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novelmonger · 2 months

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Thoughts on Jedi Apprentice: The Only Witness

Okay, this is another book I hardly remember at all. After the previous three books, my interest in the series was seriously waning, so I've probably only read this book a couple times. Literally the only thing I remember about it is "Obi-Wan romance"??? I don't remember how all that works out, but if that's actually true, I can completely understand why this book was a hard pass from younger me. But let's see how it shakes out!

Jedi Apprentice #17: The Only Witness

Chapter 1

A few months have passed since the last book, and Qui-Gon is still deeply grieving Tahl's death. He knows he needs to accept the grief and move past it, but isn't even sure he wants to do that. But when the Jedi Council asks him if he's ready to take on missions again, he agrees.

Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan are sent to Frego, to protect Lena Cobral, an important witness to the Senate against the dangerous Cobral family, who run a crime ring that controls the government of Frego. Lena's husband Rutin was recently killed, and she wants to give the Senate vital information against the Cobral family to bring them down. Rutin was the one originally going to testify against his family, so that may be why he was killed.

My heart goes out to Obi-Wan, who wants to help Qui-Gon the same way he's helped Obi-Wan many times as he's dealt with grief and uncertainty, but Qui-Gon is rebuffing every attempt. It seems like he just wants to suffer alone all the time.

Chapter 3

When the Jedi reach Frego, a woman named Mica (Lena's cousin) leads them through the city to where Lena is hiding. She tells them about how Rutin wanted to get out of the crime ring, and at first planned to take it down from the inside once he became the leader of the family. But then his brother Solan found out about his plans and kicked him out, and so Rutin decided to take down the crime ring from the outside instead, and bring evidence to the Senate. But he was killed before he could do so, and now Lena wants to do what he could not. Unfortunately, she has no hard evidence against the Cobrals that she can bring to the Senate.

Qui-Gon is annoyed that Lena lied to the Jedi, since she doesn't actually have anything against them. At first, he wants to just go back to Coruscant, saying that Lena can't be trusted and thus they shouldn't provide her an escort to Coruscant. But Obi-Wan urges him to help her, because she's obviously in danger, and he senses that she's sincere in her desire to carry out Rutin's wishes, even if she did lie to them at first.

And that brings up another point...Obi-Wan is kind of smitten by Lena ^^' She's beautiful - I honestly kind of imagine her to look kind of like Padme - and he's immediately drawn to her earnest, honest demeanor and obvious need for support as she grieves the loss of her husband, whom she seemed to truly love. It makes sense that Obi-Wan would be attracted to someone like her, and he is 17 in this book. I've just never liked shipping him with anyone, so I don't like this plotline very much.

Chapter 4

The first step they take to find concrete evidence against the Cobrals is to go to the apartment Lena and Rutin shared, where Rutin kept the incriminating evidence. Unfortunately, someone has been there before them, ransacking the apartment and deleting all the information on Rutin's hidden computer. In its place, the only thing left on the computer is a message saying, "You cannot stop us. You can only die trying."

Lena doesn't know who could have deleted the information, since the computer wasn't connected to any network. But in order to get the information she needs, she decides to go and ask for help from her mother-in-law, Zanita.

Chapter 6

They go to the Cobral estate and sneak in, avoiding the gathering of the whole family to celebrate Rutin and Solan's brother Bard's birthday. Lena waits until Zanita leaves the main party, then goes and speaks to her alone while the Jedi listen in. Lena begs for Zanita's help, telling her that she suspects Solan of arranging Rutin's death. Rutin was Zanita's favorite son, and she clearly gets along well with Lena, so she eventually agrees to help get some incriminating documents to her, as long as her name will be left out of the investigation.

Lena and the Jedi sneak out and almost make it out without detection, but then right before they reach their speeder, a huge statue falls on top of it. If Obi-Wan hadn't gotten a warning in the Force just in time, they would all have been crushed along with the speeder. Zanita and a servant from the kitchens, Juno, rush out to see what happened. Juno is acting rather suspicious and hostile towards them, but Lena and Zanita manage to pass off the Jedi as friends, and then they take one of Zanita's speeders and leave before anyone else sees that they were there.

Chapter 9

Lena takes them by a circuitous route back to her hidden living quarters, in case they were being followed. When they get there, Mica shows them a package that arrived, addressed to Lena. She says it's in Rutin's handwriting. Once Qui-Gon makes sure the package isn't booby-trapped, they open it and find nothing inside but some boots and a vial of dirt.

Mica steps into the next room to prepare some food, and Obi-Wan follows her. While they're alone, Qui-Gon asks Lena about how the package could have gotten here, since no one is supposed to know she's staying here. He asks about Mica's loyalty, but Lena is confident Mica would never betray her. They are cousins, but grew up like sisters, and Mica has no love for the Cobral family, since they killed her mother right in front of her. Nevertheless, Qui-Gon is suspicious that Mica may have revealed Lena's whereabouts.

Meanwhile, Obi-Wan follows Mica and discovers that she's trying to escape. He catches up to her before she can leave the building, and demands to know what's going on. Mica reveals that she was the one who erased Rutin's files. She doesn't think Lena will be able to bring the Cobrals down, so out of fear for her own life as well as Lena's, she's trying to stop her from testifying against them. But when she got to the apartment, she saw a couple thugs ransacking the place, as if looking for something. They ran off as soon as they heard her coming. But, to Obi-Wan's surprise, Mica reveals that she wasn't the one who left the threatening message on Rutin's computer. Who could have done so?

Chapter 12

Qui-Gon goes to see where Obi-Wan's got to, and Obi-Wan tells him about Mica's treachery (and remorse). I was surprised when Qui-Gon actually confronts Obi-Wan pretty bluntly about his obvious attraction to Lena, and how his infatuation may conflict with the mission and make it impossible for him to see any potential flaws or deceptions on Lena's part.

When they return to the main room, they discover that Lena has disappeared. Mica has an idea of where Lena might have gone, and takes them to the Tubal Park, a sort of greenhouse open to the public, filled with plants and fountains, one of Lena's favorite places to go when she needed to think. They split up to look for Lena, Qui-Gon staying with Mica while Obi-Wan goes on his own.

Obi-Wan doesn't want to admit that Qui-Gon was right about him, especially because it feels rather hypocritical for Qui-Gon to chide him for letting his feelings get in the way of the mission, when he's still reeling from the loss of Tahl, and up to this point almost seemed like he wasn't even invested in the mission. But the more he thinks about it during his search, the more Obi-Wan has to admit that Qui-Gon is right. He's falling for Lena, but he doesn't think that's why he's convinced she's trustworthy. Qui-Gon is suspicious of her, but Obi-Wan believes she is honest about wanting to expose the Cobrals.

They don't find Lena, but when they return to the hideout, she's there waiting for them. When they ask where she's been, she responds vaguely, saying she needed to think and figure out what Rutin was trying to tell her when he sent the clues to her. He's the only other one who knew about the hideout, so he must have sent the package there just in case he died and Lena would have to carry on without him.

Chapter 14

It turns out that, while Lena was out, she went by her old apartment, and found a datapad left there by Zanita. It has a message on it for Lena, giving her a time and location to meet up. Qui-Gon doesn't think it's wise, because it could be a trap. But they don't really have any other leads to go on, so they have no choice. Lena wants to tell Zanita that she's decided to give up on giving the Senate evidence against the Cobrals, and just run away instead. Her hope is that Zanita will stop putting herself in danger that way.

Unfortunately, when they reach the location, Zanita shows up - being held as a hostage by her son Solan. Mica also turns up, trying to cover for Lena by saying that Lena was covering for her, and she is the one with the dirt on the Cobrals. Solan decides to just kill them both to cover all his bases, and sends some droids out to do the job. The Jedi burst out of their hiding place and fight the droids. In the scuffle, Solan shoots his blaster, and Obi-Wan is too slow to deflect the bolt. It hits Mica and kills her, and Solan escapes with Zanita.

Chapter 15

Weeping, Lena covers Mica's body, and they leave. Suddenly realizing what Rutin's clues mean, Lena takes them back to Tubal Park, and goes to a specific place that was special to them. They look around, and eventually find a panel in the floor hidden by moss. They break it open, finding a small chamber with water pumps, presumably for watering the plants in the park. Lena looks around in the small space and manages to find a small watertight tube.

I really liked this part that kind of brings everything full-circle: "Qui-Gon nodded. 'I, too, have wished I could have given my life to save another, one whom I had loved. But now I know that it is often harder to be the one left behind. I would not have wanted her to feel such loneliness, to go through the pain I have gone through.' ... Qui-Gon looked into Lena's eyes, and knew that his words were getting through to her. Surprisingly, he felt a lightening in his own chest as well. His grief for Tahl was still excruciating, but he suddenly knew that there would come a time when it would be possible to bear. And in his heart he was certain that Tahl would want him to carry on, too. She would have hated the way he had chosen to mourn her, he realized suddenly. He had allowed his grief to remove him from everyone who had tried to help him. Because the weight of his sorrow was so terrible, he could not lift his head to see that others mourned her, too. Obi-Wan. Yoda. Bant. Clee Rhava. The list was long."

Chapter 17

They go back to the hideout to check the contents of what they found. Sure enough, there's a datapad full of evidence against the Cobrals, exactly what they need to bring them down. They contact Frego's senator and make plans to go to Coruscant the next day to bring the evidence to him to present before the Senate. In the meantime, they try to get some rest.

Obi-Wan struggles with feelings of jealousy and guilt about why Qui-Gon confided in Lena about his grief, but not Obi-Wan. He worries that he doesn't know how to help Qui-Gon :'(

But partway through the night, Obi-Wan hears a scuffle in Lena's room, and rushes to investigate. There's an intruder who has tied and gagged Lena and is about to steal the datapad and leave. The Jedi knock him out, untie Lena, and retrieve the datapad.

The next day, they board the ship provided for them by Senator Crote, but Qui-Gon makes them sneak off and go in a different ship instead. When they're safely on their way, he explains that he saw the senator's seal on the man who tried to steal the datapad. He wasn't working for Solan, he was working for the senator. The corruption extends even to Senator Crote. As a final clincher, midway through their journey, they receive a call from Yoda, telling them that the ship they were supposed to be on has just blown up.

Chapter 19

Mace Windu meets them when they return safely to Coruscant. The Jedi escort Lena to the Frego consulate, where Lena freshens up in preparation for her speech to the Senate (Obi-Wan thinks she's more beautiful than ever, awwww!). Then (in a scene that reminds me so much of Queen Amidala in Episode I) she goes before the Senate and tells them everything, including how Senator Crote tried to have her silenced. He objects, but the evidence is all too clear. There is a vote, and then Senator Crote is removed from office, the Cobrals are to be arrested, and a new government will be put in place.

After a small party to celebrate, Lena decides to turn in for the night before returning to Frego. Obi-Wan lingers behind, reluctant to say goodbye since they'll probably never see each other again, and he happens to hear the sounds of a struggle (this poor girl has been kidnapped and snuck upon in her private rooms so often, she's bound to have trauma after this @_@). Listening through the door, Obi-Wan realizes that this time it's Zanita. It turns out she's actually the true power behind the Cobrals (and thus Frego itself), and she was furious when she discovered that her own son was working to bring them down. She was the one who ordered Rutin's death. Now she tries to kill Lena as well, but Obi-Wan bursts in just in time to stop her. He does so successfully, but unfortunately he isn't able to stop Zanita from killing herself with a vibroblade. It's all very Shakespearean.

Chapter 20

In the final chapter, Obi-Wan is going to say goodbye to Lena, and stops by Qui-Gon's room to see if he wants to come along. As they're walking, Qui-Gon reflects on how, even though Obi-Wan is still a boy, he's grown up so much and will soon be a Knight himself. They talk a bit about Lena, but I was surprised that they don't really address Obi-Wan's attraction to her at all. Obviously, he wasn't going to let it go anywhere; we know he's not going to leave the Jedi again or anything, and Lena never really seems to reciprocate his feelings. But it just feels like a loose thread they never quite tied up :/

Okay, the way the book ends is by far the best part of all: "Suddenly Qui-Gon stopped and turned to face his Padawan. 'I am the one who was lost, Padawan. You were generous and patient with me. And I needed that patience. I still carry the wound I suffered when I lost Tahl. I will for the rest of my life.' Obi-Wan nodded solemnly. 'I know,' he said softly. Qui-Gon placed a hand on Obi-Wan's shoulder. 'I am grateful for your efforts to help me through my pain. For a long time I was not ready to hear your words, but you were still right to speak them. Thanks to you I have found myself again--I have found a way to go on. Your words...you are a comfort to me. Thank you.' Obi-Wan let out a deep breath and smiled. 'You're welcome,' he said."

#star wars #jedi apprentice #the only witness #obi-wan kenobi #qui-gon jinn #ugh sorry this took so long to get through #it was just...kinda boring?#way too much talking and doing the same things over and over again #the mystery wasn't interesting and there was hardly any action #and the addition of a sort-of romance for obi-wan that never went anywhere just felt like a distraction #i didn't really feel like the themes pulled together in this one #but there's just one more book left and then we'll be done with the series!

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adeelconley · 2 years

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realasslesbian · 2 years

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My Amber Heard/Johnny Depp opinion as an actual lawyer is that on the exceedingly rare occasion that a prima facie case can be made for a woman's guilt of a violent crime the media always take it and run with it, while at the same time ignoring the far worse violent crimes men commit every day. Often this results in overly harsh punishments for the female defendant and, in a disturbingly high number of cases, straight up sentencing an actually innocent woman. I don't know if Amber Heard 'did it' and I have very little faith in the legal system to get to the bottom of it. But I'm fairly sure that, regardless of what is uncovered and who was at fault, Johnny Depp will be fine.

#for example #Australia's 'worst female serial killer'?#actually turns out her four kids that she 'murdered' all inherited the same generic condition which causes sudden death at a young age #that's been proven beyond a doubt by modern genetic testing of their exhumed skeletons #hundreds of scientists have endorsed the view that Kathleen Folbigg is innocent #and yet she's still in jail #which would be bad enough #except there was literally no evidence to convict her in the first place #they couldn't even say whether she suffocated the kids poisoned them or what #because they simply didn't know #they definitely didn't have evidence that proved murder 'beyond reasonable doubt'#which is the standard for a criminal conviction #unless apparently you're a woman and therefore subject to the overriding court of public opinion #or what about Lindy 'a dingo took my baby' Chamberlain?#all the 'evidence' against her incriminated her husband just as much #but he never set a foot inside a jail cell #meanwhile Chamberlain served four years of a life sentence before being 'pardoned'#which is legalese for being forgiven for a crime committed #except no crime had been committed #(and infact any evidence of such a crime had been fabricated by the police)#(for reasons)#but even to this day most people insist Chamberlain killed her daughter #and think it's a big ol joke #and this is just the go for every case regarding a woman being violent #so excuse me for acknowledging how unlikely it is for this heard/depp saga to end in actual justice #feminism #radblr #amber heard #johnny depp

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the-witty-pen-name · 3 years

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The Nanny Pt. 1

Lee Bodecker x Nanny!F!Reader

18+

Word Count: 3k

Warnings: mentions of alcohol, implied age gap (reader is in her 20s), cursing, Sandy and Carl being bad parents, 18+ content in later chapters

Summary:

Based on this Request: The reader moves to Meade/Knockemstiff while answering an advertisement for a nanny in the paper. We learn that the ad was posted by Sandy, who has the reader watch her child whenever she and Carl leave to do their secret thing. After one of these trips, Sandy and her husband never return, so the reader is left caring for their baby. With the new investigation into these events, she meets Sandy’s brother Lee, the older, out of shape, alcoholic bachelor, and they are suddenly thrown into each others lives as he begins looking into his sister’s disappearance. Through it all, Lee starts to fall for her, and they slowly become a family.

A/N: Here is the first part of my newest series and I want to thank the anon who reached out to me with this idea!

If I missed anything I should include as a warning that I missed please let me know!

Taglist Form is in my bio and should be updated to now to include this fic! (If for some reason it isn’t working send me a message and I’ll make sure you’re added!!)

“Damn it, Sandy, can’t you handle that?” Carl yells from his dark room as the baby starts crying again.

“Fuck you, Carl,” Sandy shouts back, hurrying to put out her cigarette before heading to the nursery.

Their little girl was just about a year old, and neither one of them knew what they were doing. Carl was incredibly indifferent and despite her honest attempts at motherhood, Sandy’s maternal instincts never kicked in like she thought it would happen. Carl was annoyed that it cut into their time they would be on trips. They weren’t able to photograph models with the baby on the road, so he’d been itching to get back on the road.

“Is she hungry?” he shouts back, not even bothering to take his eyes off of the most recent photographs he had been developing.

“I just fed her!”

“Then why is she crying?”

“Fuck if I know,” Sandy shouts back exasperated. She scooped up the baby from her crib and started to rock her back and forth in her arms. Sandy also tried burping her, humming a little lullaby she made up on the fly… no luck. She walks around the house with the baby on her hip, trying to rock her back to sleep.

“We haven’t able to get back on the road in a year,” Carl says, clearly frustrated.

“That ain’t purely my fault,” she spits back, “Takes two to make a baby, Carl.”

“Fuck I know,” he groans, “But I need new inspiration. If I take one more picture of nature…”

“If she’s such a hindrance, pay for a damn sitter like I suggested months ago,” she counters.

“We can’t have no stranger walking around the house Sandy,” he points out.

“Just keep your damn room locked, it’s not a huge deal,” Sandy sighs. “Besides, no one is gonna snoop around if you pay ‘em enough. You damn well produce your own incriminating evidence; you should always have that room locked anyways.”

“We only have to worry about your damn brother,” Carl points out, “We hire a fucking sitter that’s two people we need to worry about.”

“You’re just to goddamn cheap to hire somebody,” Sandy states, moving back towards the nursery, the baby now snoring softly.

“You know what? Fine,” Carl says defeated. “But you’re in charge of putting the ad out and hiring somebody.”

“Thank you,” she says in a sing song tone, happy she got her way. But the moment of quiet that follows is short lived as they baby starts crying again.

“Please for the love of God can you just take care of that?” Carl yells, and the argument circles back to the beginning.

You had sat in the small dinner in the corner booth hunched over the newspaper and nursing your now cold cup of coffee. You had just arrived in Knockemstiff and were looking for work. “Any leads?” Julie asked as she topped off your coffee. Julie was your roommate. You had found her the same way you were currently looking for a job. You must have answered at least ten terrible Roommate Wanted ads until you had found Julie. The two of you now share an apartment- the top floor of a three-family owned by a sweet older couple.

“Thank you,” you say without looking up from scanning the ads. “Maybe this one?” You say pointing to one of the ads. She looks to see her manager stepped out for his smoke break before sliding in the booth across from you. You slide the paper over to her and she reads the ad out loud.

NANNY NEEDED Knockemstiff, Ohio

Couple that travels for work in need of a nanny for one-year-old daughter.

Temporary live-in position for several weeks at a time. Pay negotiable.

Call Sandy Henderson at the below number.

“I can sublet the room temporarily while you stay there,” Julie offers. “It’s a pretty vague offer,” she continues. “I wouldn’t commit until you call and speak to that Sandy woman.”

“Oh, I’m sure I’ll need to be interviewed,” you agree. “What kind of people are comfortable just leaving their baby for weeks at a time with a perfect stranger?”

“Paul is still out back I think,” she chuckles, “I’ll let you use the wall phone.”

You take a seat at one of the stools at the counter, and she dials the number for you and then passes you the receiver. You mouth a thank you and she waves her hand in dismissal as she heads over to take someone’s order.

“Whaddya want?” the woman on the other end answers abruptly.

“Oh, I’m calling about the ad in the paper regarding the nanny position. Is it still available?”

“Oh, shit. I’m so sorry, hun,” the woman says, now in a much nicer tone. “Thought it was my brother calling. Yes, it is, and we need it filled as soon as possible. When are you available?”

“For an interview?” You ask.

“Yeah,” she says mumbled, like she is dangling a cigarette from her mouth. “Can you come today?”

“Oh, wow. Yes, I can,” you reply.

“Great, um, you got a pen? Take down this address.”

About two hours, a change of clothes and a cab ride later, you were standing outside a house towards the end of town. It was a little run down, but what building in this town wasn’t? You were a little nervous of course, but it was also the most unconventional way you have gotten an interview. Part of you was relieved, because the woman on the phone sounded real, not phony, but the circumstances still made you uneasy. Julie had the address and said you’d call when you got back to the taxi dispatch.

“Welcome, welcome,” Sandy smiled, opening up the door for you. She had one hand on the doorknob and one of the cutest babies you’d ever seen in the other. “Come on in, make yourself comfortable.”

“Who is this?” you coo, leaning down to the baby’s eye level. “She’s darling.”

“This little sweetheart is Valerie,” Sandy smiles, passing the baby to you. “She’s so well-behaved. Hardly ever cries.”

“She’s adorable,” you smile, as the baby cuddles up close, resting her head on your shoulder. “I didn’t properly introduce myself on the phone. (Y/N) (Y/L/N).”

“I’m Sandy,” she introduces herself. “Please take a seat on the couch, get comfortable. I hate things that are so formal. Bleh.”

You take a seat on the couch, and readjust the little girl in your arms so she’s sitting on your lap and her back is resting against you so she is supported.

“So, my husband and I are on the road a lot, usually,” she begins, “We took some time off when we had Valerie, but we really need to start working again, you understand.”

“Of course, what do you both do?” you ask politely.

“We’re photographers,” she beams, “Mostly nature and landmarks- which reminds me! We have a darkroom in the house, but that door will be locked when you’re staying here. We don’t want any damage to any of the negatives we have stored in there you understand. Everywhere else in the house is yours to explore! And of course we gotta spare bedroom you can call your own.”

“Fair enough,” you joke.

“So, tell me about yourself, honey,” she smiles, crossing her legs in the armchair where she sat.

“Well, I just moved here a few weeks ago actually,” you begin, “I just recently finished school, and now I’m looking for work. I just got my degree in early childcare from the state college.”

“Oh, that’s wonderful,” she says with a clap of her hands. “So, you’re local?”

“Yes, I live in town.”

“Excellent! We’d also love for this to be like an on-call thing as well, you know for date nights and things like that for times when we’re home. Like for a few hours here and there. And of course, we’ll always live money for groceries or whatever you need on top of your pay for emergencies incase Valerie needs formula or diapers or anything.”

“Perfect,” you smile, surprised how well the conversation was going. Sandy was easy-going and nice to talk to. The two of you sat and talked for a little under an hour, her asking all the standard questions you anticipated. You also were able to ask her some more of your own questions as well. It was the most effortless interview you had been on easily.

“I’m sorry you weren’t able to meet Carl today,” she says when she is showing you out. “But hun, I feel confident to offer you the job. We haven’t had many applicants and you’re the most qualified one I’ve spoken to. The job is yours if you want it?”

“When can I start?” you smile, making her laugh.

“Your number is on the resume, right?” she says, scooping up the baby. You nod, waving goodbye to the baby and then saying goodbye to Sandy.

“I’ll call you when I speak to Carl, but I think once he knows he’ll want to head out as soon as we can. Plan for Sunday,” she says as you get into the cab.

Just like she had promised, you get a call from Sandy on Saturday afternoon asking you to show up the next morning at 9. You spend the day packing up your clothes and anything else you’d need for a few weeks. Sandy said they’d be back in two weeks but you pack for three just in case. Julie was also nice enough to help you. You didn’t need to do much. Ever since you had settled in Knockemstiff, you had been pretty lazy with unpacking and for once procrastination played out in your favor.

Julie insisted on taking you out to celebrate that night before starting your job tomorrow. There was a small little bar, a little shack of a place just on the outside of town you went to. Julie had a car and you drove, anticipating she’d have a lot more to drink than you. It was a hotter summer night, so you drove with the windows down and the radio playing a little louder than you normally would.

The outside was decorated with string lights of primary colors and the wooden awning looked like it was one more storm away from collapsing. But the atmosphere inside was to die for. The jukebox was playing loud dance music, and the place was crowded. Empty recycled glasses lined the walls on a high shelf as decoration along with weathered posters of anything Americana. A row of motorcycles and trucks were parked outside the little place and it looked like a pileup from how crowded the lot was. People lingered outside as well, and you both hoped you’d find seats inside.

The two of you found a high-top table and Julie made her way up to the bar, skillfully maneuvering through the crowd to grab you both some drinks. You let your eyes wandering, surveying the room and just people watching. Couples were dancing closely to the music that was rattling the jukebox, and a group of people were sitting at the bar huddles in to watch the little black and white portable television. You also noticed a group of men in uniform several tables down, local police. They weren’t paying any attention to anyone but their own conversation, except one.

He just so happened to have looked up just as your eyes landed on their table. Steel blue eyes cutting across everything and just staring right back into yours. It was a fraction of a second and his gaze was broken by Julie taking her seat across from you. You cleared your throat, and finally allowed yourself to exhale. You felt her raise an eyebrow at you but she didn’t press, just gave you a knowing smirk you brushed off. You still felt his gaze on you even if your view was now obstructed.

Sandy and Carl were in a rush when you arrived in the morning. Sandy ran you through the details of where everything was kept and told you that she would call to check in when she could when they made stopped. She helped you carry your bags in from the trunk of the taxi while Carl packed their bags in their car. He was polite enough, but you felt in your gut to just keep your distance. Sandy led you upstairs to the guest room she told you she worked to clean out for you. It was simple, a bed and a dresser with a small closet. She said it mostly had been storage and her weekend project had been clearing it out for you. It was simple, but good enough for you for sure. You thanked her and she dismissed it saying you were the one doing her a favor, making you laugh.

The whole ordeal was very hurried. Carl was rushing to get on the road as soon as possible and you could tell he was clearly irritated at how long Sandy was taking showing you around and explaining things about Valerie. Carrying the baby in your arms, you finally were settled in to your new role and Sandy gave one more big hug and a kiss on Valerie’s head before rushing down to the car. You waved to the pair of them from the small front porch, Sandy looking back and waving to the baby from the passenger seat until they were out of your line of vision.

The first day was a little daunting. New space, living in a house that isn’t yours and a baby babbling in your arms. She was a sweet thing, and she already had taken a liking to you. Heading over to her nursery, you saw that she had a little play pen folded up in the corner of the nursery and you quickly set it up in your room so you could unpack while keeping an eye on her. She babbled just happy utter nonsense to you while you navigated around the space and her big eyes just followed you, just watching you was entertaining for her for now. You were a new face and she was entertained just by that for now.

A few hours later, Valerie had settled down for a nap in the early afternoon. She was sleeping soundly in her crib and you were getting formula ready for when she woke up. It was quiet, the only noise in the house was the small sounds of your own rustling in the kitchen. You wondered when you would hear from Sandy, if it would be later tonight or in a couple of days. You just were lost in your own thoughts when you were startled by a loud knocking on the door. Instantly, Valerie began to cry. You wiped your hands quickly on the skirt of your dress before grabbing her. You rested her on your hip and rocked her gently, shushing her to calm down while you went to grab the door.

The first thing your eyes saw were the same blue eyes who was looking at you at the bar last night. The man’s eyebrows furrowed and he looked really confused. He had one hand rested on his hip and the other against the doorframe, but he stood up straight when he saw it wasn’t who he expected. Your eyes then went down to the shiny Sheriff’s Badge fixed in place on his uniform.

“Who are you?” he asks abruptly. “Where’s Sandy?”

“Sandy and Carl left this morning,” you explain, not sure if he recognizes you. “I’m their nanny.”

He laughs and shakes his head as he looks down, almost like he doesn’t believe you, or he just doesn’t believe the situation. “Carl? Carl Henderson hired a nanny?” he scoffs and you nod, holding Valerie a little closer. The little girl rubs her eyes and yawns, when her eyes flutter open, she looks at the stranger in the doorway and immediately reaches out to signal she wants to be held by him. You ignore her resistance to wanting to be in your arms until you get more information about why the Sheriff is at their doorstep, though she obviously knows him.

“I’m Sandy’s brother,” he explains, “Did she say when they were coming back?” He doesn’t try to hold the baby yet, just holds out one of his fingers and her little hand holds onto it tightly.

“Two weeks.”

“They hire a complete stranger to watch my niece and live in their house unsupervised while they drive around?” he scoffs, shaking his head again in disbelief.

“I’m more than qualified…”

“It’s not a jab at you, sweetheart,” the man tries to explain, “More so a reflection on my sister and her husband is all. They are… fairly selfish people and I wished this situation surprises me more than it does.”

“Should I tell her you came by when she calls?” you ask.

“If she calls,” the man chuckles, “Sure, let her know Lee stopped by to visit.”

“You don’t think she will?” you ask, tilting your head.

“We’ll see,” Lee shrugs, “Do I know you from somewhere?” He rests his arm back up on the doorframe and looks down to the baby again, extending out his free hand to her again and scrunching her cheeks.

“I don’t know,” you shrug, not wanting to admit you remembered seeing him last night. He purses his lips together and nods, not pressing further. He pushes off from the doorframe and puts his hands into the pockets of his leather jacket.

“Must’ve been in a dream then,” he smirks, and you feel your cheeks flush. He walks down the steps and back towards his cop car. “What did you say your name was?” he asks, turning back around.

“I didn’t,” you chuckle.

“Hmm,” he nods, and raises his eyebrows, waiting for you to fill in the blank. You tell him your name and he repeats it back to you like he’s thinking about it, trying it out to see how it sounds.

“Well,” he says, standing behind the open driver’s door, “Good luck, and I hope Sandy proves me wrong. Let me know if she calls.”

Taglist:

@adelaide-walker @thedepressolit @samanthadegaro

#lee bodecker #lee bodecker imagine #lee bodecker x reader #lee bodecker x you #lee bodecker x y/n #the devil all the time #sebastian stan x reader #sebastian stan characters #lee bodecker smut #lee bodecker fluff #sebastian stan one shot #sebastian stan imagine #x reader #fluff #smut #nanny!reader #x f!reader #found family

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melzula · 4 years

Text

The Throne

part one

pairing: Zuko x Princess!reader

notes: so excited to finally be getting into the Koa storyline with you guys! I hope you enjoy ♡

summary: though a party is held in her honor, the Princess doesn’t feel welcomed home just yet. but will the help of some old friends bring her one step closer to taking back the throne from the scheming Koa?

~ part of the fire lilies series ~

Your crown weighs heavily upon your head as you walk through the palace hallways, chin held high but shoulders tense as you pass by the guards and officials who look at you with silent judgement in their eyes. None of the faces are familiar as all of the men you’d known growing up had been sent off to war and killed in battle. The new recruits now in charge of protecting the royal family all had been assigned by Koa, and you’d have to be blind—sorry, Toph— to ignore the malice and resentment in their hard set gazes as they watched the girl undeserving of her title waltz by as if she hadn’t abandoned her people for the enemy. Koa had made it adamantly clear that the so-called Princess cared not for her tribe but rather her own selfish wants and desires, and they believed him.

Outside the palace servants and cooks and decorators all scramble by in preparation for the party being held in your honor; your mother had insisted on a welcoming party to celebrate your return, though you doubted many people shared her sentiment. There were a handful of members from the tribe who were so glad to have you back, who showered you in warmth and thanked you for aiding the Avatar in ending the war so that their husbands and fathers could return safely, and little girls who shyly tugged at the skirts of your dresses and expressed their admiration for you and their desire to one day be a strong, fierce fighter like you. But there were also those who overlooked your accomplishments in order to focus upon your faults and your mistakes, who agreed that you were not ready to take control of the throne and some who even went as far as to say you were undeserving of it, that a water bending princess who strayed from healing and trained in fighting was untraditional. And of course, there was the group of indifference who needed extra persuasion to decide whether they were for or against you. Overall, the party didn’t seem like the best idea, but your mother was adamant that you use the opportunity to reconnect with your people, so you obliged. You’d survived a strike from a crazed Azula, so surely you could handle this.

“Princess,” one of the servants calls, bowing before you in respect before handing you a neatly tied scroll, “a messenger hawk from the Fire Nation was sent for you with this scroll.”

“Thank you,” you nod, containing your smile as you politely dismiss her before opening the scroll to be greeted by familiar handwriting.

“Princess,

I know it’s only been a week since you’ve left but I already miss you greatly. It’s odd not having you by my side, but I know you’re doing great things back in the south. I hope to see you soon once I have all of my affairs in order, though that could be some time. Until then, expect a messenger hawk at least once a week. Take care, y/n. I love you.

- Zuko”

“Oh, Zuko,” you sigh softly, clutching the letter to your chest in a form of comfort, “I really wish you were here right now.”

It was definitely going to be a long night.

~~~

The steady beat of the drums reverberate through the walls and pound in your chest as you anxiously adjust your headpiece and prepare to make your grand entrance. The beads that hang from your jewelry click against one another with your movements, a calming sound that brings you comfort and reassurance despite your nerves, and you are only allowed a single moment to hide your scarred hands underneath the pure white fabric of your gloves before the two guards begin to escort you out to greet your tribe.

Your mother sits at the grand table amongst the elders of the tribe, a proud smile on her face as she watches you emerge from the palace with grace and dignity despite how nervous she knows you are, and as soon as your presence is announced you are greeted with an obligatory round of applause from your people. Koa rises, a bowl of black paint in his hand and unreadable expression on his lips; he does not bow to you as he is expected to, but no one other than you seems to mind.

“It is with great honor that I bestow the mark of welcoming upon our Princess,” he announces as he dips a finger into the black paint and presses four dots on each cheek before drawing an intricate swirl on your forehead meant to represent the tides washing back to the shore— a symbolic mark of your return home. “May she be welcomed with warmth and gratitude after her three year long journey from home.”

You smile proudly, waving to your tribe as some cheer and others politely clap and most share looks of uncertainty with one another. The return of their princess was now official, but one unspoken question remained: who would take the throne now? You startle at the sudden weight that falls upon your shoulder, Koa maintaining a neutral expression as he leans nearer and whispers in your ear.

“Remember Princess, this paint won’t last forever. Every welcome washes away eventually.”

He pulls away from you like nothing, leaving you stunned and stiff and with no time to recover as he smiles and announces, “Let the festivities begin!”

You are given no chance to retaliate or fight back as you are suddenly pulled every which way by your guests. You are offered various dishes, asked for endless dances, and you can’t even count how many times someone has asked to see your scars. It seems like hours pass before you are finally given a chance to breathe, seating yourself at the table and devouring your plate of puffin-seal sausages— dancing had made you absolutely famished. It’s lonely and, frankly, quite intimidating sitting at the head table by yourself, almost emphasizing the fact that despite being the Princess you aren’t exactly welcomed back, at least not completely.

“Do you mind if I sit here?” A shy voice asks. You quickly swallow the large chunk of sausage in your mouth with a grimace before turning your attention to the boy in front of you who greets you with a friendly smile and sheepish wave.

“Kai!” You exclaim, happy to have a familiar face to keep you company. “You’ve grown so much, I almost didn’t recognize you. Of course you can sit.”

“Thanks, y/n,” the boy says before seating himself beside you. Kai was the silent, soft spoken son of Koa, the boy you would have married had you not ran away. Unlike his father, Kai was good company and never once gave you any trouble. He used to bring you colorful fish scales when you were children, and because his father was your father’s advisor you often spent time together as kids. You got along well, but you never saw him as nothing more than a friend despite how often your parents tried to get you together.

“It’s so nice to see you again, Kai. I’m in great need of a friend,” you admit with a faint smile.

“Yeah, these parties are mostly for the adults if I’m being honest. But it’s nice to see you, too. You look really different. Uh, good different, of course.”

“It’s been some time since we’ve last seen each other,” you note thoughtfully, your solemn gaze focusing upon the festivities before you. “So much has changed.”

“It isn’t so different. Now that the war has ended the men are back and we can start rebuilding. The outer villages should probably receive the most attention considering how small they’ve gotten and how little resources they have, but my dad says we should focus on the capital tribe first. If we’re weak then the smaller tribes don’t even stand a chance. At least that’s what he says, anyway.”

“I agree with you,” you say, turning your attention to him then with an apologetic look on your face. “Listen, I know you were originally promised my hand in marriage, and I’m sorry for running out on you. I didn’t want to hurt you, but an arranged marriage wasn’t part of my destiny, and if I hadn’t ran away I never would have found myself or became the person I am today. I hope you can forgive me.”

“Oh, yeah,” Kai laughs quietly, awkwardly tugging at the collar of his coat. “I never really wanted to marry you anyway.”

“Wait, what?”

“My dad was the one who came up with the idea. Ever since we were kids he’d been trying to convince your dad that an arranged marriage between us would benefit the tribe, but Chief Tukon wasn’t exactly thrilled by the prospect,” Kai explains offhandedly, as if his revelation wasn’t incriminating evidence that would prove his father was up to something. “My dad was really persistent though, and once your dad was gone he convinced your mom it would be a good idea to have someone there to look after and protect you now that your father was gone. Normally a marriage like that would be untraditional, but he said the circumstances of the situation made the proposal an exception, so she accepted. Honestly, I was kind of relieved when you ran away and the wedding was called off. I mean, no offense, you’re great, but I like us better as friends.”

“Me too,” you murmur quietly, your mind reeling at the newfound information Kai has given you. All this time you had assumed the marriage proposal had been your parents doing, so to find out that it had been Koa who had been so persistent in your marrying of his son only confirmed the fact that he had been after the throne since the beginning much like you’d suspected. Regaining the throne from Koa was going to be much harder that you initially presumed, he wouldn’t give away his power that easily, and you knew then that you wouldn’t be able to do this alone.

You rise suddenly from the table, startling Kai who watches you curiously and blushes at the chaste kiss you press to his cheek.

“I have to go, but thank you so so much for keeping me company. You have no idea how much you’ve just helped me,” you explain quickly before rushing off and sneaking away from the party, leaving Kai flustered and a bit dumbfounded.

“Uh, you’re welcome...?”

~~~

You watch the early morning sunrise from beyond the horizon, the golden rays of sunshine sparkling along the crystal blue ocean and the outer walls of the palace and reflecting off the irises of your eyes. If your calculations are correct then they should be here any minute now. You’d sent the messenger hawk with a letter of urgency for assistance shortly after your conversation with Kai, and since that night you’d anxiously been awaiting the arrival of your allies. A ship approaches in the distance and you suck in a breath, wrapping your cloak (Zuko’s cloak, actually) tighter around your frame as the icy air crystallizes almost painfully in your lungs before subsiding. They’re here.

The ship pulls up silently to the dock before lowering its ramp, and tears begin to well in your eyes at the sight of the siblings who are quick to rush towards you with open arms and wide smiles.

“Y/n!” Sokka exclaims, lifting you up off the ground in a bone crushing hug before setting you back down on your feet so that Katara may do the same.

“I’ve missed you both so much, thank you for coming on such short notice,” you say with a teary eyed smile, shifting your gaze from Sokka to Katara. “I’m sorry to have pulled you away from Aang and your work on the Harmony Restoration Movement but I didn’t know who else to call.”

“Don’t apologize. As much as I love spending time with Aang, this is more important.”

“Yeah, we left as soon as we got your message,” Sokka agrees. “I can’t believe that jerk would treat you like that after everything you’ve done for our tribe!”

“I wish more people shared your sentiment,” you say with a weak smile. “I know Koa’s up to no good, but I need the proof to convince everyone else.”

“Don’t worry, Princess. Detective Sokka is on the case!” He announces firmly only for both you and Katara to shush him. It is early, after all, so most of the tribe is still asleep, and you can’t have anyone know about your plan to remove Koa from the throne.

“What my brother means to say is we’ve got your back,” Katara says with a comforting smile.

“Thank you,” you breathe, tufts of air blowing past your lips and escaping into the air. “And you told no one about why I invited you here?”

“As far as Aang and Zuko are concerned, we’re here helping you sort through your father’s old belongings and reorganizing the palace.”

“Though, I have to admit, I feel like you maybe should have told your boyfriend about this,” Sokka notes offhandedly. You frown.

“This is water tribe business, I can’t bother Zuko with something like this, not when he has his own nation to run and rebuild. Unless things take a drastic turn we won’t be telling Zuko about Koa until it’s over and done with,” you instruct, earning head nods from an understanding Katara and a reluctant Sokka.

“Alright,” he finally sighs. “So what’s first on the agenda?”

“Katara and I are going to have to look through Koa’s things for any evidence or plans he has in regards to taking over the throne permanently. Sokka, I’m going to need you to blend in with his followers because spirits know he has a lot. Try to gather whatever inside information you can, but don’t blow your cover. You’re going to hear some nasty things about me and you can’t react to them, you have to act like you believe them too,” you explain.

“We can do it,” Katara says firmly. “I’ll even talk to my dad and see if there’s any way he can help.”

“Alright, operation Get Back the Throne is a go!” Sokka says excitedly, and you can’t help the faint smile that pulls at your lips in response.

Getting rid of Koa isn’t going to be easy, not by a long shot, but with Katara and Sokka’s help you know you can put an end to this once and for all.

| tag list: @rainteslerrrr @oddment-niwit-blubber-tweak @thebluelcdy @royahllty @the-firebender-girl @coldlilheart @ilovespideyyy @yiyibetch @eridanuswave @lammello @a-monsters-love @knaite-solo @zukh03s @taeeemin @user12345321 @titaniafire @dekahg @emberislandplayers @kikaninchen-2 @lozzybowe @izzieserra @melacholy @music-geek19 @thia-aep @thyunnamed @haylaansmi @nataliahaslosthershit @idkdude776 @aangsupremacy @thirstyforsometea @ihaveaproblem98 @brown-eyed-thang @djskfkdkkf @xapham @yeetletzgetitjae @misnmatchedsox @chewymoustachio @that-bucket-hat-gal @chilifrylizard2 @kyomihann @kaylove12 @kiwihoee |

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millakatariina64 · 3 years

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Happy Saiou Day!! 💙💜

So if anyone remembers last summer I said I'd post the complete portraits of my talentswap designs and a climactic scene from the AU with a full summary when they're finished? Well, I didn't forget!

So, below are my headcanons for Ultimate Supreme Leader Shuichi and Ultimate Detective Kokichi~!

(I'm really passionate about this AU, I hope you read it ':3)

(Tho no climactic scene unfortunately)

Ultimate Supreme Leader Shuichi

So first of all Shuichi's parents are still celebrities, move overseas and leave him with his uncle. However in this AU Shuichi's uncle is a politician who actually has a really good reputation. Problem is, his uncle is incredibly busy and is almost never home because of that. Still, he wants to be like his uncle (though the wish is fueled more with wanting to be good enough and accepted). Shuichi's personality is basically the same.

So then one day I Alligator girl's (Gonna call her Wani) alligator gets stolen by some group who're going to sell it and they threatened Wani to not call the police or tell anyone. So she asks Shuichi to help. Somehow they manage to retrieve the alligator together secretly (idk) and right afterwards one of Wani's friends is in trouble with some shady local business. So Wani suggests they make a group to stop these sorts of people and that Shuichi would be the leader. He agrees, he still wants to do something to make this world a better place like his uncle.

After that Wani starts asking her most trusted friends at school if they'd like to join (Shuichi would never have the social courage to ask someone that). When they get to 10 members (all girls) they stop growing for some time and decide to get themselves uniforms. When they're finally considering getting more people into the team since Shuichi doesn't really know these people, he decides to start wearing a mask to be safe. He also starts using the code name "Crow". The other 10 members go by flower names.

The group then grows a lot. And by the time Shuichi's officially scouted to be an Ultimate, it has around 1500 members. And it's making him very worried as Shuichi's not even sure anymore if he's skilled enough to lead it. The group started out stopping or changing corrupt businessmen, unethical businesses and other evil groups. And although that still is what they do, he's realized that the way they go about things is pretty illegal. (When he first realized this, he started wearing a hat.) Obviously he forbids violence, but they still use blackmail and steal information. Also they need money for the group to function at this point so they've had to get it through illegal means that Shuichi's not sure of anymore. So Shuichi is immensely scared of being revealed as the organization's leader because it would completely destroy his organization and it would also annihilate his uncle's as well as his parents' careers on the spot. Basically everything would get ruined and it would be a nation-wide scandal. Perhaps even an international scandal.

He gets even more worried when the police finally start realizing there's some sort of group that's blackmailing big businesses and start investigating.

When he gets scouted to Hope's Peak, the letter comes to his base and even HPA doesn't know his identity, just that he's a high school student. He doesn't think like he deserves the title at all since it's really his organization that does the hard stuff and Wani's the one that's made it grow and he shouldn't be panicking like this if he really was a "great leader". But he still decides to go due to "If you manage to graduate from Hope's Peak, you will be set for life!". But as his family can't know of him being scouted there as the Ultimate Supreme Leader, he forges a letter claiming he's the Ultimate Lucky Student which he shows to them. And at HPA he requests he be referred to by that title.

Problem is, now his year group has 2 Ultimate Lucky Students and a certain Ultimate Detective gets suspicious.

Miscellaneous: Shuichi really wants to use make-up but he's really afraid to at home since he feels his uncle would think it's really weird. So at the organization's base Wani heard about it and got him some makeup and now Shuichi wears makeup when on missions and at the base. Also the organization has a helicopter. (It's a central part of that climactic scene I talk so much about.) Shuichi thinks about becoming a detective perhaps, but he's not sure how he'd be able to leave his group anymore so...

Ultimate Detective Kokichi

For Kokichi I still have my pretty elaborate origin story. His early years are great until at some point his real father finds out that Kokichi's mother had actually had the Kokichi and his older twin brother with him and not her husband leaving him alone. And thus he murders Kokichi's mother out of spite. Kokichi and Tamotsu (my headcanon name for his twin) see the murder take place and flee. However, they were never actually able to make out who the murderer was and they knew even less of why their mother was murdered.

The murder never gets solved and this mystery stays in Kokichi's mind. Who ruined his life, who killed his mother?

(I feel they'd have like an uncle and their mother's husband lived with them obviously. There'd also be other factors like disposed evidence and the suspects vanishing making the murder so much harder to figure out afterwards.)

So Kokichi and Tamotsu end up at an orphanage, one related to the one Maki's at. It's kind of a terrible place, but it's where Kokichi meets (most of) Dice. They become inseparable friends (tho don't form a group with the name Dice. I'll still call them that here for clarity's sake though). However Tamotsu who had always been supporting Kokichi and being there for him at his side starts becoming bitter (jealous?) against Kokichi due to dice and starts turning against them. This is the time when Kokichi starts developing his lying to protect himself from Tamotsu as well as the borderline abusive authority at the orphanage. He's also started to figure out the dark secret of the orphanage training children to become assassins.

I feel like during this time a detective was investigating the orphanage. So when things get too dire and Kokichi and Dice escape the orphanage the detective ends up taking them in after finding them on the streets afterwards since he can't just send them to an orphanage at that point. So Kokichi and Dice end up staying with the detective and start helping him out. Kokichi's especially interested in the orphanage now and he and the detective with the help of the other Dice members figure out a lot of stuff. (This is also the time the rest of the Dice members "join".) Until one day the detective gets assassinated by someone from the orphanage sending them a message to stop the investigation.

So Kokichi takes over the Detective's office and to get by he starts working on all kinds of small cases with the help of Dice. And that's what they mostly do. Among those small cases are often cases that have something to do with saving children. However Kokichi occasionally also takes on homicides and investigates organizations. He wants to be prepared for when he finally investigates his mother's murder as well as the organization behind the orphanage. He wants those people locked up in jail forever.

Personality wise Kokichi's pretty much the same. He still loves pranks, lies all the time and would have elaborate stories (lies) about like for example how he was the one who managed to put the previous Queen of Novoselic's assassin behind bars. (The previous Queen was not even assassinated). He'd also jokingly blackmail people by claiming he knows something about them or could figure out something incriminating about them. He never really means it, though he would like try to find out harmless embarrassing secrets to mess with people.

Around the time he gets scouted to Hope's Peak he's specifically requested to assist in the investigation of a mysterious organization that steals information and sends blackmail and other such things. It's a huge flashy case, so of course he picks it up.

At Hope's Peak he then meets an (surprisingly mysterious?) Ultimate lucky student who seems really interested about his Ultimate detective talent and his lying.

Bonus

The original portraits from summer 2020. My laptop just broke when I finished the lineart and then I couldn't really edit them on my new tablet anymore and they were getting really old so I just decided to completely redo them. Also lmk if you want the sketch of the climactic scene since I'm not sure if I'll finish it even though I really like it. It looks pretty okay even if it's unfinished.

Also hope this is coherent and that I haven't forgotten anything aah. And damn if you actually made it this far gezus. This took like 4+ hours?? oops.

#saiouma #oumasai #shuichi saihara #kokichi ouma #danganronpa v3 #saihara shuichi #ouma kokichi #saiou #danganronpa #ndrv3 #ndrv3 killing harmony #saihara x ouma #ouma x saihara

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kirishoshego · 3 years

Text

Moneypulated//Aizawa

!!!MINORS DNI!!! 18+ ONLY!!!

Summary: Sadly your husband isn't meeting the end of his deal with the mob boss Shota Aizawa. After Aizawa's right-hand woman told him about the lowlife's pretty little housewife he decided to take the matter into his own hands. Words: 3.2k+

NOTE: Big big thank you again to @misterhoneyyandere for letting me use their ideas to inspire this and my recent KiriBaku fic! I changed the boyfriend into husband to make the situation a bit more incriminating for him :) TW: nsfw: mention of alcohol and gambling, Voyeurism, non con, mention of blood, being tied up, slight degrading, praise, oral (male receiving), anal fingering, (kind of cheating? I definitely wouldn’t say you’re cheating but some see this as cheating), mention of death threats and a gun, hair pulling, choking, spitting, slapping

Your husband always has been the sweet guy next door. Holding the doors open for you, paying attention to the small things, always remembering your favorites. Haruto supported all your dreams, all your goals. Sure people looked at you a bit weirdly because of your age difference, but you never minded that. It was always the two of you against the world. At least for the first year of your marriage. You were still somewhat in your honeymoon phase but Haruto became more and more stressed because of work. He took a job offer that would pay him a lot of money, but the down side of it was the huge responsibility he was suddenly holding. For the first few month things went great but then his bosses demanded more results. Faster, better. Of course you understood the situation he was in and you didn’t mind his outbursts. Tried to satisfy him the best way you could. He had to take trips more and more often and at first you didn’t question it. Your husband never lied to you, he knew he could always be open and honest to you about anything. But then you noticed a change of behavior, hiding his phone screen whenever he was around you, leaving the room when someone called. You asked him about it but he denied hiding anything, saying you’re just a bit paranoid and apologized for it. Yet, nothing changed. So when he was out again for the weekend you couldn’t take it any longer. Now you sat in the kitchen, looking at the red numbers of your husband’s bank account. They must have made a mistake right? Your husband isn’t into gambling, he never had any addictions before, never smoked, never drunk, nothing. The dates all aligned with his “business trips”. One one side you were happy that he wasn’t seeing someone else, but when you noticed the name of the casino you turned pale. PEONY CASINO Owner: Aizawa, Shota Accused (but never sentenced): Money Laundry, Murder, Drug Cultivation and Manufacturing, Assault, Kidnapping, Robbery, Bribery, you name it. Everyone knew he was one of the biggest mob bosses, but no matter who worked on these cases, they all failed. People and evidence disappeared or were never even found. Sometimes those who pressed charges then would drop them because “It was all a misunderstanding”. Why would your husband willingly be associated with someone like him? There were plenty of casinos out there, why did it had to be Peony? You changed into one of your dresses, there was no chance you would get into the casino without the right look. After getting done you jumped into your car, the moon already shining brightly upon you. The closer you got the angrier you turned. How could Haruto lie straight to your face? How could he hide this from you? How could your husband be so stupid to gamble with the devil?

The casino looked absolutely luxurious, you couldn’t deny that. Yet every little hair on your body stood up straight when your eyes landed on the huge building. There was a buff, blond security guard at the front door. His name tag read Bakugou. The couple in front of you tried their luck but were kicked out of the line for violating the dress code. A slight bit of sweat started to form on your forehead and arm pits. What if you failed here already?

“ID?” he barked, holding out his thick hand in front of you. You pulled it out of your purse and handed it to him. When he looked you up and down you fluttered your eyelashes, hoping to work your charm on him. Bakugou licked his plump lips before giving it back to you and letting you pass, his attention already on the person behind you. The blue and gold color scheme surrounded you everywhere you went. Every table, every worker’s uniform, every card, every dice. It was hard to find your husband in between among thousand of other people but it wasn’t impossible. You spend round about half an hour in the huge hall before your eyes fell upon your cheering husband’s from. As you made your way over to him, a waitress suddenly appeared in front of you, offering something to drink. You debated shortly, but maybe some alcohol in your system would do you well before confronting Haruto. After grabbing a glass filled with expensive liquor you thanked her. Once she walked away you looked at the sport he occupied just seconds ago only to see his seat now empty. You looked for him frankly and spotted a tall red haired man carrying your struggling husband away. Panic bubbled up inside of your body. Fear of what is going to happen. You picked up your speed, almost bumping into another waitress when a guy with purple hair and prominent dark eye-bags cut you off. “May I help you Madame?” he asked you, making sure to block your view from the long hallway. “I want to talk to my husband,” you demanded, eyes squinted together. “I’m afraid I don’t know what you’re talking about,” he tried to make himself seem taller so you would feel more intimidated and crossed his arms. “I saw him getting carried away by that red haired man, right into this hallway, so stop acting stupid and let me through,” you argued with him and he sighed, talking into his walkie talkie device. It was impossible for you to hear what the guy on the other line said but Shinso’s demeanor changed. He let you pass, following you at every turn and making you stop in front of a black door. “Mister Aizawa will meet you shortly,” he explained and as you turned around in shock at the mention of his name you were knocked out cold. You don’t know how long you were out, it could have been hours or days. Your head felt awful, dizzy and confused. “I’m glad you decided to join the party, I don’t think your husband could wait much longer,” a deep voice in front of you spoke. His long black hair was slicked back, his scar on full display. He was wearing a completely black tuxedo, a few golden rings adoring his fingers and you noticed that his knuckles had some bruises. Aizawa was crotched down in front of you as he inspected your face, his eyes wandering up and down your body. “It’s a real pity that we had to meet under these circumstances,” he seemed genuinely upset when he stroked your cheek. “My name is Shota Aizawa. According to your ID your name is Y/N Tanaka if I’m not mistaken? And I am pretty sure you know him as well,” a sinister smile was plastered on his face when he stepped out of your view, thus your eyes now falling onto your beat up husband. “Haruto” you whispered. He had a deep cut over his left brow, eye black, his lip was busted, blood was all over his ripped white shirt. A few of his fingers seem broken too. “What have you done to him?” you struggled against your restrains, tears welling up in your eyes. “The question is what has he done to himself? Has he told you about his debt?” you looked at the man in front of you and he could see you didn’t. “Oh no, hiding something from your wife Haruto?” he clicked his tongue as his eyes fell unto the almost unconscious business man. He looked at you the best he could and you could see his eyeballs had turned red. In that moment you didn’t see your happy, carefree husband, no, you saw a scared little boy who just got caught. “I-I’m so, so sorry. I thought I had it under control-” he was caught off by his coughs, blood dripping down from his mouth. “Turns out he didn’t. Gambling is a real bad addiction, wouldn’t you agree?” he asked you. “I don’t think it’s the gambler’s fault but the game master’s,” you answered him with a nasty look. He laughed at your comment, nodding his head in agreement. “The reason why you’re here is because you’re going to help your husband with his debt. We made a deal. I get to play with his wife and therefor he only owns me 50.000 instead of the original 100.000. Sounds fair doesn’t it? I got that idea when you arrived here,” he sounded so nonchalant, as if he told you what he had for dinner today. You looked at your husband, hoping to see him in as much shock as you were right now but he only looked down in shame. “He wouldn’t-” “Oh but he did. All it took was a knife to his throat,” he cut open your restrains, massaging your wrists and pulled you up to him. He brushed your hair from your shoulder, kissing it gently.

The moment his lips met your skin your fight or flight instinct kicked in and you slapped him across the face, turning the whole room quiet. Once you realized what you have done, who you just raised your hand again, your face twisted up in pure shock and you stumbled back, apologies tumbling from your lips.

The mob boss took targeted, heavy steps towards you, his eyes the one of a predator ready to pound on his prey. He crotches down to pick you up by your neck, his grip tight when he walked you back to your original place. “If you try to pull shit like this again, I will gut your husband in front of you, understood?” his voice was low, dangerous and you knew he wasn’t one to joke around. You could only nod, apologizing again, your hands flying up to his wrists when his grip got worse, silently pleading for him to release you with your teary eyes. “Now you will go down on your knees and show me what that mouth can do other than whine.”

His black eyes didn’t leave yours, watching with a hint of a smirk as you compeled to his orders. You unbuckled his black pants, the metal clanking as it fell to the floor. You were seemingly impressed by his dick print through his tight boxers. He wasn’t pleased when you turned your eyes away from him and to your husband so one of his hands gripped your hair and pulled your attention to him. His other hand slapped you, not hard but enough to send pain through your body, straight to your cunt. As you pulled down his boxers, his dick sprung free and hit his happy trail right under his navel. “Be a good girl and open wide for me,” he squished your cheeks so you opened your mouth, not expecting him to spit into it. He patted your head as if he was praising you before shoving his dick down your throat. His hands held you in place so you wouldn’t move, loving the way you choked around him, your attempts to swallow causing his thick cock to twitch. There was no mercy in his thrusts, hard and deep, lost in pleasure. Once your tears mixed with your drool he had enough and pulled you off almost completely. He still had his slick fingers in your hair but wasn’t as rough with you anymore. You started bobbing your head on his meat, one of your hands on his balls to massage them. Maybe if you try hard enough he would cum quick and this all would be over soon enough. Grunts and moans left his lips, his eyes never leaving your frame, the sight in front of him throwing him into full bliss. You definitely knew what you were doing, swirling your tongue around his tip, licking his shaft up and down whenever your jaw needed a small break, joined by your other hand. The way you looked up at him from time to time made him almost go feral. How could someone look so innocent and yet so full of sins at the same time? Where have you been all his life? Maybe he should kill your husband afterwards, keep you to himself. But where would he get his money from then? Not that he needed it, but still, debt was debt. He could still always kidnap you when he felt like it. He really should. Your mouth now concentrated on his tip, tongue licking all around it, hand going up and down, the grip just right and damn, your hand really worshipped his balls. He couldn’t keep himself from fucking your face, hearing those choke noises send him over the edge. Of course he pulled out first, shooting his load all over your face.

“You’re such a good little whore for me, you did such a great job,” he praised you, his grey scarf cleaning your eyes so you could open them again. He wanted you to look at him, wanted to see your eyes roll back when he fucks you in front of your spouse and his men. “Something like this deserves a reward, what do you think Kirishima, should I fuck her, take care of that sloppy wet hole?” he asked the man in the shadows, looking at the doors. You couldn’t see his reaction but fear spread through your body.

“But... I thought-” you stammered, the man in front of you put his pointer finger under your chin so you’d look up to him. “What? That I would be satisfied by one orgasm? Oh darling, I’m so sorry you’re so used to awful sex. But no, I wouldn’t be able to sleep at night if I leave you so needy,” he pointed down on the floor and you noticed your wetness dripped down onto the hard floor. “Your body betrayed you,” he whispered into your ear as he crawled on top of your smaller frame.

“No, please,” your husband gasped, a painful groan followed suit after. Aizawa only had to look at one of his man, your husband gagged within seconds. “Sir please stop,” you pleaded with him, your hand pushing against his chest in an attempt to stop him from going further. “I like it when you call me sir,” he told you, kissing and nibbling on your soft skin. With one swift motion he cut open your dress, your body fully exposed. “Naughty girl, you’re not even wearing a bra and now-” he cut open your slip, the cold blade against your hot core sending shock waves through your body, your nipples turning hard, “not even underwear,” he groaned into your ear. His attention immediately went to your in goose bumps covered tits, licking the sensitive nubs alternately. When his fingers went to play with your pussy you pushed it away, shaking your head no. “Stop it, I don’t want this,” you told him when he looked at you angrily. Tears welled up in your eyes again as you saw his dark smile.

“Your mind maybe doesn’t, but your body is craving this,” he told you, holding your hands up with one hand, the other one aligning his still wet dick with your glistering folds. “Please, you’re big,” you whimpered when his tip was now at your entrance. “Oh don’t worry,” he assured you, pushing his full length into you at once. He covered your mouth with his hand to quiet down your scream that left your lips as he filled you up so suddenly. “It will only hurt for a little bit,” his waist snapped back and forth, in and out of you, the room soon filled with the sound of your wet cunt being abused by the one and only Aizawa. “Stop suppressing your moans darling, let me hear them. Don’t be shy, I feel you clenching your needy hole around me.” His other hand played with your clit now, drawing slow circles around it, tapping it from time to time to feel your body jolting. He had enough of your quietness, so he bit down on your neck hard, making you yell, which turned into a moan. “There we go,” he grunted.

The black haired man grabbed his grey scarf, wrapping it around your throat and pulling it shut tightly. Your hands hit him and your nails scratched his arms and chest, making him moan in pleasure. Before you could pass out completely he stopped. He wanted you to remember every single second. Aizawa wanted you on top of him, watch your tits bounce up and down with his thrusts, so he turned you around, holding you up so he could pound into you. The new angle made your eyes roll into the back of your neck and you could’t help it now. Moans slipped past your lips as the shame and refusal slowly turned into pleasure. He hit all the right spots, his finger playing with your clit skillfully. Whenever he felt like it he would tuck on the scarf around your neck, choking you until he saw tiny veins pop under your eyes. At a certain point he pulled your body close to his, one hand in your hair, the other one trailing down your back. Before you could objectify against it, he had his finger inside of your puckering, empty hole. You bit his shoulder because it burned, never experiencing something like this before. “Fuck, you really like this darling don’t you? You’re such a good slut for me, letting me abuse all your holes like that,” he moaned and pulled you back by your hair, feeling you clenching around him more frequently. He picked up the speed, pushing another finger into you in scissoring motions, watching your eyes roll back into your head as you came undone. Aizawa made sure your husband’s eyes were looking at you. He had to know that Aizawa ruined you for him, that it was him, not Haruto, who gave you the best fuck in your life.

The black haired man will never forget how your nails dig into his skin when you fucked yourself through your high on his dick, will never forget the way you moaned out his name, forgetting everything around you but the feeling of your best orgasm. When you looked down at the man underneath you he couldn’t see a hint of fear in them and for a moment he just wanted to pull you in and kiss your cum covered face, you fitted perfectly around him and he had so much to show you. He wanted to ruin you, destroy you and build you up again, form you into his perfect little wife. Just the thought of having you anywhere possible: his car, his office, his yacht, his suit, his balcony, in his pool, his jacuzzi, so many places, so many kinks, so many positions. His thrusts became sloppier and he followed you quickly, painting your insides white. Aizawa held you close, taking in your mixed smell and enjoying your little spasms that went through your body every now and then. When he pulled out he made sure nothing would spill and took of his scarf from around you, wrapping you inside of it. “I’m gonna take better care of you than he did, darling. You take care of him,” he told his men, ordering Bakugou to stop the camera and put the DVD in his safe for later.

©Kirishoshego

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mirai-studies-languages · 3 years

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Analysis of ‘No Body No Crime’ by Taylor Swift, Part 1

Hi! As a Swiftie and a fan of literature, I absolutely love analysing Taylor Swift’s lyrics because they are absolutely phenomenal. In this post I’ll analyse some of the lyrics of Taylor Swift’s song “No body, no crime” from her album Evermore. I’ll do a line-by-line analysis, and I will elaborate more on the themes of the song, along with some further deeper analysis of the characters and semantics of the song over the next few posts. I’ll refer to ideas from other websites and sources to deepen my analysis. I can’t really provide much analysis of the actual music, since my strengths lie in language analysis. Let’s get started!

No body no crime

Straight away, our title introduces us to one of the central themes of the song: Justice. People say “no body, no crime” to suggest that as long as there is no particularly incriminating evidence, then the person being accused of the crime must be innocent. This is, of course, a rather frustrating idea, since we all know that bodies can be disposed of. The song plays with this frustration and returns to this idea as the song progresses.

Every time we hear this chorus, it is with a new layer of meaning added to it, causing us to examine the idea of evidence, or lack thereof, playing in someone’s favour, from different perspectives.

There is a sense of finality and firmness that accompanies this saying. It is the kind of thing someone might say to dismiss a person’s concerns. In the context of this song, this possibly represents how people will staunchly adhere to arbitrary beliefs, despite how this negatively impacts humanity’s ability to have a truly just justice system. This lends itself to the ever-present frustration of this song.

It is also quite a short and empty phrase, in terms of emotional depth, which is perhaps what makes it so versatile in this song. It can mean many things, or rather be seen in different lights, depending on the context of the story it is presented in.

This title can also be used to generally describe how a lack of evidence can lead the perpetrator of any crime or misdeed to walk free.

He did it He did it

The song starts with this foreboding chant, immediately leading us to ask questions. Who is “he”? What did he do?

As a listener, we already understand the cultural connotations of what is being said. When we say someone did “it”, we are usually referring to a crime, which links in nicely with the main title.

To me at least, there is a sense of anger mingled with determination in these two short sentences. They are complete short sentences that pack a lot of emotional impact with them, which emphasises our narrator’s certainty about this belief. The repetition also reinforces this. This accompanies a sense of danger and anticipation: we know he did it...now what?

Este’s a friend of mine We meet up every Tuesday night for dinner and a glass of wine

Our story begins with the introduction of the person who is arguably our plot's catalyst: Este. The way she is introduced is through the lens of our narrator, who interestingly introduces Este through the way she relates to the narrator (“a friend of mine”). It is like we are being told a story, or perhaps a confession, by an old friend because we need the narrator’s guidance on her and her character, which is strange considering we know almost nothing about our narrator.

The introduction is quite innocent, which leaves us with a sense of unease considering our morbid title and first lines. It feels like the calm before the storm, since what is being described is so normal. This initial setting adds a sense of warmth to the story. It evokes images of giggling confessions and glowing candles on a small cosy table for two. Do you know how a lot of horror films start their main story in quite a nice setting to lull the viewers into a false sense of security but also anxiety? This has that kind of energy.

We are also introduced to one of the central relationships in this story; the relationship between Este and the narrator. Our narrator (I am going to assume they are a woman) seems to have quite a friendly relationship with Este, since they are doing the activity of having dinner together. I assume that they are both women almost instantly, since friends having a get together with some wine is something I associate more with women than men.

I would also say that this also introduces a key facet of Este’s character: reliability. She makes good on her commitments, which will be more relevant later. This will give her a more likeable image.

Este’s been losing sleep

This quite swiftly moves the plot into more unfriendly territory, as we instantly wonder why on earth she is so worried. This instantly draws our sympathy, since worry is a very relatable feeling, causing us to identify with her.

Not sleeping has obviously detrimental physical effects, so whatever bad situation she is in is literally causing her to “lose” her health, which could foreshadow her death.

The fact that our narrator is being confided in by Este, this is further proof of their close relationship.

Our story so far has operated on the belief that we know who the narrator is, since it is the recounting of a story that focuses on other people (namely Este and her husband), which is strange since a single perspective is usually quite biased. The outsider’s perspective provides a sense of detachment that lends itself to the illusion of a cool unbiased narrator (which is probably not the case here). To me, it could also be indirect characterisation, and implies that the character of the narrator is not a particularly self-obsessed person, and is perhaps used to being more of a background observer. Hell, that might just be the way they are presenting themselves, in order to further justify their actions. After all, how can you fairly judge someone you don’t really know? Or the song is just quite short so you cannot really elaborate much on all the characters. There is a lot you could say about this.

Her husband’s acting different and it smells like infidelity

This, of course, instantly causes us to sympathise with Este. This misleading beginning causes us to believe that the crime in question is simply infidelity. It does not seem sinister though, since infidelity is common.

This line immediately brings up feelings of anger in the listener for obvious reasons, and anger is a pretty good motivator to keep on listening.

In saying that “it smells like infidelity” suggests that Este is something of an investigator, and is sniffing out the culprit of crimes done against her. It could also simply be a reference to smelling his bullshit (a.k.a his lies).

Also (stay with me here), maybe the use of the verb “acting” could imply that Este and her husband’s relationship has become a performance of sorts, since he is unwilling to admit that there are some obvious issues in their marriage.

This is the first post, I’ll continue my analysis in another post. I hope you enjoyed this analysis!

#taylor swift #swiftie #no body no crime #lyric analysis #taylor swift lyrics #evermore

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imo-chan-imagines · 4 years

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『 Haikyuu!! Week 2020 | Day 7 』

· Oct. 1st → Fly! ·

Characters: (teams) Karasuno, Nekoma, Fukurodani, Aoba Johsai, Shiratorizawa, (indiv.) Miya Atsumu, Miya Osamu, Aone Takanobu

Prompts: A. free choice!

Tags/warnings: Haikyuu!! (anime), Among Us (video game), PG, fluff, crack, video games, video game violence/death, headcanons, HaikyuuWeek2020

A/N: Among Us is a bit of a hot meme at the moment (great game. Go and play it/watch other people play it if you can. Get a feel for the game if you somehow haven't already.) So I thought, 'Hey, why not?' I mean, I do need to heal my heart after my Day 6 post, so...

What an amazing week it's been! Well done, everyone! All of my Haikyuu Week 2020 posts are SFW, but there's a little treasure trove of NSFW on my blog, too. Please peruse to your heart's content. Thanks for reading! Please enjoy! ♡

Haikyuu boys / playing Among Us

☆ Karasuno ☆

Literally the loudest games you'll ever witness

You know that grainy, electronic crackle that happens when everybody yells on Discord at the same time? Yeah. That

Kageyama can't lie for shit. It's so obvious when he's lying that it's a genuine miracle if he doesn't immediately get ejected

And he stands in all the wrong places when he's faking doing his tasks 😭😭

But he sounds super suspicious when he's telling the truth, too 😅

Noya and Tanaka buddy up no matter what, and go around trying to clear or murder people together

They also end up fuelling each other's incorrect assumptions

Asahi is way too timid to murder anyone right away, so if nobody dies in the first two rounds, you know it's him or someone trying to frame him...

Daichi is the host and tries to keep order in the lobby...tries someone help him

Hinata: Guys, please stop swearing! Natsu is watching me play!! waahhh 🙈 so cute 😇

Hinata always has to be orange. Don't touch his orange

Ennoshita is the king of self-reporting and getting away with it it just be like that

Kageyama goes around called 'Milk' 🥛

Tsukki tries to big-brain the shit out of it 🤣

He's also hella manipulative as an imposter and refuses to kill Yamaguchi 😭

Suga likes to take out the oxygen/recator and lie in wait for the people who come to fix it he will giggle adorably when it ends up working, which sounds kinda pshyco, ngl 😂

But totally screams at his screen when someone he suspected sneaks up on him and kills him

Yamaguchi low-key prefers the mini games to the actual game 😭😭

And Yachi loves being pink and wearing the little flower in her hair ngl, she nearly fainted the first time she got killed

She doesn't play with them often because it's so loud 😬

☆ Nekoma ☆

Kenma streams the gaming sessions on Twitch, and now they kind of have a cult following 🤷‍♀️

These fans be thirsting hard, too like us

Check out my smut headcanons, y'all 🙌

Kuroo is the closest to a genius player you're ever going to see

He does his tasks fairly efficiently, he's good at remembering layouts and people's movements, he calculates the timings of his kills with terrifying accuracy, defends himself pretty well, whether he's lying or not, can gaslight the entire lobby into sussing an innocent person, and pieces together other people's lies with surprising ease

Do not cross Kuroo. He's scary at this game. He's not the Scheming Captain for nothing, y'all

Lev is the kind of person to vent right in front of someone by accident, which is so awkward, but so funny 😂

The entire team must wear the bear ears hat. Yes, that is a rule

It's the closest to cat ears they have right now....

Kenma is pretty quiet when he's playing. He doesn't normally play online games, but his streams took off on Twitch, sooo~

Kenma also has radar ears and can somehow detect when people are lying, but waits until he has proof to accuse them he smart 🤓

☆ Fukurodani ☆

'Whoever Talks the Loudest is Right' mentality 😂

And Bokuto will defend himself at the volume of an air raid siren

Akaashi stays as quiet as possible so he doesn't give anything away

When Bokuto starts sussing people, it turns into something out of Ace Attorney like, chill tf out, man 😂

But his guesses are normally completely wrong

Akaashi sets good parameters for the games, because he's sensible

If Bokuto is given the chance to host the lobby....he will set one task each, put everyone at 4x speed, give the imposter zero cooldown time, and sit back and watch the chaos

Whenever somebody doesn't have an absolutely airtight alibi–

Bokuto: That's hella sus, bro

Lots of childish nicknames, because...well, they're all mentally six years old

Except Akaashi, who has a higher mental age than all of them combined

Let me just say that when Bokuto and Kuroo play together, shit gets so funny

When one of them is an imposter, they will literally vent in front of the other one and trust them not to out them 😂😂

☆ Aoba Johsai ☆

Iwa-chan can always tell when Oikawa is lying, and constantly calls him out on it

Iwa: That's his lying voice. Shitty-kawa is lying. He's the imposter. Vote him off

Oikawa: IWAAA-CHAAAN D:<

Because Iwa's right about Oikawa when he is the imposter, it makes it easy to frame him when it's actually Iwa who's the imposter

And no-one believes Tooru 😭😭

Kyoutani has no chill as an imposter

He just murders everyone on sight, right in front of people, too

Kindaichi tends to accuse people with very little evidence, but his instincts are weirdly accurate

Oikawa gets killed almost immediately every game, so if he isn't dead two emergency meetings in, he's 100% an imposter 😭😭

He then goes around as a salty ghost when he's killed off, mumbling to himself about injustice as he refuses to do his tasks and watches the people who voted him off get murdered one by one

Not that anyone's holding a grudge 🙄😂

Oikawa refuses to be purple and always kills whoever is purple first because it reminds him of Ushijima 😭😭

☆ Shiratorizawa ☆

Ushijima refuses to play if he can't be purple give it back. N O W

And it takes him a long time to get used to the game and the rules

'Why are the lights off? What are these tasks? Why is that one flashing at me? Where is med bay? Why can I use this vent? What's this big, red button for?' etc.

You get the idea. Toshi = big noob

He doesn't really understand the concept of lying, either...

He keeps forgetting to mute himself and ends up saying some very incriminating stuff over the mic which has everyone in literal tears from laughter

Tendou is a sneaky S.O.B, using those vents like a pro and gaslighting perfectly innocent people he's a little bloodthirsty, too 🤫

And his initial guesses about who's the imposter are almost always 100% correct Guess Monster, y'all

Goshiki goes around trying to clear people by watching them doing their tasks, especially Ushijima

But then he gets called suspicious for hanging around people too much

The first time an emergency meeting was ever called, Ushijima literally asked "Why is my name in red?" much to everyone's amusement

Everyone's scared of Ushijima when he follows them, but it normally turns out that he just doesn't know where he's going

Shirabu tends to lose his shit when people start accusing him and he's innocent, and will never EVER trust a word that comes out of Goshiki's mouth

Speaking of, Goshiki and Shirabu – boy, do they bicker like eight year-olds, wasting entire voting rounds just arguing with each other 🙄😭

So everyone else decides to vote off one, and then the other at the next meeting 😭😭

Misc.

☆ The Miya twins ☆

Atsumu puts 100% trust in Osamu not to kill him, even if he is the imposter

How could he? He's his brother. His twin. His other half. They share a unique bond–

And then he screams in betrayal when Osamu slaughters him mercilessly 😂😂

Osamu is unaffected by the sudden outburst from his brother's room

Put them together as an imposter duo, though, and you're in for some trouble

They often win by executing a perfect double kill

And they're both pretty good at lying, but Osamu will not hesitate to throw Atsumu under the bus and vote him off if he's being too suspicious or the lobby has turned against him 😂

Ah, the bond of brotherhood 😂

☆ Aone Takanobu ☆

Aone doesn't talk very much

But when he does, his voice is so low and even that nobody ever suspects he's the imposter

I'm thinking like Corpse Husband, if you've seen him playing with Pewds and the gang

It doesn't really occur to people that he could be lying. He seems so trustworthy and honest

Finds it very hard to blame anyone else, though

Is fairly decent as doing his tasks as a crewmate, but it takes him a long time to remember the layouts of the ships

Almost never gets voted off the ship

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tbhwhocaresanymore · 3 years

Text

Merry Lizmas @alyblacklist, I’m your secret Santa! Please find under the cut a short Keenler fic. It’s not very fluffy because I’m bad at that, but I tried to keep it in the Christmas spirit.

Ressler had never thought of himself as stupid.

He had always tested well, even when he hated the subject. He was fairly good at keeping his wits about him, and even as a kid his parents had never had to tell him to not get into vans with strangers. He had graduated in the top two percent of his class from Quantico, and so if he was being perfectly honest, Ressler knew he had above average intelligence. Under normal circumstances this would exempt him from taking any sort of stupid, unnecessary risk.

But whenever Liz Keen was involved, normal became a faraway dream.

He cut through a parking garage and crossed the street to start walking in the opposite direction. He’d lost the tail Cooper put on him a few blocks ago, but he was still wary Reddington might also be following somehow. He gripped the burner phone in his pocket.

The package had arrived at his apartment two days ago, and he’d received a single text with a today’s date and an address. He’d tried to trace the number only to find it disconnected, and so he’d taken out the battery and waited.

A police car with the lights off was parked on the side of the street, a bored looking cop behind the wheel. Ressler told himself he was just being paranoid. Cooper and Reddington had no proof he and Liz were in contact because they weren’tin contact, but that didn’t mean they trusted him. This was probably good judgement on their part since every so often she sent him a phone and a single text, and every time he (stupidly) showed up where she said. It probably wasn’t the healthiest relationship, but he comforted himself with the fact that at least he was honest with her, unlike her ex-husband.

He turned the corner and relaxed slightly as the cop car disappeared from view. A light snow started falling as he maneuvered around a group of carolers, ignoring a man in white robes with a sign proclaiming the imminent apocalypse.

A sign over his destination advertised VACANCY in a flickering red light. Unwilling to let the front desk worker see his face, he bypassed the office and went around the side. He took a flight of stairs two at a time, walked three doors down, and raised a hand before hesitating.

The text was burned into his eyes. Motel 6 on Down St, Room 13. 12/24 4pm.But what if this time the text hadn’t come from Liz? Or what if it had and someone had gotten here first? He shook himself. He had these fears every time he showed up to meet her, but they had yet to be realized. He’d known what he was getting himself into the first time he came without turning her in, the latest in a long line of questionable decisions involving Liz Keen.

Ressler knocked three times, and jammed his hands back in his pockets. His breath crystallized in the chilly air. He heard movement on the other side of the door and instinctively glanced over his shoulder, checking for a tail one last time.

There was the sound of a deadbolt unlocking and the door swung open.

The clock on the bedside table ticked from 4:03 to 4:04 and Liz felt her muscles crank even tighter.

An abrupt knock on the door startled her to her feet, the gun in her hand whipping up to point at the noise.

She walked up to the door and pressed the gun against it before checking through the spyhole in the door. Ressler. No matter how many times she sent for him, each time she was afraid that he wouldn’t show up.

Liz undid the chain lock and swung the door open.

Ressler blinked rapidly as he took her in, eyes scanning her up and down. “Hey.” His voice was rougher than she remembered.

“Hi.”

She stepped aside and he entered, taking his coat off and dropping it on the armoire. Liz placed her gun on top of it, drinking in the sight of him. “Thanks for coming.”

Ressler was looking at her like he’d been afraid he might never see her again. Although considering she was waging a one-woman war against Raymond Reddington, that wasn’t outside the realm of possibilities. “How are you?” Ressler asked.

Her thoughts immediately went to the patchwork of bruises on her left side. A souvenir from when she’d snuck into a business Reddington owned fifty-one percent of, and tussled with a security guard. “Fine. You?”

“Really? You’re fine?” His eyebrows rose on his forehead. “Because we got a report of a woman matching your description breaking and entering a private bank a couple days ago, a bank that happens to be controlled by Reddington. Said woman fought with a security guard who is now in the hospital but swears he got some hits in.”

Liz pursed her lips. “I’ll admit I’m a little banged up but it’s nothing.”

“Damn it Keen.” Ressler scowled at her, running a hand through his hair in frustration. “Let me take you in.”

“No.” She folded her arms.

“Then let me help you.”

“No.”

“Then what the hell am I doing here?” he demanded.

Liz felt her hands form into fists. “I missed you, you idiot.”

Ressler sighed, his shoulders dropping as he stepped forward to envelop her in a hug. Liz wrapped her arms around him, breathing deeply. She was now intimately familiar with his body in a myriad of ways, and let her hands come to rest on his shoulder blades, taking comfort in his warmth.

“What are you doing to me Liz?” She heard him whisper the words into her hair.

“I’m not doing it on purpose.” The defense had barely left her when Ressler was fisting his hand in her hair to pull her head back, kissing her harshly. She responded in kind, biting his lower lip between her teeth.

They fell into each other with a frenzy, tearing each other’s clothes off in a way that was almost violent. Certain moments stood out in her mind, ones she would turn to later when she hadn’t seen him in weeks and was cold under the covers. His mouth on her collarbone, bruising the skin, her nails scratching lines into his back, the sight of his head between her legs. The sex was angry because they were angry. Ressler was angry that Liz insisted on going this alone, was angry at himself for not taking her in. Liz was angry at the world for always taking things away, and punishing her when she tried to take things in return, she was angry with Reddington and his endless, endless need for deception and lies. They were angry about all the bodies they’d had to bury over the years.

Afterwards, spent, they laid beneath the covers of the room’s single bed. Ressler was on his back, running absent fingers through her hair, Liz had an arm on his chest and her legs mixed up with his.

She felt his chest inflate and knew he was about to speak. “There has to be some way I can help you is all I’m saying.”

Liz closed her eyes. “Can we please not do this again?” They had this fight every time they saw each other and it was getting old quick.

He sighed and pressed a kiss to her head. “I’m sorry. But thinking about you out there, all alone… it drives me crazy. I’m your partner, Liz. I’m supposed to have your back.”

“You have.” She tightened her hold on him. “You do. Seeing you like this, it helps me more than you know. And don’t think I don’t realize how much you’re risking to meet with me.”

Eventually they put their underwear and shirts back on and Liz pulled out a pack of gummy bears she’d gotten from the vending machine down the hall and a card deck. He’d been teaching her poker games like Blackjack, Razz, and Texas Hold ‘em. While her poker face was impeccable, her actual knowledge of the games left a lot to be desired.

Ressler ended up winning all her gummy bears, but she put the last one between her teeth to make him take it from her with a kiss. They ended up lying back down on the sheets, the cards getting mixed up as Ressler rolled her over and lavished kisses up and down her body, being gentle with the bruises.

After what felt like no time at all, Liz heard her text tone going off and swore quietly. She picked up their clothes on the bed, rifling through them until she found her jeans. She pulled her latest burner out of the pocket and read the message.

“What is it?”

Liz snapped the phone shut. “A guy managed to come through with something I need, but I have to go now.” NYPD had tagged the car she was using after the bank break-in, so she’d had to hitchhike back to DC where she knew someone who could get her a new one.

Ressler pushed her hair aside to kiss the mark he’d left on her neck. “Relax, I’m not asking.”

She turned around to hug him, very badly not wanting to let go. But then she closed her eyes and saw her mother’s body jerking as the bullets made contact, saw Katarina crashing to the ground, Reddington standing over her with his finger on the trigger.

“This means you have to go doesn’t it?”

Liz didn’t pull back to answer. “Yeah it does.”

Ressler knelt next to his bed, staring at the open shoe box he kept beneath the loose floorboard under his nightstand. Inside it were four identical burner phones, each with the battery removed.

Even as he stared Ressler chastised himself for being so stupid. The phones were evidence, incriminating evidence. They might not have had Keen’s fingerprints on them and she may have ditched the old numbers, but he was afraid Reddington could still use them to find her if he got his hands on them. Not to mention if anyone managed to prove Keen had sent him the phones, if Park or Cooper or Aram put in the battery and saw the message that he hadn’t reported, he could go to jail for aiding a fugitive.

But that didn’t stop him from taking the fifth phone out of his pocket and adding it to the pile. Her office and apartment had been cleared out as evidence, he had nothing else left of her.

With a sigh he placed the box back in its hiding place and turned out the lights as he climbed into bed. He found himself staring at the clock, as the minutes ticked by, until it hit midnight.

Ressler looked out the window and sighed. “Merry Christmas Liz.”

End

Okay well hope you enjoyed. Happy holidays!

#TheBlacklistSecretSanta #keenler #alyblacklist #liz x ressler

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sassyhobbits · 4 years

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One Night Standards, 2

Masterlist

~~~

There was incessant, impatient knocking at Aelin’s door. There was only one person with the audacity to do such a thing.

“I’m getting ready, Aedion!” she snapped, sliding the little diamond studs into place.

“Are you decent?” her cousin called, voice muffled slightly by the door.

“Yes,”

She heard her door open and shut quickly as Aedion stepped into her room. She glanced at him briefly in the reflection of her vanity. His hair was brushed and he wore a crisp button down, something that only happened when they had an important guest.

Aelin supposed her future husband was considered an important guest.

She watched out of the corner of her eye as her cousin glanced around her room critically. There was a lump in her throat as he took in her bed. It was still made, but crumpled. Aelin had snuck back so late last night it was nearly early and had collapsed on top of the duvet, too tired to worry about getting under the covers.

She supposed the thorough night of passion was to be blamed for the state of her room and the incriminating evidence scattered around it.

Aelin and the mystery man had gone a few more rounds last night, using up every minute they could. It had been good. Really good. The best sex Aelin had had in a long while. But, eventually, the dream had to end. He had fallen asleep, tangled within the sheets. The only thing that had stopped Aelin from following him into oblivion had been the knowledge that she had to return home that night.

So, she had shimmied back into her dress, scooped up her heels, and allowed herself one last glance at the massive man sprawled across the bed, slumbering peacefully. She had hoped that whatever awaited him the next day would be better than what Aelin had to endure.

Her eyes skipped to the foot of her bed, to where her towering heels sat beside her skimpy dress, crumpled carelessly on the ground. Aedion followed her gaze, eyes that matched her own narrowing when he put the pieces together.

"Where the hell were you last night?" he demanded.

Aelin pursed her lips, looking away from the fury in her cousin's face back to her own reflection. "Out,"

"Are you serious right now?"

"Does it look like I'm joking?"

Aedion’s eyes were nothing but burning anger. “Are you out of your mind, Aelin? I thought you were past all of this. Did you take anything?”

She looked sharply over her shoulder and narrowed her eyes. “I didn’t take anything. Just some shots. Vodka,”

Her cousin shook his head disapprovingly. “What were you thinking?”

“I was thinking,” she worked out through clenched teeth. “That in half an hour I will be engaged to a stranger. I was thinking that I wanted to enjoy my last night of freedom,”

“And you spent it drunk and partying?”

“I spent it in a hotel room with the hot guy I hooked up with,”

Aedion made a loud noise of disgust before cautiously eyeing the dress that Aelin now wore. Heather grey, with capped sleeves. It fit her body nicely, showing off her curves in the most conservative way possible, hitting just at her knees. But the detail that her cousin was focused on was the thick, draping turtleneck.

He hooked a finger around it and tugged to the side, revealing the line of tiny bruises scattered along her throat. Aelin batted his hand away testily.

“Gods help us,” he muttered.

The rude response resting on the tip of Aelin’s tongue faded away at the polite knock on the door, the only warning before it opened. Lysandra swept in, looking as beautiful and put together as ever in a deep green dress, raven hair flowing down her shoulders.

“Are you two getting at it already?” she tutted.

“He started it,” Aelin grumbled.

“You deserved it,” he replied.

Lysandra shook her head. “You two are insufferable,”

She walked up behind Aelin, running an expert eye over her from top to bottom. Lysandra, besides being the princess’s closest friend, was also her stylist. She had an excellent eye and Aelin trusted her wholeheartedly, both with her closet and, in turn, with her life.

“You need a bracelet or something,” Lysandra muttered. “Silver, to go with the earrings,”

She went to Aelin’s jewelry box, rummaging around her jewelry box for a few moments before taking out a shining chain. A Tiffany bracelet, with a specially made charm bearing her family’s crest hanging from it. Aelin held out her wrist, allowing Lysandra to clip it into place. Her uncle had given it to her on her birthday years ago.

Aelin stood, sweeping into her stuffed closet and grabbing a pair of pointed-toe pumps. She stepped into them before giving herself a once-over in the mirror.

It was a stark difference from the woman she had been last night. That woman had been wild and free. The one that looked to her now… she was calm and collected and put together. Aelin’s hair was neatly twisted back into a bun at the back of her head, two strands resting on either of her cheeks to frame her face. Mascara coated her lashes, making her turquoise eyes even more vivid. A simple, shining gloss painted her lips. The perfect image of a princess.

She breezed from her closet, finding Lysandra and Aedion murmuring between one another. Lysandra’s bright green eyes snapped to hers, raising a perfectly groomed brow playfully.

“Aedion tells me you had a full night,” she said. “Was he good?”

“Very. Not to mention hot,”

It had been the best way possible to end her time as a single woman. Aelin didn’t know the next time she would be intimate with someone. Her future husband could very well want nothing to do with her. Or, conversely, he could want her very badly. Aelin knew she was an attractive woman, many men would give their left eye for a single night with her.

Aelin held back the uncomfortable shiver that threatened to race down her body. Engaged or not, the prince wouldn’t get anything out of her she didn’t want to give.

She had been pondering her potential future for the past few days. This marriage was nothing more than a business arrangement. Aelin didn’t have much faith in men. She knew the chances of her future husband having an affair were high. She was sure it would be discrete but… it could very much happen. She didn’t know if she herself would one day be desperate and lonely enough to do the same but…

She would think about that later.

“Do I look alright?” she asked.

“You look beautiful, Aelin,” Lysandra said. “Prince Whitethorn is a lucky man,”

Yes, Prince Rowan Whitethorn of Doranelle. Her future fiancé. Aelin hadn’t thought his name since the first time she had heard it.

“He’s even luckier that he doesn’t even have to work for me,” Aelin said. “I’m being offered up on a silver platter,”

Aedion’s face fell at her words. “Aelin…” he whispered. “You know Orlon doesn’t mean-”

“I know,” she cut him off, voice soft but firm. “I didn’t mean it like that. I will do whatever I need to for Terrasen,”

Her cousin reached out and took her hand, giving it a comforting squeeze. The thick silence between them said enough.

Another knock at Aelin’s door. If they kept going at this rate, all of Orynth would be in her room by noon.

“Come in,” she called.

The door opened a crack, and Ren Allsbrook, the son of one of her uncle’s closest advisors, peeked his head in. His mouth was set grimly, face devoid of any playfulness. He opened his mouth and uttered two words that sent Aelin’s heart plummeting to the bottom of her gut.

“He’s here,”

The breath was stolen from her lungs, but she managed a stiff nod.

“Right,” Aelin said. “Well, best not to keep him waiting,”

Lysandra quickly embraced her, kissing her cheeks and promising to see her later that night. Aelin then looked to her cousin and nodded. It was finally time to take that final step.

They didn’t speak as they walked down the familiar halls that Aelin had grown up in. They were quiet today, no staff or guests fluttering about. The sound of her heels against the marble floor was nearly deafening, but it drowned out the thump of her pounding heart.

They grew closer and closer to the grand front room in which Aelin was to meet her future husband. She would assume her uncle was already down there, could hear voices echoing from down the hall. She could see the top of the grand staircase that would lead her down to the front room, but her sure steps faltered in front of a familiar painting.

It was a portrait of her parents, painted soon after they had married. They looked so young, so happy. Her father’s hair had been a deep brown, not streaked with grey as it had been the last time she had seen him. Her mother looked more or less the same, face perhaps a tad smoother, but her eyes, eyes that matched Aelin’s, were the same. Most importantly, they looked happy.

It had been three years since she had lost them. Three years since they had been assassinated at a charity event they had been hosting. Aelin had lost much that day, too many people she had loved.

Aedion noted that she had stopped, coming to her side. She knew he missed her parents just as much as she did. They had raised him alongside Aelin after his mother's passing.

“They would be proud of what you’re doing for your country, Aelin,” he said softly.

Proud, perhaps. And maybe just a bit sad. Aelin’s parents had loved one another immensely, supported one another through whatever troubles they had faced. She knew they always hoped that she would find that kind of love. It seemed the gods were not on her side.

Aelin couldn’t find it within herself to respond, simply turning heel and making that final march towards the staircase.

At the precipice, Aelin glanced down at the room before her. She saw her uncle’s back to her, Darrow, his husband and head of their PR team, beside him. She couldn’t hear what they were saying, carefully taking the first step down. Her uncle was speaking to two people, both men. One had bronzed skin and wild, golden, curly hair he clearly had tried to tame to the best of his abilities. He was dressed too casually to be the prince.

Her uncle and Darrow turned when they heard her heels clicking against the stairs. The golden haired man looked up too, but he wasn’t the one that Aelin had eyes for.

Aelin could have sworn that time stopped as the fourth man tilted his face up towards her.

She wondered if the gods had always had a cruel sense of humor, or if they were stepping out of their comfort zone for her.

The stranger she had been prepared to marry wasn’t, in fact, a stranger.

She recognized the strong, elegant planes of his face. The short silver hair, the pine green eyes, that powerful body partially hidden under a perfectly tailored suit. It seemed Aelin had worried for nothing. She wouldn’t be marrying a stranger.

She would be marrying her one-night stand.

The man she had shared the passionate night with, who she had danced against in the crowded club, was Prince Rowan Whiethorn.

Aelin quickly mastered herself, not wanted to falter and go careening down the stairs. Her eyes were trained on the prince, watching as his gaze trailed over her. For a moment, she wondered if he would even recognize her. She had looked like a different person last night. He had also been drinking. She remembered tasting the tang of whiskey when their tongues had tangled. Maybe his memory of the previous night was too blurry to place her.

Even from the steadily shrinking distance, Aelin saw the prince’s brows furrow, as if trying to remember how she was familiar. He studied her for a few more heartbeats before Aelin saw recognition spark in his eyes.

Her stomach dropped as Rowan Whitethorn’s eyes grew a fraction of an inch, lips tightening almost imperceptibly. But she noticed.

He remembered her.

The trek down the stairs took far too long, her eyes not leaving Rowan’s the entire time. Maybe she should have googled him once she knew they would be married, then they wouldn’t be in this damned fiasco.

But clearly he hadn’t recognized her last night either.

Aelin barely noticed as her uncle smiled brightly at her. “Ah, Aelin! There you are,”

She forced her eyes from Rowan and looked towards her uncle, offering a tiny, pleasant grin of her own. “Good morning, uncle. Darrow,”

She smoothed her skirt as she came to a stop before them, trying to keep herself from fidgeting in place.

“Aelin…” her uncle said. “Allow me to introduce Lord Fenrys Moonbeam and Prince Rowan Whitethorn of Doranelle,”

The golden-haired man, Fenrys, bowed respectfully at the waist. Aelin dipped her chin in response, barely noticing how handsome he was. Instead, she looked towards the prince. He reached out respectfully and took her hand within his.

Aelin hoped he didn’t notice how her breath caught in her throat, remembering how those hands had felt on her body last night, how they had made her gasp and moan.

Rowan bent at the waist and placed a kiss that was little more than a peck on the back on her hand.

“It’s an honor to meet you… Aelin,” he murmured.

“Likewise,”

The prince straightened and looked her in the eye again. They both barely dared to move, staring unblinkingly at one another. She wanted to say something, but any proper words seemed to elude her.

She didn’t miss as Fenrys nudged Rowan with his elbow, making the prince blink rapidly as he started.

“You look very beautiful,” Rowan said a tad too quickly.

Aelin tried not to roll her eyes. He had said as much last night, but it was more along the lines of incredibly sexy, which was also true.

“Thank you,” Aelin said, offering up a terse smile.

“We’re honored to welcome you to Orynth,” Orlon said. “I hope your journey was pleasant. We apologize that we were unable to receive you last night,”

“It’s perfectly fine,” Fenrys said with a charming grin. “Our flight came in late. The hotel you booked was perfect and we were able to keep ourselves entertained,”

Aelin saw Rowan’s fingers curl into fists. To anyone else, the last phrase was nothing but innocent. But it seemed Fenrys was savvy to what Rowan had done last night. She assumed he wasn’t aware that the woman his prince had brought back the night prior was standing right before them. Aelin didn’t remember seeing him last night.

“Well, I’m sure you must be famished,” Orlon said. “Why don’t we take lunch?”

Aelin tried not to cringe. Gods, would this be an awkward meal.

She looked once more to Rowan, only to find he was already looking at her. They both looked away nearly comically quickly.

Aelin sucked down a sharp, bracing breath. She would survive this.

…

Rowan Whitethorn was screwed.

He was screwed because he had screwed the woman sitting across from him, who was currently sitting as stiff as a board.

Maybe it was his fault for not researching his future wife upon agreement of the engagement.

When his aunt had come to him with a preposition, Rowan found himself without much room to refuse. He was an unessential prince, not heir to anything. His family had been serving Doranelle for generations. If Rowan had tried to refuse, his uncle would have found a way to force his hand anyway, if Maeve didn’t first. His queen had wanted to build connections with Terrasen for as long Rowan could remember, and she had found a way in through him.

So Rowan had made it easier on himself and everyone else and agreed. Apparently, he was already self-loathing enough that it barely bothered him. He wasn’t in love with anyone, hadn’t been for years. He didn’t know if he would ever be able to love anyone again. Not after Lyria.

Rowan had been unfeeling enough after agreeing to the arrangement that he hadn’t bothered to think much about the woman who he would be wed to. He had heard her name before, as heir to a kingdom, it was impossible not to. He supposed he had seen photos of her here and there, in magazines, online, but nothing that had stuck in his head.

Besides, last night, she had been an entirely different woman.

Rowan remembered seeing her across the bar, her hair messy in an enticing way, falling down the open back of her skin-tight dress. She had moved within the center of the dancing mass as if she were the only person there. He had observed her from his perch in the bar longer than he cared to admit as he nursed whiskey after whiskey.

He and Fenrys had gone to the club the moment they had stashed their belongings in their respective hotel rooms. The lord had come with him partially for politics, partially to make sure the prince didn’t go batshit before the wedding.

Rowan hadn’t gone to the bar expecting to go home with anyone. He had been tired and resentful enough of his situation that he wanted to drown his woes in amber liquid.

But then he had seen her.

Aelin. He had seen Aelin.

It seemed he and the princess had a similar idea of how she desired to spend her last night of freedom.

Rowan couldn’t pinpoint the exact moment his inhibitions had flown out the window, but he remembered knocking back the rest of his drink, telling Fenrys not to wait up, and striding into the crowd towards the woman who had held his eyes.

He couldn’t believe that the fine lady sitting before him, taking dainty bites of her salad, was the same woman who had pressed her body against his last night, whispered obscene things against his ear, had begged him not to hold back.

And now she was rather quiet. So was he, to be fair.

Aelin’s uncle helped fill the silence, Fenrys doing his fair share to keep the conversation going. Aedion Ashryver, Aelin’s cousin, simply looked at him as if he could see all the way through his skin. Clearly, he wanted to know about the man that would be marrying his cousin.

Rowan thoroughly ignored the pointed looks Fenrys kept throwing his way, trying to prompt him to say something, to ask the princess something about herself. Even if Rowan wanted to, he didn’t know what he would say. Was that your favorite club? How often do you sneak out and hook up with strangers?

He couldn’t ask any of that. So he stayed silent and let his companion drive the conversation.

Rowan barely remembered eating, mostly running on muscle memory to force the food down his throat. Their plates were quickly and quietly cleared away by the staff until they were all alone again in the pleasantly lit dining room.

Rowan noted as the king looked to the man on his right. Weylan Darrow, the king’s husband and PR director. They shared a quick, meaningful look before Darrow laced his fingers together and leaned forward.

“There are a few matters to discuss regarding the engagement,” he said, glancing between Rowan and the princess a few times.

Rowan nodded. He had expected this talk upon arrival. They were at least courteous enough to wait until after they ate before getting into it.

“Now, although this marriage is arranged,” Darrow began. “It would be best to display it as a real relationship to our people. Arranged marriages are… tricky in the public’s eye. We want this to be as peaceful a transition as possible,”

Rowan noted Aelin’s lips press themselves into a tight line. “How do we explain this sudden engagement, then?” she asked.

“We’ve thought that through,” Darrow said. “I was thinking somewhere along the lines of a summer romance, kept on the low to keep out of the spotlight. Say something about Prince Whitethorn valuing his privacy, since that already follows with what most of the public knows of you. That is, if you are both alright with that,”

Rowan looked towards Aelin at the same moment she looked towards him.

“It’s fine with me if it’s fine with Prince Rowan,” she said.

“I have no qualms with it,” he said.

“Very well then,” Darrow said.

“The announcement will be made tomorrow,” Orlon explained. “And from there… you two will be very busy, I’m afraid,”

“Busy?” Rowan asked, raising a brow.

“Interviews, statements, planning,” Aelin said casually, tracing shapes on the tablecloth before her with a well-manicured finger.

Rowan had forgotten that in Terrasen, and in some other places, Aelin Ashryver Galathynius was somewhat a celebrity. He was sure cameras and press had been following her around since she was born. A beautiful, young princess. It was no wonder the public would be enamoured with her, why they may dislike the idea of their precious princess giving her hand away in marriage, despite the fact that it was done in their best interests.

And now that Rowan would be getting married to her, he would have to get used to being in the public's eye as well.

“We can finish particulars about… everything tomorrow,” Darrow said, pushing to his feet alongside the king. “We shall give you two time to settle in,”

“Thank you,” Rowan said, rising as the others around the table did as well. Then, he spoke before he could truly think, “Allow me to walk you back to your chambers, princess,”

Aelin paused and blinked, the most surprise she would let herself show. She mastered herself quickly, smiling politely at him.

“Of course,”

Rowan rounded the table, holding out an arm for the princess to take. She placed a delicate hand on his forearm, but was barely able to meet his gaze. He allowed himself a quick glance down at her, noting the high neck of her dress. He knew it was to cover the bruises he had left scattered over her throat last night. He hadn’t thought twice of it then.

“I’ll see you this evening,” Aelin said to her family in farewell.

Rowan tried to ignore the stiffness in his limbs as he walked the princess out of the dining room.

“Which direction?” he asked.

“To the left,”

They marched side by side in a tense silence until the voices from the dining room faded into faint rumbles. And then, it was simply a waiting game to see who spoke first.

It was Aelin.

“So,” she spoke softly, but didn’t seem to have anything else prepared.

“Yeah,” Rowan agreed.

She wet her lips and looked up towards him. “This was… unexpected,”

“That’s a bit of an understatement,” he sighed. “You, uh… you didn’t know what I looked like?”

“No,” she admitted. “I hadn’t wanted to make any expectations, I suppose. But, you didn’t know what I looked like?”

“Even if I had, you do not look like the same person you did last night,”

Aelin shook her head, looking at him in bewilderment. “How could you not know what I looked like? My photos are everywhere. News sites, magazines, social media. You can't go to the damned grocery store without my seeing my face on those trashy tabloids surrounded by pregnancy rumors,”

Rowan could only shrug. “I don’t pay much attention to those sort of things,”

“Right,” Aelin breathed, letting her head droop. “Well… I’m not quite sure what to say,”

Neither was Rowan, but he spoke anyway. “Do you often sneak out to clubs and go home with strangers?”

The moment the words left his mouth, Rowan knew they were the wrong ones. He didn’t even have time to hang his head in shame, to try to apologize, before Aelin had skidded to a stop and whirled towards him, face alight with a bright fury.

“Excuse me?” she hissed in indignation. “I distinctly remember you doing just the same! When you were due to be engaged the next day!”

All ideas of a swift apology flew from his head at the insinuation. Rowan narrowed his eyes. “You did just the same, princess. Don’t throw stones,”

She took a belligerent step forward. “I’ll throw whatever I damn well please! Did you even wait five minutes before leaving your hotel and looking for someone to fuck?”

“You have a filthy mouth,”

Said filthy mouth curled into a cruel smile as she took another step forward, close enough so they could share breath. She placed a finger on his chest.

“You sure as hell didn’t mind my filthy mouth last night,” she drawled. “When it was all over you,”

Rowan took a sharp step back. “Is this a joke to you?”

He was practically getting whiplash from the different facets of the princess, trying to figure out who she really was. From the wild, desperate women she was last night, the prim little princess this afternoon, to the infuriating, sour person before him.

Rowan had expected to tie himself to a polite, perhaps a bit pretentious, princess. It hadn't been his ideal woman, but he would have managed.

But Aelin Ashryver Galathynius was not what he had expected.

That wasn't necessarily a good thing.

The princess let out a bitter bark of laughter, shaking her head. “Kinda, yeah. You don’t find this whole situation a cruel sort of irony?”

“I think marriage is rather serious, no matter the circumstances,”

“Please,” she scoffed. “This marriage is nothing more than a business deal. Terrasen is broke and I’m whoring myself out so my people don’t starve,”

“That’s a rather astute comparison, actually,”

The resounding smack echoed through Rowan’s ears before the burning stinging on his cheek registered. He blinked once, looking at the princess before him, eyes alight with a fiery rage unlike the which he had ever seen.

And she had slapped him.

Aelin’s nostrils flared, her chest rising and falling deeply, as if she were trying to reel in her emotions. Surprising. She had a temper.

“Fuck you,” she spat.

Rowan had no response to the venom he found in her voice, only holding her gaze for a heartbeat longer before she swiftly turned and swept away, the clicking of her heels fading into the distance.

He ground his teeth, his glare nearly burning a hole into the spot where his future wife had just stood.

Gods help him.

~~~

a/n: here’s the next chapter! still getting used to posting on tumblr so please let me know if your tags worked or not! let me know what yall think!

tags: @b00kworm @tswaney17 @the-dark-swan @superspiritfestival @rowaelinforeverworld @giorgia-the-trashpanda @http-itsrebecca @minaidss @randmfandms16 @lissak03 @i-love-all-books @amren-courtofdreams @bamchickawowow @faerie-queen-fireheart @fictional-horan @chemicha @keshavomit @iliketoasterstrudels @aknymph @rowaelin-cressworth @westofmoon

#one night standards #rowaelin #rowaelin au #arranged marriage #modern royalty #my writing

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avversiera-writes · 3 years

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‘till death do us part - chapter 7 [tobirama senju/you]

Chapter 7 - Make Him King

Summary: Tobirama gives Hashirama a chance to make it right. Unknowingly, pieces fall into place, pushing Tobirama to finally step up.

Words: 3.4k

A/N: okay, somewhere in this series, i did say that Hashirama stepped down as Hokage because of his depression, his self-destructing way of gambling and maybe alcholism. I did not accept the fact that Hashirama's death was GLOSSED OVER, so I am slowly making preparations of how to go about it. Depression is serious, and it affects not only you, but the people around you. I hope I did it justice implying it here because you know this is the ninja world, there is no such thing as mental health to them apparently. I also did put in like little easter eggs that most of these characters here suffer a form of ptsd, exacerbated by the situations they are put in, but I will leave it to you to draw conclusions. Maybe it isn't enough, but the lack of evidence can sometimes be telling.

the Senju brothers will make up, they are siblings after all, and they have a really strong bond. these are just tough times.

anyways, get ready for the last chapter LOLLLLS

cw // VERY SLIGHT knife? blade play??? listen to two weeks by fka twigs when you get to it HEHEHHE

available on AO3.

<< Chapter 1 - Allegiances // Chapter 2 - Union // Chapter 3 - Love Like You // Chapter 4 - Look to the Horizon // Chapter 5 - Return // Chapter 6 - How to Steal a Crown

While you dry yourself, Tobirama prepares hot tea and sets up the fireplace just outside the living room to keep the heat going. You settle yourself on Tobirama’s makeshift study in the living room, and study the ledgers he presented to you, and his upcoming plans that the village is gradually adapting. You sip at the hot tea, and thank Tobirama when he puts a thicker blanket on your shoulders and the two of you spend this late hour in silence, going over the papers that Tobirama arranged on the table.

“Tobirama, this is all well and good–amazing–really,” you praise him for his plans–they are more than what you can imagine. Tobirama has such an intelligent mind, and each time, he never fails to surprise you. “But, some of these take years and a lot of money to apply.”

“I know,” Tobirama drones on.

“I do not know if the village will hold,” you say, trying to find the right words to express what is on your mind. “Appearance-wise, we are quite strong, but these...are incriminating evidence. Someone is always out there, looking for an in, a weakness, and technically, this is tyranny.”

Tobirama nods stoically, and his eyes darken.

“If someone usurps your brother’s place unexpectedly,” you begin, but Tobirama finishes your sentence.

“Then Konoha is doomed,” he concludes and he meets your eyes. You see sorrow and determination in them, his preparation to do the worst to do good.

“Everything you have worked for, have fought for, will fall apart,” you affirm. “It is one thing to build these walls and these incredible infrastructures...but we are dust without labor and money and you know this already.”

You glance at your husband, wondering why you have to lay out his thoughts for him.

Tobirama stands up and he starts to pace.

“Tobirama, you know what to do,” you aver, and you set down the book you are holding. You watch the way his jaw tenses. “What are you waiting for?”

Tobirama continues to pace, and you can clearly see the wheels turning in his head. “He will never forgive me for this.”

You press your lips together, and you let out a heavy sigh. “Does this count as a coup?”

“What?” Tobirama snaps, his eyes getting fiery by the second. “Of course not. We can get a council together and vote. We’re not killing anyone.”

You sigh in relief. “Well, good. You know you won’t stand a chance against your brother.”

“I am glad to know that you have such unwavering faith in me,” Tobirama sneers.

“Okay, okay, calm down,” you try to pacify him.

“Stop joking around,” Tobirama commands.

You gesture at him to keep going. You begin to fill your cup with tea again, but Tobirama takes the teapot and pours it himself.

“I froze the village funds temporarily so that I can give back what was taken,” Tobirama says. “But it will not last.”

“My students are still in my family’s land,” you begin slowly. “I can write a letter and ask for some money to be delivered, if that can help.”

Tobirama nods, and he sighs in relief. “That will help. The other daimyos are still hesitant to loan money, and well, we cannot let the word spread too far.”

“The daimyos love their money.” You sigh, and see Tobirama crack a small smirk.

“Now, obviously, this is a temporary solution,” you facilitate the conversation. “What are you going to do now? These plans...Tobirama, they require proper management and judgement, and from what you have told me, your brother is not up for this.”

Tobirama’s forehead knits in frustration.

“It is not betrayal,” you reassure him. “He will learn to forgive you with time.”

“I will give him one more chance to get it together,” Tobirama asserts, but the both of you know well how things are going to go.

You finally release a breath you have been holding. Things are happening too fast, and too soon. You are not ready to give up your husband for the village, but he is someone who never steps away from responsibility. Not when he has the means to make everything right. You wonder if you are encouraging another storm.

Tobirama leaves before lunch, leaving you alone in a messy house that for some reason refuses to make itself habitable. Despite your efforts of moving your stuff in, it still feels empty. For now, you just try to clean what you can without being too exhausted, and you peek into Tobirama’s study, trying to decide if you should touch anything and risk his lecturing about how particular he is about his things.

You leave it alone for now, and you decide to wander around the house. You observe the garden, and the small pond in the corner, walk on the cobbled stone paths that seem to wind all over the place. The house seems very traditional compared to the small apartment that you used to stay in, that this transition to a bigger house makes you feel so little and vulnerable. You want to fill it up with something, but then you do not want anything unconventional in the house and alienate yourself from it. No, you want something inviting, and warm, a foundation to build a life on.

You are not much of a gardener, since you have spent more time holding weapons rather than flowers, but you decide to try your hand on it so that you can fill your time and occupy your mind. You go around the village, looking for simple decorations, and new curtains and bedsheets, seeds of flowers you want to try and raise, and you focus on your self-made tasks.

While going around the market to shop for dinner ingredients, you spot Hiruzen talking to a lady with light brown hair, who seems to be looking at him, unimpressed, but you can spot the softness around her eyes. You decide to stick around, pretending to mind your own business, to observe what’s up, and when the lady leaves, you decide to approach Hiruzen, whose ears are slightly blushing from the encounter.

“Hm, who was that?” You ask casually.

Tobirama’s favorite student starts, and he turns to you, like you caught him red-handed.

You raise an eyebrow, and Hiruzen shakes his head, finding no reason to keep this a secret from you.

“Her name is Biwako, she’s studying to be a medical-nin,” Hiruzen clears his throat. He relieves some of the stuff you are carrying. “How are you and Tobirama-sensei?”

You shrug, and you give Hiruzen a playful smile. “But I want to talk about you and Biwako.”

“Sensei,” Hiruzen protests.

“Fine, fine,” you chuckle.

Hiruzen seems to have grown older, it’s hard to believe that they were just pre-teens when you first met them. Now, he is even getting ready to date and it makes you almost nostalgic.

As you two near your home, Hirzuen’s face changes to a more serious one. He seems to be stringing the correct sentences to say. His forehead knits, and lips purse, and you sigh.

“Yes?”

“Tobirama-sensei met with my father and the other clan leaders,” Hiruzen starts. “Is something...wrong?”

You stare ahead as you walk, trying to think about how to go about this.

“Your sensei will not penalize you for deducing on your own,” you tell him. “For now…”

You stop short from the gate of your house, sensing a presence in it.

“I will take it from here, okay?” You send Hiruzen a reassuring smile, and take your stuff back from him. “I will see you soon.”

Hiruzen’s puzzled look does not get better, but he does as you say and leaves. You enter your home and find your sister-in-law waiting for you by the engawa. You look around, trying to see if she brought her sons with her or her personal maids, but she is alone.

You set the rest of your things on the porch and you gesture inside to let her in.

Your heart thuds against your throat. Mito looks refined and elegant as always, and this is emphasized by the fact that the current state of your house is in disarray. You almost feel ashamed, but you note that the air she weaves around you is serious. You are not really sure how to act around her yet, but you remember her kindness towards you before your wedding.

“I won’t be long,” Mito suddenly says.

You nod and avert your eyes as a sign of respect.

“I know that someday your husband will be Hokage,” Mito folds her hands in front of her. “I did not imagine that it will come so soon, and in this way.”

“Tobirama is only trying to help,” you say evenly, but even to you, it sounds lacking and unconvincing.

“Save your words,” Mito cuts sharply. “I will talk to my husband to step down willingly, if it comes to it.”

You look down at the floor. You hear her move towards the door.

“I hope that this does not cause a rift between us,” Mito suddenly says. “I do not hope to alienate you. I think we could be friends, if you choose to act on behalf of friendship. This is my hand being extended to you.”

You hold your breath until she leaves, and you let it out, feeling the need to sit down. This is why you hated your husband’s politics. It suffocates and it hurts others even if you do not mean to. You wonder how Tobirama does it. He probably finds it fun despite the stress that it brings him.

You forget any thoughts of gardening for today and you search for your swords.

You twist the katana in your hand, slowly forcing the other half of your body to get back to working condition. It is not as flexible as before, but the pain is completely gone, and not even a visible scar is left. Focusing your energy at the point of the blade, you go forward and wind it back to strike at the air. Then, quickly keeping the sword in a straight line, you stab at the air, and your body fluidly follows to flip forward. You let your thoughts pass through you and you deliver them out, like an act of contrition.

You flip your sword again, your wrist twisting to wind behind your arm behind you back, and you rest your blade on your shoulder blade.

Taking a deep breath, you wait for your heartbeat to steady itself. Sweat drops from your temple, from your neck to your chest, and the cool late afternoon that sweeps by immediately provides relief.

You feel Tobirama’s presence come up from behind, and you whirl around, unwinding your arm from your back, and you point your sword towards him.

Tobirama regards you, his face easing to a more smug expression.

You use the flat tip of the katana to tip his chin upwards, and Tobirama’s eyes narrow, anticipating your next move.

An inexplicable hunger tears through your body, and you bring your sword down to his chest, tracing lightly at the lines, until it stops short on his collar. The warm afternoon changes, and suddenly, your skin is humming and it flushes with heat. You watch as Tobirama visibly swallows, his Adam's apple bobbing up and down. You undo his clothes by cutting the front of his yukata open, revealing his naked and defined torso.

Biting your lower lip, you lightly press the sharp edge of your blade to the center of his abdomen, drawing blood, and the sight almost makes you light-headed. You do not know what has gotten into you, but it makes you want to drink in Tobirama and get your fill.

“Everything is arranged,” Tobirama states, and he knocks the blade aside with his palm, catching you off-guard and seizing the moment to his direction. Then, he grabs the blunt edge of the blade and uses it to pull you closer to him.

Your mouth latches itself to his mouth and you devour him, licking the neck muscle that juts out when he flexes his jaw, and you travel further down, to the base of his chest and suck the blood that you drew out. Your free hand grabs at one of Tobirama’s arms to placate him and prevent him from touching you, and you look up coyly, meeting his fierce eyes. Then, you take the blade to his neck, and regard him from a distance.

In this moment and in another Senju household, Mito is talking to Hashirama and she is trying to steal him back from the claws of the demons that live in the shadows of every contrived reality.

And you are getting ready to throw your own husband into the fire.

“And if it doesn’t work?” You ask, and you meet his eyes levelly.

Tobirama finally gives the words life. “I will take up the mantle.”

You lower your sword, your emotions and the pride you feel for him clashing against each other.

“I haven’t had you for long,” you murmur.

Tobirama stands there, unsure of what to make of your comment. “Preposterous,” he snaps. “I’m not dying.”

You raise an eyebrow.

“You understand the responsibilities it demands of me,” Tobirama explains as if you already don’t know.

Gods, you have spent so much time fearing for him over it.

“Shut up,” you whisper.

You plant your sword to the ground, and you go to him and you capture his lips into yours. Tobirama’s hands immediately come to your waist, and he returns your kiss with the same fervor. You take his face into your hands, and you relay to him your heart. You open yourself more and more to him, and maybe it is reckless. Maybe you will lose everything, but nothing is set in stone.

Tobirama presses your body against his aggressively, and he carries you in a swift movement, and lays you down on your back on the engawa. He violently pulls apart your clothing, and rips it off you. His mouth ravishes your neck, the dips of your collarbone. His hands fondle your breasts, and kneads your waist, and you writhe under him, his every touch making you more euphoric by the second. You close your eyes, and you arch your body towards him, yearning for him to take you.

You gasp out your want, and he presses a soothing kiss on your collarbone. You hear his breathing, loud and overwhelmed, and then, he fucks you senseless on the wraparound porch of your house. You stifle your screams, as they sound almost guttural, but Tobirama takes your wrists and pins them above your head as he grinds into you at a rapacious pace. He leans over, and kisses you on the lips, insistent and tender, and you let him in, closer, and even closer.

Your eyes snap open as Tobirama ruts against you, and your hips and your legs shake from pure ecstasy. You see Tobirama’s eyes, and you feel his desperation and the fight that he has yet to continue inside his mind.

You bite Tobirama’s shoulder as you come, and Tobirama fucks you through it, his hips snapping wildly, and you feel him unravel inside you with a growl and you keen, tears involuntary flowing out from your eyes.

You gasp, as your high continues to make your body spasm–every touch sends jolts of pleasure that wipes your mind white. Tobirama leans over you to cover your body with his, not yet pulling out. He plants light kisses on your temple, your cheekbone and your ear, and he whispers your name, and three words that he always saves for you.

Tobirama has only said it once before, but he has said it to you more than anyone has.

Your fingers come up to brush his cheek, and you hold him closer, showing him that you heard him. You feel his fingers clutch your hair, and then he slides his hand under the back of your head.

He meets your eyes and you remember him like this, all soft and broken open for you. This is the Tobirama that you have always seen beneath his many and complicated layers. It took a while to pry them apart. You want to hope for the best, but maybe Tobirama’s pragmatism is rubbing off on you. You know that it is simply time.

You crack a tired smile. “You say the worst things.”

The surroundings are dark now, but you can make out the amused expression on his face. “I did say it first.”

You chuckle, and Tobirama hooks your legs around his waist, and then picks you up by sliding his arms around your back to carry you into the house.

The council is gathered in a closed off room somewhere undisclosed in the village. This is a meeting about Konoha’s village funds, and a scare tactic to make Hashirama get his act together. The council filled with the clan leaders are eyeing each other, sensing the tension between the two Senju brothers.

Tobirama jots down anything that may be of importance, and when the meeting is adjourned, Hashirama abruptly stands up before anyone else could move.

“Alright, what is this?” Hashirama finally demands.

“Brother,” Tobirama interrupts. “Do you not mind?”

Hashirama seems to have grown his claws around his brother. “I do not like what this council insinuates.”

The days of fighting are finally weighing on the two of them.

Tobirama watches his brother carefully, and he looks down on the paper, unable to read his writing. Technically, they cannot really abdicate him without the presence of the fire daimyo, so he does not know what Hashirama is talking about. This was only supposed to get the village on his back.

“Fine,” Hashirama snaps. “I quit. You be the Hokage then.”

The room erupts into chaos, and Tobirama stares at his elder brother, aghast. Hashirama storms out of the room, and Tobirama glances at the council, for once, unsure of what to say. It wasn’t supposed to be like this.

Tobirama chases after his brother, and they stop moving once they make it outside.

“Elder brother, I beseech you to take back your words,” Tobirama almost sounds pleading. “The village still needs you.”

“I single-handedly almost destroyed what we built,” Hashirama almost shouts as he whirls around. “You know well that you are the only one who is capable of leading it, of making the harder decisions I could not make.”

Tobirama crosses his arms, and he falls silent. The air grows thick with their auras, but it is not to fight with each other.

“I do not want to lose anyone else,” Hashirama confesses brokenly. “This village means nothing if…”

Tobirama angrily says, “If Madara is not here? After all this time, you forgive him?”

“You and your paranoia towards the Uchiha!” Hashirama shouts back. “He was a member of this village and you actively opposed him!”

“I did what I had to do!” Tobirama snaps steely. “For you! For this village!”

“Keep telling yourself that!”

Tobirama shuts his mouth, and he backs off.

A breeze passes by, carrying the sound of rustling leaves.

Tobirama lets out a shaky breath. “Brother, please.”

Hashirama turns to walk away, and Tobirama clenches his fists.

“I need you to be with me on this,” Tobirama begs.

Hashirama stops. “You never needed anybody in your life, Tobirama. That’s why our late father left you to your own devices. You do well on your own."

“Elder brother,” Tobirama protests.

Hashirama turns his head to regard his younger brother. “I will always be there for you. You are my family, but you must remember to thank your wife. I did not give you this seat.”

Tobirama’s eyes narrow, and he grits his teeth.

“She gave you that seat, and now, she will suffer because of you.” Hashirama walks away, leaving a stunned Tobirama.

He watches his brother’s figure disappear in the distance, and an impossible weight places itself on his shoulders. He looks to the sky, but it does not grant any reprieve, after all, he did set the motion for these series of events, along with his wife. He only has his ways, and his undying loyalty to his brother and his family. There is no time for him to consider himself.

This is the way he has made it, but for the first time, he does not know the right from wrong below the picture perfect goal of peace, and their village. There is him, in the middle of it all.

To be continued...

Epilogue: The World As He Made It >>

#angelica writes #Tobirama Senju #Senju Tobirama #Hashirama Senju #Mito Uzumaki #tobirama x reader #tobirama x you #hiruzen sarutobi #sarutobi biwako #naruto fanfiction #my kinks are showing #'til death do us part #you never said goodbye timeline/au

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multiversecarnavep · 3 years

Text

Her role in Harvey Dent's past was updated into the currently prominent Two-Face origin: Batman Annual #14 (1990), a story called "Eye of the Beholder."[9] In this story, it is revealed that Dent's father was an abusive alcoholic who would nightly play a game with his young son: "I'll flip a coin: if it's heads, I beat you. Tails, I don't." Dent spends a lifetime burying his rage and resentment, only to discover that the coin was two-headed all along. While Dent is torn between loving and resenting his father, Gilda clearly despises him; she scoffs that after a lifetime of abuse and cruelty, the only thing Dent's father ever gave him was a coin.

Gilda tries to comfort Dent as his sanity deteriorates. She pleads with him when, upon awakening from a nightmare, he races out of their bed in the middle of the night and goes to his office, "where it's safe". After Harvey is disfigured, Gilda visits him in the hospital to try to give him back the coin. It was in his pocket during the trial, and was also hit by some acid, scarring one side of the coin. She last appears in this story right after Two-Face murders his corrupt former assistant, Adrian Fields, tearfully explaining Dent's abuse history to Batman.

Gilda does not reappear until Secret Origins Special # 1,[10] where she (here named Grace) appears on a TV talk show focusing on Gotham's villains. She talks about a time when one of the criminals Dent put away as D.A. returned for revenge by taking her hostage. Two-Face eventually rescued her, beating the ex-con to the point of death, but holding off because Grace demanded he stop. This represents a rare case where Two-Face is not influenced by the coin, but rather by someone else's welfare. She tries once again to appeal to his "good" side, but fails. At the end of the interview, she professes her belief that, one day, Dent would return to her.

Gilda returns in Batman: Two-Face Strikes Twice.[11] Here, she finds herself at odds with her now-ex-husband, as he believes their marriage failed because he was unable to give her children. She later marries Paul Janus, a reference to the Roman god of doors who had two faces, one facing forward, the other backward. Two-Face attempts to frame Janus as a criminal by kidnapping him and replacing him with a stand-in, whom Two-Face "disfigures" with makeup to make it look as if Janus has gone insane just as Two-Face had. Two-Face is eventually caught by Batman and sent away, and Gilda and Janus reunite. Years later, Gilda gives birth to twins named James and Luke, prompting Two-Face to escape once more and take the twins hostage, as he erroneously believes them to be conceived by Janus using an experimental fertility drug. The end of the book reveals a surprise twist; Batman learns from Gilda that Janus is not the father of Gilda's twins - Dent is. Some of his sperm had been frozen after a death threat had been made against him, and she used some of it to get pregnant. Batman uses this information to convince Dent to free the twins and turn himself in.[12]

Post-Zero HourEdit

Gilda Dent destroying incriminating evidence against her husband Harvey Dent in Batman: The Long Halloween. Art by Tim Sale.

After the events of Zero Hour: Crisis in Time, Gilda's entire history has been revised. She has a larger role and story arc in The Long Halloween,[13] a maxi-series that is part of Two-Face's origin in Batman Annual #14. During the nearly year-long story, a serial killer called Holiday systematically murders prominent gangsters. During the series, Gilda's marriage to Dent shows signs of strain; she wants to settle down and start a family, while he is obsessed with capturing Holiday. In a private monologue at the end, Gilda states that she was the original Holiday killer, having committed all of the murders up until New Year's Eve. Gilda indicates that Dent murdered Alberto Falcone on New Year's Eve, taking her place, and that he was the one responsible for the crimes from that point on. The confession is only known to readers, since Alberto confessed to all the Holiday murders upon his capture. Gilda destroys the evidence of her crimes and leaves Gotham City.

Due to the success of The Long Halloween, the events of the story have generally been accepted into continuity as the "official" story of Batman's early years, given that Zero Hour retconned the events of Batman: Year Two and rendered them non-canonical. In Batman: Dark Victory, the Calendar Man is about to reveal Holiday's true identity, but an enraged Two-Face cuts him off.

In Greg Rucka's novelization of Batman: No Man's Land, Dent thinks that Gilda is dead.

Post Infinite CrisisEdit

In the "One Year Later" story arc Batman: Face the Face, Dent mentions Gilda when recalling his past life, but the Two-Face persona states "No, Harvey. She's gone now".

During Dick Grayson's tenure as Batman, she appears standing over a wounded Harvey Dent. The Riddler reveals that she faked her death and was institutionalized following The Long Halloween, where she met Mario Falcone, who suffered a similar breakdown following the event of Dark Victory. After getting involved upon their release, Falcone kept Gilda like a prisoner, and she conspired with the Riddler to steal Two-Face's coin and entice him to rescue her. Knowing that Falcone was on Dent's tail, Gilda faked Harvey's death by appearing to shoot him at point-blank range. When they were finally reunited, she explained how much she missed him, and that she now believed in Two-Face as well as Harvey Dent. Feeling betrayed and manipulated, Two-Face tried to kill her, but hesitated, only to be stopped by Batman. To save Harvey, she shot Batman with a .22, knocking him out and allowing them both to escape. Her ultimate fate remains unknown, and Dick even expressed doubt that she was in fact the real Gilda Dent.[14]

New 52Edit

In the New 52 reboot, Gilda is a socialite that Bruce Wayne introduces to Harvey at a graduation party. She is killed in front of Harvey by Erin McKillen.

Other versionsEdit

FlashpointEdit

In the alternate timeline of the Flashpoint event, Harvey Dent has a wife and twin children. When the Joker kidnaps Dent's children, Mrs. Dent is emotional while her husband asks Thomas Wayne (the Batman of this timeline) for help in their search.[15]

In other mediaEdit

FilmEdit

A Victorian era version of Gilda appears briefly, without dialogue, in the animated adaptation of Gotham by Gaslight.

Gilda appears in the two part animated film Batman: The Long Halloween, voiced by Julie Nathanson.[16] In this version of events, Gilda takes the blame as the Holiday Killer, motivated by her anger at the Falcones after she had a past relationship with Alberto that ended with Falcone ending the marriage and forcing Gilda to get an abortion of her and Alberto's child.

TelevisionEdit

A character analogous to Gilda, Grace Lamont, appeared in Batman: The Animated Series, voiced by Murphy Cross. In the episode "Two-Face", she is D.A. Harvey Dent's fiancée. Alongside Dent's best friend Bruce Wayne, she watches helplessly as Dent loses his grip on sanity while going after gangster Rupert Thorne. After Dent is disfigured and becomes Two-Face, Thorne plots to use Grace against his new rival. A couple of Thorne's men disguise themselves as police officers and offer Grace a handheld tracking device, in case Two-Face ever approaches her. Two-Face eventually does, bringing her to his lair and wearing a scarf to cover his scars. She nearly succeeds in persuading Two-Face to reform, when Thorne's men show up, revealing that Grace inadvertently betrayed him. Nevertheless, Grace helps Batman and Two-Face fight off Thorne's men, and remains by his side as he is taken into custody with Thorne.

MiscellaneousEdit

Grace returned to animated continuity in the comic series The Batman and Robin Adventures issues # 1 and # 2, where the Joker manipulates Two-Face into thinking that Grace and Bruce are having an affair.[17] Two-Face abducts her and tries to kill Robin, but is ultimately thwarted when Grace jabs the jagged edge of the scarred coin into the disfigured side of his face. The story ends with the implication that their relationship is now damaged beyond repair.

Grace appears again in The Batman and Robin Adventures issue #22, in which Two-Face's life is thrown into chaos when he loses his coin during an unplanned breakout from Arkham Asylum, and is forced to replace it with a quarter. Little Jonni Infantino, the mastermind behind the breakout, threatens to hurt Grace if Two-Face doesn't provide information on one of Rupert Thorne's thugs, Weird Tony Hendra, whom Two-Face prosecuted as Harvey Dent.

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flowesona · 4 years

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The High Priestess - Yandere! Namjoon x reader

The Tarot Series

“Again, I’m so sorry for your loss.” The deep voice led (Y/N) to raise to her tear-streaked face to meet the gaze of the speaker. The detective sighed, taking a seat next to her, a little too close for (Y/N)’s liking.

“Yoongi was one of the best men that I have ever had the honour of working with. I’ll do anything to find justice for him, I swear.” (Y/N) just sniffed.

“What do you know so far?” She asked, rubbing at her bloodshot eyes.

“We’re still working on the autopsy but it looks like he was killed with a six inch blade, with little signs of struggle. Must have been a surprise attack.” Namjoon sighed. “Is there anyone else who has a copy of your keys?”

“Our next door neighbour does. Why? Surely it must have been an intruder, it couldn’t possibly be someone we know?” The words got caught in (Y/N)’s throat.

“There’s no signs of a break in. Your husband must have let them in.” Namjoon was watching her closely, observing the way her teeth nervously grazed at her lips, the way her eyes were shaking from intense emotion. Something about her grieving was wrong, too obvious. He was determined to find the truth, no matter how grim it may be.

*.·:·.☽✧ ✦ ✧☾.·:·.*

The investigation had hit a dead end it seemed. There were no witnesses to say they’d seen someone leaving the scene of the crime, there was no sign of the incriminating murder weapon, there was no apparent reason to kill a young police officer who’d only ever made arrests for petty crimes. But Namjoon knew better than to dismiss the case as impossible. In fact, with the scenario becoming more and more complicated, the truth that he dreaded was becoming more believable.

His theory, whilst being unbelievable to his heart, was the only credible line of reasoning he could follow. Thus he took it into his own hands, within his own time, to investigate the Min household once more.

It wasn’t at all proper for a senior detective to be breaking into the victim’s house, not whilst the widow was once again sleeping in the bedroom. Yet, he’d done it before, and he was happy to do it again.

His lust for the wife of one of his trusted officers was not something Kim Namjoon was proud of. He tried hard to keep it under wraps, not once making a move on her or looking at her in a less than innocent way at dinner. But occasionally, in the witching hour, he would allow himself the luxury of using a copy he’d made of Yoongi’s keys to enter their house, to stalk up to their bedroom and to watch her for a few minutes. To see the deep rise and fall of her chest, the scrunch of her nose as she dreamed. He didn’t even mind seeing her snuggled up next to her husband, imagining himself in the other man’s position with (Y/N)’s soft chest pressed against his body, her warm breath fanning his skin.

But on this occasion, Namjoon wasn’t going to stare at the woman he craved after, as much as he wanted to. He was looking for evidence, something that had been missed, or even hidden away. But everything was eerily neat. No knives were out of place, nothing tucked under a bookcase or hidden behind a book. Yet, just as he was about to give up, he decided to risk entering the master bedroom.

He didn’t let himself get distracted by the peacefully resting (Y/N), nor the space on the bed beside her. Instead, he quietly starting sifting through the drawers, looking for something.

And he found it.

Tucked away at the back of her undergarment drawer (something that had made Namjoon blush greatly as he searched through) was a plain cotton dress. It seemed like nothing out of the ordinary, just a plain, everyday dress. But the front was speckled with ruby red blood.

Now confident in his conjecture, he placed the incriminating item of clothing in the plastic bag he’d brought with him, ready to confront the killer.

*.·:·.☽✧ ✦ ✧☾.·:·.*

“Inspector! How can I help!” The widow gave him an empty smile, the door only half open.

“I need to talk with you, Miss (Y/N). May I come in?” Namjoon smiled, clutching his briefcase tightly as if to brace himself.

“Inspector, it’s very early. I’m still in my nightclothes I’m afraid. And you look positively exhausted. Maybe it’s best if you come later.” (Y/N) tried to close the door, only for Namjoon to jam his hand on the doorframe, keeping it open at the cost of a severe crushing pain.

“This is a very important matter to be discussed. I just thought you’d prefer to have it here, rather than down at the station.” The young woman gulped, nodded, and opened the door just wide enough to let Namjoon in.

“Would you like some tea?” (Y/N) offered once he was seated at the kitchen table.

“That would be wonderful. Thank you.” He answered. There was nothing but mirth in his body as he watched her bustle around anxiously, finding the tea leaves and the expensive tea set that was only used when they had special guests.

Once the kettle had finished boiling, and the tea was brewing inside the overly decorative pot, Namjoon decided to speak.

“I’ve discovered who killed your husband.” At his words, (Y/N) smiled just a bit too falsely, picking up the pot with shaking hands.

“Really? Who was it, Inspector? Has he been arrested?” She asked, as she poured the tea into his cup.

“I know that it was you, Miss (Y/N).” (Y/N) appeared calm at first, still pouring the tea into her own cup, but Namjoon could see past her facade.

“Inspector, that’s ridiculous, I mean how on earth could I-” She started, only to be cut off.

“Please, call me Namjoon. And the only way that this case makes sense is if you are the culprit. After all, why would your husband let a stranger into the house and then turn his back blindly?” Seeing his suspect completely speechless, he continued. “I have no doubt you used one of those knives and cleaned it thoroughly after the incident. I’m sure we don’t need to send it off to be tested for traces of blood, but I’m happy to do so if you’d like.”

“This is all b-baseless thinking with no real e-evidence behind it.” (Y/N) stuttered.

“I do have some evidence, actually.” Namjoon said, opening his briefcase and pulling out the bloodstained item of clothing. “This is yours, is it not? Whilst I haven’t sent it to the lab yet, I think we both know who this blood belongs to.”

(Y/N) face warped from one of confusion to utter anger in a matter of seconds as she processed what was in front of her.

“How did you get that? You don’t have a warrant, that’s illegal evidence-”

“So it is yours.” Namjoon smirked, neatly. “I think your reaction is an admission of guilt to me, though we can continue this useless debate if you would like.”

The widow was completely broken, defeated.

“You don’t know what he was really like.” She shivered. “He was so cold, uncaring. But he wouldn’t let me get a divorce, no matter how many times I tried. S-so I did what I had to.”

She couldn’t help herself as tears started rolling down her face, preparing herself for being arrested and sentenced to death.

“I understand, (Y/N).” Namjoon said smoothly. One of his hands reached out to her, running over her cold fingers. “That’s why I’ll help you.”

“What?”

“We can keep this between us. This case will go unsolved.” Namjoon offered, giving her a warm, inviting smile as if he hadn’t just exposed her as a murderer. “I will only ask one thing of you.”

“And what is that?” (Y/N) asked, her stomach flipping over in uneasiness.

“Well, you’re a widow. I’m a single man. I think we could make each other very happy.”

“With all due respect inspector-”

“Namjoon.” He corrected

“Namjoon, I just… can’t. I can’t just be in another relationship so quickly.” His smile dropped off of his face instantly.

“So you’d rather spend your life in prison than with me?” He said threateningly. “(Y/N), I’m rich, I’m successful, I’m in love with you. I can treat you better than your former husband ever did. Just give me a chance.”

Namjoon’s threat lingered in the air, (Y/N) choosing to take a sip of her lukewarm tea rather than respond to him.

“I’ll give you until tomorrow afternoon to decide.” Namjoon said lowly, standing up. “If you haven’t given me a “yes” by Noon, I’ll put out a warrant for your arrest on suspicion of murder.”

As he walked past her towards the door, one hand ran over her shoulder, as he leaned down to whisper into her ear.

“Have a good day, my darling.”

And with Namjoon gone, (Y/N) could finally breathe, yet with her predicament she knew the next twenty four hours would be her last taste of freedom.

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