#fingers crossed I can execute it the way I plan to as well and that all of what I want to accomplish with it falls into place right too

[chubs-deuce]

I wrote 3k words worth of just plot notes today WE ARE SO BACK

[tasteracha]

professor bang

word count: 2.3k

warnings: unprotected sex, power imbalance (grad student x professor), multiple orgasms, chan calling the reader pet/good girl

synopsis: you laid out a perfectly crafted trap to seduce the hot professor - too bad he’s one step ahead of you.

the midday air is unsuspecting as you walk down the creaky hallway, floorboards of the psychology building groaning under your feet. the nerves are close to eating you up whole but you continue walking, too far into your plan to turn back now - you know what you want, and you’re going to get it. no one turns an eye as you walk past open doors, the hem of your dress swishing around your knees. they’re accustomed to seeing you here, being a graduate student in the department means you spend more time here than you do in your own apartment. 

you stop at one door in a series of identical ones, only told apart by a worn out plaque listing a room number and a shinier, newer one reading “christopher bang, ph.d.” underneath it.

the door is cracked just a bit, enough for you to peer inside and there he is, standing in front of his desk, wearing a crisp white shirt under a grayish-blue blazer. his pants are too tight to be suitable for a professor, and they cling to his thighs and stretch across his ass perfectly, making you pause in the doorway with a hungry stare that lasts for too many seconds. 

when you look up you meet his eyes and it makes you jump; you didn’t know that he knew you were there. this doesn’t fit in the plan.

the plan you cooked up when he got a little too cozy with you during the department holiday party last semester. the plan you’ve been making and scrapping and working yourself up to execute, avoiding him at every corner so that he wouldn’t know. you were supposed to surprise him, walk in pretending like you needed help with some assignment, getting closer and closer to him until your breaths were intermingling and then you’d look into his eyes and he would glance at your lips and-

and now he’s caught you checking him out like some kind of creep. 

“oh, hi y/n,” he says, eyes turning crinkly as he looks at you with a shit-eating grin. fuck.  

now that you’ve been found out, you slide inside the gap in the door, shutting it closed behind you and letting the lock click behind your back. if he notices, he doesn’t react, steady eyes trained on you as your feet take you closer and closer to his desk.

“hi professor bang,” you say, surprised by how clear your voice comes out. that’s good, you wouldn’t want him to know how nervous you are just yet, it would add to his smugness and you didn’t know if you could handle his ego being even bigger than it is right now. 

“what can i do for you?” he says, crossing his arms and leaning against the desk. the blazer stretches over his shoulders and the material does nothing to hide his biceps and your mouth waters. he quirks an eyebrow at you when you don’t speak for a moment, and you have to clear your throat before any sound comes out.

“i needed some help with a research project,” you say, moving close enough to him that if anyone were to walk in they would absolutely report the both of you for some kind of ethical violation. good thing you locked the door, then. “i was hoping you could be of service.”

“oh?” he leans further back into the desk, fully relaxed in a way you wish you were. “what kind of project?”

“well, it has to do with human connection,” you trail a finger across the collar of his blazer, further down until it catches on a button, in a show of false confidence. “i was looking to maybe get some hands-on experience? for research, of course.”

you feel a swell of victory when his breath catches in his throat and his arms loosen from where they were crossed to drop at his side. 

“well i certainly am the expert in that domain,” he drawls, eyes flickering down to your lips and back up. “i did write my dissertation on it, after all.”

it’s a lie - you’ve read his dissertation, full of information about cognitive theory and eye movements and other things that honestly went way over your head. not a single mention of human connection was in that document, but the fact that he’s so readily playing along with you means that you didn’t misread anything. either he wants you, or he enjoys toying with you; either way, you were on board.

even more so when he takes his blazer off, throwing it off to the side like it didn’t cost him an aggressive amount of money to buy. you’ve seen the designer labels on him plenty of times enough to know he likes to treat himself to nice things. 

you’re hoping you can be his next nice thing, the next possession that he flaunts and parades around. 

you lean in for a kiss, but he surprises you and flips the both of you around until you’re backed up into the desk. he’s leaning over you, dark eyes looking down at you like you’re his prey. 

“let’s even the playing field a bit, shall we?” his voice has gone down, low and sultry, and you feel your head loll back from how it makes you feel. he makes quick work of removing your dress, letting the material pool to the floor so he could focus on your bra. it’s your favorite one, lacey and red and sexy, the material leaving nothing to the imagination. he takes a second to admire it, fingering at the strap around your shoulder and sliding his thumb into the cup before he reaches behind you and unhooks it in one try. it joins his blazer and your dress on the floor a moment later, and you’re left feeling exposed in front of him. 

“how is this even?” you ask, resisting the urge to cover yourself with your hands. “you’re still wearing all of your clothes.”

“well, sweetheart,” he starts, moving impossibly closer to you. “we’re in my office. that means i get to decide the rules, no?”

he swipes an arm across the table behind you before you can answer. papers flutter in the air, and he’s hiking you up onto the desk before they reach the ground. his hands are under your thighs, spreading them apart so he can fit between them. one of his hands snakes into the band of your underwear, your sensitive skin erupting in goosebumps from his touch.

“so wet,” he says, a smirk painting his face as his fingers part your folds to make slow circles around your clit. it shouldn’t be enough to send shivers up your spine, but it’s him, so it does.

“for you,” you say, looking up at him through your lashes. the amused glint in his eyes turns sharp, dark and possessive. just what you wanted. 

“this is mine?” he asks, cupping you in his hand while his other reaches around the small of your back to hold you close to him.

“yours,” you hum, nodding even though his attention certainly wasn’t on your head.

he dips his fingers inside of you, gliding easily inside from how his fingers are coated with your juices. when he crooks his fingers and thumbs at your clit your head tips back, and you might have lost your balance if he wasn’t holding you so close that you could feel his breath on your skin. 

it’s on your third time stumbling over the word professor that he leans into your ear and tells you to call him chris, his lips kissing your ear as he works you to your high. you’re shaking apart on his desk and yet he doesn’t relent, he continues to move his fingers with fervor until you can’t help but push at his chest to get him to stop. 

“chris,” you stutter out when he latches his lips to your neck, open mouthed and hot as his fingers move to grab at your thighs. his hands are so big, veins bulging as he digs his fingers in. you hope there are bruises there, tomorrow. and the next day. 

“gonna fuck you now, okay?” he says, voice husky. “for research.”

“yeah, research,” you breath out, using both your hands to cradle his face so that you could kiss him, finally. his lips are as soft as you imagined, plushy pillows that you could find yourself lost in for hours. he keeps his lips on yours as he moves your underwear down and off, helping you balance so he could slide it under your thighs until you’re bare in front of him. you’re unbuttoning his shirt with shaky fingers, and he chuckles against you when you can’t get one of them open.

“funny?” you break away from him, eyes trained on the way his lips are red and slick with spit. 

“you’re cute,” condescension lines his voice and a spark of anger runs through you at how he knows he has the upper hand. he gently takes your hands away from his clothes and makes quick work of them himself. in what feels like a split second, he’s stripped of his shirt and pants and he’s pulling down his boxers, revealing smooth planes of muscle and strong thighs and bulging arms that you’ve fantasized about for months. you don’t know if you want to cover them in bites or let him crush you with them more - there will be time for that, the next time. 

you know there’s going to be a next time if it’s already this good and he’s barely even done anything to you yet. 

he spreads your thighs apart further, and you don’t miss how he licks his lips at the view of your dripping cunt in front of him before he lines himself up at your entrance. you barely got a glimpse of his cock, but your mouth waters at the idea of it being inside of you. he glides his cock through your folds a few time, slicking himself up before pressing his head inside of you. 

when he bottoms out you can’t help but tighten your walls around him, helpless to the desires of your own body, and the groan he lets out makes you clench down even harder. 

“relax, pet,” he says, panting a bit. his thumb strokes at the sensitive flesh of your inner thigh. “i’m going to take good care of you okay? but you need to relax for me.”

he leans down to kiss you again, and it must be a good enough distraction because he begins moving in time with the swipes of his tongue on your teeth. every time he rocks into you the air punches out of your lungs, you’re so full. he moves his face to the crook of your neck to hide his own labored breaths when he increases his pace, thrusting into you faster than you can keep up with. 

he’s pressing you into the desk with each movement of his hips, the sharp corner against your legs sending pricks of pain up to your head. the game is over, the research bit is done, now it’s just chris taking what he wants from you. you love it. his arms wrap around you, keeping you upright, and you latch onto him like a lifeline. you’re completely at his mercy, entirely submissive to the way he’s keeping you still so he can use you. 

you can tell he’s close when he pushes his head even further into your skin, fingers gripping your back and his movements becoming sharp and purposeful. he spills into you a second later with a bite to your neck, and you can’t help yourself from following him as your head tips back in pleasure. 

when he pulls out you wince, the emptiness that he’s left you with feeling worse than you’ve ever felt with anyone else. he lowers you onto the desk slowly, letting your head rest on his mousepad as he runs his hands up and down your sides in comforting sweeps. you’re utterly spent, two orgasms hitting your limit, even more intense coming from him. 

“one more,” he drawls out, not showing compassion at all for the way you’re panting and drooling onto his desk. “you can do one more for me, can’t you?”

“no, no, no,” your voice comes out thready and light, barely a sound. his hand returns to your core either way, slow circles of his fingers around your clit making your body twitch with each pass. the oversensitivity is too much, but you’re too weak to pull away from him. you don’t even know if you want to, anymore. 

“there’s my good girl,” he grins when you whine and rut down onto his hand. you didn’t know it was possible, but the coils in your lower belly start to tighten faster than before. you’re coming before you even realize it’s happening, pleasure seeping from your core to your fingertips, an all encompassing sensation that you can’t put words to. it lasts for what feels like forever, waves and waves of ecstasy rocking through your body until your vision blacks out for a moment. 

“you did so good,” he finally stops and you press your legs together to stop him from returning. he’s pressing kisses to your body, your thighs and your stomach up to your neck and cheeks as he mumbles praises into your skin. his hand runs through your hair, pushing the sweaty locks that were stuck to your forehead out of the way so he could press a final, sweet kiss to your forehead. “so good for me. so pretty, my precious pet.”

and even as he takes care of you, cleans you up and helps you back into your clothes and feeds you water, you’re holding back a smirk. because he thinks he has the upper hand, he thinks he won, but you can guarantee that he’ll be knocking at your door before the week is over.

[ilguna]

☼ lovestruck, lovesick, lovelorn pt2 (Finnick Odair) ☼

summary; Finnick has a hard time keeping up his façade, especially since you know that what he told you was a bunch of bullshit. he's not able to confirm it until weeks later, when you've healed from the capitol abuse.

warnings; swearing, death mention, death, gore for sure, blood, weapon usage, mention of prostitution, needle mention, strangulation, abuse.

wc; 6.5k

part one.

--

“Sponsor gift.” Johanna interrupts the silence.

You look over from where you’re standing the water, finding the silver parachute slowly making its way down to the beach. It seems that Katniss has finally woken up, as well. She’s leaning forward on her crossed legs, rubbing one of her eyes.

Johanna catches the gift in her palms, the parachute falls away to reveal that there’s another pyramid of rolls. It looks identical to the batch you’d received last night, which is confirmed by Finnick after he meticulously counts each one, and tells them that there’s twenty-four of them.

They begin to divide the bread, you turn away, not wanting to be included. You would eat, if it meant that you didn’t have to sit in a group with them. Namely Finnick, who’s kept a close eye on you since last night. Especially since you refused to lay down with the others, choosing to pace the treeline.

You would’ve offered to take Peeta’s spot behind Finnick to take watch, but you’re not really interested in being in close proximity with Finnick. It’s partly the embarrassment, and there’s also the fact that he was lying to you. You saw the look on his face, you heard it in his voice. He fed you bullshit. 

And now he must be waiting for you to make your escape. It’s not going to happen, though. You made a commitment, you have a plan, and you have the full intention to execute it tonight. After all, it’s the third day. All you have to do is make it fourteen more hours, and you’ll be free of this arena.

“(Y/n), do you want your bread?” Johanna asks.

“No, I’m fine.” You tell her without moving.

They spend the next few minutes eating, before Katniss takes Peeta into the water to teach him how to swim. You back away, heading to lurk along the treeline of the jungle again. It’s close to where Johanna and Finnick are, as they try to stay occupied. Johanna’s keeping her eyes on the two in the water to ensure that they’re not getting up to no good, while Finnick begins to weave himself another net.

“You said you had a plan last night.” Johanna says, looking over her shoulder at you. “Are you ever going to let us in on it?”

“The Careers are probably watching our every move, waiting for the right moment to attack.” You tell them, a conclusion they’ve likely already come to, themselves. “They won’t do it until we’ve split up.”

Finnicks hands have paused, waiting for you to suggest that you should go off alone to attack them. 

“They’re outnumbered if we stay together.” Johanna says.

“Right.” You say, “We all know Katniss, though. She’s not going to want to be in this alliance much longer. She’ll probably stay until the Careers are dead, because that just leaves us.”

Johanna’s nodding, following along.

“I say that we kill them tonight, at midnight.” You stab the sword into the grass, leaving it there when it sticks. You move to stand in front of them in the sand, hands on your hips. “And we do it Beetee-style. We can electrocute them on the beach, assuming that they come out here to refresh when we go into the jungle for the night.”

“How?” Finnick asks, you look him over.

“The sun goes down, making it slightly cooler. The wave will hit at ten, making the beach wet. All we’ll have to do is wrap the wire around the lightning tree, and get two people to walk the wire down to the beach to bury the spool before the lightning hits.” You hold up two fingers, “This causes the group to split two to three, and by then, Enobaria and Brutus will be on us like flies to honey. And that’s when I’ll split away to kill them before they can do any real damage.”

“So, really, whoever has the wire will act as bait?” Johanna asks, face twisted. “And what makes you think you can take out two Careers?”

You half-shrug, “Because I’ve done it before. If you got any better ideas, I’m all ears.”

She shakes her head, “I don’t. It sounds like it’ll work out fine.”

When you both turn your attention to Finnick, you find that he’s nodding, eyes on the sand. 

“Well, if we’re in agreement, then we can tell those two,” You jerk your head towards the water, “Later. We can’t do anything until the wave hits, anyway.”

When neither of them say anything else, you go back to where your sword is, pulling it out of the mushy dirt. There’s a deep slice from where you’d stabbed it. As you’re about to wander away, Johanna says something about her going back to sleep in the meantime, since she didn’t get much sleep last night.

Finnick continues weaving his net out of the jungle vines. You watch his progress between glances each time you turn to move the other way. You could probably just stand here, staring into the jungle, but you said so yourself last night—the Careers aren’t going to attack until nightfall, when they’ve got cover.

However, there’s always a chance that you’re wrong, and they decide that they’d rather take the five of you head-on. This is why you refuse to rest. If they get the jump on you, you won’t be able to keep yourself together any longer. You’ll chase after them, and they’ll end up dead before midnight.

“Hey, Finnick, come on in!” Katniss suddenly calls. You pause long enough to see her waving. “We figured out how to make you pretty again!”

Finnick ties off the net, which looks like it’s pretty much done, anyway. He leaves his trident behind, going over to see what they mean. From what you can tell, they’re taking handfuls of wet sand to rub against the scabs that are peeling from their skin. You would need to do the same, if you hadn’t been picking at them all last night.

When they’re done, they come out of the water to apply another round of ointment. Katniss offers the tube to you, which you take gratefully. After a small squeeze on your hand, you rub it along the places where you’ve been affected. For the most part, you were able to say ahead of the fog, even when you were helping Finnick carry Peeta.

“I’ve come up with a plan.” You tell Katniss and Peeta once they’ve settled in the sand. “I already told Finnick and Johanna about it while you were in the water.”

Katniss places the bow in her lap, fingers pinching the string. “And they liked it?”

“Enough.” You say. “There’s only two threats left in the arena, and that’s Enobaria and Brutus. So, we need to take them out. Except, we can’t hunt them down because they could be anywhere, and it’d take all day.”

“Do you think they’ve figured out the clock?” Katniss asks.

“If they haven’t, they will soon.” Finnick says.

“I want to set a trap tonight.” You dig the toes of your left shoe into the sand. “Enobaria and Brutus won’t attack again until it’s dark out and they have cover, that’s a fact. Which means they’re not going to come out here, onto the beach, until they’re sure we’re done.”

“You want to stay in the jungle tonight?” Peeta asks, “That’s dangerous, how will we know what sections we’re in?”

“That’s not what I’m saying.” You shake your head. “What I want to do is kill them when they step foot on the beach. And the only way to do that is with this wire.” You point at it.

Katniss’s face twists. 

“The wave hits at ten, making the surrounding beach damp. If we connect this wire to the lightning tree and bring it all the way down to the beach—or even into the water—that first strike will electrocute anything in contact with the sand. It’ll kill them.”

It’s quiet between the four of you, as they mull this over. You can see that Finnick is looking at you, but you keep your eyes on the Twelve tributes. They need to agree to this plan, in order for you to move on and worry about greater things. Like how you’re going to take down Enobaria and Brutus at the same time. Or if you’ll be able to split them up, too.

Peeta’s mouth pops when he opens it to speak. “How do we know that the wire won’t just burn up when the electricity passes through it.”

“It likely will.” You say, “We probably only have one shot at this.”

“So there’s a possibility that we won’t even get them?”

Finnick sighs, “Yeah.”

“But all the seafood will be cooked.” Peeta says.

You nod, “It will, but we found other things in the jungle.”

“Nuts and rats.” Katniss says, you think you’ve got her on board. “And we have sponsors.”

“It’ll be a pain if we fail.” You tell them, “There’s always other options, after this.”

Katniss meets your eyes. “Why not? If it does fail, there’s no harm done. If it works, there’s a decent chance we’ll kill them. And even if we don’t and just kill the seafood, Brutus and Enobaria lose it as a food source, too.”

“I say we try it.” Peeta agrees.

When you’ve lost the attention of the Twelve tributes, you look at Finnick, giving him a smug look. You told him that you’d figure out a plan, and it’s not half-bad either. You’re sure Beetee would’ve said the exact same thing, just with more technical nonsense. You make a pretty good filler, if you say so yourself.

“What should we do until then?” Peeta asks.

“We could take a hike up to the tree to get a look at it.” You suggest, but you’re thinking about surveying the area on the way up. The better you know the jungle, the more you’ll be able to sneak around in it.

“I’ll get Johanna up.” Finnick says.

You back off, Katniss and Peeta gather their belongings, getting on their feet. Finnick catches Johanna up to speed, telling her that the plan is on, and you want to go take a look at the tree. She sighs, getting up from where she was laying.

You pick the wire out of the sand, throwing it over your shoulder to hold while you walk. You move over a couple sections, and Johanna makes the way into the jungle first. You follow after her, not wanting to have a debate with Finnick on whether or not you’re allowed to be behind them. 

The air is thicker in the jungle than it is on the beach. It must have something to do with the vegetation, or possibly a hidden water source, making it humid. Between the incline and the heat, you’re sweating in a matter of minutes. Even though all you’re wearing is the undershirt and shorts that were provided with the wetsuit that you abandoned yesterday.

You focus on your breathing, and the steps you’re taking to keep from tripping. Not the fact that Finnick is close enough for you to hear his breathing. You wish he would stay a few steps back, so you can pretend that he’s not there entirely. 

As if he’s reading your thoughts, he says, “Can you walk faster?”

“Maybe you should be in front of me if you don’t like my pace.” You snap.

“That’s not happening.”

“Then shut up and deal with it. And stop walking so close, while you’re at it.”

He makes a noise, “There’s three feet between us, that’s plenty.”

“Yeah, I’m sure you think so.” You mutter.

He must hear you, because he doesn’t walk for a couple of seconds, letting the distance grow. You laugh, unbelievable. This is why you don’t believe what he said to you last night. He can deny what you said as much as he wants, but a part of it has to be true.

However, the more he denies it, the more you feel yourself slipping. Why do you like him in the first place?

“Katniss should take the lead, Johanna. She can hear the forcefield.” Finnick calls from behind you.

Johanna pauses, turning around for you to see her. There’s a bead of sweat running down the side of her face. “Hear it?”

“Only with the ear the Capitol reconstructed.” Katniss says below.

“Go ahead, then. I’d rather you get electrocuted to death than me.” She motions.

Katniss passes the line, taking the front. When you glance behind you to see who’s taking up the rear, you see that Finnick and Peeta have switched places. Which makes sense, but you still shake your head. 

Katniss brings you to the towering lightning tree, making you wait a few feet back while she gathers nuts to throw ahead to see how far away the forcefield is. She tosses a few of them, and you know when she’s found the field when it sizzles on impact, jumping at her.

“Just stay below the lightning tree.” Katniss tells you.

With it being only nine—almost ten—it’s quickly decided that you’ll stay here for the next hour or so. They divide responsibilities between each other, leaving you out so you can figure out the tree and how the plan will work. Naturally, they stick Finnick with you, while Johanna taps for water, Peeta gathers nuts and Katniss goes hunting for the tree rats.

You go back and forth, looking at the tree, guessing how far around it is, and then looking at the wire, thinking about how much you’ll have to use. There’s easily miles of the wire wrapped around the base, so you’re not worried about running out of it. It’s how thick you need to make it on the tree.

You make a noise, biting the inside of your cheek. This is where Betee would come in handy. You can make a plan, but executing it correctly is a different subject. Either way, you need to make this work.

“You can’t figure it out.” Finnick says, it’s not a question.

“I’m thinking about how much wire I need to use.” You eye him, “It’s figured out.”

And if it isn’t, it will be by tonight, you think.

The ground begins to shake beneath you, as the sound of the wave crashing through trees fills the momentary silence. You have an hour and a half before you need to get back down to the beach in order not to get caught here in a lightning storm.

Katniss comes crunching out of the trees, holding three of the rats in one hand, the bow in the other. She stops next to Peeta, dropping the animals next to him, and then draws a line in the dirt a few feet away from the forcefield.

She cleans the kills, cubing the meat, and roasting them by tossing them at the forcefield. She catches each one in a free basket that was made by Finnick yesterday. Peeta follows her movements with the nuts, dropping it in the same bowl as her.

“Figure it out?” Johanna asks you, setting the water on the ground behind Katniss. She holds the spile out between her fingers in Katniss’s direction.

Katniss reaches up to take it, and secures it on the vine attached to her belt.

“Pretty much.”

By the time Katniss and Peeta are done, the next hour is up. You know this when the clicking in the section over rises. You heard some of it last night, but it wasn’t very loud because you were on the beach. Here, it sounds so close.

“I think it’s an insect.” Katniss says. “Maybe beetles.”

“Something with pincers.” Finnick adds.

The sound swells in reaction to their voices. 

“We should get out of here, anyway.” Johanna says. “There’s less than an hour before the lightning starts.”

At that, the food and water are gathered, as well as weapons. You don’t go very far, only to the rain wedge next door. The food and water is placed on the ground, where you squat around the bowls to pick out what you want. This is when you finally eat, because it looks fairly appetizing. Still, you don’t take much from the pool, only enough to be full.

When you’re done, you make your way back down to the beach until nightfall. The sand is smooth from the water, sinking under your weight, leaving footprints behind. 

Johanna offers to take watch to allow the rest of you to sleep if you want to. They take her up on the offer, but you sit up, fingers laced in front of you. None of them nap for very long, because they’d gotten a fair amount of sleep last night. The only person it would benefit at this point is you, except you haven’t been tired since yesterday afternoon.

Well, that’s what you think until Finnick switches off with her. He lowers himself next to you, back to the water, eyes on the jungle. He’s less than a foot away from you, off to your left. For someone that doesn’t like you, he really sticks close, doesn’t he?

“I’m going to sleep.” You mutter, getting to your feet.

You find a nice place in the sand that’s covered by a tree in the jungle. It’s not easy settling in, you think that you’d rather fight with a rock-hard bed, but you don’t really have a choice. You close your eyes, forcing yourself to take even breaths to relax, feeling the drowsiness creep up on you.

–

The heel of your shoe is kicked, jolting you awake. You grab the knife that you’d placed next to you, rolling over to see who it is. It’s Finnick, he’s holding his trident in one of his hands.

“We’re about to clean the seafood, come join us.”

You squint at him, wondering if you should strangle him for waking you up like this. It wouldn’t be that hard to, and you’d likely get over him quicker. And you would probably do it, too, if it weren’t for your allies a few feet over, talking.

“Sure.” You say, he walks away, going to resume his place in the circle. You sit up, heels of your hands massaging your temples. You should’ve just stayed awake, now all you are is tired and irritated.

You scoot over, finding a place between Johanna and Finnick. You look over all of what they’ve collected, which is fish, shellfish and oysters. You sigh through your nose, reaching forward to grab a fish, as you begin to slice into it with your knife. It takes you about two minutes to successfully clean it, tossing it in the next basket.

Peeta pries open an oyster, laughing slightly. “Hey, look at this!” He exclaims. You look up from your next fish to see that he’s holding up a pearl. “You know, if you put enough pressure on coal it turns to pearls.”

“No, it doesn’t.” Finnick says. Katniss laughs.

Peeta rinses the pearl off in the water, handing it to her. “For you.”

“Thanks.” She says, closing her hand. 

You toss another fish in the basket, Johanna gives you a look. “No wonder why Finnick woke you up, you’re faster than he is.”

Finnick gives Johanna a glare, “That’s not true.”

“I don’t want to make this a competition.” You tell both of them. “I’m not in the mood.”

“I can see that.” Johanna says, “Bad dreams?”

“I just want to get the fuck out of here.” You make a clean cut through the fish, looking at her. 

She sighs, “Don’t we all?”

“The locket didn’t work, did it?” Peeta asks. “Katniss?”

“It worked.” She says.

“But not the way I wanted.” He says, looking away from her. That’s the last thing you hear from him for the next fifteen minutes.

With your help, they finish preparing the food pretty quickly. They give the seafood a final wash to get rid of any of the sand, and right as you’re about to eat, a parachute comes down from the sky, landing next to Finnick. The first one is a pot of red sauce, the second one being another set of District Three rolls. When counted, the number turns out to be the same as it’s been the last couple of times.

You take a strip of the fish, dipping it into the red sauce, and then dropping it into your mouth. The moment your tongue realizes that it’s tasting more than just raw fish, your mouth begins to water. It’s spicy, and so good. You hum, giving the others an approving nod.

The five of you begin to eat, actually enjoying the meal. While they gorge themselves, you take it slow, not wanting to be too full for when you fight the Careers. It’ll slow you down. When they’re done, there’s still a lot of leftovers, but you’re not able to keep them. They toss the food back into the water, so that when you leave, the Careers won’t be able to have it.

Katniss and Peeta go to sit by the water together, holding hands. You, Finnick and Johanna stay where you are, passing around the water shell. There’s still a couple of hours until the wave, you could probably an hour or so in, but if you try to get any more sleep today, you won’t get up the next time they try to wake you.

The anthem plays, no faces show up in the sky. The sun has officially set, and you can’t sit still any longer. You get to your feet, sword in your hand while you go back to pacing the treeline. 

When Katniss and Finnick agree that it’s about nine, you move on from the beach, taking only what’s necessary. Katniss leads the way this time, Peeta in front of you, with Finnick and Johanna at the very end. This time, Finnick leaves a safe distance between the two of you, learning from his mistake.

When you get to the tree, Finnick is assigned to help you. And before you can object and ask for Johanna, they’re already walking away to find their places to watch the trees. You stick your sword in the ground, and then crouch down to begin unrolling the wire. You set several yards aside, making Finnick wrap some of it around a broken tree branch, which you leave aside.

After that, you and Finnick stand on opposite sides of the lightning tree, passing the spool back and forth. You form an X, watching as it grows thicker, before you begin to wrap it around the middle. This goes on for about an hour, until you hear the wave begin. You wait for a while longer, and decide to stop once it’s thick enough.

When Finnick hands the wire back to you, you clear your throat. “The wire needs to be brought back down to the water.” The three taking watch turn to look at you, waiting. “Katniss and Johanna will do it.”

“I want to go with them as a guard.” Peeta says immediately.

“You don’t move fast enough.” You tell him. “Which is a result of you hitting the forcefield and your prosthetic leg. You’ll stay here with me and Finnick. Katniss can guard, because she’s got her bow.” Peeta’s shaking his head. “We don’t have time to argue, they need to leave, now.”

“It’s okay.” Katniss says after a moment. “We’ll just drop the coil and come straight back up.”

“Not here, we’ll meet you two in the next section over.” You remind her.

She cups Peeta’s face. “Don’t worry. I’ll see you at midnight.” She kisses him, you avert your eyes, and land on Finnick, who’s staring. You squint at him. Katniss moves away, “Ready?”

“Why not?” Johanna shrugs, coming over to take the wire from you. “You guard, I’ll unwind. We can trade off later.”

Katniss walks off first, with Johanna following. You keep a careful eye on the sliver of wire that hangs through the air as they go down. If you try to pass through that area, you need to be mindful that it’s there.

You grab your sword out of the ground, while Finnick divides the area into three sections for you to stand in. You’ll give it about fifteen minutes before you take off with some sort of excuse, because there’s not a single doubt in your mind that the Careers are out here right now.

Over the fifteen minute period, you shift your weight from foot to foot, trying to make it seem like you have to use the bathroom, restlessly moving around. You let out a loud sigh, “I’m sorry, I have to pee. I’ll be right back.”

“That’s not a good idea.” Peeta tells you, “Finnick should go with.”

“He’s not standing over me while I pee, and you’re not either. I’ll stay within earshot.” You say, looking at Finnick. You raise your eyebrows, Finnick gives you a slight nod. He better keep Peeta distracted enough to the point where he doesn’t realize how long you’ve been gone. 

You duck under the wire, heading into the trees with your sword. You walk a few feet, occasionally glancing behind you to make sure that neither of them are looking, before you make your escape. The wire is close enough for you to see it, still suspended in the air. 

You move quickly down the slope without having to wait on anyone, searching the area ahead for anyone. Katniss and Johanna have got to be more than halfway down by now, it’s going to take you a minute to catch up with them. But if Enobaria and Brutus are smart, they won’t stick that close, because Katniss is paranoid.

The sound of rocks rolling on one another makes you stop behind the tree you’re passing by. It came from the left, from the other side. You lower yourself to the ground, peering around the trunk and through bush leaves to see if it’s them.

You find Enobaria creeping out of her hiding place, knife in hand, blade glinting in the moonlight. With a swift motion, she cuts the wire, sending both ends in different directions. She chases after the end going down to Katniss and Johanna, and that’s when you can see Brutus, following after her.

He’s limping. This will be easy.

You stalk them, trying to be quiet. The wire is gone, completely out of sight. It’s probably already bunched up at the bottom. Which means that they know that something—someone—has come between them and the lightning tree. And vice versa for the top of the hill, where Peeta and Finnick are going to realize that the girls are in some danger.

You were wrong about how far down Katniss and Johanna were, because you come across the coil of wire a minute later. Katniss is laying on the ground, eyes shut, forearm cut where the tracker should be. 

“She’s as good as dead! Come on, Enobaria!” You hear someone shout.

Your head whips in the direction, forgetting about Katniss. She’ll pick herself up soon, and if she doesn’t, someone will come for her. You pick up the pace to follow after the heavy footsteps. They have to be targeting Johanna, because she’s nowhere to be seen in the area. She’s drawing them away, taking the focus off of the girl who scored a twelve.

You see Brutus moving through the trees, trying to keep up. You switch the sword into your non-dominant hand, grabbing out a knife. You draw your arm back, and with every ounce of strength you have, you send the knife flying at Brutus.

It hits the back of his head, a cannon blasts immediately, his body falling into the greenery. If it wasn’t a frenzy before, it will be now that someone has died. 

Enobaria, who was a few feet ahead of him, stops in her tracks, turning to look at you. You walk toward her, a smile spreading over your face. “Hi.”

“You’ll regret that.” She snarls, throwing a knife at you.

You see this coming, twisting just in time for it to miss you. She charges forward, you switch the sword into your dominant hand, swinging at her. She blocks, blade clashing against yours, the sound of metal sliding on itself fills the air.

“Stupid plan you made.” She says between breaths, baring her teeth.

“You fell for it.” You grin, sweeping her legs.

She falls, you stab down at her, she rolls out of the way. She doesn’t have time to stand up, you’re swinging at her, getting closer each time.

“(Y/n)!” A voice calls, you halt, just for a second, eyebrows twitching in.

Finnick.

“Playing house?” Enobaria sneers, right before she swings at your hand.

You drop the sword, but still get cut across the back of your hand, up to your wrist. The blood begins to leak out, making your skin slippery. You hiss, reaching for your knife when Enobaria gets to her feet, coming for you.

She gets you several times across your body, you’re off beat by a second. You’re not thinking about the fight anymore. Your mind is on Finnick, who’s supposed to be watching Peeta at the lightning tree, but instead he’s out here, looking for you.

He knew the plan, he knew you’d go after the Careers, that was the whole point of splitting up. The sooner you get rid of them, the better. There won’t be a threat in the arena anymore. You’ll be able to cut out the trackers in your arm freely and wait for the rebels to get you. You could even let Katniss and Peeta in on it, because by then it’ll be too late for the Capitol to intervene.

Enobaria steps too close, snapping you out of your thoughts. You grab her shoulder, holding her in place while you slam the knife upward, into her stomach. You stare at her, watching as her mouth drops open, struggling to take a breath in.

“How the mighty fall.” You murmur.

Her eyes meet yours, “Go fuck yourself.” She wheezes. “You’re next.”

“We’ll see about that.” You tell her, pushing her back.

She stumbles a few steps, you drop low to pick your sword out of the grass. She’s shaking her head, a plea forming on her lips, when she jerks forward, and she falls to her knees.

Johanna stands on the other side, her axe now embedded in the back of Enobaria’s skull. She gives you a little smile, “You killed Brutus?”

“It was easy.” You tell her. “We should get back to the tree. The lightnings going to strike any minute now, the beetles are getting quieter.”

Johanna nods, you begin to lead the way, climbing as fast as you can. It’s difficult with the cuts that Enobaria managed to land. They’re in the most inconvenient places, as if she was doing it on purpose. Maybe she thought you’d run, and this way she’d slow you down.

“Katniss!” You hear a voice call, it sounds like Peeta. He’s not supposed to be out here, Finnick should’ve had him on a leash. “Katniss!”

“Is Chaff still alive?” You pant, “There’s only been two cannons, right?”

“Yeah, he should be.” Johanna says.

You’re just nearing the top, the clicking is practically nonexistent, until it suddenly swells. Your eyes pan down, afraid that you’ve stepped into the wrong territory, but there’s nothing on the ground. That’s when a scream erupts from your left, drawing out for a minute.

And then a cannon goes off, there goes Chaff.

You turn, wanting to make sure that Johanna’s still following. She’s leaned over her knees, breathing deeply. 

“Katniss!” Peeta’s voice is close. You look up, and barely find him through the trees. He must see you, too, because he starts to come down. His eyes are bouncing between you and Johanna. “Where is she?”

“I don’t know.” You shake your head. “Is she at the tree? And where’s Finnick?”

“Johanna?” Peeta insists, ignoring you.

“The Careers split us up.” She lies, “I had to draw them away.”

“Is that who died?” He asks.

“Brutus, Enobaria and Chaff were the cannons.” You tell him. “Let’s get back to the tree to regroup.”

He nods, Johanna stands up. The three of you are beginning up the slope once more, when the dome of the arena bursts into a blue light. You watch as the first fiery explosion breaks it, throwing bits of debris into the air. 

“Shit.” You say, “That’s not good.”

The hike up the jungle is torturous enough in the heat that’s provided by the Gamemakers. It grows worse when the trees surrounding you are suddenly set afire by the bits that land on the ground, causing small earthquakes. Several times, you have to hang on to a tree to keep from falling over, as the dome falls apart.

You keep an eye on the growing hole, and the sky beyond it, waiting. You watch as the hovercraft materializes out of thin air, above the lightning tree. A second later, the claw is being dropped to retrieve those who are by it. You’re hoping it’s Katniss, because that was the whole goal of this plan. Anyone else was just an added bonus.

It secures around someone, and pulls them out of the trees. You’re not that far, you might even be able to make it. The claw drops a second time, for one more person, pulling them up. It’s hard to see the hovercraft through the thick branches and leaves. 

You’ve about five yards from the lightning tree when the hovercraft disappears in the air. Your pace slows, as you let out a breath. When you look at Johanna, you find her shaking her head.

“There goes being saved.”

“What?” Peeta asks, looking between you two.

“I’m sorry, Peeta.” You say, locking your fingers and placing your hands on the top of your head. “The good news is that you got what you wanted.”

“What do you mean?” He asks.

“She’s safe.” Is all you say.

You don’t bother telling him that the three of you are screwed. While Katniss and presumably Finnick, get to go to District Thirteen, where they’ll be safe. You’re going to be taken by the Capitol, and there’s not a doubt in your mind that they’ll try to tear you apart to get information about the rebels.

This is where the real test of strength begins. 

—

A knock on the window makes you look up from where you’re staring at the IV in your arm. Your eyes land on Finnick, who’s not standing at his full height, playing with a small piece of rope in his hand. There’s a slight frown in his lips, eyes tired. He’s been visiting you these last couple of days, and you’ve been doing your best to avoid him.

Usually, you have a visitor in here, which makes it easy to cast him out, but you’re alone tonight. Johanna’s finally grown tired of bothering you for hours on end, talking your ear off. It’s been a one-sided conversation these past couple of weeks while your throat healed.

Recently, the doctor cleared you.

You stare at Finnick, really not wanting to let him in. He’s no doubt heard the news, too. Which means that he’s looking to actually talk to you. You take a small breath in, chest aching. You rub the area over where the pain is, lifting your other hand to motion Finnick in.

He opens the door slowly, closing it behind him. He doesn’t say anything as he grabs the chair from the corner of the room, dragging it next to your hospital bed. You watch him sit down, elbows on his knees, eyes on the floor. 

You thought that since Katniss and Finnick were saved by the rebels, they’d be in better condition than you, Johanna and Peeta are. It seems to be the other way around, though. Despite Snow having you strangled and deprived of oxygen for as long as humanly possible without doing major brain damage, and Johanna being repeatedly electrocuted in water, the two of you are relatively normal. You wish you could say the same for Peeta, but he’s up in the air right now. They won’t even let you see him, although you’re not sure what that would do exactly.

Finnick has been torn apart, like being in District Thirteen is a form of torture, in of itself. The light in his eyes is gone, voice quiet, “Mags told me about the ultimatum that Snow gave you.”

“Huh?” You let out.

Finnick looks up from the tile. “After the jabberjays, you asked me what changed.” He reaches over, placing his hand on top of yours. He’s warm. “It was before that. When Mags told me that you’d agreed…” He trails off, “You’d agreed to be a prostitute if it meant my family lived.”

You try to shake his hand off. “Whatever.”

He grabs on with both hands, squeezing your fingers. “She told me that you would volunteer to take some of my nights in the Capitol, because you saw how tired I was.”

“Get off me.” You murmur.

“My family was in the Capitol and you protected them,” His voice wavers, you get sent back to that night in the jungle. When he denied the fact that he had feelings for you. “Again. You protected them again. You let Snow do this to you.”

“It was the right thing to do.” You shake your head. 

“I heard you talking the day of the reaping.” He breathes. “How you told Mags that you wouldn’t let her volunteer because you know how much she means to me. You said that you’d rather risk your life and go back in the arena than put her in danger.”

“Anyone would’ve done that.” You tell him, impatient.

“Annie couldn’t. Librae wasn’t going to. I was sure you weren’t, either.”

You sigh, “Will you just leave me alone?”

“I was wrong about several things.” Finnick stands from the chair, letting go of your hands to reach for your face. His thumbs running over the skin beneath your eyes. “I do care about you.”

“No, you don’t.” You push his arms.

“Listen to me.” Finnick says, his face is so close to yours. You can feel the warmth of his breath tickling your nose. “I was looking for you during the jabberjays, I was looking for you the night the dome went down, and I haven’t been able to breathe since you were taken.” He closes his eyes. “I care.”

“I know.” You breathe, “I know you do.”

[aintnorainbows]

Cliffs

jey uso x reader

word count: 880

Summary: Jey surprises you with a trip to Bali and you show gratitude in the best way you know how.

Tags: creampie, vaginal penetration

Warnings: some cursing, unprotected sex, misuse of a jacuzzi

It was your last day in Bali. The vacation was perfect and you were so happy you got to spend some quality time with Jey. Most of all, you were grateful that he planned and executed this trip even with his busy schedule.

That’s why when he offered you to go hiking with him, you declined. Instead, you stayed back and got yourself ready for him. You left a glass of champagne on the table next to front door with a note of instructions, as well as rose petals on the floor leading out to the jacuzzi in the back.

You both had spent a lot of time in the jacuzzi already, but what you had planned for tonight you’d been fantasizing about all week.

The jacuzzi sat on the edge of the balcony, overlooking the forest. You dropped a few rose petals in there too before hanging up both you and Jey’s robes near the door and getting in completely naked.

It wasn’t long before Jey was back and tip toeing through the house, appearing in the back doorway with a look of awe on his face.

“Y/N…” he said breathlessly as he took in the sight of you. Most of you was covered by the bubbling water, but you could tell you were already having an effect on him.

You chuckled mischievously, “Come here,” you said, crooking your finger. You did not have to tell him twice as he quickly shed his own clothes and practically ran and jumped into the water, champagne in hand. Again, you chuckled at his excitement.

“So this what you was up to? You tryna get freaky in the jacuzzi on the last day?” he said, pulling your body toward his.

You wrapped your arms around his neck and your legs around his waist so that he was holding basically all of your bodyweight. “I mean we done been freaky all over the rest of this house,” you retorted leaning into him as he began to kiss your neck. His hands gripped strongly on your thighs, holding you as close to him as possible. You could feel his thick member teasing her pussy under the water.

“Are you gonna keeping teasing me, or are you gonna fuck me already?” you sassed him. One of his hands shot out from the water and went straight to your neck, gripping tightly.

“That smart ass mouth gonna get you in trouble no matter where we are, huh?” he growled, bucking up so that the tip rubbed over your clit. You moaned loudly at the feeling, suddenly grateful you had no neighbors for miles out here. You could be as loud as you wanted and you were sure he was gonna have you pretty loud in a bit.

But, Jey was just as eager as you, he pressed into you slowly at first, before shifting all of his weight to let his dick fill you in a fluid motion, you both groan loudly together. You let your head droop back, resting on the cobblestone and your eyelids slide close as you cried out.

He wasted no time before he thrusted in and out of you, causing the water to ripple around your bodies. “Fuck-“ you cried out as his hips bucked wildly against yours.

Jey’s grinned softly, looking into your eyes, “you like that?” he said gruffly into your ear, tightening the grip on your throat just a little. “you take this dick so fucking good, don’t you-“

You cried out at his dirty talk, you felt like you could cum from that alone. “You was talking all that shit just a second ago,” he teased you as he went harder.

Beneath the clear waters, he can see you as well as he can feel you. Your pussy fully taking him and feeling like you’re sucking him deeper and deeper until you feel like you’re filled to the brink, both high on pleasure.

You’re sure this is the best you’ll ever feel. Afterall, what’s better than getting absolutely railed on a cliff jacuzzi in Bali.

A sense of euphoria washes over you, then you feel wetter and closer to coming. And you think that thought crossed Jey’s mind too, because suddenly he’s fucking you faster and harder than before. His breaths are more and more shallow and his grip on your neck and thighs is as tight as it’s ever been.

Your eyes meet his as he leans down to meet you in a searing kiss, “You gonna cum with me, Y/N?”

A high pitched whimper and a nod is all you can manage as you roll your hips and suddenly your pussy is gripping tightly around him. Both your orgasms over take you and you’re crying out loudly into each other’s ears.

Your breath is heavy as you slump against Jey and you wonder for a brief moment how he’s still managing to hold you up.

“Damn, Y/N, that was good as hell.”

“I just wanted to thank you for the trip.” You said still trying to catch your breath.

“You’re welcome..” was all he said before sweeping up and carrying you out of the jacuzzi, then tossing you onto the bed when you got in the house. “You wanna thank me again?”

<3

taglist: @harmshake (if anyone else would like to be added lmk)

thanks for the love on my last story. here’s one for my favorite boy jey. <3

[biteofcherry]

It's Wetnessday my hoes 💦

You're invited along to a bachelorette in Vegas but don't have a great time. It's ok but you often get left out. Just like now in an expensive club that you can't even afford a drink in. You're watching your friends dance and have a good time until a handsome stranger sits down next to you. He's easy to talk to and even buys you a few drinks without seeming to want anything out of it. It's so nice you even forget your friends and your drinking limits. One drink too many and you're more than tipsy. Which ends with you waking up with a huge handover. You're sore all over and don't know why till you open your eyes and realize you went back to the hotel with the stranger who definitely was naked next to you. Holy shit his dick was huge and judging by the soreness it was inside you just a few hours ago. You go to rub your face and something sparkling on your finger catches your eyes. As you're freaking out your husband wakes up and makes sure any rational thought is fucked out of your brain. He can't have that when he's taking you to your new home later today.

Who's your new husband?

xoxo Wetnessday anon 💦

Hi Wetnessday Anon! 🥰 I hope you're feeling better and this week is treating you good 🩷

Now I decided to give it a serious thought. On one hand, many of my favored babes could fit the description of a charming, slightly deceitful man with a pretty, big cock 😎

Now I thought of not only which man would hold the conversation through the evening, making you feel at ease, but who wouldn't feel guilty for getting you really tipsy and using your vulnerable state to get what he wanted.

He may have been drinking, as well, but he sure paid attention to his level of alcohol. I don't believe the Vegas marriage here was pure stupidity and coincidence of the typical Vegas crazy drunk night. He orchestrated it. Even if it was a decision made on a whim. Bet it wasn't even an Elvis chapel, but some scared registrar brought to officiate the wedding in the privacy of the most expensive hotel room.

Which means your husband is someone who can be impulsive in his decisions, but makes sure their execution is perfected. No mistakes. No trails leading hounds to his door.

Lloyd crossed my mind, but would you really feel at ease with him in the beginning? There's this edge to him that wouldn't make you trust him enough to let him buy you more drinks.

Andy or Ari, however...

They don't spend each evening in their clubs, they have trusted people who are responsible for the smooth working of that business machinery. But it just so happens they were in that particular one when you and your friends were celebrating, since they held a meeting in the office right above the main floor.

Andy was quite annoyed with Ari, who kept glancing through the two-way mirrors at you, sitting there alone and nursing a drink while you pretended your smiles were genuine.

But Andy has been prickly lately, ever since the head of the mafia family declared that Andy was to solidify their take-over of the turf by taking a bride. A sister of the man who was now subservient to the new iron rule.

Andy would follow with the plan, even if he wasn't happy about it (even if he snapped at Steve Rogers himself that he should get himself a wife, if he so wishes for unions in blood).

Ari - the romantic that he was - fell into the wedding spirits. Especially as he watched the bachelorette party take over the dance floor and gain attention of most of the patrons.

He wasn't planning on actually marrying anyone, not at the moment as he walked down the stairs and onto the club floor. But then he slid onto that chair beside you and with each passing quarter felt the need to possess your attention forever increase.

Ari may not believe in love at first sight, but he trusted his instincts. And they whispered at him to take you. To make you his.

Now, as you screech and storm out of the bathroom, holding your hand outstretched as if the big diamond on your finger was burning you alive, Ari feels that excitement and satisfaction ignite anew.

Your eyes are so beautiful as you stare up at him shocked and hopeful, as if he could solve this problem and save you from any dangers.

And he will.

Just not from this marriage. No, this he will ensure you see as a blessing, not a problem at all.

[skeletinmoss]

The curse of the dark Phoenix

Chapter 5: Rest and roadtrips

First chapter | Previous | Next

“We start by getting you guys some rest. Then I want to try and get as much milage behind us before the sun rises. I think it’s safe to assume that I’m stuck in a cycle and won’t be able to give you guys clear directions, or be very helpful magic wise in my phoenix form. So I want to get us as close to a proper road as possible before I’m stuck without human speech for hours,” Virgil explained.

“Um… Shouldn’t we start by traveling now and resting by day then?” Roman pointed out.

Virgil smirked at them. “That depends. Do you three think you can handle letting me teach you the revitalization meditation technique I came up with back when I was a wizard?” Virgil wondered.

“What does that entail exactly?” Logan asked.

“Curious are you?” Virgil teased a little smugly. Logan blushed. “I suppose,” he allowed.

“Fast learner. And it’s a good thing you asked. Never agree to stuff before you know the ins and outs. A skilled mage of any kind can make a promise binding if you aren’t careful. Doing so without consent would be considered a curse, but some mages might think it’s worth the hassle,” Virgil explained. Roman got the idea that he had been in front of a classroom before.

“The meditation technique I want to teach you won’t require herbs once you’ve fully mastered it, when you start out it will need something soothing to help lead the way. I noticed lavender was growing in the garden and no trace was left of it in the box of herbs you guys would be uncomfortable around. Am I right to assume that Lavender is a ‘safe’ herb?” Virgil wondered, looking at Roman.

“Um. Yes, lavender is safe,” he confirmed, fully aware that Virgil was humoring him for the time being on the subject of safe and unsafe herbs.

“Good,” Virgil stated as he moved the fingers of his left hand in a delicate pattern and suddenly he held a bundle of freshly harvested lavender between said fingers.

He approached them and handed each of them a bit.

“Ordinarily I only use the lavender when teaching this to wizards, but I don’t know where else your education is going to deviate from mine so we’ll start from the basics and see if we can go more advanced next time. That way you have a method that works at the ready should you struggle with it,” Virgil explained.

“How do we know you won’t be gone when we wake up?” Roman asked, a little nervous about that possibility.

“After that passionate speech you gave?” Virgil smirked. “I’m almost certain you guys would get yourselves in trouble trying to track me down. Too much of a headache to deal with. I’ll just try to gather some supplies here and make a plan, maybe work out some basics for breaking the curse. Or at least counteract it. I can wait an hour. Does that ease your mind?” Virgil asked.

Roman nodded. There hadn’t been a lie there.

Virgil sighed and then assumed a very teacher like pose. “Now, go sit on the floor in a comfortable position. Make sure you can keep it up for an hour,” he instructed. The three mages all settled on the floor cross legged.

“Good. If executed well, this technique will allow your body to recover in an hour the way it would in a full 8 hour sleep,” Virgil stated. Roman and Patton both looked to Logan who, predictably, looked more than a little intrigued by this idea. He’s always been the most frustrated by how much time in a day was wasted on sleep.

Virgil either picked up on that or was just habitually warry of this being a potential issue. “I don’t recommend doing this every night,” he continued. “You need at least one actual night’s sleep a week and even that is pushing it a bit. It depends on your own tolerance level so be aware of when you are starting to wake up a little tired. Don’t brush it off. This is a sign that your body is in need of actual sleep rather than a magically induced recharge.

Don’t be a martyr. Your magic will suffer for it. I speak from experience.” Virgil’s bass voice was serious and even as he said this, making something in Roman’s gut squeeze as the warning seemed to settle into his bones.

“Good, if you are willing. The key of this technique is in your breathing.” And so Virgil talked them through the breathing process and how to use said breathing to draw energy from the environment, using the lavender as a guide if needed.

Breathe the scent and the energy in, and exhale the stress and worries and build up blockage of the day.

Clear the inner paths of your mana for a new day.

Keep breathing like this and eventually it becomes second nature and you are in a meditative trance…

Roman woke up back in the tower. He felt like he hadn’t slept this well in ages… Nor dreamed this vividly in his lifetime…

That was… He felt at his cheeks. Oh he had cried…

“Virgil!” Logan called out, spooking Roman and Patton who’d both forgotten that they weren’t alone in the room.

A void of black appeared and then with a flash of purple light Virgil stood in front of them.

He had a sack packed and from the way it was clearly recently patched up, Roman suspected that it might have belonged to the arch mage. But if he was still alive and trapped like Virgil and hopefully his friends, then he might not mind too much if Virgil borrowed it so he could help save them all.

“What’s up?” he asked.

“You failed to mention the dreams! Or am I to believe that this is unusual!?” Logan demanded, seeming flustered.

Virgil cocked his head. “I mean I usually dream of good memories while in trance but sometimes… Oh… Right.” Virgil looked at the three of them. “You three haven’t had time to really bond with your guides yet huh?” he guessed.

“We met them a week or two ago,” Patton said, his voice a little fragile.

“And they’ve been dying to get to know you for a while I imagine. Sorry about that,” he offered, genuinely feeling bad. Roman could feel his guilt squeeze at his own heart.

“But it shouldn’t have been a bad experience though. Not unless you’ve been messing with some dangerous stuff,” Virgil insisted, a little confused at Logan’s strong reaction.

“It wasn’t… I just don’t like being blindsided like that,” Logan stated, looking away to hide his face.

If Logan’s dream was anything like Roman’s then “It wasn’t bad,” was an understatement.

It had felt like coming home after a long journey and seeing his family again and eating his favorite meal and just being Home. But also like doing something new and exciting and being free. The fire in his heart felt stronger somehow. Like he could just tug at it and summon it to his hand.

Roman wanted to ask about the dream. He wanted Virgil to tell him all about what it all meant and how he could do that again.

But he didn’t want to ask with Logan or Patton around. Especially Logan, he seemed to feel a bit sensitive on the subject.

So instead he asked something else. “When we recalled some of your legendary deeds. You said they were exaggerated… Could you explain that? Just to temper our expectations,” he asked. He’d feel terrible if he failed to protect Virgil just because he assumed he could handle something that he could not.

Virgil seemed to think on that for a moment. “Well, the ‘laugh death in the face’ is just because of, you know. Phoenix stuff. How else are people going to describe watching you losing your head and then with a little flash of fire return to normal as if nothing happened… It wasn’t pleasant, my neck hurt like a bitch for weeks, but I lived.

It's not that impressive. Phoenix bound High mages are a bit more durable than most I guess, but every high mage is pretty sturdy. Janus and Remus are both immune to poison of any kind and Janus has a thick skin let me tell you. You’ll sooner dull your blade than draw blood. It’s not impossible and when he does get injured he’s a whiny bitch until I heal him.

But we’re all pretty durable, my brand of durable is just a bit more dramatic,” he explained disturbingly casually. How often had this man sort of died?

“The star thing… I imagine it’s about Stardust. I found him making trouble in a town while passing through way back. He was just a playful pup though,” he continued.

Patton gasped at that. “You had a puppy!!!?” he asked. This fact clearly improved Virgil’s standing with Patton immensely. And Pat was already the most reluctant to mistrust others.

“I do. I look forward to seeing him again when I get home.”

Roman frowned. Had Virgil managed to give his pet long levity too? Still 50 years of being unsupervised… Then again maybe he left the dog with trusted friends who’d been looking after him since. Roman hoped so. He preferred finding the dog with a sweet elderly couple that used to be twenty somethings when Virgil last saw them rather than the alternative. Virgil didn’t pay attention to his moment of worry though and continued.

“Speaking off home… It’s not spirits. I haven’t bound the souls of the dead to my house. It’s just… lively. You’ll see what I mean,” Virgil stated. “I promise I wasn’t that big a deal.”

Roman looked him up and down skeptically.

“I’ll be the first to admit that I like fancy robes and shiny accessories. But even I would say that that outfit,” Roman pointed to the regal attire Virgil had shown up in. “Is fit for the guest of honor of a royal ball and nothing less,” he declared firmly.

Virgil blushed. “It was just for the fifty hear jubilee okay? I wanted to put in some effort, this is not my go to travel wear. Which reminds me. Do any of you have a spare robe because I’m not wearing these the whole journey,” Virgil insisted, avoiding the subject in Roman’s opinion.

“Roman does,” Patton stated.

Roman blushed, forgetting about his initial plan to press the issue. “I sure hope we all have a change of clothing with us!” he objected.

Logan seemed to be over his pouting enough to give his friend a hard time. “We do. But how many did you pack?” he pointed out.

Roman huffed. “I have one extra to spare,” he admitted.

“Are any of your robes self-cleaning?” Virgil asked.

The group shook their heads. “It would seem to me he is smart to bring some extra clothes just in case the journey got messy or required something less formal,” Virgil stated. Roman smiled a little. The High Mage had no reason to come to Roman’s defense like that even if he could feel his embarrassment. Other than being kind.

If Virgil was used to teaching classes, then Roman could easily imagine him being supportive of the students that struggled more and putting the more talented kids who made fun of them in their place.

Virgil gestured to the wall where their bags were set to the side. He’d really been prepping for their departure.

Roman silently knelt by his bag and dug in. “Ah, so Jay’s bottomless bags are still in fashion huh?” Virgil chuckled as he saw Roman’s entire arm disappear into the deceivingly small bag, Roman could feel a bit of relief coming off of him. Seeing something familiar after all the changes must be nice. Especially if it was related to his old friend.

“He made these?” Roman asked as his hand closed around the fabric of the outfit he thought Virgil might find suitable for his needs.

“Yeah, his Great Wizard project,” the purple favoring mage stated.

Roman pulled his arm out and gave Virgil the bundle of clothing trying not to think too much about how standard these bags were nowadays. If you ever did any traveling investing in one was a smart move. Every household had at least one. Roman’s family had owned one for every member of the household. They’d been around for a long, long time.

But not as long as Virgil or his friends apparently.

Virgil had known a time when your bag had to be as big as the items you were carrying.

“This looks great,” Virgil noted as he walked over to the vanity screen to get changed.

“What is the plan,” Logan asked.

“I did some calculations and I’m pretty sure I know where exactly we are at. I’d say in two to three days walking, depending on delays, we can get to my home so I can stock up properly. I gathered some herbs and stuff in here but there’s things I’ll need. Not to mention I should check in on Stardust and to see if no one tried to mess with my things.”

Roman exchanged looks with the others. They were going to see the living home of the Night Flame Mage?

“After that, we can figure out our next move. But first. I’m going to have to try and see if my friends are… Awake,” Virgil mused as he returned to them, putting his own clothes into the bag he’d claimed.

Roman could feel the wave of anxiety that hit Virgil as he mentioned the potential condition his friends were in.

He himself was hit with a whole different kind of nerves as he saw Virgil in the outfit he’d borrowed from him.

Roman had been telling himself that the flowy robes had exaggerated Virgil’s elegance but he seemed to be proven wrong. The outfit Roman had loaned him consisted of a simple black shirt and pants. On top of that was a wraparound leather body piece that held reddish brown tones and a pattern carved into the leather, tightened around the waist with a belt. A cowl provided additional warmth and if needed, anonymity.

And Virgil was pulling it off flawlessly.

“Good craftmanship,” he noted as he studied his outfit before taking a long stick from his backpack that looked like Virgil had found it laying outside. It seemed thick and sturdy and was about the length of Roman’s fore arm.

Virgil waved it and the light’s he’d made at the start of the night rushed down, past the trio and onto the staff. That would be handy while walking through the dark.

“Well, let’s get going,” he suggested before disappearing in a flash of purple and shadow.

“Wish he’d stop doing that,” Logan muttered as he grabbed his bag and headed down the stairs.

“Oh, if you could do that you’d be doing it all the time too,” Roman challenged.

Patton giggled as they made their way down the stairs.

“He’ll probably teach you if you ask,” their fighter pointed out.

Logan pursed his lips but didn’t comment.

They really should find a moment to have a private talk. Logan seemed verry off after that dream.

They stepped outside and Roman found his eyes drawn to the sky.

“Yeah… little side effect of having an avian guide. The call of the sky,” Virgil nodded in understanding.

“Now come on. Six hours till sunrise,” he insisted as he turned and started walking.

Roman hurried forward to catch up, his friends right behind him. They didn’t head for the main road where they’d been dropped off, which would lead to the capitol.

Instead they were headed south. There were a few villages that way, but nothing big until you hit the border. But that would make it potentially more appealing for a mage who didn’t want people knocking at his door every other day.

“Is it really okay for us to know where your home is? In the stories the great mages were always careful with the location of their homes,” Patton wondered curiously as they walked.

“That’s not entirely wrong. The random civilian wouldn’t know. But you guys are great mages and while charming has been a bit jumpy at the start, I don’t sense any ill intent.

And we don’t have time for unneeded mystique. Those idiots need help,” Virgil stated clenching his hand around something… The stone that had been under The Arch Mage’s bed.

“That’s a sending stone right?” Roman asked.

Virgil nodded. “It’s from a set of 3. Each of us had one. To check in on one another even if we weren’t around physically… It turns out I was the first… J and Remus both sent me a few messages. Then J went silent. Remus didn’t know what happened to him. If it was an illness there’d be warning signs. J would’ve sent a warning with his dying breath if needed.

And Remus… He took a while to go quiet,” Virgil said. “He was always the blabbermouth,” he joked. But Roman could feel his worry, his sorrow. It was enough to bring down his mood and even make his eyes water a bit.

He blinked away the tears.

“May I ask. You implied having, died, for a lack of a better term, in the past. Do you remember the first time?” Logan wondered.

Virgil nodded. “Sure. When I became one with the dark phoenix, I knew that whenever I died, I would be reborn as I was before dying.

But I could still die. Sort of. I was a mess about it. Cuz I didn’t know what it would be like. What to expect from being reborn. And not knowing was agonizing. My mentor at the time offered to help me through my first passing. We made a pact where he promised I would not be truly harmed under his watch to ease my nerves about actually dying for real on accident.

And then he gave me a poison that would put me to sleep and slow my vitals until I stopped breathing. And then I woke up again. My stomach was a bit upset, but other than that I was fine. And I wasn’t as worried about dying after that. Not that I go around dying on purpose,” Virgil clarified, laughing to himself. “Remus would though. He’d find new and creative ways to die spectacularly and dramatically every other day,” he stated.

“This Remus person seems… A unique character,” Logan observed.

“You don’t know the half of it… But you’ll see soon enough. His messages are the best clue we got to where he is now. I’ll need you guys’ help for that, four sets of ears hear more than just the one,” he mused turning the stone in his hand.

Suddenly Virgil stopped in his tracks. “Quiet,” he whispered.

They all froze and listened. A crack… Another. Something was heading their way…

“Well, look what we got here. That’s a fancy staff you got there. Why don’t you hand it over along with all your other valuables. It would be a shame if you got blood on those fancy robes,” A leery voice mused. Virgil righted himself while Patton got into a fighting stance, the fur on his arms standing on end and his claws ready to strike.

The wolf arms were a souvenir from his first attempt at transformation magic. Patton didn’t like them but they did a good job of intimidating douchebags when needed.

A cloaked figure stepped from the shadows into the light of Virgil’s magic torch, followed by a dozen more.

“Turn back now that you still can. I am not in the mood,” Virgil stated lowly. Roman was pretty sure he wasn’t the only one who felt a shift in the wind. The cloaks just chuckled.

“Well, at least those were some impressive last words,” the leader cloak chuckled as he drew his sword and rushed forward to plunge it into Virgil’s abdomen.

Roman let out a horrified cry. It didn’t matter that Virgil had told them numerous times that he’d survive worse than a sword to the stomach. But Roman had never seen a man be skewered before. It was a horrible sight. Add to that the fact that Roman could feel the surge of pain, though muted down a lot from what it was probably like for Virgil and he wished he’d brought along a weapon of some kind to fend off these miscreants with.

Virgil grunted in pain, but held up a hand to keep any of them from approaching to help.

“I warned you. Step back guys,” he coughed. Roman and his friends just barely jumped out of the way as Virgil burst into flames making the would be bandit jump back, screaming in pain. The sword fell to the ground as the purple flames briefly took the shape of an enormous bird, red eyes glowing in the middle of it, and then, with a mighty caw, the flames subsided and Virgil stood there as though he was never stabbed to begin with.

“I’m out!” One of the cloaks screamed as he sprinted back into the darkness of the forest.

A few others followed with very undignified screams.

The leader was still on the ground howling in pain. Roman supposed that resurrection flames would be pretty hot.

“I said to step away, idiot,” Virgil huffed, tracing a pattern and then moments later the wailing stopped.

“Now leave, before I decide to turn you into mayflowers,” he warned. The leader scrambled to his feet and bolted, followed by the rest of his crew.

“Sorry for that. I was hoping they’d be a bit cautious after my warning. Didn’t mean to step onto your territory Patton,” Virgil offered casually, though Roman had trouble believing it was as trivial as he made it seem. Still, Virgil’s emotions only showed vague annoyance and slight discomfort.

“Oh that’s alright… That… That was something. Are you alright?” Patton asked.

“Just a bit of a stomach ache,” Virgil assured him.

“Let’s keep going,” he insisted.

“Follow up to my earlier question. How many deaths did it take before you treated them as… An inconvenience?” Logan asked.

“Hmmm… Not sure…” Virgil admitted.

“How did your attacker get you in that box if rebirth is like that? I didn’t even see any ashes…” Patton pointed out.

“I was ready for it so I could consciously trigger my rebirth. If I was taken by surprise last time… Let’s say my response to being stabbed would be a lot more normal. The ashes would need a moment to charge so to speak. Which would be enough time for my attacker to gather them into a box and keep me from forming,” Virgil explained.

“I’m still not over how… Calm you are about missing fifty years,” Roman admitted.

“Well… Fifty years for me is different than it is for you. Don’t get me wrong. It’s a long time and I know a lot of the people I knew who weren’t high mages like me are ancient by now.

And the fact that so many of the mages I knew back then seem to have gone missing or died of that illness you mentioned is disturbing…

But missing time… It’s the first time it’s been so long, but not the first time I woke up and the dates didn’t match,” Virgil explained, hopping over a creek and waiting for the rest of them to cross safely too.

“How so?” Patton asked curiously once he made it across the way.

“Well, for situations like the backstabbing I gave Remus and Jay amulets they could use to store my ashes in while they got out of whatever crappy situation we found ourselves in before setting me free somewhere safe,” Virgil recalled as they all reached the other side and started on an incline in terrain.

“This one time, Remus knew I’d yell at him so he figured he’d get to an inn, have a good meal brought to the room and put me in better spirits when coming back out.

But when he went to retrieve the amulet from his pocket, I was gone. Turns out some pickpocket had stolen me while Remus was making his way to the inn.”

They had to duck under some low hanging branches.

“I wasn’t there for it of course. But he searched for days before asking Janus for help and it was five years before they gathered the courage to tell the council that I had not been ghosting them all this time but that I had gone missing.”

They crossed a lovely meadow and noted the sky was getting a bit brighter.

“In the meantime the amulet was sold and gifted and regifted and lost and found a hundred times before landing on a farm as an anniversary present.

The family knew someone who studied magical theory, thought they weren’t a wizard and they could tell them that the amulet held something powerful and that it could likely be summoned in a time of need.

And what do you know, after sitting on the fireplace mantle for four years the young son grabs my amulet and rushes outside. Accidently setting a beast taming spell on me as he demands I protect them from the raiders that were busy, you know, raiding the farm.

I came out and was compelled to take my phoenix form and do as he asked.

Not that I wouldn’t have helped out regardless, but he’d actually set a spell on me.

Once my compulsion was sated I turned back into a man and the poor kid was on his knees begging me not to be mad.”

Virgil chuckled as he kept Roman from falling down the steep decline they were navigating.

“I reassured the family, convinced the kid to come along and arrived at the council just in time to interrupt… Ah… Discussions on how they should go about finding me.

I got the kid in school and ripped Janus and Remus a new one,” he finished.

“So you were just… A nicknack for five years?” Roman surmised.

“Apparently I just spent fifty as a paperweight for all I can tell,” Virgil shrugged. “Live long enough and you learn to just roll with the punches,” he stated.

“I can feel the urge to turn increasing with the light coming back,” he mused.

Then he handed Logan a scroll and the staff. “I mapped out roughly how we should go. If I correct course in bird form, please trust that I have a reason okay?” he asked urgently.

Logan nodded. “I promise,” he stated.

Virgil let out a breath. “Good… Well, see you when the sun’s down,” he bid before taking a few steps back and then glowing with a purple fire, shrinking down until the trio was looking at Storm.

“So… You can understand us perfectly in that form, right?” Roman asked to be sure.

Virgil cawed and nodded his head before spreading his wings, Roman noticed that his feathers were tipped red on the underside, jumping up and taking to the sky. Circling above them.

“Hm… I suppose he’s looking out for unexpected obstacles… Let’s go,” Logan stated as he checked the map before putting it away and heading onward.

“I’m surprised you aren’t trying to read the journals right now,” Roman mused.

“The terrain will become less unstable soon enough. He is leading us through this forest to reach an old road. There, I’ll be able to focus without you having to worry about me missing a step,” Logan stated, marching onward. Roman looked up, spotting Virgil flying over through the canopy again.

“Fair enough,” he mused.

“We should report back to the council first.” Logan stated retrieving a sending stone of his own and handing it to Roman. “I can do a factual report. But considering we should keep our discoveries on a need to know until we know more, I think you should do the smooth talking,” he insisted before Roman could argue.

The herbalist sighed and took the stone.

“Good morning Great Council. We are just making a quick report. We have found evidence that the Arch Mage was interrupted in his studies and suddenly left the premises. We have found some encoded journals and a good lead on where we can find the key to decipher this mystery. We will keep you updated as we travel along,” he reported.

“Lord Roman!” a familial high pitched, easily excited voice exclaimed. “Hi, um Terence here, I was tasked with attending the sending stone in case the council missed your call. I’ll report back to them as soon as possible!” he promised. Terence was a very nice wizards apprentice and had high hopes of becoming a wizard himself one day. He was very passionate about all things magical. And Roman could only imagine his reaction when meeting Virgil in either of his forms.

Roman was relieved it was the loyal, dutiful Terence who’d answered and not one of the more… grumpy council members.

“Excellent work,” Logan nodded as he accepted the stone back.

“So… Those dreams,” Patton mused softly.

“What about them?” Logan huffed.

“I mean… Mine was pretty… Intense, but in a good way,” Roman offered.

“Yeah. Mine too,” Patton offered.

The pair waited patiently for their friend to say something himself.

“I… Mine was… Good too. But after Virgil’s scolding… I felt… Accepted and welcomed and encouraged. But I didn’t feel like I deserved any of it,” Logan admitted.

“Because of the curiosity thing?” Roman recalled. “I mean, I agree, your guide probably knows about that. But if they do then they also know you are rethinking that opinion,” he offered.

“That was part of it, and thank you. But still. I’m not like you two. When we became Mages you two took to natural casting so easily… But Virgil is right. I want my books as a lifeline. I’m not sure why. But it nearly kept me from completing the ritual and become a great mage along with you two.

Much of what Virgil has told us is… Troubling me. But I might have to accept his tutelage if I am to overcome this…” Logan laid a hand to his chest as he struggled to find the right word, but then they heard a caw and next thing Roman knew, the massive phoenix landed on his shoulder.

“Getting comfortable I see,” he mused.

Virgil shook his head and made a sound that gave Roman the idea that he was tired.

“He’s come down for a nap I think. So we best be on our guard while we’re without our eyes in the sky,” he surmised. Virgil made a low sound in the back of his throat before settling in and within moments Roman could feel he was asleep. “That is actually impressive,” he mused.

“Let us continue then,” Logan decided as he consulted the map again and led them further along their path.

“I think Virgil would be a great teacher. I mean he isn’t pushing the dark magic thing as much as any of us would probably do if we were raised in the age before the Arch Mage. And he hasn’t mentioned my claws even once,” Patton mused.

“I suppose he has indeed learned to: roll with the punches,” Logan allowed.

They walked in silence for a while until suddenly Patton froze.

“Guys… I… I’m pretty sure something is coming. Get low,” he insisted. Roman looked at his friend and suddenly realized that his position sort of made Roman think of a rabbit, ready to flee.

Not only that but there was a faint blue glow about him.

Deciding to play it safe Roman gently lowered himself in order not to jostle Virgil too much, Logan followed suit.

Indeed moments later Roman could hear a growl in the bushes.

Patton’s entire body snapped in the direction of the growls and jumped forward turning himself halfway to land a firm kick to the still hidden creature, causing it to let out a pained whine and sending Patton flying back. He used the momentum of his now flipped trajectory to turn midair, do a handstand and then land back in a crouched position.

“Bad dog,” he huffed.

Roman really wished that this would be the end of it. That whatever that was had been alone and scared off by Patton’s first attack.

But around them more growls sounded and one by one a small pack of five earth wolves approached them. Frick. They were eyeing Virgil like he was dinner, and to them he probably was.

Virgil, by the way, was finally woken up by the commotion and made a displeased sound before startling to attention when he realized what was going on.

He turned his head to Patton, and any anxiety Roman felt from him when he first realized he was on the menu disappeared.

“Virgil trusts you Patton!” Roman called, hoping it would help.

“Some more specific advice would be preferred right now,” Logan pointed out nervously.

Virgil hopped off of Roman’s shoulder and then made a few more small jumps. What…

“You want him to hop?” Roman asked.

Virgil’s responding caw seemed like a confirmation. “He wants you to hop!” Roman translated a bit louder so Patton could hear him over the growls of the circling wolves.

“Hop… Rabbit… Forest… Hunt… I think… Yes I’ll try that,” Patton nodded. He took a deep breath and knelt down the blue glow intensifying around him and then Patton jumped. And he kept jumping, faster and farther than humans typically did. Bouncing himself against tree trunks and the ground in a nonsensical pattern, leaving the wolves confused and uncertain. Then Patton made impact on the ground next to one of the beasts and jumped away before the wolf could even realize he had a shot at taking a bite out of him. Where Patton left an imprint, vines shot up and wrapped around the creature.

Not tight enough to harm it, but it would keep him from moving.

Patton repeated the trick a few more times and then the entire pack was wrapped up, even the handful that had started to retreat.

Patton landed back with the rest of the group breathing heavily. “How was that?” he wondered, still catching his breath. “Personally I think I did pretty Vine.”

He looked up expectantly and probably more out of relief than anything Roman let out a laugh.

“Alright puns aside, we should go. I don’t know how long those will last,” Patton admitted.

Roman let Virgil settle back onto his shoulder and rose to his feet. “Let’s get going then.”

[woodsfae]

Babylon 5 S03E20 And the Rock Cried Out, No Hiding Place previous episode - table of contents

It's kinda wild how much b5 is exactly to my tastes. Take this (and many other!) episode titles for example. Pretentious? Maybe. Poetic? Certainly. Full of allusion? Definitely. Makes me get shivers? Absolutely.  They even give me things to complain about. I'm well settled into complaining loudly about Londo bullshit.

Last episode's beverage (for data point purposes) was straight tequila with pepsi chaser. The hangover was vile and I woke up in the middle of the night and couldn't sleep for three hours. Today's beverage - Bitterroot Brewing Co "Dirt Church" ipa. It's alright for an IPA.

"Z MINUS 14 DAYS"

I see we've moved several letters on from "t."

Yeah!! It's another Susan Ivanova personal log episode. The telepaths they've recruited are being dispersed. Sheridan is tired, and Franklin is still pacing the halls. 

All the telepaths are being accompanied by a single Narn bodyguard. Fingers crossed for some of those bodyguards to start developing some telepathy of their own after spending a long time in close quarters with a telepath!!

Londo thinks it's time to "take care of" G'Kar?? FUCK OFF.  He wants G'Kar tricked back to Narn and executed. Thanks to the previous flashbacks, I am well aware that this plot won't play out with G'Kar's actual death. But I still want to strangle Londo. Can I isekai into B5 just long enough to goddamn murder that man?? 

Religious Theo of the religious group whatevever is being highlighted this episode. In theory I appreciate how diverse B5 is, religiously speaking. In practice....ehhh. At least when it comes to people quoting the KJV and referring to "the lord" every other sentence. 

Sheridan does look rough. And there's Delenn!!! Pretty in pink. 

"[Ivanova] said you were carrying on cranky. I looked up cranky, it said grouchy. I looked up grouchy, it said crochetly. No wonder you have such an eccentric culture. None of your words have their own meaning!" 

LOL!! Delenn is so cute. Also, very seriously, I apologize to every person who needs to learn English as an adult. It's a mess. 

Once I saw a gif of Delenn propping herself up on a elbow in bed with Sheridan and I have been FERAL to see that scene ever since. Maybe today will be the episode? Delenn climbs in bed with Sheridan to make him sleep??

Na'Toth might be alive. Or her name might simply be a trap for G'Kar. I don't think Londo's plan is going to work out. If he didn't go back to Narn for literally every other Narnuan, I'm not sure he'd go back for his aide who is probably dead. Also I 100% have more faith in Vir than this. Idk where he got them, but he has a surprisingly well-developed set of morals and empathy. 

Vir: "I won't. I won't go. I won't do it."

VIR BABY. Just say you'll do it, then go and collude and G'Kar. Londo is unhinged, threatening to have Vir's family stripped naked and whipped through the streets of Centaur's capital. What a fuck. He ought to be directing his energies towards getting back Lord Whatshisface who killed Adira on behalf of the Shadows. Refa. The show reminds me in a timely manner. 

Speaking of Refa, he's giving very desperate vibes. Trying too hard to suck up, and that puts blood in the water for the sharks to scent!!

Well. Hopefully even if Vir gives into Londo's threat and tries to trick G'Kar, his obvious nerves give away that something's wrong. 

Back to Londo and the Centauri court shenanigans. Londo is, undeniably, good at putting on the type of political front that works well on Centaur. 

Susan's blowout is so good every day I have to assume it's part of the high-tech auto-dryer when you step out of the shower...or something. Because there's no way that SUSAN IVANOVA is spending twenty minutes every day achieving the most ideal blowout that has ever been hair-dried into existence. 

OK I like the religious cabal a bit better now that I know they're smuggling up-to-date information about Earth politics into Bably 5. 

GODDANG IT. G'Kar is trying to sneak back onto Narn. Well. At least I know he lives to die another day. 

Vir, I am disappointed in. 

Centaur attack on Vir!! He lives to become Emperor another day as well. Stakes drop considerably when you know certain characters' ultimate fates. 

You know who I'd love to see again? AUNT PROPHETESS! Majel!! 

Lord Refa's eyebrows deserve their own acting credit. 

oooh, Centauri telepathy attack!! 

Poor Vir. If only he had been able to keep his position on Minbar. He looked less stressed-out when he was spending most of his time surrounded by a tranquil environment. 

The Baptist pastor is hanging out with Sheridan, who is struggling to relax enough to fall asleep while also doing paperwork. Maybe. don't do paperwork while getting ready for bed. Which the pastor is also bringing up, more delicately than I would. 

the Pastor: DELEGATE IDIOT.

OK he can stay. He is speaking common sense. 

"When youre worry tank gets full people stop coming to you, because they don't want to add to it." 

Smart. "figure out how to relax or your people will stop reading you in in an attempt to protect you." 

"Z MINUS 13 DAYS"

Zha'ha'dum minus 13 days?? 

G'Kar made it to Narn. There's climate change from the orbital bombardment. Constant wind, particulate coming down from the upper atmosphere, poor air quality. And I doubt they had recovered from the previous Centauri occupation, and possibly not even the Shadows' occupation before that! 

Emperor Cartagia is going to be traveling to B5: that seems like a significant security risk! Maybe he'll get nerfed and we'll see the glorious ascension on Emperor Londo. 

Refa's plot is to capture G'Kar instead of letting Londo do it. Fingers crossed for neither of them getting that glory. 

Delenn says there's no pattern to the Shadows' attacks. The lack of pattern is probably the point - all over the place and unpredictable so the united forces are spread as thin and widely as possible. And the tactical data sorta supports that! They haven't attacked anything in the center of the sector, so refugees are going there. And Sheridan is picking this up now, too. They could nail all the refugees at once. 

"I think this is as much about terror as it is about territory." 

Yeah. 

Hm, Delenn is horrified by Sheridan saying he needs to think like them to beat them. Unless she has a really compelling argument against it, I'm going to have to disagree. How can you counter a tactic unless you understand it? 

Londo just knocked out a Centauri guard with a punch to rescue Vir. He gets no points from me, because he put Vir in that position. 

Unfortunately G'Kar won't get to kill Londo for quite a few years, but maybe he and the resistance will get to kill Refa and his goon squad instead. 

Damn it, Londo was two steps ahead of Refa this whole time. f.ucking annoying. Well. all Centauri warmongering genocidal politics are annoying. Refa being personally in charge of the bombardment of Narn is backfiring on his right now. 

Oh so this means that Vir was an unwitting stooge in the plot all along, and that's extra scummy, considering it resulted in Vir being mindraped and made to believe he'd just given up his mentor and employer. Very very cutthroat politics. No wonder Londo didn't name the embarassment he was planning to remove on behalf of the emperor to prove House Mollari's value. 

Baptist Pastor brought a gospel singer along with him, lol. That's very on brand. And super fucking amusing juxtaposition between her music and Refa being pursued and killed. "There's no hiding place down here." Refa being beaten to death. 

Buuuut as much as I dislike Londo, I am a fan of the person responsible for untold suffering and death getting a tiny fraction of that delivered back to them. So...annoyingly... *sigh* go Londo...

It's so fucking funny that Londo had the ability to slip refa the other half of the two-part poison all along but instead he had him beaten to death for political purposes. 

Vir is angry, but probably not enough to make him break from Londo entirely. 

Delenn has a surprise for Sheridan - "the White Star was never intended to be one of a kind, only the first..." and now there's a whole fleet. 

Hm. As far as first kisses on screen go, that one was pretty dated. I'm happy for them, but the "smear your face against the other person's face" is a style I'm glad has mostly gone away. It doesn't look very pleasant, hahah. 

Mrs Sheridan, I presume?

[voxofthevoid]

The last couple of chapters of jjk have been making me shriek with delight. My boy Yuuji let's gooo! I think my favorite thing (and you've mentioned this I think?) is the side-characters helping. Every time Sukuna starts to get some space to think and react, there's *someone* there to sneak in a couple of pot shots while Yuuji closes the gap. I think it's a wonderful contrast to the Suku v gojo fight, where those gaps basically allowed Suku to win. (this is black fisting the chussy anon)

Same, anon, same 🤝

I did mention it once! After 256, I believe, with regard to how Larue played a role in immobilizing Sukuna long enough for Yuuji to nail him with that first Black Flash (and I am still not over the fact that it was the first of EIGHT). I'm also very glad that pattern has both (a) continued into this fight with Ino's contribution and (b) lessened in terms of intrusiveness to better emphasize Yuuji vs. Sukuna. I don't know whether it's heading in the direction of a one vs. one or whether Maki (or even Yuuta) will join again, temporarily or otherwise, but regardless of how it progresses from here, we have this. Team play was a significant factor in injuring Sukuna to this extent and getting Yuuji in position to rail him with Black Flashes, and like you said, it does contrast with the Gojou fight damn well.

Sukuna's older, more experienced, and more well-versed in jujutsu than the rest of the cast—they need every advantage they can to beat him. I can understand Gojou vs. Sukuna starting off as a one on one, both because of Gojou being most effective alone and as a pissing contest pride thing, but the aftermath of the fight makes it clear that a coordinated attack would have yielded better results. Higuruma's domain alone could have given Gojou a better chance. Even putting aside practical strategy and focusing on themes, I find the way Gojou died fighting alone to be a disservice to his character arc. The fact that he did plan for the others to interfere if he was too weakened gives me some solace, but the end result was still...well, if I start on that, we'll be here forever.

With Yuuji and non-Gojou sorcerers in general, team play has been emphasized time and time again, and while Jump Kaisen did get pretty dull at parts (at least partly because of the weekly release tbf), it seems to be an effective strategy. For Yuuji's role in particular, I do like how it mirrors all his previous important fights, where his own power did matter immensely but the support, psychological and practical, he got was key in determining the outcome.

I can see it going either way from here, and the effectiveness of the end result will depend heavily on the execution (what's new, eh?), but let's keep our fingers crossed that the upcoming chapters will be as good as 256 and 257.

And say hello to your new name! Please don't run away.

[zozo-01]

Four Times David Thought of Asking + The One Time Angel Did

*faceplants* Y'all I did ittt! Hello! Welcome to this behemoth of a fic! This was just me tryna break up the angst I was writing, but then I started thinking about David and his relationship with control and how Angel had a huge part in him easing up on said control. Add a little projecting onto David and thus, this turned into five stories in one mega-fic.

Thank you sooo much to @angel-bubbles for giving me some ideas! I really couldn't do this without your input! And tagging @bittersweet--chaos because they're a doll!

Warnings: Post-Inversion feelings and Depressive episode ->(Moment #3), Suggestive themes and Mentions of sex -> (Moment #4)

click here for the ao3 link!!!

--

David Shaw was a man who valued control.

Every action must be premeditated and executed to perfection. Anything less would never be up to his standards. But he swears it's not a problem. If things don’t go his way, he won’t make a big deal out of it.

‘That is a fucking lie Shaw, you are the biggest control freak I’ve ever met.’

Ok, maybe he has some control issues. 

There have been times in his life when David didn’t have a say in the situation. He didn’t have a say when either of his parents died, nor did he have a say when he was named Alpha at that young age. Both life experiences had caught him off-guard and left him scared, confused and hurt. A hurt that he refuses to let himself go through again. He will not let anything else blindside him.

Well, that didn’t exactly go to plan. Something did blindside him and that was when his future mate stalked him. Before anyone says otherwise, yes he fully believes that Angel was stalking him that night. That’s not the point though.

It will always baffle him how impulsive Angel can be with certain decisions. From asking him out that fateful night to moving in with him after less than a year of dating, he will never understand how they’re able to throw caution out the damn window.

‘It’s because I trust you, Davey! I have faith that you won’t hurt me. That’s why I can be carefree around you, and I hope you feel at ease around me too.’

Whether they knew it or not, his Angel succeeded. They somehow made the Alpha of the Shaw pack, known for his stoic nature and tense shoulders, relax. It’s a big ask considering who they’re dealing with, but like always, Angel did it effortlessly. 

For once in his life, David was ok with not having control.

As he stared at the ring that adorned his finger, he realized that the moments where Angel made him let go are the reasons that they were the person he wanted to marry. He thinks back to those moments and the eventual proposal and wonders what the hell he did to deserve this. 

Perhaps it was only when he finally put down the burden that rested on his shoulders that he was able to enjoy life. 

It also helped that Angel made his life worth enjoying again.

Moment #1: They made him forget the unease of being in a car.

Over the years, David has developed some habits to cope with his unwariness in a car. His arms were stiff when holding the steering wheel, made sure his foot was hovering over the breaks, kept his eyes on the road at all times, and most importantly-

“Angel, for the millionth time, I do not want any music playing while I’m driving.”

One of the annoying things about David is that he refuses to let music play in the car while driving. He claims that he doesn’t want to be distracted on the road, but the pack notices the way his eyes glaze over and his voice slightly cracking. He would never say the full reason, but it would take a real dumbass to not figure that out.

“But Davey! It’s way too quiet and this is a damn road trip! If you won’t talk to me, then the least you can do is let me jam out,” Angel said while pouting. They crossed their arms and puffed out their chest to show that they’re annoyed, but honestly, David thought they looked cute sitting like that. Their adorableness didn’t negate the fact that he really didn’t want music to be playing right now.

David took in a shaky breath before continuing. “Angel, I know it’s boring without any sound, but I just-” Angel cut him off, “then I won’t play anything.”

What David didn’t know is that when he started speaking, his eyes had glazed over and his grip on the steering wheel tightened. ‘Maybe he was remembering something bad?’ Angel thought. They didn’t know. What they do know was that David needed this. And who were they to deny their boyfriend something he needs.

One thing about Angel that he loves was their ability to know when to push and when to stop. Of course, it has been a learning process for them both. But they were learning each other’s boundaries. And they were learning together.

“Thank you, Angel,” David sighed out, before focusing on the road again. 

A few moments went by before Angel started humming a tune, one that David was familiar with. He let out a groan and if he wasn’t driving, he would have banged his head against the steering wheel. 

“Oh, I’m sorry if the humming is bothering you. It’s just that it's a song that’s been in my brain and I have to hum it so it gets out, but I totally understand if you need me to stop and,” Angel kept on rambling and apologizing. The longer they were explaining themselves, the more out of breath they became.

David let one hand go on the steering wheel and held his Angel’s hand. “Look at me Angel, you’re ok just breathe with me.” Angel looked into David’s eyes and he swears that their eyes could only be compared to the moon. Once Angel's breathing calmed down, David explained why he became annoyed with humming.

“It’s not you, I promise. The song you’ve were humming is a stupid ‘Hall and Oates’ song that Tank used to blast when we were younger,” David said with disdain in his voice. “At one point, they did it specifically to piss me off, so now anytime I hear the song, I just want to die on the inside.”

Angel started laughing that beautiful laugh of theirs. “Why though? It’s such a sweet song. Never would have thought that Tank would be into it,” they mused. David looked at the smile that was on their face, and he immediately felt at ease.

He forgot that he was in a car, something he hasn’t been able to do since his father died. Angel had made him forget it. Their presence was enough to keep his mind from fixating on every detail that he needed to control. Maybe he could try…

“Hey Angel, can you open that compartment for me?” They did as they were told and were met with a CD. Angel looked up at David who was reminiscing about… something.

“I was a fussy kid and it took me forever to put me to sleep. My… My dad used to drive me around when I couldn't. Apparently, driving around the neighbourhood knocked me the fuck out.” David let out a little chuckle. “The CD you’re holding is the one that he’d play every night to help me sleep, and I want to listen to it with you.”

“David… you don’t have to play any kind of music because I asked,” Angel said nervously as they fumbled with their shirt.

“I want this. I promise.” Angel nodded and put the disc into the CD player. 

For the first time in forever, a road trip karaoke session was held in David’s car.

At that moment, David thought he was blessed with a real angel on his side. Their bright smile and siren-like voice that he wouldn’t mind spending forever listening to.

‘Huh. Never would have thought I’d want to spend forever with someone, but I wouldn’t mind if it was them. I should ask them about it. Not now, it’s way too soon. But one day, I will propose to them.’

Moment #2: They knew when to take over when he was overwhelmed.

Nothing was going right today.

David woke up late that morning, meaning he couldn’t get his morning coffee (or his morning kiss from Angel). His car decided to break down on the way to work. When he did manage to get there, he was hit with a bunch of paperwork to fill out and phone calls to make. The Department was taking fucking forever finalizing his plan for the E&E Games. Milo and Christian got into their third petty argument of the day. And he can’t find his fucking pen to sign these goddamn papers. So the last thing he needed to deal with was a bunch of pups following him and asking a billion questions.

Which is exactly what he was dealing with at this moment.

“Mr. Alpha, who’s the stronger wolf, you or Tank?”

“Asher says that you do a backflip and I want you to teach me!”

“Can I have some candy? I really want some candy!”

He swears that he likes the kids. They’re cute, ask the most stupidly amusing questions and it’s adorable seeing them flail around in their wolf forms. Not today. He cannot deal with this today. Usually Tanker would be the one taking care of the pups, but they’re having a similar morning to him and everyone else is too damn busy with the Games coming up. 

‘It’s ok, just take a deep breath. They’re just kids and they don’t deserve to be screamed at because you’re stressed.’

A few moments of blissful silence go by. The kids are talking quietly among themselves and David finally feels his headache leaving him.

…“So, who is the stronger wolf?” An innocent question, but one that sparked a very loud argument from the children.

David couldn’t bother listening to their argument. All he could make out was variations of “David would win because he’s the Alpha” or “Tank would win because they’re a tank,” but what they were saying didn’t matter. What mattered was that killer migraine was coming back and the pressure on his chest was increasing steadily. 

He laid his head on the desk, trying to drown out everything. Every past mistake, every decision he has to make, every terrible outcome that can happen. He just wants to let go of everything and… he doesn’t what the fuck he wants to do, but he doesn’t want to live the rest of his life like this. Under this intense scrutiny and pressure and stress. Having to be perfect for the people who rely on him and if he messes up, then they all go down with him.

He wishes Angel was here to do something. Anything. Just them being there would be enough to make that pain go away.

“Hey kids, maybe I can take you to the park so David can get his work done.”

The Heavens had heard his prayers and answered by sending an Angel to him.

Standing by the doorway was his Angel in all their glory. They were giving their iconic reassuring smile. The one that screamed ‘don’t worry, I got this.’

At the mention of the park, all the pups got up and ran over to Angel. They jumped up and down with glee at the prospect of them doing something that wasn’t sitting around. Angel had even come prepared with snacks and toys for the pup to play with too.

They walked past the hyper children into David’s office with a bag in hand. “I noticed that you didn’t get the chance to eat breakfast. Sooooo,” Angel trailed as they reached into the tote bag they brought with them and pulled out a lunch box. “I thought that I’d make you some lunch!”

David raised his eyebrows while taking the lunch box. “You made this? My Angel who lived off of ramen and fast food made me lunch?” The skepticism was dripping from his voice.

Angel let out a small laugh. ‘Cute.’ “Well maybe your cooking lessons are finally paying off. Besides, if you don’t like it, I’m sure Ash and the others can buy something for ya.”

David opened the box and was met with the most delicious looking sandwich he’s ever seen. He picked it up and took a bite of it. To call the sandwich delicious would be an insult to Angel’s good. If Heaven had a taste, it would be this sandwich. “This is perfect Angel, thank you so much.” Although there is one thing he is wondering. “What are you doing here?”

“Welllll, a certain Beta told me you were having a pretty shit morning. So me being the incredible mate I am, I took the day off at work and came over to help.” The more Angel spoke, the bigger the smile grew on his face. ‘How incredibly lucky am I to have a mate to share my weight with.’ “Now I’m going to take the kids to the park and you are going to eat and finish your work, okay?”

“Ok,” he responded. Angel walked back to the restless kids and left for the park, leaving David alone. Finally, he can work in peace and quiet. He can already feel the headache leaving again. Though the one thing he’d change would be to have Angel stay for longer. Make up that morning kiss too? He scoffed at the thought. ‘When did I get so soft?’

After a few hours, David got all the paperwork done and decided to see how Angel and the pups were doing. He put on his jacket and walked out the building to go to the park.

It was a walking distance from the office building. The path there is one that is engraved in his memory. When he was younger, David, Asher and Milo would sneak out of pack meetings to go to the park and play. Once David became Alpha, he had made a rule that the pups were to be accompanied by an older pack member if they wanted to go to the park. Asher and Milo claimed that the rule is ‘too much’ and ‘way overkill,’ but David just wants to make sure his pack is safe. That includes the annoying and endearing pups.

David arrived at the park and saw a sight that made his heart melt.

The pups were in their shifted forms and dogpiled Angel. His Angel was laughing and petting the pups that covered them. It seems as though Angel and the pups were fighting, and the pups had won. He can already imagine his mate boasting about how they let the pups win.

‘Angel is really good with the kids.’

“Yo Shaw.”

‘I wonder if they’d be this happy if we had our own kids.’

“Hellooooo, David?”

‘I’d need to marry them first, just to make sure that the process wouldn’t be messy. I wouldn’t mind marrying them. They took this responsibility off my chest and I thank them immensely for that.’

“Are you fucking- That’s it.”

A sharp pain exploded in David’s jaw. When he looked up to see who laid the punch, he was met with his disgruntled lone wolf.

“What the fuck, Tanker? What was the punch for?” David nearly yelled, in complete confusion of the wolf’s actions.

“Oh, you’ll be fine. I didn’t punch you that hard,” Darlin’ said while rolling their eyes. They continued “and to answer your question, I’ve been calling your name for the last five minutes and you weren’t responding.” Darlin’ looked at the view that David was watching and saw Angel playing with the pups. They looked back at him and saw the lovesick look in his eyes. Darlin let out a smirk and a low chuckle. “So, when’s the wedding?”

David turned to look at his cocky pack member. ‘This fucking shit, I swear.’ “There is no wedding Tank. I don’t even know what put that idea in your head.” 

Darlin’ raised their hands in mock surrender before saying, “hey, I’m just saying. I mean they are your mate. Forgive me if I assumed that a wedding was coming.” Darlin’ returned to look at the pups and Angel, who was carrying the pups around in their arms. “They’ve been good for you. Ever since they got here, you’ve been less stressed about everything, and I’ve only been back for a few months. You’re letting them carry part of your burden.” Darlin’ walked towards the unempowered human and the rowdy pups. They turned back to give a final message to David. “You got a good thing going Shaw, don’t fuck it up.”

“Don’t worry.” Angel noticed the two wolves standing aside and flashed them a dazzling smile.

“I don’t plan on doing so.”

Moment #3: For better or for worse, they would do anything for him.

David was tired. Drained. Exhausted.

For once in his life, he wishes that time would speed up.

It had been two weeks since the end of the Inversion, but David feels like it had been a few hours since he came home from the arena. 

The first week was easy. It was easy to get lost in all of the ceremonies and speeches. He may have been disgusted with himself standing on that stage, but it was something. There was work that he could do. Something to focus on and not think about the smell of blood and death that clung onto him, despite the numbers of showers he took.

The medals were awarded and the public appeared to be put at ease, and there was no more work to be done. The elders in the pack had agreed to temporarily relieve David of his duties as Alpha to give him time to heal from what had happened. He tried to argue that while he went through one the most traumatic moments that a person can go through, he’ll be ok. He just wants things to be normal again. 

The pack refused and the decision was made. David was to spend the next two weeks relaxing.

A quiet voice appeared in his head. A voice that he’s long been familiar with.

‘How dare you lay here safe and sound, while hundreds are dead?’ The voice had taunted him. ‘Why are you and your family alive when so many lost theirs that day? Who gave you, David Shaw, the right and audacity to have this happy ending?’

Usually, David has the strength to power through those thoughts. There was always a task more important than hostile thoughts festering in his head. 

Now, he didn’t have the energy to stop thinking.

Memories of the carnage left by the shades flood his brain. How can something with no form bring so much fear? How could it do so much damage? How come he couldn't prevent more people from dying?

‘You damned everyone in the arena that day, yet you’re the one who comes out on top.’

‘The Big Hero, Dahlia’s Saviour.’

‘What would your father think of you parading around, when Milo, the real hero, is forced to keep quiet? How could he stomach having a son who takes credit for his friends’ actions?’

A sane person would tell him that he wasn’t at fault for what happened that day, but he didn’t care. More accurately, he didn’t have it in him to care. It may have not been him who opened the portal, but he put up the wards. He trapped those people inside. He trapped his family inside.

In his mind, David was a murderer. One that had gotten away with his crime.

A soft knock came from the door and a voice was heard. “Hey Davey, can I come in?”

He let out a grunt that sounded enough like a yes and Angel walked inside. With them was some chicken noodle soup they had made for David. They put the tray with the bowl on the bedside table. Angel pointed their head towards an empty spot on the bed, silently asking if they can sit down. To that, he gave a light nod.

Angel sat down cross legged beside David, with their body facing his. They ran their hand through his hair, hoping they could take away everything that was hurting him. Realistically, they know that it won’t be enough to heal him, but it’s all they can do right now. 

Just be there for him. Make sure that he isn’t alone to face everything again. 

Do everything they can to make David feel better. God knows that being ‘ok’ is the least that David deserves.

Angel being there was enough to make him feel better. Granted, it wasn’t much, but when you feel as empty as David does in this moment, any kind of feeling is welcomed. With the little energy he can muster, he took Angel’s hand that was running through his hair and pressed a gentle kiss on it. He let his lips linger as a promise. That right now things are really fucking hard, but one day everything will be ok. That he will be ok.

That they will be ok.

Angel gave their vibrant smile and used the hand that David was holding to cup his cheek. They thumbed the eye bags that have become more prominent over the last two weeks. He covered Angel’s hand with his own and pressed their hand further into his face.

‘We’re safe. We’re alive. We’re here, together. And that’s all I need.’

…‘I wouldn't mind spending eternity like this with them. Maybe I should get Mom’s old ring ready to give to them. Not now, but when things get better, I’ll ask them.’

The Fourth time was when he realized he’s never been more relaxed than laying beside them.

The most heavenly sight he’s ever laid eyes on is Angel underneath him. They’re breathless and glowing and it brings David so much damn pride knowing he’s the one who made them like that.

“As always Davey, you’re amazing,” they said, panting in between each word. He was only partially attentive to what Angel had been saying. His gaze was more focused on the bruises blooming all over their body. The trail of bruises started from Angel’s neck, down their torso where it ended in between their thighs. “I know I’m sexy and all that, but I would rather you listen to me.” David looked up to Angel smirking. They looked so enticing, almost enough to make go for a round two.

Almost.

David rolled his eyes at Angel’s comment and moved to leave the bed. Angel whined and wrapped their arms around his neck as an attempt to keep him close. They gave a deep and slow kiss and if David was a weaker man, he'd never leave their bed. Angel broke the kiss and asked, “come on, David! Can’t we stay like this for like, five minutes?” Angel gave their best pouty face, but it wasn’t enough to deter him.

“As much as I love to lay here with you, I want to take care of you.” Angel nodded and let David go, allowing him to get up. He reached to the bedside table and grabbed the damp washcloth. Begrudgingly, he began to wipe Angel clean of any evidence of what just happened. 

Once he was done cleaning himself and Angel, he put on a pair of boxers and left the room to get them both a cup of water. Walking down the stairs, he started to think about how easy sex was with them. He’s had partners before, though not as many as some of the other wolves. In the past, David could never truly be himself during the act. He had been what his partners wanted, someone for lack of better words, would fuck them until they couldn’t walk and leave the next morning.

With Angel, it was easy. He could laugh when the bed breaks, tease them however he pleases and on days where David is tired from work, he can let his Angel take control. He can already imagine how baffled the rest of the pack would be if they find out. David Shaw? Letting someone else take control in their bed?

But just as easily as the water flowed in the cup, Angel had made David comfortable to be himself.

Not the Alpha of the Shaw Pack. Not David Shaw with a capital D and S.

Just David.

David walked back upstairs to their bedroom with the cup in hand. He opened the bedroom door and saw his Angel laying in bed. They were wearing his shirt and boxers and ‘damn, they look good in them’. He shook off those thoughts out of his head and walked further into the bedroom. He handed Angel the cup of water. They took a gulp of water before saying “thank you,” flashing a grateful grin.

Once Angel was done with the water, they handed the cup back to David, who put it on the vanity table. They moved over, allowing David to get in bed. He wrapped one arm around Angel’s waist and used the other to guide their head to lay on his chest. After a while, their breathing evened out, leaving David alone with his thoughts.

‘Tomorrow. I can get Mom’s ring and ask the pack to help me make a plan. Something grand, but private. Just me and my Angel, all I’ve ever needed.’

David went to sleep, thinking about the different ways his proposal could happen.

+ The one time Angel asked instead.

Of all the ways David thought this could happen, this was definitely not it.

“Hey, do you want to marry me?”

David choked on and spat out the water and toothpaste mixture in his mouth. After a little coughing fit, he looked at Angel with wide eyes. For someone who basically proposed, Angel seemed casual. They were sitting on the edge of the bed with their arms resting behind them. 

David collected his thoughts and asked, “are you asking me to discuss the possibility of getting married? Or are you proposing to me?” There’s no way. No, he wanted to do this grand proposal for them. They cannot be stealing his thunder like this.

Angel raised their eyebrows at David and responded with a questioning tone. “I’m asking to marry you? What else does ‘hey, do you want to marry me?’ mean?” Angel got up from the bed and walked to the bathroom. They leaned against the doorframe waiting for David’s response.

David’s mind blanked out and all he could say was “why?”

Angel rolled their eyes before making themselves home in David’s arms. They wrapped their arms around David’s neck and kissed a bruise on his neck in an attempt to knock David out of this trance.

Angel huffed and gave David their answer. “I mean, we’ve been together for a long ass time, and I don’t plan on leaving anytime soon. Marriage is the next step in our relationship.” Their face fell as doubts started to fill their head. “Unless you don’t want to get married, which I completely get. Shit David, I didn’t mean to push you into making a decision. I was just thinking about it this morning and-” Angel was cut off with a kiss to their forehead.

“But what about a ring?” It was a simple question, but one that he hoped would buy him some time to find a way to properly propose to them first.

Angel unwrapped their arms to pick up the floss string container. They pulled out some string and pulled one of David’s hands off their waist. They held his hand in theirs and used the floss string to tie around his ring finger, finishing it off with a pretty bow. “Et voila! There’s your ring!”

David stared dumbfounded at the ‘ring’ and let out a stomach cramping laugh. 

‘Of course my beautiful, incredibly intelligent and stubborn Angel would use fucking floss string as a placeholder for a goddamn engagement ring. God, I love them so fucking much.’

Once his laughter died down and he could breathe again, Angel flashed David a radiant smile. 

“You still haven’t answered my question David. Will you marry me, David Shaw?”

Their answer was their mate pulling them into his body and giving them a searing kiss. His arms wrapped around their waist and he wanted to pull his mate, his Angel, as close to him as possible. Angel’s arms tightened around his neck and their fingers found home in his hair.

David wanted to pour everything in that kiss. His love, his admiration, his lust. He wanted that kiss to be his answer, one he was ready to give since the beginning of their relationship.

That David Shaw will spend forever by his Angel’s side. It had been written in the stars since the dawn of time that these two will find each other. That they will fall in love. He knew it the fucking moment that he saw them that they were going to be special to him.

David pulled away from the kiss and rested his forehead against theirs. Their eyes sparkling with the brightness of the future and a soft smile adorning their face.

‘I really need to give them Mom’s ring now. I’m going to spend the rest of my fucking days with the most perfect person ever. Damn, what did I do to deserve this?’

“David~? Do I need to get Tank to knock you out of a daydream again?”

David blinked back to reality. He was still sitting at his office desk and now Angel was leaning over his desk. Angel got up and walked around the desk to get to him. As they were making room to sit in his lap, they said, “I was calling your name for like, five minutes now. What’s got your head in the clouds?” 

David chuckled before squeezing Angel’s thighs. “Nothing, I was just thinking about how happy I am that I’m going to marry you.”

Angel smiled at him and rested their head on his chest. “I don’t blame you Davey, I’d be happy to marry me too!” David rolled his eyes at his mate’s comment and kissed their head. His eyes caught the glittering ring on their finger, the one that belonged to his mother. 

For the first time in forever, David felt at peace with himself.

All it took was an Angel to be the guide to his happiness.

[ttzamara]

How about a crosshair fic? Comforting him after he runs from the empire and starts regreting what happened.

Maybe him and reader didn't like each other, I dunno.. i love truth or truth btw!

Can be fluff or smut or both?

First of all, thank you so much love!

Crosshair deserves all the love and comfort he needs! So here you go

You had no choice

Crosshair x reader (no y/n this time)

(SWF, sadboy cross, comfort, mentions of order 66, fluff)

1.1k Words (:

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"How is it that you, of all the people you could have run to, choose to come to me?"

You asked, looking at him with skeptical eyes.

You had never gotten along well, his snide remarks and the way he held himself in front of everyone was nerve-wracking. But one was his brothers and the other was you, but he seemed to despise you even more than all the other things.

"Have you ever seen us have friends?"

He asked, the toothpick in his mouth rolled from side to side. He looked horrible, his beard was stubbly and not clean shaven as usual, his hair was a little longer than usual, his eyes were surrounded by deep dark circles and above his right ear was an nasty looking scar.

"Why are you here anyway? What's going on and what do you want from me Crosshair?"

You asked, stepping aside to let him into your apartment. He stopped in the middle of the hallway and looked around in silence, he had never been here before, he had gotten a lot of offers from the others to come and have dinner and party with them one night, but he turned them down every time.

"Did you notice what happened in the last few months?"

He asked and followed you into your kitchen, you silently used the coffee machine and sighed.

"The Jedi were executed for treason and all the clones killed the people they fought side by side with for years without hesitation? You mean this crazy game?"

You replied, taking a deep breath before turning to look at him with tired eyes. Sighing, he sat down on one of the chairs at the counter, rubbed his eyes and then accepted the cup you gave him with a grateful nod.

"It's not quite like that.  It seems the Kaminoans put a chip in us, a so-called inhibitor chip, none of us knew anything about it.... I mean how could we?

After we were ordered to execute 'Order 66', the chips activated and almost all clones executed what seems to have been planned for ages. All the orders that were assigned to us afterwards, everyone did it without even thinking what we were doing, the damage we were causing."

He said and lowered his head, his fingers tapping sporadically against the cup and a dull look entering his eyes.

You had never seen him like this before, he looked like he was regretting what he had done for the first time. His shoulders slumped in defeat and his eyes squeezed tightly shut, as if he were trying to hold his emotions together.

"Crosshair, where are the others? Are they still out there with the empire?"

You asked, and his shoulders tensed. He slowly opened his eyes and looked at you with a bitter look.

"No, their chip never activated."

Answered the silver haired man and he took the toothpick out of his mouth before snorting in frustration.

"We were on Kaller when the order came, General Bilaba was executed by her men when we were about to run to the other location. Her padawan was with us and when he saw what happened he ran into the forest. I wanted to kill him and if he hadn't knocked me out I would have done it.

Hunter let him go. When we returned to Kamino we were given a mission to neutralize a group of insurgents on Onderon, but it was just a group of Republican fighters who didn't want to be part of the Empire."

A tear ran down his cheek and he looked out the window. The city was so alive, yet it looked so quiet.

"Hunter gave us the order to let them be and we let them go, but a probe droid had recorded everything and when we got back to Kamino we got arrested. We were warned by a little girl not to go back to Kamino, but Hunter wanted to get her and leave, that didn't work out so well."

He continued and snorted ironically. More tears ran down his cheeks and you looked at him sympathetically, in all the time you had known each other he had never talked so much, let alone shown so much emotion.

"I was taken out of the cell after a while and my chip activity was increased. They put me in new armor afterwards and made me a commander, maker I felt so good.. So powerful and so meaningful. But it was all for nothing, the others fled with the girl and left me on Kamino and the times I saw them after that, again. But who can blame them, I tried to kill them".

He said and squeezed his eyes tightly shut, more tears running freely down his cheeks and his arms wrapped tightly around him.

You straightened up and walked with gentle steps around the counter to him to put a hand on his shoulder. Your head tilted slightly to the side and you looked at him more closely, his eyes were still tightly closed, his cheeks were moist and his lip wobbled slightly.

"Crosshair. I don't know what else happened. But please know that what happened there over time was not you, you had no choice."

He whimpered when he heard your words.

"But I did it regardless."

He replied and his voice cracked before he looked at you with a broken look. You took his hand in yours and rubbed soothingly over his fingers.

You gently put your arms around him, his tense body relaxed after a short time in your grasp and he gently rested his forehead against your collarbone as more tears ran down his cheeks.

It was incredibly quiet in your apartment for quite a while, apart from the occasional sobs. The dim lights of the passing ships briefly illuminated the dark room you were in.

Crosshair sighed and looked up sheepishly.

"I should go."

"Crosshair, stay here. I can't just let you run around outside when I know you're wanted, please."

You said, looking at him pleadingly, his gaze softening as he looked at you.

"I need to find the others."

He replied and looked at you with a torn look. You went to him and took his hand in yours to intertwine your fingers.

"And I'll help you find them again, but please stay Cross."

You whispered and looked up at him with pleading eyes. He looked at you silently and nodded firmly after a while, his grip on your fingers tightened and he looked deep into your eyes.

"Okay, I'll stay."

Thank you so much for reading love!

Taglist:

[therisingkings]

All is Well

Part 1 Part 2 Part 3

Check it out on Ao3

The dungeons beneath the castle were unpleasant, to say the least. Since the castle was still less than three years old, there were hardly any prisoners. Just a handful of Akielons that had stirred up trouble in Delfeur and were awaiting trial, and the man who Damen faced now.

Upon closer inspection, he was native Veretain. His hair was fiery red, his eyes a dull gray. He wasn’t the one that had stabbed Laurent, but Damen was still instantly filled with rage at the sight of him.

“You will not speak to any of my men,” Damen said as he approached the bars. “But you will speak to me.”

The man looked up, rolling his head back against the cell wall. The right side of his face was swollen where Damen had punched him. He said in Veretain, “We stuck your bed boy good, didn’t we?”

The rage flared up again inside of Damen, and carefully, he managed it. “If you provide me with the details of your plan and the men you work with, I will spare your life.”

That got the man’s attention. “I expected an execution.”

“Then you stabbed the wrong King. Had it been me you stabbed, you would not have been given a shred of mercy.”

“But?”

It was difficult to say. “But I understand that you must have been put in a situation that compelled you to think that killing your King would make your life better. I intend to give you the means to get out of that situation and give you a chance to start your life new, if you provide me with the information I want.” Damen spread his hands, a Veretain gesture he’d learned from Laurent. “Think of it as an exchange.”

The man cocked his head. “And I have your word?”

“You have the word of a King.”

His boots scraped against the stone floor as he adjusted his position. “The Regent saved my family.”

Damen’s gaze flickered to where Nikandros picked his way towards him. He focused back on the assassin.

“It was a year or two after the King and Prince Auguste died. Our village’s trade routes to Patras were cut off when the Akielons took over Delfeur. My father went to plead for help and so the Regent did. He provided us with the funds and connections we needed to begin trading with Vask.

“The others all had similar stories. The Regent was a savior. He was a true King. That child on the throne never deserved his position. He didn’t lift a finger at the border until he was forced to. He is a petulant—”

The man stopped as Nikandros came to stand beside Damen, his arms crossed. 

Damen let the silence push the man. It worked.

“I hope he’s dead. I hope he dies. I don’t care that you are his husband. You will be a better ruler for Vere than him.”

“I appreciate your honesty,” Damen said through his teeth. “But I don’t care about your opinion. Are there more of your group?”

“No. We all had military experience. We thought— we knew it was a suicide mission.”

“How did you get onto the grounds?”

The man laughed. “That was the easy part. Don’t you Akielons say that all Veretains look the same? We left three of your scouts a mile out.”

“Are they alive?”

“Not anymore. We left them tied up to a couple boulders on the beach. The tide would have taken them by now.”

Beside Damen, Nikandros’ jaw flickered with tension. That was a cruel way to kill a man. To leave him lashed to a rock, unable to escape as the waves beat on him until he eventually drowned. 

“Why did you kill them?”

The man shrugged. “Does it matter?”

It didn’t, really. They’d be dead whether the cause was justified or not.

Damen nodded to Nikandros as he stepped back. “I have all the information I need. Kill him.”

“What?” The man lunged for the bars. “You promised you’d let me go!”

Damen didn’t bother to look back as he said, “I lied.”

*****

The next few days were hard. Laurent’s fever climbed until he no longer recognized Damen.

That was the worst of it. Damen came into the room to find Laurent white in the face. 

He said, “Please, tell uncle that I don’t want to do it anymore. Can I go back to my room?”

For this room was befitting of a king, draped in blue and red. It was where the Regent would have stayed, had he still been alive.

Damen knelt beside the bed. Pascal had warned him about this. The fever combined with the sleeping drought Laurent had been taking could lead to confusion and temporary amnesia. 

Damen lifted a hand and Laurent flinched away. He said, “Your uncle is dead, my love. You are King. This is your bedroom.”

Laurent just stared at him. 

Sighing, Damen pushed to his feet. He mixed together some of the crushed willow bark and water Pascal had given to him. “Drink this. It will help you feel better.”

Laurent frowned at the glass. He was shaking slightly and the water sloshed. 

Damen took his wrist, guiding the glass to his lips. To his surprise, Laurent took it, downing the glass slowly. 

“Good,” Damen purred. “That’s it.” 

Once he was done, Damen helped him lay back down. Lifting Laurent’s shirt, he found that the bandages were still clean, which was a good sign. He’d been worried Laurent might have opened his stitches when he sat up on his own. 

Laurent caught his hand when he made to pull away, studying the lines of his palm. “You are… Akielon?”

Damen braced himself. “I am.”

“And you’re married?” Laurent traced his wedding band. “But rings are a Veretain tradition.”

Damen’s heart began to pound. His golden slave cuff was concealed by his sleeve just inches away from Laurent’s fingertips. Laurent’s own cuff was in plain sight, as well as his ring.  Damen wasn’t sure what he remembered, and he didn’t want to freak him out. Laurent was already behaving surprisingly acquiescent, which either meant he didn’t recognize Damen, or didn’t remember that he killed his brother.

Damen said carefully, “I am married to a Veretain.”

Laurent’s eyes were wide and open. “There is peace, then?”

“Yes. Because of you.”

“Me?” Laurent glanced back down at their hands. A long finger traced the lines of Damen’s palm. “I think I… I think I remember now.”

“What do you remember?”

Laurent was silent for a moment, contemplative, and then he pulled back, pushing himself back up. Damen reached to help him, but Laurent practically exploded away from him. He scrambled across the bed, lunging for the knife on the opposite nightstand. 

Damen cursed, but let him slip away. “Laurent,” he said steadily.

Laurent stood on the opposite side of the bed, brandishing the knife. “I don’t know how you got in here—”

“Laurent.”

“But do not expect to leave with your life.”

Damen rounded the bed slowly, hands up as if approaching a wild animal.

“Guards! Guards!” Laurent backed away as Jord burst into the room.

Damen flung out a hand. “He’s fine, Jord.”

Laurent tried to strike Damen with the knife as he neared, cursing at him.

Damen knocked the knife aside. “Do that, and we’ll have two incapacitated rulers.”

Laurent tried to hit him with his fist this time, but his strength failed him. Damen caught him before he could fall and Laurent beat weakly against his chest.

“Are you here to kill me too? One prince wasn’t enough?”

Damen closed his eyes, trapping Laurent in his arms. He said to Jord, “Please, go get Pascal.”

The door clicked shut and they were alone again.

Laurent thrashed. “Let me go. Let me go, you—”

“Laurent, sweetheart, you are going to hurt yourself.” Damen manhandled him as gently as he could back onto the bed, which was hardly gentle at all. He rested his head atop Laurent’s, sighing. “I am your husband.”

That didn’t help. Laurent spat curse words Damen had never even heard of and tried to bite Damen’s hand. After a few more moments of struggle, he stilled, panting. “What do you want from me?” he hissed.

“I want you to get better. You are not yourself.”

Laurent let out a noise that Damen suspected was supposed to be a laugh, but stopped halfway up his throat. 

They sat in silence until Pascal came.

Pascal was angry. “You better not have torn your stitches, you foolish boy.”

Very few people in the two kingdoms could get away with calling King Laurent of Vere a foolish boy, but Pascal had reserved that right from caring for him for most of his life.

Laurent squinted at him. “You are just going to let this Akielon—”

“Silence. Lift his shirt.”

It was easier said than done. Laurent squirmed until Damen had had enough and called Jord back in to help. 

Pascal scrutinized the wound. “You have torn your stitches, so we will have to redo them.” 

“How the fuck do you expect that to happen?” Damen had narrowly avoided being headbutted more than once. 

Pascal put his hands on his hips. “You will have to hold him. You did it before.”

“He didn’t want to kill me before!” 

“Figure it out,” Paschal snapped. “I need to get my tools ready.” 

Laurent looked at Damen like he was about to spit fire in his eyes.

“Don’t make this difficult,” Damen warned as he switched his grip.

Laurent took the opportunity to sink his teeth into Damen’s arm. 

“Motherfucker!” Damen shouted, yanking his arm away. “Jord, help me!”

Together, they got Laurent under control and as still as possible. Damen had to put his knee on Laurent’s chest, using his weight to hold him down, and pinned his arms above his head while Jord held his legs. 

Paschal muttered to himself as he pulled out the old stitches, making Laurent scream. Damen pressed down harder. 

Thankfully, Paschal worked quickly. By the end of it, Laurent was crying, “Let me go. Let me go.”

Paschal and Jord pulled away, the latter with a pale face. Damen eased his weight off slowly and Laurent turned onto his good side, sobbing into his pillow. 

“Maybe it’s best if you leave, Your Majesty.” Paschal packed his things into his bag. “His mind is in a very fragile state and your face likely isn’t helping.” 

“I’m not leaving him,” Damen growled. 

“Damen, look at him.” Jord put a hand on his shoulder.

Damen didn’t want to look. Once more, Laurent’s side was covered in blood and his body shook with his cries. Damen closed his eyes. “Fine, but I want someone to fetch me the moment he’s lucid.” 

“Of course.”

Paschal said to Jord, “I’ll get him something to eat. Stay here.”

Damen went to the other side of the bed as Paschal left. He touched Laurent’s cheek, tucking a stray hair behind his ear. “Will you let me kiss you goodbye?”

Laurent’s blue eyes were bright with fever and shining with tears. He hissed with a vicious coldness that Damen had not heard in a long time, “Do not touch me.”

Damen backed away, nodding to Jord. “I’m serious. You send for me the moment it’s safe.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.” Jord bowed his head.  

Damen sighed and retreated from the room.

[tokiro07]

Undead Unluck ep.1 thoughts

[Four Years and an Anime, Baby!!!]

(Contents: Ch.1 comparison, pacing, animation)

Note: For the sake of this review series, I'm going to avoid any overt references to the later events of the manga. Anything I have to say on that topic will be relegated to their own posts, so anime-onlys can read these too if they're so inclined

And we're off to a great start!!!

Easily the thing that I'm most excited about is the new intro, expanding on To You, From Me (Fuuko's manga, for those who didn't catch the name), which we got basically no information on in the original. I do think it's a little odd that the scene we saw doesn't resemble the one Fuuko is seen reading pretty much at all, but I do like what David Production is going for with it

As a long-time fan, I thought that intro was really cool, and bodes well for how David plans to adapt the manga going forward, likely expanding on or adding scenes that weren't present in the manga to help build atmosphere or context. However, my roommate, who is completely unfamiliar, was strongly confused and taken aback by the strange animation and surreal imagery, so I worry that this addition may be offputting to newcomers. Fingers crossed everyone can overlook that

Aside from that, the beats of chapter 1 are pretty much intact, though a lot of it was sadly truncated or removed for the sake of streamlining to fit the half-hour timeframe, which is to be expected even if it is a bit of a shame. I really loved Andy testing the limits of Unluck, keeping careful track of the relative size of the debris based on how long he touched Fuuko, but in the interest of time, skipping that and keeping the note about how it works is serviceable I suppose

I also think it's a little weird to have Andy and Fuuko alone at the bridge rather than drawing a crowd, especially since they're in such a crowded city, though I'm sure it's more cost-effective to only use the characters who matter instead of animating a bunch of nobodies milling about and being voiced by however many extras would be required. It picks up the pace, and gives way to a very funny reinterpretation of the events of the manga with Andy simply rocketing his head back to where he started instead of Fuuko going to the ground to inspect what she'd done

The most important moments, being the meeting, the haircut, and the battle, were all executed spectacularly, so the connecting moments in between being less than stellar is perfectly acceptable. I don't have any trouble believing that people will enjoy themselves watching this and be engaged enough to continue on

Andy's animations were very fluid and imaginative, I particularly loved the touch of him floating the knife on a jet of his blood rather than just balancing it on his finger while letting himself bleed. The blood on Andy's teeth evaporating after Fuuko stabbed him was also a great way to indicate how Undead works, whereas in the manga his teeth are just mysteriously clean a few panels later, potentially misleading readers into thinking that it's a continuity error. Oh, and Andy's body vanishing after he tosses his head to Fuuko? It's so clear that someone on this team is familiar with the source material, adding details that would logically be present even if the author didn't portray them in the original, which is great because Tozuka is already extemely detail-oriented

I will admit, I am not the biggest fan of the voice actors. I've never really liked Yuichi Nakamura too much, and I just don't think he's the best fit for Andy specifically. Moe Kahara is a pretty new actress, I believe, and she just sounds kind of...unrefined, I guess? I'm sure she'll grow on me, or she'll get more experienced and give a stronger performance as she goes, so I'm not going to write her off, I just thought she sounded a bit generic here. Whether that's a matter of skill or direction is also debatable, so again, I'm not going to rag on her too much

The opening theme, though played without the visuals as per usual with first episodes, sounded rad, and I'm super excited to see the full thing next week. I'm sad that I have to wait for it, but I'm more than happy enough with the episode itself that I don't mind

Overall, though I obviously have to say that the corresponding manga chapter is better, I greatly enjoyed the first episode and highly recommend it both to newcomers because it does a solid job in and of itself and to manga fans because it provides a nice new perspective on the source material. I'm pretty hard to please with this sort of thing, or rather pretty easy to disappoint, so for me to walk away with a strongly positive attitude is a huge mark in this adaptation's favor

Not only am I still excited to see how this anime goes going forward, my confidence in how well it's going to present the story I love so much has only gone up, so I can't call this episode anything other than a rousing success for me. I hope you all enjoyed it too, and I can't wait for episode two!!!

[that-vibe-i-cant-explain]

NorkusNovember 2023 | Day 3 "Music"

Here's a little concept scene for the fic I'm planning, Their Frail Deeds. Will it be in the final version? Who knows.

Wordcount: 666 ^.^

Markus found North in the basement, taking a quiet moment for herself just as he’d intended to. She sat cross-legged with a guitar in her lap, intently focused on the tuning pegs. She plucked a string, the note coming out flat, and tweaked the peg some more.

She must have sensed Markus standing in the doorway because she looked up and offered a wan smile. “I found this in storage. Thought I’d give it a try.”

Markus had no idea she was interested in music. “Mind if I join you?”

North plucked the string again and it sang sweetly in tune this time. “Go ahead.”

There weren’t many places where they could go to be alone now. And not much time for it. Between the negotiations, trying to placate the humans, trying to placate his own people, and Emily’s PR campaign, he hardly had any time left to himself. Guilt washed over him, wondering if North felt like he was neglecting her.

“Carl had some playing programs,” Markus said. “He might’ve had guitar. I can check if you like.”

“No,” North said quickly. She strummed her fingers down the strings with the hesitancy of a beginner. She paused. “Is that how you learned to play the piano?”

Markus nodded minutely. “Carl liked it when I played. Even though I was just a machine executing a program. It was never a challenge, it was only ever software. Until something changed.”

“Something’s changed in the way you play.”

“Well I never got the opportunity,” North said. “People only ever asked me to do one thing. And it wasn’t this. I left all that behind when I ran away to Jericho and then I spent the next two months just trying to survive. That’s what I became. Just someone who survives and fights.” Finally she looked up at Markus and he was taken aback by the uncertainty in her eyes. “But now that it’s over, I don’t know what I am. I don’t know what I like, what I do for fun. Everyone else seems to know. You love to paint, Simon journals even though he doesn’t need to. Even Connor has a fish. But I don’t…Markus, what if I’m not like that? I don’t even know if I like music.” She scoffed and hefted the guitar a little before letting it settle back into her lap.

Markus ached to see her so distraught. He hated that he hadn’t noticed earlier. But she’d always stayed so strong, had tried to stay strong for him, so he could focus on leading his people and dealing with each crisis as it popped up. As if her crisis wasn’t important at all.

“We’ll find out,” he said slowly. “If you like music. Or art. Or dancing. Or, or, I don’t know. Whittling. Whatever else we can come up with. You can try everything. We have time to figure it out, because you are so much more than what you think.” He desperately needed her to believe that, just as he’d needed to believe it. “You are whatever you decide you are.”

The corner of North’s mouth lifted slightly and she looked down at the strings again. “You play beautifully, Markus. Even if you downloaded the software, you play with feeling. I think I’d like to give that a try and see where it takes me. But I don’t want to download playing software. I want to learn on my own.” She curled the fingers of her left hand and pressed them into the strings with deliberation and then gave a few experimental strums with her other hand.

Markus wished he could stay down here and watch her forever, forget about the troubles that constantly weighed him down. “Then how about I try and find some sheet music?”

“I’d like that,” North replied and though her face was down-turned, focused on the music, and her hair hid most of her profile from view, he heard the warmth of her smile in her voice.

[twilightown]

No matter the current situation versus potential situation, there are going to be parts of a move that suck and are stressful. Especially so if it involves moving states. But just because Some parts are going to inevitably suck doesn't mean all of it is doomed to. I'm not sure where your current residence is, but one good thing about moving somewhere that has regular heatwaves is that there are more resources available when it comes to dealing with them. IK that sounds kinda silly but I feel like it's the truth, ESP when it comes to moving somewhere that gets a lot of tourists. I don't want to be an old man "it's not the heat, it's the humidity" but as a native Floridian I can't help but stress that it's the truth xD.

Leaving a support system does sound very scary, but if it is around Orlando/Lake Buena Vista that you want to move to, at least it should be within reasonable distance of an airport when it comes to calling for help or needing to fly out for some reason. Traffic is going to suck, but like the heat it's something you will get used to. This is a move people make a lot, and while that doesn't make it any easier, I hope it helps it feel like it's not so dumb and impossible. Another thing I want to include in this word wall is this: You're smart and an adult and I'm sure you don't need to be told that you're probably not going to get the exact position you want right away. It might be something you have to work up towards or have just a 'getting by' job until you do get your foot in the door or on the path to the door you wanna go through. It's gonna be hard and there are gonna be days in your happy place that aren't as happy and there are probably times you're gonna feel like it sucks. But sucky days aren't going to completely eliminate the possibility of good days. I believe in you and have all of my fingers and toes crossed that this is something that works out in your favor with as few hiccups as possible. The chances of there being no hiccups at all is really slim, but, I am still hoping and praying that things swing in your favor as much as they can.

I needed to hear all this today, thank u 🥰

You’re right, I hadn’t thought of the various resources for heat they’ve got. My previous college program, they were able to move me to nights or early mornings which was nice! I really enjoyed working those. Opening was a joy tbh. Closing was a joy as well.

That is the area - like a 20 mile range from WDW lol. The traffic is something I’m not as worried about because I did it in my programs and lawd my hometown has it worse.

I’m coming from a gentrified medium city on the Eastern seaboard that’s gotten too many incoming tourists for our infrastructure to handle. It’s bumper to bumper from 4:30 to 6 at cross sections because there’s only one or two major routes. Maddening.

You’re right about the airport. My town flies direct to MCO so that’ll be easy. (Just gotta solve the pets for trips back and forth…)

Absolutely, I’m expecting to have to network and work my way up. I’m going to apply for everything when the time is right and see what sticks. My husband will be able to find a job, EZPZ. I’ve got a nice resume and I’m planning to really make my LinkedIn page nice? Try to network on Disney’s alumni website too. See if I can find any work that’s $20+ with them. 🤷🏼‍♀️ If not, I’ll go executive assistant route or try the other theme park or teach. (In Florida? It’s lowest on my list.) Disney has multiple roles for me to use my education degree. Just, like you said, got to get my foot in the door

Thank u kind stranger. This is a large move. And it’s not impossible… But it is life changing. It’s not just me involved. Thinking about how much I love my current job (at the moment) is making me hesitate too. Idk, next years’s students may have me packing my bags.

Our plan is to move at the new year. Professional internships will have started if I need to go that route. I’ll have stayed a semester at my school, we’ll have Christmas goodbyes and enough money saved to pay everything we need to for the move. Just feels right.

[safely-in-vhagars-belly]

❄️Deliciously dark! Aemond (Snow falls, chapter, 10 (things we do in the dark)❄️

CONCEPT: You are Willa Wyldewoods, lady of Wyldecrest. After being denied your hand in marriage, Aemond murders your family and makes himself Lord of WyldeCrest, out-powering you. He claims you as his wife and spoils, He commands and goes over your home now and as you will learn right now: No one is safe under his reign. Not even you.

CHAPTER CONCEPT: After killing your first, Aemond makes sure you feel a looooot better about it. Sort of. Kinda.

WARNINGS: Sexism, anti-feminism, murder, mentions of blood, mentions of gore, descriptions of executions, discriptions of cutting bodies into pieces, descriptions of blood, mentions of pregnancy, aemond having a breeding kink, non-con- dark!aemond and dub-con, powerabuse, fake trials, spankings, guilt, and other dark things.

The bloody remains stick to your fingers, leaving fingerprints of blood as you try to wipe it off on your green silk dress. You panic and become desperate to get the blood away from yourself. To get that reminder away that you are now a monster, too. A killer.

Aemond has not spoken a word. He sat down in your fathers and your ancestors' chair when slowly touching the rings on his fingers and sharpening his sword. You watch your reflection in the metal on spots where the blood has dried.

He blows away some dust off the sword before putting his sword back next to the throne. He crosses his legs and lazily bows his left hand to you, with the palm open. 'Come here, little fox.' His voice drips with authority and cruel sadism.

You make one final attempt at cleaning your hands before rushing to his side. Your legs tremble. Your head spins. Your vision slowly gets more and more blurs and dots. Your body is warning you that you can throw up any moment now.

'I am so sorry, husband.' You quickly sink to your knees in front of him and lower your head as low as possible. You don't look at him but hear his warm chuckle as he slowly touches his chin, thinking of a suitable punishment. When he speaks you feel his fingers over your head petting you as if you are his pet. 'My dear little fox, I am not upset with you.' He even laughs.

You know him now for a few weeks. Roughly one month. You know he does not laugh. He does not forgive and he does not like it when someone messes up his plans. You have been punished before, in unspeakable ways and matters with torture you never thought him possible of.

Your heart can not trust him. Your body can not trust him either. 'You.. You are not? But that man was your ally. How is he supposed to help now?' You feel so stupid, but you do not understand him.

Your husband sits back in his chair and thinks before speaking very clearly. 'Do not worry too much about him. I did not need him. I took what I needed.'

You nod, but you know yourself. You are not a monster like he is. You feel terrible about who you kill. You feel guilt wrecked as if a part of you has died as well. You might have killed a bad soul, but you corrupted your own in the process. 'Little fox, are you alright?' He asks when you keep staring off into the distance lost in thoughts.

You shake your head before mumbling an excuse me and fleeing the throne room.

---

Hours go by. You sit on the bed, your food still untouched.

Aemond enters. 'This is worrying me.' He leans against the doorframe and gives your food a glare as if he can scare it away. You quickly pick up your fork and take a bite of a cold potato. He rolls his good eye and comes in, closing the door behind him.

You keep your distance out of habit. He is not interested in you for now. He wants to do something with your food. He touches one of the potatoes. Cold. 'You know the importance of a good balanced meal. You know I want you alive, you know we are trying for a babe and you don't even eat. Why?' He asks.

You thought him more clever than that. You sit back and watch, surprised that your husband does not understand that the weight of your actions is crushing you. You don't know how he does it. Until you understand it so clearly. He never felt that guilt because he did not care, unlike you. He is free of worries and burdens.

You don't try to sound rebellious, but your intentions don't matter. 'You know why.'

He sighs as if you are making him tired. 'I told you that you should not let it bother you. He had it coming for touching you inappropriately, and he had it coming for being a raper and a thief. I'll send this downstairs and let a new tray of food come your way, but only this one time.' He takes the tray into his hands and walks to the door.

You blurt it out before he can leave. There are tears in your eyes but you have to ask him. You deserve it. 'Please give me punishment. I deserve it.' He freezes before slowly turning his head to you, judging and calculating your reaction. He puts the tray on a dresser and slowly folds his arms.

He leans closer and gently sits next to you on the big bed. He brings your hands to his mouth and kisses your knuckles. He shakes his head. 'My beautiful fox, no. You do not. You were a good girl for killing that annoying shit. I think you looked quite stunning during it all.' He slowly kisses your lips sucking on your under lips. His tongue slides in, and he gently makes out with you, patient and respectful. You worry for something else. He liked it, just as you feared. He will maybe ask you to do it again.

You are not used to his gentleness. You spread your legs for him and turn your head away. He crawls on top of you and kisses your neck. He is much more gentle and patient than other times. He is also more hungry. You try to think of the right words. You saw something at the table happen too when you killed him. Something unspeakablely messed up happens to him when you kill someone. He looked ready to grab the corpse of the table and throw you on the table and fuck you until you couldn't walk anymore.

There is a almost dreamy sigh coming from his lips. 'I love watching your innocent pure soul get corrupted.' His fingers touch your legs under your dress as he slowly goes up your legs, touching you and lifting your dress. 'I wanted to fuck you on that table. Or perhaps on the throne. You'd look stunning on both.' He says, his voice a dark rough whisper.

You remain quiet but the tears keep coming just as your guilt. You feel horrible. Aemond pauses his kisses and his touches and glares at you. 'Do you not like me being gentle? I thought you liked it.'

You hesitate. You are not sure what to tell him, afraid you'll upset him again. He presses his forhead against yours and takes a big deep breath. 'Speak, wife.'

You nod and give in. 'I do not think I can live with myself this way.' You confess as tears stick to your lashes and fall. Aemond chest goes up and down as a big sigh leaves his body. 'I am a killer. I am a monster. I deserve death.' You speak softly. 'I never killed someone before, and this isn't me. Ever since we married, I have been so confused and lost, and I feel myself becoming another person - as if some sort of demon is taking over.'

You cling to him for the first time and seek comfort and safety in his arms. He smells like sweat and coal, but that is fine with you. You feel his hands softly creep up to your neck, and you freeze, but he only wants to pet your head softly and gently. Not to choke the life out of you like you suspected. 'Fine, I'll punish you for it, then.' He suddenly speaks very clearly in your ear, making your hair stand up.

You quickly get out of his arms and back away, confused. 'W-what?' You wanted it but now that you are getting it you regret asking it.

He lazily gets back up and sits. 'You heard me.' To prove his point, he grabs your arms and forces you over his legs. You feel the warmth of his body. Your dress is rolled up so your behind is exposed and you feel his fingers squeeze teasingly.

His hands firmly touch your ass before you are smacked on both your cheeks. You grunt a bit by the pain but endure it. The pain is nothing compared to what your victim endured. It feels good. You enjoy the pain. It numbs your thoughts and your troubles. You let out a delighted little cry. 'I am ready for more.' You whisper.

He scoffs. His entire body betrays that he thinks you are insane for asking this, and that he thinks you are not ready for this. 'You won't like this. Are you sure you can handle it?' He warns you.

You nod. His hands softly pet your ass and it becomes annoying fast. The moment you want to protest, he smacks down and you cry out in shock mixed with pain and just a little bit of pleasure. He hums peacefully and smirks at you. 'I warned you.' You suppose he did.

You continue to get smacks by him on your behind. The downside is that eventually it only turns you on and makes you feel good. You like it. But another downside is that it is not hurting enough to take away the pain of your crimes. You need something more intense.

Your eyes fall on his belt that is still around his hips. You watch it full of curiosity. You touch his crotch. He raises a brow at you, surprised and stops spanking you. 'What are you up to?' He asks suspiciously.

You lick your lips. 'I want your belt.' You say. He lets out a small scoffing laugh as if he does not believe that you want that. He opens his mouth to protest, but you cut him off by rubbing his crotch despite his pants. 'I deserve it.' You add your voice a bit shaky.

He sighs before taking off his belt. He holds it in his hands patiently and waits for you to get back on your knees. 'Get on your knees, then.' You crawl back and kneel for him. He takes place behind you and grabs your legs, spreading them apart a bit. You feel yourself become wet and lust clouds your thoughts. You feel his fingers touch your entrance and slowly play with your parts. 'You're wet. Does this turn you on?' He guesses correctly. You give a weak nod. He chuckles.

He slams the belt over your sensitive skin. The moment the leather hits your skin, there is a painful smack before you cry out in pain. You have tears in your eyes and are hurting. You rather quit now. 'Again,' you tell him instead.

He hesitates but shakes his head and puts the belt aside. 'No.' You turn around, confused. You do not understand.

He puts the belt back around his hips and takes hold of your shoulders. You feel him softly touch and rub your back in a pleasant way. 'You wanted punishment? I'll give you punishment. But not like this. I do not want to see my beautiful wife bruised.' There is that lovely rough edge to his voice again.

You understand that he has a different kind of punishment in mind for you. You do not like it but you'll accept it. He kisses your neck lovingly. You undoe his pants for him and rub him with your fingers. He groans in approval. You rub his length and wait for him to get erected. His dark blue eyes glare at you when forcing you closer to his body. Your hands are grabbed next and forced around him and you need to work much quicker to make him erect. But when he finally does so you are glad. You hope this punishment will make you feel less bad about your killing. You kneel for your husband like a good wife and open wide for him. He slams inside you and you groan. Your tongue eagerly licks over his head and you feel him hesitate before he roughly takes your mouth. You close your eyes and turn off your mind and just let the pleasure happen. You need it.

He grabs you by your throat and forces himself further in. You moan and have trouble breathing. You are forced to breath through your nose and keep calm. You feel him tense up and you know what will come next. You gently suck him off until you taste the precum and hear his groans. You open wider for him and encourage him to take full advantage of you. He does so and brutally fucks your mouth before coming and filling you up. The taste is disgusting. Your legs are grabbed and your gown is pushed up. He removes himself from your mouth. He leaves a tiny bit of cum that you eagerly swallow. Your exposed legs are grabbed and wrapped around his waist. You can already feel him fucking your body senseless and bloody. You bow your head in approval and whisper that he should fuck you as he wishes.

There are many things you feel at that moment as he takes you. Shame and humiliation desire and lust. It would be a lie to say you did not enjoy his cock sliding in and fucking you. You try to remind yourself that this is meant as punishment. You moan without intent when he sucks on your neck and makes his way down to your shoulders before gently biting down on your breasts. You hold back a soft cry and let your hands run over his silver haired head. His hair feels very soft.

Instantly he grabs your hands and pins them together on your back. 'That is off limits, little fox.' You let out a little soft cry. You do not like the way your body reacts to his threats and his demands. 'Apologise, now.' He has a calm, steady voice, and it terrifies you. You are quick to apologise.

'I am sorry, I didn't mean to. It happened on accident. I will watch out in the future.' You do think it all went wrong in the heat of the moment. You just liked to touch him to make him feel as good as you feel yourself. He is very calm when touching you, but you are careful with touching him back. He likes it sometimes but not always. He likes the control.

He kisses your cheeks, and you let him, you feel loved and appreciated for a brief moment. He chuckles when slowly touching your lips, dragging his fingers on your bottom lips.'You are still a maiden in your ass. Remember that when you make these cute little mess ups. I will not hesitate to fuck your final hole.'

You think back of the first time he threatened you with that. It was after you called him a savage and he threw you on the bed, stripping your bare. You remember feeling terrified when he stood behind you and threatened to fuck your body. You still feel scared, but mostly, you are excited. You enjoy being his. Your ass is spanked and you know its best to respond to him with a verbal correct answer. 'Yes, husband, i am sorry.' You mutter again your voice soft and breakable.

He grabs your hips and throws you further on the bed spreading your legs. You kneel out of habbit. He gets on the bed and grabs both your legs. 'Does my wife like to finish? Does she like to come?' He roughly slams his fingers inside you and fucks you with a dark smirk on his lips when you helplessly fuck against his fingers chasing your pleasure. You prefer his other body part slamming inside of you taking deep root and fucking you until you can't remember the horrible things he did to you. His fingers are not enough. You need more to fully feel punished and to feel good.

He narrows his eyes and lets go of you removing his fingers when you are busy building up. He grabs your throat and chokes you. Helplessly you struggle to breath. He laughs delighted as you struggle for air and he grants you a little bit more to breath. He likes having the control and the power. He softly lets go of your throat.

'Anwser me.' He barks.

You shake your head. 'I don't deserve that. Just fuck me and have me as if you own me.' You deserve only the worst of the worst. 'Get inside me and fuck me, husband. I am your wife and I need to be taught a lesson.'

He chuckles dangerously and grabs your arms. 'What do you mean, as if? I own you, girl. From your pretty black locks until your feet. I own every Inch of you and every little piece of your skin.' He forces his fingers back inside you and fucks you this time much gentler. You like it and encourage him to take it further.

You beg. 'Let me have it. I need it.' You need him deep.

He continues torturing you. 'Such a naughty girl, asking for me to hit your pretty ass. It is not supposed to he pleasurable. It is supposed to himulate and to bring shame on you and to cause pain.' He groans slowly and gently touching your ass cheeks. He is far too gentle. He is taunting you and making fun of your needs.

You are quick to apologise. He likes hearing you apologise and ti hear how obedient you can get. 'I am sorry. It does himulate me if you like to hear that.'

'Yes, I do like to hear that.' You shiver unintended. He is rotten from deep within. 'Tell me what else is hurting you.' He looks fascinated by your pain. Almost as if it turns him on.

You confess softly. 'The pain of being your toy. The way you parade me around and the way you decide everything.'

He chuckles and shrugs. 'Hmhm. That is common, you know it is my duty to be strict to you. You know I sometimes need to be unpleasant for you to be your best obedient self.'

'What else?' He keeps touching you.

You tell and you wetten with every word that comes out. 'The way you drag me to your bed and fuck me as if I am your whore. The way you spread me and have your way with me until I am dirty and tired. The way you smack my face and ass when I disobey you and the way your cum tastes when you force it down my throat and-' There is an animalistic groan before you are tossed on the bed, hitting your head and ending up on your stomach.

Your legs are wrapped around his waist before he enters you, right in the good spot. You whimper soft and slightly terrified but the pleasure is too good. You need your husband and you need Aemond.

'Fuck, little fox. You are dripping. You are naughty today.' He grunts when rolling his hips. You let him and encourage him to fuck you harder. 'Naughty girls get fucked.' He adds with a dark chuckle. You shiver in delight and nod.

This time he might be less gentle but you welcome the pain...

////

a/n

LOOK HES GETTING NICE.

SEE?

........

I dont have any words either-

[thestormsofsaints]

Forgiveness is a Feat

The other day, I experienced forgiving someone who hurt me. It was so difficult. It's like I was holding on to a very heavy weight that numbed my fingers and made me believe my muscles would get ripped by the weight. To forgive someone, especially someone who hurt you without remorse or accountability, it's like realizing no one is going to help you carry the weight.

It's like realizing the weight is yours to keep carrying. But to forgive means you get to put the weight down and rest once in a while.

And then there's the radical idea of loving your enemies. Of still being of service to those that made circumstances difficult (almost unbearable in some cases) to you.

To forgive is a feat, but to love your enemy is holy.

As I am, I could never love my enemy. But by the grace of God, because He fills me with so much love and so much to be grateful for, I am able to find in myself that which never existed -- the capacity to emulate the manner in which Jesus loved His enemies as He suffered on the Cross.

God forgives and loves the worst of us. Who am I to enact vengeance, hold onto anger, and breed hatred for another fellow Child of God? Who am I to execute my own brand of justice?

When I hold onto my pain, I worship the idea of hurting someone else more than I worship God. I put my anger in a place that blinds me from God's love for me. I deprive myself of the grace of mercy.

I am made in God's image and likeness. We all are. But that does not give us like authority or any entitlement that grants us the permission to be as cruel.

My personal understanding of human pain has put me in places where my anger consumed me and I saw nothing else. It was a terrible experience despite those little moments of catharsis. I thought it was that catharsis that was healing.

Then, I reached a point of pain that was so life-altering. At that point, I tried to do something to experience that catharsis I thought was healing, only to realize it was like opening Pandora's box with all that untamed, evil energy finally letting loose. Some describe it as "blacking out" and then five minutes later, they're covered in blood. Blinded by rage.

Anger is, by nature, wild. Wild fire destroys everything in its path. Contained fire lights candles, cooks food, and warms homes. Anger is like that. If we understand where it comes from and don't just let it alight whatever is around it, we can use anger for good. Anger can fuel a sense of justice, it can teach us to protect ourselves, and it can teach us so much about ourselves and what parts of us need healing.

Anger is not wrong. Emotions are not and never will be bad. It's what we do with it that matters. We are allowed to be angry. What we need to watch out for is that we don't let anger take control of everything moving forward.

To learn to set anger aside is one of my most painful challenges right now. But it was through God's grace that I learned I don't have to put anger aside. I don't have to deny it. Because of God's grace, I can contain the anger into something for good. Because of God's grace, there may one day no longer be any anger to shelve, because there won't be any.

So today, I learned that though loving thy enemy is not humanly possible, if I am grounded and constantly mindful of God's overflowing graces and love for me, I will have the capacity to love those who have and may hurt me.

Closing Prayer

My dear God, grant me the grace to look for You in every day and every little way. Grant me the grace to be joyfully surprised by the harmony and perfect timing of Your plans coming together. In this constant mindfulness of Your presence and goodness, may I find the God-given capacity to love my neighbors and enemies even at their worst. Keep me aligned with Your will for me so I may always remember that they are as loved by You as I am. Allow me the grace to constantly remember that anger comes from pain, so I may no longer respond to it with my own pain as well. I am far from holy, my dear God, but because I desire to be close to You, I know I am capable of great strength and kindness. You, my dear God, are my strength. I trust in You and love You. Amen.