. It’s slightly reassuring that he’s apparently affectionate under his terrifying strength, but that’s almost completely negated by the clear devotion on everyone’s faces. Power comes in many forms… “I suppose I just have to trust you.”

[mlablockquote633]

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[kuriquinn]

Penthesilea [19/20]

Cover & Disclaimer:

Chapter Summary: No one will notice if he disappears after all of this is writ into law. He is, after all, notorious, and even his own people likely want to forget that he exists. Naruto aside, there’s no one among the Senju forces left to see him as anything but a monster.

Chapter Beta: None beyond my own two eyes and at the moment. Since I’m finishing the fic this week, I’d say all edits will be forthcoming within the next few weeks as my beta has time to look through everything.

AN: Welp. We’re nearing the end. One more chapter and possibly an epilogue to go.

Sasuke wakes to the smell of antiseptic in the air and the sound of hushed voices. Somewhere to his left, Naruto’s chakra is calm and familiar, yet a sense of surprise and dismay washes over him.

“You idiot,” he rasps. His voice is raw and gravelly, and it hurts to talk. “You were supposed to kill me.”

“Well, I gave it my level best,” the other man says dryly, “but a certain healer we both know had a more convincing argument. I happen to like my head where it is.”

Sasuke opens his eyes��and he can see again and inclines his head to the left. It hurts more than he likes but he fixes the blond man with a glare. Naruto sits beside him, face covered in bandages but smirking at him nonetheless. It irritates him.

“I was meant to die,” Sasuke slowly, as if talking to a particularly stupid child. “If I live, it makes it possible for the war to continue. You’ve allowed sentiment to jeopardise that. I thought you understood.”

“Oh, I understood,” Naruto mutters. “I thought it was stupid, but I understood. Everything with you Uchiha is death and sacrifice and drama…” He waves dismissively. “You got what you wanted—the world saw me kick your ass. And then they saw Sakura show up and save it.”

Sasuke can’t find his voice at this, and can only stare at Naruto in surprise.

“Mm-hmm,” the other man nods. “The people were calling for your death, and she stepped in and said that peace should not be begin with the spilling more blood. That you’ll be tried for your crimes, and an appropriate—and useful—punishment will be found for you.”

Sasuke frowns in thought.

Exile or hard labour, most likely.

He stares up at the ceiling of the large tent overhead; in the distance, he can still hear the sound of rushing water. He thinks they must have set the tent up around him, which means his condition was serious if he couldn’t even be moved. And yet…

It doesn’t escape his notice that a certain individual is conspicuously absent. He wonders if he might have dreamed her presence before he passed out for the last time.

He has to stop himself from asking about her. Instead, he wonders, “Why can I see?”

“While she was healing you, Sakura found out you had the same thing as Itachi,” Naruto tells him. “But she knew what to do this time. And she had Tsunade-baachan and Rin helping. I’m still healing so I wasn’t much help.” He indicates the bandages on his face. “It’s a good thing she did heal you, because she found something in the process. Something about the nerves attached to your Sharingan putting pressure on part of your brain. The part that’s responsible for decision-making and rational thought. So basically, you were batshit crazy, but it wasn’t your fault.” He snorts. “Maybe that’s why you came up with such an extreme plan…oi! Sasuke! Are you listening to me at all?”

“Where is she?” Sasuke returns, finally losing the fight against asking.

Naruto’s open expression turns troubled for an instant, and then he beams. “Well, you can’t really expect her to hang around for something stupid like you, right? I mean, eyes aside, you heal pretty fast. And there’s a lot of legal stuff that needs doing that she’s responsible for now. You know she was made Tsunade-baachan’s heir a few weeks after the conclave disaster.”

“Hn.”

He was aware, but the answer doesn’t satisfy him. There is something false in Naruto’s voice that makes Sasuke’s stomach clench in dismay. He can easily interpret the truth.

Clemency aside, Sakura does not want to be around him more than necessary.

There is movement beyond the tent and then a familiar head pokes in through the flap.

“Well, you two have done it now,” Kakashi says dryly. “You know they’ll be talking about your little spat for generations.” The rest of him enters the tent. “I’m pretty sure they’re writing songs about it as we speak.”

“Hah. Just make sure they mention Sasuke’s bad hair,” Naruto quips.

Sasuke ignores him, gazing upon his former teacher. He isn’t sure how to apologise or bring up what as passed between them, and can only manage a flat, “You’ve survived.”

He doesn’t bother hiding the relief in his tone.

“Glad to see you’re feeling better,” Kakashi responds, surveying him with a critical eye.

Sasuke’s heart clenches again as he recognises the gesture as one Itachi used to perform when he thought he couldn’t see. He has forgotten over the course of the past year just how close Kakashi was to Itachi—and how grateful he once was to have the man as a mentor. He expects to face anger and repudiation for his harsh banishment of the man, but instead Kakashi’s eyes soften a little

“It seems you’re a lot more like your brother than any of us ever imagined,” he tells him quietly. “Just do us a favour and don’t try to pull something like that again?”

“I doubt there will be a need,” Sasuke says, lying back on his pallet.

“Well, about that…There’s some, er, unrest out there,” Kakashi says. “Official peace can’t be declared without the presence of the Senju and the Uchiha leaders. Which would be you, since you didn’t die and, apparently, Obito goes by Nohara now?”

He raises an eyebrow at Sasuke, who manages to remain carefully blank-faced this time. Perhaps taking note of this expression, Naruto tries to draw the older man’s attention. “Who’s officiating?”

“An emissary from the Land of Iron,” Kakashi says, naming a country that has been neutral since the first days of the war generations earlier. “Some samurai named Mifune.”

“Guess that means we have to get pretty-boy here ready,” Naruto snorts.

“He’s not the only one,” Kakashi points out. “The Uzumaki and the Hyūga are expected to be present as well.”

“Aw, shit…”

Naruto’s impending whining is interrupted as the tent flap rustles again, and Sai arrives bearing an armful of robes.

“This was the best we could find you both on short notice,” he says blandly. “Some overbearing Yamanaka woman insisted you not show up covered in each other’s blood.”

He sounds as if he doesn’t know why that would be an issue.

“Sounds like Ino,” Naruto snorts as he reaches for one of Sai’s offerings. “I didn’t know she was back.”

“She and an envoy from the Land of Wind arrived the day before yesterday, as soon as they heard the news,” Sai says. “In fact, many of the people from departed clans and from the surrounding villages have gathered.”

“It’s Sasuke’s fault…he’s been out of it for days. If you’d woken up sooner, we wouldn’t have to make such a big deal of this,” Naruto complains, while Sasuke silently accepts his own bundle of robes. He blinks in surprise when he notices that someone has taken the time to sew the Uchiha kamon onto the back and sleeves of the formalwear.

“Today is an historic event, and everyone wants to see it,” Kakashi points out. “You shouldn’t keep them waiting.”

“Yeah, yeah…though someone’s going to have to help me put this stuff on. The last time I wore montuki I was six…”

Sasuke chooses to struggle into his own, trying to ignore stiff limbs and aching bones. He suspects that he will have to get used to dressing by himself for the rest of his days, and so there is no reason to get used to someone else helping.

Sakura’s lack of presence seems even more pronounced just then, but it’s not as if he can blame her. Their last meeting before his battle with Naruto was poisonous. If she can’t forgive him, what hope does he have of the hundreds – maybe thousands – of people who suffered the ravages of this war because of him and his clan?

For the first time in his life, his feet itch to run fast and far away.

戦国時代

The valley down below the ruined waterfall teems with people. Even standing so far above them all, Sasuke finds himself overwhelmed by emotion. People cheer and cry and hold onto each other – friends and family and former enemies, wearing every colour and crest that he’s seen on the battlefield. He hears celebrations and speeches about dreams for the future and all good things to come.

Another tent has been set up on an outcropping above the valley, at the best vantage point for the people below. It is draped in the colours of the main clans and their vassals, and surrounded by representatives from each. When he and Naruto draw near, the excited murmuring goes quiet. Their eyes fly to the leader of the Uzumaki and there is awe; when their attention falls to Sasuke, it is distrust and wariness. Even the gazes of his own former vassals are cold.

He can’t blame them. If not for his grief-fuelled madness and his relentless pursuit of peace on his own terms, they might have had peace for almost a year. The rest of his clan, with the exception of Obito, might still be alive.

Sasuke clenches his fist, trying to fight down the sudden overwhelming desperation to leave. As he sees it, he has done his duty – he has ceded victory to Naruto and everyone knows it. There will be peace between the remnants of the Uchiha allies and those of the Senju, as well as their vassals. It’s a bright future – the one Itachi wanted – but not one Sasuke intends to be a part of.

No one will notice if he disappears after all of this is writ into law. He is, after all, notorious, and even his own people likely want to forget that he exists. Naruto aside, there’s no one among the Senju forces left to see him as anything but a monster.

Not any more at least.

“I know what you’re thinking,” Naruto says quietly, interrupting his thoughts. “And that’s not part of the agreement. Even if you’ve still got to go on trial, you’re supposed to get a second chance at a future, too.”

“There’s nothing left to build a future with.”

“I bet you’re wrong about that,” Naruto smirks. “And I can prove it.”

Sasuke frowns. “Whatever you think you know is wrong.”

“Oh yeah? So, there’s no one alive who you wouldn’t consider staying for?”

Sakura’s face flashes to the forefront of his mind, first the softly-smiling image he always carries close to his heart, and then the one of utter devastation that haunts his nightmares.

Chains from a failed past, he thinks grimly.

“Listen, just do me a favour,” Naruto continues. “Stick around at bit after all of this. Once we sign the treaty, there’s something you need to see. And if after that still decide it’s not enough to stay here, I’ll let you go without a fight.”

Sasuke narrows his eyes, wary, but he nods incrementally. Naruto lets out a triumphant hah, claps him on the back, and jogs ahead.

“No sense of decorum, that one,” Kakashi says appearing beside Sasuke in his usual unexpected fashion. “But he’s got a point.”

Sasuke side-eyes him, taking note of the way the man’s eyes glint in amusement. Not just at Naruto’s antics, it would seem.

“You know what he wants me to see,” he realises.

“Yes.”

“Are you going to tell me?”

“No.”

“You’re maddeningly unhelpful.”

“You deserve to stew for a bit.”

He can’t argue with that.

They cross the rest of the distance to the festive tent, where more and more of the clan representatives gather. Far down below, the crowds of people continue to swell, spreading across the fields of battle that have been littered with the dead and dying since the days of Madara and Hashirama.

“The Valley of the End,” Kakashi reminds him.

“An apt name.”

“It’s like I said. People are already turning you into legends. Are you sure you two didn’t plan this?”

Sasuke sighs and stares up at the sky, counting down the hours until sunset. “This part wasn’t planned.”

The crowd of clan representatives and witnesses part as they come through, and he can see that inside there are several sombre looking individuals. Hyūga Hiashi stands there, with his daughters on either side, and there is a young man – barely old enough to shave – loitering nearby in the colours of the Sarutobi clan. He glares about as if challenging anyone to remark on his presence there. Suigetsu is there as well, dressed in the Hozuki colours, his dead brother’s sword sheathed behind him, while the redheaded Uzumaki woman—Karin, Sasuke supposed—scowls at him across the way.

Sasuke takes up his place beside the Hyūga clan, most of whom glare at him with undisguised dislike, while Naruto stands opposite him. A serious-looking man waves for everyone to quiet down. The vassals and allies of the various clans take their places behind their respective leaders, but Sasuke notices that someone is missing.

“Where is Tsunade?” he asks. The peace cannot happen without agents from both sides.

Naruto looks sheepish. “Yeah, uh…about that…”

And that’s when Sasuke tenses.

He can sense her before she even enters the tent, with that same otherworldly awareness he has always had of her.

“Senju Tsunade has exhausted herself healing this man and is resting,” a familiar, albeit cool, voice says from behind him. “There’s no telling if she will ever wake again. But the fact that her last act was to heal her traditional enemy should tell you where she stands. As it is, before she fell into her sleep, my honourable adopted mother bestowed upon me legal agency. I am to negotiate on her behalf and on behalf of all her vassals.”

Slowly, Sasuke turns to acknowledge the speaker of these words, and when he finally sees her he feels as if he can’t breathe. He has never been one to care overly much about a woman’s looks, even after involving himself with the one facing him. And yet he can’t help be in awe by the sight of her now.

He has never seen Sakura clothed in anything other than her armour or disguised as a common villager. This figure before him is neither the warrior or the healer, but a regal politician. Her pristine white robes bear emblems of the Senju, although the obi she wears has a circle stitched into it – her own clan emblem. Her hair has been pulled back into two twists on the side of her head – not for fashion, he suspects, but to draw attention to the seal on her forehead. Finally, a gold kanzashi sits upon her crown; it’s old, he can tell, and suspects it may have belonged to a distinguished Senju ancestor.

No doubt a reminder to any who might question her status.

“I take it there have been witnesses to this granting of agency?” the samurai from the Land of Iron asks, moustache bristling in annoyance at the change to protocol.

“That’d be me,” Naruto interjects. “And before any old fogies want to bitch about needing Senju blood present for this, Tsunade-baachan and I are cousins, so kinship-wise I’ve got both the Senju and the Uzumaki covered.”

He grins, utterly irreverent and unrepentant in the face of such a serious occasion. Hinata smiles shyly at him, stars in her eyes, but Sakura’s face remains carved of marble as she stares down Mifune.

“I suppose that’s permissible,” he mutters, clearly uncomfortable.

“Then if you’re not opposed, let’s begin,” Sakura says. “The Senju wish is to sue for peace. Are the representatives of the other honoured clans in agreement with this?”

“The Uzumaki stand with the Senju,” Naruto says.

“As do the Hyūga,” Hiashi declares.

Everyone pauses, staring at Sasuke, but he ignores them. He has no intention of speaking until she looks at him, but she barely inclines her head in his direction. Despite her confident bearing and the set of her jaw, he senses apprehension. It’s clear in the way her fists move beneath her voluminous sleeves – as if they are clenching and unclenching.

“Uchiha-sama,” Mifune interrupts, voice tense. “It may simply be formality at this point, but what is the position of the Uchiha clan?”

Sasuke continues to stare at Sakura, silently requiring some sign of her acknowledgement before anything else happens. She must sense this, because slowly her gaze is drawn to his. At first, she focusses her eyes somewhere to the right of his jaw, but gradually, as if drawn by a magnet, they meet his own.

Everything beyond the two of them fades out, and Sasuke’s lungs feel too tight. The bewitching irises that were burned into his soul the first day he met her arrest him, searching him with something that is wary and tentative and hopeful all at the same time.

For a moment, they appear to find what they seek, but in that same instant she looks away, an angry flush of colour in her cheeks.

“Sasuke?” Naruto prompts.

“The Uchiha clan wishes for harmony,” Sasuke says, turning away from Sakura. “It is desired that there be peace in this land, now and into the future.”

It is as if the entire room breathes a collective sigh of relief.

“I will enter into this agreement under the condition of equal respect and trust with the Senju,” he continues. “Much of the onus falls upon those of my blood…and I will accept the consequences of my actions thereof. But the sins of the past cannot be erased either. There must be full penance from both sides before we move forward. To this end, I wish to convey the contrition of myself and my clan concerning the lives lost and pain caused. The slights we have all endured – both real or imagined – have no place in the future.”

Sakura looks back at him now, eyes calculating.

“Before any amends can be made, I would ask the forgiveness of the honourable representative of the Senju,” he concludes, “for any injuries incurred by the actions of my ancestors or myself.”

Naruto’s jaw actually drops, having not expected this. Sasuke is half in agreement, having not intended to say much today. He tries to blame the fact he is still recovering from his injuries, but when Sakura’s eyes suddenly begin to shine with something like hope, he stops trying.

“The Senju accept the apology of the honourable representative of the Uchiha,” she says quietly. “Though no words can expunge the past, we will do all in our power to build the future you speak of – and let old hatreds be buried with our dead.”

They gaze at each other a beat longer, and he feels an element of the same, unnameable force that has connected them all this time.

“Then we will now discuss the terms of this concord into law,” Mifune interrupts with a clearing of his throat. “It is hoped that from this day forward there will no longer be discord between you, but harmony and –”

A high-pitched, screeching wail interrupts Mifune’s words.

Sakura freezes, and her gaze leaves Sasuke’s faster than he can ever remember it doing. As the people gathered search for the noise – a crying child, it appears – and mumble at the inappropriate interruption, Sakura’s face flickers with a desperation he doesn’t understand.

Naruto is also suddenly uneasy.

“Sakura,” he says cautiously, although his eyes flit to Sasuke.

She doesn’t reply, instead bolting from the gathering of peacemakers.

“Senju-sama!” Mifune calls out in protest, but she ignores him, stumbling to the edges of the tent as quickly as her elaborate robes will allow. Sasuke moves to go after her, but Naruto’s hand stops him.

“It’s not what you think,” the blond man says, and is that amusement in his tone?

Sasuke’s head whips back to observe Sakura, who is reaching desperately into the crowd and – apparently – arguing with someone. He has to strain his ears to hear her.

“ – not the time, my lady –”

“ – don’t care if it’s a serious affair,” she snaps, “hand her over, she needs me!”

“ – Sakura-sama, it’s not decorous to –”

“I don’t care about decorum!”

“You can’t just –”

“I’d give her what she wants,” a blond woman standing beside Sai remarks dryly.

“Shizune, if you don’t hand me my daughter in the next thirty seconds, I guarantee you that peace will be the last thing on my mind!” Sakura growls.

Instantly a swaddled, wriggling and crying bundle is laid in her arms, and she holds it tight, making shushing noises and rocking it back and forth. The entire world has fallen away and she appears to be aware of none of it.

Sasuke can relate.

At that exact moment, everything else seems superfluous in the face of the truth he watches unfold before him.

Sakura has a child.

Sasuke’s heart clenches in his chest, and he has trouble breathing, but this time it isn’t due to awe for the woman before him. The last hopes he had of rekindling what they had dies away.

Because it has been a year, and what did he expect? That she would wait for him to come to his senses after he singlehandedly ripped apart every possible path leading to a future they could share with one another? She had people to heal and lead, and at the end of the day, she deserves to be with a man who can make her happy. He has utterly failed in this, and so he can’t even protest the gutting sensation ravaging him now.

She…deserves to be happy, he tells himself.

Long minutes of awkward whispering follow, with Sakura unable to quiet the fussing child. People are exchanging judgemental glances, and Mifune shifts in annoyance. Eventually, Sakura sets her shoulders, and stalks back to re-join the delegation, still cradling the baby. As she ducks into the tent, she bestows an expression of challenge anyone to criticise the sudden addition of crying child to the proceedings.

Sasuke suspects that it is only a general, healthy respect for what her fists can do which keeps anyone from protesting.

When Sakura’s eyes fall on his, something like dismay and apology enters them, confirming his worst fears. Then her demeanour becomes serious again and she strides forward, eyes on him and still bouncing the crying baby.

Her gaze never wavers, and it feels as if she’s using him as an anchor; he wishes she wouldn’t. The closer she gets, the more he must steel himself, refusing to look down at the child. He doesn’t want to acknowledge it or the idea of Sakura’s features blended with some other man. Instead, he does his best to meet her searching gaze without flinching.

Then she smiles a little, bouncing the infant.

“This isn’t exactly the way I imagined today would go,” she admits to him, as if they aren’t standing in the middle of stalled peace talks or being watched by the representatives of clans from both sides. As if these aren’t the first personal words she’s spoken to him in almost a year.

Or that the heart he spent his life pretending didn’t exist isn’t being shaved into a million tiny slivers as the seconds go by.

“The baby is a surprise,” he replies weakly.

She shoots him an urchin’s grin. “I imagine so.”

“Probably not as much a surprise at the other thing,” Naruto pipes up.

Sakura shoots a side glare at him. “Shut up, Naruto, this isn’t the place!”

“Oh, I don’t think there’s much choice of that right now,” he grins down at the baby. “She’s got a flare for the dramatic.”

“I suspect she comes by it honestly,” Kakashi remarks from several paces away. His visible features show no surprise, and Sasuke feels a sudden burning anger rising within.

Kakashi knew.

He and Naruto both knew about this, and they said nothing to him. And they had the gall to think he would be happy about it? And Sakura –

Sasuke knows that he has a long way to go in earning her forgiveness – perhaps he even deserves some pain for what he did to her – but this? He has never believed she would be the type to rub his face in his mistakes or remind him of that which he will never obtain.

One year can certainly change a lot, he thinks darkly.

“I suppose you’re right,” Sakura sighs now, apparently unaware of his inner turmoil. “It’s not like everyone won’t figure it out eventually.” 

“In case none of you are aware, we’re in the middle of something important,” Mifune bites out.

“You don’t know the half of it,” Naruto snorts, while Sakura bites her lip and the baby fusses louder.

“Shh, Sarada…sweetheart, don’t fuss now,” Sakura murmurs softly. “I think it’s making your father nervous.”

Sasuke instinctively looks to Naruto, expecting him speak up or joke or confirm his relationship to the child, but the blond man simply continues to laugh and shake his head as if the whole situation is highly entertaining. There is no other man around them that looks concerned for the child in the way a parent might – curious, perhaps, and possibly irritated judging from the expressions of the older delegates – but the father of Sakura’s child does not appear to be in the vicinity.

It makes sense, and his frustration must show on his face, because Sakura suddenly laughs.

“Is something about this funny?” he asks her.

“Sasuke-kun…” she sighs, shaking her head like he’s missing something. Maybe he is, because the familiar way she says his name takes his breath away. He barely notices her moving closer, putting herself and the infant into his personal space. “Would you like to hold your daughter?”

There’s an instantaneous collective intake of breath all around them, as the implication of Sakura’s words sets in. Then, everyone is talking at once – exclamations of disbelief and demands for clarification and Sasuke doesn’t hear any of it beyond the first explosion of his noise, because his own brain has stalled.

“Sasuke-kun, would you like the hold your daughter.”

Daughter.

His daughter.

“It’s not…it’s not possible…” he murmurs faintly, staring at Sakura in a silent, desperate request for explanation.

Sakura purses her lips and raises an eyebrow at him in challenge. And he knows exactly what she would say if they weren’t in such esteemed company.

Because the reality is, they were never careful. He always assumed that she was taking some form of preventative measures – after all, the battlefield is a dangerous place, especially for women. Unwanted advances are common, whether from the enemy or even amorous comrades. While it’s highly unlikely anyone could ever force themselves upon someone as strong as Sakura, it would be irresponsible of a female medic to compromise her usefulness by falling pregnant.

And yet…

Even if she was, there’s always a small chance…

In the background, Mifune tries to demand order, while the various clans and their vassals dissolve into confusion. The Hyūga seem apoplectic with shock and indignation (not Hinata, however).

“Uchiha Sasuke,” Naruto snorts. “The dumbest genius in the land—ow!”

He ducks an elbow from his redheaded cousin, who also seems unsurprised by the proceedings.  

Sakura lifts the fussing infant closer, and this time, Sasuke can’t stop himself from gazing down on her. The minute his eyes meet the baby’s, any infinitesimal shred of doubt vanishes as if it never was.

Because they are completely black.

It’s a distinctly Uchiha trait, possibly related to their dōjutsu, but Uchiha babies never have light eyes – even at birth. In addition to the inky black hair, Sasuke can already see smaller versions of his own features – nose, chin and cheekbones – and the way her face scrunches in displeasure at being held away from her mother. She appears to notice him looking down at her because she stills, and then he finds himself the subject of a direct, appraising look.

His heart stutters at the sight, because that look has been levelled at him before – first by his father, and then by his brother – only this time it’s with eyes identical to his own.

Sasuke doesn’t notice much more than that, however, because it is at this point that he promptly passes out.

つづく

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Thanks for your interest in my work!

クリ

Next Chapter

[compendiumofthesilverriver]

Introduction

So, what is this? My name, or pen name, is D.E. Gladestone. I'm an amateur writer who enjoys worldbuilding more than actually writing stories, or so it seems. Over the last six years, I've been building a sci-fi universe called Silver River. It's a passion project, really. It's inspired by all the typical stuff. Star Wars, Star Trek, Mass Effect, Halo, Doctor Who, and so on. But my goal has been to try some new things as well with it, as well as simply creating something according to my personal tastes. So, let's start with a summary, yes?

The Silver River Arm, commonly known simply as just 'The Silver River' or colloquially 'the Arm,' is one of the many arms of the Ethereal Dust Sea Galaxy. It is a outer spiral arm of said galaxy spanning roughly 3,500 light-years in width and roughly 10,000 light-years across. Containing an estimated twenty billion star systems. However, generally, when denizens refer to the Silver River, they are not referring to the spiral arm as a whole. Instead, they are referring to the roughly 10,000 system wide area known as 'Known Space,' also called 'the Civilized Sectors,' and 'the Explored Reaches' by some. 

This is not to say the remainder of the spiral arm is either uninhabited, nor that expansion is undesired by those within this region of space. But rather, this is the region most stories take place. This is a smaller scale version of sci-fi than most, deliberately. Focusing on the current efforts by various factions in the region who have built up across in the region over a roughly thirty millennia period of expansion and colonization. Expansion beyond this region is highly unlikely, due to in-universe logistical reasons. Galaxy spanning empires are, simply put, impossible within the Silver River universe.

Regardless, I digress. The Silver River’s main region is very populous with well over three thousand sapient species distributed throughout the region of space. Many of these species have unified into various major and minor interstellar political entities that have laid claim to well over 6,000 of these star systems. With the remainder being either uninhabited as of yet, inhabited by one or more pre-spaceflight species, or stripped of the majority of its resources before being abandoned. Such is the way of this universe, as you will see later.

Whilst dozens of factions dot the stellar region, the Silver River is primarily controlled by two particular governments: the Stellar Confederation and the Penrith Aldwylsar. Though the two sides are bordered in all three dimensional directions by neutral worlds, the two remain heated enemies with occasional skirmishes. Largely in the so-called 'Border Worlds,' the bubble of the aforementioned worlds that surround both of their territories. While there have been numerous attempts to repair the deep seated rift between the two governments, all have ended in failure. Largely as a result of in-fighting, deliberate sabotage, or simple accidents caused by both sides. Regardless, as a result of this divide, neutral political entities usually go out of their way to avoid helping or hindering either government. Lest they either be attacked or forcibly absorbed under the direction one of the two’s larger militaries.

These neutral entities range from small collectives of species aboard neutral trade space stations that make up what is known is the Free Port Imitative to small species empires who have managed to stave off angering either group and carve out their own niche in the Silver River. There are also various underworld entities hiding in unclaimed space to run their various operations.  Generally, larger organizations do have territory within governmental space. But they choose their targets carefully lest they bring down the wraith of the Confederates or Penriths. Outside the influence of either faction, small border conflicts between certain neutral groupings flair up on occasion. Often these are a result of culture clashes, or piracy in the case of underworld entities. Generally these conflicts are either ignored by the larger factions, or used as casus belli to invade and take control of either or both sides.

Whilst there has not been exploration beyond the currently mapped 10,000 systems, travels from beyond these barriers do occasionally venture into Known Space. Most often these are simply individual explorers from as of yet undiscovered interstellar empires, but occasionally there have been waves of refuges from whole wars or catastrophes that bring new species into the area. The Silver River is rarely a forgiving place. Largely, these groups are absorbed into the Confederation as a Client Protectorate state, though a few have become neutral factions in certain cases. Others have even been allowed temporary sanctuary in the territory of the Aldwylsar, until they can recover. Though none as of yet have been incorporated into it or become adherents of the Penrith faith. Most, at best, maintain a distant friendly relationship following the encounter.

The newest political player is the Turas Kroseth, the direct democractic empire of the Veshani species. Formerly the reptavian slave masters of the humans, a species from a planet called Tranquility, they appeared when a Confederate patrol ended up wiping out a newly established Veshani colony which they mistook for a pirate outpost, killing all civilians present. Their unique technology, plasma-based weaponry and shielding devices, gave them a firm edge over the kinetic armaments and armor-based defenses of the Confederation. As a result, what followed was less a war and more an orbit long slaughter wherein sixty-seven systems were fell to the Veshani. The majority of the colonies in them glassed into dust, with others simply having the populations executed directly. 

When peace was finally achieved, the entire affair became a national shame to the Turas Kroseth. In the aftermath it was thanks to the efforts of one particular Veshani, Vellia Varkarth Othuros, that the Turas Kroseth became a Client Protectorate of the Confederation. Helping them both use the Confederation’s laws to avoid reprisals from the species who suffered from the mistake driven conflict, as well as make it easier to compel more resistant members of the Turas Kroseth assist in rebuilding. Whether this new state of affairs is for good or ill remains to be seen.

So, that's the basic history summary. Now, for a few last details. This universe is meant to be dark. Cynical. I wanted to create a sort of grimdark setting where there wasn't just endless war. But rather politics and cultural exchange still occurred frequently. And there being a more dynamic nature to the universe, with the aforementioned politics and cultural exchange having an actual impact on the events that occur within. And in terms of doing something different, I wanted to forgo some of the most well-used tropes of the sci-fi genre. 

Which brings me to the three Golden Rules of my creative process for the Silver River.

Rule 1: Humans are not Special. 

 You may have noticed the presence of humans in an almost footnote like fashion as the former slaves of the Veshani. That is deliberate. While humans characters do exist, few are important to the setting. And few ever will be at all. Humans are not any more special or important than any other species in this universe. In fact, they are deliberately less important than most. It was not mentioned above, but the Silver River takes place in a universe that is an alternative to our own. Tranquility is an alternative version of Earth, with a similar but not identical history that can basically be described as a 'failed world of tomorrow.' Basic robots were invented in the 19th century out of clockwork automatons, and it spiraled downwards from there. To the point it resulted in the destruction of the world in 1988 at the hands of the western powers and the Soviet Union via nuclear exchange. The surviving humans come from shelters specifically intended to keep humans alive after this occurred, and their number is small. Not only that, but the survivors broke apart and began warring over the limited resources after exiting these shelters until they became little more than primitive city-states who destroyed everything they accomplished out of greed and pointless hatred. Simply put, Humans are not special. Nor numerous.

Rule 2: No Near-Human/Human Looking Species 

I admit, I am a furry. And maybe this is me as a furry talking, but humans bore me. And alien designs were you slap a rubber forehead or a slightly altered skin tone on a human and call it a day bore me even more. So they don't exist in this universe. All aliens are either animalistic or wholly unique. Most are indeed bipedal humaniods, but other than thus guaranteed to have two arms, two legs, and a head, the majority actually have variety to their apperance. I'm not limited by anything more than my imagination. So I intend to try to get creative here, at least as much as I can.

Rule 3: No One Culture Species (AKA Planet of Hats) 

This is a pet peeve. Most alien species lack the concepts of ethnic, cultural, or religious identities outside of one universal society that you either follow or don't. That doesn't exist in the Silver River, for the most part.  While a (very) small number of species do have the one culture, one religion, one identity society, they are the minority and considered strange. Most every species has the same variety of ethnicities, cultures, religions, and languages that humanity does. Again, humans are not special. Least of all in this way. Diversity is important. Even amongst aliens.

And that about covers the basics. I'm gonna start posting more in-depth lore after this, but this gives you all the basics in this long-ass thread. Thanks for reading and I hope you enjoy!