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talaok · 11 months

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Hi!

I have a joel request

Ok so reader is with Joel from Boston, maybe Tess introduced them, but they’re end up taking a liking to each other and don’t tell Tess.

Reader ends up pregnant (remains a secret between Joel and her) but she joins them on the quest with Ellie and to Tommy.

They meet Haney and Sam and Joel is extra overprotective of reader all the time, maybe she’s around forth month and just slightly showing, enough for Henry to catch on

Pt. 2

You didn't know exactly how or when it had started, it kind of just... had.

The Boston QZ wasn't an easy place to wander alone, so when Tess had offered you some company, you hadn't refused.

Since you were both smugglers, after some time she had introduced you to who you believed to be her partner, to work together for a job. As it turns out, Joel Miller wasn't her boyfriend, what he was, however, was a man of few words.

It wasn't easy at first, you kept asking him questions and he kept answering with no more than a grunt or a mumbled yes or no.

You were sure he despised you or was just unnervingly indifferent to you.

But then one day, something changed.

He had asked you to help him out with a job, and of course, you had agreed, completely conscient of having just condemned yourself to hours of endless silence.

But that's not how it went, not at all.

He had spent the night asking you questions, and thanks to some kind of miracle, even answering yours.

You had talked and talked for hours, and that night, the man who up until that point you believed to be just a ruthless survivor, turned into a kind, fun man.

You had asked him about that night months later, and after a bit of pressuring he eventually confessed:

"I don't know, I guess I finally decided that I had spent enough time punishing myself... and I was tired of seeing your pretty face frown each time I pushed you away"

Things after that night changed, you started spending more and more time together, until well... that's all you wanted to do.

He showed you part of himself he kept hidden, and you did the same until you both knew every good and bad and sad of each other. Until there was nothing to hide anymore.

It's weird... finding love at the end of the world, and yet, you'd done it.

And as happy as you were, you were both terrified too.

In the world you lived in, love wasn't just love anymore, it was weakness,

it was the possibility of losing everything again.

And the fear only grew stronger when you found out you were pregnant.

There were so many things to be scared of, the practical part, having to deliver a child in a world where zombies roamed the streets, having to be a good mother, not knowing how to be a good mother, and then finally... having to tell Joel.

You saw the fear in him too, when you finally told him, you saw the paralyzing fear flash before his eyes, and then, like magic, you saw it all melt away.

He had hugged you for what felt like an hour, feeling so many things at once he had no idea what to say.

Until, finally, leaning away, he had made you a simple promise:

"I love you. And I'll protect you, if it's the last thing I do I'll protect you, both of you"

You chose not to say anyone, not even Tess. It was safer and easier. When the time would have come, you would have said something, but then Ellie came along.

Joel had begged you with everything he had to stay in Boston, to not follow him and Tess, and to forget about him if he was to never come back.

But you had fought back with the same intensity. You had told him the truth. That you couldn't do it without him, that he was the only person you trusted.

"fine" he had sighed, after you had given him a headache "but don't do anything stupid"

And at that, you had smiled "When have I ever?"

Now everything had changed once again, Tess was dead.

You would expect it to get easier, loss... but it doesn't.

you never told her, she never knew, and now she'll never know.

You were four months pregnant, shirts had just started getting tighter, and your brain fuzzier.

you still hadn't told Ellie. For some reason it felt like the moment you did, everything would become real, and your luck would run out.

You had "met" Henry and Sam along the way, Joel wasn't a big fan, but you liked them, especially Sam, he was a smart boy.

You had walked in the tunnels all day until you stumbled across an underground settlement.

"Can we rest here for a while?" Ellie asked after she and Sam found one of the awful comics they apparently both loved "There's like- actual shit to do here"

"wouldn't be so bad to wait the light out a bit" Henry intervened, feeling the need to explain himself better when Joel shot him a look "safer in shadows when we pop back out on the other side"

He wasn't convinced, you could see it, and your feet were killing you, so...

"please Joel" was all you needed to say to change his mind.

"fine" he sighed "Just for a while," he said, before walking to you.

"Are you all right?" he asked, worry evident in his tone

"I'm fine, I'm just tired"

"did you eat enough?"

You smiled "I did"

His eyes fell to your belly for a moment "Here" he said, reaching in his pocket for some food he had in a napkin "Eat this"

"Joel..."

"I don't need to eat tonight, don't worry"

"you do need to" you protested, trying to give it back

"no" he shook his head "what I need is for you to be healthy"

You bit down a smile as you put the food in your backpack "Y'know... I miss kissing you"

"I kissed you this morning"

"yeah well..." you pouted

"I know," he said, as his thumb stroked your arm "I miss it too"

Ellie's laugh brought you both back to reality.

You grinned, watching as she talked to Sam.

"I better go see what she's up to," you said "wouldn't want her to teach the poor kid all the bad words she knows"

Joel's lips twitched into a small smile "We'd be here for hours" he joked, making you laugh "Try to rest, ok?" he said, more seriously now.

"Yes sir" you mocked "you too"

Something traveled between your eyes before you went your way.

Joel watched as you sat with the kids, and decided to sit next to Henry, he owed him some sort of apology.

"If you were collaboratin' to take care of him, I shouldn't have said what I said. I don't know your situation. And I'm not saying they should let it go, but... all things considered, seems kinda cruel to send a whole army after you for that" Joel spoke, his eyes not leaving you. He knew damn well he too, would do anything for you or the baby.

"You know, I wasn't exactly telling you the truth before, about me not killing anyone," Henry said after some time, as he started telling Joel everything, about Kathleen's brother, about Sam's sickness... everything.

"I am the bad guy because I did a bad guy thing," Henry said, pain and frustration tracing his words "but you get it though. you might not be her father, but you were someone's... and you're gonna be someone's"

Joel's jaw twitched, and he tightened his fists as he stared at the man.

How does he know?

"I see the way you glance at her whenever you hear a noise, I see how you always get her behind you," he explained, without needing to be told to "The first thing you said when we woke you up with guns pointing at you was, - don't point it at her-" Henry recalled "plus" he smiled "she's the only one you listen to"

"don't worry" Henry said, noticing Joel's look "I won't tell"

They both turned in your direction, as they heard you reading the comic aloud.

Both the kids were looking at you, completely hypnotized.

"she'll be a great mother"

"I know," Joel said "I know she will"

— —

Pt. 2

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ghastigiggles · 6 months

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danse macabre

so uh. uhm. hi. i kept forgetting to post this and i feel really bad about it. i'm so sorry tadc nation here's some food for you

npc oc because i didnt feel comfortable writing anyone as a ler - not yet, anyway. but pomni needed to get wrecked so bad. she's so cute. i get cuteness aggression every time she's on screen

usual disclaimer; sfw tickling fic, very soft and fluffy, even a little goofy and silly.

"Given that our last adventure took an exciting turn, I thought doing a rerun would be a better idea today!"

A rippling groan passed through the veteran players that Caine seemed to entirely ignore, turning his attention to Pomni with an exaggerated movement.

"Something a little more calm, I'd say! Should help bring you down from any thoughts of the Void from the other day!"

"Ahh… I don't –"

"You'll love it," He interrupted, swooping back into the air with an extravagant gesture; "It's a fan favourite! Everyone knows it, everyone loves it, it's… 'Where in the World is Sir Wigglesburg?'!"

Pomni, of course, didn't miss the way everyone else in the room tensed up – though she didn't catch the way Gangle actually perked instead, immediately shooting sideways glances at everyone else before poorly mirroring their tension.

"... You're kiddin'," Jax muttered, his eyes narrowing in annoyance. Caine simply continued as though he didn't hear the rabbit while Bubble floated nearby with an empty look in her eyes.

"Sir Wigglesburg is one of our most esteemed citizens –"

"Not an actual player," Ragatha helpfully cut in with a glance to Pomni, trying to give her context.

" – with a terrible habit of wandering off! His dear wife has, once again, asked us – rather, you – to lend a helping hand and bring him home safe! The first to lead Sir Wigglesburg back to the stage shall win a prize! (To be determined, prize may or may not meet or exceed expectations.) Good luck!"

And, with no further context or instruction, their ringmaster and his companion entirely disappeared. There was a brief silence before Zooble grunted, already walking away.

"... Right. I'm going back to my room, then."

"Aww, somebody too chicken to help the poor guy?"

Jax sneered in their direction, and they shot him a searing glare; "Well, if you want a repeat of last time, be my guest. I don't."

"I will also take my leave," Kinger muttered in a hurried fashion, looking askance; "The last time we did this, it was before… Mngh…"

Ragatha offered him a sympathetic smile, nodding as the other two softened just slightly.

"It's alright, Kinger. We understand."

"Thank you… If you do take on the quest, give Sir my best."

With that, both Zooble and Kinger headed towards the living quarters, leaving Pomni to finally pipe up again, looking between Ragatha and Jax.

"... So, um… W-what's so upsetting about the rerun, anyway? Is it, um, bad…?"

"Oh – no, not – not per se," The ragdoll replied quickly, tapping her chin; "I mean, Caine wasn't lying… This is one of the calmer adventures."

"Yeah. You should do it, newbie."

Both sets of eyes snapped to Jax, who simply grinned passively. Ragatha squinted.

"... And I don't suppose you'd be coming along?"

"I will, actually. Could be funny. What about you, Rags?"

Though she grimaced, Ragatha sighed in resignation, turning a little to give Pomni a small smile.

"Well, I'm not gonna let her go it alone… Again."

That much, at least, gave Pomni heart, and she almost smiled back – until she realized one of their party wasn't accounted for, and her brow furrowed.

"Uh… Where's Gangle?"

The other two also seemed to only just notice Gangle's absence, and the three of them glanced around briefly before their search was cut short by a distant shriek from the player in question.

"That sounded like her…!"

"Is she getting hurt?! W-what if someone else abstracted?!" Pomni shot them a panicked glance; "Sh-should we –"

"Let's go investigate before anything else," Jax interrupted calmly, barely keeping the amusement from his face as he gestured for Pomni to take the lead. When Ragatha shot him a glare, he simply shrugged, following after her with the ragdoll shortly behind.

They had little more than a vague direction, down a corridor and two left turns that seemed to dim the further along they went; Gangle made no further sounds, giving them little in the way of direction, and eventually Pomni sighed haplessly, squinting into the darkness.

"... It's no use… Should – should we go find Caine again…?"

She was met with silence, and turned around – only to find Ragatha and Jax were nowhere to be seen, and her stomach dropped with dread.

"... Guys…?"

"Ooh? Who is this…? A face I've yet to see and greet?"

At a new voice, Pomni yelped, whipping around – and coming face-to-face with what appeared to be some kind of massive, cartoonish caterpillar. His body appeared to be covered in green fur, disappearing into the darkness past his neck – or so Pomni assumed at first glance, anyway. His face and what could only be described as underbelly were covered in white fur that parted around his features, such as a long purple nose and big black eyes – one of which sported a golden monocle. And, of course, his hands had the same cartoon glove sort of thing that Kinger had going on, though this time with black noodle arms seemingly attached.

In her shock, she entirely lost her voice, merely stammering wordlessly – and earning a chuckle from the caterpillar looming over her.

"Such a small thing, you are! 'Tis a pleasure, indeed!"

Smiling, he extended one of his hands for a shake, a gesture that finally managed to pull Pomni from her stupor.

"I am Sir Wigglesburg! And you, my gentile jester, would be…?"

"A-ahhh…" Though hesitant, she extended her own hand, despite it being barely half the size of his own, "P-Pomni – woah –!"

The moment their palms yet, Wigglesburg pulled her closer, twirling her around so suddenly that her eyes spun in alternating directions – and as she was steadied again, pulled along by his sudden movements, she was abruptly made aware of his overwhelming amount of hands, with a second dominant one taking her free hand to hold her steady while two more settled on her back and hip, respectively.

"Pomni, Pomni! A wondrously adorable and charming name! Please, indulge me with a dance – 'tis a formal greeting between my people!"

"I – I'm actually – ah!"

The hand on her hip pinched her side unexpectedly, making her jerk in an attempt to escape – yet Wigglesburg easily moved with her reflexive maneuver like it was a step in her dance.

"I'm actually – ehh! – l-looking for s – hey! – some – sohome –"

The hand squeezed again, and again, and again; and every time, she tried to sidestep or wiggle away – and every time, it just encouraged their "dance", with Wigglesburg's gentle but firm grip keeping her upright despite the giggles bubbling in her chest and the involuntary smile that had been pulling at her lips.

"My dear Pomni," Wigglesburg crooned as though she wasn't struggling to articulate a sentence; "You are a wonderful dancer!"

" – Ghhh, thank you…? But I – ah!! – would you plehease –"

She squeaked again as she was suddenly pulled into a dip, very nearly panicking before she realized Wigglesburg was still supporting her gently. His wide smile was kind and sweet, but undercut by the mischief in his eyes as he looked down at her.

"... That said, you are giggling quite a lot! I didn't think dancing with a wyrm would be that much fun for you!"

"I-It's not the dancing – GyaAH –"

"Is it not?"

Pomni couldn't manage a reply, stuck in a fit of uncontrollable giggles caused by the fingers wiggling at both sides, forcing her to squirm back and forth with no true escape from the unexpected and overwhelming sensation. Wigglesburg hummed, tilting his head with an adoring expression.

"I say, I was under the impression that it was the jester who caused nobles to laugh, not the other way around! Yet, here you are, practically beside yourself…"

For a mercy, he did release her hands, and she immediately brought her arms in – not that they did much, proportionately, to protect her.

"Aheheh, I can't – I cahahan't –"

"Oh, my poor dear, does it tickle? Are we feeling a little sensitive?"

She hiccuped through her laughter at that, shaking her head and ducking down; it felt like the teasing sent a shot through her nerves, which only made it worse when he started scratching experimentally at her ribs, prompting a few snorts to escape her as well.

"Ngh – nahahaa, not th - thehehere…!"

"What? Here? Or here – oh, dear me."

His hands shot to Pomni's underarms for just a few seconds, but it was enough to prompt a shriek from her, wriggling and kicking fruitlessly with even more vigour than before.

"NnnoOHOHO – gh – $%^@# – I cahAAHAAN'T –!"

"Yes, I can see that! 'Twould seem that 'tis an especially sensitive spot."

"Plhehe – PLEHEEHEEHEASE!"

She threw back her head with a loud cackle as Wigglesburg doubled down, every stroke of his fingers sending shocks down her arms and through her body – but she only had to endure it a moment longer before he finally laid off, lightly massaging her sides with his thumbs as she gasped for breath – an act that was more instinctual than actually necessary, given that breathing wasn't really a thing anymore – with a goofy, natural smile still stuck on her face.

"I do hope you can forgive my zeal in tormenting you," Wigglesburg offered after a moment, smiling apologetically; "I cannot help myself around the players."

"I – it's… Haah…" With a final breath, Pomni shook out the residual giggles, looking back up at Wigglesburg; "It's alright…"

"Oh, I figured! You never once asked me to stop, after all."

She stiffened at that, her eyes widening as she searched her memory – because, surely not… And yet, he was right.

She had no idea if the digital avatar could blush, but with how hot her face felt upon that realization, she really, really hoped it couldn't.

"But enough of that – you were searching for someone, yes?"

"Uh! Um. Y-yeah. You, actually, but also – Gangle, if you've seen her…"

"Oh! My dear Gangle has been here all along!"

Pomni blinked dumbly, and Wigglesburg chuckled, curling in on himself and cradling her close as his spine arched up to where she could see clearly – and, sure enough, Gangle was splayed out in the wyrm's green fur, seeming a little sleepy and out of it… Yet, content, even as she looked up and waved at Pomni.

"But… Her scream…"

"'Twas a scream of joy and laughter," Wigglesburg assured her; "Gangle is one of my favorite dancing partners – and I, hers! I admit, I went overboard this time, though… It has been too long since the last time."

"Oh."

A lot of things made sense, now. The way everyone had seemed tense and awkward when Wigglesburg's name came up; Gangle's quiet disappearance in the wake of the adventure's start. The little comments everyone was making towards each other…

"Pomni! Are you alright?!"

Ragatha's voice pulled Pomni from her thoughts, and she looked down to see the ragdoll standing below, looking up with faint relief… And heavy amusement. Shortly behind her stood Jax, smug as ever – yet, notably, keeping a good generous distance between himself and the wyrm.

"Uh. Yeah," Pomni replied; "I found Gangle? And… And Sir Wigglesburg."

"We know. We heard you," Jax chuckled, easily side-stepping to avoid a tiny kick from Ragatha. For her part, the doll smiled.

"That's great! Let's head back to the stage and wrap up this adventure, then!"

Sir Wigglesburg, however, pouted a little, looking down at her.

"Oh, are you sure I can't convince you to share just one dance with me…?"

"Ahh… Maybe next time?"

Ragatha offered him a nervous smile, and Wigglesburg sighed dramatically – but he didn't object, simply setting Pomni on his back near Gangle before he began to crawl along on the path back to the stage. Distantly, Jax grumbled about not being offered a ride as he and Ragatha followed on foot.

In the softness of his fur, Pomni felt a tempting urge to "nod off", partially encouraged by the dance she'd just been through – but Gangle's voice, just barely loud enough to be heard – kept her in the waking world.

"... I'm glad you like his game. I've been the only one for awhile… Knowing someone else likes it makes me feel less weird."

And, with a small nod in response, Pomni hid her smile in the wyrm's fur.

Maybe not every part of the digital circus was terrible or terrifying.

#tadc #the amazing digital circus #tatc #tadc tickles #the amazing digital circus tickles #lee!pomni #lee!gangle #i'm not tagging every character this time you can't make me!!!!!#if anyone wants me to draw sir wigglesburg and his wife (lady wigglesbury. if u even care.) lmk i kind of really love them tbh #they were literally meant to be a throwaway like. gloink queen esque standin but honestly i vibe so hard with them...#anyway here u go. eat up. tastey food #my fic

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followerofmercy · 6 months

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Just finished archon quest. Childe and Skirk commentary:

Good God Skirk is so much worse of a person than I expected. I love her.

Most people I know hate her and I think a lot of it is because one, her design is too vtuber and not enough monster, which, fair, even if I don't 100% agree, and two, we were all kinda hoping for Childe to have his Abyssal Found Family and not the person probably single-handedly responsible for most of the things wrong with him. She is awful. She outright says that the reason Childe thought she wasn't very chatty was because he was too weak for her to bother carrying a conversation with him. A literal teenager.

The yeet wasn't funny. I don't think it was intended to be. She sounded bored the entire time, as if this man didn't just spend a MONTH IN SOUP FIGHTING A WORLD-ENDING MONSTER FROM SPACE with a delusion that's killing him.

Meeting Skirk has given me a whole new respect for Childe. He turned out this well DESPITE her?! He views that as a role model, and his biggest problem is seeing himself as a tool instead of a person?? This kid's incredible.

I'm choosing to view Skirk and Childe's relationship as Mom /neg, not because she's particularly motherly towards him even in a shitty abusive way, but because she was uniquely poised to Fuck Him Up how only a mother can. She's responsible for his life. She's everything he ever wanted to be. He's been chasing her approval ever since he fell in that hole, and he's never gonna get it. This kid needs better friends.

(Though, on the other hand, if Foul is anything like Rhinedottir, Skirk probably comes by it honestly? Skirk's awful but she might actually not be the worst case scenario)

This archon quest has completely changed how I think of both Childe and Furina and I'm losing my mind. This is going up with fullmetal alchemist as some of my alltime favorite media.

#genshin #4.2 genshin #4.2 spoilers #childe #skirk #tartaglia #fomreblog #character analysis #Childe Analysis #also please put spoilers under a readmore #It makes it much harder to accidentally see something you don't want to

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strwberri-milk · 9 months

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Idk if I’m trippin but I feel like u wrote this already but I can’t find it anywhere😭

With the new even can I request reader with kaeya and Reader with a Princess role It’s been in my head since I did the quest🥹🥹

OH I konw whati think you're talking about idk if i wrote it but there's this other thing i read where like. kaeya plays knights w some kids and his s/o plays the princess role but i didnt write that one :D

Kaeya was ready to play his role as the Master Thief, but he wasn't expecting you to be the subject he was stealing from. He'd barely glanced over the lines he was supposed to read, wanting to just wing it a little bit and forgetting that there was someone else in the scene he was meant to interact with within all of the excitement that Klee was giving.

He enters the scene, ready to threaten his victim when he sees that it's you, dressed up in elaborate-looking silks and jewelry that his heart stops. He remembers vaguely that he was supposed to meet some kind-hearted noble on one of his expeditions and that Klee mentioned something about how she loved his relationship and wanted to work it into the play somehow.

Now, here he is, watching you act out crying about how you care so much about the people and that you want to join him in his endeavors. He knows that it's all a part of the script but the way you hang off of his arm and look up at him so sweetly makes him forget everything and just want to carry you away and spoil you with attention.

He loves playing the role of the bad guy, walking circles around you as you try to convince him that you're honest and genuine, and that you really do want to help out everyone. The false fear in your eyes and pleads for him to believe you make him smile genuinely, "finally" believing you as you're allowed to follow him out.

You're trying your best to sound as regal as you can, making sure you don't stumble over your words but he can see the way your eyes glitter at the sight of his costume. He didn't have the chance to show off his costume to you yet, so having your eyes on him makes him happy, really playing up the side of the mean rogue bullying the royal to his own amusement.

Now that the scene is over he runs his hands through the soft silk and gently replaces the crown on your head as it's become a little more askew from acting. He even brushes your hair out for you, pressing a soft kiss on your cheek as he praises your acting skills.

You're in the middle of saying something when suddenly he's picking you up. It seems almost as though he's testing your weight when he suddenly adjusts so you can rest your head on his shoulder, smiling down at you and pressing another soft kiss to your lips.

He thinks you're the most important thing in the world, and seeing you all dressed up like royalty only makes him want to pledge his allegiance to you even more. He didn't think it'd be at all possible to fall in love with you even more, but somehow he managed to in this moment, holding you tightly as he whispers praises against your lips.

#kaeya x reader #kaeya alberich x reader #genshin x reader #genshin impact x reader

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primojade · 1 year

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𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐏𝐑𝐈𝐂𝐄 𝐎𝐅 𝐀 𝐇𝐄𝐀𝐑𝐓.

𝐒𝐔𝐌𝐌𝐀𝐑𝐘 | three times the wanderer tried balancing the books, and the one time he accepted something, free of charge.

𝐂𝐖 / 𝐓𝐖 | gn!reader x wanderer; reader is some sort of healer; tooth-rotting fluff; non-graphic depiction of injuries; slight suggestive at the end; let me know if I missed anything!

𝐍𝐎𝐓𝐄𝐒 | This was actually inspired by Nahida's small dialogue in the Interlude Archon Quest where she told Wanderer that not all relationships are about "balancing the books". It gives a lot of insight about the Wanderer's character and possible development in the future so here we are HAHAHA.

Also, this monstrosity of a fic had reached 3k words 💀 I hope you enjoyed! Lmao.

masterlist

Your first meeting with the elusive Wanderer isn't exactly one to be called pleasantly memorable. Though it was one that you would remember for the rest of your 'pitiful mortal' life—as he mockingly tried to put it numerous times.

One bright morning that you expect to go as mundane as any other day, you were met with an injured man near your doorsteps. He was unlike any other you have met before, as beautiful as a porcelain doll, he has the presence that commands both respect and intimidation, though his crude remarks leaves something to be desired.

Wanderer, as he strictly called himself as, irritatedly told you that he had no need for your help patching him up. All he need was a proper rest for a few hours, a quiet place away where your rants and lectures won't reach his ears, so his stupid injuries will heal itself. You have to fight tooth and nail (read: stubbornly convince him to stay) just to ensure that he will not exhaust himself further and possibly make his injuries worse than they were.

"—shut up, mortal."

"Wow. Is that how you should talk to your doctor, now, Wanderer?" Sarcasm bled to your tone as you tried cornering him in the nearby wall where he situated himself away from you. Glaring at you, there was a prominent scowl on his face that you start to think of as a permanent side effect of his crude personality.

"I have told you I don't need your help. Especially offering it for free?" He scoffed. "Such selflessness does not exist in this world. Tell me, what do you want from me?"

"Are you seriously this pessimistic?" You groaned in exasperation. "It's only natural to help others in need, you know."

"Heh, so you don't need anything in return?" There was a mocking grin on his face that started to grate on your nerves, but you forced yourself to calm it down. It's not the first time you have to deal with stubborn patients after all.

"Yes," you said earnestly, hoping that he would finally get the hint.

"Well, no. First, I don't trust you. Second, I don't believe in such a sweet tale of sickening selflessness and third, I do not want to be in your debt. It would be an eyesore if you demand absurd compensation later on."

"You…"

Archon's forbid. You could only facepalm at his haughty words as he looked like he's fully convinced to himself that you were up to no good for him.

It took you a few more hours of convincing his stubborn arse to finally, finally, let you help him. You have a feeling that he wouldn't budge no matter what, but at your wits end, you manage to bargain with him. In return for your help, you told him that he could just clear out the monster camps near your place since you have no time to do so with your busy schedule. That should be enough to not make him feel indebted to you, no?

With a little reluctance, the Wanderer agreed at last. Though his potty mouth is still grating your nerves and testing your thinning patience, he would now give you permission to help him heal his injuries faster than 'letting it heal itself'. You noticed he tends to shy away whenever your skin brushes against each other as if you had burned his flesh, or he would scoot away if he deemed you too close to his comfort.

He wasn't doing it consciously though, and it appears that he himself didn't realise he was doing it either. From your perspective, it seems that the Wanderer was agitated at the prospect of touching others. Now, you wondered silently, why is he so averse in physical touch?

When you thought you wouldn't see him again after he was completely healed, the Wanderer made his appearance once again. Repeatedly, in fact. One time, you were relaxing in your garden, enjoying the fleeting tranquility when he stormed through your abode, dropping a heavy bundle of tea set on the wooden table in front of you.

With an arrogant cock of his head to the side, the Wanderer told you that an 'annoying acquaintance' gave it to him and since he had no need for it, he would offer them to you for he's feeling rather gracious today. In exchange, you owe him a cup of tea—with demands that it had no sugar and milk.

That same day, you found out he's not fond of sweets, especially of dango, and he very much prefers bitter foods and tea.

The other time, you offer him a place in your home to stay for the night. It was raining down hard, and you doubt any travellers—or wanderer, in his case—who have a working brain wouldn't be stupid enough to brave it by themself.

Though a part of you knew that he would demand to balance his debts tomorrow, even for something as small as giving him a towel to dry himself, it was rather endearing to watch him awkwardly stand by the fireplace whilst waiting for you to do anything and break the offensive silence.

"Dry your hair properly, or you might set yourself for a headache—or worse, a cold—later." You started to scold him when he made no move to dry himself with the towel you gave him earlier. He was just staring at it with obvious disdain, before rolling his eyes at you.

"Don't bother yourself with that." He sneered and tossed the towel back to you. "I don't get cold anyway."

"You stubborn little…" You sighed and before he could say anything villainous that would pissed you off that you would want to kick him out in the rain, you marched towards him and forced him to sit down on your couch.

"Hey! What do you think you were doing?!"

"Sheesh. Just sit still until I'm done with you."

"How dare you order me around—"

Standing behind him, you chunked the towel to his head and started to dry his surprisingly soft locks. Your hands slowly and carefully worked their way to massage his scalp, ruffling his hair to ensure that it was dry enough, before your fingers ran through the tangled tresses carefully to avoid hurting him.

The Wanderer let out an approving hum, so quiet and low that you almost missed it.

"Does it feel good?" You grinned behind him, and you saw him jostle a bit as if he snapped out from whatever reverie he found himself in.

"Hmp. Don't get too cocky on me, mortal. But I will tolerate this for now." He harrumphed arrogantly as if to cover his initial embarrassment of being caught off guard that made you laugh. "If you aren't exercising that mouth of yours over something so trivial, you have some uses after all."

"I will pretend I didn't hear you antagonising my person again and believe what you mean by that is a 'thank you'."

"Did I tell you to stop?" He ignored your complaints and motioned you to continue playing—drying—with his hair like you were some sort of servant at his beck and call. "Do it again until I tell you otherwise, and don't you worry, I will return the favour soon. I hate being in debt to you, of all people."

Just as he told you the night prior, the Wanderer returned the 'favour' to you by procuring rare flowers and herbs that you need in making medicine. You didn't know how he knew you needed such things, and when did he get the chance to get them because they were just that rare, but the satisfied quirk of his lips when you told express your surprise and gratitude was, in a sense, enough to say that, yes, the debts have been balanced once again.

Though you were no stranger to bargaining in the market, the steady continuation of your relationship with this peculiar wanderer just tends to grow a bit more stranger—and incredulous—as time passes by.

Sometimes, you would ask the Wanderer about the wonders of his travels around the world. If he's in a gracious mood, he would indulge in your curiosities in exchange for a bitter tea. With a seemingly detached nonchalance, he would tell you about the lush rainforest and the rich desert of Sumeru, the bustling streets of Liyue Harbour, and even the regaling tales of Mondstadt.

He never talks about himself once, nor his hometown, and you never asked him about, well, him either. You have a feeling that asking that would only put him in a foul mood, or worse, he wouldn't show himself to you for months. Besides, maybe he would tell you something about himself soon, when he deemed you 'trustworthy' enough—whenever that was. You are more than willing to wait for him to open up.

Over time, you come to respect his boundaries and the fine line he drew between you and himself, one that he was reluctant to cross, and even if you silently wished that he would at least take a single act of kindness for free, without negotiating and demanding a full price in exchange, the wanderer was too stubborn and hardheaded to reason with that you decided to simply bargain these little moments with him.

You noticed that the Wanderer seemed to be in a daze lately, and judging from the noticeable black circles underneath his eyes, it also appears that he isn't resting well enough either. You didn't know what kind of job he was doing, nor did you have any heart to ask such a personal question, but knowing him for quite some time now, you knew that he's probably overworking just to reach his impossibly high standards he set for himself.

It hurts to see him this way.

But you didn't know what to do to make him feel better without being intrusive and nosy to his business. The least you could do now is to silently stay by his side, offering him bitter tea and a cosy place he could always return to when the world outside becomes too much for him to bear.

You just wished he would actually let you in, see some vulnerable parts of himself for you to hold and cradle at night. But that was too much to ask for such an arrogant gremlin.

"—you should be asleep, dimwit."

You wisely ignored his insult and sat yourself next to him on the couch. "You should sleep, too, you know."

"My body is able to withstand at least a week without sleep. I could manage myself just fine." He rolled his eyes, stubbornly crossing his arms on his chest.

"Maybe you don't need them physically, but that doesn't mean you can't be exhausted mentally and emotionally, you know." You smartly replied, patting your lap. "Come. You can lay here if the bed is too uncomfortable for you."

You were only half-joking, really, didn't think too much of what you were doing but with the way he sported a complicated expression, a little hopeful, but you knew him well enough that he was thinking of a way to balance his debts once again.

"Name your price, then." The Wanderer replied, narrowing his deep purple eyes at you.

"That's new," you raised a brow, interested. "Usually, you would already know how much lying on my lap is worth?"

"We're using your body as a place of negotiation, it's only natural that you name your own price, dimwit." The Wanderer said in a matter of fact tone.

You pretend to not heat his insults. "Your choice of wording leaves something to be desired as usual. I feel like I'm selling my body to you or something."

He snorted at your scowling expression. "Hurry up and decide already. I'm not feeling very patient today."

"Geez, you and your obnoxious demands." You sighed, before your scowl melted into a grin as you thought of an idea. "—How about giving me a hug?"

"A what now?"

"A hug! You know, like wrapping your arms around my shoulders or my waist, and I snuggle to your che—"

"I know what a hug is, you stupid human!" There was a scarlet tint on his ears that you find truly adorable as he glowers at you in confusion. "But why do you suddenly want a hug now, of all times?"

"You ask for a price," you shrugged, smiling mischievously at him. "I gave you my price. Take it or leave it."

It's not as if you were that oblivious to his buried knee-deep intentions. In fact, you knew him well enough to realise early on that you were being courted in the most clumsiest, ambiguous, and awkward of ways known to man.

Perhaps his life-long philosophy of 'balancing the books' and transaction relationship had played a great part in this entire charade. Whereas if he gave you something, you would give him something in return. If he didn't leave you, you wouldn't leave him in return.

As much as it was endearing at first, the strange exchange system going on for who-knows-how-long now had to stop. You have to make him realise that any other relationship—whether it was friendship, familial, or being a lover—wasn't all about give and take. It will take time, but you are more than willing to wait for him.

It was in the far future, where the fine line between being strangers to friends and then being more than that begins to blur. Where the lips that drank bitter teas tasted like sweet cherries and apples as it carefully clashes into your own. A pair of porcelain hands cradled your cheeks awkwardly in the face of gentle caresses reserved only for you, as if he's afraid he'll crush you like a piece of glass if he wasn't being careful enough.

The Wanderer's looming figure above you made you feel more at ease and safe rather than being afraid, as one would normally feel. But with the way his doe-like eyes stared at you with unmasked adoration made your heart flutters in your chest, twisting and constricting in his ever demanding gazes.

Why is it much easier to deal with him when he's being a bratty little bastard than when he's being so…adorably loving?

"...Let's make a deal," the Wanderer said, reluctantly detaching himself from your lips that made you groan in frustration, much to his amusement.

"Are you seriously asking that now?" You sulked, glaring at him. "You freaking ruined the romantic atmosphere. Ugh."

"I am being serious, dimwit." He rolled his eyes but before he could say anything more, you interjected with a grounded tone.

"I am not charging you with anything anymore, Wanderer. I already give you anything I could give for free, and I won't accept any payments if it's not yourself you were paying me."

When you thought he had more snark to say, his soft voice made you do a double take. "Even your heart?"

You blinked, and that same heart he was asking you skipped a beat at his hopeful gaze. He was looking at you like you were the cure to his fears. The unobtainable paradise just beyond his reach, and yet, he dared to hope that this time, maybe this time, you will stay.

You felt your throat run dry, but you forced yourself to say the words, anything, that could stabilise him to yourself. "...Why are you asking for something that has been in your hands this entire time?"

"And I have no heart to give to you," there was a slight bitterness in his tone that vanished as fast as it came. "But I could offer my undisguised, honest self to you, if you are willing to have an incomplete puppet like me."

"If that was the case," you tried blinking the tears away, feeling his never ending sadness and insecurities behind the grandiose curtain of his colourful words. "I'd like to gift-wrap you with a blue ribbon and a name card with my name on it. So, deal?"

"Not the blue ribbon part, no, otherwise yes, we could reach a compromise, I guess." There was a childish wonder in his gaze, a slight twinkle of unmasked happiness in his eyes, as he dived in to claim your lips into his own once again.

And you let him. You freely let his tender caress do the talking, a year's worth of pining and hoping and dreaming condensed into a crystallised moment.

TAGLIST (let me know if you want to be added in my future works!): @samarill , @maehemthemisfit , @chocogi , @rvoulte , @luvwukong ...

#genshin impact #scaramouche x reader #wanderer x reader #genshin scaramouche #genshin wanderer #genshin fluff #twilight theatre #jaded moments—!#scaramouche #wanderer #gender neutral reader

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ms-awesome52 · 7 months

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I don't think Jax isn't as big of a jerk as he lets on

Spoilers for THE AMAZING DIGITAL CIRCUS! Pilot. It's on YouTube

I've watched Glitch's new pilot and find the character of Jax really interesting. He comes off as a major jerk, and he is, but I feel he cares a lot more and is kinder than he lets on. I'm going to go through his major moments and break down how many of them were kinder or more harmless than many assume.

1: Meeting/interacting with Pomni

When Pomni first joins the circus, it's obvious that she's confused and freaking out. Ragatha attempts to sugar-coat what's happening when Pomni asks about leaving. Jax rips the band-aid off and tells her that they can't leave. At that moment, Pomni is looking for answers, not comfort, and this may be my autism talking, but Jax's bluntness and ability to get straight to the point likely helped Pomni understand the situation and prosses her new reality much quicker than if they just let Ragatha tip-toe around the topic. Later when they're on their way to meet Kaufmo, Jax makes a joke about Pomni trying to pretend this was all a dream. Both of the previous times Pomni claimed it was a dream, he was the only one to react, and he did it in a way that made it obvious that he and the others knew it wasn't a dream, as to not give her false hope, while also not outright making fun of her. Another thing to point out is that Pomni never has a negative reaction to Jax. To a situation Jax pointed out? Yes. To Jax himself? No. While this isn't an indication of how Pomni feels about Jax, it does show that Jax's comments didn't hurt her.

2: His interactions with Zooble

Zooble and Jax seem to have the most similar mindset. When Jax says that they can't leave and stuff, they'll tell him to shut up and then confirm and/or agree with what he said. They're both sarcastic and don't want to bother with meaningless fluff, which is why they both avoid going on the Gloinks quest at first. They both know that the Gloinks aren't a threat and are just an inconvenience. I get major sibling energy from their dynamic.

3: His interactions with Kinger and Gangle

(These are some of the harder ones to explain but here we go) Kinger and Gangle are the least stable of the main cast as far as I can tell. Kinger is a anxious mess that has forgotten human social cues while Gangle's emotions are dictated by her masks, which are easy to break (Caine probably fixes them often since Gangle says that her comedy mask is broken again). Since he knows the Gloinks are harmless and that Zooble is in no real danger, he trusts the day's quest to them. When he learned that Kaufmo abstracted, he ran away to where they were. When there, he says that Kaufmo is fine (sarcastically, but they didn't pick up on that and I get the vide that he didn't expect them to) then he hears the abstracted Kaufmo and pushes them both into the Gloink hole and jumping in himself. He later confesses that he was only down there to avoid Kaufmo. I interpreted this as him being helpful because 1: he got both Kinger and Gangle to safety and 2: He did it without telling them because while Pomni needed his bluntness, they didn't and telling them straight up before it was truly necessary because they needed to finish the quest so Caine would be there to take care of Kaufmo. If they knew, they would have been to panicked to finish the quest and that would have been a much more dangerous situation.

4: His interactions with Ragatha

Ragatha is the character we see him mess with the most, but she and Zooble also are the characters that are able to handle his jabbing the best, which is likely why he focuses on them instead of those who would be more hurt by his words. When they learn that Kaufmo abstracted, he ran and left them behind, but I see no reason why he wouldn't assume they would run as well. I also get sibling vibes here.

5: His reactions/interactions with Caine and the world itself

Jax seems to be the human that understands how the Circus works the best. When Pomni shows up the first thing he mentions is that they're going to need to rework the theme song to work her in. He also understands the formula best, predicting a brand new adventure (implying that Caine reuses adventures sometimes, like replaying a level in a videogame). This is also the reason I think he knew to go finish the quest to bring Caine back. Another thing to consider is the fact that he has keys to everyone's room. How would he get his hands on those if he didn't understand the mechanics of the digital world? At the end he has a debate with Kinger about Kinger feeling the need to explain that they don't need to eat after Jax says that he's hungry.

TL:DR Jax is blunt when he needs to be, but also knows when to hide info, he only goes as far as he knows the others can handle and he understands the world enough to be able to get the others to a safe area if anything serious happens. (please note, I'm explaining, not excusing any of his behavior. There are many situations where I feel he does take it a bit to far)

#spoilers #the amazing digital circus #the amazing digital circus spoilers #the amazing digital circus jax

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coolshadowtwins · 8 days

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LiuShen Fanficion Round Up! Lets Go!

This took way too long! These are hard to do on mobile. Thank you to everyone who gave recs! If anyone recommends any other LiuShen/BingLiuShen fics, I’ll add them to this later!

I might have missed some that people have recommended, so tell me if I did!

The clueless fairy and his knight by sailorstar165

Summary:

Yet another filler quest from the pesky System in his head leads Shen Qingqiu to a heavily damaged heavenly raiment that inconceivably now belongs to him.

This was impossible for two reasons.

One, Lunar Fairies are female only. So sayeth the "Great Master" Airplane Shooting Toward the Sky when he wrote the abomination that was PIDW, and last he'd checked, Shen Qingqiu was very much male.

Two, Shen Qingqiu is just some one-dimensional scum villain! He was a garbage person for the sake of villainy! He shouldn't have a tragic backstory and missing family and some fated role to play in this universe!

When the System lured him in with the promise of hidden lore, Shen Yuan wasn't signing up for this!

Cultivate: slow life on a monster infested mountain by NeonGhostCat

Summary:

When trying to transfer Shen Yuan from the real world to Proud Immortal Demon Way, the System runs into an error. The transfer is not complete.

Shen Yuan is dropped off at the foot of a mountain aware of two things: he's in the story, and the Shen Qingqiu of this world is not only aware but thinks he tried to possess his body — and he's PISSED. Shen Yuan tries to opt out and live a simple life on what locals tell him is a monster-infested mountain no one in their right mind would bother with.

Sounds like a great hiding spot!

(TL;DR: Stardew Scum Villain Valley Mountain.)

Reincarnation not desired, transmigration not required by Pegunicent

Summary:

Shen Yuan dies. Then he decides to finally get a life.

Star crossed wires by silversinnbees

Summary:

Shen Yuan’s family has been pestering him to get an android for months now. His health had recently taken a dip that landed him in the hospital for a bit and an ultimatum had been issued: either Shen Yuan goes into some kind of assisted living facility (which, no), or he purchases an android fitted out with caretaking programming to live with him. He had griped about it for the longest time, not liking either option given to him but he ultimately decided that an android in his living space was a better option than essentially living in a hospital.

Shen Yuan brings an android named Liu Qingge into his life to take care of him. He never could have expected that the android was capable of so much more than just caring.

Metagaming by esama

Summary:

[Self-Saving System Activated! You will be now returned to your original starting position.]

Shen Qingqiu dies and gets a second chance and decides to try a different approach. (Note: this does a many pairings, not just LiuShen!)

Meet Cute (these dorks) by Mayvn

Summary:

The instant he turned to dash into the fight, Liu Qingge froze as he saw Not Shen Qingqiu standing coolly over one unconscious thug, guqin in both hands and still in a pose that clearly showed he had, in fact, just bludgeoned someone with the end of his guqin. Not Shen Qingqiu smirked and tilted his head back cockily. --- LQG finds SY running away from a sticky situation and brings him back to Cang Qiong in hopes that he can keep the man from getting himself mugged. SY is just relieved he doesn’t have to pretend to be a girl anymore.

Blanket Forts and Rainy Days by NeonGhostCat

Summary:

Mere weeks after the Demon Invasion incident, Liu Qingge visits Qing Jing Peak to discover the disciples hard at work building a monstrosity of blankets and bamboo. Like the students, he becomes inexplicably drawn into Shen Qingqiu's orbit in spite of himself.

Or: How Shen Yuan causes chaos under the flimsy guise of education and Liu Qingge heroically tries to keep himself oblivious to the state of his own squishy heart.

the stages of [...] by tennssi

Summary:

Despite all efforts, Luo Binghe died before the abyss event, and the only thing that saved Shen Qingqiu from being transported back to his world were the points he painstakingly accumulated to prevent Binghe’s blackening.

Stuck in a state of mourning that he himself is unaware of, he finds an unexpected comfort from a certain Peak Lord, who despite everything, never left his side since.

Sharing is Caring by celardor

Summary:

“Liu Qingge! I told you not to drink the water!” Shen Qingqiu shouts. His thoughts are a panicked whirl- is it going to have the same effect that it did in the original story?

Liu Qingge just stares at him in shock.

Shen Qingqiu’s question is answered when he suddenly hears Liu Qingge’s voice. Liu Qingge isn’t speaking, though- his mouth never moves. No, Shen Qingiu is hearing Liu Qingge’s voice inside his head.

Liu Qingge’s voice says, “Holy shit. I can see his nipples.”

They both stare at each other in horror. At that moment, there’s a happy little ding and a System notification pops up in front of him.

[Congratulations! Bonus mission activated: Sharing is Caring!]

“Fuck,” Shen Qingqiu says, with feeling.

*************

Shen Qingqiu and Liu Qingge accidentally trigger a wife plot that leads to them forming a telepathic connection.

(This one is a favorite of mine! I’ve re-read it multiple times, and it has an inprogress sequel.)

The Guardian Ghost and the Bookish Fairy by NeonGhostCat

Summary:

Liu Qingge survives his qi deviation… in the form of a ghost. Having nothing better to do and no desire to be exorcised, he follows after Shen Qingqiu and decides to haunt him for the hell of it.

It doesn't take him long to realize that not only is this not the Shen Qingqiu he knew, but there is more going on. And apparently Shang Qinghua is involved too? Ah! He understands now — they're immortal fairies given the mission to thwart a dark prophecy of the sect's collapse. Well. He can help with that. And how better than to protect the bookish fairy that's taken his old foe's place?

There are no ulterior motives. Why think such foolish things???

TL;DR: What happens if SY transmigrates just a little too late?

Story marked "Chooses Not To Warn" purely because LQG becomes a ghost in the first scene and I didn't want to agonize over whether that required a MCD warning or not. If it does to you, this is your heads up! No other archive warnings are necessary.

Moments by hummingbirdhum

Summary:

Liu Qingge never paid Shen Qingqiu attention unless he had to, before. But things are different now, and in a million little ways, this new Shen Qingqiu keeps managing to make him...feel things. Things he's not used to.

Basically SQQ keeps being attractive and adorable without realizing it and eventually it's going to build up to the point LQG has to do something about it.

Updates will be sporadic in length and in upload date. Starts pre-abyss.

every memory of you by beta_babelfish

Summary:

Before Shen Qingqiu can voice his agreement and his opinion that they are doing an excellent job of getting things done, a knock sounds at the door. The other Shen Qingqiu sighs heavily, and stands. “You ought to hide, I suppose,” he says. “That’ll be Yue Qingyuan.”

 “Oh? Is there some business with the sect?” Shen Qingqiu asks, immediately curious.

 “Oh, he’s here to clear my meridians, as usual,” Other-Him says nonchalantly.

 Shen Qingqiu blinks. He blinks again. “As usual?” he says after what feels like an eternity, voice sounding strange and an unsettled feeling churning in his gut. “What about Liu-shidi?”

 Other-Him looks at him blankly for a moment. “Who?”

Or, Shen Qingqiu is wifeplotted into an alternate timeline in which he did not save Liu Qingge.

Fowl Weather Friends by Koiichaser_lucorinth

Summary:

Shen Qingqiu had always felt a small disconnect from his wings, coming from a world that didn’t have them. Like the opposite of phantom-limb syndrome. Things that were a part of him, yet felt separate.

They were cool in concept, yet gave him no end of trouble.

Like old wounds, they ached and cramped in bad weather or exhaustion. As if the Original Goods had gotten them broken in places multiple times before healing away the physical signs as he cultivated.

Also, they were just annoying!

They required so much upkeep! Feathers constantly shed and had to grow in, which was itchy as hell. When they grew in, they did so with sheaths you had to scratch off as they emerged, but you couldn’t scratch too hard because OOPS, was that a blood feather? If it was, congrats on just breaking open what was basically a straw directly to a vein. Better pluck it all out from the root if you ever want it to stop bleeding! And then you had to heal the gaping hole the correct way, or the next pinfeather might not grow back correctly.

…Shen Qingqiu might not have devoted his patience.

If he were to be honest, he might have slipped up a little in regards to the care of his wings as of late.

I Wish You Were My Husband by Feynite

Summary:

AU based on The Dreamer in the Spring Boudoir (familiarity with that story's not required).

Wherein Shen Yuan transmigrates into a harem intrigues romance novel (gay edition), Yue Qingyuan really fucks up, Liu Qingge is not suitable for his job, and no one even remotely sees Luo Binghe coming. (Note: this is maybe a stretch of LiuShen? But I think it counts lol)

You Take Me By the Heart When You Take Me By the Hand by UnhookedStar

Summary:

Liu Qingge knows that as smart as he is, Shen Yuan is often startlingly oblivious to the implications of his actions. Liu Qingge has learned this the hard way after years of obsessing over countless overly familiar casual gestures. However, while Shen Yuan's sense of personal space has always been practically nonexistent, he's been even more sticky than usual lately. He keeps casually touching Liu Qingge; brushing his hair out of his face, randomly reaching out and patting his head, leaning in close to say something and never leaning away again. The other day, Shen Yuan had held his hand. In public.

Or, Liu Qingge has no idea why Shen Yuan has been acting so much more familiar with him lately, but all of this casual touching is starting to push at the limits of his self control.

Meanwhile, Shen Yuan just wants to know when his boyfriend is finally going to kiss him.

The Journey Home, The Hollow Victory by MonroeKnox

The journey back to Cang Qiong Mountain seemed longer than it’s ever been.

Unlike so many times before, peak lord Liu Qingge was returning victorious.

But, in his heart, there was nothing to celebrate.

Liu Qingge could not outrun his grief forever. Especially not when he has finally brought Shen Qingqiu home.

Misery by Calamity Butterfly

Summary:

"With shaking fingers, he traces the planes of what will be Shen Qingqiu’s face. He brushes dirt from the body’s hair, rearranges its arms so it looks more peaceful, wipes a smear of mud from its chest. The body doesn’t exactly look dead but isn’t currently breathing and doesn’t have the… seeming of life. Shang Qinghua insisted that Shen Qingqiu’s soul was not yet fully inside the body, but Liu Qingge is sure he can sense Shen Qingqiu’s presence in the clearing, if not in the body. He hopes Shen Qingqiu is able to be aware of and comforted by, at some level, the knowledge that his body is safe and being cared for by one who cares for him very deeply."

A very Not Ok Liu Qingge finds Shen Qingqiu's plant body before Shen Qingqiu wakes up. He tends and cares for it and keeps it safe.

Another Time, Another Place by Mayvn

Summary:

Another Luo Binghe suddenly appeared and Liu Qingge died trying to save Shen Qingqiu, only to find himself waking up in a strange room full of strange things.

 Losing his ‘apartment’? Cheating girlfriend kicking him to the curb for a rich ‘fuerdai’ after stealing all his money? What’s a ‘dogblood drama’? He doesn’t care about any of that! What happened to Shen Qingqiu?!

 ---

 Basically, LQG gets transmigrated into a dogblood drama, but just wants to cultivate and live happily with SY. If only these damn characters would get a hint and stop trying to drag him back into the plot! Meanwhile, after being forcefully repatriated, SY uses all his superpowers as an avid trashy web-novel reader to try to predict what will happen and protect LQG from all the shitty tropes while also dealing with the realization that there’s been cultivation in the modern world this whole time!

Not to mention the familiar-but-different faces popping up here and there…

rsvp me to world's end by beta_babelfish

Summary:

FUTURE Shen Qingqiu [FSQQ] 4130 HOURS FROM NOW opened a memo on board WELCOME TO HELL

FSQQ: OKAY. First things first if the term “peerless cucumber” means anything to you you’re in the right place. If it doesn’t then you’re gonna be banned immediately. thanks PAST Shen Qingqiu [PSQQ] 45 HOURS AGO responded to the memo PSQQ: what the hell is a peerless cucumber FSQQ banned PSQQ from responding to the memo FSQQ: what did i just FUCKING say!!!! FSQQ: anyway FSQQ: you know that shitty webcomic. Proud Immortal Demon's Game? about that game called SBURB that causes the end of the world and the creation of a new one with frogs or whatever. luo binghe is there, he rips apart paradox space and uses his fuckin insane powers to take over like three different universes and all that? FSQQ: you’re in it now FSQQ: have fun CURRENT Shen Qingqiu [CSQQ] RIGHT NOW responded to the memo CSQQ: WHAT THE FUCK

Or, the Scum Villain/Homestuck crossover that absolutely nobody asked for, but you're getting anyway

A Night on Cang Qiong Mountain by NeonGhostCat

Summary:

Shen Qingqiu frets over the upcoming Endless Abyss event. Wanting to figure out a way to give his little white sheep fond memories of his time at the sect to hold onto in the Abyss, he remembers Halloween, something he looked forward to each year in his previous life (even if it was only through game events). System steps in to offer him a Limited Time Event of his own.

These are stories based off of the same premise that can be read stand-alone if preferred. Technically you could read them in any order.

NSFW

We'll survive, you and I by rinsled05

Summary:

On the bed, back against Liu Qingge’s chest, Shen Yuan is grinding his ass against him, soft, breathless sounds slipping out of his mouth.

Liu Qingge's skin buzzes with need, and he wants to put his hands on Shen Yuan’s hips, feel them shift under his palms. Wants to hear Shen Yuan whimper as he matches Shen Yuan’s pace and rocks back. To suck and nip at Shen Yuan’s skin, leaving bruises in the shape of his mouth.

But he's too aware of Luo Binghe's presence on the other side of the bed, the curl of his arm around Shen Yuan’s waist. Liu Qingge can’t tell if Shen Yuan is awake, either, if he even realizes that the body spooned against him belongs to Liu Qingge. It’s entirely possible that he thinks it’s—

“Qingge,” Shen Yuan whines.

Oh.

 In which Liu Qingge fights to keep himself and Shen Yuan alive in a zombie apocalypse, knowing that Shen Yuan would have married Luo Binghe if not for, well, zombies. Liushen main, with hints of Bingqiu, Bingliu, and eventual Bingliushen.

the horns of a dilemma by lavenderandrue

Summary:

Shen Qingqiu doses himself with truth mushrooms on purpose and gets more than he bargained for.

returned tenfold by lavenderandrue

Summary:

“We were thinking perhaps a little game of sorts? An exchange of winnings and gifts?” Bristling immediately, Liu Qingge draws himself up ramrod straight. “I have no wish to play your games, demon,” he spits. Shen Qingqiu makes some kind of small noise behind his fan, perhaps a laugh or a sound of dismay, and Liu Qingge tries to ignore the way the tips of his ears heat up. “Actually, Shidi, it was this shixiong’s idea.” Shen Qingqiu uncrosses his legs and sits a little straighter on his throne, which is far more ornate than Luo Binghe’s. The solemn dignity is marred a little by the pile of cushions spilling out from underneath his robes and the bag of melon seeds resting on the arm. Liu Qingge’s chest aches faintly. This is fairly normal when he’s around Shen Qingqiu, so he ignores it.

Dual Cultivation by Acernor

Summary:

“Shizun said I made you feel so good,” Luo Binghe says, “that I could fuck you any time I wanted.”

Liu Qingge stops breathing for a second.

“What,” he blurts out.

Shen Qingqiu could tell he’d been into it?!

#svsss #shen qingqiu #shen yuan #liushen #liu qingge #fic rec

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entishramblings · 1 year

Text

The Innocence of Brutality Pt. 3 [Legolas/F!Reader]

A.N: and I present part 3 to you!!!! Enjoy!

Request: none

Pairing: Legolas X Fem!Reader

Summary: The Reader is Rámaitë Mahtar, a warrior spirit race, and she meets the fellowship on their quest to destroy the ring.

Disclaimer: Any mythology relating to the Rámaitë Mahtar is not canon as I made up Rámaitë Mahtar. Also, all elvish was translated from a translator site—it may not be accurate.

Word Count:

Warnings: nudity (not sex), mentions of war, mentions of torture, violence, fluff

MASTERLIST | AO3 | WATTPAD

The Innocence of Brutality Masterlist

That night, they settled into a camp rather late, for Aragorn and Gandalf wanted to put as much distance as possible between them and the bloodbath. So, exhausted and worn down, they huddled by the fire, doing the tasks they must attend to.

(Y/N), on the other hand, was still covered in orc blood. It was like a second skin at this point. A hardened, cracked shell of war. But it seemed she didn't want to wear such a thing, for she walked towards the river that ran by the edge of their camp. Immediately, she began to peel her clothing off, as well as the bandage upon her wing.

Instantly, all the men adverted their eyes and went about their tasks—building a fire, making food, treating minor scratches, taking a leak, etc.

The winged woman let her body drift into the water. It wasn't deep, not enough for a swim, for it hung around her waist calmly. Still, she crouched down and dipped her head under, letting it wash over her entire form. She stayed under the smooth liquid, allowing it to envelope her.

When she came up, she inhaled slowly. She felt much better, much cleaner. The water, as cold as it was—especially at the night—felt good on her skin. The movement of the river took away all the grim, dirt, and blood from not only her body but her wings. It rippled through each feather, cleaning off anything that lingered. Additionally, it felt relaxing and soothing on her injury. The water was almost healing in a sense.

(Y/N) spent much time in the river, letting it loosen her muscles, but as the chill began to settle, she decided to opt to spend time near the fire. Therefore, she rose from the water, gathered her dirty clothes in her arms, and approached the men once again.

She dropped the fabric in a pile on a log and stood before the flames.

Aragorn cleared his throat awkwardly. "(Y/N), where are your clothes?"

She, seemingly not having any qualms about being bare before them, gestured to the fabric. "They are bloody."

Legolas glanced up and instantly, his lips parted. Of course, from Aragon's words he had expected her to be naked—again—but he hadn't expected....this. She was absolutely ethereal. Legolas, of course, had seen her body considering the circumstances, but now...Valar. She stood before them with all the dirt, ash, and blood finally washed away. Her wet skin sparkled in the firelight, golden hues dancing upon the smooth flesh. Water dripped from every bend and twist of her body, running down in simple streams. But it was those wings of hers that held his attention. Originally, he had thought them to be a shimmery gray color. Now, however, he could see they weren't. They were clean of all harsh elements. Extending from her back, bright white with reflective colorful hues of pinks, blues, and yellows danced upon each feather. They practically glowed in the flame's lingering kiss. She was beautiful.

"You have to wear clothes," Aragorn's voice drawled on.

Legolas, blinking, averted his eyes again.

She crossed her arms. "Why?"

"Because that is what we do in this world." He gestured to all the men. "We are all wearing clothes."

Boromir cleared his throat. "She may use my extra tunic."

All eyes drifted to him with confusion as he stood.

He awkwardly brought the fabric to the woman. As he handed it to her, he spoke gently. "Thank you for fighting for us today. We would not have had such a good chance if you were not there."

(Y/N) tilted her head for a moment, those curious eyes, once again, staring into his soul, until she finally nodded in acceptance.

He turned to walk away, but she spoke again, holding the fabric close to her body. "What were they?"

Each person glanced around at the other, unsure what to say.

Boromir, however, answered. "They are orcs. Beasts bred for a vile purpose."

Legolas, thinking of his previous conversation with Gandalf, decided to add to Boromir's statement with the intent to pry into (Y/N)'s knowledge of good vs. evil. Even though he heard such horrid tales from the wizard, he still believed she could be good—that she could be kind and caring. "These orcs, they serve someone who is trying to harm us," he said.

"Why?"

Once again, eyes shifted nervously.

"We carry something that they want."

She frowned. "Why do you carry it?"

"To destroy it," he replied. "We are taking it to be destroyed so many will not be subject to harm."

"To help?" she questioned, looking for a simple answer. She seemed to like simple answers.

Legolas nodded. "Yes, to help. We want to help save the world and its people."

She bobbed her head up and down in understanding.

Surprisingly, it was Frodo who spoke. "(Y/N), do you want to help us do it?"

The air went absolutely silent at that question.

"Will it help you?" she asked.

He nodded.

"Then I will help."

A breath, that none realized they had been holding, seemed to slip back into the atmosphere.

(Y/N), however, did not pick up on such relief. Instead, she began pulling the tunic over her head, struggling to get it to lay correctly with her wings.

Legolas, seeing this, sighed in dismay. It was sad, really.

He stood upright. "Let me help." He approached her and began to pull the fabric over her body. It hung low and loosely in her front, but the back was simply not going to happen.

"Sam," he called out, "Could you pass me a blanket?"

The hobbit nodded and scrambled to get one to the elf. Legolas then wrapped it around (Y/N)'s waist, tying it taught, like a skirt.

"Aragorn, we will be needing to get her clothing that will fit her. Maybe the next town or market?"

He shook his head. "We can't risk getting too close."

"We cannot have her going on like this," he replied. "If she is to journey with us, she needs adequate clothing."

"How will we even get her into a town, Legolas? Those wings—"

(Y/N) interrupted. "Wings go away."

Both men twisted to look at her, unsure of what she meant.

"(Y/N)," Legolas began softly. "They are a part of you. We can't cut them off."

She shook her head. "No. They go inside when not broken."

Aragorn's lips parted, realizing what she was saying. "They retract," he blurted.

She nodded.

"That will make things easier, we wont have to get anything custom sewed. We can just purchase pre-made clothing in a size that will fit. It would be in and out rather quickly," Legolas said.

Pippin interjected into their conversation. "If we're gonna be going into a town, why don't we stay the night? Get a nice bed. Some fine ale and comforts!"

"And stock up on some more food, Strider!" Sam added.

Aragorn shook his head. "A night is too risky."

Gimli chimed in. "Nay, it's not. Not if it's only one night and we mind our own business."

"We are a strange group, Gimli, are we not? People would likely ask questions if we came bumbling in."

"So we split up," Boromir said. "We go in separate groups, a couple to a room. This far east the hobbits can pass as children."

Aragorn, inhaled deeply, seemingly thinking it through. After a moment, though, he nodded. "Fine. But it all depends on those wings. When will they be able to retract?"

Legolas frowned. "Let me look at the injury." He turned back to the woman. "(Y/N), may I?"

She nodded, bringing the wing down from its height. Legolas then began examining it, being sure to be careful...and cautious considering he now knew how much of a weapon they really were.

He frowned.

"What? What is it?" Aragorn said, worried.

He shook his head. "Nay, nothing is wrong. It's just—it is healing quickly. Much faster than such an injury should."

"She is Rámaite Mahtar," Gandalf stated simply. "Their bodies are designed for war. That includes healing. An injury that should take months or even years can be healed in a matter of weeks."

"The wing should be fully repaired within a couple of days, I believe," Legolas said. "It did receive a minor setback today with all the fighting, but it is nearly fixed. Let me put another poultice on it and wrap it for the night."

Aragorn dipped his head.

The fellowship drifted to their bed rolls with small smiles of excitement, for they much so desired one night of comforts.

"Is that alright?" Legolas asked. "If I treat the wound again?"

(Y/N) looked up at him and nodded, sitting down upon the grass. They had done it enough times now that it was now a regular occurrence, but Legolas always asked permission.

As Legolas worked, (Y/N)'s eyes drifted closed and her body relaxed. Legolas knew she was tired. The battle was probably exhausting—even more so if he considered the fact that she may have been in chains for eons...and most definitely tortured considering Morgoth was the one who watched her prison. His heart filled with sadness as he thought of that. It must have been so painful. So horrible.

Sam, the sweet hobbit, had come by them and collected (Y/N)'s dirty clothing. He began washing it in the river. Legolas sent him a grateful smile as he did so, for it was an act of complete kindness. He knew the little hobbit was doing it as a thank you for saving them. If she wasn't there, at least some of them would have been dead. Legolas knew that. He had fought in enough battles. Besides, considering they would need to keep moving tomorrow, clean clothing was a necessity. The makeshift fabric upon her form now would not hold in such terrain.

With curiosity tugging in the corners of his mind, Legolas decided to speak to (Y/N). Maybe he could get some answers from her, different from the biased ones Gandalf told him. "(Y/N), where were you before you came to us."

She opened her eyes and stared right into Legolas. Time seemed to stretch on as she examined his gaze, seemingly wondering if she should tell him or not.

"I was...I was in the dark," she replied softly.

He gently touched her wrist with the bruises that were now almost faded. "Is that where those came from?"

She looked down at his hand upon hers and nodded. "Yes."

"How long were you there for?"

She shrugged. "Don't know. Long."

He began moving his thumb in soft circles of comfort as he spoke again in that same gentle tone. "Did they hurt you there?"

(Y/N) blinked, turning her head way. "Yes."

Sensing that that was all the information he was going to get tonight, he ceased his questions and went back to tending to her wing. He didn't want to push.

After a couple of moments, however, she turned back to face him.

At first, he thought maybe she was going to tell him more of her life. But she did not speak.

Instead, her gaze did not move from his expression. Damn those beautiful curious eyes. They bore into him fiercely. So much so, that he stopped his task and looked up. "Is there something wrong, (Y/N)?"

"Why," she began as she reached her hand forward, her palm cupping his cheek.

Slightly startled, he sucked in a shaky breath. She had never touched him like...like this. She had grabbed at his arm when wanting his attention. She had pulled on his limbs to stop herself from slipping on the rough terrain (he assumed she normally would fly because legs didn't seem to really be her thing). And she had smacked him in the face with her wing when she didn't care enough to avoid his form when he was 'in her way.'

Her finger extended to touch his ear. "Why are yours pointed?"

Legolas, squeezing his eyes shut, noticeably shivered at her touch. He was quick to grab her hand and pull it from his ear.

She frowned at him, clearly unhappy at his lack of consent.

"I, uh," he stuttered. "They are pointed because I am an elf. Aragorn and Boromir are human. Gimli is a dwarf. The hobbits, well, they are hobbits. Their ears are also pointed. Gandalf is a wizard. We are all different races, so we are all different.

(Y/N) looked to Aragorn and Boromir before looking back at Legolas. "What is the difference besides ears?"

He raised a brow as he started to wrap the wing in bandages once again. "Between elves and humans?"

She nodded.

"Well, elves have better senses—sight, touch, smell, hearing, and even taste. We are stronger and faster. We, uh, also live for many more years. We live until we are killed."

"I live until killed," she replied simply.

His blue eyes drifted upwards, surprised by her words. "Is that so?"

She nodded. "Yes." She then looked to the others before looking back at the Prince. "Will you be...be..." She frowned, clearly searching for a word. "When they are gone will you be like—like when there are no more sausages left."

Legolas chuckled lightly. "You mean sad?"

"Sad?" she questioned.

He bobbed his head. "Yes." He then tapped her heart lightly. "Sad is when it hurts in here."

She nodded. "Yes. Sad."

Legolas sighed. "I suppose, I will be sad. They are my friends and I do not wish to have them absent from my life. It will be very hard to see them eventually pass from this world if they do not die on this mission."

"I am your friend."

He smiled at her, tucking the last of the fabric into a taught spot. "Yes, you are."

Her next words seemed too abruptly blurt out. "I will also be sad."

"You will?"

(Y/N) nodded. "Yes. I like friends." She then reached forward, grabbing a lock if his hair in her hand. She began to twist it between her fingers. "We will still be friends, yes? Even when they are....gone."

Legolas gently reached up and untangled her fingers from his hair. "Yes, if that is what you want."

She nodded.

"Very well then." He stood from his kneeling position. "I have first watch tonight. You should get some rest." With that, he stood up and took post at the front of the camp, his bow held in his hand.

(Y/N) exhaled as she watched him standing as still as a hunter looking for prey. For some reason, she wanted to stand with him. Instead, however, she turned and moved towards the hobbits who were already attempting to sleep.

"Ow! Pip! You are steeling all the blankets!"

"Yeah! It's cold. Give me some!"

"Oi! You've taken them all!"

"I did not!!!"

(Y/N) frowned as she sat upon her blanket about five feet away.

"Give 'em back, Merry!"

"You are the one with all of them!"

(Y/N) flared out her wings from their dropping position with a rather loud snap, drawing everyone's attention—including the hobbits. She didn't pay mind to the stares though. Instead, she turned on her side, facing away from the hobbits, and let both her wings lower over them like that of a blanket.

"Oh," one whispered quietly.

"This–this is very nice."

"Very warm. Much better than a blanket!"

She did not speak. She let her eyelids close as she drifted to sleep. The hobbits soon followed.

A couple of hours later, Aragorn approached Legolas and stood beside him for a moment before speaking. "It is my turn for watch, mellon nin (my friend)."

"I don't know if I could sleep right now," the elf replied.

The man did not turn to look at him. "Because of (Y/N)?"

Legolas swallowed dryly.

"I saw the two of you earlier. When you were binding her wing. She touched your ear. A very intimate act for your people."

"She doesn't know any better."

Aragorn raised a brow. "You didn't correct her though."

"I removed her hand."

"That is not enough. Part of me thinks you didn't want to tell her."

Legolas shifted. "She just wouldn't understand if i tried too."

"She has learned a lot in the past three weeks. I bet she would understand if you explained it to her. You are the one teaching her the most." He cleared his throat, his tone changing into one of slight teasing. "Wonder why that is?"

The elf cleared his throat. "Gandalf says that the Rámaite Mahtar can't tell the difference between good and evil. That they can't feel things like we do. But I think he is wrong. I think they can."

"Do you hope that she may feel something for you?"

Legolas tried to hide the red hue that danced upon his cheeks. "That is not what I meant." He turned to face his friend. "She asked me about how I would feel when you all died and I was left living."

"What did you say?"

"She was the one who described sadness. She just didn't know the word for it."

"And?"

"And she said she would be sad too because she would also still be here."

Aragorn's eyes drifted toward her and the hobbits under her wing before focusing back on Legolas. "She is immortal then?"

The Prince nodded. "Unless slain."

"Like you."

He nodded. "Yes."

Aragorn cleared his throat. "Why don't you rest?"

Legolas sighed. He knew he should.

Therefore, with only a quick dip of the head, the elf departed from his friend. Aragorn's words burned into his mind. He knew what the man was trying to say. He knew what he had meant.

The Prince laid down upon his back on his mat, only a couple of feet away from (Y/N). He let his head turn to the side, watching her sleep, until he too drifted into the land of dreams. However, only a couple of hours passed before he was jolted awake by a heavy mass smacking into him.

With a loud gasp, he tried to sit upwards and reach for his bow. He did not get very far.

Pinned to the ground, he frantically looked around himself with wide eyes in an attempt to see the enemy that knocked the air from his lungs. But he saw no enemy. No, he only saw a white fluffy wing covering his form—the bandaged part only two feet to the left of his chin. Legolas, still breathing heavily, turned his head to look at (Y/N).

She had rolled onto her stomach in her sleep. Her other wing, the uninjured one, still laid peacefully over the hobbits.

Legolas glanced at the wing on his chest again. Then back to her. Then over to the chuckling from the edge of camp.

Aragorn, smirking, sent him a look.

Legolas rolled his eyes before letting his head fall back to the ground with a loud huff. He didn't make any motion to do anything about the wing upon his chest. He just let it rise and fall with his breath.

Everything Tag:@scxundress @lea—-b @aredhel-of-gondolin @princecami @the-fandoms-georgie @jazziwritestolkienprimary @swimming-in-stardust @elvish-sky @red-riding @brun-lieve @hey-its-nonny @mirclealignr @elizabeth-anya-knight @sydney-120-sweetheart-blog @laneynoir

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Legolas tag: @dark-angel-is-back @mylittle-escapingdreams @abandoncloud9 @bweakmybonez

Add yourself to my taglist!

#lotr #lord of the rings #the hobbit #legolas #legolas greenleaf #Legolas fic #Legolas fanfic #Legolas fanfiction #legolas x reader #legolas/reader #Legolas one shot #LOTR fic #LOTR fanfic #LOTR fanfiction #vayawrites

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ezhuthalar · 10 months

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Lots of people doing HOO AUs and that sounds fun so I'm hopping on the band wagon. Starting with TLH! (Note, this would mostly be from Jason's pov, with a few chapters from Leo's and Piper's perspectives. ) Edit: I'm calling this The EagleOwl Swap, after the birds closely associated with Zeus and Athena (Also I have seen a fanart with the seven and birds associated with their godly parents, and I was inspired)

Jason wakes up confused, surrounded by his bestfriend Leo and girlfriend Piper, who he doesn't remember. Everything proceeds normally until their teacher turns into a goat and goes zoo-wee-mama, Leo falls to his death till Jason saves him and Piper acts a bit suspicious. Hmmmm.....

The chariot arrives and in it... is not Annabeth. Not Percy either. Nope. It's... Katie Gardener.

Percy and Annabeth had disappeared a few months ago, and getting a bunch of feral demigods to listen is hard if you're not popular. So all the head cabin members are tired, and Jason was apparently the lead they needed to find them, according to their local oracle. Too bad Jason has zero memories

Camp sequence ensues. Leo fits in like a fish to water, while Jason's mopping around being lonely as there's no one else in his cabin. Till he finds Piper moping a bit Piper's Life Hacks 101: If you don't fit in a grp, just pretend you do; maybe then you would find happiness in this cruel world. Jason finds the life hack to be bs, but Piper's too occupied with other things (foreshadowing) to care about being comfortable

They do the quest to save Hera and coach, and the mission is a mess. Leo is pretty much Elsa but with fire powers, Jason has found out throwing water at enemies then electrocuting them is both effective and fun, so now they have to waste time stealing water bottles from stores or else Jason would pout the entire mission, and Piper discovers Charmspeak for the first time, which makes her scary.

We have Leo trauma-dumping with a smile as he talks about the whole 'mom died in a fire thanks to this weird grass-lady' ending that convo with 'everything's fine, I'm fine' when clearly it's not, your friends can see the pain in your eyes, leo stop holding in the pain-

Piper also trauma dumps about how lonely a child of a celebrity's life is, being piled with expectations, forced to not rock the boat at all, people only sucking up to her cuz everyone knows and wants to be friends with THE Tristan Mclean's daughter, pretending to be something she's not

Which is why she and Leo are best friends, cuz boi has no clue what Hollywood is in the first place, (look he had been running for half his life, cut him some slack) and she finds his jokes funny. (the first)

Jason, is an excellent detective no matter what, and gets suspicious of Piper. "Wait, if you're a people pleaser how did you get sent to the Wilderness School. Minors who repeatedly commit offenses goes to prision, and yet you haven't done anything". "Uhhhhh" , a monster attacks them, saving Piper from almost blowing her cover.

Piper questions her sexuality when she meets the hunters, Leo tries to be supportive, but fails. "Hey, I'm an aromantic, and even I can feel the romance between you and Piper" "...Leo. Never flirt. Ever" ( Fun fact, I said the exact same stuff to someone on behalf of my friend; suffice to say it wasn't my proudest moment)

They're both clueless to the angst stuff happening in the cave. Thalia is struggling to keep it together cuz her baby brother is all grown up and she can't celebrate that becuz he doesn't even know her and that's another person she has to add in the list of "loved one she eventually has to see die becuz she's immortal"

Surprise, as they near the place Hera's trapped, Piper gets revealed that's she been working with the giants to get Jason captured when he was least expecting it cause he's a threat. And Piper would sacrifice Jason, a guy she met like a week ago, for her dad whom which they kidnapped like a few months ago and then blackmailed her to be their spy.

Sike, the giants decides to kill Tristan and the trio instead of just Jason, which was not part of the deal, but Gaea hates Aphrodite and all her kids cuz they are Uranus spawns, and Gaea hates her ex-husband a lot. It's also convenient that two thirds of the trio are part of the prophecy of the Seven, so gotta kill them all. (Pokemon theme plays in the background) (Cuz only Hazel, Frank, Jason and Leo were confirmed to be a part of the Seven, and the other three were added later on )

They free Tristan, but Piper gets captured instead. Jason doesn't want to save her, considering she was willing to kill him off a few minutes ago, but Leo knows how Piper feels, considering Gaea screwed him over as well, who he now is 95% sure was that grass lady that killed his mom, and urges Jason to save them. Even if he's miffed by the fact that Piper got to keep her memories thanks to Gaea's interference intact while Jason and Leo's didn't.

"Wait hold up, so Hera and Gaea messed up my memories? So my friendships are all a lie!" "But that doesn't mean I'm not your friend anymore" Leo starts bawling at that, much to Jason surprise, because he has a friend after so long of being alone (poor boy)

Piper meanwhile regrets everything she has ever done, and not for the first time, considers suicide. But after getting riled up by someone from the shadows telling her she's useless, as a daughter of Aphrodite, she gets reminded of her will to live so that she can one day prove that stuck up manager of her father's that she's more than just a pretty face, and she will prove that manager and the rando in the shadows that she's better than them, basically living through sheer spite baby (Poor Piper, the little smolo blorbo)

They arrive at the place where both Piper and Hera are held. Gaea speaks through that mortal from the shadows (we making her more in this au cuz why not), whch is wayyyyyy more creepy then just talking through their dreams and starts egging Leo on being like "Heyyyyy, ya I did murder your mom" before forcing said mortal she was speaking through to kill themselves. We realise that Gaea has just been picking out random mortals and controllling them as she doesn't have a body herself.

Hera gets freed, Leo overcomes his fire trauma,Piper reedeems herself in Jason's books by reviving him back from the dead. Apparently having a pep talk from Leo and the grief from losing Jason, who is legit her best friend now, can get Piper to unlock her full power of charmspeaking. Leo's just happy he has a home again, with two best friends and a fairy godmother through Hera.

Honestly it's funny when you imagine Jason and Piper learning about Hera putting Leo in fire when he was a baby and being horrified, and he's like it wasn't traumatic, it was a learning experience. Also Hera, in the disguise of a babysitter, gave him ice cream for breakfast when he was five, so she's apparently one of his favourite gods.

Jason was apparently taken from the roman camp in an effort to combine the two camps together after centuries of bloodshed and fighting cuz they need to beat Gaea. So yay, Jason finds out atleast one thing about himself. Hera does promise that he will regain his memories when he finds the roman camp, which she doesn't disclose the location of.

Also piper was never intended to be part of the seven in the first place, but becuz she tagged along and put herself within Hera's radar and has a pretty nice power that would be very helpful, she gets put in the prophecy as well, so yay, she finally feels included for the first time in a very looooong time

Also at the begging of Leo, who is Hera's favoruite, decides to be a bit more helpful and give one more info: Annabeth's at the roman camp, and she also reveals that she intially took Percy first to represent the greeks, but he went missing after two days for some reason, so she took annabeth.

Oh in this au Piper and Leo do not become cabin heads, cause they are too busy saving the world to try to lead a cabin, also Piper finally fits in camp cuz she goes against her hollywood teachings and talks back at Drew, showing her true self after a long time. Hephastus cabin does not have that curse of not taking things able to work, but they do find the secret cabin. And they start preparing to go to the roman camp.

Next Part -> Son of Neptune Au

#the lost hero #heroes of olympus #hoo #tlh trio #percy jackson #piper mclean #jason grace #leo valdez #clarisse la rue #rachel elizabeth dare #thalia grace #katie gardener #pjo #hoo au #drew tanaka #The EagleOwl Swap

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medicdoodles · 8 months

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A mashup of IDW and Seige canon of Ratchet and Deadlock, meet and run his underground asylum.

Based on Dialogue trees you get from Futomimi and Sakagahi, when you do the Aferlife Bell quest in SMT Nocturne.

For Ratchlock day.

(Next Chapter) || (Last Chapter)

There's a stain shaped like a human.

Work hard, do your best, and eventually you'll get somewhere.

When Ratchet transferred from the highest ranked schooling from Vaporex to the political charged state of Iacon, he expected pointed comments. He expected turned up faces. What he didn't know was how much he would be pushed into being an engineer.

Sure he has some skill in the field, many of his professors have left comments on it but never has he imagined being one. However, Ratchet found that his study to become a medic was going nowhere. Everywhere he went all of the classes would refuse his application, but he didn't give up.

If he wasn't going to be an official student he could still go to classes. When other mechs would sneak out or skip lectures he would slip in. Medic trainees would pay him to do their homework and he took it. All this hard work pays off, he gets the top scores, his engineering career is going well too. When his colleagues get hurt he can repair them better than the campus doctors. Then he graduated...

He gets hired to work on ground bridge operations. It doesn't excite him but it was honest work, and he could save enough money to carry equipment for a first aid kit. Once he was shipped off to the outskirts of the Dead End, that's where he finds his calling.

Since all fast travel in the area was decommissioned, Ratchet was forced to drive out to all locations. It wasn't too bad, but since he was the only one willing to do this job he was on his own. That's when he sees in person just how much Cybertron has abandon.

Streets filled with broken mechs and ruined buildings. There's no hope here, and his white paint lights up against the ash filled air, stains the vision of the city. It was silent until a siren went off in the distance. Despite him knowing the police's pensions for brutality, seeing it with his own eyes still frighten him.

"You're going to be okay." He hears a bot the panic in his voice. "Just hang in there, I'm going to get you help. Just hold on." Ratchet makes it to the voice. It was two bots in the middle of the road, both covered in blood. However, one person is down, closer to death.

"I don't think I can...", said bot also coughs up more blood. "Just wait for me to pass on. Then you can scavenge my parts."

"It's not fair." The mech brakes eye contact, looking to the sky. Then he looks towards the siren lights driving away. "They killed the wrong bot..."

"Let me try to help." Ratchet walks up to two mechs. The back mind is yelling at him, he's a ground bridge operator, an engineer, never even picked ot study medic. He can't do this, but he also can't stand here doing nothing. "I can't promise anything, but please I want to help."

They both look at him with a befuddled faces. He knows they shouldn't trust him but something must have broken because they allow him to help. They let him operate, and by the end of it all they thanked him, and for the first time since he left his home village, he felt proud of himself.

That's when Ratchet knew the direction of where is life is going. He would make money fixing and maintaining public works, taking other jobs, and making as much money as he could to build a clinc. He set it up in the center of Dead End, chosen it to give it resistance the fastest access to him. He worked himself tirelessly between these jobs and for the first time in his life. He managed to find success and happiness.

Do you think my life was a success?

Yes

>No

I see... yeah you might be right.

Just when I thought I achieved happiness, my fortune collapsed like a house of cards.

Then the outside world gotten word about it. The Senate at first only saw the healing of Dead End's bots. That they would start to walk around and they would fix the left over peices of the city. Had enough energy to walk around and wanted to start working.

However, Ratchet soon discovered that this was unwanted. That if Dead End successfully pulled itself together and made it possible to be something, then the fundamental ideology of Functionism would be thrown into question. If that where to happen, what other mechs would go against the class systems set forward by them.

It couldn't stand, so they made sure it didn't, and so they set off a bomb. Framed as an accident during transit from the military bases, they had approved of it being set off. Then they approved of some police officers to do a quick sweep of firing rounds to hit what remained. They're mission wasn't to kill anyone but if the managed too, it wasn't seen as a bad thing.

At the time Ratchet was sent off planet to see if he could assist in fixing a space bridge from Lunar-2 to Tyger Pax. Of course when it played on the news he tried to ground bridge there, but couldn't. His first transporters where destroyed, when he did get back, his clinc as well. Then when he made it home, his house was raided too.

Nothing made him feel so powerless than when he was stopped at the front door. A mech had pinned him against the wall of his assigned room and warned him away from returning to Dead End. That if they found out he went back he wouldn't be able to keep his face.

Worse was when the said mech had his hands wonder all over his body, and said next time he gets sent out he has permission to do as he pleases with him. Ratchet also finds all of his funds were frozen out, and when he does get access to them all of the money had disappeared.

You should be careful. You never know what tomorrow may bring...

After all of that, Ratchet still tries to help. He still returns to assist all the mechs of the city. They still look at him with hopefully eyes, but understanding that they could never crawl out by their own strength. Many where mad at him for even letting them entertain the idea. Others where mad for him, after all it was one thing to steal from bots with nothing on them. It was another to kick the bot who tries to give a hand to someone who needs it.

Most bots however, joined the Decepticons. They believed that if the government had been threatened by their peaceful solution then they would coware at their revolution. All of this would lead to their planet dying, not that the blame could be one sided. The Senate and later the Autobots would fight them to standstill.

Ratchet would find himself in the middle of it. At first he tried to stay neutral but the bots of Dead End where quick to bring up the attack. Then it was shaking down his person and finally braking into his home and ransacking his equipment.

Traitor was branded on his door, then on his frame. When Ratchet returned to work with a still orange smelter on his left hip, his friend Wheeljack, help him join the Autobots. For a time he was safe, the squad he joined even allowed him to repair any bot whom he wanted, even Decepticons were allowed to be fixed.

Do you think my life was a success?

>Yes

That's what everybody else thought, too.

...until that one day.

That was until a superior officer had came down for a vist. When they saw Ratchet repair two mechs with purple badges, they made it clear to him this would stop. If he gets caught again they would charge him with treason and he would be place on the enemy list. That's when he knew he had to go.

Being a deserter was a lighter charge than being a traitor. With his life on the line again, Ratchet has to go, because he could never leave a bot to die. In his spark he could never leave a mech to die without trying. He gives Wheeljack his coordinates, he trust that mech to only uses it when absolutely necessary.

Or at least he did.

The next time he sees his former colleague the bot had brought in toe a former bailiff turned Assassin. They force Ratchet to hand over everything on his person. The bots he was traveling with where tied down and put into custody of the Prime.

For the first time in my life, I had the urge to kill.

He was left on the ground, one push away from the cliffside. Wheeljack had saved his life but at the freedom of others. That's when he tells him to never find him again. That if he truly is sorry, he would only give that location to mechs who need it. They both promised something that day and that would be the last time he would speak to him, or it seemed.

So much anger,

As the war went on, Ratchet would travel. He would make a portable ground bridge went to the next battlefields and collect both parts and bots left behind to die. Like a Grim Reaper, he walks the path of death. However, he wouldn't take life he would do his best to keep it.

Rumor about his presence as a super natural entity made it easier to avoid authority. Many bots who believed in apparitions would come with him quietly. When he repaired them all of them would stay by him. When two bots of different factions would meet, it was almost always up to him to keep them civil.

Then he ran into Deadlock. The bot he gained feelings for. At first he didn't recognize him, but in private the mech tells him about the time they first met. That he was standing in the middle of the road in his friend's arm about to die. Then he adimts about the time he almost turned him to Megatron.

But the only way he could place Deadlock to the incidents is when he spoke those words to him. "Come on Doc, don't think like that. Everyone has kindness in their hearts."

That's when Ratchet's spark drops. This was the mech who was sent to capture him. Who knew of his habit of helping injured bots and almost trapped him into the Decepticons. Whenever he looks at Deadlock now, all he sees is a bot who has changed course, and doesn't he deserve a chance at it.

Ratchet of course also has a bad habit of letting mechs who hurt him do it again. So they both come to an agreement, he repairs Deadlock and takes him to back. The mech agrees to help him out with his operations.

So that's what they did. Ratchet would travel around and Deadlock would follow in tow. Keeping him safe and holding down bots when their reflexes kicked in. Later when their party had gotten too big to travel around and the building became to full. Deadlock drove off without a word.

Weeks became months and when two years passed by the mech came back. He tells Ratchet that he managed to find a bombed down theater that still had functional power. It was large enough for housing and medical care. When he shows him Ratchet is so relieved that he kisses him on the spot.

Deadlock field goes haywire but he doesn't reject it. Instead he grabs Ratchet's frame and frags him hard and wild, places him on the stage. With his groveling voice yells into Ratchet's microphone pick ups that he can't wait when the crew comes in. That after a long shift of picking up bots and patching up frames they would do this again, and next time they will have an audience to perform for.

That was the only time they had. As most of it was being too exhausted with fixing the building. Making sure that it look destroyed from the outside, having to only fix the bottom floors without collapsing the building from the top proved to be difficult. Even with the mechs he saved helping out, many issuses of resources and planning was still too much to worry about.

So Deadlock planned to search again. He spends his last night just sitting next to Ratchet. Telling him not worry, and he will comm every day just to reassure him of his safety. Ratchet gives him his ground bridge. Tells him to come back immediately after he finds something he thinks will help and that he will pick up his calls even if he can't talk back.

That was the last time they speak together, because once Ratchet was properly situated he update Wheeljack of his location.

There's a stain shaped like a human.

That's when he finds Impactor and things spirals out of control. Between Wheeljack taking Optimus Prime here, their entourage raising tempers and talks about Megatron abuse of the Matrix. Ratchet has to leave.

Many of his mechs encourage him to stay. Prime has no power here and if they want his help he should force the Autobots to promise to leave them alone. He doesn't answer them, he knows Wheeljack has betrayed him before. That the army has force his hands, but something tells him complying is the best option.

He turns to Impactor, tells him to tell the bigger bots to take care of the sick. Ratchet knows that mech has turned himself around and regained his spark. So it comes to a surprise that the mech follows behind him. Defending him from Elita-One and even sacrificing his own frame by pulling his comm out.

They violated him and still Impactor smiles at him, stays with him and gives his life for him. He sees his spark give out, but never sees his new found love of life leave his body.

That mankin died. He died the instant he became human. You see humans cannot exist in the vortex world...

As he boards the Arc, Ratchet gets a call from Deadlock. When he reached to answer the distance is to far.

#transformers #transformers siege #transformers war for cybertron #maccadam #ratchet #Seige Ratchet #Deadlock #Siege Deadlock #ratchlock #Ratchlock Day #DRAtchet #dritchet #fanfic #valveplug

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justafoxhound · 2 months

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The world of KCD feels so alive.

Introducing The Lads in the prologue, as well as some rivals, who all show up later. They have stories too, not just one quest, but several, or you'll find them in new locations and a new situation. I feel obligated to do their quests because they're mates!

NPCs we meet or see in passing, also have multiple quests and develop some kind of relationship with Henry I wasn't expecting. (Dont get me started on Herman the executioner. I took a pummelling trying to steal from him lol, later completed the quest differently and now we're pals. I was delighted to play match maker and see him practically jump for joy 🥹).

I can't tell when an NPC is 'done'. You know, you do their quest and they turn robot with no unique or new dialogue. (Every now and then Lady Stephanie calls Henry over and wants to talk... I tell you I stop by whenever in the area in the hope of some new happenings. It really feels like an ongoing friendship/ affair!).

It's the first game I feel you actually 'make friends' with NPCs! I'm so attached to some, dislike others. And you know, they'll see you passing and call "Henry's come to see us!" And you know what, yes, I have cone to see you. I wasn't just running to a quest objective. I come to drink with my frens.

Also, just how brutal the game begins... I find myself buying all my horse tack at Neuhof, to help out after how rough they had it. I don't fight bandits who attack me with nothing but farm tools. They seem like desperate peasants, it seems quite awful to cut them all down for 7 groschen and some linens.

The side quests feel linked to world events, a natural progression. The world is happening around Henry, he isn't the Main Character. You're just a sopping wet lad- and everyone in game knows it.

#kingdom come deliverance #kcd #please play this beautiful game #immersive rpg #rpg

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kengan-daddies · 7 months

Note

Could you write a Rei x fem reader where they meet at the Kengan matches and he starts to fall in love with reader. If you want to you can make it NSFW. 🫣Thank you!!!💕💕💕

Gradual Quest for Love Rei Mikazuchi

I hope this is to your liking, I followed the ask but at the same time my brain just wouldn't follow it to a T, I hope you can still vibe with this story tho.

Anime : Kengan Ashura

Character : Rei Mikazuchi

Warning : None, Fluff

Gradual Quest for Love Rei Mikazuchi

You were an assistant, clipboard in hand, casual business wear, hair pent up, and comfortable yet classy flats on your feet. You were always ready to accompany your boss, never asking questions about where he led you. You didn't care so long as you got paid in the end, so it was shocking when you began to attend the Kegan Matches with him. You've heard of things like this in movies, TV shows, and cartoons... But you never expected it to be real.

You were shocked by the first match-up, a young Man versus another young man, they were both muscular but different sizes, one wore a karate-type uniform while the other wore simple boxing shorts, both bare-knuckled. You watched on, still just as perplexed as you were the first time you watched him battle, it was like lightning, so quick and fast nobody saw it coming or even knew what happened, his opponent was down and out and he was declared the winner.

"Rei Mikazuchi... I'll never forget his name." You promised yourself, and you didn't. When the official Kengan Annihilation Tournament was declared, you knew that he would be there, you wanted to see him again, you had to, just to confirm that he was real... And he was when you saw him again, it was on the luxurious Kengan Cruise Liner, he was there with his boss, Rino Kurayoshi, the beauty on her was unmatched. He seemed pretty dedicated to her, almost like a dog.

You spoke with her a few times, Rei by her side each and every time, ready to defend when necessary, but you never came with the intention to attack so he didn't mind your presence, he was prone to get lost in his own world, his thoughts as he stares off in the distance. You've learned to like those little details about him, it was so rare to see a human be just as calm as he was, he always seemed to never have any thoughts, and yet the gleam in his eyes always said otherwise. He was fascinating. For the first few days, waiting for the Kengan Annihilation Tournament to begin, you and your boss spent the days with Rino and Rei, not every moment, but enough to where you and Rei could have small talks.

You learned that he was an assassin and that he was the Head of the Mikazuchi Clan and the renounced owner of the Lighting God Technique, it seemed like such a big title and yet he seemed nonchalant about it like it didn't really mean all that much to him. He was a strange man but you liked him. He was sweet, easy to blush, and quick to hide out, he was adorable and you liked teasing him. To be so strong yet so fragile to light teasing was such a cute sight. You'd laugh every time his face would turn scarlet just from a few compliments.

The Kengan Annihilation Tournament was finally beginning, and you couldn't be more excited to see him in action, after so many weeks of waiting, you were finally going to see him at it again. His first match, just like when you first saw him, was quick, like lightning. His second match was more unexpected, he never even got to that speed with the hot-blooded bastard that was Saw Paing Yoroizuka, Saw was strong and skilled, he was just as quick with his reflexes, but he still wasn't faster than Rei. You watched on with bated breath, watching as he rocked Saw Paing's head around with quick punches, it was jaw-dropping to see Saw still able to move around.

But alas, with a last stitched effort, Rei came out victorious... But he wasn't pleased, not one bit... He seemed disappointed with the battle... With himself. Rino noticed it, but she didn't care or maybe she just didn't know how to approach him, but you did. You found him, in the hall sitting on a bench, head hanging low as his bandaged arms rested on his legs. He was deep in thought, but this time his face matched his thoughts. You approached him with a bottle of water. "Here ya go, take a swig, you need it." You said he took the bottle, but he didn't open it... He just stared at it.

"I lost." He said. You stared at him, perplexed but you didn't say anything. "I lost, in strength, I lost in resilience... The only thing that saved me was my speed and precision... Fighting that man, made me realize just how weak I really am... I need to get stronger, stronger in technique and fighting styles... Perhaps, I should give up the practice of Lightning." He said. You stepped towards him, smacking his cheek with a swift snap of your wrist. His head barely moved, but his eyes widened and he looked up at you, a frown on your usually passive face.

"Don't give up on who you are Rei, you're more than just your fighting style, you are the fighting style, you are the lightning. Saw Paing may be better than you when it comes to brute strength, he may be better than you when it comes to resilience, but that's because of who he grew into being... What did you grow up into being, Rei? It most certainly wasn't a quitter. You're a distant long-range fighter, but that doesn't make you weak... You'll just have to add close combat into that. Mix it with your lightning, drop your assassin mindset, and become a warrior." You said, your voice laced with determination.

He stared at you for a moment before his face relaxed and he smiled, a small chuckle leaving his lips. "You're right, (Y/N)... If I'm going to be able to get stronger, then I'm just going to have to change some things up... Saw Paing taught me a very valuable lesson, and I'll honor him by taking what he's taught me and adding it to my own lightning style." he said, you smiled, happy to see a fire in his eyes. "Do it Rei, I believe in you." You said.

Right after that, your and Rei's relationship pretty much came to life, you both became the best of friends which lasted for a while, and you watched him grow into a better fighter and a better man. Your feelings for him blossomed into something stronger, and it worried you, you didn't want to run him off but with the help of Saw Paing, both you and Rei were able to speak your minds on your relationship and what you were both feeling towards one another. Learning that it wasn't one-sided on each side. It was a blessing.

You enjoyed going to all of Rei's fights, cheering him on with your new-found companions, hoping for his win, and whenever he lost he didn't take it so harshly, instead he learned from them adding it to his knowledge. After every match he'd come straight to you, whether he won or lost he always engulfed you in a hug, giving you the deepest kiss, reminding you of his eternal gratefulness.

#kengan ashura #kengan ashura x reader #kengan ashura x y/n #kengan ashura fanfiction #kengan ashura rei mikazuchi #kengan ashura rei #kengan ashura mikazuchi #rei mikazhuchi x y/n #rei mikazuchi x reader #rei mikazuchi #rei x reader #rei #mikazuchi #mikazuchi x y/n #mikazuchi x reader #rei x y/n

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giriduck · 1 year

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Age of Calamity Spoilers - Master Kohga

I did not expect to like this guy as much as I do.

Throughout Breath of the Wild, Master Kohga was a looming threat: the leader of the feared Yiga Clan, who had sent soldiers disguised as travelers to murder Link! When you eventually meet Master Kohga himself, it’s revealed that he's like a kabuki clown: a dramatic, self-important goofball, who is prone to childish tantrums. He's surprisingly silly, which was likely meant for comedic effect.

But there's a cognitive dissonance around the Yiga's divergence from tropes and expectations (the obsession with bananas, their silly leader, etc.). There is a narrative that they are scary / evil cult Sheikah. But there are little winks to the players that--though the Yiga are capable fighters--they're also a little weird. But that silliness is not perceived by the denizens of Hyrule. So there is a perception within the bounds of the game world that is incongruent with player expectations.

It's like wrestling kayfabe, only as a players, you don't know that it's kayfabe until you meet Master Kohga. Which is a funny reveal because of all the build-up of this scary badass you were expecting leading up to that introduction.

Perhaps I wasn't in the right mood for it at the time, but the nuance there was a bit lost on me. I was also doing every side quest in the game, so my instance of Link was fairly overpowered by that point, so the fight against Master Kohga was a bit of a, "Meh," experience.

But then, in Age of Calamity, you spend more time with both Master Kohga and his relationship to the Yiga, and all of his goofiness is balanced with other aspects of his personality and its really endearing. You get a chance to see more than just a cartoonish villain putting on bravado for the hero challenger who showed up to his door; he's a leader who cares about the wellbeing of his subordinates, but does so with a lovable brusqueness (likely to hide how much he cares).

He's also a capable fighter. He's got a Vash the Stampede or Legend of Drunken Master energy to him, where it's unclear if he's truly terrifying and hides his abilities as a tactical choice (or because he doesn't care about appearance), or just lucky.

Age of Calamity also really commits to the bit by allowing the players see how the Yiga respect and adore their leader: how he is always described as magnificent, stunning, etc.

There is a fierce loyalty and love in both directions that is a delight to see. I'm super happy that we got the chance to get to know Master Kohga better, and I hope that he shows up in Tears of the Kingdom.

#legend of zelda #breath of the wild #age of calamity #master kohga #yiga clan

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elenaaadaniels · 1 year

Text

Chapter Nineteen: My Girl

Part 20

Warning(s); Nothing too bad. Fluff, kissing, Din admitting he's a smol bean

___________________________________

Hey. It's all me in my head. I'm the one who burned us down. But it's not what I meant. Sorry that I hurt you. I don't wanna do, I don't wanna do this to you. I don't wanna lose, I don't wanna lose this with you. I need to say, hey. It's all me, just don't go. Meet me in the afterglow.

- 𝘈𝘧𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘨𝘭𝘰𝘸 𝘉𝘺 𝘛𝘢𝘺𝘭𝘰𝘳 𝘚𝘸𝘪𝘧𝘵 ___________________________________

Taking a swing of the shot Bo-Katan got for her, Nadia fought the chills and burning sensation in her throat. She was angry. Angry and hurt that the alcohol in front of her wasn't a good mix she should have, but she was taking it anyway. Din watched behind his visor, surprised when she placed down her fourth shot glass wondering if he should take away the glass now or later.

" How did you know where we were?" Nadia asked breaking the small silence around them.

Bo-katan faced her," It's not every day a Mandalorian other than us is in town."

" Or with two sidekicks." Koska Reeves mumbled.

Din cleared his voice taking charge," I gather your not here for just drinks." He hinted causing Bo-Katan to nod back at him.

" Trask is a black market port. They're staging weapons that have been bought and sold with the plunders of our planet." She explained turning to her comrades before continuing." We're seizing those weapons and using them to retake our home world. Once we've done that, we'll seat a new Mandalore on the throne."

" That planet is cursed. Anyone who goes there dies. Once the Empire knew they couldn't control it, they made sure no one else could either."

Bo-Katan laughed at Din's words," Don't believe everything you hear." She replied smugly." Our enemies wanna separate us. But Mandalorians are stronger together."

Din shook his head," That's not part of my plan. I've been quested with returning this Child to the Jedi."

" What do you know of the Jedi?" Bo-Katan questioned.

" Nothing." Nadia interjected." We never met one."

" I was hoping you would help me by Creed." Din added

" I can lead you to one of their kind. But first, we need your help on our mission."

Nadia frowned," Mission?"

" Not you. You don't share Mandalorian honor."

" If I go, she goes." Din defended and if it was any other time, Nadia would of blushed at his words, but all she could do was roll her eyes.

Bo-katan nodded at his words knowing she needed the help, only secretly hoping Nadia knew what she was doing. Paying for the drinks and food, Bo-Katan lead the way to the ports where it was clear in the distance, a freighter was loading up unaware of the five staring at it.

" You see that Imperial Gozanti freighter?" Bo-Katan questioned turning to Din." It's being loaded with weapons as we speak. According to the port's manifest, it's scheduled to depart at first light."

" So we stow away?"

" We've been hitting 'em pretty hard. They scan for life forms as a precaution before pushing back." Koska explained looking over to Nadia seeing she was nodding her head.

" If you wanna do this with five, you're gonna need the element of surprise."

" Exactly." Bo-Katan agreed cracking a smile to Nadia." The freighter will maintain trawling speed while inside the shipping lanes and then ascend in orbit. We'll jet up when they're cruising in atmosphere. The tower won't allow them to climb until they've left the port's airspace."

Din seemed uneasy," Troopers?"

" A squad at most." Bo-Katan admitted." And they couldn't hit the side of a bantha."

" Okay, we're in." Din agreed looking down to Nadia expecting her to nod, but she never faced him." but we need to drop the kiddo at someone's."

" You have someone to trust?" Axe questioned causing Nadia to turn towards him.

" I have a person in mind." She said standing up and carefully placing the child on her hip.

They carefully slid off of the broken razor crest agreeing on where to meet before Din and Nadia broke away to take the child somewhere safe. He wanted to question where she had in mind for the child to go, but during their walk, almost sped walk not wanting to be by his side or even look in his direction. It made his own stomach turn and he cursed at himself for screwing up so badly. She stopped by a small little hut knocking on the door three times before it opened to the frog lady they helped earlier in the day.

" Hi. Remember me?" She greeted causing the lady to joyfully greet them back." Something's come up. Can I leave him with you for a bit?"

The frog lady spoke to her and a part of Din wish he had learned their language as well to be in the mix.

" She said of course. Anything after bring her eggs." She interpreted for him.

Din nodded his head looking to the child while Nadia handed him over.

" You are gonna stay here, so I want you to be respectful. And mind your manners." He sternly warned." You know what I'm talking about. Thanks. I'll be back for him."

Nadia smiled bending down to the child," Pinkie promise me, you'll be on your best behavior." She said getting a coo out of the child while he wrapped his whole hand around her finger." That's my little guy."

She kissed the top of his head getting another coo out of the child before turning back and leaving the hut with Din. She completely ignored him once again checking her weapons as she walked making sure they were good enough for the mission.

" Nadia-"

" I really don't want to talk right now." She interrupted sharply." We should keep a clear head for the mission."

He shook his head," But Nadia-"

" Not now." She said the last word in a stern voice.

Din could feel the tension radiating from her body and knew she had small tears in her eyes from the way they shined, but she didn't want to admit it. Turning back around just as quickly and continued to walk.

" Haar'chak" He cursed at himself knowing he done much more than screw himself over.

When they got to the meeting point, Bo-Katan went over the plan one more time reminding everyone of their duties. The freighter started up with a loud roar slowly building up before lifting off of the platform and into the air. Bo-Katan nodded her heading giving the signal and soon they all flew up towards the ship. Din held Nadia tightly gaining closer and closer to the ship before they both landed to the sight of stormtroopers.

" Pirates." The one trooper spoke, but Koska grabbed them up throwing them over the edge.

Axe opened the main hull and Bo-Katan was the first to go in taking down three as easily as she could before nodding for them that the coast was safe. They entered the empty hull, but it only lasted seconds before more troopers entered firing at them. Din was quick. He grabbed Nadia by her waist pulling her to the corner and shielding her body with his from any fire power.

" Stop protecting me." She seethed glaring up at him.

He completely ignored her grabbing his arm and placing her behind him with the other Mandalorian's shot their way closer and closer to the hull until no other troopers stood. One trooper came from the corner and quickly, Nadia got her blaster out getting them square in the chest.

" Go, go, go!"

They were all jogging this time through the halls turning left and right until another group of troopers came from the elevator shooting at them. They all hid in the corner watching Din pull a detonator from his side and throw it towards the troopers blinding them all. Through their helmets, they saw the heat signature shooting them through the haze and getting in the elevator.

" Nice shot on that trooper." Bo-Katan complimented looking to Nadia.

She nodded," Thanks."

" I got fifteen reads on troopers where we're going." Axe warned looking onto his coms before back to Bo-Katan." Plan?"

" Flush them out."

When the doors opened, the troopers fired at them all at once until the doors had shut completely dividing them from each other.

" Okay, flush them out now." Bo-Katan ordered causing Axe to open the cargo hatch and rid of any troopers.

When the doors did open, the cargo area was completely empty of troopers and all packages that were inside were perfectly intact latched down ahead of time. Nadia could hear the pleased laugh come from Bo-Katan before she took her helmet off watching as Axe and Koska lifted the case off of each box showing each weapon inside.

" Do you copy?"

Everyone looked to the group where the Imperial solider's comlink was. Bo-Katam gave a satisfied smile before scooping it off the ground and pressing the audio.

" I copy. Thanks for packing up all this gear so nicely. Imagine what a division of us can do when we get our hands on what's inside these shiny little boxes."

" If you think you're going to escape with those weapons, you are sadly mistaken." The man threatened on the other end of the line." Even if you've managed to jettison a few of those crates, we will comb the entire area until you are hunted down and killed."

" Oh, we're not jettisoning anything. We're taking the entire ship."

That instantly caught up to Din and Nadia's ears causing them to turn in shock at the change in plans.

" What?"

Bo-Katan ignored them however," Put some tea on." She ordered." We'll be up in a minute."

With the coms off, Nadia didn't hesitate to march up to the sneaky woman.

" Excuse me, but this is more than I signed up for." She said eying the woman with a hint of a glare.

" There is something I need." She confessed turning to Din once he came over to them." if I am to rule Mandalore. Something that was once mine. They know where it is and soon, so will I. Regardless, we are taking the ship for the battles ahead."

Din shook his head," I got you your weapons. I have to return to my ship with the foundling."

" If you want my help finding the Jedi, you will help me take this ship." She bargained going over what Din had said.

Nadia accused harshly," You're changing the terms of the deal."

" This is the way." She echoed eying the Mandalorian down before placing her helmet on leaving.

Axe and Koska followed close behind leaving Din and Nadia in the empty hull unable to say a word because they needed to find the Jedi in order to help the child. Nadia could sense the anger from Din, and grabbed her blaster from her side nudging his side.

" Let's just do it."

Din knew she was right. Taking the ship would delay them, but they needed the information to help the child and they made it this far for nothing. He grabbed his blaster coming to Nadia's side following right behind the others until the entire ship dove forward.

" They're taking the ship down!" Bo-Katan shouted over the alarms." There's the bridge. Come on!"

The minute the words left her mouth, troopers rounded the corner of the bridge firing at them that it was a miracle they had time to hide.

" How many troopers?"

" Six to ten." Axe announced peering over the corner." Two with heavy repeating blasters."

" We're losing altitude fast."

" We need to move now."

" They have too much firepower!"

" Still dropping." Koska reminded." Ten thousand."

" Cover me." Din said abandoning Nadia's side before she could even grab him.

"Mando!" She shouted in horror, but did as he told, grabbing her blaster and covering him the best she could from the troopers firepower.

Din threw his detonators at the troopers causing it to explode on contact getting rid of all the troopers in a ball of fire. When the flames went down, Nadia left the others side touching Din's shoulder lightly burning herself from the beskar's warmth.

" Din, can you hear me?"

He nodded his head getting back up," Come on!"

She nodded hitting the control button and having the doors open to a single imperial solider forcing the controls down to plummet the ship. Din rushed over ripping the solider from the seat and taking his place while Nadia hopped over the second one grabbing the wheel.

" Easy. Easy." Din coaxed.

With all her mighty, she pulled on the wheel with a small fear it would break off and screw them all, but to the luck of the maker, the ship sloped up just in time heading back into the atmosphere. With less of a struggle, she released some of her hold turning to Din as the two couldn't suppress the small chuckle of relief.

" I'll let you live." Bo-Katan seethed breaking them from their laughter." But you will take me to him."

" You might let me live, but he won't." The man answered biting down and sending volts of electricity throughout his body firing his brain within seconds.

" No!" Bo-Katan shouted in anger letting the man fall to the ground.

" We have to go." Koska warned turning to her." He sent a distress signal."

" Clear the atmosphere and prepare to jump."

Din nudged Nadia's side immediately," Come on."

" Are you sure you won't join us?" Bo-Katan questioned facing the two helpers.

" There's something I need to do."

" The offer stands if you change your mind."

Din nodded back," Where can I find the Jedi?"

Bo-Katan nodded removing her helmet for them to hear her clearly," Take the foundling to the city of Calodan on the forest planet of Corvus." She instructed." There you will find Ahsoka Tano. Tell her you were sent by Bo-Katan. And thank you. Your bravery will not be forgotten. Yours too. This is the Way."

" This is the Way." Din repeated grabbing Nadia's hands as they raced through the ship once again getting to the main entrence.

Once on the balcony, Nadia gulped at the distance from here to the ground wrapping her arms around Din's neck who was already wrapping her in his arms. Jumping from the edge, she squeezed her eyes shut at the feeling of falling until he turned on his jetpack flying them over to the familiar hut the child was staying at. Once on the ground, she thanked her stars before slowly walking to the hut doors and knocking until it opened. A smile pasted on her face when seeing the child with the frog parents and a little tadpole in front of them already hatched.

" There's my little guy." She chuckled walking over.

" Thank you for watching him." He said shaking the parents hands before lightly taking the child." Okay, kid. Come on. It's time to go. Congratulations."

As they left however, the child wiggled in Din's arms trying to go back to the little tadpole determine written on his wrinkly little face.

" No, I have enough pets." Din muttered causing the child to let out of frustrated huff.

Nadia shook her head at the little guy feeling both sleep and exhaustion start to creep up on her after the last two days they endured. She knew it would continue however when they got to the port to see the horrible state their ship was still left in. Rope was literally holding the crest together with different sheets of metal in oddly placed areas.

" I gave you a thousand credits, this was the best you could do?" He questioned the worker only for them to place a pad in front of Din to be able to gain their credits.

Din was too tired to care sending the credits his way and boarded onto the Crest. To say the least, the outside was much nicer than the inside. Fishing net was what was holding up the inside with the salty smell of the ocean still lingering inside and some seaweed hanging on the side of the seats.

" Mon Calamari. Unbelievable."

" Do you think we're even safe to travel like this?" Nadia said taking a seat only to gag when she had slimy seaweed on it.

" I don't even think we have a choice." Din answered turning on the ship only for it to shake violently from the action." On second thought. I think we need to make a pit stop."

Nadia nodded her head touching her keypads with the tip of her fingers from how slimy it was placing in the planet Corvus. She could see it was A forested planet, but any living plant was burned away, plundering the natural resources of the planet. The child cooed in an odd manner that caused both Din and Nadia to see a creature about to attack him, but Din caught it in time seeing it was a sea animal.

" Eat it." Din groaned tossing it to the child who caught it with his small mouth and gobbled it up." I finally know where I'm taking you. But it's gonna be a bumpy ride."

" Is the main hull secured?" Nadia asked spinning in her seat.

" Yeah."

" Alright, little guy." She breathed standing up and holding him." Now that you ate, let's get you something to drink and off to bed."

The child let out a sound likely trying to argue with her, but it was too cute to take serious. Din heard them head down the ladder before the doors closed leaving him alone in the cockpit. He took a deep breath leaning against his seat as the nerves turned his stomach. He wanted to tell her everything. He wanted to tell her how scared he was when she fell into that river and how much he loved holding her while they slept. He wanted to tell her how he never felt this with anyone and it scared him, but that was the thing. He was scared.

Frightened. Terrified. Petrified. Intimated.

He never had something like this before. A lone solider his whole life and now he had the little green kid that replied on him and someone that made his heart soar all around the galaxy. When the going got tough, he shut himself off, but it was different now. He didn't just have himself anymore. It didn't take long before Nadia got the child to sleep. He must have gotten little sleep to likely placing with the tadpole all night and day with the parents. The minute she heard him snore loudly, she knew he was out for the night and placed him in his little bunk.

She wanted to join the little guy, but one glance at the main hull and she was off moving some things to clean the area seeing the Mon Calmari really did do such a terrible job. She was busy throwing away some seaweed into a trash bag to hear Din come down the ladder. He nervously took a deep breath hearing his voice already shaky.

" I don't regret saving you." He spoke causing her to glance over to him before turning back to what she was doing.

" You sure regret something."

" I don't regret anything." He repeated walking closer to her." You are always worth saving."

" Well, it didn't feel like that for the last two days." She snapped dropping the trash bag onto the floor and walking further away from him.

He nodded his head agreeing with her." It just keeps replaying in my head. What happened. What could of happened." He continued walking again towards her." I just never felt like this with someone like how I feel about you."

Nadia was shocked. She placed the rag down that she was using and turned over to him with wide eyes unable to focus on a single word.

" Oh."

Din nodded again taking her hands into his," Nadia...I'm not best at this. I don't know what I'm doing." He admitted getting a small chuckle out of her." I think for the first time ever, I don't know what to do and I don't want to screw it up. Until you, all I knew was a bad kind of love. You're different."

She smiled staring at the Mandalorian in front of her that could make her heart skip a beat and sometimes upset over the silliest of things. She leaned forward standing on her toes to be able to kiss him on his beskar forehead.

" You're different for me too." She admitted staring at his visor." You just need to remember, I'm not a stranger. You can tell me anything. I'm not going anywhere."

Those words buried into his brain so deep that part of his fears were healed. She wasn't just some stranger anymore. She was someone who knew who he truly was over these eight months. Someone that made him smile under the helmet and blush all at the same time.

" Close your eyes." He instructed and she smile instantly knowing what he mean't.

He smiled himself placing his hands at the edge of his helmet and slipping it off with a hiss of air. He trusted Nadia more than he trusted anyone. Knew he didn't have to tie something over her eyes cause she would never dare to see him. Even now in the empty main hull, she squeezed her eyes shut. With the helmet off, he could see her more clearer. The lamp dim gave her skin more of a bronze hue soft to the touch. He couldn't help, but to take his glove off and touch her cheek.

She leaned into his touch, a smile on her face as her cheeks flared pink. Din’s cuirass freezes as he holds a breath in his chest, his gloved hands brushing down her back and holding her waist as he silently urges her closer. Nadia kept her hands on the sides of his helmet, looking at him with all the affection and care she held in her heart for him. When he releases the breath he’s been holding, Din speaks, his modulated rasp nearly breaking with desperation as he says the two words that change everything.

" Be my girl."

She laughs a sweet one that it's music to his ears.

" Only if you'll be my Mandalorian."

He smiles leaning forward kissing her right on the lips.

He's overwhelmed with a wave of such warmth that for a moment he think he might be burning alive. But then every sense within him comes alive, bursting in a beautiful display of pure affection as he urges Nadia even closer. His hands cups the side of her face as they continue to kiss. Nadia can feel the way their hearts come together the same way their mouths have, each simultaneous beat matching the movements of lips. They don’t stop until they’re sweetly suffocated by everything, pulling away with heavy yet satisfied breaths. Nadia smiled at him—and he smiled right back at her.

" You make everything in my life just seem a bit brighter." He admitted leaning his forehead against hers.

" Is that a bad thing?" She asked worried.

" It's something I'm not use to." He clarifies moving some hair behind her ear." Something about you makes me feel a little more alive and less lost."

" You never thought you'd get this attached did you?" She chuckles causing him to nod against her.

" No, but I don't want it to stop." He admits kissing her forehead." Why...why don't you sleep in my bunk with me tonight?"

She's surprised," Really?"

" It's clear we both get a goodnights rest when we're together." He bargained, but she nodded wanting to be close as they were two nights ago.

Din guided her over to his bunk turning the lamps off in the main hull to plunge the ship into complete darkness. He carefully tried to take off the beskar only for it to fall onto the ground a bit loudly with a girlish laugh from Nadia.

" Din, are you okay?"

" Guess I failed in being quiet." He spoke causing another laugh from her.

With all the beskar gone, he used muscle memory to walk over to the bunk carefully slipping in to not both crush Nadia or accidentally hurt her. Once he was settled in, she curled up to his side resting her head on his chest while he placed his arm around her waist scooting her closer. She breathed in his scent seeing after there mission, he still smelled like men's soap a just a bit of cologne. She felt a pang of nervousness wondering if she smelled like seaweed from earlier cleaning, but when he buried his face into his hair, she knew either way he didn't care. Nadia could feel herself falling asleep. One moment in her mind and the next almost in a dream when he spoke softly into the night.

" I won't let anything hurt you, Cyar'ika."

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