#if i were shipwrecked i would follow him no questions asked

[emeraldotter]

a friendly merperson

[twentyfivemiceinatrenchcoat]

quick lil masterlist just so i don’t lose track of my writing let’s goo :3

✩ = personal fave!!

satoru gojo

you are somebody that i want to keep ✩ wc; 6.7k desc; you aren't sure what you have with satoru gojo, but you know that it’s good.

call my name and i’ll come running wc; 8.7k desc; satoru can be irritating, at times. but even if you push him away, he’ll always, always be there for you when you need him.

i’ll relearn love at our kitchen table wc; 4.9k desc; satoru doesn’t quite know what love is supposed to feel like. but if it means coming home to you, it can’t possibly be that much of a curse.

the things you do for love wc; 7.0k desc; satoru begs you to wear the frilly maid dress he bought. against your better judgement, you indulge him.

i can’t close my eyes alone wc; 4.2k desc; arguing with satoru is always exhausting. bitter and spiteful, you leave him in the bedroom and go find another place to sleep; your couch would be the obvious choice, but where’s the fun in that?

how deep is your devotion? ✩ wc; 6.6k desc; you’re his knight, and he’s your prince. if only it were that simple.

there’s a shipwreck stuck between your ribs wc; 4.6k desc; three times satoru sees you cry, and the understanding you gain of each other from it.

ask me to leave and i’ll stay forever wc; 10.8k desc; satoru is stubborn; even when plagued by such a high fever, he insists there’s no need to take care of him. thankfully, you’re equally as stubborn.

we can dip if you’re ready wc; 7.4k desc; your dreams of a peaceful summer are rudely shattered by the presence of your best friend’s older brother; the same brother who rejected you five years ago. the same brother you’re still hopelessly, uselessly in love with.

you’re an angel, i’m a dog (yan!gojo !!) wc; 4.3k desc; an upcoming exam has been stressing you out, and satoru’s pleas for you to take care of yourself fall on deaf ears. he takes matters into his own hands.

oh my destiny, how far you have sprung now (not an x reader + jjk 236 spoilers !!) wc; 5.3k desc; satoru gojo goes north.

unnamed drabble wc; 2.4k (melancholic beach fluff w teen toru <33)

come rest your bones next to me ✩ (stsg/reader) wc; 4.6k desc; satoru shares the first snowfall of the year with the two people he loves most.

dear spring, stay forever (sashisu/reader) wc; 3.8k desc; just another mellow breakfast shared between you and your partners. (you don’t think you’ll ever get tired of it.)

suguru geto

where you lead me, i’ll follow ✩ wc; 10.0k desc; opening up is hard, even under the comfort of a starry sky, seated next to your childhood friend. fortunately, suguru knows you like the back of his hand.

i've always loved the way you eat ✩ wc; 4.9k desc; suguru is a morning person. he likes the serenity of it all; the quiet of the early hours, the expensive feel of his coffee pot. more than anything, he likes bringing you breakfast in bed.

i dream, now, of a normal life with you ✩ wc; 9.4k desc; suguru isn’t a lightweight. this is your first time actually seeing him drunk — though maybe it shouldn’t come as a surprise that he’d be the sappy kind.

i crumble completely when you cry wc; 6.2k desc; after a tense fight with your boyfriend, you flee out into a brewing rainstorm. luckily, suguru is always willing to warm you up again.

if i fell through the floor i would keep falling wc; 7.5k desc; geto knocks at your front door one morning ten years after leaving everything he knew behind, fully expecting to be met with a middle finger or a hand to the throat. when you invite him in, instead, he can’t help but feel somewhat perplexed.

there was no place in nature we could meet ✩ wc; 3.3k desc; it’s never fun to run into an ex. especially when the ex in question is your unfairly handsome high school sweetheart — and also just so happens to be a wanted mass murderer.

the paint doesn’t move the way the light reflects ✩ wc; 21.1k desc; when the king puts you under the supervision of a dashing knight, you promise to make his job as difficult as possible. unfortunately, suguru geto is the patient sort.

i love you, i love you (kill me in the morning) wc; 10.0k desc; everyone has a weakness. some are harder to get rid of. (or, alternatively; suguru geto befriends a non-sorcerer as a child.)

unnamed drabble wc; 1.8k (silly spring fluff <33)

unnamed drabble wc; 2.7k (comfy fluff w sleepy needy sugu <33)

unnamed drabble wc; 1.5k (slightly bittersweet fluff w cult leader geto <33)

unnamed drabble wc; 2.2k (angsty kiss w cult leader geto <33)

come rest your bones next to me ✩ (stsg/reader) wc; 4.6k desc; satoru shares the first snowfall of the year with the two people he loves most.

dear spring, stay forever (sashisu/reader) wc; 3.8k desc; just another mellow breakfast shared between you and your partners. (you don’t think you’ll ever get tired of it.)

shoko ieiri

you drink your coffee black and we are afraid of each other ✩ wc; 4.2k desc; shoko makes you a morning cup of coffee. turns out she’s not very good at that, but it’s the thought that counts!

in the dream i don’t tell anyone, you put your head in my lap (jjk spoilers!!) wc; 4.5k desc; ever since the battle in shinjuku came to its conclusion, nothing’s been the same as it used to — but you don’t think anyone is doing quite as badly as shoko. 

dear spring, stay forever (sashisu/reader) wc; 3.8k desc; just another mellow breakfast shared between you and your partners. (you don’t think you’ll ever get tired of it.)

others

the green in your eyes (makes me feel warm inside) (megumi/reader) wc; 4.6k desc; in the comfort of a familiar bookstore, you find a boy. a pretty boy, who’s always reading, who doesn’t speak unless he has to. you’d like to get to know him — and maybe you will.

go for it! (yuuta/reader) wc; 7.4k desc; yuuta’s been crushing on you ever since the first group project you had together, but he’s too nervous to confess. luckily, he has some over-eager friends willing to help! step 1: ask for your number!

[factual-fantasy]

25 asks! :00 Thank you! :}} 💖

I would like to yeah :0 for now I'm just kind'a goofin around and drawing whatever. Also thank you!! :DD I'm glad you like it! :}}}

I don't think kid Gregory and Vanessa would realize that the other is a younger version of the guard that's pursuing them.. They would just think they have the same name.

What would be confusing though is who went into who's world. If Little Vanessa went to little Gregory's world, she would be so confused. "Where's Bonnie and Foxy? Why do Roxy and Monty look so different..? Why does the entire BUILDING look different..??"

For adult Gregory going into the kid Gregory's world.. it'd be the same thing. "Why is the building so different and where is Bonnie and Foxy?... Also why is there this random gal that has on a security uniform and why is she in my office-"

Thank you! Happy new year to you as well!! 🎉🥳🎊

YOOOO THAT'D BE SICK!! :DDD Also I love all the puns XDD

Yeah, that post is outdated and should not be followed. My pinned post has all the up to date information. 👍

(Also thank you! :D)

That's a thing?? Man. I'm not sure what to think. I was never super into Bendy.. I guess I just hope that the fans get what they're hoping for? <:D

Or at the very least I hope that the people who made Bendy have the freedom to put what ever they want into the movie. :}

Thank you so much! :DD As for my favorite character from my AU specifically? I'd say its a tough pick between Freddy and Foxy.. I thiiiiink I'll pick Freddy XD I just love him man 🥺

@skeletormasterofevil

N-No.. she was so young...💔

@underfalls-36

XDDD That's hilarious, also thANK YOU SO MUCH!! :DDD

Calico Jack? I don't think so.. scurvy is caused by a severe vitamin-C deficiency. And sailors usually got it becuase they didn't have fruits and vegetables on the ship.. But it looks like Calico Jack has gotten shipwrecked quite a few times in his life. I imagine he's been stranded on islands for a few weeks at a time where he ate nothing but fruits, Veggies and fish. Not to mention his time in the Amazon where he likely had access to all kinds of fruits.

Natquik though? Its possible.. out in the Antarctic his diet was probably mostly fish.. although it seems that real arctic fox diets don't really demand many fruits and veggies.. Still, Natquik seems more likely to have contracted scurvy at one point then Calico Jack :(

:DDD THANK YOU! And boy do I have a lot of that XD

I do have many theories/headcannons yes!.. Although I think I'll keep those tucked away in my brain for now- :x

@citrusfruitman

(Post in question)

XDD I sat on the first ask for a while because I was intending to draw something for it. But I'm realizing now that I might not ever draw it so--

What was going on in that drawing is an evil Undyne threw a spear at the group while they were passing by. Seam was struck in the head by it and was killed.. hence the blood splatter on her face. (My darkeners bleed)

BUT ITS OKAY! Through some uh... very dark methods- Frisk was able to reset to a few moments before and pull Seam out of the way. Then she got into a brawl with the evil Undyne no doubt <XD

I have, and uh, I'm not so sure about the whole "in character" thing.. or at least its not the character I imagined Fazbear Entertainment would be- <XD

It just means they're both rough and tough and their hands get beat up a lot. Kwazii gets them beat from scraping them on stuff and dealing with dangerous creatures while on missions. And Calico Jack gets them from scraping them on stuff and.. dealing with dangerous creatures while on adventures XDD

@spinelfan11

XDD I have now! What an odd specimen..

(Also thank you! :DDD)

@milk-powrit

Its hard to explain exactly why I don't like them.. But I don't like them-

I guess it feels kind'a.. mary sue-ish..? If that makes sense? Or at least having all these sans' that act nothing like the original sans is kind'a off putting? I guess? Not to mention loads of them are shipped together- uhg idk- Its hard to explain but I don't vibe with them personally. So I didn't add them to my au :/

@abaroo

OOOO THAT'S A GOOD IDEA!! :000 I like how it creates a spin on Grillby and River. While Jevil intentionally grabbed Grillby's hand and saved him, and River was dragged along by mistake.. Frisk CHOSE to follow Jevil, it wasn't his doing at all this time. That's a really cool thing to experiment with!

I'll have to look into this idea, thank you for sharing! And thank you for the complements! AND happy new year to you too! XDD

@the-great-bonkings

XDD For receiving hugs? I'd say he's about a 11/10 sometimes, maybe a 6/10 other times. Its harder to hug him comfortably if you're significantly shorter/smaller than he is. But if ur the right size his hugs will just fix all your problems 🥺

As for giving hugs? It might be about the same. But I can see him giving them out only to people he's really close to. Otherwise a tender yet professional hand on the shoulder seems more his style.

XD And I see the prompt there, perhaps I'll have to draw that sometime!

@tanileaf

YOU LIKE? :DDD THANK YOU! I'M SO GLAD!

Aww shucks 😊 Thank you!

@khoiazo

Whaaaat?? Nooo Its not traumaaa,,🥺 its character development!😇

TRUEEEEE

I do! I'll have to post more about them sometime-- 👀👀

@cudlycorncornsworthcoberson

WAAAA THANK YIOU SO MUCH!!! IM SO GLAD YOUY LIKE MY OCTONAUTS SILLIES 💖💖😭💖

[thehorizonlinex]

Sea Legs

Eric teaches Ariel about his world.

Note: Posted this on AO3 a few days ago but forgot to here. A little scene I made up in my head, the first night of Ariel and Eric’s first voyage. Can’t get these two out of my head and am considering starting a short multi-chapter AU fic of them, let me know if you’d be interested!

Still new at this writing stuff so would love any feedback and comments!

~~~~~

The sky exploded with light as the ship’s crew continued to set off fireworks, booming and dazzling against the darkness. The festivities had been going on for nearly an hour, fiddles providing joyous melodies while sailors danced the night away.

Ariel snuggled closer to Eric on the steps, her gaze still focused on the brilliant colors illuminating the sky. They’d danced for almost the whole hour, her new husband teaching her the steps of the many jigs and dances.

“Have you ever seen fireworks before?” Eric shrugged his jacket off his shoulders, placing it delicately around hers.

“Once,” a smile crept onto Ariel’s face at the memory. “When we first met.”

“Oh?”

Ariel giggled. “The night of the shipwreck.”

Eric took a moment to think. “Oh, right before, you mean. My twenty-first birthday.”

He paused again. “Wait…how did you…”

Ariel felt the blush rising in her cheeks, looking down nervously at her lap and picking at a loose thread on her dress.

“I heard you talking to Grimsby,” she explained, her voice barely above a whisper. “I saw the fireworks, and I followed the ship. And I heard you talking. I saw the crew dancing, it was the first time I’d ever seen anything like that.”

She felt his finger touch the underside of her chin, lifting it gently so their eyes met.

“And that’s how you were there to save me.”

“Yes.”

���I had no idea.”

Ariel shrugged, turning her head once again to look out at the dancing crew. It was a miracle they hadn’t all worn out their feet by now.

“You seemed so happy, singing and dancing with all of them. I saw it tonight, too. You’re happiest when you’re on the ship.”

Eric chuckled, his eyes following hers. The crew had gotten ahold of Grimsby, the old man somehow convinced to sway along to the music with Max by his side.

“I hope you like it here,” he said. “I know ship life isn’t for everyone, but whatever’s out there - I want to find it with you.”

“I do like it here,” Ariel said. She turned back to meet his gaze, eyes twinkling in the light. “Though, there is something you could help me with.”

“Anything.”

“What’s a starboard?”

Eric raised a brow. “Come again?”

“The crew, they keep saying starboard. Starboard side, starboard sails…”

“Oh,” Eric laughed, brushing a hand through his dark curls. “It’s right. Port and starboard, that’s what sailors call left and right.”

“Why not just call it left and right?”

Eric paused. “You know…I’m actually not sure. But sailors have lots of words for things no one else calls them by.”

“Like what?”

“Hmm…” Eric took a moment to think, his eyes scanning the ship.

He pointed to the very front of the ship. “The front there, that’s called the bow. And the very back is called the stern.”

“Bow and stern,” Ariel repeated.

“Yeah. Sometimes the stern is called aft, too.”

Ariel nodded.

“The wheel,” Eric pointed out.

“The one I used to kill Ursula.”

“Yes. That’s called the helm.”

Ariel nodded again. “Can I ask one more question?”

Eric drew her closer to him. “You can ask as many questions as you’d like.”

“Why do they call the ship a woman?”

“Oh,” he laughed. “That…it comes from an old sea story. You’d think it’s silly.”

She nudged him. “Tell me.”

“Sailors believe…” he shook his head. “They believe that the king of the seas would be more favorable to girls. So referring to a ship as a ‘she’…well, it’s to appease him.”

Ariel stared at him with wide eyes, before bursting into laughter.

“My father wouldn’t care whether or not the ship was a girl, Eric.”

“Well, yes, I can understand that now.”

“Humans are silly,” Ariel remarked. “But you’re not entirely wrong.”

“No?”

“I do have six sisters. No brothers. So you could say my father does favor girls.”

She straightened up a bit. “Can I practice using the terms?”

Eric tried his best not to smile too hard, at the risk of his new wife potentially mistaking his grin as laughing at her expense. “Of course.”

Ariel pointed to the front of the ship. “The bow.”

She gestured to the back. “Stern. Or aft.”

She pointed left, then right. “Port and starboard.”

The wheel was last. “The helm.”

She took a breath, her brows knitted in deep focus. “I used the helm to turn the ship port side so the bow of the ship drove into Ursula.”

She looked up at him again. “Was that right?”

Eric couldn’t help the beaming grin on his face as he reached in for a soft kiss.

“Perfect. You’re a natural-born sailor.”

He didn’t miss her giggle before the corners of his lips lifted into a slight smirk.

“You were wrong about something though.”

She looked into his eyes, warm brown meeting ocean blue.

“What was it?”

“I’m the happiest when I’m with you.”

[bricksduhh]

Part of your world: Chapter: 1

- Prince Eric x male reader

Chapter 2: here

Please read what's linked here before reading this!!

This part probably feels very rushed as I'm trying to get to writing the reader with eric parts as fast as I can because Im so excited to finally be writing for Eric. This is defenitly more of an Introduction as there isn't much reader and Eric interactions but I did try to make it interesting!!

You found yourself laying on a piece of rock, facing the piece of land that covered your horizon. You went to this specific rock many times a day, just to sit there and imagine what life on land would be like. How the sand would feel beneath your feet, or even how it felt to have feet. You could think of countless things you could do if you ever got a chance to go to the land. The foods you would try, the clothes you would wear. You yearned for that life. 

You were taken out of your thoughts at the sound of your sister, Ariel, calling out to you. "Y/n! There you are" she said, swimming up towards the rock. You turned to face her. "I was told to come get you" 

"And you knew to come here?" You questioned. 

"Yeah, this rock is the only place you ever go" She laughs, clearly making fun of you lack of social life under the sea. 

"Haha" You respond sarcastically. You go back to questioning her "Who told you to come get me?" 

"Oh!" She says clearly remembering why she was there. "Father wanted to see you." You roll your eyes as you start to climb off the rock. "He sounded really mad." She adds, giving a concerned look. 

You inhale softly before diving into the water. You arrived at your fathers throne room. You hated this room. It was the main place you stayed, if you weren't on your rock. Since you were the King's only son in the mix of many daughters, you didn't revive a part of the sea to rule over. Instead he made you one of the main guards to stand by him in the throne room. It was the most boring thing he could ever make you do. You would rather be forced to count the sand that lay around the castle instead. 

You already felt an uneasy feeling in your stomach as you began to enter the throne room. King Triton sat on his throne,clearly irritated. 

"And where were you?" He immediately asked, barely letting you enter the room. 

"Just swimming around." You lied. Triton didn't like you or your sisters to even think about anything beyond the sea, not since your mother was killed. This didn't stop you or Ariel from taking artefacts from shipwrecks that had fallen to the bottom of the sea. 

"Just swimming around?" He mocked your answer, clearly not buying the excuse. He raised his voice. "Do not lie to me. I know what you were doing." He exhaled. His voice softened, not wanting to shout at his only son. "I've told you and Ariel about how I feel about you two interacting with anything to do with the land people." He looks at you. 

You took a deep breath before responding "I know, but father you don't understand I-" 

"I don't want to hear it," Triton interrupts. "I do not want you to even think about anything related to the land, you understand?" Your father says sternly. 

"I understand" You agree, bowing your head, not wanting to fight back. 

"Good, you can leave now." He orders. 

You leave quickly. You were angry, not just at your father but also at yourself for not standing up for yourself against Triton. 

"Y/n wait up!" Ariel called out, swimming up to you with her fish friend flounder. "What was that about?" She asked. 

"The usual" Ariel nodded, knowing what you meant. "Why can't he just understand that this life he's forcing me into isn't what I desire." You ask, looking at her. 

"Have you tried explaining that to him?" Flounder questioned. 

"Many times, each one being shut down before I could even finish the sentence." You respond. 

Suddenly the three of you heard a loud explosion. You all looked up, seeing bright colours shoot across the top of the sea. You swim up to get a closer look, Ariel following behind. You both emerge from the water. There was a ship in front of you, above it being the cause of the noise. The colours in the sky were more prominent now. You watched in awe as the colours spread out across the night sky. You looked over at Ariel, her gaze also focused on the beautiful event happening in front of you two. You sigh, turning to swim back down, not wanting your father to know about this. 

Before you could go back down into the sea, you and Ariel heard shouting coming from the ship. "What the-" You say to yourself as you turn to see what caused the commotion. You watched as an orange hue began to grow across the ship. "Fire" you whispered to Ariel. You and Ariel watched as the passengers got onto a small boat that was released from the ship and dropped into the water below it.  They began to row the boats away from their ship that was being taken over by a raging fire. 

You heard one of the men point towards the ship while shouting a name. "Eric!" You turned your attention back to the ship. You watched as a man, who you assumed was Eric, run up to a dog that was barking. He picked the dog up, throwing it into the ocean below to save it from the flames. Ariel dived under the water, going to help the dog reach the men who were calling for the dog. The ship began to move. You looked back up to the man who helped the dog. He was about to jump down until the movement from the ship caused him to fall back. You watched as he left your view. There was a crashing sound from the ship before the sound of something hitting the water. 

Diving under the water, you saw the cause of the splash. You watched as the man who once stood on the ship, started to sink down into the sea. You swam over to him,dodging the debris from the ship that had started to sink. You wrapped your arms under his and began to pull him back up to the surface. You kept your hold on him, looking around to see what you should do with the unconscious man in your arms. You couldn't bring him towards the others as they would see you. Instead you decided to swim back to land, carefully carrying the man with you. 

It took a bit but you finally reached the land. You felt the heat on your back as the sun began to rise. Your hand rested on the man's chest, monitoring his breathing. You moved your hand to move his hair out of his face to get a closer look at him. He was cute. You felt yourself blushing at the sight of him. You recalled the name that you heard the men call him. "Eric" You said with a smile. 

You heard him groan. He was waking up. He must have heard you say his name. You panicked, quickly turning to go back to the sea. You couldn't let him see you. You re-emerged from the sea, from a further distance, watching as people rushed towards the beach you left him on. They helped him stand as he woke up. You dived back down, heading back to find Ariel. 

You noticed your sisters were where the ship wreck happened."I don't know what Y/n and Ariel find so interesting about the land people, all they cause is trouble." You heard one of them complain. They were cleaning the debris that had fallen on the coral reef below it. One of them noticed you swimming towards them. "Finally he's here." She exclaimed, causing the rest of your sisters to turn. 

You looked around. "Where's Ariel?" You questioned them. 

"Oh, father came for her." One of them answered. "He was looking for you too." 

"Yeah and he was pretty mad." Another added. Great. You swore everytime someone told you that Triton wanted to speak to you it was always followed with a comment about his anger towards you. 

You groaned in annoyance as you turned to head towards the castle yet again. This felt like a daily occurrence lately. You heard him talking to Ariel as you began to enter. 

"Look who finally decided to join us." He said as you caught his attention. Ariel turned to face you. "I don't even have to ask where you were," he said. 

"Father if you just listen" Ariel asked, desperate to explain what happened. 

"You two disobeyed my orders countless times. I'm sick of repeating myself to you two." He complains, annoyance plaguing his voice. 

"A man was drowning." You said, cutting off your fathers rant. "I couldn't let him die." You looked up to face Triton. 

"You know what those people did to your mother, they-" 

"They are evil?" You finished his sentence. "Or is that just your view on them? Father not all of them are what you make them out to be, I watched as that man saved an innocent dog that he could have left to die. He risked his life to save it, would you call that evil?" You clenched your fists as you gave a stern look towards Triton. You could tell he was taken aback by the sudden attitude change from you.

"One action doesn't define a person" he tries to explain. 

"But the one action of a random person killing mom defines every person??" You shot back, starting to get annoyed. 

Your father exhales. "I'm not dealing with your delusional thoughts, you will never understand what they are like up on the land." Your fathers voice begins to get more agitated. "I do not want you or Ariel to go anywhere near the surface ever again. If I hear about either of you disobeying me again there will be consequences. For you Y/n I will be making you practise your guard duties everyday from now on, Sebastian here will act as a supervisor making sure you follow my orders." He points towards the crab that acts as his reporter.

Your eyes widen in shock. "Father, don't you think that's too extra? I mean, you're taking away his sense of freedom" Ariel says anxiously in an attempt to defend you. 

"It's his own fault, I've given you both warnings and I feel you won't listen unless there are real consequences to them. Now leave." He orders.

You exhaled, fighting back tears. "I hate you." You say, shaking your head in disbelief. You left quickly, not being able to stand the sight of your father anymore. 

You swam for what felt like an hour. You stopped, shouting out to yourself. Tears began to rush down your face. You heard someone call your name. You turned to see Sebastian slowly following behind you. 

"I'm not interested in listening to anything my father has to say" You say as Sebastian reaches you. 

"I'm not here with anything from your father, I'm here to talk to you." He explains. 

"Well I'm not interested in that either" You glance over at him.

"I get your mad but you should really understand that your father does care for you and Ariel, he's just trying to- '' Your attention was taking from what Sebastian was ranting about but instead on an eel swimming in the distance. You squint your eyes, trying to get a better look. You watch as it swims away. You decide to follow it, wanting an excuse to leave the conversation. "Hey where are you going?" Sebastian shouts at you. He rolls his eyes as he begins to follow you. 

You follow the eel until it enters a cave. The cave had a light coming from inside. You stop outside, not knowing if you should enter. "HEY!" Sebastian calls to you. "Do not go in there. Supposedly that's the home of the sea witch." He explains 

Sea witch? You thought to yourself. You turn to face him. "A witch? Like one who could cast a spell" you question. 

"I mean that's what a witch is most known for." Sebastian answers. "Wait you aren't-" He suddenly realises why you are so interested. "Oh nononono, you are not going to do what I think you are." You smirk at him before deciding to swim through the hole that the eel did a moment ago. 

You could hear Sebastian complaining as you went deeper into the hole. You exited the hole entering some room. You looked around, trying to find the eel or anything interesting. Your eyes feel on a cauldron that sat in the middle of the room. Suddenly you heard a voice coming from behind you. "Finally I've been waiting for you." You froze in fear, turning to see who was speaking to you… 

[sihtricfedaraaahvicius]

The Lighthouse

Note: requested by @foxyanon! I know I said this was the last chapter, but guess what, it's not. there will be one more. previous chapters are here.

Warnings: fluff/angst/suggestive.

pairing: Sailor!Sihtric x Lighthouse Keeper!you (f)

summary: your relationship with the sailor took a turn.

wordcount: 3k

Masterlist

chapter 4

Sihtric had struggled gravely with the news that he wouldn't be going home soon. It is not that he didn't feel welcome, or as if his presence at the lighthouse was a nuisance, on the contrary; he felt very welcomed and well taken care of. The Danish sailor simply felt a sense of unbelonging. He enjoyed your company and he was grateful that he could help around with some chores, but this place wasn't his home and he was still dealing with the trauma of the shipwreck he had survived.

As a few weeks passed, he slowly adjusted. Initially the sailor had kept his distance again, uncertain of how to behave now that he knew his stay in your attic became permanent for at least several months. 

While you felt guilt for being relieved that Sihtric wasn't leaving as soon as you had both expected, you also understood it was a disappointment for him all the same. You noticed he pulled away from you after you had told him the news. And as much as that had hurt you, you waited patiently for him to soak in his new, but still temporary home and life. 

To keep his mind occupied during those harrowing winter nights, you taught him how to play chess, amidst candles while enjoying some tea together. And you never shied away from showing affection, which he slowly allowed again as the days became shorter and the nights longer. From light lingering touches and sweet smiles from a distance, to braiding his hair in the morning when the winter sun was creeping up into the sky outside your window. A certain bond was forming and you both always kept an eye out for each other, even when Sihtric sometimes pulled away from you again when he had a bad day. 

And you just longed. You longed for him in a way that was almost unbearable ever since you had a taste of him, that night when Thyra brought you tea and the bad news. Ever since then, Sihtric was all you wanted.

And as Christmas approached, or Yuletide as Sihtric called it, he eventually fully allowed you back into his heart again, knowing he wasn't going to leave anytime soon anyway. Those light lingering touches turned into holding hands and cuddles before you both went to sleep. You would carefully trace each other's skin with your fingertips for hours on end, memorising every inch and each detail as if it was your own, while the burning candles in the attic casted a faint glow. And those sweet smiles started to become accompanied by a loving peck on the cheek and lips, followed by slow, soft nuzzles while you were sitting on your bed. You could look into each other's eyes without saying a word until one was taken by sleep, and it was the most peaceful feeling you had both ever known.

And when the sailor eventually started to sleep with you in your bed, which you both still kept a secret from Beocca and Thyra, he had to jump out of your bed and onto his mattress on the floor each time you heard footsteps coming up the stairs.

And tonight, like several nights before, you were wrapped in Sihtric's arms as you shared your bed with him. And you had looked into his mismatched eyes for God knows how long already, while he simply smiled softly and lovingly at you the entire time.

'You're a miracle,' you whispered as the tip of your nose touched his.

'You're a goddess,' Sihtric breathed.

You smiled shyly and slowly raked your fingers through his curls, to which he hummed and closed his eyes.

'Will you tell me about home?' you asked, 'your home?'

A question which had been on your mind for weeks already, but you weren't sure if Sihtric was prepared to talk about his life before he washed ashore, before he ever got on that boat, or if he was willing to.

'What would you like to know?'

'Everything,' you whispered, 'what were the things you did back home?'

'I did a lot of wandering around town,' Sihtric said softly as he recalled his home, 'I took great pleasure in strolling through the empty and quiet streets in the evening. I enjoyed reading a book in front of my fireplace, on my own. But I also enjoyed having a drink at the pub with my friends. Just little things, I would call them.'

You smiled in awe at him. For someone who had such a rugged look, and possessed such strength and courage as him, it was refreshing to hear how he was a rather sophisticated and calm man back home. Dare you say even domestic.

'Do you miss it?' you asked hesitantly.

'I do, madam,' Sihtric whispered and leaned slightly back to look at you, 'of course I miss it. But,' he sighed and smiled weakly, 'there is not much left for me back home anymore. Yes, I still have a house, but my friends, those who I considered family… they are all gone. But at least I,' he paused and leaned his forehead against yours, 'at least I have you now.'

He squeezed you lighty in his arms as he held you, and you were suddenly overwhelmed by a wave of emotions. You began to weep at the realisation that this man whom you had fallen desperately in love with, would be leaving you when spring would arrive, when help would be sent and he'd be taken home again, far away from you.

'My darling, what is wrong?' Sihtric asked when he heard your sniffling.

'Forgive me,' you said with a trembling voice, 'for I am very selfish. But I just don't… I don't want you to leave. I don't want you to leave me.'

'Don't cry,' he whispered and carefully wiped your tears, 'I'm right here. I'm not going anywhere.'

'Do you promise?' you sniffled.

'I swear it,' Sihtric smiled as his own eyes teared up, 'you found me, madam. Didn't you? I'm not going anywhere, my little siren.'

You chuckled softly at his words and he pulled you closer, to which you buried your face in his neck for a moment, until he spoke again and looked into your eyes.

'Besides,' he said and smiled, 'who is going to keep you warm like this if I leave?' he asked and pulled the blankets up to your shoulders. 'Who is going to cuddle you like this?' he wrapped you in his arms again, 'or… who will flip you over like this?' he chuckled as he swiftly flipped you over on your back, and he carefully climbed on top of you. 'Who will wipe your tears and make you smile again, if not me?' he smiled at you and wiped away another tear that graced your cheek, and then he leaned in. 'Who will kiss you if I leave?' he whispered, and then captured your lips in a soft, slow and deep kiss.

'No one,' you breathed when Sihtric broke the kiss to look at you, and you pulled him back in for another.

He hooked your leg around his waist as he laid on top of you, propped up on his elbows, his lips trailed from your own to your jaw, then your chin and on to your neck. He peppered your skin with kisses, his teeth grazed your pulse points while your hands roamed all over his muscular body.

'I'm longing for more,' his raspy voice sounded in your ear, 'more of you. All of you.'

'As do I,' you husked, 'but… my- my…'

'Your religion,' Sihtric whispered and slowly got off you, 'I know.'

'I'm sorry,' you whispered when he was beside you again.

Sihtric smiled softly and nodded. He respected your religion, even if he may not understand it, just like you respected his. Then the sailor looked at you and couldn't fight it anymore. He couldn't fight that anymore, which has been on the tip of his tongue for days already and keeping him up at night, and it fought a way out now.

'I love you,' he whispered and held his breath.

The silence was almost unbearable as you just laid there next to him, staring into his eyes. Sihtric only heard the sound of his own heartbeat in his ears while he felt it in his throat, awaiting your reply.

'I love you too,' you finally whispered.

It wasn't long after the love confession that you and Sihtric became more intimate. You knew it was frowned upon in your religion, but knowing your time with Sihtric was still limited had forced you to be less strict with yourself. There had never been full intercourse, as that was what you believed was truly for a married couple. But multiple times you had felt the pleasant, head spinning sensation of his fingers inside you, and you couldn't get enough of the way he made you squirm with his tongue and lips while his strong arms were wrapped around your thighs, keeping you in place with no escape as he devoured you for what felt like hours on end. And Sihtric, in his turn, had felt the pleasure of your lips around him uncountable times, and he simply loved the way you'd stroke his cock in the morning, under the sheets while you kissed and he moaned into your mouth, before you'd tend to your daily chores at the lighthouse together.

But being intimate wasn't all vulgar. It also meant bathing together, and listening to each other talk about your respectable feelings for one another. It also meant long lasting hugs while the wind howled outside at night, and it also was sharing secret kisses in the kitchen downstairs. 

In fact, everything was done in secret, as you feared Beocca would not approve of you and Sihtric. It wasn't about the fact that Sihtric was pagan, or a heathen as some would call him, because Thyra was also pagan. But Beocca and Thyra were married, unlike you and Sihtric, and there lies the problem; the lighthouse owner believed marriage to be sacred, and lately you were struggling to think the same.

And today, after you woke up next to Sihtric and you both couldn't keep your hands off each other again, giving pleasure in ways you both enjoyed, it was Christmas. You and Sihtric were to prepare dinner for tonight, which you would eat along with the older couple to celebrate, meaning you and Sihtric had to keep your distance again which you knew would be tough. But first you had some chores to do. Because even though it was Christmas, a path outside to the lighthouse needed to be cleared of snow and the livestock needed to be fed too. And so you and Sihtric dressed up warm and made your way outside, into the snowy landscape.

Light snow was still twirling down as you cleared the path together, and you couldn't help glancing at Sihtric from time to time. He looked so handsome, you thought, with his long black coat and his black trousers in contrast with the white, icy background. Every move he made simply set you on fire, whether it was the way he shovelled the snow or how he sniffled as the tip of his nose was reddened by the cold. You loved everything about that man and you were desperate to have every inch of him. And Sihtric felt the same. Whenever you weren't looking, the sailor would gaze at you, his heart pounding out of his chest at the way you'd look up at the sky while the falling snow made it look like the cover of a romantic novel. He thought you were the most magnificent and breathtaking lady he had ever seen, and he wanted to love you with his entire being. He already felt blessed for the way you allowed him to be close to you, but he wanted more too. The amount of dreams he's had about you were enough to make his cheeks heat up as he recalled the explicitly of those. You both decided to not bring up either one's desires, as you knew that the kitchen window gave a clear view of where you had just cleared a path to the lighthouse. 

But Sihtric's playful nature was something that could not be suppressed for long. And so, when you made your way to the barns which were hidden from view of the house, Sihtric crouched down and scooped a handful of snow. He formed a snowball and with some focus and patience, he managed to get a clear shot and threw it towards you. You stopped walking when you felt something hit the back of your shoulder, and you turned around to see Sihtric looking rather suspicious as he suddenly seemed very interested in the grey sky overhead.

'Really?' you snorted, 'throwing a snowball to a lady?'

'Must have been a seagull, madam,' Sihtric shrugged and with a smug face.

'Oh, really?'

You knelt down, your grey dress pooling around you as you collected some snow in your hands. You formed a snowball yourself and, as Sihtric saw you do it, he was quick to make another one too, but you were faster than him. You jumped up, aimed, and threw the ball of snow in his direction. You hit him on his chest, and you laughed when Sihtric gave you a disapproving face.

'That is not very ladylike,' he hissed with amusement in his voice, and before you knew it, another snowball was being thrown your way. 

You ducked in time and missed being hit by a hair, and you quickly made another snowball yourself. Sihtric came running towards you, armed with several orbs of snow, and you were quick to turn, hike up your dress and run. You ran towards the barn while you looked back over your shoulder, seeing the sailor close in on you, and you ducked whenever he made an attempt to throw at you. You were hit on your lower back and once on your left shoulder before you ran into the large, wooden barn for safety. You laughed as you tried to close the heavy door before Sihtric reached your safe haven, but you were too slow. He almost burst through the door just before you could shut it, and he ran into you. You both tripped due to the impact and fell onto a bed of hay, with Sihtric on top.

You both were out of breath and laughing as you laid on the soft bedding, and your hands soon started to tug at each other's clothes. You pulled at the strings of his white blouse, which you could reach now that his long black coat hung open, while his fingers eagerly dug into your hips, squeezing the fabric of your dress in his hands as his fingers greedily clawed your clothed body. The sound of laughter became more quiet, whereas the sound of your heavy breaths grew louder while you stared at each other. And then, without any hesitation, Sihtric crashed his lips onto yours and captured you in a firm, heated kiss. He nipped at your lower lip, biting it in between kisses while you licked into his mouth. Your tongues were granted easy access into each other's mouths while your cold hands moved up under his blouse, feeling his warm chest. Sihtric gasped and almost moaned at the sudden cold sensation on his skin, while you giggled against his lips. His hands were quick to trail up your body and over your breasts, which he firmly squeezed before he brought his hands to your neck, and moved one up into your hair. He tangled his tattooed fingers in your locks while he wrapped his other hand around your throat with a pleasant pressure, and he dragged his kissed swollen lips to your ear. You felt his warm, ragged breaths against the shell of your ear, which he grazed with his teeth, and he chucked devilishly while doing so.

'Gods, lady, I want you.'

'I bet you do,' you giggled, then gasped softly when you felt his arousal as he grinded against you, hitting the right spot while he did so.

'You know I do,' Sihtric growled in your ear as he continued to frottage, 'I wish to spill my seed so deep inside you, madam.'

'That is such an unholy thing to say, sir,' you breathed and bit down on your lip with a smile.

'I thought that perhaps,' he husked, 'you knew by now that I am an unholy man,' he looked at you and winked with a sly smile, then whispered, 'I wish to see you with child, my lady. My child.'

He carefully traced your warm cheeks with his rough and cold fingers, and he leaned in to steal a soft, sweet kiss from your lips while you just gazed at him.

'Sihtric,' you breathed quietly, feeling his fast and strong heartbeat underneath the palm of your hand, 'but if we were to have a child, then you have to stay here with me. We'd have to get married.'

'I know-' 

Sihtric was cut off by the sound of someone clearing their throat, and you both jumped with sudden fright.

'I take it you were both cold and just warming up here?' Thyra frowned.

'I… I apologise,' Sihtric said quickly and he helped you up, 'this was my doing, madam,' he continued and looked at Thyra, 'I apologise for my… indecent behaviour.'

You half hid behind Sihtric and looked down at your feet as you straightened your dress. Thyra stared at you both for a few long seconds, but then her sweet smile appeared again.

'Nothing to apologise for, we are all humans with needs,' she said gently, 'however, do not let my husband catch you. He will think it's a sin.'

'I am aware,' Sihtric said softly, 'for we are not married.'

'Indeed,' Thyra confirmed and turned on her heels, but she stopped before she left the barn and turned back. 'You know, my husband was a priest,' she said, 'he could perform a wedding ceremony for you two.'

taglist: @clairacassidy @finanmoghra @uunotheangel @hb8301 @bathedinheat @neonhairspray @anaeve @bubblyabs @travelingmypassion @sylasthegrim @andakth @chompchompluke @willowbrookesblog @lady-targaryens-world @skyofficialxx @elle4404 @alexagirlie @sweetxime @solango @gemini-mama @cheyennep3107 @little-diable @jennifer0305 @drwstarkeyy @mrsarnasdelicious @verenahx @urmomsgirlfriend1 @moonchildrenandflowercrowns @foxyanon @djarinsgirl27 @sigtryggrswifey @liandav @diiickbrainn @sihtricsafin  

[darling-i-read-it]

Survivor's Guilt Part 2

Part 1

Chris Redfield x fem!reader, Ethan Winters x fem!reader

Word Count: 3k

Warnings: angst on ethans side, re7 spoilers, canon violence (zombies, horror, guns), cheating kind of, near death experiences..i think thats it

Author’s Note: I felt like this story led organically towards Chris though that does not mean I don’t love Ethan to death. I felt unsure about the ending but am glad I was able to write a part 2 because people have been asking about it! 

Tagging: (i hope you guys dont mind I’m tagging you but you seemed interested in a second part!) @godihatethiswebsite @undeadfreak47 @hexaecana @elysiaaaaaaa

Summary: You and Chris search for Ethan in the ship and old feeling resurface. 

I don’t own these characters. They belong to author/director/creator

(not my gif)

Chris’s voice was even when he spoke, even when he was scared. Especially when he 

was scared. There was no point in making everyone else react to something if he could just keep that all pent up, make everyone think he had it under control. Your face was so wide with terror, the kind he had never seen plastered on your face before. He didn’t recognize it on your features but he recognized it. He knew it from the civilians he helped, those that were so worried about their loved ones that they would do anything to see them safe. The look in your eyes dripped with self sacrifice. He wondered if he looked like that when he was with you. He wondered if despite what he thought, he looked like that even now, following you around and blocking you from danger. 

You had lost Ethan. Lost him in the house, on the ship. You were stuck walking around a shipwreck that was too large to case, too large to fully understand. 

Chris was trying his best to make you feel like he had it under control. He would find Ethan, return him back to you, never see you again. The more time he spent alone with you the less that became a priority so he was eager to forget this ever happened. Forget it happened for the sake of his sanity. Forget that there was likely a life where you and he were happy and normal and domestic. 

Even when you brushed past him in the tight hallways of the ship, he longed for your touch. 

“If Ethan’s here then so is Mia,” you muttered. Your voice was barely above a whisper. It sounded so loud but you were trying to ensure it didn’t echo down the hallway. You could never be sure that there wasn’t something watching you. 

“Eveline too,” Chris said, just as quietly. You were both tense as you walked around a corner. Chris hadn’t put his gun down in ages. It was starting to leave imprints in his gloved hands. 

“It’ll be a party,” you muttered. Your eyes caught a glimpse of something on the ground. You rushed forward in the near darkness to find a knife, a lot like the ones left at the Baker house. It had dark blood smeared on the tip. There was nobody to accompany it. 

“You think it’s Ethan’s?” he questioned, looking over your shoulder. You shrugged. 

“Could be. Could be Mia’s.” You pocketed it. You kept walking. Chris followed you, watching your six like his life depended on it. You glanced back at him. “How did things get like this? When I left, all the monsters were tangible. I could see them coming for me. Now we’re here with slime on the walls?”

"There's some sort of hive mind,” he explained. “There’s too much to tell you now. You’ll just have to trust me when I say it’s evolved.”

“Yeah well, I can tell that it’s evolved. But how?” 

“We don’t know.”

“You’ve been knee deep in this for so long and you still don’t know the reason it’s all happening? Is it Umbrella? Is it the world finally caving in?” You turned around to look at him. He almost ran into you. “Pretend I’m a civilian asking you these questions. How do you answer them? How do you tell people that you can be a perfectly nice family out in the middle of nowhere and still be targeted by something beyond your control?” His jaw set. Your eyes had adjusted to the dark so much so that you could see Chris’s stubble. You could see the look in his eyes, the challenge. 

He took the words as an insult. He took you being here, as an insult. He had done so much to protect you just for you to end up in the same place you would’ve even if he had kept you by his side. 

“Umbrella started something and they don’t know how to finish it,” he said finally. “But the world has assured us that there are other forces at work here. Eveline is not exactly an Umbrella creation.” You shook your head. 

“Of course not. Because that would be too easy. You defeat the big bad and it always comes back with more heads right?” You shook your head. “I’m sorry I’m coming at your throat. I just never thought I would be here again.” You had been comforted with the knowledge that people like Chris were out there protecting you. That was the only reason you let yourself go. 

“The world isn’t exactly fair.” 

“It never has been.”

Your eyes lingered on his. Remembering what it was like to touch him. Remembering what he looked like in the morning, the sun on his face, a gentle smile on his lips, a chaste kiss on your skin. The very thought made you angry. You had left all of this to have a life you weren’t even allowed to have anymore. 

It didn’t matter if Ethan lived through this or not. You would be right back where you had started years before. In danger. Always. 

There was a bang in the room before you. You turned around, gun raised again. It sounded like something hard had hit something metal. The conversation was over once again and you were back. 

You slowly slipped back into the you that understood how to use this gun well. The rust was chipping off. You were a soldier again. Had you ever stopped? Had your life with Ethan been anything except a distraction from who you really were? Had you been pretending this whole time to be something you knew you could never have? 

You shoved the door open. 

Mia stood at the end of the room. There was a large pipe surrounded by grated walkways. She was facing you. Even though she was hidden by her dark hair, you recognized her instantly. She was swaying a bit, twitching. 

“Mia,” you prodded. Her neck twitched. You saw an eye peek from behind her hair. “Mia, please put your hands in the air.” She didn’t make any movement, indicating that this was the Mia that took your boyfriend's hand off. Your face hardened as you approached her, gun raised, wondering if Ethan was already dead. “Mia.” 

She lunged at you without saying anything. She threw no insults, she didn’t bother to pretend. She just lunged. You shot at her but it only momentarily stopped her. It was like you had thrown a ball at her shoulder instead of a bullet. You kept shooting, even though it was doing effectively nothing. She reached you, hands on your sides with inhuman strength. 

You could hear Chris moving. You had never been more glad you had called him. You struggled with Mia, her snarls biting at air. You kicked her, you scratched at her, you used everything you could remember from training. 

She was thrown off you. 

You scurried away, backing away. You grabbed your gun which you had lost in the scuffle. You aimed it well, hitting her head in a clean shot. It went through her eye and out the other side. She stumbled. 

Someone was picking you up. You grabbed them, allowing them to help you to your feet. You recognized Chris as you stood against him, still shooting at her until the clip was empty. Your breathing was ragged and angry and worried. 

She fell to the ground. 

You knew she wouldn’t be down long. You had to leave. You had to lock her in this room and burn the place down. 

Chris did the thinking for you. He had your arm in his hand, dragging you past her and out of the room. He shut the door behind him, pushing down on the handle. He broke it. 

You stared at the clouded window and felt a pang of guilt mixed with anger. She was the reason you were here. Now she was going to die, infested by a virus that wasn’t her. 

You were still holding on to Chris. You might’ve stopped for a moment but now your hand was back on his arm, your brain blurry with thoughts. He looked down at you, eyes meeting. 

“Are you okay?” 

You didn’t think about kissing him. You just did it. 

Your lips were on his and it felt like home. It felt like you had never left, like you had kissed him yesterday and you would kiss him tomorrow. It was filled with the emotion of every single year you had been apart, by everytime you wondered if he was dead in a ditch, everytime you got drunk and swore not to think about him. 

His strong hands were so gentle when they held you. 

Though passionate, the kiss was short lasting. 

You pulled away and your eyes stayed shut for a moment, pretending you were home with him, like you had never left. Then they were open again and the nightmare remained. 

There was no regret in his eyes. There was no regret in yours. It was a mutual feeling, broken only by the duties of soldiers who had loved each other for a little too long. The bucket had overfilled and tipped over. 

“We have to find Ethan,” he reminded you. 

Ethan.

Guilt hit you like a truck. He could be dead. You looked forward, giving no other words to justify or break what had just happened. Chris let you be, let the kiss hang in the air. 

-

Ethan was not far. Chris had called for backup when you entered the ship and his friends arrived just in time. You helped Ethan finish off Eveline and were shot out of the ship, landing hard back in the outside world. Chris’s people carried you away in a helicopter as the nightmare of the Baker house erupted in flames. What had been a horror was now nothing but a burnt part of the map, something people would merely whisper about. 

Chris brought you back to where the BSAA had set up camp. 

You had a hand in Ethan’s. He looked exhausted. There was something off about the look in his eyes but you couldn’t place it and you didn’t feel like asking him about it. Questions like that came later, when you were less tired and more hydrated. 

“I’m sorry I lost the cars,” he muttered. He was sitting on the makeshift hospital bed. There was no one else there. People had gone to try and find Lucas, who had been lost in the fire and not confirmed dead. You were sitting in a chair beside him, in silence. 

“It’s okay,” you whispered. “I’m sorry about Mia.” He took a deep breath. He did not tell you it was okay. 

“We’re gonna bring in the best medical help,” Chris explained. He watched as Ethan’s hand left yours. “Doctors are coming in right now to look you both over.”

“What about you?” you questioned. “You were in there, just the same as me.” 

“I’ll get looked at. I have to go with my team back in and find Lucus.” Your jaw hardened. 

“The work doesn’t end,” Ethan observed. He understood why you left. 

“By yourself?” you questioned. 

“I’m a big boy,” he promised you. You purse your lips, glancing at Ethan. You had no idea the world was this bad. You had no idea it had gotten so much worse since you left the job. 

“Let me go with you.” He shook his head. 

“Absolutely not.”

“No.” Him and Ethan spoke over each other. You gave Ethan a look. 

There was something in your eyes that he didn’t recognize. He wondered if he had lost you the second he left your house without telling you. Had that been the breaking point in your relationship? Did relationships survive things like this? 

Yours and Chris’s did, Ethan thought. You and Chris slipped back into each other like puzzle pieces. It was like no time had passed. No kind of ill will had come between the two of you, from the looks of it right then. Ethan wanted to desperately grab your hand, beg you to stay with him, tell you that he couldn’t afford to lose both you and Mia. Instead he watched your face as you looked at Chris. 

“I’m a big girl Chris.” 

“You’ve been out of the game for too long. You can’t just jump back in like this.”

“I just did. I have knowledge of the interior, we were just there Chris. It would be smarter to bring me.” Chris and you stared at each other with looks that Ethan could be envious of. Challenging, protective, loving. “Let me go back. Let me back in.” 

This life was like a drug. You could be gone forever but the second you could come back it was too addictive to stay away from. You stood up. 

“You’re the captain now hm? You tell them I can help. You know I can help.” You walked up to him. 

“I almost lost you back there.” He didn’t specify that it was the fight with Mia that had him particularly worried but you knew it was. You knew that he was also thinking about the kiss that happened right afterwards. 

It hadn’t left your mind. 

“Chris I’ll find my way back here either way,” you muttered. “There’s no use in trying to stop me.” 

If Ethan wasn’t there he would’ve kissed you. Instead he dipped his head. 

“Talk to your boyfriend about it.” You looked back at Ethan. Chris left the tent. You were left alone together for the first time since before the whole ordeal. Conflicted, you walked back to him. 

“Go,” he said, voice strong.

“Huh?” Ethan’s face was soft and understanding. 

“Go.” There was a beat of silence as you stared at him, trying to read his expression. He had just been through everything and was letting you go? “I know why you left this. But this is your life, isn’t it?” Your face scrunched into a hurt expression. 

“Not necessarily-”

“The only reason you left is because you wanted to prove a point to him. You proved your point.” 

“Do you want me to go?”

“No,” he said quickly. “I want to go home. I want to take you with me. But I don’t think that’s what you want and that’s okay.” 

“Ethan-”

“It’s not what you want, right?” You remained quiet. You couldn’t argue with that. He was right. You wanted to stay here. You wanted to get back into a fight you had once been so passionate about. He nodded once. You weren’t sure if he was numb or in complete control. “Exactly.” He grabbed your hand. “I dragged you back into this the second I believed that email.” 

“But the house,” you whispered. 

“We’ll figure it out. Just go. Please.” You nodded curtly. 

“Okay,” you breathed. He wouldn't look at you. You got up slowly, wondering if this was really happening. You tried to tell yourself doing it now was for the best. This is the only outcome that would’ve made any sense. 

You left the tent.

“Oh shit.” You looked up. You were met with John Perlman, someone you used to work with. He was older now but had the same slanted smile. “The rumors are true.” 

“Perlman,” you breathed, laughing a bit. 

“How are you doin girl?” 

“I’m okay,” you said and you meant it. You were alright. You were gonna be alright. 

“I hear you’re going back to the tunnels with the boss,” he observed. “You back in it?” Your eyes searched for Chris. You found him in front of a different tent, grabbing a box of things. 

“I guess so.” “He kept all your things when you left,” Perlman explained. “I’m sure he’s still got ‘em. It’s nice to have you back.” He pat your back before walking past you. The short conversation ended. Chris approached you with the box.

“Well?” he asked. 

“I’m ready Cap.” He nodded once and then handed you what he was holding. You looked down in it. The Dragoon you had used for years sat at the top of the box. “You kept all this?” 

“Just in case.”

“You broke up with me, you know that?” you looked back up at him. 

“If you’re gonna be in this I’d rather you be in this with me.” He gave you a curt nod. “We had out in 15.” 

He started to walk away. 

“Wait! Wait Chris,” you called. You put the box down by your feet. He turned around just in time for you to throw your arms around him. You kissed him again, this time like you weren’t about to die. He held you tightly to him, comfortably. 

He’d be okay. You would be okay.

[free-for-all-fics]

Stupid, silly Namor or Attuma fic ideas. Don’t think too hard about these they’re just funny little ideas. Pls tag me if you write or get inspired by any of these. Like always, there are no rules:

1. The reader is labeled as the village idiot because she likes to sing with her head underwater to "sing to the mermaids". The village ridicules her for it. One day, she is swept out in a riptide, and no one is willing to come to her aid—no one from the village, that is.

2. Reader is full of bad puns and dad jokes, much to the chagrin of Namor/Attuma. "Why are seagulls called seagulls?"

“Stop now.”

“Because if they flew over bays, they'd be bagels! Oh hey, What did one wave say to the other?"

“I swear, if you make one more ocean related pun, I will murder you on this island and tell everyone you died in a shipwreck."

"...well, someone's salty."

3. You put a message in a bottle and set it out to sea in the hopes it’ll reach Namor/Attuma so you can be pen pals. “Oh my god I love you but you’re so stupid.” They say because you have no idea that’s not how mail works.

4. You’re in love with Namor/Attuma, but you’re also obsessed with monsters and cryptids so you keep asking them questions like “Is the Kraken real?? What about 6 headed hydras? Have you seen Nessie?? Are they friendly? Darling tell meeeeeee”

5. Reader does that stupid prank thing where she pretends to do a magic trick with an egg and a bottle of water. She’s like “Ok now look inside” and squeezes the bottle, spraying water in Attuma/Namor’s face and runs away cackling.

6. You introduce Namor/Attuma to a wonderful human invention - Water beds. They are less than amused. Reader, consider your sexy time privileges revoked😑

7. Attuma/Namor trying to teach reader combat and how to fight like a Talokanil but reader keeps making it sexy and Namor/Attuma is like “Ok maybe we should stop. You’re not even listening to me or learning anything properly!” And reader is like “Oh I’m learning all the right techniques perfectly. 😏😘”

8. Those videos from EVNautilus of the people in a submarine coming across a dumbo octopus and a googly eyed stubby squid but instead it’s scientist reader being shown Talokan by Attuma or Namor and fawning over the sea creatures because they’re just little guys. Sweet underwater babies. And reader being like “it’s just a baby can I adopt it pls” 🥺 and Namor or Attuma being like “pay attention. Remember why we’re here.”

9. “Your child brings home a raccoon, mistaking it for a cat and begs to keep it” trope but instead it’s Namor/Attuma and their child has brought home an anglerfish or some other hideous abomination of the sea. It’s surprisingly docile and follows the child around like a pet anyway so can we keep it??? Please father 🥺

10. Namor and Jeff the Land Shark crossover. That’s it. That’s the post. Reader wants to adopt Jeff as their child. He’s just a baby 🥺

11. Peter Pan “They were just having a bit of fun, weren’t you, girls?”

“We were only trying to drown her” Mermaid Lagoon AU

12. “General, I’ve brought the cartographer into the war meeting today. I believe you owe her an apology for ruining all her maps when you stab them to dramatically mark a location.” (What if the “cartographer” is actually Attuma’s small daughter or sister drawing doodles of maps and playing pretend/mirroring what her dad or brother does because she wants to help and it’s all in jest hehe)

13. 2 days ago you went to an animal shelter and adopted the most adorable cat. What you don’t know is, he’s the reincarnation of an Aztec god. Your food offerings are unacceptable and that ugly small box that feels like it’s made from scratchy carpet will not do. No. He’ll be sleeping in your bed with you. Don’t try to lock him out; he’ll just scream and sing the songs of his people until you let him back in. (Or maybe through a magic mishap Namor has been accidentally transformed into a cat. Yeah Namor as a cat AU. I told you these ideas were silly.)

14. “Would you still love me if I was a worm” meme With Namor or Attuma but instead it’s “Would you still love me if I was a sea cucumber” or something ocean related

15. Namor or Attuma are taking their daughter trick or treating this year and ask what she wants to be for Halloween. A superhero, a mermaid, a princess? No. She wants to be a horseshoe crab. Possible Modern AU.

16. Reader goes to the beach often and befriends the seagulls/pelicans. So they start to bring her gifts like shells, rocks, etc. Except one day they bring you a golden bracelet, beaded necklace, or jade earrings (your choice of which). It’s unlike anything you’ve ever seen before. A few days later, Namor shows up at the beach, looking very annoyed as he asks for his necklace/bracelet/or earrings back.

17. You and Namor or Attuma meet on the beach in your special spot. You don’t get to be with him often considering he’s kept away by his responsibilities and loyalty to Talokan, and you’re human. It’s usually your only chance to have time where you can just quietly love each other. Except a stupid fucking seagull or pelican has been following you to both the beach and your home; squawking incessantly, wreaking havoc and basically cockblocking you. Untitled Goose Game AU but it’s a seagull/pelican.

[lootsofathousandsworld]

Life of a Pirate Chpt 8

Here's another chapter for you all! :D

Hope you like it and sorry if grammers are wonky.

Warning a small hint of anxiety

    After an hour or two of rest, I was up and about. After eating a quick snack, which its the bread, I was relieved my stomach wasn't sick anymore thanks to the medicine.  

Making my way up the deck to continue my chores, I find Billy waiting for me. I bite my lips to see him walking over to me. About the time he came, he asked.

"Feeling well, lass?"  

I nod slightly. "Yes, sir. It was just an enteriumn sickness?" 

After my reply, he hums. "I thought so, many pirates and spacers tend to get this sick. Mostly when it's their first time.

My eyes widen to hear that last part. "Their first time?" 

"Aye," Billy pulls his cigar out with a lighter." I swallowed. Not knowing this sick was pretty much a way of saying it's your first time going on a voyage. Felt my worrying coming, I asked another question. 

"So does that also mean...even let's say.. spacers go on many voyages, they tend to get sick?"  

"Aye?" After Billy blew smoke out, he looked at me now puzzled by my act. "Something wrong, cabin girl?"

"Nothing!" I gasped, almost making my voice loud. "I-I mean nothing, sir. I was um, wondering that's all." He looked at me long and I forced myself to make a smile, hoping that'll somehow distract him.   

Soon Billy frowned and said. "Wipe that grin off yer face. Get back to your work and I don't want any more accidents you hear?"    

"Yes sir," I nodded fast and didn't hesitate to pass him. While he wasn't looking, my hand was on my chest to ease my heart which was beating rapidly.  

"It's alright," I muttered to myself. "You shouldn't be worrying about this. Your overreacting. It'll be okay," I took a couple of breaths before heading over to do my work. 

Third person POV

After watching her walk away fast, he raised his eyebrow in suspicious. The way the woman tensed after he mentioned the sickness. And that smile she made was something every man does when they feel guilty over something.   

"Now why would be feeling guilty over being sick?" He muttered before inhaling his cigar.   

Ash POV

After finishing my work. I took this opportunity to relax until Billy assigned me to do another job. So I casually walk and scan my surroundings. It honestly feels a little strange to walk on the ship. In the movie, it was all broken down with hoards of gold.  

This time era is not, instead, the ship is in good fair condition. And I find it now hard to remember what this ship was like when it was shipwrecked. Then I passed the crewmen who were like me taking a small break.   

I had my head down to avoid their gaze but I caught a glimpse of a monkey alien giving me a death glare. Guess he didn't let go of the grudge about his pants. Swallowing, I walked fast until I didn't see them anymore.  

Sighing heavily, slowing my walk, I stop at the edge of the ship. I looked out beyond the galaxy and couldn't help to smile. Since I've been staying on a ship. I didn't get a chance on good glance out at the wonders of the universe.  

It was breathtaking. The enteriumn universe is beautiful. I couldn't get my head around how I'm able to breathe in space. And it was my lifelong dream of seeing the galaxy up close. I sighed and followed my gaze up until I saw the red sails along the black pirate flag being carried by the wind.  

I stared at the Jolly Roger flag. Where it towers over the ship and gives full appearance to its mortal enemy. The more I looked at it, the more I felt my fear of how long I could keep my secret hidden. While being surrounded by gruesome pirates under the order of Flint.    

With this much worrying I tore away from it. Rubbing my arms, I sigh heavily. "I wish the merchant ship comes soon,"  

"Hi, Ashy!" I gasped in startle and turned around to find B.E.N beside me.  

'Oh you scared me," I said. I watch him rub his robotic back neck. 

"Didn't mean to scare you, I just want to see how are you doing," He smiled sheepishly. "I heard you weren't feeling well," 

I nodded. "Yeah but I'm better now," I smiled a little, kind of glad he was here to talk to. Wanting to keep this conservation going I asked him.  

"So are you on your break?"  

He shook his head. "Eh not really, the only I can come out only if Captain Flint is out with me." I looked over his shoulder and sure it was his Captain was standing by the helm with the other pirate that was steering. 

"Oh, I see," I gulped and glanced back at him. "He doesn't give you much freedom?" 

He shook his head, "He only does if I fetch him something." I look at him with sympathy, I couldn't imagine how horrible it feels to be trapped under him. Being watched over like a hawk. 

"I'm sorry," That's all I can say. Then B.E.N made a laugh.

"Sorry? Dont be. At least I'm feeling safe, no men would dare to take me away."  

Like how Flint did. I thought as I recall, he stole him away from his former owner or his own free will. Whatever it is, I find this unfair he has to suffer this for more years until 100 is up. He didn't deserve this. He should be out enjoying life.    

Then B.E.N clears his throat. "So Ash I wanna ask you something,"

"Yes?" I question.  

"Are you really from Montressor?"  

I blinked but felt uneasy. "Um, yes? Why you ask?" I wish I'd taken back my ask that my face grew pale when he told me this.

"Well one member, Pew admits you weren't from there." 

"What?" I asked

"He has this powerful scent where he can sense a person's location. He caught your smell and...he says you're not from that planet."   

B.E.N finishes, looking at me with a hurt expression. "Ash, why did you lie to me about where you come from?" My breath was shaken and I caught my glimpse over his head on Billy walking up to Flint. My heart was pounding hard as I watched him speaking to his Captain about something. 

My mind was already set on him talking about me. The way he says on my acting earlier. Right when Flint turned to where I was I froze for a second. I glance back at B.E.N as he waits for his answer.  

Feeling much terrified I back a little. "I-I need to do some dishes," I spun and ran to the gallery. 

"Ash?!" I heard B.E.N shout with confusion. "Ashy wait!" I didn't listen as I splint down the gallery.

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

As I made it I clenched my head and was breathing rapidly.  

"Keep it together!" I muttered under my breath. "H-he doesn't know anything." I pace back and forth to calm myself. 

"Ash!" I perked up and saw B.E.N with a worried look. "Ashy what's wrong? Did I say something to make you upset?" 

"No you didn't do anything," I breathed. "I just.." I shut my eyes and finished. "I just want to get out of here," I sat on the bench. I felt him sitting beside me and my face was planted on the floor. Unable to look at him.  

"I know it's scary to live on his ship but I promise once you get used to it like me it won't be bad.." He tries to reassure me it'll be okay but I clench my teeth and interrupt him. 

"I don't belong here!" He was taken aback by my voice raising. Feeling my heart sank at his expression I let out a sharp sigh. 

"Please B.E.N try to understand I can't live here. Pirate's life is not for me. I want to go home,"   

"I understand," B.E.N sighed. "Everyone has a different taste," He looked down. "And I thought this was my chance to have a best friend on board." My heart felt heavier at his words. Feeling like a bitch as if I'm ditching him for selfish reasons.    

Then I made this decision to tell him the truth. I felt he had a right to know why I was desperate to leave. 

"B.E.N, I do want to be your friend really. I'm sorry I lied to you." He turned his head to me and I smiled at him sadly " The reason is that I wasn't sure you could be trusted but you proved me wrong. "

"But you can trust me," He replied. "I'm good at keeping secrets, 

I nodded. "I know, that's why..."I stop when we hear a man shouting from out of the gallery. 

"Captain! Merchant ships straight ahead!" My eyes lit up and I looked at B.E.N with my heart beating with happiness. "It's here. I'm going home."   

"You are," He looks down glumly. Before I get up to leave I hug him. He gasped in surprised as I spoke gently.

"I promise we'll see each other again. I will never forget you," Slowly I felt him returning my embrace.  

He tries not to break the tears he says. "Then I hope I'll see you soon Ash." I let my arms free and he gave me his sad smile.   

"I'll see you soon too friend," I give him the same expression for a second and with that, I left the gallery. 

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

When I got out, I saw men running and preparing but I didn't pay attention to them. Right now, my paraly is coming to an end and my freedom is this close.   

I found Flint still up with the helm I came up to him. As I reached him, his eyes were set on his men. 

"Captain our bargain?" I reminded him. "Remember you promise no plundering while I aboard the ship?" I watch his facial unfazed. Slowly he turned to me and I felt uneasy the way he looked at me. 

"They're a bit of change lass," 

Not like the way he says it. I asked quietly. "What do you mean?"   

"I mean is about your little paraly. I'm breaking the deal." My eyes widen to hear this, and he finishes it with his eyes glowed. 

"Yer staying on my ship. This is your home now," 

[daybreakrising]

HEADCANONS - VAUTRIN'S HISTORY

because of course i'm going to fully flesh out who the man was before he became the captain. that's what i do with minor npcs-

small tw for mentions of death (including that of a child)

FAMILY

all we know about his family from canon lore is that he had a little sister, illaria, who died when they were both young. given the term "young" is fairly broad, i'm expanding on that to say vautrin was twelve when his sister died, and she was eight. i wanted them to be fairly close in age, but with vautrin just old enough to feel responsible for her as the older sibling. they had no other siblings; their parents were content with two children.

which brings me to his parents. they were fairly comfortable in terms of wealth - not rich, not a part of f.ontaine's high society by any stretch, but definitely on a middle-class / upper middle-class level. both came from similar families, so they've always been used to that kind of lifestyle, and expected their children to continue on with the same.

given the time period, had illaria lived, she would likely have been urged to marry into equal or greater wealth, and may even have had her marriage arranged for her. as for vautrin, he was likewise expected to marry a lady from a family of equal standing, but there were also expectations put upon him in terms of his employment.

vautrin's father was a very talented and successful musician. his mother was an actress and a dancer. the two of them met whilst working on a production together, but were also aware of each other by name and reputation before that. the stage was, understandably, their passion, and they vowed to ensure whatever children they might have would receive an education in the performing arts.

both vautrin and illaria were, therefore, enrolled in classes from a young age, and given extra lessons at home by their parents. illaria had a natural talent for music (piano, mostly, but she was also learning the flute and violin prior to her death), and vautrin... vautrin was a natural dancer (he admits this now only with great embarrassment). it was their parents dream for both of them to end up on the stage, following in their footsteps.

ILLARIA'S DEATH

sadly, it was not to be. at the age of eight, illaria lost her life - and in an awful, tragic manner. vautrin's dialogue about the similarities between his sister and carole in n.euvillette's story quest suggestes she was very innocent and easily tricked:

"She's just like Carole in every possible way. Innocent, kind... always believing the best of people. People like her are the most vulnerable to deception and betrayal." "From the moment I met Carole, I knew that she'd be easily manipulated by others."

this is a man clearly speaking from experience. illaria was evidently an incredibly trusting and likely guillable young girl, and it was this nature of hers that led to her death.

always eager to make friends, when a group of kids of her brother's age range invited her to join them on an adventure, she gladly accepted. they told her a fantastic tale of some old, forgotten treasure hidden away in an old shipwreck, of a rare gem borne by the ocean itself, and... she believed every word. perhaps, if she weren't so trusting, she might have asked questions, but she saw no reason why they would lie to her.

unfortunately for illaria, these kids were known bullies and, bored, they saw a perfect target in this sweet, trusting girl. they tricked illaria into swimming down to the shipwreck (which was nothing special in itself, but a location they'd scouted out previously), and encouraged her to search for the gem inside an old storage trunk. then, as soon as her back was turned, they pushed her inside and locked it shut.

needless to say, illaria drowned. or... suffocated, since whilst it's unclear if drowning is possible in f.ontaine waters (canonically, even characters from other regions can breathe underwater without issue*), people still need air somehow.

*EDIT: i have been reminded that only vision holders can breathe underwater without issue. so, yes, she likely drowned.

vautrin, searching for his sister, had managed to trace her to said group of bullies (which was alarming in itself, knowing how trusting his sister was), who were at that point sat on the beach laughing about their "prank". when he demanded to know where his sister was, they told him where to find her. horrified, vautrin swam down to the shipwreck as fast as possible to free her. sadly, he was too late. by the time he had pulled her to the surface and called for help, illaria was lost.

upon her being declared dead, vautrin threw himself at the known ringleader in a blind rage, and had to be restrained by the gardes. one of them - a kind man who vautrin never forgot - took him aside to calm him down, telling him that justice would be done, but there was a process that had to be followed first. when vautrin broke down over his inability to protect his sister, the garde uttered words that would stick with him for the years to come: let us stand for your sister, now.

my reasoning for the cause of her death largely comes down to why and when vautrin brings up his sister in relation to carole during the story quest: specifically to draw the similarities in their natures, and thus implying the similarities in their fates. why mention that his sister was vulnerable to deception, believed the best of people, and imply that she, too, could be easily manipulated, if it didn't have some bearing on how she died?

plus, it makes his reaction to carole's death even more meaningful: the kids who caused his sister's death were definitely exiled to the fortress (f.ontaine, as we know from wrio's situation, is not above imprisoning children/teens), but were almost certainly released after serving their sentences (the charges would likely have been pled down to involuntary manslaughter, which usually serves up to 10 years). vautrin therefore saw an opportunity not only to establish n.euvillette as the impartial pillar of justice for f.ontaine, but to ensure these bullies didn't get a second chance they didn't deserve - and he took it.

JOINING THE GARDIENNAGE

vautrin always cites his sister's death as the reason for his change in career path. no longer able to find the joy he once had in music and dance, and also unable to get that garde's words out of his head, he decided to take up a far nobler cause - he would join the gardiennage and stand for justice.

he couldn't save his sister, but maybe he could save someone else's.

needless to say, this decision did not go down well with his parents. two years had passed since illaria's death when vautrin declared his intentions to join the gardiennage, two years in which he had neglected his classes, abandoned his practice, and refused to step foot on another stage. his parents had put this down to grief, understandably, and therefore assumed this decision came from the same source.

when it became evident that he was serious, however, they were quick to shut it down. why would he throw away his talent for something so common, they asked of him - he could be a star like his mother if he returned to the stage, he could be successful, wealthy. perhaps it was their own grief for their lost daughter that prompted their actions, perhaps they were desperate to cling onto their remaining child and the dreams they had for him. regardless, they offered vautrin an ultimatum: if he joined the gardes, he would be cut off from the family. no money, no support - no future, they implied. if they were certain he would give in and... well, they were wrong.

vautrin left home the next day and signed up for the gardiennage.

he threw himself wholeheartedly into the training and, after he received his uniform, into the work itself. he earned a reputation rather quickly for being diligent, disciplined, and loyal. his commitment to the job didn't go unnoticed by those higher up, and vautrin rose gradually through the ranks until, eventually, he was appointed to captain of the special security and surveillance patrol at the age of twenty-four. his young age prompted some discontent amongst those who either doubted his ability or were passed over for the position themselves, but vautrin was quick to prove he had earned his rank, and became a much loved and respected leader.

he never made up with his parents. in his current timeline verse, this is something he now regrets. three times he started to reach out to them: when he first became captain, when he began working alongside n.euvillette, and during his time in the fortress. each time, he composed a letter - the first two told of his achievements, of the life he'd made for himself (perhaps hoping that this would incite pride in him), asked about their welfare, commented on their latest work, and included a request to meet for coffee after all these years. the third, composed shortly after his incarceration, was full of regret and remorse - not for his decisions, but for the way they left things, for cutting ties so severely and never looking back - and ended with a promise that, should he ever be released, he would come and find them. he made no promise to forgive, but he was willing to try.

the letters were composed, addressed.... and never sent. he simply didn't have it in him to breach that gap.

(in his current timeline verse, vautrin fell into the Sea before they died; thus leaving them to "bury" both of their children. otherwise, the news of their eventual (and separate) deaths is delivered to vautrin in the fortess. they never made any attempt to contact him throughout his sentence and were not present at his trial.)

[lettucebee17]

Hi! So, about your twst summer camp au, I'm very curious about the Octatrio. Why did they decide to move to land? Why are they going to this summer camp? How long have they been on land? Did their families approve of them going to the surface world? (I'm assuming that since humans don't know about mers in this au the mers are afraid of humans knowing about their existence in the same way they were in The Little Mermaid, correct me if I'm wrong though lol)

And any other info you wanna share about them!

Yo! You know anon, you have posed a wonderful question that you'd think I would've thought about before...

That's why these asks are so great though, because I have been thinking about this just about nonstop since receiving this ask.

First of all, the relationship between humans and merfolk is very much the same as in The Little Mermaid. Humans don't know that merfolk exist but there are plenty of myths and stories about them. Merfolk tend to steer clear of the surface for fear of the humans discovering them, they're taught from a young age to fear humans.

However, I think Azul has a lot of the same curious tendencies as Ariel - exploring old shipwrecks for things to add to his collections. Plus, he's not too content with his life under the sea due to the amount of bullying he endures for being an octopus (which is probably even more because I'm not really sure the Great Seven exist in this au?)

I think, around the time Azul was around 14 his fascination with the human world had grown to the point where he actually ended up going to the surface just to see what it was like (and naturally the tweels followed him because they were curious too and it sounded fun). After actually seeing humans for the first time, Azul started working on creating a potion that would turn him human.

Side note: merfolk don't really have innate magic in this au or anything (the tweels can't do magic at all), but some of them can make potions and such, Azul is particularly skilled at it.

I don't think the tweels' parents were ever really afraid of humans, so they find out pretty quickly what's happening and are like 'you guys do whatever you want, as long as you're enjoying yourselves.' Azul was a lot more hesitant to tell his mom his plans but she ended up finding out on her own. She's very supportive of him, she just worries about him...

Azul managed to figure out the potion when they were around 15 and they took an experimental trip to land. They lived off the coast of Sage's Island so that's where they ended up on land (which was probably good because in this au Sage's Island isn't densely inhabited and it's pretty off the grid so no one really did much about the three of them acting very strangely at first)

While they were on land that first time, Jade overheard something about the summer camp and essentially went 'you mean I can look at those cool mountains more?' and told Floyd and Azul that he wanted to go. Floyd was instantly on board, Azul was significantly less on board, wary of how well they could blend in.

Obviously Azul gets talked into it and he takes a little while to perfect the potion before he feels confident it won't wear off randomly while they're at camp. Unfortunately, they don't really understand the concept of registering for a summer camp or anything so they just kind of show up the day it starts. Luckily for them, Crowley doesn't really care so he just lets them stay. Azul insists they actually sign up correctly the next year though.

At this point they've managed to remain undiscover at camp, although Floyd has had some close calls because he gets itchy when he stays in human form too long.

Azul also very quickly started to enjoy camp and very much enjoys his human form (mostly because he has the same number of legs as everyone else so no one can bully him about it.)

All in all, camp is pretty much just a way for them to experience human culture and explore the human world and they've all made friends(?) so they're having a great time.

Sorry if this is kind of rambly, I went a little stream of consciousness...

I'm just very excited about this au!

[lizard-shifter-noms]

Wayward Waters Chapter 17

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Hello everyone! Chapter 17!

this Story contains Vore, Dont like dont read.

have fun reading!

and as always Reblogs are appreciated! (Also ASK’s are open so feel free to bother me!)

AO3 Link for those that prefer the layout there;

AO3 Wayward waters

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Having gotten whatever they needed half of the crew of the Halcyon followed us to the Call Of The Damned,  which looked as imposing as ever.

Boarding the ship I could see Ronan getting tackled by Shalimar,  who after a hug decided to throttle him.

Yeah not my problem, also probably deserved.

Ignoring that I went to the front of the ship, where Cassidy had stood after Grella first emerged from Graves keep.

Should I tell him about the encounter I had with her? 

And what she'd told me? 

Ultimately he probably already knew what Grella had told me so there wasn't really a point.

The only thing I noticed here was that they had a pretty short Bowsprit compared to every other one I'd seen but that was all.

“Do you like sitting at the front of the boat?”

Came it from Robin who had followed me, heaving himself up to sit next to me.

“Sort of, i just like knowing where we are going, last time i didn't pay attention and couldn't even tell anyone where i was supposed to go to”

Also I was now pretty sure the stupid mast had given me a concussion, though a bit late for that now.

“Right, that probably sucked, wait what did you tell them where you wanted to go then?”

I shrugged, moving both legs to face the ocean.

“Back to Kamerasca, i figured if i couldn't manage to get to wherever you are i could at least wait back home,  i mean better than nothing right?”

Robin nodded to that.

“That's true, but i was really worried, i saw how the mast fell on top of you, and then you just didn't resurface, and then Rikaad wanted to help the sailors and i had to cling to him so he wouldn't run out again”

He had by now drawn his knees up to his chest, hugging his legs.

“Well, it turned out alright in the end, though very chaotic,  i'm still not sure if that all was even real”

I moved to mess up his ginger hair and he stuck his tongue out at me.

“If you mean the Kraken at the weird island, I've seen that too! Though i do wonder how all those little fires are doing, i mean they just wanted to warn us”

“Eh, they're fire they probably went somewhere that's a lot more dry than the ocean, also the island is called Graves Keep”

Probably because of all the shipwrecks that they couldn't really get to on account of the aforementioned Kraken.

“Mhm, what do you think Naroa island is like? I mean it is a colony of Kamerasca, do you think it'll be like back home or different?”

Good question actually, I didn't know very much about it though.

“Well, no idea but I think a good few things will be like Kamerasca,  it WAS built by citizens and volunteers as far as i know,  So I guess at least the architecture will be similar? 

But it's also an island so they probably had to modify stuff as well and built a few things that probably don't exist in Kamerasca”

It would make sense if they had taken what they were familiar with and modified it to fit their needs in the new place.

“Well, they probably don't have a castle as big as back home! 

I know the island is twice as big as Kariba island at least but a castle would take up so much space!”

That was true.

“Yeah, though I'm sure they at least build the mayor some stupidly big mansion or something! You think we get to sleep in that?”

“Yeah! It's probably built right at the beach! Oh we could go collect more seashells! You already have some cool big ones! I want some too!”

We talked and talked about what we thought the place looked like, which drifted quite a bit towards the end of the day with more and more unreasonable or straight up impossible things.

At some point as the sun started setting someone threw a stick at me.

Well, ‘someone’ the only one that could manage to get a stick out here was Jamie, who indeed was cussing us out and telling us we were missing dinner.

So we went to get that, which at least did not feature hardtack nor soggy bread to my relief, and then got shooed into a cabin to go to sleep.

I could hear though that Akeem was telling Cassidy he didn't need a cabin and was fine staying outside and keeping an eye out.

The end of that eluded me as Robin asked what part of the cabin would be his.

We hadn't even seen it yet so we walked there and Robin ended up getting the window bed.

At least that way I didn't have to deal with the morning sun shining into my face the next day.

Instead I was woken up by someone kicking the door open and for a strange moment I thought I was back at the castle in Kamerasca and that Nea had once again no regard for doors.

But no it was just Jamie who told us to get the fuck up as Naroa island was apparently within sight already.

Huh, the Call Of The Damned was fast, very fast.

Though not really a surprise,  The ship was big and I wouldn't put it past Cassidy to know some water spirits or even wind spirits that would help him out.

Walking half asleep I suddenly realized I had not taken the medication Oakley gave me, despite it being back in my possessions.

Well, there were no nightmares for once,  but I had the strange feeling that Grella had something to do with it.

It was debatable if letting her poke around my mind was a good idea or not but as long as that was all she did i wouldn't complain.

Besides, I was the one who let her so it was nobody's fault but mine.

But the island we were heading to was indeed already in sight,  and as far as i could tell had a more longish shape.

But it was indeed at least twice as big as Kariba island,  if not a tiny bit bigger.

Though it was more sparsely built on with more space between buildings,  the number of inhabitants seemed to be about the same, if not less. 

“Huh, not long till we reach it, hey how many people do you think got scared when the Call Of The Damned was first sighted by them?”

Robin giggled at that.

“Well it IS a scary looking ship! And probably the biggest one ever!

Let's go look for Rikaad!”

With that he climbed up on a crate, trying to spot the dark haired king.

“Robin, behind you”

Rikaad was in the completely opposite direction from where the ginger was looking, and right behind him though not on the crate.

“Huh? Oh hey Rikaad!”

“Robin don't climb random crates you don't know what's in them,  or if the wood will hold you”

Robin blinked and looked down at the crate he was standing on,  jumping off at Rikaads words.

“Oh sorry, didn't know, but hey we are already close to the island! 

Are you excited? I am! What are you gonna do first?”

Rikaad let the ginger ramble to the end before answering.

“I do admit to being intrigued,  i have never been here before and i am not entirely sure what i will do first, i'm waiting for more information at the moment”

Ah so he'd wait till we were actually there to make a decision,  probably a smart move not to set on one path if something else might come up as more important.

“How long are we going to stay there? A day or two? Or longer?”

Rikaad watched as the island got closer and closer,  appearing bigger the nearer it got.

“We will see, depending on what has to be done we could stay for two days or an entire week”

Also true, who knew how good the current mayor had been with paperwork, hopefully at least better than the old king, 

though it WAS hard to top that chaos.

As if reading my mind,  which was strange to think that someone, something? 

No, someone, else had already done Robin spoke just that aloud.

“As long as it's not as bad as the stacks of paper back home it shouldn't take long right?”

Rikaad just nodded at that.

“Hopefully so, though i am sure someone that would neglect the official affairs that much would have been replaced pretty quickly,  after all Kamerasca does get quite a few goods from this place”

Oh yeah, trading island and all that, hopefully the people here would be a bit more open minded about halflings and nonhumans.

They definitely were not, which was made very clear shortly after we debarked from the giant vessel.

Some onlookers could be heard shouting insults,  though strangely enough most weren't even aimed at me.

They were aimed at Jamie, who was right next to the way taller Akeem.

Rikaad did tell them to stop, though I doubted anyone here actually recognized who he was and that he was the new king.

Then again he wore no crown, only had once or twice.

Someone threw a knife at them, shouting something that sounded like 'Stupid Zoa’ but I had no idea what that last word meant.

Before I could think to ask anyone, Akeem had left the convoy to the mayor's abode, grabbed the knife thrower and tossed them a good twenty feet into a little stream where they landed with a splash.

Someone else tried to stab him in retaliation but the short sword didn't even scratch him, he gripped it and squeezed, the metal bending under his fingers like crumpled paper.

After that he went to stand back next to Jamie, who was hunched over and kept close to Akeem.

Ronan himself was somewhat hiding his ears next to Shalimar and Cassidy, wearing a headband that I was pretty sure used to be clipped to Shalimar’s messy belt.

Since I was pretty much in the middle of the people walking I had not been largely noticed, though the next street was a good bit narrower and people were still looking.

No hiding there.

Suddenly a triangle-esque hat was planted on top of my head,  hiding the top of my ears.

Looking forward again i could see it was the chicken guy,  who was still covered in layers and layers of fabric,  one of which was wrapped around his head, 

still hiding nearly everything aside from a strand of very dry hair the color of sun bleached flaxen and eyes that had slitted pupils with a way to green iris and no sclera to speak of.

I stared perplexed at him, the skin around his eyes wrinkling for a moment before he put a very thin sliver of gray silk over them, thin enough to look out of but also not letting anyone else see what his eyes actually looked like.

Smart, he must have been through something like this before.

I quietly nodded at him, making a mental note to properly thank him later if I got the chance, and of course give the hat back.

Also up close like this it was impossible to ignore that he was even taller than Fable, nearly seven feet.

And still holding the chicken,  who seemed content to just be held at the moment.

It wasn't long that we reached a larger and mostly circular place with a floor out of tile shaped rocks.

There waited some dapper dressed guy on a small wooden platform, confusedly looking at the people in the convoy before seeing Rikaad and bowing down in front of him after a few seconds.

The man himself was rather unremarkable, with pretty average features aside from a nose that seemed to have been recently broken.

“A good day and welcome to Naroa sir Rikaad Drayton,  King of Kamerasca, i am the mayor of this beautiful colony”

At least after that the surrounding crowd finally shut up.

Rikaad stood upright in front of them,  seeming taller in stature than even the guy on the small platform.

Rikaad sure had a way to make even the tallest people seem small next to him.

Must be the confidence,  he had way more than i did, or anyone else i knew really.

Even the mayor shrunk back a little,  walking off the podium to meet at eye level.

Well, eye level was good, Rikaad was about an entire foot taller than the man with the broken nose.

The Mayor started rambling something about how well they were doing aside from the pirates, which we had already dealt with, well Grella had dealt with them, and the people of Naroa might not even know that they were gone yet.

Rikaad simply watched and listened as the mayor praised every square of the island, which to me came off as that the mayor just wanted to look good.

Well, he kept rambling until a blonde woman walked out of the crowd with quite a few parchments in her arms.

She looked oddly familiar as well, kind of like a paler and taller Shalimar, probably her mother, whatever she was doing here.

The mayor stocked in his weird ramblings and praising everything to angrily point at the woman, shouting.

“That's the woman that broke my nose! Guards! Get her!”

Before anyone could properly react Rikaad had told them to put their weapons away, taking the parchment that the woman held out to him.

He read aloud a list of offenses, quite heavy ones as well,  including trafficking, murder,  and things that made at least two people in the crowd throw up.

Rikaad then looked the mayor straight in the eyes,  his own as icy as they had been back in the snow.

“Did I miss anything? 

Or do you spare us the paperwork and plead guilty?”

The mayor had gone into a fight or flight stance, frozen for just a moment before rushing forward at Rikaad with a knife.

He didn't get far with that as his pants caught fire and he got attacked by an oversized chicken that apparently could breathe fire,  because why not.

Sad to say it wasn't even the strangest thing that had happened,  also Shalimars mother shooed the chicken off only to punch the guys nose again, yeah that would not heal correctly anytime ever.

Rikaad ordered some of the surrounding Guards to toss the,  now former, mayor into jail, leading the rest of the people that came here with him to the biggest building.

As expected it had been used as the living place of the mayor,  though not anymore now.

Rikaad told us to take a break and that he had to carefully plan what to do now, go over the information the woman, who was named Marianna, had given him.

Marianna herself walked up to Cassidy, socking him in the jaw before pulling the taller man closer to her and kissing him.

I politely looked elsewhere.

There was quite an evident semblance to Shalimar, and not just the appearance.

Since nobody would try anything dumb as long as we were here i decided to hand the hat back to the Chicken sailor,  and finally ask for his name.

Robin had immediately taken a liking to a dog that lived here,  playing with the curly tailed canine.

Yeah he was fine, now where did the chicken guy go?

Looking around my eyes fell on Akeem,  who after noticing silently pointed at a balcony door.

Since nothing was going on and my presence wasn't needed I went outside as well,  seeing the man in layers and layers of fabric lean on the balustrade.

How the fuck did he not get a heatstroke?

I carefully took the hat, which was a little too big,  off and handed it back to him.

“Uhm, thank you for the save there, I'm sure I would have gotten stuff thrown at me as well, what's your name? 

I don't think i heard anyone say it”

He put his hat back on, tilting his head.

“That's because i don't have one”

My brain buffered for a good moment or two,  how could one NOT have a name?

“What, wait what do people call you then? 

How can it be that you don't have a name?”

The man tilted his head to the other side.

“You better be careful when dealing with Fae and how they word things, if they ask you for your name you better not give it,  sometimes they even trick their own brethren to give up their name”

I HAD heard of Fae taking peoples names,  but that they did it to their own kin was new.

“Oh, well getting the name of a Fae cant be easy,  you must have been tricked badly huh?”

He took his hat off again, pulling an arm completely out of the fabrics he was covered in, revealing a pale,  four fingered hand that seemed strangely chitinous.

“Oh yeah my sister had a knack for getting what she wanted,  Did you know Elves aren't actually Fae? 

Fae are never so naturally human like, Elves however are”

I stared at him, at probably the only true Fae I'd ever see in my life.

“I always thought it strange that most depictions of Fae had some insect things about them or horns while Elves didn't,  but that's new information to me,  wait what are Elves then if they aren't Fae?”

He shrugged, gripping the balustrade with his chitinous segmented hand.

“Not sure, but Elves are not Fae,  though they might be a mix of human and Fae, or had been once upon a time when there was less hatred in the world”

If that was true then, then every Elf was also a bastard,  yeah no wonder they had obscured that so much that they themselves believed them to be Fae folk nowadays.

“Well i guess i don't really have anything to compare,  but what you are saying does make some sense”

Though Fae being more insect-like did make sense,  most of the depictions I had seen, while crude,  had featured things like bug wings or multiple arms. 

Elves had none of those.

Well, what the fuck where Elves then? A question for later.

Suddenly I remembered something I had heard snippets of in Kamerasca a good two years ago.

“Hey about the name thing, why don't you get a new one? 

I've heard of people changing their names,  most times after a divorce though but it's just some paperwork,  well at least it's possible in Kamerasca, no idea about the isles”

I was not sure at all how the isles worked, not to mention that each island could have its own laws and the like.

The Fae man chuckled at that.

“A new name eh? Not a bad idea, I should have thought of that myself!

Though there are many to choose from, i will give it thought, and if i can't find an island to do it you might see me in your Homeland sometime”

Yeah, though I wouldn't doubt that Cassidy would specifically make that a possibility even if just for one instance.

“Well good luck thinking of a new name, does your chicken at least have one? Or is the feathery fella also nameless?” 

He laughed and picked up the way larger than average rooster with brown, orange and black feathers.

“This guy? Technically he's a Basan,  but yeah they look like chickens, eh bird either way,  his name is Basha because he used to Bash his head against me”

The Basan made some very chicken-like sounds,  bonking his head against the Fae man.

“There really are just things that look like other normal things but just aren't huh?”

“Well that entirely depends on what you define as normal,  your normal might be quite unusual for someone else”

That he was right in, especially in my case as the only other living Ardua had rejected to wear the bracelet, leaving it in Oakleys care.

“Yeah, you're right, also does sunlight hurt you like some Fae stories say? You are quite covered up, uh sorry if that's rude to ask”

He chuckled again, shaking his head.

“Curious huh? Well i can't blame you,  but the main reason im covered like this is that im ugly”

I stared at him, that being the LAST answer I had expected.

“Wh- what? That's a joke right? I know that big insect like things can freak people out but im sure its not that bad”

He full on laughed at that.

“Boy it's not because of me being an insectoid,  well i guess the mandibles would freak a good bit of people out,  but quite frankly, Nobody wants to see a mutilated man run around and showing off all his scars and stumps”

To emphasize he held out a second left arm right under the first, 

but the second one ended in a horribly scarred stump somewhere in the middle of elbow and where the wrist should be, the rest of the arm also adorned in strange silvery scars that had a slight bluish tint.

I stared at it confusedly for a second, so what? 

“So? If people don't want to see that they can look somewhere else, like, don't go out into the public if you don't like seeing people being people, also i don't think anyone seeing that would think you did that on purpose”

Now it was his turn to stare confusedly at me with his sclera less way too green eyes.

“I just mean, a lot of people have scars, i have some too,  namely on my back and shoulder, and one time some guy stole one of my kidneys so there's that one too, i don't think that scars necessarily make someone ugly or less of a person,  it just- it just shows you've lived”

He tilted his head,  at an angle that would probably have broken my neck if I tried it.

“It does sound like an age-old struggle of simply being deemed ‘other’,  I feel that you relate well to it,  even if your struggle with being ‘other’ has been different.

I suppose listening to those deemed ‘others’ would show things about myself I was not aware of, or would never be.

Also someone stole your kidney? How does that happen?”

Huh, yeah it was probably no matter what kind of ‘other’ one was,  they would find the same or similar reasons to shut those ‘other’ out any way possible.

Also of course he had to ask about the kidney thing.

“Yeah, some wannabe alchemist got it,  though i punched his face before he got anything else, i actually have no idea what happened to the guy, maybe he poisoned himself”

It was likely, that or someone else lynched him considering he'd been quite an asshole and did say something about testing on pets.

“Well, it looks like we both survive when we have to”

The Fae man stared out at the ocean,  gently scratching his chicken’s err, Basan's Head.

Then he ripped the cloth covering the bottom half of his face down, revealing what was indeed mandibles,  though more thin and boney and halfway folded into his maw.

One of his cheeks had a hole that was held shut by stitches and the other half of his face looked like someone had held a burning hot horseshoe against it.

Wait, iron, that was an iron burn, ouch, Fae did NOT take well to iron.

Aside from that there was a long and jagged scar going down the side of his nose, having blinded one of the secondary eyes under his normal ones, both of which were sewed shut like the hole in his cheek.

That man had been tortured,  There was no other reason for things to look like that as even multiple accidents wouldn't cause an iron burn this deep.

“I said i was ugly”

“What? No i'm just-i've never actually seen a Fae before, you weren't joking about the mandibles huh? Though i didn't think they'd be so thin”

He smiled, his face twisting weirdly around the scar tissue.

“Oh i suppose one would expect something more spider like,  however Spiders are arachnids and not insects,  ticks are also arachnids, but yeah i can move them individually”

To prove it he stuck one out and ‘waved’ with it,  then doing the same with another one.

“Wait, how do you eat with those? 

Don't you just bite your own mandibles while eating?”

“That's the question you ask? 

But yeah i guess sometimes i bite my own mandibles, though don't tell me you've never bitten your own tongue while eating”

Fair, to him it was just one more appendage he had,  not anymore strange to his own body than my tongue was to mine.

“Yeah fair, one time i nearly bit a chunk off because i fell out of a tree while eating, not exactly my smartest day”

At least it had healed quickly, but damn that had hurt.

“Oh we all have some dumb days,  and you know what i think i'm going to make this a smart one and go get some new shirts, and maybe a bandana for Basha”

“Wait then he's Basha the bandana wearing Basan all words with B”

He laughed and jumped on top of the railing, cradling said Basan.

“Oh I'm well aware! That's why I'm getting him one!”

With that he jumped down and I realized a bit late that this was built on top of a natural wall and thus went down about three stories deep even though it was technically ground level.

I rushed to lean over the balustrade,  but the Fae man had landed safely and was walking away while his Basan perched on his shoulder like a parrot.

Man the Islands were sure one chaotic place,  there was lots of stuff I would never consider trying on my own.

Then again the ones doing it weren't Human or elf and knew better what they were capable of than me.

Aside from Ronan maybe, he had to be frequently stopped from doing dangerous things that definitely would kill him.

I should probably head back inside,  I did want to see if the other ones were okay, 

especially Jamie who had rocks thrown at them among other things.

At least Akeem deflected the knife, and just threw a grown man twenty feet or so like he weighed nothing.

For someone that didn't even have muscles he was stupidly strong.

For a moment a horrified realization crossed my mind, if Grella was right about Magic Dying then what would happen to Akeem?

He was a statue come to live through some wayward magic, would he simply revert back to being a statue? Fall apart into parts and pieces?

Crumble to dust?

Or would it not affect him since he technically was some sort of gem and Grella did say magic could be stored in some of those.

I really hoped it was the latter.

NEXT / PREVIOUS / OVERSIGHT

[halsinshoneypot]

You Are More Than Her Lies pt.3

To the girls, the gays, and the theys. I'm on my period and it's fucking awful - instead of 2 chapter uploads I'm gonna write a long one and hope you guys enjoy my literary waffle. I'm a heavy fantasy-romance reader (the Maas universe has me in a chokehold and I'm foaming at the mouth waiting for flame and shadow) so do not be surprised that there is a lot of inner dialogue and scene description over character dialogue. Now. Time to binge eat Reese's while escaping reality by writing <3

Sanji 

“I killed an official of the capital...” Zoro mumbled, looking away with a painful grin on his face. 

“Huh?!” Sanji shouted, watching as his unlit cigarette went flying to the sand.  

Sanji’s mind broke. Mosshead was supposed to lay low, LAY LOW, not KILL an OFFICIAL of Wano. Just... what the fuck?! For the love of God, I hope none of the other’s followed his stupidity. The blond didn’t know what to say, what to do, what to even think ahead for. Was Zoro being chased? Were the others with him? Where are they? Why did he kill the city official? The question’s kept piling up and Sanji was too worried for the other crewmates to ask for the answers, if he didn’t acknowledge the bad, the bad didn’t exist – a hands over eyes kind of situation. But he needed to face the truth, because the possible consequences of mossheads actions could have the crew in deep shit and if they were, well, the two men needed to form a rescue plan. Maybe I can get mosshead to figure out where we are first and then sneak back to the capital? No, that man can’t navigate for shit. We’d just get eaten by a wild tiger or drown in quicksa- 

“The others are fine. It was just me. Their covers aren’t blown, and they had no idea anything was happening for them to intervene – I made sure of it. They are always my priority, so stop worrying.” The feeling of confidence and reassurance trickles down the bond, this answers Sanji’s worries, and he is surprised that the swordsman had the brains to not include the other crew in his fuck up. But Zoro has always been protective over the crew, even over Sanji – Luffy the most, who isn’t though? – so it shouldn’t be surprising he didn’t risk the others. Maybe the blond was being a little harsh. On that note, Sanji lets go of the swordsman and sits opposite of him, deciding to gather their baring's to avoid the intense staring Zoro was adamant on.  

“Oh, I didn’t realize I was projecting. My Robin-chwan is safe! But where are we? Do you at least know that?” There was the beach, a light and delicate sand that got darker the more contact it had with the deep blue of the sea. The shipwrecks were an ugly contrast to the stunning day that Wano was experiencing, the harsh view making reality that much more apparent. A cooling wind rushed between the wreckage’s, creating a whistling sound. Shadows of exotic trees native to Wano were towering over the beach but only slightly touching the two men, a sweet relief from the blaring sun made the cook want to reside in the full shade rather than fight in the sun. All Sanji could gather was that the climate of Wano was exotic, desert like in their current location, but he could see greenery in the distance. and he wasn’t sure if that would change the further inland they travelled. The cook could see some towers with smoke pollution in the far distance, the heat of the land and wind causing the sights to dance. If that was a factory then they must be close to a town. “I know we are in Wano”, the cook deadpans at the swordsman who only gives back a cheeky grin, “You were wondering around lost weren’t you?” This doesn’t surprise Sanji, it’s expected of the swordsman, Sanji had to ask in case the universe decided to be kind and give Zoro a sense of direction – but Sanji new not to hope for the impossible.  

“I’m not wondering around lost... I’m just making sure Wano is fully explored, if there are any undiscovered societies or islands! How did you get here? Where’s the rest of the WCI crew?” Zoro’s tanned neck and tips of his ears started to turn pink, ignoring the fact that the two men shared a bond, his anatomy couldn’t hide his embarrassment from his directional challenges. Once again, because apparently the poor cook doesn’t a break, panic rises again “I don’t know! We travelled UP a waterfall with some koi that Luffy had a hold of”. As the cook rattled on about the events that led up to him being washed ashore an abandoned shipwrecked beach, Zoro tried his best to keep the cook from passing out – reminding the cook to “Take a breath shitty brow”, “Okay repeat that part but slower”, “Will you just slow down”. Sanji found it rather rude of Zoro, but the swordsman knew how the cook got when retelling events, he started to speed up and blame himself, claiming that if he was stronger than the event wouldn’t of went the way it did. The blond never catches onto Zoro’s reassuring looks; his comments that focusing on the past would hinder the cook's future growth, that Zoro would always have the crews back, and especially Sanji’s.  

Sanji thought Zoro’s comments were because the swordsman was too stupid to keep up, of course the stupid muscle head didn’t understand Sanji, of course he didn’t have to worry about being strong enough to protect the crew, of course he would always come to Sanji's aid. It infuriates when the mosshead tells Sanji to take a breath or slow down; what if while informing the mosshead what happened just means the crew get injured further, get taken further away from their current location or possibly killed! Zoro is always calm, showing anger but in a controlled manner and then giving a short but quick speech to rescue or avenge the crew that were blackmailed or taken – as much as Sanji hated Zoro for being everything he couldn’t, Sanji also liked that about Zoro. The consideration and comforting words the swordsman has an uncanny way with, the bond that he doesn’t need to use to silently communicate to Sanji with and how it always works. Just like now, the frustration that Sanji felt was being wrapped and lulled to determination, changing the need to kick something into the need to wrap his arms around Zoro and thank him.  

“You have no clue where they are, it’s fine. Knowing Luffy he’s made friends, ate some food and promised to beat up some corrupt person terrorizing his new friend's life. Since we are in Wano, that corrupt person is most likely Kaido and Luffy knows he needs his crew with him – needs his two strongest by his side. Nami is crafty, she’ll bat her eyelashes and scam her way to Usopp or someone already in Wano and get safe. The rest of them will either follow Nami or Luffy so we don’t have to worry. It’s okay, take a smoke and calm a little, use that smart brain of yours”. Zoro ranted, his hands on the blond's shoulders, grounding his thoughts from running further. Sanji listened and wondered why he didn’t think those things, but Zoro did. This moment solidifies why Zoro is first mate and Sanji the second. Zoro’s words are why Sanji can never be fully committed to the bit of hating each other, so Sanji does as the mosshead says.  

Getting up from the sitting position the two are in, Sanji starts to walk towards the trunk of a large tree, “Follow me will you, this heat makes me more agitated than calm” Sanji explains to the mosshead – who lets out a gruff and follows Sanji to the tree, feeling the same way about the heat. The cook is the first to and rest against the tree, the swordsman sits next to him, their shoulder’s touching “You don’t need to sit so close mosshead, I’m not going to run off on a single man rescue mission!”. “I know, but this helps me; I’ve missed the crew, even the ones I see around the FC. I feel more myself when I’m around you lot, and I’ve been walking for days in this heat. So, deal with it.” Zoro says, eyes closed, and head tilted back on the tree. 

Sanji blushes a little, he implied my presence is relaxing, didn’t he? Or the whole crews? Or each of us in our own way maybe. “Are you saying I’m relaxing to be around?” Sanji had to get clarification, Zoro acted like this with Nami and Luffy after the 2years they were separated. What’s changed for Sanji to become one of those people? “You are the first one I’ve seen from the WCI mission, and I’m exhausted. If you were Luffy I’d be on the floor suffocating from his crushing hugs. Plus, you are strong enough to have my back so I’m comfortable relaxing around you. I’m assuming I’m not making you uncomfortable cause you would’ve kicked me away by now” the exhaustion was clear in the swordsman voice. “You taking a nap isn’t gonna help us find the other’s ya’know, but if you insist on some photosynthesis then who am I to stop you.”, the blond quips up, hoping it’ll help the slight awkwardness he felt. 

“I would need sun for that, not shade.”, of course he tries to be smart now. A sleepy feeling slithered down the bond, like getting in a warmed-up bath after being out in the snow all day, but no feeling of bracing for a threat like there usually is. Turning to get a proper view of Zoro’s head, Sanji sees how at peace Zoro is; his head tilted back, a slight smile to his usual scowl, the shade meant he didn’t need to squint his eyes leading him to look more youthful, and his chest was rising in a steady pace. It’s been a while since Sanji last got to see or even feel Zoro like this, possibly the trip from Punk Hazard to Dressrosa, even then there were certain stressors (like their multiple guests) so maybe before that? Then again, it’s been a while since their lives have had any semblance of calm. The rise and fall of the mossheads shoulder against Sanji's felt nice, the physical touch should’ve repelled him, burnt him, had him hissing like a cat at some tinfoil. Instead, the feeling was welcomed, and Sanji spent some of Zoro’s light nap wondering why they don’t behave like this around each other – the answer is Sanji and his embarrassment. Finding that answer led to memories of Momoiro Island and Ivankov’s teaching’s which helped Sanji grow both physically and personally.  

Ivankov gave Sanji a lot of insight on how to learn new fighting styles and grow the ones he currently used. The revolutionary also noticed something new of Sanji that few others have, Sanji shared a bond, a soulmate bond. The soulmate aspect of the bond was news to the cook. He didn’t mean for Ivankov to find out about the strange power linking the two crewmates to each other, but on one particular training day Sanji felt immense pain. Pain so strong that he also felt where on Zoro it originated from, his left eye. Sanji reacted to the pain, screaming until he felt Zoro close off his emotions to the bond. Ivankov wouldn’t let go of what happened, the queen thought it was a side effect from training and wanted to lessen the blond's load. The truth finally came out at the idea of not being able to improve, to catch up to the others, to get strong enough to protect Zoro from that kind of pain in the future.  

Learning the bond was due to the two men being soulmates was an even bigger shock than the fact Skypiea existed. Sanji knew there was some attraction to men, but he got confused quite often – thinking his attraction was more to the other male powers, wishing he had said powers to impress ladies with. When he started to find certain men attractive when they didn’t have desirable powers that’s when the blond started questioning. It was a rough journey and Ivankov didn’t help the acceptance of the newly dug up attractions. Learning Zoro (of all the people in the world, that shitty mosshead?!) was his soulmate only made Sanji’s feelings towards the man more turbulent. Even now, watching Zoro nap peacefully and knowing it was due to Sanji’s presence made his heart beat that little bit quicker, but would he admit that to the swordsman first? No, he needs to know if the swordsman felt the same way, then he would do something about their entwined fate.  

“I hope you figure it out soon, I don’t know how much longer I can pretend.” Sanji muttered, feeling a bit more at peace with their situation then he did a few minutes ago.  

“Hm? Figure out what?” Zoro mused; I should’ve kept my mouth shut, Sanji thought. 

[princessasmosprincess]

Mermaid Splash

Chapter 2

Summary: Obey Me! Fairy tale au. A retelling of Hans Christian Andersen's The Little Mermaid.

Pairing: Asmodeus × GN MC

Warnings: Mild blood.

***

Author's Note: This chapter probably has the most direct references to the original fairy tale. A few of the Wizard's lines are pulled directly from the text.

***

The next evening Asmo asked Levi and Beel to help him move the remains of your boat to shore. He told them the fish and octopuses on the reef had been complaining that they couldn't return to their favorite nesting spots.

There were no signs of you or any other humans on the shore. He looked up at the lights of the castle and the village nearby and he hoped he would see you again.

The following night was stormy, but Asmo told his brothers he wasn't feeling well enough to sing to the passing ships. He laid in his sea bed, his thoughts constantly drifting to you.

By the third evening he couldn't take it anymore.

“What if there was a human who was immune to our song?” He asked as the seven brothers took their dinner.

“Impossible,” said Lucifer.

“It’s certainly not a situation that's ever come up in any book I've read.” said Satan.

The others agreed.

Asmo bristled. “None of you have been around since the beginning of time, it could have happened at least once.”

“If it has,” Lucifer said. “I know nothing of it.”

“Only the King of the Sea would be old enough to know if it ever happened,” said Mammon. “Or the Old Wizard.”

“The Old Wizard?” Asmo asked.

“He’s as old as the Sea King, maybe older.” Mammon played with one of the many necklaces he wore. “They say he was once human, but he gave his life up for the sea. They say he can’t die.”

“If he gave his life up for the sea, how is it that he can’t die?” Satan asked, skeptical.

“I heard he can grant any wish.” Levi said. “He lives in a cave just outside the kingdom, it’s hidden by a shipwre–”

“That is enough!” Lucifer stopped him. “It is forbidden to speak of the Old Wizard of the Sea. We do not speak of those who have been cast out of the kingdom. And we do not leave the kingdom without express permission from His Highness the Crown Prince.”

The brothers went silent.

“Let us take solace that in our lifetime no human has been immune to our song.” said Lucifer. He turned to his younger brother. “Asmo, you may ask the Sea King your question on the day that he wakes.”

No one in the kingdom knew the day the Sea King would wake. Not even his son, the Crown Prince. The King had been sleeping for well over a hundred years and he could sleep for a hundred more. Maybe a thousand. Merpeople were gifted with longer lifetimes than that of humans, but even so Asmo didn't think he could wait that long for an answer.

Asmo stayed home that night, once again tossing and turning in his sea bed. He longed to be in the sun. He longed to be with you.

He was half tempted to ask Satan or Belphie to accompany him at the surface and sing to you. Maybe a second voice harmonizing with his could charm you. Both of them would be willing to defy Lucifer. Asmo just didn't want to be responsible for either of them getting in trouble.

He turned on his side. Then there was the matter of the Old Sea Wizard. If he truly did have an answer it wouldn't hurt to ask him. And if he could grant a wish that would be even better. Asmo just had to make sure Lucifer didn't find out. He decided to leave while his brothers were out.

Being a prince of the sea, Asmo knew the route of the kingdom guards, which sections of the gate were the most protected. It was so simple to slip past a lone guard who had fallen asleep at his post.

Asmo circled the outside of the kingdom walls, darting behind rocks and patches of seaweed so as to not be spotted by diligent guards keeping an eye out for wayward merpeople.

Asmo began to lose faith that he'd find the Wizard’s cave after a while. He was tired of swimming, he should have stayed home and slept. He was about to turn back when he spotted a shipwreck. Could this be the one that hid the Old Wizard’s cave?

He pushed past the rubble, swimming through what had once been a window on the stern of the ship. The cave was quite dark, but Asmo could see in the dark so he was able to navigate it. The cave twisted and turned, Asmo went deeper. Soon he saw a dim light above him. He swam for it.

Asmo surfaced in an air pocket of the cave. There was light here but there was no sky or stars.

“Welcome, my child.” said the Old Wizard of the sea. “I am the Great Wizard Solomon.”

The Old Wizard didn't look so old. He looked no older than Asmo or any of his brothers. His silver hair was the only thing that gave away his aged state.

Asmo saw that the air pocket formed a little room with a stone floor. Stalagmites were set with hundreds of candles that cast a dim yellow light about the room. The Old Wizard sat on a carved wooden chair at the side of a cauldron that took up the middle of the room. He had taken the form of a human.

The Old Wizard gave a little cough, “Ahem.”

“I- I am Asmodeus, Fifth Prince of the Sea.” He recited his full title.

“Yes I know who you are, child.”

Asmo gave a nervous smile. “I have a question.”

“You have a question?” The Wizard’s tone was patronizing.

“Yes, I wanted to know what would happen if there was ever a human who was immune to the song of merpeople, oh Great Wizard Solomon of the Sea.” said Asmo with his head bowed.

The Wizard was pleased with Asmo’s reverence. “You may call me Wizard Solomon.”

“Oh,” said Asmo, surprised at the Wizard's friendliness. “Thank you Wizard Solomon.”

“Now about your question…” Wizard Solomon tapped his chin with one finger. “I will admit that I do not know of any humans being immune to the song of merpeople. I doubt there are any in existence.”

Asmo knew this was untrue but he wouldn't dare defy the Great Wizard Solomon. So you were the only one. This only made Asmo want you more.

“Thank you oh Great-” Asmo corrected himself. “Oh Wizard Solomon.” He bowed again to the Wizard, ready to leave the eccentric man's cave.

“That is not all, I presume,” Wizard Solomon stared deeply into Asmo’s eyes. “You, dear little prince, have a wish.”

“I-”

“There is no use denying it, Asmodeus.”

Asmo swallowed awkwardly. “I do have a wish.” He admitted. “I wish to bask in the sun and walk on land with the humans.”

Wizard Solomon laughed, “And not just any human, your human. The one who is supposedly immune to your voice.”

“How did you-”

“I know what you want,” said Wizard Solomon. “It is very stupid of you, but you shall have your way, and it will bring you to sorrow, my pretty prince.”

Asmo wrapped his arms around himself, unsure. “So you can grant my wish?”

“You are lucky I can switch between land and sea myself. I can grant your wish,” he said. “I can make a potion to split your tail in two and shrink into human legs. You will feel great pain, as if a sword were passing through you. But all who see you will say that you are the prettiest little human being they ever saw.”

“I would like that very much.” Asmo smiled.

“You do understand if you forsake the sea, the kingdom will forsake you.” said the Wizard.

Asmo nodded gravely. He knew this was a betrayal of the Crown Prince and the kingdom.

“And of course I will require payment.” Said Wizard Solomon.

Asmo took off six of the pearl necklaces he was wearing. He reluctantly went to remove the seventh and smallest necklace when Wizard Solomon stopped him.

“Keep it to remind you of your loss,” he said. “I will take the others but you must know I need so much more to work this spell. Something dear to you.”

“Something dear?”

“Your voice, perhaps?” the Wizard suggested.

“My voice? But-”

The wizard cut him off. “Does your voice work on this human?”

“No.”

“Then what use do you have for it?”

Asmo thought for a moment. “I wouldn't be able to talk to them without it.”

“There are other ways to communicate,” said Wizard Solomon. “Everyone knows you are the most beautiful creature under the sea.”

Asmo preened at this flattery. What he’d said was true, mermaids and mermen from all over the kingdom fell for him on his looks alone. And from the illustrations in Satan’s books, he might surpass the beauty of most humans.

“You will still have your beautiful form, your graceful walk, and your expressive eyes; surely with these you can enchain a human’s heart.”

The Wizard made a good point. You were the human he wanted, and if he could not use his voice to charm you he could afford to lose it.

“I will do it.” Asmo said.

“Now, the terms for our agreement, our pact, shall we say, are thus: you will have thirty days to win the heart of your human. The spell will become permanent and you will get to keep the beautiful legs I give you if you accomplish this.”

As the Wizard spoke, Asmo became more and more excited to have legs of his own.

“But,” the Wizard continued. “In that time if the human chooses to give their heart to another, on the dawn of the thirty-first day you will turn into seafoam and die. You are aware that merpeople don’t have eternal souls like humans do.”

Asmo nodded.

“Is this still what you want to do?”

Asmo considered it before giving his answer. “I do.”

“Very well then.” The Wizard scooped up the six pearl necklaces and put all but one aside. He set a little fire underneath the cauldron, it burned bright gold. He rummaged through the shelves lining the wall, gathering all sorts of vials. He poured the contents of the vials in the cauldron. He snapped the string of the necklace he was still holding and let the pearls fall into the potion. The Wizard then took a knife and sliced his palm, letting the blood drip into the cauldron. It began to boil and flash with light.

Asmo was entranced watching as the Wizard’s spell took shape. Wizard Solomon gestured for him to come forward. He lifted himself by his arms onto the stone floor, his entire body, tail and all, out of the water.

“I need you to sing for me, Asmodeus.” said the Wizard.

Asmo chose his most beautiful song and sang with his whole heart. His voice echoed throughout the little room. There was such passion in his voice.

“Very nice.” said the Wizard. “A fitting voice for a jewel of the sea.”

Wizard Solomon held a nautilus shell in his hands, reciting an elaborate incantation.

The wizard’s magic reached deep into Asmo’s throat, drawing out his voice. He was losing control of the melody as his voice in the form of a glowing bubble was torn from his mouth as he sang. It was painful, it felt like a part of his heart was being ripped away, but he kept his mind on his new legs and the prospect of winning your heart.

The Wizard Solomon simpered, maintaining eye contact with Asmo as he threw the nautilus shell into the cauldron. All the while he continued to recite the incantation, the words coming faster and faster.

When he was finished, the wizard poured the potion into a vial. It was clear like the purest water.

“Drink, dear prince.” said the Wizard.

Asmo took the vial and downed the potion in one swallow. His entire body warmed, almost to burning.

It felt as if a sword was ripping through his tail. He writhed in pain on the stone floor. If he could have screamed he would have. At some point Asmo fainted from the pain. When he awoke his tail was gone and in its place were two perfect human legs. Breathing felt different now. Asmo also noticed that his vision was much dimmer than before, he could barely see the Wizard by the light of the candles.

“It is finished,” said the Wizard. He used his magic to call upon a sea creature. An eel swam up to the side of the stone floor.

“Take a deep breath and grab onto the tail of this eel, he will bring you to the surface. From then you will be on your own.”

His head still reeling with pain, Asmo nodded, his fingers closing around the eel's tail.

“Remember, you have thirty days,” said Wizard Solomon. “Good luck.” It was a sincere statement, more so than anything the Wizard had said that night.

Asmo took a deep, shaky breath and the eel took off, dragging him back into the water and racing for the surface.

The eel wound through the Wizard’s cave with great speed. Asmo was blind in the dark water, his eyes stinging from the salt. The pressure and lack of air was getting to him, he felt dizzy.

Asmo gasped for air as he breached the surface. The moon was high in the sky, peeking through the clouds. There was still a storm churning the waters. He got one glimpse at the stars before the current dragged at him Asmo was not used to how his legs worked, try as he might, he floundered in the water. It pulled him under.

***

Cross-posted on AO3

[woltourney]

ROUND 1 / SIDE B / POLL 16

Tahri Nhupuju (@tahri-nhupuju) v. Amor Valentine (@lunadivino)

Tahri Nhupuju:

q. What is your WoL name and pronouns? a. Tahri Nhupuju, she/her

q. What is your WoL's species? a. Keeper of the Moon Miqo'te

q. What is your WoL's class? Or classes? a. Canonically all of them, but Warrior is her main one.

q. What data centre/server are you on, if you want people to find you? a. Phoenix, Light

q. Tell us a bit about your WoL! a. Born in the depths of the Black Shroud to a minor Keeper clan of little note, Tahri had little contact with the outside world aside from the odd hunter or trader, and a notable encounter with some shipwrecked Lominsan sailors. Thanks to them and their boatswain, when she came of age and realized that while her clan had a fair few skilled hunters they lacked warriors to protect them from Gridanian aggression, she set out to Limsa Lominsa to learn the art of the Marauder. The rest, as they say, is history. Backstory aside, Tahri considers herself a staunchly traditionalist Keeper, and as such she doesn't believe in "diurnal nonsense" like monogamy, patriarchy, or straight people. She's always been an absolute unit, and was a natural fit for the marauders' guild, especially once her Inner Beast awakened and she learned how to use her boundless passion and love for her friends and family to fight. Quick fun facts about Tahri: -She is 6'3".-She is technically bisexual, but has a typically Keeper view of men: good for if you want kids, sure, but otherwise not very interesting.-She Is Well Aware Of The Effect She Has On Women, and is usually quite cocky and suave with her romantic interests, with one notable exception… -Thancred and Urianger were the first Scions to notice Tahri and Y'shtola were catching feelings for each other during the ARR patches. They themselves figured this out in Shadowbringers, and only get together in 5.3. -She is extremely whipped for Y'shtola, and often volunteers as test subject for many of her magical experiments. -She struggled to "get" magic for the longest time, until Blue Magic provided her with the "shortcut" of using instinct and intuition for magic. -She is autistic, even if I don't know if Eorzea has a term for that. -Despite being far from a studious, scholarly woman Tahri has a special interest in history. -She can deadlift all the other Scions combined. This is not a hypothetical. Alcohol and a bet was involved.

q. Why should YOU win? (Answer IC!) a. Usually, I'm not the best when it comes to bragging, so I asked some of the others for their input: Tataru scoffed at the question, stating that -and I quote- "As a tall, autistic, extremely muscular, bisexual catgirl himbo" I was "extremely marketable to tumblr's large demographic of sapphics". I don't quite know what a "himbo" is, but I trust her judgement when it comes to market research. Alphinaud suggested that I recite the many titles, accolades, and honors I've gained from a lifetime of heroics, but that's just embarrassing, and I assume most other warriors of light would have a similar list of accomplishments. Shtola said that people would vote for me "if they know what is healthy for them" with that dangerous look in her eyes. Urianger said that there aren't that many prominent Keepers around, and certainly not many that still follow the old ways, so that would help me stand out. Thancred informed me what a himbo was. I now have mixed feelings about what Tataru said. Riol said that I should win because I look out for the little guy, and never forget about my bonds with minor characters like him and the other non-inner circle Scions, or the Crown Gemworks crew, or Vath Deftarm. I think that's enough testimonials, and I would like to thank my friends for saying so many nice things that I never would have thought of myself. I'd also like to say to the voters that I will do my best to keep Shtola from doing whatever she was planning to do if you don't vote for me.

q. Anything else you wanna add? a. Yeah. The above response wasn't just made for fun, I want to clarify that Tahri can't think of anything to brag about herself with because she genuinely has so much of her self-image tied up in the idea of herself as "the warrior of light" that she fails to see her own strengths at times, because that's just "the bare minimum" she has to be to be "The Warrior Of Light". Her self-sacrificial nature is something she struggles with a lot, as she tends to minimize her own wants and needs in favour of helping others and keeping others from worrying about her. Also if anyone wants to see more about her, I want publishes a couple of fics featuring her on Ao3, which are tagged with her name. Do make sure to read the tags to avoid spoilers though! And speaking of spoilers, her blog is not a spoiler-free zone, so be aware of that.

Amor Valentine:

q. What is your WoL name and pronouns? a. Amor Valentine (they/them)

q. What is your WoL's species? a. Au Ra (Xaela)

q. What is your WoL's class? Or classes? a. ARR: Lancer/Dragoon; HW-present: DRK main, MCH for yeehaw

q. What data centre/server are you on, if you want people to find you? a. N/A

q. Tell us a bit about your WoL! a. Amor is just a guy carrying the weight of the world on their shoulders despite it all. They care deeply for their friends and family, have a special interest in chocobos, and are full of love for the world they protect. Though a force to be reckoned with in the heat of battle, in day-to-day life they can be quite timid. A traumatic childhood event left them an orphan with no memory of their past, but they were found and raised by a Duskwight woman in Dravania, near Tailfeather. Amor was considered a strange child by most Tailfeather residents (#UndiagnosedAutism), but they ignored it as best they could while focusing their attention on the chocobos their mother would catch and train. On their 20th nameday, they left home to explore the world and hopefully learn about their past, and oops! Hydaelyn's chosen! They then proceed to become the Champion of Eorzea and save the world a bunch of times, with varying levels of enthusiasm. Though always willing to do whatever is needed to protect the realm, they are prone to becoming weary of it all. At best, they'll grin and bear it. At worst, they can become resentful and bitter towards their position in life (see: DRK). Thankfully, spending time with loved ones helps mitigate this negativity. They are taking a well earned rest after the events of Endwalker, but are prepared to dive back into the fray should the world need them. They are fond of foraging when they have the opportunity, and their special interest in chocobos lends itself well to breeding and competing at the Gold Saucer. Sometimes, they give in to the irresistible urge to run around open landscapes before rolling around on the ground.

q. Why should YOU win? (Answer IC!) a. Umm… a vote for me is a vote for the eorzean autism alliance :)

[zahroreadsthings]

On the platform...

Question: What do you say next?

Response: Ask, 'Want to grab lunch?'

Check notes for previous instalments

'Want to grab lunch?'

'As long as we go back to the platform with Pumpkin Bread. I need to stare off into sea again.'

'Do you, like, schedule that in?' You wonder if that's a common coast witch habit, similar to how you picked up Deema's habit of looking at the sky every few minutes.

'Yeah. It's good for you, you should try it.' They hug Pumpkin Bread and stand up. 'I don't want to do anything more complicated than leftovers.'

'Sure.' You pick your cup up and follow Lex into the kitchen.

You don't help pack so much as you just keep Pumpkin Bread in his basket and away from the food. He protests but settles down when you give him scraps.

'Good thing he's so lazy or I'd have to leave him here,' Lex says. They've finished packing.

You lift Pumpkin Bread's basket until his eyes are level with yours. He stares. You blink slowly. 'Do you take him out often?'

'Eh. A few times here and there. I reckon some fresh air's good for him and he never gets out of the basket so I'm not worried about trouble. Now let's get out of here.'

--

You're on the platform, legs hanging between the rails again, when Lex starts talking.

'We should stick together when the meet starts. I don't really know anyone else coming, and you wouldn't either. Now that - ugh.'

'It's not just the networking that's bothering you so much, is it?' you ask thoughtfully.

They hunch over their food. 'It's not really - yeah. A full witch or apprentice usually stays at their post, but even so most places have more than one person coming - I have no idea what nomad witches do - but the point is I've been the only one here for years. And I just finished a talk in the museum about the history of shipwrecks here - there are a lot - and that always bums me out.'

'I'm sorry.' You awkwardly give them a side hug.

They return the hug even more awkwardly. 'Thanks. I'm gonna stop talking now.'

You sit in silence. Lex's hand is buried in Pumpkin Bread's fur and you can just hear his quiet purring over the waves crashing below. They were right, this does feel good for you.

The sun's starting to dip lower in the sky when your mind catches on to something Lex said earlier. 'Hey - you said I made friends here faster than you did.'

'No need to rub that in.'

'No, I mean - you aren't local?'

'Ha!' At least the laugh sounds genuine. 'Wow. The idea that anyone would think I was a local... Witches usually aren't. A lot of us started off running, from or to something or other.' Their eyes slide over to you. 'What were you running from?'