#reduce him to a place where he can only follow orders

[s0fter-sin]

something happening on a mission, something personal that has soap spiralling; panic and rage making him reckless, thoughtless, and ghost has to draw the line

“you’re compromised johnny; you know what that means?”

“you’re not pulling me out,” soap immediately snarls. he turns on him and ghost barely recognises him; venomous fear turning his eyes to unyielding ice. "you're not sidelining me; i need to be in this-!"

but ghost has never been afraid of venom; spat or dripped straight from bared fangs.

he snakes out a hand grip the back of his neck, jerking him in a rough shake. "if you can't think, you can't be a soldier," he growls and he flinches like he's been struck.

his lips quiver as they twist in a sneer and he wrenches, trying to free himself of his hold.

ghost doesn't let him.

"it means you give your body to me because your head ain't fucking attached to it anymore."

soap stills, body trembling beneath his hand as he sucks in shaking breaths.

he tightens his grip, pulling him closer and digs his forehead hard into his. “it means you give yourself to me so i can have the weapon that you are and use you the way you're meant to be used."

the ice in soap's eyes fractures.

ghost’s voice drops to a whisper, spoken only to johnny, not this facade of vengeance and pain, and wills it to reach him through the glaciers.

“so i can keep you safe ‘til it’s done and i can bring you back.”

[baldursgate3tempobsessed]

Past Astarion Meets His Future

This is a weird ass idea, but I'm doing it anyway. Some time travel fuckery. But the gist is: What if Astarion, decades before the Mind-flayers captured him, was on his last leg? Just on the verge of doing, what was at the time, his only way out. But what if something a little unworldly stopped him?

TW: Suicidal thoughts. M/F, me phoning it in with the dnd lore, Cazador is evil. Like, torture, physically and mentally, manipulation, literal horror shit. He's here so bad things happen to randos and our poor guy. I'm also using this as the backstory again for why Astarion can be in the sun in the future because it's so god damned convenient for drabbles.

~

Astarion watched the crowded bar with focused eyes, a feigned, relaxed smirk on his lips. But even with the acting, he could feel the smile on his face start to tremble, a tell-tale sign that he was truly on his last leg. It had been a long, horrible night, one that had no end in sight. Cazador was in rare form, demanding multiple warm bodies in the span of less than five hours. Astarion wasn't sure what had angered him this time, but he was taking it on the victims in a particularly savage way.

Twice already he had forced Astarion to stay in the room with the poor souls he'd brought back. And then Cazador... made him watch what he did to them. The monster truly had a knack for keeping them alive until the last possible moment. Beating them, assaulting them, laughing at their cries for help. He drank from them last, feasting on their blood until they were just on the edge of death before tossing to them ground. Then Astarion was dismissed with the order to find another.

He hated it. It was the worst part of his nights by far, not including when he was the one being tortured in their place. It didn't help that he always looked at their faces, full of terror and betrayal.

Why did he always have to look? It was a question he knew the answer to. It was because he did that to them. Perhaps not literally, but what was the difference? Astarion had led them straight into his hands.

That was all he did. His entire existence had been reduced to this. A slave, a rat, scuttling through the streets, only capable of inflicting the same torment on strangers. It was a hell that no one should experience, and one that Astarion had been in for nearly 130 years.

How could he continue like this? What was the point? He'd spent so long living on pure survival instinct, waiting for the impossible day where luck would be on his side. Where Cazador would kill the wrong stranger, where the possibility of his murder could become a reality. It was delusional, a poor excuse to continue clinging to this farce of a life.

But there was another option. There always had been. All he needs to do is wander off and wait for the sun to rise, and everything could finally be over. It's far from the first time he's thought about it. But Astarion is nothing but a coward. He'd seen the pure pain and misery of a death of that nature, your insides boiling from within as your skin turned to dust. It was horrifying, one of the worst ways someone could go. And yet... it was starting to seem like the only reasonable option he had left.

Maybe... maybe today would be the day, the first time he'd seen the sun in decades. And the last time he'd ever take a breath.

"Are you alone?" A voice asked, followed by a gentle touch to his arm.

Astarion turned, that same shallow smile instantly reappearing on his face. It was a man, one that was handsome enough for Astarion to probably not feel completely sick during the deed. Then again... he could always ignore them and go back to his final plan.

Or he could wait it out one more day, and pray for a miracle. Astarion nodded towards him, still slightly torn but willing to at least try. It's not like he could go home empty handed if things turned out that way.

"Come to my room?"

Well this was certainly easy. Astarion didn't even have to take the energy to bite out a subpar pick up line. He just followed the man to his room, a plan forming in his head on how he could convince him back to the manor. Not to mention his own escape if he turned out to have less than savory intentions.

The stranger shut the door behind him, sitting on the side of his bed with his hands folded in his lap, his eyes staring straight ahead. Astarion barely stopped himself from rolling his own. Great. A weirdo. What a lovely way to end the night, spending it seducing a complete freak. But Astarion had dealt with worse. He perched next to him, crossing his legs as he waited to see where this would go.

"I can see it," He finally said, his voice gravelly as he turned to stare at Astarion.

Astarion raised his brow, wondering for the first time if this particular prey had been partaking in some mind altering substances, "And what exactly are you seeing?"

"You."

Suddenly, the man was wrapping a tight hand around Astarion's wrist, his eyes shining with an unnatural green light, "You're close to the edge. Too close. My lord needs you breathing."

Astarion froze, equally parts horrified and confused at what he was alluding to. How on earth did he know his thoughts? What lord? Or the more likely reality; How wasted could one person be?

Astarion tried to pull back, frowning when he realized the grip on his wrist was iron-clad. He could feel a bit of panic start to swell inside him as he struggled, his voice rising, "I have no idea what you're talking about. Let go of me-"

"You must live," He said, the color of his eyes only getting brighter and brighter, near twin flames in the darkness of the room, "There is no other way. Kelemvor has work for you yet."

His confusion was quickly evaporating into rage. He didn't know what this thing wanted from him, nor why the god of death would have any interest in his life. But how dare he insist on Astarion's pathetic existence having meaning. He knew nothing.

His mask was slipping, his righteous anger spilling forth, "Let go. Before I rip your fucking arm off."

But he made no moves to back down. Instead he started to chant, an incantation that had Astarion officially panicking. Whatever magic he was using, it was powerful. Reality was shifting right beneath Astarion's feet, morphing into something different. The next thing he knew they were somewhere else entirely, his reality melting into something new right before his eyes.

The entire thing was so shocking that Astarion didn't even realize he was seeing sunlight. Without a single pain. He frantically looked around, the insane stranger's grip finally loosening as he twisted away. They were on a couch, in the middle of what looked like a brightly lit townhouse, voices spilling out of the other room.

Astarion stood quickly, a hiss escaping him, "Where in the hells are we?"

"Nowhere," The man said cryptically, his eyes still aflame, "Neither the present of the future. We are in nothing but a glimpse, taken and made for you."

That did nothing to answer his question. But it did make his mind go into more reasonable directions. This had to be an illusion, there was no other explanation for why he wasn't being burned alive. But an illusion of what? And for what purpose?

Astarion pinched the bridge of his nose, at a complete loss at what to do. He could try and kill him and pray that that would break the spell. But there was also the chance that he wouldn't live through an altercation with someone who could warp his senses so easily. Or perhaps this whole thing was a nightmare, a horrifying dream he'd cooked up after a night in the torture chamber.

Still at a loss, he settled on asking another question, "Then what is this a glimpse of?"

"Home," The man said simply before slipping off the couch. The cryptic bastard.

He started walking towards the next room towards the unknown voices; Astarion feeling helpless but to follow.

He lingered at the entryway, his eyes widening at the sight of a woman standing there, cooing at a teary-eyed child she had on her hip. They were right in her line of sight, but she had no reaction to their presence, instead calling out into the other room, "Did you find it yet?"

Another voice called back, oddly familiar as it groaned, "If I had, would I still be on my hands and knees here?"

Astarion stepped forward, more than ready to see if he could enlist the help of strangers for his predicament.

"They can not perceive us," The stranger said, interrupting the call for help that was on the tip of Astarion's tongue, "They are not real. Merely copies of what is, what will be."

"Lovely," Astarion growled out, his fingers itching to fight back against this demon of a man, "Now what in the gods' names does this have to do with me?"

"Watch and you will see," He said, his eyes blazing straight ahead, "The Lord of Death works in mysterious ways."

Astarion's theory of this being a torture-induced dream was becoming more and more believable. He didn't even bother questioning it, not when one more inane answer would send him into a tailspin. Instead he stared ahead, waiting for the moment he would wake up.

The baby was still squirming. Annoying whining sounds spilling from its lips, nearly on the edge of crying. But the woman still had a bright smile on her face, calling back "I told you we should have looked for it last night!"

"Well when she threw it across the room I assumed that meant it had fallen out of favor!" That same familiar voice yelled back, followed by an excited ah-ha! sound.

"Isabella's gonna have a fit, isn't she?" The woman sing-songed, bouncing the child on her hip, "I guess Mommy's going to have to let you start sucking on Daddy's hair again, huh?"

"I heard that!" The muffled voice called back, getting clearer and clearer by the moment. And then another man was walking into the room, grinning ear to ear as he held up a pacifier, "And I will not be forgetting it darling. Don't come crying to me the next time she's gnawing on your nose."

He leaned over to kiss the woman on the cheek before popping the pacifier in the girl's mouth, laughing when it instantly made her calm down. He was tall and pale, an elf with piercing red eyes and pure white hair.

No. It couldn't be-

"There. All better," The man sighed, his voice crystal clear in the calmness of the room, "She has quite the arm for a toddler."

It was a voice that Astarion knew, better than anyone else. It was his own.

Astarion watched, wide-eyed as his other self lifted the baby up in his arms, laughing as the child squealed around the pacifier, "She sure is cute for someone who can be such a brat. She takes after her mother doesn't she?"

The woman rolled her eyes, but she was still smiling. Almost like she couldn't help but do anything else as she watched the duo, "Brave words for someone of your nature. Not to mention how she's your twin."

"Nonsense. She looks just like you, we should have named her Tav Jr," Other Astarion playfully argued, taking his other arm to wrap around the woman's shoulders, "I'm only responsible for the corpse-like complexion."

Astarion stared at them, in complete shock. He didn't-why would anyone or anything want to show him this? It didn't make sense. How would it be possible for him to be in the sunlight? Let alone to have a family. Astarion knew that this had to be a lie, there was no other explanation.

But that didn't stop his heart from aching from being forced to witness it. He was too shell-shocked to speak as he followed the duo to the other room, listening as his other self set the child in a crib, still cooing at her, "Auntie Karlach is coming over and you'll need your rest. How else will you be annoying together?"

"Astarion!"

He watched himself laugh as he pulled back, kissing her little forehead before murmuring, "Mommy only says my name like that when she has no comeback, isn't that right princess?"

"You're going to regret telling her everything when she can start talking," The woman, Tav, piped up from next to him, "I hope you realize she'll tell me all of your secrets."

Astarion rolled his eyes before pulling her against him, pressing a sweet and lingering kiss to her lips, "What secrets do I have that you don't know? Please, enlighten me."

What kind of cruel joke was this? Astarion, the real Astarion, had seen enough. He turned to the bastard that had sent him here, growling through gritted teeth, "Why are you doing this to me? Have I not suffered through enough?"

The man offered nothing of value, "We offer you what could be, if you can survive. No more, no less."

No. No, no, no. He wouldn't believe him. He refused to. There was no future for him. There couldn't be. I-It wasn't possible. Not with Cazador looming, not when he couldn't walk in the sun without being burned alive. And especially not when he couldn't even fathom letting himself care form someone enough to have a family with.

But that's what was in front of him. He turned back, his morbid curiosity getting the better of him. Just in time to see the couple standing there, holding each other while they made out like teenagers.

"I love you," His other self sighed happily, the words free and unbidden from his own lips between kisses, "More than anything my sweet."

"With one exception?" Tav asked, her arms wrapped around his neck.

Astarion laughed, nodding towards the crib with a knowing grin, "With one exception."

Astarion stared at them, a horrifying feeling starting to grow in his chest.

Hope.

It's the greatest betrayal he could give himself, an eternity's sentence to his own personal hell on the delusional belief that something better would come. He couldn't give in to it. He wouldn't.

But the question still escapes his lips, "How long?"

"Seventy years until you meet," The stranger said, "You must live to see it. Five more until you're here."

Astarion watched, wide-eyed as the alternate reality started to fade, the stranger's eyes becoming more dull and human-like by the moment. He stared until the last possible moment, trying to commit it all to memory.

But it was difficult. Like thoughts he couldn't quite grasp, slipping through his fingers. Something wasn't right.

"Will I remember this?" He asked, even though he was already on the edge of forgetting.

"No," The man said simply. They were back in the room, sitting on the bed as though nothing had happened, "But you'll remember the hope."

It was the equivalent of a curse, one that Astarion could barely fathom as magic twisted his memories. But he could feel it there, festering in his heart. The yearning for a new life, stronger than ever.

Astarion left Shar's Caress that night feeling dazed and confused. He barely managed to drag a wasted loner back to the manor with him, preying on him in the back aisles. It was startling to think that he'd almost forgotten his original mission considering the consequences. But whatever happened had... done something to him. Something that he couldn't quite name.

But he didn't see the sun that day. Or the next. Or the day after that. Instead he continued to struggle, to suffer at the hands of his sadistic sire with no end in sight. Not until years and years later, when the worst and best thing to ever happen to him occurred. He was kidnapped by mind flayers, but gifted with a disgusting parasite that allowed him to live in the sun.

It wasn't ideal but it was better than being under Cazador's thumb. Not to mention how he found companions relatively quickly. It had been pure luck that you stumbled upon him, even luckier still that you were the type to forgive a man for having a knife to your throat.

He was happy to accompany you. He was happy to do whatever it took to increase his chances of survival, frankly. It helped that he felt... strangely drawn to you. You looked oddly familiar. He didn't know how else to describe it, but it was almost as though he'd met someone from a past life.

[hitomisuzuya]

TATTOO ARTIST SCARA TATTOO ARTIST SCARA!!! I JUST KNOW HE KNOWS HOW TO USE HIS HANDS

Scaramouche x fem!reader. Smut. Fingering. Nipple play. Smutty appreciation for Scaramouche's hands.

Given that Scaramouche was a tattoo artist, it was only natural that he ask you if you ever considered getting one.

"Hmm, well, yeah I do want one but," You trailed off, making Scaramouche raise an eyebrow as he waited for you to find your words again, "the place where I want it is on the bone, and that would hurt."

Scaramouche snorted. You gave such a common, simple answer. "What's so funny?" You asked, huffing in a way that he thought was adorable.

"I can make it not hurt. After all, I would be using my hands. And all I need are my hands to make you cum," He said. Your cheeks flushed as you glanced down at his hands.

His fingers were so beautiful. The things he could do with them, the possibilities were endless. Possibilities that you never minded exploring. Seeing the blush on your cheeks made him smirk.

Scaramouche made a come hither motion with his finger, wanting you to follow you him over to the tattoo chair. You followed him, suspicious but aroused at the promise that finger wag provided.

Sitting down in the chair, Scaramouche guided you to straddle his lap. It was late at night, the shop was closed, and he wanted what he wanted.

And that was you.

It was something of a kink for him to mess around with you in the tattoo shop. And the chair was safely guarded by privacy screens for the customers that had to remove their clothing for certain tattoos.

Scaramouche tugged your shirt up over your head, undoing the clasp of your bra easily. You shivered when his hands folded over your breasts. His cock twitched in his jeans, feeling how squishy, soft, and warm your breasts were.

His thumbs skimmed over your nipples. You let out a shaky sigh of pleasure, grinding down against his hardening cock. Scaramouche was absolutely eating up the way you were starting to squirm in his lap when your nipples started to harden underneath his thumbs.

He always loves how sensitive your nipples are.

"See? Magic fingers," He purred. You moaned loud in response, your clit was beginning to throb from the ministrations of his thumbs on your nipples. Your hands found his shoulders to steady yourself while you grinded against him.

Putting his other hand on your hip, his fingers brushed over your hip bone, making goosebumps dot on your skin. His fingers suddenly pinched your nipples, your back arching as you moved your chest into his hands.

Your walls started fluttering to clamp around nothing, you grinded more eagerly into his lap. Scaramouche flicked and pinched your nipples until you started to whimper and whine, jolts of pleasure shooting straight to your throbbing clit.

"Dispense with these," Scaramouche ordered, flicking the button of your jeans. You hastily got up from his lap, taking off your pants. Scaramouche licked his lips when you peeled your panties off, seeing how wet you were for him.

He couldn't resist smoothing his hands over your stomach, massaging your hips as he guided you to straddle him again. You quivered in anticipation, his fingers parting to lips of your drenched cunt.

He flicked your clit, rolling it between his thumb and index finger. You threw your head back, crying out for him as you rolled your hips into his fingers.

"You want these inside of you, don't you, slut?" Scaramouche groaned, feeling your slick starting to soak through onto his jeans, making his cock strain in jeans as it throbbed.

You nodded, feeling pleasure burst white hot behind your eyes as he pushed two fingers inside of you. Normally, he liked to make you beg for his fingers, but he was getting carried away reducing you to a wet mess in his lap.

You still begged. You couldn't help it. His fingers were nudging just right on your sweet spot, your walls clamping around his fingers. "Harder, please, Scara," You pleaded, bucking your hips into his fingers.

Gritting his teeth, he picked up the pace of his fingers, pumping them to the knuckle in and out of you. Your slick was starting to coat his wrist. You felt your orgasm building up, making your toes curl.

Scaramouche alternated between rubbing your clit and pinching your nipples. He tugged and pulled on them, making you cry out louder. His eyes watched, transfixed and dark with lust as his fingers squelched easily in and out of your cunt.

The more you mewled and cried, the harder his cock got. Growing impatient, he hooked his fingers firmly in quick succession around your sweet spot, making you cum suddenly on his fingers.

Scaramouche fucked his fingers into you through your orgasm. Taking his fingers out of you, he shoved them into your mouth, pushing them back into your throat. "That was only the foreplay. Now let's go upstairs to my apartment where you'll cum on my cock next."

[bubbleebubz]

Save me Professor- part 1

Word count: 2,006.

Pt.2

15+++

~warnings- eventual smutt! pantie stealing (consentual), pet names (is that a warning?), suggestive content, w3t dreams, mental health issues, bad dreams (fire and death)

Y/N had just been kicked out of her mother's house after her mom has a schizophrenic break and moves to Flordia leaving her to fend for herself. Her professor can't bare seeing Y/N in such a state, and offers her to stay in his guest bedroom, can they be roomates without his dark desires taking control?

"P-please don't stop sir" his hands hot on her body. His large hands getting closer and closer to where she needs them most.

"What do you want, baby? Tell me" His breath hot on her neck.

"Please professor Reid" she moans out in need.

"Y/N... Y/N... Y/N wake up"

What?

My eyes snap open, being awoken back into the cruel reality of my life.

I sit up at my desk and look around.

The class is empty.

I look up, "oh my God, I'm so sorry professor Reid, I must have fallen asleep." I say hastily gathering all my things causing my pencil case to fall off my desk.

I lean over to pick it up, as does he. "Y/N, it's ok, but are you alright?" He asks, crouching down next to me.

I look into his eyes anxiously. Nodding. "Why would you think otherwise Sir?" I ask shyly, trying to avoid his intimidating eye contact.

"Look at me sweetheart" He says, making my thighs clench and insides throb.

I follow his orders and look into his eyes.

My mouth going dry.

"What's the matter?" He asks. "Your the best in this class and never lose focus like this, let alone fall asleep." He explains his worry.

"I. I uhm, my mom kicked me out last night. She has schizophrenia and she now decided to move to Flordia. So I have no where to stay. So I was up all night, studying to keep my mind off of things." I say, my eyes beginning to water.

I blink them away and look over to the window, not being able to look him in the eyes.

"Oh sweet girl" He says, and hugs me.

I hug him back as tight as I can. The comforting feeling unusual to me.

"I'm sorry, I know this isn't your problem and there are other students who have much bigger more important issues, i really didn't mean to fall asleep." I say into his chest.

"Don't apologise Y/N" He says sternly.

"You didn't do anything wrong, did you know that the average female needs atleast 7 hours of sleep, and if they don't get that, their stress and anxiety levels increase and the lack of sleep reduces your physical and cognitive performance." He says pulling away. I smile at his rambling and nod while wiping my tears away.

"Where are you staying now?" He asks, standing up and looking down at me.

I look up at him anxiously to respond.

"I don't know." I whisper out, looking away, feeling the tears starting again.

"How would you like to stay with me? Until you figure things out ofcourse." He asks cautiously.

I look up at him shocked.

"Are you sure?" I ask.

He nods.

"Ofcourse, you are my favorite student after all." He chuckles out.

He Whips the falling tears as they spill down my cheek as I look up at him. I lean into his touch.

"Is that alright, love?" He asks, I nod.

"Use your words" He says.

"Yes sir, I'd love to." I say shyly.

"Excellent, let's get going now shall we? Do you have your things or?" He asks, as he walks to his desk, gathering his belongings.

"I was only able to grab my school uniform, school books, laptop, chargers and bathroom stuff, that's all I could fit in my backpack." I say.

He nods.

He signals me to follow him, I get up and walk behind him to his black sports car.

I get into the front seat and place my bag infront of me on the floor.

"Seat belt" He says, starting the car.

I put the seat belt on and shiver from the cool fall air.

"Good girl" I blush hard.

I lean my head against the cold window, watching the passing trees go by. My eyes begin to get heavy as I doze off.

I'm awoken this time ruthlessly.

"Y/N are you ok?" He groans, shaking me awake. There was fire everywhere.

"What happened?" I ask, beginning to hyperventilate.

I look back at him but his eyes are shut, his face bloody and chard.

I scream and scream and scream.

"Y/N wake up, it's ok wake up, we are here" he says lightly shaking me awake once again.

I wake up sobbing and lean to cling to him in a tight hug.

"Shh s'okay, I'm here, it's ok" He says holding the back of my head and rubbing my back.

"What was the nightmare about baby?" He asks soothingly.

"We got into a car accident, and you died." I whimper out, my voice hoarse from all the crying.

"Oh honey, it's ok, I'm alright see. I'm alive." He says placing my hand over his heart. I calm down and look around seeing we are at a nice sized house, with vines down the front and sides of it, it looked like a cottage from a fairytale. My eyes light up at the sight.

"Woah" I say amazed.

He chuckles.

"Follow me" He says, taking my bag for me.

"Thanks" I say shyly, realizing this is my professor and not some high-school crush.

He was just being nice and caring. That's all.

I follow him into his house and smile at the decor, it matched him perfectly, the furniture old and dark, and the scent of his house was exquisite, like a pumpkin vanilla.

"You can stay in the guest bedroom over here" he says, guiding me down the hall way. "My room is next door here" he says pointing to another door. "And the bathroom is over here" he says.

I nod a thank you.

"I'll let you get settled, I'll be in the kitchen if you need me" He says giving me a caring smile putting his hand on my lower back while leaving down the hall.

I enter the room, observing my surroundings, there was a double bed with an beatiful oak bed frame, on the left side of the room in the middle of the wall, and a window straight ahead, to the right there was a desk, and to the left of the desk was an old white chair.

It was very basic, not in a bad way.

I unpack my bag, putting my limited clothes (being only my school uniforms) in the dresser. And placing the singular Grumpy Care Bear on my bed for comfort.

I exit my new bedroom and go to the kitchen.

"Hey Professor" I say shyly. Sitting down on one of the chairs set at the island.

"Please call me Spencer" He chuckles out.

I blush lightly, enough for him to notice and smirk.

"Ok Spenerrr" I say goofily out of anxiety.

Causing him to smile again.

"Whatcha doing?" I ask boredly.

"Cooking dinner, I hope you like chicken vermicelli noodles" He says with a chuckle.

"I have no clue what that is but it smells good so I probably will!" I say giggling.

"Why are you still in your school clothes its-" He pauses checking his watch "8 PM on a Friday" He asks.

"I didn't manage to fit any of my actual clothes in my bag, so I just have my school uniforms." I say with a sad chuckle. "But it's ok, they aren't that unc-" "nuh uh, I'll be right back" He says cutting me off before leaving the kitchen and stove unattended. "Uh Spence you kinda forgot about the fooood" I call out and walk around the island to the stove, stirring the food in the frying pan. Still having no idea what I'm doing, causing me to burn myself slightly.

"Ow" I say blankly, running my finger under cool water.

I look over to see him leaning against the wall chuckling while holding a t-shirt and sweatpants.

"It's not funny, I don't know how to cook" I whine out in a giggle.

He shakes his head in a laugh.

"Here, wear these" He says handing me his clothes. I reluctantly take them. "Thank you very much sir, you have no idea how much I appreciate you doing all this for me" I say sadly. "Don't mention it, your not that unbearable" He says, causing me to roll my eyes and playfully punch his shoulder.

His eyes widen, "oh yeah?" He says jokingly and picks me up as if I weigh nothing (I most definitely don't weigh nothing) and carries me over his shoulder.

"HEY SPENCER PUT ME DOWN" I giggle out and hit his back, causing him to slap my ass making me yelp "ah ah ah" He says placing me down in the bathroom. "Change your clothes then give them to me so I can wash them" He says smiling before shutting the door.

I sigh out with a smile before undressing, taking everything off.

My smile drops when I realize I have to go commando in my professors sweatpants and braless in his t-shirt.

I put the clothing on, it fitting loosely.

I fold my dirty clothes, making sure my bra and panties were hidden to the best of my abilities.

I exit the bathroom and begin to go to the kitchen, but he isn't there, the food is plated and set on the island but he is missing, "Spence?" I call out.

"BOO" He says, grabbing my waist causing me to scream and drop my clothes. "GODDAMIT" I say absolutely terrified making him laugh even harder. " s'not funny" i whine out.

Both of us bending over to pick up my clothes, I freeze when I see him picking up my panties.

"Hmm, lacey blue, so innocent yet so naughty Y/N" I blush really hard, I go to grab my underwear from his hand but he snatches them away, putting them into his pocket and picks up the rest of my clothes.

I stand in the middle of the kitchen, my jaw on the floor. "Spe-" "ah. I'm confiscating those. For reasons I don't need to say!" He says. "But those are my only-" "we can buy you new ones, any ones you'd like." He says, before walking into the laundry room to place my dirty clothes into the washing machine.

"Common, let's eat." He says, walking over to the island and pulling out a chair for me, before sitting next to me.

I take a bite out of the food and moan out in happiness.

"Do you like it?" He asks with a chuckle.

"Mhmm" I say, taking another bite.

I look over awkwardly.

"I-i like food.." I say shyly.

"I can see that, it's cute" He says, making me blush.

After dinner I help clean up.

"I'll do the dishes, you put the leftovers away?" I say. And he nods.

I wash the dishes by hand, but after washing only 2 cups I get ancy and put some music on the TV, Reflections by The Neighborhood starts playing and I start to sing along while doing the dishes.

Swaying my hips to the music.

I hear footsteps behind me and freeze the music pausing too.

"Y'know. You look really good in my clothes sweetheart." He whispers in my ear, causing me to shudder. His hands around my waist.

"Wanna know what you'd look even better in?" He asks seductively.

"W-what?" I whisper out, not daring to turn around.

"In bed! Because it's bedtime!" He says picking me up again.

"But the dishes! There is only one left!" I whine out, kicking my feet, as he holds me bridal style.

"I can do it, sweets" He says sweetly causing me to smile at the pet name.

God he was going to be the death of me.

NO HE IS YOUR PROFESSOR, but he doesn't seem to mind.

He places me in my bed.

Grabbing my care bear and chuckling.

"What.." I say embarrassed.

"Nothing, just pictured you as a hello kitty girl" He chuckles.

"I love hello kitty too, but I had to chose, and Grumpy was the softest one so.." I say realizing I'm rambling.

He hands me the bear and nods.

"Goodnight Y/N" He says, putting the blankets over me and kissing my forehead. I blush.

"Goodnight Spence" I say kissing his cheek.

I fall asleep easily.

[froot-batty]

(most of) The sewer squad!

Surprisingly, Clay and Croc were super fun for me to color. Rat was the one that kicked my ass this time

(P.S. sorry about the lore being so long down there)

Waylon Jones was originally born in Louisiana. He was born into a relatively low income but very big, very loving family. He was also born with Epidermolytic Ichthyosis, which caused patches of his skin to blister or thicken, sort of like scales. This would be the first thing he'd be bullied for as a child, and it would only grow worse as he went through school and his undiagnosed ADHD and dyslexia would make it ten times harder for him. He would eventually decide to drop out of school, both because of his learning difficulties and the bullying.

One thing Waylon had always loved was boxing. His father had taught him and all of his siblings the basics of boxing, and Waylon was one of the ones who really took a shining to it. It helped that he was a naturally bulky guy who could put on muscle pretty easily. So now that he was out of school, he decided to put his free time towards participating in amateur boxing matches. It didn't rake in very much money, and usually took place in some guy's backyard or a junkyard, but he thought it was a lot of fun - and, most of all, he was good at it.

He made the choice to move to Gotham after he'd collected enough money to start a life somewhere else. He loved his family, and it hurt to move away from them, but a big city like Gotham provided more opportunity than backyard brawling. And indeed, it did! He graduated from probably illegal homemade boxing matches to actual, professional matches - still nothing above amateur, but it was something, and it made a lot more money!

It was during this time when he'd gain the nickname Killer Croc, from a combination of his skin condition, how big he was, and where he'd been born. (He didn't actually kill anyone though, he was a sweetie. He's just killer at boxing).

Things started going downhill for him when he finally won enough matches to go up against another relatively popular name in the amateur boxing league. This opponent, not wanting to lose against what was still a fresh face in Gotham, conspired to cheat in order to win. Because it's Gotham, and anyone can be made to look the other way, no one caught the man as he mixed plaster of Paris with his hand wraps (which hardens into something similar to concrete) before the match.

Safe to say, Waylon lost the fight pretty badly. While he would have been a good sport about it, he knew that who he'd fought had cheated, and he was pissed. As soon as he was out of the hospital, and his face was healed enough for it, he caught the other boxer as he was leaving the gym. He tried to convince him to admit that he had cheated and forfeit his win, but they'd end up getting into an argument that'd turn physical when he tried to punch Waylon.

When the cops arrived, instead of breaking up the both of them and taking them both in, they instead arrested just Waylon. Because the other boxer chose to press charges, Waylon was shipped off to BlackGate Penitentiary after a hasty trial. But he didn't stay there for very long.

Doctor Hugo Strange, head of Arkham Asylum, had followed Waylon's arrest closely in the news. He took an interest in the boxer specifically because of the irony of his nickname. Strange would go on to convince the superintendent of BlackGate that Waylon was unfit to be housed in a regular prison because of how dangerous he might be - Arkham would be a much better fit for him.

Strange promised Waylon that being in an asylum would greatly reduce how long he'd have to spend incarcerated, as he could get out of an asylum when he was proven "sane". But Waylon was given a cell in the lowest pits of Arkham - in the basement, where Strange made his monsters. And he would become the living test subject for what would become Kirk Langstrom's own bat-serum; his nickname, Killer Croc, once a source of pride, becoming a cruel prediction of what he'd become.

Unlike Kirk, however, Waylon is permanently trapped in this new form; shunned from society and now living as Gotham's monster in the sewers. Forever a Killer Croc.

??? (Nickname: Rat/Rats) was born in....Well, actually, no one really knows where it came from. Rats was there the first time Waylon escaped into the sewers, and it seemed it'd been there a long time before that, too.

Rats is like a cryptid to most of the Gotham population. But, like, the kind of cryptid where everyone knows it's real, you just don't encounter it that often. 12 year old rat child in the sewers? Yeah, everyone knows about that

They're shy, unnerving, and tend to be nonspeaking, their only appearances to most of the public coming from brief glimpses in the sewers or, occasionally, guiding people lost within them back out.

To the rogues, though, Ratcatcher is a source of information. It seems to know far more than it should, due to communication with the all-seeing eyes of it's many rats. But how much it's willing to help depends on how much it trusts you, which is usually not very much at all.

And if they don't want to talk to you, then Waylon will be sure to escort you quickly out of the sewers.

(Fun fact: Rats communicates mostly in ASL!)

Basil Karlo was born and raised in Gotham. A lover of performance from the moment he could join the theatre club in school, he was dead set on pursuing an acting career after he graduated from college. His first experiences were small background roles or roles in commercials, but even then directors could see the acting potential lurking within him.

Small roles grew into more major roles, as they grew from background actor, to minor actor, to eventually starring in major roles. And they were a popular guy! Pretty face, charming voice, they became Gotham's own star!

In one of these movie roles, Basil would grow very close to one of his co-stars. Their relationship would move very quickly from friendship to romance, as it does when you work so closely with someone. It might have even moved a little too fast, as they decided to get married the moment they returned to America from their filming location. She moved into his home in Gotham, and things were good, for a little while.

But a lot of cast romances end up not working out, and this was one of those cases. Basil and his wife began to drift apart, focusing on their own careers and neglecting one another in the process. Their relationship began to decay, and with the nature of Basil's career, there began to be...people on the side.

They thought he kept these escapades a secret. They did everything they could to not let their wife or the public know about their cheating.

Of course, this was a pipedream.

This all happened around the time J's Red Hood Gang was at their peak. They figured out Basil's secret, gathered material, and would present the evidence to Basil himself. To keep their secret safe, Basil was forced under the Red Hood.

Basil...did not take well to what he had to do as a Red Hood. But he was desperate to save face amongst the well-to-do of Gotham, so he continued doing the bidding of J and her gaggle for a good while.

Until the day, with no interference from the Red Hoods, their wife left them. She had apparently been contacted by one of Basil's partners, and now they were going to leak that to the press during the divorce proceedings.

Basil's life was ruined. His reputation was in shambles, and he was doing more work for criminals than directors. But he decided he was going to change that. What was the point of working as a Red Hood if they had no way to blackmail him anymore?

So they attempted to leave. They confronted J and demanded that she let them go, and without waiting for her response, left.

Red Hoods were waiting at their home when they got back there. They kidnapped them, dragged them to Ace Chemicals, and proceeded to pour an experimental chemical onto their face. This chemical made flesh like clay—moldable, which the Hoods used to their advantage as they toyed with Basil's face. Morphing it into different shapes and expressions for their own amusement.

When they were done, they dragged him to the vat where they were developing that chemical and threw him into it, expecting him to die.

Unfortunately for Basil, they did not.

[sepublic]

            Tbh not a fan of how some people are so obsessed with framing Belos as some sympathetic, tragic character on account of his parallels with Luz, that they basically rob him of any and all agency to reduce Philip to some mindless follower of his puritan community, even in their explicit absence while having the support of Caleb, whose opinion he should prioritize if it was truly about what others have told him. This woobified take of some superstitious dingus/helpless child who can’t make any decisions for himself feels infantilizing and at odds with how Belos is actually portrayed in the show.

         Plus, the whole argument of “That’s how it was back then” in order to justify or at least explain Philip’s bigotry feels rather hollow, because like. Not only does Caleb (who was also a child not much older) exist, but this rationale was used to justify a lot of historical people’s pro-slavery attitudes, because “it was just normal” back then, so surely we can’t judge these people by modern standards, right? Especially not to replace a Confederate statue, right?

         (For the record, I highly doubt people who use this logic in regards to Belos are intentional about this comparison, I don’t think they made this connection and still went with it anyway.)

         Except people back in the day DID call this behavior out, there were always people opposing it, hence the existence of a character like Caleb. And this is a point that’s being raised a lot in regards to this subject about judging people of the past with contemporary values. Abolitionists existed just plenty in the past, and it’s their work that led to this social change over time.

         Plus, the framing of Philip as some superstitious Puritan who genuinely believed in his church’s teachings about sin, and is legitimately concerned for people’s souls, indirectly presents him as only needing a good argument and evidence to change his mind. Except we see how Philip is a highly intelligent, calculating individual who can figure people out like it’s nothing, extremely observant and approaching his analysis of the Demon Realm with a professionalism bordering on the scientific method.

         That scene in For the Future, where he’s confronted by alleged ghosts? I think it’s meant to support what the Titan clarifies in the next episode; That Belos KNOWS he’s wrong, that he’s just lying about it. The problem isn’t that he needs to realize this, it’s that he already has, but won’t admit this to himself to change his behavior in response. I doubt Philip truly believes there’s a God expecting something of everyone. And remember Grom, when Luz says “You’re not coming from a place of intellectual honesty, so debating you would be pointless!”

         Jacob Hopkins strays close to the Dudebro image that Luz directs this line at; And we see how he’s not actually driven by reasoning, but by a delusional need to be the hero. And Jacob’s comparisons to Belos need not be stated; A lot of fascists AREN’T approaching from a place of actual logic that can thus be reasoned with, hence why punching them is a necessity.

         It’s not as if they’re just working with faulty evidence that they’ve drawn a misguided conclusion from; They come in with a predisposed ‘conclusion’ they’ve already decided on, and then look only for the evidence to support it. Which is ironic, given what I said about Philip appearing to be someone who would use the scientific method in his studies, but bias is bias. It’s like how other races being inferior was made up to justify slavery as an economic boon; Rather than people naturally assuming other races to be inferior, and THEN making slavery as a result of that conclusion.

         The bigotry is all an intentional excuse made to justify an ulterior, power-hungry motive; Why else does Thanks to Them frame other witch hunters as just making things up about their neighbors to seize their property? And remember when I compared King James I of historical infamy to Philip, speculating that his real-life book on witchcraft may have influenced Philip’s diary from a writing perspective, if not an in-universe one as well? A lot of people speculate James didn’t necessarily believe in witches as a threat to humanity; He just latched onto them as a scapegoat to legitimize his power. Because if the agents of Hell see you as a threat, doesn’t that suggest you as divinely ordained?

         And I think that ties into Philip’s shallow understanding of the Demon Realm; These people are inherently evil, so if they do anything to hate or oppose him, it’s because Philip is actually an agent of Good, a divine hero, and all of these demons are some magical hivemind that uniformly collaborate to prioritize opposing Good. He’s every bully who needles and harasses a minority, and acts vindicated when they DO lash out, as the creator of a self-fulfilling prophecy. 

        And while there’s a lot to be said about not feeding the beast, sometimes you just HAVE to defend yourself, and not care about proving your worth to someone who isn’t approaching from a place of good faith, whose approval is meaningless, especially if it comes at the risk or even cost of your own safety. Hence all this real life discussion of queers and other minorities not having to be palatable to deserve rights.

         In the end, I see Philip Wittebane as akin to Walter White, of Breaking Bad fame; I’m sure he DID legitimately care about his family, to an extent. But if it really was just about them, and not the cheap thrill of some power fantasy, he’d have accepted the help given to him, instead of going on this ridiculous quest to accumulate strength so he can become the Biggest, Baddest person who can crush his enemies.

        And in his constant pursuit of that high, what concern for his family and others he might’ve had withers away into nothing; Until the Titan’s summation of Philip as someone who only believes in his delusional need to be the hero doesn’t just make sense from her in-universe perspective, but as a description with implied authorial backing. Family? That was just an excuse, but at least Walter White had the guts to admit this aloud to someone else.

[nativehueofresolution]

thinking about connor and shiv as the two kids 'out' of the company (or at least as out as they can be when their finances are tied up in it and the family is the brand), because they both came to it in different ways and have such different attitudes to it?

connor says in 3x05 he was always steered away from entering the company, and i think that's probably true but the context for him is quite different. from what we can piece together of the timeline, waystay was not quite a media empire during his childhood, and logan hadn't yet become obsessed with his legacy (it's kendall, after all, not connor, who is named after logan - which i take to mean he probably was not thinking about having a capital-h Heir yet). by the time that changed, connor's mother was likely already institutionalized and connor was old enough logan may have already decided he didn't have an aptitude for business (alan ruck has suggested in interviews connor probably flunked out of multiple schools). so it was better to start over, and connor had to watch kendall replace him as the eldest son and be groomed for the role instead. but it wasn't pre-ordained from his birth. it was a gradual fall in status until he'd accepted his place as the "first pancake" and was content to stay out of the bloodbaths and settle for scraps of attention to avoid being pushed out even further.

meanwhile, by the time shiv was born, logan already had an heir and a spare, and girls didn't count anyways. she always knew she wasn't going to get the keys to the kingdom no matter how good she was. so she builds her life in the opposite direction, tries to act like she's out because of defiance, because she's a black sheep who doesn't agree with waystar's conservatism. staying out on principle gives herself some agency, rather than waiting in the wings for an offer that will never come.

in one of the early s1 scripts, there's a line where connor tells shiv 'i've always said you and i are the only sane ones'. and it's a joke (the punchline is connor says this while wandering around on a horse lol), but i also wonder if maybe connor did feel a certain kinship with shiv - the ones too smart to get involved in the family mess, who could tell logan would never give them his approval - and if he was sad to see her throw her entire political career away at the first hint logan would give her the keys, when he thought they both had accepted their lot and were doing their own things.

on the other hand, i think shiv would maybe have been a little bit afraid of being a connor by staying out. of being reduced to an irrelevant joke, and that's why she can't fully keep her nose out of waystar business and likes the idea of having tom to puppet master in waystar, all while she is so determined to be a winner in the political arena. she's not out to be a professional rich person and follow daddy's orders, she's out because she has better things to do and maybe she has a guy keeping an eye on things but that's just being responsible.

[starsomens]

Okay but CEO Noah who comes home after a long day at work and you guys just hang out and like take a bath together and cuddle in bed and it’s all just so fluffy and intimate and complete opposite of him at work and I-

I really need to work on portraying someone who’s like mean and intimidating…HERE WE GO

at work…

first off a small tour here is the (left) meet room and (right) his personal office

2 or the scariest place in his building if you’re an employee 😃

You’re either in his office because he did something right and he just needs to follow up or you did something wrong and this is most likely your last day. He has only given one employee another chance after they fucked up, but after that, he basically never did it again.

Now in the meeting room,

Any kind of big changes, or issues are spoken of here now you know what usually doesn’t let these things get to him, but there were a few occasions where things started to go downhill pretty fast and he was pretty pissed off because he had an entire team to take care of this!

May seem like money and luxury, money, is usually what comes to peoples minds when they see or think of Mr. Noah Sebastian.

However, once he’s out of the office and he steps into his car to go home, he immediately calls you and tells you he’s on his way home

Sometimes he really thought of all of this was worth the migraines. He’d get every now and then. However he did over the years to deal with it and let it get to him, at least in the moment.

What was scary about Noah is that you couldn’t tell if he was upset or not. And if you are wondering, yes, he does hit his employees with the good old, I’m not angry just disappointed. Because it’s true the reason he gets disappointed is because he hired his employees to do tasks and specific jobs and if they don’t meet those requirements, why the hell did he hire them??

I said before this job can be very stressful. Some nights spent an extra four hours at work just to get some things covered other nights instead of going straight home to go to an event after Or to a business to talk about agreements 

When there are days when things go in order or he at least didn’t have to stay extra hours after work, he got to go home. It was the best part of his day for you to hug him and give him a kiss to make of the melt.

This man kind of becomes a baby because he really does try to take the fastest way home so that he can be in your arms sooner

Now he used to live in a condo and had a shower and after you guys moved in together He made sure to find another place with a bathtub in it. Why? Nothing like being in a nice warm bath with you.

He has two glasses of champagne set up, some chocolates and yes, he always puts fresh flowers on the sink mostly for you. You guys will stay there until the bathwater gets cold.

Afterwards, go to do your skin care while you talk about your day. Now, why was this relaxing to Noah ? hearing day was a lot more relaxing than thinking about his

While you’re putting on his sheet mask, he tell him how it’s gonna help him reduce the final lines of his stressful day and he can’t help with smile at you with how much love and care you put in his skin

You give him his multivitamin as well and make sure you drink water

While your masks sit you guys put on a bad reality TV show and enjoy yourselves with a nice bowl of your favorite snack

Billionaire CEO Sebastian likes to watch bad reality TV with his wife. And if he was honest, he quite enjoyed it.

When you guys sat together together, he made sure to have you either in his lap or between his legs where you can just relax and rest.

One of the more soothing things that he loved about this was that he can feel when you’re breathing slows down and you had fallen asleep. You were honestly source of distressing for him. Just your presence made him feel so much more calm once he felt like he didn’t have an entire entire company on his shoulders.

[randomingoftherandomness]

Fic: There's something broken about this; But I might be hoping about this (Qiubing)

A/N: @snicker-doodles I hope this satisfies :)

Also tagging @xinyuehui 🐈

Title is from one of my favourite songs by Hozier

--

"What an ominous marriage"

"Look at that head of white..."

"--heard that the General himself requested this marriage--"

"Is it true that the other groom has gone mad from grief?"

Qiu Qingzhi knocks his cup of wine to that of his colleagues, accepting their congratulations even if he can hear the questions their smiles aren't asking outright. There'd been much gawking in the streets when he had rode ahead of the procession and he wasn't a fool to think that their invited guests would behave any differently.

The whispers reach his ears. Probably despite the best efforts of the lips they were uttered from. Qiu Qingzhi inclines his head before turning to direct a maid to check on Li Bing in their bridal suite.

He will tough it out for another half a shichen before he ropes in some of his subordinates to play interference with some of the drinking games starting up around the courtyard. He would rather not leave Li Bing to stew alone in their room. Well, Qiu Qingzhi thinks a little exhaustedly as he pours himself a cup of tea, more alone than he thinks he is.

To his old friend, this marriage may seem like a shackle. To him, it was all he could have ever wanted.

Li Bing had barely said a word to him in the two weeks he had taken to pull together this wedding. Hadn't even said a word about how the sanction for their marriage came from the Empress herself. Had barely acknowledged the gifts and dowry he had brought to the Li residence and was still very much in mourning.

Not even to say anything about how there was a tacit agreement to reduce the fanfare of the wedding procession, even though Qiu Qingzhi would have very much rather given him the mile of red and then some.

Qiu Qingzhi would have loved nothing more than to give Li Bing the wedding he deserved.

Instead, they make do.

In his wildest dreams, Qiu Qingzhi had never dared to hope that one day he would get to perform his wedding bows with Li Bing. Never, in a million years, even in his darkest days did he ever think he would be the one to hoist Li Bing into his arms as he crossed the threshold of his residence.

Li Bing looked beautiful -- looks so beautiful in red. Even in the simplest robes they could manage to pull together to not break taboo, all eyes were on him.

As the other groom, he didn't need to wear a veil, and for that, Qiu Qingzhi is grateful. With delicate gold woven through the whites of his hair, Li Bing makes for a simple and understated groom on his wedding day. But to Qiu Qingzhi... To him, he glowed.

"General."

The maid he had sent to Li Bing bows, stepping close to inform him that Li Bing had only taken two mouthfuls of the sweet porridge he had had the kitchen make. Now, that won't do. Calling over his subordinates, he asks them to help with the guests while he instructs his steward to get the chef ready to prepare any meals Li Bing may want to eat.

It won't do for his groom to not have enough to eat on his wedding night.

Tomorrow, he will send Li Bing off right to the city limits to lead his father's funeral procession back to their hometown. Everything red will be traded to white and as Li Bing's husband, he will follow suit and mourn just the same. Qiu Qingzhi won't follow outright, but he has ordered men to shadow the procession and will be tailing them from a distance.

And at the 100th day mark, Qiu Qingzhi will worship at his father-in-law's tomb. There will be a place for his funeral plaque at the altar in the main hall where Li Bing will call home. In due course, Qiu Qingzhi will tell him that they should move back to the Li residence.

It will be alright.

[breakfastteatime]

Today's request is for the anon who asked for 'silence' (✿◡‿◡)

The pod isn’t moving anymore. It isn’t moving, and Cal can’t hear anything. It’s strange when he notices the silence. His ears have been so full of explosions, crashes, creaks, shouts and groans, he’s not sure when they stopped being real. His head is full of loose pieces, and now they’ve stopped rattling there is only silence.

Cal looks up. Master Tapal is on the deck. He’s silent too.

Clutching his master’s lightsaber, Cal feels the scarred metal slicing through his hands. He shifts his grip. Master Tapal’s presence is so powerful in his weapon. The echoes are layered, complex, a testament to Master Tapal’s dedication and discipline.

And now he’s dead. He’s dead, and it’s Cal’s fault for being too slow, too weak, not good enough, never, ever good enough. His throat burns. He’s going to cry. Since childhood, Cal’s been trained to reach for the Force when his emotions try to get the better of him, but now reaching out is like pushing a hand into broken glass. Everything around him has shattered. His master, himself, the clones, the entire galaxy. All of it. Broken. The Force is so dark, so wounded, its touch is acid in the wound. Cal pulls back. The galaxy feels so flat, so empty and he can’t bear it. He pulls into himself and blocks everything else out. He can’t reach within. He can’t. He’ll suffocate.

He clings tightly to the lightsaber, to its echoes of focus, peace, serenity, there is only the Force. His dead master’s voice is the only sound to hear, and Cal must follow his last order. It’s the only option left to him.

Hold the line.

Wait for the Council.

Trust only in the Force.

The Force is so turbulent, so full of misgivings, Cal knows he can’t step out of this escape pod looking like a Jedi. He turns his master’s lightsaber and angles its jagged edges to where his braid hangs. Cal slices it, catching it with his other hand. He glances at the woven hair. It seems so short. His master was supposed to cut it off years from now when Cal was an adult and ready to be knighted.

Cal is never going to be knighted.

Somehow, the thought doesn’t reduce him to tears. Maybe he’s used up all his emotions. He climbs out of his seat on hollow legs and tucks the severed braid under Master Tapal’s cold hands. Next, he sheds as many layers as he can until he just looks untidy. So slovenly today, Padawan. Cal uses his outer robe as a belt, wrapping the lightsaber hilt in it and strapping it to his body. The other layers he leaves on the ground. He doesn’t need them; he’s already too hot and sweaty. His face hurts, especially his jaw and neck. His hand hovers over the wound, heat pulsing out. Pain and anger circle inside. Why had the clones attacked? Why hadn’t he thought to slow them like that earlier? Master Tapal would be alive if Cal reacted faster. He’d never slowed anything like that before. That power had come out of nowhere. He remembered thinking stay back and let us go, and he made the Force give him time to escape.

Not enough time for Master Tapal though.

Silent tears pour from Cal’s eyes. They burn his face. He scrubs at them, crying out when he catches the wound. It’s a strange, startling sound. He didn’t know he could make noises like that, strangled and thin, like something slowly dying. And now his face hurts even more than before.

The pod creaks and moans around him. Cal swears the walls are closing in until he blinks and they stay in place. He’s gotta go before someone comes looking and finds two Jedi. Cal grabs a water bottle out of the emergency kit, and after a moment’s consideration, he adds a ration bar. Ready as he’ll ever be, Cal opens the hatch and beyond is the Bracca wasteland he’s spent so much time looking at from the Brave. Finally, there’s sound again. Rain. It always rains on Bracca. Good. Maybe that’ll take some of the heat out of him.

Cal knows he can’t leave Master Tapal or the pod here to be found. The knowledge of what he must do nearly undoes him, but he takes a sick pleasure knowing this awful machine will soon be gone. He moves to the controls and activates the self-destruct. The countdown starts.

He glances at Master Tapal one last time. This is not what he deserves, but it’s the best Cal can do. He is one with the Force now, and that’s what matters. There’s so much Cal should say, but the words won’t come, and he won’t dishonour Master Tapal further by crying like a baby. He’ll never cry again if he can help it. Self-destruct counting down, Cal slides out of the pod, and starts walking.

The pod explodes behind him. The shockwave throws him into the mud, coating Cal in dirt and grime. The pod is engulfed in flames so hot they press him even at this distance. Getting to his feet, Cal doesn’t look back. It’s already too late. There’s nothing there.

Wordless, he sets his gaze on the horizon and stumbles through the rain.

[qiutls]

TNGDH 014

The festival began in earnest in the North, and the celebration was lively enough to forget the coldness of the winter.

'Hmm, why are they holding such a big festival when it's not even the season of harvesting?'

It's hard to get flowers during this time of the year, since the cold wind blows day and night, it must be expensive to buy them from outside. It's not even thanksgiving, nor spring... Why is the festival celebrated during this cold season?

"Because the day is short."

Sen answered my question clearly.

"It's a period of time where there's less stuff for people to do. And people tend to get depressed easily when the amount of sunlight is reduced. Lethargy makes people sick; the poor starve to death and the pessimists often kill themselves."

I see. I've never thought of that.

I looked up at the red sky beyond the castle walls. The sun was already setting even though it was still early in the day.

"So, His Highness deliberately makes the coldest and darkest times lively. Spending this week, by generously releasing food collected throughout the year and buying people's goods at a high price. Aristocrats from the city are also invited to spend money for the merchants to earn their keep. It's like giving a gift to the people of the estate in order for them to keep enduring until spring."

That means, while Kyle's not hanging out with me, he was taking care of everyone in the estate. I honestly admire it.

"Soon, His Highness will deliver a speech to commemorate the charity event. Do you want to go and see it?"

I nodded.

There's still time left anyway. I tried to meet Belial, but unfortunately, I still couldn't, so I just looked around the castle. Since the time for "Summon" was doubled, I can enjoy this luxury.

"Are they selling food on the street?"

"Have you not tried the festival food? Oh, this can't do! Come on, follow me. I'll treat you today!"

The place Sen led me to was teeming with people and stalls.

'Wow, there's really a lot to eat.'

There're orange-colored candied apples, grilled barbeque and lots of fried snacks and sweets covered in caramel sauce. My eyes, nose and mouth are all satisfied with all the food surrounding me,

'Life in the north is better than I expected...'

Only when there's delicious food can a heart full of love for the estate be born. I watched the vividness of the street while taking a bite at the food Sen bought me.

"Your Highness!"

"Thank you so much, my lord!"

The festival was more exhilarating than I thought, and so was Kyle's speech, which we watched from afar.

It was good to watch him from a distance that could be reached at any time if I wanted. But the Lord of Blake, exuding greatness, who could only be seen from afar, is also pretty cool.

He looked at his subjects from the stage with a blank expression that seemed cold to anyone else.

If you didn't know anything about him, you would misunderstand and think he was a villain or a tyrant.

But I know that's not the case at all. I haven't been with him for a long time, but I already know him well. What more for the people who have been living in this estate for years.

"It was really a good choice to come to the North."

"Who said otherwise? If it wasn't for Your Highness, we would have all starved to death a few years ago."

This was someone's vivid life, which cannot be explained by just a few lines in a novel. The reality is that the energy and passion of the people does not cool down despite the harsh winter wind. Their indomitable determination to live and breathe keeps them going.

"Who said you were a cold and unfeeling Duke of the North...."

If you look at him at any angle, you'd obviously see otherwise. Of course, I like it better like this than what the book described.

"Here, eat this too Shu."

As I stared at Kyle, Sen came to me with honey-coated fruit skewers on both hands.

I took a big bite of what looked like Tanghulu. It was crunchy and juicy, the fruit itself tasted almost fresh, perhaps because of the cold northern climate. Before I knew it, I've already eaten all four of the skewered fruits.

It was a fruitful hour, I ate delicious food and met new people. It almost felt like I was free from everything.

But now it's time to go back, I looked back at everything with regret. My eyes which scanned the street landed on Kyle, who was distributing rations directly to the people.

Hmm, it was a good choice that I decided to save you.

"The only problem is, can I actually do it..."

"What did you say?"

"...Ah! It was nothing. I was just talking to myself. Thank you for the snack, I'm off now."

Sen tilted her head and asked,

"Why are you always in a hurry to leave every day? I haven't even seen you for more than an hour."

"That- It's, well it's complicated."

I want to stay longer too. There's a pile of food to eat from here to there. That beer, that homemade sausage, and beef jerky? Just imagining them is already making my mouth water.

I eventually returned to the castle with a bag of snacks.

'I should get home before Kyle comes back.'

I shouldn't make him worry this day, or else he might turn the study upside down trying to look for a hamster.

However, there was another problem I overlooked.

"Cashew Nut, as long as you're healthy, I have nothing else to wish for."

I ate too many again, so I went home full and turned a blind eye to the nuts left in the bowl. Kyle put the macadamia near my mouth trying to make me it, but I really couldn't take another bite.

The magicians came and said they still didn't feel any mana from me, and Kyle's face became dimmer at the suggestion that he inject more magical power to me.

Kyle wrapped a handkerchief around me and brought me to sleep with him in his bedroom. But what do I do, I can't sleep since I slept a lot during the day.

I spent the whole time tossing and turning around Kyle's sleeping face.

'You're quite handsome...'

This is what they mean by being full just by looking at a handsome face huh?

I can't get enough of it.

*

I have a lot of worries.

I did locate Belial's room. However, it was embarrassing to even pass by because of the knights guarding the door.

Is it tradition for the royal family to set up guard posts outside their bedroom? You live a strict life.

Agh! Listen people, I'm trying so hard to save your lives, but how is it a possible that not a single one of you take me seriously? That villain like chandelier! I get so upset looking at it. That item doesn't care for anyone's safety!

It has already been three days since I discovered Belial's room and have walked nearby to chance upon the prince. What can mulling over it do, I can only confront him and say it upfront.

Now that the banquet is just around the corner, if I keep wasting time like this, I'll end up sacrificing my body when the time comes just to prevent the accident.

There's nothing I can do, if I can't see you today, I'll have no choice but to enter your room through the window.

"Oh-"

Just then, I saw Belial walking at the hallway on the other side. There were several knights around him, but I could see his face when I tip-toed.

I apporached him in a heartbeat. There was no time to think. This is my last chance. My desperate voice called out,

"Prince!"

With a snap.

Belial's green eyes landed on my face the same time his knights drew their swords out and placed them near my neck. I could feel the cool sensation of the blades tightening on all sides of my neck.

If this continues, I might get cut just by swallowing saliva. Please go easy on me hmm. I was just calling out to the prince.

"Uhm, this is a little..."

Isn't this too much for someone who doesn't even have a weapon? Even if I was really crazy and tried to kick Belial, my legs wouldn't even reach his head.

Belial raised his hand.

"It's fine."

The problem was that even though the prince was amiable, the knights were not and started shouting at me as soon as they placed their cwords back.

"Be polite to His Highness!"

What? Why? Is there something I should do before greeting? Should I kneel?

Judging from the atmosphere, it seems like I should. When I stood up after kneeling, the atmosphere seemed to be better.

'I got it. I got it.'

I'm like a dirty, low-ranking commoner.

"I'm sorry to disturb His Highness' business like this but..."

I lowered my head and said,

"Please don't go to the banquet."

I'm not that good at talking, so rather than explaining my actions and why I'm asking him to do this, it's better to just say it directly.

Belial took a step closer to me. His shoes came into my view of the floor. Compared to my shoes which were dirty, his were sparkling clean. Is this the saying children from different families are different.

"There are only two days until the banquet, you don't want me to attend all of a sudden?"

"Yes."

"Even though I just received the invitation from the Grand Duke?"

"Yes."

I answered carelessly.

Why do you keep asking me ah? Are you going to block that falling chandelier with that invitaiton? If you get one shot, you should shoot it. If I can save you, then I'll save you.

I lifted my head slightly.

"I'm just informing the prince." The future of the North can only be protected if you are careful. I know nothing aside from that, I'm just a pet hamster who doesn't even pay for its own food.

"You're saying that as if someone has planned to hurt me at the banquet."

Belial whispered near my ear. His voice was clear and gentle, yet his words were cold and rough.

"That's not true."

I answered casually.

"If you're thinking that His Highness Kyle has plotted to kill you, he wouldn't wait and cause trouble at his own banquet to do it, Your Highness."

And Kyle will never want that to happen. He is a person who will never do that nor even think that in his mind.

He is the leader of the North. His actions are closely linked to the future of the people in this estate. And Kyle knows his responsibility. He is quite different from you who just came here and tried to cause a scandal.

"That's funny."

Belial laughed quietly, as if I had said something weird. Him and Kyle say the same stuff as if they were brothers.

He slid his arm and grabbed my chin with his fingers, tilted my face upwards and made eye contact with me. I thought a man couldn't be both gentle and rough, but he can definitely do it. In this sense, you could say he's a great man.

But of course, to other people, he probably just looks like a gentle and fairy like prince tilting my head to see my face.

"What a strange face. It looks unique."

It's because I'm a native Korean. Your Highness, if you go to Hongdae, or Sangsu or Hapjeong, you would find 500 people who look like me.

"Why are you stopping me from attending so desperately seeing as you're not even from the North?"

What should I say.

I can't just say, I don't want you to get hit by the chandelier and lead the North to destruction.

I feel like I've seen my future in a book if I do say those words to you, my life will end with a sword slicing my throat.

Somebody help me!

Is it possible that there's someone who's fate is tied to Belial, will step in for me, just coincidentally.

"Perhaps..."

They're here.

"They just didn't want you and the grand duke to be upset during the banquet."

I turned my head in delight and saw Sen, who was holding hamster toys and snacks in her arms.

'That's right!'

[ (*≧▽≦)ﾉｼ ]

'... Although I'm still quite nervous.'

It isn't a lie that I'm happy right now.

Sen came closer to me with a smile. Is it just me? There seemed to be a halo around her right now.

T/N I do hope Sen/Serena stays this way and doesn't harm Soohyun/Shu or Kyle in the future ☆ｏ(＞＜；)○

novel ⠀✿⠀ next

[krawlernyannyan]

VERSION 2.2 INFORMATION ROUND-UP

The v2.2 update livestream just ended and, as usual, here's everything they revealed in one tidy place. I will state up front that they did not detail any new forms for the Trailblazer (no kit analysis or the like) but they did draw attention to the hats they're wearing in the promotional image...

PLOT DROPS

(Not picking apart the new trailer here, just mentioning things they talked about.)

The new Trailblaze Mission is titled The Fool Always Rings Twice.

Both Robin and Sunday return.

The Trailblazers will have to participate in a talent competition hosted by The Family in order to gain an invitation to the Charmony Festival itself.

Boothill has arrived to Penacony but been barred from checking in due to Acheron's arrival before him. He'll be seeking the help of the Astral Express and they bring up that Pom-Pom and Dan Heng are the only people on the train right now.

NEW MAPS

Dreamflux Reef is a new area, a "reef that the dreamscape flows past." Entering this domain in the first place would take "ways and means", and we'll encounter some old friends here.

The Festivity Auditions are a new area in the Moment of Scorchsand, where the talent show (hosted by SoulGlad) is being held. Trailblazers will have to prove themselves at each of the audition venues to earn the title of superstar and gain access to the Grand Theater.

The Grand Theater is a third new map, and the place where the Charmony Festival will actually be taking place. Based on scenes in the version trailer it's also where the new boss will be fought (see below).

NEW CHARACTERS

Robin is a Physical/Harmony character whose Skill can boost the total damage inflicted by her team and whose Ultimate allows her to provide additional damage after each ally attack. The Ultimate also allows all allies to immediately take action on top of other buffs. Her Talent allows her to regenerate Energy each time an ally attacks, and her Technique can cause enemies in its radius to start following Robin without attacking her, and attacking enemies while in this entranced state gives Robin extra Energy at the start of the battle.

Robin's advanced Trace material is the Past Evils of the Borehole Planet Disaster (the Skaracabaz drop). Her Ascension materials are IPC Work Permits (see below)

Boothill is a Physical/Hunt character with a focus on single-target elimination. His Skill initiates a Duel with an enemy, taunting and giving him an enhanced Basic Attack. Both sides of the Duel take increased damage from each other. When he either defeats a Duel target or breaks their Weakness, he gains a stackable enhancement. His Ultimate inflicts Physical Weakness on the enemy and delays their action on top of dealing damage. His Technique allows him to additionally inflict Physical Weakness with his Skill after entering battle.

Boothill's advanced Trace material is the Lost Echo of the Shared Wish, and his Ascension materials are IPC Work Permits (see below for both).

NEW ENEMIES

Several new enemies were shown in the v2.2 trailer but none of them were elaborated upon in the actual program, although they did call attention to the violinist and drink-server puppets in the Grand Theater. These two, along the cage-headed puppet, previously appeared in Sparkle's trailer "Monodrama".

We also have our new boss, Harmonious Choir: The Great Septimus! Septimus is a three-phase with multiple summoned aids. These aids are the main source of its attacks, and breaking their Weaknesses in a timely manner to render them nonfunctional is a key element of the fight. During the second phase, they'll cast a shield on themselves to protect their Toughness and reduce the damage they take while boosting their damage given. Its third phase has attacks that ignore Defense and can deal massive damage. Breaking Septimus' Weakness gives a shield unto all allies.

NEW BANNERS

In the first half of v2.2, Robin will be joined by a returning Topaz. Four-stars accompanying their banners will be March 7th, Hanya, and Xueyi. Their respective Light Cone banners will feature Swordplay, Perfect Timing, and the new Nihility Light Cone Boundless Choreo.

In the second half, Boothill will be partnered with Fu Xuan, with Pela, Luka, and Hook as four-stars. On their Light Cone banners, the four-star Light Cones featured are A Secret Vow, Geniuses' Repose, and Landau's Choice.

NEW EVENTS

Clockie: Dreamjoy Memoir - A new combat-focused event where the Trailblazers will help Clock Studios repair the screen damaged by Acheron in v2.1 by helping direct and edit films. This includes a lot of additional mechanics to bestow buffs and special effects to the battles. These effects need to be allocated to meet audience demand, and you can unlock side stories through this event. Finishing the event nets a new text box style and new event-exclusive Harmony Light Cone, For Tomorrow's Journey.

The Legend of Galactic Baseballer - Giovanni of Aetherium Wars fame returns with a game based on the Trailblazer, focused around defeating as many enemies as possible to gain experience, level up their team, and unlocked special abilities.

All About Boothill - An assignment-focused event where you won't actually meet Boothill but you'll hear plenty of stories around him and his many deeds, gathering information for rewards.

Gift of Odyssey returns.

Planar Fissure (2x Planar Ornament drops) and Garden of Plenty (2x Calyx drops) are returning.

NEW GRINDS

After clearing the Trailblaze Mission, an Echo of War will appear to refight The Great Septimus. This contains Boothill's special Trace material, "Lost Echo of the Shared Wish". Notably, this Echo of War does not drop the usual Musketeer and Thief Relics that previous Echoes dropped, but instead rewards the Duke and Watchmaker sets. Possible Light Cone drops also appear to be adjusted.

A new Stagnant Shadow, Shape of Duty, will be arriving with the material needed to ascend both Robin and Boothill, IPC Work Permits.

A new Calyx, Bud of the Hunt, will be appearing in the Festivity Auditions supplying Boothill's Trace materials: Countertemporal Shot, Destined Expiration, and Meteoric Bullet.

OTHER STUFF

A full album of in-character Robin songs, Inside, is being released on May 9th, which includes songs featured in-game and additional new songs.

Trailblazer profiles are getting new features to show off battle records.

The Friends List will show what your friends are up to in real time (like if they're in the Simulated Universe or Forgotten Hall).

In Forgotten Hall or Pure Fiction, you'll be able to see what lineups your friends used and display your own (this is optional and can be turned off).

Optimizations to team setup to more easily let you check up on your lineups.

The ability to favorite characters and ensure they stay at the top of your character list will be added.

[hello-nichya-here]

I really want Mai to have more depth than "I only changed because of my bf" but we don't see her ever go through the realization that imperialism is bad and what the FN are doing is wrong, so why did she change if it wasn't for Zuko? It definitely wasn't a political/moral decision and I don't think it was because of hatred towards Azula, because we don't really see her mistreat Mai when she fails missions or disobeys orders or being disrespectful. If anything, we still see them vent to each other and playing wing(wo)man for each other, so they seem to be close friends.

So of it wasn't about being against imperialism/racism, and it wasn't about hating Azula and it wasn't about Zuko with, what was it about?

1 - Mai's decision to change sides not being about "I realized imperialism is bad" doesn't mean it was all about Zuko. She clearly didn't like being told what to do, it is not that hard to assume she'd one day realize she was ALWAYS gonna end up being bossed around, by her parents, by Azula, by anyone with more power, in a system like the one she lived under.

2 - Mai doesn't hate Azula. That doesn't mean there was nothing wrong with how their dynamic worked. When refusing to follow Azula's orders in "The Drill", Mai says "She can shoot all the lightning she wants at me." It doesn't matter that, either out of a rare moment of mercy or just because she was too focused on other things, Azula didn't do anything about it - knowing that there's always a very real possibility your friend will hurt or KILL YOU if you don't do what they want you to is more than enough reason to decide "I really shouldn't be friends with this person."

3 - Mai loved Zuko and she wanted to make sure he would survive. Where's the sin in that? Zuko and Iroh saved each other a billion times, including after fights (see Iroh helping in "The Chase"). Same for the Gaang. Why is "I don't really agree with you, but I care about you so I won't let anyone hurt you" only a bad thing when Mai does it?

Why is Mai, who had an entire season of characterization in which Zuko is only mention twice and VERY briefly, reduced to "lives solely for her boyfriend" when she saves him, but he doesn't get the same treatment when he says "I left my girlfriend behind even though I really didn't want to, because leaving Ozai put a target on my back and I couldn't drag her into this mess"?

Sounds like yet another case of this fandom being VERY sexist. Male character does a nice thing for his love interest? That's just seen as one side of character. Female does the exact same thing? She's "defined/held back by romance and has nothing going on outside of it" - again, even though we spent an entire season watching Mai doing her thing, with Zuko rarely coming up.

Hell, even if Mai HAD been defined by her relationship with a guy, that wouldn't automatically mean she was a bad character. Azula's every action revolves around what would or would not please her father, to the point of destroying her friendships with Ty Lee and Mai, with ocasional moments of her trying to salvage her sibling bond with Zuko, and she immediately gets absolutely jealous and resentful towards Ty Lee because she's the one getting all the attention from random boys Azula doesn't care about, yet she still wants their praise more than she wants the praise of her female friend.

We saw where that need to be "perfect", the absolute best at everything, and please a man that did not hesitate to ditch her on what was supposed to be THEIR glory day and even gave her the title she always wanted - only now it was completely hollow, since he greated a higher ranking position for himself anyway - led her, and it was not pretty.

"Character needs to reconsider their priorities" does not always translate to "This character was poorly written." And like I already said, "boyfriend obsessed" doesn't even apply to Mai in the first place.

She ditched her parents and ran around traveling with Azula because it would offer her more freedom than she had in Omashu. But she was not Azula's equal, so when she had to choose between her and Zuko, the flawed but loving boyfriend that never tried to abuse his status as a prince to control her and was trying to get his shit together, it really is no wonder Mai chose the obviously better alternative.

If anyone want to see me rant about how this fandom should PUT SOME RESPECT ON MAI'S NAME ALREADY, here's the thing:

[delicatedragonpartysalad]

I swear to god, some Sylvie fans seem to hate Loki, i've seen some of them calling Loki "pompous and arrogant" just because he says on the trailer that he and Sylvie are indeed gods, they're saying that Loki is still the same man from the begining of s1 but now he's doing horrible things because he thinks he's being heroic.

Aparently Loki can't have any self respect or be proud of who he is, he's supposed to be forever Sylvie's punching bag and is to be perpetualy humiliated, otherwise he's arrogant and has "delusions of grandeur".

The thing is: Loki *is* a god, he's not wrong to say that, and in my opinion he's not being arrogant on the trailer, he is simply stating a fact, it's different from ep 1 where he plays the "I'm a God" card to avoid the questions Mobius is asking him, on the trailer i get the vibe of: "we are capable of assuming this responsability because we *are* Gods, we can do this, we can save this place". If Sylvie doesn't see herself as one that's her problem, Loki is a God and nothing people say or do can change anything about it.

What amazes me about all of this is the fact that all of this mess is happening because of Sylvie, she killed hwr and didn't consider for a moment the consequences of her actions, she also doesn't want to deal with those consequences and now that Loki is trying to fix the mess she created her fans are bashing him because god forbid Loki contradicts Sylvie, she is the superior variant and therefore he should bow to her wisdom and let Kang wreack havoc in the multiverse just to please her.

It goes to a point where i saw them saying that Loki should stop trying to be heroic and fight to save the TVA to be with her, because *she* is more important than everything in the multiverse, apparently they want him reduced to be her boyfriend, he can't have any motivation and shouldn't fight for anything, he can only follow her around like a lost puppy.

But here's the thing: I don't think this is where the show is heading to, Loki seems to be finally accepting who he is and he is determined to save that place, because he knows they have to prepare to fight Kang, he knows that TVA will be vital to restore order to the multiverse, I think by the end of the story he'll end up reforming the TVA alongside Mobius and the other agents and they'll become sort of the HQ of the squad that's trying to stop Kang.

All of this is to say I think Loki has a great future ahead of him, he'll fight for what he thinks is right and no one will stop him from doing that.

[gadandzooksooc]

The @asktwilighteclipse story, Chapter 4

“Hello, Grandpa.” Draco was momentarily rooted to the ground where he stood. The same paralysis extended to the soldiers under his command, who were waiting for orders from their frozen commander. Gad and Zooks, in the back, could only just about make out what was happening, but they were in a similar state. And so it was that Draco took a magical blast straight to the face. He was instantly enveloped in a blast of green flames that knocked the closest knights a few feet back into the air. “Draco!” Light shouted, immediately shaking herself free from the paralysis. The spot Draco had been standing was wreathed in thick smoke for a few seconds before Everyone heard a short cough. Draco was still standing, despite taking the brunt of a blast that would have reduced a lesser pony to dust. “Stand Down.” Draco said to his opponents through his bared teeth.

“No.” Midnight said, a grin on her face. “Your time as Prince is done. We will take your place.” Another shot of magic came from Midnight’s horn, this time a deep purple. Draco’s sword was seemingly conjured from nowhere and deflected the blow. The beam hit a wall, leaving a worrying crater. “Don’t make me fight you,” Draco said, “I’m here to save you!” “We don’t need saving! We’re more powerful than we’ve ever been!” Midnight said as Lunar broke a stalactite from the ceiling and propelled it forward with ballistic force. Draco’s blade came down on the incoming spike, shattering it into a thousand tiny pieces of shrapnel. A few Knights near the front of the group covered their faces with their armored hooves to avoid getting hit. “That power is a curse! Let it go!” Draco said staunchly. “Oh, you would say that, wouldn’t you?” Midnight replied. “After all, you’re the one who kept us from it in the first place!” With a flash of Midnight’s horn, the walls of the cave broke and slammed inward towards Draco. “Get Back!” Draco shouted to the Knights behind him, instants before the incoming rocks slammed into a sparkling force field that surrounded him. Two massive magical forces struggled against eachother, causing the air around them to fill with sparks. A moment later Draco Slammed a hoof into the ground, and the rocks flew outward in an explosion of sharp gravel. The cave walls and ceiling gave a groan and a crack before settling down again. Draco Gritted his teeth. “Knights… retreat.” “Sir… we’re trained to-” Ice began. “Retreat! Now!” Draco repeated. And this time none of the knights hesitated. Gad and Zooks hesitantly followed. Draco kept his eys trained on his grandchildren as he backed away, and only turned when he broke line of sight. “Sir, we’re trained to take down rouge alicorns!” Phoenix said as soon as they were out of earshot. “I know.” Draco said. “I also know that Twilight and Solar are no match for you; maybe too much so.” The knights looked at eachother with confusion until Zooks spoke up. “They weren’t using any wards; no protection magic.” Pheonix cursed. Gad was confused. “Uh… isn’t that a good thing?” Gad asked. “Not if we want to take them alive.” Ice replied. Granted, We might still be able to do it-” “But that would take too long, potentially giving the cultists time to escape.” Draco said. “We don’t have time to take Twilight and Solar down and catch the cultists before they escape.” “Are we absolutely sure the cultists can escape? We might have them backed into a corner.” Light Peice offered.

Night shook his head. “No; If they knew we’d come after them, they would have fled, not retreated back into the caves. Not unless they had another escape route down there.”

The whole group was quiet for a moment. “So… we have to let them go.” Nature finally said. “We can’t save the Prince and Princess and get the cultists.” “Well… Maybe…” Said a certain blue hippogriffin. Everyone looked at Zooks.He wilted a bit under their attention. “Uh… um…” “Look out, everypony! My brother is going to come up with the best plan ever!” Gad said as he put his arm on Zooks’ back reassuringly. Zooks gave a not-quite-sure smile. 

“Right… well, uh… We could get past Midnight-Eclipse with a teleport spell, right?” Ice shook his head. “Not gonna work; Twilight would detect that, and then we’d be caught between them and the cultists.” “Right!” Zooks said, with no sign of discouragement. “So we’ll need to keep her distracted while we’re doing it.” “I’m not sure giving her a good book to read would work, Hippogriffin,” Phoenix said. “In this state, They’re dead-set on killing Draco and taking the throne.”

“Exactly,” Zooks said, “Draco could be our distraction.”

All eyes stared incredulously at Zooks, Except for Draco, who was looking thoughtful.

“Sorry, are you suggesting we abandon our prince to fight a corrupted, two-headed alicorn alone?” Light piece demanded.

Zooks wilted again. “Uh, well… when you put it like that…”

“It’s a good plan.”

Everyone looked to Draco, who was nodding appreciatively.

“You can’t possibly be considering…” Light said.

“I’m doing more than that, Light.” Draco replied.

“At least let us leave you with some backup, Your highness!” Phoenix said.

Draco shook his head. “You’ll need all the forces you have to take on the cultists. Don’t forget, they were organized enough to take you by surprise once already. You can’t risk being outnumbered once you get there, especially without Alicorn backup. Besides, this battle won’t be pretty, and any force you could spare would be at risk of becoming collateral damage.”

Phoenix sputtered wordlessly, clearly not liking where this plan was going, but not having anything more to say. Light simply had her muzzle agape at Draco, and Ice and Night seemed to be having a conversation between each other composed entirely of worried stares. Nature was the only pony who seemed to be nodding in agreement.

“Let me make this clear,” Draco said, “This is no longer a discussion. I will face my grandchildren, alone, to give you all enough time to capture the cultists. Is that clear?”

“Sir, yes sir!” Came the unified replies of the knights, even if some of their faces still held concern for their general.

[masterqwertster]

Hi!

So I love your writing, especially the prompt thing you've been doing recently. I'm super curious on what you think it would look like after the last little fic with Ashton and Orym, since they have no healers.

Maybe #6, #19 or #27, if you haven't done those or are okay with repeats? With Orym having to accept Ashton and Laudna's help until they can find a way to heal him, since it doesn't seem like he can even lift his arms? Or even accepting help from the other three traveling with them right now.

Or maybe for another focus, Laudna being panicked and scared about him being hurt and almost losing them both, but also worried about Imogen, so she's projecting onto Ashton and Orym to feel in control and maybe a little too pushy about helping him heal and making sure Ashton is alright too.

Thanks! 🤗

Alright, last one for this prompt list (for now) Sorry this one took a while. The prompt decided to fight me, but I got that sucker in the end! 6 "Don't move, you're still hurt." 19 "You need to eat something." Gonna pass on 27 "I'm going to carry you, okay?" since I've done Ashton and Orym both separately and together on that one. And since episode 63 was a whole thing, this references that, just the tiniest bit. Also, my brain decided this is a canon adjacent where Orym, Laudna, and Ashton are off on their own having split from their guests. So it's just the three of them in this little fic. A follow up to this one.

Laudna clutches her boys close.

For a bleak while there, she thought she'd lost them. How could she have gone back to Fearne, to Fresh Cut Grass, and told them their best friends didn't make it? That her reflexes hadn't been fast enough to catch them in a life-saving Feather Fall? And what about her, left alone without her family?

Lucky her, they managed to save themselves.

There's even the pleasant surprise of Ashton returning the hug, pinning her and Orym to their chest. Laudna really does enjoy hugs from the genasi when they're willing. Just the reassuring weight to their arms, the seemingly unshakable solidity to their body and presence, juxtaposed with the absolute care and gentleness they handle her with. Sometimes she'd swear there's nothing more grounding than an Ashton hug.

A hiss escapes the group hug, sending Laudna scrambling backwards as Ashton's arms spring open.

With that space, she fully takes her boys in, almost immediately spotting the problem: Orym's arms look a dreadful mess. Bright red and swollen at the joints, and dislocated too, if she's any judge (and she is, with as often as her own joints will pop out of place).

"Oh. Oh, that doesn't look good at all. Hold still, give me a moment," Laudna worries, hands going into the motions for a Wither and Bloom. Healing is hardly her specialty, but this spell can heal. It doesn't have to kill hurt.

And it's not as much healing as what Fresh Cut Grass or Fearne could provide if they were here, but it is some measure of healing. The worst of the swelling reduces, the redness recedes some, and some nasty cracks and snaps indicate that all the bones have popped back into their sockets.

"Wait," Orym pants out as Laudna's hands begin the motions for a second casting. "S-save the magic. We might n-need it later."

Laudna bites her lip. She really thinks Orym should take a second round of healing, even if it does bring her magic reserves down to uncomfortably-low-should-another-fight-occur. Because it's either her magic or one of their few potions to get the halfling into something better approximating working order.

"Heal him," Ashton commands, cutting through the indecision.

Orym splutters as Laudna quickly completes the spell, trying to be indignant about the used resources even as the tension in his body relaxes a bit more from the second dose of healing.

"Can you hold your shit, or does Laudna need to hit you again?" Ashton demands, no room to lie or evade in their gaze.

With a stubborn jut to his chin, Orym picks up his sword and shield. He only slightly fumbles stowing them away on his back, earning a grunt of approval.

"Alright, let's keep moving," the genasi says, groaning a bit as they lever themself back onto their feet.

"Are you okay?" Laudna has to ask. It can be a little tricky to tell when Ashton is vocalizing his chronic pain or a current injury.

"I'm good," Ashton says, rolling his shoulders and flexing his hands a bit, producing a barely audible popping that Laudna’s fairly certain wouldn’t be audible at all if his body wasn't made of stone. "After all, I'm not the one who caught, like, ten times their body weight and still some-fucking-how held on."

"Are you complaining?" Orym raises an eyebrow at them.

"Nah. Just saying you absolutely fucking needed the healing after doing something that crazy," Ashton easily explains, flicking the halfling's ear.

Orym grumbles, but lets it go.

Laudna, for her part, is very glad Orym managed such an impossible feat, even at great cost to himself. Certainly, having Ashton handle their own weight is always the better option, but needs must. And they obviously got around to it quick enough, since Orym's arms are still attached and the boys did haul themselves back up the cliff.

And maybe, maybe, Laudna spends the rest of the day hovering and worrying. Even though her boys are perfectly fine besides Orym's sore arms, Ashton's sore everything and there's really no need to worry. They're quite capable and can handle themselves. She's seen them in action, so of course she knows that. There's really no need-

"Here. Eat," Ashton grunts, shoving a bowl of stew into her anxiously wringing hands.

"Oh. Oh. I'm alright," Laudna demurs, even as her fingers curl around the warm bowl.

"Eat," Ashton demands again. "I know you don't need much, but you still need some. 'Sides, food is energy and you need to regain yours for-" and he wiggles and flicks his fingers at Orym in what is actually a half-decent impression of her casting Wither and Bloom.

And well. When they put it like that.

Laudna eats her stew.

As they settle down for sleep and watch, Laudna hits Orym with another Wither and Bloom, getting a little sigh of relief from the halfling. Then she spins one last one on Ashton as well for good measure.

"Good night," Ashton intones as almost a threat, flipping her off good-naturedly. And they resettle in their seat, obviously feeling some relief from her spell as well.

"Good night~" she sing-songs back, curling into her bedroll. Her boys live (she can hear them breathing), and soon, all of Bells Hells will be together again.