#it's a sort or crossover chapter

[randomnameless]

@cherry-blossom-inferno replied to your post “Which are the biggest examples of cowardice from...”:

This is wrong though. We do have Holst's reaction to Claude's ideas. It's in his A support with Claude and Holst is cool with it. He even calls himself Claude's #1 fan.

​Thanks to your comment, I realised I forgot a word in the earlier post lol (tfw you type on mobile)

If the Goneril issue was adressed, we could have had Hilda/Holst/their mom/their second degree cousin say that they are at least treating the Almyran children as human beings (lel) which is already giving them more care than what Almyrans do when they raid and pillage and “rampage” in Fodlan cities - maybe with some sort of Matthias-like example, Almyrans killing a pregnant woman, or, idk to keep in the “grandma from the 1800s tells me what the Orient is like” bias, captured women or what not

But as I typed it under this paragraph, it's only fuel for an AU (I didn't forgot the tag this time!) so yes, canon Holst and Claude support doesn't match this, because this is an AU, or a headcanon if you prefer.

That being said, Holst's reaction to Claude's ideas are sort of what the anon was talking about?

Canon Holst gives this :

And you also wish to establish relations with people from other lands, and those who follow other faiths. Is that accurate? Does this also extend to Fódlan's Throat? Will you throw open its gates and look to establish a friendly relationship with the Almyrans?

Logically, Holst wonders about "people from other lands" and the prospect of establishing friendly relationships with Almyrans.

And what of House Goneril, a family long seen as the enemy of the Almyrans?

Holst makes explicit mention of his house, who has been tasked with protecting the border since, well, idk when. Even if he sorts of reverse the issue for me, as the head of House Goneril, should he call himself someone who is seen as "the enemy of the Almyrans", and not put his people situation's first, saying House Goneril has been protecting Fodlan from Almyra, instead of being its enemy?

Would you send its only daughter to form a marital bond with the Almyran royal family? Is that a possible scenario?

And then all of the plot intricacies disappear in thin air, this is the equivalent of a Fjorming Bond or even worse, a FB being taken over by Ilyana with her "i love to eat" trope - this support might have tackled the year of prejudice Holst (and Hilda, as it is revealed in Houses!) have, arguably because they are protecting their people from Nader's weekly "rampages" or "tourism".

Or, idk, when Holst mentioned wanting to created "friendly relationships with Almyra", Claude might have added "friendly means feeding them everyday if you're taking prisoners, even children".

As the Nopes canon conversation goes, we basically have the equivalent of Caineghis agreeing with whoever was the sick fuck who enslaved Muarim to build "friendly relationships" between Laguz and Beorcs. And instead of talking about Muarim or the enslaved Laguz, we talk about Lyre's future prospects for marriage.

As @megafan1993 pointed out, even if we only have NPCs without a sprite, the Sreng/Faerghus conflict is tackled more seriously and with more gravitas than what was supposed to be Claude's core points (or one of his cores?), the prejudice between Fodlan and Almyra. We have a conflict based on ressources, resentment on both sides, civilians/non-fighters being targeted by both Faerghus/Sreng, extreme prejudice and an idiot who thinks it's time to stop and tries to stop the conflict.

On the other hand, you have an Almyran Prince who doesn't seem to be aware of the weekly raids, who wants to open borders regardless of said weekly raids, the House who defends their land from weekly raids has resentment against Almyrans, to the point of taking their children and "feeding them every 29th of February" - and yet we're supposed to believe the fissure between Fodlan and Almyra is mended in GW/VW off-screen because everyone loves to drink, to the point where Almyrans pillaging and rampaging in cities is nothing more than a joke, and no one ever gives a fuck about the "fed only every 29th of February" children?

We instead have a "joke" about Holst giving his blessings to marrying off his sister to Almyran Royalty ?

If Nopes (and arguably, Houses) didn't want to treat the "bridging the gap between two warring states" seriously and wanted to have a more Awakening-like resolution to conflicts only existing in the BG to provide sobby backstories to characters, then why did they brought more serious writing regarding Faerghus, and arguably, the CoS's writing?

House Goneril saw Almyrans as"rough and unreliable", people who "attack without reason and break treaties and tell lies" or are "brutes".

Holst seemed more open-minded than his sister regarding Almyrans (even if, apparently, you can still be "a prisoner fed once in a blue moon" and respected in Holst's mind?) but, once again, those previous bias are never adressed in Nopes, especially when Shahid apparently "attacks without reason", when nader is "rough" and a "brute" when he wants to bring souvenirs or pillage or rampage in cities the Federation is going to fight in, or even when Claude and his Almyran allies "break treaties" by letting Randolph die.

Tl;Dr : when canon sucks, people come up with transformative works

[yunyin]

Quick doodle in tribute to @uptoolateart's fic "Finding a Way!" I really enjoyed it and wanted to at least scribble something. I figure Plagg has enough tact not to bring it up in front of the kids after what they've been through, but I totally think he'd tell Tikki.

[hailsatanacab]

chapter three!!

did you guys survive chapter 2? Danny did!! if only barely 😬

there's markedly less gore in this chapter, thank goodness, and now Alfred gets to explain what on earth he was thinking about signing a contract like that??? Alfred??? Explain???

[camscramps]

Malphas introduces Democracy (Or his version of it)

A/N: what's up gamers, I decided that posting this on AO3 wasn't enough and I wanted to try to cross post over here as well, I am still a newbie at these things as I've always been a lurker and not someone whose actually posted content like this before so please let me know if the format is janky and stuff but other than that I hope you enjoy what has become my hyperfixation as of late, feedback is very much appreciated!! :3

“This is getting ridiculous..” 

He grumbled as he sat on the bench, leg crossed over one and other as he impatiently tapped on the railing as he looked around at those passing by hoping any of them could be Reheal. 

The angel was running fifteen minutes late, although it had only been ten minutes since he himself had arrived at the park. 

“You’d think that from someone so divine they could at least be here on time… I have better things to do, or at least tormenting Ace would be better than this heh.” 

He slightly smirked at the thought of further making his descendant's life more difficult than it already was. The kid was a good worker, he will admit but he didn’t need to know that or else he would grow an ego from it, and he really didn’t need that around the office. He could always put him to work during the graveyard shift again, oh the look on his face afterwards, he actually took a picture of it framing it somewhere around his office, the look of terror paired with the eyebags underneath the young man’s eye always gave him a good chuckle. 

But before he could think of any newer ways to torment the young blonde a sudden flash of what seemed to be divine light went off next to him blinding him momentarily.

“Gah! You could always warn a guy first, you know!” 

“Ah, apologies I forget about your light sensitivity-“ 

“for someone so divine as yourself, you sure have a knack for being late, frankly it’s getting annoying.” 

He crossed his arms as he scoffed a bit as he let his eye recover from the blinding light.

“Let’s get this show on the road, what are you going to accuse me of now? Hm?”

He looks at whatever form Reheal seems to have taken, it seems this time it would be that of a daycare worker if the apron decorated with finger hand paintings and stickers meant anything, not that they had the name of the place stitched on it either, it seems that they went for a female vessel this time, and a cute one at that with her sleek black hair pulled up in a half updo and her red framed glasses. 

“For starters, I would like to apologize for my tardiness, things have gotten quite… hectic and we seem to have ourselves a situation, I was hoping you would know something about it?” 

“A situation you say? Now what may this situation be?” 

“Well…”

They look around as if to be cautious that a passerby may hear their conversation. 

“Recently a group of our cherubs were sent on their daily mission to try to save a soul for the lord.”

“Uh huh.”

“But something went wrong, there was… a hellish intervention.” 

“Oh?” 

“It appears that some imps without a demonic owner had found their way up here, causing not only chaos and destruction on their wake but also appearing in front of humans-“

They pause a bit as they hesitate to say the next part, lowering their head in shame as they rub their forehead in embarrassment. 

“They meddled with the cherub's mission to the point where they caused the death of a man who was a candidate to eternal paradise.” 

Oh.

Malphas let out a low whistle as he placed his arms behind his head and looked up to the sky in the same surprised way.

“Wow… just… wow- Hold on, how am I to blame for this?” he asked, offended that the angel would think he would do not only something so careless but lazy as well.

Reheal looked at him with the same patient look in their eyes although this time he could see that they looked more tired but that could also be because of the avatar they chose.

“If i’m not mistaken, you are President of Hell?”

He scoffed as his one good eye stared back at Raheal’s bug eye look.

“Nothing more of a title really, the most I did was help rule some rings- if anything the title that fits the most is being “architect” of hell. Besides, you know I don’t spend any time down there- I mean if anything this is more like my jurisdiction!” 

He spread his arms looking around the park before leaning against the bench once again as he looked nonchalantly at the angel.

“Reheal, what is it that you’re exactly asking for?” 

The angel once again blankly staring at him speaks in their soft tone as always, but he could pick up a hint of exhaustion in their tone.

“I need eyes from the inside, something… feels wrong and everything is out of balance, without balance our divine plan is getting further and further delayed, and I'm not sure what but the high seraphim is hiding something.”

“Wow, questioning the high seraphim? I didn’t think you had it in you angel, if you wanted to fall you should have let me know.” he jests, the angel could only grit their teeth slightly as they clench their fists placed on their lap, only Malphas was capable of getting such a reaction out of them.

“It’s not conspiring! At least not when it’s about finding out what the heck is happening that imps and other hellborns are suddenly coming up here causing havoc.” 

He raises his hands amused seeing the angel finally have some emotion other than just a polite smile on their face, or well on their human avatar.

“Alright, but I figured you have angels who are usually in charge of investigating such things? I mean does it have to be me?” he protests not liking whatever it is that the angel was going to request from him.

The angel looks away momentarily, preferring to stare at the ducks wandering in front of them as they waddle away from the trail in a straight line.

“That was my first thought as well, but if the high Seraphim is hiding something whose to say they aren’t part of it as well? It’s something I need to figure alone.” 

He smirked at the angel's response, he knew the angel had always followed the divine law to a T but after a millennium of knowing them it was always nice to find new things about them.

“Careful with what you say Angel, it was that same thinking that got Lucifer expelled, well you barely came to existence when that all went down, huh?”  

The angel turned around as it craned its neck to look up at Malphas, their stare even more intense than before still showing the same soft smile on their face.

“You don't think I know that? It terrifies me knowing that I suspect that the high seraphim is hiding something, but it can’t be a coincidence with what happened recently- I can’t just let it go until I know the full story.” 

“What’s in it for me?” 

“What? What’s in it for you?” 

“Well I’m obviously not going to do this for free you know! I’m going to be losing a pretty dime with however long it’s going take me-“

“Can’t you ever do something for free? Must everything be a business opportunity for you?”

Malphas looked at the angel with a smug “You already know” look.  

Taking a deep breath Reheal decided that it was better to compromise with the crow demon than argue any longer, no matter how many decades in human years have passed Malphas never seemed to have changed, not even his appearance though they knew that the crow demon would always keep up with whatever the trending style was in, and at the moment he seemed to following it if his shag like hairstyle and floral shirt that was almost indecently unbuttoned was an indicator, no matter what he was still the same o’l Malphas as always.

“Fine, I will stop bothering you…. For five years?” 

“Five? Oh come on, that’s nothing to beings like us!”

“Alright, ten years?” 

“Make it twenty.” 

“Ten.” 

“Twenty.”

“Ten.”

“Nineteen?” 

“Twelve.” 

“fifteen?” 

“Fifteen.” 

“Well, you got yourself a deal!” 

Standing and stretching himself letting out a loud and dramatic yawn as he looked at the angel with a mischievous grin. 

“I guess I better get going huh?” 

“The sooner the better I say, I must get going as well, they will grow suspicious of my absence.” 

“Before you leave do you mind givi- Gah!” 

Quickly covering his eye as once again the angel leaves in a flash of divine light leaving its human avatar in confusion on how she found herself in the middle of the park. 

She looked around confused as to how she found herself in the middle of the park when she was supposed to be back at the daycare with the kids, but her thoughts were interrupted as the man standing in front of her spoke in a raspy voice.

“Oh my goodness! How did I get here?! Oh my god, the kids?! Sir, could you please-” 

“Catch ya later toots.” 

He walked away leaving the daycare worker not only extremely confused on who the random one-eyed man was but stranded as well.

[nihilityart]

Spyro's Wrath on King Edmaris Comic (TenSura: Shadow of Light AU)

I used TenSura Manga Chapter 66 Panels are a reference to create this! :D

Someone angered the little man.

[headfullof-ideas]

I have finished the chapter I’ve been stuck on, so now I need to plan and outline the next chapter, because I realized what was originally planned to have been one chapter now might need to be split into two. So while I sort that out, here is a gif of the next chapter I’m working on

But when this chapter is done, I will be halfway through writing the first film! Hooray! Now I need to actually sit down and outline Defenders of Berk so I can get to outlining Race to the Edge

[empressofmankind]

So, I am editing @tiredemomama and mine second chapter for Team Triassic. And I just wrote a single line that every single post doc is probably going to feel in their bones.

“He [Crocodile] actually threatened to sell his shares!” Masrani said in an affronted tone as he gestured at their surroundings. “Can you believe he would just unplug all this? Leave us limping and beggared??” Wu absolutely could. He’d written grants.

I am enjoying writing dr Wu wayyy too much, ngl. I get this man's frustrations with being surrounded by coorporate idiots soooooo much. I too, would set loose a giant ass murder reptile on them all if I could.

[onychespherein]

so i am (finally) done w this

honestly might redraw it later but at least Today i am Happy

earth is the only one without a tail and there is a Reason for that. also i just noticed i gave everyone except solar blue eyes. hm

anyway i am torn between calling them gremlins or just straight up critters because i like the sound of that word. so like.

[aidenwaites]

Let the Right One In is very good. Very heavy but very good

[thebleedingeffect]

Jumping on the fucking walls I'm so damn happy that the holiday season is practically over for me cause it means my writing pace goes back up and YAAAAAAYYYYYYY YIIIPPPPEEEEEE YAAYYYYYY !!!!

[loonlynxshenanigans]

Chapters: 1/? Fandom: Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (Cartoon 2018), Guild Wars 2 (Video Game)

HEY GUESS WHO’S FINALLY POSTING THE FIRST CHAPTER OF THE CROSSOVER FIC I’VE BEEN WRITING!!! HAPPY HALLOWEEEEEEEEN

[s0ngsandstars]

I finished writing the oneshot (sort of) I was working on and now I'm debating posting it. I want to.

[effluentstream]

first chapter is posted!

so my melanie & miles investigative team au fic is officially in progress.

[ID: A screenshot of text from a word document that reads as follows:

“Miles calls Melanie as soon he finishes reading the tip email about Mount Massive, not realizing he’s failed to consider the time difference between Colorado and London until Georgie picks up the phone and says, ‘Upshur, it is 3 in the morning here. Melanie’s asleep.’ Her voice sounds soft, thick with sleep, and - remarkably - only slightly annoyed.

‘Investigative journalism never sleeps, Barker,’ he quips. Georgie responds with an airy, exasperated sigh.”]

[twoidiotwriters1]

Benedict Bridgerton xFem!Princess Reader

Dearest Gentle reader, as another season starts so do the surprises. It has been said that we are to welcome the Queen and King of Genovia for the first half of this season, and not only that but to witness the very first public appearance of their eldest, Princess Y/N Devereaux. I'm sure the Queen will want us to be the most gracious hosts, even if this family of royals have a reputation for enjoying scandal. Isn't it exciting when life becomes a fairytale of sorts?

(Bridgerton x Princess Diaries crossover)

Chapter 1. Fun Times & Potty Rooms

Chapter 2. The Botanist

Chapter 3. Faux Pas

Chapter 4. The Artist

Chapter 5. Drawing Lessons

Chapter 6. Thoughts & Ink

Chapter 7. A Moment of Enlightenment

Chapter 8. An Offer From a Gentleman

Chapter 9. Wallflowers

Chapter 10. Lilacs

Chapter 11. Gilded Feathers

Chapter 12. Roses

Chapter 13. Hyacinths

Chapter 14. Ivy

Chapter 15. Red Catchfly

Chapter 16. Oak-leaved Geranium

Chapter 17. Weeds

Chapter 18. Little Joys

Chapter 19. Lavender

Chapter 20. Moss Rosebud

Chapter 21. Uncharted Waters

Chapter 22. Michaelmas Daisies

Chapter 23. Pear Trees

Chapter 24. Reveries

Chapter 25. Hydrangeas

Chapter 26. The Oddities Parade

Chapter 27. Cabbage Rose

Chapter 28. The Knight

Chapter 29. Lemon Blossoms

Chapter 30. Peach Blossoms

Chapter 31. The Kettle-Head

Chapter 32. Yellow Tulips

Chapter 33. Double Reds (June 14th)

Chapter 34. A Minute of Sunshine (June 21st)

Chapter 35. Lint (June 28th)

Chapter 36. What Is It to Truly Admire a Woman? (July 5th)

Chapter 37.

Chapter 38.

Chapter 39.

Chapter 40.

18+ story (Minors DNI!) so yes it's smut with A LOT of plot

Join the taglist HERE.

-Danny

[asapeveryday]

noctuary pt.1 - p.b + tlou au

noc·​tu·​ary ˈnäkchəˌwerē

: a collection of a single night's events, thoughts or dreams

—

pairing: Paige Bueckers x reader, slight Paige Bueckers x Ellie Williams in future maybe idk yet but just for plot purposes

AU: The Last of Us 2 x Wbb crossover

warnings: Graphic descriptions of injury, blood. brief mention of assault, cannibalism. more juicy stuff in later chapters probs

synopsis: you meet her on the brink of giving up. she’s suspicious, too nice, too charismatic. she should be a psychopath, or some sort of cult recruiter, but instead she’s enamouring. you’ve got nowhere to go, she’s eager to have nobody to be.

notes: I intend on making this a short series because I’m honestly obsessed w this crossover. also you don’t really have to know much about tlou to enjoy this, it works from a basic zombie apocalypse perspective too honestly!

also what wbb players would we want to see appearing in this story in the future?

You’re running—trying to run.

It hurts, it burns so bad, like you’ve been bathed in acid from the calf down. It’s dull pulsing that’s built up with every drag of your foot through the rough gravel roads.

You’re whimpering with every limp, lips bitten raw, face coated with sweat and grime. You can hear the faint clicking behind you, to your left and off somewhere farther to your right.

You’ve been following this trail for ages, bag on your back weighing heavy, trying to outrun clicker after clicker. No matter the turn, they just keep coming.

And it’s starting to look like this might be it for you.

It wasn’t meant to end up this way. It should’ve been a decent job—not easy, but something you could handle. Deliver the product, collect the payment, make it back alive, keep half.

But you’d been sold out, given a wrong location, led to your slaughter.

“Fuck,” you cry, saliva flying from your lips, “oh, fuck.”

You’re aching all over now, shivering with fear. Your heart is hammering like a strong baseline, shaking your very core.

This is it, this is how you’re going to die. Alone, a bag full of goods that nobody will every get to use, pockets empty.

You’ll be mauled right here, on this barren road.

Infected.

Turned.

You turn to look at your leg, the state of it. Skin peeled back, flesh running ruby red, blaring danger, death, the end. The sight makes you want to vomit. You stumble, hitting the ground hard. Your elbows are covered in gravel, it gets in your wound, mixes with your blood.

You can see them clearly now. Inhuman, monstrous things you’ve managed to avoid since birth, one way or another. None of it matters now. It all amounts to nothing.

You hear the crunch of gravel behind you, but you don’t bother to turn and see what abomination is waiting for you. You don’t think you can stomach it, facing one head on, feeling it’s flesh-rotten breath on your skin before it tears into your soul.

You focus on the one ahead. Approaching. Five steps before you, four, three now.

The crunch behind you swings ‘round your side. You flit your eyes to the ground, where the blood from your leg mixes with the road. You don’t want to watch when it happens happen.

I’m gonna die, You think, I’m gonna die, I’m gonna die, I’m gonn—

Beaten sneakers. Light purple, tied tight laces. Wide stance, heels facing you.

There’s the brief noise of something cutting the air.

You watch the ground as the clicker’s head hits the gravel.

The sound of slaughter fills the formerly quiet night. A crow caws from somewhere farther off, softly drowned beneath the squelches, and the sounds of metal flying through flesh.

And then the clicking is gone. And the movement stops.

The sneakers, now a little bloodier than before, turn around to face you.

Your slaughter doesn’t come.

You look up.

Powder blue irises, downturned, scrutinizing. Straight, dark lashes. Pale skin, dotted with rotten blood, blemishes, picked pores. Lips full, slightly parted.

She turns to the side for a second, checking her surroundings. You analyze high cheekbones, oily blonde hair pulled back tight into a ponytail. Her grey tank and cargo’s are spoiled with clicker guts. Sweat gleams on her skin, bloodied axe in hand.

She turns back to you, brows furrowed. Then she holds the axe out to your neck.

"You bit?" She asks, all business.

You shake your head no as best as you can without grazing the tip of the blade, heart hammering wildly.

"You're telling me that," her gaze dips down to your leg, "isn't a bite?"

"S-" You manage to croak, wincing as your throat sears, "saw."

"Saw?" She raises a brow. "It's from a saw?"

You nod. She takes a step back to survey the wound. Whatever it is that she sees, she's satisfied with.

“Get up.”

Her words sound like they’re underwater.

She looks around again, making sure it’s safe, before dropping to your level. Her legs bend into a crouch, one hand on her knee while the other grips the axe with a ready ferocity.

“I said, get up.”

Finally her words register. You stir, shifting your weight forward to pull yourself up, before a wave of exhaustion and pain washes over you. She notices your wince, the struggle.

She frowns. You can see she feels inconvenienced by you.

But she doesn’t leave.

“Give me the bag.” She says, jutting her head to motion to your back pack.

Now it’s your turn to furrow your brows. You can’t say much, the words catch in your throat. You manage to back up enough for her to get the hint, hands possessively flying back to grasp the rough material that you almost died for.

“It’ll slow you down.” She says evenly. “Pick. Either you leave it or I carry it for you.”

You weigh your options.

“Or,” she licks her lips, “I leave you here alone and keep it for myself.”

You hold her frigid stare for as long as you can before you realize she won’t budge on this. Slowly, you remove your arms from the straps of your backpack, and attempt to get up.

She springs back to her full height, stepping around you to grab the knapsack and swing it over one shoulder while her own is on the other.

“Jesus Christ, what the hell is in this?” She curses.

You shakily rise from the road, gravel stuck to whatever exposed skin hit it earlier. Silent.

“C’mon.” She side glances you, taking a few steps forward. “Don’t worry, I’ll have you talkin’ in no time.”

--

The walk is difficult.

The night is high now, and it's a struggle to keep your eyes open. You try your best sheerly out of the fear that if you let them shut, they may never open again.

She doesn't offer a hand, not an ounce of support. She just watches, eyes wide and frosted around the edges.

Her biceps pop against the moonlight as she shoulders two backpacks with ease, walking ahead of you. Just enough to lead while she can still see you.

You get the feeling that if she felt it was best to help you, she would. Her gaze isn't judging—moreso analyzing. Testing you.

You realize this walk is a test.

Under her dissecting stare, you can’t help but wonder for what?

"Little longer." She hums from ahead, smile barely grazing her lips. "Almost there, soldier."

You take it that if this is a test, you're not doing too bad.

So, you keep pushing. Your left leg is practically dragging now, heavy like baggage on your body. The gravel is damper here, you can feel it in the noises under your feet.

The girl stops walking, turning to face you. You're heaving now, throat dry and lips cracked to the point of bleeding. You haven't had water since this morning, and a lot has happened since then.

She surveys your state, brows furrowed in thought. She zeros in on your raspy breathing, your dirt-caked hair and bloodied calf.

"C’mon." She turns away, her voice a little softer now. You trail behind her as she breaks from the gravel road and steps into the surrounding fields of tall grass and cattails.

Mud squelches from beneath you when you realize you're at the foot of a pond.

The blonde takes off both backpacks, throwng them to the ground before kneeling by the edge of the pond. She unzips her own bag, retrieving a cloth from the big pocket and dipping it in the water.

Then she looks up at you, her blue eyes slightly warm, before cocking her head, gesturing for you to sit.

Cautiously, you obey.

The night is quiet with the exception of rippling water and crickets hidden in the cattails. You try not to whimper when she peels the remainders of your shredded pants from your left leg, and presses the wet cloth to your wound.

Her eyes watch closely at your reaction to every movement she makes.

It unnerves you, her attentiveness, her kindesss, of all things. It’s unlike anything you’ve experienced before. She cleans the gash off with such silent care that you’re entirely put off.

It doesn’t help that she keeps glancing up at you with those winter-light eyes, asking silent questions you’re too scared to answer.

"So," she begins, "what's in the bag?"

You send her the most pointed look you can muster.

"Aight.” She shrugs. “Secretive one, aren’t you.” She teases, reaching behind her to grab at your bag. In attempts to stop her you try to kick her with your un-injured leg. She catches your foot before it can even come close to hitting her, eyes wide with either amusement or warning.

"Easy." She hums.

It's quiet again after that. She puts more pressure on your leg, the cold water serving some relief to you. After a while the bleeding slows enough to leave the cloth draped over your injury, and you watch intently as she rummages through her backpack some more, before finally pulling out a flask.

"Prolly should've done this first." She snorts, opening the flask and taking a quick swig. Her face sours for a moment before the expression is gone, replaced by a lopsided smile.

"This is gonna burn bad." She looks at you. "But it's nothing you can't take."

When she pours the alcohol over your leg, it's like all hell has come down to personally punish you.

You can’t help but genuinely whimper when the alcohol touches your skin, the burning exemplified tenfold. Your hands fly to your leg, but the blonde grabs them in a tight grasp.

Her hands are calloused, large against yours. She entwines her fingers between your own, and you don’t even think to care. The pressure of her grasp is needed. When your hands leave here to grip her forearm, she doesn’t so much as flinch, even when your fingernails dig into her pale skin. She holds you tight till’ the burn subsides.

"I know," she mumbles, "I know it hurts, I know."

As you grip onto her flesh, she takes the time to ring out the now bloody cloth before soaking it in more lake water. It isntantly cools your skin when she gingerly places it on you again.

"I'm sorry. That's pretty much all I got." She sighs apologetically. "Wasn't expecting to run into any strays today."

You shoot her another look.

"Oh, you don't like that, huh?" She grins. "So what should I call you then?"

Her stare feels like two bullets through the back of your head. Startling, all too strong. You wet your lips in attempt to muster the ability to talk, but your throat is raw. You can feel scabs forming on the surface of your mouth.

Her eyes dip to your lips, then back again. She turns to rummage through the backpack again, and pulls out another flask, handing it to you.

"My bad." She mumbles.

You snatch it from her and unscrew the top, clumsily chugging from the flask with no shame. It’s like a beacon of light shining through your body, the water is lukewarm but clean and soothing. You don’t care that it dribbles down from the corner of your mouth as you hand the flask back to her.

Her face is amused, to say the least. Eyebrows raised, lips quirked upward. She takes it from you, fingertips brushing yours, and drinks the few drops you left behind. You watch as she licks her damp lips, and wipes her mouth with the back of her hand.

“You gonna talk now?” She cocks her head.

“Not much to say.” You respond simply, holding her eye.

You can see the way her tongue pokes the inside of her cheek, obviously trying to be patient with you. “You think I’m gonna let you off the hook like that?” She says.

“Thank you for saving me.” You manage to bite out, shifting in your seat on the grassy bank by the lake. “I’ll be on my way soon.”

“Yeah, sure.” She snorts, and you feel a twinge of agitation in your gut. “Good luck, on that leg.”

“Okay…” your gaze hardens, “so what exactly do you want from me? Because I don’t have any valuables, and I’m a pretty shitty fuck.”

“I’m not gonna assault you.” She deadpans.

“Normal people don’t help other people out of the goodness of their heart.” You tut. “And they definitely don’t waste supplies on weaklings. So you must be a rapist. Or a cannibal. Or both.”

“I’m neither!” She groans, hand on her head. “I found you. Thought I’d give you a hand. And where I’m coming from, water and fucking dishrags barely count as supplies.” She bites.

“And where exactly do you come from?” You raise a brow. You note her clothes, which are fairly nice aside from the drying cordycept blood, and her backpack, which is grimey but un-frayed around the edges like most are these days.

“Could ask you the same thing.” She smiles, like she’s caught you in a trap. “I found you being chased by at least 3 clickers, heavy ass bag which you’re protecting with your life, and leg cut open with a fucking saw.”

She has you there. You’re both quiet.

Then she gets up, brushing her pants off before looking down at you.

“C’mon.” She clicks her tongue.

“I think I’m good from here. Thanks for the help again.” You mutter, briefly happy she’s leaving before she grabs your bag.

“Hey!” You jerk, stumbling on your feet to reach for it. Your leg sears again, and you wince, losing balance. Her hands reach out for you, steadying your body before you can even attempt to catch your fall.

“Easy, baby.” She laughs. “You’re right, you know. I’ve been too nice.”

“Huh?” Your eyes widen, stomach lurching at what that could mean.

“I’m taking your bag.” She hums. “You don’t want me to touch it, so obviously it’s worth having.”

“No.” You bite, frustration rising despite the fact that her bare arms are still holding you up. You let your fingernails dig into her skin, but her expression once again doesn’t change. “I fucking worked my ass off for that bag. You can’t take it.”

“I can.” She shrugs. “And I will. Only thing is, I’m gonna be nice again and give you the option to come with it.”

You blink.

“I want what’s in here.” She hums. “But I think you’re worth dragging back home with me.”

You blink again, slower this time.

“What?” You manage to get out.

She rolls her eyes. “You’re gonna repay me by coming back to my community.”

“Fuck no.” You bite.

“Fuck yes.” She smiles. “I’m putting you to work. I know for a fact it’ll be better than whatever shady shit you were doing before…getting your leg hacked off with a fucking saw, for Christ’s sake.”

You ponder. It’s not like you have anywhere to be, like you have a home to go back to. That was over, especially if you came back lighter than you left. The saw wouldn’t be the end of it.

But this could be worse, for all you know.

“You have good clothes.” You state.

“More than enough to go around.” She nods, glancing at your thin, sweat soaked t-shirt and bloody pants.

You glance at the arms that you’re grasping onto, and you squeeze at the curve of her biceps. “You have enough to eat.”

“Uh..” She trails off, watching the way your fingers curl around her muscles. She swallows, hard, before nodding. “Food isn’t a problem for us yet.”

“Us?”

“Us.” She nods. “There’s a few hundred, I’d say.”

“All contributing?” You ask.

“As best as they can.”

You loosen your grip on her arms, realizing you’re feeling her up.

“How long is the walk?”

“Long.” She bites her lip. “We’ll take breaks.”

You stare into her eyes again. Crystal blue bullets, pretty lashes, wide eyed mirth just waiting to seep out.

It's either that or die alone out here. All signs point to yes.

——

Taglist:

@sweetbcgs @angelliicc

[locusfandomtime]

fake book covers based on Cub’s museum gift shop and the signs he posted with fake book titles! This was a lot of fun haha. I know there are more fake books, and now he’s getting signed books from hermits, so I plan on making more soon! May even make a Reddit account just to post these guys on the subreddit

design notes under cut!

The Diamond Pillar Saga: Hotguy(TM) Flies Again - this title evoked such a visceral image of something you’d find in a Scholastic book fair so I went for sort of pre-teen superhero action novel, the kind with a bunch of pictures and stupid chapter titles. I imagine in-universe Scar is trying to sell as much Hotguy merch as possible so whilst he has stuff for the adults (shirtless calendars) he’d also have comic books and novels for the kids. There’s a concorp logo because I like to think the Hotguy brand is owned by concorp and it was just a cool touch

Grian’s Theory of The Mind - have you ever seen books on like psychology and breaking habits and behaviour, that kind of stuff? They always look like this. There’s a yellow background, a simple abstract design, a bunch of book awards/reviews, and a single sentence hook. This one was the easiest and most fun to design!

Joe Hills: Transformative Poems - this was based on the “Joe Hills Poetry Corner”. Transformative poems is from “transformative works” meaning… fanfiction basically. Joe has written fanfic before and I thought an Iliad/Hermit crossover would be something he’d do. Joe made the cover himself so it has a dyed leather cover and a simple design. He tried to ask Cleo for a review so he could put one on the front but she was kinda mean about it and laughed at him so he wrote a fake one instead

Ren the King: A Complicated Legacy - this one had no explicit author but I decided Cleo made the most logical sense. Historical non-fiction books often have these B+W photo backgrounds with some dramatic, fancy text overtop, so I painted the Crastle and added then messed around with text. There’s a reduced sticker over Cleo’s name because this is Cub’s gift shop and he wouldn’t want to give her credit (but still wants to stock up his shop)