#they never said the work for the path of peace would be easy

[mecdidikmen]

heart & mind, hope you forget not.

[veturiusofserra]

when you know, you know | s. r.

𑁤 synopsis: in an interview she opens up about how easy it is to be loved by Spencer, sharing the story of how they met and how his love inspired her music.

𑁤 pairing: spencer reid x singer!reader

𑁤 words: 1.090

𑁤 disclaimer: This was 100% inspired by something my bf said a while ago, and I love the song. I hope you will enjoy it too <3

“As we reach the close of our conversation, one thing’s bugging me. In your song “Margaret,” there’s this line ‘when you know, you know.’ Like, how do you just know someone’s the one? I’ve been through my share of relationships, yet I haven’t experienced that kind of thing you sing about. In your song, it’s all so clear-cut, like you can predict the future. It reminds me of a kid believing in the tooth fairy – sweet idea, maybe not quite real. But that’s probably what makes the song so good. It talks about this perfect love where everything just clicks, and all your worries disappear. Maybe that’s what I’m still looking for, or maybe it’s just for some lucky people. Either way, your song paints such a strong picture of love that it makes me wonder if I’ll ever have a ‘Margaret’ of my own.”

“It’s funny, right? The answer everyone gives is so simple: “you’ll just know.” Like love hits you like a lightning bolt, destiny calls, happily ever after guaranteed. But maybe that’s the problem. We get this picture-perfect idea of love from movies and books, and then we miss the real thing when it’s right under our noses. We set these high expectations, these checklists of what “the one” should be like. And if someone doesn’t tick every box, we write them off. It’s like searching for a flawless diamond, forgetting that even the most beautiful gems have tiny imperfections. Because guess what? We all mess up. You make mistakes, I make mistakes, everyone does. Maybe that’s what makes a real connection so special – accepting someone, flaws and all. Speaking of which, there’s this story I wanted to share with you.”

“We're all ears!”, the interviewer and the crew smile with waiting faces.  

“For the longest time, I believed I was destined to give love, but never receive it.  Maybe because... well, let’s be honest, I can be a bit self-absorbed, lost in my own head and neglecting others. But even with the no love life mantra, there was always this yearning for a family, a deep desire for children I could call my own. The ‘what ifs’ terrified me, though. Would I be a good parent? Would they be happy? Could I provide for them? Eventually, I resigned myself to a life of music, making people happy through my art, having a few friends, maybe a tragically young death – you know, the artist’s curse. 

Then, I found him. We both know Penny, but run in different circles. He’s in law, I’m an artist – about as different as you get, except for maybe a shared love of fancy vocabulary. We met at Penny’s birthday party, and while he claims it was love at first sight for him, I just thought he was the most handsome man I’d ever seen. But that was it. He was too shy to introduce himself, and I was sworn off men at the time. Funny how fate works, right?  We never crossed paths before, but after that night, it seemed like everywhere I turned, there he was. That’s when I decided to take a chance, and boy, I was so scared!

All those stories about soulmates and butterflies? They weren’t for me. Anxiety had been my constant companion for as long as I could remember. Butterflies just meant another battle brewing in my head. What I craved was peace, a steady hand to anchor me until I was ready to set sail. So, I built a friendship with him. We shared secrets, dreams, and vulnerabilities. He turned out to be a brilliant mind, a walking encyclopedia with an IQ of 187. Yet, he never made me feel inferior. He found humor in my quirks, and we seemed to complement each other perfectly. The more time we spent together, the more his words resonated: “We were designed for one another.”

And then, it hit me. Love. Deep, unexpected, and all-encompassing. It felt effortless, a perfect fit. But fear gnawed at me. It was all so new, so unfamiliar. Just as I was drowning in uncertainty, Penny, our mutual friend, reached out. She had something to show me – “Margaret.”

“She wrote it?” she asked, intrigued.

“Well, she started it,” I clarify. “Inspired by him, she penned the first lines that night after the birthday party. She couldn't shake the image of his longing gaze, a sight she’d never witnessed before. It felt sacred, a raw glimpse into his heart. The initial draft, rough around the edges, went something like this: ‘just writing for a friend. My shirt's inside out, and penmanship is messy. He met her on the rooftop, and she wore white. He said, ‘I think I’m in trouble.’ He saw flashes of the future.” A gentle smile graces your lips. 

“Seriously, that’s adorable.”

I nod, a blush creeping up my cheeks. “Right? Her words sparked inspiration within me. I wrote the rest, my mind consumed by-”

“By him.” she prompted, leaning in.

“He made love feel simple. Loving me was effortless for him, a stark contrast to the struggle I’d always imagined. It was like breathing, a natural and easy rhythm. He helped me discover the light that had been hiding within me all along.”

“There’s a saying,” the interviewer began, “to be loved is to be changed.”

I smiled. “I prefer a different one: to be loved is to be known. Because maybe, just maybe, he saw the affection within me all along, the part I couldn’t quite see myself.”

“You are indeed full of affection,” she said warmly. “Thank you for sharing this story with us.”

“Thank you for listening. I know it's a cliché, but there truly is someone out there for everyone. You never know what tomorrow holds, but deep down, a tiny spark ignites within us, guiding us towards that love. Trust it.”

“That wraps it up for our interview with the lovely Y/n! But before we say goodbye, there's one more message for her. Can we play it, Jonah?” A nod later, the studio fills with the sound of a familiar voice.

“Hey there, love. Just wanted to say congratulations on the album! You poured your heart and soul into it, and I’m incredibly proud. But hey, can you come home soon? Two days feels like an eternity without you. Miss my other half. Love you tons, sweetheart. And everyone listening, stream Ocean Boulevard! Dex says hi to mom, too.” A meow erupts in the background, eliciting a laugh from you and the studio crew.

thoughts? or prayers idk

[ladymarycrawley]

Forbidden but delightful - Mason Mount

Request: I actually had a imagine request for Mason Mount…where the reader works for him and they’ve always been fond of one another and one day she comes in wearing a guys jumper, it doesn’t fit her properly and it smells like a man. So Mason feels himself becoming jealous, when in reality it’s just her brothers jumper that she ended up wearing because she fell asleep at his babysitting his kids + @anon that asked me sth based on Mase's Nike shooting that got out out in august/september

Warning: none

Tag list: @prideofpd , @johnstonesfc , @chelsealover , @masonxomount , @masterclassbaby

(gif credits to @bracedes)

A thing Mason promised himself he would have never done in his life was falling in love with someone that worked for him or that simply happened to cross his path for business reasons: he knew it would have been unprofessional but, most of all, he feared he would have ended up as the wronged party.

Another thing he knew deep down his heart was that promises are sometimes meant to be broken and the aforementioned one was one of those.

Since Y/N took on the role of his personal stylist she became the ever so present object of his thoughts as she charmed him since day one, when that shy smile of hers made him blush and ask for more, more moments of him in her company. 

He knew she had something special but didn't know what that was, he only knew it was something that made him feel relaxed, at peace with the world around him. It was as if she held an aura of calmness that was never enough for him as his engaged lifestyle required a lot of it.

Needless to say they got along instantly and, as he was one of the most appreciated footballers on the planet, she soon became one of the most envied women for spending so much time with him. That time they would spend together wasn’t related to fashion matters only but quickly spread to their spare time too: after their work for a magazine, Mason invited her over to his house to celebrate their first job together.

In the meanwhile, on her part, a small sentence he said to her like “I’d like you to always feel at ease when you’re around me, we don’t have to be friends if you don’t want to but I’d like you to be totally yourself” was what made her like him as soon as his brother Lewis introduced him to her. What he expressed was quite an easy concept not to be taken for granted as a lot of famous people would likely treat their employees as servants, making their business life miserable but that wasn't his case.

Everyone loved Mason for being a down to earth guy, a family guy that always had the most beautiful smile painted across his lips and that smile was the second thing that made her weak to her knees: it could light up a dark room faster than artificial light and warm her heart at the same speed.

The second time it was her turn so she asked him to join her in going to a club in the centre of Manchester. It was just the prelude of their game of looks, subtle and unintended touches, sweet words. All of that happened without them even realising it as it felt so spontaneous, so right.

The crucial moment in their professional as well as personal career was when the Red Devils player was asked to feature in the next Nike Underwear campaign as one of their latest posterboys.

“That’s huge, I can't believe it” She kept on saying in disbelief as he was in a delighted mood too. That was probably the biggest job she got until then and they were both buzzing.

“I’m sure all the girlies will love me even more after this shooting” You joked, alluding to the shirtless pictures of Mason that would soon reach every corner of planet Earth through the worldwide coverage they would have had.

He blushed a little and chuckled. “Yep and they’ll probably hate you a little too cause you’re stealing their place”

“Me?? I’m just doing what I’ve been hired for and just got you the biggest shooting to date”

“Yeah but don’t flatter yourself sweetheart”

Sweetheart? Y/N would have never thought of hearing that nickname coming from his mouth and above all, addressed to her. The shade of bright pink that painted her cheeks after that exchange of words, matched her geranium skirt and that combination didn’t go unnoticed to her client who smirked, quite pleased with what his sentence ignited in her.

They both gave each other knowing looks, a look that made Mason’s heart beat faster and Y/N’s legs shake.

The stylist cleared her throat with a fit of coughing before looking at the time on her phone screen, deciding it was time for her to go home before things would have gone out of your hands.

“Are you already going home?”

“Yes, I have erm - a friend over for dinner, yeah” She nodded as if she was trying to convince herself to buy her own lie. 

“Do I know her? Oh wait, is it your best friend?” The Englishman didn’t really care about her guest, he only wanted to spend a couple more minutes with her and make sure she wasn’t seeing any guy he would have to compete with.

“No no, you don’t know her…” She said dismissively, putting her bag on her shoulder.

“Is this mysterious friend a guy you haven’t told me about?” He said, crossing his hands and trying to sound as chilled as possible.

“Please! Not interested in any guy right now” Yeah, in any guy that wasn’t called Mason Mount. “Really have to go now, my house is a mess and she will be there in less than an hour… see you tomorrow, Mount, don’t be late cause we’ll check your Nike’s outfits out!”

“Don’t worry, I won’t…have fun tonight”

“Yep…thanks”

They almost whispered their goodbyes with a hint of sadness and delusion in their voices, as though neither of them wanted to leave each other nor wanted the other one to be left alone but the positions they were in forbid any kind of romantic relationship: it would have been too complicated and too risky.

The very risky thing though was the task she had to undertake the next day: some Nike people met Mason and Y/N at the sportswear brand’s headquarter in London and shared a quick chat to get to know each other better, before skipping to the part where they would explain the shooting they had in mind for Mason to be featured in.

She gulped the moment they showed them the underwear models they could have chosen among.

Y/N’s mind soon got crowded with not safe for work images, as the sight of the Manchester United player’s toned body covered only in a pair of tight boxers, smiling at her began getting more and more vivid.

She shook her head when the Mason in her mind bit on his lower lip and seductively brought his hands to his sides to take off the tiny piece of clothing covering his lower body.

“Are you okay?”

“Me? Oh yes, yes I’m so excited for this you have no idea” She laughed.

The people working with them smiled and left the room to do God’s knew what, leaving her and Mason alone.

He chuckled, lowering himself to her level so that his lips were close to her ear and whispered “Bet you’re more aroused than excited for this job”

You widen your eyes and hit him on the shoulder.

“I’m fully focused on my work, wasn’t thinking about anything vile”

“Even if you’re thinking about it that would be nothing wrong with it…I won’t tell anyone about your secret crush for me”

“Stop it! How old are you? 15??”

Mason giggled and swiftly pecked her cheek. “I love it when you get annoyed at me”

If someone would have seen that scene they would have thought they were a couple, a cute couple but sadly it wasn’t the truth and maybe would have never been…

Y/N arrived at work the day of the Nike shooting some minutes late and she entered the venue out of breath.

“Hi! Sorry everyone, stuck in traffic and it was horrible” She justified herself panting. What she just said was a white lie because she had nothing to do with London’s traffic: the night before her elder brother asked her to babysit his children because he had planned a night out with his wife and forgot to call someone to look after those two rascals that spent all the night shouting and running around the house.

She tried to say no when he asked her that favour, as she had a big day coming on but he said he really needed her help.

So she fell asleep on the sofa, after battling to put her nephews to bed, waking up just in time to go back home in a rush, begging her brother to give her a lift, and put on some knee-high boots that would have complimented that oversized grey jumper she borrowed from him to fight the coldness of the night.

Mason raised his eyebrows when he saw her, recognising immediately what she was wearing was a man’s jumper.

She styled it as if it was a dress and she looked so hot in his eyes but couldn’t stop thinking she must have spent the night with some man, that’s the reason why she was late.

The shooting went as planned: Mason looked genuinely flawless and sexy in that underwear, smiling at the camera and she kept on biting her lips as she couldn’t help thirsting over him as he looked nothing but hot ... that infatuation for him would have been the death of her.

She thanked that one person that asked for a little break because she needed a giant cup of coffee and some fresh air.

“You look good” Those were the first words she said to Mason that day.

“You too”

“No way, I look hideous as I’ve barely slept and arrived late on what’s the most important day in my career” She blurted annoyed at that, something unforgivable from her point of view.

The footballer started biting on his nails as he was clearly nervous and maybe needed some fresh air as well as she did.

“This…” The strong smell that tickled his nostrils interrupted him “...this smell, where does it come from?”

“Oh I think it’s my jumper” Y/N admitted shyly, referring to the garment that looked huge on her.

What Mason noticed made her blush, as if he caught her red-handed while doing something inappropriate and he glanced at her sideways, as if that inappropriate thing she did disappointed him somehow.

“It still smells like him...” She said under her breath but he still heard her and couldn’t help but widen his eyes in shock: in his head they’re perfect together, smiling and laughing every day, even subtly flirting so he thought she was single and he could go on courting her but now she’s wearing another man’s clothes? The poor man was confused to say the least.

“You told me you weren’t interested in any man…”

“And I’m not”

He raised his head and smiled quite relieved with the real explanation behind all of that.

“So why are you wearing another man’s jumper?”

“Oh god Mase, are you jealous?? This is my brother’s. He asked me to babysit his kids last night and took this because I was cold and in a rush so it was literally the first decent thing I’ve found”

“Oh well…I was ready to mock you for your walk of shame actually”

“No dear, you’re dying for me to tell you I haven't slept with anyone last night and now you’re joking only because you didn’t get angry” You giggled, offering him a cup of hot coffee.

“Can I take you out tonight?”

“Mason I- I don’t think that’d be a good idea, I mean we’re working together”

“I know that but I’ll do my best to keep things separated, I promise” He gave you puppy eyes, making you giggle.

“If you wanna try…”

“You don’t wanna try?”

Of course she wanted to, she'd been dying too…and she'd been dying to know what his lips tasted of too: she quickly glanced around to make sure all the people involved in the shooting were still out and unexpectedly kissed him, the coffee flavour on his lips mixing with her nude lipstick.

“Now go on posing, nothing happened!”

Nothing could swipe Mason’s smirk off his face as he brushed his thumb over his lips that now tasted like her.

“Yeah...nothing happened”

Mixing work and private life wasn’t something they were willing to do but sometimes breaking the rules has that forbidden charm that brings to one’s soul the highest of delights and that’s a risk worth taking.

[paimonial-rage]

why he rejected you (pt 1)

characters: albedo, alhaitham, ayato, baizhu, bennett, childe, chongyun, cyno, diluc, gorou, heizou synopsis: you finally gathered up the bravery to confess your feelings, but much to your dismay, they turned you down. but you deserve to know the reason, right? notes: i'm going about this in alphabetical order, so hopefully part 2 coming hopefully sooner than later

Albedo - Preoccupations

Albedo is many things, but if there’s one thing he’s not, it’s attentive. He is a man with many interests, and thus research and experimentation take up much of his time. If you’re unwilling to claim some of his time as your own, you can’t blame him if he goes days and even weeks without showing his face before you. 

Alhaitham - High Maintenance

It is foolish to go into a relationship with Alhaitham expecting never-ending affection, romantic dates, and the works. Alhaitham, at his core, is a simple man. He is not the emotional sort, nor is he the most affectionate. Thus, he sees no point in entering a relationship with a person that wants more than what he is willing and able to give. 

Ayato - Lofty Eyes

It’s safe to say that Kamisato Ayato is not the easiest person to read. If there is one thing that’s plain to see, however, it is that barring his close associates, there is a wall between him and everyone he interacts with. Oftentimes people wonder if it is due to his job or his secretive personality, but the truth is much simpler than that. Most people, including you, simply aren’t worth his time.

Baizhu - Set Path

For those that visit him regularly, it is quite easy to become comfortable around Dr. Baizhu. Though his medicines are often bitter to the taste, he is not. With kind eyes and a soft voice, it’s easy for one’s heart to be lead astray. But don’t be fooled. Dr. Baizhu is waging a war against fate, and it is to this battle that all his attention and energies will be expended towards.

Bennett - Burdens

Though he may have said yes to you at first, don’t expect it to last long. Sad to say, Bennett is well aware of his unluckiness. No matter how much you try to assure him that it is okay, if he sees his unluck beginning to bleed onto you, there would be only so much he’d be willing to take. It’s okay, though. You deserve better. His burdens are not meant to be yours to bear.

Childe - Spark-less

It’s always easy to see when Childe is fascinated with someone. His ocean-blue eyes light up with excitement whenever they come around. Such people represent a challenge, a dangerous mountain he can scale and overcome. You, however? You do not spark such excitement. Really, you’re not even a rock within his path. 

Chongyun - Self-control

Only those that are close to him are aware of the burdens pure yang energy puts on Chongyun. Losing control is terrible. Depressing. Humiliating. Even if he did like you, the thought of losing himself to the way you make his heart beat and face flush is… it’s horrifying. He’d never forgive himself if he hurt you in the process. So it’s just better to stop this, whatever this is, before it even starts. 

Cyno - Safe

He has no reason to tell you no lol.

Diluc - Love

Diluc would never admit that he is a soft person. You did not get under his skin, nor did your lovely charms grow so heavily upon him. Turning you down didn’t hurt because you do not matter to him. He does not think it’s because his life is dangerous as it is. He does not pay attention to his guilt at the thought of you worriedly waiting for him every evening. He doesn’t think you deserve more, someone able to show their love for you more than him. 

Gorou - Self-sacrifice

Having been raised in a place like Watatsumi Island, Gorou is no stranger to war, hunger, want. He was always taught the importance of sacrifice, a lesson that was even more emphasized upon becoming general. While things have gotten better since the war has come to pass, he is well aware that this peace may not last. This is not the time for distractions.

Heizou - Contentment

Safe to say, there are not many things Heizou is missing from his life. He has a great job that’s exciting and interesting, he has friends and family he can rely on, he’s able to work toward and achieve his goals—he is not in need of much. Really, any more and there’d simply be much too many things on his plate!

[stu-dyingstudent]

Sakura Haruno fic recs: ANBU

AHHHH!!!! I love ANBU fics, especially when they involve Sakura. It was such a cool concept, which was unfortunately never fully expanded upon. However, our lack of knowledge regarding the shadow corps allows for some really cool fic ideas since authors can take creative liberty on the structure and workings of the division.

In my opinion, Sakura had the most potential out of team 7 to join ANBU (at least more than Naruto). It's all about being discreet and efficient and although she wasn't strong during og, she possessed abilities that would be valuable for this. Her clever mind, chakra control, and genjutsu potential would've made her a good fit. Naruto was too flamboyant and Sasuke was too reckless and cocky, but this is just my take. However, with her new skill set from her training with Tsunade, I don't think she would be able to go down that path anymore.

Started: 2024.08.06

Last Updated: 2024.08.29

note: feel free to check out my master list which has a bunch of Sakura Haruno fic recs (all organized)!

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Masks by mads999 || ao3 || kakasaku || E || canon divergent || complete

1. Sakura's Inner is far more diabolical than anyone ever expected 2. Crows prove to be cruel mentors 3. Sakura comes to learn exactly how much she hates Kakashi (as well as how alike they are, in the most terrible of ways)

Kakashi is a hateful turd and Sakura is spiteful! I hate this ship and I'm not a big fan of Kakashi here, but boy is this fic good. One of the best character developments I've read for Sakura and she certainly becomes of force to be reconned with. The ANBU lore in Masks is absolutely phenomenal and I love the whole system that is put into place as it adds for some drama (lol). Also, can we talk about how awesome crow summons are????

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Five Kingdoms for the Dead - Evil Is A Relative Term || ffn || M || canon divergence || complete

After the Forest of Death, Sakura comes to realize that being weak is no longer an option. However, she finds that change is sometimes painful and that truth doesn't always come easy. Luckily, she'll have some help along the way.

It's been a while since I've read Five Kingdoms for the Dead, but I just remember it being absolutely great! I'll be honest, I found a lot of the mind stuff pretty confusing at times, but it was still enjoyable. Also, some great characters are utilized in this fic such as Neji, Sai, and Itachi. Makes me really wish that we saw more of Sakura and Neji working together in Naruto since I think they compliment each other quite well.

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Trials of Change - Espoiretreves || ao3 || gen || time travel AU || complete

Haruno Sakura made a promise. Looking in the eyes of her Shisou and the reanimated Hokage, she took on the most important mission of her life. Go back in time and try to prevent the 4th Shinobi War. Now, Sakura is back to her 5-year-old body, with all the knowledge and haunting memories of the future. She vows to keep her precious people safe and stop certain events from happening, without altering the timeline too much. The trials her emotions and logic put her through have her questioning her very existence, but for the sake of peace, she has to push forward. No matter what.

Trials of Change is actually apart of a time travel series and I have to say that it is probably one of the best of the genre! Now, Sakura is not in ANBU here, but she works very closely with team Ro (Kakashi's ANBU team) and it's a huge part of the story, so I'm choosing to count it anyway. I really adore all of the worldbuilding and backstories going on here in addition to the fact that there are breaks. Yes, the story keeps moving, but there are other things going on, like playdates, and not just Sakura trying to save the world. Also, if you love Shisui then definitely check this out since he has a huge role and his and Sakura's friendship is just so precious.

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bite me and see, said the fly to the spider - MirrorImage003 || ao3 || itasaku || T || non-massacre AU || ongoing

In which Sakura is not initially a part of Team 7. In which she wears her failures like armor and brandishes her fears like her most trusted weapons. In which I do what hundreds of other authors have done before me, and rewrite Sakura's story. Non-massacre AU. Canon Divergent. Slow-burn.

After Sakura's first team, consisting of the graduating class's "expendables," dies, she joins team 7 and faces backlash along her shinobi journey. Sakura doesn't join ANBU until the later chapters so fair warning that there isn't too much content in that regards (unless it updates). Nonetheless, Sakura views ANBU as vital to her career as it offers her the highest clearance she can get. Gaining her opportunities for information her civilian-born status didn't allow her privy to.

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The Sixth Shadow - thinknicht || ao3 || kakasaku || M || canon divergent - eventual time travel AU || ongoing

No one seemed to find it odd when little Haruno Sakura threw herself smack dab in front of a Chidori and Rasengan. Not even Kakashi stopped to wonder.(He really should have.)

The story of how Sakura came to be the sixth hogake despite all of the challenges thrown her way. I especially love Sakura's drive in addition to the political aspects. However, be warned that Kakashi is an absolute HATER (in the beginning), but he gets better! The Sixth Shadow is extremely long and I only just recently got to Sakura's introduction to ANBU, so I can't say too much in that regard.

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Daughter of Fire - justjstuff || ao3 || kakasaku || E || canon divergence || incomplete (maybe ongoing)

Sakura got up and didn’t bother brushing the dirt from her dress. She had a feeling she was about to get even dirtier.She looked at the memorial stone one last time, memorizing the characters without even realizing she was doing it. It would serve from that moment on as a reminder of her determination. She wouldn’t let Naruto and Sasuke join the names carved on that stone.That was her nindo.

Sakura's growth throughout Daughter of Fire is great and realistic all while pointing out aspects from the original series which were flawed and dare I say misogynistic. I struggled a bit in the beginning to justify her abilities, but overall the story is really well done and the ANBU aspects are quite intriguing.

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cut the head off the snake - itsthechocopuff || ao3 || T || time travel AU || complete

when eighteen-year-old, post-war Sakura is thrown back into her tiny, pre-Academy body, she makes a decision. she'd had a childhood once already, and this time, she's more interested in Not Dying when the inevitable shit hits the proverbial fan. so she will work harder, care less, kill more, and smile when she's done.and hey, if she ends up reviving an extinct nature transformation to attract the most corrupt, power-hungry man from her timeline, all the better for her, right?

Such a unique take on a time travel AU and Cut the Head Off the Snake executes it perfectly. Sakura decides that her first order of business is to infiltrate ROOT and that's exactly what she does. Sai, Shin, and Shisui are all great characters and team Ro is present as well. Very good!

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Flowers - Idunmy || ao3 || E || kakasaku || canon divergence || ongoing

Flowers only bloom just before they wilt When Sakura loses her fight against Ino in her Chuunin exams, she questions her ability to ever become a kunoichi, too weak to protect herself, let alone her village One wrongful promotion later and Sakura gets a second chance in the shape of a mysterious new teacher who against all odds is willing to put her faith in a young girl with potential and a willingness to fight. Or- a fix-it inspired fic where Sakura grows to be the powerhouse she was destined to become.

Flowers is a newer series (which has recent updates) and I love it! Critiques are made towards the medical ninja training, which I believe needed to be discussed and it's refreshing to see. In most ANBU fics I've read, Sakura is immediately put onto the strongest team, but here it's a bit different. She begins on a demolition squad, which not only suits her skill set quite well, but is a realistic approach to how she would be introduced to the corps. Anyway, it's one of my favorite reads at the moment and I really like where the story is going.

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names. - waterpllar || ao3 || T || gen || canon divergence || complete

There are no names or faces in ANBU. Everything is designed to be strictly formal, efficient and professional. A recently orphaned Sakura, however, learns that some regulations aren't meant to be followed, and finds a place in Team Ro after being shunned from her former teammates. (fic prompt from anon on tumblr: orphaned sakura in anbu with yamato, genma, and team ro.)

AHHHH poor Sakura. After her parents' death Sakura seeks Tsunade's help out of desperation to become useful. Under recommendation, Sakura's new goal is to make it into ANBU.

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Equinox - FM_White || ao3 || itasaku || M || anbu AU || complete

ItaSaku (Post Uchiha Massacre) AU: Climbing through the ranks of Konoha, Sakura finds herself with the invitation to join ANBU and a chance to learn from one of the most renowned and legendary ninja in the world. Despite her efforts to grow stronger however, she finds the world isn't as black and white as it looks and that some truths are easier to hide than others.

I don't remember Equinox very well, but I love most works by this author sooo. Anyway, Itachi stays in Konoha and instead it's Sasuke that goes rougue. Sakura, Naruto, and Shikamaru are newly joined ANBU members and all placed on a team with Itachi and things go from there.

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stars in our eyes as we dream of the heavens (the gods walk among us, sweet child, do not forget) - snickiebear || ao3 || kakasaku || T || age-swap AU || oneshot complete

“Kakashi-sensei,” Naruto whispered, staring at his teacher, horror plain on his face. “You’re married?” Lazily, Kakashi looked down at his gloveless hand where his ring rested, “It would appear so.”

Sakura is born in the same generation as Kakashi and turns out as a badass ANBU married to him. This is super wholesome as it's a lot of the two of them bonding with Kakashi's genin team (Sai makes three) in an effort to help them out. It's a series so you can read more of the events taking place prior to the fic.

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Anachronistic Drift  - Elesrea  || ffn || gen || T || time travel AU || incomplete

Her plan was flawless. Save Shisui. Save the world. Time-travel, Sakura-centric AU

Sakura spends years training to be sent back in time and save the world from Sasuke. She isn't in ANBU, but rather poses as one in order to keep an anonymous status on her doings both in and out of the village.

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Sakura - lilac haze || ffn/ao3 || M || minasaku || time travel AU || complete

AU. Non-Canon. Time Travel. Please see inside for full warnings. Cross posted on Ao3. On his deathbed he was granted eternal peace and place to rest for all of time. Of course that was not appealing to him. Ever unpredictable to the end he had a counter offer. One that the Sage had to consider. In which Sakura's going to have a rough time. A really rough time.

Sakura is probably one of my all time favorite fics because the emotions are just spectacular. The story is pretty heavy on ANBU and ROOT aspects, which I always enjoy, but I wouldn't say it's a major focus. However, there is an emphasis on the unfair treatment towards kunoichi. Anyway, the characterizations and storytelling are beautifully done. Please share this author some love.

Check TWs before hand!!

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Hope y'all enjoy these recs, and please feel free to send me some if you have any!!!! I really appreciate when you do :)

[redtsundere-writes]

Tyrant's Favorite | Sukuna Ryomen

Part 11: Apprentices

King!SukunaRyomen x Servant!FemReader

Summary: You used to be just another servant among the army of humans operating under the command of the terrible king, Sukuna Ryomen. An ordinary human who only knows how to wash, clean and cook. Until one day, he notices something in you that you hadn't seen before.

Tags: MDNI. +18. Murder. Blood. Cannibalism. Sukuna Ryomen Is The Warning Itself. Nudity. Sexual Display. Vaginal. Fingering.Sometimes fluff, sometimes angst.

Word Count: 4099 words.

Beginning. | ← Previous | Next →

Your mind missed the peaceful life in the countryside. You used to have a life full of constant work to survive day to day while your father worked hard as a lumberjack. You and your mother ran the household while your younger sisters were too busy growing up. Despite not having a very glamorous, or even easy life, there was nothing better than walking through the tall grasses after a hard day's work. Your little sisters used to go with you to run into the rainbow sunset amidst teasing giggles that were directed at the slow Mimiko. They would stroll along the gravel paths until their mother yelled at them that it was time to go home for dinner. It was a simple life they couldn't really complain about, although there were problems at times. 

Hanging white sheets when the wind acts up is a more complicated task than it sounds. You threw the semi-soaked fabric over the rope again and again until it stopped flying away. You set the little wooden hooks to secure it in place and stretched it along the rope so that it would soon dry completely. You moved a little away from the clothesline to appreciate your finished work. The sheets, white aprons and long dresses fluttered against the fierce wind, drifting against the current. Your hair and brown dress fluttered at the same speed as you took deep breaths. Washing everything had taken all morning, your hands were wrinkled like raisins from spending hours at the sink. 

Now it was time to cook lunch. You were about to enter the cabin again, but you noticed in the distance how a little 4-year-old Mimiko was running at full speed towards you. Her boots, worn out from endless hours of play, squashed the grass with every quick step she took. She looked really worried as she breathed in exasperation. Something was going on. You ran up to her to make sure she was okay. “A curse is coming?” you thought the worst. 

“What happened? Are you okay?” You asked her when you saw how sweaty she was from running in the summer sun. 

“Yorozu and Nanako are fighting the neighbors!” Your little sister answered with her voice cracking with fatigue. 

“Again?!”  She nodded to herself. You sighed in relief that it wasn't a real threat. “Take me to her,” you ordered.

Mimiko took you by the hand to pull you towards where the fight was taking place. You ran for half a kilometer to the hut closest to yours. The neighbors were a family similar to yours. A married couple with an older son and two younger sisters. You knew what they were about as soon as you saw the house. This situation always repeated itself from time to time. The older son has always been in love with Yorozu, but she never felt the same… For as long as they have known each other, he has been courting her. She plays with him because she finds it funny every time he blushes like a tomato when she tells him he looks handsome or feels his muscles. But she rejects him every time he asks her out on a date telling him that he's not good enough for her, completely crushing the poor delusional boy's ego. The boy's younger sisters were sick of watching Yorozu break their brother's heart over and over again, so they have fought on several occasions. 

Mimiko told you that they were at the neighbors' house because the older brother had invited her to see the new tomatoes he had grown so she could take some. She said that the sisters got very angry when they saw them there and picked a fight. They arrived at the courtyard where Yorozu was fighting with the older sister, while Nanako was wallowing in the mud against the younger one.

“Hey, take your dirty hands off my sister!” You shouted at the sister closer to your age who was hitting Yorozu in the face. You ran towards them to pull her away by the dress from your sister. 

“Get away from me, bitch!” She screamed before pushing you against a pile of wood that was meant for a fence. “We've had enough of you coming here to disturb our peace.” 

You analyzed the situation calmly. The older sister had Yorozu pinned against a ditch, the younger sister was pulling Nanako’s hair while Mimiko was rushing at them. The brother was nowhere to be seen. “Coward…” you thought disappointed as you theorized that he had run away to stay out of trouble. The girls' parents didn't seem to be home. You propped yourself up on your feet to get back to the fight with the older sister. 

They were from a farmer family so they were all very strong, especially the sisters. You grabbed the neighbor by the waist to pull her away, Yorozu took advantage of this to give her a good punch in the face while smiling mischievously. 

“Take this, bitch!” Yorozu celebrated her blow with anticipation. 

This only enraged the sister more. Now she began to move like a caged bull. Her red eyes just wanted to kill her once and for all. Yorozu was taking so much advantage of her brother that she was beginning to think it was better to get rid of her for the greater good. The neighbor elbowed you in the nose to get you to let go, you staggered backwards while holding your face. A couple of tears of pain escaped your eyes. 

“I've had enough of your little games, Yorozu,” the neighbor said before picking up a stone the size of her fist. 

“Your brother seems to like it a lot,” your sister scoffed. 

“Yorozu, stop teasing her!” You scolded her, concerned that she had a potential weapon in her hand. 

“I'm going to kill you!” The neighbor let out a war cry before running towards Yorozu who only smiled mischievously at her. 

You couldn't stand by and do nothing while your sister was attacked by a farmer who wanted nothing but revenge. Before you could process the situation properly, you grabbed a piece of wood and whipped it across her back, breaking it in half. The girl howled in pain and fell slumped to the ground. Everyone gasped in surprise at the vicious attack, so much so that the younger sisters stopped fighting. You saw the piece of wood you had left over as if it was to blame for what had happened. 

“Oh, snap!” Yorozu celebrated your effective attack before taking you by the hand. “Let's go before their parents arrive,” she advised before running away.  

Not knowing what to do, you followed her. Nanako and Mimiko followed behind, while the younger neighbor approached the older one to make sure she was okay. You didn't know how that had happened. You never thought you'd be strong enough to break a wooden board on someone. There were a lot of things you were capable of back then, but you didn't know it. 

“You were great!” Yorozu cheered you on. “You are the best sister in the world!” She smiled at you. You smiled back. Maybe you didn't know what had happened, but you knew you had protected your little sisters. You always would.

A couple of weeks had passed since the day of the harvest. You watched the new servants getting used to the new life they had been forced to live. You couldn't help but feel sorry for them, as you were once one of them. You understood how they felt being in such a dark and depressing place against their will. Whenever you had the chance, you greeted them with a friendly smile in an attempt to calm their nerves. Mrs. Inoue had befriended a few ladies and taught them how to do things the way Sukuna likes. Although you cared about the old people, the only one that was in your mind the most was Yorozu. 

When you were children, she used to do the housework wrong on purpose so that your mother would get mad at her and ask you to do it for her. She would run off into the yard giggling while leaving you with all the dishes to wash. You hated it when she did that, but at the end of the day she was still your sister. Your stubborn, rebellious sister.

Being a somewhat rebellious and free-spirited girl, you worried that she would purposely make Uraume angry and freeze her to death or that the king would catch her slacking off. You tried not to think about that while writing the essay Kenjaku had asked you to do for homework. 

“As the last lesson of the day, let's start with what I think will be the most important subject of all,” Kenjaku said as he erased the notes he had made at the beginning of the class. As a title, he wrote the word “debate.” “Debate is the art of discussion. It is an excellent way to improve one's speech, as well as helping to develop the skills needed to construct convincing arguments.” The teacher explained enthusiastically. 

Since he received the letter from Sukuna where he said that you were a person who always knew what to say, Kenjaku knew that you had the makings of an excellent speaker. Maybe you didn't have cursed techniques nor were you a prodigy warrior, but you were magnificent with words. Speech was your best weapon, and he would help you to constantly sharpen it. You had a long way to go in terms of your education, so he couldn't afford for you to fall behind when you were in constant motion towards the crown. 

“When you become a queen, in addition to obeying the king and understanding what he says, you must be able to help him make informed decisions regarding the interests of the kingdom,” Kenjaku explained. 

“I don't think I can do that honestly, Sukuna and I have very different priorities,” you replied. Kenjaku came over to tap you on the head with a scroll. 

“First rule of debate. Never say ‘I believe’, ‘I think’, ‘I have an opinion’, etc. Debate is based on facts, not thoughts,” Kenjaku scolded you. 

“Anyway, I don't know anything about ruling a country, leading troops or invading villages,” you replied while rubbing your injured area. 

You had seen Sukuna a couple of times leading the curses in different formations, giving many orders and walking at the head of the troops with his head held high. He was an imposing leader like no other who knows exactly what to do under pressure. You didn't feel you had the ability to do that. You could barely control your sister, how could you control a nation? Kenjaku smacked your head again. 

“Second rule of debate. Never let your opponent know what you don't know,” Kenjaku scolded you again. 

“But what if I'm not the one to give my opinion?” You asked while rubbing your head. It was already starting to hurt. 

“You are going to become the queen of this nation. You are going to have a say over anyone else, so you must prepare yourself to have a say in these matters.” Kenjaku explained. “Stop thinking like a mere servant and start thinking like the strongest woman in this nation.” 

You knew Kenjaku was right, but it was such an abrupt change of your persona. One's personality doesn't change overnight, and you weren't even sure that would happen. Kenjaku noticed that you were worried, so he approached you to take your hand. 

“I understand that you are confused and worried that you are not capable enough, but I am sure you will be. In a year, I promise you that with my help you will be a different person,” Kenjaku smiled at you to trust him, but you weren't sure if you could really do it. 

Graphite pressing against paper was the only thing echoing in the library as your mind burned inside with new ideas. Two hours had passed, and you still hadn't finished writing the essay. Your hand was starting to get tired. You were reading page after page about the wars to argue why you were against them. There were so many things you were beginning to learn about wars that you found fascinating and somewhat unpleasant. The strategies, the mandates, the deaths, the famine, and the misfortune. Little by little you were expanding your vocabulary, discovering new concepts that had never occurred to you.

The library door opened abruptly. You expected to see Kenjaku or King Sukuna, but you were surprised to see Yorozu holding a silver tray with a divine tea set on it. 

“I bring you the tea you ordered,” Yorozu announced.

“But I didn't ask for tea,” you said, putting your pencil aside to pay her attention. 

“I know. I just used it as an excuse to come to see you,” she smiled mischievously. 

You reciprocate the gesture with a gentler one. It was nice to see that your little sister cared about you even though she didn't seem to. She set the tray down in front of you and served you green tea in an elegant porcelain cup with gold around the edges. She was a little rough with the material, but it was alright as long as she didn't break it.

“Have you been behaving well?” You asked Yorozu before taking the cup carefully. 

“I always behave well,” Yorozu joked. You scolded her with your eyes. “Okay… Not so well, but I haven't been killed. That's good, isn't it?” 

“Don't play too much with your luck. There's not much I can do to protect you this time,” You reminded her before drinking the tea. Light, but warm, perfect for the freezing weather outside. 

Yorozu, after finishing her part of the job, began to prowl around the library. She would check out one book or another to inspect it and then return it to its place when it didn't catch her eye. That's how it was in the world of love. You see someone with a perfect cover, then you examine its contents, it turns out it's not as good as it looks, and you return it to its place. An endless cycle of attraction and boredom. 

“Hey sis,” Yorozu called out to you, still turning his back on you. “Aren't you sad that you have to marry the king?” I asked seriously. 

It was a question you didn't expect from her. You took a sip of tea to take a moment before answering. You were partly happy that Sukuna treated you differently from the others and in a way cared about your needs. On the other hand, you were terrified of what he was capable of doing if you did not accept everything he said at face value. You wanted to be honest with her, but you wouldn't even allow yourself to be honest with yourself.

“Don't worry about that. That's my business,” you answered her. 

“Tell me the truth,” Yorozu demanded. “Do you love him?” 

That was even more complicated to answer. Sukuna was a being so complicated to understand that his mere existence confused you. You saw that part of him that you detested and deplored constantly, but you also saw his sweet and caring side that was warm towards you. You wanted to love the curse that made you feel like the only woman in the world with her affection and attention. But you could not freely love someone who just wants to use your body as an incubator for leaders.

“I don't know,” you answered, trying not to let the sadness show. “Anyway, that doesn't matter, let me handle this.” You asked her so she could stop worrying. 

“You always take care of everything,” Yorozu told you before approaching the table to sit in front of you. “Aren't you tired of always being the one who has to carry everything?” She asked you seriously. 

It was rare when she acted that way. The last time you had heard her talk like that was when your father died. You still remembered that rainy day. Everyone praying in silence, the amount of earth burying his corpse, the tears mingling on your cheeks with the raindrops. Yorozu just looked at the lump with a poker face.  

“No, no…” Yorozu said as she took your hand from her cheek to take them on her own. “Let me take care of it this time,” she said with a smile before getting up from his seat. 

“What are you talking about?” You asked.

“It’s my turn so you don’t have to worry,” Yorozu answered before leaving the library, but that only worried you more. 

The afternoon was falling into dusk as you headed to King Sukuna's office to give him the report on the continuation of your classes. The floors had recently been waxed by hand by the new servants. You waved and smiled at the servants you saw, even though the conversation with Yorozu kept repeating on an endless loop in your mind. She was so rebellious and spontaneous that you could never decipher her behavior.

You would look around in case you saw your sister wandering the halls. You were about to turn a corner to cross to the hallway where your duty station was, but you saw Yorozu enter the office with a silver tray. You waved at her, but she passed you by, as she did not see you. You quickened your pace to prevent her from being alone with Sukuna so that he wouldn't do something to you. You were about to enter the office when you heard your sister speak. 

“I wanted to talk to you, my king,” you stood outside the door. “Why do you want to talk to him alone?” Curiosity got the better of you. 

King Sukuna looked over the document he was holding to see Yorozu pour the tea delicately. She moved slowly and gracefully so that the liquid would not spill. Her posture subtly bowed made her best attributes shine through. She was a beautiful woman, any man would fall at her feet. Unfortunately, Sukuna was not just any man, let alone a man. The truth is that you didn't feel like talking to a servant, but he had to behave with his future sister-in-law as he had promised you.

“Say it so you can leave,” Sukuna gave her the floor before returning his gaze to the document. 

“I think I have some kind of power that might be useful to you,” Yorozu replied with a confident smile. That would be enough to get his attention. 

You and Sukuna were surprised to hear that. “Why didn't she tell me?” you thought in disbelief as you covered your mouth to hide your reaction. You were beginning to think she was joking with the king, but her tone didn't sound like she was. Sukuna set the document aside and sat up straight in his leather seat to look at Yorozu. He stared at her as if he was saying “you better not be wasting my time.” 

“You think?” Sukuna asked. 

“I recently discovered that I can create things out of nothing,” Yorozu explained. 

To prove his point, a metal spoon emerged from the palm of his hand. Yorozu went on to use that spoon to mix sugar into the king's tea and then handed it to him. Sukuna was astonished by her power, he had never seen anything like it. He needed to learn more about it.  

“What else can you do?” Sukuna asked before taking the cup. 

“Almost anything that comes to my mind. The bad thing is that if I make something too big or complicated, I feel tired and dizzy,” Yorozu explained. “That's why I wanted to ask for your help to know how to control it.” 

“What you have is probably a cursed technique that works based on the level of your cursed energy. That's why you feel fatigued after using it. You will have to learn how to use it efficiently so that you won't faint in the middle of a fight,” Sukuna explained. “Oh, no,” you thought worriedly.

“Fight?” Yorozu asked, confused. 

“I don't have many sorcerers on my side for obvious reasons. Uraume and Kenjaku are exceptions, so I always try to recruit more,” Sukuna explained the situation. 

“Then you want me to fight for you,” Yorozu thought out loud. “No, no, no, no, Yorozu.” You couldn't believe this was really happening.

“That's right,” Sukuna affirmed before drinking his tea. “From now on you will no longer be my servant, and you will become my apprentice,” Sukuna dictated. 

“Fucking hell.” You were stunned at that statement. Partly you were relieved that Yorozu would no longer be a servant, but in another part you were more concerned that Yorozu might be a good warrior. Something in your body warned you that this was not right. You watched in the distance as Uraume approached the office. They frowned as they saw you outside the office suspiciously. 

“It will be an honor to be the apprentice of someone as powerful as you, my king,” Yorozu said excitedly. 

“If that's all, you may go,” Sukuna told her. 

“In fact, there is something else I want to ask you.” 

Uraume was about to enter the office, but you grabbed her arm and covered her mouth so they wouldn't make a sound to ruin her hiding place. You squeezed them against your body tightly as they squirmed to get away from you. You shook your head and whispered to be quiet. Sukuna motioned for Yorozu to continue. 

“Do you really think my sister will make a good queen?” Yorozu asked. 

Your and Uraume's eyes widened when they heard that. What was he going for with that question? They now understood why you were hiding, so they also listened carefully while you kept covering their mouth with your hand. 

“I don't think so, I know,” Sukuna answered directly. 

A feeling of satisfaction ran down your back and a smile crept onto your face when you heard that. You never thought he would defend you like that. That meant you were on the right track. You had to keep it up. Yorozu was speechless at that strong statement, so she just smiled at you.

“He hoped he was right,” Yorozu leaned toward him. 

Your little sister's footsteps were getting closer towards the door, she was going to leave the office and find out that you were listening to the conversation all this time. You took Uraume firmly by the arm to forcibly pull them back to the corner that turned the hallway. Yorozu heard footsteps walking away from the office, but as she stepped outside she was surprised to see no one nearby. She shrugged, assuming it must be just another servant, and went on her way. You watched as Yorozu walked away on the opposite side. You sighed in relief that she didn't notice your presence and waited a moment against the wall to make sure the coast was clear. 

“Worried?” Uraume whispered to you. That made you notice that you were still squeezing their arm tightly, so you let go. 

“Of course,” you answered her.

“I would be worried too if I were you,” Uraume commented, without leaving your side. “She could easily replace you.”

You could see the intention of the comment from miles away. They wanted to make you feel insecure with their extremely direct comment, but you trusted yourself and your sister. You would do your job well and protect her from the terror that Sukuna could become, even if it cost you your life. 

“I'm not going to let that happen,” you told them off. 

“Are you afraid of losing your privileges?” Uraume scoffed. 

“What a disappointment…” You sighed. Uraume paid attention to you, noticing that their comment didn't make you feel bad. “A year of watching me like a hawk, and you know nothing about me?” You said, shaking your head before withdrawing from the conversation. 

That comment gave Uraume a lot to think about as you walked away down the hallway to head to the king's office. To them, you used to be a simple servant who obeyed every rule without complaint, but they could tell that you were slowly coming out of the shell you had wrapped yourself in. Maybe they didn't know you, each time you showed her that you were a more complex woman than you appeared. 

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Masterlist.

[cuubism]

unfortunately for my sanity i am thinking about them again [sheltered rich boy dream and feral child hob]

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In retrospect, it was fitting that the first time Dream met Hob, he was breaking a rule.

It hadn’t been easy. Dream did not like to lie, and wasn’t very good at it besides. And breaking rules made him nervous. Broken rules carried consequences. But he’d needed to get out of the house, just for a moment. To clear his head. And just going for a walk was not a good enough reason to leave the house when he could be doing something more productive. Something better. Make some use of yourself, Dream.

So Dream had crafted a little story of extra studying, extra work, and managed to slip out. Dream did not always tell the truth, could not, but usually he lived in the shadows left by omission. The outward lie was bitter on the back of his tongue.

But he’d been freed. And now he was wandering. He did not often get the chance to wander, untended, unobserved. Making his unsteady way down the winding road leading out of the estate, and then into town, where he’d never really walked before. It was just getting late, almost sunset on a Thursday evening, and the streets were fairly quiet, only a handful of people about. And Dream wandered, not quite knowing what to do with himself but enjoying the quiet in his head.

Possibly meandering about on his own was a bad idea. Possibly he’d be hit by a car or attacked by a madman. He didn’t think he much cared.

And that was when he met Hob. That first dip of his toes into freedom.

He was sitting on a bench in the park, watching the small scattering of pigeons pecking for seeds by the fountain. Dream had always liked birds, but it wasn’t often he had the chance to sit and just watch them. He studied their patterns, mentally tracking the shapes they traversed, their mathematical lines. He should have brought his sketchbook. It would have been nice to work from live subjects, for once.

He was deep in his thoughts, in the calming trickle of the fountain and the repetitive paths of the birds, when another boy about his age plopped down on the bench beside him.

“I don’t think I’ve ever seen someone look so depressed while feeding birds.”

The birds had fluttered up in disarray at the sudden motion, but settled down again quickly. Dream looked at the other boy askance, irritated at his rare peace being interrupted.

“Do you often speak with people who are busy feeding birds?” he asked, unable to keep the annoyance from his tone.

“Only when they’re broody and mysterious,” said the boy. He wasn’t wearing a school uniform, but he must have been college age, like Dream. Dream was still wearing his jacket and trousers, for his own part. Everything about this boy was looser, really, from his longish brown hair, to his jeans and t-shirt. It made Dream feel very uptight in comparison, which was not a fact about himself he needed reinforced. He already knew it. “Do you often feed birds?”

“I am not feeding them,” Dream said. “They are eating what was there.”

“Just spying on them, then,” said the boy teasingly. Dream did not know what to do about being teased with what seemed like lightheartedness rather than mockery, and so didn’t respond.

“Seriously,” said the boy. “Are you okay?”

Then Dream did look at his face properly. He had very kind, very genuine eyes, was the first thing Dream noticed. It was not something he noticed about a lot of people. Perhaps it was not something a lot of people possessed.

Then the boy smiled at him, a soft, kind smile. It transformed his whole face from something merely pleasant to something lovely.

“Is that why you have come over?”

The boy shrugged. “You looked sad and alone. I’ve been sad and alone before, so I don’t think anyone else should.”

Dream bristled. “I am not sad and alone.”

“Just alone, then?”

Dream’s mouth popped open in affront, and then shut. Then he said, “Are you always so familiar and impertinent with strangers?”

“‘Familiar and impertinent,’” echoed the boy, with a laugh. “Sure. Are you always so snooty and aristocratic?”

“Yes,” said Dream, and he laughed louder.

“Honest though.” He stuck his hand out. “I’m Hob.”

Dream nearly said, What kind of name is Hob? but swiftly realized the hypocrisy. Gingerly, he took Hob’s hand. “…Dream.”

“What kind of name is Dream?” said Hob, and Dream sighed. “And you really don’t have to shake my hand like a king deigning to touch the peasants. I’m not diseased.”

“I don’t like to touch people,” Dream said, taking his hand back. “Peasant or otherwise.”

“Peasant or otherwise,” Hob echoed. He didn’t seem offended. He was smiling.

“Are you here because you felt I should be taught a lesson? Is that it?”

“Nah. I just get bored easily.” Hob turned to watch the pigeons again, tapping his fingers restlessly against the bench. “I was out and about. You looked interesting. You wanna go for a walk?”

“…Why?” But Dream knew why. He had learned it as he’d wandered the streets, freed for the first time.

Hob shrugged. “Just to do it.”

Dream had stepped out of his comfort zone once today already. He supposed he could do so again. If Hob turned out to be an adolescent serial killer at least the end of his life would hold intrigue. “Very well.”

Hob grinned, so bright it struck some deep, static bell in Dream’s chest and set it ringing. “Come on.”

[bluesylveon2]

Love at First....Fight?

Summary: Retrieving some flowers should be easy for Yuu, right? It would be if it weren't for the annoying guy.

Word Count: 1067

Note: royal au, fluff, a one-sided fight between Yuu and Leona, inspired by a scene in Gnomeo and Juliet. Let's pretend I know things about cacao trees

Warning: not beta read (I wrote this at 12 am), possible ooc characters, and a badly written fight scene

Disclaimer: I do not own Twisted Wonderland and its characters. Those belong to Aniplex, Walt Disney Japan, and Yana Toboso.

Masterlist: here, Series Masterlist: here

"Stupid excuse of a father. Why does he make me do his work for him?" a girl grumbled her bag and dress bouncing with every step. 

As your kind father, you must get me a branch of cacao flowers. Not just any cacao flowers. It is called the floral cacao, typically found in the Sunset Savanna. They are identifiable by their reddish tint and floral smell.

And now, here Yuu was, in the quiet night, walking through her father's botanical garden where the supposed tree grew. Yuu has been inside it before and has seen the variety of plants her father tended to. She had never seen this cacao plant before, but it should not be hard to find. Right?

Yuu walked down the cobblestones path. It was quiet and peaceful. Yet, the girl was unaware of the pair of eyes watching her every move. 

The girl continued walking until she saw it. A few feet away stood a small cacao tree filled with cacao beans. There was one branch of red flowers illuminated by the moonlight. 

"Found you," Yuu smiled and stepped towards the tree. She pulled a pruner out of her bag and cut out a small branch. She was about to place it in her bag when a gust of wind blew past her. 

Suddenly, the branch that was once in her hand was gone. 

"What the?"

"Thanks for the branch, herbivore." A deep voice called out from above her. Yuu looked up to find a dark figure standing on a tree. The shadows covered his features, but she saw only a tan hand holding her branch. "But I'm gonna take this from here." The figure began to move towards the exit.

"Hey!" Yuu yelled and ran after him. She had worked hard to get the flowers, only for a stranger to steal them. Not on her watch! Yuu ran after the figure with adrenaline coursing through her body. She was thankful to her friend, Vil Schoenheit, for forcing her to train with him back in their teenage years. 

The figure continued jumping through the trees. It reminded Yuu of Grim, the stray grey cat monster she saved from a rainstorm. The figure leaped until there were no more trees. He jumped down to the path, and Yuu sped up. 

She was only a short distance away from him when she made her move. "Caught you!" Yuu jumped on the figure's back. 

"Argh!" He yelled and fell to the ground. Yuu reached for the flowers, but the man was faster. He rolled away from her, but Yuu maintained a tight grip on him. It was a game of cat and mouse, where the male would evade Yuu whenever she tried to grab the branch. Yuu was too determined to notice that the male didn't attempt to hurt her. The most he did was pushed her away. 

Growing tired of everything, Yuu threw punches and rolled with the man on the ground. She did not care that her dress was getting dirty, but she was not leaving without the flowers. 

Yuu and the man continued their brawl (it was one-sided) until Yuu saw a window of opportunity. The girl managed to grab the branch and threw it aside. She used her body to sit on the man and clasped his hands, bringing them up over his head. The moonlight shined upon him, revealing a handsome face, striking emerald green eyes with a scar over one, light red blush on his cheeks, and lion ears on top of his head. Yuu was too distracted to admire his features. Had this been a regular meeting, she would spend hours appreciating his handsomeness. She leaned down until her lips were near his ear. 

"Pinned ya," she said in a sing-song voice. That was when reality set, and she realized she was in a very compromising position. Yuu immediately scrambled to get up. "Uhh, sorry about that. I should go." She said hurriedly, grabbed the flowers, and ran off before she could embarrass herself further. 

As Yuu ran away, the man could not hide his smirk. 

"She seems interesting."

---

"Father? I'm back." Yuu knocked on Crowley's office door and entered. "I brought the" Her eyes landed on a tall make with long dark red hair. He had tan skin, a kind smile, wore golden high-quality-looking clothes, and a gold ring with a lion emblem on his left ring finger. "Uhh, hello?"

The man smiled even wider. "Hello. You must be Yuu." He stood up and walked towards the girl and extended a hand. "I'm Falena Kingscholar. King of Sunset Savanna." 

Yuu bowed slightly and shook Falenas hand. "It's nice to meet you, Your Majesty." 

Falena chuckled. "No need to call me that. You can call me Falena. After all, we might be family soon."

Yuu raised an eyebrow and looked at Crowley. "Family?"

Crowley smiled, stood up, and brought Yuu into a big hug, "Remember how you were no marriage proposals?"

"I declined them because they were all rude, snotty, and not worth it," Yuu muttered. 

"Well, it seems like someone else has shown an interest in you! A prince! I am so proud to be your father, Yuu!"

Yuu pulled away from Crowley's hug. "Who?" she looked at him bewilderedly. 

Falena smiled proudly, "My little brother, Leona."

Right on cue, the door opened, and a tall, very familiar-looking male appeared. He had long, dark hair with two sections that were braided. He wore similar clothes to Falena, except it was red and brown. Yuu could not take her eyes off his emerald green ones. She recognized those eyes and the scar anywhere. Her mouth opened from shock, but the other inhabitants did not notice it except for the newcomer. 

Oh, she knew she made the worst first impression in Twisted Wonderland. 

"Ah, there you are, Leona. I wanted to introduce you to Princess Yuu of the Nocte Corvus Kingdom." Falena walked over to Leona and gave him a pat on his back. His eyes looked over Leona's clothes, and his hand remained on his brother's shoulder. "What happened to you? Did you get in a fight with a female beastman?"

Leona brushed his brother off. "No, but the herbivore was strong-willed like one. If not, better." His eyes landed on Yuu's again, and he smirked at her shocked look. "I'm sure that we will get along just fine."

©: These stories belongs to bluesylveon2 2020-23. DO NOT modify, republish, or plagiarize my work.

Additional Notes:

Leona purposely did not fight back because he did not want to hurt Yuu. He could beat her, but he didn't want to hurt her. He respected her. (I think he would've fought back if it got very serious)

Leona heard about Yuu prior to their first meeting and wanted to meet her

I might make this a series with other characters (similar to others villainess au series) like one story focuses on the Duke Vil or another person. The love interest would be a different version of "Yuu." Still goes by the same name, but it would not be the same Yuu as the one in this story.

Twisted Wonderland is the name of the world. There are 8 kingdoms (with Nocte Corvus aka Night Raven, plus the other countries). There are others like Gladius Regis (RSA) and City of Flowers that exist but are not the main focus

[unlovedanchor]

I AM ALL THE THINGS THEY MIGHT HAVE SAID TO YOU.

a prompt based off of the crane wives 2015 album, " coyote stories, " dark themes present. adjust if needed!

KEEP YOU SAFE.

" when i was a child, my nerves went wild. "

" i watched my friends climb to the tops of the trees. "

" i never climbed at all. "

" i told myself, 'i'm not ready.' "

" my daddy always said nothing worth doing comes easy. "

" nothing worth doing comes easy. "

" time is not your friend, time is not your remedy. "

" time is not your friend. "

" no amount of waiting will make you brave. "

" no amount of waiting will keep you safe. "

" the more fears i collect, i gather them from all the people i meet. "

" their stories reveal regrets their smiles can't conceal. "

" i carry them with me. "

" what if the steps i take turn out to be mistakes ? "

" how can somebody like me learn to stay ? "

THE MOON WILL SING.

" tell me once again. "

" tell me once again i could have been anyone. "

" i could have been anyone, anyone else. "

" i could have been anyone before you made the choice for me. "

" my feet knew the path. "

" we walked in the dark, i never gave a single thought to where it might lead. "

" i never gave a single thought to where it might lead. "

" all those empty rooms, we could have been anywhere else. "

" instead, i made a bed with apathy. "

" my heart knew the weight. "

" my heart knew the weight of ten years worth of dust and neglect. "

" ten years of worth of dust and neglect. "

" we made our peace with weariness and let it be. "

" the moon will sing a song for me, i loved you like the sun. "

" the moon will sing a song for me. "

" i loved you like the sun. "

" bore the shadows that you made with no light of my own. "

" i shine only with the light you gave me. "

" we could have had anything else. "

" instead, you hoarded all that's left of me. "

" i want to feel the fire that you kept from me . "

" i could have been anyone. "

ALLIES OR ENEMIES.

" the words i speak are wildfires and weeds. "

" they spread like some awful damn disease. "

" i swear, i didn't mean what i said. "

" i swear, i didn't mean it. "

" you owe me ears for dripping eaves. "

" forget it all, you caught me in a moment weak. "

" forget it all. "

" you caught me in a moment weak. "

" sometimes i just can't help myself. "

" i can't help myself at all. "

" are we allies or enemies ? "

" this will be the death of me . "

" remember when i could tell you not to smile ? "

" remember when i could tell you not to smile when you were mad ? "

" you would always crack, and we'd both be laughing in the end. "

" we'd both be laughing in the end. "

" now you're not so quick to forget. "

" all is fair in love and war, but i can't fight with you anymore. "

" what happens now ? "

" do we have another go ? "

" do we bow out and take our separate roads ? "

" i'll admit i've had my doubts. "

" i want to be let in, not out. "

UNRAVELING.

" i once loved a tailor who took eager care of me. "

" sewed together my loose ends with stitches. "

" stitches neat and clean. "

" but now my love is gone. "

" and i am left unraveling. "

" i once loved a gardener with his dirt-smudged face and hands. "

" trimmed my weeds and gave me room to grow. "

" i am left here withering. "

" i once loved a carpenter who carved a smile for me. "

" sanded my rough edges, crafted new and lovely things. "

" i can't help fracturing. "

" i never knew that i needed you. "

" i once loved a man who kissed me once before he left. "

" tied me up in knots and said he'd soon return again. "

HARD SELL.

" i'm trying to make something of myself. "

" my better days, i go buy the hard sell. "

" but i feel like i'm working with barbed wire. "

" i really can't get a hold of many things. "

" i'm one deep breath away from a breakdown. "

" my nerves are wrecked and coming unwound. "

" the world is hostile. "

" i'm fragile and i need someone to kiss the cuts. "

" tell me to keep trying. "

" is it me ? is it really just me ? "

" does everybody have it together or are we all pretending ? "

" holding it together with one loose string. "

" i can't stop pulling. "

"i rip myself apart at the seams. "

" i find one weak spot and start unraveling. "

" hoping i can find a better me. "

" a fresh new start. "

" can we stop pretending now ? "

ROCKSLIDE.

" i can hear the rumblin', honey. "

" it's why the weather's got the mountain shakin' weak. "

" i know you want to plant your feet. "

" we best get a move on. "

" or the devil we will meet. "

" i feel the quakin' honey, i feel it deep."

" oh, i pray today my soul to keep. "

" drop dead sprint, my darling. "

" don't look back now. "

" honey, just try to breath. "

" that monster's coming. "

" that monster's coming and it don't care for you or me. "

" it don't care for you or me. "

" the angels we may someday see. "

METAPHOR.

" i've gotten good at leaning on metaphors."

" i've gotten good at living on someone else's page. "

" i cut my teeth on secondhand sentiments. "

" you can't trust a single thing i say. "

" i keep my closet free of skeletons. "

" i'm much better at digging graves. "

" i always dig up bones in your sympathy. "

" i can't trust a single thing you say. "

" don't look too hard, you won't like the scars he left. "

" i've gotten good at stretching the truth out of shape. "

" all these words are sweet and meaningless. "

THE HAND THAT FEEDS.

" i've seen good men spoiled. "

" chained to their jobs like hounds. "

" they work and sleep and work again. "

" in the darkest nights they howl. "

" their cries are a warning to everyone following. "

" no man should stand to work all of his days. "

" and have nothing at the end of them. "

" i got no money but the change that jingles in my pockets. "

" reminding me of how little i have. "

" as for time, i am powerless to stop it. "

" it keeps rambling on like a mad, wandering man. "

" my papa was a howlin' man. "

" my dear papa gave me lessons and regrets. "

" all that he'd gone would be for nothing if [i] followed in his steps. "

" my papa taught me how to howl. "

" how to bear my teeth and growl. "

" he taught me that the hand that feeds, deserves to be bitten when it beats. "

" he taught he how to break my chains. "

" money ain't worth a thing. "

" no man should get more of my time than me. "

" i may never be a rich man. "

" i may never be a rich man but i can make sure that i am free. "

" i can make sure that i am free. "

" as for time, it's mine. "

LITTLE SOLDIERS.

" on the broken backs of all the words we spared. "

" like little soldiers in the trenches. "

" it was a march we made towards ruin and despair. "

" but we held hands all the while. "

" i swear that i loved you. "

" i dragged you through every room inside our home. "

" but you still held me at night. "

"i swear that you loved me. "

" we didn't give up. "

" we didn't dare surrender. "

" it was an honest loss. "

" now the aftermath will ring with songs you've sung. "

" all of our words sent home in boxes. "

" i fought with tooth and nail. "

" i fought with tooth and nail before the flag had flown. "

" but you were already gone. "

" i'll swear that i loved you. "

SLEEPING GIANTS.

" i feel the mountains shifting under me. "

" sleeping giants are finally waking. "

" my pulse is clear, rushing in my ears. "

" i hear something calling me. "

" the moon is humming lovely melodies. "

" the forest echoes, the trees are crowing. "

OF EVERLONG.

" out of the ocean, over the harbor. "

" lay no sons and lay no daughters. "

" among the mountains of everlong, 'twas there i wrote me a sad song. "

" 'twas there i wrote me a sad song. "

" and if my lover will not heed it ? "

" take my voice and take my spirit. "

" leave me weakened and dig my hole. "

" only my lover, not i, can keep my soul. "

NEVER LONG AN ANCHOR.

" on some level i think i always understood. "

" these hands of mine were clumsy, not clever. "

" i tried to do the best that i could. "

" but try as i might, i couldn't bring myself to hold you. "

" it's a secret i keep tucked inside my chest. "

" with this heart of mine that's guilty, not remorseful."

" there is love that doesn't have a place to rest. "

" it would have buried you if it had settled on your shoulders. "

" a ship could never really love an anchor. "

" so i did the only thing that i could. "

" i severe the rope and set you sailing from my harbor. "

" there are times i still wonder about you. "

" you are someone i have loved. "

" but never known. "

" you are someone i have loved but never known. "

" you'll never see the reasons i had for keeping my claws away when they were close enough to hurt you. "

" they were close enough to hurt you. "

" i am selfish, i am broken, i am cruel. "

" i am all the things that they might have said to you. "

" do you ever think of me ? "

" do you ever think fo me and my two hands ?"

" and wonder they never soothed your fevers? "

" and wonder why they never held you gently? "

" and wonder why they never had the chance to lose you ? "

NEW DISCOVERY.

" i want to stand on the edge of the water. "

" see horizons stretch on forever. "

" i want to know that there are lands not yet touched by human hands."

" not yet touched by human hands. "

" i want to be the one to find them. "

" sometimes i feel like i'm lost in a desert. "

" every dune is the same as the other. "

" i see my footprints in the sand. "

" i know where i've been and these steps i take won't go to waste. "

" i'm moving towards something. "

" i want to believe there's something left for me. "

" a new discovery waiting for me. "

" i want to kindle a love that doesn't age. "

" even when all the years carve lines into your face. "

" tell me will i be surprised? "

" tell me will i be surprised when i think i've memorized every touch and every thought ? "

" i want you to prove me wrong. "

[astroluvr]

oooohh how about a fluffy joel where reader works in the garden or something jacksonville and she's a little bit younger than joel and so soft and sweet and he's nervos to ask her out :(((((

From the Garden

pairing: joel miller x reader

word count: 2.6k, not proofread

a/n: this is my first joel miller fic, and i hope it lands well! i'm very open to suggestions, given that i've like never written for characters before, but i am very excited to share this & write more. my requests are open, and i hope you enjoy!

***

Everyone could see the tragedy and strife of Joel’s past and present deep in the lines of his wrinkles, and the fight he’d put up to make it to a place where he could know anything even resembling peace was apparent on the rough skin of his knuckles that seemed to rest in fists. After twenty years, and experiencing the unimaginable in the most literal sense, the last place Joel would’ve thought he’d end up in was Jackson. With a little girl on his tail that he was still trying to figure out what to do with- in the most affectionate of ways.

It took him a while to settle, though, to stop grimacing at everyone that crossed his path and holding onto his pocketknife that he kept in his front pocket when anyone got too close to Ellie or himself. He was quiet, reserved, remaining in the tiny house Tommy and Maria set him up in until it was time to go on patrol- a past time he quite looked forward to, but would never admit. He liked having the balance, knowing that he could go out and do something without it being for his survival, knowing that he was needed and helpful, and then being able to go back into the tall walls and lay in a warm bed where he could sleep without jeans.

Which is why the surprise that rippled through the community when you were seen leaving the dining hall with Joel was easy to imagine. You were young when the outbreak happened, not young enough that you couldn’t remember, but young enough to not have lost as much as Joel did. You didn’t have so much life under your belt just yet, given that it was just you and your mother, she was able to get you two to protection rather quickly. After she passed just a few years ago, you were out on your own, but luckily enough stumbled upon Jackson.

You can remember the first day that you met Ellie and Joel. You were settled in Jackson for a good while before you saw Joel Miller, word got around that he was Tommy’s brother, and you immediately felt a sense of trust being that Tommy and Maria took you under their wings and still kept you close. It was Ellie that came out of that little home first, who bumped into you while she was chasing a group of kids a little younger than her.

“Oh!” You gasped, a bundle of tomatoes tumbling from the woven basket and onto the dirt ground.

“Oh, shit!” Ellie said at the same time, and your eyes widened slightly at the language, but you couldn’t help but chuckle. “Shit, sorry. I mean, sorry.”

“It’s okay.” You said quietly, grabbing as many of the tomatoes as you could. Ellie was a little clumsy, dropping more than she could pick up.

“Ellie!”

The demanding tone of the voice was enough to make you pause in your movements, too, looking at the approaching figure in a thick pair of jeans and blue button up, similar to your denim jeans that were so worn they’d become soft, paired with a flannel over a white tank top.

Joel approached the both of you quickly, and Ellie rolled her eyes before standing up, dropping a few of the fruits back into the basket. “Chill out, Joel!”

“What are you doin’?” He stood a foot or so away with his hands on hips and you struggled to keep your eyes off him. “Shit, ‘m sorry about Ellie.”

“Who said I did anything?!” Joel looked to you silently, and you shrugged your shoulders towards Ellie who kicked at the ground and muttered, “I apologized.”

“She did.” You stood up to face Joel and realized that he was a lot bigger than you thought he was. Closer to him, the white hairs that littered his beard and hair were a lot more obvious, and somehow made him more handsome. “And it’s okay, I was carrying way too many to begin with.”

“Alright, let me help you. You’re takin’ ‘em to the dining hall, right?”

“You don’t have to help me… Joel.” You were hesitant to say his name, but Joel didn’t show any sign of uncertainty when he bent down to pick up your basket, turning around and starting the trek to the dining hall.

From that point forward, the three of you were your own little group. Ellie would often skip her classes to come help in the garden, and when Joel wasn’t patrolling, he’d conveniently just be passing by the garden and ask if you’d need help with anything imaginable. Over the past few months, he’d become your best friend, your closest confidante, but he also wasn’t the most emotionally intelligent person out there. It was easy for you to tell Joel about your frustrations, and he’d nod and try to offer some words of sage advice, that would ultimately be met with an eye roll, but it always pained him to see you so upset- especially when it was out of anyone’s control.

Joel knew you’d been upset over a few pests in the garden that were slowly ruining a small portion of the crop. It wasn’t quite anything to panic over, but it still tacked on a lot more stress to your daily load, and it was significantly dampering your mood.

“Hey.” Joel said behind the white picket fence and you turned to face him, standing up and brushing your hands on the knees of your overalls.

“Hi, Joel. You alright?”

He nodded as he opened the fence and walked through. You frowned when you noticed how tired he was, and you were ready to invite him for a break, but Joel seemed hellbent on making his way into the garden with the heavy tote in hand.

“I’m fine.” He grunted, and you smiled tiredly at him. “Hey, did you ever figure out what’s eating at your plants?”

Joel always called anything that came from the garden yours, as if you were tending to each plant for your own gain, and not having it hauled away to the dining hall. You shrugged, and kicked at the ground, pretending that there wasn’t a mound of no-good kale in the corner of the garden.

You’d been too freaked out to tell Maria, worried that she might kick you out of Jackson or something worse, and Joel was the first and only person to hear of any of those concerns. The look on your face and the wild look of worry in your eyes scared him at first when you nearly ran into him when you got to his house. It had only been a couple of days now, but you were still plagued.

“No. I- I mean, I know what it is. They’re just little pests that have found their way in- I don’t know how. I-”

Joel couldn’t stand to watch you wring your hands for another moment before he finally took the tote from his shoulder to set it on the ground and pulled out a plastic red canister. You looked down at the little thing, and back up at Joel.

“It’s- It’s pesticide. I got it on patrol today. It shouldn’t be too harmful to the plants, but it is old, so I’d be careful with it. Also, not much.” You bent down slightly to pick it up, and look at the words across the label, before beaming at Joel in shock.

“Oh, my goodness, Joel!” You squealed, bouncing on your toes a little before giggling. “Oh, thank you!”

“You’re welcome.”

Every part of you dissipated except for your heart and eyes on Joel. You let your hands, your body, your mind take over you, and you cupped Joel’s cheeks, feeling chills strike you as the hair on his chin pricked your fingers.

Before Joel could speak or react, his own hands met your waist as you kissed him. You and Joel had never touched ever besides the light guiding hand to your lower back. This was different. It was electric, it was months and months of wanting for the both of you. When you finally came to your senses at the feeling of Joel’s fingers digging deeper into your flesh, you tried to pull away for a breath, but he only deepened the kiss.

When you two finally pulled apart only a second or so later, it was like seeing you took away all of Joel’s passion, and you never wanted to feel the way you felt under his gaze in that moment ever again. You never wanted to feel his hands leaving your body and running across his face as he cursed under his breath.

“Joel, I’m sorry.” You whispered, pulling your lip between your teeth. “I wasn’t thinking straight, and-”

“I’ve gotta go.” He licked his lips as he turned around, and you clasped your fingers together.

“Joel-”

“It’s not your fault.” He said over his shoulder, his eyes avoiding the canister and your face.

You stood in the garden feeling more confused than ever. You aggressively wiped at the tears that sat at your waterline, kicking at the canister. You hated yourself, hated yourself for thinking that Joel could ever feel the fire you felt when you were around each other, when he would look at you with a tired smile after you laughed at one of Ellie’s lame jokes, or when he would sit out on his porch with you after the both of you had a long day.

You shouldn’t have been surprised, you thought, in a world where you could never have anything you truly wanted, you certainly would never have Joel.

Joel wasn’t sure what it was about you, but something about you reminded him of his past the same way that Ellie did. As bittersweet as it was, he couldn’t help but imagine that maybe, just maybe, if the outbreak had never happened, you two would’ve still found a way to be together. Maybe you’d be running a florist shop, and he’d run into you on his way to some contracting gig with Tommy. Or at least that’s how he liked to imagine it.

Ever since that evening, Joel wasn’t himself. Or at least, the version that everyone had grown used to. He was still grumpy, and grunted more than he spoke, but he wasn’t letting bullshit slide as much as usual. When he had to go on patrol, he was focused on the mission, getting there and back. He didn’t make conversation as usual, or slow down to look at anything that seemed interesting. At dinner, he ate alone, only keeping a close eye on Ellie as she schemed with the other kids her age, As much as he would always counter against, it always found its way to you, watching as you always angled your body away from him and talked to the other members of the community.

It felt like a never-ending game, and for some reason, neither of you were ready to throw in the towel.

“This is stupid.” Ellie finally gave in, grabbing Joel’s hand on their way home.

“Ellie, what are you doing?”

“You’re going to talk to Y/N!”

Joel stopped short, snatching his hand from Ellie’s grip. “Stop it, Ellie.”

“What happened between you two? You love her.”

Joel bristled at the accusation, frowning deeply in his thick jacket as he rolled his eyes. “You don’t know shit about this.”

“I don’t-” Ellie turned to face him and scoffed before blinking exaggeratedly. “Look, you were literally the only human I had contact with for, I don’t want to know how long, so I know you, Joel. I can tell that you like her.”

“I get along with her.” Joel admitted, doing his best to get out of the conversation. “I just… I don’t want her getting attached. This world is too unpredictable, and she doesn’t get that. I can’t give her all this time and attention when I know it won’t last. I know you’re too young to get what I’m sayin’, but I can’t do it, Ellie. I won’t do this to her.”

Joel was forming a nasty habit of turning his back before he could realize he was doing it. He knew this wasn’t one of those things that Ellie would badger about, it was an argument about fish or ravioli for dinner, this was about something that mattered to her, too.

Joel was alone for a few hours before he got a knock at the door. It was closer to dawn than dusk now, and he was about to give up on waiting for Ellie. He stood up from the creaking reclining chair, rubbing the crook in his neck to get ready to scold the girl for running rowdy in the quiet community, but he was greeted with a surprise.

You stood before him in a large sweater, worn and faded, with a pair of tights on your legs. You looked tired and confused, as if you weren’t sure what bought you here. Joel didn’t greet you as he usually would, with a smile and short nod before sliding out of the way to let you in. Instead, you received eyebrows raised in surprise and his large frame blocking the light behind him.

“Ellie told me that you wanted to see me. She was with those girls she’s usually with.”

“Oh, I-” You cut him off quickly, wringing your hands nervously.

“We don’t have to talk about it. I get that you’re mad at me, and you probably never want to look at me again, so if you were calling me over to tell me that, then I appreciate your honesty. I’ll leave now.”

Joel couldn’t take that glimmering look in your eye and the way it seemed like you could hardly stand to look at him.

“Come in.”

“Joel, really, you don’t have to be nice about it. It was my fault; I shouldn’t have made a move on you like that. I’m sorry.”

“Would you stop apologizing and come in, so I don’t have to kiss you out here?” Joel could practically see all the air in your body trade places with shock after he spoke, and he didn’t have to repeat himself to get you stepping into his warm home.

You didn’t say anything when he shut the door and walled you up against it with his body. He bent at the knees to make eye contact with you, and for the first time in a long time, he didn’t ache because of it.

His hands, large and rough, held your face and you were close enough for your noses to brush.

“Why are you scared of me, Joel?”

“Scared of hurtin’ you.” He whispered, his chest rising and falling with anticipation. “I wouldn’t be able to live with myself if I did.”

“You couldn’t hurt me if you tried.”

“I already did, but I’m gonna spend a long time making up for it.”

A smile graced your lips, and Joel couldn’t wait to kiss you. A giggle bounced between you, and it wasn’t clear who it belonged to. When you two broke apart, Joel almost couldn’t believe it. It’s been so long since he’d even touched another person like this, and he couldn’t believe that after so long, he was lucky enough to have you.

He wasn’t sure when you went from the door to the couch, but he did remember hearing the lock turn with you laying on top of him, your face in the crook of his neck with his hand on the small of your back. He lifted his head up slightly just in time to see Ellie walk through the door with a smile on her face.

“Did Y/N stop by?” she asked, and Joel hushed her quickly, earning a wide grin from Ellie. “I’m a fucking genius.”

“Yeah, yeah.” Joel laid back down, closing his eyes as Ellie dropped a thick quilt blanket over the two of you.

[cinnamondumbb]

𖦹 ˙₊ 𓇼 𝐒𝐂𝐑𝐀𝐏𝐄𝐃 𝐊𝐍𝐄𝐄 —𝐍𝐄𝐓𝐄𝐘𝐀𝐌 & 𝐋𝐎'𝐀𝐊 : where lo'ak finds the courage to commune with neteyam at the spirit tree for the first time.

note: i haven't written anything in a really long time, i know i'm a little rusty and maybe this piece is absolute garbage, but i'm practicing to get better ! tysm for taking the time to read my work, it means a lot ❤︎ + wc 1.8k

Almost two years had gone by since his brother's death. Almost two years since Lo'ak could not save him.

The Sully boy shifted in his slumber, his thoughts too dark, his heart too heavy to allow him to rest. Giving up on the idea of sleeping altogether, Lo'ak got up before sunrise, sneaking out of his pod, being careful not to startle his family. It would be best to not be there when they all woke up, anyway. He could not stand to be there with them, that day of all days.

After calling for his ilu, Lo'ak dived in the water without making a sound, a skill he had mastered with his time amongst the Metkayina.

Diving always helped pacifying his troubled mind. It made him forget about everything above the surface, concentrating only on his breathing, his surroundings, the flow of energy in and out of him — just like Tsireya had taught him. The boy was able to find peace within, even if only for a short while.

Finding Payakan was a rather easy task. Crossing the reefs to meet his spirit brother had become part of Lo'ak's routine by now. He had grown so used to the path that he did not need to think about where he was going, his ilu would simply take him there.

Payakan rejoiced at the sight of his brother, picking him up with his fin and bringing him closer.

He knew what that day meant to Lo'ak.

"I See you, brother", Was all that Payakan said.

"I See you", Lo'ak signed in response.

Neither of them said anything else, being together in silence was enough. The boy laid down on the tulkun's back, gazing at the stars, his mind lost else where.

Lo'ak did not know how long it had been since he left the village, or for how long he had laid in the dark ocean with his thoughts, all he knew was that the sun was already in the sky when she arrived.

She moved so gracefully in the water towards him. The bottom half of her face was hidden in the water, but he could tell by her eyes that she was smiling. Lo'ak knew that she was insecure about her smile, it was 'too full of teeth', according to her. He disagreed, actually, he could not think of a smile he'd rather see.

However, her pretty smile faded as soon as she saw the grim expression plastered on the Sully boy's face. She rushed to them, greeting Payakan before the tulkun helped her up his back, while Lo'ak sat up straight.

Yet, the boy's gaze was still lost in someplace else.

Tsireya did not speak immediately. She was not sure of what was going on, what pained him so much on that morning. Gently, she reached for his face. He sighed, his eyes fluttering shut as he leaned into her touch.

"Happy Birthday, Lo'ak", Tsireya wished, brushing her thumb across the omaticayan's cheek. "What is wrong?"

Lo'ak could feel his throat tighten as well as his eyes start to burn. He did not wish cry, especially not in front of Tsireya. He reached for her other hand, holding it close to his chest, which was growing heavy as breathing became more and more difficult. All he could think was that he did not deserve this, he did not deserve her, he did not deserve anything.

"Breath." At last, he looked at Tsireya, his eyes full of the tears he refused to shed. "Just breath."

"How did you know I was going to be here?", Lo'ak voiced his curiosity once he had gotten his breathing under control.

"Well, it was not hard to guess", That made him smile, only a little "Your family was looking for you. I thought I'd come here and catch you."

"Catch? Don't you mean fetch?" Lo'ak never missed the opportunity to tease her, it did not matter how somber his mood was.

"Tsk, I can catch and fetch you like fish if I want to!" Now Lo'ak was laughing wholeheartedly as he looked at his enfuriated girlfriend playfully trying to hit him and struggling with it.

He held her arms as she wiggled and laughed, trying to get away from his grip. Payakan shifted suddenly under them, making Tsireya almost slip into the water, but Lo'ak took hold of her before she could fall, bringing her into his arms again, her back resting against his chest. He could feel a part of the tension leave his body. It felt good to be able to just laugh and be silly with his girl.

Her tone was serious when she spoke again, after they had caught their breaths and their laughs had faded, enjoying a comfortable silence for a little while.

"Lo'ak, what is wrong? Today is a happy day, you are fifteen! You begin training for iknimaya, you earn your place with the people."

"Yes, and I'll help you through everything!" Payakan added, in an attempt to cheer the boy up.

Of course Lo'ak knew all that. Theoretically, he was fully grown now, and ready to start the many coming-of-age rituals of the Metkayina.

"I know, I know, guys. I'll get to bond with a tsurak, earn my first tattoo--"

"Exactly! Are you not excited? Oh, are you scared? That's okay-"

"No, it's not that" Lo'ak scoffed "It's not the iknimaya that scares me" He felt choked up again. He was grateful neither Tsireya nor Payakan could see his face. He pulled Tsireya closer, placing his chin on top of her shoulder, building up the courage to finally voice what had been afflicting him. "I'm scared of what this means, I'm scared of becoming-" He could feel tears running down his cheeks as he tried his best to push them back. "-of becoming older than my older brother."

"Oh, Lo'ak..." Payakan hurt for his spirit brother.

Now, that the words were finally out there, Lo'ak felt an empty feeling settle inside of him.

Tsireya turned to face him, her eyes full with tears as well. She cupped the boy's cheeks with her hands, pulling him closer till their foreheads met. Lo'ak weeped quietly, his tears landing softly on Tsireya's cheeks.

They stood like that for a while, eyes closed, breaths intertwined. Lo'ak thought about his family. Would they really like to celebrate his birthday, or would they be plagued by the same thoughts that he was? That his older brother would never reach full maturity, that he was taken from them too soon, that Lo'ak should have been gone, not him.

Tsireya took a finger to his chin, lifting Lo'ak's face, locking eyes with him. All she said was:

"Come with me."

. . .

Payakan swam with them nearly all the way, only stopping at the entrance of the Cove of the Ancestors. Then, it was best to go by ilu.

It took more very little convincing from Tsireya to Lo'ak agree to it. Communing with him for the first since it happened. It had been almost two years and he was not able to talk about the occurred, or even to say his name.

Of course, it was not the first time Tsireya, or a member of his family, attempted to take him there. Lo'ak was the only one who refused to go. After the funeral, his parents would meet their eldest son in the Spirit Tree nearly every day. Now, the visits were held every month with the entire family. Except for Lo'ak.

But today was different. More than ever, Lo'ak felt the need of his older brother's guidance.

Tsireya was there with him, something he was very grateful for. She demonstrated how to do it, Lo'ak followed her lead, taking his queue and connecting it to one of the strange seaweed-like leaves of the Spirit Tree.

"Stay calm.", she signed to him underwater, and so he did.

He slowed his own heartbeat, calming himself down, before closing his eyes.

Lo'ak woke up in the forest that was once his home. Everything was so familiar to him still, the sound of the animals, of waterfalls, of footsteps-

His footsteps.

"Lo'ak! I'm back with the kit-"

Just like that, there he was, a younger version of him, but still his brother, nonetheless. Not in his mind tormenting his thoughts, nor in his nightmares, where Lo'ak witnessed his death over and over again, unable to save him.

He was right there.

Neteyam.

Neteyam kneeled beside his younger brother, who finally took a proper look at himself. He felt smaller, sitting on the grass floor of the forest, with his old clothes on. His face was wet with tears from a stinging pain on his leg. Lo'ak was slowly getting it. It was a memory.

"-I told you not to climb that damn tree without me, skxawng."

"I know, I'm sorry." Lo'ak could only giggle at Neteyam's lecturing. God, he had missed it. He remembered it now, climbing that tall tree after his brother cautioned him about it. He remembered falling, scraping his knee, Neteyam rushing to get a first aid kit without anyone noticing, not wanting for Lo'ak to get in trouble by getting their parents involved.

"It's okay, baby bro, I'm going to get you all patched up" Neteyam started gently cleaning his brother's knee with a gaze. He already acted with such responsibility for his early age, a true son of toruk makto. The son Lo'ak never was. "C'mon, bro, stop crying, it's just a scraped knee"

"Sorry, it just- it hurts so much, Neteyam" Lo'ak was not talking about his knee, but his brother did not know.

"I know, Lo'ak, but all wounds heal with time" He said without taking his eyes off of Lo'ak's knee, too concentrated in applying the medicine, then a cotton patch.

"All wounds?" Lo'ak's words were filled with hope as he looked up at his older brother. Hope for the reassurance he so desperately needed.

He just needed to hear from his big brother that everything was going to be alright. One last time.

"Of course! Sure, it hurts now and, shit, it's going to sting for a couple of days but, soon enough, the pain will go away."

"You promise?"

"Yes, brother! Now, c'mon, dad said he would take us hunting today!"

"I remember that!" Lo'ak chuckled between hiccups as the memory came back to him. Riding with his father and brother on ikran, hunting and camping together. At night, their father shared tales of his old life back on earth by a campfire. Lo'ak remembered thinking that was a perfect day.

The eldest Sully boy helped his brother up, making sure he could stand on his own before letting go of him.

Lo'ak's crying had fully ceased at that point, his heart felt as light as it did when he was a little kid, a heart that knew nothing of war, loss or guilt.

"You should go ahead, Neteyam, get our stuff ready. I'll be there soon."

"Alright, baby bro, I'll be waiting for you." Neteyam smiled back at him before disappearing into the forest.

"'Til I see you again, big brother."

cinnamondumbb © 2022 — please do not copy/repost/translate my work without my permission. (♡) + rb! :p

[superconductivebean]

#986: aesop sharp headcanons - 1

Imelda Reyes: >>>1 || >>>2 (nsfw) || >>>3 || >>>4 || >>>5 || >>>6 Poppy Sweeting: >>>1 || >>>2 || >>>3 Mirabel Garlick: >>>1 Victor Rookwood: >>>1

Once again raising my head from the Brainrot fog to share some character headcanons with the world. Brainrot is a fic I’m working on.

Writing Aesop into this silly little series would be no easy task, he is one of the main characters in the Brainrot. Linking other characters' posts because posts about them have some bits about him.

A light cw/tw for alcohol abuse, perhaps, depression.

Tags: @thriftstorebabayaga @endeavour12345 @mrs-sharp

He is deviously clever, painstakingly stoic, but wistful;

Brainrot: When he joined the ranks, the Office and the Law Enforcement Department were already in its conjoined heyday, slowly encompassing itself with every shade of the law sun. Injury only brought forth the thought to eventually call it quits, however, the resignation didn't go as planned, but unlike many other Aurors going to the early retirement, Aesop decided to keep the badge;

The badge is the symbol and the reminder of who he once was. He went through hell and high water to be able to come and try to save lives; that being said, an idealist he is, he can get upset, sharp or portending. He doesn't tolerate ill-mouthed, petty verbal fights;

Albeit he isn't the one to cheer himself on being a remotely good teacher, he takes pride in what little he can do: observing patterns, discerning causations of ill-suited behaviour, stopping someone's meander from spreading into a disaster. Suffice it to say, he prefers teaching troublemakers to drawing O's and E's, as in his mind, kids with a penchant for mischief aren't hiding their utter dishonesty;

You could say, he fully acknowledges the role of being the bane of someone's otherwise peaceful existence. If that was what fate truly wants him to do, he wouldn't debate it;

Brainrot: Injury made him considerate of superstitions and other Signs From The Beyond. A way of coping after being ruthlessly severed from what he once had in his previous life, yes, to add to his addiction to heavy beverages and mind-numbing potions;

Aesop is always visible, as he is around 6'2. His gait has a tune to it; you've heard it once, you'd always know it's him nearby. To many students, he is the second most talked about staff member, first being Mirabel Garlick. Yet, barely anyone knows him as a person, him as a potioneer, him as an Auror, Him in any capacity. Aesop is a lone wolf, and to a pack animal, it's an onerous existence. Unable to confide in anyone, constantly questioning himself, afraid to stop and look back at his progress -- and at his age, -- he tries to follow paths he can barely recognise, navigate and make sense of. The Ministry doesn't teach its most prised and powerful force to adapt beyond sharking through the criminal underworld;

Brainrot: Drinking isn't for the leg, although Aesop enjoys the soothening warmth of the firewhiskey, tiding the pain away for a while. Drinking is for silencing the inner demons and their ghastly suggestions;

Aesop is prone to make a cautionary tale out of himself, his life and choices; he can easily turn his success into an espying for potential mistakes and his shortcomings into a valuable lessons of how not to shortcut -- and if the one has to, how to do them right;

Terribly low self-esteem and shy attempts at self-reflection through taking someone's ear off are noticed by some but never read as such. Some students and the majority of the staff think highly of him, a demand he always meets, but some also notice Aesop is never quite alright, yet aren't sure how to help -- nor how to approach and to ask; and some just think to let sleeping dog lie.

Aesop doesn't know if how he usually feels is normal. He can only describe it as emptiness, awkward darkness where it used to be him being a derpy smartass, beaming with life. It never lets go of him nor he tries to fight it back, but strands of hope -- for a cure, for getting back into the ranks, for a life better and fruitful -- matter a lot to him.

[not-goldy]

Right now there are some tkk left confused. Some left after Paris, some have been barely hanging on. Even saw some saying what Tae did with JK with the face time shirtless screenshot, actually mad them angry because now they feel Tae is gaslighting them or trolling them, esp since its all but confirmed he was in fact dating Jennie for 2 years. Coming to terms with things isn't easy or instant. It takes time. You don't have to switch from Tk to Jikook and accept Jikook is real now. What you can do is set yourself on your own path, away from the major big TK accounts still gaslighting you and making hella money off you. You say, well they aren't leaving and staying for a reason, maybe they do know things about TK. OR maybe its more like, why would they leave, even if Taekook is not real, cause you give them clout, money, attention and exposure. They ain't leaving when you do that, but you can.

The 5 big tk accounts who always end up on report accounts and you know who they are. Start with reporting these accounts and help them get taken down. Or better yet, take a stand against them and speak your peace to them. You earned the right. Do you honestly, deep down really think Jikook did this because there were no other choices? Come on. Don't do that to yourself. You've been corrected by Karmy who actually speak Jk's language on what he wanted to do and the reality is, it wouldn't have been where Tae is. And Tats didn't prevent him for being with Tae, cause Tae could have scarified and did this with Jk and went with him and you know this. This isn't a case of Jk will transfer to be with Tae after 5 weeks. You also know that is not gonna happen, it would defeat the whole point of what Jk did enlisting through buddy system. I am speaking to you like a rational adult. Like a human. Don't let these accounts who have gaslit you and made money off you, continue to lead you down a path of thinking Taekook are real and dating and Jimin and Hybe are villains keeping them apart and after military Tk are gonna come out and announce they are married with 2 adopted children. (TBH, you should have reported that grumpy tkk woman the day she said this, cause you know that is not sane. Its actually defamation, slander and mental illness) that you went alone with. You know Jk is a capable adult. You wanna say, well he liked a taekook tiktok. And honey he is the creator of GCF Tokyo, the biggest Jikook edit with a queer love song. He might have liked a TK tiktok edit, like he did a Jinkook edit, but he went with Jimin to Japan for 5 days right before enlisting. Sorry, to me that holds more significance. Saying Tae showed them shirtless was sending a message. They were also in sperate houses, talking and Vmin also said they video call shirtless, so there's that. Not to mention Jikook were standing next to each other on their private vacation with arm around their naked torso, in Jk's bday post pic from Jimin. The word T O G E T H E R, not separate houses. Don't do this to yourself and do the compare game, it won't work out for you. Do yourself a favor and Take what Jikook did with this enlistment as a reminder, to never let anyone else tell you what to feel or think, cause Taekook lives is telling you Jikook are not close, but Jikook are showing you different. Think for yourself. Or, wait around and keep holding on and let the fall be so bad, you will never recover from it. That is a scary thought to live with. If you think Paris was a bad fall, you wait for Jikook out of the Military. This was your warning shot from jikook. Your way as an out for good. Their way of telling you nothing will ever stop them from prioritizing each other and best believe they gonna show you when they get out. I would listen to them, if it were me and not someone gaslighting me to make money off me. Choice is yours.

💜💜💜💜💜💜

[baronessblixen]

Today's prompt: 30. "Are you with me?"

Fluff(?) post "Je Souhaite": Mulder wants to know what Scully's wishes would have been (wc: 831)

Tagging @today-in-fic @xffictober2023

Fictober Day 10: Wishes

At first, he thinks she's asleep. He can't blame her for falling asleep watching Caddyshack. She's leaning heavily against him, head on his shoulder and hand over his heart. He's been secretly calling it the 'Scully position'. They end up like this on planes (no complaints) and now frequently in the mornings (again, no complaints). She sighs, and he realizes she isn't asleep at all, and just very, very quiet.

"Are you with me?" he asks.

"Where else would I be?" She leans her head back to look at him.

"You seem miles away."

"I'm watching your movie."

"It's not my movie. And I thought you didn't like it."

"I don't," she says with a chuckle. "I was just- I was thinking."

"At this time of day?" He feigns shock, making her laugh. "What were you thinking?"

"Did you really wish for world peace? Why?"

"Unlike you," he says, touching the tip of her nose, "I wasn't thinking. I thought that would solve everything. There are no easy solutions. It's like you said. Maybe our time here is to achieve all that. However, I fear humankind has a bad track record when it comes to peace. Let alone world peace."

"You tried anyway." He shrugs.

"You know me. Hey, what would you have wished for?"

"Mulder, you've seen what those wishes could do."

"It's just for fun. Come on. If there were no strings attached, what would you wish for?" She stares back at him, contemplating it. His heart inexplicably hammers in his chest. She may be fairly happy now, with him, but what if she wishes she could be somewhere else, be with somebody else?

"There are always strings."

"Just pretend, Scully," he says, daring her with a grin.

"Well," she says, moving away from him and putting her legs under her. Now they look like they're two kids at a sleepover, playing make-believe. She taps her finger against her lips, thinking. He watches her, mesmerized.

When he wished for world peace, and Scully wasn't there, it was as if his greatest nightmare had come true. He doesn't want to think about it anymore. He wished his last wish. At least out loud. He has a few he keeps to himself, close to his heart. There's one wish - no, hope - and that's being here like this with Scully. Spending the evening together cuddling, and watching movies. He never wanted to get out of the car. But maybe every once in a while they can take a break. Like this.

"I can't think of anything."

"Nothing?" he asks, moving closer. He knows she's only telling half the truth. She doesn't walk around, her arms wide open, wishing for the improbable. That's him. But he knows her and he can see it her eyes, The glimmers of hope and want.

"You don't wish for me to shut up?"

"No," she says with a smile, touching his cheek where his stubble is coming through. "I already told you, didn't I? I'm happy."

"You said fairly happy."

"Are we doing semantics now?" He knows what her greatest wish is. The one she's afraid to speak out loud. She's done it once before and it didn't work out. He almost wished it for her. Almost made it his last wish. I want Scully to have a child. But there were so many variables and so many ways he could have fucked that up. Now, no one can mess with Jenn anymore and she gets to be her own person, and maybe even get her own happy ending. Either way, she gets to live her life.

"You don't have to say it," he says, nodding more to himself. "I know. I know what you wish for and I do too." Her expression crumbles, a piece of sadness falling away. These days, she lets him see her vulnerability. She no longer hides it from him and he couldn't be more thankful.

He never wants to see Scully sad. Never. But now he gets to comfort her because she lets him in. Sometimes he has to climb her walls, but once he's there, she never pushes him away. It has been months since the failed IVF. They've carved a new path for themselves, but he knows that sometimes she's still looking back, wondering what could have been.

"Mulder, I-"

"You're fairly happy. I know. And I'll take it. That is, if you still want... me."

"Do you think I'd watch Caddyshack with just anyone?" She closes the distance between them, planting herself in his lap.

"I am happy," she repeats. "Here with you."

"Even when I make you watch Caddyshack."

"Even then. Even if you made me watch Plan 9 From Outer Space again."

"That's a classic, Scully. You get to choose the movie next time. Unless you-"

"You know what? I do wish for you to shut up now." She grabs his head with both hands and draws his face closer, kissing him like there's no tomorrow.

[scratchandplaster]

FEBUWHUMP DAY 6 - "You lied to me"

CW: parental Whumper, hypnosis, emotional manipulation, interrogation, conditioning

Previous | [Masterlist] | Next

・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・

"There are still plenty of thoughts inside your head, so let's get them in order."

Shepard was intently focused on his son. Above now dried tear tracks, his unblinking attention denied Ben to be unguarded for even one second, whilst his assertive but nevertheless mellow tone carried him along a carved-out path.

Possessive strokes down his back dragged him further: "Down, just down, always deeper down. We can't choose our sorrows, but you can choose to let them go for a moment, to let me help forget them. Follow my lead."

In and out, it was impossible to resist the pace he was taught so well.

"I would count you down, but you know all my old tricks."

Shepard was not naive, he had to be extremely lucky that his charade still worked after all these months Reuben spent on his own, poisoning his mind and spirit out in the world. That he still responded obediently to the suggestions of the past was a goddamn miracle. One he would gladly use to its full potential.

"Remember all the times we did this before," Shepard repeated for good measure. So many, many times, half of which Ben couldn't even recall. Today was far from the first instance he helped to quiet his ward's nettled thoughts.

It was about time to rectify old lies.

"You always knew where Lukas was, though we both know you claimed otherwise," Shepard sighed low, "Will you tell me now?"

The soft face on his shoulder began to stir back to wakefulness, his bottom lip scrunched up in painful guilt. Rough start.

"Shh, forget that, it was a stupid question. You did nothing wrong." Comforting reassurance and soft circles drawn onto his temples helped to smooth out any risen qualm. "I know it's difficult for you to stay alert during this state, so I'm keeping this easy for us. Just Yes or No from now on, you don't even have to say a word."

Reuben showed himself more agreeable and leaned back against him.

"Is Lukas doing well?"

A small nod. Good.

"Is he eating enough? You know how he always skips breakfast."

Again, Ben nodded against the rough wool of Shepard's sweater while the same tediously tried to keep this interview on track: he could embrace his success later, when both of his sons were near him again. However, the abandoned father was ready to reap the fruits of his endeavor.

"Do you want to tell me where he is?"

Ben quickly shook his head. No, not yet.

"Mhh, I understand."

It felt horrible how easy it was to make him tell the truth, but Shepard had no interest nor intention to question his parenting methods at the moment. He knew exactly what limits confined them: he couldn't make Reuben do or forget anything he didn't want to, at least if he failed to be persuasive enough.

Shepard's boy was easy to read and just as simple as he was loyal to both his brother and father. But not in equal parts, Shepard was at a certain disadvantage he ought to correct. 

Children like them were too inept for the world outside the settlement, so it was no wonder Reuben merely crumpled under the first selfless act of affection in a long time. If his forgiveness was not given freely, Shepherd could just rip it from his fragile heart. For both their peace of mind, nothing else.

"You know how much I love you, both of you."

The shake of Ben's head said it all. It hadn't even been a question, but the blunt answer pricked nonetheless.

"Oh, well, I love you more than the world. I did everything to get you back!" Shepard mused softly, "If not me, what about the rest of our family?"

Kind memories of the people who waited for him outside rinsed Ben of any stray thoughts and drifted with him into the depths. He never wanted to hurt any of them with his decisions. 

"Did you miss us?"

Ben affirmed this shyly, grabbing a corner of Shepard's sweater.

"You are safe here, right?"

A nod.

"You are safe with me."

At the claim, Ben's head rolled around aimlessly, as if he was trying to stir awake again. Shepard tutted; this was a tricky one.

"You are here with me and the others, all together. We watch out for each other, we keep each other secure."

Yes, this made sense. Through the pleasant, thick fog that filled his head, Ben knew it to be sincere.

"Here, you are safe. With us, you are safe."

Safe...together. He couldn't possibly disagree with these smooth words.

"You are safe and loved by us all, we were awaiting your return. Always putting an extra plate on the dinner table for when you decide to come back." 

Shepard had to endure countless days of waiting before accepting that his youngest would stay gone. He had searched for him for so long it made him sick with fear, not knowing if his sons were hurt or fraternizing with God knows what kind of people. Yet, he didn't want for Reuben to realize the damage he had caused, not when he was so calm and open for the right input. 

"And today our wishes were granted!"

Warmth, safety, love. Encased by these sensations, Ben's mind caught itself slipping into easy relaxation once again.

"Can you say it for me, can you tell me that you're safe and loved?"

"'m safe and loved," he slurred quietly against the wool. It felt good to be here in his dad's arms, it felt right.

"That's my boy, I knew we could stand above the past." 

Shepard's sweet promises hugged his exhausted soul, he was too tired of running, adapting, changing. They tried to teach Ben what to say and what to hide out there, but the only thing he understood was to never be himself; another truth nobody could ever tell his brother. He remembered exactly how angry and disappointed Luke loved to get with him.

Cupping his face carefully, Shepard pushed him to sit straight up: "Open your eyes."

With a wide, empty stare but not awake in the slightest, Ben continued to sway back and forth. He was unsure what Dad wanted from him and too dizzy to care, silently begging to be allowed back into the stream of soft, dark dreaminess. Tears collected at the corners of his eyes, but Shepard was far from done with him: "Ben, tell me what you are when you're with us."

"I'm safe and I'm loved," tumbled from his lips without thinking twice about it.

"Yes, you are." Relief washed over Ben like a tsunami: he didn't do anything wrong after all, nobody hated him here.

"Now close these heavy eyes and relax."

As he sagged back down, the inward pull doubled its force. He felt that the soap bubble his brain had become threatened to pop. Too much to focus on, nothing to think about, clutching onto the inner peace Dad had so kindly given him. 

"We all love you so much. Missing is too weak a word to explain how desperately we wanted you back. You are always wanted here." 

Every word was law.

Shepard should feel dirty at using Reuben's obvious weaknesses so bluntly against him, but not today. Today they would celebrate his return and plan the one they enjoyed as soon as the other prodigal son decided to come home. A selfish sting inside Shepard's heart forced the next question out: "Did you miss me?"

A final nod made tears run down Ben's face. Shepard hugged him tighter, as if he never intended to let go again:

"I missed you too, starshine, it's going to be alright. Everything falls into place when we are together."

Numb with joy, Ben felt too tired to hold on to the present any longer, a problem his father gladly helped him with: "Sleep now, sleep and let my words manifest as truth in your mind."

・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・

Thanks for reading 🤍 [Febuwhump 2024 Masterlist]

@febuwhump

[justagirlthatlovedtoread]

Secrets, promises and stolen kisses.

In the bustling world of university life, Y/N and Jonah's lives are a tapestry of contrasts. Y/N, a humble yet secretly talented vet, and Jonah, with his undeniable popularity, seem to come from different worlds.

Y/N has always kept her profession a secret from university life, wary of people befriending her just for free vet advice, and discounts on operations/vet care. But fate intertwines two different paths when Jonah's dog Bella becomes paralyzed in her hind legs. Frantic and heartbroken, Jonah faces rejection from multiple vets and second opinions who suggested putting Bella to sleep. But Bella wasn’t “just a dog” to Jonah- she didn’t care about how he looked or how popular he was; she only cared about belly rubs and chasing squirrels. She taught him the art of unqualified love. How to give it, how to accept it. She doesn't care if you're rich or poor, clever or dull, smart or dumb. Give her your heart and she’ll give you hers. He was adamant that someone out there could help her, and It was clear in everyone’s eyes that he wasn’t going to give up until he found someone who had the opposite opinion to the one he kept getting. He had become a force of nature—a man on a mission to restore his best friends mobility.

Desperation led him to a vet clinic almost an hour away, where he encounters Y/N.

Jonah’s popularity preceded him at the university campus—the guy who could light up a room with his smile, effortlessly navigating social circles. Y/N, on the other hand, moved with purpose, her steps measured and her gaze focused. She was the vet who slipped through the crowds, her secret hidden behind those warm brown eyes. She only ever had one close friend, Tiffany.

They’d crossed paths countless times—Jonah with his easy charm, Y/N with her quiet competence. The hallways, the coffee shop, the occasional nod during breaks—it was all part of the rhythm of campus life. Neither expected more; their worlds seemed destined to remain parallel, never intersecting. Until now.

Jonah was apprehensive because he assumed he would hear the same tired platitudes as every other veterinarian he visits: “There’s nothing we can do”, “she’s too far gone”, “I think it’s time”, “it wouldn’t be fair to keep her suffering much longer” and so on.

But then blurted out Bella’s story, top to bottom: and Y/N listened, her eyes holding determination, her hands gentle as she examined Bella. She promised hope, and Jonah clung to it. The Paws & Whiskers Veterinary Clinic was Y/N’s sanctuary—a place where barks turned into healing, and the scent of antiseptic mingled with endless miracles.

When he finished, she nodded, her gaze flickering toward Bella and back to Jonah. “I’ll do my best,” she said. “But if it’s okay, I’d like to ask….”

And there it was—the secret. Y/N’s hidden talent, her gift for healing animals. Jonah’s eyes looked into hers knowingly, as if he knew what she was going to say “you’re a vet”, he whispered.

She nodded. “I am. But I’ve kept it quiet. People can be… opportunistic.”

Jonah understood. If word got out, everyone would flock to her, seeking free advice, exploiting her skills. Y/N’s anonymity was her armor, shielding her from the world’s demands. Yet there he was, stood between Bella’s well-being and Y/N’s peace.

“I won’t tell,” he promised. “Your secret is safe with me.”

And so began their pact—the unspoken agreement to protect Y/N’s anonymity. Jonah watched as she worked wonders with Bella, her hands gentle, her determination unwavering. Bella responded, tail wagging, and Jonah marvelled at the young girl behind the vet’s mask.

As days turned into weeks, their interactions shifted. Y/N’s eyes held gratitude, and Jonah’s admiration deepened. They met in quiet corners outside of vet and university hours—the library, the beach, the park—where Bella could strengthen the sensation in her legs and their friendship could bloom. Jonah became a constant presence, their conversations shifting from Bella’s well-being to deeper matters, and Jonah found himself sharing stories he’d never told anyone- conversations flowed effortlessly and Bella’s recovery became their shared secret, a fragile bridge between them. They laughed over coffee had deep talks, and sometimes, their fingers brushed accidentally, sending sparks through the room.

Jonah marvelled at the way Y/N spoke to Bella, her voice soothing and full of love. And when Bella finally stood on her own four legs, tail wagging furiously, Jonah’s heart swelled. Y/N’s eyes sparkled with pride, and he knew he’d fallen—for Bella, yes, but also for the enigmatic, beautiful girl who’d brought hope back into their lives, and he wished so much that he could’ve got to know her sooner.

On one particular evening, the moon hung low, casting a silvery glow on the water. Jonah’s pulse raced as he stood by the lake, as he waiting for y’ns arrival. Y/N’s presence was a magnetic force that pulled him closer. Bella lay nearby, her eyes half-closed, as if sensing the gravity of the moment.

A cool breeze swept across the lake, ruffling Y/N’s hair and sending shivers down Jonah’s spine. He reached for her hand as she arrived, fingers trembling. “Y/N,” he said, voice barely audible, “there’s something I need to tell you.”

Her gaze met his, and he saw it—the vulnerability, the fear of crossing a line. “What is it?” she whispered.

Jonah hesitated. The weight of their connection pressed down on him—the shared secrets, the stolen glances, the way her laughter echoed in his dreams. Y/N wasn’t just anyone; she was the keeper of his heart’s secrets.

“I’ve been thinking,” he began, his thumb tracing circles on her palm. “About us.”

Her eyes widened, and he knew she understood. The tapestry they’d woven—the threads of friendship, the hidden talents, the way Bella had brought them together—it all led to this moment.

“What about us?” Y/N asked, her voice a fragile thread.

Jonah leaned in, his lips brushing against hers. Her heartbeat echoed in the quiet night, a rhythm that matched his own. His fingers trailed from her palm to her cheek, the softness of her skin a revelation. He moved a loose strand of her hair behind her ear, his touch lingering.

“I want this,” he murmured, leaving the rest unspoken.

And so, he kissed her—a gentle press of lips that held the promise of more. Y/N responded, her lips parting, and he pulled her closer. Their breaths mingled, and the world blurred—the moon, the water, the weight of their secrets. He kissed her again, this time trailing down her jawline, tasting the saltiness of her skin. Her neck beckoned, and he pressed his lips there, feeling her pulse against his mouth.

It was a moment suspended in time, where hesitation melted into longing, and the universe conspired to bring two souls together. Jonah lost himself in the taste of Y/N—the sweetness, the warmth—as if he’d been waiting for this kiss since the beginning of time.

He pulled away, both breathless, eyes locked—the universe itself holding its breath. Jonah’s hand still lingered on Y/N’s cheek, and she wondered if he could feel her heartbeat echoing through her skin. Words weren’t necessary; they shared an unspoken understanding—their feelings laid bare in that stolen moment. Y/N’s mind raced: What did this mean? Would it change everything?

They sat side by side, fingers brushing, Bella stirring nearby as if sensing the shift. And then Jonah broke the silence, his voice a tremor: “Y/N, I’ve wanted this for so long.”

Her heart fluttered, and she whispered, “Me too.”

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

Jonah had reached a point where he couldn't keep his feelings to himself anymore. He was falling head over heels for Y/N, and the only way he could navigate this confusing and exhilarating time was by confiding in his closest friends. "I can't stop thinking about her," he admitted, his voice tinged with a mix of excitement and anxiety.

His friends listened intently, offering advice and support, trying to help him figure out the best way to express his feelings to Y/N without jeopardizing anything and sharing her secrets. “just be straight with her, tell her that you love her”, Matt says.

Meanwhile, Y/N and her best friend were having a heart-to-heart conversation of their own. They had always shared everything, so it was only natural that Y/N would open up about the strange fluttering in her chest whenever she thought about Jonah. But just as she began to articulate her emotions, her friend dropped a bombshell. "I have to tell you something aswell," she said, her eyes downcast. "I have a crush on someone too, his name is Jonah." The revelation hit Y/N like a ton of bricks. She felt a pang of guilt twist in her stomach, realizing that her relationship Jonah could hurt her friend.

The situation left Y/N feeling torn and conflicted. On one hand, her heart yearned for Jonah, and on the other, she couldn't bear the thought of causing pain to her best friend. She wrestled with her emotions, trying to find a way to navigate this delicate situation without damaging her most cherished relationships. The possibilities and topics of conversations with Jonah and her friend had opened up a Pandora's box of emotions, leaving them all at a crossroads where every choice seemed to carry significant consequences.

Y/N’s guilt weighed heavily on her heart after she found out that her friend harbored feelings for Jonah—a crush that had blossomed quietly, like a fragile flower. But Y/N’s own heart had betrayed her, pulling her even more toward Jonah in ways she couldn’t ignore.

Y/N had tried to avoid Jonah for days after this. She took different routes in the hallways, rescheduled her vet consults, and even adjusted the timing of her evening walks to avoid crossing paths with him. It was clear to anyone paying attention that she wss acting out of the ordinary, but Jonah wasn't just anyone. He noticed the subtle shifts in her behaviour and the absence of her usual warmth. Determined to understand what was going on, he made it his mission to find a way to be with her again. Jonah's persistence paid off one afternoon when he managed to catch Y/N alone in a quiet corner of the library. Gently but firmly, pulling her aside and holding her close as he showered her with kisses, each one filled with the affection and longing he had bottled up during their time apart.

The conflict tore at her—the loyalty to her friend versus the undeniable connection with Jonah. She avoided him, not out of indifference, but out of fear. Fear that her actions would wound her friend, unravel their bond, and leave her standing alone in the aftermath. Yet, as Jonah’s lips brushed hers in that quiet library corner, she wondered if love could ever be wrong when it felt so achingly right.

“you have been avoiding me”, he said, taking her hands in his.

Jonah looked down into Y/N's eyes and spoke with a sincerity that left no room for doubt. He assured her that she had done nothing wrong and that his feelings for her had only grown stronger. He reminded her of the countless ways she had brightened his life and made him a better person. Bit by bit, Jonah's words began to heal the wounds Y/N had inflicted upon herself. As they stood there, wrapped in each other's arms, they both knew that their bond was unbreakable and that together, they could overcome any obstacle.

Jonah pulled away, finally mustering the courage to share his feelings. He looked deeply into her eyes, taking a moment to appreciate the sparkle he had come to adore.

"I love you," he said softly, his voice filled with warmth. Her eyes widened slightly, a mixture of surprise and joy dancing within them.

A tender smile spread across her face as the words sunk in. She leaned in closer, her heart brimming with emotion. The air between them seemed to hum with a newfound energy, a shared understanding that words alone could not convey. Their lips met in a series of gentle kisses, each one more passionate than the last. The world around them faded away, leaving just the two of them in their own private universe.

“I love you too”

I hope you all enjoyed this, any feedback would be appreciated, thankyou 🩷

@megalony @meetmyothersouls @amaretigris @jonahhauer-kingg