#who never once asked her to change her deadly and swift ways | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

billy-reads · 1 year

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Deadly Little Leo

My Wattpad story. It's all copied and pasted from there so it may be abit weird in the way it's laid out.

Inej Ghafa × Oc

PART 10

If anyone wants to check the story out on

Wattpad it's @billy_readS x

There's more updates on there than here, and on here will probably be slow updates but I'II try my best. THIS IS MY FIRST STORY ON TUMBLR SO BARE WITH ME!

Anywho, if you're familiar with the Six of Crows franchise and some may be more familiar with the Shadow and Bone Netflix series, you know the warnings as it's just the typical violence and hamster shit. There will be more language in this than the books and TV series so I will warn you with that.

REBLOG! PLEASE! If you enjoy this the please reblog, as this is a new fic it won't get any attention unless it's shared around! And if it isn't I see no point in uploading stories on here if no one is able to find and enjoy them.

Without further ado, please enjoy ×

(All gifs belong to me)

3 Dregs and a Heartreder where heading back into the Barrel from the Garden district, Kaz once again leading the way back.

The Grisha's hands were shaking from the encounter they had just had with Dreesen the wealthy merchant. The woman had never seen someone been shot before, it scared her. And knowing that Jesper currently had a gun on his person didn't help.

"Is it true what you say" she asked Kaz, slightly out of breath from their brisk walking, she wondered if they were always in a rush "about my boss... is he dead?"

Kaz spared no sympathy "yes" he put it simply, Inej jumped in, hoping to show more sympathy that her boss currently did,

"It would be best if you make yourself scares for a few day, stay out of sight. Can never trust what the Dime Lions may do" she told the woman,

She nodded at Inej's words and silently parted off from them when they reached the turning for West stave, she planned to head home, lock all of her windows and shut her curtains. Hopefully catching some shut eye.

The 3 noticed her leave but said no goodbyes, they didn't have time. Kaz needed to plan for this Fold trip, and he only had till the morning to do so.

Jesper was sceptical, and a Inej seriously doubted he could do it.

She couldn't leave the Barrel, curtesy of Tente Heleen. The tattoo that stained her wrist was a reminder that she wasn't free yet, and she wouldn't be for a while. Not until her indenture was payed off.

Kaz led them down the short cut, secluded from the busy streets. The straight path was one no one but the Dregs traveled down, and no one wanted a run in with a Dreg.

It would be quicker because the straight path had no people to get in their way and have to avoid.

Inej lacked behind, she knew she couldn't convince Kaz to abandon a whole millions worth of Kruge no sane person would do that. Hell, even she wouldn't, she would risk her life a thousand times over for her freedom, but she had no choice but to back out.

'Tante Heleen wouldn't risk loosing her swift lynx'

She heard a sound from behind her and glanced back. It was the sound of a stone hitting the pavement, a sort of scrapping sound.

She kept walking as she surveyed behind her, she found nothing in sight. Maybe if had thought to look up, she would of changed a multitude of problems in the future.

She sighed when she saw nothing, following the two in front as then practically ran to the Crow club.

She didn't get a chance to tell them to slow down when an arm wrapped tight around her throat from behind and a sharp poke pressed into her lower back.

She shriek she let out made the others turn immediately,

Jesper nearly screamed at what he saw,

"Grace! Hey! Wait- wha- what are you doing" he didn't know who Grace really was, either the others didn't tell him or Kaz, who now knew Leo was the Arrow, didn't get a good look at Grace at the gambling tables to make the original connection,

"Ah, hello my gamble babe, how are you today my darling?" Leo smiled at her friend,

Jesper was stunned, what was Grace doing here? What is she doing in general? And most importantly, why does she have Inej in a head lock?

'That's not how you flirt Grace'

Inej's breaths were stuttering, if she took to much air in her back gets pierced by the arrow at her back, she looked to Kaz, his face was neutral but she noticed the frantic look in his eyes, he didn't for plan this,

"Arrow" he greeted, Jesper looked at him in shock, in no time he had his gun out and pointed at Leo,

Leo hid behind Inej and the girl sucked in a breath when the arrow Leo had scratched her skin,

"I wouldn't do that, one move to the left and this arrow severs her spleen. But don't worry, you can live without it" Leo spoke out,

Kaz quickly held his hand out to Jesper, signally him to put the gun down,

He gave Kaz a look before slowly lowering his fire arm,

Leo's head re appeared from behind he girl she had hostage,

"Hello again. You tried to trick me, smart, but stupid. Very stupid for you Kaz" she tightened her hold on Inej,

Kaz pursed his lips together before he spoke again, he wouldn't let her wind him up. He knew she could do that easily "I'll make you a deal"

"I don't make deals with the Barrels bastard" she sneered, Kaz took a hesitant step forward, his cane clinking as it touched the ground,

"Leo... Iv got a job, one with a big Kruge reward lined up. You help us find a way to do it, let Inej go, and you get a split" he told her, he watched her roll her eyes,

"You're such an idiot. I ain't risking my life in the Fold when I can easily get what I want right now, send a warning for you to not cross me again. You should know better" she said,

Jesper frowned "and how do you know about the job?"

She scoffed "Pekka Rollin's is a proud man, likes to gloat, show his strength up front. He ain't exactly quiet either, he's loud when he boasts"

"You spoke to Pekka Rollins?" Kaz now asked, he knew the girl wouldn't speak a word to that man unless it was a goodbye speech before she killed him, but he couldn't help but ask,

"Ha, I'm not an idiot, like I said, he isn't quiet when he boasts. And I happened to be in the right place at the right time"

"Help us find a way, you get your split"

"I'll help you find a way... but I get to kill her after" Leo gestured to the shaking Inej in her hold,

"Absolutely not"

"No"

"...yes"

The two Dregs looked at Inej like she was mad, even Kaz,

Inej explained "we need this. Any leads we can get. So I'll agree to that deal" Inej in reality, hoped she could bye her freedom and takeoff before the Arrow got a chance at her when they got back. It was a long shot, but still a shot.

Leo turned to Inej and gave an evil smirk "see, pretty face here knows how it works"

Kaz gave Inej a hard look before he caved, there was no way Inej came out alive until they found a better plan.

"Fine. Let her go"

"I'll be at your office in 20" she said and Leo did as he asked, pushing the girl forward to the two. Jesper reached out for her and put her behind him, he quickly raised his gun again, but when he looked back to where Leo once was. She was gone.

"Fuck. Where'd she go"

—

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realcube · 3 years

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ONCE YOU’RE GONE

rq ♥ hello!! can i please request miya twins, sakusa, suna, akaashi x fem!reader an angst one. like they got into a heated argument each other. reader just had enough, maybe take a stroll and got into a deadly accident that cost her life/ memory loss or something. and the hq char regrets it

tw ♥ angst, hurt/comfort, breakups, disappearances, very vague implications of kidnapping, memory loss & injury

a/n ♥ sorry i couldn’t think of anything for suna </3

ATSUMU MIYA

♡ he’s never really been an overly religious guy

♡ yet everyday, he finds himself praying that you’ll come back

♡ and before now, he considered himself a rather patient person, but every second you were gone was filled with anguish

♡ mostly because he knew it was all his fault

♡ nobody blamed it on him though, which only made him feel more guilty

♡ it was late, so he decided to walk you home from his house. hardly with your safety in mind though, just because he wanted to spend more time with you

♡ that was his first mistake

♡ his second was getting so defensive over his volleyball team

♡ he was talking about their recent loss to karasuno high, and how they were all devastated since they had been training for ages

♡ yet instead of comforting him, you simply replied, “maybe you should do things besides volleyball, if you’re getting so worked up about it.”

♡ but all he heard was you being condescending (though that genuinely wasn’t your intention) and telling him to give up something he is passionate about because of one little defeat

♡ you tried to explain that you honestly meant no harm by your statement but atsumu argued that the damage had already been done, hence your apology meant nothing to him

♡ realising that atsumu was just being pissy and taking his frustration at the game out on you, you distanced yourself; walking a few paces in front of him and plugging in your earbuds to tune him out

♡ after marching behind you for a few more yards, atsumu eventually decided that he was finished

♡ in one swift motion, he turned on his heels and stomped back his house, leaving you to walk the rest of the distance yourself; that was his third mistake

♡ however, after walking for about half a mile, he got a newsfeed notification on his phone titled, ‘four people reported missing in hyōgo prefecture, in the last week.’

♡ it only took one headline for all atsumu’s previous emotions to be swept away and replaced with one that left him motionless; guilt

♡ he continued walking back to his home, reasoning that you clearing didn’t want him near you — anyone could tell by the way you walked in front of him and ignored him— so he must’ve made the right choice to leave you, since it’s what you wanted, after all

♡ and it’s not like y’all broke up or anything, he still loves you and hopes you are safe and to prove that, he apologised and texted you first

♡ ‘hey, i’m so sorry i was i bit of a jerk earlier.’

♡ followed by ‘text me once you’re home.’

♡ no response, simply read at 21:45

♡ that was a week ago, yet he still wholehearted believed that you were going to come back

♡ though, deep down he knew he was just feeding himself the same line over and over again, just so that he wouldn’t feel guilty, and so that the sight of a volleyball stopped making him feel so sick and distressed

OSAMU MIYA

♡ he’s never felt such a sea of emotions at once before

♡ on one hand, he was just happy to see you alive and well; isn’t that all a lover should want?

♡ however, he didn’t have the honour of calling himself your lover anymore

♡ you didn’t remember anything from before the crash, which initially brought him a small tinge of relief, since you wouldn’t blame him for what happened

♡ however, you didn’t remember him at all

♡ so when he knelt by your bed and started apologising profusely, all you did which raise a brow and turn to the nurse, quietly — yet not discreetly — asking who the guy by your bed was

♡ he felt his hear tear apart at such a simple inquiry

♡ however, instead of explaining himself, he got up and left, “nobody.”

♡ wanting to get it all off of his chest, he told atsumu about what happened, as if he didn’t know that his brother had the biggest crush on you during your whole relationship with osamu

♡ and of course, upon hearing the news, atsumu ‘snuck out’ later to go visit you in hospital and presumably try to win your heart

♡ though, there was nothing ‘sneaky’ about the way he loudly fumbled around with the car keys, or the way he tended to slam the door behind him — atsumu knew exactly what his brother was trying to do and although it pained him to even think of losing you, he let his brother pursue you anyway

♡ he tried to protect you once and it resulted in you losing your memory, so god knows what would happen if he tried again

♡ plus, you were no longer his to protect, or at least that is what he tried to convince himself

♡ after months of daily visits from atsumu —and none from osamu — you were somewhat starting to gain your memory back

♡ atsumu just seemed so.. familiar, and that was the single best feeling when you are so isolated

♡ though, there was something off about him that you couldn’t exactly put your finger on, but he reassured you that it was because ‘seeing you hurt changed him as a man’ so of course he’s different from the way you ‘remember’ him

♡ years passed, and you continued dating atsumu in blissful ignorance of the events that happened before the accident

♡ you feel deeper in love with the atsumu you thought you knew and were forced away from osamu (who chose to remain single, he claimed it was to focus on his studies but he truly couldn’t find a second soulmate)

♡ it was only at your own wedding day were you finally able to see osamu once more, though you didn’t really interact with him much..

♡ until he objected during your vows, then, it was pretty hard to ignore him, especially since he appeared sober yet was claiming that you are his one true love, and he regrets ever leaving you

♡ needless to say, the rest of the wedding definitely did not go as planned

KIYOOMI SAKUSA

♡ he loved you; and he wished he had showed it more, now that it’s too late

♡ “sakusa,” you cooed, resting your head on his shoulder and offering him a plate of apple slices you cut yourself, while browsing the shows on TV, “what shall we watch tonight?” you inquired, but mostly to yourself since dating sakusa nowadays was similar to dating a literal rock

♡ no response, as per usual

♡ well, on the bright-side, that just meant you’d get to watch whatever you wanted, unless sakusa spoke up, which he most likely would not

♡ scanning through all your options, you decided to select some teen romance, coming-of-age movie that you knew sakusa would most definitely not enjoy, hence forcing him to say thing

♡ however, instead of him reacting in accordance to your plan, he simply got up and left without another word

♡ something about the sight of him with his back turned to you, headed out of your house and back home with even a goodbye cleared your fogged mind and left one fact undoubtedly clear; you didn’t want to be with him anymore

♡ and although you didn’t want to make assumptions, you surmised that he felt the same way; it was almost a certainty considering how distant he acted

♡ so of course you cut it off that same night; yet when you proposed the idea of breaking up, sakusa became surprisingly defensive

♡ it was as if all of a sudden he realised how shitty he had been acting this whole time, and how his actions had effected you

♡ you both yelled over the phone for hours, though it was hardly an ‘argument’, more like sakusa apologising profusely and making — what you believed to be — false promises, while you explained that you had just had enough

♡ it ended with him almost screaming ‘i love you’, but you hung up on him too soon

♡ he would never admit it, but he cried himself to sleep that night

♡ there was a part of him saying that he was just being overdramatic and you were nothing more than another lover that will enter and exit his life with the wind, but four years later, he still found himself getting butterflies upon catching a glimpse of you in the stands at one of games

♡ despite the fact you were cheering for opposite team

KEIJI AKAASHI

♡ you two were the perfect couple

♡ study dates, sliding notes to each other during class, midnight strolls, endless support, dancing in the rain; it was like you were both living in your very own slice-of-life romance movie

♡ however, as they say, all good things must come to an end

♡ but for akaashi, that ending came too quickly

♡ “you can do it, i know you can!” that must’ve been the tenth time you’ve said that today, it was like your own inspirational mantra, yet akaashi didn’t seem to be endeared by it

♡ “no, (y/n).” he repeated with a sigh, pinching the bridge of his nose as he began to guide you to the door, “it’s a silly dream. i probably shouldn’t have even mentioned it.”

♡ “it’s not silly!” you argued, throwing on your jacket as he made it increasingly clear that he didn’t want to continue this conversation, “it’s your dream! you can’t just keep complaining about school if you aren’t even going to try to pursue your passion.”

♡ akaashi silently shook his head, “go.” it was harsh, but he could only deal with speaking about his work life for so long

♡ “you go.” you snapped, though knowing it wasn’t exactly the comeback of the century, but it summarised your feelings well enough, “i’ve honestly had enough of you. i hope--”

♡ you cut yourself off at that; storming off before saying something you might regret

♡ though furious, you really didn’t want things to end with him, you just hoped that maybe one day you’ll be able to have a civil conversation with him about what he wants to do in life

♡ because he hides it well, but the more you got to know him, the more you noticed that he truly wasn’t happy in his studies, and you just wished he would do something about it or at the very least, let you help

♡ and he knew this too; he knew it all too well yet still couldn’t bring himself to better his life, even once you were gone

♡ you were critically injured after the accident, and during your time in the hospital, you let akaashi see you once

♡ one visit was his chance to redeem himself, to apologise and help you both align your futures together

♡ but all he could do was sit with you in radio silence

♡ thirty minutes passed and his mind was running on overdrive, yet he couldn’t think of anything to utter after ‘hello.’

♡ so he left

♡ no apology, no redemption, to attempt, nothing.

♡ all he could say was that he left with a heavy heart, a heart filled with hope that one day he could return to you despite all the wrong he has done; though that seemed more unrealistic than his dream of playing profession volleyball

♡ he had truly lost his soulmate

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snelbz · 3 years

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A Battlefield’s Miracle {Nessian}

A/N: This story is based post ACOSF. It will 100% contain spoilers for A Court of Silver Flames. Do not read forward if you have not finished the book yet! Written, as always, with @tacmc.

It wasn’t supposed to be this way. There couldn’t have been a worse time or inopportune moment for a miracle.

When war did indeed break out with the remaining fae realms, ready to take up whatever lands were weaker their own, Nesta was one of the first to step up, much to Cassian’s utter dismay and terror.

And his disgustingly overwhelming pride.

She’d been making strides with the female Illyrians, thanks to re-emergence of the Valkyrie ranks. She, Gwyn and Emerie were infamous for their success in the Blood Rite, Nesta more so even if she wasn’t labeled a true Carynthian. Her stand at the Pass of Enalius was regarded as something straight from the legends, something rivaling Enalius’ stand itself.

Most of the women couldn’t fly, thanks to the archaic clipping of their wings, but thanks to their innate sense of battle, having grown up seeing their fathers, brothers, and cousins train, they were naturals.

They were the Valkyrie reborn, a swift, deadly legion of foot soldiers, who could kill just as well as any airborne soldier.

At Nesta’s request, Rhys and Cassian allowed them to protect the mortal lands from the incoming storm of battle. A small Illyrian legion was with them, but not to oversee or protect them. They were backup, only joining the fight if the majority of the Valkyrie were to fall.

It had been nearly three months of near daily battles when they received word of an incoming assault, larger than one they’d seen yet. To battle with as few soldiers as they had would be suicide. The full power of the Illyrian Legion would be arriving any day to ensure the protection of the mortal lands, and the continued strength of the Valkyrie. Feyre had winnowed into the camp to tell her, but Nesta could only focus on one piece of information as her sister hurriedly informed her of the plan, and of the onslaught they’d soon be facing: her mate would be here within the hour, the remainder of the Night Court’s aerial forces only a day or so behind.

It had been months since she’d seen him, though they checked in on each other regularly through the bond, mentally checking the other for injuries after a harsh battle. The mating bond was a sensual, tangible thing, something Nesta was increasingly thankful for the longer she stayed away from her mate and husband.

She felt a shift in the camp the second his feet touched down in the frozen lands, turning and rushing from the war tent she’d taken as her base of operations, leaving Feyre in the middle of a sentence, but not caring that she was ignoring her High Lady.

She found him as quickly as he found her, meeting in a small clearing, filled with tents. She was sure there were others around, whether Valkyrie or Illyrian, watching their reunion. Nesta needed him, in every sense of the word, but after she threw her arms around him she found herself pulling back to look him over. She was terrified there was something she had missed after his last battle, and it seemed he was doing the same.

“You’re okay,” she breathed, gazing up into his handsome face.

He nodded, leaning down to rest his forehead against hers. “So are you.”

Neither of them were asking a question, just needing the confirmation.

They disappeared soon after, falling into the nearest tent to make their overwhelming feelings known to one another. The emotions that escaped them in the following half hour only prepared them for battle more.

A battle that they faced together.

Just over a month later, once Cassian had left and Nesta was leading her sisters into yet another battle, the first wave of nausea came.

She powered through, ignoring the roiling in her stomach, chalking it up to nerves as she cut through the line of fae soldiers.

But it happened again, day after day. And eventually, leaning over a bucket as she emptied the contents of her stomach, she couldn’t ignore the truth anymore.

Nesta was pregnant.

She hadn’t even realized Gwyn and Emerie had entered her tent, having heard her getting sick. Her head was cradled in her hands and she cursed herself for being so reckless. All those months apart from Cassian, she’d quit taking her contraceptive tonic. There was no reason to, and it only slowed her down on the battlefield. But a quick and hasty joining, as perfect as it had been, was all it had taken.

“Nesta?”

Her head snapped up, finding her sisters, not by blood, but by bond, watching her. It was Emerie who had spoken her name, but Gwyn’s teal eyes had gone wide. She could scent it. Somehow, over the smell of bile in the bucket before her and the blood soaked battlefield, Gwyn had immediately sensed the change in Nesta’s scent and body.

“You’re pregnant,” she breathed and Emerie’s eyes widened as she too caught the scent.

Nesta wasn’t sure what to say, terrified to confirm or deny the life growing inside her.

A message was sent to Velaris and within minutes, Feyre and Madja had winnowed into the camps.

It took the healer less than a few minutes to confirm the small life within her.

“You’re coming back to Velaris,” Feyre said, as Madja washed her hands and went to tend to the badly wounded from the previous battle.

“No,” Nesta protested, donning her leathers, as she did every day. “I’m leading my sisters.”

“Gwen and Emerie can take the lead,” Feyre protested. “They are just as skilled and know what they’re doing-.”

“I can’t just leave them-.”

“You’re pregnant!” Feyre yelled, and the look of pure panic on her youngest sister’s face had Nesta stopping in her tracks. The High Lady of the Night Court’s voice turned into a broken whisper as she begged, “Please, think this through.”

Nesta’s jaw hardened as she lifted her chin, doing everything she could to keep herself from shaking her head. “Do you expect Cassian to come back to Velaris? To sit idly while our troops battle to protect Prythian?”

“I expect him to do his duty,” Feyre said, her tone firm. “Just as I expect you to do yours.”

Her words were clear.

Nesta’s duty - not as a soldier, but as a mother.

She shook her head, her eyes remaining on her sister’s. “He’ll miss it.”

It. Everything. All of it. Her pregnancy, the child growing inside of her, possibly even the birth of their child.

The gut-wrenching thought was overwhelming.

Nesta fell back against the bed, sitting and letting her head fall into her hands, her nerves shot. She needed to talk to Cassian, needed to sort it out.

“Nesta.”

Her eyes shot to Feyre’s, the eyes identical to her own. Except her youngest sister’s eyes held fear. Fear for her safety, the safety of her unborn niece or nephew.

With a sigh, Nesta let her eyes fall shut and nodded. She dragged a hand down her face, and said, “I need to meet with Gwyn and Em. I need to plan with them, figure out how to rework the front line-.”

“They can handle it.”

The voice came from behind her and she turned to find Azriel stepping through the tent.

Nesta’s eyes softened as she took in her friend, one of the warriors who had trained her into who she was today.

“They had the same training you did,” he said, coming to stand next to her sister. “I’ll stay here for a couple weeks, but you can’t stay. It’s not safe for you. Or for the baby.”

Nesta lifted a brow.

Azriel shrugged, crossing his arms. “If you think I’m letting you stay here during this-.”

“Since when do you order me around, Shadowsinger?” Nesta asked, meaning it as a joke, but finding it hard to dismiss the tension from her tone.

Azriel could tell.

He could always tell. His eyes softened, although his frame remained rigid. “As soon as Cassian arrives, I’ll winnow him to you.”

We’re in the middle of a gods-damned war! Nesta wanted to scream. And yet, she was conflicted. She knew what she had to do, knew what this new duty entailed, knew what her next step would be, even if she didn’t fully like the idea.

She never backed down from battle, from war, from anything.

But she would not endanger her child, no matter how guilty it made her feel.

With a resigned sigh, Nesta nodded and reached her hand out towards her sister. Before Feyre took her hand, she looked at Azriel, unable to stop the tear that had finally slid down her cheek. “Tell them I’m sorry,” she breathed.

His smile was gentle, but even she had a hard time believing him as he said, “You have no reason to be.”

With that she was winnowed away, back to Velaris, as far from the small camp on the mortal lands as she could be. Far from her soul-bonded sisters, and fellow warriors. Far from the raging battles she’d grown to know as a part of her.

As soon as Cassian touched down in the ramshackle camp, he knew something wasn’t right. None of the Valkyrie would look at him and the bond… It was near silent.

He hurried for her tent, not even remembering what the summons he’d received had said, not that he’d read it all too carefully. He’d been asked to get to the mortal realm as fast as he could and after leaving his tent, he found the first Fae he knew that could winnow.

It had only been minutes since that small note had appeared from Rhysand, and he burst into the tent and found not his mate, but his brother.

“What the fuck is going on, Az?”

His voice held none of the joking tone it usually did when he spoke with the shadowsinger, but-.

He could scent her, she’d been here only a few moments before. But something was…off.

Words barely audible, a deathly quiet, terrified whisper, he breathed, “Where is Nesta?”

Without a word, Azriel held out his scarred hand.

Cassian took it and then they were tumbling through space and time and he had no idea where they were going to end up.

Where was Nesta? Where was his mate?

When they appeared in the atrium of the river house, Cassian looked around. “I don’t understand.”

“Your mate is waiting for you,” Azriel replied, gesturing towards their room, and it was then Cassian noted the hint of a smile on his face.

And like that, he was gone, disappearing into shadows and mist as if he hadn’t even been standing before him.

The house was quiet and Cassian took the stairs two at a time, hurrying down the long hallway until he approached their closed bedroom door.

He debated on knocking, not sure what he’d find on the other side, but with a shaking hand, he turned the knob and stepped inside.

Nesta was inside the attached bathroom, wearing the pants of her leathers, though the intricate jacket was draped across the end of the bed. She wore a thin, white shirt, which showed off her toned arms. He couldn’t see any discernible wounds on her, but was still hesitant as he took a step into the bathroom.

She’d been so lost in her own thoughts that she hadn’t heard him come in, but suddenly, he appeared in the mirror behind her, and the force of her emotions hit her all at once.

She was in his arms instantly, breathing in his scent with an eagerness she hadn’t felt since their last encounter. Neither of them said a word as their clothes hit the floor, but the second Cassian’s lips met her neck, all of his, his primal instincts faded and he swept back into reality the moment he found himself focusing on her scent.

The change in it.

His chest heaved as he pulled back and met her tearful gaze.

“How long have you known?” he asked, quietly.

She shook her head, slowly. The soft chuckle was involuntary. “Not even an hour.”

“That’s why you’re here,” he said, quietly.

It wasn’t a question, but Nesta nodded, even as she ignored the urge to roll her eyes. “High Lady’s orders.”

Lifting her up in his arms, he carried her to the bed, his carnal instincts long forgotten, and he laid down next to her. Cassian’s hand hovered over her stomach, a small, barely discernible bump there, hardly able to believe what was in front of him.

“The battle against Rask’s forces,” he said, voice quiet. “You hadn’t been taking your tonic?”

Sniffling, she shook her head and gently pressed his hand the rest of the way to her skin, to her belly. “It hadn’t been on my mind,” she admitted.

Cassian was quiet for a moment before he huffed a laugh, his fingers moving in a slow, clockwise rotation over her abdomen. “A baby.”

Nesta nodded, watching him. “It’s not a good time.”

“Is there ever a good time?” Cassian muttered, looking up at her. “The reality of our world doesn’t grant us much peace.”

“Is it even fair to bring a child into this world?” Nesta whispered.

Cassian’s eyes softened, although they held no judgement. “I thought you wanted children.”

“I did,” she said, then followed it quickly with, “I do. It’s just… We’re in the middle of war, Cass.”

“War will end,” he promised, his eyes growing soft. “Soon.”

She closed her eyes, gently pressing her forehead against his, and the two of them laid there, quietly basking in the happiness of the little miracle they’d created. Of the child they would soon bring into this world.

Cassian couldn’t stay long, only able to stay the night and have breakfast with his family. Azriel was still monitoring the front at the mortal lands, but the rest of his family was there. There was no shield to be put up to mask Nesta’s scent, so the second Elain walked into the vast dining room and found her eldest sister, she froze. And as soon as she scented the change, she was in motion. Her arms were around Nesta in a flash, the sound coming from her reminiscent of a mix of a sob and laugh.

But as soon as breakfast had been cleared away, after Nyx had woken from his nap, Rhysand and Cassian stepped out into the lush yard. With a final surge of love and pride down the bond, they vanished into the air, back to the Illyrian front.

~~~~~~~~~~

“Breathe.”

Nesta shot her youngest sister and High Lady a look of pure hatred. Feyre only rolled her eyes and held her sister’s hand a little bit tighter.

“What the fuck do you think I’m doing?” Nesta hissed, although her entire body was rigid and clenched.

Labor was no joke. Nesta had watched her mother birth two more children after her, and even though she was too young to remember, she never forgot the horrid screams that came from her mother’s bedroom.

Nuala, Cerridwen, and Elain all hovered around the bed, keeping Nesta as comfortable as possible until Madja arrived.

And until her mate arrived.

Since she’d found out, it had been the longest nine months of her life, only seeing Cassian in small moments when he could leave the bloodshed of battle. Once it was apparent her water had broken, Rhys had winnowed to the location he’d known Cassian’s camp had been last, only to find it hastily packed and abandoned. The sounds of battle weren’t far off, but Rhys could sense the death without moving closer.

He’d tried to mentally reach Cassian, but found his shields were locked in place, as he often did during a bloody battle. Azriel, however, was by his side in an instant. “What is it?”

He could smell the blood of both mortal men and the fae on his brother, not daring to look into his mind to see who all he’d had to cut down in battle. “Nesta’s in labor.”

A sharp swallow was the only reaction Azriel allowed his High Lord to see. He said, “He won’t leave the battle, you know that.”

He would, Rhys thought, if he used his power, his title of High Lord to command him. But he would never do that, especially asking him to abandon his post during a battle. Rhys only nodded. “I know. Just… As soon as it dies down, as soon as he comes back to himself, get him to Velaris.”

Azriel nodded, his orders received, and he was gone, a misting, swirling shadow folding back into the fray.

It was hours before the violence subsided, hours before Cassian finally removed his helmet, surveying the carnage and death that surrounded him. He felt Azriel’s presence, rather than saw him appear, and turned to his brother, expecting a report of who all had been lost.

The look on his face told him otherwise.

“What.”

He still wasn’t fully back to himself yet, though he tried. He still wore the mask of the Commander, the male who had slaughtered so many, to protect his people, Enalius reborn.

Azriel’s words were quiet, but urgent. “It’s time.”

Cassian blinked, not understanding what his brother was saying.

And then he dropped his shields and everything from the other end of the bond slammed into him with a force so strong her face physically staggered back a step.

Labor.

Nesta was in labor.

His child was about to enter the world and he’d been so lost in his battle lust that he’d blocked her out.

“How long?” He asked, eyes going wide.

Azriel shook his head. “I’m not sure. At least four hours.”

Swallowing hard, Cassian looked around at the death and destruction around him. He looked down at the blood and gore that coated his hands and his leathers. He couldn’t abandon his troops after a battle, but his mate…

His child…

There was no question.

Azriel extended his hand and Cassian took it, and a second later, there was nothing but shadows left behind.

*****************

“Nesta, you’re going to have to start pushing,” Elain said, gently, brushing the loose, sweaty strands of hair off of Nesta’s forehead.

“No,” she gritted out, her teeth clenched together. “I can’t. Not until-.” Another wave of blinding pain passed through her and the scream that tore from her was pure agony. Once she could think again, speak again, she breathed, “Not until Cassian is here.”

“That’s not in your control, I’m afraid,” Madja chimed in from the foot of the bed. “Baby will come when baby comes, and baby is ready.”

“Not unless I say so,” Nesta spat, just before another scream flew from her throat. “Fuck!”

“Baby’s coming,” Madja said, remaining perfectly calm as she put herself into position. With Nesta’s hand in Elain’s, and her other in Feyre’s, she had no choice but to push.

Madja was right.

Baby wasn’t waiting.

There was a thundering on the stairs, and heavy footsteps approached the door before it flew open.

A sob tore from Nesta as Cassian appeared in the doorway, his eyes wide, taking in the scene before him.

“Nes,” he breathed, taking a few steps towards her, but Feyre stepped in front of him.

“You can’t be in here,” she said, firmly.

His eyes narrowed. “Like hell, I can’t.”

“The High Lady is correct,” Madja chimed in, turning back to glance at him. “You are…covered in filth, and Lady Nesta cannot chance an infection.”

“He’s my mate,” she breathed, panting slightly from the pain, the urge to push.

“He’s covered in blood, Nesta,” Feyre said, turning back to look at her.

“We do not have time to wait for him to bathe and return,” Madja said, looking under the blanket draped across Nesta’s lap, to provide what modesty she could. “The baby is ready, my lady. It’s time.”

A firm hand wrapped around Cassian’s arm and began to tug him towards the door. He turned to find Rhysand when he was out in the hall and the door was shut on a phantom wind.

It was only a few seconds before he heard a sob and a yell full of anguish and suffering.

The sound made him want to vomit.

“Bath is ready,” Rhysand said, his hand still around Cassian’s arm. “Bathe, go back. Until then, she’s in good hands.”

“I’m missing it,” Cassian breathed, but before he could form a cohesive thought, he was being shoved into a tub full of warm water.

Nuala and Cerridwen had stripped him down and were scrubbing his skin raw in a matter of seconds. Cassian couldn’t focus, though, could hardly feel as they cleansed the blood and gore and carnage from his skin.

All he could focus on was Nesta’s screaming from upstairs.

Cassian helped them scrub his massive frame, and between the three of them they washed the remains of battle from the Commander until the lukewarm bath water turned pink from the blood of his enemies and his fallen comrades.

As soon as he was clean, the wraiths vanished, allowing him to dry off and redress himself, a tunic and pants left on the counter of the bathroom. Every scream from his wife had him flinching, every cry and overwhelming wave of pain reaching him down the bond now that his shields had been fully dropped.

But suddenly, the screams stopped. Suddenly, love and adoration was all he could feel from Nesta, and he threw open the door and was hurrying up the stairs again, his bare feet padding against the carpet.

The door was slightly open, cracked just a hair, and he could hear quiet murmuring from inside. Hesitantly, he reached out and pushed the door open.

He froze, his body growing completely still as he took in the sight before him. Nesta laid in the bed, her chest heaving, silent tears streaming down her cheeks. Elain and Feyre were both smiling, crying themselves, as they looked to the foot of the bed, where Madja was holding the smallest of babes.

A baby.

Nesta’s baby.

His baby.

The gentlest of cries filled the silence.

Madja chuckled, softly, as she cut the umbilical cord and laid the baby on the softest of towels to clean her up.

Her.

He had a daughter.

“Cass?”

Cassian’s eyes drifted to Nesta and his vision blurred.

He didn’t consciously tell his body to move, didn’t remember asking his feet to carry him across the room, but before he knew it, he was kneeling by the bed, pressing his forehead against hers.

“You did so good, sweetheart,” he whispered, the tears already streaming down his cheeks. “You did so, so good.”

“Lord Cassian.”

He pressed a kiss to Nesta’s forehead, but moved back, allowing Madja to lay the small bundle in Nesta’s arms. Her tiny wings were loosely tucked inside the blanket she was wrapped in.

Nesta’s eyes filled with tears again as she looked down at the precious baby in her arms. “She’s beautiful.”

Silently, Nesta’s sisters and the healer left them alone, to spend a few moments last as a family.

The tiny baby began to fuss and Nesta softly brushed a finger along her cheek, gently shushing her.

She calmed immediately.

“She looks like you,” Cassian whispered, staring at his daughter in awe. “Has your nose. Your lips.”

“Your skin,” Nesta breathed. “And that unruly, curly hair of yours.”

Cassian huffed a laugh. True enough, little tufts of dark curls covered her head. “She’s perfect.”

Nesta didn’t reply. She simply swept her thumb over their daughter’s soft cheek.

“I’m sorry I wasn’t here,” Cassian said, at last. “I… I’m sorry I missed it, that I wasn’t here for you.”

“You’re here now,” she murmured, looking up at him. “You’re here and that’s all that matters.”

With a soft smile, Cassian wiped a wayward tear from her cheek and pressed his lips to hers.

Beaming up at him, Nesta whispered, “Hold her.”

He froze up a little, only having held Nyx a handful times when he was a baby. Babies were fragile and he was…

Well, there was a reason both Nesta and Amren had always called him a brute.

“It’s okay,” Nesta breathed, sensing his hesitation.

He nodded and sat down on the bed next to her. She transferred the tiny bundle to him and her eyes opened almost as soon as she settled in his arms.

Eyes like the storm gazed up at him and Cassian had never felt so much love in his heart.

He swallowed roughly, brushing a gentle thumb across her cheek. He looked up at Nesta. “Have you thought of a name?”

She smiled, fondly, softly. “Brenna.”

“Brenna,” Cassian repeated. “I like Brenna.”

“I’ve been holding onto that name for a while,” Nesta said, quietly.

Cassian chuckled. “I can tell. There was no hesitation.”

Nesta smiled as her head fell against Cassian’s shoulder. She looked down at her daughter. “Brenna felt right.”

After pressing a kiss to the top of Nesta’s head, Cassian gazed down at their daughter. “She’s… she’s perfect.”

“She is,” Nesta replied, a gentle yawn breaking through her words.

Cassian scooted closer on the bed, careful not to jostle their daughter who had settled back into a deep sleep of her own. He wrapped an arm around Nesta’s shoulders, and she wrapped herself around him as best she could.

In that moment, Cassian couldn’t imagine anything else mattering in this world. No lands, no wars, no hidden troves beneath the sea. In his arms, his wife and his daughter, were the most precious treasures he had ever received.

#a court of silver flames #nessian #acosf spoilers #nesta archeron #cassian #acotar #acomaf #acowar #acofas

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mariamermaid · 3 years

Text

F.R.I.E.N.D.S

Young Sirius Black x fem Potter!Reader

Summary: When puberty suddenly hits you and your brother´s best friend realizes his interest in you

Words: 3.8k

Warnings: drinking underaged, mentions of smoking, swearing

A/N: Inspired by Anne-Marie´s song, but not really following the lyrics

It happened from your summer break to your fifth year in Hogwarts, for your brother James it was his sixth year.

It was, what you would call the perfect summer; You had spent it with your friend Sarah in Spain, her family owned a stunning little cottage near Barcelona. The golden beach and the hot sun brought you back with a stunning tan and even a few freckles decorated your face now. Due to many trips to the mountains and the regular exercise of swimming, playing beachball and evenings dancing on the streets beneath moonlight, you had toned up and lost some body fat. A late, maybe even a drunk decision to get a new haircut and the obsessive amount of the new clothes, that completely reinvented your sense of fashion.

The time abroad away from your family felt like a gasp of freedom to you. You loved your parents and even your brother James, if he wasn´t annoying you, dearly, but that summer you felt grown-up and independent. You found new assets, hobbies, interests and confidence to further follow them. You hadn´t planned it, but your glow up transformation was born.

You came back just a few days before school was starting and somehow, you even looked forward to it. A new found motivation to become the best version of yourself pushed you to new limits. Not even the fact that Sirius Black had moved in with your family, could shatter your positive attitude.

“Mom, where did Dad put my luggage, I brought a few souvenirs I wanted to give you!”, you asked while looking through your backpack for a hair tie. Your mother, who had already settled back in the kitchen, her natural habitat, to get some iced tea, shrugged.

“I don´t know, darling, didn´t he put them in your room already?”

Nevertheless, it felt good to be home again.

Your father entered the dining and kitchen area from outside, a suitcase of yours in each of his hands. Just as he was about to call your brother for help, James jumped down the staircase and patted your father on the shoulder. “In a second, dad?”

James, who always had been taller than you, eyed your astonished. “Who is that girl in our home? Is that even my sister anymore?” You chuckled as he gave you a quick hug.

“Shut up James, you´re just jealous that you´re still pale like a snow owl!”

While the two of you started your casual process of sibling bickering, Sirius carefully stepped down the stairs as well. From the back, he observed your figure.

All those years, you had been James´s sister or the younger Potter, but for the first time, you didn´t perish next to James. Actually, you overshone him. James, who was athletic due to the Quidditch practice, still had a crooked and flabby posture. It didn´t help that he was used to swagger through the halls of Hogwarts. But you? You remained with your head held high, your shoulders relaxed and your tanned skin freshly glowing.

“Y/n.”

You turned to find Sirius starring at you; you couldn´t point his look, but you gave him a polite, regardless smile. “Sirius”, you greeted him. Your voice wasn´t rude or cold, still it didn´t match the voice you´d use to talk to James. “Or should I call you brother number two?”

A painfully small grin was brought to his lips. Over the course of years, the two of you barely exchanged words. But yet, you were a constant part of his life. Yes, he had spent many Christmas holidays with your family. He most definitely spent more time with James than you. You were his best friend’s sister, right?

But why did it suddenly bother him, that you called him brother?

“Y/n, Sirius is staying in the guest room from now on. We didn´t use the room anyway, did we?”

The Potter residency had an altogether combined number of four floors; the basement with storage and washing area. The main floor with kitchen, dining and living room, leading to the outdoor terrace and garden and your parent´s bedroom. The second floor with James´s bedroom, your father´s study room and of course, the guest bedroom, which now belonged to Sirius. Last but not least the attic, which was renovated to your room. A point which had caused James and you to argue for several years; the attic was an amazing room and much larger than other bedrooms in the house. James lost the argument due to very weak points. To quote your mother, James spent more time outside doing mischief than actually staying in his room.

You were more relieved than ever to have not only your own room, but basically your own floor. You didn´t mind Sirius, but you needed your space and you didn´t wanted to be involved with their pranks.

“James, help me with my suitcase, will you?” You exclaimed, but your brother already made his way to the kitchen. By his moving pattern, you knew he was up to no good.

“Mom, don´t you and Dad usually spent the weekend at Cindy´s?” You couldn´t help but rolling your eyes at his comment. The last weekend before school begins; James´s house party.

Your parents knew he´d like to bring friends over at that weekend, they didn´t know about half of the school coming and the amount of beer and fire whisky.

“James?” You sighed, but your brother was pursuing his own goals.

“I´ll help you”, Sirius suddenly spoke up and hurried next to you. He took the suitcases without much effort and immediately started carrying them upstairs. On the stairs, you passed the Black boy to open the door to your room for him. Sirius noticed your swift movement and was reminded of James playing Quidditch. Clearly you both inherited that gene. Sirius put down the luggage and couldn´t help but eye your room with growing eyes. The high wooden ceiling, which was decorated with fairy lights and pictures and painting on the walls. You had a secret talent to be good at drawing and detailed sketches of plants, you had learned about in school, hung over your desk. Pictures of you and James at the age of toddlers and family portraits from Christmas. In one of them was even Sirius. You realized how he didn´t leave your room and eyed him warry as he starred at the pictures.

“I´ve never been to your room.”

“Don´t get used to it.” You heaved your suitcase up on your bed to start the sorting out process and Sirius turned away from the pictures, raising his eyebrow. “It´s my room.”

His eyes glided over the silk sheets of your bed and he couldn´t help but wonder, how you looked when waking up in the morning by rays of sunshine falling through the windows. Have you watched him playing Quidditch with James from those windows? Ever so slightly he shook his head to get rid of that thought. You´re James´s sister, he reminded himself.

There weren´t really rumors about you in school, unlike James´s reputation. But there was one thing Sirius knew all too well; you were not to mess with. What your brother inherited in talent, was put together with an almost deadly preciseness. He saw you battling a student in his year once, you won without even breaking a sweat.

“The new hair suits you”, he suddenly added before leaving your room and closing the door behind him. Your mother had pin pointed every single detail that had changed about you, but you´d never guessed that heartbreaker Sirius Black would comment on it…

James Potter was awfully good at talking people into doing what he desired. And James Potter desired a more memorable house party each year, thanks his ego. Previously, you had spent the weekend at Sarah´s, but after an entire summer, you were left home as well. Against your own anticipation, you didn´t mind. Was it the fact, that you had partied and danced more the entire summer than anyone could imagine? Maybe.

“Y/n, you look out for James, don´t let him do stupid things!” Like a house party? Lingered on your tongue, but you smiled bitter sweet. “It´s hard to look out for somebody as stupid as James.”

Your mother wrinkled her eyebrows, but your dad let out a laughing grunt. “They´ll be fine”, he reassured your mother, before kissing you on top of your head and heading out.

“It´s hard to look out for somebody as stupid as James”, James voice filled the air while he imitated you. He and Sirius came down to the living room, a box of somewhat decorations in their hands.

James was everything but stupid, even though there were times, where you questioned his IQ. He took out old wine bottles with candles in them and packed away your mom´s favorite cutlery and vase. One thing less to worry.

“Tell me, Y/n, do the Spain kiss good?” He continued to mock you.

“Better than the British”, you answered sweetly. A sour taste spread in Sirius mouth, but James pressed his jaw together. He hadn´t expected the answer from you, his sweet innocent little sister.

“Should I worry about you tonight?” He asked a little more serious now, but you ruffled through his precious locks. “Why? Afraid I´ll crash your party?”

“Who are you and what have you done to my baby sister?” He yelled after you, while you left the room to go upstairs, chuckling.

The marauders were first to arrive; Moony, Wormtail and obviously Padfoot and Prongs himself. Remus also brought Lily Evans, your brother´s secret, not so secretly girlfriend. You watched as they arrived one by one from the window at your desk. The golden boy and his gang, all complete.

The past few days, you had taken your time to do whatever you pleased. Your mother didn´t force any of you to have breakfast or lunch together, due to the fact that you all had different sleeping patterns. You had spent it at your desk, getting ready for school, journaling about your holidays, sorting out pictures and old clothes. In the garden helping your mother put together bouquets of flowers or riding your bike around your favorite trails and sceneries. Really you hadn´t seen much of your brother or Sirius.

You took your time getting ready, the Marauder´s already starting off with drinking. You had invited Sarah and when you saw her and her older sister, who was in James´s year, arriving, you finally made your way downstairs. James, Sirius and Remus were grouped around the kitchen aisle, debating sport games with three more guys from Gryffindor. Matt Atkins, Hogwarts second bad boy after Sirius, eyes suddenly grew big as he ran dry. His remarkably sharp jaw fell down and his mouth open. “Who is she?”

You casually strolled down the stairs, even wearing some strapped heels together with a new dress from Spain. A rather hard punch let Matt yelp, James annoyed eyes bringing him to his knees. “That´s my sister”, he muttered with his teeth grinding.

The golden boy was about to be pushed from his throne by his own sister.

You gave the group of boys a knowing smirk before welcoming Sarah, who was glowing with the same tan as you. “Seems like Spain has been muy beneficioso per nos.”

Your laughter filled the air, as not only the marauder but also several other male creatures watched the two of you chat. “How´s Gabriel?” You asked her instead and Sarah blushed. Her apparent summer fling had made it clear, that his feelings were a little stronger than just a fling.

“He wrote me a letter with a poem”, she blushed. Before continuing the topic, a boy joined the two of you. “Ladies, can I get you something to drink?”

James was quick to appear next to you, a sudden wave of protectiveness had overcome him. “She´s my sister and she doesn´t drink.”

“Yes, yes she does.”

Lily, who had joined her boyfriend, snickered at your response. James watched you wide eyed, as did the boy, walking to the kitchen with Sarah after dropping the comment; “Not from you though.”

Sirius, who´s blood alcohol level was already high enough, started smirking as you approached. The feelings he had pushed back and buried, arose in him.

“Y/n, care for a drink?” “Yes, Black, I do.”

As he fished two cups for you and Sarah, the group starred at you. Matt Atkins was first to speak up again. His initial shock about Sirius approaching you, was put back after he remembered that he lived with you and James now. Remus and Peter watched the scene, secretly exchanging a bet of how quickly you would decline Atkins.

“So, Y/n, tell me how was Spain?”

You leaned on the counter top, a trick that had earned you free drinks in bars before, and smiled.

“Hot.”

Sirius passed you the cups and you nodded thanking. His senses tingled, an explosion rushing through his veins. He wasn´t to construe it the past few days, but drunk words are sober thoughts and Sirius´s attraction towards you, grew with each second. Peter slid the money to Remus, Matt Atkins had no chance.

The party continued into the evening and quickly into the night. You were sure that at least 50 people were there, with a few outside maybe more. James, who didn´t enjoy himself as much as he´d like to, was also too stubborn to admit it. You didn´t like how he watched, almost babysitted you, lingering ready to scare away any potential boy flirting. It was until Lily finally swept in and took his mind off you.

Outside remained a small bonfire, which was coming to an end, but you still decided to catch some fresh air. You had more cups than your brother knew about, but he was kissing Lily in the corner and didn´t realize your slight staggering.

James wasn´t stupid, but stupid enough to completely miss the fact that his own best friend was falling in love with you. And he was following you outside.

“Y/n Potter, you surprise me.” Sirius voice was low and a little rough, which was explained as he pulled out a cigarette. You took another sip of who knew what mixture and smiled innocently at him. “Why´s that, Black?”

You never called him Black before, until this summer. An unconscious defense mechanism.

It had taken Sirius five days after your initial arrival to realize that he´d liked you way more than he should and now there was no turning back. He was acting on pure instinct now and so did you. But your instinct told you, that Sirius Black was a heartbreaker.

“What do want, Black?” You asked whispering as he slowly came closer, his hand reaching up to tuck back strands of your hair. This was dangerous, but you liked playing with fire. “You.”

Your laugh was bitter.

“We're nothing more than friends. You're not my lover, more like a brother. I´ve known you since we were like ten.”

You left him behind in the approaching cold from the night and the dying fire. Sirius cursed at himself and ruffled through his hand. “Fuck!”

How could he have been so stupid? You were his best friend´s sister! You were James´s sister! Of course, you didn´t see him in any romantic way and now he not only embarrassed himself to the bone, but probably ruined any kind of friendship with you. He threw the leftover cigarette into the fire, there was only one solution left; alcohol.

Don't mess it up, talking that shit

Only gonna push me away, that's it!

When you say you love me, that make me crazy

Here we go again

Sirius Black was astonishing good in hiding feelings and even better at drowning them. At least for the next hour or so. That was until the music box suddenly played a Spanish song with a typical reggae beat and laughing, you pulled Sarah onto the dancefloor in the middle of the living room. Oh, how you had learned to swing your hips at the rhythm.

James was burning in fury and he wanted to punch every single pair of eyes laying on your figure. Luckily, he couldn´t and much too quick for your dismay, the song ended. The room echoed in applause and howlers, and giggling you left the stage with Sarah. The two of you were used to being drunk together and lazily you found your seat on the bathroom floor.

“James isss going to kill youuuu”, Sarah laughed as she not so gracefully, kneeled onto the floor. It didn´t help that after you sat down at the brim of the bathtub, fell over crackling.

“Oh my god!” Sarah suddenly exclaimed startled. You leaned forward surprised, legs still hanging over the brim. “What?”

“We don´t have anything to drink anymoreeee! I´ll be back in a second, just stay here!”

You leaned back, head against the wall, softly humming in response. “I don´t even think I´m able to leave, I´ll wait!” For a few seconds, you closed your eyes; enjoying the buzz of the liquor and the music in the background. You heard the door open and close again.

“Merlin Sarah, you´re flying when it comes to-.“ It wasn´t Sarah, it was Sirius. You eyed him with furrowed brows. “Did you at least get me something to drink?”

He had a cup in his hands and eyed it, pondering to give it to you, or drink it himself. But you leaned forward, grabbing his arm and then snatching the drink from his fingers. He found himself starring into your big eyes, not wanting to look away.

“Don´t you have enough boys outside to bring you drinks?” He asked and you shrugged while taking a big sip. “But you´re here, aren´t you?” The sentence made his heart beat quicker.

“Don't go look at me with that look in your eye”, you then added and avoided his glance again.

“Why not?”

“You know why, but apparently you really ain't going away without a fight.”

He suddenly turned to you, pushing one of his hands against the wall, the other one trailing down to your neck. His fingers brushed against your skin and you felt goosebumps crawling down your spin. He was leaning, yes hovering above you and his eyes wandered back and forth from your eyes to your lips. Stubbornly, you looked up to him.

“You can't be reasoned with, I'm done being polite. Haven't I made it obvious?” You pushed yourself a little up from the bathtub, your face only inches away. But the look on your face was stern and certain. “Haven't I made it clear? Want me to spell it out for you?

F-R-I-E-N-D-S”

Sarah pushed open the door and rolled her eyes, she had obviously noticed the boy´s attention towards you. “Back off, Black.”

Sirius was caught off guard by her, which gave you space and time to pull yourself out of the tub, leaving him sitting there.

The night only slowly continued after your clashing in the bathroom. Remus watched his friend with plaintive eyes. He had realized the silence and even more oblivious, his sad stares into your direction. It wasn´t hard to guess really, but he understood his reticent mood. You were his best friends’ little sister and he knew, James would kill for you. If anyone were to break your heart and if that anyone was Sirius, the friendship could be over.

On the other hand, there was one thing Remus knew, Sirius had never acted like this around a girl.

“You shouldn’t give up yet.” Sirius glanced back at him and rolled his eyes.

“She´s sees me as a friend, I´m like a brother to her.”

“You don´t dance like this in front of your friend. Y/n and James both know how to get the things they want. It´s probably a family disorder”, Remus chuckled. But he became stern again, laying a hand on his friend´s back. “She´s playing with you, you know it. And I have to admit, she plays better than you, Padfoot. You liked this girl way before, before the summer, before she started flirting with you today.”

“I didn´t-“

“Yes, you did. Or why did you stress out about getting her a Christmas and birthday gift every year since knowing James? Why did it bother both you and James, about Kevin making that remark last year? You broke his nose, in case you forgot.”

Remus was right, he was way too often for Sirius taste. He liked you more than a friend from the second he laid eyes on you. He swore himself to protect you, but now he was the endangerment of hurting you and it scared him.

People left the party; it was past 3.a.m. and Lily started putting away empty cups. He knew Sarah would sleep at the Potter house tonight and just in second, he caught sight of you carrying a blanket upstairs. “You´re the best, Moony and I hate you for it.”

He hurried up the stairs and caught you just in front of your room.

“Y/n, wait!”

You sighed heavily. “Sirius, I´m tired and Sarah´s laying on my bathroom floor throwing up.”

He tried to remember every formal etiquette ever taught to him while establishing and taking together his bravery. Hundreds, yes thousands of pranks and yet, he never had been this nervous. You eyed him wary. “Have you got no shame? You looking insane. Here we go again.”

“I´m sorry for acting like a dick.”

The apology took you a step back, surprised.

“Don't go look at me with that look in your eye.”

His tongue brushed against his lip. “Why not, Y/n? Afraid to admit it?”

“For Merlin´s Sake, get that shit inside your head, Sirius! We´re just friends.”

His hand lingered on the wall to your back. It was the second time he had encircled you, but this time around, you didn´t see an outlet. Maybe you didn´t want one either. You felt his breath tingling against your skin and against your anticipation, the scene felt intimate and fragile to you.

“I like you, Y/n. I´ve liked you for a while now and I suppressed it. You´re right, I´m heartbreaker, and I knew, if I was to break yours, I wouldn´t be able to live with myself.”

You felt your shaky breathing, the dim light coming from downstairs barely gave enough away.

“You made it obvious. You made it very clear. But I wanted- needed you to know this; you were and never will be just a friend to me.” He gulped, lowering his glance.

“And I´m sorry, if that´s going to push you away.”

You dropped the blanket to the ground, throwing your hands around his neck and pulling him down. The kiss was passionate, but dripping like honey; sweet and slowly. His hands grabbed your waist and you inhaled his deep musky scent.

You leaned away from him with caution, sighing. “Sarah´s vomiting and I´m making out, I´m a terrible friend.” Sirius chuckled lowly, his nose brushing against yours again.

“I´m glad we´re more than friends then.”

#sirius black imagine #Sirius Black #sirius black x reader #sirius black oneshot #ben barnes #harry potter imagine #marauder imagine #mariamermaidimagine

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nothing-but-dreamy · 3 years

Text

VALUED

Pairing: Chocobros x Reader

Words: 2.683

Warnings: fluff, friendship

Synopsis: Yn doubts herself and then, it's good to have a bunch of good friends nearby to remind her that she's valued by them.

"Hey, pretty doll. Why are you with these guys? Join me instead. I'm more fun than them.", a guy, dressed in dusty shorts and an old t-shirt, leaning casually against a boarding, called out with a smug smile as yn and her friends passed him.

Usually, she ignored provocations or flirting like this but this time, Yn sized the guy up, looking doubting about his statement, "I would rather love to die on the spot.", she answered, turning around to continue her way to the motel where the group was currently staying to help out with some hunts before they would continue their journey.

"Uhh, harsh words from such a little girl.", the guy said grinning.

Within one second, Yn stopped and jumped at the guy, casted one of her daggers out of nowhere to press it dangerously close against his throat, "Who do you call 'little girl', huh?", she hissed while staring into his shock-filled eyes.

"Yn!", Gladio called out, reaching her with just three strides of his long legs to drag her away from the guy who was white as salt, "What are you doing?"

Yn was trembling in his strong grip to get free, "He called me little girl. So, let me go!", she hissed through gritted teeth, stemming against his hold once again.

"No!", he boomed with his deep voice, "First, you have to calm down.", Gladio demanded. He was struggling with keeping her in place. Not because she would be that strong rather because he didn't mean to hurt her.

"But he's an asshole!", Yn argued angrily, wiggling under Gladio's hands.

"Hey!", the guy called out as he found his voice again.

"Yes, he is but still.", Gladio said, ignoring the guy's complaint.

"Hey, I can hear you!", the guy called out again but he got silenced by Gladio's angry glance shot at him.

"And you should leave or I will release her after all.", Gladio commanded and the guy disappeared.

As he was gone, Gladio released Yn but was also watching out that she stayed where she was, "What the hell was that? You can't attack random people with daggers.", Gladio said admonishingly, crossing his arms over his chest but his expression softened as he saw her sad glance glued to the ground.

Softly, Gladio placed his index finger under her chin, "Yn, that wasn't just because they called you 'little girl', right? You never did something like this before."

But instead of answering, yn just shrugged with her shoulders and looked away again.

"If it was because of that, you know that none of us sees you like this, right? You're an important part of our group.", Gladio said, calming in hope he got through to her.

"But sometimes it doesn't feel like that. None of you really need me. It's not that I would be useful. All of you are much better fighters than I am. With bigger swords or better skills.", Yn said glumly and because Gladio stayed silent, she took it as an agreement, passed him and the others to go back to the motel room.

Disbelieving, Gladio stared after her. Almost shocked, he watched how one of his best friends went away with slumped shoulders, a hanging head and her hands buried deep into the pockets of her jeans.

"What just happened?", Ignis asked confused as he stepped next to Gladio.

"Is something wrong with her?"Prompto asked, concerned as he also watched Yn walking away. Noctis joined as well, frowning about the unusual behavior. They had watched the scene because they were sure Gladio would be able to handle that. Somehow, they were wrong...

"I have no idea...", Gladio said confused, scratching the back of his neck. Since he knew her, Yn was the best female fighter he had met. Yes, she was smaller but extremely fast. Faster than Ignis and Prompto when she was fighting against creatures and enemies. Yes, she used daggers just like Ignis but she wasn't less deadly with them.

There was no reason for her to feel … useless.

Gladio was still staring after Yn even as she was already out of sight as Ignis stepped in front of him, "We should do something to help her.", he said, tapping with his index finger against his lips, trying to find an idea.

"But what could we do?", Prompto asked, "I always thought she knows how important she is to us-"

"It's not about us. You heard her. She is doubting her fighting skills.", Gladio pointed out. Slowly but surely, he understood what might be going on with her. Even as a King's Shield, he had been at the same point. He just had fought through it.

"So, what are you suggesting? Shall we train with her?", Prompto asked naively that this would fix things.

"Actually, I might have an idea.", Noctis said and pulled a piece of paper out of the back pocket of his pants.

***

Yn sat on her bed in the motel room she shared with the boys and let her legs slowly dangling over the edge while she stared out of the window. Behind the glass was nothing to be seen but sand, dust and a bunch of bushes. The blue sky was cloudless. The weather was sunny and cheerful. The complete opposite to her current mood.

Over and over again, her mind played through the attack on that random guy. And each time, she winced at the memory. Never before, she had attacked someone randomly just because of some teasing. And it wasn't just the 'little girl' thing. It had been the glances back in Insomnia as she had trained with different weapons to extend her skills. She heard the whispers behind her back when she walked next to Gladio who was so much taller than herself while they were discussing new move sets. Then, she left with her friends and even then, someone had asked her if this journey would be the right thing for such a small, pretty girl. As if her height and appearance would be everything that mattered.

With a swift move, Yn casted her daggers into her hands. Kukris. She never had seen such beautiful blades like these two with all their ornaments and detailed engravings. She felt honored as King Regis had given them to her. She felt blessed to be able to wield them to defend and to protect the Prince and her other friends. But nevertheless, sometimes, it felt as if it wasn't enough.

Since they had passed the secure wall of their home, Yn was doubting herself. None of the boys gave her the feeling to be useless. She did it on her own. Years of training and dedication to be a good fighter went south as she saw how good the others were on the field. All of them had much more training and even Noctis was able to wield a greatsword - which Yn couldn’t even move one bit.

While she stared at her daggers, tears were building in her eyes and as she blinked, hot teardrops were falling on the daggers. Angry about herself, she casted them away. Now, she didn't even feel worthy to own them...

"Here you are!", Gladio said as he opened the door of the motel room.

Quickly, Yn wiped the tears from her eyes with the sleeve of her black sweatshirt before she turned around, facing all four boys standing in front of her. She was sure they would notice that she had cried but they said nothing about it, "What is it?", she asked carefully, not knowing what would come next.

It was Prompto who answered her question as he jumped on the bed to land next to her, flinging his arm around her shoulders, "Noctis got asked for help by Tikka. A delivery of green beans went missing and we shall take a look if we can find it."

Amused, yn looked from Prompto at Noctis, "You wanna rescue green beans? You?"

"Yeah... I know. Come on, we hit the road.", Noctis said and left the room, followed by Ignis.

Prompto jumped from the bed and ran after them, "On the way, we can check if we find anything interesting so I can take a photo."

"If not, you can take selfies ... as usual.", Noctis teased and because they were already out of sight, yn just heard their bickering.

At the door, Gladio waited for yn, "You know, if you wanna talk about something, I'm there for you.", he said softly, checking on her but stayed silent.

Yn smiled up at him, already feeling better again, "Thanks. I will talk to you just … give me some time."

***

"Just green beans, huh? Green beans my ass.", yn stated as she watched Bulettes emerging form the small wood they just had passed. The four tall, very heavy and very angry animals aimed for her and her friends.

Gladio was already casting his great sword, wielding it over his head, "Come on, a little fight will keep us slinky and flexible.", he said and nudged her shoulder with his own before he smirked at her.

With a grin, yn looked up at the tall guy, "Slinky and flexible aren't words I would use to describe you, big guy.", she said teasingly.

"Ouch, no need to be mean.", Gladio called out, playfully hurt before they both aimed for the first animal.

Quickly, the calm and beautiful meadow changed into a raging battlefield. Gladio and Yn ran to the first animal and even before Gladio could make the first hit, he squatted down and offered Yn his hand and arm. Grinning, she stepped on his arm, one foot on his hand, balancing while casting her daggers and tensing up her muscles before Gladio gave her a push to throw her on top of the animal. Yn landed perfect on the back. Quickly, she found her balance again and while Gladio slammed his great sword into the skin of the animal, Yn swirled her Kukris and sank them into the throat and neck of the raging Bulette. The Kukris stuck but instead to pull them out, Yn spun them around until the animal fell to the ground.

Lifeless.

Yn jumped from the carcass with a flip and landed light-footed in front of Gladio who grinned impressed, "One down, three to go. Come on, I guess the others need our help."

"Yn, over here!", Noctis called out and Yn followed him immediately. Noctis was ready for a warp-attack that would give the opportunity of a blitz attack. Noctis warped with his KINGSBLADE against the animal and bounced back next to Yn. They nodded, taking a run-up of a few steps and while Noctis let himself drop on one knee to attack the feet of the Bulette, Yn ran and stepped on Noctis' back to jump against the broad enemy to thrust her daggers between its ribs into the heart. She stayed a few moments longer to make sure the creature was dead. As it fell lifeless to the ground, Yn stemmed her feet against the ribcage and pulled out her daggers.

Yn was just about to catch her breath as Prompto called her over, "Yn, I could need your help."

She turned her head before she spurted over to her friend. Prompto already had drawn his gun, firing at the beast but as Yn stopped next to him, they nodded at each other with a grin, turning over so they were standing back to back before Prompto was aiming for the animal again. Yn did the same with her daggers. From the corner of her eyes, she waited for his sign. As Prompto nodded with a grin, he fired his gun the same moment Yn threw her Kukri. The shot staggered the animal in its way towards them. It became slower while Yn's dagger penetrated the skull of the animal. The Bulette stumbled over its feet, fell to the ground and slid a small way before it stopped in front of their feet.

As yn thought it would be over, Ignis called her over to him, "Come on, I need you for the finisher.", he called out. With a huge grin on her lips, Yn ran towards him. Gladio and Noctis had made the animal already tired. Ignis and Yn bumped their fists against each other, stepped back and ran then to the animal to attack it at the same time with their daggers before they landed side by side on the other side elegantly on their knees. Everything happened so fast, that the Bulette needed a moment to realize that it had no chance anymore and so, it fell lifeless to the ground.

All five friends were breathless but alive, unharmed and happy. With a rapid pulse, Yn turned around to look at the scene of battle while she casted the daggers away.

Ignis inspected the corpses, "We should take something with us before we find a good spot for camping and cooking.", he said and Prompto already joined him to help with the preparations.

***

Two hours later, the tent was built, the food was cooked and eaten and Prompto, Ignis and Noctis stretched themselves, the sign that they were ready for the night. One by one, they called it a night until just Gladio and Yn were left behind, sitting at the crackling campfire in silence observing the calming flames.

Yn watched how small sparks danced endlessly into the dark blue night sky. Stars were scattered over the firmament like millions of diamonds. Her eyes stayed glued to the stars while she smiled softly, "I know what you all did today.", she whispered, breaking the silence.

"What... what do you mean?", Gladio asked, trying to sound convincing but it wasn't working very well, he saw it in her face.

"There never were any green beans, right?", Yn pointed out, still looking to the stars.

Gladio chuckled low, scratching the back of his neck before he looked apologetically at her, "Actually, no... not really."

"I thought that it was a bit odd for Noctis to run around to search for a bunch of vegetables.", Yn said before she looked into Gladio's face, "Thank you.", she whispered sheepishly.

Gladio laid his arm around her shoulders, "You're welcome, sweetheart. You're valued here. Always. We wanted to show you that.", he whispered before he pressed a soft kiss on top of her hair. He pulled her against his side where she snuggled against his chest. It wasn't the first time that they were seeking comfort in each other but this time it felt more important.

Gladio rested his head on top of hers and looked back into the flames, "We have your back, no matter what. You know, I've been there as well. I also had doubts about myself. I guess that's normal. You just have to remember what you're capable of. We trust you all blindly because we know what you are able to do.", Gladio said low.

A single tear was rolling down Yn's cheek by his words and suddenly, everything that had happened looked stupid and odd. Quickly, Yn wiped the tears away, "I feel so stupid.", she whispered.

Gladio straightened himself to look at her, "You don't have to. It's human to doubt oneself from time to time. And the next time, when you feel like this, just come to me. Talk with me. You don't have to go through this alone. Size isn't all that matters.", Gladio said with a smirk.

Yn felt touched by this big, cuddly teddy bear and so, she threw herself against his solid body with her arms flung around his middle. Gladio mimicked her move and embraced her back, "And by the way, you have the perfect size to lean and to snuggle against me like this. That's a good start, don't you think?", he chuckled but Yn couldn't answer.

"Cuddle time!", Prompto called out and within one second, Gladio and Yn were attacked by Prompto, Ignis and Noctis. Buried underneath her friends, Yn felt her confidence coming back.

She felt valued.

#final fantasy imagines #final fantasy gladiolus #final fantasy 15 #final fantasy #final fantasy ignis #final fantasy prompto #final fantasy noctis #fandom support #fandoms #writing #gladio amiticia #ff15 ignis #ff15 gladio #ff15 noctis #ff15 prompto #prompto argentum #noctis caelum #chocobros

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katnissmellarkkk · 3 years

Text

Okayyyy chappy seven 🤩 Here we goooo 🥳

Lord, Katniss always had nightmares 😭 even before the games, between her father’s death, her mother’s abandonment and the other traumatizing things she saw in her life, my girl never slept peacefully a day in her life 🥺.

She even indicates that she sometimes has nightmares about past hunger games 😭😭😭. Someone protect my smol child. Please. Someone.... Someone? Anyone? No? Okay 🥺

“I bolt up screaming for my father to run as the mine explodes into a million deadly bits of light.” This is such a powerful image and it really does show that Katniss has literally envisioned all the gory details of her father’s death for the last four years. This is so sad 😞

Also though. Katniss really doesn’t talk much about her father’s death after the first book and definitely doesn’t describe nightmares about it. So .... like basically, the games traumatized her so badly that, her father failing to escape the mines as the collapsed in on him, crushing him into the pits of despair, the possibility of rescuing his corpse deemed unimaginable, pales in comparison? Yes I just tried and failed to phrase that long run on sentence the way Katniss phrases her nightmares about her dad dying, yes that was over the top but you know what? So. Is. Katniss.

“Dawn is breaking through the windows” Twilight reference 😬😬😬. I couldn’t stop myself, y’all. Forgive for please.

“The Capitol has a misty, haunted air.” Katniss, you’re from the butthole of Kentucky, the air you’re used to is probably humid as all get out 😓😓💦😅😅

“I must have bitten into the side of my cheek in the night. My tongue probes the ragged flesh and I taste blood.” 😒😒😒😒 this feeling ..... is .... v v v .... distinct .... and .... familiar 😕🙁☹️

“I end up hopping from foot to foot as alternating jets of icy cold and steaming hot water assault me.” Why is this so funny omg 😂🤣😂🤣😂🤣😂🤣😂😂😅😅😅😅😅 Katniss is just like pressing buttons like, “Ah! Too cold! 🥶 Ah! Too hot! 🥵 Ah!!!!!” All while jumping like a .... cat 🐱🥁

Lemon foam? 🍋 Whatever. I guess there’s weirder flavors of soap we have today but like where’s the Philosophy flavors that give recipes on the bottles??? Surely they’d survive an apocalypse??? Everyone uses those???

I’m so glad Katniss didn’t forget to moisturize, even as she prepares for a death match 😅😅😅😅 even if it’s just as simple as pressing a single button, why is she even taking the time to press it?

I know, I know. She just wants to make sure her skin is so smooth for the arena that the knives and arrows just slide right off 🤣🤣🤣🤣

“This is the first time since the morning of the reaping that I resemble myself.” Lolololol which means Mr. Romantic is gonna be even more turned on by the sight of ya, since he’s crushed on you looking like this for the last decade of his life 🥳😎🤗💁🏼‍♀️. Peeta ain’t even here yet and I’m already making the shipper comments Samantha calm down 🙄😶😑🤐🤐🤐🤐🤐🤐

Seriously there where is Peeta? Did he also have to figure out the temperature controls in the shower? Did he also moisturize? I miss him I wanna know about his morning too 😔. Katty, is it too much to ask for you to go take a lil ... sneak peek into his room for me? 😏😏😏

Twenty dishes seems like a lot for like four people eating? Eh, maybe six people, if we count the stylists who magically pick and choose when they’re coming to a meal... Hmm, I’ll calculate just so no one else has to. 🤓😬🤗 No one else cares, Samantha. 🤐🥱😴😶 Twenty dishes amounts out to about five plates without the stylists and three and a half-ish with so.... idk it’s not that much food I guess but it seems like a lot for one meal, esp if people in the Capitol intend to keep their trim figures. This is why that one prep team girl is chubby. 🤐🤐🤐

Awww Katniss copying Peeta’s weird lil eating quirks 🤗😎🥳. She’s already taking interest in him, she just don’t realize it yet 💁🏼‍♀️🤦🏼‍♀️ shipper comment alert 🚨🚨

But also has anyone actually tried dipping bread on hot chocolate and was it good or does it taste as repulsive as it sounds to me? I hate it when my food even so much as dares to touch though 🤢😡😤😓

Oooo I always forget Prim has to be utilizing her goat, milking the thing every day until it’s dry I’m not a farmer idk how milking animals works ... so she contributes more than I give her credit I suppose.... I’m making an effort for you, Primmers. You seem useless and immature but I’m trying. 😪😶 Taylor Swift voice 🎶 *this is me trying* 🎶

Oh wow it was only two mornings ago? Man. The first book is slow moving. 😅😭 six chapters in and we’ve gotten through one point five days 🤣

“It makes me irritated that Peeta is wearing exactly the same outfit I am.” “Listen, Peeta, one of us has to change, this is getting embarrassing, you have to stop borrowing my clothes!”

“This twins act is going to blow up in out faces once the Games begin.” Ahhaahahahaha blow up 💥 💣 🔥. Get it, get it. 🥁 Because she represents fire. And she also blows things up in Every. Single. Book.

But seriously, did Cinna and Portia and Haymitch all plan on presenting Katniss and Peeta are like, tight friends or whatever, and then Peeta is like “oh b-tee-dubs, I have a massive crush on K-dog” and they just decided it perfectly fit into their plans?

I’m so jealous that their breakfast has bread baskets 😩😩😩 I know they’re headed to the slaughter but still. Bread.

if you like, I'll coach you separately. Decide now." "Why would you coach us separately?" In case one of you ... not naming names .... Peeta .... wants to reveal your lifelong crush on live television 😎😎😎

Also Haymitch is like “make an important decision but take zero time to consider it, I’m tired and hungover, kids, idc for your drama 😒”

Which as an auntie to a wonderful little two year old ... is v relatable 😅🥲🙃🤭

“And I already know what yours is, right? I mean, I've eaten enough of your squirrels." I wanna make a dirty joke here so badly but the lord himself is saying no.

“Town families usually eat expensive butcher meat. Beef and chicken and horse.” Ohhh this is interesting. Katniss believing Peeta and the other merchants live high on the hog while Peeta is later is like “I eat expired bread for every meal, Katniss” I mean, better than starving like her, but also not how she’s painting the picture in her mind. 😶😭

Also Katniss never mentions horses in Twelve, where’s the butcher getting horses from to slaughter and sell? That’s why Katniss never sees them, Samantha, duh 🙄

“I can't do anything. Unless you count baking bread.” "Sorry, I don't.” This was such a quick and matter of fact brush off, poor Peeta 😭😭😭 my baby I’m still rooting for you don’t worry you got this

Also. Lowkey, highkey, that tiny exchange triggered me. 😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭. Those awkward moments where people brush me off or glance over me live in my head. Rent free. For life.

I wonder sometimes often times if Katniss’ father and Gale’s father knew each other? Both hunted and worked in the mines. Just a random sidebar 😅🤭🤐🙃

“She’s excellent” He’s so proud of his wife 🤧🤧🤧🤧🤧

So uh.... is it safe to say Mr. Mellark is an Everlark fan? If he likes and admires Katniss and Peeta and him apparently have some kind of close-ish bond (okay, maybe not but maybe) then perhaps he is carrying the shipper banner back in Twelve for them 🥳🥳😎😎

Katniss, you dingaling, of course he noticed you 🙄🙄🙄

Peeta compliments her and her instant reaction is “what are you doing, weirdo?” 😅😭

“Don’t underrate yourself” Peeta, love of my life, take your own advise. Stupid. 😪😪😪

“I've seen you in the market. You can lift hundred-pound bags of flour” Katniss in the market, staring across the way at Peeta, 👁👄👁, watching him lift flour over his shoulder.

“He came in second in our school competition last year, only after his brother." This is criminally undiscussed. Peeta being a wrestler alone is undiscussed but also.... did you go to his matches, Katniss? Miss Anti-Social, Hunting-First-Everything-Else-Later? 😏😏😏 If this ain’t proof of her lil crush idk what is

“All you need is to come up with a knife, and you'll at least stand a chance.” “You'll be living up in some tree eating raw squirrels and picking off people with arrows.” Does no one else realize that Katniss and Peeta literally took the other’s advise for the first part of the games? How did Peeta get in with the Careers? The way she just said. Where is Katniss when Peeta and the Careers discover her? High up in a tree. Okay, this maybe didn’t compute right but I had a thought here so I said it

Peeta’s mother is just a monster. Who says that crap? 😔😔😔 don’t worry, baby, I’m rooting for you

“She said, 'She's a survivor, that one.' She is” Yeah, she is, no thanks to you, Mrs. Mellark 😤. Stingy ho.

Peeta’s got pain in his eyes 🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺

Awww, Katniss accrediting her survival to Peeta’s help 😭😭😭😭. This is so pure. Also kiss now, you little freaks.

“She has no idea. The effect she can have.” This is such an iconic line... but the can has always had me laughing. She can have an effect, if she really wants to. Or not, depending on the day.

Katniss is so stupid, how did she construe that as an insult??? 🤦🏼‍♀️🤦🏼‍♀️🤦🏼‍♀️🤦🏼‍♀️ y’all ever just wanna smack her into a wall?

“In public, I want you by each other's side every minute” If Peeta didn’t have a long life crush, what was the ultimate plan with all this friendship act they’re being forced into? 🤔🤔🤔

Even Peeta’s trying to object to it 😭😭😭😭

“You will be together, you will appear amiable to each other.” You will fall in love. 🤩🥳😎

“I bite my lip and stalk back to my room, making sure Peeta can hear the door slam.” Okay, now imagine how much she’s hurting his feelings right now 😖😣 what a little brat

“But that didn't mean I wanted to do everything with Peeta. Who, by the way, clearly doesn't want to be partnering up with me, either.” Lolololololololol this is so funny in hindsight 🤣🤣🤣. Also if you showed a little enthusiasm, Peeta would probably be happy to partner with you.

“But a tiny part of me wonders if this was a compliment. That he meant I was appealing in some way.” No, really, Katniss? A compliment? Who’d give you one of those? 🙄🙄🙄

“It's weird, how much he's noticed me. Like the attention he's paid to my hunting.” A normal person at this point would put together a crush 😅

“And apparently, I have not been as oblivious to him as I imagined, either. [...] I have kept track of the boy with the bread.” Anddd a normal person would figure out their own crush at this point 😅😅.

“I do a quick assessment. Peeta and I are the only two dressed alike.” We stan a matching couple in this house 😎😏

“Almost all of the boys and at least half of the girls are bigger than I am” That means 18 out of 24 tributes tower over my girl here. Smol Katniss. The movies did such erasure on this front I’m still bitter 🤐😒😤😩

“I may be smaller naturally, but overall my family's resourcefulness has given me an edge in that area.” Just a tiny muscular thing standing next to a bunch of tall, lanky kids. 🥰🥰🥰🥰

Awww “Each [Career tribute] must have fifty to a hundred pounds on me.” I mean ... let’s calculate. A muscular girl would probably weigh like 150 pounds... so basically Katniss is at most, 100 pounds. Tiny Katty.

“I'm thinking that it's lucky I'm a fast runner when Peeta nudges my arm and I jump.” This is a random, cute interaction 😍😍😍. Shipper blinders are on and tight.

“Suppose we tie some knots.” “Right you are.” I legitimately just scratched my face, who says right you are? An 87 year old man, that’s who 😅😅😅. Not turning your girl on very well, Peeta baby.

Although it does sound a bit like a backwoods southern thing soooo.... hillbilly Everlark nation rise. 🙋🏼‍♀️🙋🏼‍♀️🙋🏼‍♀️🙋🏼‍♀️

“We concentrate on this one skill for an hour until both of us have mastered it.” Awww, so Peeta knows how to tie a snare? He’s not as clueless as half the fandom acts.

How exactly is frosting cakes equating to amazing camouflager in a death match? Books crack me up with these connections. “I’m an amazing artist because I write birthday cards!”

Lolololol Prim admiring her future brother-in-law’s handiwork 🥰🥰🥰🥰 too bad she dies before they can get together for real for real.

“Somehow the whole thing - his skill, those inaccessible cakes, the praise of the camouflage expert - annoys me.” Dude, you get praised by everyone and their brother while Peeta gets overlooked, give him a moment to shine. 😑🙄 jealous wife much?

Also she’s already picking up on Peeta’s eye for beauty 😅😅😅

“It's lovely. If only you could frost someone to death.” "Don't be so superior. You can never tell what you'll find in the arena. Say it's actually a gigantic cake-“ "Say we move on.” She’s such a little snot. 😒😒😒

But also I love that already in this point of their relationship, Peeta is noticing when she’s being a brat 😭😂😅. “Don’t be so superior.”

“Despite Haymitch's order to appear mediocre, Peeta excels in hand-to-hand combat, and I sweep the edible plants test without blinking an eye.” Lolololol their mentor’s advise went into one ear and right out the other 😂😅🤣.

But also why did the movie make a point in adding an extra scene of Peeta looking weak and the Careers staring at him? That literally took up time and served no purpose at all. 😤😤😤 I’m coming for you, Gary Ross

Awww, everyone but the careers eat alone. But Katniss and Peeta eat together 🥺🥺🥺. It’s like a forced first date 🥳🥳🥳

I like how Katniss says they include bread from every district but she then proceeds to only mention the two districts that later have relevant tributes. 😅😅😅

Lolololol their fake friendship “laugh ... now! Okay, I’ll smile, try to say something interesting”

“Ever since I slammed my door, there's been a chill in the air between us.” Well yeah, you probably hurt his feelings 🥺🥺🥺

Umm, Katniss just casually drops that she was chased by a bear.... how did homegirl live? 😬😳

Peeta knowing Rue’s name and being the one to take notice of her first 🥺🥺🥺. If the games had come down to Katniss, Peeta and Rue, y’all know Everlark would have swallowed the berries and gotten Rue home. 🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺

“Don't. Don't let's pretend when there's no one around.” "All right, Katniss.” He made a single comment to you, ding dong. He didn’t ask for a goodnight kiss 🙄🙄🙄.

Also anyone ever think of how lonely Peeta’s life must be? He’s not close to his family that we can see, Delly’s his only real friend, after he wins he lives in that huge house all alone... I feel sad now. I did this to myself. 😬😭🥺

Katniss’ “Oh! The weapons!” When she sees the bows and arrows is so cute 🥰🥰🥰

Katniss has such a rage built up inside of her. Let it out, girlfriend

See, I’d have done this too but in my rage, I’d probably have shot a real person and not the pig ... goodbye, Plutarch 👋🏻

Andddd I think that’s all for this chapter! Sorry my comments weren’t as interesting as usual 😬.

#thgagain

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philliamwrites · 3 years

Text

The Dawn Will Come [Chpt.5]

Fandom: Fire Emblem Three Houses

Pairing: Dimitri x Reader, Claude x Reader, Edelgard x Reader, Yuri x Reader, Edelgard x Byleth, lots of minor pairings

Tags: #gn reader, # platonic love byleth & reader, #reader is a tactical unit, #angst, #slow burn, #subplots, #unreliable narrator, #pining, #remporary amnesia, #reluctant herp, #canon divergence, #lost twin au, #many chapters, #original content

Words: 5.4k

Summary: Waking up in a forest without any knowledge of your past and who you are, you join the house leaders of the Officers Academy to search for a way to return your memories. Unfortunately, the church has different plans for you, and Fate places you in the centre of a cruel game with deadly stakes. It certainly doesn’t help to fall in love with a house leader who is doomed to be your demise.

Notes: Chapter 4 | Chapter 6

Chapter 05: Born to Trouble

Man is born to trouble as the sparks fly upward.

[Hiob 5:7]

A breeze picks up loose leaves and carries them over a steep hill. The sun, directly above your heads, emits no blazing head and still, wearing light armour and carrying weapons leaves a layer of perspiration on your forehead. Every minute marching towards where the Eagle House students and their astute professor are waiting builds worry and the desire to turn around and put as much distance as possible between you and them but the rope tying you to the task called obligation makes it impossible to sate it.

A slight pull makes you pause and scratch the thin skin under your eye, the feeling so strange as if someone is tugging your mind in the complete opposite direction. Now that is a new sensation, and you’re careful to remember that when answering the onslaught of questions Hanneman will surely prepare once he’s back. Feeling no pain, you write it off as exhaustion for now, already looking forward to relax in the sauna later and wind down.

“Is something the matter, Herald?” Dimitri asks. Save for a few scratches and a smudged cheek, he looks fine and appears to be in great spirits. You want to lick your thumb and wipe off the dirt but smearing spit on the heir of a kingdom might not be a great idea in front of his future subjects.

“Everything is fine,” you, the Liar, say with as much conviction as your conscience allows, which is surprisingly easy. Maybe you were a performer before your amnesia, acting on a stage for an audience that celebrated you switching roles with an ease like changing clothes. Dimitri as well trusts your words, though he could as well be playing the role just to lessen your worry.

The last possibility to stall the unavoidable confrontation vanishes. They are waiting for you near the stronghold just beyond the forest from which you emerge after another painful, tense march. The remaining Black Eagle students are positioned in a triangle around Byleth. At its tip stands Edelgard, strong and tall, her axe ready to strike whoever stands between her and victory. Flanking her are ever-brooding Hubert and—

“Linhardt?” you gasp, freezing on the spot which makes everyone sticking to your heels walk right into you. Sylvain only saves himself from falling because he quickly holds onto Dedue who tolerates it like a friendly bear allowing a little bird to sit on his back.

“Is he doing something?” he asks, tiptoeing to get a better look. “What’s going on?”

You point a finger at the Black Eagle student. “No one told me it was allowed to bring students back from the sidelines.”

“Because it isn’t,” Dimitri says, patiently pulling a twig out of his hair. “Those who have lost cannot re-enter the mock battle.”

You stare at everyone separately, hoping it carries enough weight for them to understand your problem—rather why is no one questioning the obvious? They consider you with as much confusion though, at least something you have in common.

“Then why is Linhardt participating again?”

They share worried glances.

“Herald, what are you talking about?” asks Dimitri with a crease between his eyebrows.

It is enough to make your next protest come out more desperate. “An hour ago, Felix and I dealt with Ferdinand and Linhardt. I told you!”

“But—” Sylvain’s face goes blank with surprise. “Didn’t you say you guys got Ferdinand and Dorothea?”

“Dorothea?” You didn’t even know she participated. “No, I swear, we— Why would I claim something different?” They lack the answer to that just as you and any minute pondering it longer is stolen by a vicious MiasmaΔ that splits a tree behind you in two.

“Hey!” Sylvain shakes a fist at Hubert. “Use magic only in moderation!”

His answer is another MiasmaΔ that nearly knocks Sylvain off his feet. Before you can form words, Edelgard takes a swing at you. The hit would have undoubtedly leave you with a concussion were it not for Dimitri’s quick intervention. He deflects her blow though his lance gives a worrying crack.

“Dimitri.” Edelgard’s smile doesn’t reach her eyes. “It’s time. We can finally settle the question of who’s stronger.”

“Very well.” Dimitri’s stance doesn’t falter even as sweat gathers at his temples. “I accept your challenge. With you as my opponent, I won’t hold anything back.”

Edelgard’s mouth twitches. Dimitri demands with a sharp jut of his chin for you to get out of the way. You don’t argue. Not with the rest from the Eagle house approaching. Dedue, reading your mind, or rather the frantic look in your eyes, charges towards Byleth, leaving Linhardt and Hubert to Sylvain and you.

You focus on Linhardt, mouth burning to question, “What spell did you use to switch places with Dorothea?”

He is so baffled by that, you move without thinking—a swift strike, the sword turned midway so the blunt end smashes into his nose. He stumbles back with a sharp cry, a hand flying up to stop the blood running in rivers down his uniform. There is no time feeling bad for catching him off guard like that. A picture flashes before your eyes. You throw yourself to the ground and feel the lance swipe over your head not a second too soon. You roll back up on your feet, glaring at Hubert. He simply raises a brow in challenge. Sure, you accept, fully aware there is only one way to win against him.

“Edelgard!” you gasp in horror. Hubert’s head twitches but he doesn’t fall for your scheme.

“Really, Herald? I know Her Highness can take care of herself. You need a better trick than that.”

“Really? Then how about this trick?”

This time, Hubert whirls around and is greeted by Sylvain’s fist to his jaw. Combined with your MiasmaΔ, he doesn’t stand a chance. That victory is only short lived though. Out of nowhere, Byleth appears and knocks Sylvain out, not batting an eyelash. She towers like a vengeful spirit, arriving to seek retribution. Trying to move around her, you don’t leave her out of sight for once, your mouth dry and your heart beating so fast your ribcage hurts. The tension is thick enough your swords could cut right through it. It is so tense, in fact, you only manage a dry, “Hey.”

Byleth raises her sword. “Hello.”

“Great day to … you know.” You mirror her movement. “Clobber each other with wooden swords.”

“Less talking, more fighting.” Byleth charges.

You turn and run away.

She immediately pursues like a wolf chasing after a deer. If you weren’t so focused on moving your legs as if your life depended on it and not tripping over something, you could swear someone from the sidelines is cheering for you. Someone sounding like Claude.

“Herald, try a surprise attack! She’ll never expect you to stop and swing your sword at her!”

No, no, no, he can come down here himself if he has a death wish. But another chance emerges before you, one waiting in the lush thicket that you disappear into in hope to lose her. That hope is quickly vanquished when twigs and dry leaves break right behind you shortly after you breach the edge of the forest. In your panic, you grab onto a branch and pull it with you until you’re sure the blow will at least make Byleth stagger to catch her breath. When you let go, she already knows what you’re up to. With a vicious blow, she breaks the branch and throws her sword at you when you try to run past her back to the field. The pain is unlike anything you’ve felt during training. It brings you to your knees, the stronghold in sight and yet so far away from the forest’s borders. The impact knocks all breath out of your lungs, making you unable to call out for help.

Byleth stands before you, her sword back in her hand and risen to deliver righteous punishment—until it isn’t Byleth, it is a man, but you can’t see his face, his features hidden by dark shadows.

Don’t, you think but your mouth forms “You don’t have it in you” instead and before you know it, you speak those words out loud. The picture disappears in a flash so bright, a paper bursting into flames, pain explodes in your head before everything zooms back into painfully sharp focus.

Something changes in Byleth’s eyes, her hesitation a surprise immediately costing her gravely for Dimitri appears by your side, facing her and a desperate sound of relief escapes you because that means Edelgard is out of the game. It is only a battle of stamina at this point, the battle blurring as you stumble to your feet and help Dimitri to overpower Byleth even though your back is a medley of pain. Judging from how her reacting slower, you get a picture of who from the Black Eagles was fighting the most up until this point.

Everything happens too fast. It takes one turn, one swipe of Dimitri’s lance, incredible luck that Byleth starts to get exhausted, and a second later, her knee gives in and she’s on the ground, a wooden edge to her throat. The silence is only disturbed by the second roar of trumpets signalling the end of the mock battle.

You gasp.

Dimitri gasps.

Byleth blows a strand of hair out of her face, her face a blank slate.

Screams and shouts erupt from where everyone else is waiting for you, drowning Jeralt declaring the Blue Lion’s win.

“Herald.” Dimitri’s smile dazzles you more than the sun’s light, radiant and handsome. “We did it. We did it thanks to you.”

“No, it was you—” A wave of fatigue washes over you from overusing your power. Exhaustion smothers you, so suddenly that your vision blurs around the edges. Your limbs are leaden; you feel as though you are sinking into mud. Before you hit the ground, Dimitri catches your arm and steadies you.

It is the unpredictable comedic sort of timing were the cosmos decides it is the right timing for the rest of the students to catch up.

Sylvain lets out a loud, suggestive whistle, appearing way too chipper for someone just brought back to consciousness thanks to white magic. “Who knew His Highness would decide to court someone wide out in the open like that? Did you invite our dear Herald to dinner first?”

Ingrid pushes him hard. “His Highness isn’t like you,” she says at the same time Dimitri asks, “But I do plan to invite our Herald to dinner.” All eyes are on him. It is suddenly really hot even though his gauntlets around your arm are cold. “We all are invited to celebrate our victory with a feast in the dining hall.”

“Aww, goddess help him,” Sylvain sighs, looking like he’s about to facepalm his hand through his forehead.

Any response on your part is delayed by Rhea and Seteth reaching your group after congratulating each student who participated on their work.

“Congratulations on winning the mock battle, Herald,” Rhea says, looking incredibly pleased. From the very beginning she’s probably expected nothing less and you wonder if her smile were as content had you failed. “You showed great leadership and trust in your students, who all did exceptionally well.” She’s smiling at every one of them like a proud mother. It leaves a warm, fuzzy feeling inside your chest, her contentment a beacon that banishes the last shadows of doubt in your heart. You could get addicted to this feeling.

“Now, please return to the monastery,” Seteth advises the students. “We have a few matters to discuss with the faculty members.”

As the students disperse, Dimitri quickly ducks his head in your direction. “We will speak more later.” He trails after his friends, falling into step with Dedue.

“Look at them, being so excited. How adorable.” Manuela smiles, not showing any signs of anger about losing the fight or exhaustion flicking the students back together. “Good job leading them, Herald.”

“And yet, I must advise you to participate more actively in the battle itself next time.” Seteth crosses his arms in front of his broad chest, not sharing Rhea’s idea on how a good job looks. “Professor Byleth showed great assistance and fighting spirit. You would do well to learn from her.”

Byleth gives a little shrug when you glance at her. She doesn’t seem to care much for that.

“Don’t be so stern, Seteth,” Rhea chastises him fondly. “There is still so much room to grow for all of them, our dear Herald, Professor Byleth and the students. For now, let us return and allow them a moment of respite. Their first real mission awaits them at the end of next month.”

Seteth pulls a face as if he bit into a lemon but doesn’t object.

“I have one concern myself,” you quickly throw in before tracking back, wondering how no one else mentions it. “When Linhardt and Dorothea—”

“I would like a word,” Byleth suddenly says, grasping your wrist lightly in such an easy, familiar way you immediately shut up. They leave you two to it as you follow them a couple hundred feet behind, both silent though the voice in your mind doesn’t shut up about the dozen of questions bouncing back and forth. After what feels like hours, Byleth finally says, “You noticed it, didn’t you?”

You stare at the road, a yawning void in your head where just a second ago a cacophony of questions caused a headache, unable to put two and two together. When it finally clicks, you wipe your head so fast in her direction it pops in your neck. “It was you? How did you do it?”

Byleth doesn’t answer immediately. Her gaze drifts over the treetops, calmly swaying from left to right. The battle has concluded half an hour ago, but it already feels like a lifetime has passed and the peace and quiet of nature around you is like a completely different world. The land surrounding the monastery is exceptionally beautiful, luscious and overgrown with flora that covers the ground in a colourful patchwork rug. How the rest of Fódlan must look like…

“When we first met, you asked how I could trust you. It will sound strange but you and I, we are connected.” She’s still looking up ahead, now at the towering spires of the monastery piercing the sky.

Your mouth is dry. “Connected how?”

She stops now. When she turns and looks at you, again the thread that ties you two together strums in an ancient tune. You stop breathing for that second.

“You control the flow of the future, and I control the flow of the past.”

You still don’t understand. Byleth reads as much from your lack of response. “What I mean to say is, I rewind time. When you defeated Linhardt, I turned back time’s hands to have Dorothea walk his path instead to keep my healer. I just never expected anyone would notice. And no one did. Except you.”

It’s like those words don’t reach you. They recoil from a waterfall that rushes through your ears, distorting the words. When your brain finally finishes freaking out about it, only one thing appears of importance. “You cheated!”

Byleth wears an expression that clearly states, That’s rich coming from you.

“I— That—” How can she remain so calm? This information tilts your world, turning every hour you spent lying awake at night in your chambers wondering if you’re the only one with a power like that into a painful memory. “Does that mean you have a Crest as well? If our powers are alike, surely there must be an answer to why we have it. If we talk to Hanneman about it—”

“You won’t,” Byleth cuts you off, her tone as sharp as her sword. “You will share no word with anyone about what I just revealed, or I will strike you down.”

The wind picks up, flickering your robes left and right and rocking trees that bow in humility to a force much greater than them—a feeling you can relate to. Cold sweat runs down the back of your neck. This isn’t a threat. It’s a promise.

“You spend too much time with Hubert,” you manage with a trembling smile only held together when the tension dissipates from Byleth’s face.

“Professor Hanneman is still studying my Crest,” she says, a tinge of sorrow in her voice that strikes you harder than any danger or threat, “but I can assure you my abilities are not tied to it. I’m sorry.”

She must have felt what you so desperately wished for: a connection. The assurance that you are not alone in this world with this strange power.

It makes the way back to the monastery like a march through mud, laden limbs walking towards a goal you don’t know will be worth all the exertion. When the silence becomes too unbearable, you build up the courage to ask, “What are we, Byleth?”

She drops her gaze to the ground. It is the very first time you see uncertainty hover like a shadow over her face. “I wish I could tell you, but I don’t know.”

The sky turns an orange canvas when you finally return to the monastery. The last villagers from the small town downhill start returning home, their tools laid to rest inside their carriages. You can’t wait to sink into a nice hot bath, washing away the dried sweat and grime from the battle and change into loose, comfortable evening robes. You don’t come further than past the entrance hall. Leaning against a high pillar, Dimitri is adjusting the loops on his gauntlets, blond strands falling into his face like golden strips of sunshine. Before you reach him, Byleth says with a light touch to your elbow, “Please see Professor Manuela about your wound, okay? You did great today.” You promise her you will and watch her until she disappears through a hall leading to her personal quarters.

With your attention on him, Dimitri looks up and stands straighter. He grins at you, his smile sudden and jarring like a thunderclap.

“I have been waiting for you, Herald,” he says and takes you by the wrist. The cold of his gauntlets bites at your skin, making you hiss. His hand immediately drops, and he turns around in panic. “Oh, apologies. It is difficult to control my strength sometimes and—”

“No, no, that’s not it. I was just a little surprised.”

He sighs in relief. “Still, I am sorry. I will try to refrain from doing that in the future.”

“Dimitri.” You graze his clothed underarm with a finger, unsure if that was a wise decision when his eyes widen in surprise. How is it you only notice now how long his eyelashes are? “I think we have seen today I am not that fragile.”

His eyes jump away, avoiding contact, the blush creeping up his neck clearly standing out against his pale skin. He clears his throat. “I just wanted to make sure you will join us for dinner. I was not joking earlier when I said we should all celebrate our victory.”

“Are you guys sure? I’m not your teacher and in the end, I didn’t do all too much.”

Dimitri shakes his head. “Nonsense. You fought with us and led us to victory. We would love to celebrate with you, and while you won’t be with us all the time, I’d love nothing more than to share our happiness with you. Joy can be so fleeting, after all, and I’m sure the rest of the class feels the very same.”

“If it really is okay with you all…” You glimpse over at him. Why not. Why not enjoy some leisure time with the students. You could surely use it to get to know them better and distract your thoughts from Byleth’s revelation. “Just give me some time to get ready. I’ll see you in the dining hall.”

“Actually, please come to our classroom,” Dimitri says. “I don’t know how Sylvain managed it, but the kitchen’s head lady allowed us to dine in the classroom.”

Your brows fly to your hairline. Dimitri answers with a little, low chuckle. You both have a pretty good idea how he managed to pull that stunt.

Back in your quarters, you wash away the dirt and pick a simple robe the colour of freshly pressed parchment. The water’s heat renders today’s injuries to a dull pain save for the scrapes on your knees that still burn but are clean now. Hunger quickly catches up as well, dispersing your last doubts of intruding the class’ celebration. After leaving your room, you stop by the infirmary where Manuela makes quick work of your remaining wounds with her magic, turning purple bruises into faded yellow spots you immediately forget once you step out and head to your destination.

The tables are already laid, arranged into a formation that resembles a circle allowing conversations to flow easily. You expected them to be already stuffing their faces but when you step into the Blue Lion’s classroom, the only source of light is a dim candle flickering in the middle of some students huddled together. Only Mercedes’ soft voice is audible, not counting the little whimpers from Annette or Ashe shuffling as he tries to hide behind Dimitri who appears to be the only one invested in her story.

“… no one knows how deep the tunnels underneath the monastery run. But once they reach where walls are built from skulls and bones, they turn and go back … or try to do so, for who knows what horror lurks behind every corner.”

“Nooooooo,” Annette cries, clutching to Dimitri’s sleeve. “Why would anyone go somewhere like that?”

“A-and who built it in the first place? Tunnels lined with bones…” Ashe shudders, still looking smaller than Dimitri even though he is the one sitting.

“A fascinating idea.” Dimitri’s excitement, bright as a spark, doesn’t bounce over to his friends. “To imagine there could be a whole civilisation living right in plain sight like that.”

“I can’t imagine we wouldn’t notice,” Ashe reasons. His conviction would be more credible, would he not still cling to a white tail of Dimitri’s shirt. Before you can join and see if you would fare better listening to stories about haunted and forgotten places, Sylvain steals past you, his voice making you jump. “Shouldn’t you guys be finished by now?”

Seeing your sour expression, he simply winks and hurries inside, carrying a big steaming pot. Followed by the rest of the Lions, they carry plates with dried meat, slices of bread, vegetables and cheese, and place them on the tables for everyone to just pick whatever they want. With a flick of your wrist flames flicker to life inside both fireplaces and the candles on top of the chandelier above your heads. Everyone hurries to find a seat. The students have all changed out of their battle garments into the academy’s summer uniform, its fabric much lighter than the heavy embroidered regular uniform they wore upon your first meeting.

“My dear friends.” Dimitri raises a cup, holding the thin stem between slender fingers. It would look more elegant were its contents not simply orange juice. “To our victory today and many more to follow.”

They raise their cups to toast except for Felix who knocks his drink back as if it were strong liquor he desperately needed to sit through this evening gathering. He doesn’t look as pale as before. A quick check up by Manuela after the battle affirmed that he was alright and simply fatigued from countless sleepless nights spent at the Training Grounds.

The other participants don’t look too bad either. Bruises that vividly blossomed hours ago have faded, swollen purple eyes already start to heal—all certainly thanks to Manuela’s quick work. Sylvain surely won’t be as successful chasing girls with a shiner that makes the prettiest violet jealous of his colour and Dimitri tries to hide it but you don’t miss him tensing from time to time or moving his hand towards his side; probably a bruised rib he doesn’t want anyone to know. He catches your stare and offers a slight, boyish grin under half-closed eyes that only whispers of a shared secret only meant for you two. It does a funny thing to your stomach, a flip or drop, a light twist like missing a step and the fear of falling only to meet solid ground a split second later. You quickly look away and focus on spreading curd on a loaf of bread, not trying to think too much about how the muscles strained under his clothes wielding his lance or the fierce determination colouring his eyes a shade brighter when victory is in palpable proximity.

You feel a piercing gaze, hot like a solid touch on your skin. Quickly whipping your head around, you catch Felix’s glare from across the room, completely ignoring whatever Sylvain is telling him. It leaves you completely tense for the rest of the dinner, wondering what his problem is and why he is so hostile towards Dimitri specifically. You’ve heard from some students who have walked into an argument those two had, something about a massacre two years ago but details, as is their nature, grow hazy over time and distort until they evolve into something completely different and unrecognisable.

Felix holds your gaze for a long second, and it is only later after you all clean the classroom from your festivities and decide to retire to bed that you catch him by himself. The monastery at night is a desolate, lonely place save for a couple stray souls wandering about, either on their way to their chamber or out for a quick, last evening prayer inside the chapel. Felix’s destination is none of those as he strides towards the Training Grounds and you call out to him. He slows but doesn’t stop his step until you catch up. “You’re on your way to training, right? Shouldn’t you call it a day? Especially after what happened—”

“I’ve got no time sitting around and making smalltalk,” Felix snaps, and a month ago you would have thought he aimed his anger towards you but recently you’ve discovered he’s towards the whole world—always glaring, always hissing like a cornered, wounded animal. “There are more important matters like growing stronger—”

“And suffering from overexertion, I suppose.”

Felix pulls a grimace. “It was a mistake I don’t intend to repeat. You saw Professor Byleth’s strength. It took two of you to win, and even then, it was mostly luck. I just want to try out some moves Professor Byleth exerted today so I can surpass her strength next time I challenger her.”

“Why is it that you seek to fight so much?” you ask, deciding forwardness to be a better approach than idle chatter with a person like Felix. He doesn’t give immediate response, not because he ignores you, as is your first assumption, but because he gives it some thought.

“Why, hm… I learnt to thrust a sword before I learnt to write my name. This is how it is for all children in my country, the perfect environment where I could live free of stodgy values and virtues. Grow strong so you may live, and live to grow stronger. That’s what I was taught.”

It is no secret Faerghus is the land of knights and chivalry, and still it is hard to imagine a small version of Felix wielding a sword even before he learnt how to use a quill, scraped knees instead of black inked fingertips. What a strange world.

“As long as you don’t forget to take a break should it get too much. Everyone was worried today.”

“Everyone should mind their own business. I’m not their problem, and they aren’t mine.”

You’re too tired to argue relationships don’t work like that, any minute longer on your feet and they’ll simply give out. Wishing Felix a goodnight, you turn towards the chapel but don’t get very far.

“Herald.” Felix is halfway through the door. “Let me give you one advice.”

“That is?”

“Don’t get too close to that damn boar.”

You’re about to ask what he’s talking about, but he continues, “Beneath all that princely polish, he’s an animal, nothing more. He’s strong and skilled, sure. But don’t place your trust in him as a human being. Take care he doesn’t chew you up and spit you out.”

Not waiting for a response, Felix moves on, leaving you with more questions than answers. Every creature with two eyes can see hostility between Dimitri and Felix crackling like lightning about to strike the ground and burn down forests and villages. But to go this far and say these words about his future king … Words that couldn’t be more contrary to the impression he’s left on you.

Whatever Felix wanted to accomplish, his words succeed to remain in your head the whole night, driving off any sleep you direly needed after that day. But even without that, your mind is occupied with questions. It is like stumbling into a spider web, sticky tangles everywhere with no way out.

Who is that man you remembered? It was such a brief, yet striking memory, of what moment you cannot recall. His hostility was evident in his stance, sharp sword high up to drive down with enough force to cut your head from your shoulders. And yet here you are.

And your words, You don’t have it in you. If you were familiar enough with that person to know this, who was he to you, and what had stopped him? Did he have a change of heart and instead used the blunt end, giving you a concussion and amnesia instead? Where is he now? And would he return to finish his work?

Since that day, you look out for anyone fitting that built: tall and lean, visible even through robes with a design completely different from anything you’ve seen around the monastery. Asking Rhea or Seteth could be an option, but strangely enough, you don’t want to reveal it to anyone yet, not until you’ve found an answer yourself first.

That is how your first moon at the monastery passes. Now there are more questions than before, more secrets to carry with no clear goal in sight. Lessons continue, you attend seminars and life unfolds in Garreg Mach, surprising you how easy it is growing accustomed and familiar with the place and its people—some more so than others.

Byleth still invites you to her obligatory weekend-tea time sessions, rarely accepting no for an answer even though tea isn’t really what you consume to wind down. She’s acting like your talk after the mock battle has never happened and you do your best to mimic her even though you’d love nothing more than to see her power in battle. That opportunity shows at the end of the following month when Byleth and her class are tasked to deal with bandits the knights cornered in Zanado, the Red Canyon, but Rhea has different plans and instead sends you with the Golden Deer House to the village at the foot of the mountain to help clear debris a flooding left on one of the main roads leading to Alliance territory. It takes two days until the stench from the muddy riverbank is completely washed out of your hair.

There is still no sight of the man from your memory, even though word about the Herald’s return has reached every corner of Fódlan by now. It makes you wonder if it’s less a matter of if and rather when he sets food inside the monastery. No additional memory has resurfaced, no sudden epiphany provides explanation and you doubt that will change even though Seteth drags you inside the chapel to pray for the goddess’ help whenever his time allows. Mostly, you use those occasions to ask her to make Raphael and Ingrid leave some Nirvana Cake for you.

Then there is your other little secret of course. After another month of waking to an indistinguishable voice calling out to you every once in a while, you’ve grown used to it, finding a strange comfort in someone or something looking over you. Maybe it is the goddess. Maybe she is trying to reach out to tell you something important, to give divine insight and reach out to her followers. You just hope once she comes through to you, her words won’t proclaim hardships and sorrow.

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mythicamagic · 3 years

Note

Yo! If you're still doing the sesskag kiss prompts, can I ask for 17 or 23? Thanks! 😊

17: a kiss on the underside of the jaw.

----

He was a fool.

Sesshoumaru readily admitted this to himself at the cost of his pride. He truly was a fool.

Insidiously, the miko had wormed her way into every orifice of his mind despite every line of steel defence. There was no place where he was safe from her now.

Therefore, when she was away from him for a week- a cold, quiet week at that- but then proceeded to extend her absence longer, Sesshoumaru found himself stoically grim-faced and silent. Troublesome thoughts niggled consistently, worsening the longer her return delayed. But he was not sulking. Absolutely not. Nor brooding.

"Mi lord! Gah! I have found you at last!"

Well if she thought he was going to travel all the way to her, Kagome had another thing coming. He was not her faithful lapdog.

"Lord Sesshooooumaruuu?"

Yes, he was going to wait right there, sitting at the base of a tree. And he'd stew. Unless of course this mildly irritating green blob kept annoyingly darting up and down in front of his relaxed vision. Sesshoumaru lunged for it.

"Ach! Amn… Goof mornith' milord!" Jakem choked.

Sesshoumaru blinked and released him. "So it was you. Why have you come, Jaken?"

"There was no pressing matter exactly, sire. It's just that your mother...well she made some very rude remarks at your expense. I thought I should come here and get the story from you concerning why you haven't been at the Western Stronghold too much lately. Then I can set her straight!"

Golden eyes narrowed. "You presume to interrogate me?"

"NEVER MI LORD!"

"Inside voices, Jaken," he muttered flatly.

"Oh, forgive me," the kappa bowed. "Naturally you don't have to explain yourself, but what should I tell her in your absence?"

Sesshoumaru trailed his attention back to the cave he was sitting not too far away from. He refused to sit within it and pine. He'd been rather busy patrolling all week. He couldn't help it if his feet led him back to their spot at the end of the day, resulting in a haphazard attempt at watching over his territory.

"Tell her that what she suspects about my involvement with the woman is true," Sesshoumaru said calmly. Jaken started choking without any help from him now. "However, none may speak ill of the miko. That includes Mother."

"S-sire… I didn't want to believe it from the gossiping kappa demons, but did you really…"

Golden eyes slid shut.

"R-right, I'll keep my mouth shut. Well then, I shall relay your message at once!"

Watching him faithfully waddle away, something compelled Sesshoumaru to speak up. "Jaken."

"Yes sir?" he stopped.

"... This current arrangement will likely not last much longer," he uttered softly. "You may relay that too."

Jaken's cheeks glowed as he seemed pleased- so Sesshoumaru pelted him with a rock.

How irritating that the concept should bother him. However, he had the sinking feeling that Kagome would outgrow the need for him soon. Directing ageless attention to high branches where sunlight filtered through, Sesshoumaru took in a long breath. Sharp claws twitched.

He wondered what he'd do when she inevitably called for their little arrangement to end. Would he accept it with grace and dignity? Or would he lapse into old habits and become something jealous, dark and obsessive? Would he covet her- steal the miko away for himself despite her protests?

She likely thought that little encounter in the carriage had been a passing fancy on his end. Better she think that- than know he'd been watching her for some time. Sesshoumaru couldn't say when it had started- he'd merely been taking more notice of her.

And then he'd been trapped within Kagome's barrier.

It had happened about a month after her return to the past. Sesshoumaru had been minding his own business, walking through the forest with the intent to visit Rin, when he'd sensed a barrier be erected. It spread over a large distance in a dome shape, glowing bright pink.

Sesshoumaru had reached out to touch it- only to hiss and feel his own power stir, recognising how it potentially matched his own in strength. Then he'd heard a shout, and noticed the miko.

Kagome was fighting- alone no less. She launched arrows into lunging youkai and raced through the trees, not even noticing him. Something had piqued his interest, and he'd observed her the remainder of the fight as a hoard of demons kept coming.

When it was down to the last two oni demons- Kagome, bloodied and panting- had snapped and ordered them to 'wise up!' and 'get with the program!' He wasn't sure they really understood. However, she gestured around her to the carnage, telling them to back down unless they wanted to end up like their brethren.

And, miraculously- it had worked. They shifted and lowered their weapons, before reluctantly turning around and leaving. Kagome smiled and chose that moment to drop the barrier. It was then that Inuyasha's distant shouts could be heard.

Sesshoumaru's eyes had remained wide. Because he noticed- he noticed the split second of something unnamed on Kagome's face after hearing his half brothers swift arrival.

"I know you were just tryin' to protect the villagers but your damn barrier kept me from coming in, idiot! Look at you, you're a mess! You coulda died!"

"Oops," Kagome had giggled, waving it off.

She'd done it on purpose.

The miko had recklessly and selfishly created the dome with the express purpose of keeping everyone out. She had desired to kill the attacking demons on her own, without aid or interference.

And she'd taken charge so fast of two beings who were easily twice her size and potentially deadly in a fight.

Sesshoumaru's eyes had darkened and plumed red. Instincts clamoured in a rare moment of intrigue and desire. Fuck's sake, she was so fucking gorgeous.

Pale lips twitched and curved up at the sides. Yes, he truly was a fool for involving himself with her. But she'd been exquisite and wonderful in his hands, perfect in her capacity for cruel teasing and soft glides of her fingers. Kagome could also engage his mind and wits, challenging him and inviting the Daiyoukai to play and have fun with her. How silly. How...refreshing she'd been.

Were they all like that? Humans? He'd never made love to a mortal before- and wagered he never would again.

Hearing a foot drag over the earth, Sesshoumaru stiffened against the bark of the tree. Standing, he inhaled a lungful of her fragrance, before sliding his hungry gaze to hers.

Kagome looked changed after two weeks.

She wore what he understood to be 'red skinny jeans' along with a white shirt tucked in- giving her an appearance reminiscent of a priestess and yet not. A small sword had been tied to her hip, and a quiver of arrows slung over one shoulder. Her hair had been partially tied back in a half ponytail.

Sesshoumaru slid his gaze down to the sword, recognising Totosai's work. The miko approached him radiating confidence, and he walked with slower steps.

Ah, it had happened sooner than expected. A shrivelling, sinking sensation shamefully welled up inside his chest. Instincts resisted the thought, chanting; 'mine, mine, mine!'

But the truth of it was there in her kind, guarded eyes. When they stopped before one another, she reached up on tiptoe and brushed an achingly gentle caress of lips against the underside of his jaw in a youkai expression he'd taught her- Sesshoumaru bit the inside of his cheek.

What are you apologising for?

His claws automatically slid around her wrist, expression flickering.

Kagome gave a wan smile. "...We need to talk."

#sesskag #all-my-cuffs-have-buttons #Sesshoumaru x Kagome #prompts

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marvelfansince08love · 4 years

Text

The Pleasure is all mine - Chapter 5

Word count: 3601

Pairing: Lou Miller x Female!Reader

Warning: NSFW 18+... Lou about to break her first date rule ya’ll. Also sorry for my crap smut writing, my brain did the big gay and fried while writing this.

A/N: I’m so sorry for the late update, works kicking my ass as usual but I had a rare day off this week! Enjoy my loves! Your comments fuel my gay heart, thank you for supporting me and my stories!

Thank you @imnotasuperhero for checking my grammar and spelling because I was too lazy and possibly had heat stroke to go back through this lmao x

Tags: @waitingfortheendtocome @redcrete @5aftermidnight @iamheartless @deadly-darling @gaylorrds @smuttty @existentialcrisiscat @saucy-sapphic @saramas0011 @the-enamorando-deity

I do not own this gif x

Chapter 5

Needy bodies stumble into each other with rushed caresses; narrowly avoiding prized objects on the expensive shelves of Lou’s hallway, desperate lips battle for dominance over one another, loud moans echo throughout the converted warehouse. Lou reaches her hands around my thighs and pulls me closer to her slightly, indicating for me to wrap my legs around her waist while she carries me towards her bedroom. We kiss blindly while my hands thread through her hair wanting to keep her close.

“Wait, the others aren’t here tonight are they?” I ask while pulling back slightly, all too aware of those sneaky con artists.

“Of course not! Tammy and Debbie are at Tam’s tonight and the others have stuff going on. God I want you so bad Y/N, you drive me crazy.” Lou murmurs breathlessly, her hands squeezing my ass almost teasingly. I giggle quietly before leaning forward capturing her earlobe in between my teeth nibbling gently making her moan deeply. I feel one of Lou’s hands move away from my ass and fumble slightly as I feel a solid door on my back briefly. With a soft click of the door handle we enter her dark room that’s only lit by the soft glow of the moonlight, Lou carries me towards her bed striding with such purpose and need, making me shiver in anticipation.

She places me onto her king-sized bed with a soft bounce making us both giggle out loud, feeling giddy. Her lips are back on me in an instant trailing soft wet kisses leaving no inch of skin left untouched down my neck towards the small amount of exposed chest. Her eyes lock with mine briefly as if asking for permission to continue, my heart swells at her thoughtfulness. I bring both my hands up to cup her face before kissing her deeply, pouring every single emotion into it. That seems to give her the courage to continue, her hands slowly caress my sides up towards my breasts, taking my top with her as she moves further up, exposing my stomach and bra. I gasp slightly as the cool air hits my skin making Lou hum appreciatively at the sight of me under her, crystal blue eyes darkened with lust as she places a delicate kiss near my navel making me squirm slightly, she chuckles quietly and looks up towards me through hooded eyes.

“I could get used to this… god you look so beautiful under me,” she whispers softly, her warm breath hitting my skin making me groan in frustration at her slow approach.

Even if it makes me melt and fall in love with her a little bit more.

“Lou Miller, if you don’t get rid of my pants right now and fuck me I’ll do it myself.” I whine, pouting slightly, her eyebrow raises as she grins wide at me amused by my demands.

Okay so I might still be slightly drunk on that tasty Italian wine.

I blush slightly at my behaviour and shrug my shoulders slightly in a ‘sorry not sorry’ response. Lou shakes her head in amusement and slight admiration while biting gently on my hip in response, making me yelp and moan at the sensation. Before I could make a quip remark I hear the sound of my zipper and feel my jeans and panties being pulled down to my ankles and onto the floor in one swift move. I gasp at the feel of her lips on my inner thigh, sucking at the sensitive skin before licking over it making me clench my thighs briefly leading Lou to gently place her hands on either side of my knees, pulling them apart.

“Baby, you clench around me like that and I’m not gonna last long,” she muses before going back to work on my inner thigh, drawing out hickeys like she’s making a piece of art. She pulls away slightly sitting up onto her knees. I frown whimpering at the loss of her touch while she smirks keeping her eyes locked onto mine. Lou takes a hold of her shirt before pulling it over her head, I go to move my hands towards her leather pants wanting her skin against mine, needing her close. Once my hands reach the top of her leather pants I make quick work of removing them, leaving her in just her bra and briefs making me moan at the sight. We both launch at each other like starved animals, desperate wet kisses and needy hands trying to touch every inch of skin available.

Lou pushes me into the bed and settles in between them, her hand cups over my bra squeezing gently, her mouth heading south towards my wet heat. She exhales delicately over my sensitive clit making me squirm before pressing her tongue flat between my folds making me moan loudly.

“Oh, fuck Lou!”

She moans as she laps at my wetness, her tongue dipping in and out of my entrance as she continues to fuck me with her mouth. My hands grip her hair trying to keep her close as I rock my hips into her mouth. She snakes a hand between my legs and rubs her thumb gently over my clit while working me up with her tongue. I feel the knot low in my navel clench before loosening, making me relax into the soft mattress and purr ever so slightly as I ride gently against Lou’s skilful tongue letting my orgasm ride out against her. I sigh contently while Lou kisses her way up my body, her forearms on either side of my head as she brushes her nose against mine. I peck her lips briefly before looking coyly at her through my lashes.

“I wanna know what you taste like,” I whisper, voice huskier dripping with sex. I watch as her eyelids close in pure lust at the thought before I flip us over, making Lou yelp in surprise at the change of position. I kiss and bite her smooth pale skin before reaching her briefs, with both hands I yank them down and throw them across the room before zoning into the one place I've wanted to be all night. The tip of my tongue toying with her clit before pulling away again, watching her squirm and whimper under me.

“So wet for me already, Miller?” I tease before placing the tip of my tongue back onto her clit making her moan.

“All for you, love. You know I've wanted you since that night I saw you in that pretty black dress looking doe-eyed and innocent.” She confesses, her eyes staying shut as she basks in her pleasure. I reach a finger up and slid it up and down her folds, collecting her wet mess before placing my lips over the finger and sucking loudly making her look straight at me, her eyes rolled upwards in a silent prayer.

“Oh, dear god woman. I don’t think I’m going to last long,” she whines while guiding my head back towards her heat.

I take the indication like a starved woman in need of water and attach my mouth around her clit while steadily pumping two fingers inside of her, making her moan loud. Before I can bring her to orgasm, Lou takes ahold of my bicep and pulls me towards her while slipping her legs in between mine making us both moan in unison at the feeling of warm skin against our sensitive clits. We both rock hard against each other as I place my hands onto the headboard above Lou, she quickly removes my bra before gripping my ass making me grind down hard onto her thigh. Her lip latches onto my sensitive nipple and bites lightly dragging a moan out of me. We continue with this fast rhythm, desperate for release. Lou squeezes her eyes shut as the wave of pleasure hits her hard, I watch as she comes undone beneath me making me moan at the sight before following her with my second rush of release.

We both relax breathless as I collapse on top of her, my head leaning against her naked shoulder, our warm bodies clinging to each other while we catch our breath.

“So, about that first date rule… I think it needs to be reviewed and possibly demolished.” I say breathlessly making Lou laugh out loud before kissing my glistening forehead.

“I shouldn’t need that rule in the future. I kinda like where I am right now, with you.” She confesses into the dimly lit room almost tentatively. I smile shyly against her chest, my heart swelling at her words. We both lie in silence for a moment, basking in the afterglow. Before I can fully drift off into a deep sleep, I feel Lou nudge me gently before whispering “Come on love, we should shower before sleeping.”

I open my eyes and groan slightly at the thought of moving but knowing it’s probably for the best. I look up towards and smirk. “We?”

She matches my smirk with her own before jumping out of the bed and towards the en suite bathroom, her stride full of confidence. Before she fully enters the room she turns her head slightly to look back at me, her pout in place “You wanna save on the water don’t you?”

With that, I scurry out of the bed and practically leap into her waiting arms and kiss her hard as she guides us towards the walking shower.

“Yes, water, right.”

***

Bright light seeps through the open window of Lou’s bedroom making me squint slightly as I try to adjust to the new sudden brightness. I stretch out my limbs feeling a certain pleasant ache in places that have never ached like that before. I grin thinking about why as I turn to face the culprit who gave my body such pleasure late last night and into the early hours. I trace a finger lightly over her sharp features, taking her in.

God, she looks so good.

I continue to trace my finger featherly across her cheekbone and towards her chin when she suddenly nips at it, startling me out of my daydream.

“Ow, Hey!” I say in mocking outrage, holding my finger close to my chest. Those crystal blues stare back at me in amusement full of mischief.

“Good morning beautiful,” She murmurs tiredly, while stretching slightly before wrapping an arm around me pulling me close. I melt into her loving carefree nature.

“Good morning to you too, you animal.” I mutter grumpily, my eyes holding no real seriousness to my statement. She chuckles quietly before leaning in to kiss me, I lean back instantly covering my mouth stopping her advance.

“WAIT!, morning breath.” Lou chuckles clearly amused at my statement, before leaning in again, this time I move fast away from her not realising how close to the end of the bed I was before yelping out as I fall out of the bed and onto the flooring, landing on my ass, hard. Lou quickly scurries to the end of the bed and looks down at me with concern but I can see that twinkle in her eye and the slight twitch of her lips, knowing that she’s secretly laughing at me. I scowl playfully back at her while grabbing onto the dangling sheet and yanking it hard making Lou stumble forward and land straight onto the floor next to me.

“Ow, what did I ever do to you?” She exclaims while laughing. Her hands reached for my sides before I could escape.

Oh no, her fingers dig slightly into my side making me squirm, wanting to escape her deadly hands as she continues to tickle me. I laugh out loud, batting at her hands begging for her to stop.

“Lou..pl...please stop, tha..that tickles, Lou!”

“Say your sorry.” She grunts trying to pull me into her lap as she continues her attack.

“No.. I’ll never say, SORRY!” I exclaim, feeling tears build up in my eyes through my laughter.

The tickling stops after that and I relax into her slightly, still wary. I feel her body shake from laughter as she brushes my hair out of my face before kissing the side of my mouth.

“I have spare new toothbrushes in the bathroom cabinet. After we’ve brushed our teeth so they're minty fresh, will you let me kiss you?” She moans playfully jutting out her bottom lip. I roll my eyes in good nature before removing myself from her lap on the floor towards the bathroom.

“Once we’ve brushed our teeth, I’ll let you do more than just kiss me.” I flirt back at her, walking towards the bathroom with only her band tee on, swaying my hips slightly aware of her gaze on me. I hear a quiet “Fuck” behind me and smirk at the affect I have on her.

Once we have both brushed our teeth and wearing far more sensible clothes, Lou makes her way downstairs to start breakfast, while I make a quick phone call notice the 5 missed calls and 10 text messages from Rachel.

“Hey Girl, I hope it went well last night! ;)” - 8.09am

“So I swung by your apartment this morning, hoping to see Miss.Hottie there but you weren’t home… Please tell me you got laid and are having amazing sex rn” - 9.00am

I roll my eyes at her forwardness before calling her up.

“Well, well, well. If it isn’t the dirty stop out. I got 20 minutes left of my break so you better make this the best version of what went down last night. Leave no sexy detail unturned,” Rachel instructs before I could mutter a good morning.

“Well, good morning to you too. Is sex all you can really think about?” I ask teasingly while lying on top of Lou’s bed, slightly burying my face into her pillow smiling at the smell of her.

“Um, yes. Duh! I’m sorry, but if someone that attractive took nearly half the interest that Lou does with you, I’d have jumped her bones two weeks ago.” She sasses.

“I thought you only had twenty minutes left. Do you want me to tell you or not?” I sass right back, chuckling.

“Okay, spill.”

“It was amazing! And I dont just mean the sex… Rach she was… wonderful. She took us to her family’s restaurant which was beautiful. It’s in this small area downtown, you’d love it. And then she took us to these arches that was under the bridge at the park near that coffee shop you took me to a few weeks ago, it was… beautiful there like whispering walls-”

“Like the one in the central station? Damn Y/N I think I might be falling for her, no wonder you went back with her last night. I don’t think I’d ever want to leave her side,” She says dreamily, I sigh smittingly not even arguing with her logic or her little remark about falling for her.

“Yeah, she’s pretty great.” I mutter grinning softly.

“Soooo, how was the sex? Did you at least orgasm? Man, I bet she’s wiiild in the sheets.” She states cheekily. I gape at her vulgar comment.

“Rachel, aren’t you in the coffee room? I don’t need the entire ward staff knowing how my sex life is going, thank you very much.” I scold.

“Of course I am! But it’s just me and Luke,”

“Hey Y/N,” Luke says in the background, I sigh in relief before greeting Luke.

“Oh shit! We gotta go, we love you and be safe. Chinese and movie night tomorrow?” She asks.

“Yes, for sure. Bye you two,” I say smiling at their antics.

I end the phone call and make my way downstairs, now in my black jeans from yesterday and one of Lou’s shirts. I stand again by the stairs taking her in, she sways slightly to the beat of ‘The Smiths’ playing in the background as she flips a pancake singing quietly to herself. I make my way over to her quietly and take a seat at the breakfast bar watching her walk. She turns sensing my presence and winks at me before placing the pancake on the stack of others in front of me, placing the frying pan into the wash bowl. After she’s finished preparing the food, she makes her way around the kitchen counter and steps in between my legs before placing her hands on either side of my face and kissing me deeply and sighs.

“Finally, it feels like forever since I kissed you.” I smile and lean forward to kiss her delicious lips again but I’m interrupted by the sound of someone clearing their throat. Lou sighs disappointingly and mutters under her breath ‘I’m gonna change the damn locks’ I giggle quietly at her remark before turning to the mysterious person.

I see it’s not just one mysterious person but three; Constance, Rose and Amita. All stand with matching grins while Amita and Rose look slightly apologetic for interrupting, Constance is beaming with mischief.

“Hey love birds, sorry for the interruption but we thought we’d come early, ya know? To arrange Daphne’s birthday party for tomorrow night.” She says while making her way towards the table and grabbing a fork before hovering over mine and Lou’s shared plate.

“Ya gonna eat any of that?” She asks us both. I chuckle softly at her carefree ‘no-fucks given’ attitude.

“No Constance, knock yourself out darling.” I tease watching as she takes the biggest mouthful, making all three of us look on in disgust and worry, mainly me being the worried party. I hear Lou groan next to me.

“Shit, I forgot about the party. Why are we having it here again? The woman has the money to rent the highest floor in the most expensive club in New York out. Why have it here?” She complains, giving my temple a quick kiss before moving away and towards Amita who holds a pink folder, assuming it is full of party plans. I turn back to Constance who is now offering me a bite which I politely decline, amused by her outgoing personality.

“Hey Y/N, you wanna help with planning?“ Amita asks, probably to save me from being asked to use my stethoscope on Constance again, like that night Debbie was shot.

She really is an odd kid.

“Oh, um it’s okay. I should really be heading back actually, it’s very rare for me to have more than one day off, so I gotta use that to my full advantage.” Lou frowns at my statement, clearly not wanting me to go.

“I bet you do.”

“CONSTANCE!” Amita and Rose both exclaim in unison, scolding their friend. Lou smirks slightly, her eyes on me as she winks subtly. I blush at the thought of spending my last two days off with her, in her bed.

“I have a ton of things to do with my apartment, actually. You’d think after being here for just over a month I’d have settled in by now,” I joke, before making my way over to my coat and purse that's hanging by the door. Lou’s frown back in place as she strides towards me.

“I can take you back into the city Y/N. I was only dropping these two off before going back to my shop,” Rose offers, pushing her glasses back up her nose. I smile appreciatively, accepting her offer.

“You're going? You don’t have to, ya know? Stay please?” She pleads quietly, so the other two can’t hear.

I smile softly and press a reassuring kiss to her lips before pulling away slightly. “Don’t worry, I still have two days off… Maybe Constance had the right idea,” I whisper with a raised eyebrow suggestively, Lou smirks at that before leaving a handful of sweet kisses on my lips and cheek, giving my hand a quick squeeze.

“Are you sure I can’t give you a lift? They can wait while I drop you off and get some real breakfast,” She entices, not ready to let me go.

“I’m a grown woman Miller, I can get myself home. You stay and help them organise Daphne’s party.” I reason smirking slightly at her clinginess. She nods her head in agreement, still sulking at the decision. I cup her cheek, gaining her attention.

“I had fun last night, Lou. Thank you for such a wonderful evening. You really do amaze me,” I mutter feeling her lean into my touch before taking a hold of my hand and planting a gentle kiss into my palm.

“Of course. Does this mean there’s a second date on the cards?” She teases, already knowing the answer. I grin stupidly at her.

“Perhaps, I’ll give you a call and let you know.” I joke before planting one last kiss to her lips and whisper goodbye.

“Bye guys, have fun with organising the party. It was lovely seeing you again,” I say sincerely to the two women over Lou’s shoulder. They wave from the kitchen area with grins on their faces.

“Bye Y/N, I’m sure we’ll be seeing more of you soon.” Amita says slyly, sharing a chuckle with Constance who nods in agreement.

I roll my eyes in good nature before heading towards Rose and leaving a sulking Lou behind by the door. I quickly turn my head while Rose brings the car around and blow a sweet kiss in her direction, she reaches out to catch it before placing her fingertips softly to her lips and winking.

God, I’m in deep trouble.

#lou miller x reader #lou miller x female!reader #lou miller #oceans 8 #cate blanchett #debbie x tammy #debbie ocean #sarah paulson #tammy #constance #amita #Rose #nine ball #smut fic #daphne kluger #the pleasure is all mine #My Story

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jaskierrrrrr · 4 years

Text

hey gang, remember when I asked for prompts so I could write and *John Mulaney voice* then I didn’t? Well here’s the first one! For @andthencamethefeels, who requested Jaskier and hanahaki disease- (sorry it’s like a month late) I hope you all like it and are keeping safe <3

trigger warnings for emetophobia and vomiting

***

One of the surprising things that Geralt had found out about travelling with Jaskier was that he wasn’t at all squeamish. He’d learnt fairly quickly not to underestimate Jaskier when it came to things like fighting, as the bard was more than capable of fighting with the dagger he kept strapped to his leg, slashing and cutting wildly, all while keeping up a steady stream of curses. He’d even been solely responsible for seeing off a band of mercenaries the other week; too preoccupied with the Witcher and his swords, they’d failed to notice the threat Jaskier posed until he’d shattered a clay pot over the leader’s head. They didn’t stick around for long after that. Despite repeatedly reminding himself not to underestimate Jaskier, the lack of squeamishness really was unexpected. Perhaps because Jaskier often seemed so dainty with his delicately laced shirts and embroidered doublets; even when he had to fight, he did so with a grace and elegance more associated with dancing than swordplay. But Geralt had quickly realised that Jaskier was reliably strong-stomached, when his attempts to hide a particularly gruesome injury that exposed part of his shin bone were completely ignored by Jaskier, who bent over his leg and dealt with the wound as best he could in a calm, swift manner, despite his shaking hands and pale face.

He doesn’t say anything the first time it happens. It had been a fairly pleasant evening; they’d set up camp for the night by a small stream, and Jaskier was idly plucking at his lute while Geralt sharpened his swords to stop himself staring. The abrupt halt of music and a thud as the lute hit the ground made him look up in alarm; Jaskier was usually so careful with his prized instrument, and for a brief moment Geralt thought something had attacked him. Instead, he was greeted with the sight of Jaskier stumbling to his feet, his normally flushed cheeks completely draining of colour as he staggered off into a thicket.

He’s gone for a while, long enough for Geralt to contemplate going to check on him, but just as he’s about to grab his sword, Jaskier reappears, wiping his hand across his mouth. He doesn’t look unwell, but he doesn’t exactly look content either- the lines around his mouth are tighter than usual and there’s a crease between his eyebrows that makes Geralt’s fingers twitch with the urge to smooth it away. He opens his mouth to ask if Jaskier’s alright, but before he can say anything, Jaskier cuts in.

‘I’m fine,’ is all he says.

Geralt knows it’s a lie; he can see the tension in Jaskier’s shoulder blades as he regains his lute and adopts his previous position, before resuming playing with an air of forced casualness. He wants to call Jaskier’s bluff, but something in his tone suggests he’d be unwise to do so. Despite his misgivings, he stays silent, reassuring himself that it’s unlikely to happen again.

Except that it does. Not just once either- the routine becomes worryingly frequent- Jaskier suddenly falls silent, jumps up from whatever he’s doing and disappears, sometimes for up to half an hour, and returns looking pale and haggard, with an expression on his face that Geralt can’t quite place.

He asks him about it. Or at least he tries to- Jaskier’s non committal answers when he asks if he’s okay are enough to rival the Witcher’s own frequent ‘hms.’

His limited responses do little to reassure Geralt. If anything, it’s more concerning; usually Jaskier can’t shut up about his life, whether it’s beamoning the state of his outfit after a particularly sweaty day of travelling or complaining about stiff muscles after a week on the road. Geralt finds himself creating an endless list of possible causes for Jaskier’s sickness, each more concerning than the last, but if he could at least find something that fitted, then he’d know what kind of cure he needed to find.

He pushes down the voice in his head that asks, ‘what if there isn’t one?’

Things come to a head, as they were bound to do. They run into trouble on the road: a particularly vicious pack of harpies that catches them so off-guard they’re forced to find refuge in a narrow-mouthed cave. Geralt uses the last of his strength to pull a boulder across the mouth of the cave- the harpies probably couldn’t reach them anyway, but he’s not taking any chances- when he hears a fervent ‘oh fuck’ over the screams from the beasts.

‘Don’t worry,’ says Geralt through gritted teeth as he gives the boulder a final shove, ‘they’ll probably get bored after a while.’

‘It’s not that,’ Jaskier chokes out, before abruptly doubling over and retching.

Geralt’s eyes widen in shock, but before he can take more than a couple of steps towards the bard, Jaskier throws a hand out behind him.

‘It’s fine,’ he chokes. ‘Stay back.’

But it’s too late. Geralt’s already seen it, and he’s more horrified by what’s happening than he was by even the most deadly causes he’d managed to come up with. He can’t move, he can only stare in horror as Jaskier chokes up handfuls of petals, as bright and lurid as the bard’s favourite doublets. They flutter to the floor as Jaskier’s sides heave; he lets out a groan as another wave hits him, except this time it’s fucking brambles, knotted and gnarled, their thorns tearing at the inside of Jaskier’s mouth, making him gasp in pain.

Geralt’s paralyzed; his eyes widen in horror as Jaskier seizes the brambles in his hands- already beaten and bloody from the harpies’ claws- and pulls.

Finally, after what seems like an age, he yanks a particularly vicious clump from his mouth, and to Geralt’s relief, it seems to be over. Jaskier blinks, shudders, and falls to a seated position, bracing his back against the wall of the cave and wiping his bloody mouth with the back of his hand. He’s looking down at the floor, refusing to meet Geralt’s eyes.

‘Any chance you didn't see that?’ He asks weakly.

Geralt doesn’t know whether to punch him or hug him. He settles for growling ‘what the fuck, Jaskier?’

Jaskier shudders again, before pushing himself to his feel and taking an unsteady step towards the Witcher. His blue eyes finally meet Geralt’s amber ones.

‘It’s not as bad as it looks.’

‘Bullshit,’ says Geralt. He clenches his fists to stop them shaking. ‘Try again.’

‘What?’ Jaskier retorts, ‘you think I can’t handle myself?!’

‘No,’ says Geralt, getting more incredulous by the second, ‘I think you just vomited up a load of flowers, and correct me if I’m wrong, but unless you’re a fucking rabbit and I somehow haven’t noticed for the past decade, that’s not exactly normal!’

Geralt takes a deep breath, aware that his shouts are probably attracting the attention of the harpies. He cannot understand why Jaskier is being so blasé about this. He’s never come across anything like this in all his years fighting monsters and curses. The feeling of panic at losing Jaskier rises like bile in his throat, but when he speaks again, he tries to stay calm. He doesn’t want Jaskier to know why he’s so concerned, and the bard is already looking at him quizzically.

‘We need to find Yennefer. She’ll know what to do.’ Geralt says, partly to reassure himself.

‘I’ve got it covered,’ Jaskier says calmly.

Geralt throws his hands up. ‘Oh, you know the cure?’ He asks, sarcasm dripping from his tongue, ‘because funnily enough, I don’t think you’d be sick if you did.’

When Jaskier’s face is like thunder, but he stays silent, Geralt knows he’s won.

‘So we’ll go to Yennefer,’ he says, a little triumphantly. He can’t help it, it’s not often he beats Jaskier in an argument.

‘Fine!’ Jaskier cries, striding towards him until they’re face to face. ‘Even though it’s not like she’ll know some miracle cure that I don’t, that actually might have some chance of working!’

He snaps his jaw shut and steps back, as if already regretting what he’s said.

‘Anyway,’ he adds abruptly, before Geralt can ask what he meant, ‘you’re going to have to deal with our friends outside before we can go anywhere.’

Geralt nods jerkily and unsheathes his sword. He can’t argue with that. And slicing a few harpies will hopefully stop him puzzling over what Jaskier had said. Or at the very least distract him from the voice in his head that tells him there isn’t a cure.

***

In the end, it takes them about a week to reach Yennefer, and it would have been longer if Geralt hadn’t threatened to smash Jaskier’s lute if he didn’t stop trying to delay them. Jaskier gets quieter and more on edge the closer they get, but it all changes when they see Ciri running out to meet them, her long blonde hair flying out behind her as she pelts down the hill. Jaskier’s face breaks into a wide grin as she hugs them each in turn and drags them by the hand to the small cottage where she’s training with Yennefer, chattering non-stop as they make their way inside.

Yennefer doesn’t seem surprised to see them, despite the fact they weren’t expected for at least another few months. Once Ciri’s disappeared upstairs, Jaskier falls silent again, and it falls to Geralt to haltingly explain what’s going on while Jaskier draws patterns on the table with trembling fingers.

The impassive look on Yennefer’s face doesn’t change, but she tilts her head to one side, black curls falling forward.

‘And what would you like me to do about it?’ she asks.

Geralt wonders briefly if she and Jaskier have conspired to ask stupid questions just to make his temper rise. ‘Find a cure, of course.’

Yennefer’s eyes narrow.

‘You don’t know?’ she aims at Jaskier, who barely raises his head from where he’s slouched over the table.

‘Of course I do.’ Jaskier mumbles, looking at the ground like he’s hoping a hole will appear and swallow him up.

Before Yennefer can respond, there’s an almighty crash from above them, followed by a small voice shouting ‘don’t be mad!’

Before Geralt even has time to question what kind of damage Ciri’s managed to inflict, Jaskier mutters, ‘I’ll take care of it,’ rises from his seat and bounds up the stairs.

Geralt turns to Yennefer.

‘So are you going to tell me what the fuck is going on?’ he growls.

Yennefer’s frown deepens. ‘You mean he hasn’t told you?’

‘Told me what?’ Geralt cries, resisting the urge to tear his hair out in frustration.

Yennefer sighs dramatically, before rising from the table to look out of the window. Geralt doesn’t catch what he says, but it sounds a lot like ‘boys.’

Geralt waits impatiently, biting his tongue until Yennefer finally turns back round to face him.

‘There’s only one thing that causes this kind of sickness,’ she says. ‘Unrequited love.’

‘What?’

Yennefer bites her lip in annoyance. ‘You heard me. He’s in love with someone who doesn’t love him back. Or in Jaskier’s case, someone he thinks doesn’t love him back.’

So Jaskier’s in love. Geralt isn’t surprised, but it still hits him like a punch in the gut. Jaskier is in love with someone and it isn’t him. He tries his best to swallow the bitter taste in his mouth, but it lodges in his throat instead.

‘Who?’ he chokes out.

Yennefer laughs. ‘Are you seriously asking?’ she asks. She buries her face in her hands when she sees Geralt’s expression

‘I’m not sober enough for this.’ she groans, before sitting back down and looking Geralt straight in the eye.

‘It’s you, you idiot.’

Geralt freezes. ‘No it’s not,’ he replies, automatic. ‘It can’t be me.’

‘Oh, how foolish of me, I forgot,’ Yennfer says sarcastically, ‘it’s that other Witcher he’s been following around and singing ballads about for a decade despite all the dangers. My mistake.’

Geralt feels a small flicker of hope flare deep in his chest, but it’s extinguished just as quickly.

‘It can’t be me. You know how I feel about him- it’s not unrequited. Not by me, anyway. It must be someone else.’

The sorceress blinks owlishly at him. ‘Did you miss the part where I said Jaskier only has to think it’s unrequited? And assuming you’ve reacted to your feelings for him the same way you react to anything, by, oh I don’t know, burying it deep down and ignoring it, can you blame him?’

She has a point, as loathe as he is to admit it.

‘What do I do?’ he asks gruffly.

‘You need to tell him how you feel. And it has to be convincing, or… it won’t get better.’

Geralt gets the hint. He murmurs a thank you and rises, taking the stairs two at a time. He finds Jaskier and Ciri frantically picking up shards of what was once some sort of vase. He coughs once, and both their heads jolt upwards at the sound.

‘It was Jaskier!’ Ciri cries, attempting to hide the remnants of the pot behind her back.

Jaskier gasps. ‘Traitor!’ he calls, but he can’t hide the smile from his face. Geralt’s struck by how beautiful he looks, with the faint laugh lines etched around his blue eyes, before shaking the thought away. He has to concentrate, has to do this right.

‘Ciri, can you give us a moment?’ he asks. She happily drops the pieces of ceramic and runs down the stairs. Geralt swallows, steeling himself, but before he can open his mouth, Jaskier frowns and turns away from him, bending to pick up more fragments.

‘Yennefer told you, didn’t she?,’ he says, his voice tight. ‘Don’t worry about it, there’s nothing you can do-’

‘Jaskier.’

‘...and it doesn’t really matter anyway, I mean I was always going to die one day anyway, we can’t all be Witchers or mages-’

Geralt can’t wait any longer. ‘Jaskier, I love you.’

Jaskier abruptly stops speaking. The pieces of vase slip from his fingers, but he doesn’t turn around. When he finally speaks, his voice is so quiet that despite his heightened senses, Geralt has to strain to hear him.

‘Please don’t lie to me,’ he says, voice shaking, ‘it just makes it harder.’

‘No, Jaskier, wait-’

‘Just stop it!’ Jaskier cries, and he sounds broken. He spins round, and Geralt’s startled to see tears in his eyes. ‘It’s just cruel!’

He shoulders past Geralt and runs down the stairs. Geralt hears the door wrenched open before it slams shut. Panic overwhelms him. How the fuck is he going to fix this?

Yennefer’s voice rises from the bottom of the stairs.

‘Maybe go after him?’ she says, like she knows what he was thinking.

Suddenly, Geralt remembers how to function. He runs out of the door, skidding in the grass as he races to catch up with Jaskier, whose anger has already carried him quite far.

‘Leave me alone!’ Jaskier shouts as Geralt catches up to him, without turning round.

Geralt doesn’t think, he’s consumed with desperation to show Jaskier he isn’t lying.

He grabs the bard by the laces on the back of his doublet; Jaskier gives a strangled cry as Geralt spins him round, but he doesn’t pause to apologize. Instead, he pulls him in by the waist and kisses him as deeply and passionately as he can, his grip around Jaskier’s waist tightening as he holds him close. Jaskier stiffens in shock, but then his hands rising up to scrabble at Geralt’s shirt. when he can’t get a hold on the fabric, he moves his hands upwards to tangle in Geralt’s hair.

The kiss feels like it lasts a century. It’s still not long enough for Geralt to try and express all the things he’s wanted to say to Jaskier throughout the years, but he tries his best. When they finally break apart, they’re still tangled up in each other’s arms, and both breathless. Geralt’s chest heaves as he tries his best to tear his eyes away from Jaskier’s reddened lips and flushed face. He swallows heavily, before tracing a finger down Jaskier’s cheek

‘Do you believe me now?’ he murmurs, his voice hoarse.

Jaskier blinks once, slowly, before his lips pull up in a mischievous grin.

‘Actually, I’m still not sure. I think you’ll need to try and convince me again.’

The corner of Geralt’s mouth curls up in amusement, before he pulls Jaskier towards him once more. He’s only too happy to oblige.

#my writing #i have no idea why this took me so long #i just had zero inspiration #I do love writing exasperated Yenna though #geraskier #hanahaki #cw: vomit #fics #geraskier fics #also i had to get ciri in there

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welllpthisishappening · 3 years

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Welllp These Are Books: the February 2021 Edition

Most of my last month was spent on deadline and waiting for people to respond to my emails, which meant I did not have the time (or energy) to write much of anything, but had plenty of time to read, quite frankly, an absurd number of books. Some of which were very good, some of which were very cheesy, and some of which I have now told multiple people was quite possibly the worst book I have ever read. As always, though, what are my opinions if I am not sharing them with the internet? Ridiculous headlines, links, and those aforementioned opinions under the cut. As always, part two, feel free to send me any and all recommendations. It cannot possibly be worse than this one book. Seriously, you’ll understand in a second.

———

Quite Possibly the First Book I’ve Gone Out of My Way to Buy On Release Day Since Breaking Dawn, Which Says a lot About Me. As a Person.

A Court of Silver Flames by Sarah J. Maas

Nesta Archeron has always been prickly-proud, swift to anger, and slow to forgive. And ever since being forced into the Cauldron and becoming High Fae against her will, she's struggled to find a place for herself within the strange, deadly world she inhabits. Worse, she can't seem to move past the horrors of the war with Hybern and all she lost in it.

The one person who ignites her temper more than any other is Cassian, the battle-scarred warrior whose position in Rhysand and Feyre's Night Court keeps him constantly in Nesta's orbit. But her temper isn't the only thing Cassian ignites. The fire between them is undeniable, and only burns hotter as they are forced into close quarters with each other.

Meanwhile, the treacherous human queens who returned to the Continent during the last war have forged a dangerous new alliance, threatening the fragile peace that has settled over the realms. And the key to halting them might very well rely on Cassian and Nesta facing their haunting pasts.

Against the sweeping backdrop of a world seared by war and plagued with uncertainty, Nesta and Cassian battle monsters from within and without as they search for acceptance-and healing-in each other's arms.

I’m not kidding when I tell you that I was counting the days until this came out. I was kind of indifferent to Nesta after the original ACOTAR books, but intrigued enough that I was like, I need to read this, and then I did read this and now I care quite a lot about Nesta. And how in love with Cassian she is. And vice versa. Because, let’s be honest, dude is in l o v e. There were some parts of the story I was not super into — namely, Ferye having to die in childbirth. Like, you’re telling me Cassian could have his guts hanging out at one point and we don’t know how to do a c-section? Nah, that ain’t it. Also, pregnancy as a storyline is not always my favorite thing, but more on that in a second. Also, also, here’s a bunch more words about ACOSF.

A “Huh, So That Happened” Sort of Ending. Which Was Disappointing.

A Vow So Bold and Deadly by Brigid Kemmerer

Emberfall is crumbling fast, torn between those who believe Rhen is the rightful prince and those who are eager to begin a new era under Grey, the true heir. Grey has agreed to wait two months before attacking Emberfall, and in that time, Rhen has turned away from everyone--even Harper, as she desperately tries to help him find a path to peace.

Fight the battle, save the kingdom. Meanwhile, Lia Mara struggles to rule Syhl Shallow with a gentler hand than her mother. But after enjoying decades of peace once magic was driven out of their lands, some of her subjects are angry Lia Mara has an enchanted prince and a magical scraver by her side. As Grey's deadline draws nearer, Lia Mara questions if she can be the queen her country needs.

As the two kingdoms come closer to conflict, loyalties are tested, love is threatened, and an old enemy resurfaces who could destroy them all, in this stunning conclusion to bestselling author Brigid Kemmerer's Cursebreaker series.

I loved the first book in this series. Absolutely adored it. So much so that I pretty quickly got the second one and read it. Enjoyed that on its own, but like I said in that one ask, I’m fairly certain A Curse So Dark and Lonely could have very easily been a standalone story. Should have been a standalone story? There was just SO MUCH going on here, and not nearly enough of it was resolved. Plot points just hung by the end of the trilogy, I was not ever entirely convinced Rhen and Harper were actually in love, let alone liked each other, and I thought Rhen got the very short end of an exceptionally cracked stick by the time the whole story wrapped up. Really, I think this tried to do too much in not enough time and there should probably be another book. Also Lia Mara getting pregnant was dumb. There I said it.

Free Books On Amazon Unlimited That Were Better Than Expected, But Also Read Like Fic

The Bargainer Series by Laura Thalassa

Everyone knows that if you need a favor, you go to the Bargainer to make it happen. He’s a man who can get you anything you want … at a price. And everyone knows that sooner or later he always collects.

Callypso Lillis is a siren with a very big problem, one that stretches up her arm and far into her past. For the last seven years she’s been collecting a bracelet of black beads up her wrist, magical IOUs for favors she’s received. Only death or repayment will fulfill the obligations. Only then will the beads disappear.

But for one of his clients, he’s never asked for repayment. Not until now. When Callie finds the fae king of the night in her room, a grin on his lips and a twinkle in his eye, she knows things are about to change. At first it’s just a chaste kiss—a single bead’s worth—and a promise for more.

For the Bargainer, it’s more than just a matter of rekindling an old romance. Something is happening in the Otherworld. Fae warriors are going missing one by one. Only the women are returned, each in a glass casket, a child clutched to their breast. And then there are the whispers among the slaves, whispers of an evil that’s been awoken.

If the Bargainer has any hope to save his people, he’ll need the help of the siren he spurned long ago. Only, his foe has a taste for exotic creatures, and Callie just happens to be one.

No one is going to be able to convince me this wasn’t ACOTAR fan fic. I don’t care about timing or dates, or whatever. The similarities just...did not stop. In all three books, even. There were three books in this series, by the way. Most of which I really enjoyed. I read them all in like four days of email waiting, so they must have been doing something right. Des was a good love interest and I really liked the flashbacks in the first book. Also Callie didn’t super annoy me. That being said, whoever edited this book. Oof. Some of the prose was so goddamn cringe, I literally lol’ed. Right out loud. Every now and then it was like we had to be reminded that Des was a BAD GUY ™ but it felt very Edward “I’m a killer, Bella” Cullen, and Callie’s internal monologue was occasionally hysterical. Not in a good way. Also Temper was the worst. She was so annoying. Every time she talked, I was like, oh, her again. The first book was the best one.

HITTING ALL MY ROM COM BOXES! BASEBALL! ROMANCE! PINING! ONLY VAGUELY UNCOMFORTABLE WHEN THEY HAD SEX IN THE PORT JEFF DUGOUT BECAUSE I’VE BEEN IN THE PORT JEFF DUGOUT.

Fix Her Up by Tessa Bailey

Georgette Castle’s family runs the best home renovation business in town, but she picked balloons instead of blueprints and they haven’t taken her seriously since. Frankly, she’s over it. Georgie loves planning children’s birthday parties and making people laugh, just not at her own expense. She’s determined to fix herself up into a Woman of the World... whatever that means.

Phase one: new framework for her business (a website from this decade, perhaps?)

Phase two: a gut-reno on her wardrobe (fyi, leggings are pants.)

Phase three: updates to her exterior (do people still wax?)

Phase four: put herself on the market (and stop crushing on Travis Ford!)

Travis Ford was major league baseball’s hottest rookie when an injury ended his career. Now he’s flipping houses to keep busy and trying to forget his glory days. But he can’t even cross the street without someone recapping his greatest hits. Or making a joke about his… bat. And then there's Georgie, his best friend’s sister, who is not a kid anymore. When she proposes a wild scheme—that they pretend to date, to shock her family and help him land a new job—he agrees. What’s the harm? It’s not like it’s real. But the girl Travis used to tease is now a funny, full-of-life woman and there’s nothing fake about how much he wants her...

Living her best life means facing the truth: Georgie hasn’t been on a date since, well, ever. Nobody’s asking the town clown out for a night of hot sex, that’s for sure. Maybe if people think she’s having a steamy love affair, they’ll acknowledge she’s not just the “little sister” who paints faces for a living. And who better to help demolish that image than the resident sports star and tabloid favorite.

Legit, I saw the description for this and I was like—did I write this? Kind of. (Shameless plug to read my own rom com, it also has baseball and pining) It didn’t matter, I loved it. Seriously, it hit all my rom com boxes: childhood friends, best friend’s sister, coming back home under duress, FAKE DATING and, let’s be honest, I am not immune to the use of “baby girl” as an endearment. Every time Travis called Georgie “baby girl” I was like, oh, ok, this is cool. It was cool! I only have two quips. One, that the fake dating didn’t last a little longer. The pacing of the story felt very quick, but that’s also this genre’s style. So I kind of get it. And two, that it happened in Port Jefferson, which is a town in Suffolk County that I have not only been to, but have spent significant time in. Meaning I could picture every single thing, knew exactly where they were and have used the exit on the Northern State Parkway that the final moments of the book took place at. The Port Jeff girls basketball team won a Long Island championship last weekend. In real life, not the book.

In Which Spinoffs Continue to be my Kryptonite. Especially Well-Written Ones

Mistletoe and Mr. Right by Sarah Morgenthaler

Lana Montgomery is everything the quirky small town of Moose Springs, Alaska can't stand: a rich socialite with dreams of changing things for the better. But Lana's determined to prove that she belongs...even if it means trading her stilettos for snow boots and tracking one of the town's hairiest Christmas mysteries: the Santa Moose, an antlered Grinch hell-bent on destroying every bit of holiday cheer (and tinsel) it can sink its teeth into.

And really...how hard could it be?

The last few years have been tough on Rick Harding, and it's not getting any easier now that his dream girl's back in town. When Lana accidentally tranquilizes him instead of the Santa Moose, it's clear she needs help, fast...and this could be his chance to finally catch her eye. It's an all-out Christmas war, but if they can nab that darn moose before it destroys the town, Rick and Lana might finally find a place where they both belong...together.

I mentioned The Tourist Attraction in my January list, and this is the second in the Moose Springs trio. And it’s so good! I wish people were all as nice to Lana as Rick was. It’s what she deserved! More small-town antics, more kissing, another moose. This one was just as cute as the original book, especially because it brought back original characters and Zoey and Graham were so goddamn adorable as a committed couple I genuinely feared for the state of my teeth.

Enjoy the View by Sarah Morgenthaler

Former Hollywood darling River Lane's acting career is tanking fast. Determined to start fresh behind the camera, she agrees to film a documentary about the picturesque small town of Moose Springs, Alaska. The assignment should have been easy, but the quirky locals want nothing to do with River. Well, too bad: River's going to make this film and prove herself, no matter what it takes.

Or what (literal) mountain she has to climb.

Easton Lockett may be a gentle giant, but he knows a thing or two about survival. If he can keep everyone in line, he should be able to get River and her crew up and down Mount Veil in one piece. Turns out that's a big if. The wildlife's wilder than usual, the camera crew's determined to wander off a cliff, and the gorgeous actress is fearless. Falling for River only makes Easton's job tougher, but there's only so long he can hold out against her brilliant smile. When bad weather strikes, putting everyone at risk, it'll take all of Easton's skill to get them back home safely...and convince River she should stay in his arms for good.

Wrapping up the Moose Springs trio, this one might have been my least favorite, but that’s not really saying much. Since I loved them all pretty equally. River and Easton’s banter was grade-A, top-notch, which is a one-way ticket to my reading-heart. Maybe part of the problem (I say problem like there really was one) was that most of the story took place on a mountain. I kind of wanted more small-town shenanigans, and updates on the condos and the state of the town and Graham being mayor. Still, this was very cute. I swooned multiple times. I’ll probably read anything Sarah Morgenthaler writes from here on out.

Seriously, What Is YA? Does Anyone Know?

The Beautiful by Renee Ahdieh

In 1872, New Orleans is a city ruled by the dead. But to seventeen-year-old Celine Rousseau, New Orleans is a safe haven after she's forced to flee her life as a dressmaker in Paris. Taken in by the sisters of the Ursuline convent in the middle of the carnival season, Celine is quickly enraptured by the vibrant city, from its music to its fancy soirées and even its danger. She becomes embroiled in the city's glitzy underworld, known as La Cour des Lions, after catching the eye of the group's enigmatic leader, Sébastien Saint Germain.

When the body of one of the girls from the convent is found in Sébastien's own lair--the second dead girl to turn up in recent weeks--Celine battles her attraction to Sébastien and suspicions about his guilt along with the shame of her own horrible secret.

After a third murder, New Orleans becomes gripped by the terror of a serial killer on the loose--one who has now set Celine in his sights. As the murderer stalks her, Celine finally takes matters into her own hands, only to find herself caught in the midst of an age-old feud between the darkest creatures of the night, where the price of forbidden love is her life.

Like I said last month, I put a hold on pretty much everything Renee Ahdieh had written in my library. And this was just as good as the last series I read. Her world building is just—chef’s kiss, gorgeous. I dream of writing this airy, magical way, that makes you feel like you’re in New Orleans. That being said, I do not know what kid is reading this because apparently this is YA and I had to read every single word to figure out what was going on. Now, I know there are two more books in the series, but this one felt like a lot of set up and I spent most of it being like...will this make sense eventually? It did, but only during a very rushed climax of final few chapters. The sequel isn’t available on Kindle at the library, and I haven’t bought it yet. So, that’s probably kind of telling.

In Which You Cannot Always Depend On Old Favorites

No Judgments by Meg Cabot

When a massive hurricane severs all power and cell service to Little Bridge Island—as well as its connection to the mainland—twenty-five-year-old Bree Beckham isn’t worried . . . at first. She’s already escaped one storm—her emotionally abusive ex—so a hurricane seems like it will be a piece of cake.

But animal-loving Bree does become alarmed when she realizes how many islanders have been cut off from their beloved pets. Now it’s up to her to save as many of Little Bridge’s cats and dogs as she can . . . but to do so, she’s going to need help—help she has no choice but to accept from her boss’s sexy nephew, Drew Hartwell, the Mermaid Café’s most notorious heartbreaker.

But when Bree starts falling for Drew, just as Little Bridge’s power is restored and her penitent ex shows up, she has to ask herself if her island fling was only a result of the stormy weather, or if it could last during clear skies too.

I love Meg Cabot. That should be stated upfront and at the very beginning because for a very long time I have claimed that being Meg Cabot was my dream job. I’ve read pretty much every book Meg Cabot has ever written and was fairly certain I’d be into these once I did read them. Only I was...not. Not really. Everything in this book happened so quickly, I felt like I was the one in the hurricane. People were kissing and then they were having sex and there was a storm and pets and then—it was over? The pacing was all over the place, I had no idea why Drew and Bree liked each other, some guy kicked a dog at one point?? It was weird. Which leads us to—

No Offense by Meg Cabot

A broken engagement only gave Molly Montgomery additional incentive to follow her dream job from the Colorado Rockies to the Florida Keys. Now, as Little Bridge Island Public Library’s head of children’s services, Molly hopes the messiest thing in her life will be her sticky-note covered desk. But fate—in the form of a newborn left in the restroom—has other ideas. So does the sheriff who comes to investigate the “abandonment”. When John Hartwell folds all six-feet-three of himself into a tiny chair and insists that whoever left the baby is a criminal, Molly begs to differ and asks what he’s doing about the Island’s real crime wave (if thefts of items from homes that have been left unlocked could be called that). Not the best of starts, but the man’s arrogance is almost as distracting as his blue eyes. Almost…

John would be pretty irritated if one of his deputies had a desk as disorderly as Molly’s. Good thing she doesn’t work for him, considering how attracted he is to her. Molly’s lilting librarian voice makes even the saltiest remarks go down sweeter, which is bad as long as she’s a witness but might be good once the case is solved—provided he hasn’t gotten on her last nerve by then. Recently divorced, John has been having trouble adjusting to single life as well as single parenthood. But something in Molly’s beautiful smile gives John hope that his old life on Little Bridge might suddenly hold new promise—if only they can get over their differences.

This isn’t a sequel SEQUEL, but another one of those “exists in the same universe,” or same town, as it were, and it was better than No Judgments. Molly and John actually had a few legitimate conversations before they started kissing. The conflict was still weird and sort of forced, this was not Meg’s usual banter (I fell like I can call her Meg at this point, y’know?) and, again, the ending just felt like it...happened. I don’t know guys, maybe I should just reread The Boy Is Back. Or that quasi Persephone-Hades series. It’s been awhile. On that one, at least. I read The Boy Is Back like six months ago.

ABSOLUTELY INFURIATING ROM COM THAT I CANNOT BELIEVE I FINISHED, SOMEONE GIVE ME A PRIZE FOR FINISHING THIS

Fight or Flight by Samantha Young

The universe is conspiring against Ava Breevort. As if flying back to Phoenix to bury a childhood friend wasn't hell enough, a cloud of volcanic ash traveling from overseas delayed her flight back home to Boston. Her last ditch attempt to salvage the trip was thwarted by an arrogant Scotsman, Caleb Scott, who steals a first class seat out from under her. Then over the course of their journey home, their antagonism somehow lands them in bed for the steamiest layover Ava's ever had. And that's all it was--until Caleb shows up on her doorstep.

When pure chance pulls Ava back into Caleb's orbit, he proposes they enjoy their physical connection while he's stranded in Boston. Ava agrees, knowing her heart's in no danger since a) she barely likes Caleb and b) his existence in her life is temporary. Not long thereafter Ava realizes she's made a terrible error because as it turns out Caleb Scott isn't quite so unlikeable after all. When his stay in Boston becomes permanent, Ava must decide whether to fight her feelings for him or give into them. But even if she does decide to risk her heart on Caleb, there is no guarantee her stubborn Scot will want to risk his heart on her...

When I tell you guys that this was the worst book I have read in recent memory, I am not kidding. Might actually be the worst book I have ever read. Bar none. And that’s saying something because one time I had to read Ender’s Game in college and that, like, physically pained me. This was awful. Awful people. Awful plot. Awful resolution. AWFUL. Where to start? Well, I’m not going to apologize for spoilers, because God help us all, do not read this book. Ava has been through so many horrible things in her life it was like someone was trying to set a record. Bad parents, cheating ex-boyfriend, dead former best friend who was former because of the cheating ex-boyfriend. Naturally, this made her a control freak because—of course, or something. And Caleb! Oh my God, fucking Caleb Scott. The dickwad. I’ve never rooted for anyone to not get the girl more. When Ava “broke up” with him (they were never really together) I might have cheered. Shitty things does not give you an excuse to be a dick, and Caleb was a dick. Seriously, he started crying about how his ex-fiance KILLED THEIR BABY and I was like—this cannot possibly be a real book. It was! With lots of abortion opinions out of FUCKING nowhere, and weird possessive behavior from, like, every dude in it. Both Ava AND her best friend (not the dead one, a different one) got assaulted at one point. I kept reading solely because I was desperate to see how they rationalized Ava and Caleb getting back together at the end and they didn’t. He showed up on her flight when her boss came up with a fake work trip so he could sit next to her on the plane. What? WHAT?? It was so dumb. So bad. I can’t believe I read it.

#book recs #fiction rec #rom com recs #fantasy recs #laura reads books #i swear i do other things besides read #really #welllp these are books

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perseusjackson-jasongrace · 4 years

Text

Kingdom Collisions VII

masterlist

This is a fic i’m writing to try and incorporate more description into my works. You will be happy to know that it’s working ;) There are no pre-written chapters so updates are sporadic and i am just as in the dark as you about what happens next. Please enjoy!

Percy Jackson traces the insignia under his fingers, feels the gravelly texture of the stone and the way each word engraves itself into his skin.

militat omnis amans

He hears Jason's words in his head, let's the conversation loop in his mind.

"What are we doing here?"

"I needed to take a walk in the gardens. I can't stay in that stone monstrosity for another second."

"And you wanted me to come with you?"

"If you don't want to be here you can leave." His husband snapped.

He just hummed in acknowledgment.

"Sorry," The Prince mumbled, "I'm just a little volatile right now."

"What does this mean?" Percy figured it was time for a subject change.

"Our motto?"

"Yes, I've seen it everywhere and I've never managed to ask anyone about it."

"Every lover is a soldier."

He looked at the blonde, caught those dull blue eyes. "Really?"

"It's a long story."

"Shall we sit on the bench so you can tell me?"

And then someone had called them inside to go over the details of the King's address that would be happening in the coming week.

"Another time." Jason winced.

Now Percy sits in the garden on a wooden bench, basking in the warmth and protection of an Arrowood tree in full bloom. The soft pink flowers catch on the wind and shower him with petals every so often. The sky is unusually blue for the winter but the chill in the air makes up for it. It is a deadly bite, waiting for any piece of skin to be exposed. The grass is green and cushioning under his feet and the soft cashmere pants his wearing are keeping the icy breeze at bay. He takes a deep breath in. This weather is dopamine in his bloodstream; is full of new beginnings and life.

His fingers brush against the engraved insignia again and he cannot help but wonder the tale behind it. The story of his own kingdom's symbol is one he keeps close to his heart, treasures with every blink of his eyes. His emblem flashes across his mind: a silver sword slicing through a cresting wave, the droplets from it turn bronze in the sun and fall to make their maxim: datum amore ad defendendum. The story is gruesome and bloody and full of honour. Percy's father used to tell it to him on the rare occasion he would tuck him in bed.

There was once a man, brave and strong.

Like you dad?

His father laughed and ruffled his curls. Shh my Starfish and listen to the story of Arroyo the Saviour.

So Percy snuggled into his cotton sheets, a panda pillow tucked under his chin and blinked up in anticipation.

Arroyo was a little boy who lived with his mom and his sister and his sibling, near the ocean. Everyday little Arroyo went down to the docks with his sibling and they would stand there selling bracelets their family made. It was the only way they could get money to eat.

Did their king not give them food dad? His green eyes were wide with horror.

Not everyone is kind my son. Some days little Arroyo and his sibling came back with no money and his mom would smile at them and say "It is okay. Today we eat fish and tomorrow we feast." So they sat down at the table and ate their fish just like they did every night and not once did Arroyo or his siblings complain. For they knew that a tomorrow would come where the feast would be greater than the fish and it was no use leaving today's meal in the hope of tomorrow's promises.

Little Percy frowned, confused at what his father was trying to say. But the King was lost in his own world now, matching ocean eyes far away from this bedroom, in this time and place.

One day Arroyo's mother got sick and his siblings stayed with her while he went to sell bracelets. But when he got home, a small pouch of coins rattling in his pocket, his house was rubble and his family were gone.

Gone? Percy gasped, Where dad? What happened?

His father snapped his head to the present, looked down at his son. They died my Starfish. Someone killed them.

Tears pooled hot and fast in his little eyes, Why dad?

Because Starfish Arroyo's mother was not who she claimed to be and people do not like what they do not understand. But nobody knew that Arroyo was safe, that he had made it out alive. And when he finally grew up, his mother's blood strong in his veins he came back to the village. And there he demanded to see the people who had layed his home to waste all those years ago. The people trembled before him, his might and vengeance a force they could not tame. Arroyo only asked once. And when nobody could tell him anything he smiled with his teeth and drowned the town. His tail creating waves that engulfed the world.

Arroyo was a mermaid? Percy didn't like it when dad told stories, he always left things out and it was confusing to listen to.

He was a beast my Starfish. His father said softly, eyes glittering with excitement, For you see his mother was the Exiled Queen of the Ocean and she had fallen in love with a mortal man. A forbidden romance.

So what happened to Arroyo? Did he kill everyone?

He drowned the village but saved one person. A little girl by the name of Mare for she had looked at him, with his burning anger and broken soul, and offered him the pearl she kept in a pendant at her neck. For her he bowed down and accepted the gift.

Did she become his queen dad?

No Starfish, she was much too young. Instead Arroyo took her to his home deep deep in the waves and she lived there as his friend, as his family. But sometimes Mare had to go to land for she did not have the blood Arroyo did and she could not survive in those brutal waters for long. Arroyo would take her there every full moon and bring her home every new moon. One night when she was due back on land a terrible, terrible force lurked in the water. But Arroyo didn't feel it and Mare could never have known. They said their goodbyes as they always did, promising to see each other soon.

Percy squeezed his father fingers, little lip trembling slightly.

Arroyo dived back in but something slammed into his side. He smashed into the rocks of the village and the whole town quaked. The creature attacked Arroyo, its huge body and spiked tail hitting him everywhere. Mare screamed but there was nothing she could do. And then Arroyo came up to look at her because he knew in his heart that he was not to survive this fight. He waved to his friend, his family through the years and when she waved back the monster rose from the waves and bit Arroyo. He went down so softly it was almost as if he had chosen to sleep. Mare knew the monster would come for her village next and she would not allow it to destroy the only other thing she loved. So she grabbed a sword, sharp gleaming silver, and ran across the ocean. Her feet light and swift against the rolling waves. The creature burst out in a flurry of rage but it was not prepared for the strength of Mare and when it met her sword it let out a shriek so vile the dead curdled. Blood sprayed everywhere as the sword fell from her hand and into the waves below.

Did Mare live dad? He yawned, fear giving away to sleepiness.

Mare is the spirit of the ocean my son. She lives in here. His father tapped his little chest softly before bending down to place a kiss on his forehead.

I hope I'm brave like Mare dad.

You are braver still my Starfish. He whispered.

Percy blinks out of the memory, rubbing at the ache in his chest that accompanied every thought about his dad. It has been more than a decade since that fateful night but the missing never gets easier.

He hugs his knees to his chest and watches two birds fight over a small peach dangling precariously from the tree. Such simple pleasures and petties. There are at least sixty other peaches, just as perfectly red and ripe, on the tree but these birds continue to chirp indignantly at each other. He wonders if it's purposeful. If maybe they just want the connection. It's not really about the peach. It's about having someone to argue against, talk to, be with. Gods, he scowls at himself, he must really be lonely if it's come to this.

The bench suddenly becomes uncomfortable, like every splint of wood is trying to pierce his skin. With a heavy sigh he pulls himself up and strolls towards the stone castle. In the week that he's been here it still hasn't felt any more friendly. He misses his castle, misses the home he has there. But his husband is here so he must be too. At the very least Grover will arrive this afternoon and they can spend some time together. He needs this meeting, needs to see his friend and some semblance of normal. A little voice in his head argues that he's the one who's been straying from his angered promises. The one that's been sleeping besides Jason under the pretense of nightmares. He pushes the little voice deep down, buries it in the darkness where it can shiver and cower without his knowledge or concern. As if his thoughts summon the man, his husband appears around the corner and offers him a swift smile.

"I was just coming to find you."

"You've changed." Is his reply.

Prince Jason did indeed don a new outfit. Perfectly pressed tunic the colour of the sky and a gold chain attached dangling from the small square pocket on his left breast to the first button of the coat. His pants are a deep blue, the same golden threads glinting in the sunlight. But it's the small white rose tucked into his chest pocket that Percy is focused on.

"What is that?"

"When we mourn in the kingdom we wear white roses to signify gentle death and prosperous living."

He nods stiffly, unsure if it's appropriate to ask if he may participate in the custom. Luckily he is saved when Jason's blue eyes pin on him, "Would you like to wear one?"

"Please. This is my Kingdom now too. I feel it would be a great disrespect to not."

The prince looked at him, blonde hair ruffling softly as the breeze caressed their skin and flittered between his dancing fingers. He stood there unmoving while his husband studied him like a Rubik’s cube that needed just the right pattern to fix it.

"Come with me."

They walk together, through the field of poppies bursting with colour, past the grove of fruit trees equally bright and heavy with sweet delights, over the small bridge that marks the Pond of Storms, or at least according to the plaqued waterfall that fed it.

"Why that name?"

"Just before a storm hits the water goes pitch black like storm clouds."

He stares at the clear, brilliant aquamarine of the pond, his rippling reflection staring back and wonders if it's a lie, or a wives' tale.

"You still owe me a story."

"About?"

They cross the bridge and turn a corner.

"About your insignia."

"Why do you like them so much?" Jason turns to him, curiosity burning in his expression, "Stories I mean."

"They're the easiest way to understand the core of something. A language only the lived know how to speak."

"I've heard about yours, your symbol."

"How?" He's the intrigued one now.

"My father liked us to know about the neighboring kingdoms. I never understood it then, always managed to fall asleep in our history lessons, but I guess it's been helpful."

"My mother didn't know yours." He says softly, "She is the Keeper of Worlds so she was able to tell me all kinds of tales but she said she never knew the origins of Caelum."

The Prince shakes his head, "It's only passed down from king to to descendant. Sharing it with anyone is a crime against the kingdom."

Percy's head snaps back in shock, "For telling a story?"

His husband just shrugs like its the most normal thing in the world.

"Why would you tell me then?"

"Sometimes tradition is bullshit."

"But you'd still be committing a crime?"

"Gives life a little thrill." His smile is wicked as he winks an aquamarine eye and steps through the small wooden door built into the hedge.

"Welcome to the Garden of Hearts."

Spread out before them is a sea of roses so glorious in their beauty it makes Percy's soul stutter. There is every colour under the setting sun. Starting with bleach white the roses lay across the field bleeding into cream then yellow then orange then red then pink. Rows upon rows of soft love and romance.

He doesn't manage to hold in a gasp as he drops to his knees and caresses a maroon petal. The tears in his eyes go unacknowledged even when they spill over and water the earth. He's almost certain the flower blooms in his hand.

"This is..." He breathes. He doesn't have the words. They are dust particles violently swept under a rug. They are grains of sand smashed into the earth under the weight of feet. They are simply gone.

"I'm glad you like it." Jason smiles at him and the halo of sun around his head makes Percy weak at the knees.

"Who did this? Who planted this?"

"My sister, Annabeth." The blonde looks around, caught in a time long ago, "She did it in memory of our mom."

"It reminds me of mine."

What he doesn't tell his husband is that more than that, it reminds him of a friend he left far behind. Of a friend he was willing to marry. A friend he was willing to love.

He reaches forward and plucks a satin white rose from the small bush. But as he's pulling away his finger catches on a thorn and suddenly the rose is disintegrating to the floor and those pure white petals are splattered with rubies.

"Fuck." He mutters sucking on the wounded skin in an attempt to stop the blood.

"Here," Jason winces in sympathy, holding out a bleached pocket square.

"Thank you," He offers a gracious smile through the sting of pain. "And I'm sorry about the roses."

"It's okay, the blood will wash off with the next rains."

He just nods and cradles his throbbing digit.

"Are you okay?"

"I've been stabbed before but somehow the little cuts always hurt the worst."

For the first time in well maybe ever, he hears his husband laugh. And it is godlike, a thing of beauty and splendour. Something deep in his chest unfurls gently.

"We'll go inside and get some disinfectant and a plaster on that." Jason promises before bending down to cut another rose, carefully extracting it from the web of thorns and leaves it buried itself in.

"Here," He offers it.

Percy takes a step closer, still clutching his finger, and silently asks if he can put it on for him. Those blue eyes widen slightly, but that's all the surprise the Prince shows.

They step together and the blonde softly places the flower in his emerald green tunic. Jason smooths his hand over the area distractedly and stares up at him. Their eyes clash in a look of confusion, and curiosity, and something wholly unnatural.

"We should go." The Prince whispers.

He swallows hard and nods but neither make a move. He can smell his husband’s fresh minty breath and see the micro flecks of grey in those eyes. Gods, how has he never noticed how strong his jaw is. How there's the tiniest beauty-mark on the bridge of his nose. And the small crease in his brow that makes his whole face look so much older, look like the king he will one day be.

A cacophonous shriek from above rips them apart in a jump of fright. The low gliding hawk over head seems to narrow its eyes at the pair before flying back to its master. Report on the Princes: they've almost started tolerating each other.

Jason turns away and starts for the carved door once more. Percy stares at his back, trying to gather himself, swiping the borrowed pocket square across his bruising skin. His kingdom's maxim flashes in his mind again. Datum amore ad defendendum. Given in love for protection. He takes a shaky breath before following his husband back to the castle.

The Pond of Storms flushes charcoal. And behind him, where his blood had spilled, the petals of an ice-white rose turn crimson.

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

If you missed it: militat omnis amans means every lover is a soldier; Datum amore ad defendendum means given in love for protection.

Tags (if you want to be added to/ taken off the tag list just let me know, all my channels of communication are open):

@nishlicious-01

@queen-of-demons-and-hell

@leydiangelo

@sparkythunderstorm

@aalikun

@makos-bi-awakening

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icecream-and-gadreel · 4 years

Text

FMK Ch. 4: One last round

Series Summary: Gabriel is known for his cruel, oftentimes deadly pranks. So when you, Sam, and Dean found out he was up to his old ways again, you came with reinforcements. What should have been a swift victory turned into you being stuck in the wildest game you've ever played in your life.

Summary: After Sam appears, you find a way to connect with Dean. The Trickster promises to be done after just one more game.

Pairing: readerxvarious

Other characters: Dean, Sam, Castiel, Gabriel

Rating: Mature

Warnings: Language, shmoopy shmoops, das it

Word count: 2100+

Eternity squad: @sheinthatfandom @greenshinigamieyes @lipstickandwhiskey @feelmyroarrrr @bcarolinablr @mrswhozeewhatsis

A/N: I found myself wondering who was end game, and decided that @sheinthatfandom would be great at unknowingly choosing for me. Bahaha enjoy pals!

Masterlist

Sam hasn't stopped staring at the notebook since you pulled it out. He rakes his brow together, a perplexed look washing over his face as he finally looks up at you. You hop to your feet with a clap.

“Alright, no use moping around –”

“So you married me?” he blurts, eyes falling to the ground. “I mean, you wanted to?” he adds. You shrug, staring around at the blank walls. There has to be a seam. “I only ever married you, out of respect, you know?” he says, running his fingers through his locks. You grunt in response, hands grazing over the walls. After a few moments of silence, you turn your gaze to him, twitching a smile.

“I chose to fuck you the first time,” you say. Immediately his face flushes red and he stutters over unformed sentences, a permanent smile tugging at his cheeks. You both fall into silence, him sitting stone in his place and you trying to find a way out. Finally, after what seems like eons, Sam clears his throat.

“Was I...good?” he blurts, eyes locked on the ground.

“I-is that really important?” you squeak, eyes widening when your hand lands on a crack in the middle of the wall. You give it a gentle push, and much to your surprise, it begins to move. “Hey, come help me real quick.”

Sam leaps up, claiming the space next to you and resting his hands on the wall. You push with all of your might, revealing an identical room to yours as the wall screeches forward. No windows, no doors. The only thing that changes is Dean sitting in the middle of the room, his eyes trained on the ceiling. “Dean!” the younger Winchester grunts, jogging deeper into the room with a smile. He smacks Dean on the arm, frowning when he gains no response. Your eyes train on the notebook next to him, and you cock an eyebrow. Among two women you don't know is your name, 'MARRY' sprawled out in neat cursive next to it. You lean down and wave your hand in his face.

“I love you, Y/N,” Dean breathes, making your eyes go wide. Sam frowns, picking up Dean's notebook.

“He must be on you,” Sam mumbles, glancing between you both. “How the hell do we wake him up?” he adds. You shrug, flinching as abruptly, Dean pulls you into a kiss, his hands gently cradling your cheeks.

“Dean?” you squeak, trying to pull out of the embrace. Dean pauses, eyes flitting open and his hands falling from your face.

“...Oh,” Dean grunts, chuckling awkwardly as he pulls away from you. Sam stares silently, jaw clenched and eyes looking anywhere but you. “So uh...happy anniversary,” he says, chuckling and staring down at his hands.

“Anniversary, huh? It was wedding day for me.”

“Huh,” Dean grunts, a smile crossing his face. Sam clears his throat, holding up the notebook.

“This is cute and all, but we're still stuck here. Any ideas?” Sam says, pulling you back to reality. Trickster. Notebook. Missing angel. You need to focus. You stare around the room, wondering if any other walls will move when your eyes land on two more glittery notebooks.

“I think he wanted this,” you say, your voice a near whisper. The brothers follow your gaze. “Why the hell else would a wall suddenly decide to move?”

“Look at the brain on her!”

You whirl around to the source of the voice, wasting no time rushing the Trickster when you see him. He smiles sweetly at you, not even flinching as you begin hitting him. “Relax, I'm starting to get bored –” You punch him in the face, cutting his sentence short.

“Let us go! Stop killing people! You –”

“One more game,” the Trickster sings, waving his hand and making the notebooks fly open. You keep your eyes locked on his, shaking your head. “One game and you go home, and I stop playing with the townsfolk.”

“I don't believe you,” you hiss, gaining a hum from him.

“I like that about you sugar, makes you a lot more fun to toy with,” he coos. With a snap of his fingers, the notebook is in your hands. “I'll even make it less 'murdery' for you.” You watch as the words appear on the page, brow furrowing.

FUCK: Sam Winchester, Dean Winchester, Gabriel

“There, now it's sudden death. Whoever you don't choose gets to sit this one out,” the Trickster says, gesturing to Sam and Dean.

“Who the hell is Gabriel?” you ask, eyes flicking up to the demi-god. He shrugs, wiggling his eyebrows. “A-and why is fuck the only option?” you growl, gaining another eyebrow wiggle. Dean huffs, throwing his hands up.

“Alright, let's get it over with –”

“Yeah, let's just, you know, and get home,” Sam cuts in, gaining a glare from the elder Winchester. Before you know it, both men are bickering back and forth, spitting out reasons why they should be the one you choose over the other. The Trickster watches on with a sparkle in his eye, a wide smile stretched across his face. Of course, he's loving this shit. You rake your eyes over the page, mind going back to Castiel. You have to find him.

“Fuck you,” you growl, eyes locked on the demi-god. His honey-brown eyes glide over your form, his tongue darting over his lip.

“Sooo Gabriel?” he asks. You open your mouth to speak, clamping it shut when he disappears.

Shit.

“Get back here you fucking coward!” you scream, finally gaining the attention of the bickering brothers. Smiling, you throw your hands up. “In case you haven't noticed, Cas is STILL missing!” you say, eyeing each brother before continuing. “I don't wanna fuck either of you, I wanna find the angel, alright?” you growl, gaining nods in return. “Alright. Last time I found him, I was in this fucking notebook.” You pick up a sharpie from the ground, eyeing the choices carefully. You tick off 'Gabriel', eyes fluttering shut at the lulling feeling taking over. “If he...shows up...I'll...” your voice trails away, and as you fall a sickly sweet smell fills the air.

–

You smile, rolling your head to the side as your lover rubs your foot. The smell of freshly baked pastries is carried by a warm breeze, along with the salty smell of the ocean. Your eyes flutter open, staring around the Cabana. Such a beautiful afternoon. As you lean up on your arms, you're met with honey brown eyes and a warm smile.

“Gabriel,” you breathe, trying to keep the smile on your face. “That feels amazing...”

“Yet you're thinking of other men, shame on you,” he says, poking his lip out. You frown and try to pull your foot away but his grip is too strong.

“What?”

“Don't play dumb! 'Castiel, Castiel I'm coming for you', Dirty girl,” he purrs, winking. You suck in a breath as Castiel's face flashes through your mind.

“No –” You kick at him – “I gotta find him,” you say, finally breaking free of his grasp. You close your eyes tight, forcing past the false memories. You pause, eyes shooting open. “Wait you're –”

“Gabriel, archangel, blah blah, come onnnn let's get back to the roleplay,” he says, wiggling his fingers at you. “I've got magical phalanges,” he adds in a whisper.

“Where. Is. He.” You stand from the bed and your silky dress falls around your frame. “I told you, I'm done!” Gabriel stares at you silently, stroking his fingers over his chin as he ponders your words. Nodding, he waves his hand, eyes training on something behind you. “Don't ignore –”

“Hello, Y/N,” Castiel's voice booms, making you whirl around. He eyes you up and down, forcing himself to look away when his gaze stays too long. Before either of you can speak, Castiel is ushering you behind him, locking his eyes on Gabriel. “You can't be this powerful.”

“Seriously, what do you see in this guy?” Gabriel gestures to himself, mouth agape. “I'm cute as hell, he's a talking piece of toast,” he says, pointing at the other man. “But whatever, you want him so bad, you got him.” With that, Gabriel disappears yet again, leaving you alone with Castiel.

“Wait!” you yelp, staring around the cabana with wide eyes. This wasn't at all what you meant. “Shit,” you groan. Sinking down to the bed, you cover your face with your hands, mind reeling and heart racing. Now what? Castiel sinks down next to you, patting your knee. You raise your head, eyeing the angel. He's staring at the sky, a perplexed look on his face. Honestly, out of those three, Castiel was one you could tolerate the most. Sam beat around the bush too much, Dean was far too willing to risk his life, but Castiel? He always felt different. He knew he didn't have all the answers, but for some reason, you always felt like he'd get it eventually.

“I'll figure this out,” he says, making you laugh. Frowning, Castiel flicks his eyes to you. “What?”

“It's like you read my mind,” you say. “Always focused on finding the answers,” you add. He hums, pondering your words.

“Is that a bad thing?” he asks, smiling when you shake your head. “I never stopped looking for you.” You tilt your head, silently urging him to continue. “I wasn't going to leave without you. Even if the Trickster is far more powerful than I imagined.”

“Chasing after the Winchesters per usual,” you say, a chuckle in your throat. He meets your gaze, eyebrows raising.

“For once, I was chasing after someone different,” he says. You share a look, your heart pounding in your chest as flurries collect in your stomach. Just as you begin to close the space between you, the room glitches, bringing you back to the warehouse. Dean is shaking you, with Sam giving Castiel the same treatment.

“Wh –” You cut yourself off, gripping Dean's arms as he pulls you to your feet. He smiles, giving your arm a rough pat. Sam pulls Castiel into a tight hug, letting out a short breath.

“Good to see you, buddy,” the younger Winchester says, gaining a grunt in return.

“Look,” Dean says, pointing over your shoulder. Whirling around, your shoulders sink, a smile spreading across your face. An open door. Outside is the Impala peeking out from behind a row of bushes.

“Oh thank god,” you breathe.

–

You sink down onto the motel bed, rolling your eyes at Sam and Dean as they bicker. The case is still open, Gabriel is on the loose, and nothing feels complete. You frown as the bickering behind you stops, turning to them. Both brothers stare at you silently, expectant looks on their faces.

“What?” you ask, cocking an eyebrow.

“So...given the opportunity,” Dean begins, clearing his throat. Castiel stops fiddling with the TV, staring up at Sam and Dean with a furrowed brow. “Between me and the hair model, who would you choose?” he asks, gesturing between himself and Sam. Silently, you stand to your feet, grabbing them both by the arm and leading them out of your room.

“Have a good night, dumbasses,” you growl before slamming the door shut. You shake your head, turning back to the bed. It's only then that you remember Castiel is sitting there.

“They can be a bit much,” he says with a soft smile. You nod in agreement, sinking down on the other side of the bed and twiddling your thumbs.

“I chose to kill you,” you blurt, squeezing your eyes shut tight. “I-it felt like the only respectful choice,” you add, voice small. He chuckles, shrugging.

“I never chose, I just wanted to find you,” he says. This effectively makes it feel like your heart it's going to explode.

“God, you're awesome.”

“You sound more like Dean every day,” he says, laughing as you playfully shove him. Castiel stands to his feet, staring around the room. “You seem like you'll be safe tonight. I'll be going.”

“Oh...yeah, right,” you say, standing with him and heading for the door. “Thanks for everything Cas,” you say, opening the door for him. He nods, smiling and pausing in the threshold.

"Of course," he says, chewing his lip. "I would have chosen kill for you too. Out of respect."

"Always the gentlemen," you giggle, rolling your eyes. He shrugs, gesturing to you.

"The other options seem like they'd be much better with the real thing," he says. Your throat runs dry, both dirty and romantic thoughts coursing through your brain. Before you can think to respond, he's pressing a chaste kiss on your cheek. "I'm certain we'll have our time." With that, he disappears, leaving you with the implication of a future with him. For once, it doesn't seem so bad.

#supernatural #fanfiction #supernatural fanfiction #shmoopy shmoops #dean winchester #castiel #sam winchester #gabriel #my writing #fanfic

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monomas-a-smug-bih · 4 years

Text

villain!deku corrupts hero!reader ask

Okay it’s like villain deku x hero reader and their dating but he’s trying to corrupt her and there on the field fighting and to finally get her to switch he hurts himself bad but made it look like it was a hero idk all might or something and she goes to him to see if he’s okay and they snap and turn on them (and like reader had a really powerful quirk idk like scarlet which) and takes them all out and leaves with the league

Oooooh juicy

...

Just a few hours ago, you were inside your calm and comfortable home, giving IZUKU a peck on the cheek with his arms wound around your waist from behind you, a curly head of hair digging into your shoulder.

You really did wonder if someone so sweet and caring on the inside could really truly be a criminal.

Sure, looking at it from a career standpoint, any kind of involvement with the wrong things, and one is automatically deemed evil. They don’t get to choose to pay attention to the motivations behind wrong actions or false front a villain may put on. It was a part of the many parts you hated about your job. Like every other system, the hero world had its holes, it’s flaws. And because of that, someone like Izuku would be waved off as easily as any other victim to criminality.

Then again, isn’t that what he deserved?

As you heard Izuku let out a troubled sigh, as he placed a light kiss on your shoulder, you weren’t sure, not sure at all.

Izuku wasn’t evil at heart, you knew that. Though, as ridiculous as that may sound with the amount the boy has done... he was just that, a boy. A boy who couldn’t be saved. There was plenty of them, abandoned by their heroes, you knew that; maybe that’s why you were so damn uncertain all the time.

Just a few hours ago, you were inside your calm and comfortable home, giving Izuku a peck on the cheek with his arms wound around your waist from behind you, a curly head of hair digging into your shoulder.

And now he was on the ground, bloodied and hurt. Your heart couldn’t help but stop.

By the strong punch of his own idol, All Might, who had given up on him all those years ago, Izuku was flung towards a wall, and within seconds the boy crumpled to the ground.

By the look on even All Might’s face you were sure Izuku should’ve been able to dodge that, with all his swiftness from earlier, you wondered where it all went. After a few minutes, Izuku worryingly immobile, you felt the atmosphere drop among the heroes. All Might, sensing this battle was over, turned to leave, also leaving us with Izuku to promptly shackle up. Which, you had no intention of doing.

Actually, you weren’t sure what to do. Izuku was always better than this, if on the odd chance you did end up running into him on a mission, he was always sneaky enough to wriggle his way out of the situation before things got deadly. And now he was a ball on the floor, what the hell were you supposed to do now?

Rationality was hard to hold onto in a situation like this. You thought you’d finally gotten a grip as your love got up off the ground, but you were wrong...oh so wrong. Before he made it passed his knees a hero loomed over him, kicking him to the ground and planting him there with an condescending foot on his back, mossy hair sweeping the dirt once again. Once he hit the ground a second time, you snapped.

You were sick of this. All you saw was red, and it was getting difficult to keep from losing control.

You marched over to the two boys, a frustrating foot still pressing into the center of your lovers back. You tried your best to ignore the triumphant look on your younger colleague’s face while you snapped, hoping to startle him.

“Get off of him! That’s enough!”

He wasn’t shaken, but foolish instead.

“Enough? You sure?” He taunted. The grin growing across his face sickened you, another stomp landing on the Izuku’s helpless spine.

You felt yourself fuming, eyes burning with rage as he went on with a chuckle, so obliviously, so carelessly. “Do you have any idea who we’re dealing with? How hard this guy was to-” The look on the hero’s face seemed to get more irritating by the second, and the grinding of his heel made your heart quicken. You felt your hair begin to lift from your shoulders, your whole being surging with suppressed power and anger.

You’d had enough.

With a swift raise of your fist, the boy stumbled back in surprise. He whined and his hands flew to the blood forming under his nose. The action got your blood pumping, and you let out a grateful breath that you could finally wipe that grin off his face. You hated how good it had felt, and loomed over him like he had Izuku, the boy beneath you now a frightened and confused soul. Your other colleagues gasped behind you, questioning your actions.

“L-look out!” Turning to your right, you see Izuku had finally gotten up, rolling and cracking his shoulders with that dazzling smile. Cheeky bastard, he had me worried. Your relief was evident on your face, to the confusion of your colleagues. Though his snarky attitude was defused quickly, the air being stolen from his lungs.

“Ugh-” His emerald eyes and freckled cheeks disappeared under curly hair, ribs aching from an earlier punch. With a wheezing cough, the boy fell forward. You caught him of course, rubbing his back as he coughed some more.

You were glad he was alright, though it’d clicked a little earlier this wasn’t totally an accident on his part. What was the point of this mess? What the hell were you supposed to do now?

When the other boy before you rose again, blood wiped from his nose across his face, it became pretty clear. Your stomach burned with the urge to hit him again, as much as you hated it, craving violence, you hated this fool a lot more.

“What the fuck do you think you’re doing y/n?” His words were slurred from your punch, for some reason you were glad. A scarlet aura returned to your form, a hard boot stomping the earth beneath it to pieces easily. Instead of getting him to back off, he only persisted. “How stupid are you?” For what you were thinking of doing right now, you’d have to agree with him.

The only option you could see was fighting, making a run for it, or both. There was no win-win scenario, either you stayed with the boy you loved, the boy leaning into you, or you handed him over, and stayed with your colleagues instead.

You refused the latter, and thought on your first option. Voices around you sunk into you head like the unpleasant squawks of crows.

“Y/n...”

“Who’s side are you on?”

“Yeah! Let’s take him back already.”

“Hurry it up y/n!”

“I’m not sure she’s even listening.”

“Y/n-”

You couldn’t take it anymore. the questions bombarding you. You just wanted to leave, run away. But logic told you otherwise, or at least, what you had to do first.

You placed your beloved to lean against a wall, sharp green eyes tracing you in anticipation. You left a peck on his forehead and muttered, “You suck.”

Disbelief hit your colleagues’ faces, though some among them were friends, you’d never been as close to someone as you had Izuku, ruling them out was never a decision you wanted to make. With a quiet apology only meant for some of the group, you blocked out the swearing of the boy from earlier, the panic of your teammates, and rose your magenta glowing palms.

It had been an easy fight, only a couple of pros and mostly rookies were in your group for the patrol today. Those who charged at you were shoved away by your power, those who didn’t simply stayed back. Your energy was gone, the adrenaline flooding from your system. As a result your hands landed on your knees, your breaths longer as you panted.

A wolf-whistle reaches your ears.

You looked to Izuku, standing idly in the alleyway, he seemed impressed. Though the thought of this situation stressed you to no end, the smile on his face seemed to calm you in a way.

“I knew how bad you wanted to punch that guy,” Izuku stated, like he’d been hoping all along he was right. It’s true you’d been ranting to him about work, mostly workers, so you weren’t that surprised he picked him out among your group as the culprit of your stress over this week. “It feels good doesn’t it?” You couldn’t disagree, it had honestly felt plenty nice. The green-eyed boy came closer, placing his hands your your cheeks, and that felt plenty nice too. You’d never realized how easy it was to break rules, being constructed to them your entire life, those around you afraid of your quirk were strict with you.

A change like this might be what you needed, yet as you should’ve been, you still had your worries. You stared deeply into emerald eyes.

“Where will I go?” The smile on his face made his freckles bounce, you couldn’t help but soften at his touch.

“With me.” His voice was soft too, and you leaned into him; partially due to exhaustion, partially to the need for comfort. Clinging to him, you sighed heavily, and enjoyed his curls tickling the back of your neck. Izuku planted a kiss onto your head. He was warm, and it made you forget that the people you’d been working with minutes ago were on the ground unconscious and battered. He continued,

“You can stay with us.”

...

anotha one~

#bnha #boku no hero academia #villain deku #bnha x reader #bnha imagine #villain izuku midoriya #izuku midoriya bnha #my hero academia #bnha scenario #imagine #deku

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bookshelf-imagines · 3 years

Text

Chasing Light | Part VIII

Pairing/Fandom: Lumity/ToH

Summary: Alador? 👀 Belos?!?? 👀👀👀

Warnings: Blood, violence

Notes: soleae = shoes PART I || PART II || PART III || PART IV || PART V || PART VI || PART VII

The atmosphere of the room was a mixture of deadly and silent. All of them but Alador were too shocked to move, and couldn't process what had just happened in time.

Alador wiped the blood of the dirk on Odalia’s clothed shoulder before nudging her limp body to the side and it falling with a thud.

A sigh escaped his lips.

“Ah, yes. This might be confusing for you all.”

As soon as he said that, a light enveloped his body for a split second before vanishing. In that time, however, his entire appearance changed.

Instead of a toga praetexta and soleae, he now donned a regular, white form fitting shirt that stopped at mid-thigh and winged sandals. A singular bandolier hung from his waist and there were silver bracers locked around his forearms. His dirk snaked into a caduceus and his other hand was holding what seemed to be a tarnished silver helmet with miniature wings on it. Rather than brown hair and almond eyes, a mop of blond sat atop his head and striking azure eyes on his face.

“Much better.”

“Mercury.” Belos sounded...pleased?

Seeing as how Mercury was the god of, not only thieves and trickery, but of messages and was the messenger of the gods, he had to be able to get to places swiftly. That being said, the entire ordeal lasted only ten seconds before the shock wore off. He seemed to move faster than the rest of the room, even if the others didn't notice.

Luz took a defensive stance in front of her friends and angrily clenched her fists.

Mercury was known for being somewhat ‘flashy.’ He'd pulled stunts such as this before, but it was usually toward other gods. What was his purpose in posing as Alador for so long and killing off a mortal?

“Oh, dear, look at you.” Mercury clicked his tongue and pointed his baton at the young legionnaire. “All worked up and ready to defend your brigade of misfits.”

“Why?” Luz asked, putting her hand on the grip of her weapon out of habit.

“Why? Why?! Come now, you must know. I despise Apollo. Always stealing the spotlight. He never has any fun.” Mercury droned on, making dramatic facial expressions in the process.

“Apollo? What's Apollo have to do with this?”

Mercury shook his head between Belos and Luz, almost as if he just spilled a secret that wasn't his to share.

“Answer me! You killed a woman. A human. You're a god! What right do you have to our business?”

Luz felt a hand on her shoulder and a voice by her ear.

“Luz, maybe we need to back off. Provoking divine beings is not the best way to stay alive.” Willow, being the voice of reason as always to Luz’s hotheaded decisions, pointed out.

“What right do I have? Darling, I've spent years devoting my time and effort to make sure little miss imperfect behind you caught your eye in order to convict Odalia and lead you to me! You played directly into my hands and you didn't even know it, kiddo.”

Amity seemed to realize that he was talking about her and ground her teeth, not exactly knowing what was going on. Granted, she has a general situation awareness, but she was still new to the whole thing.

“Fight another day, Luz. We don't know what he's talking about-” Willow once again attempted to reason.

Luz shrugged the plant lover’s hand off of her and surged forward, decking the trickster god across the jaw. He flew back a few feet but caught himself with his flying shoes.

A deep chuckle reverberated off of the temple walls as the sickening crack of a jaw popping was heard. He licked a streak of blood that had dripped from his mouth and smirked.

“You've got quite the punch there, kid. Now tell me, how did you just hurt a god?”

“That's enough, now.” Belos raised a hand halfway before resuming its place at his side.

The entire room listened to him.

Luz was a mere second away from throwing another punch, so it was probably a good thing Belos intervened.

“Taunting her will not give the answers she seeks.”

“Tell me.” Luz seethed. Her anger wasn't flaring quite yet, but she was confused nonetheless because she thought she knew what they were talking about and...she had mixed feelings about it.

Belos drew out a lazed sigh.

“You might want to become more aware of your surroundings.”

“L…uz. You're...glowing.” Amity meekly whispered.

“What? No I'm-” Luz moved her hands up and saw that she was, indeed, glowing, “...not.”

A soft, yellow light was radiating off of her body and lighting up a defined radius around her, seemingly surrounding her and her friends defensively. Her chocolate eyes lit up and were now closer to a smooth, honey color. Amity, Gus and Willow swore she looked almost like a...a god.

“What did you do to me?” Luz asked, turning her hands over and over again trying to find an answer.

“We did not do anything. I simply trained you and kept you under lock and key until your talents were awoken. Now, they have.”

Before Luz could retaliate, Belos teleported forward and grabbed Luz by the neck, lifting her off the ground. His glove quickly became cinched from the heat, but he held on a few seconds. Luz gripped his wrist, trying to fight back.

“Luz!” The group shouted. They attempted to walk forward but were struck back by an unknown force.

“Ah, ah. This is business I have with Noceda. The rest of you may go.” Belos once again waved his hand and the trio disappeared.

“What...did you...do- to them?!” Luz strained.

Belos gripped a little tighter before throwing the centurion into the wall, denting the marble in a human shape.

Mercury watched from the sidelines, laughing and clapping.

Luz gasped as she got up, her shine brighter than before.

“I said- what did you do to them?!"

“Don't worry about them.”

Belos appeared in front of her.

“Soon, you won't know who they are.”

The emperor, in one swift movement, revealed an item from behind his cloak and slammed it against Luz’s throat, the item locking in place. The latter choked for a moment before her light dimmed and she fell to her knees, unconscious.

“Sweet dreams, daughter of Apollo.”

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