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mochikeiji · 3 years

Text

Enough For Me

Request: "Congratulations on 1k!!! you deserve it, you’re a really good writer. Can i request prompt 12 “please don’t cry” angst to fluff with yuuta from jjk. thank you, congrats."

12. "please, don't cry."

↠ Pairing: Okkotsu Yuta x Reader

↠ Warning: angst to fluff

↬ Word Count: 1.5k

↳ from Go! Go! Gogatsu Event

When did every thing become so loud?

One minute you were similing. Laughing loud with a hint of the obvious enjoyment masked on your features. Then second you're staring to nowhere but silence greeting you. An expression so dim that the light in your eyes wasn't present as well. Left at the forest training grounds, the others had already gone back to their dorms. You told them you were staying for a bit for extra training when in reality, you were looking for an outlet without anyone witnessing your hour of vulnerability.

Stupid clan and their elders. As disrespectful as it may sound, you understood now why Gojo despises them. Loud it was to the point it deafens your ears; the murmurs of a child cast away from the bloodline because of the mockery it holds. A no good sorcerer was never welcome in families like yours. People would still chew on your head even when you have your backs turned on them. So frustrating it was to shoulder a burden of their devilish gossip and expectations.

At first it was alright. You handled it well. But to the extent where one of the higher ups brought it up during a meeting? How many people know of you and the disappointment you carry?

Gojo had his fist clenched that day. Maki understood you more than anyone, having to be someone who ran away from her clan as well. Inumaki and Panda did their best in comforting you, telling you that humans are weird to drag other humans down when they're the same race. That was just being so entitled, said Panda. You however, convinced your comrades you were fine. You were used to it. And it was fine.

It didn't matter what other's say as long as other's knew you for what you weren't, right?

That doesn't mean you couldn't help but become overwhelmed of the impact they had on you. Like knives forcefully shoved their ways through your heart. The pack of negative energy should've been enough to form a large curse that could take you.

Loud it was indeed. To have so many people shit their way into your life when you only wanted to live yours and not bother theirs.

You gulped down the heavy lump in your throat. Caught up in the fog of profanities from the world. Who were you kidding, you weren't Maki who can handle all this thrown at her. Tumbling and falling, that was all you knew about yourself in your whole life. The nails that grip in your palms pierced through the skin as blood trickles down, no amount of pain could level the amount of pent up emotions you buried in your heart.

Perhaps you've were born in the wrong time and place. If only you were a simple civilian, maybe life wouldn't be so bad. A loving family would be there, instead of the ones that were throwing their unfulfilled dreams to their children and controlling of their destiny.

The look in your mother's eyes will forever haunt you. Looking already as tired as you were, her eyes spoke more emotion than you could ever endure as loveless, empty ones met your teary gaze that very day.

"I only wanted a daughter who could've done so much for me as I've given her life after birth."

Your heart throbs, soon you were down on the dirt covered ground on your knees. The weight of her words colliding in the world you swore was a safe space for you. It shouldn't matter. Not when they've cast you away and yet, no matter what there is, she was still your mother.

And still the pain is as fresh as ever coming from the one you used to call, "family."

As loud as your world was, your cries were louder and clearer this very night. As if with all your might, you wanted to scream from above on how this was truly unfair. Wanting someone— anyone to hear you curse at the world you were forced to live in. It hurts your lungs, it was indeed hard to grasp small bits of oxygen when your insides felt like they were shrinking from the compact.

You wish you could scream at your mother that deep inside you still loved her. Even as a child who never received the motherly love they deserved, you loved her dearly. It was by instincts and the remains of your vision as a baby, being held in someone arms in hushing your cries.

The surface felt so firm unlike you remembered how it was when you were young. Yet the warm embrace felt nostalgic as it shielded you from the cold blistering wind of the night, you find yourself searching against the surface without a care of any danger or anything anymore. You wanted to be comforted for once. To not feel alone.

"Please don't cry."

Small hushes drowned out your sobs, an arm wrapped firmly around your waist while the other pets your head at the outmost caring matter. Curling closer, your hand held the one on top of your head. Taking in the rough texture, but reminding yourself that someone was now here in your time of need. Here after being away most of the times.

"Yeah, it's me." sensing your troubles as he averts his gaze away from you as if he was embarrassed. "I heard what happened. I managed to finish up much just to get here." next to him was the blade he carries around. Probably less hazardous as to why he place it down.

"Yuta.." sobbing as you clutched on the white material he wore. He immediately reverts back to soothing you in your distressed state. Something about the way he holds you only made you tear up more. It broke his heart in pieces to see you hold onto him as if he was the only person left to anchor yourself. And here he thought he had it worse back then, your body language brought this resemblance to the girl he used to hold just as he was doing now.

"Shh, I promise you that none of those words said about you is true."

Easier said, he knew that. It was easy to reassure someone of their thoughts, but it's not that easy to erase. The mind is a wondrous and torturous place to be in. Old memories can be dug out to the surface and you'd still feel the emotion like it just happened yesterday. Oh if you had Yuta's vision of you, you'd believe in his words.

A strong role model like you is exactly the reason why Yuta aims to be the strongest as well. To help people realize that strength isn't found in the words of other human beings, but within yourself. Yes, it's a harsh world we live in. Those who feel lowly amongst themselves would drag those above them. And those who feel the surge of entitlement snarls at those below them.

But no matter who it is that doubts you, and your potentials, there would always be someone behind you, with the glimmer in their eyes, you are their hope and inspiration in some ways.

That is what Yuta murmurs next to your ear, your cries now subsided to focus on his voice. "You're doing great. We've seen it. I've seen it." facing you with his boyish smiles, you wondered how'd this guy who came looking like a ragged mess become someone twinkling brighter than the stars above the night sky. It was contagious, it made you smile so minimal.

"There's that pretty smile." chuckling, he pats your head softly like treating a little kid. Yuta knows deep down that he can't fully resolve the thoughts inside of you— one of these days you'll have these moments again. And it saddens him because he's often away from you. Yet he's breathless at the fact that you're able to hold yourself off with all these tormenting you.

"You're amazing, darling." came out lower than a whisper before his lips closed in with yours. Last time he kissed you boy was he sweating buckets. He wasn't even as bold as now to be able to initiate first and pull you flush against his chest. But the erratic pace of his heart still was the same as ever. The loudness that had clouded you vanished. All you could hear now were pleasant chorus played by the crickets of the night and the wind lacing together throughout the atmosphere.

He promises to do much more with you for the time being. Help you mend the wounds no one can see and assist with the battles you two could only share and understand. One day as he stated before he would walk through the doors of your clan and prove to them that you were the diamond in the rough they've thrown but he's found.

You were his own butterfly. Beautiful to his eyes, you bestowed your wings; and to yours you cannot see but for people to admire.

"Give yourself more credit. You've done so much, my love."

#okkotsu yuuta #yuta okkotsu fluff #okkotsu yuta #yuta okkotsu x reader #yuta okkotsu x you #yuuta okkotsu #yuuta okkotsu x reader #jujutsu kaisen fluff #jujutsu kaisen x reader #jjk yuuta #jjk x reader #yuta okkotsu #yuuta x reader #raines: gogatsu event

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tommybaholland · 3 years

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Okokok so I've had this idea for a while now, but could I request Izuku with a long lost older sibling who's a part of the L.O.V and absolutely HATES the hero system? Imagine how heartbreaking it'd be to find out an older sibling of yours hates hero's, something that your trying to be. Feel free to ignore this pshshsh

estranged older sibling who hates hero society

featuring: midoriya

i see where this is going.. some manga spoilers ahead. enjoy! x

“hello, izuku midoriya. or i guess, you go by deku now. it’s interesting that you fully embraced the name but your power says otherwise,” you remarked tauntingly.

“you’re part of the league! if you’re here to take me to shigaraki, i won’t let you!”

“relax. i only came to see you in person. it’s been so long after all..”

“what does that mean?” he questioned. “i don’t know you!”

“oh, come now, izuzu.”

his eyes widened at the nickname.

“that’s no way to treat your older sibling..”

everyone has their reason for doing bad things. call it an anti-origin story, if you will. most feel they were wronged in the past and want revenge, others just want money, and some feel as though they rightly justified in their actions.

you were somewhere in the middle of the latter and the former. and until you found the league, you were lost. you didn’t really know if you were justified in your feelings that there were no true heroes. what’s the point of a hero system if everyone has power? sure, quirks are not made equal but clearly, your younger brother seemed to be the exception.

you had been living, or rather squatting, with this guy who also seemed to be in a similar situation as you, except his left physical scars. he went by ‘dabi’ and the scars on his body matched the ones in his heart. he wasn’t the worst person out there and you’d admit that he was still quite attractive, despite everything.

he was a huge follower of stain, the hero killer. once the hero killer had been apprehended, by a bunch of kids no less, he felt that it was his duty to spread stain’s manifesto. you didn’t disagree with stain’s ideals but you were anything but a follower. you only joined the league so that you could finally see what a huge ‘hero’ your once quirkless brother had become.

of course, dabi had an ulterior motive himself when joining the league. that’s what made him so shady. no one knew who he was or what he was planning, even though you had known him before the league. you thought his reveal was rather tacky and dramatic and while he was mostly unsuccessful, he was persistent.

however, that was his business.

you were a firm believer in getting your chance when the time was right and you had gathered enough information. turns out that shigaraki was connected to the right people. of all people, your brother was the successor to all might, the former number one hero.

you never knew what it meant to be number one and you still didn’t. whatever your overambitious younger brother was trying to achieve, you didn’t think he could handle the singularity point that one for all had seemingly reached.

“that’s impossible,” he muttered. “you’re alive?”

“gosh, for a smart kid, you sure ask dumb questions,” you replied. “of course i’m alive. i didn’t just evaporate.”

“then where have you been all this time? and what about dad? do you have any idea how much pain mom and i went through and now you show up like it’s nothing?!” he yelled, frustrated.

“jeez, izuzu, i would’ve thought that you would be happy to see me after all this time. i came to shed some light on your so-called ‘destiny.’

you paused, taking a small step towards him, causing him to jolt into a fighting stance. you chuckled at his undying trait of being a complete spaz.

“you were supposed to be the one that wouldn’t survive. you were always just a quirkless weakling with baseless confidence that you would one day be a hero and now here you are with powers like it’s nothing?!” you ranted, mirroring his words.

his existence was proof that people are not created equal.

“how do you think that makes this whole ‘great society’ look? if you really wanted to be a hero, you would’ve figured out how to do it on your own, not with the number one hero, of all people.”

he had grown quiet, mulling over your reasoning. “you’re right. i was a weakling. maybe i don’t deserve to have these powers and i should’ve figured it out on my own. but i wanted to be a hero like all might and to do that, you need a quirk. now that i have these powers, it’s more of a reason for me to be the greatest hero in the world!”

once he was finished, you shook your head, beginning to laugh.

“well, if it’s more of a reason for you to be a hero then that’s more of a reason for me to stop you.”

time for you to test how great of a hero he claims to be.

that’s all for now, bnha night! more coming next week..

#mha x reader #bnha x reader #midoriya x reader #midoriya drabble #midoriya scenarios #request #requested #tommybaholland

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hafanforever · 4 years

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Split Decision

So I think what happens at the end of this particular scene in Frozen II has caused some controversy about Elsa’s actions. I’ve seen fans here on Tumblr displaying anger towards her because they believe that she was only hugging Anna, and then had Olaf join them, in an act of trickery to lure them closer to her so she would make sure that her ice boat creation would surround and hold them before she sent them away.

However, while I agree that Elsa’s move was a bit sneaky and deceptive, I understand why she did it and why she felt it was her only choice, even though she knew Anna would consequently be furious with her over it. And now that I think about it, I look at Elsa’s hug from another perspective and believe that it wasn’t merely a trick to lure Anna and Olaf into her boat trap, but her own way (though a rather forceful and indirect one) of saying goodbye to them.

Before this happens, Elsa has decided to venture to Ahtohallan alone, without Anna, saying that crossing the Dark Sea to reach Ahtohallan would be too dangerous of a trek for both of them to make. Yet Anna adamantly insists on coming to prevent anything from happening to Elsa, which she had earlier promised to Pabbie.

The thing here is, Elsa turns out to be completely right about the Dark Sea. When she tries to cross it, she gets knocked down twice by the waves, struggles to swim in the deep, choppy waters, and has to use her powers to try to overcome the obstacles to get further out and closer to Ahtohallan. Things get more complicated for Elsa when the Nokk appears; several times, it aggressively attacks her and attempts to drown her, forcing her to fight back with all of her might until she finally makes it settle down.

This whole scene reminds me of the earlier scene when Elsa decides to go to the forest and tries to discourage Anna from coming, saying that she (Elsa) has her powers to protect her, while Anna does not. But Anna stubbornly refuses to take no for an answer, given what dangerous feats she overcame on their previous adventure without the use of magical powers.

The entire scene of Elsa against the Dark Sea proves her point about her powers’ use in protecting her perfectly. She would not have been able to take care of herself by working to get past the big waves and fighting the Nokk if she had to do it with Anna, too. Maybe this sounds a little biased, and I don’t mean for it to sound that way, but it’s true that only Elsa could successfully face off against the Nokk since they are both magical beings (and as it turns out, Elsa is an elemental spirit just like it). Okay, yes, we’ve seen how Anna can do a damn great job of taking care of herself in tough situations, and I give her credit for it. I am not at all dismissing her as a weak, inept, incompetent, helpless damsel in distress, because I KNOW she isn’t. She’s tough, plucky, spunky, brave, and fearless. But Anna DOES have her limitations, and I think she sometimes overlooks or underestimates that about herself. Successfully crossing the Dark Sea and taking on the Nokk is NOT something she would have been able to do at all.

Getting back to Elsa’s reasoning that she had to go to Ahtohallan by herself, like I said, the scene of her doing so proves that she was right. Now she probably didn’t anticipate on encountering the Nokk, but I bet Elsa did think that there might be risks about which she didn’t know yet while crossing the Dark Sea, which is another reason why she refused to let Anna come along.

Another thing here that catches my attention is how Anna doesn't seem to heed Elsa’s words about the sea being too dangerous if they both tried to go, since she immediately responds to Elsa’s statement with, “No, no. We do this together. Remember the song? ‘Go too far and you’ll be drowned’.” It is crystal clear from these words, and from her earlier scenes where she never wanted to leave her sister’s side, that Anna had a desperate desire to protect Elsa during this journey.

When she adds, "Who will stop you from going too far?", it sounds like Anna isn’t thoroughly considering that the chances of Elsa dying was much greater, and for herself as well, if they tried to pass the Dark Sea together. Anna wanted to ensure that Elsa didn’t head too far into Ahtohallan’s depths and dying, but they wouldn't have even made it to Ahtohallan without crossing the sea first. They both could have perished before getting there, and then their mission would remain incomplete. Then again, perhaps Anna did realize the possibility of them both not being able to make it across the sea, but she just didn’t want to accept or even think about it because she was far more afraid of losing her sister if Elsa went all alone.

Obviously, the fact that the two discovered moments earlier that their parents had died trying to reach Ahtohallan in search of answers to her powers is what made Elsa decide that Anna could not go with her. She guiltily felt responsible for Agnarr and Iduna’s deaths, and she didn't want to carry extra weight on her shoulders by feeling responsible for Anna’s safety and taking the chance of her dying if they went together. Since Anna is the only blood family Elsa has left, she refused to risk losing her, too.

I mean, remember: Elsa briefly lost Anna once before, and at her own hands, so she was determined not to let it happen again. Any chance of losing Anna again on this journey would no doubt be permanent, and Elsa would never forgive herself if that happened. 😔

Like the earlier scene, Anna stubbornly refuses to take no for an answer to Elsa’s decision to go to Ahtohallan alone. While she understands Anna’s fear of the chance that she (Elsa) may die on her trek, Elsa knows that she may have to take that risk just to do what is right for Arendelle and the forest. But successfully crossing the sea is something that is far beyond Anna’s control.

So having made up her mind that crossing the sea would be more dangerous if they both go, Elsa puts her foot down (by LITERALLY doing so when she creates the ice path 😆) with utmost and firm determination that Anna cannot continue the journey by coming to Ahtohallan with her.

When Anna says that she wants to come because she can’t bear to lose Elsa, Elsa says she can’t lose Anna, either, and pulls her sister in for a hug. Like I said above, I see her hugging Anna, and Olaf, not just as a ruse to ensure that she could send them off to be safe, but to say goodbye. If Elsa thinks that she may die and thus never see them again, then she wanted to embrace them now since it may be for the last time. Despite Anna’s insistence and voicing her fear of losing Elsa, Elsa feels that her fear of losing Anna is even greater since Anna would be in much greater danger with trying to cross the sea. So she resorts to forcing her sister not to accompany her by making the ice boat and sending Anna and Olaf away to make sure that they wouldn’t and couldn’t follow her. Elsa also creates the ice path on which for the boat to slide to ensure that the two would be sent too far away for them to easily follow and catch up with her.

Additionally, I have been wondering if Elsa's desire to journey to Ahtohallan on her own wasn't just for the safety measures of her sister, but also because of her introverted nature, because of her independence and desire to do certain things alone (which she clearly demonstrated when she made up her mind to travel to the Enchanted Forest). Additionally, the fact that Elsa is another elemental spirit of the forest, the fifth spirit, means that she had to go to Ahtohallan by herself, as part of her destiny to learn her true identity. She had to be independent, as she likes to be, and discover the whole truth for herself, on her own.

While Elsa is the introvert between the two sisters, Anna is the extrovert, and with this kind of nature, I don't think she truly understands the ways of introverts. It is with this scene, and even in Frozen, when she insists to Kristoff that "nobody wants to be alone, except maybe you" as a response to him saying “Most people who disappear into the mountains want to be alone” that shows that she doesn’t entirely comprehend their ways. Maybe after three years, Anna understands Elsa and Kristoff’s introverted behaviors a little more. But when considering the big picture, I think she still believes no one ever really wants to be alone, or even do things alone, just because she doesn't want to. After all, Anna spent nearly all of those 13 years alone and isolated from the outside world, and she wants to make sure she never goes back to that life. And yet despite her tragic childhood and adolescence, Anna grew up to be kind, sweet, loving, and good-hearted, and never hesitates to help others and do what was right. However, it also seems to have made her a bit delusional and unrealistic by thinking everyone else wants to be around people like she does, or that they always need help for every situation. Anna doesn’t appear to fully understand that some people like to be independent and have to do things on their own, nor does she seem willing to accept the fact that she can’t help everyone with everything, especially Elsa. She has to learn that she can’t be by Elsa’s side all the time just to stop every bad thing that might happen. She has to learn to accept and respect the fact that Elsa feels comfortable taking on some challenges all by herself and doesn’t always need help. In the first movie, Anna’s ignorance of Elsa’s secret is part of why she didn’t understand why her sister was so distant and closed in. But even after discovering it, she still disbelieved that Elsa wanted to be alone and that it was a major reason why she ran away. And while she was right in the long run, Anna sometimes seemed to go too far with her optimism since she didn’t really listen to Elsa’s concerns that she couldn’t remove the winter curse. Likewise, when she first met Kristoff, Anna didn't understand his grumpy, rude, unfriendly behavior towards her and Oaken, or his contemptuous attitude towards people and society.

So now in this scene, Anna seems to be unable, or perhaps just far too stubborn, to comprehend the fact that Elsa MUST do this on her own as part of her destiny, and that her powers could help her through this, while the same could not be said for her (Anna). Again, the tasks of making it across the Dark Sea and simultaneously taming the Nokk are beyond Anna’s control. It would have been far more treacherous than climbing the North Mountain, surviving a frozen heart, and saving Elsa from her ex-boyfriend without powers to aid her. 😉

Moving on, when Anna and Olaf are finally out of sight, the last shot of Elsa in the scene shows her holding herself and looking unhappy at what she did. As I said in “Keep Your Hands to Yourself”, Elsa does feel guilty and unhappy over sending Anna away the way she did, knowing full well that having done so has made her sister angry at her. But right now, Elsa is far more concerned about Anna’s safety than her happiness, and she would rather send her away to be safe than let her come along for the rest of the journey just so Anna can be happy that they are still together.

So again, Anna could not come with Elsa to Ahtohallan because the perils of the Dark Sea could have killed them both. If it didn’t kill both of them, Anna would have been the more susceptible victim because she possesses no magical powers to help her, especially in dealing with the Nokk. With even one of them dead, Elsa and Anna’s mission would never be finished; as I explained in “Girls in the Mist”, they HAD to do it together.

Elsa’s decision to split her and Anna up in this scene means that for now, she has broken her promise that she and Anna would do their mission together. But when Elsa temporarily freezes to death upon going into the most dangerous part of Ahtohallan, Anna manages to lift the mist and free the forest by provoking the Giants into destroying the dam.

Because she was alive and safe like her sister wanted her to be, Anna was able to successfully finish the work Elsa started. So even though they weren’t physically together the whole time, they STILL did it together, meaning that in the end, Elsa kept her promise to Anna. 😁😄😊

#Frozen 2 analyses #Frozen analyses #Disney #Disney Frozen 2 #Disney Frozen #Frozen 2 #Frozen #Elsa #Anna #Dark Sea #Ahtohallan #decision #separation #1K #my stuff #mine

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tiaragqueen · 4 years

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Can I request a Yandere!Jungkook x reader where both are powerful ghouls but he's obsessed with her wants her to be his girl?

The Lion’s Den

✂ Pairing: Yandere! Ghoul! Jeon Jeongguk x Ghoul! Reader

✂ Word Count: 901

✂ Trigger Warning: Possessiveness, death, blood

✂ The story is fictional and for amusement only. I don’t believe any of the members would do this in real life. As always, thank you for reading and I hope you have a good day!

Do not re-upload my writing to another website or use it without my permission.

[Edited]

***

Did my Sasaki fic inspired you to send me this, anon? ^^

If you like my writing, please support me on ko-fi!

“So darling tell me that you'll be true, cause there's no doubt in my mind I know what I want to do. And just as sure as one and one is two, I'll take care of you.” - I’ll Take Care Of You [Calvin Richardson]

You wouldn’t say that you were a good person. Being a ghoul had skewed your moral compass so far, but you weren’t entirely heartless. You knew just how hard living as a ghoul was, and how every day was a moral test. Should you eat or starved to death? Should you kill people or yourself? Should you meet your closed ones and risk their safety or isolate yourself? Humans couldn’t possibly know this kind of hurdle ghouls regularly suffered because they only saw the front.

They only saw the cannibals, the killers, the threats to humanity. They refused to dig deeper, refused to hear your side of the story. How you didn’t choose this life and how you’d gladly return to being human if you could.

The people you once thought were your friends slowly turned their backs on you, but that was just life, wasn’t it?

You sighed wearily, sitting on the ground with no intention of rising and fighting. Why should you? This was the end. You were defeated. Your… ex-friend had stabbed you in the back. Literally. Now, there was nothing left for you to do other than waiting for the inevitable doom; the moment that should’ve come to you when you first got turned into a ghoul.

“Aren’t you going to hurt me back?” he challenged, stroking the edge of his bloody blade. Your blood. “My supervisor said you’re quite vicious.”

You huffed an incredulous laugh. “Every ghoul is vicious in your eyes, human.” You remarked. “It doesn’t matter how nice we are, or were. In the end, we’re always villains in your story.”

He sneered as if he wasn’t seconds away from murdering another human. Well, a half-human. “Maybe if you don’t go around killing people, I’d spare you.”

“Would you…?” you retorted, looking up to him skeptically.

Your ex-friend gripped the handle and slowly raised the blade above your head. You closed your eyes in return, fully accepting your destiny. That was it; this was the moment where you finally died. If only you could meet your family for the last time, maybe your death wouldn’t be so bitter.

However, you felt liquids splattered your face instead. Your head was still intact, and you were still very much alive.

Slowly, you peeled your eyes open and gasped at the sight of a young man standing before you. He had clear skin, dark eyes, fluffy black hair, and a mole under his lips. His body was quite toned for someone so young; a telltale sign of his strength. Blood dripped from his kagune, echoing in the now quiet alleyway. He smiled amiably, almost relieved.

“… I finally found you, [Name].”

You shifted slightly, trying to withdraw further into the darkness. You’d never met him, and yet, he looked at you as if you were his long-lost girlfriend.

“Who… who are you?” you inquired through a somewhat shaky voice. Why were you scared of? He just saved you, after all, although it wasn’t really necessary. You were ready to die earlier, and he ruined it.

The man didn’t appear to be offended by your question and simply answered. “Remember that time when you saved a ghoul from an investigator? I was that ghoul.”

You didn’t remember it. You’d encountered too many people to count, both ghouls and humans.

Noticing the slight confusion in your face, he continued. “It was a rainy night. I was out on my first hunting, but my victim’s scream ended up attracting the nearby investigator. I was quickly defeated, but you came before he could kill me.” He sighed wistfully, eyes softened from the fond memory. “I still remember the way you easily slashed his stomach with your kagune. You looked so graceful, and I know that I want to be like you. You inspired me to be better, and ever since then, I worked hard so I could repay my debt.”

He finally met your dumbfounded gaze. “And now, I finally did.” he beamed. “After a long search, I finally got to meet you again. And I got to save you, too!”

If he was a puppy, you were certain his tail would be wagging right now. He looked so happy, so giddy at the thought of seeing your wretched self. Your help had impacted him deeper than you’d expected, huh?

Regardless, you still didn’t remember him.

“Well, t-thank you, then. I… truly appreciate your help.”

He panicked slightly when you attempted to stand up and quickly materialized beside you. “Don’t move around too much, please. You’ll end up worsening your wound.” he pleaded as he gently held your arm.

“It’s okay, I’ll be fine on my own.” You mustered a fake smile to further reassure him despite your pained expression. “You can go home now.”

“No.” You blinked in surprise at his firm tone. “You’ve helped me a lot, so it’s time for me to do the same to you.”

“But you said… you said you’ve repaid your debt.” you stammered, frowning. Your stomach churned as you willed yourself to remain strong. Somehow, you got the feeling that something bad would happen.

“I did. I saved you from death, and now’s the time for me to take care of you.” Your eyes widened when you felt something sharp poked your neck from the side. Meanwhile, his irises had turned red with darkness splotched his pupils. “You’ll be good for me, won’t you?”

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purplerose244 · 3 years

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Sweet Aftermath

Hi @forthegloryofdragons! I’m your Secret Santa for the @toa-secret-santa event! 😊 At this point it probably looks more like a New Year present, but Merry Christmas anyway and I hope you spent nice festivities!

Here we go with some Jlaire and our favorite punk wizard! ❤❤

Summary: Peace is momentary in their lives but when they get it, they enjoy it as much as they can. Dessert is always welcomed.

Also on the AO3

“Ouch!”

“Jim!” In the blink of an eye Claire was at his side, holding his hand before he could even process the idea of having a look himself. “You dummy, cut the strawberries, not your finger!” Granted that there wasn’t even any traces onto the actual cutting board – it was one drop at max, his girlfriend could be such a mama sometimes –, maybe it would had reached him some kind of prideful chef wound at being scolded for something this basilar.

It didn’t. All Jim could feel at the moment was the slightest pinch at the top of his finger, where the littlest red bubble was forming. It hurt. In a completely ignorable, absolutely meaningless way. But it hurt. It hadn’t hurt this little in a while now.

He couldn’t help smiling a little, even while Claire was already opening the cupboard to get the med kit. He had forgotten this type of common, after being the Trollhunter had become his everyday.

It was nice. And destabilizing. And a little freaky.

Then again, what wasn’t in his life?

While the little med kit was brought onto the counter of the kitchen and the cutting noises interrupted, the cheerful chatters coming from the living room brought his mind back. The party had been completely random, it had started with his mom wanting to know everything about what happened since they had last seen each other – well, she said that after the both of them managed to talk, with the messes of tears they had become with the both of them human again –, and it was continuing with plenty of people and food around.

Food gently cooked by the best chef of the Lakes’ house… not much of a competition really. But hearing his mom from the other room, chatting and gasping and laughing again, was enough to forget the bowl of popcorn on the table that she still somehow managed to mess up.

Jim breathed in, and then breathed out. Everything felt so new, yet exactly the same.

“Skin’s fragile. I forgot.”

“Well put it on a memo, it’s pretty important if you ask me. A mental memo…” The witch stopped midway, as she was pulling the plastic off the band aid. “I wonder if there’s a way to make that? A magical note stuck into your brain so you don’t forget it? I should ask Teach.” At last, the little medication was applied, At least none of the little red fruits got dirty. Yet Claire still wasn’t letting go of his hand, and when Jim looked up, there were those big brown eyes in front of which he could do absolutely nothing. “I’m serious, okay? Don’t get hurt, or at least try not to get hurt. I really think you had enough for a while.” She probably wanted to sound ironic.

It came out sad. Of course it did. And a lie as an assurance would had been pointless, the former Trollhunter would had made every single choice of his life all over again, to ensure the safety of those he loved. But maybe out of egoism, he would had not dragged them all in like this, knowing how much they were going to suffer for his sake. He wanted his friends near, yet not nearby. Did it make sense? Who knew? Maybe it didn’t have to.

Claire held onto both of his hands, looking up at him, lips curved in a little hopeful smile. And that put an end on any thought. It didn’t matter after all. As a human, as a half-troll, as a full troll, the sight right before his eyes had not changed. And he didn’t want it to change.

Jim sighed softly, nodding with a smile.

“I’ll do my best.” Claire sighed softly.

“Please do.” She leaned and kissed his cheek, and oh, magically there was absolutely no more pain into his entire body. A witch indeed, eheh. “What do you need the strawberries for?”

“Decoration mostly, but there’s so much chocolate in this that you need something fruity to make it less strong.” Right on cue the timer went off. He quickly stopped the noise and hurried to the fridge, taking out the cream that seemed perfectly chilled and ready to use. “Also should I say, strawberries and chocolate? Mucho romantico.” He shot a wink towards his girlfriend, who made that fond eyeroll from whenever he attempted to speak Spanish.

“Whatever, charmer. Get it over with, I’ve been smelling amazing stuff all evening and I’m really tempted to paralyze you with a spell and have it all myself.” Well if that wasn’t one of the sweetest compliments for his cuisine he had ever received. “How can I help?”

“Get me the sponge cake, it’s near the window.” Jim gave the cream a further whip to make sure it was airy and homogenous, before pulling out a spoon from the drawer – reminding himself last minute that he couldn’t and probably shouldn’t munch it anymore. “Alright, now for the tester…” He could had taken it himself of course, his sense of taste was back to human-like. Yet it was still hard to accept it, like his mind wasn’t fully into the all magical transformation that brought him back. He just needed a bit more of time, maybe. “Mrs. Nunez? If you could be so kind?”

“Oh well, if I really have to…” Claire smirked, putting the baking tray in front of her boyfriend with the sponge cake all rested and ready for the use. Then she leaned forward, taking the spoon into her mouth. She licked her lip. “Mm, oh yeah.”

“So it’s good?” She arched an eyebrow at him. “What? Let me brag a little, I’m good!”

“What if I still prefer guacamole over this?”

“Claire, you make amazing guacamole, but you also make a major bowl of it with, like, three tortillas. That kind of love is a little hard to match, even for my chef skills.” He got an elbow, because clearly some people couldn’t handle the harsh truth. “Just tell me if I should add something or mix it some more.” If it wasn’t perfect, it wasn’t going into the cake.

She knew that. She knew it, and she grinned widely, putting a hand over his cheek with a very evident intention into her eyes. With the sudden realization Jim had to claw onto the bowl with both hands to prevent any catastrophes like letting it drop accidentally, because kissing Claire was that mind-blowing – and it took him quite a bit to make this cream, thank you very much. A chocolate kiss that got him such jelly knees he was considering just letting himself go with the unconsciousness, it would had been the sweetest knockout of all of his Trollhunter life. This girl had gotten so much more confident since they first started to hang out. She was as gentle as a lady, and as vigorous as a warrior.

His Claire. His amazing, beautiful Claire.

She pulled away first, perfectly in control of the situation, smiling softly at him. The aftermath was possibly even better, knowing that this was real and it happened and it was going to happen again. Somehow he still could hardly believe his luck.

Claire bit her lip, staring with those big impossible eyes.

“Too sweet, maybe?” Jim shook his head with a grin.

“Nope, absolutely perfect.” Did that come out corny? Smoothness wasn’t exactly a skill of his, hopefully he didn’t ruin- and Claire was kissing him again, never mind, he loved life.

“Okay mates, quick update, we’re out of snacks in the other room and since I lost rock paper scissors I got sent here also to sneak on the dessert, and if you’re wondering how I lost let me remind you that Binky got four aaaaaarrrrm…” He loved life a little less with their good old – apparently very old – master wizard coming into the kitchen uninvited. That sheepish little grin was kinda funny though. “So, you mess with the timeline once, and you acquire the magical ability of having a terrible timing. Noted.”

Jim pouted. Claire laughed. Jim laughed. That was just how it was, also his girlfriend suddenly had that malicious look into her eyes that told him he wasn’t going to dislike the next following minutes – and he knew she had that look before she became a shadowmancer so… destiny?

“You’re actually right on cue, these dirty dishes are dying to meet you.”

“Uh… how badly are they dying?” And now the witch was glaring, the wizard immediately raised his hands for surrender. “Can’t blame one for trying.”

“Try and ruin another moment between me and my boyfriend, you’d wish I was only blaming you. You got out with little.” That was probably true and that was probably a given, hence why a second later Douxie was over the sink, pouring down the water and reaching for the soap. Claire gave him a firm nod. “Alright, what do we got?” She turned to the counter, gathering a few snacks onto another tray. “Okay, all kinds of chips, cold popcorn from the microwave Barbara made oww, socks, so many socks, a few burritos Krel’s friend brought…” Given the discovery that aliens were real, having an extraterrestrial as a taco seller so responsible for the burrito that had gotten Gatto that nasty stomachache somehow even made sense. “This should do for a while. Be right back.” She gave him a peck on the cheek and went to the living room.

Again, human’s skin was sensible. Jim hadn’t realized it made a difference before, he had been sturdy, strong as a half-troll. And so hardly soft and easy to please. It was still a little complicated listing off what was good and what was bad of his current situation. But one thing for sure, he loved how Claire’s kisses were sweeter than ever.

A snort. Apparently he had been staring at the door for a while, and Douxie was holding back his laughter with little success. So the former Trollhunter grinned back, giving him a shoulder while putting down the cream onto the squared sponge cake.

“Shut up and do the dishes.”

“Roger that.” The wizard stopped the water as the sink was full, getting to work. A minute of silence was filled solely by the tinkling of dishes and the dripping of water. A nice moment of normality. It had been a while after all. “You know, I gotta say.” Douxie wasn’t looking, yet there was definitely fondness into his eyes. “Spending 900 years adventuring and protecting the world, I’ve seen a lot of things. But a witch learning how to control dark magic in order to save her human-half-full-troll-hunter boyfriend? That one I’ve been missing.” He was fast at cleaning, swift and careful. He must had done it quite a lot at the restaurant he used to work in.

Jim sighed, nodding softly, his eyes lingering on how nicely the chocolate smelled and look. He carefully pushed the remaining onto one side, smoothing the surface.

“I’m so lucky to have her.”

“She’s also lucky to have you. You’re pretty great, and brave. To the point where it gets scary. And worrying. A lot.” Douxie laughed a little awkwardly, clearing his voice. “Not that I can talk, really.” Right, the two of them got so close to their demises for the sake of others.

They were similar. Very similar. Jim couldn’t help smiling.

“We really need to stop trying to die.” The wizard cracked a real laugh.

“Got that right.” Another moment of peace followed, and to this mindless noise Jim was starting to get used to again. “What are you making anyway?”

“Bouche de Noel.” Wow, exactly the same frown as Claire, was it a wizard thing? The confused judging eyebrow? “Yes, you don’t have to tell me, it’s a Christmas dessert. Yes, you don’t have to tell me, it’s disgustingly anachronistic. And no, you really don’t have to tell me, because I’m not trying to pull a Christmas on July thing. You got a British accent, not an Australian one, I wouldn’t even have a stretch to work on here.” Another little laugh. “I’ve been postponed it since forever not knowing if I had the bakery skills, but now that I got functioning tastebuds back I’m all in for it.”

With the cream down, he finally went over the cake, rolling it carefully to form the base of his dessert. It had chilled perfectly and had maintained the form, it looked just like the one in the picture where he got the recipe from. The thrill of making something with his own hands. Another absolutely pointless fun of just a human. It felt great.

Douxie gave it a peak, whistling.

“That looks and smells possibly even better than the mince pies from Camelot. For what’s worth I’m very glad we’re getting Christmas today!”

“Right, because you never know what might… uhm…” Jim swallowed, his throat suddenly very dry. From the wizard’s widened eyes, it looked like he couldn’t take that back even if he wanted to. “… today feels so nice. My friends are all here, my mom is here, my girlfriend is here. It hasn’t happened in a while, and I guess I realized how rare this is. We’re not even at the end of summer and we got three different apocalypses, so I thought of… not having too many regrets?” Now that it was coming out it felt very stupid. And insecure. Which wasn’t exactly weird coming from him, but at this point? A fight more a fight less? What was the difference?

He didn’t want to know what it was. He got too close already.

The master wizard breathed in and out, extremely deeply, the washing work momentarily forgotten. He picked a towel from the counter, slowly passed it through his fingers, then let it down. Only to bring one hand onto the former Trollhunter’s shoulder.

“You’ll make a fruitcake, at the real Christmas. A Panettone, or a strawberry cake maybe?” He was smiling, with that renovated determination that had gotten him ever since he came back from beyond the grave. “So you better invite me, and all the others. We’ll have another party just like this one, all together. Every single one of us.” That sounded like a promise. And this guy, this wizard was always ready to give everything for his promises.

So Jim nodded. It was barely a confirmation that everything was going to be okay. But the effort, that alone, was worth at least hoping for. They were all in this together.

Luckily for the guitarist there wasn’t much to clean up besides the bowl and various plates – for now at least, he was half sure Claire was taking this long just to pile up other stuff –, but he stayed to watch the trunk taking form. Two cuts for the shape. Ganache all over. Without worries.

Without problems. He was here. Right here, safe and alive… oh.

“I didn’t thank you, huh.”

Douxie blinked, taken back.

“… there were, like, five dishes. Doesn’t really compare with my shift at Benoi-”

“For saving my life.” Another sequence of batted eyelashes, and it was almost too easy imagining what were going to be his next words. Today Jim felt completely in charge of the situation, finally. “And I’m not talking about the whole turning back into a human thing, neither about the Arcane Order, even though that’s also worth mentioning.” Having Nari around was mildly unusual for that, but she was adorable enough to forget about it. “Claire told me about you guys at Camelot. About trying to find a way back to our time, saving everyone, saving me… the dungeon break was your idea. I wouldn’t have escaped if it wasn’t for that.”

Douxie seemed to have problems grasping this, or simply accept it. He turned his eyes back to the sink, almost as he wished there was still something to make himself busy with.

“It was nothing.” This time it was Jim who snorted.

“You messed up a timeline for one single half-troll, that’s a bit of something. I mean… I doubt Merlin would’ve done it.” That was probably uncalled for. But despite knowing how much those two wizards were close, it didn’t erase what that old man had done to him in the past.

There was no hatred into those amber eyes though. Just thoughtfulness.

“… I knew it was risky. But I also knew that too much depended on you.” The wizard managed a sad smile. “If that wasn’t a mistake, because Merlin didn’t believe in them, then I guess I really wanted to believe in the unexpected possibility that you were going to create… I didn’t want to leave a single friend behind.” He scratched the back of his head, shrugging a little. “Also my wallet couldn’t bare losing a tipper like you.” Sarcasm had to be some kind of special power of those who had been playing with life for too long.

Maybe that was also what made them so similar. Maybe that was also why, in some way or another, they had managed to survive. Jim smiled, bringing an arm onto his shoulders.

“Thank you, Douxie.” The wizard looked at him in bewilderment. And then, slowly, he lightened up, clenching his hold onto his shoulder. Giving him the feeling that maybe, just maybe, there hadn’t been many satisfactions for him lately. And this one came right on time.

“I did fix something after all.” He smiled too. “You’re very welcome, my friend.”

“So NotEnrique bet and won all the socks at Monopoli and I don’t know why I didn’t see it coming, that brother of mine will be the death of- aww, look at you.” Claire smiled at them, putting down the empty tray. “Having a little moment?” When he had taken that little detour for school at the beginning of this adventure, he definitely didn’t expect that one day he was going to be found by his girlfriend preparing a dessert for a bunch of mythical creatures and humans, while sharing a bro gesture with Merlin’s apprentice.

Did he ever say that his life was weird? Because boy oh boy it was.

Douxie took all his time to gave him one last pat and then turned to the girl, this time him being the one to showcase the little menacing grin – he never did dark magic before right… right?

“Indeed we were, guess who ruined it and will join me at cleaning dishes?”

“… well played Casperan. And that’s the only reason why I’m agreeing.” Claire huffed humorously, getting the dishes she just brought in onto the sink. “How’s the cake?”

“Almost done, just need to cover it and decorate it.”

“Good, because Toby got to his praising of your culinary skills, with plenty of more details now that he got all confident about making that one movie. So I’m pretty sure there will be a riot unless they get cake.” She breathed out, picking up a sponge only to look intensely at how her boyfriend was putting down the chocolate bark of the Bouche. It used to bring him such crazy butterflies in his stomach he could had passed out just by the knowledge alone. Now he couldn’t think of a life without those eyes on him. “We really need to do this more often. Just… this.” No silence felt more eloquent than the one that followed. It barely needed a nod from the two of them, while the dessert was finally put altogether with the covering and a smoothing for the surface.

Jim picked up a fork and started passing it over the covering, creating traces that made the trunk look somehow real. He moved the tool steadily, enjoying this, enjoying every moment of this peaceful time of them. Then he turned to the strawberries, all arranged nicely onto the cutting board, and he smiled a little.

He picked up a knife and one of the fruits.

“Let’s see…” He engraved it, creating little petals getting smaller towards the center, and placed it onto the cake. “Roses for my love.” Claire giggled, lancing her arms around his neck from behind. Then Jim picked up another strawberry, cutting it in thin pieces, then placing them onto the surface to form a note with a long tail, the only notion he had about music – at least not including that one piano kinda-serenate to Senor Uhl for not repeating the year. “And a note for my friend.” He completed with a few leaves of mint all over. “I think we’re ready now.”

Today Douxie looked so easy to please. Or maybe he really did spend a long time without being recognized for much. Because his amber eyes were shining, and it looked like he was holding back a much wider smile.

“Were you always this mushy, or was it Claire that has changed you?”

“Don’t know, don’t care, don’t ever want to find out.” Jim picked up the dish with the Bouche on it. “This is all I want.” The witch tightened her grasp – never mind, butterflies still lived.

She showed her tongue to the wizard.

“Jealous that I got the sweetest guy ever?”

“Nah, I have a punk rock soul, I’m immune to pure cheesy lovey-dovey situations.” Douxie grinned, looking fondly at them. “But if I can say it…” He lingered onto them, perhaps a little troubled. And somehow it was clear, he was pondering about the future, it was a thing that he couldn’t help doing apparently. Despite that, his eyes were sincere, and this determination still as solid as before. “Yeah, the both of you have great taste in people.”

They were going to have more parties like this. For sure.

With Claire right next to him, Douxie opening the door, and the number of smiling familiar faces waiting for him, Jim managed to push away the thought of tomorrow, with everything that was most likely still going to come for them. Here, now, they were happy and alive. It was enough.

So he snickered, showing up the cake to his cheering family.

“Merry Christmas, everyone!”

#toa secret santa 2020 #tales of arcadia #toa #toa wizards #toa trollhunters #wizards #trollhunters #jim lake jr #claire nunez #douxie casperan #hisirdoux casperan #jlaire #fanfiction #secret santa #toa fic #toa fanfiction

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craftypeaceturtle · 3 years

Text

Folk Stories

Summary: Hakoda has been rescued from Boiling Rock and now has joined the little family his children have created. What a better way to warm everyone up than to tell a folk story he heard while he was in the prison?

Note: This is my first ATLA fic so feedback is crucial!!! I tried to get a grasp on the culture presented in the show but I’m not entirely sure I got everything. So please feel free to give feedback!!! A bog standard Gaang finds out about the scar fic!

Slight discussion around child abuse, no depiction but still be careful.

Arriving at the Western Air Temple was bizarre. That was the only way to describe it. The air was chilling with a constant gust. It felt somehow both fresh but also deadened. Like it wasn’t a new wind but rather the same old air forever cycling through the walls. The Temple itself was crumbling to pieces. The place felt… haunted. Not that that was a very sensitive thing to say. But despite the eight children running about and claiming it as home for a couple of weeks now, the place just felt wrong. Like it was wrong to even be standing here. He couldn’t imagine what Aang felt. Maybe it only felt so bizarre because it was the exact opposite of the modern spacious war ship with his very hyperactive chatty son who remained glued to his side.

Not that Hakoda could really complain. Sokka walked away once halfway through to relieve himself and he felt like he had lost a limb.

He walked off the ship as casually as he could and stiffly walked forward to the rest of the group. Immediately, he was knocked over with Katara. He tried to laugh it off but he clutched her just as tight. It still felt weird to be able to stand and hug her rather than ducking down. Her hair was wildly wispy over his face. She smelled of the campfire smoke that was cracking nearby. That was what was probably bringing tears to his eyes. After a heartful clinging hug, he finally noticed the rest of them looking at him. Right. Other people. He sat down with a welcoming smile and beckoned them all. They all sat and chatted.

What was made instantly clear was that all these kids were close. Like family close. Really, he should’ve saw this coming. Like when he tried to subtly ask Sokka on the warship if he was really sure he wanted to hang out with someone like Zuko and he was immediately met with a stern lecture. It almost made him laugh. His kids had the bad habit of just seeing a potential friend and deciding they would defend them to their deaths. Must have got that from their mother… probably.

He didn’t really mean to but he was so glad he was taking the time to sit with them all. While it did feel a little awkward, it made his chest glow to finally have the chance to actually know who his kids were hanging out with.

Toph seemed a lot, honestly. She was firm and extremely confident in her actions and morals. Which sounds like the exact thing the group needed. A firmer hand to guide them to their goal. Someone to help point Sokka’s genius. Someone to stop Katara and Aang from getting too emotional and getting them out of bad situations. Only problem was that she was a twelve-year-old girl. Her confidence in her actions was her being absolutely certain that punching was definitely an affectionate gesture and that crime should be allowed if it’s fun. But Hakoda found himself laughing along with her so he couldn’t complain much.

Haru seemed the closest thing to an actual responsible adult the group had. But he was very quiet. Very polite. But he seemed content to live his own life and try to get back to some form of normal. He was willing to fight and help the group survive but it was clear he was never going to be involved in helping Aang defeat the Firelord. Maybe that’s a good thing. Destiny wasn’t something he tried to understand but it was obvious that Aang should be the one alone to face him.

The Duke was a child. He was very fun to joke with but then again, every now and then, he would say something make it clear he was a child who had seen the very worse parts of war. He was a child who had never experienced a moment of childhood. His heart hurt for him, but he wasn’t an idiot to say that out loud.

Teo seemed so bright and cheerful compared to the deadened temple. Even compared to his usually bright loud kids. They were so stupidly excited at his arrival, but they still seemed dimmed in comparison to the little boy who was zipping about the place and chattering about potential inventions. He seemed like Sokka but younger.

Zuko… was also a lot. He was biased against him, so it was hard to judge an opinion. Zuko was mostly silent. Sokka would occasionally joke with him and force him into the conversation and Zuko seemed like any other average awkward teenager. But mostly the others let him keep quiet and he focused on what looked like some form of meditating at the campfire.

It was getting late. But no one dared stated this. Zuko only let the fire burn brighter or occasionally forced Aang to make the fire larger to light the room as a form of practise. Katara stood up at one point, “I’m grabbing my blanket, I’m getting cold. Does anyone else what theirs now I’m up?”

“Ooh! Me!” Aang whipped round with a sleepily excited smile.

“I’m good,” Sokka and everyone else mumbled without even turning, “So, dad, did you hear anything around the prison?”

“Hear anything?” Hakoda chuckled off but everyone turned serious. Sokka sighed and awkwardly fiddled his hands.

“Uh I mean any Fire Nation gossip? Any Firelord plans or propaganda? Anything that could help…”

Hakoda tried chuckling again but Zuko remained completely focused on the campfire. His chest slowly expanding with the flames. He didn’t even flinch. Maybe he could believe that Zuko truly wanted to help them but there was no way he’d appreciate the tiny whispers he heard about his nation. “I didn’t hear anything really useful. I heard some folk stories and a lot of twisted propaganda.”

“Hey, I’m still up for some Fire Nation camp stories!” Toph shrugged. Katara had now returned and flung Aang his blanket and draped another on Zuko’s shoulders. He finally opened his eyes and awkwardly nodded at her. Katara also stiltedly nodded back.

“It’s not a nice story…” Hakoda tried very much to hint as he looked directly at The Duke. Thankfully Haru took his hint.

“That’s fair, we should be heading to bed anyway. I’m exhausted!” He stood and pulled a half sleeping The Duke up as well. They all waved them goodnight. Their footsteps echoed across the empty stone hall as they disappeared into a room.

“Right. Now the babies are gone. Tell us the Fire Nation horror stories!” Toph chanted way too loudly for how late it was.

“It’s not a very happy story but I guess a story is a story,” Hakoda sighed. Being honest, while it wasn’t nice, it also didn’t sound at all real. But at least it would be a good way to wind down the emotional day.

“There’s this story about the Firelord and his sons. The younger son had grown jealous of his older sibling learning how to become a rightful heir to the nation.” Hakoda began, despite the fact he couldn’t really recall if it was the older or younger son. It made more sense if it was the younger son. But everyone was immediately clinging to his words. So, he continued, “Eventually he begged his father to attend an important meeting to gain experience and prove he could be responsible. The Firelord, well… the guard who told this story worded it that the Firelord was so gracious and kind to allow his son into the meeting but obviously… That doesn’t seem right.”

“The Firelord let him into the meeting despite knowing his son was not ready. The younger son was very immature and spoiled. He was rude to everyone, even the fellow royals…. That was something that I found odd. The guard worded it as fellow royals rather than family...”

“Hmm,” Zuko spoke, striking lightning through the atmosphere with just that hum. Hakoda now felt awkward. While it was clear the folk story wasn’t talking about his father, how wise was it truly to retell a story based on his family. “The Fire Nation places significance in respecting your elders but there’s also significance in following your own determination.”

“What, so you don’t care for your family,” Katara frowned.

“No… Respecting and bringing pride to your elders is a huge deal but… honestly, I think the Fire Lord wanted to still get people to report any rebelling ideals that family members might have. It’s… complicated.”

“Well, either way the son was a pain in the ass by the sounds of it and he was let into the meeting under the one rule, not to talk out of order. He explained that the councillors were sensitive and easy to anger and wanted to protect his son from harm. Of course, the son then immediately talks over a general in the meeting to suggest his own plan despite having no experience and no idea of the politics.”

At this, Zuko now frowned. Hakoda spoke slowly, fully expecting to be interrupted (maybe Zuko had heard this as well and he was telling it wrong), but he didn’t say a word. He just merely tensed his shoulders and stayed sat, frowning intensely.

“The general was furious and the Firelord tried to calm him, but he knew there was no way words would be enough to stop this. A duel was ordered. The son agreed without pausing to think this through. The Firelord tried to explain what would happen but the son brushed him off and interrupted him from explaining what would happen. The day of the duel arrived and the son stood to face his opponent only to find his father, the Firelord, at the other side of the court.”

Zuko’s eyes opened now. But he was now frozen facing the campfire. Hakoda paused again to let him talk but he said nothing.

“The son then proceeded to beg for mercy. But the Firelord had enough. The son was greedy, stupid and lazy. And now here he was begging after proposing an aggressive military strategy over an experienced military general. He offered to explain how the duel would work and protect him from it but he ignored him. The Firelord then gave him a chance to fight before declaring that the son was no longer part of the royal family for his disgrace. To try and teach his son one last lesson, the Firelord battled the duel to try and teach him how to fight. But the son didn’t even try, didn’t even stand up to face him. The son walked away that day with a hardy battle scar and no family.”

The silence in the temple felt like a presence around the campfire as well.

“Well!” Toph leaned back, “You were right. That was kinda a downer.”

“Yeah…” Aang mumbled.

“I think the point of the story is how forgiving and firm the Firelord is and how amazing he must be,” Hakoda grimaced, “But all who overheard it just thought it was more proof that the Firelord and his whole family are evil.”

“Who was it even based off?” Sokka asked.

“Two sons so maybe Firelord Azulon? But didn’t uncle Iroh leave by himself. Like he wasn’t kicked out or anything, was he?” Toph tilted her head to Zuko but he never reacted.

“Zuko?” Aang placed his hand on Zuko’s shoulder. He shot up. Like he was electrocuted.

“I am needing to go to bed.” Zuko scampered backwards. His eyes stuck on the flames. Sokka stood as well but he hovered awkwardly.

“Are you sure? Was it the story-“ Sokka tried to ask but he was immediately ignored. Zuko walked off to his room.

But he turned just as he was about to disappear from their view, “You should never repeat that story. It’s… not good.”

The night was just as awkward as the temple after that. A moment silently passed.

“Maybe we should all call it a night. It’s certainly been an emotional day,” Teo explained, tilting his chair towards the rooms behind where they were all sitting. Everyone agreed and stood as well. Aang was the last to stand and took a couple of breaths before finally manipulating the campfire to fizzle out completely.

“I’ll stand guard first,” Aang said, facing away from them.

“I’ll take over for the morning half,” Sokka volunteered. Hakoda walked away with the others.

The morning was a little better. If there was one more thing Hakoda could criticise the temple of, it was the fact that there was no way the sun could reach them on the underside of a cliff. He woke up and stretched his back, wincing at the horrible click, and stood and walked out of the room. Toph and Katara were half-heartedly arguing about how to cut some vegetables. He smiled at the quiet normalcy. You never realise how much you miss normal life until you hear people arguing about veg rather than battle strategies. “Morning everyone. The others still sleeping?”

“Hey dad! Aang is practising with Zuko, the others usually all crowd round to watch,” Katara answered, “Feel free to go watch too. It might be another twenty minutes or so for breakfast.”

“I’d go if I was you,” Toph interrupted, “It is so cool to see firebending up close without being in actual danger. And if you ever tell Sparky that then I’ll attack Sokka.”

“Yeah?” Hakoda asked, quietly ignoring the threat to his son.

“Oh yeah. The fire and the colours. It’s just mesmorising. A real sight to behold.”

“Toph,” Katara scolded and now Hakoda felt his face heat up. Right, she was joking. She was blind. “But she is right. It is impressive to see.”

After bothering Katara by asking if she needs any help, Hakoda followed the sounds of blasts of fires to a courtyard like space. Aang was standing proudly in the middle, his chest puffed out powerfully as he took deep even breaths. His arms twirled around, almost like waterbending, with a solid stance and footing, like earthbending, with powerful flames licking along his movements. Sweeps of orange. Katara really wasn’t joking. He stopped dead in his tracks.

Zuko was standing to the side with his fingers tapping along his chin. Aang finished whatever exercise he was doing and looked over with the proudest most childish grin ever. Hakoda found himself grinning too. Zuko stood slowly. To Hakoda, it looked flawless.

“How’d I do Sifu!” Aang chirped.

“Your fire is steady and strong. But I really do think you need to stop puffing out your chest like that and actually breathe normally. You don’t have to puff out like an aggressive pig-chicken. Just… breathe normally! You don’t need to complete the kata strictly chest first.”

“But you said the power should come from my chest!” Aang whined.

“Yes and ever since saying that you only moved chest first! You look stupid! Like a pig-chicken!” Zuko burst out.

“But my firebending is good enough! So it doesn’t even matter!”

“Yeah Zuko, you never know, maybe his stance will throw off the Firelord,” Sokka laughed despite Aang withering glare. Zuko only sighed and approached the middle of the courtyard and quickly snapped to another stance.

“Careful Aang, you’re starting to sound like the son in Hakoda’s story. Zuko knows best. You can’t talk over him!” The Duke yelled over with a point.

Now it felt like the atmosphere was ruined. Aang snapped to face the boy. Zuko stumbled but stepped back into position hesitatingly.

“Uh, the Duke, h-how’d you even overhear any of that?”

“Because Haru couldn’t be more obvious if he tried!” The Duke gasped, “It wasn’t even that bad. Like what was the scary part? The scar? He didn’t even explain what it looked like!”

“The story wasn’t even accurate. Let’s move on,” Zuko snapped.

“What? He didn’t tell it properly? Well, what is it actually?” The Duke asked.

“It doesn’t matter!” Zuko shouted, his voice echoed along the walls. Hakoda finally walked forward, approaching Sokka.

“Everything okay here guys?” Hakoda put on his best dad voice and walked forward confidently. Only Sokka looked at him though.

“Why? It’s just some stupid Fire Nation story! What? You offended, Ashmaker!” The Duke screamed.

“Woah, okay now!” Hakoda raised his voice louder.

“Because it’s not some folk story. It was a real thing! You can’t just say shit like that casually!” Zuko didn’t bare Hakoda and his obvious dad attempt at taking control any attention.

“Oh boo hoo! One of your precious Fire Lords once beat up his own son to prove some stupid point! Oh no, your family is filled with abusive dicks!” Haru was now even trying to pull The Duke aside as Hakoda walked to Zuko. He placed his hands firmly on his shoulders and steered him away.

He didn’t shout anything else but he did unleash a roar of fire before stomping just ahead of him. Sokka and Aang took one moment to swap looks before both running after Zuko. Not that he was paying any attention. Hakoda awkwardly paused, unsure which room to led Zuko to so he could obviously let out some steam, but thankfully Sokka caught up to them and led the way down the hall to the right, into the first room they found.

It was barren and already had blackened scorches across the walls and ceilings. Hakoda didn’t at all focus on that though. Maybe they were old or maybe it was from some previous Zuko tantrums.

Zuko punched the wall with all the might of his firebending. Sokka and Aang only winced at how obviously painful that was going to be but didn’t seem at all afraid of him. So Hakoda tried to follow their lead despite his racing heart.

“Everything okay, Sifu Hotman?” Aang joked but he toned himself down. He was only slightly a ball of blinding sunshine of happiness. Zuko tried to match his smile but it was too wobbly and fragile.

“Sorry. That story hit close to home.”

“We figured. If you want to talk about it, do you know what upset you about it?” Sokka knelt down and crossed his legs. They all followed, including Hakoda. One tiny whisper frowned at how much he was following his son’s lead. He remembered trying to convince a baby Sokka not to charge out of the tent completely naked and failing miserably as his son gave an impassioned speech about how it’ll be fun. It was that same boy that he was now following. Zuko fell to the floor deliberately harshly.

“I… I guess I hate- I don’t like what you all took from the story…” He stumbled through. Hakoda went to talk but Sokka placed a hand on his knee. A moment passed and Zuko finally found some more words, “You all took that the Fire Lord was cruel to do that. And you don’t even know the full story. Like, just the Fire Lord fighting his son was enough to mark him cruel. Even if the son was ‘a pain in the ass’?”

“Yeah,” Aang spoke unsurely but he continued saying each word carefully, “I mean, we don’t know a lot of the details about the son but I personally can’t think of any reason where I’d then fight my own son. Especially if he was a child or something!”

“Yeah, like if your son’s dismissive or rude or whatever, then you make more effort to talk to him! What would fighting him even do? It’s just more cruel than what’s needed.” Zuko looked up at Sokka as he spoke.

“It is cruel, isn’t it.”

It wasn’t a question but Hakoda tilted his head and answered, “Of course it’s cruel. I can’t imagine people hearing that and thinking the Fire Lord was in the right. As a certified dad, I don’t think there’s anything that could push me to fight Sokka. I can’t speak for the guards but… I think the reason the folk story didn’t go into any detail about the fight was so it’s easier to agree with the Fire Lord. I’m sure if the injuries were described then the guards would speak differently.”

“It doesn’t matter. I’m honestly surprised the story didn’t go into any detail about the fight. That’s the most infamous part…”

“So what’s the actual story?” Sokka asked.

Zuko looked around nervously and bit harshly on his thumb.

“There… The son of the Fire Lord wanted to prove himself and attend a war meeting. The Fire Lord’s brother let him in but warned him that he shouldn’t talk. The generals were easy to anger. In the meeting, a general proposed the most… it was an awful plan. I uh… The son got too angry and shouted at the meeting. It was really disrespectful. It was an awful plan but, like, maybe things wouldn’t have been so bad if he just spoke normally. Or maybe his uncle would’ve spoken out anyway. A-anyway, an Agni Kai was ordered. T-that’s like a duel between two firebenders, usually it ends with either one of the people surrendering or getting injured to the point of being unable to fight. The son thought he was to fight the old general who proposed the plan. And really the plan was horrible. It was awful. So he went to fight him as I could so take him in a fight!”

Sokka and Aang shared an uncertain look. That all seemed to align… But it was clear that this was hitting too close to Zuko. He was refusing to look at them as he spoke. His anger flared again and each word was practically growled out.

“So the day of the fight came and the boy turned to face his opponent and instead saw father down the court. I… uh… I then fell to my knees and begged. I knew there was no use fighting. I’m not a very talented firebender, even less so at thirteen! So I thought the best thing would be to just… surrender. The Firelord usually prefers if you just surrender and admit your wrong than to fight. He liked when you made him feel… anyway I… well I fell to the floor and begged while crying. I-I can’t imagine what that must’ve looked like to the audience-“

“Wait, there were people watching!” Sokka exclaimed. Hakoda only then remembered the rest of the room. The story was too cold for him to notice anything else. Aang looked just as horrified, shifting on the spot clearly dying to launch himself at Zuko as a comfort. Zuko looked just as caught off.

“Um yeah? Like nobles and the other royal family members.”

“So Uncle was there?” Aang’s timid small voice ripped through the angry shocked words.

“Well yes. Also, he’s not your uncle!”

“He didn’t do anything?”

“No. I don’t think he could’ve.” Zuko fiddled with his hands.

There was a beat of silence.

“So your dad beat you up in front of everyone and then banished you? You were upset because we all saw that as cruel while you blamed yourself for that,” Sokka started strong before then realising just how insensitive he was being. Way to rub it in his face.

“He didn’t beat me up. He just burnt me,” Zuko casually motioned his to warped face and perpetually squinting eye to which everyone else in the room stopped breathing, “but yeah he then banished me. I-I… It’s… Three years is a long time to pass. I don’t really remember pretty much anything from that day really. Uncle never talked about it so I don’t know exactly what happened. I thought I got over it by now. I know it was cruel. It was wrong. But… I guess I just thought that was me making excuses… It’s weird to think other people actually think it’s wrong and cruel.”

The dead air of the temple never felt more gross. Like a panting stranger leaning over your shoulder leering over you. A presence in the room listening in. The room looked empty even with them all sitting there. The story somehow filled the room and now it was finished. Hakoda gulped.

“I’m so sorry Zuko,” Aang breathed out before gradually reaching over. Zuko blocked his hands from hugging him but did grip his hands instead.

“No dad should ever do that Zuko. And a journey into recovery will never have a nice easy end. But if you already know it was wrong then you’ve already made it so far. You should be proud of yourself,” Hakoda smiled warmly. Zuko still didn’t meet his eyes.

It would probably be a while before Zuko would truly believe that it was cruel and wrong, and clearly the entire family here was willing to wait and teach that. Hakoda kept his mind from thinking how long it took for Zuko to even convince himself that maybe it was cruel and wrong. Right now, he focused on the warm, forgiving, loving family formed in the ruins of a cold temple.

#atla #avatar the last airbender #avatar #zuko #hakoda #gaang #gaang kids #yes I included haru teo and the duke #angst #hurt/comfort #My writing #my fic #fanfic

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lisinfleur · 3 years

Text

The request:

Author’s Notes | It took me some time, but here it is! I hope you like it!

Info | Viking Age AU, requested by @nyx-daughterofchaos98, Part I

Words | 1530

⁑ Warnings: Some cursing

She'd learned from him more than he really wanted to deliver. And yet, it was almost anything in face of what she had said to him. Ivar heard of lands he never dreamed about, people he never thought could exist. Colored people, different people, women with beauty unknown to his eyes, men with a strength he had never seen before, and different techniques to fight the wars he knew would reach his lands someday. That woman, Y/N, she was almost able to make him think his crown was really nothing at all. She was almost able to make Ivar think releasing himself from the weight of the metal piece in his head and break the bonds with his lands forever to explore the world by her side was something more desirable than the throne under his butt.

But she was clear with her words, as always.

"Where I go, I go. No one goes with me and I walk beside the wind. I have no partners, son of Odin. If you want to make the world your path and the knowledge your journey, you may do it by yourself."

It wasn't that attractive without her.

Somehow, that woman had taken Ivar's attention in such a deepness that it was starting to pull him away from the obligations as a king. Everything was being delivered to Hvitserk under him so he could spend more time learning, teaching, speaking to that amazing visitor he didn't know for sure when would leave his lands to never come back into his life.

It was one chance he couldn't lose.

But his absence was bothering Hvitserk - especially when the full work of a king was over his shoulders but no benefit from the crown was being ceded to him.

"And what is this that you do that's so more important than your obligation towards the people you fought so hard to conquer, uh, brother?" Hvitserk said, annoyed. "Since that woman came into our lands, you spend whole days with her, sometimes I noticed you spend even nights awake, speaking all sorts of secret subjects nobody is allowed to participate. Who's this woman after all? Will you make her your queen?"

Ivar didn't have to answer when Y/N entered the room right on time to listen to his brother's mischievous questions.

"I have no interest in occupying this place, young prince," she said.

That kinda bothered Ivar a little. It was stated that she wasn't interested in any carnal conjunction or relationships other than understanding the whole world around her, but it was annoying that she would say so explicitly that she didn't want him or he couldn't attract her in any way as she was able to do to him.

However, Ivar knew pretty well others had tried to make her theirs and they failed before. And as she said, others would try and would fail as well... She was a woman, but not a woman at the same time. It was complicated.

But easy to understand she wouldn't belong to him at all.

What would console him was to think she wouldn't belong to anyone else as well.

"And what is it that you want then?" Hvitserk turned his questions towards her and Ivar then sat; a malicious grin on his lips. He knew pretty well those questions wouldn't bother her.

It would be fun to see his brother's reaction to what had bothered him so long ago.

"She says she wants to learn. I'm teaching her," he said, catching Hvitserk's eyes for a moment before the older brother would frown, annoyed. "And she's teaching me too."

"Speak clearly!" Hvitserk charged. "Our men complain of your absence, our people ask about their king, some are even wondering if they're under you or under me, brother. Is this what you want? To cede me the crown and go learn or teach our new pet?"

"I'm no one's pet, young prince," the woman manifested again, short and calm, in that tone that was so annoying for Hvitserk as it was for Ivar when he first heard that impassivity.

"Then who the heck are you, woman?"

Ivar almost broke a rib not to laugh at his brother's annoyance, remembering his own irritation when he'd just met Y/N after that sick fight of hers against his men.

There she was, once again, sliding her fingers through the runes she liked so much to learn about, carved in the pillars of his halls, ignoring his brother's anger as much as she had ignored his own.

"A learner, I've said before," she answered, calmly.

"Then find yourself a teacher who has less to do than ruling a kingdom, for the gods' sake!" Hvitserk exploded, fully annoyed. "Or you find someone else to work for you like this, Ivar. I'm not your damn slave!"

She rose her eyes towards the prince. Ivar glared at her, paying attention to her reactions. With time, he understood her glances would speak pretty more than her mouth. She was alert.

Hvitserk was acting like a threat and she would treat him like that.

"I suggest you calm down, Hvitserk," Ivar warned, with nothing but the intention to tease his older brother into the flames he could see into his eyes.

"Fuck you, Ivar!" Hvitserk lost his mind, infuriated. "I have been doing your gods damn work all this time as you're here playing house with this woman as if you had nothing more important to do! What is it that a wanderer has to teach you that's so amazing after all?"

"There is always something to be learned, always something to teach," Y/N said, catching Hvitserk's angry eyes towards her.

"Well guess what, stranger, you're wrong! I don't believe there is anything you can teach to a grown man like me. All you do here is just to occupy my brother's time and throw services that aren't mine over my shoulders!" he grunted back, fully harsh.

But Y/N just walked closer to him with that same cold expression Ivar learned was something natural for her. Out of nowhere, she lowered herself down in a quick movement, swirling around herself with one of her legs stretched, making a circle with her foot around her own body, passing through Hvitserk's legs in the way.

Ivar's eyes watched fully impressed as his brother's feet were lifted up from the ground almost at the same time she lifted herself up, swirling in the opposite direction and using the weight of the movement to hit her stretched leg against Hvitserk's chest, throwing his brother's back against the ground with a loud noise.

Two seconds and Hvitserk was laid flat over his back, with all his experience as a warrior beaten by an unarmed wanderer, as he'd called her himself. His eyes were large in surprise: he was barely able to see that coming or reach for his sword or any kind of protection. She could've killed him without a single effort.

"What is this woman... These are the words your head is searching for, brother," Ivar mocked, giggling at his brother's impressed expression.

But Y/N was looking at Hvitserk with the same blank expression from before.

"As I said, there is always something to learn and something to be taught. You've just learned this, which is something new in your life. And by the expression on your face, I believe my techniques are also something you just discovered I can teach you and you want to learn. Here is the time you wanted, young prince. I may take a part of my days to let King Ivar be what he has to be and do what a king shall do. While this, I shall follow you into your training camps and you may teach me how do you handle your swords and axes. In exchange, I shall teach you what you've seen today. Sounds like a fair deal for you?" she said, offering her hand to Hvitserk who accepted the firm grip to get up from the ground still impressed.

"Who are you, woman?" Hvitserk asked.

And Ivar smiled as she repeated words he'd heard from her mouth before.

"I'm Y/N, I’m a daughter of nobody, I came from nowhere, my destiny is the next step, and whatever the gods have prepared for me into it. I follow no god; I believe in all of them. I saw all lands; I belong to none of them. My home is the world, the roads, the dust. I'm a learner, young prince. That's what I am. But I can also be a teacher. And from now on, I think, we can teach each other."

"Go with her, Hvitserk. She'll teach you amazing things. But learn wisely. She won't stay forever," Ivar advised.

As his brother went away with the woman behind him, Ivar sighed. He would lose some of his precious time with her so she could teach Hvitserk her ways to fight. But if she had to teach someone else in his lands, then maybe she would stay a little longer.

It was a win/win game in the end.

And if there was something Ivar liked to do was winning...

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lombredanslaeu · 4 years

Text

pure devotion | johnny x reader

▸ werewolf! johnny x human reader [angst, fluff] + chapter two

▸ summary: every werewolf is destined with a soulmate. other werewolves have werewolf soulmates, while the others have human soulmates. when you found out that you’re soulmates with your long time best friend, who is also the next alpha, you start to rethink whether or not you want to be with him.

▸ hope you enjoy this one! let me know what you think. if you have any feedback or requests, my messages are always open.

The existence of werewolves and vampires was not news in your town. In some strange way, everyone respected each other. Werewolves and vampires goes to school, malls, restaurants, and anywhere humans go to. These beings never harmed any humans unless they’re criminals who were deemed to be executed by the council. The council consists of three people - the mayor for the humans, the alpha for the werewolves, and the primus for the vampires. Everything was fine and dandy until you learned about your soulmate.

“I firmly believe in the idea that people who drinks latte have zero taste in everything.” Your best friend, Johnny, said beside you. It was finals week in your college and everyone’s mind has already melted into putty.

“Okay, first of all, you have 10 more pages of readings to study, and second, why?” You replied, looking up to him.

“Lattes are the worst type of coffee. I wish I could permanently erase the time I first drank one.” He complained before focusing on the readings in front of him.

Johnny has been your best friend since diapers. You are well aware of the fact that his father is the alpha - the most powerful wolf in their pack. As a human, you never fully understood the traditions and rules that apply to their community. Johnny often tells you stories about his pack. Almost everyone in his pack knew who you are - the alpha’s son’s best friend. There would be times when you cling onto his back as you speed through the woods as a wolf. You saw him grow from a small puppy from childhood to a huge wolf with the softest fur. Johnny was a beautiful man and his wolf did not disappoint. It was only last year that you knew that once the alpha have either died or resigned, their first born would be the next in line for the throne. As the son of the alpha, it was in Johnny’s nature to be a leader. He was headstrong, firm with his decisions, and never left anything unsolved. He also always knew the solution to almost any problem. You are a living evidence of this character of him as you two grew up together.

Johnny also told you about soulmates. The supreme deity that the werewolves worshiped was known as Fatuma. Once a werewolf is born, Fatuma will assign a soulmate to them and once they reach the age of 23, they will find whoever their soulmate is. According to the tales of the mated wolves, the first touch was like a rush of electricity to the whole body. It feels like the whole universe was in your veins. Some were friends with their soulmates since they were kids and it was only when they turned 23, do they feel the sparks of destiny. It was majority of the time that werewolves where soulmates with other werewolves but there are werewolves who are soulmates with humans. These wolves are deemed unfortunate by the community because humans would have to undergo the werewolf transition. Most of the time, the human body would not be able to take it and it shuts down, refusing the DNA the werewolf gave them. Only a few make it out successfully and that is only if Fatuma is on their side that night.

“You’re turning 23 next month.” You said to Johnny who was now scrolling through his phone and ignoring the stack of papers to be studied.

“Oh yeah, I completely forgot about that!” He said.

“Huh? How can you forget? Isn’t that the age that you meet your soulmate?” The words left a bitter taste on your tongue. You knew it was selfish of you to hate the idea of Johnny meeting his soulmate. You blame it on the fact that you might lose your best friend. Although you had other friends, Johnny was the only person who you knew will always have your back. You also blame it on the fact that you might be in love with him. You and Johnny were so comfortable with each other. You wouldn’t deny that there were nights filled with making out and any other thing you mother disapproves of. All of your firsts was with Johnny and it pains you to think that he will spend the rest of his life with someone else. You brush off your thoughts when he responded.

“Yeah, but you know, school is being hell and stuff.” He said nonchalantly. He quickly changed the topic when he saw it in your eyes that you still had some questions. Johnny could never leave you. He knew in himself that no matter who you both end up with, you will always still have each other. But he felt like there was a black hole in his stomach whenever he thinks about finding his soulmate. Maybe it was because of the pressure of being the next alpha or maybe because he really might forget you.

---

Dinner time at the Suh household came. Johnny forced himself to get up from his desk and have dinner with his parents. His mother never liked it when Johnny doesn’t at least sit with them during dinner. He loves his family more than anything but he knew that they were going to pester him with questions about his upcoming birthday.

“So, Jaehyun and Ten told me you want to have a party here.” His dad spoke. They were lenient with him because they know of his character and principles. Johnny loved partying and having fun like any other young adult out there. But he also knew when to get serious and get shit done. This is one character he learned from his father.

“Are you sure you don’t want a bonfire with the pack? I mean, this is the age you meet your soulmate, darling.” His mother adds.

“No, it would be a hassle for the people if we do that. Besides, if we do the bonfire, my vampire friends wouldn’t want to come.” He said. Although the all beings respected each other, not everyone wants to attend the traditions or rituals of each other. He didn’t want the others to not come to his birthday.

“Of course, John. I also need Kun’s help to prepare the dinner before your wild party.” His mother replied. Kun was a vampire who has the most exquisite taste in food. He knew how to make everything and he makes them extraordinary. “By the way, aren’t you excited about finding the one?”

“I am surprisingly excited.” He replied. “I just hope it’s not a human.”

“You can always choose an unmated human, son.” His father adds.

It’s true. If the human doesn’t survive the transformation, the werewolf is free to choose another human to be their spouse. They will be gifted with the ability to determine whether a human is mated or not. The thought of finding his soulmate never scared him until his age came close to 23. That’s when he felt the pressure and the fear. Through sleepless nights he searched for the reason why he felt like he was not ready for the revelation and almost every time, the first reason was you. There are cases where werewolves eloped with their human lovers, leaving their true soulmate behind. But Johnny’s naturally kind nature would never bear it if he left his soulmate. Sure, you weren’t the greatest person alive. You had your flaws and quirks that Johnny hates. Whenever he felt like he couldn’t get you out of his head, he remembers all the petty fights between you two. But as if it’s an instinct, his mind remembers the joyful memories of both of you. The sleepovers, the drunken nights, the fast-food runs after school, and especially the silent times where you just sit beside each other. No talking was present during those times but the fleeting feeling of someone who would lasso the moon for you. Johnny prayed to Fatuma that his soulmate wasn’t a human but almost after every prayer, he wishes it was you. It was incredibly selfish of him to wish that you were his soulmate. To put you through the risk of death haunted his mind day by day. But to say that Johnny loves you is an understatement.

---

It was only a week before Johnny’s 23rd birthday. He decided to spend a day with you. According to him it was because he needed new photos for his elective photography class. The truth is, he wanted to spend one final day before he lets go of whatever feelings he has for you.

“John, how much long till we reach your planned destination?” You complained. As a werewolf, he could go on and on and not be tired. But you, as a human, was the contrary.

“We’re almost there.” You rolled your eyes at his response. After a few more steps, you saw a cliff that gave the prettiest view of the sunset. Johnny has the gift of finding the most beautiful locations. He snapped a few pictures of you and you also did with him. After a while, you found yourselves sitting under a tree with the marbling colors of the sunset in front of you.

“Where do you see yourself 10 years from now?” He asked. You chuckled at the cheesy question. You didn’t mind having deep conversations with him. You’ve done that countless of times before.

“Hopefully I’m already a successful architect with my designs transforming this boring city to being extraordinary.” You replied. Your eyes lingering to the skyline in front of you.

You were so busy admiring the sunset that you didn’t realize that Johnny has been staring at you for quite some time now. He absorbed the details of your side profile. He grew up with you and he regrets that he never took the time to fully soak in your beauty. Sometimes he wish that fate didn’t have to be this way.

---

You were already tipsy from the concoction Taeyong has been giving you for the past hour. It’s Johnny’s 23rd birthday and somehow, he has never spoken once about the soulmate thing. You and your friends figured that maybe he didn’t want to talk about it since it stresses him so much.

You spotted him in the kitchen and decided to ask him if he already opened the present you got him. “Actually, I wanna open it with you.” He said and he leads both of you in his bedroom.

You watched up picked up the box. You decided to give him the vintage camera he saw on a shop a few weeks ago. You bought it immediately, in fear that he would be able to buy it first. He loves photography more than anything else and it pained you to see him so upset that his parents didn’t approve of him taking photography as his major in college.

“Oh my god, Y/N, this is incredible.” He said, his eyes never leaving the camera in front of him.

He approached you for a hug that you immediately welcomed and as your body collided with each other, that’s when the realization hit. Johnny felt like he was dreaming. In a state of shock, he wasn’t able to let go of you yet but his smile quickly faded. His eyes drifted to the wall clock of his bedroom. The clock struck at 10:34 pm - his exact time of birth. Werewolves find their soulmate the minute they turn 23. And his soulmate is you.

You felt like every nerve in your body was awake and functioning all at the same time. The haziness of alcohol disappeared as you realized what was happening. You are Johnny’s soulmate. A part of you was happy. You were over the moon at the fact that you were meant to be with the man that you have always loved. But the other part of you hit you with the fact that being soulmates with a werewolf would put you through the brink of life and death. You would risk it all for Johnny. You would do anything for him. But the thought of achieving your dreams would cloud your mind. The thought of finally being able to taste the fruit of your hardship, alive and healthy. You can’t help but be selfish.

You stared at him and you found no answers in his eyes. He was just as lost as you. You took a step back and you could have sworn you saw fear dominate his eyes. You wanted so bad to tell him that you just need time but you were too overwhelmed with mixed feelings that were drowning you at that very moment. So you just left and he just let you. He witnessed how your eyes shined when you talked about your dreams the other day. To think that you may never achieve that because of him, because of his nature, was like a stab to his chest. He loves you too much to do that to you.

You stared at the moon from your window. Your mother said there would be days where you think you know the answer but it would be only later you realize that you don’t. You always said to yourself how you would risk anything for Johnny. God knows the countless nights you prayed to let him be with you until the end of time. And it was granted. But somehow it didn’t feel right.

With one final sighed, you closed your eyes and wait for sleep to come. You wished that tomorrow you will have the answer.

fin.

a/n: hey! not too proud of this one but here u go, nevertheless. feedback is greatly appreciated!

#johnny suh #johnny seo #johnny imagines #johnny smut #johnny angst #johnny drabbles #johnny x reader #nct johnny x reader #nct au #nct imagines #nct johnny #seo youngho #nct x you #nct x reader #nct 127 #seo johnny #nct johnny suh #nct youngho #johnny x you

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artificialqueens · 4 years

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Lemon's Misadventures in Dating, Chapter 6 (Lemon x Everyone) - Mermelada

A/N: Hi everyone! Here’s chapter 6, as seen on Ao3! I found out that Lemon’s irl mum is Scottish, so naturally, I had to include her as a character and base her on my own! More is coming soon, so watch this space! :D I love you all!!

[07:24] HEY GIRL!

[07:24] I’m so sorry but I ate your sister for breakfast

[07:24] She was a grapefruit lololololol

[07:24] I’m sorry please don’t hate me

[07:24] But she was delicious

[07:25] So what’s the tea on Little Miss Lemon? I want to know everything! What’s your favourite type of pasta?

Lemon read the messages again as she sat at the kitchen island, sipping her coffee. She couldn’t help but smile. That was not what she was expecting at all from Priyanka, she looked so poised and regal in all her photos, yet in reality she was coming across as a complete goofball. Although it had been three hours now, and she was still awaiting a reply.

[09:58] Umm how fucking dare you?

[09:58] Don’t even expect me to respond to that until I get a full apology, you murderer.

Was the joke not obvious? Fuck, what if she thinks I’m serious? But then she started it…

“What’s got you smiling, princess?”

She jumped with shock as her mum walked through the door, placing her handbag on the counter and opening the fridge door. She knew her mum only worked a half-day on Thursdays, but her sudden appearance was a surprise nonetheless. Lemon felt like she’d been caught doing something she shouldn’t be.

“Oh, nothing,” she sang, quickly locking her phone and putting it back in her pocket, away from prying eyes, “how was work?”

“Well you’re not acting like it was nothing,” teased her mum, moving around the kitchen in a blur as she prepared her lunch. “Is it a girl?”

Lemon failed to hide the blush rising on her face, she knew her mum meant no harm, but she was not prepared to get into a conversation about dating and hookups with her so early in the day, and with so little alcohol to hand. “Muuuuuuuuum” she groaned, hoping that the coolness of her hands would remove the redness as she placed her chin in her palms.

“I’m just glad you’re happy, darling, you deserve it after the summer you’ve had!” Lemon couldn’t deny that her mum had been an absolute angel these last few months. She listened to Lemon way back when she had first admitted that things weren’t working like they should be, and never once offered any judgement or tried to convince her to stay. She had even helped Lemon move her things out of her old apartment as quickly as was humanly possible for the pair of them, while she was at work. “Are you up to date with your tetanus shots though, because you’ll need one if she’s doing that to you!”

Just when Lemon felt she couldn’t get any redder, her mum’s finger was poking the mottled bruise peeking out from under the loose collar of her t-shirt, her whole body burning as her mind flashed back to the moment it had been placed there… the body above her trembling, grabbing a handful of platinum hair as they grinded against each other’s thighs, the muffled cries in French… “Oh my god, mum, please stop!”

“What?! You can’t just disappear for two nights in a row and not expect me to be curious! What’s her name?”

She audibly groaned at her mother’s prying tone, laying her head on the cold marble countertop. “Mum, I love you, but I am not having this conversation with you right now!”

Fucking Rita, I’m sure she’ll find this funny at least, Lemon made a mental note to text the other woman later, wondering if she’s had any similar happenings with her work colleagues, or if she had enough experience - and common sense - to hide the evidence of her Tinder trysts better. At least she had put on leggings after waking up today, as shorts would have only showcased an even more incriminating patchwork of colourful marks across her inner thighs.

Her mum simply smiled and wrapped an arm around her from behind the high kitchen chair, planting an affectionate kiss on her daughter’s temple. “Well, you know what I always say, pumpkin, as long as you’re happy and safe, go out there and have fun! Are dental dams still a thing? Do you need some?”

Lemon could only muster a grunt in response, her head making an audible bang as she threw it onto the counter, deeply wishing that the conversation was over. Right on cue, she felt the phone in her pocket buzz with a new notification. She practically leapt off her seat, ready to run to the safety of her bedroom. “Well, on that note, I’m going to remove myself from this deeply uncomfortable situation. Thank you, mother!”

“Ooh is that her texting you? When are you seeing her next?” The enthusiastic questions fell - as her mum expected - on deaf ears, Lemon gulping down the remainder of her cold coffee and placing the empty mug in the sink.

When she finally reached her safe haven, she pushed the door closed and jumped back on the bed. Despite knowing her parents wouldn’t mind at all, she still wasn’t ready to admit she was trying to move on, let alone with an assortment of random ladies from the Greater Toronto Area. She grabbed at her phone excitedly, her eyes lighting up when she saw that Priyanka had finally answered.

[13:35] My dearest Lemon, I must beg for your forgiveness, for I have sinned gravely. Upon awakening from my slumber and entering my cooking chamber, my stomach began to sing a dreadful tune. In the search for something to quell its anger, I encountered a grapefruit, as cute as your face and as juicy as your ass probably is. With no other option, I slaughtered it, dressed it with some sugar, and devoured its flesh. Would you please accept my most sincere apology in the form of a drink sometime?

This crazy bitch. No other interaction on the app had left Lemon feeling so giddy, her heart had sped up and her stomach was doing somersaults. Yes yes yes yes oh my god of course! Luckily her common sense kicked in, and she realised she should probably act a bit less… desperate.

[13:40] Let me think about it

[13:41] Loljk of course!

[13:41] Any day/time work best for you? I’m afraid I’m fully booked this weekend

[13:41] Mourning my sister and all

[13:41] (I mean the grapefruit btw sorry that could have been weird)

Luckily, she didn’t have to wait long for a response.

[13:42] LOL I’m glad it didn’t turn dark

[13:42] Any night that’s not a school day is best for me!

[13:43] Speaking of which I better get back and entertain some little people, ttyl xo

[13:43] KIDS, btw, just in case xx

Lemon shook her head as she smiled, Priyanka was certainly something else. Cute, funny, sexy… hopefully she didn’t ruin it by having bad breath or murderous tendencies. She couldn’t explain it, she already felt something special about the girl, something she hadn’t felt since- no. Let’s not ruin a good thing by thinking about her. But the more she looked at Priyanka’s profile, the more memories of Juice kept flooding her mind. Taking a moment, she sat on the floor, stretching her legs out in front of her and breathing deeply and rhythmically, a makeshift meditation to nip any panic in the bud.

Is it still too soon? Maybe I’m not ready to be moving on if I still think about her so much, and if I still get so emotional doing so. Images of the former couple danced around her head; walking hand in hand, snuggling on the couch under blankets, even just helping each other cook, or drinking coffee in bed on a rainy morning. I thought it was what I wanted, but maybe I was wrong. She sat silently for a few minutes, trying her best to think of nothing but a dark sky filled with distant, twinkling stars, but even that took her mind back to the nights they’d spend wandering around their neighbourhood, talking about their hopes and dreams, where they’d live once they got married, how many cats and dogs it was acceptable to have. It seemed like the natural course for them, but not everything can work out the way people want it to.

She didn’t know whether it was the buzz of her phone on the bed behind her, or Gus’s gentle panting as he pushed through the door which awoke her from her semi-trance, but she took the opportunity to stand up and shake the stiffness out of her body. It was a natural impulse to bring her hands to her eyes to wipe away her tears, but she was pleasantly surprised to not find any there today. Maybe things were getting better after all.

She and Gus both slid onto her bed, the dog circling three times before plopping himself down in the crook of Lemon’s elbow, which she rewarded with a firm scratch under his chin. Picking up her phone, it buzzed again in her hand with messages from Rita.

Dr Rita <3 [14:02] shared a link

Dr Rita <3 [14:05] Bonjour! How are you today, mon citron? I had a nap after work and I am now ready for the gym :-O Last night a colleague told me about this dance school where his daughters go, a teacher is pregnant and will need someone to cover the classes when she is off. I thought of you :-) I hope you slept better than a baby! X

Dr Rita <3 [14:06] Also I found a bruise on my ass yesterday, I was in pain every time I was sitting down, thank you very much…

Lemon had always believed in fate to some degree, and upon seeing the link Rita had sent, she had no doubt that destiny had been on her side during the events of the last few days. She stared at the familiar tan bricks of her old dance school, the smiling face of her old principal teacher finally giving her the push she needed to get back in the saddle. She threw on a pair of jeans and a woolen cardigan, replying to Rita with one hand as she pulled on her ankle boots with the other.

[14:10] Merci merci, I’ll check it out!! Have fun at the gym, you crazy pomme! How was sexy kidney lady?

[14:11] And de rien 😘 my mum saw the one on my neck today, she thinks I’m being bullied 😞

Jumping down the stairs two at a time and shouting a quick goodbye to her mum - closing the door before she could hear the inevitable embarrassing reply - she walked as quickly as her legs could possibly take her to the dance school, a path she had already walked hundreds of times throughout her childhood. Even if they said no, she would sign up to classes or find some auditions, how could this not be a sign from the universe to start dancing again? As she reached the heavy iron door, she checked her phone one last time.

Dr Rita <3 [14:14] Courage, ma belle! They would be idiots to not want you! Well, she made me my favourite tea and told me she liked my lipstick, so I think we are married now?

Dr Rita <3 [14:16] And I am so sorry! :-( Do you have arnica cream? I hope your mother knows it was at your request? ;-)

She had really lucked out with Rita, she needed a good friend like her in her corner right now. And as she stepped inside, navigating the bright corridors to the principal’s office, she was really glad she’d downloaded Tinder.

#rpdr fanfiction #drcan #mermelada #lemon #priyanka #rita baga #kyne #kiara #juice boxx #submission #lmid #can1

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heroes-trash · 4 years

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visual recap of 1x12 - Godsend

(larger again bc it’s the second kick-off of the season, so to speak)

name origin: the symbol on Kensei’s sword apparently means this, and Ando also compares Hiro’s power to a gift from the gods (and René echoes a similar sentiment)

plot points, as seen in this recap:

Peter has spent the past two weeks in a coma, and not even ‘the best doctors in the world’ could find what is causing it. Nathan theorizes it has to do with his ability overloading his brain, but whatever it is, Peter continues to see visions similar to the one he had right before the coma started; only now Claude is in them, too. so when he wakes up, leaves the hospital, and sees him on the other side of the streets, he doesn’t hesitate to approach him - only to get choked and threatened for his troubles...

Claire is despairing alone, and calls upon René, pleading with him to give Zach his memories back. when he says he can’t, it’s ‘not how [his] gift works’, his choice of words makes Claire angry - the doesn’t consider their powers a good thing. René’s response is gentle but firm: Claire better respect what is godly about her, what is her destiny

but Claire doesn’t want to walk alone, and goes back to Zach one more time - this time to try and rekindle what they had in the quickest way she can think of: by having him record new tapes

Hiro, emboldened by Isaac’s latest painting, sets out to steal Takezo Kensei’s sword from the museum that keeps it - excitedly talking about his childhood being filled with stories of the legendary fighter. he manages to steal it too, without problem (and possibly even accidentally makes the painting come true by mock-challenging a giant dinosaur statue), and Ando’s still cheering for him when his face falls: it’s only a replica...

having no one else to point them where to go / what to try next, Hiro & Ando go back to Isaac to tell them the original sword ‘is owned by a man named Linderman!’ - shocking Nathan, who had accompanied Simone to the painter’s loft to find out more about what could be happening to Peter, quite a bit. he tries to convince himself more than anything that Peter’s last words before blacking out - that he is the bomb - couldn’t possibly be true. even seeing Isaac’s painting of the moment, he denies and denies it. even Hiro’s enthusiasm and conviction that they can all save the world together fail to reassure him (even though he indulges him a while), and he leaves conflicted and confused... only to learn that Peter got better in the meantime and ran off

Simone meanwhile is having a great time - even though Isaac is now officially sober, more in control of his power than ever and re-declares his love for her upon them reuniting, she is not interested in him anymore. instead, she focuses on his power for its own sake, finally fully believing it after meeting the 9th Wonders! stars Hiro and Ando, and promising to help however she can - for example, by telling them where to find Linderman...

after ‘overhearing’ that Sylar might be at Primatech, Matt convinces Audrey to order a raid of the place - which ends about as badly as it could’ve, as the troops find ‘nothing but paper’, Audrey is reprimanded and taken off the case, and in her anger over him having ‘misled’ her (she doesn’t even fully believe in his powers anymore), fires/removes him from his special position

back home and very dejected, Matt finds Janice ready to leave if he’d ask her to - but he instead decides that they start over, with a clean slate and no more secrets. and as a first step, he dedicates himself to convincing her of his power...

Mohinder has called law enforcement multiple times, presenting his list and all but begging for help in warning the people on it of Sylar, but they can’t do much; only, to his great shock, inform him of Eden’s death. later, Noah tries to recruit Mohinder, but he flat-out refuses, wanting nothing to do with the Company. the only thing Noah seems to be kind of able to convince him of is that Eden wasn’t as bad as Mohinder retrospectively painted her (’just a spy’) but actually cared about him, and died a noble death.

Sylar is still in Company custody, now being pumped full of drugs to the point of it becoming life-threatening as scientists struggle to explain his ability

Niki’s plan worked, at least in part - she is in jail for Jessica’s crimes, but it doesn’t look good for her, as she is being considered for the death penalty. only as she has a conversation with Jessica do they decide to transfer her to a psychiatric unit (which she doesn’t like either, though, convinced they can’t help her anyway because Jessica is ‘’real’’); and severely quicken that process to full sedation + padded room confinement after she briefly slips into Jessica to fight off a guard and demonstrates her strength

in a remote cabin somewhere, the escapee Ted is practicing his power in small doses

#heroes episode recaps #nbc heroes #primatech

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nurmengardx · 4 years

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Warmth

Merthur prompt for @mightdieforkeats

Merlin carefully filled Arthur’s tub, as he did every day, carefully pouring the water in so that it didn’t splash, and heating it to Arthur’s preferred temperature in front of the fire, and perhaps a little nudge of magic here and there.

Since Arthur had been crowned, they no longer had to hide their relationship. There was some pushback, of course. How could the King of all of Camelot choose to court a mere servant? Merlin shook his head, still not quite able to believe it himself. It was all too much attention for him, so he had decided to remain Arthur’s servant, despite Arthur’s protests. He was quite happy to remain out of the spotlight, and at Arthur’s side when he was needed.

At last, Merlin checked the temperature with his hand once more, and the bath was ready. ‘It’s ready when you are,’ he called out to Arthur.

Arthur came out from behind the screen, and Merlin took the opportunity to look him up and down. It would hardly be the first time Merlin had seen Arthur naked, and even though he was technically now allowed to look, he still looked away when he thought Arthur had seen him.

‘How’s the temperature for you, my Lord?’ Merlin asked when he heard the water splash around in the tub.

‘Don’t call me that, Merlin.’

‘Yes, my Lord.’ Merlin’s mouth quirked as he heard Arthur sigh.

‘The temperature is fine.’

Merlin nodded, and made to leave the room while Arthur bathed, but stopped as Arthur pointedly cleared his throat. Merlin looked down at his expectant expression, one eyebrow raised. ‘Yes?’

‘Well, aren’t you getting in?’

‘What? No. Why?’

‘You can’t possibly expect me to sit in this bath all by myself?’

Merlin gave him a confused look. ‘You do it well enough most days.’

Arthur groaned. ‘Just get in, will you?’

‘Why?’ Merlin said again, this time slower.

‘Because I’m the King and I get what I want.’

‘I think that’s an abuse of power.’

‘I think you think too much.’

‘You definitely don’t think that.’

‘I was being polite.’

‘Since when?’

‘Merlin!’ Arthur said, rolling his eyes. ‘I would like you to join me in my bath today, why do you hesitate?’

Merlin considered it carefully. ‘Because I’d have to be naked.’

‘That’s sort of the point, Merlin, I’m failing to see your argument here.’

‘It would be strange, wouldn’t it? You’re all muscly, and I’m definitely the opposite of that.’

Arthur scrunched up his face. ‘If I wanted someone muscly, I would have asked Percival, not that he would fit anyway.’

‘He would have said no anyway, he’s clearly in love with Gwaine.’

‘If I’d have known you would argue with me this much, I would have made you get in first.’

‘It’s for the best, you know, I don’t really like being naked. Why do you think I wear this scarf all the time, even in summer?’

‘I assumed it was some sort of fashion statement.’

‘No you didn’t.’

‘No, you’re right, it is ugly. You should probably take it off.’

Merlin groaned and leaned on the edge of the tub.

Arthur looked up at him, a twinkle in his eye. ‘You can take those off, or I’ll pull you in fully-clothed.’

Merlin still hesitated.

‘I hardly think it’s fair that you’ve seen me naked, and I haven’t seen you.’

‘You’re not really missing much.’

Arthur’s voice took on a commanding edge, befitting his station, and he looked Merlin right in the eye. ‘I’ll say it one more time, Merlin. I would like you to join me in this bath.’ He held Merlin’s gaze, sending shivers down Merlin’s spine.

Merlin finally gave in. He had never been able to resist Arthur’s calm, yet firm tone.

‘The water’s starting to get cold, perhaps you can help me heat it,’ Arthur added, and Merlin shivered again.

He took off his scarf and shirt first, he reluctantly folded them and left them on the end of Arthur’s bed. It was cold away from the hot water and the fire, so Merlin put his misgivings to the back of his mind, and pushed off his trousers, hurrying back over to Arthur in the bath.

Arthur held out a hand and helped Merlin into the bath. Merlin couldn’t help but notice Arthur’s wandering eyes.

It was nice in the bath, Merlin had to admit, and Arthur smiled smugly at him.

‘There, that wasn’t so bad, was it?’

Merlin shrugged, avoiding looking at Arthur.

‘You need to relax, Merlin,’ Arthur said. He stretched out his legs, fitting them either side of Merlin.

Merlin smiled, glancing at Arthur, and squeezed one of Arthur’s strong calves.

In response, Arthur pulled Merlin closer to him with only his legs, until he could wrap them all the way around Merlin’s skinny waist. He leaned closer and said, ‘I could have had the pick of any of the knights, if I wanted someone all muscle and no brains,’ he said, his voice low. ‘But I wanted you.’

‘So you wanted someone with no muscle and no brains?’

‘Shut up, Merlin.’ He didn’t give Merlin a chance to respond this time, kissing him instead and gripping him tightly instead.

Merlin did as he was told for once. Kissing Arthur was one of the few things about their relationship that didn’t make him nervous. It was just the two of them, no looming enemies, no demanding courtiers, no grand destiny. Just Arthur’s body against his.

‘I wanted you just the way you are,’ Arthur murmured into Merlin’s mouth.

Merlin kissed him more fiercely, pushing Arthur back against the edge of the bath, and didn’t stop Arthur’s hands as they brushed up Merlin’s thighs.

They hardly noticed the water cooling down, until Arthur was brushing the hair out of Merlin’s face, breathless, but smiling widely. ‘I knew you’d come around,’ he whispered.

‘Yes, well, you are the King, I could hardly say no,’ Merlin mumbled back. ‘We should get out, though.’

‘You’re probably right.’

Merlin let Arthur get out first, not bothering to hide his admiring, then followed him out, drying himself off before the fire. Still slightly uncomfortable, but a lot less self-conscious, he sat on the edge of the tub until he felt sufficiently dry. He went to grab his clothes, but Arthur stopped him with a hand on his wrist.

‘Leave them,’ he said, putting an arm around Merlin’s waist. His skin was still slightly damp, but warm, and Merlin leaned into him. ‘Stay with me tonight.’

‘But Gaius-’

‘Are you telling me you’d rather spend the night with Gaius than with me?’

Merlin snorted. ‘No.’ He let Arthur lead him to the bed, and he got under the blankets. It was a very strange feeling, being in the very bed that he made every day. It was a lot more comfortable than his own.

Arthur dried himself a little more, then slid in beside Merlin, pulling him closer again.

Merlin sighed quietly, fitting his legs in with Arthur’s, very aware of all the places their skin touched.

‘I wanted you, Merlin,’ Arthur murmured again. ‘No one else.’

#ficlet #merthur #merlin #prompt

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gauntie-o-dimm · 5 years

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Avallac’h | I Give You My Heart

Prompt: ‘So, is this goodbye then?’

Word count: 2700+ Warnings: Smut, swearing, angst

Despite all the years I had known Avallac'h, the Elven Sage was still a mystery to me. How it had happened was just as big as an enigma - the way we met, the differences we had, in another world and a thousand others, the Aen Elle and I would never have been lovers, nor friends. The relationship had started in the chaos of Ciri's reappearance, the defeat of the Wild Hunt and the frenzy around the White Frost, perhaps that had been the only thing sparking it. For now when Ciri had returned and Avallac'hs lingering presence was alarming to Geralt and Yennefer, who didn't seem to trust him after he helped Ciri open the gate between worlds. I wasn't sure of who to believe, either. It only sowed doubt in my heart, even if Ciri had sworn it was her request. In another world, we might've been enemies, I speculated. After all, Avallac'h wasn't a kind soul. And honestly, nor was I. Friends-with-benefits wasn't even a way to call it. We didn't share such a bond outside of the sheets.

Still, within all this apprehension concerning our relationship, I often found myself yearning for his touch, longing to be held. The Elf was absolutely gorgeous to look at, and he was Ciri's friend - but not according to Geralt. Friend or foe, at times, this thin line blurred while my body writhed and twisted underneath him; he always knew exactly what he was doing. Against all times becoming one with him, I had no idea who he truly was.

He had asked me to meet him at Novigrad - somewhere where we both were fairly familiar, so it sparked no direct fear into my heart. Thus I sat on a wall outside, feet dangling over the edge, admiring the soft snow that fluttered down around me. It took it's time to settle down, not another purpose than to lie on the ground until it became trampled and eventually evaporated again into the air, continuing its journey around the globe. To me, it was almost meditative.

'I was wondering where I'd find you.' A familiar voice startled me from my daydream. I looked over my shoulder, raising an eyebrow as a greeting. He sighed and walked up to me, halted as he arrived at the wall. 'Fascinating, isn't it?' I said with a small huff, little clouds of hot air leaving my mouth. 'Water has so many purposes yet it never fails to alter its destiny. Wherever it goes, it will always return back into the air. It takes sometimes hundreds, thousands of years to move. Not that it matters.'

I turned to fully face him, cerulean eyes meeting with mine instantly. The sight of them made me shiver - though not pleasantly. A gust of cold air blew into my face, making me take a shaky inhale. 'Though I believe that you didn't request my presence to be to deliberate on the cycle of water.' I broke the silence. The Sage leaned on his staff, moving his hand to rub his chin. '(Y/n),' he began, my name on his tongue in a way that I could describe as odd and undecided. 'You know, since the White Frost has been defeated, no one around here requires my help anymore. I shall return to Tir Ná Lia soon, awaiting new orders. Thought I should let you know that.'

My previous statements about us not being companions in any way or form other than the occasional fuck we shared were utterly true, yet it didn't stop my heart from uncomfortably clenching in my chest. I swallowed thickly, giving the Elf a small nod. 'Okay.' I said, daring to let my eyes flicker over his body, taking in the sight of his face, his robes, and immediately reminiscing on the tattoos that I knew underneath them. 'When will you be going?' 'Tomorrow morning.' It was dusk, now. I nodded again, pursing my lips together.

The silence between us was pregnant and made me want to crawl out of my own skin - part of me wanted him to leave to pack his things so I could cry about him in secret - the other part wanted for him to stay right here next to me and have him make the moment last forever - even though such concepts were beyond his ability. 'Care to share one more evening with me?' The question startled me; Avallac'h never had been the one to imply sex so boldly. It always started without any spoken word, never a direct inquiry from either of us. I would be lying to myself if I said that it didn't confuse me at first.

'I'd like that.' I said. A rare smile tugged at the corner of his mouth. 'Good. Meet me in my room in ten minutes.' Without expecting another word from me, he disappeared, back to the inn where he had been staying at. It left me some space to let a single tear flow down my cheek. I wiped it away, sniffling slightly. Why was I upset? It wasn't like we were in a relationship or anything of the sort other than purely beneficial. We only had sex to fulfill our own needs, right?

The ten minutes seemed to be over way too slowly, but with heavy feet I walked up to the room where Avallac'h was still staying: the same room where Ge'els had the vision about king Auberon. It felt emptier without the Aen Elle's belongings scattered everywhere, now packed up in two full bags. I stood awkwardly in the door's frame, awaiting for him to notice me. 'You may come in.' he spoke, fastening the straps of a third and final bag. I stepped closer, closing the door behind me. We didn't say a word and I awaited the Elf to approach me. It didn't take long for him to do that, nimble fingers soon tucking a strand of (h/c) behind my ear. His palm rested on my cheek for a few moments, a sigh leaving his lips.

'You know, (Y/n), I have thoroughly enjoyed our nights together.' 'That makes two of us.' I added, though with a shiver in my voice. 'I am going to miss it.' His grey hair fell in front of his face as he nodded. He leaned closer, planting his mouth against mine. The first kiss was gentle, without much pressure behind it. The second one was needier and rougher in it's nature - Avallac'h reached for the back of my head, tilting my face slightly before slipping in his tongue, body pressed against mine as if he tried to crawl into me. His heat seemed hotter than ever before, his actions speaking volumes. 'That's something I'll never forget,' he murmured after a few seconds, pulling back to let me breathe. 'You taste sweeter than anything I've ever had before.' I clenched my thighs together at the thought of his head between my legs, nipping away at me, taking his time. My fingers curled around his robes, tugging at them impatiently.

Avallac'h let out a chuckle, a sound that never failed to make my knees feel weak. I witnessed him undo his clothes, tattoos soon becoming visible on the bare skin of his chest. I followed his actions, peeling off the layers that still clung to my body. As to why we didn't help out each other undress, that I did know an answer to. Well, perhaps because we had never done that before. Foreplay was always very tame, so why would it be different now? I shivered as Avallac'h reached for my breasts, warm hands cupping them for a moment as he leaned down to kiss one of my nipples, tongue soon circling it. My fingers reached for his hair, a soft moan slipping past my lips. He didn't do this because I liked it so much, he did it because he liked it.

He was fully naked in front of me, surprising me by how hard his erection already was. It bobbed up and down with every movement and made my mouth water. I loved to have him in my mouth, feel the swell on my tongue. The sight of it made my heart ache, knowing damn well it would be the final time I'd see it.

Truth be told, Avallac'hs cock was always able to make me feel incredible. Unlike anything I had ever felt before, I'd always tell myself whenever he pounded into me. Nights together were always quiet, with not much exchanged dialogue, instead filled with grunts and moans. I refused to murmur his name during these moments, though I had to stop myself several times from doing so.

A pair of hands on my butt made me gasp, letting myself be lifted up to be carried towards the bed. Avallac'h broke contact with my nipple, my fingers tugging at his hair softly to make him look up at me. He smiled, eyes glimmering in a way that I had never seen before. There was something different about his touch, more electric, perhaps. Something desperate, I daresay.

I sprawled myself out on the bed, spreading my legs for him. Momentarily, he released me, eyeing me up and down while sucking on his bottom lip. 'You're exquisite.' he murmured, 'Such a pretty woman for me. And so needy, as well...' His finger rubbed my glistening slit, coating it with my juices. His behavior was off to me - he never was one for filthy talk. I whimpered at his touch, arching my hips slightly upwards. However, he put a firm hand on my pelvis, keeping me down. He withdrew his moist finger, looking at it before putting it in his mouth, sucking off my slick. Avallac'h closed his eyes, letting out a soft breath. 'Delicious.' he muttered, crawling over me to kiss me on the lips.

There was something inexplicably futile behind his actions, but I couldn't ask him about it. No, his mouth was latched onto mine, sucking on my lips and tongue as if he had to breathe through me. Not that I minded; If anything, I'd let him maul me completely if it came to it. I moaned in his mouth, feeling the heat of his member press onto me, the weight of it brushing against my throbbing core. I wanted him to take me, to push me into the mattress, to fuck me until I was broken like I already would be in a few hours, shattered by the thought that he was leaving. And as if he read my mind, he pushed past my labia, sliding into my depths until the hilt.

A strained moan was forced from my throat, the feeling of him filling me so nicely bringing stars into my vision. Oh, this Elven Sage was absolutely and wholly gorgeous. I wrapped my legs around his torso, pulling him deeper into me, causing him to grunt. Hair fell in front of his face and he pressed his forehead against mine, basking in the feeling of thrusting into me with large movements, my fingers tracing the outlines of his tattoos before raking across his bare back. 'Avallac'h...' I moaned softly. 'Crevan...' His eyes shot open at the name, a small frown appearing on his face. I cupped his cheeks, rubbing them softly as he kept pounding into me, sweaty skin slapping skin, my clit occasionally being grazed by the soft patch of pubic hair just above his length. I looked him straight in the eye, trying to show him all the emotion I felt for him. 'I love you.' I confessed suddenly, unable to stop the words from slipping out, 'I want to come with you to the land of the Aen Elle.'

First, the quiver of the corner of Avallach's lip, a slight faltering in his pace. Then, he stopped fucking me altogether, pulling back from my body. Just now I saw his chest glisten with sweat, adorned with tiny droplets that slid down towards our connected bodies. '(Y/n), what did you say?' he questioned, as if he wasn't sure if he had heard me correctly. 'I want to come with you to--' 'No, no, before that.' I let out a shivering breath. 'I love you.' I repeated, realizing the true meaning of those words at once. Perhaps I had always known, deep down inside. We weren't friends. We weren't lovers. In the end, to whom was I lying? These past months of uncertainty, the chaos, the misery. I had fallen in love with the Elven Sage above me, whose chest was rising up and down heavily from the tension alongside the processing of what he had just heard. Avallac'h pulled himself out of me, making me whimper at the sudden loss. He rubbed some hair from his face, shaking his head as he looked at me. He moved down his hand, suddenly starting to rub my clit in circular motions. 'Oh...' I softly moaned, confused of what his plans were now. He hadn't said anything, just looked at my face in silence as he fingered my sensitive nub. My face looked down at his bobbing length, which he neglected of completely.

It didn't take long for me to reach my high. The soft pad of Avallach's index finger grazed so nicely over my clitoris that I soon burst, the building release finally washing over me in an intense and hot wave. However, I still was bewildered to completely enjoy the orgasm, so as soon as his fingers left my cunt at the final flutters of my body, the bliss was gone.

'You can't come with me, (Y/n).' Avallac'h suddenly spoke. He sat up, reaching for his robes. I propped myself up onto my elbows. 'Can't you visit me from time to time?' I asked him, watching as he found my underwear, tossing it towards me.

'No, (Y/n).' 'I don't get it.' 'Of course you don't get it. You humans are so... Small-minded. I wonder what it is like to know so little.' Tears filled my eyes while he stood up, bed moving from the shifting weight. 'Avallac'h?' He let out an almost annoyed sigh, putting on his clothes in silence. Suddenly, I felt extremely naked in front of him. I arose as well, putting on some underclothing until I didn't feel as embarrassed. I reached for his face, wanting to kiss him. He pulled away and it was enough to make me cry.

'Explain it to me, then.' I said with a crack in my voice, more vulnerable than I had ever been with him. 'You... You don't love me?' His cerulean eyes seemed guilty, sincerely and cold as they locked with mine. 'I do. I do love you. You're one of the most wonderful people I have ever met. But I cannot be with you, can't you see? I must protect both of us, and with my departure, I shall not return to you.' 'Why? Why are you doing this, then?' He sighed, shaking his head as if he was scolding me, as if I was a disobedient child. And then, it dawned on me. Perhaps it was all I'd ever be to him. An immature, simple-minded being, sensitive to the smallest amount of change, satisfied by a simple thrust of his cock.

'So, is this goodbye then?' I questioned, watching as he took his bags. Despite our previous actions, he didn't seem hot and bothered at all, as if we weren't bare and tangled mere minutes ago. No, he was the same Sage that outside of the bedroom spoke to me; cold and factual and everything but adoring.

'It is, miss (L/n).' My heart broke apart in a thousand-million pieces and I had to resist the strong urge of falling onto my knees to desperately sob. 'Farewell.' I wanted to speak to him. Tell him that I thought he wasn't leaving until next morning, but perhaps the situation had hastened him. I looked on as he opened a portal with a flick of his staff. His sandals patted against the wooden floorboards as he strode towards it. And I bit my lip, hoping that he would look over his shoulder, look me into the eye and speak my first name one more time. But he didn't. All I could do was let the tears and snot freely flow down my face as he was swallowed by the sea of orange light, listen to the sound of it closing. And then, I was left behind with nothing but myself, whimpering and full of sorrow. I should've hated him. I wished that I hated him.

#avallac'h #avallac'h x reader #the witcher #witcher x reader #the witcher x reader #Smut

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thenewlarislynn · 4 years

Text

Coffee Stained Confusion Ch 15

Possible TW: Needles

~~~

Agreeing to the terms Bucky had set, you met with Wanda later that same day. Having both the powers and history that most closely reflected yours, she was selected to help you train. You went back to the training room, but when you returned most of the equipment had been pushed to the side and in its place were several flammable objects, and somewhat reassuringly, a fire extinguisher.

Arriving before Wanda did, you had a chance to fully scope out the gym. One thing you picked up in your training with Natasha was to always find the closest exit. That way if your position was somehow compromised, you could get out as quickly as possible. The gym had two exits, one was the main door and the other was a fire exit that led to the stairs. All the floors in the tower had stairs in case of an emergency. For that you were grateful, because it would be awhile before you took an elevator again.

You heard the door open behind you and saw Wanda enter the training room. “Hi, Y/N, I’m Wanda. I don’t think we’ve been formally introduced yet,” she said with a smile. Immediately you felt drawn to her, and returned the smile. “So, I was told I’m here to help you with your powers. Something about a dangerous mission?” she questioned with a chuckle.

“Something like that, yes.”

“Well then we’d better get started. I’m not a pyrokinetic but I can mentally manipulate things, so I could give you some pointers. Can you make those wires there start sparking?”

You closed your eyes and pictured the wires sparking to life and starting a small fire. A minute later you heard the quiet crackle of flames and knew you were successful.

“Good, but you’ll need to be quicker, if you’re in a battle and need a fire, the enemy won’t wait for you to get it started. Put it out, and try again, faster this time.”

You closed your eyes and pictured the fire going out, and it did immediately. You then tried to reignite it, but it still took some time.

“Have you tried to do it with your eyes open?” Wanda questioned.

“Uh, no, I guess having my eyes closed just felt right, but I can try.” Staring directly at the fire, you told it to go out and it did. Then, you told it to ignite with a large spark, and instantly it did.

“Very good,” Wanda smiled. “I think you might have your new strategy. Now make everything catch on fire.” “Are you sure? If I can’t put it out-” “We have the fire extinguisher here for a reason.”

You took one look at the flammable items in front of you and commanded them to ignite. They did, and before you knew it, there was a great blazing inferno in front of you. Then, as quickly as the blaze started, you put it out.

Wanda had you repeat the exercise a few times to get it down to an exact science but then she said, “That was perfect! Now, I did hear you were able to set not just things on fire, but yourself too. Or is that just a rumor?” “Nope,” you smiled, “it’s true.” In the blink of an eye, you felt heat spread over you, and Wanda beamed. “I knew you could do it, that’s incredible!” She paused for a moment to think, then asked, “Have you tried using the fire to make yourself fly? I don’t know if it would work, but since heat rises, maybe you could make it lift you off the ground?”

“I mean, it might work?” You were uncertain, but eager to try. Sending a mental message to the flames surrounding you, you soon felt them begin to lift you up. “Oh my God,” you exclaimed, “I’m actually flying.” Coming back down to the ground, you put out the flames.

“We might only be scratching the surface of what your powers can do,” Wanda said, “but what you did here should be more than enough for your mission.”

“Thank you so much!” You knew for sure now that Bucky would be more at ease with you going on the mission.

“Oh, before you go, Natasha told me that there’s a possibility that you may have been given the serum?” “Well that’s what she believes,” you said, trying to make your disbelief clear, “but personally I think I would know if I was given some kind of superhuman powers.” “You didn’t know about the pyrokinesis until recently though, and you had that your whole life, so there is a possibility. Stark developed a test for it, I just have to get a little sample of your blood.” “Is there any other way? I’m not big on needles, not after what happened before.” You shivered as you recalled being injected and falling under HYDRA’s mind control.

“There isn’t any alternative, I’m sorry,” Wanda replied, sounding genuinely concerned. “It’s just a small needle though, and then we’ll know for sure about your superhuman status,” she said good naturedly.

You flinched as the needle pricked the skin on your forearm, which was still slightly sore from your training with Natasha.

Wanda then took the blood sample and put it in a test tube filled with a bubbling liquid and mixed it carefully. “You know before all of this, I wanted to be a chemist. Growing up, I would help my mother cook. Perfecting recipes was kind of like balancing chemical reactions. It won’t happen now, but sometimes Bruce lets me use his lab to conduct experiments.” She wore a sad smile on her face, and it made you feel sorry for the girl who lost herself in all this mess. “Well, Stark said when this is done reacting it will turn either green or purple. If it’s green, then you’ve been given the serum.”

You felt dread creep over you as you waited for the reaction to end, and finally it did. Except it wasn’t purple like you expected. It was green. Stumbling backwards, you felt panic seize you, This wasn’t possible. This couldn’t be possible. Just a week ago you were a normal college student. Now what are you? Some kind of pyrokinetic super soldier? No, it had to be some kind of twisted dream. Sitting down near the treadmill you squeezed your eyes shut. You pinched the skin on your wrist, but nothing happened. “This can’t be real, this isn’t real,” you whispered to yourself.

“Maybe try saying ‘There’s no place like home?” Wanda suggested as she sat down next to you. “Hey, it worked for Dorothy.”

“I thought, maybe, even if I was an Avenger, I could have some kind of normalcy. Maybe settle down with someone, live a regular life.” “Clint has something like that, he has a wife and kids, and a place out in the country. You could too.” “Not if I’m going to live to be, I don’t know, what, a hundred and fifty?”

She looked genuinely puzzled for a moment and asked, “Oh, so you and Bucky aren’t together then?”

“No, we aren’t, why does everyone keep asking me that?” You blushed, but couldn’t quite place why that made you feel flustered. “But I should probably go let him know what happened. Thank you for everything, Wanda.” She nodded, “Of course, and if you ever want to practice with your powers again, just let me know.” “Thank you, I will.” You walked out of the room and felt the tightness in your chest building again. You made it around the corner and the stairway before breaking down. Tears streaked your face as you felt everything you knew starting to slip from your grasp. Sitting down on the steps you put your head in your hands and began to sob. You should have been excited. People would kill for a dose of that serum, and that just made you feel worse. To be honest, you thought it was a bit exciting, but you mainly felt the loss. You never really thought about your future other than wanting to complete law school, maybe start your own firm. But now, with basically all options taken from you, the only thing you could think about was what could have been. Soon after, your mind started to shut off and you passed out on the stairs.

Bucky was heading down to the gym to check on your training session when he saw you lying on the steps, completely unconscious. “Doll? Hey doll?” He gently propped you up against the wall. “Come on, doll. Stay with me, it’ll be alright, I’m here.” Stirring slightly, you began to open your eyes. “Bucky? Where am I?” “In the stairway, you must have passed out.” His voice was laced with concern, “What’s wrong?” “It’s nothing, it’s silly, I shouldn’t have gotten so worked up.” You didn’t want him to know you had gotten upset about the serum. “If something caused you to completely pass out in the middle of a stairway, it’s not nothing.” You took a deep breath and then blurted out “HYDRA injected me with superserum.”

“How do you know?”

“Natasha had a feeling about it this morning, so Tony developed a test that Wanda administered. I know I should feel excited but I just feel even more different.” “Hey, it’s alright, doll. When I first fully realized I was given the serum I had just fallen off a train and thought I was dead. You might be more different, but that doesn’t change who you are. You’re strong, and you’re brave and you’re kind. Those are qualities that you have already, and no serum altered that.”

You rested your head on his shoulder and he froze for a second before putting his arm around your shoulders. “We’ll be alright, phoenix. So, what did Wanda have to say about your powers?” “She thinks I’m ready for the mission. I can set things on fire and put it out instantaneously. I also figured out how to control the fire enough for it to make me levitate.” “That’s incredible, doll. But are you still sure you want to go? Fury could still send a SHIELD operative. You’ve only been an Avenger for a day.” “I trust myself. I may not have all the experience in the world but Wanda said my powers are strong enough for the mission. And, to be honest, it almost feels as though it’s my destiny to complete this mission. Alicia lied to me for years, pretended to be my friend. Who knows how much of my life she shaped? I have to be the one to bring her in. For good this time.”

“If you trust yourself, I trust you too. Fury got a lead on the murderer, by the way. He wants to brief us on that before we leave in the morning.”

“Do they know who it is?” A knot formed in your stomach, wondering if there were any other traitors in your life.

“They do, actually. But I don’t think you’re going to be too happy with the answer.”

~~~

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sup-hoes-its-me · 5 years

Text

With Time III (Tobirama x Reader)

A/N: hi! So this is the last part. I hope ur ready bc I wasn't when i wrote it! It’s really been wonderful writing for Tobirama even though I may have made him ooc a lot of the time. Have fun with this last chapter guys and thanks so much for reading!

word count: 4775

Part One/Part Two/Part Three

I couldn't walk the same after the incident. My leg needed to be in a brace for the majority of the time, and I had to be extra careful when I moved because my ribs and lungs were still fragile. I hated it. I hated this feeling of being useless to everyone and everything that I worked so hard to protect.

I still worked with the Hokage in his office, giving him advice, listening to his plans and strategies, and signing documents with him from sunup to sundown. It wasn't enough. There were people out there risking their lives while I couldn't so much as go on morning runs anymore.

More than once, I'd cried myself to sleep. I would sit in my apartment and stare down at my leg brace, the bandages wrapped around my waist, and the crutches in the corner, and just sob until my throat stung dry. How could this happen to me?

Part of me wished I could have just died in the line of duty than live on and get sympathetic looks from people I passed in the street. I hated the way my fellow shinobi, those who I considered friends, looked down at me in a way you would a child or the elderly. I despised the shame that filled my heart.

“Y/N, are you even listening to me?” Tobirama sighed as usual, red eyes lifting from his desk to me.

I blinked. “Sorry, Tobi. I was distracted again.” With a frustrated shake of my head, I went back to work on whatever was placed in front of me. A boring c-rank mission report that barely needed to be skimmed. Instead of going in to focus on the mundane task of signing papers and reading poorly scrawled paragraphs, I felt a warm, calloused hand on the side of my neck. “Is something wrong?”

“I was about to ask you the same thing. You’ve been different recently.”

“I haven’t noticed.”

“It’s been months, Y/N, three whole months and you haven’t been the same.”

My words got caught in the back of my throat and suddenly my secrets were coming crashing around me. As much as I wanted to tell him how I felt, how everything was hurting me and I couldn’t enjoy my life like I did, I wasn’t going to mutter a word. My breath was shallow from shame and my cheeks paled out of simple indignity. My fingers fidgeted around in my lap nervously under his accusing gaze.

It’s a bit much to call him accusing. He was more concerned than anything, worried in a way that said he stayed up long nights with this on his mind. The bags under his eyes didn’t help my own assumptions. And if he were to be losing sleep over me, I would no doubt feel worse. I didn’t need the sympathy of the man I’ve come to admire, the man who despite having been a rival as a child I now saw as an equal.

“Listen, I can’t even begin to express the guilt I feel for-”

“Don’t pity me, Tobirama.”

His eyes widened just a bit before quickly narrowing. He stared at me fiercely, and I tensed under the touch of his hand on my bare skin, heat sinking into my collar and jaw. “I have never once pitied you, Y/N. Not even when the worst has happened to you have I pitied you. I know your strength.”

“Then why are you acting like this? Like you’re plagued with guilt, and you send me these side-eyed looks of sympathy when you think I’m not looking?” I questioned.

He took a deep breath, as if he were building up his patience or courage, I couldn’t be too sure which.

“I haven’t felt right since you got hurt. I’m not too sure how to explain it, but I feel weak. I feel like an idiot for sending you away with only a child as backup. I feel so guilty for not being there to protect you from all of this, because I can see that you’re in so much pain now that you’re crippled. I just-”

“Tobirama. Please. It’s fine.”

“No, it’s not. And I can never forgive myself for what I let happen to you.”

“Shinobi get hurt. Shinobi die in combat every single day,” I countered. He was the Hokage, and he cared about each and every one of his people, so why did he care so much about me, doing exactly as I was paid to do. I expected pain and suffering in this line of work, we all did. It was our sick reality. We trained children barely able to control their chakra to think sacrifice was good. Self-sacrifice is for the well-being of a nation, we were taught.,

His fingers tensed against my skin at the simple words. I watched as his jaw clenched and he turned to glare into my eyes. I no longer feared the fire in those red daggers. His firm voice broke the tense silence.

“You think I don't know that? Of course I know that my shinobi are going to get hurt and die in combat, and I can't do a thing about it. I've accepted that a long time ago,” he paused, sucking air through his teeth. “But it's somehow different with you. I can't accept that you might die one day. I can't accept the fact that it's not my fault you were attacked. I can't accept that it was you.”

I searched his eyes for answers. Something that told me what he was thinking. Only I felt like I was staring into the eyes of a man I barely knew. He looked pained. He looked desperate. Unlike the Tobirama I loved.

“Tobi…”

“Y/N, you keep me from being objective.”

I was completely lost. Lost in his eyes and his words and his frown that just itched to scream out all his troubles. “I don't know what to say. I don't- I can't,” I trailed off.

Softly, I reached up to take his hand, the one pressed against my skin. Then, I dropped it down into my lap, covering his hardened knuckles with both of my palms. My fingertips danced along his skin like feathers, but it was soothing. This feeling, of his skin against mine, it brought me back down to Earth if only for now.

Quietly, I said, “I'm sorry I've distracted you from your work. It's more important, I know that. I never meant to-”

“That's the problem. I'm beginning to believe you're more important than any of this.”

“Tobirama. Please don't say those kinds of things. You know you don't mean them. I'm your assistant, not your family...not your lover.” Deep breaths.

“I know that. That's why this is such a problem. I don't understand why I'm confusing my priorities, and seeing you here doesn't help,” the man groaned, shutting his eyes and grimacing. His hand squeezing mine.

“I'm sorry if my presence hurts you, Hokage-sama.”

“You know I didn't mean it in that way, Hatake.”

“I know. I just think you need to work out whatever is on your mind. You can't be stuck in the middle like this. It's only holding you back,” I said firmly, catching his gaze. “Just remember, your destiny lies with this village. You will have a great legacy, Tobi, but you have to be careful.”

But Hashirama would have said something else. Anyone who knew the pair well enough could have seen it. Tobirama's destiny was not with the village, it was something much less abstract, less broad and disconnected. Konoha was his eldest brother's child, Hashirama's destiny, and eventually his fate.

As much as I tried to avoid it, the inevitable crushing defeat of it all, Tobirama was the one I'd become completely entranced by. I needed him as much as I needed water and air. He was my destiny.

And I could only pray he could find it in himself to forget about me, this strange relationship we had between friends and lovers. It was dangerous, and I hoped he would make the right choice.

__________________

Tobirama chose his destiny, the one I wished against.

He couldn't keep himself from doing otherwise. He could have done what he thought was wise. What was best for the entire village, but he didn't. He must not have been thinking when he marched up the stairs of my apartment building in the middle of the night.

I lay in my bed, a book in my hand and a cup of long gone cold tea on my bedside table. The room was silent save for the loud gushes of wind to slam against the windows every few minutes or so. I stopped crying before I slept about a month before, and instead took to staring at the ceiling or rereading the pages of a novel mindlessly for hours. What else was there to do when sleep wasn't an option?

But a knock on my door was definitely unexpected. It had to have been around midnight or so when I heard that distinct series of four rapping knuckles against wood.

I stood, brushing down my old t-shirt, ignoring the way my hair stuck up in all random directions. When I opened the door, I was met with a fully dressed, fully awake Tobirama. He was much taller than me, especially when I slouched like this. I straightened up a bit and ran a quick hand through my hair to brush it out of my face and behind my ear.

“Tobi, is there something you needed that couldn’t possibly wait until tomorrow?” I asked, and the irritation was clear in my tone. I rested on hand on the doorknob while the other pressed into my hip, waiting impatiently for a response. I cared for the man dearly, but I wasn’t one to enjoy being woken up in the middle of the night for something insignificant.

“I could have waited until the morning if not for this terrible pain in my chest.”

“Are you okay?” My eyes searched his form for any sign of injury, but saw nothing. He didn’t look like he was in any pain, nor did he stand any different than usual. I reached out carefully and took his wrist in my small hand, pulling him into the apartment. I hoped to God that no one was watching the Hokage sneak into some woman’s apartment in the middle of the night. The scandals that would arise…

He sighed, shutting the door softly behind him, the click of the lock bringing me comfort. We were alone. I don’t know why, but that thought brought me peace and anxiety all bundled into one ridiculous package. I wanted to spend time with him, but not like this. It felt awkward, to put it simply.

I motioned for him to take a seat on the edge of my little bed, one of the few pieces of furniture I actually owned. As he scanned over the room and the walls, his brows furrowed into a knot. “After all this time, you still haven’t bought furniture?”

“I never thought it was important. Plus, I don’t get paid enough to afford those things.”

He shook his head, mumbling under his breath, “That’s absurd. If you needed more money, you could have simply asked me for a raise-”

“Tobirama, what are you here for really? You’ve somehow changed the subject,” I said plainly, looking down at his moonlit features in the darkness of my one room apartment. The only light was what came from between the drapes in my window, yet the moon was particularly bright tonight. I could see every detail of his strongly built face, structured jaw and stern irises.

He looked up at me for a second before turning his head down once again. This man was never one to back down from a fight, but today he seemed nervous. He seemed fragile in the way he averted his gaze and sat with his shoulders slumped forward unlike their straightly broad sort of way. Tobirama seemed distressed and worried; if only he would speak so that I could help him.

Still, I continued when he said nothing. “You said that you have a terrible pain in your chest? I asked if you were alright, and I’m not sure I fully believe you.”

“I can’t hide much from you, Y/N. I fear you know me too well.” He glanced up at me with a new goal in his eyes. I couldn’t understand what it meant, that gleam that suddenly appeared, but I knew it was far too important to interrupt. “We need to discuss what’s going on between us.”

And it was as if time has stopped. The fear that remained dormant in my chest was now pumping viciously through my veins. I felt my cheeks pale, running cold in a moment, and my hands start to clam up.

What was I supposed to say? How do you reply when someone wants to have a talk about your nonexistent intimate relations? My mind ran circles around all the excuses and pleas that I could use.

I whispered, broken at the edges, “I wasn’t aware there was anything between us.” Lies, of course. We both knew it.

“You’ve known for as long as I have-longer than that, I’m sure. You’re not an idiot, Y/N.”

“I don’t know what you want me to say,” I said, just as soft as before.

He leaned back, letting out a low exhale. His eyes rolled to the ceiling, as if he were raking through his mind for the right thing to say. He probably was. The Hokage never knew what to say in these sorts of situations. He was socially awkward, so oblivious at times that it hurt.

“I’m not sure what to say either. Just something. Anything to make this pain stop. It’s keeping me from my work, and it’s making me dependent on you.”

“You’re always thinking about me?”

“Yes, and it’s a problem.”

“I’m not sure what I could do to ease your troubles. I could never speak to you again, and you would be forced to forget me,” I suggested, although I would never do anything of the sort. It would leave me even more pathetic and incapacitated than I am now. I peered down at him, my eyes glimmering with the beginnings of tears, happy or sad, I wasn’t sure.. “But I’m not sure I could live like that for long, Tobirama.”

He shook his head. “I don’t want you to do that. I need you by my side. Haven’t I expressed that before?” So difficult, this stupid man. He wasn’t making any of this easier on me. “I don’t even know why I came here, especially at this time of night. I’m a fool for thinking this was something I could do.”

So fucking defeated. That’s the only way I can describe the sound of his voice as his coarse, frustrated words dripped from his lips out into the open. I took a deep breath, gulping down the terror I felt. I prayed he couldn’t see how terrified I was because I’m sure I looked pathetic. Nothing like a brave kunoichi, a veteran to the cause.

“Want me to tell you I love you?” I muttered in a voice so quiet I could have mistaken it for just another thought. And then, I held my breath.

He didn’t reply right away. He was silent, contemplative really. And I was at his mercy.

“Y/N, I-”

“It’s fine. You don’t need to say anything. Just know that I will always, unconditionally feel that way for you,” I confessed, suddenly not feeling as terrible. I knew he couldn’t just say something like that back. He wasn’t the type of man to just blurt out those intimate details on a whim. “You’ve been my best friend since you gave me those shuriken as a teenager, and I hope nothing brings us apart.”

“I hope for all the same things. I will protect you, if it’s the last thing that I do.”

“Tobirama…”

He tore down my soft voice with his own firm one. He glared up at me, snatching up my hands in his rough ones. He held them tightly to his chest, bringing the two of us only inches apart. “No, Y/N. No. Family is more important than anything, and after losing Hashirama- I don’t think I could handle life without you, too.”

He was so genuine in his words, and I had to bite my lip to keep from crying. Instead, I brought myself into his lap, climbing over top of him so my knees were on either side of his thighs. I kept our hands tightly clasped to my chest, but now I could feel the rise and fall of his breathing against me. I could see the specks of brown and gold in his crimson eyes. I could feel wisps of his white hair along my cheeks and forehead.

I pressed my face into his neck and sighed. This was as domestic as life would ever get, and it was the least I could do but to savour it with every one of my senses. To smell the musk on his skin, feel the warmth of his soul beneath me, listen to his harsh breaths. I absorbed every bit of this moment.

He released my hands so he could wrap his thick arms around my waist, tugging me to his abdomen. His nose found itself buried deep into my hair, soft sniffs taking in the scent of my shampoo. He always said I smelled like coconuts.

“Thank you.”

_____________________________

The day was long and terribly worrisome. Although I had busied myself with many tasks, nothing could stop the random tugs at my heart every time my mind shifted to my best friend who doubled as my strangely acquainted lover. I had waited for hours, on the couch at Tobirama’s house just for him to arrive home. I wanted to surprise him with a nice dinner and a few drinks of sake after completing the latest mission, one that seemed much harder than the last few. It was against the Kumogakure, who Konoha had been on the rocks with recently.

When one of Tobirama’s students, Uchiha Kagami stood in the doorway instead, I knew something terrible had happened. His deep black eyes stared over my shoulder so grimly, unable to meet my eyes. He was ashamed. I could feel it radiating from his form. I could feel many things from people, but this boy screamed pain, sorrow, and shame.

“What’s happened, Kagami-san?” I asked him calmly, even though I felt my stomach doing somersaults. “Where is Tobirama?”

“We were surrounded by Kinkaku’s Squad, and they had the upper hand. Lord Second, he…”

“Well?”

“I’m so sorry, Hatake-san,” he croaked, his voice finally cracking under the pressure. He looked into my eyes, the tears now rising up in the corners, sparkling in the candlelight illuminating the room. I shifted on my crutch, staring up at him with desperation in my eyes. I wanted him to say something else, anything other than the obvious. “He volunteered to act as a decoy so we could escape. I’m so sorry.”

My lips started to quiver. I couldn't come up with anything to really say. I could only muster out a pathetically miserable, “please no.” My knees suddenly felt very weak beneath me, and I was only really being held up by my crutch. My fingers tightly wrapped around the handle and squeezed so tightly it stung, and could have bruised.

But nothing mattered.

The tears that threatened to fall pooled up heavily in my eyes, and I hissed when the salty bits stung. “No. No. Please, God, no. Please don't.”

I pleaded and begged, my hand pressed to my mouth to muffle the cries. It was becoming harder and harder to breath. My head spun, dizzy and disoriented.

It felt like my entire life had been torn down in a single second. Every single thing I had ever built up was suddenly being crushed into the ground into thousands of irreparable pieces.

Tears streamed down my face thickly, hot and steady without signs of stopping. I didn’t know when I could stop crying. Nothing could have prepared me for the death of someone I loved more than life itself. Tobirama was the only person I had left in this damn world, and now I was alone. I was completely and utterly lost in this cruel world, crippled and sick and tired and heartbroken beyond fixing.

Kagami took a step forward and extended his arms, as if I needed to hug him. The only person I wanted to hold in my arms was Tobirama, and he was the one causing all this pain. It’s disturbing how misery works out that way. I shoved the boy back with all the strength my weak, broken soul could muster. He stumbled away from the threshold just enough for me to slam the door in his face.

Maybe that was rude and harsh and terribly uncalled for, but this death; fate didn’t need to torture me this way. To steal the one thing I held precious. Fate stole my legs from me, stole my mobility, stole my livelihood...and now it had forcibly taken the love of my life from my hands. The last thing that brought me any happiness.

I broke down on the floor right in front of the door, sliding down the wood frame and collapsing in a heap of shakes and quivers. I bent down so close that my forehead pressed to the hardwood, tears and slobber pooling on the ground beneath me. I grabbed at my hair and yanked it, trying to feel something other than this shockwave to my heart.

But nothing was going to help. The only thing I could do for now was scream and cry until I fell asleep, and even then, my dreams were not empty. They were plagued with him. Images of him constantly swirled in my mind. I woke up in cold sweats screaming or sobbing.

And I wasn’t the only one hurt by this. My ninkin couldn’t stand to see me this way. They knew me as a strong woman, one who could face death without flinching. Now, I was just a broken shell of the woman I used to be. I lost my father and mother, my brother Hashirama, and my best friend. It was only now that I was completely hollow to the core.

_________________________

“Hiruzen, did you get the final exam paperwork I dropped off earlier?” I asked, peeking my head into the Hokage's office where he sat over a stack of stark white papers. The man, one in which I watched grow into the great leader he was today, smiled and waved me into the room.

He peered over the sheet in his hand and hummed. “Impressive test results, Y/N. I have to say, you might be the most effective teacher at the academy.”

I nodded proudly, leaning on the wall to keep myself steady. I still had trouble keeping myself balanced at times, and I had pains shoot up my thighs randomly at times from the lasting impact the jinjuriki had on my muscles, but I no longer needed the crutch.

After Tobirama died, I left my position as Hokage's advisor. Instead I went to work at the academy where Tobirama dedicated much of his time and effort into creating. I didn't have to fight nor did I have to move around much on my feet. It was only simple stationary jutsu and chakra control, which I was still exceptional at.

Hiruzen was more than happy to have me help around. He was just glad I wasn't torn to shreds to the point where I could do nothing but stay inside.

“Thank you. That means a lot, really.”

“You're looking well? Is the medicine Tsunade made for you helping?”

“Yes! I swear that girl is miracle worker,” I laughed. The blond who grew up to be one of the most outstanding medical nin alive, produced a pain killer for me and it worked better than I'd ever dreamed. “I'm glad she picked up the medical practice. We really needed a good doctor in this village.”

“I heard you once tried to train with her?”

“Yeah. I figured it would be good to acquire another skill I could use without my full mobility. Turns out being a med nin is way harder than I thought,” I told him. “Props to Tsunade and the other nurses, honestly.”

Just as Hiruzen was about to say something else, the door behind me slid open and hurried little footsteps rushed into the room.

“Mom?” The soft, boyish voice rang out. “Kagami told me you were in here.”

I turned around, peering over at my 12 year old son, standing in the doorway shyly. He was a sweet boy, one of the kindest I'd ever met. It was the way I raised him, I suppose, and that made me proud.

He had dark eyes and gray hair that spiked in all directions. It was the natural way of the Hatake clan. He was tall, almost as tall as me even though he was just a child. He stood tall and proud, ready to impress. My son was a talented ninja, gifted even.

I worried he picked up some of my clumsiness or even my mediocre abilities, but it was quite the opposite. He was stunning much like his father. He moved with grace yet so much strength. He was reserved, but when he spoke it was never foolish.

“Sakumo, sweetheart, did you need something?”

“Yeah, actually. I wanted to know if I could go to dinner with Rei and Shikari?” He asked. I only nodded, rolling my eyes. He loved to spend his time with his friends, particularly a Nara and an Uchiha.

“Be back home before eleven, okay?”

He smiled triumphantly, even though I rarely told him no. He was such a good kid, I normally trusted him “Of course, Mom. Thanks.” My sweet boy ran from the room, waving to us on the way out.

I turned back to the Hokage sheepishly. “Sorry about that.”

“It's fine, Y/N. I actually enjoy seeing the child. It's like Lord Second is still with us in him.”

“Yeah. You're telling me.”

“He would have made a good father, I think.”

I laughed, rolling my eyes to the ground. I felt a pang in my chest. Yeah, I would have loved if Tobirama lived long enough to help me raise our son, to teach him all his talents and pass down the title of Hokage even.

“I think he would have been a disastrous father. Loving, yes, but he would have been so confused and lost. He never knew what to do with children.”

“Yes, but a father has a special connection with his own son, his own blood.”

“One day I know they will meet. And Tobi will be so proud of him.”

“I think he'll be proud of you the most, Y/N.” I hated when people told me stuff like that. When they mentioned how Tobirama and I used to be. When they made me fall in love with him all over again. I hated missing him every time they spoke in his memory.

I blinked back tears in my eyes and averted my gaze to the door. “That's more than enough, Hiruzen. Maybe we can talk about this some other time. Just not right now, yeah?”

“Of course. I hope you have a great rest of your day,” he nodded, wishing me the best of luck as I exited his classroom. And as I walked the empty hall, I swallowed my sorrow.

With time, I would see him again. The wait would always be worth it, as long as he remained in my heart. That's because Tobirama would always be unique. He was my first love and my last.

And that's the end! Did you like this kind of writing or hate it? Give me some feedback if you want and have a really nice day!

#naruto #naruto x reader #tobirama #tobirama x reader #one shot #writing #naruto shippuden #mine #with time #part three #thanks so much for reading till the end you guys #i love you

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themostcleverandwittyname · 5 years

Text

There’s Power in Pain

CH1 CH2 CH3 CH4 CH5 CH6 CH7 CH8 CH9 CH10

CH11 CH12

Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess

(LinkxOC)

Summary:

A farmer with a troubled past had found a fallen hero on a riverside and makes the decision to take him in. With Ganondorf gathering power by the minute, there is no time to delay in his defeat however there is a time and place for everything as well as a lesson to learn. Link will have to do the hardest thing he has ever done and that is wait until he is ready to defeat Ganondorf.

But will Link ever truly be ready to rely on help to do the impossible? To accept that even heroes need support even from the most unlikely of people?

Meanwhile, a group of thieves organize to steal the sacred sword of the Hero of Destiny for themselves.

Chapter 12: Canteen

Chapter 12 on AO3

Annette was laid over her horse, her arms dangling at the sides. The sun had set and they had been on horseback for over an hour. She was certain that a bruise had already formed on her back from being slammed into the table. Link hadn’t said much after that, quietly playing his flute on the ride, exploring different songs that he knew. Several of them were so unique and she had never heard them, but when she asked where he learned them, he just responded that his mentor taught him and went back to playing. She had hoped that their outing would be a good one, and for several reasons it was.

Link had gotten his clawshots back, crossing off another item from the list. Seriously, she wished she had half his luck. They had no hitch in running errands and she was able to hustle some arrows out of Beedle, something she counted as a personal victory. But at the same time, the ache she felt from their little tussle in the cafe was enough to sour just a part of her day and she was certain Link was no happier about it than she was. She was still impressed that he knocked that guy out with a punch, yet she hoped for Link’s sake that he hadn’t overdone it.

One of the worst things, if she had to categorize, was learning that Ganondorf had not fully been vanquished. She almost felt silly, naive for thinking that such a hateful man could be snuffed out so soon. Yet, she believed the worst part of it all was the guilt smeared on Link’s face as he had told her. As if he were to blame for the return of Ganon when no one else dared to do anything about it.

It made her think on the horse ride, her doubts coming to full circle. Link’s behavior was now fully explained.

What if, by insisting that he rest up and being concerned for his health, she was tampering with fate. Was his fate just to be a tool? A weapon? She wondered if she was doing the world an injustice by treating him like a person instead of a hero. Was that so bad? Still, she would feel to blame if he ran off and fell in battle because he didn’t fully recover. She began to wonder if anyone from his home urged him to rest, insisted that he stay safe. He had never mentioned anyone and she realized that she had no clue what his life was like. She didn’t know who his friends were or what he did outside of hurting himself. He had mentioned a friend once, but he never went into it in any depth.

The soft notes of the pan flute ceased and Annette looked up, seeing her house in view around a bend of trees, the gas lantern that she kept lit outside glowed a dull yellow. A beacon in the night. She was grateful to Cordial, who knew the way home and had led them there even in the dark. She was a smart horse and sometimes Annette wondered if she took her for granted. Evidently, Epona was equally as loyal, following along without diverging. Link hadn’t exactly been tugging on the reigns, but his horse still knew where to go.

Putting his flute away, the blonde gathered himself and was ready to dismount his stead as they came to the small stables. Straightening up, Annette prepared herself to hop down and take care of both of the horses, but Link had beat her to it. Although the crescent moon didn’t offer much light, she could still see the firmness of his face. He didn’t look particularly happy.

“Let me board the horses. I’ll be inside in a bit.” He spoke quietly, and Annette could already tell that no argument could be made. He probably wanted alone time and she couldn’t say anything against it. Without acknowledging his words, she took a breath and hopped down from her saddle, taking the accumulation of bags from the day’s shopping as Link took Cordial’s reins. With another glance at the blonde, whose back was turned as he headed towards the stables, she walked inside and set the bags down before she lit a lantern to illuminate the kitchen.

Busying herself with putting away the various bread, farm-fresh veggies, and smoked meats, she felt the exhaustion fall onto her shoulders and each movement strained at her sore back. She scowled to herself and put the kettle over a new flame, cherishing the heat of the burnt-out match in her fingers. Some tea and the cookies she had bought would help her to relax, she concluded, and sat at the round table waiting for the familiar whistle of her kettle, having to sit at an odd angle as to not hurt her sore back. Thoughts of the day spun through her mind as she got lost in thought.

Her heart dropped when she recalled the conversation at the restaurant, despite wanting to shake it from her mind. It wouldn’t help her relax but no matter how she tried, it resurfaced again. Everything Gerudo had worked for in the past fifteen years to renew what had been destroyed by the evil king and now there was the possibility he could come back and finish his wreckage. It was the decision of the Gerudo people to ultimately have him executed, and she was sure that a betrayal like that wouldn’t leave his mind.

She jumped when she heard the side door shut behind her and immediately felt silly for being startled. Under normal circumstances, in her fright she may have uttered some smart remark or insult but her scare drew attention to her back and she instead bit back a groan. The blonde gave her a look and glanced over at the kettle. Hoping that he wouldn’t say anything, she opened her mouth to ask him if he wanted cookies, but he was quicker.

“Your back hurts doesn’t it?” He asked, but from his inclination, she could tell he already knew. There was no way he could watch her get shoved into a table like that and not wonder if she was sore afterward, but she was surprised he brought it up. She looked at him in contemplation on whether or not she should admit that it hurt or just chalk it up to being nothing more than a little bump.

Scoffing aloud, she got to her feet and slid the chair under the table as she headed to the counter to fiddle with a teacup, as if preparing it further.

“Of course it hurts. It will be sore for a few days, but I’ll be fine. Now, do you want tea and cookies or should I count you out?” She answered short and anything but sweet, but she didn’t want sympathy for it.

There was a moment of silence and she wondered if she should have been more sensitive, yet the blonde behind her spoke again, her focus on the teacup.

“At least tell me why those guys were looking for a fight. It can’t be just because they were bored and “asses”, as you put it.” he asked, folding his arms and wincing a bit at the movement, his broken arm still bothersome to him. Annette shut her eyes and pinched the bridge of her nose. What was she gonna say now? After a deep breath, she began to give her vague, detached response.

“There are a lot of things in Termina to do and it is more dangerous than Hyrule is, especially Clock town. Let’s just say that along with an unhealthy obsession with swords, my brother also had bad friends who unfortunately thought that by extension I was also their friend. Nothing more than a conflict of interests.” She explained and was ready to shoot down any further prodding. She didn’t want to get into it this evening and she was sure Link didn’t want to hear it either. Their day had held enough bad news and foul situations.

“A conflict of interests, huh? I know about that but none of mine ever ended with smashing a teacup on someone’s head.” he said, and she could tell he was trying to deflect the mood. He gave her a little smile and then motioned with his hand. “Can I have a look at your back? It’s only fair considering you’re always on my case about my injuries.” He said softly and she looked away, feeling guilty for being so harsh with him about his concern. It wasn’t a bad thing that he wanted to make sure she was okay, so why was she so defensive? She couldn’t answer it for herself. Since when was it okay for her to worry about him but be mean when he did the same? Under any other circumstances, she would be quick to accept her own hypocrisy, but she was too tired and felt they both needed to relax. Arguing over letting him help her wasn’t on her agenda this evening.

“Fine, if you must. It’s hardly an injury so you can’t compare it to you.” she began and then mentally scolded herself, finding herself do it again. “Thanks for your concern anyway.” she concluded, hoping the addition would soften her statement. The swordsman approached and taking a cue, she folded the back of her shirt up for him to take a look. He hummed to himself in his inspection. “What’s the status back there?” Bruise?” she asked, not really liking the uncomfortable judgment of her injury.

“Bruise.” He confirmed. Before anything else was said, a prodding finger poked at her back and the pressure was a little more than uncomfortable. She took in a breath and was about to say something scalding before a question fell from him, “Does that hurt?”

“Of course it does! What did you thi-” she was cut off with another question, her sarcastic remark stunted before she could get into it.

“Do you have a canteen?” his question left her dumbfounded for a moment. Letting her shirt fall back over her bruise, she gave him a look.

“Canteen? What do you want that for?” She asked, as he looked over her shoulder at the countertops for what she assumed was a canteen. He, still searching, gave a small response as he stepped forward and began to rummage through the cabinets. She stood back and watched as he explained himself.

“For your back. Filling it with hot water and pressing it to your back will help some. I used to do that when I would go on journeys and got hurt. You’ll see.” he stated, things that he moved around clinked and clanged in the cabinets and Annette herself was trying to recall where she would have put a canteen.

“It’s not really worth all the trouble, but I admit it is a nice thought. Knock yourself out.” she resigned, giving an unseen wave of the hand as the kettle whistle began to rise in volume. As she pulled the kettle from its perch, she heard a quiet aha from Link. He had found a canteen. As soon as he had found it, he spun around and took the kettle from her, not asking for it by any means. She huffed and waited for the kettle to return so she could make her tea, Link focusing to pour the boiling water through the mouth of the metal container. She was half expecting him to miss the mark and spill hot water on his hand, but he was accident-free.

With the canteen filled, he handed her the kettle and took a step back to secure the cap nice and tight. Without a word, he left the room to go fetch something and she, having never gotten an answer on whether or not he wanted tea, waited for his return as she stirred sugar into her drink.

Returning with a towel wrapped canteen, he presented it to her and all she could offer was a small thanks. With his care done, he tried to subdue a yawn and she knew what he would say next.

“It’s been a long day, so I’m going to bed. What about you?” he asked, stopping in the kitchen doorway. Balancing her tea, cookies, and warm canteen in her hands, she shook her head.

“I don’t believe I can sleep yet. You were up early so I bet you’re beyond sleepy. Goodnight and thank you for the, er, canteen.” she said, setting her cup and saucer down with a clink next to her armchair. He hummed in acknowledgment and almost looked as if he was going to ask her why. She settled herself down in her comfy seat, paying more attention to the call of her cookies than to whether or not he’d ask.

“Don’t stay up too late.” He said, finally, slinking off to bed, the sound of the door clicking behind him left her mind to shift into her thoughts. With some inspection of the canteen, the warmth nicely insulated in the towel, she decided it was worth a shot and placed it under her back, letting the warmth dwindle there.

Cherishing the tea and cookies, she could now cherish the steady warmth of the canteen as it helped her soreness fade. It was a different kind of warmth than that of evening tea because this time she hadn’t done it just for herself.

...

The soft chirps of birds outside greeted Link as he stretched, pulling himself up to sit on the bed. Rolling his shoulder, he had decided that after some time of lying in bed and soaking in the comfort of the pillow it was time to get up. His injured arm was stiff and sore, but it was no where close to as painful as it had been the previous morning.

In his time of lying around, he had heard no clinks or thumps from Annette in the other rooms and he wondered again if he had woken before she had. Judging by the light that streamed in through the windows, the clear and bright light was not golden enough for it to be dawn. In other words, he had slept late. Taking to his feet, he continued to stretch his arms and the pain of his left was more bearable. A good sign.

Taking his arm as a signal, he pulled his shirt over his head and unraveled the bandages around his torso. Slowly but surely, they came off and he used the mirror to help him inspect his chest. The gashes were now healed and only in smaller, diminished spots were streaks of scabs. None that would be affected by movement. The bruises from the bublin incident by the creek were faded, yet still tinged his flesh blue and purple hues. The only thing that remained so clearly was new, pink scars and older, lightened scars from previous injuries. Part of him didn’t mind so much the scars that littered his body, yet some of them still felt painful through the memories he had with them. They were earned out of dark times and harsh battles. One scar, in particular, was particularly soured by memory, as it was at Ganondorf’s hand. A paled scar just under his collarbone.

Trying not to dwell on it too much, he happily threw the bandages aside and looked through the dresser and scrutinized the many shirts he had pushed aside of Annette’s brother. Some of the things didn’t match his style, if Link even had a style. He wore what he liked and it was that simple. Finding something suitable for his taste, he pulled a sleeveless blue Hylian style shirt on and brushed his fingers through his hair before casting a glance to his sword, which lay atop the trunk in the room. He had never opened the trunk, as he didn’t feel like sneaking around when the brunette woman had trusted him without much effort. Taking his sword in hand, he made his mind up how he’d spend his day if he were stuck here until his tunic was tailored.

Stepping out of the room, he looked around the living room and peered into the kitchen, finding no trace of the brunette. He stepped to the window and looked out to where the stables were, her horse was present. Scratching the back of his neck, he stepped over to the door to her bedroom, where he had never entered. Giving a knock, he heard no response. After not enough deliberation, he cracked the door open and looked inside to find her bed absent. It was the first time he had ever looked in her room so he took a moment to give it a fair sight.

Her bed had not been made and she had an abundance of pillows. It was not a traditional bed, with a frame and bedposts like Nal’s old room was, but rather more of a large round and fluffy cushion that was perhaps twice the size of a normal bed and it was decorated with pops of color and woven blankets. A yellow and red quilt covered most of it. If he had to guess, it was a Gerudo thing. He noted that with the number of pillows and cushions, it had to be cozy. Among the very odd bed, she had a vanity with loads of golden jewelry, wooden knobs held necklaces and earrings. Given that the odd bed took up nearly half the room, it was understandable that she didn’t have more clutter, but he supposed that what the bookcase in the living room was for.

He reasoned that if she were not inside and had not left the property, she must be just outside. Stepping into the kitchen, he found a handwritten note on the kitchen table along with a cake in a glass cake stand. He picked it up and read the writing to himself.

This is a gift from my mom. You can help yourself with a slice for breakfast or you can attempt cooking again with the smoked sausages that I bought yesterday. Of course, I trust you can make yourself tea or coffee if that’s what you’d like.

That was all that the note said and he was unsure if she was away or close by, as the note had not provided any answers. Maybe she had gone out with her mom for the day? But if that were the case, he would think that it would be in the note.

Taking it upon himself to figure it out, he placed the paper down and with his sword slung over his shoulder, he headed out the side door and into the side garden. Immediately, he was greeted with voices from a conversation just around the corner, but the tones were not friendly and mirthful. Given this, he felt more inclined to be careful and not just jump out and ruin an important topic between Annette and whoever it was she was talking to.

“But vabai , that’s the problem. Apparently, it’s not that easy. He described it as a “phantom”, like some kind of spirit. I don’t think that a normal army could do much.” Annette’s voice rung out and Link peered around the corner of the house to get a quick peek at the brunette. She sat at and ironwork metal table with a very tall and muscular woman. Her skin was darker than Annette’s and she held her arms over her chest, a scowl on her face. She looked twice as tall as he was and her blazing red hair was pulled into a high ponytail. The oddest thing, if he could pinpoint, was the mundane and average Hylian style clothes she wore, a simple skirt and a loose top with flowing sleeves. She was scary looking and immediately the resemblance was clear. She was Annette’s mom and they both had the same angry face.

Ducking back behind the corner of the house, he thought it best to turn back and go back inside, that is, until he became interested in what the larger women had to say. The rose bush provided a proper shield from anyone’s eyes.

“Gah, how do you even know that boy tells you the truth? He may just be telling you that to escape responsibility. There is nothing that a well-aimed Gerudo spear cannot pierce.” she said and he could hear the signature sigh from the brunette.

“No, mom, I don’t think it’s like that…” she trailed off before the topic shifted. “My main concern is our people. What if he comes back to ruin everything? He’s not above holding a terrible grudge and if someone who has that sword couldn’t stop him outright then… what are we going to do? I doubt the queen will listen to any warning like this, especially from an outsider like me.” she said, her voice dropped.

Link knew exactly what they were talking about. He knew her reaction to him admitting Ganon’s return wasn’t as explosive as he thought it would be. He understood now. She didn’t want to discuss it with him. Her worries were kept to herself. Taking a deep breath, he listened on.

“Oh, vehbi , don’t worry about that. If he comes back, Gerudo can handle him this time. You should worry about the more pressing things, like that boy you have harbored here. He’s too dangerous and he needs to go.” she said, sharpness in her voice. Link held his breath. Was that true? He hadn’t thought of it that way.

“Harbor? He’s not a criminal. It’s Link. I’ve only known him for a week, sure, but he’s not dangerous to me. Every time I yell at him he looks like he’s about to cry.” she said, a chuckle from her pushed her point. That also wasn’t true...was it? It was nice to hear her take up for him, but not like this.

“It may not be him personally that is dangerous, even though I still wouldn’t trust him an inch, but it’s what he has that’s dangerous. That book is enough to keep in your home, but that sword? Honey, do you realize what Volmar will do it he finds you with it. I don’t care how much of a soft spot he has for you, he’ll kill you.” her words were laced with a stern warning. Volmar? He didn’t recall Annette ever mentioning that name. The thought of someone killing someone over his sword was awful and he felt his heart drop.

“He won’t find out. Besides, Link will be leaving in a few days when his armor and tunic are restored and all I’ll have to conceal is that book.” Annette said matter of factly, but her mother continued on.

“I say you should burn that book and kick Link out as soon as you can. Don’t speak to him after this, if you know what’s good for you.” she advised and he could visualize Annette’s face, even though he couldn’t see her.

“I can’t just kick him out. Besides, it’s just a few more days and-” her mother interrupted her

“Oh, you think he’s your friend, huh? Friendly or not, boys cannot be trusted and he’ll disappoint you one day. They all do.” she stated and there was a small period of silence. What would Annette say to that? Link closed his eyes and listened extra hard.

“Yeah, I kinda see him as a friend, but I don’t think I’m being careless. He’s… not up to anything bad and I don’t think he’d ever betray my trust.” she said finally and her mother scoffed aloud.

She thought he was her friend? The thought had never really occurred to him, but he considered her a friend too. He certainly wanted her to be safe and feel content, so he wasn’t surprised that she was a friend to him. However, he had a small impression that he was a bother to her and all she wanted was for him to leave. Not all of her actions said this, of course, but she may have just been nice about it, despite her usual rude exterior. He wasn’t sure if it was reassurance or just the thought, but it was warming to hear that, even if he had to hear it from behind a rose bush.

“Oh, but you’re not sure? You don’t think he’d betray your privacy either do you? But let me tell you, I know he already has for sure.” the woman paused and he could hear the sound of the chair slide back from the table.

What did she mean by that? Before he had a chance to figure it, a sharp and directed remark broke out from the woman.

“That Link is an eavesdropping little rat!”

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