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mphountitled · 2 months

Note

Yes I would still love the Lee tang smut!!

Convenience Store Guy

Summary: Confronting your coworker about the weird messages you've received doesn't go as planned.

Warnings: Language, Dark Themes, Stalking, Threats, Slight!DeadDove, Gaslighting, Convenience store era cus that was the best, Unstable Tang, Smut 18+ (Minors DNI) Rough Sex, Choking, Degradation Kink, Kinda Virgin!Tang, Dom!Tang

Stalking is bad. If someone is Stalking you, 100% don't do what y/n does, please.

The more he spoke to you, the more he found it increasingly difficult to act like a good person.

“And guess what else?” The chill in your voice has nothing to do with the oppressive winter weather.

“You're pregnant.” your co-worker says.

You laugh and he laughs because you laugh.

It took a certain level of skill, Lee Tang likes to admit - being able to time exactly when you’d crane your neck back, letting your complaints reach the artificial fluorescents while he lowered his incriminating eyes to your cleavage.

“Remember that unknown number I told you about? The one that kept sending all the weird messages?” Tang hums, bopping his head as he slyly adjusts the front of his jeans, obscured by the counter.

“Shit, don't tell me you got another one,'' As the words leave his mouth, you're already handing your phone to him.

“This was sent to me last night,” You say, swinging your head away from the cash register and towards the wide windows displaying the night beyond. Anyone out there could be the person terrorising you. Anyone could be out to get you.

The text simply and succinctly read:

Wear the same colour tomorrow.

And while Lee Tang attempted to feign uncomfortable ignorance (as one might when your coworker tells you she might be getting stalked), he couldn't help but notice that you were, in fact wearing the same colour. Bright yellow.

For some inexplicable reason… you listened.

“What were you wearing?”

He already knew.

“Is that important?” You step aside, making way for the final customer to be rung up. All the while, Tang nurses an even bigger boner than before.

He did not… exactly intend for his moves to get so bold but texting you and having you listen to hus demands… the demands of a stranger… the whole thing is something akin to shooting pure heroin straight into a fresh vein.

Perhaps you weren't so innocent in the exchange.

“That's not important,” You say quietly before swinging your head towards him again, “I thought we should focus on the very real fact that I might have a stalker?”

“Maybe you should respond to the poor guy and see what he has to say- that'll be ₩5000,” While Tang entertains his customer, you immediately grab your phone before stuffing it into your back pocket. The convenience store buzzes with the exit of the final customer.

“Because entertaining a stalker is exactly what they tell us to do,” you accompany your sentence with a small eye roll.

“We don't know if it's a stalker.” Tang didn't like that term. He'd much rather prefer ‘walking you home from a distance,’

“All this guy has done so far is send a couple weird messages.”

Not a stalker. Not a stalker. Not a stalker.

“Why don't you just block him?”

You'd think by the self gratification in this voice that Tang solved world hunger. You let him dwell in his ignorance, partly because you were afraid to dissect how deep this iceberg went.

You were afraid to admit that you had already blocked the Private number… twice.

Initially you had hoped the messages were the effects of some virus, but they kept getting worse by the second.

[17:59] Just wanted to know if you've had a nice day? :)

[20:22] My cat’s sick. Idk what's wrong with her.

[20:23] I don't have a cat lol

[22:23] Where'd you get your cat?

[01:00] I love talking to you

[01:05] You're so fucking hot

[02:03] I love you

You were afraid to admit that you waited for his message at the end of every long monotonous day.

While you wrestle will all sorts of the moral implications that came with enabling you stalker, Tang couldn't take his eyes off your dress.

Had you really worn the dress for him?

Tang couldn't suspend disbelief even for a millisecond to imagine a world in which that was possible. When he sent that message, he obviously didn't expect a response.

He always believed he was nothing but a fragment of furniture in the workings of your life.

The convenience store guy you occasional spoke to.

Everything began to feel more and more brighter in your presence. The clinical musk that hung in the convenient store began to smell more and more like jasmine and time seemed to grow wings and take off whenever you swung by, chatting his ear off about your latest inconvenience.

One moment you were an irritation, the next Tang found himself seated at his desk, surrounded by a halo of used tissues while habitually scouting out porn where the campy lead actress resembled you more and more. He found it concerningly easy to get off when your eyes, your smile and those beautiful fucking tits were clouding his mind eye.

It was around this time when he started walking you home.

For a while, a vaguely heavy silence sits in between you two. Tang, with his head bowed, chooses to ruminate in an emotion very new and complex to him…guilt.

He is completely unaware that you're watching him, until you sigh loudly. “You know… you could at least try to sound convincing,” your words cause his neck to snap up and he watches with wide eyes as you round the counter, dragging your finger against the cold surface.

“I think I'd find it way more endearing if you don't try to lie to me, Tang.” You're walking closer and closer and he feels like his entire mental state has imploded on itself.

“Fuck, I'm going mental,” he screws his eyes shut and pats his cheeks rather hard. When he opens them, youre still there. His breathing picks up as your warmth penetrates the radius surrounding his flustered, agitated body and Tang immediately sends a worried gaze up to the CCTV nestled in the corner above.

“Some girls respond better to just being asked out.”

A billion lies try to flash across his mind's eye. Anything that might get him out of this situation unscathed. He comes up empty. Eventually, all Lee Tang is capable of, is a droop in his shoulders as he asks, “Are you going to call the cops?”

You don't respond immediately. Choosing, instead, slide your finger over his on the counter. Your warm hands encircling his had the power to knock the very life out of him.

“I should call the cops,” you state very gravely,” you look up at him with a grim sort of fascination.

Lee Tang has mentally checked out. His droopy, ringed eyes are stationed on your lips alone.

“You really should.” He says, before bending down ever so slowly as if to bridge the gap between both of your lips.

“You're sick, you know that? You had me fearing for my fucking life,” You're whispering. Why are you whispering?

“Don't say shit like that,” he whispers back.

“Why?”

Almost before he can talk himself out of it, Lee Tang grabs ahold of your hand, the one stationed on his own and he presses your palm directly onto his bulge. His eyes nearly roll back at the warmth of your small little hand alone and you watch, absolutely mesmerised as he begins to rub your palm up and down and up and down.

“Wait-”

“No.” He states, before motioning to bend down and kiss you, but before he can, you stop him with a hand against his chest.

There it was. That all too familiar pang of rejection. That nauseating, acidic feeling that ate away at his insides.

It made him want to hurt you.

How dare you try to stop him?

How dare you bring him this far, only to take it all away?

How dare you?

“Wait.”

“What?” Your eyes widen at the slightly louder quality in his tone. Sensing that you might have disrupted something that was well on its way to blossoming, you're quick to try and appease his nerves. You watch the conflict in his eyes dissipate and when you step closer towards him, your front pressed against his as you whisper in his ear, “Not here,” before spinning around, in the direction of the break room. It takes a moment for his brain to process your words, but when they do, he's ambling his way onwards, away from CCTV.

The very second he shuts the door to the break room, he's charging at you in a quick, frantic gait.

You're only allowed to feel nervous for a total of 5 seconds before he's pushing you against the wall, forcing his tongue down your throat as if it were his first kiss. His movements are jilted and frantic and so incredibly messy. If it were anyone else you might have been disgusted by his haste only proves to be contagious. You can feel it rubbing off on you with the way you mewl against his mouth, shoving your fingers into his mop of dark, unkempt hair.

“You're so perfect to me, F-Fuck,” he whispers in between kisses. He never strayed too far. Your lips stayed connected by a line of saliva. You were both absolutely wrecked.

“So, long…” he whispers, before shoving his hand over your boobs and squeezing, “I've thought about this for so fucking long. I've jerked off to you for so fucking long- I just-” He breathes out, before flattening his thumb against your pebbled, clothed nipples, “I've always fucking wanted you,”

“How long?”

“Since I saw you,” he whispers before dipping his head in between the crook of your neck. Instead of splaying lazy kisses there, you gasp at the sound of him completely inhaling you. “F-Fuck…” he whispers before pulling back, enough to fiddle with his belt, “I need to fuck you,” he simply and succinctly says before bringing his other hand up to your collar. “You're not gonna go anywhere, yeah?” As he asks this, he curls his fingers around your throat, alluding to the real and very daunting fact that he wouldn't allow you to go, even if you wanted to…

“I'm not going anywhere,” you attempt to coax him yet again but he still keeps a firm grip around your throat as he slides, quite sloppily into your slippery cunt. Now his eyes roll back and he exhales the biggest groan he's ever let out. “I already know I'm not gonna fucking last,” with his free hand he swipes his fingers across your clit, stimulating you to the highest level as you whine and mewl into the air.

“So long,” he continues muttering as he ruts into you, “ s-so fucking long… s-so tight. You're too tight-”

You're caught in the throes of the pleasure of being fucked so throughly and so roughly that you completely miss his question.

“Hey?” He says all too quietly while slapping continuously at the side of your cheek as if trying to bring you back down to earth, “You're such a slut you didn't even hear what I asked you?”

You manage to shake your head.

“I asked if you were a virgin.”

You stilled at the question, sensing that you were walking on dangerous ground. Which, you were realising is a norm around this guy. While you were thinking you had to choose your words correctly, Tang dips his head in between your neck and shoulder once more.

“Doesn't matter,” He ruts against you, feeling himself get closer and closer as his grip on your neck becomes tight.

“I'll kill him-” and for some inexplicable reason you cum at that very moment. Your moans reach the dusty ceiling and you fall apart against him so absolutely.

“You're gonna make m-me-” He's already cumming inside you, all while completely cutting off the air to your lungs. He watches you through his spell of pleasure as you claw at his hand and it only makes him cum harder.

“F-Fuck,” he whispers when he empties the last of his seed inside your weeping cunt. You gasp for all the air you were deprived of and he watches with morbid curiosity as life flows back into your eyes.

“That was way better than porn.” Now that he had you, he didn't plan on ever letting you go.

#killer paradox #killer paradox fanfic #killer paradox smut #lee tang #lee tang x reader #lee tang smut #choi wooshik #choi wooshik x reader #lee tang x you

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melpherno · 2 months

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Hihi!! Can I request some Lovebrush headcanons please?

How would MLs deal with a little painter who’s usually always bright and happy but is suddenly withdrawn and quiet. (The horrors)

𝐋𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐛𝐫𝐮𝐬𝐡 𝐂𝐡𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐢𝐜𝐥𝐞𝐬 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐜𝐚𝐧𝐨𝐧𝐬 ♡

All the boys x reader .

A/N: thank you for the ask, anon! This was kinda fun to imagine.

Note: the reader is referred to as "the little painter".

• Alkaid is a perceptive fellow, it doesn't take him long to notice the difference in the little painter's behaviour. He might as well catch it as soon as he sees the painter's smile droop a little; he also tends to notice how her smile feels more forced, or more ingenuine, or perhaps slightly out of place.

• He reacts coolly on the surface. He is concerned, yes, but he shows it via his actions. He'd tactfully ask her questions about her day, or how she was feeling – trying to get an idea of what was bothering her before giving her advice or trying to help her alleviate this issue flashing a kind smile.

• He suggests the little painter take a break. He either takes her out on walks or a quick trip around the island. He's going to go on a bike ride with her or go bungee jumping, maybe try out a new restaurant, or even watch a new movie together – or perhaps they could stargaze together, that would be the best. After all, he's happy if she is happy with him.

• Ayn is going to pretend like he didn't see that, while he definitely did. He takes in how the little painter simply smiled and waved at him when entering the practice room, sharing a few pleasantries before she quietly sat down on a chair, listening to him play the piano in utter silence. He does appreciate the silence, but this... This is concerning.

• He won't directly ask her in person, but he will send her a message after a few hours when she will probably be resting at home. He won't panic or anything, but he will be very concerned – spamming her with messages. And if he just notices her being online, ignoring his messages, then he will spam a little more. Just a little...

• He will suggest the little painter come over and listen to him playing the piano. And if she is unable to come over at the moment, then he'll happily record himself playing the piano and send it to her via text. Also, he might suggest playing games together; that'll be fun.

• When Clarence starts caring for the little painter, he becomes the second most perceptive person after Alkaid. He picks up the little painter's mood when she walks into the Student Council Office and greets him with a wry smile. She seems rather tired this morning, has she been staying up late again? Has she been working too hard? Has she gone out of her usual routine again? His brain would be rattling with all these questions, raking around to find an answer and come up with a practical solution to them as well.

• He finds the perfect opportunity to ask the little painter about what has been bothering her as of late and then reassures her that he'll help her out with whatever she wants. He'd always keep a calm and collected mind, never panicking.

• He suggests the little painter make lists of her issues and start working on them one by one. Efficient and methodical as always, Clarence provides the little painter with a new schedule to tackle her hobbies, classes, and other activities with ease. Also, he reminds her to take care of herself and take breaks when needed; he also sneaks in a little "date" day in the schedule, expecting the little painter to go all flustered if she ever notices that.

• Being the guardian of the little painter, Cael is the most knowledgeable about her mood and how she's feeling. He notices the little painter's mood being down sooner than anyone else.

• He always keeps a calm mind and asks her what's bothering her, lending an ear to her and listening to her troubles – giving her advice now and then.

• He discusses the issue with the little painter and decides how to make her happy. Oh, the little painter wishes to go on a trip to relax? Sure; he'd plan out an itinerary for her. Or perhaps the little painter wants to be left alone to her thoughts? Sure; he can do that, but he will still keep an eye on her, doting on her until her energy is rejuvenated. Oh, does the little painter want to spend time with Cael? Sure, he'd be more than happy to spend the afternoon accompanying her. (He might even cuddle the little painter if she ever manages to persuade him perfectly)

• He'd be excited at first; greeting the little painter happily when he gets to see her. But then he notices how the little painter responds with less energy than usual – then he concludes that something is wrong.

• He immediately asks the painter what's wrong. He seems slightly panicky on the process as well, waiting for the little painter's response.

• He'd plan a trip for the little painter, or take her out on a little date. He'd do anything to make the little painter smile: buy new art supplies, buy new merchandise or whatever she wants – he'd be more generous and loving than ever; because he'd give away everything just to see his sweet little painter smile and regain her energetic nature again.

#♡. mel's archive // elegant brushstrokes.#lovebrush chronicles #lovebrush chronicles x reader #lbc x reader #headcanons #lbc headcanons #lovebrush chronicles headcanons #alkaid mcgrath #clarence clayden #ayn alwyn #lars rorschach #cael anselm

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silverynight · 6 months

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Underworld

<---Previous

Part XII

That morning Izuku goes back to his field; taking care of the plants and flowers that grow there gives him purpose and helps him relax.

That's exactly where a desperate woman finds him; he's tending to his most precious flowers when she approaches him, looking quite desperate.

"Please, please... young man," she mumbles, looking down the ground. "They say you're a god, please help my crops grow!"

Izuku would like to tell her the truth: he's just a demigod with little powers, but he knows humans care little about those things; she just wants help.

And fortunately, that's something he can do.

It's easy; Izuku has always been connected to nature in some sort of way that he doesn't have to make too much to encourage the crops to grow.

The family invites him to stay and have lunch with them and even though Izuku has a couple of things to do, he's not sure he can say 'No' to them.

However, that's when he sees him through the window, the one the family has in their home kitchen that has the view of the field they live close by.

Izuku rushes outside to greet him.

"Aizawa-san!" He chuckles happily. "It's been a while!"

The woman who asked him for help runs out the door, right after him. She looks with curiosity at Aizawa.

"Are you another god?"

Aizawa is not a social deity and Izuku knows it; he likes to avoid any sort of contact with mortals and other gods as much as he can. However, he's very good at protecting people in his own way.

Although it's still weird to see him there.

"I'm just a man in trouble that'll have to steal this young god from you," he tells her, Izuku is surprised to watch him lie to a mortal, but he supposes it's because he doesn't like the attention.

"Oh... Okay!"

The woman and the family say goodbye to them, assuring Izuku he's always welcome in their home. When they're out of sight, Aizawa takes his arm and makes them both appear in Izuku's field.

"What is it?" He worries for a moment, looking at the god with a frown; something must've gone wrong...

Aizawa rolls his eyes and pokes Izuku's forehead gently.

"Stop that right now," he sighs, rolling his eyes. "I just wanted to see if you haven't gotten yourself in trouble again."

As the concerned expression appeared, it vanishes quickly from Izuku's face, being replaced by a huge smile.

"You were worried about me?" Izuku beams, tearing up a bit. It's weird to have someone like him caring for him... His own father left him and his mother when he was just a baby.

"I just don't want you to cause any trouble," Aizawa says, looking away and crossing his arms over his chest.

It's okay, Izuku is happy to have him there. He spreads his arms.

"No, no... You know I don't do hugs..."

It's too late, Izuku pulls him into his arms, purposely ignoring his protests, although, just like last time, Aizawa doesn't push him away.

"I'll make you a flower crown!"

"No, Midoriya..."

He allows Izuku to put the crown on his head and since the green haired demigod tells him the flowers will never die, Aizawa promises to wear it every now and then.

"How are you feeling?" He asks after a while, prompting Izuku to look back at him in surprise. "I mean... How are you truly doing? Are you... happy?"

Perhaps it's the sincere expression on Aizawa's face or the softness in his voice when he asks, but Izuku feels like he can't lie to him.

"I miss the Underworld... I miss Kacchan..."

"I see," Aizawa mumbles, ruffling the young demigod's hair.

"But I'm fine!" Izuku assures him. "I know this is where I'm supposed to be!"

Aizawa sighs, but doesn't make another comment on that.

"You truly are a problem child, aren't you?" He says, trying to look irritated, but Izuku notices he's holding back a smile.

***

Mina is at the dock, checking the book while looking around to see if the souls are ready to board their respective ships, when it happens.

Kaminari appears next to her, not exactly startling her because she's used to it, but surprising her, especially because he looks quite stressed at the moment.

"What is it?"

"A god has arrived."

She feels cold, even though it should be impossible, but she swears a shiver runs down her spine for a moment. It could be anyone and it shouldn't be that big of a deal, but she has the feeling this is about their dear Midoriya.

"Does Bakugo know?"

"I'm scared to tell him." Kaminari admits, prompting her to roll her eyes.

"Well, you have to... I'll see who it is and bring them to the castle."

"I'll go to Kiri first!"

She's about to protest, but she feels the new presence right away; it's too warm to be Aizawa or Yaoyorozu or even Iida...

She approaches the river of the dead; the liquid that runs down is not quite water, but it's also not air... It's a mixture of the two.

Behind the tall figure that's in charge of moving the boat is the god that Mina didn't want to see in the Underworld.

"Hi, Todoroki! I saw you yesterday!" Mina blurts out, trying not to sound as nervous as she feels. "You must've missed me! Haha!"

Of course he doesn't smile in return, there's only a neutral expression on his face that makes Mina feel more uneasy.

"I want to have a meeting with the King of the Underworld."

"Why? I mean... You have never paid any visits to my boss before so–"

"You know why I'm here."

Mina tilts her head to the side, trying to look innocent.

"No, of course not." She says, lying through her teeth. She knows Todoroki is not 100 percent sure it was Bakugo who took Midoriya; he's just trying to make her say it first.

For a second, the left side of his head lights on fire, but Todoroki takes a deep breath before running his fingers through his own hair to extinguish it.

"It doesn't matter, just take me to him."

There's a rebellious part of her that wants to protest, but Mina knows she doesn't have a choice there.

"Okay."

This is her fault.

At least Bakugo is in the throne room by the time they walk inside. Todoroki looks at him in the eyes, before frowning.

"Since you're in my domain, I think you should tell me the reason why you came," Bakugo growls, forgetting every single lesson his father taught him about being polite to other gods or at least try to be.

Well, Mina understands... a little bit. Todoroki is the reason why the God of the Dead decided to take Midoriya to the Underworld in the first place, because he's perfectly aware of the nature of Todoroki's feelings for Midoriya.

"Did you take Midoriya that time? Was it you the one who abducted him?"

Bakugo grimaces in pain at the word, but doesn't look away from the other god when he answers.

"Yes."

It's not like his expression changes at all, but there's something in Todoroki's demeanor that suddenly looks terrifying for a moment.

"If you do something like that again, I'll come back for him myself."

"I'm not going to do that, half and half!" Bakugo growls, absolutely pissed. "But not because of you! My Izuku doesn't deserve it... when he comes back it'll be because he wants to."

"He won't be coming back."

"Are you sure about that?" Bakugo smirks, prompting the other god to close his hands into fists. "Because he likes this place."

"He likes the mortal realm better."

"THAT'S A LIE!"

Mina sighs, knowing those two idiots are not actually talking about realms anymore...

"If that's everything you wanted to say, then I'll be glad to walk you back outside," Mina finally cuts in. Yes, they're both acting like kids, but she's still on Blasty's side.

"That's all I wanted to say," Todoroki nods, before heading outside on his own. "He doesn't belong here."

"YOU DON'T GET TO DECIDE THAT!"

When the other god is out of sight, Mina watches as Bakugo collapses on the throne, looking devastated.

"But what if Izuku doesn't want to come back?"

It's a question he obviously doesn't want the answer to, so Mina doesn't respond, but now she knows what she must do: she's going to tell Midoriya what happened.

***

Next--->

Patreon

#bnha #mha #my hero academia #bkdk #tddk #bakugou katsuki #izuku midoriya #shoto todoroki #bakudeku #tododeku

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idkyetxoxo · 2 months

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Ten | Vagabond | The Last Kingdom

"I thought I lost you,"

"I never want to feel that way again."

─── ✦⋅ ☆⋅✦ ───

"Lord Aldhelm," I greeted as he waited outside, his gaze fixed on Aethelflaed. "Y/n," he replied as Uhtred and Aethelflaed finally emerged smiling and laughing between themselves.

"They're quite a pair," I observed, prompting Aldhelm to cast me a quizzical glance. "I'll admit, no one can replace the void Gisela left in his heart, but I believe they both deserve this chance at happiness," I added.

"She does indeed deserve it," Aldhelm agreed, rising to follow after Aethelflaed. I couldn't help but notice the way he also gazed at her, a certain longing evident.

I gave her a wave which she happily reciprocated before they rode off together. I had grown to enjoy her company a lot over the years certainly not the way Uhtred did but enough to form a solid bond, both of us found it easy to confide in each other. She understood things in ways others didn't and I appreciated that.

"Uhtred," I greeted as he lounged by the fire, a mischievous grin on his face. "My favourite person," he shot back, and I rolled my eyes. "You say that now, but once Finan and Sihtric return from Bebbanburg, I bet that'll change," I remarked, to which he tutted mumbling "Nonsense."

"Finan will be back," he teased, repeating what I said as I sighed. "Finan," he said again, earning a light smack on his chest from me. "Cut it out," I warned, but he only shrugged feigning innocence.

"I see the way you two look at each other, the way he looked at you when he first met you,the way he continues looking at you and the way you two seek each other out any available moment," he remarked, noticing my nervous fiddling with the ring on my finger.

"That's not true," I denied, but Uhtred persisted, "Everyone else sees it too, he practically worships the ground you walk on."

Rising abruptly, I instructed him to go to bed, walking away as he called after me teasingly.

Indeed, Finan was unmistakably vocal about his affection for me. Yet, amidst his charming demeanour, I found myself questioning whether his declarations were merely the artistry of his personality or if they truly concealed deeper sentiments.

The notion of entangling myself romantically with Finan sparked a twinge of uncertainty within me. Was it wise to entertain the idea, considering the complexities that could unravel?

── ✦⋅ ☆⋅✦ ──

"Finan," I greeted with joy, pulling him into a warm embrace. "Sihtric, Osferth," Sihtric called out teasingly, and I released Finan, feeling a blush tint my cheeks.

Quickly, I embraced the remaining two, listening as they began to inform Uhtred of their findings in Bebbanburg.

Uhtred always had a knack for terrible plans that somehow managed to work in his favour, but this one seemed particularly dire.

Especially considering the fact that the king had refused our request for support meaning the current plan relied heavily on his son, the son he hadn't been in contact with for years, the son who wanted nothing to do with him.

After infiltrating Bebbanburg's gates, we found ourselves cornered by Uhtred's cousin Wihtgar, the devilish spawn of his uncle Aelfric, the same uncle who played a hand in Uhtred's imprisonment years ago.

The confrontation was far from graceful. Aelfric lay dead, struck down by an arrow fired by none other than his own son.

In a blink, Beocca lay lifeless on the ground across from me, having sacrificed himself to protect young Uhtred. As I watched the scene unfold, sorrow gripped my heart, and I couldn't help but ponder the depth of his sacrifice.

Deep down, I knew that the reason he was so willing to lay down his life was because of the void Thyra's absence had left in his heart. If she were still alive, perhaps he wouldn't have felt compelled to undertake such a reckless act.

Without a second thought, I lunged toward Beocca's lifeless body, shaking him desperately as I called out his name into the chaos.

"You have to wake up!" My voice broke as tears welled in my eyes, but there was no response, only the haunting silence of death lingering around us. In the midst of the distant sounds of battle and the piercing screams of anguish, all I could feel was an overwhelming sense of sorrow and despair gripping my heart.

As I knelt beside him, the weight of loss settled heavily upon me, the realization of losing yet another friend cutting deep into my soul.

"Y/n!" Finan's urgent voice broke through, and I felt a wetness on my stomach and leg. "We need to go now," he insisted, his worry etched deep into his features, mirroring the turmoil in his heart but the searing pain in my body protested otherwise.

"I can't," I admitted, my gaze falling to the crimson stains spreading across my clothes.

An arrow had pierced my leg, and a jagged gash sliced across my stomach. Each breath was a battle against agony, every movement tortured. "Listen to me, you can't die too. I won't let you, not yet, please, not yet," Finan pleaded, his voice trembling with fear and desperation as he lifted my battered body into his arms.

He carried me to the boat, his steps heavy with the weight of desperation and worry. Despite my best efforts to cling to consciousness, the darkness eventually claimed me.

When I woke, coughing up water, the pain in my stomach and leg flared like a raging inferno. I attempted to press my hand against my wounds, but the agony rendered me utterly motionless.

Beside me, Finan sat with red-rimmed eyes, his grip on my hand tight enough to anchor me to the world. "Thank god you're awake," he breathed, relief flooding his features, each line of worry melting away in that moment.

"What happened?" I rasped, and he began recounting our narrow escape from Bebbanburg. With each word, the weight of our ordeal pressed down upon us. As the stinging pain returned, he urged me to rest, his voice a soothing balm against the chaos of my mind, and I drifted in and out of consciousness once more.

When I awoke again, cloth covered my wounds, and Finan slept nearby, his presence a steadfast beacon of comfort in the darkness and uncertainty that surrounded us.

"Finan," I whispered hoarsely, and he jolted awake, his eyes wide with concern. "You're okay," he rushed out, the words a fervent prayer answered, as I weakly nodded in response. "You wouldn't wake up for a long time, and your breathing was so shallow," he confessed, the vulnerability in his voice echoing the depth of his fear.

"Where's Uhtred, Sihtric, and Osferth? Are they alright?" I inquired, the concern weighing heavy on my heart, and he assured me they were safe, but my scare had shaken them all to their core.

"Finan, were you crying?" I asked softly, brushing my hand over his tear-stained face, catching a flicker of embarrassment in his eyes.

"You scared me, woman," he confessed, his voice raw with emotion as he grasped my hand tightly in his own. The tremor in his touch echoed the frenzy within his heart. "I thought I lost you," he whispered, his words heavy with the weight of his fears. "I never want to feel that way again."

His vulnerability took me aback, stirring a whirlwind of emotions within me. I felt the weight of his unspoken fears, the longing in his eyes resonating with the echoes of my own. "I won't leave you all that easily," I reassured him, my voice soft yet resolute.

His eyes searched mine with an intensity that spoke volumes as if seeking permission. His gaze flickered between my lips and my eyes, a dance of longing and anticipation that left my heart racing.

Before I could comprehend his intentions, he leaned in. His touch was gentle yet urgent, a whisper of longing that ignited a spark within me. I surrendered to the pull of our shared destiny, to the magnetic force drawing us together.

Our lips met in a tender embrace, a delicate dance of passion and vulnerability. Each caress, each brush of our lips spoke of a longing that transcended words. The kiss was gentle and tender as though any forcefulness might shatter the fragile moment.

When he pulled away, his hand lingered on my cheek. I looked up at him, my heart still fluttering with the echoes of our kiss, a silent acknowledgement of the unspoken bond that tethered us together.

"How's Uhtred?" I asked, attempting to divert the conversation, but the longing in my voice betrayed my true thoughts, my heart yearning for reassurance in the wake of our ordeal. Finan's chuckle washed over me, his laughter carrying the weight of unspoken desires.

"After giving you the best kiss of your life, you're worried about another man?" he teased, his words laced with playful affection. I laughed in response, though the twinge of pain in my stomach and leg served as a reminder of the reality we faced.

"He may be broken," I whispered, my voice barely above a breath, concern etched into every syllable, but Finan's reassuring touch offered comfort. "He's merely grieving," he assured me, his voice a steady anchor.

"We need to return south, we'll need horses and provisions," he added, his words tinged with urgency as he spoke of our next steps. I nodded in silent agreement.

As I glanced down at the ring adorning my finger, a pang of melancholy gripped my heart. With a heavy heart, I began to pull it off.

Finan stopped my hand, his touch gentle yet firm. "Keep it," he insisted, his voice soft yet resolute. I frowned, "Are you going soft on me after just one kiss?" I teased, attempting to lighten the mood, but the furrow in his brow hinted at cluelessness.

"Never mind," I said, realizing it wasn't the right moment to delve into the intricacies of modern language. With a nod, he left to confer with Sihtric.

Barely a few steps away, he returned, his presence commanding my attention once more. In an instant, his lips captured mine, igniting a fire within me that burned with a hunger I hadn't known existed.

"Now we make it two kisses," he declared with a smirk, his words a promise of the passion that lay between us, before departing once more.

As I trailed a finger over my lips, a different kind of feeling enveloped me, one I hadn't experienced in years. It was a feeling akin to what I once felt with Atlas, a longing, a softness, and a desire that whispered of the possibility of something more.

─── ✦⋅ ☆⋅✦ ───

FINALLY also I listened to reflections by the neighbourhood on repeat whilst writing this part for some reason 😌

Tag list - @jasontoddorjasongrace

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c0smiccom3t · 5 months

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Sudden Kick-Out

[The Bandicoot sibs and Lani-Loli, after defeating N. Gin, run through the rift after Akano, the mask of Dark Matter. What they don't know is that somebody was watching them. And it was none other than Ryonna. Ryonna, surprised to see N. Gin was defeated, decides to quickly inform Dr. N. Tropy (mostly) and Dr. Neo Cortex about what happened]

Ryonna: Bad news, Tropes! It appears that the little furbabies have defeated N. Gin!

[N. Tropy, annoyed, face palms. He, of course, knew this was gonna happen. Considering how bumbling the other scientists are compared to him (in his own opinion)]

N. Tropy: Of course they defeated him that easily...

Ryonna: It's sad too since I did think that "Rawkit-hëd" concert was a neat idea from his part. That's not all though, it appears that the furballs are heading towards Salty... Waft or... whatever it's called.

N. Tropy: It's Salty Wharf, Ryonna.

Ryonna: Whatever. t'least that's still a long road ahead, which means that'll give us plenty of time.

N. Tropy: That's correct. In fact, that will give us more time to get the rift generator to be finalized. Though now that I think of it, we may need to think of a back-up strategy before they find a way to get to Tranquility Falls...

[Upon hearing that, Cortex stops whatever he's doing and clears his throat. N Tropy and Ryonna then turn around and pay attention to him, much to the clock-wise scientist's annoyance and the lemur's confusion]

Neo Cortex: And if i tell you about my plan that i've had in mind since 50 minutes ago?

[N. Tropy looks extremely not amused, not interested in whatever he's plotting, Ryonna however is thrilled to hear about his plan. N. Tropy of course, decides to say something which catches the lemur's attention]

N. Tropy: Absolutely No--

Ryonna: Shh! Let him speak, he's up to something!

N. Tropy: [long sigh] This better be good, Cortex.

[Neo Cortex, noticing that Ryonna and N. Tropy want to hear about whatever he's plotting, decides to explain it to them.]

Neo Cortex: I was thinking that I could set up into the 11th dimension, when i'm there i can set up a little base with the help of my lab assistants. Once the bandicoots get there, I'll tell them that i will meet them at the mountain. And since i'll bring in my blimp, I shall make a 'few' notifications to it so it will be impossible for those morons to beat me, and once they'll be out of the way, nothing will ever stop us from "dominating all of time and space" or whatever it is. You know, just so to do my part?

[As Cortex finishes his monologue, Ryonna looks surprised, N. Tropy however is not impressed. Which makes Cortex look annoyed about their reaction]

Neo Cortex: Ugh, do you even have anything to say about it?! Seriously, it's like you don't appreciate the hard work i--

Ryonna: Wai-Wai-Wait! I actually like this plan.

Neo Cortex: ..You do?

Ryonna: Yeah! Though it could need a few tweaks here and there, but hey, I think it's pretty good! Maybe I can help you develop it a little more so we have a much higher chance of winning, If... That's possible of course.

[N. Tropy then gets an idea. he decides to pull out his tuning fork and pushes Ryonna towards Cortex]

N. Tropy: In that case, listen up you two, I've had a slight change of plans. So, I will stay here and focus on completing the rift generator, while you, Cortex, will go to the 11th dimension and put in action... That potentially-failing plan of yours. Oh, and Ringtail is coming with you.

Neo Cortex/Ryonna: WHAT?! US?! WHY?!

N. Tropy: Well, it's simple, it's that you're both equally the most annoying people, except one is much more mature and capable on their job, and one is extremely short-tempered who will need to be accompanied and watched over so he doesn't mess up.

[Shocked by this news, Ryonna is extremely confused and angry, perhaps a mix of both emotions too. Cortex, on the other hand is being very stubborn due to hearing this]

Neo Cortex: EXCUSE ME?! I do NOT need her to accompany me in this! The great Neo Cortex is a lone wolf, a bald eagle, a burrowing hamster. Thus I dont want her to help me, nor watch me over!

Ryonna: Yeah, and I am a Professional Bounty Huntress (PBH for short), not a babysitter! And by the way, what happened to my initial task on watching over what the little furbabies are up to--

[N. Tropy then throws the monitor at her it hits her face a little but it didnt hurt that much, the object ends up in their hands, still extremely confused]

N. Tropy: Bring that with you, it still works in other places away from here, it's not like it needs wi-fi to work. Now you all know your task, so you better be off.

Neo Cortex: Alright, fine. I'll just have to activate my blaster's teleport function for us to get there. Just a single shot and--

N. Tropy: Actually, I got a better idea.

[The evil scientist and the Huntress look at eachother, confused on what idea he's got to get them to the 11th dimension. Cut to the latter, a quantum rift opens up, and the two hooligans yelp and fall into the snowy ground after getting their butts kicked by N. Tropy (literally). while their faces are planted in the snow, he looks at them with a smug smile in his face]

N. Tropy: Good luck, though i doubt you'll have it.

[he chuckles evilly and the rift closes. Cortex lifts his head up and coughs, he in rage, then slams his fist on the ground and grumbles under his breath]

Neo Cortex: Stupid, insolent, overbearing, egoistic, pretentious son of a-...

Ryonna: [muffled] Huh, this ground's actually pretty soft, Wonder if this is the 11th dimension!

[Ryonna then lifts her head up and sees that they're of course, in the 11th dimension]

Ryonna: Ohhhh, there we go. You know, I never witnessed or felt snow since forever. So, i think s'a breath of freezy air. Hahah! Get it, because, the air's fresh but its more cooler than it is--

Neo Cortex: One more pun, and i'll end you.

Ryonna: Okay, okay i'll stop. So, all we have to do is just build that base, right?

Neo Cortex: Ugh, yes of course, why?!

Ryonna: Well, because we got plenty of time to spare! Currently, the bandicoots are in Salty... What was it again? Wrath? Waft--

Neo Cortex: (annoyed) Salty Wharf?

Ryonna: Salty Wharf, thank you!

[Ryonna finger guns at Cortex, who is still annoyed he has to work with her, but he needs to focus on his current task anyway. Meanwhile, Ryonna turns on map mode for the monitor and it shows off all of the places of the 11th dimension, so they, of course, can focus on planning. Cortex then looks at the tablet while she's rambling]

Ryonna: Anyway, we got time until they get here. So, all we have to do is just build said base and get your blimp here. We can find out where we can put the latter and I think we can put iiitt... Right at the mountain's cliff, juuust a few miles away! Now how do we get your blimp and some metal here--

[suddenly two quantum rifts open and tons of pieces of metal and tools fall to the ground, and the blimp then flies through the rift and arrives in the 11th dimension, the two look extremely surprised]

Ryonna: What just happened??

Neo Cortex: Beats me. But you know how these rifts work. Now, to contact my assistants and get them her--

Ryonna: Uh, I don't think you have to, doc.

[Ryonna points at another Quantum rifts which various lab assistants fall out from. every single one of them fall into the ground, some are getting up, shivering from the cold. Cortex and Ryonna in the meantime are extremely surprised about all of this. they then look at eachother]

Ryonna: Well, heh, what do you know, the rift brought us exactly what you asked for!

[Cortex then gets annoyed and inhales, already done with all of this and just wants to get to work already. (and he's also done with Ryonna's nonsense, too.)]

Neo Cortex: Do you happen to have some snow clothing?

[Ryonna then gets tons of winter clothes out of her back belt pouch. When noticing that, Cortex was out of words, not to mention very confused]

Ryonna: Can't go anywhere without them!

Neo Cortex: WHA- H-how?????

Ryonna: My pouch is like a black hole if you think about it. Oh yeah, do you need something? I dont think staying in the cold weather like that is gonna help you.

Neo Cortex: Ugh, I do NOT need your help! I'm completely fine! Just stop wasting time and give them those!

Ryonna: Alright. Careful though, surviving this breeze-y isn't easy.

[She then walks out off-screen, Cortex just rolls his eyes in annoyance and facepalms, he then just looks very disappointed.]

Neo Cortex: Ugh. Why did I have to team up with her?

Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3 - You're here! Chapter 4 - Next month!

#crash bandicoot #comet's blasted bandicoot buffoonery #ryonna #neo cortex #n tropy #crash bandicoot 4 #crash bandicoot oc #fanfic #crash bandicoot 4 its about time #THERE WE GO!! :D enjoy!!!! :D #also sorry ill update this with pictures sooner or later..

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talonslockau · 5 months

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Fire and Ice - Chapter 35

Chapter 34 || Index || Chapter 36

"I wonder if this is part of Shadowclan's plan."

Firepaw twitched an ear towards Pepperpaw as he was walking. It was early in the morning, before the sun rose; after a long day of bringing water to the Clan, he had had to endure a sparring session with Cinderpaw, Ravenpaw, and Graypaw before this patrol. He felt dead on his feet from the lack of rest; he didn't know how the rest of the cats on patrol seemed so awake. "What do you mean?"

"They threatened to drive us out if we didn't let them hunt in our territory, but it's been over two moons since their last attack." The gray molly pointed out steadily. "I can't believe they honestly gave up when they didn't find the elders. Aside from the occasional hunting party, they've been quiet."

"And that's supposed to be a bad thing?" The ruddy apprentice shrugged. "Let them stay gone. We have enough to worry about without them showing up. Just look at what happened yesterday." He was trying not to let Frostfur's words bother him, but he couldn't help but shudder as he thought of how deep Tigerclaw had sunk his claws into the Clan.

"But that's what I mean. What if they're trying to get us to tear ourselves apart?" Pepperpaw shivered despite the greenleaf warmth. "Getting us to attack each other, thinking there's a traitor, then come in and-"

"I doubt Brokenstar could plan that well." Dappleshine interrupted the apprentices' conversation before Pepperpaw could finish her statement. "Perhaps they realized that they couldn't drive us away as easily as Windclan and decided to back off."

"Maybe." Her apprentice seemed doubtful despite the tortoiseshell's confident words. "I just wish they'd attack instead. All this waiting is getting to everyone. You heard how Frostfur yelled at Ravenpaw yesterday."

Firepaw could see the older warrior wince at the gray molly's words. "She's always been high-strung. She was just misdirecting her anger at an innocent, is all." Even as she said it, he could see that Dappleshine didn't quite believe what she was saying.

"That's not what the Clan is saying." Tinyfrost observed. "Most of them agree with her. They really believe Ravenpaw is a traitor." His voice was a low growl as he spoke, and Firepaw felt the fur bristle along his spine. Did his mentor agree with them? "None of them feel comfortable around him. They're acting worse than when I was an apprentice."

The patrol was silent for a few moments. "You think I haven't noticed?" Dappleshine finally responded, a hard edge to her voice. "It's not fair to him. Just like it wasn't fair to you."

The two apprentices kept silent, all too aware how touchy of a topic this was for the small black tom. "At least Bluestar gave me my name, despite what the Clan said." Tinyfrost spoke flatly, letting little emotion into his voice. "Ravenpaw has been an apprentice for seasons now, yet he still hasn't received his warrior name. Does she intend on keeping him an apprentice forever? Or does she believe that if she waits long enough, the Clan will get over it?" The dark warrior snorted derisively.

"She's doing her best. These are unprecedented times." Despite her words, the tortoiseshell tensed up, as though she were holding more back. "Ravenpaw will prove himself to the rest of the Clan." She spoke with a conviction that didn't quite reach her green eyes. "Then she'll have no choice than to name him a warrior."

Firepaw hesitated, waiting for his mentor to respond. The patrol had a long moment of uneasy silence as they patrolled, until he felt he had no choice but to break it. "Do you really believe that'll happen?"

"I have to." Dappleshine replied simply. "Someone has to believe in him."

The ginger tom glanced at the other apprentice, the two speaking without words as they traveled. He was about to reply when Tinyfrost spoke up. "His father certainly won't."

He was surprised by the venom with which the warrior spoke. Did he too know the truth about Tigerclaw's intentions? "What do you mean?" He pried gently, curious to know what his mentor had against the senior warrior.

"Isn't it obvious?" It was Dappleshine who responded, the black warrior seemingly lost in thought and not glancing at the others as she spoke. "Tigerclaw's never cared for his son. Not since Nightwish died." Her ears flattened at the memory of the dead queen. "Maybe he blamed him for her death, I don't know. All I know is that after I took Ravenpaw in, Tigerclaw didn't visit him in the nursery once."

Firepaw couldn't say that that surprised him, given how gruff Tigerclaw was normally. It was hard to imagine him playing with a young kit, like those from Goldenflower's latest litter. It seemed all that grief he had pretended to have over his son was fake, too, not that that surprised him. After all, the giant tabby was a cold-blooded murderer.

"He likes to think he's toughening up his son, but the rest of the Clan doesn't see it that way. His words have more sway than he seems to realize." He didn't miss the despair in the queen's voice as she spoke. "He just needs to prove himself to the Clan. Once he does that, they'll forgive him."

The ruddy apprentice forced himself not to outwardly react to her words, but he knew all too well that that wasn't likely. Not as long as Tigerclaw was seeding doubt within the Clan. Still, he could tell she was desperate to believe that what she said was true; who was he to take that away from her?

"Do you smell that?" Pepperpaw interrupted his thoughts. The patrol collectively sniffed at the air, the scents of the forest mixing in with the acrid tang of the Thunderpath. But in between that…

"Shadowclan. And fresh." Tinyfrost was the first to speak. With his tail, he signaled for them to drop into a low crouch, taking the lead as they crept forward.

It was then that he caught sight of them. He expected the well-muscled warriors that had invaded Thunderclan camp before, but was surprised to see small, scrawny cats huddling in the foliage. If he didn't know better, he would guess they were apprentices, but no apprentice would be alone on enemy territory. They were scenting at the air and looking around; another hunting party, if he had to guess.

The patrol moved forward as one, the stink of Shadowclan getting stronger as they moved closer. Suddenly, one of the intruders raised their head, looking away from where the patrol was coming and shouting something to their comrades. It was snatched by the wind before it could reach the Thunderclan patrol's ears, but it seemed to be a warning, as they all immediately slid into the shallow dip that ran alongside the Thunderpath. Their small forms were quickly swallowed up by the undergrowth.

It was mere heartbeats before a Monster came roaring past, the wind in its wake buffeting the patrol. They all hunkered down as it passed, waiting a few moments before continuing to where they had seen the Shadowclanners lurking.

Yet when they got there, there were no Shadowclan cats to be found. Their scent permeated the area, yet it was quickly fading in the breeze. It didn't seem to lead deeper into Thunderclan territory, either; it was as though they had just vanished where they stood.

Firepaw looked to the others, hoping that perhaps it was just his inexperience in tracking other cats that was confusing him, but they all seemed as perplexed as he was. "They couldn't have crossed the Thunderpath. Not with the Monster." Dappleshine said to Tinyfrost, who just nodded in response, his ears perked as he scanned the undergrowth for any sign of life. Firepaw did the same, but he knew he wouldn't find anything; somehow, the Shadowclanners had disappeared.

"We need to get back to camp. Bluestar must know about this." Tinyfrost finally spoke, his tail tip flicking in irritation. "If Shadowclan is loose in the forest, it's only a matter of time before they reach camp."

The others nodded and followed him, racing through the forest as swiftly as the wind. Glancing behind him to where the sun's rays were beginning to light the Thunderpath, Firepaw wondered if the Shadowclan cats were watching them even now. He could only hope that they weren't lurking in the shadows, waiting for a chance to strike.

Though they ran quickly, paws skimming over fallen logs and dried streams, dread filled Firepaw’s thoughts. What if they were too late? Perhaps they had waited too long to return to camp, and Shadowclan had already beaten them there. Would the camp be once again ravaged by a bitter turmoil between Thunderclan and their aggressive, code-breaking neighbors? He tried to keep his mind focused, but by the way the other cat’s scruffs were rising he could tell he wasn’t the only one with these thoughts.

The patrol arrived in camp just as the sun had driven all the stars from the sky, turning the sky a light pink color. The day was already promising to bring more scorching heat, yet that was the last thing on their mind as the two apprentices stood at the entrance to camp, watching as Tinyfrost and Dappleshine hurried over to where Quickflash was sitting. Firepaw could see Graypaw, Cinderpaw, and Ravenpaw sitting by the tree stump, discussing something he couldn't hear from here. Just as he considered walking over to them, Quickflash's loud yowl rang through camp, catching everyone's attention.

"Shadowclan has been spotted on the border!" The deputy called as curious cats began padding towards him. The mood in camp immediately shifted as the Clan glanced around warily, remembering all too well how their camp had been invaded less than a season ago. "Apprentices, pick a den and make sure Shadowclan haven't found a way into camp. Tigerclaw, take Longtail and Mousefur and sweep the ravine to make sure the border patrol wasn't followed."

The warriors that had been called immediately sprang to their tasks, sprinting past the two apprentices without sparing a glance to them. He could see the apprentices across camp spreading out, poking into odd corners and nosing around the warrior and apprentice dens. Firepaw glanced at Pepperpaw beside him. "I'll take the elders?" He offered, since he was standing right beside their den.

She nodded decisively. "I'll make sure everything's okay with the nursery, then." She padded swiftly across camp, leaving him to slip into the tree trunk that the elders slept in.

Most were already awake, having heard Quickflash's call. "They better not show their faces again." Halftail growled to Patchpelt, flexing his claws in and out. "I'd still be out fighting if it weren't for this dumb tail."

Patchpelt snorted in response. "I agree. My muzzle might be gray, but I can still show those Shadowclan upstarts a few tricks."

Firepaw politely maneuvered around them, sniffing at the bark of the long-dead tree. He didn't see Shadowclan making their way through the hard, thick wood without the elders noticing, but he still had to do his duties as Quickflash had assigned them. Just as he was passing One-eye and Smallear, a screech rang through camp.

It was Pepperpaw! The ginger tom bolted for the entrance, nearly shoving Rosetail to the ground as he did so. He didn't stop to apologize, racing for the nursery alongside several warriors. He didn't get far when Pepperpaw emerged, something long dangling from her mouth. Speckleflight was right on her heels.

"What happened?" The crowd slowed, Quickflash reaching the front and nosing his daughter protectively. In response, she dropped what she was holding; the long, thin body of a young adder.

"She saved Snowkit!" Speckleflight gasped, her fur still on end. Dappleshine parted the crowd to stand by her mate, pressing into her side in relief. "The adder must have slithered in while we were sleeping. Poor Snowkit stepped on it, and if it wasn't for Pepperpaw's quick thinking he would have been bitten!"

There were gasps from the crowd as she spoke. "Is everyone alright?" He heard Spottedleaf call behind him, instinctively moving out of the calico's way as she rushed past with Dewpaw.

"We're fine." Pepperpaw seemed stoic despite her bushed tail, a faraway look in her eyes like she was staring at something behind the crowd. "I killed it before it could bite anyone." Her voice was soft, and the ruddy tom had to strain to hear it as the crowd erupted in murmurs of approval and surprise.

"She saved our son." Speckleflight insisted to Dappleshine beside her, her words incredulous as though she could scarcely believe what had happened. "If she hadn't been there, it would have killed him."

A hush spread over the crowd, and Firepaw turned to see Bluestar striding past, as regal as she had been when he first met her. "It is a rare warrior that can outwit an adder." The molly spoke, her blue eyes glittering in the morning light as she looked down on the gray apprentice.

"She was a true warrior. As swift as lightning, as strong as thunder." He realized that Speckleflight was shaking as she spoke, trembling like a leaf on the Thunderpath. "Not a single cat could have done better."

Bluestar nodded in understanding. "Dappleshine?" She looked to the calico beside the queen, her ears perked forward to hear the mentor's answer.

The dappled molly paused, looking at her apprentice and appraising her for a long moment. "Speckleflight speaks true. Pepperpaw acted as a warrior today." She finally said, dipping her head respectfully.

The leader nodded. "Then let it be so." She turned around, crossing camp in a few quick strides and swiftly ascending the Highrock. "Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey gather beneath the Highrock for a Clan meeting!" She called out as the assembled crowd followed her to the shadow of the large rock. Firepaw followed, the three other apprentices joining him while a few cats that had been sleeping merged with the crowd.

"I, Bluestar, leader of Thunderclan, call upon my warrior ancestors to look down on this apprentice. She has trained hard to understand the ways of your noble code, and I commend her to you as a warrior in her turn." She looked down as she spoke on Pepperpaw, who was shivering, alone, beneath her. "Pepperpaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code and to protect and defend Thunderclan, even at the cost of your life?"

The gray spotted molly stared up at her leader, her expression unreadable as she did so. Firepaw couldn't fathom what she must be thinking; only moments prior, they had feared a Shadowclan invasion, and now she was being named warrior. "I do." She finally answered, her voice ringing clearly through camp.

"Then by the powers of Starclan, I give you your warrior name." Bluestar looked down with a smile on the former apprentice, her gaze warm and welcoming. "Pepperpaw, from this moment on, you will be known as Peppermask. Starclan honors your courage and compassion, and we welcome you as a full member of Thunderclan."

"Peppermask! Peppermask!" The chant picked up quickly, Firepaw adding his voice to the crowd's as he watched the leader leap down to stand in front of the new warrior. She pressed her muzzle to Peppermask's forehead, the two grays blending together seamlessly before Peppermask licked the older molly's scarred shoulder. She still seemed in shock of it all, almost numb as Bluestar stepped back and the crowd pressed in to greet her by her new name.

Cinderpaw and Graypaw rushed forward to their sister, ears perked in delight. Firepaw stood to join them before he noticed Ravenpaw beside him, still sitting as he stared at the crowd. His expression was unreadable, but the ginger tom could guess all too well what he was thinking behind those eyes.

"That will be you next." Firepaw whispered to the dark tom beside him. "I'm sure of it."

Ravenpaw looked up to him, his eyes glimmering - glimmering, he realized, with tears. "Will it?" The skinny apprentice questioned softly, his voice wavering. "Or will I die before then?" Not waiting for an answer, he turned and escaped back for the comfort of their den, his ears flat against his head.

Firepaw watched him go, his heart aching. "I'll make sure of it." He whispered after the tom, though he had no idea how he'd make that promise come true. Instead, he turned to see Peppermask - he would have to get used to saying that - surrounded by her siblings. Even Dewpaw was there, nuzzling happily under her sister's muzzle.

"Congrats, sis!" It was Cinderpaw who spoke, pressed up against her sister's side. "You're gonna be a great warrior! Not as great as me, of course." She added with a wink.

"Thanks, Cinderpaw." Peppermask seemed to be warming up now that her siblings were next to her. "It's gonna be lonely in the warriors' den without you guys, though."

"Then I guess we'll just have to hurry up and become warriors!" Graypaw replied cheekily. "We won't keep you waiting long, I promise."

He watched, suppressing a purr as the siblings moved away and their parents came up next. "Congratulations, Peppermask." Willowbranch purred, barely audible above the crowd. "I know you'll do great things."

"Welcome to being a warrior." Quickflash added, licking her forehead quickly before moving away to give others the chance to congratulate his daughter.

Some heads turned as the bramble tunnel began to rustle, and Tigerclaw emerged out of it. "No Shadowclan near the ravine." He called out, before noticing the celebration. Darkstripe slipped up to him and murmured something in his ear, presumably explaining what had happened.

Firepaw looked away as the other apprentices found their way to him. "Aren't you gonna congratulate Peppermask?" Graypaw asked incredulously, realizing the ginger tom hadn't moved from his spot from the meeting.

He dipped his head. "Of course I will, just later. She seems a bit busy now." He glanced over to see Dappleshine and Speckleflight speaking with her. "Maybe once she's had a chance to process everything, you know?"

Dewpaw nodded in understanding. "Everything happened so fast." She murmured. "At least no one was hurt. Cats rarely survive snake bites. Even full grown warriors."

Firepaw shivered at the thought. "I'm glad she was so quick, then." He glanced at the freshkill pile, which had been filled during the night's hunts. "What say we celebrate among ourselves with a meal, hmm?"

"Sounds like a grand idea!" Graypaw replied with a purr, already trotting to the freshkill pile. The ginger tom followed his friend, but spared a glance towards the apprentices' den, where Ravenpaw was hidden beneath the ferns. They should be celebrating him, too. If only the Clan would realize that.

He hoped they would soon.

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rocicrew · 7 months

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wip/draft i never posted number idk continuation of the anthology of caring

There are things that come in between. Like ‘tell me you're okay’ and those lonely nights in her bunk that stop being lonely. But now the roles are reversed and the auto-doc is around her arm.

“You're fussing,” she says exasperatedly even though she can still smell the stench of blood coating her nose.

He only gives her one look in return, with furrowed brows and pained eyes, before pressing the same buttons again as if that'll make the machine work faster. It'd be endearing if it weren't so damn annoying.

She has trouble associating this man with the asshole second officer, she remembers him being on the Cant.

“I'm fine. Stop acting like this is my first high g burn,” completely ignoring how 15 gs isn’t their daily burn.

“Naomi…” he begins but whatever he’s going to say falls on his lips.

Because he made the call because the high burn would kill them all but her first, while they almost futilely chased after Eros. Now with the catastrophe averted, everything becomes clearer.

He fails to remember though, that she called him Captain. That was the very first time she did. A part of her is scared at how she gave up control and gave him permission to make that call for her. It's not trust yet. Not the fundamental, unconditional trust they'd have to have for Naomi to feel safe for that. If she ever will be.

But it's not about him either. It's solely the fact that she couldn't let any more people die after the number of souls she carries in her conscience. She'd be okay with dying if it meant Eros wouldn't take more souls with it. If it meant the echoes of her people still inside the asteroid would get some peace.

They didn't have to though. Eros crashed into Venus and the check-up after is just to be cautious.

“Go. Open the bottle with the guys in the galley. I only have a few more minutes left.”

He doesn’t object, which is a surprise. He does, however, brush his lips on her forehead before exiting the med bay.

He might not know it yet, but giving her space is one way, perhaps the most important way, to take care of her.

It’s much later that he holds her close, getting lost in the lingering taste of ganymede gin and each other.

The next time is far more short-lived.

It’s Amos that helps her move Holden into the med bay, and her heart nearly stops when she sees the even more profound paleness of his face and the contrast of his now purple leg.

She’s securing the auto-doc around his arm, making sure the small machine filters out his blood and supplies him with painkillers as Amos attaches the cuff around his leg.

Naomi’s only noticing Alex’s entered the room and Prax is hovering by the door when she’s picking up a cloth to wipe away the residue of sweat that’s pooled on his forehead.

“He’ll be alright,” she forces herself to speak past the lump in her throat to inform the group and shushing him gently when he unconsciously whimpers from the pain.

From this, he will. From the words, she needs to say to him after, she’s not as sure. But despite the fear sitting like a stone in her stomach, he deserves the truth. They all deserve the truth. Even if she loses them for good.

It feels like an eternity since they’re back on the ship together.

Naomi finds him in their cabin, taking off the excess jacket while the harness and additional gear were already discarded in a corner when he stumbles. Badly.

She crosses her distance fast, gripping his forearms to steady him.

“Are you okay?” She can’t help the worry coating her voice. She wasn’t down there, couldn’t be down there to help him, and despite how much he said he felt better that she wasn’t, it doesn’t make her feel any better about it.

All she gets is a sheepish smile in return, looking at her with the same loving expression she’s grown to love even when it feels like too much.

“Mhmm, I’m just tired. I’ve been awake for something like three, maybe more, days now. I’m not entirely sure.”

“Jim-” she exclaims. “You need a shower and to lay down as soon as possible,” Naomi continues with a tone that doesn’t leave much room for arguing. “And to take care of this cut on your neck, wherever it is from.”

“A bullet. ‘M lucky Murtry missed,” He speaks, describing it as if it was just a paper cut.

“A bul- Jim!”

Pashang, this man will be the death of her.

“I’m okay. Besides, I don’t think I can stay standing long enough for a shower without a cup of coffee. And Avasarala will want a report…”

So much for not arguing. He was lucky she was so relieved that he was back on the ship, in mostly one piece, that she was willing to compromise.

“Okay, here’s what we’re going to do. You’re going to sit right here and let me clean your wound. And then, we’re going to get you a cup of coffee, some food, and as soon as you’re done with your report, shower, and bed.”

He doesn’t seem to argue with that, content to be led to the chair they had by the desk and finish shrugging off his jacket in the time it takes her to get the first aid kit from one of their cabinets. Naomi takes a hold of his jaw, tilting it slightly to the side to inspect the damage. The area the bullet graced is long but not deep even though it has coated his neck with blood. She tries not to think about what could have happened if the bullet had caught but her movements falter as she cleans the area.

Jim notices. Sleep-deprived, exhausted, hurt Jim notices. And it’s times like this that make her even angrier he’s not extending the same worry to himself. She doesn’t have the time to comment on it because his hands settling on her waist and his thumbs move back and forth on her skin. “I’m okay,” he repeats and tugs her closer, pulling her on his lap. She can’t resend the closeness after spending so much time separated, talking only briefly through their hand terminals.

Her hold on his face remains as she continues to clean his neck only now taking brief glances at his face. His eyes are shut, face relaxed, trusting her completely. Or he’s really tired which still has the same effect. He only winces when she sprays antiseptic over the wound.

“Sorry, I’m nearly done,” Naomi whispers and brushes his jaw in consolation.

“‘S alright,” he sighs deeply but doesn’t make any further complaints.

Thankfully, the desk is close enough that she can reach the first aid kit without moving from their position.

“There, all done,” she says after spraying the final spray over the wound and watching it form an almost transparent bandage over it.

At that moment, Holden pulls her even closer, burying his head in her chest. She knows she should be urging him to get up because the faster he finishes with the report, the faster he's going to get some rest. But she can’t bring herself to pull away from him. Not after spending so much time apart and not after he nearly wasn't able to make his promise of coming back to her true.

Instead, she also wraps her arms around his shoulders and lets her head fall, her nose brushing at his hairline. She can feel him huffing at the contact, and exhale a breath on her skin as a protest.

“No, don’t do that honey. I really need that shower you mentioned,” Jim whines, slightly dragging the vowel of no and scrunching up his nose.

“Really? I couldn't tell,” she teases, pulling slightly at the hair on the base of his neck.

And then suddenly, she yelpes squirming on his lap, “Jim!”

He'd used his hands on her side to tickle her as a rebuttal for her jest.

“Hey, play nice,” she says and although she tries to be serious, she speaks in the midst of laughter.

“Always,” Jim whispers and presses a kiss on her sternum, right in the middle of her tattoo, as an apology.

“I think it's time we go get that coffee and food I promised, now that you're feeling more… awake.”

And to show she accepts his apology, she leans down capturing his lips in an open kiss, caring only that he was now back in her arms finally, after all that time.

“Mhmm, that sounds great right now.”

She’s not sure if she’s ever felt this bad. A few times come close, but her entire body feels uncharacteristically weak.

The sounds that escape her feel distant as if they’re coming from someone else and she has no energy to locate the source.

It’s her, her whines and whimpers every time the synthetic fabric touches one of her burns, or she has to raise one of her limbs to help take it off as Holden attempts to peel the suit off her hurt body.

Naomi manages to focus only after she’s been put into one of the Roci’s medical gowns and her arm is hooked on an auto doc. Holden’s attention is absorbed by the readings of the machine and making sure she’s comfortable with the addition of a blanket now stretched over her.

“Hi,” she whispers with a rasp in her voice.

Holden’s eyes widen and then crinkle at the corner as he exhales. In relief or concern, she’s not quite sure. Usually, she could distinguish between the two, but she can’t spare the energy for that. Maybe there’s a percentage of both.

“Hey…” he greets back leaning forward and just the familiar timber is enough to bring her comfort. The hand he reaches to stroke her hair gets a satisfied sigh from her this time. “How are you feeling?”

“Better.”

It’s not an adequate response. Everything is better than what she’d just been through. But there’s something else she means. Better now that I’m on the Roci. Better now that you’re here.

She ignores the guilt that comes with that. Because Alex is far far away from better and it’s all on her. She can deal with that when even keeping her eyelids open won’t require such a tremendous effort.

There’s so much to say between them. About everything that happened, how much she missed him, how much she loves him. Everything becomes clearer when you come so close to losing something for good.

But what stretches between them is silence. Not the uncomfortable kind though, quite the opposite. It’s the one where you gain so much from the other’s presence that you don’t need words. They’ll be time for talking later.

Simply being in the same room again is a comfort. After they nearly lost this on too many occasions.

“I think I prefer it when I’m the one hooked up to the auto-doc,” Holden mumbles.

Naomi huffs, as close to laughter as she can get in her state.

“I don’t.”

She’s not sure why that gets a smile out of him but Naomi won’t question it. It’s a welcomed change in the grim atmosphere.

“Yeah… okay, that’s fair.”

The smile is gone as quickly as it appeared, but he’s regarding her with a deep expression. Maybe it’s now he realizes what she feels every time their roles are reversed or maybe he’s just worried, trying to take in how she looks and how she feels. Either way, she’s too tired to make a distinction.

“Why don’t you get some rest? I’ll stay right here,” Holden suggests as he takes a seat next to her, picking up the hand that’s not connected to the auto-doc and bringing it to his lips.

Her head rolls towards him as her eyelids start to droop again, letting the barely-there touch on her swollen hand and feather-light kiss lull her to sleep. Her exhaustion and the meds being pumped into her body speeding up the process.

It’s enough to make her feel safe. Safer in a way that she hadn’t felt still she left Tycho, maybe even longer.

#mine : fics.#nolden #the expanse #Need to write some more naomi focused too #i have something written for post s5/s6 but it's a tricky emotional state & i wanna get it right

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no-where-new-hero · 7 months

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Fire and Hemlock Readalong: Day 23 (Part 4, Ch. 4)

...in which Polly makes a spell.

The epigraphs, from here in, really start becoming spot-on as the plot elides more explicitly with the final events of the ballad. In this chapter, we return to 15-year-old Polly and the events following the Middleton Fair. Here, Polly's gift for "knowing things" comes around to bite her in the face: she knows "by instinct" exactly what elements are right to complete her spell. In effect, she recreates the Fire and Hemlock picture in such a way that will create a kind of Nowhere space in which she can demand the truth from Tom.

When her spell works, she finds Tom with Laurel. To me, on my first few readings, I always wondered if here is where DWJ most overtly suggests sex, considering the two of them were on a sofa, Laurel is asleep, and Polly notices how "heartrendingly beautiful" she is. Tom protests he doesn't often "get together" with Laurel, but there is the clear suggestion that he can still be compelled by her, perhaps physically as well as in the other areas of his life. Now, we get the confirmation that Laurel does "own him, or something like that," and that Polly has forgotten the instincts of her own heroism. She could have put the pieces together based on the books he sent her, and Mr. Leroy's warnings and threats, and every other dangerous that's happened to them, but she has refused to listen to the evidence of her own imagination and sees things on the level that she had been feeling insecure about: emotional betrayal or abandonment.

DWJ, in her "Heroic Ideal" essay, cites this as Polly behaving like Ivy: intrusive, untrusting, jealous. But I see it as also an ill-formed attempt of Polly's to regain some of the footing in her relationship with Tom that she clearly knows she has lost but doesn't understand why. A bit like the way she pretended to be mature and knowing about Carla's living situation two parts earlier, Polly is making assumptions that merely leave her out of her depth. And, of course, she's caught in her spying, and Laurel immediately exacts revenge.

She achieves this through stifling politeness and shame, a parallel to the situation in Bristol with Joanna and Reg. Polly cannot break free from the social farce into truth because of the way that she's caught between childhood and adulthood. She immediately discards her belief that it was all wrapped up in "something supernatural' because she's eating and drinking in Hunsdon House--so Laurel and Mr. Leroy have her under their power at last--but also because it's "stupid and babyish." Polly, in her determination to be mature and put herself on Tom's level, has regressed further from where she ever started. And so she succumbs to the pressure of embarrassment and agrees to forget Tom--of her own accord, which she later bemoans. Because she realizes at 19, with the knowledge of her returned memories, that she really did it to herself: by succumbing, by forgetting the bravery of Hero, and letting herself get in the way.

It's interesting to think about what's going on in Tom's head throughout this whole chapter. We know later that the reason for him trying to distance himself from Polly during the Australia tour was to protect her, but now he clearly knows the game is up. He comes to say goodbye to her, and Seb--who is clearly her dragon guardian from this point forward--lets him, in another moment of sympathy. Tom ends up kissing her--awkwardly but still meaningfully--a kind of parting gift or benediction or perhaps just the proof of his affection that she was (very poorly) asking for. Typically, of course, DWJ doesn't linger on this moment (that'll come later) but it's an important indication nevertheless.

The rest of the chapter lies in Polly reconstructing the terms of Tom's curse through the help of "East of the Sun, West of the Moon" and the ballad of Tam Lin, DWJ's most explicit meta-narrative moment. It's almost *too* explicit for me, though it does give Polly confirmation that her time is nearly out: Halloween is tomorrow.

#fh readalong #fire and hemlock #diana wynne jones #dwj

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arelar-under-the-stars · 8 months

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Sandala Mentora - she/her - female - cupio-lesbi-romantic, demisexual

Sandala is the captain and primary only builder of the SS "?????" Firebird. She is a Hocotatian who had been living off her parents' and grandparents' wills for long enough and wanted to make her own money, but since she kept getting denied jobs, she eventually turned to the shadier and less transparent side... landing a job at Hocotate Freight (just before the events of Pikmin 3). She found it bothersome that somehow the one thing she was good at was mundane delivery jobs... But at least she was making her own money. Her thoughts would often drift to the negative side. All the times her overconfident attitude pushed friends and family away. Memories of times with her Best friend, times she wanted to go back to... and the memories of the people who always pushed her around, and most of all--everyone knowing they were better than her. At anything and everything. No! No. They were wrong. Sandala knows they were wrong. It's...just taking a really long time to prove it...

[4 months before Pik4] One day, Sandala overhears her boss talking to one of the higher-ups, someone named Olimar, assigning him an unusually long delivery job. Knowing how infrequent the boss gave vacation time, she intruded on the conversation saying she should do it instead, with her reasoning being "If I do this job and Olimar takes his vacation now, that'll cost you less of your profits overall." [in other words, she's more exploitable and she knows it.] He considers and agrees to this, and starts briefing her on the job. It take especially long, 2-3 months in fact, to make the delivery and come back, but she was more than up for the task. A note from Olimar about this, though: avoid PNF-404 and its entire solar system if you can help it. Not knowing what that planet was, she disregarded the warning and started on her way.

When she inevitably did pass through PNF-404's solar system, Sandala was more in awe than anything else at the feeling the planets there gave her. The aura of life far more ancient than she could ever comprehend, the planets almost seeming frozen in time... She got distracted, consumed by childlike wonder for just a bit too long, and in passing over the tranquil sea of blue, white, and green... she could almost fall asleep. Drifting into slumber... zzzz... With the strange, melodic sound of... loud beeping of all things... Sandala fell asleep in the planet's orbit. But it didn't stay orbit for long. The SS Firebird seemed to be getting... closer to its surface..? Oh no.

[2.5 months before Pik4] A day or two after waking on the planet's surface with a completely wrecked Firebird, Sandala reluctantly admits to herself that she is completely screwed. But oh? Who's this little girl? Could she be native to this world? Or perhaps she can survive here with no helmet? It wouldn't hurt to try... Oh wait. Too much oxygen. So much for that. Regardless, Arelar, to Sandala at least, is reasonably impressionable, and she takes back her admittance of defeat to lyingly brag that she can fix up her ship in no time all by herself! Of course, she had no way of actually proving that matter... But she tried to retrieve the pieces of her ship all alone despite that... and failing miserably. She got increasingly absorbed in trying to make a point that she refused Arelar every time the girl offered assistance, or Pikmin to assist. Stuck in a relentless cycle of trying to be better than everyone and prove it, Sandala eventually starts pushing Arelar away, too. Okay, Miss Sandala doesn't want to be helped... I'll just be quiet then... The girl keeps following Sandala around, but doesn't say a thing, which she catches onto very fast. Thinking Arelar's just down and in an attempt to lighten the mood, she proposes taking a break from the whole "must repair the ship" thing and going on hike, to which Arelar quietly complies. At the summit and right next to a cliff, Sandala notices she's still down and asks what's wrong. Fed up with Sandala's ignorance, Arelar lashes out and yells at her, becoming the first to legitimately confront her about her seemingly irrational behavior. Somehow, Arelar knows deep down that this isn't how she really feels, and demands she finally admit she's wrong. Without either of them realizing, they both end up much closer to the edge in their emotional fits, and soon Sandala slips.

Sandala held on as best as she could, frantically begging Arelar to pull her up. You're... only asking for help...now? What changed? I thought you didn't need my help. ...That's fine, I'll help you. But you have to say it first. Say that you were wrong. Please, Miss Sandala. I want to help you. I really do. But I can't if you keep pushing me away like this. After what felt like tens of minutes, Sandala finally admits to herself she's been wrong in this struggle for so much of her life, and musters out a sorry... Eh-? Did you say it? Could you... please say it one more time? I promise I'll-- I'M SORRY, OKAY?!?!

But then she fell.

Fell and tumbled out of Arelar's sight too fast for either of them to react. And landed oh so perfectly on a somewhat sharp rock... that it went right through both the back and front of her helmet at once, right above her head. Not that she couldn't process it--she had no idea where she was now, Arelar probably hated her guts, and she was going to die of oxygen poisoning because she didn't have a backup helmet. Though even if she did, it wouldn't have survived the crash anyway. She just laid there alone with her thoughts, until she eventually cried herself unconscious...

[1 week before Pik4] 🍂... She awakens with very little memory, with someone oddly somewhat familiar (Olimin) standing over her... Who...? It doesn't matter. She can be... better than him. At something. What? Dandori...? That seems... counterintuitive, almost. What's the point of that? No, she needed to be different. Better. What's different, hm... Why not a race? A "Dandori Race" of sorts. Yes, settle this over a... Wait... she lost? At her own game? That's not good, that won't do at all! She will get better. She will beat someone in a race. No matter what.

#RLRposting #sandala tag #pikmin #pikmin ocs #oc lore #long post

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amelikos · 8 months

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Some character notes and episode notes for HZ023, writing them down for future reference.

Friede being excited about knowing there is always someone stronger than him out there really reminded me of Dande in JN, when he was talking about being scared of having reached his limit and not being able to grow further until being defeated reignited his spark. I liked the similarities there. Friede used to call himself a genius but he really dropped that whole thing after meeting Cap, and he is much more open to changes and challenges.

The fact that the strategy to face Galar Fire is based on trying to calm it down rather than beating it is just really good. I liked how Friede, Liko and Roy all exchanged ideas and brought back Kabu's words to draw a conclusion. Liko also noticed that Mibrim was crying when they faced Fire before, so she thought that there was more to it than anger.

Friede reassuring Liko and Roy before they went inside the mine again was really cute. He encourages them, but he is still there to protect them. I also like that he mentioned that if Fire tries to do the dangerous attack that drains energy, they should immediately run away instead of being reckless.

The whole confrontation with Fire was good. They had trouble reaching it, Liko tried to talk to it and know how it feels. It was nice seeing her more determined and confident and taking a step forward. When Roy felt a bit unsure when they were facing Fire, she told him it was going to be okay.

"Fighting isn't all there is to being a trainer. Learning how Pokemon feel and showing compassion for them. That's my path as a Pokemon Trainer." I love that this is Liko's path and I can't wait to see her interact with more Pokemon and get to know them better. I love how she asserted her wish.

Oliva playing a part in helping Fire was cool, since they were probably friends before as they were both Lucius' Pokemon. Friede and Roy acting as supports to enhance Nyahoja's Leafage and not let it go to waste was good team play too.

Fire looking like it was crying because of the rain was a beautiful scene. Liko feeling like Fire has a gentle side to it and a strong desire makes me curious too. I wonder if it just wants to be reunited with Lucius again, and if it'll come to Liko's help in the future.

I wonder what Rakua is. Does it refer to the paradise Lucius and his Pokemon made for themselves?

Lucius' VA is the same as the narrator in the first minutes of the first episode of HZ. I wonder if that'll become relevant later on.

I wonder why Terapagos won't go back to being a pendant anymore. Perhaps the Six Heroes being awoken one after the other gives it strength to remain in that form somehow?

I'm glad Liko and Roy got to see Kabu again and showed him their progress. Roy saying that Fire specifically trusted Liko and went into the Pokeball was good too, I like how these two acknowledge each other's strengths. Friede meeting Kabu and thanking him for helping them was cute too. I like seeing Friede interact with other characters like that, we get to hear him being polite and formal compared to usual.

Liko being excited about adventure at the end! And Terapagos being hidden in Friede's jacket was cute too.

I wrote about it in a separate post, but Amethio's appearance at the end felt a bit ominous to me. He does prioritize things, though. Fire was not his objective so he didn't try to interfere. Conia pointed out that they have nothing to show despite coming all the way to Galar, but he is optimistic. They do have something to show for it, because they saw Terapagos (which implies that they were watching Liko and the others from afar when they were facing Fire). So while he wasn't necessarily trying to follow Liko and the others after being removed from the mission, now he takes it upon himself to chase them again and steal Terapagos. I wonder if we'll get to know a bit more about his character during the climax of this current arc? He seems stubborn about showing results and achieving something for the Explorers.

Both Amethio and Liko took decisions in this episode, in very different ways. It's interesting how he seems to keep falling more and more, while Liko is growing more and more determined and is finding herself in contrast.

Also, Amethio is often present whenever they come across the Six Heroes. He was there when Liko and Roy met Rayquaza, he was there for Galar Fire too. Terapagos also showed itself when he was around (and Amethio was the one who unintentionally triggered his first appearance in the first episodes when the pendant protected Liko). I wonder if he'll still be there somehow when Liko and Roy will meet the others Six Heroes.

Overall, cool episode! I love how Liko connects with different Pokemon and reaches out to them. I wonder how Friede and Amethio escaped from Fire though (will that be brought up in the future or not, etc).

I can't wait for Liko, Roy and Friede to meet Diana and to learn more about Lucius. Hamber (the butler from the Explorers) knowing Diana by name (as shown in the trailer for the climax of this arc) makes me curious too. I had a feeling that Diana knew the Explorers. Perhaps she was Gibeon's friend before?

#liko #amethio #friede #roy #hz023 #character notes #episode notes #kabu

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superconductivebean · 10 months

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#559: wright hcs - 2

Saw a post and wanted to make a small hc post about Wright. ^^

What is your characters response to fear? (Happiness? Despair?)

Wright is rarely frightened by anything and she is eager to fight / face it. Face Your Fears is one of her mottos; her boggart, though, is another story. Both of its forms will make her blood run cold, and the later will alarm Sharp.

Sometimes Wright is utterly oblivious to further implications of her actions or her thoughts. If Rookwood's goons would ever know he is her greatest fear, it may lead to disastrous consequences.

How often does your character cry?

She spent the other half of her fifth year in self-disdain and tears. Burnt out during Ministry initiated investigation. Life went easier on her afterwards but once she is feverish about anything, she may start crying noticing only when it's suddenly cold, like she was splashed, or someone tells her.

Funerals aren't an insensible occasion for her, too.

I'd say, for a person with a stoic and astute approach, she may surprise people, when lets her true feelings known to whoever she's helping or is about to resolve a conflict. One of the many reasons Sharp was telling her out of the idea to sign up for the auror training programme; Wright's emotions would run her down quicker than she'd be able to say anything about a round or two on firewhiskey.

What causes your character to make bad decisions?

If Professor Sharp comments on something warningly and she doesn't listen.

Meaning, she doesn't get up to making bad decisions often.

What is your character's first reaction to hearing a baby crying?

She'll help the mom if possible. She also knows children can cry just… because they feel like it. She doesn't really mind.

who doesn't want to cry their soul out because of a butterfly; wright would've but she's too old in the eyes of the society and too young for to ever join tumblr

What is your character's bedtime ritual? Their morning ritual?

Fluffy blankets feel safe. Wright tucks herself in and sleep like she's on a big sheep; she is also clingy very much. Poppy doesn't mind but Imelda has a blanket of her own for when she is especially stressed. Although. Any new blanket isn't truly safe from Wright. She will try to steal.

She is also slow to wake up, can't jump out from bed even if or when she is late; she needs these few minutes of rest before getting up and going about her day.

and!.. half of her nerves are either fried or worn down. her burning-out contributes to the things ^^^ above; lacking in sleep, she may become short-tempered in a whole new sense to her circles and bystanders. i'd say, think twice before to abrupt her sleep, or the dragon in her will firy ass

Are there any foods that your character hates but eats anyway?

It is impolite to refuse a sweet dessert.

How strongly does your character identify with their gender(s)?

Imelda reinforces her feminine urges to talk back at Sebastian and Poppy reassures her it's simply a womanhood to let a Bombarda blow or two at poacher camps every now and then.

Sharp, an enabler he is, doesn't care if Wright has shorter hair or forgets her manners, her agitated brewing will left it singed anyway and the latter doesn't really matter in Potions class (unless obviously a bother for him or her classmates).

Howevor. Her behaviour encourages students to talk back at him! And it is surprising because it didn't occurred as often before.

Imelda is tough to argue. Her point is imperishable. She is right. Bad potioneer would blame even their trusty ladle. What's curious, Sharp isn't in a disagree. He wouldn't mention any of that to Wright or anyone, though, but Imelda was quicker. She bet, Wright's just afraid of any mistakes if she'd let her hair grow back, ah what will Professor Sharp say!..

"I'd love to mention I mere carry at all but carry on with your positively encouraging conversation, Ms Reyes, that'll perhaps impress you with a sense of patience for other people," he'll think.

And after mentioning all that, I'll say, Wright does rely on other people opinions but not very much so. What's important is their sense of comfort and how it compares / collides with her own; she's fine with being a woman but only in her own way, if there is a problem, perhaps, it stems from somewhere? aka you'll give her a look and start to question your own gender instead :3c

continue on with what that convo would lead to: Imelda has kinks alright and asks Wright about it since forever, politely ofc, with smth done in return, etc; Sharp doesn't care but Wright's worrying wasn't properly backed up as her mother had a large bush for hair and still was an excellent potioneer, therefore, Wright was defenseless against Imelda's remarks and it was her trouble, he could only irk and be the troll in the middle and think if Eleazar would have done the same (HE WOULD); he's careful about what to say though because as funny as it can get get, it can get awkward as fast. Again, he's an unwilling party to these banters and doesn't get in a way unless words turn into acts of toomfoolery.

When did your character figure out their sexuality?

After Wright stopped hang out with people in alcohol's presence, she'd remember only a sensation of their lips on her skin. She'd want to feel it again but she'd notice, she didn't want receiving it from just any man. Men.

She always had crushes on girlies.

How it came to Dominate Me Slay Me Choke Me she doesn't know.

Is your character ever surprised when they see themselves in the mirror?

Not really but she'll have no clue when she's changed into a young woman. She'll ask around. She looks like a goof doing that. She feels stuck in time and a little scared she hasn't overcome the feeling yet.

Some of the professors will describe it like that: you see a person for the first time and for the last, before and after are two different images of the same person imprinted on memory forever, and that's alright. It's the same when you remember yourself, a sense of growth stems from understanding you're a number of infinite number of points constructing your entire life as a finite line of said points, so it's normal. It's okay to realize you're living in the moment. It has nothing to do with the feeling of being stuck, rather, it's quite the opposite.

yes it was sharp yes he talked about himself the entire time again yes he is a bit ??? at it too

#днявочка #днявочка: hlegacy #днявочка: фандомное #eng tag #damn wright

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angelwheat · 11 months

Note

Hello! I'm back at your ask box to request you about 1.0 and 2.0 Nikolai being with Fem!Asian S/O if that's okay with you?

Call of Duty Zombies

1.0 & 2.0, Nikolai Belinski; Fem!Asian S/O

Thanks for the request lovely ✨️ I apologise if this seems short, but I wasn't sure how to differentiate the hcs on this one. Hope this is okay 🩷

Warnings: None | Pronouns: She/Her

2.0. Nikolai Belinski

He immediately took an interest in her before they started dating. He's not sure how to explain it, but something had him instantly drawn to her aura, despite it sounding cliché in his opinion. He just couldn't seem to keep himself away. He loves being around her.

Nikolai wants to learn about her culture, as he is very cultural in his ways he feels it's something they can bond together with. While she tells him about her culture and homely traditions, Nikolai, in turn, will tell her of his own. There's always something new to learn with regards to this subject, and it keeps Nikolai eager to know more.

It's a known fact that Nikolai loves a hearty meal, and knowing that his partner is foreign means that he gets to try some Asain dishes. He's willing to try anything. He also knows many Russain recipes and will even cook them too. He's a better cook than his older self and will often offer to help his S/O cook too. He loves the bonding time.

1.0 Nikolai Belinski

He didn't take much notice of her ethnicity at first. He was more engrossed in intiating conversation and perhaps building a relationship, even if it's just friendly for a while. But much like his younger self, something was drawing him in as he got to know her.

Nikolai brushes off her culture in the beginning as he views it as just a part of her. Instead of actually taking the time to educate himself on it, he let's her carry out whatever cultural traditions or rituals she may have without taking much notice. Until he suddenly realises that it's more interesting than he thought...

He never changed from his younger self. Nikolai still loves a big meal. Subsequently, he's thinking of all the traditional dishes and recipes you could share with one another. He's not the best cook, but he knows a recipe or two, and perhaps him and his S/O could try cooking together.

For 1.0 and 2.0, neither of them view their S/O's nationality as something that'll majorly change their relationship. Both of them will love their S/O regardless of where she is from.

#nikolai belinski #cod zombies #call of duty zombies #codz #call of duty #tank dempsey #edward richtofen #takeo masaki

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sparklingchim · 2 years

Text

long way home 13 | jjk

pairing: jungkook x reader

word count: 1.4k

genre: dilf!jungkook, friends to lovers

rating: pg

warnings: liddol nabi is incredibly missed by oc :(, cute i love u's in the end

summary: the one where you miss nabi.

a/n: hi hello after writing this i wanna buy adorable little baby onesies too

chapters: 01 | 02 | 03 | 04 | 05 | 06 | 07 | 08| 09 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 |

masterlist | long way home masterlist

⭒☆━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━☆⭒

You couldn't stop yourself.

No one would be able to stop themselves.

You're in the baby section of a clothing store and your arm is packed with soft coloured teeny tiny pieces of clothing that you picked out just for Nabi.

You had gotten off from work and were just looking at the stores that you were passing on your way home when you saw that there was a huge discount on all articles in H&M.

You got yourself some basics and looked through some underwear when you noticed the baby section from the corner of your eye.

From the moment you entered the section and saw all of the tiny clothes from up close you knew it was over. You would not leave this store without having your hands full of bags that are filled with cute little clothes for Nabi.

You had to contain your squeaks when you saw a dusky pink coloured hat that has little bear ears on top. It looks just like the one that Jungkook had recently gotten for Nabi - just in a way cuter colour.

You couldn't wait to put it on Nabi - just picturing her with this pink fluffy hat on, her big innocent eyes watching you through her long lashes and her cheeks all chubby and screaming to get pinched, makes you want to rush to Jungkook's apartment and put the hat on Nabi.

Approximately ten minutes later your left arm feels numb from all the clothes your piling up on it.

Once you are out of the store you're heading home with 4 bags. One contains clothes that you bought for yourself and the other ones, well...they're mainly stuffed with fuzzy onesies...and all of them might have little ears that'll make Nabi look like a little bear. You just couldn't help yourself when you saw the big selection of clothing with bear ears attached to them. Perhaps you also bought her some small plushie too, which...Jungkook will not be glad to hear about because Nabi's nursery is already filled to the brim with plushies.

You blame your little shopping frenzy on the fact that you haven't seen Nabi for about four days. You're happy that Jungkook seems to go to work more regularly now and that the babysitter that Nabi once hated so much is much more welcome now, but you can't help missing her. And Jungkook as well, because he hasn't been showing up either. The past few days you've been waiting for him to visit the coffee shop in the morning, but he never did.

You struggle to fish your phone from your purse but once you finally do you call Jungkook.

You hold all four bags in one hand in order to be able to hold your phone against your ear. You're lucky to only live a few blocks away.

Jungkook answers the call within a few seconds.

"Hey," he greets, baritone voice making your tummy feel all kinds of butterflies flying around.

"I have good news - well, honestly speaking, I think they're bad news for you. But good news for me."

"Have you been buying books with my credit card again?"

"I-" For a brief second you close your eyes, not believing his audacity. "I don't have your card anymore, remember? I returned it weeks ago, dummy."

"Well, then it can't be bad news if I haven't lost any money because of it."

"Stop acting like you didn't give me your consent to buy books with your money!" A sulky pout settles on your lips.

"Eight, y/n. You bought eight books," he reminds you.

You click your tongue. "I couldn't decide. I wanted to read all of them."

"Last time I checked you had only read three of them."

"Buying books and reading books are two complete different hobbies, okay?" you defend yourself. "You wanna know what the news are?"

"I'm all ears."

"I might have bought Nabi a few things. As in, a few clothes. And some plushies."

"A few?" he inquires sceptically.

"Like...three bags."

Jungkook is silent for what feels like an eternity. Now that you are no longer focused on his voice, you are aware of the sounds of passing cars and people that you had blocked out earlier.

"Three bags?" You can clearly picture him pinching the bridge of his nose right now.

"Everything looked so adorable and cute. I couldn't resist, Koo"

"You know exactly how many clothes she already owns, y/n."

"But...they aren't as cute as the things I just bought. I swear, you're gonna freak out when I'm gonna show these onesies to you."

"What am I supposed to do with all this clothing once Nabi grows out of it?" Jungkook grumps.

"Keep them for your next baby."

"That won't happen for at least another 10 years, I hope," he mutters.

"You want Nabi to grow up all alone?"

"I can get her a dog or something."

You shrug. "Sounds fair." The wind blows hair in your face. You jut your lower lip out, puffing upwards to get rid of it. "So, when will I see my baby again?"

"You just recently looked after Nabi," Jungkook points out.

"But, that was like, last week. I miss her. Don't you have to go to work? I can watch her while you're gone," you offer.

"You do know that I have someone to look after her, right? And if I remember correctly, you were the one telling me to finally get someone to help me with Nabi."

"That doesn't mean that I don't want to see her anymore. I still love her, Koo." After a moment of silence you inquire, "Is Nabi okay with the babysitter now? Or does she still not like her?"

"Well..." Jungkook clears his throat before he continues, "Nabi is still not really fond of her, but...she's slowly getting used to her."

"Sounds good. Do you think I could come over today? I'm dying to see how these clothes are gonna look on her."

"I don't think today's a good idea," Jungkook replies, voice thick.

"Well, then tell me when you'll have time." You stop at a red light. "Where have you been in the mornings the last few days? Even the grannies that always drink their morning coffee at our place have started to miss you. They always look around the counter area where you'd usually be."

"Don't be dramatic, please," he sighs.

"I swear! I'm not making this up."

"I've just been busy. That's all."

"I hate having to eat my cookie alone," you sulk.

"I started giving morning classes again. That's why I haven't showed up," Jungkook explains.

"Really? But you hate morning classes."

"I do, but I think I'll give it a try for a few weeks."

"So I shouldn't expect to see you in the mornings anymore?" you ask, shoulders slumping at the mere thought of not seeing him in the morning anymore.

"I mean, I could try and stop by tomorrow morning if you'd like that?"

Though you'd love to see him, the fact that Jungkook only wants to visit the coffee shop because you want him to and not because he wants to, makes you shake your head to the question.

"No need to, it's fine." Squaring your shoulders, you walk across the street with long strides after the lights turned green. "You know that you can just tell me if you don't want to hang out with me?"

"Y/n," he sighs. "You know that's not the truth."

"You really make it seem that way, though," you admit.

"It's just- Nabi's slowly getting used to her and I want to use that time to work more," he clarifies.

"I understand, Jungkook. I think it's good that you're being consistent with the babysitter watching over her. I just really miss Nabi, that's all." You exhale, kinda regretting having made that accusation.

"She probably misses you just as much," Jungkook says and you hear the smile on his face as he talks.

"Are you going to work later?"

"I am actually at work right now," he says.

"Oh! I didn't-"

"It's fine, I'm on my break now. But it actually ended three minutes ago, so I gotta hang up now. Get home safely, yeah?"

"Have fun at work," you say and in the next second you're exclaiming, "Jungkook! Wait."

"Hm?" Your heart flutters at that innocent sound.

"When should I drop Nabi's new clothes off?"

"I'll text you," he replies.

"Oh, and, be so nice and send me a pic of Nabi later? Pretty please? I really miss her."

Jungkook chuckles, which elicits a smile on your lips in return.

"Sure, whatever you want."

"Thanks, love you."

"Love you too, baby.

#jeon jungkook #jungkook #dilf jungkook #jungkook fic #jungkook scenario #bts fanfic #jungkook x reader #bts x reader #jungkook angst #jungkook smut #jungkook f2l

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thefallenbibliophilequote · 3 years

Text

The Wardrobe

Bucky x Witch!Reader

Summary: being a witch in modern times is not easy, you regret a spell you casted but have to deal with the consequences.

Word count: 800

Warnings: fluff, Light witchcraft, cursing(the non-witchy type)

A/N: this is the last one out of three drabbles I am doing for @syntheticavenger 8k Spooky Challenge. The full 3/3 miniseries is called The Narnia Witch! Happy Halloween/Samhain!

No one is allowed to repost my writing, steal, copy or translate my work! The only place my writing can be in is on my own blog! Plagiarism is a crime.

Masterlist

You sat at the kitchen table with the trickster god in front of you, you were frustrated and knew it's why he showed up.

"You can't blame me for this, darling." You shook your head at him, he was shamelessly smirking.

"You pestered me for months now to contact my soulmate and find information about him!" you knew he would only do things that'll help you, and you knew you were having fun with Bucky, but Odin's beard you were just as spiteful as the trickster. "I mean, I knew about my past life being in Brooklyn- but you said in that lifetime I lost my soulmate early on, how was I supposed to know that for him it is the same lifetime?"

Pieces were falling into place.

"You were the one to make the potion." He joked when you pointed an accusing finger at him.

"Yeah, because last time I said no when you suggested I learn about him more you threw my plate off the table! And don't say you didn't because I felt you laughing!" you remembered the shattered plate on the floor- you didn't talk to him for the rest of the day.

"Perhaps… aren't you feeling more content now?" He had a point.

Months went by and while you were sure Bucky must be confused of the sudden quick feelings he had caught- he didn't do anything against them, for that you were thankful.

Just last night, he sought you at night when he couldn't sleep. You talked to him about your magic and he shared stories from his childhood. You put illusions on the ceiling of your room, hoping the view of the stars will help relax him. Bucky really just needed you to relax, he felt an instant connection to you, he couldn't explain it but he didn't need to- he felt it.

With every second he spent next to you he felt as if puzzle pieces were piecing together a puzzle he didn't know he had to solve.

That night he fell asleep next to you, he wished to see your face when he woke up every morning, he was adamant on making you his girl.

•

"Do you think I should do it? I mean, it feels right since she's magic-" Bucky rambled to Steve who sat next to him in the living room.

"She's a witch, you say she's magic," Steve teased his friend, he'd never seen him crushing like this, "But yes, you should ask her out for the Halloween party, tell her how you feel."

You walked into the room and smiled at the two before taking a seat next to Bucky.

"Do you mind if I watch here?"

"Sure, doll," Bucky hesitantly turned his head to Steve who urged him to ask you the question. "So, doll, will you- are you coming to Tony's Halloween party this week?"

"Oh, no- I don't celebrate Halloween. I celebrate Samhain; I'll stay at home for that one, bake cooking and talk to Loki probably. I think I'll redo my home sigils too." You shrugged, not noticing Bucky's crestfallen face.

"Why would you be with Loki?"

"He's my patron deity," you laughed to avoid those blue eyes. Was that a hint of jealousy?

"Isn't he in Asgard?" Steve asked.

"He is, it doesn't mean he isn't with me." You were about to explain when you felt a pinch in your side, making you yelp. "Oh stop it!"

"Doll?"

"Oh, Loki is pinching me, he's trying to annoy me, must've heard I was talking about him." Bucky chuckled and without thought pulled you to him, with a protective arm around you.

"Don't worry, I'll protect you from the mean god." Your face heated up when you realized how close you were to Bucky now. You knew Loki did that on purpose.

"My hero," you gave Bucky a kiss on the cheek.

•

October 31st came around and you weren't as excited as usual. You wanted to spend this special day with Bucky. You couldn't make your way through the second soul cookie you made. You looked at the movie playing on the TV when you got an idea and went to your wardrobe.

Bucky stood alone at the bar, he wished you were here, maybe he should've asked to come and celebrate with you.

"Indiana Jones, huh? You look handsome." Your sweet voice came suddenly behind him and he turned around to see you in a white gown.

"What are you?"

"The witch from Narnia, do you like it?"

"I love it, doll." He looked into your eyes and there was so much he wanted to say, "I wanted to ask you…"

"Ask me." You stepped closer to him, almost touching.

"Will you go out with me?"

You smiled and answered with a kiss.

•

Taglist: : @callmeluna @sstanbarnes @buckys-other-punk @drabblewithfrannybarnes @easygoingtheatre @that-one-person @justab-eautifulmess @onceupona-happilyeverafter @wipplogg @supraveng @ayybtch @kitkatd7 @chrissquares @make-me-imagine @jessalyn-jpeg @learisa @fanfictiontrash9

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