#wtnc fanfic

[lyonblod]

Chapters: 15/15 Fandom: When The Night Comes (Visual Novel) Rating: Mature Warnings: Graphic Depictions Of Violence, Major Character Death Relationships: Hunter/Hunter (When the Night Comes), Minor or Background Relationship(s) Characters: Hunter (When The Night Comes), Damien Taryn (OC), Shaye Maddox (OC), Original Characters, Alkar Cassian, August Willenheim, Ezra Lyon, Finnegan Kazimir, James Lane, Harold Addington, Omen Morningstar, Piper Meriman, Original Animal Character(s), Aurora Woodridge, Armaros Woodridge Additional Tags: Explicit Language, Recreational Drug Use, Magic, Hurt/Comfort, Blood and Violence, Eldritch, Alternate Universe - Canon Divergence, Duel Hunters, Crossover From Original Work, Character Death, Anal Sex, Weird Plot Shit, Rare Pairings, The Author Regrets Nothing, Bonding, The Hunters Joining Is Referance To Grey Warden Joining, AKA Dragon Age Joining, Mentions of Death, Loss of Limbs, loss of family, instant friendship, Like knows like, Do I Gotta Tag Everything?, I'm Bad At Summaries Summary:

Something dark stalks Lunaris. Something long forgotten to the ages of time. Two Hunters were called to find out what seems like business as usual. They were very mistaken...

[abysskeeper]

Honestly going through my phone notes, I'm just going to post this because I'm proud of it and will likely never actually write the fic it belongs to.

A tidbit of my Hunter and Ezra after she lies to go see Aya in the jail:

"Ezra, it was a lie! All of it was a lie!" she exclaimed, tearing her eyes away from the spot where the teal colored magic sparked through the air. His eyes were glowing slightly. This was the first time she'd seen him lose even the smallest grip of control over his magic.

It might have been the first time ever, given the shock she registered churning underneath everything else storming in that emerald gaze.

She blew out a shuddering breath, trying to regain some composure herself, and continued, "Do you really believe I could truly side with him? After all this? Do you really believe I would turn my back on this weird little family we found here?" she asked and took a step closer. He didn't move away this time, and thank gods for that. If he still didn't trust her, she was pretty sure something inside her would've broken, "Do you really believe I would be able to do that to you?"

She stared at him, feeling the seconds drag by as she waited for him to answer. Finally, the witch sighed and shook his head no. She wanted to hear him say it...but it was enough for the heat of the moment.

"Ez, please," she murmured. Slowly, she took another step forward. Tentatively she reached out to him again, and when he didn't stop her, she wrapped her arms around him, pulling herself close and clutching at the back of his shirt. "I'd sooner rip my own heart out before even thinking about harming yours," she finished into his chest, "I could never..."

She felt him heave another breath, and a moment later his arms wrapped around her in return. A shudder wracked through his shoulders and he buried his head into the crook of her neck. "I know," he said softly.

She didn't comment on the wetness she felt against her skin, but damn did it burn her. "I know you wouldn't, but when Aster and Gus found me...when Gus, crying, begged me to make you see some sense I..." he paused, his breath warm against her neck as another small shudder ran through him, "I was so scared that was the last time I'd ever see you. Even in the best case scenario, that you were lying...going off with Harry? That was incredibly dangerous..."

"I know," she agreed. One hand ran up his back and neck and her fingers started combing through his curls. None of this was what she wanted when the idea struck her. "I know...but I had to. I thought Aster knew what I was doing, I thought she'd say something to Gus. I'm sorry, but I had to see for myself, I had to know Aya was still down there and get more out of what he was doing. It's my job and it's...it's what we owe them. Aster couldn't do it and Lia..."

She didn't want to bring that up now.

"Lia shouldn't. So I...I had to..."

"I know," Ezra said again. He pulled away from her enough to straight out some, and he looked down at her with such heartbreaking fondness, "Your senses of duty and responsibility are parts of what I love about you. But I have been so scared for you ever since that night you came to me after first seeing the beasts. And the circumstances have only gotten worse." He shook his head, "Celena, I meant it when I said I can't imagine my life without you."

"I'm sorry. After this is over, you'll never have to worry about it again, I swear," she promised. Her other hand moved to cup his cheek, swiping at the tears rolling down, "I never want to make you cry again."

He matched her movements, his own warm hand coming up to cradle her face and brush away a few tears she didn't even realize had escaped, "We've both cried way too much since you came to Lunaris. I look forward to fixing that."

She hummed in agreement and turned to press a kiss to his palm, "At least it means something is real here. It wouldn't hurt so much otherwise."

Despite himself, Ezra laughed, and she smiled softly at the sound, glad to have gotten that out of him. "That's true," he agreed and softened the longer he looked at her, "Crazy as I may be, I meant it when I said I loved you."

"Crazy as I may be, I meant it when I said I loved you too," she returned.

She met him halfway when he leaned down, pressing their lips together in a sweet kiss, and she finally felt a bit of that nervous energy unfurl and release from her gut. It was over far too soon though, and the only reason she didn't complain was because he pressed his forehead to hers, still keeping his warmth and presence mere inches from her.

"I'm glad you're okay, Lena," he whispered in the infinitesimal space between them.

"I'm glad we're okay," she said, just as quiet, "If I lost you tonight on top of everything else...I don't know what I would've done."

"Right..." he muttered. His eyes lowered in guilt and she didn't have a chance to soothe it before he was pulling her back against him in a crushing hug, "Everything you heard and saw tonight..."

Celena shook her head against him, "It was awful..."

[prowlingthunder]

WIP Title Game

RULES: post the names of all the files in your WIP folder, regardless of how non-descriptive or ridiculous. Let people send you an ask with the title that most intrigues them and then post a little snippet or tell them something about it! and then tag as many people as you have WIPS*.

Got tagged by @ann-i-inthestars

*yeah okay that’s not happening.

A Child of Blood

Birds of a Feather

Wolfthreat

Denguards

Witcher!Buffy

Red

[sybil and athena]

A Mother’s Love

Harry Potter and the Light of the Moon

Minor Troubles

Roses in Stained Glass

The Ripple Effect

Des and Noct swap places

Dragon’s Breath

[Eddie Finch]

[Jake Finch]

[Hobbit/RW]

[Killing Stalking/Fallout3]

[RW/PJO]

In a God’s Bedroom

[ST/RW]

Brothers And Sisters

[Thor/RW]

[WTNC/Arcana]

Foxkits

[CSI NY Lupercalia]

[Dark Matter sequel to Pack and Pups]

Hell Hath No Fury

The Devil’s Luck

Highschool

[Sil/F8]

(Best Laid Plans)

Outsider

The GOAT

Big Town Blues

Radstorm

Line-dried Laundry

(Porns Start Like This)

[Inside Pandora’s Box]

[Pandora’s Divide]

Russian Roulette

[Silquinn scarmarks soulmate kidfic]

Snow Angels

Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy

Winter Animals

All The Things I Didn’t Say

[silquinn daemonfic]

Justice for All scriptflip

Witcher!River

Ascendent Ab Infernis

to abstain from doing harm

A General Gift

Nicias/Nicola/Caleb

Triplets!verse

Cathedral of You fanfic

Dawnfire

Prompto/Cor

Galahdian!Noctis

Galahdian!Prompto

Galahdian!Gladio

Galadian!Ignis

The Feral Coeurl of Galahd

Cor/Ariel Sealion dress fic

[legion beaucoup] sequal

Terrible Things

Papa!Nyx

Vampire!Shields

[modern ardyn/ravus au]

herbwitch!Ignis

Cor/Ariel Sealion dance fic

[transplant fics]

Vipers Victim

Caleb first heat in insomnia

give a brother wings

snowchild

Clonebaby genderbender au

Zag/Achilles/Pat afterbattle comfort

Charon/Hermes/Zag

Wolflords

Caran Dagra

Starlight, Starbright

Blood and Water

Black Cats and Broken Mirrors

Step Two

[Bioshock ABO]

[Heron/Seraphim fix-it]

(This is what it’s like)

(wolf fur and dragon teeth)

All The Little Children

Puppy At Heart

Batman/Hawkgirl

Brad Wayne

[Genji Lives]

[Yuuma Op]

Nest of Vipers

[Stanfic]

[Genji Lives Path]

[McHanzo Timetravel Shenanigans]

Taijo Aitai fanfic

Quadrature

Kagome, Kagome

Coal Dust

Blood and Ashes

The Chosen Ones

What Happened To Gavin

[RPF: PT meets lR]

Jedi!Shmi

Mirshko/Cody

Snowdrops

Son of Sands

Wolves

[Jeeri Stormwitch thing]

Supernova

Revan+Wolves

Monsters in the Dark

A Pocket Ful of Sand

[tcw/ep7 timetravel]

Sempiternal Energy

The Prophecy

Impulse

Matchstick/Hell

Abo gullet fic

Impulse/Selhat

broke down my walls because of you

so I'm just a dead man crawling

Safe sex

Shmijango slave au

Everybody wingfic

[SamJack]

[cohabitation fic]

Bad Plan

Marching Band

What Big Sisters Are For

Homecoming

[Arrow/RW Multiverse]

[Papa!Cye]

Empty Letters for the Yiling Patriarch

Little shadows far reaching

[keith and marie]

witchwolves

[Human!geralt]

[the-melting-world]

For @ligiawrites

A belated birthday gift for my galaxy-brained goddess friend, Ligia! Happy Birthday 💝💝💝And thank you for giving me an excuse to try my hand at writing Gus!

August Willenheim x Hunter Scopic

Creative Writing Prompts | Drabble List #1: “Not our brightest idea” + Touch Prompts: Holding onto the other’s shoulders for support.

~ 580 words

.

August Willenheim had no idea how they got wrapped up in this. Sure, every now and then they enjoyed a nice glass of wine or five in the comfort of their own home. They were, however, not a fan of getting drunk in public. Still, their partner, Hunter Scopic, had talked them into going to the bar to “unwind” as she put it.

“I don’t believe this was–” Gus hiccuped, “our brightest idea, Hunter.”

Hunter Scopic made a sound between a laugh and a wretch as she slammed her drink on the bar and shook her head. “You’re looking at this the wrong way, General. I’d say this was our best idea ever.”

Gus cast their partner a sidelong glance. Even with their indigo-streaked hair falling carelessly into their metallic eyes, they looked too serious.

“How in the world is that so?” Gus muttered. Their head was pounding too hard for them to gesture to the messy state that the both of them were in.

Scopic wasn’t doing any better, yet she had the bartender pour her another drink. “General, look at us.” She bowed her head a little. “We’re failures.”

Gus opened their mouth to protest, but Scopic wasn’t finished.

“No matter how sharp my instincts are or how fast I can move…ha.” She drank. “Forget it, August.”

Gus straightened their spine a little. “No, Hunter. Go on. I’m listening.”

Scopic stole a glance before setting down her glass and sighing. She turned on her barstool so she could face August a little better. The General didn’t expect her to reach out her hand and gently push their roaming bangs back behind their ear.

“No matter how much your eyes and sigils glow with all your power…” Despite the heat rising in August’s face, they held Scopic’s somber gaze. “All of that wonderful, unique power…” She let her hand fall.

Don’t say it, Hunter, Gus thought, though they didn’t dare stop Scopic from making her point.

“Our comrades will never be safe.”

Gus wanted to comfort her in some way. But they failed to find the right words in time. Scopic was already back to nursing her drink. The raw sadness was nowhere to be found in her expression now. Though the bitterness was evident despite the humor in her eyes.

“So drink up, General,” Scopic said. “Let’s drown ourselves tonight. Forget the ones we couldn’t save. It’s all we’re good for anyway.”

Scopic slammed her drink down again and roared over the throbbing between her temples.

“Eee-gahhh! I take that back, Gus. I take it back.” Flashing them one more bittersweet smile, she corrected herself. “It’s all I’m good for. You, though, well. You’re golden, Gus. General, I mean. You’ll find a way. I probably won’t be around to see it, but…” She hummed lightly and shrugged.

While Scopic was muttering off into her glass, Gus waved down the bartender and silently mouthed the words, Don’t give her anymore.

The General was pretty sobered up by the time they left the bar with Hunter Scopic. She could mostly walk, but Gus had to hold onto her shoulders and steer her in the right direction back to her apartment.

“We should do this again sometime, General!” Scopic giggled as she stumbled along.

“On one condition, Hunter.” Gus said with the same firmness with which they gave commands. “Next time we do this, we’ll have something to celebrate. Is that clear?”

Gus came beside her and looped their arm around her shoulders so they could lean a little on her too.

Scopic released a small sigh that sounded somewhat hopeful as she met their gaze.

“Yes, General. I like that idea.”

[lunaris-laments]

Finnzra x Hunter - Winter Prompt 20

Request from anon: 20 of the winter prompts with finnzra and (f) reader?

Prompt 20: “I don’t need any presents or a big fancy celebration when I’ve got you.”

It’s still Christmas where I am, sorry for the late upload!! Whether you celebrate it or not, I hope all of you have a great holiday. Some Finnzra x Hunter fluff for all you lovely people :>

Sorry if it’s not explicitly fem reader!! This is also my first time writing a poly relationship so I hope it’s okay uwu

**

Lights of all different hues shone from Ezra’s shop and illuminated the street beyond it, enticing and tempting civilians to peek through the windows to marvel at his decorations. The shop was closed for the day, and the moon hung low in the sky as the last slivers of amber faded within the clouds, coating the buzzing town in darkness. However, spirits were bright in this festive season for all, the usual domestic thrum of the city dampened by bands performing music native to Lunaris and parties that led into the early hours of the morning.

This was no different for Ezra, Finn, and the Hunter. The vampire was nowhere to be seen, but they assumed he had gone to the Catacombs to visit his clan - they may have lived through decades of celebrations, witnessed all kinds of traditions - Finn insisted that he give them well wishes and a good hug.

You knelt on the counter, reaching to the farthest and highest corner of the kitchen to pin up some decorations, sweet little paper figures and animals strung along a glittering ribbon, the other end already pinned to the opposite wall. You felt bad for Ezra when you glanced over to him, such a powerful witch and yet using his magic only to enchant small lanterns which were hung around the shop. Small shimmering flames emerged as he swept his hands over the bulbs, rainbows shifting and reflecting onto his face, painting his russet skin a plethora of beautiful colours and complementing the slight flush on his cheekbones.

His lips pull taut in a dreamy grin when you hop down from the countertop and slide your arms around his waist from behind, resting your chin on his shoulder.

“They look beautiful.” You whisper and plant a kiss on the apple of his cheek. Ezra giggles quietly and turns to face you. “Thank you, love, but you did just as much as me,” he says and gestures to the streamers and strings of decorations fastened to the walls. Your hands bunched up in his sweater, turquoise with lighter accents and the words “Meow-y Christmas” sewn into the front. It was cheesy and punny - exactly what you all loved.

He is about to take a step closer when Coco winds in-between the two of you, mewing and padding at your fuzzy sock-clad feet. She crosses the room and settles underneath the pine tree in the corner; it looks bare compared to the rest of your home. It didn’t matter if you had a religion or even celebrated anything, Ezra begged to have a tree - he just loved having something else to hang colourful ornaments on.

Ezra hauled another worn box of baubles, tinsel, and bulbs onto the table and rummaged through them, handing you some and telling you where to place them. Always the perfectionist; he tutted and rearranged the hand-crafted trinkets until he was satisfied.

You both startled when three distinct knocks came from the hatch in the floorboards. Pulling the carpet aside, Ezra unhooked the latch and you waited for your lover to emerge from the darkness. First you saw his golden eyes, glistening within the shadows, then he pushed the hatch open further to climb up. All sharing grins, he pecked both yours and Ezra’s lips and scrutinised the shop.

“I love you, but you have a tendency to… go a little overboard.” The smile on face as he gazed down at both of you betrays his words, but still, he attempts to sound miffed.

Each grabbing one of his hands, you pulled him into the other room. “We just finished decorating the tree - it looks beautiful, Finnegan, come see…” Without waiting for a response, Ezra tugs him to stand in front of the tree. The tinsel wound through the twigs and baubles hanging from them catch the light of the twinkling bulbs, reflecting in his eyes, a kaleidoscope of colours swirling in his irises.

Only when he turns to you, do you see the sweater that adorns his body. He has the same taste as Ezra - black with the word “Hoe” in bold golden lettering, dotted across his chest. Rolling your eyes, you bite back a smirk and snicker. “Do you both have to wear such tacky sweaters?”

You hear a gasp and turn to see the witch glaring playfully at you.

“Well, excuuuuuuse me.” Although Ezra speaks sternly, he moves towards you to take your hand, dragging you to the sofa with Finn following closely behind.

You’re pushed into the plush cushions and sandwiched between your lovers; the stark contrast of hot and cold, life and death, proves to be oddly comfortable. Finn’s legs swing onto the sofa and cage you in from behind, resting his hands on your stomach and his cheek to your shoulder. His icy breath fans across your neck and you feel his lips curl into a smirk on your skin. Ezra presses his face to your chest, arms around your waist and fingers finding purchase in your clothes. Fangs brush against you when Finn grins, hearing your heartbeat accelerate and feeling warmth crawl from your cheeks to your neck. 

Suddenly, Ezra lifts his head and gapes at you, raising his voice. “I almost forgot about presents!”

Exchanging a sharp look with Finn, you then watch as the witch untangles himself from you, the breeze that replaced presence making you shiver. He crouches and peers under the tree, searching for a moment then pulling out two small boxes, neatly-wrapped with patterned paper. You flush as he hands you one of the presents, kneeling beside the sofa, beaming at you.

“I thought we agreed that we wouldn’t do gifts this year?” Finn spoke slowly, accepting the present and sitting up slightly. You tug at Ezra’s sweater and lean down to press your lips to his, smiling against him. “Thank you, either way… But however will we repay you?” You ask, playful, mischievous.

Finn eyes him up. “I think we can find a way…” Although he has lived through hundreds of these traditions, he still looks at you with the same excitement and adoration as if it was his first. He clutches the box to his chest and pulls you close, and you know that parties and gifts can never bring the same joy as spending time with his lovers. It was as if he read your mind, and what he says next makes your heart soar.

“Seriously - next year we can just decorate the house and have a few friends round. I don’t need any presents or a big fancy celebration when I’ve got you.”

[raccoonmooon]

the poison, drunk

Post pledge ending, the hunter does not tell anyone when they leave Lunaris.

The hunter's sister (who is a hunter herself) acquires a lingering injury, and decides to take the time off to visit her sibling.

Instead she finds a mystery, and a town full of people who's help she will need to solve it.

categories: angst, hurt / comfort, eventual happy ending, maybe the hunter can have a little redemption arc, as a treat, two hunters, divergence from canon epilogue | pairings: August / F!Hunter, Finnzra, Finnzra / nb!Hunter | fic rating: explicit | content warnings (this chapter): none, but check the rating | word count: 7,735 |  read on AO3

Chapter 3/? | just me and the lavender moon

chapter summary-   Rowan arrives in Lunaris, Ezra thinks about moving

Rowan arrived in Lunaris just after midnight. Originally, she had planned to camp overnight and ride the last few hours of the trip in the morning, but by evening had found herself deep in the forest surrounding the little town, and thought better of it. Her instincts told her that there was more to the ancient, gnarled trees than met the eye. To say nothing of the relentless sense that she was being watched.

So she had pushed through, and now found herself alone, the steady clop of her horse’s shoes on cobblestone echoing in the narrow streets. With the moon swathed in clouds Lunaris was nearly as shadowed as the surrounding woods. And while it didn’t have the same malevolent air, it seemed still, like the quiet following the upheaval of a storm.

Eventually she found her way to the stables, situated on the edge of town between the forest and an imposing building she assumed was the local enforcer’s headquarters. The stable boy wasn’t pleased to be woken so late, but seemed used to it. She thanked him and left her horse in the safety of the barn. Shouldering her bag and stepping back out into the chill, Rowan found herself almost wishing she could stay in the warm structure, and fall asleep to the familiar scents of leather and sweet hay.

She set off in the direction she’d spotted the inn on the way into town. The echo of hooves was replaced by the increasingly familiar tap of her quarterstaff. It was a simple design, but reinforced and heavier than it looked. If she was going to have to carry around a big stick for a while, she very much preferred one that could be counted on to not break if she tried to hit something unpleasant with it. Not that she expected to be fighting monsters in the middle of a family reunion. Well. Perhaps she wouldn’t be so surprised.

After all, their shared occupation was the very thing that had kept them apart so long. While Rowan very well understood the necessity of sending hunters where they were needed at a moments notice, it was often hard to ignore the sense of isolation that such a lifestyle could result in. Being the perpetual outsider, trying to find your place in groups that had known each other for years, or trying to build relationships when you knew it could all be ripped away at the arrival of a letter, over and over again, was hard. She had seen hunters retreat into themselves, shutter their eyes to protect themselves. Turn cold and dark inside as the things they killed. Fighting darkness with darkness rarely brought light.

Rowan turned another corner in the lamplight and nearly ran into someone headed hastily away from the headquarters. She managed to narrowly avoid losing her balance by catching herself on the staff, but the stranger stumbled back a few steps on long legs before looking up at her ready to snarl something. Instead their expression turned to one of confusion, elegant brows pulled together.

“My apologies” she said, and taking in their purple sash and flickering electric aura, “Enforcer.”

They were dressed in fine, flowing materials all in shades of blue and silver. Long, silky hair a deep near-black purple at the roots, washing out like ink to a silvering heather at the tips, draped over their shoulder in a ponytail, with shorter strands curling about their face. They had striking features with high cheekbones under the piercing, pale blue eyes that flicked over her.

“I don’t recognize you hunter, identify yourself.” they commanded in a cultured, pleasantly rich voice.

She instinctively straightened at the order, matching their intense gaze. “Hunter General Rowan Velle.” and to explain her presence in their town “On temporary leave due to injury.”

A flash of disquiet broke their steely gaze “Maro’s sister then.”

They sighed, suddenly seeming very weary, and in a slightly gentler voice said “I am Lieutenant General Willenheim, did you receive the letter I sent?”

Rowan’s stomach dropped like a sack of bricks, and her expression, she was sure, with it. She knew from Maro’s letters that Willenheim was their enforcer, and there were only so many reasons a hunter’s enforcer might send a letter to their next of kin, none were good.

“No.” she managed to grate out “I did not. Are they…. Is Maro...”

It shouldn’t have been so hard to say, to imagine, they were hunters after all, and death dogged their steps like the tamed wolves so many were fond of keeping.

Willenheim frowned “No, they are..” they paused “They are alive.”

“Turned then.” Rowan took the next logical step in assuming.

“It is somewhat more complicated than that.” they said carefully, glancing around “But this is not a conversation to be had in the street.”

What trouble had Maro gotten themself into? Hells. Their last letter had seemed so... hopeful. She tried to ignore the lump in her throat.

“You said you are injured?” they asked “Does that need to be addressed first? I could show you to our healer and we’d be able to continue this in the morning.”

“It’s been three weeks since my injury, Enforcer, I’ll be fine until morning. I’d rather not wait to hear what’s happened.”

They leaned back on their heels, and gave her an assessing look.

“Fine.” they said, resigned, and apparently satisfied that she at least did not appear to be bleeding out.

They pursed their lips and glanced back towards the headquarters, then seemed to make a decision, and set off in the direction they had originally been walking.

“This way then.” they said over their shoulder.

Rowan followed, feeling ill.

They led her to what she could only assume was their home, a little ways down the street, and unlocked the door, gesturing for her to enter.

The acclaimed General Augustus Willenheim, now Lieutenant General. That must have been a recent appointment, Rowan thought, if word of a change in command had not yet reached her own headquarters by the time she’d left. Maro had called them August in their more recent letters, had spoken warmly and highly of them.

Rowan hoped their opinion of the witch was deserved, as it appeared they were now head of the order she had devoted her life to.

“Please” they said “sit.”

She lowered herself onto a plush couch opposite Willenheim. Their home was certainly lovely. Sparse and elegant, shades of blue, with silver and marble accents. Every item and bit of decor seemed to have been carefully chosen to suit the room. The overall effect might have seemed cold or austere, instead it struck her as a place meant to be a sanctuary, the eye of a storm.

There was a serious and grim look on its occupants' lovely face.

“Firstly, if you did not receive my letter, why are you in Lunaris?” they questioned.

“I’ve been stationed out in Enk, and three weeks ago was stung by a manticore on a hunt.” Their eyebrows scrunch up again at that, but they let her continue. “Enk’s rather a remote little dot on the map, and our only witch is better at combat than healing. Maro had written to me that one of their partners here is a talented healer, and as I’m on leave until healed anyway” She shrugs “I’d hoped I might kill two birds with one stone and surprise my sibling with a visit.”

Willenheim once again subjected her to an assessing gaze, “Manticore venom is not something to play about with, whatever else we discuss, you will have that seen to first thing tomorrow. Understood, General?” their tone brooked no argument.

“Of course, Lieutenant General.” she allowed.

“Good, I will give you directions to Ezra’s before you leave tonight.” They paused, looking distracted, perhaps trying to decide how best to give her whatever bad news about Maro that was so serious as to require a personal conversation with the Lieutenant General Enforcer of Eskria in their home at nearly one in the morning.

She waited. Feeling a bit numb.

Finally, they spoke, “One week ago, Maro resigned their post as a hunter. Five weeks before that they chose to consume an… experimental potion, intended to transform and ultimately strengthen a hunter. They knew at that point, that this had already directly and indirectly resulted in the deaths of several hunters. Maro was urged and advised not to do so by everyone in this town who had come to care about them, and they did so anyway.”

Willenheim took a deep breath.

Rowan opened her mouth, to voice one of the many questions she now had, but they continued before she could.

“Much, in fact most, of what I have just told you, and what I am about to tell you is confidential. But, I believe you deserve the truth about what has happened,” they paused “is happening, to your sibling. Especially if you decide to seek them out, which, I would urge you not to do at this point. Though if you are anything like them, I expect you will ignore my advice on that front.”

Rowan suspected that was so. Whatever Maro had done, they were after all, her sibling, her dearest and oldest friend, and the only person left whom she considered family. She wasn’t going to write them off without a fight.

They told her the rest of the story, starting just before Maro had arrived in Lunaris in the wake of Hunter Lane’s death. And fleshed out the hopeful skeleton tale Maro’s letters had allowed her. A darker mystery than they had implied, with implications both farther reaching and closer to home than she might have imagined.

Maro had indeed finally built themself a home, surrounded themself with people who cared about them, even fallen in love. And Rowan could see, with a sort of horror, as the story unfolded, where exactly it would fall apart for them. What exactly, about the situation the witch described, would have snagged on the well hidden defense mechanisms of their past, and led them to make such a disastrous decision.

“Fucks sake Maro” Rowan groaned, head in her hands when they were done.

She looked up at the enforcer. “I’m going to talk to them.”

It’s was their turn to massage their temples, “For what-”

They huffed out a bitter laugh “You aren’t going to be able to talk them out of an action they’ve already taken.” their tone took on a vehemence that surprised Rowan “They chose this! They decided to side with the man who betrayed us, over people who loved them! They decided that a bit of extra power was worth permanently harming themself!”

“Then why have they resigned?” Rowan wondered. “If they did this for power?”

Willenheim’s eyes narrowed “I would assume they misjudged how quickly the process would affect them.”

Rowan was unsure of what to assume, nothing was safe at this point, she supposed. Her head was still swimming with the revelation of the truth behind the initiation rites, but no time for that now. She needed to focus on Maro.

“I’m going to talk to them.” She repeated.

“I can’t stop you.” Their expression was displeased. “And I expect you will need to see them for yourself to fully accept the truth.”

“Thank you for sharing all this with me, especially at such an hour.” she said. The night was nearly over, and she could see the skin beneath their sharp blue eyes was bruised from what must have been more than one missed night of sleep.

“You are quite welcome. It’s not as though you are responsible for your sibling’s actions. Now, go and get some sleep.”

She stood, leaning heavily on her staff, got directions to Ezra’s shop for the morning, and thanked them, before leaving them to whatever rest they could wring from the remaining night.

By the time she was curled under scratchy sheets in the White Wolf Inn, the sun was already threatening to rise. For once she let sleep take her anyway.

OOO

Ezra woke as the sun rose, none of its light slipping through his boarded windows or spilling over his pillows. But he found its absence a price well worth waking in Finn’s arms.

He was spooned against the vampire’s hairy chest, legs tangled, Finn’s nose in his hair, and arm tucked against his bare chest. He hadn’t opened his eyes yet, trying to delay shaking off the warm muzziness of sleep a bit longer.

“Good morning, angel.” Finn murmured in his ear.

“S’not morning yet.” Ezra stubbornly kept his eyes shut through a yawn and flipped over, flinging an arm over Finn and pulling them snugly chest to chest, re-tangling their legs.

For a moment, he expected Maro to adjust to the movement by curling closer against his back. Then quickly realized they weren’t there, and remembered why not. Despite the short time the three of them had spent together, now they were gone, he kept expecting them to be there. Every time it was like taking a step when you expect an extra stair, a brief moment of unmoored panic. He clung all the tighter to Finnegan for it.

Finn wedged an arm between them to gently tip his chin up, bringing them nose to nose, so he could look into Ezra’s now (unfortunately) open eyes.

“I miss them as well.”

Ezra knew he did. The vampire turned idle and melancholy the moment he thought he wasn't being watched. Raven reported he spent most days in his room. The rest of the time he spent fussing over Ezra.

Ezra tilted his head a fraction and pressed the extra inch forward to kiss him. Finn responded with a gentle ferocity, sliding his hand up from Ezra’s chin to cup his jaw, thumb on his cheek, wiping away a stray tear.

After a few moments he deepened the kiss, cool tongue pressing between Ezra’s lips. He opened for him, pressing back with his own tongue and losing himself in the sensation for a while, letting his free hand roam between Finn’s shoulder blades.

Eventually, Ezra pulled back and re-opened his eyes. Neither were wearing any more than boxers under the covers, and he could feel Finn already hard against his thigh, as he was sure Finn could feel him.

“Finn…”

The vampire turned onto his back to kick the covers off, and canted his hips up to shimmy out of the soft black fabric. Ezra wiggled out of his own before they could be ripped off, he was going to run out soon, again.

He let a mischievous impulse take him, and leaned over to place his index finger on Finn’s already slick lips.

Finn took the bait and sucked the finger in, drawing a small gasp out of Ezra. He curled the finger around one of his fangs, and used it as leverage to pull Finn up.

Finn let out something between a growl and a laugh that somehow managed to convey both amusement and arousal. But he went willingly enough, eyebrow raised. Ezra guided Finn by the wickedly sharp canine, letting a grin take over his face, until he had him where he wanted him, sitting against the headboard, mouth open around his finger. He slid the digit out along the tip of Finn’s fang, with just enough pressure to draw blood.

Finn growled again, chasing the finger to pull back into his mouth. Then pulled Ezra, laughing, into his lap. The feel Finn’s firm abdomen against his cock, and Finn’s own erection between his legs, cut the sound into a gasp.

Ezra’s face fell into Finn’s neck and he let out a helpless little sound. Finn pressed a kiss to his neck and nibbled his way towards his jaw. He slid a big hand around the back of Ezra’s head and tangled his fingers in the sleep mussed curls. Then pulled his head back to ravage his neck in earnest.

Ezra was taut as a bowstring as Finn slipped his other hand, the one he’d lovingly crafted for the vampire, around both of their cocks.

Finn found a steady, twisting, rhythm, up and down, little movements of his hips pressing his tip up against Ezra’s crown as they were pressed together.

He began kissing his way down Ezra’s neck, licking the dip of his clavicle, sucking a bruise into the soft skin just below his collarbone.

Ezra groaned, breathing ragged as Finn continued the stroke of his hand and wandering of his mouth.

“Finn… Please… I need…” Finn had already released his hair and was reaching for the little jar of slick in the bedside table.

He gasped into a pointed ear as a cool finger circled his rim with tauntingly light pressure. Payback for the earlier teasing Ezra supposed, he ought to do that more often.

They kissed fully as Finn pressed the digit in, immediately finding that spot that sent a current of pleasure through him like a lightning strike.

It didn’t take long before Ezra was a shuddering mess. Moaning into Finn’s mouth, begging for more.

Eventually, Finn slipped his finger out and released their cocks with a final upward slide. He readjusted his position and maneuvered Ezra into place with hands cupping either side of his ass.

Ezra steadied himself on Finn’s shoulders and gazed into gold gone soft with a look of adoration that would have taken his breath away were he not already breathless. Finn held him in place and arced up off the bed to leisurely press up into him.

Feeling Finn move in him was always beyond satisfying, visceral and intimate. Ezra leaned back to admire the roll of muscle as Finn established a snapping upwards rhythm, knocking the breath out of him with every thrust.

“Touch yourself angel.” Finn groaned up at him.

Ezra happily obliged, timing the pull of his hand to match the rock of Finn’s hips.

Their movements quickly became desperate and stuttering, until Finn came below him with a deep groan, pressing up in a final, deep thrust. Ezra followed, spending onto Finn’s chest and abdomen.

He dismounted and curled into Finn’s side, letting his skin cool him as his breathing slowly steadied.

The world was quiet again for a moment, and Ezra kept his eyes closed, did not look to see Finn’s other arm resting on his own still chest, rather than around familiar shoulders. He did not think about the empty space.

There was a long, pitiful meow muffled by the door. Ezra flung an arm over his eyes.

“Is it morning yet then?” He could hear Finn’s smirk.

Coco meowed again.

Ezra needed a shower.

OOO

It turned into a sleepy sort of morning in the shop, and Ezra found his attention turning to the little collection of plants in the window. A coleus with vibrant pink and green patterning. An overgrown spider plant hanging from the ceiling. A few rarer herbs that did well indoors. And a little pot of succulents, spilling over the patterned sides, they needed repotting.

It was delicate work. Roots grown together needed to be gently separated. Even when great care was taken there was often damage, torn roots, a broken leaf. But plants could be hardy things, and with the extra space of a new pot (and again, with care) usually ended up better off than before.

Ezra thought about moving.

His thoughts were eventually interrupted by the tinkle of the bell above the door. Alkar practically flew up to the counter, wolf ears pinned, tail bristling. He was looking Ezra over like he was concerned something might have happened to him. Omen slipped in behind him and settled onto a stool, seeming less perturbed.

“What’s going on?” Ezra hurried to lock the door, before turning back to the pair.

“We saw Piper in the market this morning-” Omen started.

“Maro’s sister is here!” Alkar blurted.

Oh, Ezra had almost forgotten they had a sister. Maro had mentioned her once, when Finn had asked about the neat pile of letters on their cramped little desk. Her name was Rowan. She was older than them by a few years, a hunter as well. It had sounded like they missed her.

Should he have written her? He supposed Gus must have.

Ezra frowned “Has someone talked to her yet? Is she alright?”

“Ughhh.” Alkar deflated with a pout and sank to the floor.

Omen leaned over to pat him on the head. “Piper said August spoke to her last night. She’s injured? So they told her to come here today.”

Ezra spared Alkar a concerned look before addressing Omen. “She hasn’t made it in yet. Do you know how injured she is? Has anyone checked on her?”

“It sounded like she might have arrived quite late, perhaps-”

“We should be more worried about whether she’s going to follow in Maro’s footsteps!” the lycan cut in again, scowling.

“Is that why you’re so puffed up about it then?” Ezra wondered.

Omen nodded and Alkar somehow managed to deepen his scowl.

“I’m not puffed up... But yes it fucking is. You haven’t even met her yet and you’re already worrying over her. What if-”

Ezra cut him off. “She’s injured and just received bad news about a family member. She’s not responsible for what Maro’s done, and we don’t judge people by their families’ actions, yes?”

Which received an affirming nod from Omen and after a few moments of begrudging consideration, a huff from Alkar as he flopped the rest of the way to the floor.

“Sometimes I hate when you’re right.”

He was startled back up onto his elbow by a knock at the door.

Ezra looked at the clock, “That’ll be Mrs. Ellison here to pick up her sleeping draught.”

He started towards the door to let her in.

“Hey, do you want us to hang around today?” Alkar offered from the floor.

While it would be nice to have company, Ezra knew keeping track of this particular duo while also trying to run a shop was a task that required more eyes than he possessed. As though he needed any additional proof, while Omen had been innocently nodding along with Ezra through Alkar’s fit of surliness, the demon’s tail had been flirting closer and closer to the candy drawer. And as Ezra turned back to answer, it was curled into the handle.

“I appreciate the offer, but I’ll be fine. Would you two mind popping down to let Finn know what’s going on though?”

“We can do that!” Omen hopped up and towards the back curtain, tail chased from the drawer by a stern look from Ezra. Alkar trailed up after him and they disappeared with sounds of playful bickering cut off by the fall of the trapdoor.

Ezra let Mrs. Ellison in and continued his morning.

He was finding it hard to focus. Preparing ingredients for potions, what sort of injury did she have? Would he have what he needed to help her? Small talk with Mr. Barlow from down the street, would it be painful, or a comfort to meet Maro’s family? Was she very like them? Or nothing at all? Which would be worse?

By early afternoon the shop felt dense with anticipation. He decided to take his lunch out onto the front step to get a bit of air. It was a rare sunny day in Lunaris, and the warmth of the sun on his hair was a welcome change.

Ezra was taking the last sips of his tea when he spotted Coco down the street, primly hopping from a porch railing and trotting towards a crouched figure beckoning her over. A long black coat pooled around them, and they leaned heavily on a thin staff. Coco stopped in front of them for a moment, considering, before flopping over, paws tucked up, big eyes wide, no mercy. The stranger was clever enough to ignore the soft belly fur on display and obligingly give her a (much safer) scritch around the cheeks and chin.

Ezra smiled, setting his teacup on the step to stand and walk over. As he approached he heard them talking to Coco in a playful tone “You know some of your cousins are far less sweet little friend?” Their pets were rewarded with a purr, before Coco hopped back up to rub along Ezra’s leg before loping off in the direction of the shop.

The stranger turned at his approach and tucked a fallen brown curl of their curly, chin length mop behind an ear. As they stood, using the staff to take much of their weight, Ezra immediately realized that this was Maro’s sister.

There was something familiar to her. Her face wasn’t as soft as Maro’s, a curious, friendly smile framed by a narrower, sharper jaw and more prominent nose, eyes less wide, but a familiar misty grey. She was tall and willowy, taller than Maro, perhaps even a tad taller than Ezra. Under her long coat she wore a cream, collared shirt buttoned to her neck, tucked loosely into dark, high waisted trousers with a patterned purple sash spilling from one pocket. A silver axe with intricately forged designs hung at her waist.

“Is she yours?” She asked, smiling and nodding in the direction Coco had gone.

“Yeah, that’s Coco.” He offered a smile back “ Spoiled thing. Are you Rowan?”

Her eyes widened minutely, “Yes,” she paused a moment, considering him “You must be Ezra. Maro’s written lovely things about you and that vampire.”

“I am.” Ezra replied, trying very hard not to imagine Maro scratching out sweet things about them in that messy scrawl. “I was told you might need some help with an injury? My shop is just over there if you’d like to come in?”

She sighed, "I'm glad to meet you then, and yes, thank you, I suppose that needs to be dealt with first."

He led her back to his home, and even limping, she walked with the same strange grace and strength that seemed innate in most Hunters. He supposed he now knew the reason for that. She entered ahead of him and as she disappeared into the dimmer light, he was not at all surprised to feel a sense of deja vu.

[snakes-and-trashy-arts]

happy birthday alkar!!!!! aaaAAAAAAaaaA 💞💘💝💕💝💓 uwuwuwuwuwwu hope u like my drawing

(slightly late) @whenthenightcomesgame

[hxntersrest]

Liar , Liar

Prompt : Liar, Liar Fandom: WTNC Pairing: Valkyrie/Finn/Ezra

Note : Contains spoilers for Chapter Nine ! 

As sad as this was, this wasn’t the hardest thing she had ever had to do. Being a hunter made sure that she was placed in some of the most heart wrenching and difficult situations anyone could be in. But that didn’t mean that it got any easier. The sour taste still lingered on her tongue as she walked down the streets of Lunaris. Not sure if it was her mood or the new found knowledge but the streets felt like they were watching her every breath. Her mind struggled to find logic but their was no logic to a man lost to grief and desperation.

how could this happen....... If i had come sooner.... would I have been able to stop it. What am I to do.

All these questions and more flew through her mind and she ran her fingertips through her winter kissed hair, chewing her lip as she searched for the answers. This meeting was suppose to answer her questions not give her more. The feeling was akin to drowning, helpless and cold with a choking effect. These thoughts made her head spin and one more questions floated to the top of her mind.

Where do I go now ?

She figured Finn and Ezra would have heard how she had went with Harry rather than outright condemn him. But she needed to follow, needed to see how far he had fallen. If he had any more of those creatures and to confirm what Fiero had told her. Otherwise .... otherwise she could lead her friends to their deaths. Knowledge ... was key as her mother use to tell her. When you have nothing else, you at least have what you have learned. Even knowledge can be a weapon. But in this case things weren’t so clear.

She could still see the vial in her mind, the temptation to give in had been stronger than she had anticipated. The power she could gain.... but would the sacrifice be worth it... all these deaths, the inhumanity of it all. But on another side... she could prevent more deaths, she could protect Finn and Ezra and make sure no one would take them for her.... Was this not what she vowed to do when she became a hunter. To protect everyone with all her ability.

The war could wage in her mind for eternity on this topic.... but it didn’t rest well with her heart. No matter what excuse she made up to make all this seem worthwhile... it just made her heart ache. This was wrong , even if the motive was a noble on.

Now ... to explain to Ezra and Finn... and to beg them to understand why... she had to go with the lion to his den. Not just for knowledge ... but to see for herself The Harry she thought she knew was truly consumed by grief.

“ I’m sorry James..... but I don’t think I can save him.... without destroying what I stand for.. what we stand for “

She whispered... but she knew there would be no answer and a part of her was glad. No good could come of any of this. The best she could do was to put a end to it.

The wolf had never looked so inviting before, the light was a welcome sight after walking in the darkness, her eyes scanned over the crowd as she felt something in her chest... pain, confusion.... anger. Finn was nearby as well as Ezra. It wasn’t a surprise that she could sense them... but the impact of their emotions on her was stronger than she liked. Already she could feel the tears in her eyes, if she lost them... she wasn’t sure if she would have the strength to do what needs to be done. She had only just learned to open her heart again to the world... if it ended in heartbreak she doubted she would ever dare open it again.

Her glazed eyes scanned the room, but soon she just followed the feeling she had in her chest till they came into sight. Finn was clutching a bottle, Ezra curled up beside him. For a moment she stood frozen , no words would come to her lips until they both looked up at her.

“ ... Imagine our surprise when August arrives at my door barely able to speak “

“ Finn... if you’d just let me explain ... I know what I’m ... “ 

“ You went with Harry... we didn’t know if we would ever see you again, if he was going to “

Ezra trailed off, his emerald eyes full of tears at this stage as he stared at her, but when she reached out to him he pulled away. Finn returned his gaze to the bottle and She felt her hands trembling. She was losing them.....

No.... I ... I have to try.. have to fight.

Valkyrie grabbed Finn’s wrist ignoring the warning growl he let out as he went to pull away but she held on firm. He would have to risk hurting her to break the grip and she was certain he wouldn’t even though she felt the creature within him rising to the surface. Instead of speaking she focused her thoughts , making them louder, pushing her emotions with them. If he didn’t wish to accept her words... she would let him feel them.

I Needed to follow him , I needed to know if their were more creatures before jumping in wildly and getting killed. I needed to know that condemning him was the right choice. It was dangerous, foolish even but I couldn’t risk going against him till I knew all the cards he was holding. Please .... understand.

His expression softened and Ezra watched, knowing what was happening between them. But Finn stood up and shook his head

“ Not here... lets go “

Valkyrie looked behind him seeing now the enforcers that where paying close attention to them. A miscalculation on her behalf one she should have taken better care of noticing. She had been so focused on Finn and Ezra she had forgotten to take full stock of the occupants of the tavern. But she nodded to them both and followed. While the atmosphere had improved slightly ... it still pained her. She hung back behind them as she followed them to the catacombs. The air felt like ice against her skin. She was scared... something she had only felt when coming to Lunaris. Before... she had, had little to lose or so she had thought but now ... now she could lose everything. She rubbed her temple, in slow circles. She was mentally exhausted from this day and had no answers to show of it. She became aware... she wasn’t strong enough to make this choice. If Harry held that vial out to her once more.. she feared she would take it.

The catacombs where not as welcoming as they once felt. It didn’t sing of home to her, but more of warning. She was being watched. Most likely because they all sensed Finn’s anger and .... pain. Pain that she had caused with her actions. It seemed hurting the ones closest to her, was the price to pay for information. As she walked into the room , only a few hours ago she hadn’t wanted to leave, she felt dread in her stomach. The door shut and the noise made her jump slightly. She was on edge, not for an attack but for her heartbreak. She had faced many things in her career that inspired fear and dread in her. But only Heartbreak could ever truly render her this helpless. This ... scared.

While Ezra stood at a fair distance from her, Finn now stood over her, she stood still holding her breath as he spoke.

“ Don’t try to explain your actions with smooth words, I watched Levi justify his terror for centuries. I will not stand for you to do it too “

His words struck deep... to be compared to his sire, the man who had put Finn through that much pain. Was that what he now thought of her. That she was like him... a tyrant, lusting for power. The tears burnt her eyes but she held them back. Now wasn’t the time for tears. They needed to know . I needed them to know.

“ I give you my word, I didn’t side with him or do anything stupid other than follow him. You heard me in the tavern Finn. I just wanted to know, I needed to. This isn’t an easy choice and I hoped.... I hoped that by going with him the answer would be clearer “

Ezra had moved over beside Finn now, A hand placed on his lower back. To calm him. It made my heart ache that I was the one separated from them. I was now seen as a possible enemy. The one thing I never wanted to be.

“ You can tell when I’m lying, both of you can. You can feel it in  your hearts just like I can feel you “

My heart had never pounded so much in my chest. Were I fully human, I would have been convinced I was having a heart attack. Finn reached out to him, curling his fingers carefully around my wrist tugging me to his bed , urging me to sit. I did so, not realising till now that my legs had been shaking. Too tense , as if bracing myself. Ezra came to sit next to me, his expression soft but his eyes still harboured hurt. I had hurt them. But if I had to die to make it up to them I would, gladly so. His warmth made me also lean back into him but I stayed still. I didn’t deserve that.

No words were spoken as Finn carefully pulled a wooden box down from his shelf. He knelt before us placing the box on my lap. Instinctively I ran my hands over the loving vines that had been carved into the wood. This was something special. Something special to him and something he felt I needed to see. As my finger tips trailed over the latch I glanced at him for permission, as he nodded I gently opened the box. Once opened it was clear that it was a chest of keepsakes, Letters ,sketches and other trinkets lay there with care. One charcoal drawing stood out to me and I carefully picked it up to study it. It was of a young boy, smiling, happy and I could feel Finn’s aura change. I glanced at him giving a faint sime, one that could have been considered sheepish.

“ He’s Beautiful “

Finn took the parchment carefully and smiled “ Gabriel, the first thing Levi stole from me “

“ I keep these things because sometimes I need a reminder of why I want to be good. It’s easier when your a creature like me to push down the basic urges and instincts that are ingrained in us. To hunt, to kill without question or hesitation. To take the nefarious route when it comes to dealing with those who have wronged you “

He paused, looking into my eyes, he knew how I felt about the vial. About Harry’s Promise. Maybe not the details but he knew my feelings. The way my instincts conflicted with my heart and how no answer was clear to me anymore.

“ To have the power we have and the solution to all our problems laid out before us like a neatly wrapped present. All it would take is one pull of the string and all would be set right, wouldn’t it ? “

It was then his words clicked with me, I looked at his amber eyes finally realizing what he was saying to me. Taken the vial would have been the easy thing to do. I would have had the power to fix things but that wouldn’t be the humane thing to do. It wouldn’t have been the right thing to do. It wasn’t about logic or the mind. It wasn’t complicating or complex. My heart knew the answer all along, but I was too busy trying to understand, trying to make sense of it all. That I never listened. That’s why I felt so sick down there, Why when I told Harry that Ara had been made perfect, I felt like acid was in my throat. I felt guilty because I almost made the wrong choice.

“ When I was down there ... with him. I felt sick to my core. Seeing what he has done and how .. how he tried to justify it. He has lost his mind. He wishes for me to become one of those things as if by us making new monsters that shouldn’t exist makes things better... saves us even “

Finn stayed silent for a moment, carefully placing the drawing back in the box and closing it. Letting his hands rest on the top for a moment

“ I know it may not feel like you did the right thing, while your mind tries to find a new solution “

I felt a hand on my shoulder, warm and comforting, I glanced towards Ezra as he spoke

“ You did “

Finn spoke, his words felt colder, firmer but they made me sigh in relief

“ Those with blood on their hands always get what they deserve “

“ Do they truly ? “

Finn nodded gently and Ezra moved his hand down to mine, I held his hand firmly, the warmth on my cold skin made me feel more comfort than anything, with him and Finn here, I wouldn’t fall victim, I’d be strong enough. They won’t let me fall. Finn returned the box to the shelf before returning to us, kneeling down in front of me he unlaced my boots, slipping them off. I smiled tiredly at him, normally I would tell him not to bother, that I’d do it normally just kicking them off messily but Ezra’s voice caught me off guard

“ Will you stay with us ? “

The invitation made my worries disappear, I had come so close to losing both of them. But I glanced down at my clothing, hardly suitable for sleeping in, especially while sharing the bed with two others.

“ Sadly. I’ve nothing with me to wear “

I realized too late that my wording was poorly chosen, the look Finn gave me was enough to paint my pale cheeks pink.

“ I’m sure I can find something you can borrow “

Now it was his turn, He left himself wide open, much like his shirts...

“ Something that buttons all the way up ? “

I pointed cheekily to his chest , watching his expression change, feigning offence.

“ She got you there Finn “

I glanced back at Ezra seeing his warm smile, and I smiled brightly. We were good, all of us.

“ You’ve come to the wrong place if decency  is what your after fair hunter “

He laughed and I couldn’t help but pout slightly

“ And here I thought you were such a gentleman “

We all laughed, soft but true. He crawled over on the bed joining me and Ezra, pulling back the sheets so we could climb under them. Ezra began to help me unbuckle the belts around my armor, thankfully my outfit was mostly fabric, only a leather chest piece and some guards on my thighs but they where made part of the fabric so it was relatively easy to slip out of

“ I’d really wish you would wear some thicker armor “

Finn murmured as he picked up my shirt, feeling the fabric, how light it was, the chest piece was the only sort of protection and even then, that wouldn’t hold up against much

“ Easier to move it that, I rely on speed , accuracy. Besides I’ve seen many a hunter in heavy armor and they aren’t around anymore. Often armor can work against you and if thrown hard enough , the shock will still kill you. Best tactic I’ve come across is don’t get hit “

He chuckled at that and removed his shirt, passing it to Ezra who helped me slip it on over my head. It didn’t exactly cover up my chest but it did it well enough, Besides, it was surprisingly comfortable and Finn’s scent was enough to make me feel safe and comfortable. Ezra slid his arm around my waist, resting his head on my shoulder, his curls tickling my neck.

Finn Smirked as he eyed me up and down “ It suits you better “

I hummed softly at his words before looking over him

“ And you look better without “

Ezra and Finn both laughed but I could tell Ezra was agreeing with me. The vampire lay back, resting his head on the pillow as he watched us. As Ezra’s arms tightened around me, the bruises I had tried to desperately to hide ached inside and out. While my thoughts felt clearer, A part of me still worried... was this my choice to make. I was only a hunter. I should be following Harry’s orders, he has more experience, more knowledge, what if he was right and prices must be paid for safety. What if I was just too naive to see that. I felt the tension rise, my shoulders ached once more.

“ Hey , are you ok ? “

Finns voice pulled me from my drowning thoughts, I glanced at him taking in his pale skin against the dark sheets, His amber eyes glistening in the low candle light. I felt grateful all over again for being able to still see up close. The thought of not seeing him and Ezra like this was enough to drive me mad. I felt Ezra’s warmth against me, grounding me and I let the tension slide from my shoulders, they were enough to silence my inner demons.

Without Hesitation , I tugged Ezra gently , he knew exactly what I wanted to do and we both curled around around Finn, Our heads lying on his chest as out bodies curled around him. I could feel the cold metal of his arm against my skin, but it no longer bothered me, instead it was seen as a comfort, a reminder of that fact I was here with him. Finn Pressed his lips against our foreheads but I needed more, I looked up at him, a silent invitation he paused, a look which only could be described as hungry passed between us before our lips met. I was lost in them as Ezra ran his fingers through my hair. This is where I belonged, here with them. If any choice leads away from them it is the wrong one. That’s all I need to remember.

As the candles died , and darkness surrounded us, I let myself forget about the worries and stresses and just focus on the feeling of their bodies against mine.

[harper-penn-happens]

I got an adorable commission from @the-upper-shelf, of my Hunter Jasper and Finn. I even have a little fic to go with it. ;3

Consequences…

“Oh my god! Finn!! Put me down!!” Jasper hissed frantically, the blood rushing to his face for a number of reasons; one of them being that he was now flipped over one of Finn’s broad shoulders like a sack of flour. In the middle of the bloody tavern. The only saving grace here was that it happened to be a slow night for a change, though the sound of Alkar snorting into his drink at the bar alone was enough to make up for that.

“I’m not hearing the magic word.” Came the playful reply from somewhere behind his hips, in a much less embarrassed tone. Actually, it was positively smug. Clearly it was no skin off the vampire’s nose to manhandle Lunaris’ newest Hunter in a decidedly public forum. At least not when said Hunter had the incredibly poor judgement to try and ‘take charge’. And at this point he didn’t dare to point out that this whole thing was absolutely Alkar’s fault.

A few moments ago…

“What do you mean I don’t know how to take charge?” Jasper asked incredulously, turning to look at Alkar seated beside him. Both men were at the bar of the tavern, the wolf well into his third round while Jasper carefully nursed a second. The Hunter had been encouraging his friend to let Omen in more; playing matchmaker Piper probably would have called it and she wouldn’t have been wrong. He liked seeing his friends happy and it was fairly plain to see that the demon and the wolf made each other very happy. Except tonight Alkar had managed to turn the tables on him and ask him what he knew about taking charge romantically.

“Take it easy,” Alkar said, waving a bandaged hand at the redhead, although Jasper hadn’t really raised his voice. “All I mean is, you know, you’re new to things and it’s obvious that’s all. Ezra and Finn clearly have you wrapped around their little fingers; I’ve never seen you taking the reigns Hunter. It’s kinda cute actually.”

Cute?! Jasper could feel himself warming up and it had little to do with his drink or the fire in the taverns hearth. Alkar was currently giving him a grin, bearing those blunt fangs of his, and he could tell that the lycan was just messing with him… but damnit if it wasn’t working.

“I can take charge.” Jasper informed him, though if the shit-eating grin was anything to judge by Alkar didn’t believe a word of it.

“Sure you can.” He snorted at Jasper, taking another sip of his drink.

“I’m fully capable thank you. And I’m not that new to things; I’ve just always been more focused on my job is all.” Jasper added, nearly slipping into a pout but taking a sip of his drink to cover it.

Alkar nodded with a mock sageness, “So what you’re saying is… you can take charge, but you choose not to.” He snickered at Jasper’s sputter as the young man choked instead of swallowing. This was fun.

Fun looked like it was about to come to a halt though, when Finn entered the tavern and came sauntering over. No doubt he had picked up on Jasper’s discomfort or something… or maybe Alkar’s timing just sucked. Regardless, the local vampire didn’t hesitate, stepping up behind Jasper and leaning against the smaller man’s back with an easy smile as his powerful arms penned him in on either side.

“Good evening beautiful.” Finn purred into those auburn curls beside Jasper’s ear, raising a blush and hearing the young man’s heart stutter in that delightful way. His greeting also had the unexpected effect of getting Alkar to snicker, as if he was trying to stifle a laugh. Golden eyes shifted over to his friend curiously, wondering what kind of trouble the wolf was up to now and what it had to do with Jasper.

For his part the Hunter tried to brush off the knowing look he was getting from Alkar, pressing his lips together briefly before turning and giving Finn an easy smile over his shoulder. Instead of melting back into his chest like usual he remained straight in his seat, arching a brow.

“Hello to you too.” He replied warmly, shifting to sit sideways on the barstool and leaning back to look up at the vampire who was still hemming him in with his embrace. “Come in for a drink?”

“Hmm, that depends. Are you on the menu?”

Finn picked up on the difference in his lovers tone but it wasn’t until he found a hand splayed on his mostly bare chest to prevent his leaning in for a kiss that he took note of it. His grin was slowly exchanged for a questioning smile, and Jasper felt his pulse flutter at the way Finn looked slowly down to the hand blocking him before catching his eyes again.

“Not just now.” Jasper managed to say in a very unfamiliar and commanding tone. “But maybe later… if you’re good.” He added, raising Finn’s eyebrows by several degrees. Though the vampire did not lose his smile the Hunter sensed a sort of shift in his demeanor, leaning into his palm as if to test his resolve as he stared Jasper down. Feeling Alkar paying close attention beside him he managed to stay strong and keep his arm firmly in place.

“If I’m good hmm?” Finn hummed, cocking his head before pushing off the bar and taking the seat on Jasper’s left, carefully putting them close together but not close enough to touch.

“That’s usually my line. Any special reason you’re using it tonight?” he asked slyly, leaning to shoot a look Alkar’s way and unsurprised to find his attention being ignored. Oh the wolf had definitely put Jasper up to this. Whatever this was. But as he watched the leather clad Hunter all but squirm at his tone Finn decided abruptly that he was going to play along. After all, who didn’t like a little power-play?

Jasper meanwhile had let out a relieved little breath when Finn took a seat instead of pressing the issue, though naturally he couldn’t just let it go entirely. Tapping into a confidence he didn’t realize he possessed (flirtatiously anyway) the Hunter turned to lean back with his elbows resting on the bar top, looking playful. Instead of flushing several shades of red at his lover’s question he flashed him a cheeky smile.

“What’s the matter Finn? Don’t think you can behave yourself for a little while?” he teased, clearly enjoying himself. Honestly if this was how Ezra and Finn felt whenever they played with him he could see why they took nearly every opportunity. Of course he couldn’t hope to raise a pretty blush on the vampire’s pale cheeks, but the incredulous looks he was getting were pretty damn entertaining.

Oh oh oh… their sweet little Hunter did have teeth after all, Finn thought to himself as Jasper parried his loaded question gracefully. And if his racing pulse and self-satisfied smirk was any indication he was really enjoying testing them out. Was Alkar trying to teach their darling Hunter how to be more of a brat maybe? If so he certainly hoped Jasper was game for what would follow.

“Oh don’t worry,” he told him, “I’m happy to behave.” Finn flashed his fangs and slipped an arm around the Hunter’s shoulders, watching him tense so as not to lean into the touch, those soft lips pressing into a thin line. “For the moment…” he added in an undertone.

“Mhn, ah, G-good!” Jasper managed to say. He turned his attention back to the wolf at his right, finding Alkar watching them both with thinly veiled amusement. He really wasn’t sure if this counted as taking charge anymore, since Finn seemed to be agreeable about the whole thing… at least at the moment. Which was a little unnerving honestly, though he concealed it behind another lazy smile. Dropping a hand down onto Finn’s thigh, giving him a pat. Apparently seeking to ‘help’ him (or just stir things up more) Alkar took another swig of his drink and chuckled.

“Finn behaving himself, now there’s a fucking miracle. I’m sorry I doubted you Hunter, you really can take charge.”

Jasper felt the arm around his shoulders give him a firm squeeze, his smile going from calm to tense in half a heartbeat as he felt the much taller and broader vampire next to him shift in close again.

“Taking charge?” came that low rumble in his ear again, raising goosebumps all over and sending a delicious but dangerous thrill down his spine. “Is that what this is?”

Feeling a certain sense of panic sweep over him Jasper gave Finn’s leg a squeeze too, twisting to free himself from his lover’s arm. Those spheres of molten gold seemed to burn right through him as he met them, like a dare; ‘go on,’ they said, ‘push again one more time’.

“Yes?” Jasper told him, his voice almost a squeak. His assertion was anything but assertive, and although he gave his head a sharp shake and repeated it more firmly something told him he’d just lost the upper hand. (If in fact he’d ever had it.) The iron hand locking around his wrist to make him let go of Finn’s thigh as the vampire’s other hand found the nape of his neck and yanked him into a fierce kiss that left him breathless only reinforced the feeling.

Jasper was blinking and discombobulated in the aftermath of it all, not registering that Finn had let go and gotten up until he felt a thumb and finger give his ear a pinch. He looked up to see his raven haired partner standing over both him and Alkar with a tolerant sort of smirk on his handsome face, folding his arms slowly. The lycan looked untroubled, but the smaller Hunter wore a look peculiar to himself when he got caught at some harmless mischief or fib by either of his partners. It was half shock, half guilt, and laced with a little excitement.

“Have you paid?” Finn asked him, and for a moment Jasper almost asked him what for before registering that he meant their drinks.

“I- well yes of course.” He nodded, but before he could say anything more Finn interjected.

“Good. Because I’d like to go give you some lessons on taking charge little Hunter.” He informed him quietly, having learned quickly that that phrase above most others was sure to set Jasper’s face to burning in an adorable way. His lover did not disappoint. Though he did manage to surprise Finn one more time this night.

“No, thank you.”

Alkar turned to look at Jasper still sitting beside him with real shock on his face. He watched as the slim young man shifted from looking embarrassed and submissive to relatively cocky once more, leaning back again in his seat. Clearly having decided to try again for the upper hand, Jasper managed to collect himself in spite of the dangerous amusement dancing in Finn’s inhuman eyes. Alkar worried briefly if he had somehow made a monster, or whether Jasper really knew what he was getting in for with the funky mosquito.

For a moment Finn just looked uncharacteristically startled, before giving Jasper a little huff of a laugh and politely inquiring, “May I know why?”

It was then that Jasper sealed his fate, smiling playfully and tilting his head as he spread his hands.

“You didn’t say the magic word.”

Presently…

“Finn, PLEASE put me down right now!!” the mortified young man relented. Anything to be set back on his feet and not stuck up here with a fine view of the floor and Finn’s hand locked over his lower back, ensuring he wasn’t going anywhere. What had he been thinking!? He curled his arms reflexively as Finn shifted his weight under him, the room swaying unnervingly in his almost upside-down perspective while the vampire considered.

“Hmmm… no, I don’t think so. I’m taking charge now. And there are consequences to pay for being as fresh as you’ve decided to be tonight.” Finn purred, his free hand resting at his hip while the iron one held Jasper steady. “Not here though. It wouldn’t be entirely appropriate. We’ll go to my place.”

“Finn please!” Jasper moaned softly, letting his curls curtain his face and forcing himself not to wriggle at that tone. Frankly at the whole predicament. Both his partners had their ways of making him squirm (in the best of ways) but this merciless teasing and physically taking him in hand was definitely the fastest.

“Ah ah, Jas. No begging until I say so.” Finn informed him, still quiet although Alkar snorted again into his drink. Before Jasper had a chance to give the lycan a dirty look for managing to start all of this, Finn went on the move, taking a somewhat mortified Hunter along with him. As soon as the door to the tavern had shut behind them and the cooler wintery air was chilling his hot face Jasper was scrabbling with his palms at the vampire’s back, trying to lever himself up and look back at Finn.

“Finn? Finn you can put me down now, okay?” Jasper told him, trying to shift himself gently and test his lover’s grip without seeming to.

“I’m certainly physically capable of it,” Finn agreed, the hand over his hips unyielding as ever, untroubled by the young man’s movements. “But I won’t be. Consequences Jas, remember? There’s no need to worry though, I’m quite sure you’ll enjoy them. You always do.”

Well that was… not untrue. Jasper huffed and put his face in his hands as they neared the cemetery and the catacombs main entrance beyond it.

“Why did I think trying to top you would come off as anything other than bratting?” he asked plaintively, earning one of those low rumbling chuckles. Feeling it run right through him from where he was slung, sending a brilliant little tickle through his chest and into his belly, as Finn’s right hand came up to pat the back of his thighs.

“Good question. A better one would be why did you let Alkar of all people prod you into it? Did he make you a bet?”

Jasper groaned, feeling Finn’s genuine curiosity over it like a warm prickling at his scalp. He mumbled an answer so low that even the vampire’s sensitive ears couldn’t catch it. In a second they came to a halt in the catacombs entrance, and Jasper yelped as he was bounced a couple of times, the ground looking far away from his unusual perch.

“Sorry, what was that little Hunter?”

“I said he called me cute. That me never taking the reigns was cute.” Jasper repeated in a more audible tone.

Finn laughed out loud at that revelation, and was pleased to hear Jasper join him softly. “Well he isn’t wrong. But you know, I think you’re little attempt backfired because you being feisty was cute as hell. You’ll have to do it more often, but for now…” A sharp clap sounded as that hand left his thigh to swat his perfectly defenseless bottom.

“Consequences.” Jasper finished cheerfully, crossing his ankles and finally relaxing in spite of his position. He bit his lip to try and stifle his grin as Finn gave him another bounce and took them both into the darkened entrance.

“Indeed.”

[thehangmansclub]

February Prompt Challenge - Day 11, Spilled Milk

Warning: angst, blood / death

The Hunter stumbles in the dark, but Piper is quick to catch them, wrapping their arm around her shoulder. "Come on now. It's not far."

The path they go through seems to have no end. Each step they take costing them more, and soon the exhaustion is overwhelming. But they persist. Just a little bit further. A few steps.

They arrive at the clearing. The one where they spent numerous nights stargazing, laughing, talking for hours. The same place where they fell asleep more times than they care to admit, next to the person they never expected to fall in love with.

"I need to rest, Piper." Each word falling from their mouth a struggle.

"What you need, is to keep going, general." General. She always calls them that. But what usually was a joke, a tease, now sounds desperate.

"Please, I'm so tired..." At this point, they are too weak to stand on their own, and Piper knows that, feeling the full weight of their body.

"Fine, but only for a second."

She helps them settle by the enormous oak tree, and they run their hand through the soft grass, feeling the strands under their fingertips. It always soothed them.

Piper kneels in front of them and studies their face. They seem like a shadow of the person she knew. Pale, vulnerable. But somehow, they remain calm. She never understood that about them, the way they can stay composed even in such dreadful circumstances.

She opens the lapel of their coat, and the sight is even worse than she feared. Their shirt is soaked with red flowing from the deep gash in their side, and Piper finds the last of her restraint not to let emotions show on her face.

"We have to go."

She tries to remain calm, but the way her voice trembles tells them what they already know. It's bad.

"Piper, look at me..." They wait until their eyes meet, needing to know it will sink in. "This... is the end of my road."

"Over my dead body..." Her voice cracks, but she knows they are right. She saw this kind of wounds before — too many times.

"Come on now. Tears don't suit you, Meriman. You're too strong to cry over spilled milk." They offer her a weak smile, wiping a tear that rolls down her cheek with a bloody thumb. They always worked alone. They were trained to believe that it's best. But now, they are grateful to have her beside them.

"Just... Sit... Stay with me... It's okay... I need to rest.".

She takes her place next to them, leaning against the trunk of the oak. She lets them rest their head on her shoulder and takes their hand. "Then rest for a minute, and we'll keep going, okay?”

They know she doesn't believe that. "Okay Piper... Just... for a minute or two."

They listen to the soft hum of the leaves, and they lift their head, granting themselves one last glance at the crescent moon. As they close their eyes there's only one thought in their mind.

"I love you."

***

When he arrives at the clearing, the sight is not what he expected. They look like travelers, getting some rest under the oak tree. They seem smaller than the way he remembers from that morning. Fragile. But their face is serene like they were dreaming beautiful dreams.

"Finn, they..."

He raises his hand, silencing her like it wouldn't be true if he didn't hear it. But he already knew. He knew because he stopped feeling them a few minutes earlier.

The vampire rushed towards them as soon as they arrived at the clearing. They knew it was close enough for him to feel their pain all the way from Lunaris. But, even he can't outrun death.

Kneeling beside them he tucks a strand of hair behind their ear and leans over, planting a lingering kiss on their forehead.

"I love you too. Sleep well, my dear."

[mercury-dreams]

Feruary Word Prompt Challenge #13 In Love

Alkar and Omen belong to @whenthenightcomesgame  The more he stares at the sleeping figure beside him, the more Alkar feels bewildered and annoyed. He told Omen that Ezra’s shop would be warmer than the forest, but for some infuriating reason the stubborn demon refused to be anywhere but with him. Instead of flicking his ear or tickling him, Alkar just sat there. Gently, he reached out raking nearby leaves closer to the sleeping figure by him. Without much though, his hand hovered over a lock of Omen’s hair. Before he knew it he held a strand in his hand. Letting the silky wisps slip, fall and weave between his fingers, Alkar smiled down at Omen. There was something there he couldn’t put into words, but he could just...feel...it. It was like the warm feeling from drinking whiskey that stayed there. It was a sensation he felt from head to toe. The longer he looked at omen’s sleeping face, the more it grew. “I...”, he thought staring intently now. “I...I want...”, his mind hummed and buzzed as his lips subconsciously parted. “I really want to kiss you..”, Alkar whispered nearly slapping his hands against his mouth as he spoke the words out loud. “What?”, Omen sat up slowly blinking sleep from his eyes as he yawned at Alkar. With a beet red face, Alkar quickly stood up with a pout of mock anger. “I want food! Food! Wake up! We’re late!”, he sputtered as he began to walk away. Before he could get too far away, Omen reached out with his tail gently yanking Alkar back down and beside him. “Ow, hey I-!”, Alkar stopped speaking the moment Omen’s lips met his. “You said you wanted a kiss right?”, Omen blinked tilting his head in confusion. “Well, maybe...but..just so you know!”, he got up quickly dusting himself off. “I mostly want food!”, he reached out taking Omen’s hand. “...Hurry up! Let’s eat!”, he pulled Omen along trying to ignore the growing warmth and the red of his cheeks. Behind him, Omen smiled with a quiet flush.

[immortallaughter]

22. Basorexia--the overwhelming desire to kiss for RenDert, if I may? 👀

Dert belongs to my super talented friend @i-am-dert and Rendlen is my hunter for WTNC! I cannot put into words how much I love these two!!! 

The festival was in full swing, the lights, the merriment inthe atmosphere dazzling everything about the little town of Lunaris. Snow hadblanketed the cobblestone on every street, lights hung around made everythingglitter like magic as people laughed and went about the various activities aroundthe marketplace.

Rendlen shivered as he wrapped his fur coat around himselftighter, the soft silver tufts snarling about his grip offering some relief tothe freezing fingers of his right hand as the smaller hunter in his lap snuggledcloser into the warmth of the coat. They turned to look at him, the enchantmenton their face making them even more gorgeous than usual.

He let out a soft sigh, drinking up the warm wine held inhis prosthetic hand as they waited for the fireworks to begin. The flavorsdistracted him from the cold, and from the way he couldn’t take his eyes away Dert’smouth.

When they laughed,his heart fluttered in his chest. When they looked at him with a smile, he losthis ability to speak for seconds at a time.

Their chestnut hair was covered by a slightly too large hat,his hat, as they giggled in victory. Rend had chased them all night, laughingwhen he caught them in the marketplace where a dance had started, sweeping themoff their feet until they were breathless from laughter and ready to sit downand wait for the infamous fireworks.

It had been a long time since he had felt this drawn to aperson, wanting to hold them closer, be more than just friends. Granted, Rend had known Dert since hunter training,but over the years they had truly become so much more than the shy kid that grewup in the mountains.

The first loud crack of sound overhead drew his attentionaway momentarily, until the small sound of Dert gasping drew him right back in,like a moth choosing the brightest flame to go toward. Their eyes were wide,examining the sky with awe, adoration of the brilliant colors dancing acrossthe sky.

They turned their attention to Rend, about to ask if he hadjust seen one of the fireworks that had been enchanted by a talented witch. Butterfliesbegan dancing through the crowd before turning into colorful plumes of smoke asthey landed, but their words stopped when they saw him staring at them, not the fireworks.

“Rend?”

They were beaming up at him and all thought left him as heleaned forward, closing the distance between their lips. Dert made a startlednoise, but kissed him back, wrapping their arms around his neck. Suddenly Rendwas grateful he had worn his traveling hat, since it gave them some sense ofprivacy from any wandering eyes, not that he was focused on public displays ofaffection right now.

When they parted, they stared at one another, lashes dippedlow, their faces illuminated by the fireworks and the low light.

“That, that wasincredibly forward of me. I apologize, but I’ve wanted to do that allnight,” his voice was low, a faint whisper only loud enough to be heard by thestunning hunter in his embrace.

“Don’t apologize,” Dert smiled, grabbing Rend’s hat so theycould shield their faces from the crowd as they captured his lips in anotherkiss, the finale all but forgotten as they melted against one another’s touch.

[talisragnell]

Can I request some fluffy cuteness with Ezra?

Rating: T

Warnings: None

Pairings: Ezra x Nonbinary Hunter

The hunter jerked awake in bed, a silent scream shaped on their lips that they’d been too afraid to release.

They were cold. So cold.

So broken.

So alone.

Shattered like thin ice that had been walked on a few too many times.

The shadows of their nightmare coiled in their mind, but they were far too awake now to fall back into its clutches. At least for now.

They slid out of bed and headed downstairs, padding lightly across the wooden floor. They headed towards the study, determined to do some work and stay busy. They’d found distracting themselves was the best way to keep the nightmares and other horrors at bay.

Just as their hand touched the knob on the door to the study, they heard a noise behind them. They spun, shifting into a defensive stance.

“Hey,” a sleepy voice murmured.

And there he was.

All beautiful innocence coupled with terrible power. The one light that could call the hunter back from any darkness, the one light that had made itself their home.

And everything that was wrong shifted just that much more back to right.

“Ezra,” they murmured, relaxing as they took in his tired green eyes. “Still working on that potion?”

“Yeah,” he replied, yawning as he stretched. “I was just about to come to bed.”

His eyes searched theirs and they wondered for a moment what he saw there. Then his hand touched theirs, as gentle as always.

“Another nightmare?” he asked softly, fingers tangling with theirs. “Do you need talk, comfort, or to be alone?”

They didn’t have to answer. He already knew. He always knew just what they needed.

After a moment, Ezra took their hand and led them into the kitchen. He bustled busily about despite his own exhaustion, setting up the kettle to heat water for tea.

They sat down on the comfy old couch in the corner, watching him with wonder in their eyes.

A few minutes later, Ezra came over and draped his softest blanket over their shoulders. He handed them the cup of tea he made.

They didn’t even have to smell the lavender to know it was the anti-nightmare tea he’d made for them.

He joined them under the blanket a few moments later, cuddling in close with his own cup of tea.

The hunter took a sip from their mug.

The tea was warm.

The blanket was warm.

He was warm.

And they were warm.

So warm.

[prowlingthunder]

WIP TAG GAME

Rules: Post the names of all the files in your WIP folder regardless of how non-descriptive or ridiculous. Let people send you an ask with the title that most intrigues them, and then post a little snippet of it or tell them something about it. I have been tagged by @revanchxst and congratulations I lowkey hate you this isn’t even all of them you’re a monster. I have over four hundred wips.

Tagging @mtraki, @mandakatt and @thelavenderhimbo

A Child of Blood

Birds of a Feather

Wolfthreat

Denguards

Witcher!Buffy

Red

A Mother’s Love

Harry Potter and the Light of the Moon

Minor Troubles

Roses in Stained Glass

The Ripple Effect

Des and Noct swap places

Dragon’s Breath

[Eddie Finch]

[Jake Finch]

[Hobbit/RW]

[Killing Stalking/Fallout3]

[RW/PJO]

In a God’s Bedroom

[ST/RW]

Brothers And Sisters

[Thor/RW]

[WTNC/Arcana]

Foxkits

[CSI NY Lupercalia]

[Dark Matter sequel to Pack and Pups]

Hell Hath No Fury

The Devil’s Luck

Highschool

[Sil/F8]

(Best Laid Plans)

Outsider

The GOAT

Big Town Blues

Radstorm

Line-dried Laundry

(Porns Start Like This)

[Inside Pandora’s Box]

[Pandora’s Divide]

Russian Roulette

[Silquinn scarmarks soulmate kidfic]

Snow Angels

Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy

Winter Animals

All The Things I Didn’t Say

[silquinn daemonfic]

Ascendent Ab Infernis

to abstain from doing harm

A General Gift

Nicias/Nicola/Caleb

Triplets!verse

Cathedral of You fanfic

Dawnfire

Prompto/Cor

Galahdian!Noctis

Galahdian!Prompto

Galahdian!Gladio

Galadian!Ignis

The Feral Coeurl of Galahd

Cor/Ariel Sealion dress fic

[legion beaucoup] sequal

Terrible Things

Papa!Nyx

Vampire!Shields

[modern ardyn/ravus au]

herbwitch!Ignis

Cor/Ariel Sealion dance fic

[transplant fics]

Vipers Victim

Caleb first heat in insomnia

give a brother wings

snowchild

Zag/Achilles/Pat afterbattle comfort

Charon/Hermes/Zag

Wolflords

Caran Dagra

Starlight, Starbright

Blood and Water

Black Cats and Broken Mirrors

Step Two

[Bioshock ABO]

[Heron/Seraphim fix-it]

(This is what it’s like)

(wolf fur and dragon teeth)

All The Little Children

Puppy At Heart

Batman/Hawkgirl

Brad Wayne

[Genji Lives]

[Yuuma Op]

Nest of Vipers

[Stanfic]

[Genji Lives Path]

[McHanzo Timetravel Shenanigans]

Taijo Aitai fanfic

Quadrature

Kagome, Kagome

Coal Dust

Blood and Ashes

The Chosen Ones

What Happened To Gavin

[RPF: PT meets lR]

Jedi!Shmi

Mirshko/Cody

Snowdrops

Son of Sands

Wolves

[Jeeri Stormwitch thing]

Supernova

Revan+Wolves

Monsters in the Dark

A Pocket Ful of Sand

[tcw/ep7 timetravel]

Sempiternal Energy

The Prophecy

Impulse

Matchstick/Hell

Abo gullet fic

Safe sex

Shmijango slave au

[SamJack]

[cohabitation fic]

Bad Plan

Marching Band

What Big Sisters Are For

Homecoming

[Arrow/RW Multiverse]

[Papa!Cye]

Empty Letters for the Yiling Patriarch

Little shadows far reaching

[keith and marie]

witchwolves

[Human!geralt]

[roccocowitch]

The numbness of fear clawing its way inside with Bael (or your choice!)

Bael, my hunter for @whenthenightcomesgame and August! #LETAUGUSTSLEEP

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

“Hunter Desmarais.” August’s voice snapped Bael out of his daze, chest tightening at how pretty his surname sounded falling from their lips. He looked at his enforcer, brow cocked. “Did you listen to a word I just said?”

A crooked smile flit across Bael’s lips before he could help it. “A word? Yes, I heard a word. But not much more after that.” August’s eyes flashed, their cheeks darkening to a beautiful dusky rose. 

August pinched the bridge of their nose and closed their eyes, taking a calming breath. Magic swirled between the fingers of their free hand, a fidget of sorts, and when they spoke their tone was even. 

“I was asking you, Hunter, if--” August paused, their eyes opening and meeting Bael’s. 

They looked tired. Beyond tired. Exhausted. The weight of the case and its lack of any substantial developments was clearly weighing on them, and it broke Bael’s heart. 

He reached out, unable to help himself, and took August’s hand, their magic glowing brighter and swirling around his own hand. 

“August,” Bael said softly. “When was the last time you slept?” What seemed to be a sheepish look crossed August’s face and they withdrew their hand, turning away. 

“That’s not important,” August muttered, and Bael rolled his eyes hard enough that he was, for a brief moment, worried he might actually hurt himself. He stepped around August’s desk and lightly wrapped his long fingers around their wrist, squeezing gently. 

“Come with me,” Bael said. August opened their mouth to protest (but did not pull away, as Bael happily noticed), but he raised a hand to cut them off. “I’m not giving you a choice, August.” 

The Enforcer grumbled the entire way back to Bael’s door but quickly quieted as they entered the cozy space. Books, piled high from floor to ceiling were the first things that caught August’s eye, as well as a cozy sofa, a plush bed, and papers with notes and constellation sketches that littered nearly every available surface. 

Bael shuffled around some papers on the table and handed them to August. “Here’s my report from last night.” He pulled out a chair for August to sit on, then turned on his heel and strode into his kitchen. He threw some fresh bread and cheese on a little plate and brought it out to August with a glass of wine for both of them. Pearl emerged from her hideaway spot and wove between Bael’s legs. 

“You’re going to eat, drink, and sleep, okay?” Bael looked down at August, who was uncharacteristically quiet. Bael wasn’t one to assert himself often, and almost never with authority figures, and they seemed surprised to see this side of him. 

Bael sat down next to the Enforcer and popped a torn piece of bread into his mouth, watching August carefully. He leaned in and put his chin in his hand.

“I’m not going to poison you, August.” A crooked smile graced his features, and the delicious blush crept up August’s chest and cheeks again. They cleared their throat and looked away.

“I know that,” August chirped, and they took a sip of wine. Bael leaned back and sipped his own, content now that they were actually starting to take care of themselves.

Later, after the empty plate sat ignored on the table and multiple glasses of wine were finished, August had seemed to loosen, just a tad, and the conversation had flowed easily between them. Eventually, Bael flopped back onto his bed as August perched on the edge, Pearl curled up happily next to them. 

“You’re so tired, August, just lay down.” They turned and looked back at Bael, whose eyes were distracted by the silvering hair tumbling down their back. He reached out and took their hand again, emboldened by the wine, and kissed it. “Please. I’ll leave you alone if you wish, just...just rest.”

He sat up and wrapped an arm around their waist, resting his head on their shoulder. He could feel August shiver against him and lean into his touch.

“Stay,” he said, his voice low and rumbling. “You need to sleep.” August leaned away and shifted so they were face to face. 

“I can’t,” they murmured. “Every time I try to lay down, it’s...it’s this numbness, this fear clawing its way inside me. What if we don’t stop these murders, what if I fail--” 

Bael leaned forward and captured their lips, his hand cupping the back of their head and weaving his fingers in their hair. He pulled August tight to him, and they tasted like wine, sweet and rich. 

“Don’t say such things,” he whispered, leaning his forehead to theirs. “We’ll figure it out, August. I promise.” Bael smiled softly and gently kissed August again. “Now sleep. I’ll be here to watch you.”

Bael held August until they drifted to sleep, following them soon after.

[lunaris-laments]

alkar x hunter - short fic

They/Them pronouns used for the hunter. :^) just getting back into writing again!!! it’s been about a year...

**

The streets are always silent in the early hours of the morning - that is, until Lunaris’ most troublesome pair stumble out of The Wolf’s doors and onto the dampened cobble of the paths beyond. Their gleeful laughs echo and bounce off the houses bordering the road and puddles are splashed and disturbed under their hasty steps, soaking below their ankles. Behind them, another yell rings out - something their inebriated senses can only interpret as “damn hooligans! get back here!”. One could only assume that some shenanigans had occurred shortly before this, the cause likely being the Lycan and the Hunter.

Alkar, although perhaps having consumed a few too many drinks, is still adept at winding through the narrow maze-like alleyways that fit between the tightly-packed buildings. Grasping the Hunter’s damp hand, a clamminess soon building up between their palms and laced fingers, he drags them around a sharp corner and into the shadows of an alley. Keeping his body seamed to theirs, he stills - waiting, listening, until the man who came after them was not to be heard. Perhaps he lost them, or he grew exhausted of matching their pace and returned to The Wolf, but either way they had lost him.

Adrenaline quickly wearing off, but a buzz still in the air, the pair became aware of their still tightly-laced fingers and panting chests that are pressed together in the confines of this alley. Not only that, but a chill ran up the Hunter’s spine and they glanced to the right, to the flooding road, realising that what they previously knew was a shower had turned into heavy buckets of rain pouring from the darkened sky.

Their attention was brought back to the Lycan when he heaved a hearty laugh and bared his sharpened teeth, a grin that the Hunter mirrored themselves. “Fuck’s sake... I think I’m a bad influence on you, love.”

The Hunter’s other palm came up to rest on the heated, exposed flesh of his chest - how did he always manage to stay so warm? - and they exchanged a look with Alkar before leaning in and sharing a short kiss with the man. It didn’t seem like much - the kiss wasn’t steamy, or lengthy, or by any means dainty as their lips clashed while the rain streamed down their faces - but it was enough for both of them.

A few more affections shared, then Alkar was dead set on getting them back to the warmth of his cave.