#his blade is fully cleaned and shines

[ma1dmer]

Elden Ring - White-Faced Varre NSFW

I am no longer ashamed of my medical malpractice kink

A = Aftercare (What they’re like after sex): he is very soft and nothing but diligent with his aftercare, he'll run you a warm bath, wash you gently and whisper praises in your ear as you relax.

B = Body part (Their favourite body part of theirs and also their partner’s): //fingers ,yes i am a comedian sometimes

C = Cum (Anything to do with cum basically… I’m a disgusting person): absolutely adores the mess ,the filthier the better, he'll have you lick his fingers clean right after you or he cums on his hand.

D = Dirty Secret (Pretty self explanatory, a dirty secret of theirs): i think he’d be into some sort of dark roleplay, some cnc scenario where he acts as your corruptor and you give yourself freely to him, or maybe even put up a bit of a verbal fight.

E = Experience (How experienced are they? Do they know what they’re doing?): i think he has experience, knows exactly what makes things enjoyable and adjusts that knowledge to each person, its like a game trying to see which things click for each person. //I also believe it has to do with the fact he was a surgeon ,helping him know your body better than you know it as an ex doctor

F = Favourite Position (This goes without saying. Will probably include a visual): he likes the basics when it comes to the actual deed, he especially likes doggy where he can shove your face to the ground and tease you about how willing you are to get down on your knees and get filthy for him

G = Goofy (Are they more serious in the moment, or are they humorous, etc): he makes you laugh just so he can hear your voice crack into a moan or a gasp of pain/pleasure when he has you.

H = Hair (How well groomed are they, does the carpet match the drapes, etc.): He keeps everything nicely trimmed.

I = Intimacy (How are they during the moment, romantic aspect…): he’ll woo you before bedding you, brush your hair out of your face with gentle gloved fingers, compliment you, lay down roses for you, foreplay matters a lot and its even sweeter when he can debauch you right after making your heart flutter, the way your eyes shine with adoration even when he might be dragging a blade down your body, its addicting.

J = Jack Off (Masturbation headcanon): why should he do so when he can have you instead.

K = Kink (One or more of their kinks): dacryphilia, knife play, blood play, humiliation, sadomasochism etc

L = Location (Favourite places to do the do): everywhere ,he truly is shameless in this regard, its both as a way to claim you, and because he loves the idea of you wanting this so much you are willing to do it everywhere, he'll tease you about being so naughty even if he himself made sure you are so into it

M = Motivation (What turns them on, gets them going): submission, having you fully put your trust in him , letting him guide you or indulging in his more “unsavory” interests. 

N = NO (Something they wouldn’t do, turn offs): there is probably not a lot that he wouldn’t do or have you do.

O = Oral (Preference in giving or receiving, skill, etc): he likes giving as much as receiving ,but does have a preference for having you beg for him while he torments you with his tongue.

P = Pace (Are they fast and rough? Slow and sensual? etc.): torturously slow but not necessarily gentle.

Q = Quickie (Their opinions on quickies rather than proper sex, how often, etc.): he mostly does quickies as a way to punish you in a way, have you fast and hard ,finishing before you and leaving so you have to think of him and seek him out, plead with him to help you out, and if he is feeling kind that day who knows, he might help you after all he can't deny your sweet pleas

R = Risk (Are they game to experiment, do they take risks, etc.): very into experimenting and especially good at convincing you to try out things, loves pushing you out of your comfort zone and always makes sure you are thoroughly rewarded for it

S = Stamina (How many rounds can they go for, how long do they last…): he paces himself very well, almost always enjoys the heavy petting sessions as much as being inside you so its always a very long round, just one though , and always spaced out, so you have to seek him out

T = Toy (Do they own toys? Do they use them? On a partner or themselves?): he does, a large variety that has him always so indecisive ,what should he use next, how should he torment his sweet little lambkin, so many possibilities so many paths to take

U = Unfair (how much they like to tease): he is horrible, he loves teasing you, he'll push you to tell him everything you want him to do to you while being entirely still inside you until you finally talk, and spill every embarrassing desire and fantasy you have

V = Volume (How loud they are, what sounds they make): very very quiet, besides some gasps when he finishes and the things be tells you throughout to tease you, he is very quiet, unnervingly so

W = Wild Card (Get a random headcanon for the character of your choice): i totally think he’d be into hate sex, having you angry and shouting at him, claiming to hate him while your body betrays your needs and wants

X = X-Ray (Let’s see what’s going on in those pants, picture or words): he is on the longer side with a slight curve that always hits your best spots, very cocky about it too

Y = Yearning (How high is their sex drive?): he yearns a lot, but likes to keep himself in control of his needs, wants you to come to him rather than him having to chase you

Z = ZZZ (… how quickly they fall asleep afterwards): he likes watching you, at your more relaxed when you are this comfortable next to him, it's truly a testament to your trust and he is honored, he spends hours simply watching yo and, running his fingers through your hair

[starstruckunknown-princess]

Forget-me-not - Eddie Munson x Reader

Forget-me-not (Myosotis) - Meaning: Don't forget me, remembrance

Summary: Reader visits Eddie's grave. Little does she know what awaits her there.

Pairing: Eddie Munson x Reader

Word Count: 958

Warnings: Drug use (reader smokes weed), ANGST (with a happy-ish ending), dead!Eddie, Reader was part of ST4 events, cemetery setting, Vampire!Eddie, blood

Day 17 is another angsty one but I think it ends on a positive note. I love Eddie, and I fully believe the Cas storyline is what we'll see in season 5 cuz there's no freakin way I will just forget about this sweet metalhead, you hear me Duffers??

In Bloom Masterlist

Likes, Comments, Reblogs are SUPER appreciated! ❤️

You held your breath for as long as you could, feeling the smoke invade your lungs before sputtering it loose. The smoke filled the inside of your shitty beater car. You knew you’d reek of it for the rest of the day but you didn’t care. 

You hadn’t cared about much for the last few months. Not since Eddie died. 

Taking another hit, you glanced over at your passenger seat. A bundle of fresh cut flowers — white daisies, the flowers Eddie had brought you on your first date because he heard they were your favorite. A pang of sadness hit you right in the gut, like a punch and you blew out the smoke, feeling the calming effect of the weed. 

You’d only been here a few times since the funeral. It was difficult to bring yourself here, to stand where his uncle had buried an empty coffin and pretend Eddie was down there instead of stuck in the hellish landscape that was the Upside-Down. 

God, everything was so fucked up. 

The whole town was convinced he was a bloodthirsty maniac who deserved what he got. Only you, Wayne, and Hellfire club knew him for what he’d been. A sweet, brave, incredible guy who lived in his imagination because reality was difficult. 

He’d called you ‘princess’ and ‘love’ and drove you to and from school every day in his van, holding your hand the whole way there. He planted kisses on your cheeks when you passed in the halls and wrote you little love notes that he snuck between the pages of your notebook or textbooks so you’d find them later. 

He’d been so gentle when he took your virginity (after having listened to your long-winded feminist rant about how virginity was a “bullshit patriarchal concept”). Every touch and sigh and moan etched on your memory forever. Afterward, he cleaned you up and wrapped you in his lanky arms and told you he loved you for the first time, his big doe eyes shining in the dim light of his room. 

You’d been so incredibly, irrevocably in love with him. And he was gone. 

If you didn’t get out of the car now, you never would, so you stubbed out your blunt and grabbed the flowers and got out. The cemetery was quiet, despite being next to a busy highway. It was early evening, the sun hanging low in the sky and casting everything in an orange glow. Walking through the rows and rows of headstones until you found the familiar name. 

‘Edward Munson’

‘Now at Peace’

Except that wasn’t the truth. His body was rotting in another dimension, probably torn to shreds and completely unrecognizable by now. 

“Hey, love,” you said to the chunk of granite. “I brought daisies.” You crouched, laying the bouquet in front of the headstone before plucking out a few longer blades of grass that threatened to obscure his name. 

You sat down in front of it, not really sure what to do. Talk to him? Cry? Another long feminist rant about how you hated the idea of marriage but how you would’ve married him in a heartbeat? 

Because you would’ve. 

“I’m sorry, baby,” you said, absentmindedly picking at the grass around you. “I should’ve gone with you and Dustin. I could have dragged you back so at least you’d be here and not there. If I’d been there, you’d be home. Or maybe you…” you trailed off with a long sigh. “It’s no use living in the past, is it? Except that’s where you are, it’s the only place you are right now and I can’t — how do I keep going on without you? I just want to hear you laugh again, Eddie. Feel your arms around me one more time…” 

Tears spilled down your cheeks. The gaping wound in your chest reopened and you doubled over, letting yourself sob. You cried until the sun disappeared, at some point laying down on your side in the fetal position. 

At some point you must’ve fallen asleep, because you woke up sometime later to a brush against your cheek. Your eyes fluttered open and you shivered in the chilly night air as you sat up, looking around. You had the strange feeling you weren’t alone. 

The sound of leaves rustling behind you made you turn, and you choked on your gasp. 

Sitting on top of his own headstone, looking a little worse for wear but still beautiful, was Eddie. His clothes were torn, but free of blood. His curls were frizzing out under his bandana, and his rings glinted in the moonlight. 

He looked up at you from under his brow and smiled wickedly, “Hello, princess.” 

You scrambled toward him, a fresh wave of tears falling down your cheeks. Eddie met you in the middle, kneeling in front of his headstone and welcoming you into his embrace which you dove into, clutching his leather jacket and burying your face in his neck. 

“Shh, princess, I’m here,” he muttered soothingly. Placing kisses from your cheek down to your neck, you barely registered a pinching pain from his teeth. He groaned. “Ohh, you taste so good. Missed you so much, so sweet for me…”

You sniffled and pulled back from him to look him in the eyes — his big brown eyes that you swore you could drown in — but your gaze was drawn down to his chin, covered in something that made it dark. With a shaking hand, you reached up and traced his lower lip, gathering some of the substance. 

Blood.

You looked back at Eddie, who was still holding you and gazing down at you like he always had. Full of love, hope, all-encompassing joy. 

And then he smiled, revealing two long, razor-sharp fangs.

[just-mothman]

Waiting with you: Thiollier x Tarnished

Synopsis: When a familiar Tarnished makes their way to Thiollier's Cliff, he wasn't sure what to expect. But such an open display of emotion was certainly on the bottom of his list. Still, he found himself unable to let them cry alone.

Tags/Warnings: previous partner death (Rogier, Implied), Grieving, hurt/comfort, strangers to friends

Author's Note: It has been a while since I've wrote fan-fic to publish, but this sad little lad man convinced me to. I'm a little rusty, so apologies if it reads a little awkwardly. The story includes my Tarnished, Conrí, specifically, and uses they/them pronouns (for ease of reading, since technically they use any).

Enjoy.

Unlike almost everywhere else in the Land of Shadow, the cliff on which Thiollier sat seemed to be the most peaceful. Despite it overlooking a poison-filled swamp, the quietude it offered was something rare. The air seemed fresher here too, gently wafting the grass into waves. Perhaps this is why Conrí decided to stop at this grace. Dismounting Torrent, they lifted a hand of Rowa fruit for him to eat before he dissipated into blue sparks. With a sigh, they looked over at the empty sea just a distance away from the cliff. With heavy steps, they wander over to the Grace, sitting down beside it. Their head tilted over to the sickly man sat on the few rocks, the strands of white hair from his headdress lightly floating in the breeze.

Thiollier had noticed their presence yet had not looked up, as he was unable to halt the trembling he felt. It had been with him since their first meeting. Conrí uttered no words, yet their ghostly eyes peering through their tangled black hair had sent strikes of fear up Thiollier’s spine. Even when they first acknowledged the Site of Grace, he couldn’t stop noticing the unrelenting presence of death that hung around them at every moment. So, he had become even more quiet around them, finding it best just to not take note of them and keep his head down.

But despite this, something of a morbid curiosity had welled up within him about the silent Tarnished. Carefully, he looked up from his hunched position. As usual, their eyes appeared unblinking as they looked at the golden light of the Grace. Despite this, Thiollier could sense something else within the engulfing fear he felt when looking at their seated form. Something melancholic? He was uncertain what it was, but the curiosity stirred stronger in his breast and kept him from tearing his eyes away.

With slow, methodical movements, Conrí reached forward and pushed their hand into the Grace. Their hand did not come out the other side, yet they barely seemed phased. Thiollier was much less nonchalant, a jolt of surprise making him jump in his spot. Their hand seemed to plunge further into it, a furrow appearing on their brow in concentration. It seemed that almost their whole forearm had been plunged into the sparkling gold before they became still.

Meticulously, Conrí’s arm came back through the golden light, their hand firmly gripping a hilt. As they pulled further back, a thin, silver blade slipped through the Grace. Once the sword had been fully removed, Thiollier was able to get a better look at it.

The metalwork was precise, as would be needed for a rapier. The hilt was slender, a red gemstone neatly placed in the centre of two ornamental, wing-like swirls that formed the guard. It appeared incredibly clean, polished to a bright shine that reflected the very grace it came from. It appeared to be too delicate to be wielded by someone with such brute strength, Thiollier thought to himself.

Rolling the rapier in their hands, Conrí’s gaze seemed to soften, much to Thiollier’s surprise. The near-piercing pale blue of their irises looked much softer in this moment. They sighed deeply behind the black cloth that hid the lower half of their face, a barely audible hitch in the noise. Closing their eyes, they pulled the sword’s hilt to their forehead, gently resting it there. The glint of light coming off their eyelashes developed into tears that smudged away their smeared-on makeup. Silently, they sat there. Unmoving.

Thiollier was lucky to be wearing his porcelain mask, as his mouth hung ajar and his eyes were blown wide. This wall of death, this Goliath of a warrior, was sat crying in front of him. His thoughts moved faster than he could keep up, finding every preconception of the Tarnished before him was wrong. He sighed quietly. He didn't have the heart to leave them be. He stood up unsteadily, legs feeling weak as he did so. Like a cat, he slowly and carefully sneaked over to Conrí, who too deep in their own thoughts to notice him. Despite every part of his body telling him to run, to sit back in his spot and forget this had happened, he instead lowered himself to sit near them.

It took a few moments for Conrí to notice the timid fellow at their side. Only when the scent of lavender and lilies had crossed there senses did they turn to him. It was a quick motion, which caused Thiollier to tense up. Yet their eyes did not appear so threatening now, just sorrowful. Their arms cradled the Rapier like it was glass, and would shatter with the slightest pressure.

"It... Seems important to you," Thiollier began, breaking the silence with his wobbly voice, "Was it from a friend?"

Conrí looked down and, after some consideration, shook their head 'no' and hunched over the sword once again.

"Something more?" He pried slightly.

Clutching the rapier closer to their body, Conrí's trembling gave Thiollier the answer he needed. With an incredibly light hand, he rubbed their shoulder. Despite not really feeling it through their layers of armour and cloth, the gesture was rewarded with a slight lean into it. This seemed to spark some confidence in the masked man, shuffling over to sit right beside them. Thiollier saw himself, then Conrí's scrunched eyes, reflected in the Rapier's blade.

Inky tears dripped on the blade, leaving makeup residue as they continued their journey down the length of silver. Reaching into his pouch full of poisons, the white-haired man pulled a near-clean cloth. Raising himself to his knees, his hand extended towards the swords hilt. Conrí jerked it away protectively, eyes now glaring at him in their usual, inhuman ferosity. Steeling his nerves, Thiollier did not pull his had away.

"I just want to wipe it down. You can keep hold of it, just turn the blade to me." His voice broke, betraying him and allowing some of that bottled up fear to slip out.

Carefully, Conrí rotated the blade in their grip and pointed it towards their companion. Once positioned for Thiollier, they pulled their right arm from the hilt and wiped at their face with the cloth of their undershirt. They felt the slightest dip in the rapier's position as Thiolier brushed up the blade with tentative precision. He quickly restored it's shine, each meaningful stroke of his hand restoring the luster the metal started with.

"There," he started, "It should be all good now."

Conrí remained silent, yet nodded their head in recognition. Slowly, they lifted the sword to inspect it, before slipping the tip of the blade back into the grace. They placed the sword back to it's original place the way they had before: slowly and methodically. Thiollier still had question as to how that was possible, but they waited in the back of his mind for another day.

The two remained seated on the cliff, the wind gently tugging on their hair. Both seemed at peace in the comfortable silence that now held them. Thiollier noticed, in this silence, his shaking had ceased to overwhelm him. He looked to Conrí, whose eyes no longer wept, and instead looked wistfully out at the ocean ahead. The feeling of dread and fear ebbed away.

They waited for a while, until Conrí stood up and summoned Torrent to continue their predestined journey. They waved back at Thiollier, who stayed seated in the grass.

How funny, he thought, that such tenderness could come from one so seemingly menacing. And, as much as he tried to ignore it, he couldn't help but hope they would come to see him again soon.

[oceansssblue]

[THE BAD BATCH]—Soulmate AU

CROSSHAIR/OFC

WARNINGS: BODY SWAP, FLUFF. 💖

Crosshair hated the idea of soulmates. Well, not the existance of soulmates per se –though he was skeptical–; just the way soulmates discovered each other. The whole body swap thing was a pile of bullshit. He was a soldier, for the Force's sake; a random person waking up in his body didn't seem like a good idea. He imagined a meek little thing opening their eyes in the middle of a war-zone; Crosshair's body inside his sleeping bag with his rifle right besides him. Hell, the little shit would probably piss themselves with so much opened fire and death around him; and get themselves killed. Whoever clinged to the idea of soulmates like a kid desperate for love clearly hadn't thought about it enough.

(•••)

A sudden jolt woke Athena from her slumber; the girl quickly sitting up in her bed and searching for her gun in the nightstand beside her. It was then when she realised there was no nightstand; no gun, not her bed, and definitively not her house. She felt paralysed for a moment, processing what could only be true; she had woken up in her soulmate's body. After that, came a small recognition mission. Her first instinct was to look down at herself; she was surprised to find out she was dressed in heavy armour, covered from chest to toes with the exception of her face, helmet carefully placed in the floor. She carefully examined every piece of it. It was a mix of black, greys and reds; a small white skull painted on the right shoulder pauldron with a "99" marked right below.

Athena bent down to grab the matching helmet of the ground. It looked kinda menacing; one side of the visor opened wider with the shape of a crosshair. A quick glance around discovered a rifle resting against the bed she was still sitting on. Athena's –well, her soulmate's– lips twisted upwards into a smile. At least she knew her way around that.

The woman grabbed the weapon and took her time examining it. It was clearly very well cared for; every piece cleaned of dust and dirt, no more than a few light scratches here and there. It was an advanced intriguing model. Not everyone's cup of tea; but Athena couldn't help but think of the weapon as gorgeous, and started to feel excited about the chance of using it. She hand't fired her own sniper for a while, sticking to guns and vibro-blades at the present time. It would be fun to reminiscense old times.

She grabbed both the rifle and the helmet and stood up; inmediately feeling out of place. This person was tall; she chuckled, silently imagining her soulmate living her life with her petite size. It was weird being in a man's body, too. Thankfully, her, uh, his cock –fucking hell, she couldn't really believe she had one of those right now– was well hidden and protected under the codpiece. She blushed realising she was going to have to see it and use it at some point of the day. That felt like a huge privacy invasion; but to be fair, her soulmate's organs weren't going to stop functioning just because of her.

Taking advantage of still being the only person in the room, Athena walked around and tried a few crouches and jumps. She tried positions with the rifle, too. For an outsider, the scene would have looked totally ridiculous; but the girl wanted to make sure she was used to moving around in her new body if she was going to be following trouble. Once that was done, she decided she was ready to find out who else she was in the ship with.

It wasn't very big, so Athena had no trouble finding the cockpit; where another three fully armoured men seemed ready to go into battle. She took the chance to examine them. One had long hair –kept in place with a red bandana– and half of his face tattoed in black. The other was a giant of a human; one eye shining artificially and a myriad of scars around it. The last one was the one piloting the ship; eyes hiding behind rounded goggles and too many pouches on his belt. It was clear they were a team where everyone served a specific purpose; thankfully she had swapped her body with the one ability in which she could stand her own.

"Just in time, Crosshair" the goggled clon greeted her without even looking away from the front window of the ship "We'll be arriving Ilya's separatist base in ten".

It was right then and there when Athena understood who his soulmate –and all these guys– were; clones for the Grand Army of the Republic. Athena herself lived on a neutral system in the Outer Rim; but obviously knew of the endless fight between both sides. She couldn't help but frown in confusion; they clearly didn't look like regular clones. She asumed her soulmate didn't, either?

"Alright, lets run through the plan one last time before we arrive" the one with the red bandana stated, Athena inmediately recognising the leadership in his voice "The guys from the 104th are gonna give us free way to the control tower; Wrecker, you and I are gonna plant the bombs and make sure that place is prepared for being blown up. Crosshair covers Tech into level seventeen to extract the information needed. Are we clear?"

A chorus of "Yes, Sarge" followed and Athena nodded in agreement with just a second of delay. She argued with herself if she should make her presence known; deciding at last on not sharing the information for now. It would only bring distrust and anxiousness to the team; turning the war-zone even more dangerous for them. They needed a clear mind and focus and so did she. She'd tell them when the mission was finished and they were tucked safely back on the ship.

(•••)

Athena never felt more grateful for her extensive training. Without it, she'd be dead by now. Ilya's war-zone was a death-pit; a mess of droidekas, combat droids, and even spider droids replicating endlessly in the arid planet's surface. The woman had had her fair battle experiences with Erian's army before; but nothing quite like that. Watching the clone army fight the separatists endless lines was an impressive sight to behold. Athena couldn't help but feel a strong rush of admiration and respect for those men; as well as a wave of sadness and guilt. Did they truly wanted to be there? Was that their real choice? Had she unkowingly been a supporter of all of this by just hiding herself in her own little neutral system all this time?

She was brought back to reality by a wave of new droids moving towards them; her instincts kicking in and quickly getting rid of them with a few well placed shots from her rifle. That wasn't the end of the party, though; two BX-commando droids followed them, and Athena groaned in annoyance. She had had a close encounter with one of them right outside the control tower minutes before; Hunter quickly stabbing his vibro-blade to its head and inabilitating the droid. She decided to follow his technique; and was glad to find out her soulmate also had a pretty good aim with blades.

Both droids defeated, Athena turned towards Tech. He was crouched down next to level seventeen's control panel, datapad connected to its port and quickly transfering the information needed. Athena was impressed with how fast he had managed to hack every single piece of tech –she could see where the nickname came from– they had come across with with the same unconcerned and unwavering determination in his face. It felt like the goggled clone's mind worked at a faster rythm than others; but even with that, the woman was starting to feel restless now.

"As much as I find your work impressive, Tech, we should get going now".

The man glanced at him for just a second too long before humming uncomitedly and replying with an unhurried tone.

"I will require ten more seconds, if you may be so patient to wait".

Athena made sure the clone's back was covered til Tech quickly disconected off the port and shoved his datapad back in his belt.

"Got it" he announced, not an inch of boasting in his voice, just an assertive statement, and they both made their way out, back to the war-zone.

(•••)

Their mission on Ilya was successful. They had managed to extract the information needed –Tech quickly making a second copy in case the first was damaged in the trip back home–; and Wrecker had done a good job honouring his name and bringing the tower down after they all had made their way back to the Marauder.

Athena sat down on the co-pilot's seat in the cockpit, the adrenaline of the fight still running through her veins. A satisfied grin was perched on her soulmate's face; she felt proud of the team, even if it weren't really hers.

"Good job out there, guys" she congratulated them, just a passing, brotherly comment.

Inmediately, both at once, Hunter and Wrecker turned to stare at her. Athena frowned confused, looking back at them with a growing nervousness inside of her. Before she could try to justify herself –for whatever bad thing she had done–, Tech cleared his throat and made sure the course for Kamino was correctly set up before observing her as well.

"Ah, yes. I believe that is Crosshair's soulmate".

Athena looked at him in surprise. Tech chuckled and pointed out the unkowing mistakes she had done.

"You are far too chirpy and nice, to be fair, for our dear brother" he explained, the others still in shock with the clone's revelation "Though I admit your abilities as a sniper got me fooled, at first. It was unbelievably lucky for Crosshair's soulmate to know her way around a rifle, I must admit, or this mission would have been a catastrophe.

She shuffled in her feat, sheepish.

"He has good eyes" she conceded, smiling guiltily. "Sorry for not saying anything before, guys. I thought it would only bring unnecessary complications, so I was planning to wait til the mission finished and we got back.

Wrecker let out a booming laugh, finally having processed the strange idea of someone being in his grumpy brother's body; while Hunter's chuckle was much more reserved and quiet.

"It's so weird seing him smile like that" he mumbled to the others, only making Wrecker's laugh louder.

"Yeah! I didn't even think his face could do that!" the big clone pointed out.

They all laughed together when, in a very Crosshair-like manner, Athena just rolled her eyes.

(•••)

"You should go shower".

Hunter's nose scrunched softly in agreement, and Athena sighed.

"I know".

Tech tilted his head, analysing her expression, curious.

"And you aren't because...?" asked Mr. bandana, and Athena fidgeted in her place and groaned.

They were back to the squad's barracks; a medium sized room with beds pushed up against the wall and a big table on the very center, crammed with all sorts of things. The boys had entertained her the rest of the late afternoon with stories about past missions and Crosshair's icks; though now, two hours later, the inevitable moment had come to its end. Athena could feel –his, her, whatever– bladder at its maximum capacity. She couldn't delay it anymore than she had already.

"I'm assuming that Athena is somewhat uncomfortable having to see Crosshair naked and performing normal body functions" Tech's calm voice popped in, making Hunter rise an eyebrow.

"You'd think one would be happy to see his soulmate naked" he answered, almost goading her to reply, and the woman glanced at him in defeat and sighed.

"In a normal situation, I would love to get my soulmate naked" she pin-pointed, tiredly and kind of frustrated "But this is not a normal situation. This is weird as fuck. I'm going to see his face in a mirror for the first time, then I'm gonna use his winner to pee, I'll have to take a shit, and then I'll get all this grime, blood and dirt off and... It's not funny, Wrecker! This so fucking weird, maker!"

"I'm sorry!" the clone laughed, it was impossible not to "But it really is!"

Hunter tried not to grin and offered some comfort for a change.

"Okay, I get it. But look, you can't run away from that. Just go do whatever you need to do, and come straight back. Better not overthink it".

"I bet Crosshair has not had this much inconvenience on jumping into the shower" added Tech, for theatricallity, and that was the last straw on Athena's burning expression.

"I'll be right back" she announced, defeated, and dragged her legs to the showers.

(•••)

It was just as weird as Athena had imagined. However, she had always thought peing as a man would be kinda fun, so she had honestly played around probably a bit too much with that. She hadn't been able to help herself and she had standed naked in front of the mirror for a whole five minutes; examining inch by inch of his soulmate's body. She had expected him to be slightly different than your usual clone –all of his team was–; but not like that. Crosshair looked like nothing similar. He had grey hair –not that it was a bad thing at all, it did give him a more matured sexy look–; his jaw was slightly softer than his brothers, though his thin lips, impossibly straight nose, and natural glare –accentuated by the tattoo around his right eye– definitively didn't give out the vibe for soft. He kinda looked like a bad guy; and Athena couldn't help but smirk at the thought. Somehow, that expression seemed better matched for Crosshair's face than her previous's symetrical smiles. Athena wondered if his face would seem that much different when the real Crosshair was the one inside his long, thin yet muscled body.

After showering and changing to a clean set of blacks, she returned back to the barracks. Wrecker laughed upon seing her and Hunter nodded in satisfaction; Tech being the one that decided not to comment about it and aproaching her with his inseparatable datapad.

"I wondered if you would like to give me your comm link and where to find you in case we wanted to contact you" he asked, in his very polite unusual way of talking, and Athena answered with a nod and a smirk.

"Sure" she added, nochalantly.

Tech adjusted his goggles and turned the datapad towards her.

"You're getting the hand of that" he pointed.

Athena's usual symetrical smile manifested herself in Crosshair's face right then. The betrayal...

(•••)

Crosshair woke up with a start. His eyes quickly scanned the room he was in and inmediately recognised the Batch's place in the barracks; his muscles quickly relaxing against his slightly uncomfortable but familiar bed with a deep sigh. Yeah, soulmate's body swapping was a horrible idea. Well, to be fair, he hadn't exactly had a bad time in the woman's body; it was kind of nice to have a whole day to himself for once, and his soulmate had a nice small apartment in the outskirts of town. It was quiet there, in what he discovered was Erian, an outer-rim neutral planet with numerous lakes and waterfalls; and he had had hours to think about her. He was more concerned of what she was doing in his body.

She seemed like an everyday natborn at first; small cute place, friendly neighbours, and with what he asumed to be a normal job by the uniform with a cafeteria's logo. She didn't have any remarkable features, though that didn't say she wasn't attractive; she was just plainly pretty. Normal pretty. Black wavy hair, dark eyes, a cute nose and a very short height. It wouldn't be the kind of girl Crosshair would see passing by in Coruscant and think "fuck, she's hot"; but more of a "she's cute" if she showed some interest towards him. Crosshair was perfectly happy with that. He wasn't exactly a handsome man either –at least, not in the way both Hunter and Tech were–; he just had something attractive about him, he guessed, and that was perfectly fine. As they say, looks weren't everything; Crosshair would pick a standard beauty girl with a personality than a hot woman that bored him to death. And he was easily bored.

For that reason, he felt surprised, but relieved, when he found the case of a rifle inside his soulmate's bedroom closet; it wasn't as advanced at his, but it was advanced, and the sniper felt inmediately more attracted to whoever she was. A girl with that had to have some feisty side on her, if only a little. Crosshair wasn't looking for a replica of himself –that would be too much attitude in the same room–; just someone who could hold her own and stand against him. He suddenly felt more curious and –dare say– excited to meet her.

Showering was without doubt a weird thing. Crosshair had to get himself naked in her soulmate's body; boobs perfectly visible –and what could he say, he couldn't stop looking at them– and every curve, scar and mole exposed to his eyes. He tried not to linger too much; an uncomfortable guilt following him around until he got dressed again in her pijamas.

When he went to bed that night, he was glad to know he wouldn't have to experience being her ever again, impatient to being in his own body at last. He had the fleeting hope that the woman wouldn't get them both killed right before he closed his eyes.

(•••)

Tech had showed him a video of her soulmate as himself in their last mision on Ilya and Crosshair couldn't help the proud smirk that crept onto his face. She was quick with the trigger and had a good form; and had done a good job being him, luckily. His brothers had retelled him every single detail about that day; how she had fooled them at first, her outstanding work in the battlefield, her hesitance for seing the rest of him and the impressions they had got of her.

"I like her. She's cute and smiley, but she can definitevely be totally serious and playfull as well" had been Wreckers word, followed by Hunter's quiet opinion.

"You'll like her" he had just confirmed, no doubt in his voice, and then there was only Tech left.

"I agree. Your love for weapons and rifles would probably bring you closer. She's an atractive woman, kind but firm and determined. She seemed to have a good sense of humour and what people usually refer to as "banter". I asked for her comm number and residence in case you wanted to contact her."

Crosshair hummed uncomitedly and turned to Hunter, eyebrow shooting up to his forehead.

"Think we can make a visit next time we finish a mission, Sarge?"

Hunter seemed surprised; and honestly, Crosshair was a bit surprised with himself too. But he wanted to meet her, face to face this time. He was intrigued, just that; that's what he kept telling himself, at least.

"I'm sure we could refuel in Erian next time a mission takes us to the Outer Rim, right Tech?" he answered, nochalantly.

Tech was quick to reply.

"Erian's status as a neutral system and a common planet for multiple space lanes makes it a good place to refuel indeed".

Hunter patted Crosshair's shoulder.

"There you go, lover boy" he taunted, and chuckled with his brother's annoyed and exasperated expression.

It was good to have him back.

(•••)

Athena was just drying her dishes with a towel when someone knocked at her door. She shouted a quick "coming!" from the kitchen before quickly finishing her job and receiving her visitant; inmediately freezing in the entrance of her house when she saw who was wanting to see her.

"Crosshair?" she asked, surprised.

He only nodded in amusement. It had been two weeks since the body swap.

"Yeah, it's the real me this time" he answered, a hint of sarcasm hiding in his voice, making the woman chuckle before stepping to the side.

"Please, come in" she offered, the sniper quickly following and closing the door behind him "And in my defense, I did a good job being your impostor".

Crosshair hummed and slowly leaned against the kitchen's counter. Athena thought he looked even taller having him in front of her in her own body now; and his expressions more practiced and collected. He was sexy.

"And I'd lie if I said I wasn't surprised with that" he answered, examining her with his intimidating gaze. "Where did you learn snipping?"

She shrugged humbly.

"Trained for years. I was part of the army of Erin not too long ago. Retired after an injury and I'm living the normal citizen live since then."

Crosshair remembered the scar on her knee, and the way her step had felt slightly unbalanced.

"Knee?" he wanted to confirm.

Athena blushed, the question reminding her of the fact that he had seen her naked as well. Knew what she felt and looked like.

"Maker, i can't believe you've already seen me naked and we've just oficially met" she chuckled, feeling slightly akward and embarassed, in contrast with Crosshair's satisfied smirk.

"Well, so have you" he pointed out, his tone turning to a cheeky seductive thing "I hope you've found everything your taste".

Athena laughed and, to his satisfaction, nodded; not trying to hide her opinion of him. She was the brutally honest kind of girl.

"You have some good equipment" she conceeded, eyes momentarily travelling downwards whith a grin perched on her face.

Crosshair snorted and stared at her, trying to find more about his soulmate; while she tilted her head in intrigue and smiled.

"So, decided to come see your soulmate with your own eyes this time?"

Crosshair shrugged and diverted the acussation. He didn't want to admit that.

"I've got good eyes" he replied, nochalantly, instead.

Athena hummed and slowly stepped closer to him; caging him against the counter.

"Mm. And a very kissable face, too".

The clone arched an eyebrow.

"Is that so? That your way of asking me to kiss you?" he pointed out the obvious, just to watch her struggle and blush.

Athena didn't give him the chance.

"That's your decission to make, Mr. sniper" she shot back.

Crosshair rolled his eyes.

"Please, don't call me that. If we start with the cheesy nicknames shit I promiss I'll vomit all over your very clean floor. It would be a shame, really".

Athena laughed and closed the last step; seductively sliding her hands down his chest until she could hook her thumbs in his waistband.

"Well, there's only one way to shut me up" she tempted him.

Crosshair wasn't famous for resisting temptation; and he definitively wasn't bored.

THE END.

---------------------

AUTHORS NOTE:

AND THAT'S OUR LAST BOY CROSS! WITH THAT WE FINISH OUR SOULMATE AU SERIES FOR OUR FAVOURITE SEXY BACTH.

LET ME KNOW IF YOU'VE LIKED IT! AND AGAIN, IF YOU CAN REBLOG, MUCH APRECIATED.

I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT TO WRITE NEXT, SO I GUESS I'LL BE TAKING A BREAK TIL THEN. I WELCOME ANY REQUEST OR PROMPT YOU MAY HAVE, GIVE IT TO ME! I CAN WRITE ANYTHING :)

OH, AND IT'S 2024 NOW, SO HAPPY NEW YEAR!

(ALSO, I ACCEPT TUMBLR RECOMENDATIONS OF BB -OR ANY CLONES- STORY IF U HAVE THEM).

Xx,

Sky.

[bigassmoth]

18+ Wyll, the blade of frontiers x reader/tav. Gendered language used once, refers to tav as princess. 2nd person pov

"Knees just a little further apart, princess. Ive got you." Wyll's smooth baratone vibrated your back where his chest pressed into it. His breath tickled your ear and his hand, big and so deliciously warm and firm, pressed against your stomach to keep your hips pinned to his.

You complied, breath ragged as you shimmied your knees further apart, grinding on his exposed cock in the process. Wyll patiently rocked it against the slick gathered against your ass, his other hand holding yours with interwoven fingers. You tremble under him in excitement and Wyll cant help but coo when he kisses the back of your neck. Slowly he slides into you, hips giving shallow thrusts while his hand keeps you propped up.

His lips become loose with lust, revealing thoughts better suited to a monster than a knight in shining armor. "You make me feel like a talented musician with the way you sing under me. I would rather keep you in a private study, hidden amongst the books and passageways so that none else could hear you."

He grunts as he fully enters and presses more kisses onto your neck while his nose nuzzles your hair. The impatient shift of your hips has him moving, thrusting in and out as he rocks your body to meet his deepest thrusts.

"Youre so wet love, so easily opened before me. Im sorry I have been neglecting your needs, havent I?" He murmurs in a tone that is equal parts sweet and filthy. Your cries and moans pick up along with the speed of his hips. "I will make it up to you. For as long as you need me, whatever part of my body calls to you."

Images of all the ways you would writhe and demand his services in bed makes his cock tingle, his orgasm fast approaching as your second one of the evening rolls through your body.

Wyll slows his thrusts to rut hard into you, savoring the way you clench onto him and dig your nails into the back of his hand. He feels his own orgasm begin as you ride yours out on his cock. Through grunts and moans he speaks into your ear, lips resting on the shell with a closeness that felt sinful,

"There we go." His cum finally spills out, you arch deliciously against him. "You divine creature. It must be a sin to dirty you in such a way, like vandalizing a temple. I must clean you up, would you like to go straight to the bath or should I use my tongue first?"

[justsomerandomfanfic]

Seduce Me - Joel Miller X GN Reader

Title: Seduce Me

Joel Miller X GN Reader

Additional Character: Tommy (Mentioned), Ellie (Mentioned), and other Survivors (Mentioned very briefly)

Requested by Anon!

WC: 1,628

Warnings: TLOF canon violence mentioned, some good ol' flirting, teasing, fighting (verbally) mentioned, one sleeping bag trope mentioned, confession, first kiss as a couple, slight angst, and fluff

Finding Joel's brother was pure luck. And Tommy living in a somewhat safe location in Wyoming with other survivors? A godsend. You were beyond thankful for how caring and kind Tommy was. Him letting you, Joel, and Ellie stay for a while. You finally got enough food to fill your stomach and even a pair of new clean clothes. You sort of wandered off from Joel and Ellie, just wandering the place, meeting some new people before you found your way back to Joel, without Ellie and without his brother. He sat in an old chair, strumming softly on a guitar. You paused briefly at the door, a small smile on your face as you listened. You didn't know that Joel could play, and it made you wonder. What could he play? Could he sing too?

Walking over, Joel looked up, pausing his pleasant strumming as you pushed yourself up onto a table a ways in front of him, leaning forward, and placing your elbows on your knees. "I didn't know you could play?" You said, looking down at him.

He shrugged, smiling slightly. "I learned." He glanced around the room. "This ain't my first rodeo, sweetheart," He explained before he began to play again.

You sighed, resting both the palms of your hands on your cheeks, fully engulfed in the feeling of listening to Joel sing, his voice low and smooth. The sound, like honey, wrapped itself around you, soothing your nerves. It soothed the aches from traveling for months, the soreness from fighting against monsters, and from fighting alongside Joel. Your heart thudded in your chest at the memory, and for once, you felt content. At the end of his song, you let out a breathy sigh. "Are you trying to seduce me?" You asked, raising an eyebrow teasingly.

His cheeks turned pink, lips pressed together, not quite a frown but definitely a displeased expression. "Is it workin'?" He countered, giving you a look, his eyes shining with something that you couldn't quite decipher. It wasn't a scowl. Was he teasing you now? 

You had known Joel ever since he let you join him and Ellie. You quickly bonded with the young girl, but it took a bit longer for you and Joel to finally see eye-to-eye on some things. You didn't know what to really call your... Relationship. Sometimes you fought on a certain topic or decision or had to share a sleeping bag, or not-so-subtly flirted with one another. Other times, you would get along great, like right now. But there was still that tension in the air, you just hadn’t figured out where to step into yet. You knew there was something there, but neither of you seemed to be willing to put a name to it.

"Well, I mean it does seem to work. Or maybe I'm just very easily swayed by your heavenly voice." You teased with a grin before it slowly turned into a small adoring smile, "I've never heard you sing before." You said quietly.

The blush deepened in color, his jaw clenching and unclenching as he thought. His eyes drifted toward the ground. He didn’t say anything, merely playing the strings lightly. The silence stretched. You waited patiently until he eventually spoke again. “I can’t remember the last time I did." He muttered, "It feels... Good." He admitted in the end, still not looking you in the eye. 

Your heart melted and you smiled softly. "Well, you sound wonderful," You said quietly. He glanced at you then, surprise evident on his face, and you grinned wider, "You definitely have a talent, Joel." You sighed, "I wish I knew how to play an instrument, all I can do is whistle with a blade of grass." You tried to joke, making Joel smile slightly as he stood up, walking towards you. 

"Would you like to learn how?" He asked, offering the guitar to you, as you stared at the instrument and up at him.

"I was serious, Joel. I have no idea what I am doing." You tried to gracefully bow out, only for Joel to shake his head with a small grin before hopping onto the table beside you with a small grunt, making you chuckle lightly, your hand unconsciously landing on his back as he settled. Looks like you had no choice. "Careful, old man. Don't want you to have a heart attack before you teach me an actual talent." You teased as Joel let out a huff, playfully glaring at you as he passed you the guitar.

"I'm going to pretend you didn't say nothin', now place your hand here, and your other hand here." Joel began, placing your fingers on the neck and the base of the guitar, the strings moving slightly from the movement. "Now, adjust your fingers on the strings," He continued, his own hands covering yours, almost puppeteering you as he guided your fingers, "And press gently, alright? Just a simple pressure, see?" Joel asked.

You nodded as you relaxed your fingers on the strings, following his instructions. You watched his hands move in tandem with yours as they guided your hands, his long fingers touching yours more gently as your own fingers moved against the strings. The sound that came from the instrument was... Not great, but it wasn't terrible. Joel continued to help you, occasionally explaining something to you but it was hard for you to even concentrate. All you could think about was how warm you felt, and the feeling of Joel's side pressed into your back. When his hands brushed yours, goosebumps prickled across your skin. You tried not to focus on it, instead focusing on the words Joel was saying. He sounded... So nice, gentle, and calm. You were so entranced by him and his soothing voice that you weren't aware of where you were or what you were doing. Until you felt Joel's hands pull away, leaving you cold in their absence. As soon as he let go of your hands, you were hit with a realization.

You really liked Joel.

No... You loved him.

"Alright," Joel began, gesturing to you, "Try it."

You glanced over at him confused, "Huh?"

 Joel gave you a look, raising an eyebrow, "You weren't paying attention, were you?" He asked. You shook your head, biting your lip lightly. "You alright there, darlin'?"

You stayed quiet, biting your lip softly as you fidgeted with the strings, plucking them gently. "I- I'm just a bit confused, I guess." Joel furrowed his eyebrows but stayed silent as you continued, "I've been trying to rationalize with myself for months, but nothing really came out of that. It's like all logic just went out of the window when it came to you." You confessed, before looking up at Joel beside you, "What are we, Joel? I feel comfortable with you and... There's something there. Something good. I want to explore that good thing." Joel remained silent as you spoke, his hands clasped firmly in his lap as he stared at you. You looked back down at the guitar, "I mean, we tease and flirt with one another, share sleeping bags even though sometimes we don't have to, and... I love it. Losing myself in you, being vulnerable with you." You admitted, a slight flush creeping across your cheeks. "It makes me feel happy. Like... Like I belong somewhere. I've never felt like this before. And I don't want to lose it." You looked back up at Joel. You were beginning to worry about how quiet he was being. "Can you say something, please, Joel?"

Joel was watching you closely, his brows furrowing, his eyes darting between your eyes and your lips. "Do you mean it?" He breathed.

You nodded. "Of course, I do." You breathed out.

Joel exhaled, closing his eyes for a moment. He opened his eyes and looked at you again, his gaze softening as he reached forward and took hold of your chin, pulling it up slightly and tilting your face up to meet his gaze; aking your breath hitch. He leaned in close, brushing his nose against yours, his breathing heavy. "Y'know..." He started, "I'm glad to hear it." He breathed, leaning closer and closer to your face until his lips were a hair's width away from yours, "If you are serious, I'm willin' to try this, whatever this is." He whispered. His thumb traced your bottom lip lightly, causing you to gulp nervously. "I'll admit, I find you absolutely irresistible. But I also know that if I start something I might not be able to stop." He pulled back slightly, resting his forehead against yours.

You chuckled lightly, your fingers gripping tightly around the front of his shirt, "You're such a tease, Joel." You mumbled under your breath as he smirked softly at you.

He leaned down and captured your lips in a gentle kiss, a shiver running down your spine at the sudden yet simple contact. His lips were firm and soft at the same time, just right. He held your chin, his grip tightening as he deepened the kiss. Your hands traveled from his chest to his neck, tangling your fingers in his hair. He groaned lightly against your lips, pressing his body more comfortably against yours. You both pulled apart after what felt like years, taking a few moments to catch your breath, both smiling at one another.

"So..." Joel breathed, his eyes gazing deeply into yours as his thumb rubbed circles into the crook of your neck.

“So,” You mimicked, smiling lightly, "Are you gonna teach me the guitar or not?" You whispered.

"Yeah," He breathed back, as you blushed lightly, realizing how close you two were to each other, "And you better pay attention this time."

[dreamfyre03]

A Dragon's Love

Trigger Warnings: Mentions of injuries, alcohol consumption

Chapter 3: Hideaways and Motivations

Dividers by: @zaldritzosrose

Header by: @zaldritzosrose

 the weeks that followed his accident, Aemond refused to let anyone see him but his mother, and his half sister Daenys. He could not even bear to let dear Helaena see him, for he knew she was soft of heart and probably couldn’t stomach the sight of him anymore. He stayed in his chambers, being attended to by an army of maesters and nurses, but he would only let Daenys touch him for long, wiping his skin clean, or to cool it, changing his bandages as the maester showed her, she was the only one who he felt any sense of ease with. As he remained locked in the dark, gloomy chambers that mirrored the growing spot of black now etched onto his soul, his sister was his shining light in through it all. 

His mother had just bid him goodnight, and he laid in his bed, alone, but he couldn’t sleep. He barely slept since that night, always dreaming the same nightmare, a blade cutting through his eye, the blood, the pain, and half his vision going black. The moonlight poured in through his windows, and he shifted in discomfort, unable to lie in any other way except on his back, due to his injury. 

Suddenly he heard the door creak open, and a head of cascading long silver hair poked in. “You’re awake, aren’t you brother?” She whispered. “I can’t sleep.” He sighed, looking at her as she slipped in and shut the door behind her. 

“I’m sorry I was away for so long. Helaena was particularly inconsolable this afternoon, after your mother informed her of the date for her and Aegon’s wedding.” She explained as she climbed up next to him. 

He sat up, trying to hide his struggle to do so, but she saw, and helped him up gently. “When?”

“Five months’ time.” 

Poor Helaena. She didn’t deserve to be shackled to his foolish brother in marriage. “Aegon said he’d have preferred to marry you, not Helaena.” Aemond told her, but she just nodded as if she already knew. “I know. He told me when they were first betrothed, and I told him even though he and Helaena might not have a lot in common, once they have children to satisfy your mother, they can just live as brother and sister again, as I’m sure Helaena would prefer.” “Do you want to marry Aegon?” She laughed softly, shaking her head. “I love our dear brother, but I’m afraid I might drive him madder than Helaena. At least she’ll turn a blind eye to his more depraved ventures, I’m afraid I wouldn’t stand for it.” She said. “You deserve someone that would be eternally loyal to you, sister, and love you with all he has.” Aemond said quietly, shocking himself, for he had never voiced such things to her before. She sighed, absentmindedly combing his stray hairs back into place with her fingers. “That sounds lovely, sweet boy, but I suppose such things are only found in stories. I’ll have no choice in who I marry, but I will pray at least for someone who honours his marriage vows, and me.” Aemond, the young boy he was, didn’t fully comprehend the extent of what he was beginning to feel for his sister, something so strong, and overpowering, he had no idea it was no fleeting feeling, but it would follow him for the rest of his life, for better or for worse. 

“How is the pain?” She asked. “The milk of the poppy helps. I long for the day when this scar is nothing but a scar, and I no longer feel this plaguing throbbing pain in my head.” He said. 

She nodded, listening intently. 

They sat in silence for a while again, until Aemond spotted his sword in the corner, a real sword, that he never got to wield yet, for his was still training with wooden ones in the courtyard. He wondered if he would ever wield a real sword. 

“I’ll never become a swordsman, I’ll never be able to do anything for this family. I am already a second son, I might have at least married for the family’s benefit, but now, not a maiden in the land will come near me.” He confided sadly. 

She sat sharply, turning to face him, and spoke clearly, and almost sternly. “Stop this self pitying, Aemond. I won’t have it. Your situation will make it harder, yes, but it does not change what you can achieve, what you can become. It matters not what any of them think of you. You are a prince, you are the blood of the dragon. You are the rider of the largest dragon in the world. If you want to become the realm’s greatest swordsman, then you shall. If you want to become a great scholar, then you shall. You do not deserve what happened to you, but you will not let it define you. Find something, anything to motivate you, and use it.” He was surprised, he had never heard his sister speak in such a manner, but he saw it for the first time, the dragonfire within her, as she spoke with such passion. About him. 

But he realised she was right. He wouldn’t let his bastard nephews get the last laugh, and change the course of what he could be. 

That night, as she softly sang to him, in words of High Valyrian only they would understand, Aemond decided on the two things that would motivate him, that would push him to exceed all their expectations that night. The first, getting vengeance for his eye, making sure little Luke paid his debt. The second, was the girl lying in bed next to him, who helped him find peaceful sleep for the first time in weeks. 

“You’ve been indispensable in caring for Aemond, my dear. I am most grateful.” Queen Alicent said to Daenys, as they took tea together in her solar. Helaena sat not too far off, reading a book about some rare beetle or butterfly. 

“It is no bother to me, Your Grace. He is my brother, and I only wish to do what I can to help.” She replied. The Queen smiled tiredly, but genuinely at her. “Is something the matter, Your Grace?” Daenys enquired. 

Alicent sighed. “I’m afraid something always is, my dear. Your father’s worsening health, your sister’s recent marriage. There is always another challenge that the gods throw our way to strengthen us, I’m afraid.” “Has father gotten worse?” 

“As of now, no, but the maesters see no improvements.” Alicent replied, sipping her tea. Daenys was saddened by her father’s worsening health. Perhaps if he were in better health, better spirits, they might have been able to have any relationship, but alas, she, just like her half siblings, were invisible to him much of the time. To Daenys, it felt like her father only ever saw Rhaenyra.

“I’ve heard from Rhaenyra. I received a raven, from Dragonstone this morning.” She told her. The Queen looked at her expectantly, and Daenys hesitated before pulling the parchment out from the pocket of her riding leathers. Before she could continue, the Hand entered, and greeted them both. “Father, Daenys has just told me she’s received word from Rhaenyra.” She told him. 

Otto Hightower, always a scheming, slippery man for as long as Daenys had know him, looked at her in interest, a rare thing, and said, “Indeed?’ As he sat down with them. Daenys sighed, feeling the familiar feeling of hurt she felt when she read the words this morning. “I wrote to her, to extend my best wishes to her and Prince Daemon, on their marriage. It was months ago, and I’ve just received a reply this morning. Her words…were not of the kindest variety.” She told them. She unfolded the parchment and read the message aloud; 

Princess Daenys, 

Your best wishes are acknowledged by me and my husband. As you may have heard, we plan to reside on Dragonstone for the foreseeable future. I worry not for you, as I’m sure you are as happy as you’ve always been, under the Hightower Queen’s watch and protection. I did not forget, sister, the way you ran so readily to Prince Aemond, after he slandered my sons, and attacked them maliciously. We might share the blood of our father and mother, but it appears that your blood is just as Hightower green as the rest of my half-siblings. I only hope that in the midst of your obvious loyalties, that you look out for our father, as I’m sure the Queen and the Hand continue to sink their poisonous claws deeper into him. It is the least you can do. 

-Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen, Princess of Dragonstone. 

Daenys looked up from the parchment, to see the Hand’s unreadable expression, and Alicent, whose face was a mix of fury and sadness. 

Daenys felt tears brimming her eyes once again, and wiped them hastily, cursing her fragile heart once again. 

“The Princess is in no position to speak on who influences the king, she hides on Dragonstone and abandons her role in the King’s court as heir. No doubt in an attempt to keep her bastard sons safe.” The Hand finally said. 

Alicent nodded in agreement with her father, before reaching out to touched Daenys’s hand and say, “I am sorry she spoke to cruelly, to you, my child. You are undeserving of such words, just as she has always been undeserving of your kindness.” Daenys forced a smile and nodded, knowing that the Queen wasn’t wasn’t always the of the kindest temperament, and appreciated her kindness all the more. 

She soon left the Queen and the Hand to discuss their politics, and  she walked Helaena to their rooms, and left her there, to be in peace with her bugs, she continued to walk the Keep, until she bumped into Aegon. 

“Is something wrong, sister?” Aegon asked as he noted the redness of her eyes from her earlier crying. She shook her head, smoothening the leather in her riding clothes, and noticing two jugs of wine in his hands. 

“And pray tell, what scheme are you up to this time, brother?” She asked him with an amused smile. 

Aegon grinned and said, “My sweet sister, aren’t I always the image of discipline and grace?” They both snorted in laugher, and she walked with him through the halls. 

“I’ve something to show you. But you mustn’t tell anyone, or show them. Do you promise?” He asked, knowing that she was lying about something being the matter, and wanting to make her feel better, as she had done for him countless times, whether it be helping him with a nasty hangover, or consoling him after his mother was particularly brutal. 

“Of course.” She replied, and he took her by the hand and led her through the secret passages they were traversing since they were children. 

“I know of the passages, Aegon, lest you forget, I’m the one who showed them to you.” She said as he pulled her along. He simply rolled his eyes and scoffed affectionately until they reached to the apparent destination, and Aegon bent down and lifted a hidden notch, causing the wall to slide open. 

He pulled her in with him, and the walls closed behind them, as she looked at the room in wonder. “I’ve never seen this room before,” she whispered, taking in the shelves that went up to the ceiling, filled with books, the desk and chair, and the long settee, all of which looked decades old. There were also blankets, empty wine bottles, and other nick nacks that clearly belonged to Aegon. 

“That’s because no one knows about it. It’s completely within the walls, this is the only way to enter. I found it one night, utterly drunk of course, and since then, I’ve claimed it as my secret hideaway. And now it’s yours.” He shared, as he sat on the floor, after lighting the candles. 

“It’s lovely. Rather dusty, but we can fix that. And look at all the books! Most of these titles I’ve never seen in the Royal Library.” She exclaimed, pulling out a book and brushing her fingers over the old, dusty, leather bound cover.

“Of course that’s what would excite you,” he shook his head affectionately as he took a swig of wine. “It’s all in High Valyrian, so it’s a bit of a headache to read.” 

She rolled her eyes, knowing that Aegon was never quite interested in their lessons, and wasn’t as fluent in their mother tongue as her and Aemond, or even Helaena, knowing enough to be able to communicate with his beloved beast, Sunfyre. 

“Thank you for sharing this with me Aegon.” She said as she sat next to him, a book in hand.

He shrugged. “Well, I wouldn’t mind the company, and I suppose you’re the only one that doesn’t despise me, so.” 

“No one despises you, Aegon.” She leaned on him playfully.

“Mother does, grandfather, but it matters not, I suppose. You don’t mind me, so I’m content.” He said.

Daenys shook her head, knowing that she wouldn’t be able to convince him otherwise, but glad that he at least felt like one person cared about him. 

So she and Aegon spent the rest of the evening, in their secret room, Aegon getting lost in wine, and Daenys lost in a plethora of books.

[oftenwantedafton]

Vent - Steve Raglan/William Afton/Springtrap x Female Reader

Chapters 25-27

Rating - Explicit

Warnings - sexual content and blood kink

Also available on AO3 Chapters 25 | 26 | 27

Chapter 25 ~ kindred ~

The yellow rabbit has returned.

Not fully; not actually physically there, but his voice is present once again, his image now adorning the shining surface of a butcher knife. Through the sliver of steel one lamp eye regards the new mark upon William, seeing right through the layers of his clothing. Eventually it will be another scar to add to the collection of mementos and keepsakes that map across his body.

Afton stares at the rabbit’s reflection in the blade now lying next to the cutting board, the vegetables he’s been chopping already forgotten.

“You’re going to have to let me out sooner or later.”

William knows this. It’s how it’s always been. He only kills when he’s in the costume. It’s part of the ritual. He has to be inside the mascot suit for it to work. But it’s risky. He doesn’t want to lose control again; doesn’t want to give his alter ego the chance to warn you away again. To poison you against him.

“I don’t have to do anything,” he says, but the lie is heavy on his tongue and they both know it.

In truth, the former killer craves the feeling of being enshrouded within the suit. Surrounded by matted, fading fur and corroding metal and overloaded circuits and frayed wires. The two of them aligned. Moving as one. The rabbit’s body and his mind. Opening the gateway, steel meeting flesh. Harvesting. Transference. Pushing through, material to immaterial. Transcendance. An accidental discovery that he’d gotten addicted to. He still doesn’t understand all the details of it, only knows the procedure.

“You’re starving,” the rabbit observes, startling William from his musings. He’d nearly forgotten the other was there. His assessment is correct. The hunger gnaws at him constantly. Not for sustenance in any traditional sense of the word; rather, an incessant drive for the other, darker things. He reaches for the laceration you’ve created together. Imagines you carving another. Taking you apart and putting you back together again. Filling up the empty space. Sated. “You’ve tried that before. A wife and three children and it still wasn’t enough to fill that void.”

William frowns at the rabbit. “It’s different this time. She’s different. Special. We’re kindred.”

“What if it’s still not enough? What if she can’t give you what you need?”

Silence. He does not want to think about the implications of that failure.

“You can’t keep me away forever. I always come back.”

Of course he does. Crawling through the vents, oozing around like a cell though a vessel. Hidden deep where no one will see, concealed beneath the shiny new layers of the restaurant, fresh paint and replaced flooring masking what lies inside, at the heart of the establishment.

William grits his teeth. A bead of perspiration forms on his brow. “Not yet.”

He wipes the knife clean and puts it back in the block on the kitchen counter.

Chapter 26 ~ symbiosis ~

You stare at your reflection in the bathroom mirror.

At the cut William’s inflicted, visible now that you’ve peeled away the gauze and showered. It’s a clean scabbed line, near surgical precision. As if he’s had practice.

You don’t want to think about that.

You don’t want to think about how it had felt, being cut and slicing him in return; how terrified you were, yet how exhilarating it was at the same time. The intimacy of him tasting your blood; of his own upon your lips. It was sick, twisted, depraved, you know it, but there’s always been something off about the older man and you’ve grown to tolerate it. No, far more than tolerate it. Be honest now.

There’s always been something off about you, too. Ever since…ever since…

You almost have it, the memory skittering around at the far reaches of your mind.

What had happened at the pizzeria that day nearly nine years ago now?

You think about your friend saying how much he needs you, how special you are. His only. And…

Your cheeks flush. You wonder if it’s always going to be like this now, or just when the mood strikes him. There’s a new light in his eyes now that the restaurant has reopened. As if he’s more alive; as if something has awakened inside of him.

You glance at the bathroom clock. He’ll be there soon. A long day ahead of you. A longer night.

You finish dressing and return to him.

***

No candy today. Just William sitting in his sedan, waiting. The air is dry and hot. It will be the start of a stretch of arid days, the state you live in notorious for receiving the least amount of precipitation.

He’s watching you intently. Waiting for you to speak. Perhaps he’s uncertain about what happened the other night.

“Hi,” you greet him softly.

“How are you?”

Such a loaded question and he doesn’t even know it. Floodgates open and you recount everything that had happened since he’d dropped you off two nights ago. “I had a fight with my parents when I got home the other night. Both complaining about me coming in so late. All of a sudden they’re talking about a curfew. They want money for rent since I’m working so much. My stepmother opened one of my acceptance letters. No congratulations for getting in, of course. She’s already complaining about the expense, as if financial aid and scholarships don’t exist. I haven’t even decided where I’m going yet.”

William frowns. “Suddenly parenting and in all the wrong ways,” he mutters. “I’m sorry. I can speak to them if you want.”

You shake your head at the offer. “No. It would probably just make things worse. I hate living here.” You haven’t vented this much since…well, maybe since the yellow rabbit.

The yellow rabbit.

William. You should avoid him at all costs.

Avoid the only person who’s ever really acknowledged you even exist? Who helps you and cares for you and…

…and likes the taste of your blood. Is far too familiar with a blade. Wants you to be his protégé. He needs it. It wasn’t too much to ask, was it, considering all he’s done for you? When he fills you up so full of that feeling of being wanted and desired, makes you feel smart and pretty, full of purpose, belonging. A symbiotic relationship where you both feed off of each other, provide for the needs in one another. Mutually beneficial.

“You don’t have to stay. You’re almost nineteen. You can move into a dormitory at college, depending on where you decide to go, or…perhaps in the future you could stay with me.”

“What, you mean move in with you?” You blink, surprised, focusing back on the conversation. You try to wrap your head around the thought of what he’s offering. What it would be like to wake up in his arms every morning. Your kitchen daydream returns. Going to work together, coming home together, sharing a meal, he’ll help you with your college coursework and you’ll read to him in the library and then, and then…

“It’s certainly an option.”

There’s an ache in your chest. “You really want me to live with you?”

“The idea of it isn’t unpleasant.” He rewards you with one of those secret smiles of his and that fluttering feeling in your stomach returns. “Not to trivialize these other matters, but I want to know how you feel about…this.” He reaches out, tracing the cut through your tshirt.

Your pulse quickens. “It looks okay.”

“That’s not what I asked.”

“I’m…I’m not sure. It scared me. But I also liked it,” you admit quietly. You lick your lips, determined to plow your way forward before you lose your resolve. You want to hear him say it again. You want to say it yourself. What’s stopping you? “Did you mean what you said about…am I…do you really feel that way about me?”

“Would I have offered to have you move in with me if I didn’t?”

“I don’t know. I mean…”

“You should know how I feel by now. We’re already together almost daily anyway. We’ll just be filling in the rest of the time now, too.” He leans over and kisses you. “You really liked it? You’re not just saying that because you think it’s what I want to hear?”

“No. I would never do that.”

“Good. Best friends shouldn’t lie to one another. And yes, before you mention it, I did lie about my name, but those were very specific circumstances and I would have told you the truth in time. Even still, I’m sorry I had to do it, for your sake.” His face moves to kiss over your wound. You touch his hair and close your eyes, focusing on the feel of his warm breath through the thin fabric of the shirt. He wanted you. You were his. You had something to look forward to now. A future with him.

Did anything else really matter?

Chapter 27 ~ dorian gray ~

High school graduation draws closer.

Hurricane’s community steadily expands. New residents, new employees, new visitors. And there, at the center of all of it, the pizzeria with its enigmatic owner and you, the dutiful assistant.

William sets a hot fudge sundae down in the center of the table. His sleeves are rolled up now that there are no prying eyes. Only one spoon is tucked into the dessert. He scoops some of the chocolate and whipped cream and feeds it to you. Bends and licks the remains off your lips. You both want more.

You’re pressed against the side of his car. Pressed down into the nearby field scattered with new flowers. The air is filled with the scent of grass and the hum of insects, the epitome of an early summer evening. His kisses are fire. He sears you inside and out. You kiss the healing mark you’ve made on him and he says your name and you come undone beneath the open sky.

***

It’s senior skip day. The perfect excuse to spend more time with your best friend.

You’re seated in the recliner tucked into the corner of William’s study. He sits across from you and watches you with hungry eyes as you read aloud The Picture of Dorian Gray. Your sketchbook lies open on the table nearby, your latest drawing of your lover’s face nearly finished. You enjoy drawing him from memory, but there’s something special about having him pose for you in person, so still and quiet, watching you with those ravenous eyes.

You finish the last page, glancing up at the older man.

“What do you think? Would you do it, if you could? Sell your soul in exchange for being young forever? Letting something else-or someone else-bear the burden of aging, of sin?”

He unfolds from the couch-there’s no other way to explain how that long, lean frame of his moves-tugging the book gently from your fingers. Kneels before you. You touch his cheek, stroke over the hairs of his beard, mulling over the questions. “I don’t think the trade off would be worth it in the end. I’d rather keep my soul.”

“Would you?” He murmurs, turning his face to kiss the inside of your wrist. The morning sunlight filtering through the window nearby rests in a warm band across the exposed springlock scars on his bare forearm, the fine hairs surrounding the taut skin lit with gold.

“I’d give it to you if you asked.”

He smiles, stroking the inside of one thigh, most of which is exposed since you’re wearing shorts today. Your core tingles in anticipation, your legs parting. He traces the line of the prominent adductor muscle before it disappears beneath the hem. “I know you would. I want to taste you,” he says, lidded eyes meeting yours, and you know he’s not just talking about the liquid arousal flowing from your entrance.

Your breath stutters and you nod slowly. It has been a couple of weeks since the day of your induction into this new part of your relationship. You’ve wondered when he’d ask again; been too afraid to inquire about it for yourself.

“Take these off. I’ll be back.” He pats one thigh, pushing off of the arm rest of the plush chair to stand. You unbutton and unzip the denim shorts and shrug out of them, your panties following suit, the clothing lying in a rumpled pile on the hardwood floor. You try to relax, to calm your breathing, but your anticipation is building.

Why did you like it so much?

William returns. You catch a flash of silver from a single edge razor blade tucked between his fingers. He kneels again, one calloused hand wedging between your legs and you spread them wide for him, one leg hooked over each arm rest. He licks a stripe from one knee all the way to your groin. A soft kiss is planted there. Another. So gentle. So at odds with what you know is coming. A lick between your folds. A circle drawn over your clit. You arch against him and his tongue drives inside of you. Your fingers knot in his hair. He pulls your sex into his mouth and sucks. You whimper.

“Are you ready?” His eyes are black. A pure bottomless void to drown in. You want to succumb, let it wash over you.

You nod, not trusting yourself to speak.

You feel the slight weight of the sharp metal resting against your inner thigh. Another place no one will ever see. You can’t stop staring, waiting for the bloom of crimson.

A sharp hot pain and the deed is done. Precise once more, a clean line. He pulls the soft flesh into his mouth and you moan. He thrusts a finger inside of you, his thumb caressing your cluster of nerves. Adds another, his palm slapping roughly against the curve between your legs. You’re soaking wet, aching inside and out. You grasp his forearm and squeeze, grinding yourself against him. You feel his teeth sink into the skin he’s suckling, biting around the wound, bruising you. More pain but it’s lost in the pleasure. The coil within loosens and you gush over his thrusting fingers, crying out his name.

He lets you choose where to cut him, deciding you want to mark him along the winged crest of one hip. You do better this time, not needing his hand to guide you or lend you strength. You see his cock twitch when you make the mark. The taste of metal fills your mouth. Then soap from the morning’s shower. The musk of the honeyed early spill, clear precum leaking onto your tongue. You don’t need guidance for this either anymore. You’re no longer a novice. Your mouth engulfs him and you shove him down your throat. Pause only long enough to have another taste from the laceration before you’re back to choking on his erection. He’s making those needy sounds you’ve come to love.

Love. That’s what this feeling is, isn’t it? He’s yours and you’re his. You’ve given your body; he owns your soul. He is your mirror, your own portrait.

You drink his blood and his cum and crush your mouth against his, letting him taste everything you’ve gathered.

[j0kb0x]

Over-analyzing the shit out of “Meet The Spy”

- You’re insane if you said you suspected Scout. The writers of this short did a good job hiding the fact that this was Red Spy in disguise at the time. The whole narrative of deceiving the audience is a perfect way to bring out the character’s affects on people and to show how much of a threat he really is.

- Speaking of which, what makes the character even more horrifying is the Spy’s general ability to seemingly psychoanalyze people around him. Blu spy (subjectively) shows signs of suspecting the disguised Scout, and Red spy roleplays as Scout so accurately, right down to his over the top ignorance and pretending to cut himself with the blade of his own butterfly knife. He couldn’t have done this without throughly gathering information on his own teammates. Creepy mf.

- Speaking of that scene where Red Spy pretends to cut himself, the whole action itself is GENIUS writing. Not only are the other mercs being deceived into thinking this is the real Scout, but the audience is as well. Because no spy would do such a terrible job demonstrating a basic opening balisong trick. Only someone as over his head and stupid as Scout would pick a weapon up too confidently without thinking twice and then promptly cut himself with it.

- After Scout sends a random storm of insults Blu spy’s way; he then adds “No offense..” At the end. If you watched this short the first time you wouldn’t have caught it, but this random proclamation at the end is Red spy’s own self awareness and sarcasm shining through. Showing how ironic it is that he’s indeed resorting to insulting himself in order to pass off. He doesn’t think that about himself at all; let’s be honest. This isn’t enough to be a slip up because it has double implications. You can also interpret this as Scout not wanting to get on Blu spy’s bad side. Red Spy knows how to choose his words wisely.

- Blu spy’s “I can assure you, they weren’t like me.” Is another double implication. It could be either seen as passive aggressively objecting against Scout’s insults, or even threatening the Red Spy he suspects might be disguised as Scout. Lots of fucking social mind games here for the audience to try and understand.

- When Scout sees the Blu spy’s head get blown clean off, he reacts as if he’s shocked at soldier’s lack of impulse control. Not only did Red spy deduct pretty quickly he had to react like this in a spilt second, but also you can notice his mask beginning to slightly falter in this scene as he realizes his main competition was now gone. The way he steps forward to check if Blu spy is truly dead is way too off-putting and doesn’t fit Scout’s typical body language whatsoever.

- Finally, Scout’s expression turns into a dead fucking hard gaze once he realizes he has the perfect opening here, now that soldier and heavy are distracted. This gave me chills as a kid. Then the disguised Red Spy throughly demonstrates he’s fully capable of doing a knife trick. The camera is right at his hand and makes sure to place emphasis on this moment as realization slowly sets in for the audience that they’ve been completely misled this entire time.

- Red spy finishes Blu spy’s sentence before he got blasted to smithereens. Showing once again how ironic the situation is, perfectly balancing ironic humor and the feeling of pure terror. “Right behind you.” Comes off more raw than it should. Emphasis on this line is done perfectly by Dennis Bateman. Sounds both like a velvet whisper, and a snake hissing before striking. 10/10 acting here.

[archiveikemen]

Liam Evans Main Story: Chapter 14

I do not own any of the Ikemen Series content being uploaded on this blog, everything belongs to CYBIRD. Please support them by downloading and playing their games. Not 100% accurate, expect mistakes.

read this before interacting with my posts

(... A hidden stairwell?)

Alfons: … Now, it is time for our pleasant and enjoyable tour of the facility.

Liam: …

We went down the stairs, one step at a time… and I could feel the chilly air against my skin—

(This is…)

In the place where no natural light shined in, it was cold, poorly lit, and something felt odd.

After my eyes slowly adjusted to the darkness, I gulped when I saw what was in front of me.

(Children… in cells… with their hands and feet chained together.)

The children all had a vacant look in their eyes, their clothes were filthy, and their limbs were stick thin.

Liam • Kate: :O

Alfons: This almshouse is rumoured to be very wholesome, clean, and praiseworthy.

Alfons: — But it seems like that's just what it looks like on the surface.

Alfons: When they show a good image and gain the trust of others…

Alfons: They get donations from interested nobles in the name of noblesse oblige.

Liam: The director of this almshouse isn’t satisfied with only lining his pockets with that.

Liam: Therefore, he’s using these children with no kin… as pawns.

Kate: As pawns…?

Liam: Theft and prostitution… these children commit such crimes under the director’s orders.

Liam: They don’t have a choice but to live here. The director’s words are absolute.

Alfons: Children who try to escape or make mistakes will be thrown here.

Alfons: Afterwards, they’ll just be left to starve to death. Killing them would be too much of a hassle.

Alfons: However, the drawback is that human bodies don’t disappear into the earth on their own like food scraps… their bones get left behind.

The horrifying reality before my eyes made me feel faint.

(I- I can’t believe this…)

Kate: This is utterly unacceptable…! This is… a violation of human rights.

Liam: … Kate.

Alfons: My, my, this is nothing new, but your reaction was very innocent.

Kate: … Let's get these children out of here, quick.

Alfons: I wonder if they’ll be happy when we rescue them…

(Huh…?)

Liam: … Al.

Alfons: The hearts of young children are so tender and beautiful, agree?

Alfons: They’re born without a single scratch, but the longer they live, the more they get hurt and scarred.

Alfons: It’s sad, but there’s not a single person who can live their entire life completely unharmed.

Alfons: — Right?

Alfons: These children are hurt as if they’ve been slashed by a blade.

Alfons: The wounds are deep and bleeding, they’ll form pus and fester into an infection… and become scars that will never disappear.

Liam: …

Alfons: What would happen if they were to leave this darkness with those scars and live in the light…?

(... T-That’s…)

Just as Alfons said, the wounds caused deep in the children's hearts would never fully heal.

Even if they live their lives pretending to have forgotten about them, it’s inevitable that they’ll have times where they're randomly reminded of them.

Kate: I won’t say that life will always be rainbows and unicorns if they live…

Kate: There are lots of things that hurt because we’re alive…

Liam: …

Kate: But even so…

I balled my cold hands into fists.

Kate: As adults, we can’t abandon the future of these children who’ve been hurt by the selfishness of adults.

Liam: Ka… te…

Alfons: …

Alfons: I never said that we’re not going to rescue them. Why else would we have Roger keeping watch outside?

Kate: Huh…

Alfons: Roger is listening to everything we say.

Alfons: Once we obtain the evidence we need, we’ll report to William and Sir Victor.

Alfons: Then the envoys will come to the rescue. And it’ll be happily ever after.

Alfons: …

Alfons: — But it doesn't seem like that will be happening.

Liam: … Footsteps.

Liam: Kate. Al. I’m going to turn invisible, so I strike when the need arises.

As soon as Liam vanished,

The sound of footsteps coming down to the basement grew louder, and a plump elderly man appeared.

Liam: … That's the director of the almshouse. His face matches the one in the investigation report Will showed me.

Liam whispered in a low voice next to me, while remaining invisible.

Director: Where did you people come from…! Who the hell are you…!?

Likely due to the constant yelling and spitting at those children in the cells had gone through, their little bodies instantly tensed up.

Alfons: What do you think? Are we nobles, the police, or the ghosts of the dead children…?

Alfons: If you guess our identities correctly, I’ll reward you with a warm hug.

Director: Don’t mess with me! You’d best tell me exactly who you are, or I’ll shoot you.

The director pulled out a pistol with his stubby fingers covered in rings—

Liam: … Not on my watch.

Director: … Huh— wah!

Liam appeared behind him and took his pistol before kicking him in the back.

The now unarmed man tumbled to the ground and looked up at us.

Director: … Ggrh. Where the heck did you appear from… who on earth are you people…

Alfons: — Too bad, your time is up. To you, who failed to derive the correct answer, I offer a merciful helping hand.

Alfons: We are members of “Crown”, an imperial organisation under direct command of the Queen. Pleased to make your acquaintance.

Director: Imperial organisation… under direct command of… Her Majesty Queen Victoria…?

One should never find out about the existence of Crown.

Revealing it to him could only mean one thing — it was a death sentence.

The man, unaware of his unavoidable fate, turned pale and grovelled while taking some gold coins out of his pocket.

Director: I’ll do anything! Look, I’ll give you money! In exchange for my life…

The noises those coins made as they spilled out of his hands and onto the ground were jarring to hear.

(How many children did he sacrifice to earn all these coins…)

Alfons: Very, very unfortunately, we don’t have problems with making a living.

Director: … Ggh.

Director: … What exactly is wrong?

(...?)

Director: These darn brats! They’ve been sinning from the very day they were born into this world…!

Director: They carry the sin of being poor, unloved, and not useful to anyone!

Liam: … *gulp*

The man fought back with a disgraceful facial expression, spreading his arrogant and twisted ideologies.

Director: All I did was take these brats who were born by mistake and put them to good use…!

Liam: … Ugh… ah…

Alfons: …

Director: I’m doing a charitable deed! Aren’t I…!?

Alfons: … You’re talking too much.

The moment Alfons pulled out his sabre—

Liam: London bridge is broken down, broken down, broken down…♪

Liam: London bridge is broken down, broken down, broken down… pfft… haha…

Kate: … Liam?

Alfons: …?

Liam’s rose coloured eyes clouded over, like the sky before a thunderstorm.

(Could it be…)

Liam: Fufu, ahaha!

Liam: Ah—... I see. Fufu, I see, I see.

Liam: So you're saying that you're someone who's rich, loved, and needed?

Liam: Aha, that's nice... you're not a mistake...!

Liam: Fufu, ahahaha

(I’m sure of it. This is…)

Kate: … An episode.

Alfons: … An episode?

Alfons: Ah, that unique thing about cat curses. Heh, this is the first time I’m witnessing it firsthand.

Kate: This is not the time to be so casual—

Liam: Fufu… haha… hey, if you're not a mistake, that means you're the opposite of that, yes?

Liam: Is that the only way the majority and their firm beliefs in what's right will accept you?

Liam: I remember hearing that a lot when I was a child…

Liam: Fufu… if that’s the case…

Liam pulled out his daggers in a fluid motion and ran his tongue over the exposed blade.

Liam: Shall we kill each other…?

The smile which looked like that of a madman made my skin crawl.

(... No. … I have to stop him.)

I wrapped my arms around Liam’s waist as he raised the dagger and was about to stab the man to death—

Kate: Liam…! Don’t…!

Liam: Haha… come on, hurry up and come get me… hey, hey!

(Does he not hear me?)

(Oh no…)

I held him tight and raised my voice in desperation.

Kate: Liam, stop. Don’t kill anyone while in this state…

Alfons: That man is going to be killed eventually. You can let him do as he pleases.

Kate: Liam is not himself right now.

Kate: If he kills someone now, it’ll be the same as killing someone while in a terrible nightmare…!

In terms of severity and how he’ll interpret it, killing someone by his own will is different from doing it because of some “force”.

(I don't… I don’t want to see Liam suffer when he comes to his senses.)

Kate: Liam, please listen to me. Lia— kyaa!

The moment Liam shook me off him and I fell to the ground—

The scene before me was dyed red.

(Ah… ahh…)

Director: … Ggh… guh…

Blood spilled from the man’s mouth as he crumbled onto the ground.

And yet, Liam swung his blade mercilessly seemingly unable to tell when to stop.

Liam: Fufu, ahaha! What’s the matter? I won’t know unless you tell me…!

With every swing of his blade, bright red blood spilled before Liam’s eyes.

(I have to stop him… if not…)

Liam: Look! This “mistake” is killing you…!

(Ah… ah…)

(I need to stop him… but… he…)

(He… he can't hear me…)

… How much time has passed?

The man stopped breathing and laid in the sea of blood. The dagger fell from Liam’s grip, rolling onto the ground.

Liam slowly turned around, and his eyes met mine, widened and shaking—

Liam: I…

[sonic-gallery]

Another World Ogiri July 2023 [What are Orbot, Cubot, and Gemerl doing...? ]

Leave your pest control to us! Insect killer three musketeers!

Two characters appear every month in surprising outfits and situations! Let's enjoy Ogiri together with illustrations that will make your imagination run wild!

This time, Orbot & Cubot and Gemerl are unexpectedly combined! ? Introduced as a giant super robot filled with boy's romance! It looks like he's pulling off some incredible trick...?

What kind of lines or narration would you use?

You can style it based on the atmosphere and world view of the two of you in the game, or you can create a bold arrangement! In the example, it looks like a commercial that seems to blow away not only insects but all sorts of things... It's OK to use such free-spirited jokes!

Please enjoy it and tweet with the tag "#Isekai Ogiri" on Twitter ♪

We will introduce the good ones in a reply from Sonic's official Twitter account.

We are looking forward to your fun Ogiri posts!

Act 7: “Steel Core Combination Gran Botkaiser”

A certain port base on the outskirts of Casino Police...

The silence was torn apart by the images of three gigantic steel planes that flew in with a roar... When they combined at a point in the void with an earth-shaking sound, they were enveloped in a dazzling ball of light.

And the next moment...!

"'Steel Core Combination! Gran Botkaiser!'"

There, an invincible steel giant with a total height of 400 meters stood towering with determination, with the port and city in its back.

"According to the information, we have confirmed an ultra-high energy reaction!...The strength is unprecedented!"

With a nervous look on his face, he reported to the Steel Giant's right body part, ``Red Iron Orbot,'' which is in charge of attacks.

"It's okay. The evacuation of citizens has finished, so let's clean up as usual."

The one who replied to Noweki was the "Yellow Iron Cubot" whose left body part was in charge of defense.

"Understand the situation. G (Gran) Botkaiser, activate battle mode!"

The person who announced the start of the operation above the two of them was ``Gemerl of Black Iron'', who has a head and chest part and has full control authority.

Then, as if the three had completed their preparations, a gigantic body gradually rising from the sea was displayed on Gemerl's console monitor, accompanied by an alert sound.

A strange-looking giant robot equipped with cupronickel-colored steel spikes...is the ``enemy.''

At first glance, it seemed businesslike...but with determination, Gemerl calmly told his friends.

"Weapons fully open. Battle begins."

It was only recently that the ``enemy'' appeared from nowhere and began attacking this port base.

Orbot is a happy-go-lucky guy, Cubot is a laid-back guy, and Gemerl is a cool guy who doesn't talk much. Peace in the area is maintained by their G-Bot Kaiser blocking the ``enemy''.

At that time, an attack by an unprecedentedly powerful "enemy" occurred. G-Bot Kaiser was waiting for the ``enemy'' with maximum equipment without a limiter.

"Hey, Gemerl. I think what we need to fight together is communication." " That's right. Let's hang out for an oil bar after work~" " ..."

As the two chat with each other in front of their ``enemy,'' Gemerl answers silently.

"...Well, as usual, I'll leave the battle to Gemerl."

The "enemy" approaches slowly. The first eye shines eerily on the matte cupronickel colored body. And the steel spiked blade on its back reminded me of a certain animal. When the ``enemy'' got in range, he lowered his hips and heard a dark driving sound.

"It's as big as us... It's spiny, so why call it a mecha hedgehog?"

<< Zugon! >>

A shock attack that cuts Cubot's carefree talk to shreds! The ``enemy'''s rushing attack grazed right in front of me, knocking off part of my shoulder armor.

"It's so bad! What's going on now!?" "Just scratched me!? Is that the blade...!"

A different level of strength than before. Despite the two men's stiffness, the circling ``enemy'' approaches G-Bot Kaiser in terrifying pursuit.

"...Shockproof defense, 'Cue Shield' deployed!" "Okay! Leave me alone!"

<< Zudoooon! >>

At the moment of contact with the raised shield, the ``enemy'' is blown away by an unexpected large explosion, steps on the tatara, and falls to his knees...!

Cubot's ``explosion reaction shield'' was effective, reacting to the impact by exploding the surface of the shield to counterbalance and counterattack the force. Deals counter damage and has a great first move! That's what I want to say...

"What's this explosion!? Gemerl is terrible! His face will turn into popcorn!"

Cubot, whose face is embedded in the shield and gets caught up in the explosion, becomes battered and violently protests. Bringing a prototype with the strongest weapon backfired, but there's nothing we can do about it now...

Despite the protests, Gemerl attempts to pursue the ``enemy,'' who is still unable to get up.

"Piercing EMP weapon 'Oh Drill' fully released!" "Understood! I will avenge Cubot!"

<< Guyy! >>

Along with the ultra-hard drill with built-in Orbot, a spiral lightning bolt that burns out electronic circuits is fired at the enemy.

<< Gari Gari Gari...! >>

Although the drill itself was blocked by the "enemy", sparks ran through the joints of the arms and smoke erupted from various places...! Electromagnetic pulse attacks are certainly effective.

I can keep pushing through!

.....But then the rotation of the drill gradually weakened and finally stopped completely. Then the Orbot face at the base of the drill protested breathlessly.

"The electromagnetic pulse works here too...and I'm dizzy...I'm not from Gemerl!"

At this point, the self-inflicted damage and separation of allies...G-Bot Kaiser lost a valuable attack opportunity.

The "enemy" turns into a counterattack, curls up and spins at high speed...! The bristling blades of its ball-shaped body emit a dull light, and the next moment it attacks with an attack technique that combines offense and defense.

The only remaining armament is the special move "Ultimate Trinity" using Gemerl's chest cannon "G-End", but it doesn't respond when you press the fire button...!

Zimel shook his head as expected.

This is because this weapon has a safety device that says, ``You can't shoot unless the hearts of three people are united.'' And they had never been able to shoot it before.

It is no longer possible to avoid the attacks of the "enemy"...! Gemerl tried to attack Orbot and Cubot, but they were already at their limit due to severe damage.

"...Emergency measure. Take the bullet with your chest armor!"

Gemerl puts his chest, which is the most heavily armored, forward and tries to deflect the blow by adjusting the angle of reflection, but...

<< Gwashaa! >>

The impact was unstoppable, and it caused massive damage that penetrated the armor...! The giant body is blown away and sinks into the ground, and sparks run all over the giant body as it falls face down.

Gemerl's console monitor displayed a red pop-up informing him of the damage area and the image of the ``enemy'' entering the next attack motion.

"...I could have just disposed of us and protected myself." "To protect us..."

The Orbots see oil pouring out of their eyes as they see Zimel being more damaged than they are.

"...We have to work together! Let's all three defeat him together!"

Two people with shining eyes. Perhaps his uprising spirit was conveyed to Gimmel, who was on the verge of going down, but the light returned to his eyes and he tried to wake up G-Bot Kaiser, who had failed.

And that moment...

Gemerl looked around and saw a sign for an ice cream shop that was a tenant in the building.

"cream......?"

......cream. For some reason, just that word...

Even though he didn't know what it was, just saying the name made him feel a strange surge of strength. There's something behind me that I need to protect...something important.

Protect the cream. Even if this body ends. Driven by this inexplicable but certain feeling, G-Bot Kaiser stands up bravely.

Meanwhile, the Orbots also had their eyes glued to something written on the wall of the base.

A distinctive mark that shows the face of a smiling bearded man with an egghead.

...I will protect this base. That is an absolute command from the ``boss''... That mark instantly brings back the terrifying mission in their memory.

If we don't protect ourselves, we have no future...!

``For Cream!'' ` `I can't really remember, but it's all for the boss!'' ` `To avoid getting angry at the boss!''

There's something I want to protect.

G-Bot Kaiser is enveloped in a dazzling light as his separated feelings become one. The light gathers at the "G-end" of her chest.

"What's this reaction...? The Aegis circuit didn't say 'un' or 'sn'! "

The letter "G" shines on the console monitor. Gemerl nods silently... The three hearts have become one.

"'Hisatsu...Ultimate Trinity!!'"

<< Cool! >>

The ultimate discharge weapon made possible by the latest technology. This amazing plasma erupts in a roar of light that instantly reduces all matter to ashes.

Then, it pierced the center of the ``enemy'', increasing its power and range even further, splitting the ocean in front of it, gouging out the mountains... and eventually grazing the moon in the sky, changing part of its outline. did.

A few seconds after the roar stopped... The ``enemy'', which had become completely ventilated, exploded on the sea with a huge roar.

<< Doggoooon...! >>

The seawater that was blown up to the stratosphere froze at high altitude and reflected light, scattering in the form of a gigantic rainbow tombstone that illuminated several kilometers square.

......Total victory.

The ``enemy'' disappeared without a trace, leaving only G-Bot Kaiser standing there, smoke emitting from every part of his body, turning into an object of victory.

"Severe damage caused by recoil from using G-End"

The three of them can no longer even move, let alone uncombine. Gemerl calmly tells the Orbots.

"Well, since we defeated him, it's not good♪" "It's not good! You've destroyed a lot of things...What are you going to do now, Gemerl?"

"..."

After a long silence, Gemerl spoke in a businesslike manner, but with goodwill.

"Let's go to the oil bar."

...After an atmosphere of excitement...the two, and then the three of them, laugh heartily, forgetting that they can't even move.

Their hearts were united at this very moment, filled with a sense of accomplishment and pride in being able to protect what was important to them.

"After the fight..."

"Amazing! Hey, hey, did you see what you just saw?"

A little while after the "enemy" exploded and scattered...

A little away, on a small hill, Tails was very excited to see the majestic figure of G-Bot Kaiser standing on the battlefield, and Sonic was looking at him with a slightly sheepish smile.

"Tails... your love of mecha is still the same."

Tails, shy after receiving the point, begins to analyze his specialty with a serious expression. During the battle with Eggman's army before the ``incident'', this was indeed Eggman's base, and Gemerl and Orbot were supposed to be hostile to each other there. The fact that it changed into this form...

"I think...Eggman himself may not be able to control this incident."

After a pause, Tails continued.

"I think Eggman's plan was to create a different world that would be more convenient for Eggman. But this is completely different from that now, isn't it?" "Certainly, Eggman's minions, Orbots I don't understand why you're getting along so well with Gemerl.''

Sonic nods at Tails' point.

"Yes, but it's not just that. Shadow's live performance, Emmy and Blaze's fortune-telling and magic, my appearance... There are too many changes happening here and there that Eggman would never have thought of. Moreover, Let's keep the basic relationship intact, okay?" " ...Hey Tails. What do you mean?"

Tails, who was asked this after speaking in one breath, was a little at a loss for words and answered as follows.

"I can't say it well, but...the 'interpretation' of the world...is being overwritten here and there by someone other than Eggman..." " 'Interpretation'!? ...How? To whom?" "I don't know... But otherwise, it wouldn't be possible to explain why there are so many different incidents all over the world, each with its own chaotic concept. ......”

Although Tails tried to say that, he realized that it was such a far-fetched deduction, and his face turned red and he lowered his eyes.

"Sorry, I'm saying something a little strange..."

Tails shrugs, thinking that he hasn't analyzed anything after all. But Sonic grabbed him by the shoulders and said,

"What are you talking about, Tails? You're definitely getting closer to the answer , aren't you? " "...Huh? " If we investigate further to see if something unusual is happening, we'll find out who's behind it, right? We're taking a step forward, aren't we?"

Let's say something. Although she thought that it was just an ``interpretation,'' Tails felt a warm confidence return to her chest.

"Oh, that's right...! Thank you, Sonic!"

Sonic starts running, saying let's go, and Tails follows with a smile on his face. The two of them took one step forward, and then took a strong step toward the future, two or three steps ahead.

[foggycuriosities]

🗡 weapon headcanons for Adiris, Rin and Herman!

Rin - Her weapon is a reflection of herself in her eyes. A reflection of her suffering and pain. Her rage the blades edge is rugged and dull but it has an impossible shine reflecting herself in it constantly. She treats it with some respect but its just a reminder an object to channel and fuel her rage and emotions. Kazan has scolded her many times on the importance of taking care and loving ones weapon but..rin doesn't enjoy what she does not fully but its one of the only thing that gives her relief from the floods of rage and grief that constantly torment her. Adiris - I'll put info about her vomit power under a read more after everyone else's but her censor is a sacred tool to her. She cleans it cares for it greatly it's nasty work what she does it willingly. Though over the many years of Adiris doing what she does she has seen her once holy tool of purification that glowed with power from the entities blessing has gone dull no matter how many hours she spends polishing it it's useless. The same spark of purpose and godly love she found here has begun to turn into a sour taste as she observes the survivors and realizes that she's begun to see herself in them. She still clings to it desperately hoping it will shine one day. Herman - He has no connection to his weapons lol he may have a cute name for it here and there as a joke but he experiments and edits his weapon so much its hardly ever the same. It just like a scalpel to him you know? Nothing special important to keep it sharp and sterile but it can be easily replaced. Easily remade. He's half hazard with it not caring if it gets chipped or dented if he misses a swing on a survivor and clangs it against a tree instead. vom mention below

When it comes to her vile purge Adiris has grown use to the taste and texture long ago it doesn't bother her at all (most of the time) but when she ingest the sickness of others unto herself to create a vile hot bloody stream at first it was wonderful she enjoyed the feeling knowing she was doing holy work. She was here in this unknown realm working "side by side" with them but as time as crept on the same burning doubts in her faith has turned the once welcomed pain into a hot searing sour experience leaving her empty feeling. Survivors who have been here for awhile might have noticed how she uses it considerably less now.

[apocalypticavolition]

Let's (re)Read The Eye of the World! Chapter 51: Against the Shadow

Spoiler alert: We've got spoilers here, all the way to the end of the Wheel of Time series. If you don't want everything in the books to be spoiled, run away!

Our chapter begins with the heron-marked sword icon, a reference to Rand's becoming a real fighter at last and how he turns his sword into a blade of light.

When he turned, Aginor was there, just reaching the crest. The Forsaken topped the hill without any difficulty, walking up the steep slope as if it were level ground.

There's some interesting semi-bookends here with Rand having started the series having to fight against terrain like everyone else except the Forsaken and ending the series being the guy who walks easily anywhere while flowers blossom around him.

Why should I share power with you? Why should I bend knee to you? I, who faced Lews Therin Telamon in the Hall of the Servants itself. I, who threw my might against the Lord of the Morning and met him stroke for stroke. I think not.

Does the BWB go into more detail about this? Aginor is mostly taken to be a guy who thrived with his evil science experiments and is mostly useless otherwise, but having the equivalent of the Yoda v. Palpatine fight in the Senate suggests he once had some real glory days. (Also Rand really doesn't like it that Aginor won't respect his firm denial of everything).

A glowing rope ran off from Aginor, behind him, white like sunlight seen through the purest cloud, heavier than a blacksmith’s arm, lighter than air, connecting the Forsaken to something distant beyond knowing, something within the touch of Rand’s hand. The rope pulsed, and with every throb Aginor grew stronger, more fully fleshed, a man as tall and strong as himself, a man harder than the Warder, more deadly than the Blight. Yet beside that shining cord, the Forsaken seemed almost not to exist. The cord was all. It hummed. It sang.

I kind of feel like Jordan's original intent was for male channelers in general to seem to have cords connecting them to the Source and that this was mostly discarded later, except for giving Rand a way to force Asmodean to his side. They just don't show up a lot - and this one is extra weird because it's Aginor drawing on the Eye instead of taking the Dark One's filter.

Warmth built in Rand, the warmth of the sun, the radiance of the sun, bursting, the awful radiance of light, of the Light. Away! "Mine!" Flame shot from Aginor's mouth, broke through his eyes like spears of fire, and he screamed. Away! And Rand was no longer on the hilltop. He quivered with the Light that suffused him. His mind would not work; light and heat blinded it. The Light. In the midst of the void, the Light blinded his mind, stunned him with awe.

Rand's not just channeling the Power but a hell of a lot of beginner's luck. It's rather funny that both major instances of good guys using Traveling for the first time are complete accidents.

Also bye bye Aginor. See you when you're reborn.

From the clear sky lightning came, each bolt crisp and sharp, searing his eyes, each bolt striking a winged black shape. Hunting cries became shrieks of death, and charred forms fell to leave the sky clean again. The heat. The terrible heat of the Light.

There's some confusion as to how Jordan's duality reconciles with the fact that the good guys are entirely on the side of the Light and I feel like this aspect was meant to foreshadow how he might have clarified it better if he'd gotten to write the Last Battle: If the Light were ever to actually try to push forward in full the way the Shadow does, the results would be exactly like Rand's occasional Trinity moments, except not being held back by his limitations.

IT IS NOT HERE. It was not Rand’s thought, making his skull vibrate. I WILL TAKE NO PART. ONLY THE CHOSEN ONE CAN DO WHAT MUST BE DONE, IF HE WILL.

The other part of it is that as the Shadow and Light are opposites, where the Dark One is constantly trying to push his way into where he doesn't belong, the Creator can almost never be arsed to show up and even when he does it's only to say "Not helping", so the Light never does overwhelm everything the way the Shadow would like to. One character speculates that the Creator just up and left this world behind to go make new ones and honestly I would not be remotely surprised - and without the Dark One, they probably all suck.

Darkness surrounded him, the utter blackness of total nothing. The steps were still there, hanging in the black, under his feet and ahead. When he looked back, those behind were gone, faded away to nothing, into the nothingness around him. But the cord was yet there, stretching behind him, the glowing line dwindling and vanishing into the distance. It was not so thick as before, but it still pulsed, pumping strength into him, pumping life, filling him with the Light. He climbed.

Not gonna lie, I always lose the plot around this point. Rand's jumped physically into T'A'R, maybe? It sure as fuck isn't the skimming space (though the idea of the gholam eventually slamming into these steps and then falling down them forever is funny).

Ba’alzamon had a cord, too, he saw. A black cord, thicker by far than his own, so wide it should have dwarfed the human body, yet dwarfed by Ba’alzamon, instead. Each pulse along that black vein ate light.

*mutters something about Freud and moves on*

Ba’alzamon’s eyes roared like two furnaces. His lips did not move, but Rand thought he heard a curse screamed at Aginor. Then the fires died, and that ordinary human face smiled at him in a way that chilled even through the warmth of the Light.

I deeply appreciate how terrible Ishamael is at actually keeping his cool. He talks one of the biggest games in the series yet every time he encounters even the smallest of setbacks he's about ready to flip out.

He knows it all. He could have done. It could be the way he says. The Light warmed the void. Doubt cried out and was stilled, till only the seed remained.

Of course, Rand's not doing much better at this point. I doubt very much that Ishamael planned half as much as he claimed to, some of these things are probably just lucky accidents that his Darkfriend spies (who are everywhere) managed to keep him up to date about, like the Aiel survivor talking to the Tuatha'an. After all, Jain Farstrider dies clean and the only other Shadow-related stuff he's associated with is through different compulsions.

But I would rather have you kneel to me alive than dead. A single fist of Trollocs sent to your village when I could have sent a thousand. One Darkfriend to face you where a hundred could come on you asleep. And you, fool, you don’t even know them all, neither those ahead, nor those behind, nor those by your side.

And this stuff is definitely half lies. The Trolloc numbers were limited because trying to move overwhelming masses of them through the Ways would likely have ended in disaster for them. The Darkfriends couldn't all swoop down on Rand because the regular populace is super on edge and would definitely have recognized a cult uprising if they saw one. There are also no Darkfriends at Rand's side - the party is good through and through.

On the other hand, Rand doesn't know all the Darkfriends behind him (Ingtar) nor ahead (too many to list). Then again, the latter is self-evident so...

“The Lord of the Grave is stronger than he once was, my son,” she said. “His reach is longer. The Father of Lies has a honeyed tongue for unwary souls. My son. My only, darling son. I would spare you if I could, but he is my master, now, his whim, the law of my existence. I can but obey him, and grovel for his favor. Only you can free me. Please, my son. Please help me. Help me. Help me! PLEASE!”

This is the downside of using the World of Dreams to psychologically torment your enemies - the dreams operate on the expected narrative logic of all concerned, so if you don't use the right kind of trap, when it takes on a life of it own it might not be a trap at all!

Ba’alzamon screamed as the sword fell, screamed till the stone walls trembled, and the endless howl redoubled as the blade of Light severed the cord. The cut ends rebounded apart as if they had been under tension. The end stretching into the nothingness outside began to shrivel as it sprang away; the other whipped back into Ba’alzamon, hurling him against the fireplace.

People have pointed out that Ba'alzamon's cord cutting doesn't seem to be anywhere near as big a deal as Asmodean's, but I think that's because Ish just went right back to Shayol Ghul after this and swore himself back to the Dark One to get a replacement cord. Probably got punished for it, but nowhere near as badly as Asmodean would have if he'd ever shown his face again.

Light lanced from the blade, coruscating in a shower of fiery sparks like droplets of molten, white metal. Wailing, Ba’alzamon threw up his arms in a vain effort to shield himself. Flames shrieked in his eyes, joining with other flames as the stone ignited, the stone of the cracking walls, the stone of the pitching floor, the stone showering from the ceiling.

More bookends here, with magic blades proving to be Ishamael's downfall. Note that Rand using one as a conventional weapon absolutely fails to win the war, only the battle. Also note that Rand's using it like a magic wand and that at no point does the blade physically stab into Ishamael's heart. Dude is withering, but he absolutely does not die nor incur a mortal wound before Rand is gone.

Anyway, next time: even more book ends when I finish the book, because I sure as fuck am not doing separate posts for chapters 52 and 53.

[xiincun]

@astrcls sent ; "is it true, what jingliu said ?" in spite of himself, yingxing can't quite keep the playful grin off his face; one soot-covered hand reaches out to teasingly ruffle jing yuan's hair, being sure to leave it nice and disheveled for him. "you challenged his grace to a sparring match ? well ... ." yingxing folds his arms across his chest and stares at jing yuan. it's a bit of a cocky expression, to be sure --- but yingxing is an arrogant man ( and he can back every ounce of that pride up with his impressive talents. ) "in that case, jing yuan ... you'll need something a bit bigger than that sword you carry ... and as it just so happens, i know quite a bit about how dan feng handles a spear. i could make you something of your very own to surprise him with ... what do you say to that ?"

"hey--" said sword is dropped to the lion's side as his off hand reaches up first to swat at yinxing's destruction of deliberately placed swathes of platinum hair - batting the taller man away and proceeding to focus more on dusting out clouds of dark soot left behind by the assault. golden gaze lifts to shoot what would be a scalding glare up at the smith - if it wasn't for the shadows of dust left behind in yingxing's wake and the positively childish pout now plastered across jing yuan's features.

"sure i did! i reckon i could take you in a fight as well, if you ever came out of this forge, yingxing." the pout fades, focus replacing the faux irritation as the feeling of soot clinging to his skin starts to become more and more obvious by the second. sheathing his blade, both hands - and a clean cloth laid on one of his friend's worktables - are bought up to smear away the dirt. that is, until yingxing's words fully register and jing yuan realises what this whole interruption to his extremely busy day of training and studying is about. "wait--you don't mean--"

the smile that splits open youthful visage is as bright as the golden shine in the young soldier's eyes. the cloth is discarded once again atop a workbench and rounded ears prick atop his head as jing yuan crosses the room again and all but clasps the craftsman's hand in his own - dusting himself in soot once again. though, he could care less about the dirt this time around as the cloud knight admiration shines through. he's seen the weapons yingxing creates - he's seen the way they match their wielder effortlessly... the way they act like an extension of their owner's body. more than just weapons... they're works of art he's seen yingxing pour days of time into in order to perfect them. after all, jing yuan has spent countless afternoons sat in the shade outside the forge as he pours over historical texts and strategy guides - lulled into focus by the rhythmical sounds of metal on metal - he'd be a fool to not have noticed the pride yingxing takes in his work.

"if i knew that was all it'd take - i'd have challenged mr. dan feng months ago!" despite the wisdom beyond his years, jing yuan's excitement at the proposition is obvious. his smile only widens as plans to win his duel start to form in his imagination. "can you tell me about his technique? what about his weaknesses - everyone has weaknesses. right, yingxing?"

it's safe to say that the forge master isn't going to get any more work done today without the excited ramblings of jing yuan in his ear.

[porcelain-yume]

GiANT KiLLiNG - THE MADNA (English Lyrics Translation 英訳)

Lyrics: Ryota; Music: THE MADNA

Always the peak right now

Live as you like

I’ve got a hell of a lot of work to do

So much I wanna escape

It’s such a pain

But if I don’t get to it

Then my life just ain’t worth it

Gotta sort myself out

Love and hate are two sides of the same coin

I love it so much that I hate it

See that moonlight glowing, shining on the future

Even that guy who became a star is up there applauding

Check 1-2

Let out all of that frustration from your body surging up inside

Crazy yeah!! Funny yeah!!

Live your life at 0 or 100

If you just do it when it counts

No problem

Crazy yeah!! Funny yeah!!

Cuz in the end you’ll be ashes one day

Live like there’s no tomorrow

And just enjoy the moment

Live as you like

The world’s an unreasonable place

Full of contradictions

It’s hard to wake, hard to survive

I’ve known it for some time

Life’s boring if it’s always too easy

Anything & everything must be totally defeated

With a single blade in hand

We came to rise up and overthrow, no?

With a clean sweep, slaughter the lot

It don’t matter who’s above or below

Everything in sight

Kick anything & everything straight to the curb

Everybody banzai

We’re here to rise up and overthrow

Check 1-2

Gouge the times, get up now

Now etch it right into your memory

If we stand here, we stand unrivalled

Time to wage war

Turn this place upside down

Crazy yeah!! Funny yeah!!

If you don’t like it then take it head on

Direct hit - Rider Kick!

Crazy yeah!! Funny yeah!!

It’s do or die SURViVOR

So show me what ya got with this GiANT KiLLiNG

Thrilling invigorating action

Unrealistic non-fiction

Rising and falling tension

Dawning emotion

Satisfaction

Damn right

All my life I’ve never once been fully satisfied

The moment I'm satisfied

My mission on this earth is complete. (salute)

So get psyched, make some noise

Hand in hand

United together we share the same destiny

Let’s do this, knock ‘em dead

Break straight past the limits to the ultimate high yeah!!

Crazy yeah!! Funny yeah!!

Live your life at 0 or 100

If you just do it when it counts

No problem

Crazy yeah!! Funny yeah!!

Cuz in the end you’ll be ashes one day

Live like there’s no tomorrow

And enjoy the moment

Crazy yeah!! Funny yeah!!

If you don’t like it then take it head on

Direct hit - Rider Kick!

Crazy yeah!! Funny yeah!!

It’s do or die SURViVOR

So show me what ya got with this GiANT KiLLiNG

Always the peak right now

Notes:

The MADNA’s first summer song & youth anthem. According to various interviews, they wanted to make a song that would fire the crowd up and get fans excited at shows just like a summer festival.

Ryota got the inspiration to write the lyrics for this song by watching his young puppy Guu interact with other dogs much bigger than him. He was barking back at them mercilessly regardless of his tiny size. It reminded him of himself and the band and how they must face the upcoming challenges head on. At the time, they were going head to head with a lot of different bands and he felt like he had to be in a fighting stance at all times in this “battle of the bands”.

存在価値(そんざいかち): value to society, value of one’s existence. So he’s saying that if he doesn't do what he needs to get done then he will lose the value of his very existence.

成敗(せいばい): 侍の言葉 A term used by the samurai which means things like to punish, to defeat, to kill, punishment etc.

刀(かたな): a katana is a traditional Japanese single-edged sword. They were used by samurai in feudal Japan and worn with the edge facing upward.

下克上 (げこくじょう): A term used to refer to juniors dominating or overthrowing their seniors / inferiors overthrowing their superiors/ the lower class rising up against the upper class. Like a giant-killing, it’s an inversion of social order. THE MADNA themselves are starting from the very bottom.

万歳(ばんざい): “banzai” a Japanese cheer or battle cry used to express enthusiasm or celebrate victory and triumph. It originated from the old phrase (may you live for) ten thousand years. These days it’s used as a celebratory cheer eg. “Huzzah!” “Hurray!” “Yay!!” “YASSSS!”.

In this sense 大衆 (たいしゅう) refers to the public or common people (as opposed to the upper class or in this case those above who they are overthrowing). So paired together with banzai, it suggests a celebration of the people at the bottom. In this case we could most likely infer that’s the band themselves. So it’s a celebratory cheer for being who they are.. Hell yeah we got this! Let’s fucking go!! Honestly speaking I wasn't sure the best way to translate this line and I just like saying the word BANZAI so I left it in as it is. If I can come up with a better idea later I'll come back and change it but for now, banzai it is. Open to creative input!

ライダーキック Rider kick: A “Rider kick” is the signature finishing move from the popular Japanese series Kamen Rider. According to a fan page, although it comes in various forms, “it traditionally consisted of a flying side kick and was used against the monster after it had been weakened from fighting with the Rider.” Ryota does the kick on stage during the performance. Ideally the fans do the kick together with him too if space permits.

殺るか殺られるか/やるかやられるか: This phrase means it’s kill or be killed, do or die, dog-eat-dog, beat or get beaten etc. 殺る is used colloquially and means to kill or “do someone in”.

Giant-killing: A term used to describe when the underdog beats the competition. Often used in sports to describe a player or team that defeats a much stonger or well-known opponent unexpectedly. This success is sometimes referred to as a giant-killing. As the win is highly unanticipated, it can be an exhilarating turn of events in a match and can also lead to an uproar or huge upset.

テンション Tension: it’s probably worth pointing out that the word tension has the opposite meaning in Japanese than what it does in English. In English we would usually use it to describe negative emotional tension, anxiety or some kind of mental strain - so the lower the better! In Japanese it’s often used to mean being in high spirits, having a lot of energy or being really excited and in a good mood. So in Japanese having “high” tension is a good thing, whereas having “low” tension means you’re feeling quite down, drained and unenthusiastic.

(敬礼)けいれい solute: It’s in brackets as he doesn’t actually sing this but rather does the action itself. During the live show the fans solute to the members at this point.

運命共同体(うんめいきょうどうたい): a phrase meaning “to be in the same boat”, “share a common destiny/fate” or “to feel or have a strong bond or connection together”.

絶頂(ぜっちょう)���上(ごくじょう): This is an interesting choice of word combination. Zecchou refers to the peak, height or climax of something. It can also be used in combination with other words to mean being on cloud nine or feeling on top of the world. This is mostly likely where “the peak” from the line “always the peak right now” derives from. Gokujou is used to describe something that is first-rate, the finest quality, supreme, prime, divine or the best.

Japanese, Romaji & Spotify Track:

Always the peak right now

live as you like

やらなくちゃいけない事

山積みで逃げ出したい かったりぃ

けど、やらなくちゃ存在価値も無くなり

己自身を断捨離

好きと嫌いは表裏一体

憎らしいほど愛おしい

月の光は未来照らし

星になったアイツも拍手喝采

live as you like

Yaranakuchaikenai koto

Yamazumi de nigedashitai kattarii

Kedo yaranakucha sonzaikachi mo nakunari

Onorejishin wo danshari

Suki to kirai wa hyouriittai

Nikurashii hodo itooshii

Tsuki no hikari wa mirai terashi

Hoshi ni natta aitsu mo hakushukassai

check 1-2

身体中に渦巻いたフラストレーション吐きだせ

Karadajuu ni uzumaita furasutoreshon (frustration) hakidase

Crazy yeah!! Funny yeah!!

0か100で生きてこうぜ

やるときやれば No problem

Crazy yeah!! Funny yeah!!

どーせ、いつかは灰になるぜ

死ぬ気でイマを楽しんでやれ

Crazy yeah!! Funny yeah!!

Zero ka hyakku de ikitekouze

Yaru toki yareba No problem

Crazy yeah!! Funny yeah!!

Douse itsuka wa hai ni naruze

Shinukide ima wo tanoshindeyare

live as you like

世の中っていうのは理不尽で

矛盾だらけだからwake 生きづらい

とっくにもう、 分かってる

つまらねぇんだ　楽な事ばかりじゃ

アレもコレもとか総て成敗

刀一本握り締めて

下克上だろ? ブッた斬って

上も下も関係ねぇ

一切合切 アレもコレもとか蹴散らせ

大衆万歳 下克上だろ

live as you like

Yononakatteiu no wa rifujin de

Mujun darake dakara wake ikizurai

Tokku ni mou wakatteru

Tsumaraneenda raku na koto bakari ja

Are mo kore mo toka subete seibai

Katana ippon nigirishimete

Gekokujou daro? Buttakitte

Ue mo shita mo kankei nee

Issaigassai are mo kore mo toka kechirase

Taishuu banzai gekokujou daro

check 1-2

時代をエグれ get up now

さあ、記憶に刻み込め

此処に立ったら独壇場だ

めちゃくちゃにしてやれ

Jidai wo egure get up now

Saa kioku ni kizamikome

Koko ni tattara dokudanjou da

Mechakucha ni shiteyare

Crazy yeah!! Funny yeah!!

気に入らねぇーなら正面切って

一発噛ませ　ライダーキック

Crazy yeah!! Funny yeah!!

殺るか殺られるかの SURViVOR

見せつけてやれ GiANT KiLLiNGで

Crazy yeah!! Funny yeah!!

Ki ni iranee nara shoumenkitte

Ippatsukamase Rider kikku (kick)

Crazy yeah!! Funny yeah!!

Yaru ka yarareru ka no SURViVOR

Misetsuketeyare GiANT KiLLiNG de

痛快爽快アクション

非現実的ノンフィクション

浮き沈みテンション

明け方エモーション

サティスファクション

Tsuukai soukai action

Higenjitsuteki nonfiction

Ukishizumi tension

Akegata emotion

Satisfaction

そう、生まれて此の方ずっと

心満たされてねぇ

満たされちまったその瞬間

この地球での任務完了。 (敬礼)

沸いてけ　騒いでけ

手と手繋いで我ら運命共同体

ヤッたれ　かましたれ

絶頂極上の向こう側へ限界突破 yeah!!

Sou umarete konokata zutto

Kokoro mitasaretenee

Mitasarechimatta sono shunkan

Kono chikyuu de no ninmu kanryou

Waiteke sawaideke

Te to te tsunaide warera unmeikyoudoutai

Yattare kamashitare

Zecchou gokujou no mukougawa e genkai toppa yeah!!

Crazy yeah!! Funny yeah!!

0か100で生きて行こうぜ

やるときやれば No problem

Crazy yeah!! Funny yeah!!

どーせ、いつかは灰になるぜ

死ぬ気でイマを楽しんでやれ

Crazy yeah!! Funny yeah!!

気に入らねぇーなら正面切って

一発噛ませ ライダーキック

Crazy yeah!! Funny yeah!!

殺るか殺られるかの SURViVOR

見せつけてやれ GiANT KiLLiNGで

Crazy yeah!! Funny yeah!!

Zero ka hyakku de ikitekouze

Yaru toki yareba No problem

Crazy yeah!! Funny yeah!!

Douse itsuka wa hai ni naruze

Shinukide ima wo tanoshinde

Crazy yeah!! Funny yeah!!

Ki ni iranee nara shoumenkitte

Ippatsukamase Rider kikku (kick)

Crazy yeah!! Funny yeah!!

Yaru ka yarareru ka no SURViVOR

Misetsuketeyare GiANT KiLLiNG de

Always the peak right now

[iieonarch]

 Lovers in the mountain

No TWs or CWs, nice things here, xicheng AU they live together, unedited

Somewhere in the mountains far away from the village was a small and humble home of two lovers. Beautiful and powerful young men who held each other high in their hearts. A small cottage filled with warmth and comfort with a small garden for their needs. 

Each morning a young man clad in dark purple robes ventures out into the unknown, his sword at his waist and a buzzing purple ring at his index finger. His eyebrows always furrowed, as if the world had nothing better to give him, yet they softened as he waved goodbye to his beloved by the door; his beloved who wore white robes and a smile filled with patience the world doesn’t deserve. 

The presence of the young man was common in the village beneath the mountain, though they did not dare to speak carelessly. Many had assumptions and theories of his up-bringing. He wore simple robes yet carried weapons that are deadly and of high quality. His power was outstanding. Their selfishness thought of how this man alone was capable of protecting the village from demonic beings. Their selfishness was met with a glare and a simple scoff, one swore that they saw purple lightning around his ring. 

He was selfish as well. He wanted freedom. The only reason he kept the remnants of the past was for self-protection. The world doesn’t change fast, there are creatures of the dark who still lurked and stalked their prey. He doesn’t know whether he will be able to fully let go...mistakes––his regrets of the past. The wounds that he carries would linger and remind him. Was there any happiness in this world left for him? 

He stopped in his tracks. Sunlight hits him with warmth and care. He’d wonder and ponder about happiness, what do they truly mean to him. That’s when he remembered the presence back home, his lover who always welcome him into his arms, supporting all of him including the weight of responsibilities and regrets––all that has shaped him into the man he is today. He smiled to himself, sitting on the green grass; lifting his face to the bright sun. The image of the young man in white waiting patiently at home flashed in his mind, his lover sitting by the porch of their house playing his Liebing. “Let’s go home,” he said to himself. 

As he stood up he felt something nudging his foot, soft and it let out a faint whimper. Looking down, he came to contact with a tiny puppy that waved its tail happily at him. The white fur was soft to the touch and he smiled wider at the puppy who nuzzled against his palm. “Taking you home won’t hurt anyone wouldn’t it?” the man said and invited the puppy into his arms. The puppy instantly curled comfortably against his chest, its breathing slowed as they entered the state of sleep. He chuckled, patting the puppy’s head gently as he walked back from the unknown. 

The moon was shining bright by the time he and the puppy walked back up the mountainous road. The small puppy now full of energy ran around him, chasing the little fireflies that guided them back home. A little while after, the excited puppy stopped in its tracks with its head held up high as they looked around the area, little ears twitching. He stopped to scan his surroundings with it, his eyebrows furrowing and his hand hovered on the hilt of his blade. There was nothing but the rustling of the night wind. He bent down to pat the puppy, “don’t worry. There’s nothing. Come here.” The puppy leaped into his arms instantly however, it was still alert with the surroundings. 

Some more steps later he realized why the puppy became alert. The faint sound of a familiar lullaby entered his ears and he grinned as he quickened his steps. “We’re almost home,” he whispered at the puppy, giving them a comforting pat on the head. 

The lullaby became clear crystal as they went, sharp and clean as if cutting through the lonely air of the night. The man found himself almost running towards it, wanting to throw himself into the embrace he wishes to never part every day. Coming to a clearing, they arrived at his home. The humble cottage with its lights glowing from inside and a beautiful figure sitting on the porch, his eyes closed whilst his fingers grasped onto his instrument. 

The man stepped into their home and allowed the puppy to the ground, the curious puppy walked up towards his lover whose eyes immediately opened when the little puppy pulled his white robes. At first, there was silence then a small gasp of delight as he lifted the puppy up, softly patting its white fur. Then his eyes widened at his lover who had returned. In a second he was enveloped in his arms, the playful puppy nuzzled between them and barked happily. “You’re home, Jiang Cheng,” he whispered, kissing his lips gently. “I’m home, Lan Xichen,”