#they are not paying that fire sage enough

[muffinlance]

So, how does Zuko wind up at the Tree of Time in Chaos Avatar to bust Vaatu out? Didn't you say the start is pre-banishment, post-mom gone? What, does he, as a descendant of Roku, have enough of a knack for spirit stuff to fall into a meditative trace while hiding at the turtleduck pond and missing his mom or whatever, and poof! He's at the Tree of Time?

FINALLY someone asks for the START. You are correct that the turtleduck pond is involved. <3

* * *

The turtleduckling had disappeared the day after mother did, but at least Zuko knew where it had gone. But he still wasn’t talking to Azula. 

“You have to talk to me sometime, Dum-Dum,” she said.

He crossed his arms, and stared at the remaining ducklings as they hid under a bush on the opposite side. There were four left.

“It was an accident, I didn’t even see it, and anyway it should have moved. You have to forgive me for accidents, moth—”

Mother said so. But they didn’t talk about mother anymore. 

Azula sat down next to him. She crossed her arms, too. And puffed out her cheeks, and glared, and he did not look like that. Not that he was paying attention to her. 

He was paying attention to the turtleducklings. Because… because there were five.

Azula went very still next to him.

The fifth turtleduckling had a darker shell and feathers, like it had been rolled in ashes. It waddled into the water, heedless of its parents' warning quacks and the two children the rest of its siblings were hiding from. 

Quack, it said, and paddled merrily along. 

Quack, it said, and disappeared like it had swum behind a screen. Except the screen was a normal patch of water and air, and he could see straight through it still. No fifth turtleduck.

“Is our pond… haunted?” Zuko asked.

“I thought you weren’t talking to me,” Azula said, but it was more of a reflex, as they both stared. Then, more sharply: “What are you doing?”

Zuko was standing up. He found a pebble and, without a mother to re-advise him against throwing rocks into certain ponds, launched it towards the spot they’d last seen the ghost duck. 

Quack, quacked an extremely offended quacker, who was still out of sight. The rock had disappeared, too, with no ripple on the water to show it had ever landed.

“...Dare you to go in,” Azula said.

“How stupid do you think I am?”

“I don’t think you’re stupid,” Azula said. “But a coward? That remains to be seen.”

Zuko glowered. Azula smirked. …Zuko started rolling up his pants.

“I wasn’t serious,” she snapped. “And I take it back, you are stupid,” which meant that now he was definitely going in. “Father is going to be angry when he sees you in wet robes,” she said, as he toed off his shoes. “And I’m not covering for you,” she said, as he caught his balance on the first slimy algae-covered stones, “and I’ll demand the servants attend me so they won’t be able to help you change, and—”

By then he was near the center of the small pond, and poking at air. His hand disappeared.

“I hope it hurts,” Azula said. She was on her feet now, with her arms crossed even more firmly over her chest.

“It just feels… normal? Maybe a little cold? It doesn’t—oww!” 

He jerked back his hand, complete with one ghost turtleduckling clamped over his palm. 

“Oww oww oww,” he shook it, and shook it, but it wasn’t coming off, and then he tripped on a stupid slimy rock and fell sideways—

“I’m not coming after you!”

—into somewhere that wasn’t the palace gardens at all. He’d fallen in water, but it was a shallow stream now. The day was colder, the wind stronger and drier. And there was a tree, up ahead.

The duckling dropped off his hand, and paddled away. Zuko barely glanced after it.

That was a very, very big tree. A purple light pulsed at its bulging, split-barked core.

“Hello, mortal,” the tree said.

At which point Zuko scrabbled backwards until he splashed back into the stiller, warmer, deeper water of the turtleduck pond.

“Evil tree,” he told Azula.

“Dum-Dum,” she said, and stomped off. 

By the time Zuko got inside, the servants were busy drawing their little princess a warm bath. He was made to wait his turn.

* * *

“I am unaware of any records pertaining to… evil trees,” the sage in charge of the royal archives said. 

“What about the spirit world?” Zuko asked.

* * *

The ghost turtleduckling swam with impunity between realms. And stole entire loaves out of Zuko’s hands, before fleeing on its tiny paddling feet to the safety of the other side.

“Hey!” 

It had learned that Zuko wouldn’t follow. Neither would its equally hungry siblings.

* * *

A place of death could form a rift, if the spirit did not realize its own passing. If it still desired to return, and was unaware of the general impossibility of the task. Spirits worked mostly on not realizing they couldn’t do a thing. 

“Oh,” Zuko said, to the scroll.

As this was a more common occurrence with animal spirits than with humans, who tended to overthink things even in death, it did not help Zuko narrow down his mother’s location.

* * *

Azula had stopped coming to the pond. And they had different bending instructors, now; father said a private tutor would stop her from being held back by… others. She preened.

Since Zuko was left alone at his lessons, he had a private tutor now, too. It didn’t feel like a reward.

* * *

“...Hello again, mortal,” the tree said, its voice oozing like a courtier’s. “Do come in. No need to be shy.”

“Are you evil?” Zuko asked, only his head poking through the rift.

“Such terms rarely apply to spirits,” the tree said, exactly like an evil tree would. “Consider our meeting, rather… an opportunity. Is there something you require assistance with? You would not have found yourself in this part of the spirit world, if I could not help. Perhaps we could— Mortal, come back here—”

Zuko pulled his head back out. It was definitely evil. But he’d gotten a better look at the patterns on the glowy purple part, so he sat down on the pond’s edge, and drew them before he forgot. He’d brought paper this time.

Maybe he wasn’t a good bender. Or heir. But there was an evil tree in the royal turtleduck pond, and he wasn’t a coward. He’d take care of it.

* * *

The sage in charge of the archives blinked. Took the paper from him, and blinked again. 

“Yes,” he said. “Yes, I believe I have seen something like this. Come.”

The scroll was old. So old it wasn’t even the original: it had been copied, and had time to grow old all over again. The sage fretted over every crackling inch they unrolled.

“Where did you say you saw this design?” the sage asked.

“...I, uh. Dreamed it?” Zuko said.

They stared, together, at an inked drawing of the Avatar’s patron spirit. 

* * *

…If Zuko found the Avatar, father would definitely like him better than Azula.

* * *

“Mortal,” the evil tree greeted, much less cordially.

“Are you the Avatar?”

“What,” it inquired, with a sort of rustling tree sigh, like it was already disappointed in his answer, “is the Avatar?”

Oh. So… no.

“It’s just, there was this picture in a scroll, of the Avatar’s patron spirit. And they looked like you, except without the tree, and white—”

“Raava,” the tree hissed.

Which had probably been the kanji that he hadn’t recognized. But neither had the sage, so it must have been a really hard one.

“Tell me about this… Avatar,” the tree said.

And maybe Zuko should have gone back to the training grounds to practice his katas more. Or read over the next chapters in his textbooks again, so he’d actually understand them when his instructors went over them tomorrow. But he was still sore from the extra sets his master had assigned as remedial instruction after Zuko had embarrassed them both in front of father. And sometimes when he read ahead he thought too much and got all the wrong ideas in his head, like the time he’d asked why Sozin hadn’t formed a coalition of other nations against the threat of the Air Nomad army. And that just made more work for his instructors to fix, so.

So Zuko sat down, on the stream bank nearest his escape route, and talked to an evil tree.

“They’re the master of all four elements,” he said. “The last one was an enemy to the Fire Nation, and the new one’s been hiding, probably because he’s too much of a coward to face us—”

* * *

He brought an extra loaf of bread next time. One for the ducklings who needed it, and one for the duckling who just thought she did. The ghost duckling tugged and tugged against his grip, before grudgingly clambering up to eat in his lap.

She was really soft.

She bit really hard.

“How many of these… Avatars… have there been?” the evil tree asked.

* * *

“How many Avatars have there been?” Zuko asked the sage.

“Nigh uncountable,” the man said. “Have you had more dreams, my prince?”

“Um,” Zuko said.

* * *

“A lot,” Zuko told the tree. “The sage in the archive said the histories don’t go back that far. He guessed there were at least a hundred.”

“...And how long does your species of mortal live?”

“Avatar Kyoshi lived a really long time. But most of us don’t live more than seventy or eighty years. And some of the Avatars probably died a lot sooner than that, if people resented their meddling as much as the textbooks say.”

“Seven thousand years,” the tree said. “At least.”

And then it got really quiet, for a long time. Which was natural for a tree, but not for an evil tree. Zuko sat with it. He’d brought his homework, so he wouldn’t be wasting his study time.

…Except he kind of did, because apparently ghost turtleducklings could sleep—or at least, dream of sleeping?—and this one did it right in his lap.

* * *

They had flambéed quail-shark for dinner, and Zuko had almost been late, but father was too busy watching the flames to notice him sliding onto his cushion. Azula did.

“Look,” she whispered, “a dead bird can firebend better than you.”

* * *

“Flambé,” Zuko scolded, trying to pull half a loaf of bread out of the mouth of a ghost turtleduckling intent on choking herself.

“...What is ‘flambé’?” the evil tree asked.

And, after Zuko was done with that explanation: “What is… ‘taste’?”

* * *

“I need a recipe book,” Zuko told the sage. “With pictures.” 

“I… of course, my prince. But first, would you like any of these?”

The man had set out a whole table of toys. Most were wooden. They all looked really old. There was another sage there, one of the ones from the high temple. He was just kind of standing there, watching them for some reason. 

“Thanks,” Zuko said. “But I’m too old for toys.”

They both watched him leave.

* * *

“Which turtle do you hail from?” the tree asked.

“I… don’t know?”

The tree sighed. “Air. Water. Earth—”

“Fire!” Zuko said.

“Yes,” it said drily, “that is the final option.”

“No, that’s… that’s what I bend. I’m from the Fire Nation.”

“Ah,” the tree said, in its oil-slick voice. “The element of power. A fine fit, for such a promising young larva.”

So today was going to be one of those days.

Zuko crossed his arms. “I’m glad you’re feeling better,” he said, “but if you keep trying to make me evil, I’m going to go back and practice my bending some more.”

“No need for anything so dramatic,” it said. “But I would wager that there’s something you need more power for. Some task to do, or someone to impress. Perhaps someone to… surpass?”

Azula was two sequences ahead, now. Father had rewarded her with an even better tutor. They were very famous, or something. 

“Perhaps we can help each other,” the tree said.

“Do you want more water?” Zuko asked. Because he’d been sitting here day after day thinking how dry the ground was, even with the stream, and the stream was actually really far from the tree’s roots. Maybe that was why it looked so dead. Maybe it wasn’t evil, it was just really thirsty. “I could dig the stream closer. I saw farmers doing that, when mo— When we toured the countryside, when we were younger. They said it was good for the plants.”

“I…” the tree said, like that was not the response it expected. “No, larva. I do not require more water.”

“What else do trees need?” Zuko asked.

“...I am not the tree. I am inside the tree.” 

“Oh. Oh. …You can come out, if you want. I’ll try not to be scared.”

It was silent again. And then it was laughing, but not a funny laugh. And then it was shouting, and Zuko knew better than to talk back when someone was shouting at him. 

“I cannot simply come out. I have been trapped here, alone, for millennia beyond your comprehension, and…”

The spirit stopped, and took in great big breaths, which wasn’t a thing father or his tutors did until they were done yelling. The spirit had stopped itself early, without Zuko apologizing even once. 

“...Is that why you’re lonely?” He’d thought it was because it was a tree, and evil trees without many leaves probably didn’t get many visitors. But being inside a tree probably wasn’t any better.

“I am not lonely,” the not-a-tree growled. “Listen, human larva. I will grant you power beyond your mortal imagining. You can be that Avatar you speak of, if you join with me. All I require in exchange is to not be in a tree.”

* * *

“Could someone who isn’t the Avatar learn the other elements?” Zuko asked the sage.

“...I suspect,” said the man, looking somewhat tired, “that the most likely explanation for such a phenomenon would be that this person was the Avatar. I happen to have a book here, with select personal accounts of how those who came into the knowledge prior to their sixteenth birthdays adjusted to the situation. If you would be interested.”

Zuko scowled, because that wasn’t helpful at all.

* * * 

“You’re never going to catch up, Zuzu,” Azula said. “But I suppose you could come train with me, if you asked nicely. My new tutor believes in the benefit of sparring, even against lesser opponents. We don’t even need to ask father, so long as you can refrain from embarrassing us both.”

“Mmhmm,” said Zuko, who was thinking.

“Well?” she snapped.

“Sorry, what?”

His sister stomped away.

* * * 

She wouldn’t talk to him at dinner, which was normal, because she always talked with father then.

She wouldn’t talk to him at any other meals, either, which wasn’t. Father wasn’t even there for those, it was just them and the servants who silently scurried in and out.

She didn’t even barge into his room to read his essays over his shoulder and laugh. …Or read the play scrolls they’d smuggled out of mother’s room before the servants had cleaned it, and laugh together. 

* * *

The servants were polite, but father hated for them to waste time on idle chatter.

Uncle was still missing. 

The sage in the archives kept looking at him funny.

“Could we spar sometime?” Zuko asked Azula, because he missed training together.

For some reason, that made her ignore him even harder.

* * * 

Flambé nibbled at his pant legs, then bit his ankle, then waddled petulantly away. Zuko hadn’t brought any bread, this time. 

“I don’t think power would help me,” Zuko said. Not unless it could make him smart enough to learn faster, or help him find mother, or fix whatever in him was so broken that father didn’t even like to look at him. “But… would you like to see the rest of the turtleducks? The not-dead ones.”

Flambé quacked derisively from the side.

“No,” the probably evil spirit said. “I do not desire to see more turtleducks. One is quite enough.”

“...Maybe the garden? It’s nice.”

“No, I—” it said. And then it paused. And got out its oily voice again, like that was something that it needed with Zuko. Maybe it didn’t know how else to talk when people were being nice to it. “...Yes. Yes, I would enjoy seeing your delightful little garden. Simply place your hand into the tree, and…”

“And?” Zuko asked.

“…This is a permanent thing, larva. Beyond even your single miniscule lifetime, as your so-called Avatar discovered. Are you certain?”

“Yes,” Zuko said. And stepped past the banks of the stream, and marched right up to the tree itself. He pushed his hand into his friend’s prison. 

Someone that wouldn’t ignore him, who couldn’t leave him. Zuko had never been more sure in his life.

“What’s your name?” he asked.

“Vaatu,” whispered the oil-slick voice, inside his own mind.

[wandasaura]

— THE QUIET GAME

summary — nobody can beat wanda at her own game, but that doesn’t stop you from trying, and roping natasha into your little game much to her amusement

warnings — dom!wanda maximoff, flirting, dom/sub undertones, semi-public sex (nobody’s around), nipple play, finger sucking, face slapping (once), thigh grinding, fingering (r receiving), degrading, praise, slight begging, edging, aftercare, implied past relationship with natasha, smut minors/men dni

♥️⊹ ˚ . 18+, men/minors dni ⁺ 𓈒 ꒰💌꒱ ♡ ･ mommy maximoff ✧

Wanda was livid, you could tell from across the room, the dim overhead lighting just bright enough to create a million little rainbows reflecting off the sequins of her skimpy black dress and the kink in her jaw as she grinded her teeth together. It was rare to see your girlfriend so dressed up and out of her element — usually sporting a more masculine appearance in various shades of red — but tonight was a special night, and she always strived to outdo the company.

She became the most beautiful woman in the room the second you opened the double doors upon your arrival, hand and hand, standing shoulder to shoulder, both dressed to stun in dresses that left little to the imagination. She’d had no reservations about your scanty red dress, but her sage eyes had been hungry and dark with lust since the initial glance she stole of your put together look before you left the apartment. You’re her most prized possession and all of your friends know it, some more inclined to tease the hardened witch about her soft spot for you then others, but that didn’t quell her insistence to make your relationship known to every stranger who attended; proud to show off what was only hers. Throughout the night, she’d kept a hand on your your hip, whispering into the shell of your ear knowing how it looked and how it made your legs quiver. Throughout the night, she’d been working you up to the point of no return.

When you separated after too many cocktails and not nearly enough fancy horderves to keep up with your alcohol intake that left your cheeks flush and palms sweaty (not by any choice of your own or hers, merely Tony’s elaborate plan to trap his billionaire friends into donating to the Potts Project) your attention had been solely on her and memorizing the way that the light shaped to her sinful body, cleavage glistening and full for anyone to gawk at. And they did. You’d caught a handful of guests ogling the deep neckline of her dress too many times to remain unbothered and composed, and while you knew the only one she was even looking at beneath the yellow toned lighting was you, the offered drinks and fleeting touches to her waist from arrogant men that thought they could get a piece of what was yours, sparked a fire of jealousy you didn’t want to ignore.

It was no secret that these events led to some of the best sex you had in your relationship, a result of spending the long hours of the night too enraptured with each other's bodies to pay soft touches and patience any mind when you finally had the chance to come undone beneath one another, but tonight was different. Tonight you couldn’t play by her rules and watch from a distance as she floated around and socialized, no, tonight you’d play the long game of getting so beneath her skin she wouldn’t be able to wait until you returned home for a piece of you.

That jealousy was what ended you up in such a flirtatious exchange with Natasha, the redheaded widow painfully aware of yours and Wanda’s relationship (she’d walked in on you too many times to deem them all accidents), but she was more than happy to play along with your game, finding sadistic entertainment in the not-so-subtle expressions your otherwise unshakable girlfriend sent her way. With a possessive grip on your hip, chest flush against yours, nose only one accidental stumble away from yours, Natasha was playing with fire, and you were malleable to her every move. Your history with her was only an advantage in this situation as you stole glances at Wanda from across the room, not surprised to find that she was watching you intensely, clutching the stem of her wine glass so tight her knuckles had turned white, lips pursed into a thin line and when you caught her eye, you dared to smile innocently. When Natasha’s calloused thumb brushed against your bottom lip to draw your attention back to her, Wanda’s final straw snapped, and the redhead teasing your body with sensual touches merely chuckled darkly at the approaching footsteps of your possessive girlfriend.

You didn’t break eye contact with Natasha even when you felt the warmth of her body press against yours, her wine glass having been shoved into some poor unsuspecting waiter's chest during her pursuit. “Let’s go.” Her words were cynical, heavy even, but you’d only just started having fun, and Natasha wasn’t one to back down from a challenge.

The redhead pulled you closer, so close that you could smell the mojito on her breath, creating space between you and Wanda who hadn’t been quick enough to grab the other side of your waist when she had the chance. “Look who finally has the time for me.” You joked with Natasha, running a wandering hand down the front of her chest where the buttons of her suit jacket revealed milky skin. She was always so pale, even in the summertime, but the deep color of her suit complimented her complexion nicely, and sharpened the deep green of her eyes and redness of her freshly dyed curls. She’d been blonde only three days prior, but her changing appearance wasn’t anything new at this point. Twirling a strand between your fingers, you bit into your bottom lip. “You have time for me, don’t you, Natty?”

“Always, detka.” The redhead smirked, leaning her forehead against yours, bold enough to slide her hands down your waist and grab at your barely covered ass. Wanda seethed behind you, green eyes flashing red as she glared at your best friend and grabbed your wrist before you could go exploring Natasha’s body again. You had the audacity to giggle when she started pulling you away and toward the exit, wiggling your fingers at the widow who sent you a knowing wink, stumbling over to Maria who had watched the entire scene play out behind a bottle of beer, lips upturned in a smirk. You’d get an earful tomorrow afternoon when you returned to the office, but for now, the only thing you cared about was getting your girlfriend undressed and beneath your touch.

“Hi.” You grinned sweetly, voice dripping with lust as you peered up at her clenched jawline and flared nostrils. She was pissed, and a pissed off Wanda was exactly the woman you needed tonight. Her hand was still tight around your wrist, grabbing at you not hard enough to hurt, but giving you no other choice but to follow after her as she dodged guests and furniture.

You’d never been to this specific venue, Tony preferring to host these events in the compound where the only liability was a broken vase that he didn’t really care about anyway, but still, she maneuvered you both through the building like she’d mapped it all out, footsteps only slowing when she had you confined to a single use bathroom down the hall from the main ballroom. In seconds your back was flush against the door, breath knocked from your lungs as you peered up at her with blown out pupils and a hungry smirk.

She didn’t give you the time to make a sarcastic comment, you’d made enough of them already if she had any say in it, but you would never complain about the feverish way she leant in to kiss you, and how her tongue tasted like your favorite cocktail as it brushed against yours. You fought for dominance as your teeth clashed together and your tongues danced to explore the others mouth, fighting to be the lead, but it was no surprise that she won. A heavy moan filled the echoey bathroom when her body warm pressed into yours, leaving you helpless to her assault that you truthfully didn’t really mind. You kissed her back just as aggressively, hands finding their way into her loose locks that fell down her shoulders in simple and natural waves, and you tugged on it in a desperate plea for something more. Anything more.

She chuckled darkly when she pulled away, bringing her decorated fingers toward your face. Her rings sparkled beneath the automatic lights, silver jewelry complimenting her midnight black dress. In any other setting, you would’ve told her she looked beautiful, but you were desperate to reach a high only she could give you, and she seemed to be taking her sweet time in working you up. Just like Natasha had, her calloused thumb brushed across your swollen and wet bottom lip, collecting the wetness that had gathered from your kiss before she forced it into your mouth. The digit felt heavy on your tongue, but not unfamiliar, and without hesitation you began to suck, eyelids fluttering closed at the warm feeling the sheer dominance of the action sent through your body and straight to your already sopping core. You could feel your arousal soaking through your panties, thighs wet and pressed together as you sought out any kind of relief. Wanda gazed at you with stars in her eyes, but her delicacy didn’t last long before she was forcing your legs apart with her thigh, pressing right up into your needy core. The pressure on your clit felt heavenly, your hips grinding to find the right friction without her permission.

She didn’t stop you, letting you hump her leg like a needy slut, instead focusing her attention on the way you hollowed out your lips around her thumb and kitten licked around her ring, eyes pinched shut as your breathing became heavier. “You think you’re so funny.” She sneered, using her pointer finger to tilt your head upward, revealing your unmarked neck. She’d change that. Her red lips didn’t waste a second, and her teeth weren’t gentle as she nipped and licked at your sensitive skin, working her way up toward the shell of your ear where you were the most reactive. You shuddered violently when she licked a bold strip up the side of your neck, blowing out cold air that made goosebumps prick the skin of your arms. Your grinding only became sloppier as your clit pulsates with need, pathetic whines vibrating her thumb and fueling her actions. “You think you can let Natasha touch what’s mine. Think I don’t know what you’re doing. I know everything, malyshka. I know what makes you moan,” She bit down on your earlobe, tugging at it gently with her teeth, and unable to help yourself, you arched into her chest, moaning desperately.

“I know what makes you whine,” The hand that wasn’t occupied snaked between your bodies, and sought out your barely hidden nipples, pebbled from the cold and your turned on state. Your whines were music to her ears as she tugged and twisted at your sensitive buds overtop of the thin dress, not bothering to shove it out of the way like you wanted. Your nipples were always so sensitive, it was one of Wanda’s favorite ways to work you up to a quick orgasm when you didn’t have the time to be fooling around, but that wasn’t her intention tonight. Just like you’d decided to do, she was playing the long game.

“I know what makes you gasp,” Her thumb made an obnoxiously loud sound as she pulled it from the warm confines of your mouth, but before you had time to process the loss, her palm was colliding with your cheek and the sting on your flushed skin replaced the weight of her heavy digit. You gasped, just like she expected you to, peering at her with wide eyes and an entirely fucked out expression despite not actually being touched yet. Her thigh was saturated in your arousal, the scent thick in the air but it couldn’t be blamed on only you. Her own panties, black like the color of her dress because she was ever the meticulous woman, we’re so drenched they stuck to her folds, but her attention was on you right now, because clearly that’s all you wanted, and who was she to deny you anymore?

“What? Did you just need me to pay you attention? Is that it?” She cooed mockingly, pulling her thigh away from your core just as you found the perfect rhythm, disrupting your climbing high before you could fall over the edge into bliss. You whined pathetically, hips frantically searching for her again. “Are you such a desperate little slut you couldn’t get through one evening without needing this little pussy fucked?” You gasped when her hand cupped your mound, skilled fingers slipping beneath the waistband of your panties and toying at your sensitive clit. “You spent the last hour mouthing off to Natasha, when you could’ve just told me what you needed.”

“P-Please.” You stumbled over your words, breathy moans like music to her ears as she sank two fingers into your willing hole, feeling just how worked up you’d gotten yourself since arriving. You squeezed at her fingers, walls fluttering with desperation as her thumb set a brutal pace on your clit, entirely to soft and slow to bring you to where you wanted to be.

Attempting to take matters into your own hands, you pushed on her fingers that worked at scissoring you open, caressing your velvety walls like she was trying to study you. “Oh no, you don’t get to rush me now. You lost that privilege the second you let her touch what belongs to me.” Wanda’s other hand held your hips flush against the door you were pinned against, keeping her pace slow and torturous and entirely unsatisfying. “We’re gonna play a little game.”

“N-No.” You shook your head frantically, your hands scratching at her exposed shoulders, trying to wrestle them down her arms to free her breasts that had been taunting you all night. Even in her aggression, she still looked beautiful, and you cursed the tight fabric of her dress for holding her in so perfectly. “Wanda please, p-please.” You moaned loudly when her fingers found that perfect spot inside of you, pressing into it teasingly, before they were pulled away. She let them slip past your lips, filling your mouth with the taste of your own juices that glistened on her palm and smeared against your chin.

“Unless you want someone to hear how desperate you sound, you’re going to stay quiet. The second you make a noise I stop, do you understand me?” She pulled her fingers out of your mouth, satisfied with how you’d cleaned them off only for her to get them dirty again. You nodded frantically, desperate to have her back where you needed her most. Your walls fluttered around nothing, that deep ache in your belly nearly unbearable as you’d been left right on the edge twice already. “Good girl. What do you say if you need a break?”

Your heart melted at the tender care she showed, a crack in her facade as she let the both of you exist in a single gentle moment of care and respect. She may be rough when she’s pissed, she may slap you around and drag out your pleasure for her own amusement, but she made sure that you knew you were really the one in charge during these exchanges. The second you asked her to stop, she would. But you trusted her enough to never go there. “Yellow. Red if I want you to stop, I know Wands. I trust you, just please touch me.”

She smirked sadistically, letting her hands roam your body filthily. You bit down on your bottom lip to suppress the moan that threatened to escape when she pulled at the neckline of your dress and revealed your sensitive nipples to the cold air abruptly. Her hot fingers were skilled in many ways, and still slightly damp from your mouth, they moved over your skin easily, tugging and pinching at your nipples with a practiced perfection. She knew exactly what you liked and what made you go crazy, and she was using every skill in the book to get you to break. When her mouth found your left breast, kissing all over the warm and silky skin that she’d spent twenty minutes fondling before you’d even left for the event, you almost broke. Your knees weakened, your belly quivered with need as she kissed and sucked at every inch of skin beside where you really wanted her. When her lips finally encased your erect bud, a wave of relief crashed over you, but was replaced in seconds by an unmet desire. Her teeth bit ar your nipple, tugging until you didn’t think you could take it anymore, but she knew what you could take, and before you could tap at her shoulder, she was letting go and soothing the ache with her skilled tongue. A shaky breath escaped your lips before you could help it, and immediately she was letting go of you completely, leaving you to stand by yourself against the door.

“What did I say?” Her green eyes that were black with lust glared at you, her words sounding so far away as you arched away from the door and tried to persuade her to come back.

“I’m sorry! I’m sorry! Please. Please Wands, just touch me.” Your eyes were unfocused and hazy, head spinning as you pined for touch. The long game had definitely come back to bite you in the ass, nobody fucked with Wanda Maximoff and won, but you were too drunk on her touch to care about how you’d walked yourself into this.

“You make another sound and we’re going back out there until the end of the night.” She laid out her ultimatum, words slurring together with the faintest hint of her accent coming out to play as she admired your frantic stare and flushed cheeks, looking absolutely ravenous as you anticipated her touch. You nodded frantically, desperate to win her over, although you both knew she was going to resume either way. Natasha could only work you up so much, but she was the one who made you come undone with the lightest touch, and that was enough to motivate her into continuing.

This time when her fingers returned to your core, she wasn’t as gentle, thumb heavy on your clit as her fingers teased around your entrance, not daring to fill you up how you wanted without making you earn it. She pulled at the waistband of your thong until it snapped, flimsy purple fabric falling down your sweaty thigh to be forgotten about on the tile floor, and finally without the tight barrier that only gave her so much room to work in the way, she set an unforgiving pace that had your head spinning and thighs shaking as she reached the deepest part of your pussy with ease and talent that Natasha never had during all of your hookups. The wet noises that came from your center should’ve been embarrassing, but you couldn’t think about how anybody that happened passed by the door could definitely hear them, focused solely on the way her palm slapped against your clit at just the right pressure and pace, her breath tickling your lips as she leaned in close and rested her forehead against yours. Your hands reached out for her, desperate to have something to ground yourself to as you felt the spring in your core begin to tighten immensely. Her red hair was tousled and frizzy from your desperate pulling, and it only got messier as one of your hands tangled into it again.

Wanda didn’t deny you, grabbing the hand that wasn’t in her hair, and holding it against her chest as she worked you through your orgasm, smiling sweetly as your chest rose and fell in quick succession, bottom lip bitten and flush from both the alcohol and your high. “You can make noise, it’s okay. Let me hear you, it’s just us. It’s just us, malyshka.” Her gentle eyes flashed red, strong tendrils of magic encasing the room im her own makeshift sound barrier. The noise from the party quieted down, leaving only the sounds of your intimacy to be heard. With her permission to moan, you did just that, whining and gasping as you rode out your orgasm on her fingers, hips stuttering to both find a steady pace and pull away from the overstimulating sensations shooting down your spine.

When she pulled her hand away, fingers dripping in your juices, your cheeks flushed, only growing darker when she let them sink past her cherry red lips and weigh heavy on her tongue. She moaned at your taste, eyes twinkling as she made sure you were looking straight at her. When she was satisfied, she leaned in for a kiss, gentle and endearing as she let you work out whatever you needed, pulling back the reins of her dominance for the time being at least. Wrapping your arms around her neck, you looked up at her glassy green eyes.

“I love you, Wanda Maximoff.” You giggled, pecking her lips that your arousal clung to. The taste of yourself wasn’t something unfamiliar at this point in your relationship, but it never failed to make your belly tighten with gratitude that after everything in life, you found your way to her.

“I love you more.” She leaned up to peck your nose, smiling goofily. “We should invite Natasha over again.”

You laughed loudly at the suggestion, remembering the last time the redhead ended up in your bed when you were still living at the compound. She’d limped around for hours afterward, glaring daggers at Wanda from across the room every time she went to sit down.

“You know, she’s equally as guilty as I am.” Your eyes sparkled with mischief, a teasing smirk on your lips as you thought about the unstoppable Black Widow being forced to her knees by your giggly girlfriend.

“Watch it, or I’ll let her spank you with the paddle next time.” Wanda quipped, grabbing your hand and bringing it up to her lips, where her gaze lingered for a few seconds before looking back at you. “Maria’s going to be all over you tomorrow.”

“I guess I’ll just have to have something to brag about then.” You smirked, leading her out of the bathroom and out into the cold of winter. Your breath floated through the air as Wanda wrapped her arms around you, long coats forgotten about as you began to trek toward the car, eager to get home and help her reach her own high.

[zeezelweazel]

Valorant| S/O is tired of their protectiveness|

____________________________

I'm not so into Valorant anymore but I still love my wives

This is angsty ofc <3

Characters Included : Reyna, Sage, Viper, Fade

____________________________________________________

• Reyna •

For you Reyna, who you know as Zyanya, is a very soft and caring person at heart who would do anything for the people she loves. She also is extremely protective because of that.

After everything that happened with her sister Lucia she doesn't want to lose you. You keep reminding her that you're not a child and can protect yourself as you're a capable figher and a strong rediant. Your dear girlfriend is very stubborn it seems because no matter how many times you've brought it up she still insists on protecting you.

You've had numerous fights about this but the last one was the worst one. It was before a mission, when you insisted on going on B site alone to ensure that no enemy agent will make an escape and plant the spike there but Reyna dissagreed with your plan after deeming it too dangerous.

You two kept going back and forth yelling at eachother until Viper got between you and decided on a different plan all together.

It's been a few days since but you're still angry. She made you feel so humiliated by treating you like you were made of glass, like you were nothing in front of the great empress.

That's probably why you were pushing past your limits now. To prove her wrong and establish your place as her equal.

It's much harder than it sounds, as it turns out, your body can't handle it all and before you know it you're struggling to stand up. Your efforts payed off as the mission was very successful but you don't have a chance to celebrate it with your fellow teammates because you collapse a few moments after you hear Breach saying that the spike has been defused.

When you woke up the first thing you felt was a heavy weight on your right arm and after a small struggle you opened your eyes to see your girlfriend staring back at you surprised.

Reyna moved towards you and softly touched your cheek. She didn't need to say anything, you could see it in her eyes. After that day instead of staying behind her and being protected by her you fight alongside Reyna.

• Sage •

Sage is a healer. It's her job to care about others. That is the reason why she knew your relationship wasn't a good idea. She tried to keep things professional for the longest time but ultimately her feelings got the better of her. After you started dating she naturally became more protective of you.

You got tired of it pretty quickly but didn't say anything. You didn't want her to think that she's overbearing and cause any issues so early on.

Every time you got injured, she scolded you for your mistakes and on your next mission together she was way more protective. Almost caging you and making you unable of doing anything of importance.

It was like you were just a nice decoration. A beautiful woman on the battlefield not providing anything to the team or the mission.

You tried really, really hard not to snap at her but at this point it was impossible.

The adrenaline and stress of the current mission aren't helping either. It was going fine enough but everything could go wrong ver quickly. And of course, it did.

Sage was getting to the spike, ready to defuse it when you heard a very familiar voice shout.

" Fire in the hole! "

Every muscle in your body tensed as you looked at the surrounding walls, waiting for the bomb to fall on your head.

Your girlfriend acted faster than you by raising one of her walls for protection, but instead of shielding herself to defuse the spike she chose to but the wall in front of you leaving herself exposed in the process.

That proved to be a fatal mistake as soon after one of Raze's bombs blew up right in front of Sage. You watched in slow motion as the device flew across the battlefield and your girlfriend collapsed to the ground, writhing in pain.

You immediately reached for her and ignored the immense heat radiating from the burns in her body as you hid behind the closest cover.

You looked behind to see the rest of your team has picked up their efforts and the spike was currently being defused by Chamber.

Next thing you know you're the one waiting for Sage to wake up as you pitifully sit by her infirmary bed. When she wakes up you're ready to scold her, just like she does with you.

"I can't believe you didn't protect yourself. I'm a radiant for fucks sake I can protect myself. Besides the fact that you got injured and couldn't heal anyone after the battle, the damn defuser almost got busted. All because you thought I wasn't strong enough. Aren't you the one complaining about "not being just a healer" all the time? Aren't you tired of how everyone is treating you like you're made of glass and not letting you go to the front lines? Why do you treat me this way then?"

Sage was quiet for a long time and you thought about leaving before her raspy voice startled you.

"I see how I was at fault now. I'm sorry I... I never meant to hurt you like this I just felt such a strong need to protect you. I promise you from now on I'll let you fight your own battles."

• Viper •

Viper sees almost every single person in the Protocol as inferior to her and surprise surprise even though you two are dating and she does love like you it still needs time before it gets through her thick skull that you're not just her "little mouse" and instead can defend yourself.

A little part of Sabine keeps repeating a name from her past. A tragedy that she caused, someone that she couldn't save. That someone she loved like you and that someone was strong like you but in the end non of that mattered.

She tried to convince herself that in you she sees the same thing she does in everyone here in the protocol. She wishes she could look at you and think of a pathetic little mouse trying to befriend the snake. But she can't. She does try though.

You were ready for an easy mission today but when you saw your girlfriend walk in the mission room looking serious you knew this was going to be a hard one.

A mission in Omega Earth. Well that's a different one. Only KJ, Neon and Reyna had had the pleasure of visiting your lovely neighbours so far.

Viper always insisted that you come with her on every mission together because you work well as a team, which isn't a lie but the main reason she wants you close by is so that she can reach out and protect you whenever possible.

You hate it. Sometimes the rest of the protocol jokes around by saying that you're dating your mom.

This time you told yourself that you're going to act exactly how you do on every other mission, regardless of what Viper tells you to do.

But of course your girlfriend didn't like the defiance, especially not when she's your superior in the field. You were out numbered by a bunch of simple soldiers.

You wanted to charge in and take them out so you can enter the facility you were here to investigate. Viper insisted that there has to be more. Her experience told her that this is too easy, the Valorant Legion must be waiting inside.

You, of course, didn't listen to her and charged in anyway with a very angry Viper chasing after you.

The moment you walked into the facility you were faced with a pretty bad ambush. The both of you fought as hard as you could but in the end you barely made it with the help of the rest of the team.

The ride back was very awkward with Viper not taking a single break from glaring at you while you were trying to busy yourself with literally anything.

As expected you had an argument the moment you reached HQ.

"You disobeyed direct orders from your superior! What were you thinking?!"

"I'm tired of this Viper! Every single time we have a mission together you treat me like a stupid little girl that can't do shit on her own!"

"This isn't the point. You but your life in danger-"

"I don't care! I will not be treated like this anymore. I know you have a thing for belittling people but for fucks sake you must really get off on doing it to me because I can't count how many times you've destroyed my dignity. "

Taking a big breath from all the fighting you closed your eyes and run a hand through your hair. You didn't wait another second before leaving and heading to your room. If only you stayed a moment longer you would've seen a very rare sight. The one and only Viper standing there with her hands clenched and her lips pursed as she desperately tries to hold back her tears.

• Fade •

Fade was afraid. She couldn't, wouldn't, admit it. But she was so scared of you disappearing. Just like he did. She was terrified of her life ending up in an endless nightmare.

Sometimes she tells herself that this is unfair to you. That she can't keep caging you like this. She trues to turn a blind eye to it but she sees your frustrated and hurt expression every time she acts like your knight in shining armour.

She ignores these feelings as best as she can, it's not just for her it's for your own good as well. She knows when to step in, she knows your limits.

You on the other hand can't handle seeing her in pain because of you. She thinks she's protecting you but she's only putting herself in unnecessary danger. You know your limits better than her, you are aware if what's happening around you and when you need to charge in or pull out.

You try not to blame Fade. You know that she doesn't mean to demeanor you. She's only scared of loosing you. Hazal hasn't talked to you about the mystery man she's been trying to find either. Not much anyway, but from what you know he must've meant a lot to her.

You really want to talk with her about it. Communication is important and you know this well it's just that you don't know how to bring it up without hurting her or without her trying to slither her way out of the conversation.

You decided that the best way to do this would be to bring it up in the heat of the moment. Which inly meant that you simply would have to wait you're assigned in another mission together.

Thankfully it was sooner than you expected. Another usual mission for the Valorant Protocol. Defend your home by defusing the spike and winning another fight against the Valorant Legion.

Guns aren't your specialty per say since you mostly depend on your radiant abilities. Not that you can't aim but it is especially difficult when you can't see. Shooting from inside one of Omen's shadow domes is almost impossible you can't see who you're aiming at and you don't even know if it's friend or foe.

You're pretty confused when the dome disappears and you see no one in front of you. When you take a few steps forward you're surprised when Sky tackles you into the ground. The woman must be out of her wooden animals but still she's physically stronger than you.

You two continue to scramble for a little while before the world goes black. At first you thought she knocked you out but you quickly realised that this is your girlfriend's work.

When you come to you immediately try to look for Fade. She is shocked when she sees you but don't let her speak a word.

"I hope today taught you a lesson. You can't keep trying to protect me. Not like this anyway. I had everything under control and you ended up doing more bad than good."

"I-I know and I'm sorry but-"

"No buts, just promise me you'll never try to protect me again."

*I promise."

[nightofhappylight]

Initially just wanted to draw Sasori and Kisame in their respective villages' standard uniform.

...And now there's a whole idea for a fanfic, so here's a short one of GuardianNinja!Akatsuki AU.

.

Snow Country Reading Club

Sasori hates waiting.

Not that he would go on a frustrated, genocidal mass-killing over waiting for a few minutes or anything, but if any of the idiots don’t arrive soon—or worse, if they change shifts without informing him—then there’s no telling what his smallest, mostly harmless doll he’s now fiddling with would do.

Flicking a finger, Sasori absently watches as the doll picks up a stick and starts to draw something on the ground. Not quite distracting enough, he makes it take up a stick on each limb and do a weird, half-remembered imitation of Suna’s traditional fan dance. If he cares enough, there’s a faint laugh he can hear from inside the big, heavily guarded building some meters away from where he’s sitting. He looks down and sighs.

Just fifteen more minutes. He would ditch the idiots if they don’t come after that.

༄ ༄ ༄

Deidara, for the umpteenth time, curses the ancient Tsuchikage for making him put up with this.

The job pays well, yes. And he is qualified, certainly.

But does he care? No, not really. Feudal Lords can do anything and Deidara would pay not even a quarter of shit to it. Their orders are shinobi’s main source of income but Deidara prefers the messy, explosive kind to the boring, tasteless, mind-numbing ones, like body-guarding.

He doesn’t have a choice, though. Not if he doesn’t want to get in another trouble with the old old man. Besides, it’s better than desk jobs, he guesses (because sage forbids he has to sit and write and think), and he gets to switch and take a break for a few hours to do whatever he wants.

…He just hopes a certain redhead wouldn’t stick a poisonous needle in him or something, though, because his shift lasting for one more hour is not his fault.

༄ ༄ ༄

When Kisame comes to their usual secret-but-not-really place, he is in a fairly cheery mood.

After seeing the familiar redhead, though, there’s something concerningly similar to fear—and morbid curiosity—that makes him blink.

“Uh” he starts, eloquently, “Where are the others?” because he’s usually the last one to arrive but there’s no blond or raven in sight.

Sasori looks downright pissed—Kisame wonders why the guy’s still there—and levels him with a look, “Who fucking knows.”

Oh. Wow. Okay.

Whistling a random, carefully low tune, Kisame sits a few feet from the puppeteer, “There’s a change in the Lightning’s Guardians, I heard.”

That, thankfully, gets the redhead’s attention.

“Who died?”

Kisame snorts, “Nah, just resigned, I think. It’s Dodai-san”

“The rubber guy” Sasori recognizes, “He is old, I guess.”

Kisame thinks about how Sasori is pretty old himself—despite his very misleading looks—and keeps the thought to himself. He glances to the windows of the building that currently holds the nations’ Feudal Lords, chuckles at how constipated Deidara had looked and faintly wonders why the convoy from Fire hasn’t arrived yet.

༄ ༄ ༄

When Itachi appears, it’s a day later than the schedule and he is greeted by a whole sour mood that turns off like a light the second he steps onto their self-claimed patch of clearing.

“Hey, Itachi-san” Kisame greets, a hand in a lazy wave, and Itachi follows the Kiri nin’s gaze and blinks at a raised eyebrow.

Ah. Right, he hasn’t had time to change yet.

“There was some trouble on the way” he explains, which is a normal occurrence, really—Feudal Lords eat assassination attempts for breakfast—but there has been a little more effort in the last couple times, “Asuma-san’s team is currently acting as decoy and we went here undercover.”

(Not that Itachi would say it out loud, but he is forever grateful the Fire’s Lord is mostly a chill guy and is fine with their modus operandi, however questionable it can be).

Vainly tapping his flak jacket to at least dust some dried red, Itachi takes a seat on the ground where Deidara is patting enthusiastically.

“We were talking about the Lightning new guy, yeah.”

“Darui-san?”

“What – you already knew??”

Itachi nods, pulling out a gray-bound scroll and a soft-cover book and thumping them on top of the other ones piled on a relatively cleaner spot, “Hokage-sama told me.”

Deidara rolls his eyes, “Of course he would, yeah” he says and goes to mutter something about blonds and old mans and retirement.

Kisame smirks, eyes alight in humor “Good for you, Itachi-san. Yagura-sama prefers his subordinates having surprises.”

“That’s because Kiri nin would die if you don’t get anything exciting happening for more than twenty minutes—”

“Hey! The one who had a rampage on a ‘seemingly empty desert’ doesn’t get to talk!”

“I’m not the one with the huge-ass, chakra-eating sword—”

Itachi snorts softly, taking one random book and flipping it open. Ah, a general history of the Stone’s alliance with Grass. He has read about it in Konoha’s archive, but having another point of view wouldn’t hurt.

“How old is the guy anyway?” Deidara asks by way of redirecting the topic because Sasori is now starting to bring up their tardiness.

“Young.”

“Younger than Itachi was?”

“No one is younger than Itachi was when he first joined.”

“…Fair. Younger than Deidara?”

“No, a little older,” a pause, “Acts ten years more than his age, though.”

They each grab a book or a scroll, a comment slipping here and there, and soon they’re sitting in a semi-circle, silent, each reading one thing or another.

“…We could invite the guy some time” Kisame says some half an hour into the silence, page opened on a certain kata illustration. (…So that’s why he has been… weirdly moving his hands about.)

“I’m fine with that, yeah” Deidara nonchalantly agrees, already on his third book and flipping many pages all at once and stopping randomly to read “Hey, somebody gotta teach me this one!”

Itachi glances at the pointed passage. A chakra control exercise. …Hmm.

“I could show an example” he offers, before looking at Sasori, “Unless Sasori-san is willing to demonstrate it” because the book is from Suna, after all. Said puppeteer just waves a dismissive hand, eyes still focused on an old, fraying scroll pertaining… Kiri’s desserts?

Deidara shoves the book into his hands. The raven reads the page once again to make sure of the theory and starts channeling it into practice. Brown and black dust falls from the hem of his sleeves and he glances forward as he feels the other half of Konoha’s convoy arriving and getting into the building.

It would be his shift in a couple hours, but for now, he is content to enjoy his break with some company.

[haileybeehappy]

The Blacksmiths Daughter

Summary : You are the Blacksmiths daughter and apprentice, in a secret relationship with one of the queens guardsman

Word Count : 2.4k

Authors note : pure smut really tbh. Not like accurate to actual knights and shit. Also not edited

Warnings : Smut. P n V unprotected sex. Hair pulling. Fem receiving oral. Soft dom Harry. She calls him sir, but I mean, he’s a knight. Secret relationship I guess.

You watch as your father holds the blade up to Sir Styles, his head bowed in respect. Styles takes the blade from him, fingers skimming along the edge. The metal of the razor sharp sword glimmering under the dancing light of the fire

“It’s perfect,” a genuine smile stretched across his lips. “Thank you,” he nods to your father.

“It was an honor Sir Styles,” Your father then presents the sheath for the sword. Intricate leather scenes carved into the brown treated leather. The blade falling to his side and his opposite hand coming up to the scabbard. Fingers dancing over the sorry, starting with a small figure in a Forrest accompanied by a small house. A small figure, the same figure, a top of a horse. The figure, bigger now, sword fighting another with a crooked broken sword. Then again fighting with the same sword a large beast. Then he stands tall, atop the now dead beast, weapon presented high above his head. The second to last, a knight, kneeling below a queen as she grants him his knighthood. The last, the night standing tall, gracefully, surrounded by those who adore him. His eyes track the story. Face unwavering. He looks up to your father.

“Wayland,” his voice filled with admonition. Your fathers head shakes. Hand slowly rising up, finger extended to point to you.

“My leather worker is quite grand isn’t she?” You smile at the comment. Waving to the two men across the shop. Sir Styles sheaths his new sword, slipping into his belt he crosses the expanse of the forge and up to you. Where you rest behind your station. Tools laid all around you. His reach extending for your hand, you place your palm slipping over his. His large hand dwarfing yours in his hold. Pressing a feathery kiss to your knuckles he nods to you.

“Thank you, for it is almost as beautiful as you,” his voice not loud enough to reach your fathers ears, only your own. Your cheeks flush as you look away, unable to keep your eyes on his.

“Thank you Sir,” you exhale. Eyes darting around the shop to avoid his gaze.

“I’ll see you,” he nods. Turning to your father with a thanks and leaves the shop. As the bell rings, signaling the door opening and closing your father looks to you wide eyed.

“I told you he would love it!” His hands thrown up in the air. “Who wouldn’t?” He darts across the shop as fast as his short legs are able, heavy leather apron flapping as his knees hit against it. As he approaches you, your feet hit the ground. Hopping off the stool and allowing him to wrap his arms around you. His build only slightly taller than yours. Large shoulders and arms from years of work, a round taught belly and a slightly scraggly beard hangs from his chin. He breaks his embrace. Looking to your eyes.

“I am so proud of you, I couldn’t have asked for a better daughter,” you smile admirably at your father. Tears in your eyes at his confession.

“Thank you, I couldn’t have asked for a better father, you’ve done so much for me. Taken me this far. Taught me your craft, I am so proud to be the daughter of Artemis Wayland,” his eyes become glassy and he pulls you in for another hug. Your face buried into his chest you breathe in deeply and sigh out. He smells of metal, fire and sage. He finally breaks free from you. Wiping fallen tears from his cheeks.

“I am going to get us some food from the market,” his voice steady once again. Booming off the walls. “Sir Styles always pays us handsomely so we will eat well tonight,” a large smile showcases his crooked teeth. “What are we thinking? Venison? Fish soup? Oh! I know,” he looks up from his desk, where he was searching for the bag of coins Sir Styles had left. “I can pick up more honey from the bee keeper, yes,” he says more so talking to himself. He continues to mumble and jumble as he heads toward the door, coins jingling around in his pocket as his heavy steps leave the shop. Bell ringing, echoing off the walls. You laugh to yourself and decide to get back to work. You pick up your tools and begin to work at the next piece you are making. A portrait of the queen that will be secured to the saddle of one of her guardsman’s horses. The door in the back of the shop opens. Assuming it’s your father you look up, quiet footsteps round the corner and you see him, Sir Styles. A large smile on your face, he approaches you, arms outstretched. You jump into his embrace, large arms catching you. Nose nestled into the crook of his shoulder. He gives you a spin before you unbury yourself from his neck. Green emerald eyes licking with yours for a spit second before dropping down to your lips. You lean forward and his mouth locks onto yours. Your hands love from their grasp on his shoulders and cup his face. Fingers scratching against the stubble on his jaw. You pull back, lips separating from his, a nose scrunching smile etched into your features.

“Happy Birthday,” your voice drilling with happiness.

“Thank you my love,” he pulls you in for about her kiss. Walking forward slowly until the small of your back bumps your work station, your legs still wrapped around his tall frame. You let a small whine as his hands dig harder into your bottom. Lifting you so your weight comes to rest on the sturdy wood table. Releasing his hold on your ass his hands find their way to your hips, kneading comfortably as he continues to press hard kisses onto your lips. Your hands trail down his neck, grazing across his collar bones, down the caverns of his chest to rest at the exposed skin. The float black shirt he is wearing uncinched, revealing the two bird shapes on his skin. Evidence of his travels with the queen, marked by pirates they say. He pulls back eyes still closed as his forehead rests on yours.

“We mustn’t take it too far my love, your father could come back soon,” his fingers finding a pinching grasp on your chin. Guiding you to look at him as stands tall again. You whine and lean into his touch.

“He has to go see the bee keeper,” you sake your head. “He won’t be back till the clock strikes again,” you say referring to the chimes that ring hourly. That has rung just minutes before as you worked. He smirks lightly.

“Then we have time,” his lips connect with yours again. Kiss quickly heating up, his hands running down your hips to the bottoms of your thighs. Slipping under your skirt and into your undergarments. Stopping at the crease of your thigh. Fingers running up and down the soft skin of your inner thighs. You whine at the tease, his tongue poking out to dance with yours as your mouth is agape. He tastes of fruit and wine, remanence if his celebration with the other knights you presume. You separate from him before connecting your mouth to his chin, trailing kisses down his jaw, across his neck until you find solace at the base of his neck. His grip between your legs tightening as you suck and nip at his hot skin. A growl like noise reverberates through his ribcage. He then yanks your undergarments down your thighs, you lift your body slightly so he can free them from your legs. Your lips disconnecting from his skin, once the beige colored cloth is discarded to the floor he drops to his knees. You mewl at the sight of him below you. His hands separating your knees he disappears under your skirt. His bottom lip skimming along the soft skin, slowing trailing to your center. Your hands grip the edge of your desk as he lays a kiss against your clit. Barely light enough to feel. Your hips jerk forward on their own accord, his hands hooking into your skin to keep to spread out in front of him. His tongue licks a long flat stripe against your folds. Humming at the taste of you, his nose grazes your clit as he licks up you me slit once again. Your head drops against your shoulders and a moan wracks through your body.

“Harry please,” you whine as he continues to tease your clit. “Make me feel good,” you plead. He smiles against you before shaking his head slightly.

“It’s my birthday,” his voice husky. “I’m going to eat my sweets,” and he dives back in. Still only licking through your folds. You let go of the table with one hand and slip your dress all the way up to your hips. His eyes look to you as you grasp at his hair and drop down, back flat against the desk. Tools digging into your skin uncomfortably, goes mostly unnoticed, as most of your attention is on the man between your legs. He finally begins to edge at your clit, the moans escaping your lips rising in pitch as he presses harder and further into you. Your hips moving on their own accord as his lips then wrap around your clit. Your fingers gripping his hair tighter, pushing him against you.

“Please Harry I need more,” you whine, your head thrashing on the wooden table under you. One of his hands unfolds from your thigh and inches toward your center, very, very slowly. “Harry please, please, I’ll be so good for you please,” you’re back arching in anticipation. “Just need to feel you Harry please,” you beg, he loves when you beg. Two fingers find your entrance, circling in a teasing manner. You pick up your head and slam it back down onto the table. “Fucking fuck!” You groan. A chuckle comes from Harry, vibrating your clit between his lips. The sensation bringing you the the edge. Closing your eyes so tight you can see bursts of color. His fingers dive into your soaking core, the sound leaving your body closer to a scream than a moan. He pulls back, head resting on your thigh.

“Come on baby, come on,” he coaxes you and dives back in. Sucking and slurping at you as you writhe in pleasure. Your orgasm hits you hard, heels digging into Harry’s back as your fingers pull at his dark brown curls. Hips and shoulders holding you to the table as your back arches deeply.

“Good girl, yes, such a good girl,” he murmurs as his fingers work you through your orgasm. The moans escaping you bouncing off the walls of the shop. Pleasure courses through your body, making the tips of you toes and fingers tingle from how hard they’re clenched. As you come crashing down you see Harry is now stood in front of you, palming at the front of his pants with one hand. The other still playing between your folds, whines of overstimulation escaping you. Your hands resting on your thighs come to push his away. He deters you with a smack on your wrist.

“Shhh, it’s okay baby,” he confirms as you move your hips move to escape his touch. “Gotta get you ready for my cock yeah?” He asks, his voice low and playful. You shake your head.

“I can take it. Harry please, I want it,” your hips still jerking away from his touch.

“Okay, okay baby,” his hands leave your body and push his pants down around his knees. “Comere,” he demands as he pulls you closer to him from where you scooted up the desk. Slotting himself between your thighs, angry cock protruding from his hips. His hand grazing up and down your thigh, soothing you as he lines himself up. You sit up, your chest meeting his, his hand comes up from your thigh and pulls at the strings holding your chest into the taught fabric. Yanking the corset from your frame he exposes your skin. Leaning down he kisses at the newly exposed pieces of you. His warm mouth encapsulates your nipple just as he sheaths himself fully inside you. Burying his dick completely inside you, waiting a moment for you to adjust as he plays with the sensitive bud in his mouth. Your hands playing with the curls at the back of his neck as his hips slowly, painfully pull away from you. Making you feel empty. He finally pulls away from your breast, only to find the other. Eyes pinched closed as he slowly pushes himself back into you. A gurgled moan escaping you as he finds the soft spot inside of you that makes your thighs clench around his frame.

“Oh my god Sir, yes, please,” the name setting him off. His thrusts gain strength and speed. Kissing up your neck he begins to leave sparse light marks along your skin. Teeth nipping at you just enough to enhance the pleasure shooting throughout your body. His right hand quickly finding your clit and the other wrapping around the back of you and pulling at your hair. You can feel the orgasm starting to build in your tummy, walls fluttering around his large cock inside of you. His breath becoming shaky and the noises escaping his throat loudening.

“Fuck please,” you plead harder as you get closer and closer.

“I’m close baby, I’m close,” his lips mumble into your neck. “Hold on for just another minute, wanna come with you baby,” you whimper but nod at his request.

“Fuck, Harry, come for me please,” the voice leaving your mouth not of your control. “Fill me, please I need you,” your hands pulling at his hair the same way his are tangled in yours.

“Fuck, yes, come for me,” he groans. Settling himself deep inside of you, head of his cock pressed painfully into your cervix. Your orgasm unleashes through you, body falling into Harry’s hold as he props the both of you up through your orgasm. You whimper into his neck. Teeth scraping against his skin as you press open mouthed kisses into the plush of his neck. Your name leaving his lips as you disconnect yours from his. Looking to the dark purple mark on his skin, adorned with light bite marks.

“Such a good girl,” he hums as you moves to connect his lips to yours. You smile dumbly into his lips. His hand resting at your chin as he pulls away. Thumb moving back and forth. “Always so good for me,” you lean into his touch.

“Thank you Harry.” You giggle.

“I assure you, all the thanks are for you,” his eyes scanning your face, content smile resting on his features. “For making this the best birthday of them all,” you look away with a blush on your cheeks.

“Whatever,” you laugh, pushing him away. He then proceeded to pull his pants up his legs and readjust his shirt back onto his shoulders. You shuffle yourself off the table and drop to the floor. Pulling your corset closed as tight as you can and quickly tying it up. Harry comes kneeled below you, undergarments I’m hand. You smile as him as he hooks them through one leg, than the other. Sliding them up your legs, dress catching on his arms as he glides them all the way up your legs. Placing a kiss on the inside of your parted legs. Before standing up and letting your skirt fall back to the floor.

“Come to mine tonight, yeah?” He asks. You nod and smile.

“Of course,” he leans down and presses a kiss to your nose.

“I love you,” he sighs.

“I love you,” you emphasize. He just nudges your nose with his, kissing you quickly again. He leans to grab his new sword and sheath, smiling back at you before leaving through the back door, just in time to hear the front door open and your fathers voice ring through the store.

“Hope you didn’t get too bored without me! Let’s go cook up some dinner!” A smile still carved into your features.

“Of course father!”

[thewebcomicsreview]

Thoughts on the "comicsbrokeme" hashtag on Twitter?

Working in comics sucks, especially working for a publisher. Lumberjanes, an Eisner Award nominated comic that's getting turned into an HBO series, paid their artists less than I pay Carlos for Saffron and Sage. And that's not me humblebragging, the rates are that fucking low. If you're getting into comics you're either working for terrible wages and terrible conditions for a publisher, or you're pouring your time and money into a fire pit. Or you're straight-up getting your comics stolen.

Personally, I don't have much "industry" insight. The only job I've had in comics was writing Legend of the Hare for Drowemos before he gave up on it, and I was lucky enough to be allowed to keep the IP when he gave up on it (mainly because it's worthless, but it's not worthless to me). No company in the world would hire me to write a spin-off comic and then let me keep the rights when it failed, and I owe Drowemos a lot for that son of a bitch getting me into this fucking deathtrap of a career.

I'm extremely lucky to have a decentish job that I can afford making comics as an expensive hobby instead of getting into Warhammer like all the other fat middle-aged white dudes I know, and I'm proud of the small amount of success I've achieved in actually having a comic I wrote published in a physical book on my shelf, but the amount I've spent on comic art over the years could easily have been a car, or a down payment on a house. And if "get a full-time job and then spend hundreds of dollars a month or spend 20 hours a week drawing it yourself on top of the full-time job in order to earn less than $50/mo. in patreon revenue" sounds like a pretty pathetic result, consider that I'm literally in the top 1% of comics creators. That's not even a joke. It's not just that comics won't make you rich, it won't even be worth the time you put in, at least not monetarily.

I am this fucking close to quitting, and I've been this fucking close to quitting for the last five years, but I want to finish Saffron and Sage so I'll probably do that and then, like, get into making visual novels or something where the art budget goes further. There's a reason so many webcomic artists jump ship to like children's books or animation. There's nothing out there, man. There's no living to be earned. You're making graffiti on the bathroom stalls in Chernobyl and if you're very very lucky there'll be a dozen people in the bathroom with you hooting and hollering at your dumb jokes. And if you want to survive in this business you have to be okay with there not being a business, with making art for its own sake and knowing that even breaking even will be a true miracle.

[vollmond-laboratory]

Mitile's 4th Anniversary SSR Card Story — "Between Strength and Kindness"

Part 1

[Manor Corridor]

Akira: (Is that Mitile…?)

Mitile: “…”

Akira: (He looks worn out, I wonder if something happened…)

Bradley: “Yo, Sage.”

Akira: “Whoa! Bradley…”

Bradley: “You showed up at a good time. Invite the Southern Shortie out for a holiday, would’ja?”

Akira: “Huh? I’m happy to do that, of course, but why—?”

Bradley: “I’ll leave ya to it then.”

Akira: “Ah… He’s gone.”

Akira: (From the way he was talking, it seems like Bradley knows why Mitile looks so tired… Well, I guess I’ll just pay Mitile a visit instead.)

[Mitile’s Room]

Mitile: “I’m glad to see you, Master Sage! I only just got back home, so I’m happy we didn’t accidentally miss each other… Was there something you wanted to talk about?”

Akira: “Well, I saw you going into your room a few moments ago… You looked kind of worn out, so I got a little worried.”

Mitile: “Oh, is that all! Well, to be honest… Mister Bradley has been teaching me magic recently, and it’s pretty tiring.”

Mitile: “It’s a lot more intense than the relaxed classes I used to have in the South, so I usually feel exhausted by the end.”

Akira: (Oh, I see… So that’s why Bradley came up to me earlier.)

Akira: “Is it difficult, then…?”

Mitile: “A little bit, yeah. It can be hard work, and sometimes I get frustrated or even angry at the way Mister Bradley speaks to me…”

Mitile: “But it’s really been worth all the effort! He did say to me ‘I won’t go easy on you as your teacher’.”

Mitile: “He doesn’t treat me like I’m just a kid — I feel like he really sees me as his equal in being a wizard… And that gets me fired up about working even harder!”

Mitile: “Thanks to him, I can use my magic in ways I never even thought of before!”

Akira: “That’s amazing…! Bradley’s very dependable.”

Akira: (Ways of using magic that Mitile’s never thought of before…? I can’t help but feel like that might be dangerous…)

Mitile: “Still, maybe I pushed myself too hard today. I’m sorry for worrying you.”

Akira: “Oh, no, it’s okay. Just knowing why is a relief on its own. That being said… If you have the time, would you like to take tomorrow off with me?”

Akira: “We can relax in the Magic Manor together, or go out if there’s a place you’d like to visit. Preferably somewhere not too stressful, of course.”

When I smiled at him, the worried expression on Mitile’s face suddenly disappeared. Then, looking a little fidgety, he opened his mouth to speak.

Mitile: “If you don’t mind, then…”

[Plateau of Flowers]

So, the next day Mitile and I went to a plateau not very far from the Southern Tower at his request. A number of stalls lined the road beneath the clear blue sky.

Mitile: “The villagers from around here like to gather in this spot to sell each other some of their own handmade things. There are so many one-of-a-kind items that it’s fun to just look at everything!”

Akira: “Thank you so much for bringing me to such a wonderful place. I’m excited to find my own personal treasure here!”

Part 2

Akira: “Still, there’s really so many stalls here. I’d love to visit all of them if I can, but I’m not sure we’re going to have enough time…”

Mitile: “What if we split up for now, and then when we find some stalls we’re really interested in, we can meet up again and show each other?”

Akira: “Good idea! I’ll be sure to find some great stalls to take you to you later.”

—

Akira: (They’re selling things carved out of wood at this stall. The fretwork pattern here is beautiful… Oh, that coaster might be nice to get.)

Akira: (I know Mitile has a habit of bringing drinks to his table when he’s studying, so I’m sure he’d get good use out of something like this.)

Blond-Haired Man: “Hmph, how could anyone try and sell such a misshapen ring for a price like that?”

When I turned to look for the source of those words, I saw a fairly tall man walking behind me with his shoulders slumped.

Akira: (That man doesn’t seem like a citizen of Southern Country… He’s being stingy over almost every item on sale here. What a rude guy…)

Blond-Haired Man: “This thing here is free, yes? I’ll be taking it, then.”

Stall Owner: “W-Well, hold on…”

Akira: “E-Excuse me…! If you do something like that you’ll be putting this person in a difficult position, so I really think you should pay—“

Blond-Haired Man: “Shut your mouth!”

Akira: “Wah!”

—

Mitile: “Oh, wow! These inks made of flowers come in so many beautiful colours… And the flower that was used as the ingredient is labelled on each of the jars.”

Mitile: (Maybe Master Sage could use these for writing in their book? I’ll bring them to this stall later so they can choose the inks they’d like.)

Mitile: (…Now that I’m thinking about it, I was happy when Master Sage spent a lot of time getting to know me and listening to me talk after we met each other for the first time.)

Mitile: (It still makes me feel kind of lonely to think that the only reason they were writing all that down in the first place was to help the next Sage after they leave…)

Mitile: (But I understand how it feels to want to go home, too. I’m sure they must have friends and family waiting for them to come back…)

Mitile: “Still… I really don’t want to say goodbye…”

Mitile: (Because the more I get to know about Master Sage, the more I find myself really liking them…)

Mitile: (…I wonder how much they think I’ve changed since they first wrote about me in the Sage’s Manual.)

???: “Shut your mouth!”

Mitile: “Did I just hear someone starting a fight…? Something might’ve happened over there…!”

—

Akira: “Ouch…”

Mitile: “Master Sage…?! Are you okay?”

Stall Owner: “Your friend there tried to scold this man for not paying for his things, but they were shoved to the floor…”

Blond-Haired Man: “Of course you’re going to get hurt if you attack someone so brazenly. It’s only expected that I would defend myself as a foreigner here.”

Mitile: “…Grr… I won’t let you bother any of the people here, or Master Sage!”

Blond-Haired Man: “What an impertinent brat. What could someone like you ever do to me, hm?”

Mitile took out his magic potion jar. At that moment, I saw Bradley’s face flash through my mind.

Mitile: “«Ortonik Cealsispilce»!”

(‘Bang!’ SFX)

Part 3

Akira: “Wah! …Huh?”

The man was unharmed, despite how the loud bang made him brace himself in fear. Nothing nearby seemed to have been destroyed, either.

Blond-Haired Man: “Gah! S-So you’re a wizard, are you?!”

Mitile: “That’s right! Cause any more trouble here and I’ll do a lot worse than make a loud sound next time!”

Blond-Haired Man: “S-Shit… I don’t need this!”

Mitile: “…Phew. Master Sage— Oh…”

Though there were few humans who held prejudices against wizards in Southern Country, many of the people around us still seemed shocked by the abruptness of the situation. Mitile’s gaze wavered with anxiety in the still and silent air.

Standing, up I gently grasped Mitile’s hand with my own. I could feel his fingers trembling against my palm.

Akira: “Mitile. You did a good job protecting everyone. Thank you. I think we’re all just surprised because the noise was so loud.”

Mitile: “O-Oh… Um… I’m sorry for scaring you, everyone.”

Mitile: “All I did was make the air vibrate to create a loud sound… It’s not the kind of magic that could hurt anyone, really.”

As he turned to face the people around him, Mitile explained himself with a sincere voice.

Stall Owner: “Ah, so that’s what it was. Thank you. You’ve been a big help.”

Hatted Woman: “Ah, so it was like one of those bells that drive away beasts. It’s a relief knowing nobody was hurt just now.”

Once everyone had realised that things were alright again, the area quickly regained its former liveliness. Mitile’s tension was quickly washed away, perhaps relieved by the sight.

Mitile: “…That spell I just used was something Mister Bradley showed me.”

Mitile: “He told me that so long as my opponent isn’t a wizard, I don’t really need to use serious magic to scare them away.”

Mitile: “I thought— maybe I could use what Mister Bradley taught me to frighten that guy off without hurting him… But I ended up scaring everyone around me, too.”

Akira: “…You really haven’t changed at all, Mitile.”

Mitile: “Huh?”

Akira: “Since the day I first met you, all you’ve ever wanted is to protect others using your own strength. I think it’s amazing how that part of you hasn’t changed one bit.”

Akira: “Even though you’ve recently been thrust into a situation where you’re having to learn from people whose values are very different to your own, and you’re growing up at a surprisingly fast pace.”

Akira: “You’re really cool, Mitile. I respect you a lot.”

Mitile: “…Thank you so much!”

Mitile: “To be honest, while I was wandering around the stalls by myself, I couldn’t help but wonder how you thought of me now, Master Sage…”

Mitile: “So it makes me feel really happy to hear you say that!”

Mitile: “Oh, that’s right — I found a really great shop while I was looking around. They sell lots of different coloured inks made out of flowers. Can I take you there after this?”

Akira: “Oh, yes please! It’d be wonderful if I could write about everyone in the Sage’s Manual using flower ink.”

Mitile: “Are you going to write about my hard work and what I learnt today once we’re home?”

Akira: “Of course!”

Beaming at me happily, Mitile held my hand in his so that we wouldn’t be separated until we arrived at the stall he wanted to show me. I squeezed his palm gently.

The idea of having to someday leave behind my Sage’s Manual is a difficult one — because I never want to forget Mitile’s gentle warmth.

Sub-Episode: Mitile and the Door of Days Gone By

Akira: “Apparently, there’s a door that lets people see into the past appearing on the beach of Borda Island.”

Akira: “Speaking of the past, I used to get very anxious when I first arrived in this world. Whenever I felt particularly bad, I would calm myself down by recalling a certain memory of mine.”

Mitile: “A memory?”

Akira: “Mhm. Of an adult I trusted reading me a book when I was a child.”

Mitile: “Me too! I used to love having my father and brother read to me as a child!”

Akira: “Ahaha. We’re the same then, huh?”

Akira: “If you don’t mind me asking, how do you comfort yourself when you feel lonely, Mitile?”

Mitile: “Oh, um… Well, I’m not really sure…”

Mitile: “I have memories of being by myself, and feeling lonely and sad.”

Mitile: “Of course there have also been times when I was upset or angry, and didn’t want to see anybody at all, but…”

Mitile: “I guess what I mean is that I don’t really understand what loneliness is yet.”

Mitile: “Even when me and my brother fight, we usually make up really quickly.”

Mitile: “And if we don’t, I still have my friends from school to talk to, and Doctor Figaro, and Mister Leno — Mister Mithra, too.”

Mitile: “It’s not like I have plans to go somewhere far away all by myself…”

Mitile: “To be honest, I don’t think I’ve ever really felt truly alone.”

Akira: “Ah, I see! But you know, I think that’s a very good thing, honestly.”

Akira: “It makes me happy to hear that you’re surrounded by people you can rely on. It’s relieving.”

Mitile: “You really think so?”

Akira: “Yes!”

Mitile: “Loneliness… I guess what I really think of when I hear that word is Mister Leno.”

Akira: “Lennox…?”

Mitile: “Yeah. Mister Leno never spent much time in or even near the Town of Clouds, really.”

Mitile: “When people would talk about him, I’d always think of this man herding sheep all by himself on some far away mountains…”

Mitile: “Totally alone with only the sheep and his sheepdog to keep him company. Doesn’t that sound lonely?”

Mitile: “I remember that it used to make my heart pound. Though, maybe that’s not the right way to put it… I just thought it sounded like something I could never do.”

Akira: “I get it… Sheep and dogs are cute, but you’d start missing people after a while, right?”

Mitile: “Exactly!”

Akira: “What about Rutile and Figaro, then?”

Mitile: “My brother and I have always been together. I know he’s got lots of his own friends.”

Mitile: “And Doctor Figaro is a popular person everyone can always rely on.”

Akira: “Mm, I see…”

Mitile: “Maybe once I’m grown up I won’t feel lonely living by myself, though.”

Mitile: “I hope I can stay together with everyone, even when I’m older…”

[smokeypeaches-and-honeyplums]

OOOO OKOK SO can we get hcs of mac n wukong with a super cuddly and affectionate s/o? like straight up would hold onto their partner all day if they had the chance and is always verbally affectionate and saying sweet affirming things

NO BECAUSE THIS IS LITERALLY ME. MY LOVE LANGUAGE IS PHYSICAL TOUCH AND I'M VERY HIGHLY CUDDLELY AND I IMPLODE AND CRY WHENEVER I'M UNABLE TO EXPRESS IT TO SOMEONE GRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA

Reader is Gender Neutral

Six Eared Macaque

He's quite touch starved I'd say and desperate for some kind words, even if he won't admit it to you

He's a bit handsy with MK and the like so I mean I don't doubt it at least a bit

Though taking into account what he'd been through, he still flinches at someone raising a hand to him or at least looks at them with distain or skepticism when you start saying kind words to him more often than not

PTSD will kick in sometimes so don't feel bad if he avoids your advances at first

He's not used to such affections neither is he used to trusting again after

Ahem

Anyways

Macaque will be standoffish when you try to offer being affectionate and cuddly and maybe scoff now and again and your words

Fight or flight will kick in when you do get to hugging him though

He'll tend to shadow away, stiffen up or squirm whenever you do it unwarrented

It's a hard habit to kill but he has a mindset that makes him feel as if he's trapped, similar to a cat when you pick it up and hold it unwarrented

So you try to ease him into it (more so from his advice/input) starting with headpats or small touches of the hand here or there and small compliments when the moment presents itself

When he gets comfortable enough with it, he'll return the favor with things like brushing your arm, hands or legs with his tail, maybe even resting it in your lap for starters when it comes with physical affection

Next level would let you hold his hand instead of brief moments of reprieve, letting you hug him for longer and he'll in turn return the gestures, given at this point he's more comfortable

It's slow burn sure, but the pay out is so much worth it

He won't say it at first once he's fully transitioned into comfortability with your love language but he looks forward to your hugs and words of affirmation

It inflates his ego, solidifies how he feels about you and he feels so safe

He'll still be some form of on edge considering

Ahem

So he'll tend to have intrusive thoughts about it now and again even when you try your hardest

REAL difficult undoing almost an eon of trauma

But that doesn't mean he doesn't appreciate it all the same regardless

Macaque cherishes you still, and he loves the love you give him after even when going through a rough patch

So he'll hold you close for as long as he can, just as you do the same for him

canyoutellimbias

Sun Wukong (Monkey King)

Ok so for starters

I'm sure it'll be an easier road than it was with Macaque despite the same, if not even more baggage to get through

But in comparison, I'd say your affection and words of affirmation HELP Sun Wukong faster and easier than with Macaque

It may inflate his ego when you're throwing words of affirmation time and time again

He is the self proclaimed Great Sage, Equal to Heaven and all

But eventually (sooner than you'd think too) he'll be less boastful and more flustured, given his insecurities, and your affectionate and loving touches only add fuel to the fire

I'm sure for those who watched Monkey King Reborn know he got easily flustured and almost dropped his staff once he was complimented because he's not used to such sincerities, the gif is going around as well with the scene I'm talking about

So I'm certain it carries for LMK Sun Wukong no matter how boastful and arrogant he may come across

If anything, it's only to accomodate for the lack there of

So you'll find yourself with a very flustured and sometimes stammering King before you whenever you keep complimenting him and showing him such unabided affection

But don't get too comfortable because this won't last for too long

He'll eventually go back to the boastful King again only this time with less gauze and more confidence with you backing him

Less of "Yeah, only expected from the great sage himself" to more "I am pretty great, aren't I?"

You give him a sense of REAL confidence compared to the facade he sometimes puts up

Just like how it drops and tones down when he's left remotely powerless during s3, it's the same with you where you kinda help him reflect more

You and MK are his cheerleaders, so he feels more of a need to live up to your exceptations compared to everyone else

Learns to value more of the opinions of his close circle than the image everyone excepts of THE Great Monkey King

Whoops going a bit off track here

Anyways though, he'll return the favor tenfold once he's in that more tamed mindset

His hugs are warm and addictive, making you cling onto him all the more often

Couldn't get you off of him one day

"Lucky he has nothing to do today" he said

Besides, he likes the warm feeling of his S/O beside him

It gives him a special comfort he hasn't felt in...

How long has it been?

Doesn't matter

Not like he'd trade this for anything else anyways

[writingrapscallion]

Summer's End

"We have to report this!" Fire Sage Chaeryu grew more and more agitated as he spoke. "We have a duty to the Fire Lord!

"No, we have a duty to the Avatar," replied Fire Sage Glynda, the frustration in her voice rising. "We're supposed to protect the Avatar, not turn her in to be slaughtered by the Fire Lord!"

High Sage Ozpin watched silently as the two Fire Sages argued, paying little attention to the debate. Recent events had been... unusual, to say the least. The Fire Sages were tasked with discovering the identity of the Avatar when they were born into the Fire Nation, so it had come as quite a surprise when, even though the next Avatar was supposed to be an Airbender, the Fire Sages had begun to receive signs as to their identity.

Ozpin had managed to convince his fellow Fire Sages to keep secret what they had seen. After all, the Fire Lord had just ordered the slaughter of the Air Nomads in an attempt to buy himself a few extra years before the Avatar's next incarnation faced him, and the Fire Sages didn't want to raise his fears for nothing.

For weeks, the search had seemed fruitless. The signs took them to progressively less and less settled areas of the Fire Nation, and the Sages became gradually convinced that the signs were little more than a spiritual malfunction, the side effect of an Avatar spirit wrenched from its body at a young age. Then, on a small island named Patch near the eastern end of the Fire Nation, they found someone who was indisputably the Avatar. Ruby Rose.

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

When Ozpin had first disguised himself in an attempt to investigate the child, he'd not expected great things. After all, the island was Fire Nation territory, and it was hard to imagine why the Avatar would be born there. Still, a few weeks after the first signs of the Avatar's rebirth he found himself trudging up the road to Patch, disguised as an officer of the Fire Nation's tax bureau. On either side of him stood Glynda and Chaeryu, both similarly having exchanged their regular Sage outfits for the robes of a bureaucrat.

Up ahead, at the very edges of the village of Patch, was their target. Ozpin felt his pulse quicken as he saw it. It was a small, fairly plain Fire Nation house, its whitewashed walls covered by a red tile roof. The walls were covered in the soot stains common to homes with little Firebenders learning to control their power— hardly surprising, considering the fact that Fire Nation records showed that the couple living there had two young daughters. It was those same records that had led Ozpin and his companions to this house— Patch was a small place, and no children other than the younger daughter, Ruby Rose, were born in the right time frame to be the Avatar.

"Do we really have to take the trouble of disguising ourselves?" Asked Chaeryu. He was sweating through his robes. Maybe Fire Sages should be used to wearing formal outfits, but at least their regular clothes were designed to be light enough to allow the wearers to Firebend easily. As far as Ozpin could tell, these bureaucrat clothes weren't meant to let you do anything easily.

"We don't know if they suspect that their daughter is the Avatar, but if they do, who knows how they'll react if Fire Sages show up at their doorstep. Considering that the Fire Lord has been trying his best to murder the current Avatar, we would have a hard time convincing them not to run at the sight of us." Glynda held a clipboard in a hand, quickly glancing at the records fixed to it. "This is definitely the house."

As Ozpin reached out to knock on the door, it sprang open and he suddenly found himself face to face with a muscular blond who looked somewhere in his early thirties. "Can I help you?" His tone was perfectly polite, but Ozpin detected a spark of suspicion in his eyes.

"Yes, very sorry to bother you," said Glynda, "but due to a misfiling at the tax office, the property assessments of several households in this village were lost and have to be redone. The person responsible for this mistake has been disciplined, but unfortunately we still need you to answer a few questions for us. According to the most recent tax filings we could still find, you were married and had one daughter. Is that still true?"

Taiyang seemed to relax upon hearing their reasons to be present. "Not quite. We've had a second daughter since then, my darling little Ruby. Not to be rude, but how long will these questions take? I don't want to leave you standing outside for a while. particularly since the heat looks like it's taking a toll on some of you." He shot a sympathetic glance at Chaeryu, whose forehead was beaded with sweat.

"It may take more than fifteen minutes, so if it's no trouble inside may be a better idea. Is your wife home? It may be easier with both of you." Glynda glanced past Taiyang at the empty room behind him.

"Summer!" Taiyang called out. "There are some officials here to ask about our taxes!" He led them over to a table near the door. "Anyone want a drink? I can get you some water, or, if you're feeling adventurous, I have some homemade moonshine." He winked at them as he gestured to a bottle of clear liquor.

Glynda raised an eyebrow at Taiyang's words. "I assume that your still is licensed in accordance with Fire Nation law?"

Taiyang gave a slight start. "Well, you see..."

"Don't worry," said Glynda with a laugh. "Fire Nation law is forgiving on this point assuming that you only produce it for noncommercial purposes." Ozpin was rather impressed with Glynda's knowledge of Fire Nation regulations. Either she had prepared thoroughly for her role or she was supremely gifted at bluffing. "You do only produce moonshine for noncommercial purposes, right?"

Taiyang saw the lifeline and took it. "Of course. The only ones who ever drink from it are family. In all honesty, the main reason I distill it is because my family has a history of making moonshine and my brother-in-law used to spend far too much on alcohol."

"Brother-in-law, so the sibling of your wife..." Glynda made a show of checking the records, although Ozpin was sure she had them memorized by now, "Summer Rose?"

"Ah, sorry, he's not really my brother-in-law anymore," admitted Taiyang. "Qrow's my first wife's brother— stays in far better contact with me than she does, actually. The kids call him Uncle Qrow. Now, did anyone say yes on the moonshine or just water?"

Both Glynda and Chaeryu nodded at water, but Ozpin raised a hand. "I'd love some moonshine if you're offering." Now he was the one Glynda was raising an eyebrow at. "What? Can't an old man have some fun?" Glynda just shook her head and turned back to Taiyang.

Just then someone who Ozpin could only assume was Summer Rose walked in. She was a little taller than average, with long black hair and shining silver eyes. A white cloak covered her body, a slightly strange outfit in this weather but Ozpin supposed it was cooler inside.

"I didn't expect to get any more questions about taxes this year," she commented, glancing suspiciously at the disguised Sages.

"Most years, you'd be right," said Glynda, "but unfortunately someone managed to lose a substantial amount of records at our tax office, including the past several years of your property assessments. If it's no trouble, we just need to ask you a few questions."

Summer replied, something about how it was no trouble at all, but Ozpin's attention was caught by a small figure creeping out of the doorway behind Summer Rose. It was a little girl, with black hair and silver eyes much like her mother. Suddenly, she made a break for it, scampering by her mother to grasp at Ozpin's knees.

"Hello!" She said. "I'm Ruby!"

"Ruby," said Summer, "I thought that I told you to stay with Yang!"

"But I wanted to see the people!"

"It's alright, Ms. Rose. Ruby's no trouble at all. In fact, she reminds me of my granddaughter," said Ozpin with a smile. This was exactly the chance he'd been waiting for to test the girl. "Actually, is it okay if I give her something, just to make up for wasting your time like this? It was supposed to be a gift to my granddaughter, but, well, her family moved to the Earth Kingdom colonies and I won't have a chance to give it to her for a few years, so maybe it would be better if I gave it to Ruby here who'd actually enjoy it?" He reached into his bag and pulled out a clay whistle, fashioned into the shape of a turtle.

Ruby's eyes lit up as she saw it. "That's mine!"

"No, Ruby, that's the nice man's, and he's being very kind by giving it to you, so you should thank him!"

"Thank you very much!" Said Ruby.

Ozpin was lost in thought. That's mine. What did Ruby mean by that? Was that just the eagerness of a child presented with a new toy? Or maybe, just maybe, did Ruby recognize that the whistle was hers? After all, it wasn't just any toy that Ozpin had brought for her. It had belonged to Kuruk, an Avatar born into the Water Tribe more than three centuries ago. Ozpin glanced at Ruby's parents, who were thoroughly engrossed in a discussion of taxes with Glynda and Chaeryu.

Ozpin leaned over until he was eye level with Ruby. "Before I give this to you, would you like to play a game?"

"Okay Oz!"

Ozpin froze as she spoke. "What did you call me?"

"Oz. For Ozpin. Roku told me you'd be coming. He seemed to like you."

Ozpin felt his mind reeling. She... she had to be the Avatar! He'd read about this before, how sometimes young Avatars, unable to separate their past lives from their present ones, would be even more in tune with their past lives than their adult selves. Of course, to most adults Ruby's talk of Roku would sound like more than little more than an imaginary friend, but Ozpin knew better.

"What does this Roku look like?"

"He has a long white beard... oh, and a headpiece, like a little crown in the shape of a flame! He has a dragon with him too, sometimes. He calls it Fang! It's so big! Oh, and he wanted me to tell you something."

"Oh?" Ozpin felt his pulse quicken.

"He said..." Ruby pursed her lips, as if trying to remember something. "He said to tell you, 'don't trust ashes.'"

"Don't trust ashes?"

"Something like that."

Ozpin was silent for a second, contemplating the phrase. It was a riddle of some kind, he was sure. Roku was always fond of riddles. He smiled slightly as he remembered his old friend. Just then, Glynda tapped him on the shoulder.

"Time to go." She gestured to the door, where Chaeryu was waiting

"Of course." He handed the turtle to Ruby. "Be good for your parents, won't you?" He smiled up at the couple. "I expect great things from such a promising little girl. Have a good day!" He turned and left with the other Fire Sages.

Chaeryu waited until they were a ways along the path before speaking. "That woman's an Airbender."

Glynda spun to look at him. "What?'

"Didn't you wonder why she'd wear a cloak inside like that? It was to hide her tattoos. I got a glimpse of a blue arrow on her hand at one point, although I don't think she realized I did. No wonder they were nervous when we arrived."

"If that's true, then that would resolve a lot of questions," mused Glynda. "Ruby may really be the who we're looking for."

"On that front, I am certain," said Ozpin. "That girl is the Avatar."

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

Unfortunately, the next several days had been spent arguing with various members of the Fire Sages about to what to do, which led them to the present moment, where all the Fire Sages of Crescent Island were gathered to debate. All except one that is.

"Please calm down," said Ozpin, standing up to intercede between the two bickering Firebenders. "I'm sure we'll be able to come to a consensus. Anyway, we can't make a decision yet with one of our number gone. Fire Sage Cinder has gone to Imperial City to consult the scrolls of the Dragonbone Catacombs for guidance. Only when she's back can we decide this matter."

"Oh, the matter's already decided," came a voice from the door. Ozpin turned to find Cinder standing there. His heart sunk as he realized that, behind her, silhouetted in the door, were a dozen of what could only be Imperial Firebenders. "The Fire Lord knows of the Avatar."

"Cinder!" cried out Chaeryu, standing up to confront her. "I know we agree on this matter, but that wasn't your decision to make! The Fire Sages—"

His speech was cut off as, in the blink of an eye, Cinder formed a dagger out of fire and thrust it through his heart. Chaeryu let out a choked cry before collapsing. "The Fire Sages are traitors," Cinder said, turning to the rest of them, "and will receive the fate befitting traitors."

The Imperial Firebenders behind her sprung into action, and soon the room was awash with dueling flames.

"Ozpin!" Glynda battled through the crowd, making short work of a pair of Firebenders that tried to stop her. "We have to warn the Avatar!"

"Get to the door! I'll cover your back!"

Glynda turned and started to force her way towards the door of the room. Ozpin turned to keep an eye out for anyone who was following, taking out a few of the Imperial Firebenders with well-aimed blasts of fire, before he and Glynda managed to reach the door, rushing into the hallway.

"We have to take Ladon," said Ozpin, panting from exertion. "He's much faster than any Fire nation ship— you should be able to beat them to Patch."

"What do you mean, 'you?' You're coming as well." Asked Glynda, but suddenly they were out on the beach of Crescent Island and Ozpin had no time to answer. Instead, he called up into the sky.

"Ladon!"

They heard the flap of massive wings first, like the sound of distant thunder, then the dragon appeared from over the mountain, its massive body winding its way through the air. Ladon had never quite grown as big as Fang, but he still dwarfed any human, stretching more than fifty feet long from snout to tail. He quickly landed on the beach, lowering his neck for them to climb on.

"You first," said Ozpin, boosting Glynda onto the dragon's back.

"I'm not going to let you get away," said a voice from behind them, and Ozpin turned to find that Cinder had followed the pair onto the beach and was running towards them, her hands shining with fire.

"Ladon, go!" Ozpin cried out to his dragon.

"What?!" Screamed Glynda. "You have to come with us!"

"Time is of the essence. Ladon will be faster with one person than two. You have to save the Avatar! Go!"

Glynda opened her mouth to protest, but Ladon chose that moment to take flight, rocketing into the sky with the Firebender on his back. Ozpin turned to face Cinder.

"Your self-sacrifice isn't going to mean much," said Cinder. "Even a dragon can't fly fast enough to get there in time."

"Do you know how fast a truly desperate dragon can go?" Asked Ozpin. "I wouldn't want to bet against Ladon."

Cinder didn't reply, instead rushing at him with a colossal blast of flame. Ozpin deflected the blow but she followed it up with another, then another, then another. Quickly, the High Sage found himself on the retreat, unable to stand his ground against the aggressive attacker. Maybe 50 years ago Ozpin would have been able to beat Cinder, but he had gotten old. He'd still be able to teach a thing or two to any ordinary Firebender, but Cinder wasn't exactly an ordinary Firebender.

"Why did you betray us?" Asked Ozpin, staggering backwards under the pressure of another blow.

"Were you really content with this?" Said Cinder. "They called you the most powerful Firebender in the whole nation, once, and yet you're willing to be the Avatar's lapdog."

"Serving the Avatar is our duty!" Ozpin's limbs had begun to feel heavy, but he kept on fighting. If he stopped for even a second, he'd be burnt to a crisp.

"It's not my duty. It's not my destiny!" On the last word, Cinder let out her strongest blast of fire yet. Ozpin reached out his hand to deflect it but it was too much for his tired body, like trying to stop a river with your bare hands. As the flames engulfed him, one last thought passed through his mind: for once, Roku hadn't been speaking in riddles.

Don't trust ashes. It's hardly surprising that the mind of a little girl, no matter how hard she tried to remember, would change the words, altering them ever so slightly. Roku hadn't been warning Ozpin about ashes. It was Cinder. Roku had warned Ozpin, 'don't trust Cinder.'

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

Taiyang was sitting at the table, having a chat after dinner with Summer and Qrow, when suddenly someone burst through the door. He shot to his feet.

"Glynda?!" Summer cried out.

Taiyang looked closer and saw that their late night visitor was indeed the same official who had visited them several weeks before, except this time dressed in ornamental red robes rather than the plainer outfit of a bureaucrat. Taiyang realized, with a sinking feeling in his gut, that she was dressed like a Fire Sage.

"They're coming! I saw them— they're only a few minutes away! They're coming for your daughter!"

"Who's Glynda! Who's coming! What the hell did I miss!" Cried Qrow, who for once in his life was not drunk (well, maybe a little, but far less so than usual).

Glynda straightened up and looked Summer dead in the eye. "I'm sorry to have to tell you this, but your daughter, Ruby Rose, is the Avatar." Taiyang let out a gasp as he heard this, but Glynda wasn't finished. "I'm one of the Fire Sages meant to protect the Avatar, but we were betrayed. There's an entire squadron of Imperial Firebenders down the road, and unless you want to die, we have to go. Now."

For a second, Taiyang was frozen in shock, but then he forced himself to move, rushing into the back room where Ruby and Yang were sleeping. Qrow was just behind him, and as Taiyang reached down to snatch up the closest girl to him— Yang, he realized vaguely— Qrow reached down and grabbed Ruby from the other side of the bed, scooping her into his arms. Summer was in the front room, still speaking to Glynda, and Taiyang heard her saying "get to the cliff's edge— my dragon's waiting for you," when suddenly the front of the house burst into flame.

Qrow turned towards the back door and Taiyang ran with him, ignoring everything except the need to get out of the house. There was a Firebender outside the back door, but Qrow bowled into him, barely slowing down as he knocked the Firebender over and kept running. Taiyang followed, hearing shouts behind him but not turning to look.

The next minute was a blur. There was screaming— Yang had woken at some point, thrown over Taiyang's shoulder like a sack of potatoes, and the screaming up ahead made it sound like Ruby had woken too. He heard shouts— someone must have spotted them running— but he just ran faster, his legs hurting, his lungs burning, but he couldn't slow down, he wouldn't slow down. If he slowed down, they'd get him. if he slowed down, they'd get Yang. At one point, he even felt the sting of flames against his back, as if a blast of fire had managed to singe his shirt, but even that didn't give him a moment's pause. He had to get to the cliff.

Then, suddenly, there was no more land before them, just air and sea, and for the first time in what felt like an eternity, Taiyang let himself stop for a second, squinting into the dark air. Then, a flash of something in the night, and Taiyang, urged on by a bravery he didn't know he possessed, leaped into the air.

For a second he was weightless, suspended in the air, trapped in that brief moment before gravity turns flying into falling. All he could hear was his heartbeat. All he could feel was Yang's body pressed against him. Then claws latched onto his back, and he was pulled upwards and deposited onto the back of a dragon. A few moments later, Taiyang heard a loud grunt from behind him and found that Qrow, holding a crying Ruby, was sitting a few feet behind him. Taiyang waited, for a second, then two, then a minute. Then, as they were born aloft on dragonback and the land faded into the night, Taiyang forced himself to stop waiting. No one else was coming.

In the years to come, the question of when they had lost Summer would often haunt Taiyang. He'd been so fixed on surviving, on saving his daughters, that he'd barely paid attention to where she was. Maybe she'd never gotten out of the house, had perished in that initial blast of flame. Maybe she had gotten turned around in the dark, lost and crying out his name as he sprinted to safety. Or— and this is what Taiyang ultimately decided had happened, what he would tell his daughters had happened in the years to come when he decided they were old enough to hear the story— maybe, when they were being chased, when the Firebenders were right at their heels, when their pursuers were so close that one had even managed to burn the shirt off Taiyang's back, Summer had turned to face them. Summer had used her life to buy them the few seconds that they needed to escape.

Sometimes Taiyang would blame himself for what had happened. If he had kept track of her, if he had paid more attention to his wife than saving his own skin, then maybe Summer would still be with them. But in his heart, he knew she wouldn't want him to blame himself. This wasn't the way either of them wanted it to end— Summer surrounded by Firebenders, the last of the Air Nomads burnt to a crisp. But if her death had helped them, if by her sacrifice she had saved her daughters, maybe Summer wouldn't have been happy for it to end that way, but she would have been satisfied.

Note: this is based on the AU described here. This turned out to be a good bit longer than I expected, but I like how it turned out and I'm glad that it's the first real story I'm posting on here. Also, while Summer's gone for good, this may not be the last we'll see of either Glynda or Ozpin.

[fioreofthemarch]

Finding Her - Chapter 11

Link makes notes, takes photos and keeps time on his quest across Hyrule, in the hopes of finding Zelda and staying sane until he does. [ Previous | Next | First | AO3 ]

Log date: 15:00. 7th month, 8th day 104AC Location: Akkala Citadel Weather: Cloudy

I think it’s gone. I climbed up some ruins to escape it and haven’t moved since. What the hell was that? 

My skin’s blistered where it grabbed me, like a bad sunburn. Hurts to move. To breathe. 

Made a detour here before heading to Gerudo. Thought I’d find some Shrines, explore the sky or brave whatever’s going on down in the Depths. Robbie has a lab in Deep Akkala that he wanted me to check on. Tarrey Town isn’t far either. Seemed like a great idea at the time. 

Used to have fond memories of this place. This was the last stand of the Knights of Hyrule after all, and they were my brothers, once. I feel a responsibility to pay my respects. 

Zelda and I were here too, a year back. A rare holiday — no surveys, no official business. We were halfway to the top when the rain came pouring down. Completely soaked us through by the time we took shelter in the ruins. I made a fire and we hung up our clothes to dry, huddling together for warmth. (Won’t write down what happened next, but you can imagine.) Now, this place is tainted and the memory with it. 

I didn’t get a good look at the thing until it attacked. Thought I’d stumbled on a wounded animal, bleeding out on the stones. But then I noticed the blood was gurgling, boiling even, and knew something was wrong. 

Barely had a hand on my sword before its black mass exploded and congealed all at once. Half a dozen hands, half a dozen eyes, writhing, screaming. I tried to run but it was so fast. One of its arms grabbed me and squeezed, like wringing juice from a lemon, the worst feeling you can imagine. 

Some divine luck made me reach for a bomb flower. Not much can survive gunpowder. One bomb was enough for it to let go, and I bolted. Don’t remember climbing these ruins. I just found myself here, shaking from the pain and the tears and the panic. 

That thing… it must have been made of Gloom, somehow. I'd thought it was just a poisonous muck (like Malice was) but Gloom is alive, and it hates. 

The rain is easing. I was going to make camp here but, not anymore. Not for a long time. 

A photograph taken from Akkala Citadel of Tarrey Town, to the north. West of the town is a large open wetland that has been mostly cleared. Zonai ruins scattered across the ground. The sky is a dark grey, but the rain has stopped. 

Caption: Hopefully will have a better time down there. 

---

Log date: 11:45. 7th month, 10th day 104AC.  Location: Tarrey Town Race, Akkala Weather: Partly cloudy. 

Slow travels since the incident. Wanted to leave the area but, curiosity won out. Spent the morning in the sky, exploring the Sokkala Sky Archipelago. There’s a sphere-type island up there. Ended up completing a crystal Shrine and finding something called a ‘Sage’s Will’. Not sure what it does. Another doodad for the pile until I figure it out. 

Flew down to Tarrey Town on a wing. Looks like I’m not the only thing that’s fallen from the sky lately. So many Zonai parts have landed here that they’ve set up a research facility in an empty construction lot beside the town. 

Thought I’d say hello to Hudson and caught the railcar into town, but him and his wife Rhondson have closed business for the day. They were caught up in an argument about their daughter and I didn’t want to pry. Family matters — outside my area of expertise and usually left for Zelda to handle. 

Not that Zelda had much family either, come to think of it. Perhaps I’ll go back into town tomorrow, see what the trouble is.  

Anyway, taking a break down at the research site. (Lunch for one: meat and mushroom skewers). Overheard two Gerudo women arguing with one of the Zonai Survey Team members. Something about being promised a race course that uses the Zonai technology, but that they can’t get any of it to work. 

The right arm is tingling. Maybe it can sense the opportunity. Zonai Tech acting up? I know just the ancient magical limb for the job. 

A photograph of a Zonai contraption: a cart with a steering stick and two small wheels attached. There is a Zonai rocket attached to each wheel. The vehicle looks as fast as it is flimsy. 

Caption: The Speedster Mk CIV is ready to roll. 

---

Log date: 08:00. 7th month, 13th day.  Location: Tarrey Town, Akkala Weather: Clear skies.  

Have been in Tarrey Town a few days now. Time to leave soon but… feel like reminiscing a little. 

All my life, I’d never imagined a future for myself. Before the Calamity, my only duty was to fight for Hyrule, and die for it if needed. After the Calamity I lived day to day. Exploring, training, searching — building courage to face down the beast in the castle and save the princess within. Then after that, with Zelda, I guess I never got past the shock that we survived it all. I had no memories of peace. I did not know how to enjoy it. 

I thought about a future with her, of course I did, but it was more like telling myself a fairytale. The Princess and her Knight, their house, their children, their life. It wasn’t us in that story, it wasn’t me. But I wonder now… was that for the better? Was it better to simply wake up from a dream, rather than lose the real thing? 

Little Mattison has gone on her journey to Gerudo now. This was why Rhondson and Hudson were at odds, a few days ago. I can’t blame either of them. Rhondon wants what’s best for Mattison while Hudson just wants to spend more time with his daughter.  

I got to hang out with Matti on her last day here, and help her father build the balloon that would carry her across Hyrule. Remember Link, Sundelions! We used a dozen of those flowers to dye the balloon a bright yellow. Josha’s advice came in handy again. 

All of us, Mattison, Hudson, Rhondson and me, watched the sunrise while riding the balloon into town. It’s good that Matti was so captivated by the sun… she didn’t see the sadness on her parents' faces, or the tears in their eyes. I know it’s Gerudo custom for Mattison to leave home and I know it’ll be good for her to grow up with her people. But before today she and her parents were a family, with a house and a life together. And now… they aren’t. 

I had my own family, didn’t I? I must have, once. I must have had someone other than myself. 

Rhondson offered for me to buy a plot of land here. She said that their newest employee Grantéson (hmm) could help me build a dream home. But, I said no. I don’t really know why. It was a good deal. It just… didn’t feel like something I’d ever need. 

A photograph taken of the Akkala Sea, from high in the sky. A second photograph of Rhondson, Hudson and Mattison, huddled together in the basket of the yellow balloon. On the horizon, dawn breaks.

Caption: They seemed so happy. 

---

Incoming transmission… Processing… Transmission received. Downloading information packet and installing to the Purah Pad. Please stand by.

Upgraded Message Medallion installed.

Connection established. Audio transcription function activated. Standby to begin transcription…

RBB : C’mon, c’mon. [tapping noises] C’mon you piece of junk. Ah, it's working! Now to dial in the others… 

[Ringing lasting for ten seconds]

PRH: What? Hello!? Who is this? What is this!? 

RBB: Purah! Excellent, the medallion is working! It's Robbie!

PRH : Robbie… [Rumaging noises] Robbie it's six thirty in the morning!

RBB: Is it? …oh dear. Yes, the sun has indeed risen. 

JSH: Oh hey, this thing's flashing again. Hello, funny little message medallion!

LNK: H-Hello?

JSH: Ahh! It spoke!

RBB: Of course it spoke, I just finished the upgrades.

JSH : Aahh! Goggles!? How are you-- wait. I'm not here. I don't have this. [Crashing noises]  

PRH: We know you took the medallion again, Josha.

JSH : [far away] Do you? [closer] Let me first say how sorry I am—

RBB: Don’t bother—

JSH: And very sorry that I just threw it! 

RBB: Josha, I made two more. Now we all have one! Just ask next time.

JSH: Yes, sir! I will, I promise!

[A pause]

JSH: So what is happening right now? I just woke up.

PRH & LNK: [in unison] Me too.

RBB: As I have been trying to say, I've upgraded the message medallions. We can now talk as though we were all in the same room. This will make coordinating our efforts much easier, and as you can tell, each medallion can interface with the Purah Pad in Link’s possession. 

LNK: Cool. 

JSH: Awesome!

PRH : Yes. [Yawning] Wonderful.

RBB: Now then, Link. Tell me, did you make it to my lab in Akkala? 

LNK: Sure did. Just this morning. 

RBB: Was it beset by those Yiga scoundrels like I feared?

LNK: Sure was.

RBB: I see. Are they still there? 

LNK: Not anymore.

RBB: Good man, very good, thank you.

PRH: So, are you still there, Linky?

LNK: Still here. 

PRH: I mean at the lab in Akkala. 

LNK: Yes. 

PRH: Perfect. Any chance you can pick up my sunshades while you’re there? I left them in the loft the last time I visited, I think. But don’t get too nosey, there’s a lot of top secret research there! 

LNK: Sure. Roger that. 

RBB: And Link, don’t forget to pick up the Travel Medallion for me to add to your Purah Pad. 

LNK: And that. 

JSH: Oh, swordsman, if it’s not too much trouble, I left a TON of field notes on Malice there too, in the ground floor library I think? They could be super useful for dealing with Gloom.

LNK: Uh—

PRH: Tsch, listen to yourselves. Link isn’t our personal courier! 

RBB: Speak for yourself! 

PRH: Well you can’t expect him to do every little errand for us. 

RBB: You just asked him to please pick up your spare sunglasses! 

PRH: I need those sunglasses to relax. Guarding the Castle isn’t easy work! 

RBB: YOU guarding the Castle? 

JSH: If it’s too much trouble I really don’t need my notes actually. 

PRH : [loud] Someone has to lead the troops here. We’re not all workaholics like you!

RBB: [very loud] Goddess be good, I’M the workaholic? After you demanded we bring forward the Purah Pad launch by a whole year!?

JSH : I’m gonna leave you guys to it. Goddesses keep you and stuff, okay bye! [click]

PRH: We were already behind in develop—! Oh. Josha left. 

RBB: Hm. She did. What about Link? Are you still there, Link? [A pause]. I think he’s gone. 

PRH: That was probably our fault. 

RBB: Yes. Apologies, Dr. Purah.

PRH: Likewise, Dr. Robbie. Jerrin sends her love, by the way.

RBB: I appreciate you watching over her, though I’d feel a lot better if she joined me in Hateno. 

PRH: She feels her talents are best used looking after the soldiers here at Lookout. She says they all remind her of Granté. 

RBB: Every young man reminds her of Granté. I know because I’m the same way. 

PRH: The life of a parent, huh?

RBB: He’s my son no matter where he is. [A sigh] I meant to ask Link to check in on him for me. I heard he’s signed on with that construction company. 

PRH: Yes, in Tarrey Town. I’m sure he’s just fine, Robbie. Akkala is remote. It’s safe. 

RBB: I can’t help worrying. For him and Jerrin. 

PRH: You’ll be together again soon, you know that. We will sort this mess out and get the Princess home. Nothing is forever.

RBB: You’re right, thank you.

[A pause]

PRH: You know, I worry about Link, though. He’s alone out there. For the first time in a while.

RBB: Indeed. Poor boy. We miss our beloved Zelda, of course, but I couldn’t bear it, if it were me. If it were Jerrin missing like that, I could not bear it. 

PRH: Well it isn’t. Be glad for that. I just hope Link is okay. 

[A pause]

LNK: I’ll be alright, guys, thank you.  

PRH & RBB [in unison]: Aahh!

PRH: Link! You’re still there! 

LNK: Yep.

PRH: Well… it was nice talking to you both. Let’s do this again sometime. 

RBB: Likewise. Goddess keep and preserve you Purah, and you Link.

PRH: Back at you. Later, Robbie. 

RBB: Yes. ‘Later’. 

Connection terminated. Audio log saved the Purah Pad files.

---

Welcome to the Purah Pad! 

— Home Screen —

 Today’s Purah Pointer: Remember to take your Purah Pad to Hateno Ancient Technology Laboratory every six months or every 10,000 standard clicks travelled, whichever comes first!

> Camera

Camera selected.

> Scanner

Scanner sub-function selected. Please place text to be scanned in view of the Purah Pad camera.

Scanning… Processing… Scanned text uploaded.

Deed of Sale

Prepared By: 

President Hudson 1 Tarrey Way, Tarrey Town Akkala, Hyrule

Return To:

Link – 5 Wildflower Crossing, Hateno Village Necluda, Hyrule 

This deed certifies that, for the sum of one thousand and five hundred rupees (R 1,500), paid in hand to the “Grantor”, known as President Hudson, the receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, the following real estate is conveyed to the “Grantee”, Link —: 

Lot HVD50N14, Akkala Highlands, Hyrule 

THE PROPERTY comprises a flat section of land exactly forty by forty standard units in dimension, located approximately forty standard units west of the nearest main thoroughfare (‘Sokkala-Tarrey Road’). 

TO HAVE AND TO HOLD the Property, the Grantee, their heirs, successors and executors forever, obtain a permanent and absolute tenure in land with freedom to dispose of at will

AND the Grantor, their heirs, successors and executors shall warrant and defend the Property unto the Grantee and assign forever against the lawful claims of all persons. 

P HUDSON  Grantor’s Signature Date: 16.07.0104

A note, appended to the transfer of ownership deed for Link’s new plot of land. 

Link,

Congratulations on the purchase of the land for your dream home! With overlooking views of Lake Akkala and firm but fertile soil, this lot is brimming with real estate potential!

President Hudson mentioned you had a change of heart after initially deciding against your purchase. I want to say I’m confident you have made the right decision!

I ordered the rooms you requested and should have them delivered to your plot in a week. Come back and assemble your dream home as soon as you can! 

Also, I have passed on your enquiry for custom rooms to President Hudson. I am certain we can build anything to your liking for a modest and reasonable additional fee.  

Son and done, 

Grantéson

P.S. Tell my father I am just fine and that he doesn’t have to send people to check up on me, thank you. But also please tell him that I miss him. And Mom and Auntie Purah as well. I promise I’ll visit the first moment I can. 

P.P.S When you said you’d want a ‘nursery’ do you mean for plants or babies?

[the-writing-mobster]

The Witch, The Judge & the 3 Card Gamble | Western

♠️

♥️

♣️

— Excerpt —

Sparks and stars… Nearly indistinguishable from each other. Each wheeling into the abyssal dome caging them on that blood-stained earth. 

The wind stood still and the world held its breath with it. And with the world, so joined The Witch. 

She held the burning pressure within her chest. Let it build up within her throat. She dared not inhale. As if the moment she did, she’d invite the night and all its spirits into her mind to torture her into the morning. 

Her chapped lips trembled as a chill ran down her backside, and a blossom of agony seared into the side of her ribs. She bitterly recounted that she’d wasted nearly half a flagon of water cleaning the torn flesh. And now her body was demanding even more warmth to offer some form of comfort against the chilled desert air.

She would not give in. Not to the pain, nor her body’s oblivious demands. No. She kept her fire small; merely a few dying embers she nursed from time to time so as not to draw the attention of vagabonds who’d surely make her pay for existing.

Her soot-mixed-blood-stained hand reached over it, not only for warmth, but also control. Small bursts of faint, sage mana flickered from the cracks of her palm like heatless electricity; encasing the embers before melting back into nothing. Enough to cut the oxygen… to suffocate it… and keep her precious warmth, the only comfort she had besides her own horse, on the brink of death. 

The Witch and the Embers; kindred spirits. 

Her horse, Onyx, stood tied to the driftwood the witch sat on now. The black mare’s large head swayed near her shoulder. Soft, even breaths puffed from the mare’s velvet nostrils. Onyx’s peace was almost enough to set the witch’s mind at ease. After all, if her horse wasn’t spooked, she shouldn’t be either. 

The thought was enough for her to suck in a deep breath. 

Risk the nightmares. 

The burning ceased. Weight lifted. The embers flared as if it had been her own held breath that kept it quiet. 

Snort! 

The witch flinched as her horse reared its head and let out a soft but nervous whinny. She regretted breathing then. Her hand lifted to tangle itself into Onyx’s reigns and she hushed her horse, in an attempt at salvaging the peace that had so suddenly been shattered.

Onyx’s black face was contoured with red light like a mountain crested by the rising, crimson sun. The white’s of her inky eyes flashed against her black form. 

The witch followed the horse’s line of sight until she saw the stars on the horizon were blotted out by a shadow… All but two binary stars. 

Pricks of crimson floating in a hole in the sky. 

.

.

.

READ THE COMPLETE WORK HERE!

[talesofsonicasura]

Sun Wukong and Macaque with MK's Guardian: Boyfriend and Girlfriend

The moment any bit of Madness Combat is involved, these two are definitely going to pop up. Something a little light hearted for you folks especially the last four episodes are gonna hit HARD. Can be read gender neutral or preferred gender.

Let this be known, help rebuilding a city, identifying the specter responsible for said destruction, and two monkeys trying to get in your good graces(mainly to see your son) is stressful. Can't forget explaining yourself to said son's friends either.

Honestly a well deserved break is what you need. And it happen to be the day to enjoy a little pastime. No one but your son knows that you indulge in rap battles. Yep, the hellfire Auditor likes rapping.

Specifically against two oddball friends who happen to be a couple: a blue haired little person named Boyfriend and his redhead date Girlfriend. Yes, that's their names. The three of you usually rapping near an abandoned warehouse.

A place that Macaque and Sun Wukong earned the knowledge of for helping with the LBD Bull Clone fiasco. (Malevolent spirits are a pain in the ass to handle, especially the slippery bone bitch.) So neither monkey were expecting to see you in a rap battle as the Auditor.

They didn't get see to much since the song ended as GF declare you the winner this time. 'You've gotten a lot better, Audi! Too bad MK couldn't join us since he's still grounded.' Your nickname is Audi?

Boyfriend was quick to point out, well beep at the two watching yaoguai. Unless the bluenette is used to you, he'll only speak in beeps n boops hence the confused looks on Macaque and Sun Wukong. "He's shy so I'm usually the translator."

An 'innocent' idea popped up into your head. "Why don't you two join our session?" Both monkeys thought you were joking but nope. They've been behaving so far thus a little freebie shouldn't be that bad. It's just singing after all.

Apparently 'The Great Sage Equal To Heaven' has stage fright. The signs: nervous sweaty smile, eyeing his surroundings and nervous scratches on the back of his head. Guess even godly entities can have minor fears.

You reassured the Monkey King that not only was there nobody here but he can go last. Macaque would be first while you took second. Enough time for him to compose himself. The Shadow Monkey definitely a bit smug about his turn placement.

Not for long though as Boyfriend and the Six Eared Macaque start their battle with 'Uproar'. The yaoguai didn't expect for his opponent's beeping to mix perfectly to the beat of the song.

Macaque's actually a good singer but never fought a battle like this. Thus the monkey did what he usually would do, cheat. Macaque tried to whack the rapper with his tail.

You knew Macaque would play dirty but he never rap battle against BF. Why? Because the bluenette easily dodge his tail slap. Practically cackled from how shook the monkey was before he try again. Miss!

He use both the shadow clones and his staff but the rapper kept up his beat whilst dodging his opponent's attacks. In the end, Macaque lost although he looked less sour about it. Guess Boyfriend got his respect.

You were next, the song being Gunpowder. The difference between your skills and your acquaintances immediately showed. Sun Wukong who wasn't fully paying attention earlier, probably deep in thought, did upon how fast you spat out your words.

Each word coming out like bullets as Boyfriend speedily kept up. Macaque and Sun Wukong were completely flabbergasted when you rapidly fire ammunition at the blue rapper. (A personal request from BF which you obliged with rubber bullets)

To the two older yaoguai, the rap battle felt more like an actual battle from how you two were going. It ended with a very close win for Boyfriend. Now it was the Monkey King's turn.

The stone monkey still looked nervous, guess he needs a bit more reassurance. "Dāsheng, it's just us. No one is going to criticize *gives Macaque a pointed look* or bother you. At least try."

Guess it lit a fire under him as the Monkey King took the microphone from you. His song? Of course it had to be the opening theme for one of his shows. At least it'll keep him mentally grounded.

Throughout the song, Sun Wukong slowly began to enjoy himself. Each of his lyrics coming out more confidently and with vigor. At the end, he lost to Boyfriend but did a pretty good job.

Surprisingly the Monkey King wanted another go! You figure it's probably cause he never found a private spot to enjoy something like this with others. Macaque's competitive nature following in seconds.

In the end, you all rapped together until Boyfriend and Girlfriend had to go home. A really fun day for both parties, especially when it came to two certain monkey yaoguai.

Trying something like this ended up more enjoyable than they thought. Sun Wukong would go home to search for various songs while Macaque brush up some old records. They need a lot of practice to not only catch up to Boyfriend, but also you. A mutually welcomed challenge.

This is my second time writing a FNF rap battle with Boyfriend. Looking at all the various mods that had attack prompts, some resulting insta-death, those dodging skills are valid. Blue text is for Boyfriend when he isn't using beeps while pink is Girlfriend. I ain't typing beeps.

It took me awhile to find a song for Macaque's turn. Was about to use 'Slaughter Speedway' but 'Uproar' felt more suited in my opinion. Also Sun Wukong would definitely sing his own opening theme.

Just imagine that theme being in the FNF format cause no one has done an official JTTW related mod yet. Anyway, that's it for now! Until next time folks, I'll see you back at Megapolis.

[e-wills-afterhours]

@hazel-sage

"Oh, good to see you back :) If it strikes inspiration in you, I'd love to see some shenanigans with our favorite gang of six at any age! Basically, I loved the snark in the one-shot of Hiccup losing the bet and getting the tattoo, and I'd love more of that banter :P"

A/N: I'm glad you actually find shenanigans as enjoyable to read as they are to write. Be careful, though. You wouldn't want to give me any crazy ideas, such as I might actually be funny and clever! We all know that's not true. XD

This is the closest to pure crack-fic I've written in...years. Really, I'm hoping to amuse you with this as I'm amusing myself by writing it.

The gang is 17-18ish here. RTTE is not canon in my writing.

Marital Un-Bliss

--------

All of Berk was gathered in the Mead Hall, dressed in their best furs and garments. Formal occasions were causes to show off and stand out, regardless if the day was meant to focus on someone, anyone else--like the young couple who had just exchanged their vows and bound their lives together before the entire tribe. Astrid did not know them well, as they were a few years her senior. The bride's name was Tora, and she was Mulch's niece. She was also partial to Deadly Nadders. Whereas the groom, Brigir, was Gustav Larson's second cousin, and he favored Thunderdrums. That was a much as Astrid really cared to know.

The ceremony was beautiful enough, against the backdrop of reds and oranges consuming the forests of Berk in the distance. There was a slight chill in the air, but beneath the extra layers of wedding finery, it was not unpleasant.

What really lifted the spirits was the feast that came after. Wedding festivities in their village lasted for days, as any proper Norse wedding should, with the attire growing less stifling and restrictive, until all pretense faded away by the end of the celebration.

But even the prospect of copious drink and frivolity could not spare Astrid one day of her friends' complaining.

"This sucks," Tuffnut grumbled, conspicuously adjusting the crotch of his best pants. He went right for it too, by the handful, tugging and palming at himself.

A few people glanced disapprovingly at him, too sober to pay him no mind. The barrels had not yet been cracked open. By nightfall, Tuffnut could probably streak through the Mead Hall with half the tribe failing to notice, and the other half wouldn't much care. But he did not need any ideas to get him going.

"Could you stop that, maybe?" Astrid hissed, slapping the elbow of his offending hand.

Tuffnut rolled his eyes. "It's simple anatomy, Astrid," he replied, matter-of-factly, pointed emphatically between his legs. "You see, for us guys, when the seam on your crotch is too tight, it really strangles the--"

"I'm going to strangle you, if you don't cut that out."

"Did you even try on your formal clothes before the wedding?" Fishleg asked. He was wearing snug long sleeves, which he often found constricting over his large arms, but he had the sense not to whine about it. "I mean, we only have to endure them a few times a year."

Astrid shook her head, answering for Tuffnut, "No, that would be too practical. Sensible, even."

"Now he's stuck with pants that are two sizes too small," Snotlout snickered.

"Kind of like your brain, huh?" Astrid retorted.

"Haha, yeah!" Snotlout chortled. He paused for a beat, brow furrowing darkly. "Wait. What?"

Astrid swept her braid back over her shoulder. "I rest my case."

Snotlout opened his mouth to fire back, but was mercifully interrupted by Hiccup, making his way toward them through the sea of bodies. It was quite easy for him, as everyone readily made a way for his dragon.

Astrid's heart skipped a beat when she saw him. He dressed so unassuming normally, and only donned elaborate leather garb when flying might be involved, which was admittedly often. Only on their most formal occasions did he wear the finest tunics with silver and gold embellishments. She had not seen him in furs since their younger days, when any such cloak might swallow him. The leather he wore for now the pageantry of it, like his belt or his bracers, were classic and dignified.

"Sorry! I got away as soon as I could," he said, with a wary glance back at his father, who was busy chatting up the newlyweds in high spirits.

"Hey! That's okay!" Astrid replied, giving him a quick hug that he gladly reciprocated. "You're here now." She turned to his dragon rubbed his snout, crooning, "Hey, Toothless."

Snotlout made a sour face. "Please, don't you two start. I'm all romanced-out enough as it is."

"Start what?" Hiccup asked.

Snotlout gestured at the two of them vaguely. "You know."

Astrid smirked. "Oh. You mean this?"

She grasped Hiccup by the fur cloak pinned around his shoulders, pulling him in until she could snag him in her arms, dipping him low as one might do to a swooning maiden. He let out an indignant squawk before she silenced any burgeoning protests with a deep, theatric kiss.

Some wandering children shrieked and giggled to see them, pointing shamelessly. A few more responded with "EWW!" before running off into the crowd.

Snotlout and Tuffnut made loud retching noises while Ruffnut cackled. While the two boys found public affection between Hiccup and Astrid nauseating, Ruffnut cheered them on with great amusement.

She wolf-whistled then shouted, "Yeaaah! Get it, get it!"

"Okay, you guys," Fishlegs muttered, casting anxious glances at people nearby.

The hypocrisy was not lost on Astrid. Only moments before, she had scolded Tuffnut for lacking decorum. Now the eyes of judgment were on her. But as long as she got to kiss Hiccup and make Snotlout uncomfortable, she couldn't care less.

People began to move away from them, seeking a healthy distance from the teens' shenanigans. It was for the best.

Astrid released Hiccup and grinned, pulling him back onto his feet.

"You could warn me next time," he said, a little red in the face, pointlessly smooth out his neat and tidy tunic.

"But then it's no fun," Astrid teased, gently hip-checking him.

He cracked a smile in return.

"I need a drink," Snotlout grumbled.

He turned and strode toward the barrels of mead, quite surly. The other teens followed him with no provocation, joining the line to receive their liquid merriment; it would undoubtedly be the first round of many.

They took their drinks to an open table, dodging their parents, Berk's many dragons, and the wayward wing or tail. Toothless cleared the path ahead of them, and no mead was spilled. A feat in and of itself.

"Skol!" they shouted in unison, clinking their mugs together before knocking them back for a long gulp.

One swig became several, and Berkian mugs were crafted to be deep, and the mead was strong. As the volume of the hall around them continued to rise, so did their speech, inversely of their inhibitions.

Snotlout, in particular, was cockier the more he drank, forgetting his limitations for the confidence of a nice, steady buzz. Perhaps that was why he thought it good fun to challenge Astrid to an arm-wrestling contest, though he had not beaten her since they were thirteen. Astrid all too eagerly accepted, as the other teens, apart from Hiccup, placed their wagers. Fishlegs bet chores and the Twins bet silver; Hiccup refused to make a bet, saying it was not sporting if he already knew the outcome.

Sure enough, Snotlout's arm was leaning and trembling beneath the pressure from Astrid. Further and further, it went. He pleaded aloud, his inevitable defeat playing out in almost slow motion.

"No...no...NO!" he cried.

His arm hit the table with a dull thud, and the other teens erupted into cheers or boos, depending on which side of the wager they fell. Hiccup caught their teetering mugs before mead spilled out across the table, Tuffnut and Ruffnut each handed Fishlegs a piece of hack silver.

"Have you ever challenged her?" Snotlout asked his cousin, rolling the shoulder strained by the match.

"Why would I do that?" Hiccup asked, as if the idea was as absurd as standing on his head.

"To assert..."

"My...dominance?"

Hiccup and Astrid shared a glance, then burst into laughter. Fishlegs and the twins joined in. Toothless regarded the teens as if they had all lost their minds. Snotlout just rounded his shoulders and sulked.

"Contrary to what it may seem, I do not seek out pain and suffering," Hiccup replied, reaching for his mug.

"Then why are you dating?" Snotlout fired back.

Hiccup ignored him, drowning any retort in mead, while Astrid flashed him the middle finger.

"They seem a great deal happier than you," Fishlegs pointed out.

"Yeah, a regular dicking will do that to a person," Ruffnut mused.

Hiccup choked on his drink mid-swig and had to turn away quickly to cough and sputter into his elbow. Astrid patted his back and his dragon watched with great concern.

"I can help you with that," Snotlout offered, wiggling his eyebrows at Ruffnut, paying no mind to his flustered cousin.

"Ew, no," she dead panned.

Snotlout gestured at himself as if to insinuate he was quite the specimen.

"First, you might need to figure out how to treat a lady," Fishlegs teased.

Ruffnut whipped around scowling and Fishlegs shrunk back.

"Who are you calling a lady?" she demanded.

"Oh, and you know how to do it right, then?" Snotlout asked, sneering.

"Sure, I do!" Fishlegs answered, a little pink in the cheeks.

"Your mother doesn't count."

"Okay! You know what?" Fishlegs snapped, puffing out his chest. He rose to his feet.

"Finally! A worth opponent!" Snotlout declared, cracking his knuckles. He slammed his arm down against the table, poised in the arm-wrestling stance. "Let's go!"

Fishlegs produced a stack of the dragon cards he had made himself, throwing them down onto the table. They were functional as a game, with damage and protection points based on the natural stats of the dragons painstakingly recorded on each card. They were as practical in a tabletop battle as they were educational. Much to his friends' chagrin.

Snotlout glanced down at them. "What the actual Hel?"

"I challenge you to a game of dragon-knowledge!"

"No, I'm not doing that!" Snotlout protested, pushing the stack of cards away in disgust.

"Oh, yes you are." Fishlegs retorted, sliding them back toward him.

"Get that nerd bait away from me."

"Snotlout--!"

The two of them began to bicker, shouting over one another simultaneously, to overtake the music and dull roar of conversation, as well as each other.

Astrid rubbed her temples, leaning over to whisper to her boyfriend, "Want to dance?"

"No," Hiccup replied. Then he took her hand, swinging his legs back over the bench. "But actually, yes."

They escaped the inanities of the other riders by weaving toward the center of the chamber that had been cleared for dancing. The long tables were pushed off to the sides and the back of the Mead Hall, while the firepit blazed on in the middle. Several couples were already leaping and swirling about to the fast and cheerful music, including the bride and groom. Silent Sven beat the drum furiously to the melody of the rebec and lyre: like the enthusiasm of a summer rain, coursing through every fiber and rushing in the blood. Free from distraction, one simply had to dance.

Hiccup gestured for Toothless to stay put on the periphery, and the dragon merely cocked his head at the dancers spinning and hopping in laps around the firepit.

Astrid placed one hand on Hiccup's shoulder as he drew her close by the small of her back. Her other hand was firmly settled in his. They took a second to count the beat, and they joined in at the next measure.

The Mead Hall turned into a blur of colors and faces as they skipped forward and back, as if on a track, in one large circle around the floor, following the other couples. Hiccup twirled her at the right intervals, and Astrid beamed. Her dress fanned out as she spun, only to hug her legs once more as she moved in close to him again. Her jewelry felt heavy as she bounced on her toes, but the clacking of the beads against her chest was oddly satisfying.

"For all your reluctance to dance, you're not half bad," she told Hiccup, when she saw him smiling too.

"I never said I couldn't dance. Only that I don't purposefully seek out pain and suffering," he laughed, spinning her again.

"Aw, babe. Don't worry. There's no way you can dance with two left feet, on account you only have the one."

Hiccup let out a "Ha!" and the song came to an end. All of the dancers and several of the crowd applauded the band for their contribution. Immediately, they struck up a new chord, and the next song began, as lively as the one before it.

Astrid felt a tap on her shoulder, and she almost jumped.

Tuffnut was standing right behind her hand outstretched.

"Mind if I cut in?" he asked with a mischievous grin.

Hiccup gently pulled Astrid toward him with a frown, saying, "Yes, I do m--"

Tuffnut grasped her by her free hand and skipped off anyway, wrenching her out of her boyfriend's arms, leaving Hiccup standing there in empty-handed bewilderment.

"Here we go!" Tuffnut cried gleefully, guiding her along.

He at least had the sense to avoid placing his hands anywhere that would earn him a black eye. Then, Astrid heard Ruffnut call out, "Come on, string bean!"

She looked back to find the other girl leading a very reluctant Hiccup along after them. It became clear, however, that the twins were by no means intending any offense by their actions. They only ever meant chaos and hilarity. As Astrid settled into a cadence with her new dance partner, she just rolled her eyes and smiled. She saw that Hiccup came to the same realization. He was now dancing along with Ruffnut, with the two of them laughing at the absurdity of it.

Tuffnut whooped aloud as they pranced around the firepit, and Astrid echoed him. Several other calls and whistles responded from the observing crowd, as the drinks were now flowing freely.

When it came for time for Astrid to spin, she felt Tuffnut let go of her. As the world came back into focus and she found her footing, she was in familiar arms.

"Oh, hello," Hiccup said, holding her up against him.

Astrid looked to see that Ruffnut and Tuffnut were now partners, bouncing along like two shuffling Gronckles. She beamed from ear to ear.

The four of them continued to dance, switching up partners occasionally, until Astrid even danced with Ruffnut, leaving the boys to twirl each other around in overly dramatic fashion. Upon their third rotation around the floor, Fishlegs and Snotlout joined in. They announced their arrival, running into the fray with hands aloft, clapping loudly in time. The music played on, and Astrid suspected it was being looped for their benefit.

Forgoing partners completely, the six of them locked arms and hopped along to the beat in a chain. They had taken over, as they so often did; like the music was played just for them. Even the newlyweds cheered them on with great amusement. Astrid's face hurt from a persistent smile and breathless laughter. She could not recall another wedding she had enjoyed so thoroughly.

Gustav tried to link up with them at one point, but Snotlout held him at arm's length and mouthed, "Not you."

Astrid decided then she could tolerate the stifling formality of fancy clothes and the others' incessant whining; and all the decorum of thousand weddings if they could all be as memorable.

[psycheprincess]

To Bring a Bit of Warmth your Way

I just finished @saint-garden 's Twisted Winter Wonderland gift! I really hope you like it!

@twisted-winter-wonderland

Word count: 900 Type: Fanfiction Characters: Kalim Al-Asim, Riddle Rosehearts, Jamil Viper (Ment.)

Summary: When a blizzard rolls around, Kalim decides to do something to make everyone feel better

First the dark mirror disappeared. Then a blizzard swept over Sage’s Island. Night Raven College’s students would have to stay on campus for the Summer Break.

No one had been happy about it, but what was there to be done? 

Students tried to stay in their dorm, but found it impossible. People would have to leave to get supplies from the student store, which had turned into a general supply, but few people had the proper clothes to go. It was far colder than it would ever get on campus during the winter. As a result, people kept getting sick.

When Jamil returned with food one morning as a miserable heap, Kalim made a plan.

He scoured his storage rooms, searching for something— anything warm to wear, and eventually found the perfect clothes to wear. Dire-sheep wool was extremely rare, but his family had received a whole outfit made of it as an act of goodwill. It was a bit big on him, but for this, it’d do.

He set off at noon, sneaking out of the dorm and down to Tarry Town. It seemed the blizzard hadn’t hit them quite as hard, which made sense, but it had still been bad enough to halt travel, and he couldn’t risk the carpet freezing up. That meant a lot of walking… 

… But Kalim didn’t mind. If this is what it’d take to bring everyone happiness, then he’d do it.

“I’m off,” he whispered as he slipped through the gate, making the trek down the mountain. 

It was a bit surprising just how good his chosen outfit was at keeping him warm, but it wasn’t enough to completely block out the cold, and while he could use fire magic to keep himself warm, that’d just make him even more exhausted, so he had to keep walking.

He’d walked off worse than just a little chill, so he was used to it.

Eventually he started seeing something come into view— smoke. Puffs of it floating up in the distance. It had to be Tarry Town! He didn’t realize he could speed up until he did, heading towards the buildings that were coming into view.

It was quiet, but people were working even so. The streets were plowed, and despite the weather, there was plenty of food fresh in the store windows.

He first went to the snow plow’s driver, who was on his phone in his plow– something the blizzard hadn’t allowed for at NRC, and requested his help.

“All th’ way up there?” The driver asked, frowning a bit. “It’s a pretty hefty drive, and don’tcha mages have magic to melt it all or sumthin’?”

“It’s… a bit more complicated than that,” Kalim admitted, wincing. “There’s no way we could melt it all, y’know? We’d accumulate a ton of blot if we tried.”

“It’s always something, isn’t it…” The driver sighed. “I’m sorry, kid, but as much as I want to help you, there’s no way I’m driving up there. I’ve got kids to feed, and–”

“But I can pay you!” Kalim suddenly exclaimed. He got his magic pen out and waved it. 

Practicing a summoning spell hadn’t been the best use of his time in some people’s eyes, but Kalim knew what he’d been doing. A portal opened up, spewing a small-ish pile of gold out. The driver was taken aback as he counted it up.

“That’s… Isn’t this much worth a thousand marks?!”

“Oh– is it not enough?” Kalim asked. “I have a lot stored at the dorm, so I can–”

“There’s no need for that!” The man exclaimed, shaking his head. “This… this is definitely enough.”

“Really?” Kalim gasped. “That’s perfect! Is it okay if you wait here for me?”

“‘Course, but…” The man frowned. “... What  exactly are you doing, kid?”

“Huh? Oh!” Kalim smiled a bit. “I just want to make things a bit warmer for everyone!”

After that, Kalim went from store to store, purposefully overpaying for food and warm clothes, asking anyone willing to help for enough marks to wait by the snow plow with a car and some food. He was even able to get the local bus on board.

Once everything was ready, the supplies Kalim bought packed safely in the cars, they drove up the mountain in a parade, the plow going first to clear the path.

By evening, they’d reached NRC. Everyone was willing to help, but in the end, the magic barrier kept them from entering, so Kalim had to bring it all to the mirror hall himself.

The rest of the student body didn’t discover what had happened until dawn, when Riddle went out to get food.

Each pile of clothes and food was labeled by dorm, with Kalim bringing in the last few loads left.

“Kalim?” He asked, approaching. “What… is all this?”

“Riddle!” Kalim grinned. “Actually, can you tell all the dorms to come here?”

“I don’t…” Riddle blinked. “How did you–?”

“It was no biggie, really!” Kalim laughed a bit. “I just… had to help.”

Soon enough, everything was in the hall, and the dorms were all out, gaping at the amount of supplies they’d have.

Surely, it’d be enough to help them through the cold, right?

And even as Kalim shivered and got scolded later on, he couldn’t help but simple.

After all, everyone had sworn it felt a little bit warmer after that morning.

[neverchecking]

Something cracky with the Chain I thought up while rereading through all the Triplet Shenanigans.

so Imagine Tia successfully kidnapped rescued Sage and Aaliyah and now they are living in her Hyrule peacefully. (She pays for their house in Tarrey Town, no arguments and both she and Sweetpea make sure they haven't set anyone on fire or gone Full Hermit)

Only for the Chain + Cal (and maybe First because I love him) to show up in this Hyrule. Which is honestly a bit odd for recruitment because Tia's like "Which one were you after? The Gremlin one or the Feral one? Oh, Wait, It seems Sweetpea's multiplied again." (Tia asks about Flora and Fauna and possibly starts another kidnapping plot but that's a whole other thing.)

Wild and Cal, of course, have the same taste as their counterpart, much to Sage's absolute disgust while his moronic self-proclaimed Twin keeps poking him about it. (I think Sweetpea just went "Yeah, he's my Twin and that's my new Sister-in-Law." when Sage showed up in this Hyrule and got asked about it.) So Sage spends most of his time snarling at the Tick and the Prude, hiding Aaliyah away and throwing the occasional knife at Sweetpea who keeps smirking at him (and who's only allowed in because he is Sage in a way and he looked after Aaliyah.)

Only for everything to come to a halt when they spot Tia being flirted with by one of the others in the Chain. And she's blushing. And letting it happen.

Tia isn't Aaliyah. Sage has no desire to gut anyone who even so much as glances at Tia the same way he would Aaliyah and Aaliyah feels the same way but,

Tia protected Sage while Aaliyah couldn't and she protected Aaliyah in a way Sage couldn't. She gave them a home. She gave them a new life, a safe one, far away from destiny and duty and spoilt princesses. She deified gods to help them. She loves them for who they are, not what they could've been or who they were. She's their Princess and their friend.

So Keep Your Bloody Hands off her unless you want them removed permanently.

(Sweetpea would usually try to rein them in, but he's a bit overprotective since the Switch and is in full support of Testing This Potential Suitor of his Princess. [Ariel, my version of Sweetpea's sister, is also in full support of this])

Now Cal and Wild have two choices. Either A) take advantage of Sage's slight distraction to get closer to Aaliyah or B) win brownie points with Aaliyah by helping.

OKAY OKAY IVE BEEN SO EXCITED TO TALK ABOUT HOW THE CHAIN FALLS INTO THIS-

So, I offer you this as an alternative; Since they were switched for son long, I imagine Ganon tears something in the space/ time continuum and now instead of just two of them fighting Ganon at a time, all four of them are just...there. And after Ganon is defeated, their timelines just kind of...merge? So there, now their best friends forever! And Sage and Aaliyah get to live the best domestic life they can in Tarrey Town, away from all semblance of Royalty-- save Tia and Sweetpea-- and Tia gets to rule as the queen she is.

Natura is idk still a dragon or locked in a house or allowed to run around playing scholar. As long as she stays out of the way.

(IFDBFF TIA AND SWEETPEA MAKING SURE SAGE AND AALIYAH INTERACT WITH CIVILIZATION FJOFNF-)

Now, at this point they are the group. Like if something happens in Hyrule your getting any duo of them or maybe all four there to investigate. It's who they are. And when there are talks of this random portal? It fits the bill. Probably something big enough to get all four of them moving.

Tia takes the forefront, talking with Time and Wars as the most civil and when they mention they're here for Link she's probably like "Do you have a preference? Because one of them is a two for one deal." And her just shrugging off 'hey look more links!'

And then she's like "hey wait- what about your zeldas?"

Wild and Cal being all over Aaliyah is so funny to me (I say that a lot lmao) because they do have the same tastes. Meanwhile sweetpea is just "ew that's my sister in law. Her husband, but not yet, will GUT you and take a picture with your remains." ALSO SWEETPEA DECLARING HIM AND SAGE TWINS RKDKRNR I LOVE IT-

Sage hates it. Loathes it even. But he puts up with it bc the girls probably think it's funny (for two wildly different reasons. Tia probably thinks it's cute and Aaliyah is cackling bc now people think he's as approachable as Sweetpea)

Sage is on his guard dog Era. He's daring then to get even a little closer. Even if aaliyah shows little to no interest, they're hooked bc this woman was someone designed for them. To help them survive. No, not only survive but to thrive. But now there's an obstacle And they won't stand for it .

Sweetpea is so used to the flying knives he just catches it and throws it back, all with a chuckle and smile. He knows that he and Aaliyah have a bond now and Sage can't interfere. He's proven his worth. Besides his loyalty lies with Tia.

Now someone has caught the lovely Tia's eye? Oh-ho-ho-and if she reciprocated? Idk if Tia knows this, but she has two feral wolves and a Doberman ready to fight for her honor at any given time.

Bc while yes, their main priority is each other, they've sort of let the other two into their circle. Of course Sage and Aaliyah would absolutely mutilate someone should they have to for the other, they would probably leave the person alive for Tia and Sweetpea. They're honestly comparable to wolves in a pack? Like once your in. Your in. No take backs.

They allowed these two to thrive and they'll do the same for her. They owe their soul mate's life to her and they aim to repay her. They're not in the same bracket as Sage and aaliyah are to each other, but Tia and sweetpea are family. As foreign of an idea as that is to them.

And they'd hate for anyone to interfere with their family :)

(Sweetpeas secret weapon is those two lmao. He for sure is letting them do whatever they please if only for the link the prove his worth. If he can't survive the most feral beings he's ever met then he doesn't deserve Tia.)

(Ariel is their collective little sister and is in full support of this.)

Why not both?

Wild is probably using the distraction, both helping his chain member and getting closer to the sheikah (watching for Sage all the while) while cal is acting as backup. Sage can't be everywhere at once ( to which Sage begs to differ) so if Cal is watching Aaliyahs back while she's setting up a trap of some sorts for the poor victim I mean link, he's probably getting at least a thankful smile from her.

And if that doesn't just make his heart swell

[meowcats734]

[Soulmage] By Wizard Law, in order to learn a new skill, wizards are required to be apprenticed to a more experienced master. You, a barely trained journeyman fire mage, just took on an apprentice: a two-hundred-year-old Grandmaster Water Magic Lord.

"The Academy must be getting desperate if you're the best tutor they could find," my new student said.

I didn't disagree, but that didn't mean the man had to be a jerk about it. "The Academy's a little shorthanded thanks to that rampaging demon from a few weeks back," I said. "Both because everyone's suddenly very interested in learning self-defense magic, and because a decent chunk of the people who were good at self-defense magic died."

"Weren't good enough, then," the grumpy, ancient man said.

"I take it your emotional attunement is being a dick, then?" I deadpanned. I was half-certain that I'd been assigned the ornery old man just because my teacher wanted to spite me.

"What did you say?" he asked.

I blinked. "Emotional attunement. The emotion that you use to power your magic. This is first-year stuff. How can you—"

"Not that, you idiot. I've sneezed out more knowledge of magic than you've learned in your life. How did you just address me?"

"I... didn't?" I asked.

He scoffed. "Young people these days. When speaking to your senior, address him by his full title."

I rolled my eyes. "Alright. Fine. Grandmaster Water Magic Lord, I take it your emotional attunement is being a dick?"

He scowled. "My full title is Grandmaster Water Magic Lord Sage Unmatched Crusader Knight."

"Fine. GWMLSUCK, you're a dick."

GWMLSUCK bristled. "Your disrespect—"

"—is a part of the teaching process," I interrupted. "Look, I'm no master fire mage, but I know basic magical theory. Each emotion corresponds to a specific school of magic. Happiness for light, sorrow for cold, passion for heat." Self-hatred to make yourself feel small, too, although I felt no particular need to share my own brand of magic with someone who went by GWMLSUCK.

"And you think disrespecting me will make me more passionate about your imbecilic lessons?" the GWMLSUCK said.

"I think that it'll make you angry," I countered, "and that anger is a type of passion."

The GWMLSUCK fell quiet. "Using anger to fuel spells is in the domain of fell magic," he finally said.

"Yeah, well, a bunch of fell mages just kicked our collective butts." I shrugged. "Desperate times call for desperate measures, GWMLSUCK."

"Stop calling me that," he snapped. "It makes me so... so..."

"Yes?" I asked, patiently waiting.

He paused, then shook his head.

"You're right. You're an arrogant little pebble, and you make me want to blow my top off. But nothing's happening. I don't have the faintest attunement to anger, no matter how hard I try."

That was what I'd been worried about. You could have all the emotions in the world, but unless you had the right attunement, you couldn't convert them into magic—and I hadn't the foggiest idea where attunements came from. It was classified knowledge, kept only to the highest-ranked witches, and there was no way anyone would tell a neophyte spellcaster like me how to—

"There are four things you need to create an emotional attunement," the GWMLSUCK began.

I blinked in surprise, but the GWMLSUCK wasn't paying attention to me. "You need to feel the emotion yourself. You need to lose the emotion yourself. You need to cause the emotion in others. And you need to take that emotion from others."

A chill ran down my spine.

"I've felt anger in my life," he said, "and I've certainly angered others. So for me to lack that attunement... it means that either I've been perpetually angry my entire life, or there's never been a time when I've helped someone else calm down." For a moment, the old man looked terribly lost and terribly vulnerable. "And I don't want either of those to be true."

I was hardly listening to the old man's words.

Because I was a witch who used self-hatred.

For me to have an emotional attunement, it meant that I had to have caused that emotion in someone else.

My head swam. Who could it have been? Who had I hurt inadvertently so badly that it made them turn their anger inwards on themself? Who...

"I don't know why I expected a youth like you to help," the old man said. He stood. "This lesson is over. I will be contacting the Academy for a replacement immediately."

"That... may be for the best. For both of us," I muttered, dazed.

And then I realized who it was. Who was responsible for the magic I held.

And I knew how to make amends.

A.N.

Soulmage is a serial written in response to writing prompts. Stick around for more episodes, or join my Discord to chat about it!

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