#worried to branch out or worried that other people are going to replace them (i get that sm honey)

[fstbmp-a]

A friend inspired me with smth so I'm finally going to pop off and sound like the pretentious art college grad I secretly am

Writing canon characters is a farce. You're writing your character.

"Mirth what do you mean"

Thank you, strawman, allow me to elaborate. The second an author picks up a character, it is instantly their own. People put too much stake into fitting the mold, when really, you have ceased being a proper canon character the nanosecond you have initiated writing. You are writing your interpretation and, arguably, that cannot be considered the same.

You are INSPIRED. That's marvelous. That's fantastic, even. Your mind is fundamentally different from everyone else's, meaning this character, inspired by whatever take you enjoy most, is going to be irreplaceably unique. No matter what or who changes, that is a constant!

You're allowed to change and develop your character, unbound by whatever canon says or does. Roleplaying is a collaborative front and, frankly, you should be allowed to be as free with your muse as you wish. Get inspired by works, allow your characters to change and grow-- heck, if you get so inspired that it's so fucking different from canon it has to become an OC? THAT'S FUCKING INCREDIBLE!!! GO FOR IT!!!

You're a WRITER! Your work is irreplaceable because there will NEVER be another you and that's so freeing! You aren't held down by anything save yourself! If inspiration strikes, go for it! The entire purpose of this artform is to INSPIRE AND BE INSPIRED! So fuck around! Find out! That's the point! That's SICK AS FUCK!!!

Anyways, that's all! Have a good one, everybody!

[lovelykhaleesiii]

Hello!! I hope this is the right outlet to male a request ☺️ Reader has gone out to look for a remedy on Aemond's eye pain. When she comes back, finds Aemond looking relieved she is safe and angry she made him worry. hehe

this is just the sweetest thing, she notices the small things, how he winces and attempts to hide the pain. she'd do anything to make it all go away <3

Remedy

PAIRING: Aemond Targaryen x fem!Reader.

WORDS: 1,212.

WARNINGS: fluff, soft!Aemond.

Although he tried to mask the pain, you were able to notice the small details. The way he would turn away from you, his hand swiftly massaging the temple near his lost eye, before resuming to whatever he was doing. You'd convinced yourself you'd even heard your husband awake, wincing from the sharp pain late at night. The site and wound had healed, now where his eye was held had been replaced by a glimmering sapphire gemstone.

It saddened you to see Aemond in such a state, trying to bury his own issues aside, for whatever reason he held. Perhaps he did not wish for others, especially you to consider him weak. Regardless, your conscious would not allow it to continue.

You'd enquired with the maesters if there was any type of remedy available to help rid Aemond of the pain. The only thing they'd known to be most effective and that they had supply of was milk of the poppy, although Aemond was never a fan of it. He hated how drowsy and lethargic it would make him feel, he avoided the cost of being inattentive.

The maesters suggested a herb that could be transformed into a topical ointment, that may help to numb the site without any severe side effects. Although much to your luck, they had just run out of the supply and were awaiting for stock to arrive, for the ingredient was hard to come by in Westeros. One of the younger maesters however, urged you to seek out certain markets in King's Landing that would sell the plant, for a pretty price.

"Not many people know, Princess, it is a very hard thing to come by. Although, these merchants are willing to sell for a decent cost."

"Then you shall take me to them!"

****

What felt like hours on end, the young master and yourself had searched countless markets and streets, without any luck. You'd left Aemond unaware of your errands, the Prince was busy training and attending council meetings, so you'd convinced yourself now was the time. However, much to your dismay, you hadn't realised how much time would be spent in search for such a delicate thing.

"There's a few more stalls I can take you to, Princess, but the hour is late. Mayhaps we try again another time."

"No, let us continue. There will be no need to come and go, just show me to the next seller, and be done with it today."

The stalls that you'd encountered, many merchants recognised you however none would question your whereabouts, for many feared the One-Eyed Prince himself. And as hopeful as they were to sell to a royal member, they were just as disappointed as you being unable to provide what you desired for.

As you walked towards the next stall, did you finally begin to realise how sore your feet and legs felt, walking through the narrow streets, the countless steps. But you know had the moment come, it would be worth it for Aemond.

And thankfully, your luck had finally struck!

“Here she is, the last of our supply. You just made it, it’s quite popular here in the city.”

The ecstatic look on your face, a wave of relief coarser through your body as you held a few of the branches of the beautiful white flower up. Examining it carefully, as though it was a dragon egg.

You’d paid the heavy price and returned back to the castle, the sun had just disappeared off in the horizon. It felt like a spring in each step, the exhaustion you’d felt only moments ago vanished, as you both made your way back up gleefully.

You thanked the young maester for his tremendous help, and would reward him with a high recommendation to his seniors. You’d spared only a few more minutes as he prepared a vial of the ointment for you, before you both departed your own ways.

As you made your way back into your chamber, Aemond sprung himself up, storming towards you.

“Where in the Seven Hells have you been, Y/N?! I sent Criston and his men to look for you across the castle and you were no where!”

“I-”

“You had me worrying sick, you understand-”

He snapped, cutting you off before you could explain yourself.

“Why would you leave without consoling me, and where did you go only to return so late in the hour. Are you okay, you feel cold, come closer to the fire.”

You could feel the tension in his grip, even though some relief came as he watched your face appear at the doorway, he was pacing himself, as he led you to where he sat before.

“Aemond, my dear, it’s alright. I went out to look for something with one of the maesters, I needed his guidance.”

“May the Gods be good, what took up your day so late into the night. Nothing happened, are you okay? You could’ve just sent him off yourself, or why didn’t you tell me so that I could have accompanied you! Seven Hells, Y/N don’t you ever disappear like that without a trace… I-I thought you left me.”

He knelt beside you, as you pulled his hand down to come face to face. One hand cupping his cheek, as your thumb gentry caressed his tender skin, whilst the other hand remained clinging to his.

“Aemond, don’t you ever think that. I would never do that to you, you know this… I just had to retrieve this for you. It’s for the pain, my dear. I know the eye troubles you, there’s no need to deny it.”

You’d let go of his face as your hand reached out to reveal a small glass vial with the ointment the young maester had created.

“What-” He softly uttered.

“Just apply a small, pea size amount around your eye my dear, just like so-“

You gently applied the ointment around his temple, and around the eye socket of his sapphire eye. He slightly winced as you first touched it, although began to settle. You glimpsed a faint look of surprise on his face, as you presumed the pain had finally gone.

“And it should ease the pain. Aemond, I hate seeing it trouble you, and I know how you dislike milk of the poppy so please-”

You slowly place the vial in his palm, as you close his fist up.

“Just use this for now.”

He remained silent for a short while, as he stood up again, walking towards the small mirror by the wardrobe. He observed the ointment had been perfectly rubbed in, and as he touched the area, he felt nothing, no more ache, no more of the dull, irritating pain that nagged at him.

He turned back towards you, you reaching him halfway as you closed in on each other.

“You are an angel if the Gods thought of me blessed enough to have you.”

His hands cupped your face, as one began to stream through your hair gently. You smiled up at Aemond softly, as your lips gently hovered over his.

“But don’t you ever run off like that again, without me knowing, unless you want the whole Kingsguard to seize the city until we find you.”

[cozymoko]

THANKヽ(*´∀)ﾉﾟYOU for doing my request (the Mukami sister one)! I loved it so much!!!

You mentioned that Platonic Yanderes are your favorite, so I hope you don't mind terribly if I make another request? Your headcanons for the Sakamaki or Mukami brothers (whichever you prefer!) with a young sister who's energetic and adventurous. She is always eager to try new things (regardless of danger), tends to run off to explore her surroundings and, worst of all, loves to meet new people. Basically a nightmare scenario for her poor brothers haha

RECKLESS, SOCIAL LITTLE SISTER

Note: No thank YOU and keep 'em coming, I enjoy doing them very much! (≧∇≦)

SYNOPSIS: Sakamkai's with little sister who enjoys exploring, is reckless, and loves to meet new people.

Pairing: Sakamaki brothers (seperate) x platonic! sister reader

Format: Headcanons

WARNING(S): Yandere themes, mentions of murder/obsessive behavior in Kanatos' part.

Want more Diabolik lovers? → Masterlist! ★

SHU SAKAMAKI

The ridiculous amount of energy you have is already enough for him. Shu doesn't so much as try to keep up with your childish eagerness anymore. You'll learn your lesson sooner than later so he does very little interfering with your careless endeavors. That is if they don't cause you any serious trouble.

However, he draws the line at your friendliness. Nothing gives him more of a migraine than your pointless interactions with everyone you meet. It's exhausting, to say the least, and he prays that you'll grow out of it someday. But if it makes you happy as of now, then so be it.

"Tsk, troublesome girl...What do you gain from interacting with strangers? Hah, figures, at this rate I'll have to tie you to a chair."

REIJI SAKAMAKI

You've had your fair share of punishments by Reiji's hand, which was no surprise. For instance, when he caught you dangling from that villainous branch that framed your bedroom window or even seated on your knees to coo to a mere alley cat who caught your eye. He. Was. Livid.

Your need to befriend every person you see is ridiculous. As a young lady, you should be focusing on your studies and extracurriculars he arranged in your stead. There's absolutely no time to be dwelling on insignificant people who will do little to better you. But a little begging goes a long way, my dear.

"Young lady, have you lost your mind? Such behavior is absolutely unacceptable. Have you no care for your safety? This kind of behavior cannot possibly go unpunished."

AYATO SAKAMAKI

Ayato couldn't give two fucks about your "adventures", better yet, he'll tag along just to "protect" you. (Or taunt you for better wording). With you being immortal, death didn't come as easy as other things so he has no real worries for you...safety-wise.

Now, this is the utmost disrespect. How could you possibly want to speak with anyone but him? Ayato is a narcissist so save yourself the pointless arguing, you won't win. He's petty to the point that you almost forget that he's older than you! But I digress, a few shots to his ego and he'll be as good as new.

"Oi, what's the point in talking to other people when Ore-sama is here, you're wastin' your time. I'm way better than 'em anyways!"

KANATO SAKAMAKI

You're lucky. If you weren't his sister, he'd kill you. Everything about your personality plagues him and his sanity. Or whatever's left of it. He found your recklessness to be incredibly unladylike. If ruining dresses was a sport, you'd be a pro and he despises you for it.

Not even his own sister is exempt from being locked away. Kanato may not be as inclined to do it but the option is still on the table. Nothing terrifies him more than the possibility of you leaving or attempting to replace him, he won't allow it. Even if he has to kill everyone you meet.

"Hey! Don't do that, you'll ruin the dress I made you! Uu...You're so careless...hic...are you trying to worry me?!"

LAITO SAKAMAKI

Though not the protective type, Laito never strayed too far from your side. In mild curiosity, perhaps, but mostly for his own enjoyment. If you truly need it, he'll save you; however, don't expect this to happen often. You're a vampire after all, why would he ruin his fun to rescue someone making rash decisions? Even his precious sister is no exception~!

At first, he found your boldness amusing. Ranging from painfully awkward encounters to the potential blooming of new friendships. But he simply cannot ignore the lingering stares you received, some in astonishment and others not so much. That left him in quite a sour mood.

"Ah~! That boy, do you know him? Fufu~ he was definitely flirting with you just now. What a shame, I'd never allow such filthy men to touch you."

SUBARU SAKAMAKI

As we all know, Subaru is awful at suppressing his emotions despite how hard he tries. Nothing will ever prepare him for this heart-stopping behavior of yours. Subaru understands that you're growing up and you can take care of yourself, but even that isn't enough to ease his nerves. Especially not with you taking after your "dumbass of a father", as he'd say.

The first time he witnessed this he almost had a heart attack. His fair skin was drained of every drop of color and he appeared absolutely mortified, which he was. Subaru had left your side for a mere second and here you are, seated at a table, completely engrossed in a conversation with mortals that looked to be your age. All in all, he's just anti-social and protective, don't be too hard on him!

"Oi, don't go talkin' to just anybody, got it? Ha—? what do you mean 'why?' Tch, forget it, I'll beat their asses instead."

[flamingpudding]

Lost in memories

A/N: personally I am currently hating myself and the writer part of my brain for this. This idea got stuck in my head after I read a couple of amnesiac Danny fics and prompts. I needed to get it out of my head because it occupied to much free estate and distracted me from other things. So with all ideas that bother me like this I write it out. Also I have no idea if I will continue on this or if I will leave it like this that depends on how much free estate it continues to occupies in my head. But here a warning. It's Angsty (?), but if I continue this it will probably be Angst with a happy ending.

Things were good. Danny was happy. After having lost everything before and after many struggles he was happy again, having gained a second family. They weren't replacing his previous family but they helped him fill the emptiness that nearly tore him apart before. They helped him over his grief and hurt as well as protected him from himself and others.

He had more brothers and sisters than before, he even was a big brother now. There was a father figure now also, one that was at least somewhat better at parenting that his father was before but well not perfect with still a bunch of faults Jazz would have loved to analyse. And a grandfather that made the best cookies he had ever eaten before. Best of all they had accepted him the way he was too, even his ghostlyness.

It was also an added bonus that his new family put in the effort to help him have a better schedule and a more regulated life. It came in handy when your entire new family was in the vigilante business and had experience in managing and balancing it. With them he was truly feeling safe and happy now and wished for it to last for as long as possible.

To the Waynes Danny was the baby of the family. Sure he wasn't the youngest, that was still Damian. But Danny was the most open about his feelings and his show of affection from the moment they had saved him and managed to keep him. Alfred wasn't even sure if it was Bruce that had initiated the adoption or if it were the children that did it. After all Jason had stated his brotherly claim on Danny first before Dick AND Damian fought him over it, leaving an opening for Tim and Duke whisking in by having shared interests only for Cass beat them all by gaining his trust first and giving her the favorite sibling spot.

Eitherway Danny had wormed his way into the Wayne family after all the initial struggles and trust issues and became the perfect addition. His way of openly showing how much he loved and cared about his new family quickly stirred the protectiveness the entire bat clan had over him. He might be not as innocent as he appears but to them Danny was the baby.

That was why they were in a close to panic state now.

There had been an oversight on their part. They thought that after dealing with the Anti-Ecto Acts and the disbanding of the Government branch dedicated to hunt beings like Danny that he would be save with them. That there was no danger to him anymore. That he could be free now and do what he wanted, be it a vigilante or life a semi normal life. Sure they knew about the small reminds of these people but, the bats had made sure they never would get even remotely close to Danny.

Jason especially had enjoyed hunting these guys.

Yet somehow a small group of them had managed to evade their attention. They had napped Danny from them. Tim and their ghost boy had been out on a coffee-run they had been discussing on of their latest invention they were working on together. Something that was going to emulate Danny's ice to make it easier to catch certain rogues. Tim had left Danny's side only shortly to get their coffee order but that little time frame had been enough.

At first Tim had thought that his little brother was pulling one of his vanishing pranks on him again. But when Danny didn't reappear no matter how long Tim waited or how much he looked for him, he had grown more and more worried. To the point that he messaged the group chat, alerting all their other siblings.

From there they quickly figured out thanks to the surveillance cameras that Danny got abducted. The fact that the group that took him used tech that Danny personally had shown to them before was the glaring fact that a leftover group was the culprit.

Of course they had instantly gone to rescue their brother. They hadn't forgotten the horrors they had seen before when they had disbanded the original government branch. Even Dick came from Bludhaven to help, knowing the seriousness of the situation.

Yet when they finally got to Danny, it made them feel like they had been too late. Unconscious and a lot of green red blood and wounds placed right where years old scarring was. It had driven Jason into a green haze, something that hadn't happened since Danny had joined the family.

Right now Danny laid unconscious in the medbay. Jason and Cass were with him. The second eldest Wayne had refused to leave Danny's side ever since they had recovered him. Tim wasn't too far away from there either, guilt making him unable to leave. Duke was the one staying next to him for comfort. Damian was pacing by the Batcomputer with Dick trying to help their youngest calming down while Bruce was working on finding if there was anything more they might have overlooked.

A crash in the medbay caused everything to stop. There was only one second of stillness before shouting resounded from there. Making them all rush towards it. But that was what appeared to make the situation worse.

The moment they burst through the door of the medbay they found their brother hovering near the ceiling, staring at them all wide eyed. One hand was clutching the area around his stomach, no doubt having reopened the wounds Alfred had stitched up with that special thread that was only used for Danny, while his other hand was outstretched towards them with a green glow.

"Danny calm down! You're safe!" They heard Dick shout as he tried to get closer but stopped when Jason held an arm out to stop them from getting closer, shaking his head as he glared. It wasn't a glare directed at them but something was clearly making him angry. That was when Damian noticed it, Danny had flinched back at Dick's shout.

He flinched back, from them, looking every bit like he was about to run away.

That was when the rest of them finally saw how Danny watched them with eyes blown wide and filled with fear and panic. But worst of all there was no recognition in his eyes. He looked like one of those affected by fear gas, even though that stuff didn't even work on Danny. He wasn't in a rational state of mind.

"Danny?" Tim carefully asked, he didn't step closer. Doing that right now would most likely trigger their brother even more, he remembered all too well how flighty Danny had been with them in the beginning. He exchanged side glances with his siblings. They needed to calm Danny down before he ripped open even more wounds. They could already see green red stains showing through the shirt Alfred had dressed him in earlier.

"Who…" Danny's voice was barely hearable, cracking even. There was a glass of water by the bedside table prepared for this. But there was no way they could get Danny to drink it right now.

"Who are you people?"

It wasn't often that one simple question could cause so much heartbreak at once. But if your loving brother that has known you for a little over a year or two, the one family member that showed you openly affection and constantly reminded you how much he cared and had come to love you, says it then there was no other way to avoid the pain it caused. None of them showed it but they all felt it the moment Danny finished his sentence.

All the bat siblings had one collective thought as Damian clicked his tongue in an especially frustrated and annoyed way.

I am going to murder these Guy's in White.

[xxnomadsxx]

Nomads AU! Poppy

Before you come at me for making her seem awful in this, it’s cause she’s missing a lot of character growth. which will come the more time she spends with Branch ( I honestly love Poppy❤️ she needs more recognition in her growth)

Her character is basically like first movie Poppy plus adding all the problems she had before growing as a character. In this au she had no Branch to help her grow (she has some development but not as much)

I mentioned Poppy a couple times before, but never really explained her. I’ve said the timeline stays the same except some characters replace Branch at times or not at all. In the first movie she gets hit with reality when everyone got captured and turned momentarily grey, but then Bridget saves the trolls which gives Poppy hope and she (plus everyone) gets there colors back then everything else plays out just without Branch.

The second movie she doesn’t listen to others and struggles on why being ✨queen✨ is so hard. She also pushes down trolls differences until the end where she kinda learns that difference does matter (she’s kinda learning guys give her some credit ) she gets saved by the snack pack in the end and barely learns to listen to others. The end plays out the same (the other leaders are very wary of her

The third movie she tags along (mostly cause Brozone was her fav band, not the best reason to help but oh well) to help Floyd. She doesn’t do much but learn how siblings have issues with each other , and get to experience how the Brothers are struggling to cope with there brothers “death” (her positivity did not help) She did get the message that life is not all cupcakes and rainbows due to this (Look at that Branch wasn’t even here and he taught her a lesson, good job man)😁 I’m gonna do a post on the movie summary later since a lot of stuff will go down.

She has a lot more toxic positivity. As in she won’t leave you alone until she deems you as “happy” it’s way worse since Branch isn’t there to show her sometimes it’s ok to be sad (the entire grey village is going to suffer through so many songs)

She doesn’t understand completely why the other tribes are so…different. I mean all Trolls are the same in her eyes. she just never says this to anyone though. She kinda understands what the funk trolls ment when they said “differences do matter” but not completely she just thinks everyone should be happy like pop trolls

She is a lot more pushy on boundaries (does not respect them) and has a hard time listening and understanding people’s problems (her optimism is kinda toxic to others, she pushes people’s problems down to try and make them happy )

She is kinda kinda..sorta (definitely) having a hard time as ✨queen✨. As she only thinks of the fun she never thinks about a lot of her other duties cause they’re BORING~!!!🥱 (which causes a lot of issues at times) she’s not the most responsible troll and is quite reckless.

But don’t worry she will change and get better over time (also ps Branch ain’t doing the greatest either, they’re both sooooooo messed up but they will grow together😌)

[ambrosialdesire]

cacoëthes

[ PART ONE ] [ PART TWO ] [ PART THREE ]

18+ DARK CONTENT BELOW, MINORS + BLANK BLOGS DNI

pairing: s4 reiner x fem!reader word count: 14.3k warnings + tags: general yandere and obsessive themes, unhealthy relationships, kidnapping mention, gore/violence, minor character death, drugging mention (sleeping pills), slight misogyny, slight stockholm syndrome, vomit mention (nonsexual), noncon/dubcon, sexual implications, mention of male masturbation, a dash of porco x reader, somnophilia (but the reader is awake and pretending to be asleep), dry-humping kinda, virginity mention, kinda aot spoilers if you haven't watched it before, all characters are 18+ synopsis: it's been three years since reiner had taken you away to marley and you've been getting used to the brand new world since then. you have a good husband, his family tolerates you, and his fellow warriors are somewhat decent people. what he doesn't know is that everything was coming to an end, three years of planning an escape won't go to waste of course. a/n: this shit took me forever idk why i decided to make it this long lol this is fr a passion project at this point (i want reiner so bad) but anyways i hope y'all enjoy this, there's one more part after this and it's gonna contain ALL the dirty bits >:) note: please keep in mind of the tags above and do not proceed if triggering or uncomfortable, especially if you are a minor!! do not read my or any other writers' dark content if you are underaged. this is a fictional work and does not reflect irl morals, do not believe this is how a real romance works or functions.

─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: .☽ . :☆ﾟ.───

Drowning was certainly an odd feeling. You were on the teetering edge of consciousness and unconsciousness, but it was definite that you were unable to completely open your eyes. It was disgustingly warm and humid, but a sudden spike of cold hit your moistened skin as you were getting pulled out of something.

Someone was pushing on your chest rapidly, muffled begging echoing in your eardrums. A few more sturdy pumps on your chest and you turned your head suddenly, throwing up any liquid that remained in your lungs and shooting up roughly coughing. You... you weren't dead? But you swore that you were just eaten by Bertolt.

You continued to cough to clear out the remnants of whatever you were in but began to observe your surroundings at the same time. Your blurred eyes first latched on the one who cleared your lungs, the person having a relieved but worried smile on his face. Your vision suddenly cleared in a furious rage.

"You fucker!"

Throwing yourself on the black haired man, your hands wrapped around his throat angrily and squeezed down as hard as you possibly could. The deep slice that Mikasa had once made was long gone and you wished that she had managed to slice his head clean off. He gagged under your hands, weakly trying to pull them off. You were only stopped as another man harshly told you to knock it off and pulled at the back of your shirt away from Bertolt, seeing him gasp for air and hold his neck.

"Don't fucking touch me Braun." You hissed, slapping the newly replaced hand off of you. You didn't want him to ever touch you ever again, the mere thought disgusting you.

"Y/N-"

"I don't want to hear it, not from two rats like you and you."

You took more observations with the environment, seeing that they ended up at the forest that the Female Titan had taken many lives in. Eren and Ymir were here too, passed out on another branch of the large tree. Eren's arms were cut off from the elbow, and Ymir's arm and leg were still regenerating slowly. Cruel pieces of shit.

"Be grateful that Bertolt managed to not dissolve you in his mouth, otherwise you'd be digesting in his stomach by now." He was talking to you peacefully as if this was all normal and nothing happened, but all you wanted to do was stab his goddamn heart out.

"Grateful? Grateful?!" You scornfully laughed aloud, an angry expression still worn. "I'd rather be a meal by now than talking to you."

Your hand reached over where your sword should've been but there was nothing there, being swallowed whole by Bertolt must've crushed up your gear or maybe the stomach acid destroyed them. Weird that it didn't kill you but it was most definitely frustrating that you had nothing to defend yourself. You reared him in the stomach with your elbow, turning around to face him as you attempted to punch his face. But he grabbed your hand before you could throw one, pushing you down onto the branch and pinning you back down.

"I told you Reiner, she'd be too much trouble to take back home." Bertolt fretted as he ran a hand through his short hair. You stopped struggling under the man, looking at the other with confusion.

"...What did you say?"

"I'm taking you back to our homeland, you and those two." Was he delusional, he had to be delusional.

"This is the only place that humanity remains, are you telling me you're taking me to a land where Titans live?!" You screeched and Reiner covered your mouth with his free hand, shutting you up. You bit down on his hand but he didn't move away, only pressing down harder until you stopped. Dull teeth were never going to be able to tear through a monster's skin.

"You're being unreasonable, it's a continent across the sea called Marley. Bertolt, Annie, and I came from there, our mission was to retrieve the Founding Titan from Paradis Island. It's been years since we left our home and now we can finally leave. Shame we weren't able to retrieve what we actually came for." He grumbled the last part but you were horrified with what he had just revealed. He and Bertolt lied about their backstory, they never lived in Wall Maria; they decimated it. They destroyed your life. Destroyed other peoples' lives.

But you were even more confused, you weren't a Titan shifter like them so why did he want to bring you along?

You tried to speak under his hand, only for it to be muffled, so he released his hold from your mouth.

"Why... Why bring me? I don't have any Titan form like the lot of you."

Reiner smiled down at you, the kind where it held such excitement that you wanted to puke.

"I decided that we were going to get married in Marley. You'll be my wife, but it's going to be a difficult process trying to have a Paradisian Eldian apply for citizenship."

"You're insane!" You shrieked, gaping with dread. No way in hell were you going to marry this crazy Titan guy, not after you found out that he was in cahoots with the other that fucked up your life.

"You're fucking insane if you think I'll marry you!"

You started to struggle underneath him, panic setting in again. This was your home, your only home in the world. No matter where Reiner would take you, it would never be a home of yours. Was that why he asked that question way back then?

"Hoover, you can't let him do this! Why are you enabling him when I have no use to you?!" You cried out to the man in vain, his gaze avoiding yours completely. Reiner shot a glare at his friend as he struggled to keep you apprehended under him. Cowardly fuck.

Through the haze of your alarmed anger, Bertolt mentioned to his partner-in-crime that he should knock you out again so you'd stop screaming so much.

Oh, so now he wants to talk. You were about to reply with a snarky response but deft fingers pinched a part of your neck, and you fell silent, falling asleep once more.

"Why'd you have to choose the one who's giving us too much of a fight Reiner?" Bertolt sighed and the man promptly ignored him, lifting you up gently to tie your hands together and to wrap your mouth with a cloth.

"Once we reach the Shiganshina District and meet up with Zeke, that's where we'll drop off Y/N so she won't be a part of the fight anymore."

"Will we be able to reach there on time? The Corps must be after us already and we still have to get Annie." Reiner set you down gently and patted his friend on the back.

"Don't worry, once we reach him and discuss what we can do to get her back, you can finally confess to her."

"Reiner!"

'•.¸♡ ♡¸.•''•.¸♡ ♡¸.•''•.¸♡ ♡¸.•'

You didn't know how long you were out for, fading in and out of consciousness yet again. Whatever they did to you, it kept you well asleep for a while. You do remember faint glimpses, from being hoisted on this four-legged Titan's back to being medically treated by strangers. You faintly felt their fingers poke and prod at you, like you were some kind of unknown specimen, a new species. Yet the one thing you couldn't remember was that you never saw Reiner or Bertolt, no they weren't there for as long as you slept.

Maybe it was a dream, all of this. You were sleeping in the Corps dorms, the girls had forgotten to wake you up for today's duties, and you'd soon get scolded by the short captain and being told to mop the floor till it's squeaky clean. Everything was fine. As fine as it could get in this world.

Drowsiness was the first thing that hit you. You noticed that it was nighttime, dim lantern light being the only source that lit up the room... a metal room?

In confusion, you sat up. There was a circular window on one of the sides of the wall and you walked up to it, wobbling from unsteadiness and exhaustion. When you looked out, there was nothing but a dark and unwelcoming emptiness.

A large iron door with its own window was on the other side of the room and you took a few steps towards it, pulling the knob down and opening it. It groaned open and you examined the outside, checking both sides of the hallway. More cold metal encased everything that you saw, where in the world were you right now?

Heavy footsteps clanged towards you and you panicked, closing the door quickly and jumping back in bed, pretending that you were still asleep. The familiar groaning was heard, the steps quieter and slower as they approached you. You had half the mind to jump and attack the person that entered, but a reasonable part of you told you not to do it.

"Y/N?" Well look who arrived, your new worst enemy.

As much as you didn't want to see him, you turned your body towards him anyway. Relief flooded in his expression and he reached over to caress your face. You avoid it completely, pushing him away with your hand. You asked softly with a firm tone, "Where are we?"

"You probably don't know this kind of advanced machinery, but we're on a boat back to Marley." Ah, so the scouts weren't able to retrieve you. What unfortunate and devastating information you've learned. Tears began to well up but you brushed those sad thoughts aside, they probably thought you were already dead from when Bertolt grabbed you on top of the wall.

"Eren and Ymir?"

"Eren was taken back, we weren't able to retrieve him unfortunately. Ymir's here though, she went with us with no complaints." Was he just saying that or was she also forced on board? And how lucky Eren was to be saved once again by the scouts and his friends. So. Damn. Lucky.

"...Hoover?"

"Dead." Goosebumps rose up on your skin, wasn't he the Colossal Titan? They... they finally managed to kill that fifty meter fucker?

"How?"

"Eren and Armin are quite the clever ones, Armin now has the Colossal's power because of their plan." What did that mean? You wanted to ask but his face was twisted in a vague, hidden pain.

You decided to stop asking questions for his sake and the two of you were silent, the only movements he made were him sitting down on the edge of the bed. Remembering back to what he said in the forest, you stupidly decided to bring it up.

"I don't want to be your wife." You whispered in a shaky tone, clenching the blanket in a tight fist.

"You'll learn to accept it for what it is. You'll like it there, no over-the-top walls and you'll be able to meet my mother. She'll disagree with our relationship at first, but she'll learn to like you, I prom-"

You shook your head, frustrated that he wasn't listening to you again. Trying to deescalate the situation, you attempted to talk him out of it.

"Braun, you're not in the right state of mind. You were my friend, a brother. I never wanted to date or marry you, especially now that I know who you really are. I'm sorry."

Reiner was quiet, deathly still kind of quiet. If he wasn't mentally unhinged before, he could definitely now be.

"Don't test me Y/N. I have all the patience in the world for you, but right now, there's not a single soul here that will save you for what I could do to you. And there are many things I want to do to you."

He reached over to you and you flinched, terrified that he was about to strike you after knowing what kind of strength he possessed. Yet no sharp pain came nor a broken jaw, just gentle rubs against your cheek were administered instead. You peeked through your closed eyes, only seeing a twisted, infatuated look directed towards you. An idea popped in your head, you'd use him in order to escape.

You'll be able to find your way back home one way or another eventually, but for now, you'd play the part Reiner wants from you. His loving and doting wife.

You tilted your face closer to his touch, even pressing his hand closer to your cheek with your own. You watched him smile happily and lean close to you, warmth spreading across your skin. The two of you shared a stare, your heart beating wildly in your ribcage.

Reiner pulled you close to him and gave you a soft kiss on your forehead. You wanted to cringe away from him, wanted to uppercut him right in the jaw. But you had to hide your hate, it's the only way you'll manage to get out.

"See? That wasn't so bad, was it?" He asked, voice completely over the moon.

"We'll take our time, I'll wait until you're ready."

"Yeah okay... that sounds like a plan."

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You stayed in a prison room for weeks. To be completely honest, you stopped counting once you reached around the sixteenth day. When the boat boarded Marley, you and Reiner were surrounded by Marleyan militia that moved the both of you into a containment area.

Those hate-filled looks from these foreign people, you couldn't understand what you did to make them look at you like that.

You were just like them... right?

You saw a glimpse of Ymir being shoved out with her hands and mouth wrapped, and you were happy to see another familiar face. But that happiness did not last long as she was moved into a different building from yours, giving you a pitiful and sorrowful look. In your heart, you knew it would be the last time you'd see the girl. Poor, poor Historia...

Reiner told you that you'd be staying in the cell until your citizenship and marriage certification were approved, but he'd visit you everyday and teach you the language and history between Marley and Eldia. You somewhat appreciated that he was willing to take the time to actually help you learn. His naiveness only made it easier for you to escape this place faster.

Along with him teaching you, he began telling you his real life. The real story of Reiner Braun, the Marley warrior and not the Paradis soldier. He was a product of a Marleyan-blooded father and an Eldian-blooded mother, dedicating himself as a child to become a warrior so his father would come back and his family would finally be whole again. But he rejected him, never seeing him as his son due to his Eldian lineage. You felt just a smidge of sympathy for him as he spoke about it, even if your own family was long gone because of him, everyone was still loved equally.

After he was chosen to become the Armored Titan, four out of six warriors were told to go to Paradis in order to retrieve the Founding Titan. Marcel, the user that had the Jaw Titan, was unfortunately eaten by Ymir; you were shocked to find out that is how one became a Titan Shifter, hearing the morbid truth behind the shifting. Despite losing one of their members, they still continued with their operation.

That was the start of everything, from the death of your family to you joining the training corps years later to you sparring him to now. He rambled on and on about you, telling you things that made your gut negatively twist. How he has been watching you after the training spar to how he collected your flower rings as memorabilia, all these things before you truly befriended this monster.

Reiner says he has been deeply in love with you since then but the way you saw it, he was just a mad man that was using you as an anchor for his own sanity.

He didn't love you.

You were just a toy, the closest person he could attach to after losing everyone in Paradis. You were unknowingly keeping him level through the years. Fear was slowly seeping in as you would not know how he would react if he knew your plans for escaping.

He mustn't know a single peep of your escape, not a single word.

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It's been roughly three years since you've been taken from Paradis Island.

You have become well-acquainted to what Marley has to offer, despite living in the internment zone of Liberio and wearing an armband that symbolizes your supposed "devil" lineage. It was a decently peaceful life, you were able to do things that you didn't normally do in Paradis like go shopping for groceries and clothing; you were able to walk down streets without worrying if a Titan was nearby or about to bust through the wall.

It was similar to life back home, just more advanced technologically. You were shocked to learn what planes and cars were, accidentally clinging on Reiner's arm when a few flew overhead and some drove by. But the biggest glaring difference for you though was that a nearly fifty meter wall never blocked your sight as you stared into the skies.

Reiner had you meet the other warriors and his family over the years, they were the ones you were mostly allowed to speak to. They were a struggle to win over, it always hurt being called names and being threatened at. Eventually they had no choice but accept you as his wife, seeing how kind you treated him and how despite them constantly berating you, you never gave up nor frowned at their cruel treatment.

Truth be told, you could care less if they liked you but it was important to him to have you get along with them. He cared a lot about family, which you can understand well.

With the warriors, you preferred chatting with Pieck out of the lot of them. Zeke was too intimidating to speak to and it always felt that he was scheming something, and Porco didn't really like talking to you in general, most likely because you came from enemy lines. So Pieck was pretty much a neutral option as she didn't really look at you all that differently like many people do in this nation. You found out that she was the four-legged Titan — Cart Titan, as they liked to call it — that transported you to the boat, a small kindness but also a duty she was set to fulfill for the other warrior.

"You're one of us now." She once mentioned in a hushed tone.

"Are you saying that to make me feel better about my situation?" You questioned as you folded a sheet over your legs, glancing at the woman standing next to you.

"Hm... perhaps I am but we're all people simply trying to survive in the end, right?" Pieck ruffled your hair gently, soon walking away to find Porco. That made you think more than you should have, so you tried to avoid conversations about being Eldian or being from Paradis.

To the more serious issues, your marriage with Reiner has been... upsettingly decent. The act of trying to be a perfect wife had slipped unfortunately, there were many impatient attempts of trying to kill him but you knew all too well afterwards that those were for naught. So you put your murderous intentions on pause temporarily, waiting and waiting for the right moment.

To your luck, he never really put any pressure or punishment on you, mostly because he was gone most of the time fighting small wars in various parts of Marley. You were happy that he was gone so often for so long and trusted you enough to give you the freedom of going out, it gave you time to continue planning. You were able to take and hide money right under his nose and you bought a diary, writing your scheme down so you wouldn't forget; you decided to vent your thoughts as well since no one in Liberio was able to understand what you were going through.

You hid these items in a shoebox in the closet, pushing it to the back to ensure that he wouldn't catch it at a first glance. He never really dug in there anyways, you've noted.

On most occasions, you find yourself praying to some God for him to die in one of those fights but every time, he comes back completely fine. It's always a punch in the gut when you open the door and see him beaming down towards you. You force yourself to grin and greet him with a kiss, just as he taught you to. The few days he was here, he'd be extremely affectionate, demanding that you'd be next to his side at all times before he goes again. You learned not to flinch or cringe away from his kisses, even now that they're more directed to your lips.

Sometimes the kisses would grow into something more. He'd pull you into his lap or push you against the wall, his kisses becoming more needier as he planted one after another on your lips. Reiner's hips would meet yours, bodies too hot under the fabric. You'd catch yourself trying to remove his beige uniform coat and white button-up while his hands roamed around your body, desperately attempting to remove yours.

Realizing what was about to happen, you'd push him or yourself off, darting towards the bathroom in a dazed shock. Reiner never stopped you once from leaving — maybe held onto your hand for too long once — but this had to stop.

You shouldn't let yourself get too attached, you didn't need it to hurt when you were going to leave Marley. Why were you even trying to delude yourself into being romantically involved with him in the first place? Sure, it would be a more convincing façade but that fact was that it simply disgusted you to imagine him touching more than what you're used to.

You used to fight him so much, from not wanting to sleep in the same bed to him having to catch the kitchen knife with his hand to prevent you from stabbing him while you were making dinner. But that fight you had was almost completely eradicated, it just took some harsh threats and a near transformation for you to comply. Even though you were a perfect complacent wife, Reiner wanted a family, a complete one that he had always dreamed of coming home to.

He knew you were avoiding the topic of children, he had always known for the three years he's been married to you. He wanted to respect you and your boundaries, but he just keeps getting more riled up the more you avoid him. The intense make-out sessions with nothing afterwards hurt and he could definitely tell that you keep stopping yourself from just letting loose with him.

But fuck, it's becoming an increasingly difficult task containing himself from just taking you right then and there. On the days he was away from you, Reiner had constant thoughts about you. Thoughts containing where he imagined you sucking his cock, images of you spreading your pussy lips open for him so he could pleasure the hell out of you, or vivid ideations where you'd let him pound and cum so deeply in you that you'd be leaking out for days.

They were especially embarrassing for him when they came late at night when they're traveling on the blimps to the next destination. Reiner would have to shuffle awkwardly to the back or 'roam' into a hidden room where no one saw him go into, completely hard from a simple conception. He'd unzip and pull his white pants all the way down so his cum wouldn't stain the material, and jerk his cock off until he felt satiated enough. You were killing him from keeping him away from what he wants the most out of you.

When he comes back to Liberio to see you, he has to force himself from not trying to rip off your clothes the moment you open the door. You'd always give him a small peck as a greeting but he wants more, he has always wanted more.

You'd swat him away after, telling him that he should freshen up before dinner as you walked back to the kitchen, hips swaying side to side. Were you doing that on purpose or was he that deprived from not having sex with you? You goddamn tease.

Thus on the receiving end, Reiner has been struggling sexually since his marriage to you.

He'd bring it up on occasion, small mentions of having little ones run around or how happy he'd be seeing miniature versions of the two of you. Yet, you'd always avert the conversation to something else, asking about when he'd be going away again and if he'd visit the family soon because Gabi has been asking to see him. You've always focused on him so in return, he wanted to treat you out to somewhere nice before asking the big question about children.

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Knock, knock.

You looked up from the stew you were making, lowering the heat and wiping off your hands before opening the door. Low and behold, your dear husband had returned from the latest mission, leaning down for you to press a quick kiss on his lips.

"Reiner. You're back early."

"Finished up pretty quickly, Zeke was able to take out the opposing side with Pure Titans with no further issues." Reiner pushed the hair away from your eyes and smiled, planting another kiss on your forehead. He pulled away and took a glance into the kitchen, sniffing the air before squinting.

"Cooking something?"

"Your mom taught me a recipe yesterday, she said that it's something that you used to like eating when you were young. She told me to make it before you came home so I was trying it out." You shrugged as you closed the door, striding back over to the stove. He followed after you, watching you closely. Reiner had to keep an eye on you just in case you didn't poison the food, which you weren't able to because his body rejected it, throwing it up before it was completely in his system.

You didn't know how he was able to do it, maybe it had something to do with his stupid Titan shifting, but you never did it again. Not after he almost transformed in front of you, the angry and electrifying glint in his eyes was indubitably unforgettable.

"Go clean yourself up, it's almost ready."

"I didn't transform this week though Y/N. I shouldn't be smelling like blood." He frowned, his arms slithering around your waist and pulling you close to his body. Here he was being touchy again. 

"You still smell gross, you were around your sweaty comrades for a week. And you know how I know what that smells like." Grumbling that he was going to get you dirty, you pulled his arms off of you, continuing to stir the stew. Reiner simply laughed at you, kissing the side of your head and mumbling a soft love you before walking upstairs to bathe. You were about to yell at him to use the scented soap that you recently bought in the shop but paused, hand over your mouth.

You sounded like a loving wife, an actual loving wife.

The two of you shared this kind of banter rather than you constantly trying to find ways to kill him before you left. It was becoming too... normal for your liking. It wasn't supposed to be like this, he was your kidnapper and a mass murderer, but it didn't seem that way anymore. No, the two of you were seen as the couple that are constantly at odds with each other, but still loved each other regardless.

A Marleyan who fell in love with a Paradisian. A Paradisian who fell in love with a Marleyan. The perfect forbidden romance.

The next time Reiner would leave for war, you had to go back to Paradis. No more hesitating and scheming. You stole and saved up enough money to pay off the man who promised to take you to the island with no questions asked, you'd finally be able to go home. If Eren was still there and still alive, he must've figured out how to patch the holes by now. You'd prefer living in the walls hiding away from Titans than living this kind of life, this life of faulty freedom.

You poured a couple of spoonfuls of stew in a bowl, trying to even out the meat and vegetables. Heavy footsteps creaked the wood above you, the sound following down the stairs. Reiner was dressed in a dark green long-sleeve, the color similar to way back in the cadet training days. You looked away, shutting your eyes tight; to you, those days were long gone. Placing the bowl down in front of him and settling down in the seat opposite, you began to eat.

"I want to take you into the city later this month." You paused before putting the spoon in your mouth and looked up, your head tilting to the side.

"Outside of the internment zone?" Reiner nodded, blowing on a piece of meat. You rarely went there without him, even if you were considered a Marleyan with your armband. The people stared too intensely at you for your own liking, sometimes spitting vile things loudly or under their breaths, so you only went with your husband or Pieck if she was available.

"What are we going to do there? Is there something important that is needed of me?" You questioned and he laughed softly, nodding his head.

"Of course it has something to do with you. We're going on a date." Dates were rare between the two of you as he never stayed long and you were left alone to your own devices. It was a request of Reiner to be able to see you for short periods of time, you didn't know if it was because he was making sure you haven't run off or that he genuinely wanted to check on you. He mentioned that he would be off until he would be called in for the next fight, so he wanted to devote all his time with you.

"You don't have anything to do with the militia or your family?"

"Not really, no orders for now. And we have all the time in the world to visit them, don't you worry." He wiped his mouth before standing up, picking up your empty bowl and kissing your head once more.

Tolerate it, you can tolerate it.

"It's a nice restaurant that I heard the higher ups talk about, they accept Marley-approved Eldians as well so we won't get stared at. I know how much you don't like the stares."

You just hummed in reply. You sat watching him clean the bowls, leaning on the table with your arm. Reiner definitely changed physically the past few years, his body becoming noticeably bulkier under his clothes and stubble had grown in; though you hated him with every inch of your skin, you had to admit that the more mature look on him was fitting.

You haven't changed much, your hair may have grown longer since there was no need to cut it short anymore and you must've gained a little bit more weight due to the constant cooking. But your feelings have still stayed the same, complete and utter resentment for the man you were forced to wed to.

"I'm going to bed."

"I'll be joining you soon."

You had to check if the box and diary was still there, making sure that the money was the exact amount as well. You picked up your pencil and started quickly jotting down your thoughts for today.

Reiner has come home early today, I was caught off guard. This might be the last time I write in this as I finally reached my goal to pay off that man. I'll be able to go home when he leaves for war again.

Would they remember me? I would be considered a ghost because of Bertolt. I'll tell them everything that happened here if they haven't figured it out yet, that there's humanity beyond the walls and they're the reason why we suffered for so long behind them.

If I leave this behind and if you, Reiner, find this when I'm long gone, know that I've always hated you. I've always been sickened by your touch and your kisses, I never meant any of those I love yous, and I've always wished you died horribly during the times you went off to those battles. I wanted to receive a letter or be told personally that you were killed in action, shot down by the cannons that were able to pierce through your armor. I'd weep, not of sadness but of joy because I would be finally be free from your clutches. Whatever you thought you taught me in order to be your perfect spouse, I was playing a role in order to survive this insanity of yours.

The creaks of the floorboards were starting to grow closer and you panicked, writing down your last words.

I never loved you and I never will. Don't try to go back to Paradis to find me. You would have to bring back my dead body in order to bring me back to Marley.

Hastily closing the diary, you stashed it back in the box and shoved it back in. As you stood up, you started to pretend to change your clothes, trying to unbutton your shirt. The door soon opened, back towards him as he stepped closer. He reached over and tugged at your hand, pulling it until you faced him and wrapped his arms around your waist securely, hoisting you up. You steadied yourself as you placed your hands on his chest, your heart ached dully as he tenderly gazed upon you.

"I love you."

You bit down on your tongue before putting on the kindest smile possible.

"I love you too."

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"Good afternoon Ms. Braun." You bowed your head respectively towards the woman, arm linked with Reiner's. Usually after he comes home, the two of you would visit his family and celebrate the success of the Marleyan forces. It wasn't really a choice in the matter, they were happy that he was alive and you weren't.

"Oh Y/N, you know you can call me Karina now. We're both Brauns, aren't we?" She grabbed your hand and patted it gently, a small smile on her face.

"Right. My apologies." The two of you walked in the home, a small body suddenly colliding into his.

His cousin, Gabi, was hugging him tightly with a beaming grin. She was a fireball of a child, her fiery personality reminding you of a particular someone back home. She was the only member in the Braun family that still didn't really like you, even stating it aloud a few times, but you didn't mind. Though her words cut deep, it proved that someone in this family knew that you didn't belong here.

The two were talking to each other, something about the warrior campaign, but you didn't care and excused yourself into the kitchen. When you came to celebrate, you usually helped Reiner's mother with the food while he spoke with his other family. She welcomed you in, explaining what dishes to help prepare and what to set up in the dining room. This was like clockwork, it has been ever since you've been here.

"My son has been speaking to me about something important," Karina spoke as the two of you cut vegetables together, placing them into a bowl. "He says that the two of you are planning to have children soon."

Your blood ran cold, pausing your chopping. No way in hell were you keen on bearing his children, not now and not ever. But you simply laughed, as if it was a funny little joke.

"Reiner said that? I told him that we weren't ready, especially with his work right now."

"Oh, but it's been over 3 years now. I'd expected to have a few grandchildren by now, especially with how he coddles you."

There were one too many occurrences where the two of you were awfully close to laying in bed with one another, your face suddenly burning up as you reminisced on those moments. You would never give him yourself like that though, you'd never give him what he wants.

"I'm just worried that our children would be raised without their loving father."

Karina's face softened as she put down the knife, wiping her hands.

"You're a good woman Y/N. I would like to apologize for treating you differently because you came from the island devils. After all, they are the reason why we Eldians here are treated like this." There goes that Paradis Island Eldian talk again, but you did somewhat appreciate the half-assed apology.

"Thank you... Karina. I know it must have been difficult trying to accept me into your family because of my origins, I apologize for the trouble I gave you." No, you didn't feel sorry at all but it was better to suck it up than to start a scene where you could end up possibly dead. The two of you continued to cook for the others, making light conversation with one another about recipes and how each other's weeks were.

Reiner leaned on the doorway, watching you hard at work with his mother. You've always looked so pretty when you were focused, pulling your hair back with a cloth before you began to knead the dough. You were going to wash your flour-covered hands before you bumped into his chest, his hand resting on the small of your back before you could pull away.

"Working hard, aren't you my lovely wife?" You've always hated when he called you affectionate names because of the way it made your stomach flip.

"You're going to get your shirt dirty Reiner, flour is hard to clean once it gets on your clothes." Ignoring him, you tried pulling away from him but his hand would not budge, the grip only tightening. You mumbled to let go so you could wash up but no dice.

"I've been dirtied with worse. Maybe if you give me a kiss, I'll let you go." It was always awkward kissing in front of his family, you've never had gotten used to that part and you never will. You tip-toed and quickly gave a peck on his lips, but he made no moves, only wearing a small smirk. Fucker.

You tip-toed once more and pulled his face with your dirtied hands, pressing your lips much more deeply into his. As you pulled away with an irritated expression, you asked him one question.

"Happy?"

Reiner licked his lips, smugly grinning as he wiped the flour off his cheeks.

"One more and I'll consider."

"Go fuck yourself." You hissed quietly, finally giving one large shove and he finally released you. He laughed, murmuring a small apology as he pressed his lips on your forehead. His mother reprimanded him, telling him he shouldn't disturb a lady while she is cooking. As she continued to scold him, you were scrubbing the muck off your hands.

Happy couple on the outside, kidnapper and kidnappee on the inside.

Dinner was fine as it usually was, the men got drunk and the women were left to clean up after them. Gabi asked him to tell the family stories of his time on the island and he made up a tall tale about Sasha and the first orientation of the 104th Training Corps. The infamous event of the uneven split potato between her and Commander Shadis, getting reminded of the story made you even more homesick than ever. Even more reason to see your friends again.

You waved a goodbye to the family as you held Reiner's body up, trying to prevent him from falling from his drunken stupor. It would be quite nice if you could just let him fall flat on the ground and leave him there until morning came, but you didn't want to face his wrath about it.

He was luckily a quiet drunk, mumbling incoherently as you walked through the streets with him, exhaling angrily as you stumbled around. You were so close to just letting him sleep on the street until your name was called, your head turning and seeing a familiar face.

"Galliard?"

"Jeez, I've been calling for you. You turning deaf or what?" The brashness of his words made you huff in response and he helped you hold up the taller man, shaking his head disapprovingly. Out of everyone in the nation that you knew, Porco was the one you least wanted to bump into for assistance. He and Reiner didn't get along that well, he mentioned once to you that they had some tension in their childhood.

"An easy win and the idiot gets this drunk, can't imagine what he's like when we win harder battles."

"On those days, we have to sleep over at his mother's and those mornings are the absolute worst." Porco snorted, adjusting his arm as the two of you walked together.

"Tell me about it, he's barely keeping himself upright. What's he thinking making you carry him home?"

You shrugged, lightly chuckling. "I've carried heavier, it's just been a while."

"You were an island devil soldier right?" There's that name again but you nodded in response.

"You're so frail-looking for a soldier, it's a miracle you passed as one."

You shot a glare at him, stopping in your stride. "What? Me? Frail?"

"You sure are. You're only a housewife for Vice Captain Reiner Braun, you only serve to warm his bed and cook his food. You? A soldier? What a joke." Your nails dug into the skin of your palm, hard enough that you were sure it drew blood.

That was the cruel reality of your situation, you were no longer a soldier. Just a war wife. He was right, you were a complete and utter joke of the person that you once were.

"Spar me then."

"What?" It felt like Reiner was no longer in the vicinity, all you wanted was to prove Porco wrong. You weren't frail, you were a goddamn Survey Corps soldier.

"Spar me goddammit, I won't repeat it. And don't bother holding back."

You pulled Reiner to a bench, almost shoving his body in the seat before facing the other man. There was an unsure look on his face but all the frustration and anger that was built up over the years was about to blow up out of you, and you put your fists up in your familiar defensive position.

Three whole years you haven't touched up nor sharpened your skills but at this moment, it didn’t matter. You were tired, exhausted from being looked down upon constantly. You were sick of Marleyan and Eldian talk and you were sick of Porco's ego right now.

"What? Don't tell me you're scared of getting defeated by an island devil? Or are you scared of losing to a woman?" You taunted, his face going from shock to an angry scowl.

A burst of energy flowed through your body as he ran at you, a jab targeted towards your face. You couldn't let your timing be off, you needed the advantage as much as possible. Quickly, you intertwined his arm with yours and swiped at his legs, effectively making him fall away from you. He landed on his back, sputtering out the remnants of air in his lungs.

You could give your blessings to Annie and Commander Shadis another time. Adrenaline rushed through your veins as you slammed him down on the ground, teeth bared as you straddled onto his stomach.

"I do not give a damn if you continue to think I'm the devil of your people. I'm fed up with being thought of as weak by assholes like you." Porco tried pulling his arm away but you gripped onto him harder, eyes lit ablaze. You socked him right in the nose, knuckles white from gripping your fist so tightly. It hurt — fuck — everything hurt right now.

He used his free hand to hold your wrist and you struggled to break the hold, pulling and tugging in every direction wildly. His nose was bleeding, red trails slipping down the side of his face. Slight steam began to arise from the site, just barely blurring your vision.

"I'm tired, I'm so fucking tired. You have absolutely no clue what it's like to have everything stolen away from you! To be taken away from everything and everyone that you know!" You lamented in frustration, continuing to try and shake out of his hold.

The wild anger you once had faltered into sadness, tears welling up as your grip loosened, fist falling at your side. Your moment of weakness caused him to immediately flip you over, your positions both switched as he pinned your wrist down while the other was raised up, ready to strike down. Before he swung down, you closed your eyes, clenching your jaw as you awaited for the contact.

Yet nothing came.

As you opened your tear-blurred eyes, his knuckles were mere centimeters away from your face before he pulled it away. The two of you breathed heavily on the dirty cobble road, intensely gazing at each other. The blood from his bruised and probably broken nose was smeared above his upper lip and the side of his cheek. His usually combed back hair was all messy, light brown strands falling on his forehead. To be honest, it looked nicer that way...

You blinked and felt tears drop down the side of your face, an exasperated laugh coming out.

"I'm sorry Galliard, I must be going insane..." Porco's hands released you, letting you wipe the tears off your face as he lifted his weight off of you.

"What's the truth behind you two? Three years ago, Reiner says that you couldn't bear parting from him so you willingly went with him here. Obviously that's not the case for your side of the story." He grumbled, helping you up from the ground before slicking back his hair. He placed his hands on his nose and snapped it back into place, the sound making you cringe.

Solemnly, you took a glance at your husband's sleeping form. "In Paradis, Reiner was my friend, the older brother I thought I had back. I loved him, but not in the way that he loves me. You wouldn't fall in love with your kidnapper, right?"

Porco was silent but you knew what his answer would be, rather you hoped you knew what his answer was. You sighed as you dusted off your dress all around.

"Why haven't you left Liberio if you're so unhappy? Can't believe a Marley certified Eldian wouldn't even think twice about moving back to the island devils." Could you trust Porco with your plan? No, you couldn't. It was too risky, especially with him being his supposed childhood rival. And he was obviously loyal to his country, no way would he let the knowledge of you going back home slide.

"No no, it's nice here. I never said that I wanted to go back to Paradis, I'm simply not used to the advancement that Marley has over my homeland. Sure, it’s frustrating to start fresh but I like it here. It's just being forcibly wed to Reiner I can't deal with."

"Divorce is an option y'know, I don't know how it works in your home but it's not frowned upon here." Was it not clicking for him?

If you weren't in severe risk of getting killed by your so-called husband, you would've preferred that option. Reiner had given you no other choice but to escape back home, even if there was a risk of you dying at sea. You'd prefer that than dying from his own hands.

"I'll think about it. For now, let's try getting him home." Porco snorted as he watched you attempt to lift him up by yourself.

"Nah, I think we should just leave him here. I'll take the blame for you, I’ll say that he thought he went with you to go home but really he left without you while he was drunk and I found him here. Doubt he remembers anything from when he left his mom's."

Your eyes lit up and widened, looking at the man in shock. "You'd do that for me?"

He tensed up, his body turning in another direction. "Yeah whatever. Think of it as an apology for earlier."

A smile grew on your face as you thanked him again, almost skipping back to your home. However before you did, you turned to ask him one last question.

"Why didn't you hit me? I told you not to hold back."

He didn't look at you, preferring to keep his attention to the road as he kicked at a pebble.

"I was tempted to after you said all of that shit and pulled what you did. But I didn't want to leave something that Reiner would ask about. You don't got the healing properties that we shifters have so this," He pointed at his nose. "Would be fixed in a few minutes or so. Reiner would kill me if he found out I pummeled your face in, but he wouldn't be able to beat me of course."

You knew that he couldn't —well maybe he could, you weren't too knowledgeable about the different Titan powers — but you laughed at his confidence. He scowled at you and kicked the pebble in your direction, telling you to go home already. Maybe Porco wasn't as bad as you originally thought, even if he had a sharp-tongue and never thought about what he said until after it came out.

'•.¸♡ ♡¸.•''•.¸♡ ♡¸.•''•.¸♡ ♡¸.•'

Days seemed to fly by after that night, your determination to finally go home being ignited even more than before. Reiner came home in a frantic manner the morning after the fiasco with Porco, apologizing profusely for his behavior and how he left without you, making it up by cooking every meal for a week straight. He never questioned the bruising on your knuckles, only focusing on making it up to you.

For a kidnapper, he sure was thoughtful.

Beyond that, you began to hang around Porco more alongside Pieck. There were days where it was just the two of you, making snide comments towards each other before bursting out laughing at the end of it. You were always filled with pure, unadulterated joy when you were around him and he made you feel quite comfortable to be yourself, even if you've been here for years now.

Porco has always been honest with you, never has he sugarcoated anything he said to you. What once was something you hated from him, you began to view it in a new light and appreciate it much more, it kept you more grounded. There was a line however, he never mentioned you being a housewife nor about being "delicate" after that night and you wondered if you actually proven yourself worthy towards him. You would appreciate this relationship more if not for the conditions.

It didn't go unnoticed that Reiner had been more attentive towards your sudden keenness towards Porco when you began to hang around him more than usual. He became grabbier, pulling you against him by your waist whenever the two of you were around the warriors. When your attention was focused on Porco, he'd shoot daggers at him while scowling but he'd promptly ignore it. Reiner would do anything for you and here you were, being an absolute fucking slut to his comrade. His tipping point was beginning to spill over, so he finally decided to take on a heavier precaution in order to send a message to that damned Jaw Titan inheritor.

It had occurred where you were simply enjoying a short lunch with the warrior. He was originally supposed to quickly drop off a letter to Reiner but you practically pulled him inside regardless of his protests. He could've left but he didn't, sarcastically making a comment on how ridiculous it was that you liked him this much as he took a bite of the sandwich you made. You simply responded that he likes you enough to stay and that shut him up immediately.

Reiner came in from the backyard, ready to ask you something before his eyes captured the familiar slick-backed hair of his fellow warrior, who was in the midst of kindly smiling at you as you spoke. Porco never smiled like that, not to you, not to an island devil.

"Reiner." His name was called by him and he simply tipped his head at him in acknowledgement, leaning against the wall. You turned your head towards him, eyes wide before you got up and set your cup down.

"Oh Reiner! I was about to let you know that Galliard decided to join us for lunch, must've slipped my mind." You sheepishly smiled and he scoffed, taking a sip out of his cup.

"Yeah okay, decided. I was actually supposed to give you a letter Reiner, but she," He pointed at you as you stuck your tongue at him. "Pulled me inside and asked me to join you two. What can I say, can't resist free food."

Why did you act like that to him? When did you start acting like this towards him? Why was Porco hanging around his wife? Reiner suddenly felt uneasy but at the same time, the scorching flames of his obsession began to fire up.

"Very funny Galliard. Go sit down, I'll get your food ready Reiner." You were about to usher him to his seat, grabbing his hand and tugging before he pulled you close to him by the waist instead.

The words died in your mouth as you were about to ask him what was wrong, eyes meeting each other before he kissed you. He tilted your chin up with his free hand before promptly shoving his tongue through your lips.

A light gasp escaped your mouth as his tongue faintly brushed against yours, the sound muffled. You were about to retreat, thinking he was satiated with what he wanted, but he simply jerked you closer. Your hands fell on his body and his thigh slipped in between your legs, the action hidden with the dress you wore. The smallest twinge of pleasure shuddered down your back and you briefly closed your eyes, letting him continue to ravage you.

Unbeknownst to you, he was glaring holes into your companion, who was awkwardly staring before focusing his attention to his lukewarm tea.

Unconsciously you started to return his kiss, nearly matching the intensity. Reiner's hand began to grip the cloth of your back and it took all his willpower not to take you right in front of him, his cock twitching at the prospect of it.

It would prove his point even more, that everything of yours belonged to him and him only.

You finally found the strength to pull away, a strand of saliva breaking as you rushed to grab his lunch in the kitchen. That was... new. Things got like this, but never in front of someone else and never this badly. Your body lurched over the counter, the burning heat of your skin contrasting against the cool wood.

What have you just done?

Reiner took a seat next to him, as if what he had done was nothing but a normal fleeting moment. He poured himself a cup and sipped, asking Porco what he thought about the tea that you had just boiled up. He stayed silent, not even making an effort to look at him.

"I asked you a question Porco."

"For fuck's sake Reiner, what do you even want me to say? Nice kiss Vice Captain Braun, you sure shoved your tongue down your wife's throat." The man quietly mocked through bared teeth, his cheeks obviously tinged pink.

"I asked about the tea but thank you." Smiling smugly, he took another sip.

You soon recovered from the event, bringing in another sandwich for him and soundlessly taking your place in between. Not a peep was heard out of you, too embarrassed to say anything to Porco. Reiner spoke normally, opening the letter that was the whole purpose of his visit. What the hell was wrong with him?

Porco didn't stay long after — which was completely understandable but unfortunate — and you politely led him out, quietly apologizing for your husband's sudden behavior.

"Don't sweat too much about it, he's your husband so it's normal to do things like that. Wish it wasn't in front of me though." Porco grumbled as he turned away, letting you close the door.

It was a quiet night between the two of you in bed, your back facing away from the man. Of course you were fuming, Reiner just had to make-out with you in front of one of the only people that you liked on this damn continent. He shuffled in bed before wrapping his arms around you, his head nestling in the crook of your neck. He pressed his lips against your skin, his stubble grazing along with it.

"Don't get mad at me, you know I don't like it when you talk to others without my permission." When did you ever need permission in the first place to talk to one of the warriors? He was the one who introduced you to them in the first place and now that you had a decent friend, he wants to take you away from him.

You didn't answer, pretending to be asleep in order for him to leave you alone for the night. Reiner was then quiet for a moment and you were sure that he had fallen asleep in this position, until something solid pressed against the crook of your ass. Your heart sank to your stomach suddenly as the arm wrapped around you pulled you even closer.

"That kiss earlier... Did you like it when Porco watched you whore yourself out to me?" Hot breath aired over your neck, a cold shiver going down your spine. He shuffled around for a few minutes, pulling up your nightgown ever so slightly until you felt something heavy and warm rest in-between your thighs, ever so close to your clothed pussy. Your breath quietly hitched and the inside of your mouth felt dry.

No. No. He wouldn't.

"I don't mind that proposition. I would be able to show him who you really belong to, Mrs. Braun." Teeth sank into your lower neck, not enough to hurt but enough to leave a mark. You bit down on your tongue, wanting to turn around and push him off the bed. You had almost made the motion in an attempt to do so until he started rocking into you, his shaft brushing up against your covered clit with every slow pump as he gripped the side of your hip.

You slightly jolted at the feeling, his movements pausing. Quickly and quietly as possible, you slipped your hand over your mouth inconspicuously and tried to breathe slowly as if you were still asleep. Reiner's hand dragged itself up from your hip to your chest, lightly squeezing before pinching your nipple. You bit the inside of your cheek, eyes clenching at the sensation.

He groaned against the crook in between your neck and shoulder, the sound vibrating as he resumed his thrusts. His mouth enveloped the area and he bit down again, harder. You twitched at the pain, your teeth clenching.

You knew about reproduction and small bits of other things about it like the genitals of the opposite gender, you learned about it back then in both training and the Survey Corps. There would be whispers among the older soldiers, the boys usually bragging about their conquests while the girls would be bashfully denying that anything occurred. But you were never interested in the romantic aspects that life is supposed to normally hand out, not in the world you once lived in. Having to survive against Titans was the utmost priority that occupied your mind back in Paradis. Crushes and partners couldn’t coexist with the horrors humanity had to defend against.

A small whimper nearly slipped out of your lips as your husband's tip caught itself against a particular spot on your clit as he simultaneously squeezed your pebbled nipple, your teeth digging into your palm. Reiner's breath burned hot against your skin as his pace began to accelerate, thrusts still wary as if he even cared if you were still asleep.

"God," Reiner sharply inhaled, shaky exhales coming out in short bursts. "If I knew how good this felt, I would've done it every single night."

He let out stifled grunts as he continuously grinded, the soft breathy sounds sending down even more pleasurable pulses in your lower half. It shouldn't be doing that in the first place.

You never touched yourself once in your entire adult life, only feeling the pangs of arousal from time to time but never doing anything about it. This kind of pleasure was a particular kind of torture, overwhelming shivers slowly clouding your mind with needless want. Every unknown sensation was new to you, from the way he played with your chest to the way he managed to rub himself precisely against the same spot over and over and over.

For a man that has never once touched his wife, it felt like he knew what he was doing. Reiner was one of the popular ones in the training corps; some of the girls quietly fawned over him in the dorms, begging you for some kind of info about him. You told them that the two of you were strictly platonic and had boundaries, back then at least.

Besides Historia, you were the only one that had caught and held his attention so he couldn't have practiced on someone else. There was also the fact that you've been married to him since you've arrived on Marley. Was there the possibility that he... cheated? There was no way, right? He was too obsessively enamored with you to begin with. Why were you even getting upset at the thought anyways?

He stopped thrusting against you, repositioning until you felt his heavy cock rest in the middle of your thighs. It throbbed and ached for more, an odd stickiness started to pool on top of your skin, and your own sex was left pulsing with uncomfortable want. His hand had also finally stopped fiddling around with your chest, disappearing from your body for a few seconds before finding itself resting on top of your mound.

"Gonna make you feel good." Reiner mumbled, words slurred as if he was intoxicated off of his lust.

Tentatively, he slipped inside of your underwear, warm fingers pushing down and in between the folds, as if he was searching for something. At first you were mildly confused about the intent, until a soft whine slipped through your lips.

Dread was the first thing that you felt, your stomach sinking down even lower. Embarrassment was second, how it was now that you realized how wet you were.

Reiner completely froze up and you quickly shut your eyes, trying to relax the hand on your mouth to remove any suspicions that you've been conscious the entire time. You waited for anything, if he was going to pull down your panties and take you right there or finally stop this torment. It was the latter to your surprise.

The warmth of his body suddenly left yours, hands and dick pulling away from you. You felt his weight lift off the bed and a door open and close as if he was in a rush. Was he going to the bathroom to take care of himself?

You slipped a hand down to your nether region, face burning up. Your panties were completely soaked, all because of a little bump and grind and some sensual touching. Your body had betrayed you immensely, continuing to pound with a desire to finish what he had started.

What if he was going to do this again and not stop there? You felt nauseous, there was no way in hell you were going to be able to fall asleep in peace anymore. You pulled the blanket completely on top of you, bundling yourself as if you were a caterpillar making its cocoon, ready to turn into a butterfly.

Reiner finally came back when you were starting to doze off, alertness running through your veins once more. There was hesitancy once more as he settled into the space next to you, pulling some of that precious blanket cocoon off of you. You froze up again as his hand rested on your shoulder but he didn't touch you like before, he simply tugged the strap back up in its proper spot. He pulled down your nightgown as well, kissing the side of your head and muttering a nearly silent half-assed apology.

You stopped tensing up when you knew his breaths began to slow, relief warming your heart.

Deep down, you knew it was finally time to go. The more you hesitated, the more trouble you'd get yourself into. It shouldn't be this complicated, your feelings towards Reiner shouldn't even be complicated. You fell asleep in a restless manner, thoughts swarming around your head.

'•.¸♡ ♡¸.•''•.¸♡ ♡¸.•''•.¸♡ ♡¸.•'

In the letter that Porco had left behind, it had said that Reiner was needed for another battle the day after the date he had planned but you couldn't wait that long anymore. When the night comes, you were going to escape from this hellhole. No more control from him, no more pressure from people who thought you were the very bane of their existence, no more of this horrid life.

You managed to slip a note to the man who would be taking you home a few days ago in preparation. It was during a market run and even if your closely guarding husband was there with you, you snuck it to him while buying fish.

Yes, your big break was a kind and somewhat elderly Eldian fisherman; he had mentioned that his son went to war for Marley and never came back, thus causing him to harbor hate towards the Marleyans. He knew that you came from Paradis Island — for quite some time, you were the talk of the internment zone — and briefly brought up a mention of a way back to your home when you were buying fish from him. The two of you went on his boat under the guise that he was giving you fresher and better quality catches and from there, he explained the plan to you and you've never felt more grateful.

The money was for his retirement in the fishing business, he had almost reached his goal and you were giving the last remaining bits to him. He'd give you a compass, supplies, and rations in order to survive in the ocean as he can only navigate the boat so far. The man had a spare boat in case of emergency but in your case, you would be using it the rest of the way.

The only setbacks in the plan were that you could possibly get stranded in the ocean and run out of food or drinkable water, or Titans could still be on the shores of Paradis, immediately killing you the second you step foot on the territory. However, anything would be better than staying one more minute with your husband. The other main flaw would be that if Reiner found out before you could execute the plan.

But he won't be able to find out, you already have something that would make sure he'll never find out until you were truly gone.

You've gotten them in a medical shop back then when you were still planning to kill him instead of living the role of a sweet little housewife. Rat poison didn't work as his body rejected it immediately but something that was basically a natural instinct, no way it could fail.

You've tested it too, in minute doses so he wouldn't notice. It was usually dinnertime when you put the crushed pills in his tea or soup, something liquid so it dissolved quicker. Because the dosage was so small, he'd get sleepy or doze off a little before waking up once more. He'd always excuse it for having a rough day in a meeting with the warriors and higher-ups or he didn't get a good night's sleep last night, never once he suspected it was you.

A part of you was exhilaratingly excited but another part of you was so doubtful and afraid. In your heart, you knew that the rewards outweighed the fear. You missed everyone, you missed the walled off lands you were born in, and you definitely missed your true name.

You made brownies and his favorite tea as a surprise after the date, both were stuffed to the brim with crushed up pills. You've estimated that he'd fall asleep as soon as he finished up the little dessert and you'd soon make your escape afterwards. You couldn't pack anything personal, he'd get too suspicious so you only were going to be able to take a jacket and the date clothes unfortunately. A part of you wanted to leave a goodbye note to both Porco and Pieck as they've treated you at least as a decent person, but it was too risky. Plus you didn't want Reiner to harass them when you went "missing".

As Reiner waited below for you to finish up your make-up, you shoved the money deeply down in your purse and took in a shaky breath. 'Don't break the act now, Y/N. You've done so much to get this far. It's time to finish this.'

Pulling the strap over your shoulder, you began your descent, heels clicking against the wooden floor. Reiner's eyes brightly lit up as you made your appearance, your heart beating wildly in your ribcage. His eyes lingered on your formal attire, trailing down the curvatures of your body.

"You look stunning Y/N, glad that you're using the dress I got you." He gazed at you with complete adoration, your face slightly flushing. He was so deeply appreciative of you, it was almost sickening. Like he was shoving bitter cough syrup down your throat over and over again, never once had you gotten used to the taste.

He got you a dark red dress that ended at the knees, beautiful jewels lining the curvature of your breasts. You matched it with a fluffy white fur coat, something he had gotten you a year ago on the anniversary of when you were taken to Marley.

You mumbled a shy 'thanks' as he put his arm out for you to take and you accepted it, interlocking with him as he began to pull you close. He pressed his face into your styled hair, kissing the top of your head.

"You used perfume too? You spoil me too much, tonight will be amazing I promise." You smiled, internally dreading that you knew what he meant. His mother gave you a hint about what he wanted to do to you from the recent celebration of him returning home, and he had always tried to coerce you about children ever since the two of you had gotten married. He'd never get the chance of course. So yeah, Reiner's right for once.

Tonight will certainly be amazing indeed, for one of you at least.

'•.¸♡ ♡¸.•''•.¸♡ ♡¸.•''•.¸♡ ♡¸.•'

"You know I love you right?"

The two of you finished dinner at that fancy Marleyan restaurant, ignoring the stares and murmurs about devil blood dining next to them, as if they weren't the demons themselves. The weight of their stares was an exhausting burden that you wanted to never have in the first place. Why be blamed for some shit that ancestors you can't even recall did? Ridiculous.

You were walking back home with him after a decent meal, his hand wrapped tightly around yours. As he asked that question, you nodded in cooperation.

"Of course I do, you've told me that you loved me ever since you've brought me here."

"I know I said that I'd wait until you'd be ready but Y/N," The two of you stopped walking and he took both your hands in his, facing you. God, you knew what he was about to ask but you still felt awfully nervous about it. "I want to start a family."

Your hands trembled in his grip as you let out an awkward, breathy sigh out. Looking up at him, it felt like your heart was ready to burst out of the confines of your ribcage. His hooded, hazel gaze was achingly tender, awaiting for the answer he wanted to hear.

The terrible part of you, the one who lived as a Marleyan housewife, the one that continuously gnawed on your insides, desperately wanted to agree just to get everything over with. This was the life you've been living for three years now, suck it up. Why ruin it? Why ruin any of the good moments you've been having with him?

Of course you wouldn't accept it, the sane part of you knew better. The part of you that was still a Survey Corps soldier clawed for freedom, for something better than this rotten relationship. He ruined everything for you in the first place, from your own family to the friends that laid at rest at Trost to your whole young adult life. You owed him nothing, nothing at all.

Finally, you gave him an answer. "Can we talk about this at home?"

Reiner's smile faltered lightly as you avoided the topic yet again. You felt his grip tighten, your shoulders tensing. "We can if it'll make you more comfortable. But I want an answer, a solid answer."

He wouldn't take a 'no' from you, not when it's been three years and last night was evidence that he was done waiting. You released one hand from his and placed it on the side of his face, stroking his cheek gently.

"I will answer it my love, don't worry. Let's get home now." To sweeten the deal even more, you tiptoed and gave him a light peck on the side of his lips. You could tell that it worked from the way his eyes softened, what a pushover. He went back to your side as the both of you began to walk once more home, crossing over the gate that separated the "real" Marleyans from the Eldians. This would be the last time you'd be passing through like this, you swore to yourself.

No matter what, you have to get home. No matter what.

Home wasn't that far, maybe it went by quicker in your mind due to you thinking that you were running out of time to meet up with the old fisherman. Reiner opened the door for you and you shuffled in, almost bee-lining to the kitchen. You were stopped however, his hand around your wrist.

"Hey. We still need to talk."

"I know, I just have something—" You tugged but he held on firmly, interrupting you.

"Y/N, you can't keep doing this. This is the last time that I'm asking politely." Take, take, take. That's all Reiner did. But he can't take this chance away from you, not this time.

"Please, it's important." He stood in silence, most likely weighing the choices in his head. Slowly, he released his hold and you thanked him quietly, thanked him for being such a fool. You pulled out the brownies from the pantry and quickly heated up the tea on the stove, getting out the nice plates and cups from the cabinets. This was going swimmingly! Maybe you really do have a chance at escaping, your body almost shivering from the adrenaline coursing through your veins.

Placing the brownies in a meticulous manner on the plate and pouring the now warm tea in a teacup, you walked over to your husband, who settled in at the dining table while he was awaiting for you. "Surprise! Your favorites."

Needless to say, he was astonished that you actually had something for him. You placed the dishes in front of him, smiling brightly. "I wanted to make you something to thank you for the night out, what more than a little dessert."

"You shouldn't have, you've done so much for me already sweetheart." You leaned down and let him kiss your cheek, internally impatient that he hadn't eaten it yet.

"It's really nothing much, but I hope it's to your liking." He smiled at you and picked up the laced dessert, your hands flexing up in eagerness. Watching him chew and swallow the whole thing was probably the best thing you've ever watched him do, and he drank up all the tea that was in the cup. It was a waiting game from here on out.

"Now then," He got up from the chair and stood in front of you, grabbing your shoulders. There was a slight wobble as he got up and held onto you, wow this shit was working faster than expected. "Can we finally start our family?"

You beamed as you watched his eyelids flutter, trying to stay awake and focus on what your answer could be. Reiner began to struggle to stay upright, almost leaning into you as drowsiness took over his body. Placing a hand on his forearm, you pushed it off.

"No."

Confusion muddled his tired expression, as if he was expecting an actual yes. "W-what?"

"No, I don't want to start a family with you Reiner. Want me to spell it out for you? N. O." The smile you had wore down into an infuriated grimace as you took one step back away from him. He started stumbling backwards and you let him, watching him hit the chair and fall to the ground with it. The clattering sound of the chair reverbed loudly in your ears, but nothing sounded more beautiful than his body hitting the floor. He tried to get up but his body was betraying him, just as you intended.

When he realized that he was unable to stand after a few attempts, he began to yell out your name like a child, sounding angry and disorientated. Ignoring him, you quickly went upstairs to grab a suitable coat, kicking off the tall heels. You couldn't turn on the lights, in fear that it would waste too much time so you kept bumping into different objects, frustration bubbling in your throat.

The room had to be a mess from your brisk rummaging but no more time can be wasted. You had to go now.

As you went back down, Reiner's screaming had settled down into incomprehensible slurring and his head continued to bob up and down to try and stay conscious. Your eyes met and he made another attempt to get up, panic arising in the depths of his eyes. Maybe now he was realizing that you were about to disappear forever.

"Go fuck yourself."

Reiner screamed out your name as you opened the front door — or what you assumed to be your name — before losing consciousness and hitting his head to the wooden floor. Clutching onto the money-filled purse, you began to dash over to the docks, not looking back. You winced at the small pebbles that dug into the skin of your bare feet but you couldn't take the chance of trying to find the best shoes to run in.

This pain is temporary, anything that hurt you now would never compare to the prison that he had put you in. The wind started to pick up, biting at your face and legs, and as you glanced up at the sky, dark clouds began to roll in. You hope that it wouldn't be too bad at sea and if you died there, you would have died happy.

"Mr. Kraus? Are you there?" You called out to the ships, trying to search for his boat. You said his name a few more times before you caught a lantern that was being lifted up and down. Rushing over and ducking into the boat, you began to pull out the money to give to him.

"Woah! Slow your roll there outsider."

"I can't!" You put your hand over your mouth, not realizing that you were starting to lose your nerves. "My apologies for yelling. But I can't, he could wake up at any time. Please, can we hurry this up?"

Mr. Kraus waved his hand to let you continue and adjusted the hat on his head, pulling it back to watch you place the money on the small table. "That's all of it, your retirement goal is done. Now, can you now start up the boat please?"

He nodded, patting your shoulder. "Thank you for your assistance with this, really couldn't have done it without you. Help me get the ropes off and I'll send you on your way."

"Thank you." An exasperated sigh escaped you and for the first time in forever, you felt like you could finally relax.

You exited out of the boat after the old man, clutching onto the jacket. There was rain pelting down, the sounds of a muffled thunder rumbling through the night sky. Flickers of lightning lit up the dark, vaguely letting you see where you were going.

You followed after him, pulling at the ropes that connected the boat to the dock. It was coarse against the palms of your hands and the rain wasn't adding in with the pleasantness of the feeling. It took a few tugs but they finally gave in, letting you pull them into the boat and onto the deck. A few more to go and then you'd never see Liberio ever again. Your time here in Marley would be nothing but an extremely unpleasant memory.

Continuing to remove the ropes, you finally pulled in the last on your side. You giddily let out an excited yell, letting the rain trickle down your face. "Hey Mr. Kraus! It's finished!"

You stumbled over to him, eyes wide with happiness. There was a smile on his face too, he was sharing the same enthusiasm as you but for a different reason of course. He told you to get into the cabin before you caught something and you did as you were told. Barely turning away from him to get into the cabin, your thoughts ran wild.

What were you going to see in Paradis? Were you really going to see your friends again? Has the technology there advanced as much as here? Was the Survey Corps still fighting to explore the outside? Was Captain Levi still shorter than you? These kinds of questions would eventually all be answered.

This was it, you were finally going to be—

The deafening sound of a rifle going off before the clap of thunder chilled you to the core. You stopped trying to get into the cabin. How could you ever forget that kind of sound? You were in the elevator back in Trost, the resonating boom and click of the guns went off in all directions, the shells tinkling onto the ground. A warm liquid splashed onto the side of your face, pieces of an unknown substance landing along with it, and the sound of a mutilating crack came afterwards. Unease began to bubble in your stomach.

As you turned to look at Mr. Kraus, your eyes began to widen and it felt as if the world went into slow motion.

He was facing the docks, away from you, his head ricocheting backwards from the force of the shot. His body fell back and almost into you, hitting the deck with a heavy thump. A hand went over your mouth, the bitterness of bile beginning to leave a taste.

It was a sickening sight. Sure, you've seen people die before but not like this. For some reason, this felt more inhumane than the Titans. The entry hole was in the middle of his forehead, his eyes glassy and wide. It was the perfect shot really. His mouth was largely agape, as if he was about to yell something before getting his brains blown off and strewn across his boat. Crimson began to pool around him, the substance dribbling down the steps and into the crevices of the wood.

Turning away from the freshly made corpse, you shakily turned your attention to the docks. As if on cue, bolts of lightning struck down in uneven intervals and lit up the world around you. The feelings of dread and anguish sank down into your stomach, settling heavily. It couldn't be but there was nothing that was able to deny it.

There he was.

Reiner Braun.

In his hands... was a freshly fired rifle.

[elsewheregremlin]

April Fools!

It’s 4/1 and I managed to write a tiny fic for the fandom! Unbeta-ed and probably extremely messy, but I hope it can make a few people laugh.

Enjoy!

—————————

When 00s prank each other on April first, they always choose the silliest and most harmless method. It was only practical, since any serious attempt at going after another double-oh usually leads to death and destruction.

Thus, harmless shenanigans. And only for those who weren’t on active missions, and no retaliation allowed until next year.

Last year, all of 007’s suits were replaced with hot pink monstrosities decorated with sequins. 001 and 005’s electronic devices belt out “Baby Shark” at the oddest intervals. 009’s car was covered top to bottom in Angry Birds stickers. 008’s shoes and socks were all missing the right leg. 004’s fridge was looted and filled with her least favorite flavor of ice cream.

This year, they decided to officially welcome Mallory into the fold, starting the day with replacing his stash of expensive alcohol with soda.

Q, formally left out of the fray because the pack of hyenas were rightfully terrified of him, snickered while M bemoaned why the nine of them couldn’t devote this kind of careful planing to missions.

“They spend a full year planning this kind of stuff, sir. Can’t do that on active missions.”

Hiding a grin behind his mug, Q idly switched between different monitoring devices, getting a sense of what was in store this time.

Bond was hiding out in Q’s office, giggling menacingly over a pot of unidentifiable goop. Q had no idea what or who it was for, but it couldn’t be very dignified judging by the color and consistency of the goop.

He raised an eyebrow when he spotted Trevelyan consorting with one of his own minions, and decided to listen in.

His thoughts crashed when he heard the words.

“—this can hold 007 long enough for the Quartermaster to get to him. Good enough for you, 006?”

“Darling, we shall have a spring wedding. I can’t wait to see Q’s face when he saw the present we got for him.”

With a kiss on the minions cheek, Trevelyan left Q-Branch with a package under his arm and a smirk on his face.

Q put down his mug to ponder this for a moment, and then decided there was no need for worrying.

After all, while the rules forbade them from aiming the pranks at Q, this was clearly a gift.

This might just be the best April Fool’s day he had.

[depravedangelbaby]

Oh cool! I was thinking about telling you about the forest walk I wanna take you on! ~ (Fair warning it gets into some pain/impact and cnc stuff in the back end!)

I reckon we drive out into the country somewhere, near a swimming hole but away from where people congregate. Pack a bunch of water. We pull off the road into the trees and get out, I tell you to get naked, and I put your leash & collar on you. Then I put on your puppy ears, your chew-toy gag, and I bend you over in the backseat to gently slip in your tail plug. Good dog!

Because I'm feeling nice I'll let you walk on your feet, but I'll bind up your hands so that when we stop regularly for water I have to move your gag, tilt your head back, and tip the bottle up to your mouth myself. We get further and further from where you could hear people playing in the water, and your bare feet are starting to get tired from walking on the dirt path. You're starting to whine and bounce around looking for a place to pee, but every time you try to stop, I jerk your leash and keep walking. Eventually I turn off of the path, and after a thankfully short distance spent trudging painfully through the underbrush, the woods open to a small clearing, bare but for a few young trees. Your leash is fairly long- you're a good puppy and I don't have to worry about you misbehaving- and after securing it to a fork in an overhanging branch, I free your forepaws. You can comfortably go to all fours, which I instruct you to do, and find you have a small range of movement allowed by the leash. You paw ineffectually at your collar and gag; this is how you show me that you could remove them if you wanted. I move the gag once more to pour water into your mouth, and I ask you if you know what the safeword is. You nod excitedly and bark once. Good dog. I replace the gag and take off my belt. You still need to pee.

I command you to present. You put your ass in the air and wag your tail enthusiastically, and I can see how wet you are already - or maybe you're leaking a bit. Good dog! Without any more warning, I belt you one time, causing you to yelp into your gag. You move to jump away from me, but I command you to stay, and you do. Good dog. I reach around with my free hand to grab your left breast, and you whine as I squeeze it hard enough that you can feel where my fingertips will leave bruises. I command you again to present, and you do. Good dog. "Stay," I say, and I belt you again, hard on the ass. I keep going, over and over, and the breast I grabbed is sore as you push into the ground wincing away from me, but I can barely hear you moaning for the sound of leather on flesh. Abruptly, I stop, instructing you to stay, and I kiss your warm, red, quickly darkening ass cheek. "Good dog," I say, and I kiss it again, and run my tongue over it, and sink my teeth into it, and you moan, partially because it aches, and partially because you can feel my breath on your pussy. Your inner thighs are wet, and again, I can't tell the source - I remember again that you still need to pee.

I tell you to sit up, and you sit back on your feet, thrusting your chest forward. Good dog. Your face and chest are lightly dusted with dirt and leaves, as is your hair where it was pinned underneath. I gently brush off the same breast I grabbed before, only to slap it, hard. "You like this?" I ask, hitting you again. "You like being treated like a dog?" You can only bark. "That's disgusting," I say, but I'm smiling. I grab your nipple and slowly pull it as far as I can, squeezing until you cry out in pain. I reward you with another slap on your tit, and a few more for the other. "Good dog!"

I walk over to the bag to get another water bottle, and when I come back I can see your leg shaking. Your face and chest are red. I move your gag and tip the bottle up to your lips, and your bladder aches. Suddenly I squeeze the bottle, flooding your mouth and causing you to cough water all over yourself. "Oh, you wanted to wear it instead?" I ask, splashing more water in your face. "Is this what you wanted? To be a dirty little puppy?" I continue splashing you and striking your bruised, aching breasts, ignoring your yelps and cries, until at last you let go and piss all over yourself. It runs down your shaking, dirty legs as you sink to your knees, further wetting the now-muddy ground at your feet. Taken by the sight of you streaked with mud, piss, and tears, I pull out my cock and piss on you too, twigs and leaves running off your body in a warm stream.

And then, once I've let you off your leash and we've done a quick rinse off, we can walk back to the swimming hole now that everyone's gone home, bathe properly, and fuck on the riverbank 💖 - a longtime admirer

hmmmph. awruff ruff!!!! awroooo!!!!!!! wagging my tail n whimpering at this 😵‍💫😵‍💫

[bookwyrminspiration]

do you happen to have any recs for blogs that post a lot about reading???? sending this ask to you because you're the only blog i follow that mostly talks about books lol and i think it'd be nice to see more book related stuff

If you mean blogs that talk about a variety of books and reading in general, I don't know that there are many I can recommend; most of the people I follow (which isn't many) are fandom specific. Two I can think of, @morhath and @annabethisterrified, post about reading fairly regularly, including a variety of books instead of one fandom specific.

But otherwise, looking through tags of specific books I've enjoyed and finding people who post about them can lead me to people who read in general. Since if they read one thing, odds are they've read more. Which is rather intuitive, but it's true of how I find people

Looking through tags like "bookblr" and "bookworm" may also lead you to some people--though there will also be a fair bit of aesthetic people in tags like those usually, so depends on what you're looking for. You can also check those posts from other tags people use, and figure out which ones have the kinds of people and posts you want to find

Branching out and finding more book-in-general related blogs is actually something I'd like to work on myself--don't worry mutuals, I mean to do so alongside my current posting, not to replace it. I'm not going anywhere

I wish I could be more help with this, but hopefully this is a start! If anyone else has any others, please feel free to add them :)

[oldmemoria]

i have a lot of unorganized miguel headcanons that float around my brain at times but since i usually think of them at night and forget about them the next morning im just going to continuously update this post probably? anyway here are the ones that i do remember

i will either leave this in my drafts and update it when i want to or ill just edit/reblog with new stuff idk

edit after i stopped typing:

ok its time

fuck you

posts

identity headcanons first, because idk getting those out of the way feel free to get pissed off about these ill just block you 💖

trans man. he/him pronouns. probbably doesnt care if you use gender neutral terms for him because like... why would he, he has a multiverse to stare at

asexual, can't really figure out of i see him as being aromantic as well, i personally just think he's too busy to think about it atm but i dont think hes incapable of it. maybe arospec, like demiro or greyro or smth idk, i just know this mf is asexual.

he is autistic (and probably undiagnosed?) i will die on this hill as if i was a warrior cat defending the sunningrocks i will commit an oakheart fight me on this and i will throw rocks at you and then promptly get crushed by rocks as well (is that warrior cats spoilers um oops sorry)

now to the rest- that i remember- i have not read the comics yet so if some of these are like.. actually canon lmk because that would be really funny

this one might be a hot take but he does not hate miles. he wants to look out for him and definitely either currently regrets or is going to regret what happened in that chase scene. i genuinely doubt he hates any of the spider-gang hes just very, very worried about the multiverse. in his head thats the only way. (i am hoping and pleading that miguel and miles make up somehow, maybe miles doesnt forgive miguel and that totally understandable and would make sense but pLEASE writers i would die if you kept them as being rivals i genuinely would)

he hates Audrey Hepburn, fangoria, harry houdini, AND croquet. he CAN swim, he CAN dance, and he DOES know Karate. he still wont make it though. sorry man.

since hes from the future i dont think he'd be terribly confused by current slang/terms, hed more look at it like we see terms from like... the 80-90s or anything before that as "oh wow people used to say that? huh. interesting."

im going back on a headcanon ive had since i saw the movie im SoRRYYY but he cant curse. from what ive seen from the comics he uses replacements like "shock" and "bithead", thats it. maybe he says fuck on accident or in spanish (he technically kind of does depending on how you see "Ay Coño" being said but thats beside the point).

probably a blue eyes hater idk he just gives me the vibe of saying "jesus christ your eyes are way too blue, get contacts please im begging you stop looking at me" which is probably why him and gwen have so much beef.

i dont give a shit about what the movie says his fangs are not retractable fuck you. (he still has crooked teeth though i will never forget about those <3 )

autism be damned my guy can work a grill 🔥🔥🔥🔥

a lot of people cant really tell if hes pissed or not by his tone sometimes. is this projection? yeah, next question.

he hardly ever sleeps but when he does its like hes dead (at least when its dead quiet, which again, isnt often so he hardly ever gets a good nights sleep). you'd have to use a fucking blowtorch to the face to wake him up.

i also see him as not only having hypersensitive vision but also having elevated senses period. hearing, smell, touch, etc. probably the main reason he sits in the dark with no other noise.

branching off of that he frequently gets migraines of things get to stressful or too loud or if anything is very off about his schedule.

arachnophobe. ha.

cat person.

cat person as in he likes cats not like hes a catboy.. i shouldnt specify that actually that just makes it worse but i will anyway because tumblr hellsite will be tumblr hellsite

he partially likes lego peter because his daughter really liked lego.

ok but like think about it he'd probably be really good at taking legos apart with those claws. like imagine. it'd be nothing for him.

hasnt spoken to gabriel in years. he cant bring himself to reach out and when gabriel does he just doesnt have the energy to try and respond. he has no idea how to, especially now.

this is very specific but he stims a lot with his claws. like extend and retract over and over absentmindedly (mainly because thats what i'd do if i had claws imagine how fun that would be)

he usually bottles up all the emotions that he has, including anger. kind of explains why he lost it in the chase scene in my head because he reached a boiling point. he hates talking to people about his problems.

empanadas are his safe food, also theyre just easy to eat when your mouth is a little funky (i would know i have some fucked up braces theyre great for that 10/10), its mostly just easier on his fangs.

definitely horrible at the whole self are thing. he just forgets, all the time. would forget to breathe if it wasnt involuntary

if you say anything he doesnt particularly like (eg "hey bro are you okay do you wanna talk") he'll just stare at you with his rat eyes like 👁️👁️ until you stopped idk what im saying.

he is a bit touch starved, depending on his mood he'll let people touch him in a friendly (emphasis on friendly. friendly friendly friendly dont take it any other way :/) way.

OH I almost forgot about this one: he hisses. some spiders hiss. so does he. vampire furry energy

he also gets pissed when people call him a vampire so uh... im counting my days oops.

will go out and sit in the rain. (wait would it still rain in the future? is the climate still fucked in his timeline or nah)

like "ah, its water time" and goes out to sit like this:

Man if only there was a rain filter

that is all i have for now maybe if something else comes up ill reblog with new stuff >:)

[mujimilk]

what i did during undergrad + grad

As I've recently just graduated from grad school with my Master's right after undergrad, I want to note what I did so that people can learn from my experience! I graduated from undergrad with degrees in Computer Engineering and Web Design and graduate school with a Master's in Engineering Management.

1st (freshman) year

Although I did some coding in high school, I still needed to learn the fundamentals and struggled through introductory programming. However, I was one of those people that banged their heads against the wall enough to where things started making sense. I also added a second major: Web Design, so I went into sophomore year being a double major in Computer Engineering and Web Design. I did join some clubs, including cultural clubs, but it did not align with my schedule and I eventually had to drop them.

2nd (sophomore) year

I got tickets from my university to Grace Hopper Celebration, which is the largest convention for women in computing. Here, I learned about applying to internships, how to prepare for interviews, and met so many people who were already working software engineers. This is when I started applying for internships. By chance, a friend reached out and asked me if I wanted to work on a website for a club for an event they were holding (and it would be paid) so this was the first time I had some experience that was outside of class projects. I also got lucky when one of my other friends asked me to replace him working for a professor on a different website. This gig lasted me all throughout senior year.

3rd (junior) year

It is typical for people to get internships this year for the summer as they get a full-time offer and then finish out their senior year without worrying about applications before starting to work full time. I didn't get an internship and decided to go for my master's anyway because it would give me some extra time to keep studying and applying. I also branched out and started doing some hackathons which are usually 48 hour coding events people do in groups in order to create something. Although I didn't win any prizes, it gave me the experience of coding in a group.

4th (senior) year

This was the year I aimed to get an internship for the summer after, since I knew it would be the last summer I would have the opportunity to intern before I started looking for a full time job. I was working 3 jobs in school, as a grader (for an introductory engineering class), as a teaching assistant (for a communications class) and being a website designer for the job previously mentioned. I wasn't able to keep the jobs due to a university working hours requirement. I'll go into how I got my internship another time, but I was successful by January of my senior year, and graduated from undergrad stress-free from applications. I also had an undergrad thesis to do, as well as taking the hardest classes for a computer engineering major.

5th (master's) year

My university has a 4+1 program, where I could start my Master's program during my senior year and finish it out the year after. However, I didn't take any graduate classes my senior year because I was so busy, but I still aimed on graduation in a year instead of delaying it another year. This was probably the most stressful time of my life since I was taking twice as many classes as someone else in this program with me as well as balancing being a teaching assistant (this time holding labs for introductory programming students). My time management skills were tested during this time, as I would usually show up to classes at around 7am and not leave campus until after 9pm. Having a full-time offer for a job was extremely helpful and I was able to focus on school and work instead of applications and interviewing.

Final Thoughts

I was able to do all of this due to a really strong work ethic which I'm super proud of myself for. Engineering is known as the hardest school at my university and there were so many other accomplished students, which I had to learn very quickly not to compare myself to. Feel free to ask me any questions or comment on anything about my journey!

x, Muji

[himemiya-kun]

Blue Sea＊The Shining, Truthful Atlantis (Chapter 4)

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Chapter 4: Under the Surface

Winter

Characters:

• Wataru Hibiki

• Tori Himemiya

• Yuzuru Fushimi

<A few hours later. A newly opened Okinawan restaurant in the neighbourhood of ES>

Wataru: I see! You were talking about that while I was away!

That's good! It's a story that doesn’t interest me!

I'm lonely when I'm left behind on the topic of my friends, but if it's a story I'm not interested in, it's not so frustrating even if I’m left out!

Tori: No, let's be interested, it’s an important story.

Wataru: I don't care what happens to ES, or more specifically, what happens to the idol industry!

What's important is that the stories told by people are interesting enough to interest me. That's the only thing I'm interested in.

Eichi tends to get involved in a lot of talk about that, so I have enough knowledge of politics and economics to understand the context.

Tori: The argument of people who are shown sports that they are not very interested in.

Wataru: It's an appropriate expression! Amazing☆

Ah, I'll have something like this somen.

Well, today's performance was extremely tough, so I'm exhausted, and my stomach can only accept food that seems easy to digest.

Tori: Every day, Hibiki-senpai is saying something unusual for a human being.

Yuzuru: Fufu. It's rare for us to have a meal like this, Hibiki-sama.

Wataru: Hehehe. Just in case, I would like to ask you about some things so that this topic doesn’t get left out.

Isn't it a good idea to have a meal together once in a while with people from the same unit to deepen friendships?

Tori: Eichi-sama ended up going anyway since he had some work to do at his parents' house.

Yuzuru: It seems that Eichi-sama had missed the hint. I guess he needed to hurry and find a replacement for Young Master.

Tori: Ugh... Isn't that quick? I haven't replied properly yet?

Wataru: What do you mean?

Tori: Actually. It seems that Eichi-sama wanted to leave one of the branches related to Project-ATLANTIS to me.

Eichi-sama wanted to appoint someone who he could trust and had the level of ability as the boss of some branch office.

Wataru: Is that so? By having the people who serve as his hands and feet to manage the branch office, Eichi will be able to spread his intentions to every corner of the country—

Yuzuru: Fufu. It seems that Eichi-sama nominated Young Master for such a purpose.

Wataru: Are you the boss of the ES branch? Isn't it a great choice considering his age?

Why did you refuse, Himegimi?

Tori: I-I didn't refuse! But I looked pathetic due to lack of sleep, and I was told that I was busy with the student council elections—

Tori: I think that's why Eichi-sama decided that it was impossible for me to do it... He doesn’t want to give me any more burden.

I'm fine though. If Eichi-sama had trusted and entrusted me, I would have worked hard to live up to his expectations.

Wataru: Perhaps he was worried that Himegimi would try too hard like that. You collapsed during the SS, so he thought it would be dangerous for you this time.

Tori: Ah, that was a lifelong nightmare for me as well.

Because of that, because I collapsed, I lost Eichi-sama's trust...?

Wataru: No, no. Perhaps we should say that Eichi repented after that. Himegimi was given a responsibility that was too much for him to bear.

Tori: In other words, the bottom line is that you can't entrust me with the job because I'm not good enough!?

Yuzuru: Bocchama. You're in public, so please keep your voice down.

Tori: I understand. …Ah, excuse me, server, please give me this sata andagi.

Wataru: If you eat too much sweet food, you’ll gain weight. Well, you’re more chubby and adorable when you’re fat.

Eichi and the others are starting to wear down, probably due to the hard work they've been doing lately, and I can't help but worry when I look at them.

Yuzuru: Even if I'm fat, I'm more worried about adult diseases.

Tori: Hmm. I'm so stressed out, I can only relieve it by eating something sweet.

Yuzuru: Fufu. If it's a problem that can be forgotten just by eating sweets, it's better than anything. My eyes are going to spill on that unbalanced diet today.

Tori: It’s hard for me to forget it, or rather, it seems like it will drag on for a while... I ended up not getting accepted, but I listened to the whole story.

If I had more leeway, if I had grown stronger and better, I wonder if I would have been able to get involved in a big project like this.

For a while, well, I think I'll regret it forever.

Wataru: Isn't it too early to give up?

Tori: What do you mean?

Wataru: That's why. If you have such a longing for it, Himegimi, or if you are interested in the project, you can ask Eichi to let you get involved.

Himegimi seems to believe that Eichi's decision is final. I don't think that's true at all.

If Himegimi asks from the bottom of his heart, Eichi probably won't be able to refuse.

Moreover, Eichi also views Himegimi as a significant presence. That's why he must have tried to involve him in some kind of plan in this case.

Yuzuru: He said he wanted to leave it to someone he could trust. In Eichi-sama's case, there are probably fewer candidates than you might think.

Wataru: If you live a life that offends others, you will be in trouble at such times. Himegimi, if possible, try not to emulate that part of Eichi.

Tori: Yeah… Looking at the progress of the student council elections, I feel like I'm already following Eichi-sama's lead in that regard.

I was surprised that I got so much backlash from everyone—

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[wellthebardsdead]

The mourned & the healing Final pt1

Previous part here

———

Lucien: *getting dressed in wedding finery, looks out the window to see nobles from each house arriving, and gigantic silt striders emerging from the distance carrying heads of the ashlander tribes* Gods I think all of morrowind is here.

Inigo: I heard dunmer from as far as Cyrodiil were coming to witness our friends marriage.

Lucien: well I can understand that! LeiLei is marrying the king after all, so it’s the least we can do as his friends to look the part as his closest confidants!

Sero: That and we’ll look ridiculous amongst the crowd as the only other people in armour, when only nerevar and the ordinators are supposed to be the ones wearing it.

Xelzaz: *pulling his pants up over his tail* it’s akin to wearing a wedding gown to somebody else’s wedding.

Taliesin: *looks over at them* I agree. *continues fixing Kaidans collar on his robe* oh stop your pouting we’re attending a wedding not a battle field.

Kaidan: but what if shit hits the fan?! A whole room full of important people and you don’t think an assassin will take that as an opportunity?

Taliesin: If something happens it happens but we’re guests, not body guards now stop your sulking. *kisses him playfully* you look quite handsome all dressed up too~

Kaidan: *pouts and folds his arms* next you’ll be teaching me how to walk with a book on my head and expecting everyone to address me as ‘my lord’.

Priestess: *enters with a pallet of ceremonial war paint* I’m here to paint you as honoured members of house dagoth, my lords.

Kaidan: FOCK!

*meanwhile*

Riiju-Lei: *being fussed over by the maids and priestesses as they dress him from head to toe, painting his face in ceremonial makeup and reciting blessings all the while councillors run about trying to organise the last touches for the ceremony* it’s really happening. I’m getting married. *smiles looking at himself in the many mirrors before walking to the door as his new councillors open them for him*

Councillor: Lord Dagoth, members of your house have come forth out of hiding wishing to give blessings before your union.

Riiju-Lei: *can’t help but pout a little, wanting to just run to the main hall and embrace his neht once more but nods and smiles* of course. I will have an audience with them.

*meanwhile in the main hall*

Nerevar: *fixing his armour making sure it’s just right for the billionth time* how do I look? Nothing in my teeth?

Divayth Fyr: No Hortator you’re fine, calm yourself already, the guests will be arriving any minute now.

Nerevar: I can’t. What if he changes his mind last minute? W-what if he doesn’t turn up? What if I mess up during the ceremony?! Will the good daedra follow through with their blessings?! M-maybe I should go to Azura one more time and ask-

Divayth Fyr: *suddenly sits him down on the cushion beneath the marital arch as the guests flood in* Everything will be just fine. *looks over to see team dragonborn taking their seats amongst the crowd, joining the new honoured faces of house dagoth* He’ll be here. You’ve nothing to worry about.

Nerevar: *looks up at him then at team dragonborn feeling a huge sense of relief, knowing if they’re here then he will turn up. Sighs and smiles watching as the heads of each house branch out from their respective groups and walk the main isle to present their gifts and blessings, the spot once reserved for house dres now replaced with the honoured argonian chief of the new house ‘hist’* Welcome, I am glad you could join us on this joyous day.

*a few minutes later*

Nerevar: *chatting with the archmaster of redoran as the room waits in anticipation, all eyes on the door and of house dagoth as the moment grows closer*

Team dragonborn: *all eyeing the door nervously waiting for their friend, worried he might get cold feet or be paralysed with nerves*

Taliesin: he’s still not here, should I go find him?

Kaidan: shhh I’m sure he’s fine, weddings always take longer than you think they will.

Inigo: maybe he’s having trouble getting into his robes?

Lucien: with how many people I saw running in and out of his chambers in a panic maybe he fainte-

Divayth Fyr: *suddenly stands before the main doors unfurling a scroll and speaking the rights of the first velothi people to welcome in the ancestors and to greet the new life among them before speaking praise to the good daedra and recounting the acts of the nerevarine now Hortator, and then finally lowering the scroll and speaking so all present may understand* Honoured guests we gather here today in the temple of our ancestors, to unite our council as one, we welcome now the argonian people into our fold and honour their name amongst us as House Hist. And we welcome back those who once shunned as the 6th house unmourned, now we honour your names as House Dagoth, the 6th house remembered. And it is today we celebrate the union of our Hortator, Indoril Nerevar, To the one who walked as Voryn Dagoth, now, Riiju-Lei, Harbinger of the companions, Slayer of the world eater, Bane to the tribunal reborn, but known to all as simply, the Dragonborn. *steps aside as the doors open revealing the golden skinned chimer, dressed in the dark reds and blacks of house dagoth and face baring the same colours in markings symbolising love and power, contrasting the red of all 3 of his beautiful eyes as he stares straight ahead, and smiles as he rests his gaze on his Nerevar*

Nerevar: *breath catching in his throat as the moment he’d been waiting for for so very long finally dawns upon him* gods… *moves to stand up wanting to just run to him, only for the Archmaster of redoran to tap him on the shoulder as a gentle reminder to be patient*

Divayth Fyr: *walks to Riiju-lei, holding a new ceremonial mask of house dagoth, one modelled after his face, not of voryn dagoth, or dagoth ur, but one of him, of Riiju-lei* Welcome now, Riiju-Lei, may you honour your house. As you have all of morrowind, and all of tambriel. *places the mask over his face trying not to smile wide as he hears the chimer already giggling with excitement* shhh behave yourself-

Riiju-Lei: *still giggling* I’m trying-

[blam-marie]

A metaphor's Guide to Rewriting Destiny

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The door to the room softly opened and closed. I was curled up under the covers of the bed that I had been offered, drenched in a sea of misery. It was my natural state when I was not raging. I was facing the wall; I felt the hard mattress dip under the weight of my visitor, who had chosen to sit without being invited. We both knew that he knew that I was not sleeping.

“Are you done discussing me, then?”

“Jeanne told us that you agreed to help,” Compassion said softly, a question in his voice.

He spoke in Wallen, which told me everything that I needed to know about how thin the walls were, here. Thin enough that our hosts might overhear, and overhear with clarity. It Compassion had truly wanted our words to remain secret, he could have used the ancient language of our first hosts, the nuances of which had been lost in antiquity for everyone but us Exemplars. As it was, anyone with a good enough grasp of Wallen could have parsed out accents and listened.

He was letting them know that we wished for privacy, without worrying them that we might be scheming. I hated that such precautions were necessary.

“Understand how difficult it is for me to not simply go to the palace and start killing people until I find her. It goes against all my instincts to stay my hand. But they would kill her before I even got close.

“You are showing admirable restraint. I am proud of you.”

“Shut up or I will shut you up.”

A hand came to rub my shoulder.

“I promise that we will do everything possible to get her back.”

“Do you dislike having hands,” I asked mildly, “because if so, that is a problem that I can help you with.”

The hand was removed.

“I came to give you more information about the situation now that you’ve decided to get involved.”

“I don’t care.”

“You need to know what’s happening.”

“Do I?”

At last, frustration pierced in his voice.

“You’ve offered help. Do you just intend to do whatever you’re told without knowing why?”

I shrugged. “That is what is usually expected of me.”

That briefly shocked him into silence.

“But you’re Wallen. Aren’t they Planners? We are part of the Goddess’ great plan, her gift to humanity, et cetera?”

“Different branches,” I said. “Here in Theos, and probably for the missionnaries you’ve met in the East, it’s ‘we’re her gift, so we should be listened to and our advice heed’. In Walls, it’s ‘we’re her gift, so we should be used’. Like assets. But it’s not like we’re real people or anything.”

There was another short, baffled silence. “You’re joking.”

“If that surprises you, then you need to get out more. Exemplars are not what we used to be anymore. Many people consider that society has evolved past the need of us.”

“Would that such beliefs came with letting us be, not treating us like things,” he mumbled.

I shrugged again. “Would you not use a weapon, if you had one?”

“I am entirely the wrong person to ask this,” Compassion replied sternly. “And besides, you are not a weapon.”

I felt, quite suddenly, as if I had reached the point where I could no longer tolerate this conversation. I went from midly annoyed to extremely pissed off in two seconds flat, which I knew was not Compassion’s fault but which I decided to blame him for anyway.

“I’m tired,” I growled, curling up tighter. “Tell me what you came to say then leave.”

Compassion sighed, but did not argue. “The main thing that you need to know about this place is that there are two distincts groups agitating for trouble. One who only wants for the Prime Minister to resign and his cabinet replaced, and another who wants to remove the constitutional monarchy entirely and start over with a new system. It’s been impossible to make both side work together so far, which has stalled any progress that either side could make.”

“Let me guess. Our people are the first option, and they need me to appeal to the anti-monarchists.”

“The other way around, actually.”

I turned to look at him over my shoulder.

“You? Youended up with the most radical side of this little debate?”

Compassion gave me a flat look. “I ended up with the side willing to help me find the Exemplar of Rage. The moderates want to force an election, not create chaos in the streets. Even just hearing your name is alarming for them. They would never have helped me.”

I kept staring.

“Remember that this was only meant to be a rescue mission. I was not picking a side, as such. You’re the one who has involved us.”

“Please. Would you really have left Theos, knowing how bad things had gotten here?”

He inclined his head, granting me the point. “I was planning on putting you on a ship to Walls and then return here, that is true. But I’m still not sure of the best way to help.”

I grunted and turned back to face the wall.

“That sounds like a problem for you to solve. I’m not here to help anyone but Astoria.”

“Astoria. That’s a beautiful name.”

For the first time in this conversation, I felt hesitation. Was this a subject that I truly wanted to speak about? On the other hand, could any mother resist the urge to discuss her daughter? Compassion had me in a bind, here. I bit my lips.

“My husband picked it. He was a sentimental. It was the name of a great-grandmother, I think.”

“Would you like to talk to me about him?”

This was a much easier decision than wether or not to talk about Astoria.

“No. Get out.”

“As you wish,” he replied quietly, with sadness in his voice. What right did he have to be sad for me? I kept quiet as he left, but I was seething.

[bluestardust23]

"You know I don't need your help to climb at all, right?"

"I know that all to well." [A caption that turned to be a oneshoot. 881 words.]

Two days after the restoration of the village, Lara told the people after she told Jacob and Sofia that she was leaving soon. Whenever she was asked when, or if she was coming back at all, she told them they'd know eventually. That motivated Jacob to take Lara to a place, which he said was the best point of view of the landscape.

So there they were, early in the morning before sunrise, at a relaxed pace, en route to the higher spot. Jacob and Lara didn't stop sharing their stories with each other. They shared their emotions; anger, sadness, and laughter. Neither of them realized they got along so well, they unconsciously made a few stops when talking. After climbing for a while, Lara noticed Jacob wouldn't stop helping her to climb up. She was about to ask why when he released his hold on her hand and advanced over some bushes. Gripping onto a sturdy ledge, again, even not asked to, he extended his arm for her. She stared at it, quite puzzled.

"Then why do you keep on giving me your hand?"

"I figured out you never let anyone take care of you, so I'm allowing myself to."

She chuckled, "Fair enough."

"Do you allow me to? Actually, it's okay if you—"

"Yes, it's okay. I appreciate it, Jacob," Lara told him as she pulled herself up over a large stone by holding his hand, "Thanks."

"You're welcome. We're halfway there," he pointed up, "Come."

They continued the voyage upward, climbing up the cliff. The trail wasn't so apparent but it was clear Jacob went there multiple times, as the way they were going was the easiest and safest way to climb up. The chatter continued as well. Jacob stopped next to a fallen tree before turning to face Lara.

"Now, Lara, please close your eyes."

Lara raised an eyebrow, holding her smile, "Do I have to?"

"I guess yes. Please."

"Alright. Eyes closed."

"Are they really closed?"

"Don't make me wanna peek."

"Heh," he grinned as he took her hand and led her to the finish line, warning her about rocks, sharp grass, and branches. Then he told her to sit down.

"You may open your eyes."

Lara opened her eyes slowly, then quickly wide open as the colors filled her head. The sky was a gradation of blue with pink and orange clouds and a lining of gold. The icy tundra and lake reflected the beautiful colors. Nearing the foot of the mountain, next to the river, the village. Adults working on the farm, kids chasing the rabbits down, elders walking in leisure.

"What an amazing view," Lara managed to say, after catching her breath, "I...I never take such a peaceful look over the places I've been. All I've always felt was, worry, urgency..." she paused in a frown, "...fear."

"No," Jacob rebuffed, "Fear isn't one of them. You're fearless. The better word for it is incertitude. You didn't know all that lonely journey you'd take, passing every point where you could've died, still with that remarkable conscience, would even lead you to anything at all. But as you said, you were done not believing your father. And there you got it," he smiled, "That's being human, Lara. We hate, fear, and are desperate for what we don't understand. In the end, the one leap of faith we take leads us to peace."

"One step to peace," she implied, reminding Jacob that she was still hunting for Trinity. She turned to Jacob with a grateful smile, "Thank you for showing me this, Jacob, making me see. I mean it."

"I'm glad you like it that much," Jacob uttered, "This view is what keeps me going. I lost count of how many times in my life I have thought to just come back to Kitezh, order the Deathless Ones to stand back, and destroy the Divine Source myself. But I always come up here, intentionally or not...and that thought washed away. Replaced with what I could hear in my ear: 'hold on'."

He turned to Lara with a smile, and when she replied with one of her own, Jacob placed a hand on her arm, joking, "So it was you?"

They laughed heartily, then absentmindedly stared into each other's eyes for a moment that felt like time had stopped. Suddenly, he dropped his expression and released his warm hold. Lara was surprised quietly when she realized what happened. Jacob looked at the village and sighed. Swallowing, he asked without looking at her, "Will I see you again, Lara?"

She smiled softly, and to his surprise, she held his hand on the ground and called his name. He looked into her brown orbs as she stared at his blue ones.

"Will you wait for me?"

As if a heavy boulder was taken off of his shoulders, his face brightened up as he released a breath. "Yes. Yes, yes I will. Please, be safe, Lara."

"You too, Jacob. Be safe. I'll see you again, I promise."

"I'll hold you to that."

---------end---------

One perk of being on a tiny fandom: you get to fangirl your own works!! Ain't that right, Tea?!

I hope you all like it too! <3 Speedpaint: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1uaQmBI9ft9oxuexREQ0clpKDLw1RDO6K/view?usp=sharing

[callofthxvoid]

WHO: Karma Free and Quill Harker

SUMMARY: Karma has no idea who Quill is. Quill knows exactly who Karma is. Drama ensues.

QUILL's not really expecting much from this conversation if he's honest. She never came back and it's been more than a decade, but if there was one thing he'd learn from his father it was to cover his bases. He'd kept an eye out for her, she'd finally gone off on her own and he waited a bit before standing next to her and taking a drag from his cigarette. They were near the edge of the lake but far enough no one would hear what they'd say. "So do I call you Nicole or Karma?"

KARMA practically froze in place when she heard the name Nicole. She didn't mind people knowing it, but she did mind when she wasn't the one who had told them. In an instant, the comfortable, carefree Karma was replaced by a tense copy who just barely turned her head to look at who was speaking to her. "Well, one is my legal name, and the other one is what my mother called me," she replied, looking back at the lake and crossing her arms over her chest. "I'll let you guess which one I prefer."

QUILL raised a brow at the quick change in personality, then again he'd only briefly seen her all those years ago in person. She'd been a lot more timid, nothing like the wild child he'd seen in town. There was something ironic in that, she likely have fit well with their group, but unluckily for her, Cosima didn't share the spotlight with anyone. "Karma then," he said shrugging, really was all the same to him, "Doubt you remember me. We saw each other for maybe all of 5 seconds if I'm generous. I'm Quill, I'm friends with Cosima."

KARMA's entire expression and demeanour changed when he dropped the name that made it clear how she knew him, or more accurately, how he knew her. Suddenly, she wasn't twenty seven years old and at a lake party with her family and close friends—she was fifteen years old and standing in the home of a man who didn't want her, with nowhere else to go and no one else to turn to. "What do you want?" she asked, looking back at Quill. What a stupid fucking name. "I doubt Cosima sent you to talk to me."

QUILL hummed, exhaling and watching the smoke drift off as he glanced back at the festivities. He was letting her have her moment to process, people were usually easier to talk to when they didn't look like they'd just been hit by a cattle prod. Meeting Karma's gaze after a moment he shrugged, "No she didn't, she's not aware you're even here, yet," he said. Maybe it was being a twin that had him giving her a brief once over, idly wondering how alike if at all the two might be. "From you? Nothing in particular, I'm just being courteous. This town isn't exactly large, you're bound to run into each other eventually." Pausing he mused over a thought he'd had since arriving and poking around, "This town seems to thrive off that, the dramatics of it all, but you don't particularly seem the type for some confrontation. So consider this an olive branch to let you process whatever you need to."

KARMA raised an eyebrow but otherwise said nothing as she looked back at the lake. She tightened her arms around her chest. "Well, guess that's unsurprising, you people never want anything from me other than to make me go away," she muttered under her breath, glancing down at the ground and kicking a stray rock into the water. She hated feeling at a disadvantage. Since becoming a private investigator, she was usually the one who had all the information, and it hadn't occurred to her until now how comforting that was. "You're right, I'm not one for dramatics, so you don't have to worry about me causing a scene or anything. I have no intention of speaking to Cosima or anyone she associates with. I have my own family. I don't need her, and I certainly don't need you." She looked up at Quill. "How long have you been watching me?"

QUILL was tempted to correct her, that it really had made no difference to him, that it was Cosima's family's decision. He tilted his head watching the ripples of the water, giving a hum of acknowledgement as she spoke. "None of us really have the option of going away," he said shrugging. Taking his cigarette he lifted his shoe to extinguish it on the bottom before tucking it away into his pocket. "I didn't think you did, but like I said. Small town, you're bound to run into each other, least now it's not a surprise?" Meeting her gaze he tilted his head back in thought, "Mm about 2 weeks, and not so much watching. People in this town really do love to talk, it's a bit unnerving honestly," he said shaking his head. He paused glancing back at the crowds of people then back at her, "I didn't come here to start anything with you. Like you said, you have a family and you seem happy. I have nothing to gain from making you unhappy, if you want a list of who all we came with, I can give you one."

KARMA was aware that Quill was being perfectly polite. But that didn't stop her from being on edge, and it didn't stop her from feeling wildly uncomfortable at the thought that he had been asking around about her, or her family, for the past two weeks. She briefly wondered if this was how anyone she had investigated in the past had felt. "You didn't come here to start anything with me, but you have been talking to random people in town about me for two weeks," she answered, clearly keeping her guard up. "Apologies if I'm not immediately breathing a sigh of relief at your reassurances." She paused, taking a moment to think, before letting out a defeated breath and shrugging. "Why do you even care? I did what he asked. I stayed away. I even changed my name. I have no interest in him, or any kind of inheritance from him, and there is nothing out there that links me to either." She stared at Quill with a raised eyebrow. "I'm assuming that's who you really answer to. I can't think of why else you would bother paying attention to me."

"You were a talented private investigator, you know these things aren't personal," QUILL replied with a shrug, "You also know how quickly people can change their minds, especially when it involves familial ties." He paused for a moment to actually consider her questions, glancing out at the lake and kicking his own rock out. "I'm not particularly fond of making people miserable. I prefer to avoid conflict when I can," he finally said after a beat and meeting her gaze. "To be frank you for all intents and purposes were here first, in a way we're intruding on your home. I know how they act and are, I'm not making excuses for that, I'm just personally not a fan of acting like I own the place when I clearly don't. Seems only fair to let you know about us instead of being in the dark and seeing us in town." He made a half and half motion with his hand, "Half correct, my father is the one who likes covering his bases. Yours seems to follow the philosophy of out of sight out of mind," grimacing for a second, "Sorry that could have been more tactful."

In spite of herself, KARMA listened to everything that Quill had to say. Obviously she was a talented private investigator, but she didn't expect that compliment to come from him; and even if she was miffed at the insinuation that she would ever change her mind about her familial ties, she could recognise that he was making a good point in general. The biggest surprise, however, was that he had such an enlightened attitude to the privilege Cosima and people of her ilk carted around along with their giant egos and platinum credit cards. "Well, thank you for the heads up, I guess," she replied, her arms slowly loosening across her chest before she dropped them entirely and shuffled closer. When she turned back to look at Quill, her expression was a lot less antagonistic; not friendly, just not actively hostile. "And you're fine. I prefer honest over tactful anyway. I appreciate you talking to me like I'm a person with a brain." She paused. "Most people don't."

QUILL stayed where he was despite her moving closer to him, it was her call how friendly this ended up being, if it simply remained civil he'd consider it a successful conversation. A person could be reasonable, it was why he preferred one on one interactions. His eyebrows raised in surprise for the first time, now the one caught off guard. "Is that a fault of theirs or intentional on your part?" He asked genuinely curious, it wasn't like he'd never used the rich boy act to get past things. "Though I guess I'm not like most people, neither are you really," he mused out loud, bending down to grab a rock and flick it towards the lake, "You're likely one of the few in this town whose had a similar enough career to my own. It be insulting to both of us if I tried to speak to you any other way."

KARMA shrugged. "A little of column A, a little of column B," she replied, turning to watch as the rock hit the lake and rippled out. "A homeless fifteen year old would have to be a genius to track down her biological father with nothing to go on but the date, time, and hospital she was born at. But it always seems to work out better for me when people don't see me that way." She looked back at Quill and offered him a curious look—not necessarily interest, or intrigue, but a step up from the indifference that had replaced her initial anger and defensiveness. "Uh-huh. Right. Did you also go from a hacker to a private investigator to a bartender?" In spite of herself, there was a playful amusement to her tone.

"And humble to boot," QUILL said shaking his head even he had an amused smile as he flicked another rock. Snorting he shrugged, "No I went from professional bodyguard to glorified babysitter to a stock worker. Truly this town was an upgrade for my career," he said shaking his head again. Vaguely he could feel a pair of eyes on him, sneaking a glance and seeing her brother occasionally glancing at them. Past him though he could see the next person on his list to speak with. "I do have someone else I need to speak with, thank you for being willing to talk. I can't promise anything but I'll try and keep them all out your hair," he said giving her a small nod.

KARMA actually laughed at that. Granted, it was more of a snort than a laugh, but it was still the closest she had gotten to feeling anything but dread during their whole conversation. "Wow, you make my career sound lucrative," she quipped back with a small smirk, and there was a little bit of relief in starting to feel like herself again. She followed his gaze to Neptune and gave her brother a small wave as if to say that she was fine. "You didn't really give me much of a choice, but sure, you're welcome," she replied, looking back at Quill. "I'd say it was nice to meet you, but I already told you I prefer honesty over tactfulness, so I won't." She pushed past him and started walking back to her own crew before pausing and looking over her shoulder. "Hey, if we do run into each other in the future, guess it wouldn't be the worst thing in the world. You're... Interesting. I'll give you that."