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lestappenforever · 9 months

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DARLING! ❤️

I would like to request 22 and 38 with Lestappen.

I love you! 🙏🏻😇

Judy, my love, my light, my beautiful, wonderful darling. ❤️

The final two from the prompt list coming right up for you.

---

22. "I want to do this.", and 38. "I can't." "You can. I know you can."

Charles stares down at the phone in his hand, at the black screen. He doesn't know how long he's been sitting out on his balcony, talking on the phone, but it has to have been a least an hour.

Christian Horner's voice keeps ringing in his head.

"We want you to come to Red Bull. We want two number one drivers for the 2025 season."

"Have you talked to Max about this?" Charles had asked.

"It was Max's idea."

---

He sits in the reception area at the Red Bull Racing headquarters in Milton Keynes, waiting for Christian to come fetch him.

Max walks past him, but stops after doing a double-take to make sure his eyes weren’t deceiving him.

"You're here," Max says, raising an eyebrow.

He looks surprised.

Charles frowns.

"Surely Christian told you I was coming?" He counters incredulously.

The Dutchman snorts, nodding. "He did. I just wasn’t sure you were actually going to show up."

If he's being totally honest, Charles hadn’t been sure he would show up, either. Not until he was getting out of the car ten minutes ago and let his feet carry him into the building.

It's been a difficult decision, accepting Red Bull’s offer. His loyalty to Ferrari has always run deeper than anything else, and there is nothing Charles wants more in this life than to win a World Championship with his beloved team.

But the past three years has proved to Charles that it’s not going to happen. Not for a long time, anyway. And as much as Ferrari is the team Charles so desperately wants to succeed with, he has realized that Ferrari has never loved him as much as Charles has loved Ferrari. And if Charles wants to win, he will have to do it with someone else.

As much as it broke his fucking heart to turn down Ferrari's new contract offer, he had realized that it was time to think about himself. For the first time in his life.

"Well, here I am," Charles tells Max with a shrug.

Max narrows his eyes at him.

"Yeah, and you look fucking ecstatic about it."

The Monégasque rolls his eyes, because he knows Max knows how much it has hurt for Charles to reach the decision to leave Ferrari. After all, Max was the one who had made him come to his senses in one of their many deep, long talks over the past few months — ever since Christian extended the contract offer.

He fixes Max with a firm stare as he sits up straighter in his seat, all confidence and assertiveness.

"I want to do this."

His voice leaves no room for doubt.

One corner of Max's mouth quirks up at how sure Charles seems.

"Good. Now show the fucking world what you're capable of," Max says, before walking off.

Charles watches him go and something flutters in his chest.

---

Charles Leclerc at Red Bull is a success from the get-go.

The team actually listens to him when he gives feedback on the car during pre-season testing, and they've designed the car to suit his driving style.

He manages to snatch the win from Max on the final lap of the first race of the season, and it’s fucking beautiful. Max seems as happy for Charles as he would have been for himself had he managed to start the season off with a win.

Max hugs him so tight when Charles climbs out of his car after the race that it’s almost painful. But Charles hugs him right back, just as tight.

On the podium, as he stands on the top step, looking down at the ecstatic faces of his new team, at Max beaming at him to his right, Charles feels like he's on top of the fucking world.

At the hotel later that night, when Max comes knocking at his door to congratulate him again, Charles pulls him into the room and into a kiss — and later, his bed.

Somehow, fucking the reigning World Champion — his teammate, the bane of Charles' existence for most of his life — feels even better than his first race win at Red Bull.

---

The 2025 season is a thriller from start to finish. Being in a team that actually listens to him and a car that is actually competitive means that Charles is fighting Max for the championship title. They’re far ahead of Lando in third place and Carlos in fourth, and it will all be settled in Abu Dhabi.

Max is ahead of Charles by four measily points, meaning that if Charles wins the race, he wins his maiden world championship.

And the pressure of that is sending him into a panic in the bathroom mere minutes before he has to be in his car.

He stands over the sink, gripping the edges tight enough to turn his knuckles white as he tries and fails to control his breathing, to calm his racing heart.

The door opens.

"Charles, what are you —," Max cuts himself off mid-sentence as he lays eyes on Charles.

He shuts the door behind him and steps closer, placing a gentle hand on Charles' back.

"What's wrong? What happened? Are you okay?" He asks hurriedly.

When Charles meets his gaze, his face his pale and his eyes wide.

"I don't think I can do this," he admits weakly, shaking his head.

Max frowns at him. "What do you mean?"

"The race. I can’t do it."

It's ridiculous, Charles knows. He's come this far, his first ever world championship within reach. He's proven himself, time and time again over the past season. He's shown the world what he's capable of, he's shown the world that it was always Ferrari that was the problem, and not Charles himself. He's proved to every single person who ever doubted him and their fucking mother that he deserves this. That he deserves to be at this level.

That he deserves to win.

And yet, the past is coming back to haunt him. Coming back to try and convince him that it’s all a lie — that he doesn’t deserve a single thing he has achieved so far. Even though he knows it’s a fucking lie, it’s still there, in the back of his mind.

Taunting him.

"Of course you can," Max tells him, taking a hold of Charles' arm and pulling him upright.

Charles goes willingly, letting Max turn him until he's facing the other man.

"I can’t."

Max grabs his face, holding it between his hands and looking deep into the Monégasque's eyes.

"You can. I know you can."

Charles swallows, wants to look away. But Max isn’t having it.

"You're the most talented driver I've ever seen, and you've shown it all year, Charles," Max tells him, and it’s said with such intensity — such conviction — that Charles' heart fucking soars.

"You want me to win?" Charles asks, the panic having finally started to ease, replaced by confidence.

Max smirks at him, moving his hands down to hold the sides of Charles' neck.

"I'll do my best to make sure you don’t," Max promises, and Charles knows he means it. Knows Max would never in a million years let him win.

"But if you do win, you'll have fucking earned it."

Max kisses him then, a hard press of lips against Charles'. He pulls back mere seconds later, eyes dark.

"Now go out there and fucking prove me right."

It sounds like a challenge.

Max means it like one, too.

Another peck, and then Max is out the door.

Charles glances at himself in the mirror, squaring his shoulders and taking a deep breath. Then, he smiles and follows Max — his teammate, his rival, reigning World Champion and holder of his fucking heart and soul — out of the bathroom.

---

Charles wins the race and the World Championship in Abu Dhabi, and Max finishes less than half a second behind him.

And it’s fucking beautiful.

#Lestappen #Lestappen ficlet #Lestappen drabble #Lestappen prompt #Prompts #Ask prompts #Asks #My writing

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miss-atena · 2 months

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TWST MAFIA AU SORTA GALORE OF INFO

ehehehe I'm up to no good...

WARNING: in-depth depictions of crime, mentions of drugs, ring fights, animal trafficking, extortion, assassination, doxxing and other cybercrimes, gore, people trafficking, and other really bad stuff of the sort. PLEASE AVOID THIS IF YOU CAN'T HANDLE GRAPHIC DEPICTIONS OF HEAVY TOPICS IN GENERAL, THIS MAY GO WITH LOTS OF THOSE FROM ALL SORTS. note:I'll try to keep everypost about my mafia au with the text under the cut, so no one is triggered, as well as tagging properly. anything needed to be tagged that I don't cover please tell me. I am not afraid of delving into heavy topics of all sorts, and as such if the existence of this makes you uncomfortable, I will not be sad or mad to be blocked. Do what your health desires <3 Now onto the gruesome sights...

The Basics: As we may all know, Twisted Wonderland is a world full of sights to observe, culture to delve into, and all sorts of wonders. It is no different expected from a Wonderland. But if you delve closer, you may see that Twisted is much tamer than what really goes on in this world. The bane of the existence of a heavily capitalistic and globalized world is, of course, that as long as there is demand, there will be products to sell. Behind the curtains of pretty places and delightful music and cuisine, you may find yourself seeing some of the worst things happening to others. The heads, who control all of this monopoly over all sorts of twisted and gruesome acts, have their favorite heirs to this dangerous, yet extremely rewarding throne of crime. Those lucky ones are sent to the place that, on the outside, looks like the perfect magical academia, with only the most capable students and fierce-minded people, but soon you will find the reality when the doors close and the back ones open. Night Raven College is supposed to be a normal magical academy, that is on the paper, but when we were in need, we resorted to getting in debt with some of the most gut-wrenching people of all twisted Wonderland, and now we retribute by letting their... trainees, we will say, study and do their deeds there. They get the knowledge of the (metaphorical) underworld, and NRC gets enough funds for all we may need. Ain't I- I mean, the Headmage ever so generous?

The Dorms: Why, it is common knowledge that the different uniforms mean different dorms, but what does this entail, in this newfound context? Glad you asked! The Dorms selection used to not be biased but... that ended up on a whole new set of troubles... So now the dorm selection is, of course, by the Dark Mirror, but sometimes I- I mean, the Headmage finds there were "troubles" when dealing with the paperwork, and the student will be residing in another dorm for... a while, let's put it that way. That while can change, of course! but sometimes... it is not a good thing to change what is already good.

The Heartslabyul dorm, ever so strict about the rules! They make sure their exotic and wild animals are well-tended before they are sent to their new homes, with their brand-new owners. It is well known that Heartslabyul students have a heavy Animal Linguistics course, for the heads in the Queendom of Roses always need more animals. What if their delightful clients want a pink hedgehog instead of a blue one? The students need to deal with that, over the overlook of their dear housewarden Riddle Rosehearts. Just make sure to not anger him, as he has a tendency to Off people's heads. Sometimes he may even get... too literal.

The Savanaclaw dorm is persistent in keeping their pack. If you are one of them, you are not getting off the hook so easily. Always troublemakers though, love to pick a fight with the weaker. It is like the King of Beast's though himself: the weaker follow the stronger and smarter ones. Their rings tend to be open on the school basement or on the dorm training grounds at night, but don't be fooled, if you are seen there, you are under the One and Only, the rejected prince Leona Kingscholar's rules. If he says you fight, you do. We don't anger a lion, do we?

The Ocatvinelle dorm, so kind and benevolent to lend their works to other dorms. These students seem to always have contacts with the big people, and are always so kind to lend these contacts... for a price, of course. Don't take them for fools now, they will want a bit of this, and a bit of that. It is only fair right? An Eye for an Eye, a Leg for a Leg, how people say. Azul Ashengrotto makes sure everything is always prim and proper in case some dorm might need to stuck stuff in the confinements of this sub-aquatic dorm. But... he may ask for a price some are not willing to pay.

The Sacarbia dorm is always mindful of their allies as much as of their enemies. They are quiet in their work, as being loud would make them as disposable as their targets. When you look into it more, you will find that a student going missing is normal, and if they talked with housewarden Kalim Al-Asim, then you should be worried. How can someone who looks as innocent and sweet do what he does? No one knows and, frankly, do you even want to risk questioning it?

The Pomefiore dorm is tenacious with the quality of its products. The Fairest Queen didn't walk so that they would crawl, after all. They seem to be Professor Crewel's favorites when it comes to alchemy and potionology classes, and no wonder, as their potions, curses and drugs are some of the most deadly a person can take. Housewarden Vil Schoenheit makes it a point to everything be only the most perfect, and if not, he might curse it himself so it will do just as good. He has no pity when it comes to imperfections.

The Ignhyde dorm, Full of diligent people who know their place and do what they need to do. Of course they would do as they are told, but although they lack the strength of a Savanclaw student, and the charms of a Pomefiore one, they make it up in knowledge of technomancy. Just say who, and they have everything about them. Criminal record? Wiped. IP? Doxxed. Anything that is online, they can and will know. And if they don't, Just go to Idia Shroud, he seems to be happy to show just how smart he is by completely wiping evidence of someone's existence, or hacking databanks to feed to scams. They work great ways with Octavinelle on the "marketing" side.

The Diasomnia dorm and the nobility it helds from even being in it. Something not many can afford, really. While they seem quiet and mysterious, as most expect, the loud and nosy ones are the worst. Moles between the products, how they are called. They not only see themselves as above but will do all they can to prove their point, be that dismembering someone limb by limb, and seeing how long they go while still alive and conscious before releasing them of their suffering. Or maybe even holding the troublesome students in the Diasomnia basement, where they will meet their end one day, be to be the next heart to a great mage, or the slave to a rich countess. Malleus Draconia, if that even is his real name, is the one in charge in here, and what he lacks in social cues, he makes up in the strength to lead those under him. He reminds some of a king with an iron fist, who is not afraid to throw some peasants in the dungeons to make room for the nobles.

The Ramshackle dorm, once in disuse, is now up and running again with this strange human. They have no knowledge of magic, although their monster companion seems to get that just enough to pass, but... something about that human. It drives the others near, it makes them want to know what goes on in their little brain. Who knows if they will show themself capable of a role in this twisted world?

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extrasfromthevoid · 2 months

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Draxum's Accidental Child Acquisition (part 4/?)

@tmntbestsibscompetiton

Summary: Spawn fights a Battle Nexus Champion.

-----

The Grand Nexus Hotel is as Draxum remembers, that being a gaudy and borderline tacky nest of bloodlust and voyerism. As he strides through the halls far beyond what the disgusting humans would inhabit, Draxum pulls Spawn a little closer, eyeing the yokai around him warily.

“Stay close, Spawn,” he murmurs to the child.

She nods, taking his hand as they walk to Big Mama’s office.

Ahead of them, the big double doors to Big Mama’s office swing open as Draxum nears. At the far end of the room, silhouetted by the windows behind her desk, is the jorogumo herself and the continued bane of Draxum’s existence.

“Draxxy-boo! How delightfully fortuitous that you’ve bimble bumbled into my quaint little hotel,” Big Mama greets brightly, her voice dripping with false cheer and falser sincerity. The facade cracks ever so slightly as Big Mama’s gaze falls on the young human child tucking herself against Draxum’s side. “Oh? And who might this little morsel be?”

“The future general of the army you insist on keeping me from creating,” Draxum says bluntly.

Big Mama giggles lightly. “Oh Draxxy~ I’m not stopping you from doing anything!” She says. “It’s simply contrary to my interests to give up my dear Lou.”

“Even when he hasn’t fought in three years?”

At that, Big Mama’s smile takes a sharp edge. “Merely a temporary disagreement,” she says bluntly. “My snuggle muffin will get over his little tantrum eventually.” Big Mama then fixes Draxum with a hard glare. “And no, Draxxy, I will unequivocally not be giving him to you, even if it wounds me that he spurns my gift to him.” The spider yokai then looks at Spawn. “Even if you offer me a promising champion in exchange.”

Instinctively Draxum tightens his grip on Spawn, anticipating Big Mama to try and rip the girl from him. He bristles a little when he sees Big Mama’s steely look give way to amusement.

“Oh? Is that not why you brought your little general with you?”

“No,” Draxum bites out, admittedly a bit too fast and with too much force. He inhales subtly, trying to rein in his emotions. Big Mama is the last yokai on the planet Draxum wants to know of his fondness for Spawn. He stands taller, looking down his nose at the shorter cloaked yokai. “Spawn is here merely to demonstrate to you that I am serious about this matter and I am making steps to move forward in my plans to safeguard our people despite your repeated refusals.”

Big Mama smiles. “Oh, so you don’t need my Lou anymore then?”

“That isn’t what I said, and you know it.”

“Then I fail to see why you’re here, Draxxy,” Big Mama tuts. “Oh, dear, don’t tell me you still want my Lou to make your army from.”

Draxum can’t help the telling curl of his lip. Big Mama steeples her fingers in front of her, elbows resting on her desk and her eyes glinting dangerously. She smells blood.

“Well…if you’re so confident in your little general, perhaps a test is in order, hm?”

“A test?” Draxum echoes.

Big Mama giggles sweetly. “Why yes! Why don’t you let me see for myself the quality of your work.”

And maybe if you impress me enough, I’ll give you what you want, is the underlying implication Draxum reads in Big Mama’s look.

“What kind of test do you propose?”

“A simple one, of course,” Big Mama says, standing from her desk.

She puts a finger to her intercom and it beeps. “Will someone bring The Jackal to the training ring?”

“Right away, Big Mama.”

Draxum balks a little at the name. The Jackal is a lesser known Champion, sure, but he is renowned for his ferocity and bloody efficiency in dismembering and devouring his opponents. A true monster among yokai, brought to heel by Big Mama when the Hidden City’s finest officers failed to capture the villain.

The smug look on Big Mama’s face tells Draxum that she knows exactly what she’s doing. Unfortunately for her, it won’t work as Draxum knows Spawn is more than capable of defeating that slobbering behemoth. The question will be how damaged she’ll be by the end of it.

“Shall we, Draxxy? I’m looking forward to seeing what your little general can do.”

Big Mama makes her way to the elevator, leaving Draxum little choice but to follow. After all, this may be his last chance to convince the spider yokai to release Lou Jitsu to him willingly. It’s risky, for sure, and the idea of setting his prized subject against a beast like The Jackal makes something within Draxum’s very soul squirm irritably, but what choice does he have but to play Big Mama’s game?

Next to him, Spawn tugs at Draxum’s hand. She looks up at him with wide dark eyes and motions for him to bend down.

Instead he picks her up. No sense in risking humiliation bending over to his charge when she’s still so easy to carry.

“Who’s The Jackal?” She whispers in his ear.

“A Champion of the Nexus,” Draxum explains shortly in a low tone. “He ran rampant as a criminal and murderer through the Hidden City for some years before Big Mama brought him under her thumb. Be on guard, Spawn. He will be the toughest opponent you have yet faced. Most of his opponents ended up bloody smears in the arena.”

Spawn shudders a little but steels her resolve. “I can do it,” she whispers back.

“Of that I have no doubt,” Draxum states. “I’ve taught you well, and I will do all in my power to stack the odds in your favor. It’s about time I let you wield one of those in a fight.”

Spawn’s eyes sparkle with curiosity before her tiny body starts vibrating with excitement at the realization of what Draxum is insinuating. The circumstances might not be ideal, but Spawn needs to learn to use the mystic weapons Draxum possesses in a fight sooner or later. She knows the basics of the safer ones Draxum has let her wield, but Draxum knows exactly which weapon will suit her best for this fight.

Draxum knows Big Mama won’t play fair, so Draxum won’t either.

“How do you feel about wielding Hanabi?” Draxum inquires.

Spawn grins widely and nods with great enthusiasm.

“Good. But remember, Spawn,” Draxum murmurs. “Be on guard. Big Mama is known to alter the terms of deals at the last second. Expect her to try and tilt the odds against you at every turn.”

Spawn nods resolutely as they finally step into the elevator and descend to the Battle Nexus’ training grounds. It’s not much different from the actual Nexus Arena, albeit at a smaller scale and closed off in the underground. Still, it doesn’t really matter either way. An arena is an arena.

The Jackal is waiting there, towering above four Nexus guards that hold enchanted chains to restrain the beast of a yokai as he thrashes and gnashes his sharp teeth at them. Big Mama smiles placatingly as she makes her way to her personal viewer’s box. Draxum, meanwhile, sets Spawn down and weaves a small spell in the air between them. A summoning circle calling forth The Flaming Lantern, a kusari fundo inhabited by a powerful fire spirit that Spawn has taken to calling “Hanabi.”

She’s proven proficient with the weapon and the spirit within, and Draxum is certain that The Flaming Lantern will be a good fit for the opponent Spawn finds herself against.

Spawn’s face lights up as Draxum drops the weapon into her hands with a curt nod before going to join Big Mama in her viewing box. He makes it as Spawn enters the ring. Big Mama’s Nexus guards drop their chains and run as The Jackal thrashes and swings his fists down upon them. The guards narrowly evaded what would have been a crushing blow.

It’s not long after that The Jackal notices Spawn standing at the other end of the ring. He snorts loudly and turns his pointed dog-like snout towards Big Mama’s viewing box, lips curled to reveal sword-like teeth.

“Spider! What is this you’ve brought to me?” He bellows.

“You’re newest opponent, Jackal,” Big Mama says with a smirk. “I’m told she’s quite formidable.”

The Jackal throws his head back and laughs cruelly. “This little scrap of flesh? You insult me, Spider!” He yells. “It will hardly be worth the effort to eat!”

Meanwhile, Spawn is re-familiarizing herself with the kusari and paying little heed to The Jackal’s jeers as he continues to insult her as if she’s not in hearing distance. Draxum is looking forward to his Spawn proving the slobbering brute wrong for underestimating her so severely, but he can’t help the knot of anxiety that sits like a stone in his chest. The Jackal, after all, is a brutal opponent, and one far more deadly than anything Spawn has faced thus far.

Draxum’s is half of the mind that it was about time he took Spawn’s training up a notch. But the other half balks at the notion, fueled by a strange protective impulse that compels Draxum to bundle Spawn up and hide her away somewhere far from such dangers.

It’s a strange feeling.

Spawn concludes her test swings and spins of the kusari and moves on to reconnecting to the spirit within the weapon. It doesn’t take her long as the head of the kusari bursts into brilliant orange-gold flames, a similar light shining within Spawn’s eyes as she spins the weapon into a visually seamless ring of fire.

Pride flares in Draxum’s chest as The Jackal pauses mid-insult to turn his attention back to his opponent with wide eyes.

“A mystic weapon? Wherever did she get that?” Big Mama asks, an accusing glance leveled at Draxum.

Draxum shrugs, unable to help his smug grin. “You never said my general couldn’t make use of the weapons in her arsenal,” he says.

Big Mama scoffs. “No matter.”

In the arena, The Jackal growls lowly, flexing his claws as he glares daggers towards Spawn with killing intent, clearly no longer in the mood to heckle an opponent that has proven she can do him harm.

“It seems the brute finally acknowledges his opponent for what she is,” Draxum sneers as The Jackal’s fur bristles while he looks at Spawn with wide, unblinking red eyes. “A threat.”

Spawn doesn’t waste a moment, the kusari singing as it sails through the air. Even from the viewer’s box, Draxum feels the heat of the weapon’s magic and hears the high-pitched, gleeful cackling of the spirit held within. The Jackal takes the blow straight to his face, the mystic flames burning away his fur to sear the flesh beneath an angry red.

The Jackal may have Spawn beat in terms of sheer size and strength, but Draxum has trained her against similar enemies for years now. While admittedly, The Jackal’s size and strength far outstrips the constructs Draxum set Spawn against in training exercises, the principle of dealing with him is much the same.

Spawn is a blur of orange-gold as she darts around The Jackal’s feet, the chains of her weapon lashing her opponent and the very grounds around them.

Big Mama hums next to Draxum, visibly intrigued. “Quite the speedy little fly, isn’t she?”

“At her age and size, it’s her greatest asset,” Draxum rumbles, watching as Spawn slides between The Jackal’s legs as he makes a double-fisted slam attack, the kusari’s chain dragging ahead of her as the head is embedded in the ground the Jackal slammed his fists into. Draxum winces in sympathy as Spawn snaps the flaming chain upwards between his legs. And hard. The high-pitched yelp of pain The Jackal makes is rather amusing though.

“Clearly.”

The pattern continues for several seconds, Spawn darting between The Jackal’s legs as he stomps at her, the kusari whistling through the air at her command. Gradually, Spawn is wearing down her opponent with quick lashes and a hundred shallow injuries that will doubtlessly stack up.

The Jackal’s frustration mounts, the beast of a yokai growling and huffing irritably as Spawn once again darts away from his blows. Draxum has a bad feeling.

“ENOUGH!” The Jackal bellows.

Clutching his fists together, The Jackal raises them above his head, red eyes tracking Spawn’s movement. Draxum’s heart drops to his stomach as The Jackal slams both of his fists down directly on Spawn.

Spawn shouts in pain as The Jackal finally lands a hit on her, slamming the small girl into a crater in the arena’s dirt floor. The Jackal grins cruelly with bloody teeth as he follows the hit with a double-fisted slam. Draxum is on his feet before he even realizes as The Jackal slams down on his prone child. He can’t tear his eyes away from the spot Spawn fell as a cloud of dust fills the arena.

“Well, that’s that, I suppose,” Big Mama says nonchalantly as Draxum feels like his world has shattered.

The dust starts to settle. The Jackal grins cruelly at the spot he’s crushed with his brutish fists. Except, that grin falters as the dust clears. Beneath him, there’s a brilliant, warm glow that burns steady and bright. Under The Jackal’s fists, Spawn lays with her back against the crater, blood trickling steadily down a cut across her forehead, nearly hidden in her hairline.

Spawn has stopped his fists with her arms and one foot, her left forearm braced with the mystic chains of The Flaming Lantern as she pushes back. The palm of her right hand and the bottom of her left foot are similarly pressed against The Jackal’s fists, pushing them back and from dealing a fully crushing blow even as Spawn shakes from the strain.

Battered, bloodied and bruised, Spawn still pushes The Jackal back with a colossal yell and shove. The Jackal staggers back as Spawn drags herself to her feet. Her arm looks broken or at least fractured, the chains of the kusari fundo likely being the only thing keeping that arm in anything approaching fighting shape.

But Spawn still stands. Still breathes.

Draxum chuckles lowly, smirking at Big Mama. The spider yokai looks decidedly less smug than she did mere seconds ago.

“What are you?” The Jackal growls.

Spawn grins wickedly and makes one final lash at the ground. Draxum wonders what exactly she’s doing up until he looks at the bigger picture. The arena floor is littered with seemingly random gashes that Spawn inflicted as she danced around The Jackal’s attacks in a flurry of fire and chains. At the time, they looked unintentional, but all together, Draxum realizes they were anything but.

A grin spreads across his face to match Spawn’s. “Oh, you clever girl,” he marvels.

At the same moment, the smug grin on Big Mama’s face grows strained and brittle as she likely comes to the same realization Draxum did.

The chains of the kusari flow around Spawn of their own accord, like a snake coiling protectively over its nest. In a flash, the head lashes out at The Jackal, seemingly of its own accord. The brute bellows in pain as the flaming head of the weapon slams into the center of his chest. The acrid smell of burning hair and flesh reaches Draxum in the viewer’s box, but at the moment he can think of no sweeter scent.

The Jackal staggers back into the center of the arena as Spawn makes one final gash in the ground with the kusari’s chains. The circle completed, the carved lines quickly fill with the orange-gold light of the kusari and Spawn’s combined magic.

The pride in Draxum’s heart swells further as he recognizes the advanced bit of magic Spawn is implementing against her enemy.

“Firestorm!?” Big Mama exclaims in shock. “She knows a spell like that at her age!?”

“She shouldn’t,” Draxum asserts, still grinning. He certainly hasn’t taught her that spell. The fire spirit—the one Spawn has taken to calling Hanabi—is likely the culprit there. Draxum can’t find it in himself to be mad at it for teaching his general such a powerful spell before he deemed her ready for it.

The pillar of flame the spell creates fills the arena and reaches the ceiling, filling the whole room with incredible heat that Draxum can feel searing his fur even from the viewer’s box.

The Jackal howls in pain as the flames consume him, unable to dodge with his position in the circle’s center. When the spell runs its course, the arena’s dirt floor has turned to jagged crystals of blackened carbon, the ceiling glows an ominous shade of red from the heat, and The Jackal stands smoking and dazed in the center, fur burned off and body covered in angry red burns. He stays standing for all of three seconds before collapsing to the ground with a colossal crash. He doesn’t get up again.

At the circle’s edge, Spawn stands, swaying considerably, her right arm hanging limply at her side and covered in blood—much of it her own—and a plethora of cuts and bruises. And dirt. So much dirt.

Looking up to Draxum, Spawn flashes a tired smile that he returns with a proud nod of his head.

Meanwhile, Big Mama looks uncharacteristically off-kilter, staring in unmasked—for her, anyway—shock at her thoroughly defeated champion. However, she regains her composure rather quickly.

“Well, you’re pint-sized general certainly packs a wallop!” Big Mama giggles. “I would be glad to take her.”

Draxum’s heart stutters. “What…?”

“Hm? But isn’t that what you brought her to my Nexus for, Draxxy?” Big Mama asks, the picture of false innocence. “You can’t really be expecting me to part with my darling Lou for nothing. No, no. That won’t do at all.” Her eyes glow ominously as she turns to face Draxum directly. “But if you give me your prized subject, then maybe I’ll be more agreeable.”

It should be a no brainer. It should be. With Lou Jitsu in his possession, Draxum can finally build his army of unstoppable warriors, and his people will be protected from the coming calamity at last.

However, Big Mama is asking for a hefty price.

Draxum fights to keep his cool, scoffing irritably like Big Mama hadn’t just asked him to forfeit his soul. “But what good would an army be without its general?” He asks.

“True, true,” Big Mama relents, still grinning that wicked grin. “But then again…you can always make another. And why would you want to put a human at the head of your precious army anyway? I thought you found them disgusting and foolish.”

“I do,” Draxum says bluntly. Because it is true. Humans are fools. But…, “But Spawn is more than mere human, and thus her inherent value is greater. Besides. Spawn has not been raised by humans long enough to be inflected with their foolishness.”

“Is that so? Then who raised the girl, hm?”

He stands from his seat and looks Big Mama straight in the eye. “I did,” he declares. With that, he sweeps away from the spider yokai. “Good day, Big Mama. A pity I won’t be doing business with you.”

Draxum is out of the viewer’s box before Big Mama can even get a retort out, making his way down to the arena as Spawn limps over to him. Internally, Draxum winces as he catalogs Spawn’s injuries. Her arm is indeed broken, her stance is unsteady in a way that belies a possible concussion, there’s a cut somewhere in her hairline that is bleeding profusely, and she’s littered with cuts and bruises.

All in all, not as bad as it could have been, but worse than Spawn has ever been made to endure.

Without a word, Draxum gathers up his Spawn and he carries Spawn out of the underground arena and to a more private area of the Nexus Hotel. The whole way, the girl is eerily silent. Thankfully, she’s not unconscious. Given that Draxum is fairly certain that she has a concussion, sleep will have to be postponed until he’s sure his general is out of danger.

“I’m sorry, Baba.”

Draxum nearly stops dead at the quiet, fragile words the girl speaks. “What are you apologizing for, Spawn?”

“Big Mama didn’t let you see Mr. Jitsu because my fight wasn’t good enough,” she says.

“That’s not it at all, Spawn. Don’t make such foolish assumptions,” Draxum scolds.

The girl shrinks in on herself a little in his arms, and Draxum sighs.

“I told you that Big Mama is fond of altering the terms of agreements on a whim, and that’s exactly what happened,” he says. “Your performance was perfect.”

“Really?”

“Mhm,” Draxum confirms. “I would have preferred that you didn’t get so damaged, but such things can’t always be helped.” He chuckles. “Besides. Even if Big Mama once again denied me access to Lou Jitsu, your efforts today gave me something equally precious.”

“Really? What was it?”

At the memory of Big Mama’s uncharacteristic shock, Draxum can’t help his laugh. “You smashed Big Mama’s usual mask of smug confidence and I had a front row seat to it!” He cackles. “And I got the last word in our conversation!”

“Is that really so precious, Baba?”

“Seeing Big Mama on the back foot and getting the last word? Oh, absolutely.”

From there, the silence isn’t as heavy as Draxum warps them home. He may have lost his final chance to convince Big Mama to release Lou Jitsu to him—or even let Draxum have access to his DNA—but…well…Draxum has other options at his disposal.

Perhaps he should look into hiring some gargoyles after all. ———

(Previous) (Next)

#void's writing #rottmnt oc: milo hamato #tmnt best siblings competition #rottmnt #rise of the teenage mutant ninja turtles #teenage mutant ninja turtles

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grogusmum · 23 days

Note

why does that person want a "logical" answer, for likely one of the most personal and emotional questions we're capable of asking ourselves?

"why am I trans?" because I am. because being refereed to as "sir" or "mister" or "Laddie" by a bunch of dudes in kilts at the ren faire makes me happy.

that's literally it.

Social expectations were certainly a factor in me exploring those aspects of myself, that's a fact of my experience. and another fact is that once I socially transitioned I actually became more comfortable in feminine clothing, the bane of my existence before that. hell I own a fucking corset now and have taken to wearing it more often again (my posture is shit and my back is killing me)

"It makes me happy." is enough of an answer for most other things, why not this? (i know why)

it's reminding me of those campaigns where people would ask for money to find a 'cure' for autism… thats the vibe they're giving, it is not a good look, and it doesn't feel like a good faith discussion

Humans are meat mechs controlled by basically a ham sitting in tub of soy sauce with a constant low level electrical current running through it, what about that screams "logical"?

now that that's out of my system and my blood pressure is back down.

I hope you and your wife have a good rest of your day/night idk what time it is for you, and that you get all the green lights when you drive somewhere and when you go out to buy something you get there right as they're restocking the shelves

You are very sweet! I'm so glad you are comfortable and happy with yourself.

My wife often says we have big, complicated brains, that's why.

You aren't the only one to pick up that cure for autism vibe.

My son (who is also trans) would say I'd ont want them to find out "what causes it" because after that comes "fixing us".

Thank you for those lovely blessings, I wish them for you three fold! 💚

#lovely people saying lovely things

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houseofpunk · 7 months

Text

finally getting around to watching the latest episode of roh and here are all my thoughts:

I think Josh Woods has the potential to be a big contender in roh I just wish he was built up more and would actually drop Mark as his manager. He needs to show he can stand on his own and actually do promos instead of just standing around looking intimidating.

Lexy continues to be the beautiful glue holding this company together I am so proud of how far she's come as an interviewer and broadcaster in the last year you can tell she's really found her confidence

Tony Nesse continues to be the bane of my existence and is the most uncharistmatic one note heel jobber out there he should just be cut all togther at this point.

Scorpio is here now. I'm pretty indifferent to him and I'm worried with him and Ethan being in this togther they'll become a tag team again which I think would be a huge back slide for Ethan who I think needs to focus on building himself up as a baby face which I wish he had done a long time ago

I'm happy that Lee Johnson being built up in this company as well, after being out on injury for so long he lost a lot of momentum but I'm glad to be getting more of a showcase of his talents and capabilities

GRAVITY!!! I am always charmed by his silly little gimmick

Outrunners are my goofy guys and I love the silliness

I really appreciate how much time and care is being put into building up Billy and her relationship with Athena is so perfect these two are the stars of the whole company and the highlight of every episode.

I've said it before and ill say it again- Andretti is sooooo boring and is dragging Darius down with him. When Dante was going solo when his brother was injured he was able to thrive and make waves in aew but now that he's out Darius seems to be drowning. I wish he would be on his own so he could properly show his talents instead of being in bland tag match after band tag match with Action.

Griff is still here? why?

These crowds are not hype enough for the powerhouse that is Leyla she scares me so much :)

JIMMY JACOBS HI HI HIIIIII HIIIIIIIII ZOMBIE PRINCESS my thoughts are not coherent I am goo

It's so unfortunate that Shane Taylor has such a majestic dumpy because it's wasted on a very boring wrestler

Dalton called me a baby chicken and made me blush. I get the feeling he's a very open and emotional lover.

Cole Carter and Griff Garrison match? Skip.

Mercedes and Diamante make such a good scary lesbian duo why don't the women have tag belts in this company because they should be champs yesterday

It makes me so angry when crowds are dead silent during a good women's match y'all don't deserve these amazing women

I am once more sipping the savage sauce, in fact I have not stopped sipping the savage sauce I am all in on the iron savages. Something very beautiful about guys who drink pre-workout like water and love to eat ass.

You know what? I'd love to see a Boulder vs Brody big boy match. That's my new dream match.

Very heart warming to hear people cheering very loudly for my boy Ethan Page. I kinda hope they built Ethan up enough to face Eddie and make a great rivalry out of it considering the history they have togther.

Brian Cage and Metalik main event??? this is so darksided and awful all these bad bitches backstage and you give me this???? Don't get me wrong I like Metalik but he's not a main eventer.

Brain cage must be an absolute throat goat the way he keeps getting tv time

#roh lb

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muselixer · 1 year

Text

dumb things my friends and I have said: 2022!

part four: october - december apologies ahead of time for length! feel free to change pronouns if need be. warning for foul and dirty language, and capslock-implied yelling :)

“You’re deflowering the feet. How do you feel?”

“It’s White Castle Wednesday, or as I like to call it, Friday. ...fuck, it’s Monday.”

“Never underestimate how much of a fucking idiot I am capable of being.”

“I hope your partner isn’t a roller coaster.”

“Hang on, I’m about to psychoanalyze that real quick.”

“I’m sorry, she looks like a wilted stalk of rhubarb.”

“Dude looks like he doesn't even put the bread away properly. Like he doesn't even use the bread tie.”

“Please don’t naruto run in your wedding dress.”

“I don’t care how insane he is. Nobody will ever convince me he did that shit.”

“His slut era lasted all of thirty seconds.”

“All robots are Pinocchio.”

“I’m running out of sloths...”

“Hell yeah dude, put that mother fucker in the BONG.”

“We can’t account for pre-historic himbos.”

“Dude, you’re, like, seventy. Your future is over in, like, ten years.”

“I’M FUELED BY ALCOHOL. DON’T TEMPT ME.”

“I feel like we need to put him in a filing cabinet.”

“But it’s so hard watching movies by myself. Who am I gonna subject to my commentary?”

“The catalyst is something that can be so small.”

“Oh, he fell so far my guy. He’s in a different orchard, my good bitch.”

“Oh my god. His power is arson.”

“His dick game can NOT be that good. Sweetie what is you doin.”

“Ah, yes. They haven’t been properly seasoned by trauma yet.”

“You can’t just say that, and expect me not to have cursed thoughts.”

“ASS DOES NOT A HOT MAN MAKE.”

“Damn you, work. The bane of my existence.”

“What is the cutoff age for being an orphan?”

“I’m plagued by this dumbass cringe tv show.”

“You don’t have to know the lyrics. You just have to know I’m right.”

“Benjamin Franklin once called me a pussyfart and kicked me in the rib.”

“He’s got this Michael Jackson quality to him.”

“One sec, I’m being killed by a fridge.”

“I’m dying on so many hills this week.”

“I don’t know a single gay man who hates Halloween.”

“Oh... You can’t see because you have diabetes.”

“Okay, FUCK your place of shit, holy work.”

“I am balls deep in my comfort zone.”

“My gaming chair is my bed.”

“If you can’t call your boyfriend a slut, then what’s the point?”

“Pro gamer move: put your salad in the sink.”

“Spicy take, mac and cheese is ALWAYS good. Also, how dare you?”

“Everyone is hopping on my dick because I’m forklift certified.”

“Did you just ‘Lady and Tramp’ your own sandwich?”

“We succeeded in getting the wrong point across the table.”

“I have feelers. I have to feel.”

“They don’t call me ‘Mr. Touchy’ for nothing.”

“I asked for the gayest drink and they couldn’t deliver.”

#rp ask meme #rp memes #rp starters #ask meme

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mileapokp1677 · 2 years

Text

Three Steps to Win You (CH 4)

Title: Three Steps to Win You

Rating: M

Pairing: DaddyChan/Tankhun, Kinn/Porsche, Vegas/Pete

Category: M/M, AU Nerd-Jock

Summary: Accidentally, scientist Tankhun Theerapanyakul embarrassed footballer Captain Chan "Daddy" Knight in front of his coach, teammates and fans. He had to fulfill three tasks from the captain before his apology was accepted.

Chapter 4

(Chan’s POV)

“You!?”

“Hi~ Yes, it’s me,” answered that guy candidly, his pink (Yes, PINK!) sunglasses perched on his straight nose perfectly. “It’s good to know you still remember me.”

“Yeah, like it’s possible to forget you!” stated Chan, voice dripping with sarcasm.

“Indeed, I take that as a compliment, by the way. Thank you~” replied the guy sweetly as he smiled. SMILED!

The nerve of this guy. Ugh!

“It’s not,” barked Chan curtly, as he pressed the remote to unlock his car. Then, he moved quickly to open the rear trunk of his SUV to put in his duffel bag, ball bag, football boots, and other belongings, to the car. “O~h boy, trust me, it’s definitely not.”

“I come in peace…” declared the guy – still smiling, before stretching out his right hand toward Chan. “…and a sincere apology. So here we go, Caramel Frappuccino with Double Whipped Cream and Chocolate Chips on top.”

“No, thank you,” Chan replied coldly, trying hard to keep his face expressionless, even though deep down he wanted to smack this person in front of him.

“But I got your coffee order right! Exactly like two-”

“How do you get into this parking area? No one can enter here except BSFC players and staff.”

Chan cut off the words of the person he considered as the bane of his existence fast as lightning, he didn't want to remember the most embarrassing incident of his life ever again.

Finally, the smile wiped out from the person's face. It seemed like only a very few people, or perhaps nobody, ever dared to interrupt his speech. Because the expression on his face immediately changed 180 degrees. He retracted the hand which he had extended earlier, lifting his chin slightly before opening his mouth.

"I'm Tankhun Theerapanyakul, I have my own way."

“That’s not answering my question at all and I need to report this to the stadium management if there’s a breach in their secu-”

“Oh, please~ so overreacting.”

Did he… just cut me off? AND rolling his eyes at me!?

Chan was so ready to scold this Tan… Tan... whatever his name was, but he was too late.

“Look, mister, I know I've wronged you, but I didn't do it on purpose. And I had absolutely no intention of embarrassing you or destroying your reputation or whatever malice intent you think I’m capable of. I really thought that no one would hear my request at that time, but in the end, it was that kid who announced your presence at the cafe, right?”

Of course, what he said was all true, but to think that this person didn't get any bad consequences whatsoever from that incident was really hard to accept.

“But still, you are the one who started it. That kid wouldn’t know it was me, if it wasn’t for you.”

“You are the one who showed up at the café. Stupid thing to do when you knew that place full of your fans, right, Daddy Chan?”

“I was in disguise!”

“I still recognized you, didn’t I?”

“Then, you should keep your mouth SHUT!!!” shouted Chan at the top of his lungs. So loud that the man in front of him took a step back.

Chan was completely shocked at himself, he had never been this rude with anyone before, but this tall, slender human being with an attitude in front of him, had completely made him lose control.

“I apologize for being rude, this matter ends here, okay? I'm out," said Chan, his hand was already on the handle of his car.

“Wait, you can’t do this to me,” yelled this Tan something guy. “Unless, this is your intention all along.”

“And what is that?” asked Chan as he turned his body to face him.

“Making me feel like I'm the bad guy… making me feel guilty.”

“I am not, okay?” reassured Chan.

“Then, could you just please take this for me?” asked Tan, once again stretching out his right hand to him.

“Why?”

He took a deep breath before answering Chan, “Do you have any idea how painful it is for me to order this atrocious drink?”

Ah, there he is.

Chan was actually glad he didn't break this guy's spirit with his rude behavior just now. He had to admit that this Tan person was quite interesting. “Fine, give me that.”

Suddenly from behind this person, appeared Coach Vadim. Chan thanked all the deities in this world that he hadn't touched the Frappuccino at all, instead he quickly grabbed the coffee that was in Tan's left hand.

“Hey, it’s-”

“COACH!” shouted Chan louder than necessary, but for his sake he needed Tan to help him out of this situation. He just couldn’t take another 20, not anymore.

“Chan!” greeted Coach Vadim, looking suspiciously at his drink. “Nothing super sweet inside that cup, hopefully?”

“Nope, Coach, just black coffee,” stated Chan as he suddenly grabs Tan's shoulder and turns him around to face Coach Vadim. “You can ask my friend, Tan, he’s the one who brought me coffee.”

“Hi, Coach. Nice to meet you, I’m Tankhun.”

Oh, it’s Tankhun.

Coach Vadim just nodded his head to respond to Tankhun’s greeting.

“Quite a festive drink you got there, young man, better watch the sugar.”

Tankhun let out a super awkward laugh but thank God he was still following up with the charade.

“I’m in the process of cutting back, Coach, just once a week now.”

“Today must be a special day, and I won’t stop you from enjoying your drink any longer. So please…”

Fuck, why this old guy is so fucking nosy? He was so doomed. There’s no way Tankhun will drink that.

When he heard the slurping sound that came from Tankhun's direction he could hardly believe his ears, even more so when he heard Tankhun's words.

“Ah~~~ that’s good.”

“I’ll leave you two alone, then. Chan, I’ll see you in three days.”

“Yes, Coach.”

Chan was literally counting the seconds until Tankhun exploded, and he didn't blame him at all if he did.

“Is he gone?” whispered Tankhun.

“Yes.”

“FUCK, THAT’S VILE!” screamed Tankhun out loud. “YUCK!”

“C’mon, it’s not that bad,” chimed Chan.

The offended look that Tankhun threw at him just now, was out of this world.

“I don't mean to bring up bad memories or anything, but I 100% agree with your Coach’s words in that video.”

Instead of being annoyed because Tankhun mentioned the hellish video, Chan laughed like mad. This is the first time since the incident that he can laugh like this, and it felt glorious.

“What did he say anyway?”

“You’re a lunatic who ruined good coffee by adding caramel to it.”

Chan laughed again.

“He also said his ancestors will weep and roll in their graves if they find out about it.”

… and laughed some more.

“Wait, you speak Italian?”

“More passive than active really. My listening comprehension is higher than my speaking ability.”

“May I ask the reason?” asked Chan. “I mean, I have more compelling reasons to learn Italian than you because our Head Coach is an Italian man. But I never did.”

Chan could feel Tankhun was a little hesitant to answer, and suddenly he felt bad.

“Please don’t answer me if it’s too personal.”

“Stop with that face, nothing personal,” explained Tankhun. “To be honest, the reason is a bit ridiculous, but I’m proud of my decision no matter what.”

“Shoot.”

“I’m crazy in love with The Godfather Trilogy, so I took a lesson for a whole year.”

“Godfather, the mafia movie?”

“Yes,” answered Tankhun, chin gloriously up in the air, daring Chan to tease him.

“I love the trilogy too.”

“Thank God, at least now I know your taste in movies is not as bad as your taste in coffee.”

“Ouch!”

This time, it was Tankhun who was laughing, and it sounds nice. Very nice indeed.

“I think we can all agree that we're even now. I helped you out of a tricky situation with your coach and drank the most disgusting coffee I've ever tasted to cover for you.”

Chan knew that once he said yes, this matter would be closed and both of them could peacefully go back to their own lives. No need to bother each other anymore. But somehow, the Captain felt so reluctant to end all of this.

As if it had a thought of his own, his mouth then spit out words that shocked even himself.

“I’m so sorry, Tankhun, but I don’t agree. We are actually trapped in a tricky situation just now because you have brought the coffee that you call vile here. In fact, I think your debt has increased.”

“Huh?”

“Just think, if only you come here empty-handed…”

Chan, what the fuck are you doing!?

“But that coffee is the peace offering!” protested Tankhun.

“I know you have good intentions, but it almost ended up disastrous for me, again.”

As soon as Tankhun's shoulders dropped, Chan became aware that this madness – which he himself still didn't know the exact reason for, had worked.

“Just tell me what I should do,” requested Tankhun in a defeated tone.

TBC

#daddy chan #tankhun theerapanyakul #chantankhun #kinnporsche #vegaspete #kim theerapanyakul #AU Nerd_Jock #kpts fanfic #fanfic #everybody is a footballer #slow build #slow burn #kpts #kpts boys

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mrthoughtbubbles · 2 years

Text

I dread going to any type of gathering, mainly because people would ask whether or not I have a partner or what's my job right now. I understand that I am lagging behind when it comes to my peers, who have a 9-5 job, and are now married and have kids. I feel really pressured when they ask me those questions.

I've always felt that I'm lagging behind everything, whether it's about relationships, milestones, studies, news about friends, etc...

When it comes to relationships, I admit that I never had a girlfriend. I'm stuck in the courting phase because I had a problem with giving up on someone even when other people would tell me that there's zero chance it will push through. The reason for this is that I had the belief that if I just keep on trying, the other person will feel loved and that they'll somehow change, in a way, just like what mama and my siblings did for my dad.

The sad reality is that unless you open up about what you think is the problem, nothing will change. I admit that I sometimes am the one with the problem because in a fight, flight, or freeze scenario, I'll freeze and I'll just stand up there looking like an idiot.

The longest one and the one that hurt the most for me was almost a decade of trying. She was the ideal lady for me, but I was the one who had the most problems because I'd freeze and I'm not able to talk to her whenever she tries to meet me with a lot of people around her. After that experience, I felt insecure about myself, that I'm inexperienced, that I’m not manly enough, and that I'm not good enough.

When it comes to my studies, I feel that I'm not capable enough or smart enough. I was able to get an engineering degree, but I couldn't handle the fast pace of the trimester schedule whilst juggling 3-5 math subjects per day... The bane of my existence, at that time, was Calculus. Since I'm slow compared to my peers, I flunked some of my subjects, especially when it came to differential and integral calculus because I feel that everything is really fast-paced... On the other hand, when I got my programming degree, I was okay with databases, but everything else is below average. Somehow, I passed my programming degree, but I wouldn't dare apply for a programming job because I know how bad my programming skills are.

Reflecting on it further, I'm not really passionate when it comes to studying, unlike my siblings who are laser-focused on what they want to do with their lives. In a way, this is the reason why I feel that I’m the black sheep of the family...

Writing these things down, sorted my thoughts and my feelings about what’s in my head at the moment. I hope that when I look back at this blog of mine, I’ve changed, even just by a little bit, and I hope that it’s for the better and not for the worse.

0 notes

harunayuuka2060 · 2 years

Note

Not a suggestion, just wanna laugh about this idea with someone.

Imagine a time jumping demon MC capable of hiding the past, present, and futures of specific things or individuals (of their choice) from anyone with clairvoyance, who also looooooves screwing with Barbatos.

Diavolo's party needs to go off without a hitch? Barbs found the perfect timeline!...Too bad he missed that rat that crawled into the cake during the big finish. The guys wanna spend the day at a beach in the human world? This Friday should be the best!....if not for the typhoon that showed up 5 minutes after they set everything up.

I know it has a ton of plot holes, but please just imagine this MC purposefully making themselves the bane of Barbs existence

Barbatos: Here's your cup of tea, my lor— *froze*

*a mouse got inside the cup*

Diavolo: It's okay, Barbatos... It's just a mouse—

Barbatos: A stupid mouse got inside my tea cup, my lord! *his expression's funny*

Diavolo: *carefully gets the cup from him and frees the mouse* Maybe you missed to check it.

Barbatos: I was sure everything was clean, my lord, before arranging— You're right. I must have missed it because of a certain someone!

*someone laughs*

MC: Barbs, Barbs, Barbs~ Why must call me "a certain someone", when you could have say my name?

MC: You're making me sad with your indifference.

Barbatos: Learn how to wear shoes first, you sheet-covering-your-head demon!

MC: *dramatic gasp*

MC: *appears beside him* I'm only worried that my timeless beauty will leave you like a salivating dog.

Barbatos: *angry* What did you say?

Diavolo: Barbatos, MC is still your other half—

Barbatos: We're not connected to each other!

MC: *appears behind Diavolo* Your butler can be a bit grumpy, don't you think?

Barbatos: I am not!

Diavolo: MC, can you please limit teasing him?

MC: Hmmm... But he's my only entertainment after he erased my perfectly imperfect timeline.

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

Demon of Inception

#obey me #obey me mc #obey me barbatos #obey me diavolo #demon of inception!mc #picrew

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bitsandbobsofwriting · 3 years

Text

The God of Magic just wants humanity to be happy and thriving;

Version 1, Good!Merlin

INTRO

(Version 2, Dark!Merlin)

“You’re late.”

From their place in the bushes, the gang can see a wide grin break out on the woman’s face as she raises an eyebrow:

“You’re always getting distracted by pretty flowers or interesting conversations, how was I supposed to know that you’d be on time for once?”

Her voice somehow sounds like an ocean in a storm, ear-splittingly loud as the sound cuts right through them to the core, but also a gentle stream, soft and clear and soul-cleansing. The gang struggle not to flinch in their confusion.

Merlin chuckles slightly, shaking his head as he softly replies:

“Ah, I see, you were expecting me to be late, so you told me to turn up half a candle-mark before you intended to get here.”

She raises an eyebrow and nods:

“In the hopes I wouldn’t have to stand around and wait too long,-”

She shudders slightly as her face falls, though she manages to look beautifully intimidating even with a slight scowl on her face:

“-you know how much I hate it up here, on dry land.”

Merlin nods. He looks around him passingly, and the gang tense as his eyes rove over their hiding place; their fear is quickly replaced with shock (and even more confusion) as it strikes them that they’ve never seen Merlin look so relaxed, so at ease. He finally looks back to the woman:

“Hmm. I may not agree with you on that, but I understand. I could have met you at Avalon, you know.”

The woman frowns even more, and the gang can see Merlin tilt his head in question, even more so when she replies:

“I... wanted this conversation to be private, away from the prying eyes and ears of Mother and our Siblings.”

Merlin’s shoulders tense, and Arthur can vaguely see the outline of his hands clenching tightly in his pockets as his cloak billows in a sudden wind. The knights, Gwen, and Morgana all look to each other in confusion, Merlin had never spoken of siblings before, in fact, they’re fairly certain he specifically told them that he’s an only child. This woman was so drastically different from Merlin in appearance, they couldn’t possibly be related by blood. Perhaps she means "siblings" in a similar sense to how the knights are brothers?

A tense silence passes between the two, but it’s quickly broken by Merlin letting out a deep, bone-weary sigh, his relaxed demeanour completely dissolved, and looking to the floor, mumbling:

“What’s this about, Ava?”

The woman, Ava, the gang now know, lets out a sigh of her own, tilting her head and waiting for Merlin to look at her again before speaking, her voice sounding more consistently soft the more she spoke, as if she needed practice to regulate her volume:

“I think you know, Em.-”

(”Em?? I guess that could be a shortened version of ‘Merlin’, but... not really.”)

“-Time is running out, existence is threadbare as it is, and only getting worse with each passing day. The world is splitting, cracking down the middle; magic is running thin-”

Everyone feels Arthur tense at the mention of magic, even more so at Merlin’s non-reaction to the word. Though everyone is already understandably on edge by the way the woman speaks as if the world is ending around them, and they hadn’t even noticed:

“-and we are starving. The fates of The Bane-”

Mordred manages to stop himself falling backwards, but his sudden shaky breath earns him a concerned glance from Gwaine, crouched besides him:

“-and The Darkness have been avoided, if you do not move forward now, then when? With every day you stall, you plan, you stand idly by and wait, we choke on the gaping emptiness of a world that is leaking.-”

Merlin holds up a shaking hand to stop her, his other running through his hair in frustration as he murmurs:

“I know, I know-”

The gang watches with tense, morbid curiosity as Ava cuts him off, her expression both annoyed and sympathetic:

“I don’t think you do, Em. You haven’t been home in years. Could you stand it? To be God of Magic with no Magic to be God over? No universe to hold dominion over?”

Merlin scoffs slightly and walks to the side in his frustration, and the gang can see the melancholy annoyance on his face, plain as day. It’s almost enough to make them forget that he visited Ealdor just last month. It’s definitely not enough to distract them from the fact that she had called Merlin a God. The God of Magic, of all things. What the fuck??:

“I don’t hold dominion over anything I just... am.”

Ava rolls her eyes:

“That’s not the point and you know it. Mother sent you to fix the problem, to stop the purge, to encourage the Once and Future King to bring magic back and start the Golden Age. He has been King for years, but you still act as a servant. You are a God, Em, assert yourself. You could fix the world with a click of your fingers, but you wait for the humans to do it for you.-”

Merlin interrupts her slightly impassioned speech with a deep huff and a shake of the head. From where he now stands, the gang have a healthy view of his side profile, and they can see the emotions warring on his face: frustration, grief, desperation:

“That isn’t... that’s not what I’m doing-”

She rolls her eyes again and the gang are vaguely aware of a distant crack of thunder as she gestures sharply with her hands:

“That is what you’re doing. You’ve become too attached to these... mortals.-”

She steps towards him, cradling his cheek in a soft, elegant hand as her face morphs to one of complete and utter sorrow:

“-You’re setting yourself up for heartbreak, Brother. Human lifespans, the lifespan of your precious Golden King, are but a blink of an eye compared to ours; they will all wither and die and fade from you, and you will be left with your grief forever.-”

Her other hand lifts to settle comfortingly on his shoulder, and the gang can see a single tear slip from Merlin’s lowered eyes:

“-Do what you came here to do, and come home, to Avalon, we miss you, Em, the family needs you back.”

Merlin stills for a few moments at her desperate plea, but then steps back, shrugging her hands off gently and wiping the tear from his face:

“No. I... I’m doing this properly. Mother understands my fondness for humanity, that’s why she sent me, and I’m going to do it properly.”

Ava huffs out a gentle laugh at his determined expression, shaking her head slightly in fond disbelief:

“How can you love them? These... humans, when they slaughter your creations, when they don’t even know what you are?”

Merlin smiles softly, his eyes gazing into the trees as he quietly responds, his voice full of enough adoration to take the gang's breath away, to temper the twinge of fear and betrayal that had been swelling in Arthur’s lungs:

"I love them because they don't know what I am. It's nice, to be human; to walk among them, being loved and hated and respected and touched as if I were not more than they could ever possibly comprehend. Humanity is... made of juxtapositions. Their existence is contradiction upon contradiction, weaved together and held with emotions so large I can scarcely understand how they're contained in such little bodies. I've been alive and watching them for millennia, lived side-by-side with them for almost three decades, and they still surprise me. To walk among them, to see them come to terms with this universe that We made for them, to see how desperately they crave knowledge, exploration, experience... it's beautiful. The way they love so fully, the way they find meaning and importance in every grain of sand, every ray of sun, every tuft of fur on every creature, it's humbling. It's astounding."

Ava has a soft smile on her face, looking as if she could listen to her Brother ramble about his love for humanity for decades. She shakes her head slightly, letting out a gentle sigh as she asks:

"Then why won't you save them? The Gods will starve without magic, but humanity will starve without the Gods."

Merlin pauses for a moment, his face scrunched in concentration as he tries to think of the right way to verbalize his thoughts.

The gang stare on in unconcealed bafflement; the realisation that Merlin is some kind of God brings less fear or anger than they think it should. Maybe it’s the shock, or maybe it’s the reverent way he speaks about them. Either way, they stay still and silent in their hiding place, and eventually Merlin’s face settles back into a soft smile as he looks to his Sister:

"I wish to see them save themselves, not because We need them to, but because they want to. Because their desperation to explore this universe will one day outweigh their misguided hatred of magic.-"

He nods decisively, repeating in a confident voice:

"-I wish to see them save themselves."

Ava sighs once more, stepping toward Merlin and putting her hand back on his shoulder:

“Your wishes may soon become... irrelevant. We’re dying, Emrys,-”

Arthur struggles to hold in a gasp at that. Emrys. He knows that name. Apparently it’s the name of a God, and not just some secret sorcerer who took a fancy to Camelot and deemed himself it’s protector. Lancelot’s eyes widen, though he manages to hide his shock well; no one else is focused on anyone else’s reactions, all internally freaking out.

Mordred is pale and breathing shallowly, being the only one in the group who had already known the full truth. Percival looks to be in shock, he grew up with the stories of Emrys, but to learn that Emrys was a God? That Merlin was said God? Not what he was expecting out of this little trip. Gwaine, Gwen, Morgana, and Elyan look worried, seeming to have pushed aside their shock in favour of being concerned over Merlin’s safety and sorrow. Leon stares upon the scene with scholarly-looking curiosity, hiding his apprehension and shock well. Arthur’s expression is... unreadable. Ironically, the only person capable of knowing what he was thinking just from looking at him was currently having an incredibly terrifying conversation with someone who is also presumably some kind of God(dess).

“-time is running out. I know that you don’t want to, but... it might be best to tell them the truth. You adore your humans because of their ability to love, do you not think they love you enough to forgive you your deceptions?”

Merlin clenches his jaw, and it’s the anguish on his face, paired with his almost-whispered words, that breaks their hearts:

“I... no. Just because I love them does not mean they love me back. I’m just a servant, Ava, I’ll never be important enough to be forgiven, God or not; I’ve lied to them for over ten years.”

She sighs, letting a tear of her own fall as she quietly responds:

“Emrys, you undervalue your worth, they don’t-”

“No. I don’t. You’re right, I have one life-time with them, with... with Arthur, and then I’ll lose them, and I’ll spend the rest of eternity grieving. I refuse to taint the already short time I have with them by having to watch them grow to hate me. I refuse.”

Merlin frowns as Ava rolls her eyes fondly, a victorious smirk on her face:

“If you would let me finish. They don’t hate you now, despite learning what they have just learnt, and you have yet to tell them of all you’ve done for them. Their love for you will only grow, Brother.”

Merlin tilts his head and raises an eyebrow. The gang take in a collective gasp at the realisation that she knows. And has likely known the whole time.

“What are you talking about?”

Ava’s smirk just grows, and she looks to the bushes the gang is hiding in, seeming to make direct eye-contact with a panicking Arthur as she speaks, he voice echoing unnaturally through the clearing:

“You can come out now.”

At her words, Merlin’s head whips around to stare at where she was looking. He opens his mind, allows his magic to stretch around him, and his skull is immediately full to burst with echoes of Mordred’s earlier, and ongoing, warnings, as well as the overwhelming presence of The (former) Darkness, The Once and Future King, and the others. He takes a stumbled step back, hand covering his mouth and tears spilling from his eyes as he becomes more and more convinced of... well... his time being tainted.

The gang stand and shuffle out of the bushes slowly, eyes trained on the floor and hands clasped in front of them tightly. It’s Merlin’s quiet, cracking “No...” that has them look up, paling at the absolute heartbreak on his face.

Lancelot and Gwaine give him weak, though genuine smiles, holding their hands out placatingly, but they halt their movements forward when Merlin just copies them pace for pace, moving away from them.

No one notices Ava rolling her eyes, not until she steps behind Merlin and puts a halting hand on his shoulder, stopping him from moving further away.

Merlin whips his head around, and another loud clap of thunder sounds out, much closer than the other one, quickly followed by a sudden downpour of frigid rain. The gang look to the sky in confusion, and Mordred desperately tries to reach Merlin through the mental link, offering comfort and reassurance; Merlin doesn’t seem to notice, the rain falling harder and harder as he almost fall to his knees, speaking in a desperate voice to his sister:

“Why... why would you... you know what this means. Why... why would you do this?! Ava?”

She rolls her eyes again, seeming to glow effervescently under the rivers of rainwater running down her face and over her clothes. She forces Merlin to turn and look at the gang, holding her hands on his shoulders to stop him from backing away (or collapsing in his grief) :

“Look at them, Em. Do they look angry to you? You should have some faith in the humans you claim to love so much. Look at them.”

Everyone in the gang gives Merlin varying levels of strained smiles; though Merlin, in his panic, is unable to tell that the strain is from concern and guilt, thinking that it was instead from hatred. He falls to his knees, his eyes shut tight enough to give him a headache and his hands clamped over his mouth in an effort to hold the sobs in.

Gwen and Morgana are the first to rush forwards, not paying the slightest bit of attention to Merlin’s... sister or the knights as they collapse to the floor in front of their friend, not sure whether to keep their distance or try to comfort the distraught man... God.

It’s his next choked sob that urges them to move once again, and the girls pull Merlin into a hug, tears of their own gathering at his agony. He freezes at first, then tries to pull away as lightening streaks across the sky, the violent bursts in sync with his choked breaths. When Gwen strokes a soft hand through his knotted hair, and Morgana pulls him further into her lap, muttering “We’re not leaving you, Merls, not ever, we love you.”, he relaxes slightly.

The thunder and lightening cease, but the rain still pours as Arthur stares over the pile of crying bodies to the woman, whose eyes seem to be growing brighter and brighter in the deluge. She stares right back at him, and The King jumps slightly when her voice echoes through her head, despite her still face:

“My brother has lost enough, please do not shatter his heart.”

Arthur nods once, before following Lancelot’s lead to the others, the rest of the knights not far behind them as Ava disappears. Whether she walked away without noticing or simply faded into the rain, no one knows, but no one really cares either. Soon enough, everyone is gathered around Merlin, stroking his back softly and whispering comforting promises over the sound of the rain. When Leon is the only one to notice Mordred’s eyes flash golden as he summons a shield above them, he simply shrugs his shoulders and refocuses his attention on muttering reassurances in Merlin’s head.

His breathing slows after a while, as does the rain, though everyone panics slightly when they see Morgana frown as she strokes the hair away from his face, revealing flushed cheeks and closed eyes. Mordred’s eyes flash golden once more as he presses a hand to his forehead, though no one lets the shock distract them for too long, latching on to his relieved tone:

“He’s just asleep, that would’ve taken a lot out of him. We should get him back to Gaius.”

The knights all stand, stretching and cracking joints to try and rid themselves of the cold stiffness that had settled in their soaked bones. Morgana stays on the floor, clutching at Merlin in her lap desperately, like he could slip away at any moment. When Arthur leans down to pick him up, she shoots him a glare, her own eyes glowing as the wind picks up once more, whipping through the clearing in an obvious warning. Arthur takes in a gasp, but shakes the surprise from his mind as he settles a soft hand on his sister’s shoulder:

“I... look, we’ll talk about this later, and I promise you’re going to be safe,-”

He glances up to an equally defensive looking Mordred:

“-all three of you, but Mordred’s right, we need to get him home and warmed up.”

Morgana hesitates for only a second, but the concern (and love) in her brother’s eyes sway her, and she nods, ever-so-carefully pulling her arms from around Merlin and helping Arthur get the younger (or... much much older) man situated in his arms before standing up.

The trek back to the castle is a fairly short one now they don’t have to worry about being quiet, and the rain has almost completely stopped by the time they make it to the citadel gates. It’s late, so the only people they come across are the occasional guard. But The King resolutely ignoring them as he carries his unconscious manservant through the corridors, his closest friends and advisors around him either openly crying or blinking away tears... well... it’s something that very much screams “DO NOT DISTURB US DO NOT SPEAK OF THIS IMMEDIATELY FORGET EVERYTHING YOU HAVE JUST SEEN”.

Elyan runs ahead to wake Gaius and warn him, so by the time everyone gets to the Physician’s chambers the fire is roaring, a patient pallet has been moved in front of the hearth, and Gaius himself is bustling around, preparing various concoctions and tinctures and blankets.

Merlin’s still shivering form is laid on the pallet, and Morgana shamelessly uses her magic to pull the heat closer and dry out his clothes. Mordred sits protectively close to the servant, one hand subconsciously close to his sword, the other resting on Merlin’s shoulder. Gwen settles between him an Morgana, and the knights figure that with her complete non-reaction to the magic... she probably already knew, she was smart like that. Gaius finally makes his way to Merlin’s side, tipping a gross smelling potion down his throat and running a hand through his hair, frowning worriedly down at his ward.

Not a single word had been said since they entered through the castle gates, and Arthur is the first to break the silence, sitting on Merlin’s other side, opposite Morgana, and settling an almost accusing expression on his sister:

“You knew, didn’t you?”

She looks up at him, somehow appearing powerful and intimidating despite being soaked through and shivering:

“I knew he was... powerful, I didn’t know he was a God.”

Gaius’ head whips around quickly, and Arthur is surprised at the questioning horror on his face:

“A God?? There must be some mistake, Merlin is powerful yes but he’s not-”

Mordred’s quiet voice interrupts him, though he doesn’t look away from the unconscious man as his fingers twitch over so slightly closer to the hilt of his sword:

“I knew. Though if I’d known he felt so... if I’d known how he felt, I would have spoken to him about it sooner, I apologise.”

Everyone looks at the group’s youngest member in shock, almost speechless, but Gwaine stutters slightly before clearing his throat and trying again:

“So... that was real, Merlin is a fucking God.”

Mordred nods absent-mindedly, eyes flashing golden as he presses his hand to Merlin’s forehead once again, frowning. Arthur’s brow creases in concern and he leans closer to Merlin:

“What is it? Is he ok??”

Before Mordred can reply, Leon speaks up, his voice tired, but strong:

“If he’s some... powerful God, then why is he hurt in the first place? Shouldn’t he be able to resist any sort of injury or sickness??”

Mordred shakes his head, finally looking away from Merlin to gaze at the group surrounding him. He looks doubtful at first, but when he sees the genuine concern on everyone’s faces, especially from Gaius and Arthur, he sighs and speaks softly:

“It’s difficult to describe. Merlin could access the full range of his power and do anything, if he wanted, but it’s draining and complicated when stuck in a human body. He himself is a God, yes, but this form is still vulnerable and mortal; he can get injured, and sick, he can die, or at least the body can. Merlin tends to repair this body when that happens, instead of moving on. He... likes it here.”

Everyone nods, understanding at least a little, though Gaius and Lancelot look the most shell-shocked. The room goes silent once again, and Percival, sat on the floor against the end of Merlin’s pallet with Elyan and Gwaine, is the first to speak, his voice shaking and sorrowful:

“He really thinks so low of himself. He’s a God... and he was terrified of the thought of us hating him, as if such a thing were even possible.”

Gwaine curses under his breath and Leon restarts his slow pacing around the room before he stops suddenly, turning to face the others with a look of anger on his face:

“Well of course he thinks it’s bloody possible. He’s right, we treat him like a fucking servant even though he’s one of our dearest friends, and half of us talk about the evils of sorcery on a near constant basis. He’s the God of Magic, of course he’d think we would hate him.”

Everyone is taken aback at Leon’s rage, though no one can deny that what he’s said is true. Leon is... quietly protective of everyone in the group, and it’s a time like this that reminds all of them that he had known Merlin just as long as Arthur had, and definitely held a certain brotherly affection for the younger (uh... yeah, whatever) man.

The older knight sags slightly, seemingly realising how exhausted he is, and pulls a chair up next to Arthur before collapsing in it, head in his hands. Arthur pats him on the back a few times before looking back to Merlin’s now thankfully not-shivering form, taking in a deep breath and nodding his head decisively:

“Well, we’ll just have to show him that it isn’t possible. I... we need to show him that he’s... important to us. Loved.”

Morgana just raises her eyebrow at The King, but doesn’t say anything as Gaius mutters a tearful “My poor boy.” under his breath. Elyan stands from his place on the floor, moving to perch on a bench behind his sister and setting a comforting hand on her shoulder as he softly speaks:

“He needs to know that we want him to stay here, with us.”

Percival shakes his head slightly, looking conflicted:

“Wouldn’t that be... cruel? That woman... Ava, was right. We’ll all grow old and die and he’s a God, he’ll live forever and he’ll grieve. Isn’t asking him to stay selfish?”

No one has an answer, and the room grows silent, everyone stewing in their own tense thoughts, trying to weigh the pros and cons, trying to measure exactly how selfish they were willing to be when it came to Merlin.

The sun rising over the horizon and peaking through the uncovered windows is what wakes everyone (bar Merlin) from their fitful sleeps. All of them had been plagued with odd dreams and nightmares through the night, so despite their exhaustion, they were grateful to be awake.

No one said anything though, waking one by one and pacing briefly around the room in an attempt to cure themselves of the aches gained from falling asleep in such awkward positions.

It’s still incredibly early in the morning, so thankfully none of them are needed for at least two more candle marks, but it’s Lancelot who breaks the silence first, clearing his throat and looking down at his best friend:

“It wouldn’t be selfish.”

Arthur looks up to him, noting the bags under everyone’s eyes and the tear tracks no one had bothered to wipe away:

“What are you talking about?”

The knight runs a hand through his hair, sniffling slightly and taking a deep breath before he stares around the room, making sure everyone was awake and paying attention as he spoke:

“For us to tell him we want him to stay, it wouldn’t be selfish. You heard him, he loves it here, he’s desperate to stay, he loves us. He still has at least thirty years worth of memories to make with us, and yeah, maybe that’s not a lot in the grand scheme of the immortal life of a God, but it’s more than the ten he’s already got. We can’t take that away from him. He... he wants to be here. Telling him to leave just to alleviate our own guilt... that would be selfish.”

Everyone looks a little doubtful, bar Mordred, and it’s him that Arthur turns to:

“Mordred? You knew... what he is, which we are still definitely going to have a conversation about by the way, what do you think?”

Mordred sighs, biting his lip for a moment before finally ripping his gaze from Merlin’s still unconscious, but now healthier looking body:

“He is more than any of us will ever be able to comprehend. You still see him as just Merlin, he is, but he’s also much more; he is Emrys, the saviour, the God, the Guiding Light. He is magic itself, woven into the fabric of the universe. He inhabits every space, and no space at the same time, he exists in every grain of sand, every drop of ocean, every speck of sky. To... to assume that he is not capable of deciding what he wants is an act of unforgivable hubris. If he stays, who are you to demand he leave and name yourselves selfish, when he has not deemed it so?”

Arthur pales slightly at Mordred’s words, as does everyone else. Gwaine seems to be taking it in his stride, and Lancelot seems less surprised than Arthur thinks he should (definitely something to question, but not right now), but before anyone can say anything, Merlin twitches, a low groan escaping his throat as his brows crease.

Everyone moves quickly, gathering around his bedside in a huddle. Morgana, Mordred, and Gwen are grateful to still be sat in their seats, and if they weren’t so busy worriedly leaning over Merlin they would be rolling their eyes at the way the others were pushing and shoving to be at the front. Gaius elbows his way to be stood by Merlin’s head, a cold compress in one hand and a grey looking potion in the other.

Morgana strokes a hand through Merlin’s hair and the frown on his face eases; he blinks his eyes open, swallowing before grimacing at the taste in his mouth and groaning again. Gwen leans over his head, smiling as she settles a hand on his warm cheek:

“Morning sleepyhead. How are you feeling?”

Merlin just groans again, rubbing his shaking hands harshly into his eyes as he says, his voice dry and painful-sounding:

“Ugh. Like Arthur’s aim got miraculously better.”

Arthur rolls his eyes and flushes slightly, but before he can defend himself Merlin bolts upright, taking in a deep, ragged breath, eyes wide. Mordred focuses a concentrated expression on the side of Merlin’s head, but Arthur ignores it as he reaches forward, settling a hand on the dark-haired man’s shoulder and muttering his name:

“Merlin?”

Merlin’s breathing only gets deeper as he whips his head around to stare at Arthur. The blonde tries to smile comfortingly at him, but Merlin barely seems to notice as he scrambles back on the bed, only stopping when he comes into contact with Leon behind him.

Mordred’s face morphs into a concerned frown at Merlin’s terror, and now his tears, so instead of waiting for the man to calm down enough to let them explain, he rushes forward, grabbing the back of Merlin’s head and forcing their foreheads together before he can pull away. He shuts his eyes tightly, muttering some sort of incantation under his breath. Merlin gasps loudly and Mordred groans, holding their heads together for a few moments before collapsing back into his seat, clamping his hands over his eyes as if trying to press a headache away. Merlin slumps back against the warm body behind him, and Leon just about manages to catch him in strong arms before he falls to the floor.

This had all happened in the space of a few moments, and when the two of them still, the others unfreeze. Arthur turns on Mordred:

“What did you do?? What was that?!”

Mordred groans again, looking up blearily, first at Merlin, who seems to be in a similar state to him, leant against Leon, and then to Arthur:

“He wasn’t calming down, so I shared my memories. From when we met at the edge of the forest yesterday, to just before he woke up. It’ll take him a little longer than me to sort through them.”

Arthur nods and Morgana looks impressed, and everyone looks to Merlin again, waiting for him to pull the hands from his eyes and talk to them, look at them, anything.

He finally seems to relax his muscles and Leon rubs his hands up and down his arms softly; despite the fact that he’d been warmed by the fire, the knight was still oddly worried about Merlin being too cold. He lets out a deep breath, lowering his shaking hands as he slowly raises his teary gaze, staring at Arthur:

“You... you want me to stay?”

Arthur ignores the tears dripping down his cheeks as nods desperately, forcing a soft smile on his face as he sniffles:

“Yes. Please. We don’t want you to go, we don’t hate you.”

Merlin launches himself at Arthur and the only thing stopping The King from falling back from Merlin’s surprising weight is Percival’s hand on his back. Arthur wraps his arms tightly around Merlin’s middles, turning his head to press a kiss to the other man’s temple as he tries to get his tears under control; he completely ignores the others in favour of muttering into Merlin’s hair:

“It’s alright, Merlin. You stay here, with us, as long as you want. We... I, love you. Stay, please.”

Merlin just sobs harder, gripping the back of Arthur’s tunic as he kneels on the bed, his response stuttering and barely understandable:

“But- but I’m-”

Arthur just hushes him, stroking a hand through his hair and giving everyone else in the room pointed looks. They all crowd around Merlin again, placing comforting hands on his back and shoulders and arms and hands. Mordred whispers his adoration in Merlin’s head, and Morgana presses a kiss to the nape of his neck, all in the hopes of convincing him that the memories he had were true.

His breathing finally calms, and Arthur shuffles to the side so he can sit down next to him, not daring to remove the arms from around his neck or push him away. Merlin pulls away himself when Arthur settles, but doesn’t move far, and there’s no space between them as he hastily wipes the tears from his face, staring at him lap, cheeks flushed. Arthur takes his hand slowly in his, but Merlin still doesn’t look up, so Morgana kneels in front of him, placing her hand on his knee softly and saying with a teasing smirk on her face:

“You know, if I’d known that my teacher was The God of Magic, I might’ve complained less at the studying you make me do.”

Merlin finally looks up at her, a weak smile on his face, and Morgana winks at him. It’s Gwaine who tries next, settling on Merlin’s other side and sighing loudly:

“Forget the God thing do you know how many pranks we could’ve pulled if you’d told me you had magic?? Can’t believe you’d take that opportunity from me, all of you.”

He gives Mordred and Morgana jokingly offended glares and they roll their eyes, though their attention is quickly drawn back to Merlin, whose hands are clenching tightly in his lap. The room goes dark all of a sudden, and a glance to the window would tell them that the clear morning was suddenly overcast, thunder rumbling in the distance as rain slammed against the glass. Arthur squeezes Merlin’s hand and quickly, though gently, shoves Morgana out of the way, kneeling in front of Merlin and lifting his chin with his free hand:

“It’s fine, Merlin. We’ve all got a ton of questions but everything’s going to be alright, I swear. In fact, I’m glad we found out, it was cruel of us to make you live in a kingdom where you aren’t accepted, but that changes now, I promise.”

Merlin stands suddenly and walks between them, taking a deep breath before turning suddenly a scowl on his face:

“It wasn’t her choice to make, it was mine, and she took it from me.-”

With every harsh the thunder grew closer and the glass in the window frame shook more violently:

“-I was going to tell you after you changed your mind about magic because it had to come from the heart. You can’t change the Kingdom just for my sake! I wanted to do it properly and she took that from me because she was bored!”

Everyone rushes to say something in an effort to calm him down, both for the safety of the windows and his happiness, but Arthur’s blunt-

“Why?”

-stops them in their tracks. Merlin looks to him sharply, though Arthur is grateful for the thunder quietening down as he replies:

“What do you mean why? Why what?”

Arthur huffs out a gentle laugh, shaking his head in disbelief:

“Why can’t I change the Kingdom for you? You’re important, you’ve touched so many lives in so many wonderous ways; that in itself tells me that magic isn’t evil, so why can’t I change the Kingdom for you?”

The thunder stops and the rain slows to a gentle patter as Merlin tilts his head, his scowl of anger morphing into a sad, confused frown as he responds in a small voice:

“But... I’m just a servant. You’re not doing it out of fear, so I’m still just... nobody important.”

Arthur just laughs again, walking towards Merlin and settling soft hands on his shoulders, grateful to feel the others close to his back:

“You have never once been just a servant, Merlin. Something tells me you’ve been saving my life, and this Kingdom, since the day we met, so even if it had no effect on anyone else whatsoever, I would still change the law. Because you are a good man, and you are important, and you deserve it. Compared to you, it is us, who are just human.-”

Merlin frowns again and Arthur rolls his eyes to stop him arguing:

“-Just... give me another hug, and accept it. You idiot.”

He can feel someone (probably Morgana) thump him on the back, but he doesn’t turn around, eagerly returning Merlin’s hug when the brunette wraps his arms around Arthur’s middle tightly. The King presses closer, uncaring of what his audience thinks of him for the first time in his life (probably because he has a feeling that they’ve known of his... affections, longer than even he has) and mutters his question into Merlin’s ear:

“We... I love you, Merlin, more than anything. Will you stay with me?”

The King is vaguely aware of his First Knight whispering “I told you so, idiot.” behind him, but all he cares about is the sensation of the God, more ancient and powerful than anything he could ever comprehend, nodding into is neck.

THE END!!

I really enjoyed writing this, and I hope y’all like it!!

Link to the Dark!Merlin version (I warn you, it’s hella angsty) is at the top!! :)

346 notes · View notes

vrishchikawrites · 3 years

Note

There was an idea I had seen on crossdressingdeath's tumblr where JC & WWX were having an argument and then JC tells WWX that LWJ should've died in Xuanwu cave. WWX snaps at him by saying that he had wanted JZX to die as well to which JL overhears that and results in a fallout between the uncle and nephew.

I thought that idea was amazing and I needed to see it written.

(I hope crossdressingdeath or op don't mind me writing this. As always, this prompt goes in a little different direction)

"He should've died and saved all of us the trouble!"

Jin Ling stops and frowns at his Uncle's sharp words. Tentatively, he peers around the corner to see Jiujiu scowling at Wei Wuxian, his eyes flashing and posture stubborn.

And Wei Wuxian...

Jin Ling shivers, eyes going wide.

He has never seen Wei Wuxian angry. He didn't even know the man was capable of anger.

Jin Ling resists the urge to take a step back and run because Wei Wuxian looks ready to kill. His red-tinted gaze is focused on Jiujiu and his expression is almost cruel.

A sneering smile, teeth bared like a demon on the verge of devouring its meal.

"You know, Jiang Cheng, the way you talk about Lan Zhan makes one thing very clear. You've now switched to projecting your insecurities onto him." Jin Ling winces and his uncle snarls, "It would serve you better if you followed his example instead."

"You!-" Jiujiu steps forward threateningly, Zidian sparkling in response to his anger, "How dare you?!"

"How dare I?" Wei Wuxian's tongue goes razer sharp, "Unlike you, I don't stay silent when someone attacks the people I love."

Jiujiu seems to understand something from that because laughs coldly, "I never loved you! You were a bane since the very beginning!"

"Good to know!" Wei Wuxian snaps back, "Because that gives me the freedom to shove some hard truths down your throat." He takes a step forward and for the first time, Jin Ling sees ice-cold resolve on Wei Wuxian's face.

It looks remarkably like Hanguang-jun's expression.

"You forget Lan Zhan wasn't the only one I saved that day, Jiang Cheng. Where would Jin Ling be if I hadn't saved Jin Zixuan? Wen Chao ordered his men to kill both Lan Zhan and Jin Zixuan. Did you care for Shijie's heart at all?"

"Shijie would've moved on." Jiujiu snaps and Jin Ling grows cold, "She would've had children with someone -!"

"Jiang Wanyin!" Wei Wuxian sounds just as horrified as Jin Ling feels.

"You killed Jin Zixuan! You hated him before that. Don't act high and mighty now." Jiujiu says but Jin Ling is just numb. He knows his parents died under complicated circumstances.

While he isn't entirely comfortable with Wei Wuxian's role in their death, he has learned to move on. He hasn't forgiven the man, not entirely, but-

'You're a lot like your father, prickly and sensitive. You also have his heart. He was proud but he had a good heart.' Wei Wuxian had laughed, 'And there's your mother's kindness hidden there, too. You have her capacity for love. Her generosity of spirit.

You are good.'

Wei Wuxian had been the only one to say he was like his parents. Everyone said he was like Jiujiu.

To hear the same man casually dismiss his existence hurt.

"I fully acknowledge my part in it but you don't get to turn this around! Have you no care for Jin Ling?" Wei Wuxian demands, his voice is stern and concerned. "What are you doing, Jiang Cheng? I hope you haven't said anything like this to Jin Ling! That boy is your nephew!"

Jiujiu snarls, "Of course, I care about him! But what about my mother? My father? All the people who paid with their lives because you provoked and distracted the Wens! Are they less valuable than Jin Ling?"

"Jiang Cheng," Wei Wuxian breathes, "Mind your words, what are you saying?"

"I'm right!" Jiang Wanyin says and Jin Ling covers his mouth shakily, "Who cares if Jin Zixuan died then? Who cares if Lan Wangji died? What's so important about them that you were willing to risk it all? If you only had kept your head down-"

"You cruel, cowardly fool."

There's complete silence and Jin Ling swallows.

"The Wens would've attacked regardless. They wanted to setup a supervisory office. They did it already in Qinghe!" Wei Wuxian starts pacing, "Think. Think for once in your life! War was on the horizon and our response was 'let them come to us, we'll fight'. It was arrogance itself to presume we wouldn't fail. We should've prepared, we should have come up with backup plans or evacuation plans! Something. But we did nothing and we paid the price."

"You-!"

"Don't! I am ashamed of you!" Wei Wuxian's tone is sharp and grave, "It is good that we're no longer martial brothers."

Jin Ling sucks a sharp breath and watches as Wei Wuxian spins around and walks away.

"Jin Ling deserves much better than you."

Jin Ling is too shaken to react as Wei Wuxian rounds the corner and spots him. He just looks up blankly as the man's expression goes from cold disgust to horror.

"Jin Ling,"

He sounds heartbroken, somehow. Jin Ling looks beyond Wei Wuxian to see Jiang Wanyin. The man had followed Wei Wuxian to shout some more, he supposes.

He looks shocked and dismayed too. There's perhaps a touch of regret in his expression.

He doesn't care.

He stares at them wordlessly and Wei Wuxian crouches before him, placing both his hands on his shoulders, "Jin Ling- how much-?"

"I heard enough to know Jiujiu thinks I'm replaceable." He says, eerily calm.

"Don't be stupid," Jiang Wanyin says, "I didn't-"

"Just stop talking." Wei Wuxian interrupts, rubbing his hands down Jin Ling's arms comfortingly. "Jin Ling, what do you need?" He asks, raising his hands to cup his face, "How can I help?"

Jin Ling appreciates that his- his mother's shidi- doesn't ask any stupid questions or offer empty reassurance.

He appreciates that Wei Wuxian doesn't say, 'He didn't mean it,' or 'don't misunderstand.'

Jiang Wanyin absolutely meant it.

"Baba?"

They all look to see the Hanguang-jun and Lan Sizhui walking towards them. The younger Lan is clearly concerned. Even the Hanguang-jun seems a bit suspicious, glancing from Jin Ling's face to his husband's and then to Jiang Wanyin.

"Wei Ying?"

"A moment, xingan," Wei Wuxian studies Jin Ling, "What do you need, nephew?"

Jiang Wanyin hisses but Jin Ling grabs hold of that word and embraces it, holding it close to his soul.

He can choose to dismiss him. Or he can choose to reach for the hand that is offered in compassion.

"I need Jiujiu to leave." He takes a deep breath, "And I don't want to see him until I'm ready."

"Jin Ling!"

"Very well, Lan Zhan, can you drag Jiang Cheng away for me? He's being an absolute brat."

The Hanguang-jun doesn't hesitate and Jin Ling refuses to pay attention to Jiang Wanyin's protests. He just stares into compassionate silver eyes.

Eyes that haven't looked away for a single moment.

He takes a deep breath, absorbs all of that focus, and steps forward.

The scent of sandalwood incense envelopes him as his uncle hugs him back.

Even now, he isn't alone.

He needs to focus on that.

#short prompts #wei wuxian #jin ling #anti jiang cheng

244 notes · View notes

jadedxrealityw · 3 years

Text

-Rivals- Hermione Granger x Female Reader

☼-☪-☼

Kody: I’m using the owls grading system for the story so if that’s not right, sue me i guess idk.

Movie/Show: Harry Potter, ignoring the storyline

House/Year: Ravenclaw / 7th year

Request: Can I request a bold ravenclaw reader (her attitude almost could pass as a slytherin ngl) she's been Hermione's rival when it comes to grades and they DON'T get along very well. Reader is the opposite of mione's reserved personality. But rivals don't kiss and make out with each other secretly in the lavatory 😭 pls enemies to lovers (with some tension;) ykyk and then one day, they walk the great hall hand in hand and everyone is like don't they find each other insufferable?

Possible Triggers/Warnings: if you don’t like lesbians get the hell off my page, sexual tension, enemies to lovers trope, cursing

☼-☪-☼

love came unexpectedly at times, you learned that at young age from fairy tales and such. Well all kids did, but kids eventually grew up and came to the realization that fairy tales were exactly what they were, fairy tales. Fiction. Not real.

people could call you cold hearted or rude, but you would describe yourself as blunt or brutally honest. Never afraid to speak your mind or point out injustice when you saw fit. To put it simpler terms, professors at Hogwarts preferred you didn’t speak at times.

“Your too outspoken Ms. L/n”

“Stick to your academics Ms. L/n”

“You wouldn’t be in detention so much so if kept your mouth shut Ms. L/n”

merlin, you were exhausted of hearing your own last name. You guessed the only reason you weren’t reprimanded as worse as the Weasley Twins was because you were one of Hogwarts brightest witches, always excelled in academics, in every subject.

you couldn’t explain it to others even if you tried other then it just came naturally. Your parents, when they were attended Hogwarts were both just as naturally skilled in there studies as you were. So you must have inherited there ‘big brain’ as your mother said many times before.

you were never one to gloat though, it was never your style. You were more humble about what you could accomplish. That was until she got involved. That egoistical, hypocritical, Gryffindor girl. Hermione Granger became the bane of your existence early into your fifth year.

until then Ms. Granger had been the top of all her classes, no one even came close to her intelligence, naming her ‘The Brightest Witch At Hogwarts’ and Hermione wore that title with pride. Being a Muggle born put a target on her head as well as stereotypes.

most students and some staff almost immediately came to the conclusion she wasn’t capable of achieving goals that regular half or pure bloods could. It was a terrible way to think, but it was unfortunately the reality of being involved with the wizarding world.

Hermione was lucky to have friends like she did that cared about her no matter who she was or what she became, but it didn’t stop her need to feel validated in her academics. It was the one thing no one could giver her shit for, because she was the best at it and no one else was.

until that fateful fifth year that was mentioned earlier. It was the time when you finally got your mind and heart into your studie. You blew past most of the student body rather quickly, earning the title of the fastest turn around at Hogwarts.

it was nice

then it wasn’t, for Hermione of course

☼-☪-☼

fifth year / past

“It seems we have two students with an Outstanding this time around” Professor Flitwick spoke as the exams from the previous week had landed neatly onto the wooden desk in front of you. “congratulations Ms. Granger and Ms. L/n”

Hermione’s head perked up like a cat who had heard a bag of hard food shake from the nest room over, eager. She had never heard that name before, it didn’t come as much as an surprise though considering how big Hogwarts was. She leant to the left where Harry Potter sat.

“Who’s L/n? Do you know her?” she asked, casually though Harry knew her better then most. He gave her a half hearted shrug “No clue, try Ron” he suggests. Hermione nods once before leaning over to the right, where the Weasley sat, scowling at his exam.

“Mum’s going to kill me” he muttered, bringing no reaction to Granger’s face. He never studied. “Ron, do you know who this L/n is?” she repeated the question she gave to Harry. Ron turns his head away from the parchment and to Hermione.

his brows furrowed as he searches the corners of his mind for where he had heard the name from, until the visible light bulb popped over his head- well not so visible actually. “Oh um- Y/n L/n. she’s a Ravenclaw, her parents are certified geniuses. They work at the ministry. Department of magical education”

his words did not soothe the wracking thought in the young Granger’s mind. “Certified geniuses?” Hermione echos. “If that’s so how come she’s only getting Outstandings now? she must have cheated somehow” she thought aloud.

“I surely didn’t cheat”

like an owl Hermione’s head turned over her shoulder, her two Gryffindor pals doing the same. In her sight was a girl, her age, in a Ravenclaw robe. She had S/C skin with H/L H/C hair and E/C eyes that were staring back at her. Hermione was almost stunned into silence- keyword being almost.

“the explain the good grade all of the sudden, L/n?”

you looked rather confused. You had never met the girl and she was accusing you of cheating because you had never gotten an Outstanding before? Was this a prank of some sort or fever dream? “I studied for once. You have no right accusing me, i don’t even know you that well”

Harry placed a hand upon Hermione’s shoulder, signaling for her to stop before she caused a scene. Looking back, she should have listened “No right? I have a right to point out people who are just trying to cheat their way through school while people like us actually care about our grades”

what the Gryffindor girl wasn’t expecting was for you to start laughing. Her friend, Cho Chang joining in, finding it just as equally hilarious. Hermione’s face turned just as bright as Ron’s hair. “What is so funny?” you and Cho slowly come to a stop, breathing in and out.

“what’s funny is that your ego is so incredibly large, so much so that it can’t comprehend that someone, not a Gryffindor either was able to match your intelligence. Now shove off ” you said it all with a grin on your face, because you certainly knew you were right.

and from that day, you both despised each other

☼-☪-☼

seventh year / present

and with every exam, every questioned called on by a teacher, you fastly became Hermione’s rival. It was a term Cho used, but you didn’t really see it that way since you weren’t competing with her. You never studied harder to make sure you got the same grade, never tried to sabotage her in any way.

you didn’t care much about it actually

but you did quite enjoy her face, the way her nostrils flared up an her cheeks turned a bright red in anger. It was cute seeing her so mad. Sending er a wink or sly grin when she glared at you became a daily routine as well. When at first you ignored her you now loved annoying her.

never having to say a word was probably your favorite part.

that’s probably when feelings began to mix into it, but you either didn’t notice or refuse to acknowledge them at all. You genuinely thought you hated this girl, so why in the world would you ever think you liked her? Makes sense, right? Were not even going to mention the questioning your sexuality.

“Sit still while i pass out your exams from yesterday. Once you recieve your paper you may get up and leave”

“You think if Snape got laid he wouldn’t be such a prick?” the Slytherin boy spoke, leaning towards you. turning your head ever so slightly, you lock eyes with Draco “Why are you even sitting here?” you whisper back, giving him a mock astonished look.

he rolls his grey eyes, shrugging his shoulders “You never talk to me outside of class anymore” he grumbles. Is he- Is this- What is happening? “That’s because your a little shit and pushed Neville in the hallway yesterday” yeh, you caught his dumbass.

Draco’s eyes widen a bit, not knowing you had been in the hallway during the crime. “You saw that?- what are you his protector?” he says, clearly as an insult, but oh little did he know that you were indeed exactly what he just said and would say it with pride.

“Yes-”

“Ms. L/n, Outstanding as usual as well Mr. Malfoy. Good work, the both of you” Snape places the exams in front of each of you, but you were both to busy staring in shock. This bitter, old, mean, crude man just compliment you. Merlin, you had finally gotten fathers approval

(what in the fuck am i writing)

“Is this heaven?” Draco questioned, staring bug eyed forward.

“No”

“How do you know?”

“Cormac is here”

“Yeah your right, feelings over” both you and Draco sighed, turning to look at each other before laughing quietly. He was a pretty chill dude sometimes. “What!?” the loud screech filled your ears. All heads turned behind you, so you followed that and saw the one and only Hermione Granger.

she was huffing and puffing. You feared for the stick and straw houses in the world for a moment. Harry quickly stood up and pushed her shoulders down, forcing her back into her seat “I've never gotten an Exceeds Expectations before” Hermione sputters out.

she

got

what

now?

oh this was rich, absolutely hilarious, so much so that Draco had already began to laugh. “Poor Granger, guess you really aren’t the brightest witch” he taunted. Hermione looked up, glaring daggers at the Slytherin. Merlin, he had such a big mouth.

then her brown eyes strayed to you, but you only pursed your lips together, providing her no emotion to work off of. In a haste, she collected her things, leaving the cursed exam on the table nd rushing out the door, both Ron and Harry calling out for her.

fuck

standing up, you grab your bag and look down at Draco. His laughter comes to an end and he looks up at you “What?” he asked. You copied his dementor singers from third year, making him look at your hands. You took that time to reach down and flick his forehead.

he pulls away, his palm rubbing his head in circles “Bloody hell, what was that for?!” he exclaimed. What an idiot. “This is why we don’t hang out” you deadpan before finally going to exit the classroom, leaving a grumbling, mumbling Draco. Something about you being ‘mean friend’

☼-☪-☼

only having ten minutes until Charms class you began to search the halls. Merlin where had she run off too? The school wasn’t THAT big- okay maybe it was. You had almost called quits, making a mental note to check up on her during lunch when you passed the restroom.

sniffling and crys were heard. You’ll admit, it kind off hurt to hear. Taking a few steps backwards, you use the palm off your hand to slowly push the door open so it wouldn’t creak like the old shit it was. When it was open just enough for you to fit through, you slip in.

gazing around, you see Hermione bent over the sink, sobbing. You could hear her voice becoming rougher by the second as she destroyed her vocal cords. “Granger?” you say, staying a few feet behind her. Hermione looks up in the mirror, spotting you behind her.

her distraught expression quickly shifted to anger “You” she seethed. Your eyebrows furrowed in confusion “Me?” you say back, crossing your arms. “Leave me the hell alone L/n!” she shouts, angry tears flooding down her cheeks. Raising your hands, you offer your surrender.

“Shit, sorry. I was just trying to see if you were okay” you admit. Hermione turns on her heels, facing you directly this time before speaking “Oh so now your my friend, your a bully! All you do is step on my toes and try to make me look like a fool!”

“Are you on fucking drugs Granger? Not once have i ever gone out my way to harm you of any sort. Your the one who is obsessed with trying to be better then me and i never gave a shit. I never wanted to be your rival for three years and i certainly never bullied you!”

the words you spoke went out one of Hermione’s ears and out the other. For someone as smart as her, she could be quite dense when angry “You don’t get to play the saint, L/n! I have spent those three years studying as hard as i can and you don’t even have to try!”

throwing your hands up in the air a crazy person because she was honestly starting to make your brain hurt quite a bit, you laugh loudly “Oh my- no one asked you too! What is so wrong with us being the same?! ” you shouted, finally raising your voice as much as she had.

“Because your not a Muggle! You don’t know what it’s like to have everyone you meet already assume your not worth their time just because your parents aren’t witches or wizards!” she crept towards you and which each step she took you took a step right the fuck back.

this chick wasn’t going to hit you, right?

“I have never judged you for your blood status Granger, i frankly could care less. What i do judge you for is you know, the giant ego thing” you spat back only causing her to gasp in offense “I do not have an ego!” she yells, stepping into your boundaries basically.

you had tried to back up like before, but you were pressed up against a wall at this point. “Yes you do and it’s as big as Hagrid!” you reply. Hermione grabs the collar of your white uniform shirt, pulling you down a bit so her face was inches from yours, trying to intimidate you.

“Take it back!” she threatens. In that moment your eyes scanned her face, noting her almost perfect skin, her brown eyes that looked more hazel up close then far away, and her lips. They looked so soft and inviting. You couldn’t quite understand why you were thinking like this all of the sudden.

but it felt right, so right

in a swift motion you place your lips on Hermione’s. You had thought she’d pull away, but only half a second later her arms were wrapped around your neck, pulling you as close as possible to her. You tangled one of your hands into her light brown wavy mess and the other pushed on the small of her back.

the kiss was messy and sloppy, not amount of anything really could make it appropriate. How did you two go from fighting to almost ripping each others uniforms off? A question no one could really answer but yourself as well Hermione.

it was over as soon as it began with Hermione pulling away, leaning her forehead against yours. You could make out the small smile on her face, it made you smile as well. “That was-” she started to speak, but was stopped by her own laughter.

“Yeah” you breathed out. What had just happened?

☼-☪-☼

four months later

ever since that day you and Hermione would casually meet up in the lavatory to kiss and feel up on each other after, btween, during classes. Anything really. You both had also not interacted at all outside of these visits. Just stayed away from each other as much as possible.

most people thought you two had either made up after three years of rivalry or had decided to no longer interact with each other at all. Little did they know right? Speaking of that, you pull away from Hermione, panting for air “We have divination in three minutes” you spoke.

her face turned to worry instantly making you grin to yourself “Godric, i have to get out of here. Wait a couple minutes” she gathered her belongings and rushed out the restroom not even leaving you with an goodbye kiss. How rude. After about five minutes or so you leave as well

once you get to class you look around the room and spot Hermione already sat with Harry and Ron on one side of the arch like sitting area for the students. “Y/n!” oh not again. Turning your head to the right, you spt the Slytherin boy with his mates.

this guy just doesn’t quit. You plop yourself next to Draco Malfoy “I thought you were going to ignore me again” he admits. Ignoring his statement, you gaze around the people at your table “Where’s Parkinson? If i’m going to be stuck with you gits and Theo i rather it be with her”

Theo cracks a smile while Draco rolls his eyes “She’s sick, stuck in her dorms” he explains. You nod mindlessly and look over at Hermione. She was brushing through her hair with her fingers, trying to make it look like you weren’t tugging on it just minutes ago.

“What’s that on your neck?” Harry asks, moving the top part of Hermione’s robe with his finger, causing her to swat his hand away “It’s just a bug bite” she says with haste. quick thinking, that’s kinda cute. For some odd reason you liked seeing her explain her way out of a hickey that you gave her.

class soon started, but you kept your inventive gaze on her. It was adorable how she would catch you staring and turn a nice shade of red. It brought a smug smile to your face each time. Professor Trelawney had called upon Hermione to ask a question, but she seemed to be too busy avoiding your gaze.

“My dear, Ms. Granger” Trelawney said for maybe the third time until Hermione finally fell back down to reality. She looked at the Professor who gave her a kind smile “Oh um-” the Gryffindor put on a nervous smile, her eyes looking to you. You sent her a wink.

merlin you were such an asshole

Hermione looked at her lap, trying to muster up the words, any words actually. Her savior wore glasses “Hermione isn’t feeling to well. Can Ron and i take her to the hospital wing?” Harry asked. What a buzzkill. Trelawney nods, waving her hand to the direction of the door.

Harry tapped Hermione’s shoulder while Ron grabbed her things and off they went.

☼-☪-☼

a week later

“I have to head to dinner, you should too. I saw that you didn’t eat during lunch” Hermione spoke, buttoning her uniform shirt. You smile, looking into the mirror so you could fix your hair “Watching me Granger?” you ask, turning away from your reflection.

“You know i worry about your health” she said, which only made your smile wider “What is that stupid smile for?’ Hermione questions, an amused laugh in her tone. Shrugging, you lean against the sink counter “Stupid? I thought you liked my quote on quote ‘Goofy smile’”

Hermione shakes her head, grabbing her bag from the floor “I better see you at dinner or i’ll drag you there myself” she said playfully. An idea popped into your mind. “Then drag me” you smirk, tilting your head to the left. Hermione looks at you, shaking her head again. “You know i can’t”

“Why not? It’s been four months. I would like to be your-” you stopped mid sentence. You both had never really gave each other labels before. It was always just the casual make out and flirting, but now you were much more. Fuck it “I would like to be your girlfriend in public”

Hermione’s brow eyes went wide as she heard those words. It becoming a little too real. You saw her conflicted face and immediately felt some sort of shame. Averting your gaze to the ground, you take a deep breath. “Forget i said anything”

“No!- i mean. I’m ready. Plus i’m tired of being distracted by you during class” Hermione lightened the mood just a tad. You look back up at her, cracking a half smile “I’m most likely still going to distract you” you point out, making her chuckle. Cute.

she inhales sharply “Let’s do this” she states confidently, letting out the breath. She reached out, opening her hand for you to grab. In that small gesture, you knew you would be with this woman for as long as you lived. Grabbing her hand, you intertwined your fingers with hers.

☼-☪-☼

hand in hand, you walk into the great hall. Heads turned and pupils dialated at the sight of you and Hermione walking in together. You honestly felt a little self conscious until you saw the bright smile of Cho and Luna as well as Draco who gave you a hidden thumbs up.

both you and Hermione took seat at the Gryffindor table. “So Hermione, how long as this been going on?” Harry asked. Hermione glances at you before her best friend “Four months, one week.” she said, gleaming with pride at her memory.

Harry looked taken aback at the time, but gave you both a smile “Well at least you both are getting along finally” he says, Ron nodding beside “Yeah- getting along” the Weasley jokes. You laugh a bit before leaning over to kiss the temple of Hermione's head.

rivals am i right?

☼-☪-☼

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@the--queen-of-hell @sonbelleame @dracosathenaeum @queeriacs @marrymetheonott

☼-☪-☼

Kody- Aye look its 10 am and i haven’t slept. Good night, my requests are open blah blah. Anyways, peace.

371 notes · View notes

lyrical-panic · 3 years

Note

Hi is it ok to make a enimes to lovers tenya iida?plzzz with a grung y/n???

Yes yes yes YES YES YES

So, as I’m typing this, I’ve got a Google tab with pictures of grunge fashion behind my Pages document because I had no idea what it was before and now I’m obsessed. I can totally see Iida falling for someone with this type of style, it’d be so cute!

This ended up being really long skjfguanspdifhaosdi

Hope you like what I whipped up!!

Never Hated You

Masterlist

Prompt List

. . .

“(L/N)! Get your feet off of the desk this instant!”

You groaned loudly as the class rep marched up to your desk, a stormy look painted across his face.

“Iida, chill out.” You rolled your eyes and crossed your ankles on top of the desk. “I’m not hurting anyone.”

“Be that as it may, I will not stand for the disrespect of school property!” Iida blustered. “Do you have any idea how many great people have sat in your desk, learning to carry on the mantle of hero? How can you sit here and put your feet up on-”

“Yeah, yeah, whatever, dude.” You rolled your eyes again, making a big show of putting your feet down. “There, happy?”

“Quite.” The bespectacled boy bristled, not looking happy at all.

You chuckled, waggling your fingers in farewell as Iida returned to his own desk. Kirishima, in the seat in front of you, leaned back. “You sure do like riling him up, huh?”

“Someone’s gotta teach him that not everything needs to be taken so seriously.” You shrugged. “Besides, he’s kinda hot when he’s angry.”

“Dude!” Kirishima laughed in surprise.

“Am I wrong?” You snorted, gesturing to the boy in question, who still looked very irritated, and very handsome.

Did you find Tenya Iida wildly attractive? Yes, yes you did. You were very vocal about that and you found no shame in it. That being said, did you also find him a little annoying? Yes. So he was not saved from your constant teasing and pestering.

At the beginning of the year, you realized that you seemed to be the epitome of everything Iida detested. You were brash, not afraid to pick a fight, and always had some witty remark to make. You never wore the complete uniform, opting to leave your gray blazer at home, replacing it with your favorite leather jacket. The prescribed neat little shoes had been swapped out in favor of your old combat boots. Iida had just about had a conniption fit when he’d first met you.

Realizing that the overly serious boy was constantly up your ass, and that he was in point of fact very cute, you made it your personal mission to annoy him to the ends of the earth.

It worked spectacularly. Sometimes a little too spectacularly.

On multiple occasions you pushed too much, resulting in boorish lectures from the much taller boy that you could’ve slept through, if not for the decibel at which he gave them. It never seemed to deter you though. The next day you’d come back with a self-satisfied grin on your face as you plunked your boots up onto your desk. He was too cute for you to stop.

Over time, you stopped teasing him just for the sake of being an asshole. Though you’d never admit it out loud, Tenya Iida was starting to grow on you. You lightened up on the torture, only to spend more time actually trying to get him to talk to you. He always seemed suspicious of you though, to no fault but your own, you figured. So you made him an offer he couldn’t refuse.

“Hey, Iida.” You leaned against his desk after class one day. “Think we could get together over the weekend and do homework? I’m having a little trouble understanding the math stuff.”

“You want me to help you with homework?” Both of the class reps eyebrows disappeared into his hairline.

“Yeah, man,” You affirmed, chuckling. “Who else would I go to?”

Yaoyorozu. Midoriya. Todoroki. Iida listed in his mind. All of them are doing exceptionally well, and you don’t make yourself the bane of their existences.

“It’s just,” Iida pursed his lips, organizing his thoughts. “I certainly wouldn’t mind helping you if you really need it. I didn’t think you liked me very much, though.”

“And I didn’t think you liked me, but here you are, telling me you wouldn’t mind helping me out.” You chuckled, and smiled sadly. “I’ve never disliked you, Iida.”

. . .

To say you confused Iida would be the understatement of the century. You appeared to him as someone who didn’t care one bit about structure or rules. But as he sat next to you in a coffee shop, explaining quadratic functions, you seemed to really care. You poured over your homework, a pensive look on your face, turning to him every time you came across something you didn’t quite understand.

“I don’t get it.” He said quietly as you scribbled away at your worksheet.

“Really? Cause I’m just starting to.”

“No, not the homework.” Iida sighed, staring at you.

“Then what’s up?” You put your pencil down, matching his gaze.

“Why do you go out of your way to aggravate me so often if you don’t dislike me?”

The question caught you off guard. You glanced away, almost guiltily.

“At first, I did it just to get a rise out of you.” You admitted. “I guess I started getting fond of you though, and I realized that annoying you was the only way to get you to talk to me.”

Now Iida was the one to be caught off guard. “Y-you just wanted to talk to me?” He repeated.

“Yeah, and I thought I had ruined it.” You placed your head in your hand, and swirled your drink around in its cup with the other. “I thought I had provoked you too much by the time I realized I wanted to be your friend. I honestly thought you hated me.”

“Never!” Iida was shocked by the idea. He very rarely hated anyone. When his brother had been attacked, that was the first time that he had ever felt that boiling pit of rage in his stomach. “You irritated me to no end, yes, but I never hated you.”

“Hey, I’ll take it!” You conceded with a laugh.

Iida found himself laughing with you. He watched as smile lines etched themselves onto your face as your grin widened.

“(L/N), what say we start over?” He suggested. “I would like to be your friend, too.”

You gave the boy a disbelieving, yet giddy smile. “I would be more than happy to do that, Iida.”

. . .

Something very peculiar was happening to Tenya, and it seemed to be your fault.

When you playfully teased him, he swore his heart rate accelerated to five times what was normal. Whenever he said something that made you laugh, he felt like he was on top of the world. He felt butterflies in the pit of his stomach when you’d put your hand on his arm.

None of these feelings were bad, per se. In fact, they actually felt quite good. It was like a calm washed over him whenever he was in your presence. He felt more relaxed than he’d ever been when he was around you.

So, there was no problem with what was happening, but that didn’t stop Tenya from still being wildly confused.

The feeling also made him want to protect you.

This too was a mystifying thought. He wanted to keep all his classmates safe, of course, but somehow it was different when it came to you. But you were perfectly capable of protecting yourself, you being an excellent hero. You had great control over your quirk, and you knew your limits. Not to mention you “kicked ass” in combat training, to use your words.

Tenya knew all this well, in fact he reminded you of it regularly during training. So why, when villains dropped into the clearing of the training camp, was his first instinct to get in front of you? Why did he grab your hand and pull you closer to him as you ran with your classmates back to the main building? Why did his hand linger on your shoulder even when you were inside and out of the danger?

You asked yourself these questions, too, but you didn’t complain. It’s not like Tenya Iida grabbing you and holding you protectively was a bad thing, but he looked too pale for you to resign yourself to not questioning him.

“You okay, Bub?” You asked, glancing up at the bespectacled boy in concern.

“What? Oh, y-yes, sorry.” Tenya separated himself from you, but you grabbed his hand before he could get too far, pulling him back to your side.

“This is scary,” You muttered as a way of explanation, your face heating up.

Heat rushed to his face as well, but he didn’t try pulling away again. He readjusted your grip so it was more comfortable. “Yes,” He murmured back in agreement.

You stood in silence for a moment, listening to the rest of your classmates chatter away in fear. You squeezed Tenya’s hand. He repeated the gesture.

“Tenya?”

The sound of his given name pushing past your lips pleasantly surprised him, but he quickly shook off his confoundedness. “Yes?”

“I was going to tell you something tonight, but I’m afraid my plans have been ruined.” A wobbly smile crossed your face, but it fell almost immediately after. “Once this whole ordeal is over, and we’re all back at school safe, remind me to tell you then, okay?”

“Why can’t you just tell me now?”

You shook your head. “Now is defiantly not the time.”

“Well, alright then.” Tenya squeezed out hand again. “Although I’m afraid you’ve made me quite anxious to hear what you have to say, (Y/N).”

You smiled weakly again at hearing your own first name. “Now you know what it feels like when a teacher tells you to see them after class, Mr. Class Rep.”

. . .

Tenya remembered your request as he was putting books on a shelf in his new dorm room. He stopped short, the conversation replaying in his mind. As much as he wanted to march himself over to your room that very instant, he resigned himself to waiting.

“I’m still not done settling in,” He muttered to himself, surveying the several boxes filled with personal belongings stacked neatly in a corner. “And (Y/N)’s probably still unpacking, too.”

A new-found vigor to his actions, Tenya found himself hurrying to complete his task. It had only taken the few days spent at home away from you and a quick conversation with his brother for him to realize that he had a crush on you. Reject the idea as he tried, it made a lot of sense.

He chuckled humorously to himself. What had you done to him? He used to see you as nothing more than a misbehaving delinquent who constantly went out of their way to get on his nerves. So what happened? What did you do?

You befriended him. You had looked at him with that sad, sincere smile, and told him that you thought you’d ruined your only chance of being friends with him. You’d heard him out as he heard you out.

It wasn’t a question of what you had done, not anymore. It was all Tenya.

He had given you a second chance. And he never regretted it for one moment.

He still didn’t regret it, even when you grabbed his arm and tugged him along with the rest of the class to survey everyone’s rooms. He still didn’t regret it even when they got to his room, and you put on a pair of his glasses, flopping onto his bed as you teased him for the shelves full of matching frames.

He especially didn’t regret it when they got to your room, where you proudly stood next to a wall of printed out photos of your friends. Tenya’s eyes drifted to a shot of you and him at the fair, both of you holding ice cream cones.

“Pictures taken moments before disaster,” You remarked, following his eyes and tapping the wall next to the photo cheekily. He smiled, remembering how mere seconds after taking the picture, you had tripped over his foot and fallen flat on your face, taking out not only yourself and your ice cream, but Tenya’s as well.

Ask them, he urged himself as the class headed back to the ground floor. The question never seemed to escape him, though. In fact, when he rushed back inside after he, Midoriya, Yaoyorozu, Todoroki, and Kirishima had been pulled outside by Tsu and Uraraka, you had already gone up to bed.

That’s it.

Tenya was a man of thought and intellect, not one of action. When the job called for it, he of course sprung to do his part, but not before carefully assessing the situation and weighing his options. So he surprised himself by going up to your room without a second thought, determined to get whatever it was you had hinted at out of you.

“Woah, didn’t I just see you?” You smiled coyly as you answered the door. “What’s up?”

“I wanted-” Tenya paused, eyes narrowing. “Wait, you still have my glasses.”

“Astutely observed.” You sighed, reluctantly handing them over. “I was hoping you wouldn’t notice. I wanted to see how many days I could wear them before you realized they were yours.”

“You might’ve gotten away with it, if not for me being here now.” Tenya admitted, pocketing the spectacles. “I didn’t realize before.”

“So that’s not why you’re here?”

“No, during the training camp you said you wanted to tell me something, but that you wanted to wait until the… situation was over.”

You made a face. “I was hoping you had forgotten about that.”

“Why? Is it bad?” He asked nervously.

“No, just… weird. I only told you because I was scared we wouldn’t make it out of there alive, but now I’m regretting it.” You sighed. “Come on in, I may as well tell you.”

Tenya closed the door behind him, watching cautiously as you sat on your bed with a huff. “If you really don’t want to tell me, you don’t have to.”

You considered for a moment. “How long have you been holding onto this?”

He blinked in surprise. “A few hours. I only remembered this afternoon.”

“A few hours is all you need to get worked up about something. There’s no sense in me not telling you now,” You rubbed your eyes, looking both physically and mentally exhausted “especially if I promised you that I would.”

“Alright then, if you’re sure.” Tenya hesitantly sat himself next to you, now wishing he hadn’t bothered at all.

“Okay, so, uh, we’ve been friends for a while, and I’m really happy for that.” You started, rubbing your hands together thoughtfully. “And I don’t want to put that friendship in jeopardy, but recently my feelings towards you have changed, and I feel like you deserve to know.”

“Have they now?” Tenya’s heart pounded so loudly he worried you could hear it. He wondered if your feelings were anything like his.

“Yeah, they’ve gotten a little more… romantic.” You sighed heavily once again, seeming to resign yourself to your fate. “Okay, I’m gonna just say it: I really like you Tenya. More than as a friend. You’re stubborn, adorable, and always know just what to say, and every time I see you I just wanna kiss your stupid face all over and tell you that you deserve the whole damn world, because guess what? You do!”

Time seemed to tick to a stop. Tenya himself froze, his body stiff and his tongue limp in is mouth. Then his face exploded in color, and all at once, he gained control over his body again. His arm gestured frantically in his regular tic, and his words seemed to trip over each other in an effort to be heard.

“W-w-well thank you for your kind words! I greatly appreciate you telling me this. I have also recently c-come to the conclusion that I, uh, e-enjoy your company more than a friend should as well! I-I’m not sure what this means for us moving forward, b-but-“

You wrapped your fingers around the hand chopping the air wildly. You pressed your lips to his cheek, and rubbed your free hand up and down his arm in a soothing motion. You laughed lightly, but there was no mockery in it. “Thank you, Tenya.” You whispered.

The boy stiffened once more, before naturally relaxing, leaning into your touch. He mirrored your soft, loving smile, placing his hand not being held by you on your knee gently. “Of course, (Y/N)."

#mha #bnha #iida #tenya #tenya iida #iida x reader #tenya iida x reader #tenya x reader #bnha x reader #mha x reader

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effei-s · 3 years

Text

anderson and his paradox:

about the duality of a man.

(aka see me rambling in this 1500-words long essay about how much i love him)

the first half of his paradox: he’s more than capable of love. i would even dare to say that love is a driving force behind 99% of his actions.

let’s look at examples:

adam’s mom (aurora):

i’ve said it before, i’ll say it again: he worshiped the ground she walked on. it’s a fact. it’s what adam said about him in unravel me: i know he loved my mom. it was always her, everything was about her.

her death was probably the worst thing that happened to him, the loss that made him truly suffer, hence him constantly talking about how he wants to shield warner from it. that whole thing with lena is not about control itself, it’s about warner not making his own mistakes. there’s a genuine desire to protect there.

evie:

considering how little information is given about them it’s honestly amazing how much there lies between the lines (can mafi write everything the way she’s written them, please?).

they’re the perfect example of my favourite type of soulmates. he’s actually second worst person on this planet, because first place is already taken by her. there’s no one who knows him better then her (she knew about adam = she knew about aurora). there’s no one who understands him better than her (them being two vital parts of the RE from the very beginning). it doesn’t matter how much they fight, he trusts her with his life no questions asked: he comes to her before ignite me and asks her to make him immortal. considering evie’s words in defy me about how she was ready to kill him for trying to kill juliette in unravel me it was very risky of him (because if there’s one person that could slit open his throat and kill him for good, because he let his guard down, it would be evie). he trusts her to do her job and has no doubts about her capability to succeed. his first reaction to her death is ‘what? it can’t be real!’ because evie for him is almost untouchable entity ‘if they couldn’t hurt me, they sure as hell won’t be able to hurt her’. when he realizes that it’s true he’s terrified.

and anderson doesn’t do terrified.

/i really don’t know what can scream LOVE louder than this/

warner:

we can’t not talk about warner here.

warner betrays him and he still saves warner life. you need to remember that the only reason why warner is still alive in defy me, after he committed treason, is because anderson protects him.

by that time in restore me/defy me anderson, who technically lost his position as a supreme, still managed to save warner’s life /because he’s cool like that/.

“I had to call in a number of favors to have you transported here unharmed. The council was going to vote to have you executed for treason, and I was able to convince them otherwise.”

even evie doesn’t dare to fuck with warner because she knows anderson will come at them with the wrath of god.

“If Aaron were anyone else’s son,” she says, “I would’ve had him executed. I’d have him executed right now, if I could. Unfortunately, I alone do not have the authority.”

anyone else’s son.

so yeah the problem here is not that warner is one of the heirs of the RE. the problem here is that he’s anderson’s son.

plus his entire conflict with juliette is rooted in the fact that she

a) tried to hurt warner

unravel me:

I cannot allow him to protect a person who has attempted to kill him.

restore me:

The monster we’ve bred has tried to kill my own son.

b) tried to take warner from him.

restore me:

Worse, she’s become a distraction for Aaron. He’s become—in a toxic turn of events—impossibly drawn to her, with no apparent regard for his own safety. I have no idea what she’s done to his mind.

and then in imagine me he declines warner’s offer.

“You would be willing to sacrifice yourself—your youth and your health and your entire life—to let that damaged, deranged girl continue to walk the earth? Do you even understand what you’re saying? You have every opportunity—all the potential—and you’d be willing to throw it all away? In exchange for what?Do you even know the kind of life to which you’d be sentencing yourself ?”

/i dare you to tell me he didn’t love warner, i dare you/

juliette:

as a cherry on top, there’s juliette, of course.

when we’re talking about hate we’re talking about juliette, no questions asked. i truly believe that his hatred for her was stronger than his love for aurora and evie combined. and still what brings him down for good is not hate for her but adoration of her (oh irony, my irony).

after 12 years of hatred, after 12 years of her being ‘the bane of his existence’, he still ended up spending his dying breath to make sure she will be safe.

“I ordered you to remain silent,” he says, glancing back at her. “And I am now ordering you to remain safe, at all costs. Do you hear me, Juliette? Do y—”

“Kill them,” Anderson gasps, blood staining the edges of his lips. “Kill them all. Kill anyone who stands in your way.”

just like defy-me warner, imagine-me juliette survives ONLY because of anderson.

he even apologized to her at one point.

“You know, I realize now that I’ve been too hard on you. I’ve put you through too much. Tested your loyalty perhaps too much. But you and I have a long history, Juliette. And it’s not easy for me to forgive. I certainly don’t forget.”

anderson??? admitting??? that??? what??? he??? did??? was??? wrong???

and not because he needs to get off the hook, but because he actually feels like it was too much???

ALERT THE MASSES, THE WORLD NEEDS TO HEAR ABOUT IT!!!

btw, do my eyes deceive me, or did this ‘not easy to forgive’ mean that he actually already FORGAVE her for trying to kill him?

anyhow if that wasn’t enough look at this:

“What could possibly go wrong?” Anderson asks. “She’s more powerful than any of them, and completely obedient to me. To us. To the movement. You all know as well as I do that she’s proven her loyalty again and again. She’d be able to capture them in a matter of minutes.”

do you see it?

it’s the same thing that happened with evie: no one here is strong enough to hurt her (oh, i can see some PROJECTIONS here happening).

it’s funny how the way Anderson acts is EXACTLY what I expected from Warner. he isn't just talking about how she can do anything, when moment comes he ACTS.

Anderson is guarding Juliette. The same Anderson who’s spent so much of his energy trying to murder her—is now standing in front of her with his arms out, guarding her with his life.

i’d still prefer for her or him to kill ibrahim but even without it... he says you can burn this place to the ground, I don’t care as long as you’re safe, he chooses her over not only the RE, he chooses her over WARNER.

/and you expect me not to ship this??? sure, jen, i’m not gonna/

conclusion number 1: yes, my beautiful people, everything Anderson does in one way or another tied to love.

the second half of his paradox: love doesn’t make him a better person, it doesn’t even make him fully human. you’d think that if person capable of such strong feelings there’s supposed to be something worth saving, just like castle’s said:

“Of course he’s a regular person, son. That’s exactly the point. We’re all just regular people, when you strip us down. There’s nothing to be afraid of when you look at Anderson; he’s just as human as you or me. Just as terrified. And I’m sure if he could go back and do his life over again, he’d make very different decisions.”

(castle is a fucking idiot, never listen to people like him or you’re gonna end up neck-deep in shit)

but at the end of the day anderson remains a fucking monster.

his love for aurora doesn’t stop him from marrying another woman and having a child with her because it’s the easiest way to social climb.

his love and devotion to evie and re (mostly evie, because evie is the reestablishment) doesn’t stop him from playing games with juliette and putting everything and everyone at risk just because he’s bored.

i won’t even start commenting on warner’s situation, because otherwise we’re gonna sit here for days and i’ll end up with 100k words essay about them.

and even his enamourment with juliette doesn’t actually protect her from his violent nature. even this perfect, absolutely perfect juliette still has to prove herself (cut off her finger to show her loyalty). it still very easy for him to hurt her.

conclusion number 2: him being in love, him caring about someone, him trusting someone doesn’t change his fundamental nature. he still remains a destructive force put into a human body.

he’s a fucking satan.

and that’s exactly why i love him.

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