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dootznbootz · 3 months

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opinions on helen of sparta being compared to prey animals? blink blink

*blink blinks back* Then immediately sits like this because of the question.

It's a good question that I'm happy to answer! It just makes me mad.... I sincerely hate the wording of "prey" being used to describe her.

SHE IS A VICTIM! THAT DOES NOT MEAN SHE IS "PREY"!

I can...see how people in ancient times may have used that word and still meant it in how she is a victim... but modern-day English-speaking people calling her that??? (considering how in different languages the word "prey" could have different meanings.) I'll just say that as someone who has been "prey" herself at one point, I REALLY hate that word as a descriptor. Just say victim or survivor. 👍

Honestly to call ANY victim "prey" is so fucked up. "Prey" to me, feels like "it's meant to happen." "Prey" are part of the food chain and so that's what happens. And to compare that to abduction and SA? Almost as if "that's our place"? It also kind of implies something being "eaten" or killed... Helen SURVIVES. She's traumatized and definitely needs healing and support but it's not like she can't find joy or peace ever again. Prey just feels so fucking gross.

Also, if someone calls victims "prey", I hope they know that Moose, Elk, Boars, Bovine, ZEBRAS, etc. are technically "prey". And these are VERY aggressive animals while still being "prey" for some other animals. And also that doesn't mean that "Oh, they're powerful! Clearly they should've been able to stop it." That's victim blaming :P

She is a clever, determined, caring woman who was ripped from her home for YEARS because Paris was a dipshit who decided he needed the prettiest woman in the world despite already having a wife. He didn't care about the fact that Helen didn't want to be there and was already married. He is so selfish that he will not let her go back even when THOUSANDS have died in the war! EVEN HIS BROTHER HECTOR AND PRIAM DO NOT BLAME HER! Granted, we do not know if Aphrodite would have let him undo their deal of "I want the prettiest woman" if he DID end up feeling bad for Helen and he wished to let her go home (I doubt it based on his personality though).

"Oh, if she is so independent/strong, then why didn't she just kill Paris and leave?"

AGAIN! Victim blaming!!! First thing, people who ask that have media literacy that is piss on the poor. You also have no idea about the political implications that would have happened if she DID kill Paris. She literally cries about staying there and argues with Aphrodite about seeing Paris, only to get strongarmed by Aphrodite as, guess what? A GODDESS WILL ALWAYS OVERPOWER A DEMIGOD. (This isn't Percy Jackson where he "killed" Ares as a 12 year old (Percy, you were my childhood, but that's bullshit.))

Even confined in Troy, she ARGUED with APHRODITE about going to see Paris! She is not some meek woman who just does as she's told with no pushback! She argued with a GODDESSS! Very few survive doing that!!!

She's not "Prey to fate", she's a "VICTIM of Fate".

#Thank you for the ask anon!!! :D It's a very fun question! I just really don't like the word of 'prey' being used to describe her.#...#Yes. there's poetic shit with writing. but if I heard someone say 'Helen is prey to Paris' I would be miffed and think that person's stupid #Prey just feels like 'one and done. You'll be a victim from now on and nothing else. You have no life after this.'#I mean you can probably say that if you simply mean that Paris is an abuser I guess. but...idk homies. I just really hate Helen being calle #that you know?#as if she could never be anything but prey in a way. as if she herself has never been the one pulling the strings or the trickster #Helen isn't a rabbit in an eagle's talons about to be eaten. She was a PRISONER. Who still lives and thrives afterward.#idk I'm probably looking too far into the word 'prey' and what it means to ME as an animal lover and survivor but it just feels #really bad to me. like wrinkling my nose and thinking 'out of all the words out there. that's the one you use?'#*sighs*#probably got quite fired up about this :P #ask #anon #yes I plan to write Helen as a big buff cheeto puff but again. she could never fight a goddess no matter how strong!! she's Mortal!#end of story!! I just want to write her that way as A.) it's fun. B.) Sparta upbringing.#(I got SUPER into ancient athletes stuff. (look up Pankration. it's so cool) and since I really love writing women. I just...like it :D #And no. everybody is strong in their own way even if they don't physically fight. I have plenty of women who are not fighters #but still have their own strengths and personalities and silliness #Leda actually doesn't like the 'exercising lifestyle of Sparta'. Ctimine loves running but that's it. Anticlea is the one who taught #Odysseus how to carve wood and is a 'trickster' but she's not really into athletic stuff. (she actually has a heart condition later on)#there's more too it but...tags are already long as hell #Mad rambles #shot by odysseus #my headcanons #kind of #If Helen is prey then she is “prey” like those clever mother birds who pretend to be injured to get predators away from their nest.#*shrieks into a pillow* I'm fine now :D

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neverknowsme · 1 year

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IF YOU ARE READING THIS, THAN YOU HAVE FOUND HER.

BEHOLD ABUNDANTIA,THE GOOD GODDESS. WEALTH, ABUNDANCE,BOUNTIFULNESS, RICHNESS, FORTUNE.

In Roman religion, Abundantia was the personification of prosperity and abundance. She was a beautiful goddess who was known for bringing grain and money in a cornucopia to the mortals as they slept. Let’s take a closer look at the goddess and the role she played in Roman mythology.

Abundantia’s parentage is unknown as there are hardly any records about the goddess. What is known is that she presided over the flow of money, valuables, fortune, prosperity and success. Her name was derived from the word ‘abundantis’ which means riches or plenty in Latin.

Abundantia was almost always depicted with a cornucopia over her shoulder. The cornucopia, also known as the ‘horn of plenty’, is a symbol closely associated with the goddess and signifies what she stands for: abundance and prosperity. Sometimes her cornucopia contains fruit but at other times it carries gold coins, which magically spill out of it.

Some sources say that Abundantia was a vision of exceptional beauty and purity. Just like she was beautiful on the outside, she was also beautiful on the inside. She was a lovely, patient and kind goddess who took pleasure in helping people and was very generous with her gifts.

In Greece, Abundantia was identified with Eirene, the goddess of wealth and prosperity. She was also often identified with the Gallic goddess of prosperity, known as Rosmerta. The goddess was also popular among gamblers who called her ‘Lady Fortune’ or ‘Lady Luck’.

The Romans believed that their deities took control of everything that went on in their lives and, just like in Greek mythology, every task and occupation had a Roman god or goddess presiding over it.

Abundantia’s role was to help mortals with everything related to money and financial success. She would help people to make major purchases, influencing and guiding them to protect their investments and savings and to wisely handle their finances.

The goddess also had the power to remove all the concerns and worries that people had about money. This was useful since she helped eliminate negativity in their lives due to financial worries. In this way, she not only brought them wealth and prosperity, but she also brought them success and good fortune. Her cornucopia was said to be filled with coins and grain which she would occasionally leave at people’s doorsteps as a little gift.

According to Ovid, the Augustan poet, Abundantia featured in the myth of the river god Achelous. The legendary Greek hero, Heracles, had defeated Achelous by ripping off one of his horns. The Naiads, who were nymphs in Greek mythology, took the horn and turned it into a Cornucopia and gifted it to Abundantia to use. This is only one version of the Cornucopia’s origin but there are many other myths that provide various explanations.

In some accounts, the Cornucopia was said to be a horn of Amaltheia, the mystical she-goat which Jupiter, the god of the sky, broke off by accient. To comfort Amaltheia, Jupiter caused it to keep refilling itself with food and drink. Later, the horn went into the hands of Abundantia but how it happened isn’t exactly clear. Some say that Jupiter gifted it to her to use.

THE WORSHIP OF ABUNDANCE

As a minor goddess, there were very few temples that were specifically dedicated to Abundantia. The Romans worshipped her by making offerings and praying to her. Their offerings included milk, honey, fruit, flowers, grain and wine and they also sacrificed birds and animals in her name. In Roman religion, the gender of the sacrificed animal was supposed to correspond to the gender of the deity to whom the animal was being offered. Because of this, sacrifices that were made to Abundantia were a cow, heifer, female bird, sow or a white ewe.

Abundantia was a minor goddess in Roman mythology, but she was one of the most loved deities of the Roman pantheon. The Ancient Romans revered her because they believed she eased their worries and helped them in their times of financial difficulty.

HER IMAGE

The goddess of abundance and prosperity was depicted on Roman coins that were issued in the 3rd century CE. On the coins, she’s portrayed seated on a chair with her famous symbols, the Cornucopia, which she holds or tips over slightly to make the riches pour out. She’s sometimes depicted on coins with ears of wheat and at other times, she stands on a ship’s prow, representing the Roman Empire’s overseas conquests.

IF YOU ARE A HEATHEN OR A HEDONIST OF A PURE HEART, OR CAN APPROACH THIS GODDESS WITH THE SAME LEVEL OF LOVE, RESPECT, AND COMPASSION AS YOU WOULD A LOVING CARING MOTHER, YOU CAN DEFINITELY COUNT ON HER TO LEAN ON FOR SUPPORT. YOU YOU ARE SEEKING GREATER WEALTH OR ARE INVOLVED IN FEEDERISM AND SEEKING TO BETTER PROVIDE AND STOCK UO ON FOOD, SHES YOUR GODDESS, SO LONG AS YOUR A GOOD PERSON AT HEART THAT IS.

#hedonism #abundantia #roman goddess #roman religion #paganism #prayforturkey #cornucopia #bountiful #fruitful #mother goddess #luxury #minor gods #gay feederism #plentiful #prosperity #wealth #hellenic pagan #gluttnous #royalty

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marinerainbow · 5 months

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So I've found this cover of It's Tough to be a God and now I can't stop imagining Poppy and Shiny in this position.

Don't ask me how two toon ladies got pulled into being worshipped as goddesses, but it's living in my head rent-free now, and I have no idea how to vent it out.

#post before work #Poppy is definitely Tulio without the lust for gold attitude #and Shiny is Miguel just going ALL IN with the goddess act #Poppy: Um no offence Shiny but- I don't think we're exactly qualified for goddess-hood?#Poppy: especially if it's all a lie...#Shiny: *already wearing her goddess garb and pulling it off* Oh c'mon! it'll be fun!#Shiny: Besides- our boys already worship us. This'll be a peice of cake!#my own OC's #Poppy #Shiny Weasel #youtube #video #It's Tough to be a God AU #i doubt this is going to become a full fledged AU but this seems fun so i figured why not tag it #besides there are plenty other characters/universe i can apply the El Dorado plot and this tag to sooo #music

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goddessofroyalty · 1 year

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Hi again, hope you had fun at all your events~

Questions~

I noticed you made a genetic chart for all of Vander/Silco’s bio kids but remember when I asked ‘what if Jayce was their kid’?~ Well what would everyone in Zaun think Jayce’s looks came from?~ Like there’d be some wild/scandalous theories~ Also would Jayce be a good big bro?~

Also, also, I’ve always thought, and want your 2 cents in, that if Silco was from/born in Piltover that he would be the most conceded, narcissistic, let all those filthy Zaunites rot in the mines, ass-wipe, ever~ like if Zaun Silco have pride and hates to be looked down upon I can only imagine what a prick Piltover Silco would be~

I did enjoy the events but I'm also glad to have free time again.

I did another Vanco genetics comparison to Jayce. It's below the cut at the bottom.

The fun thing about Jayce is when he's young he looks like a Vander mini-me (very round with thick eyebrows and full head of wavy hair). So nobody is questioning the parentage especially at first. And honestly if you look at his league design he's still very Vander-adjacent (just a more cleaned up Vander). He's just got a bit more of a dorito build than Vander's barrel but Silco who is very lean overall can easily be pointed to for where that waistline came from.

He clearly got his nose from somewhere else though. But that's fine there'd be random grandparent genes in the mix as well.

As for how he is as a big brother I think he would be very liked by his siblings but as a result using them a bit as minions. Also he and Vi would be the worst combination together. Like in canon within hours of knowing each other they go effectively attack a Zaun factory. If they grew up together there would be so many situations where one would get a (probably terribly but definitively violent) idea, the other one would get on board immediately and then they would hype up the younger 3 to join in the plan.

On the other hand anyone who says anything mean about his siblings gets their nose broken. So he’s definitively a protective and kind big brother he just also... gets them all into trouble.

How Silco would be like if he as born in Piltover does depend a little on what his family’s standing is. If he’s from one of the higher houses than yeah he would be the most conceded narcissistic asshole ever who believes they should let the Zaunites rot. However if he was from one of the lower houses than he would be a vicious social climber and his position on Zaun would be more “if they want respect then they should work to get it” - he put the effort in to climb the social ladder despite coming from a lower rank, they can to.

#Arcane #Zaun Family #Arcane omegaverse #omegaverse #Arcane mpreg #mpreg #Jayce Arcane #Silco Arcane #Vander Arcane #Ramblings of the Goddess #Q and A with the Goddess #Anon question #I still have other events for the rest of the year #but they're like half day ones #not full weekend ones #so still allows plenty of time to do other things

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plainemmanem · 9 months

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it’s def just men being men 100%. whenever i send nudes it’s usually a similar response, very rare when i get a response that makes me wanna keep sending nudes 😭

lmfao like exactly. let’s see some enthusiasm and i’ll continue to give you FREE content you fucking munch

#no like what about ‘damn youre so hot’ like…. ANYTHING … it’s not hard.#there’s PLENTY of options #‘i jerked off to that’ ‘youre pretty’ ‘hot’ ‘oh my god thank you goddess’#just to name a few….😒

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ashortdropandasuddenstop · 1 year

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Now that you're a vampire, does it ever bother you to know that you've been permanently cut off from God, that you can never have an eternal rest?

"Bold of you to assume eternal rest is something I desire when Eternity has the potential to offer so much more among the living."

Considering there are many deities , Norrington has learned, this isn't a problem for him.

#v: vampire #anon ask #Gods and Goddesses are plentiful

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mikoriin · 1 year

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for clarification, affinity is 100% going to be drawn in manga format because it is inspired by magical girl anime. so thats gonna be super fun!!

#believe it or not the first inspiration for affinity was actually LOZ skyward sowrd!#the concept of a goddess reborn as a human and a knight having to save the princessin another world inspired me #then i combined the whole same soul thing from tsubasa #so affinity was first influences by fantasy anime then somewhere along the way became a bit more of a traditional magical girl #but dont worry there is still PLENTY of fantasy #affinity

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mejomonster · 1 year

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When I read a story thats like 400 years old and it has a happy ending <3 ;-;

#rant #my heart is like Thank Fuck. someone centuries ago also Needed a happy ending so they made one #(you know how many sad fuxked up fairy tale endings there are!#and even modern writing plenty of adult stuff ends complicated or sad!)#so i was reading this old short story collection from 1000-200 years #ago stories. and thank fuck. my heart is #healed. first story is about a #girl who dies. dedicated love from one alive lets her reincarnate. then he is #deaged by a goddess #so when they meet rheyre both 15 #again. then she dies thinking hes not rhe #same man who saved her. then he and her #father bring her baxk from the dead and he and her live a happy long life with kids and helping her brother #like. im gonna be honest i expected lots of sad.

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once-was-muses · 2 years

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[ BECAUSE I'M NOT OVER IT YET, I present to you; a list of Thoth's various consorts/wives/friends-with-benefits (that I can remember) throughout various myths; ]

Astennu

Bast

Hathor AND Sekhmet

Khephri

Ma'at

Nut

Nehmetaway

Ra (or his female counterpart Rat depending)

Seshat

#They Pull the Strings : OOC #[ SLAMS MY FISTS ON THE TABLE sometimes historic egyptologists are liars ]#[ there WAS plenty of queer shit pre Grecian mythologies; Nephthys is the patron goddess of lesbians ffs ]#Scribe of the Gods : Thoth

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drake-the-incubus · 2 years

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People who say that Hera was done wrong by Mythos really ignore that Hera’s entire realms of rule were the reasons she did it.

She was attempting to punish Zeus.

Like, if y’all paid attention, humans are insignificant to the Gods in multiple stories, gaining blessings or curses on the whims and desires of the gods is normal.

Hera was vengeful against her husband being unfaithful. Harming the humans and his illegitimate children, was a way she could punish him, because she couldn’t harm Zeus himself.

She’s vengeful. That’s part of who she is as a goddess.

If I recall correctly, she also is the one who blesses one’s marriage.

But to say she did nothing wrong is to ignore her mindset over humans. Which, like most gods, was that the actions were inconsequential.

There’s a reason why most of the atrocities are over minor slights, and why the impressive feats are rewarded.

But Hera definitely didn’t girlboss causing Herakles to kill his own family, because he happened to be the demigod son of Zeus.

I also have to call to question why it’s only misogyny when the goddesses do something wrong and vengeful, but no one talks about Poseidon and the Minotaur? Zeus and his long string of harm?

Zeus ordered for Prometheus to be punished for giving man the flames of life, which involved having the Titan have his entrails eaten daily and then regrown, for eternity.

But when a goddess causes harm it’s the misogyny in portrayal?

#this isn’t to say there isn’t misogyny #plenty of it #but kinda like #weird to say that it’s misogyny for Hera to hurt humans #when the gods also harmed humans #both gods and goddesses were petty #they also rewarded people #they were multifaceted beings that don’t deserve to be reduced to woobification #worship out of respect #but like #respect your goddess would cause a person harm #stop reducing her to a caring mother stereotype #Hera is capable of harm and that shouldn’t be the misogynistic part of her story

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lanayru-the-water-god · 8 months

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💧Bailey explains: Cordelia💧

When Lanayru was 21 (yep, you heard me right, 21! very babey) she discovered the power to create these humanoid beings, named Dwellers because their role is to “dwell” in her domain and chill with her!

She created Raindrop and Cordelia on the same day, with her logic that one Dweller alone would be lonely.

They also have numbers assigned to them: Cordelia is “Dweller 2” because she was created second.

#dweller cordelia #the goddess lanayru #bailey explains #by age 1200 she’s got 10!#in the works for an eleventh she’s thinking about it #since her domain is huge she’s got plenty of space for them all #they can each have their own room #oc picrew

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goddessofroyalty · 2 years

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Viktor/Finn thoughts now. NOW. Give it to us. We require sustenance.

How did they meet? Is there a genuine attraction there, or like a crush on his father's business partner for young Viktor? Or a crush on his bosses cute son for Finn? Or is it all just a bid for more power by marrying into the most powerful family in Zaun?

What's Vander and Silco's thoughts on this? I can absolutely see a scenerio of, Silco seeing Finn & Viktor flirting and the next time they see each other Finn is missing like 3 fingers lmao. The siblings are probably all SUPER overprotective of him too (as they always are lol)

And of course, poor Jayce, I can imagine he feels so so insecure if he ever finds out Viktor used to date/crush on this tattooed, cyber-modded Chembaron, he's just like raw white bread in comparison lol, but hey Viktor loves some white bread <3

The fanart this is all entirely to be blamed on.

And alright this is one of those things where I'm possible fudging their ages but I don't really care. They met when they were teenagers a little before Viktor moved to Piltover (so Viktor was like 14ish and Finn was 16ish) and it was because Finn was working for Silco at that point so tended to be around a bit. It's a bit of a combo between crush on boss's cute kid and trying to marry into the family. Like if Viktor wasn't Silco's kid Finn might not be as interested in him but he does still very much think Viktor's attractive especially once they get into ages where those 2 years don't make Viktor look like a kid compared to him (so it's a bit... he would have gone after him anyway but the fact Viktor's not bad on the eyes helps).

He's not subtle about it either. And while he isn't pushy he also is not accepting the 'no' Viktor has been giving him since Day One. So every time they run into each other he's laying it on thick that Viktor should come home with him, they'd make good husbands, etc, etc. And while at first Viktor was just flustered and defensive about it (he wasn't really interested in relationships at the time and the world of dating was all very new to him generally) as he gets old he tends to string Finn along a little before dropping the "no" again. I do sometimes play with the idea that they did very briefly date when they were younger but Viktor moving to Piltover kind of killed their chances because of the distance/Viktor throwing himself into his studies.

Silco isn't happy about it at all. But Finn continues to sit on just the side of the line where Silco can't overtly act on it without looking like he's the one blowing it out of proportion. Although that doesn't stop him from reminding Finn to keep his eyes and hands to himself and that he does not want him as a son-in-law and will happily maim him before letting that happen.

Vander is a bit more willing to let Viktor handle it himself. Yeah he'll step in if Finn crosses a line and probably has a lot of opinions and comments about the kid but Viktor does have to learn to navigate a world where there are people interested in him for his parents and does seem to be managing it himself fine enough.

Jayce doesn't know what to make of Finn honestly. Because on one hand yeah Finn is powerful in Zaun and there are things he shares with Viktor as a result that Jayce doesn't. On the other hand Finn is kind of worlds away from just about everyone in Piltover so Jayce really doesn't know how to approach him generally. Nor how he's supposed to handle the fact this guy is flirting with Viktor (and Viktor is playing alone??? Oh wait no he's turning him down. Does [Jayce] need to back him up in telling this guy to fuck of??? He really doesn't know). But Viktor assures him that anything that was between them is very much in the past now, he's not interested. But, yeah, Jayce doesn't know how to feel about it.

#Zaun Family #Viktor Arcane #Finn Arcane #Silco Arcane #Vander Arcane #Jayce Arcane #Ramblings of the Goddess #Q and A with the Goddess #Anon Question #I mean Finn should be happy #he doesn't die in this verse for stupidly trying to betray Silco #Instead he's just being turned down by Silco's son #not even like humiliated-turned-down #(unless he makes the situation one where there's no way to without humilating him)#he has plenty of other omegas interested in him #just not Viktor (because they're not compatible in this verse)

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as-is-above-so-below · 1 year

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The Captain - Simon Riley x Sniper!Reader, Wife!Reader

summary: Ghost’s sniper wife (reader) joins Task Force 141 on an op, against his wishes call sign: Freyja warning: mentions of violence and death (ofc), blood Next >>

John Price stood at a round table, leading the mission brief for the team’s upcoming operation. Ghost, Soap, and Gaz sat around the table in various positions. Soap with his boots kicked up onto the table, chair tilted back; Gaz leaned forward onto the table, his forearms on the surface; Ghost leaned back against his chair, arms crossed over his chest. Soap and Gaz wore their regulation tan t-shirts and camo pants, while Ghost was clad in a black long-sleeve and his standard skull balaclava.

“So if we’re stormin’ the building, we’re all accounted for,” Soap pointed out, clicking the pen between his fingers. “We need a sniper.”

“Called in a favor with a good friend, who should have been here–”

“Ten minutes ago,” a strong but mellow voice cut in as a figure turned through the doorway. “I know, sorry John. Got a bit caught up with my room assignment. Tried to put me on the other side of base.”

A woman came into view, offering her hand out to John. They firmly grasped each other’s forearms in a quick shake. Soap and Gaz both had only slightly surprised expressions. Not at the fact that their sniper was female; they’d worked with plenty of fierce women during their time in Task Force 141.

The fact that she did not look the part.

She wore a massively oversized black sweatshirt that brushed her thighs and dark blue skinny jeans, her hair loose down her back. Must’ve just got off a plane, Soap thought to himself, looking her up and down. Her stance showed her confidence, feet shoulder-width apart as she faced the team with a bright smile (one not often found in their field of work) and glowing skin. She wasn’t necessarily small, more average height, but her attire dwarfed her frame.

“Thank you for joining us, Captain,” Price nodded at her. “This is Freyja. American Special Forces, sniper, undercover ops. She’s been briefed and will be joining us temporarily for the op. She comes highly recommended and outranks all of you, so I’d suggest you be on your best behavior.”

The woman jabbed Price with her elbow, rolling her eyes, much to Soap’s surprise. He barely suppressed the laugh that bubbled in his chest, unable to help the small choking laugh that escaped. Ghost glared at him and he quickly piped down.

“Thanks, John, but I think I’ll be fine. Glad to be of use.”

“Happy to have you. Let me know if you need anything while you’re here. I’ll leave you to it, get acquainted. We leave at 0400 hours. We’ll be infiltrating in daylight; prepare accordingly.”

“Aye, Captain,” Soap nodded once and saluted him, setting his chair back down as he rose. He watched John pat her shoulder on his way out, sharing what seemed like a knowing look, before finally departing to his quarters. Interesting.

Soap was the first to cross the room, taking her hand in a firm grip. “Pleasure to meet you, Captain. Sergeant John Mactavish,” he introduced, shaking her hand. He noted her equally firm grip and the cool metal of a wedding band pressing into his palm. Her skin was calloused yet soft, not as rough as his own.

“Soap, right? Heard a lot about you.”

“Aye. Good things I hope?"

“Mostly.”

A boisterous laugh left him, so loud you’d think the room shook. Soap heard Gaz gag on his water before breaking into a choked wheeze. The other man approached, shaking her hand as well. “Kyle Garrick, call me Gaz.”

Her hands found their way into the pockets of her sweatshirt.

“So, Freyja… like the–?”

A gentle, airy giggle floated into his ears. What a lovely sound. “Yes, like the goddess. I know, my husband’s idea.”

Soap groaned, his head lolling back in faux agony as he pressed a hand to his chest. “You’re breakin’ my heart, lass. Was hopin’ ya didn’t have one’a those. He in the service?”

“He is, but you wouldn’t know him. Keeps a pretty low profile,” she shrugged, keeping her eyes on the two men in front of her.

”D’ya think I could take him?”

”Probably not.”

Neither Soap nor Gaz noticed the way Ghost’s mask twitched slightly, evidence of the smirk that pulled at his lips. But she knew his microexpressions like the back of her hand, even out of the corner of her eye. The Scot remembered Ghost’s presence suddenly and waved his hand in his direction. He hadn’t made any move to greet the newcomer and hadn’t spoken during the entire brief.

“Steamin’ Jesus, Ghost, you heard the man. Be nice to the lady!”

Ghost grunted, keeping his arms folded on his chest. “Captain.”

“Lieutenant.”

The two stared at each other, her brow quirked. As the seconds passed, the interaction became increasingly awkward for everyone else in the room. Even the thickest person on the planet could have sensed the tension. Unable to take the silence any longer, Gaz stepped in to attempt to relieve some tension. “You two worked together before?”

“You could say that,” Ghost stated as he rose from his chair. “A word, Freyja?”

Her tongue poked at the inside of her cheek and she squinted at him. It was almost comical, the height difference between the two. Typically, Soap would have made a snarky quip, if not for the vicious look in her eyes. He wouldn’t say it out loud to him, but the scowl rivaled his lieutenant‘s. Finally, she spoke, “Excuse us, gentlemen. I’ll see you in the morning. You know where to find me in the meantime.”

“G’night, Cap,” Soap nodded and moved to the side, allowing her to pass to the door. Ghost didn’t spare them another glance as he followed behind her. The two men stood silently until they heard a door slam shut up the hall. Soap snapped his gaze to Gaz and found him already looking with wide eyes.

“What was that about?”

Soap shrugged noncommittally. “Not a clue. Bad history? Ghost’s no’ exactly skilled in manners.” He went to head to his room when he noticed a military-issue duffel where Freyja had been standing, an American flag patch on the side. He bent down and slung it over his shoulder. “Left her stuff. I’m gonna drop it by ‘for hittin’ the hay. See ya in the mornin’.”

They went their separate ways, Gaz disappearing to the armory to stock up for the mission. Soap approached the only spare room in their wing and rapped his knuckles against the door. He waited for a few beats to no response and repeated the motion.

Nothing.

Soap’s brows furrowed when he heard what sounded like a muffled argument from the next door up, labeled “Lt. Riley”. Soap should have just left her duffel in front of her door and continued on his way to his bedroom, and gone to bed.

But no, he just had to snoop.

He crept toward the door, still holding the bag as he pressed his ear to the hollow wood. They clearly knew each other, but Ghost hadn’t seemed happy to see her. He felt a bit guilty spying on his lieutenant, but his curiosity was getting the better of him. He heard Ghost’s deep voice first.

“We had a deal. You’re supposed to be on leave, and Price knows that. I have half a mind to wring his fucking neck–”

“John didn’t ask me to be here, I volunteered–”

“Cut the shit, Y/N. I’m not daft. He has no place calling you in without asking me first.”

“I don’t take orders from you, Simon!”

Simon? Just how familiar were they with each other?

“Oh, I’m well aware. I just figured that when your husband asks you to stay home, you'd listen! How silly of me!”

So he knows her husband. Interesting.

“That’s not fair, and you know it.”

“You want to talk about fair? You went around my back to my Captain. I’d say anything’s fair play at this point.” Heavy boots crossed the floor. “This isn’t just about you anymore. You’re not my superior, you’re–”

Soap shuffled his feet, he realized too late how loud the noise was in the empty hallway, and the voices suddenly stopped. He knocked in an attempt to recover, quickly stepping back from the door before it opened. The woman appeared, now in a too-big band tee, her dog tags resting on her chest. “Hi, Johnny,” she greeted, her tone significantly warmer than it had been a moment ago.

He didn’t remember mentioning his preference for the name, but he couldn’t find a reason to comment on it then. “You, uh, left ya bag. Wanted to drop it off, figured you’d be here.”

“Oh, my bad. Thanks, I appreciate it.” He transferred her possessions to her. The bag that appeared standard when he carried it looked huge compared to her frame. The added weight did not phase her. “We have an early morning. I’m heading to bed.”

Ghost moved from his spot near the bed on the other side of the room. “Frey–”

She held a hand up, sending another chilling glare in his direction. Soap was impressed when Ghost didn’t even blink at the look. “Enough, Lieutenant. That’s an order.” He didn’t miss the eyes behind the skeleton glowering or how the fabric near his mouth shifted.

“Yes, ma’am,” he growled through clenched teeth.

She brushed by Soap, readjusting the bag on her shoulder as she stormed to her room, somehow gracefully maintaining her posture. Before he could turn back to question Ghost, the door swung shut in his face.

Real polite.

~*~

“Alpha-One, in position.”

“Copy that, one. Alpha-Two, in position.”

“Bravo?” Soap’s partner looked over his shoulder at the white light flashing at them in the distance. There was a muffled choking sound and a swallow, followed by a sniffle. “Freyja?”

“Sorry. Multiple armed guards. Two snipers at the east and west sides of the targets.” Her voice, while calm, sounded tired and a bit drained. As if she could sense the unspoken question, she came through their headsets again. “Little sick this morning. I’m fine.”

Ghost's jaw set and he rolled his shoulders, blinking a few times to focus. Soap noticed the motion and covered the mic on his headset. “You a’right, Lt.?” he asked, his voice concerned with his brows furrowed.

Ghost ignored him. “Can you get a visual inside?”

“Negative. Windows are blocked in both buildings. You’re going blind.”

“What’s the call, ma’am?” Gaz’s voice.

“This is Price’s op. I’m just here for support.”

“Ghost?” Price this time.

Ghost audibly sighed, his irritation at the situation clear. Soap wondered how bad their last encounter could have been for the usually collected man in front of him to be so disheveled. Soap looked over at the lieutenant, who had turned his attention back to the opening in the wall between them. “Bravo, hold your position. Understood?”

“Affirmative.”

“Alpha-One, move in on your target on my command.” Ghost clicked off his mic and slid the chamber back on his pistol, doing one final check.

Soap took the opportunity to follow up on his unanswered concern. “Ghost, you good? Seem tense. Something going on with the lass?”

“Shut up, Sergeant.” He reached up to click his headset back on. “Freyja cleared hot to engage.”

“Standby.” A beat passed, then another, until the suppressed shot of a sniper rifle rang through their headsets, followed by the bolt being pulled back and pushed forward. Another shot. “Clean hit. Snipers down.”

“Copy. Alpha-One, move in. Keep it quiet,” Ghost commanded, signaling Soap forward with a tilt of his head.

She watched Ghost and Soap move swiftly around structures and cars forward to their target. Her gaze periodically adjusted between them and Alpha-One, Gaz and Price. Soap’s accent was low in her ear. “Approaching target. Engaging two hostiles.”

The pair dispatched the guards with ease, the same as the other team up the road.

“Be advised, I have no eyes inside,” she reminded the group, surveying the surrounding area as both teams entered the building.

“Roger. Breaching.”

On their frequency, angry shouts and gunfire had her writing uncomfortably in her spot. She didn’t like not having a solid visual of her team; it made her feel helpless. The audio of the scene inside wasn’t helping her nerves (or nausea) much, either. The sniper was almost lost in her thoughts when she caught movement at the edge of her scope up the street.

Reinforcements.

“Ghost, engaging incoming hostiles. You might want to bug out,” she suggested, taking several shots at the armed men back-to-back. “Alpha-One, sound off.”

“Heard. Intel acquired,” Price acknowledged. “Clearing out.”

“Alpha-Two, how copy?”

The radio crackled once before Soap came through. “Copy, I’ve lost visual on Ghost. Got separated in the firefight,” he grunted, still firing shots inside the building. “‘M gonna have to squirt.”

Something wasn’t right. “Ghost, how copy?”

Silence.

“Lieutenant, what’s your status?”

Her skin crawled at the repeated silence. “Fuck.” She took a deep breath and pulled her knees underneath her body, her stomach suddenly stilling, nausea disappearing. “Abandoning post.” Her voice pierced through their radios with urgency. She abandoned her rifle and made her way down from her perch.

“Absolutely not. We’re converging at the meeting point now.” Price cursed under his breath as she brandished her sidearm and sprinted towards Ghost’s last location. “Stand down, Bravo, that’s an order!” The captain commanded, rough and authoritative.

“All due respect, Price, get bent.”

Price and Gaz watched helplessly as she disappeared into the structure, Soap approaching them from their flank. “The absolute balls on that one, aye?” he snickered, eyeballing Price. He didn’t even flinch, expression hard as steel as he rubbed his face. He hadn’t seen his captain that stressed in quite a while. Maybe not the time for jokes…

The blood-curdling screams Soap heard would scare any man straight. It sounded like a horror movie slaughterhouse over their comms, whether it was caused by Ghost or Freyja he didn’t know. He did know it was her voice that said Ghost’s name and assumed the distant, heated mumbling was Ghost. He must have lost his headset if they couldn’t hear him clearly, and what they were hearing was whatever her comms picked up. “Shut the fuck up and move. If you were fine, I wouldn’t be here, Lieutenant. You can thank me later,” she snapped, sounding eerily similar to a stereotypical angry wife. There’s no way she cleared out that entire convoy on her own…

Right?

Moments later, without any other gunfire, the pair emerged. Ghost was indeed missing his headset, while Freyja trudged in front of him, taking long steps to cross the street. Her helmet was gone, and her hair had come loose. Gun in one hand, a familiar black combat knife in the other, dripping blood. Strands of hair clung to her face, coated in dark red, along with her hands, bare arms, and vest. Soap’s eyes blew wide. “Steamin’ bloody Jesus, did she–?”

Price hummed and nodded beside him. In the same breath, she stumbled over to a car and gripped the door handle, dumping her stomach on the dusty road. Soap and Gaz moved to help, but Price stopped them with a single grunt. Ghost was immediately on her, expertly sweeping her hair into one hand as he pulled her earpiece out, cutting off their audio. One of her hands grabbed his vest for support while his other hand rested on her back.

“Well, that’s unusual,” Soap chimed, his head cocked to the side as he watched the display.

“Quit starin’ and load up. I doubt that’s the last of those reinforcements.” Price waved at them, catching Ghost’s attention and pointing to an approaching Heli, waving his hand in a “roll out” motion.

~*~

The ride back to base in the heli was one of the most awkward experiences of Soap’s life; not a word was spoken during the short trip. Ghost pulled a rag out of his vest and silently handed it to Freyja to wipe some blood from her face; she passed him the blade she had carried, and he finally placed its familiarity when Ghost tucked it into the empty holster at his hip. She looked utterly drained now that they were in close quarters. In another shocking moment, she rested her head on Ghost’s shoulder, and he didn’t move to shove her off.

What the fuck?

At the base, Ghost dropped her off at the medical bay before storming into the meeting room where the team had gathered to debrief. “You’re a dead man, Price,” he barked, finger jabbed at him as his skull plate skittered across the table when he threw it. “You fuckin’ knew–”

“Simon, I’m sorry–”

“Don’t “Simon” me. Sorry’s not gonna cut it, Captain! If she’s hurt–”

“I didn’t think she would compromise herself that easily.”

Ghost barked a dry, humorless laugh as he pointed in the general direction of the infirmary. “Of course, she’s bloody compromised! She’s my fuckin’ wife, you git!” he snarled, teeth viciously bared as he ripped off his mask.

“Hell’s fuckin’ bells…”

“Bloody hell…”

He was too angry (and, frankly, scared for his wife’s health) to acknowledge their audience. “This is exactly why I told you not to call her. I can’t focus if I’m worried about her safety right now. She’s supposed to be safe at home, resting, not running into a bloody warzone, for God’s sake!”

“She was told not to leave her post–”

“When has she ever obeyed a direct order?”

Silence fell over the group, Price effectively losing the argument. Neither Sergeant wanted to find themselves on the other end of Ghost’s rage. They had no envy for Price and dared not get between them. No envy at all. On the other hand, Soap had so many questions. Since where was Ghost married? When did he have the time for a wife? And an American at that? How long had he been keeping her a secret?

“Simon.”

Four heads whipped to the soft voice across the room, finding the woman of the hour standing in the doorway. A superficial cut on her forehead had been taped up, her face clear of blood. Soap and Gaz stared at her in disbelief, jaws dropped as they looked from her to Ghost and back again. She chuckled at their expressions but didn’t move to approach them. “Captain Riley. Lovely to meet you both, officially,” she reintroduced herself, a slight smirk on her lips. She finally met her husband’s gaze, her expression softened at his bare face, save for the black paint.

He curled two fingers at her, one arm crossed over his chest. “C’mere. Now,” he ordered her, though his tone had little bite to it.

Even only knowing the sniper for such little time, Soap was outright shocked at the display. Flabbergasted by her obedience when she immediately strode to the spot next to him, barely leaving any space between their chests. It didn’t seem like her. He was obviously wrong, considering what he’d just witnessed.

Ghost took a deep breath as he peered down at her, examining her visible skin for injuries. “I’m right pissed at you, love,” he muttered, allowing her to loop a finger in his belt loop.

She smiled up at him, her admiration clear now that the sergeants had been let in on the secret. “I know.”

“Don’t give me that look.” The man sighed exasperatedly and rolled his eyes. He knew he couldn’t hold his ground with that smile of hers. He dropped a gloved hand to rest on her lower belly, rubbing the spot with his thumb. “You alright?”

She placed her hand on top of his and bobbed her head. Her familiar glow from the night before had returned.

“I’d like an apology.”

“And I’d like a parade in my honor. Oh, and a good ol’ fashioned fu–”

“Oi, better watch that fuckin’ mouth of yours.”

“You love my mouth.”

“Tha’ I do. Just not right now, sweetheart.”

Soap couldn’t take it anymore. “Steamin’ blood Jesus L.t., are you…flirting?”

“Shamelessly,” she giggled, never once tearing her eyes away from the man towering over her.

Ghost rolled his eyes again, his other hand slipping into its home on the side of her neck. “You’re done. I mean it. And if you call her again, I walk,” he threatened, turning his head to address Price directly. “Don’t think I won’t.”

“Ghost, she held her own just fine,” Soap interjected from his chair. “Hen took out an entire squad practically single-handedly, plus the convoy before she went in after ya. I don’t see the problem.”

Realization dawned on Gaz suddenly, forcing him to his feet again. “You’re pregnant,” he exclaimed, both in shock and awe. “That’s why you were feeling sick. And the big clothes. You’re on maternity leave."

The lack of response from John and Freyja and how Ghost studied Gaz said everything they needed to know.

“No wonder you’ve been downright crabbit with her! Can’t say I blame ye, ‘s too dangerous out there to be mucking about with a little one in there.” Soap rose to his feet too, smiling like a cheeseball, ready to ruthlessly tease him. “How’d you manage that, Ghost? A bangin’ wife and a baby?”

“I know it’s been a while for you, Sarge–”

“Aw, away n’ bile yer heid!” the Scot barked, dismissing his lieutenant with a wave.

“English, MacTavish.”

“Sorry, sir, let me translate…Go fuck yourself.”

“Much better.”

He moved on from Ghost, addressing Freyja now. “I’ve so many questions! How long ‘ave you been together?” Soap leaned against the round table in front of them, his hands dragging across the shaved portion of his head.

“How old am I?” Ghost asked in a low, teasing timber.

Her upper lip tugged upwards as her hand wavered, indicating an estimate. “Five years, give or take.”

“Five years?! Son of the god-damn-devil, Lt! You’ve had a secret wife for five years–” He cut himself off with a gasp, his volume dropping to a brash whisper. “Does he take the mask off when you—”

“Tha’ll do, Johnny.”

Her bubbly laugh filled the room, and she swatted his tactical vest with her palm. “Si, don’t be an ass,” she warned, raising a brow at him. “Oh, John! I have pictures for you!” The woman let go of her husband and dug out folded ultrasound photos from her zipped pocket. She, Price, and Gaz moved to another corner of the room, gushing over the snapshots of her latest appointment before flying out, leaving Soap and Ghost alone by the meeting table.

A mischievous grin overtook Soap’s face. “An American, eh, Lt.? And she outranks you?”

“Not another word, Sergeant.”

A long pause stretched between them, although not long enough for Ghost’s liking.

“So… Goddess of love, beauty, and war,” he inquired, raising an eyebrow at the Brit, who threw him a questioning side-eye. Soap hummed. “Fitting.”

Soap almost gawked at the smirk (borderline smile) that Ghost bore as he watched his wife animatedly pour over her photos. “I’m well aware.” Another moment passed between them before Ghost fully turned to the other man. “Johnny?”

“Yeah, Ghost?"

“Flirt with my wife again, I’ll knock your teeth in."

"Noted, sir."

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