#Winter Girls sheltering in a show storm | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

digitalsatyr23 · 11 months

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What Keeps Me Going (Commission)

Setting: Arachnia Characters: Reah and Bergin Word Count: 9,088

The mist rolled in early that morning.

Bergin woke from bad dreams, as he often did. Luma, an elven woman he had offered shelter to some years prior, was already busy in the kitchen. Bergin had never asked Luma to do any chores for him, but elves, as he had learned, were something of a polite race. “It’s not proper”, she would say, “to be given so much and give nothing in return.” And so once again, Bergin didn’t have to cook breakfast.

After rolling out of bed, he stretched his old bones. Looking at a smaller bed nearby, Alli (short for Alligri) was fast asleep, a strand of her black hair curled over her nose in an amusing way. Bergin approached, brushing the hair off of her face. Though his own sleep was often poor, just knowing his daughter slept soundly every night was enough for him.

Bergin approached the kitchen table as Luma said, “I drew fresh water from the well. Help yourself.”

“Thank you,” said Bergin. He grabbed his favorite wooden mug, poured water out of a clay jug, then finally sat down at the table. “I don’t know how you can be so lively with how little you sleep. What’s your secret?”

“We don’t need much,” said Luma, her back to Bergin as she stirred a stew pot. “A few hours are all it takes. It was harder in the Winter when the sun hardly came out, but Spring suits me just fine.”

“If I didn’t know any better, I’d think you were a walking flower. Must be nice to get so much pep from the sun.”

Luma was a tall and slender elven woman (though she insisted that her people were called huldra) that had long blonde hair, pointed ears, bright green eyes, light skin, and a long cow tail that ended in a tuft of blonde fur. She wore a simple long-sleeved blue dress, along with a white apron and embossed leather shoes. Bergin could hardly believe she was 143 years old, given her good looks. He was 42-year-old human and his hair had already gone grey. It was a strange thing to him that the races of the world aged differently, but he didn’t think it unfair.

Maybe it’s what we eat, Bergin wondered. Beans, bread, and fried pork were staples at his dinner table. Meanwhile he had hardly seen Luma eat more than thin soup and twigs. Of course I’d die if I ate like that. Bergin continued his pondering as he took another swig of cool, clean water. When Luma finished cooking, Bergin was given a bowl of vegetable soup. It had just the right amount of salt in it to please his tongue, and the warmth helped the rest of his body wake up. He thanked Luma for the meal and then got ready for work.

“Will you be fine watching Alli?” Bergin asked. “That storm two days ago caused more damage than we thought, so I’ll be busy all day.”

“I’ll be more than happy to take care of the girl,” Luma said, bowing her head.

“Much appreciated. With luck, we won’t see another storm like that for some time, so work will be much lighter after today. Thanks for all your help.”

“Of course, sir.”

“I’ve already told you; you don’t have to call me that. We’ve known each other for far too long.”

Of course, these years must have passed you in the blink of an eye, thought Bergin.

“And I’ve already told you; you are the master of this house. It’s only proper I remember that,” said Luma. Bergin shrugged and waved goodbye, going out to the village.

Bergin and his daughter, Alli, had moved into the village of Mackmalin as part of the region of Ceranestan in the Boccovian Empire. Ceranestan was a lush landscape of rolling hills, vast plains, and few mountains. Mackmalin itself was a humble village that was southwest of Elhinvar Forest, making use of its lumber, wild vegetation, and elk to survive. Despite being far from towns, it was a peaceful place with few monster attacks. The worst Bergin had ever seen was a stray giant bat from the Myotis Plains further north, and with an Imperial fort to the east, the threats that did show themselves were always dealt with in time. The people were good-natured Gairen folk, like himself, and there was never any bad blood between his neighbors. People only threw fists down at the pub, and even then, it was water under the bridge by morning.

As Bergin made his way through the village, he was greeted by a few of his neighbors. Friendly hellos and good mornings. He knew just about everyone in the village because of his job. He liked to call himself a handyman because if it involved wood, rock, brick, or thatch, he could fix it. When people needed help with something, they came to him, for his work was swift and his wages fair. His back often hurt by the end of the day, but he was far too stubborn to give in to the pain. All he needed was a good meal and the occasional splotch of spiceberry paste on his backside, and he’d be ready for tomorrow.

The day went by quick enough, and once it was noon, Bergin took a break at home. As soon as he approached the front door, it swung open, and he was greeted by his darling daughter, Alli. She was a young girl of seven Summers with raven hair, brown eyes (like Bergin’s), and fair skin. She was wearing a faded green dress with long sleeves and a grey surcoat tied at the waist on each side, though she was still barefoot.

“Papa, Papa! You’re back!” she said, arms wide open. Bergin scooped her up and gave her a great big hug, setting her down.

“I won’t be here for long, though. There’s still lots to do,” said Bergin, closing the door behind him and sitting down.

“Aaah. But you said you’d take me berry picking in the forest!”

“I said that would be tomorrow. Just be patient.” Even as Bergin ruffled Alli’s hair, she puffed up her cheeks and grumbled.

“Okay…”

“How’s your reading coming along, by the way?”

“I still need Sissy Luma’s help with some of the words, but I’m getting better. Wanna hear me read some?”

Bergin’s tired face smiled as he said, “I think that would be lovely.”

Though she was grumbling before, Alli immediately forgot about the berry picking and scampered over to the bookshelf, grabbing a large book with both hands before setting it down on the table, climbing onto Bergin’s lap, then opening it up. It was the story of Roland the Hero and his many exploits across the seas. He was something of a folk legend that was alive about a century ago, known for defeating several monsters and making the oceans safer for travel. Bergin suspected most of his tales were exaggerated (who ties themselves to a bowsprit to fight a sea monster, anyway?), but it didn’t matter what he thought. Alli was learning the wonders of reading and Bergin wouldn’t dare intrude on her fun.

“The… B-brave Sir Roland was g-g…” Alligri paused.

“Given,” said Bergin.

“Given a m-magical sword made of corale?”

“Corral.”

“Corral by the mermaid. ‘U-use this when you fight Sc.. Sc… Sila?”

“Scylla.”

Alligri grumbled, her cheeks flush with embarrassment.

“It’s okay,” said Bergin. “Just be patient and take things one at a time.”

“But I was doing so good earlier!” complained Alligri. “Tell him, Sissy Luma! I read a whole page by myself!”

“She did indeed,” said Luma, bowing her head.

“See!”

“It’s okay, Alli. I believe you,” Bergin did his best to not chuckle. He understood his daughter’s frustrations, but at the same time, she was very cute when she was grumpy. “Hey, why don’t you read that page to me? The one you read before?”

“But… I already read it,” said Alli.

“Well I wasn’t here for that page. I’d like to hear it.”

“You do?”

“I would!” said Bergin. At this, Alli’s eyes lit up and she flipped the page over, going over the words one at a time. Sure enough, she didn’t have any trouble with the page. “I knew you could do it,” he smiled. Alli smiled, too. For a moment, everything was right with the world. Unfortunately, the moment wouldn’t last. He had to get back to work, after all.

When the reading was over, Bergin said his goodbyes and gave Alli a hug before walking out the door. He went back to helping one of the villagers fix their roof, wondering what tomorrow would bring. He imagined an idyllic day outside with wicker baskets, bushels full of berries, Alli skipping through the forest, and Claira-

Wait, no. Claira wasn’t around anymore. Bergin sighed. Despite how long she had been gone, he still thought about her every day. His wife had been dead for years, yet he often saw her in his dreams like everything was fine. Bergin shook his head and kept working. Once it was done, he called out to his neighbor.

“Tom, I’m going to pour a little water on it. Tell me if you still see a leak.”

“All right, go ahead!” said Tom from inside. Just as Bergin was pouring the water, a strange horn sounded off in the distance. He thought it was coming from the forest.

“Tom… Did you hear that?”

“What, the leak?”

“No. It sounded like-”

And that’s when the arrows fell.

---

A redhaired woman was walking through tall grassy fields. Though she dressed lightly in a mixed attire from many cultures, it was clear she was a warrior from the strange weapon on her back. It was almost evening, and the sun was blotted out by grey clouds up above. The winds were blowing freely, making grass dance in the breeze. The woman stretched, taking it all in. When next she returned home to the arid lands of Tirachna, she would miss moments such as these.

The woman was named Reah Fenae. She was an adventurer by trade, working for the Guild, a famous organization that started in Boccovia (the lands she currently tread). She stood 5’6” and had a strong, athletic body, honed from years of fighting and traveling alone. She had recently completed a job for a local branch of the Guild and on her way back, she stopped by the town of Thannigran. The town was famous for its upside-down forest growing underground. Satisfied with seeing the natural wonder, she left the town behind and made her way north. Looking at the sky, she wondered if it would rain. She had no cover, after all. But then, her strong nose picked up a familiar scent. She was certain it was blood.

Reah wasn’t sure where the scent was coming from, but as she looked around, she noticed the faintest glimmer of fire in the distance. It was a signal fire – commonly lit by villages and towns as a call for help. Reah’s instincts took hold, and she raced across the field. She was too far away to tell what was happening, but she had a cold, knotted feeling in her stomach. Whatever it was, it was bad.

After several minutes of running without rest, Reah reached the outskirts of the village. The ground and rooftops were littered with arrows, and while she could smell a foul stench nearby, she didn’t hear fighting. Then came the sound of hooves stomping across the ground. Reah took cover behind a waist-high stone wall, crouching down. As the sound grew closer, she listened. There were two creatures, and not very big at that, and their pace was casual. She heard the creatures speak in a crude tongue of snorts and squeals. Peeking around the corner of the wall, she realized they were porga – small ones at that. She was familiar with these beasts. Porga were a savage race of bipedal boar men with thick furry limbs, three-fingered hands, hoofed legs, tough hides, and tails ending in tufts of dark fur. These smaller ones were called pyhgoars, typically white of fur, with large tusks, standing about four feet in height. They wore ragged cloaks, pants, and sashes, but little else. One carried a dull shortspear just right for his height, the other a wooden club. They were sniffing at the door of a house with their snouts. Luckily, Reah was upwind, otherwise they would have noticed her. After they grunted and nodded to one another, one of the pyhgoars reached for the doorknob.

Reah hopped over the fence and readied her weapon, Bonespur, a twinblade with a beast’s jawbones on both ends. She rushed the two pyhgoars and struck them down, making sure to slice their throats so they wouldn’t alert any others. The shock of the sudden blows had dropped the two boar men, though she knew better than to leave them like that. She took the shortspear and stabbed each one in the heart. Even small porga had an uncanny constitution. She would take no chances and leave herself open.

There must be a survivor in this house, Reah thought. She slipped into the house and shut the door. Though it was dark, Reah’s keen eyes adjusted to the dim light. It was a family home, with two adult-sized beds and a child’s bed. No one seemed to be around, but Reah caught the scent of someone nearby. She followed the scent to a closet and patted one of its doors gently.

“Is someone in there?” Reah whispered. “I’ve taken care of those beasties outside. It’s safe for now.”

Stepping back, she waited. The closet slowly opened, and a girl peeked out from it. She was a young Gairen girl with dark, filthy hair – damp and matted with sweat. She wore a faded green dress and a grey surcoat stained with mud and blood. The girl was covered from head to toe in dirt, grime, cuts, and bruises. Thankfully, she didn’t have any serious injuries. Reah wondered where the bloodstains must have come from.

“W-who are you?” the girl asked. Reah stooped down and put her hands on her knees, softening her expression.

“My name is Reah. I’m an adventurer. And you are?”

“I… I’m Alligri, though everyone calls me Alli.” The girl paused, looking around. “Are there any more outside? D-did you get them all?”

“There are no others nearby, though I don’t know about further in the village.” Reah reached out her hand and gently rubbed the girl’s hair to try and put her at ease. When it was clear that the girl no longer feared her, Reah scooped Alli up in her arms, sat down on one of the beds, and held her there. The girl clung to Reah. She felt so… Small. So fragile. Reah continued petting Alli’s hair, channeling the ether in her body into her hands to heal Alli’s wounds. That was enough to open the floodgates. Alli cried ugly, bitter tears, sniffling with a snot-filled nose. Sometimes her sobs were interrupted by strangled hiccups and hitched breaths. Reah did her best to keep the girl calm.

“Shh shh shh, it’s gonna be all right,” said Reah. “Just let it all out. I’ve got you.”

Alli didn’t, no, couldn’t reply. Not yet at least. Reah just did what she could to be a pillar for the girl to lean against. When she finally calmed, Alli spoke up.

“There m-must be others. Papa and Sissy Luma a-are in danger!”

“Do you know what happened?” asked Reah.

“I… I’m not sure. Papa had gone out to work for the day, then Sissy Luma had to take care of some chores outside. I stayed home to s-study my letters, but then I heard a funny horn from outside. I thought maybe it was something fun, like a f-festival, so I walked outside to see, but then there was shouting and running. I saw something coming down from the sky, then one of the guards dove at me and let whatever came down hit him instead. I… I remember he stopped moving, and lots of blood was coming out. He was so heavy, I cut myself on his armor trying to crawl out from under him. Then those pigmen started running into the village and attacking everyone, even me! Some of the villagers helped me escape, but I don’t know what happened to them. I tried to find Papa and Sissy Luma. I think… I think the pigmen put everyone in chains.”

It didn’t surprise Reah. Porga were sometimes called the Hogs of War. Legend says that they were ordinary boars that were made to walk upright by the dark magic of Cheruvyx, the god of war. When the first porga saw that other pigs were being eaten and kept in pens by the races of men, it drove them mad. Ever since, the porga have waged an endless war against the races of men, raiding towns, slaying their warriors, and capturing the weak and wounded to be used as slaves, and sometimes even food. Indeed, some porga were mad enough that the only way they feel revenge for their “brethren” has been served is if men are made to experience the same fate as pigs…

“I know what I have to do,” said Reah. “It may be scary right now, but can you hide for just a bit longer? I’m going to try and save everyone.”

“Even Papa and Sissy Luma?”

“Especially Papa and Sissy Luma.”

Reah set the girl down. While Alli had regained her composure, she still looked wary and unsure.

“But there were so many! Are you sure you can do it?”

“Of course I can do it.” Reah stood up, banging a fist against her chest. “Just leave it to me! I’ll save your village if it’s the last thing I do!”

Despite her bold words, Reah could tell Alli was still worried, so she tried something else. She untied a necklace she was wearing which was a string of leather with an ivory wolf’s head hanging from it. After kneeling down, she showed the wolf necklace to Alli.

“Do you see this? This is a necklace my father gave to me. He was a brave man who fought in the Black Sky War. Before he left me at our village to join the fight, he made this and said that if I ever got into trouble, as long as I wore this necklace, he would appear to keep me safe. Well… He’s probably the strongest person I know, so for the time being, why don’t you wear it instead?”

“Don’t you need it?” asked Alli. Reah shook her head.

“It’ll be dangerous out there, but I know I can do it. So, to make sure you’re safe while I’m gone, please. Take it.”

Alli finally agreed and let Reah tie it around her neck. Afterwards, Alli got back in the closet, and when the door was closed, Reah moved a couple of things to put in the way of the door without making it too obvious it was being blocked. In truth, Reah had no idea if the necklace did anything, but she believed in her father’s words, and with luck, Alli believed in hers. Leaving the house behind, Reah steeled herself for battle.

---

Reah walked through the dirt roads of the village, surveying the scenery. She couldn’t see any porga nearby, but that didn’t mean they weren’t there. Pyhgoars were especially crafty, making up for their size through stealth and cunning. She was lucky in her first encounter, but she couldn’t get careless. She kept her weapon at the ready and never strayed far from the shadows, moving quickly between buildings.

As Reah grew closer to the center of the village, her ears perked up. It sounded like the porga had gathered there, and given the rattling of chains and other noises, it seemed like they wouldn’t be there for long. Feeling her heart beat in her chest, she crept closer. When she looked around the corner of a house, the knotted sensation in her gut only grew. Tall brown-furred porga she recognized as bragoars were stripping prisoners down and making them wallow in mud. The creatures laughed at the pain and humiliation they inflicted on the villagers, with one even pressing a man’s face into the mud with his hoof.

“Again and again you people butcher my kind to slate your own hunger,” said an especially nasty-looking porga, his voice deep with a rumbling timbre. “You can’t even be bothered to treat them well before you slaughter them. How does it feel, hmm?” The porga then grabbed the man by his hair and pulled him to his feet. The man coughed, having almost suffocated. The bragoar shouted, “HOW DOES IT FEEL!?!”

Some of the prisoners were weeping, others looked dead to the world. Reah even saw a pyhgoar sitting on a rooftop, gnawing on a severed arm. It cackled at the prisoners before going back to eating.

“Why are you doing this?” a woman moaned through her tears.

“Because,” the bragoar shoved the man he had back into the mud. “It makes me feel better.” He then turned to another porga nearby. “Inform the captain we’ll be ready to return to Ockgrask soon.”

“As you wish,” the porga said in a gruff, low tone.

Seeing this made Reah’s blood boil. She had to stop the porga soon, otherwise they would take the prisoners back to their own village. Even so, there were far more enemies than she could have anticipated. She counted twenty, thirty combatants – possibly more. Most wore simple clothes like thick hide vests and dark breeches, while others wore chainmail or bloodstained breastplate. They were well-equipped for simple raiders. A part of Reah was certain she couldn’t face them all, but she was becoming so angry she wasn’t sure if she cared. It was then that she had a moment of clarity.

Wait, the signal fire! They couldn’t have lit it for people like me. There must be someone nearby, like a militia or something. Are they on their way? If so, they’ll be too late. The porga are already getting ready to leave!

Reah thought about the situation. There was only one course of action, as far as she saw. She had to do everything in her power to distract the porga and keep them from leaving with the prisoners. If she could take them all down, good, but if not… Hopefully whoever came by next would finish the job.

Carefully, Reah whispered an incantation. Magic was by no means her specialty, but she knew a few tricks that helped her get by. In this case, she cast a spell on herself that would bolster the sound of her voice. The louder she could be, the better. Her second incantation was more complex, something that would harden her exposed skin to help shrug off blows. With so many potential foes, she couldn’t take any chances. When she felt good and ready, she climbed onto the roof of the building she was next to, took a deep breath, and shouted at the top of her lungs.

“Hear me, porga! My name is Reah Fenae of the Crescent Valley! I am the daughter of Toma Fenae, Hero of the Black Sky War! This village is now under my protection! Face me now and suffer my wrath or leave the prisoners here and never return!!!”

Of course, she knew the porga wouldn’t flee. Fleeing in the face of opposition was one of the most dishonorable things you could do in their culture. They would also see her invoking her father’s name as a sign of weakness, as if to say her name couldn’t stand on its own. But that, too, was part of her plan. Not only would she rile up the porga, she might even inspire the villagers.

At first there was silence. Everyone, even the prisoners, were staring at Reah in disbelief. But then the bragoar who spoke earlier said, “Who is this idiot? Did we miss someone?!”

“I don’t think so,” said another porga.

“Then kill her! I want her head on a pike before the captain returns!!”

Hearing those words, all the other porga readied their weapons and began the attack. There were pyhgoars with their spears, clubs, and even rondel daggers; then there were bragoars with war cleavers and wooden mallets. Some of the bragoars drew finely crafted Maplewood longbows and fired on Reah. She was quick to roll off the roof, avoiding the first volley as she landed on her feet. Two pyhgoars soon rushed her with their spears. She twirled Bonespur about, smacking the spears out of the way before striking them down with a ferocious slash of her blade.

After leaping over the falling bodies of her first foes, two more pyhgoars attacked with clubs, and as she parried the incoming attacks, a third leaped from a rooftop with a dagger. She avoided the brunt of the attack, but she still felt a nasty cut against her shoulder blade. She kicked the pyhgoar away before clicking something on her twinblade out of place. The two halves separated, connected by a steel chain. She spun around, deflecting and slicing at her opponents, sweeping one of their legs, jamming a blade into the pyhgoar’s chest, then rushed a bragoar as she continued her assault.

The first bragoar swung horizontally with his mallet. Reah ducked beneath this, swinging one of her blades upwards and cutting through the porga’s chest and snout. The beast gurgled blood as it went down, but Reah couldn’t rest, for two other bragoars fired on her with their bows. She managed to smack one of the arrows out of the air, but she took the second arrow to her left thigh. Her spell from earlier kept it from rendering her leg useless, but it still hurt. Gritting her teeth, she yanked the arrow out and jammed it into the eye of an oncoming pyhgoar. Reah kicked off the fallen body and spun through the air at one of the archers, shattering his bow with the first strike and decapitating him with the second. She landed on the ground, her boots skidding across the dirt. Still more came to attack.

The porga rushed Reah as fast as they could, swinging wildly with their weapons. The redhaired warrior entered into a kind of battle trance as she slashed her way through the oncoming enemies. Adrenaline flew through her veins, and she danced across the battlefield, killing one porga after the other. The more she killed, the closer she got to the bragoar that was torturing a man earlier.

“Weaklings, the lot of you!” the bragoar shouted. “I’ll just have to kill her myself!” Readying a war cleaver, he swung at Reah, smashing the ground as she dodged. He used the blade to block incoming hits before punching Reah in the gut with his offhand. The force of the blow stunned Reah momentarily. It felt like one of her ribs was broken, but it didn’t matter. She fought her way through the pain as she continued her attack, putting more and more pressure on the bragoar before her.

As the fight progressed, other porga ran in to help. Reah kept up her defense as she made sure to not get too far away from her target. But with so many enemies to distract her, a pyhgoar got a lucky blow on her, jamming a dagger into her lower back between her right obliques. As her target swung his cleaver at her, she spun around, letting it hit the pyhgoar on her back instead. The force of the blow still made her stumble forward, and a dagger was still in her back, but Reah fought on. Better to leave it in for now than yank it out and bleed to death.

A power that was passed down to every member of her tribe was the ability to call upon the strength of other animals. Whether this was used to hone the senses, strengthen limbs, or even grow claws, every member of the beahuil people could do this – including her. Reah called upon this power as her body bulged with muscle. Steam billowed from her mouth, and she howled in anger. Power surged through her arms as she tore through the porga in front of her, taking them apart limb by limb. When she could finally reach her target, she sliced the cleaver’s blade from its handle before the porga could swing and drove one of her blades into his gut, lifting him into the air. Blood splashed across her hair and face before she threw him to the ground. Her muscles then relaxed, and her body shrank – if only a little.

With the nearby porga slain, Reah bought herself a little bit of time. She noticed a ring of keys on the belt of the bragoar she had just killed. She yanked the keyring away and began unlocking the shackles of the prisoners.

“Others will be upon me soon,” said Reah. “I can’t unlock every shackle in time, so take these keys and free as many as you can. When the time comes, run as quick as your legs can carry you.”

“Thank you!” said one of the prisoners, who fumbled with the keys. He unlocked his shackles before turning to another prisoner and unlocking theirs. Reah used the few seconds she was given to catch her breath and patch up her wounds. Her magic wasn’t strong enough to heal her all the way through, but it was enough to ease the pain in her body and stop any bleeding.

Too soon came the sound of stomping hooves as more porga rushed into the center of the village. Reah spun around and blocked an incoming strike from another bragoar. He stared Reah down with white eyes, growling in anger.

“I’ll see you dead!” shouted the porga. He swung his own head at Reah trying to gore her with his tusks. Reah dodged back, only taking a cut to the cheek as she pulled her weapons away from her foe’s. She could see even more porga on their way, so Reah did her best to lead the enemy away from the prisoners.

“Over here you flea-ridden barbarians!!” Reah shouted. Were her enemies human, she wouldn’t dare leave the prisoners unguarded, but porga, for all their strengths, were easy to goad into fighting. Reah gave the prisoners just enough breathing room so they could slip away into another part of the village. At least for now, she could focus on fighting.

“After her!” shouted one of the porga.

“Kill her! Cut her to pieces!” shouted another.

“You’ll have to catch me first!” said Reah as she ran.

She led the porga to a denser part of the village. The narrow road, she hoped, would funnel her enemies and make them easier to take on. This only helped until the smaller ones caught up. Hopping from roof to roof, the pyhgoars closed in on Reah as the bragoars charged her with their weapons.

Minutes passed as Reah fought off the onslaught of porga. Every second felt like an eternity. Her body was growing tired, her defenses sloppy. Her body was riddled with shallow cuts and bruises, to say nothing of the dagger still in her back. She knew she couldn’t keep this up forever. She had killed at least two dozen porga, but there seemed to be no end to them. She kept on the run, cutting down one or two before moving to another part of the village. Was there really a militia on the way or was she a fool for ever thinking there’d be reinforcements? It didn’t matter. At this point, all that mattered was survival. She made a promise to Alli, and she would not rest until the girl’s village was safe again.

Calling upon the strength of beasts once more, Reah became a dervish of death, a vortex of blades. She cut her way through the enemy, painting the village roads red with blood; some of it was her own, but most of it was from her enemies. Every attack was as graceful as it was brutal, and the teeth of her jawbone blades dug deep into the dense hide and muscle of the porga before tearing through.

When she had a moment to breathe, Reah stopped. She gasped for air as fatigue burned her muscles and parched her throat. Even the ether in her body was running low. She tapped herself with another healing spell before spitting out blood and saliva. She took a swig from her waterskin, desperate for something to keep her going. As she drank the last of her water, an arrow pierced the skin. She tossed it aside, her eye twitching. Up ahead she saw four bragoar archers with a much taller and more fearsome porga in the center, at least seven feet in height. His fur was black, his eyes pure red, and his fur sharp like quills. He wore thick-looking dark metal armor that covered his chest, shoulders, arms, and legs in plating. His armor was also spiked on the pauldrons, joints, and armguards. He also carried a wooden tower shield painted with what looked like a spine being shattered by a boar’s hoof, and a red breech cloth dangled from his thick leather belt with a similar emblem. Lastly, a spiked flail’s handle rested in a belt loop. Were it not for his boar’s head, the porga would have resembled an armored minotaur.

This must be a feroar, Reah thought. I’ve heard of their kind, but I’ve never seen one before.

“Well well well,” said the feroar in a deep, sinister voice. “You must be the troublemaker that’s been ruining this operation.”

“And you must be the captain,” said Reah.

“You catch on quick. My name is Galthrack. And you?”

“Galthrack, eh? Why would you want to know my name?”

The feroar gestured to the archers. “Because I want to know what name to carve on your gravestone.”

“You must be deaf, then, because I nearly threw out my voice to let everyone know my name earlier. Still,” Reah grinned with false bravado, “You can call me Reah Fenae.”

Galthrack chuckled at this. “Fenae, is it? Now that’s a name I’ve heard of. So you’re that old druid’s offspring, eh? It’s a shame he couldn’t be here today.”

Reah narrowed her eyes. “And why is that?”

“So he could bury you himself.” Galthrack then signaled the archers. “Men, fire at will!!”

The four archers released their arrows, drawing from their quivers as quickly as they fired them. Reah recombined her weapons into their twinblade form and spun it around, doing her best to deflect the incoming volleys. And yet, her body was still tired. Still sluggish from fatigue. One arrow got through, hitting her in the shoulder – though not digging deep. Then another stuck itself in her thigh. And then another, and another. Reah fought through the pain and charged, half out of rage, and half out of desperation. She closed the distance, despite her injuries, and cut down two of the archers then and there. One of the archers tossed his bow aside to draw his sidearm, but was too slow, and he fell to Reah’s blades. The fourth archer charged her, trying to smash the wood of his bow into her throat. She blocked the attack, shirked the porga to her side, then stabbed one of her blades right into his back. The archer fell, and only Galthrack remained. The feroar just… Laughed.

“What’s so damn funny? Don’t you care about seeing your men die?!”

Galthrack clapped his three-fingered hands together, red eyes gleaming. “You put on quite the performance, I’d say. There’s nothing I like to see more than a desperate struggle. And even though you killed my men, they died honorable deaths. They will feast at Cheruvyx’s table while I strike you down in their name!”

Reah wasted no more words and charged the feroar. The boar’s eyes gleamed like a smile before he smashed his tower shield into her, knocking her to the ground on her side. The impact of the fall broke the hafts of some the arrows. It would prove painful to dig them out later. Reah spun her legs around to kip up, readying her weapon once more. Galthrack drew his flail as well.

“This… Will be a night to remember,” said the feroar.

Adrenaline still in her veins, Reah charged her foe once more, swinging her blade. It was blocked by the porga’s tower shield, but this time she braced against his shield, splitting her twinblade back into two swords. She spun around on her feet as she swirled around the shield, slicing at the porga’s backside. Galthrack pushed into the strike, relying on his thick armor to protect him while he shoved Reah off balance. He then slammed his shield down and kicked it at Reah. She sliced the wooden shield in two, but Galthrack was right behind it, slamming into Reah with his tusks. The porga catapulted Reah backwards using only his head, tossing her like a sack of grain. She righted herself midair, landing gracefully on a rooftop.

“Ha ha ha! Now this is fun!” said Galthrack.

“I can’t believe you’re enjoying this,” said Reah.

“I can’t believe you aren’t!”

Galthrack then ran head-first into the wooden building, smashing it apart with his hulking body like it was made of straw. Reah hopped from the roof as the building came falling down. A spiked flail pierced through the rubble as Galthrack tried to strike her. Reah deflected the blow, but it left her open. Galthrack burst from the rubble, grabbing Reah by the throat as he kept running, smashing her through two other buildings. They reached the center of the village by the time Reah broke free of his grasp, kicking off his chest before landing on the ground. She had no time to rest, though, for the boar’s flail was coming in fast.

Reah deflected the incoming attack, wrapping her own chain around the flail’s before yanking it out of Galthrack’s hands. He looked at his empty hands and shrugged.

“So be it.”

Galthrack rushed Reah once more, ducking under her strikes before hooking her in the jaw with a punch. The redhaired warrior was knocked across the dirt road, sliding to a halt on her feet. He then picked up one of the oversized war cleavers from the ground and threw it. The blade spun horizontally towards Reah, who jumped over it, only to dodge another at a different angle. Soon she had to evade incoming clubs, spears, daggers, and even a mallet, which Reah caught mid-air in her hand.

“Ah ha ha! Good catch!!” shouted Galthrack.

“Is this a game to you?!” Reah shouted back.

“This is no game, girl. This is a clash of souls! I, Captain of the Spinecrusher Tribe and you, the champion of this pitiful village! But can you keep this up forever?” Reah threw the mallet back at Galthrack, who caught it by its head and crushed it in his hand. “Let’s find out.”

Picking up two clubs, Galthrack charged after Reah, who readied for the oncoming attack. The two exchanged blows, swinging, dodging, and deflecting. Even in her tired state, Reah proved the nimbler of the two, landing a few cuts on the exposed parts of Galthrack’s body. The pain seemed to invigorate him, and he cackled, his quills standing on end. Amidst the clash of souls, Galthrack pressed into a strike from Reah, puncturing her with his spiked fur. As she pulled away, Reah realized the hairs were still stuck in her. Indeed, the quills were not just for show, and as she noticed them, she felt something nasty course through her system. Her bodily movements slowed, leaving her open to attack. She took two punches from Galthrack and a knee to the gut, skidding across the ground. Were it not for her spell, she was certain she’d be dead by now.

“What… Did you do to me?” Reah grunted.

“Poisoned quills,” Galthrack said, pulling one off his body and flicking its tip. “We feroar have a strong tolerance for poison, and if we ingest enough of it, it seeps into our quills.”

Reah forced herself to her feet, her legs shaking. “I thought your kind sought honor in combat.”

“Is there not honor in pushing your foe to their absolute limits? Would there not be even greater honor for you in victory, despite these conditions?” Galthrack paused. Surviving porga were making their way towards the village center. He almost looked… Disappointed. Reah’s confidence in her survival was plummeting fast, but like a miracle, the sound of shouting humans rang out as well. It came from… The villagers.

“What the? I thought I told you all to run!” shouted Reah.

“I’ll not let you die alone!” shouted a grey-haired man wielding a pitchfork. “Come on everyone! Charge!!!”

The villagers, wielding farm tools and the weapons of dead porga ran across the village, meeting the porga head-on.

“Isn’t this grand?” said Galthrack. “Now you have an audience for your death!” He stomped the edge of a cleaver’s blade, flipping it into the air and catching it by the handle. “Now, show me your worth, champion!”

Reah’s head was spinning. She was certain she would vomit if she moved too fast, her head was pounding, and her limbs felt like they were made of lead. Even so, she knew she couldn’t let Galthrack live. Either he died or she died.

Reah thought about Alli. She thought about her homeland. She thought about her father. She calmed the ache in her body as she entered a trance once more.

Champion, huh? I guess it’s time I earned that title.

Time slowed as Reah and Galthrack ran towards each other. One final strike. One move to end it all. In the heat of the moment, Reah made a gamble. She made it seem like she was going to swing with Bonespur like normal, but at the last second, she dropped her weapon, reached for the dagger still in her back, then pulled it free. She ducked under Galthrack’s attack before jamming the dagger straight into his throat. The momentum of the charging porga only helped Reah push it in further as her boots dug into the dirt. Soon enough, Galthrack slowed down. He stumbled back, reaching for the dagger that had practically come out the other side of his neck. This was all the time Reah needed. She scooped up Bonespur, turned it back into a twinblade, then gripped it like a battleaxe.

“This is the end!!”

Reah called upon the strength of beasts one last time before swinging her blade as hard as she could. The fangs of Bonespur met their mark, and Galthrack’s head was split in twain. All that was left was the lower half of the porga’s snout and a gaping bloody stump. For a moment, it seemed like his body was still alive, and the feroar lurched forward, hands reaching for Reah’s throat. But then he collapsed, and when he did, all of the strength in Reah’s body gave out.

---

When Reah next regained consciousness, it was only for mere moments. Her head was spinning. All she could remember was lying in bed and a black-haired girl by her side.

The next time she woke up, it was for a bit longer. A few seconds at most. Yes, she was certain. She was in the home she found Alli in. But there were others, too. That grey-haired man from before and… A huldra? She wasn’t sure. All she knew was that she wasn’t dreaming. The last thing she noticed was a familiar weight around her neck.

Reah passed out again. She had no idea what was going on anymore. Was she dying, or regaining her strength?

Finally, Reah had grown strong enough to wake up for good. The smell of freshly baked bread filled the air. Sunlight shined through an open window and billowing curtains. She was… Safe. She was alive. But how? She remembered fighting the porga until she collapsed, but then everything went black.

Reah looked down. Alli was kneeling beside the bed, with her head across her arms, gently snoring.

“You’re finally awake,” said a familiar voice. Reah turned, every muscle still aching. It was the grey-haired man. He looked like a Gairen man in his early 40s with a short beard, rugged face, and brown eyes. He had a scar across his face – one that she could not recall when he was charging into battle the night before.

That was last night, right? Reah thought.

“Yes, I’m… Finally awake. My body seems to hold disagreements with that, but I think I’ll be all right. Who are you? Where am I?”

“My name is Bergin. I’m Alligri’s father, you see, and this… Is my home.”

Reah looked across the room, seeing the very same closet she found Alli in the other day. The memory flashed in her mind like lightning.

“Yes… I see. What happened?” Reah asked. “After I beat that feroar, I’m pretty sure I passed out.”

“You did… Luckily at the best time. I can explain in a minute, but first, are you hungry? Luma baked you some bread.”

“I’d love some. Here’s hoping it doesn’t fall out of one of my battle wounds,” Reah laughed, her body tensing from the pain.

Reah noticed a huldra woman sitting at a table on the other side of the house. She was sipping what smelled like tea from a clay mug, her eyes closed. She looked like a tall and slender woman with blonde hair and pointed ears. A Spring huldra from the looks of things, as their appearance often matched the season they were born in. When the woman set her mug down, she opened her eyes. They shined the most vibrant green Reah had ever seen. She looked at Reah and smiled.

Bergin walked to the kitchen while Reah and Luma exchanged glances. He picked up a basket that was filled with bread loaves. After bringing it over to Reah, he sat down on a stool.

“Help yourself. We have food a plenty, so you don’t have to share the bread.”

“Are you sure?” asked Reah. Bergin nodded, and that was all she needed to start shoveling bread into her mouth. She bit, chewed, and swallowed as quickly as she could. She didn’t realize how hungry she was until now, but she ate so fast she almost choked.

“Hey, slow down! The bread isn’t going anywhere. Here, have some water,” Bergin passed a wooden pint over to Reah, who drained it in one long gulp.

“Aah! That’s better.”

Bergin had the look of a father that just watched his daughter drag in a stray dog from outside, who also shook off the rainwater on its fur everywhere. He sighed but smiled all the same.

“And here I thought we were done with beasts.”

Reah chuckled, reaching for another loaf of bread. After taking a small bite out of it, she said, “So what did I miss? Did you guys take care of the porga?”

“Not exactly,” said Bergin. “You see, after you led the porga away, the villagers and I made our way in the direction of the local militia. Our signal fire had tipped them off, and we were able to meet them on the road just as they were coming up the hill to the village. They told us to step aside and leave things to them, but when I saw you fight those porga and free us, it stirred something in me. Something I hadn’t felt for a long time.”

The huldra approached, bringing a chair to sit on as well. “As I recall, you said ‘Fuck that, I’m helping whether you like it or not.’ And then you led the other villagers back into Mackmalin.”

Luma said it with such a polite and graceful tone that Reah didn’t know how to respond. She and Bergin stared at Luma in disbelief before busting out laughing. It still hurt to laugh, but it hurt a little less the second time around.

“So after that,” Bergin continued, “I led the charge into the village ahead of the militia. Just in time, apparently, because you seemed to be on your last leg. We struck back against the porga for what they did to us, and before things got too dicey, the militia swarmed in and mopped up the rest. I believe you passed out just as they ran in.”

Reah thought back to that night. She wasn’t sure, but somehow, she could recall the sound of clanking armor.

“Seems like I got lucky,” Reah said.

“You’ve got a devil’s luck, that’s for sure,” said Bergin. “When the battle was over, we found you collapsed in a pool of your own blood. We thought you were dead, but then Luma here heard you saying something.”

“You were mumbling, ‘Don’t worry, Alli’,” said Luma.

“We put two and two together and decided to bring you back here so Luma could treat your wounds. She’s a rather talented healer and patched you up – though I helped out too, since you had so many arrowheads and other things stuck in your body.”

Reah looked under her blanket, realizing she was bandaged from top to bottom. “Ah,” she said. “Then I owe you both a lot. Thank you for saving me!”

Bergin said, “Are you kidding me? You saved the whole village! This doesn’t seem nearly enough for what you did, but… If it makes it easier for you, we can call it even. It’s not like I have the money to pay you.”

Reah smiled, saying, “Oh, I didn’t do it because I thought I’d get paid. I did it because, well, why wouldn’t I? If you see someone in trouble, it’d be a damn rotten thing to look the other way… Right?”

Bergin and Luma chuckled at Reah’s remark, with Bergin saying, “You have a point. Either way, we’re very grateful. I suspect you’ll need a few more days to recover, but don’t fret. We’ll take care of you until you can stand on your feet again.”

“Speaking of which, how long was I out? It feels like that fight was just yesterday,” said Reah. Bergin and Luma gave each other an odd look.

“You’ve been out for nearly a week,” said Bergin.

“Oh! Is that all? Good thing I don’t have anywhere I need to be right now!” Reah laughed.

And so, Reah spent the next few days at Bergin’s house, slowly recovering her strength. When next she and Alli were awake, Alli’s eyes beamed with delight.

“Reah, Reah! You’re okay! I knew the necklace would make you better!!”

“Was that you? I’m in your debt, then!” said Reah with a smile.

Alli’s happy expression soon took on a saddened one as the floodgates returned. Alli wept profusely and she clamped onto Reah in a hug, crying into her shoulder. Reah just patted the girl on the back, petting her hair.

“I was so scared!!” cried Alli. “Papa and Sissy Luma carried you back but you were covered in all sorts of things and you weren’t moving and… And… I thought you wouldn’t move again!”

“Shh shh shh, it’s okay now. Your papa and sissy made everything better. I’m going to be all right.”

After their reunion, Reah spent her time eating, resting, and holding conversations with the residents of Bergin’s house. To entertain Alli, she regaled her with stories from her past adventures – leaving out the more gruesome details – as well as talking to Alli about her homeland, Tirachna. The days passed slowly, but peacefully. In many ways, this felt like its own reward for her good deeds.

Another way Reah passed the time was through woodcarving. While Alli had given Reah her necklace back since she “didn’t need it anymore”, it was clear that talk of Reah’s departure upset the girl, so Reah decided to carve Alli her own necklace as a keepsake.

“You’re really gonna make me my own?” asked Alli.

“Of course!” said Reah. “I can’t stay here forever, after all, so think of this as my going away present.”

“But… I thought you gave presents to the person going away,” Alli scratched her head.

“What I mean is, I’ll be leaving not too long from now, so in case I don’t see you for a long time, you can have this pendant I’m carving for you. Whenever you’re scared or lonely, hold onto and think of me.”

Alli nodded while wearing a serious expression. Even so, her eyes were watery with tears.

“Hey hey hey, don’t cry!!” said Reah in a panic.

And just like that, the day came where Reah could finally stand up again. She stretched her sore body. Her muscles felt weak from not being used, so the first thing she did was exercise. After sharing one last meal with Bergin’s family, she packed her things and made ready to leave. Alli clung onto Reah’s leg.

“Noooo, you can’t leave yet! I’ll… Miss you.”

Reah smiled. After pulling Alli off her leg, Reah knelt down and patted the girl’s head.

“I’ll miss you too, but I have to get going.”

“But why?”

“I still have places I want to see, people I want to meet. There’s a whole world out there waiting for me, and I won’t be satisfied until I’ve seen every last inch of it. You understand, don’t you?”

Alli sniffled, rubbing her eyes with the back of her arm. “Y-yeah…”

“Then until we meet again.”

Reah opened the door, leaving Alli, Bergin, and Luma behind. For the first time in a long while, she felt the sun on her face and the wind through her hair. The world was calling her name, and she’d be damned if she didn’t answer it. So, she left Mackmalin and continued on her journey. The road ahead would be filled with new troubles and new challenges, and Reah couldn’t wait to meet them head on.

#what keeps me going #fantasy #dark fantasy #short story #novelette #my writing #arachnia #writeblr #short fiction #reah #bergin #writing commission #Arachnia Fables

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laresearchette · 1 year

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Sunday, November 20, 2022 Canadian TV Listings (Times Eastern)

WHERE CAN I FIND THOSE PREMIERES?: 2022 AMERICAN MUSIC AWARDS (CTV) 8:00pm THIS IS LIFE WITH LISA LING (CNN) 10:00pm THE L WORD (Crave) 11:00pm ZIWE (Crave) 12:00am

WHAT IS NOT PREMIERING IN CANADA TONIGHT: WHEN I THINK OF CHRISTMAS (Premiering on November 27 on W Network at 6:00pm) A WALTONS THANKSGIVING (CW Feed/Premiering on December 03 on Vision at 12:00am)

NEW TO AMAZON PRIME CANADA/CBC GEM/CRAVE TV/DISNEY + STAR/NETFLIX CANADA:

DISNEY + STAR ELTON JOHN LIVE: FAREWELL FROM DODGER STADIUM

NETFLIX CANADA AUSTIN POWERS: THE SPY WHO SHAGGED ME

FIFA WORLD CUP SOCCER (TSN/TSN4) 10:45am: Qatar vs. Ecuador

NFL FOOTBALL (TSN2) 1:00pm: Jets vs. Patriots (TSN2) 4:00pm: Raiders vs. Broncos (TSN/TSN4/TSN5) 8:15pm: Chiefs vs. Chargers

CFL FOOTBALL (TSN/TSN3) 2:00pm: Pre-Game (TSN/TSN3/TSN5) 6:30pm: Argos vs. Blue Bombers (TSN/TSN5) 10:00pm: Post Game

NBA BASKETBALL (SN/SN1) 3:30pm: Knicks vs. Suns (SN Now) 7:00pm: Warriors vs. Rockets (SN Now) 7:00pm: Heat vs. Caveliers (SN1) 7:00pm: Grizzlies vs. Nets (SN1) 9:30pm: Spurs vs. Lakers

CHRISTMAS AT THE GOLDEN DRAGON (W Network) 6:00pm: When Romy and Rick's parents surprise them with news that they'll be closing their decades-old Chinese restaurant, the siblings soon find themselves reevaluating their futures.

REBA MCENTIRE'S CHRISTMAS IN TUNE (CTV Life) 6:00pm: Years after their personal and professional breakup, the singing duo of Georgia and Joe Winter agree to reunite after their daughter asks them to participate in a Christmas concert, only to find themselves getting back in tune on stage and off.

NHL HOCKEY (SN) 7:00pm: Penguins vs. Chicago

HEARTLAND (CBC) 7:00pm: Amy teaches Lyndy how to barrel race; Logan's father arrives at Heartland; Jessica seeks distraction from a disappointment in New York; Katie gets her ears pierced, causing a fight with Lou...about HORSEY EARRINGS!

FRIDAY NIGHT THUNDER (APTN) 7:30pm: Another double-header at Humberstone Speedway presents the drivers with a weekend full of excitement, disappointment, confusion, redemption and unexpected glory for one driver who is on a mission to win.

HOT CHOCOLATE HOLIDAY (Super Channel Heart & Home) 7:30pm: A coffee shop owner finds herself in competition with the handsome owner of a dessert shop whose hot chocolate tastes just like her grandmother's secret recipe.

THE GREAT CANADIAN BAKING SHOW (CBC) 8:00pm (SEASON FINALE): Bakers demonstrate their abilities by taking on the classic Paris Brest; bakers try their hand at cassata; the bakers push their skills to the limit with a garden party dessert centerpiece made of at least three different bakes.

HUDSON & REX (City TV) 8:00pm: When an important trial is jeopardized after Sarah´s testimony is challenged by a former rival in court, it´s up to Charlie, Rex, and the rest of the Major Crimes team to uncover new evidence to save the case before time runs out.

THE BIG BAKE (Food Network Canada) 8:00pm: From marching bands to fabulous floats, Brad Smith has the baking teams take it to the streets with cakes that capture a Santa Claus Parade. Their street sensations will have to be big to impress judges Ron Ben-Israel, Eddie Jackson and Danni Rose.

A COUNTRY CHRISTMAS HARMONY (CTV Life) 8:00pm: Estranged country music duo and former sweethearts run into each other years later and are forced to shelter together during a storm but soon realize they can only survive the holidays with each other's help.

GHOSTS OF CHRISTMAS PAST (Lifetime Canada) 8:00pm: Ellie, a serial "ghoster" on dating apps, is told by a fortune teller that she must resolve her past and make amends with all of those she ghosted before Christmas, or she is destined never to find true love.

LET US IN (Super Channel Fuse) 8:00pm: A 12-year-old girl is determined to uncover who or what is behind the rash of disappearances occurring in her small town.

MOONSHINE (CBC) 9:00pm: As Gale and the Marauders forcibly take Moonshine, Lidia has no choice but to free the Finley-Cullens' archenemy Jill from prison to help win the fight.

LOVE, FASHION, REPEAT (City TV) 9:00pm: Lisa returns to her hometown to seek inspiration for her new fashion line but falls for the writer tasked with fixing her autobiography.

THE CURSE OF OAK ISLAND: DRILLING DOWN (History Canada) 9:00pm: The Laginas and their team give Matty Blake a sneak peek of Season 10.

AUSSIE GOLD HUNTERS (Discovery Canada) 9:00pm: The Poseidon Crew are running out of time to find a 1,000-ounce nugget; the Gold Retrievers work through the night in an attempt to escape dangerous summer heat.

MALCOM IS MISSING (Documentary) 9:00pm: When her father vanishes in Mexico, his daughter contends with betrayal and corrupt police in order to bring him home.

HOW I GOT HERE (Super Channel Heart & Home) 9:00pm (SEASON PREMIERE): Doris takes her daughter, Shetin, to Ghana to learn the truth behind her royal bloodline.

ISLAND OF BRYAN (HGTV Canada) 10:00pm (SEASON FINALE): With the completion of their Florida home, Bryan and Sarah reflect on their builds and hotel ownership experience.

OUTBACK OPAL HUNTERS (Discovery Canada) 10:00pm: The Boulder Boys try to reach a suspected 20-meter-deep opal level by draining floodwater; Rod Manning uses his wife's opal ring as collateral.

THE CURSE OF OAK ISLAND (History Canada) 10:00pm (SEASON PREMIERE): After a decade of searching, Rick, Marty, and the team return to Oak Island and immediately uncover evidence of a tunnel in the Money Pit; the fellowship gets a clear look at an underground structure, getting it closer to solving the mystery.

CHRISTMAS IN MY HEART (CTV Life) 10:00pm: Violinist Beth returns home after the recent death of her mother and tutors the daughter of a reclusive country music star to prepare her for the upcoming holiday concert.

GOT IDENTITY (APTN) 11:30pm: In this episode, Nelson meets with Cree Elder Winston Wuttunee to talk about the dangers of mocking white people. Later, he meets with stand-up comedian Chad Anderson to talk about his journey towards embracing his Indigenous identity.

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the-broken-truth · 2 years

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Hi, can you please do a muscular male reader who can shift into a bear, and has super thick hair in human form. And how the RE:8 women would react to seeing them shift for the first time?

[Alcina Dimitrescu]

How They Met: [Reader] came to the village one late winter storm in search of shelter when the sound of a woman screaming hit his keen ears, causing him to run in that direction while shifting into the mighty form of the Ursa. The Great Ursa found a man with a shotgun towering over a girl with red hair, dressed in a black dress with a hood and a strange necklace; he was pointing to the gun at her as she covered her face as if not to watch her own death. The bear gave a powerful roar before charging in the direction of the man with jaws wide open - a display of dagger teeth, the man raised the gun and fired, hitting the bear in the arm but not stopping or slowing the beast down. The bear lunged at the man, turning his head to the side before locking fangs with the flesh of the man's neck before he snapped the bone into two pieces, making the man go limp; dropping the gun in the snow. [Reader] turned back before facing to woman, who looked at him with wide golden eyes and ice-cold skin. [Reader] explained that he was going to bring her back home and she told him that she lived in the large castle over the hill. He gathered her in his arms before darting off in that direction. Upon reaching the castle, he heard a powerful voice calling for 'Daniela' and the woman in his arms began calling for her mother; the massive doors opened and a woman that well stood over him opened the door, [Eye color] eyes locked with golden.

Reacting To Transformation: "Mother, I'm serious. The Man-Thing saved him from the other Man-Thing by turning into a bear and killing him." Daniela explained for the 5th time to her mother, who helped her savior in her grip by his neck.

"Daniela, dear, you are just tired and you were seeing things from the snow. This Man-Thing cannot turn into an animal - it's not possible." Alcina said as she turned to face her daughter.

"Your daughter speaks the truth, My Lady. If you let me go, I shall show you the power I hold without hostility. I give you my word." [Reader] said.

"Mother, please." Daniela begged, "He saved me."

"Very Well." She placed [Reader] on his feet, "Show me this power, Man-Thing." She commanded. In a gust of wind, Alcina watched as the man grew fur out of his hair and his body changed into the 4-legged body of the powerful ursa. The beast stood there looking at Alcina before sitting on the ground like an obedient dog waiting for its next command. Alcina walked over to the creature and placed her hand on his head, rubbing his head and feeling his thick fur.

"I wonder. Is your hair just as thick as your fur?" She asked.

The bear nodded.

"I guess you can't talk in this form." She said.

"Actually, I can but a lot of people find it weird to meet a talking bear." The bear said.

"Agreed." Alcina said while petting the bear before picking him up, "Well, you're mine now."

[Donna Beneviento + Angie]

How They Met: Donna and Angie were looking for plants in the forest when they found the last one they needed. Problem? It was right next to a sleeping ber that appeared to be damaged and scarred. Donna sent Angie to collect the plant without waking the bear but the moment she plucked it, she realized that the stem was stuck under the sleeping bear's massive arm. She tugged and tugged but it wouldn't come loose, she placed her feet on the bear's forearm and tugged even harder with grunting in an effort; Donna tried to tell Angie to be quiet but it was all for not when the bear's eyes opened and looked in the direction of the doll; Donna looked horrified thinking something was going to happen to Angie but the bear just looked at her and before lifting his arm, letting the stem free and allowing the flower to be plucked from the ground before opening his mouth.

"Since when do dolls walk and look for flowers?" the bear asked.

"Since when do bears talk?!" Angie yelled in surprise.

"I have always been able to talk but I can sense that you are not alone." He looked in Donna's Direction, "You can come out, I shall not harm you or your doll."

Donna rose to her feet and walked over to the bear who appeared to smile at her before looking in Angie's direction, "Are you okay, Angie?"

"Yeah! I never met a talking bear before! Can we keep him, Donna?!"

Reaction to the Transformation: "Actually, I am more than a bear - I am a man who can turn into a bear; I'm in this form because it heals me faster than my other form." The bear explained.

"Is that so?" Donna asked.

The Ursa closed his eyes as the wind began to pick up around him - Donna and Angie watched, as the fur disappeared into hair, the bear's figure turned into that of a man. The man was buff with short red hair, [eye color] eyes, and a dashing smile. Donna blushed behind the veil and Angie chuckled at this.

"Is something wrong, Lady Beneviento?" The man asked.

"No. No. Everything is alright." Donna stuttered.

"She thinks you're hot." Angie said.

"ANGIE!"

#resident evil village #alcina dimitrescu #donna beneviento #angie the doll #x gn reader

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you-are-so-much-better-than-that · 2 years

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Season 1 Episode 3

Episode 3 starts with Fiona fucking Good Officer Tony in his backseat. Strong start.

In the last episode, Good Officer Tony shoots his shot with Fiona, inviting her to an awards benefit at a church ‘next Thursday’. So this episode starts the Thursday night. If we’re assuming the previous episode happened during Thanksgiving weekend, then we’re now solidly in December 2010 and this episode starts December 2nd.

Good for you Good Officer Tony.

We meet Mandy for the first time. Season 1 Mandy seems so much softer than seasons to come, but still really sad. This little girl gets eyed up by Kev and harassed by her teacher. There's always an atmosphere of underlying sadness and trauma that Shameless covers up with comedy.

Anyway, she’s at the Kash and Grab ‘thanking’ Ian for playing hero and saving her from creepy, greasy, porn mustache teacher.

Lip and Karen go on a date. Ian and Kash make out behind the Kash and Grab (ew), but before they can go off and do any more, Mandy interrupts them. Love her from the get go! They head to the Gallagher house, and then there’s an amazing Mandy/Mickey parallel that makes my heart sing.

Everytime a Milkovich calls Carl a shithead an angel gets its wings.

Ian breaks Mandy’s teenage heart when he pushes her off of him after she basically attacks his face. Fiona comes home in time to see Mandy storming out, saving her from an awkward conversation with Good Officer Tony.

Lip and Karen are snuggling and screaming under the tracks. I kinda love this scene.

The next morning, a very naked Kev can’t make toast because the Gallaghers have their toaster. I love their symbiotic relationship. Or is it more that Gallaghers are leeching off of them? The Gallaghers wake up to a cold house, and Fiona is just constantly picking up laundry from the hallway. Why do they all get undressed in the hallway and then leave it there when the laundry shoot is literally RIGHT THERE. If you’re gonna undress in the hallway, just throw it down the shoot. OR are they getting undressed in their rooms and then just throwing the dirty clothes out into the hall even though, again, the laundry shoot is right there!

Steve knocks on the door. Kev storms in wearing THE ROBE. Carl is melting action figures over Kev’s toaster. Kev, ever helpful, suggests Carl, the almost 9 year old, use a blow torch. Steve lost a bet to Ian and asks if Ian wants to see Philly on the 12th or Edmonton on the 27th, a Sunday and Monday, respectively. He chooses the Edmonton Oilers (🇨🇦). I googled to see if these games existed on any day in 2010 or 2011 in case I was off on dates. They weren’t. This is Shameless parallel world.

Anyway, Fiona realizes the gas bill wasn’t paid which is why it’s so cold. It was due November 30 as per original Calendar, so their power was cut off. They owe $587, which is steep. They’re a few months behind. Once more, never forget this show is about American poverty. It’s winter and they’ve cut off their heat. Gotta say though, I love the Fi and Kev relationship. He can tell she’s obviously stressed, but he compliments her oatmeal and she smiles.

Frank steals from his own kids. Tony admits he was a virgin until last night. And a lady is here for Aunt Ginger because her social security checks have been cashed in Chicago, but Fiona is confused because AuNt GiNgEr LiVeS iN wIsCoNsIn. Oh poor Fiona.

The dirtiest white boy in America (or at least the Southside) leads a group of similarly dirty Milkoviches in search for Ian. You know. To murder him, probably. Normal.

And in a moment of great foreshadowing: that dirty boy has no idea he’ll be spending the rest of his life screaming Ian’s name 😏

While Fiona yells at Frank about Aunt Ginger, Mickey and his goons have spray painted “Ian Gallagher is a Dead Man” all over the Southside. I wonder if it’s still there and Ian takes Mickey to visit it all nostalgic.

He spells his name right here, though.

Frank tries to get an old lady from the shelter to pose as Aunt Ginger. He is refused for something he did ‘last Christmas’, so he sneaks in. Steve is still chasing Fiona. Lip has just taken an SAT for some other kid and gets the shit beat out of him by Mickey. No good deed.

Things to note. Iggy is getting out of juvi, and Mickey says his mom is driving up to get him. So his mom is still alive here.

Lip comes home, once more interrupting Good Officer Tony trying so hard to get Fiona. Frank finally admits Aunt Ginger has been dead for 12 years, breaking Debbie’s heart. So they take Debbie to the old people pound to pick out an Aunt Ginger for them to foster temporarily.

Debbie and fake Aunt Ginger bond over old lady things. Steve tries again with Fiona. Ian and Lip have another iconic BROTHERS moment.

The next morning, Lip wakes up to find Ian and the Killing Bat missing. Lip goes to join Ian on his suicide mission, and we get another great BROTHERS moment. Instead of Mickey, Ian runs into Mandy and he confesses that he’s gay.

The lady from the government comes back and meets fake Aunt Ginger. The Gallaghers get away with it, and Fiona steals the social security cheque to pay the gas bill. And Frank admits Ginger is buried in the backyard. I hate this show.

Ian and Mandy bond over NSYNC, which feels like a dated reference. If they're 14/15 in 2010, and Nsync's final album Celebrity came out in 2001 (I know this because 12 year old me made my dad take me to the HMV at the mall to buy me the cd) then they were like 5. Anyway, she’s worried he thinks she’s ugly and is using being gay as an excuse. He assures her she’s beautiful, which is adorable, and when she’s still skeptical, he grabs her boob and puts her hand on his dick. He doesn’t get a boner, which convinces Mandy that he really is gay. He looks so bored.

Debbie has to return fake Aunt Ginger and breaks down crying. I’d say get this girl a puppy, but they couldn't afford to keep one alive.

Fiona is all dressed up and in front of Tony’s mom’s door, but instead chooses Steve, because that girl loves toxic men.

In conclusion, this episode begins a week after the previous, starting on Thursday December 2 and going through until Saturday December 4.

#shameless timeline #s1 #1x03

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agustdakasuga · 4 years

Text

A Place Called Home | Chapter 12

Genre: Hybrid!AU, Poly!AU?, Soulmate AU, romance, fluff, humour

Pairing: OT7 x Reader

Characters: vet!reader, Arcticfox!Seokjin, Panther!Yoongi, Goldenretriever!Hoseok, Wolf!Namjoon, Calicocat!Jimin, Tiger!Taehyung, Rabbit!Jungkook

Summary: Having saved your own injured hybrid, you were determined to try and help any other hybrid that crossed your path who needed saving. But being a vet in a small hospital wasn’t enough for you. You wanted to do more, you wanted to make a difference. You wanted to give them a home.

Unlike Hoseok, Jungkook still hasn’t adjusted to life in your house with the other hybrids. You try your best and take small approaches to make him comfortable and trust you.

*bump*

“Hoseok, I told you no playing with your tennis ball in the house.” You chuckled as you came out of the room. He had been obsessed with throwing it and chasing it around the house. Hoseok let out a whine, his head hanging low. You ruffled his hair.

“Everyone ready to go?” You asked.

“Can I-”

“Yes, Hoseok. You can bring your ball.” You giggled and he grinned. As he ran down the stairs, you couldn’t help but adore the way his golden brown ears flopped against his head.

“Chim? You feeling alright?” You poked your head into his room. As per Dr Lee’s request, you have been slowly weening Jimin off his medications. It was good but that also meant that Jimin may experience some side effects or slight withdrawals so you have been keeping an eye on him.

“I am.” He nodded with a small smile. Although he’s still shy and jumps at loud sounds or voices, he has been improving so much.

“I know I tell you this all the time but I’m so proud of you, Chim.” You ran a hand through his hair.

“Really? You’re proud of me?”

“So proud. A small step is still a step, isn’t it?” You hugged him. He let out purrs of content as he hugged you back, his orange, black and white tail curling itself around you.

“Let’s go.” You held his hand and led him out. The others were all waiting there. Today was going to be the first time they went to The Field, except for Jin and Yoongi. The boys could all sense how tired you were after your 20 hours shift yesterday but you assured them you were fine and insisted on going today. You wanted them to get some fresh air and run.

Everyone climbed into the 8-seater van with you in the driver’s seat. Jin was in the passenger seat beside you.

“Tomorrow, when I go to the nursery, I’ll pick up more fertiliser for our backyard.” Jin said and you nodded. The government had not retracted the hybrid rules yet so boys were still working in shorter shifts.

“We’re here.” You parked the car.

“Woah!” Taehyung gasped at the big field that covered a few acres of land. You laughed and went to sign all of them in at the reception.

“Hey, Ann.”

“Hey, (y/n). It’s been a while! I see that you now have an army with you.” She nodded over to your 7 hybrids. You laughed and nodded your head. After paying for everyone, she placed wristbands around all of your wrists and opened the door for you to enter.

“I’ll be sitting here. Go ahead.” You told them. Hoseok was the first to take off, followed by Jungkook and Taehyung.

“Go have fun. Yoongi will stay here with me.” You smiled at Namjoon and Jin. Beside you, Yoongi lazily raised a hand and nodded in confirmation.

“Alright. Stay warm.” Namjoon patted your head. They removed their jackets and ran to chase the others. Hybrids like Namjoon and Jin loved the cold since wolves and arctic foxes naturally live in cold climates.

“I guess it’s nap time.” Yoongi yawned, putting his head in your lap. You chuckled, shaking your head.

“Umm...” Jimin stood beside you.

“Do you want to go too? Taehyung is there.” You asked him, looking at Taehyung, who was rolling around in the grass.

“Can I stay here?” Jimin squeaked.��

“Of course you can.” You smiled, patting the empty space beside you. Jimin sat down and cuddled your side since Yoongi already claimed your lap as his pillow. You put an arm around him. It didn’t take long for Jimin to fall asleep with his head on your shoulder. With two hybrids so close to you, you didn’t even need extra jackets for warmth.

You watched as the 5 hybrids chased after each other, rolling around in the grass happily. Jungkook had yet to warm up to you but you could see he was really enjoying himself.

“Have some hot chocolate.” You gave the cups out to them as they came to take a break.

“Excuse me, miss?” Someone stood in front of you. You looked up at the stranger with a hybrid standing behind him with his head down. All 7 hybrids looked up at him as well.

“Yes?” You looked at him oddly.

“Where did you buy your bunny hybrid?” He smiled. You frowned and noticed that Jungkook tensed up.

“I didn’t buy him.”

“Ah... I see. Well, he is exactly the colour I’m looking for and I would love for him to be a present for my daughter. How much do you want for him? I can offer a lot. Is 1 million enough?” He reached out to pet Jungkook’s ears but you were quick to stand up in front of him, preventing the man from having any non-consented physical contact with Jungkook.

“He’s not for sale, sir.” You said warningly.

“I see that you have 6 other hybrids to care for. It must be hard supporting them yourself. I’ll take him off your hands. How about 2 million? Then you could use the money for your other hybrids.” He smiled.

“I don’t know if you’re deaf or dumb but I already said, he’s not for sale. I don’t need a stranger worrying if I can support my hybrids or not. That’s none of your business. They are all staying with me. I’m not giving them up for any amount in the world.” You crossed your arms.

“Now, there’s no need to be rude.” He frowned.

“You were rude the moment you opened your mouth to speak to me. Now leave before I call security.” You threatened.

“Let me tell you, little girl-”

“No, let me tell you, sir, that you really do not want to mess with me or my hybrids.” You cut him off. The male took a step towards you menacingly.

“I would back away if I were you.” Namjoon finally stepped in, showing his canines. The man looked and saw your other hybrids. He knew he was outnumbered, even with his own hybrid next to him. Sending you a final glare, he stormed off with his hybrid. You glared at him, your whole body shaking with anger. Humans are just so ignorant and dumb.

“Easy, kitten.” Yoongi calmed you down.

“Hey, (y/n)! I ran over when my colleague told me what was going on. Is everything okay?” Ann ran over, worry written all over her face.

“That guy harassed Jungkook.” You frowned.

“I know. We kicked him out and banned him and his hybrid from coming back. I’m sorry that happened.” Ann sighed. You shook your head, knowing it wasn’t her fault.

“We should go home.” Jin spoke. Everyone agreed and you piled into the van. Namjoon drove while Yoongi sat beside you, trying to keep you calm. You bit your lip, refusing to say anything. Everyone knew you were beyond pissed.

Jungkook also remained quiet. He was dumbfounded by your actions. No one has ever defended him like that before and to see you so obviously affected by it made him surprised. Even when you pulled up, you stormed into the house, pacing around the living room.

“(y/n), calm down. You’re scaring, Jimin.” Namjoon reminded.

“I’m just so... Ugh!” You pulled your hair in frustration. Jimin let out a soft whine and you turned to him.

“Sorry, Chim.” You apologised and went out to the backyard, stomping around. The 7 boys watched you in amusement. Yoongi couldn’t help but chuckle. The way you got angry never failed to amuse him and make him laugh.

“How is she’s so adorable when she gets mad?” Jin raised an eyebrow. Yoongi and Namjoon nodded in agreement.

“Tae.” Yoongi nodded over to your back. The younger saluted, walking over.

“(y/n).” Taehyung jumped towards you.

“The audacity the guy had! I mean, who does he think he is? So what if he’s rich and can offer millions of dollars? Geez, I wanted to stomp his face into the ground. And did you see how he just wanted to pet Jungkook when he’s just a stranger? Who the hell does that?!” You continued to pace as you ranted. Taehyung sat on the bed, eyes following you back and forth.

“I’m getting dizzy from your pacing.” Taehyung stated innocently, breaking your rant. You stopped walking and blinked at him

“Oh, sorry, Tae.” You chuckled.

“Don’t be angry anymore.” Taehyung said.

“You know, sometimes, I just think humans should be the one treated like pets, not hybrids. Humans should be leashed and be in shelters. Most of them just disgust me with their entitled attitudes.” You shook your head.

“If that happens, the hyungs and I definitely adopt you! So you won’t have to be in a shelter.” Taehyung grinned.

“Thanks, Taetae. Glad to know I won’t be abandoned.” You laughed. Taehyung was always sent out by your other hybrids to deal with your anger for a reason. His innocent personality and boxy smile was able to calm you down and make you forget your anger instantly.

“We know that you’ll never give any of us up.” Taehyung said.

“Of course, you’re my boys. All of you take up your own special place in my heart.” You cupped his cheeks.

Just looking at Taehyung made tears fill up in your eyes. You couldn’t imagine your life without any of them. Even if Jungkook and Hoseok were not obligated to stay with you after the winter, they have still made an impact on you.

“Why are you crying?!” Taehyung panicked, seeing tears trail down your cheeks.

“Nothing. I just love all of you so much.” You smiled through your tears. Taehyung stood up, enveloping your body with his as his own tears threatened to fall.

“We sent you out here to cheer her up, not make her cry.” Jin stood there, chuckling with an eyebrow raised.

“Jagi, are you crying because you love us?” Jin gave you a knowing look. You nodded your head like a little child and Jin’s face showed just how used he was to this. He made you and Taehyung go back into the house, not wanting you to get sick from the cold weather You looked at all the hybrids, sending them a small smile.

“I’m going to rest. Please have dinner first if you’re hungry.” You yawned and headed up to your room. You took a shower first.

“What’s wrong with her?” Jungkook asked with a scoff.

“(y/n) gets angry when hybrids are disrespected. You could at least be grateful that she protected you today. When you’re not even her hybrid.” Taehyung frowned slightly.

“I didn’t ask her to do that.” Jungkook snorted.

“Why would you say that?” Yoongi said in disbelief. He couldn’t believe how disrespectful Jungkook was.

“I’m not some weak damsel in distress. I don’t need her to come save me or protect me. She should have just minded her business.” Jungkook crossed her arms. Now that made Jin and Namjoon frown too. Hoseok gulped, knowing that Jungkook was crossing the line with his words.

“If you’re so strong, why are you here the? Staying here and eating our food for free.” Jin crossed his arms.

“Because my hyung is gullible enough to buy into your whole charade about how she’s the best human ever and that all of you are one big happy family!” Jungkook yelled. Jimin was already curled up into a ball on the ground, having an anxiety attack.

“You do not yell in front of Jimin.” Yoongi pushed Jungkook back.

“I can do whatever the hell I want! I don’t need to listen to you.” Jungkook glared, his long ears twitching slightly.

“Then leave. You don’t like it here and honestly, we don’t want you here as well. You have been nothing but rude and cold. You can’t even appreciate what (y/n) is doing for you and your brother.” Jin growled.

“I think all of you need to go and cool down.” Namjoon stepped up into his alpha role.

The slamming of the bedroom doors was what woke you up. You came downstairs to see all the hybrids tense, Taehyung sitting next to Jimin on the ground to calm him down as he has an anxiety attack.

“What the hell is going on here?” You frowned.

“Jungkook, Yoongi hyung and Jin hyung...” Hoseok looked down then at the staircase where the three hybrids disappeared off to. That was when you knew that there was a fight. Fighting between the hybrids wasn’t something you tolerated in the house, especially with Jimin around.You decided to give Jungkook, Jin and Yoongi time to cool down before finding them.

“Come here, Chim.” You sat on the couch. Jimin immediately jumped up and leapt into your welcoming arms.

“Breathe, Chim. I’ve got you. Follow my breathing. It’s okay, take your time. In and out.” You ran your fingers through his hair with a soft smile.

“Better?” You asked. He pressed his face into your shoulder but nodded nonetheless. As you continued to comfort Jimin, you looked to the 3 hybrids with you.

“Jungkook disrespected you. Jin hyung and Yoongi hyung got angry.” Taehyung explained briefly. You were surprised that Jin was involved too.

“Hoseok, get Jungkook down. Namjoon, get Yoongi and Jin down too.” You sighed and the two scrambled up. Yoongi and Jin came down but Hoseok relayed that Jungkook wan’t ready to do the same yet. Yoongi was stand offish, arms crossed with a small frown on his face. Jin was quiet but had his head lowered with guilt.

“I’m not going to say who was right and who is wrong but you guys should know better than to fight in front of Jimin.” You said.

You knew that talking to Jungkook was going to be more difficult. Jungkook was still young and he was abandoned at such a young age with only his adopted older brother to be by his side.

“Sorry, (y/n). We shouldn’t have-”

“I’m not asking you to apologise to me.” You said.

“Sorry, Chim. We shouldn’t have done that. We weren’t being considerate” Jin said softly. Yoongi nodded in agreement and patted his head.

“It’s okay, hyungs. Sorry.” Jimin’s ears lowered in guilt.

“No, it was our faults. Don’t apologise when you did nothing wrong. That’s not a good habit to have.” Yoongi said, casting you a look. That was a bad habit of yours too and the boys never failed to remind you of it. You just looked elsewhere, whistling innocently.

“I’ll go get started on dinner.” You stood up.

“I want to help!” Taehyung was quick to trail after you into the kitchen with Jimin by his side. The two were becoming inseparable and it was honestly quite adorable.

“Hoseok, you’re not gullible, alright? Sorry you had to hear that from your brother. He doesn’t mean that and only said it in a fit of anger.” Namjoon told the golden retriever.

“It’s okay. I’m sorry Jungkook has been nothing but trouble since he has been here. In our previous house, he was always being babied and the favourite.”

“Can we ask what happened with your previous owner?” Jin asked.

“Sure. There was actually another border collie hybrid and tabby hybrid with us but our owner said they ran away the week before. But I heard the owners gave them to a shelter. I didn’t know why but didn’t ask. We were playing in the park one day and when we turned our backs, she ran off. Jungkook saw her get in a car and leave.” Hoseok bit his lip.

“We went back to the house only to find it abandoned. Our owner’s stuff was gone and we didn’t know where she went. There was no letter, no money, no nothing.” Hoseok shook his head.

“Was that why you were out that night?” Yoongi asked.

“Yeah, we usually take turns to go find food but as the oldest, I go out more often.” Hoseok nodded.

“I’m sorry that happened to the both of you and Jungkook is still so young.” Namjoon sighed. From the kitchen, you watched the 4 oldest hybrids of the house talk and converse comfortably.

“Shall we make some hot chocolate?” You asked the two as you wiped your hands. Taehyung and Jimin blinked at you in confusion.

“Hot chocolate?”

“Come on, you’re in for a treat.” You smiled as you took out the ingredients out to make hot chocolate. The two were in awe as they watched you blend the chocolate and hot milk together, topping it with whipped cream, chocolate shavings and marshmallows.

“Does Yoongi hyung not like hot chocolate?” Jimin asked.

“He does but most of the time, he prefers warm milk instead.” You patted his head and they helped you bring all the cups out. The stew for dinner was left to simmer on the stove before it was eaten.

“Yours.” You handed Yoongi his mug of plain, warm milk.

“I’ll go deliver Jungkook his mug.” You went to his door and placed the mug on the ground. You knocked and left, not wanting him to feel awkward.

When you returned, you sat next to Jin. You reached up to rub his ears, something Jin has always liked since he started living with you. Everyone was chatting and interacting with one another, even Jimin was nodding along with the conversations. You couldn’t help but feel for Jungkook. He was alone upstairs while everyone else was here.

“Hoseok, is there anything Jungkook likes? Like what makes him happy.” You asked.

“Our owner used to get these Chicago style hotdogs from a cart stall. The guy opens at the farmer’s market across town.” He informed.

“If I bring you to that market, do you think you can bring me to that stall?” Your eyes brightened. Hoseok nodded his head with a smile. Yoongi frowned slightly. Jungkook didn’t deserve your efforts.

“Why do you want to do that for him?” Yoongi asked.

“Jungkook is just closed off because he’s in an unfamiliar environment. Let’s just try to be more understanding towards him. He was abandoned and he feels hurt by that, we can help him overcome it and open up without being forceful. Let’s just be patient.” You smiled.

“Thank you for helping him.” Hoseok teared up and hugged you.

“He’s not going to show any appreciation for your efforts, (y/n).” Namjoon pointed out.

“That’s okay. He doesn’t have to like me or look to me as an owner. As long as he can live here comfortably without having to feel so guarded, I’m content.” You grinned. Taehyung moved to nuzzle against your neck.

“Hoseok, the next weekend, when the farmer’s market opens, shall we take a drive down?” You suggested.

“Can I come too?” Jimin tugged on your pant leg.

“Of course you can.” You kissed the top of his head. When everyone was done with the hot chocolate, you went to serve up dinner. Taehyung and Yoongi stayed by your side to help with what they could. Jin and Hoseok took out the side dishes from the fridge. Namjoon and Jimin took the bowls and cutlery out. Yoongi started scooping the rice.

“Less rice for me.” You told him. When you said that, he purposely added another scoop.

“Sorry, can you repeat what you said?” He looked at you, threatening to get another scoop from the rice cooker. You pouted and glared at him.

“Nothing.” You mumbled.

“That’s what I thought.” He smirked. You placed a portion of rice, spicy stew and side dishes on the tray for Jungkook.

“Okay, this is where I step in. Sorry, snowflake, I know you said patience t he’s still not a king that needs to be waited on. You are not his servant. If he wants to eat, he will come down, alright?” Jin wrapped his hand around your wrist. The others, even Hoseok, nodded in agreement.

“Alright. Hoseok, please make sure he comes down to eat later. It’s not good to skip meals.” You told him.

“You’re one to talk.” Yoongi snorted.

“Yah, Min Yoongi. I can still cancel the shipment for that scratching post that you ordered online.” You threatened. Yoongi gave you a look.

“You wouldn’t dare.”

“Try me.” You smirked.

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0aurelion-sol0 · 3 years

Text

"There's no place like gnome."

Stranger Things 3: The Game.

Gnomes 1-10. 🧙‍♂️

IT'S FINALLY HERE!

It's no secret that the Duffers take a lot of inspirations from Pop Culture. From the most well known movies to the more obscure comics, they are always able to sneak a reference somewhere everytime. And they are also able to make it connected to the story.

I've bragged about how the Stranger Things expanded universe in media is one of the best out there compared to many others. I think that the Duffers, the writers or people in the highest places of the marketing are really paying attention to what comes out of the ST franchise because there is no way to have such content with so many details without someone looking into them.

And ST3: The Game is a very good example of that.

So let's start! The first 10 Gnomes out of 50 that you have to find in the game.

BE AWARE THAT THERE ARE SPOILERS BELOW!

"There's elements that could please those who makes metas/analyzes or theories. Especially things related to possible future plot points, easter eggs, references in previous seasons mainly season 3 like unsolved mysteries or unanswered questions and for future seasons such as season 4 like foreshadowing or teasers, trailers or as of lately the sneak peek."

If you have anything you'd like to add, might think I have missed or think it might be referencing something else don't hesitate to share it by commenting or reblogging.

(Say thanks to @hawkinsschoolcounselor for having helped me with some of them. )

_____________________________

Gnome #1: Johnny

"He's here... with an axe."

Overall plot:

"The film's central character is Jack Torrance, an aspiring writer and recovering alcoholic who accepts a position as the off-season caretaker of the isolated historic Overlook Hotel in the Colorado Rockies. Wintering over with Jack are his wife, Wendy Torrance, and young son, Danny Torrance. Danny is gifted with "the shining", psychic abilities that enable him to see into the hotel's horrific past. The hotel cook, Dick Hallorann, also has this ability and is able to communicate with Danny telepathically. The hotel had a previous winter caretaker who went insane and killed his family and himself. After a winter storm leaves the Torrances snowbound, Jack's sanity deteriorates due to the influence of the supernatural forces that inhabit the hotel, placing his wife and son in danger."

So I assume a lot of you know The Shining by Stanley Kubrick. A movie which was adapted from the novel of the same name by Stephen King in 1977.

There's a lot of things that could have served as an inspiration for ST.

A boy/child who has psychic abilities = Eleven has psychic abilities such as telekinesis. Will has his True Sight which consist in seeing what the MF was seeing and feeling.

Now there's also the theme of family and parenthood that is also a big theme in Stranger Things. Especially abusive parenthood such as Brenner, Lonnie and even Hopper to a smaller degree.

In Shining, Jack tries to kill his family with an axe due to supernatural forces that are in the hotel but there's a difference between King and Kubrick. While King specifically said that Jack was heavily influenced by the Hotel, Kubrick shows that Jack always had that sinister violence in him even before they arrived at the hotel.

It's interesting to draw a parallel to Billy and Will, both characters called William who tried to kill their families and other people while being possessed. But Billy compared to Will was shown to have been abusive even before that. Dacre Montgomery also said that he was inspired by Jack Nicholson's performance in the Shining for his character Billy.

Joyce and Jonathan were shown to get ready to fight the monsters by taking an axe.

It's also interesting to note that Jack dies in the snow while a blizzard is happening outside the hotel. Much like the storm of the Mindflayer who is in the Upside Down, the same Mindflayer who "likes it cold". While in the book, the Overlook explodes and burn.

(Cold vs Fire much like everything Upside Down related not liking Fire.)

Also "Johnny" = "Jonathan", it's kind of similar and Jonathan did wield an axe before. Maybe this is teasing parts of Jonathan storyline next seasons ?

The gnome was also found in Mike's basement, Mike who wants to be a writer when he's older just like Jack.

Let's just hope that Jonathan and Mike don't get the same fate as Jack.

_____________________________

Gnome #2: Christine

"Two bright, beaming lights for eyes."

Overall plot:

"Written by Bill Phillips and based on Stephen King's 1983 novel of the same title, the movie follows the changes in the lives of Arnie Cunningham, an awkward and unpopular teenager, his friends, his family, and his teenage enemies in Rockbridge, California after Arnie buys a classic red and white 1958 Plymouth Fury named Christine, licence number CQB 241, a car that seems to have a jealous, possessive personality – and a mind of its own, which has a bad influence on Arnie. After working on a car in a junkyard owned by Will Darnell, Arnie drops his glasses, starts dressing like a 1950's greaser and develops an arrogant and paranoid personality. He than decides to invite and date the most beautiful girl in highschool, Leigh, who will soon become the next victim of Christine."

I was actually quite surprised by how this story parallels Stranger Things a lot.

First off, Christine is very much like The Mindflayer, a dangerous supernatural being set out to destroy anyone who is in her way, the people who tries to take the things that she thinks belongs to her or threatens her. This is very much relevant to The Mindflayer who after being hurt by the Fire created by the Hawkins Lab was upset and attacked everyone he could. Or as Will putted "Not me, everyone else."

This is very much like Christine who tried to kill Leigh because she was taking her place in the life of Arnie. Christine also tried to kill the bullies of Arnie who after a conflit with him, tried to destroy the car which angered Christine heavily.

The Mindflayer has been described someone who views himself as superior to other species and wants to conquer them, even if it's not his real "goal", the description fits anyone who is possessive and paranoid.

Both the MF and Christine are associated with the color red. Red storm = red color of the car.

Arnie ressembles Will and Billy alot. Will is an awkward and unpopular teenager who after being possessed by the Mindflayer became very different and more violent. Billy was shown to be paranoid, jealous, violent and his look even ressembles the one Arnie takes after repairing Christine.

Both of these boys have the same name as Will Darnell, the owner of a junkyard. Just like the boys in Season 1 who takes shelter in a junkyard, or in season 2 where they fight the Demodogs.

Billy dies, killed by the Mindflayer just like Arnie who was completely possessed by Christine who tried to kill Leigh and Dennis, his best friend after they tried to destroy the car when they realised the supernatural nature of it.

Billy's car ressembles a lot Christine with those lights on. Especially with shots like in the Void or at Starcourt during the night.

Chrissy, a new character that will be in season 4, the most popular girl in Hawkins High like Leigh, has a name that is the diminutive of Christine. It is said that under the perfect surface lies a dark secret. Much like the car Christine, while a beauty is actually a dangerous supernatural being. We'll see if the both of them actually connects in the show.

Also it is set in California where Billy and Max come from and has been rumored by many people due to set leaks (The Surfer Boy Pizza Van.) that it is where the Byers went. I won't get into it in this post but this could be a tease or hint of that IF the set leaks ARE true and not fake to mess with people and the fandom.

Arnie also dies in a car crash having been completely possessed by the evil powers of Christine which is something we see in the sneak peek of ST4. It also reminds of Carrie who has a bully named Chris who she kills in a car crash with her boyfriend Billy aka William.

So will someone die from that car crash ? Who is it ? Chrissy, Joyce, Lonnie ? We can only speculate.

The gnome is also found outside the Wheeler's house where Karen lives near the community pool where Billy works and where the car of Billy is located during the first few chapters of the game. Again, a "bad boy" hitting on the beautiful girl in town. (with a lot of creepy subtext all over it.)

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Gnome #3: Doc

"Always mumbling something about being late."

Overall plot:

"Set in 1985, in the town of Hill Valley, California, the story follows Marty McFly, a teenager accidentally sent back to 1955 in a time-traveling DeLorean automobile built by his eccentric scientist friend Doctor Emmett "Doc" Brown. Trapped in the past, Marty inadvertently prevents his future parents' meeting—threatening his very existence—and is forced to reconcile the pair and somehow get back to the future."

So I don't think I need to explain why this is here given how much it has been shown and mentioned in season 3. But few things are interesting here, the fact that California is mentioned is a big deal for me again. I know you are aware of the set leaks just as I am aware, if we can trust them than this could be a hint of that location.

Next, we have the theme of Time. Now ever since ST4 was announced, clocks and times have been a key feature in the promotion. Who know what this might mean but again, we're not going to develop that in the post.

There is also the whole funny scenes of Robin realising that indeed Marty's mother had tried to "bang" her own son. Now given the nature of the shown, certain images in the show during certain events and certain stories, you know to what it connects and to which theories it connects. Won't develop further on it but it can be used as an element that can go into those theories.

The gnome is also found outside of Starcourt Mall where Robin and Steve talk about "Back to the Future". It is also where Billy has his "Back to te Future" moment with his car going extremely fast just like the DeLorean.

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Gnome #4: Indiana

"Master of Adventure."

Overall plot:

"After arriving in India, Indiana Jones is asked by desperate villagers to find a mystical stone and rescue their children from a Thuggee cult practicing child slavery, black magic, and ritualistic human sacrifice in honor of the goddess, Kali."

Fun fact, on Twitter for ST3 promo, a parody poster of this same movie has been posted here of the official ST account.

Jim is obviously Indiana Jones, the look speaks for itself and when he is in the Tunnels in season 2, there's a lot of Indiana Jones imagery.

And of course Kali as 008, a Hindu goddess but as we will see here, it parallels more the Mindflayer.

In 1935, Indiana Jones survives a murder attempt by Lao Che, a crime boss in Shanghai who has hired him to retrieve the remains of Emperor Nurhaci. With his young orphaned Chinese sidekick, Short Round, and the nightclub singer, Willie Scott, in tow, Indy flees Shanghai on a cargo aircraft. While the three of them are asleep, the pilots (employed by Lao Che) dump the fuel and escape via parachute, leaving the plane to crash over the Himalayas. The three narrowly manage to survive by jumping out of the plane on an inflatable raft.

(I wonder if this could be something we see in season 4 with Hopper where he tries to escape on a plane and ends up crashing somewhere or is betrayed by someone who he asked the help of. Now it's a trio and in season 3, Jim, Joyce, Alexei and Murray are the main group that fits this trio. Jim for all the fighting and crazy shit, Joyce and Alexei are kind of like Short Round, they are the sidekicks of Hopper. Murray the role of Willie Scott since she speaks Chinese and him Russian and that Jim just like Indy finds annoying sometimes. Alexei is also kind of like Willie since he kinda goes along with them.

But if we also look at season 2, El is alot like Short Round since she is kind of an orphan too and has a father figure later on. It could also be Will since Hopper is with him a lot of times through season 2. Also Willie did felt out of her element like Alexei because of course he is Russian. Willie in itself doesn't have a lot in common with Joyce but still it's another connection to Will since she has a name close to the one of her sons. Something that does fit a bit more is Jim and Hopper both escaping death, of course Hopper at the end of season 3 but also during season 3 at the farm where he's being shot at by Gregori and than the car doesn't work and explodes and they have to make their way through the forest.

Willie Scott could also be referenced when El disguise herself as this pretty blonde girl in season 1.

Now however, Scoop Troops does fit certain parts of these trio. All the fighting with Steve like Indiana Jones but Robin got his brain because she cracked the code. Dustin and Erica are kinda like short round (especially Dustin who has kind of the same hat as short round.) and are referenced with all the others as children by Robin. Steve doesn't feel in his element like Willie with the three of them who are nerds just like Erica who also doesn't want to accept it. And Robin just like Willie speaks some languages.)

They ride down the mountain slopes and fall into a raging river, eventually arriving at the village of Mayapore in northern India. The villagers plead for their aid in retrieving the sacred stone (shivalinga) stolen from their shrine, along with their missing children, by evil forces in the nearby Pankot Palace. Indy agrees to do so, hypothesizing that the stone is one of the five Sankara stones given by the gods to help humanity fight evil. (It's kinda like Alexei who turns his back on the Russians, for his life of course and agrees to help Hopper close the gate to save Hawkins and their kids before monsters start to appear or may attack one of their kids. Now the stone could be something similar to the promethium or the two keys who opens the gate and is a highly valuable ressource. It also may be the Flayed who are needed to create the monster for the Mindflayer.)

The trio receive a warm welcome at Pankot Palace and are allowed to stay for the night as guests, attending a lavish, but revolting, banquet hosted by the young Maharajah. The officials rebuff Indy's theory that the Thuggee cult is responsible for their troubles. Later that night, Indy is attacked by an assassin. After Indy kills him, he discovers a series of tunnels hidden behind a statue and sets out to explore them, overcoming a number of booby-traps.

(This could be like when Hopper, Joyce and Murray disguised themselves as Russian soldiers but was than discovered by Grigori who attacks them.

The tunnels could be both groups discovering that there is a secret russian base underground and a gate which explains why there are monsters again in Hawkins but it also be the Source, Brimborn Steel Works, where the Mindflayer is lurking underground where he has cult-like followers who makes sacrifices for him to grow bigger and bigger.

It's also like the Tunnels in season 2 who explains why the soil of Hawkins seemed to literally rot. )

The trio reach an underground temple where the Thuggees worship Kali with human sacrifice. They discover that the Thuggees now possess three of the Sankara stones and have enslaved the children to search for the last two, hidden in the palace catacombs. As Indy tries to retrieve the stones, he, Willie, and Shorty are captured. Thuggee high priest Mola Ram forces Indy to drink a potion that puts him into a trance-like state in which he mindlessly serves the cult. (It's very much like Robin and Steve who after discovering the gate are catched by the Russians and than drugged to answer their questions. But also like the Flayed who drinks the chemicals and serves the Mindflayer like a mindless cult.)

Willie is prepared for sacrifice, while Shorty is put to work in the mines with the other children. Shorty escapes and returns to the temple, where he first frees Indy and, later, the Maharajah from the effects of the potion. Indy saves Willie and retrieves the stones. After freeing the children, Indy fights a hulking overseer and leaves him to be killed by a rock crusher. (Basically Dustin saves Steve and Robin. Willie being prepared for sacrifice is kind of like El prepared for sacrifice by Billy in 3x08 but also frees Billy from the effects of the Mindflayer by making him remember his mother, a pretty blonde woman like Willie and sacrifices himself. And Hopper fights Gregori, a "hulking overseer" and kills him.)

The trio escape from the temple, pursued by Thuggees, and barely escape Mola Ram's attempt to flood them out. They are again ambushed by Mola Ram and his henchmen on a rope bridge above a crocodile-infested river. Indy cuts the bridge, causing several of the henchmen to fall to the crocodiles and leaving the survivors to hang on for their lives. As Mola Ram and Indy struggle, Indy invokes the name of Shiva, causing the stones to glow red-hot and burn through Indy's satchel. Two of them fall out; Mola Ram tries to catch the third, but burns his hand and falls from the bridge and into the river, where he, too, is eaten by the crocodiles. (This can be connected to all the kids fighting in Hawkins with the Spider Monster. But the bridge could also fit for the key in the secret base where Hopper and Gregori fights. The gruesome death of Mola Ram is similar to the gruesome death that Gregori has.)

Indy catches the stone safely and climbs up just as a company of British Indian Army riflemen, sent by the Maharajah, arrive and open fire against the Thuggees to drive them away; the surviving Thuggees are soon cornered and arrested by more soldiers. Indy, Willie, and Shorty return safely to Mayapore with the stone and the missing children. (While it may end well in the movie, we know Billy and multiple people die, the Thuggees unlike the Russians have been captured while the Russians where all able to flee before the US Army arrives and Hopper is presumed dead. Only the children in both stories are alive but are probably traumatized for life.)

All in all we can see that this movie might have had a big influence on the plot of season 3 through many characters and more. It may have some hints about possible events for Hopper in season 4 or even beyond but that's about it for. It's a nice package of comparaisons and references though.

The gnome is found in the Hawkins Community Pool where Billy is. The same Billy who obeys mindlessly the Mindflayer and sacrifices people to it. Just like the Thuggees with Kali.

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Gnome #5: Chunk

"Posed in some odd dance maneuver."

Overall plot:

"In the film, a band of kids who live in the "Goon Docks" neighborhood of Astoria, Oregon, attempt to save their homes from foreclosure and, in doing so, they discover an old treasure map that takes them on an adventure to unearth the long-lost fortune of One-Eyed Willy, a legendary 17th-century pirate. During the adventure, they are chased by a family of criminals who want the treasure for themselves."

So first, let's get this out of the way, Sean Astin who play Bob Newby, our beloved who plays a character named Mikey.

The Goonies is a 1985 American adventure comedy film co-produced and directed by Richard Donner from a screenplay by Chris Columbus, based on a story by executive producer Steven Spielberg. In the film, kids who live in the "Goon Docks" neighborhood of Astoria, Oregon, attempt to save their homes from foreclosure and, in doing so, they discover an old treasure map that takes them on an adventure to unearth the long-lost fortune of One-Eyed Willy, a legendary 17th-century pirate. During the adventure, they are chased by a family of criminals who want the treasure for themselves.

I wonder if this might hint at some Season 4 plot right here. The Hawkins gang faces the threat of Hawkins becoming a literal ghost down and might need to find something to save it. Also Willy like William, again Will is still there.

The Goonies include optimist lead Goonie Mikey Walsh, his older brother Brandon, the inventive Data, the talkative Mouth, and the overweight klutz Chunk.

Rummaging through the Walshes' attic, they come across a 1632 doubloon and an old treasure map purporting to lead to the treasure of legendary pirate "One-Eyed Willy", believed to be located somewhere nearby. Mikey considers One-Eyed Willy to be the original Goonie. (It kinda reminds me of Mike who got mad at Max in season 2 and told her they didn't need another party member. And he mentionned Will first right after him.)

The kids overpower and bind Brandon and make their way to an abandoned restaurant on the coast that coincides with the map; Brandon soon follows alongside Andy, a cheerleader with a crush on him ( there has been cheerleaders that have been reported in season 4 such as Chrissy.); and Stef, Andy's friend. The group quickly discovers the derelict restaurant is a hideout of the Fratelli crime family: Francis, Jake, and their mother. (Maybe it is both a reference to the Russians in season 3 who have a hideout under the mall who have many restaurants. Or the Lab who OBVIOUSLY does a lot of illegal activities. )

The Goonies find a tunnel in the basement and follow it (like the tunnels made by the Mindflayer in season 2), but when Chunk flags down a motorist to go to the sheriff’s station, he gets abducted by the assailants and imprisoned with their hulking, deformed, younger brother Sloth. (This is obviously like Dustin who befriends Dart in season 2, a literal Demogorgon in the making.)

The Fratellis interrogate Chunk until he reveals where the Goonies have gone, and begin pursuit. Chunk is left behind with Sloth, but befriends him. After Sloth frees both of them, Chunk calls the sheriff, and both follow the trail of the Fratellis. (This is very reminiscent of Hopper in season 1 who gets interrogated by Lab agents or Steve and Robin by the Russians.)

The Goonies evade several deadly booby traps along the tunnels, while staying ahead of the Fratellis. Finally, they reach the grotto where Willy's pirate ship, the Inferno, is anchored. (Will also has a ship, the rainbow ship he drew for Joyce, also Inferno literally means Hell just like what Hawkins has been called.)

The group discovers the ship is filled with treasure, and they start filling their pockets, but Mikey warns them not to take any on a set of scales in front of Willy, considering that to be their tribute to him. As they leave the ship, the assailants appear and strip them of their loot. They start to bind the Goonies and make them walk the plank, until Chunk arrives with Sloth and distracts the assailants long enough for the Goonies to jump overboard and swim to safety. (It's the opposite of the season 2 finale, where Dustin has to distract Dart so that the other could pass through the tunnels.)

The Fratellis proceed to grab all the treasure they can, including those on Willy's scales; this triggers another booby trap that causes the grotto to cave in. With Sloth's help, the Goonies and Fratellis barely escape.

The two groups emerge on Astoria's beach, where they reunite with the Goonies' families and the police. The Fratellis are arrested, but Chunk prevents Sloth from also being taken; he invites Sloth to live with him, which Sloth accepts. ("Unfortunately", Dart compared to Sloth probably died.)

As the kids describe their adventure to their parents, the Walshes' housekeeper, Rosalita, discovers that Mikey's marble bag is filled with gems he took from the ship and had not been seized by the Fratellis. Mikey's father triumphantly rips up the foreclosure papers, declaring they have enough money to negate the foreclosure. As the Goonies celebrate, they see the Inferno, having broken free of the grotto, sailing off on its own in the distance. (Could it be hinting at a possible happy ending for Stranger Things ?)

So Fratellis, is similar to fratello which means "brother, fellow, neighbor" which perhaps could be a reference to the Mindflayer who is kind of our neighbor since he is basically in the same places but in the Upside Down. The Mindflayer also has been paralleled to Billy and other abusive father figures. Billy who is the brother of Max. He has also been paralleled to Kali through his anger and him attacking people who hurted him or might hurt him. Could in itself The Mindflayer should be taken or seen as some sort of family figure ? Maybe him being always associated with Will The Wise especially in 2x04 or someone who has the name Will like Billy is a connection. The same Billy who also parallels Russians who just like the Fratellis have secret hideouts.

Though the Fratellis are more motivated by greed which fits Brenner, Lonnie (who tried to use his son's death to gain money.) or Russians most.

Now Willy, Willy is a captain. Maybe it could be hinting at the fact that Will has more importance to the story than we think. There's also Inferno, "Hell" which is Hawkins but also the name of the ship. And Will has a rainbow ship... Could Hawkins be the ship of Will where his adventures are taking place ?

As for the dance... well as you've seen upper in the post: it's the "Truffle Shuffle Dance". It's something that Chunk has to do before entering Mikey's house. It's similar to what Dustin do at the beginning of season 1 to the bullies when he makes his bones crack due to his medical condition, cleidocranial dysplasia.

As for where this gnome is located, it's in Weathertop where Cerebro is located which is fitting since Dustin has a lot of Goonies as inspiration for his character.

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Gnome #6: Elvis

"He's not dead!"

"Elvis Aaron Presley (January 8, 1935 – August 16, 1977), also known simply as Elvis, was an American singer and actor. Dubbed the "King of Rock and Roll", he is regarded as one of the most significant cultural icons of the 20th century. His energized interpretations of songs and sexually provocative performance style, combined with a singularly potent mix of influences across color lines during a transformative era in race relations, led him to both great success and initial controversy." - Wikipedia.

It is a lot known that people in the 80's thought that Elvis Presley was still alive due to his status and the aura he had as a celebrity. However, no matter how appealing this myth may be, he died of an excessive usage of prescription drugs which reminds me of Nancy who said she thought Tom was on drugs when he fired her and Jonathan while he an the Flayed were drinking chemicals. He also died in 1977, the same year "Heroes" by David Bowie came out which is a song that was used two times when we thought a character died when he was actually alive which are Will and Hopper. Will and Hopper both have a lot of rock in their Spotify playlist.

Also, I personally think that Steve has kind of an Elvis Presley aura to him especially in season 1. After all, Steve has a nickname "King Steve" and Elvis Presley is often nicknamed "The King" and both were popular with girls.

Fun fact: Dacre Montgomery who plays Billy who literally becomes the new "King" of Hawkins will play in the biographical music drama "Elvis" about Elvis Presley where he will play a character called "Steve Binder".

Also actor David Harbour also got married with singer Lily Allen by Elvis in Las Vegas.

It's also found hidden behind bushes near the Public Library. Maybe indicating that Elvis is still out there in the world and hiding.

Which also may be a reference to Brenner who has a similar haircut but also about the novel "Suspicious Minds", a prequel of ST taking place in the Lab when Brenner was doing his sinister experiments which is the same title as one of the songs of Elvis. Like Elvis, Brenner is still out there, hiding in Hawkins.

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Gnome #7: Jack

"All work and no play makes Jack a dull gnome."

Again another reference to Shining. So what you are seeing here is a proverb, it means: "It means that without time off from work, a person becomes both bored and boring."

In Shining, it represents Jack's slow descent into madness. But it could be a reference to Joyce, Jonathan and Nancy who all work their asses off and don't take a lot of time for themselves and so don't have the time to explore anything else than work which also cause for them not to be there when Will got kidnapped. It may also represent Jonathan's words to Nancy in season 1 where he "called out" the boring life she will have and that she will live like her parents so in this case the proverb becomes about societal norms.

Mike just like Jack is an aspiring writer, Mike just like other members of his family falls into these societal norms that are expected like work and overworking in this instance which makes them boring in the eyes of people like Jonathan. "No play" may also reference D&D which Mike started to ignore in season 3 and worried more pointless and superficial things.

Again, hope it doesn't foreshadow anything for these two characters.

This gnome is found in the Library which is fitting considering Jack wants to be a writer.

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Gnome #8: Flynn (Flynn Rider from "Tangled" (2010))

"Looks like he rides well."

Overall plot of Tangled (2010):

"The film tells the story of Rapunzel, a lost, young princess with magical long blonde hair who yearns to leave her secluded tower. Against her abusive foster mother's wishes who kidnappee her when she was young, she accepts the aid of an intruder to take her out into the world which she has never seen."

This story is literally what the boys was arguing about at the end of season 1.

1)The lost knight...

Flynn Rider is actually the son of a king and queen that were from a kingdom that got destroyed by a powerful opal. He was evacuated and placed in an orphanage. He made his reputation as thief.

So Mike and El both parallels this guy, well Mike is a palladin in D&D and he is the son of a wealthy family so he is basically a night. El however also lost her parents like him and has more attributes of a knight in season 1 than Mike.

Flynn is arrogant, which Mike can be a bit sometimes but the both of them can be extremely courageous and care a lot about the people they care about though they are not very strong, nor athletic. Maybe Flynn a bit more.

Also fun coincidence Flynn = Finn, the name of the actor who plays Mike. (almost the same name).

Both him and El run into each other in the woods. Just like Flynn who discover Rapunzel while trying to enter Rapunzel's tower but is knocked out by her who is none other than the...

2)The proud princess...

Well first Rapunzel = Eleven. Both of these girls have magical powers and are used by an abusive and evil parental figure who needs them for their own interest, Mother Gothel used the powers of Rapunzel to stay young forever (like an addiction, a drug) and Martin Brenner aka "Papa". They are both locked away somewhere. El in the lab and Rapunzel in the tower which they both seeked to escape out of. Both believed that these parental figures loved them while it was not true. El also has long blond hair in season 1 like Rapunzel. And both quickly form a relationship with a boy they just met. Both don't know who their real parents are and wants to find them. While Rapunzel has long blonde hair, El had a shaved head.

Also in season 2, El is locked in a cabin in the woods because of Hopper because he believe it is not safe out there which is exactly what Mother Gothel tells Rapunzel. Just like her El disobeys and seeks to discover who her true parents are.

Rapunzel seeks to know what are those floating lights that always appear on her birthday, it is actually her parents who are the king and queen of a kingdom not so far away that do that every year hoping one day she will come back to her. She is a "lost princess". It is very similar to Terry Ives who was communicating through the lights to El.

Rapunzel's power comes out of something that is also connected to something famous in ST.

3) Weird flowers in the cave...

Rapunzel's power come from a flower called "Sundrop flower". = Sunflower which is said by Terry Ives.

This flower can pretty much heal anything including mortal wounds. The Queen got pregnant with Rapunzel but was also terribly sick so she took this flower to heal herself and while doing so, Rapunzel got this ability.

This is very reminiscent of Terry Ives who was pregnant with El and took part in the MKUltra experiences that gave her these powers including certain drugs. She is also "ill" in a way as she is now stuck in a loop. At least from what we saw.

But Rapunzel also parallels another character.

Will Byers. Will could communicate through lights to his mother, just like the parents of Rapunzel and Terry Ives.

The weird flowers could be referencing the sort of vines that entered inside of him in the Upside Down which gave him his "now-memories".

Both had abusive parental figure that would lock them somewhere for whatever reason. (Lonnie with Will in his trunk.)

(Also Hopper may have tried to separate Mike and El but he wasn't like what a Lonnie or Brenner would have been. This is why yes, the situation in season 2 parallels but Hopper truly wished good for El while Brenner and Mother Gothel didn't care for any of these two.)

Same is for Lonnie, he doesn't care about Will.

Since Will is a cleric, both him and Rapunzel have the same time of power. Powers that El doesn't have:

To heal the sick and injured

To revive the dead

To work as a shield

Given this story, it may hint at the fact that Brenner and Lonnie may try to take El and Will for their own greed and purposes.

Since Rapunzel parallels both Will and El, you know what that means for Flynn who parallels Mike.

Flynn in the movie is stabbed by Mother Gothel and dies before cutting the hair of Rapunzel killing Mother Gothel in the process. Rapunzel mourns him and one of his tears heal him.

If Flynn parallels Mike, than something bad could happen to him. If Will does have powers and has feelings for Mike, a supposed death may reveal his powers.

And if he has the same powers as his cleric role, than he could heal those who get hurt or even bring the dead back to life.

If Lonnie sees Mike around Will, given he is homophobic. He may try to hurt him so that he doesn't go near Will again which could lead to him being in grave danger.

Of course all of that is just speculation.

This gnome was found on the parking lot of Starcourt where El decided to break up with Mike and we saw Will smiling in the background.

Also I don't know but... "Looks like he rides well", I mean there's certain undertones to that which are... I don't know how to process that but from what you've just read, Mike apparently rides well. I mean I have nothing against gay sex jokes but still...

Even if it's unintentional, it's how it'll sound on the internet.

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Gnome #9: David

"At 399, he's the oldest gnome around."

So this gnome was already in the first ST official mobile game. And this reminds me a lot of The Lord Of The Rings and The Hobbit but also and of course; Dungeons & Dragons.

The World of David the Gnome, originally titled David, el Gnomo (also known as David, the Gnome), is a Spanish animated television series based on the children's book The Secret Book of Gnomes, by the Dutch author Wil Huygen and illustrator Rien Poortvliet. The series was originally created in Spain by BRB Internacional (who were also responsible for the Dogtanian and the Three Muskehounds franchise (Like Dart in season 2 and Mike, Lucas and Dustin where very much like the Three Musketeers in season 1.) and other cartoons such as Bobobobs and Around the World with Willy Fog)

The series presents the gnomes as a kind species, of 15 centimetres (6 inches) of height, and between 250 and 300 grams (8 and 10 ounces) of weight depending on gnome body mass. According to their habitat, different types of gnomes are distinguished: the ones of the forest, the ones of the garden, the ones of the farm, the ones of the house, the ones of the dunes, those of Siberia (David = David Harbour = Hopper = Hopper is in Russia), and nomadic "gypsy" gnomes (commonly looked down upon by other gnomes). A gnome's lifespan is usually 400 years, though there is one example of a couple in the Balkans living 550 years.

Gnomes such as the main characters live in pairs in comfortable caves or holes under trees [kinda like Hobbits] (in their case in the company of a pair of mice and a cricket). Their diet is mostly vegetarian. They are helped by the animals of the forest (kinda like Radagast who is the password to Castle Byers who is located in the woods) when travelling long distances or when they need to arrive quickly at a specific location. Gnomes work in various ways to repair the damage inevitably caused by humans. They also have the power of telepathy and mind control. (kinda like El or the Mindflayer, or even Galadriel in The Lord Of The Rings.)

Their main enemies are the trolls, malevolent and clumsy creatures who always make trouble for the other inhabitants of the forest, as well as gnome poachers. They have supernatural powers that are really strong but they have a weakness, if the sunlight gets on them, they turn to stone.(could be referencing all the Upside Down creatures who don't like sunlight and everything hot.) [Also very much like the Hobbit.] Also one of the trolls was voiced by someone who had the name Henderson, like Dustin Henderson. I also think it references a comic where some bullies attack Will and Mike calls them trolls.

Here are the most important characters:

David is a gnome of the forest. David is 399 years old, making him the oldest gnome around (since gnomes live no more than 400 years exactly, except Franklin, the gnome from the west, who lived 550 years), although he possesses exceptional constitution. David is a doctor, and he uses his knowledge of many fields, such as hypnosis and acupuncture, to heal his patients, usually animals, such as his faithful friend Swift the fox, or other gnomes. David also befriends a bird that, when he whistles, immediately arrives to quickly transport him to wherever necessary. For longer trips, he sometimes travels in a basket attached to the neck of the bird. (It may be a reference to clerics who are known to heal their allies and travelling with birds reminds me of Gandald who sometimes has the help of Eagles in some stories.)

Paul is David's twin brother. Not only does Paul have a normal moustache in contrast to David's handlebar moustache but his jumper is a darker shade of blue, he has a bigger nose, his gnome hat is dark blue whereas David's is red, and his trousers and boots are an inverse of David's: David's trousers are brown and his boots are beige, while Paul wears beige trousers and dark boots. (Of course this is a reference to Will and El who have been compared a lot of times throughout the show and who a lot of people in the fandom consider them siblings and twins, Will has a lot of Red in his wardrobe while El has a lot of blue.)

This gnome was found in a secret Russian base underground in Weathertop where Dustin discovers the Russian transmission coming from their main base located under the mall like a cave (like where gnome lives.). There are also gnomes in Siberia and having the name David, the name of Hopper's actor creates a connection since right now Hopper is in Russia. It may also be a nod to the group of kids who are all little gnomes running around the forest with their magical powers.

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Gnome #10: Baskin

"Robin's favorite gnome."

Now this is a funny one.

This is a reference to the famous Baskin-Robbins which is a chain of ice cream restaurants that did special ice creams for Season 3 because of Scoops Ahoy. It is Robin's favorite gnome because they literally share the same name.

Baskin could also be a reference to the film of the same name where Five police officers, Remzi, Arda, Yavuz, Apo, and Seyfi, are dining at a restaurant, during which they have a discussion. Their meal is interrupted when they receive a distress call from Inceagac, a town known for being the focus of strange rumors. During the trip Seyfi has a terrifying vision of a bloody figure and accidentally drives their van into the water. Stranded, the officers eventually make their way to Inceagac, where they find themselves in an abandoned building (back in the Ottoman days, this used to be a police station), captured by cult members and are subjected to a number of increasingly bizarre and surreal scenarios. In the end, they realize they have all inadvertently wandered into Hell.

It has alot of similiraties with stories like Silent Hills or Hellraiser, two stories that inspired Stranger Things especially Hellraiser for Stranger Things 4. And it fully embraces the satanic imagery and themes which is something we are going to see with the satanic panic and also has the theme of time, dreams and visions.

We'll see how much season 4 decides to use those sort of elements in the show.

Well this gnome is easy to find. It's in the Scoops Ahoy parlor next to Robin. USS Butterscotch seems to be very popular there

_____________________________

Gnomes 11 - 20 coming soon.

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eliselovely · 3 years

Text

Canine Matchmaker

Words: 2819

Warnings: p in v sex, oral (f receiving), they don’t really know each other in this, stranger danger irl but this is fiction

New Years Eve night was usually a night spent with friends, getting drunk and eating way too much snack food while waiting for midnight. Not for you though, you were happy to make yourself dinner, pour yourself a glass of wine and cuddle up on the couch with your dog to watch movies. The first two steps of that plan had gone well, and you had just let Basil, your pitbull shelter dog outside. You wait a few minutes before checking on her, she usually finishes her business pretty quickly in the winter time, not wanting to stay out in the cold for too long. However, tonight she was taking longer than usual. Going over to your patio door, you look around your backyard but you don’t see her.

“Basil, come here girl!” you call for her, stepping outside. You take a moment to listen for the jingling of her collar but you don’t hear anything. “Basil come!” Again nothing.

There was a snowstorm that was just beginning, and you were starting to fear that she had gotten out of the yard. If that was the truth, then you’d be in for a stressful night. The temperature outside was hovering around freezing, which meant that the roads would be coated with slick ice and the holiday meant that it was unlikely that the city would send out many plows. If you were going to drive in search of Basil, it had to be soon. Triple checking the yard, just in case, you find the fence gate slightly ajar, the last piece of evidence you needed to be sure you were making the right decision to get in your car.

“Fuck,” you grumble, going back inside to get your purse and keys. Donning a pair of snow boots and a heavy coat you head out to your car.

As almost an afterthought, you text a few of your neighbors to see if they’d keep an eye out for her. Driving slowly, you start to circle the neighborhood, going block by block making sure to be careful around corners, the roads getting more and more slippery by the minute. Visibility was also rapidly decreasing as the heavy snow continued to fall. You had just started to panic when you got a call from an unknown number.

“Hello?” you answer, trying to keep your voice from shaking in panic.

“Hi,” comes a male voice, “I think I found your dog, this number was on her collar.”

“Yes! Oh my god, is she ok?” you ask.

“Yeah, yeah, she was shivering pretty badly, but I gave her some water and she’s settled on my couch under a blanket.” the man said.

“Oh thank god,” you breathe out. “Can you text me your address so I can come pick her up?”

“Definitely,” he confirms. “Drive safe, it’s getting pretty bad out there.”

“Thank you,” you say and hang up.

As soon as the man’s text comes through with his address, you punch it into google maps and you’re on your way. You pull up to your destination a few minutes later, a quiet stretch of townhomes just a few miles from your home. You sent him a quick ‘I’m here’ text and hurried up to the front door. The man who answers your knock had to be the most attractive man you had seen in real life, and in other circumstances, you would have flirted.

“Hi,” he greets. “Please, come in. Basil is in the living room, she’s pretty worn out.”

Kicking the snow off your boots, you step inside. As if she could sense your presence, Basil comes trotting into the entryway causing you to drop to your knees, giving your previously lost companion as much affection as you could.

“Hi baby,” you say to her, turning your head away from her attempts to lick your face. “Hi, yes thank you, I missed you too. You worried me naughty girl.”

You hear the man chuckle lightly at your one sided conversation, you had almost forgotten he was there.

“Thank you so much for taking care of her,” you say, standing up again to face him.

“Absolutely no problem. I’m Frankie by the way, Frankie Morales,” he says, offering a hand for you to shake.

You shake his hand and introduce yourself in return. The two of you make small talk for a short while, and when you do leave, you find the snow storm has picked up considerably, roughly an inch and a half of fresh, wet snow.

“Shit,” you breathe. “Driving is going to suck.”

“If you want,” Frankie starts, “if you want, you can wait it out here and see if it lets up a bit, the plows will be out soon and make driving a whole lot easier.”

“If you don’t mind, that would be great,” you say. “But I am going to send my location to some friends just in case you’re a psycho or something.”

Frankie chuckles again. “I’d expect nothing less. You want a drink or something?

The two of you end up in his living room, chatting easily and flirting over a few beers, Basil comfortably dozing between you. Your thoughts start to wander to what you would do if you had met Frankie at a bar, how you probably would have chatted him up, or maybe he would have beaten you to it. You don’t realize you’ve zoned out until you hear his voice, calling you back to the present.

“Hey, you still with me?” he asks.

“Yeah, sorry,” you say. “Just got lost in thought is all.”

“What’s going on in that beautiful head of yours?”

“Not to answer a question with a question, but can I say something sort of forward?”

“Shoot.”

“You can totally stop me if I’m overstepping, feel free to kick me out if yo-.”

“Hermosa, what is it?”

You take a second to pluck up the rest of your courage, flushing at the nickname he called you.

“If we had met at a bar, I would have invited you home with me,” you confess, flicking your eyes up to meet his heavy gaze.

“Oh yeah?” he encourages, obviously knowing exactly what he was doing. “What would we have done?”

“I would have had you fuck me until I couldn’t walk,” you say bluntly, leaving the pleasantries until you had your response. Frankie didn’t respond at first, just took a sip of his beer never breaking eye contact.

“And what about here?” he finally says. “What if I were to invite you upstairs so I could do just that?”

“Well then, I think I’d tell you to show me a damn good time,” you say.

Frankie slowly leans forward to set his beer on the coffee table, taking yours from your grasp and doing the same. He stood in front of you, offering his hand to help you up. His touch is gentle as he places a large hand on the side of your cheek, taking a small step closer as he presses his lips to yours. You had barely a moment to bask in the feel before the two of you were being startled apart by Basil letting out a particularly loud snort in her sleep.

“I think that’s her way of telling us to get a room,” you joke, giggling lightly.

“If you say so,” he says, and before you have a chance to comprehend what he said, you are being swept off your feet into his arms, one strong arm around your back and the other under your knees. He gives you another quick kiss before starting up the stairs, presumably towards his bedroom.

He gently sets you down on the soft down comforter, giving you the first real kiss of the night. One you can truly take your time to enjoy, it’s slow and passionate, but with an undercurrent of obvious lust. You feel his tongue swipe at your bottom lip, politely asking for permission to do more. You gladly open for him, loving the taste of his mouth.

“Frankie,” you moan into his mouth, your brain no longer being able to form full thoughts.

“You want more Hermosa?” he asks, hands sliding down to caress and squeeze your breast making you arch into his touch. “Yeah?”

“Please,” you whine, embarrassed at how desperate you sound.

“Alright Sweetheart, I’ll give you more,” he promises, pulling you upright again to pull your sweatshirt over your head and tossing it somewhere to be found later. “My god you’re gorgeous,” he says running his hands across your bare skin, reaching around you to unclasp your bra. He lays you back down again, attaching his warm mouth to one of your nipples, his fingers pinching the other one.

“Fuck yes,” you breathe out.

You feel his grin against your skin, delighting in giving you pleasure. Pulling his mouth off with a pop, he moves further down, unbuttoning your pants and pulling them off along with your panties.

“Damn, I think you are the most beautiful woman I have ever seen,” he says.

“I know a better use for that motor mouth of yours,” you tease in a moment of clarity. You hold his gaze as you slide your legs open further, exposing your dripping core to him.

“So fucking sexy,” he all but moans.

Leaning down again, he kisses your lips, and from there leaving a trail of wet, open mouthed kisses down your chest and abdomen. Placing a kiss to each thigh, sending you a wink before licking a thick stripe through your folds up to your clit, sucking the sensitive bundle of nerves between his lips, his short facial hair scraping against your inner thighs.

“Ah, yes Frankie,” you moan.

Without warning, he sinks his index finger into your pussy causing your hips to buck up into his mouth in response. You card your fingers through his hair and hold him tightly to your sensitive heat, your moans growing louder as he continued. Frankie adds another finger, hooking them upwards and stroking your g spot.

“Right there!” you exclaim. “Fuck, right there.”

Frankie chuckles against your cunt, the vibrations just adding to the pleasure he was giving you. The familiar coil in your core was growing ever tighter, threatening to snap at any moment.

“I’m close,” you warn in between breaths.

“Cum for me Hermosa,” Frankie groans against your clit, sucking even harder and pumping his fingers even faster.

The coil in your belly snaps and you cum on his fingers, letting out a loud, lewd moan as you do. He pulls fingers out of you, licking one more long stripe through your folds.

“You taste so good Hermosa,” he praises, kissing up your body reaching your mouth yet again. You love tasting your release on his lips.

“Frankie,” you say, desperate to feel him inside of you. “Frankie, fuck me please.”

“As you wish Hermosa,” he grants. “You want to ride me?”

“Yes!” you exclaim. “Oh my fuck yes!”

Frankie chuckles again and stands to undress himself. His golden skin glowed in the lamp light, the small dusting of hair on his chest looked soft to the touch and you couldn’t wait to run your hands across his skin. You let your eyes wander downwards as he strips his pants away, a dark, well groomed happy trail leading to his substantial cock. You feel your pussy clench at the thought of having it inside you.

“You like what you see Hermosa?” he says with a sly smile.

“Dear god yes,” you say almost in a whine.

He grabs a condom from the bedside table and rolls it on before settling on the bed. Once he is ready you sling one leg over his abdomen, straddling him. It is your turn to lean down to kiss him, the remnants of your cum still detectable on his tongue. You pull away and reach behind you to line his cock up with your entrance, slowly sinking down onto it. The two of you groan in tandem at the feel of it, the stretch of his cock inside of you dancing on the line between pain and pleasure.

“You’re so tight Hermosa,” he praises, “so warm.”

You moan at his words, grinding your hips down against him. Bracing your hands on his chest, you start to bounce at a steady pace, Frankie’s hands on your hips helping to guide you as you take your pleasure. His resolve is straining as he resists the urge to fuck up into you, not wanting this to be over too quickly. He slides a hand up to cup one of your tits, the other moving to rub your clit, hoping to coax another orgasm out of you.

“Come on baby,” he groans. “Cum on my cock.”

You clench around him as you cum again, your nails digging into his skin leaving crescent shaped marks. His fingers rubbing lazy circles on your clit as you come down from your high, your fluttering walls providing the perfect sheath for Frankie’s rock hard member. Collapsing against his chest, you press your lips against his, happy to explore his mouth with your tongue. After a few moments, he bucks his hips up into you a few times before flipping you onto your back, careful not to let his cock slip free.

“You ready for more Hermosa?” he asks.

You nod, not trusting your mouth to work well enough to form words after two intense orgasms. He starts slow, savoring the feeling of your velvety walls wrapped around him. He steadily builds up his pace until he’s fucking you with reckless abandon, one hand squeezes your tit, the other arm braced above your head, his weight resting on his forearm as his hand stroked your hair. You felt yet another orgasm building as he slammed his hips into yours, he was grunting in pleasure with every thrust.

“Frankie, I’m gonna cum again,” you gasp.

“Do it,” he orders. “I’m close too.”

His cock hits that perfect spot inside you once, twice, three times and you’re sent hurtling over the edge, clenching down hard on his cock. As his hips start to falter, you’re hit by a wonderful thought.

“Frankie,” you moan.

“Yes Hermosa?” he replies, breathless and panting.

“I want you to cum on my tits,” you confess.

He answers you not with words, but rather with a loud groan and a quick searing kiss. He pulls out of you and tears the condom of his weeping length, stroking it rapidly as he positions himself over you. Reaching up, you place your hand over his, helping to bring him to climax.

“Fuck,” he grunts, his hot cum shooting out to land on your tits and chest. You look up with a large smile on your face, your thumb rubbing slow circles on the back of his hand, both of you still trying to catch your breath.

“That was amazing,” you pant.

“Mmm, to say the least,” he says, his voice almost at a whisper. “I’ll be right back to clean you up Hermosa.”

You hum in response, contentedly laying on his large bed. He comes back with a warm washcloth, gently dragging it over your skin cleaning away his release from your chest and yours from between your thighs. Before returning to the bathroom to return the washcloth, he places a tender kiss to your forehead.

“Gorgeous,” he states.

A chill washes over you and you are suddenly hyper aware of Frankie’s missing body heat. Rolling off the bed, you spot your discarded sweatshirt near the edge of the bed. Just the few steps it takes you to reach the piece of clothing shows you just how sore you are, and how much more you would be later. The thought makes you smile as you pull your sweatshirt over your head.

Frankie reenters the bedroom soon after, still gloriously naked.

“Hi,” you mumbled into the kiss he gave you.

“Hi,” he responds. “The snow is still coming down pretty heavily, and it doesn’t look like the plows have been out. So it looks like you and Basil are going to be stuck here tonight.”

“Worse things have happened,” you joke. “Do you have a pair of sweatpants I could borrow for the night?”

“I’m sure I can find something for you.”

He goes to his closet then, pulling on a pair of boxers and a shirt before digging out a pair of sweatpants before tossing them to you. As you pull on your discarded panties and his much too large sweatpants, you hear the jingle of Basil’s collar as she comes up the stairs.

“She’s quite the matchmaker,” Frankie laughs.

“To say the least,” you giggle, squatting down next to your canine companion.

“Hey,” Frankie says, pointing at the clock on his bedside table.

“Happy New Year,” the two of you say simultaneously, laughing at the absurdity of tonight’s situation.

#pedro pascal #frankie morales smut #frankie morales x reader #francisco catfish morales #frankie 'catfish' morales #triple frontier #francisco morales #frankie catfish morales #frankie morales

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berrynarrybanana · 3 years

Text

Holiday Wishes, Mistletoe Kisses

A/N: This was meant to be a blurb, but I got carried away. I honestly don’t know how I feel about it, but I wanted to post some Christmassy stuff in between now and Deck the Halls, so here’s a little something. It’s basically over a thousand words of Harry pining for some girl he just met. That seems to be my favorite trope, yeah? Anyways, I hope you enjoy and I hope that you all remember that Christmas isn’t about what you have or what you’re able to give, it’s about spending time with the people you love the most. I’m always here for you all if you need me and I love you loads. Thank you!

Word Count: 5.1K+

Warnings: A little smut, pining, flash forward, ofc

Prompt: “You’re wearing the Santa hat, whether you like it or not” | Taken from this post here!

It wasn’t that Harry hated Christmas.

He loved spending time with his family, drinking mulled wine and talking shit with his Mum and Sister on the couch until the morning light. He loved the Christmas cookies that everyone seemed to bake just for him. Every single one of his friends would wrap them up in cute, candy cane striped cellophane bags with a little bow as if they were worried he’d been deprived of sweets. He loved the warmth that enveloped him when he stepped into any building, dodging the cold winter winds and brutal snowflakes that hit his skin. He loved most things about the season, but he truthfully hated the actual holiday itself.

He hated the music, each song covered by about twenty different artists, (yet, they always sounded the same, somehow), playing on a loop on every single Christmas station. He hated how rude people were in the shops and on the road, as if their time was more important than anyone else's. He hated the stigma around giving expensive gifts, stressing over the perfect thing to get each of his friends. If he could, he’d give them all something homemade, but he was shit at doing anything crafty.

His boots crunched against the snow as he walked towards his mother’s front door.

He let himself in, kicking his shoes off before he removed his scarf and his winter coat. He could hear laughter from the kitchen, Gemma and his Mum giggling far too loud. They must have cracked into the mulled cider a little early, and truthfully, he was jealous. He’d spent the last four hours stuck in traffic listening to white Christmas over and over and over again. He shut the front door as Evie wrapped herself around his legs, her soft purring catching his attention as he glanced down at the black and white kitten.

“Hiya, darling girl.” He crouched down, scooping her into his arms before he delivered a series of kisses over her head. “Daddy’s missed you, eh. Have you been good for your nan?”

She meowed in response, causing Harry to coo at her before he scratched under her chin.

“That’s my girl.” He pressed another kiss to the top of her head before setting her back to the ground.

He knew they would indulge in several cuddle sessions over the next few days, so he wasn’t worried about missing his one and only pet this holiday season. He walked through the house, finding his way into the kitchen where Gemma was tipping back a glass of dark red liquid, and his Mum was rolling out cookie dough with a bright smile on her face. What Harry wasn’t expecting, was the curly haired girl with a cookie cutter in her hand next to his Mum.

“Hello!” He called out, offering a smile as he walked over to the kitchen island. “I see we’ve started having fun already.”

“It took you forever to get here!” Gemma said defensively, picking up a chocolate kiss before tossing it at Harry. “Do you want a drink?”

“Something hot, it’s like the bloody tundra outside.” He shivered at the thought of the harsh wind, his eyes trailing back towards the new girl.

“Stella makes the best peppermint hot chocolate you’ve ever had in your life.” Gemma groaned out, her eyes rolling back in her head. “She puts peppermint vodka in there.”

“I can make you one if you’d like?” Stella’s voice was soft and painfully american. “We’ve got a slow cooker full of hot chocolate.”

“If you don’t mind.” Harry gave her a smile as he pulled out a stool, sitting next to Gemma. “Nice to meet you, Stella. I’m Harry, by the way.”

“She knows who you are.” Gemma reached over, pinching Harry’s side. “Stella is a new transfer at work. She’s new to England, and we thought we’d show her a proper English Christmas.”

“Stella, love, you should probably find another family to spend Christmas with if you want a proper English Christmas.” Harry snorted. “Ours is half arsed at best.”

“We have a lovely Christmas, thank you.” Anne piped up, flicking flour in Harry’s direction as Stella laughed softly. “Don’t scare the poor thing off, we’ve just made her feel at home.”

Stella turned her back, walking towards the stove.

“I suppose we do have a good time.” Harry hummed out. “I can’t wait to watch How the Grinch Stole Christmas for the millionth time.”

“They’ve got an animated one now!” Gemma exclaimed. “We’re going to do a double feature.”

“Lovely.” Harry rolled his eyes.

Moments later, a steaming mug of hot chocolate laced was placed in front of Harry.

He looked down at the grinch mug before looking back up at Stella.

“Thanks.” He offered her a smile, but she merely nodded back at him before taking her place next to Anne again.

He watched her, sipping at his drink as Gemma and Anne chatted about some Hallmark movie that was meant to premiere at some point during the week. She wasn’t normally the type of girl that he dated, but he had to admit that she was beautiful. Her cheeks were round, a soft blush smeared over them that he assumed came from a makeup product. Her lashes were thick, and long, shadowing her hazel colored eyes. She had thick brows that seemed a little unruly, and plump lips stained with a plum colored lipstick that matched her smoky, purple eyeshadow. He wasn’t a huge fan of the plum color, but he had to admit that it brought out a lot of the warmer tones in her eyes and in her beautiful, brown skin. He also thought that it complimented the lighter strands in her curly brown hair that bounced about everytime she turned her head.

He tried not to be too obvious with his curious gaze, but he couldn’t help it. He was almost mesmerized by her beauty, but he was more so confused by his attraction to her. She was far too quiet for his taste, her eyes cast down on the cookies she’d been cutting out for the last few minutes while everyone else chatted.

He watched her place them on the tray carefully, obsessing over how they landed before she reached for the colored icing. He watched her pipe onto the little shapes, her tongue nestling in the corner of her mouth as her unsteady hands worked diligently on the cookies.

This was a Styles family Christmas, and the Styles were a rowdy and messy bunch. He’d never seen his Mum or Gemma put that much work into sugar cookies before, and it was almost painful to watch her perfect each and every one before she slipped the tray in the oven. He watched her reach for the cheeky little chicken shaped oven timer that Gemma bought when his Mum fist moved into this house. In all of those years, he’d never seen anyone actually use it.

“Did you hear me, my little turtle dove?” Anne brushed her hand over Harry’s back as he sipped at his cocoa. “They’re calling for a huge storm this weekend, are you packed for that?”

“I left some stuff here the last time I was around.” He turned his head, smiling back at her. “I think I should be fine if I get stuck with you lot.”

“Good.” She nodded, leaning in to kiss his cheek. “I’ve missed you.”

“Missed you too, Mumma.” He wrapped an arm around her back, pulling her into a hug.

The warm scent of vanilla and musk greeted his senses, flooding him with comfort and nostalgic memories of cuddling with Mum on the couch. He missed having her around him. He missed having his best friend around to comfort him when he needed it the most. When he let go of her, his heart sank a little in his chest. She pressed a kiss to the top of his head before moving back to work on more cookie dough.

“Why are you making so many cookies?” He asked, brows furrowing as he brushed his fingers over the sickly green mug with the cartoon characters face on it. “Do you plan on feeding an army?”

“No, but Stella suggested that we take some down to the local homeless shelter on Christmas Eve.” Anne smiled over at the girl. “That’s her family's Christmas tradition, and since she’s not with them this year, we thought we’d make it happen for her here.”

“Thank you again, for agreeing to this.” Stella smiled at Anne. “It really means the world to me, and I can’t thank you enough.”

“You’re a part of the family now, dear.” Anne teased. “Even if you’re not spending Christmas with us, this little tradition of yours has been officially integrated into our own Christmas tradition. We’ll always have a little bit of Stella with us during the Holiday’s now, eh.”

Stella laughed at that, reaching her arms out to wrap Anne in a hug.

Harry almost felt a little jealous at how seamlessly she fit in here.

“If you keep staring at her, she’s gonna want to run back to America.” Gemma nudged her elbow into his side. “We get it, she’s hotter than you.”

“Oh, shut up.” Harry rolled his eyes at Gemma as she smirked. “I wasn’t staring.”

“Okay, Casanova.” She snorted. “Whatever you say.

Harry wasn’t sure why he was hard.

He just wanted to close his eyes and go the fuck to sleep.

After a long day of travel, and an even longer evening filled with Harry pulling down Christmas decorations from the attic, he just wanted to sleep. He wasn’t looking forward to taking the annual trip to the Christmas Tree Farm tomorrow. Since Robin passed, Harry was the only man in the family, which meant that he often had to do the heavy lifting. He found that most of his strength lay in his core, despite the amount of lifting he’d done to buff up his arms, and he wasn’t looking forward to tossing a tree on top of his car while everyone watched.

Truthfully, that was the worry that should have been plaguing his mind as he lay in bed. Instead, his mind was lost in hazel colored waves that crashed on dark plum shores. He couldn’t stop thinking about Stella’s eyes or her perfectly shaped lips. He spent most of his night watching her drink from a wine glass, her cheeks turning a shade darker with each joke that she shared with his family. If there was one thing that he was shocked about, it was the dry humor that tumbled from her perfect plum colored lips. She was a funny girl, despite being quiet, and he laughed at every single joke she told without shame.

As he shifted his about, trying to avoid any further thoughts about her lips, the tip of his cock brushed against the warm flannel of his pajama pants. He let out a throaty groan, reaching down to push his palm into the crotch of his pants to soothe the pressure building in his lower belly. He couldn’t jack off to the thought of Gemma’s new friend, it would be awful, and it would surely land him on the naughty list. He squeezed his eyes shut, trying his best not to picture her lipstick staining his lower belly, his upper thighs, and eventually...the shaft of his cock. But after a few minutes of trying not to think about it, that was the only thing he could see behind closed eyes.

With an annoyed grumble, he dipped his hand into his pajama pants, tugging his cock out while his free hand pushed the band of the pants down his hips. He licked over his dry lips, making a mental note to buy some chapstick tomorrow as he gave himself one, swift stroke. He bit the inside of his cheek, trying not to moan as he brushed the pad of his thumb over the weeping slit of his cock. He was pathetic, dripping down his cock over a girl that he barely knew. He couldn’t believe that he was being that guy right now, tugging at his cock desperately to the thought of a beautiful girl on her knees for him. He wanted so badly to have her there, whispering filthy words in that gentle tone she had, encouraging him to cum on her tongue.

When he did cum, her name spilled from his lips.

His chest was heaving as he came down, the tinkling of Stella’s laughter filling his ears.

Seconds later, he heard her bid goodnight to Gemma before the door next to his own shut.

He was totally fucked for this girl.

The next morning, he didn’t expect to see Stella sitting at the breakfast bar when he came downstairs.

He stopped in the doorway, his cheeks growing warm as he looked over her sweater covered back. Thoughts of her name tumbling from his lips last night flooded back as he looked at her. She was wearing a lavender colored, cable knit sweater, and her curls were tied up in a messy ponytail on top of her head. Most of the curls had fallen out, covering up some of her neck alongside her fingers. Her cheek was propped on her palm, her gaze focused on her laptop as she lifted a mug of steaming liquid up to her mouth with her other hand.

Harry cleared his throat, walking toward the stove so he could put the kettle on. No one else in the house would be up for hours, but Harry couldn’t turn off his internal alarm clock no matter how he tried. He also hoped that he might find a moment of peace from the very girl sitting in his Mother’s kitchen. She haunted his dreams, her face playing on the silver screen in his mind all night long. He hated how infatuated he was with this woman that he barely even knew.

“Morning.” She spoke up first, her voice scratchy and tired. “Did you sleep well?”

“Splendid, yeah.” He nodded, filling the kettle with water. “You?”

“I’ve slept better, but that’s to be expected.” She said softly. “I spent a little bit of time on a skype call with my brother’s, so I was up longer than expected.”

“But you’re up fairly early this morning, aren’t you?” He put the kettle on the stovetop before turning around, his eyes landing on hers. “Why’s that?”

“I wake up this early anyways.” She smiled at him. “I usually like to go for a walk in the morning to wake myself up.”

“That’s nice.” He lifted his hand, scratching at the stubble on his jaw. “I usually like to go for a swim or a run in the morning, too.”

“Where do you swim?” She asked.

“There’s a men’s swimming club not too far from my home in London.” He said. “It’s freezing cold, but you get used to it after a while.”

“Jeeze, you swim outside in this weather?” She lifted her head from her palm, her eyes growing wide. “I could never.”

“It’s an acquired taste.” He chuckled softly. “What are you working on?”

“A new piece for my blog.” She said. “I started out using it as a diary of sorts, but people apparently love reading about the disaster that is my life.”

“I’m sure it’s not all horrible.” He hoped that he sounded encouraging and not rude. “You seem like a lovely, and positive person.”

“I try to be.” She shrugged, reaching for her mug. “I could say the same about you.”

“I try to be.” He smiled at her. “Would you like some breakfast?”

“Oh, I was actually thinking of popping down to this little bakery Gemma told me about-”

“Mandeville’s.” His heart picked up, a smile stretching across his lips. “Had my first job there.”

“Yeah, that’s the one.” She laughed, wrapping both hands around her mug as she leaned back in the barstool. “I figured I’d go grab some pastries for everyone. I know it’s kind of a busy day with the Christmas Tree Farm, so I thought it would be best if your Mum didn’t feel the need to cook.”

“She would love that.” Harry said. “Maybe I could go with you? We could both get our walks in, and I can see Mary before she hunts me down and drags me to the bakery.”

“I would love the company.” She smiled. “But enjoy your tea first, I’ll just be working on this until we’re ready to go.”

“Cheers.” He nodded, watching her eyes drop to her computer screen.

She wasn’t wearing a stitch of makeup this morning, and Harry almost wished that she was.

He wished that she had covered up her beautiful, freckle covered skin so that he didn’t fall harder for her beautiful face. He wished that she was hiding away those little blemishes that made him swoon, because she was actually a human after all, not some angel sent down from heaven to torture him. He wished that she covered those beautiful lips in that plum lipstick again so that he could imagine kissing it off of her. He hated the feeling stirring inside of his belly, the butterflies a tell tale sign of his feelings.

He had a crush on Stella.

And there was nothing he could do to stop himself from falling for her.

Stella’s gloves were precious.

They were a bright red, little snowflakes and reindeer stitched into them.

She offered to let Harry borrow a pair of her gloves, claiming that she’d brought plenty of pairs for the winter, but he politely declined before shoving his hands in his pockets. She looked so cozy, wrapped up in her winter coat with a beanie on top of her head and a matching scarf tied around her neck. Harry wanted nothing more than to pull her into his arms and cuddle her so that they could both stay nice and toasty on their walk. He wanted to kiss her bare cheeks, paying special attention to each freckle on her skin as the winter sun cast over them.

He was so infatuated with her that it was almost embarrassing.

“I can’t even imagine what it was like, growing up in a place like this.” Stella turned her head towards Harry, the tip of her nose a little red. “It’s so picturesque.”

“It’s alright.” He gave her a small smile. “I always wanted to get out when I was a kid.”

“Of course you did, we all do.” She chuckled. “I think everyone should run away for a little while, it really gives you all of the tools you need to really appreciate your hometown when you go back. I don’t know that I’ll ever move back to my hometown, but when I visit it, I feel a little bit more appreciative of the pivotal role it had in raising me.”

“I feel the same way about Cheshire.” Harry nodded. “It’s a big part of who I was, and that helped make me who I am. I wouldn’t be the same without this place.”

“Exactly.” She said.

“So where exactly are you from?” He asked. “I mean, obviously America-”

“Is it that obvious?” She asked, narrowing her eyes playfully, her lips pursed. “I don’t think it is.”

“It’s a neon, flashing sign above your head kind of obvious, love.” He snorted. “But I can’t place what your accent is.”

“It’s not really an accent.” Stella shrugged, turning her attention back to the sidewalk. “I grew up on the road for most of my life, but my family settled in Georgia when I was about twelve.”

“Interesting.” He said. “How did you like Georgia?”

“I didn’t, at first.” She laughed. “I hated it so much. I loved being on the road with my family, traveling places like Hawaii and Los Angeles. When we moved to the south, I despised everything about it. It was so plain and boring compared to places we’d lived before. But like I said, moving away has made me learn to love it more when I go back.”

“How long have you been gone?” He asked.

“About three years.” She said. “I lived in Amsterdam for a year, and then Paris, and now I’m here.”

“Which place is your favorite?” He asked. “Be honest with me, now. You don’t have to say London just because you’re trying to get on my good side.”

Stella tossed her head back, laughing loudly.

“I think it’s truthfully London, Harry.”

His name sounded like honey falling from her lips.

“Why is that?” He asked.

“Because I’ve found my chosen family.” She turned back, giving him a smile that thawed out the chill creeping up from his toes. “Starting with Gemma, of course. She was the first person to take me under her wings, and I’m so happy that I have her in my life. Then I started to find other people, and we all became this really close knit group of friends that felt more like family than my actual family does. I don’t know how I’ll ever leave this place.”

“Maybe you shouldn’t.” He said softly. “Maybe this is home.”

Please don’t go, Stella.

Stay here with me forever.

Love me.

“My contract is up at the end of the year, but we’ll just have to see how things go.” She said. “I might be convinced to stay.”

“Well, I guess I have a lot of work to do.” He chuckled.

“Why are you so keen on me staying?” She asked him, her brows raising as she gave him a knowing smirk. “Do you have a crush on me, Styles?”

His cheeks grew hot against the cold wind.

“Alright now, don’t let that go to your head.” He grumbled, tucking his neck into his scarf as Stella’s smile grew wider. “It’s all your bloody fault, you know?”

“What have I done?” She laughed louder. “I’m just me.”

“That’s exactly it.” He let out a breathy chuckle. “You’re you, Stella.”

The Christmas Tree Farm was going well.

That was up until Gemma decided that they absolutely needed to take a family picture in front of the big Christmas tree, Stella included. They had picked up a few little trinkets and such while walking around the market included in the farm. Anne picked up a reindeer headband with bells stitched in, plopping it on her head the second she found it. Gemma found an elf’s hat with little ears attached to the side, putting it on her hair before fussing with her hair. Stella found a crown made of poinsettias that she plopped on top of her curls, the red and gold working perfectly with her red lipstick and gold eyeshadow. Harry, however, wasn’t exactly in the spirit.

“You’re wearing the bloody santa hat, whether you like it or not!” Gemma shoved it towards him with a frown. “If you stand next to Stella, you’ll like Mr. and Mrs. Claus!”

“Shut up, Gemma.” Harry sneered, snatching the hat from her hands. “I didn’t tell you about that so you could throw it in my face!”

“Well, I’m doing it for the greater good of our family photo!” She glared at him. “Put that hat on before I shove it on your head myself.”

“Fine.”

“Are you two alright?” Stella smirked, adjusting her crown on her head as she walked up to Harry and Gemma. “Santa is still putting people on the naughty list you know?”

“If anyone’s going to be on the naughty list, it’s Harry.” Gemma tossed her arm around Stella’s shoulder with a proud smirk. “He’s being a pain in the arse.”

“Is the hat really necessary to the photo?” He groaned, dropping his head back.

“Yes.” Stella and Gemma said at the same time.

“Alright, alright.” He groaned, tugging the hat over his curls. “Are you both happy now?”

“Ecstatic.” Stella smiled brightly at Harry. “I think you look handsome.”

“I’m going to just point out…” Gemma pulled her arm from around Stella, tucking her hands behind her back. “That there’s mistletoe hanging from that piece of wood above your heads.”

“Gemma-” Harry’s eyes grew wide.

“And I’m promptly going to walk away.” She smiled at Stella. “Meet us at the tree in ten minutes.”

“Gemma-” Stella held her hand out as Gemma walked away, her eyes growing just as wide as Harry’s were. “What a sneaky little elf.”

“Tell me about it.” Harry shifted, adjusting the hat on his head. “Devious little-”

“Well, I guess we can’t break tradition.” Stella looked up at Harry, shuffling forward slowly with a little smirk on her lips. “I mean, what would Santa say if we didn’t kiss under the mistletoe?”

Harry licked over his bottom lip, his fingers twitching.

“You really want to kiss me?”

“I might.” Stella’s toes were almost touching Harry’s now. “But the question is, do you want to kiss me?”

“I do, yeah.” He nodded. “I’ve been thinking about it ever since I laid eyes on you, Stella.”

“Well, what are you waiting for?” She raised her brows. “Now is your chance, Mr. Grinch, lay one on me.”

Harry lifted his hands, pressing them to Stella’s face hesitantly before he lowered his lips to hers in a soft kiss. It was a gentle peck, one that anyone would share underneath the mistletoe, but Harry wanted more from Stella. It seemed that she wanted more as well, her arms sliding around his neck as she pressed up on her toes. He let his hands fall to her waist as the kiss grew more intense, his hands holding onto her tightly as she brushed her tongue over his lower lip. He tried his best not to smile into the kiss, letting her have what she wanted by parting his lips. When her tongue slipped over his, he let out a tiny moan, gripping her hips tighter.

“Get a room, you two!” Harry groaned, pressing his forehead to Stella’s.

“Gemma, I swear to god-” Harry turned his head, whipping his santa hat off before he threw it in her direction. “Go bother someone else!”

Stella laughed, ducking her forehead down to Harry’s chest as he rubbed his thumbs over her side gently. He felt her body shaking underneath his hands, his heart hammering in his chest when he realized just how close they actually were. He turned his head back, lifting a hand up to guide Stella’s chin up. He pressed his lips to hers once, twice, three more times before she pressed her palms to Harry’s chest.

“We’ll never stop if we don’t move away from the mistletoe.” Stella whispered. “And I think Gemma might physically pull us apart if we miss that Christmas picture.”

“Let it be known that I’m only partaking in this picture because I want to stand next to you for as long as I can.” Harry smiled. “I think I have a little more than a crush on you, Stella.”

“I think I have more than a crush on you, too.”

“Madeline, stop right there.” Stella let out a frustrated sigh as she looped her arm under the baby carrier, her eyes falling down to the sleeping infant. “Milo, promise Mumma that you’ll listen when you get to that age?”

“Give him here.” Harry brushed a kiss over Stella’s temple, his hand massaging her lower back gently. “You go catch up with speed racer, okay? I’ll be right behind you with the baby and the diaper bag.”

“Thank you.” Stella turned her head, puckering her lips out. “I love you.”

“I love you.” He hummed out. “And our beautiful babies, even if one of them has a death wish and two left feet.”

Stella snorted out a laugh, pulling her arm from the carrier before she stuffed her hands in her pockets. “I better go help her up the stairs.”

“Please, we don’t need a repeat of last year.” Harry smiled.

“Yeah, I would like to avoid a trip to A&E this year.” Stella snorted.

He watched Stella walk over to an antsy Madeline, her pigtails bouncing about as she jumped from foot to foot in excitement. Harry chuckled softly at his daughter, amused by her excitement. He was happy that she found so much joy in Christmas, just like her Mother did. He watched Stella hold a hand out, waiting for Madeline to take it before they both conquered the brick steps outside of his Mum’s house. When they got to the top, Stella lifted Madeline up, kissing over her cheeks as their daughter giggled. Harry lifted Milo’s car seat from the base, his eyes falling down to the six month old with hazel eyes and soft cheeks just like his Mother’s.

“We’ve got our hands full with those two, mate.” Harry pulled the soft, wintery blue blanket up to Milo’s chin, tucking it around his shoulders so that he would stay warm. “Gonna keep us both on our toes, I know it.”

Milo cooed up at him, causing Harry to smile wider before he ducked his head down to kiss his son's soft cheeks.

“Let’s get you into Nan’s before you turn into a popsicle, my love.” Harry said. “Mumma won’t be happy if we have to spend Christmas thawing you out.”

As Harry made his way up the stairs, he couldn’t help but remember five Christmases ago.

He was walking up the exact same steps on his own, unaware of the magic that was waiting inside for him. He was unaware that the girl Gemma brought home for Christmas would one day be his wife, and the mother of his two beautiful children. He had no idea that they would spend long nights together, planning their future and holding each other tight. He opened the front door to his Mum’s house, smiling at the sound of Madeline telling his Mother a story with animated gestures, her curly pigtails bouncing around as Stella tried to wrangle her jacket off.

“And then Daddy told me we could get a puppy next year if I was good enough!” Madeline squealed out as Harry shut the door.

He dodged the steely gaze he got from Stella after she heard the word puppy.

“Sorry.” He mouthed over at her, causing her to shake her head as she tried to fight off a smile.

“You’re a menace.” She mouthed back. “But I love you.”

“I love you, too.” He said it outloud, his heart soaring in his chest.

Stella gave him a heart warming smile, Madeline’s coat still in her hands.

Seconds later, Milo let out a tiny cry causing Harry to snap back into dad mode.

He rested the carseat on the ground, carefully pulling his son out before pressing a kiss to his chubby little cheeks. As if Gemma could sense his presence, she barreled into the living room with her eyes set on Milo.

“There’s my little man.” She held her hands out, wiggling them as Harry rolled his eyes. “You get to see him every day, Harry. Pass him over to his auntie.”

“Fine.” He rolled his eyes. “Please be careful with him, I kind of like this one.”

“Piss off.” Gemma snorted out, sliding Milo onto her hip before pressing a bright red kiss mark into his forehead. “Has Daddy told you that without auntie Gem, you wouldn’t exist?”

“Gemma-”

“Can you believe that?” She looked up at Harry, a hint of something nostalgic and genuine sparkling in her green eyes. “If I’d never brought Stella to family Christmas, we wouldn’t have two beautiful babies to dote over every year.”

“I can’t even begin to imagine what life would be like without them.” He whispered. “Thank you, Gemma.”

“Harry, I really didn’t-”

“Gemma.” He said her name sternly, pressing his palm to her bicep. “Thank you so much, from the bottom of my heart. I love you.”

“I love you, too.” She said softly, her eyes watering. “Now, if you could do me a favor and bring a hot friend around, I’d really appreciate it.”

“I’ll see what I can manage.” He let out a wet chuckle, his own eyes watering.

“What are we managing?” Stella wrapped her arms around Harry.

“We owe Gem a favor.” He sniffled, turning head to press a kiss to Stella’s forehead.

“Why are you crying, baby?” Stella frowned. “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing at all.” He pressed his lips to hers, softly brushing his nose against the tip of hers as his. “Just so incredibly grateful to have you in my life, that’s all.”

“You’re so sappy around the holiday’s.” Stella brushed her palm over his belly. “I love you, Mr. Styles.”

“I love you, too, Mrs. Styles.” He said. “Merry Christmas, Darling.”

“Merry Christmas.”

#not edited #as per usual #harry styles writing #harry styles fic #harry styles one shot #harry styles imagine #harry styles fluff #harry styles smut #harry writing #harry fic #harry one shot #harry imagine #harry styles X ofc #harry styles christmas fic #harry styles blurb #harry blurb #harry styles christmas blurb

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onetwothreefarkle · 3 years

Text

Puppy Dog Tails

Just some tooth-rotting seblos fluff! Future fic based off this post. I hope you like it, @redmeanslove

Summary: Seb comes home with a surprise (also read on AO3)

Carlos stood in his kitchen, stirring a mug of hot tea with honey and lemon. Outside, snow was falling, rapidly turning New York City into a winter wonderland, though it was mid-January, so most people were sick of it, especially in the city. Not Carlos, though. Winter was his favorite season (dry skin and chapped lips notwithstanding). The snow reminded him of Salt Lake, and kept him from getting too homesick. Not that he didn’t love his life in New York, but Salt Lake would always be home, no matter how long he spent chasing his Broadway dreams.

He was close to achieving them, too. His choreography had already been nominated for a Tony once, and while this year he was between shows, he had a good feeling about the projects he had in the works, most notably an original show currently in workshops, which meant most of his work was yet to come. In the meantime, he was focused on supporting his boyfriend—soon to be fiancé, if he had anything to say about it—who was currently the star of a genderbent production of Legally Blonde. Carlos couldn’t have been prouder, even if it meant days like these, spent alone in their apartment. Seb had left an hour ago and Carlos had already skimmed through his notes and sent an email to his director about a new routine.

He sipped his tea slowly and sighed. He knew he had things to do, dance routines to practice and more emails to send, and honestly laundry to wash, but he couldn’t bring himself to do any of it. Instead he moved from the kitchenette to the living room, and settled on the couch with his favorite blanket--the one Seb’s mom had gifted them when they first moved into this apartment. It was wool (sheep’s wool from the farm, not cashmere, obviously) and it was thick and warm and it reminded Carlos of home because somewhere along the way he started thinking of the Matthew-Smith’s farm and home as a little bit his. Also, it smelled like Seb always did when they were back in Salt Lake and he was spending time on the farm, sort of earthy and sweet.

Carlos was pulled from his thoughts by the high pitched tone of his text alerts. He set his tea down on the coffee table and pulled out his phone.

New Message From Seb 🥰💖: Guess who’s coming home early?

Message Sent: What? Why?

New Message From Seb 🥰💖: Check your weather app, sweetheart. The storm’s getting worse, our shows are cancelled today so nobody ends up snowed in at the theatre.

Message Sent : OMG

Message Sent: Get home safe!

New Message From Seb 🥰💖: I will

New Message From Seb 🥰💖: Love you!

Message Sent: Love you too!

He set his phone down, and picked up his tea again, though he could barely wipe the smile off his face long enough to take a drink. He knew that Seb would be unhappy about missing a day of work, but he couldn’t help but be excited to spend some extra time with his partner, especially if they had to huddle for warmth. With that thought in mind, he flicked on the TV and began scrolling through their Netflix library, looking for something for them to watch.

45 minutes later, Carlos’s unfinished tea had gone cold on the table, and he had queued up Schitt’s Creek, a show they’d already watched multiple times, and that happened to be one of Seb’s all time favorites. He checked his phone, but there were no new texts from Seb. He frowned. Seb should’ve been home by then.

Message Sent: You almost home?

New Message From Seb 🥰💖: Coming up the stairs now!

Carlos grinned (and sighed in relief that his boyfriend wasn’t stuck out in the snow somewhere freezing to death). He picked up his mug and headed back to the kitchenette to dump out the rest of his tea. No sooner did he set the dish on the drying rack than he heard the door open, followed by some shuffling and grunting.

Wait-- Grunting?

Carlos peaked around the corner to see Seb closing the door behind him while holding a large cardboard box with one arm. Well, this was going to be good.

“Whatcha got there?” Carlos asked, in lieu of a proper greeting.

Seb looked up with a wide smile, cheeks and nose pink from the cold, snowflakes starting to melt in his hair. “What would you say if I brought home six puppies?”

Carlos eyed the box. “What’s in the box?”

Seb didn’t say anything, but a whining sound came from the box.

Carlos put a hand on his hip. “What’s in the box, Seb?”

Seb sighed. “I think you know.”

One of the puppies whined again, prompting Seb to set the box down and pull her out. She was brown, with big eyes and floppy ears, some kind of labrador mix, if Carlos had to guess. “Shhh, it’s okay,” Seb was saying, soothingly, petting the top of her tiny head.

“I want to be mad, but you’re so cute,” Carlos shook his head.

Seb grinned. “Come say ‘hi’ to Anne Boleyn.”

“You named them already?” Carlos rolled his eyes. He’d never met anyone who loved animals as much as Seb did. “Of course you did.”

Seb just stepped forward and deposited the puppy into Carlos’s arms. She squirmed adorably. Seb bent down and started taking the rest of the puppies out of the box. They all looked about the same as Anne Boleyn. Brown and floppy and soft, somehow though Seb was able to differentiate between each one.

“This is Catherine of Aragon and Jane Seymour and--”

“Did you name them after the cast of Six?”

Seb shrugged. “Well, there’s six of them, it makes sense.”

Carlos raised an eyebrow. “And are they all girls?”

“Gender is a outdated social construct that dogs aren't restricted by,” Seb chirped happily. “But if you’re asking if they’re all female, the answer is no."

“Fair enough.” Carlos looked down at the puppy in his arms. She looked up at him with big brown eyes. “So, how did this happen?”

“I found them on the street!” Seb’s tone turned grave. “Someone had just left them out to freeze in the snow! I had to save them!”

“Wow,” Carlos’s eyes went wide. “That’s awful.”

“I know we can’t keep them,” Seb continued. “But I figured we could take care of them until the weather improves a bit and then we can take them to the animal shelter.”

Carlos nodded. “Sure.” Anne Boleyn chose that moment to lick Carlos’s glasses, pushing them part way off his face. “But they’re your problem.”

Seb giggled. “C’mon, she loves you!”

“If you say so,” Carlos pouted. “Not exactly the kiss I was hoping for.”

“Oh?” Seb grinned. “What kind of kiss were you hoping for?” He leaned in, stopping short of actually connecting their lips so he could fix Carlos’s glasses. “Maybe something like this?”

They kiss with Anne Boleyn squished slightly between their chests. Even after all these years it still makes Carlos’s heart race and warmth flood his body, all the way down to his toes.

“You do know,” he started, pulling back abruptly, “that you can’t convince me to let you keep one just by kissing me, right?”

“Well,” Seb smirked. “I could do more than kiss you.”

Carlos patted his cheek. “Not with six sets of eyes watching you can’t.”

Seb’s smirk turned into a pout. “Can’t we just keep one? I think Anne Boleyn really likes you.”

“Anne Boleyn is adorable, but do you really think she would be happy living in our studio apartment?” Carlos shook his head.

“Yeah,” Seb sighed. “You’re right.”

“Hey,” Carlos poked his partner’s arm. “Someday, after we’ve won a bunch of Tony awards, and we’re ready to retire from Broadway, we can move out of the city, to a big house somewhere and get all the dogs you want.”

Seb looked up hopefully. “Yeah?”

“Absolutely.” It was an easy promise to make. “I always thought we might end up moving back to Salt Lake eventually.”

“Oh, you’ve thought about our retirement, have you?” Seb grinned. “You don’t think you’ll be sick of me by then?”

Carlos flushed. “Never.” He thought about the engagement ring sitting in his sock drawer, the words Marry Me hanging off the tip of his tongue. He swallowed them. “Impossible.”

“I’ll never get sick of you, either,” Seb pressed a kiss to his cheek. “And I love that you’ve been imagining us retiring to the farm someday.”

“I never said--”

“It was implied,” Seb’s grin didn’t falter. “I’ve gotten pretty good at deciphering your riddles after all these years.”

Carlos couldn’t argue with that, because Seb was obviously right, and a part of Carlos wanted to be annoyed that Seb saw through him so easily, but most of him just felt warm all over. “I love you a lot, Seb Matthew-Smith.”

“I know.” Seb’s voice was soft and overflowing with fondness. “I love you a lot, too.”

#seblos #HSMTMTS #Carlos Rodriguez #Seb Matthew-Smith #seblos fan fiction #seblos fic #my fan fiction

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emmikmil · 2 years

Text

wiaww Day 16

Pairing: Pero Tovar x F!Reader

Prompts: Cabin / Storm / Quiet

Warnings: none i can think of?

Word Count: 771

A/N: props to @cyantomatos for the challenge and also this is her Stinky (affectionate) So I hope u enjoy!!!

Pero stands in front of the small cabin in front of him and gives it one more lookover. He’s spent months building this cabin from the bottom up, mostly by himself. William and your brothers had helped set the foundation and walls in the late summer. Mostly though, this was all him.

This was the last thing he ever expected to do. This time last year he was fumbling into town, his tired body dragged in by his horse just before winter set in. He was originally only looking for shelter in the winter months, but now, he’s building himself and his wife a home.

Meeting you was an accident, the blacksmith’s daughter who helped around the shop when he began work there. His heart thawed like the deep snow meeting the heat, and by the summer you agreed to marry him. Ever since he’s built steadily at the cabin on a beautiful spot of land. Just within walking distance of town and your family, but far enough away to feel as though you’ve found a forbidden piece of paradise surrounded by wildflowers.

Pero has been a bundle of nerves, wanting to surprise you with the finished cabin. He’s run out of time to add a fence, knowing that will be his spring project. However, he did insist on finishing a small bed in front of the biggest window by the door, knowing you’d want to grow some flower bushes, along with preparing garden beds for your personal crops out back.

It was all done now, he even hung up the curtains you made and prepared the bed making it completely ready to move into. As much as he liked your parents, he doesn’t wish to live with them for much longer. Pero is a selfish man after all, wanting his sweet girl all to himself to dote on.

He takes one last sigh before turning, heading to town to grab you and bring you home.

You grip his hand tight as you near your new home. You’ve been chattering non stop on the walk over, but Pero listens with interest, showing none of his usual short temper. Much of your family was hesitant with you marrying him, but you had taken one look at Pero when he arrived in your town and you knew. You knew his grumpy and angry scowling was a front, hiding the kind and sweet man under a carefully constructed wall. Only the most worthy people were allowed to see him in his most vulnerable state and you thanked every star in the sky that he chose you to love.

Just as you were about to break though the treeline, Pero stops you. “Face the road my wife, let me cover your eyes.” He stands tall behind you, covering your eyes with his warm chapped hands. You place your hands over his and start a cautious pace down the path. “You’re fine mi amor, you’re not going to fall, the way is clear.” You force yourself to take more confident steps, walking closer and closer until he stops you. You both stand there for a moment before his hands leave yours and he tells you to open your eyes.

You gasp at the home in front of you, much larger than you expected. You have no words to say, you stare in awe and grip Pero’s hand in yours. The wood cabin looks cozy, a fire already burning in the hearth judging by the billowing smoke from the chimney. You see a small garden bed in the front and just a hint of some behind the house. Pero even built a flower box underneath the window, the curtains you made peeking out from the inside.

You hurry inside to marvel at the interior in a dream-like state. It was hard to believe that Pero did all this, the small details making your chest tight. You turn to look at him with happy tears in your eyes to see him nervously shifting in the doorway. You see him, and know he’s doubting the hard work. His eyes meet yours and concern floods his features, his signature scowl deepening as he hesitantly walks in. “Do you approve of the house?”

You laugh and throw your arms around him. “Oh Pero, it’s perfect. I love you, and I'm so proud of this home you’ve made for us.” You make sure and hug him tight as you speak and he holds you back, relaxing his nerves as you happily babble about your favorite features. His scowl grows into a soft smile, reserved only for you.

**I have not set up any sort of taglist just yet but if you would like to be tagged in this month’s challenge/ other writings please shoot me a message!

#wiaww2021 #pero tovar #pero tovar x reader #the great wall fanfiction #the stinky man said with all the love #emmikmil writes

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unlockyourmind-wp · 3 years

Text

OF STORM AND SIEGE | FINAN X OC | CHAPTER FOUR

Summary: Eldrid Byrnjarssdottir is born a storm. Her rage is like the wind beating the waves on the rocks. Her love is the thunder burning down entire forests. Her grief is like a hurricane, destroying the land with its raindrops. She isn't made for a soft or quiet life.

In her fight to find her enslaved mother and sister she has gained a merciless reputation amongst the Danes. Soon her fight leads her to the Saxon lands across the sea. There she is sought out by Young Ragnar who is looking for his brother Uhtred of Bebbanburg. Eldrid swears to Ragnar she will help him find his brother, unaware that finding Uhtred and his companion will change her life forever.

When they rescue Uhtred and his friend Irishman Finan the Agile, Eldrid's wild heart is confronted with a whole new path to follow. Finan seems determined to agitate her as much as possible, if only to break her walls and get her to smile. And no matter how much she might wish to bash his head in sometimes, Eldrid can't turn away from him. For maybe them meeting is what destiny had intended to happen all along.

DESTINY IS ALL.

Author’s note: Chapter four is here! This is one has gotta be my favorite one yet. Lots of stuff is happening and I really hope you guys enjoy it!

Tag List: @solinarimoon @mrsalwayswrite @lauwrite1225 @magravenwrites @emilyhufflepufftlk

Warnings: Typical The Last Kingdom themes

Word Count: 2497

Of Storm And Siege Masterlist

―♛―

CHAPTER FOUR:

✧. ⋆ salt, sea, scars

A SHOUT LEFT HER LIPS as the clang of steel meeting steel echoed through the camp. The men cheered and the sound was like a wave breaking against her bones. She couldn't help but grin at her opponent as he tried to gather his balance. Young Ragnar had challenged her to a friendly competition to test her skills with a sword. Soon, however, the entire encampment had gathered around to watch. Some were cheering for their Lady, while others encouraged Ragnar. She had spotted Bjorn standing at the sidelines with Kara at his side, the two of them exchanging bets as they watched their friends test each other's skill.

She was no longer the little girl who'd climbed to sit on top of Ragnar's shoulders. She had learned her way with a sword and did not fear to show him that. He had been surprised by her skills at first but had soon managed to regain himself. Eldrid had lost track of time as they exchanged blows. At times it seemed like he might win, only for the battle to turn around in her favor seconds later.

Autumn and winter came and went while they had tried to find Sverri but every path came to a dead end. Eventually they’d made the choice to set up camp for the winter and try again to find the slaver in the spring. Ragnar had tried his hardest to keep searching but with the days growing colder and the snow blocking the main roads, they had been forced to set up camp and built shelters. Eldrid understood the Dane's pain. She too wanted nothing more than to find her family. It’d been strange to see the roles reversed, with her pleading for rest for the men while Ragnar endlessly tried to find information that might help them. It’d almost made her pity the burden placed on her brother’s shoulders all these years when he tried to keep her in check.

To distract himself from the thought of having failed his brother, Ragnar tried to keep busy with playing games, holding tournaments and drinking until his legs could no longer hold him. And now, as the days slowly grew warmer again, he had dared to challenge the Lady of Death herself. But they were very evenly matched and both were growing tired of the seemingly endless fight. However, just as Ragnar readied himself to attack her once again, she finally saw her opening. He had forgotten to protect his left side and so she brought her leg up and kicked him against his thigh. He tumbled down and she was on top of him within seconds, pressing her blade against his throat.

For a moment he lay there, catching his breath while the crowd stayed silent. Then a booming laugh left his lips and the men surrounding them broke out into loud cheers.

Eldrid grinned at him and removed her sword from his throat, then got back to her feet and offered him her hand, helping him stand up again.

"You are quite the warrior, Lady Eldrid," Ragnar said, a wide smile on his face.

She narrowed her eyes at him. "Or maybe you're just getting old."

Her men broke out into laughter while Ragnar faked a wounded expression. He pointed his finger at her. "Well, this old man can still drink.' He turned to the crowd and held his hands high. 'Bring on the ale!" Another loud cheer erupted through the encampment.

"My Lady!" Beneath the loud cheers of the men, Eldrid caught a voice desperately trying to get her attention. "Lady Eldrid!"

Her eyes found Brør, making his way through the crowd, a man she'd put on watch near one of the beaches she suspected Sverri might land if he were to make his way back to England. She hit Ragnar on his shoulder to gain his attention and he followed her as she made her way over to him. His face was red, as though he had made haste to reach them.

"Speak," she ordered as soon as she reached him.

"A ship is making harbor on the beach. They have slaves aboard," Brør said as he tried to catch his breath.

Her gaze flickered to Ragnar, whose features had hardened. "Could it be Sverri?" She questioned.

"Let's find out," the Dane spoke before turning to his men. "No more Ale! We prepare to make our way to battle! I want every man on his horse!”

Eldrid made her way through the dispersing crowd towards her tent. She was already wearing her armor and sword from the sparring session earlier, all she needed were a few more of her knives, which she hid in multiple layers of her leather armor. Lastly she put on her cloak before heading outside, towards the stables.

Hild was waiting for her, holding the reins of her horse ready. The two weren’t exactly friends, but over the months they spent together an understanding had grown between them. Two women having to prove themselves worthy among men created a bond of understanding, grown from the silent glances exchanged whenever another cock measuring contest took place.

Eldrid nodded at her, taking the reins in her own hands before climbing into the saddle. She threw a look over her shoulder, watching as her men stood ready behind her. Ragnar directed his horse next to hers, the two exchanging a look. This could be it, the moment he’d find his brother again, something she’d dreamed of for years now. She inhaled deeply and gestured at him to give the signal.

“We ride!” He shouted and he wasn’t even finished before Eldrid had spurred on her horse.

They rode through the green landscape towards the beach. After having spent most of the winter here, Eldrid knew the lands like the back of her own hand. She led their man over small roads and through green fields. Her heart was beating like a war drum in her chest. It was possible the slaver who Brør had spotted wasn’t even Sverri, they had after all no idea what the Dane looked like. But if Jonis had spoken the truth all those months ago, Sverri would be back here sooner or later and she refused to let him escape.

As they approached the dunes, Ragnar lifted his hand, making their group come to a halt. “We need to be sure, or word of our intentions will spread and Sverri will never show himself,” Ragnar said.

Eldrid nodded. “Then let’s make sure.” She got down from her horse, watching as Ragnar did the same. Together they made their way up the hill, staying low in the high grass surrounding them. Crawling forward on her arms, she managed a look over the hill, watching the camp that was set up before them. Tents were scattered around the sandy hills, a ship lying anchored in the sea. A row of men, slaves, were standing by one of the tents. Even from this distance she could see their bones through their skin and it made fury flare up inside of her.

In front of the slaves stood a few men who looked like warriors, not like the usual buyers who were present at these auctions. One of them was wearing an eye patch, looking very pleased with himself as he talked to one of the slaves.

Beside her, Ragnar tensed, his hand going to his sword as he watched the scene unfold. “One-eyed Sven,” he growled beneath his breath.

Her eyes went back to the Dane as he challenged one of the slaves, handing him a sword. She had heard stories of Sven Kjartansson and his father Kjartan the Cruel. How they bullied, plundered and dishonored their people. She also heard the story of how Kjartan was banished, when Sven had looked at Thyra Ragnarsdottir’s nakedness. And as her eyes went back to Thyra’s brother beside her, she could see him trembling with the rage of those memories.

The slave challenged by Sven the One Eye stumbled forwards with the sword in his hand. But he had no strength left to even do as little as stand and he fell before he could attempt to land a strike. As he fell, they caught a glimpse of his face and Ragnar was on his feet immediately, running back to his horse. Judging by the fury on his face, Eldrid had no doubt that they had, at last, found Uhtred Ragnarsson. She got back on her feet and ran towards her own horse, climbing back into the saddle as fast as she could.

Ragnar lifted his sword as a battle cry filled with an earth-shattering rage left his lips. He urged their men forward, the heavy fall of hooves thundering in the sky as they broke out into the clearing. Eldrid had taken her own sword in her hand, screaming as she charged at one of the slavers, striking him down before he could even think about running away.

In the distance she could see Sven’s men attempting to escape and she reached for one of her knives. She held the blade between her fingers, drew back her arm and released the blade, watching as it turned end over end in the air before finally finding its target. Her knife landed in one of the escaping men's neck, bringing him down.

Another one was killed by an arrow fired by one of her men while Steapa brought down his axe into the belly of another. Her eyes searched the clearing for any foes left, before finally landing on a man in a blue tunic, attempting to make an escape towards the boat still anchored in the sea.

“Sverri,” she growled, jumping down from her horse. She sprinted across the clearing and as she reached the slaver, she kicked him against the legs, bringing him down on his knees. With a shout of a rage she lifted her sword, revelling in the fear flashing through his eyes, but instead of killing him, she merely pressed the blade against his throat, holding him captive as she watched Ragnar getting down from his own horse. Every vein inside of her screamed to simply slit Sverri’s throat and it took her every bit of willpower to remind herself that she needed him alive, he might be the last person who knew where her mother and sister were.

“Uhtred?” Ragnar called out as he walked up towards the slaves, who had been watching with wide eyes as the battle came to a quick end. “Uhtred!” He came to a halt in front of the slave who was still seated on the ground. His hair was tangled and dirty, his face covered in burns and cuts. But his eyes looked the worst of all, void of life and strength, instead filled with ghosts of horrors that had haunted him during his time in captivity.

Carefully, as though approaching a rapid animal, Ragnar knelt down in front of his brother. “It’s me,” he spoke softly. “It’s me, Ragnar.”

For a moment Uhtred simply looked at Ragnar, as though he couldn’t truly see him standing before him. Until finally recognition flashed across his face. “Ragnar?” He mumbled, his voice breaking as he let himself fall into his brother’s embrace. He clung to his brother’s arm as he sobbed. The sound cut through her bones and made her wince from the raw pain that echoed through the whimpers.

Ragnar held him tightly, a pained smile on his features. “Did you believe we would abandon you?” He questioned then he gestured towards the rest of his men. “Free them all.”

Several men walked forward and broke the chains holding the slaves in place. Eldrid turned away, focusing her attention on the man she was holding captive. “Do you know who I am?” She hissed, her tone venomous.

Sverri nodded, his entire body trembling. “I-I do, my Lady. I can tell you where your family is,” he muttered. “But you must swear to spare me.”

She narrowed her eyes at him, but movement caught her attention. She lifted her gaze and watched one of the slaves as he came to a halt few feet away from her, his eyes focused on the slaver in her grasp, utter hatred burning in his eyes. For a second she watched him, his dark hair and scarred face before moving her gaze back to Sverri.

“Tell me where my family is,” she snarled, pressing the blade closer against his skin.

"Swear you will not harm me,” Sverri replied, resistance burning in his eyes.

She inhaled sharply to calm herself and then answered: “I swear to any god willing to listen to your plea that I will not harm you. Now speak."

For a moment the man stared at her, as though not quite believing her words but when her gaze darkened with impatience he quickly opened his mouth. “Kjartan, my lady. Your mother and sister were bought by Kjartan.”

Her heart hammered in her chest at the mention of the name. Finally, after years of searching she had a solid lead on where her family had been taken to. As it turned out, Ragnar the Fearless’ children weren’t the only ones who had a blood feud with Kjartan. “You swear this is the truth?” She questioned.

“I swear, my Lady,” Sverri spoke, his eyes holding no trace of a lie.

She lowered her sword. “Good.” Then she turned around and walked up to the slave, holding out her sword to him. “He is yours to kill.”

“My lady you swore!” Sverri cried out as the man before her took the hilt in his hands.

She turned around to the slaver. “I swore I would do you no harm, I said nothing of this man.”

Sverri got back on his feet, attempting to run away, but the dark haired man was faster, placing the tip of the sword against the Dane's throat. His entire body was trembling, tears of rage and the taste of freedom crawling down his cheeks. Then he pushed the blade forward, skewering Sverri’s throat.

“Pull,” he snarled.

With the splattering of crimson blood, he pulled the sword back and Sverri dropped to the ground, dead. A shaking laugh left his lips as he turned in a small circle, looking around as though he had woken up from a horrible nightmare. Finally free.

Then his eyes fell on Eldrid and he slowly walked over, holding out her sword. She reached out and took it, holding his gaze as he seemed to search for words. “I suppose I should thank you.” He was irish, she realized then, a long way from home.

“He deserved to fall at the hands of those he wronged,” she replied. Then she turned around and made her way over towards her brother, fire burning in her heart at the sight of this new path laid out before her.

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