#in one of those missions of finding the lost king. they find y/n who perhaps has a clue of where eclipse is. y/n then is taken by force

[making-my-wey-down-town]

November prompt list challenge 2022, Day 10 - Fantasy

Here your Brave Knight Sun ⚔️ ☀️ and your Charming Prince Moon 👑 🌙 💞💗💖💘

I had so much fun (and a lot of daydreaming) while making this one asdfghasdfgh

Bruh they are just 🤌✨ (yes I’m falling for my own creations, leave me alone kkk)

[bbangsoonie]

to see you again

member: younghoon genre: angst (royal au) word count: 3,720 synopsis: becoming younghoon’s queen entails more danger than comfort. knowing this, he doesn’t want to harbor any feelings for you because you could be used against him. but you’re willing to risk it all to be by his side. warning(s): violence, death

kingdom masterlist

As the daughter of a high-ranking nobleman, you grew up sheltered and with grace. You never knew a struggle in your life. You had loving parents, an abundance of wealth, and a dignified reputation.

When the king suddenly passed away, the crown prince quickly inherited the throne and the palace was in a frenzy to choose the new king’s consort. It didn’t come as a surprise when your father announced that you were among the candidates. You had visited the palace a few times as a child and knew that your father was heavily involved in royal affairs.

Your mother wasn’t happy with the news. She never liked you lingering around the palace and was now afraid of you becoming trapped in it.

You, on the other hand, were excited. You used to catch glimpses of him when he was still the crown prince. He held himself with elegance even at such a young age. He exuded an air of confidence both then and now.

You had memories of watching him study at a pavilion. His eyebrows would furrow in concentration as the subtle breeze teased the light pages of the book he was reading.

It wasn’t until the day that he joined you at the pond that your heart began to long for him. While you waited for your father to finish his business in the palace, you had wandered around in the garden and stumbled upon a pond. Finding the water lilies fascinating, you had inched closer to get a closer look. You were as clumsy as you were curious. Your foot had slipped and you panicked as you lost your balance.

As if it were fate, you felt someone catch you just before you fell into the water. You gaped at the pair of eyes that stared back at you. It was the crown prince but he was no longer an adorable child. He had grown into a magnificent adolescent and the sun shining behind him made it seem like he was glowing.

“Are you alright?” Younghoon had asked as he pulled you back on to flat ground.

It was in that moment that you dared to develop feelings for the crown prince. You knew it was wrong. It was out of line for you to see him as a man. You knew it would only lead to heartbreak. The odds of a happy ending were close to none.

But now, you were given a chance to make that long-time wish come true. And you were determined to grab the opportunity to take the seat next to him. Even if that meant putting your own mother through heartache.

Your father, however, was pleased at your enthusiasm. With his full support, you were chosen as the new queen-to-be.

When the day for you to enter the royal palace arrived, you were filled with anticipation and restlessness. You bid your parents one final goodbye before you stepped into the palanquin sent for you. Your mother was holding back tears as your father proudly watched you get escorted away.

Your first official meeting with the king was not what you had imagined it to be like. He was cold and kept both a physical and emotional distance. He was not who you remembered him to be.

Nonetheless, you settled down in your quarters and abided by the numerous preparations. The wedding ceremony was still a month away; a date had been specially chosen to ensure a healthy marriage. This meant that you had a month to get adjusted to your new home before you were expected to fulfill your duties.

On your first night, your body refused to fall asleep. You tossed and turned until you eventually gave up and decided to take a stroll. Quietly slipping away from the servants, you snuck into the garden you had loved as a child.

The flowers were even more beautiful under the moonlight. You were in awe as you observed the majestic trees towering high above you. Your feet led you to the pond where you believed your destiny was made. A small smile ghosted your lips as you gazed at your reflection in the water. The water lilies were still floating around.

“Will you fall in today as well?” a voice spoke from behind you. Startled, you turned around and were shocked to see Younghoon in front of you.

“Y-Your Majesty,” you bowed. Your heart was pounding so loudly that you wondered if he could hear it.

“What are you doing out here alone at such a late hour?” he questioned.

“Perhaps I was feeling nervous but I could not fall asleep,” you shyly replied. “So I wanted to explore the part of the palace I used to frequent. The familiarity calms me.”

He nodded as he took a step away from you. Disappointed, you forced yourself to maintain a smile.

“You should go in soon. The night air is still quite chilly,” he said before leaving. Though it was for a split second, you recognized the concern in his voice. You also caught the softened look in his eyes before he completely turned away from you.

At the glimmer of hope, you made it your mission to melt his icy heart. You began to visit his study room every afternoon with a refreshing drink to provide a break from his work. Unable to turn you away in front of the servants, he relented when you asked if you could stay and keep him company.

Younghoon read through piles of books while you painted everything from orchids to portraits. You occasionally stole glances, hoping to catch him doing the same. To your disappointment, he never spared you a single look.

It wasn’t until a week later that you finally felt him warm up to you. But that warmth was fiery.

He had just left the council meeting and was extremely frustrated. The ministers expected him to be nothing but a puppet who turns a blind eye to all of their immoral deeds.

He was determined to be different from his father, the previous king. He was resolute on fixing the rotten Joseon from inside out.

He angrily stormed into the library, causing you to jump in surprise. Not expecting to see you there, he blinked as you dropped the book in your hands. Apologizing, he retrieved the book from the floor and handed it to you.

After shooing his eunuch away, he awkwardly stood alone in the room with you. Not knowing what to say, he looked back on a particular memory he shared with you.

“You once told me that I would make a great king,” Younghoon blurted. “Why? What made you so confident about that?”

Stunned at his sudden question, you tried to recall what incident he was referring to. Once you remembered, you softly smiled.

“I have no doubt that you will be remembered as a wise and just king. Even as a young prince, you strove to exceed expectations. You always had your nose in a book but you also looked around to take note of the people near you. You dared to second guess the practices that you believed to be outdated and were always concerned with the citizens’ wellbeing,” you said. “If that does not make a great king, then I do not know what does.”

You felt both tension and comfort between you and Younghoon. He remained silent after hearing your words and you wondered if you had overstepped any boundaries.

“Thank you,” he finally spoke. “Thank you for placing your trust in my abilities.”

By the next week, you had grown quite close to the king. On a sunny day, he took you out to the lake for a boat ride to create a private setting for you two. Oblivious to his intentions, you were merely giddy at the thought of spending time alone with him.

“Y/n, I am afraid that I cannot offer you my heart,” he confessed once you were out of earshot from any servants.

You felt a pang of pain strike your chest as you tried your best to seem unfazed.

“May I ask for the reason why?” you quietly asked.

“Any feelings I develop for you will be used against me. It will only put you in harm’s way,” he grimaced. “I have plans, Y/n. Dangerous plans. I do not wish for you to get caught in the crossfire. So please do not devote yourself to me. I cannot afford another weakness.”

Smiling through the heartache, you simply hummed in response. After some thought, you broke the silence.

“My only wish in this palace is to be of strength and comfort to you. It does not matter if you do not embrace me as a woman. Just as I wield no power over your feelings, I request that you respect mine.”

And so, you continued to show your affection for Younghoon. You stopped by for your daily tea time together and stayed with him as he read through official grievances.

He eventually got used to your presence and even found himself missing you when you did not visit as usual.

Due to a meeting with the queen dowager, you were unable to make it to his study room. The room felt empty without you painting next to him and he kept getting distracted by your absence.

Sighing, he finally gave up and stared at the pile of unread scrolls. He decided to take a short break by stopping by the pond and getting some fresh air.

The afternoon breeze was still quite chilly for a May day. The sun hung low from the sky, signaling that evening was soon arriving. Younghoon allowed himself to clear his mind as he admired the view.

His position burdened him with many responsibilities. The regal title he inherited was still nothing but a title. His power was minimized by the greedy ministers who took advantage of his young age and inexperience.

Instead of living a comfortable life by just letting them do what they wanted, Younghoon was set on punishing their corruption. The ridiculous taxes they imposed and the money they made from smuggling goods were destroying the kingdom. It was oppressing the people.

With Chanhee, his best friend and right-hand man, he was planning on making changes that would leave a lasting impact in Korean history.

His train of thought was interrupted by your soft voice calling out to him.

“Your Majesty? What are you so deeply thinking about?” you asked.

He blankly observed your curious face for a moment. Those doe-like eyes enchanted him both back then and now.

As the crown prince, he used to study outside, no matter how hot or cold it was. All with the hope of seeing you again if you visited the palace.

That day at the pond where he saved you from falling in was etched in his memory as it was in yours. Normally, he would stay in the pavilion and steal glimpses of you while pretending to be engrossed in his book. But when he saw you walk away, he couldn’t help but follow after you.

It was the first time he ever saw you up close. His heart raced faster than it ever did his whole life.

But when he was reunited with you as an adult, he was torn. A part of him was elated to be with you. A part of him was also terrified of what your new position now entailed. You could easily become a target in the midst of a political fight and he couldn’t bear to watch it happen.

So he put up a cold front. He built a wall between you two so that others would not perceive your relationship as close. Because the moment people realized that you were the one who held his heart, his enemies would eagerly take it for themselves to ruin.

“Your Majesty?” you repeated.

“You do know that the position of a queen holds no power, right? It is merely a way to birth a royal prince,” Younghoon warned.

“It is not power that I desire,” you stated.

“Then what makes you so bold to covet the position?”

“Love.”

“Lady Y/n- I mean, Your Highness!” your maid, Arin, yelled in a whispered hush while chasing after you.

You had escaped from your quarters in the middle of the night and didn’t expect to get caught so soon. Your maid’s voice had alarmed Court Lady Kang, who was now also running.

Accepting the fact that you could not flee from them, you came to a stop with a huff. They quickly arrived by your side and you pouted.

“I just wanted to go out for a stroll,” you explained.

“Please take us with you, Your Highness,” they bowed. Unable to stop them from following you, you let out a sigh and nodded.

At the same time, Younghoon also snuck away from his chamber to secretly meet Chanhee. There weren’t many opportunities for them to talk without suspicious eyes and prying ears. The only time they could discuss important matters was during the night.

Once they finally convened in their private space, Chanhee expressed his worries to the king.

“I think the ministers caught a whiff of our searches,” Chanhee frowned. “Word has spread in the village that there is someone willing to pay for any dirt on them.”

“Has there been any action on their side?” Younghoon asked, biting his lip. It was a nervous habit of his.

“There is nothing to report as of now but…”

“But what?”

“But I think they have been surveilling the queen.”

“Already? Based on what grounds?”

“Perhaps as a precaution.”

Younghoon didn’t like the ominous feeling. Just one small slip-up could lead to catastrophic consequences.

Suddenly, he heard approaching voices and brought his finger to his lips to signal for Chanhee to be quiet. Anxiously, he tried to figure out who was nearby.

“Your Highness, you really should not be out here this late,” Court Lady Kang advised in a pleading tone.

“Just a few more minutes,” you promised. “I like how peaceful it is at night.”

Subconsciously, a smile crept up on Younghoon’s lips, confusing Chanhee. He hadn’t seemed genuinely happy in years so it was pleasantly surprising to see him like this. As the king’s closest friend, Chanhee’s heart warmed at the sight.

As the weeks passed, you could feel the distance between you and Younghoon disappear. He was no longer aloof and even took you to the secret forest garden in Changdeokgung. It was the king’s private space and no one was allowed to enter without his permission. Only royal family members and the king’s special guests were to step foot inside.

With only a week left until the wedding, things were beginning to feel real. You were put on a crash course of royal etiquette and juggling memorizations of various customs.

The trip to Changdeokgung was a much-needed break from all the court ladies chasing after you with another tradition to learn. Younghoon could sense your stress and wanted to relieve some of it.

That was how you ended up sitting in comfortable silence by the Ongnyucheon ("Jade Stream"). The sounds of nature filled the background noise as you admired the view.

“Is there a particular reason why you love to paint orchids?” Younghoon asked.

“I like the meaning behind it,” you hummed. “Integrity. It is fitting for a place such as the palace.”

“I am doubtful of the level of integrity within these walls,” he sighed.

“But you are working towards a better Joseon. A Joseon that proudly stands with a king who rules with the people in mind,” you beamed.

He turned to look at you with an expression you couldn’t decipher. Despite the birds chirping and the stream of water, you could only hear your own heart beating rapidly in your chest.

Meanwhile, it was taking Younghoon every ounce of self control to not lean in and kiss you right then and there. Other than Chanhee, you were the only person to wholeheartedly believe in him. To root for him. To truly care for him.

Younghoon wasn’t supposed to overhear the ministers’ conversation. He wasn’t supposed to find out what they intended to do with you.

“Once an heir is safely delivered, we can depose the queen,” he heard one say.

Then he remembered, he wasn’t supposed to fall for you. He wasn’t supposed to let you in. He wasn’t supposed to have his feelings exposed.

In a panic, he ran to the pond, hoping to find you there. A wave of complicated feelings flooded him as he rushed to grab your hand. Slightly startled, you stared at him with wide eyes.

“Run away. Please. As far as possible. As quickly as possible,” he begged. “You must leave the palace immediately for your own safety.”

You tried to calm him down and convinced him to slow down and explain his sudden outburst. Younghoon confessed to what he heard and the fears he had since the wedding announcement.

His distress didn’t frighten you as much as you thought it would. On the contrary, it made your heart skip a beat. You could finally see how much he loved you.

“I will take my place as your queen, even if it costs me my life,” you affirmed. “As I was born a woman, I have lived my entire life conceding and yielding everything to my brother. This is the one thing I would like to fight for. I hate being apart from you more than dying. As long as I can remain by your side, even if I have to die, I will die smiling.”

“Y/n…”

You assured him that you would stay wary and that you wouldn’t go down without a fight.

There wasn’t much you could do anyway even if you wanted to run. You couldn’t dare to run away from a royal marriage. Not without risking your life, as well as your family’s.

So the wedding went on as planned. It concluded with your first night with Younghoon. That fateful night where the stars aligned and blessed you with the kingdom’s new crown prince. Or perhaps cursed.

When it was discovered that you were of child, drums announced the happy occasion and word quickly spread both inside and outside of the palace. The entire kingdom celebrated the news but you couldn’t be just glad. A war of nerves had begun within the walls.

However, Younghoon did his best to ease your worries. He spent almost every second of every day with you. If he wasn’t dealing with official matters, he was fretting over you and your needs.

He fussed over the amount of nutrients you ate, how comfortable your pillow and blankets were, your mood, and prenatal care. He doted on you with such gentle care.

“Have you thought of a name for the prince?” you asked as he held a spoon of rice in front of you. You opened your mouth and ate, waiting for his answer.

“I have a few in mind. But I haven’t found one that I really like yet,” he smiled. “Nothing that seems fitting for the future king.”

“What if it turns out to be a princess instead?”

“The royal physician has never been wrong in his predictions. Besides, I have a strong intuition as well.”

Both the royal physician and Younghoon turned out to be correct. After excruciating hours of labor, the pain came to an end with the cries of the kingdom’s new crown prince.

When Younghoon finally held the baby in his arms, his breath got caught in his throat. He was tiny and wrinkly but he was his son.

“I promise to keep you safe,” he whispered, barely loud enough for you to hear.

“Do you have a name for him yet?” you asked.

Younghoon stared at the small hand wrapped around his finger. All previous hesitance came crumbling down as he confidently shared the name that he had been thinking of for months.

“Sunwoo. Kim Sunwoo.”

The bliss of your new family was short-lived. Since Younghoon’s confession, you had always feared that the birth of the prince would also become your deathbed. You had been silently prepared for the worst so it wasn’t a complete surprise when the palace turned upside down just days later.

But what you hadn’t expected was the chaos to head towards the king’s residence, rather than yours. Ignoring Court Lady Kang and Arin’s pleas, you ran straight towards the sounds of clashing swords.

You were exactly a minute too late to try to prevent what was probably the inevitable anyway. You felt your world come crashing down as you saw Younghoon limply leaning against a wall.

“What are you doing here? Take the prince and run. Far away,” he barely managed to choke out the words as you held his bloodied head in your hands.

“Why do you always tell me to run away but never promise to come with me?” you cried.

“I am sorry I could not protect you until the end,” he apologized. “Perhaps fate will allow us to meet again in our next lives. I hope that we will be able to be happily together then.”

“No, stay with me in this life. I do not wish for anything more.”

“I am afraid it is already too late, my queen.”

“You can not leave me alone like this! How can I survive in the palace without you? How can I raise the prince all by myself?”

Hurried footsteps approached as the warmth in his body slowly started to fade. You clung onto him, begging him to hold on. He exchanged glances with Court Lady Kang whose gentle but urgent tug on your sleeve began to pull you away.

You knew you had to go but you couldn’t bear to leave him all alone. Not like this.

“Court Lady Kang, I trust that you will take care of both the queen and prince,” Younghoon weakly smiled before taking his last breath.

You weeped as his hand fell from yours. You gave in to Court Lady Kang’s urging as she guided you to safety. You spared one last glimpse of the king before turning away with tears streaming down your face.

a/n: how did creker know i had a king!younghoon au in my drafts 😔🤚🏻

tag list: @dearseungie @cuppasunu​ @reverienostalgia​ @parfaitz​ @lovelyutas @leejaeyeons @geniejunn

ps there will probably be a sequel

[aquaticrunner]

Edmund Pevensie Imagine

Edmund Pevensie x Female Reader

Quick Summary: The story is set in Voyage of the Dawn Treader. Y/N has been chosen to be a part of the crew, however she doesn’t feel like people respect her (other than Caspian). Then, she meets Edmund and Lucy and things start to change.

Word count: 3887

  When I had been chosen to be part of the crew on the Dawn Treader, I had been ecstatic. But now, I could not be more bored. It was extremely difficult being the only girl, especially when all the “harder” jobs had been given to the men. The only good part was being one of the few people Caspain truly trusted. He let me speak in all the meetings, and trusted me with the more secret information. However, he was the king which meant he didn’t have time to notice how the rest of the crew treated me when he wasn’t around. It wasn’t just the fact that I was a girl. It was that I was younger, and had climbed the ranks faster than most. It made a lot of people mad. A few had even questioned my skills, claiming that the only reason I was on this trip was because Caspian fancied me. That could not be further than the truth. I earned this spot and I knew that. Now, I just needed to show everyone else.

  Sounds of shouting suddenly interrupted my train of thought, and I rushed out of my small cabin and up the stairs to see what the commotion was. Everyone seemed to be crowded around one edge of the ship. I heard grunts and sighs as I shoved my way to the front of the group, gasping when I saw Caspian in the water with 3 other people and couple of the crew. Caspian grabbed onto the platform lowered to him, his arm around a girl who looked similar to my age. I rushed to meet them, grabbing a couple blankets from a small bin on my way. I handed them to Caspian and he smiled at me and handed one to the girl. The girl took the blanket and held her hand out to me, “Hello! I’m Lucy.”

  I smiled and shook her hand. “I’m Y/N. It’s nice to meet you.” Lucy and Caspian stepped off the platform together and I took a couple steps back to allow them some room. “That was thrilling!” I heard Lucy say.

  Caspian was asking her how she ended up in the water when someone shouted his name. We all turned to see who it was and I lost my breath as he came into view. He was striking. Even soaking wet, I could tell that he was the most beautiful boy I’d ever seen. His dark hair and gorgeous eyes made me feel weak in the knees and I took a shaky step back to lean on the railing. Caspian walked over to greet him, wrapping another blanket around his shoulders. I shook my head, urging myself to get rid of these thoughts. Nobody else around here respected me. Why would this boy be any different? Still I couldn’t stop my eyes from following him as he walked past me, overhearing bits of their conversation. 

  “Didn’t you call for us?” Lucy asked, her voice laced with confusion and excitement. I could almost hear the smile in her voice.

  Caspian shook his head, and the boy shrugged in return saying he was just glad to back. Back? I thought, He had been here before?

  Again my thoughts (and my eavesdropping) were interrupted by the last member of their group being brought aboard the shipping and screaming like he was being murdered and we were doing nothing to stop it. I stood up straight so that I could see better and watched him flop across the deck, screaming the whole time. The crew laughed as he continued to scream and Reepicheep tried to calm him down. 

  “Perhaps we could throw him back?” Reepicheep suggested. I smiled at the joke and watched Lucy shove the boy she was with as he seemed to consider it. “Edumund!” She shouted. Ah, so that was his name. It was almost as he pretty as he was. Did I really just think that? Wait, why do those names sound familiar?

  “Men!” Caspian shouted, and we all made our way to be in front of Caspian as he stepped up onto a small raised platform. “Behold our castaways! Edmund the Just and Lucy the Valiant, High King and Queen of Narnia.” My eyes widened a fraction and I remembered exactly who they were. These were 2 of the kings and queens of old. Everyone began to kneel and I quickly followed suit. I raised my eyes just a fraction, and saw the pair smiling at each other. They seemed genuinely happy to be back in Narnia. “Alright everyone, it’s time for a meeting! Captain Drinian and Y/N, please join me. Everyone else, back to work.”

  I quickly stood and followed Caspian and the others to the Captain’s quarters. My heart swelled, happy to be reminded that Caspian truly did trust me and want me here. However, I knew it would only last a short time during the meeting and then I would return back to my quarters to read or sew. I was a horrible sewer, however, the rest of the crew refused to acknowledge this fact simply because they didn’t want to give me any other job. My heart longed to chart maps or help sail. I wondered if things would change now that Lucy- Queen Lucy- was on board. 

  I walked into the meeting and stood behind the Captain in the small room to make room for Lucy and Edmund. Caspian laid out a map, explaining what he had accomplished these past three years and what our current mission was- to find the Seven Lost Lords who fled to the Lone Islands and vanished. 

  “What’s East of the Lone Islands?” Lucy asked. I smiled, knowing what the Captain was about to say. 

  “Uncharted waters,” He explained. “Things you could barely imagine. Tales of sea serpents and worse.” 

  Edmund and Caspian both laughed, and Caspian said that was all he had to share with us for right now. We left the room quickly, the Captain returning to work and Lucy saying she wanted to go check out their room. I bumped into Edmund on my way out, and muttered a quick apology before rushing to my small room in the corner of the ship. I blushed at the thought of Edmund’s hand accidentally brushing my side. I let this thought linger for only a moment before I remembered it was completely inappropriate. I grabbed the small basket full of clothes from outside my door that the crew had left there and grabbed my sewing kit. I sighed, someday I’m going to do more than sew, so much more.

--

  The next day began with even more excitement. It seemed that Lucy and Edmund’s arrival had livened up the crew and after weeks of being at sea, everyone was starting to get excited again. I laughed as Caspian and Edmund clashed swords in a friendly fight. They were fairly evenly matched and the fight ended in a tie, with each of their swords against the others chest. Everyone cheered as the match came to an end and the Captain shouted at everyone to get back to work. I sighed, and took a large breath of fresh air before I had to return to my stuffy room. I turned to go, but someone caught at my arm and I quickly looked to see who it was. “Hold on Y/N,” said Caspian who motioned for me to follow him before letting go of my own. I allowed myself a small sigh of relief and followed him over to where Lucy, Edmund, and their odd cousin were talking.

  Well, Lucy and Edmund were talking. Eustace was shouting again about how we had kidnapped him and held him against his will. “Kidnapping is it? Funny, I thought we saved your life.” Caspian smirked and Eustace bumped into him, still on a rant. “You held me against my will!” I rolled my eyes as I drowned him out, my attention switching to Edmund who was even more stunning than he was yesterday. I’m not sure how it was possible, but with the button up and fancy attire being switched out for some looser clothes, he was transformed. 

  I was stirred out of my thoughts by someone shouting. “Land Ho!” I cleared my throat and followed Caspian as he rushed up to the top deck to get a closer look at the horizon. We had finally come across the Lone Islands and it was hard not be excited about that. “Strange,” Caspian remarked. “Not a Narnian flag in sight.” “But the Lone Islands have always been Narnia’s.” Replied Edmund, taking a turn to look through the telescope. I waited for him to pass it to me, but he handed it back to the Captain instead who closed it and returned it to its place. Ah, so he’s just like the others. And here I thought he might be different because of his sister. “That’s suspicious. We should be careful.” I added. Caspian nodded, and I smiled. At least I had one person on my side.

  Edmund finally spared me a glance, though it barely lasted for even a second. “I say we prepare a landing party. Drinian?” 

  Drinian looked at Caspian before awkwardly turning back to Edmund. “Forgive me Your Majesty, but the chain of command starts with King Caspian on this ship.”

  I smirked as Edmund just nodded. He looked shocked, and I couldn’t say I wasn’t a little glad. Now he too knew how it felt to be brushed off. “We’ll use longboats.” Instructed Caspian, “Drinian, pick some men to come ashore. Y/N, you’ll come too.” My heart fluttered. “Really?” I asked in astonishment. I was finally going to get a chance to prove myself. Caspian looked confused at my reaction. “Of course. How could I leave one of my best fighters behind?”

  A few minutes later I was in a longboat, rowing towards the island. A couple men spared me odd glances, as if wondering why on Earth a girl who’s only job on this ship was to sew their clothes was there. But, Lucy smiled at me and I ignored them, happy to finally have someone else on my side. We reached the edge of the island and stepped out of the boat. Well, most of us anyway. Eustace was having some trouble and Reepicheep thought the best way to help was by shouting at him. Lucy rolled her eyes and shouted, catching everyone’s attention, “Listen! Where is everyone?”

  We all stopped to do as she said and realized what she was saying. There was absolutely no one in sight. No one in the streets or making noise anywhere. This was starting to get even weirder. We walked through the streets, as the town remained silent save for a few birds squawking in the distance. Suddenly, a loud bell rang from the church a little ways down the street. Caspian instructed Reepicheep to stay with Drinian’s men while Eustace, Lucy, Edmund, Caspian, and I continued on, instructing him to send a party if we weren’t back by dawn.

  We headed towards the church, Eustace lagging behind. I rolled my eyes as he ran toward us telling us we should just turn back. Edmund looked at him, unsure of what to do with him. “Do you want to come here and... guard something?” He asked. I stifled a laugh as he said yes, saying something about what a logical idea that was. Caspian reluctantly handed him one of his daggers and the four of us went inside the old church, leaving Eustace behind. It was dark inside the church and it looked like no one had been there in quite some time. 

  We searched the building until Edmund shouted that he found something. We all went over to him, eager to see what he had found. It appeared to be a book full of names. “Who are all these people?” Lucy asked. “And why have they been crossed out?” Edmund added. We looked to Caspian, who had a grave expression on his face. “Slave traders.” 

  Suddenly, the church bells began to ring again. Men began to appear from all over, sliding on ropes with weapons in their hand. “Watch out!” I heard Caspian shout. I immediately pulled out my sword, jumping in front of Edmund before a man with a gross, long beard could hit him in the back. I knocked him out quickly and Edmund looked at me in shock. “Thanks.” He said. I rolled my eyes, and kept fighting. 

  For a while it seemed like we were winning until- “Aaaaaah!” A loud scream rang through the room and we all turned to see what had happened. A man had walked through the door, Caspian’s knife held against Eustace’s throat. “Unless you wanna hear this one scream like a girl again, I’d say you should drop your weapons.” Lucy dropped hers immediately, while I looked to Caspian to follow his lead. 

  “NOW!” The man screamed again. Reluctantly, the said of us put down our weapons as well. The men around us quickly chained us up, and without weapons fighting back seemed useless. “Get off me!” I heard Lucy scream. I struggled as two men held me down, putting chains around my wrist. The man tossed Eustace to one of the other men, and slowly walked towards Lucy. “This one and the other boy, take to the market.” Next, he made his way towards me. “And what do we have here?” He raked his finger across my face and I cringed at his touch, spitting in his face. He immediately pulled back, anger pulling at his features. “Take her to the dungeon! Those two as well!” He ordered, gesturing at Edmund and Caspian.

  “Listen to me!” Shouted Caspian, “I am your king!” They ignored him and quickly we were hauled off, Edmund and Lucy shouting to each other the whole time. Finally, one of the men got sick of it and punched Edmund in the face, knocking him out. 

--

  They threw us into two cells, one for Caspian and one for Edmund and me, with nothing but walls and a small bucket of water. Edmund woke up shortly after and nearly scared me to death when he jumped up suddenly. “Where are we?” He demanded. “Calm down.” I said, “We’re in the dungeons. Caspian has been trying to get out, but so far it hasn’t worked. Will you sit down? You’re hurt.” He huffed, but sat down anyway. “Look, your forehead is bleeding.” I said.

  “So? I’m not some weakling who can’t take a hit.” I rolled my eyes, “Fine, then you can deal with your wound yourself!” I yelled, refusing to cry. This was the worst situation I’d been in so far and all I had wanted to do was help him. He sighed and I watched him put his head in his hands, immediately pulling it back when he accidentally touched his wound. He licked his lips, then looked at me sheepishly. “Okay... I”m sorry. Can you help me?”

  I nodded and slowly walked over to him. I ripped a piece off my sleeve and dipped into the bucket with water. I gently touched it to his head and he stiffened for a minute before relaxing. I cleaned it as best as I could until the bleeding stopped. “There. That should do until we get back to the ship.” I said. He let out a small smile and a thank you. As he looked into my eyes, I found it hard to look away. They were so beautiful and- Bang!

  I jumped as Caspian began banging on his window with a rock he had found. Thanks for ruining the moment Caspian. I took a step back from Edmund and his mesmerizing eyes and tried to refocus on the situation. We were trapped and we needed to get out. “It’s hopeless,” We heard a voice say from the shadows of Caspian’s cell. “You’ll never get out.” It said again. “Who’s there?” said Edmund, standing up again. 

  Caspian walked over to see who it was, “Lord Bern?” I gasped. We had found one of the Seven Lost Lords? In a dungeon? Suddenly, we heard screaming from outside, and I changed my focus as Edmund looked out the window in our cell. “What’s happening?” I asked. “I’m not sure.” He responded.

  “Where are they taking them?” Asked Caspian, looking out his own window. “Keep watching.” Replied Lord Bern. The boys watched until whatever was happening seemed to be over. Then, he began to explain what it was. He talking about something called The Mist, how it had appeared and nobody knew what it was. “If they don’t sell you to the slave traders,” he said, “You’re likely to be fed to The Mist.” “We have to find Lucy!” said Edmund, “Before it’s too late.”

--

  I’m not sure how long we were there before someone finally came to get us. They led us out of the dungeon, up the stairs, and out onto a courtyard. My eyes took a minute to adjust to the light before I realized there was a fight going on. It was Drinian and the rest of the men! We realized this was our chance to escape and used the distraction to our advantage. We started fighting back immediately and quickly took down the guards, using their keys to take off our chains. Once the people in the village realized we were winning, they joined us in our fight as well. We walked out of the village victorious and even had another man join us on our journey.

  The crew welcomed us back with a large dinner, and a small celebration after. Almost all of the men walked up to Edmund and Caspian, congratulating them and telling them what fine swordsmen they were. I sat at a table by myself in the back of the room, still unrecognized. I reminded myself recognition wasn’t why I was here. It was to help people. However, I couldn’t help feel a bit angry at everyone for not even admitting that I was actually useful. “Hey.” I looked up, hoping to see Edmund, but rolled my eyes when I realized it was only John. “What do you want?” I asked. He was a few years older than I was, about to turn 20 in 6 months. We had lived in the same village when we were little, but I couldn’t stand him. “Just wanted to congratulate you.” I narrowed my eyes at him. “Really? You wanted to congratulate me?” It seemed too good to be true. “Oh yeah,” He said, “Congratulations on doing such a bad job on the mission that nobody even noticed you were there.” I felt my anger rising. I quickly stood up and shoved him away from me. He just laughed, making me even angrier. I stormed off, more hurt than ever, and slammed my door shut when I got back to my room.

  A couple minutes later I heard a knock at my door. No way. If John came all this way just to tease me some more I- “What?” I shouted when I opened my door. However, I paled when I realized it wasn’t John, but Edmund. He raised his eyebrows and threw his hands up in mock surrender. “I just came to talk.” I opened my mouth to say something but nothing came out. Instead, I just gestured for him to come in, shutting the door behind him. Once I had gathered my courage, I turned to look at him. “I’m really sorry Your Majesty, I thought you were someone else.” He cringed, “Please don’t call me Your Majesty. Edmund is just fine.” 

  I smiled, “Alright. What did you want to talk to me about?” He rubbed his hand behind his neck, and smiled shyly. Okay, it’s fine. Keep it together Y/N. Just a cute boy, sitting in your room... who also happens to be a king. “Well, I wanted to say thank you for earlier.” He said. I smiled, “You already said thank you.” He hesitated, “Well, I wanted to say thank you again. And to apologize.” I crinkled my face in confusion. “Apologize?” “Yes, well. I don’t think I’ve been very kind to you.” I said nothing and motioned for him to continue. “When I first arrived on the ship, you had nothing to me yet I ignored you. I’ve seen the way people treat you on the ship and instead of choosing to be better, I acted the same. For that, I truly am sorry.” I felt like my heart was going to burst out of my chest. How long had I known him? Maybe a day or two and already it felt like there was something pulling me to him. There was certainly no question that I was going to forgive him. However, I could probably tease him a little first.

  “Well... I’m not sure I’m ready to forgive you yet.” I said. Clearly, he didn’t see that I was teasing because his face immediately fell and he stood to leave. “I don’t blame you, I wouldn’t forgive me either.” 

  “Edmund, wait.” I grabbed his arm without thinking to stop him from leaving and we were standing so close I could feel his breath. “Um... I just meant that I, uh.” Apparently I forgot how to speak. “Y/N...” He whispered and once again, I felt drawn to him. I felt myself moving closer until- “Y/N?” Edmund and I jumped apart as John poked his head into my room without knocking. I ran into the wall and cursed my small room. “Look I actually wanted to say-” He paused as he noticed Edmund. “What are you doing?” John asked. “Nothing! I mean- get out! Why would I want to talk to you?” I yelled. “No, it’s alright.” Said Edmund, “I should go anyway. I’ll see you later.” And with that, he was gone. I cursed John ever being born.

  “What do you want John?” I asked, annoyance showing plainly on my face. He smirked, “I just wanted to say you hit like a girl.” I grabbed the nearest object to me, a pillow, and threw it at his face. He managed to shut the door just in time and the pillow hit the door harmlessly. I locked it behind him before sinking down to the floor. Was Edmund going to kiss me? No, that’s ridiculous. He barely knows me. Still, I couldn’t help thinking about it. 

  There was a knock on my door once more and I sighed, pulling myself up from the floor. If it was John again, I swear. I opened the door, and immediately my thoughts were put on hold as I caught sight of the most beautiful eyes I’d ever seen. “Y/N, I’m sorry I just couldn’t leave without doing this.” And then, his lips were on mine. Edmund was kissing me. And I was kissing him. Unbelievable. We broke apart slowly, like the world was moving in slow motion and we were the only two people in it. “Wow.” I said, and he laughed with relief. “Y/N, I kind of think you’re amazing and... I’d really like to get to know you better.” I smiled back at him, “I’d like that.”

[hausofackerman]

Hunter x Reader

Summary: You are a Jedi general who has been sent to her home world to try to convince the king to not join the separatists. You where assigned to clone force 99 and some troops. After two months of working together certain feelings for the Sarge start to bloom. But those feelings have to wait. When find out the king has decided to join the wrong side. The Council orders you to take out as many refugees as you can. Just when you tought the victory was yours a whole company ambushes and the bad batch you as you prepare the retreat.

Pairing: Hunter x Fem!jedi Reader

Warnings: Angst maybe (idk if that's how i would call it) Y / N being attacked, fisical violence against the protagonist.

Word count: 2.5k

Disclaimer:  Yes, this one shot based off an Outlander episode. But I adaptated it.

‘I will let your men go, if you but come with me.” the soldier’s voice stopped your next move. You still wielded your lightsaber at shoulder height protecting you and the squad behind you.

“Why do you need me?” you tried to sound as confident and firm as you could.

“The captain might want to share a few words with you.” this strange soldier still had the steady face he had placed since the beginning.

You let out a sigh, and backed down a little. “You give me your word? That you will let them go?

“I promise. We only want you.”

You turned to see the batch for a second, Hunter was the only one with his helmet off and he was looking at you with such a concern in his eyes you have rarely seen before.

“Fine” you extinguished the lightsaber. “I’ll go.”

“No, wait” Hunter finally stepped in and placed himself in front of you. “If you go, I’ll go to.” thankfully he understood that refusing the deal wasn’t an option since they would let the Republic troops go willingly. And take the refugees out of the planet.

Once again, the soldier let out a defeated sigh and agreed. “Only you?” he asked tiredly.

Hunter thought about out for a brief second and then call to Wrecker to come along.

“Great. Now can we go?” the soldier’s tone was starting to sound rude.

Before anything else happened, you run to Tech and handed over your lightsaber. “Take care of this, please. I don’t want their hands on it.”

“I'll keep it safe” he said while taking it.

You glanced at Crosshair and notice the killing gaze in his eyes, you nodded trying to communicate him that everything would be fine. He nodded back even though you knew he didn’t believe you.  

“Let's go.” you shouted to the soldier and the three of you start walking behind his company. Hunter took a quick look at you but you were so immersed into your thoughts that you didn’t even notice.

You were questioning yourself what would happen next. And if you should have stopped the guys from coming; after all, your people were known for their hatred towards the clones. And now you did not involve one, but two of them with the royal army.

Your hands were shaking by just thinking about it.

Funny thing it was that for the very first time you were completely surrounded by your own kin, still you could not feel less comfortable. You were scared and worried about your troops. At least you had achieved your goal's mission and all the refugees were getting out of here safe.

Hopefully.

Everything depended on whether your kin’s promise to the enemy was worth something.

“Hey” Hunter’s voice attracted your attention as a lifeguard in the middle of an ocean, where you couldn’t swim. “Look” he said gently while pointing at the ships taking off and slowly disappearing into the atmosphere.

You felt like you finally were able to breath, the mission was complete now. All that was left, was to survive to your probably-upcoming interrogatory. You didn’t miss the fact that only four of the ships that have come with you took off. One had been lost while merely arriving and the other missing one was the Havoc Marauder. Your way out.

Oh, the way you were going to hug Tech if you managed to get out of here in one piece.

A little smirk appeared in your face at the thought. Hunter noticed it and relaxed a little. Yet his right hand still danced around the knife case in the opposite hand.

As you walked into the town where you were supposed to meet the captain the smirk faded quickly, in other circumstances you would have admired every single detail, the buildings, the decorations the people. Your culture.

But right now, your mind was busy still thinking about keeping alive the two men that were with you.

You knew they were perfectly capable to defend themselves. But you knew too, that they would do absolutely anything to keep you alive. And that was the thought that kept you away from enjoying the ride.

After a few minutes of walking through the crowded streets the soldier –whose name you still didn’t know- stopped in front of a tall and grey building, it must have had at least six floors, and for that planet, that was too much.

He dismissed his men and invited, Hunter, Wrecker and you inside.

Once in, you went up the stairs for what seemed like three floors that led you to a big and fancy door which the soldier opened and got in after asking you to wait a bit.

You took advantage of the time that the soldier gave you to make some things clear for the team.

“Okay listen to me.” Hunter’s and Wrecker’s eyes where now on you waiting for your upcoming words. “It doesn’t matter what happen, if the things get bad for you, I want you out of here before someone has a chance of shooting.”

“Do you realize what you are asking us?” the Sarge’s voice was coming out moderate, as if suppressing the urge to scream.

“Yeah, that’s not how we make the things... General.” Wrecker grunted, quickly remembering who he was addressing.

“If anything goes wrong, there are less chances that they would kill me. At the end of the day, I’m one of them. You on the other hand...” there was no need for you to finish your argument, the three of you knew exactly what you were talking about. Besides before you could, the soldier stepped out of the door asking you to come in.

“General, we can’t...” Hunter’s hand grabbed yours in a last attempt to make you change your mind. An unsuccessful attempt.

“Sargeant,” your voice cracked as you let out your last words to him before getting in the room. “Don’t make me make my request an order.”

He finally let go and you walked away from them while listening to the Wrecker’s complains.  

You were not going to lie to yourself, you hated to take that kind of position with the batchers, especially with Hunter, but you were not letting them risk their life in a reckless way. You couldn’t. Why? Where you being selfish? The jedi needed you, your service. And you kept putting your men’s life first. And you were not going to change that. And less if it was about Hunter.

“Ah a jedi General.” a man with the same long purple robe as the soldier you already knew, received you with an energetic grin. “You have no idea how much I was looking forward to meet you.” the captain you deduced. You’ve heard from him before. A lot, actually. One of the most feared kings' men in the entire planet. There we’re rumors that he had played a big role in the decision to join the separatists.

“I’m sorry, but I’m afraid I can’t say the same about you.” you tried not to sound aggressive, but your last words to Hunter didn’t get you in the right mood.  

“Of course, not you exactly, one of you.” His voice was raspy and deep but you didn't let him intimidate you. His way of talking, on the other hand, was very curious, he had a noticeable accent. And you wondered for a second: if you had never been taken to temple, would you speak in the same way? “Please take a seat, I have some questions you may want to help me to answer.”

You did as he told you and take a seat in front of him, at the other side of the long table. And so, he did.

You didn’t take any time to examine the room you had entered. First mistake.

It only had one window that faced the left side of the table, and in consequence your left side. Behind you a little bookshelf adorned the wall and  besides it another young, shaky, soldier stood guard. The look on his face was stupid and scared, so you didn't pay him much attention.  

On the right side a big display case, which stored different types of bottles, occupied all the space from the wall to the door.

One way in and one way out. You resumed.

“As far as I know, you honor your word and let my men leave your planet. So, I will be happy to answer the questions I can.” you state trying to set the terrain for a friendly exchange.

“Good.” the captain still conserved that grin. “Perhaps I should start with...” He stroked his chin thoughtfully, but to your eyes he didn't seem genuine. The question had been on his mind since you entered the room. “The fact that you, one of our kin, are helping this republican scum, to conquer us, again.” It wasn’t the statement what scared you, but the calmed and serene tone that remained at his voice.

“Excuse me?” you shoot back quickly. “That is completely out-”

“Let’s promise to tell the truth, okay?” this man didn’t seem completely sane to you, so you proceed carefully.

“Listen, sir. I am a jedi. My alliegance doesn’t bow to this planet nor it’s government. If that’s what you are implying.”

“Oh, but the problem here it’s that I don’t believe your little jedi portrayal, you don’t trick me.” The captain had left his seat and now was coming closer to you.

“And I look more like a civilian to you.” you mocked him because if you both were honest you didn’t. And you put all your faith in that argument. You cursed down your breath for not bringing your lightsaber. What on earth were you thinking!? With it you could've been able to change his mind about you being a jedi, one way or another

“Of course not.” he granted “You look more like a spy to me.” and there you had enough. The fact that this captain had only summoned you so he could start pointing and blaming at you for nonsense –and very quickly, truth to be told- was freaking you out.

“Look, Captain” you tried to pull out your most charming smile. “As much as I would like to continue playing the trivia game with you, I have responsibilities to attend. So as you have no excuse for keeping me here, I would like to-”

“Please don’t get up” his grin finally disappeared “You promised to cooperate.”

“That was before you started taking me as a traitor.”

“And you aren’t a traitor?”

“No more than you are for handing over your homeworld to the wrong side.” you didn’t notice but you were screaming.  

The captain sighed and then giggled. As he leaned against the table. “You are really making me regret to have let your men go” He stood right and started to roll up his sleeves.

You didn't know if it was the fear or the sudden reminder that Hunter and Wrecker were still outside but it was like if you were glued to the chair.

“Corporal Keeps” he called out for the soldier behind you without taking his gaze out of you. “I'm going to need your collaboration for a moment here.”

The order, of course got you scared instantly, so you stood up from your seat and as soon as you turned to get out of the room, a big fist collide with your stomach, taking all of the air out of you. You could not make any sound for all trace of your breath had disappeared. You sat on the floor, bent in two, trying to recover the air. You were completely shocked, not because of the pain that was becoming more and more present, but because the blow had taken you completely off guard.

The captain came over and grab you by the hair, lifting your head so your gaze met his. “So? Ready to confess that you're a spy?”

If you would've had a little more air inside you, you would have probably spit on his face. But you were still under the effects of the punch so you simply put the head back down.

“Okay then.” he stood on his feet and called for the Keeps soldier. “Corporal. Have you ever kicked a woman?” If the soldier was shaky when you entered the room, he now looked like if a damn earthquake had taken over him. He stared at the captain with his jaw shaking more than any other body part.

“Captain I-I” the corporal managed to say.  

“Do it, please.” the captain commanded.

With a grimace on his face and eyes closed he barely moved his feet against you, yet it didn’t hurt you let out a small moan, you hadn't been able to get enough air back yet.

“Come on, you can do it better.” the captain stood there, merely staring at your agony.

This time this corporal kicked you like a real soldier. And it hurt like hell. You were barely gaining enough strength to move, but with that strike you were out of your senses again.

“Again.” the captain ordered.

You closed your eyes getting ready for the corporal to fulfil the order, which you were sure would leave you unconscious.

But before he could go any further the door was slammed open and Hunter and Wrecker entered with the guns drawn.

Wrecker quickly got closer to the corporal and without saying a word made him stand back and run to hide behind the captain.

“I don’t recall requesting your presence, clones.” the captain said calmly.

“Up you come, General. You're done here.” Hunter said as he put your arm around your neck helping you up.

Meanwhile four more soldiers enter the room trough the already-opened door.

“Hold! We didn’t come here to fight. You tell your men here to step aside before I lose my temper.” dropped the Sarge addressing to the captain. Meanwhile Wrecker put his helmet back on ready to strike.

“You have no right to that woman, not while she’s being questioned by one of her kin.” answered the captain as if he was holding back a big laughter.

“She is a General of the Grand Army of the Republic.”  

“She’s a native subject first.” the captain barked. And if you weren’t so dizzy and hanging over Hunter you would have punched him so hard, he would not talk like that ever in his life again.

“She was brought here under the protection of a war bargain.” Hunter started moving with Wrecker behind him.

“And I’m afraid that she didn’t honored her part of the bargain. She didn’t answer my questions.” this man was completely crazy.

“And she won’t, unless you want to be in the middle of a siege to this territory in less than an hour.” Hunter’s words shut the captain up and with a move of his hand, the soldier stepped aside and let the three of you get out of the room.

Once out, Hunter put a hand under your legs and the other one under your back carrying your whole-body up, you rolled your arms around his neck still feeling your stomach aching.

“I believed I asked you to do something.” you hissed.

“I’m sorry, General. But you should have given the order.” Hunter answered endearingly. “But I guess it wouldn’t have helped a lot. There is no way we’re leaving you behind."

[hadesglance]

All hail the new Queen... - 31 (Hades Original Story) End Book 1

You fought your way through the maze of the underworld to make a deal with the King…intrigued the lonely king listens…

Part One  Part Two  Part Three  Part Four  Part Five  Part Six Part Seven  Part Eight   Part Nine  Part Ten  Part Eleven Part Twelve  Part Thirteen  Part Fourteen  Part Fifteen  Part Sixteen Part Seventeen  Part Eighteen  Part Nineteen   Part Twenty  Part Twenty-One   Part Twenty-Two  Part Twenty-Three  Part Twenty-Four  Part Twenty-Five  Part Twenty-Six  Part Twenty-Seven  Part Twenty-Eight  Part Twenty-Nine  Part -Thirty

Hades sat on the bench looking down into the book turning a page. He didn’t need to read it…he lived it, but it looked better to turn a page every once in a while when one lingered in the mortal realm. He sighed as he felt the air shift next to him, “Zeus…what are you doing here?”

“I was going to ask you the same thing.” His younger brother looked around the area taking in the green forest behind them as people milled about selecting picnic tables for lunch, “This is a cheery spot…no wonder they built the hospital next to this forest. It’s beautiful. Probably why it does so well too. Demeter always says nature is a natural healer.”

“Zeus…” Hades looked at him with a glare.

Zeus sighed before looking at the old god, “I came…because I’m worried about you. You can’t keep doing this to yourself.”

“I’m still keeping everything in check…you don’t have to worry…” Hades looked back to the book for once focusing on the words to try and drown out what was about to be said.

“I’m not worried about your duties…” Zeus frowned, “I’m worried about my brother who won’t stop torturing himself over a woman who can’t remember him. It’s been a year…”

Hades took in a deep breath licking his lips before he spoke, “I promised her father…a mortal man, who had the ability to see through all my bullshit and accept me as a broken child…and treat me like a son…that I would protect her. I don’t break my promises or my deals…”

“That doesn’t mean you have to come here every week to see her.” Zeus sat up turning to him with a frown, “Hades…Y/N is fine. She’s thriving. She’s passed all her courses, the MCAT, and has made it into medical school…”

“For someone who doesn’t want me to have anything to do with her, you know an awful lot about her situation.” Hades shut the book looking at him finally.

Zeus looked away smiling a little, “…well…she is family…it would be wrong for me not to know what’s going on with her…but she doesn’t need us anymore, brother.”

Hades stared at him for a long time before looking toward the hospital. He felt his cheek twitch as he saw you rolling out a patient. You had started volunteering here once a week on an off day. You just sat with patients who didn’t have anyone or had been there a long time. Always giving your time to those who felt alone and needed hope.

He had only come to see you for a moment, and it had turned into something more of a habit. You had run right into him as you left a room at one point. Of course, you apologized profusely to which he simple shook his head telling you it was his fault. He had been in a memory forgetting where he was. You smiled at him and asked if he was lost…he fumbled through and told you he was just leaving. He apologized again and ran out of the place.

Ever since he took off, he’d been drawn back there, painfully aware of what he was doing to himself…but he didn’t care. His heart belonged to you even when you didn’t know you had it, “In some way…she’ll always need us. She still believes.”

“But not like she did.” Hades frowned at his brother’s words. Zeus looked at him before shaking his head, “Fine…do what you want, but seriously…if you must be here...maybe you should try to find her again instead of sitting by. Engage her…”

“She’s safer…” Hades opened his book again as he spoke.

“Yes, yes…that same old argument…” Zeus rolled his eyes, “I don’t care. You love her, more then you’ve loved anyone or anything…I only wish to see you happy, brother.”

Hades sighed before raising his head looking at him, “I know. In a way, I am happy. It’s just bittersweet, knowing she is safe, happy, and healthy…reaching her goals and dreams…”

Zeus stood up looking down at him, “Fair enough…I’m off, world to run you know?”

Hades watched him walk away surprised. It wasn’t like Zeus to give up so easily. Perhaps maturity had finally reached him, now that he had a mission to deal with. Finding their father was certainly more important than his love life.

“He’s not listening to me!” Zeus groaned as he fell onto the couch, arm draping over his face dramatically, “He’s just so…so…”

“Righteous?” Hera offered as she wrote notes at her desk.

“Yes!” He flipped over watching her and muttered into his arms, “Help me…”

“Excuse me?” Her hand stopped mid-sentence as she looked up to him, “Could you repeat that?”

“Ugh…” He sat up before putting his hands together in a pleading motion, “My dearest…beautiful…most intelligent wife…please help me save my brother’s marriage from the shambles our father left it in.”

Hera smirked before looking down to her work finishing her prior thought then put the pen down, “Alright, but we do it my way. Do you understand?”

Zeus was regretting agreeing to do it her way…it was…slow…

“Stop tapping your leg.” Hera looked at him across the table, “You said you’d do it my way…”

“I…did…” He stopped his leg watching her unwrap the hospital sandwich, “I just didn’t think it’d take weeks.”

“Love takes time dear, and there’s no guarantee what we’re about to attempt is going to work.” She sighed, “It took so long because I had to find a good distraction for Hades. We don’t need to him appearing and trying to stop us.”

“Oh, and what distraction did you give him?” Zeus finally began opening up the sandwich.

Hera smirked, “Poseidon. I told him what we were attempting to do, and he told me not to worry…he would handle it. Natural disaster was due to happen apparently…”

Zeus laughed a little his eyes glancing past her he cleared his throat, “She’s coming…”

“Just follow my lead.” Hera whispered to him glancing over as you took a seat at a nearby table, “You can’t be serious…”

He made a face before clearing his throat, “No…No I’m quite serious.”

“It’s been a year and it’s he still loves her…” Hera looked away from him shaking her head, “Why doesn’t he just talk to her?”

“Heh…I’ve asked him…” Zeus leaned back in his seat, “He’s says he’s protecting her. The distance is supposed to help her. He’s afraid he’ll hurt her again.”

“What a load of rubbish…” He glanced over seeing you looking at them quickly looking away as Hera began to speak, “It doesn’t make sense…they seemed so happy. I mean the first time he brought her over. She was so alive, and right away I could see her being a part of the family. It was just an accident…he had no control over any of it and he certainly didn’t mean for it to happen…”

“Yeah…he knows, but it doesn’t stop him from wanting to protect her…” He leaned forward reaching for Hera’s hand before he smiled, “Do you remember when they got stuck in the rain?”

“I don’t recall that…” Hera shook her head smiling at him.

“Ah you know big brother Nick…” He looked down, “She came to see me with some concerns…rode her bike to the park we met at. I guess on the way back it started to storm, and her bike broke down…it was a series of events one after another…he freaked out when he couldn’t get a hold of her. “

“So, he goes out and finds her stranded under a bridge. It’s pouring by this point…he’s in that once suit he wears all the time…” Zeus rolled his eyes.

“Oh, the black one, blue shirt…” Hera rattled off.

“That’s the one.” He nodded.

“I bought him that.” She smirked a little.

“Anyways… so they’re there…wet…cars are going by not helping and you know Nick...” He smiled laughing a little, “He’s gotta be so gallant, so he gives her his coat and they then I guess he looked into her eyes…and it was magic.”

“He said that.” Hera leaned forward leaning on her hand when he let go of hers, “What was so magically about it?”

“He said it was the first time, that he saw how much she cared about him. Living together for months, but he was so scared to see it…” Zeus looked down at his hands, “You know how much he went through after the war…how closed off he was. She could see all of it and she didn’t run away. Every scar…every dark spot… She never ran away from him…”

“To find someone who understands that…then to lose her…” Hera frowned reaching over taking Zeus’ hand in hers again, “I can’t imagine that pain. Isn’t there a way…to bring them back together?”

“I’ve tried…it’s something she has to do on her own…I thought he’d run after her, but he’s resigned himself to watching her from afar.” Zeus told her shaking his head.

“But he loves her, right? Love like that doesn’t just fade away, it leaves a mark…like a handprint…it lingers…” Hera glanced over to you sitting there. It was obvious that you’d been listening to bits of their conversation.

“I would hope so…even if their relationship started out as just some ridiculous deal…it grew into so much more.” He sighed heavily, “I know she’s left her mark on him and it won’t fade any time soon…”

“That’s right…she asked him for help, and he said he would if she would go with him…” Hera shook her head, “She was so brave. She didn’t even know him.”

“Yeah, he said the same thing. So human…” Zeus told her stopping as he felt a rumble under his feet.

“Dear…” Hera looked at him tilted her head with concern.

“I don’t know…” He looked around as everyone began to stand up. The rumbling intensified, “Hera…”

He stood up with her ready to whisk them away to safety, but she smiled looking toward you, “Something rises…”

Zeus followed her gaze looking at you as you sat there a soft aura beginning to move around you. A glow he recognized instantly, “Hera…”

“Everyone assumed it was about Cronus rising…” Hera smiled proudly at you, “But it was her sacrifices. It was her belief in us…in Hades…yes Cronus is out there, and he doesn’t need belief to use his powers…but Y/N…she never gave up hope for any of us…she was our hope. She is hope.”

“…hope…” Zeus smiled as you stood up looking over at them recognition evident in your eyes, “Y/N…”

“Where is he?” Tears streamed down you face as you looked at them, “Where is Hades?”

“Home…he’s at home.” Hera told you stepping forward pulling you into a hug, “You only need to think of him and I’m sure you’ll get there.”

Zeus stepped next to his wife as her arms fell to her sides, “My wife…so smart…catching all the details and knowing exactly how to bring out everything…”

“I like to pride myself in knowing a thing or two about true love.” She turned to Zeus giving him a kiss on the cheek, “Come…there’s much to plan for now…”

Hades stood in the tower looking out over the Styx’s shaking his head as he watched the souls move about. Why did his brothers always provide him with so much work? At least Poseidon had the courtesy to warn him this time…and he couldn’t blame him either…

Poseidon’s realm was the oceans themselves and humanity was slowly destroying it. So, every once in a great while he would bring forth a natural disaster to try and bring balance…it normally cost a great deal of life.

Maybe Zeus was right…he had not been prepared for this and he should have been. Building the Underworld was a massive undertaking at times. Souls needed a place to rest and the beaches were already so full from the wars humanity brought on themselves…

He looked up as his realm shook. Whatever quaked his realm was enough to send pieces of it flying…What was that? He moved to the other side of the tower to see if he could see what would cause such a disturbance.

His eyes scanned the rivers for any damage, but none could be found. He stood there watching souls of different colors moving toward Elysium getting lost in their peace. What would it be like to drift away to someplace eternal like that?

He tensed when he heard the door creak open. He quickly pushed himself out of sight behind a pillar. No one could come here without his knowledge and yet he didn’t feel anyone in his realm that shouldn’t be there.

He summoned his bident taking in a few deep breaths as he heard the person’s footsteps echo against the walls. Finally, they stopped and spoke making his heart thump hard against his chest, “Hades?”

He stepped out wincing a little as light blinded him. Slowly his eyes adjusted, and he saw you standing there in the center of the room. The bident dropped from his hand as he stepped out, he had to be dreaming, “Y/N….”

You turned quickly smile on your face. It was you…and it was more…He didn’t understand it and he didn’t care as you ran forward jumping into his arms giving him a kiss. Warmth spread through him like never before as your lips moved against his.

In a single moment, his world fell back into place. Tears fell from his eyes as he began to hold you. He could feel you…touch you…taste you. Finally, he pulled away to look at your face, “How? How is this possible?”

“I don’t know.” You whispered as his hands took hold of your face staring at you in awe and disbelief, “I don’t know…”

“This…shouldn’t…” He shook his head as he wiped away one f your tears. As it touched his thumb it seemed to glitter and glow into his skin sending warmth up his arm. His eyes widened as he felt your power surge into him as the words spilled from his mouth, “You’ve become a goddess…”

You shook your head before pushing up on your toes kissing him again. His arms slinked around your waist pulling your closer. Every touch seemed twice as sensitive than it used to be. He moaned against your mouth as you pulled away you nudged his nose with his, “How can I remember everything…I shouldn’t be able to…Cronus…”

His hands found your face again as he pressed his forehead against yours shaking his head, “I don’t know…I don’t care…you’re here…You’re here and I’m never letting you go again.”

“I’m home.” You whispered against his lips as he captured yours again. Gods it was better then before. Unable to control himself any longer he scooped you up before pushing your back up against one of the pillars.

Year long desires began to unfold from him, and you didn’t seem in any hurry to stop him. The dance was sensual and needy as his fingers traced your skin removing each article of clothing that kept you from him. He expected with each blink for you to disappear, but you never did.

Instead, you gave him constant reassurance as your own fingers danced across his scarred body. Clinging to him as his lips met with your skin burning his love to you in every way. When your lips met his skin sensations burst forth tingling like electric currents…what was it? Then I slowly came to him as you called out his name against his throat.

Love…he felt loved…every movement…every touch…every moan was unabated love for him.

You sat on top of him afterwards tracing his scars on his chest as he stared up at you. He reached up cupping your face and you smiled leaning into his touch. You looked so at peace and it made his heart soar. His hand trailed up your arm stopping over the mark he’d given you so long ago…it burned brightly still.

“I love you.” He whispered watching your eyes twinkle at his words, “So much…”

“And I love you.” You leaned forward kissing him before you spoke again. Your eyes were filled with such pain and saddness, “I’m so sorry…I had to get you away from him…”

He shook his head wrapping his arms around you as he sat up, “Never apologize for that…you did nothing wrong…except love a fool…”

“Hades…” You took his face in your hands caressing his cheek with your thumbs before he kissed your palms, “None of us knew what he had planned…”

“And we still don’t.” He sighed before pulling you closer, resting his head in the crook of his neck. He still couldn’t fathom that you were here with him. As a goddess no less, “How do you feel?”

“You didn’t hurt me…if that’s what you’re worried about…” You ran a hand through his hair getting him to shiver.

“I didn’t mean that…” He raised his head a little kissing your neck feeling your body tense instinctively to his touch, “I meant your powers…it has to feel strange…”

“I…” You looked down at him searching his face, “I don’t know…I mean…should I feel different?”

“I don’t know…I have never been human then a god before.” He smiled a little brushing your hair from your face, “But I imagine things are about to get very weird…for all of us.”

“What do you mean?” You mean you bit your bottom lip as your forehead rested against his.

“It’s been over a hundred years since we’ve had the birth of a new god…” He absently let his fingers trail up and down your thigh, “And Gy was just there…you… you however have become a goddess. Not just immortal…but as far as I can tell you are everything. You have belief…”

You stared into his eyes, “I don’t know what that means…”

He let out a sigh nodding before leaning up kissing you. As much as he desired to stay here with only you, it was time to find some answers. He pulled away nodding, “It’s time to find your answers…we need to go to Olympus…”

Standing with you he snapped his fingers dressing you both. You looked down at yourself wearing somewhat of matching clothes of his, but in your fashion, “Why do I get the feeling there is a lot more to it than just…hello…I’m goddess now…”

“As with anything to do with the gods…” He stepped to you before pulling you to his side smirking, “We must make a show of it…a coming out party if you will, but…”

“But…always a but…” You sighed hanging you head a little.

He lifted your chin meeting your eyes with his seeing such power behind them now, “But…I fear there may be a bigger concern. You have your memories back. It is likely Cronus knows and he will retaliate…”

You took in a deep breath nodding before you reached up touching his concerned face, “Then we’ll fight him together.”

Thank you my lovelies! It has been a wild ride hasn’t it! I have every intention beginning book two soon! I just want to start editing this book one first for a bit!(Thinking about sending it in and getting serious about it...we’ll see *shrugs*) 

Too each and every single one of you I cannot express how much it means to me that you followed me along and I hope you continue to do so! Bigger and better things await our dear Hades as he goes up against Cronus and whoever else he broke out of jail...questions still need answering *eyebrow wiggle*

If you have questions please ask away! As I’m starting to edit it again, I’d love to hear from you about things that didn’t make sense. Things that maybe should have more emphasis, etc... I appreciate it advance!

Love you!

[fablesrose]

Of Kings and Shadows XXIII

Description: Y/n, a girl who seems to have found her calling. Being a SHIELD agent is like a dream come true. With a friendship starting to form with the Avengers, she’s the Queen of the world! What could go wrong?

Pairings: Avengers x reader, Loki x reader (eventually)

Notes: It’s a little short for the time it took, sorry!

On Wattpad –> Here

Masterlist

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The mind is a tricky place.

Effortless to become lost in, easy to meddle with, hard to break, difficult to control, and nearly impossible to put back in its place.

The mind requires both precision and respect. Neither can be given as a gift, only learned. Usually, they are developed together along with the ability to penetrate the mind. Wanda was given the ability without the required time for respect. Perhaps deep inside she knew it, that that was why Loki was placed in charge of the mission of Y/n's mind. She was still sharpening her magic's blade to be a steel knife. Loki, on the other hand, was sharper than obsidian.

That's why in the heat of battle, the Avengers were put in charge of keeping the opposing agents at bay and away from Queen and Loki while also defending themselves from attacks. It is well within Loki's abilities to multitask with mind magic and dueling, but this was a special case. Loki hung closer to the back and threw up a shield for good measure. He put minimal attention to the battle around him with occasionally taking out an agent if needed.

The rest of his focus and energy was put into exploring the folds and shadows of what used to be Y/n's mind. The surface was worryingly dark to him, not at all what he imagined the original Y/n's mind to be.

He dug deeper and found it somewhat difficult, every mind is different and has a different 'texture' and consistency, but Y/n's functioned differently than anyone he had ever seen. It was like it was actively trying to keep him out, with half a moment of pushing through sludge, to falling forward suddenly with thin and lightning-fast decisions of battle. It was puzzling, usually only those with mental abilities are able to protect themselves or even sense someone was infiltrating the mind unless the infiltrator specifically makes contact. As far as they knew she didn't have any mental magic, but he pushed through to see what was bouncing around in there. He was able to get far enough to start seeing flashes of assignments and missions that were numbered many times more than they had ever thought.

Some were horrific and brutal. Some were stealth with her blending with the shadows like she was born there. It was fascinating... and almost nauseating. Eventually, he had to refocus himself on what his actual mission was: make contact, try to see how much of the old, the good Y/n is still in here, and find if there are any weaknesses they could use.

He repeated her name over and over to himself to keep him on-mission. As he did so the pattern around him changed as if she was only then made aware of his presence.

A voice spoke to him that sounded only vaguely familiar, 'Y/n is not here.'

Loki realized he must have mistakenly projected his thoughts into telepathy instead of privately. At first, he wondered if he remembered her voice incorrectly since it has been so long since he's heard it, but the dark and almost unnaturally smooth quality told him otherwise. He believed her--partly--he believed that he was not talking to Y/n. 'To whom am I speaking then?'

'I've gone by many names as I'm sure you've seen on some of those files. Around here they just call me Queen. Y/n seems to think that I've evolved and have always been here, she calls me Noxy. You may call me what you like.'

There was a spark of hope at her words, 'So Y/n is here.'

There was a pause, 'She won't be for long. I'm actually surprised that she's lasted this long. Existing anyway. Not surprised at the state she's in.'

That was all it took for Loki to dig deeper into her mind, leaving whatever abomination was controlling Y/n's body to try to find something, anything to stop the rampage and hopefully save the woman he would like to call his friend.

He went farther past the missions, the strategies, and manipulation 101. He was about to give up on trying to find Y/n and start scavenging to find weaknesses when he approached the far reaches of her mind. That's when he began to hear faint traces of music. He followed it to a small corner that didn't reflect the dark sludge around him. It was colorful and light, but he didn't fail to notice the fingers of dark shadows invading the area, causing it to fade and turn a bit grey.

The rhythm of decisions being made now made sense. The brain does not have the ability to truly multitask. Instead, it switches back and forth between tasks quicker than we can register. Her mind wasn't trying to keep him out, her mind was just switching between this Noxy character and Y/n.

The song seemed familiar, but the lyrics being sung hardly made sense.

He tried to reach out to her, calling her name, but nothing seemed to snap her to pay any attention to him. It was just that snippet of a song playing on a loop and scrambled flashes of pictures, memories, all of them incoherent.

Blinded by the light...

revekjsmed up like a dochewekf.

Ansldkjthor rumner in the night!

He would be lying if he said it didn't scare him. Not even his own thoughts were ever this disarranged, and he has been called mad far more than his fair share of times. It became abundantly clear that he wasn't going to get through to her and he began to lose the small spark of hope that he got before.

Loki did the mental equivalent of sitting down with a huff and tried to think of what to do next. This was becoming more difficult than he had hoped. As he sat there he really paid attention to the music since that was the only thing Y/n was giving him.

He must admit that it took longer than it should have for the song to click and that maybe Y/n was trying to tell him something through it. It nearly broke his heart that even when she didn't have all of her pieces put together that she was still trying to give them something to work with. Something to beat her with.

At least, that's what he hoped she was doing. He kinda wanted a deep moment.

Loki snapped back to the battle outside of his mind and smacked his head for all of them being so stupid, including himself, but he wasn't going to say that out loud.

"Stark!" Loki yelled through the comms, throwing himself back into the battle.

"What? What have ya got?" Tony continued to blast at black spears being launched at him and Hydra agents that kept coming and didn't seem to have an end.

Loki flung daggers with deadly accuracy while slicing down any agent that came into his path, "What is the opposite of darkness?"

"Really? You're gonna give me riddles? Light... Light is the opposite of dark."

"And if there is enough light?"

"No darkness at all."

Loki nodded to himself, "Do you think we can get enough light?"

There was a pause while Tony did some calculations, "I don't know, but we can damn well try."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I had that feeling when you're zoned out and someone calls your name but you don't notice until five minutes after the fact? I was so focused on the song... It was so important. When I snapped out of making sure the song kept playing, something was different.

I couldn't put my finger on it--figuratively or literally--what exactly was different, I mean, I'm the only one who could rearrange things in my little corner, so maybe I was just going crazy. More crazy anyway.

I spent a moment puzzling over the strange feeling before I felt her body succumb to waves of exhaustion out of nowhere. I hadn't felt that kind of exhaustion in a long time, but I knew what it was all too well. It reminded me of the lightroom.

I was scared, I hadn't been in the lightroom since Noxy took over, but maybe something changed.

I finally decided to see what was going on in the outside world and I wasn't sure if I was going to like what I saw. I didn't want to see the stark white walls and the electric shocks. I tentatively paid attention to what was going on and a bittersweet feeling overcame me.

Noxy had her hands out and tried to shoot her spears of darkness at the Avengers... and others I didn't recognize. The pitch-black material that made up her weapons became smaller and smaller, not flying as far as they normally would, and some even fizzled away at her fingertips. I could tell that we didn't have the energy to keep the fight going.

The reason why is that everywhere I could see there were lights shining on me. Lights from the building behind me, some sort of aircraft above me had a spotlight trained on me, and every Avenger that was able had some sort of light fixed on me. They weren't perfect. There were shadows that Noxy was pulling energy from, but they were small and the sheer force and brightness of the light coming from Thor's lighting, Tony's repulsors from both of the suits, even Cap had his shield reflecting light at me, it all made it so the shadows weren't enough.

Nevertheless, the light wasn't enough to drop us.

Since she could draw upon the shadows, Noxy pulled out a gun and a whip from her belt.

All at once, I could hear everyone I had ever met, including myself say, "Kinky."

I didn't remember ever seeing it before, let alone using it, training with it. For a moment I felt like Indiana Jones with the bullwhip at her side. I could see it wasn't perfectly smooth and that there were bits and pieces of shiny material woven into it. I instinctively knew that it would be extremely painful to be hit with.

Noxy cracked it easily and began to advance towards the heroes. She only took two steps before there was a sharp prick in the neck. Noxy pulled out what looked to be a horse tranquilizer. Her eyes snapped to the direction it came from to see Clint crouched in a tree, bow slung across his back. He emptied the barrel in one fluid motion and shot a loose salute in our direction, but despite the lightness of it, there wasn't a smile on his face.

I could feel her body begin to shake as it became difficult to stand steady. She raised her gun to shoot at Clint, but her hand was trembling too bad to take aim. Noxy dropped the whip to steady her gun, but her eyes drooped in exhaustion. My already limited range of sight began to shrink even more and then the world became dizzy, I became dizzy? I wasn't sure anymore. The one thing I did know was that as I was falling to the ground it felt like there was a whole new presence in my head. It was soft, hardly noticeable, but before I could figure out what was going on, we blacked out.

[banditthewriter]

Choose Your Fate - Caspian - 6

I know I’m late on getting this up tonight but... I’ve been adopted by a cat. So. There.

The votes were for an uninvited visitor.

Tags are at the bottom. Let me know if you would like to be added to one of my tag lists!

*gif not mine*

Enjoy!

*****

The room where negotiations took place was not one you'd seen on your tour with Caspian. It was large and masculine, dark warm tones filling the space. A long wooden table sat on one side and that's where all of you were huddled over the maps.

The map was old because it showed Fareha's previous glory. You traced your finger over the letters of the name idly while you listened to Lom explained that forces had taken bits and pieces of your kingdom over the years. 

"Verphin holds the east, here," Lom explained as he traced a line over the boundaries where one country had conquered the land. "Palamedis holds the south, including the poppy fields that my queen assures will need to be protected during any battles."

The poppies were part of what was needed for the the negotiations anyways. Caspian's men made their notes as Lom continued to explain the extent to which you had lost your kingdom. 

"And Reiman is here," he said as he traced a line near the mountains, "here," Another line near the ocean, "and here." A final line was drawn around the land closest to your manor.

Reiman was the largest of your enemies. They had pushed to conquer your lands for as long as you could remember. They were the ones you were most worried about.

"We will need to get the lands back from Palamedis first," one of Caspian's advisers stated as he tapped the poppy fields. 

You glanced at Lom and he gave you an encouraging nod. You had already discussed this part with him as well.

"We will need a confront the Reiman troops that line around the kingdom as well. The quickest route to and from the sea is through our lands and you will not be able to pass with Reiman soldiers there."

It would also give you part of your kingdom back. 

The advisers to the king seemed hesitant, but Caspian met your eyes for the first time all morning. 

"That will be our first mission. Then we will clear Palamedian soldiers from the land where the poppies and other medicinal herbs are located."

As simple as that. You heaved out a relieved breath and gave him a nod.

Since the accidental kiss and the ride back to Cair Paravel, you and Caspian hadn't spoken to one another. It was dreadful, but necessary. You didn't know how to talk to him without admitting that you had enjoyed the kiss. 

You were here for your kingdom, not for the king.

The next few hours were spent hammering out details about the plan. Some of your men would travel to gather your army to assist in taking back your lands.

"I should probably go with them," you said quietly while Lom drew up some numbers of your men. "My men will not trust anyone other than me if we tell them that Narnia is no longer our enemy."

Caspian looked surprised at that.

"Narnia has never been your enemy. We have always considered Fareha as a neutral entity in the wars we have fought."

Your hands shook as you placed them behind you and turned to face Caspian fully. 

"I find it strange that we are not enemies and yet my men have been slaughtered at the hands of Narnians on multiple occasions. Is that not why you requested my presence here? For a truce to help your Narnia."

Caspian seemed to almost stumble towards you. 

"No, not… not at all. I requested you because I wanted to align Narnia with Fareha because you are untouched by the wars we have fought to claim Narnian lands back for Narnia. We do not look to conquer lands that are rightfully ruled so why would we be at war with you?"

You looked over at Lom who looked as confused as you felt. 

"Our soldiers have spoken often about being faced with Narnian banners. How would it be possible that we have fought each other without it being on purpose?"

Caspian looked from you to his advisers. One held a hand up and stepped into the conversation. 

"There have been times our soldiers have spoken about fighting squadrons who do not carry banners. We took them to be either Verphin or Reimani soldiers depending on the location."

You turned to Lom, a fierceness on your face.

"Why would our soldiers not carry our banners?"

Lom shook his head. There was fury under his calm face, you could see that clearly. 

"I do not know, my queen, but you can bet I will find out."

You fully believed in Lom. 

With that, you turned to Caspian with new eyes. This whole trip was under a new light. If what he said was true—and you believed it was—you had come to Narnia expecting nefarious intentions. Instead he only wanted an alliance to help Narnia and Fareha both.

"I believe I owe you an apology, King Caspian," you said with a bow of your head.

"No apology is necessary Queen Y/N," he said softly, his voice low so that it wouldn't carry to the nearby advisers, "and please, I requested that you just call me Caspian."

You had thought after the ill-timed kiss that perhaps your friendliness would be dissolved. It would appear not.

"Of course. Caspian. Thank you "

His hand twitched upwards as if he wanted to reach out, but instead he let both hands fall to his sides. 

"We will discover what went on, but I will make it known that all Fareha soldiers are our allies. Whatever caused the miscommunication before will be addressed." Then, as he stepped in closer to you, he lowered his voice. "My greatest sympathies and regret to the loss of your men by the hand of Narnians."

Although he had withheld from touching you, you reached out to grab his wrist. 

"Thank you Caspian," you offered softly.

He turned his hand in your grasp to squeeze your hand.

"Of course Y/N."

Perhaps that mistaken kiss would not stand in the way of your alliance with Narnia. 

------

You traced your finger over the map that outlined just how small Fareha had become. What once was a grand kingdom was now a small chunk near the ocean with war on all sides. 

Your parents would be saddened to hear how you had lost most of their beautiful kingdom. And for what? Narnia was an ally, not an enemy, so all of these years had been wasted hating something you didn’t know.

“You will see it restored to former glory,” a soft voice said from your side.

The surprise of someone being in the room with you was lost under the shock that Caspian was standing just a few inches away from you. He gave you a gentle smile as he looked back down to the map. His fingers traced the path that yours had taken, over the hills and valleys of what used to be your lands.

“It won’t be done overnight and it will require sacrifice, but Fareha will become what it once was.”

You felt your heart thud painfully in your chest. It was too much for you to handle—him being so kind to you, standing so close to you. For the first time you wished you could throw away your crown and just be yourself, but you did not have that luxury. Instead you straightened your spine and met his eyes.

“I need to apologize for my reaction to the kiss. I know… I know that you were just grateful to me for agreeing to help Narnia and that it was an accident. I shouldn’t have been so abrupt in my reaction at being taken by surprise.”

The look on Caspian’s face made you worry that you had said the wrong thing. It was there and gone in a flicker of expression—from confusion to frustration and then to acceptance in the blink of an eye.

He reached out for your hand, his fingers folding around yours as if it was something he had done a hundred times before. 

“It wasn’t an accident. Y/N,” he breathed as if he had been holding it in, his eyes softening as they roamed over your face, “can you tell me that you don’t feel this? This thing between the two of us?”

Of course you did. It felt like a physical presence that tied the two of you together, drawn to each other from the moment you had stepped foot on Narnian soil. But there was no way that you could tell him that.

Never had the weight of your crown felt so heavy.

“Caspian,” you began, but your words were drowned out by the sound of someone calling for the king.

A soldier came bursting into the room, not noticing or caring that the two of you were too close to be appropriate. He ran over to stand in front of you, bowing as an after-thought as he explained himself.

“There’s an army riding towards Cair Paravel, my king. They hoist Reimani colors.”

The Reiman forces would not be riding to Cair Paravel for a pleasant meeting. The two of them were not particularly at war unless they clashed over land. That could only mean one thing.

“They are here for me. Either because they know I’m here and unprotected or because they fear Fareha coming to an alliance with Narnia.” Your heart thundered in your chest as you looked at Caspian. “I will have to ride out to meet them. It will be the only way to spare Narnia a show of force from their army.”

Caspian grabbed your hand once more before you could even begin to leave.

“No. You will go up to the north tower; it is well defended so no soldier will come for you. I will ride out with Narnian forces as well as Lom and your men. If the Reiman forces are here for you, they will be disappointed.”

You shook your head but Caspian was already pulling you away from the table and towards a back door of the room which would lead to the main part of the castle once more.

“I will not run and hide. I’m a queen; I will not bow at their feet.”

A hand came up to cup your cheek, holding you still so that Caspian could meet your eyes once more.

“This is not about running and hiding. This is strategy. You are a queen, but you are a guest here in Narnia. It is my duty as king to see to your safety and well-being, as an ally and a friend. And,” he whispered as his hand slipped down so that it was resting against the side of your neck, “because if something happened to you, it would destroy me.”

The world had somehow slipped sideways with those words. You couldn’t help but lean into the touch, but your mouth refused to cooperate with you.

He barely knew you. He couldn’t possibly mean it. That type of sentiment came after years of courting and falling in love; it didn’t happen over the course of a few days, right?

“Go to the tower. I will have Lom with me to question whoever is in charge and find out their business in Narnia. Do not open the tower for anyone except me or Lom, do you understand?”

It was impossible to do anything more than nod. You were still in shock from his declaration. Was it a declaration? 

Caspian leaned in and pressed his forehead to yours before he released you and headed back into the room with the table and the maps. You knew he would gather his men and his sword before he’d ride out to face the Reiman forces.

If something happened to him… you couldn’t help but think that it might destroy you as well. 

Perhaps he could mean those words. It was a surprise to you but you didn’t think it was wrong. In fact it felt more right than anything had in a long time.

As you made your way towards the north tower, you hesitated in front of one long hallway. Caspian had told you to go to the tower and wait for him or Lom, but you couldn’t help but think of Lady Eloise alone in her room. If Cair Paravel was breached, she would be undefended. 

That wouldn’t do.

You turned down the hallway and ran, your dress hiked up to free up the movement. Her bedroom door was open and you rushed in, looking around for the girl.

Eloise came out of a room that had a large fountain, her hands and the hem of her dress wet. She started to smile at you until she saw the look on your face. 

“What is it?”

You went to her and wrapped your arm around her shoulders.

“There are Reimani soldiers headed this way. Caspian, his soldiers, and my men have gone out to meet them. Caspian wants us in the north tower for our safety.”

You could feel the girl shake in your arms as you guided her at a faster pace down the hallway. Eloise held on to your hand as the two of you made your way through the unfamiliar halls until you came to the recognizable north tower. The guard there recognized you and after you explained the situation, he let you and Eloise in.

Up a winding staircase was a large room that looked to be reinforced. You felt safer the moment the door shut, but that still left you to the knowledge that Caspian and Lom, your men and Narnians alike, were all facing the Reimani soldiers at this moment.

It wouldn’t be their entire force. Reiman was a large kingdom, multiple countries piled together to create the whole of it. They could have hundreds of men here in Narnia and still have thousands back in what used to be Fareha.

Caspian wouldn’t have an entire army here in the castle. There were some in the soldiers quarters, you had seen that, but not nearly enough to fight an army. And Reimani forces fought fiercely.

You tried to keep Eloise distracted with tales of your travels and stories of being a queen, but you couldn’t distract yourself. It would seem that you had come to Narnia to face your enemy, but not the one you had imagined.

With one hand wrapped around the pendant that gave you strength and your other hand tucked with Eloise’s while you told her about pushing your brother into the stream as a young girl, you couldn’t help but pray out to whichever god was listening that the men would be alright.

That Caspian would be safe.

X 

A post for voting will be up after this.

X

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[in-a-cave-with]

What are your favorite fanfictions based in any of the Marvel comics universes?

ok this is certainly a . question. lmao . so i..have bookmarked like Three 616 fic on my actual ao3 account and i honestly dont know why. i have read so much 616 fic but i never bothered to make it a habit to .. save them . so rip me. this will be an incomplete list! huge f in the chat lads

there’s also the issue of like. pretty much all of the comics fic i like being, uh, stevetony. im a loser.

anyway.

When The Lights Go On Again by elspethdixon, seanchaiSummary: Aliens have invaded earth, and the Avengers are scattered. While Steve leads the resistance, Tony once again finds himself playing captive scientist. In the midst of a violent alien regime, separated by seemingly insurmountable boundaries, Steve and Tony have nothing to keep themselves going but each other.rec note: i JUST read this fic and it ruined my life. go read it and ruin your life too

Resurrection, Reconstruction & Redemption by elspethdixon, seanchaiSummary: Doom brings Steve back from the dead. Hijinks ensue, some of which might vaugely be considered plot.rec note: a classic! i think this was the first stevetony fic posted to ao3? you should def go ahead and read the rest of the series (yes it is a series yes it is 300k+ words yes it is worth it)

The Roughest Day by elspethdixon, seanchaiSummary: Steve is in a motorcycle accident, Tony catches a cold, and someone is after the New Avengers.rec note: this gives me warm fuzzies because it’s the new avengers avenging and there isn’t enough of that

King of Infinite Space by elspethdixon, seanchaiSummary: A villain from Tony’s past comes back to cause trouble for the Avengers. Maybe it wouldn’t have been so easy, if things weren’t already so awkward over the events of Execute Program.rec note: it’s not a tony stan created reclist if there isn’t a tiberius stone fic somewhere on it

Winter Is All Over You by KiyaarSummary: Tony can’t remember why he’s running.rec note: *soft wheezing noises* oh,

My Mallory Heart [Add Violence Remix] by KiyaarSummary: He keeps seeing that bundle of metal set into Tony’s bare chest, the raw edges around it like Tony’s body was rejecting it. Keeps wondering: what have you done to yourself this time.rec note: *incoherent blubbering*

Sea Stars by MuccamukkSummary: Steve comes back to life somewhere entirely unexpected; Tony doesn’t remember being a hero; something is rotten in the province of British Columbia, and the 2010 Olympics are doomed.rec note: i LIVE for this fic it’s so good. the setting…the mystery…the characterization…top notch

Indelible by PenumbrenSummary: When an experiment goes awry, Tony thinks he may have found an answer to his problems and Steve faces something he’s been avoiding for a very long time.rec note: this turned out to be way sadder than i thought it was going to be

(Not So) Lonely At The Top by foldingcranesSummary: Riri has a bad day, and Tony tries to be An Emotionally Available Adult for her. It doesn’t go so bad.rec note: there isn’t enough riri fic out there…

if you leave by CapnShellheadSummary: After so many months passing each other in silence, Steve and Tony find a marriage counselor to try to work through their issues with communication.rec note: warning: fic is akin to a bat swung to the knees

Marvels: The Bloodstone Odyssey by teaberryblueSummary: The year is 1940. In the middle of the Blitz, Tony Stark and Pepper Potts set out to London to recover Howard Stark’s lost work. But it turns out that they’re not the only ones hunting for it. Tony finds himself contending with Nazis, crooks, and perhaps his most formidable adversary yet: a scrawny, asthmatic, bullheaded kid named Steve Rogers.rec note: this gives me huge indiana jones vibes and it’s GREAT

Emanata (The Comics Will Break Your Heart Remix) by teaberryblueSummary: Steve Rogers has the opportunity to fulfill his childhood dreams of becoming a comic artist when eccentric billionaire, superhero patron, and obsessive comic enthusiast Tony Stark offers him a job drawing Iron Man. But Tony Stark has no idea that Steve Rogers is really Captain America, the newest member of the Avengers. And Iron Man has no idea that Captain America is really Steve Rogers, up-and-coming comic book artist. And Steve doesn’t know what to do about the fact that he’s falling head over heels for them both.rec note: this one has a special place in my heart bc it’s the one that got me into 616 stevetony! the identity shenanigans make my head hurt and i love it

Genesis by teaberryblueSummary: Reluctant to make the truth about their secret weapon known, the American Government tells the world that Captain America is a man named Steve Rogers. According to public record, he died, tragically, in 1945, and he became legend. In 1998, the Avengers find a body trapped in ice. She’s alive. Her name is Eve. She has Captain America’s shield.rec note: i think this is the..only steve centric fic here lmao . and also technically this is a mix of 616/mcu/ults but i’m still putting it here bc it’s…very good

Highest fall you’ll ever grace by laireshiSummary: “You’ll probably want these back,” Tony says at last, and it hurts almost physically to pull the dog tags over his head and offer them to Steve. But they never really belonged to Tony, did they? Steve seems to hesitate for a second, but then he takes his dog tags with a weird expression. “Yeah,” he says. “They’re mine.”rec note: *clutches heart* hhhh

Transmission by laireshiSummary: The incursions are stopped. Steve hopes for things to go back to normal. Instead, he finds himself stranded in an alternate universe with Tony. Getting home won’t be easy. There are too many things they haven’t told each other, too many arguments they’ve never solved. Now, with just each other for company, they might have to face them all—especially as they seem to be telepathically bonded, and can’t keep anything unsaid anymore.rec note: oh boy am i a sucker for Stevetony Finding Out About The Confession

Chasing Shadows by laireshiSummary: Steve is still adjusting to the future. Tony hopes he is helping, but Steve’s and Iron Man’s morals might be too different for them to work together. Then Steve starts to act strangely, and all Tony can do is chase at shadows.rec note: this fic hurt me . that’s it that’s all i have to say

The Counselors Are In by cptxrogersSummary: Steve and Tony from Avengers Assemble open a counseling service for all the other Steves and Tonys from across the multiverse. God knows they need it.rec note: come on Other Universes GET IT TOGETHER

Think of This as Solving Problems (That Should Never Have Occurred) by SinealaSummary: No one knows Tony is Iron Man. Then Tony gets amnesia, and literally no one knows Tony is Iron Man.rec note: ok here comes the sineala spam in the reclist lmao

The Jar by SinealaSummary: The Avengers are ridiculously competitive people, and what starts out as a silly late-night team discussion quickly becomes a contest: their names. Not the code names – the nicknames. Who can go the longest without using them? They pledge to spend a week not nicknaming each other, and they’ll pay up every time they mess up. This hits Tony the hardest, and not just financially. Tony’s got a lot of nicknames for everyone, but most of all for Steve – and when Tony can’t use the names he’s already got, the names he uses reveal feelings he had no idea he had.rec note: super cute! lov those funky avenging dudes

Changeling by SinealaSummary: Instead of deleting his entire brain and reloading from a backup, Tony attempts to erase just the SHRA database from his mind. As Steve later finds out, this is unfortunately not what he actually did.rec note: *ugly sobbing* ttngngjfgnTONY ,.,,,,CAROLLLLL ,,FDF..,,KSDJBVSD ,,,S T E V E..,,,, FVKJD,,,,SFDJKDNFVNKDJFD

If You Want to Live (The Historical Present Remix) by SinealaSummary: The Civil War is over. The SHRA is gone. Steve has been brought back to life. He’s settling into his new duties as America’s top cop. His longtime friendship with Carol Danvers – Avenger, former director of SHIELD, and former leader of the pro-Registration forces – is now a tenuous one. But something is very wrong in the world. This isn’t how it was supposed to be. Someone is missing. Tony Stark was killed at the age of seventeen, and it’s up to Steve to travel into the past to save a man he doesn’t remember from a man he knows all too well: a mysterious assassin from another time and place, a man with a metal arm. And the truth is more complicated than anyone could ever have guessed.rec note: super interesting fic! the Plot is,,……. some güd shit

Straight on till Morning by SinealaSummary: Tony Stark resigned his commission in Starfleet five years ago, after a disastrous away mission, and he swore he’d never go back. He just wants to be left alone to build warp engines in peace. But the universe has more in store for him than that, as he discovers when Admiral Fury comes to him with an offer he could never have expected and cannot possibly refuse: first officer and chief engineer aboard the all-new USS Avenger, a starship of Tony’s own design. What’s more, the Avenger’s captain is Steve Rogers, hero of the Earth-Romulan War. Believed dead for over a century, Steve is miraculously alive… and very, very attractive. But nothing is ever easy for Tony. As he wrestles with his secret desire for his new captain and his not-so-dormant fears, another mission starts to go wrong, and Tony becomes aware that Steve has secrets of his own – and the truth could change everything.rec note: ok there is, like, really weird porn in this fic but it’s a STAR TREK CROSSOVER and that’s all that really matters. and also it’s very heartfelt and the action is  r e a l l y   i n t e n s e

Your Name on Every Wall by SinealaSummary: The Time Gem throws Steve into the past rather than the future, and in doing so, it gives him the opportunity to undo his past mistakes. But when it turns out that all of his mistakes involve Tony Stark, Steve begins to wonder if he’s ever going to be able to mend things between them.rec note: wow…….stevetony…….. am i right boys?

Get Some Now by SinealaSummary: Avengers Mansion has a mysterious feline infestation. Meanwhile, Steve just can’t figure out how to ask Tony out on a date. And the thirteen teleporting cats sure aren’t helping matters any.rec note: as you all may know. i am an active member of the “tony…..but give him a cat” movement and this fic brings me great joy

Sucker Punch by Sineala Summary: Steve never quite warms to Tony Stark, Avengers benefactor. The Molecule Man never strips Iron Man out of his armor. Life goes on for the Avengers, but as disagreements split the team – and Shellhead and Winghead – again and again, Steve wonders why Iron Man always picks Tony over him. And when Steve finds out, it happens in the worst way possible.rec note: and here is a fic that does NOT bring me great joy and instead goes out of its way to hurt me in every way it can

Tony Stark Advises The Avengers by copperbadgeSummary: Somehow, Tony Stark ended up Team Dad.rec note: ANAD AVENGERS!!!!!!!!!!!!

Zero Sum by CraitSummary: Did you do your best, Anthony? And did your best only make things worse?rec note: let ao3 user crait write marvel comics, they clearly understand tony’s character better than anyone who’s written him in the past 10 years

[dearlazerbunny]

Sugar Sugar (Honey Honey)

Pairings: Haninozuka Mitsukuni x Reader

Genre/Ratings: None/Honey being cute

Words: 4800

Summary: Honey can’t figure out why you won’t eat the cake he gives you

This took me way too freaking long to write??? Pardon me while I have an existential crisis over whether or not I’m losing my touch

“Hi guys!” You bounce your way into Music Room 3, happy for the school day to be over and ready for some downtime with your favorite club. “What’s new today, King Tamaki?”

The blonde self-proclaimed King of the Host Club gives you a bright smile as you enter. “Well, Princess Y/N, we have a lovely selection of tea imported from the UK just yesterday. Would you care to take a look?”

You giggle to yourself as you take his outstretched hand like some medieval maiden. “But of course, my King,” you say teasingly, knowing full well the boy is aware you don’t fall head over heels for his Prince Charming act that easily. “Please, lead the way.”

You trade news and wave to the other boys as you float through the room. You’re a regular patron, sure, but unlike most of the other girls there you really just come for the fun. You laugh yourself silly over Tamaki’s impromptu poetry, chat with Haruhi (the most down to earth Ouran student you’ve ever met), and maybe join in on the twins’ antics here and there, much to the annoyance of Kyoya- you’re probably on his bad list by now, with the amount of times Hikaru and Kaoru have roped you into pranking him. It’s always a good time, and your casualness around the hosts rather than being in screaming-fangirl-mode 24/7 has earned you points with the club. They see you more as a friend than a client, which is how you want to be treated anyways.

Well, all except one. Unbeknownst to everyone, especially you, a particular host likes you a bit more than just as a friend. Well, unbeknownst to everyone except Mori, but you’d be hard pressed to find something about Mitsukuni Haninozuka Mori doesn’t know.

And so Mori watches as Honey’s big brown eyes track you through the room, fingers tightening almost imperceptibly around his fork as you laugh at something Tamaki says, hand in hand with him. As far as he can tell, Honey has been nurturing this crush on you for the better part of the year. It’s a little impressive, considering he has girls fawning all over him every afternoon. Ever since he set eyes on you he’s been a little more reserved, a little less tactile with the rest of his clients. Not enough for Kyoya to notice- Honey can be surprisingly subtle when he wants to be- but in the lulls of conversation Mori can tell when his cousin’s eyes absentmindedly drift over to you.

Unless, of course, you choose his table to sit at. Then the third year turns on every possible charm he has, and maybe even one or two Mori rarely sees.

“Y/N-chan!” Honey waves his right arm in the air in your direction, his bunny tucked securely to his left. “Come sit with me and Mori-senpai today!”

On the other side of the table, Mori lets one eyebrow tick up just a hair. He’s never explicitly asked for you to request him, even though he probably wants to every day you’re in the music room. Does he have something planned for today? He sits back in his chair, ready to observe, and possibly intervene if something goes wrong.

You bid Tamaki a goodbye and make your way over to Honey’s sweets-laden table. “Hiya Honey.” You give him a little wave. “Got a seat for me?”

“Of course we do!” The boy is practically beaming as he carefully points to a spot on the couch catty-corner to himself. He doesn’t have the nerve to ask you to sit right next to him, but that’s as close as you can be without sharing a seat.

“Hi, Mori. Doing okay?” You give him a smile as you sit, tucking your skirt closer to yourself, and Mori gives you a quiet grunt and a nod in greeting. If Honey had to choose a girl, he supposes there are far worse options. You’re always kind, not just to Honey but to himself and the rest of the club as well. On the few days Mitsukuni has decided on a nap rather than hosting, you usually keep Mori company while he sleeps nearby. You never seem bothered by his silence, and you talk to him about this and that all the same no matter if he replies or not. He’s gotten to know you a fair amount in this way, and he can’t seem to find any fault or warning signs, even with his overprotective eye.

“Y/N-chan, I have a decision to make, and I need your help,” Honey announces, and you turn to him with a semi-serious look schooled onto your features.

“That sounds pretty serious, Honey. You’re not thinking of getting the twins back for that salt in the cake thing last month, are you?” You look around and then lean in close, like you’re imparting secret wisdom. “‘Cause if you are, I totally know Hikaru’s weak spot-”

“I heard that!” The boys in question reply in tandem from across the room, and it sends you and Honey into a fit of giggles.

“No, no, although I really should.” He shoots the pair of gingers a warning look, surprisingly fierce coming from such a cute face. The second he turns back to you, though, he’s the same bright and cheery Honey you know and love. “Nope, today I just need to know-” he pauses for dramatic effect. “Blueberry cake, or chocolate cake?”

“Hm.” You nod slowly, like you’ve just been given serious details to a crime in progress. “Well, it is a little warm outside. All that chocolate might weigh you down. Blueberry is probably lighter. On the other hand, chocolate is, well, chocolate.” Honey nods sympathetically at his plight as you tap your finger against your chin in the classic thinking pose. “Well, why not just have both then, if you can’t decide?”

“Aha!” Honey crows triumphantly as he takes a plate of both flavors and settles them into his lap eagerly. “I knew I liked you for a reason, Y/N-chan!”

You wave a hand dismissively, hoping you’re not blushing at his words. “Please, it was an easy decision. Besides, I’ve seen you take down a whole cake like it’s nothing,” you tease. “Two slices shouldn’t be a problem for you.”

“And what kind do you want?” Honey is looking at you expectantly, and your eyes widen.

“Oh, thanks, Honey, but I’m not super hungry. I had a big lunch.”

“But that’s what you said the last time!” He pouts, and gosh darn it those big eyes just have a habit of tugging on something in your chest.

“I guess I’ll take… this one?” From the slight yellow tint, you assume it’s something lemony, and Honey doesn’t let his gaze up until you have the plate in your lap and a fork in your hand.

“Good good!” You can’t actually eat the cake, of course, but maybe if you pick at the icing he won’t notice. You really don’t want to hurt his feelings, and considering cake is probably his third favorite thing on earth behind Mori and his stuffed bunny … well, you’ve faked it before and you can fake it again. “Now then, did I tell you about how I lost Usa-chan the other day?” You shake your head. “It was so scary! I woke up from a nap and he was just gone! So I called…” you sit back in your seat, content to listen to Honey’s enthusiastic retelling of his adventures, with the occasional input from Mori. The blonde is animated and lively, eyes shining and hands waving about, and you can’t help but smile as you get lost in the time you have with him.

…

“Mori, something’s wrong.” The tone of Honey’s voice, clearly upset (and not the fake-upset he puts on as a show for the clients) has Mori by his side in an instant.

“What is it, Mitsukuni?”

With a trembling hand, his cousin points to the seat you had occupied during the club’s hours that day. “Y/N-chan didn’t eat her cake.” Indeed, a maid was clearing up your still full plate of cake, apparently having been only slightly picked at around the edges.

“Perhaps she wasn’t hungry,” Mori offers, resting a comforting hand on his cousin’s shoulder.

“Hmmm.” Honey has his thinking face on, which is far less dangerous than the twins’ thinking face but should nonetheless be treated with caution. “I think I have an idea!” Before Mori can offer to be a sounding board, Honey runs over to Kyoya and perches himself by the Shadow King’s side. “Kyo-sama?”

The host barely looks away from his calculations of the day’s profits to focus on Honey. “Yes?”

“Can we have my favorite cake tomorrow?” Honey leans in and widens his big brown eyes. “You know, the really reeeeeeeally good one?”

Kyoya seems to do a few quick mental calculations. “I don’t see why not. I’ll put the orders in.”

“Yay! Thank you!” Despite Kyoya liking his personal space, Honey gives him a quick tight squeeze before skipping back to Mori. He tugs on his cousin’s blazer and Mori obligingly places Honey on his shoulders, where the boy settles with a sigh, his chin on the crown of Mori’s head. “I really like Y/N,” he whispers, a quiet confession in a genuine tone that warms Mori’s chest. He pats a hand on Honey’s knee and lets it rest there, offering support.

“I know, Mitsukuni. Perhaps one day soon you will work up the courage to tell her.” Another sigh, and then the slight frustrated groan of an eighteen year old boy who’s just trying to tell his crush he thinks she’s pretty, but keeps chickening out every time. Mori can sympathize. As hosts, they sweet-talk girls all day long, easy as breathing. But when one comes along that actually matters, well. It’s a different story. All that charm and grace usually flies right out the window, leaving only nerves and shaky honestly. “Let’s get you home. Perhaps a bath?”

He can feel Honey nod reluctantly, face still buried in his black hair. “Alright then.” They leave the music room together, as they often do, but Mori can tell his cousin’s thoughts are still with you and the way you smiled at him all afternoon.

…

The next day, Honey is a man on a mission,  more so than usual. Mori watches a little amusedly as he arranges plates of cake and teacups with their saucers on the table in front of him with absolute precision. He can guess his cousin’s plan- tempt you into partaking in the sweets with his favorite cake, an absolutely monstrous vanilla sponge iced in strawberry buttercream between each layer and fresh fruit decorating the tops. It’s almost too over the top even for the host club, but Honey never does anything halfway when it comes to his desserts.

When you enter the music room, he immediately calls you over. “Y/N-chan! Come sit with me!”

“I just sat with you yesterday!” You laugh, but nonetheless take your seat across from him. “Miss me already?” You tease, and you don’t notice the faint blush that spreads over Honey’s already rosy cheeks.

“Today we have my favorite cake,” he announces proudly, presenting you with the five-layer indulgence. “It’s double-strawberry with REAL strawberries on top!”

“That sounds pretty good.” And looks even better. Gosh, what you wouldn’t give to be able to dig into some of that. “How much did you have to pester Kyoya to get it for you?”

Honey shrugs shyly. “Not that much. Come on, try it!” He shoves a piece and a fork into your hand. “We can eat it together!”

You accept the plate, and delicately pick a strawberry off the top to pop into your mouth. “An excellent choice, Honey,” you say, trying to speak around the berry on your tongue. “You have good taste.” A few more strawberries get eaten, and a few bits of swirled icing broken off the sides, but no more. “So, how was your day?”

Honey seems to deflate just a little, but goes into his various stories about this and that over the week. He isn’t nearly as animated as usual- in fact, after just a few minutes, he keeps trailing off into silence, looking lost.

“Honey? Is… is everything okay?” You ask carefully. It’s clear something’s wrong with him.

To your surprise, when he turns to face you, there are unshed tears sparkling in his eyes. “Do you not like me, Y/N-chan?” His voice wobbles. Mori instantly appears in the background, looking concerned.

Your eyes widen. “Not like you? Of course I like you, Honey! Why would you ever think that?”

“Well…” He looks away, then says quietly, “you never eat the cake I give you.”

Oh. “Oh, Honey, I’m sorry. It’s really not you, I promise. I just can’t eat cake is all.”

Now it’s his turn to look shocked. “Can’t… eat cake? How can you not eat cake?”

“Well, I’m allergic.” He blinks at you, obviously confused, and you take a breath before explaining. “I can’t eat anything made of wheat. Or more specifically, anything with gluten in it. It’s the stuff in cake and baked goods that makes them spongy and, well. Good.” You look longingly at the cake and laugh a little. “It’s called celiac disease. I can get really sick if I eat even a little bit of gluten. But believe me, I really wish I could eat it.” You sigh, remembering the days when you could stuff your face with anything you wanted and not face dire consequences.

Honey is silent for a few moments. Then, the tears start spilling rapidly down his cheeks, making you even more alarmed. “You mean I’ve been making you sick?” He says in a small voice, clearly devastated. “Why didn’t you tell me, Y/N-chan, I wouldn’t have ever given it to you if I’d known-!”

“No, no, it’s okay!” You’re quick to reassure him, wanting his tears to stop. “You’re not going to poison my by osmosis or anything.” You give him a smile. “And I can usually eat the toppings or the frosting!” To prove your point, you drag a fingertip through the thick buttercream icing and lick it off. “See? No harm done.”

Well, he’s stopped crying at least, and you haven’t been murdered by Mori for making the boy sad, so you figure you’re mostly in the clear. “I still don’t know why you didn’t tell me,” Honey sniffs, miserable at the thought that he could have hurt you so badly without even knowing it.

“Well, I…” you turn away a little, embarrassed. “I guess I just didn’t want to upset you. I know sharing what you love is important to you and I can’t do that because of my allergies… but I just ended up upsetting you anyways.” You shake your head. “I guess I just… really like you Honey, and I didn’t want to stop seeing you…” instantly, your cheeks flame red with the impromptu admission, and you stumble over your words. “Gosh, I’m sorry. I’m so sorry I made you cry, Honey. Please forgive me!” You stand and gather your things as quickly as you can. “I’ll… I’ll see you later.” A second later, the door to the music room is opened and shut as you take your leave from the embarrassing situation.

Of course, your running just makes Honey even sadder. Mori sits on the couch next to him and offers a hug, which he gladly accepts, rubbing his eyes with the back of his hand. “I almost hurt Y/N-chan,” he says softly.

“She said you did her no harm,” Mori replies, his deep voice rumbling.

“But I could have! I could have made her sick or killed her because I didn’t know…!” Honey is sad and angry and frustrated all at once. There’s a few moments of silence, and then- “Do… Do you think she’ll come back?”

“I’m not sure, Mitsukuni.”

“I messed everything up,” the boy says miserably, and burrows his way further into Mori’s arms so he can cry in peace.  

…

“Hey, Y/N. You doing okay? We haven’t seen you in a while.” Haruhi slides into a desk next to you in the back of the classroom, taking you by surprise. “Tamaki’s been sulking in the corner for the last three days now.”

“Oh, well.” You laugh nervously, trying not to twist your fingers too much. Honestly, you haven’t worked up the courage to go back to the Host Club after last time’s incident. Really, only you could make the boy you’ve been crushing on cry… “I’ve just been a little busy I guess!”

Haruhi shrugs. “Well hey, if you’ve got the time, stop by sometime today? Put me out of my misery, you know how Tamaki can be.” She rolls her eyes as her dry tone lets you in on her exasperation, making you giggle. Maybe you can just try to avoid Honey? If you stick with Tamaki you might be okay…

“Well, I’m sure I can stop by for a bit this afternoon. If only to help you out,” you tease fondly. Haruhi smiles in that endearing way of hers and sits back in her chair to put her attention on the teacher that’s just walked into the room. But what you can’t see is her pulling her phone from her pocket and shooting a quick text to the Host Club group chat (every time she removed herself one of the boys just kept adding her back in, so she’s accepted her fate of being woken up by commoner memes at 2AM):

Tamaki’s Princess: Y/N said she’d stop by today

                         Tamaki’s Princess changed her name to Haruhi

Haruhi: and for god’s sakes Tamaki stop it with the stupid nicknames

King Tamaki: it wasn’t me, I swear!,!!!

Thing 1: *devil emoji* Thing 2: *laughing emoji*

Mommy Dearest: you all know you must maintain a 3.8 average to remain in a club, correct?

New message from: Honey-Senpai

Did Y/N-chan really say she’d come today?!?!???!,?!

Haruhi smiles and thumbs over to the private chat. She of course knows about Honey’s crush on you- she’s got eyes, after all- and she figured he’d be happy to know you’d be back this afternoon.

Yup. She seems a little nervous tho. Go easy on her maybe.

She watches the little “typing in progress” bubble appear, then disappear, then appear… only to disappear again. She locks her phone and slips it back into her trouser pocket, glancing sideways at you taking notes in your binder. Hopefully Honey won’t mess this up…

Meanwhile, in his own classroom, Honey is typing out a message so frantically his fingers keep slipping on the screen.

Y/N-CHAN IS COMIGN TOT HE CLUB TODAY

MEET ME AT HOEM DURING LUNCH BREAK

Mori allows himself a small smile as he responds with a simple thumbs up.

…

That afternoon, you have to stand outside the music room for a few moments to gather your nerves. It’ll be fine. Just stick with Tamaki, or maybe Haruhi, don’t think about Honey, and maybe you won’t embarrass yourself again… or make him cry, again…

All your plans immediately go out the window the moment you step inside- because apparently, Honey was waiting expectantly by the door for you.

“Hi Y/N-chan!” His smile instantly washes away your nerves. At least he’s still happy to see you. “We’ve missed you!” He makes Usa-chan give you a little wave, and you laugh.

“I’ve missed you guys too; I just got a little busy I suppose.” You try not to blush thinking about the disaster that happened last time you were here.

“Well you have to come sit with me today! I have a surprise for you!”

Your eyes widen. “A surprise?” “Mhm! Come on, I’ll show you!” With that, he grabs your hand like he does it all the time and drags you off to his little corner. You can’t help but get a few butterflies as the two of you hold hands. Sure, he’s probably just doing it to get you where he needs you to go, but still… it’s nice.

“Okay, close your eyes!”

“Close my eyes?” You lightly cover your face with your fingers. “You won’t let me fall, will you?”

“Of course not!” You can hear the horror in his voice at the thought as he maneuvers you into position, then gently pokes your stomach in an indication to sit down. You do, feeling the plush couch give under your weight. “Okay, open in one, two, three!”

You blink into the light, and you see before you- well. You’re not quite sure what it is, exactly. It’s definitely lopsided, and colorful, with swirls of pink and blues and maybe some sugar crystals on top? Oh… “Honey? What’s all this?”

“It’s… A CAKE!” He announces proudly, smile turned up to megawatt proportions. “I made you a cake!” He’s bouncing on the balls of his feet, clearly excited. “Come on, you’ve gotta try it!”

“You… made me a cake?” Something warm flares in your chest, just below your collarbone, then fizzles out just as quickly as you look at him sadly. “Oh, Honey, that is super sweet of you, but I told you I-”

“Noooooooo, listen!” He cuts you off, eager. “This is a special cake! It’s, um…” he glances at Mori, who has been sitting across from you in his own couch watching this exchange, and mouths something quizzically to him. Mori nods solemnly, and Honey turns back to you. “Gluten free!”

“Wait, really?” You’re stunned. Had he really put in this much effort, all for you?

“Mhm! It’s made with like, almond flour and stuff. I looked up a recipe and everything! I didn’t know if you liked pink or blue best, so I just decided to use both.” He very carefully cuts you a slice, plates it, and offers it to you. “Will… will you try it?”

“Of course I will!” Honestly, you’re just about tearing up at this. No one has ever gone to so much effort for you- gluten free baking is hard. “You don’t know how much this means to me, Honey.”

He blushes a little as you get a bit on your fork to take a bite. You stall a little though, just having to double check- “and you’re sure there’s no wheat in this at all? The cake, the icing, nothing?”

“Nope! Mori helped me make it and he made sure I didn’t mess up.”

You glance at the boy in question and he nods, confirming. Mori is the definition of vigilant, so if he was watching, it’s probably okay. So you happily take a bite, laughing a little when a bit falls from between your lips and you chase the crumbs with a napkin.

It’s… not good. Really not good. At all. It’s somehow dry and underbaked all at once, and it’s way too sweet, almost as though the first ingredient was sugar. “It’s… awesome, Honey!” You try to smile around your mouthful, chewing as quickly as you can so you can get it down. “Thank you so much!”

But the look he gives you is totally worth stomaching some questionable cake. So you eat another bite, and another, and Honey seems to get happier and happier as he sits next to you working away at his own piece.

By the end of the afternoon, you’ve only managed to finish one piece, but that seems to be enough for the small host- he’s running around the music room, chattering to anyone and everyone, happier than he’s been in weeks.

“You can tell him it’s bad, you know.”

You glance up at Mori, still sitting across from you, watching with an amused smile. Narrowing your eyes at him, you mock-threateningly brandish your fork at him. “Absolutely not! Don’t you dare!”

…

The entire next week, you feel like you’re floating on clouds. You haven’t missed another day at the Host Club, nor another day sitting with Honey. He hasn’t attempted another culinary masterpiece, thankfully, but that hasn’t stopped him from being in great spirits. It’s been wonderful. You’re daydreaming about it as you lazily flip through a book, nestled underneath a huge cherry blossom tree on the school’s grounds. Maybe you should tell Honey how you feel… but no, that’d be silly. He’s a host after all, he’s got much better options to pick from on any given day…

“Hey, Y/N.” Like he was pulled from your thoughts, Honey appears beside you, a book bag slung over his shoulder. “Can I sit with you?”

“Honey, hi! Of course!” You scoot over a bit and pat the ground next to you. He sighs and drops his bag, then plops down next to it, fisting his hands into his hair as he lets out a little groan.

“Are… you okay?” You glance at him. “You seem a little… tired?”

He glances up at you sideways, big brown eyes drooping a little at the corners. “I haven’t eaten any cake all day.”

“What? Really?” You weren’t even sure if Honey ate anything else but cake.

“Nope.” He shakes his head dejectedly. “No cake, no cinnamon buns, no tarts, no nothing!” He dramatically fake-faints into your lap, his nose scrunched up in clear displeasure. “It’s been horrible.”

“I can imagine.” You blink at your sudden lapful of Honey. Without thinking, you run a hand through his hair in a soothing gesture. It’s soft and surprisingly thick. “Are you sick? Why haven’t you eaten?”

“Oh.” He abruptly sits up, kneeling by your side. “‘Cause I wanted to do this.” Before you have a chance to process anything, he’s pressed a kiss to your lips, so brief you think you might have imagined it. His hand finds its way to your cheek, and he runs a thumb over your cheekbone like he’s reassuring himself you’re actually there. It’s a good grounding for you too, because you feel like the earth has just disappear out from under you.

When he pulls away, he lets his hand drop, and you almost want to take your own hand and put it back up where it was. You’re speechless. Honey… likes you? Likes you likes you? You can tell a wildfire of a blush is creeping across your cheeks as you blink at him, starstruck.

He’s looking at you with a bit of a sad expression on his face. “It’s okay if you don’t feel the same way. I just had to try.” He moves to go, but you grab his hand before he can get far.

“Honey, wait! I don’t- I’m not- agh! Just… give me a second.” He tilts his head curiously at you as you put your palm up to your cheek, willing them to stop burning, and take a couple of deep breaths. “I’m just surprised, I guess,” you say honestly. “I didn’t know you felt that way about me.”

“I don’t make cakes for just anyone,” he says seriously, and your heart breaks a little.

“I suppose not.” You pause. “Wait. Did you not eat any cake today because you were planning on kissing me?”

“Mhm.”  He looks at his shoes, toeing the ground. “I didn’t wanna risk making you sick.”

“Oh.” Oh. “Then how come you still taste like sugar?”

Honey blinks at you. “What?”

“You… you still taste like sugar,” you say bashfully, tapping your lips. “Even though you haven’t eaten any sweets today.”

That makes him giggle, the sound brightening the sun. “I guess I’m living up to my reputation, huh?” He shrugs and winks at you.

“Very much so.” It occurs to you that you’ve still got a hand wrapped around his wrist, from where you stopped him from leaving. You shift a little so that you can wind your fingers through his. “You know, I’m not really sure if that would make me sick or not. I guess I’ll have to find out if you’re going to keep surprising me with kisses.”

You watch him digest your words, and as realization washes over him it looks like all his hopes and dreams have been answered. “I’ll keep surprising you if you want me to.”

Gently, you tug on his hand until he’s standing in front of you, then lean up to give him another soft peck. “I think I’d like that.”

He almost can’t kiss you again because he’s smiling too hard, but somehow that makes him taste even sweeter.

[wistfulcynic]

One More Kiss 2 /2

Summary: They want to be together, but the princess cannot marry the lieutenant. Emma is determined but Killian is noble. Heartbreak ensues.

a/n: I honestly intended for this to be a one-shot. BUT... I have never written an unhappy ending and immediately felt bad. Angst shouldn’t be for its own sake, it should come to something. It should make the relationship stronger when they come through it in the end. After all this is FANTASY and there’s enough pointless pain in the real world. SO, here is Chapter 2. Still angsty, but your hearts should be whole again by the end. 

3k+ words

Rating: T

On AO3 | On Tumblr

Tagging: @darkcolinodonorgasm @courtorderedcake @kmomof4  (stop shouting at me now, please) One More Kiss, Part 2:

“Killian’s a good man,” said Snow, cradling Emma close as she wept. “He did the right thing. You cannot marry him. To lie with him would have been reckless and irresponsible. What if you had become pregnant?” 

“Y-you’re just worried about your d-damned alliances!” Emma sobbed, almost wishing she hadn’t confided in her mother. But the princess cannot cry for days on end without someone noticing, and when Snow came to investigate the tale had just poured out. 

“I am worried about them, and so should you be. War is coming, Emma, it’s all but inevitable at this point. If we’re to have any hope of victory we need a solid alliance forged by your marriage. There is no other way to protect our country.” 

“It's n-not fair!” 

“No it isn’t.” Snow stroked Emma’s hair. “If I had my way you would be free to marry whom you wished, be it a naval lieutenant—“

“Captain. H-he’s a captain now.” 

“—a naval captain or a prince or a farm labourer, if that was your choice. But these are desperate times, Emma, and we must all make sacrifices. Killian understands that. Do you?” 

---

Emma blinked, shaking off the old memory, and returned her attention to the reflection in her dressing room mirror. Widening her eyes, she pressed her fingertips gently against the delicate skin beneath them. It was distressingly loose, baggy and bruised from lack of sleep and stress. Once her eyes had been bright and full of laughter, now worry lines spread from their corners and the frown between them seemed ever present. Killian had loved her eyes. What would he think if he could see them now? 

Soon she would find out. 

Six years to the day had passed since he’d left, years in which everything had changed, leaving Emma feeling she must now be unrecognisable to the pampered, naive girl she’d been. 

(I love you. I always will. Not a day will go by that I won’t think of you.) 

Was that still true for him, she wondered? As it was for her? 

A knock echoed through the chamber. 

“Enter,” she said, turning to face the door, smoothing her expression into the royal mask. 

It opened to admit a young page, who bowed deeply. “Begging your pardon, Your Majesty. The council is waiting.” 

“Thank you. Please inform them I will be there momentarily.” 

“Yes, Your Majesty.” 

Emma smoothed her hair and her gown, and patted her face with a light puff of powder. There had been a time, not long since, when she would have had a dozen maids to take care of such things for her, but times were very different now. 

She walked briskly down the long corridor to the council chamber and nodded to the footmen who guarded the heavy double doors. In perfect unison they swung the doors open and announced: “Her Majesty, Queen Emma!” 

Emma entered the chamber and nodded at her ministers, seating herself in her chair and gesturing for them to do the same. 

“Gentlemen,” she said. “What have you to report?”

The Minister of the Interior ostentatiously cleared his throat. “The Jewel of the Realm returned early this morning, Your Majesty,” he said. “Sooner than anticipated. The rest of the ships in the fleet are a week or two behind. Admiral Jones has been debriefed and will make his report to you at a private audience this afternoon.” 

Emma kept her face calm and her breathing measured, but her fingernails dug dark red gouges into the skin of her arms. 

He’s back. He’s back. He’s here. 

“Is there a reason he couldn’t be present for this meeting?” she asked, pleased that her voice came out calm and steady. 

The Interior looked at a spot just above her left shoulder. “He is at present with the Court surgeons,” he said. 

“The surgeons?!”

“Yes, Your Majesty. I will leave the admiral to supply the details, but in short the war on the seas is over. Our navy won a decisive battle against the Dark One’s forces and they are defeated. But at a great cost in men and ships. The Jewel, as the fastest of the surviving vessels, carried the wounded home while the able-bodied took charge of the others. Admiral Jones commanded her, but he was --ahem-- he was also among the wounded.” 

Breathe, Emma! she commanded herself. He’s alive. He’s home. 

“Thank you, Minister. Please send Admiral Jones to see me as soon as he is able. Now, what news of our ground forces?”

---

Emma sat in her private study, tapping her foot against the floor as she waited, thinking about Killian. So much had happened since she’d seen him last: the plague, the war, her parents’ deaths, and Baelfire’s. Her kingdom’s population decimated, its land ravaged. The adjoining kingdoms, their ancient allies, broken on the same wheel. 

She loved Killian, had never for a moment stopped loving him, but she was no longer the girl he’d known. And if her experiences these past six years had changed her beyond recognition, what must his own have done to him? 

What began as a straightforward diplomatic mission to the Endless Isles had ended four years later in the bloodiest sea battle ever fought, one that took his brother’s life along with the lives of most of the navy’s senior command. Killian, according to the reports carried by her mother’s messenger birds, had singlehandedly rallied the remaining men and ships back into a disciplined fleet, and led them in pursuit of their attackers. King David’s last official act before the plague took his life had been to promote him to Admiral, the youngest in the long history of Misthaven’s navy. How much of her Killian would be left in this fierce man he had become? How much could possibly remain?

A knock sounded at the door, and Emma took several deep breaths to calm her pounding heart. “Enter.” 

The door swung open and Killian stood before her, an older, harder version of him but still as breathtakingly handsome as she remembered, still turning her blood to fire with his mere presence. For the briefest moment his eyes blazed with emotion, but then he bowed deeply to her and when he stood upright again his face was impassive. 

“Your Majesty,” he said. 

Gods, thought Emma. His voice is still the same. She should know, she heard it regularly in her dreams. 

“Admiral Jones,” she managed to say. “Please take a seat.” She indicated the chair opposite her own and Killian approached, sitting himself down with some difficulty. He laid his hands in his lap and Emma noticed that the left one was heavily bandaged. 

“My ministers inform me that the war is all but won,” she said. “And that we have you to thank for this.” 

“It is won, Your Majesty,” he replied. “The Dark One’s forces have been destroyed, his fleet is gone. And I am just one of many men responsible for this.” 

“Modesty? That’s not like you.” The words were out of her mouth before she could think better of them, needling him as she used to do. Perhaps some things hadn’t changed. 

He smiled, reluctantly to be sure, but his mouth curved upwards and humour flashed in his eyes. “I dare say much about me has changed since the last time we spoke,” he said. He looked at her penetratingly, blue eyes missing nothing. “And about you as well, if you’ll permit me saying so, my Queen.” 

“Of course, and you are correct.” More so than he knew. 

He shifted towards her, then caught himself and sat back, squaring his shoulders. “I was sorry to hear about your parents,” he said gruffly. “I admired them greatly.” 

“Thank you.” She swallowed past the lump in her throat that still formed when she thought of them.

“And also,” he cleared his own throat, “Your fiancé.” 

“Yes.” She didn’t want to talk about Baelfire. Didn’t want to talk about how hard she’d tried to keep her promise to Killian, to be happy. How she’d thought maybe, maybe she might actually be able to please everyone, to find happiness with the Dark One’s son and secure a crucial alliance, to do her duty to Killian and her parents both. How Bae’s death from plague the week before their wedding had ripped both those things away, violently and all at once. “And your brother,” she replied, deflecting. “He is sorely missed.” 

“Aye.” He laughed lightly, but there was no humour in it. “Far too many good people have been lost.” 

“Yes.” They sat silently for a moment, remembering. 

It was Killian who broke the silence. “After the battle I turned the Jewel of the Realm into a hospital ship,” he said. “To transport the wounded home as quickly as possible. Shipboard medicine is rather rough and ready, as I’m sure you can imagine, though I would like to recommend Doctor Victor Whale for a commendation. He kept many more men alive than should have survived.”

“I’ll see that it’s done.” 

“There are many-- many posthumous commendations and medals I would also like to recommend.” Anger darkened his face. “It’s bloody pointless, of course, this pomp and ceremony for men who are dead, but if it helps their families…” 

She longed to hug him, wrap him tightly in her arms and soothe his pain away. “Leave a list of your recommendations with my steward,” she said gently. “I will ensure that your men are properly honoured. It is the very least we can do for their sacrifice.” 

He nodded. “Thank you. The remainder of the fleet should arrive in a week or so. There are… five ships remaining.” 

“Five!” Five out of a fleet of thirty. 

“Aye.” 

Emma resisted the urge to rub the tension from her temples, reminding herself that for any ships to survive against the Dark One’s seemingly invincible forces was a near miraculous thing, that defeating him was all that mattered, whatever the cost. 

She wondered if she would be able to remember that if Killian had died. 

“Five is far better than none,” she said after a long pause, not missing the way Killian’s shoulders relaxed at her words. “We’ll rebuild.” 

“Thank you, Your Majesty.” 

“Thank you, Admiral. Is there anything further?”

“Just one thing.” He reached up to rub at a spot behind his right ear, and Emma was both relieved that he still did that and also wanted to weep. “I wish to resign my commission.” 

“Resign it!” 

“Aye.” He held up his left arm with a wry grimace. “Our fleet was not the only thing the Dark One nearly destroyed. We succeeded in ending that demon but in the battle my hand was irreparably damaged. It had to be amputated.” 

“But… how are… don’t you need… are you okay?” She could kick herself for the inane question, but there was warmth in his eyes when he smiled in response. 

“As well as can be. Whale performed some sorcery, I’ve no notion what, and the wound closed with remarkable speed. The palace surgeons believe it will be fully healed in a month or so. But that doesn’t change the fact that the hand is gone and without it I can be of little use to the navy.” 

“I’m sure that’s not true--”

“Please Em-- Your Majesty.” He flushed at his slip, but pressed on. “I have been through… rather a lot in the past years and I don’t especially care for what it’s made of me. I need to make a change, before I become a person I can no longer stand.”

The urge to weep returned, stronger than ever. “I understand,” she whispered. “I accept your resignation.” 

He nodded, swallowed, cleared his throat. “Thank you. I-- that’s all I have to report.” He rose from his chair, bowed to her, and turned to leave. His hand was on the doorknob when she called out “Admiral!” 

He turned, and what she saw in his eyes stole her breath. “Where will you go?”

“I’m staying in the palace until the fleet returns, to ensure all goes smoothly. I won’t officially resign until a replacement can be found, and after that… I don’t know. Something else.” 

“If there’s anything you need,” if you need me “please let me know.” 

His eyes blazed and for the briefest moment she thought he might break. But then he opened the door. “I will,” he replied, and he was gone. 

---

Emma couldn’t sleep. She was antsy and anxious and could think of nothing but Killian. 

(I’ve put Admiral Jones in the Rose Suite,” her steward had told her that afternoon, and Emma had concealed the pounding of her heart as she thanked him.)

The Rose Suite. Just around the corner from her own chambers. He was so close. So close. 

She felt herself throw back the covers and toss a shawl over her thin linen nightgown. Her feet carried her out of her bedroom and down the corridor, around the corner to Killian’s door, and her hand rose to knock before she could stop it. There was a shuffling noise then it swung open and Killian stood before her, wearing his uniform trousers and nothing else. 

“Emma!” he gasped in surprise. “Er-- Your Majesty.” 

“No. Emma. It’s always Emma to you. Killian, I--” She paused, unsure of what to say. There was so much she wished to tell him, so much that needed to be said between them, but the words tumbled in her mind and caught in her throat and all she could manage was to grab hold of his shoulders, stand on her toes, and kiss him. 

His arms came around her instantly, his mouth hot and insistent on hers. She wrapped her arms around his neck, pressing herself as tightly to him as she could, vaguely aware that he had shut the door behind them and pressed her up against it. Her thin nightgown was no barrier at all and she could feel his chest hair against her nipples and the hardness between his legs, swelling against her almost where she needed it to be. She shifted, lifted her leg, desperate to get closer, and he curled his hand around her thigh and hoisted her up so she could lock her legs around his waist as he ground against her, rubbing himself against her most sensitive spot, the perfect spot, until she feared she might burst from the pleasure roaring through her. 

She broke their kiss, gasping as Killian’s mouth immediately found her neck, trailing kisses down it as she dug her fingernails into the hard muscle of his shoulders and moaned. 

“Killian... oh, gods... I love you..” 

He froze at her words, and she cursed herself as his mouth left her neck and he leaned his head on the door behind her. She could hear his ragged breathing and the words he barely whispered. “I love you too, Emma. Damn it!” 

He gently unhooked her legs from around his waist and set her on her feet before stepping back, running a shaking hand through his hair. “I’m sorry,” he said. 

“For what?” she nearly snarled, as frustration replaced lust. “I kissed you!”

“But I-- I had almost no control--” 

“I wish you’d had none,” she retorted. “That’s twice now I’ve made a move and you refused to follow through. It shouldn’t be this godsdamned difficult to get myself ravished by a man who claims to love me.” 

“It’s precisely because I love you that I can’t ravish you, surely you see that?” he snarled back. “Emma, much has changed these six years, but one thing remains unaltered. You are royalty and I am not.” 

“What does that matter anymore?” she cried in exasperation. “The kingdoms are shattered, Killian, the old guard is gone. Almost anyone who ever cared about protocol or marriage alliances is dead. Those of us who survive must make our own way into a new world and we can make our own rules for how to live there. I doubt at this juncture if anyone will do much more than raise an eyebrow at the Queen of Misthaven marrying her navy’s most decorated admiral, the war hero responsible for her kingdom even having a navy.”

He smiled faintly, almost shyly. “Marrying?”

“Yes.” she said fiercely. “Marrying. Why does that surprise you? I never stopped loving you, every day of these six years I have thought of you, and prayed to every god I could find to bring you home safely. So yes, of course I want to marry you. It’s all I’ve ever wanted.” 

With a sharp tug he pulled her back into his arms, squeezing her tightly, his face in her hair. “I want that too,” he said. “So bloody much. If you’re sure--” 

“I’m the damn Queen, I can do as I please,” she declared. “Who’s going to tell me I can’t? Our allies will support us now because they must, there is no other choice. We all need each other if we’re to rebuild our lands. And there is no one I would rather have at my side as we do that than you, my love.” She pulled back slightly to look at him, at the tears glimmering in his eyes, as they did in her own. “You said once that I needed a steady and sensible man and that is what I intend to have, youngest-admiral-in-history-Jones.” 

He choked a laugh, and pulled her close again. “I’m hardly steady or sensible, love, I have a dreadful temper and I-- I’ve done some awful things. Things you might not be able to forgive.”

“I forgive you already.”

“How can you? You don’t know--” 

“I don’t need to know, unless you wish to tell me. I know you, and that’s enough.”  

“You might not know me anymore,” he said quietly. “The things I’ve seen and done, they’ve changed me. I’m not the boy you knew.” 

She shook her head, hearing his version of her own concerns fall from his lips. “That doesn’t change how I feel,” she said, as reassuringly as she could. “I’m not the girl you knew. Does that mean you no longer love me?”

His eyes roamed her face and he brushed her hair back from it, his thumb tracing the fine lines around her eyes. “If anything I love you more,” he said softly, “Seeing how strong you are, how you kept the kingdom together through one tragedy after another. You’ve become the most extraordinary woman.” 

She flushed at the praise. “You’re extraordinary too.”

“I’m not--” 

“You are. No one else could have commanded the fleet as you did. No one else could have defeated the Dark One. I’m so proud of you, Killian. Of everything you’ve done.” 

He made a choked noise and pulled her close again, kissing her deeply, desperately, lifting her up and carrying her to his bed. He laid her gently on the mattress and looked down at her, his eyes brimming with wonder and lust and hope. She smiled. 

“Does this mean you accept my proposal? You’ll marry me?”

“I will marry you. But first--” He grinned, his old, wicked grin that made her stomach flutter and her heart soar. “First I will ravish you. Thoroughly.” 

Their kingdom lay in ruins, the life they had known gone forever. But for the first time in years Emma felt confident that they could be rebuilt, better and stronger than ever before. They would rebuild it, she and Killian. Together. 

She threaded her fingers into his hair, pulled him down atop her. “It’s about damn time,” she said.

[sighingstarbeam]

Spies and Gods - Chapter 9

Summary: The reader receives some unpleasant news before a night out of town.

Word Count: 2,760

Chapter 8 | Chapter 10

The ride was far from silent. Thor sat in the passenger’s seat chastising his brother about what he’s done. Loki paid no mind to his brother’s words of discouragement as he gazed out the window arms crossed. It was another argument he couldn’t win, what’s the point in fighting back? He knew what he did and had his reasons. If Loki tried to explain it was for the safety of their people Thor would literally throw him out of the moving car. Perhaps if he didn’t perform a mass cloaking spell on the ship the governments of Earth would be helpful. However, last time an enormous ship landed on Earth almost half of New York was destroyed, it was highly doubtful that they wouldn’t shoot first and ask questions later.

You stared at your phone, listening to the one sided argument take place. Your phone vibrated with a text from Lilly inviting you to her birthday party at a local nightclub Saturday night. You responded you’ll try- no, definitely be there. It was time you got out of the headquarters that wasn’t via magic portal. 

Looking up Thor was still at it, Loki was still looking out the window, and Tony was annoyed at the both of them. You had ideas floating in the back of your head of how you could help the stranded Asgardians. You knew they’ve been here for a while, but going to a whole new planet with several different cultures, adapting would be difficult and having to watch your home be destroyed didn’t help. They needed to continue to be their own society but still adjust to their new surroundings.

“What if you guys build your own Asgard here on Earth?” You interrupted Thor’s lecture, earning a stare from both him, Loki, and Tony from the rear view mirror. “I mean, there has to be somewhere that has plenty of land or even abandoned buildings to start with.” You shrugged.

“It is kind of you to suggest such a thing, Lady Y/N,” Thor said, turning to get a better view of you, “however, where could we possibly rebuild Asgard that could fit our people? I do not mean to offend, but your people and our people’s lifestyle and traditions are vastly different.”

“Vastly, different.” Loki hissed. 

You ignored his remark, turning to Tony, “Don’t you know any governors, Hell even mayors that could help out?” 

Tony focused on the road, you couldn’t tell if he heard you or not. 

“Tony-”

“Does it have to be in America?” Tony asked. 

“What do you saying, Stark?” Thor raised a brow.

“Like you said, your cultures are really different than ours. But not entirely different than Scandinavia. I mean, they worshiped and wrote about you guys, didn’t they? I’m also great buddies with the Prime Minister of Norway, I’m sure they can find a place for some alien refugees.”

Thor and Loki exchanged looks as if they were communicating telepathically. Thor patted Tony on the shoulder, “You would really do this?”

“It’s just a few phone calls. But yeah. You can be in charge of the entire situation since you’re their king and all. On one condition,” Tony pointed behind him towards Loki, “this one stays with us.”

“What?!” Loki nearly lunged forward in his seat if it wasn’t for the seat belt.

“After your stunt we’re keeping an extra close on you. Plus Doctor Weird wouldn’t want you in a different country, not that it would be a problem for him to get to you, but if we allowed that he might request for you to be under his care. Hell I wouldn’t give a damn playing divorced parent for you to be under his custody. But like it or not you’re either our responsibility, the wizard’s, or the government. You can pick.” 

Loki tightened his jaw, slumping back in his seat in defeat. Great, you’re stuck with your neighbor longer than you anticipated. You should’ve kept your mouth shut. 

Not too long later you all arrived back to Avengers HQ. Loki nearly slammed the car door before he marched to his room, almost running Thor over. Thor didn’t think much of it as he considered Loki’s point of view. Still, he agreed with Tony on keeping him in the care of the Avengers while Asgard was being rebuilt. 

“I will alert my people immediately of your plan, Y/N.” Thor patted your shoulder, “Thank you.” 

“You’re welcome.” You patted his shoulder back, although your hand probably felt like a pebble gently tapping on him. “I wanted to help somehow. The thought of an entire people lost on a new world bothered me.”

“It bothers me as well. But hopefully we can make a difference. Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to go on one of those computers and research your modern day Scandinavia. I’m sure it has changed in the last few thousand years since our people were last there.” With that Thor excused himself, the thought that Thor and Loki were over a thousand years old yet still looked good baffled you.

Tony hasn’t said a word since his promise to talk to the Prime Minister. “I need to get back to my meeting.” Tony blatantly stated. Before you could think to say anything, he went back into his car and sped away, leaving you alone. 

_______

The next few days were eerily silent. Everyone was constantly in and out with various missions and assignments. The life of an Avenger wasn’t as lavish or laid back as the media portrayed them it to be. Tony ignored you the day after you and Loki were forced a visit to Doctor Strange. The day after was a bit better when you helped him with his projects, but the cold tension in the air was so thick not even a knife could cut through it. After a while the tension faded, but Tony never explained his reason for being upset, or whatever emotion you could call it. Not only were you helping Tony in the lab, you started to work out again to fill in the time. You didn’t train with the others, but Natasha did spot for you when you needed it. It’s been a while since you worked out, not since you escaped from Hydra. As for Loki, you haven’t talked to him since that day as he was cooped up in his room. Now that you thought about it, you didn’t see him leave once, not even to get food. 

Saturday rolled in so fast you almost forgot about Lilly’s birthday. You did forget to get a gift for her, but you figured you could pick something up quickly before the party. You knew you needed the day to get ready. The night club you were meeting at was as Maya described it “the boujee-ist place in all of New York”, so you wanted to look your best. You already had your stylish yet sexy outfit planned out that you’ve been dying to wear out on the town ever since the girls helped you pick it out one day on a shopping spree. You never imagined you would have two friends taking you shopping, giving you a home, and being so understanding on your situation. 

You finished taking a long, steamy bath, admiring your not too shabby work shaving your legs. You put a lavender smelling lotion all over your body right before letting the towel from your hair fall to the ground. You admired how much your hair has grown the last few years after being shaved so many times since you were a young teen into your adulthood. From your hair you looked at your body, how much weight you were able to gain back from only getting the bare nutrients and calories, you looked more youthful than you ever did when you were younger. 

Your thoughts were interrupted by the sound of people talking down the hallway. You recognized one of the voices as Tony. He would be leaving tonight with Thor for Norway, so now was your chance to try and clear the air before he left. 

Drying your hair the best you can to stop it from dripping, you slipped on a bathrobe and opened your door. Tony was walking with a few other men wearing lab coats. You figured they helped him with other projects as you recognized a few they listed as Tony told them what to focus on this weekend while he was gone. 

“Tony,” you grabbed his attention after he was a few feet away from your room, “can we talk for a minute?”

Tony nodded to the other men, patting one on the shoulder before they entered the elevator down the hall, “What do you need?”

This was the most words he’s given you the last few days. You weren’t going to let him give you the silent treatment any longer, “Are you mad at me for something?”

Tony looked confused, “I’m not mad. Why would you think that?”

“I dunno,” you leaned against your door frame, “we haven’t had a real conversation with more than three sentences since before the other day with you know who.” You tilted your head in the direction of Loki’s room. 

Tony looked at Loki’s door, expecting him to make a grand appearance at any moment, “Listen kid, I admit I was more than… irritated, when I got the call that Loki was out of the building, but it wasn’t meant to be directed towards you.” It wasn’t much of an apology, but you figured that’s the closest you would get to one. 

“I get it. I’m glad we’re actually talking, but I need to finish getting ready.” You remembered you were standing in the hallway in nothing but your bathrobe.

“Um, getting ready for what exactly?” 

“I’m going out with my friends for Lilly’s birthday. It’s just going to be dinner and a few drinks.”

“When did you plan on telling me this?” Tony said, crossing his arms, his tone straying into strict dad territory.

“I was going to mention it when I got the text, but we were in the car and I never got the chance. Besides, you didn’t really need to know the second I got the invite.”

“Yes I did need to know, because you’re not going.” 

Your jaw dropped, “I’m not going?” You asked, starting to get pissed off at Tony yet again for something ridiculous.

“You heard right,” he said, “If I knew that day we could’ve made arrangements, but Thor and I are heading to Norway tonight and everyone else is busy.”

“There’s no way that there’s absolutely nobody else that can babysit. What about Steve?”

“Infiltrating a terrorist base with Sam and Bucky.”

“Bruce?”

“Not the best idea to have him watch over Hulk’s favorite rag doll.”

“Natasha?”

“Classified.” 

“Wanda or Vision?”

“Double date with Clint and his wife that they’ve been planning for months.”

“What about all those other agents, scientists, or whatever they are? You can’t tell me they’re all busy.” You started to raise your voice in frustration. 

“For the most part, yeah, they are. I can’t ask every single one of them. Especially with this short notice.” Tony raised his voice in return, “I also know for a fact that none of them would even volunteer, they don’t have the balls like you do. You’re on nanny duty. End of discussion.” You couldn’t begin another sentence as Tony left. You were completely dumbfounded that your night was completely ruined, all because of stupid Loki.

“Well, that was quite a conversation.” Speak of the devil. Loki’s head popped out between the door and door frame, blocking your view into his room. You always wondered what his room looked like, whether it was decorated in his style, or if he kept it clean and organized or in disarray. He did like chaos, but maybe living situations was an exception. 

“How much of that did you hear?” You adjusted your bathrobe, covering yourself as modest as possible.

“Just a fair amount.” He opened his door enough to show his full body, he was wearing a casual green button up shirt and black pants. It was a little weird seeing him in human clothes as you were accustomed to his Asgardian suits. “I heard you want to go to a party but your poor father wants you to watch over me, correct?”

You didn’t respond. You didn’t want to give him any satisfaction in whatever game he wanted to play. Instead your mind wandered to what you were going to do tonight. First you had to text the girls that you couldn’t make it, you’re sure they would understand given the fact they know you’re living with a literal alien psycho. Maybe you could get into your most comfortable pajamas and binge watch some shows you’ve been meaning to catch up on. “Good night.” You said to Loki, closing your door behind you.

“I could help you.” Loki stepped out of his room, walking the few steps to use his hand to stop you from closing the door.

“Help me with what?” You glared, not wanting to put up with anything else tonight.

“You want to go to this party, I can make it seem like you were here the entire time while you’re out doing, whatever it is Midgards do for fun.” Loki was close enough you could smell his aroma, a mix of cologne and lingering leather. From what you could tell from the way he looked at you he wasn’t going to leave you alone on this.

“What’s the catch?” You asked, “I mean, what’s in it for you? I’m sure you’re not doing this from the bottom of your heart.”

Loki gave you a playful grin, “Allow me to have one night of freedom outside of this building.” The moment he said that you tried to close the door, he pushed against your force, keeping the door open, “Wait, let me explain! All I ask is a single night. I’ve been confined here for weeks, I’ve already read every book or magazine there is to offer, and your ‘television’ is mindless.”

“That’s the point of TV.” You put in extra muscle in to get the door shut, but Loki’s extra human strength overpowered you, “I’ll get you some books another time.”

Loki scoffed, “So you’re going to follow Stark’s orders like a good child?” You stopped pushing on the door. Loki stumbled from your sudden lack of effort, but straightened himself back to his arrogant self. “You may be his daughter, but you don’t have to listen to his every will and command. If you do, we’re both prisoners here.”

You hesitated, processing everything he just said, “If this is going to happen, we need to make a few arrangements.” 

Again, Loki showed his wicked smile, “Go on.”

“First, we need to leave long after Tony and Thor are gone. We can’t let anyone see us leave, especially them.”

“Leave that to me. As you know I am the expert in trickery.”

“Second, we would need to be back before tomorrow morning when everyone else gets back. So no random hookups or sleepovers.”

Loki was disgusted, “Please, as if I would ever. Especially with a Midgardian.”

You pinched the bridge of your nose, closing your eyes as you exhaled annoyed. “And lastly, you’re not going off on your own.”

Loki’s mouth opened in shock, “What?!”

“If anyone found out I snuck out on babysitting duty, I’d be in for it. But if they knew I let you go roaming around the city, I’d not only be in for it, they’d have not only my head on a stake, but yours too. Are we clear.”

Loki thought about your bargain for a moment. Yes it would suck having a tagalong on a night you were suppose to have fun, but facing the wrath of the Avengers for ditching is way worse. “Fine. On one condition.” Loki finally said.

You raised an eyebrow.

“You must be my personal assistant for an entire month. Preparing my meals, cleaning my quarters, everything.”

Great, you were sneaking out with the guy now he wants to negotiate? “Make it one week.”

“Three weeks.”

“Two.”

Once again, he bared his coy smile. Loki held out his hand, “Two weeks it is.” You stared at his outstretched hand, then before you could go back on your word you took his hand in yours, giving a firm shake.

Why do you feel like you just made a deal with the devil? 

[tarithenurse]

All is fair in Love & War - 11

Pairing: Loki x reader Content: Well, there’s pining. And hopefully some wise words about pining. And then there’s pain and not just a little bit. I’m talking “get your tissues, chocolate and wine”-sort of pain. Sorry (actually, I am...just a smidgen), I didn’t even write the adult action I had planned, only hinted at it.

11. Words unspoken

There is little time once the decision has been made for you to talk with Loki. Envoys from Vanaheim are introduced to you by Odin, and together with the royal family they begin to shape your future by inventing an entire life for you to assume as your own until one day, hopefully, your quest in Sjöblik is complete. By the gods…what’ve I gotten myself into? Yet each time doubt stirs, you only have to think of the squalid life of so many Midgardians, recall the lies being told to those who fight and those left behind; then your determination returns.

Days are spent in a haze of lessons (pretending to be an Alfheimer requires a minimum of understanding for the language although no one in the Midgardian court should speak it), hours standing still for tailors, and long nights studying the history of both of the nations concerned. All while at the same time maintaining you physical prowess. Sleep comes sparingly, but deep although an occasional dream has you waking up sweaty and with a throbbing need you cannot sate.

…   LOKI’s PoV   …

The last night come to soon. Although Loki has done all he can to ensure the safety of [Y/N], he still feels frustratingly powerless. Soon she will be beyond his reach, his aid, on a mission that might separate them forever, and although he wishes to then he knows that he has no right to stop her from going.

All I can do is pray that she returns. Staring into the dusk, he’s only vaguely aware of someone approaching.

“My son,” Frigga’s melodic voice works like a calming balm, “why do you seek solitude rather than join us for dinner?”

There is no doubt in his heart that the queen already knows. In many ways is she the wise one in the royal couple, choosing to observe quietly before jumping to conclusions. It is a method both Loki and Thor have been exposed to while growing up, more often than not finding themselves exposed in the middle of some trick by their mother before anyone else had realized that they were up to anything. Not that it would not have been fair to assume at any given time as the two princes always were causing some ruckus.

Still he tries to pretend all is fine. “Needed some fresh air, mother.” When she does not leave, but comes to stand beside him, looking over the colourful lands, there is little he can think of to put her mind at ease. “It is wonderful to be home again. Smell the sweet air of Asgard. I do love it here.”

From the corner of the eye he can see the gentle smile that curls Frigga’s lips. “You always have had a preference to the sweet and gentle things in life.”

It is peaceful, in a way, to stand there as the sky darkens above them. I suppose she is right, the Jotun king from Asgard muses. The fragility of a flower or a butterfly’s wing captures his attention much more than the wild snowstorms and dark winters that his kin favours. He can find comfort in the cold, of course, but his heart only fills again at the sight of the first green leaf.

“Love is a peculiar thing and too often do we fall short of capturing its essence in our symbolism.” Frigga is not looking at him, just talking to the night and the stars above that are beginning to appear. “We use precious stones to symbolize undying love, but diamonds are hard. Cold and jagged. No, the real symbol for love, if you must use a dead object to represent it, is a pearl. They are rounded, almost soft as you hold them against the skin. And you need to nourish it, work to keep it warm or it will begin to lose its luster, my child, love requires work and dedication every day or it too will fade.” Finally turning to face him, Frigga takes his hand. “But do not forgo the work. When you have found your pearl, do not dismiss it.”

Loki has no words, they are not needed anyways, he simply allows himself to be folded into his mother’s arms as if he were a little boy once more.

…   READER’s PoV   …

Even amongst all these friendly people who have taken to you as much as the mission, the room feels empty when your former captor is not there, and so you only breathe easily as he rejoins the boisterous dinner. Dinner. To the Asgardian this appears to be nothing special. Apparently, they dine like this every night, and according to the few servants you manage to question it is hardly more lavish than the meals of the common folk. Sure, there is a greater variety on these tables, but that anyone should starve while the court feasts? The very notions seems absurd to them. It’s possible. If they can do it, then so can we!

But still, despite knowing that no Asgardian is hungry tonight, you find it hard to enjoy the food. Excusing yourself early, you cling to the hope that there is peace to be found in sleep…though the explanation given is the need for rising early in the morning due to the long road ahead.

Naturally, Loki offers to walk you to the guest chambers, and you are partially thankful for it as you still find the golden palace difficult to navigate. On the other hand, the silence in the endless hallways decorated with marble, gold, and crystals becomes oppressing as neither of you dare to speak, and so you make it all the way to the door before you open your mouth.

“I want to –“ you begin, but Loki has chosen that exact moment to talk as well. A few confused seconds pass before you nod, smiling shyly at the awkwardness. “Please, you first, Loki.”

For a second, he looks lost before seemingly reaching a decision. “Perhaps I should apologize, little mortal, for taking you prisoner.” A sly twinkle is brought back to his eyes.

“Hardly! I came looking for you.” It is hard to keep a serious façade at this odd conversation. “Besides, you haven’t exactly treated me badly. So don’t worry, you can sleep without fear of blame.”

Wanting to end the night on this lighter note, you turn to leave.

…   LOKI’s PoV   …

Catching her hand, Loki stops [Y/N] on her way into the chambers she’s been given for the stay. ”Perhaps so, but I would hate to see you captured again. Stay out of trouble.”

The crooked smile manages to brighten her eyes. ”I always behave, my king.”

You are the embodiment of trouble, little pet. The teasing smile, the way she tilts her hips to enhance the sender waist under the thin fabric…all of her stirs the predatory side of the Jotun and calls forth a rumble in his chest, eliciting a breathy gasp in response. There is no fear in her pretty face, though, only playfulness as she retreats through the door.

”Are you claiming innocence, my pet?” His feet carry him after the slender figure.

”Maaaybe…why don’t you find out?”

The door falls shut behind Loki with a flicker of magic just as he pounces for her. But the little Midgardian is quick, avoiding his grasp and leaving only a giggle behind for him. The little minx wants to play? We can play.

…   READER’s PoV   …

Feeling Loki’s cool limbs around you and listening to the quiet humming, there is no place you would rather be. Well, that is not entirely true, of course, because right now it would be nice to be back in Utgard…but still. You know you could be content anywhere as long as you were near him. That is why you feel safe in spite of everything. It is why your heart is breaking from the thought that you will have to be apart. Not right now. You force the thoughts away, wanting to cherish the afterglow without any sadness, and eventually Loki’s humming brings you to rest. Your limbs are wonderfully heavy, the heat that had coursed through you diminished by the strong and slender figure pressed against you, and you can feel how you are balancing on the precipice of sleep. A soft kiss is planted on your shoulder (one of many), before your king nestles his face in your hair.

”I love you.”

It takes a moment before the words truly makes sense in your drowsy mind. Once they do, however, they elicit a million emotions with each their own response, and in the confusion you do not manage to say anything. All you can do is cling on to Loki because what he has said is the very thing you feel aching in your bones, running through your vein. It is the air in your lungs and now that is has been spent on the words it is as if you are suffocating. He makes room for you as you turn to you back and supports himself on the elbow to hover above you, face so near his raven strands are brushing against your cheeks mixed with the flint and pine-scent. There is fear in the god’s eyes.

“Oh Loki,” you manage to whisper, your heart breaking, knowing a world of pain is waiting, “I love you too.” The joy your answer sparks is bright, flaring like the sun on winter snow. “Please forgive me.”

Already, he is showering you in tiny kisses, but he stops at the taste of salt water on your cheeks. “Forgive you? What for?!”

As if in a trance, you see your own fingers stroke his cheek before burying in his hair. “I’m yours. For as long as I live…but therein lies the problem, doesn’t it? I don’t want to cause you grief, but unless you can push these feelings aside…” Angrily, you wipe away some of the tears from you face. “You should find someone…s’m’one like you.”

“But it is you I want, my dear.”

Loki has trapped you in a cage made of his body. Knees by hips and hands by head, his frame is both a shield and an obstacle to overcome in the hopes of staving off the worst blow.

Sniffling, the determination you had hoped for is slowly conjured. “I’ve considered it. I know that you’ll outlive me, so spare yourself the pain.”

“What if there was a way?”

The deep sigh wafts through your king’s hair. “This isn’t like…like learning to read or –“

“Yes or no! If there was a way, would you let me love you?” A fire is blazing in his eyes that you never have seen before. “Would you stay with me?”

“I’d be yours as long as you would have me.”

“Then come back to me and I swear I will have found a way for us to live full lives together.”

[esseastri]

Megan Reads Oathbringer (part 10)

Hi, fronds.

I meant to keep going, I really did, but then That Thing happened and I was really upset and also a LOT of real life things happened, most good, but all busy, so. Bear with me. We’ll get through this monster eventually.

Part 10 encompasses pages 753-828 (previous parts)

I’m still super upset about the Rift, y’all. Like. Ultimate #yikes.

ANYWAY, MOVING ON

“That would give privacy to talk” Okay, but you are still in a public space with a bunch of other people, you maaayybe shouldn’t be, like...just using the king’s name casually like you’re besties?

Since this is supposed to be a stealth mission, isn’t it?

OKAY BUT ADOLIN JUST, UNPROMPTED OUT OF NO WHERE ASKING TO SEE KALADIN’S SWORD

SHALLAN PLS “It’s a little small” GURL PLS

“Kaladin liked them both...just not together.” I’m just waiting for someone to yell at them to get a room. Kaladin is the most likely candidate and I’m going to die laughing when it happens.

honestly, polyamory is the real solution here

Two Unmade.

which means we need two radiants to go fight them so Adolin WHEN ARE YOU MANIFESTING, MY BOY?

literally every time anyone mentions seeing a cremling--especially a weird-shaped cremling--I JUST GET REALLY UNCOMFORTABLE. WHAT IF IT’S 200-CREMLINGS-IN-A-TRENCH-COAT???

“But Adolin had been raised by a mother with a fondness for hugs” I’M SCREAMING THIS IS FINE I’M FINE. HE MUST MISS HER SO MUCH. HELP

wait, but don’t we know for sure that shardblades can be stuff that’s not swords? Like, didn’t Syl turn into a spear at the end of WoR? So maybe the Radiants DID make other tools for their followers--maybe they did have shardhammers for building and shardbows for hunting and shardshovels for digging latrines, but after the Recreance, the spren died, so they lost the ability to change shape?

Worth thinking about, anyway.

“Thank you for being you, Adolin.” “Everyone else was taken already.” BUDDYYYY. I LOVE HIM. HE’S SO GOOD AND WONDERFUL AND AAHH

OOHH, Shallan gets SQUIRES??? Somehow I didn’t really think that the Lightweavers would be one of the orders that had squires.. they seem a solitary bunch.

Kaladin just...scooting down to sit next to the highmarshal without an invitation is. listen, he’s always been brave, but this is a different sort of bravery--doing something that might get you in trouble with social codes is different from running headlong across a not-set bridge into battle--and I know he’s done shit like this before, often, but not...not really in context of military superiors? I don’T KNOW THIS FEELS SLIGHTLY DIFFERENT AND I’M EXCITED FOR HIM.

I find it ironic that the COVERED walkway from the Oathgate platform to the palace is called the SUNwalk, but that’s fine.

Kishi is a really good name, dangit brandon stop taking all the really good names

Azure’s sword is a her?

YOU CAN’T JUST SAY THAT, KALADIN!! “How did you get here?” “I flew.” YOU CAn’T JUST. KAL, PLS

I’m

loev

hem

“I’ve given answers. If they aren’t the ones you want, perhaps the questions aren’t very good.” HELLO, I LOVE THIS BOY VERY MJUCH I DON’T KNWO IF YOU KNOW THIS ABOUT ME

wait come here chasing her

OH JESUS FUCK SHE’S VIVENNA ISN’T SHE

She’s from Somewhere Else and she’s got a weird sword and her name’s a color and Vivenna was SUPPOSED to show up in this book GODDAMNIT THERE SHE IS

heheheheheh gosh that’s fun

...............pleasant.

I suppose it is the HEART of the revel, after all...

I really, really didn’t sign up for a horror novel, idk why this keeps happening SIGH

You know you’ve watched too many shitty action movies when the first thing you can think of when a guy gets thrown off the city wall isn’t “oh god he got THROWN off a WALL” and is, instead, “I bet tehy’d have used a Wilhelm Scream there heh”

Listen, Kaladin, I know you CAN fight without flying, but you are currently fighting flying enemies, and you should absolutely go have an aerial battle with them, please, I just want you to be in more cinematic, badass fights pls.

OKAY, BUT MAYBE LAUNCHING YOURSELF OUT A WINDOW AT THIS FUSED GUY ISN’T THE BEST? WAY TO HAVE THE AERIAL BATTLE?

okay, I asked for this, but I rescind my request, BE CAREFUL BABE, PLS.

YES THE HEART

GO FOR THE HEART

YES

Y E S

“my red life” yah, ok, that’s definitely Vivenna NICE

hnnnngggg, every time Kaladin summons the sylbade and, like, does the thing where he rests her on his shoulder all casual and intimidating I just melt, I’m so

he’s so

and so

hnnnnnnnngggggg

mrrrghhh, OF COURSE There’s a gang that steals the food from Shallan’s informants and KILLS THEM EVEN THOUGH THEY’RE KIDS, uggghhh. Should have known.

Continues the trend of Shallan not really knowing anything about how life on the streets work, huh?

OK this lady with vine patterns in her skin who’s Soulcasting for Azure? Actual Soulcaster suffering the effects to way too many years Soulcasting? OR........Radiant?

Honestly, I suspect literally everyone of being a radiant at this point.

pffffffffffffffffffffffttt HOID

of course.

but why did he help? Why is he helping? What’s his game?

“She hadn’t lived on the streets and she didn’t know how to help people.” NICE YOU TO FINALLY REALIZE.

“The only way to live without failure is to be of no use to anyone. Trust me, I’ve practiced.” COOL, NOW I’M SAD ABOUT HOID. Listen, I know his books are sooo far off, but the more things he says, the more I want to KNOW about him. Argh.

“Many people have suffered more, and they got along fine.” Oooohhh, Shallan, honey. No one ever taught you that the fact that other people have it worse does not negate your suffering.

Also, like. most people have not, in fact, had it worse than you, really. In the grand scheme of things, having to kill both your parents when they tried to kill you sucks a LOT, despite your privilege making the rest of everything better for you...

GOD BLESS ADOLIN KHOLIN, WHO, WHEN CONFRONTED WITH HIS FIANCEE IN PANTS, REACTS ONLY BY COMPLIMENTING HER COLOR COORDINATION AND RECOMMENDING HER COAT BE TAILORED A HAIR BETTER.

BLESS THIS GOLDEN SUNLIGHT BOY.

“You’ve been wanting an army to attack your palace, Your Majesty... well, we’re ready.”

YOU MIGHT BE READY, BUT I’M NOT

DO NOT JUST GO INVADE THE PALACE WITH AN ARMY

GOD, HOW MANY OF YOU ARE GOING TO DIE

hi, Adolin talking to his sword still makes my heart swell, every time, he’s JUST SO GOOD AND PURE AND WONDERFUL

SUNSHINE BOY

HE PUT ON HIS UNIFORM

I’M

I lov hiiiiimm

it’s not Shallan that needs to drive this one back.

I’m still so enamored of this theory, I’m sticking with it even if it’s wrong, I don’t care. One Unmade per Radiant Order. It’s gotta be one of the boys this time. The Heart... Kaladin is nothing but heart, it’s gotta be the windrunner Unmade.

No one tell me I’m wrong, I will be SO DISAPPOINTED if it doesn’t go down this way.

OH SHIT

OOOHH SHIIIT

OOOHHHH SHIIIIIIIT

IT’S THE THING FROM THE COVER THE WHATSITCALLED THE ROCK MONSTER

OH SHIIIIIITTT WE ALL GON DIE

THUNDERCLAST, THAT’s the word phew glad I remembered

listen, Kaladin letting himself get smashed by a giant boulder just so he could Lash it away HURTS MY HEART

DON’T HURT KALADIN, 2K18

yuuuppppp it’s not a shardblade. Blergh, I didn’t finish Warbreaker, is there some wacky shenanigans with Vivenna’s sword? Does it pull the Breath from people or smthn? ...Do people on Roshar have Breath?

Adolin is SUCH ! A GOOD! COMMANDER!

.........I’m very glad that some of the palace guard aren’t evil, but. why did time move weird for them, apparently?

Is this the second Unmade? Is this one something to do with warping time??

I’m confuuuused.

oh

fuck

that’s

hot

GLOWING KALADIN WITH A TWELVE FOOT LONG SYLSPEAR, FLYING THROUGH THE THROWN-OPEN DOUBLE DOORS??? YEAH I’M F I N E, T H I S I S F I N E

nooo don’t split up

never split up

I don’t want this

Adolin giving Kaladin the Bridge Four salute. I’m cry.

oooooooooohh, Shallan summoned Pattern!! And she’s not panicking! I’m so proud of her ahh!!

Skar and Drehey just. continuing to save Adolin. Best bodyguards. Best friends. I love them so much.

mmmmmmmmmmm

I don’t

want this, this is intense this is A LOT

aaaaahhh fuck Kaladin’s wall squad came with. They are SO Going to Die, and I WI LL C RY

she’s singing? So... she’s... hm. What happened to the queen?

I STILL DON’T THINK SHALLAN CAN DEFEAT THIS UNMADE

ohnohecallshissonGav

I’m

ohnohecallshiswifeDearOne

I’m

Elhokar, please

you are so small, just. Be brave.

KALADIN, YOU MADE SYL KILL A SPREN??? I don’t care that it was an evil spren, that’s. You can’t.. Syl. Don’t make Syl kill her family, pls, I’m suffering.

oh no

what ancient spren, WHICH ONE, AESUDAN.

AND HOW

HOW DID YOU BIND VOIDSPREN TO PEOPLE

I’m assuming that’s what it is

I’M CONCERNED

Yelig-nar and Ashertmarn. 1. both of those are terrible star wars names, Brandon, you usually do better. 2. Are those BOTH Unmade? Or is Yelig-nar Aesudan’s...voidspren?

stormspren?

Ancient Parshendi Ancestor of Evil spren?

“I have taken the gemstone into me.” WELL, THAT’S A STEAMING PILE OF # Y I K E S

mmm yeah, no, she didn’t do it. Shallan didn’t defeat it, it retreated. Or was called away or something. We’re deeeefinitely going to have to deal with that again.

oh shit is this the other one?

this is the other one

Yelid-nar is Aseudan’s Parshendi Ancestor’s name. Sja-anat is the other Unmade.

I’m scared.

ON THE STAIRWELL? GoDDAMNIT THAT’S A TERRIBLE, TERRIBLE PLACE FOR A FIGHT

 no

n

o

don’t

make kaladin

kill his parshendi friends

please

oh fuck, Moash is with Kaladin’s parshendi friends, isn’t he?

damn, I AM NOT READY FOR THIS

yeah, no SHIT The heart fled. I TOLD you Shallan couldn’t defeat that one.

but why is THIS one helping her? OR IS SHE

WHAT IS HAPPENING

GOOD DON’T KILL EACH OTHER PLEASE.

oh Kaladin

“He’s always been able to trick himself into seeing a battle as us against them. Protect those you love. Kill everyone else. But...but they didn’t deserve death. None of them did.” HI THIS IS MY GHOST TYPING, I AM DEAD NOW. Kaladin has come so far, from scraping along, doing everything he could to breathe, let alone survive, and now--look at him. Look at him realizing that everyone, everyone is doing the same thing he is. They are all of them fighting to survive, they are all of them fighting to protect what they love.

Everyone is the hero of their own story, even if they are a villain to you.

God, this book is so literary, it’s so strong. Be better. Do better than those who have wronged you. See yourself in those around you, even your enemy, and do better. Take responsibility for who you are and what you do and who you fight.  God, THIS BOOK.

Also, Kaladin trying to stop the fighting, I’m crying.

THEY ARE ALL DYING. I TOLD YOU THEY WOULD AND I TOLD YOU I WOULD CRY AND HERE I AM. SOBBING.

noooo

no no nono

I’ don’t

want this

put it

back

I’m

Elhokar waS SO CLOSE OH M Y GOD HE

ONE MORE WORD OF THE IDEAL GOD DAMNIT

Moash

of course

he always wanted to kill the king

fuck

I knew this was coming because I got fucking spoiled but it still hurt like a punch to the gut

FUCK, HE KNEW KALADIN WAS THERE AND HE DID IT ANYWAY

god

f u ck

I’m

he knew. he saluted. he didn’t even pause.

DAMMNIT, MOASH, YOU’RE BETTER THAN THIS.

god, Kaladin screamed, I’m

not okay

So much for Kholinar, god

“If we engage the device, we’ll be caught in a disaster.” AREN’T YOU ALREADY

...sapphire is windrunners, right? so why is the epitaph.........it’s a sapphire recording. A windrunner. “Am I not supposed to want to help people?” Does that mean...what is the Fourth Ideal of the Windrunners? The order of people who help people. Why...would their Fourth Ideal...not? be about helping people?

UGH, the radiant recordings make me SO NERVOUS ALL THE TIME.

1. I hate Taravangian. A Lot.

2. Here’s a thing: Navani spent a whole book and a half thinking her eldest child was dead, but holding out hope she was alive, and getting to have that vindication when Jasnah showed up. How...how long is she going to hold out hope that Elhokar somehow made it out alive only to have that shattered when the rest of them show up and he doesn’t?

ALSO FUN FACTS, DALINAR PROBABLY NOW THINKS ADOLIN, ELHOKAR, AND KALADIN--THREE OF HIS FOUR SONS--ARE DEAD, PROBABLY, SO THAT’S FINE, I’M FINE.

EVERYTHING’S FINE.

OH FUCK IT TOOK THEM TO SHADESMAR

WHY

OH MY GOD

WHERE’S JASNAH WHEN YOU NEED HER, SHE CAN NAVIGATE THIS SHIT

also !!!! PATTERN AND SYL AND ?????? ???? ?? ADOLIN’S?? SPREN????? PLEASE SAY IT’S ADOLIN’S SPREN. HIS BLADE. WHATEVER. PLEASE.

LET ADOLIN HAVE A SPREN 2K18

god, Vivenna: HARD SAME, GIRL

also, I forgot that she would have had to have come through the Cognitive Realm to get from Nalthis to Roshar, but heeeeheheheh yeah. She knows what she’s doing here, or at the very least has an idea. Excellent.

but FUCK

SHADESMAR

AND EVERYONE THINKS THEY’RE DEAD

and dear fucking god, Moash, you’re better than this, why must you continue to make REALLY BAD DECISIONS.

these are my priorities

leave me alone.

[mattiemoose]

Oops dropped your heart (7)

hey ya’ll! Sorry it’s been awhile! warnings: gore and swearing.

One two three four five six (seven)

You don't recall walking up the creaky stairs, you don't recall setting your sleeping bag up on the empty bed...you don't recall the deep friendly voice the kissed your head and said good night while his giant fury fingers ran through your hair hoping to coax you to sleep, while telling you stories of his time, told you stories about how maybe the future will be. His golden beard thick on his snout, his eyes bright and friendly, full of love too while he graced you with a smile much to kind. How ever, 

You don't recall his name. But he was friendly and almost familiar, you almost preferred this man over Tori, though oddly enough this man looked like her...only the large horns that he bore on his head and large beard was a large difference between the two. All you knew he was not a threat...

"Good night As-"

"It will be better"

"Your dreams endless and not so bitter"

"I'll be here kid...."

"Don't go"

                   "Don't go"

                                             "Don't go, please"

        "(y/n)?"

Your body jeered while you woke with a violent jerk, looking around to see nothing but the dark shapes in the room..the moon peering down through the window. Covering your face with your hands you inhaled deeply exhaled slowly. Another odd dream for the books, just this time it felt more safe.. more familiar than the screaming voices you've damned for the last few years. Slowly you rose to your feet your weight caused the floor boards to creek and groan. You haven't eaten since you showed up and it's been a long trip, grabbing your Bag you ripped it right open. Snacks and a container of what looked like to have a slice of snail pie... Mother really did spoil you, she made these pies and ate them but yet they could not nourish her, well expect snail pie..their tiny once living bodies gave some to her but never enough, she tried giving it to the boys but that did nothing for them expect put something into their mouth. You better find someone soon, it's fall now meaning there would be less large groups and more couples looking at the different trees that are falling asleep and their leaves turning colours, the moon would be a lot easier to see but the nights a little more chilly so they have more of a reason to smother together while they slept in a tent. But you never physically killed someone, alright sure ya shoved them down the hole and most of the time survived leaving the main slaughter to Sans or Toriel and some times Papyrus though all he really does is greet the fallen and have them go through the puzzles he created in the ruins a long side the ruins originals. But all in all if a human makes it through Paps puzzles or manage not to trigger any of the ruins old ones (though honestly they're not to hard to go through but some have been rigged to spring back up if stepped on just right and impale the poor fuck) 

Sans is always at the end waiting. No one leaves the ruins alive these days. Children...however if they manage to find their way down and if you're there traveling through the ruins and find them you always turn them around telling them about the "bad" monsters down the path that will eat them. Some go with you Others risk their ends. If scared enough they'll leave with you once they meet one of the monsters, some will want to live like you do but that's not how it works, Tori fears she'd lose herself with you, she didn't want to eat a child, Sans just won't have it. He already struggled with trusting you and trying not to eat you, struggled with the idea that you were on their side but proved yourself to be trust worthy now you two were peas in a pod sharing bad jokes or stories or even just laying in the same bed talking about all kinds of things enjoying the others company.. Hell you guys slept in the same bed pressed to each other for some sort of comfort... With adults and those who decide to jump or just fall down cause they're not paying attention well...usually you don't stick around while they're being torn apart, most likely by Sans. It a messy and dirty job but it had to be done, not by you or Papyrus try as he may Sans keeps Paps away from the scene even though at some point Papyrus might of had to do it a few times they've lived like this for so long, maybe you can break that barrier? No, it wouldn't go very well- sure a few bodies going missing here and there wasn't alright but having hundreds of hungry monsters free into the world would just not only damn the humans but damn your current family. They would die and be put down like dogs with out question.. Maybe if Asgore was ali-

"Who?" You asked yourself setting down the pie.

You've never met an Asgore but the name rang distant bells, he was the king? Maybe Tori said something about him once? Perhaps Papyrus? He loved telling you everything you needed (and didn't need) too know and sometimes you would zone out, you're there of course but yet not so much, just words coming together jumbled up.

"He said it was this way"

Your head perked up hearing voices, walking to the window you saw three beams of light trailing down towards and down the pathway. Just your luck! They were heading towards the pit and it's night time, someone out there is looking out for you but alas not for them, another beam of light came sprinting down the path joining the other two... three people possibly four but with how dark it is you could easily maneuver around them. Quickly getting ready you killed whatever lights in the cabin and lit a candle before climbing out of the window of the first floor bathroom being as careful and as quiet you could be. You would of used the front door and went down the stairs but the creek of the old wood would of echoed through out the forest and gave you away if the lights to the house didn't already. Though you did only have the hallway light on and that didn't have any windows near it unless they managed to glare through one of the window curtains in the living room,  you headed down the drive way, onto the path and into the darkening woods following the voices and their lights. You kept distance walking slowly quietly the small flame your only way of light (easy to snuff out too if need be). Four people, the night and you.. you hoped you could move fast enough to get them. A rush of anxiety flowed through you, two people sure but three? Maybe four? Would be a little harder to handle what if they catch onto you? What if they realize you are there and played along until you got close enough and end up catching you instead of you catching them? What if they trailed off away from the pit? Then where would they be going? They went past the main trails where the usual hiker would go these people kept going towards the pit, through a small path in the thickening trees. "It's not to far now" One commented to something the other said, you were getting closer.

"Are you sure this was a good idea? People go MISSING when they head this way"

The other sounded quiet, fear obviously laced in his voice. "It has to be do-" You couldn't catch anything else from their conversation, falling back ever so slightly your hand covered the heated flame you did have the upper hand in this, knowing these woods like the back of your hand, easily finding your way around even if you took a wrong turn here or there, always leaving something behind on a tree, a ribbon of different colours usually something simple and easy for you to spot. You kept your pace, wondering you could grab one in the darkness and then.. And then what? You never actually killed someone and the others would notice one going missing and a light going out. Fuck, they really made this a little hard with there being more than two.... not like you haven't done this before of course, you got five people once.....but then again they were drunk campers willing to go. Stopping in your tracks to close your eyes tightly you let in a sharp intake of air holding it tight in your lungs. You make it sound like it's a score check, like you aren't TAKING these people and taking them to their grave with out a marker. Their families? Never to see them again with out knowing anything. But that was months ago, never the less it's the same shit just because you dug another hole for the next body to stumble into doesn't change the fact that they are missing from their families and friends who will grieve and never know what happened to little Timmie and his sister goldy fucking locks! You're getting angry at these thoughts and realities, a shiver rushed through you as crisp fall nights cool hands started to reach for you, the good thing for tonight is there are three, or so you keep thinking, and with winter around the corner these bodies will last your family, your priorities your loved ones for the next four months. You didn't have time to worry about what other families were thinking or who they're missing. Opening your eyes you blew out the candle and started rushing through the dark thick woods towards the beams of lights that got closer toward the hole to hell, as you got closer you realized they already reached their goal and entered the small cave, ducking behind a tree you watched them easily seeing them but they wouldn't even know your existence. Well, you weren't wrong about there being three... plus one but by the looks of things these two have been here for a little while...lifting up your rope that lead downward. Sans must of untied it from the pillar so you could come down when ever you returned. One shook, he may be with others but he felt unsafe, did he feel your eyes on him? How the hell were you going to do this? The usual people you pushed down weren't out and about at night like they were on a mission or some shit like that the ones you pushed or managed to trick were just campers or people trying to find their way back to the trails...some managed to escape and took off but it meant nothing they are the ones willing to get lost in the dense woods because they didn't trust you. Not that you blamed them really, your eyes turned back to the few circling the hole hissing at each other to keep their heads. Did they...know about the monsters? Sure people went missing in these woods every few months (and people go missing all the time) but it was mostly because of you! You were the monster.... .... You Were... You are the monster in these woods! No one else, so perhaps tales have been told and shared among many but then why did they still come so late at night? To prove something? Deep down you felt like maybe they knew what was down there and are going to check to see if it was still trapped down there...well something is down there and you never brought anyone at night..or at least not this late...you wanted to avoid it for a few reasons. One you could get lost yourself trying to lead anyone through the dark and if they manage to find a path leading away from the drop then it gets hard to bring them up or..down and no one really follows you at night either say for a few who really needed out.Other reasons was because your family are usually asleep and if you took someone down and they live what if they get sneaky and find mother instead of being found and taken down? You'd never forgive yourself for that big of a fuck up! Sure there were the easy meals that wanted to explore- You shook your head at the one that found your rope way down it shook the tiny rope ladder under them..maybe they'll be stupid enough to take the cut off ladder and just fall after realizing it didn't go all the way down? But they already figured it out before you even arrived.

"Do ya think it belongs to someone missing? " one asked giving the rope a good look over "looks new and taken care of" "Looks it" the third gave it a quick look shining his lights down into the darkness "looks endless- wait no I think I saw some movement" The others brought their lights down there they could see the flowers if they strain their eyes enough, down there but nothing more.. Throwing the rope back down one started to descend down below, they saw something move? is Sans down there? Or did they see a Froggit? Those little shits kinda hopped in and out of your life. Ha..hopped.

"HeLppPP ME! " something shrieked from the darkness. ..whatever it was it fooled you once too. It sounded like it was scared and in pain..so much pain. It was probably hungry and needed to eat right away. Sounded like a small monster, they were almost like rodents at this point. Scurrying around taking scraps and fleeing away again to avoid who ever they took from even though they HAD their share but for some it's never ever enough. One by one the five made their way down, your heart dropping with them when you realized they had big ass knives on them... It was a bit of a blur while you made your way down panic spreading through your whole body making everything move faster then it should.. You remember hearing high pitched screaming of those little monsters trying to fight but failed and turned to dust.. You remember going down after the other humans the cries of the small monsters unable to reach the inner ruins. Now usually the ruins are lit with torches but tonight the halls were bare and felt so cold and now you stood there with the flowers listening to the noises, if you screamed right there and even Tori would not hear you. So what are you going to do? There are four outcomes to this. One they spot you and drag your ass up top and into town trying to get as much as they can from you...family name where you came from all those joys and stop you from ever returning. Two they find your family and some how manage to kill them with their weapons (you wanted to doubt this but something told you it could...specially to Papyrus if he comes on to friendly as he usually does) and yet there was always something there that fooled even you, Papyrus is able to kill. SO maybe. Perhaps it will be fine? It had to be fine. Sans is quick.....Mother is strong!

Papyrus is amazing, rubbing your back as you sobbed into your bloodied hands and red soaked clothes. He cooed and hushed you bringing you close for a tight embrace while bodies covered the floors. Your wails echoed the halls your arms around the lanky skeleton monster, he held you off the floor feet off the ground like a mother cradling their weeping infant. His long gnarly teeth connecting to your head in an attempt to kiss your worries away.

[aloevverified]

“AND HE KILLED HER WITHOUT REASON?”

mcu character(s) T’Challa “Black Panther” Udaku, Everett Ross, Erik Killmonger, Okoye, Ayo pairing T’Challa x reader format oneshot warning angst word count 1.8k

request “Hi! I need some Black Panther angst in my life… could I request something where T'Challa x reader where T'Challa finds out about reader’s death? If not, don’t worry about it. Thank you!!”

summary Everett Ross is on a mission in South Korea to keep ties with an arm dealer named Klaue. When Ross doesn’t return home, your colleagues discreetly inform you that he has been transferred to Wakanda. You request to join him in Wakanda but hadn’t expected to arrive amidst a greater conflict.

Wakandan warriors dressed in red and silver waited with you outside the throne room of King T’Challa. It was odd to call him that. King. He had always been just T’Challa during your short-lived romance. He needed someone after the tragic loss of his father, and so did you. Your best friend was killed during a CIA mission in Argentina. You weren’t ashamed of the circumstances of the relationship. Both of you had hinted it was a comfort to have someone you could dwell with in sorrow.

For Ross, who had found out about the relationship shortly after, found it merely convenient to have someone so close to the then-Prince. T’Challa was consumed with vengeance, thinking it was his right to apprehend and murder the Winter Soldier for killing his father. Once it was clear the Winter Soldier was innocent, T’Challa handed in Zemo to the CIA. That is when both of you decided that the relationship couldn’t withstand. T’Challa was leaving back for his home country again, and you had your own responsibilities as a CIA agent.

It was funny how fate worked. You were here, now, in Wakanda. A technological advanced society concealed in plain sight. Your eyes had never witnessed a thing like it, only in Sci-Fi novels perhaps, but then still it seemed incomparable. T’Challa hadn’t told much about Wakanda during your romance. Since you understood it was a third-world country, you also never elaborated the topic during conversations.

One of the warriors standing beside you was Ayo, who you recognized immediately as T’Challa’s bodyguard in America. She had welcomed you after someone from the Border tribe announced your arrival and brought you to the palace. She didn’t say a word after a cold greeting, so neither did you. All you were left to do was take in all the splendor that was T’Challa’s palace, but you couldn’t shake off the feeling of a disturbing solemnness in the air. Ayo was cold but she knew who you were.

The doors to the throne room finally opened. The warriors in red and silver entered the room first, following the circular walls to take their places next to other bald warriors in red and silver. You found yourself amid a council meeting between different Wakandan leaders. They were dressed in bright colors and fine clothing, though, T’Challa wasn’t one of them. On the middle seat, which you assumed must be the throne, sat a menacing figure. He eyed you with such intensity you might think he tried to snap your neck with his thoughts. The silence in the room was uncannily distressing.  

“I am here to meet King T’Challa,” you tried.

“You’re too late, sweetie,” he smiled viciously. “That dude is gone. I am the King now.”

You were taken aback by those words. T’Challa couldn’t be dead. More surprisingly, the man had an American accent unlike T’Challa’s and Ayo’s English that bore a heavy Wakandan accent. Why does an American citizen sit in the council of Wakanda, as King nonetheless?

“You here to waste my time?” the man asked. “What is a CIA agent like you doing in Wakanda?”

His question suggested that you must be the only CIA agent in Wakanda which meant he didn’t known about Ross’ presence in Wakanda. So, whatever was going on here, Ross was clearly safe. You quickly had to find a way to not expose him too. But this man, wearing a black fur mantle and a necklace of ivory teeth around his neck, calling himself King, was as much an intruder as you yourself were. Almost every face in the room watched him with terrified anticipation. While searching for the right words to your lie, you stammered your next words.

“I am here because…”

In a second, the man stood up from the throne, closed the distance between you and wrapped his hands around your neck, lifting you from the floor.

“I won’t ask you twice, girl.”

“Vibranium,” you choked.

The man let you go. You fell on your knees, coughing for breath.

“What about it, huh?”

His voice carried through the room with a deafening thud.

You picked yourself up before finishing the lie you started.

“The CIA has been informed that Klaue has been dealing Vibranium again. He was last signaled in South-Korea before he was able to escape our hands. I come with new information on his whereabouts.”

“These agents know how to lie,” he laughed to the people beside him.Your heart raced against your chest as his eyes pierced yours again. “Bad for you that Klaue is dead and I happen to have killed him.”

“Wh-What?”

You were unable to hide your own disbelief. What has happened since Ross arrived here?

“So enough with your shit! Tell me what you’re doing here,” the man exclaimed as he took your chin between his fingers. “Or, you’ll be my next scar.”

He had whispered that last sentence in your ear. You didn’t understand its meaning and helplessly scanned this threatening figure. Underneath his mantle, his skin was covered in small bulky marks and your mind decided that a lie wasn’t going to save you here.

“I am here to join Everett Ross,” you sighed, “a CIA agent who has been transferred to Wakanda after he was shot in South-Korea.”

The man turned to a female warrior who sat behind him in the circle. She had the same uniform as the other female warriors only the silver accents switched with gold ones, and inked patterns on her scalp.

“There’s a second CIA agent in my country, and nobody be thinking to tell me?!”

The warrior in gold stood from her place and looked him dead in the eyes before answering.

“She is lying.” You thought you saw Ayo flinch in her row.

“If there was another CIA agent on Wakandan ground,” the warrior in gold continued, “I would know.”

Your eyes darted from her to the man in black fur. His eyes cut in yours and in a split second something changed. A dark feeling weighted your stomach down.

“Guess another scar then,” he said with a tilted head. Before you knew it, the man put his fingers back around your throat, your feet dangling above the floor. Your fingernails scratched the skin of his fingersopen, trying to loosen his grip on you. You pushed your legs through the air, trying to find the safety of the floor. Your hands flicked for anything to grasp but his muscles only fletched in response to squeeze his hand tighter around your neck. Your arms tired, your body numbed and your sight flickered a black-white until it settled on nothing.

***

Wakanda finally calmed down in peace after the arrival of Erik Killmonger, the only son of his uncle N’Jobu. The cousin, who had challenged him for the throne, had died at his hands. T’Challa never wished to mirror the actions of his father once he knew what role he had played in Killmonger’s past, but Killmonger didn’t wish to be saved, and there was nothing he could do about it.

He returned to his palace, his throne, still conflicted about everything that had happened. Wakanda was back in his safe hands but he knew their policies had to be reevaluated. Killmonger had struck a snare within T’Challa, more so than Nakia had when she said Wakanda could help others while keeping itself safe. His obligation as King of Wakanda now was to act on these events in the ways he saw fit.

Between the council seats, Okoye and Ayo were heavily discussing something, only to stop when they noticed his arrival in the throne room. Both their faces showed concern in their brows. Behind them, he noticed Ross standing at the window.

“Only a day ago, you were celebrating in victory for Wakanda,” he smiled at them.

Ross slightly angled his body to him. His hand clasped his mouth as he stared out of the window. His shoulders were slumped. The tinch of unease from the scene grew even more as Okoye and Ayo walked up to him. Did something happen to Nakia?

“My King, I am truly sorry about the news I bring,” Okoye said. She swallowed before proceeding. “Another CIA agent arrived yesterday morning in Wakanda.”

His eyes darted to Ross before returning carefully to Okoye to finish her words.

“And, she was killed by Killmonger, only moments after.”

“She?” T’Challa’s thoughts darted from left to right, hoping, praying the CIA agent wasn’t the one he suspected. “Okoye, who was this CIA agent?”

“[Y/N],” Ayo said. “It was [Y/N].”

T’Challa grapped Okoye’s arms for steady.

“I didn’t know who she was,” Okoye said as she put her hands under his elbows for support.

“Why did she come here?” he asked.

“She came to join agent Ross after she heard he was injured.”

“And he killed her without reason?”

T’Challa didn’t understand. He let Okoye’s arms go and walked to his throne. His legs were failing him. Another life lost at the hands of Killmonger. Zuri, one of his Doras and now [Y/N]? But Killmonger didn’t come to Wakanda to kill blameless lives. Killmonger killed Zuri once he understood who Zuri had been in his youth. The Dora was killed in battle. You had no role in Killmonger’s story, or his fight, unless you provoked him in any way. Yet, T’Challa knew you to be more reasonable, to assess a situation before making fatal decisions.

“What happened, Okoye?”

Okoye shuffled before standing tall, chin in the air and firm in her words. “I wanted to keep the Queen Mother, Princess Shuri and Nakia safe. Agent Ross was with them, so I had to make him believe there was no CIA agent present in Wakanda. I kept them safe by suggesting the CIA agent had lied.”

“Okoye…”

T’Challa didn’t know what else to say. His breath choked. A mingle of pain, anger and guilt rushed through him.

“Go,” he whispered.  

Okoye fell on one knee and stared into his eyes. “I am sorry, my King,” she insisted pleadingly, “but I needed to keep them safe.”

He buried his distorted face in both his hands as the dark realization of your death settled. Okoye only handled the way he would’ve expected her to handle. Now, you were dead, and blame laid partially in his hands too. He remembered how you smelled like sweet jasmines after a shower, how you soothed him into a calm sleep when the loss of your father reminisced. His body shuddered with guilt. He was left with all these memories without hope to hear your voice once more.

“All of you go!,” T’Challa shouted.

His voice couldn’t hide the pain of his loss.

A spear bonked twice on the floor before the sync footsteps of the Dora Milaje informed him that Okoye was leaving with Ayo and the rest of her warriors. A hand rested on his shoulder.

“She’ll be given a proper salute in America,” Ross stated. His voice too tinged with loss and ache.

T’Challa lifted his head to see Ross leave the throne room. Only then, he let himself cry the tears he desperately kept for himself.

masterlist |

personal remark I present you my very first oneshot! Thank you so much to the anon requesting it. I didn’t know whether you wanted it to stand alone outside the MCU or within the Black Panther story. I chose the latter, and really enjoyed filling up possible plotholes (though I know there still some there). Enjoy! P.S.: English is not my first language, so sorry in advance for errors in language use!

[fangirlbase]

Imagine - CROWLEY

                                                                                          Hell

“Did you get the girl?” Crowley was sitting on his throne, waiting anxiously for an answer.

"We've got two demons breaking into her house right now, sir.” His assistant replied slightly frightened.

“Great.” Crowley smirks, clasping his hands in front of his chest. A more infernal version of Montgomery Burns, some would say.

Sam and Dean would have no way to escape: they would have to return the badge of the demons with Kevin Tran if they wanted you - the younger Winchester's girlfriend - back.

You were not a hunter, quite the opposite: you was a kindergarten teacher, known for yours contagious calm. You certainly were the complete opposite of Dean Winchester, but not Sam. All that calmness, sweetness, and gentleness had brought down the man's four tires, as his brother would say. You looked even more like a fairy-tale princess as you factored in her radiant beauty like a porcelain doll, as well as being unable to alter the voice or do anything to anyone and anything. Really, the perfect person to take care of those babies and Sam, who longed for an anchor of normality in his life.

It was a Saturday afternoon, you had just watched a movie on television when you started feeling bad. You was fond of picking yourself up during those periods precisely not to reveal the little monster that lived inside you. Sam even understood you, even though he did not think so. It was late afternoon when you woke in a jolt when you heard your door being broken open, followed by two men invading your room and catching you by the arms before you could even scream.

"RELEASE ME NOW, YOUR STUPID!” You shouted, fixing the completely different environment of the living room of your house, noticing the forty-year-old man sitting on a throne, scornfully at you.

"Oh, I see I've finally met the famous Y/n. My demons have worked hard to find it, but nothing is impossible for the King of Hell!”

“What?”  You had lost the color of your face a little, finally realizing where you were from “You can only be joking. That does not exist!”

"I would not say that sort of thing in front of my demons. They may feel tempted to show you how much of it is real.” Crowley had a dark expression on his face. "Now, how about how much time it will take for Moose and his brother to come and get the damsel in distress? I do not think they will want the little princess to contact me for long.”

"How should we warn them, Lord?" The assistant asked.

“What do you think of an ear? Van Gogh too?”

"A little, Lord.”

"You're right, we do not want it to look like a proof of love. How about.... Oh! Did Moose give you an engagement ring?”

"When you say Moose, are you talking about Sam?" "You didn’t understand anything else, only you were in danger.

“But of course! Who else?”

"Maybe ... your boyfriend?" Your patience had already reached the limit. Those hands tightening on your arm already hurt too much, in addition to all the discomfort that grew more and more in your womb. Since it had been charged to that situation, and then why not make the life of the King of Hell, even greater hell?

Crowley's eyes caught fire-even for a possible hidden wish-but mostly for the affront. He had no doubt, picked up a dagger and followed in steady steps toward him.

"I told you to be quiet, Mother Teresa.” He used the holy name as a curse, since being a bitch was almost a compliment to them.

“NO!” You screamed, trying in vain to defend yourself when you noticed the dagger too close to your neck.

                                                           ***

Crowley's demons had managed to put together the perfect scene of possible terror in a place covered with secrets: the Bunker's door, they left a small box, clearly aimed at the Moose - which instantly revealed the sender, but it was not something to be seen mattered. When the brothers arrived from the small case they had just settled, Sam asked Dean to drop him off at the Bunker's gate to investigate the box while his brother went into the parking lot. The moment Sam opened the packet-already inside-it looked like he'd just seen a haunt right in front of him.

“DEAN!” He cried out completely pale and desperate.

"What is it, Sammy? You look like you've seen a ghost.” Dean commented casually, entering the room.

“We need Castiel, NOW!”

“What happened?” Dean was already worried.

Sam said nothing, just held out the box, showing its contents: a lock of blood-stained hair next to the ring he'd given you three months earlier with a note:

 "You know what to do to get her back.”

 “Crowley ...”

It was at least an hour and a half before Castiel was finally able to appear from the Bunker, and he was instantly incensed. Kevin felt slightly guilty. He liked you, after all. For a few moments, Sam had almost been kicked out of the mission, out of control, which would probably force Crowley to hurt you.

"IT'S MY GIRLFRIEND, DEAN! And I will not lose her, not this time.” Sam was completely determined.

"I understand, Sammy, but you need to calm down first. You do not want to scare her any more, do you?” Dean tried to put his brother in place, to control his fury a little.

When at last Castiel forced the two brothers inside Hell’s, it looked like a movie scene: the Angel opening the heavy doors of Crowley's hall in a loud crash, striding forward, followed by the two brothers with their daggers and the demons' knife in their hands , just stopping to watch the chaotic state the room was in.

They already expected to find a weakened state, perhaps even tortured, but never would the demons beg for mercy. When Crowley ordered his capture, he did not think that his humanity, purity, and goodness were strong enough to defile his kingdom. But how he was mistaken.... All his virtues were amplified by all the emotion you felt at the moment, managing to let the King fall on the ground, without strength to defend himself, crying out for help, although his demons were even weaker than he, looking for a way out.

“Do you think you’re the king of hell? THIS HERE IS NOTHING COMPARED TO HELL THAT I AM FEELING, YOUR STUPID! - You screamed quite altered, not even noticing the broken door - TRY TO PASS A DAY WITH YOUR UTERUS AUTOMUTILATING TOGETHER WITH YOUR COLUMN BEING ENERGIZED AND TELL ME IF THAT SHIT IS HELL!”

"I just wanted to rest a little, relieve all this martyrdom, but I cannot do that either! You had to come and kidnap me in the middle of my sleep! I was dreaming about Momoa, you know? JASON MOMOA! HE SAID ON HISARMS AND WAS GOING TO KISS ME WHEN I'VE BEEN SEEN!" You threw a book that was lying flat on the floor, slowly approaching Crowley. "I could not have either Sam or Jason Momoa, and you want something from them in return? NOT ON MY SHIFT! Your problem is with them, NOT WITH MY HAIR!”  You pointed to the embezzlement in your face “You know what they are going to talk about a woman of almost thirty years wearing fringes?! ALL THIS IS YOUR FAULT!" You stepped on top of Crowley, who was already shouting out of pity for Castiel “AND STILL GOT MY RING!”

“Y/N!” Sam shouted, catching your attention.

You remained silent for a few seconds, absorbing the whole situation.

"Oh, how wonderful. You still made Sam see me that way!”

Dean managed to intervene the moment you turned with eyes full of fury and nails in claw to Crowley's face.

“SAM! Hold her!”

“LET ME GO, SAMUEL!” You were quarreling, completely angry.

‘Y/n, please!” Sam asked quietly, calming you enough to hold you against his body with just one arm, stretching the other and killing the demon trying to attack you two.

Because Crowley was weak enough to compare himself to a semi-human, it was not too difficult for Castiel and Dean to leave him even more hurt and stunned.

“THAT WILL NOT REMAIN LIKE THIS!” Crowley yelled with all his might, watching the brothers walk away.

"Oh, it sure will not.” You ran to your limp body, kicking his groin with all your might, watching the King squirm for feeling his humanity. “Your jerk.”

                                                         ***

You appeared in the middle of the room in the Bunker, completely weary of all the confusion.

"Y/n..." Kevin could not finish his sentence, watching you stride toward him, stealing the hot chocolate he was going to put in his mouth. “Hey! That's mine!”

"Not anymore."

You really did not like being seen that way.

"I ... I ..." Sam did not know how to explain the whole story of the monsters to you.

"Sam, she's not as frail as she looks. She put Crowley on the floor.” Castiel remembered.

"And not so pure either. She likes big guys, Kevin.” Dean made fun of him.

"Y/n..." Sam tried again.

"Please don’t say anything to make me freak out again today. I just want to get some sleep for this whole discomfort." You grumble crouching like a cat.

"Come here, you can sleep here and tomorrow, and we'll solve your door, how's it going?" Sam approached, practically carrying you to his room.

"You promise I'll be able to kiss Jason Momoa this time?"

"If he does not show up, I'm here for you."

“But it's Momoa ...”

“Women ..." Dean hisses, laughing.

“Who is ... Momoa?” Castiel asks.

"You will not want to know."