#got that crouch and cower instinct

[legally-killable-sparrow]

Car salesmen are avatars of the hunt

No I wont be buying any of the cars in this logiyfixuotidykd

[tortillamastersblog]

Where Light Bends Wrong - Part 8 | Wednesday Addams

Pairing: Wednesday Addams x reader

Warnings: none

Summary: You’ve kept your secret buried and your power quiet, until Wednesday Addams came to Nevermore and turned your whole world upside down.

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Wednesday.

My chest tightens and I instinctively drop to my knees to make myself smaller.

Shit, shit, shit, shit. 

This is exactly what I didn’t want to happen. How could I let this happen? I was being so careful! And I was making sure she wasn’t anywhere near when I came here, so how did she find it? And how the hell does she know about it in the first place? 

I hear her shuffling around, and press my back against the dusty bookshelf behind me. I’m out of sight for anyone who enters the library because I’m in the back part of it where no one ever really goes, but knowing her and my luck, there’s a good chance she’s going to find me, so I have to do everything in my power to stay hidden. Even if it means crouching in the dust and getting covered in cobwebs.

I hold my breath when I hear her move closer, right on the other side of the bookshelf I’m hiding behind.

She moves away again a moment later, and I let out the quietest exhale of relief, but then I hear some tapping on the floor and my head snaps to the right.

Thing.

He freezes when he sees and my heart drops. 

Oh no.

I hug my book close to my chest and just stare at him pleadingly. He stares right back for a moment, and I almost expect him to scurry off to alert Wednesday of my presence. But then, he simply curtsies ever so slightly, almost as if acknowledging my silent plea, before hurrying away when Wednesday calls out for him.

She must have found what she was looking for because I hear some pages rustling and her heartbeat skipping in delight, so I relax slightly, knowing the chance of her stumbling upon me now that she’s got what she came for is significantly smaller.

I have no idea why Thing isn’t saying anything, but at the end of the day it doesn’t actually matter. All that matters is that she doesn’t know I’m here because if she did, she’d know that I lied about knowing about this place and the Nightshades’ symbol. She’d know I lied again, which would make her question everything I’ve ever told her, and make her, once again, want to dig deeper into who I am and what I have to hide, which I can’t let happen.  

I continue to cower behind the bookshelf, listening to her stuff the book into her bag before she turns on her heels and leaves. Thing, as always, hot on her heels.

I wait a couple more minutes to make sure she doesn’t return, keeping my ears trained on her heartbeat which is slowly but steadily moving further away, and only then do I get back to my feet again.  

With shaking hands, I brush the dust and cobwebs off my clothes, keeping my grip on the book tight before darting out of the library myself. 

I know it’s dangerous to take the book with me, but I have to know what’s going on with me and the pendant and I can’t risk returning it and then running into Wednesday again.

I come across a handful of students on my way to my room, most of them completely oblivious to me as they chat about the Poe Cup tomorrow. They are making bets and talking about all the canoes’ designs, but I don’t linger to hear any details.

My heart is still pounding in my chest from the almost run in with Wednesday when I finally reach my room, and I exhale as I close the door behind me, but then I jump again when I realize I’m not alone.

“There you are!”

I drop the book, and scramble to pick it up again, hiding it behind my back. Then I realize it’s just Enid though, and relax slightly, sliding it onto my nightstand. 

Enid’s never been one to pry and judging by the tears shining in her eyes, I know she’s too preoccupied to wonder about why I’m acting all skittish at the moment. 

“What’s wrong?” I ask with a frown, worry instantly weighing on my chest as her sadness and despair washes over me.

My run in with Wednesday and the book are momentarily forgotten as she flings her arms around me and sobs into my shoulder. 

I freeze for a second, not used to this level of affection from her. Yes, she’s a hugger with all her other friends, but she’s somehow figured out that I’m not the biggest fan of it myself even though she does hug me on occasion when she just can’t help herself.

It’s not because I don’t like it, because I do– I crave it like everyone else sometimes– but because hugging someone usually makes it harder for me to keep their emotions from completely spilling into me like they are right now with her. 

“I don’t know what to do,” she hiccups, her hands curling around the fabric of my sweater as I hesitantly hold her back. Despite the circumstances, it feels nice and makes me realize how starved for affection I am.

“Yoko’s in the infirmary,” she goes on. “G-Garlic bread incident…After you left.”

“Is she okay?” I ask with a frown, holding her tighter. My fingertips tingle, and I feel warmth creep through my hands and up my forearms, momentarily distracting me, but then Enid nods against my shoulder, bringing me back to reality.

“She had an allergic reaction, but she’ll be fine,” she says quietly, and just as another wave of warmth travels through my hands and up my arms, she sags against me and exhales shakily. 

Huh.

“But she’s out of the Poe Cup, and now I don’t have a copilot,” she cries, her sobs dying down to sniffles. 

I have no idea what just happened, and why her anxiety and dread have seemingly almost completely disappeared by simply hugging me, but I have a suspicion that it has something to do with my powers.

Add it to the list of things I’ll have to read up on, I guess.

“I’m sorry, Enid,” I say honestly.

She exhales against my shoulder again and lessens her grip on my sweater. 

I know the Poe Cup means a lot to her, and if I could be her copilot, I would do it in a heartbeat, but I’m not part of Ophelia Hall. I’m pretty sure Weems would also consider my competing cheating because of my enhanced strength and speed. 

“Can’t you just–?”

“You know I can’t,” I cut her off gently.

She sighs and I genuinely feel bad for her, but then a thought strikes me that actually makes me actually snort. Not because it’s funny, but because for some reason, I could actually see it happening.

“Why don’t you ask Wednesday?” I suggest, which makes Enid break the hug with a bewildered look.

“Are you serious?” 

I nod and shuffle backward, taking a seat on the edge of a bed because I’m suddenly feeling a little lightheaded. 

“She… kinda hates Bianca,” I explain. “I bet she’d love a chance to take her down.”

Enid frowns. “I mean, I guess, but do you really think she has what it takes to beat Bianca? She is pretty tiny.”

I chuckle softly and absentmindedly touch my pendant. “She may be small, but what she doesn’t have in muscle mass she makes up for with her brain. She’s whip smart, that one.”

It slips out before I can stop myself and Enid eyes me weirdly for a moment before nodding slowly.

“You’re right…You’re right,” she mumbles, hope and re-kindled excitement flickering in her eyes. She darts to the door, probably to go and ask Wednesday to help her right away, but then she stops and turns again as her hand closes around the door handle. “Thank you.”

I smile gently and dip my chin in acknowledgement, and then she’s gone, her excitement lingering in the room as I lay back on my bed and kick my shoes off. 

I wake with a start and sit up as a sharp knock echoes through the room. 

It’s followed by a thump that makes me look down to see my book on the floor. I must have fallen asleep shortly after Enid left while I was trying to read up on my abilities some more. 

It’s strange how drained I felt after she left, and I know it has something to do with my powers and this thing called Heartstill I read about, but I don’t really remember what it actually does now. I want to reach for the book and flip it open again, but I can’t because another knock sounds on my door, followed by Ajax’s urgent voice.

“Y/N? You in there? The cup is about to start and Enid is looking for you!”

I grab my phone off the nightstand. It’s 9.53 and the cup starts at 10. 

Shit.

“Uh, yeah, I’ll be right out!” I shout, hastily getting out of bed. Ajax says something about hurrying back to the others and I tell him I’ll be right there too. 

I pick up the book and wedge it between the other books on my bookshelf, thinking it’s best to hide it in plain sight, before slipping my shoes back on and scrambling to the bathroom.

No matter how late I’m running, I still want to brush my teeth and splash some water on my face, so that’s exactly what I do, taking advantage of my enhanced speed while doing so. I also change out of my sweater and into a clean shirt and my striped uniform jacket to show some school spirit, before darting out of my room.

The hallways are empty and my footsteps echo all around as I hurry through the empty school until I finally make it to the river where everyone else is already assembled.

Just like at the fair, there’s excitement in the air, but for some reason, unlike at the fair,  I’m numb to it. Yes, I still feel the buzz, but it doesn’t get to me like it normally would and although it’s a little alarming, it's a nice change for once. 

“There you are. Just in time.” Ajax comes up to me with a smile, already dressed in his own team’s costume, and nudges me before leading me to the Black Cats’ tent.

Enid is anxiously pacing in front of it, but when she sees us approach, she stops and smiles. It looks a little pained, and forced, but it’s a smile nonetheless and before I can say anything, she pulls me into another hug.

Wow. Okay. So we’re doing this. Two hugs in less than twelve hours…

“How are you feeling?” I ask when she pulls back, waving shyly at Ajax who returns it, equally timid, before excusing himself to go back to his own team.

“I feel like throwing up,” she says with a grimace which makes me chuckle while also taking a subtle step back in case she’s being serious.

“Oh come on, you’ll be fine,” I reassure her, wanting to ask whether she managed to get Wednesday to agree to join her team when –speak of the devil– Wednesday steps out of the tent behind her.

My jaw almost drops at the sight of her wearing a similar cat costume just like Enid’s. She’s even wearing cat ears, but unlike Enid, she doesn’t have any whiskers painted onto her nose or cheeks. 

She looks even tinier than usual, and her stoic face is in stark contrast to the goofiness of her costume which makes me have to bite the inside of my cheeks to stop myself from smiling.

No matter how close she came to finding me in the library last night, this is truly a sight to see and one I won’t forget that quickly either.

Enid notices my distraction and spins, her nervousness momentarily forgotten as she takes Wednesday in with a beam.

“OMG, you look purr-fect!” she gushes which makes me snort quietly. 

Wednesday sighs softly with a bored look and lets her eyes roam over the sea of students around us.

“Wait, where are your whiskers?” Enid asks with a frown, which makes Wednesday’s eyes snap to her. 

“Ask again, and you’ll be down to eight lives,” she deadpans and even though her delivery is cold and seemingly cruel, Enid just smiles because she, just like I, knows Wednesday doesn’t actually mean it.

She’s all bark and no bite at the moment, and if she was really upset about the whiskers, she wouldn’t have let Enid somehow convince her to wear the rest of the costume  in the first place.

Seeing that the race is about to start, I step up to Enid again which makes both her and Wednesday look at me, the latter of which makes me a little nervous because her face goes from seemingly bored to unreadable.

Oh no. Did Thing tell her about me being in the library after all?

No. I’m sure that’s not it. Why would he?

I avert my eyes for a second to smile at Enid. “Good luck.”

“Thanks.” She squeezes my arm, and when I look at Wednesday again, she’s still looking at me, so I repeat the sentiment to her as well, but she doesn’t thank me like Enid did.

I frown, only to notice that she’s not answering because she’s distracted—her eyes keep darting from my face to my chest, and when I look down, I feel my stomach drop when I realize she’s looking at my pendant, which rests over my shirt.

It must have slipped out from under my shirt while I was hurrying through the school.

I panic a little and shove it back under my collar, but it’s too late. Wednesday’s already seen it, and for about the millionth time now since meeting her, that familiar spark of curiosity lights up her eyes. But what’s worse than that is that it’s not just curiosity I see in her eyes. There’s something else there that I don’t even dare to name. 

Shit, shit, shit. This piece-of-crap pendant is causing me nothing but trouble.

I know panicking and tucking it away as quickly as possible is just making me look more guilty or suspicious, but what else am I supposed to do?

Wednesday’s lips part as if she’s about to say something, but then Weems gets up on the stage by the docks with a megaphone and asks the teams to head to their canoes.

Enid squeals, completely oblivious to what just happened between Wednesday and me, and drags the raven-haired girl to the docks, leaving me behind with an uneasy feeling. I try to push it down and focus on supporting the Black Cats, but it lingers no matter how hard I try to ignore it.

The Black Cats actually won. I still can’t believe it, but you best believe they did it. I know it’s solely because of Wednesday and Thing, whom I saw crawling out of the river after the race, but it does matter. They won, and Enid couldn’t be happier. She’s already made me take a bunch of pictures of her, Wednesday, and Mina next to the cup in the Quad after Weems gave it to them, before proceeding to post them, much to Wednesday’s dismay even though she doesn’t even have social media or a phone for that matter.

The celebrations are still in full swing, with fruit punch being poured out and snacks being passed around, but I’ve excused myself a moment ago and am now heading to my room for some peace and quiet.

My emotional radar is starting to recover, and I no longer feel numb to everything, so I’ve decided to escape before things get too overwhelming. I also have to get away from Wednesday because I keep catching her eyeing me. Unlike so many times before, she hasn’t actually done anything other than look, which is somewhat unnerving on its own, but I don’t want to give her the chance to do something else either, hence why I left.

I enter my room and just stand there for a moment, trying to figure out what I feel before I impulsively take off my necklace and stare at the pendant.

It looks so unassuming, but it’s made it difficult for me to stay under the radar lately, especially with Wednesday, so without thinking, I grab a small wooden box from under my bed and stuff it in there.

It makes my heart ache, not only because I feel strangely bare without the weight of it against my chest, but also because I swore to myself I’d never take it off in case I lose it. But my life is literally at stake because of it, so it has to go.

I should have taken it off earlier, I know, but until I saw that unnerving glint in Wednesday’s eyes when she actually saw it properly for the first time, I didn’t realize how much it’s actually putting me at risk.

I sigh, staring at it amidst some fair tickets, guitar picks, and little doodles Lara drew on scrap pieces of paper before shutting the box and putting it back under my bed.

It’s not exactly valuable for anyone except me because of sentimental reasons and looks unassuming enough, so I doubt anyone will take it should they, for some reason, stumble upon it.

I have way more valuable things to be taken from me, like my mason jar piggy bank on my desk.

I absentmindedly touch my chest where the pendant is supposed to rest when I lie down on my bed, suddenly overcome with a surge of emotion.

I hate how I have to hide what I am… how I have to hate who I am because if I don’t, I lose everything.

Being an Ægyrin puts a target on my back, but I have to be honest, I’m not only afraid of being hunted but also of losing everything I know again– Enid, Nevermore, Weems.

There’s so much at stake, but I don’t know how to stop my unraveling when Wednesday is nearby because for some reason I can’t help but be drawn to her.

I’m not talking romantically, because God knows she’s the least romantic person on this planet, but there’s something about her that sets all my senses and worries on edge.

If I had to describe the feeling, I’d call it instinct because worrying about her or saving her is like reflexively pulling back when getting burned by something and–

Should an Ægiryn form a soulbond…

Soulbond.

I sit up abruptly.

No… No, that can’t be… How cliché would that be?

I turn and reach for the book from the Nightshades' library, only to freeze when I see the space I wedged it into earlier is vacant.

It’s gone.

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Hi! Sorry for taking this long to update, guys. Life just got in the way and I had to re-read the entire story to decide what direction to take this thing in.

This part is only 3k words long, and I know it’s a bit of a filler chapter, but it's been a while since I last updated and I didn't want to leave you guys hanging for too long. To make up for it, the next part is gonna be longer again, I promise. <3

Tag list: @sunshinez4 @protozoario @automaticpatroltragedy @mamas-evil-hag @theallseer97 @hellenheaven @iwshemj2 @jizzuo308

[jesswriteswrongs]

Black and Blue

Fandom: Shameless (US)

Characters: Lip Gallagher x Female Reader, Veronica, Fiona, Ian, Carl, Steve

Summary: reader turns up at the Gallaghers house freezing and broken

Warnings: mentions physical abuse, mentions of sexual abuse, medical talk

Inspired by Bruised by @theapangea

Minors DNI

You ran, no idea where you were going, no time to grab a jacket, just running through the snowy night in nothing but your tank and underwear. You could barely focus, running and stumbling and running more, trying not to slip on the ice underfoot. Your feet were numb by the time you found yourself outside the Gallagher house, and the adrenaline that had got you there worn off. You gave two knocks, hoping they were loud enough, before slumping against the doorframe and willing the cold to take you over.

Inside the Gallagher house, Ian was watching a movie with Carl when there was a knock at the door.

“Hey Carl, did you hear that?” Ian asked his younger brother. Carl just shrugged.

“Hear what?” Ian frowned.

“I’m just gonna check the door, make sure nobody’s out there.” He reasoned, pausing the movie. He got up and opened the door to the empty street.

“Must’ve been the wind…” he muttered, before stepping back to close the door. Ian paled at the sight of you, covered in cuts and bruises, freezing to death in your underwear on the porch. “FIONA!” He shouted back into the house. There was a thundering on the stairs.

“What the fuck, Ian? I’m trying to…” Fiona’s voice trailed off. “Bring her inside.” Ian didn’t move. “Now, Ian!” Fiona shouted at him. The middle Gallagher bent down to pick you up, and you instinctively cowered away from him.

“Fi…” Fiona has already seen, and grabbed the thick blanket from the couch. She crouched beside you.

“Hi…” She said softly “look, I don’t know what’s happened, but what I do know is that you showed up at my house and if we don’t bring you inside you’re going to freeze to death. So, what we’re gonna do is we’re gonna wrap you in this blanket and Ian is going to bring you inside. He’s not going to touch you, just the blanket. Is that ok?” You nod slowly, barely hearing her as your brain was catching up with the events of the night. Fiona draped the blanket over you, and then there was an arm behind your back and another under your knees. Ian picked you up with ease and brought you inside the house, the warmth prickling against your skin.

“Carl, go next door and get V, tell her to bring her med kit.” Fiona barked, turning off the TV and clearing a spot on the sofa.

“Hey! I was watching that!” Carl protested.

“Bigger problems, Carl! You can watch the movie another time.” You barely registered this conversation as Ian gently put you down. Steve had appeared on the stairs to see what all the commotion was about.

“Ian, go and grab some of Lip’s clothes, sweats and a hoodie. Steve, I can see you on the stairs. Go put the kettle on the stove. Carl, V’s house, now. Everyone move!” The boys all went to do their respective jobs, Ian heading up the stairs, Carl grabbing his coat and Steve going to the kitchen. Fiona crouched down in front of you.

“It’s going to be ok, we’re gonna get you cleaned up and taken care of.” You nodded, still unable to process words to leave your mouth. Ian was the first back to the front room, clothes in hand. He put them on the arm of the couch so they were in easy reach, then went to the kitchen to “help” Steve. It was only another minute before Veronica entered the house.

“Ok, which Gallagher needs my help now, Fi?” Fiona stood up to greet her best friend.

“Not a Gallagher.” She sighed, leading V into the room. V saw you and immediately swore.

“Holy shit, Fiona! What the fuck happened here?”

“I don’t know,” Fiona said. “She’s a friend of Lip’s, showed up at the door a couple minutes ago and hasn’t said a word. She can hear and she’s reacting, fucking jumped out her skin when Ian tried to bring her inside, but I think she’s probably hypothermic.”

“Where d’she live?” Veronica asked, putting down her bag.

“117th.” Fiona supplied, running a hand through her hair.

“Fi, that’s a half hour walk from here.” V said.

“Yeah, I know.”

“In panties and a blanket?” Fiona bit her lip.

“Blanket’s ours.” Veronica swore again.

“That’s worse than I thought. I need a tub of warm water NOT HOT and some clean towels. Think you can get that for me?” Fiona nodded and went to get what was required. “Don’t you worry, Babygirl, we’re gonna get you all fixed up.” Veronica said to you. You didn’t respond.

Lip had been having a rough couple days, and had gone out for a few beers at the Alibi. He’d had a fight with his best friend about he didn’t even know what, but he knew it ended in her telling him to go fuck himself. He climbed the back stairs and opened the door into the kitchen, where he was greeted by Steve waiting for the kettle to whistle, Ian filling a plastic tub with water, and an air of intensity filling the house.

“What’s uh, what’s going on, guys?” Lip asked. Nobody responded. He moved further into the house and saw you sat on the sofa, Veronica in front of you, gently massaging your hands.

“What the fuck is she doing here?” Lip asked, his voice low.

“Lip…” Fiona warned.

“What the FUCK is she doing here?!” Lip shouted. You flinched, pulling away from Veronica and curling yourself protectively into a ball.

“Phillip Gallagher!” Lip stopped. Fiona only called him Phillip in court. It was only then that he actually looked around. You were balled up on the couch with Veronica and a medical bag in front of you, Fiona had her phone in her hand with 911 already typed in, just then Steve came in with a steaming mug of tea, Ian following behind with a tub of water. Then he looked at you properly. The skin that wasn’t bruised or bloody was pale, your lips practically blue, and you were in your underwear. As he put the pieces together he wordlessly removed his boots and jacket, no longer caring about your fight, and sat on the couch.

“Hey, Bug,” Lip said gently “let’s get you nice and warm.” He pulled you in front of him, pressing his chest to your back in order to share his body heat. He coaxed your legs out, to allow Veronica to pour warm water over them, when he noticed something.

“V, stop a second.” He said

“Lip, time is of the essence here.” She replied

“I get that but just stop and look. She’s had sex tonight.”

“Are you really thinking about your dick right now, Gallagher?” Veronica was getting annoyed.

“Veronica!” He watched as the realisation slowly dawned on her.

“Fiona!” Veronica shouted. Fiona came into the room, phone pressed against her ear

“…yeah, she just turned up at my door, not said a thing and she’s fucking black and blue, Tony.” She put the receiver to her shoulder. “What?”

“Who was it, Bug?” Lip was asking. “Your brothers? Guys from school? Guys from a club?” You shook your head no on each of those. “Your dad?” You stilled, breathing becoming shallow. “Motherfucker… I’m gonna fucking kill him!” Lip clenched his teeth. He turned to Fiona.

“Her dad.” He made a circle with his thumb and forefinger then put his other forefinger through. Fiona’s face immediately set into anger and she put the phone back to her ear.

“Tony, you gotta go now…. Assault, yeah… physical… and sexual… if you don’t, I think Lip will and he can’t go to juvie… yeah, 117th, we’ve got her, just get him.” She clicked the phone off. “Tony’s on his way to find her dad-“

“I’ll go with him.” Lip interrupted, sitting up away from you slightly.

“Lip, I’m not having you in juvie. None of my kids have gone to prison and you’re not being the first. Plus… you’re the only person she’ll willingly let touch her, she wouldn’t even let Ian and we all know he’s not exactly a threat.” Fiona sighed. “You gotta stay here.”

“No, I gotta go and kill the bastard-“ As Lip spoke he moved himself from behind you towards Fiona. There was a rush of cool air as you felt his body heat leave you, and it was all just too much. You suddenly felt everything at once, and started sobbing. The room stopped. It was the most noise you had made since you turned up.

“She needs you here, Lip.” Fiona stated. Lip nodded mutely and sat back down. He put his arms around you, his chest once again pressed to your back, his chin resting on your shoulder.

“Shhhh, it’s ok, Bug. Everything is going to be ok. I’m here, you’re safe.” He soothed. You were shivering violently as the warmth was finally penetrating your skin. “Fi, can you go grab some clothes from my room?”

“One step ahead of ya.” Fiona pointed to the clothes on the couch. Lip nodded his thanks, and held out his hand to Veronica. She handed him a damp washcloth.

“Veronica and I are gonna clean you up, if that’s ok? Then we can get you dressed and warm. You’re staying here for now, you’re not going home.” You nodded your consent and Lip slowly started rubbing the washcloth over your skin. “Can we get her in the bath?” Lip asked Veronica “Would that be better?”

“I barely got her in the house.” Ian chimed in “but you’re welcome to try and get her upstairs.”

“A bath would be better…” Veronica thought aloud “is there hot water?” She looked to Ian and he nodded. “Go run a bath, again, warm not hot.” Ian nodded and headed towards the bathroom.

“We can get her in the bath and clean this blood and… other stuff off while she warms up, see what the situation is, patch her up.” He didn’t want to think about what had happened, if he did he was going to prison, so he focused on helping you instead. After a few minutes, you had calmed to the point of sniffling and Ian came downstairs “Bath’s ready.” Lip nodded

“You ready?” He asked you. “Can you walk or shall I pick you up?” You turned towards him and wrapped your arms around his neck. “Ok, I’ll take you.” He kissed your temple softly, then slid an arm under your knees.

Lip didn’t bother undressing you, not that he could have with the blood sticking to your tank, he just lowered you into the water. He pulled his own shirt off so as not to get it wet, and grabbed the plastic cup from the windowsill. He stayed quiet as he poured cupfuls of water over your shoulders, occasionally pulling at your shirt to loosen the fabric from your skin. The once clear water was a pale pink by the time Lip put the cup down. “Can I take your shirt off?” He asked. You hesitated. “I’m just gonna clean you up, check out your injuries.” You nodded, closing your eyes. He carefully lifted your shirt, pulling the back up over your head and then down your arms. He didn’t react to the gash across your back, or boot print on your kidney, he just picked up a washcloth and ran it gently over your skin.

“Can I wash the blood out of your hair?” He asked quietly. You nodded again, allowing Lip to wet and shampoo your hair, his strong fingers gently working the blood from your scalp. He tipped your head back to rinse the suds, the bath water tingeing a deeper shade of pink. Once your hair had been rinsed Lip stood up “I’ll just be a sec, ok?” He said gently “V, can you keep an eye?” Veronica nodded and headed into the bathroom, looking at the various injuries that he littering your torso. Lip headed downstairs and found Fiona in the kitchen, nursing a coffee.

“You want one?” She asked, holding up the pot “‘s gonna be a long night.” Lip shook his head and went over to hug her tightly. “Lip, you’re too strong to be crushing me like this!” She scolded, before she felt the damp spots on her shoulder. “Oh. Oh Lip…” Fiona hugged her little brother back, trying to remember the last time Lip had cried like that. She held him tightly for a few moments, one hand on his head and the other rubbing his back, while he cried over his best friend.

After a few minutes Lip pulled away, wiping his nose. “Sorry, I just…”

“You don’t need to apologise, Lip. We all have our moments.” Fiona said gently.

“I should, um… I should get back upstairs.” Fiona nodded and shooed him away, shoving the clothes at him. When Lip got back upstairs he found Veronica putting the last few stitches in your back, and grabbed a towel.

“Come on, let’s get you out.” He said gently, lifting you out of the water and on to the towel. He wrapped you up like you were as little as Liam. “You’re starting to warm up, Bug. Your lips aren’t blue anymore…” You noticed his eyes were rimmed red. “V, can you or someone go into my room, second drawer of the dresser at the back there’s a grey shirt. Can you grab it for me?” Veronica went and retrieved the item while Lip carefully dried the water off your skin.

“What so special about this shirt?” She asked

“Softest one I own.” He said, pulling it over your head. He continued to dress you in his clothes, before taking you to his room. Fiona had already left a brush and hairdryer on the bed, figuring Lip would need them. He started brushing your hair gently, blotting the water with a towel, before he turned the dryer on to a low setting. As he dried your hair you looked at the clock on his bedside table, telling you it was gone midnight. You had no idea what time you had left your own house, and immediately felt guilty about bothering the Gallaghers with your family problems. You should have just stayed, not made a fuss, gone to bed, hidden everything under your clothes at school tomorrow and pretended you fell if anyone asked. You and Lip were fighting, you just wanted him to try harder at school, get out of the shitty neighbourhood you both called home, but it had ended in you both screaming at each other, and you telling him to go fuck himself. The hairdryer switched off and Lip followed your eyes to the clock.

“Hey, Bug, no.” He crouched down in front of you. “I don’t care that it’s late, I don’t care that we had a fight. I care that you’re ok, I care that you came to me and you trusted me. Now, Fiona will be next door, you can sleep in here and I’m gonna take the couch.”

“Stay.” It was the first thing you had said all night, coming out quiet and raspy.

“O-ok. I can stay if you’re sure that’s what you want.” You nodded. “I just gotta grab some stuff from downstairs, then I’ll be back.”

Fiona was still drinking her coffee when Lip reentered the kitchen.

“How’s she doing?” Fiona asked. Lip leaned against the counter and lit a cigarette. He took a drag before handing it to Fiona.

“Well, she spoke, which is good. I told her I was sleeping on the couch and she asked me to stay, so I guess that’s what I’m doing. V had to sew up a cut across her back, she has a fucking boot print on one side, the other isn't even skin, it’s just a bruise, her shithead dad fucking raped her and she nearly killed herself getting here, so um… I’m just hoping she’s still in the house tomorrow morning.” Fiona squeezed his shoulder then handed back the cigarette.

“Take some tea up for her, it’ll help her warm up. It’s good you’re staying with her, cuz you gotta keep an eye on hypothermic afterdrop.”

“Hypothermic what?”

“I don’t know. V said something about core temperature dropping because of cold blood? Just… make sure she stays warm and breathing and has a heartbeat, and Lip?”

“Yeah?” He looked round at his big sister.

“Don’t sleep with her.” Lip opened his mouth to argue. “I know you won’t, but I’m just… reminding you, I guess. She might tell you she wants to, but she’s really vulnerable right now. Don’t take advantage of that.”

“I won’t.” Lip said quietly. “I couldn’t do that to her…” Fiona gave him a small smile and his shoulder another squeeze.

“Get some sleep. I’ll call school in the morning, tell them you’re sick.” Lip nodded tiredly and pulled out a mug, making a fresh cup of tea for you.

“Hey, Fi?” He called as she started to leave the kitchen.

“W’sup?” Fiona turned to look at him

“Thank you. For… everything.” Fiona went back over to Lip and kissed his cheek.

“I wasn’t gonna let her freeze.” She got to the door before calling out to him “Make sure you turn the lights off.”

“Will do.” Lip finished making your tea and took it upstairs, turning off lights and appliances as he went. You were sat against the headboard and he handed you the mug.

“It’s chamomile, it’ll help, promise.” You nodded, sipping at it as Lip put on sweats and a tshirt. He got into the bed next to you, pulling the comforter over you both and stroking your hair as you finished your tea. He took the mug from you and put it aside before pressing a kiss to the top of your head. “You’re safe now. Night, Bug.”

[alwayslurkinginthebackground]

Blaster - A Pedrotober Drabble

Day Twenty-Three of Pedrotober: Din Djarin Pedrotober Hosted by @norththelemon and @alyssamariag. View the full prompt list HERE and view my entire Pedrotober drabble catalog HERE.

Pairing: Din Djarin x reader

Rating: The fluffiest fluff that ever did fluff.

Word Count: 1261

a/n: I actually really want a Loth-cat now, despite the fact that I already have three very real cats. I need more, obviously. Also writing this was wild for me because I got my start in writing by writing Star Wars fanfic, and...have since forgotten all proper terminology. Oh well. Also breaking some mando rules here but we don't care because we just want to see our man's face!

You heard it before you saw it, lurking somewhere in the house and waking you from slumber with the loud clang of something crashing in the kitchen. Din was out of bed in an instant, blaster already in hand as he rushed from your bed in the direction of the noise. Your first instinct is to check on Grogu, but you breathe a sigh of relief when you find him still peacefully sleeping in his hammock.

Another crash echoes down the hall, causing you to wince, but Grogu thankfully doesn't stir. When you make your way to the kitchen, you find your partner standing in the middle of the room, a grumpy expression written all over his face. There's a spattering of pans littering the floor around him, the obvious cause of the noise.

"I think it's a Loth-cat," Din explains, eyes still darting around the room trying to catch a glimpse of the creature. "Pretty sure it went behind the table."

You move toward the table in question, crouching down to look beneath the surface, to find what can only be described as the planet's most adorable Loth-cat. "Found it," you inform him with a hushed tone, trying your best not to scare the creature further. Bright beady eyes stare at you fearfully, but you coo at it, reaching out a cautious hand for it to sniff.

At first, the cat begins to inch toward you, but the second Din stops at your side, it backs closer to the wall. "It's gotta go," he reminds you, already aware of the thought lingering in the back of your mind. "It cannot stay here."

"Din," you look at him with indignation. "She's so cute though."

"I don't care if she's cute," he insists, already heading toward the storage room around the corner. You know he's gone to grab one of the many traps he has stored there, remnants of a life he no longer lives. "It's got to go."

You sigh, turning back to the cowering creature. She slowly works her way toward you again, less hesitant now that Din has left the room, sniffing at your outstretched hand. There's a flinch that runs through her body when you reach further to scratch along her massive ears, but then she relaxes at your careful touch.

When Din reappears with a cage in hand, you've already got the Loth-cat in your arms, more than content to accept the cuddles you willingly provide. "See, she's nice," you assert, a pleading tone to your voice that instantly makes him frown.

"We are not keeping the Loth-cat," he repeats, setting the cage on the table and opening the top. "Put her in."

Your eyes narrow, "and where do you think you're going to take her?"

He pinches the bridge of his nose. "Away. Just far enough that she won't come back." You refuse to move for a moment, waiting for him to agree to the remainder of your silent request. He sighs, "and I'll make sure it's a nice area where she'll have plenty of food and water."

"And shelter," you add.

"And shelter."

"Dank farrik," Din mutters are you make your way around the side of the house. His voice is muffled by his helmet, worn whenever he's outside in an abundance of caution, even if he's already broken the creed for you, but it only takes a second for you to determine the cause of his frustration.

The Loth-cat is back.

While you and your partner worked on the exterior of your small home, Grogu had taken to playing in the yard, doing his best to stack rocks into towers using the force, which he'd then promptly knock over before beginning again. Now, however, he was strictly focused on moving the small rocks around while the familiar creature chased them across the dirt.

"She's back!" you exclaim, setting down the equipment box you'd been carrying. "How far did you take her last night?"

"Not far enough, obviously," Din mutters, heading toward the speeder where the crate still sits. You move closer to Grogu, quickly scooping up the cat in your arms. She wrestles with you until she realizes who has captured her, promptly settling into your embrace with a soft purring noise.

Grogu watches with curiosity, reaching one of his tiny hands out toward her. You drop to the ground next to him, crossing your legs underneath you as you teach him how to gently pet her fluffy, spotted ears the way you've already determined she loves. "Careful, Grogu. We want to be gentle."

He shies back when the Loth-cat makes a grumbling noise, directed not at Grogu, but at Din, who has reappeared with the cage in hand. "Come on, put her back in."

"Din, she obviously found her way back to us for a reason," you point out, determination beginning to set into your shoulders. "Plus, I think it would be good for Grogu."

You can't see his expression, hidden by his helmet, but you know his eyes are rolling. "In the crate, now," he instructs again.

"You're really going to make me put her in there?"

His nod is almost imperceptible, but another moment of silent understanding passes between you, and you let Grogu pet the cat once more before carefully placing her behind the wire of the cage. "Food and water," you insist once more, closing the gate as you stare at the man you love.

"And shelter," he repeats back, loading the cat into the speeder as you hoist Grogu into your arms, the two of you waving goodbye until the dust settles around you.

"No."

"Oh come on. This is the third time she's shown up here, Din. And just look at them." You point at the way Grogu is curled up with the Loth-cat in his hammock. How they both managed to fit in there, you're unsure, but stranger things have certainly happened in your lives. "I think she's meant to be here, with us."

Your partner retreats from Grogu's room and moves to sit on the edge of your bed. "That or she just wants our food."

You tilt your head in agreement as you sway closer to him, standing between his spread legs to rest your arms across his shoulders. "Perhaps. But she obviously makes Grogu happy. And she makes me happy, and I think she'd make you happy too if you just let her."

"It's a Loth-cat." He's unimpressed by your reasoning. "One that clearly doesn't know how to stay away."

"Can you blame her? I couldn't stay away either," you point out, cupping his face in your hands to ensure he's listening.

Din shakes his head. "That's different. You're not a cat."

"I think I can be a lot more cat-like than you think," you challenge before climbing onto his lap, curling around him, and kneading your fingers into his back. He's laughing before you know it, and as he falls back against the bed, taking you with him, it's already obvious that you've won the argument.

"I'm not going to be the one feeding her or brushing her or cleaning up her fur, got it?"

You nod, kissing him on the cheek as he rolls you onto your back. "Got it. Only ask you to feed her and brush her and clean up her fur."

He rolls his eyes for you to see this time, but kisses you anyway, and if you happen to find little Blaster curled up in his lap more often than not, you don't say anything about it.

[hehe-hoho-ohno]

As mentioned in my earlier post, Two Car Train is officially discontinued.

However, as an extra bonus for the Tumblr crowd, I'm putting the unfinished chapter 5 beneath the cut, which you can read if you want to.

[[I will be using square brackets to fill in missing scenes.]]

Station help up a hand, motioning for Lian to stop. “Did you hear that?”

They had been heading back to the settlement, earlier than Station would normally start the trek back but he didn’t want Lian to be out here when night fell.

“You mean the Pokémon?” Lian asked. “It sounds like a fight.”

“Yes,” Station agreed grimly, then took off at a sprint. “It’s hurt.”

“Wait! Wait up!” Lian hurried after him on his much shorter legs. “What are you doing? You’re supposed to run away, not towards it!”

If anything Station only quickened his pace, hoping he would be able to finish the battle before Lian caught up so he could keep the kid out of danger. He crested the hill, and spotted a flock of rufflets harassing a small curled up form. That wouldn’t do. He slid down the slope towards them and tossed out a pokeball.

Magikarp sailed towards the gang like a frisbee, crashing right into the middle of the flock and startling them into taking fight.

“Karp!” Magikarp splashed cheerfully.

“Bravo! Well done. Thank you.” He returned her to her ball and crouched down next to the cowering machop. “Greetings! Don’t be afraid. We are here to help!”

It hesitantly uncovered it’s head and looked up at him. The rufflets had done a number on it. Station offered it an Oran berry. It didn’t take it. He placed it on the ground. “Your cab needs maintenance and I don’t have enough supplies on me to heal you completely.”

It didn’t seem to understand any of that, boggling at him in complete confusion. “The most efficient course of action would be to take you back to the settlement and heal you there.” He pulled out a pokeball and it flinched back, kicking its feet to scuttle backwards.

Station pulled back. “I won’t hurt you. It’s only a pokeball. For transport. You’ll be safer inside.”

“What. Is. Wrong with you!?” Lian panted, having finally caught up. “What are you doing?!”

“It needed help,” Station said and pointed at the machop. It almost felt too obvious to be worth mentioning but Lian had asked.

Lian threw an exasperated hand towards the sky. “Great. Now we need help.”

Station looked up. The rufflets had not dispersed and were circling above them, flying in formation in a way that reminded him of a… dance.

Shit.

“Ah,” he said, sounding much calmer than he felt. “That’s bad.”

“Indubitably,” Lian agreed.

The birds blurred together and dove towards the ground.

“We should run,” Station said.

“I concur,” Lian said, already booking it.

Station glanced down at the machop, who had curled up again in fright. “Please don’t punch me,” he muttered and scooped it up, cradling the machop to his chest. It squeaked in surprise but, fortunately, it was too startled to punch him.

He dove to the side as the giant fusion plunged down, talons raking the ground where they had been. Shit! That was too close. It beat its many wings and ascended again, preparing for another attack.

He easily caught up to Lian and soon began to outpace him. Even though his instincts screamed at him not to, he slowed down so that he lagged behind Lian. After all, it would be the slowest group member who got targeted. Should they pick him up? Lian certainly wouldn’t appreciate it, but that was the least important factor right now. But he was already carrying Machop. Carrying two passengers might be slower than travelling separately.

“Look!” Lian pointed ahead. “We’re almost home!”

Suddenly, what Station needed to do became crystal clear. He couldn’t lead the rampaging Pokémon into the settlement.

Station turned on his heel and unclipped a pokeball from his belt.

And cornobbled the fusion, knocking it out of it’s flight path and sending it crashing into the snow.

“What are you doing?!” Lian wailed.

[Station and Lian fight the fusion and win!]

——

“We have arrived at our destination.”

Machop looked up at him, confused. Station crouched down so he was at her level. “This near where we met, yes?”

She bobbed her head.

“Right. So.” Station absentmindedly rotated her pokeball between his fingers. “You are all better now. Fully operational! That is good. I understand that when you acquiesced to capture it was under duress. A temporary solution to an emergency situation. That’s over now.”

“Chop?” She cocked her head, uncomprehending.

“You can go home,” Station said. “You have the option. I will release you, if you wish.”

She warbled and stepped closer to them. She hesitantly placed her hand on his wrists, light as a butterfree. She didn’t seem to comprehend what he was offering.

“Don’t you want to go home?” Station asked. “Don’t you have things to do, places to be? You were taken quite abruptly. Isn’t there anything you want to return to? Things you left undone?”

She stared at him with a concerned sort of confusion.

“Don’t you have family? Friends? …Aren’t you loved? Isn’t there someone, anyone, who will miss you, if you do not return? Someone who will look for you if you’re not at your station?” He practically begged her. “You didn’t even get to say goodbye. So you can’t. You can’t stay. You’ll be homesick. And lost and confused and…”

She reached up to brush at his cheeks and dab under his eyelashes with a tender sort of awkwardness. He reached up to grasp her hands to keep her from poking out his eyes out by accident. Machop’s hands were wet. So was his face.

Station swallowed, suddenly aware of the lump in his throat. “Sorry. My apologies. I got off track.” He flicked her ball open, intending to snap it at the hinge. “It’s a bit of a waste, but I can’t recall a release method that doesn’t involve breaking the ball so…”

Machop let out an alarmed cry and tugged the pokeball away from them, cradling it to her chest.

Station glanced between his now empty hands and her. “You want to keep it? A little unorthodox but I don’t see why not. Be your own master… or something.”

She sat down in the snow with a huff, protectively shielding the ball from Station.

“Isn’t that cold?” he asked. She narrowed her eyes at him. “I suppose you would be used to it.”

After some hesitation, Station shuffled around so that he was sitting beside her. Yep. He was right. It was cold. And wet. A bit miserable all around. “You seem upset. Are you mad at me?”

“Mmm.” She looked at her feet and petted her pokeball, as if it were something alive that needed comforting.

“Is it because…” and he couldn’t believe he was saying this. “You would rather stay? With me?”

Machop jerkily nodded.

“…Why?” He didn’t understand. Was her previous life truly so terrible? Or maybe it was different for Pokémon. It wasn’t uncommon for Pokémon to couple themselves to promising trainers. Gligar and Magikarp had certainly been eager to join him. Still, Machop didn’t seem like the type who would like to pursue battling. What would prompt her to leave the only home she had ever known?

Machop leaned against him, pillowing her head against the crook of his arm.

The whole point of this exercise had been to give her a choice. To give her an opportunity that Station had not gotten. And she had made her decision. It was not the answer that Station had been expecting but, unfathomable as it was, it was her truth.

“I see. If that’s is truly what you want, then it would be an honour to have you with us.” He opened his hand expectantly. “Don’t worry, I won’t break it unless you change your mind.”

With some hesitancy, she retuned the ball to him. Station pulled it back before she could enter it again and she squeaked in betrayal. “Sorry, I just wanted to let you know that you can change your mind. This is a standing offer. If you ever want to be released you just need to to tell me, okay?”

“Chop,” she grumbled and vanished into the pokeball in a flash of light.

With a huff of amusement Station reattached her pokeball to his belt. He stood and shook off the snow clinging to his pants and coat.

The area around him had grown so foggy it was difficult to discern the world around him. Coupled with the snowfall covering his tracks, it was impossible to tell the way he had come from. The fog had set in so quickly and he hadn’t even noticed. It seemed… unnatural.

Slow clapping sounded from behind him and he spun to see Volo’s figure emerging from the haze, mist curling around him like drapery. His uncovered eye shone through the gloom, glacial blue.

“Oh, how sweet,” he drawled, rolling his eyes.

Station squinted at him. “You are not Volo.”

Not-Volo spluttered, mouth opening and closing rapidly. “How did you-?! No! I am Volo! What makes you say that?!”

“Volo would act more like…” Station smiled widely, leaned forward with a hand on his hip and waggled his pointer finger. “My, what a showing from my favourrrrite customer! Putting my pokeballs to good use I see! You weirdo, you!” He winked. “Have you remembered anything yet?”

Not-Volo’s lip curled. “V- I would not fucking say that.”

Station shrugged, letting his smile and the persona drop. “Maybe. Maybe not. His eyes are definitely grey though.”

Said blue-but-should-be-grey eyes widened as it’s hands (already lengthening into claws) flew to it’s face, as if it could feel the imperfections. It snarled and yanked at the illusionary bangs, tearing off the illusion like an orange peel, until frayed away into the ghostly fur of it’s real body.

“…Do I know you?” Something about it seemed familiar. He tilted his head. “Didn’t I give you berries that one time?”

It stilled from tearing at it’s mane,

[Station catches a Zoroark]

——

[Station becomes Lady Sneasler’s Warden]

[Station and Lian talk about how Lian is upset that Station was made a Warden before him]

[moderntragedyseries]

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀❝ WHEN THE CRASH HAPPENED. ❞

tw: bombings

It was supposed to be a normal Tuesday that February. It was around 3:00 PM and I had just been dismissed from school. My older sister Harmony had been walking me home, keeping me close to her.

I remember Festerchapel being loud and crowded, but it didn't bother me at the time. I actually enjoyed the noise.

After we had gone down Spring Street, I noticed the sky had turned an ugly gray. But not the gray that you see before a storm comes, it was darker than that. It was like an oil spill in the sky, spiraling into different clouds.

I didn’t pay much mind to it, simply clinging to my sister more as we continued our way home. Eventually, Harmony had noticed the clouds and stopped, narrowing her eyes at it. She seemed as skeptical as I was.

She shrugged and encouraged me to keep walking, but I stared warily at the ever-darkening clouds, the air smelling like thick smoke as I began coughing violently.

Harmony looked concerned, trying to see what was wrong with me as she crouched down.

“Hey, hey, you good, Cal?” she asked, but I cowered into her arms as she looked up into the sky, now noticing that the gray had now completely engulfed the sky. Then, almost instantly, everything went downhill for the next twenty minutes.

A large atomic bomb hit the center of Festerchapel, a deafening explosion following it as smoke erupted and spread rapidly, the shockwave knocking me into my sister, who was just as shocked as I was.

When my senses returned, all I could hear was screaming and crying, and all I could smell was the sickening taste of smoke. I could barely see anything past the raging flames as they towered over the city, engulfing buildings and homes in mere seconds.

My sister had scooped me up almost instinctively as she ran away from the rapidly approaching smoke, covering my nose and mouth from it.

Everything after that is a blur, and I'm glad it is. My sister and I, along with the few survivors of the sudden attack, had evacuated to the eastern side of Festerchapel. News had spread everywhere of the bombing, and nobody had any clue who did it.

Harmony and I were fine for the next 6 months, safely kept away from the demolished other side of the city. Then another bomb hit and I was completely cut off from my sister.

I barely could see her through the crowd of people trying to escape the flames. I cried out for my sister right before I was shoved to continue moving forward.

The people evacuating Festerchapel had no set destination, they just wanted to get out. And so did I. But not without my sister. I finally managed to return to Festerchapel hours after my forced departure, and to my chagrin, I couldn't find my sister. 

No trace of her was anywhere, and I just broke down right then and there. I barely could comprehend the fact I was being forced to defend myself at the age of ten.

For months on end, reports of bombings would pop up from all over Hypoxia. I felt sick hearing each and every report. Then everything went silent one day. All radios, all televisions, everything just went into silence.

I found out a year after my displacement that our newly elected president, Pandora Azrael, was the reason for all of this. That was the first time I felt true betrayal from within my own nation.

For the next four years, I had fought my way through several cities in Hypoxia. Ever since the second bombing, everyone became antsy and trigger-happy.

It was sickening how many times I nearly got killed because some maniacs thought they'd get something out of shooting a damn child.

Hypoxia has been becoming worse by the years. Not just politically, but physically. Everything is decimated to the point that there was a time we couldn’t even recognise which cities are what anymore.

Two years ago, I had found two other survivors that weren't actively trying to kill me, Carrie Woods, a 15 year old, and Noemie Leilani, an 16 year old. We formed a group and decided to stick together.

But I just can't help but think of what would've happened if Pandora just never dropped the bombs. None of this would've happened, and none of this would've been needed. Fuck you, Pandora. Fuck. You.

[soapy-soartp]

Day 27 of @whumperless-whump-event

Day: 27 - WHAT'S YOUR NAME AGAIN

Prompt: Concussion / Temporary Amnesia / "I don't remember what happened to me."

Fandom: TGCF

Characters: Xie Lian, Hong Hong er, (mentioned: Feng Xin, Qi Rong)

Xie Lian has not been having a good day. Not only has he had to stop Qi Rong’s rampage through the city market, doing so he found a very badly beaten (slightly familiar) child getting dragged by the carriage. When he confronted his parents he got Feng Xin injured, he insists it was fine but Xie Lian can't help but feel bad.

Though now Xie Lian finds himself much more concerned over that child, who won’t wake up. Despite being treated by the palace staff, the damage done to the poor child was extremely severe, they were concerned he wouldn’t wake up again.

After all, not only was the child badly beaten but he was also extremely malnourished and already had an array of past injuries. The palace healers said it was a miracle he’s survived this long without complications.

After meeting with his parents and deciding Qi Rong (and Feng Xin)’s punishments, Xie Lian rushed back to the healing ward. Entering the room, he’s met with the sight of the young child desperately covering half his face while some of the palace staff try to pry his hand away.

“What’s going on here?!” The prince asks in a panic, everyone in the room turns to him aside from the small child.

“Your Highness…” the head healer greets with a small bow, “He refuse to remove his hand, we can’t continue treating him like this”

It’s obvious through the healer tone and the tense atmosphere that the group has tried but the child remains stubborn. Though the prince thinks that the group must have no doubt been scaring the child, further proven by the little one curling into himself more. The prince strides toward the cowering child and crouches down to look at him.

“Are you alright? Did they scare you?” the prince asked kindly.

The child meekly looked at the prince, then at the healers. Xie Lian nods at him to go on and he watches as the injured one shakily bow his head yes. He grimaces and tenses, seeming to brace for something, but Xie Lian just sighs and waves off the healers.

“He seems alright with me… I’ll try to calm him down so you can treat him properly,” he commands, standing to properly dismiss the healers.

“But Your Highness-” the head healer starts but Xie Lian waves them off again.

“It’ll be fine, if my father says something about this I’ll handle him. This child needs our help,” he says sternly watching the staff leave, then he softens looking back at the boy.

“Ok, they're gone. Can you let me see the rest of your face please?”

Though as much as Xie Lian asks, the child stubbornly shook his head and kept his hand over his face. Xie Lian frowns but stops pushing, it’s obviously causing the little one stress so he drops it for now.

“Well… do you have an injury there? Does it hurt?”

The little one looks at him helplessly and shrugs.

“Ok… well I’m Xie Lian, what’s your name?”

The other looks at the prince for a moment before mumbling, “H-hong hong’er…”

“Hi Hong’er-“ just as the prince was about to ask another question the child peeps up.

"I don't remember what happened to me,” he says shakily, looking at the prince with a large, teary, dark eye.

“Oh! I’m sorry…” the prince instinctively said, at a loss for words.

“Um… ahem, well. What do you remember?”

“Mm…” the boy takes a moment to think, then he shrugs helplessly.

“You just remember your name?” the prince asks in concern.

Once again the boy takes a moment before shrugging, though noticeably more tense than before like he’s hiding something. Xie Lian bites back a groan, thinking it would be inappropriate and rude to do so in front of the already injured child.

It was going to be a long day, he’ll definitely need to talk to Qi Rong soon too, the damage he’d done was too severe to let slip.

[sgsduma]

Host Club One Shot-The Accident

 "Boys!" Kelly half yelled half screamed as she pulled and struggled against the hand cuffs....hands above her, around the bedpost, at the foot of the bed.  She glared daggers as she saw Hikaru smirk and slam the door behind him.......

How did this happen? Well it all started about a week ago...............

Previously~

     Hikaru and Karou, the mischievous twins of the host club, are the worst at pranks.  And when i say worst i mean the best but you don't want to be the one pranked.  However, day by day they have made Kelly their new target....or toy as they call it.  Every day at a new hour they pull the most unexpected.  Sunday they pushed her into the boys bathroom and sealed the door up, Monday they stole her bra somehow, froze it and hung it up at the top of a flag pole, Tuesday they filled her (thankfully empty) school bag full of honey and dirt, and so on and so forth.  They tried something every break they got in their day.  They were making her absolutely paranoid! The twins were fine if they were split up.  Quite calm but mopey sometimes, but she swore.  Put them together and you have the very definition of mischief makers.  But the worst was when they found out she had a crush on Tamaki, the 'leader' of the host club.  She had no idea how they found out. She was practically the new kid who just loved the host club and being in Tamaki's section and ohhhhhh..........perhaps that's how they found out.  But besides the point! She always thought after one of their disasters....why me?

     But one odd thing happened.  The whole host club was heading to a unique hotel of sorts and was 'bringing work with them,' so all the guests were allowed to tag along if they wished. Well the semester was almost over and why not make one last memory?

     Of course they got their own room, and the ballroom of the hotel was were the club was being held.  Kelly was currently walking down to her room, 300, when the crime scene happened.  She swiped her card and heard the door unlock, placing her hand on the door know.  Suddenly, two arms went under hers and pulled her to the person's chest.  Her back to someone's front as she tensed in confusing as her eyes widened to see Karous face giving her a devilish grin till she quickly looked back forward with a beginning yell as her door had been pushed opened by Hikaru and she was then forced forward inside.  Her feet trying to push to a stop as Hikaru led them in with his hands clasped behind his back casually. 

     "You must stop struggling my dear or this won't go any faster," he said glancing behind him at her.

     They stop at the end of her bed and her eyes filled with fear.  "Wha-what are you going to do?" she squeaked as she felt herself shrink up. 

     Without an answer from either of them, she was spun around and faced Karou, her hand being caught by Hikaru, yanking her down. 

     "Ouch!" Kelly yelled as she landed on her butt as she felt cold metal go around her wrist.  Her instinct made her jolt forward to try and get up and run but Karou came nose to nose with her, causing her to cower back and he placed his hand on her shoulders to hold her back firmly.  As Hikaru lifted her cuffed hand, he made a move for the other.  Seeing this, she swiped her free hand away from his reach, dodging Karou's as well. She dodged and kept out of reach till both twins hand's caught hers.  Hikaru cuffed the other, and now she was stuck to a bed pole. 

     She gave a firm yank before snapping her gaze back at them who were standing up now.  "Whatever your planning on doing, you don't want to do this!" She growled with a small plea in her words. 

    "Oh need not worry," Karou smiled, heading to the door while Hikaru stayed. 

     "Only half our plan is done," Hikaru finished and held out the key to the cuffs between his two fingers.  He gave a chuckle as he began to step forward and Kelly immediately made two fists, tensing up.  He crouched down and slyly looked into her eyes, who stared right back.  A million things running threw her mind.  Suddenly, with one quick movement, he reached out and pulled the collar of her yellow school uniform open and he quickly dropped the key in and scurried away quickly to his feet. 

     Kelly's face was the look of shock and true horror as she felt it drop in the middle of her bra like a slot.  "What....did you do!" She cried as Hikaru headed to the door. 

     "A small part to a much bigger trap."

Present<

     Minutes passed, and Kelly was stumped on an escape route.  She tried sawing the cuff back and forth on the wood, but was kinda hard when your hands were either behind you or above your head.  She tried wiggling the key out and surprisingly no luck.  She slumped back down on the floor and rested her head back on the pole. 'I'm going to kill them.'

.........And then........

     Her ears perked up at the sound of footsteps down the hall.  She heard them get closer and closer and as she was about to yell, the door clicked and the door swung open as Tamaki himself flew in and landed on his hands and knees with a thud as he and i looked at each other in total surprise.  Simultaneously, we both look back at the door to see the twins laughing and slammed the door shut, hearing banging and clanging after it was closed. 

     "Hey!" Tamaki scrambled up and grabbed the door handle, twisting and yanking.  "Jammed," he said frustrated as he turned around and headed back over.  Kelly's face turned pink with embarrassment as he looked at her.  "ah...mind telling me why your in hand cuffs locked to a bed post?" he raised a brow, glancing away before back at her. 

     It took a while to explain, even telling him of the past events of pranks pulled, all the while Kelly glanced at him as she spoke but stared mainly at the ground.  "Do you know where they put the key?" he asked as he moved from leaning on a dresser, to turning to search it.

    "Ah, no," she said a bit to quickly as she tensed, bringing her knees up closer to her.

     He gave an understanding nod as he turned back around, clearly missing the almost panicked lie in her voice. "Well knowing them, they probably have it as far away as possible.  Probably threw it out."

  "Yeah, probably," she said giving a small nervous laugh. 

   "I suppose i can pick the lock.  Have any hair pins?" he asked, slowly motioning to the bathroom. 

   "Yeah, in the cabinet."

   "K," he nodded with a smile, and as soon as he turned the corner, she quickly snapped her focus to her shirt as she bounced, twisted, anything to make it slip out.  It moved maybe 1/4 of an inch down to the bottom seam of her bra before hearing him returning and stopped moving with an innocent smile at him as he came back over.

   He crouched down next to her and bends the hair pin, before getting to work on the lock."Hopefully this'll do something.  Sorry again your in this mess.  They can be impossible sometimes."

    "It's alright.  Sorry that your in the middle," she smiled and he gave her a smiling glance before continuing. 

     Going threw more than 10 hair pins and still no luck, Tamaki sat opposite of Kelly so they faced each other.  Neither of them spoke, not a sound was heard from the hall, and both didn't say it but knew they were hungry as the sun was slowly setting.  Throughout the whole time, she REALLY wanted to tell him she had the key.  She even almost blurted it ut several times, it was right at the tip of her tongue numerous times and she held back the urge this far, but she knew he couldn't just go in and dig in her bra to get it.  To awkward, to embarrasing.  But what other choice did they have! It's not like the twins were going to help.  There was no need to.  They put the key in accessibility.......but.  Kelly lifted her head to see Tamaki's face in a quiet position as if he to were thinking of a solution.  She had to tell him, they had to get out of here.  She took a deep breath before letting out a small, "Tamaki?" he raised a head in response. "There's something i have to tell you."

     He straightened and had a curious, interested look. "Yes?" he said a bit eagerly. 

     "I....know where the key is," she said and tightened her face.

     "what! This whole time-well, where is it!" he yelled but knew to argue later. Negativity still shown in his face.

     "In a, very bad place," Kelly kept saying slowly. 

    "How bad?"

    "Bra bad."

     "It's in your bra!" Tamaki almost exploded, either from anger or surprise but his face was red so she couldn't tell the difference.

  "Yeah," she gave a cringing nod as if she were sorry, even though it was clearly not her fault.

   "Well.....can you get it out?" he said slightly panicked and awkwardly. 

  "Don't you think I've tried that! It's tight!," she frowned. 

   There was a pause from the both of them, a sigh released from there mouths as Tamaki looked back at her. "Did....you want me to un-clip it?" he asked almost nervously. 

  She paused before replying, "If you don't mind.  It's to, get the key out," she said without even looking at him, assuring him that it's only for the key.

   He gave a nod with a small polite smile, making his way over to her and helped her up for as high and as able to stand.  She tried to act causal but her red face said otherwise, her insides getting excited with adrenaline, but she kept her eyes forward.  In the corner of her eye she saw Tamaki, he messed with his hands, as if to get them warm or rub out the jitters.  He took a moment taking the back zipper, pulling it from the neck down till the clip of the bra met in the back.  Her mind went a bit fuzzy and almost robotic the next few seconds that seemed like minutes.  Feeling him slipping a soft warm hand on the strap, his hand on the other, he pulled them apart before it was loose, and the spell was broken as he quickly pulled his hands away and turned his body away, seeming like he was panting and a bit sweaty.  Immediately becoming loose,, the key fell to the floor with a metal clank as it hit the wood, and they simultaneously looked down at it.  He makes the move and swipes it before going, and unlocks the cuffs, sending instant relief to Kelly's arms which she rubs. 

  "Glad to be free, thank you," she smiles.

  "Your welcome, uh, your," he said hiding a small smile. 

  "She paused before, "oh, right," and clips her bra and zipped her dress back up. "Now, let's get out of here," she smiles before things got even more awkward and embarrassing, and headed over to the door and placed a hand on the knob, only for it to be locked. "Oh crap."

[dweepgwooves]

Survival Instincts and Other Ways to Love Yourself

So I wrote this fic, inspired by the amazing @leventart-den go check it out on AO3.

Here's the first chapter!!

The old geezer hadn’t changed, still sending Sanji on a supply run, like everytime they docked on an island. It was almost familiar, to lose himself on the market, flirt with the ladies and to buy more than necessary, haggling with the women and men that sold their stuff. 

Sanji couldn’t help but think of all the times he has done this run, struggling to get the stuff into the Baratie in one go. But now he was a grown man, not like he used to be, when Zeff and him would go down into the island, Sanji holding the crap geezer’s apron, as he cowered from behind. 

Sanji would never understand how or why Zeff took him in. Maybe he saw something in him, but that would be ridiculous, because as Sanji saw it, there was nothing in him noteworthy, less of all as a child. 

The only thing that there had been in him as a child, was survival. That flickering, untouchable and stupid thing that back then lived and still, till this day, when there is no danger beyond the kitchen fights, lives inside him.

Sanji turns left on to the next street, he hears the market sounds, the yells of the sellers, trying to get you to buy, the conversations from the mothers that came with their children. 

He feels warm, he thinks, because this is life, the nature of people mingling together, living life solitarily but also with so much company. 

It’s the same warmth, he thinks, as the one he feels inside the kitchen, from chopping onions that make him tear up, to the carrots for the soup. That increasing weight on his heart that pulls him down to earth, that keeps him from floating down in the air, from all those invisible thoughts. 

I was distracted, he would soon say to himself. I was stupid and foolish and this happens because I can’t do anything right. 

He stumbles upon someone, their shoulders crashing and sending the other person down while Sanji’s food and spices get thrown to the ground. For a second, Sanji feels the fear that came from seeing his father in front of his cell, down by the dungeons. But it’s stupid he feels, because it’s not his father, it’s just a random man. 

Sanji crouches down for the supplies, gathering the packets of spices that littered the street with so much color, to the fruit and vegetables that seem almost tarnished with how much force they dropped. 

The man beside him, stands up and helps him gather his stuff, the fear remaining on the bottom of his stomach, which Sanji crushes with unbearable weight, something he hasn’t done since he was a child, scared of life. 

When Sanji looks up, things in his arms, like he is holding life itself inside his elbows, he realizes how stupid he has been. To think that someone like him could ever live this life completely unharmed, at least since getting to Zeff. 

In front of him, a smirk on his face, his eyebrows curled and raised, like he’s expecting Sanji to break the silence. It’s like looking in a mirror, except it’s not. A distorted mirror, a fucked up one. 

“Brother” Sanji says, because the silence is killing him, because to stand to look at that face any longer would have actually killed him. 

“Sanji!” says Ichiji, a loud voice that makes some people stop and look at them. “Luck is really on our side today” he said, like those words could ever mean anything. 

Sanji did not believe in things like luck. Life had treated him and the people he loved cruelly, there had been no such thing as luck. Some people had it all, some people got nothing. And somehow Sanji had felt like he had gotten into the middle part, where things were not handed to him, but won, and still he had felt like that was more than enough. Like he could live like this the rest of his life. How naive of him. 

He remained silent, looking away from his so-called brother. He had not seen him in years, still it had been good, no matter how much family was supposed to mean, getting away had been good, the best choice he had ever made. 

“So good seeing you Sanji” Ichiji said, “Want something to drink, or eat? I want to catch up”  

“I’m good,” Sanji said, slowly. His legs were shaking, his whole body felt as brittle as a dried leaf on an autumn evening. He wanted to get away as soon and as far away as humanly possible. Because that was what he was, a human, normal, unlike his brothers. 

“Come on, don’t you want to know what we’re doing here?” asked Ichiji again, like there was a hint in between those words. But Sanji, air head Sanji, as Carne used to call him, could not catch up. The world, despite him being very present, felt as if it were in slow motion. 

“Not really,” he answered. He didn’t need to know, he didn’t want to know. He wanted to leave. Sanji turned, ruined vegetables in his arms and all, and started walking. 

“Good seeing you brother!” Ichiji yelled, as Sanji walked away. His feet felt wrong as he walked through the dirt, and then he felt it. A slight prickle on the back of his neck. He hurried, dropped the ingredients on the floor, in the middle of the street, and touched his nape. There, there was a syringe, when Sanji pulled it out, it was already too late. 

His knees which had been wobbly before, now felt different, a bad kind of different, like they didn’t belong to him. He tried to walk, but there was no use. His body was not his anymore, his thoughts were the only thing left, as he saw his brothers standing over him. 

I must have fallen, he realized, I was distracted, he thought. I was stupid and foolish and this happens because I can’t do anything right. 

Air head Sanji, he heard inside his head in Carne’s voice, Always up in his head. 

—

When he wakes up he’s far away, he can tell, because years in the sea make you very aware of the tides and waves, and these were not the waves he had been in. 

When he wakes up he’s in a cell, tied by his feet to a nearby stump, drilled to the ground. When he wakes up he feels fear clawing his way from his stomach to his heart. 

His heart, which had felt heavy and full just moments, hours, maybe days ago, now felt empty, replaced by that fear, the fear of a child against the monsters. He tried thinking back to the moments before sleep and unconsciousness took over, but there’s almost nothing. 

Just picture like memories clouding his mind. Ichiji, then nothing. His red hair, like a flame between the waves of his mind. And fear, that black dot that consumed everything in its wake, he could feel it, like a sixth sense, on the back of his mind.

He had lived with fear for so many years of his life, cowering behind Zeff, then backwards, scared to look his father in the eye, no matter how much he demanded he did so, backwards, his brother’s beating him.

Sanji used to be in that cell, now again. And for a moment, it felt as if he had never left. The walls and the darkness felt familiar, too familiar. In a second he realized but couldn’t fully comprehend what was happening. For a second he was still, captive not only by his family but by his thoughts.

He couldn’t move, not an inch. He couldn’t breath even when his lungs needed the air. And he couldn’t think, because if he did it would all be over. 

Reality was far more cruel than imagination. For years he had been in his bed, in the Baratie, daydreaming of seeing his family and getting revenge. Of looking his father in the eye and telling him everything that he had wanted to say. 

But those were dreams of freedom, now captive, the reality dawned on him like a bucket of cold water over his head.  He was not free, and probably, he thought, would never be again. 

He was in Germa, his father here, inside these very walls. His brothers and sister, his mother dead. It was like living the nightmare he had had for years, except this time there was no Zeff to calm him down, to bring him to reality, because now this was reality. 

Hours or maybe minutes go by, he couldn’t tell, time was a thing dictated by the sun, and down here there was nothing close to the brightness of that star. Time passes and suddenly a door opens to his left. 

The light is as captivating as it is blinding. Sanji, despite wanting to feel any resemblance of freedom, looks away, because it’s too painful. 

“You’re so stupid, Sanji,” said Reiju, shaking her head. “Why didn’t you run?” She looked defeated, like this was hurting her more than him. And maybe it was, freeing an animal into the wild is exhilarating, seeing it back again trapped, must be agonizing. 

He had no words. Why didn’t he run? Maybe life had become too easy, maybe free he could not fathom being caged again. When Sanji was ready to speak, the door slammed against the wall behind it. And under the threshold was his father. Vinsmoke Judge. 

Sanji shook, and unconsciously backed himself into the wall, in the corner, like a child. His brothers entered through the same door, his father saying no words to him, only looking as angry and disappointed as ever. 

Judge raised his hand in Sanji’s direction and rapidly the jail cell was being opened, his feet lighter without the shackles and his body dragged from his safe place, the corner, into the hallway. 

He tries to look up into his brother’s eyes as they hold his arms, but it's a futile attempt. He looks forward, as forward as he can, with his back hitting every rock and pebble in the ground, his arms hurting. 

He’s paralyzed he realizes, he could kick them all but his body is not as willing as his mind is. He could free himself and run, but his legs just don’t work. If Zeff were here he would beat his ass and push him into the fight. If Zeff were here he would fight his father himself. 

As he looks one more time, he sees Reiju, biting her lip, fear in her eyes. That’s why she was the one that he loved most. 

He is dragged towards the lab, and it dawns on him faster than he wants to the reality of his father’s wishes. He is here, not because he is wanted, not even as a prisoner, but as a lab rat. They will experiment on him. 

Tears form on his eyes but he refuses to let them spill. He’s weak, he notices, he’s weak and all the training with Zeff, all the nights with the geezer telling him how he’s a good fighter. The mornings doing some meal prep and Zeff telling him how good he was at chopping. All the affirmations, all the care, fly out the window. 

He’s weak, and falters with his own thoughts. Was he ever even good? 

They put him in the chair, strap him by the arms, though he knows he won’t fight. This is the end, he thinks, this is the end of me, no more cooking, no more dreams, never going to the All Blue. Never seeing Zeff again. 

The last thought breaks him, a part of him lived in the baratie, a part of his heart was in the crevice of Zeff’s, where the aorta meets the artery, like he was part of Zeff’s heart and Zeff his. Now, with his father over him, looming like he always has on the back of his mind, there is no more life. 

And it’s sort of suicide, sort of not. What’s the difference between being killed and letting yourself be killed? Two words, allowing it.  

His last thought before meeting the black space in his mind, the one reserved for sleep, is that there is no longer survival in him. It has all run out. 

[dream-meister-translations]

100 SLEEPING PRINCES & THE KINGDOM OF DREAMS

EDMOND CHARACTER CARD #4

━

EDMOND : This place is as beautiful as ever.

MINISTER : Yes, but if we continue deeper into the impoverished area, the condition will deteriorate greatly. 

EDMOND : Why is that?

MINISTER : The buildings are old and crumbling apart. No one has maintained them. It's not suitable for human life. 

EDMOND : Let me see the documentation of these buildings.

MINISTER : Yes, Sir. 

With a furrowed brow, Edmond carefully scanned over the documents. All the while, a crowd of onlookers were gathering and watching with curious eyes. 

(They look surprised he's here...Must be that Edmond rarely conducts these inspections...) 

I jumped and let out a startled yelp when the sound of a loud, screaming voice echoed through the streets. 

MAN : Do you think it's alright to do something like this!?

(What the heck is going on...?)

I turned to look in the direction the shouting was coming from and spotted a young boy cowering on the ground, surrounded by several large men. He looked terrified.

(That's the boy from before...)

BOY : Hey, it's the lady who gave me the cookies! 

EMMA : Excuse me, what is going on here?

Before thinking through my actions, I had stepped between the men and the boy in order to protect him. 

MAN : Mind your own damn business! This little rat stole our stuff!

EMMA : .......

BOY : ...I'm sorry....I'm so sorry....

The boy curled up in a ball on the ground was trembling as he apologized over and over again. Instinct had me crouching down to wrap him up in a protective hug.

EMMA : I apologize on his behalf. He's young and didn't know what he was doing. Won't you please forgive him?

BOY : ...Miss...

MAN : As if I'm gonna just forgive him 'cause you say so! How dare he steal our things! If you're siding with him, we're gonna have to beat your ass too!

The men held up their fists, prepared to hit me. 

TOWNSFOLK : Hey! Stop it! How dare you lay hands on a woman and a child! They already apologized and you got your things back, just move on! 

All the men and women in the poverty district had gathered around, verbally defending me and the boy. 

MAN : The fuck...!? 

After that, the men finally ran away. 

BOY : Thank you so much, Miss. 

After the men were out of sight, the boy finally ceased his trembling and weakly smiled up at me. 

EMMA : You're welcome. Just please, remember to never steal again, okay?

BOY : Y-Yeah. I promise. I'm so sorry...

Seeing that the boy appeared to be truly apologetic and set on changing his ways, I said my goodbyes before turning to head back to Edmond. However...

(That's weird...Where did Edmond go...?)

BOY : Are you lost, Miss?

EMMA : Seems so...

TOWNSFOLK : If you're looking for Prince Edmond, I saw him inspecting a building over there. 

The kind men and women from earlier pointed me in Edmond's direction.

EMMA : Thank you so much!

(These people are so nice...)

After thanking the townsfolk, I headed in the direction they had pointed in search of Edmond. As I walked a bit further...

EMMA : ....!?

The angry group of men from earlier suddenly jumped out of the shadows. Surrounding me like sharks hunting their prey. 

EMMA : Y-You're the guys from before...

MAN : You're a friend of Prince Edmond, right?

MAN : It's rare to run into such a fancy lady in a place like this. Why don't you come have some fun with us? 

The look in his eye sent a shiver down my spine. 

(Wh-What are they going to do to me!? This is so scary...!)

Just then...

EDMOND : You, there! What are you doing to her?

Edmond accompanied by a group of armed soldiers approached me and the men. 

MAN : Damn it! Let's get outta here!

The men immediately fled the scene. Letting out a breath of relief, Edmond rushed to my side and firmly grasped at my shoulders. Looking me over with a concerned gaze.

EDMOND : ...Where did you run off to? I told you not to leave my side no matter what.

EMMA : ...I'm sorry...But it's okay...I-I'm fine...

EDMOND : You wouldn't have been fine if I hadn't arrived...And you're trembling...

Edmond reached out to gently caress my back in an attempt to calm and reassure me. His fingertips tracing patterns in my spine. 

EDMOND : I shouldn't have ever brought you here.

EMMA : ...Huh?

EDMOND : What if you'd been kidnapped by those despicable poverty district men...Or worse? The thought makes me sick.

EMMA : But, Edmond, there are also nice people in the poverty district.

EDMOND : .........

EMMA : Edmond...?

Edmond fell silent, his gaze shifting to his boots.

EDMOND : This is no place for someone like you. We should head back to the city.

EMMA : Ah....

With that, Edmond grabbed at my hand, tangling our fingers and pulling me through the poverty district in the direction of the palace. It was strange, though he was typically a very gentle man, his grip on my hand was so tight. His knuckles white. As if he was terrified I would wiggle free.

[jlhynde-insanitybrilliance]

By popular demand: This has now become a WIP!

I don’t have a title yet, but the working title is “Beware the Groundskeeper”. (Changed it from janitor cause I guess janitor aren’t a word in Britain??) Idk if I’ll keep that though might come up with something better. I got the 1st lil chunk done though, think of it like a summary!

Tom knew the first time he met Mr. Harry at eleven years old that he was full of shite.

It was September First, Nineteen-Thirty-Seven, when he was ushered off the Hogwarts Express at Hogsmeade station and lead to the boats at the Black Lake that would take them up to the school that he knew in his bones that there was something not right with the groundskeeper at Hogwarts. It was a gut feeling. Something primordial. A leftover and long forgotten survival instinct from some simian ancestor that told him not to trust that wide friendly smile or those vivid green eyes no matter how kind they first appeared.

The other children—simpletons all of them— had followed dumbly along putting their blind faith in the man. But not Tom. Oh no. He had lingered at the back of the procession as if he were trailing a funeral march; whilst the whole time eyeing the back of the man’s head. And when Mr. Harry had turned and instructed them to get into the boats, Tom had hesitated.

That had been his worst mistake. The unforgivable one. For if he had not hesitated, Tom might’ve passed by the man unnoticed. But it was that hesitation, that momentary paralysis, that fear which caught the attention of the Beast.

He remembers vividly how Mr. Harry’s head turned, a quick whip-snapping motion, and zeroed in on him lingering on shore. And to Tom’s credit, he didn’t cower when the groundskeeper approached him, crouching down so he could meet his eyeline, and offered to help him into the boat. Tom had rudely refused any assistance and clambered aboard himself in an attempt to put as much distance between them as possible.

It didn’t work because that had been the last boat. And Tom, stupidly, had been the last one aboard except for the groundskeeper. Mr. Harry had pushed them off and jumped in behind Tom, rocking them roughly as he settled down onto the last bench, humming a jaunty tune. He had made some crack about keeping all limbs and bodies inside the vessel or “the giant squid might eat ya, if the Merrows don’t getcha first.”

“Squoids don’t live in lakes,” Tom had scoffed, “Fey need soltwoter.”

“Geoffrey’s a special squid, ya’know. Bred him myself,” the groundskeeper retorted. “He doesn’t need soltwoter. He only needs the salt of childrens’ tears and a few blood sacrifices.”

“Wot?!”

“Relax, we only ever give him naughty children. I’m sure the lot of ya’ are perfect sweet angels—” The other children, a boy who ended up in Gyrffindor and two girls who went to Hufflepuff, had laughed. Like it was a joke. But Tom knew it was a warning. Pointed, in fact, pointed directly at him.

Had that Professor Dumblebore told him something about him? He suspected he had. And years later, Tom became sure of it. For why else would he pick him out of a hundred or so kids?

Mr. Harry didn’t end up feeding him to the squid, however, not even after what had happened with Myrtle Warren when it would’ve been arguably justified. Instead, from that moment on, Mr. Harry the groundskeeper had endeavored to make his life a living hell at every opportunity.

And he had continued for thirty years onwards.

Here’s another Tomarrymort fic prompt no one asked for:

Imagine a Professor Riddle/Voldemort AU in which MOD Harry is impersonating a squib working at Hogwarts (think Filch). & they meet when Tom is a 1st year & over time Tom becomes convinced that Harry is not a squib at all but some sort of immortal eldritch being impersonating a janitor. Because how tf has he not aged since he was a child? How does he seem to know everything about everyone? How does he keep messing up all his plans?!

I picture Harry having a similar vibe from the janitor from Scrubs. Just so casually putting a wrench in every one of Tom’s schemes just for shits and giggles. & Tom is just obsessed with him & proving that he’s not human dammit!

Professor Riddle (to Harry):

Harry (to Tom):

[justblades]

⌕ AT WITS END, 18+

⟢ CHARACTERS : jing yuan x afab! reader x luocha WC : 2.1k

⟢ WARNINGS : SMUT, MINORS DNI. dubcon, drugging, threesome, anal sex, double penetration, use of sex toys, porn with plot.

⟢ SUMMARY : the xianzhou general and a merchant doctor take notice that you were dr~gged by a suspicious syndicate. they are at your disposal to save you from the grave situation, but it could only be done when the drug's symptoms are quenched.

being luocha's apprentice in the medical field alone takes up most of the space on your plate, especially now that you're assigned to jing yuan to be his personal physician— the jobs just keep on overflowing, too much for the feeble mind to handle.

in actuality, you weren't supposed to be stationed in the xianzhou luofu. it's just that luocha isn't fond of having much spotlight shone upon him that therefore lead to you being referred to be the general's doctor. as soon as you caught wind that you piqued the interest of one of the charioteers of the luofu, you were determined to perform at your best - to be chosen.

and the gods of luck only spat at you when you were employed by the general jing yuan. he never committed any grave sins nor did such heinous things, it was just his way of governing that left a bitter aftertaste in your mouth as soon as you got to know more of jing yuan. you harbor a strong dislike for anyone regardless of their position to be cowering in the shadows when particular problems arise, saying sham excuses like "i am forbidden to take action because of my rank."

seeing the gray headed general opens up old wounds; a scar you thought that has healed a long time ago. as someone who used to be in the bottom of society's hierarchy, it was until then you grew old you started to understand corrupt officials. those who live in their privileged bubbles, enjoying the comfort of their power and own homes.

as meticulous jing yuan is, it was natural for him to not mind your small banter and snarky remarks against the general. the way he reacts is exceptional, he doesn't bother defending his name amidst the comments he's been receiving since day one. jing yuan never loses his composure and pays no heed to trivial matters.

you grit your teeth as you recall those moments, swearing to yourself that you'll br able to crack him and spit in his face that he's a no good leader. mentally cussing him out as childish as it seems, you continue to do your job, which was preparing your equipments and kits containing vast range of medicines.

drawing a sloth sigh in the end, you carefully lift up the objects. pivoting your heel to take a swift turn, suddenly, your eyes lock a glance with the familiar golden hues, those that exude indolence and of mystery. shock rakes your spine and goosebumps break over your skin, making you fall down on your butt as you feel a tug from your upper clothing.

you were too occupied at piercing through the general's soul with your bitter expressions that you didn't notice the matter at hand in present. "to what do i owe you the pleasure?" your words hinted with sarcasm, you end the question with a cozen smile.

much to your surprise, he crouches down to your level and helps you pick up the strewn pieces of gadgets and equipments on the wooden, varnished floorings. you cock a brow at his actions and proceeded to watch him in confusion; but a sudden puff of glacial wind traces your skin, reaching parts of your body from within.

glancing down at what could be the cause, it was a little too late for you to realize your clothes were torn apart, exposing your treasures right in front of the man you hate so much. instinctively grabbing the largest piece of ripped fabric, you immediately cover the last part of your dignity with it, closing your eyes shut to recall what transpired in such a short moment of time exactly.

"your senses are way too off lately." his smoky voice cut off your rowdy train of thoughts meanwhile you spiral further into bewilderment on what he's hinting at. "you've fallen prey for their false marketing. however, worry not. i'll do what i can to take it from here."

your eyelids unexpectedly felt heavy, as if jing yuan's words are making you feel dizzy. you could only ask yourself 'what is he plotting', until the moment his large slender hands support your figure. "i'm certain you're puzzled; but the food you ingested two days ago had long term effects of a particular ingredient - similar to an aphrodisiac. fortunately, its symptoms erupted just now and not while you were on duty."

he drapes your arm on his shoulders and snakes his hand around your waist. jing yuan carefully lifts your body and leads you to a particular vicinity. you hoped to see where he was taking you at least, but your vision betrays you as you fall into a deep sleep.

you peel your eyes open to well-lit ceilings, etched with luofu's motifs. you scan your surroundings amidst the lethargic feeling weighing your body down, only to see the despised general welcome your vision once again. "unfortunately, there is only one way to rid you from its symptoms." you part your lips open, but your throat feels dry - no words follow suit of what you wanted to verbalize.

"this is a grave situation but i need to have your consent."

another static voice erupts in the vicinity, seemingly coming from a gadget jing yuan had in hand. "general, we're running out of time already." his brows knit in exchange, and mumble few words right after. "doctor, forgive me."

your body jolts awake from the intrusion you felt from your lower region, only to see a makeshift of lewd toys handled by the grizzle haired. as much as you wanted to protest, it all just started to make sense, as usual, a late epiphany after series of events unraveling. it was the ingredient preventing you from speaking.

he pumps the object in and out of your cunt at such an abrupt pace, catching you off guard with every thrust. pro tem, you grip the sheets of the clinic's bed, holding on for dear life as if you were about to die from immense pleasure. panting hard, jing yuan doesn't halt, he only quickens his movements, a sole goal occupying his mind.

the gods really frowned upon you, for the guy you harbor such hate is now having you softly mewl because of a predicament. you were uncertain of what and who should take the blame— as expected, no one is to be blamed but you. if only you weren't craving that particular food that has been circulating in the ship for quite a while, you wouldn't have ended in such position.

being before him bare, fragile fuels nothing but your fury; but your body language says otherwise. your toes curl as you could feel the toy send virations in your pussy, your g-spot making friction against its surface sends your mind afloat the abode of sanity.

your song of moans was interrupted when another figure makes his entrance this time. the tall carved wooden doors swing open, revealing a blonde male who was a little too recognizable for your eyes carrying his iconic, gigantic coffin. "general, i'm afraid that won't do."

with a short span of time, the two comes in an agreement, shifting of positions follow suit. you're apparently underneath the merchant while held up by the mentioned general, his dominant hand tightly clasped on the remaining scrap of fabric wrapped around your hips.

everything happened in a flash and a foreign sensation makes you wince. your two holes were being prepared for further accommodation of the two males' dicks, using up half a bottle of a lubricant to make sure everything will sail smoothly. a nod of approval is all that it took for your entrances to be prodded by large girthy cocks in unison as you grant them such abashed moans.

jing yuan controls your pelvis with his mere one hand, discering every detail of your body language to see if he's making progress of easing the mysterious ingredient's effects. his aureate hues fixate only at you, his usual carefree demeanor and a lively smile replaced with pursed lips; followed by a crease forming in between his eyebrows.

luocha was the same, even though you were far too tantalizing for a man's eyes, they had to focus at the matter in hand. his flaxen irises examine evey nook and cranny of your body, scrutinizing every beads of sweat trickling down your skin as mere indicators of the symptoms. the unfamiliar feeling welling from both sides of your walls seep in to your system— whilst the two males exert the best of their efforts to pleasure your yearning body.

the blonde head's breathing becomes ragged in rhythm, each of his pants deepen in each thrust. after all, he's not someone sexually active, nor someone who performs hard labor at the daily; it was anticipated for his stamina to thin out. however, the situation doesn't seem to improve, not one bit. it was then jing yuan starts to change his tempo, he slows down as he pulls out, and picks up the pace once he rams in.

jing yuan's flow grants him mewls slipping from your lips, his long, deep back strokes seem to do the job perfectly from how you were reacting. gushing noises blends with the squelching sounds from the sounds of two dicks pleasuring the both of your entrances at the same time. a warm stream of fluid spills into luocha's clothes, the white fabric darkens into several splotches.

as embarrassing as it was, they heeded no mind. if anything, it's a proof that their method is working - reinforcing their resolve to quench your lustful feelings. luocha's gloved hands cup your tits bouncing up and down, nestling your perked up nipples in between his fingertips. he attempts to catch his own breaths, exerting more force into his thrusts deep into your pussy.

he rocks his hips upwards and your walls coil around him from the tip down to his last inch. you could no longer stifle your moans, you were way past caring for your pride— jing yuan, as always to your rescue, his calloused hand presses your cheeks, making you close your mouth forcibly. even though your chin was smeared of your drools already, at least there wasn't a lot, looking at the bright side.

the grey head general gently holds your dampened face, making you face him. from a second, you catch a glimpse of his expression; one that can be practically assumed not seen by anybody. his brows tightly knitted, luminous golden eyes locking a short glance with yours that were clouded of ecstasy. a guttural moan bubbles from his throat, along with luocha's deep mewls of satisfaction rushing to his cock inside your velvet walls.

"y-you're so tight." jing yuan utters under his breath as he continues to piston into your asshole. it was a new occurrence to see him stammer for he always addresses everyone with exemplary choice of words and smooth dealings. getting to see the general like this from what your body had to offer felt intimate— but luocha's actions catches you by surprise more.

he nibbles on the soft plush of your right breast, the left one being toyed with rather harshly. the general accidentally lets go of your face and your vision was brought back to seeing luocha's guise once again. the doctor looks up to meet your tantalizing gaze, whereas there he felt the two of you shared a mutual understanding. you crash your lips into his, your wet cavern being invaded by his warm tongue. it was a deep, sloppy kiss, you swear you could feel a hint of fuming jealousy behind you.

even so, your pleasure - your life comes first before trivial matters. the general lets it pass, and there a furor of release brews from the three of your bodies, all in sync. with one last deep thrust from jing yuan's and luocha's throbbing dicks; the life threatening situation finally rests at peace.

after everything that transpired, the general greets you with his usual blithe smile, accompanied by the golden gleam of his irises and a kiss of an angel just below his right eye. you had to soften and warm up to him everytime you remember your life is indebted to him.

although you couldn't lie, a thought crosses your mind, "perhaps jing yuan planned all of this." a part of you agrees as he knows you wouldn't cozy to your employer unless put in a dire situation and another part doesn't since it believes he's a kind soul deep inside. you also started to realize the general's nature, his governance and how he managed to keep the xianzhou's peace for a long time.

admittedly, it was your shortcoming. you knew deep down you were better than what you showed him - and so you strived to improve and understand at the end of the day. as for the blonde doctor, luocha, he pretends it never happened. after all, the two of you share a past bond forbidden to speak of in the present time.

all's well that ends well.

my masterlist !

[carabalism]

family

pairing daryl dixon x teen!reader platonic

synopsis y/n had toughened up very quickly. whether that was purely survival instincts, or the result of her brother’s abuse, she was much tougher since the start of everything.

warning(s) verbal abuse, physical abuse, reader is shane’s sister - aged around 16-18

masterlist

shane audibly laughed at her weak attempt of standing up to him, a cruel smile flashing across his face, “really? that what you think?”

“she’s fine..” y/n muttered.

shane grabbed her by the jaw, squeezing her cheeks together more aggressively than he should, “you listen t’me and you listen good, whatever rick says you listen to me, you listen to just me, y’understand?”

y/n struggled in his hold, which visibly upset him. he pushed her down to the grown forcefully and struck her face with the back of his hand, “you think that hurts, just wait until you see what’s out there! you gotta wake up, y’hear me?!”

when y/n let out a sob instead of responding to him, he crouched down and grabbed her by the face again. his voice was quieter this time, but more intimidating, “i asked you a question, answer me.”

“y-yes, i understand,” her speech was muffled, but she got her words across.

“i don’t want to hurt ‘ya, okay? but you gotta listen to me, i’ll do whatever it takes to protect you.” y/n wanted to cower away from the intensity of his stare, but she nodded dumbly hoping it would placate him.

“good.” shane finally let her go, nodding to himself before rubbing the back of his shaven head, “good.”

y/n jumped up in bed, her heart pounding in her chest. it took her a few moments to realise where she was and to realise she wasn’t in any danger. a sigh of relief escaped her lips, her grip loosening on the knife under her pillow, but not completely letting go.

the loss of her brother had truly shaken y/n to her core as well as the revelation that rick was the one to do it. she could still remember a time when she called rick ‘uncle rick’ and times where the grimes family had shane and her over for dinners. it would never come out her mouth, but she almost felt relieved that he was dead. he wasn’t the same as he was before, the world changed for the worst as did he. they all knew it, y/n knew it too.

he haunts her dreams often.

the more time y/n spent in the world, the more the daunting realisation that shane was actually right came upon her. he may have been losing it, but he was right. she had to fight if she wanted to make it in the world, she couldn’t depend on anyone else to protect her. sophia had done it and that did her no favours.

“y’okay?” y/n’s vision snapped to the front of her cell, where daryl had leant on the doorway. her grip tightened on the knife, but only for a moment before she realised daryl was not a threat to her.

“fine.” y/n muttered, letting her grip finally loosen on the knife. she slipped it back under her pillow and rested her hands on her legs.

“heard ya get up… wanted to check if y’er a’right.” daryl’s eyes focused on the ground, but his words were genuine.

“i’m fine,” y/n nodded, “bad dream s’all.”

daryl grunted in response, nodding in understanding, “i get it.”

“thanks for checkin’.” y/n anxiously fidgeted with her hands. she knew daryl, along with the group were well aware of shane’s less than favourable treatment of her towards the end of his life.

“my brother.. he was the same..” daryl looked at y/n’s eyes briefly, “my dad too.. but i get how y’feel ‘bout shane… he’s blood, ain’t nothin’ that can change that.”

“he used to be great,” y/n sighed, allowing her mind to reach back into a time before walkers roamed around, “he’s always had his moments of being a total asshole, but he always cared… ‘bout me.. would’ve never laid a hand of me if it weren’t for trying to keep me alive.”

“it ain’t ‘bout keepin’ you alive,” daryl paused, unsure if he should speak on the subject, “he laid hands on ya, ‘cause he weren’t all there.”

y/n frowned, “i know.”

“most i’ve heard you talk in a while,” daryl decided to change the subject. he was no stranger to the uncomfortableness that came with the confrontation of abuse. he’d go through the worst times in his life all over again than open up to anyone about it.

“rich comin’ from you, ain’t it?” a small smile spread across y/n’s lips.

daryl scoffed, a grin on his face, “don’t have to be a smartass.”

y/n chuckled, it was quiet, but daryl could hear it. it had been a while since he saw the young girl smile, even laugh at something. it was refreshing to see that she still had it in her to be youthful.

“rick uh… he’s awful sorry ‘bout your brother,” daryl pursed his lips, figuring out the right words to say, “he ain’t send me here, don’t worry… but.. i can tell.”

y/n exhaled a long breath, “it wasn’t his fault, i knew it was going to happen sooner or later anyways… he was cracking, the fear was breakin’ him down.”

daryl grunted in acknowledgement. it was an undeniable fact that shane has cracked. daryl tried to pinpoint a time where it might have happened, but it was hard to say. he was almost always the way he was, but somehow at the end practically unrecognisable.

“he might’ve been an asshole, but he was family,” y/n’s voice shook, “now my family is gone.”

daryl shook his head, “no. y’er family is here. rick, carl, glenn, hershel… they’re family now.”

y/n flashed him a sad smile, he knew that was his way of saying the two were family, but being too introverted to dare to say it out loud, “you don’t think the others hate me?”

daryl’s face scrunched up in confusion, “why’d you even think that?”

y/n chewed on the inside of her cheek, “everyone hated shane… what if they’re lookin’ at me like i’ll end up like him.”

daryl scoffed, shaking his head, “don’ think like that, they ain’t even considered tha’.”

y/n frowned, “how can you be sure?”

“merle was a bigger prick than shane,” daryl rolled his eyes, colourful memories of merle flashing through his mind, “th’people here don’t care ‘bout who y’er related to, they care ‘bout who y’are.”

y/n smiled, trying to blink away the tears that came whenever she thought of her brother, “didn’t take you for a public speaker.”

“shut up,” daryl scoffed, but a small smile sat across his lips, “y’gonna be okay?”

“mhm,” y/n nodded, tucking herself under a sheet, “thank you, daryl.”

he nodded and uttered out a ‘you’re welcome’. he stood at the cell door for a few seconds before leaving back to his perch. she was a good kid, no matter if she saw it or not. the group knew she was, she had proved it to them several times. daryl and carol had always kept an eye out for her, especially whilst her brother was nearing his end.

[perfectsunlight]

(𝟒𝟕) - 𝐟𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐥𝐞𝐬𝐬

𝗐𝖺𝗋𝗇𝗂𝗇𝗀𝗌: mentions of harassment, bullying, death threats

𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬: 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐲𝐨𝐮

“i can’t do it,” you repeated for the nth time that afternoon. you kept pacing back and forth, running a hand through your hair as your chest tightened from anxiety. ever since the harassment and death threats, you had been fearing this moment. 

the moment you would have to return to work with karina.

everyone was already accusing you of so much, and you tried to stay off the internet to avoid it, but then the in person harassment started. paparazzi being more invasive, strangers calling you all sorts of unkind names. 

it was all chipping away at you, piece by piece. and right now, you were about to crumble entirely.

“jimin, i can’t do it.” you whispered as the taller girl rushed into the room, eyes full of concern. 

the aespa leader immediately shut the door behind her and crouched next to you, putting a hand on your back.

“talk to me,” she whispered gently, eyes still focused on you. “what’s going on in that head of yours?”

your eyes brimmed with tears as you leaned against the wall, hunching over to try and catch your labored breath. everything was spinning, the room, your head, your stomach. it felt like you had been running a marathon with the way your chest rose and fell.

jimin’s heart broke at the sight. you were always so fearless, and yet here you were, absolutely crumbling in front of her.

your silence worried her, but when your head lifted up finally, tears were streaming down your face. it was a sight that karina had seen only once, and she never wanted to see it again. however, unfortunately, she had to. this time, she didn’t mind, though.

“i’m sorry, i’m sorry, just go on stage without me.” you said in between shallow breaths. “i can’t do it, jimin i can’t.” the tears began flowing faster as you both heard in your ear pieces that you’d be on in 20 minutes.

your back slid down the wall as you struggled to breathe even more. the anxiety and pure fear were clawing at you. what if someone threw something at you? what if you got booed? what if people wanted to get violent with you?

every single worst case scenario kept replaying in your head, and you felt like the world around you was fading.

then you felt it. the all too familiar pair of arms that once held you every night, but for the first time in years, you were feeling them again.

jimin’s arms instinctively wrapped around your cowering figure as she sat next to you. her signature scent of lavender and vanilla filling your senses, distracting you for a split second from the raging war in your mind. 

“you’re okay, it’s okay…” she whispered softly, rubbing her hand up and down your back in a comforting manner. karina’s heart was aching because of how broken and scared you were, but it was also racing because this was the first time she had been this close to you in years.

you buried your face into her shoulder, and just let everything out. in that moment, you felt safe to do so. 

living in the dorms didn’t give you this safety. if anything it gave you privacy, but you could never let your members see you in this state. it would only break their hearts even worse. you felt terrible enough already for giving the group bad press, the last thing you wanted was to burden them with your feelings.

which was why you were able to just let the dam burst, and cry your heart out in the arms of karina.

“they all hate me, jimin.” sobs wracked your body as you continued to weep, which only resulted in the older girl pulling you closer to her so she could squeeze you tighter. 

“they have no idea what they’re talking about, y/n.” she replied firmly, adamant about the fact that you were being painted in the wrong light. “if they believe their own rumors over what me and your sister have said, then they are not people who deserve your love in the first place.”

you didn’t reply for a few minutes, simply letting your body weep and dwell in its sorrow that you had been keeping in for way too long. this was something no one else would ever be a witness to. no one other than karina and the four walls of the music bank dressing room in the back of the hallway would ever know about this moment.

your sudden quivering words brought jimin out of thoughts.

“i’m sorry, rina. i’m sorry for giving you and your relationship bad press, even if it is fake.” your sniffle was soft as you wiped your eyes with your hand, even though your eyes were still flowing with sadness.

karina couldn’t believe her ears. how could you blame yourself? none of this was your fault.

it was what you said next that made jimin’s heart shatter.

“maybe if you and i never dated, then none of this would have happened.” 

your tears started to flow again at the thought. but then you felt a dampness on your shoulder. confusion laced your features as you turned your head, only to see jimin’s eyes filled with tears.

“why…why would you say that?” she asked in disbelief, eyes full of concern and a few flashes of hurt. jimin saw your relationship as something sacred, something she would always cherish even though it ended. except, she thought you felt the same way.

you realized that what you said was a bold statement, but you clarified with a hoarse voice. “i meant that if i never would have confessed to you, we would not have dated, and we would not have to deal with this absolute mess right now. i wouldn’t be getting death threats, and maybe even you and minjeong would actually be together.”

silence fell between you two for a moment, but then karina finally spoke up.

“i would never trade what we had for anything, even now.”

you did for your debut. you wanted to answer, and karina could tell you were about to say it too, but she continued speaking before you could even get the chance. “to tell you the truth y/n? i was always interested in you.”

she took a deep breath and continued speaking softly, almost in a whisper. “when you and i first met, i was worried because you had no dance experience whatsoever. but despite all the bullshit they gave you, you kept going, and eventually you were outperforming even me and the other senior trainees.”

your mind was slowing down as jimin continued speaking.

“you have always been so resilient, so fearless. your group concept fits you so well, i can’t complain about not debuting with you anymore because of it. you are the most kind, compassionate, hard working person i know. they don’t know you well enough to judge you, especially since they don’t know what they’re talking about.”

she swallowed thicky before meeting your gaze once more. “i know you. i know the real you. 

“fearless, unstoppable, and someone who shines brighter than the sun. you are so unbelievably strong and i can’t imagine how scared you feel right now, but just know this.”

jimin cupped your face in her hands, a tint of red flushing her cheeks as she stared at you.

“you are the most fearless person i know. and i have always loved you for it.”

you opened your mouth to respond to her, but you were at a loss for words. karina always had a way with words, except this time you truly were reminded just how good she was. she always had a knack for this sort of thing, and it was nice to see she still was the same old jimin. in this aspect, at least.

“thank you, jimin.”

you whispered gratefully. for the first time that week, you felt peace in your heart and your mind. it felt as if everything was going to be okay. your cheeks heated up slightly when you realized that karina’s hands were still touching your face.

she seemed to notice and pulled them away, clearing her throat out of awkwardness. “sorry….” she chuckled timidly. 

you smiled and shook your head. “it’s alright…”

the stage managers told the both of you through your earpieces that you were needed onstage in 10 minutes, making you and jimin both smile at each other. 

you knew that jimin was the only person who could bring you back to earth like this. it was astonishing that she still could do that, even after all of these years. but as the aespa member stood up and stuck her hand out for you to take, you couldn’t help but smile softly as you took it.

you were fearless, and you would go out on that stage with a smile to face the raging storm ahead. but little did jimin know, that the only way you could be yourself, was not because of your own traits inherently.

rather, it was because of her. you were the sun, but jimin was the brightest star in your sky.

because even the sun doesn’t shine alone in the darkness.

┊┊┊┊⋆ ✧　 　 · 　 ✧　✵ ┊┊┊☆ *　　 * ⋆ ┊┊★ * ┊┊* . *　✦ ┊☆ ° ✧　 　 · ★*

you and jimin met as trainees before she debuted, and you two never felt more in love. however, once she breaks up with you before her debut, you completely leave SM entertainment under the notion of needing a fresh start. you eventually debuted a few years later in le sserafim, where you met huh yunjin and have slowly started developing feelings for the idol. much to karina's dismay, she hates to see you have moved on, but deep in your own heart, you still can't help but feel as if maybe she has forgotten about you.

𝐭𝐚𝐠𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐭: @captivq , @wonyoluvr , @yunalvrrr , @spritin , @babycubchae , @vnschldd , @sserafimez , @chaersly , @rosiehrs , @baldd , @bwljules , @jenaissantesworld , @jennasluma , @dream-chasers-things , @lcv3lies , @elyds , @archerheejin , @vnschldd , @skisk1 , @cfvgbhndun-new-blog , @silantryoo , @phamminji , @bzeus28 , @writingficsblog , @strangegirlcode , @uzumakioden , @noiacha , @sserabey , @archerheejin , @pindoris , @yourstrulytrissmerigold , @jisooftme , @yacii , @ddrummie , @justalittledissociation

[ 𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐥𝐲 𝐜𝐥𝐨𝐬𝐞𝐝 ]

[smellslikejail]

Komet was so engrossed in not caring what Sam did or did not want that he didn't even register Eve booting up till she was on top of him. The red circuited program snarled and grabbed at her to flip, pin, and derez, but the other program separated the two. Either way, Komet easily got back on his feet and brought out his disc again.

The situation was absolutely frustrating and he decided to just get to the point when something caught his eye. The sight before him made him freeze. That empty, unhinged look in Eve's eyes. Komet physically recoiled. He had seen himself with those eyes before.

Some sort of base instinct caused him to look around the room for exits. There was the one they'd come in from, but they could stop him. The window? No, no, no. He had to get to the portal. He had an order. There were steps to all this. Get to the portal. Report back Rinzler.

Enforcer>Status>Invalid_Request

Dyson then.

Marshal>Status>Invalid_Request

Clu??

Admin>Status>Invalid_Request

Komet whined and dropped his disc. The blade clattering to the floor. If there was no chain of command to report to, then the highest was...himself? The program crouched down in a corner furthest away from Sam and Eve. Multiple pings went out for any security programs higher than himself. Almost all came back invalid and the ones that did were too far away to assist. A cry for help that went unanswered.

Gloved hands reached up and clawed at the sides of his helmet. Clu forbade him from taking it off in front of others. But he didn't know what to do! He never made orders or decisions. Just followed them. He had to get out! But the mission. The pull to go back to the City and back to Clu was matched solely by the pull to go to the portal and do....what?

The lack of clear directions made him stall and go into the only mode he knew. Hide. Cower. Hope that Clu would be merciful. That he'd be kind. But Clu wasn't here, or anywhere. He was gone! All of the dead ends and looping thoughts kept him tucked into the corner. As small as possible. Unseen and unnoticed.

"Hey!" Sam yelped. Komet's grip was tight, and he did not appreciate the invasion of personal space. A rapid brightening of pink was the only warning he got. "Dude, don't-"

A blur crashed into Komet, ripping his hand away from Sam's arm and trying to tackle him to the floor.

"-do that." Sam sighed. "Shit." He grabbed the scruff of Eve's gridsuit, using the "feral child handle" Nitro had snuck into the design to haul her off Komet. "Eve, what are you-" blank, wholly pink eyes stared at him from an unexpressive face. "Of course you booted in safe mode, you creepy owl gremlin."

"You." Sam pointed at Eve with his free hand. "I know damn well you can hear me even like this, do not attack jumpy Security personnel. Bad birdbrain." He turned to point at Komet. "And you. Use your words. I talk too much, it's what I do. I get it. I'm scared as hell, that makes me ramble. But if you don't tell me what you want, and insist on being aggressive, this will happen again."

Sam gingerly set Eve back on her feet, letting go. She stayed where she was, pink eyes fixed on Komet and eerily still. "So. What do you want? If it's my disc, given your actions, you're not getting it in an active state. Read-only, and you have to give it back. If you don't, I won't be stopping Eve from taking it back for me, and she fights far dirtier than I do."

[asa-do-your-thing]

An Eye for an Eye - 01

“The Rescue” 

Osferth x F! OC - 18+ MINORS DNI

Word Count: 1,4k

Warnings: Blood, Injury, Unconsciousness, allusion to violence / rape / kidnapping, angst

Chapter Summary: Osferth's patrol around Uhtred's camp takes an unexpected turn when he discovers the injured and feverish Aemma in a roadside ditch. Concerned for her well-being, Osferth brings her back to camp, where Uhtred identifies her as the young daughter of Coccham's alehouse owner. Determined to help her recover, Osferth, Finan, Uhtred, and Sihtric rally together to provide care and support.

Osferth had seen a lot of things in his days but nothing could have prepared him for the sight that lay before him. Peering down into the cold, muddy ditch he saw a young woman, not older than eight and ten years, cowering in the corner clutching her knees to her chest, all muddy and bloody. He couldn’t make out her face in the darkness but he could barely hear her whimpering from where he stood.

He scrambled down into the ditch and crouched beside her. As his eyes adjusted to the dim light, he could make out more details about her appearance; she was wearing a filthy dress with tattered edges and her waist long hair was knotted up atop her head. She was trembling as if someone had just shook her awake from a deep sleep and it looked like she hadn’t eaten in days. Osferth had no idea who this woman was or how she ended up here but there was something about her that made him stay put despite all the dangers outside their little camp.

She was barely conscious, her face filthy and her clothes travel-stained and tattered. Her body was frail and her breathing labored, indicating that she must have been feverish for a longer while. Under her breath, he heard fragments of sentences, "I... water... who? What was I doing here? What are you doing here?"

He gently leaned forward and touched her arm cautiously as if trying not to startle her. The woman flinched away at first then slowly raised her head to look at Osferth with huge, fearful eyes that brimmed with tears threatening to trickle down any moment now. Seeing this, Osferth felt pain twist inside of him like a thorny vine— something told him this poor soul had been through a lot of suffering in order for it to lead up to this very moment of desperation and despair. He brushed aside some stray strands of hair from eyes, so she could see properly.

"Who are you?", he asked. He got out a flask of water and brought it to her bloody, cracked lips. "Drink this, you must be parched from the heat and your fever. Where is your family? What happened?"

She greedily took long sips. It felt like it had been months since she last had something to drink. "I... I don't know... I can't remember... my back hurts a lot...," she mumbled though her fever. "Are... are you an angel? Since.. when.. are angels... so handsome?"

He chuckled, his voice full of worry. "As much as I'd love to be called an angel I'm just a mortal. You've been through a lot haven't you? Where did you come from? What do you last remember?", he asked, dabbing away the sweat on her face with the sleeve of his shirt.

With shaky, unsteady movements she nodded her head, trying to stand up but stumbling backward into the ditch. The impact sent a shockwave through her body, reverberating down every nerve ending until she was lost in a daze of pain. Her hand shot out instinctively, grasping for something to steady herself - anything- but it was too late as she fell backwards into the pool of her own blood.

 The sticky substance coated her skin and hair with an oily thickness that refused to be wiped away. With each movement she made, more blood flowed forth from the wounds on her back, staining the ground beneath her with a deep red hue.

"I... I can't remember a lot.. but... please help...", she managed to stutter out, between deep, pained gasps for air. She felt her skin burning up with the fever, trying her hardest to stay awake and conscious.

Osferth felt his heart sink as he saw the girl's limp body, almost lifeless against the ground. He quickly lifted her up, not caring that her blood had now spread to his hands and clothes. His voice was filled with desperation as he shouted for help, running back into the camp. "Don't do this to me! Don't you dare die on me!", he begged, squeezing her tightly in his arms as he ran.

As he reached the camp, he frantically ran up to Uhtred, who had been sharpening his dagger together with Finan and Sihtric. They all jumped up and readied themselves for attack, but relaxed when they saw that it was just Osferth. "Uhtred, please... I know not what to do, she's injured and burning up... I...," he stuttered and held her even tighter.

Uhtred's mouth drew into a tight line and his eyes narrowed as he glared down at the battered girl. "Aemma?! But that's the daughter of the alehouse owner in Coccham! What is she doing here?! Sihtric, get our herbs! Lay her on some furs Osferth, we need to stop her wounds from bleeding!" His voice was tinged with concern. "Just a child, barely reaching adulthood... so many things could have happened to her..."

Osferth tenderly laid her on the thick furs of his tent and nodded to Finan, who ground Sihtric's herbs into a fine powder and put them into a tiny pot of steaming water over the campfire. "Yes my Lord, I recall seeing her scrubbing the floors but I just stumbled upon her in a ditch - lost in an incoherent delirium and blazing with fever. She's been fading in and out of consciousness ever since...," he rambled, gripping Aemma's hand for dear life.

Uhtred exchanged a worried look with Finan and pressed his fingers onto his lips, silencing the Irishmen from saying anything. Osferth took out his flask and placed it gently to Aemma's lips. "Drink this, I want you to try and stay awake.. Please..."

Aemma weakly opened her eyes and took a few small sips, coughing in between. "I... I went to fetch herbs and berries... then... I can't remember...," She muttered and fliched, as she touched her back."I'm so sore..."

Sihtric stalked into the tent, his jaw clenched in determination as he ripped Aemma's dress away and slathered herbal paste onto her wounds with harsh strokes. He muttered a silent prayer of thanks to the gods as he saw that the injury did not appear to be infected. Her cries of agony filled the tent as Sihtric shushed her with a gentle yet firm tone. "She should recover in a few days if we can keep her hydrated and nourished," he declared with a steely voice.

Osferth's tears streamed down his cheeks, mingling with her own blood. He tenderly brushed away a clump of matted hair from her face, trying to ignore the deep gashes that crisscrossed her skin. "What kind of monster would do this to you? I wish I could take away your pain." His heart ached as he crouched before her, pressing a cold rag on her forehead in an effort to soothe her agony. 

Aemma opened her eyes and looked up into Osferth's worried gaze, feeling like she was spinning in a never ending circle of despair. "Yes... please.... just take away the pain," she murmured softly. She forced herself to focus on Osferth's ragged breaths and the chill of his touch against her skin, desperately needing the distraction from her misery.

"Don't fear. I will protect you with my life, so sleep now and forget the pain of your wounds. It's alright to close your eyes now, to rest. You'll get through this, and I will be here for you." When he told her that she would make it out alive, that courage filled his eyes. His voice was strong but sincere. As the men saw her slipping away into a deep slumber, they walked out of the tent and sat down by the fire; shocked by what had just happened.

The men started speculating what could have happened and remembered the times they had seen her in the ale house in Coccham. Uhtred spoke first, recalling a time when he'd seen her talking to a shady looking Mercian with an moon shaped scar on his face. Finan nodded solemnly, remembering another time she had mentioned something about a stranger coming to visit her. All of them pondered over these events, trying to figure out how it could tie into Aemma's current condition. 

Osferth felt overwhelmed with guilt for not being there to protect her; he only wished that he could make it up to her somehow.

They all agreed that this was no mere accident or misadventure, and that it was indeed possible that someone had deliberately done this to Aemma. Outrage filled their veins as they discussed who could be behind this heinous act and what their plan might be. They all made a silent vow at that very moment—to do whatever it took to bring justice for Aemma, even if it meant risking their own lives in the process.

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