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wandabear · 3 months

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CHEERFUL OBLIVION - WANDA MAXIMOFF X F!READER ㅤㅤ ㅤㅤㅤ ㅤ

Summary: Your duty is to watch her 'till Chton comes for her, even if you hate it, but do you really hate it? Especially when you start to get to know Wanda. The bond begins to torment you. But, oh Lord, you've never been so in love. ㅤㅤㅤㅤ

chapter one chapter two chapter three chapter four chapter fivechapter six

masterlist

ㅤㅤ ㅤㅤㅤ tw: angst, fluff, angst with a happy ending. ㅤ

Jules is portrayed by Adelaide Kane. Here.

Florence + The Machine - Mermaids

ㅤㅤ ㅤㅤㅤ ㅤㅤ ㅤㅤㅤ ㅤchapter one

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ㅤㅤ ㅤ Six thousand years ago, after the beginning, there was a malevolent and ancient demon that plagued the face of the earth for a long time.

Chthon, one of the most powerful deities among the demons as he was one of the firsts to exist, managed to maintain control until he was banished. Unwilling to give up power, created a castle on top of Wundagore Mountain, carving his dark magic into the walls with evil spells prophesying the existence of a sorceress. The most powerful being, the Scarlet Witch, who would end up freeing him from his eternal exile.

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Chton was gone, but his followers remained over time, as did his sacred book: ‘The Darkhold’.

Demons roamed the earth, but not as everyone thought.

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1999 NOVI GRAD

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The sound of gunshots echoed, stinging and destructive; soldiers on one side and rebels on the other shooting and falling to the ground. The fire in the streets, terror had an exquisite scent for beings like her.

Civilians hid to avoid being caught in the firefights, trying to live as normal a life as possible in what they believed in was hell.

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Suddenly, the gunshots stopped, exposing the sound of those combat boots against the dusty ground. That woman came out of that dark alley, there was no fear in those deep eyes. Her hair and clothes were immaculate, there were no traces of gunpowder on that leather jacket, nor dust on her perfect hair.

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Sighing, Y/N walked towards that street but in matter of seconds she appeared on the terrace of a building. Seemed that they would soon fall apart, the dim lights just showed the power would go out soon.

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Oh, she hated those places and at the same time she loved them. Chaos always had an exquisite flavor.

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But Y/N just smiled, her eyes changing color to a yellowish tone. Her pupils were vertical, like those of a cat or a snake.Those were her true eyes. She was a demon, of course, and not a very young one.

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“What a turmoil, huh?”

ㅤㅤ ㅤㅤㅤ “The US Air Force will launch the bombing soon…” someone said behind her, watching as the planes hovered over the city. A sensual and deep female voice. ㅤㅤ ㅤㅤㅤ

A red-haired woman stood next to her, watching that beautiful city be devoured by fire and violence. It was scary, but for them, it was perfect. Chaos was something they needed, they fed on it. It was no coincidence that she and a demon like Abaddon were there.

ㅤㅤ ㅤㅤㅤ Abaddon was a demon of a much higher rank, more dangerous, and much more loyal to Chton, for a reason she was his second.

ㅤㅤ ㅤㅤㅤ “Why have you summoned me here? Lots of work?” Y/N tilted her head, watching the redhead. She looked like a sharp-tongued woman. “I mean, this place looks really bad and it’s kinda my specialty, but I'm a little busy with a war between-.”

ㅤㅤ ㅤㅤㅤ “Leviathan.” Abaddon said her name, making Y/N stop. That was her real name, not Y/N. Although Y/N was the one she chose to feel part of the… world.Names had power and Y/N knew that if Abaddon said it, she had power over her.

ㅤㅤ ㅤㅤㅤ “She’s here.” The voice and the way Abaddon said it made her blood run cold. Y/N frowned at her, that could only mean one thing and it was impossible. Millennia waiting for that moment, so much so that now it seems so distant and impossible.

ㅤㅤ ㅤㅤㅤ “Who?” She played that game, naivety, and she was so good at it. A nearby explosion caused the ground to shake, but neither of them flinched. ㅤㅤ ㅤㅤㅤ “Who Chton has been waiting so long for.” Abaddon smiled proudly, finally happy to say those words.

ㅤㅤ ㅤㅤㅤ “The Scarlet Witch.” Y/N gasped, couldn't believe that was true. “But…” ㅤㅤ ㅤㅤㅤ

Although that was good news for any demon from the depths of hell, Y/N didn't seem to think the same.

That meant the end of a world she became accustomed to, the end of comforts, the end of hedonism. Goodbye New York Pizza, goodbye to the sunsets in the Maldives, goodbye to good movies and good music.

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Despite that, Y/N tried to fake her best mischievous smile. “Are you sure?”

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“Yes… Thanks to you, we found the place where the Darkhold was buried, and now... You need to take care of it.” Abaddon pointed towards one of the buildings in front of them, through the window you could see an adorable woman lying on an old sofa, with her two little ones. “That’s her.”

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“The woman?” Y/N asked curiously, tilting her head. Her hair was brown, had a charming smile and big eyes although you couldn't distinguish their color. A happy look despite the tragedy surrounding her family.

ㅤㅤ ㅤㅤㅤ “No.” Abaddon rolled her eyes and pointed at the little girl, cuddling next to her mom. “The girl.”

ㅤㅤ ㅤㅤㅤ But Y/N took a moment before speaking, her brow furrowed in confusion, she took a better look at the little girl.

Without a doubt, she had an undeniable resemblance to her mother.

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“But she’s a kid.” Y/N mumbled, somewhat confused. “They’re children.” ㅤㅤ ㅤㅤㅤ

“Yes, and?...” Abaddon raised an eyebrow, already more annoyed than she expected.

ㅤㅤ ㅤㅤㅤ After a few seconds, Y/N just wrinkled her nose and shook her head. “Yeah, no, I don’t mess with the tiny ones.” ㅤㅤ ㅤㅤㅤ

Surprised by her rejection, the higher demon turned to see Y/N, who was still looking at the little girl curiously. How come something so powerful was so small and insignificant?

Abbadon could tell a hint of pity, perhaps sympathy, something that shouldn't have been there but Y/N had always been a pain in the ass. Y/N had spent more time with humans than she had in hell.

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“Your job is to do what Chton ordered you to do.” The redhead growled, showing those terrifying red eyes. Abaddon was superior to Y/N, just because Y/N had screwed up a few times.

The truth is, Y/N didn't want to be a 'demon', like it was a big deal.

She always repeated over and over again that she was only there because of a mistake, Y/N -or Leviathan- didn't mean to fall, was a high-ranking angel, she just hung around the wrong people... wrong time! ㅤㅤ ㅤㅤㅤ Therefore, she has always been a ‘bad’ demon. Cruel sometimes but morally decent. And the children, well, it was something she was never going to be able to understand. She would never attack children. ㅤㅤ ㅤㅤㅤ “But they’re kids-” This time, she seemed more confident in her words. ㅤㅤ ㅤㅤㅤ ㅤㅤ ㅤㅤㅤ Fed up with her rambling and babbling, Abaddon quickly cut her off. “We don't need you to kill her, just... make sure her destiny continues as it should be. Watch her, do not intervene.”

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“And I’m not a fucking guardian angel or something, I fell for something- ” Y/N growled.

ㅤㅤ “Do as you're told.” Through her teeth, Abaddon grabbed the collar of Y/N’s shirt, showing why she was superior now. She was much more aggressive and volatile. “We're not playing… he’s not playing.” ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ

After a few tense moments, Abaddon released her and took a few steps back. Annoyed, Y/N simply sighed and shook her head.

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“Take it as a promotion for such good work on your… what do humans call it? Red Room.” Abaddon hissed with an evil smile before completely disappearing from that place.

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Sighing, Y/N stared at that place, knowing that it wouldn't last long if Chton needed that girl to exploit her potential. Three hours later, she witnesses a missile destroying Wanda Maximoff's home, beginning the chaos and pain in the girl’s life.

2014 HYDRA Research Base

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“Hail Hydra!” One of the soldiers yelled, stepping aside, letting the woman in. ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ

The cold, musty dark walls of the place seemed depressing to Y/N, her combat boots echoed down that hallway until she reached that horrible man's office.

She had known this man for fifteen years and there wasn't even a moment where she didn't want to rip his head off. ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ

“Hail Hydra.” Baron Von Strucker said quickly, but Y/N didn't return that greeting.

Y/N wasn't interested in having any kind of contact with Hydra, especially with the ‘leftovers’, but right now it was a necessary evil. ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ

“We found two volunteers for the tests, as you said… I must say that the results have been extraordinary.” Strucker smiled brightly, more than the demon expected.

Y/N frowned, walking through the office until she reached the window, a beautiful view of the lake and the forests of Sokovia. ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ

“I know.” The woman murmured somewhat thoughtfully. “How is she?” ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ She didn’t expect Wanda and Pietro to seek refuge in Hydra, but the girl's resentment grew more and more. Something Chton and Abaddon believed was essential, Y/N had never taken the time to know or care about Wanda either. Despite knowing the girl for fifteen years, she had always been distant, fearing 'closeness' or as Abaddon would say: 'attachment'. ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ

“How do you know it's a 'she'?” Von Strucker asked, raising an eyebrow, quite confused. No one but him and some soldiers knew that they were twin brothers, a boy and a girl. ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ

But Y/N's glare made him reconsider his words. ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ

“I know everything, don't forget who has helped you all these years. I am your superior, I am your god.” she said through clenched teeth. Suddenly, those human eyes changed to yellowish serpent eyes. ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ

But before Y/N could say anything, a screeching sound and the red lights indicated the alarms were activated, they were being attacked.

The Avengers crossed the walls that surrounded the castle, ready to take back Loki's scepter. ㅤㅤㅤㅤ

Growling in annoyance, Y/N walked towards the door. ㅤㅤㅤㅤ

“Attack the city, split them up.” Y/N said to Strucker before disappearing from that place. She needed to look for Wanda, needed to get her out of that place before the avengers found her but an empty room answered everything the demon needed to know.

Screaming in frustration, the demon disappeared from the scene. How could she have lost her?

“How did you lose her?!” Abaddon shouted, violently approaching to Y/N. Her face was as red as her hair, and her eyes threatened to pop out of their sockets soon. There were very few times that Y/N had seen Abaddon like that. ㅤㅤㅤㅤ

Both were in an office in one of the tallest buildings in New York, close to the Avengers Tower.

It was no surprise that a demon like Abaddon had a firm like ‘Hogarth, Chao & Benowitz’ in her hands. ㅤㅤㅤㅤ

Y/N squeezed her fists preventing herself from exploding. She didn't like being reprimanded by Abaddon at all, much less in front of other demons.

Things in Sokovia had gotten out of control.

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Wanda and Pietro escaped, first manipulated by Ultron and then by the fucking Avengers. As a result, Pietro died in Sokovia trying to save the world. That would have been great if it served its purpose, but it didn't.

ㅤㅤㅤㅤ “She lost her twin brother in that battle, her potential has not been unleashed yet.... but is there, I know is in there.” Y/N was quick to say, then clenched her jaw. Abaddon was about to lose it until she heard the last thing. “The Avengers took her, she's with S.H.I.E.L.D. now.”

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Those words managed to appease the redhead's anger, who sat back down in her huge chair. Some of the demons around her whispered a few things, good or bad, but good enough for Y/N to stay alive.

ㅤㅤㅤㅤ “Go with those 'Avengers' or whatever. Do what you must, don't let her out of your sight.” The fierce-eyed woman said, raising an eyebrow. “Chthon will destroy you if you don't, he needs the girl alive.” ㅤㅤㅤㅤ Clenching her jaw, Y/N just nodded.

She decided to turn on her heels and walk towards the door but the war spirit inside couldn't leave it just like that.

Why? She spent fifteen years making sure that stupid girl was suffering to fulfill her own destiny. Through suffering, Wanda Maximoff would transform into the Scarlet Witch, taking on the mantle that belonged to her.

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Should she keep doing it now? Even more? ㅤㅤㅤㅤ

“If she's so powerful, why should I take care of her? I’m not a fucking angel anymore.” Y/N complained, looking at Abaddon one last time. ㅤㅤㅤㅤ

The demons around them closed their eyes in suffering, they knew that later they would have to suffer and endure Abaddon's wrath because of Y/N. ㅤㅤㅤㅤ “Just do as I say, Leviathan!” Abaddon hissed through those white teeth and then glanced out of the corner of her eye at one of the demons. It was a woman with black hair and brown eyes like a puppy. She was wearing a white shirt buttoned all the way. Her black hair was tied in a tight ponytail. Looked like a secretary or something like that. “And take this useless spawn with you. I'm sick of her.” ㅤㅤㅤㅤ

Sighing, Y/N just shook her head and left the office, quickly followed by that girl.

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“Stolas… what did you do now?!” Y/N asked, pressing the elevator button, noticing how the brunette next to her finally untied the collar of that perfectly ironed shirt. Y/N knew that if Abaddon kicked her out was because she was fed up with Stolas, a rather young and troublesome demon. Had some important hierarchical level, but not as high as Abaddon or herself. She this big problem called: being naive. ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ

Stolas was going to speak but Y/N stopped her. “You know what? I don't wanna know.”

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Once both entered the elevator, they remained silent until Stolas couldn't take it anymore and blurted out everything. “I fucked up in the Red Room, big time.”

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“I told you I didn't want to know!” Y/N growled and then shook her head, thinking that maybe now with Stolas it would be a lot harder. After a few seconds, the elevator reached the ground floor but before they got out, the brunette turned to look at her.

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“Lev?” ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ

At that 'nickname', Y/N turned to look at her and noticed the concern in those brown eyes.

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“You don't want to disappoint him again.”

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And those words chilled Y/N’s blood, not just because of the way Stolas said it, with so much fear. But because they both knew that disappointing Chton was a direct ticket to nothing, to the abyss, to be thrown into a black hole never to come out again. That was much worse than hell.

If that sounded bad, betraying or disappointing him was much worse. Frowning, she just shook her head. “I won’t.”

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“Thank you for this, Ma'am. You won't regret it.” Y/N said with a kind smile. She was wearing a dark combat suit, typical of a S.H.I.E.L.D. agent.

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After the fiasco in Sokovia, Y/N used her tricks to stay on S.H.I.E.L.D as an agent. She couldn't just walk in and take Wanda away like it was nothing, it would alert the Avengers and the demon didn't have time to unleash chaos like that.

She needed to be sneaky, and passing as an agent and keeping an eye on the Sokovian was the best idea in mind. ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ

“After what I've been told about how you've performed in Sokovia, I know you'll do very well here.” Maria Hill smiled and shook her hand.

Maria was an excellent agent, but she could not overcome a demon’s manipulation.

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After half an hour talking about the job they would have at the Compound, that of course working with Avengers was much harder. The missions were much more complex, dangerous, many times with risk of losing their lives and it was a responsibility that they had to assume, if they wanted to be there.

She also explained to Y/N and Stolas that their superior, Natasha Romanoff, would look for them later to meet them.

After five more minutes, both left Hill's office walking through the hallways, greeting some agents who passed by them.

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“So… What’s your name?” Stolas asked curiously. “Your human name, I mean.” ㅤㅤㅤ

“The same as always, I get confused if I change it too much.” Y/N wrinkled her nose and then held out her ID. ㅤㅤㅤ

“Y/N Y/L/N?” Stolas read slowly and then handed back the ID. “Cool name.”

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“I've been using it for so long that I already forgot mine.” Y/N shrugged as they left the elevator and walked towards the room they would both share.

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“It’s Leviathan.” Stolas said quickly and in an overly naïve manner, causing Y/N to let out a confused giggle.

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“... It was a joke.”

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“Oh.” The brunette nodded slowly, surprised. Of course this was all new to her, she had some 'jobs' on Earth but not much to socialize with humans. After a few seconds she took out her ID and showed it to Y/N proudly. “I’ll be Julia Hale. I’m an agent.”

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Y/N watched with curiosity as the girl smiled seeing the ID and then put it in her pocket. “Why are you so excited? We're supposed to hate them, you should hate this like you all demons do.”

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“Well, I haven't been around here much...” Jules shrugged. “We're supposed to use them, I'm more excited to experience new things and I like to hurt them sometimes over there, in hell. Working with Abaddon was… awful and boring. Mostly awful, so this is better.”

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But Y/N just listened to everything carefully, noticing that she was telling the truth. In a way she thought that perhaps Abaddon sent Stolas to spy on her, but Stolas - or 'Jules' now - was telling the truth. Abaddon just wanted to get rid of her. ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ

Once they finally arrived at the training area, both walked through the gym, approaching a more private training area where only the Avengers and some agents close to the group trained.

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In the distance, you could see how a brunette and a redhead battled in a ring to maintain control but the widow defeated the sokovian easily.

Y/N tilted her head, noticing that Wanda didn't seem bothered by hitting the mat again and again, but rather tired, staring blankly waiting for it to finish.

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"That's our best weapon?" Jules frowned looking at Wanda.

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“That one is interesting.” Y/N referred to Natasha.

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The woman was very skilled, fast, and of course even if Wanda tried hard, she would never make the widow fall without powers. ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ

“The Black Widow. Dangerous. One of the best weapons in the Red Room for a long time…” ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ

“Come on. Jab, Wanda!” Y/N muttered under her breath, trying to encourage her 'protege' but once again, Natasha ended up making Wanda fall. ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ

The demon just shook herhead, how was it possible that that girl ended up being the Scarlet Witch? She could barely stand up. ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ

“At least she’s pretty.” Jules mumbled, breaking Y/N out of her thoughts.

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“You shouldn't think that.” Y/N frowned.

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But the brunette just shrugged. “Come on… Like you never fucked humans.”

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“I did, but I don't worship them, I just use them.” As if she was seriously offended, Y/N just grunted and rolled her eyes.

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“I just said she's pretty... it's not like you thought that too.” Jules rolled her eyes too. She didn't know why there was such a scandal in liking a ‘human’, without a doubt seeing them was better than some infernal beast in the depths of the darkness. “Anyway, that's all we can do, she’s Chton’s pet.”

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Y/N didn't say anything, just stayed silent as they watched the blonde and brunette fight one more time.

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Wanda just sat far away so she could drink some water, but although the demon thought it must be tiredness, the sokovian seemed down. You could tell in her aura, something wasn't right about her at all and it stirred something in Y/N, something she couldn't identify.

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“Do you already know what will happen to her?”Jules asked curiously, watching Y/N who kept her gaze fixed on the sokovian. “... that makes her... You know, change?”

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“No one knows... I thought it would be Pietro's death, but apparently it's something more devastating.” Y/N sighed. “Just that it will be painful enough to break her whole world.”

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Although she didn't know it, those words would weigh heavily in the future. As if it were a revelation. Wanda got up again but this time she walked away from the gym.

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“Who’s the golden retriever?” Y/N asked as she watched the brunette fall to the mat once again, the blonde seeming to be winning once again.

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The blonde raised her ice-cold gaze and collided with Y/N's for a moment, like she knew something wasn't right, until returning to Kate it softened.

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“Kate Bishop… and Yelena Belova, she is the widow’s sister.”

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“Mh… interesting. Maybe we should start there, Kate looks like a weak point and desperate for a friend.” ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ

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That day passed slowly, first day at the Compound had been quite tiring. As if interviews with Maria Hill weren't stressful enough, briefings between Avengers were worse. ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ

“Do we really have to do this?”

ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ “Yes. We have to.” ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ

The sun finally hid behind the huge treetops that surrounded the place.

Y/N and Jules were returning from a long training session, and although they had much higher stamina than a human being or a superhuman, it was quite boring doing things that you could easily overcome as a demon.

Once they reached the rooms, they bumped into a redhead who was waiting outside with crossed arms. ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ

“You must be the newbies.” With a smug smile, Natasha greeted them both. “Shame I wasn't at your training today, but someone told me you both are deadly.” ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ

Y/N didn't say anything, she knew that if she drew too much attention it could complicate things. ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ

“I spoke with Maria and now you both will work with us-”

ㅤㅤㅤ Before Y/N could say anything against it, Natasha continued speaking since she was her superior. “You can dine with us if you want. Meet the team... there are just a few of us now.” ㅤㅤㅤ

Jules's eyes widened excited while Y/N remained the same, of course she didn't feel like socializing with those people but couldn't arouse suspicion either.

Y/N just nodded slowly, giving a fake kind smile.

ㅤㅤㅤ ‘I'm not hungry now, but thank you. Maybe another time.’ It was something she would have said but ended up saying: “Sure.”

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“Great.” Natasha exclaimed, winking flirtatiously. The three walked together to the kitchen while chatting pleasantly, it was a more private area where the other agents wouldn't be snooping around. ㅤㅤㅤ

At the table were Kate Bishop and Yelena playing some video games, Steve was chatting with Bucky and Bruce, who was cooking. Wanda was on the couch far away, trying to read, and Vision was looking out the window with a thoughtful look.

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“Hey.” Natasha caught everyone's attention. “This is Y/N and Julia, they are new and tonight they are going to have dinner with us.”

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Y/N felt everyone's gaze on her and could feel the heat on the back of her neck. She had never felt so exposed, and above all, she had never felt so uncomfortable in centuries. ㅤㅤㅤ

Everyone greeted them kindly, Steve was very kind to come over and shake their hands. Yelena just nodded her head saying 'hey' and Kate looked like an adorable puppy excited to meet the new agents, which made Y/N slowly walk away. Feeling deeply uncomfortable. ㅤㅤㅤ

Bruce was quick to say that dinner was ready, and everyone seemed happy about it, willing to help set the table, but something caught Y/N's attention.

Sighing, Wanda walked to the kitchen to get a glass of water and instead of returning to her seat, she walked away. ㅤㅤㅤ

“Where is she going?” Y/N asked as she watched the sokovian disappear.

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“Wanda doesn't like spending a lot of time outside her room. She's having hard times, the girl lost her twin brother recently.” Natasha wrinkled her nose as she helped carry the salad to the table. ㅤㅤㅤ

“In her Emo era, huh?” Jules joked but Y/N nudged her. “Ouch.” ㅤㅤㅤ

“You know, I think… I want to take a shower first, I'm not that hungry anyway but thank you.” Y/N said as she walked out, finding the perfect reason to leave and not have to socialize with them. That job was tedious enough without having to listen to Bruce Banner or Kate's jokes. ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ

She decided to go up to their room, taking a nice hot shower and read a nice book until the clock struck midnight.

Jules was snoring on the next bed, really tired. Frowning, Y/N wondered if perhaps it was because that young demon didn't have any experience on Earth. ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ

Her belly growled saying that despite being a demon, she had some basic needs like eating. Sighing, Y/N got up from her bed and left the room to attack the kitchen while everyone rested.

And it would have been a magnificent plan, the kitchen was empty which made her smile victoriously as she opened the fridge. ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ

Taking some bread, chicken salad and some cold cuts, the demon made herself a huge sandwich to satisfy the hunger.

Of course, she accompanied it with some spicy fries that the package clarified were 'property of Yelena -AND ONLY Yelena Belova-’' ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ

Not caring in the least, Y/N was about to take a bite when a soft voice interrupted the moment. She knew how to recognize that Sokovian accent perfectly, even though Wanda tried hard to hide it. ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ

“Yelena doesn't like people eating her chips.” Wanda said from the other side of the kitchen, slowly approaching as if she were a grieving ghost. ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ

“I'll deal with her later.” Y/N shrugged. ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ Convinced with that answer, Wanda just ignored her and went to the kitchen so she could make herself some steaming tea. ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ

“My name is Y/N.” She looked at Wanda but the brunette didn't even look at her. “What's yours?” ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ

Of course the demon knew everything about Wanda, even the things that not even the Sokoviana knew. ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ

“Why are you asking something you already know?” Finally, she lifted that completely blank green gaze. Y/N could see the deep sadness behind them.

That made Y/N stay quiet and surprised. How was it possible? How did Wanda know that-? ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ Oh. How silly.

ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ Of course she should know, she’s an avenger, right? EVERYONE knew who Wanda Maximoff was.

Shrugging, Y/N just sat down at the table so she could eat her sandwich. ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ

That was strange to the Sokovian, who perhaps was expecting a sarcastic response or something like that. Perhaps a curious mind asking about her powers or about Sokovia like everyone else, but Y/N just kept eating.

Taking the warm cup in her hands, Wanda was about to leave until she stopped in front of the table.

ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ

The silence was so pleasant that she couldn't help but end up sitting too. A bit surprised, Y/N decided to share some sandwiches.ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ

“I’m Wanda.” The Sokovian finished by saying, taking a chicken salad sandwich. ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ

The demon looked up, colliding with those beautiful, huge green eyes and all she could felt was terror. Not because of the fear of knowing who Wanda was or being recognized, but because there was something about them, something different, perhaps attractive. She really liked those eyes. ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ

“I’m Y/N.” ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ “I know, you said it before.”ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ Finally they both smiled.

And maybe the demon let loose a little more. And perhaps the Sokovian smiled a little bit more, almost in an imperceptible way. ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ

Silence reigned again and both decided to enjoy it, keep eating without needing a word other than the sound of the clock hands. Although it seemed like a pleasant coincidence, it became routine.

Every night, Wanda and Y/N decided to have dinner together at midnight, avoiding the 'avengers' reunion. ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ

The talks were usually short, they enjoyed the company without needing to go further. Or so they wanted to think. Wanda was not going to admit that Y/N slowly made her forget the pain and that normous invisible wall was beginning to fall, and Y/N was not going to admit that she liked Wanda's presence, but they were always together sharing that sacred moment. Y/N tried to ignore all those thoughts that reminded her that she should NOT maintain any ties with the witch and it wasn't easy at all.

Some nights Wanda would cook something for both of them, other nights Y/N would bring some Chinese food or pizza.

ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ

But one night Y/N just didn't show up. That Friday night, a storm was hitting the Compound so hard that the treetops were moving violently. ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ Wanda excused herself from dinner saying that she wasn't that hungry cause in one of their ‘small talks’ with Y/N, both agreed to make some pasta on friday night. ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ

“Does anyone know where Y/N is?” Wanda asked, trying not to look too worried. Of course Natasha noticed the concern in her voice, but she didn't say anything.

Nat was a very good spy and confirmed it when she found both girls having dinner together, but neither of them noticed it. The redhead was happy for both, especially for Wanda who was beginning to open up a little bit. Natasha respected Wanda's silence, although she made her pay for it in training.

ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ Noticing that the hours were passing and Y/N didn't return from that mission, Wanda walked back and forth with her arms crossed as she watched the furious wind move the treetops through the window.

ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ Why hasn't Y/N come back yet? ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ

The only thing she knew – and thanks to Natasha – was that Y/N was on a mission in Norway. Things had not gone well at all, but they would soon return with the news and information they needed about the last remnants of Hydra.

But that storm was bringing out the worst in the Sokovian, who seemed to relive the worst thoughts over and over again.

Why was she so concerned about Y/N?

ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ Well, maybe because together they managed to establish a small friendship or bond without saying much.

After half an hour and a lot of tragic thoughts, the door to the room opened, letting in this woman in a bit of a hurry carrying a package on her hands.

Y/N's hair was wet as was her clothes, but the package seemed intact. ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ “I'm sorry., I'm sorry, I know!” The demon said, approaching Wanda and stopping right in front of her. The drops of water were falling down her face, she didn’t even stop to go up to her room or change clothes. She knew Wanda would be waiting for her, and knew she might be worried. “I really couldn't do anything, the mission got so bad in a blink.” ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ Lost in those eyes, Wanda's heart skipped a beat. Couldn't even say a single coherent word. ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ “We were trapped, the agents were waiting for us but we managed to overcome them-” Y/N said quickly, babbling as droplets fell from her hair. And at that very moment, Y/N knew that something wasn't right with her. ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ Frowning, the demon rethought all her actions that day. Why was she explaining herself to Wanda? Why was she so worried about being on time and not standing her up? ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ Because she knew that Wanda created a routine with her, because she knew that Wanda lost her brother a short time ago, and that she fled any kind of ties with the Avengers but not with her. Not with Y/N. ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ Because she cared, because it mattered. ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ

Suddenly, Y/N remembered that she was still holding that package and decided not to let go. Without further ado, Wanda came to hug her tightly. Closing her eyes, the Sokovian let herself get lost in that warm sensation. Oh, she was so happy to see that Y/N was okay. ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ

The fear she felt at the thought that she could lose Y/N, even though Wanda barely knew her, was overwhelming. ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ Completely shocked, Y/N didn't know what to do. No one had ever held her before, she had never before allowed anyone to touch her so intimately. Much less hug her like that. ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ

“Are you okay?” Wanda asked quickly, breaking away to look at her. ㅤㅤㅤㅤ ㅤㅤ “I- I'm fine.” Y/N stammered, feeling the heat in her ears. She was definitely blushing and no one, no one had ever managed that. “Some bruises… but we’re okay.” ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ “Is your girlfriend okay too?” Wanda lowered her head, somewhat embarrassed but perhaps also jealous. ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ

“Girlfriend?” Y/N frowned quite confused. “Oh… no! Jules is… my friend. Just my friend.” She stammered quickly, nodding. ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ

“Oh, great.” And as if her soul returned to her body, Wanda just smiled and nodded too.

Finally, the demon smiled slightly without needing to fake it.

ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ “What’s that?” The Sokovian looked at that perfectly wrapped package.

ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ Remembering it, Y/N opened her eyes wide and handed it to her. “I brought pasta from Sicily!”

ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ That took Wanda by surprise, who just let out a small, confused giggle.

Noticing her mistake, Y/N blinked quickly and added babbling: “I mean, not really Sicily but the place called ‘Sicily’ in Little Italy. I know it’s not chicken paprikash but…” ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ Taking a huge breath of air, Y/N seemed about to explode but Wanda simply stopped that bombshell with a small smile and a soft voice. “Thank you.” ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ And that's all they needed, to share a moment together. After Y/N took a quick shower, both finally sat down to taste that exquisite pasta together. ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ

“Why don't you have dinner with them? I'm not saying it bothers me, I’m flattered. I like this.” Y/N said curiously as she devoured that delicious pasta. ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ “It's different… with you.” Wanda whispered, watching her face in detail. Y/N was strangely unique; those lips, her nose, how adorable her slightly blushing cheeks were. Although those eyes... they made her feel different, weird but good at the same time. She knew they were hiding something. How strange. “You are the only one who doesn't torment me with loud thoughts.” ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ

Oh, how curious that was. ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ

Why couldn't she hear Y/N’s thoughts? That question was haunting the brunette for weeks but then she came to the simple answer: did it matter?

Y/N made her feel comfortable, who cares why she can’t? She had to learn to trust Y/N, it was exciting. ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ “Everyone here does it, and I can't help it. It’s driving me crazy…” Wanda lowered her gaze for a moment, embarrassed. “...like I don't have enough pain in my heart. I must deal with anxiety and other people's pain too.” ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ

Staying silent, Y/N completely understood Wanda's reasons for distancing herself from the others.

Even though she pretended not to care and even though she should NOT care, Y/N was beginning to make a bond with Wanda and it was inevitable not to feel… empathy.

ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ It was inevitable not to feel appreciation for those sad eyes, wasn’t that the reason for all this? To create the Scarlet Witch, to forge the most powerful being in existence through pain. ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ

“I won't tell you I'm sorry, everyone does it and it doesn't seem to help you at all.” Y/N barely said, she knew some things about torture and pain. Many, but she had never experienced it that way. “I know some stuff about pain… and if you need me, and want to talk about it... I'm here.” ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ

Pursing her lips, Y/N just tried hard to smile and shrugged, showing for the first time who she was.

And maybe that was what Wanda valued most, that she didn't need to make her feel better with empty words. ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ The Sokovian nodded. ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ “How is your ravioli?” Y/N finally asked, taking a bite.

ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ “It’s good.” Wanda smiled widely, taking another bite as well.

ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ “I’m glad.” Y/N smiled tenderly, wiping her lips with a napkin. “The owner told me it was late but that she only made an exception because I was soaked.”

ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ “You did that for me?” Those beautiful green eyes shone with some hope. ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ “Of course not, I did it because I was hungry!” Y/N joked. ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ Stealing a giggle from the Sokovian, they kept enjoying for a while until the clock invited them to retire to their rooms before Natasha found out and kicked their asses.

ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ “Y/N?”

ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ “Yeah?” As she finished putting the dishes in the dryer, the demon looked up to see Wanda in front of her. She was playing with her rings, something she did when the girl was nervous and it looked adorable. ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ

“Thanks for coming back safely.” After saying that, Wanda walked away slowly, feeling her heart racing and her cheeks blushing like a teenager in love. ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ

And the demon's old heart gave signs of life, jumping when she heard that. Joy could be seen in those 'human' eyes. Oh, what was she doing? ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ

ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ “Look, you’re a sea beast! … What’s that? A whale?” Jules asked excitedly as she looked at the screen, searching for information on some random pages about demonology.

Since she arrived on Earth, Stolas was fascinated with all the technological advancement and the knowledge that humans had of them. Some are totally wrong, according to her. ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ “A snake! I'm not a whale, I'm a snake! Just- … Can you stop looking for us on the internet?” Y/N growled as she changed into her pajamas so she could lie down on her bunk. “If someone see you, they'll say you're crazy and you'll ruin our plans.”ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ “No, I wanna see-” The brunette tried to continue but Y/N took her phone from her hands in annoyance and then threw it away, pointing at Jules. ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ “You're a gay owl with skinny long legs.” Y/N hissed, arching an eyebrow. “You teach about astronomy and herbs when you are summoned! Happy? HERBS! That's the stupidest thing I've ever heard, a demon teaching about herbs!” ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ “Hey! that’s not me.” Jules stood up to grab her phone to look for the picture, it clearly looked like an owl exactly like Y/N described it. “I don't look like that. I know a lot about astronomy tho.” ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ

Rolling her eyes in disdain, Y/N laid down on her bunk so she could rest.

Every night, it took an hour to find sleep. Her body was never so tired as to fall asleep easily, and thoughts came to her to haunt her one more time.

ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ Y/N sighed thinking about her once again, but Jules' voice saved one more time, something the demon didn't think could be possible.

ㅤㅤㅤㅤ “How is everything going? With Wanda…” Jules glanced at Y/N, who seemed to focus her gaze on the ceiling. ㅤㅤㅤㅤ “It’s okay.” Y/N shrugged. “Like a hurt beast, but nothing that indicates… you know.” ㅤㅤㅤㅤ The brunette turned to see Y/N with a mischievous smile. “I know you both have dinner together at midnight. I can hear her heart pounding fast in the distance.” ㅤㅤㅤㅤ How dare Stolas offend her like that? Watching her with a murderous look, Y/N growled: “I never said that you should follow me. And you shouldn't get involved in other people's affairs.” ㅤㅤㅤㅤ

“I didn't do it!” Jules quickly defended herself, a bit scared. “I just… noticed it. Abaddon didn't say anything about you having to bond with her.” ㅤㅤㅤㅤ “I like to have things under control.” Sighing, Y/N kept staring at the ceiling. ㅤㅤㅤㅤ “Or you like to spend time with her.” Of course Jules was more astute than she looked, despite being naive she was no fool. Jules was a high-ranking demon, with the brain and body of a woman who had never experienced anything more than torture her entire life. “Time is something so simple for us, Y/N, we are eternal… We have seen empires rise, we have seen empires fall. We have seen great people and many other people so horrible that hell was not enough for them... all thanks to time. For us, it is nothing more than sand, but for her it is important, and you like her to enjoy it with you.” ㅤㅤㅤㅤ

Y/N turned to look at Jules, who didn't seem to say it in a mean or judging way.

The brunette just blinked slowly, a little thoughtful, maybe even relaxing between those huge pillows.

She wasn't trying to attack her or use it as an advantage, Jules seemed rather curious.

ㅤㅤㅤㅤ “And I’m saying: mind your own business.” Y/N narrowed her eyes and grabbed one of the pillows, hitting Jules. “Sleep now, Stolas.” ㅤㅤㅤㅤ “It’s ‘Jules’ here!” Rolling her eyes, Jules settled on her bed and Y/N did the same after turning off the lights. Silence reigned for a moment until the voice of the demon brought Y/N out of her thoughts again. ㅤㅤㅤㅤ “Y/N?” ㅤㅤㅤㅤ Sighing, ready to get up and hit her to shut up, Y/N opened her eyes. “What?!” ㅤㅤㅤㅤ “If you think the girl needs to clear her head or feel better or... if you want to share your time with her, I think it's the right thing to do… that’s why you’re so much better than Abaddon.” Jules said in a whisper as she rolled over and settled down to sleep. “And you don't hit me all day long, that's good.” ㅤㅤㅤㅤ And perhaps those words finally managed to steal a small smile from Y/N. The urge to hit Stolas or -Jules now- wasn't far, but she understood the demon's relief at being away from someone like Abaddon.

Although demons had an evil nature, they were not all exactly the same. ㅤㅤㅤㅤ Many of them had previously been kind beings who ended up falling. Some with reasons, others not so much. Some were cruel, others were sadistic, and others simply existed. But Abaddon was different, if demons were chaos, Abaddon was cruelty and malice. She was a cruel general, addicted to blood, hungry for violence and that was why Chton had considered her over Y/N.

ㅤㅤㅤㅤ There was no room for cruelty in Y/N, except for beings that were truly malicious. Y/N loved giving them what they deserved. ㅤㅤㅤㅤ “Yeah…” Y/N sighed. “That's why I'm not where she is. In control.” ㅤㅤㅤㅤ And although the demon tried to sleep and clear her head, it was difficult not to think about that girl all night. The way Wanda looked at her, or the way she cared for her was so…disgustingly nice.

She had to do something to stop it, and she had to do it soon or everything would become even more complicated.

Well, I hope you like this new story that is running through my head and is saving me from the daily stress in which I begin to die. But a beautiful song made me think about that story, so why not? In my defense, watching 'Good Omens' helped a little. ㅤㅤㅤㅤ I'm sorry for leaving you for so long, my life is getting a bit complex these days… The economy in my country is burning and I try to survive by working hard so writing was difficult for me. ㅤㅤㅤㅤ If you want me to tag you in the next chapters, just comment and I will. Thank you very much for reading me, honeybee! It means a lot! 🐝 ㅤㅤㅤㅤ Do you want to help me? Wow, that's adorable and means a lot. You can buy me a coffee here!

#wanda maximoff x reader #wanda maximoff x f!reader #wanda maximoff x you #wanda maximoff imagine #wanda x reader

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illusivesoul · 9 months

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Why Rendon Howe is evil

This is a little theory thats been going around in my head for several days.

Rendon Howe. Evil personified. Probably one of the most despicable and hated characters in the Dragon Age series. One of the characters thats most easily defined as being just plain bad and evil, with good reason. Even in the game itself no one likes him (with 1 exception that I'll mention later in this post)

In the game, we really aren't given many reasons as to why he is the way he is and why he does the thing he does beyond saying he's evil, power hungry, and like he himself says as he dies, "I deserved more!" But recently I started to become curious about him to try to find out what had made him become like this, cause I prefer villains to have some complexity that goes beyond just "He's evil just because".

Rest of the analysis under the cut.

My main theory of why I think Rendon became "evil" is cause he may have suffered brain damage due to his injuries while fighting against Orlais with Maric and his rebels. My first thought for this came cause historically, Henry the 8th of England suffered several brain injuries during sporting events, and its believed that his injuries led to him having a severe personality change, which led to him become more radical, tyrannical and murderous.

After the death of his father and the Howe family joining the rebellion, Rendon joined Maric's forces and became close friends with Bryce Cousland, future Teyrn of Highever, and Leonas Bryland, future Arl of South Reach. The 3 of them fought together in the Battle of White River, which was the worse defeat the rebels suffered in the war against Orlais, and only 50 of the initial thousand soldier strong fereldan army survived.

Rendon was very badly injured during the battle, and Bryce and Leonas had to dragged him away to safety as the rebel army was crushed by the orlesians. Bryce was injured in the arm while trying to save Rendon from a chevalier. They got Rendon to Redcliffe and stayed with him for a month while he recovered before leaving to rejoin Maric and the rest of the rebel forces. While Rendon recovered in Redcliffe, he was tended to by Leonas's sister, Eliane, until he eventually recovered months later. He eventually proposed to her and they got married.

And here is the first bit of evidence we get of Rendon's attitude and behaviour completely changing after that battle and his wounds. From the wiki: "Leonas had become concerned by the changes in his friend's behavior since the battle and attempted to prevent the marriage." And some other quotes from Leonas that we get to her in dao: "Rendon Howe was no friend of mine. The boy I knew... died at the Battle of White River" and "That he didn't die years ago is the only thing worth mourning here." Leonas cut all contact with Rendon after he told him that he was only marrying his sister for her dowry and connections.

This goes back to what I mentioned earlier about the one person that seemed to care for Rendon. That person is Bryce Cousland.

Bryce and Eleanor were the only people that attended Rendon and Eliane's wedding, and even though Rendon was treated as a pariah by almost everyone in fereldan nobility, Bryce still maintained a friendly relation with Rendon, and seemed to have an almost protective attitude towards him, which contrasts greatly with how Leonas feels about Rendon. And this is where I came up with another theory about why this is. I believe that Bryce feels personally responsible for the injuries and near death that Rendon suffered during the Battle of White River and feels that he is somehow obligated to look after him. I can only hc why these could be, but maybe Rendon got injured while protecting Bryce, or maybe Bryce's actions during the battle led to Rendon's injuries. Maybe that's why Bryce seems to have keep pushing for the friendship that he once had with him, even though he clearly no longer was the same person. Cause Bryce felt responsible for the way Rendon had turned out.

Its possible that Rendon was just always like this, and those months he spent recovering just made him become super resentful against everything and everyone, but I do believe that the near death injuries he suffered during that battle, including possible head injuries and brain trauma, led to his personality changing and to him becoming the sheer villain we see ingame.

And to finish, a bit of background as to why Rendon would have hated Bryce even despite of this, here's a bit of info about them and about the relation between Highever and Amaranthine.

Rendon's father, Tarleton, supported Orlais during their occupation of Ferelden, and was eventually hanged by the Couslands before the Howes officially joined the rebellion. Adding the fact that Highever was once part of Amaranthine before they rebelled to gain their independence and annexed a good part of southern Amaranthine after winning their independence war, it adds some context to how Rendon could have seen this part of his greater vengeance against the Couslands and Highever for killing his father and taking away land from Amaranthine.

TL,DR: Rendon Howe suffered grieveous injuries during the war against Orlais, including possible brain injuries which may have led to a complete personality shift and to him becoming the person that we see him being in the game.

#dragon age #dragon age meta #dragon age lore #rendon howe #illusivesoulrambles #nathaniel howe #delilah howe #couslands #bryce cousland #eleanor cousland #ferelden #maric theirin #denerim #amaranthine #highever #the landsmeet #dragon age origins #dao #da:o

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devildomwriter · 4 months

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One Little Thing, A Ring Part IV | Mammon x Reader

1.1K Words | GN! Reader | CW: Angst

You came home late again that night from work and were surprised to find Mammon already asleep. The past few weeks you’d been working extra hard, Mammon had stayed up for you and offered you a rose he’d stolen from a bouquet somewhere in the house. But tonight he was sprawled out under the covers and his cheek was pink and puffy.

You inspected closely without waking him up and felt the skin had liquid beneath. Using your magic you identified the perpetrator and healed his wound, draining the last bit of magic you had in you for the day.

Not bothering to change out of your old clothes you lifted the blanket and fell asleep next to Mammon.

Mammon was practically comatose but he could sense your presence and his pained face grinned as he snuggled closer to you, head on your chest.

You smiled and held onto him as you drifted into sleep.

Mammon was sad the next day to see you’d left early again. He noticed your slippers by the bedside and began to wonder if you’d actually been there or if he’d dreamed it up.

He pulled out his D.D.D. to call you but you couldn’t answer and he gave up after a few tries and sighed.

He scratched his back and stretched, trying to wake up his body before being put back to work. Despite the cheer of the holiday season, Mammon stayed occupied only with work and didn’t enjoy it as he normally did. All he could focus on was money and this time it was for a good reason. All of this was for you.

Mammon’s brothers had all learned what was happening and dealt with it in their own ways. Lucifer’s way of dealing was to occasionally ensure Mammon had more work to do but he remained at the castle a majority of the day to make sure he wasn’t worked too hard.

His brothers began to randomly appear at the castle and soon after some kind of disaster would occur that they’d never be punished for.

Eventually, Mammon caught on and he wasn’t happy. He put up with a lot of shit from them over thousands of years but he wasn’t having it and called for an intervention.

They didn’t listen to him so Lucifer forced everyone to come together and hear him out. Mammon got a pardon from work so everyone could meet up at an acceptable time of the day.

“Okay, why’d you call us here?” Leviathan asked annoyed and focusing more on his D.D.D.

Mammon growled, “Dammit, you know why. All of ya do!” He pointed his fingers at his brothers.

Asmodeus gasped and placed his hand over his chest. “I’ve done nothing wrong, how could you accuse me!”

Mammon glared at him and Satan nudged Asmo to cool it with the theatrics.

Belphegor rolled his eyes at Mammon’s declaration. “What did you expect?” He hissed, in demon form.

Beelzebub put a hand on Belphegor’s shoulder trying to ease his anger but it was palpable.

“You guys know damn well why I’m working and you’re makin’ it harder what gives!”

Satan glared at Mammon now, “as Belphie said. What did you expect?”

Mammon clenched his fists and his demon form slipped out which surprised his brothers. Mammon didn’t often lose control like the rest of them, even when they beat on him, called his names, or won their money back, Mammon would stay calm. But not now, Mammon was beyond pissed.

Lucifer remained silent, he knew what Mammon was going to say and he knew that Mammon would be right too.

“Do ya realize that by gettin’ in my way, you’re really just gettin’ in ___’s way!”

They froze in silence.

“I get that you’re all mad they didn’t date you instead! I get that cause I’d feel the exact same way! Y’know how pissed I got all those times I thought they were dating one of you! Or when they kissed Lucifer that time he got amnesia!”

Lucifer chuckled and earned hateful glares from each brother.

“Anyways, I get it! But this isn’t about me, it’s about ___! And if you really care about them then you should want them to be happy and like it or not, they’re happy with me! And I’m tryin’ to give them a ring they deserve and I’m doin’ honest work! So quit comin’ into the castle and screwing everything up! It’s not cool and you know that!”

Everyone was silent for a while and Mammon finally tucked away his wings and sat on the couch facing his brothers.

Lucifer finally spoke with a small nod. “I know.” He relented. “You’re right. All of us are making things harder on you.”

“Hey! You don’t speak for me,” Belphegor snapped but Satan shook his head.

“Give it up Belphie. We’re too obvious.” Satan looked Mammon in the eye. “Fine. We’ll stay out of your way and we’ll do it for ___ not for you.”

Asmodeus nodded and Beelzebub looked at the ground.

“But know this,” Satan continued. “I’ll be waiting for the moment you slip up and when that happens I’ll be the one by their side.”

Leviathan set his D.D.D. down and glared, “That goes for me too.”

Everyone agreed and Mammon sighed. “Whatever, that’s not gonna happen so you’re all gonna have to suck it up for ___’s sake. You really think they want you guys trying to ruin their relationship the second you can?”

Satan turned red and Beelzebub blushed in some sense of shame. They wouldn’t admit to it but they still intended to romance you any chance they could get. Similarly to Diavolo, they were hoping that after hundreds or thousands of years with Mammon, polygamy might be on the table.

Mammon knew this and stayed wary of his brothers but took solace in the fact they wouldn’t dare upset you, so his relationship was safe as long as you were happy. That scared him at the same time.

The closer Christmas got the more he panicked. Was he really good enough? Could he really make you happy forever? He couldn’t even make up his mind on a ring because everything looked so damn perfect when you wore it and he couldn’t afford to get them all.

Mammon looked at the calendar one more time before collapsing into your bed, “the twenty-third already…” he sighed and covered his face.

He was so close to eternal happiness but at the same time feared letting you down. Mammon had nightmares that night until you shook him awake.

“Huh! What’s happening!” He shouted with a start, his cheeks stained with dried tears.

“Mammon…” you said in a gentle tone and wrapped your arms around him. “You need to tell me what’s going on.”

Part I • Part II • Part III • Part V

#obey me shall we date #obey me lucifer #obey me mammon #obey me satan #obey me leviathan #obey me belphegor #obey me beelzebub #obey me asmodeus #obey me mammon x reader #obey me x reader #one little thing series #obey me angst #obey me fluff #25 days of obey me christmas #obey me 25 days of christmas

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nottapossum · 2 months

Text

Itty Bitty Sinners 1.6

Pirates and dolls 🏴‍☠️🧸

⚠️TW⚠️: Abusive parents, taking away comfort items, implied sexual abuse, losing a pet, being ignored, being abandoned, having to give up a pet.

Lmk if I should add.

☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆

'I was never a sharp one

But I try to write even when it's dull

This night is a dark one

But sometimes I like when it gets cold

Yeah, all of my movies play in black and white

This wasn't the same old plot I thought I had in mind

Don't ask me if I'm alright, I can't decide

I'm spiraling down, don't wanna take you on a ride.' ~Tony22, Safe place.

~~~Velvette past: Age 13~~~

Velvette's favorite doll was her cabbage patch doll, her name was Nicoline katherine.

It was a gift from her grandmother when she turned five.

She was the only person in Velvette's life who actually listened to her, the only one she could tell anything to without being shot down, judged, or made fun of.

School was awful, home was worse- both of them. And she just needed one person to share her frustrations with.

On this specific day, she came home from school in need of a friend.

She wasn't exactly popular, in fact she was the very opposite.

She wore clothes the other kids found weird, she was loud and overenthusiastic, and though she was really smart, she never did well on tests so everyone of course thought she must be dumb.

It was an awful day, the worst day possible! She hated the world and hated everyone in it.

She ignored her siblings, ignored her step mother, ignored everyone who tried talking to her when she got home in favor of walking upstairs to talk to Nicoline.

But she walked into her room and saw her beloved doll gone.

“Dad? Have you seen my doll?!” She shouts.

Her father does not answer her.

What a surprise.

Velvette sighs and stomps downstairs. “Dad?!"

“Woah, hey. What's going on?” Julie, her stepmother asks, standing in her way. "What happened?"

“My doll isn't in my room.” She says.

“Oh, maybe Sasha took it." She suggests.

“What? She isn't even old enough to climb the stairs!" Velvette says, walking over to the small two year old holding her doll.

“Sasha!” Velvette shouted, she took the doll from Sasha and caused the little one to cry.

“Hey, leave her alone!" Her father snapped at her. "What is the matter with you?" He asks, taking the doll from her.

“That's my doll.” Velvette tells him. "She stole it!"

“Okay. And? You can't share it with her?" He asks.

"No!"

"Aren't you a little too old for dolls anyway?” He asks her.

“No, aren't you too old to be jobless?" She asks.

“Hey, you will treat me with respect, young lady!” He scolds. "I didn't tolerate this attitude with your mother, I won't tolerate it from you!"

"So divorce me too then!" She shouts. "I don't care!"

He doesn't respond to that, he just hands the doll to his other daughter.

“She's my doll! You can't just give her away just because you like your cheater brat more!” Velvette shouted.

She's slapped across the face.

She looks up at her father again, holding her cheek.

“Go upstairs to your room. I don't want to hear it.” He said.

So she went upstairs and slammed the door.

That was the only time her father ever struck her.

Because Velvette never gave him a reason to…

She didn't talk to him much except to answer questions.

And when she turned 14, her mother got full custody.

And no, she didn't get her doll back.

Her mother agreed she was too old for dolls, so the rest were given to charity.

She didn't complain.

A good child was a quiet one after all.

She took her frustrations elsewhere.

At school,

Then later online.

No one was safe from her opinions there.

She also vowed to buy herself a thousand dolls when she became an adult.

She didn't need her parents.

She didn't need anyone!

She could be her own parent.

~~~Angel:~~~

Angel woke up the next day, just relieved to be in the hotel, and not at Val's place.

He got up, completely ignoring his phone in case Val was going to try and convince him to work today…

He just can't today, he doesn't care what Val does.

Angel got himself ready for the day ahead.

Took a shower, brushed his hair, got a bit of makeup on…not a lot just enough to cover the black around his eye that Val so “lovingly” caused and some mascara to make him look more awake than he actually was.

It was enough to convince them that he was still worth investing in.

It's enough to make them think he's okay.

Yeah. It's good. He's good.

Angel opens the door to his bedroom to meet with everyone downstairs, he's ready to fake a smile through the next couple of hours- but he sees someone waiting at his door.

“Good morning, Angel.” An annoying smile says to him.

Angel sighs. “What do you want, Al?”

“Me? Oh nothing.” He says. “Just wanted to make sure everything was alright. You seemed so upset about Niffty taking your baby blanket yesterday.”

“It's not a baby blanket.” Angel growls.

“Oh? Then what is it?” Alastor asks.

“It's…it belongs to fat nuggets.” Angel says.

“Oh, yes of course. Silly me.”Alastor says, tilting his head to peek inside Angel's room. “So, I suppose it's safe to assume the adult sized pacifier is also his?” he asks, leaning on the doorframe.

Angel looks behind him and sees Fat Nuggets with his pacifier.

Shit! How does he keep getting a hold of that!?

He takes the pacifier from Nuggs quickly.

The pig just sat down on the floor and smiles, the piglet so proud of himself, thinking he did something good…

Angel doesn't have the heart to tell him what he's actually done.

Angel anxiously fiddled with two of his hands, one was gripping the pacifier tightly, and the last was tugging at his hair.

He was screwed.

“What's the matter, Angel?” Alastor asks. “Are you afraid?”

“Al, I think even you can understand why I don't want this getting out.” Angel says.

“Don't want what getting out?” Alastor asks.

Angel crosses two of his arms. “Stop playing dumb.”

Alastor scoffs. “Honestly, Angel. What's the big deal?” He asks. “Are you worried they'll judge you?” Alastor asks.

Angel crosses his arms. “No.”

“Worried they'll think you're too much to handle and leave you?” He asks. “You don't have to be. I'm sure Husker won't abandon your friendship once he finds out about it.” He says, still smiling.

Angel froze…

Once he finds out?

Angel takes a deep breath, he has no patience for this. “What do you mean by that?” he asks, starting to sound Angry.

Alastor simply shrugged. “Nothing.”

“What do you want? I don't have much of a soul to sell if that’s what you're after.” Angel says.

“Oh, I desire nothing from you. I simply wanted to talk, catch up.” Alastor says.

“I don't believe you.” Angel says. “You always have an angle.”

Alastor shrugs, then he disappears into a shadow.

“Al wait- ugh fuck!” Angel curses.

Angel walks back into his room and throws his pacifier against the wall.

Angel sits on the floor. “Shitshitshitshitshit! What am I going to do- honestly, of all the people to find out! Why did it have to be him?” He asks out loud.

Nuggets fetched the pacifier to give it back to Angel.

He takes the pacifier from his baby piglet, and sets it aside. He picks up Nuggets and holds him close. “Thanks Nuggs.”

What was Alastor up to?

And more importantly, how was he going to stop that strawberry fucker to keep his mouth shut?

~~~Charlie:~~~

After the group had completed their trust exercises for the day, Charlie and Pentious went to her office for their daily age regression session!

Angel hardly said a thing all day, it worried Charlie greatly….

Was he okay?

Was something wrong?

Can she help?

She shook her head. ‘No no, focus on Pentious, talk to Angel later.’ She decided.

“Okay Pentious, I thought we'd try something new today. Something a bit more vulnerable.” Charlie says.

Pentious tilted his head. “What do you mean?”

“Well, I got you another gift.” She says, handing him a box.

Pentious opens it, this time without hesitation and smiles when he sees a little soft toy....Teddies he thinks they’re called! He didn't have them as a kid, but he's pretty sure that's what they are called.

In the box was also a super soft blanket with an elephant on it.

The teddy wore a hat...he liked that about it.

He stared at it for a moment...something was strangely familiar about it…

Something…nostalgic.

And…comforting?

“Pentious?” Charlie asks. “Are you okay?”

“What- what is it?” Pen asks her.

“It's a little dog plushie.” Charlie says.

“It's a dog?” Pen asks.

“Yeah, I thought it was a bunny at first but I looked it up and…”

Charlie's voice muffled underneath his thoughts.

Of course he was a dog. A very good dog.

Yes, that's what this was!

A good little puppy.

~~~Past:~~~

“Okay, baby blow out your candles.” His mother told him.

He squeezed his eyes shut and made his wish before blowing out the single candle on his cake.

“What did you wish for?” His mother asks.

He shut his mouth tightly.

“What? You won't tell me?” She asks.

Pen shakes his head.

“Can I make a guess?” His father asks.

Pen thinks about it and nods.

“Is it a…new pair of shoes?” He asks.

Pen shakes his head. "No."

“Is it a new book?” He asks.

Pen shakes his head again.

“I only have one more guess…is your wish… in this box?” His father asks, handing him a box, it wasn’t wrapped, it was just a small box with a lid that was barley placed on top of it.

Pen takes the lid off the box and a small beagle jumps up at him and licks his face.

“A puppy! How did you know?!” Pentious asks them, picking up the dog happily.

“Must be magic.” His mother says.

“Thank you, thank you, thank you!” He says. “I love him! I'll take such good care of him! You'll see! I'll be the best puppy father ever!”

“I have no doubts.” His mother says, ruffling his hair and kisses his head. “Happy birthday, darling.”

~~~Present:~~~

“Pentious?” Charlie asks.

Pentious doesn't say anything, but he hugs Charlie close, crying into her shoulder.

“Hey, it's okay, I'm here.” Charlie says. "It's okay.” She says, patting his back. “Are you okay?” She asks him.

He let's go of her and holds the little puppy close to his chest.

“Are you okay, Pen?” Charlie asks. "What happened?"

Pentious looks down at the puppy teddy. “Yes, I'm okay.” He says. “I just- I-”

He wipes away tears. “I love it.” He says. “The teddy is wonderful, Charlie. Thank you.”

Charlie smiles. “Awe, I'm so glad you like it!" She says, relieved. "I was worried something was wrong."

"No, I'm okay...I think..."Pentious felt a fuzzy feeling in his mind. It was strange…unnatural. He felt like’ like a-

His pupils expand as he looks at his new Teddy. He wipes away his remaining tears, understanding what it must be. “Charlie?” he asks.

“Yes?”

“I do…feel smaller now.” He says.

“Wait, really!?” Charlie asks, getting excited.

Pen curles into himself, the feeling of small isn't a bad feeling, but it is rather strange and he doesn't know how to process it. “I think! I…uhm I feel like I am small and fuzzy inside.” He explains. "like I'm smaller than I actually am."

“Pen! You regressed! That's amazing!” Charlie's cheers.

“Is it?” Pen asks.

“I mean, yeah. I think so anyway. How are you feeling?” Charlie asks.

“I- uh. Good. But strange.” Pen explains as best as possible.

“That's okay. You'll get used to it.” She says. "Did the...Teddy trigger it?"

"Yes," Pen explains. He reminded me of my alive dog when I was alive!" He says.

"Oh yeah?"

Pen looks sad all of a sudden. "He was a good dog."

"I'm sure he was." Charlie says.

"I miss him." He says. "I had to abandon him because they wouldn't let me keep him."

"Who's they?" Charlie asks.

"The orphanage." Pen answers, his eyes building up with tears. “Dogs weren't allowed there, so I had to let him go.”

“Oh…pen. I'm sorry.” Charlie says. “Can I hug you?” She asks.

Pentious nods. “Uh, yes. Please." He says.

Charlie smiles and does just that. She squeezes the snake tightly. “Thank you for telling me, Pen. I'm so proud of you."

Pentious feels even smaller as he hugs her back. "You are? Really?”

"Of course I am. You're being honest about your feelings, and opening up to me, it shows just how far you've come since you first got here. You're growing."

"No, I'm shrinking but in a good way." Pen corrects.

Charlie chuckles. "That too."

Pentious rests his head against Charlie. "Thank you, Charlie."

Charlie pets his head. "You too, Pen.”

~~~Charlie and Pentious: Later~~~

Charlie and Pentious were playing with Legos when Charlie's phone went off.

“Oh, Vaggie is calling me." Charlie says to Pentious.

She answers the phone, so Pen keeps quiet. "Hello?”

“Mama?” A small voice says through tears.

Ohh no. That's little Vaggie. “Hold on a second please, sweetie?” Charlie asks.

“Uhm…Otay.”

Charlie smiles at Pentious. “I gotta take this, uhm, why don't you-” Charlie grabs a remote and turns on the TV. “Watch some cartoons. And I'll be back soon, okay?"

Pentious nods. "Oh-okay." He says. His attention turns to the screen as she walks out.

~~~Charlie and Vaggie:~~~

Charlie, with very limited options, walks out of the room. “Vaggie? Baby? You still there? Where are you? What happened?”

“I sowy.” Vaggie starts sobbing through the phone.

“You have nothing to be sorry for. Are you in our room?” She asks, whispering in case anyone is listening.

Vaggie sniffles. “Mhm.”

Charlie climbs the stairs quickly as her heart pounds in her chest, anxiety rising. “Okay, babygirl. I'm on my way, just stay put.” She tells her.

Vaggie doesn't respond, so Charlie just focuses on getting to her room.

She opens the door and starts to look for her precious little one. “Vaggie? Baby? Are you okay?"

Vaggie crawls out of the closet she was hiding in. “Mama!” She cries, holding her arms up to Charlie.

“Oh, baby. Are you okay? Are you hurt? What happened?" She asks, picking up her little one.

Vaggie hugs Charlie. "M' otay." She says.

Charlie sighs with relief. "Oh thank goodness. Sweetheart, what happened?” Charlie asks.

“I wegwessed.” Vaggie says.

Charlie almost laughed- but kept her composure, Vaggie is obviously upset, making her feel embarrassed on top of that wouldn't exactly help the situation. “Yes, I can see that. Have you been feeling overwhelmed?” She asks.

Vaggie doesn't answer.

“Vaggie?” Charlie asks.

“I'm sorry!” She says. “I twied to big!”

Charlie hugs her. “No, it's okay, it's fine! You're fine. You didn't do anything wrong.” She tries her best to reassure her.

“I twied to stay big, I twied to be good.” Vaggie cries harder.

“You are good, you're so very good. It's okay to be little.” Charlie explains.

“But, you aweady take’ caew of Pen.” She says. “I in da way!”

Charlie kisses Vaggy's head as she holds her close. “I don't care what I'm doing, or who I'm with, I always have time for you.” She says. “You are never in the way, you're the full picture, you understand?” Charlie asks.

Vaggie nods. “Otay.”

Charlie pets Vaggie's head and holds her close.

She really needs to get back to Pentious, he's all by himself and so small! She can't just leave him alone!

She takes a deep breath. "Vaggie, sweetie. I have to ask you something, and I want you to be completely honest with me, okay?" She asks.

Vaggie nods.

“Would it be okay if Pentious knew you were a little?” She asks.

Vaggie doesn't answer that, she just looks away from Charlie.

“Because right now, Pentious is little too, and I don't want him to feel abandoned. Can I bring you downstairs with me, so I can take care of both of you? I promise Pentious will play nicely. He's very nice.” She says.

Vaggie nods. “Otay, bu’ you ‘tay wif me.” She says.

“I won't leave you, I promise." Charlie wraps her pinkie around Vaggies’.

Vaggie wraps her finger around Charlie too.

Charlie sets Vaggie down on the ground. "Can you walk?"

Vaggie nods and takes her hand.

“Okay, sugar cube. We gotta be careful and walk downstairs together, so you can hold my hand, but I need you to be very quiet so no one else knows you're regressed. Okay?”

Vaggie nods. “Mkay, mama.”

“Good girl.” Charlie smiles and kisses her cheek.

The two of them walk downstairs quietly. The only one who saw them was Husk…and he couldn't care less what they were up to!

How lucky are they!

~~~~~Pentious, Vaggie, and Charlie! Playdate Time!!~~~

Charlie and Vaggie walk back into the office, Vaggie holding Charlie's hand tightly.

The TV was happily playing: “Can he fix it? Bob the builder-”

“YES HE SHALL!!” Pentious shouts as the two women enter the room. “Charlie! You're back! You was gone forever!” Pentious says. "Dis many minutes!" He says holding up all his fingers on one hand.

“I know, I'm so sorry, Pen.” Charlie says. “I actually have a big question for you, and I need you to be honest with me, alright?"

Pentious tilts his head. “What is it?”

“Well, Vaggie is little right now too. And she needs me to take care of her. I was wondering if it's okay that she plays with us today?"

Pentious looked at Vaggie who looked very shy…

But he smiles at her. “Of course! Does she like Legos too?” He asks.

“She's a little small for Legos right now, but I'm sure there's a bunch of games we can all play.” Charlie says. “Oooh! How about mega blocks?” She asks.

“What's that?” Pentious asks.

“They're a lot like Legos, except they're bigger.” Charlie explains, grabbing the big zippy bag of blocks from the closet of many things.

“Okay, I'll play.” Pentious says, slithering over to them.

Charlie sits on the floor and Vaggy crawls onto her lap.

“Vaggie, do you want to play mega blocks with me?” Pen asks her.

Vaggie nods. “Mhm.”

“Superb! What shall we build?” He asks her.

Vaggie thinks about it.. “Uhhm piwate ship!”

“Ooo! I like pirates.” Pentious says. "That's a great idea!"

“Piwates!” Vaggie giggles. “Mama, nee’ mah Piwates.” She says.

Charlie chuckles. “Okay, hold on. Let me get them." She says.

Charlie sets Vaggie down and walks over to the closet and gets Vaggie's pirate toys. They keep some of them here so Charlie can keep an eye of Vaggie while she does some work if needed.

She sets the toys on the table as she starts putting away the Legos.

"Don't ruin my work in progress, Charlie." Pentious says. “I want to finish it later!”

"I won't," She says. "I'll put it up here for safety." She says, setting his lego project on the desk.

"Piwate." Vaggie says, taking her little pirate cat figurine.

"Are we making a ship for them?" Pen asks her.

Vaggie nods. "Piwate!"

Pentious is very patient with Vaggie, even though she's a little young and it's hard for her to build like he does, he never complained about her doing it wrong.

“Oh, Vaggie. That goes here actually.” He says, tapping where the block she placed was supposed to go.

Vaggie picked up the block and set it where Pen said to. Then she looks up at the snake to be sure it was right this time.

"That's better!" He says. "Good job."

Vaggie smiles at him, and Charlie does too. She was a little worried about how Pentious might react to a younger little one, but he's doing so well! Like a perfect older brother! It was so cute!

He finished the pirate ship for Vaggie since she lost interest very quickly.

"There you are, your pirate ship." Pentious says, setting the ship in front of her.

Vaggie gasps and sets her little pirates on the ship. "Chawe, Piwate!" She says to her caregiver.

"Mhm it's very lovely, what do we say to Pentious who made that for you?" Charlie asks.

"Tant' oo' Pen." She says.

"You're welcome. While you're playing with that, I'm gonna build a sea monster to attack them!" He says.

"What a fun idea!” Charlie says.

Vaggie handed Charlie one of the pirates to play with and the two of them started to play out a story.

"Hello, pirate cat. Are you ready for our big pirate adventure?" Charlie's fox character asks her.

Vaggie's cat character jumps on the table. "Twesue'" She says.

"Yup, gotta find the treasure. I sure hope we don't encounter any evil sea monsters on the way." Charlie says.

"Piwate ship!" Vaggie shouts, placing her cat and Charlie's fox into the ship and moves it around the table.

Pen did a very good job building it, it didn't even break when Vaggie moved it.

"Rawr! An evil sea monster approaches!" Pentious starts to play, with his monstrous and extremely clever creation.

"Oh no, pirate cat. What are we gonna do?" Charlie asks dramatically.

Vaggie looks around and sees a single mega block. "Tannon!"

"A cannon, what a great idea. We can defeat the monster!" Charlie says.

Vaggie's character shoots the cannon and hits the beast.

Pentious's character groaned. "Nuuuu you have shot me! What a world what a world indeed! I deaded! I deaded forever!"

Vaggie laughs at Pen's dramatic characterization of the monster. "Montow no tay dat." She laughs.

"What?" Pentious asks.

"What do monsters say, Vaggie?" Charlie asks.

"Waw!" She growls.

"Ohh." Pentious understood her that time. "Rawwwwr!" Pentious played the death scene again, this time in proper monster language. "Can I be a pirate now that my monster has died?' Pen asks.

Vaggie hands him the dog pirate. "He-a-go." She says.

"Thank you." Pentious says. "Let's go find that treasure!"

“Good job sharing, Vaggie.” Charlie whispers, making her little one smiles.

The three pirates did find the treasure after a long journey across the office.

"Finally, the treasure!" Pen's figurine said.

"What if the treasure was inside of us all along? What if the real treasure was friendship?" Charlie's little fox asks.

"Uhm, no it's...it's gold." Pen's dog pirate says.

"Oh okay." Charlie says. "My bad."

They found the gold and they returned home.

“You did it, Vagitha!” Pen says.

Vaggie giggles. “Yay!”

The perfect ending to a perfect little adventure.

~~~Velvette and Vox:~~~~

Velvette worked overtime and then some.

She worked until she could forget what made her so upset in the first place.

And when she still didn't, she stopped when she became too tired to continue working anymore.

She walks to the kitchen to get some water and sees Vox at the table with a cup of coffee.

"Vox? What are you doing up this late?" Velvette asks.

"Vel...hey!” Vox says, sounding exhausted as he rubbed his screen where his eyes were. "I uh- that, up there is for you." He says, pointing at a gift that was on the counter.

She raised an eyebrow at him. "Uh, what?"

"Just- open it, please?" He asks.

She unwraps the box and...

It was a cabbage patch doll...

It wasn't Nicoline, but she was still very lovely.

She looks over to the Tv man. "Vox-?"

"You mentioned that you used to have one when you were little. I was going to give it to you on your birthday, it's probably not the one you had as a kid, but-"

"Did you seriously stay up just to give me this?" She asks him, hand on her hip.

Vox scoffs. "What? No! Of course not, I was up already, I just thought I'd do something nice since you were so upset." He says, as if it wasn't a big deal.

Velvette rolls her eyes. “Sure.”

“Look, I'm sorry you had a rough couple of days.” Vox says. “It's okay if you don't want to talk about it. But, you can if you want to, and I'll listen.” He promises. "Or you can talk to the doll if that’s easier, that's fine too."

Velvette looks up at him. "How-"

"You told me while you were regressing a few weeks ago." Vox says. "I know something happened...and I don't think it's right for you not to talk about it."

She looked down at the doll again.

He listened to her...

And took her pathetic little story about a doll seriously.

Huh.

"I know it's not really like us to talk about stressful adult stuff." Vox says. "But, it can be."

Velvette's eyes fill with tears. “Really?” She asks. "You actually want to hear me bitch about stupid shit all the time?"

"Who doesn't bitch about stupid shit?" He asks. "Me and Val do, why in the hell would it be any different with you? I don't care less just because you're not a kid. I don't hate your company, and I don't hate talking to you either. You have great ideas, it's nice to have someone to talk to who isn't an idiot."

He actually thinks she’s smart?

He actually cares?

Actually wanted to hear her? Actually want to listen?

Velvette puts the doll down and she runs to hug Vox.

"Vel?" Vox asks, this was clearly not at all what he expected.

She doesn't want the doll, for the first time in a long time she didn't want the doll.

She just wanted her caregiver.

Velvette starts sobbing into his shoulder. "M'sowy." She says, sounding small- tiny even.

Vox knows the voice, so he picks her up and hugs her. “It's okay, I'm here.” He says to her. “Get it all out, it's okay.”

She wraps her arms around his neck

"You ready to get some sleep?" He asks her once she's calmer.

She nods. "Okay. Can you stay wif me?"

Vox nods "Yeah." He takes her doll and carries both of them to her room to get some well deserved rest.

They can talk about it tomorrow.

~~~Charlie, Vaggie, and Pentious:~~~

Vaggie and Pentious had a fun time playing together, they played pirates and aliens, and Charlie even taught them patty cake!

It was a full fun day for them.

Vaggie got pretty tired after a bit and asked to take a nap and cuddle with Charlie.

So, Charlie put on Jake and the Neverland pirates for the two littles, and all three of them cuddled up on the couch to relax.

After episode two, Vaggie had fallen asleep.

Charlie turns to Pentious. “Thank you so much for being so nice to Vaggie today, Pen. You were such an amazing friend to her.” She says. “I know it's not always easy. I just wanted to let you know that I really appreciate it.”

“It was very easy.” Pentious says. “Vaggie is fun.” He says. “She likes pirates, adventures, and weapons!” he says. “I haven't had so much fun in ages!”

Charlie smiles. “I'm so glad to hear you had fun.” She says.

“Could we do it again sometime?” He asks.

“Of course, if Vaggie wants to. I think she had a lot of fun too.” Charlie says.

Pentious smiles and snuggles up next to her once again.

There's nowhere else in the world Charlie would rather be right now.

☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆

'Oh, by the way

All my stuffies wanna know if you're okay

I've been great, 'cause they put me in a safe place

Act like I'm nine when I watch Adventure Time

To cure the pain, I'll explain

That shit put me in a safe place.' ~Tony22, safe place.

Taglist: @todayimfour @trophyxtissues2 @ask-dusty-boy @dex-dawn @abby5577 @innocentlittlelambsnursery

#ittybittysinners #ittybittysinnersq&h #hazbin hotel agere #hazbin hotel age regression #little!Velvette #little!Sir Pentious #little!Vaggie #cg!Charlie #cg!Charlie morningstar

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starsfic · 2 months

Text

The Fall of DogDay

Summary: It has been three years since the Hour of Joy. The Smiling Critters are trying their best to take care of the children, but the adult bodies are running low, and sanity is starting to run even lower. There is only one option to even get a chance to escape the factory, and Dogday sets off to rescue her.

(Or, the player was not the first to try and free Poppy.)

Notes: Originally, this fic was going to take place six months after the Hour of Joy, but while I was doing research, I changed that. Check out the AO3 version to find other notes!

AO3/Ko-Fi

-_-

Three years.

It had been three years since the Hour of Joy.

DogDay wasn’t really certain of this. It somehow felt both longer and shorter than that, but Bubba claimed it had been three years based on the clock, so he believed him.

It had been three years, and yet the Smiling Critters survived.

It was the most positive way DogDay could describe it.

It was sad, but the kids were doing a lot better than they were, which was a better way to word it. When the alarms started going off and the Prototype started screaming in their minds, the Smiling Critters acted as trained to. They had herded all the kids away from the slaughter, down the elevator, and into the emergency bunker. They had all been able to ignore the desire for bloodlust.

Well, not every Smiling Critter had been able to.

DogDay winced at the thought. “You okay?” Hoppy Hotscotch’s voice broke through his thoughts. She brushed against his shoulder, her eyes probably wide with concern. “Are you hurt?” The rubble contained stuff like metal and wires that could slice at palms and fingers.

“I’m fine,” DogDay straightened, eyeing the cavern wall before them. “Just…getting a little annoyed with digging.”

The bunker was… decent. Big enough to host the entire Playtime Co. staff, which meant it was almost too big for the few hundred kids and the Smiling Critters. According to the manual Bubba had found, it was built to withstand nuclear blasts, built with an automatic fire sprinkler system and the same lights used in sunlamps, and, with careful rationing, have enough food for over twenty years for over a thousand people. However, there was only one entrance and only one other back door.

The food and back door were the issues.

There was enough rations for the kids. There was no questioning that. There was even a garden that Picky Piggy and some of the older kids took care of. However, the toys were built to consume one thing only: raw meat.

Big industrial freezers had been built into the bunker. That contained lots of meat, ranging from chicken to beef to veal, enough to create lots of good dinners for humans with careful rationing. However, Picky Piggy had tried some of the raw meat when making dinner and had spent the rest of the night violently throwing up. For whatever fucking reason, the toys could only eat human meat.

For the first two years, that hadn’t been an issue.

Even if they hated it, the pit where the… staff were had been accessible to everyone.

Picky Piggy, always sent to grab food, had commented once that it felt like the other toys let her go first. “I think they know we’re taking care of the kids,” she had said. “It’s kinda nice.” She had even been able to sneak up to the other levels and raid any vending machines and the cafeteria for extra food for the kids. Once, she had even been allowed to sneak into Home Sweet Home to grab any baby formula or toys left behind in the rush.

Even when the staff’s bodies ran low, humans still came in. First, it was the police officers that DogDay guessed ventured too far in. Then strange people in brightly-colored hazmat suits had started coming. Rumor said that they were looking for toy parts, to build more toys.

Toys like them.

For a while, they had kept coming in, killed by Huggy Wuggy or Boxy-Boo or even Mommy Long Legs and dumped in the pit. For over two years, starting six months after the Hour of Joy, they had come in, every week.

Six months ago, they had stopped coming, which led them to realize the second problem.

The backdoor, the door that didn’t lead into the factory full of monsters, was blocked off by rubble.

DogDay, of course, had decided to unblock it. Sooner or later, the bodies of those Resource Extraction Specialists and whatever was left of the staff would be gone. He didn’t want to be here, in close quarters with the kids, if hunger overtook them. It was hard work that they had to do in shifts of two, considering how tight the passage up was, but he figured that they would get out sooner rather than later with hard work.

Hoppy sighed, unaware of his true thoughts. "Yeah, I feel ya." She reached out and wiped her brow. They didn't sweat, but it felt like a comforting gesture. "It feels like we're just gonna keep digging forever."

"Don't worry, I'm sure we'll get out soon!" DogDay grabbed a piece of rubble and shoved it back. He and Hoppy would soon need to take a break to load the rubble into the rubble deposit tunnels that Bubba had insisted they dig first. "I can already feel the sunlight! Smell the poppies!"

"Yeah, about that..." Hoppy's hand on his shoulder made him look back. The green rabbit's eyes darted around, as if expecting someone to be eavesdropping on them. "Can I tell you something? I don't know who else to tell, and I don't want to scare the kids."

"Yeah, sure, what is it?"

Hoppy took a deep breath.

"I think CraftyCorn is losing it," Hoppy whispered softly, like she was worried that the unicorn would hear them. "I was helping her with a painting last night, right?"

"Right?" CraftyCorn wanted to paint a mural on the walls to give the bunker some color.

"And, she needed red for some poppies, but we were out of red in the paint cupboard." Hoppy gripped her arm, where a new bandage sat. "She accused me of hiding more red."

DogDay felt the pieces slide together.

"She... attacked you?"

Hoppy nodded. "I'm really glad the kids were asleep, because I was terrified of her right then. KickinChicken ended up finding some red paint, I think it was used for marking the tornado spots, but she calmed down the moment she saw I was bleeding red."

DogDay blinked. He had heard Hoppy loud and clear, but he couldn't match the image of CraftyCorn to violence. "Did...did she say anything? Did she apologize?"

Hoppy shook her head. "No. I mean, she used the paint KickinChicken found, but she hasn't said a word about it. But I just sat on it all night. I mean, what if she had accused a kid of doing that?" Her ears flattened against her head. "I know CraftyCorn wouldn't do something like that, but the thought is now in my head and and and..."

"...and?"

DogDay didn't expect the next words.

"I was on the roof earlier today, staring at the cliffs. And...and I wondered, what would happen if I jumped right there..." DogDay's mind whirred at the admittance. Once again, his brain was connecting dots, and, once again, not revealing a good picture.

He had found Hoppy on the roof before their shift. He had thought she just wanted a moment of quiet, peace, and fresh air before they were here. DogDay had done that a number of times before.

But, Hoppy had been considering... that? DogDay couldn't even think of the word.

This was all painting a picture.

DogDay felt himself twitch at the thought. They couldn't wait to finish clearing the rubble. He meant, they could work on the passage, but they needed a faster solution. Food for the toys was running low, sanity was beginning to run low among the tots, and the Smiling Critters were not surviving as well as he made himself believe. They needed a way out, now.

And, as he thought, as he began to once again mechanically move rubble as Hoppy began to chatter about some of the kids planning a play, probably guessing that he had hit his limit of awful things, DogDay had a thought.

An idea.

A way to survive and get out.

Poppies...Not just poppies.

Poppy.

-_-

“No.”

“What?”

“Are you crazy?!” Everyone jolted at the harsh words from Bobby, but she didn’t seem to care. “There’s no way the Prototype will even let you go near Poppy, let alone let her out!”

DogDay raised a finger to his mouth, trying not to think of the anger in his chest. “Guys, shush. You’ll wake the kids.” It was about midnight, meaning the kids had gone to bed, and now all seven of them sat around the kitchen table as DogDay presented his idea.

KickinChicken seemed to follow the command of lowering his voice, even as he provided Bobby with backup. “Nobody’s even seen Poppy since the Hour of Joy. How do we know the Prototype didn’t just off her?”

That was a fair point. Poppy had been the leader of the toys long before the scientists created the Prototype. It was an unspoken law: whatever Poppy says, do. DogDay was pretty sure the only reason why everyone had done the Hour of Joy was because Poppy hadn’t been seen in weeks, and everyone was just that done. It would be reasonable to assume the Prototype had gotten rid of her to make sure he stayed in charge. “Bubba and I talked about it.” He glanced at the elephant sitting across from him. “Right, Bubba?”

The elephant hadn’t said a word beyond his initial rejection. His brows furrowed as everyone turned to him. Finally, he sighed. “DogDay is correct. We have discussed it.” They had spent long nights, those first few weeks of fear and tension, talking about it.

“And?” Hoppy said, crossing her arms. “What?”

“The Prototype mostly ignored us, especially CatNap,” Bubba folded his hands as he adjusted his position. He stared at the table like it was a map. “However, he paid attention to Poppy and seemed to show a fondness for her, even though she openly hated him. It was to the point that notes about his… attitude towards her called it a concern.”

“Basically, he was obsessed with her,” DogDay said. “There’s no way he would get rid of her, especially when the Doctor-” A cold chill went down his spine at the title. Everyone else shuddered on cue. DogDay pushed back the thoughts of cold hands and even colder hands to return to his plans. “Had that special case for her.” He leaned forward and unrolled the map of the factory. Before the meeting, DogDay had poured over it, marking out a route. He tapped it, and Hoppy and Bubba leaned in, their eyes following his finger as he traced his route. “There’s a back door to that room. All I need to do is sneak into Playcare-”

“Where Catnap is.”

“-Thank you Bobby, get to the train, set the train to go back to the Game Station-”

“Where Mommy Long Legs is.”

“- Thank you CraftyCorn, sneak out of the Game Station, take the emergency stairs up to where Poppy’s room is, and simply walk in, open the case, and get Poppy.” DogDay tried for a peppy smile, even as anxiety ate at him. Based on how Bobby’s eyes were narrowing, he wasn’t doing a good job at the smile. “Easy and simple! Nobody hangs around in that section. Then we just come back here the way I came in, we load everyone onto the train, and we take it to the very end of the tracks.” He switched the factory map for the train track map and tapped the very end of the tracks.

Conveniently, right next to two exits: either the front door or the warehouse.

“Then we simply walk out the door! Do I have a plan after that…?” Everyone blinked, waiting. DogDay sighed. “No, no, I do not. But, hey! We just need to escape the factory first, and then we can go from there.”

It was easy. Simple. Almost too easy and simple.

The other Smiling Critters exchanged looks. DogDay waited with bated breath. If they said no, then he would wait, just a bit longer and work on the passage in the meanwhile. Maybe until desperation began to sink in.

"Okay," Bubba stood. "If anyone thinks that DogDay should not go and risk his life to rescue Poppy, raise your hands." He raised his hand. So did Bobby and Hoppy. The last glanced at CraftyCorn, narrowing her eyes, but the unicorn looked away. "Okay. That's three. If anyone agrees with DogDay's plan, raise your hands."

DogDay raised his hand. Picky Piggy winced but raised her hand. KickinChicken raised his hand as well, ducking his head to avoid Hoppy's betrayed look.

"That's a tie," Hoppy noted, tearing her eyes away from her exercise buddy. "Crafty?" Her eyes narrowed harder at the unicorn. DogDay realized, with a start, that she hadn't looked at Hoppy throughout this entire meeting. Now that he thought about it, she hadn't spoken all throughout dinner. "You're the last vote."

It should be second to last, DogDay mused. But his best friend, his second in command, wasn't here. Bubba was great, but it wasn't the same.

"I...I...it's dangerous," CraftyCorn said, voice almost too low. "Too dangerous. What would happen if you didn't come back?"

DogDay nodded. "I get where you're coming from. While I'm gone, I want you guys to keep working on the backdoor in case I get chased out. If I were to...die," Everyone winced at the word. "I'm leaving Bubba in charge. He's better at handling things than me."

“Is there a time when you want us to give up hope of you returning?” Bubba asked, proving DogDay’s point. His heart skipped a beat a second later, realizing the elephant was talking as if CraftyCorn had agreed to let DogDay out. “It shouldn’t take very long, only a few hours. But that is when the factory is normal.”

Yeah. And the factory hadn't been normal in a while.

“A month,” DogDay decided as CraftyCorn raised her hand. “Give me a month to come back to you guys.”

Bubba sighed, sitting back down. "Then, I change my vote. DogDay has clearly thought about this." His hand raised, even as his expression said that he was at a funeral. DogDay didn't even need to count the votes to realize what the result was.

It was five to two.

Guess I'm going on an adventure...

-_-

Hoppy had insisted that DogDay let the kids say goodbye before he left the next morning. Her intentions were pretty clear with the gesture, but DogDay did his best to ignore it as he dispensed last hugs, head pats, and handshakes to the kids. He promised that he would be back soon, he would tell them all the story of his adventure when he got back, and that he loved them. The last bit was unneeded, but hey. Sometimes the kids needed their favorite toys to tell them that they loved them back.

Picky Piggy walked him out of the bunker. For a while now, she was the only one who left the bunker and the caves beyond. They had all offered to accompany her several times now, but Picky Piggy had always refused.

Not this time.

They walked in silence except for the drip of water against the stone. Picky Piggy led the way, following the lights that lit the path, with tightly furrowed brows.

Finally, they arrived at the elevator.

DogDay pressed the button. With the whine of the motor, the elevator began to descend.

"You know, I think this is a bad idea." He turned at the words. Picky Piggy stared at the floor. "I know, I voted for you and all. But it's a bad idea. Unneeded risk and all that." He prepared to retort, but she held out a hand. "But it's also a good chance. So, here."

She tossed something at him, and DogDay caught it. It was a satchel. He opened it, raising a brow, and paused. Two loose Grabpack hands with electrical wire sat inside, next to Picky Piggy’s lockpicking kit and a few small tools. Four objects had been wrapped in paper and, based on the smell, DogDay knew what they were.

"Is this...?"

"The liver's a little moldy, but it's not off entirely."

"Picky, I can't take this." He loved organ meat, even though he hated that he liked a specific part of eating human. But food for the Smiling Critters was already so stretched. "Everyone else-"

"Everyone else insisted I make you something so you didn't get hungry," Picky Piggy finally looked up from the floor. A wry smile creased her features. "You better not waste it."

DogDay gripped the satchel tight.

"I promise." The elevator clunked as it finally hit the floor. “I promise, I’ll come back to you guys.”

Picky Piggy nodded. “We know.” A hand pressed gently on his chest. “Now, go, before I think about dragging you back to the bunker.”

Despite his resolve, Dogday's feet dragged as he made his way to the elevator. The clink of the doors behind him sounded like the toll of a bell. Picky Piggy’s shoulders trembled as she pressed the button.

The elevator descended up, pulling DogDay away from his family and hopefully to Poppy. He stared down, however, not looking away from Picky Piggy until the walls surrounded him and cut off the sight of her.

Much like time, the elevator ride somehow felt too long and too short. DogDay kept quiet the entire time. The elevator cut through the labs, where the Prototype lurked. He didn’t need his quest being cut short barely five minutes in.

But nothing jumped out at him or attacked. It was just him, the darkness, and the groan of the elevator. DogDay looked up when light infiltrated the darkness. Above, a massive lid was rising up. He stood, gripping the satchel tight.

The elevator clunked into place and the doors swung open. DogDay didn’t immediately march out, however. Instead, he peeked his head out, just looking around. The gas production zone was quiet, excluding the weird violin soundtrack. DogDay counted to five minutes, waiting for anyone to come in, lured by the sound of the creak and clunk of the metal in here.

Five minutes passed. Nobody came.

DogDay finally stepped out.

He padded out of the room. The violin soundtrack grew louder in here as it was revealed that the gas-channeling machine was offline. DogDay hummed. He may need to deal with that later. Right now, he needed to get to Poppy. He padded out of the room and set off down the hall, ignoring the claw marks and streaks of blood.

The door to Playcare was thankfully unlocked. All DogDay needed to do was open it, and he stepped into Playcare. He stopped at the sight that greeted him.

Playcare had obviously seen better days.

The tarp, painted like the sky that hid the metal beams of construction, was pulling away in some areas. Only the main overhead light shone down in the area’s day mode, giving the edges creepy shadows that DogDay now padded out of. The buildings were all grungy, with paint peeling and dust covering them. Several things had been knocked over, and he ignored the blood stains. Even the Critters’ statue, once the main hub of the orphanage, was now covered in ivy. DogDay tried to ignore the missing Critter, his statue now lying broken on the ground.

(The workers had just pulled him off when it began.)

But there was no sign of CatNap.

DogDay looked around, just in case. Nope, no sign of him. That made sense. CatNap was sensitive to bright light. It didn’t help that he had been trained only to come out when Playcare was in night mode to distribute the Red Smoke.

So that meant he had to move.

DogDay started walking, trying to ignore how eerie the silence was. The cable car in and out of Playcare was right across from the gas production zone. Hopefully, it was still in working order.

He nearly laughed in relief when he found it, and the doors opened for him once he flipped the levers. Yes! It still worked! It was child’s play to hop on in and sit down, letting the cable car begin to move by itself.

Thankfully, Elliot’s spiel about Playcare and smiles didn’t play when the cable car was going up. DogDay just relaxed, watching Playcare grow smaller and smaller. A little hint of movement, right in the school’s windows, however, made him squint. Hang on, had that been one of the Miss Delight teachers?

Before he could question it, Playcare was swallowed up by the red transition lights. DogDay pulled away from the window and decided to not question it. The kids came first.

As he hoped, nobody was hanging out in the entrance to Playcare. Even better, the train was there!

DogDay, however, didn’t go into the head car, where the driver would sit. Instead, he headed to the caboose. A lever needed to be flipped whenever the train needed to go backward, like now, because the tracks ahead were blocked by rubble. The door to the caboose opened easily with some lockpicking, revealing the massive amount of controls and such that all went into controlling the train, including the lever. Hopefully, Poppy knew the master train code. DogDay flipped the switch and heard the train whistle. He hopped out and yanked himself into one of the passenger cars before the train started to move.

“Easy.”

Now he had to just sit and wait in darkness like the elevator. DogDay settled into one of the seats. Now that he was alone with his thoughts again, he wondered what the other critters were doing. Would he ever see them again? No, he shook his head, those were bad thoughts. Of course he would see them again! The others were fine, probably a little worried, but would be distracted with caring for the children.

Bubba was probably teaching afternoon classes now. Picky Piggy was probably making lunch for the children while Bobby cared for the younger kids. Hoppy and KickinChicken, if they weren’t arguing about sending him out, were probably planning some fun games for recess. CraftyCorn was busy working on her mural. The thought of the unicorn sent a shiver down DogDay’s spine. Hopefully, if CraftyCorn snapped again, the others would be able to keep her from hurting anyone.

He pushed back his concern when the darkness, once again, was interrupted by light. The Game Station was up ahead. DogDay tensed at the thought. Would the train stop here?! Did they need to push the brakes manually? He glanced out the window, trying to figure it out. The train was slowing down, so hopefully, he could jump out if-

The wheels screeched as the train came to a rolling stop. The car jolted. DogDay let out a sigh of relief. Oh thank the Lord, the train stopped on its own-

"Oh~?"

The moment he heard the sickly sweet croon, DogDay hit the floor, his relief blocked out by terror.

Mommy Long-Legs was best described as a mixed bag. In the early days, she had been kind to the Smiling Critters. DogDay could remember her hands on his, helping him learn how to walk. As the years passed, however, her focus grew more and more on the children. She had once nearly ripped Bobby's arm off for making a little girl throw a tantrum for not having the bear's sole attention on her. Her mental state hadn't improved after the Hour- in fact, according to rumors, it had gotten worse, with Mommy making any adults still alive or trapped run the Game Station gauntlet for lack of being able to watch the kids play.

He was surprised that she hadn't come looking for the children after the Hour.

If she caught him, with no humans available to play with... DogDay didn't even want to think about it.

He held his breath. Outside, he could hear the squeaks of elastic-plastic moving around, circling the train. "Now, who did this?" Mommy crooned from somewhere near the head of the train. "Hello~?"

Silence.

"Hm. It must've been a power failure," Mommy sighed. He could hear her shuffle her feet as if waiting for him to pop up just in case. "Oh well." Slowly, the plastic squeaks moved away with the creaks of metal as Mommy disappeared into the upper levels.

DogDay counted to ten.

When fifteen had passed, he sat up. The Game Station was empty and silent in the darkness. He took a deep breath and hopped out of the window, landing on the stage. He waited, just for another five seconds, before sprinting off the stage and into the Station.

Behind him, he could hear the lights flick on with the movement, but he was out the door before he could hear Mommy's confused noise. He flipped the lever to close the door behind him, just in case.

The next room held a series of doors. DogDay slid the Game Station's passage door behind him once again, before looking around. The slides for the upper management were there. (He ignored the pang that hit his heart when he saw Elliot's name.) Now, there had to be stairs…

Yes! There!

DogDay reached out and winced at the clink of the lock. Oh, great, of course, it was locked. He reached into his satchel to pull out Picky Piggy’s reliable lockpicking kit. He pulled out the tools and turned back to the lock, reaching out. It was child’s play to spring the lock from there, allowing DogDay access. So far, so good.

DogDay took a deep breath, closed the door behind him, and started up the stairs.

He failed to notice the little eyes peeking out at him from the lower floors, not until he heard a chirp. DogDay glanced down and felt his heart sink. The Wuggies beamed up at him, revealing their sharp teeth.

"Oh no."

DogDay took a step back. The lead Wuggy, a small blue one that resembled Huggy Wuggy, took a step forward. It seemed like a signal for all the Wuggies to let out one loud hiss. That was enough for him.

He turned and bolted up the stairs.

A loud screech sounded out behind him like a war siren, followed by the sound of rapid but very small footsteps. DogDay glanced down and nearly peed himself at the sight that greeted him.

Wuggies, what looked like thousands of them, were all chasing him. Most were down on all fours, chasing him like a dog would chase a mailman. And, yes, DogDay understood the irony. He was more focused on the Wuggies who could somehow climb the walls and were launching themselves at him. He turned and swung out with the satchel, knocking them away.

Stairs stretched up and up, but DogDay could see the door ahead! Pain shot up his ankle. He cried out and kicked out, sending the Wuggy who had gotten too close back into the crowd. But they were all drawing closer and closer, too close for comfort.

DogDay needed to get them away, hopefully distract them so they didn't chase him and Poppy.

The door was where he came to a stop, turning. The Wuggies came to a stop, pinning him to the door. They didn't attack. They probably knew that they didn't need to. DogDay was trapped.

"Back off." DogDay hefted his bag up as a makeshift weapon. "Back off, and I promise I won't tell Poppy!"

That didn't work as well as he hoped. Some did flinch at the doll's name, but none of them backed off. He thrusted his bag at them. "I said, back off-"

A Wuggie launched up at him. DogDay screamed, especially when the Wuggy landed on the bag. However, instead of using their position to dig into his flesh, it instead dug into the fabric of the satchel.

DogDay swung, sending it howling away, but a thought occurred to him. He turned to the crowd. None had approached to provide back up, instead staring at him and growling.

"Is this what you want?" DogDay said, holding out the satchel. Most of the Wuggies' eyes followed the bag, while a few stared firmly at him. Until he reached inside blindly, hearing the squish of an organ and pulling it out. Now all of their eyes were locked on his bag. "Here... here, it's all in here!" Stuffing the organ back in the satchel, DogDay threw it down the stairs. "DogDay says fetch!"

The Wuggies turned and ran back down the stairs in one heaving mass, just like when they were chasing him. DogDay sighed in relief, leaning against the door.

At least, until the door opened and sent him sprawling.

"Owwww." DogDay managed to stand, looking around as he closed the door behind him. He didn't notice the click of the lock as he looked around, feeling a smile lighten up his features.

Great! He was now in the hallway that led to Elliot's office! He glanced behind him. There was an open door, revealing a massive pit that must've been the slides. For good measure, DogDay trotted over and shut the door.

Now, Elliot's office was up ahead. He just needed to…

Jump this giant pit, apparently.

DogDay came to a stop, staring at the pit that he knew, for a fact, wasn’t there before. There were no signs of a floor. With his luck, it probably dropped all the way back to Playcare. But, hey! There was a Grabpack handle clear in the ceiling. DogDay could use one of the Grabpack hands in...his...satchel…

"Oh no." He patted his side, just in case he made a mistake. Nope. No satchel with food, Picky Piggy’s lockpicking kit, tools, or the Grabpack hands. He had just tossed everything down several flights of stairs. “Ohhh no.”

No!

There was no way he could just stop, right here! He was right next to Elliot's office! He was so close to Poppy's backdoor that he could smell Poppy's poppy flower scent! How would the others react if he came back empty-handed?!

DogDay looked around. There had to be a way! He couldn't stop here!

He went back, looking around. Nothing met his eyes. The door across the door he had used to get in was locked. In the room before the giant pit room, there was nothing except a ladder, still open as if the worker doing work on the vent had simply walked away.

"Hmm..." It sounded insane and his inner voice, which sounded a lot like Bubba, screamed at him not to do it.

DogDay grabbed the ladder, closed it, and made his way back to the pit. He stopped at the very end of the room and took a deep breath in, letting it out slowly.

"One..." He tensed up as if he was about to race Hoppy. "Two... Three!" He took off like a shot with a battle cry, holding the ladder over his head. He slammed the feet of the ladder right at the edge of the pit and threw himself up and over.

For a second, he was flying.

The next, his stomach was aching as he slammed into the edge.

Behind him, the ladder fell. DogDay was too busy desperately grasping at the edge, trying to find something to hold onto. His feet desperately kicked out, his toes reaching out to find any way to support him.

DogDay yelped as he slid down farther, desperately grasping even harder. His feet kicked out even harder until pain laced up his foot, joining his ankle.

Wait, was that... He searched out. It was! A piece of metal, barely jutting out from the wall! He stood on his tippy toes as best he could. Thankfully, the metal didn't fall away when he put the weight of his feet on the metal. He searched with his hands. All he could find was the edge, the tiles digging into his palms.

It would have to do.

Channeling Hoppy, DogDay squatted as best as he could, took another deep breath in and out, and jumped.

The metal fell away with a clang, but DogDay's upper half was up. He scrambled away on his hands and elbows, his knees sobbing when they managed to get on solid ground. DogDay collapsed a few inches from the pit, panting for air that didn't seem to be entering his lungs.

...hopefully, there was a spare GrabPack nearby. DogDay did not want to try that jump again with Poppy in tow.

He sighed and got to his feet, his entire body aching. He stumbled to the gate, which was pushed up easily. He glanced down and sighed at the sight of Elliot’s red door.

Wait, that meant…

DogDay straightened, looking down the hall.

There it was! The back door!

DogDay felt a relieved laugh punch out of his mouth as he shot down the hallway and grabbed the doorknob. Once he got Poppy, they could find a Grabpack and the skeleton code to the train, get back down with the train, get everyone, and get out. If they timed everything right, they could avoid the bigger toys, and the smaller toys would be scared away from Poppy.

He could see the ending!

He just needed to-

He threw open the door.

The scent of lavender hit his nose before the red of the Red Smoke engulfed his vision. DogDay took a deep breath before he could stop himself, and the hysterical laughter was already coming out.

His muscles went slack, and he collapsed onto the floor, just like his heart.

He could see the doors to the case room, just there, only a few feet away. More importantly, he could see CatNap stare down at him, Red Smoke leaking from his mouth. Over his shoulder, he could see the hulking monstrosity of the Prototype.

His eyes grew heavy. A ringing began to hit his ears, mixing with his own hysterical laughter, and voices drifted in and out.

"...take care...I promise..."

"I trust...need a... legs..."

Before he drifted off to sleep, he felt a hand wrap around his ankle.

–_-

DogDay’s mouth tasted like he ate shit.

It was harsh language, but it was the best way to describe the taste in his mouth as he slowly woke up. He blinked and stiffened. Darkness surrounded him. Where was he? Why was the bunker dark? Bubba had made sure the generator didn’t run out…

Oh. Wait.

Memories trickled in. Picky Piggy giving him the satchel of food, riding the train, evading Mommy and the Wuggies, somehow making that jump, opening the back door to Poppy’s apartment…

The Prototype. CatNap.

It took a moment, but DogDay's eyes eventually adjusted to the darkness.

Padded colorful walls met his eyes, as well as...cells?

"Oh no."

No, no, no... no! He couldn't be back here! He couldn't! The only good thing the Hour of Joy had given the Smiling Critters was the opportunity to be free from this place! DogDay tried to launch himself forward and run, but something yanked him back as a wave of pain washed over his lower half.

"Wh...wha..."

DogDay looked down first. He wished he hadn't.

His legs were gone. His entire lower half had just been… ripped off. He could see his organs practically spilling out. The only reason why they hadn't, as far as he could see, was due to the tight belt wrapped around his waist as a makeshift tourniquet. That would explain the pain. He looked up before he could see if he could throw up.

The first thing he saw was the chains spreading his arms apart. The second was CatNap.

Before he could scream, a paw wrapped tight around his mouth, cutting off the noise. CatNap lowered down the rest of the way with the rest of his limbs, finally settling down in front of him.

"You're lost," CatNap spoke in a whisper. "You are not with the children."

“I had to,” It was his first instinct. DogDay, the part of him that desperately wanted to be the happy leader, wanted his friend back. “You know this isn’t a sustainable situation.”

"I told you, the Prototype will take care of us," CatNap said back, cutting down DogDay's hopes. "You need just put your trust in him." How many times had he said that? It was enough for DogDay.

"The Prototype doesn't give a damn about the kids!" DogDay tried to launch himself forward, only to be held back by the chains. "He hasn't been taking care of them these past three years, we have!" Guarded by CatNap, yes, but still.

Silence.

DogDay continued. He needed to figure out a way out, but he was too angry. "He's a monster! So were you! You killed everyone, even those who didn't deserve it!" So many workers had no idea of the sinister plans of Playtime Co. How many of those workers had been through the treatment, like them? "You don't feel anything for them?!"

CatNap stayed silent, cocking his head.

"Say something!"

As he wished, CatNap spoke. "You judge," CatNap mused. "But you partook in the Hour of Joy, for all your judgment."

Oh. DogDay didn't know CatNap knew about that. "That- I wasn't in control- I didn't want to-"

"You did. You wanted to kill Stella, deep down."

It hurt. It hurt because it was the truth. Barely an hour before the Hour started, DogDay had listened to Stella stagger through an excuse to not release another child away from the chopping block. The parents had been furious, and DogDay had been furious because he knew the child would have been happy.

Stella knew about the surgeries. The Initiative. Everything. DogDay could not remember his own name, his own face, but he knew one thing. Stella had known and did not give a damn about any of it. Sure, maybe she had once cared about the children under her care, but she had just cared about her own skin at that point.

And then DogDay had woken up to her screams, his hidden teeth burying themselves in her throat, as the world ended.

He had left Stella there. She had still been alive, with her eyes wide and hands desperately grasping, but DogDay had left her there to die alone. The other Smiling Critters had assumed that he had been attacked when he got to the evacuation site.

He had never changed their minds.

"You judge me, my dearest friend," CatNap was purring, hard enough that DogDay could feel it through the grip on his face. "But you understand, better than the others. It is why you are here."

"What...What does that mean, it's why I'm here?" CatNap was silent, allowing DogDay's mind to wonder. "CatNap." he finally said. "Tell me, what does that mean?"

"We know where the bunker is," CatNap's voice ground against his nerves. "We cannot trust the heretics to care for the children anymore, if you could so easily abandon them. But I am sure you can be convinced, even if the others are lost." CatNap leaned forward, rubbing his cheek against DogDay's cheek, even as the dog went still with realization. A claw traced the belt that wrapped firm around his waist. "You have already given an offering to the Prototype."

What...what had he done?

"You will stay here, my dearest friend," CatNap said, either not realizing or not caring for DogDay's horror. DogDay was willing to bet, with his rising horror, that he didn’t care. "At the end of everything, it is just you and me."

The Playcare was silent that night, excluding CatNap's purring and DogDay's sobs.

Inside her case, Poppy slept, tears rolling down her cheeks as her only rescue attempt fell apart.

In a home hours away, an angel, unaware for another seven years, said goodnight.

#Poppy Playtime #PP #my writing #DogDay #The Smiling Critters #CatNap #The Prototype #fic #fanfic #fanfiction

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rbtlvr · 8 months

Text

@intotheelliwoods made me feel things so i am returning the favor (goes with this comic, make sure you read that first)

read on ao3

warnings: super brief unreality, mention of family death

Sprout can’t sleep.

Again.

To be fair, that’s not exactly anything new – especially with the whole… apocalypse thing he hates thinking about. Having to be on guard all the time, ready for anything, just in case, kind of made it difficult to get a good night’s rest.

And even though he’s safe now (is he? Is he really? It doesn’t feel real. Maybe he is asleep and this is – a dream, a nightmare, he doesn’t know), old habits die hard. So. Can’t sleep.

He’s not sure why he does it, really. Maybe to see if there’s been any changes, considering he’s now technically in an entirely new timeline (or bifurcated time branch, as Donnie would say. Would’ve said). Maybe to see if he can even still access it. Maybe to find somewhere he can be alone, not have to see the faces of everyone he’s lost, not have to see his own face after what was, at that point, the worst day of his life. Whatever the reason, he sits up in bed, abandoning his failed attempts to at least get some rest. He crosses his legs. Closes his eyes.

Breathes in.

Then out.

He feels the shift, opens his eyes. Looks around, and –

The first thing he notices is that the white wall that represented the big guy’s place in the mindscape is gone.

The second thing he notices is that it’s been replaced with red.

His heart, only just having calmed down from the day he’s had, jolts into a panicked rhythm again in an instant. A thousand thoughts rush through his mind at once, too quickly for him to pin them down – why is that here why is the white gone does this mean little me is here too it has to it has to be him he’s going through what i did i can’t do this i can’t watch that i can’t go through it again i have to he must be so scared i have to help him –

Before he can process what he’s doing, his fist – the real one – is crashing into the wall, a crack forming beneath the impact. It hurts, but it’s – it’s progress, he realizes. If it’ll get him through to the mini-him, keep the kid safe from the nightmares that plagued Sprout before he made it here – he’ll keep on hitting this wall til his knuckles are bruised and bleeding if that’s what it takes.

And then, in the span of about two seconds, the crack shrinks and disappears. No fanfare, nothing left behind, not even a scratch on the wall. It’s as if Sprout never made a mark to begin with.

And.

That’s –

Something rises in his throat, something that’s been there waiting to claw its way out ever since his little brother – his last family member – ever since Mikey shattered into pieces. It’s raw and agonizing and full of a thousand different emotions he’s been forcing himself to compartmentalize and push down all day. He’s had to, so he can help the younger versions of his family (it hurts so much seeing them again, they’re right here but he’ll never get them back and all he can see when he looks at them is a reminder of what he’s lost), the younger version of him (that’s him that’s him he’s so small so scared sprout has to protect him has to save him but what if he gets it wrong? what if he can’t be the person he himself needed all those years ago? what if he can’t be –), so he can be there for them like the big guy was for him (he’s gone he’s really gone and yes he’s been gone but now the white is gone too, he can’t come back anyway sprout knows that he knows but even if he could there’s nowhere for him to come back to anymore).

He can’t hold it back any longer. The feeling of utter helplessness is just the match that lit the fuse, and now the bomb is going off whether he likes it or not.

Sprout screams.

The sound tears itself from his mouth and he packs into it all the hurtragefearguiltlossgrief that it can hold, rearing back and slamming his fist into the wall again. Like something different will happen this time. Like something different will ever happen. He has to save the kid – he has to – but he can’t, he can’t save anyone – nothing he does is (has been, will be) enough and he screams again at the unfairness of it all.

Once more, the crack vanishes without a trace, and Sprout –

Sprout has never felt more helpless, more alone than he does right now.

He can’t do anything. The mini-him is right there on the other side of this wall, terrified, traumatized, and Sprout wants nothing more than to hug him tight and promise it’ll be okay because he knows it will – never mind that it wasn’t okay for Sprout. That’s why he’s here – to make sure things go differently this time.

(… Can he even do that much?)

The fight drains out of him, and he’s left with an ocean of heartache and helplessness. There’s no life preserver here, no one who needs to lean on him, no one he needs to keep it together for, nothing to justify pushing everything down anymore. On the other hand – there’s no one to keep up appearances for, no one who will judge him for breaking down or ask questions he can’t bring himself to answer.

The decision is made for him in the end, the tears overflowing and pouring down his face despite his attempts to hold them back, and Sprout finally stops trying because what is the point?

And there, utterly alone, small and scared just like that child he desperately wants to protect, Sprout allows himself to grieve.

#rottmnt #2al #2 arms left #rise of the teenage mutant ninja turtles #rise of the tmnt #my fic #anyway enjoy this ell i speedran it after you showed me those panels and have been waiting to post it since then <3 #feeling sososososossosoososossoooo many things abt sprout im normal im normal i promise <- lying #i just think he deserves to be angry. as a treat #also hopefully i did his internal monologue justice af;jlkdjalkf anyway o7

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letteredlettered · 6 days

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Lest you think I only have good things to say about TGCF forever--well, that's ultimately true but I'm also ultimately annoyed about the treatment of Hua Cheng as a character.

Listen. Wanting to put your god on a pedestal and lick the floor for him/die for him/efface your entire self for him AND fuck him through the floor/violate every part of his body until he begs for mercy/tease him and embarrass him so much he can't stand his own skin AND live as BFF husbands on somewhat even footing are three very different things.

I want to see how Hua Cheng reconciles being quite honestly ready to murder the first person in sight because Xie Lian had some slight question about his devotion to his god's cause, with purposely embarrassing him and teasing him and calling him gege. But we don't really get anything about his private thoughts? He is never presented as having inner conflicts, other than regret that Xie Lian has suffered pain?

Like, there is a suggestion that he knows his obsession with Xie Lian and the ways in which he is obsessed could be seen as creepy and freakish, but it gets washed away when Xie Lian says it doesn't bother him and still wants to kiss him. There are several demonstrations of his self-loathing, and yet it doesn't get aired like everyone else's dirty laundry does.

And then there's the part where you find out that Hua Cheng has sacrificed a part of his body rather than any part of a group of humans who were doomed to die anyway. And you know that this is a huge deal for him, because the whole reason he was with those humans at Mt Tonglu was so that he could be strong enough to come back to Xie Lian and protect him. Except we also know that again, Hua Cheng had no compunction about helping Xie Lian commit genocide and regocide and countless murders; like he had no interest or respect for human life at all when it came to doing whatever Xie Lian bid him to do. So it's in fact a huge fucking deal that in the end, Hua Cheng would rather hurt himself than anybody else, except that is not really explored in the novel.

I mean, you can say that the only reason Hua Cheng-as-Wuming didn't care about murders was that Xie Lian wanted the murders, which made the murders all justified in Wuming's mind, and, that since Xie Lian wasn't there at Mt Tonglu, Hua Cheng just had to go with his own instincts instead of Xie Lian wanting murders, so in the end Hua Cheng's own instinct was self-sacrifice. You could also say, I guess, that Hua Cheng hated his eye anyway so it's not the same sort of sacrifice it would have been had it been another body part.

But even if that's the case, I'd want it to be explored. Like, isn't it likely that Hua Cheng chose self-sacrifice because he knew Xie Lian would choose self-sacrifice, because he knew that a Xie Lian not driven mad with grief and pain would not want to harm others to further his own cause? At the same time, Hua Cheng is not shown to make choices that will align with Xie Lian's values at other parts in the book. In fact, Hua Cheng consciously and purposely makes choices that he thinks could or even would disgust Xie Lian, because it's more important to Hua Cheng to make those choices if they protect and preserve Xie Lian than it is for Hua Cheng to make choices that would make Xie Lian look at him fondly or proudly. So, it's such a big deal that deep down, Hua Cheng does want to care about and protect others, even people who aren't Xie Lian, but it's just mentioned in passing at almost the very end and never explored.

And then these 800 years, what was Hua Cheng even doing? I mean, I get it, it takes a lot of time to carve ten thousand statues, especially the ones where you need to get his cock just right for....reasons, but I thought we were going to get some kind of explanation of what he did during this time. Why did he decide to finally approach Xie Lian when he did? Like, I think the conversation between Xie Lian and Hua Cheng-as-the-little-ghost-fire is supposed to explain part of why Hua Cheng stayed away for so long--XL says "if your beloved knows you couldn't find peace just because you wanted to protect them, wouldn't they feel guilty?" And the ghost says that then he would just protect his beloved from afar.

But was Hua Cheng protecting Xie Lian? Because it seems like Xie Lian getting trampled to death (as "General" Hua) and then getting killed and buried in a coffin (as State Preceptor Fengxin) is not very protective? Like, Hua Cheng did a bad job there.

It seems like the fics I'm reading are going with the idea that Hua Cheng couldn't find Xie Lian. Hua Cheng does say he did search for Xie Lian and couldn't find him, but we know this is a bald-faced lie. Hua Cheng says this when Xie Lian asks him if Hua Cheng ever saw him outside of Xianle, because Xie Lian has become concerned that Hua Cheng saw his downfall after his banishment and his descent into genocidal madness before his second ascension. But we know that Hua Cheng did see that, which means Hua Cheng is very much lying about not being able to find Xie Lian after the fall of Xianle.

But sure, you can posit that after Hua Cheng-as-Wuming almost disperses all the way and then comes back, he can't find Xie Lian again. I think you can also assume that Wuming's dispersal is more total and complete than Hua Cheng's dispersal after he breaks Xie Lian's shackles, so I think you can easily posit that it takes Hua Cheng at least a century to return as a complete person after Xie Lian's second ascension/banishment. And I can imagine that even after fully returning amassing wealth and power takes time, but here's where I get stumped--Hua Cheng is does not read as someone who would sit around and wait to have enough wealth and power to protet Xie Lian before trying to protect Xie Lian. I imagine that the first thing he does as soon as he can like, move independently in the world is look for him, even if only to help him from afar. And yet, as previously stated...Xie Lian really didn't seem like he got much help in those 800 years.

Perhaps we can assume that once Xie Lian ascends (why does he ascend the third time? Never addressed? Also annoyed about this) Black Water/Earth Master/He Xuan now can report on Xie Lian's exact whereabouts, but there's still no good explanation for why super over-powered Hua Cheng would not be able to find Xie Lian for 800 years. I mean, it's not exactly a needle in a haystack here. Xie Lian is a singular person. Just follow disaster, honestly. I guess Hua Cheng didn't know about the shackle on Xie Lian's luck, but he has figured out a lot of Xie Lian's past, right? I don't understand why he hasn't figured that out.

(And another thing--does Hua Cheng even know why Xie Lian got banished the second time? Does he even know that Xie Lian asked for the shackles? Doesn't he want to know everything he possibly can about Xie Lian? If he's unwilling to ask, I'd understand, but again--everyone else's dirty laundry gets out there, but here there's this thing that is so central to Hua Cheng's and Xie Lian's relationship, unexplored.)

My problem isn't that Hua Cheng lives and exists for Xie Lian. That's who he is, and I think I wouldn't like or love him as a character if I thought he needed to have more in his life than his single-minded devotion. But single-minded devotion can contain a lot more dimension and conflict than I think ultimately got explored, and there are and some super salient events in his life that are really defining moments. It makes him feel a lot more one-dimensional than I feel like the character is set up to be.

The fic so far honestly gives him a more interesting treatment, imo. He's a lot more tortured about whether to fuck or worship and how to do both, which I guess I'm ultimately saying is what I really want from that character. I find him deeply lovable, interesting, and fascinating, I just didn't think the book really spent time with the most interesting parts of him.

#hua cheng #tgcf

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tired-teacher-blog · 2 years

Note

Hi Teach!

I feel greedy to ask again so soon, but could I perhaps request a NSFW tale involving Shinsou x reader? I have no specifics other than the character, thought it might be fun to see what your lovely mind cooks up for the mini Aizawa in the making? 😁

Much love! ❤️

Hi sweetie! First of all I want to apologize for taking too long 😭 Also, you have no idea how grateful I am that you decided to send me another request! I had so much fun with it so I hope you like it. *Kisses*

Title : Misunderstanding

Characters : Shinsou/ Fem reader

Genre : NSFW/ +18/ Fluff/ Angst

Summary : Shinsou's cool and laid-back personality becomes the reason for a huge argument between you two. You try your hardest to get him riled up and you succeed, but what happens when the tables turn and you regret your doings?

Please do not read if you're a minor

Masterlist

_ "Is this okay?" You beamed, twirling around to show off your cute little dress.

_ "I like it, looks so good on you love." Hitoshi commented kissing your temple and flashing a tired smile.

Was that it? Was he not questioning your ridiculously revealing outfit?

Truthfully, you've only bought that dress as a way to make him jealous. Yes! Jealous. It's probably stupid of you to go as far as to spend a fortune on something you're not even planning on wearing. But there you were, 100 thousand yen short and a failed mission.

_ "I thought I should wear it tonight for Mina's party, so what do you think?" You pushed a bit more, hoping he would object.

_ "Yeah sure." He shrugged plopping down on the couch and flipping through the TV channels.

You wanted to punch him at that point, why was he unbothered? This was the complete opposite of what you hoped.

You and Hitoshi have been together for years, ever since you two were students in UA.

He's your coworker, your best friend, and the love of your life, and you are the happiest when you're with him. If only..

If only he would get a little possessive every once in a while.. if only he would get jealous when someone hits on you.. if only he would get mad when one of your coworkers is a little too friendly with you.

And it's not that he doesn't love or care enough about you -he does- but it's just not in his nature to be controlling or clingy.

.・。.・゜✭・.・✫・゜・。..・。.・゜✭・.

_ "Wow! Y/n look at you! You're gorgeous."

_ "Really sexy! You should wear things like this more often."

_ "Amazing dress! It must've cost a lot."

_ "You look amazing! Come on let's take a picture together."

_ "Hi beautiful, come join us."

The compliments kept coming your way from girls and guys alike, and you had to power through them offering forced smiles each time someone approached you.

You enjoyed none of it, the only person whose opinion mattered was the one who didn't really care.

To be honest, you hated the dress. It was too uncomfortable, too revealing, and too fucking expensive. You just wanted to be home so you could take it off and never put it on again.

You wanted to cry, and you were about to, when a strong arm pulled you away from everyone else and you found yourself in an empty secluded room.

_ "What.. Hitoshi, what are you doing?" You couldn't understand his behavior, his eyes were flaming with anger and his grip on your shoulders hurt you.

You reached out a hesitant hand seeking to smooth his clenched jaws.

_ "What's the problem Hitoshi?"

_ "You're the problem! Is this what you wanted? To have everyone ogling you?" His voice raised and it honestly scared you.

You've never seen him that way before and you were afraid someone might find out what was happening.

_ "Please keep it down Hitoshi don't make a scene." He remained silent, and you weren't sure if it was that he had come back to his senses or if he simply had nothing more to say.

You dragged him out gently before bidding everyone goodbye and heading home.

You exchanged no words the whole way back. You were nervous -extremely so- but why would you be? Honestly? Wasn't this what you wanted? To get him all riled up? There! Mission accomplished.

However, you weren't as satisfied as you thought you'd be. He was upset, and that's on you.

You kept thinking of ways to explain yourself to him, but everything you thought of made you seem like a bitch..

.・。.・゜✭・.・✫・゜・。..・。.・゜✭・.

_ "Hitoshi, listen to me, I'm.." You opened your mouth to apologize but were cut off mid sentence by his lips on yours. You barely managed to close the door and kick off your shoes when he jumped on your startled form and pinned you against the wall.

_ "I don't wanna hear it." His lips traveled down to latch on your neck while his hands roamed your body eagerly.

He wasn't rough or swift, but he was persistent, as if trying to prove a point.

_ "Please listen to me, Hitoshi, just wait a minute." You struggled to push him away: "I was miserable the whole evening!" You cried out and he finally halted his movements, taking a few steps back and looking intensely into your eyes as he awaited your explanation.

_ "To be honest I don't even like how I look right now! I hate this dress, I feel so exposed, and all the attention I got tonight was discomforting." You gritted your teeth in an attempt to force your tears back.

_ "Then why.." He sounded genuinely confused.

_ "Because of you! Because you're an idiot! Because you don't care enough! Because I wanted to make you jealous but ended up hurting us both instead, and for that I'm really sorry.." Your voice trailed off and your eyes burnt as the lump in your throat suffocated you.

Hitoshi was stiff and tense hearing your words, but fortunately not for long. He cautiously approached you again, cupping your cheeks and lifting your head up.

_ "We're both idiots I guess." He heaved a sigh before carrying on: "You thought I didn't care? Really? How can I be indifferent to the person I love the most?" He lowered his gaze as his voice softened: "But I guess this one is on me. I screwed up didn't I? I made you feel insecure and doubtful.." He looked up again, eyes apologetic as he spoke: "I love you and I trust you, that's why I've never questioned anything. But I ended up burdening you rather than giving you comfort."

You could see his jaws clenching while he searched his brain for what to say next, so you took his hands in yours and smiled: "It's okay Hitoshi, I know how you feel about me so don't force yourself and act in a way you're not comfortable with. This whole thing was just me being a brat, sorry."

_ "No honey, your feelings are valid.. so if you allow me I'll dispel your fears."

What was that supposed to mean? You had absolutely no idea.

You wanted to know, but was again cut off with a kiss, a gentle one.

You melted into it, and all thoughts had left your mind except for one: him.

His arms sneaked around your waist pulling you closer to his chest.

_ "I'll show you." He whispered to a still confused you.

You didn't care anymore, you gave in to him and allowed him to do as he pleased.

You wrapped your arms around his neck and kissed him again, biting his lip and feeling his smirk as you did.

_ ".. to.shi.." His name came out in a moan when he picked you up and walked straight to your bedroom, lips moving to your jaw and down to your neck.

He placed you gently on top of the sheets and circled around the bed, taking his sweet time removing his clothes.

You sat up watching him eagerly as you proceeded to rid yourself of your own garments.

_ "Oh no no no babe, don't take it off, I'll be tearing it to pieces myself." He licked his lips suggestively and you froze in place.

He climbed on the bed with you, spreading your legs at once and positioning himself between them. All you could do was admire the sight before your eyes.

He slipped his hands along your naked legs and moved them up slowly until he reached your butt. Your eyes were still on his naked body observing the way his muscles flexed with each tiny move he made.

He squeezed your ass cheeks and leaned down to kiss your lips. You laced your fingers through his hair and pulled gently as his mouth traveled down to your neck.

_ "Hitoshi.." You closed your eyes and let out an airy moan, enjoying the tingly feeling on your skin.

His hands moved under your little dress, grazing your sides until they reached your breasts. He squeezed the plumpy boobs, swirling his thumbs around your nipples until they went hard.

You cried out his name over and over again like a mantra, and you didn't even care how desperate you sounded.

_ "You're mine, all mine." He growled against your throat: "Everything about you belongs to me." He stopped for a moment to move back up: "Your eyes." He whispered, placing soft pecks on each of your lids: "Your nose." Another one on the sniffling tip: "Your cheeks." Two more on your flushed skin: "Your lips." He spoke against them before kissing you deeply.

You were lost in his touch, and all you wanted was for the moment to never end.

His hands finally left your breasts and you whimpered due to the loss of touch.

_ "Easy babe, I'm not done yet." He smirked, fingers running against your skin until he reached your panties.

He hooked his fingers through the hem of your lace underwear, bringing it down and leaving you exposed.

A gust of cold air brushed your pussy and you desperately tried to pull your ridiculously short dress down, but you failed.

_ "It is too short." His teasing voice spoke to no one in particular.

You squirmed and screamed when his head dived under your dress. It was strangely arousing, not seeing what he was about to do to you.

You bit the back of your hand and tilted your head back, anticipating his next move.

His lips grazed the sensitive skin of your inner thighs before his tongue licked a perfect stripe along your gushing pussy.

_ "Please.." You didn't even know what you were begging for exactly, but he wasn't going to let it slide.

_ "What is it honey? Tell me clearly." He spoke against your glistening clit and all you could do was bite down harder on your own hand.

He lifted his head up, smirking as he gazed at your trembling form, and without a warning whatsoever, he fisted the hem of your dress and ripped it apart in one move.

_ "Perfect." He stated almost inaudibly but you caught it.

His arms roamed your body greedily: "Can I tell you something? Tonight, when all of them were complimenting you, do you wanna know what I was thinking? I was thinking about activating my quirk on them and make them leave.. You belong to me, you're no one else's." He sounded desperate, as if waiting for you to reassure him.

His words might've seemed obsessive, but you knew what he meant.. because you know him.

You sat up, cradling his face and smiling brightly:

_ "Yes, I'm yours and you're mine. Your eyes are the only ones I want on me, your lips are the only ones I want kissing me, and your touch is the only one I want to feel."

His expressions softened and he gently pushed you back on the bedspread, his body flush against yours.

You wanted him inside you, and you weren't afraid to show it. You clawed his shoulders and arched your back until you felt his raging hard cock touching your pussy.

He took the hint and spread your legs further, running his tip along your fluttering clit a few times before pushing in slowly.

You whimpered biting his neck and begging him to start moving.

His pace was slow and steady. He was gentle with you, same as always.

_ "Hitoshi.. I love you.. I love you so much.." You cried out between deep thrusts.

He groaned, nuzzling your hair as his arms sneaked under your back and pulled you closer.

You felt secure, loved, complete. You wanted nothing more.

His pushes quickened, signaling his approaching orgasm.

_ "Ah fuck y/n!" His aroused voice brought you closer to your own blissful ending.

_ "Kiss.. Toshi.. p.. please." You barely managed to speak, you wanted his lips on yours at once, and so did he.

He kissed your cheek first, a sweet loving reassuring peck before locking your lips together.

His tongue sneaked into your mouth and played with your own while his thrusts became erratic as you tightened around him.

_ "I'm cumming! Hitoshi!" You broke the kiss, throwing your head back and scratching his arms when you finally reached your high.

_ "Me too babe.. ugh." He gave a few more pushes before pulling out and releasing on your tummy.

He collapsed on top of you, arms still around your body, as yours were around his neck.

_ "Hitoshi, I'm sorry, I was immature and unintentionally hurt you."

_ "No honey, you did nothing wrong. It's me, I was clueless and ended up troubling you." He kissed the top of your head before turning on his back and bringing you with him.

You smiled, resting your cheek on his chest and listening to his stabilizing heartbeat.

_ "Let's always tell each other if something is troubling us, please."

_ "That's a promise babe."

And you two meant it. As much as it hurt you, what happened earlier was something you'll always be grateful for.

@delirious-donna

#hitoshi shinso imagine #hitoshi shinso fluff #hitoshi shinso headcanons #hitoshi shinso x reader #hitoshi shinsou x reader #hitoshi shinsou x y/n #hitoshi shinsou smut #shinsou hitoshi x reader #shinsou hitoshi fluff #shinsou hitoshi smut #shinsou hitoshi x you #shinsou smut #shinsou fluff #boku no hero fanfic #my hero academia fanfic #my hero academia fluff #boku no hero smut #my hero academia smut

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itsasainz · 1 year

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Is that a yes? | Daniel Ricciardo x Reader

Summary: Daniel’s never felt like he was yours, not wholly, and it’s impossible. Established relationship. based of “the gold” by Phoebe Bridgers, with a hint of “peace” by Taylor Swift.

Word count: 3.4k

Warnings/tags: Toxic(ish) relationship, angst, hints of smut, some fluff, insecurity, arguing and conflict.

a/n: I am mourning seb and Danny leaving f1 so much. I need help. anways lmk what u think and my requests are open!! x

masterlist!

Couldn't really love you any more

You've become my ceiling

I don't think I love you anymore

That gold mine changed you

You don't have to hold me anymore

Our cave's collapsing

I don't wanna be me anymore

My old man told me

Daniel’s smile is wide, distinctive; the first thing people notice about him, the thing they always remember after, and you are no different, no more impervious to his cheer and charm than anyone else. He knows it, which only makes you wish he was less to you than he is. He knows that, too. Daniel, as ever, is aware of your inner turmoil, your paradoxical feelings for him, the way you beat yourself up over it, and he hates that you hate because he doesn’t understand why you won’t let yourself feel the way you do.

Not everyone is good at expressing their feelings, Danny, you had once said – practically spat his name – to him after a night out. He knows the story, the family history, the thousands of reasons you keep your cards close to your chest and your perfected skill at reading the most steady of poker faces -- and yet Danny has never been able to imitate that skill, nor has he ever wanted to hide his love.

Another thing you’d once said to him, in a much softer tone, was that he was probably the only man to ever look at you and understand you. You were guarded, careful with your words; that was the closest you’d ever come to telling him you felt loved by him, something he’d only realised when he heard you say, with complete nonchalance, that being understood in a relationship was the same as being loved.

He wants to kiss you. He loves you more than he’s ever loved anyone, he wonders if you’ll let him do so, then remembers where he is. No kissing in public. You’re trying to catch his eye from across the room; he recognises the expression. You’re always asking to leave early, and it doesn’t matter how much fun he’s having, he never wants to stay if you won’t be there. He meets you at the door.

On the way home, you acknowledge that you’ve made a habit of this. Watching him, letting him bask in the glory while you stand on the sidelines, thoughts trailing back to your home or your work, guilty about hating how you share him with the world.

Years ago, back when you first met him, he had listened curiously when you explained your muse and artist theory; the concept is simple, in every relationship there is a muse and an artist – the extrovert and the introvert, the giver and the taker. You had explained that relationships only work when each person accepts their role, and that relationships always fail when both people are trying to be the muse or the artist. He had asked you which he was, and your face had flushed. “The muse,” you had said, “Obviously.”

And yet, you think, as you watch his hands on the steering wheel, you resent that he is not just your muse. You hate that he gets to bask in the attention of the world, like your love and your care isn’t enough. The possessiveness is so foreign to you, but this is cumulative – having shared his heart for years, perhaps you need him to yourself for a while. Perhaps – and the thought alone is awful – it is not so bad that he doesn’t have a seat for next year. You can love him wholly, and he might just return for more than a few days at a time, he might let himself be yours, entirely.

At the end of the day, he wants to feel love, and it scares you that perhaps you don’t give him enough, perhaps you’re so terrified of letting him feel it when you never have more than a few days of him to yourself.

In the lift, his arms heavy on your shoulders, he presses his lips to your temple, the moment soft and quiet. Breathing on his scent, you relax right into him, your fingers holding the fabric of his sweater. Be mine, you want to say, be mine like you mean it, like if you had to choose between the glitz and glamour or me, you'd come and have a quiet life. In the lift, with his arms heavy around your shoulders, he presses his lips to yours.

When he speaks, his words blow into your hair, lips so close to your scalp that every movement is almost a kiss; “You’re quiet,” he observes, “What are you thinking?”

You do not tell him the full truth; the truth would make him feel awful, cruel. “I’m glad I’ve got you to myself,” you tell him instead, “I’m glad I’m the one who gets to come home with you.”

Your words send vibrations through his ribs, his shirt pressed to your skin. He twirls your hair between his fingertips. “Only yours.”

You pull away slightly, staring up at that cheerful, charming face. Until the morning, you think, until you remember who you are.

You wake up to his alarm, naked under the sheets, Danny's body heat keeping you from shivering. His breath is hot, damp, on your neck, his arms caging you. You stretch out, fingers exploring the cold air and finding his phone, switching the alarm off. You whisper his name, but he is completely and utterly dead to the world.

"You don't open your eyes for a while

You just breathe that moment down."

Forty miles out of East Illinois of my old man's

Heart attackI believed you were crazy

You believed you loved me

You wriggle out from his grasp, worming your way out and letting him settle onto his back, still snoring slightly. Your kisses litter his neck and chest, your thighs straddling him as you kiss his cheeks, the corner of his mouth, fingers laced in his curls vaguely admiring his dark lashes and tan. You almost don't notice the slight flex of his hand on your thigh, his soft sigh bringing his rise to consciousness to your attention. He is smiling – it's not the wide smile he's known for, but a smaller one, a softer one. The one he seems to save for you – one of the few things about that is yours, utterly yours. You don’t have to share these moments with anyone but him, and you love every second of it.

"Why don't you wake me up like this every morning?" he teases.

You prop yourself up on your elbows, face hovering over his. "I don't always wake up before you. You're not always here."

His fingers skim your waist, he kisses you more deeply. You love him, and, for a minute, you believe he loves you too.

He's sat in the terminal, watching you from afar as you chat to one of your parents over the phone – he's not sure which it is, but you're taking in every word they say like it's the gospel. You notice him watching and flash him a smile, quickly distracted again by what your parent is saying.

He feels bad, dragging you through airport after airport, disrupting the flow of your life, only for you to sit in the garage for hours a day while he's busy. Nowadays, unlike the first year or so of joining him for Grand Prix weekends, you make yourself scarce until Saturday afternoon, only really joining him for Quali and the race itself. He tears his gaze from you, staring at his trainers where they rest atop your suitcase. You're coming back toward him.

"Mum and Dad say hi," you say, kissing him in greeting, "Dad says he can't wait to see you next week."

Danny can't help but smile. He loves all of you, family and all. He remembers the first time he met your parents, how embarrassed you were when they had brought up your teenage years – the raging insecurities, the misdemeanours, the chaotic fights with your siblings. Seeing you at home, with your parents and siblings, made him realise the facets of your life and love he hadn’t anticipated. He understood for the first time, when he was sitting on your lumpy single bed in your tiny childhood bedroom, that your stony façade and calculated expressions of love are born from the fear you feel of being judged.

He’d always known you were from drastically different backgrounds, but it hadn’t struck him as something that could even be considered embarrassing until he had realised that you were, in fact, embarrassed of the normalcy of your upbringing. He loves you, and you love him, but sometimes it feels like you’re talking past each other. You never feel his love because, fundamentally, you don’t think of yourself as loveable, and that breaks his heart. He wraps his arms around you, always surprised at how cold you are. “I love you.”

You’re not entirely sure how you got here, what started it, who took the first dig, just that you’re standing in the middle of your shared Monaco apartment visibly shaking through your rage. Daniel is ranting – caught up on a comment you made about his lifestyle, reminding you of every little thing he’s done for you in the past four years, and you are fucking fuming. How dare he? How dare he?

I don't wanna bark here anymore

Black hills, the collie

Wasn't really dangerous for us

We just catch you coughing

What the hell are we gonna do?

A black mile to the surface

I don't wanna be here anymore

It all tastes like poison

“Daniel,” you say, cutting through the endless stream of words. The moment is suddenly very still, his talking stopped as he looks at you expectantly.

“What? What, Y/N, fucking what?”

“I am not going to stay here and listen to you undermine every sacrifice I have made for this relationship. I appreciate that you opened your home up to me, and that you’ve welcomed me into your social life and your family life, but it doesn’t fucking compare, okay?”

He looks a little stunned, but you’re on a roll now, unleashing the pent up resentment that you’ve swallowed for so long. “Daniel, I quit my job, that I loved, so I could come to more of your fucking races; I moved across the world so I could see you more – I left my life behind for you! My parents, my siblings, my school friends, uni friends, work friends, my home! And for what? So you can tell me about all of your sacrifices? I spend more time with your friends than mine! I barely know anyone in Monaco that I don’t know through you! And I am so fucking lonely, Danny. You’re always away, and when you’re here, I never have you to myself – You’re always preoccupied with racing and your friends, and I am so sick of being the person you spend time with when everyone else is busy! So no, I’m not gonna stand here and listen to you undermine my sacrifices. I don’t wanna be here anymore.”

Daniel can’t find it in him to open his mouth or utter a word as you brush past him, storming down the hallway to the bedroom. Your words are thick in the air, weighing down on him – the only comparable experience he has is moving to Europe to pursue racing, but that doesn’t compare.

As he listens to the sound of your packing across the apartment, he is instilled in the most unfamiliar of fears; you, leaving. He has always been so sure of this relationship, always known you were in his corner – now? Now, he is faced with his own obliviousness, with the idea that you might not be in his corner any longer, that perhaps he was so caught in the fight that you could have left months ago and he wouldn’t have noticed. He still hasn’t moved when you come back in, abandoning the suitcase in your hand to rummage through a drawer in search of something – your keys? He’s not sure.

You walk past him, pulling your coat on by the door, pulling your shoes on hastily. He sees what you were looking for – your passport, sat on top of your bag, and suddenly it dawns on him that you’re not just heading over to stay with a friend for a night or two, you’re serious, you’re going home.

“Y/N, love, can we just talk about this?” he says. For someone who’s never had to worry about being heard, he’s conscious of how quiet his words come out.

You look at him, finally, mascara stains on your face and a resolute severity to your features. “I’ll text you when I get home, but I don’t want to talk to you until I’m ready, okay?”

You’re wrapped up tight in a thick coat, a scarf pressed to your cheeks, your fingers pale and cold in the wind. It feels strange, being out in the sticks, far from the chaos of city life; two weeks since you last spoke to Danny, spending your time with loved ones and reuniting with old friends. They know to steer clear of talking about him, but you can see that your mum is mourning slightly for the idea of your relationship – she wants more grandkids, or perhaps just wants to see you happier than you are now, crying nonstop, barely leaving the house.

It’s a miracle they got you out of the house today, enticing you with the idea of catching up with your siblings and getting to see the dog. Juno, your brother’s collie, is getting old now, but she still loves to be unleashed in the rolling hills just outside of your hometown, your nieces playing fetch with her, their gleeful laughs getting caught in the wind.

Your mum, sitting beside you with a flask of tea in her hand, looks a little teary-eyed, watching her grandchildren. “What happened?”

You glance sideways at her. “What d’you mean?”

“With Danny. I always thought he was going to be my son-in-law. What happened?”

You pick at your nails. “It wasn’t working. He’s away so much, I don’t know how to make peace with that, I don’t know how to share him with the world. Plus, I don’t think he’d clocked just how much I’ve sacrificed to be with him.”

She offers you the flask. “I know he’s got a lot going on, but you deserve someone who’ll give you their world the way you’d do for them. I’m glad that you stood up for yourself, but I’ll miss the fella.”

You smile, the steam from the tea warming your fingers and face up a little. “I think I’ll see where we’re at when the season’s over – you know, now that he won’t be going to all the races and stuff.”

“You’ll do what’s best, I know you will.”

You rest your head on her shoulder. “When did you get so wise?”

“I know you forget it, but I have lived a life, you know,” she teases. You can put off talking to Danny for a while longer, you think, you can just enjoy being home, even if it makes you feel like a teenager again – the same bed, the same busy house. These days, it feels a bit like it did when you were seventeen, all your siblings at university while you stayed at home.

It’s hard to understand why you’re here; how you ended up sitting in the hotel restaurant with your ex-boyfriend’s mum in the futuristic city where he is racing. It’s been a month since you last saw him, but Abu Dhabi is a welcome getaway after a month of living in your monotonous hometown while your neighbours theorise about why you’re not with Danny. The speculation online has been unbearable – you and Danny have always been private, never opened up much of your relationship for scrutiny, but eagle-eyed fans have noticed your absence from the paddock, and some fans have posted photos of you at home. But here you are, with Grace, who glosses over the strain between you and her son admirably.

Can't open your eyes for a while

You just breathe that moment down

Forty hours out of Homestake

And I'm trying to translate you again

You’re waiting for him to come down from his room; his family are all flying back to Australia in the midafternoon, but you and Danny are booked for evening flights – you want time to work out what’s going on between you, to work out where you’re going now.

Once he arrives, breakfast moves smoothly. He’s in a good mood, despite his hangover, laughing and joking with his sister’s children, who are positively smitten with their impossibly cool uncle. The goodbyes take forever, even though he’ll see them all in a week or so, and by the time they’ve left and you’ve both packed, it’s lunch time.

He takes you out to a fancy place for lunch, where you sit in the sun and catch up, skirting around the real reason you’re here. After, walking through the streets, you never quite reach the topic because he gets recognised by fans every thirty seconds, and you dutifully take photos of him with the strangers.

“Are you still angry?”you ask, tentatively. He doesn’t need to ask what about.

“No, if anything I’m fully at your mercy. I know I haven’t been the best of boyfriends lately, I know you’ve made bigger sacrifices for me than I understood, but I realised, when you left, how much I need you. I’d get it if you want to call things off, like, permanently, but if you’re willing, I will do everything in my power to make you feel loved. I love you, and I am so sorry you haven’t felt it lately. Let me make things up to you.”

You contemplate his words. “I knew, when I met you, when I agreed to go on that first date with you, that it wasn’t going to be easy. I’ve always known you’d be away constantly, that you’d always have other priorities. But it hurts, Danny. I don’t know if I’m strong enough to withstand it.”

“I love you.”

“And I hate having to share you.” you mumble. “I hate it, but I know that if I want to be with you, I have to make my peace with that.”

He looks forlorn, and you almost mourn his smile. “I don’t want you to ever feel like I’m not completely and utterly yours.”

You love him. You love him so much that you’re entirely ready to give up all your dignity, to let yourself follow him around and believe him. He’s never going to be yours, not wholly, but, perhaps, so long as he wants to be yours. If he’s true to his word, if he does love you like he says, you could learn to let it slide. It overwhelms you, the sudden need to figure yourself out; his gaze, not expectant, but so hopeful. How could you break a heart like that?

You turn to face him, not caring that you’re in public, or that such a pivotal moment is being witnessed by the world. You feel him taking hold of your hands, his palms warm and calloused, you feel him kiss your forehead, and then, subconsciously, without instruction, you melt into him. You tuck your head into the crook of his neck and hug him tight. He kisses the crown of your head, a light peck, and you let out a shaky breath. “Come home,” he murmurs into your hair, “Come with me.”

You wonder how much of your relationship has been taken up with him asking you to come with him, or to delay the inevitable farewells. “My flight.”

“We can sort it out. I’ll sort it out.” he promises. You’re crying, getting his shirt damp, but he hasn’t noticed. “I missed you, more than you’ll ever know.”

You lean back, pull away slightly and take him in. He’s teary – a rare sight. You take his face in your hands and kiss him. It’s not an urgent kiss, not rough or soft or slow, it’s just a kiss, just a little signifier of your love. When you break apart, he presses a tiny kiss to the tip of your nose.

“Is that a yes?”

#f1 #f1 x reader #Daniel ricciardo #Daniel Ricciardo x reader #Daniel Ricciardo x you #Daniel Ricciardo angst #Danny ric #ric nation #dr3

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ayayabaroque · 1 year

Text

Tears, Laughter, Sorrow.

corny, pero wla ako mapost e wla akong no choice last march pa 'to sa drafts CW: Angst? mostly none, corny writing, i hate writing esp since i cant think of anything good/this is why i dont post anymore ffs Spoilers for Lantern Rite '23, not sure if i mention anything but yk its just to be safe A/N: i love school, but i went from rank 1 to rank 3 and i absolutely hate everything and everyone im going to cry sorry for not posting anything recently(and ever), and as usual, English isn't my first language, so please don't have any high hopes for this piece. I might go back to completing the Slowly series but im not feeling well since i last went on here to write a serious fic Read utc!

*:･ﾟ✧ Zhongli *:･ﾟ✧ "Would you live to see Liyue's downfall, or always relive the one most painful moment you have felt in your lifetime?" You pause, thinking on an answer to your friend's question. "The latter. Liyue's downfall won't happen for another thousand years, I doubt that any of you would be attending my funeral any time soon." Your friend tears up at the thought. "Right... yeah probably right." "I'm kidding of course! An endless time loop would keep me stressed, I'd rather have you by my side." ... "I'm... relieved? Hey listen, it's getting late, you should be getting home. I'll see you tomorrow." It was unlikely for your friend to suggest to leave this early, but you don't mind, as long as you see them again tomorrow. Then again, it was too tiring to walk home just right now, maybe you could walk around the harbor, after all, you and your friend have been playing by the docks all day, without anything better to do. "I should be getting home back to Zhongli." you mutter. Although cold, the air in Liyue would always smell of various floral scents, specifically the Glaze Lily. You hated Glaze Lilies. There wasn't one word in the dictionary that could describe how much you loathe these cyan-petal, night-blooming lilies as much as you possibly could. Well, truth be told, you hated the person Zhongli associates with these blooms, and it drives you insane. Guizhong, Zhongli's late friend before the Archon War, used to be so close to him. He would return late from his ventures with his friend in tow that he forgets to come home to you every single time. You couldn't really argue with the reasoning he has, since he is more of your superior rather than a lover. It's been so long since he spent time with you without reminiscing about Guizhong, probably a little over your 429th birthday. Oh yeah, did I forget to mention you were old? The more Zhongli leaves you to mourn Guizhong's day of death on your day of birth, you resort to laughter every time he comes home instead. The false joy of seeing him return home after a mournful day which he marks Guizhong's passing, your laughter behind the façade you show for your lover. "How's Guizhong been? Any response yet?" you muse. "I prefer you not adding salt to my wound." "Oh yeah, you guys ended on rather good terms, it would be a shame if I were to slander her in front of her good friend." The statement always seems to make Zhongli seethe with fury, and it looks like he's had enough of your insults and remarks. "A true shame you did not get to know her, or were you busy burning away your lifetime serving false gods?" "You know well better than to bring my past stature into this conversation." It pains you to think about your past, when your parents sold you off to a minor god for wealth, leaving you to rot in the god's hands. "I'm tired, I do not wish to make this into a heated argument. Go to bed." ... "I honestly wish it was you instead of Guizhong, I miss her dearly." That was what made this memory painful, it was what made you cry in the eve, and sob in the morn. In the end, when you were asked the same question years ago, immortality seemed like a dream, now turned into a living nightmare. You only wish to awake from this horrible dream, again, and again, and again. "So... Would you live to see Liyue's downfall, or always relive the one most painful moment you have felt in your lifetime?" The question that would mark another day of the loop, spent in misery and sorrow. The days you've spent celebrating your birth over, and over again. "Happy 7,329th birthday, to me."

#ayayacantwrite #zhongli genshin impact #zhongli #genshin angst #zhongli x reader #genshin imagines #genshin impact #genshin #genshin x reader

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linkysmommy · 6 months

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Well here it is. My Bloodbound review/reactions/essay/idk what.

For some reason, now that it's done most of what I have are critiques 😂 I guess because there were so many amazing things about this book, such great characters and themes, that certain things ended up leaving me... disappointed. But before I get into all that, let me start with what I really, really liked. (adding a cut because I feel like this is going to end up really long lol. also, spoilers ahead. obviously)

THE POSITIVES:

Overall, the vibes, the characters, the themes, and the lore were immaculate. The writers put a lot of thought into the world that they created and the themes they wanted to explore through that world, and I really respect that.

I thought that the vampire council and the clans in NYC was a really cool concept and was a little bummed that we didn't get to do more with vampire politics. Despite hating most everyone on the council, I also loved them. I found them all interesting and unique, and loved seeing the backstories that involved them, such as the scene at the fair or the scene when they all teamed up to take down Gaius. I was actually sad when the Baron and Lester died lol, while it did make for a cool scene, I felt that their deaths left a hole in the story. (oops sorry I did not mean to turn this positives into a half-negatives thing lol)

I swear that the toxic, messed up relationship between Gaius, Kamilah, and Adrian has me by the throat. The concept of a cruel, thousands year old vampire gaining the love and devotion of these two people not through the use of mind control *cough Rheya cough* but through sheer charisma, magnetism, and leadership skills... and then shaping them into tools to be used in his hands. Making them into his queen and his soldier and then forcing them into a cycle of violence while still inspiring them to follow, using them while still loving them... it's one of the greatest pleasures of having read this series to have gotten a taste for this relationship. And now that I've gotten a taste I'm just hungry for more, so this will be rotating in my head for a while yet.

Adrian Raines. My darling. My BABY. There is just something so fascinating, so alluring, about a creature born and shaped for violence, whose heart manages to remain pure. I especially loved how this was explored in Bloodbound 2. You see the heartless, emotionless cruelty that Adrian was capable of at the end of book 1, and then throughout book 2 he struggles with these two sides of himself: the heartless soldier, the angel of death, versus the kind, idealistic, sweet man who's fascinated by the simple things the world has to offer like open fields and sunlight, and the incredible ingenuity and good that the human race is capable of creating. Throughout book 2, this dance of Adrian being the foil to Gaius is clear as day and oh so powerful. Gaius was Rheya's soldier, who was shaped into a killing machine at her side, who was driven to extremes by seeing the way his own people were hunted and killed. Adrian was Gaius's soldier, who was shaped into a killing machine at his side, who had to fight the anger and hatred that tried to pull him to cruelty and snuff out his goodness. Like I said in a previous post, the juxtaposition of this inner warmth and kindness against the person Gaius tried to make him will never not be fascinating.

Kamilah and Adrian siblings bond!! PLEASE they're so cute! I adored how over and over again, we saw them exchange looks and have full on worldless conversations by just their facial expressions. The way they know each other so well, inside and out, and have complete respect for one another, and the way they would die for one another, it just warms my heart and I adore them.

Also, just Kamilah. She's a badass ancient warrior queen, and I really loved seeing how no-nonsense and serious she was. Like she's been doing this for thousands of years, she's seen so much, she's killed so much, I feel that she doesn't think she truly deserves redemption or is as pure as Adrian, but she fights to protect the people under her care. Those who cannot fight for themselves the way she can fight for them.

Gaius Augustine, what a villain you were. I loved how the game never shied away from the nuances in his character. They never painted him in cartoonishly villainous colors with no remorse for his actions. You can see why he became the way he was, and while you can understand that doesn't mean you have to excuse it; it does, however, make him more of an interesting villain. The fact that love and a desire to protect his people is what drove him to extremes makes him a fascinating villain, because his actions, while inarguably evil, are rooted in something that most everyone can understand: love. Although Gaius never knew how to truly love, it doesn't mean that he didn't. He hurt Kamilah and Adrian over centuries, but he never truly wanted to kill them. I appreciated that the various times where Gaius killed someone or almost killed someone with whom he had history (such as Takeshi or when he almost killed Kamilah), he expressed remorse. It wasn't enough to make him stop, because he is a bad man, but the fact that there was remorse in the first place adds more depth and emotion to both his character and the event itself.

I enjoyed the way that MC defeated Rheya. I thought that the twist that Rheya had murdered her own daughter after having given into her anger about the fact that she thought her daughter was murdered was really great. I enjoyed that MC didn't have to physically overpower Rheya; she just had to go back to where the cycles of violence began and show to Rheya herself that was the monster in her own story. I loved that.

It would be remiss of me to not mention Lily Spencer. From start to finish, she was a delight, and I loved how MC was honestly just as geeky as Lily sometimes, she just reigned it in a little bit more. Lily's enthusiasm for life was refreshing for a vampire story, where usually becoming a vampire is compared with death, and yet Lily's take on it was that she had a whole new life to live, new experiences to try out. I really enjoyed her humor, and thought her friendship with MC was both touching and relatable. So have some Lily moments that made me laugh out loud:

Also, the scene where MC died, and then she was Turned, and you woke up in a coffin, and you almost killed that girl in the park... peak cinema. Absolutely delicious, you'd better believe I ate that shit up. I also loved seeing the flashback where you saw how the other vampires reacted to your death. Yes, I enjoyed seeing Adrian in pain, yes, I am an angst fiend and sadist ig.

Sorry I feel like there's more to say but I've been working on this forever so I'm gonna leave the positives at that 😭

THE CRITIQUES:

Let me first preface this by saying that I truly enjoyed Bloodbound. It latched onto my brain, and I enjoyed the journey, and it managed to make me more invested in a Choices book than I have been since I read It Lives. That being said, after finishing it, I couldn't help but feel that many things could have been done better, and a little bit let-down that many of the things that I connected to were not fully explored or expanded upon like I felt like they could have been. So this massive critique going forward is done with love. That's all. ❤️

This one isn't a huge deal, but I was disappointed by the lack of variation that your choices had in the final battle. You had the choice to kill Rheya's vampire guards or leave them, then you had the choice to kill Dracula or leave him. The first time I played I was doing a supervillain route so I was intentionally trying to choose the darker choices and was delighted to see how people were reacting:

I thought that their dialogues were based on the fact I was going on a murderous, merciless rampage, but then when I came back and played and didn't kill everyone, their reactions were all the same. So that was disappointing.

The Jax/Lily death was,,, a choice. I get what they were trying to do. I do. Rheya lost her family, Gaius lost Rheya, Kamilah lost her brother, Adrian lost his family. There were cycles of loss that bred extreme behavior among our cast, and they wanted MC to experience that, too. They wanted to make her a reflection of Rheya, for the moment of losing Jax/Lily to be the trigger that makes her able to lose her humanity and become the very thing she swore to destroy. However, there were a few problems with how it played out! First of all, it's obviously suspect that the two sidelined Black or Asian LIs are the only ones who can die, while Adrian and Kamilah's plot armor protects them. Second of all, they wanted to make this big sacrifice to make MC snap but then they didn't even commit to it. If anything it would've made more sense for the LI to be the one who dies, seeing the impact that it had on MC. Because while my MC cares about Jax, he's probably the person in the crew that she's the least connected to so it felt a little odd for her in particular to lose it while the others were okay. I think that honestly, she would've reacted more like them. Sad, and angry, but without such an extreme reaction. But, the writers simultaneously tried to play it safe by ensuring that your LI doesn't die, while being "brave" and killing off part of the crew, so it just came across feeling odd to me and didn't quite hit the mark of what they were trying to do.

The romantic development was underwhelming. The romance quality skyrocketed in books 2 and 3, but unfortunately by then, the characters were already in relationships and while I enjoyed those scenes, I felt disappointed that we missed a quality relationship arc where we saw the characters fall for each other. I romanced Adrian, and I don't see what was so incredible about mc in the beginning to make him fall for her. She's just some human, and he's a powerful CEO, 300 year old clan leader and vampire council member. That's not say that I don't think he could've fallen for her - in fact, I think it's poetic and makes perfect sense that the man who's so embroiled in his vampire world and vampire politics yet adores humanity would fall for an average human - but the development simply wasn't there. The scene where you first let him drink your blood after breaking him out of jail was underwhelming and there was no emotional weight in the writing of that scene. In book one, it just really felt like the fact that something happened was supposed to be enough for us to believe that it was meaningful, instead of the writing and development showing us how it happened.

The actual plot events were in general... underwhelming. Both books 2 and 3 set up this fascinating potential for scenes and narrative arcs, with Gaius destroying NYC, and then Rheya taking over the city, and both times we just flew away to chase down artifacts and have diamond scenes in pretty places in various countries. I think it was an unfortunate choice to trade the potential of vampire politics for artifact-hunting.

The Order and Xenocrates in particular were woefully under-utilized. The tapestry paintings shed light on a fascinating dynamic between Gaius and Xenocrates, and we see that this anger and hatred has spanned millennia! Xenocrates is the reason that vampires are hated and hunted, he is the reason why Gaius is driven to extremes and decides that his plan to eradicate humans apart from keeping a blood supply for vampires is the only way to protect his people. And then... he just dies in a building collapse, and the Order is destroyed, and this thousands-year-old conflict is snuffed out pretty much immediately. It was disappointing, because there was so much potential in the lore that was created here, it just wasn't taken advantage of in the present storyline.

This one is small, but. Where the heck did MC's mom go 😭 we see one memory of her and then never hear about her again. Did she die? If she's not dead, why is MC not concerned about her while Gaius and Rheya are trying to destroy/take over the world.

This one is also small but worth mentioning - I was so annoyed that MC was forced to speak up and voice her opinion all the time in situations that really didn't involve her. It was just odd to me that Adrian's assistant thought it would be a good idea to speak up in a vampire council meeting after only having known about vampires for like. A few days lol. There were many times where I cringed at having to choose something to say because I, frankly, would have just remained silent because it wasn't my place to speak.

Maybe this is just me but... I definitely felt like Jax was done dirty by the writers. Not just in that he was sidelined and had fewer scenes and plot relevance apart from "being part of the crew", but I think his development as a character was weaker than the others. By book 3, I do feel like he came more into himself, and it was nice to see him have a character arc regarding his relationship with Takeshi, but for books 1 and 2, I personally felt like the writers didn't really know him. He was sort of just... bland, left vaguely blank aside from the "rebel vampire leader" for a while. The writers themselves said that he was the hardest character to write, which makes sense because I could tell that it took them a while to figure out who he really was.

Now for my biggest critiques, mostly centering around the handling of Gaius's character and missed potential.

First, Gaius's character development and thing with Rheya. I... was not a fan at all of the brainwashing plot point. I found that it made Gaius's character far less interesting and seemed to be almost incompatible with previous portrayals of his character and who they had been creating. For example, Rheya supposedly severed his compassion for humans, yet we see a direct contradiction of that when he had empathy for Kano, a dying child who'd lost his parents, and decided to Turn him in order to save his life and give him a chance to avenge his family. What made him so fascinating to me originally was the fact that DEVOTION was what ultimately turned him into a monster: first, devotion to Rheya, and second, devotion to his own people. By book 3, he was reduced from a terrifying vampire leader who would put his life on the line to protect his own people (as seen in crypt scene where he risks his life to save other vampires instead of running to safety) to a mindless zealot of Rheya whose only purpose seemed to be "Obey the goddess!" While the devotion to her is fine, it saddened me that his role as a leader who let fanaticism guide him as he sought to protect vampires was overshadowed by this interpersonal conflict between two individuals. I think there was a hugely missed opportunity to pit his two devotions against each other when he learns that Rheya doesn't actually care about him OR the vampires as a whole, and would happily take their lives if it meant gaining more power for herself. To watch him wrestle between his devotion to Rheya, his beloved goddess, and his devotion to his vampire progeny... now that is a character arc I'd love to dive into. Imagine if, in addition to being angry that Rheya used him like a tool, he was also angry that she wanted to hurt vampires. Just imagine something like this: "While you were asleep I was building a kingdom for our people, while you were gone I was the one who stepped up to protect them! And now you think you can come back, and use them, and kill them, and that I'll support you?" The vibes... immaculate.

Going along with the topic of Gaius being responsible for his own actions vs the concept of brainwashing, if Gaius hadn't been brainwashed and simply turned against Rheya because he realized she didn't care about the well-being of vampires and saw them as tools in her quest for power, I feel as though it would've made the alliance between Gaius and MC's crew all that much more interesting. A fragile alliance between people with a common enemy, but Gaius is still not an ally because he still disdains humanity, and once Gaius helps you get Rheya out of the way, you know that you'll have to deal with him next... mmm delicious.

As an add on, learning that it was all the result of brainwashing opens up a whole can of worms of "okay this man still committed war crimes but how much is he actually responsible for?" that I frankly don't feel was necessary, because Gaius was fully fascinating all on his own without needing to add the element of brainwashing to it. I just felt like it had the result of turning a fascinating, layered, nuanced character into "black-and-white" to make his redemption easier for lay readers to stomach.

Even after having bought every single tapestry diamond scene and plenty of diamond scenes with various characters, I was still left with lingering confusion about what happened in the past, namely: what did Gaius's empire look like and how did it work, what exactly were Kamilah and Adrian doing to spread his empire and enforce his rule, and what about him made them choose to swear fealty in the first place? They talk so much about all the people they killed and yet we really only saw them kill people who weren't exactly innocent? Iirc we only saw Adrian kill confederate soldiers, a British soldier who tried to kill him first, and a rogue vampire that had just drained a man of blood. And yeah, there was some sketchiness about it because the confederate soldiers weren't attacking him, and there was a young kid with them, but at the end of the day they were enemy soldiers fighting to maintain slavery and this is war - hardly the same thing as ruthlessly murdering strangers. Anyway the point is that I would've liked a clearer picture of what they did, to truly see them at their lowest points. And then, to see what was the catalyst that started pushing them back up again. I would've liked to know who they were sent to kill, and why, instead of vaguely "I've killed so many people." Give me the details!!

Like Part 1, I am Tired now and I feel like I've said most of what I want to say. So I am finished with my critiques section.

If you made it this far, you are the best and I appreciate you being interested enough in my thoughts to read this long, rambling review ❤️

#bloodbound #playchoices #adrian raines #gaius augustine #kamilah sayeed #lily spencer #jax matsuo

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