#there are no words for how abandoned and shocked anew i feel when i see myself and remember why i look Like That

[ovaruling]

sorry but i need to vent bc im struggling so much w my appearance and i know i shouldnt be but like damn i am so ugly and all the cosmetic surgery fucked me up so bad! absolutely made me uglier!! and i just dont even feel human anymore at this point lol like. i truly don’t know how to convey how different self-loathing is after you’ve had extensively damaging and life-threatening surgeries to alter your face and body lmfaooooooooooooooooo

[cocrante]

I Start Over With You

[SOLANGELO FANFIC]

summary: After the great battle against the forces of Gaea, Camp Half-Blood and Camp Jupiter had formed a long-lasting alliance. Everything had gone well, and everyone was ready to start anew. This included Nico, who, after confessing his feelings to Percy, was prepared to open a new chapter in his life—perhaps the happiest one the Fates had ever written.

note: the chapters will be updated every Wednesday. If you want to read upcoming chapters of the fanfiction in advance, I invite you to follow me on Patreon. Subscribing is not necessary, these chapters will be added for free on the platform on Mondays and Fridays. Following me there is just a kind and free gesture to support my work c:

nda. I just realized now how silly it is that Will doesn't own a weapon or know how to fight. I mean, come on ahah But when I was writing the fanfiction, the idea of Will not knowing how to use a sword and asking Nico for help seemed cute to me c:

Reblogs are highly appreciated c:

[CHAPTER 9]

THE DAUGHTER OF ATHENA'S BRAIN KICKED INTO GEAR from the first words spoken by Piper. Quickly, she reasoned on the simplest way to get them together—in a place discreet enough and away from the eyes of others. She then spoke to Piper about it, as she was the one who knew the most about it. "It might work" smiled the daughter of Aphrodite. Jason watched her, curious about what the two girls were whispering about. Percy also noticed a strange exchange of words between the two girls, laughing about something.

"What are they up to?" whispered the son of Poseidon to Jason. The boy shrugged, he didn't know either.

"So we're in agreement" Annabeth concluded, getting a nod of approval from Piper, excited to put into action the plan suggested by her friend. 'What were you talking about?' Jason then asked. Piper shook her head, spreading a conspiratorial smile. "You'll see" the girl replied. Percy also questioned Annabeth about it, but she chose to remain vague, further confusing the boy.

At the end of the evening, the boys were sent back to their respective cabins. Will bid farewell to Nico, who gladly responded "See you tomorrow"

"See you tomorrow!" Will replied.

The two went in opposite directions, both wishing it was already tomorrow.

The son of Hades returned to his deserted and lonely cabin, thinking about how many times he had promised to renovate it, yet it remained unchanged from when he had abandoned it years ago. The boy changed clothes and laid down on his bed. He couldn't sleep that night, too focused on reflecting on the day that had just passed—the empty feeling in his stomach on the boat and, above all, how normal the son of Apollo made him feel. He tossed and turned on the mattress, trying to push away those thoughts.

Even in Cabin 7, the son of Apollo couldn't easily fall asleep, engaged in reflection on the day spent with that dark and lonely boy. He particularly remembered the afternoon spent together in the infirmary, the conversation they had, and the few things Nico had revealed to him. Will was certain that few, or perhaps no one else, knew about it, and this made him even happier to have managed to enter – for a few moments – into his world. The son of Apollo was sincere that day in the infirmary: he genuinely wanted to get to know Nico di Angelo, along with all his dark shades. Slowly, he managed to fall asleep, letting the vivid thoughts of the day just passed spread through his mind.

The next morning didn't keep waiting. Will woke up early, like every morning. He stared into space for a moment before getting up, heading towards the bathroom and giving the others a few more minutes to sleep. Passing by the mirror, he almost had a shock, seeing dark circles around his beautiful blue eyes. The son of Apollo ran a hand over his face, unable to believe what he saw. He sighed, still in disbelief, entering the shower stall for a refreshing bath. He emerged about fifteen minutes later, making way for another cabin member. He greeted the newly awakened guys, waiting for everyone to be ready before assigning the day's work shifts and leaving the cabin to go to the dining hall. When everyone was present, Will began to speak, giving instructions to each cabin member. "Clear on everything?" the son of Apollo asked, and once he got everyone's consent, he led the group out towards the dining hall.

The dining hall was almost full; some kids from the Hermes cabin were still missing, apparently taking it easy. Nico was already awake, which surprised the son of Apollo, knowing his daily rituals. Two boys and two girls were keeping him company that morning, chatting animatedly about something; Nico seemed not to care much.

Will decided to let it go and focus on what he had on the table, eating as much as he could to be prepared. He didn't want to disappoint at the arena.

Meanwhile, at the Hades table, the four guys took turns talking, not giving Nico a moment to speak. Annabeth, with her fast-paced speech, was explaining the strategy she had implemented to capture the rival team's flag. "We're counting on you!" she concluded her monologue, with the other demigods nodding in unison.

"I didn't say I would accept" Nico replied calmly, focusing more on his plate than the guys in front of him.

"But you have to accept" Piper said, confident that with a little bit of charming persuasion, she could get him to participate. Nico raised an eyebrow, looking her in the face. "I'll think about it" he finally said, Piper thought that was still a small victory. Annabeth, however, was not satisfied; she wanted him on her side, knowing that with him in the game, the rival members wouldn't stand a chance of getting close to the flag.

"Nico, we need you on our team" Percy intervened. The son of Hades looked at him, pondering the response. Annabeth had explained to him roughly what the plan involved, and it was indeed a great plan. So far, he had gathered members from the Hermes cabin and Nemesis kids, hoping to talk to the Apollo cabin as well, trusting they hadn't been taken already. Together with Nico, they would practically have victory in their hands, but the son of Hades wasn't sure if he wanted to participate in the games. He simply wasn't in the mood, and furthermore, the idea of being glued to the flag while others were in the field annoyed him.

"I accept, but only on one condition" he pointed the fork at Annabeth, drawing the attention of the four. "I come into the field with you" he looked at each one seriously, challenging them with his gaze to oppose him. No one at the table tried to say anything; everyone knew how crucial his contribution was.

"You would be more useful guarding the flag" Annabeth replied, holding his gaze.

"Why?" Nico asked, crossing his arms over his chest. Athena's daughter bit her lip, unable to truly explain why.

"Because you're terrifying" Percy blurted out. Nico stared at him, unsure if that was supposed to be a compliment or not.

"Excuse me?"

"Yeah, well, everyone knows you can summon zombies, which is fantastic for us and all. You'd keep the rival team away from the flag" Jason explained, hoping to have won him over at least a bit. The son of Hades didn't respond, those antics didn't work on him. He hinted at a laugh, looking at him impassively as if to say:—have you mistaken me for a child of Aphrodite? But he sighed, lowering his head, certain that if he didn't accept, they would pester him until the end of his days. "Okay, fine" he replied with fake enthusiasm. "I'll be the nursemaid to your stupid flag" he said, raising his gaze. "Who will keep me company?"

The guys timidly looked at each other, expressing in a silent question:—who volunteers for the good of the group? Nico was still staring at them, waiting for an answer. "So?" he pressed. "Will" Annabeth quickly replied. "From the Apollo cabin" Piper specified.

The son of Hades clicked his tongue, decidedly struck by that name. "He's a healer, he can't participate" Nico replied, silencing the group. "Yes, he can" Annabeth retorted. "Nowhere does it say he can't participate" she continued. "Anyone can be chosen to enter the game" she added. Nico found himself nodding, having to admit she was right. In a game without rules, anything was allowed, even choosing the participants. However, a spontaneous question arose: "But why?" he asked, mellifluous. "Well, because—" Annabeth began, even though she didn't really have an answer to that question. "Because he—" Jason tried, trying to give Annabeth a bit more time to think. "Because he has never played!" Piper answered, infusing a bit more of her enchanting language. For Nico, that made enough sense, it would be rather pointless to put him in the field. The son of Hades nodded, although not entirely convinced. He knew Annabeth's cunning—he was sure there was more beneath the surface.

"Is that all?" Nico asked, eager to leave the table.

"Yes" Annabeth replied.

"Good" he said, getting up and waving to the four, heading towards the arena.

The arena was not crowded yet—only two children of Ares were trying out new training techniques. Nico headed towards the storage room where training dummies were kept. Many of them were completely crumpled and missing some limbs, fortunately, there were still some intact, albeit with a few tears. He brought out a couple, sure that he would have to start from the basics, like drawing a sword and the position to take in a possible frontal encounter. The son of Hades carved out a square of the field entirely for him and Will, who would join him shortly. While waiting for his friend, he watched the Ares kids duel and grunt, just to attract attention.

About ten minutes later, the son of Apollo arrived, out of breath. He explained that he had a chat with Annabeth. Nico wasn't so surprised. "I'm in" he told him, recovering from the run. "Okay" sighed the son of Hades, he had hoped until the last moment that he wouldn't agree to participate in the flag hunt. "But that means we should work even harder!" he said seriously, getting a nod. "Good" he crossed his arms over his chest. "First, you need a sword" he said. "Do you have one?" he asked, although it seemed more like a rhetorical question since it was evident he didn't have any. The son of Apollo shrugged, as if to show him he had nothing. "Okay" Nico sighed, leading him to the armory. "Try a few" he suggested. "Use whichever one feels right for you" he added. Will nodded, entering the armory, looking around a bit. It was really full of weapons, there was an embarrassment of choices. The son of Apollo looked around, scanning for the one that attracted him the most. Then he saw one that seemed quite interesting. He picked it up, examining it in all its beauty. It was a beautiful double-edged bronze sword, the hilt in golden metal with a steel grip rich in details. He tried it out, swinging it, finding it comfortable and well-balanced. "I think I found it!" he finally said, leaving the armory, with Nico outside waiting for him. The guy gave a quick glance at the found weapon—it seemed to have been designed especially for him.

Together, they returned to the slowly filling arena. Nico initially explained the theory in fairly basic terms. He told him that the Greeks didn't use scabbards, and therefore, if he continued to practice and bring it into battle, he would have to tie it to his belt. He then showed how to unsheathe the sword, with which hand, what position to hold, and with which foot to advance to balance the weight. He gave a general overview of the most used and classic combat techniques. "Today we'll focus on these" he told him.

"Maybe we'll raising the game later" Nico suggested, quite confident that he would learn quickly. Will attentively followed everything Nico said, occasionally interrupting when something wasn't clear, and the son of Hades patiently explained it to him again.

They then started practicing on the dummy, Will carefully observing Nico's moves as he slowly struck the target. He followed the sword's movements, the way it bent and hit a part of the dummy. Will was enchanted by his motions.

Then it was the turn of the son of Apollo to strike, following the pace set by Nico and hitting it as he had shown him a little earlier. Nico would tell him which part of the body to strike, and Will skillfully demonstrated the moves.

"Very good" complimented Nico. "You're just still slow" he commented. Will could only nod; indeed, he was quite slow, but he wasn't used to holding a sword.

The two continued practicing, and slowly Will began to gain confidence, showing more speed in his attacks.

"Do you feel like trying defense?" Nico asked. The son of Apollo stared at him, feeling the muscles in his arms on fire; by now, the sword that had initially seemed so light had become a burden, but he nodded. "Of course!" he exclaimed, wiping the sweat from his forehead with the back of his other hand.

As with the attack, Nico gave him a quick overview. There weren't as many moves as in the attacks. "You have to anticipate the opponent's moves before he even makes them," he explained, trying to make it as simple as possible. "Defense can be anything, any movement" he continued. "The important thing is that you don't get hit" he concluded. Will nodded at every word, although he was still quite confused about it, and Nico, noticing his expression, reassured him: "With practice, everything will become clearer to you."

They started with slow movements, trying a brief bout. Will attacked with the moves Nico had explained a little earlier, and Nico defended himself, showing him how to move. They were all fairly simple movements, no sidesteps or illusory patterns; Nico wanted to make it as straightforward as possible for him. Later, it was Will's turn, and he had understood how to handle it. He defended himself excellently, although it was a slow-motion fight, both demigods were satisfied with the result.

"I want to do it faster" Will gasped, but he wanted to give it a try. "Are you sure?" Nico asked, concerned that he might not be up for it. "Yes" the determined boy said. Nico shrugged, wanting to accommodate him.

They distanced themselves a bit, studying each other. Nico was the first to attack, revealing his cards. Will blocked the blow well, then rotated the sword to make room and struck him from the side. Nico dodged and delivered another blow, making him step back. Will blocked again, sidestepping and momentarily throwing off Nico's balance, who was pleasantly surprised. They exchanged various blows with excellent parries.

"You need to get closer" Nico corrected him, adjusting his parry. "Like this?" Will asked, pushing forward, just a few inches from his face. "Yes" Nico replied, keeping his gaze fixed on him. "Use your shoulder as leverage, push with your hips" he explained, and Will complied. "You have to make me step back, so I slide to the side" he explained, unable to look away from those blue eyes. Will nodded, pushing the sword that crossed Nico's, making him slide to the side. Taking advantage of his imbalance, Will pointed the sword at him. Nico conceded, lowering his sword with a finger. "Excellent job, Solace" he complimented, sheathing the Stygian iron. "But we need to work on technique and movements" he scrutinized him from bottom to top. "But for a first time, it went well" he commented, showing a hint of a smile. Will responded by curving his lips. "You think so?"

"You did pretty good" Nico shrugged, rearranging the dummies with Will's help.

The son of Apollo was quite satisfied with the training. He knew he had to practice even more, and if he were in a real duel, he certainly wouldn't come out unscathed. Still, for now, he was content with the result.

After the training, they sat under the shade of a tree, recovering from the long morning of parrying and attacking each other. Nico made some observations, such as the way Will held his feet or the elbow, with Will defending himself, saying it was because he used the bow. "You still have to keep it closer to your body" Nico replied, keeping his gaze ahead. Will just nodded.

The two demigods remained silent for a few minutes, savoring the tranquility of the moment, enveloped only by the typical sounds of the camp. "How did you learn?" Will asked after a while, keeping his eyes on the arena, where another group of guys was training. Nico didn't respond immediately—he kept staring ahead, fixing his gaze on an indistinct point on the field, weighing whether to bring up the memories or not. "When you're a child of Hades and wander the world alone, you don't have much choice" he lowered his gaze to the ground. "You either learn quickly, or you die" he said bluntly. "Then Minos helped me" he briefly recounted that time of wandering outside the camp, searching for Bianca's soul and a way to bring her back to life. Will remained silent, trying to put himself in the boy's shoes. "How did you meet him?" he asked, unable to avoid a hint of curiosity. Nico chuckled, shrugging. "At my father's palace" he turned to look him in the eyes. "After I escaped into the forest, my father opened a passage underground for me" he smiled at the memory. Stated like that, it almost seemed like a normal thing, but at the time, he was terrified. Ghosts and skeletal hands dragged him towards a dark pit carved into the rock. When he fell inside, the last thing he saw was the dazzling moon, then the rock closed and he found himself in front of his father. Will tried to sustain that gaze—he knew the story didn't end there, and Nico probably didn't want to tell him more to avoid scaring him.

"Why didn't you come back to the camp?" Will asked, taking advantage of the moment to have him tell what he had sealed inside. Nico curled his lips, staring at Will's face, which turned slightly reddish. "Have you ever felt out of place? Like you were defective or something?" he asked, playing with the skull-shaped ring around his finger. Will slightly parted his lips, he felt a bit like that when he compared himself to his siblings, but he had never thought of running away because of it. Then he thought about it: at least he had someone to vent his frustrations to, but who did Nico have?

The son of Hades looked ahead again, with his eyes slightly lowered. "It happens not to feel at home anywhere, with people staring at you strangely for what you are" he said, now a slave to his memories. "Sometimes the only right thing to do is to leave, especially if you have no one waiting for you. You don't have the problem of making them miss you" he confessed, and Will was definitely certain that no one else had heard those words except him. "But now you're with people who care about you" he turned his body completely, desperately seeking his eyes. "Me, for example" he exclaimed seriously, feeling his cheeks warm up a bit at that moment. Nico abruptly raised his eyes, fixing Will with an inquisitive look and finally responding with a sincere smile.

[CONTENTS]

1 • 2 • 3 • 4 • 5 • 6 • 7 • 8 • 9 • 10 • 11 • 12 • 13 • 14 • 15 • 16 • 17 • 18 • 19 • 20

[simplyblonnd]

K. - Anakin Skywalker PART - 2

Part 1

A/N: took me long but its here part 2, I'm really proud of how it turend out but its short though

Summary: You part ways

Warnings: ANGST ANSGST ANGST. And maybe some grammar mistakes haven't checked tbhh

Materlist!!

After making the decision to see Anakin, you found yourself standing outside his dorm, your hand raised to knock on the door. Before you could do so, he opened it, looking tired but happy to see you. You couldn't help but study his face briefly, longing to kiss him and let him rest, but knowing that you had to talk.

Summoning your courage, you managed to say, "Hi." Anakin responded shyly, "Hi, umm, come in." He opened the door wider, allowing you to enter his living room. You took off your tunic and placed it on the couch, making yourself comfortable.

Anakin asked, "So, what brings you here?" as he walked toward the chair on the kitchen island, where you were sitting. He clapped his hands in front of him, trying to ease the tension between you.

"I think we need to talk about what's going on between us," you said, feeling the weight of the words on your chest. You wished everything could go back to how it was in the beginning, but things had changed, and feelings were now involved.

"Yeah, I agree. Umm, where do we begin?" Anakin started to say, but before he could continue, you blurted out, "I like you." Anakin's mouth opened in shock, but you stopped him before he could speak. "Please, let me speak before you say anything," you said, and he nodded.

"I started liking you after the second week of hooking up, or whatever we were doing. I hate myself for breaking the one stupid rule we had, and I know you might not feel the same way. It's a distraction for both of us, from our duties as Jedi, and I can't risk my position because it's everything I have. I can't lose it," you rambled, tears streaming down your face. Anakin reached out and caressed your cheek.

"You can talk now," you said softly, giving him a chance to respond.

"I don't know where you're heading with the last things you said, but before you say anything else, I want you to hear me out, okay?" Anakin cupped your face with both hands and looked into your eyes.

"You are the most beautiful, amazing, and perfect girl I have ever met. Though you may beat me at most things, I'm proud to have won your heart. I've been drawn to you since we first crossed paths, but only recently realized the depth of my feelings. I know that our allegiance to the Jedi order complicates matters, but I'm willing to risk everything for you because being with you gives my life purpose beyond any duty or code. If you feel the same, I will leave the Jedi order behind without hesitation."

"Anakin, I... I can't ask you to leave everything behind, just as I can't abandon my own responsibilities. It pains me to admit this, but you've become a distraction that I can no longer afford to have in my life." As the tears streamed down your faces, you both knew where the conversation was headed, but it didn't make it any easier to accept.

"Obi-Wan has recruited me for a three-month mission, and I'm going. I need to clear my head and sort out my priorities, and I just wanted you to know." You took a deep breath, trying to steady your voice. "We can't keep hurting ourselves like this. We both know that we can't be together. Maybe in another lifetime, things will be different, but not in this one." You squeezed Anakin's hand, trying to offer some comfort. "Who knows, perhaps when I come back, we can start anew on another planet and grow old together. But for now, it's time to say goodbye, Anakin."

Tears streamed down your face as you watched Anakin sobbing, feeling the weight of your decision. You knew it was the right thing to do, but the pain of it was almost unbearable. Anakin's head was in his hands, and he couldn't find any words to say. He knew there was no way to change your mind, and he was losing you.

Slowly, you approached him and gently took his face in your hands. You leaned in and gave him one last, bittersweet kiss. The taste of salt mixed with the taste of love as you lingered for a moment before pulling away.

It was time to go, time to leave this all behind. With a heavy heart, you gathered your tunic and turned to leave. You paused at the door, taking one last look at Anakin, knowing that this was the last time you would ever see him again.

With a deep breath, you stepped out into the darkness, feeling the weight of the universe on your shoulders. The pain of leaving him behind was almost too much to bear, but you knew it was for the best. Maybe, someday, you would find your way back to each other, but for now, it was time to say goodbye.

[lubdubsworld]

Better Man.

              ~~~~We might still be in love, if you were a better man. ~~~~

Taehyung x OC 

Rating 18 +

Angst. 

Implied Infidelity in the past. 

Chapter 1 ~ Walk out the first time. 

"Are you okay?" My mother's soft voice came from behind me and i panicked, hurriedly swiping at the tears that were streaking down my face. Heart pounding, I grabbed a bunch of tissues from the dresser, patting my face down hurriedly , making sure to keep my back to her. 

"I'm fine, Mom." I said , voice surprisingly steady as I turned around to smile weakly at her. She stood near the doorway, a petite woman of fifty with greying hair and too many wrinkles. 

I thought she looked older than she was and i knew I had a part to play in that. Sighing, I tried not to cry more, moving to gently take my son out of her arms. 

He was four years old, fast asleep and smiling sweetly in his slumber. He had downy black hair, feather soft and warm brown eyes. He looked incredibly like his father, the resemblance stunning even though he was so young. I stared at him some more, laying him down on the bed and brushing the hair off his face. 

"Are you sure there is no mistake? Taehyung ssi wouldn't hurt us like this..." My mother said, sounding broken and I felt a pang of sympathy. But also annoyance. 

Us. 

Us....like she had an equal share in the hurt I was feeling.

 I was the one getting a  divorce but my mother made it sound like it was personal to her as well. Like somehow, the fact that she now had to meet her friends and tell them that her daughter was divorced could compare to the pain I was feeling. To the sheer anguish that was filling me.

To be fair though, my mother had loved Taehyung very much. Her favorite son-in-law . My sister's husband had been a mean drunkard who had brought a lot of misery to our family. Taehyung by contrast had been a loving, filial son in law. He had cared deeply for my parents, paid for my father's funeral ( even though the man itself was nothing more than a drunk , cheating fool who had abandoned us )  and he had been the most kind man . 

I swallowed. 

Maybe , you should have forgiven him. Maybe , you shouldn't have divorced him . So, he slept with another woman. Fine.  It was one night... just one night. you should have gotten over it! Was it worth it to spend all these countless nights alone? To break your mother's heart a thousand times over? 

 The funny thing was, i had forgiven him. Maybe right after I had found out. He had stood there, looking shell-shocked and horrified and his eyes had begged me for forgiveness and my heart had cracked , the way it always did whenever I saw him in distress. And when he had looked me in the eye and said, "  I’m sorry,  Jang mi..." I had forgiven him right then and there.

 But it was the forgetting that was hard. The fear that it would happen again. The fear that somehow, I was the reason he strayed. And that kind of fear can be debilitating. For the first three weeks, I'd tried to pretend it hadn't happened. I had tried hard to see him the way I had always seen him but it had been impossible. everytime I saw him, my heart had broken anew. It had been hard but I had to accept that things would never be the same. That I would forever look at him and remember what he’d done. That I would forever wonder if he would do it again. 

So we had done the wise thing. 

At first a break.

 A few days apart to get our head on straight.  Then I’d found a job and I had to move closer to the office to make the commute easy. And then suddenly, I wasn’t seeing him even during the weekends , to spend time as family for our son’s sake. And just like that , a whole year had passed and we  were separated. Only meeting to hand Hoshi over to each other. 

"I'm sorry mother." I said softly. I knew that she blamed me, a whole lot for the separation. 

People with children  didn't leave each other over infidelity in my country. You hit your husband, denied him from your bed maybe but you didn't break up a family over one night of bad decisions. You just didn't .

But for me, it was beyond the act. It was the broken trust, the shock of knowing that some other woman had given him something I couldn't, the fact that he had even wanted it from another woman had been enough for me to crumble on the inside.  

But, none of it mattered now. 

He wanted a divorce. Officially. Wanted to end it for real. 

It was jarring, how badly it shook me. I felt unaccountably lost and confused and disoriented. I couldn't imagine not being Taehyung’s wife , i realized with a stunning sense of self realization.

 Call me irrational, but apparently, I couldn't stop thinking of him as my husband , even after two years. Soon he wouldn't be my husband. 

He would be  my ex -husband. 

i hated that word. 

It had such a plethora of negative connotations to it. When you hear it , you just brace yourself for unpleasantness.

 Because it is unpleasant. A marriage ending, a family breaking, feelings hurt , hearts shattered,  angry words tossed...its all a very unpleasant experience for everyone involved. 

An ex husband was seldom a harbinger of happiness, more often a reminder of choices gone wrong, regrets and wasted time. and I didn’t want to associate Taehyung with a word like that.

Taehyung who was still the kindest, warmest human being I knew. The best father in the world. 

I felt like someone had sucked all the strength out of me.

I didn’t really want to think about the call I’d gotten from Taehyung last night. An appointment with a divorce lawyer.  It had been followed by an apology because apparently, someone in the law firm had let the info leak. And now it was all over the sleazy tabloids that fed on people’s misery. 

It was impossible to escape it too, Taehyung was famous. An idol. And actor. The country's sweetheart. And he was the epitome of perfection. The beautiful, talented actor with an impeccable record of well behavior. 

I knew that literally everyone on the planet thought he was a literal angel. 

 I remembered how much , by contrast, I had been hated when I'd married him.

I could just imagine how much more it would all be this time around. And i wondered if it bothered Taehyung too. Did he perhaps wish he’d never met me

? 

It had been sheer luck that we had met.... 

In fact, if Jimin's  car hadn't broken down right outside our home on that cold December night, I wouldn't have even met Taehyung. A great cosmic shift, somewhere some butterfly flapped its wing a certain way and suddenly, Jimin’s car ran over a thumbtack and his phone was dead so while he tried to fix the damage , Taehyung  just had to knock on our home and I had been the one to open it. 

Boom. That was it. Love at first sight. 

 I had been a high school kid and he had been barely nineteen. Fresh faced and cheerful , the struggling idol from a small company. He hadn't been surrounded by fans or chased by saesangs. He hadn't had security tailing him. No daesangs, BBMAs, or acting awards. No blockbuster movies to his credit , no chart-bursting songs either . 

And I had fallen in love with that version of him. 

The hardworking, talented young man who worked twice as hard as anyone around him. 

 That's right. You've loved him for fifteen years.  So it's understandable that you're upset. Now, maybe you can move on too. Go on a few of those blind dates that Jiyoung is always setting you up on. Go live your life instead of being a zombie. Get a hair cut. Dye your hair red. Do something to get your life in order. 

"I still find it hard to believe that he would want a divorce. Jangmi yah... did you tell him you forgave him? Tell him you wanted to try again..." My mother said again and the distress in her voice was equal parts heartbreaking and exasperating. 

"Mother, I don't want to try again . We aren't married anymore. It's over, whatever it was between us. " 

 Whatever it was. 

How cruel, to have all that love, all that affection  reduced to a phrase like that. 

What a pity. 

"But what about Hoshi? He needs his father..." My mother cried out and I willed myself not to snap. She means well, I thought miserably. 

"He has a father. Taehyung is an excellent father and you know that. Don’t start that again.” 

My mother sighed.

"I still feel that this wouldn’t happen if you tried a little bit. He’s a good boy. Such a good boy and you could never do anyone better. Why are you so full of pride, Jangmi... so prideful...you should be a little humble. Think of the kind of man he is...where would you find a man like that ? And moreover .... Taehyung loves you. i know he does." My mother said stubbornly. 

I sighed, feeling my fingers shake from the effort not to scream. I wasn’t strong enough to have this conversation with her. Not now. Possibly never. Taehyung did  love me. Had never made any effort to hide it. But sometimes, love wasn’t enough. It just wasn’t. 

And I wanted to yell at my mother she was at least partially to blame for me walking out on Taehyung. 

My father had left us for another woman , when I was twelve. I had seen the toll it had taken on my mother and I just knew that I would never let a man do that to me. My mother had later confided in me that it wasn’t the first time. He had done it before. A lot of times. And my mother had always forgiven him. Let him back into our lives. 

And one night, drunk on soju she had confided between hiccups, ‘ I wish I’d walked out the first time.” 

And that had stuck with me. 

Walk out the first time. 

If he cheats on you , walk out the first time. Don’t stick around waiting for him to do it to you again. Walk out the first time. 

 And so I had. 

“ Should I talk to him? Tell him you’ve changed your mind? “ My mother began and I felt my patience snap.

“No!! Could you just, for the love of God, stay out of this, ma? It’s over. Our marriage is over and it has been over for a long time. A piece of paper doesn’t really change that, does it? Its not my fault you can’t get over it but that’s a you problem. And you need to fix it yourself.  “ I shouted. 

My mother immediately recoiled, eyes shuttering down. 

“Of course. You know the best. Who cares how anyone else feels, right, Jang Mi? You always know best.” She said softly, and I exhaled, shaken. There it was. The guilt trip. It was never ending. 

Please... I just need to go now.” I moved to grab my bag, :” I need to go get ready for the meeting with the lawyers tomorrow. You can keep Hoshi with you tonight.  I’ll come pick him up after I’m done and then I’ll drop him off at his father’s place.” 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

With Taehyung and I, our break up hadn’t been terrible. 

It hadn’t been terrible because our own penchant for being terrible had always been very minimal. We didn’t do swearing or fights or threats and it always annoyed our friends that we got along so well. That it was so easy for us to forgive and move on with each other . That we were the one couple who didn’t hold grudges or bring up past mistakes. 

Which is why, when we did break up, none of our friends had tried to change our minds over it. They had accepted it rather calmly, shocked at first because it was so out of the blue but not opposed to the idea itself . They just trusted us to know the right thing to do because we were easily the most mature , the most level headed couple in the entire group. We were usually the sounding boards , the voice of reason in whatever petty conflict our friends were involved in . 

So when it was us, needling a little advice, a little guidance, our friends had been woefully ill equipped to help. They had merely hummed and nodded and empathized. Maybe that was another reason I’d left. I hadn’t considered the alternative. No one had asked me to consider the alternative. 

Our friends had watched us drift apart watched us break up, but they hadn’t really asked us  why.  

Because if something had caused Kim Taehyung and Jang Mi to break up, man, that must’ve been a really huge issue. 

So the break up had been amicable. Gradual and slow but mostly amicable, eased by our mutual love for our son. We wanted him happy and he was happy when we were happy. So we put on a front, laughed and joked in front of him and let him have some semblance of normalcy in his life. 

It wasn’t easy. 

From him,  it had been nothing but a mess of   heated glances, touches laced with intent and eyes begging forgiveness . every gaze of his was a silent scream for a second chance that I was not at all ready to give. 

Because for me, the raw hurt and anger and frustration that bubbled up every time I saw him , it had nowhere to go. It stayed churning in my gut, made everything bitter and unpalatable and I wanted to hurt him for hurting me. How could I think of a second chance when the hurt from the first, was still so fresh, an open wound festering. 

Self esteem in tatters, I had hated him fiercely. 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The meeting was at his company, and I arrived at nine in the morning, with a few more minutes to spare.  I knew the place like the back of my hand, was here at least  once a week either to pick or drop Hoshi off and I knew that the conference room in the third floor was sound proof and cut off from the rest of the building for extra privacy. 

Which was a little too late because I’d found two tabloid newspapers waiting outside my apartment this morning. 

I opened the door carefully, surprised to see Taehyung sitting in one of the chairs, bent over a sheaf of paper on the table and next to him a leggy girl in a small skirt hovered, fingers resting lightly on his shoulder, bent at the optimum angle to show him her curves. 

I sighed, looking away.

It was way too early for this. 

“Mia!” Taehyung’s voice made me look up, and I watched as he stood up, pushing the chair away and moving to me . He was easily the most good looking man in the country. And he looked so good at thirty five that it was impossible to look away from him. 

He was dressed in a pale blue shirt and black slacks and it never amazed me, how good clothes fit him. 

I took in the broad shoulders, thick arms and the lean waist, the carefully styled hair and the breathtakingly beautiful face and sighed when he kept coming closer, hands held out. . 

Of course, the customary hug. 

i let him wrap his arms around me, my face buried in the comforting warmth of his body, the scent of his cologne filling my brain . He always smelled so good it made my heart hurt. I tried not to let myself get carried away. Tried to remind myself that this wasn’t anything more than a.....

A facade ? Or was it? Was his affection genuine? 

Was I just too cynical?

I shook my head, pulling away and smiling a little at the genuine venom in the leggy girl’s face. 

“Are you okay? Where’s Hoshi?” Taehyung brushed the hair off my face, eyes warm and I wondered if he’d forgotten we were here to get a divorce.

 Whenever we met, Taehyung acted like we were still together. 

No, that wasn’t it. 

He just didn’t act like we had broken up. He was affectionate and open and cooperative. It always left me in a sort of limbo, unable to navigate our relationship with clear boundaries. There were no line to stop myself from crossing, because he just didn’t draw them. 

“ Ms. Lee says we just have to go over the details like the alimony and the custody and the division of assets and then we can just proceed. Get it all finalized.  “ He said casually, when I moved away and sat on the chair opposite him. 

“Okay .” I said casually. 

He smiled and turned back to the girl next to him.

“I’ll join you after the meeting Lisa.” he gave her a nice wide smile and the girl practically bloomed under the attention before bowing curtly in my direction. I watched her walk away, slightly amused.

“Bit younger than your usual type.” I commented , glancing at him. He gave me a look.

“I’m not dating her.” He shrugged. 

“Does she know that?” I retorted.

 It was dumb. Uncalled for. I was being a bitch, really but the urge to evoke some kind of reaction from Taehyung was something I’d never really out grown. I liked getting under his skin.

Taehyung sighed and gave me a little smirk.

“Are you jealous, Mia mine?” He teased. 

It felt a little like someone had dug a nine inch dagger straight  into my heart. 

That stupid nickname. 

God I couldn’t bear it. 

Swallowing i looked away. 

“Sorry. “ he said quietly, a few seconds later. 

I nodded curtly. 

“Don’t do it again.” I said hoarsely. 

“Why not?” He whispered gently. 

I groaned. 

“Taehyung... “

“it’s just a name...why does it bother you so much?” He whispered. 

“The same reason you’re asking me for a divorce.” I said softly.

He blinked.

“Mia...”

“Because we both know its time to stop.” I said quietly. “ Stop dancing around each other , stop doing...whatever it is we’ve been doing these past two years and give our relationship a name. “ 

“I’m not very fond of labels.” He shrugged. I glared at him. 

“Well tough luck. Labels are good. Labels are great. They let you draw boundaries. “ I retorted. 

“You sound like you’ve had enough of me.”

“Well, haven’t you had enough of me?” I snapped.

“Not even close.” He leaned forward gently, eyes pinning me to the table with a gaze so strong he may as well have used his body. And it didn’t help that two years wasn’t enough time to forget how it would feel if he  had  used his body. How it would feel to be stretched out on that table, him on top of me, hands working my clothes open, lips kissing their way down my jaw. 

I could almost taste him, taste the minty freshness of his breath, feel his tongue in my mouth, the hardness of him inside me. My thighs clenched because I hadn’t gotten laid in two fucking years and even if i did, no one would ever compare to the man in front of me. 

“Mr. Kim? Mrs. Kim? “ 

The lawyer’s voice broke the spell and i straightened, swallowing. Ms. Lee had walked in , and I watched her close the conference door behind her before locking it gently. 

She was young, dressed in a business suit , a no nonsense bun and had small round framed glasses. She gave me a nice smile, shook hands with us both and placed her briefcase on the table before glancing between us. 

“Shall we begin?” 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Author’s Note : its gonna be a bumpy ride. 

[oumaheroes]

Old Age

Word Count: 1772

Characters: Canada, England, and France

---

There were some days where Canada truly felt his age.

Most of the time how old he was didn’t really hit him. He happily pottered around work or home as easily as he imagined most humans his physical age did: running for a train he was almost certainly going to miss, tripping down the last few steps on a flight of stairs because he was staring at his phone and wasn’t watching his feet, or spilling coffee on himself when he missed his mouth taking a sip.

His colleagues, despite knowing who he was, spoke to him as an equal and Canada could happily pass weeks, or sometimes even months, without consciously being aware of how old he was- or even really what he was.

It was easy to forget, surrounded by humans every day, that he was not one. His ministers and co-workers spoke to him without questioning his position that high in government- that was admittedly unusual for a face as young as his. Occasionally, he’d bump into a young intern or graduate who didn’t know him and he’d have a nice, genuine interaction before a look of shock crossed their face when someone high up greeted him respectfully. It was a helpful, yet stark, reminder.

But overall, when you were surrounded by people who did know it never really hit him that his presence or job was something he took for granted and the passing of time was something he didn’t really take notice of. It was normal. He was there, he was called Matthew, sometimes, or Canada, but both were his name and the potency of what he was, was surprisingly quite forgettable.

Of course, what he was was never something he could completely avoid. Someone would mention a time, or a date, or a thing that had happened and Canada would immediately feel the distance widen between them all as it was made obvious that, to everyone else, what they were discussing was history. It was something passed, something that had happened to other people too long ago to properly connect with on an emotional level. An old battle, an old political bill; something that someone long long dead had said or written that now remained only as faint ink on curling, dusty paper.

But to Canada it was there in his head, the words clear and as easy to recall as if they were spoken to him yesterday. A benefit of nationhood, he supposed, to be fully aware of things that had political consequence, to be able to trace the makings of himself back through time and see how they spiralled and grew.

History wasn’t just words, to him, or mere events. Such things made up the foundations of himself, the building blocks of his life and he felt them thrum through him like a song, twisting and moulding him into being.

Becoming aware of his age and the difference between himself and humans were when Canada really felt the weight of the years he carried. Over three hundred of them made themselves known, hanging off his shoulders and settling down to his legs to hold him up. It was easy to briefly forget how old he was, but that knowledge was impossible to rid himself of entirely- Canada was made up of history, of the bones of time and they cracked together as he moved through his life to remind him of who he was with every step.

He had burned, he had bled, he had died. He had seen.

That was the point of him. To watch to passage of time and remember it, to hold the memory of his people within him and use their voices and experiences to push for the continuation of the future. Their future.

Canada was his people, was made by his people for his people and as he sat amongst them, discussing old old moments long gone with humans who could only read and dream of them, the distinction of what he was would hit him like a thunderbolt.

It was heavy, to be so old. To have seen so many things, to have lived through so much. To be what he was.

He had just had one of those instances. He and his cabinet had spent the entire morning discussing the founding of their nation and its independence in order to plan for the yearly celebrations and Canada had suffered through the whole time feeling every second of his age press against him.

When talks finally drew to a close and he could escape, Canada dragged his ancient body towards the centre of town. England and France were visiting, along with the rest of the UN, and he’d promised to meet them both for lunch before they too were pulled into an afternoon of far more internationally inclined meetings.

If he were honest with himself, what Canada really wanted to do was go home and watch TV; switch his brain off so that he could numb himself with bad reality shows. It was a good pastime that he enjoyed with guilty abandon and one that he would much rather have preferred doing. However, he’d made a promise and Canada was nothing if not a nation of his word.

Sadly.

England and France were already there when he arrived, tucked away in a corner table. France glanced up as the door jingled with his entrance, waving him over with a smile. Canada nodded at the waiter who motioned him through and settled himself down in a chair at their table between them.

‘Good afternoon,’ France greeted him with his usual cheek kisses, hair tickling Canada’s nose as he leant in close, ‘you arrived just on time, I was about to throw Arthur out of the window.’

‘You wish,’ England looked up from his phone and shot him a quick, but warm smile, ‘Hello Matthew.’

Canada’s heart sank. He really wasn’t in the mood to play mediator today, ‘Dare I ask why?’ he said, turning to France.

France gave an effortless shrug and settled back in his seat, ‘Do I really need a reason?’

‘Yes.’

Both England and Canada spoke at once and France gave a sly grin, ‘I won’t darling, you don’t deserve the trouble,’ he patted Canada’s knee soothingly and politely ignored England’s muttered “as if you could” from across the table, ‘but the idiot seems to think he’s correct about something which he very much is not.’

‘Oh, of course,’ England retorted immediately, ‘you can’t remember properly but I’m the one who’s wrong.’

‘Yes.’

‘No.’

‘What is it?’ Canada interjected quickly. The waiter who had greeted him at the door was shooting their table looks of alarm out of the corner of his eye and Canada smiled at him apologetically, ‘Maybe I could help.’

To his surprise, England and France shared a look, something unspoken passing between them, ‘You weren’t about yet,’ offered France, sounding apologetic.

‘When was it?’

‘Oh, not too long ago,’ England waved a hand airily, ‘only six hundred years or so.’

Canada blinked, ‘Six hundred?’

‘Or there abouts,’ England frowned again, ‘I’m not sure when exactly, but I know France is wrong.’

France scoffed, ‘You can’t remember when it is, but you know I’m wrong?’

‘Obviously. I know it was about fifty years after Agincourt, I’m not sure of exactly when but-‘

‘Well, there you go! You’ve muddled it up with something else.’

‘I haven’t! You held that ball, the one with the fucking shit tonne of flowers everywhere, and were displaying those golden goblet things you were so damn proud of and I gave you that stupid painting-‘

‘No!’ France interjected angrily, ‘You took that painting and then were made to give it back.’

‘I didn’t! It was my bloody painting- Jesus fucking Christ,’ England held his head in his hands, ‘that’s not the point, I’m using that as a reference-‘

‘Yes well, pick a reference that has a grain of reality in it, would you?’

England opened his mouth to argue back again but Canada didn’t hear him, by now long tuned out of the conversation.

Only. Only six hundred years ago. Canada couldn’t even imagine that amount of time, couldn’t imagine having lived so long that six hundred years was considered to be a mere drop in the ocean.

But to these two, it was. England and France had both been alive for millennia, had known each other for that long and had been alive without each other for even longer before that.

Sitting next to them, his own existence suddenly felt like nothing, felt insignificant in the history of mankind. What had Canada seen, that these two had not? He couldn’t even begin to imagine. Three hundred years felt more than enough.

It hit him, then, how long most of their kind had lived. He’d realised this before, of course, but still the comprehension about the difference in age between him and most of the world left him dumbstruck anew. Fuck, what about China; Lord only knew how old he really was. There wasn’t a point in history that it didn’t seem as though China hadn’t been around to experience, even from across the world. Whole empires and civilisations had risen and fallen and most of the nations Canada knew had personally been involved in them somehow. It was astounding to consider all the people who had lived throughout the centuries that, to Canada, felt like nothing more than characters in a story.

What on earth was three hundred years to age like that? To history that felt so ancient to him, so disconnected that it didn’t really even feel real, but that was as normal to most nations as his own history was.

How many years would Canada have to live until three hundred was something he would describe as ‘only’?

‘Are you alright, lad?’ Canada was jolted out of his spiral to find England looking at him with concern, a hand on his arm.

‘Yeah, sorry,’ he shook his head, ‘it’s just- you’re both so old.’

England coloured and France laughed, ‘We’re not old,’ England jabbed a thumb in France’s direction, ‘Well, he is.’

‘It is more about how you feel and act, dear, that’s more important and in that regard, you are far older than I.’ France yelped suddenly as England kicked him under the table, ‘Does the truth sting, Arthur? Is that why you felt the need to vent your frustrations on me?’

‘As if I need more of a reason-‘

They began again, in earnest, but Canada let them continue uninterrupted, silently and guiltily enjoying the feeling of being a child once more.

---

AN:

I must admit that not much thought or plot went into this. I wanted to write something short and somewhat silly as a treat for spending most of yesterday editing. Ideally, one day I want to take this concept and explore it more with greater care and detail because I think it’s something a newer nation like Canada would really struggle with.

300 years is a long time, and I’m sure it must be hard for him to feel that age and then go and speak to anyone from the Old World and be met with the reality of how truly old their kind can be. Canada is a baby, despite the centuries he has collected for himself, and I feel like there would always be that conflict within him about how old he feels around humans comapred to how old he is next to other nations. Maybe this idea is best explored as a headcannon rather than a fic, but I had a fun time writing it.

Anyway, that is my tuppence worth- thank you for reading!

[wind-goddess-eri]

Closed, Open, Nightmares and Fantasies. (Bi-Han x Reader)

So With this little .....not so little fanfic thing....I took one of my very old fics and made it anew. There is a lot going on so let me put the warning up.

WARNING: TW blood, TW self harm, TW abuse mentions, Smut, Domination, Bi-Han is Sub-Zero and it is Movie!Bi-Han. Lots of love and sadness all in one.

@crazytxgradstudent

and all the other people who love this man.

Slowly walking into the training arms hiding behind your back and looking up only with your eyes, head facing down. You look over at the Grandmaster who was at the moment surrounded by members of the Lin Kuei. Bi-Han seemed to be enjoying himself at the moment. Teaching the members how to be the best and silent that they can be. It took almost ten minutes until you spoke. "Bi-Han, my love." you said, your words shaking with tears falling down your face. Bi-Han looked down at me with wondrous expression on his face, "How did you get down here snowflake?"

Gripping your wrist from behind your back, now regretting you ever came out of your room. Feeling like everything you've ever done was wrong. You started to back away. "It's nothing. I'm sorry to bother you, Grandmaster. Please continue." Your words shaky as you turned very quickly and exited the room. You went back down the hall and made it to your room again. You grabbed the knife that was left on my bed, blood still fresh dripping from it. You took it to my wrist again. You made a few more cuts. You sat and watched the blood for awhile.

*Knock Knock*

You throw the knife under your bed and sat on top of the bed, arms behind my back again. "Come in." you yelped. The door opens and Bi-Han peaked his head in. "Are you okay Y/N?" "I'm fine." you lied with a smile on your face. "You left so sudden" He stopped when he looked down at the floor and saw the trail of blood. "Y/N...." He paused. Your heart was beating so fast. You've been caught cutting. The feeling of shame washed over you. You couldn't even look at him.

He stepped into the room more and you flinched. He clearly knows that something is terribly wrong. "Please, don't." you protested him as he tried to get closer to you. The Cryromancer is really concerned now. His girl was hurting. He figures that everyone is in their own way but to see blood, this was serious. He walked over to the chair by the vanity and sat down.

"Tell me what's troubling you." Bi-Han said in a calm tone. "I'm....I'm not lovable. And I can't be loved. I also can’t love. I'm not pretty like the other. No where near as talented. I'm not worthy to even be here. I'm nothing but everyone’s plaything." you pause. you started to cry.

"Where is all this coming from? Clearly I've never saw you as a plaything, What's been happening with you?" Bi-Han voice grew with great concern. You sniffed and cried into your words. "Because, I've been with horrible people! I can't trust anybody. People...who did...horrible things."

The Grandmaster looked shocked. He stood up quickly and knelt down in front of you to be on your level. His hands rested on my knees. "What things?" He asked very seriously. You've said too much. Gods what have you done. Still not looking at him for the shame was overwhelming. " I-I shouldn't have said..." Bi-Han cut me off with the same question, "What Things?" "They touched me okay....." you whispered hoping he wouldn't really hear it. "Oh Y/N." Bi-Han said softly and embraced you into his arms.

You tried so hard to keep your arms behind your back but you also really wanted to hug him back. The embrace was cold yet calming. When the hug ended and Bi-Han looked at you. His expression was so sad. Seeing his face like that you couldn't. You wasn't only hurting yourself...you was hurting him. As you thought thing couldn't get any worse."I can't...I just can't do this anymore." You cried hard, showing you arms from behind your back to reveal that both of my forearms were drenched in blood. you hid my face in your blood covered hands. "I just want to die."

Bi-Han rushed to you, holding you close. "No! You don't want that. I've known you for a while now. You may be a shy person but you aren't this. You are not worthless. You can be loved. I will prove it to you. I could make everything alright if you'd let me. I love you." "But...I-I'll just be your plaything then...." you cried out.

The Cryromancer stood up and shook his head. You looked up at him, wiping the tears away. He then looked down at you and smiled. 'Oh Gods, how did he know' I blushed slightly. "There's that little smile." He purred. "I will prove to you that you are more of a woman than a mear plaything." He leaned down and kissed you softly.

"Bi---" you say breathlessly.

"Shhh. Lay down my snowflake." He smiled as he helped you lay down on your now blood stained bed. He was now on top of you. You wanted him so bad. Every fiber of your being need him. He was the missing piece to your puzzle of a self. You frantically went to unbutton any of his clothing. Seeing how frantic you were, Bi-Han stops you.

"You're shaking" He smiles down at you. "Bi-Han, please. I-I want you." you told him in a slight seductive voice, trying very hard to stop your hands from shaking. Bi-Han chuckled. He took off his armor and under clothes, lifting his shirt up a bit before stopping. "You're such a beautiful girl, Y/N"

Your heart skipped a beat. No one has ever said that about you. You mouthed Bi-Han's name.  He looked at you and smiled a devilish smile.  He reached his hand out and cupped you face, slowly dragging his thumb over your lips. You couldn't help yourself and you opened your mouth. His thumb now in your mouth you lightly sucked on it. Bi-Han let out a small gasp as he wasn't expecting that.

"Would you like something bigger to suck on?" Bi-Han asked you with a grin on his face. You nodded.  He slowly pulled his thumb out of you mouth and started to unbuckle his pants. You watched him while reaching out to touch his chest, leaving a bloody hand mark on him. Once his pants were undone he shifted them down a bit, releasing his erect member.  "Relieve me." He sat up on his knees to give you room to move. You sat up for a moment then moved yourself to a more comfortable position. You took his cock into you mouth. You yearned for this.

Bi-Han gasped and closed his eyes. He growled a bit. You loved hearing him. His voice sends shivers all over you body. You moaned as you sucked him off. His hand slowly running through your hair, gripping it and pulling slightly.  "That's a good girl. Take it all in." Bi-HAn purrs as he pulled your head forward to take his whole length into you mouth. You choked and coughed. Bi-Han let me go. You took his member out of my mouth for air. "Lay down my love." His voice was low and sensual.

You laid down on your back. He unbuttoned and unzipped your pants and slid them off of you. Bi-Han smiled softly. "Blue lace." He pointed out you underwear.  He pulled them slowly off. He spread your legs open and positioned himself. You stared at him, watching his facial expressions. He looked into your eyes as he slowly entered your. His beautiful icy blue eyes. He started to move slowly, thrusting. You moaned and gripped his forearms. He leaned down and kissed you passionately. Both of your tongues danced in each others mouths.

You both broke the kiss and Bi-Han sat up on his knees, taking hold of you thighs and started to thrust a bit harder.  His body slapping against your. It felt so good to have your Grandmaster taking care of you like this. You closed your eyes and touched your own body, massaging your breast. Bi-Han watched you as he trusted faster. He had let go of your thighs and reached over to take your shirt off.  Once the shirt was off, he slowed his pace. He took your right breast into his hand, massaging it while his mouth attached on to your left breast. You moaned and ran your hands through his hair.

"Bi-Han" I moaned.

Bi-Han stopped everything he was doing. You looked at him with the expression of 'why would you stop?????'  "Sweetheart, let’s have some fun." He said with a smirk. He got up from the bed and took off the rest of his clothes. You couldn't help but stare at his beauty.  He was very toned and had some scars on his body. He smiled and looked over at me. "Crawl to me."

You nodded and got off the bed, got on all fours and crawled over to him. You stopped when you reached his feet. You tried to look up at him then you felt a hand forcing my head to look down. "Not yet." Bi-Han told you. You felt something being put around your neck. Did he just put a collar on you?  The Cryromancer yanked the chain that was connected to the collar.  "Ah, perfect fit. Now... Come here." he said yanking the chain harder, forcing you to stand.

Bi-Han had a smile on his face, teeth showing and everything. "I've read your journal. I've read all your thoughts about me. Would you like me to fulfill your dreams?" He confessed and asked you. Your heart almost stopped. The GRANDMASTER of the LIN KUEI read your journal. He now knows everything. All your dark desires to be absolutely dominated by him.  He yanked the chain harder, your body pressed against his now. His hands lightly touching your back.

"Yes" You answered him softly. Was he really going through with this? Just so you don't feel bad anymore? "Bi-Han, why are you doing this?" You had to ask him. "You feel unwanted. I'll make you feel wanted and more. I can't let my love feel abandoned or unwanted. Now be a good snowflake and do as I say from this point on." Bi-Han's voice lowered as he leaned over to say all of it in your ear.

You looked up at him and nodded. He leaned down and kissed you softly. You knew what was going to happen. You knew what he was planning behind that wicked smile. You were ready.  He started to walk away, letting the chain in his hand dangle a little. He walked over to the bed and climbed onto it, sitting on his knees. He looked over at you and yanked the chain roughly enough that you lost balance and fell to the floor. "Crawl to me" Was his words.

You started to crawl towards the bed. Bi-Han yanked the chain once more, pulling you up by the collar and onto the bed.  "Such a good girl. Open your mouth." He demanded while grabbing a hold of your hair tightly and pulled. You opened your mouth as he wanted. He spit into your mouth then pulled your head down to put your mouth around his hard cock.

You sucked , licked and stroked him. He still had a hold of your hair, controlling what your head was doing.  "Take it all!" Bi-Han pushed your head down to take in all of his length. You started to gag and cough. He released you to let you breath. He pushed you to the side of the bed and turned you around. "You like that don't you?" He chuckled as he gave you ass a smack. You yelp and moaned.

"Yeah, you like that I'm in control." He gave you another smack. He then got on top of you and whispered into your ear, "I'm not going to go easy on you." You looked at him slightly concerned at what he whispered. He was smiling, his eyes burning into yours. He positioned himself and roughly entered your wet pussy. you screamed and gripped the sheets.  You heard his grunts and groans in your ear making you more wet as his thrusts were hard and fast.  

"You like that when I fuck you." He whispered to me.

"Yes! I love it when you fuck me!" You yelled, moaning loudly as well.

"You're mine. You will always be mine." Bi-Han said licking my ear.

"I-I'm yours...Fuck that tight little hole Grandmaster!" I yelled once more.

Bi-Han got up on his knees, still inside of you and pulled you up a little. He set you up on all fours, one hand on your hip and the other gripping the chain. He started thrusting roughly. you moaned in absolute pleasure and closed you eyes. Bi-Han pulled on the chain so you could be on your knees against his body. "I'm going to make you cum." He said while taking off my collar and replacing it with his hand, slightly tightening his grip on your neck. "I'm going to make you scream." He continued as he thrusted in and out of you faster.

Your blood stained hands reached behind you to touch his body. Bi-Han looked down at my hands and got an idea but first he was on a mission. Reaching down with his free hand, he started to massage your clit. You felt yourself getting to your climax. You felt everything inside of your body tense up.  Bi-Han was kissing and licking the side of your face. "Oh! I-I'm going to cum! Bi-Han! Grandmaster! Oh BI-HAN! Fuck!" You yelled as you started to cum.

"Scream for me!" He remove his hand that was on your neck, held you tight and bit my neck hard enough to draw blood.  You screamed as he thrusted hard a few more time, causing you to cum completely. Once he let you go, you fell on to the bed, exhausted. Bi-Han looking down at you while wiping your blood from his lips. He laid next to you and pulled you close, stroking your hair. Your body was shaking. Not just because you just had mind blowing sex but because you were cold. Bi-Han grabbed the blanket and pulled it over both of you. He kissed the top of your head. You wrapped your arms around him and started to drift. "I love you" You whispered so quietly that you didn't even think Bi-Han heard. "I love you too, Y/N." He whispered quietly as he watched you rest.

[glimmerglanger]

Hi, are you planning to write some Cody and Rex reunion prompt in Make you Bed? After everything I mean (I hope that it makes sense sorry if not). Because you wrote about their brother relationship amazingly ^^ Btw you proved once again that you are really good writer. Wonderful, angsty and soft fic. Can't wait for more things from you ~

wavelengthdream said:

If you're still taking snippet prompts for 'Make Your Bed Lie in It', could I suggest Cody and Obi-Wan reuniting with Rex and Ahsoka?

OOOOOOOOOOO. I do love writing about Cody and Rex. So! This is set... a few months after the end of MYB. :D General warnings for fall-out from Order 66, but other than that....nothing really to worry about.

~~~~~

Cody flinched, preemptively, when Crys announced that they’d received a comm from Hondo. They’d been forced to work with the pirate more often than he liked, since the fall of the Republic. They’d needed ships, after all, to handle all the troopers still in training on Kamino; there was no way they could fit all the shinies onto the Vigilance.

And staying in one place had felt like the wrong decision in every way.

They couldn’t just remain on Kamino, after destroying the facilities there, including the tremendous system that regulated the chips. They would have made an easy target for any Imperial forces.

The massacre at the Jedi Temple had already proven how dangerous it was to stay in a location where your enemies could find you.

So, they’d taken to the stars. Their fleet was growing regularly, now, as other troopers took care of their nat-born officers and came to find them. But in the early days, they’d needed whatever ships they could get.

Ohnaka had provided them, claiming that the Empire was bad for business.

“Kenobi!” the pirate shouted, when they accepted his comm. He was grinning, and Cody ground his back teeth together, wondering what ridiculous request Ohnaka had for them, this time. He turned aside, planning to ignore the conversation, as Hondo went on, “I’ve found something of yours.”

“Oh?” Obi-Wan asked, mouth quirking up. Cody got the feeling, privately, that Obi-Wan quite liked Hondo in his own way, though Cody would never understand why. “What’s that?”

“Who’s that is the better question,” Hondo said, “Let me in your docking bay, I’ll show you.”

Hondo cut off the comm, then, without saying anything else. Cody reached up to pinch the bridge of his nose, glancing over to find Obi-Wan staring forward, suddenly, expression open and shocked. “Obi-Wan?”

Obi-Wan blinked over at him, wide-eyed, and then whispered, “Oh,” before turning and striding hurriedly from the room.

#

Cody followed Obi-Wan to the docking bay, swallowing frustration when Hondo strolled off his shuttle with a swagger in every movement. Sharp words formed on Cody’s tongue only to wither away, because there were other people following Hondo off the ship, and--

Obi-Wan made a pained sound, stepping forward as Tano hesitantly descended the ramp before spotting him and lurching forward. She hit him at a run, arms going around his shoulders, and for a moment Cody could only stare at them, thinking about desertion and abandonment and--

And the fact that Tano had, somehow, escaped death, too, and found her way back to Obi-Wan.

Movement drew Cody’s attention away from the pair of them. He sucked in a startled breath to find Rex standing, awkward, by the shuttle. He had a shirt and cloak over his armor, trying to disguise the shape of it and not doing the best job. He looked tense, guarded, gaze jumping away when Cody looked over at him.

Rex made a low sound, ragged, when Cody crossed to him and pulled him into an embrace. For a moment, he stood stiff and unyielding, and then he collapsed, all the tension going out of him at once. He buried his face down against Cody’s shoulder and gasped out, “I can’t believe we found you.”

#

Hondo, of course, insisted on getting payment for leading Ahsoka and Rex to them. Cody felt in less a mood to deal with the man than usual, and ordered Mav to see it taken care of, before leading Rex off.

Rex looked like he needed somewhere to sit down. There were dark circles under his eyes and new lines around his mouth. He nodded his thanks when Cody brought him back to their quarters and made him a cup of caff.

Rex held the cup for a moment, staring down at it when he said, finally, “Knew it had to be you and General Kenobi who hit Kamino.” He shook his head, snorting just a little. “Only you two would come up with a plan like that.”

Cody shrugged, moving a few pads off of the little table in front of the couch so he could sit on it, facing Rex. He said, softly, “It worked.”

Rex gave a sharp little laugh. “Of course,” he said, and then hurriedly set down his caff and put both hands over his face.

“Sh,” Cody said, reaching out to rub a hand over Rex’s arm, finding him tensed. “Hey, it’s alright. You’re--”

“Everyone else died,” Rex blurted, voice in tatters, and Cody stopped trying to talk, just...rested both hands on Rex’s arms. Rex looked up at him, eyes shining. “On our ship. Everyone else died, during the - the fight and the crash.”

Cody winced. He hadn’t gotten around to asking what had happened to the rest of the men sent with Rex and Commander Tano. He’d suspected, but--

“I killed some of them,” Rex whispered, looking to the side abruptly.

Cody’s fingers tightened, momentarily. He made himself relax his grip, exhaling. He said, softly, thinking about ordering the Vigilance to fire on the other cruise, thinking about Kamino, thinking about other fights, “Rex, you had--”

“I killed some of my brothers,” Rex cut in, again, and Cody wondered how long he’d been carrying the words around inside of him, struggling not to let them out. It had been months since the fall of the Republic. “I--”

“I know,” Cody said, shifting to pull Rex closer, listening to his breathing get rougher, uneven. 

“I didn’t want to,” Rex told him, the admission torn out of him. “But I--they were going to kill her. Ahsoka. And she’d - woken me up. She saved me, I--”

“You saved her, too,” Cody said, hating Palpatine anew, for all the myriad ways he’d caused agony throughout the galaxy. He tightened his hold on Rex, hoping that Obi-Wan was having a more pleasant reunion with Ahsoka and doubting it, and listened to all the admissions Rex needed to spill into the air.

[tales-unique]

FAULTS OF THE HEART IV

Chapter 4

“It’s healing nicely,” Alucard hums, nimble fingers gently tracing the puckered scar on your shoulder, looking for any problematic signs. “I still get some stiffness in it,” you acknowledge with a small laugh, “but at least I can use my arm again!” It's been a long, tiring road to recovery, but you have finally completed it. Your arm is no longer useless, wrapped up in bandages. Now it’s almost as good as before. You can even use a bow, which means that you are now ready to leave the castle, and Alucard, behind.

A frown darkens your expression at the thought; you’ve become quite fond of him in the time you’ve been there and he seems to have warmed to you too. “Is something wrong?” Alucard’s voice is gentle, his brow furrowed. He’s pulled back his hand, probably assuming that he’s the source of your souring mood. “Oh,” you force a smile, waving your hand dismissively, “no, not really. It’s fine.” Alucard sees through the flimsy lie easily and embarrassment colours your cheeks a dusty pink when he fixes you with a deadpan stare. You tug your sleeve back into place, looking away from him. You press back against the counter top you’re leaning against, distracting yourself by staring at a cracked tile on the wall. Soft afternoon light filters through the kitchen window, painting him in beautiful golden light; it does nothing to help you in that moment. “You know that doesn’t work on me,” he chides, circling around to face you. He’s grown bolder around you as of late, challenging you more often, and though it forces you to confront your emotions you rather like this side of him. He’s healing just as much as you are and you feel content knowing that you’re a part of that process. Rolling your eyes at his remark you cross your arms sulkily over your chest, eyes turning to stare at the floor in one last ditch attempt to make him drop it. It could really use a scrub, you think. It only delays the inevitable as he stands unmoved, shifting in his stance to lean against the counter too. He’s in it for the long haul, so you have no choice but to give in. “What’s wrong?” He asks again when you look at him miserably. “Now that my shoulder is better, there’s no real reason for me to be here anymore,” you murmur wistfully. You knew it would come to this eventually, yet you never seemed to make peace with it. You thought you had, but it turned out to be nothing more than a silly facade to try and hide the fact you didn’t want to leave. Alucard is silent, but the look of shock on his face speaks volumes. He hadn’t even considered the idea that you would leave. Like you, he had fallen into the routine of navigating around you and your ways, as if you had always been there at the castle. It’s just so easy and even when he had tried to fight it he found himself becoming even more compelled by you. “I suppose so,” he answers finally, crestfallen. A lump forms in your throat when you look at him, seeing how dejected he appears. “I’m sorry.” It’s pitiful, but you don’t know what else to say. To impose yourself further on him and his hospitality after he had already saved your life just seemed selfish and yet it felt as equally unkind to simply abandon him. He chuckles, a sad, sardonic sound beneath its silken lilt. “There’s no need to be,” he states, oddly cold despite the softness of his voice, “after all, there’s no reason for you to stay anymore is there?” It hurts. You don’t want it to and you know that you have no right to be but it penetrates deep, twisting and taking root inside. “No,” your whisper, scared your voice will break, “I guess not.” Confused, Alucard regards your drop in mood. He had anticipated that you would be happy to finally be able to continue on with your life, no longer bound to him or the castle for care of your injury. Yet here you stand, trying so hard to keep yourself from breaking. Your eyes glisten and you catch your lip between your teeth; all telltale signs. Alucard realizes with alarming clarity that he’s upset you, because you don’t want to leave. Just like he doesn’t want you to go, either. It was defensive, to lash out, and all it’s done is serve as further reasoning for you to remove yourself from his life. He’s such an idiot. “Wait,” he suddenly says and it breaks his heart, as dead as he had considered it to be, when you look at him with such a forlorn expression. You aren’t sure what to expect but you force yourself not to hope, knowing that it could and most likely would bite you. So you’re pleasantly surprised when it’s not what you anticipated at all. “Do you,” he starts, awkwardly, voice alight with

trepidation, “not want to go?” With wide eyes you regard him, startled. Hearing it out in the open so brazenly has your mind stuttering, your body stiff. Of course it was true, but that wasn’t what had you shocked. It was the fact that, for a brief moment, you saw relief flash in his eyes. But maybe you were wrong. Or maybe he was wrong. You stare at one another in silence, neither able to break the stalemate of truths exposed. In such a relatively short time you’d both grown accustomed to each other's presence and, if you were being completely honest, you were scared to leave the safety of the castle. Out there you were just one woman, no allies, no home, nothing. It’s sobering to know that your situation hadn’t changed since the first time he had asked you about leaving, what you would do and where would you go once you were healed and you’re not quite sure you’re ready to admit how pathetic it made you feel. “No,” you swallow thickly, blinking away stubborn tears, “I don’t.” You remind him of a child, afraid. You’re trying to make yourself as small as you can, no doubt hoping that the ground would open up beneath your feet and swallow you whole. It stirs something in him, the memory of a feeling brought on by your plight; the night that his mother was burned alive and his father turned his back on humanity as a whole. The same feeling he felt when Sumi and Taka betrayed him. Lost. A sorrowful, imploring look flits across Alucard's face and his fingers itch, wanting to offer you comfort. His mother would run her fingers through his hair, murmuring soft words of encouragement to help lift his spirits. “Then you don’t have to go anywhere.” Alucard offers instead, afraid of what such tenderness may invite. Your warmth still set him on edge, but slowly and surely he was coming around to the idea of being as he once was; open and inviting without the need to guard himself. If there was anyone he could see himself opening up to again it would be you. “I have been ignorant to your situation,” he sighs, looking away in shame, “I should have known how difficult it is to pick up the pieces of one's life after they’ve been shattered, especially without help. I’m— I’m sorry.” It’s a quiet admission, shrouded in misery and mystery. He had yet to reveal much about himself, but you could fathom that he had been the receiver of much sorrow in his lifetime so far from the darkness he carried with him like a ball and chain. It tugged at your heart to see him so isolated from the very world itself, threatening to tear it apart. You quickly swipe at your eyes, trying in vain to banish the tears that broke free, warm trails lining your cheeks. “Don’t be, Alucard,” you inhale deeply, trying to ground yourself. You can’t stand the sudden look of guilt on his face for making you cry. “I should have told you about how I felt,” your voice trembles and you scowl at yourself, feeling silly, “I should have been honest instead of hiding it away like an idiot.” Crossing your arms tightly over your chest you try to focus on something else, though it’s hard when all you can see blurs with your tears. You angrily wipe at them, frustrated, until your hands are gently taken away by his, the grasp warm and comforting. “I don’t think you’re an idiot,” he murmurs, looking over your face with a gentle expression. Your mouth is slightly parted with shock and your eyes, rimmed red and shimmering, are wide and locked onto him. “I think you’re so very human.” The tenderness in which the words are said, and the endearing meaning behind them, sends your heart soaring and you can’t help the smile that comes to your lips. A soft, breathless laugh passes your lips with ease, the tension leaving your shoulders. Your tears start anew and for a moment Alucard thinks he’s done something wrong, but from the way your laughter mingles with your shaky breaths he knows that isn’t the case. He, too, smiles at the warmth seeping back into you, the dark melancholy that had hung over you like a veil lifting and he lets go of your hands slowly. Neither of you comment on the way

you long for the contact to return; the simple, fragile bond inspiring a sense of yearning. “Are you alright?” He asks once you seem to have regained control of yourself, your tears having stopped and your gentle peels of laughter melting away. “I am,” you hum, looking at him with an intense fondness that he had seldom seen before. You are so bright in that moment, all because he has given you a place to belong, and it gives him hope. If only his father could have had such a chance, perhaps things may have turned out differently for him.

[sunseteyes]

FLUFFVEMBER DAY 13: YORIICHI TSUGIKUNI

prompt: i love you (prompts are by @jojosmilktea)

word count: 1,296 words | themes: gen!reader, slow burn-ish, yori’s era i have no idea when dont ask me please, manga spoilers because well yori is a spoiler himself lmao

tags: @kacchanori @chickynn @todominica @sparkleswritings @brinthie @patricia-ceballos @giyuus-wife @bitchtrynafck @astrxrism @animatedarchives @deephasoceanmagic @strawberrysalwa

rv: this kinda gives me the vibe to “roze continue this or i will smack you” because i have an angst plot hidden behind this but yes of course it’s not stated here much because i don’t want to really lengthen this more lmao. enjoy reading!

✒︎ breath of love

yoriichi never was a showy or a vocal person. you knew that since the start—before you even had gotten to talk with the sun breath user.

having an enhanced sense of sight, you could always see and read other people with their slightest bits of movements—always being able to observe what they feel, think and are about to do. that’s what you expected when you became a demon slayer, being one of the strongest with the help of your small yet strong impacted ability.

people notice your ability when you come to help them when they needed it, even if they haven't said it yet. you were always everyone's shoulder to cry on, always the person who people call as "friendly". the friendly pillar.

when you first saw yoriichi, you knew in an instant that he would be a tough one to crack. because despite being able to catch what one’s reactions were, you should also have the knowledge to determine who the person really is for not everyone is exactly the same and it speaks with their actions too.

you observed him from afar, the alleged sun breath user that taught everyone their own breaths—the very reason why the demon slayers were starting to evolve and get stronger and stronger by the day.

you? you became a love breath user.

you know of the word love and of course you feel it, but it surprised you to have it as your own breath. when yoriichi told you that you’d use love breathing, as a matter of fact, you looked him in the eye with an incredulous look and it became the first time for you to never have read what the other person’s intentions were. in short, you could not figure out yoriichi at all.

a tick of a brow, a quirk on the corner of a lip, a twitch on the eye, none of those were shown on his refined and reserved face, as if he doesn’t have emotions at all.

he’s a blank.

“why?” you say, teeth gnawing on the insides of your cheeks the moment you realized you let out the question.

he looked at you, speaking nothing. yet for some reason, you knew that he was waiting for you to finish off and complete your statement.

“why love breathing?”

yoriichi’s face was unbothered, unmoving as a stone, aside from the small gap on his lips as he moved them to speak.

“is there any reason why not?”

the lump on your throat was an indication that you couldn’t answer, the confusion in your mind starting to build bigger and bigger as seconds passes by. for a moment there, you thought you two would just stand in silence, eyeing each other like two eagles awaiting for one to break the peace.

“i’m just curious.” you let out, not knowing exactly why you asked him such an idiotic question that left you hanging on a cliff when you were asked back.

you expected him to answer, nonetheless. but alas, none came out of yoriichi’s lips and he merely looked at you in the eye. you found his stare intimidating that you shuddered on your own, averting your gaze away as you pushed the question on the back of your mind, choosing to ignore the fact that he did not answer it.

but that moment hunted you as you used the breath, curiosity choosing to make its way to your mind until you noticed something that caught your eyes.

"why are you holding back?" you questioned him, a frown appearing on your lips as you eased up the same time as he did, abandoning both of your defenses from the seemingly silent training that you got assigned with for the day. it was not unusual for you to meet yoriichi at least once or twice a week since he usually trains with the pillars to test their strengths and be able to determine if they could still handle the breath that was allotted to them. after all, each one of you are merely testing whether you could do what someone like yoriichi could. that even if you all could not be on the same level as his, all of you try to.

he was the goal—one to attain to not die in this line of work.

yoriichi was silent again, and it takes all of your energy not to let your anger seeth in at his silence. after all, he's still an honorable man and he's someone who you all should respect for teaching you his techniques, even if some were trying to talk behind his back for it. some people are ungrateful, after all.

you're not. you respect yoriichi, but you're wondering if he does the same to you too.

"you fit well with it." he suddenly says, shocking your system at the sound of his calm and full voice. he rarely speaks, only when he is needed.

"with what?"

"love breathing."

the words he said slowly processed in your mind but you eventually realized what he meant. it was the answer to your question from weeks ago, the one that made you curious the entire time.

"that's why you picked it for me?"

yoriichi looks away but it was not to avoid your eyes. it was to look at the sky that he always had seemed to adore. "i didn't."

at that time, questions raised in your mind but you didn't ask them in fear that you would be left hanging once again. instead, you let the silence and peace greet you, feeling much more comfortable than before. which is rather curious, honestly.

you found yourself liking the tranquility that floats above your head every time you were with yoriichi, and before you knew it, you craved for his presence more and more, even watching him train with the other slayers from afar. he didn't seem to notice it, but even if he did, it didn't look like he minded it.

yoriichi frequently watched the sky, and you didn't know what took over you to do it with him one morning, sitting down next to the sun breath user with ease and composure that you've never felt before. you were raised in a family of fighters, and it must be the reason why you craved for the serenity that yoriichi brings to the people that are around him.

with him, it just seems so... peaceful.

"you meant that i was the one who chose the breath of love, didn't you?" your question surprised you. you only wanted to start a conversation but before you know it, words were already spilling out of your lips.

yoriichi turns to look at you then, and a wave of cold water washes over you for an unknown reason. it was as if you were refreshed and you were born anew whenever yoriichi's gaze is focused on you. you couldn't read him again like usual, but you didn't mind it anymore. he didn't say anything, but he didn't have to. you already figured out how to know what he's thinking. you begun to understood the heart that lies beneath that stone surface of his.

you know this. you know this feeling so much.

in fact, it's so ironic.

you look at him, a smile appearing on your face.

for the very first time, you felt as if you were the one who was being taken care of. all your life, you determined how people think, feel and act. you became someone who felt responsible if they feel lonely one bit.

but now that you're with yoriichi, it was you this time.

you were falling for him. and you'd better stop yourself from showing any signs of it or you'll be the first to say i love you.

[wrctings]

Steve Rogers x Tony Stark | A cat at heart

i always used to picture the animal version of steve as a golden retriever (still solid) but cat steve... man, that hits differently 🥰 reminder that you can also find my fics on ao3: https://archiveofourown.org/users/softeninglooks/works

fandom: Marvel summary: Where Steve is very self-conscious about how horrible he looks when he takes his helmet off after a mission, and Tony takes care of him, which includes a well-deserved bath and a lot of affection. word count: 1.5k

It has never truly bothered Steve to wear a suit—everyone on the team had one, it came with the job, and although it appeared a little ridiculous in the beginning, the solid material and actually handy gear has grown on Steve so much, he knows his suit's pros and cons like the back of his hand. In most cases, he's thankful for its ability to provide him with both protection and room for fighting, which is what it was primarily designed for, after all. But if there is one thing still bothering Captain America even after all this time wearing it, it's indubitably this: the helmet.

The others don't get one, and Tony's faceplate, as well as being equipped with tech that gave him precious information during combat, had been build with all kinds of systems to keep his face cool and even not be too hard on his eyes. As for Steve, he wasn't gifted any of that—all he was left with was a somewhat protective helmet which, as soon as he engaged into battle or the weather got milder, became gradually insufferable.

So Steve always waits. Waits to find himself alone to finally remove the dreadful thing, thus revealing the marks left by it all over his forehead, the beads of sweat stood out on his brow, the dishevelled state of his hair, the sharp and funny-looking contrast between the dirty lower part of his face and the reddish skin of the upper part. The Captain never feels more self-conscious than when such a reflection of himself meets his eye in the bathroom mirror after missions, pressingly reminding him to never ever be seen like this by Tony. If his boyfriend were to become aware of just how much of a disaster Steve's entire head was in those moments, he'd surely think twice before giving out one of those compliments that make Steve's cheeks flush and his stomach flutter with timid love.

However, there comes a day when even heroes have got to face their fears. And Steve most certainly doesn't see his coming when, staggering through a corridor of the Avengers tower after a particularly straining mission, he suddenly bumps into Tony. There is one problem though: thinking he was alone, he had taken the helmet off—and by the look washing over the brunet's face, Steve can easily guess that he must be resembling whatever the epitome of mess is.

"Hey honey, are you okay? How was the mission? Are you hurt?" Tony's eyebrows knit together in suppressed shock, seeing Steve look so tired and drained after a long day always being cause for concern. His gaze lands on the dark patches staining his boyfriend's skin, scanning it for cuts and bruises.

"Yes, yes, I'm okay," Steve reassures him at once, trying to turn his face away from Tony's piercing brown eyes, already blushing from embarrassment. "I'm just tired. It was a long mission. I'm going to take a shower. I'll see you when I'm done."

"Are you sure you're alright?"

"Yes, Tony, don't worr..." But as soon as the words leave his mouth, Steve almost hits the corner of the wall, having barely payed attention to the fact that they reached an intersection in the tower's pathways; if he had managed to allay Tony's worry, it comes back swift as the wind.

"That's it." The other man declares decisively, his tone making it clear that whatever is to follow is not up for discussion. "Rogers, you shut up and follow me. Now."

As Steve quickly notes, they are headed to the bathroom. Another five minutes, and Tony is rather vigorously—for someone completely worried over the Captain's health just seconds ago— helping Steve get his suit off, setting it aside as soon as he's finished, then gesturing toward the bathtub.

"Get in," he orders, leaving the blond no choice but to comply, undressing completely as he gets inside, which allows Tony to make sure that no severe injuries are paining him. "Now, relax. Let me work the rest." Turning on the hot-water tap, the brunet, arms crossed over his chest and tight-lipped still, watches Steve try to get comfortable until the bathtub is about halfway filled. Only then, after pouring bath soak into the water, do his features at last soften with contentement, glad to hear that a deep sigh of what he believes to be relief just lifted off Steve's chest. "How are you feeling now, soldier?"

"Better," Steve gives Tony a grateful glance, almost forgetting about the calamitous state his face is still in. "Much better. Thank you."

"Alright, I like that better." Tony gives him a smile brimming with all the affection he can't hide—doesn't want to hide. Seeing Steve like this is indeed much better. "Okay, time for phase two."

Reaching for a bar of soap, Tony devotes himself to what he set his mind to. First, he rubs his own hands against its smooth surface before sliding them down Steve's shoulders and back, feeling the Captain's tense muscles progressively unwind beneath his fingertips, yielding to his caresses. Tony's every touch is careful, full of tenderness and preoccupation as all he wants is to get Steve to loosen up fully. Steve even chuckles as Tony wipes the dirt off his jaw, taking care of all the smeary spots the blond felt so self-conscious about; now, Steve has unquestionably shaken off his fear of being seen by his boyfriend.

Then, comes phase three. After seizing the shower head, Tony holds it over Steve, careful not to let the stream flood his eyes, then gets a hold of the bottle of shampoo. He pours some of the vanilla-scented liquid into Steve's hair, then letting his fingers thread through it softly, massaging Steve's skull and neck. The pleased moan that he gets in return, Steve tipping his head back into Tony's hands, is the best reward he can get.

"Look at you, behaving like such a cat. If I came closer, maybe I could hear you purring..." he hums, fingers circling at the back of Steve's head.

Steve's gravelly laughter responds to his comment, the Captain slightly opening his eyes to get a look at Tony's face. Definitely cat-like. Happy cat.

"Thank you, Tony. You're going through all that trouble for me..."

"Steve, after all the times you've taken care of me, that's the least I could do. And don't tell anyone, but I'm actually enjoying it," he murmurs against Steve's ear, making his boyfriend laugh anew. "Has anyone ever told you you're a cat at heart?"

"A cat? Really?" Steve muses, peacefully abandoning himself to Tony's hands as the latter rinses out the shampoo, then brushing the Captain's hair back with his fingers before planting a kiss on top of his head. The amount of warmth Tony rouses inside his stomach is insane.

"Yes, a cat. A water-loving cat. Wait, I'm not done yet."

And indeed, as Steve savours the last minutes of his bath Tony exits the bathroom, promising that he'll be back. When he reappears, a couple of minutes later, it's with a bundle of fresh clothes that he hands the blond when the latter gets out of the bathtub—it is, in reality, a win for Tony since he got to pick his favourite shirt for his boyfriend to wear. Helping Steve rub himself dry, he can't resist leaving a few kisses here and there over the man's shoulders and torso, the feather-light pressure of his lips finishing to completely soothe the Captain's mind and body. Steve cups Tony's face into his right hand to give him a passionate kiss on the mouth in return, deeply sighing with pleasure as he feels Tony's hand run through all the length of his wet hair.

"See, my point exactly. You're such a cat." Tony smiles against Steve's mouth, taking a step back to take a look at how truly beautiful Steve is. But the truth is, he always likes him: when Steve comes back from missions all dirty and dishevelled, when he's standing in the bathroom with droplets crystallized on his collarbones and the upper part of his face still bearing faint marks from the helmet he wore for too long, when he wakes up beside him on the mornings Steve sleeps in and when he's mindlessly tracing invisible patterns over his limbs. Any place, any time, any day. He's crazy about him.

A little later, when they're snuggling together in their shared bed, Tony's cat theory proves right once again. It only takes for the brunet to touch Steve's hair for the Captain to lean into Tony's hand, even nudging Tony's shoulder with his head as he's huddled up right against him.

"I always thought I was more of a dog person, but you really did awaken the cat in me," Steve smiles when Tony brings up the subject again, pressing a gentle kiss into Tony's neck. "You're the best thing that's ever happened to me, Tony Stark."

"I really like it when people say that," Tony huffs amusedly. "But especially when it's you."

All Steve can do is fondly roll his eyes, slightly tightening the grasp of his arm, which is slid across Tony's chest in a loving embrace. And, when Tony begins stroking his hair again, Steve is sure that if he were able to, he would've in truth started purring.

[geekywritings]

Rise of a Queen - Nikolai Lantsov x OC PART 8

When Taya opened her eyes the next morning, she wasn't sure if she was actually awake or had just started another dream. There were flowers right in front of her and as she turned, there were even more roses. Slowly she sat up, looking around in both shock and awe. The entire room was covered in flowers. Roses in all colors, lilies, sunflowers, and even her favorites, orchids. Nikolai, and she had no doubt it was his doing, had apparently raided the royal gardens or all florists of Os Alta for this. But there was no sign of him in the room. Instead, Taya spotted a letter in the bouquet closest to her, unfolding it eagerly.

"My beloved Taya,

I did not forget about the flowers.

When you wake up, I will most likely be on my way again. I want to check on our parents and try to persuade some of the Grisha to come back. We could use some good Materialki specialists here and I hope to bring back a Healer to look at your wounds.

Somewhere underneath those flowers, I also bought a few books for you to read while you wait. Please take your medicine and rest. And do think of me.

Your Nikolai."

Your Nikolai. It sounded too good to be true, but it was true after last night. They hadn't said a word about love, but the kiss had spoken more than 1000 words. She could still feel her body shiver pleasantly at the mere memory of it.

Suddenly the door opened, revealing one of the maids, who had been bringing her food during the last few days. She was having trouble navigating through all the flowers with her tray of food and medicine, grumbling about having told His Highness not to spread them on the ground.

"Good morning, My Lady. How are you feeling today?" It was the same greeting every day, which Taya returned with a smile.

"Much better Mrs. Podlak, thank you.", she said, allowing the elder woman to set the tray down before her on the bed. There was tea, the dreaded medicine, and her beloved Syrinki.

"Let me open the window for you. The smell of these flowers is overpowering.", she continued, now fighting her way to the tall window. "I told him a bouquet or two would be enough...", she muttered to herself and Taya had to stifle a chuckle. It was so like Nikolai to exaggerate. But she also had to admit that she was quite surprised. The sleeping potion she still took in the evenings really knocked her out for she had neither noticed Nikolai getting up nor the big surprise being set up all around her.

"I do actually love the scent.", she called to Mrs. Podlak, but the maid had already decided that fresh air was in order. And it did indeed feel good, as a warm breeze came through the open window. "Has Nikolai been gone for long?"

"His Highness set out just before sunrise with the two Squallers. He did not say where he went and when he would be back."

Taya nodded to the answer and began her breakfast. She knew where he was and if things went smoothly, he could be back within a day. Until then, she would actually try to follow his request and rest up. At least she had some reading material now.

_____________

In the end, Nikolai returned the following day, his first destination being his chamber, where Taya was still confined to his bed. But he did not arrive alone, being followed the young man in the damaged red kefta, whom Taya recognized from the Little Palace. He had been the only Healer among the group they had found and he was probably among very few Corporalki still present. Most others had either deserted or followed the Darkling.

The prince walked up to his beloved, placing a soft kiss on the top of her head. "I see you enjoyed my surprise.", he began with a grin, before nodding to his companion, who obviously looked rather taken aback by the sea of flowers in the room. "Taya, this is Andrej Borisov. I'm going to leave you in his capable hands, while I quickly speak with the generals."

It was just a quick greeting, but Taya didn't mind. She knew Nikolai to be more than busy right now, being the one in command in his parents' absence. And there was plenty to do with city fortifications, repairs and the search for Alina. Taya was just sad that she couldn't be of more use. Though perhaps with Andrej's skills, she could be up and about much faster.

________

"Why did you stay behind?", she asked, after Andrej had started his work on her shoulder. She wasn't sure how he did it, but he placed his hands over her wound and she could feel her body pull and burn slightly, but not enough to cause extreme pain.

"Sonya, Gregori and Alexander are my friends. I could never leave them behind.", was all Andrej said. Taya didn't know who these people were exactly, though she vaguely remembered an Inferni in the group being called Sonya, but she did admire him for his loyalty.

"I hope the three of them are alright."

Andrej nodded. "They are. Sonya stayed behind at the Spinning Wheel. She found a way to be useful there with her skills. And the Twins are constantly flying back and forth or accompanying His Highness." Ah, so those were the names of the Twins, Taya thought to herself.

"And what do you want to do?", she asked Andrej, who stopped his work for a moment to check on the progress. A moment later his hand was back above her shoulder and she could feel the strange sensation in her flesh again.

"I want to help.", Andrej said simply. "I did what I could at the Spinning Wheel, but when his Highness told me I was needed here, I agreed to come. Besides, I wanted to see what it would feel like."

"And how does it feel?", Taya was genuinely curious.

"Strange... I grew up in the Little Palace. I thought it was the safest place for people like me. Turns out, it wasn't... But it is still my home and I think that I would like to return there."

Taya reached out, placing a hand on Andrej's arm. "We will make it a home again. For all Grisha. And while I can't promise that it will be the safest place in Ravka, we will take precautions this time."

For the first time since he came in, the ghost of a smile passed over Andrej's face. "We will see."

He went back to his work and a good half an hour later, he stood up again, allowing Taya to dress. "Your wounds are healing well. I could not mend them completely in one go, but give it another day and you will be able to walk around normally again."

She was immensely grateful for his help and even more grateful for the knowledge that she would only be confined to the bed for a short while longer.

______

A week later, Taya was already running around normally. She had put all her dedication into rebuilding and fortifying the Little Palace, even going as far as using all funds she had at her disposal. Compared to the fortune her family possessed as a whole, it wasn't much, but it was still more than enough to procure materials and pay people to help. A few of the Materialki returned from the Spinning Wheel to aid in the rebuilding of their former home, but they still relied on outside workers for some construction work.

During that time, Taya became closer to Andrej, Sonya, and especially the twins. While the Healer and his Inferni friend were constantly traveling back and forth between the Spinning Wheel and the capital, Alexander and Gregori spent more and more time in the Little Palace, only ever leaving to accompany Nikolai on some trip or another. At one point Taya revealed her own abilities to the twins and the two, after their initial surprise, agreed to train her.

Quickly, a routine had formed. Nikolai and Taya would wake up early together and share a quick breakfast, before going separate ways. She would work at the Little Palace and he would try to run the kingdom. In the afternoon the two would gather in the war room, where Nikolai devised strategies with his generals to prepare for another attack by the Darkling, while at the same time evaluating the messages he received from the search parties he had sent out in the quest for Alina and the others. Afterward, they would eat together again and then fall into bed, utterly exhausted just to wake up at sunrise again to begin the routine anew.

It meant that they didn't have much of a honeymoon phase, where they could explore and enjoy their newly discovered feelings for each other, but the brief moments they had were enough for now. They knew when other matters took priority and Nikolai was immensely grateful for Taya's understanding. Many women would feel abandoned or not graced with enough attention, but his love found ways to occupy herself and do her fair share of work. And it didn't go unnoticed either. The rumors about her being his mistress soon made way for gossip regarding the possibility of Taya becoming his wife and future Queen. Although he tried to pay the whispers no heed, it did make him proud to hear servants and nobles alike acknowledging her skills and potential.

What bothered Nikolai however was the lack of progress they were making. While the damages in Os Alta were quickly being taken care of, the building of more aircrafts and the search for Alina were at a standstill. They lacked materials to continue production and the sun summoner and her following were still swallowed up by the earth itself. It was frustrating, to say the least.

__________

One afternoon, Nikolai was leaning over a collection of sketches he had made for some new aircrafts, all light and fortified with the newest guns, trying to find ways to reduce their production cost, while also still sulking about the rather ineffective meeting with his generals just an hour ago. Taya had not been present, because she had been busy at the Little Palace. More Grisha had returned and she was making sure they were all settled in. It was a relief to hear that life was returning to normal at least a little bit and Nikolai knew that they needed the Grisha to keep the capital safe. They were mostly left with Etheralki and Materialki at this point, but a handful of healers had also rejoined their former little family along with two Heartrenders.

Suddenly the door of the library opened and his eyes went wide, as he saw Taya walk in, wearing a royal blue kefta, embroidered in the telling silver of the Squallers. She was smiling brightly, even doing a small twirl before him to show off her newest garment. "I got it as a gift today.", she announced. "The twins said I earned it." So it was official now. No hiding her true powers anymore.

Nikolai had tried to imagine what she would look like in the kefta once, but the reality was so much better. She looked regal in it, powerful and confident and absolutely perfect. He got up to examine her in detail, appreciating her from all angles, his mood instantly lifting. "You look beautiful.", he assured her.

He received a kiss as a thank you, before she joined him at the table to get a quick summary of what she had missed during the meeting. It really wasn't much.

"We need more funds.", she summarized all their growing problems into one simple sentence. They had to expand their search, buy more materials and strengthen their borders and production sites. Taya had used up almost all of her private fortune, and Nikolai was weary about taking too much from the treasury without his father's approval. He had his own fortune as well, but that was currently being invested into a secret project to assure a strong Ravka in the future. For a second both stared at the table, before speaking at the same time.

"I could do some business as Sturmhond."

"We need to hold a ball."

Silence again, as both blinked, before a chuckle escaped them. "I assume yours will take less time, but what do you plan to accomplish with a ball?", he asked curiously.

"The financial support of the noble families of Ravka. Gather them here, show them that the capital is safe again and that they can only keep their lifestyles if we manage to defeat the Darkling, find Alina and show military strength at the border."

"It was only a few weeks ago when you told me that I don't need the support of the nobles just yet.... How quickly times change.", he mused. "I will have to convince my parents to return as well."

"No, don't.", Taya said firmly, taking him by surprise. "The nobles need to follow and respect you. Their money will flow into your projects and you are the new hope for Ravka."

Nikolai felt a weight settle on his shoulders, that he had not known before. The weight of a crown he wasn't even wearing yet. His wish to save the country, however, was stronger than any fear of responsibility.

"What would I do without you?", he asked, reaching across the table to take her hand into his.

"Spent a few months at sea most likely, robbing Kerch traders in the name of the crown.", she replied with a smile. Nikolai felt his own lips draw into a smile at that.

"Probably.", he admitted. "It did work great before to amass a fortune." Turning more serious again he asked: "Do you think the nobles will return to the ballroom after what had happened there?"

"Eventually. But now might be a bit early. So we will hold the ball outside between the Grand and the Little Palace. Invite Grisha, spread some of your ships out. It will provide a sense of safety and a quick possible escape. At the same time, they can see where their money will go."

He was positively surprised by her wit and planning. Suddenly the thought of her as his Queen hit him. He had heard the possibility being thrown around for a while now, but hearing her plan to assure the future of Rvaka made it feel right. She was perfect for the role, no doubt. Her family name and fortune made her an adequate match and her intelligence and compassion would serve her well on the throne. The fact that he also loved her was just the icing on the cake.

But he would not offer now. Not until he was certain that there still was a country to rule side by side. And for that, he would have to face another dreaded ball.

__________________

The event took place a week later and had been a nightmare to organize. Sending letters to all the right families, getting varieties of his inventions onto the grounds, making sure there was enough food and drink and entertainment offered, as well as having the Palaces look even more splendid than usual was not what he had wanted to do in times like these. It even felt wrong to hold a spectacle like this while his friends were still missing and the Darkling still out there.

"If you pull a face like this all evening, nobody will offer you anything.", Taya said, drawing him out of his thoughts. She had come in without him noticing and got to work buttoning up his uniform. He would have to be the Prince again today. The charmer and the businessman, so he needed to look the part. So he was dressed in the royal red and gold his family loved so much and felt strangely silly in it.

Taya, on the other hand, was a sight to behold. She had opted for blue again, her favorite color, and the dress flowed on her like water, the silver embellishments adding to the magical effect. She had curled her hair again, putting it up in an elegant style and adding a silver tiara and jewels for good measure. They needed to look richer than they really were tonight.

"You look absolutely stunning.", he told her.

"And you look absolutely uncomfortable.", she just replied. "Smile and relax."

"I can do one of the two."

"Then smile." It was easier said than done. "Maybe the news I have will help. Everyone agreed to come tonight. Even Count Fedjor and his family. And I send word to my parents and they send out some invitations as well to their business partners."

Those were good news indeed and they reminded him once again how grateful he was to have her. "Well, then let's go and get our hands on their fortunes, shall we?"

__________

The ball was a great success. The nobility relished in the chance of holding a grand social event again and were easily susceptible to Nikolai's charm. Getting showered with attention and compliments from their future Tsar loosened their pockets and the presence of soldiers and Grisha alike gave them a sense of security. The aircrafts received ample amounts of admiration as well and especially the men were eager to invest in such technological advancements.

While the guests enjoyed themselves, Taya and Nikolai were hard at work. Always going from one person to the next, engaging in just the right small talk, and indiscreetly asking for financial support. He took care of the traditional families, while Taya used her charms on her father's long-standing business partners.

It was the early morning hours when the last guests began to leave, some of them even taking up the offer of being flown home on one of Nikolai's aircrafts. They didn't have enough Squallers to offer everyone the chance, but only a few were curious enough to try in the first place.

"I think that went rather well.", Taya said, sounding rather pleased. They were standing in the middle of prettily lit chaos, but they had accomplished what they had set out to do. "And I think this was the first ball that I didn't have a single dance."

"I distinctively remember you hating dance lessons."

"True, the lessons were a pain, but actual dancing is one of the few joys at every event."

They had shared dances since his return, but none as an actual couple. The idea came suddenly and he acted upon it right away. "Then would you offer me this dance, my lady?"

Taya laughed. "The musicians have already left."

"Show some creativity, my dear.", he bowed down like a true gentleman and offered her his hand. Still amused, she took it and allowed him to draw her into the first steps. To fill the silence, Nikolai hummed a random song they had heard that night and Taya eventually joined. Together they waltzed over the grass, elated by their success that night, getting completely lost in it. They didn't even notice as servants arrived to begin cleaning up, all looking perplexed or smiling at the sight of His Highness with his chosen lady.

Suddenly the first drops started falling from the sky, quickly followed by more. Within seconds, it was a proper rain shower and while the servants rushed for cover, Nikolai and Taya continued their dance. Their humming turned into laughter, as he spun her around before drawing her back close to him. They were absolutely drenched, but Taya had never enjoyed a ball more.

"I love you."

His words were almost drowned by the rain, but she heard them nevertheless. She wasn't sure where it had suddenly come from and it was unlike any declaration of love she had ever read about in books, but it was perfect. Because those words were coming from him.

"I love you too, Nikolai."

He pulled her towards him, his kiss almost desperate. They were pressed against each other, the rain still soaking their hair and skin, but neither cared. Taya's arms were around him, holding onto his jacket at his back. Their kiss got more frantic and they only broke apart when there was no air left in their lungs. Blue eyes stared into hazel and suddenly he pulled her along.

The way back to his room took longer than expected. Every few steps they were locked in a kiss again, with him pressing her against the closest wall or door. At one point they knocked over a vase with flowers but didn't even fully notice.

Taya didn't understand the fire that was suddenly burning within her, but she wasn't about to question or let it go. She wanted Nikolai close, wanted to feel all of him to show him how much she really meant those words she had said. And he seemed to feel exactly the same.

Once in his room, they began to tear at each others' clothes, trying to get them off their wet bodies. He was shirtless and working on her corset when he stopped for a moment as if his thoughts cleared for a second.

"Are you sure?", he asked. Taya's heart swelled with love at his concern for her, but she nodded. "Stop asking questions and kiss me."

He did, hungrily and passionately, his hands finally removing the corset. He slowed down only when she was fully nude before him, taking his time to take her in fully with his eyes. She was slender, but with just the right womanly curves, which he explored with his hands. He wanted to memorize every detail of her and get to know her body's secrets.

Soon they were on the bed and she was shivering against him, as he slowly learned just what she liked. There was a moment when he was about to ask her again if this was what she truly wanted, but before a word could escape him, Taya drew him into a kiss.

"No nonsense.", she said. "Make love to me, Nikolai."

The words alone were ecstasy for him and he wasted no time to fulfill her wish. They made love several times that night. Wild, slow, passionate, and intimate. And by the time the sun rose, both were exhausted. Stil entangled, they closed their eyes and sank into a much-deserved sleep.

_____

@imma-too-many-fandoms​

[sylvain-writes]

Guarded Hearts and Safe Houses (Leonardo x Reader) Chapter 8/9

Rated: T

Gender Neutral Reader, canon typical violence/injury, light angst, strangers to lovers, supportive family.

for @melodiousmelodrama

Raph tracks the signal of Leo's phone with his. "He ain’t far."

You take off at a sprint, but Raphael is faster. And so strong. He grabs you with an "alley-oop" and lays you over his shoulder like a sack of potatoes.

It's terribly uncomfortable, but by the way you bounce against his shell you can tell you're making great time.

You expect to hear the sounds of fighting growing louder. The maniacal laughter of the Krang. The mechanical screech of battered robots taking their last stand against the ninja turtles.

You don't expect Raphael's voice to boom against your ear, rendering your ears to ring for a full minute.

"Leo!"

Considering the panic in his shout, you're surprised Raph has the foresight to put you down easy before rushing into the fight.

When you find your feet, you see the same as he. There's no time to think. The guys move in sync. Always in motion. Dancing around each other, springboarding off of each other, going hard against the aliens without a break to rest.

And you see the cause for Raph's panicked cry. Leo's lost a sword. You don't think he'd be able to lift it if he had it.

The fight brings him toward you and you inch closer, staying out of sight as best you can. "What happened?"

"You shouldn't be here!" He growls at you. His eyes are blown wide with adrenaline, he's unfocused. His mind clouded by pain and fear.

"Take this," you say, holding up a few glucose tablets to his face. "It'll help."

"With the pain?"

You flinch. You think that may be the first time he's admitted to that kind of vulnerability. You wish you could give him something more. "I'll find something stronger."

Leo takes what's offered without further question. "Stay outta sight," he pleads. "Don't get in the way."  

"Let me help."

"You have a problem listening?"

"Only so far as you have a problem admitting when you need help." You lift his katana, the long curved sword too heavy for you to do much by way of fighting. But you find your stance anyway. You won't forget what you've learned. The forms Raph taught you when he needed to keep calm through long nights on the rooftop. Of course you had been weilding a pair of thin axes from your cousin's cosplay.

Leo takes the sword from your hands and sheaths it at his back. You were right about the injury to his arm. He doesn't trust it to fight.

"You know how to use this?" He presents you with a short blade from his belt.

You do the fancy toss and flip Raph Donnie taught you.

"No goofing off. If you're going to do this, I need to know you can do this."

The Krang come through the ceiling with a crash and drywall crumbles down on you from overhead.

"Doesn't look like we get a choice."  You dive into the fight head first and Leo doesn't have time to object.

You get split up, but you can hear him. He shouts for you to dodge an incoming bot before you even see it coming and you think the most you're doing is being a distraction for the bots while Leo heads for the biggest brain of them all.

Leader against leader.  You watch them square off. The bots grab you and hold you to make you watch, not that you would dare turn away.

Leonardo doesn't look your way, however. And no matter how many ways you reason it out, it hurts. The metal hands clamp down on your shoulders and drop you to your knees and Leo doesn't even spare you a glance.

Just a distraction, you remind yourself. You keep your mouth shut. Letting Leo have his focus on the Krang is the best chance for survival. Yours, his, and everyone else in the city. In the world.

The weight of Leo's responsibility hits you like a kick in the stomach. He really takes on so much, alone.

Mikey let out a whoop from the towering building to your left. And the surprise of it brings a smile to your face. "Look for old friends in high places,” he says. “Fortune favors the bold."

He flips down to your rescue, dispatching the bots with ease. When he lays waste to your last guard, Mikey gives you a light chuck on the chin. "Horoscopes, amiright? They never lie!"

Raph is next to drop into place behind his brother. Donnie last, but not without reinforcements.

"These blasters will eminnate a percussive blast that should disrupt the pink matter of their neurostructure. If we can lure them out of the robot casings, I think even a concentrated sonic blast could neutralize the threat."

Raph reaches for a gun. "You had me at blaster, Don. Just hand 'em over."

"Where's Leo?" Donatello asks as he assigns you and Mikey with a blaster each. "Radar said he'd be here."

"Krang led him off the ledge," you say testing the weight of the gun in your hand. "This way."

The turtles are faster than you. And the four of them together move in synchronous, fatal beauty.

Mikey delivers the final blast, paying the Krang back for pulverising him that night a month ago.

Once the Krang is destroyed, Leo looks to his brothers. All standing, weary but whole. They watch as their leader passes through the destruction calling your name.

You're trapped under a fallen wall, but you're fine. You try to tell him as much, but he quickens his step.and his shouts grow more frantic.

"Leo, I'm here. I'm ok. I'm here."

Leo struggles with the block and you assure him you’re trapped, not pinned. It takes more convincing than you think is necessary considering there’s no pain or panic in your voice. Only relief.

Killing the Krang caused the other aliens to fall lifeless to the ground. And while city clean up will be a mess likely drawing more questions than answers, you’re grateful the fight is over.

Sirens blare on the streets below. But they’re a distant sound. Leo is in front of you, promising you’ll be out soon.

“Guys!” He shouts, and his voice is breaking when he realizes he can’t lift half an abandoned warehouse without assistance. “Guys! Hurry!”

Then, you hear what his more sensitive ears have already picked up. The rubble is shifting.

Your heart rate speeds up, each beat thumps in your chest hard enough you wonder if Leo can hear it.

"I see you!" He says as he and his brothers work frantically to get you out.  

You blink through a gap in the rubble, a confused tilt to your neck because, yes, he sees you. You've caught his glances every few seconds as he scrambles to move rock and steel from the pile that's locked you in.

"I was wrong," he says as Raph helps him cast a concrete slab aside. "Before.”

As Leo speaks, his voice cracks, and his brothers pick up their pace while he reaches for you through the gap. He pulls you to him and once you're safe, you recognize his hands on your arms are trembling.

His blue eyes shine with apology. "I was wrong. I see you. What you do for us. I see you when you think no one's looking."

You hear the truth in his words, but you don't understand.

"I see you when you're with the others. You help them feel understood. You're a friend when they need someone to trust."

"I help them…"

"Me. And me." His hand lifts, shaking, as he tucks a hair behind your ear. "You see me. You've always seen me. But I didn't think I wanted to be seen."

"I’m a distraction,” you argue despite the way it breaks your heart. “I make you lose focus.”

Leo drops his head, shaking it slowly as he looks down at his feet. “Only because I’ve been fighting a war within myself. It blinded me to what was going on around me.”

You hear, more than see, his brothers shifting behind you, because you can’t take your eyes away from Leo.

“Almost losing you,” he says, “without making my apology. I couldn’t-”

“So don’t,” you tell him, placing a hand on his chest. Touching his chin just enough to tip it up.

He looks at you with his mouth drawn in a frown. “I’m sorry I pushed you away, when all I wanted… what I truly wanted… was this.” His thumb caresses your cheek and you lift your hand to cradle his face.

When he leans down for a kiss, Mikey gasps and Raph rears back with a low “Whoa” but you don’t notice any of that. Leo’s mouth is firm against yours, but the press of his lips is tender, slow. Your arms reach up to slide around his neck to pull him down, to pull him close. He lifts you off the ground instead. And he smiles into your kiss.

You can’t believe you’re witnessing his first real smile and you don’t even get to see it. But feeling it against your own is so much better, you think.

“I almost lost you,” Leo mumbles against your lips, as if remembering anew. His uninjured arm tightens around you and it feels like he’s holding on for dear life.

The truth of his words hits you square in the chest. The shock of the day - terror and relief - wash over you like a flood and you start to shake and laugh in his embrace.

He checks you over to make sure you’re not hurt and you assure him for what feels like the thousandth time that you’re fine, before he looks you in the eyes again, takes your face in his hand, and brings your heads together for another kiss.

Donatello clears his throat forcefully enough you know he means to interrupt. “Undoubtedly this display of affection is lovely, but it is public and a bit uncomfortable for present company. Additionally, there’s the matter of us being out in the open - in broad daylight - to consider. So, perhaps it’s best we take this party elsewhere.”

You look around at the destruction and down at Leo’s injured arm. It’s all worse than anyone is letting on. But the city is protected. The city will heal.

“May I take you home?” Leo asks. He looks to Donnie to confirm he’s got them somewhere safe.

“It’ll calm my mind,” Leo says, stroking your cheek, “knowing you’re with your family.”

In spite of everything, you have him. You smile. “You think I’d walk home alone in this mess?”

[laws-yellow-submarine]

🌠Shooting Stars🌠

An entry for the One Piece Summer challenge!

Law x Reader

Prompt: Stargazing Word Count: 1.6k

Synopsis: While travelling on the Polar Tang, you don't usually stay afloat for long. However, a starry night is too tempting...

♡

Summer.

Does it really matter?

Your head prompted on your palm, you were lost in the vagueness of the ocean. It was one of the few days that the Polar Tang would stay afloat in the middle of the sea. Actually, tonight, was a special night; the sky was a dark canvas painted with falling stars, decorated with brushstrokes of unmethodical, colourful patterns and dancing spots everywhere.

Even the air, it brought the salty aroma on deck, filling your lungs with it and cheering you up. You would never get used to it... and it was always such a pain to let it out of your system...

Travelling in a submarine had forever been quite depressing. The empty spaces were blocking any source of light from entering, therefore transforming themselves into a cloistered prison. You felt so cooped up sometimes, like a caged bird. Not even the palliative company of your nakama could alleviate the gloomy mood that was slowly eating you away.

Every single time you disappeared into the depths of  the bottomless sea, it was as if the time froze. There was no morning, noon, nor afternoon. There was no spring, summer, autumn, nor winter. There was only the black of night.

Unlit and shadowy, it swallowed everything in its wake, you included.

You had always lived in the open air, enjoyed the blessings of nature, the warmth of the sun caressing your body and somehow driving all your preoccupations away. That's the very reason you became a pirate, to begin with.

If it weren't for those silver eyes, you wouldn't be here. Trafalgar Law, the Surgeon of Death, had managed to get his hands gripped around your heart, squeezing for all they were worth, leaving you aching with longing and a breath stuck in your throat. You knew he was no good but, there was something in him... something... hypnotising, that you simply couldn't ignore.

Even though the feeling of drowning in the blackness between the walls had been torturing you ever since you begun your journey, the mysterious glimmer in his look dragged you out of your fear and anguish. He was always by your side, in his own way.

A great Captain, indeed.

Yet, you couldn't omit the fact that something was seriously troubling him the past few weeks. He always had a tendency to isolate himself in his cabin, reading books and making research on medical grounds -- his muttering jargon under his breath confirming that -- but he didn't use to be that distant.

Especially tonight, when the scenery above you was remarkable to the point where one could literally gawk with their mouth hanging open. He would never miss a rain of falling stars.

"They remind of someone... special." he would always say.

You wanted to ask him, delve deeper into his obscure past, yet, he was too reserved. He kept his feelings and thoughts to himself, you highly doubt he could trust even his first mate. However, it was evident in his indolent eyes, an agony, a tremendous feeling, deeply rooted in his soul.

That you could tell, for the eyes are the window to the soul... And this man's eyes... they held many sorrowful secrets...

What with all this thoughts swirling around your head, you lost your grip on the reality, so you never noticed the lovable white bear of the crew standing next to you.

Bepo.

You never understood why he would want to become a pirate and leave his life in the Mokomo Dukedom behind, a place fraught with peace-loving, cheerful creatures. Maybe he was curious to see what was beyond that land.

Come to think of it, the entire crew is quite absurd.

But I love them anyways.

The way the salty breeze messed with his fur was making him look even more adorable.

"Aren't those stars beautiful?" he asked, breaking the awkward silence.

"Yes, they are."

The previous silence took over once again, until...

"Uh, Bepo... Do you know where the Captain is? I mean..." you tried to sound as indifferent as possible, "...he never misses this."

You saw no reaction for some seconds.

"He was working in his cabin... I guess he'll come soon..."

A voiceless nod of agreement and then you were sinking in your thoughts anew.

*

*

*

You didn't have the foggiest idea how long you had been staring at the starry horizon. The moon seemed gigantic now, the only embellishment that begged to differ in that symmetry of white and black.

Bepo had departed some minutes ago, because he couldn't stare at the full moon for too long, as he couldn't control his Sulong form completely.

So, for the moment, you were standing alone behind the railing of the submarine, admiring the view and the expansion of dark blue stretching in front of you. It was so relaxing, you couldn't get enough of it.

Until a certain tattooed hand was placed on your shoulder.

"Oi, (Y/n)."

You turned to face the long awaited raven-haired pirate.

"Yes, Captain?"

His touch immediately abandoned you and his grey eyes narrowed. "How many times do I have to tell you? You don't have to call me captain. Just call me Law."

You tried to look away, but he was pinning you with his intense and demanding look. You couldn't help but simply nod to avoid any more of... this.

I could easily drown in these pools of silver...

He stood beside you, supporting himself on the railing while he took an eyeful of the scene ahead. At first, you didn't pay too much attention to him but tried to focus elsewhere. You didn't manage to stay like that for long, though.

You took glances of your captain now and then, curious to witness all his reactions to this boon. You saw his grey orbs meeting the pale one in the sky and glowing in delight, then a weak smile bending his lips.

He looked at the moon as if it was a person; a person he held dear.

"Law."

He averted his star-kissed gaze slowly, reluctantly, until it locked with yours. "Yes?"

"That special someone you had told me about... do you want to talk about them?" you asked timidly, eyeing him expectantly, albeit you practically knew you'd get  negative answer.

"It's a very old and long story."

Is he actually going to talk about it?!

He paused for some good moments, making you reasonably think that he had no intention of giving more details, but... he had.

He didn't exactly give you chapter and verse of his backstory, but he explained how he lost his entire family and hometown due to Amber Lead Syndrome, how he ended up in the Donquixote Pirates, how the noble and kind Cora-san sacrificed himself to save him....

You always sensed he'd got a dark background but, that was just too dark. How could a child possibly endure all this losses and trauma at once?

However, he never ceased his recounting. He went on, revealed more about his experiences, his life. Until, a shocking exposure was made and pretty much explained everything.

The Will of D.

He, Trafalgar Law, was carrying the tremendous Will of D. Well, that pretty much accounted for everything.

"But why are you telling me all this?"

He shifted, his grey eyes boring into yours in a vertiginous labyrinth.

"I'll be leaving soon." he replied, his tone colder than before.

"What?! Why?!"

"I need to take care of certain things... and now that we are in the New World... you know that we either go against or ally with the Emperors..."

"And whose side are we on?" you enquired, still struggling to process all these information.

"It's too early for you to know..." he grabbed you by your shoulders, gazing fiercely at you, "...but you needn't worry..." he said, his voice softening as well as his sharp features.

A hefty sigh escaped from your lips, before you glanced at the stars. You were fixated there, observing them make their steady descent, leaving trails of glimmering starlight behind.

"Do you want to make a wish?"

Law's frown was followed by a chuckle. "Isn't that too childish?"

"No, come on! The shooting stars don't stay for long!"

He closed his eyes in defeat, probably wishing for something. His hands hadn't abandoned your shoulders, not even then. You waited patiently for the moment his steel grey gaze met yours and you almost melted on the spot.

"What did you wish for?"

"I can't tell you..." he reminded you, his lips stretching into a mischievous smile.

Right.

"...but I can show you." was all he said, before his soft lips landed on yours.

Taken by surprise, could be an understatement. It felt so surreal, it gave you the impression you were hallucinating. It was all slow and passionate, with the dull light of the stars showering you, the low splash of the waves resonating and the slight rocking of the Polar Tang dolling it all up.

Hell, even the scratching of his goatee against your glabrous chin was alluring. You were swimming in a pool of bliss by now, unable and unwilling to get out. You knew it wasn't going to last long yet, you flung yourself into it. You were only a couple of hours away from being trapped in that cage of darkness again, but now you didn't seem to care.

Now you knew.

Summer matters.

Because I'm the summer to his winter heart.

~End~

----- OMG this was so cute <3 Law, shooting stars, and kissing are like...three of my favorite things lmao “I can’t tell you...but I can show you” GAH! I died, my face has been squished in happiness, and I’m still squealing. Great job, hun!! 

@doctorgerth​ 

[lostbbygorl]

Endgame- Lady Dokuso x Shadowsan (chapter 1)

CHAPTER ONE:

Pairing: Lady Dokuso x Shadowsan

Warnings: Slight nsfw ( no smut), swearing

~~~~

Lady Dokuso walked inside her luxurious apartment with plastic grocery bags occupying her two hands. Her hair was tied up in a usual tight bun, and she was dressed casually in a dark emerald green blouse with high waisted jeans, and doc martens in black.

It had been a month since Carmen Sandiego had brought down VILE, leaving the woman and her ex colleagues jobless. Lady Dokuso could only hope that one day VILE would once again rise, till then, she had to fend for herself by robbing banks, pickpocketing, and scamming gullible individuals.

She was bitter about the fact that she was no longer a part of the world’s greatest, richest criminal organization, but on the other hand, she hadn’t been to her home in Tokyo for countless years, and it did feel refreshing to be back.

Just as she was about to sort out her groceries, a very shocking sight met her eyes, and she thought she was hallucinating for a split second….

“Shadowsan?” she asked, flabbergasted. The taller, older male was sitting on her huge, bed sized gray sofa with his usual scowl on his face. He was dressed in a black trench coat, and as always, he was scarily silent.

“Lady Dokuso”, Shadowsan replied. His cold eyes were fixated on the woman’s figure. Of course, she was confused and pissed off seeing him in her favorite apartment, but she did her best not to show it. She took her black sunglasses off to get a better look at Shadowsan. She crossed her arms, and glared at the man.

“What are you doing here, you traitor? How dare you trespass inside my  apartment?” she seethed. Shadowsan sighed before answering her question.

“Hello, Sana, it’s been a while”.

~~~~

The silence inside Lady Dokuso’s living room was so thick, you could cut it with a knife. Both of them had so much they needed and wanted to say, but now that they were face to face with each other, they really didn’t know how to word things.

Lady Dokuso walked over to her kitchen counter, and grabbed an orange juice box  from the carton. She offered it to Shadowsan with a cold expression on her face. “Juice?” she asked. She rolled her eyes at Shadowsan’s suspicious expression. “Oh, save it, Suhara! This is fresh from the carton, how the hell would I be able to poison it?” she shot at him. Shadowsan took the drink from her and began sipping tentatively on it as Lady Dokuso sat beside him on the sofa, carefully maintaining a slight distance between them before turning to him and breaking the silence yet again.

“So, what brings you to my Tokyo abode completely unannounced a month after VILE’S decline?” she asked.

“I came here to tie up loose ends, Sana”, he finally spoke. Lady Dokuso knew exactly what the man meant, but her pride stopped her from acknowledging it. “What loose ends are you talking about, Suhara? I haven’t the faintest idea of any loose ends between us”, she spat back at him coldly.

Shadowsan grumbled. “Don’t play dumb with me, Sana, you know exactly what I’m talking about. VILE’s decline doesn’t change what he had, and you know it. It’s about time we have a heart to heart conversation about everything that happened between us like mature adults'' he said, sternly.

Lady Dokuso merely glared at him in silence. “Well I mean there isn’t much to discuss, but let’s face the facts here so you leave me alone”, she began icily.

“We met at VILE, we fucked this one time and then this other time, and then almost every night after that. Several months passed, and my stupid, young heart developed romantic feelings for you, an older, more mature, more collected man. I confessed and you said you reciprocated my feelings. We dated for several years before you began to ignore me and invalidated my feelings” Lady Dokuso sighed before locking her angry eyes with Shadowsan’s darkening  ones. She sighed before continuing. “You began keeping secrets from me, and we argued frequently, and then we went to bed fuming, and eventually separately. I had enough of our tiring fights and those little games you played, so I confronted you about it and I tried to talk things out, but you just dumped me with no explanation” at this point Lady Dokuso was on the verge of shouting!

Shadowsan’s face remained stoic, but his narrowing eyes gave away the guilt that was eating away at him. “I asked you repeatedly where I went wrong. Where we went wrong! But all you could do was say sorry and then leave my room”, she continued. “AND THEN YOU LEFT VILE! YOU BETRAYED YOUR FAMILY AND JOINED SIDES WITH A PRACTICAL CHILD! YOU ABANDONED THE PEOPLE WHO TOOK YOU IN AND TREATED YOU LIKE THEIR OWN!” Lady Dokuso yelled at him, her face red from anger and pent up frustration.

Shadowsan exhaled heavily. He suddenly couldn’t make eye contact with her anymore.

“I was never meant for a life of crime, I realized that too late”, he started.

“Believe me when I say I loved you with every fibre in my body, Sana, cause it’s fucking true”. Lady Dokuso’s eyes widened slightly at the curse leaving her ex’s lips. He rarely did that.

“You may think I was just playing with you and using you to take my frustration out both verbally and sexually, but that is all bullshit, Sana. It’s bullshit”, he continued. “I left VILE because I wanted to start anew and repent. I wanted to fix all the horrible mistakes I made in my youth. I wanted to apologize to Hideo and Carmen, two people I have treated wrongly for far too long, and I’m in a great place right now. I’ve done all that I wanted to do, and all that necessary'', Shadowsan finished.

Lady Dokuso clenched her fist to calm herself down. She took a moment to let Shadowsan’s words sink in. Then, she met his gaze once more.

“So you’re back now after over 20 years a changed man, knowing that I am in no way a changed woman?” she inquired. “I came back after over 20 years because now is finally the appropriate time to get back in touch with you and discuss what went wrong with us in a civil manner with no competition, fight, or difference of allies, Sana. You are left practically jobless and I’m in a stable place right now, so it’s about time we get on decent terms with each other”, he corrected.

“All I know is you broke my heart and betrayed your family, Suhara”, she whispered loud enough for her words to be audible. “I regret doing that more than will ever be comprehensible”, Shadowsan whispered back.

“So you’re saying that you don’t have any lingering feelings for me, Sana?”

“Exactly, Suhara. Now get out! I’m busy and tired”

“Fine. I’ll leave for now. But first, you have to answer a question”

“And what would that question be?”

“That day at the bar. You were tasked to kill me, but you didn’t. You gave me one of your most harmless poisons. Why didn’t you follow the task?”

[queerchoicesblog]

Lawrence was a pleasure to see again, and thanks God he was there to talk some sense into Zetta ! "Sometimes our secrets are what makes our lives worth living. No matter with what high cost they come attached” What power in that sentence. What I also loved was that Zetta was honest with Richard. She has always been a straight shooter and it's interesting to see a dynamic where she would have much to lose from it but chooses to be (somewhat) honest anyway. With him. With herself. /6 (I think ?)

Part 2 of my response, sweet Nonny!

Let me start saying that:

1. You do not have to apologise for your English because it's brilliant and I'm Italian so no pressure!

2. I absolutely love your talkative mood and because of the kind words you reserved to my writing, I swear! I almost wish we would be sharing a table at a cafe (let's make it a patisserie: I'm a sweet tooth and you have decadent desserts up there!) and chatting about Zetta, Adele and a bit of everything 😊

Giving a voice to wlw characters is my main mission so thank YOU! I'm glad I could make fellow members of our community happy with my stories. I write them for free because it sounds like the right thing in these dark times when many face new personal budget struggles. Maybe one day, if I build enough confidence, I will try to get some works published but today's not that day.

Back to Titanic, I'm particularly glad you appreciate your compatriot Sabine (who will get a scene in the next chapter) and Lawrence. They were minor characters but gosh, how I love them. I tried to add more depths and give them a bit more space in the series since they only appeared from time to time in the original book.

I find the friendship between Lawrence and Zetta quite interesting and a bit endearing. At the Turkish Baths, Zetta described it in these terms:

Of course, it refers to the fact that they're both gay and they can understand each other better than anyone else. But these lines and the affability they showed when he joined Zetta's table for dinner in first class made me picture the two of them as that kind of friends who aren't close as they don't keep in touch or hang out together all the time but whenever they find each other, it's as though they never parted. As many of us feel today about their fellow gay/bi/trans and so on friends, they rely on each other for a support they cannot find elsewhere so they can chat of nothing and everything, laugh but also have deep conversations out of nowhere without needing explanation or excuses. They simply understand the need to talk of certain parts of their lives: finest historical mlm/wlw solidarity. I cannot bring myself to imagine, for instance Lawrence talking of Felix with other gentlemen but Zetta would surely ask him how he's doing. Vice versa I can see the only one Zetta would truly speak of Adele being him.

"Sometimes our secrets are what make our lives worth living. No matter with what high cost they come attached"

I must admit I am quite proud of that sentence 😅

I just thought the story needed something that could explain why Zetta eventually decides to "fight for Adele" in her own way, writing her that note begging to come to the party after months of silence, but also Adele's change of heart about secrecy. We know that Adele has been stagnating for some time after the sinking and the abandonment, dealing with trauma, loss and starting anew in a new country...or at least that's how I picture her? Hileni says she's hardly leaving the shop, she looks afraid to live in full survivor sense of guilt and suffering from the sudden disappearance of her love. Through those months she changes and I reckon this change includes the shift from this (in my playthrough)

To this:

Back on the Titanic Adele seemed almost unapologetic about showing her affection as if "pushing boundaries". True, she's an outcast unlike Zetta and the adeline pumped high in the aftermath of the collision but she was the lesbian hero everyone dreamed in the moment: proclaiming her love for Zetta and kissing her passionately in the crowd. Quite a shock for super closet lesbian like Zetta! Then, months later she no longer says "I don't care who's watching" but is the one proposing a secret romance, accepting to live her love behind closed doors and putting up a mask in public if that's what it takes to be with Zetta. I think she came to the same conclusion Lawrence stated. And I think it's interesting how the change in Zetta is somehow symmetrical: from freezing on the l word to realising she doesn't want to part from Adele - and kissing her on the deck uncaring of the crowd - to make it happen after her own stagnation.

As for the Richard discourse, I believe that what Mateo said was for once true:

Adele and her conscience, her courage inspired her to be a better version of herself while her compassion softened a bit Adele. At the beginning of the story, Zetta is bitter, sarcastic, utterly gorgeous but not so pleasant to have around, for her own decision: her guard is up and she's unhappy. Through the story, she shows a new side of her, compassionate, protective, smart and gentle that was there but Adele rekindled. In the next chapter I will give a hint of other ways in which I believe Adele inspired her to action.

But a change I picture being a tail end of this is being (somewhat) honest with Richard. Adele put her freedom at risk for her and I want to believe that gesture impressed Zetta more than she admitted to herself maybe. She praised her conscience and courage...now it was her time to be brave. Zetta not saying a thing after what happened made little sense to me, if she suffers so much as we get to understand. Complete honesty is not a safe route or at least one she is not willing to go for but she pushes herself as far as she feels comortable stating the truth: is he convinced to marry her even knowing that she cannot love him like he does? Seems like an honest and merciful warning: Zetta cares for her career but she is not a heart of stone and I headcanon she likes Richard even if not romantically.

Richard doesn't get the true meaning behind her confession but as you said, could she? Zetta is closeted and very careful not to draw the slightest suspicion on her. He couldn't possibly imagine the truth but I cannot bring myself to see it as completely dumb either. We cannot read a person's heart with Suisse precision but we can perceive coldness or when our feelings are not fully reciprocated. He probably knew already that Zetta didn't love him "like he loves her" and it explained it to himself as stemming from her independence, her being a lady who can't be entirely tamed. Which is not a lie, just one part of the truth.

Sorry, I went down a tangent here and ended up flooding you with words!

Hope to hear from you soon! Stay safe and healthy ❤

[meegeemee26]

Going Home...?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

DISCLAIMER : I wrote this story, forgetting that the Prefect/MC doesn’t wield magic. But after seeing the other characters overblot, I wonder what if the prefect themselves overblot? Just... take this HC as if the MC had magic, just that they unlocked this “magic” based of the stress they have been holding in because of a decision that have to make. Cliche, I guess, but I wanna write this for a bit of angst and writing this idea before I go cram homework and revision for the rest of the day. 

Also, I have not seen the EN translations after Chapter 4, so I’m not too sure about how MC would interact with them, but I’ll try my best! 

Hope you enjoy!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Screams of horror and panic filled Night Raven College as students of the many dorms ran around, scatter-brained. There were trees set ablaze, buildings collapsing at every corner students turned , and a storm swirling in once a clear blue sky. The staff members were trying to calm students in the chaos, evacuating as many as they could. However, a red-head managed to slip past, running around in a frenzy, heading straight to the courtyard.

“OI! Where’s the Prefect?! I can’t find them!” Ace panted under his breath as he saw Deuce and Jack looking around, lost and confused as well. They did not know either, till the other dorm leaders and members gathered. “Have you seen the prefect?! Someone just went into Overblot!” Kalim exclaimed.“Where could they be? They should have rushed in by now to help us out...” Trey questioned as well. 

Before the group of students waved their magic pens to attack the overblotted student, a certain cat crawled in. But... he was crawling, panting and exhausted. Not panicking, not screaming, not jumping... he just needed some aid. 

“The prefect... is who you’re looking at right now...” Grim muttered before passing out. 

“Looking at right now...,” Riddle, confused by the statement, furrowed his eyebrows in frustration at Grim before a ball of fire came, dispersing the group in multiple directions. Followed by a mini hurricane and a large wave of water, Leona was groaning about how much his clothes were soiled before Floyd gasped in shock, 

“Ebi-chan?” 

Everyone just stood where there were for a good while, trying to comprehend what and how the ever friendly, witty and kind Ramshackle Head would be able to break out like this.  Stress? Anxiety? What could be ? 

“ I DON’T WANT TO LEAVE!” A distressed scream rang through the thunder as another lighting blot came shooting down.  

--------------------------------

“Prefect, please take a sit. A year has passed since you arrived... How did you like it here?” Headmaster Crowley asked as he poured a glass of water in front of me.

“It has been great!” 

Great? Great alone could not define what I have experienced in here. In Twisted Wonderland, in Night Raven College. Learning magic? A school based off movie villians? I won’t say this was what I dreamt off, but spending a year here has been so much better than what I have on the other side. 

“You and your stupid fantasies! What are you, a child?” 

Back at the other universe, I was bullied and mocked, for being a “child” - Liking Disney animated Movies, singing Love is an Open Door”by myself like a mad person, and to top it off, carrying Disney-themed merchandise anytime I could. Living in any animated movie would be a dream for me. People would laugh and give me the funny stares whenever I walked down the corridor. People would shove me into the toilets for being immature, looking down on me, thinking that “I won’t change from this immature, childish, naive state.”.... It definitely hurt, no joke there... So I usually head home, head lowered as my body sinks into the mattress of my bed. 

As the bullying got worse, and my father started to work overtime, while my mother was working overseas, I have hit the bottom of bottom, probably deeper than the deep blue sea itself. I sometimes stare at the ceiling, wondering where I could find an Ursala - sign a contract in exchange to get away from this shit hole. Maybe a genie too - One : No more mockery, no more being shoved into a corner. Two : Just, living the perfect life of singing happily and conquering lands. and keep the last wish when I need it most. Letting my pillow soak up my tears, I whispered...

“I wish I could leave this behind...” before going back to wailing and drifting off into a slumber. 

Little did I know that I woke up in a coffin, to be brought into Twisted Wonderland and its Night Raven college, a place inspired by Disney Villians. Even if Ace and Grim were a handful at the beginning, the rest of the year in the school has truly been a chaotic, memorable one. The friends I have made, the dorm leaders I have helped overcome their overblot, and the chaos I get tossed into, I would not trade them for the world. Who knew being a little twisted would be so good? 

“Sorry if I’m being rude, but... why did you ask me to come up here to your office alone?”

“Yes, about that. I thought this piece of news would be more personal to you. It’s not bad news, I assure you. In fact, it is splendid news!” 

“What could it be?” I asked, trying to figure out what he was going to ask. 

“I found a way for you to get home! Back to your universe! Oh, the ever-kindhearted professor has spent countless hours building this mirror.” He stood up as he pulled a piece of red cloth to reveal a mirror. It was like the one at the dorm-sorting ceremony, but it showed my room, my school, my neighbourhood. 

“Pretty neat, isn’t it-” 

“No... No... I can’t...,” My gaze met the floor and my hands balled into fits. As my fingernails sunk into my skin, I could feel my heart pounding. That SAME feeling of fear and anger rose, and as I brought my knees up to my chest, I felt panic, wondering life back there. 

I can’t bring my friends there, I can’t help in battles that don’t involve magic, I can’t think of another day spending in that hell hole ! I...I- I’m just nothing over there! Nothing but a walking target, anticipating another attack that I know I can’t avoid!

“Prefect... Do you want some time to think it over?” Ah crap, the Headmaster noticed. This should not concern him at all. It’s mine to deal with ,right? After all, he was the one to build this for me out of his good will...

“Yes, please. I’ll take my leave now. Thank you for your present...” I got up, and left. Grim pounced onto me the moment my foot stepped out of the office. “So? So? What was it about?” He demanded an answer before I replied with a small, bitter smile, “Oh, it’s nothing. Come on... I’m tired. Let’s head back to the dorm...”

I can’t let anyone know, until I feel it is right. I still have time to think about it, anyway... 

“Hey! Wanna eat lunch later?”

“Sorry, I have extra revision to do...”

“Wanna go for a carpet ride later?”

“Ah, sorry. Not feeling it...” 

Offer after offer, I had to turn them down. Grim would go instead as I needed more time to decide. Later on, Headmaster came in to tell me that the mirror could not hold for long. In a week or so, the portal may close. 

Stay... or leave? 

Stay in this wonderful world... or leave it behind? 

Stay... or leave? 

Stay in this wonderful world... or leave and go back and start anew? 

Little did I know the last thing I saw before passing out was Grim backing away from me and the sound of a shattered mirror behind me. 

.... “I don’t want to leave...” 

--------------------------------

“.... They’re breathing... Get... Ramsha...dorm!”

“..I thought they could not... magic...” 

“Magic asi... they are...WAIT-”

“Ow... my head..” I woke up, only to be greeted by the familiar sight of their bedroom ceiling, and a vase of flowers beside me.“What happe-”

“GUYS THE PREFECT IS AWAKE!” Three voices shouted, followed by a stampede, and ten people trying to squeeze through the door. Amused, I sat up with the remaining energy they have, and gave the biggest smile they could. After being bombarded by questions like “Are you alright?!” and being fed with heartwarming dishes, the tears of comfort and love came out one by one. I could not bring these back to the other side right? 

“I have been keeping this away from you. But,... I am given the choice to go back to where I came from...” I trailed off before Jade cut me short and that everyone knows about everything. The mirror, my life back at the other side... everything. 

“I’m sorry... I’m sorry that....I’m sorry that I- I hurt all of you! I’m sorry...” Words could not form the remorse, guilt I felt till I felt like I was being assaulted by a ball of familiar fluff, followed by my hands being held in comfort. 

“You know you could have just told us right?” Leona rubbed it in , only to have everyone shoot death glares at him. “IT WAS HARD TO EXPLAIN ALRIGHT?! I CAN’T JUST... JUST ABANDON YOU ALL!” I choked between my words before Grim came off. 

“He’s right. Without you, all of us won’t be here. You’re the one who helped us with our overblot, now let us help you...” Before I could refuse, Grim did not let me speak further. I could only mutter a ‘thank you’ before drowning myself in my tears again. “Well, who knew human emotion could be such a weakness?” “Spare me from your Book of Weaknesses, Azul.” 

--------------------------------

“Sorry for bothering you Headmaster. But I would like to stay here in Night Raven College, even in Twisted Wonderland. Please!” I bowed, with my face to the ground, closing my eyes, hoping for the best. I just hope that he is not too angry with me, after all of the effort put into making the mirror for me to head home. Please...

“....Alright. After all, if another overblot incident were to take place, who else could we turn to?” He agreed! Thank God... He walked over to the mirror, casted a spell for it to be completely shut down. I am staying here, for now, till I’m ready to go back...