#land in the home that connects me to the history i have lost?

[fluffypotatey]

i hope there’s a part of me that reflects a past i never got to know. i hope that others can hear certain inflections in my voice that tell them of places i know are a part of me but find unfamiliar. i hope there’s still a part of my body that bleeds the same blood of my ancestors— ancestors that resemble wisps of smoke more than concrete figures in my mind. i hope, one day, i can connect all the threads that were cut off and abandoned

[delicatebarness]

winters widow | chapter ii

Summary: A small gesture of concern from Lord James suggests a possible change in the dynamic.

Warning: Arranged Marriage. Emotional Distress.

Word Count: 1390

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A/N: I was going to post this earlier but everyone asked for Cry Baby so you're getting both. - Please feel free to leave feedback or let me know where and how you want the story to continue, this is just as much yours as mine. - B

Winter’s Widow: @lanabuckybarnes | @sapphirebarnes | @sebastians-love

Everything: @hallecarey1 | @pattiemac1 | @uhmellamoanna | @scraftsku35 | @ozwriterchick

The following days were as cold and unforgiving as the walls of Winter’s Reach. Every morning, you’d wake early, hoping to catch a slight glimpse of Bucky and perhaps try to engage in conversation. He remained elusive, seen only from a distance. His stern demeanor and closed-off nature seemed impenetrable as he trained in the yard or discussed with his men. 

Soughting ways to familiarize yourself with your new home, you were determined not to be deterred. The Reach staff had initially been distant, yet they gradually warmed to your kind and gentle nature. Taking it upon yourself to learn the names of the servants, you wanted to understand the daily workings of the House. And, bring a touch of warmth to the cold stone. 

Wandering through the dimly lit corridors, one evening, you found yourself drawn to the library. Towering shelves filled with ancient tomes and scrolls in the vast room, a fire crackled in the hearth which cast warm glows over the worn furniture. You marveled at the wealth of knowledge contained within these walls as your fingers ran along the spines of the books.

Lost in thought, you didn’t hear the heavy door open behind you. It wasn’t until a shadow fell across the floor, startling you, that you turned. Bucky stood in the doorway, his expression was hard, annoyance etched in his features. 

“My Lord–” 

“What are you doing in here?” his sharp tone cut you off as he demanded.

You took a step back, his hostility wasn’t surprising. “I was admiring the collection. It’s a beautiful room.” 

His gaze trailed down to your hands as a particular old book lays in them. “This isn’t a tour you're on,” he snapped. “You don’t belong here, meddling with things you don’t understand.” 

“I’m sorry,” your voice was soft as you tried to keep it steady. “I didn’t mean to intrude. I thought–”

“You thought wrong,” he interrupted, stepping closer. “This place is filled with history you know nothing about. It is not your place.” 

You swallowed hard, trying not to look up at his looming figure. “I’m just trying to understand, connect with you in some way.” 

Bucky scoffed, tension evident in his posture. “This isn’t some fairy tale, Lady Romanoff. You’re here because of duty, nothing more, no happily ever after.” 

His words cut deep, a dagger twisting in the pit of your stomach. Yet, you refused to back down. “Fairy tales are all I know, Lord James. I know this isn’t one of them. Yet, we’re both here, and we have to make the best of it. I am willing to try, even if you are not.” 

For a moment, you could have sworn his expression softened as you finally met his gaze. A flicker of something unreadable passed through his eyes. But his walls built back up just as quickly. “Do what you want,” he said curtly. “But don’t expect any warmth from me.”

The chill that settled in your bones as he turned and left, leaving you standing alone in the library, made the fire suddenly feel insufficient. Sighing, you gently placed the book back on the shelf. 

You resolved to continue your efforts to make Winter’s Reach feel like home. Focus on exploring the grounds once more, familiarizing yourself with lands that now surround you, covered in frost and snow. 

Walking through the courtyard, you saw Bucky training with his men. His movements, precise and powerful, halted you. They reflected his years of discipline and experience. You admired him, and his skill. 

Granting him space, you turned your attention to the stables, where your horse was being kept along with the Reach’s. 

The stable master greeted you warmly. “Lady Romanoff, it’s a pleasure to see you here,” he said with a genuine smile weathering his face. 

“Thank you,” you replied, returning his smile. “I thought I might get to see Honeybreeze, it could do her good to ride around the Reach.” 

The man nodded, gesturing toward your beautiful, chestnut mere. “Here she is, gentle and sure-footed, perfect for riding.” 

As you patted Honeybreeze’s neck, the sound of approaching footsteps caught your attention. Another unreadable expression greeted you as you turned, coming face to face with Bucky. He paused when he saw your smaller frame, irritation etched his face in an instant. 

“Taking up riding now, are we?” he asked, his tone clipped. 

You met his gaze, refusing to let his hostility deter you. “I’ve always rode, my lord. I thought it would be a good way for us both,” you gestured toward your horse, stroking your hand down her mane. “To familiarize ourselves with Winter’s Reach.” 

His eyes narrowed, however, they weren’t aimed at you. His gaze moved toward the stable master. “Make sure the lady is properly equipped for her ride,” he ordered the man before turning back to you. “The terrain can be treacherous, especially for outsiders. Be careful.” 

“I will,” you replied softly, you tried to keep your voice steady, not to show the pain his words caused. “Thank you for your concern.” 

“It’s not concern,” he scoffed, once more. The sound filled the air between you with bitterness. “Just practicality. We don’t need any unnecessary accidents.”

With that, he left you again. The stable master gave you a sympathetic look as he handed you the reins. “Forgive me, my lady,” he said quietly. “But, my lord wasn’t always like this. The war changed him.” 

You nodded, “I understand, thank you.” 

Mounting Honeybreeze, you guided her out of the stables, making your way toward the open fields surrounding Winter’s Reach. The air was crisp, and the expansive landscapes offered a sense of freedom. A brief moment of peace, away from the tension within Reach’s walls. 

Thoughts of your future husband returned to your mind as you rode. Despite his harsh exterior, you couldn’t help but wonder who the man was beneath the black and gold armor. 

Hours passed as you explored, and the cold air bit at your cheeks. Finally returning to the stables, dusk had almost settled over Winter’s Reach. Dismounting the horse, you handed her reins back to the waiting stable master. Thanking him, he nodded appreciatively and led your horse away, leaving you standing alone. 

Your mind reflected on the day's events as you made your way back toward the Reach. The hostility and bitterness from Bucky had been palpable, but you couldn’t help but feel sympathy for him. It was clear the way had left its mark on him, you wondered what had happened to transform him into the hardened man you were to marry. 

As you approached the entrance, you were surprised by Bucky standing there, waiting. His usual stern expression across his face. However, there was a hint of something softer in his eyes. 

“Did you enjoy your ride?” his voice gruff. 

You nodded, taken aback by his question. “I did, my lord. The land around your home is beautiful.” 

Looking away, his jaw tightened. “The Reach has its own kind of beauty,” he admitted.

“I would love to understand more of it,” you spoke softly. “And, to understand my future husband.” 

Bucky’s expression hardened again, his gaze meeting yours as a flicker of something else– perhaps vulnerability passed over his eyes. “There’s not much to understand. I’m a soldier, nothing more.” 

“I don’t believe that,” you replied gently, offering a small smile. “I think there’s more to you, more than you want to show.” 

For a second, he looked as though he might argue. Then, he sighed, his shoulders sagging slightly. “Maybe… if so, it’s buried deep.” 

You took a small step closer, daring to place your hand gently on his arm. “I’m willing to find it if you’ll let me.” 

He glanced down at your hand on his arm, another unreadable look passed through his eyes. Then, he stepped back, offering you a small nod. “Just… be careful,” he said, his voice barely above a whisper. 

“I will, my lord,” you promised, watching him walk away. For the first time, you felt like you had hope as you saw a glimpse of the man beneath the armor. 

Taking a deep breath, you continued on your way through The Reach, feeling a renewed sense of determination. You silently vowed to break through his defenses and uncover a heart worth loving and understanding. 

---

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[f10werfae]

Bikini Bottom

pairing: Frat!Chris Evans x Girlfriend!Reader

Summary: Frat!Chris falls lovesick and clings onto his girl for dear life, it doesn’t help when she’s parading around in a bikini. Overall, Y/n and Chris are the ultimate campus couple 💌 (lovesick puppy chris)

requests are open/likes, comments and reblogs are appreciated♥️

Chris Masterlist, Full Masterlist, Taglist Form

︵‿︵‿୨♡୧‿︵‿︵

Y/n posed in the mirror, rightly checking herself out in her newest bought black bikini, the underwear seamed with fine jewels. Hearing her friend’s bedroom door open she saw one of the head brothers of the frat, her boyfriend. Dressed in navy blue swim shorts, the brunette strolled over whistling out in awe, Chris' hands landing onto her sweet behind.

“Why don’t we just slip these off for a min?” He whispered placing his head onto her shoulder, making direct eye contact through the mirror. His fingers naughtily playing with the strings holding up her bikini bottom; giggling she pulled his hands off and turned to face him.

This was one of her first college parties of her sophomore year, it was her best friend’s Lucy’s pool party, and of course a certain frat was invited.

“How’d ya know I was in here pretty boy?” She smiled combing back his hair underneath his backwards cap, his hands now climbing up her waist and settling on her ribcage.

“Little birdy called Lucy told me, how long were you gonna hide all this from me then?” Chris growled grabbing a handful of ass once again, smiling contently as Y/n leant up and kissed his lips gently. Her hands cupped his face while he fondled her softly, his hands going up to her breasts and copping a few feels.

Despite him being a senior, Chris couldn’t help but feel enamoured by the girl in his arms, and it all started because he knocked on the wrong dorm door; the rest was history. Even though frats have this reputation, Chris definitely put his to rest, the poor guy was seen following her around campus like a lost puppy. Holding her books for her, walking her to her lectures, spending his weekends in her bed, taking her home for thanksgiving and even proclaiming their relationship on his social media.

“God how are you all mine? Is life even real right now?” He moaned against her lips, pecking her twice more, their lips moulding perfectly together. Her hands playing with the St.Christopher medallion around his neck, as she pecked his cheek once before turning back around to face the mirror, placing his arms around his waist.

Now Y/n was definitely the more keep to herself kind of girl, her social media was private yet it adorned over 1k followers, courtesy of being Chris' girlfriend. Her only post was one of her dog from years ago, so Chris was pretty shocked when she reached for her phone and told him to pose with her.

She turned halfway, her ass to the camera with his hands gripping onto it for dear life, both of their lips connected in a passionate kiss for all to see, his other hand held onto her waist whilst she held onto his bulging bicep.

“Well that was a lovely surprise” Chris laughed wiping the side of his lips, his shock deepening when he saw her caption it with,

“I’m a handful, but only his handful 🍑” Before pressing post.

“Now what have I done to deserve a place on your VIP post”

“I think it’s time people know for real that you’re taken, and that i’m taken too. I’m serious about you ya know?” Y/n said throwing her phone onto a table, her eyes landing on Chris’ chest on the multitude of tattoos covering it, her heart pounding waiting for what he had to say.

“I’ve said it a hundred times, and i’ll say it again. This is for life baby, I already know it yeah? Doesn’t matter that I graduate this year, because you know damn well i’ll still be up your fine ass every second I get-“

“Chriss stop ittt” She whined embarrassed, his arms caging around her waist so her head laid on his chest, his lips peppering kisses onto the top of her head,

“Come on, we’re missin the pool party and I still wanna see you all wet and-“

“I swear Chris say another word and you’ll be sleeping on my doormat instead of my bed, that you love oh so much” Y/n said playfully turning around as they walked back out the room, Chris' lips forming into a big pout, “You’d really do your future husband like that huh?”

Now when I say they stuck together, they meant it. Whether it be them clinging onto each other in the pool, or her making sure he had enough sunscreen on him and food in him. The campus couple everyone strived to be like, but no one could; no one could love like they do.

“You comin back to mine tonight baby?” Y/n asked rubbing her hand softly over Chris’ stomach, looking up at him from her place on his chest, the sun-bed somehow fitting them both. The alcohol slowly taking its effect in Y/n as she felt more drowsy, although Chris made it a rule for himself not to drink when at parties with his girl, he had to make sure she was safe. Her safety always comes first.

Chris knew that once they got back to her place there’d be an array of activities going on, from cuddles all the way to full on make-outs, whatever it takes to get his precious princess to sleep. Heck sometimes he’d even have to scratch her back to sleep, or she’d request for him to be inside her as she slept (Chris' favourite method)

“Of course I am, is that even a question? I can’t skip out on my newfound skincare routine, and I still need to feed your fish because I swear you don’t feed the little guy enough”

Y/n smiled up as the man beneath her babbled on and on, Chris had ultimately become a major part of her life, hell her parents loved him more than they loved her at this point. Sure at first she was wary with his social position in the frat, but on the inside he’s a big cuddly bear that needs a lot of lovin. Lovin that she’s extremely willing to give.

Chris fell first, and he fell even damn harder.

———

Taglist Tags (Form is up there^^): @patzammit @pandaxnienke @stormcloudss @stuckysgirl27 @bval-1 @vrittivsanghavi @dumb-fawkin-bitch @emvebee @chrisevansdaughter @cevansgurl @marvelgurl @evanstanwhore @mirikusashes @taramaria @mysticfalls01 @hallecarey1 @misshale21 @mischiefsemimanaged @thereisa8ella @uwiuwi @diyabhanushali1 @angelmather1 @lastwandastan @ravenhood2792 @feltonswifesworld87 @fdl305 @bluebellsn @mdpplgtz03 @alexxavicry @bookfrog242 @alina02 @roofwitty779 @aerangi @s-void @oliviah-25 @nikkitc0703 @meetmeatyourworst @imboredat2am @girl-of-multi-fandoms @mansaaay @adoreyouusugar @annajustwrites @caps-shield1918 @ilovetaquitosmmmm @xoxokiaraaxoxo @royalwriteroftheuniverse @inlovewiththefictionalcharacters @chrisevansangel @tinyelfperson @madebylilly @bxdbxtxh15 @tojisbabymomma @kimhtoo17 @itsaylayay1213 @mrspeacem1nusone @ninasw0rld

[averageallogene]

What are your thoughts on Tighnari x Modern!reader? Like reader gets transported into Genshin, and Tighnari finds them wondering around the forest confused or sum like that! I feel like that could be something interesting to think about. Thank you, and have a lovely day <3

Gender neutral reader ; fluff. Scenario format.

notes. Hello dear anon! ♡ That's such an interesting idea, I feel like Tighnari would definitely be one of the most fun characters to come across a modern reader! I hope you enjoy the ideas and I apologize for the wait! Enjoy! ✧˖°.

Tighnari would definitely, at first, be a little ticked off upon finding some lost soul so dangerously prowling through the Avidya Forest! All his hardwork only to have people ignore his well deserved warnings had him prematurely growing white hairs, seriously.

He would at first watch from afar as the person, seemingly confused, walked slowly as their eyes gawked at the fauna and flora around them, fingers carefully brushing through the folliage as they attempted to figure out their surroundings. He would jump into actino however, upon noticing how they approached some fungi with a smile on their face- Did they not know they were a dangerous threat!?

Turns out, they didn't. The unknown individual would nearly scream at the sight of one of his arrows flying through the air, hastily dealing with the problem. The forest ranger would watch as they fell back, eyes soon landing on him before inquiring why did he do that.

"Why? Because they're a danger, isn't that obvious?" Would be the first words he'd ever throw at them, hand resting on his hip before his eyes narrowed. "Hey, you listening to me?"

They weren't. I mean, how could they? They had someone with real ears and a tail in front of them, wagging and wiggling at every little sound. The sudden urge to touch them was strong, but they had to find out where they were first and foremost.

Tighnari was definitely a little ruthless at first, even if there were some alarm bells that the person before him wasn't from Teyvat. Hinsight's 20/20, and their clothing definitely should've been enough for him to inquire more. Still, his attitude definitely stemmed from the worry of them being injured.

It would all change upon them bashfully cutting him off. "Yes, yes, I understand but- Where exactly... Am I? What place is this?"

Well, Tighnari had been with the traveler before, so despite the initial surprise of their question, he quickly realized what was the issue. It was as though the pieces finally connected, his tongue clicking silently before he offered an apology for any worried smothering.

He helped them get up, checking for any injuries before they made their way back to Gandharva Ville. Their eyes would wander between the forest and his ears, but he simply ignored as he explained to the best of his abilities. He went into deep detail to try and ensure they grasped their situation, explaining a little bit of their history all the while.

"A rainforest... So like the Amazon!" Their eyes would sparkle as they thought aloud, Tighnari hesitantly responding with a 'yes?' even though he had no idea what the 'Amazon' was. He would definitely inquire about it later, he first had to ensure they recieved food and water.

Only upon ensuring they were alright and rested, would Tighnari ask more personal information like their name! After all, he wished to let them know they were safe with the Forest Rangers. Thankfully, despite the initial shock, they were cooperative and overall positive. Perhaps it was due to the initial shock of being somewhere far from home.

He would listen super attentively to everything they had to say! From their name, where they were from, what was it like... The researcher would simply nod his head and even take a few notes, most likely for some follow up questions he'd save for later.

"It's like you're my therapist, taking those notes, haha!"

"A 'therapist'?"

Oh boy.

Praise the Archons they were very patient, for Tighnari's curiosity knew no bounds. In truth, it was endearing. His tail would wag slowly from side to side, his ears twitching ocasionally as he hummed over whatever they had to say. He most definitely took notice, that was something he was used to, after all. A few days later he even took the initiative to ask something regarding the constant staring.

"Do you want to touch them? They're quite fluffy."

"Can I?!" Their excitement was adorable, in truth.

He bent his head down so they could reach his ears, their touch much more soft than what was the norm. Tighnari let them explore his ears with a small smile, followed by his tail. His trained eye knew it wasn't something they were used to seeing, yet still he asked.

"Do you... Not have hybrids back where you're from?"

"No! These aren't a thing back home, so that's why- Oh Goodness they're so soft."

Cute.

Throughout the course of their stay, he would inquire if they'd feel comfortable sharing more about their home, and the two of them would sit together as he listened more about their life before they had stumbled upon Teyvat. Tighnari got to learn a lot of strange things, like what a smartphone was. How exactly could... A small, artificial rectangular device be smart, he had no idea, but he surely wouldn't let Cyno know of that term no matter what. He already cringed with the jokes even when miles away.

Another topic Tighnari liked to revisit often was the botany field. He'd inquire if they had similar flowers to the ones in Pardis Dhyai, the two having tranquil walks as he listened to interesting facts about the flora of their home, if they knew any. He would ask questions that would be nothing less than endearing to them, inquiring aloud how if they had no Padisarahs how would they season their food, for instance. And speaking of food! Him and Collei adored cooking for them, watching with curiosity if they enjoyed the food Sumeru had to offer. Turns out, they themselves knew how to cook pretty well, so it was a treat whenever they would cook a specialy of their home, or the closest thing possible given the difference in ingredients!

And despite the good times and the seemingly seamless adaptation process, homesickness was bound to come. Tighnari was more than aware of it, so he would do next to anything he could to try and help them cope. If they have any particular hobbies, he would do his best to indulge with them. Drawing? He's not great, but he'll join them. Writing? He'll offer to read whatever they write, if they want! Music? Perhaps they can visit the Grand Bazaar and search for an instrument for them. Speaking of the Grand Bazaar, some strolls through Sumeru City are sure to help! Hell, even if Cyno's joke's help ease the melancholy, he will deal with them for a month straight if needed.

He would also exchange more regular mail with the traveler, inquiring if they'd yet found a way to return to their own home. Perhaps they had an idea how to do so? Or even better, maybe they could meet his new friend? After all, only someone who shares the same homesickness can perhaps have a deeper conversation regarding the emotions that such a thing stirrs within. Even if he'd like for them to stay... He totally understands if in the long run that isn't a viable option. Tighnari will support them either way.

Case and point, Tighnari is a great friend, going the extra mile for those he cares about. ♡

[weemietime]

One thing that often gets thrown in our faces when we discuss Jewish indigeneity is that converts are not always ethnically Jewish. I hate to break it to you all, but ethnicity is separate from race. Ethnicity is your culture. Converts are indeed ethnically Jewish. They have literally been accepted into the tribe, which is literally what we say when welcoming them ("welcome to the tribe," verbatim).

I am a convert. I am Irish, Polish and French. Guess what, I am 1/8th Ashkenazi. My great-grandfather left Poland before World War 2. He lost his entire family who stayed. Our family tree stops with him. That intergenerational trauma? Passed down to me.

He was a drunk. He abused my grandma. He hid her heritage from her and conversely from us for decades. My grandma has NPD, my mom has AVPD and I have SZPD. I found his journals ~24, which vindicated to me what I've always suspected since I was a child. I was frequently bullied with antisemitic slurs in school, because I have always been openly and fervently opposed to antisemitism and they turned their bullying onto me.

Before I confirmed my heritage I have been practicing Judaism since I was 19. I am religious. I feel it in my soul and I have always known I am a Jew. I speak Hebrew. My culture is Jewish, we call it Yiddishkeit - "Jewishness." This is a form of qualia. You simply know what it feels like inside your body.

Israel is my homeland. I have felt the pull and longing to return home for my entire life. Finding out that the reason why my family is so fractured is because they were all murdered in the Holocaust, just vindicated my feelings. A lot of converts have similar stories. Because we know we are Jewish, and then surprise surprise, it turns out we have Jewish ancestry.

But even for those who don't, they are still ethnically Jewish and Israel is still their homeland. Why? Because they have completed the arduous and complex process of immigration into the Jewish tribe. Because they have adopted the culture, history, language, and religion of the tribe. Because it is a spiritual connection to this piece of land. Our souls were at Sinai, too. We received the Torah and became Jewish in that very moment just like every other Jew. That is why the Shulchan Aruch says when the convert comes to convert and not when the gentile comes to convert.

And as the actual real indigenous population of Israel Jews have the sole right to determine who is entitled to call themselves Jewish and who is entitled to claim Israel as their own. We are not strangers coming in to appropriate Jewish indigeneity, we have been accepted as a member of this indigenous group. A full member. The same as any born Jew - and even this term is misleading because we are also born Jews, our soul has been Jewish since Sinai, we simply had to complete the rituals of returning to our tribe.

[blooberrytea]

Connections Pt. 4

Pt: 1 2 3 4 5

~ Summary: Set in post-revolution Detroit, You've been assigned to the recently developed Android Crimes Division; and it's already off to a rough start.

Pairing: Connor x Reader

Word Count: 1.2k

~

That night might as well have been branded into your brain. The night of the revolution.

You were drunk on emotions and adrenaline. You and your favorite android had gotten into an argument about the deviants and whether you were on the right side of history. You’d followed Connor into Jericho, intent on stopping him from making that huge mistake you knew he was en route to. You picked out his ridiculous beanie and human disguise in the sea of androids, but you lost him as quickly as you’d found him. Then the ship exploded, and you didn’t know if he’d even made it out.

You’d somehow managed to find your way home through the chaos that was Detroit that night. Every liquor store was shut tight, and all you had was cheap beer. Safe to say, you weren’t in the mood for that. You’d crashed on the couch and barely managed to turn the news on before exhaustion overtook you.

It was around 3 in the morning when a hurried knock woke you. Groggy, you pushed yourself up and waddled your way to the door– Upon opening it, you found a certain brunette. He was now stripped of his human disguise and stood before you in his standard suit and tie.

Few words were spoken before his lips found yours, his hands landing on your waist and backing you into your home, his fingers sliding under your shirt. His synthetic breath hot against your skin as he kissed down your neck. Your hands found their way into his hair–

“Detective?”

Your face flushed as you met Connor’s eyes, “Sorry- What?”

“We’re here.” His eyes shifted out your window, and you followed his gaze.

After the revolution, Markus had petitioned to convert an abandoned apartment building into an all-android facility. Several months and several donations later, he opened Elysium. Elysium was the modern-day Jericho, a place where androids could feel safe. Many weren’t ready to enter society on their own quite yet. Not that it was an easy thing to do anyway. Detroit was still adjusting to integrating androids into its daily life.

You swallowed harshly as you got out of the car, trying to calm your heart rate before Connor asked any questions. The android came to stand beside you as you took in the building, his arm brushing against yours. You subtly took a step to the side, putting distance between you.

“What’re the odds he’s here?”

“I don’t know who else would give him a place for all those pigeons.” Connor hummed and pulled the entry door open, “Shall we?”

“I suppose we shall.”

The lobby was warm and homey. You had a gut feeling North was responsible for the decor. Her ability to make a room feel inviting was honestly impressive, considering how confrontational she was. You’d met her a handful of times while working with Markus. She seemed sweet, but she probably wouldn’t hesitate if you crossed her. Connor had told you vaguely about North’s experience with humans; you really couldn’t blame her for being distrustful.

Markus stood waiting for you at the front desk, his face lighting up as he caught sight of you and pulled you into a hug.

“Glad you could make it,” he said, a smile spreading across his face.

“I appreciate your willingness in this case, Markus. I know it isn’t easy,” you replied.

Markus gave a small nod. “It’s easier for me than others. They’re still uneasy. Rupert is on the roof. Don’t take this the wrong way, but you should wait here, Connor.”

Connor’s expression shifted into a frown, but he nodded nonetheless. “I understand.”

You placed a reassuring hand on Connor's shoulder. “We won’t be long.”

Markus led you to the elevator, and the two of you stood in silence as the machine ascended through the floors.

“I trust Connor,” Markus began.

“I know,” you interjected.

“The others aren’t so forgiving, especially those who came face to face with him.”

“Markus, I get it,” you assured him.

The elevator dinged as the doors opened to the roof, and you were suddenly bombarded with the sounds of cooing pigeons.

“Connor said he was friendly with birds, but I really didn’t expect this-”

Markus let out a soft laugh as the two of you stepped out, “You’ll get used to it.”

An android, who you could only assume to be Rupert, stood in a flurry of pigeons, tossing out handfuls of birdseed– His face obscured by a baseball cap.

“Rupert!” Markus called, effectively catching the others' attention.

As the two of you approached, you were finally able to make out his features. There was a faint discoloration around his nose, almost like a scar. You’d seen this android before, briefly in the evidence room.

After the revolution, Markus had asked for the androids in evidence to be turned over to him. You had assumed that they were given proper burials; you definitely didn’t expect him to repair the ones in better condition. The deviant leader's earlier request wasn’t just about Connor being an off-putting site.

“Hi, Rupert. I’m a detective at the DPD. I wanted to get your input on something,” you greeted.

Rupert looked to you from Markus, his eyes sweeping over your form before he turned to you.

“You’re Connor’s friend.”

You paused briefly, carefully choosing your words. "We work in proximity to one another, yes.”

“Is he with you?”

“No, no he isn’t.”

Rupert visibly relaxed at that, “What do you need to know?”

“I specialize in android crimes. Currently, I’m investigating what we believe to be a serial murderer,” you explained, pulling a file out of your bag, “The most recent victim had this symbol left on their arm.”

You extended the photo of the labyrinth to Rupert, watching his reaction closely.

Rupert’s features hardened as he examined the photo, “A labyrinth? Oh RA9, you don’t think I did this?”

You shook your head, “No, no, of course not. I just know you’re familiar with the symbol. I was hoping you could give me insight into possible connections.”

“In Greek mythology, The Labyrinth was a maze commissioned by King Minos and designed by the architect Daedalus. I’m unsure of how this connects to your case, Detective,” Rupert frowned, “I’m sorry I can’t be of more help.”

You pursed your lips as you tucked the file back into your bag, “Thank you for your time, anyway.”

The elevator ride back down felt suffocating. The awkwardness between you and Markus stretched on endlessly. It wasn’t his fault. It felt like every string you followed in this case led to a dead end. You were stuck in a labyrinth of your own.

Connor was on his feet the moment you stepped into the lobby.

“Well, what’d he say?” he asked, urgency lacing his voice.

"Nothing," you replied curtly, brushing past him without a second glance. Connor furrowed his brows as he followed you out of the building.

“Detective-”

“Can you run that quote from the files on my computer? The one about beatings and iron bars.”

Connor paused, his LED flickering yellow as he searched.

“It’s a quote from a Greek mythology retelling. Spoken by–”

“Daedalus,” you finished for him, halting in your steps and meeting Connor’s gaze. “It seems our unsub has a recurring theme.”

[trulyumai]

meeting the golden rays

—pairing: Godwyn the Golden / reader (before the fall)

synopsis: accidentally stumbling upon the library, the lord comes across you. since then, he’s been smitten.

—warnings: nooooone. fluff!

a/n: another request fulfilled! thank you anonymous.

enjoy!

The grand library of Leyndell was a sanctuary of knowledge, its towering shelves filled with ancient tomes that told the stories of the Lands Between. As the Keeper of Knowledge, you spent your days immersed in the whispers of history, the aroma of aged parchment filling the air. you worked tirelessly, day and night. even opted to sleeping in said room every now and again just to fulfill the needs of the order.

One.. particular afternoon, as you meticulously sorted through a stack of books on the expansion of the Erdtrees, the heavy wooden door creaked open. You glanced up, surprised to find Godwyn the Golden just standing there, a look of embarrassment on his pale face.

“Oh! Apologies for barging in!” he blurted out, his voice carrying a hint of panic. “I didn’t mean to interrupt.”

Although he was a man of high stature the walls and corridors still confused him. not used to such a vast amount of entry ways, godwyn decided to go exploring. and now he was here.. bothering a knowledge bearer no less.

Caught off guard by the presence of such an esteemed figure, you felt your cheeks heat up. “N-No, it’s alright, my lord! I was just… um… working,” you stammered, scrambling to regain your composure. Your fingers gripped against your dress, meticulously working against the soft material before the man nodded his head.

What do you do… what do you say to such a figure of the order?!

In a moment of sheer impulse, you recalled a fact that had intrigued you earlier. “Did you know that the Moonlight Flower only blooms under the light of the full moon? It symbolizes the cycle of life and death in the Lands Between!”

Godwyn paused, eyes sweeping from the mirage of books to your smaller form. his expression shifted from surprise to amusement. He chuckled instantly. the sound warm and inviting. “I had no idea! I suppose even a prince can learn something new about the world.”

His laughter was infectious, and you couldn’t help but smile back, the tension in the room dissipating. “It’s a beautiful flower,” you added, feeling a little bolder. “Some say it even has the power to guide lost souls.”

“Perhaps I should seek it out,” he said, leaning against a nearby shelf, his golden armor gleaming in the light. “I could use a little guidance myself it seems.”

- - -

As the days passed, Godwyn became a regular visitor to the library, each encounter filled with laughter and light. He would share stories of his training and the weight of his responsibilities as a member of the Golden Order. In return, you offered insights and facts about the history and flora of the Lands Between, each exchange weaving a deeper connection between you.

One evening, while you both poured over an ancient text about the Golden Lineage, your fingers accidentally brushed against his while reaching for the same passage. Both of you froze, an apology already bursting out of your lips

“My lord!” you exclaimed, pulling your hand back as a blush crept across your face. What have you done, what have you— “I didn’t mean to—”

“It’s fine,” Godwyn replied, interrupting your stammering. a shy smile breaking through his surprise as he brushed his hair back with a light flick.

“I didn’t mind, such a lovely lady can touch me anytime she pleases, hm?”

What? You had to have heard him wrong.

As you both tried to resume your reading, the tension lingered, and you found yourself stealing glances at him. He caught your eye, smiling back at your flustered form with newfound confidence. His arm came around your chair, finding home upon the back of the wood before he leaned in once more, asking about Erd Flowers.

- - -

One fateful day, as dusk fell over Leyndell, you climbed a rickety ladder to retrieve a particularly old tome from the top shelf. “Just a little higher,” you muttered to yourself, stretching for the book. Suddenly, the ladder snapped, it wobbled dangerously, and you felt yourself tipping backward.

Godwyn, who was just walking in with a sack of goodies (most likely flowers and plants from his outing) bolted forward with protective purpose

“Careful, my love!” Godwyn shouted, panic surging through his voice. He dashed forward, arms outstretched, and caught you just in time. You fell into his embrace, the world around you fading into a comforting blur.

“Are you alright?” he asked, his golden eyes wide with concern.

“I.. think so ,” you replied, it came off as a question, as your hair tangled itself upon his armor. breathless from both the fall and the closeness of his presence you looked up, gasping at the man looking sternly down at you.

“What have I told you? Only in my presence can you climb on that absurd thing!” And although he was mad, fuming with impatient worry, you felt giddy, happy to be the stem of the man’s attention.

Without even thinking your neck strained upwards, a light kiss graced the man’s cheek and you pulled back quickly. Like a fire had spread out across your pink lips.

His eyes widened in shock, a deep blush already blooming across his face. “I—uh… that’s—” he couldn’t even remember what he was talking about. Only seeing you, and your flustered face, messy hair.

“I’m so sorry, godw— my lord!” you stammered, insulted by your own boldness. “I just wanted to thank you and— and you were really upset so I didn’t know what to do and.. and—.”

A hand, big and warm covered your mouth. his voice rang out shakily yet with dear earnest. “It’s.. alright. I liked it.”

“You did?”

He hummed. “I did.” His gloveless fingers swept away the hair that matted the front of your face. You could see him clearly now. Him and the loving stare that graced his features.

“Did you know erd leaf flowers are remembrance’s of—“

“Light,” Godwyn laughed, deep and warm to the core.

“Yes, love, I did.”

[monellabella]

Being from a place doesn't mean that one group indigenous to that place gets to go and kick everyone else who is also indigenous to that same place. It certainly doesn't mean that one group indigenous to that place gets to bomb innocent civilians because that is not the way to catch terrorists. Even if the terrorists die, so did countless people who weren't terrorists. Being indigenous to a land also doesn't mean that said group should deny humanitarian aid to another group, whether that group is indigenous to that area or not.

First of all, if you really wanna have a conversation about this come off anon- I don’t bite.

Secondly, Palestinians as a national group do not fit the UN* criteria for indigeneity, even if many of them have jewish, druze, or ancestry from other groups indigenous to the levant- because indigeneity is not solely based on DNA and ancestry, it’s about cultural practices that show a clear connection to the physical land (among other things). Of course, I fully support the formation of a Palestinian state alongside Israel, and this does not mean that they have any less right to live on the land and claim it as their home, considering the very long history Palestinians have in the region. When Jews immigrated en masse to British Mandate Palestine after WWII, they did not kick anyone out- they legally purchased empty land. What happened was the neighboring arab countries felt threatened by the growing Jewish population, and when israel declared itself a state they told arab palestinians to leave their homes so the arab armies could come in, but that it would all be over within two weeks and they could come back. The arab armies lost the war and israel won the territory.

With all this in mind, are you telling me that Hamas, a genocidal terrorist organization that abuses its own citizens, has the right to enter a Israel’s internationally recognized sovereign territory, brutally rape and slaughter 1,400 of its people (1,200 of them Israeli), kidnap over 200 of them (130 are still being held in captivity, including the bodies of dead hostages which Hamas refuses to return), including children and the elderly, and yet the Israel has no right to respond militarily? Do you hear how insane that sounds?

Yes, the fact that innocent Gazans are killed as a result of the bombing is undoubtedly a tragedy- but that’s what war is. Over 2 million German civilians were killed in WWII, yet no one would argue that the allies didn’t have a right to attack Germany, nor has anyone ever made the argument (to my knowledge) that the allies had a responsibility to provide German citizens with humanitarian aid. The only responsibility a country responding to an attack on its territory has to the citizens of the opposing country is to take every measure to ensure that as few civilians are killed as possible- which Israel has done. They’ve sent down flyers, made phone calls, sent text messages, and use “door knocker” bombs that shake the building without destroying anything to warn people to evacuate. Strategically, telling civilians exactly when and where they will attack is a horrible idea as it alerts the enemy (Hamas) exactly where Israel will be striking. But i’m not at all opposed to these methods because they save innocent lives. It’s horrible and traumatizing when people’s homes are destroyed and they are only given minutes to evacuate, but is that not a better fate than death? Not only that, but Hamas has built MILES of underground tunnels underneath Gaza using money from aid organizations. With the money they have, they could’ve built bomb shelters, a defense system like the iron dome, but instead the leaders of Hamas are billionaires living in luxury in qatar while their people suffer. Because the truth is, they don’t care about Gazans, they have said themselves they have no interest in running Gaza and their only goal is destroying Israel and the Jewish people.

One could argue that Israel could do a better job of warning civilians, and at this point I (an American Jew) and most Israelis are unsure what further bombing of gaza is even accomplishing and are furious with Netanyahu and his cabinet. With that being said, Israel estimates it has killed somewhere between 9,000-13,000 hamas terrorists, if the death toll of 34,000 provided by the gaza ministry of health (which is controlled by hamas) is to be believed (and I say this bc Hamas has a history of lying about the number of deaths and also does not differentiate between civilian and combatant casualties), that still means that the combatant to civilian death ratio is roughly between 1:3 to 1:1. The average ratio in urban warfare is closer to 1:14. Israel has absolutely zero responsibility to provide humanitarian aid to Gazans, that is the responsibility of Hamas- the de-facto government of Gaza that started this war in the first place. And YET there are more than double the amount of aid trucks entering Gaza than before the war (70/day vs now 300/day). Yet half the population of Gaza is on the brink of starvation- Why? Because Hamas is literally STEALING HUMANITARIAN AID for themselves and selling it back at exorbitant prices.

[verdemoun]

Please please please tell me Rains Fall and Eagle Flies are in your timewarp AU, if the answer is yes PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE RAMBLE ABOUT THEM I LOVE YOUR AU SO SO MUCHHHH

rains fall def isn't getting timewarped he deserves to pass away peacefully in his sleep knowing that his people were safe and content, able to build new lives in canada. he got to sit around a campfire one last time with paytah at his side and despite all the devastation and young men lost in 1899 the tribe healed and there's a new generation who will be raised with the freedom of knowing their home will always be theirs and still learn their traditions. he gets to listen to children play and finally find peace with the fact he may have lost all his sons but ultimately the freedom eagle flies had wanted for the wapiti people (even though they lost their land) was secured

EAGLE FLIES ON THE OTHER HAND

arthur was cautiously optimistic that dying might have been enough to chill eagle flies out nope. man found himself a horse and is minutes away from setting a petrol station on fire when they find him

all that anger eagle flies is holding onto would be tenfold for a long damned time in modern era like things are still Not Great for native americans and he would feel awful but vindicated

in a really tragic way grief would be his salvation he would feel so lost and stuck like he misses his father his friends his men. he was angry over losing his home in 1899 but in modern era he's lost his family and while arthur is still a great friend to him and he values that connection it's not family or home and he realizes he doesn't have anything left to be fighting for

BUT IT'S OKAY HAPPY STUFF TIME between arthur being the voice of non-violence (for probably the first time in his life) and learning about interactions between first nations and the us government over the 100+ years between 1899 and modern era eagle flies would come to his own conclusion that while violent protest was often necessary to start negotiation, rights were secured in legal jargon. gotta engage with the system to change and beat the system

he starts studying both history and law with a touch of lenny's tutorage. (he also learns to hide his identity and still goes to protests because he KNOWS that absolute pacifism won't work. you cannot take the absolute rage out of the last son)

it wasn't in his time or rains fall's time but the wapiti people were able to return to the heartlands before modern era so he gets to see his people in their home and no it's not perfect but it's still something so joyous it motivates him to keep being an activist both civilly and violently

there's such a positive exchange of knowledge like eagle flies is able to share traditional stories that were lost to time but also learn traditions that were already lost in 1899 but rediscovered through the exhaustive efforts of the modern era wapiti people

i lied rains fall gets one day in timewarp when he meets his natural death so he sees eagle flies as a matured young man in his 30s and they get to embrace. more importantly they sit down and talk in a way they hadn't been able to for a long time. rains fall gets to tell his son he was always proud of him and understood even through their disagreements eagle flies only ever wanted what was best for their people. eagle flies gets to tell his father he was sorry for not listening: he understands now what rains fall was always trying to tell him about the destructive power of violence (even though rains fall doesn't want or need an apology. he just loves his son and is glad he's getting a chance at a new life )

they get one perfect day where they get to be happy and understand one another

TIME FOR FUNNIES eagle flies accidentally becomes the dutch of isaac's anarchist friend group. he's giving them all the tips on how to get away with political crime. he's not directly involved but there's a whatsapp group where isaac sends selfies with the sawn off head of a columbus statue and eagle flies is living vicariously through them while he maintains his civil activist status

charles is his modern era right hand man. he will go to charles to bitch about stupid local government meetings he's been asked to speak at. he's been in timewarp for almost a decade by the time charles gets there but he's still annoyed by the same stuff charles is and it's very cathartic to hear someone else agree and Get it from their perspective

as a direct result he has the same tongue in cheek humor as charles and arthur is so easy to tease. they'll be hanging out and arthur will ask charles if he can unpack the dishwasher when he has a chance* and both eagle flies and charles will hit him with the 'slave to the white man u_u'. as much as charles tries to assure arthur it was a joke you bet poor arthur is already insisting he can do it himself

i am so sorry i hope this is sufficient rambling

[raven-at-the-writing-desk]

Crowley, has Yuu given details about their world and of the Berlin Witch trails? If so, how did you react to such a thing happening? (You don't have to answer this if you don't want to)

Enter; An Unkindness of Ravens.

"Witch hunts and trials?"

There was a slight tic in Crowley's jaw, perhaps the clenching of a muscle. A chuckle then escapes from between his lips--not jolly, but sardonic.

"They are tragic, yes--but the existence of them does not surprise me in the slightest. Twisted Wonderland has experienced its own periods of similar scares. Fear and hatred are universal feelings across worlds, it seems."

The headmaster drew himself up in his chair, gesturing to an office window. Rich violet curtains had been drawn back, yielding a gorgeous overview of the campus. Beyond those glass panes, you knew, students from all over Twisted Wonderland--humans, beastmen, merfolk, fae--shared the same living quarters and public spaces.

It was its own community, tumultuous it was. Their lives, connected. You couldn’t imagine a Night Raven College of only one kind of person.

"The peace we enjoy today between the races and between mages and non-mages... It has not always been so. There have been countless decades of war and delegation to come to this point.

"Back then, mages were seen as wicked individuals who had sold their souls to gain supernatural powers. We were called "witches" rather than mages in those days--why, the very word is near taboo now.

"Fae in particular, beings with strong affinity for magic, were reviled and their lands invaded to steal away their precious resources. Oh, such bloody, gruesome struggles," Crowley lamented. "So many lives lost, homes ravaged..."

A hand reached into your chest and tightened around your heart. It squeezed against your ribcage, exerting an uncomfortable pressure.

"That sounds awful,” you said quietly.

“Ah, but thankfully we no longer live in such a dreadful era!" Crowley exclaimed, ramming his staff into the ground. His point, punctuated by the strike. "Witch hunts and trials are a thing of the past, and the future is paved for us to join hands in cooperation~"

"That's for sure a relief. I would hate to see our peaceful school life disrupted like that."

"Isn't it?" Crowley tugged the curtains closed, shutting away the world and its light. "In any case... Should you have a continued interest in studying such morbid topics, Professor Trein can enlighten you in his Magic History lectures. Please direct all further related inquiries his way!"

[sanjoongie]

Library of Illusions~ Adventure Section

Honey

📚Part Five for the Library Of Illusions Event

📚Pairing: Space Explorer! Mingi x Alien! Reader (f)

📚Genre: Fantasy au, Sci-fi au, space au, mass effect influenced, s2l📚Warnings: tentacle sex, sub!mingi, dom!reader, anal (m receiving), mpreg, oral fixation, nipple play (m receiving), cum shot, cum eating, sex for mating purposes, m orgasm 

📚Word Count: 3,448

📚Rating: 18+ MDNI, smut

📚Summary: when a human explorer comes searching for answers on your planet, you find that perhaps your mate won’t be of your world after all

📚Dedication: @mejuii & @downtoamagicalland the best beta readers a writer could bribe have. thank you to smalls for helping me make this have more OOMF 💞

↫The History Section ↭ MasterList ↭The Mystery Section↬

In the Adventure section your eyes wandered over the books that were there. You closed your eyes, spun around and then opened your eyes, following the line of your arm to the book you were pointing at. It was a paperback with lines in its spine like it was a beloved book. The cover said "Mass Effect" and you felt your heart swell at the space cover. Space was the ultimate adventure for a human being. If you couldn't experience it in your current life, why not explore it in this odd adventure you were on currently?

"Good luck," A voice whispered into your ear, but when you whirled around, there was no one there.

You straightened your spine. "I will win all the keys. And then I'm coming for you," You vowed. You were certain it was the same entity that had been observing you since the very beginning. You were fairly certain it wasn't Seonghwa but this was a tricky library and it was inhabited by demons. Nothing was certain.

You opened the book you had grabbed and gazed eagerly as the book flew out of your hands. It landed upright with its pages flipping open until it halted and grew to the size of a door. The center for the book was transparent and within you could see a lush forest setting with a ringed planet on the horizon. You stepped through, thinking of your lover, holding the image of his face in your mind's eye in the hopes that you would hold onto who you were and not get lost in the story once again.

You stood on a raised floor, the jungle spread out behind you. You were in a tree that was carved out to host the aliens that lived in this world, which included you. No longer did you need to be fed the knowledge of the story you were in; you were the story now. You knew that you were on a planet called Havarl. You knew that you weren't human. You were the queen to an alien race that worked roughly as the equivalent to bees on earth.

You began to pace as said human stood in front of you, fingers around his wrist in a stance that looked proud but not as if he was prepared for fighting. "Let me understand this," You said, wringing your hands, your skin the lovely shade of lavender with blue veins clearly underneath the semi-translucent skin. "You have come to this planet in search of an ancient civilization that you found at the outer edges of our galaxy. You have traced said ancient civilization to my planet and you wish to explore it with my permission."

"It is my life's work to find my people a new planet to call home," Mingi said eagerly, "This ancient civilization is key to that. I would be at your mercy, if you would allow me and my team to discover the bounty your planet offers."

"Bounty," You mused, "I think you underestimate my planet. It may be beautiful in your eyes but it is a dangerous place."

One of your people, a male, moved to step forward to pull Mingi away but you halted him with a thought. You were the queen and thus connected to all of your people. They lived for your command. "Is there a reason you wish to escort this human away before I have finished my conversation with him, Drone?"

Your handmaidens fluttered behind you, leathery wings relaying their nervousness. "My queen, we all feel it."

"And is it not my prerogative?" You wondered out loud.

Everyone of your people in the room spread out their wings and bent a full ninety degrees in supplication and acknowledgement that you were the one that made the decisions on this planet. 

"You have my permission to explore, Song Mingi. But you will house yourself and your people in my tree and you will have my Drones to guide you," You announced.

Mingi frowned. "Our ship is completely self-sufficient, Your Majesty."

Your Majesty? You liked the sound of that. How did the queens on Mingi's planet rule? You looked directly into Mingi's eyes because you were not used to communicating with another that did not have a direct connection with you. "While you explore my planet, does it not seem fair that I get to observe humans?"

Mingi nodded slowly, "I suppose. It's a deal then." He put out his hand and laughed when you didn't take it. He gently grabbed your wrist and placed your hands palm to palm. "Humans shake when we make a deal. It's a gesture of faith."

You cocked your head. "Faith?"

"Well that's too big of a conversation to have right now," Mingi muttered under his breath, "It signals that the fair share is complete."

You observed Mingi and his people. They were odd creatures. They were secretive and manipulative. They spoke words while thinking of others. It confused you. There was no way to deceive another of your species, you were all connected. But nothing confused you more than finding out that the females carried their young.

Mingi was an odd red color when you brought it up with him one evening that he reported to you of his new findings. "The females have the eggs but they are dormant until a male inseminates them."

You shook your head, sipping on the royal jelly, your sole diet. "Completely opposite of our breeding methods."

Mingi choked on the liquid he was consuming, something humans always needed or they would die of. "What?!"

"I am the queen. It is my job to choose many mates. I lay my eggs in them, they gestate until they are ready to hatch and then they lay those eggs."

"You…" Mingi looked up at you through his eyelashes, "You have several mates?"

"It is up to me to continue our race. I cannot place the work on one mate, all they would do would be lying around and laying eggs. That's hardly efficient," You informed him.

Mingi cleared his throat. "That is quite different from what is common with humans."

You gasped in horror. "Do you only have one mate? That poor female!"

Mingi bursted into laughter and you felt the corners of your mouth moving upwards with the sound. Mingi was a human but he was interesting. He was beginning to look like mate material in your eyes. That's when you knew how to defeat this story.

You spent the next few days going through your mother and her mother before her memories, in search for an answer that you had never seeked before. When you found it, you let your handmaidens know your choice in the matter. They were horrified at your order but there was nothing to stop you. You were the queen; once you made a decision, that was it.

Mingi was nervous, you knew this, because he continued to shift from foot to foot. You were starting to pick up on the small hints that humans had to portray to each other how they felt. You were proud that you were able to learn so quickly of another species. 

"Song Mingi, human explorer, I have decided that I will make you one of my mates," You declared to him.

“Are you gonna get me pregnant?” Mingi smiled in amusement, “Fill me up so I can carry your offspring?”

You cocked your head. “Only if you’re amenable to it.”

Mingi’s tongue was caught at the corner of his mouth. “Bet.”

Your antenna moved but you knew you were not going to be able to pick up what Mingi was thinking no matter what you did. "Are you certain? I did explain our mating habits properly, did I not? It is not what you are used to--"

"I want to try it with you," Mingi said, using the same eager eyes he had when he wanted to explore your planet.

"You may tell me to stop at any time but if you wish to proceed, you may strip your clothes off," You informed him.

You watched as Mingi's skin was revealed to you and it made you feel content in your choice. He appeared strongly built, able to carry young successfully. You hoped so, anyways. Such a thing had not been attempted to your knowledge, and your knowledge went back to the first queen. 

You offered your arm to Mingi. "I need you to bite me. It is proof for all to know that I have mated. I will bear it proudly. Once you drink my blood, you will also be ready for the mating."

Mingi bit into the sensitive skin there, you winced with the pain but once Mingi started to drink your blood, you felt better. There would be more than one piece of you inside of Mingi's body soon enough.

Where your people all had wings so that they could move around the tree that was your city, the core of your civilization, you had no wings; there was no need for you to fly, for where did you have to go? You directed your people and produced young. Instead you were equipped with tentacles that extended from your spine, all as nimble as arms and hands and legs. 

You stood before Mingi and revealed said tentacles to him. Thin, finger thick tentacles made themselves known, feather light touches on Mingi at first. They followed the length of his cock, traced his collarbones and nipples. Mingi moaned at the sensations. 

“Now where is your orifice that I can lay my eggs in,” You murmured to yourself. One exploratory tentacle followed his shaft, caressed his balls, tickled his perineum and found his puckered hole. “Ah,” you exclaimed upon finding it. The tentacle squirted the prepping liquid at Mingi’s hole and then began a licking motion. Clearly Mingi was happy with the way your tentacles played with the nerves along his puckered hole because he made noises of content.

But he suddenly acquired a look in his eye. You couldn't blame him, he was a human after all, and all they seemed to know was to manipulate to get what they wanted. “Is that all you’ve got?” Mingi mocked you, “Those tentacles are barely going to fill me?”

Your anger zoomed through you, and you were thankful you had the forethought to discover how to cut off all your thoughts from your people except for the connection so that they all remained aware that you were still alive. If they had felt your anger, Mingi would have been dead before you could think another thought. “What did you say?”

“I said--ah!” Mingi smirked and gasped as one of your tentacles wrapped around his dick, squeezing and convulsing, while two other tentacles licked at his nipples. You had learned of all the erogenous zones from the metal windows that held all the information about the human race. “I expected more from you. You’re a queen, are you not? What’s with all the tiny tentacles? I could fuck myself better with my own fingers!”

Your small, finger tentacles were to prepare your mate for the mating. You had not explained that to Mingi but you had hoped he would catch on to that. You laughed in anger, “Oh my love. You’re going to regret that.”

Your strong, lifter tentacles shot out and wrapped around all of Mingi’s limbs, lifting him up in the air. Mingi watched with wide eyes as you put him in a spread eagle position. Then, your main tentacle that would carry the eggs shoved itself into Mingi’s ass. Mingi’s mouth dropped open and his eyes became clouded with lust. Your tentacles moved Mingi’s body so he was close enough so that you could purr in his ear, “How’s that for tiny tentacles, my love?”

“So…full…” Mingi moaned, closing his eyes.

“You want me to fuck you now, Mingi. Want my big tentacle to pump you full of eggs?” You stroked his check tenderly with your finger.

Mingi nodded, “I’m ready.”

Your impregnator tentacle began to thrust into Mingi’s eager hole and he moaned so loudly you almost stopped, if not for the line of drool slowly leaving Mingi’s mouth. “Fu-fuck,” He stuttered, “I’ve never…oh god!” This time he cursed because the tentacle wrapped around his dick opened up at the tip and swallowed the head of his dick, still curled around his length.

“I’ve got to make you feel good since you’re going to be a good mate for me and take all my eggs,” You purred. 

“Fill--Me--Up--” Mingi groaned as you thrusted slowly into him. 

You sent three finger tentacles into his mouth, the other two still busy playing with his tight nipples. At this point, Mingi was covered in your juices, his naked body sweating from the sex as well. He was a moaning mess and you were quite pleased with the results. Except for one, tiny detail.

“My love,” You cooed, attempting to pull Mingi from the headspace he was enjoying. 

You removed the tentacles from his mouth, watching as his tongue chased them, a string of saliva running from the tip of his tongue to the tentacles before breaking. Mingi’s eyebrows furrowed in his best effort to concentrate. “Honey?”

Your heart swelled at his adorable nickname for you, saying you reminded him of a queen bee from back home on earth. “You’re so cute when you’re getting fucked. You wanna see your tummy bulge now? Think you’re ready for my eggs?”

Mingi’s eyes shot open and his face was clearly eager to please. “Tummy bulge?”

You smiled and nodded, urging your tentacle to spill your eggs. Mingi’s cries became a crescendo as your tentacle purged your eggs into him, the small circular eggs traveling through him. Mingi watched with hooded eyes as his stomach became bigger with your eggs. With one final pass over his prostate, his body tensed, muscles bulging and your mate shouted as he came from the stimulation. 

Your tentacles held him in place but the finger tentacles soothed him as much as they could. The one around his cock came off and you were spurted with his cum. You blinked in confusion, not entirely sure what happened. You brought some to your lips to taste them and hummed in appreciation. Mingi had solely consumed your species' food, which was mostly sweet and natural to your planet, akin to fruits and vegetables, so the taste of his cum was glorious. 

You cocked your head curiously. “What is this liquid?”

Mingi cracked his eyes open and groaned, his dick twitching at you consuming his cum. “That’s what we use to fertilize our female eggs.”

“Interesting,” You hummed again, “We will have to explore your customs, my love.”

“If you fuck me like that every time, I don’t think I’ll have a reason to return to earth,” Mingi admitted, closing his eyes tiredly.

Your tentacles slowly released Mingi’s slumped body onto your bed. “You’re my mate now, my love. You will birth our spawn and make me happy,” You murmured to your sleepy mate as you brushed his hair out of his face.

“You’ll stay with me?” Mingi yawned adorably.

Your gut wretched at the lie you were about to tell. "Of course, where else would I go? I have no wings to take me elsewhere."

"Good because I don't want our babies to grow up without a mother," Mingi murmured, clearly falling into slumber.

You did not sleep, nor did you leave the story either. Anxiety raced through you. You thought for sure that mating with Mingi was the answer to completing the story. Would you have to live longer here? Watch as Mingi laid your eggs? Watch as they grew up? Where was the end to this?

Eventually, you shook Mingi gently to wake him up. "My love?"

"Mmmm?" Mingi smacked his lips but did not open his eyes.

"When you left your Earth, did you leave anyone behind?"

Mingi's eyes opened slowly and they spoke of something you did not know of. You pressed your forehead to his, searching for a connection you did not have. You could not read his mind nor exchange thoughts. It was up to Mingi to tell you of his thoughts. "If you're asking if I've had a mate, I have not."

You leaned forward. "What about this love you humans speak of?"

Mingi shook his head. "What do you know of love?"

Your lost lovers' laughter haunted your dreams when you slept in the real world. You would wake up in your bed, reach across the expanse and cry when he was not there. "Which is a better life? To not have felt love, or to have loved and lost it?"

"Is that what drives you?" Mingi asked, "Love?"

You nodded, "Love is what drives me every day to put one step in front of the other."

Mingi sat up and cupped your face. "You have showed me a kindness today. To see that love can live."

The air tensed, warping and stretching and suddenly it snapped and you were back in the Adventure Section. Mingi was no longer naked but he was sporting a ball cap, a button down with a harness, fingerless gloves and baggy black jeans.

"I don't wish to trap you when your heart beats for another. But I think, in another world, you could have been what would have freed us," Mingi told you forlornly.

"Free you? Are you trapped here?" You asked.

Mingi shook his head. "I've said too much."

"My love," You echoed your Queen self.

Mingi smiled, his eyes becoming tiny which only helped tears pour from the corners. "I will remember your story for all of my years, I promise."

Within Mingi's book was a golden bumble bee and you couldn't help but feel your heart lift at the memory of Mingi's sweet nickname of Honey for you. He gave you the key, his tears no longer apparent but a longing in his eyes that had not gone away.

You had to stay strong but it was getting harder in different ways than you had thought possible.

You walked to the desk in which Seonghwa seemed to live. The Keeper of the Keys was watering a singular daisy with laser focus. It wasn't until you thrusted your key from the Adventure section that Seonghwa moved that focus to you. instead of taking the key, his hand clamped on your arm, seeing the new tattoo there. 

"A…tentacle?" Seonghwa's face screwed up in confusion. "Did you go back to Wooyoung…no, Yunho's section?"

You sighed and rolled your eyes. "No, Seonghwa, I went to Mingi's section. See!" You waved the bee key in front of his face. "Would I have another key if I went back to another section?"

Seonghwa pursed his lips to the side in thought. "No, but a tentacle?"

"Yes, Seonghwa, a tentacle. I fucked Mingi full of my eggs in that story. Do you want all the dirty details or can I move on now?"

Seonghwa swallowed and stuttered, taking your new key and saying there was no need to be so mean. You rubbed your eyebrow in frustration. He was right. "I'm sorry. The toll of all these stories are starting to affect me."

Seonghwa turned around in shock, the bee dropping from his slender fingers. "Did you just apologize to me?"

You let out a noise, part laugh and part scoff. "Yes, the horrible human apologized to you. Countless wonders in the Library of Illusions, huh?"

"You're not a horrible human," Seonghwa said, his eyes big now and you did not like that look.

"Don't you start too," You shook a finger at him.

"Start what?" Seonghwa wondered, sucking in his lower lip. 

"I--no." You put your hands up and backed up. "I have one more key. I'll be back."

"Good luck!" Seonghwa called out, "Come back soon," he said, slightly softer but you heard it nonetheless. These fucking demons.

The Mystery Section was the last section that you had to defeat. You could do this; for yourself and for your lost lover. You knew it was the mystery section because the sign continuously exchanged the letters for the word mystery with question marks. There were noises of contemplation and sirens escaping from the section. You needed a sharp and focused mind for this section. Here's hoping that you could do what needed to be done. One more step and the treasure would be yours, and hopefully, you would feel the arms of your lover around you once more.

Tag list:  @yoonguurt   @hijirikaww   @flowerboykun   @starillusion13   @flurrys-creativity   @kitten4sannie   @a-soft-hornytiny

Library staff: @kwanisms   @smallfrye  @anyamaris   @stardragongalaxy   @kpop-stories-21

↫The History Section ↭ MasterList ↭The Mystery Section↬

[peaky-shelby]

DEFINE ME | Neymar Jr. x OC

Summary: Famous Singer and Actress, Gabriella Hamill, travels to Qatar after being invited on live television by her favorite player, Lionel Messi. Despite the invitation, Ella tries to avoid the cameras and hide in plain side, wanting to enjoy the games without the chaos that comes with being in Public places and it all seems to be going well until she meets Neymar Jr. in this bad boy meets good girl story, the definition of good and bad is lost between the lines and redefined by the past and future.

« Previous chapter:

Chapter 5: scared by definition

Chapter summary: just when Ney is getting closer she pushes away but how long can they stay away from each other.

Warnings: the most annoying cliffhanger in the history of cliffhangers 😂🤣

Writer's note: i hope you will all have an incredible new year's eve.

Taglist; @xngelsau @sirensanction @reneyahh @thegrinch101 @geekwritersworld @chaotic-taco-collector-blog

@blondedjoys @maneaterss @inthemoonlightblue @iluvneyney @woozarts @missamericana69

Apologies if i forgot to tag anyone pls comment and I'll tag you on the next one!!

During the drive home Gabriella was singing Muchachos on top of her lungs and shaking Maggie who was sitting next to her, watching as she celebrated Argentina’s win against the Netherlands. A part of her wishes she could have gone and celebrated with the team but she also knew that it was dangerous, especially after the trick she pulled with hugging Neymar in the middle of the field.

Mid-verse she looked at Maggie who was scrolling on her phone.

“Would you stop worrying about that? There’s nothing connecting me to the figure. People don’t even know I’m in Qatar.”

“I’m still trying to understand what you were thinking.”

“I wasn’t thinking, that’s the point.”

“The point of why you should stay away from him?”

Gabriella snatched the phone out of Maggie’s hand and held it up, so she wouldn’t reach it. “Enough with this please. I’m happy. I’m a nobody here. Yes, it was a mistake but you should have seen him.”

“I did see him.” She reached to get back her phone “He had the same look in his eyes that you had- “

“Maggie-“

“No, listen to me. I’m happy that you are happy and as much as I complain seeing you like this makes me proud. But I have a responsibility to handle the consequences. If the same shit happens, its gonna be on me.”

Gabriella let out a weak sigh and looked out her window. Her eyes melancholically searching for something to hold on. As they reached the house she noticed a figure, dressed in black, sitting on the steps, head low to his knees. She must have opened the door to ran to him before the car had even stopped because she tripped, scraping her knee against the pavement. She got back up quickly and reached his broken figure.

“Neymar” she called but got no response until the 5th time she tried. She slipped her hand under his chin, to force him to raise his head. His glowing eyes landed on her, red and hurt. She cupped his face, mumbling words to bring him to his senses but it got nowhere.

“You’ve got to be fucking kidding me.” Said Maggie, standing behind her. She pulled out the keys quickly and went to open the door. Then she stood next to Neymar and helped Gabriella pull him up to his feet. Maggie tried to get him to lean more on her than Gabriella but he seemed to be preferring her warmth. They almost fell about three times while trying to get him up the stairs, stumbling on the steps or their own feet. “Why not just leave him in the leaving room?” asked Maggie. Gabriella didn’t answer.

They laid him on the bed. He’d whisper words in Brazilian that Gabriella wouldn’t catch and reach for her whenever she’d move away. She sat on the edge of the bed holding a wet towel on her hand and placed it on his head, patting his entire face with it. He moved a few inches trying to get away from it. Then she had him sit up with his back on the head of the bed, drinking an entire water bottle, despite his complaints or him pushing her hands away from his lips. He seemed to be getting back to his true self, his eyes focusing on her a little easier. She used the wet blanket again to stroke his head, then passed it over his eyes and his nose. As she passed it over his re opened his eyes, that stared at her and the towel reached his lips, where she kept it a little longer before pulling away. He reached quickly for her hand, even in his state, Antonella was right, when he wanted something, he needed no encouragement. She smiled weakly at him.

“This shit hasn’t stopped ringing.” Maggie said, walking inside the bedroom, handing the phone to Gabriella. Thiago Silva was calling him. She stood up to go in the hallway, he tried to reach for her again but his hand fell short on the mattress.

“I just need 2 minutes” She reassured him and went outside, signaling Maggie to stay with him for a while. She answered the phone, feeling a little awkward. “Thiago?” she asked. The other line stayed silent for a few seconds.

“Who’s this?” he asked, a little angry and angry.

“We met in the changing rooms after the game. I was with Neymar.”

“He’s with you?”

“Kinda. Yes.”

“What do you mean kinda?”

“He’s pretty out of it. Very drunk.”

She heard him cursing in Brazilian and closed her eyes, knowing that Neymar would probably be in trouble tomorrow.

“You want me to come get him?”

She didn’t expect that question. She didn’t know how to answer or what to say. If he asked Maggie, she’d say yes, no second thoughts. Maybe that was what was best for him. But Gabriella wasn’t sure, then-

“It won’t be necessary. I’ll take care of him and bring him in the base tomorrow.” She said, only understanding what she said after she heard herself saying it. She closed her eyes again, like she had let something wrong slip and she wanted to take it back. Thiago thanked her and hanged up, letting her return to him.

Neymar was now sitting on the edge of the bed, Maggie was standing a little farther away from him, trying to pull him up be the arm.

“What’s going on?”

“He’s about to throw up in your bed- “

“Am not!” he argued. Gabriella replaced Maggie, who after that left them alone and sat next to him.

“Don’t leave me alone with her again, she’s mean.” He mumbled, sounding and looking like a 5-year-old boy. Gabriella couldn’t help but laugh at that. Her smiled faded away to quickly when he saw his expression changing, like he was actually going to throw up. She helped him up and he ran in the bathroom of her room. Gabriella stayed outside as he practically closed the door on her face. She leaned on the doorframe, rubbing her eyes together while he was probably regretting all his life choices over the toilet. “There are extra toothbrushes and toothpaste on the second drawer.” She said loudly when there was silence from the other side. A few seconds later, she heard him opening the drawers and then the sink and then the sound of him brushing his teeth. When he came out, he looked more tired than before, leaning against the door, but somehow he managed a smile. It was weak bit it was a smile nonetheless.

“Do you have any pain killers?” he asked.

Gabriella’s heart sunk. She shook her head quickly “no!”

He seemed weirded out by her reaction but he didn’t have the strength to keep the conversation going.

“This is usually the part they say they’ll never have another drink ever again.” She said in a whisper, trying to lighten the mood. He scoffed and let his head hand; he didn’t even have strength to keep looking at her. “Come on” she prompted and helped him get back on the bed. When he sat down, she noticed his shirt was wet and dirty. Without really thinking about it she reached for the hem of his shirt and pulled it up. He held his arms high, to make it easier for her. She gulped when she saw his bare chest and his six pack, standing frozen with his shirt on her hands. He caught her staring and smirked, slowly held her hands to take the shirt away from her. That movement awoke her and she looked in his eyes instead of his chest, seeing his naughty look. She pulled her hand away “Sleep” she ordered. She pulled back the sheets of the bed so he would lay under them. To her surprise he obeyed and laid down, his head sinking in the pillows. She covered him with the sheets, when she pulled them up to his chest, he held her hand again, this time interlocking their fingers.

“I’m sorry.” He whispered. Gabriella shook her hand and sat next to him, looking at their hands.

“It’s ok.” She strokes his skin with her thumb. “But you should have been more careful.”

“I know” he said in the same way she had said it after his loss. In a way that meant I don’t give crap anyway. She smiled incautiously at that. He moved their hands towards her direction, pointing at her. “Did they win?” he asked and only then she realized she was still wearing her Argentina hoodie. She wanted to slap herself in the face and he must have understood that because he was quick to tell her that it was fine “just tell me. It’s ok.” She nodded, unable to hide her smile and he smiled back, an honest smile “Si! Joder Leo!” He called, seeming happy for a few seconds. Gabriella was in awe; despite his loss he was still able to celebrate for his friend. “Was it a good game?”

“It was a mess” she answered quickly.

“Tell me about it.”

Gabriella hesitated “are you sure?”

He nodded. Gabriella started telling him about the referee that was giving out yellow cards like it was an UNO game during the match. She got up at some point to go and change and she’d tell him about all the fights that escalated between the two teams while she was in the bathroom. She told him about it seemed like a clear win for Argentina in the first half but everything changed in the second half.

“The penalties were fucking nuts as well-“she said coming out of the bathroom, that’s when she was faced with his sleeping figure. He looked so peaceful in her bad. She walked on the other side to lay next to him but over the cars, using her shirt as a cover instead. She stared at him, the lines on his face and his lips, rosy and kissable. If she let in her intrusive thoughts, she would have kissed him by now but instead she let herself fall asleep in the sound of his heartbeat and his breathing.

During the middle of the night Neymar woke up. Saw her laying next to him but as far away from him as she could and over the sheets. He moved as gently as he could so he wouldn’t wake her and pulled the sheets over her, the second she did that she moved in her sleep, closer to him and snuggled herself with the covers. He smiled and fell back asleep.

The two of them woke up again by the sound of loud knocking. She stood up quickly, scaring him and opened the door while he was trying to open his eyes. Rubbing them. He could hear yelling from the other side of the door, he sat up, feeling dizzy and confused and reached for his phone which was blowing up with massages from his PR manager.

Costas: GABRIELLA HAMILL?

That message alone was bad and enough to wake him up. He stood up and opened the door, the two girls were arguing in the hall but stopped when they saw him. Maggie glared at him, reminding him that he was shirtless.

“What happened?” he asked, walking over to them.

“You happened.” Said Maggie bitterly and walked down the stairs. Ney looked at Gabriella, who just handed him her phone.

“Puta...” he mumbled, reading the tweets.

“A fucking pair of shoes.” She cursed “I need coffee.” She went to the kitchen. Neymar went to quickly put on his shirt and went behind her, stumbling on some of the steps. She had already turned the coffee machine when he reached her.

“Gabriella- “

“Do you want coffee- of course you do, you’re hangover-“ she was moving around the kitchen like a robot, avoiding him in any ways she could. He couldn’t understand if she was angry at him or the media. “Sugar?” she asked, just when he was about to speak. He didn’t answer “I’ll leave it black.” She said then, pulling two cups and filling them “FUCK!” she cursed when she spilled some of it on her hand and let down the kettle, breathing loudly.

“We can play it off and ignore it. It will go away.”

She laughed at that. Sniffed her nose “caramel or cinnamon?” she asked. Neymar was completely taken aback by her reaction. He tried saying her name again but she asked louder “Neymar do you want caramel or cinnamon?” he didn’t answer. She waited for a few minutes before pushing the coffee away from her on the counter “it’s ready then.”

Neymar moved closer, taking hold of his cup. He watched her, putting sugar in hers.

“If we don’t say anything- “

“They’ll just find something to say themselves. Don’t act like you don’t know them.”

“Is it so bad to be seen with me?”

“it’s not about you Neymar!” she snapped, glancing up at him. “Not everything is about you.”

He scoffed, moving away from the counter and walking towards the kitchen table. She was back into being feisty with him and with everything that had happened he didn’t know how long he would be able to pretend its ok but he ignored her comment. Then she started speaking, keeping her gaze on the coffee, her back on him “Now that they know that I am in Qatar, they’ll never let it go. Same way they didn’t let it go in the past”

“But you’re here for your father-“

She halted her movements. Raised her head to look at him, her eyes shooting daggers. He was confused at what he said that was so wrong to her.

“How do you know that?”

He hesitated “You’ve talked about them in interviews-“

“I’ve never spoken about them on Camera! They’ve torn my life to pieces to find that information! You don’t know them! So don’t talk about them- “

“I think I know you enough!”

“You don’t!” she snapped, her voice loud and bitter “And I don’t know you that’s the problem but now we have to deal with this because I was goddamn stupid-“

“que passa Gabriella?” he asked, raising his voice and feeling a little annoyed by her outburst.

“Why are you digging into my past?”

“Why did you run on the field yesterday?”

“Because I felt sorry for you!” she said coldly. He knew she didn’t mean it but it still stunk. He looked at her hurt but she looked away.

“Wow” he exclaimed in disbelief. Lowering his head and clicking his tongue.

“That’s all it was. Same reason I took care of you last night.” She added, her sharp words cutting deeper.

“You know what, I’m gonna go. I’m sure you and your bodyguard will figure this out.” He left his cup down and stormed out of the house. Gabriella threw her spoon across the counter, letting it hit on the wall with a loud bang and slapped her fresh made cup of coffee on the sink, letting it break in pieces. Maggie appeared by the entrance, watching her. Gabriella took a towel to clean the spilled coffee.

“That wasn’t fair.” She said, making her look up confused.

“Since when are you on his side?”

“I’m not! But now that he’s part of this you might as well let him help.”

“He can’t help.” She shot back quickly and sat on the kitchen table, hiding her face in her palms. “He should stay as far away from me as possible.”

Maggie pulled back the chair next to her and sat down. “You have two choices. One of them is do what he said, ignore it and keep hiding but you risk making a bigger story that way. You look guilty. The other is going out, showing your face, making it seem like you just wanted to keep a low profile and you were never really hiding- hey look at me, it’s not going to be like 2020. It will be a small story about Qatar and it’s not going to get into politics.”

“I can’t go through the same thing.” Her eyes began to stink with tears. Memories of crowds outside her hotel and the headlines, the news like a mob surrounding her. Like she had done a crime, she hid deeper in her palms.

“You won’t. People are gonna be more interested in you and Neymar than Qatar and you don’t have to answer to anything. I’m not a fan of you being connected to him but what is done is done. Look at me-“ Gabriella uncovered her face, to look at Maggie. “Don’t let them define this for you…” she stroked her face “We’ll get through this. We’ve been through worst.”

Gabriella nodded “I know… I know… I just really wanted these two weeks to be normal...” Maggie held her hands smiling.

“I think that ship sailed when you met Mr. trouble.” She laughed. Gabriella wiped her tears, sniffing back her sobs.

“I shouldn’t have spoken to him the way I did.” She groaned, rubbing her face “he lost a game last night and no he has to deal with me and this…” she mumbled.

“I mean… You can always apologize.” Maggie whispered, looking down.

“you’re actually encouraging me to go speak to him?”

“never said that.” She smiled.

BRAZIL BASE – QATAR

Gabriella walked out of the base, hoping that she would find him there. Instead, she met Thiago, who seemed in a rush. She reached her hand to him but his bodyguard stopped her so she called his name, making him turn and look at her. He signaled his bodyguard that it’s ok and walked over to her.

“Is he upstairs?” she asked.

“You shouldn’t be here.” He said bluntly. Then motioned his head for her to follow him and snuck her in the hotel.

“Why is everyone packing?” she asked, seeing all the suitcases on the hallways and the players carrying them outside.

“Most of them are going back home tonight. The others have to move somewhere else now that we lost.”

She wanted to ask what was Neymar doing but she didn’t. Thiago led her down the hall to Neymar’s room, careful not to be seen by anyone. He knocked on the door twice. Neymar answered in in Brazilian that he was coming and later opened the door, holding it a tower of shirts on his hand. He was also packing. He froze when he saw her and for a moment Ella thought, he’d shut the door on her face but instead he opened it wider, let her in.

“You have 10 minutes.” Warned Thiago to which Neymar nodded. Gabriella looked around the room, one suitcase was closed and the other half full. Neymar walked past her to continue.

“You’re leaving?” she asked.

“Yeah. No need to feel sorry anymore.”

“I didn’t mean it.” She responded. Neymar kneeled on the floor, placing the shirts on the suitcase. He didn’t answer anything to her. So, she moved closer, sitting on the bed. “I’m sorry.”

“It’s ok.” He whispered.

“Ney please look at me, I’m sorry.” He stood still. Moved his head just a little so she could see his face. “Can we go somewhere? Talk alone?”

“We are alone.”

“Thiago will come in here any minute now.”

“It’s not like we are gonna be naked if he does-“

“Neymar!”

He sighed, turned his attention back on the suitcase “Let me pack and we’ll go.”

She couldn’t help herself so she asked “why are you packing?”

“I have to move to another apartment until I get back to Brazil.”

“So, you’re not going back right away?” she asked, hopeful. He must have heard the hope in her voice because he smiled and gave her a knowing look.

“No, I’m not.”

After Neymar packed, she got in the car with him, music playing to fill the silence as the sun was going down. He stopped the car on the same hill they were a couple of nights ago. The music fell short as the engine turned off as well. She wanted him to speak first, it would make her feel more comfortable but he never did and she couldn’t blame him considering the way she had reacted before.

“I don’t like people talking about my parents.” She finally said “Not unless I’ve spoken to them about it myself. I deliberately never answer questions about them… still the media has found a way to make stories about them. People think they know them and my relationship with them. It’s annoying.” She explained, all the time looking away from him. He stared at the steering wheel, holding it tightly. “That’s why I snapped.” She waited for him to say something but he never did so she finally looked at him. She couldn’t quite translate his expression, if he was sad or angry or if he was accepting her apology. “Please say something.” She prompted. Neymar turned her gaze to him.

“Why are you so terrified of the headlines?” he asked her. “You should be used to it by now.”

“I wasn’t always like this.” She explained “It was after…” her voice trailed off “after the incident that I even considered on letting go of my career completely. Having people share their opinion about you twenty-four seven is one thing but… I was used as a political weapon. That was completely different. I don’t want to go through that ever again. It came with a lot of consequences.” She shivered just remembering the yelling.

“Who leaked the information about the abortion?” She looked at the street. Peter’s face came in her mind like a glimpse. She trembled at the thought. Then she felt his hand on her thigh and she turned to look at him.

“It doesn’t matter who leaked it. What followed was hell. I was used by the republicans to attack the democrats, meanwhile I was trying to recover emotionally and physically… the man I loved ha turned his back on me and couldn’t get out of my house because I was followed and attacked wherever I’d go. Shit like that messes with your head really bad, you know?” she hadn’t realized she was crying until she tasted the salt on her lips “and they didn’t know… none of them knew what I was going through, or why…” she took in a deep breath, sobbing in between her sentences. There was so much more she wasn’t saying to him about the rehab center, about the months she spent locked in her house and how she was just rebuilding her life and her career “When the worst was over, I kept a low profile. They still found a way to make my life a story. Any men seen around me is my boyfriend or a one-night stand.” She wiped her tears “Neymar, I’m scared-“

“Is it because of my past?” he wondered leaning closer.

She laughed in between her sobs “You’re not exactly the most uncontroversial person in the world.” He let his head hang. Out of instinct, she cupped it in between her hands, she felt the need to look in his ocean eyes. The eyes that had hypnotized her in these last few days to do things, she’d never actually do. She wanted to kiss him, everything in her wanted to kiss him, become his, sink in his touch and his perfume. “It’s not just about you. It’s about me too… I have a feeling that if we start this it’s gonna go crazy fast. I’m not gonna be able to control it. Think about what is going to happen in just a few days when you go back to brazil and I go back to work. They’ll eat us both alive-“ she looked at his lips.

“Why should my past define whether I can have the future I want?” he asked, leaning his forehead on hers.

“What is that?” she asked whispering, knowing what her breath on his lips was doing to him.

“You.”

Can you smell the smoke? It's the steamy next couple of chapters 👀 comment to unlock them!!

[bitchyfoxymama]

Werewolves and Moon Knights and Magic! Oh My! - Moon Knight System x F!Reader x Jack Russell

Warning: non con chocking, facial, cream pie, SMUT!, Magic, small fight scene, Khonshu stiring the pot, face fucking, oral (F&M), unprotected sex

A/n: this one was supposed to be like maybe 1.5k but it just kept flowing out of me haha! idk I might make another part? Like if yall want?

...

“You will release us of the spell you put on us you crazy perra,” Jake says as he holds you by the throat, your back pushing against the bookshelf behind you. The hand that wasn't holding your neck has a knife against your jugular.There's a smile adorning your face, you know he won't hurt you, especially if they want your help.

You could use your magic to have him release you but where's the fun in that. Especially when your husband was silently entering the room. Your eyes flickered over to his, his mouth snarling as he watched the intruder hold you hostage.

You croak out his name, "Jack" it's barely a whisper as Jake's hold is firm on your neck. Jack is there in a flash, he has the man by the throat and is growling in his face.

"Don't you ever touch mi esposa you coño,"

"Don't test me, your dumb perra of a wife put a spell on us,"

'Jake watch it, we don't have our powers and this guy is something else, he has claws mate' Steven says in the head space.

'Steven's right, we don't know what he's capable of especially if he's married to that witch' Marc agrees. He knows they have to go at this in a smart way. They can't go in guns blazing especially since they can't summon their suit.

You watch your husband hold them hostage, the astounding Moon Knight brought down by a simple spell. One you didn't have a hand in of course, but one you recognized. You rub your neck where the man's hands had previously been.

"As much as I would like for my husband to rip your throat out," you begin using your magic to rip them away from each other. You were holding them the way a mother cat would hold her babies, by the scruff of their shirts.

"What exactly happened? Speak and if I think you are bullshiting me I'll let Jack rip your throat out. I'll kill you since you don't have your Moon Knight suit."

You both watch as his eyes roll back and his face shifts into a scowl. It made him look like an angry eagle.

"Well, it began a week ago." He begins, his accent having lost its Spanish undertones instead adopting one of someone from Chicago.

They were on their usual night patrol, currently Marc had control of body as they scored the night. They were almost done and they could go back to the flat and sleep a few hours before Steven had to go to work the following morning at the children's museum of history.

There was a scream, and it put Marc on high alert. He glided through the air, landing in a dark alleyway. There was no sign of the person who had screamed. Instead, there stood in front of them a hooded figure.

"Que pierdas tus poderes" the stranger said in Spanish, a black glow erupted from their hands.

"Ugh fuck," Marc can feel his body getting weaker, the powers of Khonshu leaving his body. The suit disappears and darkness welcomes him.

When he comes too, he can't summon his suit, and neither can Steven or Jake.

"This is bad Marc, really bad, we can't even contact Khonshu!" Steven paces around their flat. He took over the body as soon as they realized they couldn't summon their suits. He got them home as soon as he could so he could look through his books.

They had also called Layla since she was still Taweret's Avatar. She said they've never faced a foe that could cut the connection between Avatar and their God. But Khonshu had found a witch whom he suspected was the one who had done this. She was in Salvage, Alabama.

The boys booked the next flight out of London. And that's what had led to where they were now. It had taken two weeks of recon, and they watched as you left your little cabin to go out and forge herbs, plants, and fungi. They noticed that you also drove to town for things you couldn't get out in the wilderness. What they hadn't realized was the werewolf that had kept an eye on them along with the man thing. Watching. Waiting. For them to mess up and reveal why they were watching his wife. Jack was suspicious, and rightfully so. This leads us to the exact moment when they burst into your home and held you against the bookshelf.

"Alright, I believe you. I could tell the moment you barged in, you had been whammied, the witch who did it has been after me for a while. She must have used you to kill me, " you say, letting them go, "I can remove the spell from you. Only if you apologize for trying to kill me instead of just asking you dipshits,"

You watch as his facial expression changes one more time. This time he's timid and a bit shy.

"We're really sorry love," Steven has taken over the body as he is the one to sound actually sincere unlike the other two men, "I completely agree that immediately barging in, and basically strangling someone is a bloody wanker move,” he says speaking to Jake and Marc as well as you.

Jack is now behind you, his hands have found their home on your waist as he keeps the death glare trained on them. It was rather in their favor that it was neither the week of the full moon or anywhere close to it.

You hum out in response to their apology, “Apology accepted, now whom might you be? You aren't American, I can tell that much by your British accent.”

He blushes, you were gorgeous now that they have gotten a proper look at you. He swallows thickly only now noticing how the lilac sundress hugs your body, how it pushes your breasts together and rather tastefully, he can feel his cock come to life as he watches you. If they weren't here to get the spell off them and you weren't married they would, rather he would stumble and Marc or Jake would pick up where he left off and ask you on a date and probably shag you after.

“I-my name is Steven Grant, the mad man who held you by your throat is Jake Lockley and the host of the body is Marc Spector, you met him when he told you about the incident.” He gives you his world famous lopsided smile.

“Hmm,” you let his name roll off your tongue, he was attractive. They all were, you were ashamed to admit it but when they held you by the neck a hot wave of arousal went straight to your core, “Alright, i'll take the spell off you now,” you smile sweetly.

You walk out of Jack’s hands and gently place your own on Steven’s warm cheeks. You gently place your lips on his, you feel him tense but shortly relax into the kiss and place his own hands on your hips, deepening the kiss.

When you pull away, you smile and gently rub a thumb over his cheek. “There you are my love, you should be able to call upon your suit once more. I also added another spell, one of protection so that neither of you will ever be affected by another spell user again. Now go on and summon your suits, I’m sure your God has missed you,”

‘There you are worm! I see you've finally gotten your powers back,’ Khonshu says as he sits in the corner of your cabin. You give him a glare.

“You stupid bird, how dare you tell them it was me who whammied them. My husband almost killed them.” you cross your arms over your chest as you look at the God, stunning the 3 men into silence as Jack goes to sit in a corner to read a book.

“You-you can see him?” Steven asks as he summons his Mr. Knight suit. Damn does he look mighty fine in it.

“Yeah, all magic users can see them. Now why don't you leave us alone, big bird, so that I can speak privately with your Avatar.”

“Stupid little worm, you don't command me!” He stands up and slams down his staff.

With a snap of your fingers he disappears much to the MoonKnights surprise, “Now that we're alone again,” you begin as you go and plot yourself in Jack’s lap, he begins to absentmindedly rubbing circles into the flesh of your exposed thighs, “I think, no, I know what you are thinking. I feel the same way and I am more than positive that Jack would be more than happy to join in the fun,”

The men stare at you in awe and confusion. What were you talking about?

‘I told you, you made it way too obvious that you were checking her out,” Jake says.

‘But can he help it? I mean look at her, shes practicaly giving us the green light to fuck her,’ marc makes an appearance.

“Jack, are you ok with sharing me with our guests,” you ask your husband behind you, although you never take your eyes off Steven as he stands in front of you.

“You know I give you whatever you want,” he says leaning into your neck kissing the dip between your shoulder and neck sensually.

You smile as your fingers begin to untie the straps of your dress, bringing the bust down to release your breasts.

“I want you and my husband my husband to fuck me,” you say as you bite your bottom lip and push your breasts together.

***

“Oh, fuck. God Steven your tongue. Yes baby just like that,” you moan as you reach back behind you to kiss your husbands lips as Steven eats your cunt as though you are the only oasis in the desert and he is dying of thirst.

You moan into Jack's mouth as he ruts his cock in between your ass cheeks as Steven continues his assault on your cunt. The both of them bring you to the top of your third orgasm of the night. You havent even been fucked the way you want and youve already come thrice.

“See, I don't you her pussy was a sweet nectar and that you would be addicted,” Jack says as he pulls his mouth from yours. This causes a groan from the man with his face buried into you. They've each given you an orgasm with their tongues but Steven wants to be the one to give you your fourth one before they even think about coming themselves.

“Oh fuck fuck fuck” your body begins to lift off the bed but you are pulled back down by stevens strong hold, “Jack i need you inside of me, i need you both inside of me. I want you to both fuck me til im dumb.”

“Yeah bebita? You think you can take both of us?” he says as he rubs his fingers down your cheeks.

You try to speak but nothing comes out of your mouth as the coil in your belly snaps and you feel yourself gushing on their face. Your legs actually begin to shake with pleasure as you pull them up by their hair and kiss Steven’s lips, you can taste yourself on him.

You take a few deep breaths to calm yourself before you get into position on the bed. Jack has since come back from behind you to position himself in front of you. He takes his cock in his fist and begins rubbing his head through your folds, slicking his cock with a mixture of your essence and Stevens spit. Without either of you noticing a switch has occurred. Marc had taken the body.

“8in of dick ain't enough for you sweetheart? Need my cock to fill you up too,” Marc says from behind your head. You lean up to look at him moaning out as Jack slides into your already wrecked cunt.

You squeeze one of your breasts as you shake your head yes.

“I need a verbal answer sweetheart or else you aren't getting your mouth stuffed.” Marc’s domineering voice turns you on to no end. As it's usually you taking charge in the bedroom.

“Yes daddy, I want you to stuff me full,” you say as you lean your head back and open your mouth for him to use.

He slides his cock into your mouth, your moans vibrate against his cock as his head presses the back of your throat. Jack’s slow and steady thrusts push you further onto Marc’s cock. You use one hand to fondle your breasts, tweaking your nipples between your thumb and finger as your free hand goes to fondle Marc’s balls.

“Fuck bebita, your squeezing my cocks so tight,” Jack moans as he begins to pick up the pace. His grip on your thighs tightens.

“Your wife sucks my cock so well Jack you are a lucky man, I-I dont think I’m gonna last long with her perfect lips on my cock. Shes sucking my soul out through my cock,”

You can feel the coil building up. Getting your face and cunt fucked is bringing you to your peak and you never want to stop this feeling. You begin to wonder if Jack will let you keep them as your lover. Having them both fuck you whenever you want. You bring a hand from your breast down to your swollen and slick clit. You move in tight fast circles, moaning as the coil is almost at its peak.

Both men are near their own orgasms, however not selfish lovers they want you to finish before them. One more sweep of your clit and one final thrust you are coming undone, your vision going white as your scream is muffled by Marc. Jack comes next, filling you to the brim with his hot essence. Marc pulls out and finishes himdelf over your fucked out face, his seed coats your face beautifully. He stares at you covered in him and he thinks you are the most beautiful looking like this.

Jack pulls out gently, he leaves a kiss on your lips before grading to get a washcloth to clean you off. Marc leans down and kisses you, licking a bit of his own come from your cheek.

“That was something,” he says smirking as he catches his breath.

“I agree, definitely something that shouldn't end here,” you smile back at him as you both wait for your husband.

[syndrossi]

So I have been thinking that Jon while being more trusting of his close family compared to Rhaegar who understandably always stays alert is pretty disconnected from it in itself? He doesn't feel the need to pick a Targaryen name for neither himself or his hatchling and isn't all that invested in Targaryen family history or legacy. Same goes for being a Stark. He follows old gods and carries himself with a certain manner but that comes with being raised in the north. First and foremost he's a bastard, has always been and ironically still is on some level despite what Rhea and Daemon did for him and Rhaegar. The world has never let him forget and he certainly never has. He still thinks about it: before coming to King's Landing when him and Rhaegar thought they were bastards, when meeting Jace, Luke and Joff, seeing them being cared for by Rhaenys. I really love this theme and I am intrigued with where it will go. I wonder what Rhaegar thinks about it since he knows more about Jon and his past than anyone and as an adult was very connected to both his house and the prophecy regarding it. I am also curious whether Daemon will fully pick up on it. He has been doing it a bit already, giving Jon space and noticing his distress and melancholy (damn Daemon doesn't get enough credit for being sharp! I mean it's fair since we have Rhaegar right there and Daemon's feelings cloud his senses sometimes). On one hand here Jon is a young bastard boy who grew up in the Vale and has been violently pulled away from that life (which Daemon acknowledges to himself!) but on the other he has been aware of his parentage for quite some time. This matter intrigues me because it feels so real. Jon's struggle with finding his identity in his families is a real thing. I am excited to see where it's all headed. Wonder what perspective Daemon and Rhaegar will bring with them, since as I said they both were and are closely tied to Targaryen's family history, legacy and prophecies!

Yeah, Jon's disconnect with both of his heritages (Stark and Targaryen and now Royce) is an ongoing theme. For his Targaryen heritage, he didn't learn of it until he was an adult, so he never had a chance to connect with it. It's one of the reasons I have him as not really bonding to Rhaegal--whether because Dany's dragons were all semi-bonded to her or because Jon didn't really accept that part of him fully, it's hard to say.

He's a child again, so there is in theory a chance for him to actually grow to accept his heritage, but then there's the wrinkle of his Royce ties now. It's quite possible he'll be tapped for Lord of Runestone, so what does that mean for his identity? Is he forever doomed to be trapped between two houses/regions, neither of which quite feel like home? Can a person be two things? Or even three? (His past connection to the North hasn't disappeared suddenly, after all.)

I don't even know if it's a struggle Jon is particularly conscious of. He's used to being an outsider, not quite fitting in, always different/held apart.

Daemon may or may not be helpful with this. Although he's softened on the "RUNESTONE? ABORT ABORT" mindset due to Rhaegar's struggles, that doesn't mean he wants either of his children to embrace their Vale identity, and he still would prefer if they abandoned it entirely. If anything, he probably worries they don't feel worthy of their Targaryen heritage and will overcorrect in pushing it on them. (Rhaegar's not going to mind, so long as Daemon isn't outright disparaging the Vale, but it may feel overwhelming to Jon.)

(Daemon's very sensitive himself about Targaryen heritage, as he feels that people like the Hightowers are pushing to erase it, which is another reason why he's more likely to be aggressive in preserving it through his children. He sees it as defending against it being lost.)

Rhaegar is more likely to guess what's bothering Jon and try to help him work through it since, as you mentioned, he has a lot more context than Daemon. How exactly he thinks it should be solved, and how Daemon helps (or doesn't) and what Jon feels about it all is for us to watch unfold!

[wakandamama]

I got a bit of a loaded question, sis. And if it's inappropriate you can tell me, but you said you're Black and Cherokee, so I thought you might have a good perspective.

Do you have any suggested authors, books, or articles behind what seems to be this lack of Black and Indigenous solidarity? I was scrolling this morning and I saw this post that literally was two seconds from dropping a slur (the dogwhistles were horns) and I'm like ... well damn. White Supremacy works terrible wonders, bc I would think the circumstances that brought our groups together would cause some sort of solidarity, so I'm always blown away when I see stuff like that. With other groups I'm familiar with the reasons behind it, but I don't want to assume things for this one.

Sure thing! I'm also gonna annotate this with my own story and learned knowledge of the struggles I've encountered while trying to expand the understand of my identity at the end.

This awesome article by Amber Starks

All these articles by Alaina E. Roberts she amazing at inner community discussion on this topic along with just being an amazing scholar and writer

This Guardian article by Caleb Gayle (another amazing scholar and author, just anything he's written on the topic will do but this article really helped me understand why I had issues connecting) that explores a case study of a Black family aving to fight for a claim to their indigenous identity with certain tribes that want to erase their history of participating in the chattel slavery of Black people

Also Gayle's book We Refuse to Forget

The book Untangling a Red, White, and Black Heritage by Darnella Davis

The Book Blood Politics by Circe Sturm

All of Zora Neal Hurston's black anthropology films they are free on YouTube or through her foundation site and the Black Film Archive

This article by Rebecca Nagle that explores the history of Cherokee confederates and the community slow acknowledgement and atonement for them

This blog post leads to many other articles and interviews with other Black Natives and their experiences in different tribes

This Kyle Mays interview about the re-establishment of Cherokee Freedmans status (hey that's me) and it impact

These npr articles 1 2 about The fight for tribal rights of Cherokee Freedmans

kararoselles, choctawchickasawfreedmen, and faithcampos on tik tok are incredible too

---

Okay so boom, me personally I am both Cherokee Freedman and by Blood quantum (ick) am Cherokee. However I claim my rights though the Dawes Rolls my great- grandfather enrolled too after emancipation because his father (and 2 aunts) were Cherokee slaves. I only really started connect with the native part of my identity recently (like 3 years)

Growing up I was told a lot of the family stories and raised to do a lot of old school practices that are crossed with being Black and being Cherokee. You drop me off in prairie land or a river side I'm surviving, (I hate it but I can process a deer) I grew up weaving baskets/wicker and doing beading, I know a lot of family recipes that now that I've expanded my knowledge are meals that are mixed between traditional Native American foods and AA cooking. My great-grandfather helped build Grand Lake in OK. My family is even prominently buried in and care takers for 2 Freedman Cemeteries.

But I was always taught that was just part of my and my family's Blackness. I have no living family that aren't Black in some way. Being Native American was an afterthought because of the generational racial trauma. Multiple of my full blood grandmas weren't allowed to have their grandchildren at their homes or on their land because they were Black. My mother often told me stories that her grandmother would sneak them to her home and land to learn how to forage, everytime they left she would cut her hair off to give to them because there was always the threat that they were going to get reported and her rights would be stripped. One of my ancestors is lost because he was a runaway slave from the Cherokee slave trade, many were denied status at some point

It's a lot and it didn't help that when I learned about this side of me and tired to reach out to the Native American club in my school. The Cherokee people there started being very racist to me and dismissed me. It jaded me, it pissed me off, I am still bitter and will probably be until I die.

Because a lot of the problems I advocated for (such as local climate change, environmental degradation, contaminated water, land stealing, food deserts, ect.) We're movements spearheaded by Native Americans in my area. I was denied say or acknowledgement because my issues were "Black issues". If someone told you "Hey this white rancher who had only been here 12 years is illegal trying to destroy a Native American cemetery so he had more graze land for his cows" the trial authority would be on that. But no, since the cemetery is Black Cherokees and Freedman they don't want to claim jurisdiction to help my family save it.

But, I do recognize that there has been a long and important history of Native and Black solidarity from social justice to environmental things. To just the clear fact that Native American people had everything stolen from them by white supremacy while Black Americans were stolen people brought here. Just as there was chattel slavery of Black people in certain major tribes, there were many that protected and supported escaping slaves. That history and cross culture is mine, I've made it one of my side missions to learn more about my Native side's culture, reconnects as some of my older family members are (mostly through folklore learning and connecting the things I was raised to do to Cherokee practices, participating in tribal news/votes ect.) But I haven't got the energy to connect with the people yet, I haven't gone to any in person Circles or powwows. I've only met other Black Cherokees with the intention to have community and friendship with.

Unfortunately but not surprising, the cause of a lack of solidarity comes down to white supremacy and global antiblackness. But I think that is the cause for a lack of ALL POC solidarity with Black people, especially in America.

------

And for the hoteps that are gonna find this post and try to be fucking weird on it.

NO! BLACK PEOPLE (THOSE DESCENDANTS OF THE SURVIVORS OF THE MIDDLE PASSAGE SLAVE TRADE, DEMOGRAPHICALLY CATEGORIZED AS AFRICAN AMERICANS TODAY, MAJORITY OF US) ARE NOT THE ORIGINAL NATIVE AMERICANS OR OTHER INDIGENOUS PEOPLES TO THE AMERICAS

Do NOT be a fucking weirdo and deny the legacy of survival, tragedy, perseverance, and love that our ancestors went through in the past to lead to your lineage of today. I am a special and blessed case to have the family records, story keeping, and DNA testing available to claim my indigenous identity that is directly linked in through my Black identity.

DO NOT BE WEIRD ON THIS POST, THOSE STONE HEADS WITH THICK LIPS ARE NOT WHAT YOU HAVE BEEN MISLED TO THINK THEY ARE. CHEROKEE NATION WAS A DICK BEFORE HOPKINS WAS ELECTED. PLEASE RESEARCH YOUR LINEAGE BEFORE YOU HOP ON MY POST BECAUSE I WILL EMBARRASS YOU WITH THE RECEIPTS OF MINE

[bri-the-nautilus]

Elphael: What's In a Name?

Earlier today, my esteemed comrade @the-unkindled-queen made a post wondering about the etymology of Elphael, Brace of the Haligtree. My initial digging turned up a few Reddit comments where the general consensus was that Elphael has its roots (ha) in Hebrew linguistics, with one interpretation being "Family of God" and another being "Work of God":

Now as a linguist and Bible scholar, I think these are awesome. I love seeing all the languages and cultures that these games draw inspiration from, and the Hebrew connection is a neat contrast with the Haligtree itself, which is linguistically Welsh. Additionally, the connection to Abrahamic faith and Hebrew words for people and acts of God is a nice throughline for the way the game portrays Miquella and St Trina as Messianic protectors of the sick and poor. Add in the spiritual atmosphere of Elphael and the Haligtree (prayer rooms, mausoleums, and altar-like statues of Miquella and Malenia abound), and it's a very pleasing little theory.

Soulsborne and especially Elden Ring borrow heavily from Welsh for names and whatnot (like the aforementioned Haligtree), and out of idle curiosity I began to wonder if there was any basis whatsoever for an alternative theory linking Elphael's name to Welsh. My only reasons for going down this path were the vaguely Celtic sound of the name and the fact that the Haligtree proper has a Welsh name. I didn't find anything like this during the search that led me to the Hebrew theories, and plugging various fragmentations of "Elphael" into a Welsh->English translator didn't spit out anything of value. I was about to throw in the towel when I did what I probably should have done before faffing about with the translator and just searched "Elphael Welsh."

And oh golly do we have ourselves an Elphael. Or an Elfael.

Welcome to the infinitely confusing world of medieval Welsh history.

Medieval Wales was divided into several regions, called cantrefi. Each cantref was further divided into several territories called commotes. The cantrefi are pictured below. We're mostly concerned with the central yellow one, Rhwng Gwy a Hafren, but also remember Gwynedd. It's in orange up top.

But that's for later. What we care about right now is the cantref of Rhwng Gwy a Hafren, which lies between the rivers Wye and Severn. This cantref is shown in detail below and is home to the commote of Elfael, shown in green. Also take note of Maelienydd and Buellt. They're light blue and yellow respectively, and we're going to need them later.

The history of Elfael is short and confusing, as one can expect from a fiefdom straddling the English-Welsh border during the post-Roman and post-Norman Conquest years. It didn't exist as a political entity for very long (it was only independent from 1155ish to about 1215 before dissolving completely in 1309), and changed hands often during its lifetime.

Our story begins with a man named Elystan Glodrydd, Prince of Buellt. He lived from 950 to 1010 CE, and at some point during his later life he conquered a territory called Ferlix, which was composed of Elfael and Maelienydd. When Elystan died, rulership of Buellt (Ferlix included) passed to his son Cadwgan, and then to Cadwgan's son Idnerth when he died.

Idnerth's reign is remarkable because he's the guy who lost Buellt. An Anglo-Norman noble, Philip De Braose, had conquered basically all the land between the Wye and Severn, which of course included Buellt. For some reason, at the conclusion of his conquest De Braose gave Ferlix back to Idnerth, but kept Buellt for himself. The end result being that Idnerth had gotten kicked out of his grandpa's commote and into what had originally been a conquered vassal territory. Once Idnerth died (presumably in shame), Ferlix went to his son, a man with the astoundingly awesome name of Madog. During this time, the Anarchy was starting.

The Anarchy was a civil war in Britain from 1138 to 1153. King Henry I died in 1135, and his heiress, the Empress Matilda, had many enemies who didn't want her to take the throne. In 1130, a castle had been built in southern Ferlix by one of these enemies, an Anglo-Norman named Pain FitzJohn, Sheriff of Hereford. This is the actual best name in this story. Pain FitzJohn is a fucking badass name. This castle, which was of course called Pain's Castle, was acquired by Madog in 1135 under foggy pretenses. It's likely that Pain wanted Madog's protection from Matilda, but we're not sure.

Old Madog knew that getting a castle called Pain's Castle was an achievement that couldn't be topped, and proceeded to die at age 65 in 1140, secure in the knowledge that he was better than Idnerth. He left five sons, who bucked the trend of going to war for their dead dad's land by dividing Ferlix amongst themselves. Unfortunately for them, this is when the Anarchy caught up with them. Another Norman lord, Hugh De Mortimer, invaded Ferlix in 1142. Two of Madog's sons (Hywel and another Cadwgan) were killed, and in 1146 De Mortimer killed a third son, Maredudd, in the process of capturing Pain's Castle. In 1155, Matilda's son Henry II took the throne of England, and when Hugh De Mortimer protested, Henry kicked him out of Ferlix. This left Madog's two surviving sons, Einion Clud and Cadwallon, to pick up the pieces. These guys hated each other, and neither brother could stomach ruling in consort with the other. But for some reason, they didn't kill each other, instead dividing Ferlix again in two. Cadwallon got the northern part, which came to be called Maelienydd, and Einion Clud got the southern part, which was called Elfael.

Einion Clud and Cadwallon still hated each other, and their realms were openly hostile, each brother still believing he was entitled to sole rule of all that had once been Ferlix. (Again, why didn't they just fight to the death like every other medieval family?) Things came to a head in 1160, when Cadwallon kidnapped Einion Clud and sent him in chains to Owain Gwynedd, the aptly-named King of Gwynedd, who in turn pawned him off on King Henry II. Eventually, Einion Clud either escaped or was released. It's not certain which of these occurred, but what is certain is that by 1165, Einion Clud was once again ruling Elfael, and at the Battle of Corwen the two brothers fought together against King Henry under the leadership of Owain Gwynedd. Politics are fucking weird.

There would be no happy ending, however. Hugh De Mortimer's son Roger was swearing revenge on his father's enemies. You might take this to mean King Henry, who kicked Hugh De Mortimer out of Ferlix in 1155, but no, Roger was actually a big fan of Henry II and had fought for the King during the Revolt of 1173. No, Roger wanted revenge on the guys who ruled Ferlix after his dad got yanked. The timeline here is a bit weird, but what's certain is that Roger De Mortimer killed Cadwallon in 1179. He also killed Einion Clud, but I wasn't able to find out when. I found a source saying that Roger killed Einion Clud after his father died, but Hugh De Mortimer died in 1181 and my reading on Cadwallon says that he was the prince of both Maelienydd and Elfael at the time of his death, which would only be possible if Einion Clud died before 1179. In fact, Cadwallon is said to have been ambushed by Roger's men in Elfael.

Anyway, that's all the history we care about for our purposes. Maybe I'm reading too much into things, but the fact that medieval Wales has the Lord of Elfael getting kidnapped by his brother seems a bit on the nose.

In Welsh history, the Anarchy leaves three of Madog's sons dead and the survivors are on opposing feudal factions. The Lord of Elfael is kidnapped by his brother.

In Elden Ring, the death of Marika's son sparks the Shattering, turning every remaining demigod against each other. The Lord of Elphael is kidnapped by his brother.

Either Miyazaki and Germ are fucking Super Saiyan level Welsh history scholars, or this is just an absurd coincidence. Either way, it's cool.

(tiny sidenote: this part is DEFINITELY conspiracy, but isn't it funny that our kidnapped lord has a sibling who rules Maelienydd??? Doesn't that sound a bit like... Malenia??? Obviously Malenia doesn't do the kidnapping in ER, but the names line up a bit too well...)

Sorry Niko, this is way more than you bargained for.