#i hope they had the most fucked up family reunion of all time at least once

[breathingwithnoheir]

im sorry but edmund ironside, edward the confessor, harthecnut, and harold harefoot all being half brothers of one another in some fucked up daisy chain family situation is so funny to me. why aren't there more period dramas about this era?? i need a sitcom stat

#medieval history #early middle ages #the 11th century was such a mess #i love it #i hope they had the most fucked up family reunion of all time at least once #i think the closest they got was when alfred aetheling got merked

[authorhjk1]

Dea Romana

(Minatozaki Sana X Male Reader)

(Author's note:

Hi everyone! Thank you for patiently waiting for me! I'm done with writing my exams now, so I will be able to write more again until Juli. Since I like history a lot, the beginning got a bit longer than originally planned, but I hope you will be able to enjoy it nonetheless. I tried to make everything as historically accurate as possible, but please don't expect everything to be true.

Stay healthy! I will do my best to upload the next piece as soon as possible!)

Every muscle feels like it's burning. Your legs and arms feel heavy. Your feet barely lift off the uneven ground with every step you take.

Dried blood stains your face. Your armour doesn't look much better. The shield you are holding, has a big dent in it. The javelin in your right hand feels like it's made out of steel. The chainmail on your chest weighs heavier than usual.

"Marius!"

Your second in command shouts at you from the back.

"The women need a break!"

You sigh in annoyance. It's bad enough that you almost got your whole century killed. Now you have to delay your reunion with the rest of the legion because of those Gaul captives.

"We will take a short break."

You announce to your eighty legionaries and the twenty rebels you captured.

Spotting a small stream near by, you walk closer, while most of the soldiers sit on the ground, some are standing guard.

Taking off your helmet, you start to wash your face. The dried blood sticks to your skin. After some effort, you are just a little bit cleaner.

Another sigh leaves your lips as you kneel in place. In front of the small stream, your century in the back, looking into the deep forest.

You have lived a hard life. You were not born a Roman. Not born a free man. But you took your life into your own hands, instead of hoping for the mercy of the gods. Because gods don't have mercy. Only you can change your own destiny.

"Let's keep marching. We are almost there."

You go back to the front of the century, your men following your orders. Most of the Gaul rebels you captured are women and children. Their husbands and fathers killed by your swords and javelins.

Orders are orders. To kill or to be killed. These are the only two principles you live by. At least most of the time.

"Have you heard yet?"

Quintus asks from behind you, catching your attention. You silently wave for him to walk next to you. It's not necessarily the gossip you're interested in, but you did learn that it's important to know what is going on inside your century and the legion itself.

"Aelius fucked up some of his soldiers."

You raise your eyebrow while you keep walking. Nothing new there. Aelius is a spoiled son of a whore. He only became centurion in the tenth, because of his family's status. And he is usually unnecessarily brutal with his century.

"Reason?"

"They ate some of the extra rations we all got a week ago. Aelius said that they are meant for centurions only. Not for legionaries."

You have to stop yourself from spitting onto the muddy path you are walking on.

Aelius paints the perfect picture of the Roman nobility. Rich assholes. Nothing more. Nothing less.

"Did he kill someone again?"

Quintus shakes his head.

"But I heard that the premus pilus had a talk with him."

You let out a dry chuckle.

"All the centurions of the first cohort are the same. Do you really think he got in trouble?"

"No. But I thought you would be interested. It's not like you have very good connections with-"

"Shut it, fool."

It's not really a secret in the tenth legion that you and Aelius are bitter rivals. The two of you are the completely opposite of one another. A rich brat, who is the centurion of the third century in the first cohort. And you. The former slave, who climbed the ranks to be the centurion of the first century in the second cohort.

There aren't many ranks that separate the two of you. But making the jump into the first cohort as a former slave is nearly impossible.

Your century walks in almost complete silence for the next couple of hours. Despite being one of the most feared soldiers in the legion, you can't help but be cautious. In case there are more rebels lurking in the shadows of the large trees.

"Marius!"

The scout you send out to check the path ahead is jogging in your direction.

"We take another short break."

A light murmur of gratitude echoes through the ranks.

You wait for the young man, barely older than a boy, to reach the spot where you are standing.

"Someone seems to be traveling towards the camp. Our paths are going to cross, once we reach the small clearing ahead."

"Do you know who it is?"

"It looked like a person from the nobility. There was a carriage. And a couple of men with spears. Probably guards."

"We can't be too cautious. Titus!"

You shout for your second in command to walk to the front.

"Take your contubernia and make fast pace. I want to make sure that everything is going according to regulations."

"Yes, Marius."

The rest of the century starts marching at normal pace again, while the eight men rush ahead. The scout leading them towards the small crossroads.

"You know what's going on?"

You shake your head at Quintus' question.

"Might be a politician from Rome. Or a nobleman's wife."

"You know that that's against the law."

Of course everyone knows. It's illegal for a legionary to be married. And yet, some centurions always think that they are above the rest of the legion, when it comes to this kind of rules.

"What is the meaning of this?!"

An angry shout echoes around the forest, just as you and your men reach the small clearing.

The scout was right. A carriage, pulled by two grays, accompanied by a handful of men, armed with spears, and some servants.

An older woman is standing in front of the carriage's door, screaming at the poor Titus. Glancing over his shoulder, your optio rolls his eyes.

"Woman. Don't scream at a Roman legionary."

You make your presence known as you keep walking towards the middle of the clearing.

The servant, probably around forty to fifty years of age, looks at you with anger in her eyes.

"Do you even know, whom you are holding up?!"

"No."

You state bluntly, finally standing in front of her. Behind you, you can hear your men take their positions. Not to threaten the travelers, but to guard the area.

"Well, she is one of the most prestigious women in all of Rome."

"And what is a woman like her doing so far away from the city?"

"Visiting her husband."

You click your tongue. As far as you know, none of the centurions in the first cohort have wives. Which means, she must be the woman of a centurion, who ranks lower than you.

A smirk, which you can't suppress, plays around your lips. How are you able to enjoy a higher position than a noble in this republic?

You walk off without another word, leaving Titus in charge. There is no need to bother with this stuff. Some of the Gaul rebels fell a little behind earlier. You have to check on them. In case they are sick or badly injured.

"Her name?"

You hear Titus ask, before the woman let's out an exaggerated gasp.

"Sana Lucii."

You groan in annoyance. By Jupiter. Is this really his wife? Lucius Aelius? Just when you thought, you couldn't hate that man even more.

You despise men, who don't follow the law and rules of the republic and the legion. Of course, sometimes you can define them a little different for your own gains, but this is just breaking them.

Trying to stay calm, your fingers tap the pommel of your gladius. You don't hear a response from Titus. He must know which Lucius the old woman ment.

"Marius?"

He finally makes you turn around.

You walk back up towards the carriage, just as the door opens.

"By Bellona! What is taking so long!"

You have to say, you are amused by the woman's expression. You didn't expect her to call out for the goddess of war.

"Just doing our duty, lady."

Titus answers politely, although you know how hard it is for him to not lash out. He hates Aelius just as much as the next soldier. Especially, since he is your optio.

You are stunned, once the woman actually shows herself. Her beautiful face is slightly twisted with annoyance. Although, you would be sure that she could look like Venus herself, when she smiles.

She is wearing a turquoise stola, which also covers her brown hair. The thin material enables you to have a look at her white tunic underneath. Her skin looks flawless and pure. A golden necklace adorns her neck and collarbone. It's probably worth more than a whole year of your salary.

An image of a goddess.

"I hope we can speed up this process. I'm supposed to be by my husband's side."

Lucky bastard.

"Please. Speak respectfully with my legionaries."

Her gaze meets yours. You can feel your heart skipping a beat. Not one woman has looked as pretty as she does. Not one.

"Who are you to lecture me on speaking?"

"Salve."

Your fist meats the blood stained chainmail on your chest.

Maybe, if you behave respectfully, so does she. The army is for her protection after all.

"My name is Marius. And-"

"What's your first name, centurion?"

A cute smile suddenly plays around her lips. Maybe this will get her out of here faster.

"Gaius."

"I see, Gaius. I'm sure you have more important things to do than stop me from traveling further? My husband must be waiting for me."

If she didn't know better, Sana could swear that she caught a glint of hate in your eyes.

"This is protocol. We have to check on everyone, who approaches the camp."

"I'm a noble woman. Can't you make an exception for me?'

You don't fall for her sweet smile. You are on duty. Not even Venus herself could distract you. Well, maybe a little bit.

"Your choice. Here, or at the gate in front of even more legionaries. Like everyone else."

That last part makes her glare at you. You won this round.

Not waiting for a response, you gesture for your men to search the woman's belongings. Your Imperial legate has more than enough enemies in Rome to be cautious of. And you don't want him to end up dead inside his own camp. Even if she is allegedly Aelius' wife.

Quintus nods in your direction after going through her belongings, signaling that everything is alright.

"We will accompany you on your way to the camp. We are on our way back, anyway."

You turn around without looking at Sana again. A signal for your men to get into formation.

It feels like she stares at your back for a second longer, before you hear the door close behind you. You don't like the Roman nobility. At all. There is only one man you are willing to follow.

After two more hours of marching, your century and the noblewoman's entourage finally reach the camp's gate.

"The village, where the senior officers are staying, is right behind the camp. You can't miss it."

The older woman, who screamed at Titus earlier, still looks at you as if she is holding a grudge.

"I hope you enjoy your stay in these wonderful lands, lady."

You raise your voice a little, making sure that Sana can hear you. It drips with sarcasm and you can hear Quintus chuckle behind you.

"Vale."

With a dismissive wave of your hand, you walk past the old servant. Her shock at your rudeness visible on her face.

Already making your way past the guards, you can't hear Sana's scoff.

Who are you to talk to her like that? If she is gonna tell her husband about this, you are going to be in trouble for sure.

Sana will never be able to get used to this. She was able to decide that, immediately after she stepped out of her carriage. It took her only a couple of steps to enter the small house her husband is living in right now. But that was enough for her already.

Nothing here looks like Rome. Even the legionaries look out of place. And their shouts and the sounds of shields and stuff isn't what she hears when she is home. Sana is already missing the comfortable house with the atrium. She likes to bathe in the sun throughout the day, while sipping on a really good wine.

"You're late."

Lucius doesn't even look up from his small table as he hears his wife coming in.

"That's how you great me after a year?"

"You know how I value punctuality."

"Out of my hands. Some centurion insisted on searching my luggage. He was really rude."

Now Lucius is looking at her. Sana knows that he can't stand someone disrespecting him. And when she gets disrespected, it goes deeper. He is affected as well.

"Who?"

She can see his eyes becoming a little darker. He bites his lip, maybe trying to prevent himself from shouting.

"His name is Garius Marius. I think?"

"That son of a whore. How does a slave dare to stop you?"

Now, Sana feels shame run down her spine. If she knew that he was born a slave, she would've hit him for talking to her like that. No matter his rank, he is and will always be beneath her. Once a slave, always a slave.

"I swear to Jupiter. One day in battle, I will..."

Lucius takes a deep breath, before focusing back on his wife.

"We are eating dinner with the Imperial legate, the leader of these legions tomorrow, and the senior generals. I expect you to impress them."

"I'd be happy to, love."

Sana almost spits out that last word, but Lucius doesn't seem to notice. He sits back down, opening an envelope. She can see how his eyebrows are still furrowed. He won't let this incident pass without consequences.

Sana eventually leaves the house to explore the small town and it's market. Despite being married to Lucius, she can't stay around him for too long. She is only his wife, because of his money and connections. As soon as she can find someone better...

Sana feels a little dizzy as she steps out of the big house. Lucius told her to be on her best behavior. But that idiot was behaving the worst throughout the dinner.

She hated how calm and reserved the other centurion was, the man who stopped her. He was the lowest ranking soldier and yet, everyone listened to his advice and thoughts about future and past battles. And how is he on a first name basis with the imperial legate? And why is Lucius too incapable to enjoy the same treatment? How can he do worse than a slave?

Sana holds onto the wall, standing right next to the entrance. Suddenly, two men walk out the door. They don't see her because it's dark. She tries to find out who they are. The first one is a little taller, while the second has broader shoulders and looks more muscular.

"We can't do this forever, Gaius. We need a plan to wipe him out. I expect you to help me with that."

"Of course, Gaius."

Sana almost groans in annoyance. Of course it's that Gaius Marius. And the other one is the Imperial legate. Gaius Julius Caesar.

"Rome is an empire. We will defeat Vercingetorix sooner rather than later. His supporters will crumble soon."

"You did a good job today, centurion. You've proven once again, why you rightfully carry the name I gave you. Gaius Marius Antonius."

Sana assumes they are talking about some barbarian leader. But Caesar gave him that cognomen? She can't help but wonder what he must've done to be called "priceless".

"You know the political situation in Rome. The more time I waste conquering Gaul, the more powerful my enemies become."

"I swear to Mars. I will cut down anyone who tries to oppose you, Gaius."

She sees Caesar put a hand on the centurion's shoulder.

"It's only a matter of time, until you will be one of the Tribuni angusticlavii, leading the tenth legion into battle. And I will make sure, you will eventually become a rich senator."

Sana has heard enough. It's so disgusting to her. A slave becoming a senator. She is working so hard to become the most powerful woman in Rome. And with that in the whole empire. How can that lowlife become something better than she herself? Sana either needs to push Lucius further up the ranks, or she needs to find someone, who can match Marius' new found status.

Sana groans in relief, when she can finally leave the small village. It's not like someone forbid her to leave, but there just wasn't something to do in and outside the village. What was she gonna do in a forest? A very dangerous one at that?

But now, she heard of a big market place around two hours away. Sana is still looking to buy some oils and pottery. She could do that in Rome of course, but she is hoping to find them cheaper in their land of origin.

Looking out of her carriage, Sana leaves behind the village and the big camp right next to it. The constant noise made her head spin. Not that Rome isn't loud, but this is something else.

After about an hour, Sana hears a troop of men marching in front of her. She became familiar with that sound after a few days. She doesn't look outside, despite being curious. Why would a century be here? The battles would take place in the opposite direction. Right?

Sana hears how the carriage passes the back of the century. The heavy steps of the legionaries kick up some dust. Her old servant looks outside, curious herself.

"It's him again."

The older woman grimaces, before letting the curtain drop back into place.

"Who?"

"The man who stopped us a couple of days ago."

Sana's attention is now on the men outside. She remembers the conversation you had with Caesar.

"Really?"

She pretends to be cold, not wanting to get caught. After having seen you around a couple of times, the young noble woman is unsure on how to feel about you.

Yes, you are a former slave. A peasant. But you are also a great centurion. A trusted man to Julius Caesar.

Despite being not the highest ranking officer, Sana did notice how the other men look at you. She catches an occasional whisper of your brave actions in battle. She sees the men greet you with almost too much respect. Even the other centurions seem to want to be on your good side.

Maybe that's what Sana has to do too. In order to further climb up the ladder. It is risky. And it's still a long time in the future. But if Caesar can really make his ambitions reality, you will be one of the first people who benefit from it. And if Sana plays her cards well, she can benefit too.

For a moment, she wonders what a man like you would need. Something she could have to bargain with. Money? You probably earn quite a lot already. Especially compared to your earlier environment. Land? You will get that too, if you stay long enough in the army. A wife? You are a soldier. You are not allowed to be married.

As Sana is still pondering on what to do to convince you to help her gain more power, she gets closer towards the front of the century.

And it's not like she doesn't have influence. She could maybe even get you a promotion into the first cohort. Of course without her husband finding out.

Sana draws back the curtain a little with only one finger. Just a few meters ahead, she can see you walking.

Your helmet is decorated by a big crest of red horse hair. The back of the helmet and the rest of your armor shimmer in the light of the sun. She remembers your first encounter. Your armor was full with blood, indicating that you were more than able to fight a battle.

You turn around as you hear horses behind you. It wouldn't have been a surprise. One of the auxilia officers could be taking his men out to train.

Surprised at the sight of the carriage, you catch a glimpse of the passenger. Her eyes meet yours, a big golden ring decorates the finger that holds back the curtain. You could swear you see a small hint of a smile play around her lips.

"Salve."

You great her by hitting your armored chest with your fist. Not because you like her, but out of politeness.

"Salve, centurion."

Her passive aggressive mentioning of your rank indicates that she is still not over that incident a couple of days ago.

"Are you visiting the market?"

"I am. I suppose you are not here to buy pottery?"

A mocking smile replaces the earlier one.

"It may sound unbelievable, but I'm not."

A cute chuckle escapes her mouth.

"Well, I hope you enjoy this beautiful day."

Is she still mocking you, because you are on duty? You are not sure, but you can see her lazily wave goodbye as the carriage drives past you.

"Don't get too close to her. She is only gonna be trouble."

You look at Quintus.

"I'm merely being polite. I don't need trouble with angry nobles. At least not now."

"By Jupiter. One might think you've become a responsible, grown man now."

"Fuck off."

You raise your hand, but Quintus ducks away, avoiding a potential slap.

Only listening with one ear to the conversation next to you, you scan the market for the young noble woman. Despite her attitude and the fact that she is married, you can't help but glance at her occasionally. Plus, the market isn't as safe as it might seem. Cunning merchants, thiefs and rebels might roam the place, ready to strike at any moment. And being a beautiful Roman woman makes her one of the most desirable targets right now.

"Listen, Roman! I barely sell anything! How do you expect me to pay your unreasonable taxes?!"

"Shut it."

You turn back to the stall holder. Titus' and his conversation got heated.

"We are not hear to argue. We are here to collect taxes."

The man grits his teeth.

"I'm telling you! I don't have anything to give away!"

The other people around you look at the scene, before walking past. Only you and a couple of legionaries are here. The rest of your century is patrolling another village nearby and the rest of the market, making sure you are not getting ambushed.

"Don't scream at me, old man. Pay up."

"I don't have a fucking coin!"

You know he is lying. You saw someone buy his fabric from a far as you entered the marketplace. And, judging by the money bag he held earlier, it wasn't cheap at all.

"We can do this the easy way, or the heard way."

You take a step forward, towering above him.

"But the hard way won't end well for you."

"I already told you, I-"

You let your head fall back in annoyance. Collecting taxes is a necessity. Not something to be proud of. It's not as honorable as fighting in battle.

"Do you really want to go this far?"

You look down at him again, your hand now resting on the pommel of your gladius.

He caught the movement of your hand, worry creeping onto his features.

"What is it gonna be? Your life? Or coin?"

The old man is not stupid. And a couple of moments later, you walk away from his stall. The tinkle behind you indicates, that Titus is adding the silver denarii into the bag with the rest of the already collected money.

"Are you trying to rob me, old man? You are a con artist!"

Women screaming at a merchant are as common as clouds under the sky, so you don't pay much attention to it as you hear someone scream.

"How can you demand so much for this lousy work?"

You keep walking, although you kinda feel, like you heard this voice before. It sounds oddly familiar.

"By Bellona! I'm going to have you beaten for your rudeness!"

And there it is. With an annoyed groan, you immediately recognize, who is disturbing the rather peaceful market.

If she was a common local woman, you would've kept walking. The Galli could solve their own disputes.

But Sana is, as unfortunate as it is, not a local. She is a Roman woman. A member of the elite even.

You take a deep breath, before walking towards her screams. You can already guess whom she is screaming at.

"Keep going."

You tell Titus over your shoulder, as you approach her from behind. Her servant must have stayed with the carriage, because Sana is standing in front of the stall of the potter all alone.

Before the young woman can scream another word, you grab her arm.

"What-"

You spin her around and walk away, pulling her with you.

"What do you think you are doing?!"

"Silence."

You didn't say it in a loud voice, but your tone makes her go silent.

After a couple of meters, you stop, turning around to look at her.

"You're welcome."

"Excuse you?"

Her hands now rest on her hips. You can't help but catch how slender her waist seems to be.

"I just saved you from embarrassing yourself even further. You owe me."

You turn away, ready to reunite with Titus and your men.

"What the-"

It's now Sana's turn to grab your arm, stopping you from leaving.

"I don't owe you shit."

"Really?"

You turn to look at her again.

"Your temper is as bad as your observation skills. Minerva would strike you down for your utter incompetence."

You said the words, before you thought about them. You are aggravated. Because of the merchant earlier, because of her causing a scene, because of Lucius (as always) and because of her being his wife. Alright, maybe that last one was a little jealousy.

"How dare you? You are some rude-"

You stop her from saying another word by grabbing her shoulders and spinning her around.

"Look. Look and tell me what you see."

"What are you talking about?"

You see her frowning. An act that makes her beautiful face a little less flawless.

"Tell me what's going on."

You realize you are using the same tone as with the men during training. Harsh, straight forward, a little condescending. But not rude. Just factual.

"The merchant is still selling his stupidly expensive pottery."

You don't answer, waiting for more.

Sana, visibly annoyed, struggles against your grip for a moment, before giving in. You are a seasoned legionnaire. There is no way she is gonna get out of your hold on her.

"There are a couple of women and men who browse his items."

"Keep going."

"Someone is buying a bowl and an amphora."

"What is the woman on the right doing?"

"She is paying for her stuff. What-"

"Can you see how much she is paying?"

"Way too much for a stupid-"

"Do you see any of the locals complaining?"

Sana hesitantly shakes her head.

"Do you know the reason?"

"Because they are stupid. In Rome it's cheap-"

"We aren't in Rome, woman. This is Gaul."

You stand behind her, both of you silent for a couple of moments. You give her time to think about the possible reason. Although she is probably just complaining about you to the gods in silence.

"They all pay the price he demands, because he and his work are respected here."

"But they look-"

"Yeah. Some of his pieces aren't pretty."

You admit that.

"But he is an old man. His hands aren't as good as they used to be. He is obviously regarded with a decent amount of respect."

You gesture for Sana to look around the market.

"Most of the people here bargain over every single item. Food, cloth, tools and even pottery."

You turn her back towards the old man's stall.

"But not there. They respect him too much to try to get a better price. His work might not be the very best anymore, but his skill is known by everyone here."

Sana groans in annoyance and anger as she sees you coming out of the biggest tent of the camp. A week has gone by, since you treated her like a child at the market. Her blood still boils, whenever she sees you from a far.

She decided against telling her husband, not wanting to cause unnecessary friction. And if you have the favor of Caesar, it might be a bad idea to egg on her husband.

And Sana is still debating on your ability to help her seize more power. She is ready to do anything to get to the top. Even if it means working together with someone as low born as you.

Sana stops in her tracks as she sees her husband walk towards you.

"Aelius."

You don't greet him like any other lower ranking centurion would. The young woman can feel the tension between the two men, despite standing barely in earshot.

"Marius."

His face shows a disapproving twitch.

"It seems like we are catching up to Vercingetorix. I hope you don't make any mistakes in battle. I would hate to lose a lower ranking officer."

You click your tongue, taking a step forward.

With the two of you standing right in front of each other, Sana realizes that you are bigger than her husband. Not just in statue, but also in the way you carry yourself. With slightly less arrogance and more discipline.

"Don't worry about me, Aelius. As you know, I always make sure my men are taken care off."

Sana feels a shiver run down her spine. She heard more than enough stories about the battles of the tenth legion since she joined her husband. The amount of times that you were mentioned in one of them was noticeably high.

The young woman heard of a battle two summers ago. You weren't a centurion at the time. Merely a soldier of the second cohort. But in battle, your centurion chose to let his men die, while he stayed behind, watching his century getting slaughtered. After half of the eighty men were dead, you walked straight towards the cowardly centurion. A nobleman, which the storyteller didn't fail to mention with a hint of disgust. Your gladius seperated his head from his shoulders in one swift motion and you took command of the second century until the end of the battle. Caesar honored your bravery and agreed with your actions. Instead of getting executed, you got promoted.

"Are you implying I'm not leading my men well?"

Sana hears you chuckle.

"News travel fast among the younger men, Aelius."

"Maybe you should discipline your soldiers like I do. Your century is a disgrace to the tenth legion."

"Nugas garris. You are pathetic."

You walk off, leaving him behind.

Sana almost expects her husband to draw his gladius. How can you call him a disgrace? And idiot? He is higher ranking than you and he is a member of the elite.

But Aelius just watches you leave, before entering the tent you just came out of.

That short interaction reminds Sana of the power you actually hold. You might not be the highest officer, but almost the whole legion treats you as such. If it wasn't for your low birth, you might have been able to be the centurion of the first century of the first cohort.

Sana's decision is slowly forming in her mind. A plan to gain more power than she has right now. Siding with you might be risky. But the rewards could be great.

Sana glances at you from across the room as you stare at Caesar, who is currently talking. She is still not quite sure what she can offer you to make you join her side. But when the leader of the legion mentions the nobility in his speech, she sees your expression change for just a second. It is obvious that you hate all the wealthy and arrogant men and women. Maybe Sana can offer you something to get back at them. Or at least get back at Aelius.

"And that's why the tenth legion outshines any other. Your bravery and honor are praised throughout the whole empire. Rome is grateful for what you have done. And the gods smile down at the men, who give their lifes to the republic."

Caesar ends his speech. And with that, the long meal is finally over. It is night time already. Only the moon and the stars still shine.

You walk out of the large tent, ready to sleep. It has been a long day and there is no doubt that you will be fighting soon. Caesar's promise to promote you to such a high position still rings in your ears. You can't believe you've come this far.

"Gaius."

Her sweet voice makes you stop in front of your tent. She doesn't sound as angry as she usually does.

"Yes?"

You turn around, standing face to face with Sana.

"I'm here to ask you for something."

You look at her, waiting for an explanation.

"I heard that you are the bravest and most powerful man in this legion. At least unofficially."

You raise an eyebrow.

"Where is all of this honey suddenly coming from?"

Sana gives you a melodic chuckle. Only now do you realize how close she is standing. Her oils make you breath in the flowery air that surrounds her.

"I want to strike a deal with you."

"What would you want from such a low ranking officer like me?"

Your sarcasm makes it hard for Sana to not lash out. Just because she needs you, doesn't mean that she likes you.

"As far as I've heard, you won't be a low ranking officer for long."

"Is that so?"

You cross your arms in front of your chest.

"Well, it's actually quite simple. You have something I want. And I have something you want."

"I highly doubt that."

You watch Sana turn her head left and right, making sure that no one is around.

"There is a always something a man wants from a woman."

You are surprised at what she is suggesting.

"Judging by the look on your face, I can comfortably say that I'm right."

You shake your head, which seems harder than usual.

"Have you never thought about having your way with me? A noble woman?"

She takes another step closer. Now, Sana's sandals are touching yours.

"A married one at that? I bet you would love to destroy my husband. This could be your first step to success."

You narrow your eyes, still unsure of what to do. You've never been in this kind of situation. Is she making fun of you? Did Aelius put her up to this, setting a trap for you? Or is she genuine?

"What would you get in return?"

"Your power. Your influence. I can't live, knowing that another person might have more power than I do. I need to be at the top of the republic."

"And you think, I can get you there?"

Sana nods.

"With my support? Definitely."

She looks at you, waiting for a response.

You are still torn. She has a nice body, yes. But you're not fond of her attitude. She is a noble woman. And she is married. Getting caught would have serious consequences. For the both of you.

But the chance to use her? A noble woman? Fucking her, while her husband is only sleeping a couple of tents away? More than just tempting.

You look around the camp yourself. No one in sight.

"Get in."

A victorious smile forms on her lips. As she walks past you, she lets her finger glide over your armoured chest.

You follow her immediately after.

"Now that we have come to an agreement, I-"

You push Sana forward, bending her over the wooden table.

"What-"

You don't give her time to speak. If you're going to do this, you're going to do this quickly.

Hiking up her red stola, you reach underneath her tunic. The smoothness of her legs makes you hard as you reach between them.

"It seems like you are enjoying this more than I expected."

Your fingers graze her lower lips. She is not just a little wet.

"Hey, I didn't give you permission to-"

You shut Sana up by covering her mouth with your other hand.

"I don't need you permission. I'm going to ruin you anyway."

Her gasp is muffled by your hand as you push your first finger inside.

You haven't slept with a lot of women, the army being mainly responsible for that. Nonetheless, you do know how to pleasure a woman.

Sana's moan escapes between your fingers as your digits slide along her wet walls. Her pussy is already gripping them tightly.

If it weren't for your hand, her head would've sunk onto the table already. But you are holding her in place, which ultimately makes her arch her back.

She tries to say something, but your grip on her mouth makes it impossible for her to speak properly.

You are surprised at how wet Sana is.

"Was your desire for power just an excuse? Do you just want me to fuck you?"

She tries to shake her head. You don't let her.

"Do you get off, knowing that a lower born man is fucking you?"

Sana is unable to respond, when you let go off her face. Her whole upper body is now lying on top of the table. You drop your belt and hike her clothes up a little further.

"Don't get confused. I still don't like you."

Sana's growl doesn't sound very convincing with your fingers inside of her.

"Might be true. But you aren't married to Aelius because of his personality anyways."

Pulling your fingers out of her core makes Sana moan loudly. She blushes in shame. Doubt starting to rise inside of her. Is she really only doing this to team up with you?

"You only seem to care for power."

"So? Only a coward wouldn't want power."

You shut her up by letting your tip graze against her lips. Sana hisses through her teeth, unwilling to moan again.

"I'm just curious about how far you would be willing to go. How dedicated you are to this cause."

"Don't worry. I'm ready to do anything."

"Anything?"

You raise an eyebrow, which Sana can't see.

"Anything."

"That's reassuring."

Your nonchalant tone makes Sana shiver.

Finally, you push inside of her.

"Fuck, woman."

You can't help but marvel at how tight she actually is.

"Fuck me already."

It's a mixture of plea and demand.

With one hand you grab her hair, pushing her cheek against the wooden surface. Your other hand holds her waist.

Another moan escapes Sana's lips as you thrust forward. Before she can react, you pull back and push inside of her again.

After just a couple of seconds, you start to fuck her hard. The table rocks back and forth with every thrust. Her moans escape her lips, whenever you bottom out inside of her.

"Harder!"

Sana holds onto the edge of the table, her knuckles slowly starting to turn white.

Because you keep pushing her upwards with your thrusts, the young woman's feet eventually dangle in the air.

You are now able to fuck her even deeper. Her moans become louder when she feels your cock invading her pussy even further.

At this point, Sana is merely a hole for you to fuck. She doesn't move. Only your thrusts rock her body back and forth. The thin material of her clothes makes Sana's nipples rub against the wooden surface. They've become hard due to her arousal and are now adding to the pleasure she is already feeling.

"So good!"

She moans yet again. You suddenly realize, that this isn't really a save place to be this loud.

"Shut up."

You growl into her ear, trying to quiet her.

But Sana can't help it. She has already lost control over her body. Your cock is parting her walls again and again, making her clench around it tightly.

She is even unable to produce a disappointed whine, when you stop fucking her. You leaver her snug pussy, before getting her off your table.

Turning her around, you push Sana against the wooden post, which is holding up the roof of your tent. Reaching for your belt, you hold her arms up, before tying them together.

Sana is now unable to leave. You pick up her light frame, making her impale herself on your cock.

"By Bellona! Fuck!"

"I told you to stay quiet."

Your faces are barely an inch apart.

Because you push her body against the post, you are able to lift her up with only your left hand. Your right one moves upwards to wrap its fingers around her throat.

"One more word..."

You let the threat of unknown punishment linger in the air for a moment.

But you can't hold yourself back for long. Sana's pussy drips her juices onto your cock, coaxing you into resuming your pounding.

A whimper escapes her mouth, when you start to fuck her again. You can tell she is at least trying to stay quiet this time. While you make her bounce on your cock, you thrust upwards. It makes her eyes roll back, whenever she feels your cock pushing against her guts.

"Venus!"

A louder sigh escapes her mouth yet again. You close your fingers around her throat a little further.

"Behave."

The conflict in Sana's eyes amuses you.

She should be the one in charge. She is the noble one of the two of you after all. But here she is, bound to your post, your hand around her throat as you fuck her as hard as you can.

Sana tries to fight the belt, wanting to tell you that you have to choke her harder. She can't keep quiet when you fuck her like this.

Another moan escapes her lips and you tighten your grip yet again.

"I warned you."

You hiss into her face.

Sana's wide eyes look beautiful. The way she stares at you, begging you to fuck her harder, while she tries her best not to make any noise.

But she fails miserably. A loud sigh echoes through the tent.

Without a word, you reach upwards. The sound of metal on metal cuts through the night as you pull your pugio out of its sheath. You let Sana get a good look at it. Then, you slowly part her lips with its blade.

"If you don't want to hurt your pretty face..."

You don't continue your sentence once more. But Sana is well aware of the risks.

With your dagger in her mouth, Sana has to pull back her lips, while simultaneously biting onto the blade, to make sure it doesn't fall or hurt her.

You see her closing her eyes as you keep fucking her. She is now really quiet, focused on keeping your pugio in place.

"Finally. Your voice so annoying."

Sana blushes in shame, able to see your honesty in your eyes.

"At least you have a nice body. I could fuck you every day."

The young woman almost lets out another moan. She really has to hold herself back. This was the first time someone reduced her to nothing but a wet hole to fuck. She didn't expect it to feel this good.

You suddenly hear footsteps outside. You stop moving, almost making Sana whine in disappointment, but then she hears it too. The two of you hold your breath. Neither of you wanting to get caught.

As the footsteps disappear into the night, you resume your fucking.

You make Sana bounce up and down on your cock. She glides along its full length. Whenever you impale her on it, Sana's eyes shoot wide open. She would scream if it wasn't for the dagger between her teeth.

"I'm gonna cum."

You hiss into her face, unable to hold back longer. Her tight pussy has been working on draining your cock this whole time. It feels perfect, almost too good to pull out. But cuming inside is obviously not an option.

You put Sana back onto her own two feet, taking the knife out of her mouth. Undoing your belt, you free her arms. Sana drops to her knees, opening her mouth. You catch a couple drops of blood on the corners of her mouth, before she wraps her lips around your cock.

Your pugio falls out of your hand and you take a fistful of her beautiful hair. Her eyes look up at you, telling you to finish inside her mouth. Her tongue glides over every inch of your cock it can find, while her lips are tightly sealed around it.

"Sana."

You manage to groan her name, before you unload inside her mouth. You feel dizzy, having to close your eyes for a moment.

When you open them again, you see Sana gulping down your cum.

"How often do we need to do this, so that we have a deal?"

"I think you know the answer."

It's so dark that Sana's face is barely lit by the torch outside. You could swear a small smile plays around her lips though.

#kpop #kpop smut #kpop girls #kpop gg #male reader #twice sana #twice #sana minatozaki #sana twice #sana smut #sana #twice smut

[night-daily]

Angeleyes pt 2 | Thomas Shelby x fem!reader

summary: It's Thomas turn to suffer.

warnings: none I guess?

a/n: I really hope you like this 2nd part, let me know what you think!:)

pt 1

It's been almost two years since the last time Thomas saw you and the last time he was sober, everyday was harder. Everyone can see how miserable was the leader of the Peaky Blinders, the one-time intimidating leader was now a living dead with black circles under his eyes but still the people were afraid of him, what is it more dangerous than a man with a broken heart who doesn't have nothing to lose?

Of course, that's how the people saw him but his family was something else. He almost doubted if still they were his family, all of them were on your side since they heard about what he did to you, every time he showed at Polly's house whoever was there would say something hurtful to him.

The day after Thomas cheated on you, after he didn't come after you, you were supposed to go together to a family reunion at The Garrison, now he was going alone even if he misses the touch of your hand on his but he'll never admit not even to himself.

As soon as he entered The Garrison he saw all the Shelby family, Polly, Ada, Arthur, and John were there. He didn't have the chance to sit in his place when Ada spoke out loud.

“I heard a rumor from the streets Tommy, and It better not be true” Ada's voice was sharp. Thomas lights up a cigarette acting indifferent. “But seeing your wife isn't here I assume it's true,” she paused giving him time to cut her off but he remain silent “you cheated on her!” she exclaimed slamming her hands on the table but Thomas didn't flinch. “Why no one says anything?” She was frustrated, Ada have loved you since the first time she met you, you were a great friend and a kind person so of course she was furious.

“Ada, I'm mad but honestly? It isn't a surprise, Thomas always liked to screw the pretty things it was just a matter of time.” Disappointment could be read on Polly's face.

“Why are you siding with her anyways? She's not family. Not anymore.” Thomas scoffed, breaking his silence.

“Because you fucked up, Thomas! Don't you get it? She was the most incredible thing it would ever happen to you and you fucked up.” Ada snapped back to him and stormed out of The Garrison and Polly was behind her.

Now he was alone with his brothers, he was sure they'll support him.

“At least now I can be with any women without sneaking around” But Thomas wasn't sure he wanted to be with another women now that you aren't there, he knew it was hypocrite but like people say ''you never know what you've got till it's gone''

John wasn't sure what to say or do, you were his partner in crime. Did he wanted to mess with someone? He'll go to find you and do crazy shit together but not anymore. “Sure Tommy” He muttered not making eye contact with him.

“But no one will be like her” Arthur said and he wasn't wrong, you changed everything around you, everything was better with you.

“Fuck off, Arthur”

Thomas never had the guts to visit your house after you leave him, it was too painful to remember you. Now he was standing in front of the door part of him waiting for you to welcome him home but now there was just an empty entry. He opened the door stepping into the house, everything was in his place, the chairs, the little table and, your paintings, everything was there except for you.

He begin walking upstairs to your room, he was nervous, what would he find in there? When you leave him he sent his people to look for you but none of them or him had find you, after all, you watched carefully how Thomas ran his business so you learned how to hide from him even when you never thought you will have to do it.

He drank from the alcohol he has with him all the time, when your ghost threat to appears to make him suffer. But this time it wasn't working, he could smell your favorite perfume through the door, excitedly he entered the room and you were there. How's that possible? He couldn't care less, he missed you, he wanted to hold you and kiss you and beg for your forgiveness. He stepped closer to you, lifting his hand to touch but then you turned your face to look at him “ You’re the last person I thought would hurt me” your voice made him hard swallow. “You never came after me Thomas, why?” Your eyes were filled up with tears. “I was about to-” You cut him off laughing dryly. “Don’t you think it’s about time you drop the act?” He avoided your eyes. “You know I'll wait all the time of the world and I did it but you never came.” “ Tell me what I can do to make you forgive me. I need to know how I can fix this!” His lip begins to tremble slightly. His hand went to his jacket, grabbing his pistol “Oh no, Tommy, dead is an easy way for you.” “But I don’t like feeling whatever the hell this is!” He was screaming exasperated on his knees “It's called heartbreak Thomas, bear it” You whispered to his ear “and it's just the beginning.” He ran away from you heading to the bathroom, and then he saw your wedding ring, he still wear it but you don't, did you stopped loving him since that day? He couldn't blame you. He hated himself too. Maybe more than you do.

And you were right, this was a big house but when he was with you, it felt it too small for your hearts and your future together.

tag: @budugu , @minaxcarter

#thomas shelby #thomas shelby x fem! reader #peaky blinders #thomas shelby fanfic #tommy shelby #thomas shelby x you #thomas shelby x reader #thomas shelby x y/n

[forever-rogue]

Hello! If it’s okay to send in a request, could I possibly request a high school reunion fic with Eddie? Maybe him and the reader who danced around each other in high school but were too shy to confess use this is as their chance to shoot their shot?

AN | I’ve been thinking about something like this forever and you read my mind! 🥰

Warnings | Language

Pairing | Eddie x Fem!Reader

Word Count | 2k

Masterlist | Main, Eddie

─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───

How had fifteen years gone by already? It felt like it was just yesterday that you had graduated from Hawkins High and bid farewell to Hawkins, leaving for college and planning on never going back. But here you were again, back in your hometown, swarming with regrets of coming back. At least this time you knew you were only there for a few days before leaving again. Honestly, if you hadn’t had the option of staying with your cousin for your short visit, you might not have come at all. Even your parents had left once your younger brother had graduated from high school. 

There had been nothing for you in Hawkins while you were there. Well…nothing but the singular person that had caught your eye and kept you intrigued for all the years you’d known him. You wouldn’t even have considered him a friend…more of a crush that you never managed to shake. Eddie Munson had been magnetic and drawn you in like a moth to a flame. The problem was that you’d never spent any time together other than in classes, and the occasional run in around school or Hawkins. 

If you were being completely honest, one of the large reasons you agreed to come back for your little High School reunion was him. You couldn’t have cared less about anything and anyone else. Stupid? Yes. Foolish? Absolutely. Worthwhile? You sure fucking hoped so.

─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───

Alright, this was just as boring as you’d suspected it would be. The popular crowd had turned out to be the same ones that all married each other, had a handful kids, and stayed in Hawkins forever. A shiver ran down your spine at the thought. The people you could stand turned out to be perfectly average, having moved to cities nearby and working menial jobs with suburban families. It was the outcasts and the rejects, such as yourself, that had turned out to lead the most interesting lives of all. You’d already decided that you were going to leave in the morning. There was absolutely nothing left for you in Hawkins.

That was until you heard your name being called softly. You recognized that voice, you knew that voice - you were just surprised he knew your name. Turning on your heel, you came face to face with none other than Eddie Munson. Eddie fucking Munson was there standing there with a pretty smile on his handsome face. He looked just as good as the last time you’d seen on your graduation day, but had aged handsomely. His eyes were still big, soft and bambi-like, his hair more tamed but still long and wavy, but instead of his normal style from all those years ago, he was wearing well-fitting dress pants and a black button-up. Shit. 

You opened and closed your mouth a few times, unable to find your voice as you gawked at him. You probably looked like an absolute fool, but how could you not? Your high school crush was standing right in front of you - and he still managed to steal your breath away. 

“You look lovely,” his voice was low and smooth and oh. It still made you feel some type of way, “that color looks amazing on you.”

“Eddie,” you managed to choke his name out and it just made him laugh softly, “wait - you know my name?”

“‘Course I do,” he cocked his head to the side as he looked at you curiously, “we spent years at school together, Hawkins is a small ass place, and besides - I’d never forget the name of my high school crush. Can’t say I’m surprised you know mine - being the freak had a way of doing that.”

“Crush?” you asked softly, cheeks warming up, but you knew that it wasn’t from the alcohol you’d been drinking. He looked at you as though he was trying to see if you were serious, “what do you mean crush?”

“Oh come on,” he gently nudged your side with his elbow, “you had to know, right? I thought it was so obvious. If I ever thought I’d have even the slightest of chances with you, I would have asked you out way back then.”

“No way,” you shook your head in disbelief, giggling wildly, a sound that went straight to his heart, “there was no way you had a crush on me!”

“Oh? Tell me why,” he crossed his arms over his chest as he offered you a lopsided little smirk, “sweetheart.”

“Because I had this huge crush on you, Eddie!” you put your hand on his chest as you laughed, a gesture that felt so natural, “how did you never know that I had one on you?”

“Really?” his pretty eyes widened before he was laughing too, his cheeks flushing a darker pink, “that’s just…wow. I guess we were both blind idiots.”

“Oh to be so young and stupid,” you sighed softly, before shrugging your shoulders lightly and finishing off the rest of your champagne, “if only we knew back then, huh? Wonder what things would have been like…”

“You totally would have said yes when I asked you out,” his smile was still magic, toothy and dimple displaying and made butterflies explode in your tummy, “and the rest would have been history.”

“So confident,” you playfully rolled your eyes, “but you’re right - I would have said yes.”

“Listen,” he looked around the room before waving his hand around, “this has just served as a reminder of why I hate Hawkins and left the moment I could. And I definitely want to leave this little…party. Do you wanna go and grab a bite to eat?”

“Fuck yes,” you agreed happily, taking any reason to leave and to spend time with Eddie, “please.”

“Come on princess,” he reached for your hand as he started to lead out of the ill decorated gymnasium, “let’s get out of here for good.”

─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───

You couldn’t believe you were sitting in a sticky old booth at Benny’s Diner at almost midnight across from Eddie Munson. What a funny twist of fate this night had proven to be. 

“No way,” you playfully tossed a fry at him, which hit his cheek and fell only to be quickly scooped up and popped into his mouth, “you’re seriously wanting me to believe that King Steve is like…your best friend?”

“He’s a good guy,” he insisted, grabbing his straw from the milkshake you were splitting and taking a long sip, “like a complete one-eighty from how he used to be. Trust me.”

“Alright,” you held up your hands in mock surrender before leaning back in your booth. You could feel his eyes intently trained on you, and the attention made you feel like screaming like a teenage girl, “I believe you. You said you got outta here as soon as possible too. Where’d you end up?”

“Indianapolis,” he shrugged as if to say it was no big time deal, but you shook your head in disbelief, “what? Is that a bad thing?”

“That’s where I live too, Eddie,” you grinned as he put his elbow on the table and rested his chin in his hand. You felt like he was dissecting you, learning you bit by little bit, “small world, isn’t it? I’m surprised we’ve never run into each other.”

“I’m guessing we still don’t run in the same crowd,” he stated simply as you raised an eyebrow. 

“And just what are you up to these days?” 

“I am actually a teacher,” he confessed and his whole face lit up, “high schoolers on top of it. I teach music classes, do some private lessons on the side, and still jam with the band on weekends. You’re giving me that look - I know that look. It means you’re either impressed or horrified.”

“I’m impressed,” you worried your bit lip between your teeth as you shook your head. Had you really not noticed that he spent as much time learning you as you had him? All of this felt like a wild fever dream, “and a fun story, I’m actually a teacher as well. Kindergarteners though. You have the hormonal demons, and I’ve got the baby demons in training.”

“You’re fucking kidding me!” he flopped back in his seat as he tried to process everything. The two of you had ended up apart and yet so similar. You shook your head and he groaned lightly, “now I really wish I’d had the balls to ask you out back then.”

“Yeah?” you drummed your fingers along the tabletop and bit the inside of your cheek, “what about now?”

“I still wish I had the balls to ask you out,” you were clearly both enjoying this little game, “wait - unless you’ve got a partner or something then I’m a huge dick.”

“I’m single,” you clarified and you could visibly see him relaxing, “relax, Eddie. I’m going to go out on a limb here and assume you're single as well?”

“As a pringle,” he joked and you snorted with laughter at his silly joke. Eddie Munson really hadn’t changed, “and I like to think I’m not the type of guy that comes across as a douchebag that flirts with a beautiful woman if I’ve got a partner.”

“You don’t,” you admit, “but you know, I didn’t want to get my hopes up. I don’t want to run into the boy - man - I had a crush on for so long only to have my hopes and dreams dashed again.”

“Baby, I’m more worried about you getting your hopes dashed when you realize how very lame I am,” his cheeks and neck flushed with pink as shrugged it off, “you probably already know that.”

“I’ve never once thought you were lame,” you leaned across the table so you could be closer to him, “I’ve always thought you were cool…it was me that was the lame one if anything. And I don’t think you’re lame now.”

“Flatterer,” he pretended to wave you off, “but just so you know flattery works on me.”

“Alright, well then, handsome, are you going to ask me out?” you could practically see him squirming under your praise. He swallowed the eager lump in his throat before nodding.

“Y-yeah - yes,” he stammered, “will you go out with me, like a real date, once we go back home?”

“Oh?” you played, “isn’t this a real date?”

“Do you want it to be?” his voice was barely audible as your smile became ethereal.

“I do.”

“Then, will you go out with me on another date once we get home?” you were nodding eagerly before he could even get his question out, “alright, well. That’s…good. Great. Just…wow. Gonna kill me baby, making my teenage - and adult - dreams come true.”

“That goes both ways,” you promised, before lowering your voice, “where are you staying? I was going to go home in the morning, but I’m staying at my cousin’s house and she’s gone tonight.”

“Oh,” he nodded like he understood but he clearly didn’t catch your drift. The little bit of innocence that he possessed made you like him just much more. After a few moments of silence realization dawned on him, “oh.”

“Do you wanna come back with me?” you suggest coyly as his eyes grow wide, “we could…have a drink.”

“A drink,” he repeated, a wolf’s grin stretching across his face, “I’d really like a drink.”

“Me too,” you reached into your wallet and tossed a number of bills onto the table, covering dinner and leaving a generous tip, “come on, Eddie. Let’s have a drink.”

“Baby, you’re gonna be the fuckin’ death of me!”

#eddie munson #eddie munson x reader #eddie munson x fem!reader #eddie munson x you #eddie munson imagine #eddie munson one shot #joseph quinn #joseph quinn x you #joseph quinn x reader

[gelly-fsh]

Diary of a (smitten) Mariachi

I've been having all types of thoughts about Mariachi James Potter, like you cannot honestly tell me that he would not thrive in it. I think his grandfather would have been a famous Mariachi and he just taught James how to sing and how to play the guitar.

When he was in Uni, he didnt want to depend solely in his parents money so he decided to put his grandpa's lessons in good use and start a small business out of it with a couple of friends and cousins that lived in the same city. They got pretty famous, especially when his cousin Mary decided to do a YouTube channel and a Tiktok account for the band.

And look, in the 3 years he has been doing this, he has come across some weird and scandalous shit. Until now his favorite was when a dude hired them to serenade his wife (apparently they had a fight) but when the woman didn't appear in her balcony the guy was so mad he asked them to come with him to go and serenade his mistress instead.

Yeah, fun times. At least that girl did love it.

Today, they had a morning job for a birthday. The guy who hired him (Barty, if he remembers correctly) gave him a rundown of what he wanted to happen, and James knew almost instantly this was one of those prank serenades. He hoped this Regulus guy didn't beat the shit out of anyone for waking him up with guitars and trumpets.

When they arrived to the house address, he could see they guy that he must assume is Barty waiting for them outside with a mischievous grin on his face.

"I gather that you're James Potter no?" The guy asked

"Pleasure to meet you" James said, shaking his hand "are you Barty?"

"The one and only" Barty confirmed. He quickly explained that his friend Regulus would be waking up in half an hour, so they had to be quick going upstairs (the house was fucking gigantic). When they were outside the door, all of them started to prepare their instruments and do a last check up on their clothes (Mary fixed James hat bc apparently it got crooked). He could see Barty taking out his phone, most probably to start recording everything, and then they went inside the room.

From the first notes of the trumpets and the violins, James could see clearly how the boy that was before sleeping so peacefully jump up so high he almost rolled out of the bed. But when he raised his head to see them, James breath hitched in astonishment.

That had to be the most prettiest boy he has ever seen.

Even bleary-eyed, with a dry trail of drool on his chin, and sheet marks in his cheeks, James could only think that he would really like to sing every love song ever invented to him, isn't that crazy?

"Estas son las mañanitas que cantaba el Rey David..." (This are the mornings that the King David sang about) James started as normally, he has sang Las Mañanitas a thousand times, the Vicente Fernandez version being one of the most popular, but James just didn't want to sing that one, it was to impersonal, so he just decided to throw the protocol out of the window and sing the version he really wanted.

"A los muchachos bonitos, se las cantamos aquí" (To the pretty boys, we sing it to them here)

"Si el Sereno de la esquina me quisiera hacer favor, de apagar su linternita mientras que pasa mi Amor" (If the watchman in the corner would be so kind, of turning off his little lamp while my Love passes by) He could feel the gazes of all the band members piercing through his skull, and for a moment James thought that maybe he shouldn't have sang the more romantic version of Las Mañanitas with a band full if family members and friends who could understand Spanish, he was fucked for the next family reunion, but Regulus face when he saw him sing made it worth it.

Remnants of sleep still filled his eyes, and when the song started he was in the middle of cursing Bartys whole bloodline out, but when he locked eyes with him, James could perfectly see how Regulus entire face turned into a beautiful shade of cherry red. He just sat in his bed with his gaze fixed on James while he sang about birds singing and the Moon hiding out, giving way to the beautiful morning that resided in his eyes.

"Si no estas enamorado, enamoráte de mi" (if you're not in love, fall in love with me) he sang with a small smile in his face, and he delighted himself by how Regulus face went even more red.

He sang the rest of the song effortlessly, and when he finished, James and all of band did a small bow in Regulus direction.

"Happy Birthday Mr. Regulus" James said with a soft smile on his face.

"Eh- ehm thank you" Regulus responded, sounding awfully flustered.

"Well that was no fun, you didn't even make that much of a fuss" Barty whined on the other side of the room "I bring you your favorite Mariachi as a present and you couldn't even give me more drama?, please Reg" James could exactly pinpoint the moment Barty realized he fucked up, did Regulus already knew James?

"BARTY!" Regulus hissed out, throwing a pillow that landed directly in Bartys face.

"You are a fan of ours?" James asked surprised, Regulus type was not exactly their normal audience

"You could say that..." Regulus mumbled

"He has watched all of the videos where you are and-" another pillow was thrown to Bartys face, the beautiful color red coming backbto Regulus cheeks.

"Well I am honored" James chuckled softly, before deciding that he might as well be bold, even if it was deeply unprofessional "Its not all days I find out such a beautiful boy is a fan of what I do"

The compliment got him exactly what he wanted, which was a small gasp and more of that beautiful blushing, oh he was down bad. Regulus opened his mouth to say something, but Mary used that moment to (rudely) interrupt them

"I am deeply sorry to interrupt, but today we have another job in the other side of the city, so we should get going" Mary interjected softly, looking a mixture of amused and regretful (as she should be, why is he interrupting hid attempts to woo the love of his life???) "Happy Birthday again Mr. Regulus"

All the band echoed the congratulations, before softly taking the instruments and leaving the room. James almost wished Barty had payed for more than one song. Mournfully, he gave Regulus one last glance before tipping down his hat and saying "Happy Birthday, Amapolita dorada" before leaving the room.

While going down the stairs, he was being teased by Mary and the others about how obvious his little crush was and how annoyed they where that he changed the song version at the last minute (they were not really, but they do sure liked to whine).

It was not until he was going out the door that he heard frantical footsteps going down the stairs, and James just stood there at the door, hope filling his heart when he saw Regulus disheveled form looking at him.

"Listen, I probably am reading the situation wrong but-" Regulus said breathlessly "If you like, wanted to go out or something..."

James never accepted something so fast in his life "absolutely, I want to see you again"

He could hear Regulus breath hitch, breathing out a soft "Oh, well" before pressing a piece of paper in James chest "it's my number, text me ok?"

"Oh I will" James smile was blinding, he got the interest and the number of one of the most handsome guys he has ever seen, and he was not wasting this golden opportunity so easily. In an act of chivalry (and maybe stupidity) he softly took Regulus hand and slowly took it to his lips, leaving a soft kiss in the dorsum of his hand "Until we meet again, Regulus"

"Until then, James" Regulus sounded breathless, and James smirked in delight at the knowledge that Regulus did know him before the performance.

Since then, everyone could see that James Potter sang love songs with a bit more sweetness to it, as if really really knew what he was singing about. With the beautiful muse that he had, how could he not?

#jegulus #james potter #james x regulus #regulus black #marauders #starchaser #mariachi James #I have so many thoughts about this AU I just scrathed the surface of my brainrot #Regulus loved to watch James YT videos and the Tiktoks too #Barty knew about it and bullied him constantly #hence his bday present James #Regulus ripped Barty to shreds over him hiring his crush and make him sing to him while he was in PJs #this was longer than i expected #microfics #yeah Mary and James are cousins #yall the version James sings here is the Pedro Infante version of Las Mañanitas #but commonly the version people sing is from Vincente Fernandez #pls google both versions so you can really see the differences and why James sang the one he sang

[absolutely-normal-about-x]

Axl and X

Okay so a bit of another idea since I revealed that Aero and Barrett are Axl’s apprentices that’s gonna leave me with Axl’s relationship with his apprentices and X himself since ...

He's the first person that X reunites who’s from his era after THOUSANDS of years after the elf wars, especially that HE died in the elf wars. It’s more emotional for him. Axl missed out so much, the aftermath of the war, creation of Neo Arcadia, the events of the zero series, etc… so he’s gonna have a hell of a recap of everything that went down before they became Biometals.

From Axl’s perspective it felt so short from his Death to waking up on Terra just as displaced as X, unlike him since he woke up earlier allowing him to adapt to this new era better. Axl has been wandering and learning so much of Terra to the point that he’s aware of a lot of stuff. Another thing is that he’s basically a dad now…kinda he didn’t expect it since taking in Barrett and Aero after saving them from a dangerous situation. It was supposed to be just him taking care of them and once they’re old enough he’ll part ways with them. But nope there are his kids now. His partners in crime, his students, they basically remind him of his younger years with their energy and ambition.

God is this how X and Zero (By extension Red) felt when they took him in all those years ago? Now he sorta understands them now…he’s not ready to be called dad yet if he was called then he’ll explode. Also of how much of a huge pain in the ass they can be at times but he’ll either drag them out of trouble or let them solve the problem (if the threat isn’t dangerous). He’s not the greatest dad but he’s sure as shit tries at least. If you hurt them I hope your ready for the fucking mercy of the shapeshifting gunslinger.

He hides his past from them of course because how the HELL can you explain to them that you're from ANCIENT HISTORY, bro he can’t be called old yet! plus he’s waiting for the best time to tell them…but he can tell them snippets of his past without revealing the truth. In forms of absolute batshit stories that no way in hell that happened. Barrett thinks that he’s bullshitting them while Aero thinks that it’s the coolest shit ever at the same time kinda curious of the context.

ALRIGHT GETTING BACK TO THE MAIN TOPIC

But then that all changed when he reunited with X and god that reunion was fucking emotional…X couldn’t never believe to Axl again and how much he’s GROWN. Look at him he isn’t the same happy go lucky kid with assassin skills that he picked up years ago. Compared to how Axl felt, X’s reaction was stronger since he had been through so much shit after the elf wars, enduring so much but also holding on to the guilt of the friends and family that didn’t survive, especially Axl. He crushed Axl with that hug; he was a sobbing mess. Axl also was an emotional wreck too since he apologized to X from dying in the war. It’s just nice to have someone familiar again after so long…

And then Axl finds out that X has 5 kids and one of them is Barrett’s Friend…actually looking back it was kinda obvious that kid was X’s kid since he suspiciously looks like him the most compared to the guardians. And now he not only has to catch up with what he missed from the Elf wars but also finally coming clean about his past to Barrett and Aero too.

X was confused at first only for Axl to explain that…He’s kinda a Dad, then explains that Barrett and Aero are his kiddos. Coming to the realization that…Oh…just like Axl, X should've also put the pieces together cause some of Barrett and Aero’s skills and mannerisms were suspiciously similar to Axl’s. It was so obvious that these kids picked up the traits of their respective parents. It was almost fate that their Kids meant to be close friends like their parents.

Axl definitely starts to visit the flutter to hang out with X. Catching up like old friends, the conversations last for whole hours. It was kinda a shock to see X this happy and healed after everything that he went through. But to be honest it’s for the best, X earned this anyways. Plus he can come towards him when it comes to parenting advice. The same goes for X seeing Axl mature and grown makes him proud of him. But deep down he’s still the same troublemaking kid from before. In both ways they changed for the better…however he still judges Axl for that little Incident involving Barrett calling Volnutt Nutsack.

Axl: In his defense, Volnutt is a pretty weird name that can be used for really creative nicknames.

X: Axl, please it was incredibly rude to say that to my son! Fefnir almost blasted him!

Axl: Okay! Okay! It was rude but at the same time it’s really funny.

X: ASIMOV AXL!!

There's moments that they banter like the old ways before everything went to shit. It’s a bit of a shock to see these old geezers acting like this to be honest it’s for the best….

It would have been completed if Zero was around but the question is…Where is he?

#megaman x #megaman legends #legends reborn #rockman x #Mmx Axl #Zero is out there but he’s doing stuff #Axl absolutely asks X to patch up his Poncho

[trickstarbrave]

hiiii we're back at it again

this isnt edited yet. so. im posting it here for now.

omegaverse au 2: electric boogaloo (this is what i named this document. im not joking). it was originally just supposed to be an excuse for nerevar and voryn to be horny and fucking while on in a cart. but then my brain got carried away with politics and then got angst involved and now we're here.

this is 1 part. i think about 1/3rd if i had to guess. thankfully this part is smutty and fun for the most part. second part will be most of the angst, third part will be the reunion

--

It was hot as they traveled from Balmora after selling off some items. At least selling Dwemer crafts and metal was good for profit to keep House Dagoth afloat--otherwise it would be hard to make due, even with specialty goods like carmine from those little red beetles they farmed. Nix meat and ash yams could only go so far to feed a people, after all. Even still, House Dagoth wasn’t very big due to the low resources. 

Nerevar prodded the Nix-ox to keep moving after it took a drink, the beast chittering angrily at him.

“Yeah yeah,” Nerevar scoffed. “I don’t wanna walk either, big guy.” He grabbed the tunic he was wearing, wiping the sweat from his brow. 

His shirt had been torn to shreds by a cliff racer, but luckily Voryn gave him one of his spare undershirts. He was prepared to go without a shirt, but Voryn reminded him of the last time he got horribly sunburnt, so he complied, glad that he had from how harshly the sun was beating down. Nerevar inhaled the soft, spicy scent from the fabric as he wiped his face, the scent of his own body mixing with it. 

A lot of alphas smelled off-putting to him. Either too strong, too musky, or just plain gross for seemingly no reason. Voryn though… Nerevar had to admit he did smell pretty nice. Something comforting and nostalgic about the scent of his skin and pheromones. There was a bit of incense that clung to his skin and all of his clothes, as well as a spiced quality to his pheromones. Just the slightest hint of musk too, and not to mention it mingled well with Nerevar’s scent which was like citrus and herbs--fresh, bright, and bold. 

It was nice to inhale, though he hoped it didn’t make him seem weird to admit it. He’s heard it was common for omegas to enjoy the scents of those close to them. Typically young children were scented regularly by family members, but since Nerevar’s grandparents and parents were dead and his uncle gone, Nerevar had adjusted to being without it. Only Voryn really scented him when they were kids, nuzzling against him affectionately to ensure Nerevar smelled like the rest of House Dagoth rather than an outsider. 

It brought back fond memories. As much as Voryn’s scent had changed from when they were younger, there was something nostalgic about it that tickled at his chest. 

“We’ll be stopping soon to make camp.” Voryn announced from the cart he was in. It was still afternoon, but it made sense. If they didn’t stop here for the day, they would have to make camp closer to the swampy, wet area of the bitter coast. And finding a decent place to camp there for a whole caravan when everyone was exhausted and annoyed was a pain in the ass. 

Nerevar was thankful for it though; he was beginning to get exhausted. Normally he did better on caravan trips, able to march for hours at a time due to his high stamina, but right now he was getting… Exhausted. Maybe it was the heat getting to him, or maybe he just wore himself out the day before. 

Another hour, and Voryn stopped them at a good place with solid ground. Everyone began the annoying task of making camp in the afternoon, sun glaring in their eyes. Their lord’s tent came first, before everyone else’s, Voryn then read in the shade watching them pitch the rest.

Fuck, now Nerevar was hungry too… Irritably hungry. He had eaten enough for breakfast and lunch, why was he starving? He groaned, dipping into his dried rations early, before curling up in his own tent kept close to Voryn’s. Normally he helped everyone else set up, but he was too tired right now, eager to just get out of the sun. 

He laid on his bedroll, tossing and turning. As the sun set, he knew he should give a few prayers to Azura, maybe even crawl out to grab a bite to eat and see who was on guard duty for the night, but… 

He was so uncomfortable. He felt exposed, hot, and miserable as he tossed and turned, his skin starting to burn. At some points he ended up dozing off to sleep, before waking up covered in sweat and his body jerking.

“Nerevar?” Voryn asked, climbing into the tent after night finally fell. “You didn’t come out for dinner--” Nerevar could barely crack open his eyes to look at Voryn, taking in the other’s flushed, shocked expression. Before Nerevar could ask though, Voryn shyly averted his eyes, covering his mouth slightly. 

“I… You’re…” He mumbled under his breath.

“What?” Nerevar asked, irritated. Usually he tried to watch his tone when they were on caravan trips; it made the others act out thinking they could smart mouth their young lord like Nerevar did. 

“I didn’t think… You went into heat.” He muttered, still unable to meet Nerevar’s eyes.

Nerevar was frozen at that sentence, turning it over in his head.

He wasn’t--right? He couldn’t be. He wasn’t due for a couple more months. He just had it.

“But I just went into heat a month ago.” Planning around his job as caravan guard was tricky for that reason. Luckily, Voryn typically went into ruts around the same time, so they tended to stay home together. “I’m not--”

Nerevar could feel how sluggish his body was though. He was hungry, but too restless to crawl out and get a bite to eat. Not to mention he felt exposed--he could curl up in his bedroll to feel more secure, but his body felt much too warm. 

“... Shit.” Nerevar swore under his breath. He was fully going into heat--not any of that faux heat netchshit some omegas went through either. And he wasn’t even near his room so he could feel safe and secure. He was on a caravan trip, exposed, some of the other canvasari complete strangers who would be able to smell him…

Nerevar felt nauseous at that, his hunger vanishing as he suddenly got the urge to flee into the wilderness. He’d rather that cliff racer had ripped him to pieces than one of those smug, piece of shit alphas he didn’t know hold him down and try to mate with him--

“Shh…” Voryn approached cautiously, gingerly stroking at his arm. Nerevar stiffened at the contact. He usually disliked anyone touching him in heat, and he’d never had Voryn nearby when he went into one before. It’s not that he didn’t trust Voryn as his closest friend--he did very much--but it was still a foreign feeling to his body. They were kept apart during heats and ruts, like all young adults and teenagers. Not to mention, he knew Voryn was uncharacteristically aggressive in ruts. “It’s alright. I’ll help you.”

“How are you going to help me?” Nerevar asked, ready to dismiss the idea entirely. 

“I’ve been told spending a heat with an alpha, even when traveling, helps alleviate the worst symptoms.” Voryn explained, trying to keep his voice level. 

“If I spend my heat with you, you’re going to go into a rut.” Nerevar scoffed. Again, Voryn was aggressive in a rut: destroying furniture, punching and burning his brothers, breaking windows, screaming… Getting in a fight with Voryn while feeling so vulnerable was the last thing Nerevar wanted. 

“It’s either that or you’ll have to deal with it alone.” Voryn’s brow was furrowed in more concern than irritation, at least. “And I don’t want those s’wits that got brought along grabbing you as they please, trying to make you their omega.” 

Nerevar shivered at the tone Voryn used, feeling his heart beating faster. It sounded almost possessive, and so very welcomed when his thoughts were slowly getting muddled. 

“... I don’t want that either.” Nerevar admitted softly. He didn’t want any alphas looking at him and making snide remarks, or worse--openly trying to court him or take him by force. “I don’t want that, I’m just…”

“I know it will still be uncomfortable and awkward,” Voryn’s tone was soft and soothing, “But I want to help you, Neht.”

Nerevar closed his eyes as Voryn stroked his hair, sighing shakily. 

“Your family will be furious, won’t they…?” Voryn’s brothers would want to rip him limb from limb when they found out Voryn spent a rut with Nerevar of all people.

“Let them throw a fit.” Voryn dismissed it. “I’ll take responsibility. Besides, it’s not as though I’d be the first person to spend a rut with someone without mating with them.” That was true; however ‘taboo’ it was, it was fairly commonplace for nobles to spend heats or ruts with servants from time to time and take the edge off. As angry as they’d be, Voryn wouldn’t be doing something outside the norm they couldn’t just sweep under the rug.

“... Would you be alright with it?” Nerevar asked softly, turning to nuzzle into Voryn’s hand, letting the other caress his face and scent him properly. 

“Of course,” Voryn smiled. “It might be uncomfortable at first, but,” Voryn glanced back at the entrance of Nerevar’s tent suspiciously. “I want to keep you safe.”

Nerevar took a deep breath, sitting up, and wrapping an arm around Voryn. 

“Thanks,” 

--

Voryn had ordered the others to take down Nerevar’s tent. He gave the excuse that Nerevar was feeling ill and Voryn would be tending to him, but Nerevar could see the skepticism in their glances. The other canvasari knew what was really going on by the scent coming off of Nerevar, and while they took the tent down they complained all the while that of course they would have an omega going into heat near them but that it would be Nerevar of all people. Stubborn, headstrong Nerevar who got spoiled rotten by Voryn. And of course they wouldn’t even get to ‘enjoy’ it, muttering to themselves that Voryn and Nerevar were probably already fucking before this. 

It disgusted Nerevar, making his whole body itch to hear them muttering and complaining as they took the tent down. Nerevar was currently laying on his own bedroll, various bags and a few cushions from the cart Voryn rode in as a makeshift nest around him, with Voryn’s bedroll on the other side. 

Nerevar didn’t know how you were supposed to start this sort of thing. He imagined most omegas only really climbed into bed with an alpha like this for sex, and Nerevar was at a loss. Did he just lay down and go to sleep? He still felt far too restless…

“Ah…” Nerevar gasped softly as Voryn climbed in beside him after grabbing Nerevar a plate of food, setting it aside before starting to scent him. It felt…

Nice. Comfortable. He closed his eyes, the heat in his body settling into a warm, fuzzy feeling. 

“I don’t want them enjoying your scent,” Voryn whispered. “So let me just…” He trailed off, nuzzling gently against Nerevar, as Nerevar let himself be surrounded by that musky, spicy scent all over again. 

In turn, Nerevar couldn’t help but nuzzle back, his hands clenching and unclenching at Voryn’s robes. 

“You smell nice…” Nerevar muttered.

“I’ve been told smelling an alpha helps with heat.” Voryn replied back softly. Not to mention, Nerevar was in fact thankful it would cover up his own scent. He got nauseous imagining what those bastards were doing with his tent that smelled like an omega in heat. He was likely going to burn it and buy a new one rather than even consider what disgusting things they could get up to.

“Relax…” Voryn whispered. “I’ve got you. They can’t hurt you.” Nerevar disliked how this up close he couldn’t hide his pheromones from showing his displeasure. Usually he was good at suppressing it, keeping it hidden for the most part, but in heat with Voryn literally breathing down his neck? Impossible.

“I just… Was making a mental note to buy a new tent.” Nerevar muttered. “I don’t want to think about what they might do with it…” Voryn growled at that, tightening his hold. Nerevar knew instinctively the sound should have frightened him—omegas were jumpy and defensive while in heat, after all—but for some reason it… Didn’t. 

Again, it seemed almost possessive. Like Nerevar was desirable. Like Nerevar was his.

Nerevar bit the inside of his cheek, pushing those thoughts aside. Voryn was just getting territorial; that was normal for alphas. He’d known Nerevar since they were children and Nerevar was his guard. It wasn’t about wanting to mate, that Voryn already made clear, but just protecting someone close to him. In a way it was possessive, but not in a romantic or sexual sense. He just didn’t want anyone attacking and forcibly mating with someone in his ‘pack’ so to speak.

“Your scent is so much more reactive like this…” Voryn whispered, before nuzzling against a scent gland. “Not to mention sweet…”

“That’s… Normal for being in heat.” Nerevar whispered, his hips squirming slightly. His neck was sensitive too—and didn’t Voryn know the fucking taboo not to go poking around an omega’s neck, especially when they were in heat? Then again, Nerevar should really push him away; he disliked alphas even looking at his neck to see if he was bonded or not, but for some reason Voryn was…different. “Ah…” Voryn gave one soft, experimental lick, earning a soft gasp and shudder from Nerevar, before he finally sat up.

“You should eat.” Voryn brought the food over now. It was just saltrice porridge, common on the road, with some spices, though it also had ash yam bread alongside it. Voryn dipped the bread in, scooping some of the porridge with it, and brought it up to Nerevar’s face.

Voryn was trying to feed him like mated pairs fed each other. Nerevar’s cheeks and ears went red as he realized it, before shutting his eyes tightly, before shoving the thoughts aside. That couldn’t be it. Voryn was just—he was just worried, that’s all. Not to mention he probably didn’t even know about that behavior and this was ignorant to the implications.

“Neht, even if you aren’t hungry you should—“ Voryn went to scold him, before Nerevar leaned in and took a bite, making Voryn smile warmly. The porridge was mostly lukewarm by now, but delicious from how hungry Nerevar was. “That’s it… Good boy.” Voryn stroked his hair as he fed Nerevar, the scent starting to make him feel lightheaded and fuzzy again. His thoughts were so cloudy in fact he wasn’t thinking right, going in to lick Voryn’s fingers after he finished the bread, earning a soft moan before Voryn tried to cover it with a chuckle. Nerevar took the remaining bowl and spoon, eating on his own and trying to force the feeling down, but Voryn continued to affectionately stroke his hair. 

--

When they got back on the road, Nerevar rode in the cart Voryn was in. It was an enclosed space, so already a big improvement from having to walk out in the open, an idea that made his skin crawl. Voryn set up the interior nicely--cushions and Nerevar and Voryn’s respective travel packs and bedrolls creating a nice little nest. 

Comfortable. It was, despite everything, very, very comfortable. Nerevar had slept surprisingly well for both being in heat and not being in his own room, lying comfortably in Voryn’s arms.

There was, however, one thing he hadn’t anticipated being such a problem. Nerevar knew mating season came with a heightened sense of arousal, but he thought that he could ignore it for the few days it would take to make it back to Kogoruhn, especially since he would be spending so much time with Voryn. All he had to do was not masturbate for a few days, that was all--it wasn’t impossible for him to go a few days without touching himself before, so it should be fine now.

Except it wasn’t. 

Nerevar’s hips shifted around often as the cart gently rocked, squirming slightly. All he could think about for a good while now was his cunt. He tried distracting himself, thinking about sparing or battle or even fighting that cliff racer earlier, but his thoughts kept coming back to sex. Even with Voryn laying beside him, one arm wrapped around his waist, Nerevar couldn’t control his mind. 

“You seem restless.” Voryn said softly right by his ear, and Nerevar gasped, his hips bucking forward on instinct.

“I’m just--” Nerevar didn’t know how to explain it without humiliating himself. “It’s… I’m in heat…” He covered his own mouth as Voryn nuzzled into his neck again, muffling the gasps and moans coming from his throat. 

“You’re aroused?” Voryn asked, equally soft, and Nerevar nodded.

“I know I shouldn’t,” Nerevar looked for excuses, hips still squirming as Voryn rubbed slow, soothing circles on his stomach, “It’s just--”

“It’s normal.” Nerevar could hear the smile in Voryn’s voice, despite not being able to see his expression behind him. “Go ahead, I won’t mind.” A strange sensation came over Nerevar as he shuddered hearing that, a hot rush going through his body, his arousal only intensifying. 

Was it alright? Were they crossing a line? Nerevar didn’t know where that line might be, honestly. He and Voryn had known each other for so long and shared so much--food, beds, clothes, drinks… When they were the age of majority they both drank together for the first time, making the foolhardy mistake of choosing sujamma and getting a bit too enthusiastic in their efforts to one up each other, admitting so many things while drunk before passing out in bed together that they barely even remembered any of them come morning. Those moments Nerevar didn’t find particularly sexual at the time, but were they that much more different to where he was right now?

Then again, perhaps Nerevar should have seen it coming. Voryn was obviously expecting it and had offered to share Nerevar’s heat with him. Nerevar should have known there was the possibility of the need arising. 

His hand unlaced his trousers, diving in past his undergarments, slowly working his way down as he shifted to almost but not quite on his back. Voryn’s hand shifted upward to give Nerevar’s arm some room in turn, still unphased, as Nerevar’s other hand stayed over his mouth to muffle any sounds.

Finally, his fingers were greeted by wet, slick flesh, a soft groan falling from his lips. He was wetter than he thought, leaking slick. He didn’t expect to be so aroused without even touching himself--was it because an alpha was nearby?

His fingers slipped inside, moving in and out slowly, the slick sound muffled by the fabric of his trousers. They felt good, but he was honestly missing the fullness of the toys he had back home. A nice, polished wood one with a large knot at the base was his favorite when he was in heat, giving himself a feeling of fullness he enjoyed even if he was just mindlessly playing with his cock while furiously reading a smutty novel. But more importantly, he found it harder to get off with the situation he was in--it was difficult to really get lost in the fantasies he normally got off to when someone was close by and watching him. He groaned in displeasure, feeling frustrated, until Voryn leaned close to his ear again.

“Good boy.” Voryn whispered, and Nerevar’s fingers moved much faster, his breathing quickening as pure arousal raced in his veins. His body suddenly felt so much more sensitive, soft moans now being muffled by his hand as his eyes fluttered shut. 

“Oh,” Voryn’s lips gently brushed against his ear as he spoke this time, making it twitch as Nerevar gave a needy whine, “You sound so wet…” Nerevar raised his leg slightly so he could finger himself faster. “Nice and wet for me, aren’t you?”

Fuck. He was jacking off to Voryn right now, wasn’t he? This wasn’t just masturbation with Voryn nearby--Voryn was actively getting him off, whispering in his ear. And the worst part was Nerevar was so turned on, his body responding well to the sweet sound of Voryn’s voice in his ear. He was even imagining Voryn touching him now, imagining Voryn’s fingers slipping in and out of him, Voryn’s hand muffling the moans spilling from Nerevar’s lips as he touched him however he pleased--

“Such a sweet scent when you’re aroused like this…” Voryn groaned into his neck, shifting his hips in a way that had Nerevar gasping again. He could feel Voryn’s cock pressed against his ass--confirmation Voryn was aroused too. Aroused by Nerevar. “Can you get off like this?” Voryn asked, his voice still so sweet, “Or do you need me to touch you?”

At the offer, Nerevar couldn’t even think it over. His hand came away from his mouth just enough to pant out the answer. “Touch me.” He pleaded, urgency in his voice, as Voryn’s hand snaked its way down Nerevar’s body and into his pants. “Ah--yes,” Nerevar moaned sweetly, before Voryn’s hand covered his mouth. 

Nerevar felt dizzy being touched like this. Completely at the mercy of Voryn, the mer he trusted more than anything, the mer he trusted with his very life. His thoughts were completely muddled, eyes rolled back as his legs twitched, his hips squirming, all reacting to the movement of Voryn’s long fingers sliding in and out of him.

“Gods, you’re soaked.” Voryn moaned softly now himself, hips gently rocking against Nerevar’s ass. “So wet for me Neht, ready to take my cock, aren’t you?” Nerevar nodded furiously, before Voryn shifted his other hand, sliding two fingers past Nerevar’s mouth. “Gods, the mouth on you too--” Voryn groaned as Nerevar eagerly sucked and rolled his tongue around the digits, moaning obscenely, though at a volume that it would be hard to hear outside the cart. 

“When we get to the next town I’m buying birth control,” Voryn whispered, a promise, though there was a desperation in his voice. “I need to be inside you. I need to,” Nerevar could get drunk off that edge in his voice honestly--off the knowledge that he was desired. He wanted it so badly too, he wanted Voryn to be inside him already, fucking him to completion. It would be even more intense than his fingers, so much more fulfilling as Voryn knotted him just like his body wanted, pumped him full of seed--

His body shuddered as the thought crossed his mind, trembling from his orgasm, his leg twitching as a low noise was pulled from his throat. He could picture it so clearly--Voryn’s knot pressed perfectly inside him, sealing every drop of seed inside Nerevar’s cunt in the desperate hope it took. It was such a satisfying orgasm too, bliss washing over him. 

“Good boy,” Voryn praised him again, his breathing heavy. “So good for me, aren’t you Neht…” He pulled his fingers out of Nerevar’s mouth first, letting the other pant, before almost reluctantly sliding his fingers out of Nerevar’s cunt. 

It was only a few moments until Nerevar shifted, turning to face Voryn, his hands going to Voryn’s robes. 

“Your turn,” Nerevar whispered dangerously close to Voryn’s lips, feeling every hot pant fan over his mouth. It didn’t take long to undo Voryn’s robes enough to slip his hand past the layers of fabric to the hard length he felt earlier grinding against him. 

“Neht,” Voryn whispered, a type of reverence in his voice. His eyes rolled back slightly, before black eyelashes fluttered as his eyes fell shut, his lips wet, “Nerevar…” It sounded almost like a hymn, a prayer falling from his lips, as Nerevar stroked slowly and lightly at first, learning what movements Voryn liked best. His cock was hard in Nerevar’s hand, and Nerevar rolled his palm around the head to slather it with precum to make the glide easier, Voryn’s hips rocking in time with his movements. 

“You like that?” Nerevar asked against Voryn’s mouth, before Voryn nipped at his lower lip, earning a soft keen from Nerevar. “Fuck…” He could feel Voryn’s canines almost nick him, and he became hyper aware of his own neck, the thought crossing his mind at how it would feel to have someone actually bite and claim him. “Fuck, I can feel your knot swelling up…” An alpha’s didn’t always form, as he’d been told, but it was more common in ruts. Still, he couldn’t believe it was swelling up just from Nerevar’s hand. “You want to knot me, don’t you?” 

“Yes,” Voryn was holding him tightly now, panting furiously. “I want to fuck you, knot you, fill you with my seed…” Voryn’s hips were thrusting in earnest now, fucking Nerevar’s hand. “I want you, I want you Neht, I want you so badly--”

Nerevar kissed him before he got any louder, alerting everyone to what they were doing. No doubt the other canvasari expected them to be fucking, but Nerevar didn’t want them hearing it. One of them might try and ruin the fucking moment, after all, loudly banging at them to knock it off, or might use it against them. Or, maybe Nerevar was just feeling possessive himself, wanting to be the only person who got to hear Voryn begging and pleading for him like this. 

Still, Voryn kissed him with a passion, his tongue eagerly exploring Nerevar’s mouth, gliding against his own. The kiss was messy, wet, as Voryn clung to him tighter and tighter…

“Neht!” Voryn broke the kiss with a loud hiss, his own hand moving down to pump Nerevar’s even faster, until finally he held it there, knot swelling, and came with a low moan. 

“Yes…” He groaned, ropes of cum shooting out into Nerevar’s hand and onto his clothes. “Yes, Neht…” 

“There we go…” Nerevar smiled softly, pressing soft, feather-light kisses to his cheeks. “Better?”

“Much better…” Voryn pulled him into an embrace again, nuzzling against him. “Mm… I’ll change your clothes in a few moments…” Nerevar chuckled at that, though he had to admit he kind of enjoyed Voryn making a mess of him. “Let me… Enjoy this.” 

--

Nerevar adjusted faster to their new dynamic than he thought. Maybe it was the haze of his heat making his head feel so fuzzy, but he was enjoying the newfound affection they shared. Kisses became commonplace, as was touching, nuzzling, cuddling. Even Voryn touching his neck was more welcomed than anything else, Nerevar leaning into it. 

Voryn was true to his word. They stopped at a small town, at least one with an apothecary, and Voryn ventured out of the cart to pick up several days worth of birth control potions. 

He hadn’t thought about having sex with Voryn before this. The thought crossed his mind once or twice, he supposed, but never seriously and more so as a jest. But now it seemed almost natural, their bodies falling into place with ease. 

At first, the sex was perfect. Passionate, all encompassing, mind numbing pleasure that left his body tingling. But they still had a few more days on the road back to Kogoruhn, and every orgasm took the edge off a little less. It was still as passionate as before, though every time was a little bit more desperate, something inside him craving more. Something was off and incomplete. It wasn’t quite enough--not nearly enough for him. 

Was it that they weren’t back at Kogoruhn yet? Possibly. His body was no doubt longing for the comfort and security of home, his back on Voryn’s bed, surrounded by pillows and blankets that smelled so perfectly like Voryn…

Or maybe it was the fact it was more emotionally taxing than Nerevar realized. This was just for convenience, after all. It wasn’t supposed to have any meaning behind it, just spending Nerevar’s unexpected heat together so travel would be easier. Spending a heat with an alpha was supposed to make it more bearable, and the other shitty canvasari wouldn’t pull anything if Nerevar was always by Voryn’s side, after all. 

But there was an ever nagging thought in his mind: this wasn’t going to last forever. This was a temporary solution to an out of the blue problem. For all he had adjusted to kissing Voryn, of stroking Voryn’s hair, of being fed by Voryn, of dressing and undressing each other and basking in each other’s warmth, he couldn’t enjoy this forever. They would arrive at Kogoruhn in only a couple of days after all--a day and a half if they were fast, as they were right on the edge of House Redoran’s territory as far as he could tell. And Nerevar already knew how it would play out when they arrived: Voryn’s brothers would kick up a fuss, Voryn would excuse it as necessary for traveling, and Nerevar would slink back to his room to spend the rest of his heat alone as always. Though, it was unusual that Voryn’s rut wasn’t as destructive as usual; Nerevar had worried about it initially, but Voryn was strangely calm, even able to go into town and buy a few things with relative ease, though he didn’t like it. Before, Voryn was so irritable and antsy he would fight just about anyone, but he was oddly attentive and sweet like this. Maybe they would be willing to let Nerevar and Voryn spend the rest of the time together, until it passed.

Afterwards though, there would be nothing else like this between them. And something inside Nerevar ached at the thought. 

“So tight…” Voryn moaned, fucking him from behind in the cart again. “Always so tight wrapped around my cock, aren’t you?” 

“You’re huge, that’s why…” Nerevar groaned into the cushion under him, his hips in the air. “Gods, even only half formed your knot is as big as the toy’s I have back home~” It felt so good, pumping in and out of him like that, the amount of slick his body was pouring out enough to make the glide relatively easy. 

“You like it, don’t you?” Voryn asked with a cocky tone. “I can tell just how much you like it, how much your body needs me…” He gave a sharper thrust, his tone shifting to demanding. “Tell me, Neht.” 

“Yes…” Nerevar groaned as Voryn grinded his hips forward, Nerevar’s legs trembling. “Yes, I love how big it is… I love how full I feel with your cock in me…” Nerevar gave a choked moan now, barely able to focus on keeping his voice down. He had to bury his face in fabric to muffle the sounds escaping him. “I love it when you knot me too, when you fill me to the brim~” Gods did he love the sensation. He was tired of feeling so very, very empty when he was in heat, and the feeling of being full of Voryn’s seed, his knot in place, Nerevar’s body locking around it in a desperate attempt to ensure conception as his body orgasmed non-stop-- “Please,” Nerevar pleaded, “Knot me, breed me, fill me up again~!” 

Voryn growled loudly at that, leaning over Nerevar’s body, nuzzling into his hair and neck, before licking at a scent gland. 

“You’re mine.” Voryn growled low, “All mine, Neht.” Nerevar tilted his head, his body growing all the more pliant at the possessive tone, before his body tensed, realization crashing over him. He brought a hand up, clamping it over his neck, just as Voryn went to bite down sharply. 

“Fuck!” Nerevar swore. It was hard enough to draw blood, but not enough to break his fingers thankfully. However, Voryn was displeased with that, growling aggressively, his pheromones heightening in rage. 

“W-wait until we’re back at Kogoruhn!” Nerevar quickly excused his actions, keeping his hand protectively over his neck. “Not here… Not like this…” Voryn’s hips didn’t stop thrusting, in fact seeming to get all the faster, his knot catching more and more on Nerevar’s entrance. “Please…”

“Nerevar…!” Voryn groaned loudly, before driving his knot in one last time, cumming inside him. 

The rush of heat of Voryn’s seed was quickly followed by his own orgasm, his body clamping down and milking his cock. If it wasn’t for the potions, Nerevar knew he’d be pregnant right now. It seemed impossible not to, not with how well his body was taking it, locking into place every time Voryn knotted him without fail. 

“Yes…” Nerevar groaned, another wave of pleasure washing over him, “Gods, yes…” Nerevar didn’t know how he’d be able to go back to just masturbating after this--after the pleasure he never knew could be so intense. 

After most of the pleasure died down, Nerevar’s legs feeling weak, Voryn pulled them to lay side by side, still connected, now nuzzling against Nerevar affectionately. 

“... Thank you for stopping me.” Voryn rubbed Nerevar’s hand apologetically, casting a quick healing spell on it. Nerevar hummed in response, thankful Voryn was thinking logically once more rather than his thoughts clouded by pure instinct. Nerevar knew it wasn’t his fault; he almost lost himself in the sensation too, all but ready and willing to accept it. 

“I don’t want to claim you here, like this.” Voryn continued, his voice soft and gentle as he held Nerevar’s hand now with a tenderness that had his heart aching. “Not in a fucking cart on the road… I want to do it properly, back at home.” 

Again, something inside Nerevar was aching at the knowledge they couldn’t. Especially not in the impenetrable walls of Kogoruhn. 

Nerevar wasn’t ignorant. He wasn’t the first commoner to lay with a noble, and he won’t be the last. A noble taking a mate was a very important, careful decision, not really left up to the individual in question but instead an agreement between houses and families. Even more important was the mate an heir to a Great House like Voryn was supposed to take, a careful attention to detail paid to every potential mate before they were so much as introduced, the whole council involved with planning the prospective partners. Already the council, including Voryn’s mother, were discussing omegas and betas that would be beneficial potential mates to introduce Voryn to, in hope there would be a good match between them. Chimer could take many spouses, but the children of a mated pair were given special importance, after all.

Nerevar, meanwhile, knew he wasn’t on that list and wouldn’t even be considered for it. He never dared to even dream of such a thing. Despite receiving an education alongside Voryn, he was Voryn’s playmate, not equal. Nerevar was a half-blood chimer, after all, sharing the blood of the nords who brutally subjugated him, and born in a small mining town belonging to House Mora. He was only really allowed to be so close to Voryn when they were younger and up until now because Morvani Dagoth loved spoiling Voryn. Morvani never took a mate officially a far as anyone knew, but there was a rumor that Voryn and Araynys’ father was her mate, which would explain why she loved spoiling them in particular, and it was only natural for many to name a child of a mated bond as your heir. 

For those that dared to take a mate without the consent of their families and house, it was well known and documented what would happen. The mated bond was swiftly and forcibly severed with magic, and the former mate exiled from the territory in shame. And that was if they were lucky. If the noblemer was particularly hostile to it, the council typically took every precaution to prevent it from happening again by killing their former lover, eliminating the risk entirely. 

Nerevar knew what would happen if Voryn even dared to try. It would be nothing good, potentially the end of his own life. Yet it was getting harder and harder to deny the pull, like a magnet pulling him in. It was getting impossible to deny this, whatever the hell it was, and that was what terrified him the most. Wherever the road they were walking down led to was bloodshed and heartbreak. 

He wasn’t allowed to want it. He knew he wasn’t allowed to and why, but despite all logical reasoning, his body was denying that reality. His body needed this like he needed water to drink and air to breathe, but there was no way of it possibly coming true. To even attempt it would mean never seeing voryn again, either in life or in death.

Nerevar wondered if voryn understood their circumstances. He had to know, didn't he? Voryn was smart. He was intelligent. He couldn't be ignorant to the reality of their lives and station. Perhaps Voryn only said he would mate with nerevar back and Kogoruhn simply to placate him. That, despite his own instinct running rampant, he knew better. He knew they couldn't, but it was Nerevar who first blurted out that they should wait until they arrived in Kogoruhn, so Voryn was under the impression Nerevar was the one expecting it. After all, if he refused right now rather than delayed it, Nerevar might not stop him the next time. He might instead selfishly let Voryn claim him and try to cling to him despite knowing it would mean his own end.

Nerevar didn't know what he preferred. Voryn being ignorant, or Voryn simply lying to him to placate him.

#nerevoryn #indoril nerevar #voryn dagoth #nerevar #morrowind #my writing #not sfw #there is some world building in here from my other fics #voryn isnt the lord of house dagoth yet. nerevar is his canvasari

[yannig]

So. I've finished binge-watching Pit Babe.

and I have opinions. (yes I am aware it came out like a year ago. who cares) so, with very little order :

Tony died!! Yeah!! ngl, at one point I hoped Babe's father would come in to kill him, but Kenta doing it is even more satisfying so i'm happy with it. also those knife sounds were great. 10/10 no notes.

Babe's father was very obvious as Babe's father the second we met him. it's not necessarily a problem, i just found it funny that they were trying to create a mystery around him.

i didn't know it was an omegaverse when i began watching the show, but it was a pretty sanitized omegaverse, all things considered. no mentions of heat/rut, knotting, mate, pack, mating bite, bond, nesting. the mpreg was only implied. the word omega was uttered exactly once. beyond Tony wanting only alpha kids (with no explanation of what an alpha is), the plot to get a child from Babe, and Babe's fixation on his partner's smell (and most likely, Babe and Charlie's fixation on each other's neck), i often forgot it was an omegaverse. i understand not wanting to scare newbies, omegaverse can be wild, but i was surprised with how little we got of the common tropes. its not a flaw, i was just surprised.

Sonic needs to tell North he loves him. the guy is clearly ready to die for you. just because he's too stupid to realize he's in love with you doesn't mean he isn't.

also this two idiots were still in the building!! i thought they got the USB and then got out to publish the videos! but no! these two idiots were still in the building! thank fuck Kim was close by!!! (he was probably there on purpose, yes, but still. they should have gotten out!)

Way stays a walking red flag until his very last breath and I hate that for him. don't get me wrong, I saw his death coming. he was unredeemable, and we don't want the audience to hate him, so of course he was gonna die. i really don't like this trope, I'd rather he left Babe and X-Hunter behind and got a new chance with Pete, who was clearly ready to give him one and also who he hadn't betrayed and hurt in the worst way possible. but no, that's not how the trope works. he dies. because we don't know how to redeem characters without killing them. and to make the matter worst, he dies having one of his most fucked up interactions with Babe yet, and that's saying something considering his track record, confessing his love for the nth time which was understandable but already awkward on its own, and then asking if Babe ever loved him back when he has made very clear several times that he saw Way as his closest friend and nothing else, begging for forgiveness for trying to rape Babe, i swear to god!! the correct thing to say at this point was "i'm sorry i ever hurt you, i hope you get to be happy with Charlie, don't blame yourself for my death". instead, he gave him enough therapy material for the next decade! with one conversation! how the fuck is Babe supposed to grieve Way, or make peace with anything he has done to him, after that kind of last breath!

(seriously, i probably have enough to say about Way to write an entire essay. the man was fucked up)

Kim has now been officially adopted in the family, he's even invited to the funerals! (i am aware he was still Tony's prisoner during Charlie's funeral, i just found it funny.) we did not see enough of Kim after Tony imprisoned him btw. he is one of my favorite characters in this show and he deserved more screen time!

Did Charlie stole a power that just- teleport him to Babe when he's in danger? this is a least the second time he just appeared out of nowhere to save Babe with no explanation, and with a perfect timing at that.

Babe deserved to scream at Charlie for faking his death. Or a least have a breakdown the like of the one he had with his father. The reunion scene was great and emotional and shit, and it was adequate for the context, but i needed them to have a real conversation about it later. will look for fanfics on the matter.

my man Babe is gonna have so many trust issues it's not even funny anymore. like mate. both his fathers betrayed him (and sold him, though for different reasons), his best friend of 10 years betrayed him in one of the worst way possible, one of his other teammates betrayed him, and his boyfriend has been lying to him the entire time the have known each other, to the point of faking his death without telling him he was alive. listen, i was berating him every time he pushed Charlie away at the slightest sign of dishonesty because I don't like that trope, but I think in this case he was justified. it's going to be fun to get him to trust anyone ever again!

also that man can cry! and make me cry with him at that! like, i knew Charlie's death was a fake out, and i knew it was coming, but episode 10 still got me in tears because Babe's grief was fucking real. giving him his senses back just for him to hear his lover flat-line on the operation table was incredibly cruel. also "He's still warm. Maybe he's not dead yet". are you trying to kill me? also also : did he say "i love you" for the first time at Charlie's grave? because i think he did.

overall, pretty good execution of the fake death trope, they gave us time to feel the grief before revealing he was alive, it worked. (did the plot around said fake death make sense? not... quite? but the feels were there and that's what matters)

Jeff is my baby and i love him. he got a lover and a support system and that's great, though they could do with better communication and still have shit to learn about respecting boundaries. which is saying something because Jeff tends to be pretty fucking clear about his boundaries. i'm watching you Alan. also i've decided he's autistic. for obvious reasons.

the whole "papa and mama" thing Babe and Charlie have going on is not my thing, but it is particularly weird in a context where the last two men Babe called "Papa" betrayed him and hurt him terribly. i get that what they have going on is different, like it's not a daddy kink (which would have been even weirder), but it still left a weird taste in my mouth. i just - i don't know what to make of it. i don't think they got the implication of it when making the show?

Babe and Charlie both need therapy to a desperate level, and i do not trust any of them to try to get it on their own. let's hope the rest of the family team manages to get them there. i'm mostly counting on Jeff to start the movement on this one. and then the others can nicely bully them into getting professional help.

#pit babe the series #pit babe spoilers #pit babe charlie #pit babe way #pit babe jeff #pit babe #pit babe babe #pit babe kim #pit babe sonic #pit babe north

[useramor]

bia, sweetie, i had a really shitty day. wanna give me a sweet buddie hc of yours?

hi sweetheart!!!! i’m sorry about ur day i am sending u love and sweet happy things always. luv u

anyway:

buck and eddie don’t even realize that they had their first kiss until they pull away. they’ve been dancing around this moment for so long that when it finally happens it’s stupidly casual. it’s a blink and you’ll miss it moment. it’s an i’ve loved you all my life of course i’ll kiss you in hello moment. they laugh about it because it’s ridiculous and it’s eddie who leans in again because therapy eddie goes after what he wants and what he wants is buck’s lips on his!!!

the firefam don’t bet on them. it’s too big and too important and it took them a while to get here, you know? no money gets traded but buck and eddie don’t know that, so they keep their relationship a secret for the first few weeks. or they try to, at least, because they’re not incredibly successful. something something they’ve waited months for this, years for this, whole lifetimes for this. they fuck up when buck kisses eddie goodbye in the parking lot. everyone’s insanely happy for them.

i like to imagine they would have another kid. they’d adopt a little girl and she would drive them crazy. eddie was young with chris, buck was young with chris, and they’re a little older when the little girl comes around. enough that her endless energy exhausts them way faster than chris ever did. but they’re all in love with her (chris included, even if he’s a grumpy teenager about it). buck buys her too many little baby outfits despite the fact that she has all of jee-yun’s hand-me-downs. eddie kisses buck silly the first time he hears him call her mija.

they get engaged way too quick. buck moves in within the first two months, probably. why on earth would they wait? wouldn’t you rush to start the rest of your life if it suddenly looked like every dream you never let linger? wouldn’t you want to sink your hands into the head-rush feeling so it never goes away? they know their life is riskier than most and by god they have let fear and insecurities hold them back for far too long!!!! besides, isn’t marriage abour unconditional love? sickness health and all that shit? like they both haven’t seen each other at their absolute worst. like they don’t love each other more than anyone in the world. it’s an all encompassing sort of thing. and you can see it. it’s written all over their faces every time they look at each other. gay asses.

buck lets the will slip. i don’t quite know to who - probably maddie or hen considering the sperm donor thing. he wants to be a dad so bad, and he accidentally sort of kind of lets slip that he doesn’t want to be a back up dad. they raise an eyebrow. what does that mean? buck blushes and stutters and tries to dismiss it but they don’t let it go. he caves and admits that eddie put him in his will. that if something happens to him, christopher goes to buck. idk who it would be, but i do know they’d both call him an idiot.

also i personally headcanon buck speaks spanish. the man lived in south america. he at the very least understands it. eddie, however, does not know this, until buck is at his first diaz family reunion and everyone at the table is speaking spanish and buck…joins in. eddie’s face goes hot. sophia and adriana notice, because what are sisters for? they can’t even blame him, though. not when buck’s charming the pants off their aunts from mexico, laughing and blushing at all their compliments. eddie’s very thorough with him that night, kisses him the second he’s away from knowing, prying eyes. buck realizes he can kind of get away with anything so long as he says it in spanish.

that’s all i got i think. hope u feel better <33

#this is kinda long sorry and ur welcome? #buddie #buddie headcanon #bia gets mail #sharky tag

[rosemarydisaster]

Hi Hello, I know I haven't talked a lot about CR lately (my brain won't let me watch it for some reason) but I'm back to talk about The Legend of Vox Machina, particularly: Grog.

Spoilers for The Legend of Vox Machina episode 9 below. There will be spoilers for the stream too, but I will also mark down where those start.

I love love love all the changes. Not only do I think they're a great way to adapt the absolute beast of content that CR is. Some are good sacrifices, there's shit gotta leave out, no matter how entertaining. I think they've pick very well what to leave completely out. Also, they're really smart in the way they've fused different adventures so they can have a two for one (like adding stuff from the rakshasa fight to the dungeon crawl at the Matron's temple so they can have that Kashaw-Kiki interactions). And of course there's the switching the order so it's more streamlined thing too, like Pyra. But what I thought was the best decision was the party splitting on the past three episodes.

Sure, you should never split the party and I hope they don't abuse that solution or that at least they play with the different combinations because it can be a detriment to the group dynamic. But this time?? They nailed it.

The fey wild group was perfect, you have all the development you need for the ships and also Vax and Percy get to patch things up a little and the twins are together for the family reunion. you have all the people important for a Vex Arc on one side.

On the other hand, you have Grog go through his arc with the two people most important to him. I love the Vax-Grog Dynamic, but like in the OG fight against the Earth breaker, his first choice will always be Pike and his second Scanlan. Also, you get some cute gnome flirting and a bit more development for Scanlan since Pike is the one that challenges more his flirty nature. Vex and Percy are permanently done with him, but they treat it like something that's just intrinsic to Scanlan. You can't change the weather, you simply complain about it. Pike on the other hand is the one that gets frustrated at the fact that Scanlan is unable to have a proper heart to heart or to be sentimental without defusing the tension. And Grog bringing out Scanlan's more caring nature is a nice touch. So it is the perfect team for Scanlan progress too.

But going back to what I actually wanted to talk about (because my Scanlan Meta will come too, but most likely next week) Grog. I love what they did with Craven Edge, I love how the show allows them to have this more "feelings based" resolution to Craven Edge's exhaustion. Because in game greater restoration or a night's sleep heal literally anything unless the DM specifically requests it.

What this does is it gives them the chance to introduce the whole "where does your strength come from?" Question in a place where the stakes are super high and it's thematically appropriate. That whole speech about how Grog considers strength helping those who can't help themselves...chills.

Now spoilers for the stream

I think it also Segways brilliantly into the whole "My strength are my friends" by maybe combining it with the whole "Vox Machina...Fuck shit up". If that happens, I'm gonna cry so hard I will dehydrate. I love the fact that they are giving so much attention to Grog, his growth his emotions because they're often brushed off. Travis wasn't still super comfortable roleplaying emotional scenes in campaign one and Tal, Liam and Marisha had a lot os experience and really angsty characters. Also Laura and Sam are just that powerful, you can't expect most people's experience first character to be that emotionally vulnerable (specially while streaming).

Ashley was also more nervous with the streaming and stuff, so Pike and Grog while not underdeveloped at all, usually didn't have the emotional spotlight on them the way we're seeing in the show. I think giving Grog the physical vulnerability and stripping most of his companions away is a great way to allow that depth to shine. When you don't have four extra characters each making questions and each proposing solutions, the spotlight shines directly on Grog and I love it.

I've always treasured those rare moments were Grog gets to open up and show his heart. I really love that trope of big dumb character also has emotional complexity, so I really enjoyed the last episode and I can't wait for the next one.

#critical role #critical role meta #the legend of vox machina spoilers #the legend of vox machina #tlovm spoilers #tlovm #grog strongjaw #scanlan shorthalt #pike trickfoot #cr

[bengiyo]

Unintentional Love Story Eps 9 & 10 (Finale) Stray Thoughts

Last time, the truth finally came out, and Taejoon broke things off with Wonyoung in a scene that has really stuck with me because of its intensity. Taejoon accepted the offer from the company to force Wonyoung back into the job as a cruel way to punish both of them. Donghee continues to root for them, but is not receptive to Hotae's advances. Things are kinda sad right now, but I'm really liking how grounded this separation feels.

Episode 9

Glad to see Wonyoung seems to be settling in at work, despite the sneering from last week.

Ah yes, let's hold a pottery class to force another interaction with Taejoon.

I love Donghee. We will fix this relationship!

Is grabbing the other by the scruff their love language?

Nothing like a medical emergency to bring folks back together.

Wonyoung is vibrating with anticipation to help Taejoon again.

I wasn't blown away by the kissing in this so far, but I do want to acknowledge chasing Taejoon's scent in the sweater as soon as he turns around as perfectly romantic and just a bit horny.

"If sparks fly again, I can help you block it." Okay, sir.

"Unrequited love sucks. It really does makes people miserable." Gonna also have to play one of my favorite Babylon 5 scenes now.

I will allow this confession to a sleeping person because of the nature of their current dynamic. I'm also going to allow the shadow kiss on a sleeping person who was pretending to be asleep.

I like the way Koreans enunciate "Christmas Eve." I'm also excited about a Christmas reunion.

That's right, BFF, you tell Taejoon to pull his head out of his ass on this.

Oh no. Donghee's family beat him for being gay. I'm glad Hotae's mom was there to catch him.

Finally, Donghee learns that Hotae has felt this way for a long time.

Wonyoung, please don't read into Taejoon going somewhere with the ex.

I do like Wonyoung refusing his call, though. I think we all need to let go sometimes when people clearly don't like us.

That's right. Tell this thief to fuck off.

You tell him, Wonyoung! If he won't answer your calls or messages, you don't owe him! Give yourself a clean break! You won't be left and read and be expected to root for him to go out with his ex!

Episode 10 (Finale)

Mhmm, look at your life, Taejoon. Look at your choices. What happens when he accepts your rejection? What ya gonna do now?

That's right! Run! RUNNN!

Oh, Wonyoung, I adore you. Truly one of the most earnest boys we've had this year. Seems to be the big trend of the year. Feels like a post-pandemic thing.

Kinda hoped Wonyoung would deepen the second kiss as they made up.

This show just confirmed that Donghee definitely watched Smiley.

We finally meet the friend's wife. We only had her briefly, but I like her.

So the manager used Wonyoung and he was always able to come back? At least this place seems less fucked structurally.

Wonyoung is being bitchy and I love it. Destroy them, sweetie.

Oh good: Wonyoung makes the correct sign for "call me."

I'm also on team Fuck This Job.

I also think we should take advantage of rich boyfriends.

Donghee and Hotae finally making progress in the final 20 minutes.

I'm enjoying seeing Manager Jung cowed.

I like the rings. These two have really grown on me.

Final Verdict: 8.5, Recommended. This show really grew on me in the back half as Wonyoung had a grip on his feelings and clear goals he wanted to pursue. This is probably the most likely a K-drama a BL has felt (@shortpplfedup's description). It didn't gel with me at first, but I ended up feeling fond of all of the characters, and appreciated where they were all coming from. It felt refreshingly adult.

#unintentional love story #korean bl #bl series #Ben watches

[quietly-by-myself]

Shadow By My Fireplace - Chapter 32

Masterlist

Thank you to @darkthingshappen for cheering me on with this chapter.

This is a happy chapter

CW: reunion, recovery whump

===

Sacha sat anxiously on his handmade bed, watching his phone. The phone call wasn’t even an hour ago and it would take his mom and dad at least two hours to reach Syracuse.

He could hardly believe it. For all those years, he’d believed that he would never see his family again. He believed that they wouldn’t want him. He believed that he was ruined. Now, they were driving to come get him. They still loved him after all those years. Hearing his mother’s voice had made that clear. He wasn’t ruined, not to her.

Cyril had a sad smile on his face. Sacha knew what he was worried about - he was worrying about it, too. Neither of them wanted to leave the other. They were perhaps a pair of bonded cats - one who’d been beaten and left for death and the other who’d lost their bonded.

“Sacha, I- I wanted to say that I’m really happy for you.”

Cyril’s voice was full of an emotion that Sacha couldn’t quite pinpoint. There was an air of sadness between them, even if it should’ve been a happy time.

Would Sacha’s mom accept Cyril - the tall, gruff, tattooed ex-doctor with enormous difficulty accepting people into his big, broken heart? Sacha didn’t know. She might find him bizarre. After all, Cyril was much older than him. 

Sacha wondered - would she accept his tattoos? His scars? What if she balked when she saw him? He didn’t look like her son anymore. 

“Cyril, I’m, um, thankful for everything you’ve done.”

Cyril nodded. “If I can’t come with you, promise that you’ll call me once and a while?”

Sacha sat there, stunned. Silence hung between the two of them. “You- you want to come with me?”

Again, Cyril nodded, this time more shyly. “I’m sorry. It probably seems strange. I’d - I want to move to Hope or somewhere close. I could open a practice. I’ve always done rural medicine. Maybe I could help you or your mother with aches and pains.”

Tears formed in Sacha’s eyes. “You want to practice again?”

Cyril took a deep breath. “You’ve shown me something I’d forgotten, Sacha. The majority of people in this world are good. They’re resilient. They stand up against great evil. The bad aren’t worth saving, but most aren’t bad. After all, this whole world would be so fucked up it wouldn’t function if everyone was bad. So, I want to practice again. Especially near your home.”

“But- what about your cabin? Your garden?”

“I’ll sell it. You mean more to me than a pile of sticks.” Cyril looked around a bit. “It’s… probably better that I leave anyway. I’m at a different place in my life now. This represents a different time, now. I can plant a garden wherever there’s dirt.”

The two of them sat in silence for a while. Though Cyril most often took care of Sacha, Sacha couldn’t help but feel proud of Cyril. Cyril had softened a lot since he first met him. Whether or not that was because they’d grown inseparably close, Sacha didn’t know. 

“I think it does for both of us,” Sacha eventually said.

Cyril nodded his agreement.

They sat in silence again. Amber came to them eventually and began to knead the blanket Sacha had swaddled her in when she was a vulnerable kitten. She almost looked like a full-grown cat now. 

The ringing of Sacha’s full-volume default ringtone filled the room, shattering the silence they found themselves in.

“Sacha? Are you there?”

It was Sacha’s dad. Sacha’s breath hitched in his throat. He was suddenly reminded of how close he was to going home. It felt far in the future, even if it was less than three hours away.

“Yes, Papa, I am. Are you in Syracuse?”

“Yes, we’re almost out of the city. We got stuck in a jam.”

Sacha chuckled a little. It all felt so surreal, like he was in a movie. He could hardly believe that he was going home.

“Sacha? What’s the name of the person you’re with? We want to be able to thank him when we get there.”

“His name is Cyril. Cyril Galanos.”

Cyril looked up at Sacha, looking a little confused. 

“Okay. Thank you. You’re, um, you’re safe, really, right?”

Sacha smiled a bit into the phone. “Yes, I really am.”

“Okay.” His dad went quiet. “Okay,” he added a little more forcefully. “We’ll be there soon.”

“Okay, Papa. I love you.”

The line went quiet. “I love you, too.” His voice was shaking. Then the beep came that his dad had hung up.

Sacha looked at Cyril. “That was my dad. They’re in Syracuse.”

Cyril nodded. “Okay. Will they need food?”

Sacha nodded. “I doubt they’re stopping to eat.”

—

Sacha heard the car doors shut before he saw his mom.

When he saw her, he thought he was going to faint. All the blood rushed to his feet. His heart stopped beating for what felt like a minute. She was black-haired like him with hazel eyes. People always said he had his mother’s eyes. It was true, too, he guessed.

His dad came out next. He was tall - something Sacha didn’t inherit - but had the same black hair and green eyes. He was starting to bald and he had gray hairs that Sacha didn’t remember. Luckily, his mom’s side didn’t bald.

Nothing could stop Sacha. He ran to the door, throwing it open, and ran into his mother’s arms.

He saw the moment when she saw him, the recognition in her eyes. The shock, the awe, the happiness, the sadness for the years they lost together - all of it came to her chest as she held her son.

It wasn’t long before both of them were crying. She held Sacha tightly, pulling him close like she would never let him go. 

“We missed you,” she hiccuped a bit. “We missed you so much, Sacha. It’s so good to see you again.”

“I missed you. I thought about you and Papa every day.”

She hugged him tighter at that. Eventually, Sacha’s dad joined the hug, tears rolling down his face, too. 

“We never thought we would see you again, Sacha,” his dad said, holding both Sacha and his mother tight. 

“I- I still can’t believe I’m out.”

“Yes, and now you’re in my arms. You never have to go back. That much, I promise you,” Sacha’s mom whispered into his hair, rubbing it gently. 

They were silent, hugging and crying and making up for the four years lost in precious, loving seconds. 

“How did it happen? How did you get out?” his mother eventually asked, pushing Sacha back a bit so she could look at him.

“M- The man who kept me, he died of an infection. I was able to escape. He left my room unlocked.”

His mother smiled and cupped his face, right below the scar Emery had left on his cheek. When Sacha looked into her face, it was as though she’d aged ten years in the four he’d been gone.

“So, a miracle. God was watching over you.” She smiled warmly. “Your birthday is in two weeks. We’ll be able to celebrate it together. You’re even home for Christmas. I never believed I would see another one of your birthdays or spend another Christmas with you.”

Her face contorted with sadness as she started sobbing again, pulling Sacha close. 

When all had calmed down and the stories and emotions of years had been passed silently through hugs, Cyril came from behind.

“Mrs. and Mr. Matisse, my name is Cyril Galanos. I found your son after he’d escaped. I’m a former doctor and I was able to help nurse him back to health.”

Sacha’s mom walked towards Cyril, smiling. “You’re my son’s guardian angel?”

Cyril took a moment of pause, then smiled a bit. “I guess so.”

Her eyes filled with emotion as she looked upon the long-haired, tattooed doctor. “I cannot put into words my thanks. You gave us our son back. I just… you saved him. You’re practically family for that. We will forever be in your debt.”

A twinge of sadness flickered through Cyril’s eyes as he smiled genuinely at Sacha’s mom. “You don’t owe me anything. It’s okay.”

“Please, allow us to have even one meal with you. I’ll drive you to my home and pay for your plane ticket and fare back.”

“Well, I- um, I cooked you and your husband food. I didn’t know if you’d eaten on your way here.”

“No, no, you’re too kind!”

Cyril smiled, opening the door to his cabin. “I insist. We can eat outside if it makes you more comfortable.”

Sacha’s mom moved towards the door when Sacha willingly went inside, patting Cyril’s shoulder. The bond between the two men was obvious. This was not the man who’d hurt Sacha.  And he had been hurt.  She could see it in his eyes and the way he carried himself now.

Sacha’s mom looked around, taking in the whole place. She noticed the handmade bed, the thick, warm bed sheets, the warm fireplace, the medical supplies, the glasses on Sacha’s face, and the cat that wandered around the place. Sacha had been cared for - that much was obvious. His dad went straight to the table. Ever since an accident at his work, well, Sacha guessed it was five years ago, he had a bad knee that acted up if he stood for too long.

Cyril went into the kitchen and served the food. Amber came from around the bend to Cyril’s bedroom to investigate the new people. 

Sacha’s mom laughed a bit. “Is the cat yours, Cyril?”

“No, she’s all Sacha’s. Sacha raised her.”

“Well, then, I guess she’s coming with us.”

They all exchanged a laugh, then silence fell over them.

“Really, Cyril, if you think of anything we can do to repay you, let us know, okay?”

Cyril nodded, but looked pensive as he began to eat his soup. Sacha wondered what was on his mind and if, after tomorrow, he’d ever see Cyril again. The thought didn’t sit well with him. How was he supposed to choose between his family and the man who’d saved him?  His brother.  

That’s tomorrow’s problem, Sacha.

Again, that little Cyril-voice in his head told him everything would be okay. Sacha just had to believe it.

===

Tags: @whumpsday @i-can-even-burn-salad, @pigeonwhumps, @darkthingshappen, @pumpkin-spice-whump, @darlingwhump, @maracujatangerine, @just-a-whumping-racoon-with-wifi, @flowersarefreetherapy, @octopus-reactivated, @quietshae, @whump-blog, @inkkswhumpandstuff, @whumpycries, @whumpkinz

#whump #whump writing #whump story #whump fic #whumpblr #whump community #whump comfort #reunion #recovery whump #shadow by my fireplace #cyril #sacha

[cheetee]

Oneshot: TV Episodes from another point of view

Some scenes from EncantoTV from Bruno's POV, because sometimes i get the urge for platonic angst/fluff and I can't be arsed doing all the buildup again so.

feat. swear words, local man full of love and internal screaming.

Nobody had warned Bruno about teenagers. Isabela had been twelve the last time he'd been around. His little nieces had grown up since. Grown up, God help him! He hadn't known what to say to them on his return, but they surprised him with a bottle of wine and a tearful private reunion, where they drunkenly caught him up on all the family drama. They were no longer just kids to be raised now, but young adults eager to befriend him, happy to see him return home. It made less difference to them: they were grown. It was the kids that were the problem.

Antonio was a dream. He was just like Mirabel at that age, although terribly shy around strangers; once Antonio realised that Bruno would answer questions, listen to animal facts and let him play in mud he was instantly sold on this 'new uncle' idea. But Mirabel? Lord have mercy, Camilo? Bruno thought he was doing okay until Julieta and Pepa left him in charge.

Boy, he was not doing okay at being the adult in the house. 

We're the Madrigals. We're the family that protects the Encanto.

The person in charge is you. So what plan did you come up with?

I don't wanna hear another word.

Don't talk to Mirabel like that.

Bruno had been playing the last tense conversation he'd had with the kids in his head over and over again, knots of guilt and fear coiling in his stomach. Tomorrow he'd have to man up and talk to people in the village, make plans, deliver news of another catastrophic vision. It made him want to puke. But right now all he could do was fix the mess he'd made with Mirabel and Camilo, who had definitely lost what misguided respect for him they might have developed.

Don't talk to Mirabel like that.

Oh, Camilo could be cruel, that was fine. Bruno knew enough about teens to handle that part. But it was the righteousness in those his words that got him the most. Díos mio, why had he talked to Mirabel like that? She'd only been trying to help, and putting his foot down had made the light fade from her eyes in a way he hoped to never see again. Mirabel had gone completely empty, and smiled a placating nothing-smile at him, and Camilo had looked at him with so much hate. Antonio had gotten teary-eyed and asked them not to fight. Lord, Bruno had wanted to do the same. He didn't want to fight. He didn't want to fight at all.

And here he was, an idiot who had not only taken control of the situation too late, but successfully hurt everyone's feelings in the process! Round of applause! Standing ovation for Bruno, he's fucked up personally and practically! Bruno ran his hands through his hair and groaned.

Mirabel. He needed to make things right with her; if he did, then Camilo would, at the very least, be vindicated. Why had Bruno shut her down? She would've listened to him if he'd just asked her to. Mirabel, the little girl who'd brought him home and stood up for him when nobody else would! And what had he done? Grounded her. Mirabel had once told Bruno he was the best friend she'd ever had. He'd cried. 

And now look at him! He made himself walk up the stairs and approach her bedroom door.

Tío Bruno. Tío Bruno. He was Tío Bruno, wise and funny and warm. He was not a flaming hot dumpster fire tearing his own brain to shreds. He was Tío Bruno, the best friend Mirabel had ever had (don't cry), and he was going to talk to his niece and gently tell her he was sorry and it would be fine.

"Mirabel?" he called, knocking on her door. "C-can we talk?"

A stutter in his voice. He listened; silence, but no snoring.

"It's okay if you're upset," he continued, "I understand if you don’t want to talk... I mean, I can - I’ll just talk. You don’t have to talk. I wanted to say sorry. Um. Can I come in?"

The silence was starting to make him wonder if she was in there at all. She could've gone to the bathroom. He hadn't heard that. Or...

"Mirabel," he repeated, with a sense of rising urgency. 

No response.

He creaked the door open. 

Dark room. The curtains fluttered in the moonlight, with Mirabel's large window open, a newly-formed staircase swirling away from the open window and down to the ground.

Bruno stared for a long moment. 

Then he said, tiredly, "Casita, really?"

The door creaked apologetically shut. Bruno stood there for a moment, mind empty, and then - for lack of any other ideas - smacked his head against the door and hoped for a concussion.

"Ow," he said. He didn't get one.

He lingered there for a moment. Then he peeled himself off the door, groaned, and began to sprint down the hall.

*

There were a couple of things Bruno hated about being sick. The year 1969 was one of them.

It was an ordeal. His head was pounding, his nose was running, and every time he sneezed he learned something different about 1969. He decided quickly that it was the worst year ever invented. Sometimes he'd be lucky enough to glimpse something else, like a bit of the nineties. Not that any of the visions were pleasant; it was confusing and disorienting and made his sinuses hurt. But 1969 stung especially badly. Why then? Nothing interesting happened in 1968, as far as he knew. No election. Another war, but there was always another war. And he hated the boy bands. 

Bruno pinched his nose and squinted, holding off another barrage of sneezing, and cursed God for inventing snow. Snow made his magic go haywire, his magic made his body weaker, and his bad luck ensured he'd come down with something within the week.

Of course, one of the other things he hated about being sick, which was less fun to think about, was dying alone.

The thought was irrational, but ten years of habit kept it fresh in his mind. Too many times curled up behind the walls, desperately trying to muffle his coughing, aching and nauseous. It swirled around his brain like an unwelcome guest. Nobody knows you're here. Nobody will find you. If you get worse, nobody will help you. If you die they won’t even find your body.

Of course, with Julieta's magic not working on him, the possibility was a lot fresher on his mind than it would be otherwise. It was a stupid thought. He had a cold, for goodness' sake, not the plague. And yet...

There weren't even any rats. Where were they? He hadn't even seen any that morning. They'd abandoned him too, then, along with his health and Julieta's magic. That was a problem that would need solving... at some point.

Bruno sneezed. Painful green light flashed behind his eyes.

Oh, please, say to me you'll let me be your man, and please, say to me you'll let me hold your hand, you'll let me hold your hand, I want to hold your hand...

"Shut up," he groaned, sinking his head into his hands.

He stayed there for a long moment, nursing his headache, trying to dispel the dread that was rattling around his skull. He forgot, for a moment, that his room was no longer a secret and he was no longer a stranger to the children; he nearly jumped out of his skin when Mirabel knocked on the door, then nudged it open with her hip, a tray of things probably sent by a fussing Julieta in her hands. He straightened himself up as quickly as possible, rubbing his nose and trying to look normal. 

"Mirabel," he said, "Everything okay?"

“Yeah!” she said brightly. “Just checking in!”

Although it was clear from the over-cheerful way she was carrying herself that everything wasn't okay. There was something tugging at her eyes as she spoke, as though she were checking for some invisible enemy. It probably wasn't one of those; it was probably an emotional problem. Mirabel was fifteen and didn't have many enemies. Bruno tried to ask her about it and instead had to stifle another sneeze, which showed him the image or a long-haired man with large, flared pants and immediately made him forget what he was going to say. 

He saw Mirabel wince and suddenly worried he was making her uncomfortable. She probably had better ways to spend her time than porting things to her disgusting invalid uncle. "Did your mom put you up to this?" he asked.

"No!" She laughed nervously, exaggerating her smile too much to be convincing. "I just thought we should hang out! And do... healthy... activities."

He cocked an eyebrow. Mirabel, at this level of hyperactivity, usually didn't last more than a few hours without cracking and admitting what was wrong.

She deflated. "Okay, well, I'm kind of avoiding the village at the moment."

Now that was a feeling Bruno knew well. He wished - not for the first time - that he'd done more to protect her reputation, that she had turned out as well-liked as her sisters. This room was often Mirabel's shelter when she felt alone, the same way it had once been Bruno’s; he wouldn't kick her out if that was what she needed, even if he could use a nap. "Well, consider me at your service," he told her, although the house slapped him in the knees when he tried to accompany her out.

He stretched his arms, sniffed, and grabbed his copy of Ficciones from the shelf. He fretted for a moment with the cover, wondering if Mirabel was being bullied, if Abuela had been talking to her again, if she'd had another dream about the fall. Should he have pushed? No, no, she needed her privacy. --But should he have pushed?

She sat at his table, now cluttered beyond recognition, obscuring the crayon plate drawing, her tongue stuck out in concentration. Mirabel's drawings were good. Too ambitious to be realistic, of course. Too much focus on the drawing, not the design. But she was excellent for her age, her lack of aptitude overcome by studious practice and hard work. Bruno read his book and scowled at the way his nose was running and idly munched empanadas in the hopes one of them would cure him.

(He didn't notice that the dread had eased, that his thoughts had drifted elsewhere; but then, he rarely noticed, in the moment, that it had happened, not until it was over.)

*

When things went a little wrong, Bruno found it hard to keep it together. But when things completely fell apart, when everything was ruined and unimaginably bad, when disaster stuck harder than anyone could have thought? Bruno found himself extraordinarily able to keep it together. He found that if he needed to, he could keep his head straight through a whole day of hell on earth and only start screaming once it was over.

When they found the bleeding figure of Professor Dunnock, his hands weakly holding a terrible sword wound, Bruno held his head straight and told Luisa what to do. The ease with which he could take charge comforted him. He could be brave, as long as Mirabel and Luisa were there; his two youngest nieces, who needed him more than he needed to break down. 

Mirabel said, "Just ten minutes. I'll be right behind you. Please."

Bruno barely had time to worry about Mirabel's safety. The white man, if he could be saved, would soon cross the point of no return. "Ten minutes," said Bruno, and then shoved his fear into a mental locker to pull out later.

Julieta didn't often treat injuries this dire. When she saw Dunnock her attention was immediately on him. She had the instincts of a medic, always had; perhaps in another life she’d have been a doctor, a nurse, somebody who helped people using just her knowledge. Perhaps it was for the best she had her Gift, at least for her current patient.

They set him on the kitchen table, having no better operating table. Julieta spoke softly to the man, took a spoonful of milk, and tilted his head back. "Here, you'll feel better," she whispered, "Just drink a little, cariño, just a spoonful, for me..."

Every sip of liquid closed the wound a little more, and as the injury went from dire to bad to merely painful, a sheen of sweat appeared on Julieta's face; her magic, usually so plentiful, was finally running low, draining her energy. Eventually she reached a point where her patient was recovering, even if he was still unconscious. It was only then she stopped, gently arranged his sleeping form to be more comfortable, and took his hand.

"Thank you for being kind to my daughter," she whispered to the sleeping professor. Then she turned to Luisa, opening her arms for a hug, and held her; Luisa carried her to the sofa, and they fell asleep there, both exhausted from the day's antics.

Not Bruno, though. Bruno was running on overdrive. It had been twenty-five minutes and Mirabel wasn't there.

Bruno didn't remember the sword that killed his father, of course. But he'd never forgotten that violence had taken everything from his mother, that Pedro Madrigal had died helpless at swordpoint. Touching the handle of Simón's sword had made him want to vomit. He hadn't realised how deeply the idea of losing anyone else to the blade frightened him until he saw Dunnock shaking and bleeding in that tent, and now, with Mirabel absent, he had to know what would happen.

He didn't bother with his room; stress had brought the vision itching at the edge of his awareness. He collapsed against the wall and turned his eyes towards the future.

— Mirabel, running through the trees, hiding, peeking. She stares at someone —

A blade on her hip — she holds it and steps forward —

a figure with a sword — they stare at each other —

the figure swings — Mirabel defends —

— blood in the mountain spring — Mirabel's blade, clattering to the ground —

— Mirabel —

No! No! Show him anything, anything, anything except the dead body of Mirabel. He couldn't look.

Bruno cut the vision off with a gasp. The dust swirling around him settled. He panted, slumping, letting the wall catch him. 

She'd lied. She wasn't looking for Antonio. Of course she wasn't. She'd taken that stupid machete and gone looking for Dunnock's attacker. Gone after the murderer.

And she would find him. And she would fight him.

She'd stopped trusting him the moment he ran his mouth and insulted her. Mirabel, you're not like us. But what could he say about that now? It was sickeningly true. Mortal, defenceless Mirabel. She had no magic between herself and her attacker. No Gift to protect her. All she had to save her now was Bruno.

A burst of adrenaline made him push himself off the wall and start running. Sprint out of the house, find a horse, find the spring. If he hadn't seen her body then she could still be unhurt. Still be stopped. Still be saved.

He remembered when Mirabel was born. She’d had a difficult birth. (Fifteen years ago; had it really been that long?) She'd been born early, all red and breathing funny, and an exhausted Julieta fell into a troubled sleep; Agustín had handed Mirabel to Bruno for a moment, just one, and Bruno had looked down at her, and Agustín had panted, "Will she be alright?"

Bruno looked down at the baby and carefully looked for her future. He saw it there, just a glimpse, a memory of something not yet passed. Mirabel, a child, and Bruno, her uncle, and a memory of love, of fondness, of friendship. Yes, Mirabel would live. Mirabel would live and Bruno sensed that they would be friends someday.

Bruno nodded, smiling so hard his face hurt, and Agustín had thrown his arms around him and sobbed, and they had hugged in exhausted joy with the baby cradled between them. It had been the best vision Bruno had ever had.

(Later it would turn out the blood in the vision was from her hand, not anywhere else. When he saw her cradling it, gasping and pale and blissfully alive, he realised he'd come too late after all; that if the blade had swung a few inches closer, then-- 

She looked scared and tired, her hand held painfully to her chest. Her bravery had almost taken everything from him. He kissed her forehead, aching. I love you, he thought, I love you, I love you, never do that to me, never do that to anyone, please, never, never again. "You dumb kid," he said, his heart breaking, "You're killin' me.")

#encanto #encanto fanfiction #my writing #bruno madrigal #aka “local man's only talent is worrying about his niece” in 3000 words #encantoTV

[pillowfriends]

The Shadow Rising new reader thoughts: chapters 31-35

(Full disclosure: as I write these, I am on chapter 42. I got way behind in writing up my reactions)

Chapter 31: Assurances

Alanna is a bit scary. Her talk about forcing a bond on the ta'veren boys was... uh... concerning. Verin remains my favorite Aes Sedai after Moiraine, and probably my favorite side character overall. She's so quietly sassy. "An easy manner?" Verin said, blinking. "Moiraine? I never noticed." I love her so much. RIP Owein aka Maksim.

The conversations between Perrin, Tam and Abell were nice. Wholesome dad behavior.

Fucking Whitecloaks again. Also I JUST learned that Padan Fain merged his soul with the Shadar Logoth guy. IN BOOK ONE. Who was going to tell me this???? I had to get it explained and I still don't really understand, but oh well.

Chapter 32: Questions to Be Asked

I have approximately zero thoughts about this chapter. I just don't find the Two Rivers reunions all that compelling. It's funny that Perrin still isn't suspicious of Faile's backstory even though the narrative has a blinking neon sign going "SHE'S SECRETLY A NOBLE."

Chapter 33: A New Weave in the Pattern

Lord Luc is 1) tall and 2) has red hair. Who does that sound like? RAND. I really can't be bothered to figure out that family tree, though. The book will tell me when it tells me.

Intrigue! Verin says to watch out for Alanna... I think there's at least a 30% chance Alanna tries to force-bond Perrin by the end of this book. I hope that doesn't happen because I like Alanna but at this point the possibility has been mentioned too many times for it to be nothing.

Every time I read the name Lewin, my brain just goes to Lews Therin and it's extremely unhelpful.

Chapter 34: He Who Comes with the Dawn

"Mat was a great complainer at small discomforts..." This is the most I've ever related to Mat. "Great complainer at small discomforts" should be my tagline.

This chapter actually fucks hard. The description of Rand's dragon tattoos was badass, and we got a lot of exposition on Rand's biological parents. Shaiel is a cool name for a cool woman, and I'm pretty sure Janduin was ta'veren.

MOIRAINE LAN CONTENT - Lan being worried for Moiraine in the arches, and then running down to scoop her up as soon as she came back! We got three whole paragraphs, I'm living. [Also then I read this missing scene fanfiction by that's very good.]

Chapter 35: Sharp Lessons

This chapter title is so good. Also Egwene seeing Elayne shirtless in Tel'aran'rhiod is very sapphic.

I want to slap Egwene at the end of this chapter. She's like "Oh, Moiraine looks upset from what happened in Rhuidean, I should check on her." Then when she checks on her and Moiraine spouts some frankly concerning sentiments about the Pattern and her life, Egwene is like "Wow what a bitch."

“The Wheel weaves as the Wheel wills, and we are only the thread of the Pattern. I have given my life to finding the Dragon Reborn, finding Rand, and seeing him ready to face the Last Battle. I will see that done, whatever it requires. Nothing and no one can be more important than that.” Shivering despite her sweat, Egwene closed her eyes. The Aes Sedai did not want comforting. She was a lump of ice, not a woman.

This is fascinating because what Egwene hears is that Moiraine would sacrifice anything to help the Dragon's cause, but she completely skips over hearing that Moiraine has already sacrificed her entire life and everything she holds dear. This happens again and again with different characters and I feel feral every time I think about it. But I'm always feral about Moiraine so what else is new.

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#wheel of time #the shadow rising #moiraine damodred #lan mandragoran #verin mathwin #alanna mosvani

[cabinofimagines]

Holi-days ten; Leo Valdez vs your ghost of relationship past

A/N: Personally my family doesn’t compare me to other people but bOY are they obsessed with love lives -Danny

Pairing: PLATONIC Leo Valdez x gn!reader 

Words: 2,017 (Yes I still love Leo more than the rest I won’t apologize)

Warnings: Fake dating. I’ll try to make the interactions as platonic as possible. He’s committed to the bit.

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“I’m begging you, do not answer more than what the question needs,” you begged Leo while getting closer to your parent’s house. “Otherwise we’ll be tripping in lies.”

“Stop underestimating my talents,” he scoffed. “I can keep up with the lie, it’s you who worries me, you’re a shitty liar under pressure.”

“I am not!”

“Not with our friends, but everyone folds in front of their parents. It’s okay though, I don’t know any of these people so I can lie, I just need you to tell me who your ex is so I don’t fuck up.”

“Name’s Gil, you’ll know who it is as soon as we enter, it’s like a children-magnet, puppy-charmer.”

Leo gave you a confused look. “That tells me nothing.”

“Trust me,” your gaze darkened. “You’ll know.”

Leo knocked on the door because your hands were full with presents and food for the party, when the door opened it was your uncle who welcomed you in.

“Y/N/N!” He smiled, but before you could even step in, his eyes landed on Leo and his entire face lit up at the sight of a new character. “You brought someone!”

“Hi, I’m Leo,” your friend reached for the older man’s hand. Was it your imagination, or was his voice slightly deeper than moments before? “I’m Y/N’s boyfriend.”

“Boyfriend!” Your uncle pulled Leo in, leaving you at the door, ignored and struggling to carry everything you’d brought with you. “Everyone, Y/N’s here with a boyfriend!”

Several voices came from the living room, the first people to show up were your cousins and aunts. Your youngest cousin squealed in excitement and beamed at Leo as if he were a guy straight out of her favorite novels.

He was wrapped in a conversation with your cousins, and since they were the least annoying of the whole group, you decided he was safe at the moment, and you made your way to the kitchen.

“Hi..?” Your parent welcomed you in with open arms, smiling at you like it’d been years since your last reunion. Sometimes it felt like that. 

“Y/N! Let me give you a hand...”

As you both placed everything you were carrying on the large table, your parent glanced at you with a little grin. 

“Did I hear right? You brought a boyfriend?”

“Yeah,” you smiled, hoping it looked confident. “He’s in the living room, do you wanna meet him?”

“Sure, but just so you know,” you walked out of the kitchen together, lowering your voices. “Gil’s in the living room too, so this is gonna be a little awkward.”

You tried to keep your smile on your face, Gil was about to go down. “It’s okay, we’re all grown-ups, right?”

Although you weren’t feeling that grown right now, you were back in your teens desperately trying to get Gil to look your way, even if this time around it was for completely opposite reasons.

You didn’t understand why things had gone down the way they did, I mean, Gil was the stranger in this situation, and yet your family had always fawned over your friend. You’ve met in middle school, way before you’d fully submerged into the demigod life, so you could say back then you were the same. 

Then you started to grown, and you started to like each other a bit too much, and suddenly Gil was your first kiss, your first prom date, and then in college you sorta fell out of love, mostly because you were never around (demigods are never when you most need them and always where they least should be) and you broke up, but at first it was okay.

Sure, you’ve always been a little annoyed during the relationship because everyone was always pointing out how little you were there and how Gil was always doing everything for you and then some. How Gil was amazing at handling school, work, and your relationship. Then you broke up, and it just got worse, because now Gil was in a relationship with your whole family, and you were perpetually third-wheeling.

“Y/N, there you are!” Leo showed up at the living room’s entrance, finding your hand and intertwining your fingers. “Is this..?”

“This is my parent, Y/P/N,” you gracefully pulled Leo closer. “This is my boyfriend, Leo Valdez, he’s from my summer job.”

Your parent knew well what your summer job was, but you would call it that way when the rest of the family was present to avoid awkward conversations as to why on earth were you still going to your childhood summer camp.

“Nice to meet you, Leo,” they shook hands briefly, but something in your parent’s eyes gave you the icky feeling that the lies weren’t that solid.

When Gil and Leo first interacted there was nothing dramatic to it, Leo was surprisingly casual and natural, so was Gil. However, you could notice the little things and you were living for them.

At some point while talking about jobs and what not, your aunt mentioned Gil’s newest promotion and pointed out that your job seemed to be a little harder than your ex’s, considering how long it was taking you to move up.

Leo was quick to intervene.

“Oh, that’s gotta be my fault,” he sighed, “I have this charity organization that travels across the country and Y/N helps me from time to time, so they have to work from home often— of course it’s an advantage that Y/N’s friends with the boss, and we can always tell her about our trips so she can give Y/N the week.”

“I keep telling Leo he’s got no fault in this, I’m happy to help,” you smiled big, delighted with his performance. “But yeah, my boss was Leo’s teacher in college and she holds him in great esteem, I’m lucky he’s such a man of the people.”

Gil glanced at you briefly from across the table, but you pretended not to notice.

“So auntie,” you continued. “What about your son? Is he graduating High school at last?”

Leo choked on his drink, but he managed to turn away before your aunt could notice.

“No way.”

“I swear.”

“No, there’s no way you’re the one who designed that new rollercoaster at the San Francisco fair— that thing’s amazing!”

“For a change it’s the first attraction where I don’t feel like it’s so terribly built I could die at any moment.”

“That’s cause I’m good at my job,” Leo said proudly. “No but seriously, that’s something I made with my mom, she’s crazy good at building that kind of structures, and my little sister’s a fan of rollercoasters, so...”

You locked eyes with Leo and winked at him, he had all of your cousins wrapped around his pinky, and your aunts were slowly melting at his apparently selfness nature, he had tons of stories from his time helping the youths and then some more about this camp where he counseled the little kids.

Only the uncles were a little unimpressed, but you had the feeling it was closer to jealousy, Leo was really checking all the boxes of a model citizen and your uncles... were, most of them always left things to be desired.

As for Gil... Gil seemed to be enjoying Leo almost as much as everyone else, and you weren’t sure of how to feel about that. If you were honest, however, this whole rivalry thing you had going on... it was pretty much just you, fighting against the made-up expectations you felt you had to cover.

Talking about the devil, Gil finally got up and approached you, smiling from ear to ear.

“Leo’s fantastic.”

“I know, right?” You beamed. “Can’t believe he agreed to come— I mean, that he had time to visit.”

Gil looked at you funnily, but if something sounded wrong about your story, it was never brought up.

“You know, I’ve been worried about you.”

You frowned. “What?”

“Yeah I mean, your family is amazing, but I don’t know... ever since we started college— god, even before college, at some point you just... grew distant. It felt like there was something keeping you, and I thought that breaking up was the best idea...”

“I broke up with you,” you said defensively.

“Yeah, well I let it happen,” Gil brushed it off. “But you didn’t get better, and I felt awful cause I thought I’d left you alone to deal with whatever it was you were dealing, but I was wrong...”

Gil turned and nodded at Leo with a warm smile.

“I’m glad to see you’ve been in good hands.”

Leo looked way too comfortable with your family, but looking at him made you think of everyone else. Gil couldn’t understand, would never understand why you’d left everyone out of your life— but your camp friends understood. 

They knew you better than anyone ever could, they were willing to travel and disregard their own holiday plans only to back you up against the worst enemy of all: blood relatives.

 You smiled at the thought, nodding a little. “Yeah, I’m quite lucky, aren’t I?”

“Hi again,” Leo nudged your arm. “Been a long night, right?”

“Could’ve been worse, honestly,” you sighed, returning the nudge. “Thank you for coming, you really didn’t have to. I could’ve just lied.”

“Yeah but I wanted to come, to be honest is like good practice for when I actually meet my actual partner’s family. What reminds me... what are you gonna say to them if they ask about me again?”

You snorted. “What makes you think I’m letting you go so quickly? I hope you’re ready for the long run, cause we have a fake wedding to plan.”

Leo laughed. “How about just marrying for real? If I die you get my life insurance and if you die I get yours!”

“If we’re both single by thirty we marry?” You joked.

“Yes!” He put an arm around your shoulders. “See? Great minds think alike.”

You snorted, elbowing him playfully. “I talked to Gil a while ago.”

Leo’s mouth fell open, he got a little too excited. “Don’t tell me Gil tried to get you back?!”

“No no,” you rolled your eyes. “Don’t be like that, is not that kind of gossip.”

“Ah damn, I was so ready to make a scene,” Leo sighed. “What did you talk about, then?”

You briefly told him the whole story, and at the end Leo tilted his head, a funny look in his eyes.

“Huh. Yeah, that sounds about right.”

“Really?”

“Well, dating mortals is not easy,” Leo shrugged. “Especially if you’re not willing to tell them the truth. I guess that from outside, it does look like we’re just a bunch of depressed and secretive people. Gil’s right, none of them can really help you out with your olympic struggles, but you have us for that, so it’s okay.”

“So... you’re saying I’ll die alone?”

Around you, everyone started the countdown to the New Year, Leo grabbed two drinks and handed you one of them.

“C’mon, Y/N L/N won’t die alone. You’re too cool for that. And if everything else fails, you have me to play your handsome fiance for the next...” he squinted, “two years? You better get to work, otherwise you’ll be stuck with me forever.”

“I could say the same to you,” you grinned.

“FIVE... FOUR... THREE...”

“Meh, could be worse, honestly,” he admitted, putting an arm around your shoulders to pull you closer. He’d noticed your aunties were watching the two of you from afar.

“TWO... ONE!”

Fireworks could be heard in the distance, the “Happy new year!” choir came from all over the house, hugs were exchanged around you, and Leo planted a loud and dramatic kiss on your cheek.

“Happy New year, baby,” he said out loud in the cheesiest voice he could muster.

You cringed, but luckily enough managed to do most of the suffering on the inside.

“Happy New Year... babe.”

Leo laughed, ruffling your hair and kissing your cheek once more, for your grandma’s sake.

#Danny's writing #pjo fanfic #hoo imagine #xmas 2022 #leo valdez x reader

[prettydeaneyes]

Here I am again in need to get some things out of my swirling fucked up head about Jensen...

Firstly, His greed. He has upped his convention fee by at least $50. At Crossroads 6 a Photo was £150 and an autograph was £95. His price for Purcon 2024 is €200 per photo and auto. $219.74c (£176.78p)

In the meantime, it seems Jared is dropping his prices to make sure EVERYONE has a chance to meet him. I think Jensen has lost touch with reality and thinks he can justify this because he's popular and has a bigger fan base. This is unfortunately what happens when too many people blow smoke up your ass and putting you on a never ending praise pedestal, you start believing all the hype! 😔

Someone needs to sit him down and bring him back down to planet earth!

Secondly, From what I've seen of last night's Family Reunion event all I can say is WOW! It looked like a total rip-off!! 1K per membership for what exactly? A free glass, a free bottle of beer and a photo plus some other minor freebies?

Jensen spent most of the night it seems hiding away from his fans behind the bar again or in the tap room getting his photo taken. He only ventured out to say Hello, Thank you & Goodbye, why does he refuse to mingle with the paying patrons? I would have been greatly disappointed if I had attended.

My God, he saw these gullible fans coming from miles away and fleeced them hard that's for sure. That's what annoys me, taking advantage of people.

There was no singing, Steve wasn't even there so why was the Brewery even advertising RC might play? to get more $$$ that's why. 😡

To be honest, the way Jensen was drinking last night I don't think he could have sung even if he wanted too.

Also, something else I noticed there has been no photos of fans with him? Very strange.

It feels like every time I hear another Jensen story my heart sinks a little more and another chip of respect falls away, this is not the Jensen I admired respected supported and was proud of from 4yrs ago, where has that man gone? I'm pining for him to come back to us because this egotistical arrogant money hungry Jerk before us is not him! This man is what I'm now referring to as Hurt-Crying out for help/attention- Douchbag- Functioning alcoholic Dean! I feel the line is no longer blurred he's losing his own identity (hiding) so fast it's scary! I love Dean Winchester because he's not real but If Jensen is turning into him in real time that's very alarming to me. I just hope he either seeks professional help or he has good friends around him when he finally crashes and burns from whatever is going on with him because it's clear he can not count on his wife to support him in times of despair for comfort.

I'm sorry if any of this offends anyone reading it's just how my heart feels right now.😔

#jensen ackles #jensenackles