#wip: death of an apprentice

[iceclew]

BACK TO ART Y'ALL!

(after ....an awful lot of screaming these last days.. ... hey I don't know what is wrong with me, maybe it's the spring vibes finally kicking in or smth..)

Anyway here's the concept art for Hans and Henry - Witcher AU

'Cause I can not enjoy ANY franchise, ANY game, ANY-FUCKING-THING without witcherizing it. For t'is the law here.

Go down to my overly detailed description and non-text versions for AU Hans and AU Henry here. I have my brainworms and i'll spill them out on you, if you don't step aside, so beware.

Also this time I'm not going for a mix, I'm going full Witcher universe here.

Let me tell you there is a LOT of Hansry in the making for canon and Witcher AU right now.. I just need to find a way to finish it, for I am cursed to be stuck at WIPs so far as it seems. BUT I WILL DO MY BEST !!! FOR WE NEED THE HANSRY, DON'T WE?!

YES WE DO!!

So I've read the witcher books, played game 3, and looked up several things on fandom-wikis. If anything's not entirely witcher canon here, my bad. I tried my best ok? Also I took some liberty and smushed timelines and stuff to fit the scene here.

Capon is my fucking dress up doll. I am sorry I could not not. He is so FUCKING Dandelion coded.. PLUS I had so many cool outfit ideas and well...LOOK AT HIM HE JUST EATS, OK? I feel like he could be stuffed in a human-sized sock and still would look great in it... I don't get it either.. the tailors just love him.

have a song recommendation for Hans :3

Hans Capon (House of Leipa) The House of Leipa is a family line of famous military leaders at the nation of Kaedwen. (listen, there is a canon Fort Leida in the witcher universe, how could you blame me for jumping on that?) For generations they reigned over Fort Leipa and the surrounding region in Kaedwen. It was about 19 years ago when the Scoia'tael invaded the fortress and killed almost all members of the major family branch, including Hans' parents. Hans himself survived due to a servant's quick thinking. He was hidden in the servant's quarters in a bedroom's chest. The Scoia'tael focussed on looting the royal belongings. So he was not found until his relatives reconquered the fortress hours later. Hans has no memory of said day since he was still an infant, but suffers from claustrophobia now.

'The Slaughter of Leipa' contributed severly to the following pogrom in Ard Carraigh (Kaedwens capital), causing the deaths of over 400 nonhumans. Hans is not entirely against nonhuman races but has his personal, unprocessed issues with them....

Back in the present (20y/o) his situation is very similar to canon Hans, with Hanush currently being his guardian as long as he's not old enough to reign. He differs a lot from Hanush's imagination of a proper heir of their family tree and arguments are on a daily bases. For political representation Hans gets to travel and stay at the free city of Novigrad for a while. While he loves his home region in Kaedwen, he immediately falls in love with the urban vibes, and modern culture of the city (and of course the freedom of being away from Hanush's monitoring for once). For a few months he's spending a fair amount of coin on every tailor, tavern, brothel and bathhouse in the city.

By now the owners of said etablishements have made appropriate arrangements with every bandit's guilt around, for his regular visits are more profitable to all of them, than robbing him once.

There might have been one or two kidnappings with ransom involved nonetheless, which had Hanush consider hiring a bodyguard for his ward after all...If only just to mend his headache from time to time a bit.

This is were a certain offer from an old friend, plus a witcher's apprentice appears seemingly just at the right time...

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Henry's design and my idea of his witcher character made me painfully aware of just how similar those two universes actually are. I mean - not necessary a bad thing, but it might take the charm out of it a bit. So I tried to add a little twist to Henry here. Let's see how we're doing.

Have a song recommedation for Henry :3

Henry, child of the fate Henry is born a blacksmith's son and lived a slow life in a small village around Kaedwen's hillside. There would be times he would even go as far as to call it straight out boring, but he's not one to complain about stuff like that.

Since his father Martin taught him from young age, Henry practically grew up with swords, especially the kind made of finest silver ore, used to slay monsters. His father's outstanding works, famous in all the northern nations, attracted many witchers from far and wide. Of course the nearby 'School of the Wolf' at Kaer Morhen was a popular and recurring customer at their forge as well.

All peace and quiet ended the day his village was raided by bandits and his parents were murdered. Henry found himself seeking refuge, first at Kaer Morhen, then at Fort Leipa, with a handful of other citizens. At the witchers fortress he recognized one or two faces from back at the forge, but there was one particularly standing out.

Radzig Kobyla, a reknown witcher in all around the region seemed to have special interest in Henry and even offered some first combat training in sword-fighting. With time Henry finds the truth about is bonds with Radzig...

Before he was born Radzig saved Martin from a mountain troll. Half joking, half serious Martin remembered old witcher's tradition of the Law of Suprise - 'for what you find at home, yet did not expect' and offered it. Radzig actually refused the offer, for he was not necessarily fond of said tradition.

It was only a month later that they found out about the pregnancy... While awaiting a child Martin was devastated about his promise. He was not sure if it was to be fulfilled or not. After Henry was born Radzig still refused to ever take the child, arguing he never agreed to any contract like this. But fate finds his way nonetheless and with Henry basically finding him and being robbed his family, friends and home, Radzig finally gives in and offers to train him to become a witcher.

Of course things are way more complicated by now, since Henry is not suitable for a proper 'Trial of the grasses' anymore. He never gained the full immunity and powers of a proper witcher, but with Kaer Morhen's knowledge, plus consultation of several sorcerer Radzig's find a way for Henry to undergo a lighter and also much slower variation of the original changing procedure.

Although the risk of said changing progress is the same, if not higher. Errors or negative effects can only be seen and be treated much later after they have already settled in. The sorceress Katharina of Ard Carraigh was outraged when she heard about Radzig's little experiment, but offered her help with the effects nonetheless. With her help Henry was able to adapt existing witcher potions to handle his new powers and skills easier, and - much more important - to keep them at bay, when they threaten to take over his sanity.

While trying to tackle his new life and witcher training, Henry is also confronted with his first 'witcher' contract (well whatever Radzig found fitting for a half-baked witcher, without much fighting experience, nor complete control over his powers, that is.) Their host at Fort Leipa seemed to have a promising task as bodyguard at hand, and since Radzig had taken a lot of contracts from the house of Leipa in past times, it would not hurt giving it a try. Henry would only have to take care of the spoiled Leipa's offspring for a while. Nothing too much of a task right? Right.

At least until said offspring runs off and jumps into sheets with an Alp and seems to be in need of a witcher now after all, .....

But that's a story for another time...

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*visible exhaustion but I made it*

that's it for now guys.. I ..clearly overdid myself in the description right there, I just know it.

Also - sorry for my spelling , I hate rereading stuff, and tend to miss weird errors...

Hope you liked it, I don't really call myself a good writer, I just want to get out my ideas here. :)

[tozettastone]

Strong Haruno Sakura Fic Recs*

*As based on my own recent reading spree. I have read so many fics. These are just the ones I think you guys might really like. I've listed them by mood, because of course you need to be in the right mood for the right iddy fic! (⁠ﾉ⁠◕⁠ヮ⁠◕⁠)⁠ﾉ⁠*⁠.⁠✧

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If you're looking for a "Dark Sakura" vibe and fics in which she falls out with her team or village, try:

The Infinitely Curious Woman by chararii (https://archiveofourown.org/works/24542602)

Notes: Features a Sakura who becomes inspired by Orochimaru's good works! It has some grammatical and stylistic quirks that will not appeal to all readers, but the content is very fun. The fic isn't too long and the Sakura & Tsunade relationship is compelling and good to chew on.

Believe Me When I Say I Carry All My Sins by Honestly Neptune (https://archiveofourown.org/works/15103049)

Notes: WIP. Features a dimension-hopping Sakura from the worst timeline, who arrives in a slightly less bad timeline in which no Uchiha massacre took place, Minato is Hokage, Orochimaru runs the Konoha hospital, and Sakura herself has been dishonourably discharged from the shinobi corps. This is a fairly novel plotline where the characters' activities change the canon storyline. Also, not to be incredibly predictable but: HIDAN. MY BELOVED. He shows up late and is a fairly one-note character but his straightforward zest for death is so fun. (⁠人⁠ ⁠•͈⁠ᴗ⁠•͈⁠)

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If you would like fics in which Sakura has a totally divergent background and very little resembles canon except the general setting, try:

Kiri's Team 14 by Alphum (https://archiveofourown.org/works/24640414)

Notes: WIP. Features a wildly AU timeline that readers mostly experience through implication. The characters being from Kiri is novel and fun. The development of Sakura's power is effectively the plot. Baby InoSaku flirting is also very cute.

Waves by IncompleteSentanc (https://archiveofourown.org/works/10894947)

Notes: Featuring a Sakura who dies and is reborn in the past as the heir to the leader of Uzushio. She dreams of the future (which is her past life), so it's kind of a Peggy Sue with extra layers. The writing style favours drama, which might be good or bad depending on what you like.

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For those iddy fics that really just focus on the character growing in skills and power:

Roots Run Deep by Vulpecula_et_Anser (https://archiveofourown.org/works/36704950)

Notes: Features a cute "chakra genius" version of genin Sakura. She gets adopted by Kakashi's ninken (and they teach her to bite). It is one of those fics in which characters are a bit more emotionally aware than they are in canon and they can articulate their feelings and motives clearly, which some people love and some people don't. It has novel missions and the technique-related worldbuilding is fun. It's a WIP and it left off last year in a slightly odd place.

Learn To Lean On The People Who Love You by Captainwittyoneliner (https://archiveofourown.org/works/41736657)

Notes: WIP. A Kakashi & Sakura fic in which Sakura is an unlikely genius. Both Tsunade and Kakashi take her on as an apprentice after the rest of her genin team leaves the village. The vibes are great fun and I am sooo weak to a Kakashi/Gai background pairing.

Rotting Roots and Falling Dead Leaves by Blushinrose (https://archiveofourown.org/works/50816944)

Notes: WIP. It's one of those fics in which the main character manifests weird powers, and also one of those fics in which Kakashi becomes more involved in her mentoring. In combination this is fun. The premise is that Sakura sees ghosts (and learns stuff from them). This is one of the ones I really liked! I like the way the "scarier" ghosts are described and there's something quite satisfying about the whole "building up skills" arc of this one.

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If you want fics that have a focus on Sakura's character development, you might try out:

A Lesson in Humility by aobears (https://archiveofourown.org/works/11171910)

Notes: It's character driven and not plot driven. This is an iddy, no-massacre ItaSaku fic focused on Sakura's development (both of her powers and her character) and it has a lot of mental illness stuff in it. While her mental health struggles are not portrayed totally unrealistically or anything, I think people should steer clear if they don't want to read about depression and discontinuation syndrome and all that stuff.

Icarus (protect the flames) by ginoeh (https://archiveofourown.org/works/24968347)

Notes: WIP. I love it when we get to see some novel ideas for missions! This one features a wistful mood and a Sakura who is learning how to be a tracker. It does contain some grammatical quirks, but I think they're pretty easy to look past — none of them are the kind that actually prevent understanding the text, if you know what I mean. There's some fun exploration of the setting going on here too. I'm into it.

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If you're in the mood for an early-series Team 7 centric fic in which Sakura gets to be more competent than in canon, you should read:

The Pack Survives by ihopethelightwillshineupon (https://archiveofourown.org/works/34985914)

Notes: This fic has a very linear plot with few twists or turns. It's about the characters working to survive after a mission goes south. It contains loads of Sakura and she has to step up and take charge in some challenging situations.

Freedom in the Eyes of Another by Oroburos69 (https://archiveofourown.org/works/236240)

Notes: I know loads of people have read this one because it's over ten years old, but I reread it this week and it turns out it's still a banger so if you haven't, give it a shot. The premise is that after being captured during the Wave Mission, Sakura misinterprets one of Kakashi's (supposedly final) orders and subsequently fucks a load of people up. Perfect premise, really. It's an extremely "Capture and Torture Recovery Fic," but it does feature plenty of additional plot details that all make good sense . It's novella length, self contained, and makes a good "one sitting" kinda read.

[gffa]

I've been a little slow on getting out new STAR WARS fic recs out, but in my defense it's because I've been reading a bunch of longer fics lately. In the spirit of "there's a special feeling to those fics that consume you and make you stay up until 3am because you can't put them down", here's a list of some of the ones I've loved or am in the middle of reading and they are haunting my thoughts and I need to inflict that on everyone else. Whether you're looking at a long upcoming trip and need some good reading material or avoiding your feelings by sinking into fic or just because you like reading, I hope you'll find something here! Including a bonus underrunning theme of throwing in a bunch of Jedi-loving fic to continue my agenda of making Jedi-centric fandom a more fun place to be. 30k+ is the minimum and this isn't all of my favorites, but it's a great list of "I have a week off to kill and I want to be in a fic coma by the end of it".

STAR WARS FIC FOR WHEN YOU NEED TO KILL ABOUT TEN HOURS WORTH OF TIME AND WANT TO HAVE FEELINGS ABOUT FICTIONAL PSYCHIC SPACE WIZARDS WHILE YOU'RE AT IT:

✦ Out with Lanterns by SkyeBean, mace & ahsoka & plo & shaak & cast, 312.5k     In another universe, Jedi Masters Plo Koon and Depa Billaba decide a Padawan could do Mace some good. It takes a while, but he eventually agrees. When he takes Ahsoka Tano as his Padawan, Mace knows that he's broken through a Shatterpoint and changed the course of a life. How, he doesn't know. ✦ Reprise by Elfpen, obi-wan & qui-gon & mace & yoda & anakin & cast, time travel, 558.9k wip     Ben Kenobi dies aboard the Death Star in the year 0 BBY. He wakes up shortly thereafter in the Jedi temple in the year 41 BBY. Haunted by memories and regret, Ben must forge a new path for himself in the Jedi Order of his youth while navigating the murky waters of time travel. Crafting a better future from bitter experience is hard, but learning to heal is even harder. ✦ Take it from the top and try again by mauvera, obi-wan & qui-gon & anakin & padme & mace & shmi & dooku & cast, time travel, 112k wip     Five years into his self imposed exile on Tattooine, Obi-Wan Kenobi is gifted the chance to go back and bring hope back to the galaxy. With hindsight on his side, he fully intends to save his master, save his padawan, make some new and old friends again, prepare the Jedi for a war they’ll hopefully never see and begin to pull apart all the many tangled threads of the Sith Lord’s plans. Should be relatively easy. Right? ✦ Post Order 66 Exile AU by Livsy, obi-wan & anakin & cast, 46k     Alternatively: after a failed order 66, in which many Jedi still died but the Sith were defeated, an exiled warrior and a boy wander a distant planet and attempt to get along. ✦ Remedial Jedi Theology by MarbleGlove, obi-wan & anakin & jedi & cast, 51.3k     Let us consider the fact that the Jedi Order is a monastic religious organization based out of a temple, with five basic tenets of faith. ✦ Supreme Chancellor Obi-Wan Kenobi by stonefreeak, obi-wan & anakin & padme & yoda & palpatine & bail & dooku & mace & quinlan & vokara & ahsoka & cast, 124.5k wip     By an old Republic law, all members of the Jedi High Council are senators in the Galactic Senate, and can thus be voted in as chancellor. A Senator from a less prominent planet has had enough of Chancellor Palpatine's incompetence and calls for a Vote of No-Confidence and the installation of Jedi Master Obi-Wan Kenobi as Supreme Chancellor of the Galactic Republic. This one action becomes the catalyst that changes the direction of the galaxy. ✦ What We've Become by Vinyarie, vader & ahsoka & cast, 82k     Darth Vader and Ahsoka’s fight on Malachor takes a different path, and Ahsoka actually is able to save her master. Or rather, she’s able to convince him to save himself. Diverges from canon in the last few minutes of Twilight of the Apprentice and goes increasingly AU from there.

✦ time to change the road you're on by wreckageofstars, obi-wan & anakin & ahsoka & luke & leia & han & ghost crew & cast, time travel, 93.6k wip     The end of the Clone War is near - the fall of the Republic even nearer. Anakin Skywalker, caught up in the events that lead to the rise of the Empire and the loss of everything he holds dear, finds himself sent nearly two decades into the future. Ahsoka Tano, still coming to painful terms with the true fate of her former master, is - not exactly happy to see him. But the Force works in mysterious ways - and the future is not nearly as set in stone as they've been lead to believe. Multi-chapter AU, Rise of the Empire/Rebels-era. ✦ narrower than a razor's edge by bereft_of_frogs, obi-wan & dooku & qui-gon & anakin & sidious & cast, 30.2k     Dooku tips his hand ten years earlier because he can't stand the thought of his former apprentice's murder, and that might just be enough to save everyone...if it doesn't get them all killed first. ✦ soften every edge by gigglesandfreckles, obi-wan & ahsoka (& anakin), major character death, 48.1k     "Rejoice!" the galaxy says, in the wake of war and the dawning of peace. "How?" Obi-Wan asks. "No," Ahsoka says. (or: Obi-Wan & Ahsoka learn to live on.) ✦ hunting toward heartstill by blackkat, mace/cody & plo & fives & shaak & obi-wan & anakin & rex & cast, 207.2k     Plo has an idea. Mace agrees, and everything snowballs right into hell from there. (Or: Mace and Cody get married in order to give the clones citizen status. Before they can focus on that, though, they're going to have to deal with ancient Sith artifacts, evil prophets, plots to overthrow the Supreme Chancellor, lost planets, monsters warped by Sith alchemy, inconvenient , and Darth Sidious turning his eye on a potential new apprentice. Just...not in that order.) ✦ Cataclasm by dendral, obi-wan & anakin & ahsoka & waxer & cast, 63.1k wip     For reasons unknown to all but himself, Obi-Wan Kenobi has left the Jedi Order in the midst of the Clone Wars, taking with him a single clone. Anakin Skywalker has been unofficially tasked by the Order to find Obi-Wan and bring him home. Unfortunately for Anakin, it seems his former master is always ten steps ahead of him. ✦ Unexpected Awakening (The Rewrite) by Rhiw, obi-wan & qui-gon & anakin & feemor & bruck & jango & cast, time travel, 135.1k wip     The life of General Kenobi is cut short at the hands of his Padawan, but the sight that greets his eyes upon awakening is not that of blinding light of the Force, but the Jedi Temple he knew when he was still a youth. As he struggles to understand the path laid out before him, Obi-Wan unwittingly captures the attention of a singularly unusual Temple Guard, and that of a reluctant Qui-Gon Jinn.

✦ Knightrise by deviantaccumulation, obi-wan & ahsoka & satine & yoda & cast, 89.4k wip     There is no battle on Mustafar or in Coruscant's senate building. Instead, a small but still alive Jedi Order rises from its ashes on Mandalore. ✦ Fire and Ice by Yesac, obi-wan & anakin & cast, 111.9k     Anakin wins the duel on Mustafar, but doesn't kill Obi-Wan. Along with Padme, Obi-Wan finds himself living in a chaotic world where the man he thought he knew has become the thing he swore to destroy. Can Anakin be turned back? If so, what then? ✦ Better That a Millstone by Icarus_is_flying, obi-wan & luke & anakin & leia & cast, 86.7k     Vader discovers Luke and Obi-Wan on Tatooine when Luke is one year old and attempts to reclaim the family he threw away. Obi-Wan is less than pleased, and Luke and Leia? They have their own ideas about how their future should play out. ✦ Bloodlines by KCKenobi, obi-wan & anakin & dooku, 35.8k     When an explosion traps them in the same doomed escape pod, Obi-Wan, Anakin, and Dooku are stranded together on Tatooine. The goal is simple: cooperate long enough to survive, and not a second longer. But a shared past has a way of connecting the people we think we know—and bloodlines run deep. [or: your classic family road trip across a desert planet, except your grandpa is, you know, a Sith Lord. And now he's sort of starting to bond with your Jedi dad. And that might be an issue.] ✦ When Darkness Seems to Hide This Place by IllyanaA, obi-wan & anakin & ahsoka & rex & cast, 136k wip     After killing three of the Jedi Order's best and brightest, Palpatine's fight with Jedi Master Mace Windu goes shorter than expected. Afraid he's lost his chance at recruiting a new apprentice, Sidious unleashes Order 66 across the galaxy, but, per their programming, the Clone Army is not to harm Anakin Skywalker. After witnessing the most painful loss he's ever experienced and injured at the hands of his captors, Anakin is ready to die like the rest of the Jedi, though not before getting his vengeance. ✦ Precipice by shadowsong26, obi-wan & anakin & padme & luke & leia & bail & ahsoka & rex & cast, 253.6k     An AU in which Anakin Skywalker does not follow Mace Windu and the others to Palpatine’s office after they leave to arrest the Chancellor. As a result, he doesn’t get that final push over the edge, and doesn’t Fall. ✦ Averting Galactic Destruction by kj_feybarn, obi-wan & anakin & quinlan & rex & cody & fives & dogma & wolffe & plo & shaak & dooku & sidious, time travel, 44.3k     AKA The Time the Force Sent Obi-Wan Back in Time and Quinlan Vos kept him from Going Kamikaze because let’s be Honest, Being Forced to Come Back in Time Would Suck.

✦ Into the Archives by skygawker, obi-wan & anakin/padme & palpatine & cast, 104.9k wip     After hearing the legend of Darth Plagueis the Wise from Palpatine, Anakin decides that his best chance to save Padme is to break into the restricted Holocron Vault of the Temple Archives to search for information about Plagueis. Predictably, all does not go according to plan. Revenge of the Sith AU. ✦ Live To Fight Another Day by raemanzu, spica_tea, cody & rex & jesse & kix & obi-wan & anakin & fox & cast, 396.9k wip     Clones have their place in the universe, beyond the schemes of Palpatine. Events conspire to place Rex on the path of a new fate, one which will affect the future in ways not even the Jedi could foresee. Loyal to source material and characterizations. Canon-divergent. Starts between seasons 5 and 6 of TCW and explores Rex’s reaction to Fives’ dying words and subsequent events building toward Order 66. Variety of canon characters. No ships. Very Ace and Aro. Strong focus on certain friendships (Rex and Cody, Jesse and Kix, etc) with those friendships playing major roles. Thematically about how the clones navigate loss, trauma, the concept of their enslavement, their identities, etc amongst the larger active plot threads. Content warnings for war-related PTSD, trauma, combat injuries, and all around war-related angst etc in later chapters. ✦ Life and What Comes After by Ibelin, obi-wan & anakin & ahsoka & padme & cast, 177.2k wip     Obi-Wan dies on Jabiim. Anakin blames himself, doesn't know how to go on and yet - he does. Maybe the Force rewards that kind of thing, or maybe he just gets lucky, but when a mission lands Anakin on a vaguely familiar planet, he gets a second chance to do what he knows he should have done in the first place: save his master. (And maybe a chance to save the galaxy, too.) ✦ Knight-Errant by zinjadu, anakin & ahsoka & obi-wan & padme & rex & jedi & clones, 315.8k     AU - The Jedi Who Knew Too Much. Rex decides to stay "in pursuit" of his Commander; he jumps. Now, with backup, Ahsoka navigates the lower levels and deals with Ventress. Meanwhile, Anakin takes the Order to task, finds a little more support, and things turn out a little differently for everyone. And this is just the beginning. ✦ the massive machinery of hope by Killbothtwins, obi-wan & qui-gon & anakin & shmi & jedi, time travel, 150.1k     After the end of the war with the Empire, Obi-Wan wakes up in his twelve-year old body. Now all he needs to do is convince everyone he's psychic, trick his Master into taking him on before he's sent to Bandomeer, redeem a few bad guys, and try not to have a nervous breakdown. Pretty easy. It's not like the Sith are lurking on the horizon, waiting to devour the Jedi Order.

✦ The Exchange by MissLearn, obi-wan & anakin & qui-gon & ahsoka & padme & cast, time travel/body swap, 120k     The Daughter has a bad day and it irrevocably changes the fate of the galaxy, twice over. Or; ROTS Obi-Wan and Anakin are swapped with their younger, TPM, selves. It changes things, in both parallels. ✦ In All The World by Kjellarnen, obi-wan & anakin & cast, 144.8k wip     The story of how Anakin Skywalker and Obi-Wan Kenobi tamed each other, from Naboo to Anakin's early days at the Temple. ✦ In Another Life by KCKenobi, obi-wan & anakin & ahsoka & padme, time travel, 52.3k     Eleven years after the rise of the Empire, a favor to a friend sends Obi-Wan traveling through the multiverse. He encounters different versions of the galaxy and of himself—including one in which Anakin never turned to the dark side. Obi-Wan and this Light Anakin are forced to work together to stop the creation of a disastrous Empire weapon. But as they move through different versions of reality, the timelines become more and more twisted—and the harder it is to distinguish who they are from who they might have been. And—to find their way home. ✦ The Intruder by Hollyoakhill, obi-wan & original clone characters, 82.5k     When a vicious attack from a strange, indestructible monster traps them on a derelict star destroyer, a young clone trooper fresh from Kamino join forces with Jedi General Obi-Wan Kenobi to find a way to escape. ✦ Conceal Me What I Am by Himboskywalker, obi-wan/anakin & padme & yoda & mace & palpatine & quinlan & cast, omegaverse, NSFW, 108.3k     Separatist Propaganda is turning the Republic against the Jedi Order and the Senate sees no choice but to join in a political alliance to fight dissent on a unified front.An alliance is proposed through an arranged marriage,between a Jedi Knight and Republic Senator. Anakin Skywalker and Obi-Wan Kenobi are chosen as representatives of the political union by Darth Sidious, meant to bring ruin to the marriage and the public's support of the Jedi,for Obi-Wan Kenobi is not the Beta he claims. But even Sidious does not know of the secret Anakin Skywalker keeps, that he is not the Alpha the galaxy believes him to be. ✦ Equinox by lilyconrad, obi-wan/anakin, NSFW, 95.9k     During the Clone Wars, Obi-Wan and Anakin crash on a remote planet and take shelter in the ruins of a grand estate only to find they are not alone.

✦ Invictus by Himboskywalker, obi-wan/anakin & cast, NSFW, 40.3k     "He is the balance, the other half, the completion to Skywalker’s soul, a perfect dyad in the force. But while Kenobi is a simple answer, the force also sees the difficulty of the pair coming together in balance. The foundations of the galaxy they exist in pull at them, threatening to intervene in their unity. But this is also a simple problem, for the force is far greater than the foundations of a single galaxy, for it is the foundation of all. So the force enacts its will, to bridge the pair over a span of moments, of years, of eternities, and Anakin Skywalker and Obi-Wan Kenobi will fall in love, have fallen in love, and are falling in love." ✦ Neutron star collision by thedunesea, obi-wan/anakin & cast, NSFW, 121.2k wip     In the aftermath of Order 66, Anakin Skywalker's miraculous survival after his confrontation with the new Sith Apprentice Darth Vader ignites a sparkle of hope in the remaining Jedi, in the fledgling rebellion and, above all, in his former Master, who thought he had lost everything to darkness. But darkness is generous, and it is patient. ✦ Lex Talionis by intermundia, obi-wan/anakin & ahsoka & dooku & rex & cast, NSFW, 187.1k     The ancient Galactic Republic is dying slowly—an ugly death of corruption, sprawl, and decay—with the sin of slavery hanging over its every triumph. The beleaguered Jedi Knights are too few to adequately patrol and police the entire Republic, and are faced with complacency and greed at every turn. Born into a crumbling and stagnant galaxy, Obi-Wan Kenobi and Anakin Skywalker are faced with the greatest challenge of all: themselves. Obi-Wan likes rules and control. When the galaxy around him stops playing by the rules, what is a Jedi to do? Anakin needs rules and restraint. When the galaxy around him conspires to set him loose, what is his Master to do? Falling slowly or falling fast, falling through lust or falling through wrath—it all leads to delusion and moral decay. What can be born from the ashes? ✦ Atlas of Our Ruin by Ripki, obi-wan/anakin & cast, NSFW, time travel, 230.8k     Both the past and the future casts long shadows. Obi-Wan and Anakin learn that the hard way, when a mysterious holocron flings them backwards and forwards in time, forcing them to confront painful truths. But the time-travel is only the beginning… ✦ Seed by bell (belldreams), obi-wan/anakin, NSFW, 44k     When Anakin falls prey to a lethal poison, Obi-Wan has no choice but use all his resources to heal him-- no matter how reluctant he is in administering the antidote.

✦ wicked thing by imaginarykat, obi-wan/anakin & ahsoka & cast, nsfw, sith!obi-wan, 124.2k wip     There are rumours of yet another Sith Lord hiding among the Separatists. The Council sends Anakin to investigate. Anakin has a bad feeling about this. or, the story of how Anakin exists in a perpetual state of intense embarrassment, Obi-Wan is enjoying it a little too much, and everything is, generally speaking, a gigantic mess. ✦ Rulebreaker/Wildheart by chapstickaddict, obi-wan/anakin & ahsoka & luke & leia & barriss & cast, NSFW, 230k     Darth Vader, the strong arm of the Sith, held loyal to his Order since they took he and his mother from slavery in the deserts of Tatooine. Until he became convinced they killed his wife. He abandoned his Order and disappeared in the chaos of the Clone Wars, presumed dead by all sides. That young Skywalker is known around town as a widower and homesteader; a Nabooian who emigrated to avoid the trade blockade; a father of overly-energetic twins and warding a Togruta war orphan; a decent mechanic if your farm equipment or maintenance droid is acting up. Anakin is a paranoid, over-protective hot mess doing his best to raise his weird pack the way Padmé would have wanted. How the hell is he supposed to do that when his kids and not-apprentice make him haul a half-dead Jedi Master home like a lost pet? ✦ more than a candle by jenmishe, obi-wan/anakin/padme, NSFW, 50.3k     "The dark is generous and it is patient and it always wins – but in the heart of its strength lies its weakness: one lone candle is enough to hold it back. Love is more than a candle. Love can ignite the stars." Or, a few thousands of words of how Anakin, Obi Wan, and Padmé realize many things, which include, most notably, how they feel about each other and how to handle said feelings. Oh, and in the meantime, they deal with a megalomaniac Sith Lord. ✦ Anamorphosis by avocadomoon, obi-wan/padme & anakin & mace & corde & qui-gon & cast, 33.5k     noun, plural an·a·mor·pho·ses [an-uh-mawr-fuh-seez, -mawr-foh-seez]. A distorted or monstrous projection or representation of an image on a plane or curved surface, which, when viewed from a certain point, or as reflected from a curved mirror or through a polyhedron, appears regular and in proportion; a deformation of an image.

[bonefall]

Dunno if they properly count to be recycled but in 'Into the Wild' Dawncloud mentions having more kittens she doesn't want to be killed which can't be Blossom or Swamp who are dead by this point.

I'm counting them. I haven't named them yet, but in my notes, they're marked down as "WindClan Massacre 1" and "WindClan Massacre 2."

Dawncloud is a mess in-canon. She's an apprentice who's supposed to be an old queen with several litters, and a mate so old he should have been dead before she was born. The way I've decided to approach her is by making her more accurate to her TPB appearance; an old queen.

She is now Raggedstar's littermate.

A friend of Yellowfang's youth, along with Ashflame (previously ShC Ashfur).

Finchflight was a total git. The kind of husband that you really hope she divorces, but never does.

Nasty to her friends, really full of himself, a fantastic warrior who doesn't let you forget it.

"Dawcy, what do you see in that guy?" "Ohh, you don't know him like I do."

Together, they had several litters of kits. I'm still working out the nitty gritty details on how many litters and how many kits in each.

The oldest were the two who eventually die in the massacre. There weren't as many ShadowClan casualties as WindClan casualties that night, but they were strong warriors in the initial strike squad.

I'm thinking of giving them bird names-- Drake and Harrier, maybe. Finchflight would want his firstborn kits to have names like him, and Dawncloud would oblige.

Scorchwind is in a later litter. He was born after his uncle earned the honor title of Raggedpelt, and Dawncloud adored her brother's old name.

With his blessing, the unused, "lucky name" was passed to Scorchkit.

There's another "maybe" cat who might be hers-- a Glitch Warrior, the "Not Brokenstar" forest rogue from Rise of Scourge.

His WIP name is Braketail. A brake is a marshland dominated by one species of plant. I'm tempted to make his name Brakebone though.

May or may not stay in the Dawnkin family, though. Depends.

Since BB!Brokenstar both does not have the "child soldiers" plotline and has a much longer rule than his canon counterpart, Dawncloud is now the progenitor of some "kit saves."

Currently, Mossthorn is her lastborn.

Finchflight died while they were young, so their temperament is vastly different from his older siblings.

From there, Swampfang, Volewhisper, and Blossomfrost are grandchildren now.

Discopaw and her unnamed sibling (current WIP name Poppaw) may also be Dawnkin, depending.

I'm still deciding who the parents were, though.

Current draft is giving Swamp/Bloss/Vole to Mossthorn, but I might give them to one of the dead firstborns. I like the idea of Volepaw getting horribly mauled while rushing to his parent's defense.

Dawncloud there in the camp, burying two children and unsure if her grandson will survive his injuries, deciding in that moment she cannot lose another kit.

Sadly though, this doesn't have a happy ending. Dawncloud's family is devastated by Runningnose's plague.

Dawncloud, Mossthorn, Volewhisper, and Pop are taken out as Nightstar sympathizers. Disco and Swamp are targeted too, but survive.

Blossomfrost wanted to be a Cleric. She begged Runningnose to let her help, not knowing it was him who had unleashed it on the Clan that "betrayed" Brokenstar.

He warned her that the plague was dangerous, and that there were serious risks involved. She could have distanced herself from the infected, stayed safe. But she didn't.

Her death was unfortunate collateral. She was a bright young warrior with a good heart. A waste.

I'm unsure if Discopaw will stay in this family, but it's definitive that Crowfrost will be descended from Dawncloud. What defines this family is their bright, two-colored irises. Crow has cobalt ringed by brilliant blue frost.

To add insult to injury, I imagine Nightwhisper's name is a direct reference to Volewhisper. Probably Runningnose's idea; to have the first warrior that Tigerstar names be a repeat of the first title Nightstar gave.

'Let this be the sight you die seeing, Dawncloud,' Runningnose's subtle smile and gleeful eyes silently declare, 'I've taken your kits. I've trampled their honor. Everything you betrayed your Clan for was for nothing.'

It's only the beginning of TigerClan's tyranny, a droplet of the bloodbath to come.

[writingoddess1125]

Barefoot and Bruised pt 2

Support me on Kofi

Pt 1 <<<

Once again old WIP that I just finished (can kinda tell the age cause I quoted the artist for Twitter sooo- Yeah)

SO MUCH ANGST!

Honestly cried myself while reading through it. DAMN

Art by Vamos_mk on Twitter check them out!

⚠️Warnings: ⚠️ Angst, Sadness, Depression, Character Death mentioned (you)

Aoko had found all of this..

Odd?-

Captian Buggy wasn’t like the other pirates she had met even if it was only in passing when she was on then streets. Most sneering at her and throwing old bottles or trash at her-

Pirates were supposed to be loud and mean, weren’t they?

Always shouting orders, drinking, stealing treasure. And sure, Captian Buggy shouted a lot, but it wasn’t at her. And the crew? They could be rowdy and overall weird for sure, but when it came to her, they were… soft.

Too soft?

It had started small. When she boarded The Red Top ship, Buggy seemingly keeping her close by his big hand on her head, ruffling her dirty blue hair. Aoko saw their faces however when she was announced as Buggy's apprentice. All of them wide eyed staring at her- like she was some sort of monster or ghost.

Then green pirate named Cabaji making sure she ate well and not just scraps, but real food, warm food, the kind that filled her belly in a way she hadn’t felt before- how he would give watery smiles at her which made Aoko uneasy as he offered more.

How the pretty lady Alvida going and cutting her hair which now had to be very short since the knots had been inpossible to comb out. Then made sure she washed up and in the warmest clothes to keep the cold from her boney frame.

It was weird. It was too nice.

But it wasn't just them- All the pirates on the ship seemed to give tight lipped smiles and uneasy looks to her, however seemed to cater to her every whim.

Letting her see the performances and any act she wanted, Which she had liked a lot however didn't make it any weirder.

Then there was Captian Buggy-

He was the weirdest one for sure.

While Aoko expected to scrub the deck or haul crates till her hands were raw, Buggy only asked her to fetch maps, compasses, or little trinkets.

Which didn't make sense to Aoko either- His hands could float she had seen his devil fruit how he had said he was a 'Chop Chop Man'

So why did she grab stuff that was in his office??

That and he kept her close, never letting her stray too far from his sight. Sometimes, when she turned to look at him, she caught him staring.

Not in a creepy way either or even angry, just like-

Sad?

It had been weeks of this, her living in nothing short of luxury and only helping the Captian grabbing small random things in his office.

Aoko walked up to him, this time a random what seemed to be broken Compass he had asked her to get from a close by dresser, Setting it in his large gloved hands as he once again stared at her.

She stared back, Hard- Narrowed even as her mind couldn't half handle the constant tension, sure she didn't want to bite the hand that fed her but she couldn't help herself either!

"Wby do you always look sad staring at me?-" She almost barked out, Seemingly Catching her Captian off Guard.

-

Buggy stared at Aoko, His eyebrows raised as he stared at her face- Still seeing those markers of you and him- seemingly him winning this time, How her lips twisted up in that same scowl as him and the way her matching eyes narrowed at him-

He knew he had been acting different, it wasn't a surprise really. His normal loud and flashy self had taken a heavy hit for years now and was shelved the mask he wore was almost entirely broken allowing the hallow and miserable man underneath.

More now then ever really..

He mentally blamed that Flashy, Foolish, and Insecure mask for what he had done- if he had only been honest he would still have you-

It also made him feel weak.. and scared with Aoko here- She was a single frayed thread he got to clutch onto to anchor himself to you and was so scared it would snap at any moment.

It was difficult time to say the least-

Ever since he had brought Aoko on the ship under the lie of her being his apprentice he couldn't help but feel like his emotions were so out of order?

And he never thought a child so small he worried sometimes a breeze could catch her the right way and blow her off the side of the ship could make him sob every night and afraid of her leaving his side but also so happy she was there at the same time.

"Well? I've never heard of a clown looking sad before, Aren't you suppose to smile?"

Buggy couldn't help but let a chuckle leave him, Rubbing his face with his hand as he set the Compass on the desk- knowing damn well he didn't need it either way. 'Damn this kid is quick- Just like (Y/N)' He thought to himself as he stared back at her.

"I usually do- But feeling.. out of it now. I'll explain when you're older" He dismissed waving his hand at her, expecting her to wrinkle her nose and March off as he had learned she did.

"I wanna know now. I'm not stupid-" Ah Shit- Shit Shit Shit. Buggy thought as he looked to her, Clearly seeing she was gon a dig her heels into this. Something he emotionally really didn't think he could resist either.

"Oh? You're not?" He teased, a smile forming back on his lips as he leaned his head on his hand. Aoko scowled harder, clearly not liking his little teasing.

"No I'm not! I can tell something is wrong with this crew!"

"Did you expect us to be normal?" He chimed, Hoping his more easy and humorous way could ease her from this conversation- one he really didn't want.

"No.. But" She hesitated at this, Looking at the door to his office were she knew the others were "I didn't expect you all to be so.. Sad?"

Buggy flinched at her words, 'Gods If I could turn back time' rubbing the back of his neck- Wondering if he should have ordered the crew to not clue her in on those emotions of theirs- But clearly that fucking ship had sailed.

He stared at her hard, Wondering if the truth was really worth it... If she would scream, curse or hate him forever.

He was a coward at the best of times, lied and cheated his way into power with stupidity and luck. However he felt like he had no armor, no will to lie and that he had already showed his weakness to her and taught her to hold the knife of exactly were to hit.

Buggy sighed heavily as he stared at her-

'Couldn't be worse then how I hate myself anyway' Buggy thought, A shallow form of loathing hitting him.

"You really want to know?"

She nodded, her fist clenched tightly like she was prepared to defend herself. Buggy reached into the drawer of his desk, almost shaking as he reached in and pulled out his only thibg he had of you which was a drawing of you and him on his Throne clearly drunk and the Jolly Roger Coin he had your name engraved on that he snatched back when he abandoned you- aka the biggest mistake of his life.

He held it up for her to see, before placing the coin it in her hands. He saw the way her eyes seemed to harden and flickered between him, the photo and the coin. He could see her silently doing the math in her head- He had to admit she was smart Buggy setting the photo back down.

Buggy took a heavy breath as he rubbed his face once more, slouched in his big chair like he was deflated.

"I took that from your mother... The day I found out she was going to have you.. I-I"

His eyes started to water as he looked to the ground unable to meet Aoko eyes as she held the coin in her hand- tightly.

"I sent her away... I had been scared- Thinking she had been lying and that, I.. I.. I don't know why I thought that- I was.. A damn Fool.. I was scared of being your father, of failing and that your mother wouldnt stay.. So I pushed her and you away"

It felt like the room had the air sucked from it- Like Buggy lungs was filling with salt water as he laid his heart out.

"I-Im sorry- I wanted to tell yo-"

He felt the coin hit his head as a tiny fist followed afterwards, hitting him square in the chest. Buggy looking up as he stared at Aoko her face red and lips quivering as fat tears rolled down her face.

"She died waiting for you!" She screamed at him, Buggy feeling like he got shot in the chest as tears began to fall. Sitting there as this little girl... his little girl stared at him with almost hatred in her eyes.

"My Mommy Died W-Wanting you back and keeping that stupid necklace!"

She sobbed out, Angry tears leaving her as she glared up at him, Buggy feeling nothing but shame as she continued to punch his chest with those pitiful little hits-

"S-She- She said she- You'd come back! "

Hiccuping sobs began to leave her as she tried to wipe the tears and snot from her face. Almost babbling as she cried, trying to hit him again-

"T-Thst you were lo-lost and scared-"

Barely even tapping his chest with her closes fist as she stood there crying. Buggy wrapped his arms around her shaking a little while doing so and holding her against his chest as she sobbed- something he had wanted to do since she had walked on his ship as she still weakly hitting his chest occasionally.

"I-I waited too Daddy" He heard her mummble against his chest between her sobs. And he shattered holding her somehow tighter.

"I'm sorry- I'm so sorry Y-You waited.. Im sorry"

He whispered, Pressing his face into the crown of her head as he cried feeling her little hits slow down as she now held onto his shirt and cried into him. Rocking the both of them side to side as the two sobbed into one another.

[lemonfizzyy]

I dug up even more old tumblr formatted interactions from my WIPs and these are from the only DPxDC fic I have. It's officially called the Butler Apprentice AU, since it features a Danny whose been employed and trained by Alfred as an fellow butler. (It's loosely inspired by those who serve. by aryelee)

Some context: The main plot revolves around Danny and Dick. In this world, Danny is 5-8 years older than Dick, and joins the family shortly after Jason's death, becoming an older brother to Dick. It's all really one big excuse to write Dick having an older brother, and how I'd think he'd act. (Roy and Wally count, but also kind of don't. They big brother each other, yknow? If he had a proper big brother, I think - like Jason - he'd act 70% more kid-brother-ish.) I admittedly don't know Danny that well aside from too much fanfiction, half-remembered episodes of the show I watched as a kid, and fandom wiki research though. So characterization might be dog crap and this definitely does focus on Dick more.

ANYWAY. Without further yapping, here you are, under the cut:

() = Inner thoughts. **= actions/states of being.

The Titans: Oh, hey 'Wing. Who's that guy you've got with you?

Dick: He's my... (I can't call him my friend, that's a bit too impersonal. But anything closer might be crossing a boundary.).... He's my.... uhhh...

Danny: um- Older brother! (Is that fine? I mean we are close and I think of him as a younger brother but maybe I'm overstepping. The kid just lost a brother after all.)

Dick: *Looking at Danny like he just hung the stars in the sky and named them in honor of Dick.* 🥺 Yeah... He's my big brother.

Danny: (Oh, wow. Dick really liked that, maybe he actually thinks me of a older brother! I've always wanted a younger sibling.) 🥺 Yeah, he's my little brother.

The Titans: Why are they staring at each other like that? *Snaps fingers in front of their faces.* Hello...? Guys??

-

Danny: I'm here if you need to talk. Whenever. (I doubt he's going to, he barely knows me, but I'll offer anyways so he knows he has support.)

Dick: Oh, wow. Thanks, I will. (I will not. It's all my fault for letting Jason die, I don't deserve selfless love and attention where I don't give something in return.)

Exactly 2 minutes later.

Dick, sobbing his eyes out: -and I was so MEAN and HEARTLESS. Am I meant to only hurt?? Why is my love never enough to keep anyone close? To save them?? It wasn't enough to save my parents or Jason! Did I not do enough?

Danny, patting Dick on the back: (Oh, @$%&.) Kiddo, breathe.

-

Dick: *Sobbing his eyes out.*

Danny: Oh- um... Want a hug?

Dick: *Used to being around people who never offer hugs.*....Really?

Danny: Uh, yeah. It's not a big deal. C'mere.

A week later.

Dick: *Stares at Danny intensely.*

Danny: Uhh... What's up? Something wrong?

Dick: Nothing's wrong... it's just- Could I... uh- get a hug?

Danny: Oh, yeah, sure. You don't need to ask every time, I'm fine with it.

A month later.

Danny, talking to the grocer about optimal apple growth: -Yeah and I was really hoping to get them for my employer's dining tables as decoration but- Oh wait, one sec my brother's here.

Dick: *Darts from around the corner and tackles Danny in a hug.* Hi, I followed you. :)

Danny, the wind knocked out of him: You... followed me all the way from the Manor to the grocery store, why exactly?

Dick: Wally canceled on our plans and I am bored. Entertain me, Danny.

-

Dick: I used to hang onto Bruce all the time, yeah. Then I got too big and we stopped.

Danny: Hm... I could probably do that. You look light enough.

Dick: Haha. Funny joke.

Danny: I'm not joking though?

Dick: What?

Ten minutes later.

Dick, clinging onto Danny's back: WOOOO!!!

Danny, sprinting full speed down the West Wing: YEAHH!!

[sugurusladyknightt]

current wips & recent ideas in no particular order

- no word counts planned

- no completion/ release dates atm

- not fully sure i'll actually write all of these.

atonement au!suguru. gn!reader. war, violence, injury, historical au!, angst, major character death, longing, yearning, guilt, and grief. read it here!!

soulmates au! sukuna. gn!reader. in multiple lifetimes. art lover/artist sukuna. fluff, angst ish, slow burn, trueform sukuna to modern sukuna.

immortal shoko au!. gn!reader. angst angst angst. featuring suguru and satoru (!!), character deaths, multiple lifetimes. my girl deserves so many kisses omg

knight!suguru x butchers daughter! reader. angst, war, violence, injury, mourning, fluff, comfort. slow burn. childhood friends to lovers. happy ending, suggestive (?)

knight!suguru x pirate!reader. gn!reader. flutes crack, angst(?). unexpected lovers trope

sun, moon, earth inspired love triangle. satoru x suguru x gn!reader, angsty(?), unrequited feelings, longing and pinning. respectfully, all of you are kinda stupid.

satoru x gn!reader, exes au!, angst, reminiscing what was, and dreaming of what he can no longer hav back. desperately in love gojo. he's grieving you while you still live. you don't get back tgt

satoru x gn! reader. satoru comforting you after a long day. just pure fluff and softness. read it here!!

post-shibuya!au - nanami. wife!reader. angst, fluff (?).

nepobaby model! satoru x self made model. fluff, angst, pinning. rom-comy vibes. rich rich satoru. you work the same job in the same industry but lead very different lives.

husband sukuna x reader. you're mad at me pt. 2. fluff. made just for you precious little anon <3 read it here!!

historical au! - apprentice!suguru x writer!reader. f!reader. fluff, mystery (..?), misogyny (not suguru), potential angst, he lovess you.

roommates au! suguru x gn!reader. mentions of nightmares and trouble with sleep. fluff, comfort, he shares your bed but completely sfw.

historical au! gladiator!choso x royalty/nobility!reader. suggestive, fluff, manipulation/coercion, violence, choso being so so sweet an in luh.

historical au! noble! satoru x artist prodigy! reader. <- me remembering an art history project i did in hs

grim reaper! higuruma x f!reader. romantic, fluff, angst(?), death

[shadowkoo]

The Taste of Sin

→ Summary: Following his sister's passing, Taehyung faced a daunting battle within himself, one where he eventually succumbed to the enveloping shadows that gripped his soul. Your task is to free him from the clutches of the black magic that now consumes him. The only problem? He doesn't want to be saved.

↠ taehyung x f.reader | 6.7k words | 18+ ↠ genre: angst, horror, strangers/enemies to lovers, smut, black magic au, warlock/witch au

→ Warnings: Read at your own risk! Includes scenes of abduction/kidnapping, minor and major character death & dead bodies, murder, stabbing, knives and other weapons, blood, rituals and witchcraft (duh), slight torture / exorcism-like behavior? idk how else to describe it askldjf;skljdl, illusions to scars, burning skin, unprotected sex, explicit sex, angry sex, fingering, choking, oral (female receiving), teasing, begging, rough kissing, magical fucking? (we’re making that a thing lol), deep dicking, creampie

→ Author note: Thank you so much for reading! All likes, comments, and reblogs are appreciated. If you would prefer to bookmark and read it later on AO3, you can find it crossposted here.

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Long ago, every instance of magic served a positive purpose. According to the tale, the cosmos gave rise to two mighty entities, Kai and Nyx, after many years of stagnant magic. For magic had been around for centuries by this point, but no one truly had mastered it.

When the culling eliminated many witches and warlocks, the magical line of descendants began to diminish. Kai and Nyx would become the light that the survivors could look to for guidance and protection.

They grew in unison, fostering and educating their apprentices about the complete potential magic can provide and how to harness their talents. Nyx was beloved by the people, and Kai’s gifts were powerful enough to keep them safe from those who dared to harm them.

Over time, Kai's feelings of resentment towards Nyx and his responsibility to safeguard only grew. He yearned to be worshipped. The affection that was once mutual turned into malice, and a sinister shadow wrapped around his soul. It tickled his spine, twisting around through his veins, until he let it take over and embraced the darkness within.

That was the day Black Magic was born.

In the present day, those who are gifted with magical powers are either deemed Sacred or Sinful once they’ve matured. It’s common knowledge that all witches and warlocks are originally born Sacred. Evil isn't born. We know that to be true. It's a learned behavior, created over time. However, the path someone follows in life can change everything.

It's not a matter of what side a witch chooses, but what side chooses them. And unfortunately, it's not as simple as good versus evil, light versus dark, or right versus wrong. 

It boils down to a witch's determination to defend themselves and the length their loved ones will go to in order to resurrect the person they once knew.

But black magic doesn't discriminate. It shows no concern for your family lineage, your economic status, or your future aspirations.

It's patient. 

It bides its time until your vulnerability allows you to embrace even the slightest taste before it creeps into your soul, waiting until you make the choice to devour it completely. 

At that point, you can no longer tell where the darkness ends, and a witch begins. They are now one.

So when the Kim family unexpectedly lost their sweet boy to the Sinful, they knew it would be nearly impossible to get him back.

The only way his soul can be saved is by someone who is accustomed to the taste of black magic helping to remind him of who he truly is.

"This is a photo we took on his eighteenth birthday. That was five years ago. We didn’t know it would be the last photo we would ever take of him..." Mrs. Kim hands you the photo and sniffles, a sign that she’s attempting to keep her composure.

'Please don’t cry, please don’t cry.’ you repeat to yourself. For being upper-class witches, they sure are some of the more sensitive ones. You can tell that they truly care for their estranged son.

Deep down you know that they have all the right reasons to feel this way, but your lack of certain emotions, specifically sympathy, makes it a little difficult for you to feel compassion in moments like this.

Ever since you were rescued from the darkness you've had a hard time understanding emotions and sensitivities. You don’t like either. They make you vulnerable, and vulnerability is dangerous for someone like you.

You are an exception to the rule, neither completely Sacred or Sinful. You’re a part of the Saved; a group of witches that have been brought back from the Sinful. Of course, you can never get rid of the darkness completely. It lingers in your blood, but you’ve learned to control it.

"So do you know what happened that allowed him to let the darkness in? I know that your family is one of the stronger bloodlines, so it couldn’t have been that his powers were limited. And he's not a half-blood either?"

Mr. and Mrs. Kim share a look, debating if they should disclose the reason to you.

"You're right. He was strong up until his sister died. He abandoned his powers and lost interest. We would have to plead for him to do anything remotely related to magic, and even then he put up a fight."

'That would do it. An emotional, grieving warlock that refused to use his powers would be an easy target.'

You rest your hand on Mrs. Kim's in an attempt to console her. "You know this is going to be difficult, right? He's been gone for so long. Are you sure your son is still in there?"

"I know he is. He has to be," she urges, her eyes begging for you to help them.

"Okay..." you say softly, "Were you able to track him? Where was he last?"

"On the east side of the city. We used a spell to pinpoint his exact location, and he was spotted three days ago on camera outside of this mini-mart." Mr. Kim hands you the blurry image. 

"Well, it looks like I’ve got some work to do. I’ll keep you two updated."

Taehyung gazes at the street lamps' reflection on the wet pavement. Unaware of the earlier rain, he stares at the puddles left in the wake of the storm.

His daze breaks as he catches the familiar sound of a woman's heels approaching. He closes his eyes, envisioning the woman within the shadows of his mind.

'She'll work,' he decides, watching her walk quickly in his general direction. Astral Vision is just one of the perks of turning dark. 

He waits until she’s closer, then conceals his body before she can see him lingering in the shadows outside of the bar. The spell took less than a second to manifest, and then he grabs her. One hand over her mouth and the other pushing her towards his car.

The woman is terrified, rightfully so, and Taehyung feeds on her fear. Her pale face, wide eyes, and fast pulse excite him.

He would have preferred to keep her lucid, but she wouldn’t stop screaming. Her high-pitched shrieks still echo in his ears. Thankfully, the sleeping spell he casts knocks her out, making the car ride enjoyable for the most part. 

If only there was a spell that silenced the constant whispering in his ear…

It doesn’t take long for them to arrive at his place. This part of the city was known for being the center of the dark arts, so when the woman's body trails behind him in the air, no one questions it because everyone is used to seeing some fucked up shit. Hell, last week someone set a captured spirit loose and kept walking through the walls of the old apartment building.

As they enter the dark lair, Taehyung waves his hand around and his magic carries the woman’s body to the worship room and gently lays her down on the makeshift altar table.

At the snap of his fingers, she wakes and frantically glances around at her new surroundings. A fireplace full of black flames, candlesticks everywhere she looks, pentagons and other unrecognizable sigils painted across the walls, and a mysterious man walking toward her with a devilish smile.

"Blood is old. Blood is powerful. Blood is exactly what the darkness wants." He starts chanting, making his way around her body, circling her.

"No, please!" The woman yells as she struggles against the restraints that suddenly appear from thin air. "Please. I beg you," she cries, "I have a child. She's two. *Please!*" The woman continues to sob as he lifts the knife in the air

"Shut up. This will go by faster if you just shut the hell up."

It wouldn’t matter if she was pleading as if her life depended on it. In this case, it did, but that’s irrelevant. Nor does the look in her eyes when she realizes she was going to die tonight. 

Taehyung doesn’t care. He just wants the whispering to end, and the only way to make that happen is to do what it told him.

So he did.

You listen quietly as Taehyung completes his incantation, completely drawn in by the way he handles his power. The unlit candles that fill his room all ignite when he finishes, signaling that your cover is close to being blown now that you’re no longer hidden from plain sight.

The girl notices your figure and wails out when your eyes manage to lock. If it hadn’t been for the fact that she saw you already, you weren't sure when, or how, you were going to make your presence known. 

That's how easily the darkness can get to you. You didn’t even realize when it had you paralyzed in time. And if a witch isn't aware at all times, they have a higher chance of being taken over.

"Please save me! I see you, help me!" Her shrill voice pierces through the empty room. You duck by a bookshelf and wait to see if he spots you too. 

Taehyung pauses to glance around; he doesn’t sense anyone so he closes his eyes and continues with his plan.

When you step out of the shadows she repeats herself, begging to be let go, begging for you to help her. 

You take another step closer, moving slowly while racking your brain for how you’re going to get her out of here when suddenly the dark flames quit dancing in the fireplace. Every candle in the room turns toward you and the room becomes too quiet.

Someone taps on your shoulder. Startled, you turn your head to find no one there. And when you move to face the woman again, a tall figure stands in your way.

"Who the hell are you?" Taehyung demands, a mere few inches from your position.

If you weren’t slightly concerned about what he was going to do to you next, you probably would have laughed out loud. That blade is pointless. You both know that he can do a lot more damage with his powers now that the darkness is on his side. 

Speaking of which, his other hand twists at his side and you guess he’s trying to inflict pain on you somehow.

You know this must be true when he frowns, clearly confused as to why you aren’t on the floor in crippling agony.

"Oh, yeah. That doesn't work on me babe, clearly not human." You admit rather smugly. His demeanor tenses as you close in on him. "You should really put the knife down. You don't want to accidentally hurt her, do you?"

"That's exactly what I want to do," he hisses, using his magic to send his knife flying through the air and into her chest before you can even process what’s happening. 

The second the blade touches blood, every candle in the room is extinguished.

You somehow manage to hold in your surprised gasp, despite not being ready for that.

This job isn’t for everyone. You’ve witnessed a lot of death in your short time as Saver. If it wasn’t for the good pay and the sense of accomplishment, (not to mention the high probability of making Nyx proud) there was no way in hell you would willingly put yourself in this traumatic position.

That's what you remind yourself of anyway. Especially since it’s hard finding anything else with your label. Damn witch society and their stupid social standings for making everyone believe that a Saved witch is any less of value than a Sacred one.

It’s been a while since your last assignment, and after how badly that one had ended, you’ve been contemplating if it was a mistake to come so soon - just like your coworkers had presumed. 

You brush those thoughts aside and remember why you’re here, to save.

"Did you have to kill her? Was that really necessary?" you prod.

"Yeah, it gets them off my back," he huffs, "What do you want?" He peers at you, trying to figure you out.

One ‘perk’, for lack of a better word, of being one of the Saved is that when a Sinful reads you, they catch onto the lingering darkness and assume you're one of them. It makes it easier for them to trust you, which inherently makes your job easier.

"Need a place to crash for a week or two. I sensed you from outside. Thought it was safe here since we're the same and all that." You had rehearsed this part, knowing you would need a valid excuse to get close to him. And it was normal, the Sinful did usually group together. Everyone is stronger in numbers.

"Does this look like a boarding house to you? Get the fuck out." He turns back to the dead woman's body and catches her blood in a vessel filled with ash and other unrecognizable ingredients.

"What kind of ritual is this?" You ask, ignoring his demand and following him around the room as he throws other components into the blood pool. "Looks very...ancient?" It looks disgusting if you’re being completely honest, but you have to play along. "Need help?"

"Why aren't you leaving?" He questions. "Did I not make myself clear? Get. Out."

"What if we make a deal," you suggest, starting your plan. "I'll clean up your messes and stay out of your way and you let me stay here. I'm a newbie, if you can't tell. So far I'm really enjoying how much I don't care. I can do whatever and go wherever I want. Well actually I can't, I think I'm being hunted-" Your rambling trick works and he interrupts you, clearly irritated. and doing whatever he can to shut you up.

Taehyung rubs a hand over his face when he realizes he can't get rid of you, "Okay! Okay, I really don't give a shit. Stay here then. Whatever. Just stop talking. Fuck."

It’s rather easy getting him to cave, but in retrospect, that's not a good thing. It just proves how far gone he is. For example, who doesn't care if a random person - specifically a person who broke into their home - stays with them for an uncertain amount of time? He just doesn't care. And that's scary.

He walks towards the door, the vessel still in hand, and turns to you to say, "I'll be back later. Take care of the body."

Lovely.

3:00 AM

There’s a reason why this time of night is called the witching hour. That's when witches and warlocks are the most powerful. 

So here you are, cross-legged and floating above the floor, getting ready to do something rather invasive, but effective. You aren’t sure if there’s a specific name for what you’re doing, but you’re basically putting yourself into Taehyung’s dreaming mind to pull the memories out of their hiding spots.

When the darkness takes over, it pushes everything aside and fills your mind with disturbing thoughts instead of your own, and it does this so quickly that you forget almost everything about yourself in a matter of minutes.

It’s also tricky because you aren’t able to detect what the memories are until after having drug them out from the deepest pockets of his mind. You have a 50/50 chance of this working in your favor, and you really need it to.

Being inside someone's dream is like being underwater. You don't move as fast as you usually do, and everything's a little fuzzy to look at. Thankfully Taehyung is smart enough to have his memories boxed away, so it isn’t hard to find them. You reach for the nearest one to you, then proceed to open the lid.

The first memory that you pull is one from Taehyung's childhood. You watch his family run around the beach, laughing and splashing around in the salty ocean water.

You reach for another, and suddenly it's autumn. Older Taehyung and his younger sister are kicking the leaves around in the park. A crisp breeze carries the leaves away in the wind while they play.

The next memory leaves you chilled. Taehyung is driving through a snowstorm on his way home after picking his sister up from school. He didn't want her to drive in this weather. You watch in horror as a deer runs out in front of them. He swerves and the car spins on the icy road before rolling several times. They're knocked out for a while, and when Taehyung finally comes to he notices that she's no longer next to him, and there's a giant hole in the windshield.

You return to your body, which is covered in a cold sweat. 'What a terrible way to watch a loved one die. No wonder he let the darkness in.'

You’re ready for your next plan of attack the following morning when Taehyung finds you in the kitchen. His face twists when he notices your bowl, he’s not-so-secretly judging your choice of food.

"What? A witch has to eat." You say, defending the sugary cereal. "Plus, it was in your cabinet. You bought it."

"Didn't buy it. Also not my house, I'm just ahhh - renting it for the time being." He grins, obviously satisfied with his response.

'He's in a rather decent mood. Especially compared to yesterday. Does that mean the memories worked? There's only one way to find out...'

"So," you start, even though you know Taehyung isn’t paying attention to you, "How did you sleep?"

"I relived my sister's death last night." 'Yeah. That one's on me. My bad.' "But I also dreamed about this breakfast cafe near my favorite park that my family used to eat at every time we came to the city."

Your eyes grew in size when you realize that he remembered a memory all on his own. This is really good. Really, really good.

Taehyung wakes up feeling different, but he can’t place how. For the first time in a while, he doesn’t hear whispering, and he can’t help but wonder if you have something to do with that.

'It must be', he decides. 'You, for whatever reason, keep the whispering at bay.'

And then it clicks. You're one of them. And he doesn't know what to do about it.

You're here to fix him. But he doesn't want to change. To go back to a normal life. Well, as normal of a life as a warlock can have.

He sits up in bed and opens his palm. The smallest flame appears and he watches it dance in his gloomy room. He doesn’t want to miss this. Without black magic, Taehyung is nothing but a weak man, incapable of protecting the people he cares about.

He plays it off when he sees you in the kitchen, choosing to talk about his dreams last night, and watches your face light up when he threw in that last one.

"Do you want to visit that place today? It sounds like it's nice," You suggest before getting up to put your empty dish in the sink.

Taehyung's face drops, he’s right. You’re one of the Saved.

"You'd enjoy that, wouldn't you? It's too bad that place doesn't exist," he hisses before driving you backward. Your head bounces off the wall and he doesn’t hesitate to push the knife he had hidden earlier against your windpipe.

"Do you think I'm an idiot? I know what you are," he seethes. His rage deepens as his face lowered to yours. His eyes burn into yours, "You're Saved. And now you're trying to save me. Correct?"

You swallow slowly and nod. This is a serious situation. At any point, Taehyung could snap. Then who would save him?

Both of you proceed to look at each other, waiting for the other to do something stupid. He presses the knife further into your skin, fighting with himself to end your life. But he can’t, for some reason, he’s intrigued and wonders ‘What if?’

"Fuck it," he breathes, having made up his mind, and closes the gap between you. His lips move against yours in a fight for power. The forgotten knife drops to the floor and his arms move to hold you tightly between his body and the wall.

You’re in shock. This isn’t supposed to happen. Definitely not a part of your plan. You don't sleep with the people you're supposed to save; you're pretty sure there's a rule against that somewhere. But strangely enough, you aren’t complaining. He’s a good kisser.

'This really shouldn't be happening.'

No matter how wrong it may be, you let things continue. He has you shoved up against the wall, his lips covering yours. 

Taehyung’s magic massages along the sides of your body, before joining in the middle and going right for your center.

He knows exactly what you want before you do, touching the right places, and bringing goosebumps to your skin's surface with every motion.

He’s addictive - whether it’s because of the taste of sin on his skin or the taste of the black magic vibrating through his veins - you can’t get enough of it.

Practically every nerve in your body is on fire and you haven't even gotten to the fun part yet.

You moan when the pressure between your legs grows, and bite your lip in an attempt to keep them in.

"You should be running in the opposite direction right about now," he purrs before leaning to drag his tongue along your neck.

"Oh please, I'm not going anywhere. Not until I get what I want." You pant. 

"And what do you want?" he questions with a sly smirk.

"You." 'And to save you.'

He doesn’t hesitate to tear your clothes off before removing his own.

"Please," you beg, needing to be touched by him. Your insides ache for more of him.

He brings a hand up and closes it around your neck, "No talking. Got it?"

You nod again, secretly enjoying the slight pressure and the tingling feeling the lack of oxygen creates.

He lifts one of your legs and you wrap it around his waist, opening yourself up for him. His fingers sink into your heat, moving at a pace you can’t keep up with, preparing you for what’s to come next.

Another moan leaves your swollen lips as he pushes into you without hesitation. Your back arches involuntarily and you squeeze your eyes shut at the amount of intense pleasure running through your body. 

Taehyung holds firmly onto your sides and he pounds into you relentlessly. His deep thrusts have you close to seeing stars. The magic he’s using simultaneously leaves behind sensuous, shadowy caresses upon your skin as he takes you to another dimension.

“Fuck,” he growls before placing lingering wet kisses along your neck. You marvel at how he stretches your insides out in the most delicious way.

“Don't stop. Keep going,” you choke out, unable to stay silent any longer, “Please keep going, oh god!” You’re so close to the edge. A few hard thrusts later and you’re shaking as the coil deep inside you snaps, sending waves of white heat throughout your body.

You whimper when he continues to pound into you, his release not far off. Taehyung moans one last time before releasing into you, and your convulsing walls suck in his warm seed.

You shudder when he slowly pulls out of you and dropped to his knees. A small gasp slips out when his parted lips meet your center. Your fingers grasp onto his hair as his tongue dove deep into you.

Taehyung indulges himself in your sweet taste. For whatever reason, he can’t get enough of you. It isn’t until you’re pleading for him to give you a break that he releases your already sensitive nub.

He takes a moment to catch his breath, and once he has he stands back up. Both of your chests are moving at the same pace as you look into each other's eyes, almost asking, what now?

"Okay. Well, um, I'm gonna shower... I'll see you later?" Fuck, you don’t know how to talk to him after that. Are you supposed to thank him for the best sex of your entire life? Do you just quit your job and run away?

Taehyung, on the other hand, is in awe. He isn’t sure what kind of spell you have over him but he’s already craving more.

He doesn’t care enough to argue about the fact that you lied to him. Not after that. 

Plus, sex is sex. If he has to put up with your annoying habits and attempts to 'save him' for a while longer for good sex then he will. Simple as that.

With his decision made, he accompanies you into the bathroom. "I hope you're ready for round two."

Honestly, you aren’t sure how long you’ve been with Taehyung. The days tend to blend together, particularly due to your inconsistent sleeping schedule.

You still have your mission in mind, but it isn’t something you desire to finish right away. The small sliver of darkness inside of you rejoices when you push your duties aside.

The second Taehyung becomes Saved and is returned to his family, you have to say goodbye. And that's something that you aren't prepared for. You know now that your heart has gotten involved, which is a dangerous game to play.

This is exactly why they say to never mix business with pleasure. It makes such a mess of things.

Taehyung keeps you in bed for most of the day, for reasons most can assume, and your exhausted body isn’t tired of this routine just yet. Habit has it that you usually fall asleep, phone in hand. So it’s no surprise that when you awoke to it vibrating you already knew what to expect.

After rubbing the sleep from your tired eyes, you squint at the bright screen in an attempt to read what it says.

Unknown Caller

Your heart sinks, and you crawl out of bed. 'This isn't going to be good.' You hurry to make it out of the bedroom before answering.

"Hey, Taemin-"

"It shouldn't be taking you this long to track a Sinful." Your supervisor interrupts, "What the hell is going on? Are we losing you?"

"Nothing's going on, I swear. I tracked him at first but then things got complicated. I even managed to break into his place." Your excuse is half-true. "I’ll keep you updated on my progress-"

"It’s been over a month. You have 48 hours to bring him in, or we're giving the case to Dino. My advice is to get the Sinful bastard on a leash and *bring him in.*" He hangs up on you and his words echo in your mind. 48 hours. 48 hours until someone else is taking him from you.

"Who was that?" Taehyung asks with a scratchy voice when you crawl back into bed.

"Wrong number. Go back to sleep," you whisper. You wait for his breathing to even out and take the risk of projecting into his mind once again. It’s dangerous to flood him with so many memories this fast but you don’t have a choice. You pluck memory after memory out of those damn boxes, hoping that it’s enough to make him come back. You’re running out of time.

The following morning, you realize just how dangerous it can be. Taehyung is in a sour mood from the second he wakes.

"Why can't you just stay out of my mind for one night!" he hollers, climbing out of bed and trying to get away from you as fast as possible. "I know you were in there. Why do you have to remind me of her." His voice cracks and it pains you to see how much he’s hurting.

You can’t stop though. Even though he’s in pain, he’s still feeling, and he needs to feel to get better. “Because your memories are important-”

"Stay out of my fucking head!" He rages, cutting you off and disappearing before you can say anything else.

It's now been several hours since you saw him last. Maybe you were pushing him too hard and the darkness realized that it's being forced out. They call it a flare-up; it’s like the last straw. The darkness will do anything to stay in its host, even if that means harming them.

Once Taehyung returns, you try not to panic when you see the bruises all over his body. Not normal purple-blue bruises, but deep green and black ones. Serious ones. Especially for a warlock. These kinds of bruises are caused by magic. Strong magic. Typically black magic.

"Oh my god, what happened?" You rush to him the second he steps in the door. He’s shirtless, hands all bloody, and covered in those god-awful bruises.

"I don't- I don't know. Blood everywhere. The bodies. I don't know."

Your hands rest over his and you close your eyes, focusing on retracing his steps with your gifts.

You’re transported to an alley, where you watch as Taehyung attacked a mob of the Sinful. You wince when he snaps the first man’s neck and then consumes the darkness seeping out of the slumped body. He claims the additional power for himself, as he does with the rest of the people that you see left lying around.

You pull yourself back to the present and look at Taehyung. With more black magic running through his veins, heat radiates from his body and his muscles tense, hoping to be used in another battle shortly.

"Taehyung, I know it hurts to remember and feel these emotions but I really need you to keep them. Don't let the darkness take them away. Please, Taehyung. It's important." His eyes meet yours and you can see the fight he’s putting up from the inside.

"I'm trying. I really am."

Your fingers trail down his cheek, "I know. I know how hard it is, and I know how strong you are. You can do this."

"I can't." Tears stream down his face, "I'm nothing without it, I'm weak. I have to let it in again. I need it."

His entire demeanor changes after saying those words, not realizing the weight that they carry. He’s so close, and now it’s back. He’s rid of the darkness for just a few short minutes and he’s so broken. There’s no way you can save him all on your own.

"You," He says, his voice deepening to something sinister, "Don't you know when to give up? Haven't you realized he doesn't want you to save him?"

"He wants to be saved. You just won't let him go. I'll get him back, and I'll get you out for good," you spit out.

"It's been too long, he's never coming back," the voice gloats, although the darkness that spills through his lips doesn’t match his eyes. "How pathetic it is that you have feelings for this weak warlock. Don't you know that he will never be the same? He won't love you. He doesn't even know what love is. Stupid girl."

"That's a lie." You remind yourself that this isn’t Taehyung talking. This was the darkness. “He’s capable and worthy of so much love, unlike you.”

Even though you know better, there’s a small part of you that’s scared it’s true. 'What if it’s impossible for him to love? Even after he comes back?'

Taehyung can’t help it. He really tried. But it’s just too strong of a fight for him. He doesn’t have the energy.

And you don’t have time to waste. Grabbing onto his head, you stare into his eyes, "I'll get you out of there, I promise." He tries to pry your hands off but you hold on strong. "I promise, Taehyung. Please hold on just a little longer."

You hate to leave him, especially after a momentary breakthrough, but you need help. So you dial the one person you know you can depend on.

"Hey Dino, how fast can you and the others get here?"

It's been different since you've left.

Taehyung doesn't understand why he feels this way, or why he feels at all. He doesn't care, at least that's what he's telling himself to get through the past couple of days. Although he can't help but wonder why you left, and if you’ll ever come back.

It’s thoughts like these that have him so distracted, that's why he doesn’t sense them. That's why they’re able to capture him. Once again, Taehyung is nothing but a weak warlock - even with black magic on his side this time.

Whoever it is, they’re strong enough to cast a sight spell. He can’t see anything. He doesn’t know where he’s being taken.

When they finally release the spell, he's confused by his surroundings. He was almost expecting to see more Sinful wanting to suck the rest of his powers out for their own benefit this time.

To his genuine surprise, it's you.

You and a crowd. All Saved witches and warlocks. Even though he knows what's coming, he's terrified. Not many make it through this part.

"I know you're smart, so I don't need to explain to you that this is going to hurt like a bitch. But I need you to hold on. The darkness is going to want you to give up, and I swear to god Taehyung, if you let that happen I will kill you. You need to hold on."

The group circles around his body and began chanting the spell while you prepared to do the worst part. You refuse to let anyone else do this. 

It’s horrific, to say the least. No one enjoys burning protective sigils into another person's skin, especially when that person is someone you love. You know better than to look at his face when you do this, but his screams remind you of how terrible it hurts, and the scars on your arms ache having been in this exact position. The smell of melting flesh is enough to make you sick to your stomach, let alone the combination of all of these things.

Hell is nothing compared to what a witch goes through to be Saved. The rush of everything that you have done but technically didn't do, the people you murdered, the emotions and memories that come flooding in. It's a lot to be overwhelmed with. And sadly, not everyone can handle it. 

You pray to Nyx that Taehyung is capable to make it through this.

'I'm okay, keep going.'

Raising your gaze to him as his voice sounds in your mind, he reassures you that this has to be done.

'Whatever happens, keep going.'

You nod, holding back tears when he lets out another blood-curdling cry.

You don't know what happened. An eerie sensation washes over you as you try to make sense of the scene in front of you. Someone screams. Who’s screaming? You don’t recognize them to be coming from you, but it has to be. The only thing you’re able to focus on is someone dragging you away from his cold, limp body.

Dino holds onto you through your endless fighting, "He's gone. We need to move. You know we're all at risk with that kind of dark power floating around, unseen."

And that’s the last time you saw Taehyung.

Life after leaving the city is hard. 

You refuse to talk to anyone about what happened, but they all have their own assumptions. Even your supervisor wants you to take more time off but you’ve been declining. Surrounding yourself with work is the only distraction capable of taking your mind off everything else.

You’ll gladly do anything but sit at home where you actually had time to think.

The assignment you recently returned from had been really underwhelming; you brought back and returned the woman to her husband in less than a day. A new record for you. All it took was a handful of wedding photos and snap - she was back. Granted, this one was only gone for a fortnight, so it was an easy job compared to... You let that thought end abruptly, refusing to say his name.

Unlocking your front door, you take a step inside and drop your bag at your feet, your magic closing and relocking it for you. 

'Something is wrong.'

You feel it, someone else’s presence. You have no idea how or why - but someone is in the next room over. Your magic can sense theirs.

Nobody knows where you live, not even the other Saved witches. You need to have your safe haven in case anything ever happens. Your house is spellbound to keep the Sinful from entering. However, if a Sinful took in an absurd amount of darkness, it isn’t impossible for that to happen. And you’re terrified to find out who is waiting for you.

It isn’t common for them to hunt you down but in the rare event that it does happen, you have certain protocols to follow, or else things can get very dangerous. Scared to death, you keep your hands at bay and pull yourself mostly together before walking into the living room.

"Why are you crunched over walking like that?"

Letting out a yelp, you immediately turn to your left. “Taehyung?" Your hand rests on your beating heart. 'He's alive?'

"Before you ask, yes I'm alive, and yes it's actually me." It takes you a moment to register his words, which he completely understandable. He knows you must have been through a lot these last couple of weeks. Especially since everyone assumed he was dead.

"There's no way... It’s not possible. Dino checked before we left, you were dead. I don't know how you are here right now." 

'You're hallucinating. That's the only realistic answer. You're going crazy and imagining all of this. There is no way Taehyung was alive this whole time. You would have known.'

"Well, apparently he didn't do his job very well because here I am," he chuckles. This is so not the time for chuckling and happy reunions.

You know it’s cliche to do so, but you really just had to poke him in the chest to check. Magic-wise, you can tell he’s alive. You can also tell that he’s still a warlock again, blessed with the gifts of Nyx, but you can’t place any darkness within him.

"How is that possible?” you mumble to yourself, reading his soul again.  All Saved have a trace of darkness...but he has none.

"This might be a wild assumption, but can it be due to the fact that I died and came back? I don't think the darkness could withstand that."

"That seems logical." You’re still weirded out by this whole ordeal but that answer would work for now, at least until you brought him to the base tomorrow to be checked out. "So then why were you hiding in the corner?"

His lips curl up, "What can I say, I learned from the best."

"Okay, so then why are you here? In my house?"

"I needed to see you. I didn't believe it at first either when I first woke up. I thought maybe I turned into a ghost or something, that my spirit was trapped since I died dark. But people noticed me on the streets. And for the first time in years, only my own thoughts were in my head. No whispering." He rests a hand on your cheek, "You saved me."

“It was my job,” you blurted out, not knowing what to say. This is absurd, everything that had just happened made absolutely zero sense. 

He gives you a look, knowing better than to believe that was the only reasoning for why you pushed so hard to bring him back.

"And can I just say for my personal well-being that I never wanted to hurt myself more than the day when fake-me said that it was impossible for me to love you. You have no idea how hard I was fighting to come through and say the exact opposite."

Taehyung steps forward and pulls you against his body, "Because I do, I love you."

Your heart nearly bursts having heard him confess the truth. Raising your hands up to his head, you pull him down into your waiting kiss, where you pour love and light into one another.

While you’ve become accustomed to the taste of sin on his lips, you’ve got to admit, the taste of love is so much better.

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[strawberrypinky]

WIP Wednesday

A little preview for the final part of "the winner takes it all" - a three-part short story inspired by Crazy Rich Asians but make it Antivan Crows™️

Wilhelmina wasn't sure how long it had taken her to get home; the entire journey little else but a blur. Mercifully, the Treviso Eluvian was practically next to the one leading her home and the Crossroads since the fall of the Gods safe to traverse - no Antaam, Venatori, or Blight out to attack anyone. Unfortunately, however, she was not afforded the same mercy when she stepped out of the Eluvian in the Necropolis and though night had fallen and the halls were thus filled with more undead and spirits than human beings, but the Necropolis was never truly empty, and the odd Mourn Watcher was always wandering around. The wisps that encircled her, ever curious and chittering, did not bother her. If anything, she considered them a small comfort as they accompanied her towards the exits, but the lingering and curious glances of her colleagues were nearly her undoing.

Much like the first time, Caterina's words lingered in her mind, echoing and haunting her like a malevolent spirit. Keep her as a mistress, if you must. Let her give you a couple of bastards if it will make you happy - Maker knows elves are prolific when encouraged. But you cannot marry something like that.

Though she and Lucanis had never spoken of marriage, the past weeks and Teia's and Illario's insistence that Lucanis wanted to get married had put the thought in her mind, and if she had been truthful with herself, she did entertain it once or twice since. It had been nice to imagine - to be officially tied to Lucanis in a way nobody could dispute, go to sleep and wake up in each other's arms til death did them part and create their own little life as a family. Of course she knew marriage wasn't the sole way to have a future together and the more she thought about it, the more she had realised she would have been content to just be with Lucanis, no matter if they shared a name or not - so long as they were together.

Worse then, she bitterly thought, that he had simply stared when Caterina had reduced her to a thing Lucanis could keep and entertain whilst a woman worthy enough would lounge around the villa. Her eyes stung as tears threatened to fall, her chest clenching violently as she fought off the sobs that threatened to escape her. His silence had cut deeper than Caterina's words, but she would not allow additional shame by making a spectacle of herself in public, no matter how much she wished to scream and cry. Her hurried steps must have clued her colleagues in that she wasn't interested in any conversation, leaving her blessedly alone as she returned to her home on the outskirts of Nevarra City. Manfred had been on an extended excursion into the Necropolis as an apprentice himself now, and so nothing but silence greeted her when she walked into the empty house.

Wilhelmina all but threw the dagger and jewellery from her when she stepped across the threshold of her room before she collapsed on her bed and finally let the tears fall. Sobs - raw, unshaped things - finally spilt from her lips as tears carved a steady path down her cheeks, and the piercing sting of Lucanis' silence and Caterina's cruelty cleaved her heart. She wasn't sure how long she lay there, overcome with heartache, but eventually, she heard the door to her bedroom open. When she raised her head, her unfocused eyes looked into those of her father, whose face showed equal amounts of concern and pity.

"Oh, Mina," he uttered, taking in her tear-stained cheeks and the trails of smudged kohl, dropping down next to her and taking her into his arms.

She didn't resist, curling against him like she had when she was a child frightened by nightmares - fragile and small and clinging to him like a lifeline as her body trembled.

[zenkor123]

A Mutts Worth Timeline (WIP)

October 4th 58 ADD

Birth of Peeta Mellark to Myrna Mellark and Arthur Cartwright. Mrs Mellark lies to Otho telling him the baby is his.

March 21st 75 ADD

Bruno Stone of the town of Auraria, suburb of Anver arrested for rebel espionage as part of a rebel cell, instead of execution he and his family are sent to the Presidential institute for Human Muttations.

March 24th 75 ADD

Violetta Johnson arrested while working in the fields of Orleans, she and her family are sent to the Presidential institute for Human Muttations

July 13th 75 ADD

end of quarter quell

July 16th 75 ADD

District 11

PK base overrun in Makonia by rebel assault, squad leader Salindie Stone knocked out by rebel teargas and detained in a POW camp in Orleans where she will sit out the war.

August 16th 75 ADD

Peeta given Domioc Acid treatment by the Capitol mutt makers

August 17th 75 ADD

Peeta, and others are rescued from the Capitol by District 13.

September 15th

Military evaluators begin taking an interest in Peeta Mellark.

Designs for incapacitators are submitted to the Tech college of District 13 by Engineer Cato Rayne.

September 17th

The cafeteria incident, Peeta under guard eats with Annie, Johanna, Katniss, Delly and Gale. Afterwards, Delly blasts Peeta and convinces him to stop giving up on his recovery.

September 22, 75 ADD

In district 1, The 2nd "Lion" PK commando battalion storm the rebel encampment of commander Flavius Emerald, 2 human assasination mutts seek out the rebel they reach close but before they can blow themselves up with high grade explosives they are captured as the rebels retake the encampment in a counter attack, under the cover of hovercraft bombing the battalion escapes with heavy casualties. The capitol objective of taking down the power infrastructure and sacking the town of Macgillia fails.

September 24, 75 ADD

Arthur Cartwright an apprentice of the deceased Harriet March, an apothecary, sister of Astrid March, and Medic in District 13 is sent to do on the job training in what was once called Denver, in District 2. He is only 12-years old.

The first Incapacitator is built, in the college and a system of remote incapacitators is conceived and proposed to the relevant authorities, the hospital wing takes a great interest in this development.

September 25, 75 ADD

Peeta given a pet rat named snipps by the hospital

District 13 Today airs Everthorn footage

Peeta begins to remember the night before the arena

September 26 75 ADD

Birthday of Arthur Cartwright, Peeta works on little Arthur's birthday present. He draws Arthur's favorite animal a lizard knowing that Arthur collects everything having to do with Lizards. But Arthur Cartwright never gets his birthday present.

Death of medic Arthur Cartwright in an ambush by Peacekeeper insurgents in a narrow mountain pass at the age of 12.

The United Recreational providerships of District 13 announce that the supply of recreational goods has grown to the point that non native citizens of District 13, are now permitted to engage in recreational drug use.

Peeta does his first  propo in Training Center 42.

September 27 75 ADD

4 AM Delly finds out about her little brother's death 4:30 Peeta finds out and gives Delly his painting of Arthur Cartright and offers his condolences Delly in response says cruel things to Peeta, in a 2-minute rant 440: Prim goes to give Delly condolences and Delly goes on a 1-minute rant calling Prim a nepo baby

4:45 Delly goes to do the same to Annie who threatens to put a knife in her skull, she leaves kicks a bookcase in the hospital, goes to her room and screams, sobbing for the rest of the day.

Peeta wonders if Delly is right that he lies when he calls himself Peeta Mellark, who is totally different from him, he cries and goes to his bed, is silent and deep in thought. Is Delly, right? 6 AM Haymitch finds out about the incidents with Delly, tells Katniss during breakfast, that Peeta had a fight with her. Haymitch does not know too much of the details. Katniss would only see echoes on the 2nd, 3rd before Delly revealed the whole story.

Coin orders doctors to "encourage" the line of thought, Peeta is thinking.

9 AM:

Peeta, needing to go to the restroom, sees a patient's loved ones anxiously awaiting the results of a surgery in the hospital and wondering: "Is anyone doing that for me? Is anyone waiting on me, hoping desperately that I recover?" noting that no one pays them (like Prim and Delly) or has responsibility foisted on them (like Haymitch)

10 AM: Peeta after a war with himself and deep thought realizes Delly is right the internal war was short most revolving around the implications of Delly's words

12 AM Doctors check up on him, he asks if what Delly said was right, they answer, "It’s up to you" and give him vague affirmations, after being pressed they refuse to rule out Peeta being a Mutt.

They give him a journal and urge him to take up journaling.

Peeta asks if anyone really needed his old self, if what he told Katniss on the beach was correct and everyone else has moved on. The doctors nudge him in the direction of "yes." he asks why District 13 didn't execute him after he attacked Katniss, and they say they valued him beyond any utilitarian use.

Peeta first mentions that he feels like he lives in someone elses body, and when he sees film of the games it feels like he is watching someone else, that he didn't know his own name until someone told him and that he does not remember his favorite color, or his birthday.

He asks if Delly is just having a mental breakdown over Arthur's death and the doctors don't agree with her, but his doctor tell him that they do agree with many of what she said, and they are working on a new treatment plan.

1 PM Coin announces resource allocations, and intention to give Peeta native citizenship in District 13 with all obligations.

Katniss appeals resource allocations on grounds of safety is verbally abused by Coin. She approves Peeta’s citizenship on grounds that he's been replaced with a capitol mutt

Peeta wonders if District 13 cares about him for reasons beyond his utility

Haymitch tells Katniss she should have resigned and that not even he can save her from what's coming next.

Coin conceives of plan to break Katniss, and destroy her power, and place in history

Therapists have sessions all day to further this plan.

Peeta loses all interest in what Katniss is up to.

Mrs. Everdeen's mission to D11 announced

Katniss returns to Coin begging to be sent to the capitol to kill Snow, she starts her training to kill Snow. She has her ribs fully healed by the end of the day.

DNA test reveal that Peeta Mellark was born out of wedlock to Daniel Cartwright and Meredith Mellark September 28 75 ADD

Peeta is recruited into the Hospital wings John Titus Recreational Providership, he has all the time in the world so can get large amounts of work done, He first tends to the gardens of the recreational center. Annie and Finnick are recruited to join the Galerius Colbert recreational center in the hospital wing. Dozens of mentally ill individuals in District 13 are introduced to incapacitators and taught how to use it. Incapacitating tubes are installed in their ears to sync their bodies with the incapacitator. Coin commissions Peeta to make a painting of her.

New Episodal control mechanisms are introduced for the violently psychotic of district 13. Footage of Peeta strangling Katniss shown to Peeta for the first time, Peeta insists that someone he calls "him did it" Peeta asks to have the scars from the mechanical torture machines removed, he is given a long lecture on their value as battle scars. Coin offers to have Gale presented as Katniss's new lover, but again Katniss refuses, she asks about the legality of drugs in district 13 and Coin plainly explains the districts attitude to drugs.

Haymitch pushes Peeta away implying that he does not want to see him by showing little interest in talking to him.

After this Haymitch complains about the treatment by the doctors of Peeta's identity disturbance, gets severely punished.

Coin deems Haymitch too instable to aid the Mockingjay or be part of the MJ's team, Harold Boggs is made Temporary Guardian (while Haymitch is undergoing "treatment") and mentor for Katniss.

Haymitch is given a 3-day restraining order the terms of which he is not allowed to interact with Peeta so as to not "interfere in his recovery."

Haymitch is moved to the hospital wing.

Gale Intensifies his efforts to win Katniss Mrs. Everdeen travels to D11, she planned on leaving in the evening after reflection, but Coin uses a drone strike that killed 25 and injured 43 as an excuse to have her sent ASAP. Katniss is not told this. Mrs. Everdeen manages to say goodbye to Prim who is in the hospital wing.

Peeta finishes his painting of Coin.

Buttercup eats the pet lizards, in the hospital wing, Delly chases him back to the transport vents.

Another Peeta propo is posted in Training Center 42, Katniss confronts Plutarch who says it's just for show. 

September 29 75 ADD

A Remote incapacitator system is set up by District 13 and 36 personal  Incapacitators have now been built.

Peeta commissioned by a District 13 nursery school to make coloring books

Prim receives Arthur Colm award for excellence from Alma Coin for her work as a medic in training and is enrolled into the Stewart Colm Prodigy apprenticeship program with other bright medics her age from all over Panem.

Katniss attacked with buckets of ice water by plain clothes coinist secret police this starts a social trend Gale kisses Katniss and feels nothing. He has a Realization that he won't win. Gale tries to be "friends" with Katniss with residual hope that Katniss can be his.

Gale spends less time with Katniss resolving to eat separately from her.

Katniss is relieved that Peeta isn’t doing any additional propos in the Training Center, Coin orders for Katniss to be given a false assurance that Peeta will be given no military training   until ready. Katniss wryly wonders when that will be. Coin resolves to make Peeta's conscription a surprise for Katniss. September 30 75 ADD

The hospital takes Peeta to the pools and begins treatment of Peeta's hydrophobia (his is less severe than Johanna's). Hospital also arranges meetings with those involved in the rescue mission so Peeta can thank them personally.

Peeta continues work on the coloring books. Peeta's DID is treated by a brain procedure targeting the amnesia. Katniss attacked with laser pointers by District 13 bullies Gale continues to spend smaller amounts of time with Katniss who wonders why Gale is acting so strangely.

Peeta, Annie and Finnick are given Native Citizenship in a ceremony that Katniss, Delly, and Haymitch are made to attend.

In private meeting Coin asks Peeta and Annie and order them to reveal their intrusive thoughts of eating their tormentors, they both look at Coin like she's either joking or are crazy like they are.

September 31 75 ADD

Peeta remembers more and more about his time in the Capitol

Katniss attacked with sewage balloons by native bullies

Gale has existential crises over his support for Coin but keeps it a secret 2 capitol doppelgangers "Peeta" Bruno Stone (and "Katniss" Violetta Johnson are given nonnative citizenship to 13. Katniss discovers that Peeta is using the transport pipes of district 13 as part of his job with the recreational providership. Peeta crawls over her and Jo’s room accidentally waking up Katniss with his bulky legs that scares the game for miles around. In the recreational center, Peeta is requested to make a wedding cake for a District 13 couple and completes this task. The recreational center has Peeta works on a recreational(drug) plant book. October 1 75 ADD. Project Broken Talons finishes recruiting personnel. Arnom Colm requests to take part and has an idea, she looks like Prim maybe she can impersonate Prim. The Broken talons team loves the idea, and she begins practicing her prim impersonation and her verbal abuse. Capitol mutt conditioning to view violence as irresistible, and inherent to himself, (a contributor to his DID) uncovered by native therapists Katniss given a wedgie and arrested for resisting the wedgie Peeta confabulates false memories of beating up Birch Chance

Peeta begins joining the Odair's in the cafeteria, has row with Katniss who avoids the Odair's. Peeta tells Katniss that she is very lucky, she has her family intact, she even has a fucking family pet, and must be having the time of her life as Mockingjay, and she must find his hijacking so freeing, not having anyone to act the star crossed lovers act with, she can spend all the time she wants with Gale she is free, not having to deal with his old self. Peeta concludes by telling Katniss she is the true victor of the quarter quell, her family is safe, she is fed, not having to worry about food. Peeta says that though she has been through a lot, but she does not know how good she has it. Katniss leaves the table feeling self-loathing and anger at Peeta.

This is the final straw for Gale who totally gives up all residual hope.

Peeta begins work on his symbolic grave Doctors have Peeta make lists of memories the capitol hijacked. The recreation center has Peeta make propo posters for the war effort. Peeta is stung by an entire hive of Tracker Jacker and has a huge episode but is physically fine. Doctors discover that the Capitol modified Peeta's immune system to use antibodies specifically tailored for Tracker Jacker Venom.

October 2 75 ADD

Peeta experiments with painting his prosthetic leg.

Katniss rips up Peeta's propo posters Katniss is sent back to 12 to do a propo film of victors village she spends a tiny amount of time in her own house and alot of time in every room in Peeta's house, she only has Boggs for emotional support. The propo mainly focuses on Katniss's house besides a few minutes talking about Peeta.

Katniss tries to stop Gale from icing her out. She does everything in her power to convince Gale she is over Peeta, that Peeta means nothing to her. Gale isn't fully convinced but is conflicted he wants to believe Katniss Gale sees Peeta's warts in the cafeteria bathroom. Katniss and Gale go hunting they watch Peeta burn down a forest for 13, this is to gather more data on Peeta's immunity to tracker jacker venom . Gale storms off saying that Katniss loves Peeta even if he has warts in the places where venom was injected and runs off avoiding her. Katniss runs after him, Gale calls her a liar, and says she can convince herself of whatever crap she wants to make the fuck up, but he won't be a second choice to Peeta anymore.

Gale tells Delly about his doubts about Coin.

Coin orders Katniss to wear a headshackle, guards force it on Katniss

Buttercup eats Snips and begins demanding food from the recreational center in the hospital, Peeta gives him cheese bun leftovers.

Gang of 4 bullies attacks Katniss harassing her with poking sticks, another gang trips her with hockey sticks and she is pushed while getting the schedule printed on her arm. Katniss is arrested for fighting back. When she leaves the corrections wing, she is attacked by paint guns

The Coinist secret police plays a creepy recording into 25 military officers head and Katniss to unnerve Katniss with plausible deniability.

Katniss removes the head-shackle.

Doctors tell Peeta to make a list of words he associates with his old and new self. He also completes the symbolic grave with his doctors giving vague affirmations.

Peeta and Annie given loads of military aptitude tests and are told that tomorrow they are going to be deployed having somehow passed. They try to complain and have it delayed but to no avail.

October 3 75 ADD WRATH OF COIN

Peeta finishes the production coloring books for District 13 schools.

Henry Colm tells Coin today is a big day, Coin is filled with delight.

Cafeteria

Katniss skips breakfast not wanting to deal with the harassment or be in the same room as Peeta.

Training Center 42

Katniss bitterly complains that Coin promised that Peeta would not be sent to do propos, Boggs tells her that these are no mere training propos. Boggs pulls Katniss aside and says Coin wants her dead and election time is coming. Peeta and Annie feel humiliated as a film showing their episodes are shown to Squad 451 and 452, Annie wishes she could murder both squads for this treatment, and both Peeta and Annie are mad. Boggs sees Katniss's name on the rotation list, shakes his head, and replaces it with Sarah Jackson, Katniss insists on a place in Peeta’s rotation furious that he's sent, Peeta tries to argue against Katniss being on the rotation and Boggs agrees with Peeta but before Coin can order Katniss to be put on the watch the whole time he's there, Boggs relents and puts her in the rotation. Her rotation starts and Peeta decides he has had enough of dealing with Katniss and picks Katniss up, throws her gun in the wayside, and throws her in the air, she falls on her face. Peeta waits for her to be removed, and it swiftly happens over Katniss's objections. Peeta's expression is one of relief. As she is glaring at Peeta, Augustus Ford commander of squad 452 asks Katniss after she is thrown in the air if she could kill Peeta "if it came down to it." She is about to answer that it would be like killing a Capitol mutt, but Boggs interrupts her, and Peeta is knocked out with the incapacitor. When Peeta wakes up a few minutes later, Gale offers to kill Peeta, Katniss thinks it's a brutal and inhumane idea, but before she can verbalize this Peeta puts a bullet into Gale's left leg with the aid of a laser pointer. Gale falls before her and Leeg and Tong point their laser pointers at Katniss's face and eyes, they begin harassing Katniss they say if she puts a hand on Peeta, they will drown her in the latrine. Boggs orders Leeg, Tong, and Peeta to clean the latrine but Coin gets involved via the head of training center security, to have only Katniss clean the latrine and Leeg and Tong posted as her guard. The officer says it will toughen Katniss up, saying that if Katniss weren't a morally bankrupt deviant, she wouldn't be treated this way. Leeg and Tong, point their guns at her and make Katniss do physically degrading work, while making make a noose with a rope that reflects in the shadows as Katniss cleans the latrines with her bare hands. Leeg shoots a warning shot in the air scaring Katniss. Katniss still refuses to clean a latrine with her bare hands, Boggs manages to have her punishment reduced and gives her cleaning equipment. Jackson begins to explore adding lock systems to all the guns, to prevent suicides and weapons abuse

Peeta is ordered to give a lecture to the squads about strangulation and the throat, he is also ordered to tell everyone how he knows so much on basis that District 13 wants all of Peeta.

Peeta details his deeds in the Capitol and Katniss feels even more horrible for lashing out at Peeta

Peeta is sassy and sarcastic with the other guards, reluctant to open up to them, Finnick is put as Peeta's guard and Katniss is put as the guard for Annie who she has just found out is like Peeta a victim of a hijacking. They are relieved when he is sent to the training camp for native citizens of 13, Fort Alma. Katniss continues cleaning the latrine, the nurses from the hospital wing tell her that Prim has no interest in seeing her and has requested a restraining order.

When Katniss leaves training a 12-year-old child who looks like Prim approaches her, she confuses this child for Prim who she hasn't seen in days, and goes to hug her. But it isn't Prim, it's the daughter of the secret police officer responsible for the breaking of the Mockingjay, her name is Arnom Colm. Arnom calls Katniss a freak and slaps Katniss in the face, multiple times saying that her daddy will bring her to justice and that she cares only for herself. Arnom tells Katniss she does not know what Peeta ever saw in her, she slaps Katniss one more time and continues her way, telling her "Oh you thought I looked like Prim, well she's over you, and wants nothing to do with you" Katniss asks Arnom who the father is and the 12 year old proudly answers: "Henry Colm."

Hospital wing

During the Post rotation therapy for Peeta, Prim interrupts the therapy session and scolds Peeta for his treatment of her sister

Cafeteria

a mob of 20 bullies attack Katniss with hoses of ice water, paintballs, laser pointers, sewage balloons, they later corner her and begin physically hazing her, with Wedgies, poking sticks and pushing. She defends herself and hides under a table when the bullies leave Delly sits down. She is also bullied in training center 42 by Tong and Leeg.

Katniss, covered in urine, sewage sludge, paint hides under a table in a section where there's a water leak. Delly seeking privacy while drinking heavy drugs goes there and is confronted by Katniss. 6-year-old children began throwing rocks at her, then she is captured again by the older mob, having excrement smeared on her face and ice water poured on her until she is shivering.

Delly tells Katniss stories of Peeta since his return to district 13, until she passes out. Katniss has the dilemma “how do I get to my room” she sees an entrance point to the transport nodes, and finds Buttercup. She wonders the corridors of 13 until she finds her room, Katniss proceeds to siphon the water from the laundry pipe to clean herself.

Coin's office

Katniss begs Coin to transfer her to another district.

After she is cuffed and then thrown out, Coin has a spur of the moment idea to order capture Katniss and have an earpiece surgically added to her ear, Katniss punches the guards and escapes.

After Katniss leaves, Coin calls the whole situation with Katniss comedy gold and orders a celebratory drug cake

Katniss's closet

Peeta and Johanna are on break from their drug providership duties, they banter as Katniss is alone in the closet, Katniss loses her pearl, which prompts her to try to escape 13 for the woods, she is captured, and brought back to 13, she makes a scene and is chased to her room a guard is posted to prevent her from escaping.

Katniss screams Peeta's name and has horrific nightmares. Peeta is selling drugs to a family next door and can hear it from there.

Prim expresses remorse for shutting out Katniss. Has Peeta relay a message to Katniss. October 4 75 ADD

3 AM Dr Sarah Mary petitions to have Katniss removed from watch on at 3 Am, it was rejected.

In Katniss's room

5 AM

Katniss refuses to wake up Johanna has to pull her out by the legs, Katniss scratches Jo's face. Katniss remains in the room reading military manuals fixated with the plan to kill Snow.

5 AM

5:05 AM

Peeta brushes his teeth

5:30

Katniss has the schedule implanted into her wrist.

In cafeteria-breakfast

Katniss is not present in the cafeteria skipping breakfast and showing little interest in food

In hospital wing

4:30 To make Peeta see what he means to Katniss, Prim switches the usual strangulation tape with the extended version showing Haymitch revealing that Peeta and others have been rescued, and Katniss leaping with joy to the hospital wing. Prim claims she did it by accident In Training Center 42 Morning 6:00 Boggs pulls Katniss aside to speak with her privately and gives Katniss a written threat by Coin to institutionalize her and ban her from military activity should she fail in her rotation. Boggs also returns the pearl and reveals that Coin has ordered the houses of Peeta and Katniss in victors village, the ruins of their homes in Town and Seam to be stripped of anything of a personal connection to them. Boggs says that they are putting their possessions in displays throughout the districts except for District 13 where Katniss is being lambasted by Coin affiliated media. He further begs Katniss to quit the rotation but Katniss convinces Boggs that Coin would not allow that and the safest place is in the jaws of the beast.

6:05 Peeta's shocked that Katniss is back, he first thinks of shooting her legs like he did with Gale, to have her removed but when Katniss cuases him to doubt his ability to wound but not kill his episode worsens he resorts to dropping his gun and biting his own hand to avoid shooting her. Peeta later begs Katniss to be knocked out but Katniss is banned from using the Incapacitator for yesterday. Peeta then first urges Katniss to shoot him, before making an attempt on his life. Katniss stops him from doing it, and urges him to kill her putting his hands to his throat, Peeta acting out of muscle memory caresses the spots where his fingers bruised her. Katniss hopes he will snap her throat, she wants him to do it before killing himself When he tries to disengage, Katniss takes his hands, Handholding scene, this calms him down. Katniss takes Peeta's gun, runs fast and gives it to Boggs. She also bandages Peeta's hand. When Peeta is confused why she didn't allow him to die, when she had no problem doing so in the arena, Katniss insists they aren't enemies and never were.

Peeta's episode is marked by physical morbidity, headaches, biting his hand till it bleeds, convulsions, shaking, sweating. The secret police do everything possible to ensure Katniss's death.

Handholding scene Breaktime: Katniss to avoid Leeg, Tong and having to talk to Peeta, bolts back to bathroom after seeing Peeta reread his journal in a private space (by training center standards). Peeta is reading about how he wrote about wanting to keep his new memories safe in the journal. He also wrote how Katniss is a ghost, who with all the false information in his head might as well not even be real, and will never be real. Seeing Katniss bolt makes Peeta wonder out loud what is with her, Annie tells him that he is what is bothering her, they go to the bathroom. Katniss finds a secluded spot to hide from Leeg and Tong Tong and Leeg tell Peeta "catpiss" is a uncaring POS. They begin interviewing Peeta asking him who 'spawned Catpiss', about a hypothetical where Katniss is hijacked, Leeg and Tong call Katniss's body frail Peeta tells them about Lucy Grey Peeta tells Tong and Leeg that Katniss and Gale are the real star crossed lovers of district 12 Tong and Leeg express undying hatred of Katniss Gale appears and Peeta makes an attempt to thaw their relationship. Gale reveals that Katniss was never into him, but Peeta is the cause of Katniss's woes, and is going on a suicide mission because she can't live without him. Katniss stews in rage

Annie tells Peeta to talk to Katniss, and helps Peeta realize he can stop her from dying in the Capitol

Peeta confronts Katniss confused about his false beliefs about the night before the arena, he tells Katniss he will tell everyone what happened then. Katniss is forced to reveal the truth to him.

Peeta tries to apologize for the verbal abuse he gave to Katniss

in the 3rd 20-minute break, Peeta attempts to make conversation with Katniss on a variety of mundane subjects, Katniss hears about what Prim is up to.

Boggs pulls aside Peeta and Katniss with news, he will be doing basic training with squad 452 and will not be in the foresters basic training unit, until 6 months from October 4th, Katniss will be on the rotation and no one else for the entire day. Tong and Douglas Ford propose to Boggs that Peeta and others play the game real or not real, Boggs gets permission arguing that both Katniss and Peeta will be dead soon anyway, its good propo Johanna rejoins Squad 451 and will help all of Peeta's gang of insane torture victims. Squad 453 joins training center 42, the old gang from the Capitol human muttations lab is back together again, Violet Johnson "Katniss", Bruno Stone "Peeta", Sally Sail "Annie", Alex Fish "Finnick." Watches are assigned in case they blow up. Boggs instructs Katniss to keep Peeta apart from Bruno and Violet. Violetta Johnson and Bruno Stone try to drown Katniss Peeta shown videos of Katniss Violetta Johnson attacks Peeta and then Katniss, Private Mellark drives Violetta away from Katniss. Boggs orders Katniss and Peeta to be in close distance to each other in case the Lou Lou's attack. (these are secret police orders) Peeta and Katniss attacked by D13 Thiacatone mutts, the camera team has them pose, and from the pipe a wasp is released who bites Peeta, Katniss sees all of Peeta's scars she is bitten by another wasp also released from the pipe. The door is old and they are trapped in, they must obey instructions from outside and figure out how to get out of the bathroom, they do this. . 10 AM training precinct cafeteria, heated argument over Katniss's plan to kill Snow Katniss and Peeta share a lunch. ?? Squads play real or not real 1:30 Katniss and Peeta wrestle each other for four hours

6 PM End of training

Peeta has post rotation therapy session after which is work. Peeta does research into getting a relative committed to a mental hospital

Katniss tries to sneak on a hovercraft to kill Snow, is immediately caught, brought before a magistrate and sentenced to 4 hours of humiliation in the stocks.

Katniss first spend an hour in a secret police torture chamber Boggs breaks her out and she is sent to the regular stocks.

10 PM Katniss is sent back to her room.

In the John Titus Recreational Providership

In conversation between Prim Peeta and Haymitch, about Katniss; Peeta learns or believes the reason given to Haymitch scratching Katniss and tells Peeta that he has been avoiding Katniss having given up on her. Prim yells at Haymitch for this . When Peeta asks why nothing was ever official, arguing that if she ever told Peeta that she loved him, the Capitol would have Jackered the hell out of the memory. Prim tells Peeta that Katniss never wanted to fall in love or have children, not wanting to end up like her mother. Fragments of memories of Katniss's starvation begin flooding into Peeta's mind, Prim confirms them to be true.

Katniss tries to threaten the Recreation center to not sell drugs to Prim, they deny giving anything hard to her, just candy, they also say that they will sale to whoever is cleared for recreational drugs.

Katniss tries to sneak on hovercraft to go kill Snow, she is caught and put in the public stocks.

In Katniss's Laundry pipe Peeta confronts Katniss over her plans to kill Snow

Peeta on the pretext of trying to sell her Cheese buns goes to persuade Katniss to abandon her plan to kill Snow. Noticing that Katniss is starving and wanting to make a peace offering to her, Peeta gives her seven fresh cheese buns on the way out.

Peeta leaves with plans to go to Coin and advocate for Katniss to be removed from Squad 451 on mental health grounds later that night. But he first has to first collect some hallucinogenic mushrooms. Peeta requests the recreational center give him a short break for an important meeting with Coin a matter of life and death, but his request is denied on the grounds that Coin is busy and that the matter of Katniss's plan will have to wait, he reluctantly departs.

Katniss tries to kill herself is stopped by the armed guard and placed under house arrest.

Forests of District 13 Peeta is sent by the providership to collect mushrooms. He is given a drink for the trip; it was modified by the secret police to make him sleepy. He drinks it once he arrives to the mushrooms. Peeta is knocked out. When the Providership requests to send someone to the forest to find him they are stonewalled and their requests denied Peeta is moved a mile east of where this took place, to a bed Snow roses, taken from the scientific labs of District 13, and made from the roses Snow sent Katniss. The dead body of an avox killed in battle in two, is put next to Peeta now unconscious, the secret police paint Peeta in the Avoxes blood. Dead animals are put around the flower patch, and a fake jabberjay drone that repeats Snow saying "welcome home Peeta" is prepared for when Peeta is woken up by the drone strike.

October 5 75 ADD INTO THE ARENA

Coin has Katniss dragged to her office and claims that Peeta is missing and has passed out in the forest, the capitol is sending mutts, and he is in danger, Katniss is ordered to lead squad 231 to rescue him.The story is so transparent to Katniss who realizes that this is an arena built by Coin. The squad is wiped out by District 13 drones. Katniss continues to search for Peeta alone.

Peeta wakes up from a drone explosion just when Katniss finds him, he freaks out and begins swinging his axe. the drones are nearby, Katniss brings Peeta back to reality, triggered by the Jabberjays, and Snow roses. The Mockingjays repeat the words of Snow "Welcome home Peeta." They run and both shoot down the drones which are low in altitude to search through the underbrush

They escape district 13

Coin bombs all the victors villages and blames the Capitol

[ajastu]

Got tagged in a WIP thing by @captainmagpie-risha 👉👈 ty for giving me the opportunity to ramble a bit <3 I'm not a huge writer and i dont rly have any art wips at the moment, but i DO have a bit of this text that i dont think i'll finish ever/any time soon, so...may as well post what i do have

idk who to tag and im too awkward to ask, so if you see this n you want to do it, consider urself tagged💁‍♀️

Anyway. This is taking place during the 'broken circle' quest in DAO 👍 Noel is having a normal one

The Circle, undoubtedly, has seen better days. The smell of blood and burning flesh makes the air heavy and cloying, prodding at memories she keeps carefully buried. Bodies, both disfigured and not, litter the floor, laying in the narrow passages between the bunk beds that fill the apprentice quarters. The space, despite its grandiose size, feels crowded, suffocating.  Noel looks around, towards the walls and up. There, so far away you can barely see them - windows. Tiny and beyond anyone's reach. No way to see the sun, no way to let in fresh air.  She visited the Circle once before, with Duncan, on their way to Ostagar. She didn't care, then. She never thought about the mages much. Their worlds were so far away from each other, so completely different, she never expected they would intersect.  And yet.  She looks at her companions, at Lora, crouching by the body of someone she probably knew. Nikolai has his hand on her shoulder, quietly speaking words of comfort. He's always been the gentlest of the three of them, despite the odds.  Lora isn't crying. The expression on her face is caught somewhere between grief and fury - a mix Noel knew all too well.  This was her home. The only family she ever knew. This was, she confessed one evening, under the stars and by the fire, a cage she was never going to be put into again.  Yet even in its destruction, it hurts her. Noel hates this building, its towering walls, its rules, its cruelty.  She thinks of Lora, forced to live her whole life with no space to herself, with no way to even see the sky - always performing, conforming, scrutinized by men in full armor, always knowing in the back of her head that it is either this or death.  The kind of life after which The Joining feels like a mercy.  She almost wants to laugh at the fact that the templars are surprised it ended up like this. Even a rabbit will claw you open, given enough reason to.  And, Maker, there were plenty of reasons given.  Noel can feel a familiar anger rise inside her, gripping the hilts of her daggers in lieu of strangling the templars left back at the entrance. She would burn this place to the ground, if she could.  But it isn't her leash to cut.  Throwing one last glance towards the distant windows, she rejoins the group.

also this bit a while later just because idk. I love Noel for her (feral)dog-like devotion. She is not a person of half-measures. If she loves, then she loves deeply!!!

Out of all the templars they've met so far, Noel thinks she hates this one the most.  She almost pitied him, at first, before he opened his mouth and started crying about his unfortunate infatuation with Lora. As if he ever really knew her. As if he had any right.  She saw what her mage was like at the Circle, briefly, when they first met. A perfect example of a model student, pristine robes and not a hair out of place. An easy object of affection. A mere shadow of the real thing. 

art repost just for funsies <3

[takaraphoenix]

'trust' for the guessing game?

Thanks for playing!! ^^

Trust in Large and Satisfying, the upcoming (March 10th) latest installment of my Size-verse:

(Providing the line before it for context to make it a lil more teasing)

“So, if you’re not having sex with Danny, do we think he needs protection from being sacrificed?” Ethan asked curiously, leaning forward to look past them at Danny’s retreating form. “Because I would like to prevent him from being sacrificed. Deuc wants us to help out around here-” “I’m sure your Alpha didn’t mean for you to have sex with my best friend there,” Jackson growled, flashing his eyes blue in warning. “Stiles may trust you people, I’m still skeptical.”

+

Stiles’ cheeks darkened in an enchanting manner. “I think someone is killing virgins. More specifically sacrificing them. Marin said that the threefold death is suspicious, but that two dead people weren’t enough to go by, but now with Emily, I feel so sure about this.” “I trust your instincts,” Peter took his mate’s hand and lifted it to kiss.

And from my upcoming ABOverse arranged royal marriage Stetopher fic Second Spring (to be posted on March 5th):

Stiles’ lips twisted into a sad smile. “You’re lucky, you got two shots at love. Not everyone does. I need you to trust me on this, dad. I know what I’m doing. I don’t need true love, I need our people to be safe. Scotty got true love. And Lydia is going to be the best queen he could ask for.”

And from my upcoming Steter coffeeshop AU prequel to Welcome to the Mean Bean, Stiles Stilinski's Five Year Business and Romance Plan:

For just a moment, Stiles perked up, just to slump down again. Learning about his magic sounded cool, but he absolutely did not trust Deaton.

+

“You don’t trust Alan,” Dalia spoke plainly. “I… never liked my daughter’s pick in Emissary either. But while I was Emissary, I didn’t have an apprentice, and when Alan moved to Beacon Hills, he… mh, he quickly got on my daughter’s good side and when she became Alpha, it wasn’t even a question to her to assign her good friend that position.”

(Can you see Peter's momma scheming and plotting with Stiles? <3)

And ah, for fuck's sake, this actually made me open Lost Memories and Gained Trust and inexplicably I fucked up already. The premise I posted on my schedule is... a fully different one than the notes inside the document? How did this turn into a whole different fic ALREADY I haven't even wRITTEN ANYTHING FOR IT. I'm gonna cry.

Anyway, have the actual notes in the actual fic (it's Steter):

post resurrection Peter with no memories following Stiles around because he has a sense of “I can trust you” and Stiles is like “…I killed you??” but nope he is now stuck with a puppy following him around

And the blind trust was meant as a reflection of a True Mates bond. That. That was the original pitch. I'm gonna have to turn this into two fics again, don't I? *sighs exasperated* Gotta figure out who gets the title in this divorce...

WIP Ask Game

[chaosherald]

WIP No-longer-Wednesday 😂

(thank you @blackwall-my-tiny-husband for the tag!)

So currently in the queue, I have some potential somethings for Davrin appreciation week (which tie in to this week's Thursday banger) the Varric and Harding meeting Rook for the first time piece, and the two I'm going to share bits from.

First is a Lucanis character study. (Writing in second person is one of my guilty pleasures. It lends itself to sounding slightly unhinged. I think I've figured out the last bits I need for this one. I also was absolutely still in this mode when I wrote my word with friends for Aprecity 😂)

The second is part of my continued quest for "let the team look after Rook the way Rook looks after them." A story told through Mourn Watcher Rook's grave gold and the way her teammates add to it. It's quickly turning into something much bigger than I thought it was going to be 😂

(Lucanis Dellamorte should be dead. So many times over.)

You have lost count of the close calls, near misses. Fledgling to Crow, Crow to Master, Master to Demon and thirty some years of nothing but the job. Death has been courting you your entire life even as you bestow its favor upon your targets. (The family business.) But you are quiet and quick and careful enough to survive and reckless enough to surprise and have learned when to lose to win.

You are the best at what you do. The First Talon’s sharpest knife.

But this time, you do not see a way out.

They attack when you are at sea. Sabotage the ship, blood bind the crew, a portal dropping Venatori onto the deck and you with no room to maneuver.

You wish your cousin was on this job, someone to watch your back. (You are glad he is not. The Family cannot afford to lose you both.)

At least you make them pay for it. Blood for blood. You will not meet death alone. You are steel and shadow and death and drowning and

(Breathe?)

You awaken to pain. You don’t remember falling. Broken bones. Chains. Voices.

The pervasive burning itch of blood magic.

You listen. Every sound is important. Losing a battle is not losing the war. You have a contract. Crows do not fail. If they fail, they die, and somehow you are still alive.

A voice, a face. You know her, top of the Venatori elite. Zara Renata. “Hello little crow.” She purrs. Ice and steel and head pounding waves of blood magic's taint. “What a pleasure to finally meet you.”

(The Dellamorte family business is death. Death would be a kindness compared to this.)

***

“The grave gold thing. All the other Watchers have a bunch. So why doesn't Rook?”

Harding’s face was still doing the scrunched thing. It was cute. “Have you asked her?”

“I did,” Taash said. “She got weird about it.”

“Well,” said Bellara, leaning against the washbasin, “Emmrich wears a lot, so do Myrna and Vorgoth, but they're all really high ranked right?”

Emmrich shook his head. “Rank is immaterial, in this case. Pieces are sentimental. Objects tied to important people or moments in our lives that we wish to carry with us forever. Though a long life well lived often means a larger collection.”

“Yeah, but I looked last time we were at the Necropolis,” said Taash. “Even the apprentices have more gold than Rook.”

“Mostly gifts from their parents and other family members,” said Emmrich gently.

Davrin leaned back in his chair. “Well, that's why she got weird about it when you asked Taash.”

Taash grumbled. “Ugh. Parents. Why are they such a problem? Alive or missing.”

Harding patted their shoulder. “You didn't know. Rook won't hold it against you.”

“Rook has - what, the one bracelet?” asked Neve.

“Oh, from Vorgoth and Myrna. When she took her vows as a Watcher” said Bellara.

“She also wears an anklet. From a childhood friend.” said Lucanis.

“What's the story behind that one?” asked Neve.

Lucanis frowned. “Not mine to tell and not one she shares easily.”

“So something else to be weird about,” said Taash. “That's Vashedan. Your gold, the stuff you wear, it's supposed to be a good thing. Rook needs more good things.”

[classic-blue]

Looking for input on which Jayvik WIP I should work on next:

I'm sitting on 17,000 words of ideas for Arcane Jayvik content. Comment or reblog with an emoji to help me decide what to work on:

🤖 - "Nobody's Soldier"

Since the founding of Hextech, Viktor and Jayce swore it would never be used for weapons. Early on in their partnership, there is one exception. If it even counts. Viktor certainly thinks it doesn’t.

Oneshot. Season 1, pre time-skip. Viktor and Jayce enter the Academy's underground, illicit battle bots tournament to win better, necessary supplies to stock their new lab. Cute early bonding, all fluff no hurt, plenty of nerds, lots of the boys doing what they do best in the lab and Viktor showing off.

🏥 - Viktor gets biomedical augmentation surgery for his back and both J and V have feelings about it

"Why are you drawing naked men at my bedside?"

Oneshot. Season 1, mid time-skip. As the first Hexgate starts to rise into the sky, Viktor's health sharply declines, and as a result, he's getting corrective surgery. Lots of pontificating for both Jayce and Viktor about mortality and progress. Rated T for medical discussions, but nothing graphic.

❄ - Caitlyn goes on a roadtrip with the hexboys to test out Hexgates in extreme cold.

Oneshot. Season 1, mid time-skip. Jayce invites Caitlyn along on their work trip to get away from her parents. Viktor brings her a spare set of goggles so she can assist their research. Lots of science on top of cold mountains, soft bonding with all 3, and one baby-sized Hexgate.

🏭 - "Two Days Nearer Death"

Following their conversation at the waterworks, Jayce and Viktor together build a plan to save Piltover and Zaun from all-out war. Zaun will be an independent nation. It will have its own council to lead it. And Jayce, Viktor, and Hextech will move to Zaun.

Multi-chap. Season 1 fixit- Jinx never fires the bomb at the council. Jayce learns to live in the Undercity, up close with the factory workers and miners, and works to build a brighter future for the Zaunites he's joined. Silco tests the bounds of a cautious peace with the upper city and the Hextech oligarchs they've been gifted. And all the while, Viktor's condition continues to deteriorate...

🧪 - (the Breaking Bad AU but I've never watched Breaking Bad)

Viktor ensures the tracker is well secured to Jayce's bracelet, letting his hand drop limply in his bonds, and huffs back at her. "I'm in love; I'm not an idiot." "What a damn oxymoron," Sevika drawls back.

Multi-chap; AU. Viktor never leaves the undercity, instead becoming Singed's apprentice, and eventually Silco's shimmer production agent stationed secretly in Piltover. A blossoming friendship with Jayce, expelled academy student turned enforcer, leads to conflict when Jayce begs him to find an antidote to the aggressive shimmer agents his squad encounters. Unable to deny him, Viktor ends up simultaneously producing all of Piltover's recreational shimmer supply and repeated iterations of antidotes to Singed's weaponized shimmer variants. He knows it will blow up in his face sooner or later, especially when Jayce learns the truth- ah well. He's a dead man either way. Featuring Sevika as Viktor's exasperated bodyguard, who did not consent to this situationship ruining her life.

🍥 - Biiiiiiig Multi-chap S2 fixit. (Everyone's got one, right?)

Caitlyn looks up, and the researcher continues. “I’ve found its traces at each of the sights. I don’t have evidence, and it’s completely out of line for me to be saying this, but after all I’ve seen, at this point I’m willing to believe…” He looks straight at her. “I think Jayce Talis is alive.”

After some years of healing and bliss, swaddled in the arcane, it becomes undeniable to Jayce and Viktor- the arcane is waking up. And if they don't do something, Piltover will inevitably make the same mistakes as they did. Viktor copes with guilt, Jayce copes with purpose, and both come to discover that their roles in the world are much more important than they expected. Other features of note:

Too many conversations on the nature of the arcane

Jayce getting his frequent flier miles

Viktor's personal project to restore the lives of his commune

Caitlyn actually getting to be a detective

The return of Vander?...

Mel being a good friend, and simultaneously a warlord

Singed finding religion, of a sort, and a cigarette

An unconscionable number of poros

And the Prophet of the Arcane...

[smolcinnamonchipmunk]

Vampiric Thirst

(Old note: Throws this at you guys. Haven’t written in a while. I don’t know if that will change, but I couldn’t help but make this after the whole vampire event. Once more I end up disappointed by Obey Me events. I really need to lower my standards like I do for Ark, because as fun as the concepts can be, every event ends up feeling rushed and half-baked. They’re not gonna stop though because suckers like me will pay money for a dopamine hit because I have no meaning in life.

New note: Obviously taking some liberties to make it so that Solomon does actually have vampiric urges rather than just being a horndog because this game is literally mostly horny, but I crave plot and substance and have no interest in horny. Maybe I don’t want to fuck anyone, maybe I want actual stakes and near-death because if there’s no threat of dying, then what’s the point of living? Anyways, have something started last July, haha. It’s short, but I want it out of my WIP pile where it’s been judging me from the goddamn corner. I have a bunch of lore ideas with this given the events status being introduced after Nightbringers release, but I won’t get into it cause I’d need to refresh myself on OM.)

Word count: 3668

TW/CW: Soft, safe, nonsexual G/t vore, fearplay, blood, bloodsucking (I hate any word with suck in it, but it’s in here), prey in a stomach full of blood

__________________________________________________________

“Because I’m always craving you, Kat. So much so that I honestly could devour you.”

That… hadn’t really been what I had expected when I asked him why he seemed to be acting odd today when he walked into my room at Cocytus Hall to give me something, kind of freezing when some sort of realization went over him.

I couldn’t help the way my heart picked up the pace anxiously, despite having come across multiple situations similar to this one. Seeing Solomon with a similar hunger to Beel that was uncharacteristic of him made my anxiety spike a bit. “Buuut, you’re not. Right,” I asked nervously, unable to NOT notice the way his eyes glowed slightly as I lowered the book I’d been reading. I couldn’t help but keep my desk chair facing him, something instinctive decidedly not wanting to turn my back to him despite having been in far worse situations.

It didn’t seem to matter much as he touched his throat lightly, stepping slightly closer and replying, “I don’t think I could actually stop myself if I wanted if this keeps up… Kat, I know this is a sudden request but… would you mind if I drank some of your blood?”

“Wha- blood?” I blinked a bit in surprise, feeling a slight epiphany as I realized. “Ooh! I thought Vampiritis couldn’t affect you. Or did your hubris come to bite you?”

I intended no pun, but Solomon still let out a snort of amusement, though he also looked a tad sheepish like I had hit the nail on the head. I had told him that he should still be careful with the brothers himself, but he’d mostly brushed me off and said that he needed to keep his ‘precious apprentice’ from either catching Vampiritis or becoming a human-sized CapriSun to the afflicted demon brothers while that whole situation was figured out. But, it seemed like his rather attentive nature to me hadn’t extended to himself and he ended up contracting Vampiritis despite all boisterous assurances that he wouldn’t.

“Unfortunately, it appears that being around the brothers so much has infected me,” the sorcerer sighed, looking a bit dejected at having contracted the disease. His eyes seemed slightly glazed over and unfocused like he wasn’t fully in the conversation.

“Well, Barbatos might still have some of the antidote,” I replied, seeing him perk up slightly at the reminder, eyes refocusing with his normal clarity from the pretty obvious distractions on his mind. I set my book down on my desk and started to get up, adding, “I'm sure Diavolo will be able to-."

I yelped when there was a sudden weight against my shoulder and I was shoved back into my chair, looking up at Solomon with startled eyes. His own glowed slightly as he unintentionally loomed over me, looking caught off guard at his own actions.

“Uuuuh, Solomon?”

“I'm a bit a-... worried that I may not be able to hold back against my current thirst on the way to Diavolo or Barbatos,” Solomon admitted. “I'm afraid that if something isn't done NOW that I'll quite literally see red.”

“Really? Did you really try to make a shitty joke in the current situation,” I asked, but I couldn't make myself add any bite to it. His grip on my shoulder was firm and I could feel it tightening slightly each second, able to feel the shake in his grasp. Feeling overly aware of him with the proximity, I could barely hear the slight pant beneath his breath. I took a steadying breath of my own. “Look, I'll give you a LITTLE bit of blood. Just enough to hopefully ebb the hunger pangs, alright? Then we can go to Diavolo with your mind clearer.”

He jolted slightly at my suggestion, or maybe it was just my voice, and a conflicted expression passed across his face. He opened his mouth to say something but it didn’t come out for a few seconds, straining before saying, “I… Yes. Yes, perhaps that will help abate the hunger.”

I didn’t like how he hesitated as he said it or how his expression looked both extremely guilty and eager. But, despite the anxious feeling settling in my gut, I trusted him. To a point.

“Alright, well, first of all, you gotta back up a bit there, bud,” I planted a hand against his chest and shoved at him. His lips twitched in the barest frown before allowing himself to be pushed back away from me, giving me some much needed breathing room and some relief from being pinned by my shoulder to the chair. Absentmindedly rubbing the back of my neck, I thought aloud, “I kind of don't really trust you with my neck, so we're gonna go with… a wrist, I think, yeah.”

“R-Right.” Solomon looked like he was barely paying attention, hands shaking slightly as he bit his lip, seemingly trying to keep his mind clear enough. I saw a bead of his own blood from it.

I reached down and began to roll my sleeves up nervously, only slightly comforted by the sight of the protective charm on my right wrist. Once my sleeves were rolled I felt a bit awkward as I kind of held both out towards him. “Uhhhh, take your pick, I guess. Just don't bite too deep? I'm not sure if you could break my wrists by biting them, but I'd like to not test that too much.”

“I'll do my best,” Solomon presumably tried to give me a reassuring smile but it came out as more of a grimace. He gave up pretty quickly and carefully grabbed my left wrist like it'd snap at his touch. If Vampiritis gave him the cliche super-strength that movie vampires had, maybe it was for the best.

I was a bit surprised when the sorcerer kneeled to get better access to my wrist, feeling more than a little awkward - I probably should have stood up or figured something else out before offering my blood to him since he wasn't really in the headspace to think clearly - but the awkwardness was tempered by a familiar squeamishness that settled in the pit of my stomach. It was similar to, but wasn't quite as bad as, the nauseous anxiety I felt anytime I had to get my blood drawn or a shot. 

I managed to watch as Solomon raised my wrist slightly to his face, saw him open his mouth to reveal a glimpse of the elongated canines that were a symptom of Vampiritis and felt a bit of his breath against my skin. But I felt myself pale right as he opened his jaws wider and averted my gaze before he bit down, warned by the slight tensing of his hold on my wrist. 

There were two points of pain that suddenly bloomed along my wrist vein as the skin was pierced, making me yelp and stiffen. I managed to mostly resist the urge to pull away as I bit down on my tongue, but my heart skipped a beat as a twitch from my arm told me that he probably wouldn't have budged if I had tried to pull away properly.  

I swallowed thickly, wondering if he could taste adrenaline in my quickened pulse for a moment before the pain in my wrist faded startlingly quickly. It was cold and numb, like novocaine to my system, and I couldn't help but blink in surprise and look back. 

Only to immediately avert my gaze again with a fresh wave of dizziness and queasiness. 

"Okay, nope," I muttered to myself, trying to push aside the image of Solomon latched onto my wrist with a thin stream of blood trickling from the corner of his mouth and an almost blissful close-eyed expression out of my head. At least one of us was having fun. 

Thankfully, it wasn't too long before I heard the small gasp and slight panting as he detached from me. It had maybe been several seconds, probably enough for a full mouthful or two with the smaller veins in my wrist compared to my throat, but it had felt awfully long, and I felt the lingering squeamishness that I knew would remain for the rest of the day. 

"I hope that helped clear your head a bit," I pulled my wrist back to myself and gingerly touched a finger to the two beading puncture wounds as I started to turn my head to look at Solomon. My hand had a pins and needles feeling.  "I was a bit worried you'd-." 

My voice immediately became muffled as my mouth was covered by a hand, eyes widening and crying out in surprise when the force of Solomon lunging upward caused the desk chair to fall back. It hit the desk edge first before sliding to the ground, rattling my skull as the chair back hit the ground, making me grunt from the fall and ending up pinned beneath the feral sorcerer. 

"Mmph!" I blinked away my brief daze, looking up at Solomon's face in the shadow of the desk as panic flared across my pacts. His slightly glowing blue eyes were replaced by an intense red and I could see streaks of my own blood from the corners of his mouth. The feral looking expression was something I'd never seen in him before, but I couldn't summon anyone or use a spell with my mouth currently covered. 

There was a sharp tug against my neck as my choker was broken off, jolting me from my frozen shock. I squirmed and bucked beneath the sorcerer, twisting up and elbowing him in the face. The man HISSED at me and I took advantage of his surprise to shove his hand off of my mouth. Kicking at his chest to push him off me and retreat further beneath the desk, I began to recite a summoning spell. 

"Hear me and heed my call," I exclaimed as quick and clear as I could, feeling a pressure behind my eye. Solomon was sat from where I'd pushed him back, hand against his cheekbone where I'd struck him. His expression went from indignant surprise to one of uncharacteristic, raw fury. I saw him tense like a coil before trying to push forward off the ground to lunge towards me again. I quickly raised my leg, shoe planting firmly against his chest as it barely stopped him, knee almost buckling painfully against the force. “In the name of the sorcerer Katherine, I draw upon my pact with the ring of li-GHT!” 

My voice hitched as Solomon grabbed the ankle of the foot against his chest, pulling it to the side and yanking me closer. My heart raced, gritting my teeth as we scuffled in the cramped space beneath the desk. I tried to not fuck up saying the summon, while trying to stop him from stopping ME from saying it, while also trying to get my foot loose and scramble further back again. 

“Come forth, Mam-mphf!” I narrowed my eyes and grunted as Solomon let go of my ankle and managed to wrestle both of my wrists in one hand, covering my mouth again with his other. The pressure that had been building behind my eye fizzled out and disappeared dead in its tracks.  

The sorcerer wasted no time in descending on me, making me gasp in pain as my throat was bitten. I squirmed but could do nothing as restrained as I was, my pained panting lessening as the numbing began to settle in my neck, my hand still tingling from loss of feeling in the wrist. I heard the first swallow as he began to drink greedily and felt a rush of lightheadedness. Lightheadedness that lingered as more blood was stolen and less was able to reach my head properly, making my thrashing lessen alarmingly fast.

I tried to call out Solomon’s name, to try and appeal to him past the feral fervor that had overtaken him. But, of course, it came out as an easily ignored muffled shout that I barely heard over the blood rushing in my own ears and the sound of gulping.

Time slowed painfully as I remained pinned beneath the sorcerer, the lightheadedness and weak feeling in my body increasing every second. My limbs felt more and more like lead until my arms simply hung by my wrists in Solomon’s hold, now struggling to just keep my eyes open and focus on the wooden grain of the desk underside above, trying to not pass out with the fear that if I closed my eyes that I wouldn’t open them again. However, even that became too much effort and my eyelids slid closed.

I felt cold and tired.

I wasn’t sure how much time passed with my eyes closed but I realized that I was being nudged, barely able to focus on the voice, “Sh-Shit, Kat? Kat?!”

“Nnngh,” I groaned at being nudged again, eyelids twitching a few times before I managed to groggily force them open. My sight was blurry and I had to clear it with a couple blinks to look up at Solomon, who gazed down in worried panic with slightly glowing blue eyes rather than the red from before. I just felt an overwhelming wave of relief at seeing that he seemed to have come to. “Oh, thank god..”

I let out a relieved sigh, eyes closing again tiredly, adrenaline either long gone or drained and feeling exhausted relief at seeing Solomon alright. My brow twitched and furrowed as I was shaken, struggling to get out of the dazed stupor I’d almost immediately fallen into without realizing it.

I just wanted to sleep now, man, leave me alone.

“Come on, stay with me,” Solomon said, something brushing against my neck as he murmured some words under his breath. “I can’t have my adorable apprentice dying on me.”

“Mmmn-n-not adorable,” I grumbled weakly, managing to open an eye in an attempt to glare at him. He pulled his hand away from my neck and the glow of a healing spell dissipated in his palm. The healing spell didn’t clear away the blood on his hand and chin, making me wonder how bad I looked if HE looked this disheveled and blood-covered.

“I can’t believe that worked. You’re ridiculous,” the sorcerer laughed, but it was strained. He reached for something nearby and muttered another spell, adding louder, “Just try and stay awake while I try to fix this before the bloodlust becomes unbearable again. If this is how Beel feels all the time, no wonder he goes mad with hunger as often as he does…”

I groaned in acknowledgement, fighting to keep my eye open. I gave up and lifted a lead-heavy arm to drape lethargically over my eyes. “How much blood can I lose before dying?”

“Well, the average person can lose up to a fifth of their blood on average before going into complete shock. However, more than forty percent is almost certainly lethal.”

My lips pursed at the information, quiet for a few seconds before lifting my arm slightly from my eyes to peer at him and  mumbling, “I don’t like that you just know that.”

“You did ask,” Solomon replied lightly in an attempt to lighten the mood. He seemed satisfied with whatever he cast and started reaching for my neck again. His expression fell when I involuntarily flinched slightly away from his hands. 

“I-... s-sorry…”

“No. No, it’s… understandable,” he sighed slightly, grabbing my other wrist instead. My hand curled defensively as he lifted it up and tied my choker around the wrist. 

I let out a surprised noise as I felt a sudden surge of energy and slight warmth, having not realized how chilled I was with my lack of blood. Not enough to be jumping up and down or anything, but I didn’t feel like I was about to die anymore. I blinked at not feeling like death and gave Solomon a bleary quizzical look.

“It’s to magically help your blood levels. I can’t make something from nothing, especially in my mental state right now, but it'll keep you from dying to blood loss,” Solomon explained, giving me a guilty, apologetic, and shameful expression. He sighed and I felt like his eyes flickered for a second. “It's also to help you breathe and hopefully keep you clean.”

“Solomon. I don't like that you said that…,” I narrowed my eyes at him and shifted to try and push myself into a sitting position, yelping when my elbows buckled beneath me. Yup, still too weak to move much. 

“Don't strain yourself,” a hand planted against my shoulder to keep me down as the sorcerer looked at me with concern. He tried to give me a reassuring smile despite the obvious mental strain it was taking him to maintain control. 

Probably would have been more effective if there wasn't a slight discoloration on his face where I'd elbowed him as bruising started setting in, he hadn't literally just overpowered me, was on the verge of relapsing, and we were both covered in my own blood. In my slightly delirious state, I had to internally admit that it was quite a look.

“Sol-.”

“It's nothing you haven't handled before,” the sorcerer continued, interrupting whatever further protests or questions I had before he started reciting the now very familiar shrinking spell I’d grown accustomed to hearing from the brothers. 

Almost immediately the lightheadedness and vertigo took over, dazing me and making my vision swim. I barely registered the sensation of being lifted from the ground, my eyesight refocusing in time to see Solomon’s mouth open above me. The elongated canines that had punctured my skin minutes prior now framed the dark confines of his bloodstained jaws and the warm, shaky exhale that washed over me was saturated with the scent of iron. My heart skipped a beat.

I knew any protest or words would fall on deaf ears but as I was lifted closer to Solomon’s open mouth with his tongue extending slightly to lay over his lower teeth I couldn’t help but weakly say, “If this ends up killing me, I’m gonna kick your ass.”

There was another, sharper exhale from the sorcerer and a slight upturn at the corner of his lips before I was transferred from his palm to the slick, textured surface of his tongue, the muscle curling behind me and drawing me into his jaws. Saliva instantly soaked into my clothes as teeth lightly clicked shut behind me to leave me in darkness, able to hear and feel everything around me flex as Solomon instinctively swallowed some excess saliva.

His breathing was more noticeably ragged from within his jaws, huffing as his tongue quivered beneath me. I was confused, laying in a tired daze and wondering why nothing was moving, used to being tasted, sometimes with aggressive fervor. From the way I could feel drool pooling beneath my back I could tell that I was appealing to him, but the question of whether or not it was brought on by the Vampiritis would have to wait until later. I realized when his tongue only gingerly lapped at me a couple times before gravity began to shift that he seemed to be desperately holding himself back.

“Right,” I mumbled, letting myself slide toward the back of his throat. “Kind of attacked me.”

Solomon probably didn’t want to hurt me more.

I grunted slightly as a swallow quickly dragged me into his gullet and more hastened my descent down his esophagus, breathing restricted by the tight confines and each inhale laced with the tang of blood. Slipping past the collarbone was more constrictive and I was able to hear the sorcerer let out an exhale of relief, felt the odd sensation of being tightly hugged on all sides by peristalsis pulling me yet able to discern the sensation of him leaning forward slightly.

“I can’t tell how much of it is the Vampiritis but… this is unnervingly satisfying,” he admitted, voice resonating down to my bones in my descent. “I really hope you’ll be able to breathe. I guess I’ll find out if you don’t flail.”

There he went, mentioning breathing again. I was almost confused but as I felt the slight pressure beneath me that precluded spilling into a stomach, I realized that he quite literally had his fill of me. There wasn’t even a splash as I was forced into the organ, just slipping into a chamber of blood that I was thankful I couldn’t see. Whatever he did to my choker was allowing me to breathe, which I was thankful for considering I hadn’t exactly braced myself to hold my breath, and oddly enough each inhale was clean air instead of iron-saturated liquid. Potentially some sort of personal breathing bubble, I wasn’t exactly going to summon a light source in here.

“You’re good, Solomon,” I mustered the energy to shout up, feeling for the nearest stomach wall in the space expanded with my own blood. I tried not to think about it too much.

“Thank goodness,” Solomon let out a sigh of relief. Everything sort of sloshed around as he moved, the force of him shifting and standing up making me sink a little. “It seems eating you has tempered the bloodlust slightly. I was worried that I was going to drain you, felt like I was starving and greedy even though I feel full. Now, to get Barbatos and-.”

Solomon was interrupted by the sound of the door breaking open and slamming against the wall, Mammon’s voice shouting in a panic, “KAT!”

“Uh oh.” Solomon and I muttered at the same time.

“I assure you, this looks far worse than it is,” Solomon told Mammon, and considering how bloody and disheveled the sorcerer and my room was, I didn’t think the demon would believe that. 

All I could do was wish Solomon luck and prepare to potentially be sloshed around.

[writingingraves]

My WIPs [2024 - 20##]

Stuff I've finished and started in 2024 . Tap the placeholder names or titles for more (once there's more). On this account I will post progress, snippets or memes of the following titles:

B\T (Standalone) Tetralogy

IRIS' L - Teen girl tries to survive her hunt by a shape-shifting nightmare. Friend helps.

TFWGF - A young man mauled in Limbo is fast enough to outrun the beginning of the end of the world. A demigod assists him.

Double O - Adventurer sisters stumble upon a forgotten death and are joined in on the fight by the equivalent of a semi deity. Normal days are interrupted by pests.

B|C - Twin flames destined to destroy existence decide their own career path which ends them up in a war with plagued creatures that cannot burn but which ignite.

* masterpost for this project

(Double O.) Spin-off(s)

▪︎ Apprentice's Errand Prequel Comic

• Histoire's Destiny Webcomic

*community for these projects

♤

LUPUS Chronicles

VID'S STORY: The Path Of Sonder

Medium: Video Game (Visual Novel)

Volumes: 1. On The Verge Of Bleeding; 2. An Uncaged Unravelling.

About: Entity titled Vid explores a fantastical, mysterious world within the crust of the earth and light of imprisoned souls. It tries to reach the source of that realm on its own. Yet multiple Shapeless notice the walking corpse.

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LUCHIAN'S STORY: The Owl's Lament

Medium: Choose Your Story Video Series

Volumes: 1. The Sand-doyen And The Shapeless ; 2. Vivid Past Of Sorrows ; 3. The Eye, The Warrior, The Mad Or The I.

About: You assume the role of the Sand-doyen and have to navigate the mortal and heavenly realm, in search of ancient ruins and artefacts to destroy. The journey is long and you have to retain your corpse long enough to stop the 'Emerge' from happening. Yet, The Silver Paladin and his little warrior try to detain you and trade you to Heaven.

♤

Pariah Topiary

*Includes previous works: Inked Wings, Snake And Corvid.

The Duology, Short Story Prequels:

Lamb And Canines - About mutants who once helped Mila from Snake And Corvid.

A Colonel's Grief (Inked Wings Sequel) - an aftermath of General Kinkade's and The Riddleman's death. What the Rebellion does against Mutant Extermination Army through legal means and the ruminating of a Revolution. Focus on a past romance.

♤

Other Stories

That One Courageous Constant EP - An EP about how two lovebirds named Emma (19) and Lias (21) came to become close friends and confess their romantic feelings for one another. (Tried storytelling through music).

Frogs Under Multiverse - short story about rekindling an old friendship and bringing back and navigating romantic sparks. Greta tries to express herself while Beladonna tries to live in the present. Kamran is the best at both; the perfect instigator.

Hollow Folk #1 - collection of tales/classics from the fictional Kite culture and folklore.

- OLD WIP MASTERPOST

- About Moi

- behind the scenes and early stuff on my Ko-Fi