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thought--bubble · 6 months

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She's Happy Now Part 5/5 (Final Part)

Modern Aemond X (Ex Girlfriend Reader)

Warnings Below

Word Count: 2,122

She is happy now Master List

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Banners by @arcielee

Warnings: angst

A/N: I apologize for the delay on this. Had midterms then covid, a job promotion I've been fighting for (should find out on Monday, please pray for me), then a family loss back to back, and was kind of struggling for a moment. I'm happy to get this out, tho!

Could I talk to you for a moment?

Your palms are sweaty while you wait for him to respond.

He looks dumbstruck.

"Hello?" Your patience is wearing thin.

"Oh, um yeah, of course." he gets up, composing himself and settling back into that stoic look of his. "We can go to the gardens? For some privacy?" He sounds indifferent, but in his head, he is analyzing every word he says.

"Fine," you say, unable to mask the anger that you feel. The walk to the garden is quiet, not one word spoken between you. The tension is thick, and you can't help but wonder if this is a good idea. Still, you continue on. 'This is long overdue' you think to yourself.

"I can't believe we are both going to be off at college in a few months, I'm gonna miss you so much" you clutch onto Aemond while laying under the rosebushes in the garden of the keep. Your secret place. Where aemond would take you to be alone.

"It will be fine. We will talk every day and I'll come visit you and you will come to visit me and before you know it we will have graduated and we will be getting married" Aemond says while entwining his hand with yours. "This is just a temporary separation. we'll look back on it later and wonder what in the 7 hells we were so worried about. " he rolls onto his side looking at your face. He pushes a strand of hair behind your ear. "Hey look at me" he says gently.

You turn your head and see his eye looking at you intently. "We are going to be fine baby. Happy as we've always been. I promise."

"You really promise?" You had been worrying for weeks about the upcoming distance. The tales of long-distance relationships between 2 college age students weren't exactly full of glowing success stories.

"I promise, I swear to you. We will be fine. We are simply meant to be" he raised your hand to his mouth and kissed your knuckles. "Always have been"

You enter the garden and sit on a bench that overlooks the rosebushes. Your rosebushes. Aemond is standing by the bench awkwardly unsure if he should sit so close. Your annoyance with him just standing there gets the better of you.

"Sit down, would you?, you're always bouncing its giving me anxiety." Your eyes are downcast, but you know he sat down next to you because you can feel it.

"I heard your little speech. Clearly, there is something you wish to say to me so..... just say it, " you say irritation in your voice. Clenching and unclenching your fists.

Aemonds mouth goes completely dry, and his hands start shaking. He imagined this scenario repeatedly over the last few years, and now that he is here his entire body is laced with anxiety.

"I owe you an apology" he says firmly.

"Yeah.... I guess you do" you say jaw clenched.

Aemond sighs and runs his hand down his face. "I fucked up. There's no question on that...... and I've thought of you practically every day since. You were more than my girlfriend. You were my best friend. My favorite person." He rubs his hands together trying to shake the nerves.

"Then why? Why? Why did you do it?" Your voice is trembling a mix of grief and rage

"Because I'm an idiot. I'm sorry. I know you deserve a better explanation than that, but I don't have one. I didn't plan it out. It wasn't some big conspiracy. It was me. Being a complete moron." He hangs his head and runs his fingers through his hair in frustration.

Your eyes start to well with tears. You lift your head and look toward the sky. "That's it? We lost everything because you're an idiot?" You clench your jaw. "You destroyed me, and it didn't even mean anything?"

He tries to think of a response to this, but he just can't. He doesn't have an answer that will make this better

"I didn't destroy you" he finally says after a long pause.

You look over at him, and your rage boils over. You shove him by his shoulder. "How can you say that? How could you possibly know how I felt? What it did to me?"

"You can't be destroyed." He pauses "you are so strong and-"

You interrupt him "stop. Just stop."

He says your name with an exhale. " I'm not trying to downplay the pain I caused you. I know it was immense. But I can't pretend that I destroyed you. You're so much more than us. You are smart, strong, and beautiful all in your own right. It's impossible to destroy something like that."

You sigh, frustrated. " I guess you're right. I survived. I made it. I'm happy now. " You bite your bottom lip

Aemond pauses and takes a deep breath. "H-he makes you happy huh?" The heartbreak in his voice is undeniable.

You think about this for a minute and smile. "Yeah. Yeah, he does." You feel a twinge of guilt,"even though I waste so much time being angry at you. He is patient. Caring......" You trail off.

"You deserve that." Aemond puts his hand to his chest as if to ease the swelling he feels there. "You deserve someone who puts you first. Someone who is smart enough to recognize what they have"

You ponder this for a minute. Cregan really has been immensely patient. Where a lot of people would have walked away from someone who seemed like they were still hung up on their ex, he was there. Patient understanding.

He sighs. "I know I can't change what I did....... But do you think. That it would be possible to be in your life again? Not the way I was. I know that, but honestly, I'd take anything." He wrings his hands wracked with nerves. "There is a hole in my life, and I know it's you."

Your chest tightens. You know the feeling. You have tried to fill that hole with hate and anger. it weighs heavily on you. "And what exactly do you suggest?"

"Friends?" He turns and looks at you directly now. "Please? I'm not asking for you to forgive me.... I'm not asking that you forget what I've done, but...... I can't go on without you in my life. " he sounds like he is holding back tears. " I've loved you for so long, and it isn't just a romantic love... it's deeper than that. " his breath is shakey.

"I'm still so angry" you say head down looking into your lap. "I don't want to be but I am"

He holds his breath and closes his eye. " I am too. I have been kicking my own arse for the last 4 years every day for chasing you out of my life." He rubs his palms down the front of his trousers. "Asking you this... it isn't easy but I have to try, don't I?"

You finally lift your head and look into his eye, and a wave of butterflies goes through you. You chuckle lightly. "Pretty brave of you, I have to admit. Since I was hoping you would spontaneously combust all through the ceremony"

He looks at you with reverence. As if he has been hiking through the desert and has finally found an oasis. He tucks some of your hair behind your ear. "That would have made things a bit easier, huh?" He laughs, but there is no humor behind it.

You feel a tingling sensation that goes all the way down to your toes at his touch. Your response is automated. Like you are being controlled by someone else. You bring your fingers up to his face and caress his cheek.

He takes in a harsh breath and closes his eye. A single tear escapes and trails down his face. "God, I missed you," he says just above a whisper.

With that, you lose it, and tears start flowing freely.

He opens his eye and lifts his hand to your face. "Can i?" He asks

You nod, and he cups your cheek. He leans in, pressing his forehead to yours. "I don't deserve it... but I need you...please..... give me a chance to be in your life, in any capacity."

"We'll be together forever," Aemond says, sure of his words as you lay in the grass next to each other. "No matter what. You're a part of me now. I can feel it"

You giggle and roll onto your side, holding onto him. "I know. I can't imagine my life without you in it." You shake your head. "That would be just terrible"

"Then let's make a promise," he turns on his side facing you. "No matter what, it will always be me and you. Always. We will always find a way"

"I promise always"

Aemond is holding your cheek and looking into your eyes. Hoping and praying for a response.

"I promise..... always" you say through tears. "We can find a way..... to be there for eachother I know we can"

He hugs you and pulls you tight up against him. He nuzzles his face into your hair and whispers. "Thank you, thank you. You have no idea how much this means to me"

He pulls his head back and looks into your eyes. "I know your with someone. I know you are happy with him. I would never do anything to take that from you. I..... i.... I just need to know you. I need to know who you are now. Who you've become."

With that, the levy finally breaks, and you are no longer talking to your ex-boyfriend who broke your heart and ruined everything but an old friend. A friend you missed dearly. You talk about everything you have done since you stopped talking. About you and Cregan your job. Your hopes for the future. He tells you about him. He tells you about how he has become an adjunct professor and that his love life is non-existent. You joke and laugh, both crying and laughing at the same time.

You get so lost in talking you don't notice the sun going down or the guests clearing out. What finally pulls you out of your conversation is Cregan entering the garden with his hands in his pockets.

Cregan shuffles toward you kicking lightly at dirt and small rocks as he makes his way over.

You stand up from the bench and wipe your face. You have a big smile on your face.

"Hey.... I've been looking for you" Cregan says apprehensively his eyes shifting back and fourth between you and Aemond.

"Sorry.... just out here making peace, " you smile while looking down at Aemond, who is still sitting on the bench.

Aemond stands up and extends his hand to Cregan. "I don't think I introduced myself properly earlier. I'm Aemond brother of the groom"

Cregan takes his hand hesitantly and shakes it. "Cregan...... "

You turn to Aemond and open your arms for a hug. You give him a hug and then pull back taking his forearms in your hands. "We will talk again soon. I want to hear all about that interview for the permanent teaching position"

"Yeah... talk soon" Aemond smiles and makes his way out of the garden. Giving you one last look back before he exits.

"So......" Cregan is looking all around not making eye contact with you.

"Hey," you take his hands "there is nothing to worry about. You were right earlier. I wasn't over it. Not because I want him still but because I never let him apologize"

He looks at you, a small smile creeping onto his face. "And has he?"

"Yes, and oddly enough, I feel a lot better," you say, the relief evident in your voice.

"Good" he says as he wraps an arm around you guiding you out of the garden.

As you walk, you think. You don't know if you and Cregan are going to make it in the long term. You don't know if one day you and Aemond may find your way back to each other. What you do know. Is that you needed this. That for the first time in years there isn't this heavy weight. You know that you can look back on your memories and smile. Knowing that although it didn't last, you were still lucky to experience something so beautiful, so meaningful. You feel lighter. And you know you really are happy now.

Just before you a Cregan exit the garden, you take one last look toward the rosebushes. And smile.

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#aemond fanfiction #modern aemond #modern aemond angst #modern aemond x reader #modern aemond/ you #aemond targaryen #ewan mitchell verse #ewan mitchell fanfic #ewan mitchell #jess fics #my modern war criminal bf

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kyogre-blue · 1 year

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Hi. Sorry for the following rant, but you're the only person I know who seems to be having a hate-love relationship with genshin. Please feel free to ignore this though if you want.

So I was doing Zhongli's first story quest, about Havria, and it's revealed that when she died there was backlash due to her godly powers. Now I don't remember for certain if this is canon or fanon, but I also thought that the reason Osial was imprisoned and not killed was due to the backlash. So how did Zhongli's "death" not get questioned then? Like Rex Lapis' death should have leveled at least half of Teyvat. And maybe sure, common citizens wouldn't have this information, but at least the Adepti should have known. Was it explained somewhere and I just missed it?

Like Liyue arc was so full of plot holes it's not even funny anymore. (And this is coming from someone who is willing to overlook a few plot holes). Is it so hard for Mihoyo to hire some competent writers, or at least keep track of all that's being said. Like I get that writing is hard, but if you strip it to the bare bones genshin is a simple story, and I think if they had kept that in mind they could have done so much better.

Again sorry for the long rant. i guess I just needed to vent a little bit.

Ah, you poor soul....

You made the classic mistake. When reading Genshin, you felt the hollowness of the storyline and the lack of any logic or explanation behind its events, so you instinctively tried to connect what was happening to other parts of the story. Your self-made explanation made sense, it felt good, so you assumed it was actually canon. But it's not.

There is no reason ever given for why Morax sealed his enemies instead of killing them. This is simply never discussed or mentioned. Same way there is no explanation for why the Traveler wants to see Morax's corpse so bad, or why we think a Guizhong Ballista will help us look for the cocogoat. We just do it because the plot needs us to do it.

In regard to gods exploding when they die, it seems to be something they can choose to control. The energy Andrius unleashed when he died (because, yeah, he's a ghost in present day) was actually beneficial to Mondstadt, since it change the previously frozen climate to something warmer. There's also no mention of Deshret or Rukkhadevata causing any big explosions with their deaths.

Take your personal pick of whether Havria was just taken too much by surprise to control it, was too weak and pathetic to control it, or if she decided to fuck up those bitches who shanked her on purpose.

In regard to why the adepti never question the whole "Rex Lapis was MURDERED" thing, it's because his supposed murder is just a plot device to have a cool sequence of events where the Traveler is a fugitive for some reason. After the end of Act 1, the entire concept of his death being caused by someone intentionally is largely dropped. EDIT: On replay, there's some mention from Keqing that the Qixing would nominally be the best suspects (though no explanation how they could have possibly achieved it), but that the adepti simply do not believe humans could have done it. On the other hand, they also never mention the adepti looking for any non-human culprit, so... do they think he just dropped dead from old age? This is never explained. At the end, the Qixing just tell the human populace that Morax failed a heavenly trialed and uh ascended or something.

At the most generous, you can say that "murder" was just Ningguang's kneejerk reaction and she sweeps it under the rug as quickly as possible once she realizes how stupid it is, and the adepti never took it that seriously. They're just mad in a generic way that Rex Lapis is dead, whatever the cause might be.

Honestly, Genshin's plot being stupid is like... it's bad. But it's made infinitely worse for me by that fact that the characters are worse. The characterization and (lack of) character arcs are just... I can't do this. Why does this """story""" even exist? It's so pointless.

....I mean, I know why it exists. GOTTA SELL THOSE ANIME WAIFUS

#playing genshin

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nyktomancer · 2 years

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Oh, sorry about that. Can I ask instead about my future husband? Appearance or personality or our dynamic? Anything you’re comfortable with. Thank you. She/her.

Hello! The card I pulled for your question is The Devil.

Getting The Devil in a relationship reading is not the best sign ever, but I think it's worth trying to gain some insight from, rather than just sticking to the way too-shallow message of "hey this is bad news".

The Devil suggests that your relationship with this person will be overall negative. This card is associated with bad habits and harmful attachments, a focus on the material world (and the consequent neglect of the spiritual one), and perhaps even violence.

Now, you must bear in mind that there are several ways of interpreting how fortune-telling works. I wrote about it here a while ago. Basically, some people believe that what the tarot (or any divination method) says about the future is set in stone, others believe it tells you about the future if you don't change your path, and others believe it can't really tell your future, and only give advice on it. While I subscribe more to the latter than to any other perspective, I want to explore the second one here.

This card might be warning you - if you keep on the path you're on right now, you will end up in a harmful (toxic, perhaps abusive) relationship. Maybe you have been focusing too much on material aspects in some way, maybe you tend overlook others' red flags, maybe you have some mental patterns you need to let go of (if you have been in abusive/toxics relationships before, this is definitely the case for you - letting go of what you learnt in those is difficult and can easily lead you to repeat those patterns), maybe there will simply be a harmful person in your life you need to be wary of.

This card asks you to consider your steps in your love life carefully, and to analyze past relationships you've had and how they might (or might not) repeat in the future. Do not take this as a "death sentence" but as a piece of advice on how to proceed.

On the brighter side, this card is also sometimes (not often) associated with the exploration of sexuality (often tied to kink) - if the interpretation above does not resonate in any way, this might be what this card is telling you instead (but also keep in mind that people with whom you have unhealthy relationships but good sex also exist...)

IF YOU LIKED THE READING, PLEASE CONSIDER DONATING TO MY TIP JAR, REBLOGGING THIS POST, AND/OR LEAVING FEEDBACK! Any further questions are welcome, both through my inbox or through private messages!

INTERESTED IN A READING? free pendulum and one-card tarot readings are open, but YOU MUST READ THIS POST FIRST before sending your question. I will ignore questions that do not follow the guidelines.

#q&a #skeleton-ing #my readings #tarot reading #free tarot readings #tarot readings #free one card tarot readings #free readings #free tarot #one card tarot readings #one card readings

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raewritez · 3 years

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Airbenders

let’s all take a moment to appreciate our windy boy🙌

based on this request: Can you do Aang x airbender reader? When Aang and Katara found out that she hid from them that she could bend ? Please!

warnings: aangsty

It hurts.

Aang’s body felt like it was on fire, and he supposed it was. It seemed like electricity was still flowing through his veins, consuming him with needle points and flame. With Katara’s healing he was slowly gaining back his memory - visions of white glow, of the royal siblings, of waves, and of falling. There was something else, too, it was-

“Ow!”

Katara grimaced, removing her hands from his back. “Sorry, Aang. There’s a lot of energy built up in here.”

He winced, curling in on himself. “It’s ok.”

She stares at him worriedly, heart aching for her friend. He felt so awful, so consumed by guilt and failure, and she found herself having trouble coaxing him out of his thoughts. There was one person that could, but they were nowhere to be found. Aang noticed.

“Where’s Y/n?”

Katara breathed shakily, pulling at the edge of her tunic. “Aang…what exactly do you remember from Ba Sing Se?”

He tilted his head, furrowing his brows. "I remember Azula, and I remember I went down. You saved me."

She nodded. "Is that all?"

He leaned into the bed, running a hand through his hair (hair? how long has that been there?). "There's something else."

Katara looked nervous, as if preparing for him to do something awful. It made him confused. He searched his mind, digging through flashes of memory until he found what he was looking for. He inhaled sharply. Oh. Right.

They were outnumbered, Dai Lee agents advancing on them from all directions. Katara's water whips were no use, broken and splashed across the ground by shields of rock and crystal. Aang fought tirelessly, earth and water spinning around him in a flurry of movement. The earth benders only moved forward - creeping slowly upon the Avatar until they were thrown back by some powerful force. Wind. Aang looked down at his hands, he hadn't done that, right? The agents rose to their feet but their eyes weren't on him, rather on something that lurked behind. Turning, his gaze fell upon what had drawn their attention.

You.

Your arms were outstretched, an uncertain expression on your face. You glanced down at your palms in surprise - you certainly hadn't expected that to work so well. His mouth fell open, mind swarmed with confusion. His grey eyes widened, and your gaze met his. You couldn't tell if that look in his eyes was one of betrayal or pure shock, but you felt the guilt you'd been harboring over keeping this secret hit you full-force. Your own eyes were surprised, and they softened as they fell upon him. In them he could see the swimming emotions, and an apology. You raised your arms again.

"They're...they're an Airbender."

Katara looked at the floor, silently affirming his words. He stared at her, then he stood. His body ached and his legs wobbled, but he didn't care. He grabbed his staff, and leaning on it, began to make his way towards the door.

"Wait, Aang," Katara exclaimed, attempting to calm him. The look on his face was foreign; eyes glinting with sadness and something she couldn't quite decipher. And anger. It was a rare emotion to see displayed by the boy, but it was there now, although faint. She was nervous for you, her own anger since passed and replaced with a sort of resigned understanding. Sure, she was upset, hurt that you didn't trust her with this secret, but she guessed she understood. At least she tried to.

"Aang, your injuries are still healing. You can't-"

"I'm fine, Katara," he spoke, and she felt a chill run through her bones at the sternness. "Let me go."

He pushed past her, holding in his groans at the effort. He walked as quickly as he could down the hall, mind pulsing with adrenaline and determination. He didn't have to ask where your room was, he knew where it would be: at the end of the hall by the windows, so you could see the ocean. He limped his way down, the silk robe threatening to fall off his shoulders. In front of your door, he stopped. He breathed, and then he entered.

You were seated on your bed, staring blankly at the wall. You glanced tiredly at the intrusion, eyes widening when you saw it was him. You stood abruptly, almost tripping over yourself and if the circumstances were different he would've laughed. You missed his laugh. Instead he gazed at you, expression neutral. You felt nervous, unfamiliarly awkward under the Avatar's stare.

"Hi, Aang."

He kept his eyes trained on you, eyebrows furrowed. He was silent.

"Um...h-how are you feeling?"

"You didn't come to see me."

Your eyes widened. "W-what?"

His gaze never faltered. "You didn't come to check on me."

"Oh," You breathed, casting your eyes to the floor. "I didn't...I didn't know if you'd want me to."

He didn't speak, and you could feel him scrutinizing you. As if he didn't know what to make of you, as if he wasn't sure what to think. And in all honesty he probably didn't. You didn't know what to think of yourself, either.

"You're an Airbender." It wasn't a question, just a statement. An observation.

You breathed. "Yeah."

He stood a little taller, and you could finally make out an emotion. Anger. It wasn't ideal, but it was better than him acting as if you were Koh the freaking Face-Stealer. His voice was low. "Why didn't you tell me?"

You swallowed nervously, fingers coming to play with the fishing-line bracelet he'd made for you that rested upon your wrist. "I don't know."

He scoffed, beginning to pace around the room. Well, as well as he could considering his condition. "That's not an answer. How could you keep that from me?!" There was a desperation to his tone, and his eyes were glassy. You looked away, unable to deal with the shame.

"Aang, please, I-" You didn't know what to say. You truly didn't quite understand why you'd hidden it, the secrecy just fading into habit. "I was...I was scared. I didn't know what to say or- I'd never told anyone before! And then you came and I..."

"And you didn't tell me."

His face was darkened, so different from that sunshiney demeanor that you'd grown so goddam fond of. But behind his anger was a certain brokenness - a disbelief. And that hurt more than the rage.

He didn't give you time for an explanation, and you weren't sure you had one to offer anyway. He simply walked away, sparing you one more hurtful glance. Then, he left, taking the light and hope with him. You felt tears sting your eyes, but you forced them away. You didn't deserve to cry. You were the one who'd hurt him, who'd betrayed his trust. And now you weren't sure if your best friend would ever trust you again, ever allow you a second chance. So, instead of crying, you simply laid in the dark warmness of your bed, rocked to sleep by the swaying of the ocean with an ache in your chest.

///

A week.

That's how long it'd been since the two of you talked, since Aang had so much as glanced in the direction of his best friend. You were in the Firenation now, having assumed the role of undercover criminals. It was kind of exhilarating, and you knew you and Aang would be milking the drama of it for all its worth. But instead you sat alone, sidled in the corner of the cave as your friends danced.

Aang had somehow managed to enroll himself in a Fire Nation school, and had invited his classmates to your hideout for a dance party. You wished you had enough energy to participate - to twirl around with Katara or do the limbo with Sokka, but you were drained. Just like you'd been for days. Your hope was waning; you were becoming less and less sure that Aang would find a way to forgive you - that he would return to his best friend with that lopsided smile and endless generosity, the way he came to you all those times before. Now, he was dancing, shoulders brushing against that Fire Nation girl's - On ji? Something like that - while the rest of the kids laughed and cheered. It send an ache to your heart. He seemed happy with her - happier than he's been with you. He was sporting that contagious grin, that boisterous laughter, that-

"Wow, you really are mopey."

You were snapped out of your thoughts by Toph. "I'm not mopey," you grumbled.

She snorted. "Uh, yeah you are. I can practically feel the pitifulness radiating off you."

"Gee, thanks a lot."

You were silent for a moment, and she seemed to soften. "You know, he's not mad at you anymore."

You glanced over, a scoff escaping your lips. "Yes he is, Toph. He hates me."

Her eye-roll was about the biggest you'd ever seen. "Don't be stupid, Sap. That kid loves you. It's so obvious it's gross."

You sighed, shaking your head. You pulled your knees to your chest. "Not anymore. I lied to him."

She nodded, seeming thoughtful. "Well, yeah, that kind of sucked. And obviously he would be kinda mad about that. But he's not anymore, trust me. I can feel it."

"You can feel it?"

"Mhm. He's mopey, too. He misses you."

You looked over to the center of the cave, where Aang was demonstrating some bizarre dance movement. You smiled fondly.

"Seriously, Y/n. You should talk to him."

You nodded, breathing in your resolve. "I will soon."

Toph groaned loudly. "Well, I guess that's as good as we're gonna get."

///

Spirits, you were exhausted. A day of cleaning out a river will do that to you.

It'd been a few days since the dance party, and your time had been occupied with Appa's "sickness" while you stopped at a local fishing village. It was pretty gross, but with your friend's help and Katara's fancy costume, you were able to leave it better than it was when you arrived.

Now, you found yourselves at yet another designated campsite - a patch of ground near the cliffside, overlooking the valley. You were tired, and so much as walking around felt like a chore.

Your eyes fell on a silhouetted figure perched on the edge of the cliff. Momo sat on his shoulder. You breathed, body growing alight with nervousness. You made your way over, Momo launching onto you when you got closer.

You chuckled, petting his furry head. "Hey, Momo," you said softly. You eyes flickered upwards, latching onto Aang's. He turned away. You sighed, setting Momo down and moving to sit next to him. You inhaled deeply, bracing yourself for impending rejection. You fidgeted with the edge of your shirt - a movement that his eyes quickly locked onto.

"Um, I know you probably don't want to talk to me, and that's ok, but I need to...I need to explain myself."

Out of the corner of your eye, you could see him nod slowly.

"My whole life I had to keep my bending a secret, and nobody's ever known except my parents. And when I met you...I don't know. I guess I was just scared. I thought I was going to be the last one for the rest of my life. I'd been hiding and denying that I was an Airbender for so long, and I guess I just...felt safer to keep doing that."

He was silent, staring at you intently with concentration and an emotion you couldn't decipher. You continued.

"The point is, I should've told you. And I'm so, so sorry that I didn't. I don't know if you could ever forgive me, but I-"

You were cut off by the press of his lips against your own. Your eyes widened, and you sat rigidly still. He chuckled breathily at your shock, moving his hand to gently caress your cheek. You relaxed, leaning into his palm and letting your eyes fall shut. After a moment, he pulled away.

"I'm not mad at you, Y/n."

You were still frozen with pleasant surprise. "Oh...ok."

He laughed, reaching to brush a strand of hair behind your ear. He smiled adoringly.

"But wait - how aren't you mad? I kept this a secret from you, and I-"

"Well, I was mad," he cut you off. "But I'm not anymore. If there's anything that we can take away from this, it's that you're not the last Airbender. And neither am I."

You smiled at that. "Yeah, I guess you're right."

He pulled you into his side, keeping one arm around you while he performed random tricks; like making a whirlpool or air or sending a small tornado Sokka's way. You leaned into each other to muffle your giggles when he fell. You felt happier than you had since Ba Sing Se - filled with the happiness that only Aang could provide you. You had his trust, and his guidance, and you weren't alone. Neither of you were.

#avatar the last airbender #prince zuko #atla #fire lord zuko #aang x reader #legend of korra #sokka x reader #zuko x reader #avatar #avatar: tla #aang #avatar aang #avatar x reader #avatar imagine #team avatar #the gaang

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imerdwarf · 3 years

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Sworn To Secrecy

Requested by @imagine-all-the-fandoms: Hey colleague ❤️ I really love your writing! So I also thought to send you an idea 😊 The reader is Bucky’s girlfriend but just a normal civilian and he keeps it a secret at the compound. One day she visits him but crosses the other Avengers and Sam is immediately flirting with you but Bucky just comes, swoops you in his arms and kisses you. The others are shocked and confused and later that day they finally tell them they’ve been together for a while now and they are all happy for you two? 😊

Pairing: Avenger!Bucky x Civilian!Reader (Modern AU)

Warnings: Absolutely none! Just a lot of fluff 🥰

Author's Notes: Thank you so much my dear friend for sending in this beautiful request, I hope you like it and please let me know if there's anything you want me to change! 💜

Your phone vibrated in the palm of your hand and your smile reached both corners of your eyes when you saw the name light up your screen.

Bucky: I can't wait to see you, how long until you get here?

Your fingers flew quickly over the touch sensitive keyboard to reply back, without any typos might I add.

Y/N: I'm five minutes away. Patience! ;)

The wind blew in your face as you tilted your head upwards and sighed. Your relationship with Bucky Barnes was absolutely not the easiest thing in the world. He had made you sworn to secrecy about it, to protect yourself and him from potential haters and enemies.

You were grateful that you were able to spend a lot of time together when he didn't have month-long missions to go on. The sunny afternoons were spent in your small apartment on the couch watching movies with a blanket draped over the two of you, often accompanied by a hot chocolate made from his secret recipe.

Everything about Bucky screamed safety; his big beefy frame, bulging biceps that he just knew you loved and deliberately bought small sizes to show them off, his thick thighs were a dream for you whenever you draped your legs over them to get comfortable. Nothing about him scared you, not even that matte black and gold Wakandan inspired arm of his. It did wonders when you were burning up with fevers.

You met Bucky by chance at a coffee shop in Brooklyn. It was a cliché moment when you accidentally turned around too quickly and spilled your hot drink over his white shirt. Endless apologies spilled from your lips while Bucky was too busy admiring your beautiful features that your words simply fell on deaf ears. To Bucky, it felt as though time had temporarily stopped ticking, and the only people in the coffee shop at that moment was you and him.

The two of you exchanged numbers with your promises of buying him a brand new shirt to replace the one you ruined. You texted each other every second of every day. The more you talked, the easier and the flirty-er the texts became.

A month after the coffee shop incident, you almost keeled over when he finally asked you to be his girlfriend. He regretted he couldn't take you on a date because of his status, and that never really bothered you.

You didn't date him because he was a popular avenger, with a staggering 100 million followers on his Instagram. For your protection, he couldn't follow you either, but that too didn't bother you. You dated him because you loved his personality and you loved him.

You zig-zagged past the oncoming pedestrians as the tower came into view. Outside of the gates there was already a crowd of people hoping to catch a glimpse of the avengers.

The security guard in the booth next to the gate was trying to reason with the crowd, sadly a building this well known attracted all kinds of attention and tourism. You were told that people from Australia would come to visit.

You approached the guard with a friendly smile. "Good afternoon sir," you greeted politely, pulling some I.D out from your purse.

"Good afternoon! Are you expected here today?" The guard smiled but looked over your shoulder to see the crowd was now taking pictures of the front of the tower. He shooed them away and brought his attention back to you.

"Yes, Sergeant James Barnes is expecting me." The way his name rolled off your tongue was like drops of honey. Smooth and sweet.

The guard checked the list of visitors expected today and hummed with a smile.

"So he is. So what you do is, go to the front desk with your visitor badge and they'll direct you to his floor."

With a quiet thanks and holding on tightly to the badge, you walk through the screeching iron gates. Your shoes crunch underneath the gravel and the wind howls through the trees that gives off extra privacy.

The lady at reception greets you warmly and you relax when you give her your name and show her your visitor badge as directed by the security guard.

"Take the elevator and go to floor 13. Sergeant Barnes is currently in a meeting but he won't be too long." Another thank you passes through your lips as you head off towards the glass and chrome elevator.

The ride up to the 13 floors was agonisingly slow. Classical music filled the emptiness of the elevator. The glass casing gave you a beautiful view overlooking the grounds of the compound. A rose garden of all different shades of roses up the far left of the green garden surrounded by cherry blossoms and hydrangeas. Benches scattered across the grounds that you hoped to one day have the pleasure of sitting on and watch the bumblebees.

This was another reason Bucky loved you so much, you were so passionate and kind against wildlife and nature.

Finally, after god knows how long you've been staring out into the garden daydreaming, the elevator doors ding open and you're greeted with a muscular blond God with a red Cape hung over his back and a creepy wide grin on his face. His scruffy hair made you think he hadn't washed it in a few days.

"I was expecting someone else, but hello!" His voice seemed to boom throughout the space of whatever room this actually was. Some kind of hallway, but you're pretty sure you would hear his voice from all the way from that beautiful garden.

"Uh hello!" You stuttered, taken by surprise that there would be other people here.

"I am Thor, the God of Thunder!" His arms went wide and so did his smile. Your mouth gaped open and closed when you recognised the name. Thor. God of thunder. Of course, you read about these gods and how he ruled Asgard. Or was set to.

"Thor! Of course," you chuckled nervously, stretching your hand out in front of you, "I'm Y/N."

"It's a pleasure to meet you! Please follow me and allow me to introduce you to my mortal friends," you chuckled at that line, and adjusted your sweater.

"Friends, mortals! We have a guest, this is Y/N, A human of Earth." Thor stepped aside and your eyes widened; you were only standing in the same room as the avengers, the same people Bucky spoke so highly of. Thor told you the names of the people in front of you, everyone was there and you wondered where the hell Bucky was.

Tony was the first one to step forward and looked you up and down by moving his tinted glasses to the bridge of his nose. You relaxed when he smiled, but only slightly. You realised they had not asked why some stranger was standing in their living room.

"You know who I am?" Tony asked smugly, his arms folded over his chest.

You nodded, your eyes flickered down his chest, his arc reactor lit up in a bright blue. You almost reached out to touch it but stopped yourself before you could.

"Uh yes. You're Tony I believe?" You blushed under their gazes. Bucky told you they were the best people, but to you they were very intimidating.

"Very good. What brings you to my tower?"

"I'm here to see—"

"Wow! Who is this?" A voice yelled out from behind you. A guy you recognised as Sam, or Falcon, or Birdbrain as Bucky liked to call him.

"Y/N!" Thor answered before you could, the rest of the avengers took a seat on the couch.

"Yeah, hi," a small laugh came out and it made your cheeks heat up when his eyes raked over your form.

"My, my. You are gorgeous!" He kept that grin on his lips as he stepped closer. His over-sprayed cologne was suffocating you. "Beautiful, just perfect, just—"

"Mine!" Bucky yelled from the doorway as he stormed past Sam to get to you. You bit your lip to hide the growing grin and failed, he swooped you up in his arms, your legs instantly wrapped around his waist as he spun the two of you around and kissed you.

Cat calls sounded from the couch and you smiled into the kiss. When you pulled away for air, the expressions on everyone's faces told you they needed and wanted an explanation.

You could only imagine the questions they wanted to ask; how did you know Bucky Barnes? How did a soldier and an assassin manage to keep a relationship so hidden under the eyes of a mind-reader and a super intelligent spy? How did Bucky not slip up to Steve about having a girlfriend? All valid questions of course.

Bucky lowered you back down on your feet and pressed his forehead against yours. Without giving the team an answer, he slipped his hand in yours and pulled you away, leaving the superheroes with confusion etched upon their faces.

Bucky gave you a thorough tour of the tower. He showed you the gym, the kitchen where he made you his favourite sandwich, he even showed you his room. It was painted in a light blue with white curtains and blinds, thick, soft cream carpet covered the floor and his bed was as soft as a cloud. It was a lot more comfortable than your bed, that's for sure.

Later that day, Tony ordered a takeout and invited everyone to the dining room to eat, including you. The way Bucky's hand was slung protectively around your shoulder didn't go amiss by anyone in the room. It was when he finally sat down did the questions start.

"Alright, what's the deal with you two? Is this a prank? Is he paying you darling?" Sam fired off first, pointing his fork at the two of you opposite him.

Bucky glared at him from calling you 'darling', from where you were sat you could hear the heavy breathing. Your hand slipped into your lap and into his, giving his thigh a firm squeeze to keep calm.

"Y/N is not being paid!" Bucky defended, outraged he could even think such a thing.

You cleared your throat and took a sip of water before speaking, "it's true and I understand it's a shock but Bucky is actually my boyfriend and has been for the past couple of months," you smiled, proud of the fact you were in a relationship with this man and it was no longer secret.

"How the hell did that happen?" Tony queried, waving his chopsticks in the air, flabbergasted by the whole situation.

"What, you think I'm not capable of meeting people?" Bucky challenged, not really enjoying the interrogation which was the whole reason he didn't want to say anything at the beginning.

"Well of course I wouldn't be surprised if it was Capsicle here but it's you," Tony snorted.

"What the hell is that supposed to mean?" Bucky was yelling and turning red with anger when Nat sought the opportunity to take the heat off the two men.

"So, Y/N. Tell us about yourself."

Tags: @smokeybluebrooke-lyn @pinkdiamond1016

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demonboidies · 5 years

Text

𝓼𝓲𝓬𝓴𝓵𝔂 - 𝓽𝓸 𝓴𝓷𝓸𝔀

pt. 3

word count: 1, 802

●WARNING: mention of several mental illnesses (eating disorders, depression, anxiety, psychotic disorders, OCD, alcohol abuse, and more) I do not go into deep detail of each, more so simply mentioning the names, but if you are easily triggered please don't read. the reason I am mentioning these illnesses is because the boys(in my ff) suffer from several of them. all the mental illnesses mentioned in this chapter and their corresponding member are not based on true facts or actual evidence. this is fictional.●

"ah, well i graduated from college a while ago. majored in world language, i had this crazy dream of being a translator. but i obviously don't do that, although i've recently applied to several companies, i haven't heard from any." you ended with a neutral smile, making eye contact with the oldest who was nodding in understanding. "but i asked Jungkook which classes he took, since he still is a youngling."

you chuckle at your wording, along with the others. Hoseok even ruffling the man's hair teasingly.

"uhm, i do programming, computer stuff...yeah, it's nothing interesting like the arts b-but it's what i d-do best." a weak smile was on his lips and you chuckle softly.

"no, that sounds cute. you seem to be like a tech nerd, please take no offense. i mean to compliment you." you said, saving your mistake last second. even if they were younger than you, the level of respect and professionalism still had to be present between all of you.

red was painted across jungkook's face...he was cute to you? taehyung and jimin clenched the utensils on their hands, annoyed with how jungkook unknowingly one upped them. yoongi and hoseok sent glares to jungkook. namjoon and jin simply smiled, although they were fuming internally.

"oh, thank you..."

you nodded, biting into the food present in front of you. the taste was extravagant, even if it was a simple dish.

"my gosh, who made this? it is delicious." you moaned out, wiping your mouth. "this is so good, and home made?"

"that would be me, darling. and of course, home made. i like being able to overlook the food the boys eat, make sure they get their nutrients and stuff. i try to limit the amount of time they eat out,but sometimes i can't control it. especially if i'm in another country." you nodded impressed with the subtle fact he dropped, whether he did it on purpose or not.

"what do you guys do? i'm intrigued now with your professions." you said, resting your heaad on your hand.

"well, i graduated already...but i run my own dance studio. you should stop by sometime! we've won a couple awards, i'm very proud of my students!" hoseok smiles wide, and you could easily tell how much dance meant to him.

"i'm taking online classes for psychology. going to college is such a hassle, online is so much easier." namjoon says with a heavy sigh which you jokingly cheers to. making the males laugh at your humor.

"we, my friend, are on the same page!" you said and he laughed, making you smile widely.

"i produce music. i post my works on soundcloud...i promise i'm not like every other soundcloud rapper. i actually care about what i make, rather than the views it'll give me. i also have interest in photography, but tae is much better than me." yoongi was quiet and fidgeting when he saw the gaze of you on him. but at his last statement, you pouted a bit.

"i'm sure you two have your own styles and qualities in your work. also i've never met a producer before, i look forward to listening to your work as your career prgresses." you smiled kindly at him and he ducked his down to hide his blush. you chuckle before moving your gaze to the eldest at the table.

"oh, my turn. about time~" the boys scoffed and his attitude when you chuckled, at ease in his presence. "i mainly stay at home and do work in my office, but when push comes to shove i do have to leave the country. i'm heir to my father's company, so i have to take responsibility sometimes...and you must be wondering. so i'll answer the question now. the reason why i'm in this wheelchair is because i was in a bad accident when i was young." he nodded solemnly, although he was smiling weakly. there was a silence as you took the words in. "thank God my face was spared though."

he cupped his cheek, initiating a innocent look as everyone broke into a smile, looking over to the man with a wonder.

how could someone be so positive after such a horrific event? which was what you were thinking.

but the rest of the boys simply sighed in relief at their hyung. he was always a good liar. and they were lucky you were completely politely innocent and oblivious to their hyung's lie. he had lied more than once to you already, cheeky person he was

"yes, your face was surely spared." you said joining in with the joke.

the rest of the dinner consisted of you bonding over little things. your love for all kinds of games (including pranks) was shared with jungkook, love for animal life with namjoon, sleep with yoongi, culinary with jin, free expression with hoseok, puppies and dogs with taehyung, and family and friends with jimin. the general direction of every conversation was satisfying as it ended with everyone having a smile on their faces.

you had helped clean up, already beginning your new task as a house maid/nurse. "so what would like me to focus on as my first days?" you asked after everything was cleaned. the youngest had to go to their rooms, to begin getting ready for bed since they had school tomorrow. all their classes were in the morning which was fortunate for you since you would be driving them there from now on...and it didn't seem like fun to constantly drive back to the house and then to the university.

namjoon, who was standing in front of you, moved to the study table in the living room, and took a Manila folders into his hands. it seemed like a thick stack of papers and as you looked closer, there were a total of 7.

"no formal work, but all 7 of us saw it appropriate to give you an introduction to our needs. what exactly is wrong with us, y'know? we trust you're experience enough for this so we are confident you'll do just fine."

you took the stack of papers and thanked him. you walked through the house to find your room, which hoseok had shown you right after dinner was finished, and you still marveled at the sight.

it was a grand gray and white minimalistic bedroom with a huge bed in the center. there was also a large ledge with a window that you could sit on to see the night sky. you maneuvered your way over to the study table, turning the lap on to begin "studying" the males.

●𝖐𝖎𝖒 𝖘𝖊𝖔𝖐𝖏𝖎𝖓 / kim seokjin

disabilities/disorders: unable to move bottom half of body, a light case of schizophrenia, requires special attention on getting ready in the morning (may include dressing and showering)

meds: need daily dose for schizophrenia

your brows furrowed. that existed? you knew schizophrenia existed, but meaning a light case would specifically show what? you just shrugged and decided to what the papers were saying.

●𝖒𝖎𝖓 𝖞𝖔𝖔𝖓𝖌𝖎 / min yoongi

disabilities/disorders: OCD, severe depression, social anxiety, prone to panic and anxiety attacks in a crowd of many people, values his personal space-do not enter his personal bubble unless asked

meds: needs dose for OCD, depression

you nodded slowly, understanding the conditions and seeing the familiar names once again. you've had patients like him before, but everyone is different, so you will still be careful.

●𝖏𝖚𝖓𝖌 𝖍𝖔𝖘𝖊𝖔𝖐 / jung hoseok

disabilities/disorders: bipolar disorder, ADHD, OCD, fits of anger are dangerous, act hostile in any case and alert one of the other tenants immediately

meds: dose for ADHD & OCD

sudden shortness of his list made you a bit hopeful that taking care of 7 males wouldn't be as hard as it seemed. then again, you willingly signed up for this so you shouldn't be complaining in any way.

●𝖐𝖎𝖒 𝖓𝖆𝖒𝖏𝖔𝖔𝖓 / kim namjoon

disabilities/disorders: depression, OCD, past with alcohol abuse (currently in rehab)

meds: dose for depression and OCD

you pouted slightly, only being able to imagine how hard it must be to recover from alcoholism. and it was saddening to see such an intellectual and kind person such as Namjoon suffer from the mental illness, although that could be said about everyone you had previously read.

●𝖕𝖆𝖗𝖐 𝖏𝖎𝖒𝖎𝖓 / park jimin

disabilities/disorders: ARFID, anxiety, prone to panic and anxiety attacks

meds: none

reading the single line you let yourself think of the moment he introduced himself. he was enthusiastic about meeting you, it made you smile at the memory. you were suddenly thankful for getting such a sweet and honey-like expression out of the man.

●𝖐𝖎𝖒 𝖙𝖆𝖊𝖍𝖞𝖚𝖓𝖌 / kim taehyung

disabilities/disorders: OCD, ADD, brief psychotic disorder - periods are short and caused by stress, not dangerous unless triggered by something you do or say

meds: dose for OCD, ADD, and best if given sleep meds during pyschotic episodes

you nodded slowly, understanding and keeping the directions in the back of your mind.

●𝖏𝖊𝖔𝖓 𝖏𝖚𝖓𝖌𝖐𝖔𝖔𝖐 / jeon jungkook

disabilities/disorders: DID, psychotic, anxiety

meds: dose to limit psychotic episodes

the 3 things on the list made your eyebrows furrow. the 3 seemed to make a terrible combination and you began thinking of how calm Jungkook was before. You hoped you wouldn't encounter any bad alters of Jungkook, if he had any bad ones. and, honestly, you were a bit uneducated in the DID field, so you were determined to learn more tonight with the help of the internet.

and the last sheet in each file were filed letters to make sure you caught it :

THEY SHOULD NEVER BE KEPT UNSUPERVISED FOR A LONG TIME. MEDICATION IS IN THE CABINET IN YOUR ROOM WITH PADLOCK TO AVOID OVERDOSES. THANK YOU FOR YOUR UNDERSTANDING AND COMPLIANCE.

you took the words seriously, seeing the urgency in the message. shutting the folders, you stacked all of them in one pile and moved to freshen up. a shower was needed as you climbed into the steaming bathroom. after washing yourself, you climbed into bed and soon you were falling asleep. you fell asleep thinking about how tomorrow would be your first day of your new job.

a/n- thank you so much for the support of this book!!! I hope you guys stay tuned and enjoy the rest of the journey with yabdere!bts

oooh, curious question

》what other times do you think jin lied to you? hmmm?

♡♡♡♡♡SEND ME UR ASK ON WHAT U THINK ABT THATTTTT♡♡♡♡♡

#yandere bts #yandere #yandere bts imagines #yandere imagines #x reader #bts x reader #yandere x reader #sickly ff #ot7 bts #bts ot7 #yandere ot7 #bts sickly ff #bts ff

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hiruma-musouka · 7 years

Note

Okay but like, can someone PRETTY PLEASE draw League Champion Obito and his Chandelure (who's name I bet is Kamui lol). Because I have a SERIOUS yearning for Pokemon League Champion Obito and his Chandelure. You can't tell me it wouldn't be EPIC.

((Well I can’t draw but you can view this as your fault if you like.))

Title: through every challenge along the way AO3 link [with formatting]

Fandom: Naruto, pokemon fusion … Rating: General audiences

Summary: Obito has always believed he would be a pokemon champion someday, but it’s still a slight shock when Hashirama loses.

Hashirama’s Chesnaught sways in place, takes a half step forward, and topples to the ground with a resounding thud.

Obito freezes.

The teenager watches with baited breath as the champion’s armored tank of a pokemon shifts, groggily moving around on the arena floor as it tries to drag itself up and move through its injuries. Kamui bristles tiredly, flames flaring as Obito’s irritated and exhausted Chandelure gears up for yet another attempt at making the ludicrously strong Grass-Fighter stay down.

Except then it stills.

The entire stadium seems to pause: all the trainers and spectators poised on the edge of excitement as the announcer starts the ten second countdown. At six seconds, Konoha - and there’s a small part of Obito’s brain that’s still incredulous that the Elemental Archipelago’s regional champion named his first Grass pokemon ‘Leaf’ - tries to get up again, but it fails even as Kamui circles the battleground, eyes glowing a familiar eerie purple-red as Obito’s favorite girl prepares a Hex.

And then the countdown hits zero and the world goes wild.

“I did it,” Obito whispers, screaming crowd fading into the background as he stands in shock, shoulders loosening as he stares across the field at Hashirama. The older man - the former champion - gives him a wide friendly grin as a familiar blond woman with two pigtails trailing down her back storms forward to check on the injured Chesnaught, followed by a beautifully healthy Blissey and—

Kamui bumps into his shoulder demandingly, half-substantial body badly scuffed up from the half-effective but brutal Wood Hammer Chesnaught had landed on her earlier. That attack had nearly been it for them, had nearly been the end, and yet…

Obito stares at his first pokemon and bursts out laughing.

“YES!” he whoops, jumping into the air with a victorious punch. “We did it! Kamui, we did it!”

Kamui squeals indignantly as Obito lunges at her, dropping them both halfway to the ground as he tightly hugs the tired Fire-Ghost pokemon against him while laughing. The Chandelure gives him about thirty seconds of free hugging to celebrate their win and then goes cold, making Obito shiver as she starts draining little bits of life energy out of the air around her.

“Alright, alright, I know you’re exhausted!” Obito laughs defensively, unable to stop grinning as he shakes out numbing arms and stands back up. “Let’s go greet the champion and— and Kamui! We won the CHAMPIONSHIP!”

Obito spins around, scanning the audience eagerly. He finally finds Rin and Kakashi sitting a few rows up from the front, behind the seats reserved for the any regional gym leaders, like Madara and Izuna, who had chosen to attend in person.

Rin is up and standing on her seat, voice lost in the crowd but clapping so enthusiastically that there’s no question that it’s her volume making Kakashi cringe next to her. Bakashi - once Rin kicks him and he finally notices that Obito is staring - looks down at him, expression hidden under the weirdo’s omnipresent scarf.

Obito grins widely up at him, tossing an arm around Kamui as he waves at the normally smug jerk. It might have taken Obito until he was seventeen to finally make it past the Elemental Regionals and thus qualify for the Championship League unlike Kakashi who had done both at thirteen, but Obito had done it! And he’d WON!

He and Kamui had even managed to beat the exact same Chesnaught that had wiped the floor with Kakashi and his dog pokemon! Hashirama’s Konoha had resisted everything Kakashi had thrown at it four years ago. It had beaten Kakashi’s Granbull despite the type disadvantage, and it had beaten Kakashi’s strongest, Jolteon, who had been with the other teen since he and Obito had been tiny brats bickering over how Kakashi’s Eevee kept knocking Obito’s Litwick off his head.

Hashirama had been champion for over a decade… but Obito had won.

Kakashi gets to his feet beside Rin with his Jolteon in his arms and inclines his head towards Obito as he holds up a hand. Obito grins, waving harder even as Kamui gets impatient and holds up one of her candles near his head, silently threatening to set Obito’s hair on fire again. Bakashi’s shoulders jerk, familiar enough that Obito knows he’s being laughed at, and then the complete dork lifts up his Jolteon and grabs one of its front paws to make Chidori wave at Obito.

“I’m gonna laugh when that idiot gets himself electrocu—” Obito chokes as Kamui finally loses patience, hooking an arm around his neck and dragging him over to Hashirama while Obito scrambles to stay upright.

“Well done!” the older trainer greets him, as Obito coughs and catches his breath, rubbing at his chilled throat as Kamui finally lets go. “Congratulations on winning the Championship League, Obito. It was a really interesting challenge! I’ve been looking forward to fighting you since I saw the list of the regional trainers who had qualified.”

“It was? I mean, you have? I mean, yeah, me too!” Obito splutters, grinning sheepishly and rubbing the back of his head as he shakes Hashirama’s hand.

“Alright, your Chesnaught’s going to be fine, Hashirama. Just bring it by later today,” the blond woman says, startling Obito who had completely forgotten about— shit, gym leader Tsunade. She stands up, crossing her arms and giving Kamui a narrow-eyed stare that abruptly reminds Obito of the match he’d had with her once and all the deceptively cute and terrifying Normal pokemon that she had practically clobbered him with. “Is that Ghost of yours alright for the closing ceremony, kid, or do you need to hit the stadium’s pokecenter first?”

“We’re ok,” Obito answers quickly. Kamui bobs agreeably, flaring her fires for emphasis as Hashirama recalls his knocked out Chesnaught into its pokeball.

Tsunade seems supremely unconvinced but exchanges a look with her Blissey before patting its head and walking off.

Blissey utters a delighted sound, bounce-walking up to Obito and patting him on the arm before looking at Kamui. With a sing-song trill and an abrupt pulse of sparkly golden-pink light, the happy pokemon spreads a Heal Pulse through the nearby area, wafting Obito and Hashirama’s hair up as it spreads over all three of them, causing scrapes to fade and putting more color into Obito’s pale face.

Kamui shoots backwards, startled at the sudden Psychic move before abruptly chilling the entire area, glowing dark purple in irritation as the indefatigable Blissey simply bounces off after her trainer, completely unmoved and unaffected.

“Why did it hit us with the healing move?” Obito asks, looking incredulously at Hashirama. He stokes Kamui’s side as she cuddles next to him, still glaring after the pink pokemon.

“Well, it’s Tsunade,” Hashirama explains matter-of-factly, patting Obito on the shoulder and gesturing towards one of the arena openings before briefly waving up at one of the cameras filming the competition. “She has absolutely no faith in anyone’s assessment of their own health. It, uh, might have been a result of growing up around a lot of stubborn people. Besides—” Hashirama sends him a kind look “—you looked like you really needed it.”

“I’m fine,” Obito says surprised. Hashirama’s eyes flick tellingly over towards Kamui on Obito’s other side and the younger Uchiha stiffens before deliberately laying his hand flat against the blue-indigo sphere of the Chandelure’s body. “I’m fine,” he stresses, daring Hashirama to comment on Kamui or Obito’s frequent physical affection towards the Ghost.

Ghosts pokemon aren’t really well known or popular among trainers, and Litwick aren’t the most common to begin with. As a result, there aren’t a lot of people - especially in the Elemental region - who are closely familiar with Litwick’s evolutionary line. Most people had just thought Obito was weird as a kid when he walked around the big city with Kamui on his head. They hadn’t known all the stories about Litwick, and Kamui had been cute enough in her first stage that most people had dismissed how their own pokemon hadn’t liked the candle-shaped Ghost.

Frankly Obito prefers being overlooked compared to the other reactions that occur from informed individuals. He can still remember the hard, vicious look in Madara’s eyes when he had visited on Obito’s eighth birthday and caught sight of Kamui hanging around the house. Obito had had to tackle the twenty-year-old gym leader with all the force he could bring to bear to keep Madara from deploying Houndoom to kill her.

(( Obito can still hear echoes from the hours of worried screaming about life-force consuming ghosts and reckless brats playing chicken with death via potentially being stranded in the Ghost World.

That really hadn’t been fun. Madara is a terrifying asshole when it concerns his family. Kamui still won’t go near him or any of his pokemon to this day. It had turned Obito’s multiple challenges at the Naka gym into a giant obstacle. ))

“Kamui is a great pokemon,” Obito tells Hashirama, unwilling to budge from defending his oldest friend outside of Rin. “I didn’t need healing.”

Hashirama considers them both seriously as they arrive at one of the stadium’s field entrances before nodding. “I believe you,” the man accepts simply, brushing his long brown hair back and facing forward. “You would know her best. And you obviously have a very close bond considering how unique your fighting style is. I’ve never even heard of someone training a Ghost pokemon to deliberately open a otherworld gate! And during an actual battle, too!”

The Senju grins widely, sending Kamui an honestly impressed look. “That was extremely well done. Thank you for both for bringing my Trevenant back quickly, by the way.”

“You’re welcome. It’s not like we would ever leave another pokemon in the Ghost World after a fight has ended.”

Kamui makes a sound that can’t be described as anything but a disappointed mewl before clearly beginning to sulk, and Obito flushes as Hashirama laughs.

“Kamui!” Obito hisses, ears burning. “We would not leave someone in the Ghost World!” His Chandelure slowly rotates around in mid-air so that’s she’s facing away and Obito grabs her arms, quickly spinning her so he can look straight into her solid yellow eyes. “Kamui, you can’t just say things like that in front of a league champion!”

Hashirama’s boisterous chuckles echo through the hallway. “That’s alright. I’ve run into enough Ghosts to know that they aren’t all as nice as people would prefer. My Trevenant still likes to use Forest’s Curse on any fire pokemon in Tobirama’s research center whenever I send him to stay there temporarily. He thinks the best way to keep Fire pokemon from burning trees is to curse them with a temporary Grass type and then he laughs if they get burned from their own body heat. Your cousin Madara nearly strangled me with his bare hands once because of it after visiting the Valley.”

“That sounds like him,” Obito says flatly. “Why was he in River Valley?”

A strangely pained look flashes across Hashirama’s face. “I think he decided to drag Tobirama out early for their annual month-long vacation because of some persistent trainer on Naka Island. I try not to ask questions when my brother looks content. It usually involves answers I don’t want to know or dangerous research I wish he wouldn’t find interesting.”

Obito stares into thin air, trying to put ‘vacation’, 'content’, and Madara together with the reserved, intense professor who runs the River Valley Research Center. It doesn’t really sound plausible. It sounds even less so when he adds in Senju Tobirama’s second role as the water specialist in charge of the hellhole that is RVRC’s current pokemon gym.

(( Obito can always tell which of his fellow trainers have tried and failed to earn the Katon or Suiton badge within the last decade. Not a single one of them ever believes he earned either badge until they see them for themselves. ))

“So,” Obito says abruptly, trying to stave off any flashbacks to red eyes, slight smirks, or nightmarish water-themed obstacle courses, “what happens now?”

“Now we wait about thirty minutes until the closing ceremony starts, and then you’ll be given your own champion badge at the end of it regardless of whether or not you accept the title. Everything else in the ceremony stays the same as was described in the pamphlet you received at the tournament’s registration desk.”

“Do I need to do anything as champion?” Obito asks, looking at Kamui and feeling another minor rush all over again at their victory.

Hashirama waves a hand. “The only thing champions are required to do after the ceremony is to return to Summit Plateau every three years to participate in the Championship Conference and potentially defend your title. If you don’t accept the title, you don’t have to return though.”

There is no way in hell Obito would ever not accept, but: “It’s a little strange to think you won’t be in the tournament anymore.” He rubs his neck, looking up at Hashirama. “Some of your fights were really incredible. I still have a recording of your one with Madara when you were both in the finals of your own Champ Conference.”

Hashirama hums, remembering that fight years ago. “You know, Obito - and don’t tell Hiruzen this since he was an Elite Four member at the time - but I think Madara was the hardest fight out of that entire tournament. I probably wouldn’t have won against his Fire pokemon at all if I hadn’t grown up with him and known him so well.”

“It was a really satisfying battle to watch,” Obito compliments, fighting back a smirk.

And it was! Not because Madara had lost (although Obito will admit to having rewatched that fight a few times out of petty spite rather than studying their strategy), but because it’s always amazing to see a high level specialist manage a win against someone who specializes in pokemon with a type advantage. It takes a lot of skill and strategy to do that when both trainers have pokemon in the same power bracket. Madara’s fights against Tobirama’s Water pokemon or Tobirama’s against Izuna’s Electric types are just as impressive.

“Well I’m sure there will be several interesting battles in the next Conference, and you’ll be able to see those in person as a tournament participant.” Hashirama opens the door to a small employee break room. “How does getting a snack sound?”

“Sure. Although…” Obito trails off, holding the door open for Kamui who decides to just phase through it and him because his girl is a little shit sometimes and likes to make him shiver. “Does that mean you plan to compete in the next Conference?”

Obito will get to be champion for a very short period if so unless he continues to work his ass off.

“No, but I’ll be a member of the Elite Four next time. Donut?”

“Who’s leaving?” Obito asks, accepting the paper box and picking up a chocolate covered Long John as Hashirama takes a bite out of a pink, sprinkle-covered monstrosity.

The older man swallows. “Indra and Ashura want to step down so they can go on a longer travel trip and maybe move to another region. We were actually going to ask you if you wanted one of their positions so long as you defeated Minato’s Flying types and Hiruzen’s Fighters during the championship, but since you won, I’ll take one of the empty positions instead.”

“You, you wanted to ask me? Right away? Before the tournament?” Obito stares, a smear of chocolate stuck unnoticed at the corner of his mouth.

“Of course!” Hashirama declares, eyes crinkling from the force of his wide smile. “League rules require any new Elite Four members to have defeated at least two prior members before the league can offer them a full-time employment contract given the prestige and responsibility of the position. Since you won and I’m no longer champion regardless of whether you accept it or not, I can now fill an Elite position instead. However, there aren’t a lot of trainers in the Archipelago who meet those qualifications. And several of those that do don’t want to sign up for a different league career.”

“Right,” Obito nods, mentally thumbing through the list of all the past competitors that he remembers. A lot of Championship Conferences tend to end after the first Elite battle rather than making it all the way to the champion. Especially if the randomizer draws out Indra or Ashura’s name for the first slot. It’s why tournament publicizes the elimination matches between the Regional League’s winners and runner-ups: a single competitor losing a single fight doesn’t make for good television even if the fight is amazing. A few challengers manage to get to a second or third Elite round if the draw picks Hiruzen or Minato first, but Obito’s pretty sure Kakashi was the first challenger since Senju Tobirama to get past both the Ōtsutsuki brothers.

Given that the last person to manage that before Tobirama was Madara - who stopped competing in tournaments after he took over the Naka gym - the League really must have a short list of possible candidates for the Elite.

“Why me though?” Obito questions after he finishes off the last of his donut. “Wouldn’t I have the least seniority of anyone who qualifies? Kakashi for example—”

“We don’t choose based on seniority,” Hashirama interrupts, offering Kamui a glazed donut when she investigates the box. “We go by the number of victories first - whoever manages to defeat the most Elite Four - but after that the offer is a group decision. We tried offering it to Madara months ago because he’s certainly champion level, but he laughed in my face at the idea of leaving the Naka gym before he had a decent successor and then refused to pick up any more League calls until we dropped it.”

“I’m pretty sure I can convince Tobirama to take the remaining position if I ambush him correctly,” Hashirama continues, speaking more to the ceiling than Obito, “but only if it doesn’t interfere with his research at the RVRC. We might actually get more people applying to the Regionals with Suiton badges if he passes on the gym leadership. You’re the first person in a decade to have every badge from the Elemental Archipelago, you know? It’s really impressive actually. It’s why we wanted you for an Elite position.”

“I’m what?” Obito yelps. “But! But how?”

“A lot of people stop at eight badges that are needed for the Regional requirements. It’s an amazing sign of dedication and will that you achieved badges from all the currently accredited gyms.”

“It’s a sign of Madara being an asshole!” Obito flails loudly, immediately getting an enthusiastic trill of an agreement from Kamui. “Do you know what he did! It’s not bad enough that he neatly avoids any challenging trainer for a solid week before agreeing to battle them, but every time I lost trying to get the Katon badge, that— that jerk said 'better get more practice’ and then had his Arcanine use Teleport to dump me in a completely different city in front of a gym I hadn’t fought yet! He taught an Arcanine Teleport just to be an asshole! Who even teaches non-Psychics TELEPORT!”

Hashirama smirked. He smirked, Obito thinks, speechlessly outraged as he catches the Senju’s brief expression before the Grass specialist rapidly switches to friendly reassurance. “I’m sure he wasn’t doing it to be an asshole, young Obito,” Hashirama soothes as Obito remembers and then rapidly reassesses what it means that this guy is Madara’s best friend. “Teleport is a very convenient Move! My brother Tobirama taught it to his Cloister when he was only twelve and Madara’s Arcanine has known it almost as long. I’m sure Madara was only trying to help you in his own way. Look at how far you’ve gotten!”

“…Are you actually trying to convince me that my cousin doesn’t enjoy being an asshole?” Obito asks flatly. “Because you can’t tell me he doesn’t enjoy making trainers wait a week in his gym doing chores whenever they want a Katon badge.”

“He’s testing their patience,” Hashirama claims with a charismatic smile that Obito is no longer sure he trusts. “Lots of gym leaders test for more qualities than simply having powerful pokemon. Hiashi tests for attention to detail, Gai tests for enthusiasm, and Tobirama tests for a trainer’s willingness to work hard independent of their pokemon. You see what I mean!”

“You’ve never gone through your brother’s obstacle course, have you?” Obito questions dryly, remembering Madara’s surprised pride when Obito had bared his teeth at him a month ago and presented a case with every last badge in the region outside of the Katon badge.

“Anyway!” Hashirama goes on earnestly. “Since we haven’t had more than a handful of trainers achieve both the Katon and Suiton badges since Tobirama and Madara took over, never mind the entire set of Elemental badges, we decided you were our first choice if you qualified. And the offer will continue to be open to you in the future if you ever step down as champion. Even if the positions are all filled, you’ll always be qualified to challenge an Elite for their title.”

“Right…” Obito murmurs, patting Kamui’s smooth arm as the Chandelure nudges him, trying to imagine what it would be like to be an Elite working for the Elemental Pokemon League. He’d always wanted to be champion, to achieve the highest recognition a competitive pokemon trainer could attain, but champion is more of an honorary title. A champion has to sign an individual contract if they want to work for the League, but an Elite is an actual job with a variety of possible duties and different kind of respect because of it.

It’s kind of strange… Obito had always thought about being champion but never about being an Elite. If anyone his age was going to become one, he’d always imagined it would be Kakashi. Rin, too, of course because Rin would never be anything less than awesome, but Rin had always been more interested in the traveling part of a pokemon journey rather than the competitive fights and—

Wait.

“You said I was the only one with all the badges,” Obito says, eyes narrowing in thought. “Didn’t Hatake Kakashi have them all when he challenged you three years ago?”

“No, he registered without the Katon and Doton badges,” Hashirama answers absently, opening a bottle of tea. “Persistent fellow though. Apparently he showed up on Naka Island at the beginning of Madara’s vacation and proceeded to question every person who might possibly know how to contact the Fire gym’s leader. I still don’t know how he managed to track down my phone number to ask me about it. He probably would have waited the entire month on the island if he hadn’t accidentally annoyed Izuna one too many times and gotten Emolga sicced on him for a week.”

“We are going to Kick Bakashi’s ASS,” Obito declares, clenching his fist and staring at Kamui with fire in his eyes, remembering the cocky tilt of Kakashi’s head when they had been twelve and how the Hatake had claimed he’d found Madara an irritating challenge but not a fight worth remembering. And then he’d taunted Obito, betting that the older brunet boy wouldn’t collect anything more than the standard eight badges and probably just the ones from easy gyms.

Obito had spent years putting up with Madara dumping him all over the region, determined to get that Katon badge before his first tournament so that he could match Kakashi’s record, even after Izuna had laughed and told him it was okay to wait a few years to get more experience like most Uchiha do, and that silver-haired asshole hadn’t even had the badge!

“-lure, -lure, chandeluuuure,” Kamui sings in her creepiest tone, swinging back and forth like a pendulum as her indigo flames dance and wave hypnotically, eerie purple energy pulsing around her ghostly form.

“Great idea!” Obito agrees fervently, forgetting about Hashirama as he turns to leave the room. “We’ll wait until night and then get him. So attend ceremony, find grandma, thank Rin, and then punch Kakashi in the nose with more to come later!”

… I think I see a bit of a family resemblance, Hashirama thinks silently, following the angry teen and his unnervingly delighted Fire-Ghost back out into the stadium.

At least they won’t be filming anything live after the ceremony concludes.

~.~

AO3 link [with formatting]

#naruto #pokemon #uchiha obito #senju hashirama #MadaTobi #it's in the background #my writing #anonymous #asks

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