#and I used the force of the landing to launch myself back at him | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

grippingbeskar · 2 years

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ruined | frank castle

frank castle x fem!reader

word count: 5.6k

warnings: ADULT CONTENT MINORS DNI (fingering, oral m receiving, blood kink kinda, mxf intercourse, kinda dom frank/ edging? hes a sweetie in my eyes so even when hes rough hes nice) canon typical violence, mentions of death, graphic description of blood and injuries, general gross shit

a/n: this is a lil darker than I usually go so idk how good it is but i could not control myself, IDK BYE

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Another sniper shot whizzes past your head and you hear the crack of a skull as it finds its target. You see the victim fall to his knees, blood pouring from the bullet hole where his eye used to be.

Fucking Frank.

He’d been on your trail for weeks now, interrupting your little revenge stunt, and he was impossible to shake. Of the four meetings you have had with The Punisher, he had won two, and you had won two.

When you say won, it wasn’t really a victory, both of you bloody and barley breathing in the aftermath, but one of you always ends up on top. You dont know why he didn’t kill you last time, he was all threats and close shots, but as soon as he held you down, forcing you to stare down the barrel of his pistol, he didn’t take the shot.

You think its probably the same reason you didn’t tear his throat out after he ruined your entire mission, blowing up the factory you were meant to break into, destroying all the information you were so desperate for. You couldn’t help the little burn in your stomach when he held you down, and even though you spat at him, and he swung his fists and hurled insults at you, neither of you made a move to end it.

Right now, though, you think you could fucking kill him.

Shoving the dead weight of another corpse off your legs, you roll to cover, loading up your pistol and firing a couple of warning shots. You would not miss this chance again, not when the man you were after was so close. You hear a door open downstairs, and you take a quick look over your shoulder, not seeing the tiny reflector of Franks sniper. He’s moving, which meant you were already behind.

Cursing, you smash through the exit door on the roof, taking the stairs three at a time. Four guys wearing matching red jackets burst through a door below you, and the gear is practically a target on their backs.

That jacket was your red herring, and you dont even blink before firing, three of the four going down before they even see you. Dropping down a floor and landing on the railing of the stair well, you swing your legs and wrap them around the last guy and use your entire body weight to yank him to the side. You feel the crack of his neck under your thighs, jumping off him and continuing down the stairs, and when see his lifeless body drop down the stairwell, your eyes follow it and you spot him.

Franks crew cut is unmistakable to you now, you almost recognise him faster than your own reflection. He smashes a guys face into the railing and you see the splash of blood on the wall. You stop at the set of stairs above him, a wicked look across your face. He drops the head of the now dead man he was beating on, and finds your gaze.

“We gotta stop meetin’ like this.” He growls at you and you launch, hearing the click of a gun but its too late, your already on him. Using the momentum of your jump, you smash your knee into his chest, finding the bullet proof vest with the white skull painted on the front covers more of the blow than you would like. It doesn’t even give him pause and he swings, a giant fist colliding with the side of your head.

If you hadn’t brought your arm up to block it you knew he would have knocked you out cold, and you can hear the shuffle of feet on the floors below you. Pushing away from Frank you jump down the stairwell, landing and taking off after the man you were here for. You can see the briefcase swinging in his hand as he darts across the street and into the building Frank was sniping from. You raise the pistol and fire at the guys ankles hoping to knock him down, only to hear the click of a blank, and you might as well of aimed it at your fucking head.

You hated guns, and this was why - unreliable. You throw it on the ground and sprint, sliding across the incoming car. You can hear the beat of helicopter blades and you know you dont have long before he gets in it, and whisks away your only chance at ending them.

You race up the fire escape, and you are about to take on the last flight of stairs when a bullet scrapes past you. You swear you could feel the kiss of cold metal from its casing it was that close, and you dont have to look to know who could place a bullet like that. Frank wanted this guy dead, but you needed him. He was the only one with information on your brothers death, and you would be damned if some giant hulking idiot shot you before you got to it.

You can hear him coming up behind you when you reach the roof top, the wind from the incoming helicopter buzzing around you. You see the man with the brief case, his eyes widening when he sees you. Its only when his eyes flick behind you and he screams that you realise whats about to happen.

You have about two seconds to decide. You either let Frank shoot this guy and hope you can reach him fast enough to force him to tell you what you need to know, but you know Frank doesn’t miss - unless he’s shooting at you.

Your other option is frustrating, and makes you burn with anger, but you know its the only one. You have to keep this mother fucker alive, and even if it means he escapes this time, you’ll have to rely on your shitty tracking skills to find him.

Seething, you turn and kick Frank right in the balls. Its a cheap shot and shows nothing of your expert training, but the slightly pained grunt that comes out of him works well enough. As soon as you turn you see the briefcase disappearing into the night sky, your entire plan for the next few weeks going with it.

Frank still stands behind you, and he’s off guard. You smash your elbow into the side of his head and grab him by the black and white vest, slamming him into the wall, his head colliding with the brick. He spits out blood when the wind gets knocked out of him, and its not enough, not nearly enough after what he just cost you.

This night took you weeks to figure out, hours and hours of tracking schedules, watching shift changes, and here he comes with a sniper and a few years of playing soldier and fucks it up. You punch him again in the gut, and you tell him so.

“You know what you just fucking cost me?!” Your right fist smashes into his cheek bone. “Do you know how long this took me?!” You swing again, but he dodges and your fist collides with the brick. Your bones shatter and you cry out, Frank sweeping his leg under you, letting your body hit the concrete.

In an instant he’s on top of you, and your arms swing at him. You dont care how much it hurts, how the throbbing of your shattered hand shoots up your arm, so painful you nearly pass out, but you keep swinging, anger blinding you and charging your movements.

“You tryna’ save that piece of shit? Huh?” He goes to punch you in the face but you dodge, and his thighs tighten around your waist, limiting your movement.

“I need his fucking briefcase and the codes for it, which I cant get if I let you shoot his brains out!” You are screaming but no one can hear it but you and Frank, and your just so damn angry at him. The knife in the side of your shoe is sliding closer and closer to your shattered hand, and you can only hope you have enough strength left in it to grab ahold of it. You try to shimmy it out of your combat boots but Franks body holds you in place, only allowing about an inch of movement every breath.

“You are full of shit.” You swallow hard, and he picks you up by the front of your jacket and slams you back down, a strangled breath leaving you. It hurts like hell and your brain starts to fuzz, the gritty concrete digging into the cuts and bruises on your back. Blood from Franks mouth drips on to your forehead as he snarls down at you, holding you tightly to the ground.

“Fu-fuck you, Frank.” Is all you can get out. You cant hear the helicopter anymore, and you know its going to take you so long to find them again. They are travelling by air, and you dont even have a car. They could have travelled miles by now, and the exhaustion paired with the beating Frank was dishing out is starting to catch up. Fuelled by desperation and a little bit of fear about the way he was staring down at you, you make one final move for the tiny knife, feeling the blade slip into your hand. You grit your teeth and wrap your broken hand around it and you shove it into Franks ribcage.

He grunts, and one of his hands instantly reacts by grabbing your throat. Without breaking eye contact, he reaches to his side and rips the knife out, you thrashing underneath his hold. He brings it up in front of both your faces to inspect it. Theres only a little blood on it, his vest stopping it from doing any real damage, but you can tell it hurts, and you smile at him, blood staining your teeth.

“You think you’re gonna kill me with this, sweetheart?” You just keep thrashing under him, the tight hand around your throat only allowing you enough air to suck in shallow breaths. “S’cute.”

Your eyes widen and for some reason the words he uses sends fear and heat swirling in your stomach. Maybe its the lack of oxygen to your brain, but the way he looks at you - his anger is obvious, but theres a little hint of something else, and it sends painful shivers down your spine. You swallow against his hand and you feel his fingers shift around your throat allowing you the space.

“You ruined this. This is your fault.” You manage with the tiny space he’s allowed you, and he drops the blade next to your ear, the clattering of the metal against concrete piercing your ears. Only when the blade comes to a rest next to your face do you feel how hard Frank is breathing, blood seeping through his shirt and dripping down the arm that holds your throat, the small droplets sliding down your skin and mixing with your own.

You are both a complete fucking mess, Frank bleeding out of multiple holes in his chest, you with a shattered arm and piercing pain with every breath. Blood and sweat mix on your face and you dont know how much is yours, but the cool breeze lets you know theres a lot of it.

“I ain’t ruin shit. You saved him.” he growls between breaths and you struggle under him, not admitting to yourself that you do so with less enthusiasm each time.

“I need him alive. Once I get the-” you gurgle a breath and Frank drops your head to the side, allowing you to cough up the blood pooling in your mouth and spit it out before bringing you back to him. “- the codes. I dont give a fuck what you do to him after that.” His face doesn’t change but his stare is just so intense that you break eye contact, staring at the stars that twinkle in the dead black sky, framing his giant figure above you.

“Thats what all this shit is about? Some damn computer codes?” He shakes his head and looks off to the right.

“They aren’t just some fucking computer codes. They killed my brother, and those codes are gonna lead me straight to the guy who gave the order.” His eyes snap to you, surprised. “So when you try to kill my chances, I’m going to try and save them.”

“By kicking me in the balls?”

“You fucking deserved it.” You growl, all that anger flooding back.

He shuffles on top of you, and you feel something big and hard rock against you. It has to be a gun, a hidden rifle that he’s going to pull out and finally kill you with. You look down the centre of your bodies, seeing his giant legs on either side of you, the hold of his hand on your neck preventing you from seeing anything further. Your brain is throbbing in your skull and every part of your body is straining, the fear of your impending death seizing every muscle.

He follows your gaze, and you see his eyes catch on your chest, then the small part of skin exposed where your shirt has come up. It goes past where you can see, and when his eyes find yours again, he smiles a sick grin.

“What you lookin’ for?” He shifts against you again, and you still your movements. Its not a gun you feel, and at this angle theres no denying what it is that is pressed against your thigh. His grip is a little less aggressive and you realise what he’s doing.

His thighs no longer box you in, his hand so loose you could easily switch your positions. He knows how good you are, and even with your hand bleeding and bruised you could take him out with these kind of vulnerabilities exposed. He is bleeding out of his side, all it would take is a hit with your good hand and he would be on the ground. You could even kill him, take the blade next to your head and jam it into his throat.

All of these thoughts buzz in your head, and yet you dont move. Not even a twitch, a spasm of your muscles, you stay deadly still because you dont want to give the illusion that you dont want this.

Want him.

You have no idea whats coming over you, you should hate him. You do. You do hate him, with a burning passion, and its exactly the reason that when he shifts on top of you again, you let out the smallest whisper of a moan, and he laughs.

Blood covers his face and hands, cuts and bruises panting his face a multitude of colours you can only see under the reflection of the moonlight. Even with all the shit smothered across him, he was so fucking sexy. His thumb comes off your throat and brushes the blood and spit off your lower lip, keeping it there and sliding it into your mouth, pressing the metallic taste to your tongue. Your lips wrap around his thumb, tasting yourself and a hint of dirt and salt as you suck him into your mouth.

“This what you were after, sweetheart?” His thumb comes out of your mouth slowly, dragging a wet line down your chin and throat. You just look up at him, sucking in a few deep breaths, trying to get your head on straight so you can absorb this moment for as long as possible.

He grinds against you, and theres no mistaking he wants this as bad as you do right now, his erection against your heat making you release a strangled moan, and he must feel how wet you are because he laughs at you again.

“Fucking dirty. You this wet after I beat the crap out of you?” He repeats the movement and it feels unbelievably good. It shouldn't feel like this, your body is still reeling from the pain and you both have so many layers between you, but the friction his hips create make you shudder in pleasure, and you have to blink a few times to focus on his words.

“Maybe it turns me on to punch you in the face. Looks like I got a couple good ones i-in.” Your throat is scratchy and his hand is still cutting off your air, loose enough for you to breath easy but the pressure in the tips of his fingers making you deliciously high off of him.

“That right? That what gets you goin’?” You nod a little and he smiles, head hovering directly above yours. “I’ll let you kick the shit out of me if it means I get to fuck you like this.” He moves again, and the mere idea of feeling him closer than this makes you moan again, the sound a stuttered yelp. He moves his head down, you can feel the warmth of his breath on your cheek. One of his hands grabs your hips, and the one on your throat finally releases and you gasp in a breath, the oxygen filling your lungs feels so good you sigh into him.

“Need to hear you say somethin’, anything.” His lips ghost your cheekbone, whispering in your ear before dragging them up to your forehead, where he kisses you, so soft you dont even know if he meant to do it.

“You fucking... I dont...” You cant think, no words come to your brain as his head floats so close to yours, but as soon as the stumbled negative comes out of your mouth, Frank pulls off you, pushing himself up with his arms and shuffling back, leaning on the wall. You are confused for a second, wondering if this is part of his game, but then you figure it out.

He thought you were going to say you dont want him. He heard the word ‘dont’ and that was it. You immediately miss the warmth of him, of his body on top of you, of his hardness against your core. If this was anyone else you would ask him to keep going, beg him to kiss you, touch you, be close to you. But this was Frank, and you honestly dont know how to get him to come back to you.

You stand, still a little dizzy from exhaustion, but its when Frank looks up at you, eyes glazed over with lust and a little fear, fear that you would walk off this rooftop, fear that you didn’t need this as badly as he did. Those stupid fucking eyes that made your knees buckle as you stood over him, straddle him and kiss him; hard.

His hands find you, pulling at clothes and skin and anything they can find, and your kiss is dirty and desperate. His bottom lip is busted and you can taste his blood in your mouth, so when you take it between your teeth and pull, he groans in pain and pleasure. His hand grabs your face, and the cut on your cheek pulls a little under his grip.

“You think you’re gonna be in control? Trying to fuckin’ hurt me, huh?” Your eyes widen as the hand not grabbing your face grabs your waist, pulling you right on him. “I know what you want, but you gotta treat me nice and sweet if I’m gonna give it to ya.”

“Fuck you.” You seethe under his hand and he just smiles, kissing your mouth slow, so slow that you cant think of anything but him. You feel his other hand slip into your underpants and immediately start touching you, you dont even have to say anything, he knows exactly what you want and where you want it.

“We gotta do something about that mouth.” He grumbles against your neck, his soft kisses a mind numbing contrast to the way he fucks you with his hand, and you can already feel the coil in your stomach wind up.

“You like that?” He whispers in your ear, heat sizzling down your neck

“Fuck. Y-Yes shit I-” He just ‘hmm’s and brings his mouth back to your lips, feeling his tongue slip against yours, surrendering to him as soon as he puts up the slightest bit of resistance. You cant help it, he’s making you feel so fucking good and warm, and when his fingers speed up, hitting that exact spot inside of you, your mouth falls open against him and you moan his name.

“Sound so pretty sayin’ my name like that. Could get used to it.” He catches your eyes seconds before they flutter closed, your release building, so consuming that you feel it in your throat, small gasps the only way you can get any air in.

“Frank I’m gonna-”

“You close? Already?” He teases you and you can imagine the smile on his face, which is why your air flow nearly cuts out when his hand rips away and your hips buck against him, your moans turn to whimpers as he keeps kissing your neck.

“Ask me nicely.” You can feel the smirk on his face against your skin and you scoff between shudders of your close call.

“Dont tease me.” You move your hips, hoping to create your own friction but he pulls his lips off you and both his hands come to your hips.

“Ask. Me. Nicely.” You shake your head. No way are you letting his ass have this, your shivering jaw betraying your defiant stance. He just sighs, and your head falls back when his hand finds you again, that same brutal pace pulling out strangled sounds that crash into the wall behind him.

You can feel the sparks flying off you as your orgasm builds again, and you moan his name into the silence of the rooftop. You’ve never felt this desperate, this hot and heavy and fucking close, so when he rips his hand away again, its hard not to let go of a sob.

“Frank! Fucking mean...” You whimper into the crook of his neck and he turns to kiss the side of your head.

“Say please.” His breath is hot in your ear, and his bullet proof vest is still wet with seeping blood, but it somehow only makes you more desperate. Your shaking and his hands, big and soothing, run traces up your thighs trying to calm you down.

Only it has the opposite effect, and just makes you want him more, more.

More.

Maybe you can say it once.

Just this one time and he will give you what you want. You can get him back later.

“Frank.” He lifts your head with one finger and looks at you, expecting. “P-Please. Let me come.” He kisses you again, and you notice how soft his lips are against your own as he dives his hand back into you, that beautifully fast pace making you cry out.

“Good fuckin’ girl. Wasn’t so hard, was it?” Your mind is spinning and your entire body feels electric as his fingers curl up into you, that familiar burn overriding your senses.

“Sh-sh-shut up.” He just laughs, your forehead resting against his and you keep your eyes shut to avoid the embarrasment.

“You don’t mean that.” You make a sound, enough to get him to keep talking because he’s right. “Nah, I think you like it when I talk. I like it when you talk.”

You can feel the slow, torturous circles his thumb drags around your centre, and you let your teeth drag over his shoulder.

“Tell me how you’re feeling.”

“So good, Frankie. So g-Oh!” His thumb starts tracing faster circles on your clit, your hips stuttering to meet them. He mumbles, and you only know he says something because you feel it vibrating against your skin, but your cries of his name are too loud.

“Thats it, baby. Goddamn beautiful.” He’s kissing every inch of skin that is open to him and he goes as fast as he can trying to keep up with the movement of your hips, but the small space in your jeans doesn't allow him a lot of room. You dont care, your head drops and your eyes roll into the back of your head. If he stops you think you might actually start crying, so you say the one thing that will secure your release, your desperation overriding your pride.

“Please! Please, dont stop! Dont stop.” The legs that were holding you up no longer feel attached to your body and Frank holds you up effortlessly.

“Too damn perfect. Cant stay mad at you. You can have this one, bein’ so good. You gonna give it to me?” You nod vigorously and for a moment your whole body locks up, and then the wave crashes and slams into you, your chest falling into Frank as you collapse into your orgasm.

Frank never stops moving inside of you as you crash and fall and crash again, your core exploding under his touch. You can feel your slick coating his hand as he pulls out of you when you start to come back to your own mind, and he stares at the evidence of your orgasm on his hand before locking eyes with you and cleaning himself off with his own mouth.

Your eyes cant quite fathom the sight, of Frank, the same Frank who was shooting at you just an hour earlier, the Frank you hate with everything you have and also makes you hotter than anyone you’ve ever met, watching that man taste you on his fingers, and hearing a little satisfied moan come from his mouth as he finally pulls them out.

“Taste as sweet as I thought.” Those words are your final straw, and you shimmy off him, just enough so you can start to undo his pants. Not thinking and body still elated from your intense orgasm, you go to use both hands to undo the belt, and instantly you suck in a breath through your teeth, the pain searing hot, and not in a good way.

Frank stops you, taking your injured arm in his hand gently, and he examines it, making sure not to touch you too hard.

“Broken. Gotta set these right after.” He runs a feather light finger over your knuckles, and you wince at the thought. “Wont hurt too much. I’ll distract you.” Your gaze meets his and he smiles, kissing the tips of your fingers. Your other hand goes back to his pants and he holds you there. “You dont gotta..-”

“Dont think you can last long enough, Frankie?” You turn the tension back on, the emotional vulnerability scaring you straight a little. Hate fucking you can do, but facing the fact that this man elicits such a strong feeling in you that it might be more than pure hatred, that was not a conversation for right now.

“What happened to my good girl, hey? Fix that fuckin’ mouth of yours.” He undoes his pants for you and your uninjured hand palms him through his boxers and he groans. You cant take it anymore, and you pull him out, the pre cum beading on the tip of his cock. Your thumb runs over the tip, and you bring your face down, spitting on his length and stroking him up and down, the grip you have on him a little tighter than normal.

He seems to like it a little rougher, his hips bucking up to meet your slow strokes and his eyes close, face screwing up and little groans tear from his throat. Its the sexiest thing you’ve ever seen, and knowing that you are the cause makes you take him into your mouth, Frank strangling out your name as he hits the back of your throat.

“P-Put that dirty fucking mouth to good use.” His hand finds your hair and he pulls, tangling a strong fist into the knotted strands. “So good like this.”

He mumbles under his breath and the praise makes you wetter than ever. You forget anything but how he tastes, how he feels inside you and you moan around him. Your broken hand moves to take more of him in your grasp, but Frank gently nudges it away, the small sting reminding you that the adrenaline is numbing your pain. He just tastes so good you cant even breathe, and you bob up and down faster.

You swirl your tongue around his head, giving yourself a second to admire how ruined he looks at the feeling of your mouth around him. His hand is still in your hair and you take him as far as you can, gagging on him and creating the most vulgar sounds.

Frank moans out your name, repeating it into the night, and you feel him start to tense. You keep him in your mouth, wanting every drop of his cum inside of you but he pulls you off by your hair, saliva running down your chin as he lays you down on the concrete, yanking your pants down as he crawls on top of you.

“Hows my girl feelin’? Feelin nicer?” You nod, your previous bravado slowly dwindling as he runs the head of his cock through your folds. “You looked so good with your mouth full of my cock. How it should be.” He still doesn’t slide into you, and you have a feeling he’s gonna draw this out, and the thought makes your body shake with need.

“What do you want, Frank?” He comes down to kiss you, the blood on both of your faces beginning to dry out under the wind.

“You know, dont you?” You squeeze your eyes shut and shake your head. You know, but he ‘tsks’ as you and peppers sweet kisses on your forehead and nose. “Yes, you do baby. Ask me for it.”

“What... What makes you so sure I want that?” He laughs against you, vibrating your very bones with his breath.

“The way you were taking my cock down your throat; I know you want this just as bad as I do, pretty girl.” Your mouth hangs open and your cheeks flush despite the cold. “Still want to hear you say.”

His eyes are on you, and you dont know if its the jolts of pleasure every time he runs the tip of his cock over your clit, or the warm fuzzy feeling that spreads all over when he tilts his head at you, but you cave anyways.

“Please fuck me, Frank. Please, please, pl-” He grinds into you, you feel yourself clenching around him, muscles flexing and you shimmy your hips trying to take more of him in. Both of you moan in unison, and he comes all the way back out of you and slides back in again recreating that perfect moment over and over, the feeling multiplying every time.

He sets a slow pace, but what it lacks in speed he makes up for in brutality, slamming into you and reaching parts you didn’t know could feel so good. As he fucks you, you cant keep your eyes open, and you only feel the movement of his cock inside you, and one hand sliding to your hip, the other cupping your face. His thumb strokes along your cheek bone and you feel every groan and sigh he makes against your closed eyes.

“God you feel so fuckin’ good, baby.” You are lost in the feeling of him, his words the only sounds clear enough to break you.

“Please, please, please...” you babble to him desperately. You are willing to throw your ego and self worth aside if he keeps fucking you like this, hard and heavy, the pains in your body completely gone and replaced only by how good he’s making you feel.

“There you go. Good girl.” He tucks a lock of hair behind your ear, and guides your good hand down to your clit, showing you how he wants you to touch yourself as he fucks you. “If I knew this was how good you were gonna be, would of fucked you straight a long time ago.”

All you can do is whimper and cry out his name, and he swallows every single noise you make, meeting them with his own. You didn’t know Frank could make sounds like he is now, he sounds strangled and as desperate as you and it makes it ten times hotter, knowing he is as invested as you.

“Frank, can I- please I need to-”

“S-shit baby. So good for asking.” He plants a kiss on the tip of your nose. You dont want to think about what you must look like, eyes crossed and head moving only in response to Franks thrusts, but your back arches as he gives you permission, and you feel yourself teetering on the edge.

“M’gonna cum with you. Feel so perfect.” You can feel him twitching inside of you, and your hand works faster at your clit.

“Fuck yes, fill me up, Frankie. Please. I wanna feel it.” The string of words doesn’t even sound like you, but when Frank comes as soon as you finish speaking, you are right there with him, the feeling of him finishing inside of you sending you over.

It feels too good. Too fucking good to be real. Your head feels light and everything is burning hot, Franks stuttered thrusts and how he moans your name as he finishes etched into your mind forever, and you force your eyes open just to see how beautiful he looks.

He slumps on top of you, careful not to land on your broken hand, and you both stay deadly still for a while, neither of you wanting to leave this moment. You know when you do you will have to face your actions, and the feelings it may or may not have stirred in you. He felt fucking amazing, of course, but you look down at him now, face all fucked up and bloody, eyes closed as he tries to catch his breath, and you cant stop your hand from running through his hair, admiration for the asshole laying on your chest warming you up in the cold.

His eyes flutter open to your touch and he nuzzles into your hand, both of his arms pulling you upright on his lap as he sits up and leans against the wall. As you come down from your highs, you both start to move uncomfortably, the pain of still fresh wounds catching up to the both of you. You lean your forehead on his, and his arms wrap you closer.

“My fucking hand hurts.” You mumble, looking at the inflamed skin already a bright purple colour. He places a quick kiss on your lips.

“Gotta set it, or it’ll heal all messed up.” You nod, happy to talk trivial shit and avoid the very real conversation you both have to have.

“Hows your ribs?” You run your fingers over the small puncture wound, still bleeding through his vest.

“S’fine. Tiny knife.” You laugh and he looks up at you, and you watch the small smile he grows light up his eyes. “Come home with me. Let me fix you up.” You just nod, too exhausted to tell him how very badly you want that.

“I still hate you.” He huffs and you giggle as he picks you up, carrying you bridal style down the stairs of the building and out the door. He puts you down, but keeps a tight arm around your waist, both of you using the other to stay upright.

“So, how hards it gonna be for us to find Briefcase after tonight?” Frank talks as you pass under a street light, and you look up at him, confused.

“Us?”

“Yeah. I’ll come for him eventually, but you can get your fuckin’ codes or whatever.” You cant hide the grin stretching across your face.

“Are you suggesting we team up? Fightin’ bad guys?” He huffs again, and you have to laugh at his grumpiness.

“Somethin’ like that. Whaddya’ say?”

“I dont know, Frank. Something tells me you dont play well with others.” A teasing smirk meets his face and he raises an eyebrow.

“Guess I’ll have to show you how well I can play.” He whispers in your ear, and the fuzzy feeling from before spreads across your face. He keeps a tight grip on you as you walk down the dark street, the pain in your hand subsiding as he holds you tighter.

You dont know how this will go, and you are sure there will be a thousand more nights like tonight if you decide to team up, but even the idea of spending another minute pretending you hate him, well that hurts way more than a broken hand.

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dailydragon08 · 1 year

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The Best Thing That’s Ever Happened to Me

Pairing: Luke Skywalker x F!Jedi!Reader (both are older in this fic) Summary: Luke has to face his worst nightmare yet: losing you. A/N: "Remnants" is a series one shots in no particular order about the budding relationship between you and Luke as he trains you in the ways of the Force. MAJOR ANGST and READER DEATH in this one (I hurt myself with my own writing). Based on a super sad dream I had last night, but I promise there’s a twist that gives it a fluffy ending, cuz I just couldn’t bare torturing Luke too much. Read here on AO3.

You coughed as the surrounding smoke filled your lungs. The Jedi academy on Yavin IV that you and Luke had worked so hard to build over the last few decades was burning and crumbling around you, the smoke turning the usually pretty twilight black. Most of your padawans were dead, and Luke and the son you shared were who knew where fighting for their lives. You could sense their fear and despair through the Force as you fought for your own.

“You don’t have to do this, Jacen!” you screamed as you blocked another blow from your nephew’s lightsaber. You had sensed him turning to the Dark Side a few years ago and although you and Luke had tried as hard as you could to help him, it was to no avail. He had fallen, slowly at first, then faster than you, Luke, or even his parents and sister could catch him. Then he’d just disappeared with a few other padawans, showing up yesterday with what could be considered a small army of Sith and battle droids to wreck what had become your peaceful little home. Although most of his lackeys lay destroyed around you, you still had him to contend with and he’d taken out nearly all of your current students.

Jacen didn’t reply, instead taking wild swings at you with his weapon. As you parried another blow, you could see his now yellow eyes glower at you, his teeth bared as if he wanted to reach out and bite. You could feel the hatred flowing through him and continued to defend yourself, having trouble summoning the courage to land a blow. You and Luke had tag-teamed to train him from the time he was seven and you had so many good memories: hand-drawn birthday cards, staying up all night making pastries with him when the nightmares became too much, taking breaks to play with him and Grogu, him hugging you tightly around you middle after giving him flying lessons with a heartfelt, “I love you, Y/N.”

“The Jedi,” Jacen panted, pushing your saber closer to your chest with his own, “need to fall.”

“We can help you—” You cried out as Jacen used the Force to launch you into an already crumbling wall. Your weight toppled what was left as you landed with a thud. You slowly sat up, the ache in your old joints a development in the last ten years that you weren’t a fan of. A brick landed hard on your head, making you fall back flat on your back.

Before you could register what was happening, Jacen Solo was on top of you. Searing pain exploded in your abdomen and you gasped, suddenly feeling like all the air had been sucked out of you, and lay there in shock. Jacen’s golden eyes suddenly turned sad, returning to the familiar brown you knew so well.

His lower lip trembled as he stared down at the saber arcing through your stomach. “I…I’m s-sorry.” He took a shuddery breath before turning off his saber and letting it fall to the ground, his hands hovering over your wound as you continued to gasp for air beneath him. “Wait…Wait, I didn’t mean—”

“Y/N!!!” Luke’s scream tore through the air and rippled through the Force in the distance. You felt the power roll off of him in waves and weren’t sure what he was doing, but it was apparently enough to scare the daylights out of your attackers.

A fellow Sith suddenly grabbed Jacen’s shoulders and yanked him out of your field of vision. “We have to go now!”

Unable to move, you heard the sound of several departing ships before seeing them race towards the planet’s atmosphere. All you were left with was the crackle of the flames. You closed your eyes for a minute, trying to take in a deep breath and failing, until you heard the sound of feet sprinting towards you.

You were lifted against a chest and registered your husband’s familiar smell. Your name came out on a shuddery exhale as his flesh hand lifted your face to look at his. He glanced down at your wound and tears filled his eyes. “Maker, no,” he breathed. His breath carried a welcome coolness to your overheated face and you ran a hand through his graying hair, still as soft as ever, before letting your fingers scratch at his beard. His blue eyes met yours, their spark unchanged by the years, but you could see the panic crawling behind them.

“Ben—” you breathed out.

“He’s safe with Grogu,” Luke answered, his voice cracking as he cradled you in his lap. He pressed his forehead to yours and you could feel him reaching deep into the Force for the healing power your little green padawan had taught you long ago. But you both knew it was too late as sounds around you started to fade and several white spots appeared in your vision.

“Don’t…” you took a shuddery breath in, feeling tears fill your own eyes as well, “don’t go to the Dark Side. Promise me.”

“Y/N—”

“Promise me.”

He stared at you for a moment, tears opening falling down his face and creating streaks in the dirt and sweat. “I promise.” He kissed you hard with salty lips before his shoulders began to shake and a strangled sob tore from his throat.

You brushed the tears away with weak, shaking fingers. “I love you so much, Luke.”

Luke kissed you again, pressing his forehead to yours. “I love you, too. You and Ben are the best things that ever happened to me.” He pressed you closer to his chest and you could feel his devastation through the Force. You reached for Ben and felt similar despair and could sense he and Grogu were running towards you as fast as they could, but were still so far away. I love you and am proud of you, you sent to all three of them through the Force. And I will always be with you.

“I’ll find you through the Force again,” you whispered against Luke’s lips.

He nodded. “We’ll be together again one day…” His breath shuddered out as he pulled back to look at you, tears streaming down his face like a waterfall. His blue eyes were bright were more to come as he began, “I’m sorry—”

“Shhh,” you said, rubbing your thumbs back and forth across his cheeks as his hand fisted in your hair. “It’s not your fault…Take care of Ben and Grogu for me—and don’t forget yourself…I love you, Luke.” The last thing you saw was your husband’s face crumbling in a wail and felt his keen through the Force as your vision went white and suddenly, you couldn’t feel anything at all.

Six months later, Luke left your favorite flowers at your grave, still feeling torn in two—

A loud crash jerked Luke out of his slumber and he bolted upright in bed, panting. He looked around the dark room and recognized the bedroom he shared with you in the small, stone house on Yavin IV. He looked at his wrinkle-free hands and felt the smooth sides of his face before swinging his legs out of bed and bolting for the refresher. Flipping the light on, he sighed in relief at the shorter, brown hair staring back at him. He grabbed the edge of the sink and breathed a sigh of relief.

That relief was short-lived as he glanced over to the bed, expecting to see your sleeping form still curled up. You really could sleep through anything—except you weren’t there.

Panic gripped Luke’s chest and he could feel his breath becoming harder to reach. He rushed out of the bedroom and down the hall to where he heard movement from the kitchen. His chest slammed into yours as you also fled out the door to meet him halfway down the hall, letting out a muffled oof.

“Sorry,” you said just as he reached out to steady you so you wouldn’t fall. “Are you o—”

You let out another noise of surprise as Luke crushed you against his chest, burying his face in your neck. He took a deep breath, the first he felt he could take, as he inhaled the sweet scent of your skin, gathering your hair in his hands like coveted silk. “M-maker,” he stuttered out into your skin, holding you even tighter.

You held him equally as tight. “I can feel you panicking. What happened?”

Luke turned his head slightly so he could speak, forcing himself to register that you were alive, well, and warm in his arms. “A nightmare. I lost you and when I woke up and you weren’t there, I thought…” He forced himself to exhale, his breath blowing your hair.

“You’re shaking.” You rubbed your hands in gentle circles on the bare skin of his back. “I’m okay. You’re okay. Grogu’s okay.”

He frowned. “How do you know—”

“Your panic was strong. I saw some of the dream, but just the end.”

He finally pulled back to look at you, cradling your face reverently between his hands. “And the baby?”

“Ben’s asleep.” You glanced at his dark bedroom just a few doors down before turning back to your husband, cupping his wrists in your hands. “I just fed him. That’s why I was in the kitchen, putting the bottle away.”

Luke sighed and nodded, pressing a searing kiss to your lips, two more to each cheek, and one to your forehead before pulling you against his chest. He held you more gently this time, resting his cheek against your hair. “You don’t think I woke Grogu or the other students up, do you?”

You shook your head against him as his arms snaked around your middle, letting one of yours rest across his strong shoulders while the other traced the scars from the emperor’s Force lightning that littered his torso, arms, and lower neck. He sighed at the feeling. “I only know because I know you so well.” You paused, soaking in the feeling of being wrapped up in him. “I love you.”

“I love you, sweetheart, so much,” he breathed, letting the relief finally wash over him. He twisted to look at you and allowed himself a small smile before kissing your lips again, committing their taste to memory. Then, just in case he didn’t tell you enough, added, “You and Ben are the best things that have ever happened to me. I’m so glad you’re here with me.”

You smiled. “Me, too. But we should try to get some sleep before Ben wakes up again. He’ll probably get hungry again in a few hours.”

“You have bottles in the fridge?”

You nodded, closing your eyes as he pressed another kiss to your forehead. You two stayed in each other’s arms with your sides pressed together as you led him back to the bedroom, sending a strong wave of affection to him through the Force. It was reciprocated to you tenfold, along with a promise to protect and spend the rest of your long, hopefully Sith-free lives together.

#luke skywalker x reader #luke skywalker fanfiction #luke skywalker imagine #luke skywalker x you #star wars fanfiction #star wars x reader #star wars imagine #luke skywalker #star wars remnants #star wars #my writing

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niqhtlord01 · 1 year

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Humans are weird: Criminal Organizations: The end of an era

( Please come see me on my new patreon and support me for early access to stories and personal story requests :D https://www.patreon.com/NiqhtLord Every bit helps)

The door to the council room creaked and groaned as it was pulled open. The edges were caked in rust and grime needing twice as much effort to pull it open, but eventually it finally gave way and the new figures entered. It had been nearly six system rotations since Mobly had been in here. His memories from his last time still vivid in his head as well as each time he took a deep breath and felt his reset bones pressing against his sides.

He wasn’t the same starry eyed dust dealer trying to make a name for himself. Jimmy, his “Friend”, had beaten that Karkogan out of him. Every kick and punch that had been landed had molded Mobly into something stronger and deadlier then he had ever been.

No sooner had he dragged himself from that room did he begin organizing a “restructuring” of the crime organization that they had built together. For too long the rules Jimmy had laid out had cut into profits and forced many of the dust dealers to skirt the law to prevent causing waves.

Mobly gathered up similar likeminded dust dealers within their ranks and launched a vicious surprise attack on the other half of the organization in a bid to take control.

Open gang warfare rocked the streets as each side sought to destroy the other. Businesses under protection were raided, drug dens set on fire and destroyed, even members of the council were assassinated on the streets in broad daylight.

Either by dumb luck or fate Jimmy had avoided the initial violence and kept up his leadership as the war dragged on and on, but Mobly knew that he would win in the end. Jimmy still played by his rules and thus was limited in his responses to Mobly’s aggressive tactics.

Now after six months of brutal fighting Jimmy had contacted Mobly and offered a ceasefire. On the surface it looked like he was trying to smooth things over so the gang could get back to making money, but Mobly knew that Jimmy’s manpower and war chest were critically low and this was no doubt some attempt to buy himself some time to rebuild.

It was rather pleasing to Mobly to now see his once partner turned rival sitting across from him. He was flanked by two guards only while Mobly had brought at eight with him, each one armed to the teeth beneath their clothes should things turn sour.

Mobly had contemplated using this meeting as a chance to kill Jimmy once and for all but had decided to play things out diplomatically. If he killed Jimmy there was no guarantee that the dust dealers under him would fall in line and join up with Mobly again. Worst case scenario they would splinter off and form their own gangs. Each considerably smaller than Mobly’s group, but enough of them to ensure that no one would have the entire criminal market under their control for some time. Mobly needed to have Jimmy submit and surrender so they could join up again as the one and only criminal group on the planet.

“You’re late.” Jimmy said as Mobly sat down at the table. There were only two seats at it now; no need for councils or group discussions when both were the de facto leaders of this criminal civil war.

Mobly gave the impression of indifference. “I had to get myself all fancied up.” Mobly chuckled, “It’s not every day your rival comes begging to kiss your ass.”

The two guards behind Jimmy got tense but Jimmy held up a hand to calm them down. Mobly had learned much from watching how Jimmy conducted himself as a crime boss when they were still partners, and he felt that he could expand upon the persona he displayed so often.

“You never were one for diplomacy, were you Mobly?” Jimmy said dryly. He pulled out an igo stick and lit it before taking a deep drag. He blew the smoke out and looked at Mobly like he was a bug that wouldn’t just die. “It is a poor negotiator who opens with insults.”

“See, that’s where you’re wrong.” Mobly calmly drew his finger across the dusty table, looking at the gathering dust before flicking it away dismissively. “This isn’t a negotiation.”

“Oh?” Jimmy leaned back in his chair. “Then what is this?”

“This is a surrender.” Mobly stated calmly. “No negotiations, no deals, no handshakes and happy endings; I’m going to give you terms and you’re going to either accept them or I wipe you off the face of this planet.”

When Jimmy said nothing Mobly continued. “You’re going to go back to whatever crack in the wall you have the rest of the dust dealers under you and tell them that they work for me now. You’ll sign over all the properties under your name to me and then be on the first transport out of here by weeks end.”

“Do this, and I’ll let you keep 25% of your profits; plenty to start a new life somewhere far, far away.”

Jimmy said nothing and continued taking deep intakes from his igo stick. He held out his hand with the stick still in it and pointed at Mobly.

“I still remember when you were just some punk kid way over his head about to get his brains bashed in by a magistrate. You remember that day?”

Mobly shook his head. “I’m a new man now, a man of the present and future Jimmy; I have no time for the past.”

There was a momentary look of sadness at this that crossed Jimmy’s face, but just as quickly had it appeared was it already replaced by a mask of indifference.

“I can see that,” he said as he leaned back to the table and dabbed out his igo stick on its surface, “for who else but a man of the future forget the friends who helped get them there?”

“Friends?” Mobly asked in disbelief. “You speak to me of friendship?”

Mobly pointed to a corner of the room. “Last time I was here you nearly beat me to death, your own partner, and now you have the gall to speak to me of friendship?!”

“I could have killed you,” Jimmy replied, “but because you were a friend I thought it best to give you one more chance; and now here we are”

“Yeah, here we are.”

The two of them stared at each other in silence while the guards behind each of them shuffled about uneasily. Mobly could see now that this meeting had been a waste of time. There was no way Jimmy would relinquish control of his half of the organization, and that Mobly would have to pry it from his dead hands once the fighting stopped. With how things had been Mobly imagined that it’d be another system rotation or two max before Jimmy lost what remaining support he had and was killed by his own men or by Mobly’s crew. It was a timetable Mobly was happy to abide by.

Seeing no further need for these talks, Mobly stood up and was about to call an end to this farce when suddenly a small canister fell from the rafters. The canister bounced once off the table before exploding outward in a great ball of white light.

Mobly’s eyes clenched shut and he could barely hear through the now deafening ringing in his ears before he felt a pair of hands grab him from behind and throw him to the floor.

At first he thought it was one of his men rushing him to safety but that was quickly dispelled when he felt his arms painfully yanked behind him. The cold press of metal clamped around his wrists and through the endless ringing Mobly could start to make out what sounded like someone shouting at him.

“Down on the ground scum sucker!!!”

Mobly blinked several times to clear his eyesight from the flash and was startled to see a full armed squad of magistrate enforcers now in the room. Looking over his shoulder he has the door to the chamber had been blown in and was rattling on the floor nearby. The signs of explosive breaching charges on either side of it while outside were still more enforcers piling into the room.

All of his men were likewise subdued on the ground him; none of them even being able to defend themselves before they were taken prisoner. Mobly turned once more to expecting to see Jimmy in the same predicament when instead he saw him and his men calmly rubbing their eyes while Jimmy spoke to own of the enforcers.

“What the hell is this Jimmy?!” Mobly demanded. Jimmy turned back to Mobly as if just remembering him and smiled.

“This is what I like to call, “Checkmate”.”

Jimmy patted the enforcer he had been talking to on the shoulder. The enforcer nodded to their men who began picking up Mobly’s crew and lining them against the wall as Jimmy knelt down to Mobly.

“What you never understood was that sometimes it is more important to have friends then Profit.”

Jimmy playfully slapped Mobly’s face as he was then hauled to his feet and led over to the others.

"You were too busy being gun ho you made quite a name for yourself; a name people in power started noticing.”

Mobly was shoved against the wall as the enforcers stood opposite him. Their hands rested on their plasma rotators and he knew if he or any of his men tried anything they’d be dead in seconds. So he played along and kept Jimmy talking.

“So you got your friends in high places to come after me? Couldn’t do it yourself, huh?”

Jimmy smirked. “Let’s just say that it looks good on their report card to be known for stopping the terrible crime wave that’s been ravaging the planet.”

“You know I’ll get out of jail.” Mobly spouted in defiance. “I’ve got friends to; I’ll be back on these streets in no time.”

To his surprise Jimmy shook his head. “It’s funny that you think you’ll get the chance.”

Mobly was about to ask what Jimmy was talking about when the lead enforcer spoke up.

“Payment has been confirmed, let’s get this over with.”

In unison the enforcers brought up their weapons and the harsh reality of their situation finally came crashing down on Mobly. He saw Jimmy tilting his hat at him before the plasma rotators fired and the world went dark for Mobly for the last time. -------------------

“In recent news, Governor Jobu announced that a daring raid last night had been carried out against the gang of criminals that have been plaguing our world for the last few system rotations.

The new magistrate chief had placed several sources within the criminal group who informed him that they were meeting at a remote abandoned plant to plan out their next series of attacks against our people.

Once this information was passed along proper channels to governor Jobu he acted without hesitation and ordered the magistrate chief to launch a massive raid on the facility and capture all those present.

A team of highly trained enforcers surrounded the abandoned facility and waited for all the criminal leaders to appear before springing their trap. Through their daring cunning they were able to then enter the facility unnoticed and had nearly reached the conference room hosting this meeting when one of the criminal guards spotted them and sounded the alarm.

What followed was a gripping and chaotic gun battle as enforcers traded blows with the criminal thugs that have terrorized our planet for so long. Despite repeated demands to surrender the criminals refused every one of them and continued fighting, injuring several enforcers in the continued struggle but thankfully not killing any.

Eventually each member of this heinous organization was killed, including the infamous crime lord himself known only as “Mobly the Dust King.”

With many of the organizations leaders now confirmed deceased, the magistrate chief assured the governor that the remaining elements of the organization would be hunted down and arrested in short order.

We can all breath a thankful sigh of relief knowing that these troubled times are behind us, and that life as we know it can return to normal.”

#HUMANS ARE WEIRD #humans are insane #humans are space orcs #humans are space oddities #scifi #story #writing #original writing #niqhtlord01

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im-a-wonderling · 1 year

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Bruises, Part 18 ~ Peter Pevensie

I hope everyone is having a restful holiday season, and if you aren’t, I hope this helps ❤️

Warnings: none?

Word count: 8.2k

Bruises Masterlist

Peter didn’t even have time to raise his arms before the dryad body-slammed him. He reeled backwards, colliding with me and bringing us both down to the ground.

The weight of Peter’s body on mine disappeared the moment after it appeared as Peter leapt to his feet. “Let’s talk about this!” he sternly told the dryad, but she just swiped at him, sending him careening off in the direction of the fire. He barely managed to twist to avoid the flames. I didn’t have time to be relieved, for the dryad fixed her glassy gaze on me.

Pushing myself to my feet, I held out my hands, trying to show I was unarmed. The silver bracelet around my wrist caught the light, reminding me of just how unarmed I really was.

The dryad lifted her arms, and I leapt back, trying to stay out of her reach.

As disoriented as the dryad was, she had no right being as fast as she was.

Quick as lightning, she lashed out, and the sheer force of her attack launched me backwards, straight into the boulder Peter’d been leaning against.

I dropped to the ground, gasping, trying to breathe, but the hit left me stunned. Dazed, I pulled my head up to see the dryad looming over me, reaching out to grab me. I tried to scoot away, but there was nowhere for me to go. Pressing my back against the rock, I squeezed my eyes shut, preparing for the blow.

“Leave her alone!”

My eyes flew open in time to see the dryad swivel towards Peter, who was standing his ground, a fallen tree branch in his hand.

She advanced on Peter. He swung the tree branch. Clearly, the dryad’s mind wasn’t sound, because she didn’t even try to block the blow before it hit her torso.

The dryad stumbled, but quickly regained her footing.

I jumped to my feet, looking around for a weapon of some kind but there was nothing that would make a dent. Then my eyes fell upon the bracelet around my wrist.

My magic was the only weapon I had, and I’d shackled it earlier with no way of getting the bracelet off without Tolna’s help.

I looked up to see Peter try to hit the dryad again, but she easily grabbed the branch, gripping it so tightly that it snapped. Peter’s eyes went wide just before the dryad shoved him. He slammed into the grass, twisting to look up at her.

All I could do was scream as she brought her foot down on Peter’s sword arm.

The sickening sound of bone snapping reached my ears, and Peter crumbled, cradling the limb. I didn’t have to be close to know that his arm was broken.

I ran towards him, but the dryad saw me coming and delivered a strike to my stomach, forcing me backwards again. I landed on the grass, coming face to face with the fire that still burned, the heat like a blow to the face.

The heat…

I turned to the fire, knowing what I needed to do next.

Before I could second guess my plan, I thrust my left wrist into the fire.

A scream tore through my lips as the flames licked my skin. I thought I heard Peter scream my name, but I couldn’t tell, not when blood was rushing in my ears.

My body wasn’t unfamiliar with pain, but this was raging, scorching, boiling pain.

I yanked my arm out of the flames, tears pouring down my face as I gripped my wrist with my other hand. Blisters had already formed, patches of white among the angry red of my skin.

But in the middle of the blisters lay the bracelet.

With a small crack running through it.

It was working.

I looked back to Peter, who grabbed a pebble with his uninjured arm and tossed it towards the dryad. It hit with a feeble thump and fell to the grass. The dryad stared at the pebble confusedly, momentarily distracted. She wouldn’t be distracted for long.

I steeled myself, throwing my arm back into the flames.

The pain grew stronger, and my whole body shook with its reverberations. Through eyes filled with tears, I glanced behind me. Peter lay with his back against a tree, looking pale as the dryad raised her arms, clearly preparing to crush Peter into the ground.

I didn’t need to look at my burning wrist to know the bracelet was still on. Peter looked at me, and from his expression, I knew. He was saying goodbye.

“No!” I screamed. But I was too far away to do anything except watch.

Just as the dryad started bringing her arms down, I felt the bracelet break.

The magic rushed back so quickly, my vision swam before turning red. There was no thinking, no conscious decision, no finesse whatsoever. There was only fear, and the resulting surge of magic that left my fingertips.

I heard a cry before my vision cleared in time to see the dryad reel backwards and fall to her knees.

Not wasting the moment, I hurled forward, planting myself in between the dryad and Peter. Behind me, Peter tried to say something, but his voice was too strained for me to hear it. I extended my vibrating hands towards the dryad, preparing to land the next blow.

But the dryad didn’t attack again.

I didn’t move, wondering if the dryad had enough wits about her to play dead. The skin of my left wrist was burning, but the adrenaline coursing through my bloodstream allowed me to ignore it, keeping myself primed for action as I glared at the dryad.

Then I noticed the red streaks on her body start to fade, leaving only brown and green behind. When the dryad lifted her head, her eyes were clear. “Wha-what’s happening?” she asked, bringing a hand to her head.

“You healed her.”

A dripping King Edmund stood on the other side of the clearing, staring at the dryad with a stunned expression. He turned his wide eyes on me. “How did you heal her?”

His presence was about the last thing I expected, but I pushed all my own questions aside. “I-I don’t know, I just blasted her with my magic, and she came to!”

King Edmund came closer, his eyes fixed on the dryad. “Do you know who you are?” he asked her, kneeling beside her.

“I’m…uh, my name is Briersis.” She wrapped her arms around herself. “What’s going on?” King Edmund started to talk to her, using soothing words, but I ignored them, turning towards Peter.

“Are you okay?” I asked, kneeling beside him, taking great care to keep my burnt arm from brushing against anything.

Peter’s face was alarmingly pale, and his jaw was clenched. “I’m good, I’m alright.” He looked at my arm. “Y/N, your arm–”

“I’m fine,” I said.

“Neither of you are fine,” King Edmund said, coming up behind us. “Pete, we gotta get that arm set.”

“What are you even doing here?” I asked King Edmund.

“Magdrul sent me.” King Edmund lifted the sleeve of Peter’s injured arm, causing Peter to suck a breath in through his teeth. “He was worried it was a trap, and he knew I was the one who could come without getting in trouble.”

The obvious deformity of Peter’s arm made my stomach churn. It had to be hurting greatly, and yet Peter’s eyes were resting on my injury instead of his. “Why’d you do that?” he asked.

I blinked at him, unsure as to why I didn’t want to explain the bracelet. “Um…Gonin put a bracelet on me to inhibit my magic. One of the hags took it off when I got to the castle, but when I came to meet you…”

“...you wanted to inhibit your magic,” Peter finished, understanding dawning in his face. “Because of me.”

Neither of us spoke any further. I was sure there was as much pain reflecting in my eyes as there was in Peter’s.

“Y?N,” King Edmund cut in, startling me, “can you try use your magic to heal Pete?”

I instinctively drew my hands to my chest, shaking my head as the image of my magic blasting the flower woman ran through my mind. “I’m more likely to hurt him than to help him.”

King Edmund frowned, but he didn’t push. “Then we have to get you both to safety.”

Safety.

“But…” I looked at the dark-haired king, “Peter can’t swim back to the witch’s castle with only one working arm.”

“And Y/N doesn’t want to come back to the Narnian camp with me,” Peter said.

Peter and I locked eyes, the solution becoming obvious.

We had to separate.

King Edmund nudged me. “Go back to the castle.”

I looked helplessly at him. “But…but…”

“I’ve got him, I’ll take him back to the Narnian camp.”

“But–”

“Go.” He gave me a gentle push. “I’ll take Briersis with me, and we’ll tell everyone what happened.”

I looked back to Peter. ““I can’t leave you,” I breathed. “I can’t, not now.”

Peter’s eyes shone with emotion, and I knew he felt the same as I did. “We’ll stay here,” he said stubbornly. “We’re not going to go back.” He shifted to sit up, and a wince broke through.

King Edmund rested a hand on my arm. “He needs help, Y/N. You gotta go back.”

“No!” Peter cried, his face tight with pain.

I looked between the two kings, my heart splintering. Peter and I hadn’t decided anything, we hadn’t reached a peace. If I left now, I wouldn’t see him again before the second meeting tomorrow. What if he was still of the same mind? What if he still wanted to lock up or kill the witch’s army? Then this whole evening would’ve been for naught.

But he needed help. He couldn’t stay here.

“You’ll take care of him?” I asked King Edmund. It was a silly question to ask, but I needed to hear it.

King Edmund nodded. “He’ll be okay.”

“No, Y/N, don’t!”

I turned back to Peter, lifting my uninjured hand to cup his cheek. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”

Peter grabbed my hand, holding me tight, but I stood, breaking out of his grasp.

“Don’t take too long getting back,” King Edmund said, hoisting his brother to his feet. A pained groan broke through Peter’s lips as King Edmund wasted no time in dragging him off into the forest.

Peter twisted to look over his shoulder at me, but I immediately turned away, heading for the water.

The returning swim was so much worse than the first one. My whole body ached from the exertion and the trauma. The water should’ve felt like a balm on my mangled wrist, but instead the freezing water only made the agony sharper. I couldn’t tell if the water in my eyes were tears or water from the lake, but either way, I swam blindly for the castle.

By the time I reached the rope, I was almost too tired to keep my head above the water.

“My lady?” Magdrul called. “Is that you?”

“I can’t climb,” I tried to shout back, but the words were far too hoarse to reach Magdrul’s ears. “Help!” I tried to call, but the word was just a squeak.

“Hold on!”

I obeyed, clutching the rope with my uninjured hand. But even my grip grew weaker and weaker.

I leaned my head against the stone of the castle.

I’d failed. I’d snuck out and confronted Peter, and nothing had changed before the dryad showed up. I’d tried so hard to save the army, and I’d only succeeded in fighting with Peter and getting both of us injured.

“Y/N?” Adonis’s voice called. “If you’re there, wrap the rope around the bottom of your foot so we can pull you up.”

My muscles refused to move. The cold surrounding me weighed me down, pulling me towards the bottom of the lake. I didn’t know how much longer I could manage to keep myself afloat.

“Y/N?” Adonis called again.

“Please!” Magdrul called down, desperation seeding his words. “Please just do it!”

I tried to move the rope, but only a finger twitched. I tried again, and my hand managed a weak squeeze. I tried a third time, and my hand managed to create a loop in the rope.

I sluggishly fit my foot through it just before the rope was pulled taut.

Before I knew it, I was being pulled up through the air.

In no time at all, two arms wrapped around me, pulling me up and over the railing of the balcony.

“Y/N,” Adonis said with relief.

The sound of his voice was too much. A few tears escaped, feeling warm against the cold skin of my cheeks. I shut my eyes, wrapping my arms around myself.

“Adonis,” Magdrul said quietly, “look at her hand.”

At his words, I self-consciously shifted my burnt hand and then groaned as a flare of pain shot up my arm.

“Get Tolna,” Adonis said sharply. “I’ll bring her to her room.”

Magdrul took off running, and suddenly I was scooped up into the air again. I remained limp, my head spinning. It felt as if the lights and sounds around me were coming from very far away.

The only thing solid were the warm arms surrounding me.

“Peter?” I croaked before everything went dark.

I stood on a beach, clueless as to where I was or how I’d gotten there.

To my right spanned a seemingly endless ocean, but to my left was what looked like a wall made of water. It sounded like a wave and looked like a wave, but it didn’t move forwards or backwards. I could just barely make out the tops of mountains behind the wave, but they were too distant for me to make out anything serious.

Then, a large shadow covered me, and I whirled around, breathing shallowly. And what I saw nearly had me tumbling to my knees.

The great lion.

Aslan himself.

Standing less than ten feet away from me, his eyes boring into me, splitting me in half and wiping me clean.

I started shaking from head to toe, feeling such awe and terror that I couldn’t do anything but stare.

“Don’t fear me,” the lion said, his gentle voice vibrating in such a way that it reminded me simultaneously of Peter’s voice and the thrumming of magic I always felt in my fingertips.

“I-I can’t help it,” I said. How could I stand in front of so majestic a creature and not feel my very bones tremble?

“Come, let me breathe on you.” The request would’ve seemed strange coming from anyone else, but somehow, coming from him it made somehow sense.

I closed my eyes, bracing myself for some sort of hot gust of hair that smelled reminiscent of the lion’s last meal. But instead, a gentle breeze blew past me, lifting my arms and my heart, making me feel as though I could fly.

“Are you feeling braver?” the lion asked.

I opened my eyes and was surprised to see that my hands were no longer shaking. “A little bit,” I confessed, straightening my spine.

“Good,” he rumbled.

“Aslan…” I trailed off, trying to form the feelings in my heart into words. “I’m so sorry.”

The lion blinked slowly. “For what?”

“For everything. For the men I killed, for the magic I abused, for all things that I’ve done.” I curled my arms around myself, lowering my gaze to the sand, unable to meet his eyes. “I know I don’t deserve forgiveness, but–”

“Do you believe,” the rich timbre of his voice made me peek up at him, “that just because you have made mistakes that you are no longer my child?” The lion gave me a gentle smile. “I know you, and I love you dearly.”

Love me? How could he love me?

Aslan chuckled, and I flushed, knowing he’d somehow surmised my thoughts. “Child, I see all and know all. I knew when you were born that great magic resided within you. I watched as your mother did her best to feed you, and I knew the moment she decided to go to the witch for sanctuary. I watched as the witch claimed you as her heir, and I knew when your mother decided she needed to protect you before you did something you couldn’t come back from.”

Even if I could’ve stopped the words, I didn’t want to hold back my truth. “But those murders aren’t something I can come back from.”

“My sweet,” the lion said, approaching me, “you already have.”

“How?”

“Because I forgive you.”

I felt as if a great weight had been lifted from my chest, a weight I’d grown so accustomed to, I hadn’t even realized how heavy it really was. I could’ve tried for a hundred years and never been able to stop myself from shedding tears. They rolled down my cheeks, and every time I brushed the old tears away, new tears quickly took their place.

Aslan’s eyes held understanding. “Forgiveness.” He titled his head. “It’s a powerful thing.”

“Will you give me my memories back?”

“No.”

Crestfallen, I felt my shoulders sag. “But...Aslan–”

“It is time that you stopped living in the past, struggling with the choices of others, and started focusing on your present. On making your choices.” I focused on the lion’s tail, which was gently curling and uncurling. “I gave the kings and queens of Narnia a title when they took their thrones at Cair Paravel. Now I want to give one to you.”

“To me?” I asked, peering into Aslan’s face. “But I’m not even a queen.”

“No, you’re not. But there are many people of great importance that aren’t kings and queens. You have earned this title.”

My heart soared as I knelt.

“You have worked to overcome the things you were and the things you did. You are staying true to the lessons you’ve learned and are becoming the person you were always intended to be.” The lion smiled. “You’re a person after my own heart.” He lifted a great paw, touching first my right shoulder and then my left. “So, rise, Y/N the Lionhearted.”

“Lionhearted,” I breathed. A title directly tying me to him.

Aslan didn’t need to tell me he was proud of me. I could see it in his eyes and feel it in my heart.

“You know what you must do,” said the lion. “Don’t you?”

I let out a shuddering breath, fear trickling back in. “I think so…but will it be enough?”

A chuckle came from the lion, but I didn’t feel rebuked, because of the kindness that shone from the lion’s eyes. “Does that change whether or not you should do it?”

“No, I guess not,” I said reluctantly, wishing it did.

“Good. Because there will be a moment. A moment when you are preparing to say what must be said. In that moment, you must take courage and stay your course, or all will be lost. Do you understand?”

I nodded, despite the ominous feeling that had now sunk into my skin.

The lion stepped forward, brushing his whiskered face against mine. Abandoning caution, I wrapped my arms around him and buried my face in his fur, trying to draw in strength and comfort from his presence.

“Thank you, Aslan,” I whispered into his mane before pulling back.

“Our time draws to an end,” Aslan said, and he started to turn around.

“Aslan?”

He swiveled back to face me. “Yes?”

I bit my lip, not sure if I wanted the answer to the question I was about to ask. “What about Peter and I? What will happen to us?”

He didn’t smile or frown. He merely blinked, his eyes so deep and wise, I half-believed he was looking underneath my flesh, directly into my heart. “That is a question for you to live and find out.”

I nodded, feeling a bit wistful.

“It is alright to feel sad,” Aslan said, and his voice was getting farther and farther away, as if his voice was carrying down a tunnel. “It is alright to be frightened, to be angry, to be confused. You just need to remember one thing.”

“And what’s that?”

“I am with you,” said the lion.

I awoke slowly. My body ached, particularly my now-bandaged wrist, reminding me of the events of the night before.

For a moment, I questioned the conversation I’d had. It wasn’t a memory, so it had to be a dream, and none of my dreams had ever possessed truth.

But for the first time in longer than I could remember, my mind was clear. I felt soul-deep peace.

It was real. There was no way it wasn’t. Aslan was right. I knew what I had to do, and just because I wasn’t sure if I would succeed didn’t change the fact that it was necessary. The next step was clear. I only needed to find the courage to do it.

“Lady Y/N?” I sat up in bed to see Magdrul just inside my open bedroom door. “It’s almost time.”

********

I didn’t hesitate outside the tent this time. Instead, I entered the tent just as confidently as I’d crossed the bridge. Achlosh, Adonis, and Magdrul trailed behind me.

Peter and his entourage hadn’t arrived yet. There were three chairs placed on Peter’s side and only one on mine. I slid into it, resting my arms on the table, doing my best to stay loose and relaxed.

“You’ve got this,” Adonis said, resting a hand on my shoulder.

“And we’re with you every step of the way, Your Excellency,” Achlosh rumbled from my other side. Magdrul didn’t say anything, but I could’ve sworn his nose brushed my elbow before quickly retreating.

Their support and comfort meant everything.

These were the creatures I was charged with protecting. And I would do right by them.

Without warning, the other side of the tent was pulled open, revealing the three sovereigns, accompanied again by Mr. Tumnus and General Oreius. I could’ve made a comment about the uneven number of accompaniments Peter had chosen to bring with him, but I kept my mouth shut. There were other battles to fight.

Out of all three monarchs, only Queen Susan looked unchanged. King Edmund’s face held a sort of grim nature, tinted very slightly with hope. The two of them quickly took their seats on the two ends, leaving the one in the middle for their older brother.

As Peter lowered himself into his seat, his uninjured hand went up to his neck to fiddle with the knot holding his other arm in a sling. His gaunt eyes roved over the three creatures behind me before settling onto my face, prompting me to begin.

I took a moment to gather my thoughts. I would not be baited, I would not be rushed. I wasn’t a king’s mistress, I wasn’t a witch. I wasn’t a chambermaid or a queen.

I was Y/N, the Lionhearted.

I am with you.

I took a deep breath. “I trust everyone has been apprised of the events of last night, so I won’t waste our time saying what’s already been said.”

Queen Susan’s glare intensified, and my lips started to quiver under her cynical scrutiny.

This was it. The moment Aslan had mentioned. The moment when I needed to summon all my courage and blast forward, chasing nothing other than what was right.

Or all will be lost.

I folded my hands to hide their trembling. “Apparently, my bargaining chip has presented itself.” Out of ther corner of my eye, I saw King Edmund smile, and I knew he knew were this was going. “ I can lift the disease that has been plaguing the dryads of the Western Woods.”

“How?” Queen Susan asked. “Last night was an accident.”

“You’re right, it was.” I paused. “But only because I’ve been suppressing my magic out of fear instead of learning to control it. When I was a child, the hags taught me control, so they can do it again. If we succeed in restoring the dryads, I ask that our peoples unite as Narnians.”

“Three queens is too many for one nation,” Queen Susan butted in.

Amusement kindled to life inside me. “I have no desire to be a queen.” I could’ve sworn I saw, out of the corner of my eye, Peter flinch. I chanced a look at him, but nothing in his demeanor suggested sadness or insult. “All I want is the right thing, and that is peace in Narnia.”

Queen Susan folded her arms, drawing my attention again. “But if peace in Narnia is the right thing, why won’t you just lift the disease anyway?”

I regarded her calmly. “Because I’m not sure everyone else here is willing to do the right thing too.”

A strangled sound came from Adonis. He quickly coughed a couple times, but none of us were fooled.

He wasn’t the only one. King Edmund was clearly fighting a smirk, while Mr. Tumnus’s hand rose to cover his mouth, his eyes shining. The queen looked like she’d swallowed a snake.

She turned to the high king, who was staring. Not at her, but at my hands resting on the table. On the bandages on my left hand.

“Peter?” King Edmund prompted.

Peter looked up, eyes thoughtfully searching my face. Whatever he was looking for, he seemed to find, for he nodded absentmindedly. “I accept the terms.”

My heart soared, even as Queen Susan and General Oreius gave Peter confused looks. Mr. Tumnus and King Edmund broke into large grins, while I heard Adonis let out a quiet laugh of relief.

Peter didn’t look at anyone else, his attention staying firmly on me. “You and your people are free to inhabit the deserted village close to here. My brother, as the Western Woods were entrusted to him by Aslan, will be the liaison between our peoples until such a time as you have rid this entire forest of disease. Once all the dryads are healed, I will send out an official and final pardon.” Peter took a deep breath. “Then you and your people will be welcome in Narnia.”

Queen Susan opened her mouth, but Peter cut her off. “That is my final word.” His eyes flitted to my face. “Is there anything else we need to address?”

I very nearly laughed at his question. The things calling for closure rested in between the high king and I like rubble from a demolished marble statue.

There were apologies to be worded, feelings to be expressed, a relationship that needed clarifying.

But this was not the place.

“No, your majesty.”

Peter nodded once more, then got up from his chair. “Then I believe it’s time to tell everyone of our deal. Lady Y/N, if you will.” He extended a hand towards me, and I wasted no time in taking it. He led me around the table and out of the tent.

Both armies immediately stood at attention, clearly on edge.

Peter dropped my hand. “A peace treaty has been struck!” he boomed.

Halfhearted cheers came from both sides, showing that the two armies were perhaps feeling just as conflicted as their leaders. But not even that was enough to dim the light in my chest at Peter’s words.

The peace was official.

Magdrul prodded my leg from behind. “Your army is waiting to celebrate with you,” he said quietly.

I threw a glance at Peter, who was watching his own army, before nodding and walking back across the bridge towards the witch’s army.

My army.

The relief hung in the air like a pleasant kind of fog. Many of the creatures in the army crossed their arms over their chests, a sign of honor as well as thanks while others bowed their heads. Adonis squeezed my shoulder just before Achlosh bent down to Goria, whispering in her ear.

The tiny minotaur ran to me, shyly wrapping her arms around my legs as chuckles rose from everyone around me. I patted her back, overcome. She smiled up at me, her eyes wide and innocent, before scampering back to Achlosh.

“Alright, enough of this,” I said fondly to everyone around me. “We have work to do.”

The creatures disbanded, all walking back to the courtyard, returning to their posts.

I started to follow them before slowing to a stop. I couldn’t help myself; I glanced back at the Narnian army.

They’d already torn down the tent the meetings had taken place in, leaving the bridge empty.

Most of the soldiers were already breaking camp. General Oreius stood with his arms folded, looking less than happy. But King Edmund slapped Peter on the back, the smile on the Just King’s face matching that of Mr. Tumnus, who was beside Oreius. King Edmund pulled Peter and Queen Susan into a group hug, and the three of them broke out into laughter, clearly relieved.

The familiarity they had with each other made my heart ache a bit. I still didn’t know if I had any siblings or what happened to my father, but I knew I probably wouldn’t ever know.

As they broke apart, Queen Susan and King Edmund walked further into their camp, their arms around each other. Peter, however, turned his head to look at me.

Our eyes met, and it was like an electric shock coursed through my body.

My feet started moving at the same time his did.

Over Peter’s shoulder, I could see the Narnian soldiers pausing, watching us with varying degrees of interest and suspicion. They’d all either seen my relationship with Peter or heard of the magical chambermaid the high king showed interest in. I could tell they were weighing what they’d seen and heard, trying to figure out what they were seeing.

I couldn’t imagine what the army behind me was doing, and I wasn’t sure I wanted to know.

We met in the middle of the bridge, slowing to a stop with about five feet in between us.

“How’s your arm?” I asked.

Peter seemed to relax a little. “It’s broken, but I’ve had worse. How’s your hand?”

“Burnt, but I’ve had worse.”

He chuckled, his gaze dropping to the grass.

Then his smile quickly fell. “I wanted to say I’m sorry,” he said quietly. “For what I’ve done.” A heavy sigh left his lips. “You were right. I was so blinded by my urges to rescue you, I didn’t stop and listen to what you were saying.”

I cocked my head, studying him. “You’ve changed your tune.”

“Last night…” Peter’s shoulder slumped. “If you’d run away from the dryad like I wanted, we never would’ve known that you could lift the disease, and I’d be dead. And if I hadn’t behaved poorly about your magic, maybe you wouldn’t’ve put on that bracelet and burned it off to save me.”

Forgiveness is a powerful thing, the lion had said, right after he’d absolved me. Yet another power I held. I could bottle it up, keeping it close while fearing its power. Or…

I stepped forward, taking Peter’s hand in mine, causing him to look up. “I forgive you.”

A frown tugged at Peter’s lips. “You shouldn’t. I’ve been an ass.” I laughed. “No, I have been, truly. I tried to keep your memories from you, and now, more than ever, I know that,” his eyes roamed my face, like he was committing it to memory, “memories are precious.”

I squeezed his hand. “Thank you.”

His brows contorted. “Whatever for?”

“For changing.”

He was silent for a three count, a tinge of sadness growing in his face with every passing second. “I changed too late though, didn’t I?” I bit my lip, not knowing what to say. Peter nodded slowly, like that was the only answer he needed. “I want to give you the rest of your memories, but I don’t think any of the many people watching us right now would like it if we touched foreheads.”

“No, they wouldn’t.” My thoughts drifted to my dream last night. “I have a feeling it wouldn’t work anyways.”

A wrinkle formed in between Peter’s eyebrows. “Because…you’re angry at me again?”

“Because I was told that it’s time for me to live in the present and make my own choices.” I smiled slyly. “And the great lion always knows best.”

Peter’s mouth fell open. “You…you saw him? He spoke to you?”

I nodded. “In a dream.”

Peter shook his head, looking half amused, half irritated. “He’s not a tame lion,” he muttered.

I didn’t know what that meant, but something told me Peter was saying it for his own sake.

I wanted to say something more. I wanted to tell him about every moment of the past few days, talk about Gonin’s death, laugh about the absurdity of me leading an army, and discuss how best to remove the disease in the forest. I wanted to express my relief at the peace and my gratitude over his willingness to change.

And more than anything, I wanted to release the feelings that were building up on my tongue.

But he no longer needed to know all those things, and saying them would make everything harder.

I dropped Peter’s hand, letting my own fall to my side. “Travel safe, okay?”

Peter nodded. “If you need anything–”

“I’ll send a messenger.”

He nodded slowly.

I recognized the emotions swimming in his eyes as the ones ricocheting through me.

Sadness. Reluctance. And above all, regret.

With great effort, I turned my back to the king and rejoined my people in the courtyard.

They all smiled as I walked past, and, despite the sudden, leaden weight of my heart, I smiled back.

I was sure there were questions about what was next, but for the moment, I needed privacy, so I secluded myself away in my bedroom.

Standing on the balcony, I watched as the Narnians finished breaking camp.

For all my fighting in the past few days, never did I realize I wouldn’t be returning to Cair Paravel. My bed in the maids’ chambers would be empty, my meager and meaningless possessions left abandoned. I wouldn’t be returning to tell Mrs. Dolie of all that had happened, nor would I be explaining anything to the household mistress.

In fact, I might never again clean a dish, make a bed, wash clothes that didn’t belong to me. That just wasn’t my role anymore.

“My lady,” said a voice, and I turned to see Magdrul coming inside my room. “You were right. You going to meet the high king did lead to the saving of your people.”

I hummed.

Magdrul stood beside me. “My lady, I want to apologize. I tried to stand in your way, even when I had no right to.”

I glanced down at the wolf, whose tail was drooping. “There’s nothing to apologize for. You were acting out of loyalty, and your ingenuity with how I could get out of the castle is something I’ll need if I’m really going to help the dryads of these woods.”

Magdrul smiled. “Whatever I can do to aid you, my lady, I will.”

“Good.” I resumed my previous position, staring out at the Narnians. They’d started walking back into the forest, heading in the direction of Cair Paravel. And heading the procession was Peter, astride his horse.

We’d said our goodbyes, and yet it was undeniable that a part of my heart was leaving with him. If I was my old self, I would’ve been shedding tears right now. But as Peter had changed, I had as well, too quickly for our love to catch up.

The finality of it all, of watching Peter ride away without knowing when I would see him again, made my chest ache. These past few days, my relationship with Peter hadn’t been the same, but just as I never anticipated I wouldn’t return to Cair Paravel, I never anticipated I would be separated from him.

I knew I would see him again, but that wasn’t what was making me sad, was it?

No, it was the knowledge that it would never again be the same.

Never again would we be in companionable silence while I cleaned his study.

Never again would Peter sneak into the kitchen for a chance to see me and steal me away from my chores.

Never again would we run into each other in our dreams, completely isolated in a world made up of our own memories and desires.

“You really love him,” Magdrul said softly, “don’t you?”

My eyes didn’t budge from Peter. I didn’t reply, because I didn’t need to. Magdrul already knew.

********

Achlosh clip-clopped his way over to my horse. “My lady, Cair Paravel is just around the next corner.”

“Thank you, Achlosh.” Message delivered, Achlosh returned to his previous position beside Goria, who’d grown nearly a foot taller over the past year. I took a deep breath, my hands squeezing the reins as if I could use them to leash my nerves.

Adonis glanced over at me. “Don’t be nervous.”

“I’m not nervous,” I said defensively.

The centaur just laughed. “I’ve known you for too long to believe that.”

“I’ve had a while to prepare for this day, give me some credit.”

The centaur’s silence told me he hadn’t missed the underlying charge in that statement.

I couldn’t help looking around at the woods. They all seemed unchanged from when Peter and I had walked through them on our way to the market for pears.

“You held up your part of the bargain,” Adonis said finally. “This is them holding up theirs.”

“I know,” I replied. “I’m not worried, I’m just–”

“Nervous,” Adonis finished.

I cut him a glare, and his answering guffaw was unfettered and free. “It’s just strange to be back,” I confessed. “I left as a chambermaid, and I’m returning as what?”

“A queen in everything but name.”

I shook my head. “Narnia doesn’t need another queen.”

“Maybe not. But it certainly needs you.” Adonis smiled shrewdly. “And I can think of a certain king who needs you too.”

“Well, what about you?” I retorted, my cheeks red. “Won’t your wife and son be relieved to be back to your village instead of living in the shadow of the witch’s castle?”

Adonis snorted. “My wife will be happy to be back, but Axiel has decided he wants to be a minotaur when he grows up.”

I laughed loudly. “He’s going to be very disappointed to find out he can’t change species.”

We rounded the corner, and my laughter died in my throat. The sight of the gates of Cair Paravel sent a new wave of nerves through me.

“Breathe,” Adonis said quietly, and I obediently took in a breath.

Considering I’d spent the last year in the witch’s castle—which was barely half the size of Cair Paravel—the castle walls seemed bigger and grander than they had before. The large gates were open, and a crowd stood outside the palace.

I recognized the four kings and queens at the front of the crowd, standing as evenly placed as their thrones. A few of their advisors, including Mr. Tumnus and General Oreius, stood behind them. The rest of the throng must’ve been common Narnians desiring to witness this historic event.

My heart flipped anxiously in my chest as we drew closer.

Peter’s face became more distinct as we got closer, and my heart flipped as I gazed upon the familiar features I’d often dreamed of in the past year. In the beginning, I’d been juvenile to think they were shared. Now I knew it had only been my mind trying to trick my foolhardy heart, because while Peter looked mostly the same, there was a different bearing to him now.

A more mature bearing.

“Halt!” Achlosh shouted, and the whole army came to a stop.

I dismounted and shakily approached the kings and queens.

Queen Lucy was bouncing in place, obviously excited to see me again.

King Edmund grinned at me, and I thanked Aslan that I’d gotten the chance to work with him on the restoration of the Western Woods. No one understood redemption like he did.

Queen Susan looked surprisingly calm. I suppose she had had a year to cool off after our somewhat disastrous peace treaty meeting.

And Peter.

Peter wasn’t smiling, but there was a soft shine in his eyes.

“High King Peter,” I said, inclining my head. Magdrul had impressed upon me the importance of greeting Peter as an equal worthy of respect, not treating him as a superior worthy of reverence. As uncomfortable as it felt, I understood the message it sent about my peoples’ place among the rest of Narnia.

“Lady Y/N,” Peter greeted. “Shall we?” He led the way, his siblings following into step beside him, leaving me to lead my army behind.

Walking the halls of the castle again would’ve been strange enough, but walking through them as a valued guest instead of a servant felt like a hallucination.

I’d come a long way in a year.

The four monarchs led me to the throne room, where it seemed all of Narnia waited for this historic moment.

The four kings and queens took their spots, standing just in front of their thrones, all facing me.

“Lady Y/N,” Peter boomed in his kingly voice, drawing all eyes. “You have fulfilled your end of the bargain that was struck a year ago. All the dryads of the Western Woods have been restored. I know I speak for all of us,” Peter’s gaze swept the room, resting on all the inhabitants, “when I say you have our gratitude.”

I half-expected some grumbling to come from his subjects, but they remained silent, a sure sign that progress had been made in this castle as well as in the Western Woods. I momentarily wondered what Peter had been saying and doing to prepare his subjects for this day.

“It is now my turn to uphold the conditions.” Peter took a deep breath. “I hereby pardon all of the creatures who served tirelessly at your side to end the illness of the woods. As of today, they are, once again, true Narnians.”

Clamor burst through the room, and for a moment, I worried it was protesting and looked around the room.

All of the Narnians gathered were cheering. Applauding. Even some of the creatures of what was formerly my army were making noise, smiling at me and the king behind me.

Harmony.

The harmony I’d worked for and fought for and sacrificed for, again and again. It was here.

I faced Peter once again, not capable of hiding the broad smile across my face.

And Peter smiled back. It was not a smile of exhibition or politeness. It was not the high king’s smile.

It was Peter’s smile.

Peter raised his hand, and the Narnians quieted. He stepped forward, eyes trained on me. “Lady Y/N, you have conducted yourself with grace and wisdom, even in the face of opposition and trial.” Tears pricked my eyes, and Peter nodded softly, as if he somehow knew exactly how I felt. “You showed tenacity, far beyond what anyone could expect of you and somehow retained compassion despite all you’ve faced.” He grinned, lifting his eyes to the subjects in the room. “There is a nickname for Lady Y/N that has surfaced in the past year, and I think it a fitting tribute.”

Another cheer rose through the room, and I had to turn my face to the floor to regain a hold on my expression.

I knew exactly what he was talking about, and judging by the nods of everyone around me, they did too.

I didn’t know how it happened, because I didn’t tell anyone of the title Aslan had given me, but the title had naturally surfaced, as if Aslan himself whispered it into the ears of those around me.

“My siblings and I would be honored, Lady Y/N, if you would join our council.”

I looked up, shocked. But all four monarchs smiled at me, even Queen Susan, showcasing the truth of Peter’s words.

“The honor is mine,” I replied, placing a hand over my chest. “I would be glad to accept.”

The resulting cheer was so deafening, I was surprised the windows didn’t shatter.

Peter clapped his hands, looking gleeful. “Then it’s settled. Now, onto the feast!”

The room burst into activity as the servants rushed forward, bringing tables and chairs in.

Arms from behind wrapped around me, and I was enveloped in the comforting smell of flour and soup.

“Mrs. Dolie,” I said softly, turning in the embrace to look at the wise woman’s face.

“You did it, dearie.” She pet my head. “You found your way.”

I hugged her tightly, a cascade of emotions coursing through me.

She patted my back and departed for the kitchens, which were sure to be chaotic with the feast that was about to come.

I glanced around the room, finding it difficult to keep at bay the tears of happiness and relief.

Queen Susan and the household mistress stood together, clearly discussing the organization of the tables and seats. Seeing my old mistress sent a rush of affection through me…as well as a strange urge to go grab a mop.

King Edmund talked with Magdrul, who was sandwiched between a fox and a griffin, looking spectacularly uncomfortable.

Adonis sat with his wife, deep in discussion with Queen Lucy and Mr. Tumnus while Axiel and Goria ran around with a few baby satyrs and talking mice, playing some form of tag. As I watched, Achlosh approached Queen Lucy, and the queen’s eyes sparkled as the minotaur awkwardly bowed.

Out of all the futures I’d imagined, the reality tasted sweeter.

Because I sat there, surrounded by a reunited people, not as a chambermaid and not as a queen. Not cowering as someone broken or nameless, but shining as my truest self, brighter than any star.

Y/N.

The Lionhearted.

Peter sat on his throne, surveying the room with a satisfaction mirroring mine. And when his eyes met mine, a smile formed on my face matching his.

********

I lay in my bed, staring up at the ceiling of the guest chamber I’d been placed in—a room I’d actually cleaned many times over.

My mind couldn’t relax. The excitement of the day certainly didn’t lend itself to resting, but that couldn’t be the only reason sleep evaded me…

Finally giving up, I got out of bed, pulling a robe over my nightgown. I went to put my slippers on before stopping. I reached past the slippers and pulled on a pair of sandals instead. Then, opening the door, I slipped out of my room.

As I strolled through the dark passageways of the castle, I started reliving my past as a chambermaid. I never felt like I truly belonged in this castle, and being involved with a king only made me feel even more egregiously out of place.

I’d had no inkling of the journey I was on, the things I was on the precipice of learning about myself and my past. Now here I was, on the other end. Less innocent, but better. Wiser. Stronger. More certain.

When I turned the corner, the guard—one I’d never before seen standing watch over the turret—bowed. “My lady.” I dipped my head in respect. My heart pounded faster and faster with every stair I climbed, as if it knew something I didn’t. Halfway up, I hesitated.

But even as I slowed to a stop, Aslan’s words from a year ago replayed in my head.

There will be a moment. In that moment, you must take courage and stay your course.

With a renewed vigor, I resumed climbing.

Peter was already there, standing at the edge of the turret with his back to me, looking out over the water. I couldn’t help noticing the sword secured to his side. Clearly, he’d had enough of being caught without it.

I joined him at the edge, resting my hands on the railing.

He didn’t say anything, and I didn’t say anything.

We didn’t need to.

We couldn’t’ve made it work a year ago, bruised as we were. We hadn’t finished growing into ourselves and addressing our responsibilities. One of us would’ve had to compromise ourselves for the other, and that would’ve bred discontent.

I gazed out at the starry night, looking over the peaceful ocean. If I strained my ears, I could hear the surf breaking on the beach we’d once spent a day on.

Peter’s hand tentatively slid across the stone, the side of his pinky brushing mine, which still bore the burn scars from the flame back in the Western Woods. He stayed there, allowing me to make a decision.

I exhaled, and ever so slowly flipped my hand over, allowing Peter to lace his fingers through mine.

Because if there was anything I’d learned in life?

Bruises heal.

BEWARE, SAPPY FEELINGS TO FOLLOW

I can’t believe this is the last part. No more jumping out of bed when I should be sleeping and frantically copying down the line of dialogue from Peter that just came to mind. No more crying over the dream where the main character meets Aslan. And no more worrying about whether this ending is the right one.

All good things have to come to an end, and this is it.

Now excuse me while I go watch the Narnia movies and cry.

Endless thanks to @penfullofwordsaheadfullofstories for giving me the opportunity to finish Bruises, to @writing-on-the-wahl for being my fairy godmother and reading every part multiple times before I post it, and to all of you for commenting, reblogging, and sending sweet messages!

Here’s a bonus scene/epilogue for Bruises!

Check out my masterlist for more works!

Overall tag list:

@thelastpyle @valiantlytransparentwhispers

Bruises tag list:

@itsnottilly @sadgirlnumber92899 @sunny-theartist @fortheloveofaqueenfan @emala @leafsmindpalace @thepolywrites @janesofia7 @sunshine-and-riverwater @fluffy-canada-pancakes @rebel4fandom @the-internet-ruined-me @happyvitamin @idk-whatamidoinglmao @jakeshuneybby @idk-whatamidoinglmao @multifandomrandomgirl @felicityroth @lover4jane @psycho-magnotheric-slime

#peter pevensie #peter pevensie fanfic #peter pevensie fanfiction #peter pevensie imagine #peter pevensie x reader #peter pevensie x you #peter pevensie x y/n #chronicles of narnia #narnia #narnia fanfic #narnia fanfiction #narnia imagines #high king peter #high king peter the magnificent #bruises

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hellhound5925 · 10 months

Text

Cyare Verd *Beloved Warrior * Bad Batch Edition

Previous Chapter

Chapter Two - Spoils of War

Sleep has never come easy for me. Every time I close my eyes - event or a few minutes - I can see the surface of my home world reduced to ash. After the bombing, I really had no idea it had happened and what I was met with upon my return was nothing but ash. Everything I knew and loved was reduced to miles of ash. The beautiful green fields, the lush forests, and even our beloved Captal city of Sundari….there was nothing left. I think the hardest part was the beskar’gam (armor)….once filled with a living being warrior….empty and cold. No longer able to fulfill its duty, protecting the wearer and serving our ancestors…..I could almost hear their screams…what these people - MY people…..Mando’ade…..the sons and daughters of Mandalore - went through, is unimaginable. No one is left to tell their story…no one but me.

I woke with a startle, causing the others to take notice. Omega picked her head up from my lap, “Are you okay?” She asks rubbing her eyes. “Yeah fine” I say brushing it off. Hunter and Echo give me a look. I stand up and head to the fresher, not wanting to discuss it. I close the door behind me and lean against the sink. Looking in the mirror I realize how tired I look. Splashing some water on my face and trying to shake off the images from my dream, I collect myself. There is a slight rattle in the ship indicating we have landed. I open the door to the fresher and Omega is standing there with my buy’ce (helmet). She hands it to me with a smile. “Vor’e (thanks)” I say taking it from her. “Ba’gedet’ye! (You’re welcome)” She says in perfect Mando’a. She must notice the expression on my face “I’m a clone too…I was on Kamino for a longtime and picked up some Mando’a from my brothers”. “You impress me Omega” I smile back at her. Hunter comes up behind her and places a hand on her shoulder, “We’re here” is all he says. I nod and follow them off the Marauder.

————

Serenno is beautiful. Too bad it had such a reputation. I over heard the boys arguing about how they should be doing ‘more’ to fight against the Empire. I can’t say I blame them any way to tell the Empire nar’sheb (shove it) has to count for something.

We make our way up a large mountain to get a good vantage point. “That’s he city?” I scoff seeing all the imperial ships. “What happened to it?” Asks Omega noting the same thing. “Imperial orbital bombardment. Same as Kamino.” exaplains Echo. “That’s not surprising” I say under my breath. Tech looks through his binoculars “It appears that they are beginning to transport the war chest off-world.” I flip my range finder down to see what he’s looking at. “Our window of opportunity then. “It’s quickly closing.” Tech continues. Hunter shifts “Theres over 40 troopers down there.” I scan around before flipping my range finder back up. “That’s nothing!” Wrecker says, enthusiastically slamming his fists together. “Stealth, Wrecker. Remember?” Omega says to him, causing me to chuckle. “Imperial escort ships.” Tech continues. “That’s standard protocol for when high-level cargo is being transported.” I say matter of factly. The group looks at me in surprise. “I’m not from the Empire I promise. I just now a thing or two.”, “Get to the nearest container and grab what you can” Hunter barks at us. “I’ll be eyes on the ground. If things go sideways, I’ll divert their forces and buy you some time.” I tilt my visor his direction, “Sure you don’t want backup?” I ask. He shakes his buy’ce (helmet) covered head, “No, I’ll be fine, now go”.

We all head down the hill and take cover behind some trees. “In position. And the second transport’s launching” Echo informs the group. “We’ve for roving patrols. Stay alert.” Hunter says before darting onto the landing pad. I watch as he places detonators on a few of their escort ships. “Let’s go” Echo instructs us. When we approach the cargo container, Wrecker takes out one of the troopers, “What? I did it quietly.” The group gives him a look. “Yeah, but they will definite notice when he doesn’t report in” Tech scold him. “Well, lets be gone by then. I’m going to head to the next container over, I’ll catch up with you guys.” I say getting them back on task. Echo nods in agreement. I hop down out of the cargo container, “Wait, I’ll go with you. You shouldn’t go alone” Omega says to me. “I’ll be fine kid” I try to dismiss her. If I can go alone Cid won’t know what I have and don’t show her. Omega hops down out of the cargo container. “Fine, let’s get moving, but stay close” I say to her and she nods following me to the next container.

I quietly open the door and Omega slides in first. “Woah so this is what a war chest looks like” she says in awe. I slide in behind her and glance around the room. It is floor to ceiling boxes that are full of what I can only imagine. Personally, I’ve never been much of a thief. I enjoy honest work - another reason why Cid was never my favorite - but again, here we are. “Our priority is anything of high value” I tell Omega as we begin to look around. “Like what?” She asks. I laugh “Well I suppose anything shinty or heavy is probably a good start”. She nods and we begin to fill our backpacks. There’s enough in here I’d never have to take another Osik (crap) job again. I could even disappear. “Woah” I hear Omega say. I look over and she’s looking into a container full of precious metals and gems. She looks up at me “How could all of this belong to one person?”. I sigh, “A lot of this probably came from the worlds Dooku and the Separatists controlled.” “Is that what happened to your world?” She asks carefully. I don’t even know what to say so all I do is nod. “Grab as much as you can” I tell her after a minute.

Suddenly my com goes off “Hunter, I think we’re about to have some company”. It’s Echo and it sounds like they are in trouble. “What is it?” Omega asks, noticing my change in body language. “It’s Echo, sounds like they are going to have trouble. We should get going” I explain to her and she nods. Suddenly there is an explosion, “thats our diversion” I say to no one in particular. Omega and I start to make out way to the opening of the cargo container. The alarm is sounding at this point, “Omega, stay close to me. This is going to get hairy”. She immediately does as she is told. “I’m on my way to you” Hunter says over the comms.

We make out way to the container where Echo and Tech are waiting. “Let’s speed this up. Wrecker, that one goes first” Echo commands. Wreckers picks up the container and heads out to meet Hunter, the rest of us stay inside. Suddenly I hear the door beginning to shut behind us, “Uhhh that’s concerning” I point to the door. Echo rushes over to the port and connects his arm to it. Our comms buzz, “The ship’s taking off. Get out of there.” Hunter sounds worried. “Hurry Echo” Omega says stepping closer to me likes scared. After a few moments Echo speaks up, “It’s externally sealed. I can’t open it.” I comm Hunter, “Hunter we’re trapped in the container. We can’t get out.” Omega hugs my leg causing me to look down at her. “It’s alright Omega, we will get out of here” I reassure her. “On our way” Hunter replies. I stop and look around to see if there’s another way out. “Hunter, where are you?” Omega says over the comms. “Sorry, kid. We Got a little sidetracked. You need to get off that ship before it jumps to hyperspace” he continues. Tech thinks for a moment, “If we Gain access to the ship’s main hold, we could commandeer an escape pod.” I nod at him. “Do it. We’ll get to the Marauder and recover you” Hunter replies.

“There! We should be able to get into the rest of the ship from there” I point out a hatch. Tech goes over to come to the same conclusion as me. “Are you sure this hatch will lead into the ship?” Omega asks, worried. Tech looks at his datapad, “If I am incorrect, will instantly be sucked out and perish. I am seldom wrong.” I sigh and shake my head, “Ba’gedet’ye (you’re welcome)” I say under my breath. Echo must have heard me because he lets out a light laugh. The door slides open, “Congratulate yourself after we escape”. Echo’s sass makes me laugh and Tech - I assume - gives me a look. He looks back down at his datapad, “The closest escape pod is five corridors away.” I look down the hall, “lets get going then” I say before starting out in front with Omega immediately behind me, then Tech and Echo carrying another container. Once we get closer to the escape pods a door slides open and storm troopers step out “Freeze” one of them yells. Omega, Echo, and Tech duck behind the container. I step out into the walk away, out from cover. “What are you doing?!” Omega yells. “Stay there” I instruct.

Blaster fire begins to rain on me. I use my vambrace to block the shots as I move closer to the troopers. Tech and Echo are able to take some of them out from their position. I fight as many of them off as I can but they just keep coming. “Find an alternate routine to the escape pods!” I yell over the comms. “They just ejected all the escape pods!” Echo yells back. Suddenly pinkish bolts are flying past me. I look to my left and see Omega taking her stand. “Omega don’t! Get back to cover!” I yell at her. “No, I’m not letting you take them on alone!”. She’s stubborn I’ll give her that. But she’s brave too. Mandokarla. I’ll make sure to tell her that, she’d like to hear it. I see out of the corner of my eye another door being to open that Omega doesn’t see. I dive her direction, knocking her out of the way and taking a load of blaster fire to the back. “Go! Get out of here!” I yell in pain. Suddenly the blaster fire stops and the storm troopers are being shocked. Echo shielding Omega, reaches out his hand and helped me up. “Vor’e (thanks)” I grunt out before I nod my appreciation. “Ba’gedet’ye (you’re welcome)” he nods back. Then it clicks, ah me must have been the one in Cid’s Parlor who laughed at what I said to her.

“There has to be another way off this ship” Tech says which irritated Echo, “Other than over taking this vessel, what so you suggest” He sasses. Omega chimes in “This is a class four freighter, isn’t it?”. “Yes why?” Tech asks not looking up from what he’s doing. Omega continues, “Containers on class four freighter are equipped with recently thrusters. We can escape in a cargo container.” She says it like it was the most obvious thing in the world. Tech finally stops what he is doing and double checks his datapad, “You are correct. I am impressed” he says. “Smart kid” I say also impressed. “However, the containers must be ejected before leaving the atmosphere, which means our window is rapidly closing” Tech continues. “Great, this just keeps getting worse” I sigh. “Come on, we need to hurry” Echo says taking the lead.

We race back to the container we came from taking out storm troopers here and there. “How much time do we have?” Omega asks concerned. “Very little” Tech says very matter of factly. Making into the container, Tech immediately does to work on the panel on the wall “initialing cargo release”. “Hold on, it’s going to get bumpy” I say stealing myself as I feel the cargo start to free fall. “When are the reentry thruster supposed to fire?” Echo asks. “I think they should have by now” Omega replies, hurrying under a cargo net, Echo and I follow. We turn to help Tech but the container free fall, causes him to hang in the air, “that is going to be a problem” he yells. Omega grips on to my leg, making whimpering noises. I use one hand to grab a handful on her shirt and push her tight to me.

Next Chapter

#star wars clone wars #the clones #the bad batch #hunter bad batch #omega bad batch #echo bad batch #tech bad batch #crosshair bad batch #starwars the bad batch #clone force 99 #wrecker bad batch

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shevee-the-word-wielder · 9 months

Text

Creature of Soul Matter: The Emotion in Heart

Chapter 10: Titans and Portals

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Creature of Soul Matter: The Emotion in Heart AO3

Happy Elfilis day!

I take off, immediately analyzing this… thing. It has many wings lining it's sides, in a pattern that most are small in but with occasional very large, leathery wings, with the approach of the back of the body having the wings be smaller and smaller. It has spikes tracing its top and bottom, clashing together as it flies, it seems like little jolts of electricity jump from it with each collision.

I put on some extra speed and fly over to hover by its head. Let's see if this thing is at all peaceful or ignorant.

It immediately tries to snap at me and I dart away… fine then, no working my way out of this one.

Meta Knight flies over on the Warpstar.

The creature whips around and opens it's maw. I jolt out of the way just before a strike of electricity blasts by.

It turns to the Warpstar and Meta Knight also barely avoids a strike.

I take the time it took to look at Meta to launch forward and land on its head. I summon my halberd and stab down, gaining hold of my position just before it starts shaking around.

I hold onto the staff as my body gets thrown around, and I hear it continuously shooting lightning.

It stops flailing and jerks its head down, dislodging the blade.

It turns and bites at me, just short, and does it again. I hold up my halberd up my height as the jaw closes over me, and it keeps the mouth open.

It eerily doesn't make a noise as it gets stabbed in the roof of its mouth… a little glow comes from its throat, what is it?

A bolt of electricity suddenly strikes me on the chest and barrels me out.

Meta Knight stops what he was doing, which sends to have been slashing at its larger wings and flies over to me, as I now hold my singed chest in pain.

"Can you keep going?!" He worries

My halberd reappears in my free hand. "I'm sure I can." I say with some strain on my voice.

The creature had started flying at us, opening it's sharp mouth again.

I ready myself, and I don't make the same mistake twice.

I fly up a bit and Meta Knight goes to the side just before it reaches us.

I strike down on its head, snapping it's jaw shut and redirecting its path.

I use the leverage to launch myself up and right through one of my portals.

I come out on the other side, flying towards one of its big wings.

I swipe my blade, severing off its wing immediately.

This gets a proper roar out of it, and it doesn't last long as I watch Meta Knight cut down a few spikes on its back.

It let's out a lightning blot from its body, a constant one, and sweeps it around and at me.

I quickly tip up the wing and block the shot. It still has enough force to push me and my makeshift shield back a bit.

But it continues to spit electricity, continuing to push me back and apprehending my ability to safely open a vortex, I can feel as the wing slowly heats up, it'll probably start melting soon.

I hear a snap, and stop feeling the electricity blast against me. I peak around the wing to see Meta Knight with his sword driven into the beasts jaw. It tries to jerk away, but Galaxia holds in.

I leave my place and try to fly to them. I can probably help Meta.

The creature takes off, flying right for me. I stop and ready myself for an attack.

It instead flies right by me, and as Meta Knight passes I hear, "Give! Me! Kirby! Back!"

I start to pursue and just barely get a good glimpse of Meta dragging back, slicing the jaw. Golden light starts to pour from the gash, but the monster doesn't stop. He's gonna need help…

I finally remember to portal over and catch up, grabbing Meta Knight as he's barely hanging on with one hand.

He seems surprised at this but nods when he sees me, giving a determined look. I give him a little boost and he gets a better grab on the hilt of Galaxia, now using both hands.

I trust my wings back and watch as Galaxia glides through the belly of this serpent, causing it to screech. We end off and I launch up, Meta Knight still in hand.

The creature is still screeching.

"Throw me at it's head!" Meta Knight commands over the noise.

I ready him behind my head, aim, and throw him.

Meta Knight travels quickly and meets it's head, traveling right through, and the creature freezes up. It's eyes go dull before golden light starts bursting from its body, promptly before the light consumes it, making a loud humming noise, and vanishes, leaving nothing but a pink orb and three other orbs behind.

I can hear Meta Knight from here as he yells Kirby's name and flies to him. I follow down as well and meet Elfilin there, who was likely just watching, luckily.

Meta Knight grabs Kirby and lightly shakes him. "Kirby! Are you conscious?!"

"Uh?"

"Oh Kirby…" Meta Knight's tone and gaze immediately soften up. "You're okay…" he pulls him in for a hug Elfilin joins. I really like this soft side of Meta…

The Energy Spheres draw my attention. There's three of them now… meaning the creature already likely had one. What was that thing and why was it after the Spheres?

"It likely wanted these Energy Spheres for the power they granted it… but why did they have such a special effect on it?" Meta Knight mutters, answering my thoughts and giving me similar questions.

I begin to approach the spheres and watch as they all interlink again and form more arrows, pointing up from my orientation.

I delicately reach out and grab them.

"I think we can finally follow them again." I say with a slight chuckle.

I turn around to let the group look at the direction that's being given.

Meta Knight nods and the Warpstar flies over to pick them all up.

I still need to help Elfilin with his vortices… now could be a good time

Before Elfilin hops on with them, I call out to him.

"Hey Elfilin?"

"Huh?"

"I think now might be a good time for me to help you with your portals, care to join me?"

He looks slightly surprised, "Oh! Uh! Sure!" His face immediately becomes more gleeful and he joins me on my horn.

"Alright let's go." Meta Knight says, so Kirby takes off and I keep close.

I try to organize my thoughts. I run into the dilemma again of not knowing how to teach something that's so natural to me…

Natural… to me…

I suddenly remember what I was told to do to open my first vortex all those millenniums ago.

|"So, Elfilin. I think I got something for you."|

|"Okaaaay?"| he… I need a term for this soul related form of telepathy… Soul Speak, Soul Speak probably works. He Soul Speaks back with intrigue.

|"So you remember that power moving I taught you?"|

|"Yeah?"|

|"Well now, uh, imagine you take that power and form it into a shape, let's say a square for now."|

So that works… |"Okay, so since that worked let's move onto a more complicated thing, imagine that power as a needle. Tell me when you're done."|

After a bit more time than before he answers, |"Uhhhh, I hope that's right, it feels even weirder so I'm going to assume it is. Where are you going with this?"|

|"You'll see… anyways, now I want you to imagine two thin fabrics, both at different locations, preferably one of them near you."|

… |"Okaaaay?"|

|"Alright, now, here's this. Those two fabrics aren't actually different, they're the two sides of a single fabric, separated but still interlinked."|

|"That's confusing… but I think I got it?"|

|"Now use that power needle and pierce one side of it, this means the needle should come out on the other side of the fabric that's in a different part of the universe."|

… He doesn't respond but I let him focus.

|"I think it worked!"| He suddenly exclaims into my soul.

|"Okay okay! Good! Now here's the tricky part, imagine those two halves of the needle coming back together to meet at a center point between the two halves of the fabric, while doing this the sheets should stretch with the needle's movement, until the two points connect, reconnecting the two halves of the fabric."|

He focuses… |"I can feel it!"|

|"Perfect! Now you know how needles put holes in things? Well there's a hole in this fabric, start to widen the needle and the hole should grow while the fabric forms a tunnel around it."|

I hold out my arm to stop Kirby, we all float in space… waiting for Elfilin.

He sits on my horn, unmoving. Before letting go of my horn and I feel… I feel a vortex from a power the same as mine.

I back up to get a better look at him as he raises his little nubs in the air and see a tiny little star shape forming and slowly growing.

Come on kid… I want to encourage him but I don't want to deter his attention… he's so close.

He clenches his eyes and starts shaking a bit in the strain… and the portal continues to grow…

Eventually he gives one last final push and stops. And the portal remains, although small, but it remains!

He looks at in astonishment, looks at his paws, and back up to it.

"I-... I DID IT!!" He joyously exclaims. He begins hoping in the air, popping his arms out and twirling, cutely chuckling at his success.

"I did it, I did it, I did it!" He starts flying around, doing little flips and jumps.

I smile a lot, enough that my mouth might be showing. His big victory, his joyous celebration, I'm proud of him.

He flies at me suddenly and hugs my snout. "Thank you, thank you, thhhank you!"

I laugh a little, "Of course!" Anything for him.

The other two fly over and Meta Knight pats him on the back, "Congrats Elfilin."

"Yeah! Congrats Elfilin, you're doing so well!!" Kirby also says. He hops off the star and tackle hugs Elfilin.

They both float away slowly, laughing along the way

"It's great…" I say lightly.

"Hmm?"

"Having everyone be happy like this. It makes me happy. I wish I didn't have to miss out on so much of it for so long…"

"Hmm… yeah… being happy is the ultimate goal, isn't it? … You know what? Once this all blows over, you and any of your friends we can find can come live on Planet Popstar with us, I'm sure you all would be great company."

… "That would be great… thank you."

"My pleasure… I'll be going over to go grab them now." He flies the Warpstar over to the two.

Once this all blows over… but… something's going on in the background… These dreams are forced on me… I don't think finding my friends will be the end of it… maybe only the beginning.

It's likely going to try to hurt them all, and I still don't even know what it is.

I watch as Elfilin and Kirby playfully tussle as Meta tries to hold them both down for long enough to get them to calm down and join him.

Kirby is the friendliest thing I've ever met, putting himself up front for the greater good; Meta Knight is a protective guardian trying to guild everyone to better themselves; King Dedede is a leader and ruler to masses, a caretaker; Bandee is making his way through life, seemingly always by the side of someone, kid's got some potential; and Elfilin… so insecure and unsure, I've only known him for such a short time but I want to protect him with my life, it feels as if I've known him for centuries…

… I will protect all these people, even if it costs myself…

That thing is going to have to go through me. And I'll only go down with a fight and ensured safety for the others.

#fecto elfilis #elfilis #kirby fanfic #elfilin #cosm #creature of soul matter #galacta knight #kirby au #kirby #meta knight #happy Elfilis day

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karahalloway · 2 years

Text

(Less Than) Noble Intentions: Chapter 14 - Comedown

Fandom: TRR

Pairing: Drake Walker x F!OC (Harper Gale)

Series Summary: The social season may be over, but Harper Gale's problems are just beginning. With everyone at court a potential suspect, can she and Drake survive the engagement tour and get to the bottom of the plot against her and clear her name? An AU take of TRR2 featuring my OTP - Harper & Drake.

Masterlist: (Less Than) Noble Intentions

Chapter Summary: Leaving the barn after the steamy confrontation with Drake, Harper has some uncomfortable conversations...

Word Count: 6,100

Rating/Warnings: M (multi-lingual swearing, angst, embarassment, a major left-hook)

A/N: Apologies in advance for all the French, but since Allard (and to a lesser extent Schweitzer) ended up featuring quite heavily in this chapter (and since they are both French — though technically Allard was born in Belgium), there was no way of avoiding this... But, as usual, you can find the list of translations at the end in the Author's Notes.

Chapter 14 - Comedown

"So, back to the Manor, I'm guessing?" I ask as I loop my fingers through Drake's. "So we can both get changed?"

"I'll drop you off," he corrects. "Allard and Schweitzer'll walk you back to the royal marquee afterwards."

I feel my shoulders drop. "You don't want to wait for me?"

"I want to," he assures me, pulling our entwined hands up to his lips to drop a kiss on my thumb. "But I can't. I need to get the rest of the crates put away and then head back to the apple pick for another load. Not to mention, you ridin' shotgun's gonna raise all sorts of eyebrows if we get spotted. We were lucky no one saw us on the way up here."

I heave a sigh. Damn it, he’s right.

But I still hate how we always have to be so careful about who sees us together and in what context...

"What about your shirt though?" I ask. "Won't you reappearing without it cause a stir? Not that I'm complaining, by the way..."

"Nah," he assures me as we step out of the barn. "In this heat, no one's gonna bat an eye at—"

"Ça va, Commandant?"

"Jesus Christ!" I exclaim, launching my bundle of ripped clothing into the air in shock at the unexpected interjection... and the unnerving speed at which Drake whips me behind him.

I grab onto Drake's arms to rebalance myself after the sudden, forceful relocation, the remnants of my dress fluttering down around us like party streamers.

My bedraggled bra lands at Allard's feet.

He glances at it with a raised brow before looking back up at Drake as he takes another drag of his cigarette. "Vous vous sentez mieux?"

I feel my face time ignite in ignominy. Oh, my God...! Someone kill me now!

It’s one thing for my Guard to bear witness to a snippy verbal exchange, but for them to catch us doing the walk of shame after we've just had sex — clothes-ripping, BDSM sex at that! — is not something that I think I’ll be able to ever recover from!

Even Drake has the good graces to flush inadvertently. "Nique ta mère, Allard."

Allard slants a knowing look in Schweitzer's direction, who is leaning against the side of the barn, cleaning his nails with his boot knife. "Évidemment pas."

Drake — to his credit — quickly shakes off whatever embarrassment he may have been feeling as a result of the meaningful glances his colleagues are casting between themselves and snaps almost instantaneously back into team leader mode. "Et au lieu d'être un putain de gros malin, pourquoi ne tais-tu, et te rends utiles?"

"Oui, Commandant," affirms Allard, dropping his cigarette butt as he snaps to over-exaggerated attention. "Certainement."

Drake rolls his eyes. "Allard, donnez-lui votre veste. Schweitzer, donnez-moi un coup de main."

Allard shrugs out of his uniform jacket without hesitation and offers it to me. "Demoiselle."

"Erm... Thanks?" I say, taking it uncertainly. "But what am I supposed to do with this? Especially considering that it's like 90 degrees out here?"

"Put it on," prompts Drake, hopping into the back of the pickup. "It'll raise fewer questions."

My eyes widen. "You want me to go back to the apple pick in this?"

"No," he corrects, throwing an apple-laden crate down to Schweitzer. "Back to the Manor. So you can get changed. These two smartasses'll drive you."

"What about you?" I ask. "Don't you need the truck to collect the apples?"

"I'll just walk down and get it after I've finished with this load." Turning to Schweitzer, he adds, "Laissez la clé dans le contact."

"Ouais, Commandant," comes the saluted affirmation.

Drake prays for deliverance under his breath as he drops another crate down.

"If you're sure," I concede, ducking back into the privacy of the barn to get changed into the slightly more decorous jacket that will at least cover my butt during the short trip back to my room.

Cleavage is another matter though...

But beggars can't be choosers, so I do what I can by buttoning the front and turning the lapels up.

Stepping back outside, I see that Drake and Schweitzer have nearly finished unloading the truck.

"Votre... brassiere, Demoiselle," proffers Allard, holding my bra out for me.

I snatch it from him, cheeks flaming. "Thanks!" I squeak out, looking everywhere but at him.

How the hell am I supposed to go back to self-defence training after this?

"De rien," he says with a wink, the corners of his mouth twitching as he pulls the passenger-side door open for me. "And we are glad that your mission ended in success."

I dive into the safety of the cab, every inch of me glowing hot rod red with mortification.

"Err... Demoiselle?"

I glance up hesitantly.

"Did you forget something... important?" he asks, holding up my dress.

I snag it from him, yanking the door shut with a bang!

"Just ignore them," advises Drake, appearing next to the cab to shoot a dirty look at his fellow Guard, who's trying his hardest not to crack up.

"Easy for you to say," I mutter. "You're not stuck with them on the ride back to the Manor."

"It's a five minute journey at most," he reassures me. "And if they give you any stick, show them that mean right hook of yours."

"Not sure that's fair on Allard," I whisper conspiratorially as the subject of our conversation climbs into the cab as well. "Seeing as he's still recovering for the last busted nose I gave him."

"Hopefully that'll motivate him to keep his mouth shut," declares Drake, shooting a pointed look across the cab.

Allard concentrates on starting up the wheezy engine, though I catch a flash of wry amusement in his otherwise stoic façade.

"I doubt it," I murmur. "Anyway, here's your shirt back."

"Thanks," he acknowledges, brushing his fingers against mine as he takes it from me. "Still think it looks better on you..."

"I'm sure you'll find a way to wrangle me into it again," I assure him with a coy smile.

Schweitzer clears his throat from the truck bed.

I pull away from Drake abashedly, realising that in the course of our flirty back-and-forth, we've ended up a mere hair's breadth apart again.

"You best get going," says Drake, rubbing the back of his neck as he steps away from the cab. "I'll catch you later."

"Okay," I sigh reluctantly, settling back against the seat. "Don't work too hard, Walker."

"Don't worry 'bout me, Gale," he smirks, pulling on his shirt. "This ain't my first rodeo."

"Even so," I say as Allard shoves the truck into gear. "Don't need you putting your back out... or your arm. Especially since you're all by yourself out here."

"I'll be fine," he assures me. "Now get goin', so you can get back."

He taps on the hood, and with a pump of the accelerator, we're trundling down the dirt track that leads back to the Manor, and Drake disappears from view ‘round the bend.

I let out a low breath as I watch the fruit-laden trees slide past, my fingers playing with the horseshoe charm at my wrist while I try to process everything that’s happened today... especially the revelation that Christian may not be as much of an ally as I thought him to be.

But, I don't have time to ponder the uncomfortable implications for long, because as Drake had promised, the ride is a short one, and Schweitzer is already opening the door for me.

"Thanks," I mutter, eyes fixed on my feet as he helps me out of the cab.

"Mon plaisir, Demoiselle," he responds gallantly, shutting the door behind me. "If I may...?"

I look up at his outstretched hand...

...and feel my face light up again as realisation dawns on me.

He meets my eye pointedly, so with a gulp, I hand over the mess of material that I've been holding.

And even though I know that he is just going to bury it, or incinerate it, or do whatever it is that the Guard do to get rid of incriminating evidence on behalf of their employers, I can't help but feel like a naughty child engaging in some kind of massive cover-up.

Just like Drake had done on our previous visit to Applewood...

I feel a sudden chill run through me as I find myself transported back to the afternoon in question.

The red wine stain...

...the blood on Drake's shirt...

...the thud of my bra hitting the bottom of the trash can...

...the—

"Are you alright, Demoiselle?"

Schweitzer's concern-laced voice, and the weight of his hand on my shoulder snaps me back into the present.

"Yeah..." I reply shakily. "I'm... I'm fine."

Even though the circumstances had been completely different, and I am nowhere near the room that Tariq attacked me in, it appears that my anxiety can still be triggered by something as simple as a vague similarity...

...though luckily, last night's unorthodox intervention seems to have helped lessen the emotional impact of the flashback, and apart from a slightly elevated heart-rate, I remain more-or-less unaffected.

"This way, Demoiselle," prompts Allard, extending an arm towards me.

"Sois prudent avec elle," cautions Schweitzer, still eyeing me warily as he moves off in the other direction, bundled clothes in hand.

"J'sais," nods Allard, laying a palm on the small of my back to guide me towards the inconspicuous door he's parked the truck in front of.

"I'm fine," I repeat, a bit more forcefully this time. "You don't need to treat me like I'm made of glass. I'm not going to break."

"The actualities indicate differently, Demoiselle," he counters, tapping an access code into the alphanumeric panel on the wall. "And even though the majority of the staff will be working in the orchard today, we still need to be cautious so as to avoid drawing attention to your... condition."

I heave a sigh as Allard opens the door and ushers me through. Motion-sensitive lights flicker to life overhead to illuminate a white-washed — and deserted — service corridor. "Yes. I had a moment just now. But it passed and—"

"—it could catch you again," he insists, pulling the door shut. "Especially as we approach the bedrooms. Like the previous time."

"But—"

"I am a former Commando Hubert, Demoiselle," he cuts in brusquely, giving me a meaningful push to get me moving. "I have seen every atrocity you can imagine... and even some that you cannot. And I know what those horrors can do to the mind. So, do not make the naive mistake of believing that you are in control of your fantasmes. For that is how they eat you alive."

I crane my neck around to look back at him. "You lost someone, didn't you? Someone close to you."

He meets my eye gruffly, the memories written on his face. "Yes. Because the bâtard refused to face his realities. Do not repeat his errors, Demoiselle."

Allard's dire warning gives me pause.

If a man who survived two tours of Afghanistan and who-knows-how-many other covert ops missions is worried about my mental state, then it’s definitely time to sit up and pay attention.

I nod in concurrence. "I'll get some help."

"You — and those who love you — will be grateful that you did, Demoiselle," acknowledges Allard as we arrive at another door.

Once again, he enters code in the wall-mounted panel and the automated deadbolt snaps back. Shunting me behind him, he checks that the coast is clear before indicating that I should follow him through.

While I’m not expecting us to get jumped in a royal residence — especially when everyone is out attending a high-profile event — I've made the mistake of letting my guard down once before, and had only narrowly escaped the blood curdling consequences. So, I’m more than happy for Allard to err on the side of caution, especially since I'd have a lot of explaining to do if someone catches me traipsing around in my rather risqué ensemble of high heels and Guard uniform jacket, with literally nothing on underneath.

Stepping through the entryway, I see that we have arrived in the bedroom wing.

My eyes are drawn inadvertently to the door of my old room, and I feel a shiver run down my spine.

It's just a room, Harper. You proved that to yourself last night.

Setting my jaw, I march determinedly down the corridor, focusing on drawing deep, calming breaths like Drake showed me... and make it to my new room only a tiny bit jittery.

Pausing by the doorway, I reach down beneath the hem of the jacket and extract the key from my garter.

But just as I'm about to slot it into the keyhole, it is intercepted by Allard's hand.

"Allow me, Demoiselle."

I relinquish my hold on the key. Allard really isn’t taking any chances...

He pushes the key into the lock and gives it a turn. "Wait here," he instructs, pressing the handle down.

I stand to the side while he does a quick sweep of the room... and notice that Drake's duffle is still on the floor where he left it this morning.

"Could I ask you to drop this off in the other room?" I ask as Allard returns from inspecting the bathroom. "It should still be unlocked."

"Certainement, Demoiselle," he confirms, taking the bag from me. "Would you be requiring anything else?"

"No, thanks," I assure him. "I'm just going to get changed and I should be back out."

"Bien sûr," he nods, stepping back out into the corridor. "Remember to lock the door."

He closes the door around, and with a soft click of the lock, I'm alone for the first time since our return to Applewood.

It's fine... I tell myself stoically. Allard checked the room. There's no one else in here...

Squaring my shoulders, I push down the latent hodgepodge of nerves bubbling in the pit of my stomach and make my way to the bathroom so I can have a quick shower to freshen myself up after first sweltering in the dress that Jonathan had picked out for me, and then working up a sweat with Drake back at the barn...

...and nearly die of shock when I catch sight of my reflection in the oversized, wall-to-wall mirror that sits above the vanity.

The elaborate up-do that three members of the Palace PR team had spent over thirty minutes creating has disintegrated into an unmitigated hot mess — frizzy locks of my hair have escaped their tightly pinned confines to stick up in all directions thanks to the liberal amounts of hairspray that had been dumped onto my head, while a large clump of braided hair sits listing sadly to one side like a tufty Leaning Tower of Pisa.

My make-up is even worse.

The mid-summer heat and the heavy physical exertion have caused my mascara and eyeliner to drool down my face, turning me into a goth-chick wannabe, while my dark red lipstick have been smudged all around my mouth by Drake's demanding kisses, resulting in a rather convincing impersonation of the Joker's trademark look.

No wonder Allard and Schweitzer struggled to keep their faces straight when they laid eyes on me!

Because even if they hadn't overheard Drake fucking me six ways to Sunday (God, I really hope not!), the mere sight of me evidences without a shadow of a doubt exactly what we'd been up to in that barn together!

I glance quickly away from my reflection, cheeks flaming.

My Guard may be under no illusions about the fact that my relationship with Drake went way beyond the mere professional — I mean, they basically live in my back pocket, so they'd have to be deaf, blind and completely brainless not to catch onto the secrets of my private life! — but that doesn’t mean they need to know all the raunchy details of how we got down and dirty!

Turning my back on the mirror, I move purposefully over to the shower and turn it on full blast so I can wash away the sweat, make-up, and post-coital mess that lingers stickily on my skin... and hopefully the residual embarrassment that came with it.

While I wait for the water to warm up, I get to work tackling the million-and-one bobby pins that are lodged in my unruly locks, so I can wash my hair and restyle it into something more comfortable, like a simple braid or high-ponytail.

The steam is rising with vigour from behind the shower glass by the time I've pulled the last pin from my head and dropped it triumphantly into the rather large pile I've amassed on the vanity.

Shrugging out of Allard's jacket, I reach down to slip my garter and stilettos off, letting out a relived sigh as my claves stretch themselves back out after having had to balance for so long in much higher heels than I'd normally wear.

Stepping under the spray, I let my head tip back as the hot jet of water hits my hair and face, instantly refreshing me and relaxing me in equal measure.

Turning around, I let the heat pummel my back, and end up hang out for several long, luxurious minutes, simply enjoying the creature comforts offered by the muscle-melting synergy of the Niagara-strength water pressure co-acting with the bayou-level humidity to wash away the stresses of my already long day.

Eventually though, I reach for the shampoo and conditioner and get to work untangling the knots from my tacky hair. After doing what I can without a brush, I proceed to lather and rinse myself from head-to-toe, before finally turning the water off and getting out.

Grabbing an Egyptian cotton towel, I quickly dry myself off before wrapping my hair into a turban to help pull the excess moisture out. Stepping back over to the vanity — which has now misted solidly over as a result of my soaking — I set about cleaning the remaining make-up off my face.

But by the time I've done the final pass with the wipes, the last thing on my mind is tarting myself up again so I can go back to a pretentious event that serves no purpose apart from stoking the aristo's already over-inflated egos... especially since I will more than likely need to deal with Bertrand, Christian, Madeleine (eugh!) and Kiara (double eugh!)... not to mention the press. And after everything that's already happened today, my energy is sapped.

So, instead of reaching for my make-up bag, or my hairdryer, I unfurl my hair to simply let it air-dry and make my way into the walk-in closet to grab my pyjama top and a pair of lounge shorts — not bothering with any underwear — before snagging Allard's jacket off the bathroom floor and walking over to the door.

Twisting the lock back, I pull it the open and peek out.

Allard — who'd been leaning against the wall, checking the finer workings of his side-arm — glances quizzically up at me. "Oui, Demoiselle? Are you ready to return to—?"

"Actually, I'm going to stay in," I tell him. "And catch an early night."

He nods in understanding. "Would Demoiselle like to eat something before retiring for the day?"

My stomach gurgles in response. "Some pasta would be great, actually."

"I will put your request through to the chefs in the kitchens," he advises, holstering his gun and reaching for his radio.

"Thank you," I acknowledge gratefully as he relays the order down the line. Heaving steadying breath, I add, "Also... umm... here's your jacket back."

He takes it with a curt nod. "Merci, Demoiselle."

"You... erm... might want to get it dry cleaned..." I advise, feeling myself flush again. "It was quite hot out there and—"

"Assurément," he confirms with a wink, slinging the jacket over his shoulder. "I will ensure that it receives the attention it deserves."

"Right!" I scirtch, my face glowing brighter than Rudolph's nose.

God, how do I get myself into these conversations!

Gulping down a breath, I force myself to stand my ground as I say, "And sorry about last night... I—"

Allard holds up a hand. "Aucune excuse n'est nécessaire, Demoiselle. You became frightened and reacted naturally. In fact, it is I who must apologise for not questioning the original room assignment."

I still. "You... You knew they put me in the same room as last time?"

"Commandant Walker briefed us about the incident that had occurred during the Jamboree," he confirms, putting a French twist on the final word. "Although we were not provided with details about which room it happened in. But that is not an acceptable excuse. We should have investigated more completely and—"

I lay a hand on his arm, stopping him mid-flow. "It's okay. You and Schweitzer basically haven't left my side since Ramsford. Heck, I don't even know when — or if! — the two of you ever sleep! So I'm not going to blame you for not knowing." I heave a rueful sigh. "And I probably should've given you guys a heads-up about how nervous I was feeling about coming back here, so you didn't get caught so off guard."

"Reacting to unexpected surprises is part of our job, Demoiselle," he assures me with a stoically. "Although, I have to admit that we are receiving more of these surprises than we anticipated when we were assigned to you..."

He fixes me a knowing look and I feel the heat shoot up to my hairline. "I like to keep things interesting!" I squeak.

He throws his head back with a hearty laugh. "Indubitablement, Demoiselle! Indubitablement!" Slanting me a conspiratorial glance, he adds, "It is little wonder why Commandant Walker is so... fou d'amour avec vous."

"Fou d'amour?" I ask with a frown. I know 'amour' means love, but—

"Crazy for you," he translates. "You have brought him to life in a way I haven't seen since his papa was alive. It is good for him."

Allard's words hit me in the chest with the force of their penetrating sincerity. "I... I know," I stammer with a blush. "He brings me to life, too."

"And that is why you are si parfait for each other," he surmises with a grin. Though turning serious, he adds, "And why His Majesty is envious of your connection."

I feel my shoulders slump. "Yeah... I just—"

Allard's radio crackles with an incoming message. "But do not trouble yourself about it now, Demoiselle. Use this rare opportunity to get some much required rest." Lifting the radio up, he exchanges some rapid-fire French with whoever is on the other end of the line. "As well as some proper nutrition."

"Was that the kitchen?" I ask, perking up slightly at the promise of food.

"It was," he nods. "I will request that Schweitzer collects your order on his way in."

"Thank you," I say sincerely. "Not just for the food, but for everything. I know I was initially resentful of the idea of having a pair of random guys follow me around all day, but you've saved my butt so many times already and we've been back at court for less than a week and—"

"It is our pleasure, Demoiselle," interjects Allard with a smile. "And you do not need to thank us. We enjoy working for you."

"Nevertheless, I'm glad Drake picked the two of you to look out for me," I insist sincerely, feeling the last vestiges of my previous discomfiture fade away as the full meaning of my Guard's words sink in.

Allard and Schweitzer have my back, no matter what.

Not just because they've been assigned to look out for me, but because they have a genuine soft spot for Drake and I. And even though they may discreetly rib us for finding the two of us in compromising situations, they have turned out to be the type of guys who'd help us bury a dead body without asking any questions... and would never betray our trust.

"Likewise, Demoiselle," affirms Allard. "I will notify you when your dîner has arrived."

"Thank you," I reply, closing the door softly back around.

Allard raises his index finger to his forehead in a jocund salute as the lock clicks into place.

I shake my head with a smile as I twist the deadbolt around.

Allard definitely is a character...

But, I’m glad he’s on my side.

Turning away from the door, I retrace my steps into the bathroom to collect my garter — which still held my phone and knife — off the floor, so I can heed my Guard's advice about looking into some options for online therapists while I wait for the food...

...but I must've fallen asleep at some point while scrolling through the search results, because the next thing I know, I'm being throttled awake by a relentless jackhammering.

Opening my eyes groggily, I glance towards the window, wondering who decided it would be a good idea to undertake such serious demolition work right outside of my room at... whatever time it is.

But I quickly realise that the noise isn’t being caused by an over-eager work crew, and is, in fact, coming from the other side of my door...

...and there is only one person in the world who announces their arrival to the beat of C+C Music Factory's Gonna Make You Sweat (Everybody Dance Now).

"Maxwell..." I sigh wearily as my groggy brain clicks two and two inevitably together.

Pushing myself up resignedly up from the chaise lounge that I passed out on, a low groan escapes me as I try to stand.

I must've slept in some kind of awkward position, because my body feels unusually achy and uncooperative.

I attempt to stretch out the worst of the kinks as I amble towards the doorway, so I can let in the pesky Beaumont, who seems to have an inimitable knack for always knowing to wake me smack-bang in the middle of my nREM sleep cycle.

Arriving at the door, I twist the deadbolt back with a yawn — briefly wondering whether the pasta that I asked for ever made an appearance — and pull the door open.

"Morning, sunshine!" greets Maxwell with an enthusiastic grin, lowering his upraised arm. "Hope you caught plenty of beauty sleep because t—"

He stops abruptly as his eyes widen.

"What?" I ask, my hand drifting self-consciously up to my head. "I didn't drool in my hair again, did I? Because I just washed—"

"It's... erm... worse than that..." he gulps, grabbing me by the shoulders to reverse me purposefully back into my room.

"Hey!" I exclaim. "What the h—!"

But my protest dies on my lips as Maxwell spins me around and I come face to face with a sight in the gilded mirror suspended above the marble and ormolu Rococo fireplace.

"Oh..."

No wonder I felt so strangely stiff when I woke up — my body is covered in bright green and purple bruises!

There is a set of finger-sized imprints around the base of my neck from where Drake snapped a hold ‘round my throat in a fit of impassioned truculence...

...next to which peeks a dark red hickey from beneath the collar of my t-shirt, courtesy of him sinking his teeth into my clavicle as he fought to hold out against the inevitable culmination of our fiery love-making...

...not to mention the twin-set of crescent-shaped contusions that circle my hips just below the hem of my top from where he grabbed onto me so he could forcefully impale himself into me again...and again...

...and even though I can’t see them, I’m sure that I have a matching pair of welts on my butt as well from where his fingers had dug onto my flesh in the course of keeping me suspended against him in the air.

And if his goal had been to stamp his proverbial claim on me, then he has very clearly succeeded... because the marks of his enterprise are branded into my very skin.

I feel myself flush from head to toe as I survey myself.

I knew the sex had been rough but—

"Did you fall out of a tree?" asks Maxwell from next to me, as he runs his eyes concernedly over my reflection. "Was that why—?"

"No..." I say, turning an even darker shade of scarlet, as I try to ineffectually cover up the bruises by simultaneously yanking the hem of my shirt down while throwing my other hand over my throat and collar bone.

"Did a tree fall onto you?" he presses.

"No," I reply, turning away from the incriminating image before me.

"Are you sure?" he insists, grabbing me by the arms and peering into my eyes. "Because if a tree did fall on you, then you could be concussed and—"

"It's got nothing to do with a tree!" I shout, the cringeworthy nature of the situation, combined with Maxwell's dogged — though strangely off-the-mark — questioning causing me to lose my cool.

"Then... what happened?" he asks anxiously.

"I..." A fresh wave of abashment sweeps over me and I drop my gaze. "It's not important."

"Not important?!" cries Maxwell, shaking me, as if attempting to rejig my marbles. "Harper! You look like you got caught in a scrum between the Springboks and the All Blacks! Twice!"

I gape at him. "Caught in a what between the what and the what now?”

He shakes me again. "Don't you watch rugby in the States?"

"No!"

"Oh." Scratching his head, he says, "Well, it's kind of like football, only the attacking team throws the ball — usually backwards — to work it across the try line while the defending team tries to stop them by tackling players to the ground."

I stare at him uncomprehendingly.

Throwing his hands up exasperatedly at my obvious lack of understanding, he adds, "Basically, think big burly guys in tight shirts and short shorts stampeding down a big grass field with a egg-shaped ball in hand."

"So... it's like a demented version of the NFL...?" I surmise.

Now it's Maxwell's turn to look confused. "What's the NFL?"

"The American football league," I explain.

"Is that like the American version of the Premiere League?"

I frown. "What's the Premiere League?"

Maxwell gapes at me like a horrified goldfish. "You don't know what the Premier League is? Where have you been living all this time!"

"New York," I reply in a deadpan manner. "And before that, Montana. Neither of which have these weird European sports you're trying to reference."

"Yes, I'm beginning to realise that..." he admits ruefully. "Anyway, point is, you look like you got caught on the losing side of a fight." His eyes widen in sudden realisation. "Did you get caught in a fight?"

"No!" I protest. "Well, not exactly..."

He sucks in a scandalised breath. "Did they make you punch yourself? Leo did that to me once, and let me tell you, it was—"

"There was no punching!"

"Then what the bloody hell happened!" he cries. "And don't say 'nothing' or 'it doesn't matter' because I'm going mental here imagining everything from you getting jumped by lasso-wielding ninjas to narrowly escaping being abducted by aliens in broad daylight!"

Despite his clear-cut agitation, I can't help but snort at the strangeness of Maxwell's worst-case mental scenarios.

"It's not funny!" he protests. "Drake already chewed me out for all the times I forgot to watch you during the social season—"

My eyes widen. "He... He did?"

"Big time! And if he finds out that I broke my pinky promise to 'watch you like a motherfuckin' hawk' — his words, not mine," he clarifies, catching my look of surprise, "here in Applewood, of all places, where you got set upon by Tariq last time, then—" He shudders visibly.

"Hey," I soothe, laying a hand on his arm. "Drake's not going to beat you up."

"Yes, he will!" he insists. "And I will deserve it because—"

"I was with him yesterday," I interject. "That's why I left the apple pick. Because I needed to talk to him about what happened at Valtoria. So, I went with him to the barn where he was taking a truck-load of apples and—"

"Oh, my God!" cries Maxwell in sudden realisation. "He accidentally ran you over!"

"What? No!"

"A crate of apples fell on you?"

"No." I heave a steadying breath. "We—"

"—only narrowly survived the roof caving in?"

"Had sex!"

Maxwell reels back in shock. "What?!"

I feel my face flare up again. "Yeah... We... umm... got into an argument — about Kiara, and Christian, and me becoming a duchess — and the whole thing got really heated and—"

"This..." he chokes out, gesturing at my body. "This is from sex?"

"Erm... yeah," I admit, blushing hard. "Like I said, the whole thing got very—"

He blinks at me — almost mechanically — as he tries to process this information, before turning abruptly and lurching towards the door like a malfunctioning android..

"Maxwell?" I query uncertainly. "Where are you—?"

...but he's already wrenched the door back open and staggered out into the corridor, knocking his brother out of the way just as he is about to step into my room.

Bertrand gasps in shock at the rude behaviour. "What the devil—?"

"Sorry!" I cry, shoving myself past him as well as I hurry after the younger Beaumont, wildly wondering whether he is going to throw up in the hallway — as he’s gone scarily pale — or worse, on Bertrand's hand-polished Oxford brogues as and when he inevitably decides to chase after us.

Skidding out into the hallway — to the sound of Bertrand's aghast spluttering rising up from behind me, in tandem with the eyebrows of my two Guards — I cast my head around, trying to see which direction Maxwell disappeared off in...

...and spot him standing stiffly in front of my old room, pounding loudly on the door.

"Open the bloody door, Drake!" he demands. "I know you're in here!"

"Maxwell!" I call, throwing myself after him. "Stop! You don't need t—"

His face tightens doggedly. "Yes, I do. He—"

"Maxwell!" hisses Bertrand, arriving as well to grab his brother by the arm. "What in the blazes do you think you're—?"

"I said I'm coming!" shouts Drake angry, yanking the door open with one hand, the other clutching the towel he has slung haphazardly ‘round his waist. His irate scowl lands on Maxwell. "What the fuckin' hell, Beaumont? Wh—?"

His head cracks to the side as Maxwell's fist connects forcefully with his jaw.

"Ohmygod!" I yawp, my hands flying to my mouth at the sudden and unexpected display of violence.

"Don't ever hurt her again!" spits Maxwell, before turning on his heel and stomping off.

I tear my slack-jawed gaze away from Maxwell's retreating back to glance mutely at Bertrand, and see that he is just as stunned as I am by what just happened.

"I...umm... I better..." He gulps audibly. "Excuse me."

As Bertrand scuttles hurriedly off, I turn back to Drake. "Are you... okay?"

"Just great," he grumbles, rubbing his jaw.

"I'm sorry," I mutter, peeking sheepishly up at him. "I tried to stop him but—"

"Who was he talking about?" he asks, glaring accusingly after the Beaumonts. "Because I haven't even seen Hana since she got back, let alone talked to her, so he better have one helluva explanation for—"

"Me," I say softly, shifting my feet guilty. "He was talking about me."

Drake does a double take. "You? Why does he think I —?" His face suddenly pales as he notices the bruises. "Shit..."

"Hey," I soothe, reaching out towards him. "It's—"

"Don't," he grits, the consternation in his voice palatable as he swallows visibly.

My hand freezes an inch away from his in confusion. "But—"

"You need to get back to your room," he clarifies tightly, glancing behind me as he steps back behind the door. "Before someone sees."

"Oh. Right..." I concede, dropping my hand to my side dejectedly.

"I'll find you later..."

"Okay. I love—"

But he's already closed and locked the door.

I stare at the barrier before turning away with a low huff.

Just when I thought we were making progress...

The story continues in Chapter 15 - Not Without Obligation

A/N: So, as promised, here is the rather lengthy list of translations in chronological order:

Convo at the barn

Allard: Ça va, Commandant? Vous vous sentez mieux? – 'Sup, Commander? Are you feeling better?

Drake: Nique ta mère – lit. 'fuck your mother,' though connotatively it has the same meaning as 'fuck off'.

Allard: Évidemment pas – Evidently not.

Drake: Et au lieu d'être un putain de gros malin, pourquoi ne tais-tu, et te rends utiles? – And instead of being a fucking wiseass, why don't you shut up and make yourself useful?

Allard: Oui, Commandant. Certainement – Yes, Commander. Absolutely.

Drake: Allard, donnez-lui votre veste. Schweitzer, donnez-moi un coup de main. – Allard, give her your jacket. Schweitzer, give me a hand.

Drake: Laissez la clé dans le contact – Leave the keys in the ignition.

Schweizter: Ouais, Commandant – Fo' sho, Commander ('ouais' is a very informal, sardonic way of saying 'yes' to mean 'duh, obviously')

Allard: Votre... brassiere, Demoiselle – Your... bra, m'lady.

Allard: De rien – lit. 'it is nothing', but basically means 'of course' / 'no problem'

Convo at the manor

Schweitzer: Mon plaisir, Demoiselle – My pleasure, m'lady.

Schweitzer: Sois prudent avec elle – Be careful with her.

Allard: J'sais – I know (contracted, slang version of 'je sais')

Other French terms that Allard drops in this chapter

Commando Hubert – I provided a more detailed explanation of this in Part I of Extraction (so I won't repeat here), but basically, Commando Hubert is another name for the Commandos marines (Allard and Schweitzer's former unit in the French navy).

Fantasmes – apparitions/ghosts

Bâtard – bastard

Certainement – certainly

Bien sûr – very well

Merci – thank you

Assurément – most assuredly

Aucune excuse n'est necessaire – no apology is required

Indubitablement – without a doubt

Fou d'amour – madly in love

Si parfait – so perfect

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(Less Than) Noble Intentions only (let me know if you want to be added!)

@thetruthisthatiloveyou @anakjaybon-blog

#harper gale #drake walker #less than noble intentions #the royal romance #trr fanfiction #drake x mc #maxwell beaumont #bertrand beaumont #choices fic writers creations #cfcw fic of the week

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datoneboardedguy · 11 months

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Avatar: Legend of Korra Fanfiction - Korra x OC Male Reader.

(DISCLAIMER’S: I DON’T OWN THE LEGEND OF KORRA IP OR IT’S CHARACTERS! & THIS IS A NON CANON FANFICTION THAT ISN’T CONSTRAINED BY THE LIMITATIONS OF THE OFFICIAL AVATAR LOK CANON & ANY ATTEMPT’S TO SILENCE THIS FANFIC IS A BLATANT VIOLATION OF MY FREE SPEECH RIGHT’S!)

Chapter 5: Red Moon.

M/R’S POV: I heard explosions from outside I ran to the door asking a passing guard “What’s going on?!” “We’re under attack, get back in your cell & stay put!” I then heard him run away & I did exactly what he said sitting in the corner repeatingly telling myself “Everything’s going to okay, everything’s going to be okay, everything will be fine, I’m gonna be fine..” hoping that I would get through this..

Rick’s POV:

The Prison started exploding all around us as the fire alarms triggered I then metalbended a switch on the terminal in the room below to send an SOS Signal to Republic City. Then Old Gary says “It’s too late by the time your backup arrives me & Master Zaheer will be long gone, & you all will be dead!-” I threw a brick at his face leaving a massive scratch on his face as it shattered on impact (smash) He furiously looks at me I smirk then earthbended chunks of the stone roof & threw them at Old Gary who dodged them with ease & waterbended a water whip from his water skin pouch & attacked me, i blocked it with a roof panel & launched it at him. Counters with another Water Whip shattering the stone roof panel creating a puff of dust blocking Gary’s Vision. I quickly earthbended beneath my feet to launch myself towards him entering the cloud of smoke then at the height of my jump I swiftly used my metalbending cable to wrap a wire around & pull his right foot to trip him over, as he’s falling backwards I finally reached out the other side of the smoke fall into Gary tackling him off the roof of the tower falling down in the burning buildings below from floor to floor until we fell into the Break Room that currently burning down all around us, we get up & I bend parts of the floor up in front of me & he waterbends leaking water from the ceiling pipes then forms them into ice shards “You getting slow old man.” I remarked then we then shoot them at each other while taking cover behind tables & makeshift earthbended wall barricades, exchanging blows until we ran out of projectiles & as a last ditch effort to throw something at him I picked up an old rotten apple from the floor & threw it straight into his face splattering all over his face “ARGH, SON OF A-!” then I charged at him pushing us both through the window behind him falling down to the balcony below landing right in front of Zaheer’s cell. ��Ugh, I guess Old Gary isn’t as old as I thought..” then Old Gary gets up first then heads to Zaheer’s Cell as sits in his cell smirking at his opportunity to finally escape I then metalbended the metal blast door down locking down the cell stopping Gary’s attempt to free his master, “NOOOOOooo!…” he then turns around to finish me off as he about to strike the final blow a metal wraps around his wrist then pulls him back away from me & I managed to earthbend his feet to the ground & he was surrounded by the remaining White Lotus guards who were still standing. I get up & tell him Old Gary, you’re under arrest it’s over.” Old Gary looks up to the sky as it’s full moon shines bright & he started laughing “Hahahaha HAAA!..” “What’s soo funny?” “THIS!..” he shouts as he lifts his arms up starts Bloodbending everyone still in their tracks & he breaks out of his leg restraints & lifted us up into the air I barely managed to use my metalbending cables to whip him forcing him to release us & he started running away into the prison halls we all were on dropped onto the ground knocking out the other guards I ran after Old Gary chasing him down to M/R’s prison cell.

M/R’S POV:

I’m still sitting in a corner waiting for the guards to either let me know that they put out the fires that have spread all through out the Prison Temple or to let me know that they’re evacuating the Temple although they could also simply just leave me here for dead then I started hear loud noises, bangs & screams outside of my cell door, I then braced myself when my cell door came crashing down with the nice Guard that stopped that mean man from torturing me & gave me water earlier all beaten up on top of the rubble barely conscience. Then the mean man came into the cell looking at me with that Montrose grin & he extended his arm out towards me & started blood bending me! I couldn’t move at all, he pain was constant & unbearable, my blood vessels had felt like they’d been set on fire then he lifted me up into the air I started shouting out in pain “HHHHAAAEEELP …AAAAME! PLEASE STOPP!..” I started getting delirious as the man slowly morphed into the woman with glowing eyes like before & she says “Just close your eyes it’ll all be over soon..” then the guard woke up rasply shouting “NO! LEAVE THE KID ALONE!..” as he metal bended a cable straight through ghost woman’s left knee forcing her to drop me then the illusion faded back into the monster that was just holding me up in the air & he started blood bending the guard slamming him against the wall suspended in the air, all I could do was watch as he limped over to the guard & says “Tell me Rick, have you ever danced with the devil in crimson moonlight?!..” then the guard just looked & said “Survive!” (SNAP!) “NOOOOOOOOOooooo!…” I shouted as that monster just snapped his neck! Then he’d been encased in earthbent restraints then his lifeless body collapsed to the floor as the rest of the guards came in a new found rage full fury brewed up inside me without any hesitation picked up a huge stone & charged at him shouting “DIIIE BASTARD!…” & I started repeatedly slamming the stone against his head as the guards were trying to tell me to stop “STAND DOWN KID!” “DON’T DO IT!” I kept slamming him until his head split open against the stone & his blood splattered into my face killing him & I just froze, dropped the bloodied stone & blankly stared at what was left of the man who’s life I just took before I turned to look at the one man who’d shown me kindness since I was thrown in here, then I dropped to my knees as single strand of tears slowly slid down my face. All the Guards could do at this point was just stand there completely speechless..

Hours later-

A bunch of people from Republic City & the Southern Water Tribe kept on coming in & out of the cell as I just blankly stare at nothing sitting there with a blank expression under armed guard they soon cleared out & repaired the cell & removed the restraints & sealed the cell door & everything was back to normal pitch black void of nothingness like nothing had ever happened.. I was too tired to cry anymore & just went back to sleep silently telling myself “Survive..”

Chapter End..

#male reader #fanfic #avatar #avatar korra #avatar lok #korra x reader #mystery #loss #do revenge #original character

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casspurrjoybell-17 · 4 days

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Hart and Hunter - Chapter 38 - Part 2

*Warning Adult Content*

Darragh turns towards Freya, head tilted to the side.

"Indeed. We are like you Wolves, in that regard. The child of a human and a Wolf will inherit the traits of the Wolf and be as much a Wolf as any other. But are there not those among you who value your 'pure lineages' enough to start wars over them? Humans are no different. They divide themselves into nationalities and races but all are equally human. You wouldn't guess as much from the way they behave towards one another, as I'm sure you are well aware."

"You saying the Fae are racist?" Freya asks, her brows lifting towards her hair.

"If 'human' and 'Fae' may be called races, then yes," Darragh says.

"Children of 'pure blood' like my dear brother and sister, here, will always be valued above those of 'mixed heritage,' such as myself. Unless, of course, they carry the gift of the' leanan sidhe'.

He turns his gaze on Rhiannon and she glares back at him defiantly, the fierce purple flash of her eyes reminding me of Julian.

"It was your idea, wasn't it?" Halloran says.

"To have Rhiannon open a portal?" Darragh nods.

"Yes, though I got it from the skin-changers, originally. The passageway in those caverns is ancient... as old as the land... and the skin-changers used it for generations. Their population was always small and the local human tribes were wary of the caves but the two coexisted for centuries. Then different humans came and built a town on top of it and the skin-changers did what any animal will do when the supply of food increases. They began to breed. In time, their numbers increased to the point where snatching stray humans no longer sufficed. They devised a plan whereby they might replace the entire town and establish a permanent population in the human realm. Unfortunately for them, they moved too quickly and the humans noticed."

"They sealed the caverns off," I say.

"They did," Darragh agrees.

"And doomed their own children. Those that had been taken to the Shadowlands remained trapped here to perish, while the skin-changers stranded on the other side were forced to eke out a careful existence among humans. Most were eventually hunted down and eradicated by the likes of Julius Hart."

Darragh's grin sharpens as he looms over Rhiannon.

"How ironic when, almost a century later, our dear sister derailed my own plans by falling in love with none other than Hart's descendant."

With a feral snarl, Rhiannon launches herself at Darragh, knife in hand but his guards are ready.

Blinded by fury, her attack lacks finesse and she's thrown to the ground.

Halloran catches and pulls her back and with a razor-sharp spear-tip at her throat, she stops struggling.

"It was you, wasn't it?" Halloran breathes, looking up at Darragh over Rhiannon's shoulder.

"The Wolves. You set them up."

Darragh nods.

"I needed the conflict to continue for an incursion to gain the support of the courts and I imagined that with her lover dead, Rhiannon would be willing enough to give herself to the cause once more. Unfortunately, I... miscalculated her thirst for vengeance. She wasn't supposed to kill them all... certainly not the Alpha. We needed him."

Struck by a sudden realization, I swear.

"Fuck. The land-bond."

"Perhaps you're more clever than I've given you credit for," Darragh says, turning to me with a lifted brow.

"Yes... the land bond is a critical ingredient in this ritual. An Alpha's life is bound to the land and the land between our worlds is connected at thin places. It is the power of this bond, coupled with the gift of the 'leanan sidhe' to transform will into reality, that will tear a rift between realms. Without an Alpha's bond, the ritual is null."

Turning, he stalks back across the room, his eyes sweeping the cavern like a hawk in search of prey.

I've been doing the same whenever his back is turned, looking for Julian but if he's still here, he's got the 'Unseen' thing down pat.

Darragh sighs.

"With Rhiannon banished in disgrace, the Shadowlands sealed once more and the Conflict at an end, I put my ambitions aside for a time. With only my brother between me and the throne, things seemed less urgent. I was content to wait and then I learned about Julian Hart."

He approaches to stand before me.

"Imagine my surprise when I discovered that not only did my sister have a grandson but that he was a 'leanan sidhe' as well. Moreover, an Alpha Wolf had come to Spring Lakes and..." he laughs aloud.

"Against all odds, the pair had fallen in love. I couldn't believe my luck. All I needed was for you to bond with the land and then I'd make my move. For an entire year, I watched and waited but it seemed you were content to let things be. So I gave you a little encouragement. A push in the right direction."

"You re-opened the Shadowlands," Halloran says, aghast.

"You let the skin-changers through."

He nods.

"And Rhiannon followed, as I knew she would."

"Well, jokes on you," I say.

"I haven't completed the bond yet. If you hadn't kidnapped my sister, I would have."

"I had to," Darragh snaps.

"You were about to ruin everything. Stupid brute. For the greatest power, you need to complete the bond at the thinnest place, where the most power bleeds through between realms. At the standing stones... not some nameless ridge with no significance."

I glower at him.

"The center of my territory is where my heart lives... my home."

"A sweet but flawed sentiment," Darragh sneers.

"If you wish to protect what you love, you should seek the greatest power to do so but as you seemed determined to do otherwise, I was forced to step in and reveal myself prematurely and... inspire... you to act. Sadly, you failed but fear not... it's all worked out splendidly in the end, thanks to the ever-impetuous Julian. You're exactly where I want you and all that remains is for you to complete the bond and submit to my will."

"I thought you said we needed to be at the standing stones?"

"We are."

He points at the arched dome above us.

"We are directly beneath them. In this place, the three realms of 'Faerie' 'The Shadowlands' and 'Human Earth' align perfectly. We are exactly where we need to be."

I glance up at the vaulted ceiling, down at the chasm in the floor, and at the seven pillars surrounding it.

I suppose if any place looks like a conduit between realms, it would be this one.

"What makes you think I'll cooperate?"

Darragh arches his brow at me.

"I don't expect you to but by the time I've stripped away everything you love and after a certain amount of suffering, I imagine you'll do as I ask."

"There's just one problem with your plan," I say.

"Julian's not here."

"I think we both know that isn't true," Darragh says, smirking and gestures to the Fae holding bows.

He points at Ingrid and Freya.

"Alyth, Sylv. Kill the spares."

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naturalborndragons · 5 days

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Mid Dragon's World Chapter 16

Chapter 16: Jake vs. Alex

I flew through the sky with Alex not far behind me. Looking back, I noticed that two fireballs were hot on my tail. I flew down as the two balls of fire flew past. I then flew further down, landing on the roof of my school. Turning around, I saw that Alex was also lowering. I shot a few fireballs of my own at him which he avoided easily.

As soon as Alex landed, he ran straight towards me, his scaly fists clenched. I clenched my fists too. Soon, the two of us stood in place and threw fist after fist after fist at each other, the two of us avoiding some punches while others landed. Once we stopped throwing punches at each other, Alex grabbed me by the shoulders and kneed me in the stomach. I held my stomach in pain as I hunched over. Alex squeezed his fist again and punched me in the face, knocking me off my feet. Rolling onto my back, I noticed Alex was standing over me. As he raised his scaly foot, I rolled out of the way before he was able to slam it down on me. I stood up and charged towards Alex. Our hands clasped together as we struggled, trying to push the other back.

“What’s wrong with you, Alex?!” I asked, managing to push him back a bit. “Jericho’s only ever been nice to you and you want to kill him?! WHY?!”

“This isn’t my choice to make, Jake! Dad said we gotta do this so I’m gonna do it!” Alex exclaimed, pushing me back this time.

“Is that really the only reason you’re doing this? Because dad said you had to?” I asked, not fully trusting Alex’s words.

Alex didn’t answer me. We continued to struggle, our hands locked together as we tried to knock the other back. Eventually, with enough force, Alex sent me stumbling back until I was just a few feet away from the edge of the roof. I glared at him, clenching my fist as tightly as I could.

“Come on Jake. You really think you can beat me?” Alex scoffed. “You could never beat me in training so what makes you think you can beat me in a real fight?”

“I’ve got to.” I said with a look of determination. “If beating you will save Cassie and Jericho, then I’m gonna fight as hard as I can!”

In response, Alex shot a stream of fire from his mouth at me. I threw my left hand up in front of me which stopped Alex’s fire. I pulled my arm back and launched the fire back at Alex. He took a couple feet back, barely avoiding the fire. I noticed that Alex was now barely standing on the edge of the roof. His foot slipped, sending him falling off the roof. My eyes grew wide and I gasped, my jaw dropping. I ran over to where Alex was standing, kneeled down and saw that Alex was now laying on the ground on his stomach. His arms were out in front of him, his tail laying in between his legs. He wasn’t moving.

“Oh my God!” I thought to myself, not believing what I was looking at.

“Alex. No! NO!!!” I exclaimed, tears forming under my eyes.

I started to cry. I didn’t want this. All I wanted was to protect Jericho and Cassie. I didn’t want to kill Alex in order to do it.

I wiped my tears away and stood up. Flapping my wings, I flew down to Alex’s body. I gasped a few times, falling to my knees in shock as my arms dropped to my sides. My eyes were wide and my mouth shook. I just couldn’t believe it. Alex…he was dead.

Suddenly, I noticed Alex’s body begin to move. I gasped again in surprise. Alex was alive! He quickly got up and swung his paw at me, his claws slicing into my cheek. I placed my palm over my cheek, my eyes twitching as my cheek stung. Moving my hand away, I noticed the large amount of blood that covered the palm of my hand. I wiped the blood on the dirt and stood up as did Alex.

I turned around and ran with Alex chasing after me. Just as I got to the stairs leading out of the baseball field, I swung around and dashed at Alex, clenching both my fists as tightly as I could. Before Alex could respond, I smacked one fist into Alex’s face and drove the other into his stomach. Alex held his stomach as he hunched over. I flapped my wings and was about to take to the sky again when Alex grabbed me by the tail. He squeezed it, causing me to scream in pain as my wings lost all their strength, sending me crashing to the ground.

With my tail still in his grip, Alex stomped his foot on my back. I screamed as incredible pain came shooting all the way from my tail and up to my brain.

“You can’t do anything to me as long as I’ve got your tail, Jake. I beat you again, little brother.” Said Alex confidently.

Alex placed his foot down on my back. He pressed down as hard as he could, causing me to scream again. I gripped the ground and growled under my breath, trying to think of a way out of this. I could barely move as long as he was squeezing my tail and he’d probably keep this up until I was unconscious. I had to think of something before that happened and I had to think fast.

Then it hit me: my fire! I could use my fire to force him to let go. It didn’t even have to be a lot of fire. Just enough to startle Alex and make him let go of my tail.

As his foot squeezed down on my back again, I let out another painful scream.

“Had enough Jake?” Asked Alex. “If you say ‘uncle’ and promise to take care of your friends yourself, then I’ll stop. Sound fair?”

I grumbled under my breath, still gripping at the ground, my eyes twitching yet again at the pain my tail was in.

“Sorry, couldn’t hear you. What did you say?” Asked Alex.

My answer was a stream of fire. While it wasn’t enough to hurt Alex, I was able to get him to release my tail. Before Alex could grab me again, I quickly ran from him while on all fours. I stood up and looked over at him. He growled at me, no doubt angry that I wasn’t willing to go along with this.

“I’m never gonna help you, Alex. I don’t want to kill them, and I don’t want you to either.” I said.

“Why?” Alex scoffed. “Because you think that we can all be friends? Jake, I don’t like humans. I don’t want to be friends with humans and I don’t need to be friends with humans.”

“Then what about Jericho? What about that drawing he made for you?” I asked, feeling a little angry at Alex.

“That…That--” Alex couldn’t finish his sentence.

“Or what about when his family was saying how cool we were? I saw you smiling at that. I think you’re lying, Alex. I think deep down, you don’t hate humans as much as you used to anymore.” I continued with a serious look on my face.

“Jake. Shut up!” Alex said sharply. And he ran at me, swinging one of his paws like a sword. I grabbed his arm and pushed it back. I threw a punch in return which Alex blocked.

Alex launched himself into the sky. I followed just a little bit behind Alex, sending a few fireballs after him. He flew out of their paths but I planned to make sure he wasn’t in the clear yet. As I continued to fly upward, I threw my hands into the air which caused two of my fireballs to stop. Quickly I threw both hands down with my fire following my movements. Once my balls of fire were at the same level as Alex, I swung my arms in his direction as they followed him.

Just as my fireballs got closer to him, Alex flew higher into the sky, just barely missing them. He flew higher and higher which meant my fireballs had to go higher too. So I raised my hands into the air again. Just then, I watched as Alex did a half somersault. His entire body was now directly hovering above my fireballs but just as they grew closer, Alex flapped his wings several times as hard as he could which produced just enough wind to put out my fireballs. Afterwards, he swooped down and zipped past me. I flew in the opposite direction. The two of us turned around at the same time and quickly flew past each other. This continued for a few minutes before we both dropped back down to the ground.

Alex ran at me and swung his paw. I stepped back before his claws could get me. He swiped at me a few more times but still wasn’t able to cut me. Growling, he tightened his fist and threw a punch which I blocked with my arm. A bad idea as I felt a painful tingling feeling shoot through my arm. I held my arm, trying to get it to stop hurting so much. While it helped a little, it wasn’t enough to make the pain stop. I dropped my arm to my side and tried to turn my attention back to beating Alex.

We both jumped back, shooting fire at each other. We walked in a circle, our eyes locked onto the other. Alex released another fireball which I stopped and repelled back at him. He ducked out of the way as his fireball flew past him and scorched the ground, leaving behind a noticeably large black mark. He got up and the two of us continued exchanging fireballs. After a few minutes, our fireballs stopped. We stood there for a moment, panting, our bodies covered in sweat. My head was hurting like crazy and my vision went blurry for a second. I wasn’t sure how much longer I could continue. I felt like I was going to pass out. I was ready to make sure that didn’t happen though. I couldn’t let that happen. Not before I warned Jericho and his family and to do that, I had to beat Alex.

I stumbled forward, still panting loudly, my legs like jelly. I bent down, held my hands over my knees, and took several deep breaths, trying to get some air into my body. I looked up, seeing Alex was doing the same. He and I both couldn’t take much more. By now, the only way our fight was going to end was if either one of us or both of us were unconscious.

Once I was good and ready, I ran from Alex over to the baseball diamond. He chased after me. As soon as I was standing on the pitcher’s spot, I stopped and turned around and threw punch after punch after punch at Alex. It was just like before except this time Alex was the one who was avoiding my attacks. Just like with me, Alex was stepping back, avoiding each punch I threw at him. This ended with Alex grabbing me by the arm and tossing me into the dirt. I coughed as I rubbed the dust and dirt out of my eyes. When I opened my eyes, I saw Alex standing over me. He grabbed me by my shirt collar and pulled me up. He gripped it tightly in his scaled, clawed hands. I could see the ends of his claws poking through. He raised his one hand that was still free and was about to attack me with his claws again when, without thinking, I shot fire right into his face. He suddenly let go of me.

“AAAAAAHHHH!!!!” Alex screamed as the fire burned his face.

He covered his face, still screaming. His screams grew quieter until they became painful grunts. When he removed his paws from his face, I saw that he wasn’t horribly burned but there were some marks. He turned to me, a furious look in his eyes.

“Alex, I’m sorry! I didn’t mean to do that!” I exclaimed.

Alex didn’t care however. He tackled me to the ground and started punching me. I held my arms over my face to try and protect myself. Alex was breathing loudly and heavily, his punches becoming more and more painful with each hit.

“Alex, please STOP!!” I pleaded desperately.

“Doesn’t feel good, does it Jake?!” Said Alex angrily. “Maybe I should burn your face to show you how it feels!”

“No!” I yelled.

With enough force, I pushed Alex off me. As I stood up, my eyes twitched in pain again as I noticed that both arms were hurting badly now. Alex also stood up. He was still panting but this time, it wasn’t nearly as loud as it was when he was hitting me.

“Jake…” Alex stopped to take a few breaths. “Do you see…what you’re doing? All this…just to save some humans.”

“How many times do I have to tell you Alex?” I said breathless. “Those humans…are my friends. I like them…even if…you say you don’t.”

“Oh yeah?” Alex said in a mocking voice. “Remember your…other so called friends? The ones…who got hurt…or scared by your powers? What if…something happened and your powers…ended up hurting your new friends? What if they…started to hate you for it? Would you…still like them?”

I didn’t know how to answer that. I just hoped that never would happen. Jericho and Cassie already knew about my powers so I knew they’d never be scared of me but…Alex did have a point: what if my powers did end up hurting them? Would they still want to be pals with me? I wanted to believe that they would.

“Well Jake?” Alex asked impatiently.

“You know what, Alex? Even if they hated me, I’d still like them. And if my powers did hurt them, I think they’d still want to be friends with me.” I said, feeling confident in my answer.

Alex rolled his eyes. He didn’t say anymore. He tried to take to the sky again but found that difficult as he got about two feet off the ground and fell back down. His wings were too tired to lift him. I tried to lift myself into the air too but didn’t have any better luck than Alex did. My wings were cramping. I tried not to move them too much in case it made the pain worse.

The two of us stood, trying to get more air into our lungs. This time, my head felt light. Things started to spin. I was feeling dizzy. My eyes shut a few times but I fought to keep them open, fearing that I might lose consciousness.

Slowly I walked past Alex, my hands held over my head as things continued to spin. I took a couple deep breaths, coughing a little once I was done. I stopped a few feet from the steps and watched Alex as he walked to where I was standing. He and I stood about five feet away from each other just watching one another, wondering what the other was going to do. After a few minutes, Alex suddenly charged at me. I prepared myself for whatever it was he was about to do.

Alex swung his claws at me a few times, each attempt missing me. When I had the chance, I swung my fist at him, hitting Alex right in the snout. I threw another punch and hit him again. Just as I was about to hit Alex a third time, he grabbed my fist, squeezing it tightly and pushed me back. I stumbled a few feet and fell backwards. I immediately stood up, noticing that my body was starting to feel weaker and weaker. I had pushed myself too much. This time, my body really couldn’t take much more and I was willing to bet Alex was feeling the same way. My legs felt like jelly. I was amazed I was still standing.

Using what little strength my legs had left, I charged at Alex. The two of us exchanged a couple punches before we leapt back and unleashed two small but fierce streams of fire. Our two waves connected, struggling to beat the other.

We stood in that same spot which felt like forever, our fires trying to beat the other’s. I had never breathed fire for so long. It was painful. I wished there was an easier way to do this. Then I remembered there was. I couldn’t believe I forgot it: I didn’t have to keep breathing fire. I could just manipulate the fire I had already breathed. Once that thought crossed my mind, I realized that this may be my best chance of beating Alex. Alex didn’t have the power to manipulate elements like I did. That was going to give me a huge advantage. He had to keep breathing fire while I didn’t. This meant that he would have tired himself out quicker. I did it! I was going to beat him and save my friends.

I raised my palms over my fire and slowly closed my mouth, preventing anymore fire from escaping my body. I smiled proudly. I couldn’t believe that for the first time ever, I was actually going to beat Alex. And even better, Jericho and Cassie weren’t going to die

“Hey Alex!” I shouted. “I finally beat you! You have to keep breathing fire but I don’t! You’ll become tired quicker than me!”

Alex couldn’t respond. I continued to hold my hands in front of my fire, putting as much force into it as I could so that it could beat Alex. Things started getting blurry again. I was starting to pant like crazy as the last bit of energy I had left was leaving my body. I couldn’t let it happen yet. Not when I was so close. I pushed myself even harder but it was no use. My fire was beginning to be consumed by Alex’s. I didn’t understand why. I had the advantage. Alex should have been getting tired faster than I was.

I couldn’t take anymore. My legs gave out and I collapsed to the ground. I felt like I was going to be sick. To my surprise, when I looked up, I saw that my fire as well as Alex’s was gone. My vision went blurry again, then returned to normal and became blurry again. I struggled to stay awake but I was quickly losing that battle. Finally, I fell on my side, my head smacking the dirty, dusty ground as my eyes began to shut. The last thing I saw before losing consciousness was Alex slowly making his way to the stairs. As my eyes fully closed and my consciousness was lost, one last thought entered my head.

“Jericho…Cassie…I’m sorry. This is all my fault…”

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