#the hatching on this is much better than the cross-hatching i attempted last year during inktober im proud of it

[spotsupstuff]

"Ah. You again."

"You hush!" Three Sparrows aggressively points towards the abnormally sized blue Iterator puppet leveling her with an unimpressed look since she made it through the chamber hatch. "You knew I was coming over before I even started packing back at Caper's. And I know for a fact that you've known about me since I got through your retaining walls."

Oh, and he has the nerve to puff unconcerned at that, glancing back to the endless neon screens displaying manufacturing demands, asking him to deal with that and that accident occuring in the multiple levels of Desaevio. He just swipes those away. Not even betting an eye at someone losing their life in a crash.

That still sends shivers down her spine and settles an uncomfortable weight in her stomach. Even though it's been a long while now, that Boreas' Blessing has accepted her into his family.

"Yes, I have. And I have attempted to prevent you from progressing further into my factories as well-," he shoots her a warning look without any threat in it over his shoulder, "-intruder."

"Ha! Please." Three Sparrows exclaims, rather directing her attention to her goal- the umbilical arm. She needs something to ground against after all, and at this point she knows better than to ask the ancient Iterator to turn off the antigravity. Blessing doesn't like doing that- the pull of the umbilical arm on his back hurts.

Not so subtly, the arm moves to meet her as she swims to it.

"You call *that* 'preventing'? You've got to be growing rusty. You gave me a harder time while trying to get to my apartment back during my school days than now."

"Hm. Yes, well... You are pulling on your 81st birthday. I have thought you would be appreciative of me being considerate of that fact." She settles on one of the last segments of the arm at its base and with the wave of the puppet's, all the screens close. "...what with being fully organic and all. Have your joints not been bothering you?"

As he brings himself closer, she pays him no mind. Rather eyeing her knee from her perch. And... yeppp, extending it properly produces a crack. It hurts a little. Blessing glares at the thing as if it just personally offended him.

"You *are* aware I could produce you a prosthe-"

"No." She quickly waves her hand in denial. "No- I mean... thank you, Blessing. For the offer. I do appreciate both it and you being considerate. I may not... like to hear it, but I guess I really am getting old. But I'd like to stay as much myself as I can the whole way."

"..." And the so-old-that-it's-hard-to-comprehend thing gives her this look. On the outside still twisted in anger- Three Sparrows is sure his face actually got stuck that way- but buried underneath... worry, pity, confusion... fear... all that plays there in the back. "...very well. I will stop asking then."

She gives him a little smile from behind her rebreather mask. "You said that last time I visited, too. You are just a big ol' carebear, B."

Huff, cross of arms. "What are you doing here this early anyway. You are scheduled to come by in a week before departing for Zephyrus."

Three Sparrows only gives him a shrug at that, averts her eyes. "I dunno. This might... be my final outing. To Zeph especially. I don't know when I'll start greying, I don't know when mom will die back home, the next few years seem..." her hands clasp each other, fidgeting, "They seem..."

His touch is strangely light, when his hand settles on top of hers. Hiding them both away effortlessly. He's cold.

But his voice is gentle and warm, the deep tone of it reassuring. "Uncertain."

Sigh. "Yeah... Uncertain. I'm scared." She shrugs again, trying to play that vulnerability off. "Either way, I might not see you guys in person again. I thought that was... horrible. I may have cried. A little bit." She eyes him, trying to force some play through the pain. "Only a teeny tiny bit."

"Right, yes." Blessing decides to indulge her, "Because every time I have seen you cry it definitely had not felt like I was close to witnessing a river for the first time."

That at least gets her to giggle a little. "You are the meanest person ever!"

"I will be sure to take that as a compliment, little sister." And he makes a show of rolling his eyes in total exasperation.

Through little laughs, she continues: "So I'm here to stay the week. Hang out with you a little before I'll go."

When he takes too long to reply, seemingly surprised, she adds a little unsure with one of her hands worming out from underneath his to put it over it. "You can still... send me on my way, though? If you don't want me."

Oh and there's such hurt in that statement. How could he, anyway? She's his responsibility, for the last twenty or so years. And his responsibilities are precious to him. Either by their value, as his work to manufacture parts- or by how cherished they are. How beloved they've become. And just like little Eurus, Three Sparrows has managed to become dear to him too.

With a soft squeeze of her hand, Blessing indirectly answers. "Are you going to stay here now? I shall fix the air for you, if so."

There's that smile again. So easy to paint on her features, yet not any less loved for it. "I'd like to. Thank you."

As the process starts, she tells him of her plans. Motions to the guitar case on her back, points to her media player apparently containing new songs she thinks he might like.

They shall sing, they shall watch a movie and then they shall talk some more. While Boreas' Blessing indulges her, he shall look for a place for her to stay for the week, too. It must've slipped her mind.

It's alright. He's here to look after her.

[lemonjoonah]

Blood Bounty - Part 3 (M) - Finale

Pairings: Yoongi x Reader, Taehyung x Reader, ft. Seokjin x Namjoon Word Count: 15.5K Rating: M Genre: Historical fantasy AU, Vampire AU, Thriller, Drama, Smut Warnings (CONTAINS SPOILERS): Dub-con (consent is freely given but the context is dubious), non-con vampire feeding, non-con kiss, unprotected sex, light bondage, oral sex (f. rec.), cum eating, pain during intercourse (don’t be like the OC here in the beginning and try to conceal it, you should tell your partner if something hurts), somewhat antiquated thoughts on virginity, virgin reader (it’s a flashback and there’s a small amount of blood...), death of major and minor characters, drugging (with vampire blood), murder, violence, blood, gore, sexism, blood slavery, kidnapping, captivity, forced marriage, manipulation, gaslighting, once again it’s some pretty dark shit, consider yourself warned.     

| Series Masterlist |

Summary: He’s taken everything from you, your blood, your memories, your life, and after months spent as Taehyung’s own personal feast, you eagerly take your chance to flee. Unfortunately your escape doesn’t go as well as you had hoped, as you are soon caught by another blood thirsty beast. The vampire Yoongi claims to know you, and that he wishes to return you home. But when you can only remember the pain caused by his kind, you find it difficult to trust him, since he too could just be another monster waiting to feed.

A/N: Thank you so much to everyone who stuck with me through this mini-series. I truly hope you enjoy the end of this tale (and the hints to another separate series in the works 😉).

...

Your new stead is surprisingly responsive to your commands, possibly desiring to get as far away from the predators as you. Taking you down the road to the kingdom at a startling pace, causing several branches to whip painfully in your direction. When a stinging blow inevitably lands on your brow, enough to draw a spot of blood, you pull back on the speed of your mount. You are not so far now that you worry about making it back before nightfall.   

The route home becomes more populated the closer you get. For the first time in years you are among people like you again. Those who see you as just another person passing by, not a temping entree, nor a traveller to rob. Some even nod to you as they cross your path, you respond in kind, but keep your face hidden beneath the hood of your cloak.

Your first few paces inside the town comes as quite a shock. The notable gathering spots are even more vacant than they were during your nighttime strolls. With the stalls of the market bare, and so many businesses closed,  the only well occupied space appears to be the mounted boards on the end of every other street. You stop at one littered with official orders for curfews, new regulations, and missing souls. The most notable of all to you is the obituary detailing your brothers passing. 

You swallow back your grief, and proceed to examine the document claiming that he had died of a devastating injury and no more. It seems your parents will still not admit to any weakness that might carry in the family's blood. But with each stamped flyer, there’s been an addition made, one that was obviously not approved by the crown. 

‘The crown prince is dead, and our princess lost. If we let them rule any longer we will be next!’

You are stunned by the note, fearing how bad the circumstances must have become in your absence. Backing away from the board you prod your stead onward and in the direction of the public stables. Hoping to find the mount it’s own new home, while you return to yours.

“Three pence for a night,” The master grunts, looking up from his work as you dismount near the entrance to the paddock. 

“I have no coin, but-”

“No coin, no stall. Don’t waste my time and move along.” He interrupts before returning to shovelling the pungent manure.

You wrinkle your nose at the odour and persist in your efforts. “I was going to offer for you to take ownership of him instead. I have no use for him now.”

“Keep him? Tell me, how did you come to own this stead? Is it truly yours? ” He leers down, placing you beneath his scrutinous glare. “People don’t just give up a worthy horse. How can I know that there is not someone out there who will come looking for it and will blame me for their loss?”

“I can assure you the last owner will not come to retrieve him. Now do you want the horse or should I go find another who is willing to take my offer? Maybe that nice family there.” You point to a couple making their way into a nearby building. 

Your bluff calls his, leading the man to grimace and huff, “Fine. I will take it, now be gone with you.”

With the horse now tended to, you start to walk away, passing the entrance to the tavern, the door the mentioned pair just walked into. It’s hard not to take note of its current occupancy, for it is packed with people, all shouting and trying to have their say. With the entryway cracked open an inch you are able to catch several snippets of the debate.

“We can’t wait any longer. They are changing the narrative as we speak! Now stating they hold out hope for the princess’s return.”

“And what if she does?” A familiar man stands in argument. “Would you have us send the kingdom into turmoil when hope still exists? I would not be as I stand before you today without the surgeon she sent to us. A blacksmith cannot work without a hand. My wife and I would have been out on the street before long.” 

“Can you not see what they are doing for what it is?” The first speaks again to counter his point. “It’s a convenient ploy! With an heir lost, only the promise of another, with more favour than them will quell our anger. If she was still alive they would have found her by now.” He pauses to pat the smith on the shoulder. “I mourn her loss too my good friend, but we can’t wait for a small sliver of hope when we continue to live the way we do. Taxed within an inch of our livelihoods, while the list of missing continues to grow and those who are in charge hide behind their walls, keeping secrets that affect us all. If she returns we can offer her a good standing among us. But their rule must end.”

You edge closer and closer to the door trying to get a better view of the meeting in progress, when a throat clears and grunts, “Run along lad...” Nearly jumping from the fright you turn around to find the stable master having come up from behind. Bowing your head you comply, thankful that he had not realized the gravity of what you overheard. 

What had truly happened in the time you were gone? This isn’t just contempt but a full blown revolution building. Your people think you dead, and understandably so, but if they see that you are alive and well, maybe a better path can be found than one that will surely end in blood.

When considering your options you know there will be no way in through the front gates, your parents have always kept them heavily guarded, and no one will believe you are the child of the king and queen dressed as you are now. Rather than stir up trouble, you proceed to your fastest route in, the trap door hidden on the perimeter. 

In your absence it appears to have remained unused. The roots of the hedge have grown over, needing to be tugged out of place until the hinges and wood are freed from their grasp. You drop down into the passage, closing the hatch behind. With no light, nor lantern you are left to navigate the abandoned hall in the dark. The palm of your hand brushes against the damp stone wall, crossing cobwebs and critters on it’s trek to lead you to the portrait door. You try your best not to think of the time spent in this place, and the company you are now left without, but the sound of your steps resonates around you. Tricking your ear into thinking it a whisper of the past, as if his promises still remain locked away down here, echoing off the bedrock for you to claim.  

You are grateful when you finally reach the castle's interior, although for the time of day even the palace appears deserted and cold, you slip about the halls feeling like a stranger in your own home. Hoping to return to your old bedroom before you find anyone else, so you can at least reclaim another part of what you once were. But when you find the door and step inside someone is already there, crying at the foot of your bed. It’s too late to back away for they look up, just as startled as you. It’s your former lady’s maid who steps back from shock at your appearance, followed by a baffled stare when she catches a glimpse of your face.

“My word...” She gasps as tears continue to roll down her cheeks, “I never thought I’d see you again. He brought you back, I can’t believe he brought you back.” She runs forward wrapping her arms around you, a blubbering speech follows. “I’m so sorry, your b-brother... he’s gone. After everything that happened, everything you did, he’s still gone. An-and the threats to the crown, ever since his death everyone has been in an uproar. I haven’t dared to leave the grounds out of fear that someone will know I work here.” “It’ll be okay. We will figure this out.” You attempt to calm the maid you can only remember fragments of. She must have thought you had run off with Yoongi that night, but now is not the time to correct her with actual horrors you endured. 

“Having you back now will surely pull the king and queen from their stupor. They have been pleading and praying for your return.” She looks down at your clothes with apprehension. “Court is in session right now. They are locked away until a matter is settled, but we can ready you to meet with them once they are finished.” You nod prompting her to seek out your wardrobe. “I’ve been keeping them well looked after in case of your return.” She pulls out a dark dress, a sign of mourning for your brother. “I believe this will still fit. You don’t look to have changed much.” 

As she laces you in you can feel the garment tug on your ribs and chest. Maybe a little too small, but it will have to do for the time being. Once finished she escorts you to the dining room, while you continue to marvel at the empty halls. “Where is everyone?”

“Much has changed... your parents' fears have grown in the time you’ve been gone. They feel they can trust far fewer than they have before, and so, many of the staff were let go. If anyone ever even asked about you they too were sent away.” She stops at the set of double doors and urges you inside. “If you remain here and I will go and have the King and Queen informed as soon as the proceedings let out.” 

“Wait, don’t leave...” You were going to ask her more questions to address the gaps in your past, hoping you might stir more than a few moments you have of her and your life here, but she has already closed the door and departed. 

You are left in the dining hall, waiting only with the excessive spread of your parents forthcoming dinner. The feel of the room compared to the passage below is unfamiliar, unlike the dark narrow tunnel this place is void of memory and the feelings that come with it. You pray that such a disconnect will not last long. 

Mounted up on the back wall you find your family’s portrait. Staring at it at the faces and details, you remain so until slivers of the painting's creation surfaces in your mind. You hated that gown, for its rigid seams and heavy fabric took quite a toll as you stood there for hours behind your brother. He was seated due to his condition but you were told to stand and remain still, while the prince takes the forefront of the picture.

It had been made not long before you disappeared from the kingdom. You can recall dwelling on how little blood you had left, while the painter took your likeness. Your parents look so happy in the portrait, thinking their son to be healing and ready to take on the throne, while you spent the whole time daydreaming of Yoongi’s return.

Your anger spikes as you think of him now, it is beyond doubt that he has noticed your absence. You will have to warn your parents and their guard of his possible travel to the kingdom to claim you for his clan. The secret passage will have to be sealed, taking with it your hopes to ever leave again.

Grabbing one of the many decanters and with a shaking hand pour yourself a goblet of wine. Seeking to soothe your trepidation of meeting your parents, you sip on the bitter drink while picking at the food of the central spread.

The hours pass while you take your fill, until finally, when the sky has long been dark your mother hurries first. Looking exactly the same as she once did in your memories, frantic and worried. “Thank heavens you are back. You are safe, we are safe.” She looks down at you, her face unchanged with time, and the skin of the arms which clutch you... you stare at them for a moment, perfect and untouched, but you remember... you recall deep gashes and blood, so much blood pouring down your fingers. Disturbed by the thought you shake yourself from your horrific vision and smile back at her. Expecting her to launch into a flurry of questions but to your surprise, both her and your father pose no queries. 

“We knew he would find you again,” your mother cries with happiness. “We knew he would bring you back. The people, they will be so thrilled to hear of your return. The threats, the violence it will all be over soon.”

“You knew him? You asked him to find me?” The facts of her statement confuse you greatly, had they been privy to information your maid had not? For if she thought you were with him... what did your parents believe?

“My dear, are you well? Of course we did.” Your gaze once again focuses on the flesh of her forearms, as if entranced to the spot, while she brushes at your unkempt hair. Upon following your sight she pulls at the shawl of her dress in an awkward fashion, covering the length of her exposed skin. “Think not of what happened at our parting. All is well.” A painted grin plasters your mother's face. “We made all the changes necessary, you my darling, are to be next in line, not your children, but you. Your father had to work so hard to gain the approval of his lords, they thought it pointless to change the law in your absence, but here you are! Once your consort holds up the rest of his bargain your father will sign and you will be heir to the throne.”

This is all too much, you trying to keep hold of all the information while more is poured on to you. Unable to focus on anything other than their knowledge of Yoongi. Did they really meet him and make the request of him to bring you home? But to what bargain are they referring? “He did but I fear his clan has plans to remove me once again. We have to guard the old passage too, it’s already been nightfall for some time and I fear he won’t be far behind.”

“My poor girl... are you sure you are not ill?” Your mother’s head tilts in confusion. “He is already here, he has been for some time... you fled from his estate when he was just about to send for your return.”

You step away from your parents as fear tightens and grips your chest. “No, you can not mean. Not him, please not him-”

But your greatest nightmare returns to join you, with Taehyung waltzing through the double doors as if your parents castle is his own. “Princess, so good of you to join us. You shouldn’t have run off like that, you had your parents worried.” He approaches, inciting you to back into a wall in an attempt to keep your distance. Your parents don’t react with shock or fear at his sudden advancement on you, surely it is just a dream or vision then? One you are bound to wake up from soon. “But I knew you couldn’t run from me... only towards. Isn’t that right my sweet princess?” Though when his breath comes to find your ear you know him to be real. “I would have gone to find you myself, and take you back sooner, but your parents have been a rather large thorn in my side. Refusing to let me go until I-”

“And what of the other part of our bargain?” Your father calls from behind Taehyung, who grimaces and rolls his eyes at the interruption.

“They will be here shortly. My kin are acting on my behalf tonight, for I could wait no longer when I heard news of her arrival.”

“You have short changed us before,” the king admonishes. “I will not sign until I am certain the problem is dealt with.”

Taehyung turns from you entirely, the accusation leading him to snap back in anger. “That was your own doing, not mine, human. I gave you what you asked and you chose to squander it.” 

With Taehyung now focused on your father, you are ready to run, to seek anything you might use against him, but your mother catches you before you can take two steps. 

Shouting and jeering can be heard from just outside of the room, along with the heavy footfalls of several men, far too loud for what should be expected of the staff and guard. The procession outside bursts into the dinning hall. Your father’s lip curls ever so slightly as several men are pushed to their knees in front of him, muzzled and chained by the vampiric clan that restrains them. 

Taehyung introduces them with a proud and theatrical air, as he takes a seat at the head of the table.  “As you requested my liege, the leaders of the now failed rebellion.” 

You recognize many of them from the tavern earlier, even the blacksmith whose hand Yoongi saved long ago. Your father after taking stock, waves them away, ordering them to be held out of his sight, until a public execution can be arranged. 

You open your mouth to argue and condemn such brutal tactics when you are pushed down in the chair beside the monstrous vampire by your own mother. “You will sit still, be quiet, and do your duty for the family.” Despite her insistence your nails claw at her hold trying to free yourself from his side. As blood breaches her skin, so too does the memory of your first meeting with the vampire lord.

...

-Five years ago-

You look through the streets for hours hoping to catch even a glimpse or a whisper of Yoongi. Asking several people who pass you by, but no one knows of his whereabouts, nor has seen the distinguished surgeon in months. 

With the sun ready to rise, you retire from town for the night. Stripping from the simple dress, you toss it to the side and return to bed for the hour you have left to sleep. When forced awake by duty, your day ultimately passes with you a hollow shell. Barely able to keep your eyes open from lack of rest, with a gnawing disappointment taking root in your stomach, distracting you from much else. You tell your maid of your plans to venture out again to find him, but she looks concerned by the prospect. 

“You can hardly stand! What if, as a result of your current state, you cannot find him tonight? Your brother needs this and if you should fail... maybe we should tell the king and queen and let them put out a search for him?” 

“No, I must do this on my own. He would not want them to be aware of his kind.” You go to take the plain gown but your maid grabs it first. 

“I understand that you feel you must go. But please take an hour or two to sleep before you journey out. You look dead on your feet.” She does not relent, prodding and scolding until you are between the covers of your bed. “I will wake you once the castle is quiet enough for you to leave without being spotted.”

Nodding in agreement you submit to the coma of slumber rather quickly while she sits in the seat across from your bed. You wake hours later not by the hand of your staff, but from the hammering of rain pelting at your window.

You rise and call out, confused as to why she did not wake you earlier, but no answer responds. Lighting the candle on your bedside you find the chair empty of both her and the dress. You jump from your bed, in only your dressing gown and slippers reach for the door. When she bursts through it first, wearing the dress you intended to wear on the street. 

“Where were you? Why didn’t you-” 

“Princess, I found him!” Your lady’s maid exclaims happily, despite being absolutely drenched from the weather outside. “I went in your place so you could have more time to rest, and I found your friend, or I should say he found me.”

“You found him?” You breathe a sigh of relief, your brother is now safe and your plans with Yoongi can come to fruition. “Where is he now?”

“He’s with the king and queen.”

“My parents?”

“He wished to see them, mentioned something about desiring their permission. He’s already healed your brother, your mother and father couldn’t believe it.”  She grabs hold of your hand and pulls you from the room, not caring that you don only your bed attire. “Come! They are waiting for you.”

Still half asleep and only semi-coherent you allow yourself to be ushered along to your father’s den. There he sits behind a desk quill pen in hand, your mother hanging over his shoulder, and settled across from them both is... someone who is not your vampire, someone who is not Yoongi. 

The stranger smiles, showing off his sharp teeth as he gets up from his seat to deliver a sweeping bow. “Lord Kim Taehyung, at your service princess.”

You take a step back upon hearing the name that Yoongi warned you of so many times. “W-why are you here?” With concern immediately drifting to your lost vampire, for if his enemy has found you what could have befallen him.

Your mother scolds your response, “This man has offered his assistance, to aid in your brother's care, you will show him your respect.”

“It’s no matter,” Taehyung shakes his head at your mother. “Though I must ask, why do you look so scared princess? Your maid was looking for one of my kind, were you not seeking my help?”

“Is this true?” Your mother interjects, glaring at you. “You knew of people like him, those who could help your brother and you told us nothing?”

“I was looking for another,” you attempt to explain. “One who had been helping us in the past without your knowledge, he forbade me from revealing his kind to you.” 

“What did this other tell you of me?” The lord smiles. “I should like to set my story straight, because you, princess, looked ready to flee the moment you heard my name.”

“What is it that you want?” You ask again. If he refuses to answer your question why should you obey his own. “I thought your kind did not wish to reveal their existence to humans.”

“When the situation is as important as this, exceptions can be made.” The vampire justifies, a crooked grin refusing to leave his mouth. “I am only here to offer my services to your family.”

“We already have the services of another. He was doing so for years before you came here, he will help my brother should he need it in the future.”

“Then where is he now?” Taehyung asks the dreaded question which stabs at your heart.

“He will be back...” You retort, hoping it to be the honest truth. “We do not require your help.” 

Your father silences you with the stern call of your name and the hammer of his fist on his desk, before he too jumps into the argument. “I will overlook the concealment of your past acquaintances, along with the fact that you gave your brother treatment without our knowledge and consent. But I will not have you demean this man who just saved his life.”

“He is not a man!” You shout back at your king and father. “He is a monster. I have been told of his misdeeds, of his ethics. We can not trust him-”

“We have no choice! Without an heir the whole kingdom will become a place of ruin, an unclear line of descent will lead to chaos.”

“Then we wait. We wait for the one I can trust. He will be back soon, I know it.” Certain at least in this instance you know better than your parents, you plead for them both to listen.

“This is not a discussion.” Your father clarifies while the vampire takes out a bag, pulling from it two large corked bottles filled with a fluid far thicker than wine. “We called you here merely to inform you that we have accepted his services.” 

“This should be enough to keep him healthy for a long span of human life. It will heal most ailments, and injuries, and when enough is consumed will even slow the course of ageing.” You watch as the vampire's attention falls on your mother during his explanation, his lip curls even further when her eyes brighten in interest over the properties of the cure. 

You go to her, grabbing her arms so that she will focus on you alone, trying to convince her of the vampire's true nature. “This is a trick it must be. You can’t accept this, he will bring only ruin.”

“All that remains is the payment.” The Lord Taehyung adds, ignoring your plight.

Your gaze snaps back to him, when you hear of his charge. “What payment? What did you ask of them?”

“The cost for such a bounty of blood requires an equal sacrifice on your family's part.” The vampire beams with delight. “The blood needed for his life, in exchange for the blood of yours.” 

Your stomach drops when you see your father dip his head in confirmation. They already knew the cost and still they bartered you off without much thought. Your hands continue to grip your mother’s arm. “Please... please listen to me. It doesn’t have to be like this. There’s another way, there has to be.”

“There is no other way.” She responds, her tone cold enough to match her words. “It is time you stop living in your dreams dear girl, those books you cling to, those maps you draw, they will bring us nothing in the end. You have scorned numerous suitors in the past few months alone, leaving your father and I at wits’ end trying to secure a noble future for you. If you will not have that duty, you will take this. Better to have your hands stained with blood than ink if it will at least save our prince.” 

As she starts to push you towards your new fate, your fingers dig into the soft flesh of her arm, desperate to try and keep hold of your past life. Taehyung takes you by the waist and pulls you towards him leaving long lacerations down your mother’s skin as you continue to sob and beg for her to stop this. The thumb of your captor crosses your lips, bringing with it a metallic taste to your tongue. There’s a hushed order whispered in your ear to be quiet and complacent, and you do just that. Relaxing into Taehyung's arms while he carries you out and into a waiting carriage in the dark and drenched courtyard. 

Once out from the castle walls his slick smile falls. He may have taken your ability to speak, but not your tears will to flow. Pulling out a kerchief, he cleans your hands of your mother's blood. After removing every spot he lifts the fabric to his nose, and winces at the smell. “It is still amazing to me that one like yourself could be born of such soiled stock.” He then tosses the cloth out the window of the carriage. “That’s better.” His hand lifts up to the stream that continues down your cheeks. “Do not weep my princess. They may not see the same value in you that I do, but I promise we will prove it to them soon.”    

Angered by his declaration, you look away to the door, not wanting to give Yoongi’s adversary the satisfaction of your gaze. You knew you always weighed less in your parents mind. For you were second in their hearts even before your brother was conceived, second to the mere hope of a son. Swaying their love even a fraction in your favour was and is an impossible feat, a battle you could never win. 

“I know you wished to leave them, my kin intercepted a letter addressed to a royal who was willing to abscond with a vampire.” You look back at him with eager eyes. A letter? Yoongi must have sent word and this lord stopped it from reaching you. “I see that I have your attention now do I?” Taehyung scoffs and sits back in the carriage clearly enjoying your regard. “I knew of a woman much like you before I became what I am. I once travelled the land with a troupe. Entertaining both the nobles and the masses, while dressed in simple white garments, with only a tapestry as a backdrop, and the floor as our stage. It was invigorating, the life that came from holding the eye of the courts, and one lady... one princess in particular.”

Taehyung pauses to look back at your castle before continuing his tale. You can do nothing but sit there and listen, his blood and previous demands continuing to hold you in his custody. 

“She too was not content with the possible suitors before her, they could not offer her the multitude of lives she wished to live, but through narratives and plays I fulfilled that need. We could become whatever she or I wished ourselves to be. I was sure to see her as often as I could, but when her parents learned of our tryst, my group was banished, and she, to the bed of a neighbouring prince.” The vampire sighs as the story takes a darker turn. “I promised I would return to her when I could offer her a better home, but my cast and I, we ran afoul of a beast one night. When another caught the scent of our tragedy and found only me hanging by a thread, he took pity and made me one of them. I was so fearful to return to her at first, it took me several years to work up the courage and restraint before I could send her a letter begging to call on her again.” 

Now engrossed in the tale and the comparison of his story to yours. You stop an attempt to fight his will, too curious of the outcome.

“She agreed to meet, stealing away from the castle at night to find me at a nearby inn. It was my intent to flee with her that evening, to give her not only all the lives she had desired, but an endless supply of existence. What I did not expect was for her to deny my proposal. In the time I had gone she bore the prince a child, and no longer desired to part with her new role. I was not willing to accept her answer... lost in the heat of my anger and hunger for her, I took the princess with me. Draining her of life, I added her blood to mine.”

You stiffen in your seat wondering if this too will be your end, recalling a cautionary tale your mother used to tell you. The story of a noble lady, who was bled dry by the parasitic and sinful world outside. You thought back then it was her way to scare you into not leaving the protection of the castle walls, never did you consider it to be real, nor that she would be the one to give you to the monster of the fable.

“The smell and taste, I have not had anything quite like her since... until this night, when I caught wind of your own scent upon your maid's dress. I was already on my way to see you, but she made it so much easier, for she spoke on my behalf to gain my entrance. Such a sweet girl, and so very much in love with your brother isn’t she? A shame that she will likely feel the same pain as I once did, a love that crosses classes only to end in death.” 

Seething with rage at his confession, you wish to fight back and escape from his carriage but your own body will still not comply. You knew it, you knew he never intended to save your brother, he only wanted a bargain that would play in his favour. There is still a catch that remains unseen by you and your family, one that will result in the prince’s demise.

“They’ve hitched their kingdom to a dying horse, keeping it alive by selling off their only hope.” His finger follows the path of a tear down your jaw and falling to your collar. “I can promise you I will have far more roles and lives for you to play, more than you ever would have had with them. And you, you who have so much to give in return.” He opens his mouth, his breathing heavy as he leans towards your throat. “It's been so long since I’ve had someone of your calibre... I plan to savour you for far longer than the last.” Pushing you down, until you lie on the seat of the carriage, his teeth latch on, piercing the skin of your neck.     

...

You drop your mother’s arms, leaning back upon remembering the part she had to play in giving you away. “You forced me into his custody? You are the reason I was made to endure his torture.” 

“We had no choice. Your brother, he was dying.”

“And where is he now?” You shout back at them, all decorum vanished from the room. “You were given the cure, so why is my brother still dead?”

With that Taehyung smiles bringing light to the answer. “It would seem the temptation was too great for their own vanity. Even your lovely parting gift to her, erased by my remedy.”

The marks that should be on your mother's arms from your own assault, the ageing that should have become apparent since your last moment with them, none of it is there. All wiped away by the blood that would have given your brother a longer span of life. “You-you used it didn’t you... I should have known. It’s always been about appearances with you. Playing the strong hand to keep both me and your people in line. And when you ran out... you asked for more didn’t you?”

“He said he would keep our prince alive!” Your mother replies shaking from the accusation, but not denying it.

“I told you that what I gave you would be enough. It is not my fault that you chose to waste it.” Taehyung counters with a wicked grin, pleased by their faults and presumptions. “They let your brother die, not I.” 

“Then why return now? Why come if you already received what you wanted out of the deal?” You question fearing his answer, for what more could he want.

“I promised I would one day make them see the value in you.” Taehyung explains. “And there is always another bargain to be made.”

“With your brother dead and you gone we needed an heir.” Your father sets out his quill and ink on the table along with a rolled document he’s been clinging to. “It is as we feared what might happen. Our rivals at court have been stoking the fires of our people, without any official descendant they grow discontent and worried about the security of the country's future, we need you back.”

“Though you still belong to me as per the first agreement,” Taehyung interjects. “So you will return, the law will be changed, and you will become the next in line instead of any child you might have produced. With me by your side, living as husband and wife, the future rulers of this kingdom.

“I won’t allow this.” You shake your head aghast by the thought of such a deal. “First you give him me, and now your people?”

“Those people are currently rallied against us, they would see the end of us if they could. You witnessed the proof.” The king gestures to the floor where the captured were held just a moment ago. “We need assistance in controlling them.” 

“Because you’ve given them nothing to stand behind! Instead your first instinct is to feed them to a beast. Why do you still trust this monster? He will double cross you, my brother, your son is already dead, don’t let him take any more!”

There’s a knock on the door with the return of Taehyung’s vampire kin having stowed away the prisoners. He bids them to enter, while your father looks on somewhat ruffled by the impermanence of the lord’s comfort in his own home. “My part of the deal has already been given, they cannot back out now. Unless they would like those rebels to return to their people?” 

The king shakes his head. Dipping the feathered pen he signs the parchment, and hands it off to the vampire lord. 

“Thank you for your cooperation my liege...” Taehyung bows his head as he takes the paper, passing it off to one of his clan, before returning his unwanted attention to you again. “Your parents will live out the remainder of their lives as king and queen. As long as I can assure that their people will not revolt while they live. The throne will pass to us, and your people to mine.” He tilts up your chin, his thumb crossing over the small scratch on your forehead from your travels. Dipping his finger in your goblet of wine he touches the cut again. The familiar itch of healing skin crosses the surface of your brow. Your stomach turns with the knowledge of what you unintentionally consumed. “It’s a shame for them though...They won’t live long enough to see the benefits of my work here.” With the brush of his hand he gives the order to his clan, “Kill them.”

Your parents both stand in alarm, attempting to reason with the monster before you. “No, you swore-” 

“That I would keep you safe from your people, not that you are protected from myself or my kind.” He addresses his fellow vampires once again, “If you insist on feeding on them do not do it here. I find their smell distasteful and I would rather not lose my appetite.” 

His progenies take hold of your parents, dragging them away. They scream for their guards, but when no one comes to their rescue they call for you next. Pleading with you so that you might speak up on their behalf, with all dignity lost while they come to face their own mortality. You remain silent, any words frozen inside out of fear and hate. Your last duty to them would be what they always asked of you, to be quiet and still, until their screaming comes to an abrupt halt as they meet their end.

Now alone Taehyung rises from his chair and lifts you up onto the dining table, locking you in with his arms on either side. “I told you I could give you so much more than them, didn’t I promise you that? Do you remember?”

“I never said I wanted it from you.” Your furry has reached a new level, overwhelmed with contempt towards Taehyung, your parents, and yourself for not remembering sooner. “You believe their deaths will give you the kingdom? You forget that you had them sign it off to me. I will never consent to marrying you, and we both know your blood will not force me into such a binding contract. It's why you had to make deals with my parents is it not? Compulsion will not work when it comes to such bonds in ink, and you have nothing left to play in order to sway me.”

“Such a smart girl,” Taehyung coos, while brushing the side of your face. “However, it is not I who has forgotten but you, for I have already won that battle too. Here...” He takes a swig of the wine, and firmly grasps the back of your neck. Pushing more of the drink between your lips with his, Taehyung forces you to choke it back and drown in your own past. “Let me help you remember, my princess... my bride...” 

...

- 4 years ago -

You open your eyes, to be greeted by unfamiliar surroundings. A soft bed beneath you, lying between warmed sheets with a handsome yet concerned looking man sitting at your side. 

“Thank heavens you’re awake. You took quite a fall.”

You lift a hand to your head trying to dull a sharp ache in your temple. The man leans in closer without hesitation, an action which surely indicates a close tie with you, but you have no memory of him. His hands are cool yet you welcome them on the side of your face, for they diminish the pain. “I don’t remember-”

“It’s okay my princess. I'm glad you are saved from the trauma of reliving that event.” He comforts you with a boxy smile, that doesn’t quite reach the sadness of his eyes.

“No, not just that, I mean I don’t remember... I don’t remember you, where I am, nor why I am here.” You strain to recall your most recent past, everything seems so long ago. There are glimpses and fragments of moments and people which you manage to pull forth, your parents and their rule, your brother and his suffering, your castle and it’s cold walls that once surrounded you. The loneliness of your past brings a tear to your eye for it is all you can recall. Everything about this man before you seems to have vanished from your mind. 

“No, no, no, don’t cry.” His expression falls, as his hand shifts to wipe beneath your eyes, he swallows his shaking breath in clear distress over your loss. “I promised that I would look after you, that I would treat you well. Your parents, what will I tell them? They will rightfully blame me for letting you get hurt like this.”

The fear and sadness strewn across his handsome face is more than you can bear. You reach out a hand to his to comfort him back. “Could you remind me of your name sir?”

“Taehyung, and please don’t be so formal. There’s no need with me.”

“Then our relationship to each other...”

He takes your hand, tracing your fingers with his, before planting a kiss on your fourth digit. “We have been promised to one another. Your parents agreed to let you leave your own kingdom to be with me.”  

“Oh god, I’m so sorry... I don’t remember, I don’t remember anything. I can’t-”

“It’s okay my princess. It’s not your fault, but mine. You were hurt under my care. I’ll help you to rebuild what we have. We’ll start from the beginning, if we have to. I just can’t endure the thought of losing you entirely. Please just tell me what you need, whatever I can do, it will be done. I will help you to fall for me over and over, if it means I can continue to be with you.”

...

Taehyung spends the nights alongside you tending to your every desire, reciting poetry and plays to keep you entertained while you remain on bed rest for your injury. You feel bound by his kindness, and so guilty for not being able to recall your own past together.

During the day he is forced away from your side. He has a demanding role filled with travel and responsibilities, your only hope is that when he deems you well enough, you will spend that time together too. That you will be able fulfill this building desire within, to go out and journey for his role together.  

But the weeks pass with no change in your situation.

Until one night when it all becomes too much to conceal. When left by his caretakers to bathe, you dissolve into sorrow over the fact that your loss of memory is holding you back. Your wedding to him was to be days from now, but he has called it off until you can recover what you lost. Your wracking sobs echo through the empty room as you commiserate alone. Questioning what you could possibly do to dispel this suffering. 

You did not expect the sound to summon Taehyung, who comes bursting in without thought to your current state of dress. “Princess I-I...” He stops in his tracks and turns on his heel, shielding his eyes from your nude form. “Forgive me, I was not made aware that you were bathing.” 

You press yourself to the side of the tub. Shy at first but when you find him more so, you beckon him over, just as he is about to reach for the door. “No wait, don’t leave. If you go I fear I will only feel more guilt over our situation.” 

“Guilt? To what shame are you referring? Have I not made you comfortable here? Do you not have everything you need?” Taehyung abides by your call, joining you beside the tub, and swallowing as he glimpses you in the water.

“I do, and that is the issue. I remember nothing other than your care and kindness. You have given me everything you can, and I have nothing to grant you in return.”

“That’s not true-”

You press a damp finger to his lips, urging him to let you finish. “Despite not having a memory of our past, there is this need inside me... it’s difficult to express, but it calls out for someone like you. I do not wish to continue this cautionary stance, waiting and hoping for something that might not return. I do not want to hold us back. I think we should still marry, for I cannot see my life in any other way.”

Taehyung gives you a small smile along with a kiss to your hand which still lingers near his mouth. While his own reaches into the tub, his fingers twirling in the water just above your leg. “There is still much you don’t know about me.”

“Then I will learn it as it comes. Please, I long to move past this. I cannot and will not remain in this present, with you restraining yourself because of me. I truly believe that moving forward with the original plan is the best course of action.” 

“If that is what you desire,” He the tips of his fingers submerge further until they draw against your thigh. “I will resume the plans between you and I.”

...

The ceremony is modest, with only you and Taehyung reciting your vows under the night sky. After signing a document to confirm your ties, he whisks you off to the bedroom to consummate the new promise between you. 

The strength of the man before you comes as quite a shock as he rips the laces of your gown in his eager hunt to find the flesh beneath, until your best dress soon lays in tatters on the floor. His hunger for you appears to reach a new level, with his mouth nipping and devouring every inch he has exposed. Your situation has held you both back for so long, but at least now you will both get to revel in the path forward together. 

Once bare he flips you on to your stomach and disrobes himself. His taut legs come to straddle your hips, while his hands run up your back and down your arms. Taking your wrists he pins them over top of your head. “Just a precaution my princess,” He chuckles your ear as his leather belt wraps around. Tightening them together before the strap loops the headboard and is once again threaded through the buckle, wittingly securing you to the bed. “For if I am worried over the possibility of you fleeing, I might lose myself, and consume too much of you.”

“I have no plans to run.” You muse, giggling at his passion.“But I will concede to your bondage if it satisfies you.” 

“I was hoping you would agree.”  He teases his index along your slit, drenching your sensitive skin, and preparing you for his swollen cock. You raise your hips eagerly towards him and he takes the hint. Laying down over top of you he guides himself in with one hand while the other loops your waist. 

You gasp from the stretch before gritting your teeth trying to hide the brief moment of pain. Taehyung swears as his forehead comes to rest on your shoulder, his breath shaking as much as yours while he inhales deeply. A growl echoes in his throat which he promptly clears. “Princess, am I... am I your first?” There’s a hint of surprise in his voice, but you can not understand why that would be so.

“If I was promised to you... I can not see why I would have laid with another.” You answer somewhat hurt by the notion that he thinks you would have been unfaithful in the past. Your memories might be limited, but you can not believe that would be the kind of person you are, to be unfaithful to one so kind would make you a monster.

“Yes, of course.” He sighs, “I just, I had not...” He empties his throat again. Hugging you tightly as he pushes his cock in further. “My dear princess, so good to trust me with such a gift.”

You exhale with a confirmation. “I am all yours.” 

With Taehyung resting deep inside he pauses for another moment. His fingers trapped between you and the bed shift down to your mound where they press and cause you to buck back onto him. “Forget the pain for now...” He whispers in your ear while the deep circles he rubs shift you from discomfort to pleasure. Your twitching responses beguile him as you clench down on his shaft. The growl in his voice returns and grows deeper, he thrusts along with you. A need inside your start to build, your breathing stutters while he continues on. “...And come for me.”  Your nerves reach their peak at his words, holding you in place until the tension inside you finally releases and the warm waves run from head to toe. 

As you ride out your climax Taehyung pushes forward with his own. His cock continues to swell, demanding more of you, until he comes to his end and collapses twitching with content. With a groan he wraps his arms around you and nuzzles your back, while you remain trapped beneath him.

You tug on his belt wanting to touch him and hold him as he does to you. But even once he has come himself, he does not appear to be fully parted from his lustful needs. He shifts down so that his face can be found between your thighs. Your cheeks burn with embarrassment as you inquire for him. “Taehyung, please-”

“Don’t fret my princess, I just- I just want to- there was some blood drawn in my haste to have you, I would like to kiss it better.” He chuckles before his tongue comes to find your folds. The beastly sounds from him become far greater than before as he laps at the spot. Your hesitation is cast aside as you soon delve into pleasure once again. 

His fingers clamp down on your legs as he feeds from your cunt with an even stronger resolve. “I must- I must have more.” He begs of you.        

“I am yours to take.” You respond, eager to indulge more from his affectionate appetite.

But as soon as your permission is granted an unimaginable pain pierces the skin and muscle of your thigh. His mouth latches onto the source of such misery, and draws on the wound taking deep drafts. “Taehyung?” You cry out in confusion, pulling the bonds he left you in. 

Your lord and husband suspends the act. Rising up to release you from the headboard, he takes your restraints in his hand. Flipping you back over and pinning you back down beneath him. You find your groom smiling while his mouth drips with blood. He chuckles lightly at your horror, taking in your fear. “Did you have a change of heart my princess? I’m sorry to have brought such a swift end to our happy scene, but tomorrow we may start over... once I’ve had my fill.”

...

After the first Taehyung proceeds to push upon you several moments wrought in passion and pain. The concealment of his identity to become your love, and of course the times when he chose purely to torture you as your captor.   

You come to understand that your past with Taehyung is a series of tales, with him portraying the villain, or the hero. Going from captor, to suitor, to husband, only to break you by becoming your captor once again. He’s crippled you countless times, in so many different ways, choosing whichever act suits him in the moment, gorging himself off your emotional defeat the same way he feeds your blood, in the most painful way possible. 

“A small sample of our time together, but you see princess, you are already bound to me in matrimony. I have what I need for my clan. My followers will have access to any house, any dwelling on our kingdom’s land once I give them my consent to enter.”

“Y-you have no right to do that!” You stutter, trying to push down the past to focus on the present. 

“Oh but I do as your husband, as the new king I now have partial claim. My men will be able to feed within the safety of your peoples homes. Hunting them in their beds will be far easier than being restricted to the streets.”

“They are not cattle for you to feed upon!”

“How is that any different than your family's rule?” Taehyung scoffs, looking to the ornate room around you both. “Your parents in their vanity and greed bleed them dry, to the point where they were begging for a change, even if it was the rule of a young man who had barely stepped into adulthood. They will be grateful for the passing of the king and queen, and for the new rule. Remembering the vampires who will now stalk them while they sleep only as a passing nightmare.” 

“That does not make what you are doing any better.” You argue, though you know it to be pointless. 

“Not in your eyes, but my people will at least benefit from the sacrifice of your own. They trust me to do right by them. Can yours say the same about you? Will you bear the pain of your suffering and theirs? All that’s left is for us to choose which story we should play next. Would you like to forget it all again? To have me return to the role of doting lover and husband? Or would you prefer to recall that which has brought you pain? Your parents, your brother, and myself, knowing that soon my people will feast on yours.” 

To remember would be the only chance you have in finding a weakness to him, any attempt to remove him from his position will require your knowledge of what happened in the past and what is happening in the present. Who knows what story he would otherwise weave next, but he will no doubt pull the wool over your eyes if you let him. 

“I will give you until the end of this night to choose, if you don’t I will do so for you. But I am so very ready to return to our routine. These past few weeks have been a torment without you to entertain and fulfil me.” His finger traces an x on your neck, marking the spot he intends to bite. “I will never again allow us to be parted for so long.”  The point of his teeth make contact with your skin, when the door opens and one of his keepers calls for him. “What?!” Taehyung shouts back in frustration. “What could possibly be so important that you must interrupt my dinner?” 

“There is a hunter demanding entrance at the gate.” The vampire informs, looking rather shaken for having displeased his lord. “Says he won’t leave until he sees proof that you received your princess. It seems that he was trying to deliver her when she ran off in the daylight earlier today.”

“So someone did find you... that would explain...” His hands soften on your neck running his fingers over the previously tortured flesh. He then turns to the vampire waiting for his answer. “What is the hunter’s name?”

“Agust, my lord.”

Your head snaps up with your eyes wide. Yoongi is here, and he knew to call himself Agust? That can only mean, the secrets kept from him by his clan, the truth that would break you, it was the knowledge of Taehyung’s presence here.

  “Is this the case my princess? Did this Agust find you and intend to bring you here?” You bite your tongue but he pushes his power over you again. “Tell me the truth of this matter.”

“He did.” You can’t be sure of what Yoongi intends to do once inside, but at least your forced honesty did not betray his cover.

“He has my permission to enter. Bring him to me now, I owe him my gratitude for taking such good care of my princess.” The vampire guard leaves to grant the other access. 

Taehyung traces his teeth with his tongue. Appearing unusually happy despite the fact that his meal was disturbed. “You will remain seated and quiet, while I reward this hunter for his deeds, is that understood princess?” You reluctantly nod, submitting to his compulsion. 

Yoongi, accompanied by four of Taehyung's kin, enters the dinning hall and promptly bows. “My lord.”

“Agust... I don’t believe we’ve had the pleasure of speaking before have we?” 

“No my lord, I’ve dealt only with your keepers. But it was my honour to retrieve your princess as requested.” You meet his eye when they flicker in your direction trying to decipher his plan, but are unable to see a way out that could have possessed him to take such a risk.

“Yes, I must thank you for bringing her most of the way. I am surprised that you knew to find me here though, I thought that was kept confidential from the hunters.”

“It was my lord but I learned of your occupation here only recently, such a large group of vampires in a human city does not go unnoticed for long.” 

“Then I commend you, for doing what many of my other hunters could not.” Taehyung smirks at his own kin’s expense. “Tell me who was your maker, from which line do you descend?

“Your caretaker Egan, my lord.” Yoongi offers, his tone flat and even. “Though I don’t know if he would recall me, I am one of many.”

“Egan you say?” Taehyung pauses, with a raised brow and pout, which soon fades into a smile after a moment's hesitation. “He has created a fair few hasn’t he?” He chuckles. “Now you were not able to finish my task to completion, but I will still grant you the reward of becoming a keeper if you can complete just one other challenge.”

“Of course my lord.” Yoongi promises, watching adamantly with his hand twitching at his side. 

“There is someone I need you to find, one who has been haunting me for quite some time. Before my princess met me she fell in love with another of our kind. A vampire who works for Lord Hoseok, and goes by the name Min Yoongi. It took me a year to find the full extent of the boundaries in her memory that relate to him, I needed to empty her of love for that fool, and take it for myself. I was successful in the end of course.” He tips your chin with his finger delighting in the pained expression you bear at the thought. “But I would like to see the end of him, and purge anything that might hope to take her from me.”

“I understand...” Yoongi responds through a clenched jaw. Peeking a concerned glance at you when Taehyung's back turns to him. 

“I think she might be able to help you start your quest. You know where to find this Yoongi, do you not my princess?”

You dip your head, as a tear slips from your cheek and falls to your lap. You bite your tongue in an attempt to hold back your answer but Taehyung presses again with the compulsion of his blood. “You will answer me, out loud.”

“Yes,” you confirm,  your eyes meeting with Yoongi’s again, pleading for him to go now, and escape before you reveal anything else. 

“Do you think it will be an easy task for this vampire Agust to find him?” 

“I do.” You utter with a reply stolen from your lips.

 Taehyung mutters in your ear for his final question. “Is he the one who stands before us now my princess?” Panic instantly seizes you, with every function of your body coming to a halt, wondering how he could have found out. The moment your mouth starts to open, Yoongi launches himself at Taehyung, but his attack is quickly brought to a halt by the vampire lord who draws his own stake. Shoving Yoongi across the room and into the arms of his guard.

“You thought you could fool me after so many of your brethren tried and failed?” The cruel lord chides with a low chuckle. “There have been too many errors on your part, the greatest of which was the name of your false creator.” He approaches his new prisoner dragging the point of the stake along Yoongi’s chest while he is held in place. “A misstep of Egan’s allowed for her to escape, and so I sent the order for him to be disposed of. I knew the deed was done mere hours ago when I watched a progeny of his wither away before my eyes. If you were of his blood you too would have perished.”  Taehyung explains before he paces away twirling the stake between his fingers. “What a wicked curse we must endure is it not? Though it does have its advantages... I wonder how many will I wipe out with your death?” Your heart beats wildly in your chest longing to run forward and prevent such an event. “It will come soon, of that there is no question, but not before I take every ounce of information you hold about Hoseok’s current plans.” 

“You will get nothing from me unless you let her go,” Yoongi growls.

“Let go of my own bride?” The restrained vampire flinches at the comment as Taehyung grins and prods further. “I suppose you didn’t know. You must forgive her for not informing you, she couldn’t recall it herself until a few minutes ago. Regardless, I have no plans to free her, for I believe the closer I am to your beloved the more I will get from you.” Taehyung joins you at your side again.  “What do you think princess? Would you like an admirer for our performance? I’m sure even the steadfast Min Yoongi would bend to my will if he witnesses you in my favourite roles.”

Taehyung’s attention is drawn away from the pair of you when more of his keepers enter the room greeting him with a nod. “Alas the show will have to wait. I have permissions to grant, and a story to feed your staff,” The vampire lord sighs and acquiesces to their needs, grabbing the decanter from which you took a glass. “The rest of your people will come after.”

Taehyung gestures to one of his men. “He will take you to your room, and you will remain there until I return. I look forward to having a more fulfilling reunion between you and I come dawn.” His fingers brush against your cheek one last time before addressing the vampires holding Yoongi. “Keep him locked up along with the revolutionaries for now. I will call upon him later.”

Yoongi continues to lash out as you are both dragged in opposite directions. Barring his fangs at those who hold him, but he is soon subdued with the addition of another clan member and carried out of sight. 

Your own escort doesn’t say a word as he takes you through the empty halls, and staircases with one hand grappling your upper arm. Any attempt to pull it from him is met with a snarl and tighter hold. As you pass the rooms of the hall you wonder where Taehyung has the remaining staff kept and despite the lies forced down their throat you hope they will remain untouched.

The guard opens a door and pushes you in, sending you to the ground before locking it behind. The dimly lit room is unfortunately not your own, consisting only of a bed, washstand, and shuttered windows. Rising from the timber floor you find a stain on your hands and dress originating from the spot on which you landed, a spill, red enough to be the remnants of a vampire's meal. You start heaving at the thought, running to the filled basin desperate to remove the sticky scarlet substance. With hands shaking as they are submerged in water, your entirety follows suit, quaking in fear of what has just transpired and what is left to come. 

Your parents are lost, they dug their own grave, but your fellow citizens, and Yoongi... you have to find him, before he too is lost and your people are reduced to a mere spattering on the floor. 

You pull on the shutters of the window, releasing them to peer out and see if there is any hope to scale out of this one too. The height from the ground might be manageable, but a pair of glowing eyes looking up to you from the garden stops your attempt. The gaze from below continues to watch until you retract and close the space between you again. Taehyung's caretakers and keepers are as eager to keep and feed on you as he is. Visions of past attacks start to flood your mind, making you regret your venture to look out. You tried to escape so many times in your past captivity. Each one with the exception of the last was foiled by his keepers or caretakers, some brought you straight back to your room, while others... others were swiftly intercepted by the lord of the fortress, but only after they landed their first bite.  

Retreating to the corner of the room, you set yourself down at the furthest point from the door and window. Left alone to stare at the crimson puddle, as you wait for Taehyung’s return. There is no question that you have to bear the weight of your memories as painful as they are, you can not afford to forget the past. Not now, not with Yoongi nor your people in jeopardy. You wonder if Taehyung will strike such a deal with you. If you promise to abide by his command without his blood, will that be enough to buy at the very least Yoongi’s safety?

The minutes pass while you consider your options, distracted only when there comes a thump from the shutters. You rise from your spot and move closer to the door. The boards made to conceal the daylight shatter inward with another hit, knocking over the solitary candle and casting you into darkness. The shadowy intruder leaps in, their gleaming eyes holding you in their sights. 

Figuring it to be one of the Taehyung’s progeny’s come for a taste, you draw breath to scream. Until the vampire collides with you, holding you down, and covering your mouth. 

“I told you to stay in the room.” The hushed tones of Yoongi greet you to your immense relief. “Why didn’t you listen to me? Why did you run?” He waits there for a moment, removing his hand only when you finally relax beneath him.

“Yoongi...” You gasp in relief. “I overheard you and Seokjin. When I saw you give into the demands... I-I didn’t know, I didn’t realize-”

There’s a knock interrupting your explanation, the vampiric guard no doubt alarmed by the commotion. You both fall silent, but that does not seem to satisfy the sentry,  who proceeds to unlock the door. Yoongi jumps up ready to meet him with a stake. As the barrier opens, the vampire tries to step inside, making it only far enough in for the wooden weapon to reach his heart. Yoongi grabs the enemies throat in the last moments, committing him to silence until death before tossing the corpse to the side. Treating the newly dead as nothing more than a bothersome distraction. 

Yoongi turns back to you but keeps his distance, a growl rattling in his throat as he takes deep breaths. “I told you before, I would never take you there. I had no wish to abide by the request from my lord. I could not tell Seokjin of my plans to disobey while we remained in his house. I was going to take you as far away as I could after learning the whole truth behind your capture, but your stunt put everything in jeopardy, including yourself.”

You start to sob upon hearing his deception, you should have guessed that with such a reveal from his own clan he would try to deceive them too, like the others he dealt with on your behalf. He closes the gap between you, pulling you in close, allowing your tears to fall on his chest. “How-how did you escape just now? I thought for certain he had us both in his grasp.”

“I kept hold of the tainted blood, and those holding me were in desperate need of a drink. One sip and they were at my mercy instead.” He lips grace the top of your head with a kiss as you cling to him. “We’re going to get you out of here okay? We’ll go down to the passage. I have already released those he captured, if he has a mob on his hands, we might slip out undetected.”

“I can’t leave, not yet-”

“Why, because he compelled you to stay?” Yoongi questions, attempting to dismiss your concern. “I will carry you out if your own volition fails to do so.”

“It is not that alone... he was not lying when he told you I was his-his-” You stall on the word unable to say it yourself. “In those five years, he played with my mind, he made me forget you and desire him instead, a-and I fell for it. It is because of me he now has a claim to every home in the town. This is my error to fix. I will not leave those who dwell here to feed his own.”

“You are not to blame for his actions.” He counters, his own voice cracking in desperation.  “Your remaining here will not change that.”

“I only wish to remain so I can bring an end to him, to kill him.” You promise. “Either way, whether successful or not I will not exist here long.    

“No, I am not letting you near him again. If we must do this then let him be mine to kill.”

“He thinks me in here unarmed and broken to his will,” You open Yoongi’s jacket to find another stake that he must have stolen from Taehyung’s followers. “I will have a better chance. It would be better for you to ensure that his clan has not brought harm to anyone else.”

“And leave you here to face him? If he falls so do his own progenies, which includes most if not all of his keepers. There will be no point in my leaving to dispose of them, if your main goal is to defeat him.”

“If he sees you he will be instantly aware. When he is as strong as you say then even you won’t be able to defeat him without catching him off guard.”

“I am not leaving you alone with him even if you are armed, and that is final.” Yoongi takes his firm stance, while grabbing at the stake in your hand. “I will not lose you again...”      

You look down at the deceased on your floor, fearing the same fate for Yoongi should he remain here with you. Taehyung has proven time and time again that none can fool him for long, not Yoongi, not his clan members, even those who disobeyed him attempting to draw blood from you were cast aside... with Taehyung throwing himself between you and them.  “If you will not leave then... I need you to bite me.”

Yoongi follows your gaze in confusion, “What is it you are plotting your highness?”

“He will no doubt come running if he smells my spilt blood. He has before. If he thinks I am in danger from his own, I will be able to get close with his guard down.” You take the stake back from him while he considers your plan, gripping it in your fist behind your back. “All you have to do is play the threat.”

“Will you not wait for another alternative? My clan could be here in a day to deal with them.”

“He is hungry, and all too confident of victory.” You plead with your vampire. “If we wait-” 

“If we wait he will be more likely to catch on...” Yoongi growls confirming your thoughts, as he begrudgingly bends down to take the cloak of the defeated guard. Tying it around he pulls the hood over his head. “This is unbelievably reckless you know. I should just take you from here this instant.”

“But you won’t.” You reply with a sad smile reaching up to touch his cheek with your hand, and press a kiss to his lips. “You long for an end to this as much as I.”  

With his back to the door he takes you into his arms. When hunched over you Taehyung should not know who he is until it is too late. Yoongi places his mouth ready to sink into your neck. “Are you sure you want to be the one to-”

“I have to.” You cut him off before he can even try to change your mind again.

With a deep sigh his teeth pierce your skin, the blood starts to flood from the wound and Yoongi lets out a low pained groan as he resists the urge to feed. For the more blood that escapes and is left to the air, the sooner that Taehyung will come running to investigate your situation. After a minute passes, you start to feel light headed and grip your weapon tighter. 

“If he doesn't come soon I will have to put a stop to this.”

“He will come,” you gasp. “Just wait.” 

Right on cue there comes a shout from down the hall along with the thunder of footsteps. Your door crashes open to reveal the ferocious monster. 

Yoongi is thrown to the wall, and promptly disregarded in the moment by Taehyung, whose immediate attention is more occupied with you spilling out before him. “She is mine,” he seethes looking ravenous after not feeding on you for weeks. His hunger distracting him from the arm you have tucked behind your back. While pulling you closer to take a taste himself, you draw your own weapon, stabbing him through his heart with the stake. 

He looks down to injury with a sobering disbelief, his words heavy on his lips with a low chuckle as he forces out his final thoughts before his demise. “Well played princess... you had me thinking I was to be your hero again.”

“You were never my hero, only my assailant.” You shove the stake deeper into his chest. “And now my fatality.”

Taehyung gasps and delivers one last cruel smile. “A fitting end, though I can think of one better. Why part here, when you can join me in death.” He launches at your throat ready to strike and bleed you further, when his actions are cut short by another. 

With the stake pulled from the other vampire, Yoongi pierces him through the back, and takes hold from behind preventing Taehyung’s last threat. The vampire lord's eyes go wide showing a brief moment of fear before he finally succumbs to death. Pulling yourself from his clutches you take a deep breath and rejoice in the freedom, though the feeling doesn’t last long. 

Already dizzy from the loss of blood you are in no way prepared for the surge of memories that flood back. With Taehyung dead his physical hold on you diminished, but the pain of his manipulation, the trauma and loss he has inflicted on you hits as a wave, and pulls you under. 

Yoongi is there to heal the wound on your neck, he calls to you repeatedly though his voice along with your vision of him are clouded amongst your thoughts. Your heart pounds and head races as it continues to try and register the influx of everything you lost. 

There’s a soft touch to your temple, as a whisper from him finally makes it through. “Be strong my love, you can conquer this too.”

You can feel yourself being lifted as the room moves around you. Clinging to his coat you utter your wish to leave, unwilling to spend another moment in this castle. Fully slipping as he draws you in closer.

...

When the haze lifts you come to find yourself in another bed. Not one of the castle’s no, it seems Yoongi had observed that request, but the location is still worrisome for it is the same room you had shared with him in Seokjin’s house. You immediately sit up, panicking over your last memory of this place, and fearful of Yoongi’s clan’s intent. 

Your vampire sleeps on a chair beside you, though his head and chest are slumped over on the mattress and his hand encasing yours. Stirring the second your grip leaves his and you attempt to get from the bed. He grabs at your shoulder pushing you back down with ease, “What do you think you are doing? You are in no state to be running off.” 

“Yoongi... why are we here? If Seokjin-”

“This was the only safe place I could think to bring you. You have nothing to fear here now. Seokjin will not do anything, he knows he was in the wrong to suggest such compulsion, and Namjoon has promised retribution on your behalf if he continues such behaviour.” Yoongi briefly smirks at the thought of the pair, though his expression soon darkens as his hand brushes your hair from your face as you relax back into the bed. “I thought- I was worried I lost you back there.”

“I-I couldn’t control it, there was so much that I had lost and most of it difficult to bear again...” You grimace at the pain of it, prompting Yoongi to lean in to kiss your blow and pull a small smile from you again. “I should never have returned. I should have trusted you more, I’m so sorry for putting you in danger like that.”

“It was not your fault. You had every reason to doubt me given your past and what you knew. I can’t imagine what it was like, but...” He looks down avoiding your eyes as he rubs your hands, the words that follow are just as tentative and soft. “If you should- I don’t know if- if you need me to help you discard any memories I will do so. Doesn’t have to be now or ever, but if you ever need me to... don’t feel like you have to carry the weight of it alone.”   

You nod your eyes tearing up with gratitude for his offer. “Thank you, there will be some moments that I- that I will be glad to be rid of.” Yoongi’s warm smile comes with his arms to wrap around you in a tight hug. You wince as your muscles stain to return the affection, feeling as though they have seized from lack of use. “How long have I been under?” 

“The longest two nights of my existence.”

“Two nights?” You exclaim pulling out of the embrace in shock. “What has happened since?  Was anyone else hurt before I-I-”

“No one else, but the castle,” Yoongi sighs looking hesitant to tell you the rest. “The castle was set aflame in an act of defiance. It was sentenced to burn once the staff and resistance had cleared it of everything of value.”

“Good,” you whisper. 

“There is more... Seokjin has been keeping a close eye on the situation.” Yoongi discloses. “But, when word spread that you returned only to vanish again, many believed your appearance to be that of an imposter rather than their former princess. They thought you a tool of the mysterious lord attempting to gain power.”

“And their plans to create a new form of rule?” You ask, the focus of your question leading Yoongi to tilt his head in confusion.

“Going forward without much backlash, but-”

“Then they have every right to think so. I am very different from their lost princess.” You smile to Yoongi’s surprise. “I am a threat to them now, a threat to the future governance they plan to install. Any version of me might sow the seeds of discord in progress if I was to return. If this story of me being a deceiver will help them to rebuild, then let them think it. I will make no plans to return.”

Yoongi nods in understanding, though his expression still holds regret. “I am sorry I was not able to deliver you home as promised.”

“That place was not my home for so long, not since you-”

A loud knock comes from the front door of the small home, reaching you all the way in your upstairs room. Yoongi stiffens in the seat next to you as muffled voices are soon heard too. Your vampire stands going to the door where Seokjin appears a moment later with news. “It’s Lord Hoseok. He’s here, and he wants to see you.”

“Don’t you dare let him in.” Yoongi pushes back. “Not with her here, not now.” 

“I can’t exactly deny him entrance,” Seokjin scoffs. “This is his house-”

“Fine, then I will.” 

Seokjin puts a hand on Yoongi’s chest and prevents him from storming off into a confrontation. “You know you can’t stop him. If he wishes to see her he will, but right now I think his main concern is you. Do not anger him if there is no reason to. See what he wants then come to a judgement.”

The same loud knock you heard below then arrives at your bedroom door, breaking off the disagreement between the two vampires.The guest you know not to require permission, but it seems that he would rather enter on your terms rather than his own. 

“Yoongi?” You call to him, witnessing the dread in his face when he turns to look at you. “I should like to speak to him too.”

Yoongi’s reluctant hand turns the lever, letting his lord inside. Your own vampire stands between the two of you preventing you from getting a good look as the first words are exchanged.   

“My Lord.”

“Tell me it is so, that it is true. Is Taehyung- ” The vampire lord immediately launches into the heart of the matter. The weight of his tone sends shivers to even you. 

“Dead, my lord.” 

“Thank you Yoongi, I am in your debt.” The tension in his voice quickly falls away. 

“It was not I alone who defeated him sir. The credit also goes to the woman who you thought you would contain to your fortress.” Yoongi mutters with malice.

“I app-” His lord steps further in, allowing him to finally catch a glimpse of you. He pauses for a moment as he takes you in, his mouth hangs open and a single word falls in greeting, “Mansin?”

Though the word is foreign to you Yoongi reacts in an instant, returning to your side, he growls and his superior in defiance while positioned in your defence. “She is not-”

Lord Hoseok seems to catch himself and apologises. “A mistake Yoongi, an honest mistake, I see that she is bound to you. You must forgive me,” He whispers while giving a sad smile in penance. “Something in your expression reminded me of someone I once knew.” He politely touches upon his error, but leaves you with no reason for Yoongi’s reception. “I must give my thanks to you as well then, for you saved me the pain of having to kill my own creation.” 

Alarmed by the confession you try to stand but Yoongi’s hand once again comes down to your shoulder. “Then Taehyung was yours? You created that monster?!”

“It was not my intention to have him turn out in such a way.” The vampire lord growls at the censure, causing Yoongi to grow ridged next to you. “I found him as an innocent young man dying, whispering the name of the one he loved, the one he was bound to. I took pity on him, would you not have done the same?” Hoseok raises an eyebrow as he throws his choice back at you. 

You swallow and nod in response. “I suppose I would have.” The swift changes in mood of the vampire lord keep you on guard, intimidating in one moment and considerate in the next. It’s easy to see why Yoongi might be wary of him around you. 

“I chose to banish him from the clan when he killed his former mate, your ancestor, for I could no longer trust him. He sought revenge on both your family and mine, and it is my fault alone. I knew that Yoongi would prefer to keep you as far away as possible, but Taehyung would likely have tracked you down sooner or later. I wanted to make up for that by offering you a safe place at my fortress but I can see that it was misconstrued.” 

“Thankfully your assistance with my residence is no longer required.” You convey, hoping that he has abandoned the notion, since the threat is no longer stalking you.

“Yes... thankfully.” Lord Hoseok reiterates with a weak grin.

“If you are in our debt as you say then I would like to make a request of you.” You ask much to Yoongi’s surprise, resulting in his head snapping in your direction.

“A request?” Hoseok blinks, a grin twitching in his lips. He grabs the chair from the desk, turning it to face you before taking his seat. “What have you to ask of me?”

“My old kingdom, I want to ensure the health of the people. I ask that if your clan goes there to feed they use the tactics that Yoongi has been operating under.” Yoongi finally exhales and relaxes, as you explain your wish, a small smile crosses his lips with what looks to be pride.

“I understand your position, and would agree immediately if there were to be no recourse, but to put such limitations on my clan without any amendments or accommodations to offer in return... many would turn rogue.” Hoseok shakes his head. “No, if I ordered that, we might find ourselves in another situation like before.”

You consider what you have left to give with nothing left from your family to offer, you have only what you may have acquired through matrimonial bonds. “Tell me when a vampire dies, what happens to the ownership of their residences.”

“It will go to whomever they deemed a second who was not created by their own lineage. Yoongi was once my own. I don’t know if Taehyung- ”

“But if they had taken a wife who survived them?” You ask.

“They would be yours...” Yoongi mutters beside you in understanding.

You nod grimacing at the prospect of owning his land. “I want no part of them. But if they will help you to convince your clan to adjust their feedings and continue to help those of my former kingdom they are yours.” You offer to Hoseok. “Every fortress, waypoint and house that belonged to him will all be transferred to your own clan. ”

“Then I accept your terms,” Hoseok nods in agreement. “But where will you go?”

You look to Yoongi to give the answer. Caught off guard he pauses before responding with the simple direction of, “East, we plan to head east.”

  ...

...Two months later...

Yoongi stops the horse and dismounts beside an overgrown field, looking at the land with a deep contented sigh. “This is it.” He lights a lantern for you before treading into the long grass, in search of the foundation of his old home.

He was right, there is little left, but regardless of that fact you help him by clearing the roughage from any remains you can find. Pausing only when he does, while uncovering what seems to be a rotting wooden board laying on the ground. Upon further inspection you find it to shield a substantial cavern below with steps leading into the darkness. 

“If that’s the cellar... Then that must mean.” Yoongi mutters, before taking a few steps away, counting his paces as he goes. Hunching down over a higher patch of ground, he tears away the long weeds, until a stone hearth reveals itself. He takes the rotting wooden board, and breaks it apart into several pieces. Building them up before he sets them alight with the fire of the lantern. 

He lowers himself to sit in front of the burning wood and beckons for your hand, kissing you knuckles, raw from the cold wind of your journey as you take a seat next to him. Despite the lack of walls and roof, you are overwhelmed by Yoongi’s peace as he looks into the fire, feeling that same comfort and warmth within yourself. “I never thought I’d see this place again, but now, it feels right to return. Perhaps-” He meets your eye before expressing the rest of his tentative question. “Perhaps we could stay here for a while?”

“I would like that.” You answer with a nod, prompting him to beam back at you.

While Yoongi moves to lay on the grass relaxing in the light of the flame you pull out the new map you’ve been working on since the start of your journey east. The other still remains, not entirely forgotten, but of little use in this region. The fresh start on parchment comes as a much needed reprieve, the chance to begin again. 

“You are marking this place down for me?” Yoongi asks as you draw with your quill pen. 

“For us,” you correct him.

Looking down at the new point on the map now labelled with your description, he smiles at the sight of the single word you had written. “Have I fulfilled my duty to you then? Should we part ways here?” He jests pushing to rise up until you tug him back down by his long coat.

“You have,” Shaking your head at his joke, you explain your true feelings behind the word. “But if you leave, this place ceases to be so. It only exists as such when I am with you.”

“Then I must stay by your side, or risk breaking another promise?” He continues to tease you, with a twitch to the corner of his lip.

You can’t help but laugh at his attempt to conceal his eagerness. “So it would seem. How long do you think you can keep your vow?” 

“For eternity.” Yoongi whispers, leaning in to kiss you over the setting ink of, ‘Home.’

...

-The End-

...

[whinvi-moved-blog]

inktober day 3: i dont even know the prompt so heres some jack

[kyber-crystal]

lost in space || s.r

summary: post-IW in which you’re stuck on the ship with tony and nebula. knowing you didn’t have much time left before oxygen levels ran out for good, you decide to send a final goodbye message to the man you’ve grown to love over the past several years.

words: ~2.1k

warnings: angst in the beginning, fluff, major feels, worried steve ;-p

a/n: i took inspo for another oneshot like this that i read but then i got a bunch of new related ideas, so here we go!

22 days.

22 days of drifting through empty space with Tony and Nebula.

After day 16, you began losing hope in returning home. Nobody had to say anything for you to put two and two together and realize you didn't have much longer before what little was left of your oxygen supply ran out. So this had the three of you accepting you wouldn't make it through, opting to make the best of the time you had left. Your breathing became more heavy and labored, as the act of taking a single breath had now grown more difficult with each passing minute.

While she didn't want to admit it, Nebula thought having you and Tony by her side was much better than imagining being alone. It was an unspoken agreement that you all enjoyed each others' company; seeing you were all you had now after losing almost everything.

You exhaled as you sat in the cockpit of the ship, chin resting in your hand as you gazed out the glass dome and took in the eerie yet beautiful sight that space had to offer.

Feeling a rough hand clasp your shoulder, you turned around to see Tony standing there.

"Hey," he smiled softly, holding his remaining granola bar out to you. "You haven't eaten all day. Why don't you take the rest of this."

"No, I can't do that," you shook your head. "You need to eat, too."

"Your health is just as important, Y/N. You've lost too much weight in these past three weeks."

"Haven't we all."

"Just take it."

Knowing he wasn't going to stop arguing, you mumbled a 'thank you' and took the bar from him, taking a small bite.

You pushed yourself out from your chair and took a seat next to him, lowering yourself to the ground on the steps as he leaned his helmet against the wall.

"What are you doing?"

"Leaving them a message. In case things go wrong, and...we don't make it," he replied as he took in a deep breath and began fiddling with the helmet, flicking a switch inside it before tapping its' side, projecting a blue light over you two.

"Tony...we're literally going to die. I don't get why you're doing this, Steve and the others probably think we're already dead..."

"Might as well say a last good bye, then. And, recording...is this thing on?" He tapped the side of the helmet again. "Hey, Miss Potts...Pep. If you find this recording, don't post it on social media. It's gonna be a real tear-jerker. I don't know if you're ever going to see these. I don't even know if you're...if you're still...Oh, god. I hope so. Today is day 21, uh..."

"22," you corrected as you leaned back against the wall. “Or 23. Wait no, 22.”

"Yeah, 22. You know, if it wasn't for the existential terror of staring into a void of space, I'd say I'm feeling better today. The infection's run its course, thanks to the blue meanie back there."

"You’d love her. She’s very practical," you added, "Only a tiny bit sadistic."

"Anyway...some fuel cells were cracked during battle, but we figured out a way to reverse the ion charge to buy ourselves about 48 hours of time. But it's now dead in the water. We're 1000 light years from the nearest 7-11. Oxygen will run out tomorrow. And that'll be it. And Pep, I...I know I said no more surprises, but I was really hoping to pull off one last one. But it looks like...well you know what it looks like. Don't feel bad about this. I mean, if you grovel for a couple of weeks, and then move on with enormous guilt. I should probably lie down. Please know that...when I drift off, I will think about you. Because it's always you."

You both fell into silence afterwards and you quickly looked away, squeezing your eyes shut in an attempt to try and stem the flow of tears that threatened to spill. Tony must've noticed the look on your face, placing a comforting hand on your shoulder as you stared blankly out ahead.

This really was it. When you imagined dying, you saw yourself going down on the battlefield, maybe jumping into the crossfire to save someone. Or simply passing in your sleep, dying of old age, anything but being unable to breathe.

You didn't think you'd meet your demise by running out of oxygen as you drifted mindlessly through space.

"Why don't you talk to Capsicle," Tony finally spoke up several minutes later. "This might be your only chance to get the closure you've wanted for so long."

"I'm not...it's not like that," you sighed, running a hand down your face. "He's just a friend."

"Don't bullshit me, Y/N. I know you're in love with him."

You let out another sigh, staring at his helmet blankly for a moment before opening your mouth to speak.

"Hey, Cap. You know, for the longest time, I was stuck trying to figure out what I was really meant to do, why I was ever placed on the earth to begin with," you spoke, looking out the glass at the darkness of space again, "When Fury first recruited me to the initiative, I was...I was in a dark place. And I didn't know how to get out. I felt stuck, frustrated...lost. I felt like I wasn't worthy or even the slightest bit prepared to take on the responsibilities of a hero because of all that I'd done in the past. I'd committed my fair share of sins, and...it all came down to a point where I almost lost the will to keep going, to keep living. My demons held me back from the perfect life I so desperately wanted and followed me everywhere I went. But then you came along, and for the first time in a long time, I started to hope, to...feel things again. You taught me that there was such a thing as second chances and forgiveness, that it's okay to make mistakes, and most importantly, I was meant to feel things; to love.

"You taught me that I was meant to feel happy, to allow myself the chance at living that burden-free life. That I didn't have to feel so doubtful when something good happened because all I'd ever learned was to feel suspicious when an event occurred in my favor. God, I really do owe you, huh? I honestly don't know what I'd do if I didn't have you. Maybe spiral down into an endless pit of despair and destruction? But really, I'm grateful that you walked into my life. I don't know how I'm supposed to repay you for all that you've given up for me.

You chuckled lightly and sniffled, hastily wiping at your eyes. "I know you're still out there. I hope you are. Because I know Captain America would never go down without a fight. This fight, though...you don't need to keep fighting. I've already accepted my fate. I'm going to die in less than two days...and I'm not bitter or mad at all. Death is inevitable, you know? If there's anything I took away from my torturous days in the Red Room, it was to never fear death because every girl would eventually meet her end. I'll be completely honest with myself here, I don't mind dying alongside these two...Tony and Nebula are some pretty great roommates. Who knew an alien could be so good at paper football?

The helmet flickered and you knew you didn't have much time left. "Steve...I don't want you to look back at all this in pain. I want you to live your best life...one that isn't filled with regret. And if this means moving on, starting anew...then do it. I want you to be happy. Be happy...for me.

Another tear fell, but this time you didn't bother to wipe it away. "I guess since my days are now numbered, I should let this weight off my chest...I love you, Steve Rogers. More than you'll ever know. I've been in love with you for as long as I can remember and I can only hope you feel the same but I guess I might never know that answer now...we can't always get our happy endings, can we?

"I'm so sorry I didn't get to say goodbye one last time, I love you," you choked out as the recording finally powered down and you let your head fall into your hands, the tears now flowing freely down your cheeks. The ache of longing to be with him echoed through the marrow of your bones; a chill wind trapped inside your heart and a million little glass shards tearing at your guts. Nausea swirled around in your stomach, head swimming with thoughts as your blood felt like tar, struggling to flow steadily.

Reaching over, Tony carefully grasped your hand, lacing your fingers together and squeezing gently. "It's gonna be okay," he muttered, eyes closed as you trained your gaze on the glass. "It's gonna be okay."

It could've been five minutes or five hours later, but suddenly, a vast white light illuminated the space surrounding you, forcing you to shut your eyes again.

As you focused on the bright ball of light, you could make out several features of a woman, though you initially thought you were dreaming. This couldn't be real. Was it?

"Hang in there, guys, I've got you," her voice flooded your ears, before she disappeared from view.

You opened your eyes a second time to see you were speeding towards Earth, the ship slowing down slightly as the familiar outline of America came into view.

Then, a steady jolt of the Benatar indicated you'd hit solid ground, in the middle of the field in the Avengers facility.

Nebula helped Tony up first, then you. The entry hatch opened, and you carefully stepped down the ramp together onto the grass.

It was pitch-black out, the only sources of light coming from the lights that projected from the compound, but it didn't take long for your vision to adjust. A small smile found its way onto your face as you saw six familiar figures came running towards you.

"Oh my God," Pepper cried, throwing her arms around Tony's neck and holding on as if her life depended on it. "Oh my God."

You smiled wistfully as you observed your surroundings, lowering yourself onto the ramp's last set, arms crossed over your chest as you realized just how cold it actually was.

A sudden warmth enveloped you and you felt someone's leather jacket being draped over your shoulders. Seeing Steve's familiar tall figure out of the corner of your eye, you moved over slightly to allow room for him to sit.

He looked over at you in concern, taking in your pale and malnourished figure. His chest ached at the sight.

"I'm okay," you found yourself saying, "don't worry about me."

"I've been worrying about you for the past twenty-two days," he replied, hands in his pockets, "I thought you were dead."

"I'm sorry."

"I missed you."

"I missed you too," you swallowed hard.

Steve let out a shaky breath and slid an arm around your waist, pulling you close as you rested your forehead on his shoulder.

"I thought you were dead," his voice cracked, "and if you really were, then...I don't know what I'd do."

“Me neither,” you breathed out. “God, I missed you so much.”

Then all of a sudden, the whole word seemed as if it was on standstill as his sapphire blue eyes bored into yours with such an intensity that sent a chill down your spine, keeping you firmly locked in place. And it utterly terrified you because you’d never felt something so intense like this before and he was the reason why you even felt this way to begin with. 

And before you can protest against your own thoughts, you closed your fists around his shirt and gently tugged him towards you, closing the gap and kissing him. The sudden action took you both by surprise but Steve doesn’t waste any time in reacting, moving a hand from your cheek to the nape of your neck to kiss you back. 

Everyone’s too exhausted, too busy feeling relieved at the fact that you returned safely to make a teasing comment towards yours and Steve’s relationship. They’ve secretly been betting for a while that you’d finally get together, though not in this exact way. 

Until Rocket breaks the silence. “Nice welcome back gift, Agent.”

"You cockblock," Nebula flicks him in the head. "Let them have their moment, geez."

[miraculousmarifan]

Felinette Month 2020 - Day 24: Huntress

Happy @felinettenovember! This was a last minute decision to do a little rewrite of a version of Snow White, at least to a certain point. Hopefully I will have enough motivation to finish the partially written ones tonight so you lovely readers can have four tonight!

Around 1700 words

When Felix found himself running through the woods, he regretted letting his father talk him into staying at home with his mother. His father had gone to the neighboring kingdom to discuss the terms of a trade agreement. Rather than bringing his wife, he allowed her to stay and watch over the castle and their children. His older sisters were betrothed to princes from other kingdoms, meant to be wed in the upcoming months, while his fate was not yet determined. He thought it was unreasonable for their mother to hold this against him when he was not yet of age, however during his father’s absences, she would find every reason to torment him. While he wanted to study quietly in his room or practice with his sword, she would find every reason for him to accompany her or his sisters on distasteful errands, clean whatever room or item was most disgusting (often the horse stables, despite their having a groom to care for them), or act as the practice dummy for his sisters’ self-defense lessons. There also seemed to be a disproportionate amount of “accidents” resulting in his being injured. It was not uncommon for him to have bruises just out of sight when his father returned from these trips.

On this day, he was sent out with his sisters to collect some flower that he had never heard of. As the girls rode their horses, he was forced to walk because their mother claimed his horse “needed to be rested for tomorrow’s task” and it would be too much for it. When they reached the river, he suggested they move up the river where it would be shallower. The girls insisted that they would be fine to cross and immediately started across. The horses managed it, though the water reached the girls’ legs. Felix tried to yell across that he was finding a shallower area, but the girls simply rode on without him.

He ran further up the river, finding a spot that he could sort of swim across without being pushed too far downstream, however it didn’t matter, as his sisters were long gone. He listened for a moment, noting how quiet the forest seemed to be. He determined that the beating from coming back without the flower or his sisters would still be a better alternative to being stuck out in the forest overnight. Instead he turned back in the direction he expected to be home.

Felix didn’t notice the pair of eyes following him, bow drawn. The huntress hesitated, despite having been paid to get rid of the prince. The entire afternoon thus far he had followed those girls without verbal complaint and only protested the situation when crossing the rivers. It seemed a shame that a young man like him was meant to be killed. She knew she needed to dispose of him, she wouldn’t be paid the bounty, two hundred gold coins, unless she brought back evidence of his demise. Additionally the queen was oddly specific about what she wanted as proof, some of the boy’s hair, a vial of his blood, and his heart. It made her skin crawl but those coins would make it possible for her family to move out of this kingdom, to one that actually could treat her father’s illness. They could afford a small house and be able to pay for food for at least a year, at least at the rates one of the traveling merchants had described to her. Those coins were the difference between their family dying, now that their land had been seized to pay for their recent debt. She took a deep breath and made her decision.

An arrow sunk into a tree near Felix’s head. He jumped, whirling around in a panic, before turning and running. It no longer mattered if he was running towards the castle, he simply needed to escape his attacker. Unfortunately the rush of adrenaline did not help his coordination and he tripped on a tree root. He stumbled to get up, hearing swiftly approaching footsteps, and tried to move quickly but more cautiously. As he ran, the trees grew thicker and he had to slow down more to maneuver. He gasped for air, trying to figure out if he could hide somewhere in the trees, before spotting an area of woods with thick bushes. He quickly dropped to his hands and knees to crawl into the bushes. The blood rushing in his ears disguised the footsteps following him. He was almost entirely under the bush when he felt something tug his ankle back.

Felix fell on his face when his other ankle was tugged as well. He tried to claw forward and attempted to get his knees back under himself with each successive yank. Finally he found himself being scratched up by the bush and unable to move forward from the stranger.

“Stop struggling! This will be much easier if you cooperate!” a girl’s voice demanded angrily. He froze, confused by the high voice. She tugged his legs again and he was pulled slightly closer.

“Wait! I’ll crawl out. Please don’t do that again. Just let me get on my hands and knees again,” he pleaded with a wince at the scrapes he was accumulating. She released her grip and he quickly pulled his legs under himself to back out. His legs were still shaking from the run and he turned to sit facing her when he got out from under the bush.

The girl in front of him had dark hair and intense blue eyes, as well as a bow at her back. He guessed she was near his age, though it was difficult to tell with how tired she looked. His mouth opened to say something but he wasn’t quite sure what to say. She spoke first.

“Just listen. The queen wants you dead. She’s got a bounty on your head. You need to disappear. Before you go though, I’m going to cut off some of your hair so she might be satisfied.” She stepped towards him and Felix tried to scramble back, only to feel his back press into the sharp branches of the bushes. She grabbed his arm and pulled him over to the base of a tree.

“Don’t worry. I just need the hair, not your head. You have to disappear once I’m done though. There’s a clearing that way,” she gestured with her hand and a nod, “where a family lives. They are rather generous and often house travelers for a few nights. If you ask politely, they may even help you get to a nearby town and you can start over. Now stay still while I cut your hair.”

Felix took deep breaths, trying to stay still and calm at the information she was giving him. She retrieved a knife from a bag at her hip and reached a hand out towards him. He flinched but let her touch his head. She gently pulled a chunk of hair away from his face before running the blade across the strands.

“It’s a shame that this needs to be done. You have lovely hair,” she mumbled as she cut chunks from his hair. She worked quickly without tugging on his hair painfully. Soon she had him turn so she could cut near the back. 

He stayed silent as she worked.

“There! I tried to straighten it out a little, so at least you won’t look like too much of a ruffian. As long as you follow my directions and head directly that way towards the clearing, you should be able to get help. Remember, you are not the prince anymore. You don’t know anything. Come up with a new name and start over. If you could get to a different kingdom, you’d be safest. I’m leaving now.” She scooped up a bunch of his hair, put it in a smaller pouch of her bag, then turned and started to walk through the forest. Felix felt fear grip him and let out a strangled noise before he could speak.

“Why would you help me?” he called after her. She stopped and glanced over her shoulder.

“It doesn’t seem fair to cut your life short. I’ve never heard a bad word about you from the servants.” She continued on her way. He stood and watched her until the trees obscured his view. He took a deep breath and ran a hand through his hair. It wasn’t as smooth as when he had it cut by his barber but it was at least sort of smooth. He decided it was in his best interest to listen to the mysterious girl. He also felt somewhat glad that the clothes he had chosen to wear for this errand were not as decadent as most of his. With the dirt and fresh tears, he thought it could be feasible that he was simply a traveler. He thought of what the girl had said as he trudged on, hoping he would reach this family before nightfall.

Meanwhile the huntress headed towards an area she had left wild pig traps earlier in the week, before this job came up. An idea had hatched but it depended heavily on whether or not she had a pig to kill. As she approached her closest trap, she heard the sounds of exhausted struggling and knew they were in luck. She put the animal out of its misery and set about getting the necessary parts for the queen.

The queen waited for a message from the huntress late that night. Her daughters had returned, saying that they had lost Felix when crossing the river. He hadn’t returned and the servants assumed it was with worry for her youngest child. Close to midnight, the signal was given and she slipped out into the royal groves. The girl gave her two pouches and a vial, which the queen checked the contents of in the moonlight before passing a pouch with the agreed on price. The two separated and the queen retreated to a hidden room of the castle, rather than her bedchambers.

As the queen set out the ingredients necessary for her spell, she couldn’t help but think about what a fair deal she was getting to remove an illegitimate son from their home, saving the purity of the throne. All that was left of her plan was to make the potion necessary for her to conceive a son in place of this boy. She had to stop herself from humming as she worked.

[adenei]

Endings and Beginnings (In Three Parts)

And now, for my Hinny Incognito Elf fic! This was written for eevylynn, and tells the tale of the lead-up of Harry and Ginny’s relationship during HBP from Ginny’s perspective :) Side Romione included 

Please like/reblog and/or leave kudos on Ao3

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The Break-Up

Ginny couldn’t sleep. She was having trouble calming her mind, as she couldn’t stop thinking about the events of the night. It hadn’t been what she’d planned on, but in retrospect, Ginny supposed it had been coming for a while. She tried to tell Dean multiple times that she didn’t need his help with certain things, like being guided by the small of her back through the portrait hole. 

If she was being honest, something had started to feel off between them at the beginning of March. Right around the time when Ron was poisoned. Ginny had started spending more time while he was in the hospital wing with Harry and Hermione, and Dean had expressed his displeasure, which ended in their first huge row. She told him he didn’t have the right to tell her who she chose to spend her time with, and that her brother had almost died! Dean had tried to come back with the argument that he had Harry and Hermione, which sent Ginny off the deep end. ‘I’m his sister!’ she’d shouted at him in the halls, as she told him he’d need a better reason than that. To which he’d muttered something unintelligible about Harry. Ginny stormed off after that, unwilling to hear any more.

Dean did apologize eventually, but then she started getting bored when they’d go off to snog. He didn’t give her the same thrill he used to at the start of their relationship. Plus, what had once been kind gestures became mild annoyances that began to fester. At least this was what she was trying to tell herself. It would have been easier if he’d accepted the breakup easily. If he’d felt the same way, that the breakup was imminent. But instead he’d acted blindsided. He’d even tried to plead with her in the common room. ‘I won’t do it again, I promise, Gin. Let’s not be rash and end things over that.’ 

But it wasn’t just that and she’d told him as much before storming off up the girl’s staircase to her dormitory. Ginny felt bad that she didn’t give him more of an explanation, but she couldn’t. It’d break him even more than the lame excuse she’d used to end things already. Plus, it’d probably have confirmed whatever he’d muttered back in March, and she was too stubborn to admit he was right. 

She’d taken Hermione’s advice, and tried to date around a bit to forget her crush on Harry, but then last summer happened. They’d become closer than before, and Ginny loved the idea that they could be friends. Except that her heart still leapt any time he’d flash a grin at her, or when they’d go for a fly and she’d see the carefree side of Harry that he rarely showed anyone. Dare she even admit that there was the slightest banter of innocent flirting between them. 

Ginny knew she’d made the right decision when she felt her heart flutter at the mere thought of Harry. Yet she still sighed as she flopped back, her head hitting the pillow in the continued frustration of being unable to shake her feelings for him. She wasn’t sure how much time had passed when there was a knock on the door.

“Ginny?” Hermione popped her head in the doorway.

“Over here,” Ginny said, happy to have a distraction and some company.

Hermione walked over and sat on her bed. “I heard what happened...I’m sorry,” she offered.

“Yeah, you and everyone else in the common room.” Ginny rolled her eyes as she sat up. “Don’t be sorry. I’m glad it’s over.”

“Well, if it’s any consolation, you weren’t the only breakup tonight, and yours was much tamer than what came after.” Hermione was having trouble hiding the smile that was creeping across her face.

“Oh?” She could have guessed, but figured she’d let Hermione say it. 

“Ron and Lavender broke up!” Hermione said with glee. 

“It’s about time,” Ginny said as she smiled. “How’d it happen?”

“Oh, well, we were upstairs in the boy’s dorm with Harry, and-” Hermione looked around to make sure they were alone, but then cast muffliato just in case, “he put on the cloak because he was going to sneak out of the common room for, er-” 

“Lesson with Dumbledore?” Ginny asked.

“Y-yes. Yes! Anyways, because he was under the cloak, Ron and I came down and it looked like we’d been alone up there, and Lavender was not happy. I almost felt bad for Ron. People halfway across the castle probably could have heard her shouts,” Hermione said.

“Eh, he probably deserved it. Should have broken up with her a while ago,” Ginny commented. 

“Kind of like you and Dean?” Hermione raised her eyebrows in question.

“What?” Ginny countered, but Hermione only responded with a knowing look. “Yeah, alright. It was overdue, but sometimes it’s hard to break something that’s comfortable for something that’s never going to happen.”

“I wouldn’t count your chickens before they hatch..” Hermione said pensively.

“And what’s that supposed to mean?” Ginny questioned.

“It’s just a muggle expression,” Hermione said smugly. “Well, I’m going to go up to bed, but I think Harry’s still down in the common room. Said something about attempting to catch up on his homework for McGonagall.”

Ginny eyed her suspiciously as she hopped off the bed and left for her own dorm room. She sat there for a bit, considering what Hermione had said. Should she go down there? She was bored, having been cooped up here all evening, avoiding Dean. But she was also comfortable. 

Then, as if fate was interfering, her dorm mates came in the room giggling about something, and Romilda had this smug look on her face. A surge of jealousy flowed through her system. Romilda had been after Harry all year, with no success luckily, but it still annoyed Ginny to think that she could get her bloody paws on him. 

That was all it took for Ginny to stand up, and head down to the common room. Sure enough, Harry was sitting in his favorite spot on the couch, but his homework lay abandoned on the table in front of him as he was staring at the fire. Ginny walked over and sat on the opposite side of the couch. The common room was all but deserted at this point.

“Last I checked, the fireplace isn’t going to help you finish that essay,” Ginny said wittily, grabbing Harry’s attention.

“Oh, hey Gin,” he said. “I, er, heard about you and Dean. Sorry…” 

“Are you really, though?” Ginny asked him, one of her eyebrows had arched in question.

“Do you really want the answer to that?”

“Answering a question with a question. That’s clever, Potter,” Ginny smirked at him.

“Well, it sidetracked you, didn’t it?” Harry laughed.

“It did, but your strategy just failed because you reminded me again. And yes, I would like the answer to that.” Ha, take that, Ginny thought.

She could tell Harry was contemplating his answer, and wondered why. Did it have to do with something that Hermione had said? “No, ‘m not sorry. You can do better than Dean.”

“Oh? Like who? Careful about your answer though, Potter. Wouldn’t want to pull a Ron on me,” Ginny warned. She had to remind herself to breathe when she realized she was holding her breath as she waited for his answer.

“Well, not Seamus, that’s for sure,” Harry laughed as Ginny rolled her eyes. Of course he’d suggest another person who wasn’t good enough for her. 

“I guess I’ll let that one slide, but if you do have a suggestion regarding my love life, I’d love to hear. You must be doing something right, yourself,” Ginny grinned as she made an innocent dig at him.

“Oi! Here I am, trying to be a supportive friend, and you just go for the low blow.” Harry feigned offense. 

Ginny laughed. She loved how easy it was to talk to Harry, which was a far cry from her preteen self. Her mood had vastly improved since coming down to the common room, and she was secretly thanking Hermione for the tip to come downstairs. Which reminded her, “So...Lavender and Ron?”

“About time, isn’t it?” Harry said.

“Hermione seemed quite happy about it,” Ginny said as they shared a look. “You don’t suppose they’ll finally sort things out, do you?”

“Anything will be better than what happened over the last four months,” Harry muttered.

Ginny watched him carefully. They’d joked about Ron and Hermione’s constant bickering and how they thought it was flirting, taking bets about when one would finally make a move on the other. He’d seemed okay with it last summer, so why was he close-lipped about it now? “How would you feel if those two got together?”

“Dunno,” he said simply. 

A thought crossed Ginny’s mind. “Harry, you don’t- you don’t fancy Hermione, do you?”

“What? No! No way. She’s like my sister,” Harry defended himself quickly. “Why would you even suggest that?”

“You’re acting weird about it,” Ginny told him. “Not like this summer, when we were having a laugh over it.”

Harry just shrugged. “I’m just happy they’re talking again. Maybe the four of us could hang around more, you know, like the summer.”

Ginny could tell when he didn’t want to talk about something, so she didn’t push it. Instead, she thought about what he’d said about the summer. She tried to hide the excitement about Harry wanting to spend more time with her. 

In an attempt at playing it cool she said, “Only if you help me with revising for Defense. O.W.L.s are coming up, you know.”

“Er, yeah, sure! I may be able to help with potions, too. Everything else, you’re better off asking Hermione for help,” Harry said as he flashed her a smile.

“I’m sure you could help just fine,” Ginny returned his smile with one of her own. “You did manage E’s in everything else, didn’t you?” She watched him shrug as the faint hint of a blush tinged his cheeks. “Anyways, it is late, and we do have class in the morning. Unlike you, some of us have class during the first hour tomorrow,” she teased.

“Yeah, you’re right. See you tomorrow?” he asked as they both stood up and headed to their respective staircases.

“Not if I see you first,” Ginny said as she laughed. It was one of the twins favorite things to say that she’d taken a liking to as well. It had become one of her signature flirting lines. She froze, but it didn’t seem as though Harry had heard anything out of the ordinary. “Night, Harry,” Ginny said as she turned and climbed up the staircase.

The Insinuation

“Harry, we’re going to be fine, don’t worry,” Ginny reassured him for what seemed like the millionth time. 

Everyone had been on form during their last few practices. They were pulling through in spite of the broken morale after Harry’s incident a few weeks back. Luckily, Harry had still been permitted to attend practices and coach the team even though he couldn’t play in the final match due to Snape’s detentions. This gave Ginny the opportunity to focus on her seeker skills, and Dean, Demelza and Katie could get used to working together as chasers.

“I know, I know,” Harry said.

Ginny leaned in and nudged his side with her shoulder. “Then why do you still have that worried look on your face?” She looked up at him through her lashes. 

They’d been spending a fair amount of time together both on and off the quidditch pitch. Ginny had started to drop subtle hints here and there, but Harry seemed to remain oblivious. There were times when she was about ready to give up her pursuit, thinking that maybe Hermione’s subtle nudging was just for a laugh. But then it was always Harry who would ask if she wanted to go to the library in the evening, and Harry who would make Ron and Hermione wait for her to go down to breakfast in the mornings.

“Because it doesn’t matter how on form you all play tomorrow, I’m still letting you all down by not being there! I’ve never hated Snape more in my life,” Harry muttered as he kicked at the ground.

“Harry, you know I agree with you on the whole Snape thing, but you did almost kill Malfoy. It’s just a shame he couldn’t push this one detention to a different time. I promise I’ll give you the whole rundown after the match.”

Harry looked to her as he said, “Thanks, Gin. I don’t know what I’d do without you.” 

Ginny had to force herself to keep moving and to play it cool despite the breath that hitched in her throat and the sudden fast beating of her heart at Harry’s comment. She was thankful for her quick wit, which allowed her to comment without Harry knowing that her insides were about to explode from excitement. 

“Probably something stupidly noble or nobly stupid,” she said giving him a look. They both erupted into laughter. 

They continued walking up the corridor when Ginny recognized one of the Fat Lady’s friends watching them interestedly. She nudged Harry with her elbow and nodded with her head. “Is it just me? Or are they watching and possibly gossiping about us?” she said under her breath.

Harry looked up at what she was referring to. “Er, I dunno, Gin, can’t say I really notice what the portraits do on a regular basis.”

Ginny rolled her eyes in exasperation as she heard one of the portrait ladies giggle and say, “Oh don’t mind us, dear!”

“So you are staring, then!” Ginny said in triumph. 

“No, no! Just watching carefully. We like to be current with the state of relationships! If I may offer some advice,” she was addressing Harry now, “I’m sure the lovely lady would appreciate some hand holding at the very least,” the lady on the right said.

“Relationships? What are you on about?” Harry asked. 

They ignored Harry’s question as the lady on the left chimed in with, “I think the corridor up ahead is vacant if you’re looking for a place, too! Don’t worry, we won’t tell anyone,” she said innocently. 

Ginny stared incredulously at the portrait. “Oi! What in the bloody hell are you talking about?”

“Aww, look how shy they’re being, Violet! It’s quite clear you two are the newest couple in Hogwarts!”

“It’s about time,” Violet agreed.

“What?!” Harry and Ginny both said at the same time. 

“We’re not-” Harry said.

“Why would you-” Ginny added. 

Neither finished their sentence before Ginny looked at Harry and said, “C’mon Harry, let’s get out of here. Clearly, the portraits have lost touch with reality, as they don’t know how friends act anymore.” She gave the ladies in the portrait a dirty look as they continued walking without looking back.

What was once a comfortable conversation had now been replaced with an awkward air. After what felt like an eternity of walking towards the Gryffindor common room, Harry broke the silence with an apology that wasn’t his to give. “Er, sorry…” he said, looking anywhere but at Ginny.

“Sorry for what? Last I checked you weren’t one of those old batty women in the portraits,” Ginny commented.

“Er, no, but we have been spending more time together. If it’s too much-”

“It’s not,” Ginny said, perhaps a little too quickly.

She noticed a wave of relief fall over him at her words. “I mean, if the portraits think we’re together, then maybe we should at least give them something worthwhile to talk about,” Ginny laughed at the thought of messing with the portraits. 

Harry didn’t answer her, and he looked seemingly lost in another thought. “Are we really acting like that?”

“Like what?” Ginny asked for clarification.

“Like a...couple?” Harry choked out.

Ginny thought about his words. They were spending quite a bit of time together, about the same that she’d spent with Dean on any given day, at least. And sure, maybe there had been some innocent flirtation, but neither was any the wiser on how the other person felt. 

“Um, not that I was aware of,” she lied. “We’re just two friends enjoying each other’s company, and sometimes taking the piss on each other, now and then. Maybe even in the form of innocent flirting” Ginny chanced.

Harry chuckled at her words. “Yeah, you’re right,” he agreed.

Wait, did Harry just agree to the idea of flirting? She really wanted to ask, but by that point they’d entered the common room and Hermione was waving him over. She probably wanted to know how Ron had performed tonight to get a better idea of his mood.

“Well, I’m going to turn in early for the night,” Ginny told him. “I’ll see you in the morning, yeah?”

“Er, yeah,” Harry said awkwardly as Ginny took off for the girl’s staircase. 

It was all Ginny could do to avoid thinking about their conversation in the corridor. Maybe she’d convince him to mess with the portraits some more after the match tomorrow and see where things would lead. At the very least, it could be fun to take the piss out of the Fat Lady’s drunken friends. But for now, she had to focus on the match tomorrow, which meant giving herself a little space from Harry for the night, both mentally and physically. 

The Kiss

There was a deafening rush of sound that flooded Ginny’s ears after she’d caught the snitch. She looked at the magical scoreboard. They’d won. They actually pulled it off! Ginny flew down to the pitch where she joined the rest of the team in a huddle/hug and she looked at the stands where the Gryffindors were losing their minds.

Yet the only thought she could focus on was Harry. She couldn’t wait to tell him! She hoped his detention wouldn’t last all day because she was already bursting at the seams with excitement. He’d trusted her to lead them in his absence, and she did. Ginny saw Professor McGonagall’s satisfied smile. Maybe she’d be in the running for Captain next year, not that she’d want to take that away from Harry, but it would be nice. 

She found herself in the locker room, putting her broom away and changing out of her sweaty gear. She waited for the rest of the team, so they could make their victory march back up to the school. Ginny decided to wait outside the locker room for the rest of the team members and saw Hermione waiting there, a beaming smile on her face. They waited together as the rest of her teammates filed out. Finally, the last members emerged; Ron was walking out with Dean.

Things were less awkward than they had been. At least they were until Hermione ran up to Ron and hugged him in congratulations, leaving Ginny standing awkwardly next to Dean. “Oi! Is everyone ready to head back up to the common room, then?” The team members all nodded as they began their walk back to the castle. 

The party was already raging in the common room by the time they made it through the portrait hole, and the Gryffindor’s cheers could probably be heard throughout the entire castle when the team entered. They were all handed butterbeers as Ron was holding the Cup in his arms, Hermione at his side. More rounds of ‘Weasley is our King’ could be heard as Ginny decided to hang out near the doorway with Ron and Hermione. 

If they didn’t think that was at all normal, neither said anything. After all, Ginny had been spending more time with them lately. Ginny downed her butterbeer in an attempt to calm her nerves, and looked around for a second one. She found them by the fireplace, but as she made her way over, she heard someone shout, “He’s back!” 

Ginny turned around and froze, waiting to see if it was true. Sure enough, she saw a black mess of hair appear through the portrait hole and heard Ron shout, “We did it! We won!” 

She watched as Harry looked at Ron, who was holding the cup, but then his eyes were searching for something else, someone else. He scanned the room, and her heart stopped briefly when his eyes met hers and he froze. She nodded, solidifying Ron’s words with one motion, and then she watched him move toward her and her feet stepped forward to meet him somewhere in the middle.

He had this wild look in his eye, and she was just about to ask him what was wrong when he closed the gap between them and kissed her. Harry freaking Potter was kissing her! And not in private. In front of the whole bloody lot of Gryffindors! Speaking of...she pulled away slightly. She needed to make sure this was real. 

But in typical Harry fashion, he looked not at her, but at her brother. She hoped Colin had his camera and was able to capture the look on Ron’s face. Hermione was holding his arm, and looking between the two. Her worried look turned into a bright smile when Ron cocked his head to the side and grunted what Ginny assumed was his ‘blessing.’ Not that she needed it, but she appreciated it nonetheless.

She saw Harry’s own face break out into a more relaxed grin as the rest of the common room erupted once more. He finally looked back at her and gestured toward the portrait hole. He may have said something, but there was no way she could have heard anything. Ginny nodded as he took her hand and led her back out from where he’d just entered. 

She heard the Fat Lady laugh and say, “It’s about time, you two,” as they headed down the corridor and found an empty classroom. The door had barely shut behind them before their lips locked for a second time. She felt Harry’s hands wrap around her waist as hers wrapped around his neck. 

They’d barely started snogging before Harry pulled away abruptly. “Wait, is this- this is okay, right?”

Ginny smirked at him. “Well, your form is a bit off, but I’m sure I could teach you a few things,” she said suggestively.

“Very funny,” Harry said as he rolled his eyes. “I’m serious, Gin.”

“If it wasn’t okay, you would know already, Harry,” she finally said sincerely.

“Brilliant,” he said. Ginny leaned in, finding his lips with hers as they fell into an easy rhythm. 

Some time later, they broke apart. Ginny was impressed at how quickly Harry had improved, picking up on the art of snogging. “Should we take a walk? It’s rather beautiful out today to be stuck in a stuffy classroom.”

“You’re sure you don’t want to go back to the party?”

“I’d much rather do this,” Ginny told him as they exited the classroom. They turned in the opposite direction of the common room as they made their way out to the grounds.

Harry and Ginny stopped by the large oak tree that shaded the Black Lake and sat down, guarded by the privacy from any onlookers.  “So…” Harry said.

“I’m listening,” Ginny said through a smirk. 

“Are we, er…” Harry stuttered.

“I don’t know, do you want to be?” Ginny knew it was cheeky to be teasing him about this, but she just couldn’t help it. Harry Potter, the boy who had defeated You Know Who once and fought him another three times, the boy who had saved her from death in the Chamber of Secrets, was having trouble asking her out. 

“Y-yeah, but only if you want that,” Harry said. 

“I think me kissing you back is a good indication,” Ginny smiled. She supposed she could have just been up front and given him an easy yes or no, but she knew he could handle her sarcasm. It was part of their easy banter, what made their friendship so special and unique. They tended not to take each other’s shite.

“That’s what I was hoping for,” he said as he leaned in and kissed her again. If Ginny wasn’t sure about her decision to break things off with Dean before, those doubts had disappeared. Now, a new chapter was beginning. One that had only been in her dreams for far too long. But now it was a reality. The best reality she could have ever hoped for as she melted into Harry’s arms and enjoyed their day together in the bright May sunshine. 

[johannstutt413]

(requested by mathmaticalknight)

“-and then he said, ‘Nah, the hydrostatic pressure shouldn’t be enough to-’ and just like he’d set it off with a bomb, the whole thing blew up!” Closure laughed at Nian’s tale of another’s incompetence. “You couldn’t have timed it better if you wanted to.”

“That’s so funny, oh my gosh. Can I show you something I’ve been working on, since you’ve got the time? I want a second opinion on it, and you’re just the person who’d know.” The Sarkaz merchant was giving her puppy-dog eyes.

The Nian laughed. “Of course I want to see your secret project, Ava. It wouldn’t happen to be your attempt at recreating my weapon of choice, would it?”

“Well, no,” she admitted with a note of defeat, “but it’s still important, I promise.”

“Who said it needed to be important?”

...Fair point. “Honestly, I’ve got most of it figured out, I’m mostly having trouble with securing a strong enough power supply- but I’m getting ahead of myself. Remember when you suggested I make a bigger robot?”

“Was that a suggestion?” Nian wondered aloud. “From what I remember, you had the idea, and I said it might be useful in future if Rhodes Island had deployable robots in a wider variety of sizes.”

“Well, you also said that they would be useful soon, so I worked out some of the larger logistical problems with Kal’tsit, got her approval, and with the help of some of the other members of the Engineering Department, we uh...Well, I think you should just see it for yourself.”

That’s why she was there, after all. “Knowing you guys, it should be pretty...Oh, Ava, it’s not even my birthday yet.”

“You like it, then?” Closure smirked. “Wait until you see the inside.”

“Wasn’t the engineering department hemorrhaging money, though? Oh, but you can see everyone’s work, can’t you? Even some Rhine Labs components - I’d recognize those fittings anywhere, classing Mayer right there. You’re sure it’s okay to take a peak inside?” Her eyes were shining like quicksilver themselves.

The Sarkaz nodded. “I need your advice on an internal problem, after all. I’ll slide open the cranial hatch.”

“‘Cranial hatch?’ You enter from the head?” Yes, as a matter of fact. “Hmm. This would make sense as the control center, true. You said you’re having a power issue?”

“Greyy would be able to rig up a strong enough Originum battery, but that much exposure would be far too dangerous for his health, so his physician nixed that option. I’ve asked around the department, but no one has any better solutions.”

Nian thought for a moment. “Why not just distribute the batteries across the components? Would make pinpointing deficiencies easier, provides a measure of redundancy, and means that Greyy could reasaonbly set something up, doesn’t it?”

“That’s...exactly the idea I wasn’t having. See?” Ava smiled at her; they were in the head of the mech, which had enough space for three or four people to sit comfortably. “I knew you’d have the solution.”

“Of course I would - I could optimize this design in my sleep. One question, though - why did you bring me into the head if you didn’t need to show me something malfunctioning in it?” The Nian was lounging in one of the cockpit chairs, gently spinning it on its gyro.

Closure blushed. “Yes, why ever would I want to be alone with you in a space I have the only key to? It’s a mystery, isn’t it?”

“Oh?” She licked her lips. “You know the kind of person I am, Ava.”

“I do; you’re a free spirit, a walking entropy generator who’s solving modern mechanical problems as a hobby while you subsist on the kindness of our organization. You’re an endangered species of light-hearted genius, a biologically inscrutable trickster who nonetheless operates as a Defender despite having absolutely no compulsion to...and you’re sentimental as all hell.”

Nian cocked her head. “Sentimental? How so?”

“You still have that dagger I gave you, don’t you?”

“That was...that was you?” The Nian shook her head. “No, that was-”

The Sarkaz nodded. “Before she killed you during your last reincarnation, you brandished it in self-defense - the only way to use it and not lose the blade in the process. It wasn’t enough, but I was touched that you refused to let go of it, even in death.”

“I still have the scar from when I woke up next and stabbed my arm with it. Ava, how have you stayed alive that long?”

“Oh, a couple of reasons. Sarkaz of my variety have particularly long lives, for one.” Her fangs gleamed, despite the lack of a clear light source. “For another, I wanted to see how much you changed between your revivals.”

She leaned forward in her chair. “Have I changed much to you?”

“I’d say you started from a different point, but you’re still the same beast I fell in love with the first time. Of course, I’m not sure if you’ll taste any different; honestly, this is a unique opportunity for me as a vampire, if you’d allow me the chance, but-”

“Ava.” The Nian crossed the space between them with unexpected swiftness. “Will you be able to live through another cycle? My time for this one is coming to an end sooner than I’d like if you want to properly rekindle a romance.”

Closure ran a hand along her cheek. “You’ve given me enough romance for a lifetime already...I’d rather enjoy what we have left now, truth be told.”

“In that case, you have a good stain remover in your shop? Wouldn’t want to ruin the chairs.”

“I’ll take care of it before the next department work session.” She took a few steps back, landing in another chair so she could recline seductively. “Now let’s see what a hundred years apart taught us.”

[catmetchu]

Bots/Cons discover their charge is a Puella Magi (Part 1/4)

You are partners with Miko and got introduced to the bots together. Both of you sometimes use your magic to fight cons but only when you won’t blow your covers.

Listen to this while reading

Optimus:

He noticed the mysterious beams/lasers/bullets/swords etc. that aided them during battle early on, and figured out your secret before you knew it.

So, one day, he asked you two in secret about your special powers and you had to spill the beans. He advised you to not use your power to fight Decepticons, but instead to save it up for witches. He also managed to persuade you into telling the rest of the team about it, as he was afraid of your safety.

Everyone was slightly concerned about your lives as Puella Magi, but Ratchet wouldn’t stop loudly voicing his complaints about illegal contracts with children who can’t consent…

Optimus never stopped you and Miko from fighting witches but he asked you to always inform the base beforehand. He also asked anyone to help you two, when they’re off duty.

When the witchs' origins were revealed, Optimus was visibly upset, but he was more sad, than angry at the Incubators. He began comforting you and spending the little time her had with you, after learning that Magical Girls don’t live past their teenage years. He also took it upon himself to hunt witches sometimes and always had grief seeds in his subspace. (He asked everyone to store some as well)

You felt bad for putting this burden on Optimus, with all the other responsibilities he had to carry you couldn’t accept his concerns and grief seeds without feeling guilty. You have always seen him as a father figure and a hero, which was who you wished to become, but you soon realized how delusional you were, thinking that being a hero was so easy.

Optimus soon noticed you avoiding him and fighting witches all on your own, and giving all the grief seeds to Miko.

You tried sacrificing yourself to make up for your mistakes.

Your grief seed hatched when you asked Optimus to drive you to a forest to relax a little. You knew your end was near and you can’t bare to let him see your downfall, so you escaped into the forest and your witch was born.

You left him a note, saying: “I’m sorry for making myself a nuisance to you and that I couldn’t make you proud. I would have already turned into a witch as you’re reading this. I’m sorry.”

Ratchet:

Ratchet found out about your identies when Miko was so badly wounded during battle with a witch, that you had to call him for help.

When you told him about your secret he was PISSED! How could you subject yourself to such danger! And Kyubey is getting a wrench to the skull when he sees them!

He immediately called the base and informed everyone despite you pleading him not to.

He is absolutely against you fighting witches. The first few times he even went after your cellphone signals, but he always ended up losing you after you crossed the witch’s barrier. It took Optimus himself to convince Ratchet to let you go.

He would force you and Miko to spar with team members, commissioning training dummies from Wheeljack for you to sharpen your skills. However he would not let you on the battlefield, despite Miko’s complaints.

When everyone learned of the truth of witches. He completely flipped out, cursing out the incubators. He even broke one of his own tools out of rage. You attempted to calm him down, saying that being a magical girl isn’t all that bad, given that you have saved plenty of people.

“You either die a hero or live long enough to see yourself become a villian”, he had said to you, almost like he had someone in mind.

When Bulkhead's processor was overridden by data logs, you saw first hand how Miko’s soul gem darkened rapidly. Her resentment towards the Decepticons made her use up all her magic in a battle that followed. She turned into a witch before she could see Bulkhead recover.

After learning about what happened to Miko, you developed intense hate towards the enemy. You swore you would avenge your friend and partner.

Your intentions were no longer to fight witches, but to kill every Decepticon you crossed paths with. Ratchet noticed the shift in attitude in you and confronted you, which lead to you lashing out at him. You called him weak and a bad friend for not doing everything in his power to fix Bumblebee's voicebox, while you are fighting to avenge your friend.

Your grief seed hatched, when the realization dawned upon you, that you have just hurt your best friend. Your thirst for revenge ended up corrupting your moral believes. You pushed away those who cared until it was too late…

Your witch was born inside your very own bedroom, as you whisper your last words: “I lived long enough to see myself become a villian…”

Bulkhead:

He discovered the identity of both you and Miko, when she didn’t answer his calls past the time of her detention. You two always use detention as a cover up to fight witches.

This time you were both heavily wounded and barely made it out the labyrinth alive, when he found you two exiting the witch's portal in your magical girl attires.

After some explanation he was a little upset that you didn’t tell him, but also mad at himself for brushing off the weird things you two would do sometimes. Like, finding excuses last minute to not go to the base, or the weird beams/lasers/bullets/swords etc. he would see being shot at cons, on the battlefield. If he had noticed and helped fighting these monsters, maybe you two wouldn’t have nearly died.

He agreed to keep your secret from the rest of the team, but made you promise to always inform him when you need to hunt witches so that he can have your back.

When time allowed it, he would fight witches alongside you.

When the secret of witches was revealed he had sworn to punch Kyubey with his wrecking ball if they ever crossed paths. He understands that entropy must be stopped but he only wishes there were better solutions then to sacrifice innocent lives.

Knowing both you and Miko’s lives were significantly shortened as a result, he spends any time he has with you and Miko, watching TV, playing games, playing music.

He also made sure to hunt extra witches to supply you with grief seeds.

Throughout this time he hasn’t told anyone of your identity. But the truth got revealed when Miko died in a battle with a witch and the team was informed of your secret identies.

Everyone was upset that you didn’t tell them, especially Ratchet and Arcee, having lost two partners, she was especially upset. But Bulkhead defended you saying that Kyubey tricked you two into contracts and you kept the team in the dark to protect them.

Your grief seed hatched during a mission when Breakdown teased Bulkhead about the absence of Miko, and you attacked him out of rage. With all the blame you took for Miko’s death, your soul gem darkened rapidly. Bulkhead noticed this and called in back up.

The bots tried to pry you away from Breakdown but you fought them off. After realizing that you have hurt your friends, and murdered someone who wasn’t a witch, guilt pushed your soul gem over the edge.

Your last words before the Bots escaped were: “I’m sorry I killed someone again.”

Smokescreen:

When Smokescreen came to earth, your secret was already known to the Autobots. However, unlike everyone else from the team, he was ecstatic! He immediately overwhelmed you with questions: Why did you become Magical Girls? Can you really wish for anything? Can I become a Puella Magi?

The mission of Magical Girls, for Smokescreen, was the equivalent of a dream come true. Maybe not quite the life of a hero he had dreamt of, but saving innocent people from evil witches was close enough.

He would beg you to let him join you in battling witches. You two weren’t so sure at first, but you did accept his help in the end, since you don’t have to share grief seeds with him. And his superior firepower aided you both greatly in fighting witches.

Killing witches together became valuable bonding time between you and him. Miko would tease you about being more than just friends with him. You find yourself finding much enjoyment in hunting witches when he was around, and would put effort into impressing Smokescreen with your fighting skills, performing stunts etc.

When the truth behind witches was revealed, immense guilt filled your soul and you felt resentment towards witch hunting, and avoided the witches instead.

Smokescreen noticed your shift in attitude, so he tried to convince you to keep fighting by reminding you that you’re doing this for the greater good, that you are a hero.

“Maybe there is a way we can help those witches, and solve the problem in a peaceful way instead! Maybe then they’ll drop a soulgem instead of a griefseed or something.”, he had said. Those words filled your heart with warmth and you were willing to try. And you and him will succeed!

You told Miko of your plan. She was skeptical but complied with you anyway. If it didn’t work you can always just kill the witch.

The next time you found a witch you tried talking to her, dodging her attacks than trying to fight her. But it didn’t seem to take effect on her, but you had faith in saving her poor soul. You kept trying and trying, and your soulgems kept darkening and darkening. But you kept pushing.

Until you saw Miko’s death before your eyes. Smokescreen was quick to kill the witch before it could get to you.

Only for another witch to be born in the exact spot. Your griefseed hatching right after your last words: “I just wanted to make things right.”

[aboveallarescuer]

How Dany assesses the counsel she receives and makes her own choices - The way from the Red Waste to Vaes Tolorro

This will be a series of posts meant to show that Dany is open to receiving advice and criticism, but that she doesn’t act solely based on what other people tell her to do. On the opposite, GRRM makes great effort to write a Dany who most often merges different viewpoints and/or finds her own solutions to the problems she’s facing. I won’t include every single decision she ever made (e.g. her decisions at court are often made without counsel and her execution of the ritual to hatch the dragon eggs was already exhaustively and deftly analyzed by other people), but there will be plenty of instances in this series that will prove my point nonetheless. The metas will always have four items: in which chapters the events mentioned take place; what advice she receives and from whom; what were her actions; the verdict (whether she followed other people’s advice, ignored/rejected them or did both at the same time).

Chapter (s):

ACOK Daenerys I

The advice Dany receives:

Jorah and Rakharo advise Dany to avoid any route that any other khal took.

Jorah says that, while it's uncertain that they will survive by moving forward through the Red Waste, it's certain that they will die if they try to go back.

Jhiqui and Irri advise Dany to not enter the city because of the evil ghosts that inhabit it.

 Dany's actions:

As I said in my meta about the relationship between Dany and the prophecies, Dany thinks it's best to follow the comet both because it's her only viable alternative and because there would only be despair left if she didn't believe that it meant something. As she lays out, all the other paths would compromise her small group:

She dare not turn north onto the vast ocean of grass they called the Dothraki sea. The first khalasar they met would swallow up her ragged band, slaying the warriors and slaving the rest. The lands of the Lamb Men south of the river were likewise closed to them. They were too few to defend themselves even against that unwarlike folk, and the Lhazareen had small reason to love them. (ACOK Daenerys I)

By the way, it's noteworthy that Dany was able to assess her situation and think of all these implications on her own. And I do believe she did it on her own, considering that the author explicitly recognizes when the ideas come from other people:

She might have struck downriver for the ports at Meereen and Yunkai and Astapor, but Rakharo warned her that Pono’s khalasar had ridden that way, driving thousands of captives before them to sell in the flesh marts that festered like open sores on the shores of Slaver’s Bay.

“Why should I fear Pono?” Dany objected. “He was Drogo’s ko, and always spoke me gently.” 

“Ko Pono spoke you gently,” Ser Jorah Mormont said. “Khal Pono will kill you.[”] (ACOK Daenerys I)

And this leads us to an interesting exchange between Dany and Jorah. As I said before, there are lots of instances to infer that she says things she does not necessarily believe in to obtain his respect, and this is one of them. First, he says that she and her hundred warriors won't stand a chance against Pono's ten thousand warriors. In her mind, Dany is quite conscious of her vulnerabilities, for she knows she doesn't even have a hundred warriors:

No, Dany thought. I have four. The rest are women, old sick men and boys whose hair has never been braided.

But instead of revealing these insecurities, Dany declares:

“I have the dragons,” she pointed out.

Which then leads Jorah to reply that they won't help her that much, since they are still hatchlings; in fact, they may be liabilities at this point since everyone will want to possess them. Dany fiercely says that they are hers and no one will take them from her while she lives. She is putting on a facade here, and admirably so. As the last Targaryen, khaleesi and now Mother of Dragons (as they started to call her), she is their leader and the one who must organize them to work towards a single purpose. To be in that position means being firm and reliable when no one else could be:

“We follow the comet,” Dany told her khalasar. Once it was said, no word was raised against it. They had been Drogo’s people, but they were hers now. The Unburnt, they called her, and Mother of Dragons. Her word was their law.

~

They are not strong, she told herself, so I must be their strength. I must show no fear, no weakness, no doubt. However frightened my heart, when they look upon my face they must see only Drogo’s queen. She felt older than her fourteen years. If ever she had truly been a girl, that time was done. 

~

Dany kissed him lightly on the cheek. It heartened her to see him smile. I must be strong for him as well, she thought grimly. A knight he may be, but I am the blood of the dragon. 

Like I said before, while Viserys used the expression "the blood of the dragon" to be ostentatious and coerce others into doing whatever he wanted, Dany reclaims it to restrain her emotions so she can be the kind of leader who "belongs to her people, not herself". The use of that phrase is also reminiscent of her duty not being only towards the living, but also the dead, whom she doesn't fail to mention:

Her father had been slain before she was born, and her splendid brother Rhaegar as well. Her mother had died bringing her into the world while the storm screamed outside. Gentle Ser Willem Darry, who must have loved her after a fashion, had been taken by a wasting sickness when she was very young. Her brother Viserys, Khal Drogo who was her sun-and-stars, even her unborn son, the gods had claimed them all. They will not have my dragons, Dany vowed. They will not. (ACOK Daenerys II)

Dany is being very protective of her dragons for two reasons:

She loves them as she would love her human children and considers them family.

They are also the means for her to successfully claim her father's throne. Only then she will honor all of these people that the gods claimed. That is also why she won't admit defeat in Qarth when all hope seems lost - she has the dragons and a shot at doing justice for her ancestors and carrying out their legacy, so she will not look back and be lost.

Because Dany's leadership style is rooted in empathy and accountability, she never takes advantage of her position:

Dany hungered and thirsted with the rest of them. The milk in her breasts dried up, her nipples cracked and bled, and the flesh fell away from her day by day until she was lean and hard as a stick[.]

Another leader might have taken most of the food or water for themselves, but that's not what Dany chooses to do. She "must know the sufferings of her people", after all, even more so when she is unable to help them the way she wished she could. The trauma of seeing so many of her people perish will later inform her attempts to bring peace (untenable as it was) as quickly as possible to Meereen in ASOS and ADWD.

Wine gave out first, and soon thereafter the clotted mare’s milk the horselords loved better than mead. Then their stores of flatbread and dried meat were exhausted as well. Their hunters found no game, and only the flesh of their dead horses filled their bellies. Death followed death. Weak children, wrinkled old women, the sick and the stupid and the heedless, the cruel land claimed them all. Doreah grew gaunt and hollow-eyed, and her soft golden hair turned brittle as straw.

~

[H]er khalasar withered and died. Around them the land turned ever more desolate. Even devilgrass grew scant; horses dropped in their tracks, leaving so few that some of her people must trudge along on foot.

~

Dany looked at the horizon with despair. They had lost a third of their number, and still the waste stretched before them, bleak and red and endless.

Even here, Dany does the best she can to alleviate their pain. She respects and follows their customs:

Three days into the march, the first man died. A toothless oldster with cloudy blue eyes, he fell exhausted from his saddle and could not rise again. An hour later he was done. [...] Dany bid them kill the weakest of their dying horses, so the dead man might go mounted into the night lands.

~

Two nights later, it was an infant girl who perished. Her mother’s anguished wailing lasted all day, but there was nothing to be done. The child had been too young to ride, poor thing. Not for her the endless black grasses of the night lands; she must be born again. 

She also feels a lot of gratitude for Doreah and strives to make her death a little less agonizing:

Doreah took a fever and grew worse with every league they crossed. Her lips and hands broke with blood blisters, her hair came out in clumps, and one evenfall she lacked the strength to mount her horse. Jhogo said they must leave her or bind her to her saddle, but Dany remembered a night on the Dothraki sea, when the Lysene girl had taught her secrets so that Drogo might love her more. She gave Doreah water from her own skin, cooled her brow with a damp cloth, and held her hand until she died, shivering. Only then would she permit the khalasar to press on. 

Later in ADWD, during a feast where people start bringing up the names of the combatants in the upcoming duels at Daznak's Pit, Dany feels complicit in their imminent deaths. She remembers Doreah as an example of someone who died under her protection. More than that: in Dany's mind, Doreah is proof that "[n]o queen has clean hands" because that's how guilty Dany feels about what happened:

Much of the talk about the table was of the matches to be fought upon the morrow. Barsena Blackhair was going to face a boar, his tusks against her dagger. Khrazz was fighting, as was the Spotted Cat. And in the day's final pairing, Goghor the Giant would go against Belaquo Bonebreaker. One would be dead before the sun went down. No queen has clean hands, Dany told herself. She thought of Doreah, of Quaro, of Eroeh … of a little girl she had never met, whose name had been Hazzea. (ADWD Daenerys VIII)

I want to cry.

Also, even if in vain, Dany's proactive (though failed) efforts to find resources in the Red Waste should not be overlooked, for it's still admirable that she took them without anyone even suggesting:

Dany sent outriders ranging ahead of the column, but they found neither wells nor springs, only bitter pools, shallow and stagnant, shrinking in the hot sun.

And neither should Dany's discovery of how to feed the dragons. While Viserys gave her the knowledge, she was the one who retained it in her memory, guessed that it might work and applied it:

Such little things, she thought as she fed them by hand, or rather, tried to feed them, for the dragons would not eat. They would hiss and spit at each bloody morsel of horsemeat, steam rising from their nostrils, yet they would not take the food ... until Dany recalled something Viserys had told her when they were children. 

Only dragons and men eat cooked meat, he had said.

When she had her handmaids char the horsemeat black, the dragons ripped at it eagerly, their heads striking like snakes. 

Eventually, Dany and her khalasar arrive at the abandoned city that would later be named Vaes Tolorro. She is the one who takes precautions at first:

They made camp before the remnants of a gutted palace, on a windswept plaza where devilgrass grew between the paving stones. Dany sent out men to search the ruins. Some went reluctantly, yet they went ...

But then, after finding out that the place has figs, fruit trees, vines and water, she decides to enter it, stay, rest and be practical rather than leave it because of superstitions:

... and one scarred old man returned a brief time later, hopping and grinning, his hands overflowing with figs. Other searchers returned with tales of other fruit trees, hidden behind closed doors in secret gardens. Aggo showed her a courtyard overgrown with twisting vines and tiny green grapes, and Jhogo discovered a well where the water was pure and cold. Yet they found bones too, the skulls of the unburied dead, bleached and broken. “Ghosts,” Irri muttered. “Terrible ghosts. We must not stay here, Khaleesi, this is their place.”

“I fear no ghosts. Dragons are more powerful than ghosts.” And figs are more important.

She takes note of the resources available to her ("food and water here to sustain them, and enough grass for the horses to regain their strength") and gets her people to work on the different tasks she finds for them:

Dany gave him charge of a dozen of her strongest men, and set them to pulling up the plaza to get to the earth beneath. If devilgrass could grow between the paving stones, other grasses would grow when the stones were gone. They had wells enough, no lack of water. Given seed, they could make the plaza bloom.

~

Dany thanked him and told him to see to the repair of the gates. If enemies had crossed the waste to destroy these cities in ancient days, they might well come again. “If so, we must be ready,” she declared.

In these two cases, we have explicit cases of Dany concocting ideas to improve Vaes Tolorro's facility, namely by improving its lawn and fortifying it. Not only that, but we also find out that, under Dany's leadership, her whole khalasar is now taking action and making the place better in the ways they can help:

Women harvested fruit from the gardens of the dead. Men groomed their mounts and mended saddles, stirrups, and shoes. Children wandered the twisty alleys and found old bronze coins and bits of purple glass and stone flagons with handles carved like snakes. One woman was stung by a red scorpion, but hers was the only death. The horses began to put on some flesh. Dany tended Ser Jorah’s wound herself, and it began to heal.

This is all great setup for when Dany becomes Queen of Meereen and handles large-scale projects to improve the city's economy and infrastructure.

However, even though Dany thinks it "pleasant" to stay in Vaes Tolorro, she's aware that she must eventually leave, and she doesn't want to do so without being fairly sure of where she's going. With that in mind, she makes the clever decision to send her bloodriders in different directions so that, hopefully, one might find a path that's not as arduous as the one they had to face:

The next morn, she summoned her bloodriders. “Blood of my blood,” she told the three of them, “I have need of you. Each of you is to choose three horses, the hardiest and healthiest that remain to us. Load as much water and food as your mounts can bear, and ride forth for me. Aggo shall strike southwest, Rakharo due south. Jhogo, you are to follow shierak qiya on southeast.”

“What shall we seek, Khaleesi?” asked Jhogo.

“Whatever there is,” Dany answered. “Seek for other cities, living and dead. Seek for caravans and people. Seek for rivers and lakes and the great salt sea. Find how far this waste extends before us, and what lies on the other side. When I leave this place, I do not mean to strike out blind again. I will know where I am bound, and how best to get there.”

And this decision pays off when Jhogo returns with the three strangers who will guide Dany to Qarth.

Aside from the beginning when Dany ponders which direction to take, neither Ser Jorah nor her bloodriders are ever mentioned as part of Dany's decisionmaking. Instead, GRRM takes pain to make Dany's reasoning and actions her own, while also showcasing her selfless nature. ACOK Daenerys I is a chapter that highlights the authorial intent to portray Daenerys Targaryen as an intelligent, capable and principled leader.

 Verdict:

From the Red Waste to Vaes Tolorro, Jorah and Rakharo advise Dany about where not to go (though it must be said that she had already made most of the assessment on her own). Besides that, every single action that Dany takes is of her own volition and without the influence of anyone's help. She:

Exhibits emotional intelligence by acting as a leader who drives her group.

Tries to find resources in the Red Waste. 

Attempts to ease the khalasar's pain by taking part in their customs and giving Doreah a less painful death.

Decides to remain in Vaes Tolorro despite superstitions.

Takes note of the resources that she has in her disposal.

Gives her people several different tasks to improve the city; thanks to her guidance, some possibly started to do different activities on their own.

Sends her bloodriders in different directions to find one that isn't as taxing as the previous one.

[katsukikitten]

Princess 10

The sound of murmuring stirs you, mixed with the pain in your side and calf.

The pain has you sitting striaght up in bed, feeling out for Katsuki to only find cool sheets.

You finally spy the ash blonde as your eyes finally have the chance to catch up to your instincts. He is standing half in and half out of the yurt speaking lowly to someone, by the looks of the early morning sun casting a shadow over the figure it seems to be a man.

"I've brought healing water and herbal tea, my fierceness." A soothing voice answers the low hiss.

"She is still asleep." It is odd to hear his voice come out harsh so early in the morning. Especially after the contrast of its softness last night.

*"Mo Chuisle."*

Heat floods your cheeks faster than the night can replay before your fingers ghost an action from last night. Caressing at the pulse that stands on the other side of the door. A pulse you so needlessly controlled.

"Let him in." Your voice sounds raw, as if you swallowed shards of glass, you attempt to clear your throat but the broken sound stays lodged in deep. Crimson turns on you, searing into you like red hot coals, you let your bottom lip protrude just a bit before he flings the curtain of a door open with an angry hiss.

"My queen." He bows and you rush to right him in your laced robe, your hands shaking as they set the tray of tea on the low table. You bite back the wince from the movement.

"Please I am far from. I used you like a puppet last night." It is apology enough for the dark haired man as he smiles at you warmly. Somehow thinking of how to save your pride. He grabs onto your hand with a soft smile.

"Apology accepted my ire." You return his smile before you feel something cool dangling on your wrist, it is light yet heavy as is the call of water in the air. You look to your wrist astonished to see a gift of small black stones.

"I cannot accept this." You go to remove it from your delicate yet deadly arm before a heavy hand wraps just below the jewelry.

"Princess, in this culture if royalty does not accept a gift from their people it is considered a great dishonor to the gifter." Katsuki is back to his usual gruff self, he removes his hand as he makes his way to fix your tea.

"It is made from stones softened by the river that used to house my family's water wrym." Mizu smiles, "I hope it is acceptable."

"It is, more than enough. Thank you." You clasp his hands, you open your mouth to ask where their wrym had gone when you notice tears welling in his eyes. You squeeze his hands instead.

"You may leave." Bakugou bites out and Mizu takes a deep bow.

"My wrath. Shall I return for evening tea and a bath?" He asks still bent at the waist. Bakugou's eyes narrow and you cannot tell if it is from agitation or exhaustion.

"Yes. Now continue your duties." With that the tall man bows ever further before righting himself, leaving the yurt in silence.

Katsuki holds tea out to you, his eyes fixated on your cheek before he sighs taking a seat in the relaxed blood leather chair. Silence envelops the room not as it does at your old home, where it is stiff and smothering from the weight of things unsaid.

No it is....comfortable.

Nothing but the two of you and the call of his blood beating in time with yours.

*"Mo Chuisle."* Echos through your head again and you sigh softly.

You feel odd, sipping your tea as Bakugou looks over reports Kirishima must have wanted to share with him last night.

You think of his capable hands delicately massaging a lather into your hair. You gulp many emotions.

Embarrassment.

Exhilaration.

Desire.

The last emotions catches and you clear your throat.

The weight of the water stones pull at your wrist and you think in the silence.

How many dragons have you seen in the Bad Lands?

In what was *supposed* to be in the dragon kingdom?

The answer was simple you had only ever seen Ryu. Curiosity begins to burn it's way through as Bakugou ruffles through documents, pushing a set of them towards you.

But you couldn't care less about those right now. No right now you needed to know.

"Where had all the dragons gone?" You ask aloud, scarlet eyes shift to you, watching you closely.

Noting that you are sitting abnormally, favoring your right side, breathing slightly shallow as if labored. He bites the inside of his lip when he realizes you hadn't healed that wound much at all last night.

Droplets of blood seep through the bandages confirming what he knows.

He sighs realizing you would be the death of him.

Little did he know the weight of that thought.

He chews on the thought as you look to him for the first time since meeting with patient eyes. It was a little known fact that the land of dragons was almost dragonless.

"I would like to know. I would love to hear the true history compared to the rumors. I heard the first dragon king was chosen before the High King." You sip your tea, trying to even your breathing so he does not know your slight discomfort.

Bakugou stares with heated hungry eyes before settling on the matter. He figures this is better than you raising hell across the great Ocean.

"That is true. Over 200 years ago the Mother Dragon nested in this land." His voice is gruff but it does not deter your questions.

"And?!"

Another sigh escapes him, eyes still laced with concern that you should still be resting in bed. He notes that you look happy, ecstatic, emotions you have yet to show here or maybe they were never aimed at him.

So a leather chair will have to do.

"Settle in Princess. As this story can be quite long." You bite the inside of your lip as you swing your feet beneath your toned ass, holding onto your tea with both hands as you patiently wait.

"As I said the Mother Dragon nested in these very lands. The great forefather guided our traveling tribe through the lands from the base of, then, Iroh mountain to the deadly cliffs of the Great Ocean."

"The Bad Lands." You breathe and Bakugou notices the pure awe and curiosity in your tone, he cannot help the smile that crosses his face as he nods.

"The Bad Lands." He repeats before continuing on.

"The Great Warrior, the first Wrath of this land, could track, hunt and kill any animal faster than all of his people combined. His quirk gave him the advantage. He followed the brute bison here during a fateful summer. My people set up their homes, painted their canvases to show their Wrath their joy in the location. So much so that some elders even begged to stay here after only a month. Claiming the land was fruitful, joyous and would be for years to come. But Wrath would entertain no such thing. Following the game and avoiding the summer droughts is what kept my people alive for so long before. The resources of this part of land were about to be used up. Two nights before they were set to leave, fire engulfed the sky followed by a deafening roar miles from the village. Wrath believed it to be an act of war, he took himself and two of his great men out to see while telling the others to stay behind.They marched beneath the stars, being guided by the occasional burst of flame before finally spying the cause."

You sip your tea quietly, eyes thinking back to the paintings you enjoyed not too long ago. Of the one with Bakugou reaching out to the mysterious woman, a giant black dragon soaring high above the two of them.

"Mother dragon!" You exclaim suddenly and he nods.

"She was a legend, a myth to my people and to others all around. It was said only one of her black scales would be worth more than any kingdom. And there she was a sitting duck, trapped by a poachers net. Wrath saw an opportunity, she was already injured and her scales would be easy for the taking. He told his men to watch his back as he formulated his plan to kill her. He jumped, arching in the air, dodging fire at the last second. His spear raised high for the final blow before he met her eyes. His heart filled heavy with dread so he threw his spear into the ground and landed before her. Suddenly she was no longer game to be hunted. He pulled the spikes from her wingless body and disentangled her from the weaved iron. She whipped her tail against Wrath sending him flying into his men before a heavy storm suddenly erupted over head. Pounding rain ending the weeks worth of drought as she disappeared into the moonless sky."

You wait patiently for him to add more but he leaves it there. Half to tease and half for suspense, as Reo did him when he first heard the story.

"And then what?!" You bite the bait and he smirks.

"And then the next morning his Furry had a huge black egg in front of his yurt. It hatched Tatsu. As forefather Wrath and Tatsu interacted Mother Dragon watched from afar. It was said Tatsu and Wrath could share feelings and thoughts with one another. This must have pleased Mother dragon as she allowed for more eggs to appear. My people still traveled but always returned here for summer for her gift of eggs. But as time grew on my people neglected to come, especially so when their dragons would bring eggs to different regions of the land. Soom making Mother Dragon a myth again. So the eggs began to dwindle until their was only one left. A bright red egg that would hatch for no one. Most thought it was a dud but that did not stop them from passing it down from generation to generation especially after the last dragon had died out fifty years after its appearance." He sips his now cooled tea, drinking you in as much as the hibiscus and elder berry.

He watches your lip quiver, while your eyes seem to brim. He grinds his teeth almost hating the sight.

"Ryu is the last dragon?" Your voice catches and it pulls harshly at Bakugou's chest. He sets his tea down and picks up his documents again.

"Yes." He says grimly and you stare into your the pinkish brown liquid.

"What of Mother Dragon is she dead?"

"The elders, especially Ki believe she is still alive, immortal. That she still lays eggs and waits for another worthy leader to guide the era of Dragon again."

Silence settles between the two of you as it all swirls in your head.

This was nothing like the rumors. In fact it was the opposite, it was said that Bakugou's people were barbaric, killing the dragon's just to have their eggs before heating then in a fire to hatch.

"How did Ryu hatch?" You break the silence and Bakugou gives you a borderline amused look.

"Mother and Father kept his egg in their room but I was always drawn to him depsite my mother yelling at me to stay away. I would swear it would whisper my name at night and one day I thought my explosions would help wake him up. Help him hatch. When I was very young I slapped my hands on the shell and let go a violent explosion. He hatched right away and bit me before snaking into my hair."

You laugh aloud, ignoring the pain that growls by your rib.

"Only you Bakugou." Your smile is contagious before you take another sip of your tea. Finally picking up the documents before you. Flicking through redundant reports before you spy a familiar script.

Your vision blurs red as you read the document in your shaking hand, collecting water from the air unknowingly.

"Princess?" Bakugou deep voice melds with worry and agitation from your sudden outburst.

"When did Kirishima get these notes?" Your voice shakes with rage as Bakugou begins to scowl.

"Last night before our return from the cliffs." He leans closer to you, watching water vapor appear on the air and noting your blood pooling into the air as well.

"Give me some of the burden mo chuisle." He growls, touching one of his scarred hands with yours, "Now."

You flip the paper for him to read.

*"Do not let me get my hands on him or that village, little girl."*

Your heart roars in your chest as you watch scarlet eyes skim over the paper.

Perfect scarlet eyes that you can so suddenly see popping out of their sockets. Ash blonde suddenly chunked and stained crimson while bloodied shrapnel litter the floor and meaty forearms. The smell of smoke fills your nostrils along with the acrid smell of sweet meat and burning hair.

"We need to leave." You heave with unqueanched rage putting a heavy pressure on the land before the sky can no longer take it, erupting overhead. Lightening and thunder dance between the droplets as Bakugou stares at you. The ground shakes before Ryu roars along with the thunder just outside the yurt.

His pulse rushes when he meets your eyes, something dark is lying beneath your stunning orbs.

"What of your wound?" He snarls and you grip his forearm with shaking hands.

Shaking from rage over the threat of Bakugou's and your people's safety.

Shaking from fear as suddenly you feel all of their blood all at once before water whips around the room.

"Now Bakugou. We have to beat him to the punch. Just you and just me."

"What? That is idoitic! We are not equivalent to the two armies we have." Your nails bite blood half moons into his forearms.

"I know. Father will never guess that it would be just you and I. We can send Kirishima and a small set of troops a few days after via ship. We need to end this before it begins." This time you rise shedding your laced rope to pull on the now tattered jumpsuit with the white fur. You turn to Bakugou as he stares after you, shirtless and still dressed in sleeping shorts.

Angry eyes follow your form as you set out an outfit for him evening knowing to pull out a particular set of ancient teeth as if you already knew.

The teeth of Tatsu bloodied from battles won long long ago.

It is then he realize he cannot stop you and if he had any doubt before you squash it with your next words.

"I'm going to protect our people, even if it fucking kills me."

@ha-tep. Enjoy bb!!!

[lake-arrius-caverns]

Nerevarine Rising

Chapter 1: Mistaken Identity

summary After being escorted out of her cell by the Imperial Prison guards, Ribyna resigns herself to her fate. But she soon finds that her expected execution doesn't pan out quite the way she had been anticipating.

content warnings none explicit for this chapter. mentions/references to death and murder

tag list @boulderfall-cave , @padomaicocean (lmk if you’d like to be added!)

posting this now as its already getting a bit lengthy and i still have a bit to go dfgdfgfd

read under the cut or on AO3, cheers 👍

:: First :: || << Previous << || >> Next >> || :: Masterpost ::

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Despite the circumstances, Ribyna was almost thankful to be out of prison at last. Of course, she was heading towards her death, but to be out and experiencing the new morning was exhilarating after years and years stuck in a dark, damp, dingy prison cell. To see the sunlight, trickling down through the dusky purple clouds and illuminating everything it touched with a vibrant peach glow, was magnificent. Judging by the sunrise it was likely to be a warm, sunny day; it was a shame that Ribyna was going to miss it. She took a deep breath, relieved to be breathing fresh air once more as the brisk morning chill flooded her senses. 

The guards didn’t allow her any time to relish it, though. With her shoulders in an iron grip, they steered her away from the Imperial Prison, along the flagstone path towards the city. Ribyna had just enough time to admire the White-Gold Tower, a shining beacon in the light of dawn, and watch as the dew-laden grass and gentle ripples of Lake Rumare sparkled as she walked by. It was strange, she reflected, how much you appreciated things when you knew you weren’t going to see them again. 

Ribyna wasn’t sure where her final destination would be, but something began to seem odd. A thought occurred to her, popping up in the back of her mind. 

If she was going to be executed, just how far were they taking her to do it? 

They passed through the city, Ribyna’s hands still bound tight in iron manacles and grubby, ragged clothes hanging from her frame. A few of the early-rising citizens stared as she was walked by, but Ribyna couldn’t care less. She couldn’t see anyone she knew, in any case. 

And then they were out of the city, as the guards escorted her down the hill and onto the bridge, where — to Ribyna’s surprise and confusion — a carriage sat, empty and expectant. 

“There. Get in,” one of the guards ordered, giving Ribyna a shove between the shoulder blades, taking her by surprise and causing her to stumble forward. But she stopped, looking back at the guards with a bemused and petulant frown. 

“What’s happening?”

“Don’t ask questions. Just get in,” grumbled the guard, jerking his head irritably towards the carriage. If she was being taken to be executed, it was certainly somewhere far away... 

“I’m not going anywhere until I know what’s happening.” 

“You hardly have a say in the matter, prisoner.” 

Quite suddenly, Ribyna found herself at the sharp end of the guard’s sword. He held it up towards her face, close enough that Ribyna almost went cross-eyed in her attempt to focus on the tip, and once more nodded stiffly at the carriage. His hand was steady, but the expression on his face was one of utmost boredom. 

“I won’t tell you again. Get in. Emperor’s orders.”

Ribyna scowled. Loath as she was to obey orders without question, it was looking unlikely that she had any other choice. With stubborn vitriol she spat at the guard’s feet and faced the carriage, clambering up with clumsy steps, and perched herself on one of the grimy wooden benches. To Ribyna’s surprise, one of the guards joined her, though he said nothing and invited no conversation. Seconds later, the carriage jerked into motion as the driver spurred the horse on and Ribyna, with her wrists still bound, almost toppled over from the sudden forward momentum. 

Once she regained her balance, Ribyna sat back and watched the hills and forestry of the Heartlands go rolling by as the carriage trundled along the road, and though she wasn’t familiar with much of Cyrodiil beyond the Imperial City, they seemed to be heading east. 

What was east of the Imperial City? Cheydinhal? Were they going to Cheydinhal for her execution?

Ribyna was baffled. Still, at least she was able to see more of the province she had come to call home before she was to die. She cast a glance at the guard accompanying her, but it was clear to see from his face alone that she would be getting no information out of him anytime soon. It was far too early to get her hopes up, but Ribyna began to wonder, and it was with an inexplicably calm state of mind that she watched the Imperial City shrink and fade away into the golden morning mist. 

                               ———————————————

If the circumstances leading up to her boarding the carriage had been strange, the destination was even stranger. 

Ribyna fell asleep several times during the carriage ride, which seemed to drag on for hours if not an entire day. The rude awakening she received as she was manhandled off the carriage by the guard paled in comparison to being unceremoniously thrown below the decks of an aged boat, which rocked gently on the water’s surface as Ribyna tumbled down the steps and landed with a hard thud onto a thin heap of straw. She soon came to learn that yelling and demanding answers was getting her nowhere, but that didn’t stop her from trying until her voice was hoarse. 

Just what in Oblivion was going on?! 

Aside from the mice, which scuttled to and fro in the darkness, Ribyna was certain that she was alone. She couldn’t decide whether that made things better or worse. 

With no windows or portholes to peer out of, Ribyna had no way of gauging where they were going. All she could do was rest and wait, perhaps try to get some sleep, lulled by the gentle rocking of the boat but disturbed by the occasional grating creak of the woodwork. She spared a thought for Fahjoth, undoubtedly still confined to his cell back in the Imperial City, before the fatigue overwhelmed her and she finally drifted into an uneasy slumber. 

                              ———————————————

“Up you get, prisoner. We’re here.” 

Ribyna jolted upright as the hatch overhead was flung open, barely awake and disorientated as she blinked in the shaft of brilliant light that suddenly fell through and hit her square in the face. Throwing up a hand to shield her eyes, she stumbled tentatively over to the ladder and hauled herself up above deck, pausing for a moment to take in her surroundings. 

The boat was docked on the water’s edge at a small town, which was somehow entirely unremarkable and completely alien at the same time. The architecture of the buildings was unlike that which was seen in the Imperial City, and gigantic trees with drapes of hanging moss and vines towered over every roof, casting dappled green lights wherever their shadows fell. Surrounding the town were jagged, rocky hills, making it impossible to see too far in any given direction; aside from openness of the vast stretch of water that the boat bobbed upon, which, from Ribyna’s perspective, seemed to be the open ocean. The air certainly carried a somewhat salty tang, though there was also the curious aroma of burning ash on the wind. The chatter of sleepy town life reached her ears, along with the gentle rushing of the waves rolling against the shore below her. 

Yet despite everything this land seemed familiar somehow, though Ribyna couldn’t fathom why. 

She was roused from her musings by the feeling of someone touching her wrists, and moments later, the heaviness of the manacles was finally lifted. 

“Alright, prisoner. Present yourself to the Census and Excise Office and give them your information.”

The what? Ribyna could barely begin to process the information she was being given, but she was already being nudged along by the guard standing behind her. He seemed to be wearing an Imperial style uniform, which did nothing to help Ribyna figure out where she was. On shaking legs she stumbled down the boardwalk, to where another guard was waiting to direct her along to a large building that sat a few yards away. Yet another guard opened the door for her, and Ribyna hurried on through, feeling more and more wildly confused as the seconds ticked by. She flinched as an unsettling, mournful howl suddenly tore through the air from somewhere nearby, and hastened to get over the threshold of the office. 

The door closed behind her and the office was plunged into near silence, all outside noises muffled by the walls and lack of windows. It was rather stuffy in here, but in a way, it was homely. Tapestries hung from the walls and books were neatly lined upon a collection of shelves and cupboards. The office was illuminated by the soft orange glow of several candles, and tables stood bearing papers, quills and crockery. Ribyna heard more than felt her stomach rumble as her gaze fixed upon a plate laden with thick rolls of bread, and for the first time in many hours, she realised how hungry she really was. 

Her attention was caught by someone clearing their throat, and she looked up to see an older man, dressed in neat beige robes and sporting fluffy white hair and beard, watching her from his seat across the room. 

“Ah, we’ve been expecting you. You’ll have to be recorded before you’re officially released. Please,” he bade, beckoning her over with a few wags of his finger. Ribyna obliged, more bemused than hesitant, and took a step closer. Her eyes fell back down to the table where a scroll of parchment had been laid out, accompanied by a quill sitting patiently in an inkwell. Oh no, were they expecting her to write something?

“Alright, let’s start by confirming your details. You’re from the Imperial City, correct?” the old man inquired, reaching for his own quill as he flicked open a book on the table in front of him. 

“Yeah.”

“And you’re Vetharys?”

“Yeah?”

“Fahjoth Vetharys?”

What? She almost answered without thinking, before his question finally registered in her brain and she abruptly changed track. “Ye— no.”

The man paused mid-scribble. He looked up, peering at her in silence for a few seconds. His eyes darted back down to the book, then once more settled on Ribyna with an unreadable expression. “Let’s try this again,” he said, speaking very slowly and clearly, as if to a particularly dense toddler. “You came to us from the Imperial City’s prison, by order of the Emperor.”

“I think so.”

“Right. And your name is Vetharys?”

“Yeah.”

“Fahjoth Vetharys?”

“No.”

The man tutted, putting his quill back into its inkwell as he surveyed Ribyna with a mild frown. “There’s no use lying to us now. You aren’t in any trouble, I assure you.”

“I’m not lying,” Ribyna protested. “I’m not Fahjoth. That’s my brother, he was in the cell next to mine.”

For a few seconds, the man was silent. Then he let out a groan, dropping his head into his hands and rubbing his temples with exasperation. “By the divines, they’ve sent us the wrong damn prisoner...”

Immediately, Ribyna felt very awkward. As the old man started relaying orders to the nearby guard, instructing him to send a messenger back to the Imperial City and explain the situation, she also began to feel somewhat apprehensive. If she wasn’t supposed to be there, then what were they going to do with her?

“Oi,” she spoke up in a hasty bid to find answers. As he looked up, the old man raised a brow at her distinct lack of manners, but nodded to signal that he was listening, so Ribyna continued. “If I’m the wrong prisoner, then what happens to me now?”

“Hm?” He briefly consulted his notes. “Well here, you’re outside of Cyrodiilic jurisdiction. But what was your crime, again?”

“Uh…” Ribyna grimaced, hesitating before giving her answer. “Murder...? Technically—”

“Oh, I expect the prison will be wanting you back, then.” His focus fell back down on the book as he resumed his writing, though with a sweeping hand gesture he drew Ribyna’s attention over to a nearby chair. “Take a seat, we’ll have transport arranged for you in a moment.”

Ribyna’s stomach lurched at the news and she began to think fast. “Okay.” With a nod of her head she decided to simply agree, meandering over to the designated chair and lowering herself onto it. It was there that she sat and waited in silence, watching the occasional guard or worker going about their duties around the office. She was sitting very close to the plate of bread, along with what looked to be a small coin purse.

She let her hand slowly wander along the table, inching closer and closer to the supplies that sat there, taunting her. When she was confident that nobody was looking she snatched them, shoving the purse in her pocket and stuffing the bread roll up her shirt for later, hunching over to conceal the suspicious lump. Every little helped, and she was certainly going to need a lot of that for what she had in mind. 

And then she waited.

The minutes slipped by with nothing eventful happening, but still, Ribyna was ready. The tension in her leg muscles was beginning to ache, but soon, it paid off. Her pulse quickened as she heard the front door creak, a guard pushing it open with his shoulder as his hands were occupied by a large stack of papers. It was then that Ribyna took her chance. 

She leapt out of her seat, clutching the bread roll tightly in her hand — and grabbing another one for good measure — and threw herself at the guard. Quite unprepared for a lanky Dunmer to suddenly come barging into him, he tumbled back with a yell of surprise, his neat stack of papers flying everywhere and filling the air around them with fluttering leaves of parchment. As she went rolling over the guard and landed with a dull thump onto the dusty path, Ribyna didn’t linger; she scrambled to her feet and glanced back and forth for a means by which to escape. The other guards were alerted by now, and came rushing towards her with sword and shields primed, but with no other alternative, Ribyna had already started running. Fuelled by adrenalin she broke into a hard sprint, charging along the path away from the town and fleeing in a random direction. A signpost whizzed past, but she didn’t stop to try to read it; she didn’t care where she ended up, as long as she was well out of reach of Imperial guards. 

It seemed that, by some happy accident, she had been given a second chance. And though she still hadn’t the faintest idea of where she actually was, Ribyna had no intention of wasting it.

[pinksra]

Quarry

Part two of The Bounty

Summary: Boba takes Jaina out to catch his next quarry.

Warnings: none :(

Word count: 2.5K

The force cage was the absolute most uncomfortable thing Jaina had ever slept in. Which is saying a lot for a girl who had been on the run for most of her life, but it was the truth. It was too small for her to comfortably stretch out in, and the energy shields were not exactly comfortable to lean up against. She had spent most of the night curled in a ball on her side, freezing against the metal hull of the ship.

It was a relief when the mandalorian finally dropped down into her small prison the next morning.

“Good morning.” Jaina said, a yawn warping her words. She didn’t expect the mandalorian to answer. She had gathered by then that he was more of the silent, brooding type. However, when he pressed the few buttons that unlocked her cage, she was stunned. She hadn’t expected him to let her out at all during the trip.

“Let’s go.” He ordered, turning to climb up the ladder that led to the rest of the ship.

Jaina sat there stunned for a moment. He turned around to look at her, which made her jump up and follow after him.

“Where are we going?” She asked, “Aren’t I supposed to be your prisoner or something? Are we already where you’re planning on handing me over?”

He helped pull her out of the hatch, before kicking it closed behind her. He dropped her hand as soon as he could and continued on his way.

“Hey! Don’t you think you should let me know if I was about to be killed?” She demanded, the pitch of her voice rising in fear.

“You’re not about to be killed.” His voice was monotone, as if he were bored of the conversation.

“Then where are you taking me?”

When he refused to respond again, Jaina stopped in her tracks. It took a couple seconds for him to realize she had stopped following him, but he eventually turned around to look at her, his hands on his hips. She didn’t have to see his face to know he was frustrated.

“What are you doing?” He demanded after a moment of silence.

“I’m not moving until you tell me what’s going on.”

Before she could blink, the man was in front of her, close enough she could see the bare piece of skin peeking out from underneath his cowl. She tilted her head back to look up at his visor.

“I don’t have to tell you a thing.” He said, his voice low and quiet, “That’s not how this goes. You see, you are only alive because the client wants you that way. So try not to push your luck.”

Jaina took a step back to steady herself, but refused to show him how scared his words made her. He studied her for a couple more seconds before letting out a sigh.

“We’re on Geonosis. I have three more quarries to round up before delivering you to Tatooine. You’re coming with me.” He finally told her. Her shoulders released the tension they had been holding. She wasn’t any less confused (after all, why would he bring along a prisoner to hunt down another one?), but she wasn’t going to complain so long as she wasn’t about to die.

She began to follow him again. She was actually excited, she realized. She wanted to see this new planet she had never once stepped foot on before. Some part of her brain reminded her she was only here as a prisoner, but it was still exciting somehow.

“Have you ever been here before?” She asked, moving so she could walk next to the mandalorian, rather than behind him.

“Yes.”

“For business or just for fun?”

The helmet turned to look at her for a second before turning away again and she knew he didn’t have any plans to talk about his travels with her. She shrugged, her excitement growing as they reached the ship’s entrance. As the ramp lowered, she had to reach her hand up to shield her eyes from the blazing sun.

Geonosis was red. And dusty. And hot. And dead.

“What kind of person decides to hide out on this kind of planet?” She muttered to herself.

“A smart one.”

She looked up in surprise at the sound of his voice. She hadn’t expected him to say anything to her during the entire time they were on this planet. He barely talked to her when she was trying to have a conversation, but he was okay with responding to her when she was talking to herself? Stars, this man was confusing.

“What do you mean?” She asked, hoping he would continue the conversation.

“It’s hard to find people in hostile environments. Hoth is the same way. You could find the quarry and end up dying before you even get them back to the ship.”

“I thought well-populated planets were the best route. That’s why I hid out on Alderaan for so long.”

“That’s also a good route to take, but it doesn’t matter in the end.”

“Why not?”

“Because I have never lost a bounty.”

She looked over at him, studying his impassive helmet. She hoped she was making him uncomfortable under that tin can. She thought her efforts wasted, however, when he moved to continue down the ship’s ramp. She hurried after him, not wanting to get left behind on this unfamiliar planet.

“So how are you going to find this guy?” She asked after a couple minutes of what seemed to be aimless walking.

“Whenever we get a bounty puck, we usually get a tracking fob as well. It helps hunt down the quarry.”

She was secretly thrilled at his willingness to have a conversation and quickly said, “So you just follow the fob and hope for the best?”

“It's not a matter of luck, Jaina.” He corrected, “Bounty hunters have to have great skill in order to do what they do. They need to be prepared for anything.”

“You’re really modest, aren’t you.” She mumbled, laughing under her breath. She saw his helmet turn in her direction out of the corner of her eye and she could basically feel him rolling his eyes at her.

Jaina spent most of their walk either trying to get the mandalorian to reveal more about himself, or admiring the new planet. She found Alderaan much more beautiful and friendly, but it was fun to explore someplace new, especially after so many years on the run.

In front of her, the mandalorian stopped abruptly as the tracking fob began to blink faster. Jaina looked over his shoulder, eager to see him in action.

“From this point on, you need to stay quiet.” He ordered, his voice low and threatening. She nodded, showing her agreement. She was not about to get on his bad side. He stared at her for a couple more seconds before letting out a sigh. They began walking again, this time in complete silence.

Jaina would have been a horrible bounty hunter, which she realized after the mandalorian burst into action suddenly, startling a squeak out of her. She hadn’t even realized there was someone nearby until a small humanoid man was suddenly being dragged out from an opening in the formation of rocks to her left, his throat in the hands of her companion.

Captor. Jaina corrected herself. He’s not my companion, he’s my captor.

The small man was struggling, but it was soon made clear that he was no fighter. She briefly wondered why there was a price on his head, but shook her head until that thought went away. She should be thinking about how to escape, not about sharing prison tales with this new quarry.

“Kriffing stars, Boba, let me go!” The quarry snarled, reaching up to beat against the armored arm holding him captive.

“Boba?” The question was out of Jaina’s mouth before she even thought to keep quiet. Both men turned to look at her, as if surprised she was there.

“You don’t recognize the infamous Boba Fett?” The quarry asked, his voice dry and caustic. She felt her cheeks flare up, even though she knew she had no reason to be ashamed.

The mandalorian -- Boba Fett -- threw the man down at his feet, pulling out a line of rope to tie his hands together. She wondered why her hands hadn’t been tied, but knew better than to actually ask that question in case he decided to remedy the situation.

“Boba, just listen to me!” The man pleaded, suddenly desperate. “I know I owe Jabba a lot of money, but you know what he will do once he gets a hold of me! I’m a dead man and we both know it! So just let me go, eh?”

Boba ignored the quarry’s pleas, instead pulling the man up to walk in front of him. Jaina was so disappointed in not being able to see more of the planet that she didn’t even consider attempting to run away until the loading ramp was closing behind the three of them, locking them away into the ship.

She really needed to work on her focus.

Boba led them down to the room Jaina had stayed last night. She glared over at the force cage, remembering how uncomfortable she had slept. Boba opened one of the caged bunks and motioned for the quarry to climb in.

“I’m not some kriffing animal.” The man snarled, crossing his arms over his chest and refusing to climb into the bunk. He glanced over at Jaina, a light coming into his eyes. “Though I suppose I wouldn’t mind so much if she’s here. Maker, look at that mouth … makes me wanna—“

Boba kicked him into the bunk and the glass barrier slid down before the quarry could say anything else. Jaina was stunned, her eyes wide. She obviously was not used to that kind of talk directed at her.

“Let’s go.”

Her head snapped around to look at the bounty hunter, confused. She had been sure he was going to lock her up next, but as he started to climb the ladder, she hurried after him.

“Where are you taking me?” She asked, nervously, after he had kicked the hatch shut. He didn’t say anything, but kept walking, leaving her no choice but to follow. He led her through a couple of doorways, and she had to be careful to not trip over the ladders trailing along the path.

“Why do you need so many ladders?” She asked after a second, confused. He didn’t say anything and she sighed.

Eventually they arrived in what had to be the cockpit, but it was … sideways. The controls and navigation system was on the ceiling, under a large window, and the chairs were all laying on their backs except for two.

“Stars, Boba, you’re more eccentric than I thought.” Jaina said, walking through the room. She saw him stiffen at the use of his name, but she couldn’t tell what he was feeling.

He let her wander around for a little bit before he sat down in one of the upright chairs. He looked over to her as he began powering up the ship and said, “Sit.”

She didn’t like how often he commanded her to do things and it grated on her nerves to listen to him, but she did as he said. She climbed into the only other upright chair and strapped in.

“How do you expect to fly a ship like this?” She asked. Sitting this way, she was staring at a blank wall.

She could have sworn he chuckled before flipping a ship. Suddenly, everything began to move. She couldn’t tell if her seat was moving, or the ship itself, but she watched in fascination as the window and controls slowly came down to rest in front of the two of them.

“The ship was on its back!” She exclaimed in realization. When the ship was at port, it was laying back as if asleep, but while it was flying, it ‘stood up.’ She looked behind her to see the chairs now upright with the ladder now going up a wall. “No wonder there were so many ladders on the floor!”

“Welcome to the Slave I, Jaina.”

**

Jaina was completely enthralled by the stars racing across the window. She had been in hyperspeed before, when she fled Coruscant all those years ago. But she had never seen it.

She felt like it was very similar to how it was when you looked up at the sky while it was raining or snowing. She wished she could feel it the way she could rain.

The sound of the hatch opening behind her caused her to look over her shoulder. Boba had a tray in his hand as he climbed up into the cockpit. He wordlessly handed it to her before settling back down into the pilot’s seat.

“Have you eaten?” She asked, holding out a piece of the rations on her tray.

“Yes.”

She sighed and pulled her arm back in, bringing the food to her lips. She looked out at the galaxy as she ate.

“Isn’t it amazing?” She asked after a couple minutes of silence.

Boba stayed silent, but she knew he was listening by the way his helmet tilted in her direction.

“The galaxy is so big and it’s filled with hundreds of species and planets and people.” She was in awe. The mandalorian turned to look at her fully. “I want to see it all. I used to dream of traveling before … before I went on the run.”

“I did too.”

“Before?”

“Yeah. Before.”

It was silent again, both of them watching the stars. It was peaceful in a way Jaina hadn’t been in a long time. Ironic that it was next to the man who was about to turn her in, dooming both her and hundreds of innocents.

“Come on.” Boba finally said, standing up. “The night’s over.”

She followed him wordlessly, dreading her return to the force cage. She was stunned into silence, however, when he led her to the storage bay instead. On the floor was a couple blankets.

“Why … ?” She asked, amazed.

He grunted, but didn’t answer. She felt the question burning inside, but the same intuition that pulled at her gut sometimes told her it had something to do with what the quarry had said about her mouth earlier. She hid her smile.

“Turn around.” It was another command. She wondered if he would ever hear anything other than a demand from him.

Jaina was confused about what he wanted until she saw the length of rope in his hand. She pouted, but didn’t argue as he began to tie her hands together behind her back. She felt the knot tighten on her wrists and began to pull away, but he pulled her against his armored chest instead.

“Do not fool yourself into thinking you can take over my ship and escape. I will kill you before you even stand.”

Jaina’s heart was pounding. She could feel his chest plate against her shoulder blades. She couldn’t tell if she was scared or … or excited.

Finally he allowed her to pull away, and turned to climb back up the hatch that led to the cockpit, slamming it shut behind him and leaving her in darkness.

She needed to escape. And soon. Whoever heard of a quarry getting attached to their bounty hunter?

She was in more trouble than she thought.

[imagineyoungjustice]

1.5k Followers Milestone Drabbles 2/10

A drabble Jaime x batgirl!reader where the reader tries to outsmart the scarab??? -Anonymous

I know it’s been a while and I’m sorry! School had already been kicking my ass but I really want to get more of these out before the end of February. Also this drabble has both Arrowette and Spoiler in it though this isn’t during season 3 so there’s no spoilers for anything that happens in that. I just wanted to use them lol -Terra

Tags: @ljblve​ @loverbug1123​ @aworldwideapart​ @wallywestie

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           Wind rushed around your body, the world blurring as you flew through the air in swings and flips. The adrenaline coursed through your veins and the thrill of the chase pulsed through your being. You landed with the grace of many years of experience and surveyed your surroundings. The docks of Gotham looked no different than they had the first time you had visited them. The grime and filth still permeated the air, and you knew the darkest shadows concealed the scum of the city even still. Tonight however, the air carried a certain charge to it that was mimicked by your pounding heartbeat.

          Not one to rush ahead you took up cover, careful to make sure the area had been thoroughly surveyed like your mentor had drilled into you from the start. Nothing but the trash carried by the winds of the harbor caught your gaze, you were alone, the night was still yours. You smirked, this would be easier than you had thought. You brought you ear to your comms. “Batgirl to Robin, the coast is clear move in.”

          “Copy Batgirl, proceed to point two.” With Robin’s confirmation you finally moved from your cover, pulling out your grapple once again as you put away your “bat-noculars” as you had dubbed them much to your mentor’s internal torment. You took another quick survey of the area, seeing the faint shadows of your team moving into position. With a deep breath, you jumped, feeling the wind caress your body as you fell before you fired your line, swinging from building to building until you landed on your target. Once again secure on the roof, you met up with Robin, Arrowette, and Static.

          “Alarms and video surveillance were already out.” Static said with a look of confusion, “Batgirl, you sure we’re the first one’s here?”

          “What?” You felt your excitement quelled immediately at the statement.

          “He said the place was already green, someone’s beat us to the catch already.” Arrowette replied.

          No, not again. You weren’t going to let this happen again. You growled and yanked open the hatch on the roof, ignoring your team’s concerned looks as you jumped through and landed among the crates inside the warehouse. You didn’t even bother taking cover, the rest of your team following with a hint more caution and some uncertain looks shared between them.

          As you rounded the corner, your heart sank when you saw none other than Kid Flash, Spoiler, Wonder Girl and Blue Beetle already waiting. “Son of a bitch!” You yelled, kicking the nearest metal barrel as you registered the scene in front of you. “How the fuck did you beat us again?”

          “The clues to get here were a breeze with the scarab’s help, even with your attempted sabotage Batgirl though I will say you did better than last time. We got here in no time at all actually, we’ve been waiting for you guys for a while.” Your boyfriend said, a smirk evident on his blue armor-clad face, in his hands he twirled the red flag, the objective for your latest team exercise.

          “I thought you said the coast was clear?” Tim said to you, crossing his arms over his chest.

          “There was nothing on the thermal!” You cried out, throwing your hands into the air.

          “Yeah it turns out the scarab can trick your fancy bat-tech, who knew?” Jaime shrugged, and still had that infuriating smug smirk on his face.

          You just huffed, thoroughly annoyed that yet again you had failed to outsmart that god damn bug on his back. You loved the man it was attached to, but the scarab was a bit of a different story. Ever since Jaime mentioned that the scarab thought it was such hot shit you had been determined to prove it wrong one way or another. So far however any and all attempts ended just as well as this one had. You were scared to ask what the tally was by this point, but alien AI be damned you were going to one up the little blue fucker even if it was going to kill you.

          “Tell the bug that it’s got a big storm comin’.” You grumbled. Jaime just laughed and pulled you to him, placing a kiss on your forehead.

          “The scarab says it’ll see you in hell first.”

[feelingfredly]

The Fox Guards the Wolf

Part Sixteen

Counting Chickens Before They’ve Hatched

“What do you mean he’s gone?”

Kisuke turned slightly in his seat and cocked his head as he looked at Tessai. “Did the words somehow change meanings when I wasn’t paying attention?”

Tessai raised a hand before the Director could explode. “What Urahara-san is trying to say,” he said calmly, “is that after his meeting with Okura Kagetaka, Kurosaki Ichigo packed his belongings and vacated his Onmitsukido supplied apartment without leaving any contact information. He has not, as far as we’ve been able to discern, moved back into the apartment he had before the incident at the coffee house, or back into his family’s home.”

The Director frowned at Kisuke’s carelessly swinging geta, each slap of it against the bottom of his foot cranking the man’s temper another notch higher. Kisuke kept the rhythm constant, a small aggression in lieu of the larger ones he would prefer.

“I thought you said he was in danger from Okura?” The Director pinched the butt of the cigarette in his mouth and pulled a long drag from it, blowing it towards the men across the desk from him.

Kisuke stilled. “He is still in danger from Okura, and it isn’t as if I could stop him.”

Kawasaki Ryō had been Director for as long as Kisuke had been in the Onmi. His methods had never changed, no matter what the world around him did, and he sneered at Kisuke’s denial.

“Sure.  And I’m Ultraman.” His lips twisted in a smirk as he sucked on his cigarette. “You brought him here to get Okura’s attention, and now that you have it you’ve sent the kid out as bait.  I didn’t think you had it in you anymore, Getaboshi.  It’s almost like the old days.”

Tessai shifted in his seat but didn’t say anything.

“Actually,” Kisuke said, snapping his fan open and waving it in counterpoint to his swinging sandal, “I didn’t.”  He raised an eyebrow at the man who’d become his second biggest concern. “Kurosaki signed a contract with Taka-chan that promised him more money than he’d seen in ten years as a med student or an entry level doctor and then he just…  left.  Stopping him, while probably in his best interests, would have been beyond my purview. He’d done nothing wrong, and his presence was strictly voluntary.”

The Director leaned forward and slapped his palms on his desk. “You’re telling me that you don’t have a line on him?  He really is just gone?”

Kisuke nodded, fanning himself as he watched the red creeping up his boss’s neck.

“What is wrong with you?  Have you lost your mind?”  He was getting into full rant mode. “That kid has been running loose in the building for almost two months now.  He’s had access to your labs.  To the other agents.  And you just let him go.”

Tessai made a small sound of disagreement. “It was his right to leave.  He was…”

Kawasaki exploded.  “I don’t give a damn what his rights are! You find that bastard and you bring him back.  I don’t care if you have to dust off your shibari skills to tie him up and drag his ass back, you get him back!”

Kisuke snapped his fan shut.  “I’m not going to just kidnap an innocent off the street on a whim.”

“You will do exactly that if I tell you too, Urahara-san.” The Director’s eyes were dark and angry. “The situation with Okura is your fault, and any of this…  all of this… is because you chased him away. He had the potential to be the best agent in the Onmitsukido, and your…”

“Morals? Unwillingness to target civilians? Regard for the law?” Kisuke didn’t even look at him as he spoke, but he could hear the offended intake of breath across the desk.  Pfft.  Kawasaki’s ego was as sensitive as Taka-chan’s.  Two insecure men with more power than sense.  It was no wonder they got along so well.

Kawasaki growled under his breath, his anger an almost palpable thing. Kisuke made a production of looking at a dry cuticle.

“Your regard for the law.” The words dragged over broken glass. “What a joke.  You know as well as I do that in the end you will do exactly what I tell you, or I will personally give Okura Kagetaka access to you, your research, and your precious little civilian.” He spat the last of the threat out like poison. “I think I could almost convince him to come back to us if I gave him that kind of welcoming present.”

Kisuke shifted in his chair and yawned delicately. “How lovely. It finally becomes clear.  It isn’t just me you’re willing to sacrifice to get what you want.”

Tessai stood up. “Director,” his voice was aloe on a burn, soothing and bland, “I quite understand your frustration with having lost contact with Kurosaki. Would it be appropriate for me to assign a team for surveillance of his known locations?”

Kawasaki unclenched his jaw, forcing his eyes away from Kisuke.  “Surveillance to start.  Once his location is known, I want him brought in.” He bared his teeth in a shark’s smile. “For his own safety of course.”

Tessai bowed briefly to both men.  “I will get right on that, then.”

As the big man left, the Director waved a hand for him to close the door behind him, leaving him an arm’s length from Kisuke.

It would be so easy to just break his neck, Kisuke thought.  It wasn’t the first time, and Kisuke was certain it wouldn’t be the last.  Other things needed his attention first, though.

“You wanted to say something else…  Director?”  He paused before the title, making his distaste clear. This man didn’t deserve his position, and Kisuke made no attempt to soften the cutting edge of his disapproval.

Yoruichi’s voice hummed in his ear.  Only two life-signs in the room, Kisuke.  Starting independent recording now.

Good.  Now he could get things moving without having to worry about Tessai.  No one else would be leverage in this fight.

“I did.” Kawasaki shook another cigarette out of his battered pack, trigger-calloused fingers making quick work of the action. “This thing with Okura has gotten out of hand.”

Kisuke pretended to misunderstand.  “I agree.  He has never publicly involved himself before, especially with a civilian. Clearly he is deteriorating.”

The Director blew a cloud of blue smoke.  “That’s not what I meant, and you know it.  I mean the snake.  Involving Mamushi. You are the one who is deteriorating.  You crossed a line, Urahara-san.”

Not exactly the tack he was expecting, but it supported his theory that there was a direct line of communication between Kawasaki and Okura. No one in Taka-chan’s circle would have been made privy to what happened.  He couldn’t afford for his weakness to become public knowledge.  Attacked in the security of his own center of operations? He would never give that information out.

Except to the Director, apparently.

“Hmmm. Pillow talk, Kawasaki-kun?” He gave a prurient little grin and crossed his legs, swinging his sandal again. “You must have hidden talents. I never pegged Taka-chan for sharing his little secrets, even during his afterglow, but then I never expected him to be attracted such an older man, either.”

Kawasaki surged to his feet, his desk squalling in objection as it gouged tracks in the tiled floor. “Shut your fucking mouth and listen for once, Ki-chan.” His face was purple, and he flung the lit cigarette at Kisuke, just missing his open neckline where it would have burned bare skin. “This is your last warning.  Stay away from Okura.  If you don’t—if I hear one fucking whisper about you following him, interfering with him, delivering a fucking letter to his building—I will make your life short, ugly, and miserable. And, just so we’re on the same page, consider anything that I might be able to do you to be in the cards for your little friend Kurosaki as well.”

He bared his teeth in a rictus of a grin.  “Do you understand me, Ki-chan? Think before you open that mouth of yours.  This is the only chance you’re going to get.”

Kisuke picked up the cigarette where it had landed in his lap and made a distasteful moue.  “You know that this,” he waved the white cylinder, “is going to be the death of you. You should know better at your age. I suppose, though, that they’re right. Old dogs really don’t learn new tricks, and you are definitely,” he reached across to the over-flowing ashtray on the Director’s desk and stubbed the ember out, “an old dog.  You’re lucky you’ve lasted in this game as long as you have. Have you considered what you’ll do after the powers-that-be decide that they need to drag the Onmitsukido into the 21st century?  If you’re not careful they’ll just take you out behind the building and put you out of your misery.”

Silence stretched between them, the Director’s hands clenching in fury on the desktop. Kisuke made a sympathetic sound.

“Such a shame, too.  After all your years of devoted service.” He looked at the older man through the shadow cast by the brim of his hat. “Maybe you could get a job working for Taka-chan. I’m sure he’d be happy to help you, even after you retire from the field.  Who needs contacts or leverage, hmm?  Loyalty is so much more important.”

Kawasaki scowled and jabbed a ragged-nailed finger in the air. “You know nothing about loyalty, you bastard. I’ve watched you for fifteen years.  Always thinking you know best.  Disregarding orders.  Breaking the chain of command any time it suits you. When the time comes, I’ll be happy to sign the kill order with your name on it.  Yours, Kurosaki’s, and your little friend Shihouin.  Give me a reason, Ki-chan.  One reason.  I’ll drop you so fast you won’t know you’re dead until you’re dining in Yomi.”

Kisuke planted both feet squarely on the floor, facing his old mentor.  It’s come to this.

“Have you been to the training rooms recently, Director-san?” His voice was light.  Harmless. “I hope that you have.  Keeping track of your subordinates’ skills is so important in these situations.  Knowing exactly what talents to match with what task.  Your newest batch of recruits is very different from the class I entered with.  Much more independently minded.  And, while they all have honed their physical skills, many of them have never even seen combat.”

Kawasaki glared, tired of the dance.  

Finally.

Kawasaki leaned forward, a look of almost delight on his face.

“Oh, I know you’ll kill some of them.  Maybe all of them. I don’t care.  That’s the thing you never understood.  I. Don’t. Care. Plus, it has the added bonus that I know killing all those so-called innocents will destroy you. I will send everyone from the senior agents down to the mail boy if I must. You are just one man.  You’ll screw up sooner or later, and I will be there to laugh as you bleed out. You with your convenient morals and your ridiculous belief that the Onmi exists for any reason but what I tell it to.  I know where all the bodies are buried.  No one will touch me.  You are out-gunned, out-classed, and out of time, Ki-chan.  Today is a new day.  Okura-san understands that.”

Kisuke tsked at him, rolling his eyes derisively. Such a drama queen.

“Taka-chan understands better than you do.  He understands that he has you in his pocket. He gives you scraps of power and keeps you on a leash.  You’re his very own pet Onmi Director.  I can’t even imagine the hard-on it gives him when you two get together.  Do you always kneel for him, or is that something he reserves for blowjobs?”

Kawasaki’s rage was incandescent.  “How dare you speak to me that way? I’ll kill you myself. But first, I’ll have you court-martialed.  How’d you like to be convicted of treason, Ki-chan?  And Kurosaki, too.  You can watch yet another innocent life be destroyed because you couldn’t keep your fucking mouth shut.” He almost smiled, but there were too many teeth. “I’ll ruin you first, and then I’ll have you killed. Then I’ll make your body a present to your protégé so he can take it home and piss on it. I think that will pretty much guarantee my retirement, don’t you?  How’s that for a new trick, you little bitch? Hmmm?”

“Not a new trick,” Kisuke answered blandly. “Hell, not even a new family to ruin.  You had Kurosaki Masaki killed.  Taka-chan told me you approved it personally.  Something about her connections to Mamushi’s lieutenant at the time.  One of the other convenient casualties of the turf war you two engineered.”

Kawasaki dropped back into his chair and grinned. “Ah, so good of you to remember. Killing her worked even better than we’d hoped.  And now, you couldn’t have done me a bigger favor than pulling Kurosaki Ichigo into the frame.  What better reason for you to turn on your old yakuza associates than a new young lover whose mother was killed in a turf war? Your friend Shihouin won’t like you going against her dear Uncle Mamushi, so you’ll have to kill her, too. Then, once it’s come out that you, an Onmi-trained assassin, have killed them both, it will start a new turf war, but this time it will be between the Onmi and the yakuza.  The gangs will target agents everywhere, and we will be then be able to take them out with impunity.  The branches will be decimated in weeks, leaving a very nice power vacuum. Then, the public—scared to death of the yakuza—will be thrilled to accept the assistance of the Okura keiretsu.  Such a respectable business, run by a retired civil servant who wants nothing more than to give back to the community that has given him so much.  In the end, you will be brought in and that will be the end of Getaboshi. The irony is wonderful, isn’t it?  It is practically poetic that your undoing will be the keystone of Okura-san’s success.”

“You can’t just kill me, though,” Kisuke said quietly, and Kawasaki chuckled at how much less confident he sounded.

“Oh, can’t I?” Kawasaki sat back, nicotine-stained fingers steepled.  “What if you tried to kill me?” He pulled a drawer open and laid his service pistol on the desk top. “It would be easy.  My word against yours.”

Kisuke snorted. “If I wanted to kill you, you’d be dead.”

Kawasaki nodded. “True.  You are a born killer.  Everyone knows that.  But that works to my advantage as well.”

The pistol disappeared back into the desk, and Kawasaki leaned forward and whispered conspiratorially.

“You are the greatest killer the Onmitsukido has ever trained.” His voice was oily. “No one will have any trouble believing that you managed to kill the old snake where so many others failed.  All I must do is convince them that after a decade of killing you’ve gone over the wall.  It wouldn’t be difficult. I have reams of documents proving that you have always had zero respect for the rules, and I have dozens of people willing to testify against you.  They will say anything I tell them to say.”  He lit another cigarette and dragged the smoke deeply into his lungs with a satisfied sigh.  “You’re trapped, Ki-chan. Even a Go master like you won’t be able to find a way out. Now, get out of my office,” the Director ordered, sneer firmly back in place. “I can’t wait until I never have to see your face again.”

Kisuke stood and stared down at the man, his face blank, before turning to leave.

“For once, something we agree on, Director,” he said.  He stopped at the door and looked back over his shoulder. “I will be happy to never see your face again.”

His lip pulled up slightly at the corner as he saw the Director’s expression fade to one of doubt.  He pulled the door open, and left, the seed of fear well planted behind him.

Yoruichi murmured in his ear. One life sign remains in the room.  Heartrate just spiked.

Kisuke smiled.

[thenightling]

Cain’s psychosis (An in-depth look at the character)

Today Cain of DC comics turns fifty-years-old so I have decided to focus a few posts on him, especially since the season finale of Lucifer is this Monday and there has been some confusion about the comic book version of the character as opposed to the TV show and to his true nature.  

The Lucifer solo comics version of Cain is very, very different from the verison in the Lucifer TV series.   But no, unlike the versions in New 52 (the 2011-2015 failed DC “Soft” reboot) neither Cain nor Lucifer are truly evil in the comics.   

(Cain from Lucifer Volume 2, issue 4 from 2016-2017)

(Cain AKA Marcus Pierce from the Lucifer TV series Season 3, 2017 to 2018)

Somehow someone here on Tumblr mistakenly thought the New 52 “I... Vampire” comics version of Cain was the one from the Lucifer comics.   I suspect this has to do with the poorly written entry in the Wikipedia page about DC’s Lucifer that neglected to mention that the Cain and Lucifer in that story are not from the continuity where Lucifer quits ruling Hell and were the result of a misguided attempt to reinvent the characters in 2012.

The version of Lucifer that quit ruling Hell and the version of Cain that has interacted with him have since been restored to canon.

This post is going to be discussing and even defending the comic book incarnation of Cain.  For those new to the character, first you need to ignore the New 52 version of Cain. 

 First, iI am sorry to tell some of you that if the version of Cain you have been reading about is this guy... 

“Cain, Sire of all Vampires” 

then you are reading about the wrong character.  

I repeat, the image above, is the wrong version of Cain!

The version of Cain that appears in Lucifer’s solo comics is from The House of Mystery, The Sandman, Lucifer, and all comics labeled “Sandman Universe.” 

The version of Cain in New 52 titles such as “I... Vampire” is NOT the right version of Cain.  

The Cain from the lore where Lucifer quit ruling Hell, is NOT a vampire, nor was he ever “destroyed” by Constantine and dragged to Hell.  In fact, the version of Cain who appears in the Lucifer comics, has only been to Hell once, and that was to relay a message.  

The cain that appears in Lucifer’s solo comics is this one.

Cain is skinny with auburn (or brown) hair parted to resemble horns, a funky and slightly excessive soul patch beard (without a mustache), wire rim or pince-nez spectacles and he has slightly pointed ears.    

 Fifty-years-ago Cain made his first comic book appearance in The House of Mystery issue 175, published for DC in the summer of 1968.

For those who don’t know about the DC / Vertigo version of Cain and Abel they are loosely inspired by the biblical characters.   They may or may not actually be them. They could be Nightmare incarnations of the characters created by Morpheus (the ruler of The Dream Realm).  It’s a bit ambiguous to if they are the original Cain and Abel or if they are dream versions of The Characters. 

One thing is certain though.  Lucifer respect’s Cain’s mark as if he is THE Cain.  

Though acknowledged, Cain’s mark is rarely shown in the comics, but is apparently hidden under his hair over his forehead.  Like in the Lucifer TV series it is an “O” shape but it is not on his forearm.

Even if Cain is only a Nightmare incarnation of the Biblical character the mark is respected and for this reason it was Cain that Morpheus (The Dream Lord) sent to Hell to relay the message that he would be paying Lucifer a visit to rescue a soul he wrongfully left in Hell centuries before. This was in The Sandman comics during the storyline called Season of Mists.

When Cain returned to The Dreaming (The realm of Dreams) to tell Morpheus that Lucifer was awaiting his arrival, poor Cain was scared out of his wits (Lucifer had taken delight in deliberately terrifying him).  Lucifer is the only thing Cain is afraid of.

It was when Morpheus arrived in Hell that he soon found out that Lucifer had quit.  This is the basis for the Lucifer TV series. 

Cain and Abel’s original purpose in DC were as hosts for the horror anthology series House of Mystery and House of Secrets.  Cain was the caretaker of the House of Mystery and Abel was the caretaker of The House of Secrets.  The two often intersected, reading scary stories to an audience (comic book reader) much like The Crypt Keeper, Old Witch, and Vault Keeper of the old EC comics. 

In the late 1980s Neil Gaiman scooped them up and made the duo Nightmare residents of The Dreaming (The realm of Dreams) in the Sandman comics of the late 1980s into the late 1990s.  It was a play on the punny idea that after the murder of Abel, Cain went to The land of Nod (which is another term for Dreamland).

Cain habitually kills Abel fairly regularly with ghoulish Crypt Keeper style puns.  Abel revives and heals within a day and the cycle begins a new as they are both more or less immortal beings.  Sometimes Cain seems remorseful about the murders of his brother and the murdering might be an unavoidable compulsion while other times he seems to take vicious glee in the act.  This could be because they are actually personifications of what people anticipate of the famous Biblical characters. 

The best way to describe Cain is he’s like a cross between The Crypt Keeper, Vincent Price, and Alfred Hitchcock with Abel as his recurring and only victim.  Cain is usually a gracious host to most other people.

Abel is more sweet and timid by nature.   A perpetual victim.    

In the Sandman comics they are loyal to Morpheus, AKA Dream of the Endless, AKA the Sandman.   Morpheus is the very entity that Lucifer left the key to Hell to and the one who helped Lucifer by cutting off his wings for him with Mazikeen’s blade when Lucifer quit Hell.

In the older House of Mystery comics Cain has a pet black cat named Oskar and a pet large green Gargoyle that behaves rather dog-like.  The gargoyle is named Gregory and is still with him in The Sandman comics.  If you’re familiar with Disney’s Gargoyles, Gregory is a bit like Bronx.

Abel has a little baby golden gargoyle named Goldie (Originally he wanted to name him Irving but Cain insisted Gargoyles have G names).  Cain gave Abel the egg that Goldie hatched from as a present.

The name Goldie was ultimately chosen after Abel’s old “imaginary friend” who may or may not have been an actual ghost haunting The house of Secrets, also by the name of Goldie.

The house of secrets (Abel’s House) contains all the secrets one might learn in Dreams.   The house of Mystery (Cain’s House) contains every mystery one might dream up.  Cain is excessively melodramatic and loves a good story.

Abel has a permanent stutter, probably from being murdered so often.  

When they first appear in Sandman, Morpheus (Dream / The Sandman) has returned to his realm but he collapses on his way to the castle.  This is shortly after Morpheus has escaped from nearly a century of captivity at the hands of mortals.  It’s Cain and Abel who nurse him back to health after Cain’s dog-like gargoyle, Gregory is who had found Morpheus barely conscious.

 Despite their dysfunction Cain actually does love Abel and even pleaded with Daniel (Dream’s newest incarnation) to bring him back when “The Kindly Ones” killed him (Abel only comes back from the dead when Cain kills him).  And yes, he does bring Abel back for Cain.

During the Sandman comic storyline Season of Mists, Morpheus sends Cain to Hell to announce he is coming to retrieve a soul.  Morpheus intends to rescue a woman he wrongfully left in Hell centuries before.  He figures Lucifer won’t hurt Cain but Lucifer terrifies the old Nightmare anyway without actually hurting him, and Cain returns trembling and mortified.  Morpheus calms him and rewards him with a pleasant sleep.  

To Morpheus’ surprise, when he arrives in Hell, that is when Lucifer is shutting everything down because he has quit.  (basis for the Fox TV series).

There was a brief attempt to allow “Cain, Sire of all vampires” to co-exist with Cain, The Caretaker, with the claim that the vampire was the “Real” Cain and that the one in The Dreaming was a Nightmare creation, but I believe that has since been dropped and it is best to pretend it had not happened, after, the comic book where “Cain, sire of all vampires” appeared only lasted twelve-issues whereas Cain of The Sandman Universe has existed for fifty-years as of today. 

The House of Mystery / Sandman Universe version of Cain also appeared in the 2016 Halloween episode of the animated series, Justice League Action to narrate the story Trick or Threat.

In The Bible Cain murdered his brother, Abel.   They were the children of Adam and Eve.   Eventually Eve had another son, Seth, but that came later.   Cain murdered Abel out of jealousy because it was implied that God liked his animal sacrifice better than Cain’s sacrifice of a good autumn harvest (I guess the Bible writers don’t appreciate the hard work of agriculture).

When God asks Cain where Abel is he answers “Am I my brother’s keeper?”  When it’s revealed that Abel was murdered by Cain (the very first murder) Cain is cursed with immortality and left to wander. A mark is put upon him by God to protect him so that no one will harm him for his crime lest they suffer seven (or in some versions three) times the harm done to Cain.  

In most versions Cain ends up in The Land of Nod, which Neil Gaiman took to mean the realm of Dreams (playing on the pun since Land of Nod is used to mean dream land in British childrens’ literature).  

It’s unclear if DC’s Cain is THE Cain of The Bible or a version of the character created by the Dream Lord (Morpheus AKA Dream of The Endless).

  But in any event Cain’s compelled to kill his brother every so often.  And both men are now guardians of two houses in The Dreaming.  The House of Secrets (Abel) and The House of Mystery (Cain).   Both houses can and do appear in the human world as if on their own accord and are bigger on the inside.   They are usually together though sometimes The House of Mystery is seen alone.

Now here’s where I will give Cain a little defense.

Lucifer is not listed as evil in the comics. He is listed as neutral.  The same can be said of Cain.  He’s not actually evil either.  Cain does murder his brother fairly regularly but if he is ever lead to think that Abel will not revive he is devastated by the idea.  

In The Sandman comics storyline called The Kindly Ones, the Greek Furies arrived, and one of their acts to get Morpheus’ attention, was to murder Abel.  Cain was heartbroken and could not bear to carry on with his usual ghoulish theatrics.  As soon as the dust settled in the storyline called The Wake, Cain barged into the castle demanding that his king, Dream of The Endless, raise Abel from the dead. 

 When it is not Cain who kills Abel, it requires the ruler of Dreams to bring him back. This adds to the theory that he may not literally be Cain and Abel may not literally be Abel, but that they are both dream entities inspired by the cultural collective idea of the two characters.

  They are even referred to as “Nightmares” in the comic book series called The Dreaming.

(Issue 59 of The Dreaming.  Warning, This particular version of The Dreaming comics is no longer canon as the series is set to be rebooted this summer.)

Cain’s compulsion to kill Abel has been used as everything from an uncomfortable metaphor of an abusive domestic relationship to a dark version of Obsessive Compulsive disorder.  But a few things are clear.  He cannot bear the idea of Abel’s death truly being permanent.  And Cain has (as far as I know) never killed anyone other than Abel.        

In general Cain is actually a relatively harmless and good natured guy.  He’ll invite you in for tea as long as you’re willing to listen to one of his scary stories.  Just think of it as being invited in by Gomez Addams.   He believes in justice and has taunted the villains of his own stories when he feels they deserve it.  He is also surprisingly good with children.

 Cain might be a liternal Nightmare representation of the Biblical character, which accounts for the bulk of his behavior.  LIke a citizen of Halloween Town from Tim Burton’s Nightmare before Christmas his very nature is to scare but not necessarily do harm.  He is most satisfied when he has given an adequately scary story. 

Even if Cain was created by Morpheus he would still have his own personality and autonomy.  Morpheus’ creations are usually self-aware individual entities.  

Unlike the Lucifer TV show version of Cain, the Cain of The Sandman Universe (the lore where Lucifer’s solo comics come from) likes who and what he is.  He’s actually quite content with his existence despite the compulsion to kill his brother (which he sometimes does not seem to like while other times he does).

 And if Cain ever thinks Abel is in danger he can become surprisingly and fiercely protective.  (Only he gets to kill his brother!) 

  Cain will avoid crossing Lucifer if he can help it after his brief visit to Hell (During Sandman Season of Mists) where Lucifer taunted him by holding him by his hair over Hell as he flew before finally setting him down.

Cain, naturally, kept his distance when Lucifer paid a visit to The Dreaming (realm of Dreams)  in 2016.

 Also how can you hate a guy who sounds like Vincent Price?

Honestly, I love this asshole.

He can also be bribed with cookies.

[linenbagel28-blog]

Hifu Treatment Uk

vagina tightening Up device.

Content

Do I required a General Practitioner reference For Facelift surgical Procedure?

Femiwand

Which areas Can Be treated With Hifu?

What Is Mole, excrescence and Also Skin Tag Removal?

Why Are Cars Facelifted?

exactly How Does A Hifu Facial work?

What Can I expect throughout My Cryopen therapy?

Due to its distinctly developed transducer system clients often really feel marginal pain throughout the therapy. Any awkward experiences generally go away instantly complying with the treatment. Appearance Laboratory is devoted to guaranteeing your health and wellness and well-being. Throughout your first Ultraformer III appointment, we examine your case history with each other to guarantee that this procedure is right for you. Nonetheless, outcomes may occupy to 3 months to show and they will certainly remain to enhance for as much as 7 months blog post therapy. Individuals might experience skin inflammation for a few days after the session. Some light swelling, prickling or inflammation might take place briefly.

Much less typical results consist of small bruising as well as skin sensitivity. The dimension of the therapy location and the strategy selected influences the period of the HIFU treatment session, which can range in between 30 and 90 mins. We will certainly have the ability to offer you a price quote throughout your assessment. In the past I have actually attempted all type of systems to help with my stretch marks and reduce and also tighten my infant stomach after the birth of my youngsters. The only therapy that I have actually seen results with is the Lipofirm Pro!

What surgery makes you look younger?

A facelift, which is also known as a Rhytidectomy, will give an individual a relaxed and younger appearance. In order to be a suitable candidate for a facelift, an indiviudal should have adequate skin elasticity to ensure the procedure is effective.

This includes relocating the handpiece over the area and providing pulses of power to attain the desired impact. Your treatment may be somewhat awkward however need to not be painful and also any kind of pain should rapidly diminish promptly after therapy. At your assessment, we will take a full case history as well as examine your viability for the treatment. We will certainly then work with a customized therapy strategy with you, based on your worries and also what you want to achieve from the therapy. Very rarely one might experience mild redness for a couple of hours after the therapy as well as swelling or prickling in the treatment location for as much as a few weeks. There might also be bruising and also tingling on treated locations however this ought to resolve 2-4 weeks complying with the treatment. Ultraformer III has actually been referred to as the comfortable option to surgery and also Ultherapy.

Do visit my website need a Gp referral For Facelift surgical Treatment?

You might have an MRI scan and numerous examples of prostate tissue taken. This will give the doctors a clear picture of where the cancer remains in the prostate. HIFU can be given to the entire prostate when there may be cancer in more than one location, to make sure that all areas of cancer are treated. You might likewise have other examinations, such as a CT check, MRI scan or bone check, to see if the cancer has actually infected various other parts of your body. A continual surge in your PSA level can be an indicator that the cancer cells has actually returned. If your cancer does come back, your physician or nurse will certainly speak with you regarding additional therapy alternatives.

Femiwand

The majority of people tolerate the treatment well while the energy is being supplied. Pain and discomfort associated with the therapy are temporary and also are just experienced throughout the treatment. A three dimensional alternative to an invasive facelift, with no plastic surgery and also no down time. All skin assessments will certainly be done by phone to evaluate your suitability.

After my program and also a little Physio I am completely back on form. The therapy actually helped me obtain my self-confidence back, and also the will to begin training again. Tone, tighten and firm skin on your face with this introducing treatment.

Arise from tests and also early instances in the initial 5 years are extremely urging with way of living results much better than many other traditional treatment choices. The HIFU treatment normally lasts in between 1-4 hours, depending upon the dimension of the prostate, as well as is either done under general anaesthesia or an epidural and IV sedation.

Which locations Can Be treated With Hifu?

How can you tell if someone had a facelift?

Bald spots in the temple, pulled ear lobes, visible scars that are placed in front rather than inside the ear, wide, cross-hatched appearing scars, and stretched lips are a few other telltale signs of an 'old' facelift.

What Is Mole, verruca and Skin Tag Removal?

Our recommendation campaign offer is valid whatsoever clinics for any bundle. Share this web page to your close friend and after that get in the promotion code, "FRIEND30" when booking your Free appointment. The HIFU treatment is optimal for those people who want to uplift their face, tighten up the skin and also total battle indications of aging. Whilst the therapy does not injured, you may experience small discomfort during the procedure, just like a light irritable experience. Did you know that you can book your examination in either of our cosmetic centers in Nottingham or London? We're dedicated to providing a top quality, individual and also hassle-free solution for every as well as every one of our individuals, making it as simple as possible for you to access to our highly competent specialists. Schedule in at our Nottingham or London facility today, we can't wait to see you soon.

These guys will have routine examinations to keep an eye on the cancer cells that is not treated. Some men who have focal HIFU have only one location of cancer in their prostate. Focal HIFU treats a smaller location of the prostate and also takes one to two hrs. https://luton.la-lipo.co.uk/ may appropriate for guys that have cancer cells that requires dealing with in just one location of their prostate. You may have a catheter put in at the beginning of the treatment to drain pee out of your bladder. A catheter is a thin tube that is passed into your bladder, either through the penis or through the wall surface of your abdomen. You will certainly have a general anaesthetic so that you're asleep throughout the treatment.

On https://la-lipo.co.uk/skin-tag-removal/ of your HIFU treatment, you'll be given an enema to clear your bowels. You'll likewise be asked not to consume or drink for around 6 hrs before your HIFU. If you're having focal HIFU, you will generally most likely to a testing visit initially

You can see the outcomes promptly, as well as the enhancements remain to be seen for approximately 9 months as your collagen is restored.

HIFU is risk-free, reliable and an excellent remedy for lifting and also tightening the dewlaps, decreasing great lines around your eyes, nose and mouth, tightening your skin around your jaw and also neckline and also reducing hooded, droopy eyelids.

High strength focused ultrasound is occasionally used as a treatment for early prostate canceror prostate cancerthat has come back after radiotherapy.

Instead of surgical procedure, the Ultraformer utilizes ultrasound innovation to emit energy to the SMAS layer to tighten up, raise and also plump the skin.

The Ultrasound Treatment HIFU treatment bypasses the skin's surface and focuses totally on the deep, architectural layers of the skin where collagen is deposited.

Focal treatment making use of high-intensity concentrated ultrasound for localized prostate cancer cells.

It is provided as part of a clinical trial, so it is just available in some healthcare facilities in the UK.

These examinations will certainly help your specialist target the location of the prostate that needs to be dealt with. As HIFU is reasonably brand-new understanding regarding the long-lasting benefits and effects is raising each day.

I have always been rather sports, but lately because of injury I have actually been not able to educate and also as an outcome my upper body and Abs have gone a little lumpy. After visiting the facility the therapist told me that because of absence of movement, my flow has slowed down and also I have established cellulite.

How much does a ponytail facelift cost?

Cost: $8,000–$11,000. The Hair Trick: A DIY ponytail placed just right will yield impressive results too, even if only for an evening.

Transurethral resection of the prostate is an operation to get rid of prostate cells and enhance the circulation of urine. This operation is sometimes used prior to HIFU to reduce the danger of some urinary system problems after the treatment. Ask your medical professional or nurse which type of HIFU may be suitable for you. HIFU might be appropriate for you if your cancer is consisted of inside your prostate. The Material on Our Site does not constitute recommendations on which you should depend. Specialist or specialist suggestions ought to always be looked for before taking any type of action connecting to medical visual treatments.We make reasonable initiatives to guarantee that the Web content on Our Site is full, exact, and up-to-date.

Why Are Cars Facelifted?

HIFU treatment takes mins, during therapy it prevails to experience some discomfort and also a prickling sensation depending on the strength of the ultrasound. This introducing treatment uses the latest cosmetic modern technologies to help tone, tighten up and also strong skin on the face, which helps to decrease the appearance of great lines and wrinkles and leave the skin looking rejuvenated as well as vibrant. We can estimate the rate for therapy after a first free consultationwith you. If the client selects a body contouring therapy, fat cells are gotten rid of using lipolysis.

Optimal cosmetic results are possible with only one treatment session, the case study photos below give an example of the results from HIFU treatment. targets fat by using high-intensity ultrasound energy creating thermal coagulation to fat cells. The energy created passes through below the skin surface as well as causes cellular friction within cells. As aesthetic medicine has actually advanced, ultrasound has actually proven to be an outstanding device for several medical treatments. Complete Body Treatment provides sophisticated Skin Tightening therapy for the face and also body making use of High Strength Concentrated Ultrasound. An usual side effect of aging is loose, drooping skin, brought on by the deficiency of collagen and elastin in the dermis. Ecological factors such as sunlight damage and smoking cigarettes can additionally decrease levels.

If you have focal HIFU, you might have low-risk cancer cells in another location of the prostate that is not dealt with deliberately. You will certainly have regular tests to keep track of the cancer that is not treated. These could include PSA tests, MRI scans, as well as prostate biopsies. You may have a few of the adhering to signs right after treatment, or they might create some time later. Speak with your medical professional or nurse if you have problems with erections or various other sexual issues. They can discuss your treatment alternatives as well as organize complimentary therapy on the NHS. Some guys have troubles obtaining or keeping an erection after HIFU.

What is the best face tightening procedure?

Laser resurfacing This is the most effective procedure for tightening loose skin. Unlike the laser treatment described above, this procedure requires some downtime. You'll need to stay home for 5 to 7 days. Laser resurfacing also gives you the fastest results.

If you aren't able to have a general anaesthetic for health reasons, you might be able to have a spine anaesthetic to make sure that you can not feel anything in your reduced body. With this, you will additionally be offered some medicine to make you drowsy.

This is due to the fact that it can damage the capillary as well as nerves that manage erections. For some men this will certainly boost, however, for others this will certainly be a longer-term side effect of HIFU. The list below negative effects can develop not long after your treatment. If you have hormonal agent therapy or a TURP before you have HIFU, these can additionally trigger side effects. Other males have an additional area of cancer cells in their prostate that is not dealt with deliberately. This cancer is not treated due to the fact that it is much less most likely to spread (low-risk cancer cells) and also it might not cause any type of issues.