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adrift-in-thyme · 6 months

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Whumptober Day 28: “We might not make it to the morning; so go on and tell me now”

Read it on Ao3

- Time/Malon

- Summary: an injured Link shows up at Lon Lon Ranch

CW for blood and injury, mentions of death and broken bones

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Malon’s hands never shake.

She can’t afford for them to. Sure, there are times when they are a bit unsteady from exhaustion or stress. Sure, there are things that scare her enough to make them trembling a possibility. But in her world, when things get hairy there is only action and no time for anything else.

Now is no different. At least, that’s what she keeps telling herself. Her hands don’t tremble, even as blood oozes over them. Her thoughts don’t falter. No tears fall.

But they want to. Oh, they want to. Because this time feels so very different. She has dealt with wounded animals before and even wounded people (she will never forget the time Ingo got kicked in the leg by Epona; satisfying though it may have been after the man’s behavior, setting that bone wasn’t exactly what she would call enjoyable). Never before, however, has she held the broken body of someone she cares for quite so much.

“You’re an idiot, fairy boy,” she breathes as she presses another cloth to the gash running across her friend’s middle.

“‘m your idiot, though,” he mumbles back. Even now there is characteristic mischief peeking out from behind the exhaustion and pain straining his tone.

Malon rolls her eyes.

Link has been bleeding all over her nice, clean floors and furniture for at least five minutes now. And that’s after he rode in, slumped over Epona’s back, one hand pressed to his stomach, the other clutching the horse’s reins like a lifeline.

He had come because he had nowhere else to go, he had said when she had stepped out onto the porch, eyes wide and heart in her throat. Because he could think of nowhere else that would be safe. Where he would be accepted without hesitation.

And as she had helped him down from the saddle, as he had practically collapsed onto her arms, he had apologized. Assured her he would take care of the wound himself, if only she would provide him a place to stay. As though he were a stranger in her home and not her best friend.

“Oh, shush,” she had scolded, ushering him into the house and lowering him onto the nearest chair. “I’ll take care of everything. You just sit down.”

And meekly, he had obeyed.

Now, he watches her with a slightly dazed look, as she tries to save his life.

For that is what she is doing, really. If she doesn’t get this wound to stop bleeding soon, he’ll bleed out.

As it is, she’s afraid he won’t last the night.

She worries her bottom lip and reaches behind her for the bandages lying on the table.

“Care to tell me how this happened?” The sharp bite of fear is in her tone despite her attempts to restrain it.

And really, who cares at this point, anyway? Her fairy boy is hurt, badly. She’s allowed to be a little worried.

Link drags in an unsteady breath.

“Monster fight.”

“The usual, then.” She shakes her head, sighing. “What I wanna know is what kinda monster fight was it that got you this hurt? I don’t think you’ve ever come around looking like this before.”

Link blinks, long and slow. The blue of his eyes seems unnaturally bright. Maybe because of the light, maybe because of pain. Malon thinks it’s likely both. But it almost reminds her of that little fairy that used to follow him around.

“Did you go into a dungeon or somethin’?”

Her gaze is back on her work, now, as she ties the bandages as tightly as possible. But when he speaks she can hear something almost like guilt in his voice.

“I—” A sharp hiss, fingers fisting in the fabric of his tunic. Malon murmurs an apology, trying to ignore the way the sound is like a dagger to her heart. “I was looking for…for something.”

“Lookin’ for something huh?”

She ties off the gauzy strips of fabric now practically holding the man together and takes a moment to survey her work.

That should hold.

Now, to get that bleeding firmly under control before he passes out…or worse. She grasps the bottle of potion that she had snatched from the cupboard earlier. It’s always handy, she has found, for times when the healing power of Lon Lon milk isn’t quite up to par. Times like now.

“That had better have been one important treasure. Did you get it at least?”

A small smile lifts Link’s lips. Somehow, it doesn’t make him look any more alive. He’s too pale, too ashen. There’s too much blood, coating his tunic, coating his hands and dribbling down from his mouth and nose.

But at least he has the strength to smile. Malon is willing to appreciate small miracles.

“Yeah, I got it.”

Something in the way he says it makes her slightly suspicious. But she hardly has time to figure out why. She wipes her hands on a nearby cloth, quickly so as not to take in just how stark the crimson looks against the white. Then, she uncorks the potion bottle and gets to her feet.

Link moves trembling, crimson drenched fingers toward the bottle. But she shakes her head.

“Uh-uh. You’re weak. Let me.”

With one careful hand, she tips his chin up and holds the bottle to his lips with the other. He swallows its contents obediently.

“That should help,” she says, once he’s finished. She turns away, setting the bottle back on the table. “At the very least you won’t be bleeding everywhere anymore.”

“Thanks,” he murmurs. He sounds a bit stronger already, she thinks. But maybe she’s just fooling herself to distract from the worry currently chewing a hole in her gut.

“Anytime, fairy boy.”

Malon inspects the wound one more time, reassuring herself that it’s no longer in danger of bleeding through the bandages. Thankfully, the potion already seems to be doing its job. The bandages remain a clean, cottony white.

“Looks like you’re out of the danger zone,” she says with a sigh of relief. “But you’re gonna need some rest and a new set of clothes.”

She looks over him once more, frowning. He raises an eyebrow.

“What?”

“I’m gonna have to tend to those other wounds of yours too. I swear, you look like you let the horses trample you.”

There is a distinct twinkle in his eye now. Already, he is beginning to look a little more like himself.

“Ah, it’s a…a good look then. A seasoned adventurer kind of look.”

Her lips quirk up even as she glares at him.

“No. It’s not a good look. I thought that much was implied. And it’s the kind that gives me a heart attack.”

He grins. But it quickly turns into a grimace as she sets about cleaning a cut along his neck. Gently, she tilts her head to get a better look at it.

“Stay still, now, and let me work.”

He mumbles a tired-sounding reply. His eyes are beginning to drift closed, despite his efforts to keep them open. And as she tackles each injury, he grows closer and closer toward losing his grip on consciousness completely. But the time he is cleaned up and she has managed to help him fumble into one of Talon’s spare tunics he is practically asleep.

“There,” she murmurs, setting aside the bowl of water and multiple cloths that she had used. They tinge the water pink. “Feelin a little better now?”

She knows that she is. The terror of earlier has abated somewhat, every steady breath, every beat of his heart convincing her that the danger is gone. At least, for now.

For now, her fairy boy is safe. For now, her hands don’t shake.

He hums, sleepily. His gaze is trained on the fireplace now, seemingly mesmerized by the flames dancing there. But when she drapes a blanket over him he drags his gaze up to meet hers.

“Hey, Mal.”

“Yeah?”

“I…I think I’m in love with you.” He frowns, thought obviously a difficult task at the moment. “No…know I am.”

Malon stops short, edges of the blanket still clutched in her suddenly shaky hands. A short bark of laughter escapes, a bit louder than she means it to be.

“I think you’ve lost a little bit too much blood.”

“‘m fine,” he retorts, scowling. “Malon ‘m serious. I love you.”

Shaking her head, she tucks the blanket up around his chin and presses a quick kiss to his cheek.

“Alright, fairy boy. It’s time for you to get some sleep. We can pick up this conversation in the morning.”

His scowl becomes decidedly pouty, though he has little choice but to comply. His eyes slip closed, breath beginning to even out.

By the time, Malon has cleaned up the gory mess (she never wants to see this much blood again, especially not from him), and put away her tools, he is long gone. She allows herself a moment to gaze at him, slumbering peacefully, face illuminated by the flickering flames. He is less pale now and with the blood gone he looks more human. Younger, more like himself.

Reaching out, she rubs her thumb on his cheek, a smile playing on her lips.

“I love you too, Link.”

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spinchip · 1 month

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NEVER THE DARK

Chapter 15

Read on Ao3

Prologue - Chapter 1 - Chapter 2 - Chapter 3 - Chapter 4 - Chapter 5 - Chapter 6 - Chapter 7 - Chapter 8 - Chapter 9 - Chapter 10 - Chapter 11 - Chapter 12 - Chapter 13 - Chapter 14

warnings: Character death

I LOVE WHAT I DO NOT HAVE. YOU ARE SO FAR. // MY LOATHING WRESTLES WITH THE SLOW TWILIGHTS.

“She’s already seen you face, why does it matter if she knows your name?” Kai asis from where he’s still sprawled across the front of Miss Emma.

Birdy sits down heavily, his back to the group, “it does not matter." He says simply, but there’s a slump to his shoulders that telegraphs defeat. Hopelessness. Nya knows that this is bad. "All that matters is getting you to the Mountain of Madness.”

Miss Emma floats on. Jay has stopped shocking her, collapsed on top of her bell tiredly as Kai keeps them moving. No one says anything. Over time, Miss Emma begins to droop again. When Jay gives her another shock, she just seems to lower herself quicker to the ground.

“She wants us off.” Nya realizes as the jelly's tentacles pool along the ground under them.

“We are a heavy burden for her to carry.” Birdy agrees.

They are passing over a forest- this one is a menagerie of blues, reds, and purples. The grass is a dark teal and white flowers and tall tubes protrude from the earth. Miss Emma drops low enough in a clearing that they can jump off without getting hurt and stops completely, waiting.

“Thank you.” Birdy says quietly to the animal. Kai pets her bell as a gesture of appreciation, and they all slide off her and onto the forest floor. The moment there are no more hitch-hikers on her bell, Miss Emma slowly drifts away, flying high enough to disappear into the clouds.

There's a long, tense moment as no one knows what to do next.

“We should keep moving.” Birdy says softly.

“She was telling us the truth, wasn’t she?” Kai asks bluntly.

Lloyd steps forward, “Kai-” He starts but Birdy cuts him off.

“What did she tell you?”

Kai locks eyes with Birdy and the air grows thick with tension.

It’s Jay who speaks next, “Barath told me you murdered Farley. He said that you were a warlord in your past life, and that you had committed crimes among the worst of all the people banished here.”

“Genocide.” Kai clarifies, “Destruction of land, culture, food. Untold numbers of death and destruction. Samira told me about how you’ve kept trophies of those you killed. Your mask, your knife… all belonging to the dead.”

Nya can’t help her own need to know the truth and she speaks up next, “Wox told me you were dangerous. That the respect these people have for you is based in fear and hatred.”

Cole hesitates, “And Ila said you walked into Oasis the day after you killed Farley covered in his blood.”

“All true.” Birdy doesn’t hesitate to confirm it. “You were right in the throne room, Kai. I am a monster.”

“Birdy-!” Lloyd whips around to face him, appalled, “No!”

Birdy squares his shoulders, “No, Lloyd. I must take accountability. I cannot run from this.'' He doesn’t break eye contact with Kai, “This is who I am, yes, but I have no ill will towards you all. Samira was right that I know how important you are to Ninjago too, and I will not allow my home realm to go unprotected and vulnerable without you. I belong here, in this place, but you do not. I will get you home, I swear it.'' His voice takes on an edge of desperate honesty.

They were still so far from the Mountain of Madness. If they left Birdy here and tried to find it on their own, it could be ages before they got out of here.

Lloyd looks from Birdy to the others, waiting. It hits Nya that Lloyd is waiting on them to weigh in- he wants to hear what they all have to say. It’s not like Lloyd never asks what they think on large decisions of this nature, but ever since they lost Zane Lloyd had taken the full weight of leadership and had refused to share it with the rest of the team. He was the one who made decisions. He was the one who was always alone in that choice. Maybe he was tired of being alone.

Nya doesn’t know what to think.

Cole steps forward first and Nya knows his opinion well enough that she can tune him out, “I still trust him.” But when he speaks, she looks at Cole and really listens, taking in everything he says, “He wasn’t working with Samira. He wasn’t in cahoots with Maurice. Everything he’s done has been solely for us, at the detriment of himself.” He locks eyes with Birdy, “Maybe he did some bad things… some really bad things… but he’s trying to help us. It’s all he’s been trying to do. I don’t think he’s going to lead us astray. I still want him to guide us.”

There’s a pause after Cole finishes, “Cole is right.” Nya says aloud, finding the truth in her words. Everything Cole said made sense. Birdy had been on their side from day one- “He stopped Maurice before he even knew we were the elemental masters. He had no reason to do that, but he did.”

“You can’t be serious!” Jay gapes, “Didn’t you hear him? Confirmed murderer! Evil bad guy here!! How can you just take his side?”

“I’m not on anybody's side but ours,” Nya fires back immediately, “I may not be thrilled about putting my faith in a- former- dicator, but I want what’s best for us, and getting back to Ninjago as quickly as possible is exactly that.”

Jay looks down at that, thinking.

“I can’t follow him.” Kai says sourly, crossing his arms over his chest.

Lloyd finally speaks up, “What Birdy did in the past-” He looks back at Birdy and pauses, face twisting as he hesitates on what to say next, “It wasn’t as black and white as it seems.” He settles on finally, “I trust him.”

There’s a heavy, tense silence. Lloyd meets Kai eyes, his expression imploring him to see sense.

“I don’t trust him.” Kai reiterates firmly. He closes his eyes with a grimace, “...But I do trust you. If you think this is the right call… then I do too.” he bites out begrudgingly.

“Fine.” Jay echoes, crossing his arms, “Let's go then.”

Birdy takes a moment to look around and get his bearings before he starts to walk, the others falling in line behind him. It's... awkward. He doesn’t speak much, only opening his mouth to warn them of obstacles, “Avoid the flowers,” He says, pointing to one of the numerous white flowers dotting the ground, “They tunnel into the ground. It is like stepping in a hole.”

Jay immediately steps in one and face plants, but he’s fine.

Nya start to notice that the plants they’re trekking through for this leg of the journey are strange, even for the Realm of Madness. Everything is coated in a thick waxy film and all of it is shaped like funnels or cups. Tall purple speckled plants with tube protrusions, green vase-like plants that grow as tall as her waist, huge pink and purple trees with tops like a sea anemone- and the plants she noticed that aren’t cup shaped have a sponge-like texture. Everything here is geared towards catching rain.

She looks inside one of the purple plant tubes and sees a small puddle at the very bottom, feeding into the stem. Raising her hand, she shoves at the liquid- but it doesn’t move.

“Birdy, what’s up with the water here?” She asks, pulling her hand away.

“It’s not water.” He answers stiffly, but she doesn’t think the discomfort is because of her. She’d noticed how still he’d seemed as they traveled deeper into the forest. There was something about this place that rattled him, “It’s acid.”

“ACID?” Jay squawks.

“It rains acid here,” Birdy says apologetically, “But we should be safe. It is the dry season.”

“I thought you said nothing was guaranteed in this place?”

“We need to move quickly.” He says bluntly.

As they hurry through the forest, Nya keeps an eye out for any potential dangers. That snake spider in the white forest had snuck up on them. She wasn’t keen on being surprised again. Because she’s looking towards the trees, she doesn’t notice everyone’s come to a stop until she runs into Cole.

“Oof-” She stumbles back, “Sorry- what happened? Why are we stopping?”

“I apologize.” Birdy says, emotionally flat where he’s standing in front of a large purple tree, “I was simply making sure we were on the right track.” When he starts moving again, he takes a wide step over something. As the others begin to move, Nya sees that the thing Birdy had stopped at and stepped over was a oblong dark spot on the grass. She’d seen a few of them before, scattered around the forest. She steps over it too but doesn’t ask about it. Birdy's voice had taken on that tone that comes when he’s not feeling like himself.

She blinks, surprised at herself for knowing that.

“If you don’t know where you’re going, then we should stop and take a break.” Kai says, pausing in the middle of that clearing underneath the tree's arching canopy, “We can keep going once you’ve got your head on straight.” he crosses his arms, planting himself firmly.

Birdy shakes his head, “I remember the way now. We should cover as much ground as possible today.” he says, voice toneless and disconnected. His body language is empty too, his shoulder slumped and his hands loose around his staff.

“I mean… we haven't had lunch.” Cole points out with a wry smile, “A quick snack break couldn’t hurt.”

“Do we have food? Or will we need to forage.” Nya asks.

“We have food. Cole hooked us up.” Jay says, slinging his backpack off and opening the top.

“I got Ila to make us some stuff for the road after… our talk.” He frowns, rubbing his chin, “I’m kinda surprised she did, actually… considering how they were plotting against us.”

“The food is safe. Ila is different from Samira.” He reassures them. There’s a thick pause. He hasn’t moved from the edge of the clearing, “We shouldn’t stop here.”

“Why? It’s the dry season, isn’t it?” Kai responds dryly, waving away a sandwich Jay offers him.

There’s a pause before Birdy stiffly sits down. “Alright.” He says blankly before he crosses his legs and gets into a classic meditation pose.

“You like to meditate?” Lloyd tilts his head.

“Sometimes.” Birdy doesn’t offer any additional information, and the group goes quiet as they eat and rest.

“So what’s the game plan when we get home? I mean, we don’t know anything about... Anything.” Nya turns to Lloyd.

He pauses mid-bite and frowns, “Well… we need to meet with Pix first and foremost. There’s no way she hasn’t been gathering intel in the time we’ve been gone. Mom might know something about that gauntlet and who might have gone after it, so we could go to the dig she’s on and ask her.”

“If we do that we gotta stop at home so I can get my gameboy.” Jay says immediately, “Do you know how long it’s been since I haven't played video games? I’m going through serious withdrawal here!”

Kai shoots him a withering stare that Jay is completely oblivious to.

“Well, as long as you don’t go pretending a piece of wood is a gameboy, then I’m not too worried about you.” Cole comments wryly.

“Oh, don’t tempt me. I have a whimsical imagination.”

“You like to play video games?” Birdy asks quietly.

“Yeah! There’s this game called Prime Empire, that’s the one I’m really into right now.”

“We were all really into it when it first came out.” Lloyd snickers, alluding to an inside joke Birdy’s not a part of.

“We were sucked into the game.” Cole explains even though Birdy hadn’t mentioned his confusion, “Jay saved us. It was a whole thing.”

“...You have had a lot of adventures.” there’s a pause as Birdy tries to think of what to say, “I would like to hear more about them.”

Lloyd hums, “Well, other than a few small fight here and there, and the current situation we’re in, the last big ordeal we had to take care of was The Mechanic and Fugi-doves team up.”

“The Mechanic cyborg-ed him.”

“Badly.” Nya adds darkly, “I could have done so much better.”

"Don't get any ideas." Cole ribs, nudging her playfully with his elbow.

Jay nods, “Yeah, he botched it up pretty bad. Fugi used to be a nothing villain, like, petty things. Now that he’s all…” Jay waves his hands in the approximation of gears turning, “Scary looking, he’s got actual minions.”

“I turned into the ocean.” Nya informs him, “But I got better.”

“Before that was Shintaro. We were invited by the princess for her birthday.” Lloyd continues.

“Queen Vania now. She’s cool, I think you’d like her.” Cole smiles.

“Her dad, the king, ended up being this evil warlock. His best friend was a floating skull.”

“Interesting…”

“I think you’d like him more than Vania,” Kai mutters, “Birds of a feather flock together.”

Lloyd graciously doesn’t acknowledge Kai, “Prime empire was before that, and then there was…” He stops. The air grows thick. “Let’s not talk about that one.” He murmurs.

“...What kind of game is it?”

Jay perks up, “Let me just tell you the story!” He launches immediately into an animated recap. The others interject every now and again to add their perspective and to correct Jays embellishments. “-And that’s how I lost my eye!” He says, pointing at the patch. Cole takes over after that, talking about princess Vania and the caves beneath Shintaro. The conversation devolves into one long timeline of their most recent life-or-death situations that Birdy listens to intently. He stops them with the occasional question, but otherwise is quiet while they recount it all.

So it’s a surprise when he interrupts Nya’s explanation of the Mechanics plot by leaping to his feet and taking a confrontational step towards Kai, “What are you doing with that?” He demands.

Kai jumps, surprised. He’d been leaning against the tree mindlessly checking his pockets for something to fiddle with- he looks down and realizes he’d fished out the painkiller Samira had given him and was rolling it between his fingers absently. “I’m playing with it.” He says with a raised eyebrow.

“That is not a toy.” Birdy bites out. Maybe he wouldn’t be so aggressive in any other environment, but this place put him on edge in the worst kind of way.

“I know that.” Kai shoots back sharply, standing to his full height, “What’s your problem?”

“Give it to me.” Birdy orders, holding his hand out, “I am not going to watch anyone else die here.”

“It’s not poison!” He clenches the pill in his fist, “It’s a painkiller for FSM’s sake.”

“It is engineered to be horribly addictive.” Birdy stresses, stepping up to Kai, “The withdrawals for that could kill you-”

“I've been managing my alcohol withdrawal just fine, thanks, I'm sure this wouldn't be any worse.” He snaps, shoving the pill back in his pocket.

Birdy jerks as if struck, “You are so dependent on alcohol you would die from it?”

“Stop talking to me.” Kai turns his back on him bitterly.

The air is fraught with tension, the energy pulled so taut it was only a matter of time before something snapped.

Birdy opens his mouth, “Do you think your friend sacrificed his life so you could ruin yours?”

CRACK-!

It all happens so fast Nya can barely keep up. Kai’s fist connects with Birdy's mask so hard he goes sprawling in the dirt. He stumbles back, slamming into a tree and slumping down at the base of it. He’s got one hand holding his mask in place reflexively, looking up at Kai in shock.

“You-” He snarls, body a pillar of fire as he towers over Birdy, “You do not get to speak about him! You are not even a fraction of the man he was! He may have been a robot, but he was more human than you will ever be!”

Cole gets in front of Kai and pushes him back. He keeps his hands on Kai’s chest to stop him from advancing on Birdy again, “Kai, stop!”

From his place on the ground, Birdy reaches a hand under his mask to wipe at his face. His fingers come back stained dark with blood, nearly black in the strange lighting of the realm. He looks up at Kai and his hand tightens around his staff dangerously.

“What are you going to do? Are you going to hurt me?” Kai spits, leaning to glare at him over Cole's frame, “Just like you hurt Farley? Fine then, go ahead! I can take you!”

Birdy looks down at his hand like it’s not attached to him. He throws the staff on the ground as if it’s burned him and shakes his head hard to clear his vision. He hasn’t said a word, mute in shock. He stumbles to his feet but he has to use a tree to catch himself, leaning on it to keep his feet under himself.

“I’m the master of fire! You don’t scare me!”

Birdy is shaking all over, hand trembling where he has it pressed against the strange tree. His chest is rising and falling rapidly and he has all his focus on Kai.

He turns and vanishes into the woods.

“Birdy!” Lloyd takes a step after him but aborts the mission, whipping around to Kai, “You two stay here with Kai and maybe knock some sense into him.” He points at Cole and Jay before turning to Nya, “Nya, come with me.” She has to scramble to keep up as Lloyd darts after Birdy, but it’s not long before Lloyd stutters to a stop.

He lets out a low growl in frustration, “I don’t know where he went.” He scrubs at his face roughly.

She places a sympathetic hand on his shoulder, “Just take a deep breath, Lloyd.”

“Everything fell apart so quickly.”

“I know.” She swallows roughly and looks away. She doesn’t have the words to make this okay. If they can’t find Birdy, if they can’t convince him to come back… they’ll be lost in the middle of nowhere in a realm that wants so so badly to kill them. Her eyes flick over the ground right to a footprint is half hidden by the leaves of a bright red shrub.

“Look!” She points to it, hoping a solid lead will cheer Lloyd up, “He went this way!”

They cautiously start to track Birdy, being extra careful not to miss any indicators where he ran off to. Finally, they come upon another small clearing. Another large, alien looking tree stretches up above them, the trunk of the tree is a deep blue and there are several bulbs along it where the wood splits to reveal huge chunks of a pale blue spongey growth. On the other side of the tree, Birdy’s foot sticks out from where he’s sitting in the dirt under the shade.

“Birdy!”

And right next to his foot is his mask.

Lloyd stops in his tracks the moment he sees it. “Are you okay?” He asks, staying out of sight of Birdy's face.

A gloves hand reaches out and takes the mask, slipping it on with his body still mostly hidden, “I am alright.” He stands up then and comes around the tree to face them, face once again firmly hidden. He’s holding a water bottle in one hand, using it to rinse the stain off his gloves. Well, he’s trying to.

“Here,” Nya says, stepping forward, “Let me.”

She swirls water around his hands and uses it to sweep the dark blood off the fabric. While she works, Birdy speaks, “I apologize if I worried you. I was always intending to return, I just needed a moment to… attend to my injuries.” He finishes awkwardly. “I was not going to leave you stranded.”

“Birdy, I didn’t come after you because you’re our guide.” Lloyd says, “I came because I wanted to make sure you were okay.”

Speak for yourself, Nya thinks. Well, that’s not entirely fair- she did think that Birdy wasn’t the villain he made himself out to be, and she trusted him to a degree. She wouldn't call them friends, but she didn't want to see him hurt either. Maybe her decision to follow Lloyd was almost entirely based on selfish reasons, but she had also been alarmed by Kai’s punch, worried about the brutality of how the hit had landed. Kai could knock out an opponent's teeth with a weak swing- there was a lot of damage to be done with a sucker punch like that.

“He isn’t like that, really.” She finds herself saying quietly as she draws out the last of the blood in Birdy's gloves, “He didn’t used to be, at least. He was more levelheaded than me before… Before we lost Zane.”

Birdy stays quiet.

Nya keeps going, “He took it the hardest out of us all, I think. He feels a lot of guilt. He lost his elemental abilities right before it happened, y’know? So I think he blames himself.” she moves water over his gloves absently. The blood is gone, but she can’t look up to meet his eyes, “And yeah, Zane was special to all of us, but he did something else for Kai. Kept him balanced, maybe. He got lost after Zane died. He trained until he collapsed, he spent hours patrolling the city, he kept busy because then he could dull the pain. And when he had to stop moving, he drank.”

“Grief does funny things to us all.” Lloyd says softly.

“You’re right. Zane wouldn’t have wanted this for him, and Kai knows that, but you were wrong to speak on his behalf. He’s gone, and none of us want to hear a stranger put words in his mouth.” She lets the water drop, splashing to the ground.

A long moment passes quietly, “I apologize. It was not my intention to disrespect your friend.” It’s his turn to drop his gaze to the ground.

“C’mon,” Lloyd says softly, “I think the others will want to hear that too.”

When they get back to the others, the air is tense. Kai is leaning against a tree attempting to wrap a bandage around his bloody knuckles. Jay is hovering at his elbow and Cole is standing off to the side, not looking at either of them.

Kai notices them first, but cuts his eyes away and pointedly ignores the trio rejoining their group.

“It was wrong of me to bring up your friend.” Birdy says before stepping any closer, “I reacted so strongly because I was afraid for you, Kai. Those pills are designed for control. Samira supplies the people of this realm and then twists their addiction against them.”

“I don’t need your worry.” Kai says, but it’s lost some of the bite it had before.

Hesitantly, Birdy approaches Kai. Slowly, with enough time for Kai to draw away, and with more than a bit of caution to stay out of easy access of another swing, Birdy cups Kai’s injured palm. He takes the bandages next, moving to wrap his hand, “There is not a switch I can flip to turn it off.” Birdy says wryly, carefully winding the gauze around Kai’s hand, “I am sorry for what I said.”

Kai just stares at him.

“...You may not trust me, but I trust you.” He continues, finishing up dressing his knuckles, “I believe you would have made the correct choice.”

Something shifts in Kai. his features soften and he pulls his hand away gently- his guard is still up, but there’s a change in his heart, “Y’know, you’ve got a hell of an iron jaw.” he tries for a joke, but it falls flat. Then, “Why are you doing all this? After everything you’ve done, why have a change of heart now?” He asks, search for an understanding. He didn't get Birdy. Maybe that was part of his aggression- he didn't understand how a warlord like him could just... suddenly decide to be a good person. There had to be a catch.

Birdy looks away, ruminating over his thoughts and looking for the best way to put it all into words, “I am trying to make up for the pain I have caused. I regret the things I have done. I wish I had never stepped foot in that throne room- I have been stuck in the dark ever since, plagued by the mistakes of my past... but I have a choice, now. Even in the darkness, I can choose to reflect the light.”

Kai freezes, looking at Birdy with wide eyes. He opens his mouth, but there’s a crash through the underbrush that interrupts him.

A massive two-legged beast blasts into the clearing with a series of loud clicks, hissing at the group gathered there. On top of the animal, on a makeshift saddle with a pair of leather reins in her hand- is Morrigan.

“I found you~!” She sing-songs.

Her steed shakes its head hard, obviously agitated by the bit shoved in its beak. It’s a massive thing with a set of wings to match, and it’s body was a patchwork of soft brown feathers and iridescent scales. Large slits flutter around the base of its throat as it breathes in, scenting the air. It’s feet are distinctly bird-like, with claws like a raptor and rough textured skin. It isn't happy about its predicament as a faithful show pony, flicking it’s head and flapping its wings in rage.

“You disrespected me, lover! I told you- either you gave me those flowers or something very bad was going to happen.” She flips her brown hair over her shoulder with a flourish, grinning down at the group with shark teeth, “I’ve come to collect, darling.”

“We don’t have the flowers any more!” Lloyd argues.

“Oh, I know that, little boy.” She giggles, “I’m here to do something very bad!”

With that, she shoves her finger out towards them and commands the vulture-bat beneath her, “Sick ‘em, boy!”

With that, the beast roars- and its small beak splits in half, its face opening up in four pieces to reveal a garbage disposal of razor sharp, serrated teeth stained with old blood. Its dark purple tongue flicks out before it crashes forward with the intent to kill. Despite its massive size, the thing is fast. It is upon them before they can think, and it’s only the speed of a ninja that saves their bones from snapping in those jaws.

“What is that?” Jay squawks in unison with the bird, who charges at him.

“A vulture-bat!” Birdy says as he leaps for his staff, fear bleeding into his voice, “Keep your eyes on it! It is quicker than you think!”

“Ew.” Nya says with a nervous laugh, mostly to herself. The bird is horrifying in it’s awkwardness- it’s bones seem too big for it’s body, the tautness of it’s skin revealing the spaces between feathers and scales. Little peeks of pink flesh that’s stretched so thin the blood vessels underneath are clearly visible. It moves unnaturally too, it’s body too long for it’s legs. Every other step it’s chest slams to the ground and bounces back up like he’s compensating for a missing limb. When it roars, foul smelling spittle flies everywhere.

Then she sees it. A long, thin appendage coming out from it’s tail feathers.

It whips it’s body around and her only warning is the high pitched whistle that comes from a deadly strike. She ducks, and the tree behind her explodes.

It’s like razor-wire, thin enough to decapitate any animal that comes it’s way, yet sturdy enough to nearly halve the trunk without even the hint of structural weakness.

Morrigan pulls on its reins so she can look at her targets, “Y’know why I haven’t killed anyone, Birdy? Because everyone does as they are told and gives me what I want.” There’s a manic shine in her eye, “Now you’ll see what happens when you disobey.”

She pulls out a knife and stabs the vulture-bat in it’s haunches. It roars in rage and shakes itself hard, trying to dislodge her, and when that doesn’t work it dives forward with the intent on killing anything around it. It’s pain needed to go somewhere.

Cole brings up a wall of earth high enough to trip the beast and it crashes to the ground, it’s claws scrabble for a moment and it’s back on it’s feet in almost no time. Kai throws a ball of fire in an attempt to scare it, but the singed feathers only seem to enrage it further. It’s mostly a game of cat and mouse with the ninja just barely dodging teeth and claws and a razor tail.

Nya knows they can’t dodge forever.

Birdy dives under the razor-wire that nearly takes his head before he pops up at the beasts underbelly. He’s almost trampled before he managed to grab hold of a patch of feathers and haul himself up onto the animals back. He’d only done all of that to get out of harms way, but now that he was nearly face to face with Morrigan, he had no idea what to do. He brandishes his staff anyway, trying to find his footing on the rampaging beast.

Morrigan stands up, hands still wound up in the reins to keep her balance and she brandishes her sword, “You think you're the only one with a thirst for blood, don't you? You think you're the only one with the guts to slaughter someone!” She snarls with a sadistic smile, “You have no idea what I'm capable of when I don't get my way.” She yanks the reins to one side and the animal veers sharply, whole body tipping and turning. Birdy crashes sideways off his feet and is nearly flung from the beasts back before he can catch it’s tail feathers in one hand.

Nya flicks her wrist and calls a ball of water to her. She throws it as hard as she can, watching it soar through the air and slap into Morrigan. What’s most important is how the water drowns the leather and the scales on the monsters back.

The beast turns toward Nya sharply at the attack, and Morrigan can’t keep her footing on the slick saddle.

One foot slips from under her and she can't catch herself. She tumbles down the beasts shoulder, but before she can hit the ground her body yanks to a painful stop. The reins are still wrapped around her wrist, leaving her dangling at the monsters chest. The bird slams sideways into a tree because of how hard Morrigan yanks on the reins in her fall, narrowly avoiding bashing her to paste. There’s genuine panic on her face as she swings her sword up, trying to slice through the reins so she can survive this encounter.

Birdy crawls up the bird to it’s neck. He nearly throws himself off it when he lunges for Morrigan, holding his hand out for her to take, “Let me help you!” He shouts, voice nearly lost among the vulture-bats cries.

She would have to drop her sword. She looks at him for a long moment before her face twists in hatred. With a mighty heave, she swings the sword at Birdy, aiming for a killing blow. He yanks his hand back and she misses, the sword cutting into the vulture-bat’s shoulder.

It rears back in pain and Birdy goes flying off, rolling to a stop in the dirt.

Morrigan is thrown backward and shaken around as the vulture-bat reacts to the sharp sting. It spots her as she’s thrown to the side, it’s large black eye focusing on her. It understands immediately. With a sharp turn, It whips its head around so she goes flying in a wide arc- right in front of its mouth.

It’s face splits in four. It lunges forward.

The crunch of shattering bones makes Nya feel sick. Blood splatters across the clearing as the bird shakes its head like a dog with a toy, other… debris raining down from its jowls. She didn’t even have time to scream. That must have been a mercy.

The blood pooling on the ground seems to be eagerly absorbed by the ground, leaving swathes of darker spots on the grass.

Nya can see its throat spasm as it swallows what's left of her.

Everything is quiet. The beast’s gills flutter again.

Birdy grabs her arm, snapping out of her trance. “Go!” He orders urgently and quietly.

She turns and runs. She can see Jay ahead of her, and she focuses on not losing him and nothing else. She doesn’t flinch when the vulture-bat roars behind her, and she doesn’t stumble when the earth shakes as it chases after them.

“It’s gaming on us!” Lloyd shouts from somewhere behind her.

“We have to fight!” Cole confirms.

They break out of the forest into muddy earth, the thickness of it sucking at Nya's feet as she tries to run. There are no trees out here in the wastelands- well, no trees big enough to hide behind. The spindly little black plants will do nothing for them now.

She turns around right as the bird explodes from the forest, a looming monster taking up all her vision. Her heart leaps up to her throat. It doesn’t hesitate, covering the land in three long strides before it’s upon them again.

Cole tries to use earth, but the mud is too soft to even slow the beast down. Jay flings lightning but the bird is fast, dodging that and Kai’s fireballs alike. Lloyd hits it heavily on the side with a ball of green energy, and the beast roars in rage as it turns on him. There’s more fighting- fighting is too generous for what they’re doing. Surviving, maybe. Just barely. It’s so angry that any real damage to it just pisses it off even more, too much adrenaline in it’s system to feel any of it.

It bites dangerously close to Cole, whipping it’s long tail back with deadly intent-

SNAP

The tail slams into Birdy's side- hard. It’s enough force to throw him back until he’s tumbling in the mud, coming to a stop on his back.

Black blood streaks across the wet earth.

His whole left side is torn open.

Nya is moving before she can think, “Keep it distracted!” She orders, flying across the mud. She slams down on her knees at Birdy's side, trying to assess the damage- did they pack enough bandages? How bad is it that he most definitely got realm of madness mud all inside his wound?

He has a hand pressed against his side. His glove is soaked through with blood. He makes no attempt to move, “Nya.” he says quietly.

“You’re gonna be fine.” She reassures him immediately, “Just lay still.” She tries to pry his hand away from his side, but he won’t move it.

“Nya, it is too late.” His voice is resigned. She feels like his voice is always resigned, always ready to die, “I need you to listen to me. Please.”

She shakes her head, “Just move your hand. I have medical training, I can help you.”

He acts as if he didn’t even hear her, “You have to go north-east from here. Towards where the sun rises- if you see a tree split in half by a lightning strike, you are going in the right direction.”

“Birdy, move your hand! You’re going to bleed out if you don’t let me stop the flow!”

“Keep walking past that split tree. You’ll see four big mountains in front of you-”

“What are you talking about?” She snaps, stressed and desperate.

“I’m telling you how to get to the mountain of madness.” He says soberly.

She looks at him in disbelief, “Take us there yourself!” She snaps. She pulls on his hand and he lets her, too weak to fight her anymore.

Underneath his torn blue tunic, past the dingy white robes underneath, is glimmering silver skin and a tangled mess of torn wires and gutted tubing. Nya’s brain stalls.

“Nya.” She jerks as if she’s been struck. Everything else vanishes to background noise. That’s not Birdy's voice. It’s softer, higher-pitched. It’s the sound of snowfall and red tailed hawks and fresh baked cookies. It’s the sound of home.

She slowly looks up at him, at that stupid stupid mask. Her eyes are blurry with tears.

“Zane?”

“Watch out!” Jay screams, the sound of the fight behind them blaring reality back into her ears.

She turns around and the beast is upon them. She’s too rattled to think straight-

Zane bursts forward spilling oil and transmission fluid all over the mud. He shoves Nya back, behind himself as he pushes his hand forward in a desperate attempt to change the way this fight ends. A giant pillar of ice shoots out of the mud in front of him and brutally slams into the Vulture-bats chest. Ice spreads at the point of contact, frost swirling up its skin in painful cracks. The beast squawks in startled pain, jerking away from the two before it finally decides the fight isn’t worth it. It flaps it’s massive wings in a panic, scrambling away from the ice and taking flight. It flys like a bat out of hell, it’s ground speed nothing compared to how quickly it takes off towards the horizon.

Zane's knees buckle, and he crashes into the mud and doesn’t move again.

#ninjago #zane julien #nya ninjago #kai ninjago #cole ninjago #jay walker #lloyd garmadon #ninjago never the dark #spinchip fic #ninjago au #someone dies brutally this chapter. sayonara...#blood #gore #broken bones

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darkwolf76 · 2 months

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Deidre Strong and Criston Cole

Been working on gifs. Thought I would share some I made for my girl. How did I do?

AO3

#oc: deidre strong #fic: children of bone and blood #criston cole #hotd #hotd oc #hotd fic #gifs #how did I do

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sweet-lost-husbands · 10 months

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Seek Forgiveness

Prompt from @marchtothefuckingsea: you all like the trope of character being so delirious from their injuries that they don't realize someone on their team trying to help them, so they fight back, but I offer you: Character, delirious, weakly fighting someone trying to help them, but they finally recognize who it is and they fight even harder.

Hurt/Comfort

I absolutely loved writing this! Hopefully you enjoy reading this, please feel free to give any advice as well.

Word count: 3k on the dot 🫠🫠

Summary: Reader gets hurt on a hunt and she is forced to rely on someone who has hurt her in the past, to save her life.

Warnings: Serious injury, blood, broken bones, extreme gore, restraints, potions, accidental torture?? but only to save her. Reader is scared of Castiel.

No usage of y/n.

Italics are the character's thoughts

It was a simple mistake- and yet an unforgivable one. That was the irony to it.

I limp forward, slowly catching my breath as I walk. I hold my cold hand against my abdomen, Warm blood leaking through the gaps in my fingers and the fabric of my clothes, coating my body like a blanket as gravity beckons it down. I know I needed to put more pressure, but I can’t bring myself to do it.

I take another sharp painful step, when something crashes into my side, and I'm thrown to the unforgiving floor. I hear the snaps before I feel the hot pain that explodes in my ribs. My lungs gasp for a single breath of air but it seems to fall short.

I have been in this situation once before; it gives me back memories I try deeply to forget.

Then something is on me, clawing at my flesh. I recognise that smell anywhere, the blood thirst- the unholiness. A vamp.

I fumble with the machete, begging my numb fingers to work. My heart pounds in my chest and ricochets of skull, so loud that I plead for moment of silence.

My fingers grip around the handle and gain just enough leverage to sever its head with one flick of the wrist.

I collapse backwards, coughing and spluttering as the world spins and blurs. An all too familiar metallic taste erodes my mouth. All my limbs ache with exhaustion. My eyelids feel heavy, and my mind begins to drift into unknown places.

I almost reach the blissful darkness when an agonising burst of pain brings me back. I scream, thrashing against the sudden pressure on my abdomen. My muscles tense and I arch upward, whimpering as the force increases.

Take it away take it away takeitaway

Water brims in my eyes; I twist my hands up and latch around the unknown arm, in a weak attempt to pry it off. My vision smudges and I can't see their face. They take the moment to increase the pressure even more, so that now I'm sure they are pushing their whole weight against it. I let out a strangled cry and can’t stop from writhing beneath them.

Stop it, pleaseee

“Shhhh, I know it hurts.”

I barely make out the words because they are clouded by a layer of fog. Briefly, a feeling of warmth floats over my forehead, then disappears again, followed by some faint muttering.

“Leave. Me. The. Hell. Alone.” I pant, continuing to push at his arms, anything to get away. When all fails, I start to turn in on myself, but he manages to keep me in place.

Please

“Hey, easy, easy, don’t move!”

I can’t.

One hand continues to put too much pressure on the wound while the other starts skimming over my skin, looking for injuries before coming to rest on my shoulder.

“Oh god, your cold. We have to get you out of here.”

Before I can protest, he pulls me into sitting and drapes my arm over his shoulder to support my weight. I let out a weak sob at the movement, doing what little I can to resist. A moment later, I am hoisted up.

It starts with a few steps, but my side screams at me, and I try to double over and lay back on the ground.

“Crap.” I hear him say, as he repositions my arm to keep me standing.

He reaches under my knees and across my back and pulls me into his chest. I weakly shove at it, squirming from the shift in my ribs.

No no no no

“I know, I know.” He says something more, but I don’t mange to make it out.

The next few minutes go by slowly. Each step moves me, and I can't do anything to stop it. At some point my eyes flutter shut. Yes, darkness. But a sharp pain blossoms as he purposely jolts me awake.

I gasp, once again trying to free myself but he only tightens his grip.

“Stay with me. Don’t you dare close your eyes.”

“No....”

“Yes.” His voice is firm like an order. “Yes, and if you don’t, then I'm going to have to force you back again. And you don’t want that do you?”

“No.”

“Good.”

Eventually I feel him ease his arms that secure me and delicately place me down on something soft. Hopefully a bed but I'm too tired to care. Where am I?

Hands glide over my face and cup it. I try to wave them away, but they don’t budge. A blurry figure is pulled into my eyesight and just for a second, I am able to focus enough to recognise the face. Cas.

Damn it, I should have realised earlier. Not him. Anyone but him. He’s going to hurt me again.

Suddenly I pull every tendril of remaining energy from my body to fight his grasp and propel myself away. The cool floor meets my face and I scramble weakly along it. Whimpering and curling up in a ball, tears adding to the already blood-soaked floor as my limbs finally give out. I’m aware that I'm shivering but its only when I look ahead and see a mirror, do I realise how pale I actually am.

A finger taps my shoulder, and I can sense his presence next to me.

Please don’t hurt me

“Go away!” My voice strains.

“You know I can’t do that.” He brushes a stray strand of hair from my face and forces our eyes to meet. It almost catches me off guard; I see something there that I have never seen before. Pleading.

Why?

“Don’t you dare.” I whisper but he ignores me and tries to slide his fingers to the hem of my shirt. I bat his hands away once more.

“Stop fighting me!” His head is tilted in pure concern.

Why does he care, why is he different?

I start to mumble a response, but a coughing fit quickly wracks my torso. Cas acts quickly, bringing my head up to rest on his lap until it subsides. From there, he lifts me onto the bed and lays me out flat, which I instinctively start to curl.

“I can’t heal you but let me help.”

“No, g’t aw’y fr’m me. Anyth’ng b’t your help.” I slur.

“Okay.” His voice is laced with remorse and heartbreak. “Then you leave me no choice.”

First, he grasps my arm and gently tugs it away from me, securing it with rope; the next is my other hand and then both my legs, until I am fully outstretched. I almost can’t stand it; the pain intensifies. I feebly yank on the restraints, trying to get free myself, but they are unyielding.

I only notice that Cas had left the room when he returns, holding a med kit. He sets it down on the bed-side table and starts taking things out and positioning them in a certain way. “I’m sorry but I’ve already caused you enough pain and if you die and I had a chance to save you......” He trails off. “I won't be able to forgive myself.”

He pauses, taking out a wad of gauze and a bottle of alcohol.

In the haze, I almost miss the stray tear making its way down his cheek. “I’m not going to hurt you.”

“You d’d.” I rasp, narrowing my vision on what he is doing, with an expression of horror on my face. Don’t put me through more pain, just let me go, why can't he let me go? Surely, he can see that I don’t want this. Surely.

I pull at the restraints again.

“I know.” He purposely hides his face so I can’t see the sadness in his eyes, “And yes, while it may have been true that I was under a spell and couldn’t help it; I am sorry. I will do anything to make up to you, but first let me help.”

Nothing manages to leave my throat as he turns back to me. Was that true? Was it not his fault? I feel the blood drain from my face. Last time he had tortured me and left me for dead, I was lucky that Dean made it to me in time. After that I became a hunter to stop things like what happened to me. But maybe Cas wasn’t a monster- not anymore.

“Stay still.” He says and gives me a sad smile; like he hates what he is about to do. I feel his gentle fingers at the hem of my crimson-soaked shirt, and he carefully lifts it up.

He grabs a few things. “This will hurt...... I am truly sorry.”

There is a slap of elastic gloves being put on and then he nears. I feel as he places one hand a couple of inches above the wound, which I realise is to keep me in place.

The moment the alcohol-soaked gauze skims over my tender skin, I screech, lashing out, fighting the rope bound around me. It burns like my whole abdomen is lit aflame.

Can’t get free can’t get free cantgetfree

My body trembles as Castiel begins to push it in further to clean it. I struggle against him, pushing back into the bed as much as I can, but it doesn’t help. Nothing stops him from taking his time to thoroughly sterilise it. I jerk at every movement of the gauze- back and forth, pushing in the skin, not failing to get right into the corner. Each inch forcing it way through my tender flesh. I cry from the pain, still tugging at the restraints and recoiling against Cas’s hands, completely helpless to free myself.

“Easy, easy, almost done.” He says as he wipes the wound one last time and pulls away.

Sweat trickles down my forehead and I visually relax, panting.

“I’m sorry but that had to be done.” He says over his shoulder as he fiddles with something else in the med kit. “Dean and Sam will be here by tomorrow evening, but you’ll bleed out long before they get here; I'm going to have to stitch it.”

“Nooooo pleaseeee.” I whine.

He lays a comforting hand on my shoulder and starts rubbing soothing circles. “Trust me, I don’t want to do this either. I would give anything not to have to hurt you again.” The way his words quiver like there is a lump in his throat, sells the line.

He waits a little longer and then lets my shoulder go and brings the needle and thread to the bed-side table.

“C-cold.” I stutter.

“I’ll get you a blanket once this is done.”

Castiel places the same hand on my chest again but this time, he applies a little more pressure. “Don’t move if you can help it, it could cause me to stitch all wonky. I know this isn’t ideal, but we can’t waste any more time. Please forgive me.”

I flinch the first time the needle pricks my pale skin, then still. I stifle my groan which soon turns into a quiet sob as he continues relentlessly. I am barely aware of him muttering hush apologies to me at every groan, cry and beg.

The pain expands though my side with each new stitch, constantly lingering. I try to focus on the ceiling, but it doesn’t distract much, since there is no way to not feel the movement of the needle. God I hate needles.

"Stop tensing the area I'm trying to stitch." Cas orders and clamps his hand down a little more.

“Yeah, well if you, AAGH.” He hits the spot which is the deepest and it causes me to jump.

“I told you to stop moving!”

I nod and clench my hands until the knuckles are white, to stop myself from wriggling.

“You know,” He starts his next stitch and pinches the skin together, ignoring my wince. “You are quite remarkable; a thousand others would’ve passed out long before this step.” He threads it through and ties it.

My skin is so tight around the wound, and it feels like a white-hot sting that won’t go away.

“Holy Shit!” I swear, as a sudden burning rushes through the wound. He puts the alcohol on the table and gives be an apologetic smile. "You could have warned for that."

He shrugs. "Sam says it’s better without a warning."

I whimper as he places a large bandage over the top and starts clearing everything away.

“It’s done for the time being.” He comforts, and lightly kisses me on the forehead. “You can sleep now.”

I feel my head finally lull to the side and I allow myself to drift off.

When I open my eyes, my head throbs and the world spins. I see Cas and for an instant my mind takes me right back to when he was a monster, and I bolt up.

He rushes to my side and to pushes me down with his angel strength.

“Hey, hey, it’s just me. Slow down.”

I relax in his arms once I realise.

“There.” He soothes, shifting so that I am lying flat, but his voice soon turns serious. “Stunts like that could tear your stitches.” He peels the bandage back and takes a look. “But thankfully it hasn’t.”

He pulls the blanket back over me and carefully holds a glass of water to my lips. “Slow.” He says and tilts it a little.

I hadn’t realised how thirsty I was and start to lap it up. He pulls away and I chase after it, but he continues to hold my clamp down on my shoulder with one hand.

“Slow.” He repeats and brings the cup back. I do what as he says until it's gone.

I wiggle my feet enough to find that he must have taken the restraints off while I was out.

He takes a seat next to the bed and squeezes my hand. It's so warm.

“How are you feeling?”

“Like I've been stabbed.”

Cas smiles. “How do you really feel?”

I sigh. “Tired, everything hurts.”

“I’d assume that’s normal considering what you’ve been through.” He tilts his head towards my ribs. “When you're ready, I need to take a look, okay?”

I swallow thickly. “Okay.” I chastise myself at how the words break in my throat, I know he's only trying to help.

A shudder escapes my lips as Cas’s warm fingers skim over my ribs. I hold back a choked cry as he presses into them, testing the bones. By the time he finishes, I am as far away from him as the bed allows.

“A couple are broken; I'll go get you an icepack.”

When he re-enters and positions the icepack over my sides, his face has saddened like he isn’t telling me something.

“What is it?” I ask.

He doesn’t hold back. “There’s been a slight delay with Sam and Dean, they won’t be here for a few more days. We are in a small cabin out in the woods, it's not safe here. The vampire's that did this to you could be back with the rest of the nest.”

“Oh.” I manage to say.

He wipes a finger over my face to stop the tears. “We need to leave but we can’t do that with the condition you're in now. And I can’t heal you because they used a blade warded against angels.”

“So, what do we do?” I take his hand and intertwine our fingers.

“You know I don’t want to put you in more pain than I have to.” I can feel him shaking now; he's scared.

“Cas.” My tone is slightly louder than I wanted.

There's a pause. He readjusts his trench coat like its uncomfortable. “There may be a healing spell that could help but I'm told that the procedure will be...... unpleasant, to say the least.”

His whole face screams regret but I surprise him with my answer. “Do it.”

“You sure?”

“Yeah..... I trust you.”

“Okay.” Cas says, more to himself than me. He places the neon purple potion on the table and undoes his belt. “Open,” he commands, “It should help with the pain.”

I reluctantly take in the leather and bite down.

“I have to restrain you now. If you mess with the potion even a little, it could prove faulty and there is no way in hell, I'm putting you through this twice.”

I give a slight nod and he starts tying my limbs with rope. I get more scared by the second, I can already hear the rhythmic beat of my heart. This time he also adds some rope over my thighs and chest so I can move even less than before.

Once he’s finished, he fetches the potion and hovers over me.

“If you have somewhere you find soothing, go there in your mind.”

Then he begins, first removing the bandage to expose the wound then pours it in.

A blazing burst of pain explodes through my body, everything feels like it's on fire. Then his hands are on me, rubbing it as deep into the wound as possible while I strain and fight to get away from the hands that are hurting me. He manages to shove it through the gaps in the stitches so it can travel deeper. I scream and cry around the belt, every muscle tensed so much that it cramps. I can feel as every rib welds itself together and every cell in the wound presses until it's all combined.

When all the pain finally simmers, relief washes over me. Cas whispers comforting words and praise as he undoes the restraints and pulls me into a hug. I am too weak to resist the movement, but I don’t want to, its sweet and warm. He saved me.

“You did so well,” He soothes. “I am so proud of you. Are you okay?”

“Yes,” I answer simply, “I am now, and I forgive you.”

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sophsicle · 9 months

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would u perhaps have a little sneak peek from bartys pov of ohb that you’d be willing to share? 👀

ohb is my fav rosekiller, i just know they’re gonna absolutely wreck me but it’ll be so delicious

#tw gore #tw blood #tw violence #idk #ohb #fic: of his bones #rosekiller #soph rambles

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lilvampirepet · 6 months

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"Whatever tricks his mind played on him during their coupling, he knows this is the truth – this safety, this sincere affection."

Refresh Me with Apples, for I Am Faint with Love by imsorryimlate

#this fic has me GRIPPED.#i am BEWITCHED.#got perm from the fic author to draw this <3 #thank you thank you ily and owe u everything for writing this #im in LOVE #dracula #john seward #helward #abraham van helsing #toledokillart #gore #bones #blood #guro

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bones-of-a-rabbit · 6 months

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future scene in space au,, Eclipse kills a man by hitting him with another man, bc his comfort tiny has been Hurt and this has triggered the Murder Instinct only well-designed murderbots can achieve <3

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dont-blame-it-on-the-kids · 2 months

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The Storage Closet

Okay so this is a test run. This is the first chapter.

I have most of the fic written right now but idk if people would be interested in this?

Tw Torture

Lin groaned as she came too. Her armor was gone and she felt an ice cold floor under her cheek. The room she was in was pitch black and even as she blinked her eyes to adjust nothing but darkness came to focus. She grunted with the effort of standing. Her body felt weak, her joints ached from use and her hip and leg protested with a loud pop as she went to take a step. Lin stumbled but thankfully it wasn’t far to the wall. She held herself up and willed her legs to hold her weight.

She searched the room finding nothing on the walls or floor. Where was she? A small room with no bars on the door or anything to indicate where she was. Just pitch black and silence.

She wasn’t in the cells in the tunnels. She knew Amon wouldn’t put her there.

A handle.

She quickly tried to turn the knob but it was no use.

Lin sighed and kept feeling along the walls. She stumbled into something on the floor.

Metal clattered as her bare foot sent a gauntlet piece of her armor skittering a few inches ahead of her.

She quickly bent down and tried to pull the armor into place as she had for decades.

A painful numb feeling was all she achieved and tears pricked her eyes as reality crashed over her.

She truly was severed from her element.

Her own armor tossed into the room with her to flaunt that fact. Lin sighed and grabbed the gauntlet feeling the inside for the blade that was hidden against the metal.

She sat down shivering now in the cold room and got to work jimmying the blade out of its place in the metalwork.

Lin hated being so cold.

She almost wished she had worn something warmer under her uniform.

But she hadn’t picked out her usual outfit for the day expecting to be an Equalist captive at the end of it.

She heard footsteps approaching and quickly moved to find the door. She stood against the wall off to the side. Ready with the two blades from the gauntlets.

The light was blinding as the door opened but as soon as she saw a shadow step through she lunged with the weapons.

Her blades met flesh. Sinking into an arm and slashing across a cheek. A shocked cry before the kali sticks buzzed to life. Lin made another attempt and got close to hitting the Lieutenant again but her movement was slowed by something.

The rush of blood in her ears. Amon standing behind the now bleeding man.

A harsh kick to her stomach that sent her flying back into the storage closet.

She hit the far wall with a cry and sank to her knees. Her head spun with the impact but she moved to stand, cursing as her hip ached and flared with pain.

“Damn bitch got me.”

“Go get that stitched up. I’ll handle her.”

“You sure?”

“Go.”

Lin stood tall as she braced herself with the blades at the ready.

Amon stepped into the room as she watched Lieutenant head down the hall holding his injured arm.

“That was a mistake Beifong.” Amon said as the door closed and the room fell into darkness.

Lin hated the fear that sparked in her chest as she lost the light.

What once would have been a preferred environment she was now blind.

Her seismic sense was gone.

Lin tried to keep her breathing quiet and her heart rate low. She was sure he would enjoy sensing her fear.

Suddenly the feeling of being bloodbent came over her.

“Achk!” She gasped in pain as her hands were forced to let go of the knives but they didn’t clatter. She felt warmth before her and then the blade, now in Amon’s hand, touched her neck where her shoulder started.

“Where is the avatar?”

Lin growled and spat on the mask covering his face.

“I won’t tell you anything!”

Amon was silent for only a second, some cloth ruffled then Lin’s body twisted painfully. Every joint felt about to pop as the scream of agony was torn from her before she could bite it back.

The pain subsided and she felt a small cut being dragged open over her right shoulder.

“Where are the airbenders?” He asked his voice low and even.

“I-“ Lin hated she was already gasping for breath. She was too old for this. “I won’t tell you shit.”

She cried out again but this time due to the blade sinking into her right shoulder.

Sweat started to bead along her forehead as she panted and gasped with the pain.

Oh she was most definitely too old to be doing this.

“I’ll ask again.” Amon said simply. Clearly ready to escalate the torture. “Where is the avatar and her friends?”

Lin whimpered as the blade was twisted in her flesh.

She gritted her teeth, keeping her silence this time.

Amon growled and a horrid blow hit her left shoulder, the bones and connections breaking under his force and Lin screamed in agony at the pain.

“I won’t tell you! You may as well kill me now,” she hated the way the pain made her voice crack.

A rough hand in her hair.

“Oh, I will kill you Beifong. But I have better use of you before that. Trust me, I have a plan.” He turned her and smashed her face into the wall.

Blood dripped from her nose and lip but he dropped her to the cold floor. Light filled the room as Lin tried to find the strength to stand but she was left to darkness again.

Her body ached from the bloodbending, her shoulder was in agony. Lin made herself sit up against the wall as tears fell over her cheeks.

Lin would never admit to the fear that was starting to sink into her old bones.

Lin made herself sit up, she couldn’t keep her core to the cold floor. She curled her knees to her chest as she sat against the wall. She was shivering still and the motions jarred her quickly accumulating injuries.

#the storage closet #plz msg me if you are interested #the fic has total warnings of #Torture #assault #broken bones #blood #internal bleeding #implied endangerment of children #whump #ptsd #hurt/comfort #like it’s Rough it’s a lot.#I’m So Torn #on if I want to post it or not.#but it’s getting written one way or another lmao #my writing

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writersmorgue · 2 months

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Febuwhump Day 14 - Blood-stained Tiles

TWs in tags || read on Ao3 || wc: 363

short one because I need to catch up on stuff hehe. can u figure out which horror movie I borrowed this from teehee

◈━◈━◈━◈━◈

Uraraka’s screams echo off the walls as blood splatters on the tile

“Please- please PLEASE SHINSOU!! STOP IT!” She begs, hands pulled to her side as she tries desperately to pull herself free with her upper body. Her wrists are bleeding with the effort, and her socked feet are slipping uselessly on the floor, unable to gain traction.

It’s too late to stop and they both know it.

Hitoshi grunts, snapping the last of his wrist bone to finish off his hand—the knife clatters to the ground, covered in blood.

His cuff acts as a good tourniquet, the puffy, irritated skin pushing up against the metal, making his wrist look almost comically prop-like.

Pushing his foot out from beneath him, he leans back and thumps his head on the wall.

Fuck.

The disembodied voice of their captor echoes through the shitty bathroom, praising him for his effort, and going on some rant about true heroes and sacrifice.

One of Uraraka’s hands for one of his? Like it had ever been a question. His quirk hardly relies on his arms to activate. She would have been forced to quit the hero course.

“Hitoshi, I can’t believe-”

“Shut up, Uraraka. It’s fine.” He huffs, pinching his elbow to try and divert some of his body’s attention.

He feels a small crunch and sticky, hot blood attaches to his fingers.

Looking over to his discarded hand, he watches it turn pale purple. A wave of nausea surges in his stomach.

It’s just like that movie with the guy in the rocks, you did what you had to do. Don’t be a wimp about it.

His eyes sting and he tucks his head to his chest.

“I- I’m so sorry.” Uraraka whimpers, still trying to reach him.

He knows he probably fucked her up. After their captor gave him the ultimatum, he barely gave her time to breathe before he sprung into action.

“Don’t apologize to me. Just kick that guy’s ass when we get out of here for me, ‘kay?” He smiles weakly.

She nods, full of resolve.

The lights in the bathroom flicker, and the locked door creaks open.

Don’t let me down, Uraraka.

#oopsies i did not mean to schedule it for NOW but uhh. here's this a bit early i guess idk #tw blood #broken bones #amputation #body horror #kidnapping #bnha #mha #bnha fic #mha fic #llyn writes shit #morgue’s febuwhump 2024 #febuwhump #febuwhump2024 #febuwhumpday14 #blood stained tiles #shinsou hitoshi #ochako uraraka

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adrift-in-thyme · 7 months

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Whumptober Day 10: Stranded

Thanks to @uncleskyrule for the idea for this fic!

Also check out @jewlist ‘s amazing art inspired by this fic

Read on Ao3

- Time & the Chain

- Summary: While pursing the Shadow Time becomes stranded in the Lost Woods

CW for mild body horror, blood and injury, and broken bones

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Time tightens his hold on his sword and shield. His heartbeat thunders in his ears, mixing with the clank of armor and weapons and the pound of six pairs of feet. Just ahead of him a shadowy figure runs, cap swishing with the rapid movement. Time grits his teeth and pushes himself to go faster.

He likely should have brought Epona. But she is back at the inn with Twilight and Wild and Hyrule where he had left her in case they needed to make a quick escape. There hadn’t exactly been time to grab her, at any rate. And riding a galloping horse through a town is never an easy task. Still, an extra speed boost would give him a much-needed advantage.

He can’t rid himself of the creeping sensation that the Shadow is slipping through their fingers even as they chase him.

“Where the hell is he going?” Warriors grits out from beside him. He glances wildly about, no doubt looking for a side street he can take to cut the monster off. But this town is unknown to them and the search does him little good.

“I don’t know,” Four says. “And honestly I’m not certain he does either.”

“I’m wondering why he doesn’t just portal away,” Wind pipes up. “That’s what he’s always done before.”

“Don’t give him any ideas, sailor!” Legend snaps.

Time can practically hear Wind’s frown. “If he’s gonna do it, he’s gonna do it. Doesn’t matter what I say.”

“We have to catch him, at any rate,” Sky interjects. “If he gets away now there’s no telling what he’ll do.”

The fear underlying those words goes unspoken. But Time’s expression grows grim anyway. If the Shadow manages to circle back to the inn, if he goes after Twilight again…

He swallows. Sheathing his sword, he reaches for the familiar object hanging at his hip.

“Prepare yourselves,” he calls to his companions.

“For what?!” Legend snaps, worry potent in his voice.

“For attack.”

Eyes firmly on the Shadow, Time lifts the instrument to his lips. The tune is at his fingertips instantly, weaving its way through the air with a calm that belies his breathless desperation. Gently, he guides the song past the heroes, funneling it towards its target.

The notes die away. A second passes. Time itself slows around him.

“What the…” Legend says, but Time pays him no mind. He has no time for questions and explanations, they have no time. The Shadow’s steps are growing more sluggish. But it won’t be long before the monster realizes what’s happening and fights back.

“Go!” He orders. “Strike now!”

Warriors catches his gaze and holds it. There is something fond in his expression and almost proud, mixed with the steadfast determination.

“Box him in,” he says, motioning the others into motion. “And Sky…you know what to do.”

The Skyloftian nods. Out of the corner of his eye Time sees him raise the Master Sword. The blade begins to glow.

The rest of the heroes rush forward, weapons at the ready. It takes them a moment, but soon they have gained on the Shadow. Legend activates his Pegasus boots and speeds ahead, cutting off the Shadow’s escape. Wind lifts his baton and the air itself curves and gathers beside the veteran. Another wave and a massive gust blows the monster back. The Shadow stumbles, just catching himself as he comes to a skidding halt.

“Now!” Warriors shouts and Sky brings his sword down in a sweeping arc.

A beam flies free. Time leaps sideways as it zips forward, racing toward the Shadow. The monster turns, eyes widening in realization and then fear. But just as quickly as it has come, the emotion is gone.

There’s a surge of dark magic and Time’s spell shatters. Time reorients nauseatingly, speeds up.

The Shadow grins.

“Nice try,” he hisses.

And in the next instant the ground disappears from beneath Time’s feet.

He cries out as he plummets, grasping vainly in the sudden blackness for a hold. Someone screams his name and a hand stretches out to him. Vainly, he tries to reach for it. But then something dark and smothering drags him further downward. A shout goes up and the hand retracts.

Seconds later his back connects with hard ground.

Time grits his teeth, wincing as his joints protest the abrupt landing. Spots dance before his eye as it struggles to adjust. But the light here is dim and clouded and it only takes his vision a moment to clear. He barely restrains a gasp as his surroundings come into view.

Fog floats thick and lazy, obscuring everything with its gentle touch. Fairies sparkle within it like tiny stars. Already they have begun to drift toward him, murmuring interestedly. Green grass tickles his fingertips. Walls rise on each side of the clearing he sits within, huge logs set within them. Their openings are pitch black, gaping maws leading to Hylia only knows where.

Slowly, Time rises. His hands clench and unclench at his sides as he takes everything in. A strange numbness has settled in his chest, blanketing him like the fog that he stands in the midst of. He has imagined himself reentering this forest so many times since he left it. Never had he thought it would go like this, though. He isn’t certain what to feel. Or if he wants to feel anything at all.

It has been so long…so very long since he has been home.

Laughter erupts from behind him and he startles. In one swift motion he whirls around and unsheathes his sword. The Shadow leers down at him from his perch atop one of the logs.

“You remember this place, don’t you, little fairy boy?” he purrs. “I wonder…does it remember you?”

Time steels himself. The battle of emotion and lack of is gone now, safely stowed away for later.

“Whatever you’re playing at, Shadow, it ends now.”

The Shadow’s expression turns murderous.

“You want me, Hero of Time? Come and get me.”

He leaps down in a blur of bent light and darkening shadows and ducks into the mouth of the nearest log. His laughter echoes behind him.

Time doesn’t allow himself a moment to think, a moment to question. He breaks into a run, plunging through the opening after the Shadow. Darkness blankets him, then just as quickly turns to greenish light. He looks up just in time to catch a glimpse of the tip of the Shadow’s cap disappearing to his left. Gritting his teeth, he charges in that direction.

Another block of darkness, curving and transforming the very path beneath his feet. Another clearing that looks the same as all the others. Another fleeting glimpse of the Shadow’s hat or hair or tunic flying out behind him as he skips away. Always too fast, always out of reach.

Time runs without pause. A fearful sort of urgency has situated itself firmly in his gut, pushing him onward. He can’t stop now, not with Twilight still recovering a world away. His descendant had fallen before his eyes and he could do nothing except watch. Watch him crumple on the battlefield. Watch him fight for his life.

Now, however, in this moment he can do something. He can slay this monster that seeks their lives. He can protect those he loves. And isn’t that the entire point of any of this? To ensure those he cares for are safe?

So, he keeps going. Even as his sense of direction goes from vague to nonexistent. Even as that urgency becomes a kind of contained panic. Even as he begins to feel a change in the forest around him, benevolence turning to something more malignant.

And then, all at once, he can’t go any more.

Something curls around his foot mid-step, thick and constrictive and unyielding. He stumbles and pain shoots up his ankle. With a muffled grunt he hits the ground.

Stubbornly, he drags himself up again, peering down at his foot to see what tripped him. It is a vine like the ones he climbed as a boy. It sticks out from the soil like a large snake to coil about his ankle.

As he watches another erupts beside it. It latches on to his opposite foot and begins to climb higher, tightening as it goes. Fear spikes within him. Grasping his sword from where it has fallen, Time slices viciously at them. They retract and he scrambles to his feet, wincing as his ankle protests.

He manages two steps.

The vines spring up again, this time wrapping around his wrists like manacles. More come from behind him, encircling his legs. Even as he struggles they drag him down to kneel upon the ground.

Time struggles, desperately reaching for the sword that lies just out of reach. But the vines are strong and only growing more so by the moment. They circle ever higher, wrapping around his arms and legs and torso, stretching toward his face and neck.

With them comes pain. It burns at his fingertips and spreads from there, following the trail of vines.

He gasps, trying to tear at them with his bare hands now. One sword sits useless on his back, the other mere feet away. If he can just reach one of them…

But his efforts are in vain. The unnatural bonds are tough and plentiful. And more appear by the moment to encase his body like the wrappings of a gibdo. They constrict and his armor creaks threateningly.

“Well, well, what have we here?”

There is a flickering of darkness and then the Shadow stands before him. He regards Time with a sinister grin.

“Quite a pretty predicament you’ve gotten yourself into. Seems the forest has forgotten you.”

He reaches out a slim finger, tipping Time’s chin up to look him in the face. A vine takes the opportunity to twine upward, snaking around Time’s neck. He chokes on the air he can no longer drag in.

“I thought you would know that this would happen, but…oh of course not. You always thought you belonged to the forest. That it was your home. Am I wrong?”

Time’s only reply is a pained hiss as the vines tighten further. His armor begins to crumple inward, piercing his skin. Stars dance before his vision.

“Of course I’m not,” the Shadow answers for him. “You, on the other hand, you certainly were. You never belonged here any more than the sorry Hylian souls that haunt these woods.”

There is another streak of pain and suddenly the vines around his left arm are gone. The Shadow grips his forearm, forcing the limb upward.

“Look, hero,” he hisses. “Behold your terrible fate.”

Time blinks and the haze clears just long enough for him to see his own hand, hovering before him. The sight is nearly enough to make him gag. Where there was once healthy, pink skin there is now only pearly white bone.

No.

The air has left his lungs now and it has nothing to do with the vines that seek his demise. Terror settles deep within him, cold and real and terrible.

The Shadow cackles. He releases Time’s arm to hang by his side once more. Instantly, the vines spring upward to encase it again. But Time hardly notices.

He’s standing at the spot where Anju’s brother once sat, a potion in hand, something icy and horrible clutching his heart. He is hearing Fado’s giggling chant.

“Everybody will become a stalfos. Everybody, a stalfos. ...will you become a stalfos too?”

“Well, I had best be going,” the Shadow is saying now, his voice filtering through the dreadful ringing in Time’s ears. “I would love to stay and watch your body slowly disintegrate and your sanity along with it…but as it happens I have somewhere to be.”

A slow grin stretches across his face and Time’s heart stutters.

No.

Frantically he begins to struggle again, even as the vines constrict further, sending white hot agony through his body. The telltale burn of disappearing flesh travels up his right arm. The knowledge of what is happening makes him ill.

But he hardly has time to dwell on it. The Shadow is waving a hand now, dark magic floating at his fingertips. A portal appears beside him. Time stares at it with longing and trepidation. If he could just get free he could reach it. He could be there when the monster arrived to protect Twilight and all the others.

His heartbeat is erratic now. What little air he can drag in is inhaled sharp and fast.

He has to break free, he has to. He won’t allow Twilight to die…

He manages to wrench one hand free and reaches out, tearing at soil and grass as he tries to grasp his sword. But quick as a flash his bonds grab his wrist, wrenching it back to his side so sharply that he feels his bones break. A scream rises in his throat and he bites his tongue to keep from letting it free.

“Go ahead,” the Shadow sneers. His crimson eyes glow, sharp teeth glint. “Scream. No one will hear you. Struggle. It will do you no good. The forest takes what it wants. I thought you would know that by now.”

He turns away toward the portal that awaits him. The panic in Time reaches a fever pitch.

“Don’t—” He grits out. “Don’t you dare touch him. Don’t dare touch any of them.”

The Shadow pauses mid-step. Turning on his heel he stalks back toward Time. He leans forward until he is mere inches from Time’s face, murderous intent evident in his gaze.

“And if I do touch them,” he hisses. “If I say use this sword” — In one swift motion he scoops Time’s sword off of the ground, holding it up so that the blade gleams — “to slit their necks what will you do? Will you don the Deity mask that sits in the pouch at your hip? Will you follow me across time? Hunt me down?”

He is trembling now, Time realizes dimly, though from pain or emotion he isn’t certain. Both, more than likely.

“I will do whatever it takes to keep them safe,” he growls.

But the Shadow only smirks. “Oh, I know. And I welcome you to try. Though, I believe it is rather difficult to do much of anything once the forest has claimed you.”

He leans even closer, fingertips brushing harshly against the side of Time’s face. It has begun to burn there too, a distant sort of pain that now fans itself into agony. Time flinches away, dragging in air between clenched teeth.

The Shadow grips his chin, forcing him to remain still. For a moment more, he regards him, as though reveling in the sight of bone showing from beneath skin.

“I wonder what he would think, your pup,” he says, slowly, every word measured with torturous precision, “if he saw you right now.”

The red hot anger churning inside of him erupts and Time tries to lunge forward. But the vines tighten sharply and drag him back and he chokes, vision bleeding white.

When his vision clears the Shadow has turned away. Time watches as he walks toward the portal. And with every step, desperation wedges itself more firmly in his throat.

The monster pauses just before he enters the portal, head turned slightly so Time can make out the side of his face.

“I suppose there is an upside to all of this.” His lips quirk upward in a wicked grin. “At least, now, at the very end, you truly belong to the forest.”

#whumptober 2023 #no.10 #stranded #linkeduniverse #fic #blood tw #injury tw #mild body horror #broken bones #lu time #lu chain #lu shadow #trin writes #prolly gonna continue this one later on #but we'll see #gonna have to figure out where i want it to go first lol

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broke-art-girl · 22 days

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"Lick It Up." By Broke_Art_Girl

(This is an gift to A_Tw1nky_Guy on AO3)

Fandom: Bones and All, Kiss (Band), Webkinz.

Summary: Lee gets hungry after hanky panky. He ends up coming home in a lot of pain. Reader comforts him and gets him some Webkinz and KISS merch.

Words: 3k+

Characters: Lee, Gender Neutral Reader (specifically did not say Y/N))

AO3 Link: https://archiveofourown.org/works/54960784

We sit cuddled up on the reclining sofa you bought after we.. broke the futon doing unholy things. Oops.. But you've kept asking for that position since, so…

“I wish this place had more of you in it.” You say out of the blue as we watch evening jeopardy and do aftercare.

Kissing and holding each other softly. Surrounded by each other's smells and warmth. I'm pretty tired, I figure I'll have to go find something in a day or two but I'm not too worried about it right now. I'm sure your tired too, so I keep good check on how much water your drinking and if you feel sleepy.

I chuckle. “My dirty boxers are all over the place, I think that's enough.”

I got a sharp punch to the arm about halfway through that sentence, but it was worth the blush on your face. “You know what I mean!” You hiss cutely.. I think it was meant to be harsh. “Other than your Webkinz collection, there aren't many signs that you live here.”

I sigh. Usually that's the point. Don't have a lot of stuff in case you have to bolt in the dead of night. I hate this but I still keep that old blow up mattress in my truck. Just in case something happens.

“Yeah. I just don't have much to put in here.” I say with the least amount of sadness possible in my voice.

“Well, we'll have to look for things you like when we go thrift shopping and yard saling. I bet a record player would be perfect right-” you drag it out, holding your thumb and index fingers up on both hands as if you were framing for a camera shot. “-there.”

You're focused on a small table under the mounted TV.

I nod. “It would.”

|✯|✯|✯|

Its 12am and all I can think of is Food.

Super sized burger combo? McFlurry? Fries at the bottom of the greasy bag?

No.

I want the server.

My head is foggy and my whole body feels like I'm on fire. My stomach is growling loudly.

I needed it. Flesh. Warm, bloody, human, flesh. I'm hungry.

And you're lying next to me.

I don't know what happened! It was fine hours ago, then all of a sudden, I felt like I hadn't eaten in months.

Sneaking out is always the hardest part. You're so sweet and understanding about my “condition” as we call it, but God bless you, you get so clingy every time I need to go.

“Lee?” You groan as I slowly slide my torso out from between your legs. I swear you treat me like a body pillow. I pretend to hate it but truth be told, it makes me feel wanted.

“Mhm?” I answer, hoping that you're sleep talking.

“Where you going?”

The tone of your little voice breaks my heart. “I'm hungry, I'll be back soon.” I whisper as I lay a hand on your arm over the old comforter. I felt like anything more would push me over the edge.

“Kiss?” You ask, practically beg.

I hate this part. The longing, the need, the lust, desire, and hunger that prevents all of it.

“I can't.” I mumbled through gritted teeth.

Usually I can give you maybe one or two pecks on the lips, every makeout session has to be broken up into little pieces, breaks in the bedroom. I have to make sure I'm careful with you.

“Oh..”

And my heart broke even more.

“I'll be back before ya know it, I swear, just go back to sleep.”

“Love you..” You whine, I can tell you're hoping that it will make me stay. But I can't.

“Love ya, too.” And as quick as I can I have my clothes on and shoes tied. It's only then that I notice one of my Webkinz on the floor. I quickly stoop low and grab him. A small husky I named, Bandit.

“Can you hang on to him for me? He keeps falling off the bed.”

You smile in the dim light. “Course.”

“Thanks.” I smile down at you. Yearning for that kiss I can't have.

I'm out of the room now, grabbing my pocket knife, phone, and keys to my old truck.

I hear you call for me right as I unlock the door. I quickly run back to our room. Well, your room, it's your apartment. I just live here...

“Yeah?” I ask.

“Be safe."

I smile to myself. “I will. Love ya.”

“Love you more!”

I chuckled. No way.

|✯|✯|✯|

My shoes kept sticking to the bottom of the sidewalk, I looked back to make sure there weren't any footprints left in blood. I can just imagine what I look like. The apartment security wont like that. God I feel sick to my stomach. I go around to the back of the apartment where there's a water hose. I use it to spray myself off as best as I can. The cold water and the pressure was like icicles stabbing into me all over.

I was soggy all over, my jeans causing me to chaf like balls all the way back into the apartment. I cringed at the feet squelching sound across the carpet and the puddle that dripped off me in the elevator.

After I snuck back into their apartment, being extra careful of the squeaky hinge, -God I need to spray some WD-40 on that thing, I keep forgetting.. Anyway! I creep to the bathroom under the mildly flickering streetlight. Dogs barked as the pipes rattled all the way down to the water heater in the boiler room. I hope they didn't wake you up. I'm sorry if they did, but I can't face you looking like this. Like a savage.

Excess blood that didn't come off with the hose dripped down my chin, sprayed across my abdomen. It's disgusting even to me, let alone the Non-Eater in the next room. I grabbed a black washcloth I stole from the salvation army.. sorry salvation army.

The Old spice you got me for Christmas always makes me feel.. normal.. somehow as it buffs away the gore I cause. You like the husky warm smell, and I like the attention you give me when I smell like that so that's a plus. I scrub everything away, making sure to take good care of my joints; under arms, neck, between my fingers, behind my ears, stuff like that. Cracks and runs in the skin where it could get stuck and dry. Especially in my nails.

I wash my hair with your shampoo, supposedly it's color saving somehow, I don't know. I just like the feeling it causes on my scalp. All bubbly and soft. It smells like you.

My stomach just keeps feeling worse and worse. I know eating junkies isn't the best thing to do, but nobody else was out at 12am. I've had to tough out many illnesses, thankfully the worst thing ive ever gotten is the flu.

Your name rings through my head the whole time. It's perfect. It's home. Even though you prefer a pet name; baby, honey, or the most heavily southern twanged version of darlin’ I've ever said, (and oh I love when you call me cowboy~) I like your name, your actual name, the best.

I heard the thudding of foot prints as the cramping almost folds me.

“Lee?”

“M-mhm.” I groan in discomfort.

“You okay?” That sweet little voice.

“Yeah, I'm alright, Darlin'”

I hear you get giddy, giggling and squealing in excitement, it distracts me for a moment as I smile.

“You hurt?” You ask.

“Nah, just a stomach ache.” I reply, starting to finish up.

I can see the outline of your pj's. My big ol hoodie that hits your body in just the right places to make you look like a little kid and a runway model at the same time. I remember days when that hoodie was the difference between just being cold and getting hypothermia for me on the road. I'm thankful I don't have to live like that anymore with you.

“I've probably just.. um..” I search for the vaguest word possible. “Food poisoning..??”

“Oh.. bad flesh?”

“Please,” I drag out the word. “-don't say that.” I shake my head, the warm water feeling less like a hug and more like tiny stabs. "That word should never come out of your mouth." I sigh.

You paused. “But, am I right?”

I give a deep sigh. “Yeah..” I say after a bit. The running water and small barking are the only sounds for a little. I feel like maybe you don't take this nearly as serious enough as I want you to. Like you think it's some kind of fantasy.

“Okay. Maybe tomorrow you can just rest.”

“Yeah, I gotta lay low for a bit. After.. you know-”

“-yeah.” You say as if it were nothing. “Well, I have work tomor-”

“-I'm gonna get a job too, don't worry, I just can't-”

“-yeah, right, I know.” You sigh.

We take turns trying to get a word in over each other until I'm clean. Probably twice as clean as anyone in a hazmat suit. I hop out, covering my semi chaffed junk and smirking because I know how you think. I think the same way.

I wrap a towel around my waist and immediately begin scrubbing my teeth. Pre-rinse, Brush, Listerine, Floss, everything. All while feeling like I’m gonna vomit any second.

You give me small light kisses on the hand that's gripping yours as we walk to the bedroom. You insist I lie on the side you usually sleep on, because it's warm, so I do because I don't feel like arguing. I wrap my arms around you and you do the same, nuzzling into my chest. You try to help me feel better, offering me pain killers that grew too weak when I was like.. nine, cigarettes, and eventually give up.

“I just wanna sleep.” I whine, holding the cramping spot on my stomach.

“No cigarettes? Wow you must be really sick.”

I chuckle. I do need to quit, road jitters aren't the best. And a pack only lasts me a week nowadays. “Yeah. Like I said. Food poisoning.”

“I understand.”

“Good.” I say as I pull you close. You take your hand and start rubbing circles on my abdomen. I grunt and groan as you hit sore spots but all in all it feels good.

After the bite of quietness we both took, I whisper, “I'm glad I have you.” as you keep rubbing.

“I'm glad I have you, too.” You whisper.

You cuddle and nuzzle my chest and face as I get tired. My eyes get heavy and I start to slowly pant after the pain gets a little bit worse until finally it calms a bit. After more kisses to my cheeks and eyelids, I'm finally able to nod off, uncomfortably.

|✯|✯|✯|

The next morning I wake up and you're at work, I assume. I feel a hanger pressed under my thigh. I smile as I take it away and bring it up to scratch my back with. Then I chuck it across the room in the pile of clothes you went through before picking whatever you wore. I'll just have to see this evening. I go to sit up and immediately fall back to the mattress. My stomach aching all the same as it was hours ago.

I groan, holding myself. I raise the sheets and look for a plushie, any plushie. Something I can hug for comfort. I can't just white knuckle my way through it this time. I’ve gotten some serious virus or something. I don't Google it though. I don't wanna be convinced I'm dying before I really am.

Finally I see one on the floor. Ugh. I reach down painfully and pick them up, holding them to my chest and gasping as I feel a little of last night's dinner digest. It hurts a lot, but all of a sudden, the pain fades.

Probably a bone. I suddenly thought. They could hurt like this.

I sigh thankfully. My guts are still sore from (probably) being scraped around by a finger or something, but whatever it was hit my stomach acid and like magic, it was defeated. I lay still, hurting. Until my bladder said he needed attention. Now!

I sat up and tasted blood in my usual acid reflux. Yep definitely a bone.

I waddle to the toilet, flip up the lid and piss a big ol piss. I close the lid and flush, washing my hands with the bath and body soap you bought for this month's “holiday.” I've told you a million times. “They're smoking crack and taking your money.” but truth be told… It does smell good. I like the little kitty cat sanitizer you put on my keychain. It smells like eucalyptus.. and sometimes it helps me not be so stressed. When I see it, I think of you.

After I wash my hands I go to get a fancy bottle of water from the fridge door. Fiji? Feejee? Feje? Fi-jeez. I got a Fij-headache. I guzzle some of it and plop down on the couch grabbing the remote on the table. Suddenly I hear;

Yeah yeah!

Don't wanna wait till you know me better!!

I let out a frightened yelp. Where the hell is that coming from?!

Let's just be glad for our time together!!

I look down at the remote in my hand. Not the TV remote. Yamaha? What's that??

Life's such a treat and it's time you taste it!!

I agree, Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons, but why are you in my house?! I turn around and around looking for a speaker or anything.

There ain't a reason on earth to waste it!

It aint a crime to be good to yourself!

Oh, investigations can wait, I can't help but sing;

"Lick it up!! Lick it up!! U-U-UP!"

"Lick it up!! Lick it up!! U-U-UP! Oo yeah!"

As the chorus plays out I burst into the bedroom and grab all my Webkinz, I grab your hair brush. Setting them down on the couch and rushing back to “the stage” just in time to catch the next verse.

Don't need to wait for an invitation!!

"Da nuh nuhh. Da nuh nuhh."

You gotta live like you're on vacation!!

"Da nuh nuhh. Da nuh nuhh."

There's something sweet you can't buy with money!!

"Lick it up, woo, lick it up!"

It's all you need, so believe me, honey!! It ain't a crime to be good to yourself!!

Then as I'm getting ready to start the chorus, the music stops. I let out a loud groan, only now remembering that I didn't put it on. I finally see the little box sitting on the table under the TV. I walk over to it and see a hoodie and a note.

“Here's to my little cowboy. I love you, I hope you feel better. I'm out getting your other gifts, so jam out.”

And your name written right at the bottom. In your unique little scribbling.

I just die a little inside. And get hard.. but that's not the point

Yamaha is printed on what looks like a record player, sitting right where you wanted it. A hoodie with the Lick it up album photo on it. I look at the tag and see it's my size. I immediately throw it in the wash with a couple other things so I can wear it as soon as possible.

What else could top this.. I wonder. About this time you walk in the door.

“Lee! I'm home!”

I rush out from the laundry room and wrap you in a big hug. “Mhh! I love it!!”

“Aw, I was hoping I could see your fac-”

“Wait, why are you home? It's like 2pm, you don't get off till 5pm at least.”

“Well, I got off early after I saw some stuff on Facebook marketplace. I wanted to get it for you and the seller wasn't available after 2pm.”

You hand me three Walmart bags. Eatch one is filled to the brim with Webkinz plushies. Each one is one I don't have. They all have their codes and they are in perfect condition. As I'm sitting there in shock taking them all out of the bags, you hand me what looks like a picture frame of the Lick It Up album cover.

“Oh my God!! Wow, thanks, you didn't have to."

"I know but I wanted to."

"I could have just hung the record sleeve. I mean you got me all these Webkinz!!”

“Oh no, this is not an album sleeve. Look closer.” You say in a teasing way as you point to something in black ink.

Signatures.

Paul Stanley. Gene Simmons. Eric Carr. Vinnie Vincent.

“I got it for like a hundred bucks. I had to go pick it up. That's why I was gone.”

At this moment, I don't know why, but my body decided it was a good idea to scream at the top of my lungs like a little fangirl. And cry. Yes. Cry.

“Aw! Baby!” You coo at me as I sob happily, my knees buckling under me.

“T-t-tank you!!” I stutter like a child. All soaked with tears, hugging all my plushies and the frame. My heart is racing and I can barely breathe.

“You're welcome, cowboy.” You chuckle. “Feeling better?”

“M-m-mhm!!” I hum as I pepper a dozen kisses all over your face.

You giggle and kiss me deeply on the lips. “I'm glad. Now go put it on. Your fans are waiting.” You say as you wave your hand towards the Webkinz.

Immediately I ran over to the player and put the song back on seeing that it had skipped. That's why it stopped playing earlier. I put all the new Webkinz on the couch with the others and grab your hair brush ready to jump and dance around, belting my heart out until I've lost my voice. Then you join so I wouldn't sound quite so bad “on stage.”

After this, we may need a new bed.. ;)

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