#and thank you for introducing me to The Exile

[1nephthys]

Okay, First, I love your writing. Second, could you please make and imagine base on grey's anatomy? Like, I'm rewatching grey's anatomy, you know when Derek loses that pregnant patient, and then he goes into exile in the forest, and when Meredith goes to the forest saying that she knows about the wedding ring and she wants it, and then he throws the ring in the woods, and afterwards he laments that he lost her. I love that scene, I need an angst similar to this for Charles, I don't know, it might be inspired by last year when he flies to Monaco and binotto had to pick him up. With fluff in the end pleaaaaaase

The ring.

Thank you so so much, also thank you for the request! It took a second and I changed it a little bit but I hope you still enjoy it!!

Part 2!!:)

Word count:~4.9k

Warning: my English and as requested - angst; little, tiny suggestion of smut.

Four years ago.

Charles' mom stood up with a smile on her face announcing that it was time for her to do the dishes. She prepared the biggest dinner she ever had done before when her son finally decided that he want to introduce his girlfriend he was talking about for so long. She had always seen those sparks in his eyes when he was bragging about her.

"Let me help you." Y/n stopped herself from adding "Mrs. Leclerc" as the older woman told her not to do it because she felt old.

She also stood up but Pascale touched her arm and said "You stay there sweetheart, you are our guest tonight" She said to the girl with warm tone "Charles will help me." She looked at her son right beside y/n and he stood up and pick up both of their plates without any protest.

Y/n got herself in conversation with his brother, Lorenzo about something while her boyfriend was washing the plates in his mom's kitchen. "And? What do you think about her, mama?" He asked quietly, afraid that his girlfriend might hear from the other room.

"I don't know. I just met her but she seems really lovely. And with the way you look at each other, I feel like I will have to like her" She answered his son and it made him so happy. He might had a few girlfriends before and he always asked his mom for her opinion about them but never once her answer was this satisfying.

"I think I'm going to give her the ring dad gave me." He told her. They were dating only for a few months so his mom was actually terrified, even though her son looked like he was really in love. The ring he was talking about was really important to Charles because his father brought it for when his boys find the right girl. He noticed every thought on his mother's face, so he added quickly "Relax. I'm not planning to propose now... But when it's the right time, I really love her mama. I just feel it's her"

His mother could just smile at his statement because she - as well - felt like this is the one for her son.

---

Back to the present.

"...and Charles Leclerc finish his home grand-prix right behind the podium, at 4th place!" Everybody could hear through the speakers. Everybody in the Ferrari garage cheered, not for Charles but for Carlos who manage to finish second in this race. Y/n on the other hand knew, that her boyfriend wanted more. She was there before race, when all he could talk about finally starting from the pole position and having the win within his reach but his team failed him.

He got out of the car, mad to the point that he didn't even want to scream and yell at anyone, just stay quiet. He didn't even go for a hug with y/n like he ALWAYS does after race. He just wanted to finish his interviews and go home.

And that was exactly what he did. He told the interviewer about his disappointment, trying to control himself with the rest of the faith he had in his team.

He took a quick shower as y/n waited in his driver' room. The drive home was quiet. Y/n didn't forget to congratulate her boyfriend but when all she got in response was quiet "thanks" and glossy eyes she knew that he didn't really want to speak now. She decided to wait 'till he was ready to talk to her.

"I'm going to take a shower again" Charles said. Both of them knew that this shower was just an excuse to spend time alone and cool down. Before he had gone to the bathroom, he checked his phone, which was on the dnd since his warm-up back before the race.

Hey mate, congrats on P4!

We have to celebrate!

There's an afterparty in *name of the club* you have to come with y/n!

He read all three messages from his best friend, Pierre and he really, really wanted to throw his phone out of the window at the first one.

"Pierre asks if we want to go to the afterparty" Charles asked y/n looking at her with his phone in his hands.

"We can, only if you want" She answered, still worried about her boyfriend mood.

"I will tell him we will be there." He said while putting his phone down and heading straight to the bathroom, before y/n had any chance to say something.

She decided it was best if she also took a quick shower in the guest bathroom of their house and started getting ready. She put on some makeup and a comfortable, yet pretty outfit and she was ready to leave. She was ready but the shower was taking Charles longer time than usual so she decided to knock gently on the door.

"Charles, sweetheart? It's already 8 p.m. Just letting you know" She said through the dark wood. What she did not expect was her lover opening the door with an angry face.

"Jesus, will you at least let me shower in peace? Or I can't do that too?" He asked her angrily, passing her on his way to the bedroom to put on some clothes and leave. She didn't even answer him because he didn't give her time for that and she wouldn't had know what to say anyways. "We can go" He told her, grabbing his keys and walking to the car, without turning around.

She let out a long breath and stopped herself from saying anything, as she knew it was already a rough day for him. Even though his cold tone hurt her a bit. She already knew that she wasn't drinking tonight because he was going to get wasted. She closed their apartment and sit in the passenger seat.

Charles got to the club pretty fast but all the drivers were already there most of them on their third drink. As always, he passed his car keys to y/n and she put them in her purse. They entered the club and Charles went straight to buy drinks.

"I'm not going to drink tonight. You feel free though. I will be with the girls." She told him. She for sure will keep an eye on him but she had mixed feelings and was afraid of him attacking her again. So, she kissed his cheek and was off towards Lily and Kika that were dancing together on the dancefloor.

She greeted both of them and she was glad that it was just like every time they were at a party because she really didn't feel like explaining that her boyfriend was mad at her for a bad race result.

It was already some time at the party and Y/n's mood was actually better now, she had a great time with the girls. Charles also seemed like he was having fun, he definitely did not want to save any money on drinks.

It was around 1 a.m. that y/n noticed that he was leaving the club so she quickly grabbed her purse and said her goodbyes to go after him.

"Charles! Charles!" She yelled after him as he was walking in the opposite direction of their house and totally ignored her. "Charles, wait! I can't catch up!" She yelled which made him stop in his track.

"Maybe I want you to not catch up, huh? I just want you all to leave me fucking alone! Today was shit and I don't really need more of your shit on top of it!" He yelled back.

"Charles, you are drunk, let me take you home, and then you can be alone all you want. Please, c'mon." She said quietly. She was actually glad that he tried to run away from her because at least they were far enough from the club that people outside can't hear them over loud music. Now he might not care about it but he would when he sober up and read headlines and messages from his PR management.

"No. I'm not going with you anywhere. You can go back to having fun with the girls" He said with a mocking tone. He never seemed to mind her dancing with others when they were at the party together so she was surprised at this. "At least you will leave fucking alone. You know what all of this go fucking nowhere. I thought you would be there for me but I feel like I can't count on you, too" He said.

Oh.

"Charles, you can always count on me, I'm here whenever you want to talk to me. I thought that wasn't what you want. And I'm so, so sorry for misunderstanding you. Please, let's go home and talk." She tried again. She actually felt like shit but there wasn't much she could do now, when he was this drunk.

"No. I'm not going anywhere with you." He said and reached into his pocket taking out a beautiful ring, the one his dad gave him. "You know what, I was so fucking sure you were the one to get it..." She knew it, she knew it for years, she just waited. "But fuck this stupid ring, because I can't imagine someone else wearing it and for sure not you now." He finished his sentence by throwing the ring in whatever direction.

Both of their eyes were on it for a second but they both lost it before it hit the ground. She stood there. Stunned by his words and stunned by him throwing the ring that was so important to him.

"Go away." He added, as if what he just did and said wasn't enough. She didn't know what to say or do. So she did actually turn around and started walking in the opposite direction, to their shared apartment, holding her tears for dear life.

The walk home took her longer than usual, on her way she was repeating everything in her head. When she looked through her small purse she noticed his car keys which suddenly made her feel guilty, she just hoped that someone would help Charles get home safe, even after he hurt her.

What she didn't know, was that Pierre was already there. He also was bloody worried about Charles, so he get out of the club not far behind her. When he noticed she started walking in her direction and Charles in totally opposite, right after he threw away the ring he told him so much about, he knew he needed to run after his best friend. He had a few drinks too, but he definitely felt better now.

"Charles!" He yelled. And this time, Charles actually stopped and break out in tears.

"I lost her mate, I'm so fucking stupid" He put his palms on his eyes, to stop the tears from running down his face but there was no use in it. "And I lost it too!"

"Charles, you know she won't give up that easily. And you still have a chance in the championship. You did not lose it yet." Pierre tried to cheer up his friend, he put his hand on his shoulder.

"I'm not talking about championship, mate. The ring. Why did I even do it? I will never fucking find it, I was just so angry and-" His cries were getting worst and worst so Pierre decided to call for a taxi before somebody take a picture that would be all over internet by tomorrow morning.

'Charles Leclerc crying outside the club! There's no more alcohol for him!'

'Charles Leclerc lost the chance for the championship and his long-term girlfriend in one day! That man must had f**k up in his previous life'

Yeah, that was not something he should be dealing with in one week.

He texted Kika too, explained the whole situation, and told her she could stay and he would ask Alex and Lily to get her home later but she said she want to go home too.

All three of them get into a taxi, Charles still sobbing, now also telling the couple about all his happy moments with his love. "I told her I can't count on her. While all I fucking did this whole day was throw mean comments at her. Or comment. I didn't talk to her the whole day. And she still tried to get me home. Because she was worried about me. I'm the worst boyfriend ever. Now probably ex-boyfriend actually. I lost the girl of my dreams mate, I waited so long to ask her to marry me and now I fuck all of this up. Four years mate, four years. And I never once regretted any second of it. But now she probably thinks I am." The car stopped. "I will never forgive myself, so how can she forgive me?"

"We are here." The taxi driver said.

Pierre and Kika thanked the heavens for that, because the drive never felt this long. Pierre paid the driver, with an apologizing, small smile hoping that the old man will not told the media about what just happened in his car.

Both he and Kika get him to the lift and then to their apartment and laid him on the bed in their guest bedroom.

"No, mate. I have to go to y/n. I have to apologize. And I have to find her ring before someone else does it." Charles argue but he gave up quickly when Pierre hold his shoulders down with Kika and that was enough for Charles to not be able to stand up.

"You will do that tomorrow, mate. It will be better if you catch some sleep now." Pierre said but Charles already had his eyes closed. He looked at Kika with understanding eyes and she returned the look. They both quietly exited the room to get to sleep themselves.

---

First thing Charles felt the next morning was his head. The pain was terrible, but as he looked around and noticed he isn't in his bedroom with his sweet girlfriend, he remembered the events of last night, and suddenly the headache wasn't so bad.

He want to the kitchen, where Pierre was already standing looking for something in the fridge. He turned around when he heard footsteps.

"Charles." He looked at his best friend. He didn't look any better than last night. His eyes were red and puffy his shirt was stained, probably with alcohol. "You should take a shower."

"Did you hear from y/n?" He asked straight away. He might be hella drunk, but he wasn't the type to forget the whole night because of it.

"Go take a shower first. We will eat breakfast and I will drive you home." Pierre told his best friend. He actually did hear from y/n last night, way later than both of them left the club she texted him, asking if he knew if Charles was okay. The next thing she asked after she was told that Charles was with her was not to tell him that she asked. And Pierre was actually on her side in this.

Charles had enough of arguments, so he did as his best friend said and closed himself behind the door. He noticed a clean set of clothes on the counter and he knew it was meant for him to borrow.

After his quick shower, he put on Pierre's shirt and pants and left the bathroom to join his best friend and Kika at the table. He sat at the chair that had a plate ready in front and he noticed the small piece of metal right next to it.

His eyes instantly became teary as he grabbed it with his right hand. "But- how?" that was all he managed to get out of his mouth as he lifted his gaze from the ring to his best friend's face.

"Yesterday after we left I told some guys about the ring. We left and they were looking for it. Carlos bring it earlier this morning. He said it took them over an hour to find it but at least it is here." Pierre explained.

He couldn't even explain in words how grateful he was for his friends, he made a mental note to thank his teammate and friend for it.

"I- I don't know what to say. Thank you, Pierre. Thank you, guys." He looked at Kika, too. "It would be even worst without you"

"I accept thanks in the form of wedding invitations." Pierre commented which got him a kick under the table from Kika. Was it too soon for that kind of joke? "Sorry, but you really have to apologize to her, mate. What you did yesterday was shitty."

"Okay, less talking, more eating. The faster you eat, the faster you will get to explain yourself." Kika reminded both of them. That left them without any comment as they both looked at each other, Pierre with a little smirk while Charles - still not in the mood for jokes.

"I think I will take a taxi" Charles said after they ate. Pierre just nodded his head, as much as he wanted to hear his best friend and his other half makeup, he knew that it should be done just between them.

Charles grabbed the ring, put it in his pocket, and left the apartment when he read the text that the taxi was already there. He felt like the drive took hours, when in fact it was only ten minutes. But it was enough time to overthink what was waiting for him at home. He even considered that all of his things were already packed and waiting for him at the door.

He, finally, got out of the car and made his way towards the lift to get to their apartment. He didn't even have his keys so he really hoped she would open the door for him.

It took him one knock at the piece of wood and only a few seconds for her to open it. As if she was already waiting for him.

"Charles." She said quietly, trying to control her voice so bad so it won't break, like she had any chance fighting the tears in her eyes.

"Y/n," He said, not doing any better. He considered so many options what would happen when he get there, yet he had no idea what to say now, that she actually opened the door. "Can I come in?" He asked her, realizing they still standing in the hall.

"It's your house as well" She answered and moved a little aside.

They both walked to the living room and Charles looked around. Their pictures together were still all around. Not a single one was moved. As if nothing had happened, as if he didn't throw away her propose ring right in front of her before she even get it.

"Y/n I- I don't know what I was thinking. I want to say sorry to you, but that's not enough for what I did. Never ever did I want you to leave me alone, I was frustrated by the race and the team but I had no rights to take it out on you. I'm sorry for blaming you for not being there when actually I'm the one that can't communicate. I know I can count on you and you can count on me, I will spend my whole lifetime proofing that to you if it is what it takes for you to forgive me." They both had tears streaming down their faces but that didn't matter now as Charles grabbed both Y/n's hands and squeezed them to tell her that what he was saying was meant from deep of his heart. "I'm not sure if you can do that but if you are, please take all the time that you need. I just really need you to know that I would go with you anywhere, just tell me where and I promise you I will be right by your side."

"Charles, I can't tell you that I'm alright- that we're alright because I am hurt" She said which had him in another wave of tears "But I will not throw away all those years together. But I really need time."

"Cherie, please take as much time as you need, just never leave me, please." Charles begged her but she didn't trust her voice enough this time, so all she did was pull him close for a hug.

So Charles was willing to give her time. As much as she needed. Even when the ring in his pocket were more and more heavy.

---

One year later, Monaco Grand-Prix.

"And finally, after many years Charles Leclerc finish his home grand-prix first! Ladies and gentlemen, Charles Leclerc is the winner of this year's Monaco grand-prix!" The commentator's voice could be heard anywhere.

Y/n hugged Arthur, her boyfriend's brother who was standing right beside her in euphoria. Everyone around them was screaming, throwing their hands in the air and clapping for her boyfriend. He got out of the car and run to her first like he always did. She hugged him so tight and he returned it.

"I'm so, so proud of you! You are the winner!" She screamed and his smile grew even bigger now if it was even possible. She kissed his helmet, in the place where his lips should be right before the couple was torn apart when Charles was pulled for other hugs and then interviews.

He returned to y/n as soon as he could and before he hoped to take a shower he told her "I'm glad you're here with me, I wouldn't have done it without you."

"You are an amazing driver, you are driving this car, not me." She answered. It's safe to say that their relationship had never been this good before.

"Take a shower with me?" He asked with a little smirk as he wrapped his arms around her waist, hers went around his torso in a matter of seconds.

And how she could say no when he was standing in front of her with his little smirk, fireproofs and his race suit hanging low on his hips?

She kissed his lips and they made their way to the shower and what happened there, was a whole different story.

---

Everything will be ready at 8 p.m.

You better not chicken out this time.

Charles read two messages from his best friend answering quickly.

I didn't chicken out, I just wanted it to be more special and keep it a surprise.

"Pierre asks if we want to go to the afterparty" Charles asked as he was sitting at the kitchen table, watching y/n making some food for both of them.

"We can, only if you want" She answered him, quickly returning to cutting vegetables.

"He said that this will be smaller, on a yacht so we can celebrate P1 with closest ones, not whole club" Charles explained, hoping he didn't sound susceptions.

"Yeah okay, dinner will be ready in 10, then we can start getting ready, okay?" She asked.

"Yeah. I love you." Charles said casually, with his heart-shaped eyes which sent off millions of butterflies in y/n stomach. She answered him with the same.

---

All dressed up Y/n and Charles finally get on the yacht, that seemed to be totally empty, no party in sign.

"Are we first? That unusual." Y/n commented as it usually them both to make an appearance when everybody is already drunk.

"Yeah, c'mon" Charles answered all uptight as he took a few steps and hopped on the yacht. He held his hand out for y/n to grab it and step there too.

It was already past 8 p.m. so it was quite surprising that no one was there, but what was even more surprising what that the lights were turned on. Turned her back to Charles to look if somebody was coming from port but when she didn't see anyone, she turned back around.

Only to be met with Charles on one knee.

No fucking way.

"Y/n, you've been there for me for the past five years. And for all those five years, I knew I wanted to marry you one day. I knew it damn well when I almost ruined our relationship a year ago. You took me back and I promised you to give you time. And I'm still willing to give it to you. I want to give you all the time I have. I want to give and share with you every second of my life for the rest of it. I want to be anywhere you are. I want to be able to count on you and make sure you can count on me. Y/n, my cherie, my best friend, my partner in crime, will you marry me?" He may or may not have tears in his eyes, his hands may or may not be shaking as he anxiously waited for an answer.

"Charles- I- of course, I will marry you!" She answered, fighting with the tears in her eyes. She went for a hug as well, noticing how beautiful the ring he was now putting on her finger. "It's perfect" She said, kissing his lips.

"Sweetheart, you have no idea how glad I'm you like it." Charles answered her after their kiss. It wasn't really needed because all he had to say was already in this kiss.

"Time to drink for our soon-to-be bride and groom!!!" Pierre yelled getting out of his hidden spot in the cabin. After he went Arthur, their mum, and actually too many people looking at how small this cabin was. Charles and y/n were too busy to think how all of them squeezed in here but surely five more minutes and they all would pass out due to lack of oxygen.

"Congratulations sweethearts! I knew since Charles introduced you to us that one day you were going to be Leclerc." Pascale said, as she was the first one to come to them when the music started playing.

"Congrats, mate!" Pierre hugged Charles while Kika by is side hugged y/n.

"I hope I will be your bridesmaid! I promise I will organize you the best bachelorette party ever!" Kika said to y/n which had her giggling. She just got proposed to and now she already had to think about bridesmaids!

"Hey, if she's bridesmaid I have to be best man!" Pierre answered.

"Ey, ey, not that fast amigo!" Carlos appeared out of nowhere behind Pierre, putting his hand on French driver shoulder "He said I will be best man after I found the ring last year! You didn't forget right?" Carlos asked.

"What?! You told him he can be best man? C'mon..." Two drivers started arguing over who was going to be best man at the weeding while Charles attention catch y/n voice.

"Wait, so this is actually the ring, like the one from your dad? I thought it was lost" His now fiancée asked.

"Yeah, it is. But wait, how do you know that my dad got it with me? I wanted to tell you that later tonight" Charles asked shocked, maybe he wasn't good at keeping secrets, especially not from her, but he would remember if he slipped this.

"Uhh.. that actually might be my fault." If it wasn't enough people appearing out of nowhere that night, Arthur was now standing right next to Charles with guilt in his eyes.

"What?" He asked his brother what did he mean it's his fault.

"Five years ago. You were helping mom in the kitchen after you introduced y/n to us. She was talking with Lorenzo so I decided to help too but I overheard you talking about the ring so I came back" He explained.

"Okay, but that still..." Charles tried to say that did not told him anything, but Arthur started talking again.

"Your secret was safe with me, I swear. For a whole ass year, I kept my mouth shut but then there was that party. I drunk a bit and she just-"

"Hey, don't put it on me!" Y/n laughed, as much as she liked Arthur alive, she wanted to hear really story.

"Okay, I came up to her and told her that I can't wait for her to be Leclerc and for you to give her the ring you choose with dad. I told her it was meaningful and everything. I'm sorry" Arthur got to the end of the story and looked up at his brother.

"So you telling me, I kept my mouth shut, bite my tongue like hundred times but all this time you knew about it? Unbelievable!" Charles said with a look of betrayal on his face. "And you, you little shit? You couldn't tell me sooner? Like every time I was panicking that I almost spilled the surprise?!" He asked his brother this time.

"I said I'm sorry!" Arthur argue back.

"Kids, please calm down. It's time to celebrate. My son is a double winner tonight!" Pascale said. And Charles couldn't agree more. Even though for a second he had forgotten that he actually won the race today, because now he had much more important win.

"You are right, Mrs. Leclerc! It's time to drink for them!" Max yelled, with a beer in his hand.

It definitely wasn't his first tonight.

a/n. It took me a second to write and it was also longer than I expected but I still hope you enjoy it! Especially the person who requested it because it was fun to write! I changed a few things but defo strong inspo from this grey's anatomy ep. Love you:))

#charles leclerc x f!reader #charles leclerc x reader #charles leclerc imagines #charles leclerc imagine #charles leclerc #charles lecrelc #f1 imagine #f1 x reader #f1 imagines #f1 fanfic #f1 x y/n #cl16 x reader #charles leclerc fluff #charles leclerc angst

[doe-eyed-fool]

Heaven Is Where You Are

Chapter Two

Lucifer x Fem!Reader

Warning(s): Slight Angst

Charlie had returned your clothes to you after they were washed clean from the blood. After getting dressed, you joined Charlie in the hotel lobby. But she wasn't the only one waiting.

There were a few other demons in the lobby as well.

"How are you feeling, Y/n?" Charlie asks as she approaches you. "Better, thank you." You tell her with a small smile. "So um, who are they?"

"These are my friends, they also help out around the hotel." Says Charlie, turning to the group of demons. "Everyone, this is Y/n." You waved slightly, feeling awkward. And a tad intimidated, due to the demon with one eye staring at you.

Charlie listed everyone's names as she introduced them to you. You felt a little uncomfortable as you were introduced to Alastor. He looked as if he were plotting something, with that malicious grin of his.

But, you felt more scared of the tiny one eye demon, Niffty. So small and yet, so terrifying...

"So you ain't dead after all?" Asked a tall lanky spider demon. "And you're an angel?"

"Yes and uh, well no, not anymore." You mutter. "Um, I don't know if Charlie has told you, but, I'm not one of the exorcist angels."

"You know about them? I thought Heaven was keeping that kind of information secret." Said Vaggie. Strange, she looked awfully familiar...

"Well, one angel in particular has a big mouth." You sigh.

"Adam." Charlie and Vaggie say in unison. Charlie shook her head before her smile returned. "Anyhow, I was wondering if you had anywhere to stay for the time being?"

You shook your head. "I didn't really plan that far ahead." You admit. "Then you can stay here!" Charlie says cheerfully. "Oh, I don't want to intrude." You say.

"Trust me, we can use all the people we can get." Charlie mutters. "Lots of empty rooms."

"But it looks so nice...Are those barricades?"

"Yeah." Charlie laughs weakly. "Sorry, tomorrow is going to be...rough. I'm sure you know why." Oh that's right. But wait, it's too early for the yearly extermination, isn't it?

"But it hasn't even been a year." You say, confused. Charlie crosses her arms, a look of frustration on her face as she spoke. "Adam decided to move it up early. He's coming right for the hotel with his army of angels."

You sigh. You never did like Adam. He was the absolute worst, and now he's gone and done something as rash as this? And here you thought he couldn't get anymore terrible.

You wish there was something you could do to help. But without your wings, you were pretty much useless...

"But that doesn't matter right now." Charlie reaches for her phone. "For now, you and a certain someone have need to have a reunion." She grins.

Suddenly, you were overwhelmed with nerves, but also excitement. You were moments away from seeing Lucifer again after all this time. What would you say?

Gosh, how did you even look right now?

That fall did more than just hurt you. You were sure you looked a mess.

"Do you mind if I straighten myself up a little? I'd like to look presentable for Lucifer. It'd be a shame to be apart for thousands of years, only to reunite looking a mess." You say with a chuckle.

Charlie nods. "Of course, take your time."

You quickly thank her before rushing upstairs and back to the room you were in to freshen up.

You looked at yourself in the mirror, you looked much better, aside from the obvious nervous look on your face. It really has been thousands of years. Was he still the same Lucifer you knew back then? Has he changed at all? And if so, how much?

No one really spoke much about Lucifer back in Heaven. Other than to recall the story of his exile. You couldn't help but wonder.

What has ten thousand years of damnation done to him?

There was a knock at the door, causing you to gasp. You became less tense as you heard Charlie's voice.

"Y/n, you in there?"

You stepped out of the bathroom and into the bedroom, looking ahead at the door. "Yes." You tell her. There were sounds of muffled voices from the other side of the door. Charlie's and...

Your heart rate sky rocketed at the sound of the other voice. It sounded so much like his. It had to be him.

You stepped closer to the door and listened carefully.

'So, what was it you called me for again? Is everything alright?'

It was him.

You felt tears gathering in your eyes, you kept listening.

'I have a surprise for you. And I know you're going to love it!' Said Charlie excitedly.

'Heh, I must, if you say I will.'

'Y/n? Can I come in?'

You take a breath to push back the shakiness of your voice. "Yes, you can."

You took a step back as the door opened. Charlie couldn't hold back her excitement, she stepped aside, revealing the man you've longed to see for so long.

Lucifer's wide eyes met your own. The two of you fell silent at the sight of each other.

He looked different. No longer wearing the angelic robes he once wore in Heaven, now sporting sharp fangs and claws, and his eyes blood red.

But you knew it was him. Despite everything, it's still him...

"Y/n..." Your name fell from Lucifer's lips, and it sounded so heavenly coming from him.

"Lu-"

You could barely get his name out as he brought you into a tight embrace. There was nothing holding back the damn in your eyes now, as the tears streamed down your cheeks.

Charlie smiled warmly, stepping out of the room and shutting the door, leaving you two alone.

You then felt Lucifer's hands rubbing at your back.

"What have they done to you?" His voice wavered.

You sigh into his chest. "I allowed it." Lucifer furrowed his brows and pulled back to look at you. "You did this asked for this? You fell...willingly?" You nod. "Why? Why would you have done that?" You were silent for a moment. Lucifer's confusion turned into concern, and maybe even panic.

"Y/n...Don't tell me you let yourself fall from Heaven...for me."

You smiled, moving your hand up to his cheek. "I couldn't stand it Lucifer. So many nights I spent alone, and all I could do was pray for a moment like this. Lucifer..."

"Being apart from you, killed me."

Tears pooled in Lucifer's eyes. "You gave up everything...There's no going back from here Y/n. Don't you understand? You don't deserve to be here. Down here...this awful place, it's not for you."

"Like Heaven was any better." You mutter. "I know everything about what really goes on there. I don't understand how they can call themselves angels. The lies, the secrets, the exterminations...." You sigh before leaning back onto his chest. "I didn't see a point of staying any longer."

"But you've lost everything for me." Said Lucifer. You furrow your brows slightly. "You make that sound like a bad thing."

"It is." Lucifer turns his gaze away from you. "I don't deserve to see you again, and you didn't deserve to loose your place in Heaven because of someone like me."

"Lucifer..." You reach for his hand, but he pulls back. Still not looking at you, he speaks. "I'm not the same person I was back then, Y/n. So much has happened since I fell. Sure, some good but...bad things too. I just don't want you to regret your choice."

"Talk to me Lucifer."

Lucifer glanced at you, your smile weakened. "It's been ten thousand years after all."

#hazbin hotel #lucifer x reader #lucifer morningstar x reader #lucifer hazbin hotel #hazbin hotel lucifer #lucifer #hazbin lucifer x reader

[lizthewriter]

LIZ I LOVED UR EXILE FIC SO MUCH!! CAN U DO A SIMILAR ONE THATS A PT 2 IN THEIR RELATION SHIP CALLED KARMA AND ITS HOW SHE GOT HAPPIER?

A/N: your wish is my command 😌😌 but thank you so much hehe

karma / mattheo riddle

PAIRING Mattheo Riddle x Reader

SUMMARY  You and Mattheo have been dating for two months now and your life has taken a turn for the better. You thank him.

TAGS  Mattheo Riddle x reader, fluff, cuddling, kisses, mattheo is a good bf, gender neutral reader

"Ask me what I learned from all those years, / ask me what I earned from all those tears, / ask me why so many fade but I'm still here," - Karma, Taylor Swift

WORD COUNT  1.2K

WRITTEN  26.08.2023

pt. 1 here, exile

Dating Mattheo Riddle was not what you had expected - over the course of two months, your life had improved dramatically. You were like a puzzle Mattheo had solved - before you met him, your pieces were all broken apart, but he had somehow managed to put them back together. He made you happier, and when you were happier, you tended to do better in your courses. You had also made friends - he had introduced you to his as soon as he could. Theodore was still quite silent around you, but you could tell he didn't nesscessarily dislike you. Sometimes, he sat down across from you in the library and you studied together in silence. It was far better than studying alone, that's for sure. And Blaise - Blaise and you had connected quickly. Before you knew it, you, Mattheo, and Blaise were hanging out together almost everyday. In the Slytherin common room, on the grounds, in random classrooms even.

However, you had grown quite unpopular with a certain . . . group of people at school. Namely girls. A lot of girls. The day after you and Mattheo kissed, you had walked into the Great Hall together. Mattheo's arm wrapped around your waist, his head leaned into your ear mumbling some joke that made you laugh boisterously. No doubt eyes were drawn to you and jaws dropped. Only days ago, no one even knew you that well. Let alone Riddle. Yet here you were, entangled in his arms, being led to the Slytherin table for breakfast. So you had made quite a few enemies as well as friends, but if you were being entirely honest . . . you didn't even care that much.

Being with Mattheo was like a blessing. He was constantly showering you with affection. Whether it be subtle touches, murmured words of affection, or more . . . unspeakable things. Despite the fact that he was by your side every moment of the day (which came in handy when he could death stare any potential annoyances away), you actually quite enjoyed how often you were in each other's proximity. You were in most of the same classes already as well as the same year. And currently, you were seated next to each other in History of Magic. Professor Binns, of course, was droning on about the elf revolution and you, of course, were nudging Mattheo awake with a silent chuckle.

He gave you a playful shove, letting his head fall back onto your shared desk, his arms covering his face. "Let me sleep," Mattheo mumbled, his voice muffled.

"Theo, don't you want to pay attention?"

"I have an E in this class anyways."

You rolled your eyes with a grin, turning back to listen to Binns, no matter how much you'd like to lay on your desk to fall asleep too. When class was over, Blaise made his way over to you two, Theodore hovering behind him with his nose down a book. Blaise whacked Mattheo over the head with a roll of parchment, enough that it would startle him awake, but not exactly enough to hurt him.

Mattheo groaned, shoving Blaise away too.

"Come on, you twat, class is over."

Mattheo let out a grumble, pushing himself out of his chair and grabbing his bag. "We don't have any more classes, right?"

"Nope. Theo and I are headed down to the pitch, you two want to come?"

Mattheo shook his head no, which wasn't really surprising. He wasn't really into Quidditch and only ever came to matches for the sake of his friends. "I'm probably going to pass out for a few hours, you guys can head on."

Blaise glanced towards you questioningly, but you shook your head. A grin grew wide on his face as Blaise clapped Mattheo's shoulder. "Pass out, huh?" he asked with a snigger.

"Ah, shove off, Zabini!"

When you entered Mattheo's dorm, you dropped your bag by the edge of his bed and flopped onto the mattress with a sigh. You were exhausted. So much work, and with NEWTs growing closer and closer, you grew more tired with the heavy workload.

Mattheo joined you, sitting up straight while he held his arm out to you. You smiled, snuggling into him and wrapping an arm around his torso. He gave you a peck on the top of your head, which was resting against his chest, petting your hair gently. It was quiet moments like this that you loved the best, moments where you were reminded that you were his and he was yours. It reminded you that what you had was real.

"Tired, huh?" He looked down in amusement at you, your eyes already shut, breathing already turned to a slow, steady rhythm. You hummed in response, entangling your legs with his, a grin spread across your face. He couldn't help but smile at your contentment. "You look so pretty like this." It was a whisper, but nowhere near suggestive - more adoring than anything. He rubbed your arm gently, pulling you in closer so that you were almost entirely sprawled atop him.

Sometimes, it was hard to believe you were with Mattheo. He was just so . . . perfect. He had his flaws, but that didn't mean you liked him any less. Sure, he may have gotten in one too many fights on your behalf, and yes, he may have tried to push you away because of his traumatic childhood, but you loved him all the same. I mean, come on, this is Mattheo you're talking about. The guy that sent you far too many deliveries of roses at breakfast, so many in fact that the entire table in front of you was drowning in luscious red petals. The guy that read all your favorite books and listened to all your favorite bands even if he didn't care much for them. The guy that declared his love for you in the middle of Transfiguration when you had been sour after a particularly nasty row. It didn't matter if he was the Dark Lord's son or if he got into far too many fights or if he got terrible marks (even though he was quite sharp).

But he reminded you that this was real and you were together in quiet moments like this. Sometimes it was when you were cuddled on a couch in the common room, huddled by the fire while your friends told stories that more often that not involved very noble efforts for very stupid causes. Or perhaps in the library, his head rested in your lap as you studied with an intense concentration, playing with some part of your clothes or maybe your hair. Oh, and those times you'd be walking hand-in-hand through Hogsmeade, waltzing into forgotten shops on street corners, making out in the oddest of places, tripping over bumps in the road as you walked to visit the Shrieking Shack together. In a way, you were grateful to him for being in your life. You wouldn't be nearly as happy as you were today without him.

"Theo?"

"Hm?"

"Thank you."

"For what, exactly, darling?"

"For being here for me. For being here, in general."

Matthoe glanced down at you in suprise. "You have nothing to thank me for." He pressed a firm kiss to your head, then drawing you in closer so he could rest your head against yours. "I love you."

You hummed, snuggling your face into his chest. "I love you too."

Thank you all for reading! Be sure to like, reblog, and comment! I really appreciate it ^^. If you have any requests, by inbox is open but make sure to check the list of characters I write for here. If you want to be tagged in any upcoming fics/headcanons of mine, let me know. If you want to see more from me, go ahead and check out my masterlist here!

#— [ glizzy posts ☆ ] #mattheo riddle x reader #mattheo riddle #mattheo riddle x you #mattheo x you #slytherin boys #my writing #fanfiction #my fanfiction #my fic #writing #harry potter #fanfic

[trashcanfanfics]

might I request some headcanons for ford (young and old) w/ a reader who’s a witch (like from the boiling isles) and has their own place in the woods? they’re known as the witch of the woods and there are stories from local teens about how they’ll “steal your bones if you get too close to their house,” but they’re actually really nice and will make you lunch if you stop by.

please, and thank you 🔮

Man, do I love this idea!! I immediately started thinking of a little ficlet/imagine/scenario

Reader gender not mentioned, could be any gender

This turned out longer than I thought it would

I'd exiled myself to earth a bit ago in response to the ban on wild witches. It was easier for me to leave than to fight back then. I could probably go back anytime, but I'd rather not be forced to pick one coven.

It wasn't all bad here. The rain didn't burn, plants didn't move on their own or try to eat me. I loved the green color of the landscape and my palisman, Gretch, enjoyed the fresh air. The locals were friendly enough, and the children were curious.

I'd noticed that they were wary of me and my strange abilities. To combat this, I'd just make warm beverages and small meals for anyone traveling farther into the woods near my little cabin.

It was on my way home from the human store that I met him. A man stuck in the root of a tree. One of mine, unfortunately. In a moment of homesickness, I'd planted a seed from the Boiling Isles near my home, and this particular one was a grasping willow. A sigh escaped me, loud enough for my surprise captive to hear. He turned towards me, seeming to forget his foot was stuck, causing him to fall over. The man winced.

"I'm sorry for my tree, sir." I swirled my pointer finger into a circle of green. The root lifted and moved from his ankle. "He's just a bit playful." I set my bags down to offer him my hand. He hesitated, looking at my hand before reaching up and taking the offered help. Once he was up, I shook his hand with a smile and introduced myself.

"Nice to meet you," he quickly took his hand back and cleared his throat, "my name is Stanford Pines, though people call me Ford."

"Wonderful to meet you, Ford." I picked my bags back up and faced him again. "I have groceries to put away, so I have to go. Try walking in a wide circle to avoid Snipper if you're walking around here."

"Oh, uh, thank you for the advice." He waved awkwardly and turned to leave. I chuckled slightly and went on my own way. Gretch sniffed the air in his direction before hiding back into my cloak. They whispered to me about the stranger's smell as I walked back home.

~*~

Ford came around more often after that. He asked many questions, and I answered. I asked fewer questions but received more answers. He was eager to talk and learn, and I was grateful for the company. Ford became a part of my routine in the best way. We'd meet up for lunch at either mine or his cabin and tell me what he's found. His theories enthralled me. I'd developed quite the soft spot for him and missed him when he wasn't around. My palisman teased me endlessly about it, but stopped once I'd mention how they liked to curl up on his lap as he talked.

He'd started coming around less and less. I wondered what new oddity he was occupied with to take up all his time. Gretch had been keeping watch over him and hadn't seen much since they couldn't get into the cabin. Whenever he did visit, he was...distant. There were bags beneath his eyes, an erratic fear, and paranoia took over his voice, even when it was just a whisper. I was worried and told him as such. He'd stood abruptly from the living room couch, making poor Gretch leap to the floor, and looked at me for the first time in months.

"There's nothing to be worried about. I'm fine, everything's fine!" His eye twitched. I blinked a few times in shock at his outburst. My hands flew up in a placating manner.

"Okay, okay," I lowered my hands and held them out to him palm up, "how about I make you your favorite tea, hm?" His eyes lowered to my hands before placing his own in them. I gently squeezed his hands for exactly six seconds before standing up and leading him to the kitchen. He followed me as I moved around to make the tea. Gretch stayed close to him, attempting to comfort him. The kettle boiled and I pulled it off before the whistle blew. We both watched the tea steep for a few seconds before Ford wrapped me in a hug from behind. His head rested against me as he shook.

~*~

"I think...I think I did something very bad, and you won't forgive me." His voice cracked. I looked up from the soup I was serving to look at him. He was looking at his hands.

"I suppose that's a valid concern. Although, I can't say whether I would or wouldn't if I don't know what it is." I set the ladle down and grabbed the tray holding the bowls. "For what it's worth, there is very little you can do that I wouldn't be able to forgive." I set the tray on the table and set a bowl in front of him, then Gretch's, before sitting down my with my own.

"I..." He stared at the soup. "I care for you deeply, and I don't want you to be mixed up in my mistakes." His eyes were tired when they looked at me. My breath caught in my chest as I stared back. My palisman stopped slurping to to look up at both me and Ford.

"Is that what you're asking me to forgive? You caring deeply for me?" I looked down at my own soup, stirring it slightly. My heart raced as his words filled my mind. "If that's a thing in need of forgiveness, then I beg for yours in return." I look back at him with a small smile. His brow furrowed.

"That's not the point I'm making." Ford ran a hand through his hair and rubbed his forehead. "I've made a mistake that could put you in danger. Out of everything that's happened to me, you've been the best. I don't want to lose you." He pulled out a book from his bag. One of his journals. He slid the book over to me. Gretch leaned over the tray to sniff it before recoiling. I blinked and looked at him.

"Ford, what--" I was cut off by him rounding the table and kneeling beside me. He grabbed my hands in both of his and looked me in the eye, more serious than he'd ever been with me. Gretch, wanting a better view, crawled over the table to be beside me.

"Take this journal and hide it. Take it as far from here as possible. Go and never come back. Please." His voice trembled. "I don't want him to get you."

"Who? Who is going to get me? What aren't you telling me?" I pulled my hands from his to hold his face, tears brimming my eyes. "Ford, tell me what's going on, why do I have to leave? What will happen to you once I do?" Tears poured down my face as I bit back a sob. I'd been so worried about him, about why he'd been so distant. Then he was asking me to leave. Leave Gravity Falls, my home, the only person besides my palisman I trusted fully with all my heart. I didn't want to go.

"I can't tell you. Please, believe me, it's safer this way." Ford reached for my face, eyes flitting back between my own. He leaned in and kissed me softly, barely a whisper on my lips. My eyes shut, allowing more tears to fall. I pushed into him, wrapping an arm around his shoulder, and deepened the kiss.

"I can't leave you." I said against his lips as we both pulled back slightly. I kissed him again. "I can't leave you, Ford." Our foreheads were pressed against each other.

"You have to." He pulled away and stood up. He grabbed his bag and turned to leave. Gretch chased after him immediately. I watched him go for a second, tears still falling down my face, before grabbing the book, and running after him. Grabbing the strap of his bag, I pulled him back.

"If you're going, then take this with you. I won't be part of something i don't know about." I shoved the book into his chest and glared at him through my tears. He looked at the book and then me before steeling his gaze. He shoved the book back into his bag and left. The front door closed, and I made my way back to the kitchen, Gretch following sadly behind. The soup had gone cold.

~*~

We hadn't spoken in a month. Four weeks. Thirty days. I went to his cabin to see him but his friend, Fiddleford McGucket, was on his way out and warned me to stay away from Ford.

"For your own sake." He said, rushing to his truck, bags in tow. "He's gone insane." I'd still knocked on his door for the next week. No reply. Gretch continued to keep an eye out and told me whatever they deemed relevant.

The next three I wallowed in my grief. Moping around the house, not taking care of my plants, or myself. I could barely brush my teeth or eat. My body odor followed me like a cloud. Days blurred together. Gretch tried to help me, but they were just as upset. Eventually, I had to go out to get more groceries.

On the way to the store, in my sweatpants, hooded sweater and muddy boots, I passed by Ford's cabin flying low to the ground on Gretch. As I looked towards it, my heart clenching painfully, the trees began to shake. I looked around in confusion as Gretch and I slowed to a stop. Then back to the cabin. The basement windows lit up a bright blue. Before I could stop myself, I flew straight towards the door, using my magic to unlock it. Bursting into the foyer, down the steps to the basement, I saw two figures.

There was Ford and someone else who looked like him. Stanley, his twin brother. Ford had told me about him. Ford was floating in the air, waving his limbs around, trying not to get pulled into a giant machine glowing with the light I'd seen outside.

"Ford!" I yelled, running to help him. Gretch almost reached him as he screamed his brother's name. He was sucked into the portal faster than I could cast a spell. "FORD!" I fell to my knees in front of the portal, next to where Stanley was standing. He was gone. My tears became my closest friends in the past weeks. These ones felt different. They hurt more, like daggers down my cheeks. He was gone. My friend, the one I adored and trusted the most. Gone. I sobbed out his name again, looking at the ground, Getch placed their head into my lap.

"Uh, are you...Did you...know my brother?" The voice made me jump. I turned to Stanley. I'd forgotten he was here in my anguish. I sniffed and wiped my face on my sleeve.

"Yes. He was my friend."

~*~

Ford had been gone for 30 years. After he'd been taken through the portal, Stan and I began a sort of friendship. He was brash and rude, his voice was gruff. He was different from Ford in so many ways, but so similar. Our friendship wasn't like the one with Ford. It was less lunch dates and more I'd bring him meals and take him shopping.

He'd convinced a crowd of shoppers that he was the mysterious scientist in the cabin while he was shopping by himself one day. I'd gotten very angry at him and refused to talk to him for a week after that. Eventually, I came around to it, realizing that he does need to make money somehow.

In time, the "Mystery Shack", as Stan called it, became quite profitable. People were attracted to its unbelievable aura. Personally, I found most of Stan's grotesque attractions to feel like home. I'd known someone who looked like the "Eyeball with Legs" back in the Boiling Isles. Gretch was glad Stan never asked them to be an exhibit. Sometimes, I feel as though Stan took inspiration from my stories.

It was summer when the twins came to Gravity Falls. Stan told me I wasn't allowed to do magic or talk to them about the strangeness in our little town. I told him that I wasn't going to hide who I was from anyone, and if he had a problem with it, don't let them go out by my cabin. We had a heated argument about that. I had resolved to not speak, or even go looking for him or anyone from the Shack that whole summer.

Of course, that didn't stop them from looking for me. Apparently, Ford had written about me in his third journal, and Dipper had stumbled across it. It lead them both to my doorstep with a gentle knock on the door.

"Hello?" As I opened the door, I saw two children, tweens, it seemed. The girl was holding a video camera at my face. "Oh!" They looked familiar almost.

"Uh, hi, uh..." The boy ruffled through a familiar book. I realized then who I must've been talking to. This must be Dipper and Mabel. The Pines' genetics must have been strong, they looked just like their great uncles. "Are you the witch of the woods?" His question made me laugh slightly. Gretch poked their head out the door to sniff at the children, causing the girl to gasp and coo at them, holding a hand out. I debated telling them both to leave, but it had been a while since I'd had company. Besides, it was getting a bit dark, and the woods were dangerous for children to go out into.

"That's what the townsfolk call me, yes." I gestured for them to come inside. "Would you like some tea?" The girl quickly came in with an excited smile. She was already petting and baby-talking Gretch. I chuckled.

"Oh, you're so cute! What's your name?" She looked around my living room and gasped. "I love your curtains!" She raced over to touch them before her brother stopped her, scolding her in a hushed tone. I smiled at them before going into the kitchen with Gretch in tow. They followed soon after.

"I'm not going to eat you, despite what the other children might say." I grabbed three tea cups and started the stove. "I don't do much other than tend to my plants and feed hikers that come by." I placed teabags into a teapot.

"So you're...not a witch?" The boy asked. I laughed again and ushered them to sit at the table. The girl gasped at the center piece. A lovely potted plant of flowers Ford had gifted me a long time ago. They were spring flowers, so they had stopped blooming. I smiled fondly at them.

"What kind of plant is this?" She touched the leaves gently. "It's so pretty."

"They're called shooting stars." I swirled my pointer finger in a green circle, causing the flowers to glow green as well and bloom. Gretch sniffed them, then sneezed. "They're normally a spring flower, but I'm able to keep them going with the sunroof in place and a bit of magic.

"So you are a witch!" The boy yelled. The kettle whistled and I quickly went to stop it. "This is incredible! Mabel! Did you catch that on video?" His sister, Mabel, looked at the camera, which had been placed facing away from the plant, towards a window.

"Whoops." She fixed the camera to face the flowers, which had ceased glowing and sat, bloomed, but otherwise non magical. He groaned in frustration and looked at me.

"Would you do that again? For the camera?" He gestured to the technology. I finished making the tea and brought it over, giving them each a cup.

"I would," I sat down in my own chair, "but the flowers are already bloomed, dear." I took a sip and set it back down. Looking at him with a small smile full of humor. Gretch huffed in their form of laughter. Ford had always called me a smart ass.

"Darnit!" He put his head on the table. Mabel reached over and patted his back before taking a sip of her tea. She hummed in delight at the taste and finished the cup in a few gulps. I offered her more, which she gladly accepted, drinking more before scratching Gretch on the head. The palisman leaned into her hand.

"I could do something else for your, oh, what are you needing the footage for, Dipper?" My question made his head shoot up. He looked at me in surprise. I realized that I'd called him his name before he'd told me.

"How do you know my name?" His eyes widened. "Do you read minds?" I was already shaking my head before he finished. Gretch huffed another laugh.

"I know your uncle, is all." I held my hand up to stop both of their questions. "Stan and I are, well, I suppose you could call us friends."

"Are you two in a relationship? Are you in love?" Mabel stood on her chair, her hands planted on the table as she leaned towards me. I scrunched my face in slight disgust even thinking about being with Stan. My palisman sneezed and shook their head.

"Absolutely not." I huffed and rolled my eyes. "Not even if he begged." The very idea of Stan being who I came home to made me very uncomfortable. Besides...I still dreamed of Ford. I regretted that our first and only kiss was when he was leaving. Maybe if I'd been braver in the beginning, said something sooner, he'd still be here. Maybe it'd have chased him away earlier than he did.

"Um, witch...sir? Ma'am? Sma'mir?" Mabel's voice drew me out of my reverie. I blinked and looked at her. She tilted her head in confusion.

"Pardon, I was leagues away. Did you say something, dear?" I looked at the clock to see the time. "Oh, that might have to wait. You two need to get home." I stood and ushered them to the living room where I grabbed my warmest shawls. They would have to do, my coats were buried in the hall closet. I wrapped one around Mabel, as she was the closest, so that it covered her head. when I turned to do the same to Dipper, he refused.

"I'll be fine, I don't need it." He held up his hands and I put mine on my hips. My eyebrow arched as I gave him a look that said this wasn't an argument. Gretch went behind him and gently nudged him towards me.

"It gets cold at night, especially in the woods." I quickly threw it over his shoulders and over his head like his sister. Mabel giggled as she pointed the camera at us. Dipper's frown deepened as his cheeks reddened. "I won't have you catch a chill on my watch. It'll just be another thing for Stan to b-ahem, yell about." With them properly bundled, I wrapped myself up and had Gretch turn into a staff. Both children gasped.

"I definitely got that on video." Mabel said as I waved them both to get on. Mabel in front of me and Dipper behind, I took off, up and over the trees. The twins both yelled out, though I suspected for different reasons.

As we walked up the porch, the door swung open to reveal Stan himself. He looked from both of the twins then to me. His eyes darkened slightly.

"I told you not to talk to them!" He pushed them both behind him and pointed a finger at me. "You said you wouldn't!" His glare matched mine. I pushed his hand out of my face and lifted my chin.

"Children, cover your ears." I spared them a glance to see them do so. My finger replaced his between us. "They were deep in those damn woods at dusk! I wouldn't have had to take them home if you had been doing your fucking job of keeping them safe! No wonder they're up to their goddamned knees in the supernatural of this fucking town!"

"How much did you tell them, what did you tell them?!" He got closer to me, dangerously so. I pointed my palisman staff towards him as a barrier. "So help me, if you told them-!" That made me scoff.

"Oh, please, I didn't tell them anything." I scoffed and waved my other hand to dismiss the thought. "Do you have such little faith in me? After all these years?" A sigh left my lips as I shook my head.

"Just stay away from them!" He pointed a finger at me again. "They don't need to be involved with all this weirdness." His statement made me roll my eyes and I turned to leave.

"They're already too invested in the weirdness, Stanley." I turned my head to look back at him over my shoulder, mounting my palisman. "They won't end up like him in one summer, but if you're that worried, keep them out of the woods." With that, I took off into the sky.

~*~

The children clearly didn't listen to Stan, if he told them to stay away from me. They came around my home every few days or so, asking me about myself and the woods surrounding. I'd been vague about my friendship with Ford, for Stan's sake if nothing else. Gretch enjoyed their company, especially Mabel's. She would bring the palisman snacks and plenty of affection. Waddles and Gretch became fast friends when the pig was brought along as well.

Mabel had latched onto my story of him and was sobbing by the time I'd told her he was gone and I'd never see him again. Dipper also seemed disappointed, wanting to meet the scientist. He'd asked if I was talking about the author of the journals. I'd told him no. Gretch whined at that, clearly frustrated I wouldn't tell them anything. I just shooed her away.

They told me about their adventures and a figure named Bill. I'd sat eagerly by, hearing about their encounters. They had been in danger multiple times over the summer and I'd nearly gone to shout at Stan some more before they said they didn't want him to know. I explained to them that not telling Stan was a mistake. He is their guardian for the summer and needed to know where they were so he could help if needed. They disagreed and went home. I'd asked Gretch to watch over them for a while to make sure they weren't in too much danger.

It was sometime after Mabel's sock opera when the kids invited me over. Well, more Mabel did, with Stan's permission. Though the man had been rather grumpy over the phone. I was amused by Mabel's antics and agreed, soon making my way over there. Gretch sniffed the air and shook their head, rubbing their nose.

"Oh hush, I'm sure Stan can't stink that bad from out here." I joked before knocking on the door. "Should we invest in nose plugs for you?" The door opened before they could retort. Mabel squealed when she saw me and pulled me into the cabin and to the living room.

"You're going to love this guy, trust me," She squealed again, "I'm a master match maker." I laughed at her enthusiasm. She was determined to have me meet someone. The only time she'd stopped was when she'd found out Stan had a crush on Lazy Susan.

"Mabel, I've told you already that I'm perfectly fine on my own. I really should stop ind--" I looked up to see the unfortunate suitor this time. My eyes widened and my heart stopped. I knew the figure instantly. Despite the wrinkles, my dreams made sure I'd never forget his face. "Ford?" His eyes widened as he recognized me. He said my name in a whisper. Gretch wasted no time in throwing themselves at him, circling and sniffing and bumping into him. He huffed a laugh and pet them gently.

"I didn't forget you either." He looked up from the palisman back to me. "I'd thought you'd have left Gravity Falls." His other hand twitched, as if he wanted to touch me. I couldn't hold back, I ran to him and wrapped him in a hug. The tears that had been building up overflowed.

"I told you I couldn't." I felt his arms slowly hug me back. He squeezed me gently and buried his face into my neck. I gave him one more squeeze before pulling back slightly to look up at him. Our eyes met and I smiled brighter than I'd had in years. He returned the gesture. "I'm glad you're back." Tears continued to slide down my face and I sniffed.

"You knew each other?!" Mabel's voice broke us both out of our little bubble. "What?!" She turned to Dipper, who'd just walked in, and shook him by his shoulders screaming about how this is a better story than the Dusk series. Dipper, having pulled himself from his sister's grasp, looked at me and Ford, still in an embrace. Mabel ran out of the room to go tell Stan.

"...When I asked if the person you were talking about was the author of the journals..." He furrowed his brows. I hesitantly pulled myself fully from Ford's arms and cleared my throat.

"I lied, yes." My hand was already up to stop him from asking questions or comment on my dishonesty. "Stan had asked me not to, it would have caused problems if you knew." The boy looked displeased with my answer.

"That's what Grunkle Stan said, too." He crossed his arms. "It's stupid! If we knew, we could have helped rebuild the portal and get Great Uncle Ford back!" His statement had Ford opening his mouth, but I was faster.

"Now, that's enough, young man!" I put one hand on my hip and pointed a finger at him. He jumped and his eyes widened. I'd never raised my voice at either of the twins before. "Stan is a ridiculously infamous liar, but this time he did out of necessity. You weren't there to see what happened after Ford was sucked into that portal, he was dealing with the grief of losing his brother and while I'm going to have very strong words with him out of earshot of you kids about rebuilding that machine, it's understandable how he went about things." Gretch sneezed, huffed and then looked away. I raised an eyebrow at them and put my other hand on my other hip. They gazed right back at me and yawned before laying down nonchalantly. I rolled my eyes. They never truly liked Stan. Ford laughed slightly at mine and Gretch's wordless exchange. I turned to him with a slight smile and a raised eyebrow. He only shook his head fondly.

"You're defending him?" Dipper stuck up his chin, ignoring the palisman. "I thought you guys didn't like each other..." A sigh escaped me at that. I crossed the room, pulled out a chair to the card table before sitting down. Ford followed to stand next to me, my heart swelled at the thought that he was here. Actually back.

"Stan and I don't always see eye to eye," I began, watching Dipper join me at the table, "but, well, I helped him for the first few months after the incident. With the portal, I mean. We looked through the research we had to figure it out."

"You helped with that?" Ford looked incredulous. "Why? It was dangerous!" His outburst made me look at him with a huff. Gretch snuffed out a laugh and made themself comfortable on the old yellow chair.

"I was getting to that." This seemed to placate him as he closed his mouth and cleared his throat in embarrassment. "Anyway, I had been helping him, reading through the only journal we had, before I'd looked at everything and used my oracle abilities to try and track down any others. I'd had a vision in my crystal of what would happen if I helped further and told Stan what I'd seen."

"I'm guessing he didn't believe you?" Dipper asked, rolling his eyes. I smiled at how the resemblance he had to Stan in that moment.

"He rolled his eyes just like that when I told him. Stan's always been a stubborn bas--ahem, man." I snickered, glancing at Ford and winking when our eyes met. His face reddened "It's a family trait, I've noticed."

"I'd hardly call myself stubborn." Ford crossed his arms and looked away. "It's not stubbornness when you're right." His defensiveness made me bark out a laugh. His face deepened in color as he refused to look at me.

"Okay, and when you told him what would happen and he didn't believe you, you stopped helping?" Dipper put his arms on the table and leaned towards me, eagerly waiting for the rest of the story.

"Well...not exactly." I looked off to the side, thinking how to phrase my words. "I mean, I stopped helping with the portal, yes, but I stayed until the Shack became more popular. In the beginning of the change, I understood needing the money, but the more ridiculous it became, the more I felt like it was wrong. We'd gotten into a huge fight over it. There's been tension ever since."

"So you and Gruncle Stan were never together?" Mabel's voice made me jump. I looked to see her sitting on the floor and Stan leaning against the yellow chair Gretch had fallen asleep in. He looked at Mabel in confusion. I rubbed my hand on my forehead and sighed.

"Mabel. I've told you this." I looked at Stan and scrunched my nose, he rolled his eyes, his arms crossed. "I have never, and I mean ever, considered Stan anything more than an unlikely friend." I looked at her and shook my head.

"Yeah, they're not my type anyway." He snickered. It was my turn to roll my eyes before crossing my own arms. I raised my eyebrows at him.

"Yes, his type is anything twenty years younger and doesn't have enough wits to realize he isn't as funny as he thinks he is." I smirked at the indignant noise he made at my jab. "Or a spider." My last comment made Dipper and Mabel laugh as Stan's face grew red.

"Hey! She didn't look like a spider at the time!" He grumbled and looked back down at Gretch, poking them to try and get them to move. They growled in response. "How do you even know about that?" He looked at the kids and then grumbled under his breath again.

"Besides," I looked at Mabel, "I have my eye on only one person. I have since I first met him." Her eyes sparkled as she looked between me and Ford. Dipper looked exasperated.

"Is he Great Uncle Ford?!" She stood up and pointed at us both. I chuckled at her enthusiasm. Ford looked at her, his mouth agape and cheeks red. Dipper rolled his eyes, but seemed interested as he eyed both me and Ford with interest.

"Yes." I smiled at him as he already opened his mouth, words spilling out before he could register what I said.

"That's hardly an appropriate thing to say--" He stopped and looked at me. "Did you say yes?" He was staring at me in amazement. I could see Stan gagging in my peripheral vision. Mabel giggled and Dipper started writing down on a piece of paper.

"I did." I raised my eyebrow at Ford. "Did you forget about that kiss? I'm a bit insulted." He blinked and cleared his throat, looking away. His face was so red, I thought he was going to faint from the blood rush.

"No!" He cleared his throat again. "No, I just...I didn't think..." His gaze softened and he reached out to cup my face. I leaned in, keeping eye contact as he rubbed a thumb over my cheek. My hand reached up and held his there.

"Ugh, gross. Get a room." We both looked at Stan who gagged again. "At least take it outside." I rolled my eyes again and stood up, bringing Ford's hand from my face to hold between us. He looked at me as I reached up my own hand to bring his face closer to mine. At long last, I kissed him. He made a muffled noise of surprise but quickly leaned into the kiss. Stan and Dipper both groaned as Mabel cheered. I pulled back and looked Ford in the eyes.

"I wish I'd told you sooner," I leaned in and gave him another kiss, "I love you Stanford Pines."

~*~

Weirdmageddon had been concluded, the twins, both sets, safe and sound. Dipper and Mabel had their birthday before saying goodbye. I'd cried as I hugged them. They'd each received a charm of good luck. Ford and Stan had decided to sail around the world, inviting me to join them. I'd told them I'd let them catch up for a few years before setting sail with them. I'd be here when they came back during the summers.

"Are you sure? We don't mind, really." Ford had encouraged, but I shook my head with a smile. Stan shrugged his shoulders with a small smile.

"Yeah, it'd be nice to have a powerful witch aboard." He smacked a hand on my shoulder. I laughed and patted his hand. He moved it back to his side.

"I'm sure you boys can handle yourselves. Besides, I've waited this long." I looked at Stan then Ford. Gretch huffed and sat firmly next to Ford, daring me to try and stop her from going. "Fine by me, Gretch. Go on with them, I'll see you in a few years."

"It doesn't have to be years..." Ford looked down at them with a sheepish smile. "You could join us at the end of next summer." Stan gave a noise of agreement.

"Yeah!" Stan gave me a nudge. "It'd be nice to catch up with you, too." We had gained some of our friendship back during the apocalypse and I was glad for it. I smiled and shook my head fondly.

"Alright, fine." They both smiled at my confirmation. "Send me letters in the meantime." Stan agreed and went to say one more goodbye to his protege, Soos, before getting the car. Gretch huffed and walked off, deciding to stay with me after all. Ford stepped closer to me, gently cupping my face in one of his hands. We both leaned in and kissed. Stan drove up and honked the horn, causing us to reluctantly part.

"I promise to write." He gave me one more kiss before getting into the car and they both drove off. I kept waving until they were out of sight.

"See you next summer." I said before heading back home with Gretch. My heart felt full.

#trashcan answers you #gravity falls x reader #ford pines x reader #ford x reader

[mellorphic]

TommyInnit’s Dream SMP Finale Summary

It was Hannah and Bad’s idea

This was Tommy’s splash text

This was someone’s first dsmp stream in Tommy’s chat

He started farming as soon as he logged on, like always

Tubbo got in a boat and span around again. Tommy used autotune to sing ‘you spin me right round’

Tubbo nearly shot Shroud

This is what How To Sex says

Tommy and Tubbo blew up the Hotel which also resulted in McPuffy’s getting blown up and Puffy was shook

Tommy set shroud free

I skipped over most to the stuff with Dream but Tommy was given op and he spawned ghasts on tubbo and Sam

He went to Techno’s house and found a Cat disc in one of his chests. This broke me.

Tommy spoke about how logsted felt really grungey and different to the rest of the server because of how there was nothing there

George nearly slept through it

In True dsmp Fashion getting the end portal to work was scuffed

Callahan kept spawning withers in The End

Tubbo got the final hit on the ender dragon

Tommy and Tubbo met in vc2 at the bench and listened to music

Tommy has an irl ‘your tubbo’ compass

Exile was one of his favourite arcs

His favourite quote is ‘I have The Blade’

His only question for us is if we have ever sat and chatted to our friends about it

This server has been my hyperfixation since the beginning of 2021. Unfortunately I joined ag the end of the ‘golden age’ as it were. But I’ve made hopefully lifelong friends through this stupid block roleplay, and the characters and story mean the world for me and will forever. I know this fandom is going to get smaller now. I know people will move on. But I think I’ll be here for a few more years.

Dream SMP, thank you for helping me fall in love with stories again. Thank you for helping me grow in my own writing and in my artwork. Thank you for being here when I needed you, thank you for getting me through these last few years. Thank you for giving me characters I could love and relate to, who feel more real than anything else. And thank you for introducing me to creators I will forever love.

I’m so glad I was here.

o7, everyone.

#dream smp #dsmp #tommyinnit #c!tommy #tubbo #c!tubbo #technoblade #dsmp finale #dsmp summary

[sweetandgentlecreature]

Homeward Bound

Author’s Note: Hello, lovely readers! I’d like to introduce myself. My name is Amanda, and I’ve been a long-time fan and lurker of every iteration of the Cavill tag. As a southern(ish) small town native myself, I have quite the soft spot in my heart for our sweet military Captain. I absolutely adore all of the works and worlds we’ve created around a character that doesn’t even have a first name. It’s been a long time coming that I finally dust off the old chromebook and give it a crack as well. I hope you enjoy my first take on ole Sy.

The only warnings I have for you this time are for explicit language and implied mentions of smut, so please do not interact if you are under the age of eighteen. All mistakes are my own, gif credit goes to the owner. Otherwise, please don’t hesitate to reach out, share your thoughts, or just fangirl along with me. Thanks for stopping by!

“Shut the fuck up! Cowboy’s got an old lady?! Who’d wanna fuck that ogre?” 

Liquor flowed like the newly established running water in that small, nameless village they’d been exiled in for far too long. Two more weeks in this shithole and they’d be on the first redeye outta here. Sy could almost smell the fresh texan air, feel the warm breeze blowing in through the open window of his old pickup. Crickets chirped behind his closed eyelids, fireflies danced in the treeline behind the house. The steady creaking of that old porch swing made his heart hurt as he thought about her bare feet urging it to rock back and forth, back and forth. For a moment, he could taste the sweet tea in his favorite mason jar, fresh brewed and ice cold as it clung to his mustache in sticky, damp droplets. He licked his dry lips and shook his head, chuckling softly under his breath as he eavesdropped on the conversation as it unfolded in the next room.

“Have you lost your mind, Private? Do you want him to put your ass on latrine duty for the rest of our stay? He catches wind of you talkin’ shit about his woman, and they’ll be shipping us all back in pine boxes.” Cole scoffed and shook his head. They’d spent nearly a year out here busting their asses to get the water flowing again and he wouldn’t let the actions of one drunk jackass get him in trouble with the boss. He took a heavy pull from the amber bottle in his hands and sighed. “For the record…even a blind squirrel finds a nut every now and then.” His comment sent the rest of the platoon howling with laughter. Sy simply smirked. He got that one from me. 

Cracking open the old metal tin with his name spray painted across the top, Syverson took out the stack of letters he’d accumulated over the last several months he’d spent away from home. “One last time, darlin’” he promised her. “Then I’m all yers. Ye’ll be sick’a me. Beg me ta’ get outta yer hair.”  

In truth, the thought of returning to civilian life scared him a bit. He enlisted the moment he could on the day he turned eighteen. Signed his life away, threw himself to the wolves, and got married to the job. Two decades later, he wasn’t sure he’d be any good at keeping a normal schedule. Johnny at the sawmill promised he’d hold a place for him when he got back, but spitting sawdust day in and day out somehow seemed worse than dodging bullets. His last tour was shorter than this one was. He’d barely been home long enough to shit, shower, and shave before word came down the line that he’d be shipping out again. The look on her face when he sat her down for dinner that night to break the news…he’ll never forget it.

Sy brushed a thumb over the stack of neatly folded letters in his hand. He’d read and reread them a million times while he waited for a new one to come in. Phone calls weren’t guaranteed out here. Even the satellite phone struggled to hold a connection. Conversations over noisy interference were brief. “How ya doin’, baby? How’s yer mom an’ them?” “Has the screen door been given’ ya fits again? It’s first on my list” “Alright, darlin’, I best be goin’. Keep sayin’ yer prayers fer us. Good girl. I love ya, sugar.” Nervous energy churned in his gut as he thought about laying eyes on her again. He wondered how long her hair had gotten. She knew he liked it long. Long enough to wrap around his fist and pull her back into him as he… Fuck. He couldn’t think about that right now. Two more weeks. Two more weeks and he’d be home. Home for good.

—

Life bustled around him as heavy, dusty boots thudded dully across the floor of the Houston airport. Men in suits talked into cell phones and toted briefcases as they brushed past him to get their luggage. Kids headed off to their fall semesters embraced their parents one last time before heading to the gate. Sy moved with a smooth, calculated accuracy to dodge the crowd as his eyes scanned faces for a familiar one. His heart thudded hard in his chest, the rush of his pulse flooding his ears over the sound of muffled last calls over the loudspeaker above.

Syverson wasn’t one to worry too much, but when he couldn’t find her right away, a voice in his head scolded him. “Ya must’a told her the wrong day, ya dumb motherfucker. Now what’re ya gonna do? Ain’t got no cash ta pay for a cab. Hitchhike? Flash a tit for a ride back ta’ town?” But then, he heard it. Clear as day, loud enough to rid the thoughts from his mind and send goosebumps skittering up and down his tanned forearms.

“Clayton.” 

Sy stopped suddenly, nearly bumped into the couple who walked behind him, and turned on his heels. He mumbled a half-assed apology to the disgruntled folks he plowed into as he brushed by them. The man was on a mission. Ditching the old green duffel bag at his feet, he threw open his arms as she met him half way and threw herself against his chest. 

He was an impenetrable wall, the force nearly knocking the wind from her lungs as she crashed into him. Tears brimmed in her eyes, wide and wild, the color of sea glass, gleaming in the fluorescent lights above as she searched his face. The lines at the corner of his eyes were deeper, a new scar graced his left temple and was already a soft shade of pink as it faded. A soft, satisfied smile spread across her freckled cheeks as she smoothed a hand over the center of his chest, letting it fall to rest over his heart. The steady thump of each beat against her palm gave her a sense of peace. He was whole; he was home.

“You’re late,” she chuckled, fisting his clean, pressed t-shirt and tugging him down for a quick kiss. Sy grasped her tightly, a rough hand coming up to hold the back of her head to keep her still. His eyes were alight with a silent warning as he held her close. Nuh uh, lil girl. Yer not goin’ anywhere.

“Nah, baby,” he breathed out, a playful smirk tugging at his lips as he brought them down to meet hers once more. “I’m right on time.”

—

“What’s this I hear about us getting a dog?” Sy had his arm slung over her shoulder as they walked out of the sliding double doors. He toted the duffel higher, up over his other shoulder as they paused at the curb and let traffic pass by. 

“She’s in quarantine right now. Once she’s cleared, we can pick ‘er up in a couple of weeks. Ye’ll love her, scout’s honor.”

Her laugh was music to his ears, as she shook her head and rolled her eyes at him. “Of course. You just can’t quit picking up strays, can you, big guy?” They crossed the path and headed out to the parking lot to find the beat up old Chevy that awaited them. The thought of her having to scoot the bench seat all the way up to peer over the steering wheel made him grin. 

“Hey, I picked you up. Look at us now.” That earned him a swat across the chest as she broke away to unlock the driver’s side door. Boy, was she a sight for sore eyes. This. The whitty back and forth. This is what he missed the most.

“Oh, shut up, asshole. You were drunk. I had to drive us back to your place, remember?” Sy stopped her before she could get the door open. He dumped his bag into the bed of the truck and backed her up against the side of it, reaching out to brush her hair over her shoulder. 

“Let’s make a pitstop on the way home, alright? It’ll be quick.” 

Her face burned bright red, and she giggled nervously as her eyes darted around them, worried that they might catch the attention of some nosy onlookers if she’d heard him right. “Clay…we haven’t even made it out of the parking lot yet. Let’s just go home and–” He let out an amused snort as he shook his head. Devil woman.

“Nah, baby…not like that.” He slipped his hand into the back pocket of her jeans to draw her in close as he met her gaze. His voice was soft and sure. His mama was right. She’d been waiting on him long enough. 

“I was thinkin’ somethin’ a little more…clerical. We’ve got some business ta’ attend to. At the courthouse.” Sy squeezed a handful of her backside, just enough to earn a little yip of surprise from her parted lips. “Gotta change yer last name.”

#captain syverson #syverson fanfiction #syverson fluff #syverson smut #henry cavill #henry cavill smut #henry cavill fluff #henry cavill fanfiction #henry cavill one shot #fic rec

[averageallogene]

During the banquet at this year's Lantern Rite, Zhongli lets it slip that he's married.

Cue astonished exclaims, shocked gasps and incessant questioning.

After the banquet, Xiao wonders out-loud if he should call Adapti!You 'mom'.

Xiao ☆⊹˚ Mortal customs (SFW)

fem. reader (3rd person) ; fluff. Zhongli x reader is a thing. Traveler’s gender is not specified so the reader can imagine either Lumine or Aether!

2k words.

notes. Sorry for the wait there! It’s been a rough couple of days but now I’m back, even if still under the weather.... I had a lot of fun writing this one up though. Xiao deserves the absolute best and this idea lets me channel just that  even if by a small portion <3.

The current situation inside the chosen restaurant had Xiao questioning why he’d agreed on attending. Despite both Rex L- Ahem, Zhongli and the traveler attending, he still found himself rather tense with all the other unknown presences surrounding him. The adeptus simply couldn’t understand the ways of mortal interactions, for making small talk wasn’t exactly the forté of a soldier like himself. His golden eyes would, more often than not, not wander far from the plated food before him, wondering if he should even try anything. His mind raced wildly, trying his hardest to think if what he was doing would be deemed inappropriate - after all, he’d been invited to attend the dinner, surely eating the food would be a sign of appreciation. Yet, not accustomed to anything other than almond tofu, he found himself hesitating. 

Why was Xiao trying so hard? Well, he found himself curious about trying to approach the ways of mortal living in his exiled instance. The yaksha was rather short-tempered when it came to understanding something so foreign and so mundanely complex as that to him, yet for Zhonlgi to seemingly seem so… Happy, so free as he lived as a mortal, surely there were a few benefits he was misunderstanding. And to tackle the topic, it eased him the reality that to his side sat the traveler, a companion he’d grown to cherish through the time they had spent together. Xiao wasn’t one to voice his thoughts a lot, but he hoped his thankfulness for the patience shown to him was known. 

He’d winced quietly upon the sudden arrival of the bard, his face gleefully smiling as he was properly introduced to the Funeral Consultant. He couldn’t even look, his chest bubbling with the unknown emotion that many would explain as second hand embarrassment as the two archons attempted to act civil to the other attendees. The young man dressed in green, Venti, was quick to showcase his lyre as he joined them in their feast, him and the organizer of the dinner discussing poetry as the other mortals joined in on the topic. In his seat, he could only pick at his food as the traveler engaged in small talk with him, inquiring if there was anything else he’d like to try that was at the table.

Xiao could only remain semi interested in the ongoing conversation, unintentionally letting his mind wander to his own duties as his ears focused in and out of what the others spoke of. In fact, the only times he’d fully focus were whenever Zhongli had something to share with their table, his gaze finally lifting to eye him directly before once more shying away to any other corner of the room. He couldn’t exactly help himself, his respect for the man surpassed his otherwise shut off personality. Well, it wasn’t as though anyone could question it, anyway. Most were either too focused on the interesting conversation Venti had with Zhongli, or deeply respected the Consultant in their own way that the idea of focusing on anything he had to say wasn’t considered an odd response. 

However, out of every intriguing fact he’d shared with them that night, one seemed to catch everyone off guard.

“Xingqiu, that poem you’ve just recited is most intriguing. In which book did you read it, again? My wife would absolutely enjoy such fine literature.”

The table seemingly froze still, everyone taking a long moment to try and process what they’d just heard. Whilst Xingqiu, Chongyun and Xiangling seemed mostly receptive to such a concept, the rest of the table’s reactions made them question such mundanity. Hu Tao was still up from her seat, her gaze locked to the back of the head of her Consultant as she processed the news and beyond. The traveler gazed at Xiao slowly, watching as the adeptus himself seemed taken aback to such news. Paimon appeared to freeze mid air, for once not saying anything as her eyes squinted at the idea of a married Zhongli. Venti, on the other hand, couldn’t help the way his eyebrows raised, a sly smile making its way to his face as he finally broke the silence.

“Ho ho? So mister Zhongli has a wife? Well isn’t that the most wonderful news! Certainly something that this bard couldn’t have predicted, that’s for sure.” He chuckled in the end there, serving his own cup with more wine as Zhongli quietly took a sip of his tea.

“Mhm… Is that so?” He responded, his tone calm as if he hadn’t just dropped a meteor of information on everyone. 

“My my, Zhongli! Why didn’t you tell me so earlier?” Hu Tao gasped, utterly flabbergasted as pieces of the puzzle began to connect inside her brain. “So that is why there was a ring invoice brought directly to the parlor that one time!”

 “I thought I had explained myself regarding it, Director?” The man inquired ever so calmly, contrasting wildly with the way his superior gesticulated wildly.

“Simply explaining it to be an heirloom definitely isn’t enough to fully capture the picture!” She retorted.

“But it is precisely that. It’s intended to become an heirloom for years to come.”

“Ooooh Mister Zhongli, you’re quite the romantic!” The bard proclaimed, leaning forward on the table as he rested his chin on his hand. “Well, who is this lovely wife of yours anyway? You can’t just leave it at that, you know!”

“Yes, I do have to agree with our friend here.” Hu Tao mused, hands on her hips as she gave him a side eye. “I wish to know why this wasn’t brought to table prior to me booking our seats, for had I known you had a wife, I would’ve invited her as well, of course!”

“I wasn’t aware this was such a grand deal, my apologies.” Zhongli defended himself, serving himself more tea as he cleared his throat. “My wife, [F/N], just has a lot on her plate and said she couldn’t possibly attend tonight. So, I left it at that. Oh, but since we’re on the topic, she voiced her wishes for everyone to have a wonderful Lantern Rite.”

“Ah, but you’re saying that now?” The Funeral Director sighed, arms crossing as she shook her head. “Aiya, Zhongli. How could you not mention something as important as this before?”

“... ‘As important’?...” Xiao had murmured to himself, his gaze lowering as he attempted to still fully understand the situation. No one but the traveler had heard his voice, the gears in his head practically being envisioned as he tried to once more grasp something that differed to a grand degree between mortals and adepti. 

“Everything alright, Xiao?” The traveler had asked, gaze twisting with slight worry as a small smile graced their lips. 

“Uh, yes, you needn't worry.” He cleared his throat, though his eyes betrayed the rest of his body. 

Between the ruckus of Zhongli being thoroughly questioned about his married life, the two could quietly chat for a brief moment, Xiao being able to have his doubt clarified as the traveler had grown quite good at reading his troubles.

“I too was surprised at the news,” They’d explained with a quick laugh, before inquiring Xiao. “Is it because it’s out of the norm for adepti to marry?”

“N-No, it’s not that,” He responded in a quick breath, his sharp eyebrows furrowing slightly as he thought of the few adepti he’d known to find a spouse. “I suppose it’s just that… I don’t understand how it can be the cause of such a ruckus. Even if I myself am surprised.”

“Oh, I see,” They nodded their head with an understanding hum, quickly deciphering what he really meant. To the traveler, it would’ve seemed that the way adepti viewed marriage was as something more natural and perhaps rational, as opposed to the grand reactions humans would typically have whenever one announced they were married. “Well, I think it boils down to how human life is far shorter than that of an adeptus, so every opportunity of celebration is cause for a grand reaction. You can rest assured they’re just happy for Zhongli, though.”

“I see… I suppose that makes sense.” He’d nodded his head quickly before stealing a quick glance to Zhongli, watching as he attempted to respond to every question thrown his way. 

How they had met, how it had developed, who proposed and when… The consultant responded to every inquiry with patience and fondness, and Xiao almost felt guilty for never truly realizing Zhongli had found someone special. Even worse, strangely now he felt… Curious, to meet this woman. Would she be a mere mortal, or perhaps someone of adeptal blood? Either way, for Zhongli to have chosen her, she had to be someone of exceptional grace and excellence, someone that deserved his utter respect no matter what else. It was as though he’d already made his mind up, now only having to have the courage to ask if he could meet her. 

“Say, if I plan another dinner in the future, will you introduce her to us?” Hu Tao had seemingly read his thoughts, smiling with expectancy as everyone eyed Zhongli for his response.

“I see no reason not to. She would surely love to meet you all.” He responded without much thought, the corners of his lips raising into a small, warm smile. “You’ll all see, [F/N] is a wonderful woman with the most radiant soul. I’m most lucky to have her as my beautiful wife. Ah, perhaps I can ask if she’d be willing to share her own poetry with you. She underestimates her choice of words too often, yet I’ve never before listened to such fine-”

“Yes, yes, we get it,” Hu Tao cut him short, smiling with humor to watch her Consultant with such hearts in his eyes. “We would definitely love to meet her, as well.”

“Please do not forget to invite me when that dinner does occur! I’ll ask our lovely traveler to ensure the date reaches me, lest I be forgotten.” Venti winked playfully, turning to Zhongli with humor. “I would not want to miss meeting such a beloved person of mister Zhongli after all.”

“Right… Of course.” It was the Consultant’s turn to murmur with slight hesitancy, yet he still sighed softly and let it be. Even with someone as brazen as the bard present, he’d like to introduce his beloved [F/N] to all the others. He’d ensure no boundaries were ever crossed, of course.

And just like that, the dinner ended with everyone still pressing Zhongli to ensure his wife attended the next gathering Hu Tao prepared. They nearly made the man sign a contract for it, his superior joking about it before finally allowing everyone to leave. He could breathe easy upon reaching the cool air outside, eyes gazing ahead as he found solace in the night sounds of Liyue Harbor. All he had to do now was to get back to his humble abode, waiting for his [F/N] to return before they could retire for the evening. His daydreaming was cut short as the traveler bid them goodnight, waving politely as he watched them disappear with Paimon into the distance. Before long, all that was left were him and Xiao, and knowing the young man as well as he did, Zhongli knew there was something he wished to inquire if he had remained around. 

“How have you been faring, Xiao?” He had politely asked, his arms resting behind his back as he eyed his pupil with a warm expression.

Xiao always felt comfortable around him. There had always been a sense of easiness around the man he couldn’t always explain, all his problems seemingly disappearing for a moment as he basked in the security Zhongli provided. Even if he was no longer an archon, Xiao always felt safe around him, like there was no evil to be purged, like there was no war inside his mind. The yaksha knew he could confide absolutely anything in the man, for there was no fear in being judged, no fear of being rejected. Yet, he respected him so much, it almost felt insulting to even confide such trivial matters. His mind jumped back and forth even after hearing Zhongli ask about his wellness, his gaze lowering for a moment as he pondered for a moment longer.

“Z-Zhongli.” He’d cleared his throat, correcting himself before he’d call him by the name he used during his active godhood. It definitely felt strange, yet with the way the man calmly hummed for him to continue, he figured he had the approval to continue. “I wanted to ask for something, if I may?”

“But of course. What’s on your mind?” He patiently asked, slightly humored. After all, Xiao had never been one to request anything. During the long time they’d been allies, he’d always been the one to read the young yaksha’s mind and figure out his wishes. It was a welcomed change of pace for him to take initiative, he had to admit.

“I was wondering if…” Xiao paused for a moment, before finding the courage to continue. “If, before this… Dinner, the Director spoke of, I could perhaps meet [F/N] by myself?”

Zhongli’s expression softened, his eyebrows raising with a hint of surprise. He couldn’t help the smile from raising to his face, finding the curiosity of the adeptus rather endearing. He let out a soft chuckle, before nodding his head prior to Xiao being able to grow hesitant of having asked such a request.

“But of course. When would it be a good time for you?”

“I… I’m not sure, i-it’ll be alright either way. I hope she doesn’t quite mind-”

“[F/N] wouldn’t ever mind, Xiao. She’s expressed interest in meeting you before.”

“Really?” He breathed out softly, a little surprised as he watched his role model nod his head.

“Indeed. I’ve spoken of you, after all.”

Xiao couldn’t help but feel his chest tighten, a feeling of flusteredness growing within himself as he simply hummed in response. He could only hope [F/N] would not only accept his presence, but also not be affected by it. After all, his karmic debt was always something that deeply worried him whenever he was to be around mortals. 

“You needn’t worry over anything, Xiao. I’m certain she will be instantly fond of you.” Zhongli placed a warm hand on his shoulder, one that radiated an easing sensation throughout his worn out body. The yaksha, who despite all the doubts swarming his mind always put his trust in Zhongli above, nodded his head upon hearing so. 

“I… I’ve heard of a few mortal customs through Verr Goldet…” He mumbled quietly, more so becoming lost in his own thoughts than speaking to Zhongli's direction. “Hmph, mortal etiquette is so overly complex, but… What was it…”

The former archon couldn’t help himself but remain quiet, letting his pupil be engrossed in his thoughts as he thought aloud. It was different from the ever silent yaksha, so Zhongli had no reason to stop him. If anything, he was proud of watching as he grew more comfortable to ever voice his own thoughts aloud.

“It was something regarding familial bonds, I believe.” Xiao explained, his fingers resting softly against his own chin. “Would it be… Too cold of me, to call [F/N] by her name alone? Perhaps I ought to call her ‘mother’ instead?”

Zhongli’s expression shifted, the man taking a mere moment to process the information. It was his turn of being surprised for the night it would seem, the information hitting him deep in his chest with an endearing warmth. He couldn’t help but chuckle quietly, ripping the yaksha out of his thoughts as he eyed him incredulously. It would’ve seemed that he really hadn’t intended on actually speaking it aloud, the tips of his ears gaining the same vivid red shade of the jueyun chili. Zhongli however, was quick to beat him to the punch and spoke before he could take anything back.

“I’m sure [F/N] would love that.” He replied, much to Xiao’s embarrassment. “In fact, I’m certain that doing so will be the quickest way to earn your spot in her heart.”  Ah, Zhongli has never recalled seeing Xiao teleport away as quickly as he did. The man was left to laugh quietly by himself, smiling as he thought back to the moment time and time again as he walked back home. Now he surely wanted to have the yaksha meet his lovely [F/N].

#genshin impact #genshin x reader #genshin zhongli x reader #zhongli x reader #genshin fluff #genshin impact fluff #yoko drabbles

[emilybeemartin]

Just a hello, and thank you for writing!

I found your stuff through your humorous Boromir comics (man those make me laugh, I've shared them with several people) and then when you mentioned you were an author I got excited, and then when you mentioned which of your books you liked best I got even more excited! So I read through Sunshield and now I am reading Floodpath, and I want to say, I really really enjoy your books and writing and I hope you write (and enjoy writing!) a lot more! I have limited time these days but I look forward to when I can enjoy some more of your stories. And please don't hesitate to tell people about the books you have written too! Tumblr is a beautiful place but awfully disjointed, and it's fun to find new authors here. Thanks for putting your stories into the world!

Thank you so much!! I'm so glad you enjoyed Sunshield (and ostensibly Floodpath as you sent me this lovely ask like a hundred years ago, sorry). Self-promo is the worst, so I appreciate the kind words of support, and sure, I'll take the opportunity to say:

If folks have enjoyed my comics or fics, maybe check out my published novels. The Creatures of Light trilogy starts with Woodwalker, which follows an exiled ranger guiding a deposed queen through the wilds to reclaim her throne. The Outlaw Road duology starts with Sunshield, where a desperate outlaw, a sheltered diplomat, and a political prisoner find their paths crossing in a quest to expose a system of corruption.

And if you like my illustrations, take a look at my middle-grade eco-fantasy, A Field Guide to Mermaids. It uses the behaviors, adaptations, and habitats of mermaids to explore real aquatic ecosystems. I like to think of it as a science book with a fantasy veneer.

I'm hoping to have more novel news soon after many months of being stuck in the publishing industry hamster wheel, but the timing on that is anyone's guess. Which is what fan art is for.

#creatures of light #the outlaw road #a field guide to mermaids #woodwalker #ashes to fire #sunshield #floodpath

[a-dauntless-daffodil]

i love lion king 2

i love how we see Simba overcorrecting for his own childhood, how Kiara can recite lessons on the circle of life at the same age when Mufasa was just starting to introduce the idea to Simba

i love how Kiara is already so aware of the responsibility she'll have as ruler that, when cub Simba was bragging "I'm gonna be king of pride rock" and singing "Oh I just can't WAIT to be king!", Kiara, his daughter, who he's been raising to not make (or suffer) any of his own mistakes, instead says "But what if I don't want to be queen? It's no fun..." and sings "If there's so much I must be, can I still just be me, the way I am?"

I love how we see this PAY OFF at the end, when Kiara's sense of responsibility means she never once thinks of running off into the sunset with Kovu, no, of course she has to go back, of course she has to try reuniting both of their prides-

And maybe that's also some of Nala's spirit shining through her daughter, but really, Kiara is so much like Simba in all other ways (including her terrible pouncing, her thirst for adventure, her rule breaking) it really just feels like this is who Simba might have been if Mufasa hadn't been so confident he'd be around for his son so much longer, if Mufasa had focused more on preparing Simba for what the circle of life really means-

At The Same Time, even though it's good for the pride lands and the outlanders in the end, there's something tragic in comparing Simba and Kiara as cubs

how confident and carefree Simba got to be, how stifled and resigned Kiara ending up being, how she didn't get that kind of childhood at all thanks to her father's fear that it might be suddenly cut short, so much of Simba's talks with cub Kiara are warnings or lectures-

(when we see her play pouncing she's doing it on her own, contrast that with Mufasa and cub Simba playing together, contrast that to Simba's restraining paw scooping up his young daughter and keeping her in place)

-and even as an adult she ends up singing about how "I may not be brave, or strong, or smart" like this is more than just not being self-centered, this is depressing as heck, this girl doesn't think she's good at ANYTHING

(Timon you are not helping)

(I understand you might still be traumatized by your first meet-and-almost-eat with her mom and be worried about disappointing or hurting your adopted lion son if his cub gets hurt under your watch, but please, stop)

dear gods she never ever got to be herself without being held to the same standard as the great kings of the past

(except for when she snuck off on her own and got have a little adventure with Kovu, which she got through as HERSELF, not a princess, just a cub swatting at crocodiles and jumping on their gaping mouths just in time to save her new friend from getting eaten)

(meanwhile, Simba doesn't even acknowledge (or even hear???) her sad little line in their song together, he goes on talking about life lessons and leadership and she's the daughter of a king they are one, good, great, Simba your daughter is Distressed)

and that could have driven such a wedge between her and Simba, that could have pushed her into wanting escape and independence more than anything

except, she knows he's feeling THE SAME THING too

and we know she knows because when she wants to hurt him, to jar him, to criticize him for exiling Kovu while claiming he's doing it to follow in his father's paw prints, she tells him

"You will never be Mufasa!"

This is her fear, that she'll never be enough to be a good queen, this is also her fear, that the only way to be a good ruler is to stop being yourself

And it's what she rejects the moment she pulls a Nala and runs from pride rock alone- not to get help, but to give it- and when she returns to confront Simba with the wisdom she's learned, using the words he taught her

She looks at him, finally confident in who she is (with her back turned to the outlanders, defending them from her pride, "my father says to never turn your back on an outsider!" but she has grown since then)

she says "A wise king once told me" (Simba listen to yourself)

she says "we are one" (listen to the part of me that I learned from you)

"I didn't understand him then. Now I do" (Listen to me, now)

she says something that is true about pride landers and out landers, about Simba and Zira, about Kovu and Simba

"Them? Us. Look at them, they are us. What differences do you see?"

(between the desperation of lions on a starving land, dead loved ones, the thirst for revenge, children following in their parent's pawprints, to be so blinded by your own pain (fear, shame) that the pain of others fades away)

she asks him not to be a great king, but to see himself in them, these 'outsiders', and then to be himself in answer

And Simba listens

He looks at the daughter who had the same fear as him (Simba, who looked for guidance in the stars, saying "My father would never-" who Nala also understood so well, "Oh my Simba, you want so much to walk the path expected of you."), he looks at Kiara, who also feared that she couldn't be enough, as herself

Only... she isn't afraid anymore. She is a queen already, smart enough to find wisdom, brave enough to speak it, strong when she has to be

(he was so afraid of losing her but she had the chance to run and she came back, she came back and she is asking him, just once, to please finally-)

He listens to her. The clouds part.

We can feel Mufasa watching over them.

We look into Simba's eyes as he sees this (recall the same pattern of clouds and gazing when Mufasa told his son "you have forgotten who you are, and so you have forgotten me" and to "remember who you are")

The words Simba says as he accepts Kiara's wisdom "It's time to put the past behind us"

The lesson he learned from Timon and Pumba, this time used not to run from responsibility and pain but to face it, this hard part of his past that IS part of him

And the fact that even with all the reasons in the world to want Scar dead he still didn't want to be like him, he didn't want to kill his own uncle

(Mufasa never wanted to kill his brother, even as openly resentful and threatening though Scar was. There, the shock and horror in Mufasa's eyes as his brother betrays him- Mufasa never would have- Mufasa could have killed him any time before now, but he-)

Simba gave Scar the chance of mercy. Now, he gives it again. His daughter, his refection, his pride, has reminded him.

He looks at Kiara and he find himself in her.

He finds his father in her.

Great Kings of the past and present, great Queen of the future- Three generations and the choice of who they wish to be, and how that guides them into kindess, into mercy, into healing more harms than they cause.

Kiara speaks. Simba listens. Mufasa lives on in them

....

...then the contrast, sudden, stark, painful, of a daughter who speaks and a parent who does not listen

(Vitani says "No, mother" says "Kiara's right" pleads "Enough")

(Nuka is already dead, Kovu is scarred-)

(Their enemy no longer wants to fight, no longer IS their enemy-)

(Zira's smirk as she condemns her own daughter to death)

and the point hammered home, as the outlanders turn in disgust from their leader, that they were never evil

The point that the 'evil' which doomed Scar and Zira and Nuka (drove them on, single minded, into danger, into death) was a simple choice they all had faced. The simple question not everyone asks

Who are you?

Will you close yourself off to everyone and everything that does not feed your own conviction? Ignore anything that doesn't further your own goals?

(Nuka was loved for what he was, even if his mother never showed it. But his brother spoke up for him, his sister looked out for him, his pride all mourned him- he never needed to be the "chosen one")

(Scar was not the great king he thought he was, all around him is proof of his failure, the pridelands barren and empty, and his chance to do better, lead the lions from pride rock, make a new life- but it was never about being a good king to others. "I am the king, I can do whatever I want"- Simba's cubhood song, echoed in a lion who never learned better. Simba's offer of mercy, to let Scar escape with his life, thrown back in Simba's face (Nala's trick of always throwing off the lions who leap on her, here mirrored, saving Simba's life) and Scar, always thinking of himself, killed by his own self serving words and the hyenas he was so quick to betray)

(Zira wanting revenge for her pain, for Scar, wanting Nuka's death to be the last time Simba hurts her- Losing her daughter, because she will not stop the fight, losing her follows, because she would killed her daughter for refusing to fight... losing her life, swatting at the helping paw held out to her, only wanting to cause pain, only causing her own pain instead)

Will you cling desperately to what you have, or what you think you are owed, even when another way is offered?

Or will you listen.

(Vitani, so loyal to her mother, so vicious in her battles- Kovu's confused look as she changes her choice, choosing peace, Kiara's answering smile)

Will you see yourself in others and use that wisdom to decide who you want to be...

(Kiara, Simba, Mufasa- remember, remember)

...or who you do not want to be?

(the rest of the outlanders turning away from Zira. Their disgust at a mother who would kill her own child. The choice to leave her behind)

(the ending of the war)

I love lion king 2

it's the kind of sequel that makes me love the original more than i did before, it's so good it makes the first one even BETTER than it was on it's own

it makes the first movie sadder to re-watch

seeing how unprepared Simba really was. How Vitani proves that Scar had another way out

seeing Mufasa with his son, giving him a wonderful childhood, unaware of how has Simba will have to grow up- how long it will take him- the nightmares still haunting him- the gap between Simba and his own child thanks to his fears, his shames- (Mufasa's spirit, making leaves dancing as little tiny Kiara playfully swats at them) -Mufasa raising his son with no idea how much pain it will cause his granddaughter when Simba tries to make up for it...

...seeing all that, and knowing it still turns out okay

i wouldn't enjoy lion king 1 half as much without Simba's Pride. They fit together

i love them i love them i love them both

(also i am Gay and kiara is WOW)

(also also vitani too)

( also also also the fact that i just wanted to wrap kovu in blankets and never let anyone hurt him meanwhile he was everyone else's crush-> hmmm i wonder why that was....)

#Lion King (1994) #Lion King 2: Simba's Pride (1998) #Kiara #Simba #Mufasa #Vitani #Zira #Nuka #Scar #i am thinking and i am Feeling

[theresattrpgforthat]

I just found this blog and i love it!!! I have a few different questions so to make organizing easier im gonna ask one here and send the others separately so I apologize for the abundance of asks im about to send :D what are some of your favorite past jams or bundles?

THEME: Game Jams and Game Bundles.

Thank you so much! I will probably space out these answers so that other folks have a chance to get their questions answered first. But this one is a pretty fun one to start with.

I’m a sucker for charity bundles, to be sure. My first bundle was the Itch Bundle for Racial Justice and Equality, which was back in 2020. I filtered through all 50 pages and sorted all of the ttrpgs into folders - this was the start of my Itch organization. It also introduced me to quite a few games that showed me the amazing breadth of tabletop games, including Subway Runners, Visigoths vs Mall Goths, Troika, and i’m sorry did you say street magic. An additional recommendation I have from this bundle is Transmission Burst v.1 and Transmission Burst v.2, collections of evocative mini games by UFO Press.

One really impressive bundle was The Bundle for Ukraine, which had a staggering amount of tabletop games in it, including Thirsty Sword Lesbians, Apocalypse Frame, Lutong Banwa, and The Great Soul Train Robbery. I want to give a specific shout out to Bright & Terrible (Atlantean Exiles from a kingdom that fell), as well as Recipe on Kmiydish Paper, a solo gaming experience that fleshes out a world through a single recipe.

If you have bought a lot of charity bundles, I also recommend checking out Bundle Browser, which is a website that helps you sift through games by bundle and tag. I find it super helpful when I'm not sure I have a copy of a game, and clicking on the game brings you to its game page!

Now, let's talk about game jams. The Emotional Mecha Jam was a game jam in the beginning of 2019 that explore the depth of emotions that exist in the mecha genre. This jam inspired works such as A Long Night in the Mech Bay, All My Exes are in Mechsuits, and Breakup on Re-Entry. You should absolutely check this jam out.

In 2021, there was a jam called Applied Hope: The Solarpunk and Utopias Jam. I’ve talked about this jam recently, and it’s very very good. I love the theory and conversations sparked in this jam - the goal was to dream of possible worlds - not perfect ones, but ones that were brighter, worlds that could are meant to increase our capacity for joy. I’ve talked about a number of games here before, including subconscious_Routine, Waxworm, and After the World Drowned. I’m also intrigued by Scraps, which won the award for Best Solarpunk DIY game.

The BIPOC Vamp Jam was also a lot of fun! It was a jam that ran in 2021 and asked Black, Indigenous and Creators of Colour to submit their vampire games, in an effort to look at vampires through a different lens. I’ve talked about Vamp Camp and Bloodbeam Badlands before, but I’m also stoked about The Vamp is Dust, (a hack of The Witch is Dead), as well as Project: Day Breaker (Vampires in space!).

Some of my favourite jams are jams that are focused on a specific system. The What’s So Cool About Jam is one of those. It is a super simple system, and the jam is what introduced me to the WSCA ruleset, which is pretty light-weight system that can be translated to a lot of settings. I’ve personally been interested in What is So Cool About Sky Pirates, as well as What’s So Scary About Dinosaurs?.

Titanomachy also has a solid history of good game jams, as evidence by their first and second Caltrop Core jams. Caltrop Core has gotten some pretty big attention, because it’s so easy to hack! This can be seen in in HexFall, which is also by Lex, as well as SW//NG by @farmergadda (emotional superheroes), and Last Hope (dark magical girls). I’m also interested in The Dreaded & The Deep (nautical horror) and The Dying of the Light (a city struggling in the darkness).

#tabletop games #indie ttrpgs #game recommendations #mint speaks #asks #game jams

[crikeygatormate]

I Promise - K.B ; Part Three

Summary: After your clan had been exiled and shunned from the western lands, your family grew to hate the royal family who they felt betrayed them. In return you were sent on a mission to reclaim your families honor, but you would come to find out that your mission came with a price.

Dragon Prince!Bakugou x AFAB Reader

Warnings: hmm not a lot, lmk if I missed some, but just intended violence, scars on reader, ofc grammar errors

A/N: I'm glad everyone has been liking this story so far :) it's been fun to world build with this one! According to my outline I'm thinking it might be eight parts, we'll see lol we've got a long way to go!

--------------------------

Part Three

When you finally woke, it was morning. The sun was shining through a crack in the tent flaps illuminating a small sliver of the furs on the floor. You blinked and sat up, rubbing your eyes as you glanced around. This tent was full of plants, and different medical instruments as well as art. Your eyes widened when you saw a painting of your dragon. 

“Oh, you’re awake,” A gentle voice said from deeper within the tent, and a man with green hair came forward. He was tall, built like a warrior, not a healer. He glanced at where you were looking and smiled, “Looks just like your dragon right?”

You nodded, “yes, it’s beautiful, you’re quite talented.”

The healer grinned, pleased with your answer as he pulled up a stool and sat down next to you, “thank you, but more importantly how do you feel?”

You looked towards your leg, it was wrapped in cloth, but it didn’t hurt not like last night. “It feels much better.”

“Good, glad to hear it. I’m Midoriya, the clan healer, I don’t think we’ve been properly introduced,” Midoriya said as he stuck out his hand.

You took it, surprised with how firm his handshake was, and you told him your name.

Midoriya hummed as he placed his hand back on his thigh, “Well, I’d like to keep you here for a few more hours, just to be sure you’re back to normal, but that’s up to Kacchan.”

“Kacchan?” you repeated, raising an eyebrow.

Midoriya nodded, “Katsuki.”

“Oh,” you said, feeling a bitter taste in your mouth. Even though he saved you, he did leave you out there to die in the woods. 

“He should be here right about,” Midoriya said as he lifted the tent flap to look at his sundial, which almost immediately got blocked by Bakugou’s shadow. “Now.”

You lifted your gaze to see Bakugou’s hulking figure in the middle of the entrance to the tent. He was still covered in your blood from last night, and you could see your bloody hand prints on his chest, neck, and face. 

“Get out Deku,” Bakugou snapped, giving his friend a harsh push out of the tent and yanking the flaps shut as he walked toward you and sat on the stool next to your bed. He remained silent for a few moments, examining your wounds. You were mostly healed, just a few scabs on your calf from the pincher. “You healed nicely.”

You frowned, “Lucky me.” You wished more than anything that this mission was over and your enemies were gone, you wished Bakugou was gone. That pompous jerk, you glanced at him again, jutting out your bottom lip as you narrowed your eyes.

“I guess you have a right to be pissed at me-”

“You left me knowing those insects would be out!” you snapped, how was I supposed to fend for myself? I had no weapon because Sero took my spear away from me.”

“I know, look,” Bakugou hissed as he ran his hand over his face, “it was a lapse of judgment alright?”

You scoffed, “whatever.” You looked away from him, still feeling more than upset. Despite your current feelings, this was the moment you were looking for. The moment you could slip past his guard and progress your relationship with him.

“Don’t be such a brat, you’re fine. Kirishima got stung by one once,” Bakugou snapped back, clearly done with your attitude.

You huffed, glancing back at him. He did seem to be somewhat conflicted with himself. This was good. “Alright,” you began, letting your shoulders drop, “we can just forget about it, okay? I’m fine thanks to Midoriya.”

Bakugou rose a brow, clearly confused as to why you were letting him off the hook. Why would you do that? You’re people were full of hate, they held a grudge. He knew that for a fact, he saw that when he met your mother when you were both kids. He wouldn’t ever forget her cold gaze, it felt like ice was pelting his skin when she looked at him. 

But when he looked at your eyes, there was no malice. Your amber eyes were warm, welcoming. Had he misjudged you? 

No, there was still a glint of scheming behind your eyes. He still couldn’t trust you. 

You offered him a small smile, “what? Not used to someone letting you off the hook? Can’t say I’m surprised your grandmother seems to run a pretty tight ship around here.”

Bakugou pulled himself out of his thoughts and scoffed while shaking his head. It was then he noticed something around your neck that wasn’t there before. It was his necklace, “why do you have that?” he asked.

You furrowed your brows and glanced down seeing a leather necklace around your neck. It had a few gemstones on it, carnelian, quartz, and a bear claw? That wasn’t yours. “Oh, I don’t know, I woke up with it.”

Bakugou snorted, glancing outside to see Deku talking with Kirishima. Damn idiot must have put it on you last night. He absently rubbed his neck, feeling your dry blood flake off his skin, did you yank it off by accident? Maybe that’s how you got it? He let out a sigh, as he looked towards you struggling to untie the leather knots that held his necklace around your neck. “Whatever, just keep it for now. I’ll get it later. Don’t lose it, it’s worth more than your entire clan,” Bakugou snapped as he stood up narrowing his eyes at you before leaving you in the tent alone.

Your eyes widened in shock as you looked down at the necklace, and then you grinned. This was a big step in your friendship, which meant you were that much closer to achieving your goal.

—--------

The next few days you spent in camp so you could finish healing. It was nice though, you learned where everything was and even met some people that didn’t seem to hate you for your family name.

Your favorite part of camp was probably the market. Every family in the clan had some sort of speciality that could be traded which meant that the market was busy everyday with something new. Personally, your favorite trader had to be an old man who was a beekeeper. He would have a huge spread of various honey’s he collected from his hives along with honeycomb, and beeswax that he’d turn into different moisturizers. 

All in all it was very impressive to you, considering you had no idea what a bee was up until now.

“So this honey,” you began as you pointed to the dark golden liquid in the jar, “comes from insects?”

“Yes,” the beekeeper, whose name you learned was Gran, said, “for the hundredth time yes! If you keep comin’ back here asking me about my damn bee’s-”

You grinned and held up your hands, “sorry, sorry, it’s just so weird that you eat this stuff from them?” 

Gran rolled his eyes, “look if I give you some will you leave me alone? I have paying customers here,” he snapped while leaning around you to see a growing line of irritated people.

You shook your head, “I couldn’t-”

“Just take it,” Gran grumbled and tossed you a frosted glass jar filled with honey and some honeycomb.

You caught the jar and gave him a sheepish smile before darting away from the rest of the people in line. You didn’t miss how someone cursed you out as you passed, one man even spat at your feet. Not that you really cared anymore. These people would have what's coming to them in due time. 

For now, you were more interested in your honey. You made your way across camp, holding the jar up to see the sunlight illuminate the honey, making the gold liquid glow. 

While you were so busy inspecting the honey, you failed to miss two pairs of eyes watching you closely. 

—

“Look at that creature,” Mitsuki snapped, watching you from a distance. She was seething at the fact that you were still here. “Why hasn’t she left?”

“Ask the ancient hag that,” Bakugou scoffed, as he shot you a quick glance, and then looked back at his reflection in the bowl in front of him. He was carefully painting red lines down his bare chest, trying hard not to mess up. 

Mitsuki huffed, “if she steps one toe out of line, you have my permission to eliminate her-”

“What is with you two?” the queen mother’s frail voice sounded from behind Bakugou’s tent. “She hasn’t done anything wrong-”

“But she will, mother,” Mitsuki snapped as she turned her enraged gaze towards her mother, “it is in her blood.”

“We don’t know that,” the queen mother said as she inspected Bakugou. “All she’s done is pester Gran about honey for the past three days. She’s nothing like her mother, it’s clear to see that.” She paused, taking a rattling breath as she turned to her grandson, “Katsuki, keep those lines straight, none of your suitors want to see sloppy work.”

“Whatever,” Bakugou snapped, not bothering to look at his grandmother.

—-----

You soon found yourself under a large willow tree beside a wide shallow creek. There were a few water birds waddling around the edges of the creek, ducking their heads into the current to catch a mouthful of minnows. 

You let out a sigh, as a warm breeze shook the branches of the tree above you, making the leaves rattle softly in the wind. It was so nice here, and so pretty. The people here took that for granted. They didn’t know what it was like to not feel plush green grass beneath the feet, or have clean flowing water. 

Or to be able to experience the gifts that mother nature bears to her friends. Like the honey you were given. You undid the top of the jar, setting the lid on your knee as you inspected the honey, it was a viscous liquid, and sticky looking. 

Without giving it a second thought you dunked your finger into the jar and pulled it out, watching as the golden liquid clung to your finger. You stuck out your tongue, giving it a tentative lick and to your surprise it was sweet. 

In fact, it was the best thing you've ever eaten in your whole life. Before you could even register you had your whole hand in the jar trying to yank out the honeycomb inside. 

“If I didn’t know any better, I would think you were a bear,” Bakugou’s grandmother said from behind you.

How you didn’t hear her sneak up on you, you had no idea, but that didn’t matter. You were more embarrassed that she had caught you with your whole hand in a jar of honey. “Oh, I’m sorry I didn’t see you,” you began, completely caught off guard as you tried to yank your hand out of the jar.

“It’s okay, go back to eating your honey,” she said with a chuckle as she moved beside you and then sat down with a soft groan. She then placed her cane next to her as she leaned back against the tree. “It’s not often I find myself this far outside of my tent but I have to admit, this is  a nice view of camp.”

You nodded, wondering if she figured out you would come out here to scope things out. If she was starting to suspect you. 

Although you were also out here to enjoy nature and get away from the people who could barely stand your entire existence. “It is impressive.”

“I imagine so,” Bakugou’s grandmother said as she watched you take a bite of the honeycomb. You had honey dripping off your chin, and then she noticed the necklace you were wearing. It was Katuski’s, it was made after he killed his first bear. 

You chewed on the honeycomb, savoring its sweetness as you glanced at the queen mother again. “What brings you out here?”

“Watching my grandson scare away his suitors,” she said with a sigh as she lifted her hand to point to where Bakugou was storming towards a group of women.

“Oh?” you said as you wiped your mouth with the back of your hand, “he gets to choose?”

“He does, to some extent,” his grandmother answered, “we have this tradition that the prince or princess must choose their partner before obtaining the throne. We have a pool of suitable partners put together for them, usually this is decided by our elders. It’s a bit like a ceremony and the healer has a vision.”

“A vision?” you asked with raised brows.

Bakugou’s grandmother nodded, “yes, in our clan our healer is the one closest to our ancestors. They see and understand what we do not. Along with healing the sick and wounded they also guide us. Young Midoriya has done well after his mentor, Toshinori passed.”

“Interesting, back in my home, we didn’t have anything like that,” you said remembering back to your home. The decisions were made by your mother. She was swift with her judgment and anyone who didn’t impress her was thrown into the streets at night, which were wildly unsafe with rogues and murderers. Most of the unlucky people who faced your mothers judgment did not live to see the next day. 

Your home was chaotic at its best. There were no rules except to survive. If you had a piece of land or a shack of your own, you had to fight for it. Every person fended for themselves. 

The honey seemed unappetizing now as you set the jar beside you, watching as Bakugou talked to a tall girl with wildflowers braided into her hair. “How do the visions impact his choice?” you finally asked.

“Well, this was Midoriya’s first time, so he wasn’t able to give us a clear picture. I believe he said he saw a bear, the ocean, a good amount of blood, something about a large beast, red dahlias,  and a ladybug. It was rather confusing to a good majority of the elders, including myself.”

You huffed, “well, hopefully Bakugou figures it out fast, looks like he’s done for the day.” you mentioned with a chuckle as you watched him stomp off and one girl clearly kicked dirt in his direction.

“That brat,” Bakugou’s grandmother hissed, “here help me up will you? I’ve got to get back.”

You nodded, standing up fast and quickly washing your hands and face off in the creek so you weren’t covered in honey before helping the queen mother up. She was looking more frail today and you heard her let out a rattly breath again. “Are you doing alright?” you asked as you let her cling onto your arm.

She looked up at you, “oh yes, thank you I’m fine. It’s just when the nights start to get cold like this, my lungs give me trouble. In fact,” she began glancing at the mountain range ahead. The snow was starting to creep down the face of the mountain. “We should be packing up to move to our winter camp soon.”

You gave her an odd look before remembering that they were nomadic. It would make sense for them to leave when it got cold here to go somewhere warm. “Where would that be?”

“Oh, it’s my favorite,” the queen mother smiled as she shut her eyes, “we go to the ocean.”

—-----

As the week went on you were mostly left to your own devices still, due to how intense Bakugou’s courting was. He would be out in the fields all day talking to girls. You learned everytime he chose someone, he would have to bring them to Midoriya, where they would have to be approved. All week you saw a frustrated Bakugou storm out of the tent followed by the sound of crying. 

Which meant he was in a rotten mood. He stayed true to his grandmother's request to teach you his clan's ways, but he had a short span of patience for you and more often than not he would call you some foul name and then leave.

“You have to use a saddle,” Bakugou hissed as he pointed to your dragon. “It’s part of our customs.”

“But I don’t want to use a saddle,” you argued, “it slows her down and it restricts me.”

Bakugou growled your name as he took a threatening step towards you, “well if you want to stay here, you have to use a fuckin’ saddle.”

You rolled your eyes, “she’s not gonna like that.” As if she understood your words your dragon pressed herself close to the grass, letting a low hiss pass through her teeth at the sight of the large saddle on the ground. 

“I mean, maybe she doesn’t have to wear it,” Kirishima said with a shrug, "it is pretty uncomfortable during long rides.”

“Did I ask for your input, shitty scales? No. 

 So keep your trap shut,” Bakugou hissed. 

Kirishima snorted and shook his head before sharing a glance with your dragon and then shrugged.

You folded your arms across your chest, “I bet your grandmother would be fine if I rode bareback.”

“The ancient hag is not on your side,” Bakugou hissed, “just cause you two talked for a bit doesn’t mean shit. You're still a brat, and a traitor.”

“That line gets old,” you said as the wind started to pick up, making you have to raise your voice. “Why don’t you go and talk to another suitor? Kirishima can teach me more-”

“That’s not Kirishima’s job,” Bakugou interrupted, “you’re my responsibility, and like hell I’d leave you with him.”

“Well maybe you should go, man?” Kirishima said gently, “I think, and I mean this nicely, you need a break. It can’t feel great that everytime you bring someone to Midoriya you get turned down.”

Bakugou’s upper lip twitched. He was pissed as hell at Deku. That damn healer was set on staying true to his vision. Well, Bakugou thought that vision was shit, it literally meant nothing. He just needed to have a betrothed before the fall festival which would be in the coming months after the clan traveled to their winter location. His mother’s old war wound was forcing her to give up her throne sooner than expected and he had to step up, yet he was failing all because of a stupid damn vision.

“It’s fine, Katsuki, nothing is going to happen,” Kirishima assured again.

Bakugou shot you one last glare before storming off, muttering about something under his breath. 

“Well I feel better now,” Kirihsima laughed as he came closer to you, “he’s been wound up for weeks now.”

You snorted, “don’t know how you manage to put up with him.”

Kirisima smiled, it was bright, “you’ll learn to love him in time, he’s a good guy.”

You gave Kirishma a weak smile. That was far from true. Bakugou was part of the family that condemned yours. He was the farthest thing from a good guy. 

Kirishima hummed, sensing a bit of your apprehension, but decided to leave it. “So tell me more about your dragon?” he asked as he walked forward letting your dragon sniff his arm.

“Oh, well I don’t know that much about her. She’s not like you all,” you commented to him. Hoping he didn’t ask too many questions just due to the fact that your dragon was from the royal clutch after all. 

Kirishima laughed, “she isn’t at all. I can’t say I’ve seen a green one before. Back in my homeland, most of us are bright red, aside from a few being maroon.” He paused and looked at you briefly, “are you planning on staying with us for a while?”

You were taken back with his question, and your heart jumped in your chest. Why did he ask that? Did he want you to leave? Was he able to sense that you were going to betray his and Bakugou’s trust someday? You swallowed thickly, “um, I was thinking it would be nice to stay with you the clan till you reach your winter grounds.”

To your utter surprise Kirisima smiled again, “good, I’m glad to hear that. Despite what everyone else thinks, I like having you around.”

You furrowed your brows, “what makes you say that?”

Kirishima shrugged, “just instinct, I guess.” He rolled his shoulders, “well, why don’t we try out this saddle then?”

You sighed, “alright, fine. But if she throws me off, you’ll have to catch me.”

Kirishima snorted and then helped you saddle your dragon. It was a little touch and go as she clearly didn’t like having straps around her chest to hold the saddle in place. After a solid thirty minutes of struggling she was ready. 

You tentatively climbed onto the saddle. It looked almost ridiculously small on your dragon's huge back. She turned her head to look at you as you sat down, and stretched your legs in the seat. The leather creaked and groaned as you adjusted your seat. “This is wildly uncomfortable,” you muttered.

“Just need to break it in,” Kirishima said,  “it’ll get better with time.” He then looked to the sky and squinted. Aside from the wind, the weather was perfect for flying, especially since this was his first time shifting since he was poisoned with silver.

You watched Kirishima look down to the ground and then crouch, you weren’t exactly sure what he was doing until he stretched his wings and suddenly his form shook. Before your eyes he transformed into a huge crimson dragon. He was much larger than yours, and instead of having just back legs and using his wings as front legs when walking, he had front arms too. 

Your eyes widened as he walked forward, the ground seemed to shake under each step till he was eye level with you. He chuffed, causing a hot burst of air to hit your face, making you sputter. Kirishima made a throaty growl, which you thought could have been a laugh.

Kirishima took a few more steps past you, letting your dragon position herself to take off after him. Then he took off, running. The ground  shook after each step and his claws left deep grooves in the ground after every step. Then he bunched his back legs and jumped up, flapping his wings as he took to the sky. 

You heard a few children squealing as they ran to the edge of camp to watch Kirishima fly. Your dragon wheezed and moved forward, following Kirishima’s steps before jumping up and following him into the sky. 

You frowned, holding onto her spike as the saddle slipped sideways, maybe you didn’t tighten it enough? Nonetheless you followed Kirishima up higher and higher until you were above the clouds.

He seemed happy to be back in his true form. He was darting around the clouds and diving down into some, making them split apart and wisp away in the strong wind. 

You smiled, watching him play in the sky. He was sweet, and was easily the kindest person in the clan, besides Midoriya, and maybe Bakugou’s grandmother. It made your heart ache at the thought of betraying Kirishima, which was unsettling. You had only been in the clan for a little over a week and you were already getting attached.

While you were lost in thought, your dragon, obviously surprised to see Kirishima having fun, was curious as to what he was doing, and took off at a speed you’ve never seen her travel before. 

“Whoa!” you yelped as you almost got flung off the side of your dragon as she chased after Kirishima, weaving through the clouds.

Kirishima’s red eyes widened with delight and he took a swooping dive down to the ground, and then your dragon followed him.

Your stomach lurched as you flew straight down screaming at the top of your lungs as your legs flew out straight behind you. You had your arms tightly wrapped around your dragon’s spike as she caught up with Kirishima, flying next to him as they dove towards the ground. 

Your eyes were watering as you tried to see how close the ground was. However, to your horror you were heading towards a lake. Even through your watery eyes you could make out a few commoners mulling around the water side, now obviously pointing at Kirishima and your dragon racing. 

You could see Bakugou sitting at the water's edge with a girl who was talking animatedly but then she pointed at you. He stood up abruptly leaving his suitor to run to the shore of the lake, waving his arms rapidly. 

“Kirishima!” you shouted above the roaring wind, not like he could hear you. The water was getting closer and closer by the second and Kirishima pushed himself faster, and your dragon followed suit. They were flying so fast that you had no option but to shut your eyes, they simply wouldn’t stay open. 

Suddenly your dragon pulled up, making your legs and body slam back down into the saddle, which was already loose. Your eyes shot open as you scrambled to find your seating but the sudden change in movement had you unbalanced and to your horror the momentum of your body had you falling sideways. 

You scrambled to grab onto the straps of the saddle as your hands slipped from the spike you were holding on, but it was futile. You were falling. 

At the notice of your absence your dragon quickly turned around flying back down towards you with her back claws outstretched to catch you. 

Your eyes were wide as the water came closer and closer. You could hear Bakugou shouting at Kirishima. It didn’t matter though, you would hit the water before anyone could catch you. It probably wouldn’t hurt that bad, you were about thirty feet from the water. 

A claw hooked into your shirt just before you hit the water, tearing the tunic you were wearing right from your body. You landed into the water with a grunt, wincing as water shot up your nose. 

Bubbles floated up past your face as you opened your eyes briefly, and started paddling towards the surface of the lake. After a few short moments you surfaced sputtering and shaking. Above you your dragon and Kirishima were hovering above the water, making waves with every flap of their wings. “It’s okay, I’m fine. Just go land.”

You watched as the two dragons flew to the shoreline and landed. Kirishima’s form shook and he shrunk back down to his human form, and immediately sprinted into the water shouting apologies.

“Shitty scales!” Bakugou shouted, “get back to the shoreline and watch her dragon, everyone is scared shitless of that thing.” He was referring to the common folk fleeing the opposite direction from your dragon, especially now because she was obviously distressed from losing her rider.

You continued paddling towards the shore, fighting the strong current as best you could. You swam a few times in a pond that would show up after a big rain back home. It wasn’t nearly as deep at this lake, or as clear. You wrinkled your nose at the memory of that pond. It was filthy, and mostly mud and silt, but you were thankful you did swim in it or else you wouldn’t have known how to swim back to shore now.

You huffed, lifting your head up to avoid a wave as you got closer to shore, and then you realized you were now closer to Bakugou who was swimming out to get you. To your horror you glanced over your shoulder to realize that your shirt was floating a good ways away from you, your dragon must have ripped it when she tried to grab you.

With hot cheeks you turned around in the water and paddled back towards your shirt. How humiliating.

“The hell are you doing!” Bakugou shouted as he continued to swim towards you. 

“Just go back to shore,” you replied with chattering teeth as you approached your shirt. It was mostly shredded, but at least it would cover your chest. 

“You can’t be out that far, damn it,” Bakugou yelled, picking up the pace, “there’s a reason why we don’t swim in this lake, dumbass!”

Just as you were about to grab your shirt, it disappeared under the water followed by a few big bubbles. A sense of dread filled your gut as a large tail poked out of the water and slapped the surface.

Then you turned around as fast as you could and swam towards Bakugou with big eyes. “The hell is in here?” you shouted as a dark shadow started to swim underneath you.

The water rippled next to you and a beast of fish, bigger than Kirishima in his dragon form popped its head up out of the water. It was looking at you with one giant unblinking eye before it ducked back under the water. 

You almost froze at the sight of the fish but instead you swam as quickly as you could. You were so focused on getting out of the water that you didn’t even care when you ran right into Bakugou who was getting ready to pull you out. 

“You’ve got to be the unluckiest person I’ve ever met,” Bakugou began as he went to push you off his chest. You were clinging to him like some drowned rat.

It was horribly embarrassing that you were pressed into his bare torso with yours, but you wouldn’t dare pull away now that people were starting to gather close to you both. “Whatever, look I need a shirt,” you hissed, looking up at him with warm cheeks.

It was then Bakugou realized the situation he was in, and his ears turned bright red when he looked down at where your chest met the bottom of his own chest. He quickly averted his eyes, swallowing thickly as he yanked off his fur lined cape and held it out. It was soaking wet and heavy as hell but you obviously didn’t care because the moment he took it off you snatched it out of his hand.

“Thanks,” you muttered, quickly glancing up at him as he cleared his throat and gave you a nod. 

Kirishima was running towards you with your dragon awkwardly running after him, and he was shouting your name before he came to a halting stop in front of you, “I’m so sorry, I should have never made you fly like that when it was your first time in the saddle, and you almost got eaten by the giant catfish-”

“It’s okay,” you said with a small smile, “it was just an accident, and if I wasn’t in the saddle I definitely would have stayed on. So let’s do it again, yeah? 

Kirishima nodded, “I’d like that.”

—------------------

After you had returned to camp you made your way back to your tent to get a new shirt. Your other shirt was more of a loose tunic and the sleeves were long, which was good for when it got cold at night. It was a little small on you though, which was unfortunate, you just would have to avoid lifting your arms above your head so the hem of the shirt wouldn’t lift up.

After your little incident with Bakugou today, you would like nothing more than to see him again, but you had to return his stupid cloak. It was mostly damp now after drying in the sun for the rest of the afternoon, so it wasn’t nearly as heavy as it was before.

As you thought back on the events of the afternoon, you felt your face warm again. There was a strange feeling in your stomach, it felt almost like there was something flapping in your chest. You let out a breath, as you placed the back of your hands against your cheeks to cool them down. 

While you continued to walk through camp towards Bakugou’s tent, you happened to walk past someone cursing and then the sound of crashing objects. You tilted your head and moved towards the sound and to your shock it was the queen, Mitsuki. 

She was clutching her abdomen and was clearly in pain as she tried to use the hilt of her ax to stand up. 

A dark sense of foreboding rushed over you and it was like you felt your mother standing behind you. Her cold hands were wrapped around the top of your shoulders like vulture talons, and she was whispering in your ear.

This is your chance, the queen is alone. No one will know. 

The fluttering feeling in your chest dropped like lead in your stomach and you took a step forward. Your hand was shaky as it blindly reached towards a rock on the ground. It wouldn’t be pretty. 

You paused, swallowing thickly as Mitsuki swore again. She was panting and sweating, obviously struggling to overcome whatever was causing her to be unable to stand. 

Do it! Useless child!

A rush of cold wind pushed past you and ruffled your top, making it rise past your stomach. The scar across your abdomen seemed to ache as your mothers voice rang through your ears again.

You took a step forward, hearing blood roar in your ears as you grabbed the rock. Mitsuki was finally able to stand. She was wheezing almost as she looked down and to your shock she yanked up her own shirt.

It was then you saw a scar identical to yours on her abdomen. The rock fell from your hand and Mitsuki looked up to see you standing in the shadows, she was about to curse you out till you took a step forward and she immediately noticed your scar. 

You both looked at each other in silence. 

Was her scar from the same person who gave you yours? Surely it had to be, that was your mother’s trademark cut after all. 

Mitsuki opened her mouth to speak but her leg buckled again. 

This time you rushed forward to grab her arm and held her up. “Here,” you muttered as you wrapped her arm around your shoulder, “where do you need to go?”

“Midoriya,” Mitsuki said through clenched teeth as she eyed you warily. 

You nodded as you helped her limp to Midoriya’s tent, and avoided the common folk eating their dinners around campfires in front of their tents. 

After a few moments you delivered the queen to Midoriya who rushed her. He thanked you heavily before shutting the tent flap and leaving you alone to your thoughts. You felt like everything you had somehow known was standing on the edge of a knife and for the first time in your life, you didn’t really know what to do.

#ipromise #bakugou x reader #bhna bakugou #tw. intended violence #tw. mention of scars

[kradogsrats]

I try not to dig into Tolkien's earliest mythology and cosmology because honestly I find it completely insane. Like the story of the Silmarils I can get behind because that's garden-variety pettiness, but when you get back to "Melkor was too proud to understand that even the disharmonies he introduced into the music of the universe were, in fact, a part of Eru Iluvatar's grand design in that they and the Ainur's melodies formed to counter them made the whole all the more beautiful" my eyes just kinda roll out of my head. BUT something from checking up on making sure I was remembering Laurelin correctly snagged my interest, and I wound up reading about the awakening and "sundering" of the elves.

My loose summary:

Before the sun and moon were created, the abandoned Middle-Earth was in darkness because the Two Trees only illuminate the paradise of Valinor. The elves come into being in the east of Middle-Earth not long after the stars are placed in the sky, so the first light they perceive is starlight.

The elves "awaken" in three groups, which form tribes according to the order in which they awoke, literally "Firsts," "Seconds," and "Thirds" (in that the names of the three who then awoke the others became the roots for the words "one," "two," and "three). Obviously, the First elves are the best.

For reasons that aren't entirely clear to me beyond "they just think elves are neat," the Valar invite the elves to come live in Valinor. The 2/3-ish of them who accept undertaking that journey are then called Eldar, literally "star-folk."

Not all of the Eldar complete the journey—some of them instead settling at various points across Middle-Earth, all the way up to the edge of the sea. These all develop their own cultures, a shared language, and dialects. (This, of course, was the whole point.)

Like I said, the First elves are obviously the best elves: 100% of the First elves agree to go to Valinor and 100% of them complete the journey. They also never leave except that one time they all fight Melkor, unlike the Second elves who made it to Valinor and were eventually exiled. We don't talk about the Third elves.

ANYWAY, the decline of the elves from their First elves peak goes on for thousands of years but eventually they all leave and the world enters the Age of Men.

So in short we've got:

Primacy of the stars over other celestial bodies and also literally everything else

A slow splitting and dispersal of the elves from a single people into many

The consistent through-line of the First elves to Eldar and then Vanyar (Fair/High elves who remained in Valinor), superior to other elves

For all that elves and men are largely allies, there is still a thematic thread of them being antithetical to each other—the rise of men corresponds with the decline of the elves, even if it's not coming at their direct expense, etc.

Valinor also gets its own "these men set their eyes on power they weren't meant to have (in this case immortality) thanks to the manipulative whispers of a malevolent entity (Sauron), so their great kingdom was left in ruins and Valinor was sealed away from the lands of men except by a path only elves can traverse" story, but to be honest that's an incredibly common narrative that Tolkien was already cribbing from Babel or Atlantis or Eden or any of the other "we got too proud/greedy/corrupted and now everything sucks" stories. There's also enough other crap surrounding it that you can't really say "ha ha look it's Elarion" except in the "same hat theme!" way. But I wanted to mention it.

BUT YEAH idk man it's just kinda interesting to me that there's the same kind of Stars/First Elves/Great Ones thing going on, particularly the way that in TDP there are elves, but the entities referred to as a Star/Stars also still exist, or Aaravos wouldn't be wanting to get back at them. It's just being handled in a very different way, because uh... yeah, if anyone wrote "the first elves all went to paradise and never left it, even while the mortal world suffered under the yoke of evil, except when the time came to defeat literal satan" now, those guys would rightfully be assholes.

#tdp tolkien #i literally have not even read these books though #my parents are bigger tolkien nerds than i am... they once had a dog named elessar #and i would never denigrate my mother-in-law by calling her a tolkien NERD: she's a tolkien SCHOLAR #i just once had an embarrassing crush on a girl with a hardcore elf oc

[a-random-fan4444]

Hockey Stick brainrot is real. Have some ramblings! :D

(Also thank you so much to every single person whose rebloged, liked, or commented on my Hockey Stick stuff!!! 💕💕💕)

Part 1 | Part 2

Quick summary on “Hockey Stick”: Casey jr gets an emotional support animal, but the emotional support animal is Brother Kraang in disguise. Junior names his pet Hockey Stick.

———————————————————

Casey Jr on the pet forums. His posting history is along the lines of:

“Is it normal for my pet to try to kill anyone who visits my apartment?”

“Is it normal for my pet to screech at midnight?”

“Do animals have a sense of morality?”

And respondes of:

“Yes, my own dog and cat have been acting similarly skittish since the alien invasion. Your pet just wants to protect you. I’d advice slowly introducing new friends to your pets, like through scent! Hope this helps.”

“Yes, all animals do this. I had a little mouse who was silent as well, a mouse, during the day but at night screeched like a banshee. The only insistence where this would be considering not normal is if your pet was a fish.”

“No, people may try and fool you into thinking it’s just cats that lack morality, BUT THEY’RE WRONG!!! My brother’s fish was planning to drown me, I don’t have proof BUT I KNOW I’M RIGHT!!!”

———————————————————

Hockey Stick being scared of the vacuum, Hockey Stick being afraid of the vacuum, Hockey Stick being afraid of the-NO WAIT! Both Casey Jr and HockeyStick being scared of the vacuum!!!

The sound the vacuum makes reminds them both too much of the sound the portal to the Prison Dimension made when it closed.

April has on more than one occupation vacuumed Casey Jr apartment while he and HockeyStick (hidden in Casey Jr’s hoodie as to not be spotted) hissed at her from the top of the fridge. Both have ear muffs on (HockeyStick’s mini earmuffs were provided by Mikey).

———————————————————

Both are discovering what it means to be “normal” by human standards.

Casey Jr adjusting to being in a world where he isn’t constantly on survival mode. Where his normal actions are now “paranoid activity”

Brother Kraang not existing in a dimension that’s nothing but vast emptiness and rubble. Pretending to be a normal part of a world that has a lot of biodiversity in comparison to the prison dimension.

Both are experiencing the beauty of planet Earth for the first time, and the joy of just being able to simply enjoy existing for the first time. (•,n,•) I’m making myself emotional.

AND both feel alone because their families are just out of reach!

Casey Jr’s family doesn’t exist anymore, the present version of them will never become the versions of the family who raised him.

Meanwhile Brother Kraang knows his siblings are alive and where they are, but he can’t do anything to free them.

———————————————————

Other Random Detail:

Casey Jr lives in the same apartment complex as Draxum and April.

The name “Hockey Stick” was a suggestion from Casey, she had a goldfish in her childhood named Hockey Puck.

Hockey Stick when first taken in by Junior was the size of a stuffed bear, but is slowly getting back to his regular size.

Brother Kraang despises all animals, they have very good intuition so they attack him on sight.

———————————————————

Little Plot Bunnies, Specifically the Kraang & EPS:

Prime Kraang and Sister Kraang know each other to be alive. They don’t know if Brother Kraang is alive.

Sister Kraang spends her time imprisoned thinking about how she’s gonna torture the turtles. Specifically how she’ll torture them in front of each other, making them give up any information of where her brother is. She misses her psychotic little brother.

Speaking of, the EPF (Earth Protection Force), is looking for “The Infector” (Kraang Brother). They have “The Destroyer” (Kraang Sister), and know that Kraang Prime has somehow been exiled from Earth.

Yes, the EPF can get Kraang Prime’s name right but not the other two. Sister Kraang doesn’t plan on correcting them anything soon.

Honestly I could do a whole spin off on Kraang Sister’s side of the story. While “HockeyStick” is getting belly rubs and napping, Sister Kraang is setting new records for how long a security guard can last before pleading with their superiors for a transfer.

———————————————————

And Finally, Art Time:

Casey Jr with HockeyStick (What are they looking at? 👀)

Brother Kraang shifting into his animal form for the first time.

#rottmnt #rise of the tmnt #casey jr #casey jones jr #rottmnt casey jr #rise casey jr #rottmnt movie #casey junior #tmnt #casey jones junior #post movie #brother kraang #rise kraang #rise krang #rottmnt krang #krang 3 #brother krang #rise Hockey Stick #rottmnt Hockey Stick #rottmnt kraang #krang siblings #rottmnt au #rise of the teenage mutant ninja turtles #kraang #krang sister #krang #krang 2 #krang fanart #rottmnt fanart #casey jr fanart

[onceazzie]

so i found a spunky au generator (find it here!) that gave me a slay idea. so, here's some pearleo for yall tumblr folks <3

"For someone who's standing face to face with a gorgon, and is about ten seconds away from being turned to stone and thrown off a cliff, you seem awfully calm," Cleo says, crossing their arms.

The newcomer-- who had introduced herself as Pearl, Pearlescent Moon-- simply shrugs, the movement lifting the large, bluish-purple wings folded across her back. "Well, I'm wearing sunglasses. You can't freeze someone with glasses, can ya?"

"That...is some sort of logic, but it doesn't really work like that."

"Why not?" Pearl smiles. "You can't see my eyes. Neither can the snakes. Problem solved, hm?"

The orange snakes that made up Cleo's hair hissed, not in malice but more in confusion. "Well, even if that were true, I'd easily be able to take your glasses and then freeze you. So make your choice."

"Ouch," Pearl mutters, shifting the bag hanging off of her shoulder before sighing and reaching for her sunglasses. "Fine! Freeze me then. You're mean."

And time seems to stop for a moment, as the woman pulls the sunglasses off her face and shields her face from the sun, before staring right into Cleo's eyes. And usually this would kill her instantly, and she would turn into one of the statues currently lining the edges of the mountaintop, but it didn't, because--

"Heh. Surprise! I am unfreezable!" Pearl grins, spreading her arms and wings, the action toppling one of Cleo's statues over the edge of the cliff. "Oh. Sorry about that."

Except Cleo can't find it in herself to care, not when this-- this being, who surely wasn't human or god or anything in between, was staring at her with what looked like an entire void hiding in the places where her eyes should've been. Stars sparkled within them, glowing and glittering, a whole universe contained within one person.

"Is it the eyes? Damn it, that's why I bring the sunglasses," Pearl huffs, wings curling around her body, a pout growing on her lips, reminiscent of a small, scolded child.

"Who...who even are you?" Cleo finally manages to say, head tilting slightly as Pearl fiddles with her sunglasses. "What are you?"

"Good question. I dunno, I was kinda born like this." Pearl shrugs. "My brother, my twin brother-- he was born as a normal kid, I guess. And then whoops! Weird void baby came right afterwards. It was pretty crazy."

The pieces were starting to fall together, Cleo realises. The bag slung over Pearl's shoulder, the sunglasses.

"They've sent you away, haven't they?" Pearl's shoulders sink as the words leave the gorgon's mouth, only solidifying their assumption. "You've been exiled...like me."

"It's fitting they'd send me here, hmm? Send me to another outcast." Pearl manages a small smile. "But, yeah. That's basically it."

Obviously, the subject what somewhat upsetting for her, so Cleo did what Cleo does.

"Oh, who would've known that the people don't appreciate an eldritch being with stars instead of eyes walking around their neighbourhood?"

Sarcasm.

But, also--

"Well. I know," Cleo says, holding out a hand. "Turns out people also don't appreciate a kid with snakes for hair freezing all the other kids to stone. So, you're safe with me."

Pearl's expression turns from sad to overjoyed in what seems to be a millisecond. "Wait, really?! Can I stay here with you?"

"I mean, if you don't take up too much roo-- hey, what are you doing? Off!"

Pearl didn't seem to hear and only squeezed Cleo harder, arms around her waist, wings covering them both. "Thank you thank you thank you! You're the best gorgon I've ever met!"

"You've met others?"

"No, but I bet you would still be the best if I ever were to meet any others!"

Cleo grunts in acknowledgement, and Pearl quickly lets go of her waist, jumping back with her wings extended, a huge beam on her face.

"I like the flowers in your hair, by the way," she says after a moment, eyes curving into a crescent smile, the stars inside them brightening. "They're really pretty. What kind are they?"

"Oh. Uh, probably...sunflowers, orchids, tulips...that kind of stuff," Cleo mumbles. "I don't really choose what grows there? They kind of just come out of my skull when they feel like it?"

The eldritch being leans in for a closer look, her form looming over Cleo's. It's...slightly intimidating. "That's so cool! I'm really excited about staying with you! We're going to be best friends!"

"No, we're not."

"We are now!"

bonus:

"Hey, Cleo! So I noticed your comfy little cave only has one bed. Mind if we share?"

The thought of sharing a bed with an actual eldritch being, not to mention one with wings that spanned the entirety of Cleo's cave, was much less than appealing to them. Except Pearl was looking at them (or-- at least perceiving them) with a hopeful beam on her face, and suddenly every rational thought left their brain as they sighed loudly. "If you even try to touch me with your wings, I will find some way to turn you to stone and throw you off this mountain."

"Yay! Thank you, thank you, thank you! I'll hug you to sleep!"

"Don't you dare."

hehe hiii, it's me, azzie again! thanks for sticking around <3 if you have any requests or anything feel free to pop em into ye olde ask box! i'm happy to write for you. if it's for the life series, anyway

#azzie writes! #this was kinda fun ngl #pearlescentmoon #zombiecleo #trafficblr #life series #trafficshipping #hermitshipping #pearleo #moonrot #i might turn this to an au. i probably will turn this into an au

[hamliet]

Musings on Free Will: Cobra vs Smokey

Thoughts (not organized enough to be a meta, more like a tumble of ideas) brought to you by this post about High&Low. Soz to all who follow me for serious literature; this silly yet compelling story has me in its vice grip.

Cobra always wants to save his friends no matter what. Smokey says they can't always save people, and his first scene is him refusing to save someone (granted, someone who was like, human trafficking, so). On the surface that seems like it's different, but actually their underlying philosophies are more similar than they are different.

Shion vs Chiharu

Smokey and Cobra's philosophies appear to contrast. This is driven home when, in the same episode, both Shion and Chiharu are caught making drugs for the Iemura group. Cobra forgives Chiharu. Smokey exiles Shion. On the surface, it looks like they have opposite responses.

However, that's not actually the case. The underlying principle of what both Smokey and Cobra are acting on is the same--free will and a desire to save the people they love. Smokey is saving Shion's life by exiling him, and Shion still refuses to abandon Smokey, as we see him slipping Takeshi money for Smokey's medical treatment in season 2. If Smokey told Shion to stay, he would, but he'd certainly be hunted down.

When Cobra forgives Chiharu, he does so in response to Chiharu essentially exiling himself. He tells him that Chiharu is free to leave if he wants to, but that they are his friends and will help him decide; he doesn't have to leave just because he thinks others want him to leave.

Shion, Takeru, & Kohaku

While Shion vanishes for a bit, he does show up again in the first movie, where he helps save Smokey after he gets his back slashed, and then fights on his behalf alongside the Rude Boys at the final battle. Shion showing up there puts him as a parallel to Kohaku, who also joins Kuryu, and a foil as well (Shion originally worked for Iemura to save someone, while Kohaku wanted to destroy someone). It also shows us that there isn't just one way to save someone.

Kohaku has to be beaten into agreeing to come back (thanks to guilt and self-destructive tendencies). What ultimately gets through to him is Tsukumo reminding him that Tatsuya's wish is for them "to ride freely." He has a choice. Tatsuya wanted him to be free, not bound to a revenge quest.

(It's not a coincidence this is also the film that introduces Hiroto and Masaki's search for Takeru, who has, surprise, also joined Iemura with the self-destructive aim of revenge.)

Noboru vs Kain

Kain and Noboru are introduced practically together, when Kain urging Noboru to destroy his past. Whenever Noboru hesitates and tries to give Sannoh another chance, Kain lashes out at him--violently so.

Why? Because Kain is self-destructive and lashing out at himself in Noboru. He wants to erase his past and justify himself in doing so. This is made especially clear when he gives Noboru a gun and his "last meal." Although Noboru takes that gun to Sannoh, and it was never loaded, it's also implied Kain is telling Noboru to either kill Sannoh or kill himself. Kill your past, or kill your fugure.

Noboru has a choice to make. Free will. He chooses at first to try to kill his past, only to realize it's pointless (shooting blanks) and the person he almost killed wasn't even someone from his past (since Chiharu jumps in front of Yamato).

In contrast to Noboru, Kain makes the wrong choices throughout the series. At the end, Smokey asks him about his choice:

Are you here to kill me?

And Kain responds with a lie. He tells Smokey that it's not personal, that he's following orders. He refuses to admit that he has a choice, in other words, while Smokey, Cobra, et al have always affirmed personal choice.

Smokey then brings up Shion, who hasn't appeared in two movies. In some of his last words, he affirms Shion's goodness to Kain and reminds Kain of what he could have if he chose differently.

Shion looked up to you like a brother... you did not deserve that.

Then Smokey turns to face the horde and says that he had truly lived "the best life" (I don't like how netflix translates this as "a good life;" he's saying "best"). Basically Smokey's emphasizing that it’s not just a good life for him in spite of his circumstances, but the best life anyone could have lived. The quality of Smokey's life was determined by Smokey's choices, not by the horrid circumstances of it, not by the poison, not by its end.

I also kinda like how Kain disappears from the narrative after Smokey's death. Yeah, dropped plot point, but it’s kinda fitting bc we don’t know if Smokey killed him (unlikely), if the others did, if he’s sent to jail, if he's on the down and outs again. The thematic implication here fits whether it was intentional or not: it doesn’t matter what happened to Kain, because his life was made irrelevant once he killed Smokey. He wanted to wipe out his past to become someone great, and in doing so he wiped out himself, but made Smokey's influence linger.

It also contrasts him with the choice he offered Noboru of killing his past or his future. By killing his past, Kain ensured he had no future.

He's honestly very tragic.

Smokey and Rocky as Jesus

Through living, Smokey ensures his legacy lives on. He is buried under a cross in a place that Takeshi points out Smokey truly believes is "heaven" to him. Smokey's death brings life to everyone around them and ensures that no one else will die how he has.

(Smokey's also the second Christ allusion in the narrative. Rocky is the first and most obvious one--owner of Club Heaven, a friend to women, refers to himself as "the carpenter," gets stabbed through the palm crucifix style, and invites people like Kizzy and Kaito to leave their life of sin and follow him.)

#high&low #smokey #nikaido #cobra #high&low meta #kinda #not really meta just meta-ish #rocky #white rascals #rude boys #shion #chiharu #noboru #sannoh rengokai

[jhuzen]

Helloooooo. May I request an angst fic with comfort with Kazuha? I find not much angst Kazuha fic so.... If it is too hard, you can change to another character (or if you like so).

The idea here is... maybe.... forget a special occasion? Im bad at idea lmao, so you can write any idea you want

Thanksss so much

-UwU anon-

esteemed guest [gn/m.reader]

yo boi’s here to answer some requests because i have been pent-up from my workload ughhh. thank u UwU anon for this lovely request, i have been meaning to write for our dearest samurai <3, also this was supposed to be a normal “i forgot your bday” trope… but… the drama queen in me could never live that down. so please… bear with this dramatic one-shot, i hope you don’t mind the drastic trope change (pls don’t be mad). definitely did not write this while listening to susato’s alt theme serenade. ugh. her chara theme song is too good.

𖦹 moderate angst, hurt/comfort, non-linear style story, descender reader (i kinda miss writing for an otherworldly reader, which i remember the last one was xiao’s), mentions of death, i heavily romanticized loneliness

To wait is to face the bittersweetness of the lonely company. It is to welcome the nights of coldness with no one to keep you warm. It is to embrace what little left of time in between your meetings, always often ending in promises that are to be kept despite the odds.

To wait is to painstakingly nurse the hope within you that he will come back.

And to you, Kazuha is worth the wait. He always will be — from the very first time you and him met until the last breaths that you could manage should he be there for you on your death bed. Though you had every confidence that death is something not to worry about, it does leave you relatively concerned at the prospect of passing without even having to chat with your most endeared companion.

Kazuha was your everything, he pulled you out of that loneliness that you were slowly sinking into, giving into the depths with a warm embrace as you resided in the desolate islands of this broken apart nation. He was just a wandering ronin, hiding away from the prying eyes of the shogunate, and you were quite literally not from this world, taking refuge in an unknown place in a world you only took a chance at to flee from the atrocities of your own home.

Quite frankly, you and Kazuha were both rifts adrift at sea, only to find solace in each other’s loneliness and somber company, both grief-stricken and exasperated after being trapped in the throes of your own lives.

Your status from your home meant nothing now, but even that was something that you can forgive and forget as long as the samurai in exile was by your side, visiting you every so often with a small smile on his face, offering you the company that you can only long for after having it so cruelly taken away from you in your isolation.

So to wait… to wait was nothing. It was something that you can bear through — dressed in your finest robes, under that familiar big tree by the shore where your lonesome house stood, you would wait for him to make good on his promise of companionship.

But never had you expected that it would be soon that he would break his promise, leaving you by your prying thoughts that were so needlessly merciless, undying and full of doubts that ate away at you. You figured it was the loneliness that was plaguing you that must have caused it. It was madness — pure, unadulterated insanity where you had no hopes of climbing out of. It felt like a vortex pulling you in.

However this time, your samurai’s gentle hands would not come to hold yours to the rescue.

The first time he’d forgotten your promise was when you finally mustered the courage to share him a piece of your home world — a mere recreation of a dish from your family, which was honored by most people as it was prepared and ate by people of your status back then, in a way it was as if to introduce him to the family you’ve deserted, the family that would have loved him so, so much.

You’ve foraged through the entire island of Tatarasuna on that day, waking up before the sun could make an appearance just to make the most of the day. It was often that Kazuha would arrive by the day to have as much time with you after all, and the thought was enough to make you feel giddy. You ought to create a good Teyvat rendition of your family’s cuisine and so went on a trip, trying to find substitutions to the entire recipe (you’ve yet to see which ones were poisoned, considering the fact that your body can be a little bit different compared to the residents of this world).

Your heart was filled to the brim with elation and excitement coursed through your veins as you prepared your proxy delicacy in hopes to share a piece of yourself to Kazuha. He had done so much for you these recent months, and cooking a favored dish of his was one of the gestures that you can hardly forget. And you ought to return it with the same amount of love and care as the one you’ve felt from him.

You finished your dish with pure satisfaction — now all that was left was to wait for him.

And so you waited, and waited, and waited. Until the night fell with no traces of the ronin, leaving you perplexed.

Your gaze drifted to the dish that you created, finally taking a spoon and taking a good bite out of it.

Your eyebrows furrowed — there was something lacking, “…Hm. Not sweet enough,” you murmured before getting up to write down the things you could improve on.

That day passed in the company of nothing and a not-so-sweet dish.

The second time he broke your promise was the day you ventured out into the city of Inazuma. Although exiled, Kazuha made no reservations in telling you about the city of his beloved nation — it was bustling with people in the day, yet as quiet as a ghost town at night. Everyone worked on clockwork and always seemed to have a tight schedule to follow. Kazuha was a free-spirit and often moved against it, following the wind’s will and his for the most part.

You remember chastising him about the importance of punctuality, but Kazuha managed to weasel out of it by serenading you with yet another romantic poetry that held no destination nor a dedication. You often told him that clothing told stories of different variations — some told tragedies, some with honor, and some with the fiery passion of romance.

“I’m rather curious about this new form of storytelling…” you could feel your skin tingle as Kazuha’s hand ghosted over the nape of your neck, gazing at you with something you can only decipher as a gentle adoration that left a feeling that stirred within your core. It almost rendered you tight-lipped, only to realize that he was implying something.

You remember almost losing the composure of someone of your status (no doubt your family tutor would smack your palms if they saw you), eyes blown wide as your jaw stuttered out an unintelligible gibberish before sighing as the ronin laughed, “You’re… you’re lucky I know how to sew.”

“Is that an acceptance to my request?”

“I’ll make you the finest garment.” You assured him that time and sealed your promise with a smile, much like how he also promised to come back the next.

Your hands skillfully wove a thread through the hem of the sleeves — you figured taking an inspiration from your good friend’s clothing would be a way to incorporate the interwoven stories that you and him now share in this world. You would have to thank the seamstress of your family, with enough of your curious and persistence, he gave in and taught you the basics of weaving and stitching certain patterns into the fabric with a clean finish.

A fond smile crossed your face, surely despite the fact that Kazuha wasn’t able to fulfill the promised meet last time, he would make it up to you this time.

However even your self-assurance was cut short when the monstrous doubt decided to claw its way up to the surface from the deepest pits of your form, its canines sinking into you like an unforgiving beast in your home. It had you writhing in agony as the thought of your esteemed guest forgetting his promise — clutching onto you like a needy child unable to let go of its parent. It was a seed of doubt that you refused to entertain, but it was a persistent and intrusive thought.

Your frown was evident that day when the sky had fallen into soft hues of oranges and violets, the clouds crowning the sky and the sun ready to slumber like almost everyone in this nation.

The night was catching up soon and your esteemed guest is not present. It didn’t take long before a heavy feeling weighed itself on your chest, pushing you down into a familiar twinge of disappointment that you felt on the first

You remember coming back inside your abode that night, eyes narrowing as your gaze lowered to the robes you managed to finish. You tilted your head, immediately pouncing on the chance to scrutinize your own hard work.

There was a dissatisfied look on your visage, “Not vibrant enough,” you turned on your heel, brisk and swift before marching down to a much different part of the house, unable to look at your craftsmanship anymore.

The third time he had forgotten to make good on his promise, you were certain that Kazuha had long forgotten about you just as much. But there was a sliver of hope that thrived within you, a tiny flame from what little spark you have left.

A soft croon left your lips as you looked up on the moon, bathing in its soft glow that oversaw the entire nation. Your feet dug into the sandy shores nearby your desolate home, as the gentle breeze caresses your face. It was bittersweet that the wind reminded you so much of him. He spoke so highly of it and the wind itself embodied the freedom that Kazuha shouldered on his own.

“Third time’s the charm!”

You puckered your lips and blew into the leaf, barely managing to replicate the ronin’s music. Kazuha’s laughter went unnoticed as you looked at him with disdain and a face that absolutely just gave up, “Are you sure this is not a jest? I am quite certain plants cannot create music.”

He plucked the leaf from your hold and flashed you a sweet smile with mischief at the corners of his lips, “Hm? You lack technique, I’m afraid. Watch and learn.” And what you failed to do, he did so with ease and class, only rendering you speechless. You always did appreciate people that have talent, they were the best kind of people and your adoration for them never was lacking.

You furrowed your eyebrows as you tried to make sense of his apparent technique, only to be startled when Kazuha barged into your personal space, his lips almost ghosting over yours with that unyielding grin of his — so sweet and so gentlemanly, always leaving you at the edge.

“Shall I show you how?”

Your eyes never failed to drift to your companion’s lips, tempting and supple, curved perfectly into a smile that can knock the wind out of your sails. And yet being reminded of it now… does not aid you in the slightest. He was always just a strand of hair away, it was always a paper thin distance, it was like being lured into a trap but you were far more aware than the usual, and you absolutely loathed it now.

But even under the daylight, you closed your eyes and blindly walked into it.

“…Sure.”

Third time’s the charm, indeed, you would desperately believe in it just to see your beloved ronin once more. The company that you sought after being lonely for so long. And yet, as the soft waves caressed your bare feet, even with the crows that you’ve domesticated, you found yourself wallowing in the grace of loneliness once more.

You leaned over to your rippling reflection in the water with a pout as you stewed in the growing emptiness in your heart. You reached out a hand to touch the reflection, watching yourself distort as you concluded your final thoughts.

“Maybe it’s you… who is not enough.”

That night, you never bothered returning to your home.

Time was against Kazuha as he itched with want and longing. You were just an island away now that he’s here in the city. He managed to aid the traveler’s quest and had done his friend good service as he fought against the very woman that took Tomo away from him. And now that everything quelled, he wondered if you were alright — if you were still around and still waited by him under that tree like you always did.

And even then, that was the least of his worries. You may be just an island away, but even that can’t stop anything or anyone to disturb you… or even potentially harm you in the first place.

“Kazuha! Let’s go cel— ah? Already going?” The tiny floating creature by the traveler turned to him, concerned and confused.

Kazuha only gave an apologetic smile, “Forgive me for not being in the celebration, I have to check on someone.” He couldn’t afford not having you by his side, not after having to leave you on your own. He didn’t forget, he could never forget; you were the beaming priority at the top of his head constantly.

“Must be someone so important if you’re leaving so soon! Okay! Bring them over if you have time!”

Lucky was he that he didn’t even have to ask the Alcor’s captain as she already hailed a the anchored ship for him to take. The captain might have managed to pry a thing or two about you from the samurai, after all. And for how much work he’s done in being one of the heroes in Inazuma, Beidou figured this was a reward Kazuha would be deserving of the most.

And it only took a good few hours, even less when Kazuha didn’t bother waiting on the ship’s anchoring, already jumping down from the deck to the sandy shores. Just over that cliff was your home, where you would be, safely waiting for him with that smile of yours that he hoped to dream of in every slumber of his.

“Did you know my people can die from loneliness?”

His head rose from your chest, opening an eye to peer at you (you were generous enough to lend him your body as his bed for the moment after his exhausting trip from Liyue). Your smile didn’t quite reach your eyes at that time, and he wasn’t too fond of that, “What’s with this topic all of a sudden?”

“Hm? Ah. No. It’s just a fun fact.”

“Fun…?”

“Mm… I take it back.” You sighed begrudgingly, “It’s not a confirmed phenomena, however. It’s still partly a hoax. But people have seen deaths that come from the inside of our bodies, born out of nowhere but the constriction of their heart. I feel so bad for them.”

Kazuha nodded in sympathy — there was always something far more heart-wrenching at the thought of dying from loneliness. Though bittersweet, he was far more thankful that his friend went with dignity and honor. He perched his chin on your chest with a small smile, “It’s a good thing you’d never succumb to that then.”

Right. He may not have told you out loud, but it’s another promise that he forged. He will never leave you alone, and he made that decision the first moment he laid his eyes on you on that one faithful day. And Kazuha can only hope that you can be forgiving in his absence. He will tell you everything and apologize a hundred thousand times if it meant he can finally whisk you away from this.

“Though it’s sad… our world has always valued death. It’s a beautiful send off, y’know? Once we leave the plane of existence, our body dissipates in the prettiest flowers.”

Kazuha’s pace picks up as he shook his head to rid himself of those thoughts, perishing any form of doubt that tried to chase him in this seemingly hundred mile run.

His breathing was ragged as soon as he reached his destination, only to face complete emptiness. There was no disturbance within the air but the winds howled and he could detect a faint smell of something new. It was fragrant, almost like flowers.

The wind blew harder and he was faced with petals swirling around. His heart stopped.

Spring is still a good few months away from now.

A lone petal draped itself on his shoulder and he could barely stop the dread that soon rose through his throat as a sick bile. Bitterness burned through his throat and he could feel his stomach drop by a mile. He stewed in the silence as desperation slowly curled around him, strangling him so mercilessly.

Far too late.

Much like him back when his friend was ripped away from him by the threads of fate and life.

He fell down to his knees, unsure whether it was the weight of devastation or exhaustion that prompted him so. Numbness was slowly spreading in his body, like a poison that cannot even be stopped in the first place. His mind raced with thoughts of ‘what ifs’ of what could have been and what should have been, of what could have happened if he risked at least a day to see you once more.

“…I never forgot… I hope you knew that. I could never.”

“Ah… that’s comforting.”

In an instant, the samurai’s head shot up as he briskly looked over his shoulder and there you were, standing with a basket in hand. No doubt you’d have been foraging at this hour.

Suddenly, there was ease in his heart as he quickly stood up and ran towards you, soon finding himself completely entangled with you.

Warmth flourished in Kazuha’s chest as he clutched onto your robes tight until his knuckles turned white. There was desperation in his eyes and even he couldn’t lie as he prayed that this wasn’t a hallucination of some sort, that you were here with him and only him. And perhaps it was because he was able to save his nation from falling into a miserable fate, as his prayers were answered the moment he felt your arms wrap around him, warm, gentle, and comforting, like always.

He could feel himself getting lifted up and he refused to let go — not even just to look at you. He wasn’t one to take things for granted, especially not after the scare he just got.

“Welcome home, my most esteemed guest,” your voice was music to his ears, far better than what he could have been hearing in that celebration by the city.

“I deeply apologize for my tardiness,” he murmured into the crook of your neck, lips pressing a ghost of a kiss on your exposed skin. “I hope there is forgiveness and mercy in store for me.”

You only laughed, squeezing Kazuha in your arms tighter, just as equally afraid to let go as he is, “Of course… patience is a virtue any good host must acquire.”

“I have so much to tell…” and finally did Kazuha open his eyes, only to see the crew a few meters back, waving at him. “…And a few guests in tow.”

He finally leaned back to gaze at your face that he missed so much. In his opinion, no amount of photos can capture the absolute beauty your visage held, you were his beacon in his darkest moments, and no other person can measure up to the company that you bring him.

And you could say the same for him — even with the traces of exhaustion on your beloved samurai’s face, he exuded that gentle beauty that no one could hope to imitate in the slightest. Oh how you truly missed him.

“I’d be honored to have you.”

Kazuha hopes that you mean it in more ways than one.

#btw italicized dialogues are flashback dialogues #just putting it out there to avoid some confusion lmao #genshin impact x male reader #genshin impact x gn reader #kazuha x male reader #kazuha x gn reader #kaedahara kazuha x male reader #kaedehara kazuha x gn reader #jhuzen’s stupid one shots