#it is so near and dear to my heart I will never stop singing it's praise

[daddy-long-legssss]

The Story Behind The Song: Arctic Monkeys’ early ambitions on ‘A Certain Romance’

Lucy Harbron – Far Out Magazine | January 17, 2024

It was 2006. Mortgages were crashing, and businesses were going bust. Tony Blair was on his last legs in office as the longest-serving prime minister since Margaret Thatcher, and the hangover of ‘Cool Brittania’ was beginning to set in with an unexpected ferocity. Things were bleak when a young Alex Turner sang, “There ain’t no romance around there” through the public’s speakers. Arctic Monkeys were about to write themselves into musical history as the voice of a new generation.

The final song on their debut album, there has always been something special about ‘A Certain Romance’. In 2022, after the release of their seventh album, The Car, Turner seemed to find himself reflecting back on that 2006 track. To the musician, that early cut holds a clue to everything that was to come as he said the piece “showed that we did actually have these ambitions beyond what we once thought we were capable of”.

Coming in at over the five-minute mark, ‘A Certain Romance’ almost feels like the Arctic Monkeys’ version of a rock opera, summarising all the themes, feelings and energy that came before it on their seminal album Whatever People Say I Am, That’s What I’m Not. It has the cheekiness of ‘Fake Tales Of San Francisco’ and the catchy instrumentals of hits like ‘Dancing Shoes’ or ‘I Bet That You Look Good On The Dancefloor’. Utilising the northern charm of ‘Mardy Bum’, it stands as a final, neatly summarising point on the social commentary found in their early tracks like ‘From The Ritz To The Rubble’ or ‘Riot Van’. Really, it could be argued that ‘A Certain Romance’ is the ultimate example of Arctic Monkeys’ original sound, perfectly encapsulating all the things that made the world listen up and pay attention.

It’s like they seemed to know that, too, always allowing the song a special place. In fact, it was really the band’s opening remark. Years before the offer of a debut album came around, the group were a well-oiled machine with their own local hits. They had the northern live music scene in their hands as their homemade demo CD was passed around like everyone’s worst-kept secret. Beneath the Boardwalk features eight out of the 13 songs that would be on Whatever People Say I Am, That’s What I’m Not, albeit in a slightly different, lower-quality version. But the opening number, ‘A Certain Romance’, sounds just the same.

It’s all there, from the rolling opening drums to that final guitar solo. Recorded and produced in a rented studio at only age 17, the existence of ‘A Certain Romance’, one of the band’s most explorative and energetic numbers, in this form this early in their career feels like a diamond sitting in a mine. It proves that they were always onto something special.

They never needed any help. In fact, their producer, Jim Abbiss, noted that they even seemed nervous about the help. “I think they were probably a bit weary, like ‘who’s this guy? And is he gonna make our sound this or that.’”

They didn’t want anything to change too much, as the group already had the songs figured out. Turner certainly did, as the track’s meandering narrative about hometown lads, fights, and local boredom is already there. Talking on a podcast, original member Andy Nicholson revealed the story behind the song. “We had a practice room with a pool table in, and we had a party in there, and we invited another band who were friends of ours, and we all had some drinks,” he said. “Then something happened, someone throws a pool cue, someone throws a pool ball, and everyone ends up fighting,” he added, explaining the lyrics, “there’s boys in bands / And kids who like to scrap with pool cues in their hands.”

But the magic of Arctic Monkeys lies in their nuance. What begins as a snooty analysis of his local landscape is a genuinely affectionate take. “Well, over there, there’s friends of mine / What can I say? I’ve known ’em for a long long time / And, yeah, they might overstep the line / But you just cannot get angry in the same way,” Turner sings, looking around at his bandmates and lifelong friends. ‘A Certain Romance’ is not only a time capsule for the group’s beginnings but is an ode to all the people who were there with them. It’s an ode to the hometown that made them and all its various characters.

But as the last guitar solo roars to life, there is an unspoken statement that they’re going to be bigger than what they came from. “I remember when we were recording ‘A Certain Romance’ and having a conversation with the producer about the final guitar solo,” Turner told NME, recalling the moment these songs were reworked for their debut. But they wouldn’t let anyone mess with ‘A Certain Romance’, knowing exactly what they were doing and trying to say with that one. In the 2003 demo version, all the feeling is already there, and Turner wouldn’t risk it.

“There’s something that happens at the end of that track where we break some rules in a single moment,” he continued. What happens at the end of the piece feels even more special, considering how the album was recorded. “These are the songs we wanna do, and I think this is the order we wanna do them in,” Alex Turner told their producer, recounting the conversation in 2007 to RadioX, “And he goes, ‘alright, we’ll try to record them in that order as well.’” As the final song, that last guitar solo is the last thing recorded for the album, standing as a cathartic outlet and a chance for the band to prove themselves.

“We focused on the [emotional] effect of the instrumentals over the words,” Turner reflected on the track, concluding, “and I feel like we’ve been trying to do that again and again since then.”

+

[raitonsfw]

𝚓𝚞𝚜𝚝 𝚌𝚘𝚞𝚕𝚍𝚗'𝚝 𝚠𝚊𝚒𝚝 '𝚝𝚒𝚕 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚝𝚛𝚊𝚒𝚗 𝚜𝚝𝚘𝚙𝚙𝚎𝚍 | 𝚍𝚊𝚣𝚊𝚒 𝚘𝚜𝚊𝚖𝚞

synopsis: Dazai has gifted you many things in the years that you’ve known him. Jewelry, books, clothes, lingerie… Anything that he thought suited you. When you wear one of his gifts to the agency without thinking, it was just supposed to be another day at work. But little did you know that the reason why Dazai bought you the black dress was that it was for his eyes and his eyes only. And not to mention the matching set that you wore underneath it practically sparkled in the luminosity of the office.

warnings: 18+ mdni, fem!reader, smut, exhibitionism, embarrassment, lingerie, fingering, dirty talk, teasing, slight degradation, dazai's a little mean, petnames (sweetheart, baby, darling, dear), use of honorifics.

a/n: dazai basically fingers the reader on the train ride home cuz he just couldn't wait. my friend gave me this idea and it was so fun to write. nice to write fem!readers again after writing character ships for so long. defs needed a breather. wc: 2.2k. m.list

divider credit: @benkeibear

The train wasn’t too busy, though to you it seemed like everyone and their mother took this exact train in order to spite you. You don’t know why Dazai had insisted on taking the train from the agency today, the hurriedness of it confusing you even more. Normally the both of you would walk the streets of downtown Yokohama in order to get home, stopping to sightsee and shop a bit along the way. Sometimes he’d buy you dinner on the edge of the river, other days he’d bring you to your favorite bookstore.

But today he was absolutely restless to get home, with quicker footing than usual and a hush to his voice. You were filled with concern because of this. He was never quiet, the boy was like a walking radio to you as he’d chatter (or sing) away the afternoon about anything and everything. When you both reached the station and past the people that crowded it, his lips were bitten red and he kept a hand pressed against your lower back, ushering you into the train carefully.

Fortunately for you, you both had ended up on the last train where barely anyone sat. Most of the people you had pushed through earlier sat up near the front of the train car and onwards, filling the spaces with awkward silence. Dazai snagged a seat to your left, next to the divider of the sliding doors. He leaned into it as the train made its way down the tracks, crossing his leg over his other with his hands folded neatly in his lap.

“Dazai-san, are you okay?” You asked, your voice a bit dry as you hadn’t spoken much since you left the agency. Putting a hand on his thigh to soothe his bouncing leg, he turned to you with a slight flinch but quickly registered your hand’s warmth and gave you a small grin.

“Never been better,” Dazai said, the fakeness of the smile evident. “Why do you ask?”

“You’ve seemed quieter than usual.”

“I just can’t wait to get home.” He sighed out gently, whimsicality etching his tone.

One of his hands had come to rest on yours and he rubbed it lovingly. He seemed calmer than before, but something was still bothering him. You decided to backtrack the day in your head; you two didn’t do much today at the agency.

You had looked over some of the papers Kunikida had assigned to you, ran a small errand with Atsushi, and watched Dazai successfully manage to steal a sweet from Ranpo without him knowing. Nothing else out of the ordinary stuck out to you and you frowned a little, still unsure as to why Dazai was being so weird.

“You can tell me if something’s bothering you.” You frowned at him and it looked like he almost caved, his mouth falling open to speak. But you second guessed yourself as he shut it quickly, his eyes falling past your lips.

Something was bothering him, but he didn’t have the heart to tell you. He didn’t have the heart to tell you that the dress you put on exposed your lingerie in the most discreet of places. The agency’s lights did you no justice, making the crimson colored set pop out underneath the dusky sheerness of your dress. Perhaps if he had been walking behind you in the evening glow of the sun, he would’ve had to fuck you behind a bush on the way home.

No one else noticed it, too preoccupied in their work to even give you a glance other than to say hi and if they did...well Dazai would’ve known. He watched you like a hawk all day, making sure no one mentioned it to you, partially in fear of embarrassment but mostly because he didn’t want you to change.

But yeah, something was bothering him and that was his dick.

The entire day he was hard, was aching for you to look at him and realize what you did to him. He curled up in the corner of the couch with his knees almost pressed to his chest, hiding the bulge as much as he could for most of the day. But you were too busy to pay attention to him being the hell of a worker you are; of course you couldn’t possibly have noticed his predicament– the predicament you caused.

Not even when he pulled his overcoat over his lap when you talked to him about past missions, you didn’t bat an eye. Not when his sentences faltered a few times during a meeting with Fukuzawa, did you even think to ponder why. And definitely not when he dashed off to the restroom more than a few times (only to come back with a bit of an attitude), did you realize that you were the cause of his pressing situation.

He couldn’t quite catch a break today, could he? You walked into the office, knowing damn well he gifted you that dress with a mischievous smirk plastered on his face. He even wrapped the bow on the gift box neatly, paired it with little explicit intent that it was for him. And not to mention that matching set you were wearing, also courtesy of his lust for you. The red lace peeked out just enough from the cut of the dress and he had to hold back the gasp that left his mouth when he recognized what lingerie set it was. You were decked out in his finest picks, innocently running around the office with papers falling from your arms whilst sucking up to Kunikida’s hellish requests.

“Y/N-san, you wore the dress I bought for you.” He pointed out, a bit uncertain of how to explain to you that it was sheer. “It’s beautiful on you.”

Your face lit up at the compliment. “I am! To be honest, I had nothing else to wear and I decided this would be a nice change. Instead of my regular pantsuits.”

“Would I be an asshole if I tell you it’s see through?” Dazai decided to come straight out, chuckling lightly. He watched your face fall and he immediately regretted telling you. Maybe he should’ve waited until you guys got home.

“No way, it’s not!”

“And that red number you’ve been wearing is...” He continued in a seductive whisper, leaning closer into you. “Why do you think I bought it, sweetheart?”

“I wore it in front of the entire agency, Dazai-san!” You hissed out, the embarrassment reddening against your neck and you attempted to hide it beneath the collar of the dress. No wonder he gawked at you the entire day, no wonder he stumbled through his sentences, no wonder he rushed you to the train station, no wonder he-

“Oh, please. Someone would’ve told you if it was extremely noticeable.” He could turn this around. He was an expert at that, his fingers tracing up your delicate sleeve. Dazai brought your hand to his lips and pressed a light kiss on the back of it, his eyes louring as he looked at you from his peripherals. “On the other hand…I wish I told you sooner.”

“I’ve been holding back all day as you dumbly walked around the office like you damn near owned it." His right hand slipped underneath your dress, latching onto your thigh. “Thought of so many positions I could fuck you in…if only the supply closet was enough for you but you hate dark places. Maybe the president would’ve let us leave early, then I could’ve bent you over the-”

“Not so loud.” You shushed him, trying hard not to relinquish yourself to the warmth against your thigh. It was too late though, your arousal had you wrapped around his pretty little finger, yearning for more.

Dazai dropped your hand on his lap, pulling it over the bulge of his trousers. You palmed lightly at it without much thought, feeling the curve of his erection within its confines. “Look what you did to me, baby…Had me almost humping my hand with how good you looked. Not like you cared though since you were so busy with Atsushi-kun today.”

He huffed out a small whine as you pulled your hand away quickly, peeking around the corner to see if anyone saw his action. Everyone was still peering towards the front of the train car, idly scrolling through their phones or listening to music that was much too loud in the ear. The divider covered almost all of Dazai’s lap, a basic blind spot, but you were still nervous.

The feeling of his fingers grasping against your inner thigh shot you from your thoughts as they mingled upwards to the heat of your cunt. You were already dizzy with excitement but this couldn’t happen. Not in such a public place, the strangers amongst you would definitely hear your soft whimpers. Though the thought of that made you see stars, the adrenaline rushed in your blood and directly down to the pit of your abdomen. The heat pooled there, lingered as his lithe fingers pulled at the thin lace covering your clit.

“There’s people at the front of the train, we can’t just-” You whispered, trying to move away from his hand but he had already felt the wetness that collected against the naughty material. His fingers pushed through you delicately and you shuddered at the feeling, a quiet gasp leaving your mouth.

“I don’t think I can wait anymore, darling.” He pleaded quietly in your ear, nipping at the soft shell of it. He left a kiss behind your ear and gave you a small hush as a whine got stuck in the back of your throat. “If it makes you feel better, I can lay my coat over you.”

You nodded quickly and mere seconds later, his discarded coat was thrown over top of you to shield the neighboring passengers. His hand found its way back between your legs, in the exact position he had it before and you brought the sleeve of his coat up to your mouth to muffle your moans.

“D-Dazai-san…” You breathed out as his ring finger circled your clit whilst his pointer and middle plunged into you with no remorse. He kept a shallow pace, thrusting in and out slowly to avoid extra noise (though he wouldn't have minded hearing the way your slick sounded as you became wetter with each press of his fingers). His other hand held his phone out in front of you on your lap, scrolling mindlessly through social notifications– to distract the people around you. In case you got caught. Sneaky bastard.

“Look at what Kunikida-kun posted today on our website! He’s so savvy, isn’t he?” He beamed at you and you couldn’t even respond back, pleasure swirling around in your head as Dazai continued fucking his fingers into you. Changing his pace to unabating pressure that nestled against your clit, you squirmed in your seat. Your legs threatened to close against his arm but you forced them to stay open, near silent whimpers pouring from your mouth.

Dazai wanted to hear them, those pretty moans that he forced from you, but he picked pretty bad timing to teeter you off the edge of pure ecstasy. He loved the way you clenched tightly around his fingers as he found your sweet spot– your face contorted with a slight furrow to your eyebrows and you panted into his coat sleeve like it was your source of oxygen.

“Looks like there’s rain tonight, guess we can’t go on that walk anymore.” He pouted innocently and you felt your nerves screaming at you– faster, closer, so close you squeezed your eyes shut harshly at the growing pleasure. A moment later, you were falling apart against his fingers, desperate to keep quiet as your whole body shuddered in his palm. Your whole body tensed up as you let out a rather loud moan, much louder than you thought, though it was talked over by Dazai’s glorious distraction. He didn’t stop moving as you fluttered around his fingers and you gripped onto his bandaged wrist with a weak hand.

He slipped them out of you as you calmed down, a quiet sigh resonating through the fabric of the coat. You felt him wipe them off against the inner material of it and he stood up, stretching his arms up. Throwing on his coat smugly, he looked at you and offered his hand out. “Our stop’s coming up, dear.”

You knew you’d look like a deer in headlights if you stood up, still flushed from moments before. You took his hand though, wobbling as you gained your footing while the train decreased in speed. As you smoothed your dress down you remembered the reasoning why this all happened and you cleared your throat, a sheepish smile coming to light in the corners of your mouth.

“Let’s get you home quickly before the rain comes.” Dazai said as the train halted to a stop, the doors sliding open. He moved you in front of him, his palm flush to the small of your back again. As you stepped off the train, he leaned down to the shell of your ear to murmur something.

“Keep the dress on for me when I fuck you properly.” Just a reminder what’s his and his only.

a/n: wanna get tagged in future writing posts? join my taglist!

[thepeonysbackup]

Cheek to Cheek

Summary: After a rough day, Alastor decides to take your happiness into his own hands, or moves to be precise!

Warnings: Fluff!! WIP!!!

Request: Yes/No

Songfic!!!: ♬♬♬

At this point, you were boring a line into the floor from how much your heels clicked against the tile flooring, only going quiet every few seconds you walked over your fuzzy white and purple rug. "She had the audacity to point that smug ass angelic weapon into my face while she was at it. Claiming I want to make trouble when all I've done for the hotel is support her girlfriend with everything I have?! Doesn't she realize that if I wasn't trying I would be out hopping rooftops, shoplifting, and running these streets lawless like how I was seven months ago?!" The soft hum from Alastor spurred you on to continue as you turned around again, this time stopping because you felt done, chest rising and falling while you stood relaxed. "Sounds to me like you were rather dreadful." That caught you off guard, "What..?"

The sudden flick of the radio dial, the click so loud it made you jump as the music started to play. Alastor's shadow smiled mischievously from the ceiling for its choice, as he stood he walked over to you with his eyes closed and smile ever present before he took hold of one of your hands and pulled you near.

'Heaven.. I'm in heaven... And my heart beats so– that I can hardly speak..

And I've seem to find the happiness I seek.. When we're out together, dancin' cheek to cheek.'

To your surprise, the steps were slow, merely the both of you slowly turning to the music and swaying with one another to the beat. His hand gently held yours, eyes now opened to stare intently down at you as he spoke, "My Dear, if I had ever met you while you were behaving in such a manner I promise you we would not have gotten off on the proper foot." His smile turned soft as he spun you and pulled you back into him, your back to his chest while he held your waist merely for a moment but long enough for his touch to be burned into your mind.

'I'm in Heaven, and the cares I had through the week, seems to vanish like a gamblers lucky streak.. When we're out together dancing cheek to cheek.

Oh I'd love to climb to mountains, reach the highest peak. But it doesnt thrill me half as much as dancin' cheek to cheek.

Oh I'd love to go out fishing, in a river or a creek, but I enjoy it half as much as dancin cheek to cheek.'

"Now Darlin' dance with me~ I want my arms around you, these chaaarms about you will carry me throoough, is heaven!~" He sang out, making you laugh a tad as he truly put in effort as he spun you out again, posing dramatically on one knee while pointing towards you. He wanted you to continue the second part, which since it was only the two of you, you obliged to. "Take it away doll, sing it!"

"Heavenn, I'm in heaven!~ And my heart beats so, that I can hardly speak~~

       And I seem to find the happiness I seek, when we're out together dancing Cheek to cheek!!~"

He laughed along with you when you finished, gently pinching your cheek while leaning back down to your level as he did. "See that's the one right there," He mused with enthusiasm, quickly capturing your lips for a mere moment before pulling back with a wide grin on his face at you own genuine smile of disbelief, "That little one right there most definitely is my favorite, please wear it more often dear. A dance will always bring out a smile, never hesitate to seek me out if ever you are in need of one again, my darlin'. Til we meet again." And with that he was gone in the flash of his shadow, slithering away under your doorway.

   What just happened?

[buckysegan]

With all my heart, my love and my unfiltered adoration - Part three.

Summary: The letters back and forth between our loves through the rest of the war. Word Count: 2.1K A/N: we are def rolling with some historical inaccuracies in regards to letters here but sue me, do i know how long the letters took? not a clue. but google gave us a good guess. john egan how i miss you, i need your love so here i give you mine. Part two link.

Dear Major Egan,

I'm delighted to hear I'm with you. I hope you know, that you've been with me too. It's rather insane to me if I think about it too much, just how much I've thought about you in the time that I've waited for your letters. Part of me was worried that you would think I was a little crazy righting to a man I didn't know and an even bigger part of me was worried my letters would reach you too late, but I'm glad you were happy to hear from me.

I don't mind that you're a simple guy, in fact I think I like that, then I won't have to worry about impressing you whilst we write back and forth I can just say what comes to mind. I like to think that I laugh quite easily myself, laughter is free right? And right now I think we could all use a little laughter in the world. I'll tell you my favorite song next and then you can tell me yours, I love you are my sunshine, it warms something in my chest whenever it comes on, I just can't help but smile you know? Your turn John!

I wish I could know exactly where you are, then I could know if you were some place safe but I'll settle for knowing you're still out there. As for me, I'm in Washington, Redmond to be more precise, is that anywhere near where you're from? I'd like to meet you very much Major.

With all my anticipation, excitement and continued adoration,

A friend from home x

Dear Darling,

That's what the boys have been calling you ever since your second letter arrived and given I don't know your name, that's what I decided to roll with. I hope that's alright.

I have no idea how your letters keep finding me at the exact right time, it's like fate keeps leaving it till it knows I need to hear from you. You should also know, it wouldn't matter to me if you were a little crazy, I know I'm crazy so you'd just fit right in. I don't think anyone that thinks laughter is free could be considered crazy though. You seem to good for such a thing.

I've had you are my sunshine stuck in my head for the past few days whilst I tried to find paper to write you. I think the boys were grateful at first because I wasn't sinking Blue Skies my old favorite, now I think they're ready to kill us both darling. Next question, do you like cats or dogs more? I'm not telling you my answer till I know you can be trusted.

I am with you. Know that much, and I guess Washington will be my first stop when I'm back home.

Please never stop writing.

With all my wondering, respect and ever growing adoration

John Egan

Dear John,

I could have given you my name. But I've decided that darling will do quite nicely for now. If you want to know my name you're going to have to make it home and come and get it yourself.

Is it sad of me to confess that every day I don't get your letter I get a little bit sadder until one comes through? I just hate the wait each time even though I know that these things take time. Writing you might just be the most stressful thing I decided to be. How does anyone's heart survive doing this?

You'll be pleased to know, I've been annoying the girls plenty in return with Blue Skies since learning that it's your favourite. I feel like it tells me a lot about you Major. Sing it for me sometime? I also feel like your question is a trick, a cat and a dog have very different purposes in life so I'll just chose both if that's ok?

I wanted to tell you I joined the war efforts myself since I last wrote. I'm in the factories now and I have to admit, I've never enjoyed having dirty hands so much. I'm helping to build the planes. The wings specifically, I think they put me here because I wouldn't stop talking about my pilot John.

I wonder if anything I ever build will make it across to you? My letters won't stop as long as yours don't John.

With all my curiosity, joy and bursting adoration.

Your darling from home x

Dear Darling,

I'm in a terrible mood. Buck said I can't start my letter like that but I told him you'd be alright. You don't mind do you? I have to tell someone or I think I might actually start going a little crazy. I might already be crazy if I didn't get just as excited as you do when the mail call comes through.

I wish I knew you before the war. I wish you knew me before the war, I fear I might not be the John that came to England. I don't even know if I'm the John that start writing you all those months ago. I'm just sort of hoping you won't give up on me anyway even if my letters ain't always sunshine.

And I'm glad darling, I'm so god damn glad that waiting on my letters is the most stressful part of your day. Reminds me why we're doing this, what we're over here for. To keep you all safe at that side.

I suppose I can give you cats and dogs though. I wouldn't want to pick either if we really had to come down to it. My girls smart though huh? Making those planes for us to fly? I gotta say the idea of that does something to me and my bad mood in a good way.

What I wouldn't give to be home with you right now and I never even met you.

My longing, wishing and steady adoration

John Egan

Dear John

You can write to me, come rain or shine, bad moods or good. I don't want to just be here for the fun parts Major. I may not have known you before the war, and I may only just be learning who you are now but I don't doubt for a second, every part of you is worth knowing so tell Buck that I'll take it all and he can keep his opinions to himself.

I'm sorry, it was thoughtless of me to say writing letters were stressful when you're over there doing what needs to be done. More news keeps reaching us and each day I am terrified that your name is going to appear on a list somewhere.

I know that you can't be here, and I can't be there, but I wanted you to have some small piece of me with you so I sent you something with this letter. Keep smiling with me John, through the good and the bad, just keep smiling if you can.

I hope to see you so soon.

All my determination, strength and adoration

Darling x

Dear Darling,

Buck said he's sorry. He won't ever doubt you again. I think you two would really like each other you know.

He's my voice of reason these days, or rather he always has been. One of my two favorite people, him here, and you all the way over there. How is home? Does it still smell as sweet as I remember it?

I'm a little convinced that you're too good to be true darling. Your picture caused more whistles and taunts that I've seen from the boys in forever and I would have knocked them all on their ass if Buck didn't strike and tell me to sit down again. How do you not have a solider of your own to be writing too?

Sometimes when I get down time. I like to day dream about what you're up to over there. How many planes you fixed up for us, imagine taking you dancing on a Friday night, do you have siblings? Your folks still around? I've been trying to picture it all.

I dream of that soon more than I care to admit.

With all my promises, thoughts and adoration

John Egan

Dear John,

I'm glad you have a voice of reason. We wouldn't want you getting up to any trouble now would we? Are you the sort to be in trouble a lot? I get the impression you could be Major Egan.

How are your moods holding up these days? I can't help but worry about you over here even when I'm meant to be busy.

If you could see the blush that you have all caused you would all be ashamed of yourself. I promise I'm real. I tried to get my friend Meg to let me send a picture of her but she claimed you were really going to show up here one day and then you'd be looking for the wrong girl.

I like the idea of you imagining things. It means I'm not the only one. I do have siblings, an older sister who works in the factories with me, and a little brother who is out fighting with you somewhere but his own girl writes him. My folks are both still here with me too. What's your family like?

I do have a solider of my own to be writing John, I have you.

Tell me a secret if you can?

Your darling x

Dear Darling,

Forgive me because this letter will be short, but I needed to send it out before we move. If you don't hear from me in a while, don't worry, I'll write back as soon as I'm able. I want that name, I want the dancing, I want you to meet my mom when I'm back.

You want to know a secret darling? I think it's taken me ten letters to fall in love with you after all you've given me.

With my heart, my love and my unfiltered adoration

John Egan

Dear John,

I'm writing even if you might not get this because I refuse to believe anything else other than you're busy for a while. I'll be over here waiting for you remember. I'm with you even when I'm not.

I have so much more to tell you and things I want to learn before I am satisfied.

In fact, no I may never be satisfied and then I never have to let you go.

You'll be in each of my thoughts till I hear from you again John, I think loving you took me one letter.

With all my heart, my love and my unfiltered adoration

Your darling x

Dear John

I don't think I've taken a real breath in weeks. I figured I would write you again, just in case the first one didn't reach you and you thought I hadn't wrote back.

Your name hasn't appeared on any lists so I refuse to believe that you're not still out there waiting to come home to me.

In case you missed it in the first letter, I love you too.

I am still expecting you home John Egan, I'd be with you till you were. That was the deal right?

With all my heart, my love and my unfiltered adoration

Your darling x

Dear John

If my letters and love don't reach you where do they go?

Tell me more secrets please? Tell me anything? Tell me you'll sing for me like I asked? What do I do if I never get to meet you?

I've checked each list I've found twice every day for months now. Meg said I'm a mess but I don't really care, I just want to know that you're alright. Even if you're not coming here. Please just tell me you're safe John.

With all my heart, my love and my unfiltered adoration

Your darling x

Dear Darling,

Sorry, I didn't think a little while would be that long but I've thought of you every damn day I couldn't write to you. I got your letters, all three of them made it to my base some how.

I'm hoping I beat this letter home so that I can tell you in person that I love you.

I hope you like what arrives in Washington darling, but please bare with me if it takes me a second to adjust. I'll tell you everything, all of it, anything you want to know about me. I feel like I have very little to offer you but it's all for you now. I'll be home so soon.

With all my heart, my love and my unfiltered adoration

Yours,

John Egan

[revasserium]

Zoro and the hunter's heart (as, you know, he's a former pirate hunter... nudge nudge)

send me one + a character and i'll write u a drabble

a hunter's heart

opla!zoro; 6,553 words; fairytale retelling!au, fem!reader, no "y/n", hunter!zoro, fluff and angst (only a bit), hurt/comfort (kinda), mentions of witches and magic and curses

summary: there are some stories that the world can't stop telling

a/n: i should know better by now than to think an opla zoro fic could be anything but too involved... ╮(￣▽￣"")╭ tagging @dira333 bc its ur request and @bby-deerling bc u were kind enough to ask <3

It is a sordid tale, to hear the villager’s old witch tell it — one near and dear as the rise of the sun in the east, the set of the moon in the west, old as time itself. Because you see, there are some stories so ancient and so integral to the world that it bears, nay demands, retelling, reliving. Stories so stanch and certain that they wear groves into the truth of the world by the tracks they trail, over and over and over again. Stories that the world can never stop telling, no matter how hard it might want to or try.

This is one such tale.

“Take her into the forest — and bring me back her heart,” commanded the Queen.

The hunter had knelt before his queen and bowed his head, his swords heavy at his side. Inside his chest, his own heart was thundering, thundering. A storm brewing within the depths of his soul. But he’d schooled his expression straight and taken his orders.

You were nothing more than a kitchen maid, but you had the most beautiful voice he’d ever heard. All morning, he could hear it echoing through the cool stone halls as you went about your baking of the day’s fresh bread, your churning of the week’s soft butter. He’d lean against the wall just outside the kitchens to listen, to let the music of your voice wash over the ragged edges of his soul, to soothe his frayed ends, to mend what parts might have been broken.

Sometimes, he’d find himself wandering toward the gardens in the back of the castle grounds just to catch an echo of your voice near the wells, where he knows you’ll be in the early afternoons, collecting water for the day’s dinner service. Sometimes, he thinks he can hear it over the clink and clash of swords as he spars with his fellow knights and hunters, and he’d catch himself slowing, almost stilling, and those are the only times anyone’s ever managed to get the upper hand on him.

“C’mon doll, give us another tune.”

“Yeah, sweetheart, sing us a sea shanty! Or another one of your show tunes!”

Zoro frowns as he rounds the corner one day to find a few young knights leaning against the castle wall, towering over where you’re standing, a half-filled bucket of water clutched in your hands. He’s about to intervene when he hears the sound of splashing water, and a second later, the young knights are stumbling back, squawking with indignation as you huff, wiping your hands daintily on your apron.

“So sorry, seems like my hand’s slipped —” you drop into a rather sardonic curtsy before marching passed the stunned young men, leaving them blinking and drenched in your wake. Zoro chuckles, the sound making both of them whirl around, color rising ruddy into their cheeks. They sober immediately as they meet Zoro’s eyes.

He cocks an eyebrow, looking them over.

“S-sorry sir… we just — we were uh —”

“Just leaving,” the second knight supplies as he grabs the first by the arm and tugs him back out into the courtyard.

Zoro watches them go with a muted amusement twisting his lips before turning back to find you peering up at him with a bright, steely light in your eyes. Your shoulder is pressed to the edge of the wall, your body half-hidden behind it as if you’re uncertain of what he might do. As if you’re uncertain of him.

“Sorry about them…” Zoro dips his head, suddenly very aware of how he must seem to you — just another one of the Queen’s toy soldiers, gilded in gold, touched by the sly silver of her cool, slithering magic. Would you think he’d be like them — like those bumbling idiots who couldn’t tell a board sword from a longsword? Who thought braveness and bravado one and the same? And suddenly, the thought that you might sickens him, and he swallows hard, hurrying to explain.

“Not all of us are…” Zoro’s voice trails off as he casts about for the right word — idiots? “Like them”? Neither seems to do it all justice.

He watches as you take half a step out from behind the stone wall’s cover and drop into a slight curtsey.

“I know.” And there’s a bright sheen to the soft whisper of your voice, a certainty that Zoro can’t quite place. And he knew then as he knows now that you — you are just a bit different. Just a bit more than he’d ever given you thought or credit for. Perhaps that was his mistake — he makes a mental note not to make it again.

“I know you’re not…” you wave a light hand towards where the other two knights had stumbled away, and the pinkness in your cheeks makes Zoro’s stomach do a few choice flips he’d never remembered his own stomach capable of till now.

There’s a moment’s pause, and then — you both break into laughter at the same time — him, a tad self-conscious, you, unbidden and bright as birdsong.

“You have a beautiful voice.”

“Your sparring form is really nice.”

You both speak at the same time, and in the startled quiet that stretches right after, Zoro finds himself held still by the weight of your eyes, the heaviness of your gaze as it rests on him, wide and startled and… almost pleased. He clears his throat and tries again —

“I hear you all the time —”

“I see you sometimes —”

It happens again, and when you both pause this time, he can see the burgeoning smile threatening to spill over your petal-pink lips; he can feel his own smile breaking like ice in spring’s first thaw.

“I don’t know much about music but —”

“It looks like you’re dancing —”

By the third time, Zoro’s starting to wonder if you’re doing this on purpose, or perhaps he is — because what wouldn’t he do to keep on basking in the sunshine of your laughter, to soak in the brilliance of your smile? What stars and moons and planets wouldn’t conspire to align just for another chance to glance into the midnight dark of your eyes, as depthless as any sea, as wide as any self-respecting night?

“Well —” Zoro clears his throat; you purse your lips and wait for him to finish, “I’ve never danced…”

Mischief hinges on the edge of your smile as you peer up at him through your lashes, “You should try it sometime. I hear it’s quite the workout.”

And there’s something singing beneath the sweetness of your voice that hints at a darker, more intimate meaning to the word dance, but Zoro stops himself before his mind can unspool entirely. He sucks in a breath and chews over the words now sitting solid and unwieldy on his tongue —

“I’ve always thought dancing… required music and —” he swallows and forces his sentence onward like shepherding a stubborn and reluctant bull, “a partner.”

You let your held lilt sideways, watching him like a bird on a branch might consider a squirrel on the ground.

“It’s just… I’ve never quite had either before,” he hurries to explain, feeling heat creeping into his cheeks and finally, he forces his eyes away from you, glancing up towards the piercingly blue sky, completely devoid of clouds. He curses inwardly, his eyes wandering for something — anything — to latch onto that’s not you and your mesmerizing eyes, with the universe caught behind them, or your lips, shaped so much like the answer to a question he hadn’t realized he’d been asking for his whole, entire life.

He watches as you square your shoulders and take a half-step into his personal space, just the tips of your toes grazing into the proximity of too close and at the same time not nearly close enough — then, you dip into a curtsey, lowering your eyes so he has nothing to ground himself on except for the brief breath of your skin, the waft of your hair sweeping down over your shoulders, smelling so much like cotton and milk, salt and honey.

“But now, from where I’m standing…” you look up, and your smile is so much poisoned apples and cyanide, “you’ve got both, don’t you?”

Zoro sucks in a breath he hadn’t realized he’d been holding, his head spinning for a second too long and he almost stumbles. Almost. But he catches himself, and when he does, his body moves as a marionette on a string — as if his arms and legs already knew what his mind had for so long kept from him —

He dips into a bow, sweeping one arm over his stomach, the other out to the side. And there’s no dull, discordant clank of armor because hunters and soldiers are made different. Fighters, both, but hunters require a different kind of bloodlust, are a different strain of heartless.

You let out a soft laugh and Zoro wonders if there’s any better music in the world as he offers you his hand. You take it, and he draws your body near with reverent palms, exhaltant fingers — he can almost feel the wild birdwing beat of your heart fluttering in your chest, supplemented by the thundering of his own much more well-trained heartbeat, but even so, the dull pulse of it makes him feel heady with excitement — thump, thump, thump.

And slowly, ever so slowly, the pair of you begin to dance. At first, just to the soft inhale and exhale of your breaths and his. And then, you smile up at him, a startling, chest-piercing, swan-song thing — as you begin to sing.

His first step is hesitant, and the second less so. By the third, Zoro feels his shoulders flattening out and his chest rising as he clasps your palms against his and takes the lead. You let him, with a tinkling laugh, your smile light and bright as daybreak. Your feet skip like pebbles across a mirror lake, and by the time he lets you go, the midday sun is beating down over the castle grounds and the lunch bell is ringing off in the distance. You skip out of his reach and drop into another curtsey —

“Seems like it’s past time for me to go.”

“But —” Zoro bites back the urge to chase after you, his body surging forward to try and stay within the warmth of your orbit.

“Tomorrow,” you breathe, your cheeks a bit too pink, grinning up at him with mischief in your eyes, “after the morning meal… I think I might have some more water to collect.”

You shoot him a meaningful wink as you sweep by him, humming beneath your breath as you go. You brush by him with a sweep of skirt-tails, and it’s a full minute before Zoro can form a coherent thought, whipping around to see the shadow of you disappearing around the corner of the long corridor that leads down to the kitchens.

Up above, neither of you sees the Queen with her blood-red nails clicking against the wide windowsill, her eyes trailing the shape of Zoro as he sucks in a long breath, and shakes himself, before heading back to the training grounds, his earrings catching the afternoon light in a series of gold-gilded sparks.

The next day, Zoro finds you dancing to a two-step by yourself, a bucket of water propped on your hip, the late morning sun caressing your skin like a lover’s fingers. And he finds himself held still by the sight of you, your eyes closed, your body swaying to the rhythm and breath of the earth, the sound of your voice filling the air as water might an already-full glass — spilling over and over till it soaks the earth between you both.

He clears his throat, and you open your eyes. You smile.

Almost sheepishly, he offers you a hand. You take it, and the half-filled bucket is left to teeter precariously on the well’s stone-worn edge as you laugh, letting Zoro pull you in, his palm pressing to the bend of your waist, fingers skimming the small of your back.

Three days, you dance. Three days of blissful mornings and sun-soaked afternoons. Three nights of moonlit walks and roses dipped in starlight.

Because the best things in the world always come in threes — but it just so happens that so do the worst.

Zoro feels his skin crawling when he receives the summons from the Queen. There is only one reason the Queen would summon a hunter like him — she’s found something (or someone) worthy of being hunted. He prays it will not take him away for long.

“Zoro…” the Queen purrs, barely turning to look at him as he bows his head, holding the pose for three beats before straightening. She reaches up to grace her fingers over the edges of an ornate mirror hanging on her wall — a mirror she covets. Zoro has seen its magic, the dull, rough-edged ache thrumming through the earth and the air like poison. He schools his expression into one of flat disinterest as he squares his shoulders.

“Your Highness.”

“I trust you’re familiar with my mirror?”

Zoro makes a soft noise of consent, cold slipping down his spine like cool fingers.

“Then… I trust you know what it does?” the Queen asks, peering at him through it’s dark, onyx reflection.

Zoro glances down, “I can’t say I do, Your Highness.”

“Well then, I’d say you’re in for a treat today —” she chuckles, the sound soft and slithering, her painted lips twisting up in a cruel smirk, “this is a magic mirror, you see… and it’s magic… tells the truth —”

Zoro remains quiet, waiting, waiting.

“Mirror, mirror…”

Zoro feels the air around him condensing, the temperature dropping as the heat siphons from the room into the mirror. The darkened surface swirls with a sickly, purple light before a pallid face appears, empty eye sockets and a hollow mouth. The skeletal reflection peers imperiously back up at the image of the Queen standing before it.

“… tell me, who is the fairest in all the land?”

The Queen preens in front of the mirror, and Zoro feels his stomach filling with lead weight at her question.

Once upon a time, he’d met a kindly old witch in the woods. Her hut had been made of something that looked curiously like gingerbread, and the flowers that decorated her windowsill had glimmered with the shine of tempered sugar. He had offered to help her carry a basket of waxy red apples from the market to her hut and in return, she’d offered him the answer to one question.

“What… exactly is magic?” he’d asked, young and uncertain.

She’d laughed a laugh that might’ve once been high and imperious but then had only sounded like an amused old woman faced with a question she hadn’t quite expected.

“Magic… well — I’ll tell you this — magic is always more than meets the eye, and never what it promises.”

Zoro had blinked, frowning as she’d peered up at him with a pair of mismatched eyes — one milky and filmed over, the other dark as crow’s feathers.

“What does… that mean?”

“It means… that sometimes, magic lies. Sometimes… magic only tells you what you want to hear. Sometimes, magic is more about what you think is true because in the end… that’s the only truth that matters.”

The magic mirror contemplates the Queen’s question as Zoro stands behind her, holding his breath.

“There is but one fairer than Your Highness —”

Zoro’s vision tunnels, the voice of the mirror thickening around him as if his head were suddenly submerged in water. Heat creeps up the back of his neck like spider’s legs, quick and skittering, and he knows the answer before the mirror says your name.

“I see…” the Queen muses, though Zoro can hear the hard edge in her voice, the light catching on it like a twisting blade as she turns back around to face him. And she is beautiful, there’s no denying — the Queen’s face was, up until very recently, what Zoro had thought true beauty must be like.

He’d understood it only in the most abstract, academic sense — beauty — had only ever nodded when the other knights and hunters had wolf-whistled at the rosy-cheeked maids that dotted the castle, scattered along the halls like handfuls of sugar.

The first time he saw the Queen, he’d wondered at the perfect proportions of her eyes and nose, the dark, certain arch of her brows, the cruel tug at the ends of her painted lips and he’d thought — ah, is this what all the fuss is about?

But then he’d seen you, hadn’t he? And your face — he knows it is not perfect, he’s leaned in close enough to see the texture that mars your cheeks, the way one side of your mouth always lilts up first in a smile, the flecks that adorn your eyes like lost shards of sunlight caught beneath your lashes —

Beautiful, he’d thought.

Later, he wonders if that moment might’ve been your doom.

“Take her into the forest,” the Queen says, smiling her cruel, cruel smile as she watches Zoro lower his head, “and bring me back her heart.”

Zoro swallows hard as he bows.

You are waiting for him the next morning, just after breakfast, your hands laced behind your back, an empty bucket resting precariously along the edge of the well.

“No dancing today,” Zoro says, his voice clipped and low, his gaze darting away toward the darkness of the forest behind you. You blink up at him before following his gaze.

“Then… will you accompany me on a walk?”

Zoro frowns, nearly wincing away from you as you lean in, grinning your sly fox’s grin.

“But…”

“Oh, don’t tell me a hunter like you’s scared of the forest.” You dance away from him before he can protest, reaching for the bucket and propping it on your right hip, “C’mon, I promised the head cook I’d pick some berries for the feast tonight. Didn’t you hear? The Queen’s finally found a spell for eternal youth and beauty.”

Zoro stares after you as you pick your way across the garden, making for the wrought-iron gates that separate the castle grounds from the wilderness beyond.

“A spell for…” Zoro’s frown deepens as you glance at him over your shoulder with a sad little smile.

“They say the Queen was cursed by a powerful witch to always search for that which she can never have.”

Zoro keeps behind you as you meander into the shadow of the trees, seemingly following a trail only you can see, occasionally stopping to bend over a burst of bright red berries, picking a few and tossing them into your bucket before pressing one to your lips. He watches as berry juice dark as blood tints your lips and trickles down the edge of your mouth.

“Did you know… that there are only three ways to break a witch’s curse? One is for the witch herself to lift the curse.”

Here in the darkness of the forest, your eyes shine like twin stars.

“Another is to kill the witch and all those who cared for her.”

Here in the darkness of the forest, the lopsided lilt of your smile flashes white, and sharp, dripping dark red —

Zoro’s sword is in his hand before he realizes, and suddenly, every twig-snap and leaf-rustle sets his bones on edge. The wind tastes sweet on his tongue, swirls thick with magic as he whirls around, searching for the silhouette of you and finding nothing but endless, pressing dark.

“Zoro?” your voice nearly makes him stumble as he twists around, eyes wide, chest heaving, only to find the tip of his sword resting against the delicate hyphen of your clavicle. Your breath hitches, soft as he’d always remembered it, but you don’t pull away; you don’t even flinch as you stare up at him, as if waiting for him to do something.

“Are you going to kill me?” your voice is low and smooth, without a single flicker of fear.

Zoro’s grip loosens as he forces himself to pull back. He hisses out a breath and shakes loose his shoulders.

“No,” he says, his own voice coarse, clipped, “I’m not. But —”

“Oh good — that would’ve made things rather awkward for our date.”

Zoro gapes as you laugh, twirling around to continue on your way through the forest. He hastens after you a few seconds later, brushing aside low-hanging branches and shouldering passed thicker bits of underbrush.

“D-date?”

“Mhm,” you hum, sounding very pleased as you lead him on, and on, and on, “you wouldn’t want to miss it — grandma’s baking pie.”

“What… ” but his words trail off once more as you turn and make towards a clearing that he’s certain wasn’t there a moment ago — a clearing with a tiny hut that looks as if it’s made of gingerbread. The flowers on the windowsill glitter jewel-bright and candy-hard.

“My grandma’s house,” you say, smiling as you push through the door with your bucket of blood-red berries still perched on your hip.

Zoro’s frown carves ever harder into his brows as he follows after you on hesitant feet, though he can’t help the way his muscles loosen the second he steps over the small hut’s threshold and catches a whiff of something wonderful in the air — cinnamon and sugar and apples.

“Ah, you’ve made it just in time!” the old witch looks up from where she’s tending a vast fire that casts the entire hut in a warm, ethereal glow. Zoro glances back at the open patch of cloudless blue sky somehow visible in a small gap between the trees before stepping in.

“Apple pie again, grandma?”

“Your favorite,” the old witch replies with a grin as you set the bucket on the small wooden table, “And I see you’ve brought a guest, though…” the old witch’s single black eye catches the firelight as she peers are Zoro, still standing just inside the doorway.

“It’s nice to see you again, young man.”

Zoro bows, rather awkwardly, and though it’s been many years since he’d helped the old woman with her apples, she looks exactly the same. He can’t say quite the same for himself.

“Come, sit! Have some berry wine,” you say, ushering Zoro towards the table, where you’ve somehow replaced the bucket with two jars of red liquid that glimmers like garnets in the flickering firelight. You pour a glass and nudge it towards Zoro, who simply stares, trying very hard to wrap his head around what must be happening.

A dull, thrumming ache is gathering at the base of his skull, but the pie smells so sweet and the wine looks ever so tantalizing.

He reaches out and takes a sip, letting the cool liquid slip down his throat. He feels it slither through him, sending tiny pin-pricks of heat trailing along his limbs as he swallows.

“Ah… so he’s not like the rest of them.”

He blinks down at the wine in his cup for a second more before you reach out and tug it from his hand. A soft palm cups his cheek and forces his face up. He meets your eyes and finds them searching.

“You weren’t lying… you really hadn’t planned on killing me.”

You sound almost surprised as your grandma chuckles behind you, the noise like the clack of old stones against one another.

“I told you he was different,” the old witch says, slowly slicing a bit of pie and putting it on a plate.

“All men think they’re different,” you say, your voice resigned as you take the slice of pie and set it in front of Zoro, “Right, now eat — it’ll make you feel better. I’m sorry about that… just… you can never be sure.”

The old witch tuts, shaking her head, “A broken heart is it’s own kind of curse, you know.”

Zoro blearily takes a bite of cake and feels his senses returning to him one by one; he takes stock of them as if he’d forgotten entirely that he’d lost them in the first place. As he chews and swallows once, twice — by the third time he can feel the tightness in his muscles returning as panic and confusion flood his system.

He jerks up from the table and reaches for his sword.

“Please, there’s no need for that,” you say, though you sound hesitant as you hold up a hand, your expression earnest as you take half a step back.

“What the hell did you do to me?” he seethes, looking between you and the old witch, uncertain of who to aim his anger at.

“I had to be sure,” you say again, your voice imploring as you inch forward, “Please, I don’t want to hurt you.”

“Yeah well —” Zoro gulps past the dryness in his mouth as he narrows his eyes, “You’ve got a funny way of showing it.”

You wince ever so slightly, looking away, “No, you’re right but… please,” you say again, and the word works like magic as it settles over Zoro’s shoulders. He wonders if it’s actual magic, but no — there’s no strange sweetness in the air, no thick fog threatening to cloud over his judgment.

“It might be quicker to show him,” the old witch suggests, still watching the pair of you with her one oil-black eye, sounding pleasant and entirely unfazed.

“Right… yes —” you sigh, motioning for the door, “The sty is just out behind the hut — you can go out first if you’d like,” you offer.

Zoro looks between you and the door before inching back and edging open the door with his foot, keeping his eyes fixed on you as you follow him with light, muted movements.

The air outside is crisp and cool and Zoro can’t help sucking in a breath as he steps out from the halo of the firelit hut. Grass crunches beneath his feet, birds sing overhead. There’s the lingering heat of magic still crackling in the air, but when his gaze falls back onto you, he finds you no less lovely than he’d done the first time.

“This way,” you say, rounding the edge of the hut and leading him towards a sizeable pigsty that he’d completely failed to notice the first time he’d been here as a young boy.

A looming sense of dread calcifies in the base of his stomach as he approaches the pigsty on heavy feet. The pigs all jostle against one another, snorting and snuffling with their noses pressed into the long feeding pen. From the pockets of your skirt, you produce a handful of bright red berries and toss it into the pen. Zoro watches with mixed fascination and mounting horror as the pigs tumble over each other to forage for the fruit in the dried hay and mud.

“Have you ever heard the saying that… there are some stories the world never stops telling?” your voice is quiet and sad as you reach over to skim your knuckles along the pale pink snout of a snorting pig.

And suddenly, Zoro understands — he doesn’t know if it was a trick of the light or perhaps the magic still working its way through his system but the understanding comes like a rainstorm, a few tiny droplets before the downpour. And were he a weaker man, he might’ve back and tried to make a run for it. But instead, he stands and stares with a strange pity welling up inside him at the lolling tongues and flopping ears.

“These were all men — hunters,” he says, his words slow at first, but picking up speed as he continues to speak, “Who tried to lure you into the wood to —”

“To kill me, yes, so that they could give the Queen my heart. Because you see, the heart of a witch would give her what she so desperately desires —”

“Eternal youth,” Zoro breathes.

“And the first time, I was heartbroken,” you turn away from him, pressing a hand to your heart, “But I managed to get away. And instead of going back empty-handed to face the Queen’s wrath, the hunter caught a wild boar in the forest and cut out its heart instead. Only — an old she-wolf had been hunting the boar for days, and was robbed of a meal. She and I… we came across each other and I was so — so hurt that I offered her my heart in return for putting me out of my misery.”

Zoro presses his lips as your words rush from you in a great wave, pieces of truths crystalizing before him even as they continue to shatter the world he thought he’d known.

“She told me then that… no man is worth dying for, especially not one who would lie to you just to steal your heart. And she offered to teach me —” you wave a hand at the pigsty, “And the rest…”

The soft silence that stretches between you is thin and pained. You cradle your hands to your chest as if trying to stem the hurt of some unspeakable heartbreak.

“And… the wine?” he asks.

Your face lifts and a strike of that familiar, mischievous light returns to your eyes as you grin.

“That was something I brewed up on my own — if the drinker bears me any ill intentions, then it’ll turn them into something a bit more… fitting of their true hearts. But if not then…” you grace him with a soft smile, “Then it’ll only ever just be wine, though a bit on the stronger side.”

“Yeah, a bit.”

A brief silence falls between the pair of you as the sky above begins to shift from blue to a soft lavender.

“You said… the first time,” Zoro says, curiosity now burgeoning from beneath the receding shock of the day, “Do you make a habit of luring men into the woods, then?”

You scoff, “Luring? Hardly. Magic can only do so much, and though the odd enchanted trinket will sell well at the monthly market, people still tend to be wary around witches.”

“I can’t imagine why,” Zoro says dryly, his eyes flickering toward the sty where the pigs, finally satisfied that there are no more berries to be found, have settled into the thick stacks of hay, grumbling and snorting.

You allow him a derisive smile, “Yes well — a girl and her grandmother still have to eat and bathe, and you can only stand so much apple pie before it starts to get a little old. So… I keep a job at the castle. Believe it or not, serving a self-obsessed Queen pays well. And all those… men —” you force out the word like spitting out poison, “Had seemed… good. At least at first.”

Zoro remains quiet as you pause, looking down at your own hands. It’s the first time he notices the light calluses that mar your palms, not so different from his own. He wonders at the smoothness of the handles on the wooden bucket you’d carried so easily through the woods, at how long it must’ve taken for a pair of hands like yours to wear them down so. The old witch’s words echo in his mind — a broken heart is it’s own kind of curse.

“Is that how you got so good at dancing?” he asks.

You grin, giving him a sidelong glance, “Perhaps.”

Zoro sighs, tilting his head back to look at the small patch of visible sky, now a deep, bruising purple.

“So. Now what?”

You echo his sigh, looking up as well, “You can go back, if you’d like.”

“And what? Tell the Queen that you got away?”

Your smile hardens ever so slightly, “Or, you could kill something else in the forest and offer her it’s heart instead.”

“But wouldn’t she know? After she ate it and doesn’t gain eternal youth?”

You shrug, looking away, “You’d be surprised what a person can trick themselves into believing, if they just try hard enough.”

Zoro nods, letting his eyes fall back down to his hand, resting idle against the hilt of his sword.

“Or, I could stay.”

He doesn’t know what makes him say it — and perhaps it was the darkness of the forest, the close, flustered whisper of the leaves, or perhaps it was the lingering sweetness of your home-brewed wine and the tantalizing smell of magic and cinnamon still in the air. But he says it, and he finds that even the strange, still shocked moment after, he doesn’t regret it.

“You… you want to stay?”

He doesn’t think he’s ever heard you sound so uncertain before.

“Why not? I can’t go back and…” he motions at the hut and the soft ring of warm firelight seeping out from the tiny windows, “The wine’s not bad.”

And perhaps for the first time, Zoro thinks, he sees you smile — a smile that isn’t sharp and full of hidden teeth. A smile that’s helpless and hopeful and just a little bit pained. He smiles back and hopes —

“C’mon then… you can help with the fire. And carry the water.”

“Hn. But you seemed so good at it.”

You shoot him a slight pout as the pair of you duck back into the hut to the smell of roasting vegetables.

There are some stories the world can never stop telling, stories so old that the sing harmony to the very tuning of the universe.

Once upon a time, there was a wolf, a grandmother, and a girl in the woods. Once upon a time, an old witch built a house of gingerbread to lure in the lives of unheedful children. Once upon a time, there was a Queen with a magic mirror. Once upon a time, a witch lived alone in a secluded hut and lured men to her table only to turn them into the pigs they’d always been inside.

Once upon a time, a boy asked a girl to dance.

Once, a boy told the truth and the girl didn’t believe him, because all the boys who’d broken her heart before had given her no reason not to. And a heart can only be broken so many times before it, too, gets tired.

Once, she thought that broken hearts could never be mended.

But she should’ve known that stories, like the magic they hold, very rarely tell the truth. Or perhaps, they too only tell the truths that the listener wants to hear, or is ready to hear. Never more, never less.

So, here is another story — one that’s not so frequently told, but is just as true as the others —

Once, there was a boy who was born with a sword in his hand, who had never know that his body could hold so much music or laughter. Then, he met a girl with the most beautiful voice in all the land, and he, like so many before him, fell in love. Only, the girl had been hurt by all those before him, and no longer trusted the words of boys with sword-hilt smiles and rough, callused fingers. But when he asked her to dance, she agreed anyway, and when she introduced him to her grandmother and offered him wine, he did not hesitate. Instead, he asked if he could stay the night.

That was a long, long time ago.

There will always be another girl with a pretty voice and a viper’s smile at the castle beyond the woods, and always another young knight too eager to please his Queen. There will always be apples at the morning market and magic in the air. But perhaps the pieces don’t fall right where they ought to; perhaps they never did. Perhaps the stories we tell are only ever stories.

“You told me once that there were three ways to lift a curse,” Zoro asks one day, a wooden bucket in one hand, three swords strapped to his opposite hip.

“Mhm,” you hum, not looking up from the large pot of soup bubbling over the fire, a song threading beneath your breath as you sway back and forth.

Zoro grunts as he puts the bucket on the worn wooden table, walking over to slip an around your middle and hook his chin over your shoulder. You laugh as you let yourself be pulled back into his embrace.

“You only ever told me two.”

“Ah… right —” you smile, a smile that is no longer jagged but worn soft around the edges, as if all the sharpness has been smoothed over by years and years of tenderness, years and years of trust, of love.

“So?”

“So…” you place down the wooden spoon and turn to face him, placing your hands on his shoulders as his large, callused palms settle around your waist. The pair of you sway to a song that only the two of you can hear, a song that sings harmony to the very tuning of the universe.

“The third way to break a curse is the easiest… but also the hardest way, depending on who you are,” you say, smiling and swaying in Zoro’s arms. Like this, you can see the late afternoon light as it pours through the small window and catches on the dull gold of his triplet earrings.

“It’s a simple thing, really,” you say, as Zoro leans down to press his forehead to yours, your breaths dancing in the negative space between your bodies. Outside, an old witch sits on a rocking chair and admires the sunset. Occasionally, she reaches into her skirt pockets for a handful of berries to toss into the pigsty to her right.

“Oh yeah? How simple?” Zoro asks.

“Why…” you lean up on your tiptoes, your nose brushing his, your lips mere inches apart. Behind you, bottles and bottles of home-brewed wine sit along the mantle of the great stone fireplace, the color bright and true and freshly spilled blood.

“It’s as simple as a kiss from your one true love, of course.”

[forestshadow-wolf]

dancing and the dreaming by john Powell

That one scene from httyd 2 except it's soap ghost.

Ghost had never wanted to hurt dragons, he'd never thought they were hateful creatures. But then one of them broke into their house, and he feared tue worst for their daughter. But there was a moment, just one, and he realized it wasn't trying to hurt her.

Soap arrived still panicked and filled with adrenaline, he threw his axe at it without a second thought, moving more on instinct than intention. It wasn't his fault, and Ghost would never blame him.

But he knows Soap blames himself for the way the dragon truned tail and ran, but only after scooping Ghost up in its talons.

Surprisingly enough, the dragon didn't take him somewhere remote to eat him. No, it took him to some sort of... sanctuary, a place where the dragons lived. He wanted to go back, he wanted to make the dragon take him back. But then he thought that maybe not all dragons are liek this one, maybe she's safer with Soap on an island of vikings who are willing to do what needs to be done to protect without hesitation. So he stayed.

And years and years later. Nearly 2 decades, and he's saving a young lady from dragon hunters.

It's not until later, when he gets a closer look that he recognizes those heterochromatic blue and umber eyes, and the little beauty mark on the tip of her left ear that he can still remember kissing every night before bed, once upon a time ago.

And then he's gone off to find supper and when he comes back...

Soap. Standing there stock still, just staring at him. And he can't quite tell what it means, can't quite see what's behind the devastation in those eyes. It's been too long since he's seen Soap. Perhaps he'd know what was in those beautiful blue eyes if only he'd been there for all those years.

He looks good. Older, more grizzled, more tired. His beard's grown long, and braided. His hair, longer as well, but still the iconic short sides. And ghost thinks he falls in love all over again. But he left, he was taken and he chose to stay gone. And he's sure that soap must be furious with him. For leaving him alone with their daughter to take care of, and an entire village to run. For staying gone. And he says as much, shouts it.

And soap, ever the gentle soul, forgives him. Forgives him like he never blamed him, like he's never hated him. Like he loves him, like he still loves him.

He's still not sure what to think in the tense, too quiet atmosphere. It used to be so loud and lively, never a quiet moment. Not with soap around, at least. Except now it was.

He's getting water for the stew when he feels soap at his back. Humming a melody he'd long (not) forgotten. An olive branch. A peace offering.

I'll swim and sail on savage seas With ne'er a fear of drowning And gladly ride the waves of life If you will marry me No scorching sun nor freezing cold Will stop me on my journey, sorry If you will promise me your heart

He reaches for it, but he can't find his voice. He feels his gaze on him as it wavers, as soap looks at him for any sign of the past and gets nothing. Won't get anything with Ghost's back to him, he seems to realize it as his head fully sinks under the water.

And love...

And finally Ghost finds that handhold he was looking so desperately for. He throws out a life raft for him.

And love me for eternity My dearest one, my darling dear Your mighty words astound me But I've no need for mighty deeds When I feel your arms around me

And suddenly he's alive, and soap is letting out that beautiful laugh, that he's always loved.

But I would bring you rings of gold I'd even sing you poetry (oh, would you?) And I would keep you from all harm If you would stay beside me

And he can almost physically feel as something he didn't know was broken heals inside of him.

I have no use for rings of gold I care not for your poetry I only want your hand to hold

I only want you near me

And suddenly they're both laughing, and dancing. Just like old times, it's like he'd never left. Or maybe it is, but maybe it's okay, maybe it'll be okay.

To love and kiss to sweetly hold For the dancing and the dreaming Through all life's sorrows and delights I'll keep your laugh inside me I'll swim and sail a savage seas With ne'er a fear of drowning And gladly ride the waves so life And you will marry me

And all is right with the world. He has his husband and their daughter, and they have him. And they're happy and together and they have the most beautiful laughs that he never wants to not hear.

[absolutebl]

hi!! i got into bl in 2020 and watched just abt all of them i could get my hands on back then, but i’ve slowly stopped watching them over the last couple years. i loved the feeling watching them gave me, tho, so i wanna get back into it!

my favorites are to my star, semantic error, 2gether, we best love, and tale of thousand stars! i don’t mind high intensity (like physical stuff) but i definitely don’t need it to enjoy a story! if you don’t mind, can you recommend me some newer bls (or gls!) i might like? i’d appreciate it a ton!!! 💕

my favorites are:

to my star,

semantic error,

2gether,

we best love,

tale of thousand stars

I would call all these pretty classic romance BLs. This mostly jives with my own taste so I'll pull some of my favorites for you.

Did you make it to Old Fashion Cupcake?

If not just GO WATCH THAT.

Otherwise...

2023 High Romance BLs to suck you back into the fold

Our Dating Sim (Korea Viki)

If you haven't watched this, it's a must. I actually handed out a 10/10. I NEVER do that. It's a perfect short form KBL, an office set reunion romance featuring geeks that really suits 8 eps with no fluff and no chaff. Just comforting and yummy. I adored every aspect from the casting to the pristinely simple premise to the quietly smooth execution. Sure it’s low stakes, but that makes it high domesticity and extremely warm and gentle. This is a fuzzy blanket of a story - a cozy BL.

From your list this one is most tonally similar to we best love

Love Tractor (Korea iQIYI)

Most of this country-set BL had me feral for the beautiful broken city boy and his hot young farmer. Hyung romance, puppy/cat pairing, open frankness meets jaded reserve, language play, water hose frolicking, only one bed, just all my favorite tropes. This show was basically a light-weight Restart After Come Back Home and I’m not even slightly mad about that.

From your list this is most tonally similar to semantic error

My School President (Thai YouTube)

GMMTV gave us a classic high school set Thai BL with tropes like messy boys singing their feelings that made this one Love Sick for the modern age with all the gentle sweetness and pining ache, but none of the dated damaging tropes or issues. Yes, we’ve seen it all before, but I still ADORED this. And there is a lot to be said for the classics being re-executed perfectly. This show was fantastic, it’s only flaw was the singing (and that’s my baggage). My favourite GMMTV BL offering to date. And yes, I've watched them ALL.

From your list this is most tonally similar to 2gether.

Our Dining Table AKA Bokura no Shokutaku (Japan Gaga)

Lonely salaryman and talented cook (Inukai Atsuhiro - Absolute BL et al) gets accidentally adopted by a college kid and his little brother. I was always gonna love the show if they stuck to the manga (which is very dear to my heart). And they did, paralleling it almost exactly. It’s a quiet & cozy little parable of found family alleviating loneliness. Possibly too slow for some but definitely high up there for me with the best of what Japan can do. It’s only flaw (if I dare say such a thing) is that it is not really “romantic.” Lovely & sweet but the romance beats are being used to build a family relationship, not couple intimacy, it’s OK with me, but not totally BL.

From your list this on is most tonally similar to ... erm ... none, this is a new creature. Might not work for you.

The New Employee (Korea Viki)

So good, SO QUEER, so soft, a near pitch perfect office BL with conflict derived from that setting. Also found family and a lesbian bestie. Sweet & innocent (and out) Seung Hyun scores the office internship of his dreams. On his first day at work he gets into it with his cool reserved (and also v gay) boss. As you do. Frankly? This is what I wanted from this new crop of office set KBLs ALL ALONG.

From your list this is most tonally similar to we best love

Unintentional Love Story (Korea iQIYI)

A boy who just lost his job due to faked corruption charges accidentally discovers his ex-boss's favorite artist, now a recluse. Evil manager offers him his job back if he can convince the artist to rejoin society. Instead, they fall in love. I found the artist character a bit stiff and reserved but Gongchan (maknae of B1A4) is a fucking GIFT as the harried salaryman - he carried this show (which I do not expect from the idol). He was luminous with extraordinarily expressive eyes, just drown in the emoting abyss. The external conflict, social tension and pressure is complex and beautifully executed, plus Korea gave us legit side dishes (NOT a love triangle, hally-fucking-luya).

From your list this is most tonally similar to tale of thousand stars

The Eighth Sense (Korea Viki)

One of the longest BLs Korea has given us and it feels more atmospheric gay coming of age romance than strictly BL. It’s got a bit of an age gap, country boy/city boy, stellar acting, complex characters, and leads with great chemistry and tension. It’s a bit chewy and sticky and less perfect than most KBLs (do I detect a touch of Taiwan?) This one deployed BL tropes (messy eater, shoulder sleep, protective seme, there’s even some hyung-slinging) but front loaded them with painful backstory and tons angst drives the 2nd half. This isn’t in the KBL bubble, there’s sharp edges and lots of triggers. For a BL the darkness of the content left me feeling unsettled (which is the only reason it didn't get a perfect score) but it does have a glorious ending and is HUGELY romantic, that counts for a lot.

From your list this is most tonally similar to to my star 1 & 2. But it's quite heavy so... make sure you're int the right mood.

[ornii]

Folie a Deux III: Trending

The shoots were getting more and more intense as time went on, from your magic, to faking being blind to shooting your own fight scenes, a lot of work with little downtime, but when you did, you spend it focusing on your music. Making samples and producing, one late night in your trailer, the sounds of a cello tuning cut your music time down, you couldn’t focus with it. You heard that melody so vividly, You placed your headphones down and stepped out of your trailer, you heard the sounds coming from inside one of the rooms for shooting, it was nearing midnight. You crept up the stairs as Paint it Black was echoing.

Jenna sat with a Cello, trying to mementoes the strokes for her character Wednesday but it was always off by a smidge. She sighs as she stops to tune it. You watched her, her dedication to her character, to the art. You were, admittedly amazed.

“Don’t tune it.” you say, her head jerks over to surprise, seeing you.

“Shit. I didnt wake you, did. I?”

“No I was just finishing some samples Metro sent me, you’re really good at that.” You walk over, trying to not be a creep you sit always away from her, Jenna shrugged it off.

“No I’ve.. only been playing for a few months for the role.”

“A few months?” You say, flabbergasted. You scoot closer.

“It took me a year to learn bass guitar! You’re amazing, can you play something for me?” You ask, as Jenna was fumbling around to form an excuse you had an idea.

“Wait; let me help you, gimmie a sec.” (Y/n) darts off, leaving Jenna alone only for a minute, he enters with a keyboard piano and a violin, he sits across from her.

“It might Help you to recognize keys from songs you like and mentally implant them for your song, like this.” You say, you tap a few keys for drums and begin a simple beat, and with the lyrics she immediately recognizes the song

“I wish i knew you wanted me~ I wish I knew..” you sing, you then put the drums on repeat and take the violin and help with the bass line.

“Okay, take the keys, minor. Cellos a low register, I’ll pick up on high.” You say and begin a Violin and Cello rendition of “Bad Habit” by the one and only Steve Lacy, your eyes can’t stay off of her as you watch her play. The lyrics flowing like red wine from your lips.

“I bite my tongue, it's a bad habit

Kinda mad that I didn't take a stab at it

Thought you were too good for me, my dear

Never gave me time of day, my dear

It's okay, things happen for

Reasons that I think are sure, yeah…”

The keys started to come naturally to her, listening to the beat and focusing. While the music was amazing, it attracted more of the cast members who were unaware of what was going on, Peeking inside the Enid and Wednesday bedroom stage they saw the two performing and it was magical. The duo were reaching the chorus as they entered, actually impressed by the cover, and joined it.

You can't surprise a Gemini

I'm everywhere, I'm cross-eyed, and

Now that you're back, I can't decide

If I decide if you're invited

You always knew the way to wow me

Fuck around, get tongue-tied, and

I turn it on, I make it rowdy

Then carry on, but I'm not hidin'

You grabbin' me hard 'cause you know what you found

Is biscuits, is gravy, babe, ah-ah

(Y/n)’s eyes locked with Jenna’s. He couldn’t tear away from that gleam, those eyes, that smile.

“You can't surprise a Gemini

But you know it's biscuits, is gravy, babe

I knew you'd come back around

'Cause you know it's biscuits, it's gravy, babe

Let's fuck in the back of the mall, lose control

Go stupid, go crazy, babe

I know I'll be in your heart 'til the end

You'll miss me, don't beg me, babe..” He ends with a violin string, and the others watching immediately started berating them with questions, wondering if this was going to be in the final shoot. After some laughs and awkward chit chat, they all left, but Emma saw (Y/n) and Jenna chatting as the night was coming to a close, and couldn’t help but smile.

Wednesday had been a Commercial success, the internet going wild for it. Netflix had found lightning in a bottle and much of that was Thanks to Jenna of course, but much of the conversation was about the supporting cast. Mostly You. The Wenclair ship was trending, but it was #Healday that kept on the charts. The internet obviously went wild for the show and a season 2 was bound to happen, and of course there was the press tour, promoting the show and showing up appearances.

Exiting the Limo you kept a fairly calm demeanor, unbeknownst to everyone a little anxious, stepping out in a Notch Label embroiled Suit with a deep red scarf to boot. Wearing deep black shades your eyes were hidden to the crowd, you turn around and extend your hand and from the Limo Miss Ortega takes it, steeping out with a slim fit single shoulder dress with a thigh split for the thigh high leggings to show. Thank god for your shades, everyone would have seen just what you were oogling at. You kept composure as you lead your “Friend.” Out of the Limo to more flashes and cameras. Fitting a perfect example of a Modern Victorian Couple indeed. You walked with her slowly to let the Paparazzi get their moneys worth.

“Great dress.” You say to her, she attempted to hide the smile but couldn’t.

“I thought you’d like it..” she accidentally blurted out.

“What?” You reply, not entirely sure if you heard her correctly.

“I just meant It would go well with yours, we gotta keep this up, people really seem to like us.” She said, you shrugged it off and Jenna, taking a small risk leans up against your shoulder just slightly, the brush of her hair along your neck made you soul tingle. It seems this coverage was going swimmingly. You casually checked your phone and you see what’s treading. Both of you.

“Well.. that didn’t take long.”

When it came to interviews you kept things pretty professional, but always did your best to support your cast members and always talk positively about it. Your fame continues to grow and your friendship with Miss Ortega seems to be blooming so swimmingly, unfortunately for her; two words stuck a dagger into the heart of your relationship, making it bleed with jealousy.

This words.. Olivia Rodrigo.

Folie a Deux IV: Jealousy

[as8bakwthesage]

Andante, Andante

Medic realises he's developing some feelings for the Witch...

Also on AO3

*

“Aw come on! I could run circles around that guy!” Scout exclaimed, throwing his arms up and accidentally spilling his popcorn all over, which he scrambled to save. The mercs were sitting around in their living room, eyes locked on the TV which was playing some old horror flick. Most of the mercs were invested in the movie at least while others downright gave commentary. 

It was here where Medic found himself in a rather curious position. He had been swayed to watch the movie after some light convincing from Heavy, who promised the macabre doctor violence and gore in it. While this turned out to be the case, what he was not expecting was to be seated beside the only woman in the base – Witch. 

Thus far, the Witch and himself had a rather… scrupulous relationship to say the least. She wanted him dead, he wanted to dissect her, it was a rather straightforward arrangement. However, between their bickering and near constant threats of mutual violence, Medic couldn’t help but admit that he found the woman enticing to be around. She radiated power and confidence, traits he found extremely appealing. 

At first, Witch almost got up and moved away from him, but Engie had been quick to stop her and start some small talk. She was forced to stay where she was as Medic sat down beside her and retained some distance. While he was a madman, he was certainly no creep. If she wanted nothing to do with him in terms of physical proximity, that he could respect for the time being.

So it was midway through the movie when Witch started chuckling at Scout’s antics that alerted the Medic to her. He had previously been ignoring her and focusing strictly on the film. But hearing her laugh was a surprise. He had never really heard her laugh, and quite frankly, it was a pleasant sound. He didn’t focus too much on it, nor on the feeling of his heart skipping a beat. 

However, it didn’t stop there.

A few days later, during one of the team’s game nights, Medic found himself in a karaoke battle with Witch. They had gotten to that point because Demo had bluntly pointed out that Witch was a very good singer (much to her evident modesty), only for Heavy to defend Medic’s honour as the best singer on the team. Even as Medic and Witch protested heavily against it, the team forced them into their places. Everyone was curious to see who took that honour as Medic and Witch waited with bated breaths for the song to come on.

As the melody came on, both parties' eyes widened in recognition as Witch took to be the one to start.

Take it easy with me, please Touch me gently like a summer evening breeze Take your time, make it slow Andante, Andante Just let the feeling grow

Medic’s eyes widened in surprise to hear her sing. And dear God, she could sing. She practically had perfect pitch! He was enchanted by her singing as she met his eyes as she sang some of her lines, and he could almost swear she was singing it to him. However, he knew it would be his turn soon.

There's a shimmer in your eyes Like the feelin' of a thousand butterflies Please don't talk, go on, play Andante, Andante And let me float away

He could tell she was equally surprised by his own voice as he continued singing. His range was higher but he liked that. And it seemed Witch did too as he caught her smiling with fondness up at him. His heart skipped yet again as the conclusion of their duet was coming to an end.

Make me sing, make me sound (You make me sing and you make me) Andante, Andante Tread lightly on my ground Andante, Andante Oh please, don't let me down Andante, Andante Oh please, don't let me down

They sang the last chorus together, and by the time they were done the others burst into applause. As Medic and Witch scanned the room, they were both equally surprised and more than a little flustered at their teammates’ praise. Medic found himself rubbing the back of his neck as Witch tried to hide her blush. And the feeling of seeing her so open was… wonderful. 

When he finally asked himself the question he had been avoiding since he first saw her smile, Medic was in the infirmary with Witch. She had gotten hurt and was bleeding from a knife slice. She accidentally cut herself it would seem. And while Medic could have used his Medigun to just heal her up quickly, for some reason he felt compelled to keep her there longer. So he opted to instead sew up her wound before healing it.

“There! All done,” he cheered when he was finished. Witch stood up and flexed her hand to see if everything was truly all good. When she found no fault in it, she nodded approvingly.

“Thank you,” she replied. Medic smiled without a care in the world as he stepped away to clean some of his supplies.

“Not at all,” he said. “Now, obviously you should be fine, but please do try to avoid cutting yourself in the future.”

His tone was lighthearted as he was genuinely in a rather jovial mood. However, when Witch didn’t respond, he grew curious. He assumed she had simply left, but when he turned around, he was greeted by the most heartwarming sight.

There was Witch sitting on a cot and cooing at his doves. They all had gathered around her and were peering up at her curiously. She was the pinnacle of an adoring mother as she carefully lifted one of them up and nuzzled it, gently murmuring as she did so. The bird cooed in her hold as she relaxed fully. The other birds found spots to sit on her where they could while the others rested against her or sat by. 

Medic was positively delighted by the sight, having never seen his birds be so openly affectionate with another human before. She was so happy and at peace around his doves and it made his stomach flutter. Seeing her so vulnerable and happy was a sight he was sure he’d never get tired of. Sure, it was fun to tease her and watch her get all frustrated and angry at him, but that didn’t top this. It didn’t help that he wondered what she’d be like as a mother if she was this gentle and loving towards mere birds. 

He shooed the thoughts away as he carefully approached her, making sure she wasn’t surprised by him as he smiled down at her. “You seem to have made some friends,” he teased, but made sure to convey no ill intent in it. She turned to face him and in that moment, her expression turned cold and neutral. 

“Birds are beautiful creatures, as I’m sure you know.” Witch replied, not conveying any emotion. However, despite Medic’s own pride and need to have control, he figured he’d give a bit away to allow himself to get closer to the illusive woman. 

“That they are. They’re quite taken with you, and it seems for good reason.” He commented, allowing himself to fall into that lull of vulnerability. Witch’s eyes met his with surprise and intrigue. He continued. “They must see something special within you.”

“Perhaps so,” Witch replied, her own voice softer than before as she looked away and down at the birds. After a moment, her eyes returned to him. “When… When did you start raising them?”

“Oh, I’ve had doves since I could remember. I suppose you could blame my mother for that.” He recounted with a wistful chuckle. “She taught me how to take care of them. Archimedes himself is a descendant of my mother’s first dove, in fact.” 

“She taught you very well,” Witch praised with an emerging smile. Medic stared at her, as blush creeped up on him. Her smile was one he treasured dearly and it seemed the story about his past touched her. He often hated feeling vulnerable, but at this moment, it felt right.

“Thank you,” Medic thanked, feeling his own smile appear. And not one of his smug and evil smiles, no, this one was genuine. Soft. The two fell into a comfortable silence as Witch continued to tend to his birds. 

As his heart beat in his chest, his stomach tied itself into pleasant knots, and his eyes lingered on her a touch too long, he couldn’t help but wonder ‘what is this feeling?’ Even as Witch reluctantly forced herself to retire for the evening, wishing Medic a goodnight with a warm smile, he wondered. It was such a lovely and floaty feeling, intense and heavenly. He couldn’t believe how he felt so utterly soft and warm for that woman. 

He exhaled heavily, having realised he had been staring at the door for a few minutes as he turned away. Archimedes cooed in response as Medic composed himself. The doctor chuckled. 

“Yes, Archimedes,” he replied, “She’s giving me a lot to think about.”

[magpiemoon6]

Love me in the dark

(Chapter one)

Dbf Simon “ Ghost” Riley x OC

Word count - 2113

Summary - she’s worse than nicotine, he’s someone she should never want. Let the chaos begin.

Theme - smut, angst, fluff

Warnings - swearing, smoking, violence, mentions of trauma, age gap (12 years) , bit of enemies to lovers, so much smut

Written by - me and my friend!!!

Hope you all enjoy it was our first time writing a fanfic!!! 💗💗💗

Do I want to be here? No. Do I have to go to my dad's wedding? No but that means confrontation and fuck that shit.

Shimming the fuel pump in my hand, I pop it back, thinking about how I’m going to survive a week of family I haven’t seen since I was 15. The honking wakes me from planning to light myself on fire with the fuel in front.

“Va bene!! Sto andando!! Vaffanculo!!” (alright I’m moving ,fuck off!! ) I respond, hopping back into my car. Scanning the radio my eyes catch the time. Being late will not help my situation, I hit the accelerator and I lurch forward. I’m so fucked when I get to the villa. Moving the car towards the exit, my eyes keep flickering back to the time, I have zero excuses for being late. I literally live here unlike everyone else. My heart almost stops as a truck swerves out at the same time and scratches my car. Swearing everything under the sun I turn to glare at the twat. He’s already beat me to it; his eyes pierce mine with a sense of coldness that stays in my chest. The bastard is the one to hit me, yet he’s angry? What a pig! I am way too late to deal with this. Not that it's going to stop me from yelling some absurd insult at him before I go. Mr. Scary seems to have lost his mind and goes to get out of his car to yell at me. Slamming my foot on the accelerator again I bomb it out of the petrol station. Leaving the bloke who can’t drive in the dust.

———————————————————————

My heart is thundering in my ears, I can’t do this. Seeing a man who I haven’t seen in years now happy with his new wife and life. The shock that the invitation in the mail even came still confuses me. Why bother inviting your kid just because she now lives near the place you're getting married at? So, I am stuck because I still love him even though I want to strangle him with my anger. But that’s not what adults do so for the next week I will smile and lie and act okay.

Stepping out of my car I hurry towards the door that has become the epiphany of hell. Trying to sneak past family members is no longer an option. I begrudgingly plaster a stupid smile on my face and respond to their words all the same. With a constant stream of questions, “Maevis gosh how old are you now?” 25.

“No partner?” No. “Such a shame, you’re such a pretty girl, why don’t you date?” oh you know I’m just not ready. Complete lie.

“What work do you do again dear?” oh I’m between things right now. Another lie. Breaking away from the gawking, I wander aimlessly trying to find- or avoid, I haven't decided- my father in the garden and his fiancé. I can’t even hate her, she’s too sweet, too loving, she deserves better than him.

“Maevy?” I know that voice from anywhere. I turn to face him. He’s aged. I can see that the once black hair is entirely grey now with wrinkles deepening his surprise. Turning he stares shocked for a split second until he lumbers towards reaching for a hug. I’m squished and I can’t breathe, I love hugs but with him it feels like I’m hugging a stranger.

“You’re here?” he says conflictingly as if the person in his arms isn’t his daughter, but a sort of myth that was forgotten for a time. I feel like an exotic bird in a petting zoo. Letting me go, my dad introduces me to his soon to be wife Sofie. Her sweet perfume of roses gives her twinkling eyes a friendly face squeezing my arm reassuringly.

“So Maevy I want to introduce you to the wedding party”, my Dad boasts pulling me along towards more people. Fuck me gently with a chainsaw. The long line of bridesmaids and groomsmen, then the maid of honour. Every single one of them is sweet but reminds me of people that are just about to go through a midlife crisis.

“Ah, here comes my best man, Maevis sweetie, to meet Simon Riley,” Dad says, turning us to see him.

He is so much younger than everyone else, he must be in his late thirties at most. And he’s way too hot for my dad’s friend. But then it clicks, and panic surges me. It’s Mr. Scary from the petrol station. For fucks sake.

Moving closer Mr. Can’t Drive extends his hand to me, he is so much taller than me. I probably look ridiculous with my mouth open. “… Cat got your tongue,” The way his arms are covered in tattoos winding up the exposed skin that’s littered with white scars, distracting from his insult.

“How was the drive here?” He smirks, as he holds my hand, taking it slowly to his lips keeping his eyes on mine. I want to punch his pretty face, smug bastard.

“Fine, only some dickhead scratched my car,” I quip holding his stare. I'm trying not to laugh in his face but his pissed off look is making it hard. “I’m going to go to my room and unpack maybe have a nap” I turn to my dad grinning, moving away from them all as I wave and speed up. Still a tiny victory over him.

———————————————————————

The warm water from the shower drowns out any thoughts, washing away my annoyance. I can avoid people until the morning and blame it on a long drive. Meaning I also don’t have to deal with him. The shower is fogging up my thoughts and I don’t want to leave. For an old villa the water pressure is heavenly.

Clattering from the kitchen, brings me out of bliss and straight to panic. It happens again and I begin to contemplate my life choices. Turning off the shower and wrapping myself in a towel, I grab the long wooden loofah, in fairness it’s that or the lavender shampoo. My blood pumps too quickly as I open the doors to the lounge area. The clattering is coming from the kitchen side, panicking. I run out to hit the creep with the loofa. The stranger spins so fast and catches it mid air along with me and pushes me down to the marble floor. The cold stone shocks me even more at who it was. “Why are you in my room?” seeing the creeps face only to find Simons.

His body on top of mine holding me in place with a hand on my arm with my weapon holding it firmly above my head. The other searing through the fluffy towel near my hip. I’m stuck in just a towel under my dad’s best friend, what type of shitty karma do I have.

“I’m not going to repeat myself again, love” he murmurs, staring at me. Breathing becomes harder. All I can smell is him. Cigarettes and cologne.

“It’s my room, asshole!” I snap back, I need to get away from him, my skin is on fire from where he’s touching me which feels like everywhere. Wiggling to try to free myself, he grunts forcing my eyes back on him as his hand under my head moves to hold my waist.

“Stop,” he warns.

“Then get off you bloody giant” I quip, he rolls off me. As the words leave my mouth like a reality check.

Moving to stand holding my towel for dear life I glare at him as he stands. Slowly his eyes inspect my attire.

“What the actual fuck are you doing in my room Simon, get out” my voice rises, I’m not losing my room to a oaf with bad driving skills.

“I’m making a cuppa in the kitchen attached to my room,” he points to the door opposite of my room.

Fuck.

“No, no, this is my room. Not yours. I’m talking to my dad” turning straight for the door.

“Such a goddamn daddy’s girl. Christ'' he mutters.

This arrogant mother… breathe. My hands squeeze into fists, and I can’t calm down, he is driving me insane, and I’ve only known him for less than one day. And I am way too petty.

“Fine since my dad taught me to share with the less fortunate, we can share the lounge space. Stay away from me and i'll do the same for you.” Turning and folding my arms, smirking as I watch his face frown. We both stare at each other, the tension builds and for a split second I watch his eyes to my towel and back to me. And during that minuscule second the tension isn’t full of anger.

“Done” he grunts and takes his tea to go outside onto the shared balcony. Leaving me with my heart in my throat.

———————————————————————

Simon:

She is such a brat. How can someone so fucking small be such a big pain in the ass? I need to smoke something to settle my mind before I go back and end up arguing with her. My hands automatically find the box of cigs in my back pocket. Inhaling deeply as I light the end of a small light glows comfortingly. The harsh burn on the tip of my thumb keeps me steady, the heavy tobacco fills my lungs with warm sweet nicotine. But I can’t stop my mind from thinking about her. I’m reaching to call soap before I can think of the consequences of telling him about her.

“Aye what do ya want LT.? Missed me already ya sap?” Johnny's voice teases me through the line. Gripping the phone, it’s been five seconds, and he is making me rethink life decisions such as this phone call.

“Will you fuck off? I’m in a pissy mood as it is Johnny” huffing back. She is making me go mad if she is leading me to call this ugly mug.

“Do I wanna ken?” Johnny questions, moving closer to the speaker and from the sounds of it away from a toaster.

“English Johnny” I groan, dreading when we start work again. No matter how long I’ve worked with him, his accent doesn’t make sense. I’m pretty sure when he’s drunk he’s summoning something.

“Do I wanna know?” Nosey bastard as he is, he would nag me to tell him unless I jump the balcony.

“Paul’s kid, turns out she is a 25 year old brat who I have to share living space with.” I groan realising the reality of the situation, I am stuck for five days with her.

Eruptions of laughter break through the line and if there was a moment for the ability to punch Johnny through a phone to be possible I would want it to be now.

“Dinnae be dour, is the lass pretty?” Christ the bloke only thinks with his dick I swear.

“The fuck does that have with….she’s a pain johnny, this is becoming worse than our last mission,”

“So that’s a yes” soaps laughter is starting to grate my gears.

“What da ya do to the wee bonnie to ‘ate the likes of you then?” he inquires, the bastard knows me and my shitty driving, already prepared to mock me.

“I lightly grazed her convertible on the way here,” muttering, my thoughts move back to the bump and cringe at the very action.

“You fuckin’ nob no wonda she ates ya guts mate,” Soap mocks as if I am not aware of my own stupid decisions.

“I’m going now,” I’m done with this conversion, I can't deal with him reminding me how stupid I was since now I have her talking my ear off about it a few feet away.

“I like her” I can tell Johnny’s shoulders are shaking with laughter over my misfortune, I’m leaving him the next mission I swear.

“Fuck off Johnny”

His laughter is still in my ears as I cut the line. He isn’t wrong, as frustrating she is, God she is beautiful. Her grin is in my head like a spell, and I want to erase it. I need to erase it, for my sanity. She is my mate’s kid and also annoying as fuck. The cig burns my hands again as it dies in my grasp. Sucking in the tobacco, I need it to remove the memory of her. To wipe away any thoughts of what she would look like with my hand around her neck and my cock deep inside her. Fuck’s sake.

[gentaro-kinniecom]

"𝒲𝑜𝓇𝒹𝓈 𝒸𝒶𝓃𝓃𝑜𝓉 𝑒𝓍𝓅𝓇𝑒𝓈𝓈 𝒽𝑜𝓌 ℐ 𝒻𝑒𝑒𝓁"

→𝒫𝒶𝒾𝓇𝒾𝓃𝑔: 𝒮𝒽𝓊 ℐ𝓉𝓈𝓊𝓀𝒾/𝑔𝓃!𝓇𝑒𝒶𝒹𝑒𝓇

→𝒲𝒶𝓇𝓃𝒾𝓃𝑔𝓈:𝓃𝑜𝓃𝑒!𝒫𝑒𝓇𝒽𝒶𝓅𝓈 𝒶 𝒷𝒾𝓉 𝑜𝒻 𝒶𝓃𝑔𝓈𝓉? 𝒴𝑜𝓊'𝓇𝑒 ℰ𝒾𝒸𝒽𝒾'𝓈 𝒻𝒾𝒶𝓃𝒸𝑒𝑒(𝒶𝓇𝓇𝒶𝓃𝑔𝑒𝒹 𝓂𝒶𝓇𝓇𝒾𝒶𝑔𝑒 𝑜𝑜𝓅𝓈..)

→𝒜/𝓃: ℋ𝑒𝓁𝓁𝑜 𝑒𝓋𝑒𝓇𝓎𝑜𝓃𝑒! ℐ'𝓂 𝒷𝒶𝒸𝓀! ℐ 𝒽𝑜𝓅𝑒 𝓎𝑜𝓊 𝒶𝓁𝓁 𝒶𝓇𝑒 𝒹𝑜𝒾𝓃𝑔 𝒶𝓁𝓇𝒾𝑔𝒽𝓉 𝒶𝓃𝒹 𝓉𝑜 𝑒𝓃𝒿𝑜𝓎 𝓉𝒽𝒾𝓈 𝒻𝒶𝓃𝒻𝒾𝒸𝓈 𝒶𝓈 𝓌𝑒𝓁𝓁!!

Valkyrie would never be the same again.

The war had heavily affected them, they lost against fine, Nito had left and Shu was left in a critical state. Mika did his best to try and help, but it was never enough. That was until Y/n entered their lives, a new star born to give light and hope.

At first, he thought of them as a nuisance, something getting in between Valkyrie's success and his devotion to such entitlement. But, little by little, Shu started to understand them more clearly, how well they would treat Mademoiselle, how caring and smart Y/n was...however, life doesn't have it's happy endings.

"How come you've never told us about bein' Eichi's fiancé..?" Mika asked, not aware of Shu's presence. Y/n sighed holding back tears as they spoke.

"I didn't want you to get mad at me for the things he's done to you guys, it's not even true love, my family arranged the marriage against my will" Hearing this, Shu entered the room as if he wasn't outside a few second ago, telling Mika to fetch some fabric from Kuro, leaving you both alone in an awkward atmosphere.

"It's no fun being lied to, right Y/n?"

"What could you possibly mean by that?" He sighed, placing Mademoiselle on the coffee table beside them as he spoke.

"I heard everything, if you are not truly happy, why not go against it?" To say he was sad was an understatement. Y/n rose from their seat, heading towards the door

"I can't, I wish my parent's would listen to me for once but that's impossible" With that, they left the room silently, bearing to not look back.

Y/n stopped visiting Shu and Mika as Eichi's sickness was worsening by the hour, they stayed with him throughout it all. He couldn't help but glance at his betrothed as they sadly looked at the mant buildings outside his hospital window.

"Is it true you're not happy with me?" His question shocked them both, of course the answer was clear, they were far from being happy with him, it was all a false reality he made up to please both their families and himself.

"I'm not supposed to do so but, as long as you're happy, I'm willing to let you go" They couldn't help but stare at him, tears failing to contain themselves as Y/n sobbed, he smiled, one so sincere it could've been mistaken by a mischievous one. Not hesitating to stay more than intended, Y/n thanked Eichi, quickly exiting the hospital in search for their loved one.

It all felt surreal, entering Yumenosaki Academy at such late hour to find Shu. To their surprise, Mika was the first they encounter as they entered the sewing room.

"Eh? Y/n...? What are ya doin' at this late hour?" Mika sat beside them as he listened to them talk about what happened. He stared in shock, not believing someone like Eichi would understand how unhappy they were.

"I came as soon as I left the hospital, I need to speak with Shu"

"The last time Oshi-san was here, he was practicin' for our opening show this week, perhaps you'll find him outside near the fountain"

Oh how ethereal he looked while practicing under the stars beside the fountain, his aura was quite something. They sat on the fountain, admiring his singing when suddenly Y/n got dragged into it. Alarmed, Shu looked back to see Kanata hugging them while smiling.

"Kanata! Geez you nearly gave me a heart attack"

"Puka~ Puka~ you looked "cute" staring at Itsuki-san" Dear God, how badly they wanted to disappear right now. Shu chuckled, helping you get out of the fountain, placing his cardigan on their shoulders

"You might get cold, so hold onto this as we enter the building"

"You didn't have to..." He simply smiled, holding their waist while walking inside. Shu offered them some tea, wrapping a blanket around Y/n so they wouldn't get sick. In the end, Y/n was happy he took care of them ever since the slip up. Still, they sat in silence, not knowing what to say

"I'm sure you came back to talk about something, you look deep in thought"

"I just, I wanted to say how much I adore you, ever since I stepped in Yumenosaki Academy, I had my eyes set on you" Shu took their hands, blush on his face as he tried to avoid eye contact.

"I'm glad the feeling is mutual...I'm also assuming Eichi-?" They nodded as he stepped closer, gently holding your chin, facing them

"Can I...kiss you?"

"Of course, go ahead" Not wasting any time, Shu kissed them softly, smiling while embracing them. Nothing could ever make them feel so loved as this. Parting away while giggling softly, it was the best feeling ever.

A few months after graduating, Shu and Y/n opened a shop not so far from Yumenosaki, it contained tons of their designs up front for sale, a one of a kind fashion piece. It's safe to say their relationship turned for the better.

"Darling, you should rest, it's quite late." Y/n said as they spotted Shu sewing tiredly, smiling as he saw their figure in the doorframe of the sewing room

"Of course my dear, I was just finishing this shirt" He said, tidying up his stuff as he joined them in bed, kissing their cheek softly before drifting off

"Goodnight my love" Shu couldn't be happy as he felt Y/n's arms around him gently, smiling as they slept together in each other's arms.

[straykidsnerd255]

Hello, can I ask for a one shot with Sisyphus with the reader, they barely met and she is singing him her favorite song named “new slang” by the shins ?

Thank you very much 💕

Here you go, darling! Sorry, this came out super late!

It was late at night when Sisyphus heard the sound of a guitar strumming in the distance. Confused, he followed the sound and found Y/n, sitting on the ground with a fire crackling near her as she strummed the guitar. He sat down not too close since he hadn’t gotten to know her very well. Y/n continued to sing ignoring the fact she had company. The song flows from her lips like a waterfall. The words fall effortlessly. Sisyphus felt his pounding heart calm knowing it was just you singing. 

“What are you doing out here alone?” He asked.

She looked up at him with a raised eyebrow before shrugging. “Night is calming for me. I enjoy the night. The sound of the crickets. The rushing winding in the trees. It relaxes me.” She said. Strumming her fingers over the guitar strings, she looked back over at him. “Would you like me to continue singing?” She asked, closing her eyes as a warm breeze shifted her hair and moved past her. “Of course.” He mumbled, not looking at her. Y/n carefully placed her fingers on the cords and began strumming again. 

Gold teeth and a curse for this town were all in my mouth.

Only I don't know how they got out, dear.

Turn me back into the pet I was when we met.

I was happier then with no mind-set.

And if you'd 'a took to me like a gull takes to the wind.

Well, I'd 'a jumped from my tree

And I'd 'a danced like the king of the eyesores

And the rest of our lives would 'a fared well.

New slang when you notice the stripes, the dirt in your fries.

Hope it's right when you die, old and bony.

Dawn breaks like a bull through the hall,

Never should have called

But my head's to the wall and I'm lonely.

Sisyphus felt his eyes growing heavy as she continued singing. Something about her voice always settled his heart. Even when he was losing his mind and couldn’t figure out what he needed to do, Y/n’s voice was always pulling him in the right direction. Don’t ask him to explain it because he doesn’t even know himself. Her voice just seemed to reach him in darker times. He opened his eyes when he couldn’t hear your voice anymore. When he turned to face her, he was met with her staring at him, her fingers working the cords of the song. 

“Do I have something on my face?” He asked, lifting his hands to his face. 

She chuckled softly and shook her head. “No, you just looked cute while you were sleeping just now.” She giggled before strumming the cords. The sound filled the air and Sisyphus had never felt so at peace as he did in that very moment. He felt safe. He doesn’t know her on a personal level but he hopes that he can get to know her better. 

And if you'd 'a took to me like a gull takes to the wind.

Well, I'd 'a jumped from my tree

And I'd 'a danced like the king of the eyesores

And the rest of our lives would 'a fared well.

God speed all the bakers at dawn

May they all cut their thumbs,

And bleed into their buns 'til they melt away.

I'm looking in on the good life I might be doomed never to find.

Without a trust or flaming fields am I too dumb to refine?

And if you'd 'a took to me like

I'd 'a danced like the queen of the eyesores

And the rest of our lives would 'a fared well.

Looking to her side, she smiled when she saw Sisyphus fast asleep. She stopped strumming and carefully placed the guitar down, propping up against the long she rested against. She quickly put the fire out and laid down on the ground. The warm summer air making it easy for her to fall asleep. A sigh left her lips as the sound of crickets once again filled the air. A smile settling on her lips. 

She was defiantly going to ask him to join her on these little nightouts when its peaceful and calm. It was nice having his company while she played. You don’t get this kinda of peace and calm every day. Y/n curled up close to herself and allowed sleep to finally take over as she fell into a deep and peaceful slumber.

[thranduilswifesblog]

Tales of the Heart

Genre : fanfiction, fluff, angst, slow burn, romance

The previous chapter

Chapter 8 : girl in my dream

Words : 758 words

Thranduil awoke from his slumber, his side aching from the fact that he had fallen asleep on the table.

Made me promise I'd try

To find my way back in this life.

I hope there is a way

To give me a sign you're OK.

Reminds me again it's worth it all

So I can go on.

familiar singing, from a familiar voice sounded....

Thranduil got up from his desk, and put his face close to the window.

All of my memories keep you near.

In silent moments imagine you here.

All of my memories keep you near.

Your silent whispers, silent tears.

The singing voice became clearer. Thranduil rushed out of his room and ran to the sound of the singing.

Thranduil enters the forest, the path he takes is the path he walked in his dream. He looked around, the forest was not dark, it was very bright instead. Illuminated by stars and fireflies.

Thranduil went deeper and deeper into the forest, until he entered an area that he was very familiar with. The place he used to go with Verena. The place in his dream, the place where the mysterious girl danced.

And Thranduil's eyes fixed on something in front of him. Exactly in that place, Thranduil and Verena used to spend their time sitting while eating fruits, it was also in that place where the girl in his dream danced, and it was also in that place now that Thranduil saw the girl again spinning, her beautiful white dress floating in the air, her golden hair fluttering, and her beautiful face shone under the moonlight.

Thranduil was stunned by the girl's face, he approached the girl slowly "excuse me" He called softly

The girl was surprised and stopped dancing "Oh Dear! Am I disturbing you?" She asked

"Sorry, have we met? Who are you? And why are you dancing in the middle of the night like this?"

She smiled "I used to live in Greenwood, and I used to play here with my friends, so I let go of my longing after not coming home for so long" she replied

Thranduil's eyes widened "VERENA!?" he said, shocked

"How do you know my name?"

"You don't remember me?" Thranduil asked

Verena was silent for a while, then she widened her eyes in shock after realizing who was the person in front of her "THRANDUIL?!"

Thranduil nodded "yes! It's me!"

They both laugh, Thranduil runs and hugs Verena tightly, he picks her up and spins her "I thought I would never see you again!" they both laughed very loudly, and made several trees that were sleeping, woke up

"Quite!" Verena warned

Thranduil pulled her down on the ground "how was your life in lindon?" Thranduil asked

"It's beautiful" Verena replied

"Why choose to return?"

"Let's just say I miss my house" Verena replied

They both chuckled.

Thranduil stared intently at Verena's face, he couldn't control his happiness and smiled broadly as he looked at her

"What?!" Verena said, irritated

"No. It's just, I hope this isn't a dream".

"Oh... Let's make sure" Verena slapped Thranduil hard on the cheek, leaving a red handprint

"Aww!" Thranduil winced "why did you do that?!" he said shocked

"To convince you that none of this is a dream!" Verena replied "are you awake now?!"

Thranduil shakes his head "you never change"

"Really? But I'm getting old"

"And beautiful" Thranduil answered, curtly

Verena widened her eyes, she patted Thranduil hard on the shoulder "I didn't expect the Crown Prince to quibble already" She stood up and walked away

"Where are you going?!"

"I'm going back to the lodge, I'm tired and want to sleep" Verena shouted

Thranduil got up and chased him "I'll take you. Thranduil took Verena's hand and wrapped it around his own.

They walked, occasionally looking at each other and smiling.

.

.

.

"Fine, I'll go inside and sleep, you go" Verena said

Thranduil nodded like a fool "see you tomorrow"

Verena raised her eyebrows "see you tomorrow? How can you be sure I'll still be here tomorrow morning?" She teases

"Then I'll make sure guards guard all the gates so you don't leave again"

"Isn't that coercion?" Verena said, smiling coquettishly

"I don't know" Thranduil shrugged his shoulders "good night" Thranduil suddenly kissed Verena on the cheek and ran away "meet me tomorrow at the training ground, I will train with Feren" He shouted while waving his hand

"THRANDUIL! THAT WAS MY FIRST KISS!! I WILL KILL YOU!" Verena yelled

"You can do it tomorrow" Thranduil ran and laughed

@lady-of-imladris @queenmeriadoc @jordie-is-definitely-sane @jordie-your-local-halfling @sotwk @estel-elrondion

[flame-wing-dragon-phoenix123]

Chapter 28: Shadow Moth's Final Attack - Part 2

Vanitas made it out of the Startrain until suddenly the environment shakes, and he is shocked and turns around. He runs to the rooftops and notices Strikeback wandering outside.

"Don't think some risk can take me away to certain fights! Echo Blue Moon Rise!" Vanitas transforms into Sapphire and leaps away.

{~Startrain~}

Félix, posing as Adrien, is looking by the window. Nathalie tries to comfort him.

"Try to make the most out of this trip, Adrien. You're about to discover the world, and then you'll return to all of your friends and your father with fantastic memories to share with them." Nathalie holds Félix's hand.

Félix nodded. "You're right, Nathalie. You have to seize the opportunity when it presents itself to you."

"And we'll end up being the best friends in the world, since we're going to see it all together." Lila grins.

"I hope so with all my heart. Please excuse me for a moment."

Nathalie steps out for a while as Félix walks away from them with a secret intent. In the lavatory, he equips the Peacock Miraculous and finds the Grimoire's written instructions as pictured in Nathalie's tablet.  "Ah, here we go. "Attach the brooch." Okay, that's done. "The kwami comes out of the jewel. Say the magic words, Duusu, spread my feathers." Duusu, spread my feathers!"

With no transformation happening, Félix realizes that the jewel is fake. He clenches his fist to crack it and slams his fist after.

"It's a fake!"

{~With Dragon-Phoenix & Sapphire~}

Strikeback is still wandering around, and you chased after the sentimonster. Cat Noir jumps in from behind, joining you before Sapphire and Ladybug showed up running.

"Okay, guys. Let's wrap this one up quickly. I've got... full schedule." Cat Noir said.

Sapphire nodded, "Fine by me, I've got some urgent stuff to attend to." You all leaped up.

On top of the Eiffel Tower. Shadow Moth watches the chaos throughout the city. "My dear akumatized friend, sing as much as you can. We must ensure that Sapphire, Dragon-Phoenix, Ladybug and Cat Noir will take countless risks today."

Risk rides his toy wheel while singing his song. ♪" I'm Froggy, here I come. I'm not afraid of anyone." ♪

"Hey, if we wait a bit, we should see Sapphire and Dragon-Phoenix!"

"I'm gonna get so many likes for this!

"Unleash your power, Strikeback!" Shadow Moth commands the sentimonster.

Strikeback throws the landmark towards the Parisians. You all arrive when you slice off the ferris wheel in pieces from dealing more damage.

"Check that out! I gotta get a video!"

As the ferris wheel stops, it leans towards the buildings beside it. "What's wrong with you? It's dangerous to stay here, shoo!!" The Parisians leave following Ladybug's orders.

"Hey, little buddy old pal! Over here!" Strikeback punches towards Cat Noir a few times, destroying the surroundings.

A few debris fall near Risk, who Ladybug catches and reels back along with his toy wheel. "Don't stay here, otherwise you risk getting hit by the bad guy!" she leaps off.

♪ "I'm Froggy, here I come. I'm not afraid of anyone." ♪ Risk continues cycling.

Cat Noir approaches Strikeback, and upon hearing Risk's song, a risk takes effect. "Come on, no time to waste! Cata—"

Sapphire holds his arm. "Uh Puss, what are you doing?" he swings his knife to catch Strikeback.

"I'll use my power, you get the akuma, and bam. We can both go back to what we were doing!" Cat Noir extends his staff.

"Who knows what your power would do directly on an akumatized person? And if it's a sentimonster, a cataclysm would send it out of control!"   Ladybug reels in Strikeback and immediately lets go, making Strikeback trip from the recoil. Strikeback hits a few buildings from the fall.

"Well, brilliant. That's control? What's the difference with what I was saying?" Cat Noir argues with Ladybug.

"No way, it's too risky." Ladybug cross her arms

Cat Noir scoffs. "That's the problem with you. You never want to take any risks."

"Of course, I do! I take risks all the time!"

"Oh yeah? Would you risk knowing who I really am behind my mask?"

"You know very well that—"As soon as they notice a shadow, they look above to see Strikeback punching towards them. You and Sapphire grab Cat Noir and Ladybug and jump off, all four of you landing on the pavements.

"Our identites have to remain secret, I know." Cat Noir roll his eyes and got up. " So why do you and Sapphire know the identities of the other holders? So why not me?"

"I already told you, if I knew who you were, Shadow Moth would only need to akumatize me to get to you. I'm doing this to protect you." Ladybug annoyed.

"Would you both start focusing and look an incoming foot!" You shouted.

Ladybug notices a giant foot about to stomp on them and grabs Cat Noir to swing out to another rooftop. Cat Noir gets up again. " I don't need you to protect me. We'll never get akumatized! Accept for poor (Y/n) who was abused by her own sister and got Vanitas killed!"

Ladybug remembers the events of  Cat Blanc and Dark-Wing Dragon-Phoenix that hunts her for the rest of her life, flashing back through her mind. She was still traumatized by you when her nightmares came true that you really did try to kill her by stabbing her legs before you try to sever her neck.

She shook her head trying not to think about that right now. " You don't know what you're talking about!"

"Maybe because you never talk to me about anything!" Cat Noir retorted.

"Both of you stop arguing!" Sapphire headbutts them together making them yelp in pain. "What the hell's wrong with you when we're suppose to be focusing on Titans!"

"Sapphire, watch out!" Rena Furtive alerts Sapphire.

Sapphire looks up to find Strikeback about to crush them. You both jump out, and Ladybug takes a risk. "Nice one, Rena."

Cat Noir surprised. "Huh? Rena Rouge? Where is she?"

"Uh... Rena who?" Ladybug playing dumb.

Sapphire roll his eyes and slap her across the face. "Cut the act Lady-Big-Mouth, you just had to blurt it out anyways! This is why you are the foolish one to take risks!"

"Well you were in on this too!"

"You told me to keep my big mouth shut!"

Cat Noir squints at her in annoyance.

Ladybug gives up and sighs. "Fine, she's hidden. It's best you don't know where, it's—"

"Risky, yeah, right. I think I get it." Cat Noir cuts her off.

♪" I'm Froggy, here I come. I'm not afraid of anyone. "♪ You suddenly heard a child still roaming around the streets.

"Oh, come on, not this again!" Ladybug swings away to chase after Risk.

"Finally! Something more exciting than power or money: the magic of cinema!" André is about to get stomped by Strikeback but Sapphire swiftly saves him a second before Strikeback lands their foot. 

They take refuge behind a car. "This is no time for a film shoot, André! Go home!" Sapphire barks.

André shrugs at Sapphire's remark. Meanwhile, the reporters' helicopter takes a risk as they fly near the radius of Strikeback. "Head straight for him! If he attacks us, that'll make for some great footage!"

Strikeback hits the helicopter, sending it flying uncontrollably and about to crash on the streets. Luckily, the helicopter gets saved by you grabbing the object with your full demon streagth and land softly.

You met the three to stand beside Risk without any prior knowledge that you are already standing beside the akumatized victim.

"Do you think this villain is the reason why people are acting unusual?" Cat Noir talking about Strikeback.

"No." Sapphire answered. "But for the reason of knowing is that  we won't be able to defeat that Titan if we keep having to save people all the time. Lady Idiot get everyone assembled. Puss and Dragon-Phoenix, stall him while you can!"

You and Cat Noir nodded in agreement and proceeds to distract Strikeback.

"Fighting supervillains isn't fun and games. Go find your parents." Ladybug told Risk and leaps away.

"Keep it up! Taking risks always pays off in the end!" Shadow Moth's butterfly halo appears on Risk.

Risk continues cycling. ♪ "I'm Froggy, here I come. I'm not afraid of anyone." ♪

Ladybug gathers the Miraculous team as she distributes them to Nino, Kagami, Juleka, Zoé, Mylène, Marc and Ivan and the others as they transform to their superhero identities. 

Rena Furtive stays hidden at the rooftop of the Montparnasse Tower while she uses her flute as a telescope to check if everyone is in position. She spots Risk cycling freely on the streets. "Ladybug, that froggy kid still isn't getting it."

"Not again! Quick, come with me! Vesperia, immobilize the villain!"  The heroes begin their run.

"Venom!" Vesperia leaps on top of Strikeback and activates her power. She pierces her top on Strikeback, causing the monster to stop moving. 

Ladybug swings to grab Risk to safety. Unfortunately, Strikeback begins to move again and absorbs the power of Vesperia. "It's not working!"

"Clout!!" Purple Tigress leaps in the air and activates her power as well. She successfully hits Strikeback but the hit only results in it absorbing her powers, too. Strikeback throws her off the streets and Vesperia comes to her rescue. "Impossible!"

Strikeback is about to hit them with another blow just before Polymouse activates her power in front of Vesperia and Purple Tigress. "Multitude!"

She creates three copies of herself, having the two copies save Vesperia and Purple Tigress from Strikeback. The sentimonster throws its fist toward Polymouse as she multiplies into smaller versions of herself, causing Strikeback to copy the powers of another hero. With the newfound powers, Strikeback multiplies into three and activates the powers of the Bee and Tiger Miraculous.

"He can copy our powers!" Rena informs.

"Don't attack them! Don't hit him anymore! Or else it'll make him even more powerful! Retreat to city hall now!" Ladybug swings away with Risk.

On top of the city hall, the heroes gather up. Strikeback takes the ferris wheel and throws it to the direction where the heroes are.

"Wind dragon!" Ryuko successfully prevents the Ferris wheel from hitting them, yet, it flies to the direction where Rena Furtive is. 

This causes Carapace to panic. "Rena! Shell-ter!!" Carapace's shield luckily prevents the Ferris wheel from hitting Rena Furtive on top of the Tour Montparnasse. But the information of Rena Furtive's active status shocks the heroes, as well as Shadow Moth.

"Rena??"

"She's still active?" Shadow Moth was shocked.

Ladybug glares at Carapace and Rena Furtive. "I-I'm sorry. I couldn't keep it from him." Rena confessed.

"We'll talk about it later." Ladybug promises to address. "Okay, you, that's enough now. You're putting us all in danger."

♪ "I'm Froggy, here I come. I'm not afraid of anyone." ♪ Risk taunts Ladybug and continues singing

Rena spots the frog mark on Ladybug's nape, as well as on the other heroes', accept for you and Sapphire's napes as realization dawns over her.

♪ "Come shine or come rain, I ain't scared 'cause you're all lame!" ♪ Risk dances in front of them as he continues singing.

Ladybug growls in annoyance as Cat Noir intervenes. "I'm good with kids. I got this."

"Cat Noir get away from that thing!" You activate your demon arm making Risk shiver from you.

"Wow! Dragon-Phoenix stop!" Ladybug stops you. "What's gotten into you?"

You pushed her out of the way and raise your demonic arm at Risk who's too far away. "I said get away from that thing! It's likely inhuman for a child to have such bad taste in fashion!"

Sapphire narrows his eyes on Risk when Rena reports to him. "Sapphire, everyone's got a mark in a shape of a frog's foot on their necks."

"Come again?" Sapphire questions.

"What??" Ladybug gasp.

"You, Cat Noir, the others, all the people of Paris... we've all got that mark accept for Sapphire and Dragon-Phoenix!" Rena said.

Cat Noir is seen flying and gets knocked to the rooftop's edge, which makes Sapphire and Ladybug see the frog mark on his nape. You turn to see Risk standing on another rooftop. ♪" When Froggy's near, there's nothing to fear. Risk is my name and you're all so—"

"Blind!" Cat Noir sneered. " We were blind. We're not just dealing with a sentimonster. There's also an akumatized villain!"

"That's why you're all being so careless. It's him that's making everyone taking all these risks!" Sapphire accused.

Risk stuck his tongue at them while you take the fire shot to burn Risk as he screams in fear running away.

Shadow Moth laughs maniacally. "Now that Sapphire and Ladybug knows they've all been hit, she will doubt everything! And above all, herself!"

"Cat Noir, you need to de-transform!" Ladybug calls to him.

"What??"

"Until I've de-akumatized him, I can't leave you with your cataclysm. It's too risky! Minotaurox, Purple Tigress, Polymouse, with me! We'll never be able to beat the sentimonsters until we defeat Risk! Everyone else, try to limit the damages."

You all agree with the plan as they all leap away to the rooftops. Ladybug, Purple Tigress, Minotaurox and Polymouse chase after Risk as you and Sapphire try to prevent Risk from creating more casualties in the city. 

Cat Noir is left on the rooftops per Ladybug's order, leaving him shocked and frustrated. "But I can help..."

The frog mark takes effect as he takes the risk of fighting the sentimonsters, not following Ladybug's orders.

The four heroes taking care of Risk continue to chase after him. Purple Tigress manages to grapple Risk as Ladybug takes his nunchucks and breaks it, with no akuma freed from it. Ladybug proceeds to break everything that Risk owns only to find no akuma flying away.

"Nothing! No akuma!"

"I tricked you! You'll never find my akuma 'cause my object's hidden from you!" Risk smirks.

Ladybug gasps in shock and turns her head to the three sentimonsters wreaking havoc to the city. " Okay, let's split up! Keep looking!"

Cat Noir is pinned on a building by Strikeback. "Cataclysm!" He activates his cataclysm. Strikeback unfortunately touches his ring and mimics his power. "No!"

"Strikeback!" The sentimonster activates the cataclysm and destroys the Tour Montparnasse.

On the rooftops. Ladybug is alerted from the sentimonster's damage. "Cat Noir! No, I told him! This is a nightmare... (gasps) Unless...Lucky Charm!"  using her Lucky Charm, she gets a ticket. "A ticket for the Jardin des Plantes? It's from yesterday... (gasps) I know! I've gotta put an end to this madness ASAP!"

She leaps off. " Okay! I need someone who hasn't been hit." Ladybug flashes back to what she sees as 'Adrien's' departure, and her vision zooms in on his nape.  "Adrien! But I've been hit by Risk! Maybe my idea's way too risky, or is it a risk not to take this risk? Am I doing this for the love of risk, or the risk of love?"

Doubting herself, decides to travel to the past and retrieve the akumatized object with the help of an ally who she believes hasn't been affected: Adrien. She groans and opens her yo-yo and reaches for the Rabbit Miraculous and Horse Miraculous. She wears the two Miraculouses. "No. It's Adrien, and he doesn't have the mark. It's a good idea! Tikki, Fluff, Kaalki, unify!"

Ladybug transforms into Pennybug. " Voyage!" A portal opens, sending her to the Startrain. Pennybug exits out of the lavatory, while Félix exits out of the adjacent. They are both surprised.

"Who are you?"

"Oh! It's me, Ladybug. Or rather, Ladybug with a few extra powers. Pennybug! Wait!" Pennybug checks Félix's neck immediately, still under the impression that he is Adrien. She sighs in relief. "You're alright. Adrien, I need your help. I have to find an object." She retrieves the Dog Miraculous.

"Y... Your yo-yo gives you direct access to all the Miraculous?" Felix asked.

"The ones in my Miracle Box, yes. It's a magic shortcut." Pennybug nodded.

"Wow!" Felix amazed.

"Adrien Agreste, here is the Miraculous of the dog which will grant you the power to locate and fetch whatever your ball has touched. You will use it for the greater good, then you will return it to me.... Can I trust you?" Ladybug asked.

Félix looks at the Miraculous intensely.

"If you're doubting yourself, then trying is the only way you can gain the confidence you need."

Félix nods and wears the Miraculous, and Barkk appears. "Hi, I'm Barkk! The kwami of adoration! I'm so happy to have a new holder, you and I can play ball! All you have to say is, "Barkk, on the hunt"!"

"With pleasure. Barkk, on the hunt!" Félix transforms into a holder of the Dog Mircaulous

"Thanks to your superpower, you can locate any object that you've touched before."

"Oh! Uh...Like this?" Flairmidable touches her yo-yo.

Pennybug giggles. "No! With the ball. A light touch will be enough."

Félix holds out the ball. "Okay, I get it. What about the object I'm supposed to find? Where is it?"

"In the past. Burrow!" Pennybug enters the portal and Flairmidable follows. "We have to find the little boy before he was akumatized."

"You can travel through time?"

Pennybug reverses a window " Yes. And even though time travel is always risky, today we have to take that risk." She found Froggy was akumatized, touch his stuffed toy. "Found it!" They both enter into the past. "As soon as we know which object is going to be akumatized, you have to hit it with the ball, but without anyone seeing so you don't interfere with the course of events."

The akuma infects Froggy's stuffed toy.

"His fluffy! Of course!" Pennybug realized.

Flairmidable throws his ball to the stuffed toy, and it rolls back to him. "Let's go, come on!" Pennybug and Flairmidable enter back into the burrow.

"But we don't know where he's going to hide his bag!"

"Thanks to your power, we don't need to." They both jump out to the present timeline.

Back at the Present timeline, Paris. Pennybug and Flairmidable step out the Burrow. "Fluff, Kaalki, divide!" Pennybug reverts back to Ladybug

As Ladybug takes off her sunglasses, both her and Flairmidable gasp in shock, seeing the sentimonsters have already caused great chaos in the city. The heroes are down on the pavement as they look at Strikeback in fear. 

You and Sapphire panted while he hold you close.

On the rooftops, Cat Noir continues to take risks as he lures Strikeback to his direction. "Come on, bring it! I'm not scared of you!"

"Don't you stupid cat!" Sapphire shouted.

Strikeback throws its fist towards the rooftop where Cat Noir stood and dodged it.

"Hurry! He won't last long!" Ladybug worries.

Flairmidable takes out his ball. "Fetch!"

His ball lights up and flies to where the akumatized object is. As the ball touches the stuffed frog toy, the ball and the akumatized object appear on his hands. Ladybug takes the toy and pulls its arm to break the akuma free.

" No more evil doing for you, megakuma!" She catches the megakuma and proceeds to throw her lucky charm object. "Miraculous Ladybug!"

The magical ladybugs clear up the marks on their necks and frees them from Risk's effects. Cat Noir isback to normal. "Yeah, uh- actually, how about we continue this later? You guys stay right there, okay?"

He flees quickly away from Strikeback who brings yet another blow on where he stood. He proceeds to hide behind a chimney as he sees Ladybug admiring Flairmidable's skills. "Awesome! Well done! You did what's needed to be done on your first try. I knew you were the one I needed! You really are the best, Adri— I mean..."

"Flairmidable. Call me Flairmidable." he addressed.

"It really suits you!" Ladybug gushes and did a fist bump with him. The two heroes leap away, leaving Cat Noir dejected, and he proceeds to follow them.

In the streets, Ladybug and Flairmidable returns the frog plushie to Froggy. "Here you go, little buddy! Even though you're so brave that you're not scared of Shadow Moth." She hands Froggy his plushie with a magical charm already hanged on it. " With this, you'll still remember to always be careful."

Froggy hugs his frog plushie. "Thank you, Ladybug!"

"Let's go recharge before dealing with these sentimonsters!" Sapphire orders as the heroes jump off to their rendezvous points, with Cat Noir being the last one to leave. He simply runs off.

"Risk has been defeated, but Ladybug must have made a mistake of some kind, and I can't wait to see what it is. The battle is not over, Strikeback!" Shadow Moth grins.

In the Sewers, Ladybug and Flairmidable run off to different directions to de-transform.

 "Spots off!" Ladybug de-transforms into Marinette.

"Lay down!" Flairmidable de-transforms into Félix.

Tikki munches on a macaron. "Thanks again, Adrien. I'll take you back to the train." Marinette mistakes him as Adrien when he's actually Felix.

"I don't wanna get back on that train. I wanna stay and fight with you."

"What about your trip? Are you going to stand up to your father?"

"Yes. You've given me the courage I need, Ladybug. I feel like from now on, nothing can stop me." Felix chuckles evilly when his plan will finally get revenge on his uncle.

You and the heroes are watching Strikeback wreck more buildings as Ladybug and Flairmidable arrive. "Hey, everyone! Meet Flairmidable, the new holder of the Dog Miraculous."

"What a lame name. I'm going to barf." Sapphire coughs falsely when Ladybug glares at him.

Suddenly Cat Noir climbs up, arriving in time. "Oh, Cat Noir! Miraculous of the dog, Miraculous of the cat! Dog and cat! Funny isn't it?" She laughs.

"Hilarious." Cat Noir unamused.

"Nice working with you, Cat Noir." Flairmidable smiles and reach out with his hand.

"Come on! Shake paws." Ladybug is blind.

"Eww don't!" Sapphire rejected but the just did and shake hands.

Ladybug giggles fangirling. " I knew you two would get along. That's the magic of the Miraculous, even dogs and cats can exist in harmony! You're gonna be spending a lot of time together now that he's joined the team! Ready Miraculous team?"

"I've got a plan, you just stay out of it." Sapphire pushes Ladybug out which she looks taken a back from him. "We can't attack them, we're gonna trap them. No needless risks. Rooster Bold, use your power that Dragon has shades, give yourself the power to multiply objects. We'll need more pairs of sunglasses."

"Sublimation!" As everyone watches Rooster Bold multiply the sunglasses, not noticing that Flairmidable touches Ladybug's yo-yo including Sapphire's Book of Vanitas.

"I will lure all the sentimonsters to the same place. Carapace, you'll create a shield so that they can't escape." You chimed in. "I'll use The Flame-Wing Dragon-Phoenix's Power  to destroy them along with Sapphire's."

"A portal where?" Flairmidable asked you.

"To the Earth's core!" Sapphire grabs your hand. "Let's rock!"

Everyone wore some glasses and you all jump off towards Strikeback for their plan, except for Flairmidable. You use your demon speed and use your sword to heat up with your fire  and drove all three sentimonsters fall into the Earth's core with the finishing blow of Sapphire's Arsenius power.

Flairmidable drops his sunglasses, sympathizes with them and leaves to find his uncle. "I'm sorry....Vanitas."

"Light of Cosmos!" You raise your card and the galaxy of stars fix the damage done by the sentimonsters.

"I don't understand! Sapphire and Ladybug should have made a mistake! They should have taken one too many risks, they should have lost!" Shadow Moth is frustrated and jumps off the Eiffel Tower.

In the alleyways, Ladybug and Rena Furtive rendezvous to talk about the early incident at the Tour Montparnasse. Ladybug and Rena Furtive meet up, and the latter de-transforms.

"I'm sorry. I— I couldn't lie to Nino, we share everything, you know?" Alya sadly takes off her necklace and hands it to Ladybug, who closes Alya's fist.

"I get it. I share everything with my best friend, and I wasn't able to lie to her either." Ladybug hugs Alya.

"You shouldn't ever trust me with it again. It's too risky, now that Shadow Moth knows. But I don't need to be a superhero to be your friend. You know that, right? Trixx, I renounce you." Trixx disappears into the Miraculous, and Alya hands it over while wiping her tears. "Go get the other Miraculous back before you de-transform."

Ladybug leaps off and goes to look for "Adrien" in the Sewers but can't find Adrien. "Adrien? Adrien? This can't be possible."

{~Interior, Agreste mansion~} 

Gabriel storms in his office while talking to Nathalie on the phone. "How could the plan fail? Ladybug had to make a mistake. There's no point in going on any longer. Come back home with Vanitas and Adrien, cancel everything. This is all futile now."

Nathalie: (on-call) "The thing is..."

"Ladybug did indeed make a mistake... uncle."  Felix awaits Gabriel's return, who calls Nathalie to cancel the trip, and interrupts him, revealing his identity and causing Gabriel to drop the phone.

"I've lost Vanitas and Adrien, sir. They're no longer on the train!" Nathalie tries to reach out to him and explain that Adrien is missing but starts coughing uncontrollably. Lila smirks.

"Félix?" Gabriel realized.

{~With Vanitas~}

Vanitas made to his room and washed out all the ash over his hair and massage his back when all of the sudden something seems light. He reached for the grimoire, the familiar weight was comforting but all he felt was emptiness.

And then realization hits him when Ladybug showed the  new Dog Miraculous was none other than...

"FELIX!" Everything that happened occurred right under his nose.

Meanwhile, Adrien walks out of his bathroom displeased, while Ladybug swings in. "Phew! There you are. I'm sorry I thought I told you we were supposed to meet up."

"Meet up?" Adrien has know idea what's she's talking about.

"Yes, so you could give it back to me."

"Give what back to you?"

"Well, the Miraculous of the dog."

"But you didn't give me anything."

"Of course, I did! On the train."

"The train?" Adrien was still confused until it hits him "...Félix!"

Suddenlt Vanitas kicks down Adrien's door shouting at Ladybug. "You Crazy ASS Bitch! Where's my BOOK!?"

Ladybug's eyes enlargen as she gasps. Realizing that she's been fooled by her ego and her blind love mistaking Felix as Adrien. How foolish she was.

Just under them, Gabriel interrogates Flairmidable. "What do you want, Félix?"

"I want the real Peacock Miraculous and the real Infinity power. And you're going to give it to me." Flairmidable demands.

"I don't know what you're talking about."

"Do you want me to tell Vanitas and Adrien about the secret code on the painting? Then, give me what I ask for and I'll give you something better in exchange." Flairmidable threatens.

"Sapphire and Dragon-Phoenix's Miraculous?" Gabriel thoughts.

"No. All the other Miraculous. And this. I won't be needing it anymore. As long as Ladybug hasn't de-transformed, I only have to say one word and her yo-yo, the magic portal to the Miraculous, will be yours. Make up your mind, time is ticking. If you don't make up your mind, I'll tell Vanitas that is was you...who killed his birth parents during the accident."

Gabriel growls that Felix knows his secret about Vanitas' past. "How do I know that you won't use the Peacock Miraculous and the Infinity against us?"

"If I wanted to harm you, uncle, I would've done it a long time ago." Flairmidable places one of the twin rings on the table in trade for the Peacock Miraculous.

Gabriel hesitates and agrees, renouncing Duusu before taking off his ascot tie. "Duusu, I renounce you." he places the Peacock Miraculous on the table.

As they both place their jewels to trade on the table, the two glared at one another and eventually swap. Gabriel wears the ring and Flairmidable grabs the Peacock Miraculous.

"Fetch!" His ball flies towards Adrien's room, coming in contact with Ladybug's yo-yo and absorbs it. The ball returns to Flairmidable along with the yo-yo as Gabriel quickly takes hold of it.

"Ah! You've lost, Sapphire and Ladybug! Finally!!" Gabriel maniacally reaches out all the Miraculouses.

{~With Vanitas~}

Ladybug begins to panic now that she knows Flairmidable, or rather Félix, had already seized the opportunity to steal her yo-yo.

Ladybug has now have a panic attack, realizing that she lost all the Miraculous. "The ball... of the dog... Félix... He has the yo-yo, and that means... he has the Miraculous!"

Gabriel triumphantly grabs every Miraculous inside Ladybug's yo-yo and places them on the table one by one. "My greatest wish will finally come true!!" Gabriel continues to laugh maniacally.

Ladybug starts hyperventilating as her anxiety gets worse and worse. Adrien crouches down and advises her. " Ladybug, try to keep calm. Think. There must be a way to get your yo-yo back."

"Yes, maybe if I transform back and then—"

"Go ahead, you'll be safe here." Adrien opens the door to his bathroom.

"I-I don't know anymore, I— What if this is a trap? What if you're Félix?!" Ladybug went crazy.

"If you're gonna trust me once, please let it be this time!" Adrien closes the door.

Vanitas shook his head in disappointment. All is lost. "Adrien, it's no use....He's already taken them all when she  screw up everything....again."

Freaked out and doubting herself, Ladybug pants and falls dejectedly on the floor. "Spots off.. Please hurry, Tikki! We can't let them take all the Miraculous, please let there be some left, there has to be some left!" Marinette cries.

Gabriel continues to marvel at all the Miraculous scattered on the table. "Lay down." Flairmidable de-transforms into Félix. Barkk flies beside him. "Barkk, I renounce you."

Barkk disappears as Félix places the Dog Miraculous alongside the others on the table and leaves the room, leaving a triumphant Gabriel alone.

Tikki finally finishes eating her macaron.  "I'm done!"

"Tikki, spots on!" Marinette in panic after just as she transforms, her yo-yo on Gabriel's desk disappears. She quickly opens it and checks if there are still any Miraculous left inside, only to find nothing. "No! There's nothing left!"

Ladybug crestfallen in defeat and continues to cry. "I've lost...!"

"Ladybug...?" Adrien looks down for a while, sympathizing with Ladybug and decides to open the door to look out for her, only to find his bathroom already empty.

Adrien turns to Vanitas and he knew what he needs to do before transforming to Sapphire and call you to his side.

At sunset, on the rooftops of the Jardins du Trocadéro, Ladybug cries over the loss of the Miraculouses. She is sitting all by herself under the rain, crying. Hawk Moth starts to laugh maniacally as he appears with his head shaped with his akumas, alongside with all the powers of the Miraculous. An illusion of the message transmission appears inside with Shell-ter to protect his akumas in case Ladybug purifies them again.

"People of Paris, Ladybug had promised to protect you. Well, she lied to you! Behold, her  and Sapphire's defeat! I took all the Miraculous from her! Now I'm more powerful than ever! From now on, I will be attacking you relentlessly. I would be everywhere probing your thoughts, steal your dreams, harnessing your deepest fears! Whatever damage I can cause, I will not stop! Unless... someone brings me Sapphire and Dragon-Phoenix's Miraculous!"

Hawk Moth with all the Miraculouses, now known as Monarch, threatens all the Parisians; including Chloé Bourgeois, promising to attack them more than ever, and that he will not stop until he gets your Miraculouses.

"I've lost everything!!" Ladybug  cries while holding her head down in shame.

"Oh stop crying, we're still here. Don't think you're the one fighting for survival." Sapphire's annoyed voice made Ladybug gasps as she turns her head to look at him, you and Cat Noir who is already standing beside her looking out  facing Hawk Moth.

Guilt-ridden, she still crying and she gave up easily. "Why don't you three just give up on me? I've lost all the Miraculous! I'm the worst Guardian ever! I wanted to control everything! I didn't listen to you both! I lied to you! I kept you at a distance! I wanted to be better like Sapphire and Dragon-Phoenix no matter how many times I wanted to catch up! Every time you three offered me a helping hand, I never took it! I really made a mess of everything!!"

Ladybug was expecting to be slapped but what shocked her was just a pat on the head by Sapphire. "Alright, alright. Just shut up and stop crying you big baby and get your ass up, will ya?"

Ladybug looks to him before you and Cat Noir who reached up and pick her up as Sapphire continues. "We're going to get them back and crying like a stupid girl won't solve you're problems. You may fall and tremble and for once, show some humiliation when you admit you are not a good leader too. So might as well put your trust in me....I will put an end to this and get my book back."

You pat her by the shoulder before walking up to your boyfriend holding his hand. "We will never back down, , until the very last. We'll make sure that we will win. So please, Ladybug....put your faith in Sapphire and the rest of us if you do the same."

Ladybug never heard you being soft and she feels a little better.  "Sapphire...Dragon-Phoenix...Cat Noir... and me?"

Cat Noir smiles at her before turning to you and Sapphire who stood out in front of them. "Sapphire and Dragon-Phoenix, the best anti-heroes there ever was, them, the people of Paris..." he points at the huge crowd of Parisians below them, cheering for you and Sapphire.

"Sapphire! Sapphire! Sapphire! Sapphire!" the Parisians chanted.

"And us, Sapphire and his maiden... their your loyal partners." Cat Noir determines.

The Parisians continue to cheer for you and Sapphire. Ladybug stands stern side-by-side with You and Sapphire along with Cat Noir, as her tears get taken away by the wind.

Sapphire squeeze your hand in his before he clasp them together looking out over to Hawk Moth, The people of Paris cheer for the heroes, who prepare to face the villain.

"Are you scared, My Luv?" Sapphire asked you.

You shook your head. "As long as I have you, I'm not scared of anything."

Sapphire smiles and hold you by your waist bringing you  closer and peck your lips. "And neither will I. I will defeat him by my own hands..."

With the rain and wind by you both sides, you and Sapphire are getting ready to face the villainous Hawk Moth, once and for all.

[nityarawal]

11/15/2023

Oops I Shot My Wife

Morning Songs

Oops I Shot My Wife

Judge Ferguson

Admits

On Behalf Of All

The 20 Something 

Counties 

That Took Bribes

Oops I Shot 

My Wife

How Many Did

You Kill

As A Rotating

Judge

Oops I Shot My

Wife

We Know

Oops You Shouldn't

Have

But Thankyou For

Telling Us

Oops I Shot My Wife

I Know

Who Pushed Ivana

Down The Stairs

Was It Your Husband

Jarrod

Whose Intelligence

Name

To Clear

Trumpleberry

Or My Bu

Ivanka Asks

Why Should A Daughter

Be Put Before

Gag Orders

Dykes Want Her Head

But Moms

Want Her More

We're Not Hatin' On

Any Presidents Children

We're Not Grooming

Baes For Brits

Loved The Taylor Swift

160 IQ

Articles

Of Course

Celebrating Co-Writing

Songs

With Paul McCartney

Tea

Evermore

Eternal Peace

Yeah We All Want

The Transcendence

Light

Wispy

Eternal Love

Divine

Trinity

Glowing From Your 

Hearts

Mind Virus

Infected

But

3 Months To Live

Cleanse

It's "Hunger Games"

We All Got New

Physiologist

Covid

Penetrated

"Whose The Boss?"

#MeToo

Alyssa Milano Begs

Pretty Humble Moms

Stop Apartheid

Whose Side Are Y' On

The Jewish Attys Ask

Jap Kids

From Opulent Bathrooms

Whose Side Are You On

The Jewish Attys Ask

Whose Side Are You On

Is It Dad's

He Stole A Lot

Whose Side Are You On

Mystical Daughters

We So Rarely 

Hear You

Whose Side Are You 

On

Not Moms

Not Dad's

Kids

#4BillionMothersStrong 

Holding Strong

No Need To

Divide

And Conquer

Humanity

Is Not A Lab Rat

Gray

To Play With

To Throw Out

With The Bath Water

Humanity Is Not

A Lab Rat

And She's Scared

Humanity Is Not A 

Lab Rat

We're Not Ready

For Mars

Not All Of Us

Practicing Medicine

Peaceful Wariors

And That's OK

We Love You Anyways

Please Don't Let Them

Bomb Planet Earth

We Love You Anyways

Cognizantly

With Elon Swings

Of Consciousness

Some Might Never 

Understand

That's OK

I Love You Anyways

You're Perfect

Buddhas

Humanity 

Practicing Creatively

Sustaining Responsibly

Means Alot To Me

Please Don't Let Them

Bomb

Mother Earth

Her Trees

And Wonders

Please Don't Let Them

Bomb

California

We'll Talk To The Gay

Dad's

And Ask The Attorneys

Politely

One Last Time

To Release Our Children

And Dear Parents

From This Global

Apartheid

We Love You Anyways

But No Oil Must Be

Spent

Until You Can Have

Tea

With All The Parties

Bloodletting

Heaven Scent

Virtual Peace

Nothing Less

Rahu Goddesses

I Ate Up Any

#FreeBritney Tabloids

Hopeful

Walking In Circles

Stopped 

To Borrow Near 

Sighted Glasses

From Mrs Jackson -

Jones

Watch "Orange Is The New

Black,"

Observe 

Edging 

Conversations 

Laughing

Singing "Chicago"

Celebratin'

40+ Something Actresses

Knowing We All Had Hearts

Of Gold

To Be Heard Someday

Grateful Elon's

Brave Enough

To Tell His Story

Advertise Solid

Rocket-eering 

Grazia

Prego

Merci

Pilots

#Nitya4Eternity

Blessings

On All Air

Travel

Ganeshes

Intergalactically

Lakshmi

Mommies

Xo

Peace,

Nitya Nella Davigo Azam Moezzi Huntley Rawal 

[blackbutler-readerinsertsandjunk]

Hi! Can I request Alois, our Ciel, real Ciel and Sebastian, with a s/o who makes music as a form of coping please? The music being similar to the likes of Ethel Cain, Flower Face, Nicole Dollanganger, especially in terms of themes. Thank you!

bwaaah thank u for giving me some new artists to listen to~

I have only listened to a couple songs, but I'm a sucker for dark music with pretty voices

I also had fun making up some lyrics for the S/O's songs, so I hope I did ok!! <3

Ooh. Haunting and gorgeous… one of his very favorite combinations! It’s not really his fault that he’s drawn to it all. He’s got his own issues to cope with, various traumas, and he can find comfort in the things his S/O writes about, like they find comfort in those things. Maybe the two of them aren’t exactly the same, but if he can curl up inside this music and feel not so alone, he thinks something about it must be helping them to heal, too. He’ll happily spend nights with his head on their chest, singing along quietly to the songs of theirs which most find their way to his mind in a constant loop. “Here in the garden, shall I stay? / Or will I grow wings so I can fly away? / There’s not a place / that could ever erase / the stains on my soul that have yet to fade to grey…”

Oh, dear, how very complicated his darling is. How did he never notice what a creative mind they hid behind that pretty face? That’s fine. He’s more than happy to give their music his full appreciation, now that he’s managed to hear some of it. He also has a penchant for looking at their first drafts and jotted-down ideas… he’s actually very good at picking out the parts that hit him in the most delightfully painful way. Then he’s happy to help them build the rest of the song around those focal points, if they’d have his company in this process. It’s certainly an exercise in imagination, sitting at the piano with them and feeding off their energy. It’s almost relaxing. “Knock, knock / do you know who’s there? / the dead don’t talk / but I don’t care / cold and pale / my lips still speak / I’ll tell the tale / I’ll show them what you did to me.”

… Quite disturbing, if you ask him. Quite. He doesn’t presume to know the full extent of whatever they’ve gone through, but his sweetheart is free to do as they please. If it helps them, then by all means, he isn’t going to demand they stop or try to hide it from him just because it isn’t something he would do. A part of him is interested in it; the things he’s been through are things he avoids thinking about at all. Dwelling on them long enough to write songs about his feelings in regard to his past would drive him insane. It’s different for them? Perhaps once those things are out of their head, it’s some kind of healing. If it works for his S/O, then more power to them. He doesn’t go near their process, nor does he try to write any himself. That said, he does catch himself singing under his breath occasionally, small parts of their songs which are a gentle balm to his heart. “But you’re in the corner crying / nobody knows your heart, do they? / And sometimes it feels like you’re dying / keep your head above water, water / maybe being baptized won’t feel like drowning one day.”

Ah, now… what a dark, beautiful little soul he has on his hands. He knew from the start that his beloved had a twisted and delicious energy, but he didn’t plumb the depths of it until he began to pay more attention to the things they write. They have been through the worst life has to offer, it seems, and he’s only appealing to his true demonic nature when that makes him all the more attracted to them. Although he keeps his composure around others, he shows a marked curiosity in their work whilst in private with them. They’ll show him as much as he wants to see, won’t they? He can pick out favorite pieces, and the ones which sound as if they hurt most will earn them a kiss from him. He wants to be close to their troubled heart — he does, however, very much want to make sure it doesn’t grow ever more troubled. Should it please them and be a comfort, he’ll even sing their music as he holds them in his arms. “Blacker than black / I cannot see through the dark / did I ever have a heart? / Oh, did I ever have a heart? / Was it taken from me / and you called it setting me free? / So come let me do the same for you / let me set you free, too.”