#i’ve grown a lot and i’ve healed in some ways. i’m kind of different now

[brekker-by-brekkerr]

It really annoys me that from what I’ve seen, people who ~loved~ J*nathan from the start in s1 are actually people who love the “underdog” trope and they didn’t actually put some thought on who his character was behind the surface ? I saw people getting mad and saying stuff like the Duffers had regressed/sidelined J in s2 for Steve to shine and that’s such bullshit!!! I love that Steve redeems himself from his mistakes in s1 already, and we get to watch him grow and learn from that. I don’t know what the Duffer’s plan for J was, but I honestly think it would have been better if he had stayed a friend of Nancy’s. They could have idk kissed and realized it wouldn’t work… the pictures he took without her consent on such an intimate moment + the way they got together in s2 is so gross I’m sorry but how can people ship that?! I honestly think people mistake real life for fiction and it’s so weird to me?!

Also I love what you said about Steve being honest with Nancy about his feelings, like, it would be so much easier to take advantage of the situation to make himself look nice in her eyes and even to protect himself, but he chose not to hide that from her. Very unlike J who always had other intentions with Nancy even when he was there for her “as a friend”…

I think Steve having to be the one to end their relationship in s2 was also a sign Nancy was lost and traumatized, that in that moment Steve was linked to her guilt for what happened to Barb, and even then she didn’t know how to make that decision for herself. Imo, because she did like him A LOT, but their timing back then, and the obstacles that surged, made their relationship impossible. But maybe now there’s hope for healing and for them to have found each other again!🥹🫶🏻

I agree with all of this anon!! The "underdog" thing with J*nathan has always been so weird to me because like you said, under the surface of that trope his behaviour is so unlikable. People have been commenting on how Eddie's portrayal makes J*nathan look even worse and I love seeing it. Eddie's the underdog because he has different interests, and because of his living situation, which is on the surface similar to J*nathan, except Eddie is genuinely likable. It's interesting to me that there's pretty much nobody who's anti Eddie (that I know of) but the fandom is still divided over J*nathan and we've had four seasons for him to redeem himself. It's like J, you're not unlikable because you're different or the underdog, you're unlikable because you stalk people and take pictures of them without their permission and act super judgmental of everyone. The fact that Eddie has his group of friends and J has no one is kind of telling. And that the group loves Eddie pretty automatically but I don't think any of them really care about J.

You're so right about Steve and his growth, and how J*nathan just isn't growing as a character. I can't help but wonder how different the show would be if J*ncy had just stayed friends. That would have worked out so much better and we wouldn't have the creepy Murray basement stuff, although it would still be weird to befriend the person who took creepy pictures of her and constantly belittles her, so idk.

I love how much Steve and Nancy have both grown as characters (which is part of what makes J look so bad), and I have so much hope for both of them and their relationship. Whatever happens next season, I want the best for both of them.

#thanks for the ask! #anti jancy #anti jonathan byers #stancy

[gale-heart]

As I woke with my thoughts and my sinuses cleared, another memory came to me unbidden by magic—the voice strong, remarkable then for its uncharacteristically paternal tone, perhaps less wearied from age and affliction for my fuzzing recollection.

“Your soft heart will endanger you.”

He may have been half right there. The gods know life would feel a lot simpler at times if I’d proven capable of locking my heart up and putting it away out of sight as neatly as he’d done for his own. Would it really have been worth living like that, though? As I look back and assess everything I’ve done so far, I cannot find true regret for any of the choices I’ve made from wanting to be kind. Yes, doing so kept me entangled with Beurghes far longer than it should have, and yes, it ended in heartbreak with Mythandos. But…on the other hand, trying to be kind let me get to see Myth happier and doing better, even if it was only for a little while. It brought me closer to my friends, helped me to find a loving family in the Fence, helped so many people along the way who would have suffered more without—and I desperately hope that it helped to ease Saudormu’s pain even slightly, if he does not wake from how far his grief has consumed him. More selfishly, the soft-heartedness of others has saved me more times than I can remember anymore. I may have been lost to despair far longer without it, if I hadn’t been able to find hope on my own.

It makes me wonder about the experiences the old bird must have had that warped him so. I would much rather not know any more about it than I already do, and I dearly hope I never experience such things that would start me on that same path. The more I travel, the more I learn and see of death and tragedy and the different ways it affects people, I…think, perhaps, I begin to approach some small shade of understanding. Not forgiveness—I shall never find that for his actions—but a seed of comprehension for how he could have grown around his hurts and fears into what he ended as, if they’d been left to fester. Thankfully the world left to the rest of us seems (if cautiously) to be entering a time where being soft-hearted can accomplish more than cruelty. I should like to continue down that road for as long as I can.

The island seems to be sinking faster ever since Saudormu’s spell faded. People are scrambling now to save as much history and endemic wildlife as they can before it’s lost entirely to the waves. I’m of a mind to go and assist them a while before I seek the comfort of my bunk back on the ship. I haven’t asked anyone else what memories the temporal bubble showed them; it doesn’t feel like my place to pry, and frankly, I think I was too lost in my own migraines and the echoes of Mythandos to take note of anyone else’s suffering at the time. I do hope Saudormu can still be healed, physically and emotionally. The latter will undoubtedly take much time and work, but I’d like to think he’ll find the strength to start moving forward into his future. Maybe Glaros knows a thing or two that can help.

#character logs #ic #scales of eidolon #epsilon rp

[sobcat]

01. Notes on London

A little blog entry on my vacation and future.

It takes a lot for me sometimes to take myself serious. After my vacation to London I’ve wanted to write a little bit, a small collection and conclusions of said vacation. It’s been about three weeks since I left my flat to take the nightbus to the airport (mind you, way too early) and I’ve kind of hoped to find the perfect words for this quite expensive endeavour, but just like any inanimate objects can’t move towards you the perfect words didn’t either. In the end it’s the same lesson again and again, and while I seem to learn that inaction leads to inaction I just can’t apply that properly [...]

In 2019 I’ve visited London with my family and a close friend, us two trying to soak up every possibility out of each hour of the day, leaving the very British Airbnb at 8am and returning at 8pm. I was maybe 15, almost 16, and honestly didn’t expect myself to have some kind of profound realisation about the path I want to take with my life through leaving my usual environment. But I loved London and knew I’d return one day. Before I did, I went to Florence, Italy, an attempt at my first big girl solo travel, a few weeks after I turned 18 and with the money I earned through selling strawberries. In spite of my newfound impression of being all grown up I was terribly insecure and while independent, only so in theory. Still, absolutely lovely country.

My intention was never to go to London alone, a good friend of mine, Nugget (no that’s not her real name), and I have been daydreaming of going there while suffering in the last months before A-levels and graduation (nobody else was crying, shaking and throwing up like me during that time), however in the end she kind of bailed on me and I’ve decided that as always going alone is just easier. At least she gave me her oystercard (with -6P on it but I’ve healed).

I’m not going to waffle for long about all the great things I did (I could! Definitely could) so here is a very short list: ate amazing spicy Pho, went to every important museum, meet a lovely friend for the first time, saw art, walked enough for the next few months, bought 24 books deliberately on accident and slept in a pathetic hotel room. I had so much fun and on the second day when I stood on the millennium bridge, looking on the sunny skyline I truly realised I’m not home, I’m actually quite far away and it’s great! I left London four nights later already longing to come back.

I love the city. I live in the city, I need the city. Nonetheless London left me wanting to explore nature, not being able to even feel the presence of another being for kilometres. This isn’t an uncommon, special desire, most people at some point crave the wildness. I constantly consume media of people leaving everyday life for a roadtrip (Noah Caldwell-Gervais on YT), a hike or expedition. However I never wanted to experience that myself, I was happy watching. I’m not anymore. Again, I’ll return to London but not before leaving for more than just the city.

In terms of seeking a break from everyday life I was rewarded with a cut, almost a blackout, there’s before and after London now, like I’ve restarted the year on the 6th of February. I don’t feel much different now, not as motivated to finish my many projects as I hoped I’d be (you know, inaction and inaction) but I needed this more than I’d like to admit. A lot of my savings went into this and God! I needed to leave, and I need to leave again and probably I need to leave as often as it takes to realise that I won’t find myself far away where nobody knows me, but rather in the life I’ve been building for the past year.

To conclude this rather unorganized ramble (it’s really not that unorganized) I’m young, while I left behind the questioning unsure space between graduation and the next education (for now) and that’s for once perfectly fine, I don’t wish to grow up faster than time would allow me and honestly I just need to go on a long walk, think, and come back to repeat it all next week.

:3

#my text xo #travels #if you read all of this #thank you

[crimsonkaiser]

「 @universestreasures​​​​​​​​​​​ | Aichi Sendou」 issued a challenge:        

“Toshiki?” The teen vampire prince speaks to break the silence, his gaze focused on the full moon that just so happened to shine in the shot tonight from his position on his personal balcony. It was clear from his tone of voice he was not feeling well, but that’s to be expected after having been yelled at by the elders and almost everyone else for treating his human companion well … like a person and not a pet.

“Do you think … I’m a monster?”

(Ahmes Aichi For Club to build up the past lore)

At the question he couldn't help but graze the barren part of his throat where the vampires' infernal device usually was; a decoration meant to display to all who laid eyes upon it that he was merely a pet who’s only purpose was to obey and bleed. But to Toshiki it was a tortuous collar of sorts that would punish and keep humans such as himself in line, to keep them still whenever their owners grew hungry... Toshiki had experienced such a thing numerous times by now, but never by Ahmes himself. Instead Ahmes would remove it the moment they were alone, the risk of punishment was never a fear for Toshiki once behind the doors to the prince's chambers.

Here... he was safe. Here Ahmes was as well. But this question... it tugged at his heart. The prince had been gone a rather long time meeting the elders today-- Did something happen then to make him question such a thing? Was it something they said... or was it something Toshiki himself did to make Ahmes think he had thought of the prince in such a way?

❝ You? No... I don’t think that. Where is this coming from all the sudden? ❞

Somehow, Toshiki could see now this was a long time coming. The prince was often ridiculed for not acting as a vampire of noble standing should, especially when it came to their relationship. He watches Ahmes, trying to get a better read from his body language in this pale moonlight. It was no secret that humans often regarded vampires as monsters... Did Ahmes think he was one as well by association? Toshiki surely would disagree, no matter who asked him nor how many times. He’d disagree every time. Every other vampire he’s met here though? That was a different opinion Toshiki would rather keep to himself. If only for a lack of a good way to put his thoughts to words. He didn't have much practice considering humans weren't normally allowed much freedom of speech, especially around the top brass of the current vampire reign.

Toshiki was born human in a world ruled by vampires who considered themselves the superior beings. As such humans like Toshiki were considered lesser; no different than livestock, really. Casting one’s true feelings wasn’t a privilege he or his own kind have often known. Truthfully, Ahmes was the first person since his own parents who had allowed him such a thing. Perhaps it was thanks to them that he hadn’t grown as jaded as most humans would in his situation.

He had lost a lot to the vampires. His parents, his home, his dignity. He'd even have lost his life if it weren't for the prince who stood before him. He now lived as a servant of sorts, a warm source of a continuous flow of blood. But to Ahmes he was never any that. To Ahmes... What was he? A friend? An obligation? He never asked. So he didn't know. But he didn't have to. The unspoken words between them... the ones they never got to share due to the walls constantly listening. But for some reason Toshiki wasn’t afraid to speak now, something about the way Ahmes’ gaze was set somewhere far from here... it made him feel as though they were up there, out of reach from the influence of this place. Even if only for this moment.

❝ ...You’re different, Ahmes. I’ve seen actual, true to life monsters-- and you’re nothing like them. ❞ Toshiki stifles back a wince as he then places a hand on Ahme's shoulder. The burns that Percival had inflicted on his palms still sensitive despite having healed over by now. That man found any reason to punish or reprimand him, it was people like him that Toshiki considered monsters. But to him: blood didn't make the monster. 

Humans and vampires alike... He had met plenty of horrible people of his own kind as well. Those who would sacrifice friends and family to save themselves, parents who would promise off their own children to keep themselves from the life they had damned their kin into. Even today Toshiki is still unsure if that had been his fate as well. Had his life been decided for him before he had ever been given the chance or choice? He'd never know. If his parents had made a deal with the devil then the devil had already dragged them down to hell to pay the cost. There wasn’t much point dwelling on the past, blaming his misfortune on his parents wouldn’t change a thing for him now.

That left Toshiki where he was today. A walking means of feeding the next generation of vampire rule. But Toshiki had found himself unable to resent his own life. And that was entirely due to his keeper; the prince of vampires, Ahmes. Toshiki followed Ahmes' lucent ruby gaze up towards the moon, sharing in it’s light with him. It seemed the both of them had had it rough these days, but part of him had felt guilty... Ahmes had been getting himself in trouble with the higher ranks, and it had been all because of him. Percival was sure to brand that fact into the back of his mind the moment the prince had been summoned away from him earlier that day.

❝ Being what you are doesn’t make you a monster, and... I’m sorry if it was I who made you feel that way. ❞ Toshiki then moves to lay his head against Ahmes' shoulder, resting his cheek atop his bandaged hand that still sat there. The pressure against his healing scars tingled his damaged nerves, but it didn't hurt so bad now. Ahmes' presence always seemed to put him at ease, as if he alone could take the pain away. It was that or he had been so distracted that his pain itself went on to be ignored. At the moment it didn't matter, his own hurt was the last thing on his mind. ❝ Monsters are created. Not born. That's what I think, at least... And you haven’t become one. And to be completely honest with you-- I’d say you’re quite incapable of it. ❞

Such a bold remark would insult most other vampires who would thrive on being called a monster by a human, terrified of such beings. But Ahmes, again, was different. Toshiki had known him long enough by now to know. Ahmes didn’t overpower him with fear; didn’t drink up the human’s tears as much as any other vampire would on their blood. Ahmes was different-- he wasn’t a monster. He couldn’t be. He’d never be. Toshiki was sure of it.

Perhaps it was wishful thinking at best, false hope at worst. It wouldn’t be the first time he had lived a lie. But that’s truly how he felt on the matter, with his entire heart. He believed in Ahmes, as more than just his keeper. Within Ahmes he felt a shift in the balance, a chance for change. The chance he had never been given since his unfortunate birth as a human. -

#.//not me squinting @ this essay looking for sneaky kais THIS IS TOSHIKI NOW DAMMIT LOLOL #.//if u catch me slipping u win a prize #PICTURE IT「ic」 #QUERY「asks」 #VERSE.// THE PURGATORIAL FLAMES #universestreasures #THE LIGHT OF COURAGE「universestreasures | Aichi Sendou」 #//if!kai gets all the uwus honestly #.//ALSO SORTA JUST MADE UP SOME LORE. #.//it’s not me and my boys if i don’t damage them a little #.//adds flavor #.//spicy #.//also sof..... #.//i watched like 5 minutes of if loloolol #.//for science! #.//KAI REALLY BE OUT THERE GIVING HUGS IN IF LIEK I ALMOST LOST MY COOKIES #.//also yeah i yoinked them baby blue eyed kai icons from chat for this thanku #.//kai really be out here owning every look thrown at him tbh tbh tbh #tw long post #tw blood mention

[tobthoughts]

entering recovery… again

friday, january 19th, 03:27am

listening to: you - the 1975

i am currently working on myself. but then again, isn’t everyone always ‘working on themself’ when they don’t wanna seem like the bad guy?

i’m trying to be better at being alone. not in solitude - i quite enjoy time for myself - i just mean in a romantic sense. my life doesn’t always need to revolve around another person! for as long as i can remember i’ve always been in some kind of relationship, whether that’s the silly primary school ones that don’t really count because we don’t really understand them, or my singular long-term relationship that changed me… there’s always been someone special in my life. i don’t think i’ve legitimately had feelings for any of them, bar the last one, of course. but i’m only now, just over a year later, learning that it’s okay to just be happy by myself. i’m not sure why i’m like this… it’s easier for me to regulate my moods when i have someone else’s moods to base them off of, but also SO much harder. when my partner would have a good day, so would i, i’d be ecstatic. but if something was wrong, or they were upset… it’s like my world was ending. i guess that comes with being borderline. it makes relationships that extra bit harder.

in the year i’ve been single i’ve definitely changed a lot and grown as a person. i’ve had to learn how to cope without someone by my side. sure i’ve had a few “flings” or “situationships” but nothing overly serious, at least not on my part. i think in all of them i was looking for someone else. i don’t know if they know that, and it’d probably be hurtful if they did, but it’s the truth. i’ve known i’m not ready for a relationship going into these things, but it’s not until recently that i truly realised how much i was trying to find my ex in the other people i’ve slept with. anything that’s been remotely more than a one night stand has been me compensating. maybe that does make me the bad guy. hey, people move on in different ways. i guess that’s just the method i took to try to jump start the process of moving on.

as i was saying, being alone is difficult for me. i tend to lose myself in the loneliness, craving attention in any way i can get it. sometimes unhealthy ways. so it’s been a difficult process, coming to terms with the fact that i can be single and also be happy. i’ve started putting myself first. trying to eat better, to sleep better. i’ve been taking my meds (except for right now… i’ve run out) and i’ve been making art to help navigate how i’m feeling at certain times. i’m reaching out for help when and if i need it, spending time with people i care about. the void of sadness in my chest has been slowly shrinking. isn’t it crazy how self care actually makes a difference to your mood?

picking myself back up and putting myself back together after the breakup hasn’t been easy - especially because i only started properly processing it in what, november? it felt like the whole of 2023 i was just… so insanely fragile that it took my ex getting with another person for me to properly shatter so that i can now finally start fixing myself and healing my broken heart.

i mean, fuck, i love drag race as much as the next person but i don’t think i ever took rupaul seriously when he said “if you don’t love yourself, how the hell you gonna love someone else?”

but it’s true! i’m focusing on the good in life! and the good about myself! like, i recently redyed my hair (it’s still purple! the ends are just slightly pinkish now!) and i love it. my special interest podcast has been ‘rebooted’ almost, with some kind of parallel universe sequel (or maybe prequel…?) story, and i get to listen to it every week for the indefinite future, at least until season one is finished! i’ve started doing my makeup differently, with winged eyeliner, and i look quite pretty... at least i think i do. i’m clean, and i have been since last year. i haven’t bought any cigarettes since last year either.

it’s getting easier.

i watched this silly little youtube video, which i think you should watch too. it’s called right person, wrong time. i think sometimes it’s okay to say that it’s also the right person for that time, you just weren’t meant to last. it helped me to understand that yes, life sucks right now, but eventually i’ll be okay again.

i dunno.

i don’t even know if this post is legible. i’ve lost my flow a little bit over the period where i didn’t post. but i’m sure i’ll find it again!

#blog #diaryposting #personal diary #online diary #tumblr diary #ex #ex relationship #recovery

[my-digi-life]

I never used to journal digitally, but I decided this year I would try to do something a little different. So let me introduce myself and give you a little run down:

I’m Arley. I’m 24, soon to be 25. I like to read and write. I want to keep this journal as anonymous as possible so I won’t get into what I do for work specifically, but if I ever need to I will vent about my work (very much a possibility as I work with the public and the public does some stupid shit sometimes). Any other details I deem necessary will be shared as I think of them haha.

Let’s get into some really journaling now:

I’ve made it through another year and it feels a little crazy how different I feel. I started 2023 very depressed and overwhelmed. I was feeling extremely burned out in my undergrad program, but knew I just had to push through because I was due to graduate in May. I was crying every single night and to be honest, I was starting to feel how I felt in the months leading up to my pysch ward visit in 2019.

I’m happy to say I ended the year with 0 psych trips and a shiny new degree in English. I’ve also found a job I love. To be honest, it’s a little hard to reconcile who I was and how I felt in January 2023 with who I am now. I know people say your brain fully developes around the age of 25 and I truly believe my brain did a lot of cooking in the last few months. I find myself calmer and more rational. I’m able to cope with the hits as they come and I’ve settled into a since of acceptance with somethings that used to cause me a lot of distress.

Let’s talk a little bit about yearly goals. I’ve kind of grown away from New Year’s Resolutions since I was a teenager, but I’ve started making some actionable goals for myself. I wanna start by reviewing my 2023 goals and then I will present my 2024 goals.

For 2023, I wanted to:

Prioritize mental health and healing from burnout

I did this! I’ve been taking my therapy more seriously and have been talking through my feelings with my friends and family instead of suffering in silence. I took two months off between school and the start of my first job and spent that time doing things that made me feel so fulfilled. Honestly, just getting out of school made me feel 100 times better. I remember I graduated and one of my besties, we’ll call them Rena, looked at me and said “you’re glowing now that you don’t have class anymore”. It kind of shocked me how right they were and just how miserable I was grinding that way for years.

2. Learn to love writing again

The actionable part of this was simply to start writing again. I actually added over 7k words to my manuscript! However, this has kind of gone to wayside since I started working, just because I don’t have the time anymore. I’m hoping in the following year though to learn to juggle my schedule better so I can do the things I love.

3. Take more photos & videos

This was a goal because I am a deeply sentimental person and I love looking back through photos. I actually did this and I’m so happy I did because I did so much fun shit this year and I never want to forget it.

4. Read 5 nonfiction books

NOPE! I read 1. I was fighting some real demons to get to my reading goal this year, so let’s just be thankful I read anything haha

5. Read more meaningfully

This goal basically just meant to be a little more thoughtful of the books I picked up instead of reading just to hit a goal. I definitely did this and my average rating really reflected it. I picked up a lot more books I ended up loving because I was actually thinking about them instead of just doing it as a means to an end.

6. Journal once a week

……….. No comment……

Okay! Time for 2024 goals! (A lot of these are more health focused)

Stop eating out on your lunch breaks!

I only work 2-3 long shift a week, but I’ve been eating out for every single one. Not is it only a strain on my wallet, but I’ve gained weight and I just don’t feel as good. I don’t want to make any goals directly related to my weight because those tend to go awry for me (ED girly here), instead I want to make goals that prioritize general health and feeling good.

2. Go to the gym at least 2 times a week.

I’m starting with just 2 days because I fear if I make it higher, I’m going to be setting myself up for failure. I pass this gym on my way to and from work so I think it’ll be easier to convince myself to go than it used to be. I’m gunna try working out after my shifts since it’s open 24/7, but if I need to, I’ll switch it to before my shift.

3. Read 60 books

I set a reading goal every year, even if I don’t put it in my written yearly goals. My goal in 2023 was 40 and I read 63. My goal for 2022 was 52 and I ended up reading 109, so I’m not too concerned about hitting this goal.

4. Watch more movies this year

Another goal I had in 2023 that I just didn’t write down. I don’t really watch movies instead I usually just watch brain rot TV shows that require 0 attention. However, I had a good time in 2023 looking for movies to watch. I also got to watch some that had been on my list for years! I actually got really into the whole Saw franchise and I have 0 regrets. Even developed a new hyperfixation with the Scream franchise (fuck SpyGlass Entertainment and fuck Scream VII tho).

5. More trips with friends!

My friend, Alyssa, has a goal to take more day trips in 2024. Day trips, vacations, or whatever, I just want to make more memories with the people I truly love!

That’s it for now! I’ll see you when I see you.

Hum and kiss from your friend,

#digital journal #digital diary #diary entry #online diary #my diary #tumblr diary #journaling #journal entry #my journal #my digital life #my-digi-life #first post #new years resolution #new years goals #2024 goals #2023 goals #2024 resolutions #2023 resolutions

[dailyaudiobible]

07/07/2023 DAB Transcript

1 Chronicles 4:5-5:17, Acts 25:1-27, Psalms 5:1-12, Proverbs 18:19

Today is the 7th day of July welcome to the Daily Audio Bible. Happy long walk day all of you long walkers out there. I'm included in that group. Love when we come to this day. Glad that it's here. Looking forward to the time to regroup with the Lord, and think about the second half of the year. But one of the ways that we re-reset every single day is to come together like we are now and take the next step forward in the Scriptures. And, so, let's take that step as we are long walking. Our next step in the Scriptures leads us back into this new territory that we’re moving into and first Chronicles where we are chronicling the generations. Today chapter 4 verse 5 through 5 verse 17.

Prayer:

Father, we thank You for Your word and we thank You for this special day, just a special day here inside the community, this day of the long walk, a day that we set aside to just be with You, just be with You. And, so, many of us even as were listening to the Scriptures today are doing exactly that. We've gone and changed our location and are enjoying the serenity and beauty of Your creation. And we simply ask You to walk alongside of us today, that we be aware of Your presence, that we have the time to say what we need to say and listen to what You have to say. And even out of the Scriptures today, even as we just end our reading at the book of Proverbs there’s so much for us. “A brother who has been wronged is harder to regain than a strong city, and disputes are like a bar across the gate of the Citadel.” And we know this to be true. We’re talking about our relationships here. And we know when an offense has…has arisen, whether it's an offense in our heart or it's an offense where we've wrong somebody that it can feel like they've become a fortified city. They are inaccessible or we have become that way and we are aloof and inaccessible. We invite You into that as we spend this time regrouping and enjoying the day with You. We invite You into our relationships. And as we think about the second half of the year and the people that are in our lives, some of these people that are in our lives right now may not be there at the end of the year and some of them may have grown even closer. We’re asking You to lead us in our relationships. Our hands are open to You. Help us mend the fences that we can mend and release the things that we can't we ask in the precious name of Jesus. Amen.

Announcements:

dailyaudiobible.com is home base and that's where you find out what's going on around here.

And what's going on around here is the long walk. That's today. And, so, I imagine that many many many many many of you are…are walking and are hearing me now, and that's what I'm doing as well. And if you haven’t made plans to do this, try to grab some time today. Go for a walk. Go for a walk, the kind of walk that you would…you would take if you were with somebody you love and you are just having a really engaging conversation, the kind of walk that it…you’re not looking at your watch. Time isn’t even relevant. It's as if we stepped out of time and we’re just being together and we can just enjoy that being together just having no fear of…of…like we can say anything and we can hear, we can listen, we can walk. So, go do that. Enjoy that. Drink it in. Refresh, regroup. Get ready for the second half of the year. It's amazing the dividends that get paid off when just taking a day to be, taking a day to rest to just drink in creation, to appreciate its rhythms, to appreciate that there's a lot going on that’s not technology-based and that it's beautiful, it's lovely and it heals us. So, enjoy that.

There are a couple of resources that I've talked about throughout this week. The…the Heart a contemplative journey musical resource and the Sleep contemplative journey, a musical resource which you can find from different digital outlets like the iTunes Store or you can stream it for the journey today. And, so, just look up my name Brian Hardin and you should be able to find Sleep and Heart. They are made for contemplation. They are made for moments like these. And, so, incorporate that.

And then this is an individual experience. We are doing this individually or maybe we are walking with our spouse or whatever, but this is an individual thing that becomes a community thing. After our day…and we should take pictures and videos to remember this day so that we can come back to this when things get murky again. We can come back to this day. This was a safe space. This is a beautiful day. And, so, yeah, come back to the Daily Audio Bible Facebook page facebook.com/dailyaudiobible and we have a post there for the long walk and you can post your pictures and your stories as responses to that post. And then we can do this together. Like we can regroup together after our day and then just scroll through, hear from each other, look through the windows into each other's lives. Look at the world as it happened on this day. And so, that is at Facebook at the Daily Audio Bible page, facebook.com/dailyaudiobible. And, so, I’m looking forward to that.

If you want to partner with the Daily Audio Bible, thank you. We couldn’t be here. It wouldn’t be a Global Campfire. This couldn’t happen if we weren't in this together. So, thank you with all humility, thank you for your partnership. There is a link on the homepage at dailyaudiobible.com. If you are using the app, you can press the Give button in the upper right-hand corner, or the mailing address is PO Box 1996 Spring Hill Tennessee 37174.

And, as always, if you have a prayer request or encouragement, you can hit the Hotline button in the app or you can dial 877-942-4253.

And that's it for today. I'm Brian I love you and I'll be waiting for you here tomorrow.

Community Prayer and Praise:

Hello my DAB family Brian, Jill, China, Ezekiel all those behind the scene. This is Jersey Jane for Jesus and today I am asking for prayer. I have restless leg syndrome which always sounds like a joke to me, And it’s referred to as RLS. But now it's combined with sciatica problems, and I can't sleep, I can't sit, I have to stand and walk and then I get tired and my legs. I just had hip replacement surgery in April and in four weeks I'm having the other hip replaced and a very worried that this bad combination of RLS and sciatica won't do well for a second surgery on my hip when I can't lie down or sit up now. So, I ask for prayer for comfort from Jesus for healing. It's disturbing. My mind is healthy. I have a lot and I'm very thankful for so many things, but I do wish to get rid of this excruciating pain. And I see the neurologist on Monday July 3 hoping that he has a solution through Jesus through healing hands, that Jesus guide this doctor on what is wrong. I ask this in all of us for God please. Amen.

Hello, my name is Joe Kin from Seattle. My God has performed miracles in my life because when I prayed for Him desperately pleaded for Him to rescue my family especially my older brother my younger brother and my younger sister. My brother was in prison and God released him from prison. Now I need God to deliver him from anger and evil spirits that are tormenting his head. God delivered my sister from alcoholism and now she is not drinking anymore. So those are two miracles that God has performed in my life. So, right now Father I just ask God that You deliver my brother from these evil spirits that are tormenting my brother and that he comes into a place of humility to worship You Father because You are a good God and You want to claim Your son back. His name is Matthew, and he needs to be delivered from evil spirits that are causing him to be angry. A lot of bad things happened to him in prison and I'm just praying for deliverance for Matthew in Jesus’ name.

Hello Double DAB DABbers this is Trick Selena and I'm calling to say hello. I love you guys. I hope you're having a wonderful day. I was just listening to Jay's prayer. He called in and he was talking about being single and looking for that…looking for his wife and his heart. And it’s hard. Sometimes it…there's always temptation around and now there's all these applications for…for dating and everything and I've been dealing with that for years. And I used to always be into the dating apps and dating and how do you know they're good or bad and this is what I've come to, we don't, you trust in the Lord. Trust in the Lord with all of your heart and lean not on your own understanding. And I've given him my dating life and, you know, it's hard with temptations. And I used to get my identity from men and how many do I have and all that and now it's Jesus and it's freeing, it's beautiful and I thank you for your prayer because it's nice to hear that there's more people out there who are truly about God and trying to do it right. And yeah, Amen. Thank you.

Hello DAB family, this is Diana from Florida and I want to pray for Candace’s grandson whom has had a downward spiral and is currently hospitalized according to the July 2nd podcast. And it seems like he's been manic and mental health is a big problem and the family is struggling to figure out what are the best steps. So, let us pray. Dear Jesus, I lift up Candace and I lift up her grandson, her mother, her daughter, brother and the entire family lord. Dear Jesus, I pray for this Young man lord who is periling and it's very unclear as to what this triggering these things. And Lord You know better than us what is happening and why he…he is going down this road or what is happening in his brain. Father God, I pray in the name of Jesus that if this is a spiritual matter that You would reveal that and that there would be deliverance to take place in this Young man's life in Jesus’ name. Any demonic oppression, anything that may be causing this Lord God, we pray You remove it in Jesus’ name. I also pray that if this has to do with hormonal imbalances, if this has to do with mental health, if this is schizophrenia or signs of schizophrenia or any of these types of things Lord God I pray that You would reveal all of that and You…that You would bring about the best solutions and bring healing to this Young man and comfort to this family in Jesus’ name.

[leonbloder]

What The Trinity Teaches Us About Unity

I preached a sermon on the Trinity for Trinity Sunday a couple of weeks ago, and afterward, I got mixed reviews.  For some folks, what I was saying really resonated with them, but others had a difficult time putting their head around it.

I asked my 18-year-old son, who happened to be in worship that day, what he thought of it, and he was kind in his critique.  He told me that it was a complicated topic that had the potential to confuse more than inform, but he did allow that in the end, I seemed to tie everything together into something useful.

In other words, he meant that while the theological aspects of the sermon were, at times, hard to grasp, the practical application and implication of the Trinity (God is three-in-one) were pretty okay.

At any rate, I've been thinking about all of it ever since.  I'm a 3 on the Enneagram, which means I spend a lot of time second-guessing my performance.  

On the one hand, that's not a bad thing to do because it does help me get better, but on the other hand, it can really be a drag when my self-talk takes a turn for the worse.

But in the end, what it did this time was help me to think more deeply about the topic of the Trinity, and I've had a few more reflections that have come to me since I  preached.  

For example, the quote below from Fr. Richard Rohr was one I had written down in my notes for some time, but I finally felt like it was time to use it.  

In this quote, Rohr leans on the theology of God's unity in diversity, a God who is One but also Three, who intentionally exists in community.

He takes the lesson we learn from God's "three-ness" to understand that by continually living with dualistic thinking (either/or, black/white, wrong/right), we aren't accessing the fullness of the Good News that Jesus came to proclaim:

We cannot sincerely love another or forgive another’s offenses inside of dualistic consciousness. In our habitual, dualistic way of thinking, we view ourselves as separate from God and from each other. We have done the people of God a great disservice by preaching the gospel to them but not giving them the tools whereby they can obey that gospel.

For Rohr, diving deeper into the theology of the Trinity is a way forward for those of us who have grown weary of the constant divisions in our culture, the way we tear one another apart, and all because we can't see beyond the idea that there are only two ways to see something.  

The Trinity teaches us that not only are we meant to exist in a community as God does, but we can also see the world differently, using a non-dualistic lens to view ourselves and others.

We can employ a "third way" of thinking that helps us move beyond the logjam of opposing views on virtually every major issue that affects our society.  

We can see others as more than just actors in an either/or drama.  We can see ourselves as co-creators with a God who desires us to experience God's diversity and reflect it to the world around us.

This way of employing the Good News of God's radical love and grace can bring healing, peace, and unity to a world that desperately needs all three.  

May we be instruments of peace and "third way" thinking in the world around us.  May we find in the triune God the imagination for a better world and a better us.  

And may the grace and peace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with us now and always. Amen.  

[writingwithcolor]

Amber-haired, overly kind Black woman character

Anon asked:

Hi! I’m generating ideas for a book and one of the members of this group of teenage friends is a black woman with naturally amber/ginger hair. I don’t want to contribute to the trope of women of color having wild hair colors (like blue or pink). Her hair color isn’t necessarily what makes her special. It’s just something that is because she’s based off of someone I know who also has red hair. Is it ok then for her amber colored hair or is it inconsiderate? 

Also, what makes the character special is her unwavering kindness (also based off of a friend of mine). But, I also don’t want to make the character too submissive. How would you suggest ensuring she’s not too easily suppressed because she is a character who is selfless, kind, and caring in every aspect and (at first) will sacrifice her own happiness for someone else’s (to the points it takes a mental toll on her). Her kindness can be taken advantage of and she’s somewhat isolated but adored for her almost saint like kindness (as well as smarts in school). Is this writing problematic? She is based off of a friend of mine but I want to ensure I’m not contributing to any pre-existing stereotypes or evoking new problems. 

Thank you so much for taking the time to read and I greatly appreciate your help :)

Kindness doesn’t equal weakness or submissiveness so you should be okay here as long as you clearly understand the differences. Kindness can be both heart-warming and overbearing. It can be hard to take, even toxic, yet under-appreciated or go unnoticed. If you want her not to seem submissive, make her strong-willed. Allow her to be compassionate without having others treat her like a doormat. Let her kindness come from her want to do good by others instead of a fear of being disliked or angering people.

And be careful with the selflessness. There’s a risk of sacrificial negro business there… I’m actually very interested in seeing her learning to be kind without the self-sacrifice as a character arc as I think a lot of people are unaware of this, as well as plenty of people suffering from being a people-pleaser. As someone who’s been trying to learn something similarly, it’s good to think about why she is this way. Often this behaviour is a coping mechanism and can stem from trauma (the fawn response I believe it’s called). Especially as you mention your character being kind of self-destructive in this regard, I really think adding some space in your character development and background to this character trait is necessary.

Having her be adored for this behaviour seems deeply unhealthy as well and I think this is a great opportunity to explore this as well. Think about how this must feel to her? How she is “appreciated” for doing something that causes herself harm. It is toxic even if the people who view her this way don’t intend to or even know they are doing this. These are also usually the people who push back the first and the hardest when establishing boundaries when your character starts their healing process. People will get mad, guilt her, and abandon her for standing up for herself because she’s suddenly giving restrictions to something her friends have grown used to and often feel entitled to. Also consider what kind of relationships (platonic, romantic, any kind) your character will attract and how they will develop in terms of power dynamics as a people-pleaser.

Another thing that comes to mind is, you mention her being kind and selfless and caring, but imagine how it must feel for her to always give and never get an equal return in kindness. Even if she feels she wants this, that she maybe has to, this often breeds resentment, and in turn guilt and self-hate.

Now, take all that I’ve just said and add in that she is a Black woman. Someone who is expected to be this way. Someone who is often undervalued. Who’s expected to be strong and don’t need anybody. To not be allowed to show or even have weaknesses. How getting professional help can feel impossible with many places lacking Black therapists, the internalisation of the racism that amplifies the people-pleasing and toxic positivity.

Now, before I end up completely projecting onto your story or anybody else, it doesn’t mean that all of this applies to your character, your friend, or anybody else. Just that it is something that is true for some people and I think could be good to keep in mind and consider while developing and writing your character. Especially since without proper nuance and exploration of how selfless kindness in a Black woman has a high chance of turning out stereotypical and harmful on paper.

~ Alice

#asks #black #black woman #Black women #Strong Black Woman #kindness

[selfignitingimagines]

Liam- Badass

A/N: This one has been in my ask box for a really long time, but I hope you guys enjoy it! I’ve been rewatching season 6, and Liam has grown on me a lot as a character!

Request:  Hi can you plz do a review where (based in season 6 episode 14 where everyone Is judging Liam and all that) and the reader is trying to be nice to him and be his friend when no one else will but Nolan has a crush on her and that is another reason he wants Liam to change so she can she the “monster” he is thx❤️❤️😘

“Find anything interesting?”

You jumped. The voice had startled you as it came from behind a library shelf. When you turned, a pair of blue eyes caught yours through an empty space between books.

“Sorry,” Nolan Holloway apologized, smiling sheepishly as he came around to your aisle. “I wasn’t trying to scare you.”

“It’s fine,” you told him. “I was just trying to find another copy of the bio textbook for Liam. He forgot his.”

Nolan glanced back toward the collection of tables in the middle of the school library. One was occupied by Liam, Mason and Corey, with a single empty seat waiting for you. 

“Study group?” he asked. 

“Sort of,” you told him. “It was kind of spontaneous.”

He nodded. “You know, I don’t really get why you hang out with those guys. Mason and Corey, I sort of understand, but Liam? He just seems like he’s hiding something.”

You raised your eyebrows. It wasn’t the first time someone had questioned your friendship with Liam because of his temper, but Nolan seemed to be talking about something else entirely.  “What do you mean?”

“You have to notice all the weird stuff that goes on around here, right?” 

“I think everyone does.”

“Yeah, so haven’t you noticed that they’re always at the center of it all?”

“Not really, no,” you told him. “You sure you’re not imagining things? The bio exam is coming up and I don’t think anyone is getting much sleep…”

You trailed off as you noticed he was still staring at your friends. You were about to just back up and leave when he turned to you. 

“I’m not sleep-deprived. I just pay attention. I pay attention to you too, you know.”

He had this strange, intense look in his eyes, and you were suddenly uncomfortable.

“Okay,” you agreed, struggling to keep a polite smile on your face. “Well, I’ve gotta get back to studying so…”

You trailed off and turned, quickly walking back to your table. 

“There aren’t any more books,” you told Liam.

“That’s fine. We can just share...hey, are you okay?”

Liam had seen Nolan getting a little too close to you over by the bookshelves. He knew he had a tendency to be a little overprotective, and, as Mason had also pointed out, a little too jealous. Maybe he didn’t have a right to be, but there were many times that he couldn’t help it. He had heard the way the other lacrosse players talked about you in the locker room. 

Nolan himself had said a few disgusting things when he didn’t think Liam had heard him. Though he couldn’t confront his teammate outright, he made sure to check him extra hard at practice. 

Maybe that was why he had been so suspicious as he watched Nolan breathe down your neck while you searched for an extra textbook. Maybe it also had something to do with how much Liam cared for you, and the fact that Nolan seemed to be up to something worse than getting into your pants. 

You nodded as you sat down at the table. “Yeah, I’m okay. It’s just...I don’t know. Do you ever get the feeling like something bad is about to happen?”

Corey and Mason shared a concerned look, but Liam tilted his head. 

“Like what? We might fail the test? Cause I don’t think I need a feeling to tell me that.”

“Shut up,” you complained, feeling the worry roll off your shoulders. “We’re going to make sure you don’t.”

You scooted your chair closer to him and opened up the textbook you had left on the table. “Let’s start with Chapter Nine.”

He leaned in to read next to you and flashed you a grateful smile. You were just about to turn the page when a couple of books slammed onto the table. You flinched at the noise, instinctively moving closer to Liam. 

Nolan was standing at the edge of the table, smiling at the four of you. “Hey guys.”

“Hey, Nolan,” Mason said politely.

“Mind if I sit?” Nolan asked. 

Liam opened his mouth to protest, but Nolan was already pulling a fifth chair up to the table.

Corey glanced over and met your eyes. He had seen you talking to Nolan in the stacks, and by the way his eyebrows were raised you knew he was wondering if you had invited him over. You shook your head.

Mason cleared his throat. “Studying for the bio test?”

“Trying,” Nolan said with a strange grin, sitting down next to you. “Trying to understand how organisms evolve and change.”

“I don’t think this is on the test,” Corey said hesitantly.

Nolan’s lips twitched, and he clicked the pen in his hands, over and over. He glanced around the table. “Do you think DNA changes?”

“If it’s damaged,” Mason told him. 

“I wonder if any of us have changed,” Nolan wondered aloud. “And if we did...would there be any way to tell?”

“Like a DNA test?”.

Nolan smiled as he turned the pen over in his hands. “I was thinking a different type of test.” 

Liam stood up suddenly. 

“You know what, Nolan? This is a private study group. Get lost.”

Nolan nodded, seeming to understand. He pushed himself up from the table, flashing you a warm smile. For a second, it seemed like he was going to leave. Then, looking right into your eyes, he stabbed his pen into Corey’s hand.

You let out a shriek, and Corey cried out as blood splashed onto the table. Now it was glistening on the wood and your textbook.

“What the hell is your problem?” Mason demanded, but Nolan wasn’t phased. 

He reached forward, jerking Corey’s hand up and holding it high for everyone in the library to see. The hole that should have been there was gone, like it had completely healed. 

“Look at him!” he snarled at you. “Look at him!”

The entire library was staring. Kids looked up from their textbooks and phones to find a sight that confused and terrified them. What they didn’t know, and what you didn’t know, was that this was only the beginning.

In seconds, Liam had shoved Nolan off of Corey, knocking him to the floor of the library. “Get the hell away from us. Now.”

Nolan glared at Liam, shoving himself up from the ground. He snatched his books from the table and glanced toward you. “See what I’m talking about?”

Then he stormed off, shoving the library doors open and disappearing into the darkened hallway. 

When you looked back, Corey, Liam, and Mason were all eyeing you carefully, as if you were an animal that might bite. You glanced at Corey’s completely healed hand, and you made a decision that would define everything that came after that night. 

“Nolan is nuts,” you said firmly. “Let’s go study at my house.”

Their shoulders seemed to slump in relief, and Liam reached out to squeeze your hand.

You met his baby blue eyes, and a look of understanding passed between the two of you. What you had seen didn’t matter. These were your friends, and nothing could scare you away from them.

-----

It only took a few days for things to escalate to the unthinkable. Suddenly everyone was afraid of your friends.

You didn’t understand it. There had only been about ten other people in the library that night. Word shouldn’t have traveled that fast, and even if it had, what was there to be afraid of?

If Corey could suddenly heal from his injuries, that should have been a miracle. Unfortunately, not everyone thought that. 

When the three of you had walked into school that Monday, all people had done was stare or shy away from you and your friends. You couldn’t hear the whispers, but Liam seemed to be able to. He looked pained as you stood in front of your lockers. 

“Just block it out,” Mason assured him.

“They know,” Liam whispered nervously.

“It’s just rumors. They don’t know anything.”

You looked between the two of them. You didn’t know anything either, but you could at least tell that Liam and Corey were different. For some people, that was enough to be upset about.

Before you could interject, someone else did.

“They know everything,” Corey told them, coming up from the hallway behind you. “Two sophomores on the lacrosse team were there last night.”

Mason shook his head, still trying to convince Liam, and maybe himself, that things were okay. “Yeah, but it was late. It was pitch-black out, and there was fog on the road.”

Corey frowned. “It was a clear night, a full moon, and a well lit intersection.”

“Look, I have to get out of here,” Liam hissed. 

“No,” Mason insisted. “If you leave, these rumors never stop. You gotta just convince them that you’re a regular kid.”

“I’m not a regular kid.”

You blinked, looking between them. “Wait, what happened last night?”

The three of them shared a glance. No one said anything. 

“Look, you can tell me. I already saw what happened in the library. I don’t care.”

Liam and Corey hesitated, but Mason spoke up. “Okay, I’ll tell you.”

“Mason,” Corey hissed. 

“Come on, she already has all the pieces. She just hasn’t put them together yet. It’s safer for her to know the whole story.”

Corey didn’t look convinced. He was eyeing you carefully with his arms crossed over his chest. Defensive. 

“You’re right,” Liam told Mason, but when you looked into his eyes, he looked scared.

“Can you come with us?” Mason asked you.

You nodded and they led you away from the main hallway. You followed them into a quiet chemistry lab, where they locked the door behind them. There, they explained everything. 

Finding out that Liam and Corey were both supernatural creatures was a lot to take in. If there was nothing else going on, you might have needed more time to process everything. However, the news that a group of werewolf hunters was targeting and killing your friends seemed to override the shock. 

They explained that wasn’t their only problem, because after Liam had shifted in front of half the town last night, everyone, including the kids at your high school, seemed to know that he wasn’t human. 

“So,” you finally said. “What do we do?”

“Good question,” Liam said. “Cause I have no idea.”

“Remember what Scott said?” Mason asked him. 

Scott was the assistant coach for the lacrosse team, but he was only a couple years older than you. He hung out with you guys a lot, and he always seemed like a sweet, caring guy. You guessed he was probably in on the secret too. 

“He said ‘Be like Clark Kent’.”

Liam looked exasperated. “Clark Kent turns into a guy with a red and blue outfit and a cape. I turn into a monster with claws and fangs.”

“Then just get through the day without shifting,” Corey told him.

“Liam,” Mason said softly. “People are saying that Brett and Lori died in a car accident. We know the truth. They didn’t just die.”

You sucked in a breath. “They were murdered?”

Liam’s face softened. “The people who are after us are dangerous, Y/n. They’ll kill us, and anyone else that gets in the way. That means you too.”

“I don’t care,” you insisted. “You guys are my best friends. I’m not just gonna run and hide, especially if I can help.”

You reached out to grab his hand and squeeze it. His lips turned up at the corners, if only for a moment. 

“Then you’re with us now.”

You all agreed that Liam would try to keep cool. The rest of you would try to listen out for anything that might suggest someone was coming after him. Mason and Corey left the chemistry lab to head to their first period classes, leaving you and Liam alone together. 

You were both supposed to head to your own classes, but you lingered for a moment. 

“So...you’re not afraid?” he asked sheepishly. 

You shook your head. “Liam, I know who you are. Having claws and fangs doesn’t change that, even if it’s a little weird.”

He smiled. “A little?”

“Okay, maybe a lot,” you admitted with a grin. “But that just means you can eat the people that piss me off on a full moon.”

Liam frowned. “Werewolves don’t eat people on full moons.”

“So what do they do?”

“Exactly what we’ve been doing every full moon for the past two years. Eating junk food and playing video games.”

You thought for a moment. “And you have super reflexes?”

He nodded. “Yeah, basically.

 “So why do you suck so bad at COD then?”

Liam rolled his eyes, but he was still smiling. He was relieved you were still treating him the way you always had. Telling you about the supernatural was always something he had wanted to do. You were one of his best friends, and he had always felt wrong hiding it from you.

He had thought about admitting his secret countless times before, but something had always stopped him. What you didn’t know was that Liam had always thought of you as more than a friend. He was pretty sure you felt the same way, but he had never asked you out.

Scott had questioned him about it once on the way home from a pack movie night. They had dropped you off at home, and as he pulled away from the curb in his mom’s sedan, he was looking at Liam with a smile on his face. 

“What?” Liam had asked. 

“Why don’t you ask her out?”

Liam flushed. Scott grinned at him. “I haven’t seen you look at anyone like that since Hayden.”

“I don’t know,” Liam said. 

“What do you mean?” he asked. “She likes you too. You can’t tell?”

“I know she does. It’s just...with everything going on, I don’t want to drag her into this.”

Scott nodded. “I get it...but you can’t spend your whole life doing that.”

“Doing what?”

“Sacrificing your happiness to keep people safe. Even when you do that, they’re never really safe.”

“I don’t know,” Liam mumbled, glancing out the window into the darkness. 

“I had to learn that the hard way,” Scott had told him. “But maybe you do too.”

Now, as he stood across from you, he didn’t want to leave the chemistry lab. He wanted to hide in there with you for as long as he could and tell you everything, including how he felt about you. Before he could get the chance, you spoke. 

“Come on,” you said, nodding toward the hallway. “Let’s make sure you stay alive so I can beat your ass again this weekend.”

He had missed his moment, but he smiled at you anyway. “Can I walk you to class?”

“Duh.”

You looped your arm through his and headed out into the hall, ignoring the stares and fearful looks the entire way. 

------

You met up again in biology class, which you all had together. When you sat down at the table next to Liam, he pulled you close to whisper in your ear. 

Your heart skipped when he placed his hand on your arm, but he was too agitated to notice. 

“Nolan and Gabe are going to try to force me to shift. Corey said they’re going to block all the exits.”

You frowned. “Then we have to find a way to sneak you out.”

You glanced behind you, where Corey and Mason were sharing a table. 

“We’ve got a plan for that."

Mason explained that Corey could make himself and Liam invisible. They would sneak out down the halls and hopefully find an exit that wasn’t guarded by lacrosse players. 

When the bell finally rang, the four of you headed out of class. Corey and Liam slipped behind a pillar and disappeared into thin air. You and Mason led the way as they shuffled behind you, completely unseen. 

The four of you hurried through the school, but every exit you passed was blocked by an angry-looking lacrosse player.

“What do we do?” you muttered to Mason.

“Just keep going.”

You turned down another hallway, only to run right into Nolan. He was standing in the middle of the hallway with a few other lacrosse players. Gabe was right behind him. You and Mason stopped short at the sight.

“Hey guys,” Nolan said. His tone was casual, but there was no friendliness in his eyes.

Before you could attempt to go around him or the others, he stepped in front of you. His hands were curled tightly into fists.

“What are you doing?” you asked him.

“You should leave, Y/n. You shouldn’t get in the middle of all this. You’ll get hurt.”

You frowned. “Nolan, please.”

His gaze softened. He looked like he wanted to say something more, but then he simply opened his hand and blew a handful of white powder at you. The smell of flour drifted through the air as you and Mason were dusted. You felt terror grip you as you realized that Corey and Liam were covered too, making them suddenly visible.

You turned in horror, but before you could make a move, Gabe darted forward and threw Liam to the floor. Both Gabe and Nolan hauled him up, dragging him down the empty hall and into a deserted classroom. The other lacrosse players didn’t bother to grab you or Mason. Instead, they flooded into the classroom behind the others.

Some students passing by followed suit, eager to watch the fight they sensed was about to happen. 

“Wait here,” Mason told you, darting after them. 

He shoved his way into the classroom, ready to come to Liam’s rescue, but he was immediately grabbed by two lacrosse players. You frantically looked around for Corey, but he had disappeared again. You only hoped he was hiding somewhere safe, just in case they were planning on coming for him next. 

With Corey nowhere to be found, you shouldered your way into the classroom, but you were trapped behind the sea of kids trying to catch the action. 

You watched in horror as Nolan landed a punch to Liam’s face, causing blood to run from his nose. They shoved him to the ground, kicking and punching him. Every time Liam seemed to be close to snapping, he seemed to hold himself back. You were relieved, but you also weren’t sure how long he could keep that up.

“You’re fighting it!” you heard Nolan snap. 

Your blood boiled. You were sick to your stomach with both rage and terror. Liam was getting his ass handed to him. He couldn’t even fight back. 

You watched as Gabe snatched a tuft of Liam’s brown hair. He yanked him up from the classroom floor, only to slam his knee into Liam’s face. You flinched.

“What is going on here?!”

Suddenly the clicking of heels sounded from down the hallway. Mrs Finch was striding over, and the crowd of kids parted for her. Instead of looking angry, she just seemed scared as she realized what was happening. 

“Do something!” Mason pleaded, but Mrs. Finch just held up her hands, as if she were surrendering. 

“Sometimes it’s best to let them work things out on their own,” she told him, before turning back down the hall. 

Kids stared in shock, dumbfounded at her response. You took the opportunity to shove your way into the space she had left in the crowd. As you got closer, you saw that Liam was lying on his back. Blood was streaming from his nose, his mouth, and various other cuts on his face. 

Gabe was kneeling over him, punching him over and over. He raised his arm to land another blow, and that was when you moved forward. You had no idea what had gotten into you, but you couldn’t watch another second of Liam’s suffering. 

Gabe grunted in surprise as you knocked him to the ground. The two of you spilled onto the tiled floor, but he quickly recovered. He yanked your head back by your hair, causing you to cry out. 

Before you could register what was happening, pain was shooting through your skull. He had punched you so hard that it left you lying on the floor, dazed and seeing white for a few seconds. 

“Gabe-” Nolan began to say, but he was cut off. “Is this what’s gonna do it, Liam?” Gabe demanded, pulling you off the floor by your hair. “Maybe you won’t change if we beat your ass, but what about hers?”

Tears were streaming down your face, blurring your vision. You could still see Liam's eyes glowing yellow though. As much as it hurt, you weren’t willing to be the reason he shifted in front of everyone. 

“Liam,” you begged. “Don’t.”

You could taste your own blood on your lips. Judging by the look on Liam’s face, you probably looked terrible, even from the single punch. You knew they were going to do much worse.

Gabe balled his hand into a fist once more, and you closed your eyes, bracing for the next punch. 

“What the hell is going on?! Back off!”

Suddenly, Gabe was ripped off of you by the back of his shirt. His fingers uncurled from your hair, and you dropped to the ground on your hands and knees. 

“Get to the Principal's office now!” Coach Finstock was screaming. 

He had Gabe and Nolan by their shirts, and he practically tossed them out the door and into the hallway. He looked absolutely livid. You had never seen Coach so angry. He gazed out at the crowd of students around you.

“What the hell is this?” He demanded. “Get out, all of you! I can’t stand to look at your faces!”

The crowd dispersed, and Mason was let go. You scrambled over to Liam, who was still on his back. He was taking short, gasping breaths and his face was covered in his own blood, but he looked relieved. He coughed as the four of you, including Corey, who had reappeared, helped him off the ground. One of his arms was slung over your shoulder, and the other was slung over Mason’s.

Mason stared at him in awe. “I can’t believe you did that...and Y/n, I can’t believe you just tackled Gabe. That was insane.”

Liam nodded, looking between the three of you. “Clark Kent, right?” he muttered. 

“Yeah,” Mason breathed. “Clark Kent.”

Liam glanced over at you. He felt a lump in his throat when he saw the state of your face. There was a small gash on your cheek from where Gabe had punched you. A trickle of blood was making its way down to your jaw, and your lip was split open. The worst part was the bruising. The blood could be cleaned up, but the bruise that was beginning to form would be there for a while. That side of your face was also beginning to swell.

His blood was boiling. He wanted to tear Gabe and Nolan apart. In that moment, he didn’t care who saw. Then you spoke. 

“Liam,” you said softly. “I’m okay. I promise.”

You squeezed his hand. The feel of your fingers wrapped around his seemed to ground him. The tension melted from his shoulders. 

“Come on,” he said. “Let’s get out of here.”

------

“God, I have no idea how I’m going to explain what happened to your parents.”

You looked over at Liam from the passenger seat of his Toyota. He had a white-knuckled grip on the steering wheel. You raised your eyebrows.

“Why do you have to explain?” 

“Because I’m your best friend. I’m supposed to protect you...and everything that happened is my fault anyway.”

You lifted the bag of frozen peas that Coach had given you off your cheek. He had assured you it would bring down the swelling, but you were skeptical.  You pulled down the visor in front of you and glanced at your wounded face in the mirror. 

            Mason had cleaned the blood off with the lacrosse team first aid kit, but there was a visible gash where Gabe’s knuckles had connected with your cheekbone. The bruise, now a deep blue-ish purple, spread out across your cheek. Your lip was also busted and there was no way you’d be able to hide it.

“It’s not your fault. I’ll just tell my parents the truth. Someone was getting their ass kicked and I stepped in to stop them. Well, I tried anyway.”

“Okay, now you’re kind of making me sound like a little bitch.”

You shrugged, and you and Liam both burst out laughing. The movement in your face caused you to wince and Liam’s expression darkened. 

“I’m sorry.”

“You don’t have to keep saying that.”

“I feel like I do.”

“You don’t,” you assured him. “Liam, none of this was your fault. It’s the hunters and Nolan, and that fucking psycho Gabe. Plus, I’m the one who tackled him…”

He didn’t answer right away. He was anxiously chewing on his lip, staring out the windshield. 

“Liam?”

“I think you need to leave town.”

You balked at him. “What? No way!”

“Gabe could have done a lot worse to you. Now he knows you’re involved. Staying here could get you killed. You and Mason both.”

“So what are we supposed to do?” you demanded. “Just run away?”

“Yeah. That’s exactly what you should do. I can’t protect you, Y/n. I can’t protect anyone.”

“I can protect myself-”

“No you can’t!” he snapped. “Look at your face!”

You flinched back at his sharp tone. Wordlessly, you turned away, slouching down in your seat to stare out the window. Maybe he was right, but his words had touched a nerve.

Liam wasn’t trying to hurt you, but he was terrified. If he couldn’t even protect you from Gabe, how was he supposed to protect you from trained hunters?

“Y/n...I’m sorry. I’m not saying you’re not strong. I just…I can’t lose you.”

You felt a flutter in your chest. Taking a deep breath, you looked back over at him. 

“Even if you can’t protect me, why would I leave you? If someone’s trying to kill you, I want to help. Even if it means getting hurt...even if it means dying. I can’t just leave.”

“I can’t be the reason something happens to you,” Liam protested. 

“You wouldn’t be,” you pointed out. “If these people are coming after you, that’s them. Not you.”

He shook his head and you could tell he was trying to work something out inside his head. He was about to turn down the street to Scott’s neighborhood, but he hesitated for a moment. You were both supposed to be at a pack meeting, but now he was having second thoughts about bringing you.

“Maybe I should just take you home. I promise I’ll come and get you as soon as this is over,” he swore.

“I can’t just leave you.”

“You can,” he insisted, pulling up to the nearest curb. Scott’s house was still a few blocks away. 

“If you want me to leave you, you’re gonna have to pick me up and carry me kicking and screaming out of town,” you told him stubbornly.

“Fine,” he said with a shrug. “Then that’s what I’ll do. I’ll throw you over my shoulder. I don’t care.”

You rolled your eyes. “You’re not serious.”

“I am!” he shouted. “You don’t realize how much danger you’re in.”

“You’re Clark Kent, right?” you demanded. “What if I’m Lois Lane then? I don’t remember her ever running away.”

He opened his mouth to protest. This wasn’t a comic book. It was real life, and you could die. But as you stared at him defiantly, he realized you already knew that. 

Asking you to leave him would have been like asking him to leave Scott and the others.

“Fine,” he said.

He put the car back into drive and pulled away from the curb. You drove in silence for a couple minutes, until he pulled into a driveway you presumed was Scott’s. There were several other cars out front. You recognized Stiles’ rickety, blue jeep right away, along with Lydia’s Martin’s Toyota and Scott’s motorcycle.

“Promise me you’ll just think about leaving?” he asked. “Just think about it.”

“Fine,” you told him.

Liam eyed you. “You’re lying.”

“So you can read minds now too?” you demanded. 

“Your heart skips when you lie. I can hear it.”

He slammed the door behind him, but came around to open yours for you nonetheless. You could tell he was pissed at you for saying you wouldn’t leave, but he would do the exact same thing and you knew it. 

As you followed Liam into the house, you saw a group of people clustered around the coffee table, examining a map. You recognized Scott, his mom, Malia, Lydia and two other men you didn’t know. One was tall with dark hair, and he was wearing a suit. There was an FBI badge hanging from his neck. The other was shorter, with piercing blue eyes. 

“...no one can leave,” the taller one was saying. “Gerard’s distributed all of his weapons throughout Beacon Hills, to anyone who wants them.”

The shorter one looked grim. “He’s arming his army.”

You turned toward Liam, wanting to ask what they were talking about. Before they could, Lydia, who had been staring vacantly out the window, yelled “Get down!”

She pulled Mason to the floor just as two arrows flew through the glass windows at the front of the house, shattering them. A bright flash spread across the room, blinding you just after you saw Malia shove Scott down. Liam tackled you to the floor, covering his body with yours.

Gunfire echoed across the room, and you felt a sharp, stinging pain in your side. You cried out, and Liam pressed himself harder on top of you. You closed your eyes, terrified of what would happen next. 

Suddenly, the gunfire stopped. You glanced up, and saw the taller man, who you now realized bore a striking resemblance to Scott, stand up. He must have been his father, you realized, as he drew his weapon from a holster on his side.

Liam pushed himself up, but when he did, he realized there was blood soaking through his t-shirt. When he felt for a wound, he realized it wasn’t his blood, but yours.

You were lying below him, and a pool of dark, red blood was staining your right side, soaking into your shirt and your jeans. 

“Liam, what happened?” you whispered. Your voice was soft and scared.

“No!” he shouted, looking around frantically for the others. 

But Mason and Melissa were both unconscious on the floor, lying in their own pools of blood, which were slowly widening on the floor. Lydia was bleeding, but awake, and she was using a hand to prop herself up using the coffee table. Scott’s dad was groaning in pain, one hand holding pressure over his bloody arm.

Everyone was hurt. Everyone needed help. 

When Liam looked back down at you, your eyes were closed. Your breathing was growing shallow, and he resisted the urge to scream. He reached down, frantically pressing both hands over your bleeding side. 

“Scott!” he cried. “What do we do?”

The alpha, riddled with bullet holes himself, struggled to his feet. 

“I don’t know.”

------

“You doing okay?”

Liam looked up at the sound of Scott’s voice. The older boy was looking down at him sympathetically, and Liam felt a twinge of annoyance. 

“Not really.”

“Mind if I sit?” Scott asked. 

“Sure,” Liam said, looking back down at the floor. 

The flimsy chair next to him groaned as Scott sat down. He had two plastic-wrapped breakfast bagels in his hands, one of which he held out to Liam. 

“No thanks.”

“Come on, you haven’t eaten since last night.”

“I’m not hungry.”

“Okay.” He set the bagels on the side table next to them. “You know the nurse said she was awake. You don’t wanna go see her?”

Liam was silent. His mouth was pressed into a grim line.

“Liam,” Scott said softly. “What happened wasn’t your fault.”

“I brought her to your house,” he grumbled. “I was trying to get her to leave town, but she wouldn’t. So I agreed that I wouldn’t make her.”

He shook his head in disbelief. “God, I should have just dragged her out of town myself.”

“She’ll be okay,” Scott reminded him. “The bullet didn’t hit anything important.”

“Yeah, and it’s a miracle it didn’t. I could have gotten her killed, Scott.”

Scott reached out, putting a hand on his shoulder. “Liam, look at me.”

Finally, he did. His blue eyes met Scott’s brown ones, and he felt himself tearing up, though he hated himself for it. He had forced himself not to cry all night, afraid that once he did, he would completely break down. 

But now, as the tears slipped down his cheeks, he couldn’t stop them. “It’s my fault she got hurt, Scott. This is what I was afraid of, and it happened.”

“None of this is your fault.”

Scott leaned over and brought Liam into a tight hug. “Remember when I told you that sacrificing your happiness doesn’t always keep people safe?”

Liam nodded. 

“You couldn’t have stopped this. Whoever was shooting at us was going to do it regardless. Who’s to say they wouldn’t have gone after her when you weren’t with her?”

“I could have made her leave town though.”

“No you couldn’t have. Making her leave you would have been like making you leave us. You never would have done it.”

“Maybe you’re right.”

Scott smiled and pulled away from the younger boy. “I know I’m right. I’ve been doing this for a while, remember? I know you feel like you’re responsible, but you’re not. She made her choice, and it was the exact same one you would have made.”

Liam nodded. 

“I think you’re perfect for each other, actually,” Scott continued. “You’re both stubborn as hell.”

“Yeah,” Liam said with a soft laugh. “We are.”

“Go see her. I’m sure you guys have a lot to talk about.”

Liam nodded and rose to his feet. “Thanks.”

Scott smiled in response, and Liam headed down the hall to your room. The nurse had given him the number a few hours ago, but he was afraid to visit you. He knew you wouldn’t be mad at him, but it was his own guilt he hadn’t been able to get past. Now he knew he couldn’t control what happened to you, and it wasn’t fair to punish you by staying away. 

He knocked on the wooden door, and heard your soft voice say “Come in.”

When he pushed it open, you were lying there, propped up against the pillows. You smiled when he entered, and he felt relief rush through him. Even in a hospital gown, you still looked beautiful.

He strode forward and leaned in, wrapping his arms around you. You buried your face in his shoulder, hugging him back. 

“I was worried you weren’t going to show,” you admitted. 

Liam flushed. “I’m sorry. I wasn’t sure if I should come.”

“It wasn’t your fault,” you told him. “I knew you’d feel like it was. That’s why I told Scott to go talk to you.”

He balked at you. “You...you told Scott to come talk to me?”

You nodded. “He came in to check on me once my parents left to eat. When you weren’t with him, I figured you’d be beating yourself up about it.”

Scott had been right. You really were perfect for each other. 

“You’re still in this mess because of me.”

“Yeah, but I made the choice to stay. And I’d do it again in a heartbeat. You’re telling me you wouldn’t do the exact same thing?”

He sighed and lowered himself down into the chair next to your bed. “No, I would’ve.”

“Look, there’s something I need to tell you,” you admitted. “I could never have left you, Liam. I know you wanted me to go, but if I’m gonna die, I’d rather do it with you. I love you too much to run away.”

He reached out, placing his hand over yours. “It wasn’t like I wanted to be away from you. I just thought that you would be safer. I was afraid of...well, this.”

He gestured to you, lying in the hospital bed. 

“Oh come on,” you said with a roll of your eyes. “I’m fine. Plus, I’m gonna have a kickass scar. It’ll be just like a video game.”

You reached down and pulled up your hospital gown, revealing the gauze over your side. “I’m gonna look like a total badass.”

Liam grinned. “You already are a total badass.”

You smiled up at him, and he felt his heart skip. Without hesitating any longer, he leaned in, cupping your face with his hands and pressing a soft kiss to your lips. Being gentle wasn’t exactly his strong suit, but your bottom lip was still busted from when Gabe had punched you. 

“I love you,” he murmured, pulling back to look down at your face. “And whatever happens, I want you by my side.”

You nodded. “Me too.”

He pressed a gentle kiss to your forehead, and you shifted to the other side of the hospital bed. You patted the space beside you. 

“Are we allowed to do that?” he asked. 

“I just got shot,” you complained. “I should be able to do whatever I want.”

Without another thought, Liam crawled up beside you. He wrapped an arm around your shoulders and pulled you close so that your side was pressed against his. You snuggled into him, and for the first time in months, he felt like everything would be okay.

#teen wolf #teen wolf imagines #Teen Wolf Ships #liam dunbar #liam dunbar imagines #selfignitingimagines

[mackeydoodledoo]

The Demon Amongst Vampires

Pairing: Bela Dimitrescu x Demon (Fem!)Reader

Summary: Getting caught on the grounds of Castle Dimitrescu is one problem. Being a Demon hybrid is another. Getting caught WHILST being in your demon form is a whole issue. As you’re held captive in the castle, a Dimitrescu daughter has been enchanted by you.

Warnings: Blood, Slight G0R3 (Body dismemberment, but, not over-the-top gore), slightly nsfw

A/N: I didn’t understand the hype for Resident Evil 8 and now I understand why. Here is my contribution to you fellow simps. Also, since R is a demon, I’ve referenced some demon-anime characters. Bonus points if you get those references! R is My Character: Hydrangea Dragonfold! But her name is not mentioned in this story.

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

As you make your kill, you hear a faint buzzing sound. However, you think nothing of it, you've heard far worse. You recall back before you ran away from your home; the screams of your now dead family. You faintly remember somebody infusing their blood with yours. You don't remember who exactly but now you're a Demon. You don't remember how you got there but you just are. You can't exactly go back to being the person you used to be. 

"Who's out here?!" A demanding voice calls out 

You try your best to hide yourself however, you immediately knock over something with your elbow. 

"Well well, what have we here?" She asks you, immediately teleporting herself over to you 

She uses the end of her sickle to bash on the side of your head. Everything goes black. 

"Mother, look what I found roaming our grounds," a muffled yet familiar voice says 

As you gain your consciousness you look up just as some footsteps turn to face you. You were in awe, you didn't think you'd be in the presence of such a tall woman. 

"What have we here?" The tall woman asks 

Your mind was everywhere, you didn't exactly hear her question. You were still questioning how you got in the castle. 

"Answer mothers' question peasant!" A female voice yells, punching your jaw 

You cough out blood, your jaw seemingly broken. 

“Daniela don’t touch what isn’t yours!” a voice yells

“She wasn’t paying attention!” Another voice screams back

“Now now daughters, let’s all calm down now,” The tall woman says

Once you looked back up at the tall woman, you 'un-broke' your jaw, hearing it crack back into place. 

"No one special that's for sure," you groan 

"Well, anyone who can snap their jaw back into place without writhing in pain must be," the tall woman says, "So, let's see how special you really are." 

Two of the three hooded women begin walking toward you. You however, hold up your hand. 

"I'll do it myself," you sigh 

You hold up your pinky and its nail begins sharpening and turning black. You hold it against your wrist and slash it with no form of wincing in pain. Blood slowly seeps out from your cut as you hold it up to the tall woman. She takes your wrist and begins sucking on your wrist that you had cut. Not even a second in, she throws your wrist back down and gags in disgust. 

"That is VILE!" She screams 

You kind of felt bad for offering such bad blood. But you had no other choice really. 

"Then let's devour this woman's flesh quickly mother," the woman with strawberry-blonde hair suggests 

"But I'm the one who brought her here," the woman with blond hair says, “I should get the first bite!”

"My sincerest apologies," you sigh, letting your cut heal itself, "Being a demon sure has its bad blood taste.. Apparently.." 

"And what of this?" The tall woman gestures to your backpack 

"Nothing special," you say once more, "Just shoes..... A handful of them.... My feet you see.. Let's just say I wear them out a lot faster. Speaking of shoes.... Can I get some out I don't want to leave... A nasty stain on your lovely floors." 

The tall woman snaps her fingers and the blonde woman reaches into your backpack. She pulls out two black sandals. The other two women snicker. 

"Nice to have 'em cheap really," you add as you watch the blonde woman put them on your feet 

"Take this.. Demon, Bela," the tall woman says, "You're in charge of it." 

"I have a name and pronouns you know," you nearly spat, slightly angered

The blond woman flies to you and holds your chin, making you look up at her. 

"You sure have some nerve to be talking to mother like that," she smirks at you 

"Being a demon sure has its perks," you smirk back, "Well, you're in charge Ms. Lady." 

She drags you up from the ground to make you stand up. She grabs you by the arm and begins dragging you out of the tall lady's chamber. 

"So.... What's your plan with me?" You ask, monotonus 

"I'll make you my plaything," she smiles maliciously, "After I'm finished with you, I will eat your flesh." 

You just listen to her ramble on about how she'll kill you, unphased. However she stops when she doesn't hear a reply out of your mouth. 

"How are you not afraid?" She asks 

"I have nowhere else to be, no other family to go home to," you start, “So, what does a demon like myself have left to lose? Besides, you’d be doing me a favor hot stuff.” 

You saw her cheek flush a faint pink color when you realized you called her cute. 

"Also, I wouldn't want you eating demon flesh," you sigh, "You've seen how your.... Mother reacted to my blood. Can't really imagine what my flesh will taste like...." 

"Then why don't I find out?" She asks, menacingly 

You look at her confused however wince in pain when she takes a bite out of your arm. You watch her eat the part of your flesh and blood. However, mid-eating the flesh she tore off you, she stops and opens her eyes. 

"You're.... Divine," she moans, finishing her snack 

You look at her in slight awe, the moonlight complimenting her pale skin. Her eyes dilated from the apparent divine taste of you.

"One, a little warning next time you decide to snack on me,” You groan, watching the indent on your arm heal, “Two, I can regenerate my skin cells a lot faster than the average. But it'll regenerate slower if you continuously eat from the same spot. I can also snap my bones back into place. Hence me being able to snap my jaw back into place when your sister punched the hell out of me." 

The both of you stare at each other before she breaks the eye contact and dragging you to her chambers. 

"You okay with a demon in your room?" You ask, "Aren't you afraid of a sleep paralysis demon?" 

You asked it as a joke, however, Bela turns to you, confused. 

"What's that?" She asks 

"You've-you've never heard of a sleep paralysis demon?" You ask 

She shakes her head. 

"Well," you smirk, "You just might see one." 

Bela giggles, "well aren't you a sharp tongued little demon." 

"I'm not little," you growl 

"Aww the little demon is so cute when she's mad," Bela continues teasing you 

Having enough your instincts take over, a ring of bright blue fire takes over your body, two flame like horns protrude from your head, your pupils turning into vein like slits, your canines sharpening to a point, as do your nails and finally, your tail bone becomes an actual tail. Your nail dug into the other woman's wrists as she gazes up at your new appearance. 

"My my little demon aren't you all riled up," she says seductively 

You say nothing but look at her unamused. However, your grip on her doesn't loosen, trying to intimidate her with your supposedly terrifying secret. However, she moves her leg over you so that she’s straddling you. The grip you had on her subsides and she gives your wrists the same treatment. She leans down close so that one side of her hair drapes over you like a curtain and her lips within touching distance. 

"If you think you can come in here unannounced and nearly top me, you're in for a world of hell," she whispers 

"Well I was brought here against my will," you joke, "But, I don't think that's a bad thing at all." 

You smirk at her. You look at her lips then back up at her eyes. Feeling bold mysteriously, you raise your head up to meet her lips. You pull away the second you snap yourself back to reality. 

"Why did you pull away little demon?" She asks 

At that point you couldn't be mad at her for calling you by your now pet name. You couldn't find the proper answer. 

"I don't know," you half-assed it 

She lifts your arm and licks the blood that remains on your wrists, moaning in pleasure from how your blood tasted. 

"If you ever cross me like that ever again, I'll make sure you're going to pay for it," she whispers 

"Any way you want princess," you smirk

It was a restless night for you, you continuously fought with your demon self from transforming. You managed to persuade the other woman to have you sleep on the floor, out of fear of setting anything on fire. You couldn't stop growling. The tossing and turning wasn't helping either. 

"What's wrong micul meu demon?" The other woman asks, groaning 

"N-nothing I'm fine," you answer all groggy like, "Did-did I wake y-you?" 

"No," she says, "I'll help you. Come into bed demon mic." 

"I'm fine," you growl, almost letting your demon come out 

You feel a swarm of insects roaming around your body until you felt plopped down onto a bed. The other woman snakes her arms around your midsection and you suddenly felt your demon... Rest. That's never happened before.. 

"Better?" She asks 

"Yeah," you confess, settling yourself in, "Thanks..." 

You could feel her breath going right down your neck. You were both nervous and aroused. You turn your body so that you’re facing the other woman.

“Are you aright?” She asks

You nod, letting the feeling of the embrace and you take the opportunity to finally enjoy a nights sleep.

“Good night, micul meu demon,” Bela whispers into your ear

Of all things you’ve experienced in one day, a compassionate vampire lady wasn’t an expectation.

The next several months go by and you're beginning to open up with Bela and everyone else. Everyone has grown fond of you and you teach them about the different kinds of powers you have. You'd often have sparring sessions with Bela in order for her to brush up her skills. Majority of the time its been her catching you. For her “personal reward” she’d take a bite out of your flesh, blood, whatever she wanted to do with you. But today's sparring session, not this time you think to yourself as you navigate through the castle. 

"Nowhere to run demon mea," Bela teases as you navigate through the dungeons 

"Yeah?" You taunt back, "There'll be nowhere to hide once I get you!" 

From the shadows you could hear a swarm of flies form around you. You could feel Bela's presence, she hasn't even touched you and you immediately pin her to the wall, one hand holding her wrists above her head, the other almost clawing her face. 

"I got you little princess," you smirk, "I win." 

You lean in to kiss her fiercely. She returns the kiss as well. You let go of her wrists and coil your arms around her waist, she digs her fingers into your hair as you begin digging your lips into the crook of her neck. You didn't realize how hard you were sucking her skin until you tasted blood. You hear a moan escape out of her mouth as you suckle on her neck. 

"I don't know about me," you say, seductively, "But you are divine." 

Your hand unconsciously explores Bela's slim figure. Your hand travels further and further down before you reached a slit in her dress. Before you could even give her the pleasure you've been dying to give her, she lets out a strangled sigh and slaps your hand away. 

"Ow! Damn Bela," you growl, slightly upset, "What was that for?" 

"You haven't earned that perk yet micul meu demon," she teases, "Maybe tonight my love, during the full moon." 

Out of pure arousal, your demon form pops out, your tail wagging. You try to put them away but to no avail. 

"Micul meu demon," she whispers into your ear 

Blue flames ignite. You force yourself to stop them and control your heartbeat and breathing. 

"She's all riled up," Bela continues teasing 

"You're lucky I have no willpower to destroy you," you growl 

"Maybe you will tonight," she teases again 

You watch her disappear into bugs and fly off.. 

"Bela's really taking a liking to you," Cassandra appears, making you jump, "Oh I made the little demon scared." 

"Don't call me little demon Cass," You sigh, "Only Bela can call me that. By the way, shouldn't you be torturing some new plaything right now?" 

"I'm waiting for mother to bring in a new one," she says 

"Well have fun with that," you sigh, chuckling slightly 

Cassandra flies off to who knows where. Daniela is doing god-knows-what. Lady Dimitrescu is in a meeting with the other three houses, leaving you in your thoughts and awaiting Bela to return. 

An hour goes by and you haven't seen any trace of Bela.. You become slightly upset.. However, you just decide to go back into Bela's chambers until Lady Dimitrescu calls you for dinner or Bela calls for you. However, as you're ascending the staircase, you could hear Bela's voice. You open a window slightly to see her getting knocked to the ground by a mysterious figure you weren't familiar with. 

"Bela!" You call out 

You propel yourself from the open window and concentrate your fire power into your legs to reach Bela faster. 

"STOP!" You scream 

You forward flip and use one foot and attempt to heel the enemy trespasser from injuring Bela further. You missed however, the trespasser launches himself backward as you do the same, guarding Bela. Your demon taking control of you, you growl and snarl. 

"Who. Are. You?" Your demon voice and normal voice ask, combined, "What gives you the right to touch what isn't yours?!" 

"Oh, my mistake," he only says, "You weren’t around so I didn’t think. And a human plaything claiming that she owns a vampire? Don’t joke with me now kid." 

You snarl at the nickname as you were so used to Bela calling you 'My little Demon'. You've warmed up to the nickname and only Bela could call you that. 

"I wouldn’t be joking if I didn’t just launch myself from a castle window.” You say

The both of you charge at each other and engage in a fight. You try to yell back toward Bea to get Alcina or even Cassandra. But, each time you were able to turn around, you couldn’t tell her to get out of harms way. Letting your anger get the best of you, you gain the upper hand however, letting one opening in, the enemy elbows you in the stomach and throws you towards Bela's direction. 

"Micul meu demon! Are you okay?!" She asks, towering over you, trying to check you out for any severe injuries 

You nod, not able to form words from the wind being knocked out of your body. The both of you hear footsteps crunching the snow. Bela becomes her usual terrifying self from when the two of you first met and throws her body over yours, guarding it. 

“You keep away from her!" She growls 

"And what will you do?" He asks, laughing, "Protect this... Human? HAH! Don't make me laugh! This human isn’t special!" 

He kicks Bela in the chin and knocks her away from you. Something in you snapped, what the trespasser did to Bela alone made your blood boil. 

"As for you weak 'human plaything' I'll help myself to dinner and-" 

Before he could step onto your stomach, you catch his boot with your hand, digging your now black nails and singed arms into its soles. He looks down at you, noticing a bright glow emitting from below him. You were engulfed in blue flames. Your nails and arms singed up to your elbows. The pupils in your eyes had turned into slits and your upper and lower canines sharpened to a point. A tail and two flame like horns appear from your forehead. 

"Don't you EVER touch what's mine!" You snarl, your demon voice merging with yours, nearly overlapping your regular voice 

You launch him of the ground and elbow his stomach the same way he did to you, only, you elbow a lot hard and into the ground. He coughs out blood as he kicks you out of the way. This unphased you as you no longer feel the pain that had been inflicted on you earlier. 

"Damn kid," he coughs, "What's up with you?!" 

You only scream at him and charge toward him, footprints being singed onto the ground, melting the snow. Using whatever strength he had left, he slices your arm off, along with a leg, catching you off guard. This gives him the opportunity to launch you back away from him You snap out of your demon frenzy, but still remain in your form to protect Bela. 

"決起術 (けっきじゅつ)," you and your demon growl, your newly regenerated hand out toward the enemy vampire. The dismembered leg had also grown back. [Translation: "Blood Demon Art"] 

"H-how?! I cut off your limbs.... How are they now grown back?!" He asks demandingly, looking frantically for whatever you were reaching out for 

"熱血 (ばっけつ)!!!" You scream, closing your hand, a blue flame exiting from the two ends of your closed fist [Translation: "Exploding Blood!!"] 

From across the field, the vampire bursts into a blue flame. Hearing him scream, he begins writhing in pain. 

"Who are YOU?!?!" He screams 

"An offspring of The Devil," you announce, your human voice comes through, "I protect what's mine!" 

"Please just make it stop!!" He yells, "I won't come back and touch her again I promise!!" 

"And you never will," You only reply before making the flame ignite further 

You watch him burn to a crisp. Watching him become nothing more than ash. You turn to Bela to check on her. When you realized she wasn't moving, you skid across the snowy ground you try to get Bela to wake up. 

"Hey hey, come on princess," you say, "Don't you DARE leave me now. Come on speak to me!" 

You were practically yelling at that point. You hear other footsteps coming out to your direction and you look up; Alcina comes running out to your direction. 

"What on earth happened?!" Alcina asks, "What did you do?!" 

"An enemy vampire trespassed through your grounds, Alcina" you explain, "I didn't notice him until I heard Bela crying out for help." 

"Where is this trespasser?!" She asks 

"I burned him to a crisp," you answer 

She looks up at you, in disbelief. However, when you look at her, there was no joke in your voice or expression. 

"My daughter wake up," she tries calling out to her daughter 

As you watch Alcina try to wake her daughter, it hit you. You know what she needs. 

"B-blood, that's it right? You need blood!" You ask Bela, trying to get her to speak 

Without thinking, you strip off your leather jacket in an effort to Keep her warm. Not caring about your own body heat, you use your claws to make a scar onto your forearm. You take Bela into your un-bloodied arm as you hold out your bloodied one out above her mouth, squeezing the life out of your arm to have your blood drip. You gently open her mouth just as a blood drop falls into her mouth. 

"Come on, come on," you panic 

You watch as she begins to writhe and then watching her mouth latch onto your arm, drinking your blood. It was painful, feeling her fangs sink into your flesh, however, for her, you'd endure it. You place your palm under her head to keep her head steady. You couldn't help but smile slight as you continue to watch her suckling on your arm like a little baby. Bela finally gains consciousness and stops feeding on you. Praying she didn't drink too much. 

"Micul meu demon" she smiles, her fingers gently dancing across your features 

Tears rolled down your eyes as you kiss her unconsciously, regardless if there was now blood on your own mouth. 

"How did you-" Alcina asks 

"She... Apparently likes the way my blood and flesh tastes," you say, "One of the reasons why your daughter decided to keep me." 

You pick Bela up and walk back into the castle with Alcina and her two other daughters waiting for you three in the foyer. 

For the first time that night, you could finally sleep peacefully. The both of you were entangled in each others' embrace, wasting the remaining night away. You never expected that you’d be the demon amongst the vampires. It was never a thought to you that of all living creatures, you, a demon of all things, had caught the eyes of a vampire. Maybe being a demon is a blessing... 

#resident evil #resident evil village #lady dimitrescu #bela dimitrescu #bela dimitrescu x reader #female reader #cassandra dimitrescu #daniela dimitrescu

[thetargaryenbride]

A Way of Mourning

Requested by:  @iamhowieson​ Hey! I was wondering if you could make a Levi x reader request where Levi accidentally hurts the reader and he feels terrible about it but the reader comforts him and tells him they’re ok. 

Thank you for requesting! <3 And I’m sorry for the delay. 

Words: 2K+

Pairing: Levi x Reader [gn]

Hope you like it  ❤️ Feedback is deeply appreciated! ^^

* . °•★|•°∵ ∵°•|☆•° . *

“Where…” you whispered, almost choking, as your dry throat tissues scratched against each other.

“Here, have some water,” someone helped you sit up and held a glass to your lips, letting you gulp greedily. The chilly liquid soothed your parched throat and you sighed in relief. Finally opening your eyes, you were met with the face of your best friend and the rest of your squadmates.

“Captain, you gave us quite the scare there. It’s been two days and you weren’t waking up. Glad to finally have you back!” grinned one of them and you smiled, only now feeling the dull ache in your abdomen. You remembered now, how you had saved one of your subordinates which resulted in a titan sinking its teeth into you.

Your eyes widened as your thoughts shifted to a certain trio.

“What happened to Levi and the others?” you asked, almost frantically, because you didn’t remember anything from the mission and the worry quickly settled inside you, like a parasite, and started eating.

Since Levi, Isabel and Farlan joined the Scouts, you were one of the few people who were assigned to take care of the three. They needed to learn more about the world above, about how the military worked, about how the Survey Corps operated, and tons of other stuff, not to mention training, riding, and strategy. The others who were assigned to help, did it with disdain until at one point they just gave up, not wanting to have any contact with the “mongrels from the Underground” but you had stayed. You genuinely liked them. Your mother had done some charity in the Underground and you had accompanied her on a few occasions. What you felt towards the people from that place was only pity, because they deserved so much better than the curse they got since birth – to live in a place with no sun and light, where only filth and shadows flooded each corner, lurking over every inch of your skin.

So you had tried your best to take care of the three. Isabel had quickly taken a liking to you, followed by Farlan. Levi had been harder to win over. He was very quiet, reserved, and distrustful. But your constant kind gestures managed to crack even his shell if only a bit. He didn’t have problems with letting you be near him anymore. He even started talking to you and a day before the expedition he had even allowed you to rub his right shoulder. It had been aching and you had told him that he had to be healthy and strong for the expedition if he wanted to protect himself and his friends. He couldn’t malfunction. He had actually chuckled, although it was so quiet you almost mistook it for him letting out a breath, and let you do your magic at soothing his muscles. You had grown so attached to them that you couldn’t imagine your life without them. The thought that this was their very first expedition had hit you like a sack of bricks just before you had taken off and you had been worried out of your mind throughout the whole expedition, wondering whether they would make it out alive.

“Look, Y/N…I know you grew close during this past month but…Isabel and Farlan are dead,” announced your friend grimly and your heart dropped to your stomach. And suddenly your throat was dry again and no amount of gulping water or saliva was going to help. You let out a shaky breath as your trembling fingers clutched the edge of the bed, helping you sit up straighter and swing your legs over it.

“Wait, where are you-“

“I need to see Levi,” you muttered and your friends shared worried glances. They let you pass. They knew you were one of the most stubborn people alive and no amount of persuasion would put a stop to what you have in mind.

You stumbled all the way to the male barracks and opened the door, fully expecting to see Levi slumped on his bunkbed. But he was not there. In fact, the barracks were quiet and there wasn’t a single soul inhabiting them. The only sound that penetrated that silence was that of running water. Your eyes snapped to your left where the male common showers were located and you took hesitant steps towards it. This had to be the man you were looking for. After all, one of your squadmates had told you that Levi hadn’t left the barracks since the expedition.

You didn’t know how long you just stood in front of the door, wondering if you should wait for him or leave and come back later, endlessly contemplating on what exactly you were going to tell him. But after thirty minutes had passed and nobody was coming out, your thoughts shifted to, once again, worry. Because nobody ever took showers that long. The hot water had to be preserved. After all, there were around a hundred soldiers in the regiment who needed it and it was a bit harder to warm it up since they lived in a castle and not in the city like the Military Police or the Garrison.

“Levi?” you called out as you knocked but no answer came. “It’s me, Y/N. I’m coming in, ok?” you slowly opened the door and your face and body were instantly hit with hot thick steam and moisture. It was almost suffocating. “What the-“ you rubbed your face and eyes as you fully stepped inside and tried to focus. You finally located a figure at the end of the room and you walked towards it. The fog parted a bit and revealed the familiar backside of Levi. You were about to huff and scold him when you noticed just how red his back was. Your eyes widened as you outstretched your arm and put it under the sprinkling water, hissing and retreating it almost immediately.

“That water is scalding hot!” you exclaimed. “Levi, hey, let’s get out of here, hm?” you asked, voice laced with desperation and worry as you went to put a hand on his shoulder and shake him out of whatever trance he had fallen in. “You’re harming yourself. Please, let’s leave,” but before you could touch his skin, his hand shot out and grabbed yours, clutching it so tightly that he almost snapped it. He stood up abruptly and shoved you away, causing you to let out a squeal as you slipped and fell on your bum, the pain from your wound jostling your body, making you groan and clutch your stomach as if it was going to help soothe it.

“Get out,” he growled, his back still turned on you.

“But-“

“I said leave!” he yelled as his head sharply turned to look down at you. His eyes grew wide and the angry sneer and furrowed eyebrows he had donned eased a little. You stood up slowly and raised a hand, nodding.

“Ok…it’s alright, I’m going…just…don’t stay here long,” you whispered before you turned on your tail and exited the room.

* . °•★|•°∵ ∵°•|☆•° . *

“Gods, would you go to bed already? Your wound is still healing and instead of resting you’re burying yourself in paperwork!” exclaimed your friend angrily as she crossed her arms.

“You know that there is always extra paperwork after expeditions. And I’ve been out for two days. I have a lot of work to catch up to. I’m fine,” you smiled at her reassuringly and she rolled her eyes before they snapped to the door after a knock echoed throughout your office.

“Name and business?!” you called out but nobody answered. The door just opened and your eyebrows shot to your hairline as you saw Levi holding a tray with two cups of steaming tea. Your friend gave you a look and nodded.

“I’ll leave you two to it,” she said as she quickly exited and closed the door.

Levi just stood there awkwardly, shifting from foot to foot until you told him to sit. He placed the tray on your desk and grabbed a chair, dragging it to sit in front of you while you were sipping on the liquid. There was silence for some time as you looked at him but he didn’t have the courage to look at you, focusing on his lap as his bangs covered his face.

Levi felt horrible. He felt disgusted with himself. He had been shaking like a leaf the moment you had left the bathroom. He hadn’t known what to do. He hadn’t even known which world he was on.

He remembered sitting there, almost choking on the thick steam, feeling the hot water drops drum against his skin. He had been so deep into his thoughts and the still fresh memories from two days ago, eyes scanning his hands in haze, seeing not clean skin but skin marred with dark wine blood – the blood of his family. The family he couldn’t protect because of his own foolishness and weakness. The moment he had felt that someone’s presence breathing down his neck and feeling the closeness of their hand, hovering over his shoulder, the close proximity creating warmth and electricity that had made the hair on his neck bristle, his hand had shot out automatically. He hadn’t wanted anyone to breathe the same air as him, much less touching him. He hadn’t hesitated when he pushed them away. But the moment he had turned and his eyes fell on you, regret had struck his heart and he had been frozen in place, not being able to do anything but watch with wide eyes as you shot him an apologetic smile before leaving.

He told himself that it wasn’t on purpose. He told himself it was just a reaction – a reflex – to something, someone, foreign, invading his personal space in a moment of deep vulnerability. But still…he felt like a trash.  

“I’m sorry,” he finally let out and you smiled at him, shaking your head.

“It’s fine,”

“No…I yelled at you…I pushed you…I didn’t mean to hurt you,” he whispered and you sighed.

“Everyone mourns differently, Levi. You needed space; so I gave it to you. I probably startled you by touching you. I shouldn’t have been so abrupt with my actions,” you explained gently, hoping to ease the guilt that was so obviously drowning him. His hands balled into fists as he bit the inside of his cheek.

“You’re the only one I have left,” he muttered as his eyes finally locked with yours and your hand touched his ever so slowly.

“And I’m not going anywhere. Please… let’s just forget everything and keep going together,” you smiled at him as your hand stroke his and he let out a sigh of relief before nodding. The emotions swirling in his eyes were so many and so vivid that it almost made you cry. It engulfed your very being and had such an impact on you that it overwhelmed you, making you succumb to emotion rather than rationality. You stood up and approached the man, crouching down in front of him. The smile you sent him and the emotions swirling in your eyes, had him give you a soft smile. You rose on your toes and closed the distance, letting your arms embrace his form. You sank into him, head nestling in the crook of his neck as his own arms tugged you closer and squeezed your form.

“I’m sorry,” he murmured in your hair again and you tightened your hold, nuzzling into him. He didn’t know whether he truly deserved this forgiveness. You were simply an exceedingly kind and forgiving person. But he knew one thing. From now on he was going to do anything for you. He was aware he had a difficult personality but he was going to try his best and stick by your side. Because you truly were one of the few people who gave him a chance and tried so hard to forge friendship with him despite all and you actually managed to wiggle into his heart and settle there.  

.

.

.

I promise to protect you...

#aot x reader #snk x reader #levi x reader #levi ackerman x reader #reader #reader insert #reader imagine

[chemicalpink]

☾✧゜BTS Tarot Reading: a peek into their S/O energy ☾✧゜

Pairing: none, this is a tarot/oracle reading.

A/N: I used the divine feminine deck for this reading. Please do remember that every tarot reader’s relationship with their decks are unique thus it may vary the interpretation of the cards. This reading is for entertainment purposes only; the energy channeled may refer to a present or future partner. Whatever outcomes of the reading doesn’t mean ultimate truth and we should really respect the member’s dating life as fans. 

Kim Seokjin ☾✧゜

Mai Bhago: resources; warrior.

So i feel like this is someone that might have to fight for him

Someone that will stop at nothing to get him to open up.

Cause I mean sure, either way, Jin is so far up in the ‘people that will never be your boyfriend’ list with the way that BTS has grown but I feel like this is so much more than that.

I feel like 

It’s not hard to get close to him, but it is hard to get him to open up to the idea of someone loving him for him and not for what he’s accomplished.

idk if that makes sense (?

Lakshmi: abundance

As soon as I laid eyes on this card I got the idea of someone with all that bread.

Not sure if it is inherited wealth/ wealthy family or self made

But definitely someone that has the necessary resources to live comfortably

And also this adds up to them being able to make Jin open up 

Cause they are definitely not using him for money.

Which is a big relief for him.

Rita of Cascia: impossible causes.

Definitely someone that doesn’t run on the same circles as him.

I thought: hmmm maybe a fan (?

Or possibly someone that doesn’t necessarily has the time to date

But most definitely has the intention to love Seokjin with all their strength.

Min Yoongi ☾✧゜

Rita of Cascia: impossible causes

Hello we meet again.

But with a diferent connotation.

This is someone whos strong will puts us all to shame

Like really

Someone that gets their mind on something and will most definitely get it.

Very in tune with Yoongi’s energy.

Lalla: spoken words

I feel like this is someone that has gone through their life trying to heal

And succeeding

“I am the writer of my own story”

Some one that doesn’t fit into the ‘traditional’ way that they are supposed to live.

VERY straightforward.

I also thought of someone spiritual, a manifester of sorts.

Kali: mother of the universe.

LISTEN I’ve said how this one is someone non traditional

Now hear me out

I saw this card and thought well we are looking at someone not gender conforming.

I can even go as far as say that is is someone part of the LGBTQ+ community.

“It’s time to be the truth of who I am”

If you put 2 and 2 together, I can say that this is a healing presence for Yoongi, someone that will make him tune in into what he really likes, who he is.

Jung Hoseok ☾✧゜

Lalita: happiness

This made me so soft

Sunshine got his own sunshine

“Laughter leads me back to the light”

Very positive vibes for this one

One of those people that is impossible not to like

Just like him

Sarada Devi

“The presence of love is the absence of judgement”

This is definitely someone open-minded

In many ways

Someone that has no trouble with Hobi’s way of life

As in

He had to cancel last minute because there’s this thing at the studio? Sure no problem.

They don’t doubt one bit his love and devotion

And understands that they are not walking the same path

But rather walking each of their paths together.

Vajrayogini: liberation

A carefree soul

I feel like this someone is helping Hoseok feel free again

As in

Don’t get him wrong he loves doing what he does but sometimes your career ties you down

But all of those are gone with them.

A fourth card popped up: Mary Magdalene

Along with all those things, this someone is someone very down to Earth

They know where they stand

None of that getting their head get full of it for dating Hoseok

They are themselves and will stay themselves no matter what.

Kim Namjoon ☾✧゜

Marguerite Porete: mystic

Right off the bat, a soulmate connection

I’ll have to say soul family at least

A very divine love

Not like codependent but very very into each other

Shekinah

I feel like most probably this is a female, or someone that identifies as such

Also

Namjoon president? very much so

This is someone important

I see power

In like- a position wise type of way

I’ll go as far as to say a diplomat cause it’s what comes to mind

Or a business executive

Someone well respected within their own little world

Definitely someone Joon looks up to

Rita of Cascia: impossibles

What’s with these boys and this card

So again, I’m sensing fan or just someone that is not a celebrity

Public figure? sure

But like I said, they run just within their own circle

It also came to mind: foreigner

So yeah, i endorse my thought of a diplomat.

Park Jimin ☾✧゜

The Cosmic Egg

Listen I’m not surprised to get such a card from this man

This is indeed a soulmate connection

Also, filled with lots of love

But mostly like- demonstrations of love

I don’t wanna say they’re that couple full of PDA

but it’s what comes to mind

Teresa of Avila

DO NOT QUOTE ME ON THIS OKAY

But I feel like this is an already existing relationship

they keep to themselves

a very NON PUBLIC relationship

I feel like they don’t feel the need to announce it to make it more real

They vibin’

a very soft and chill connection tbh

Machig Labdron

So I feel like these two have known each other for long

This is someone that Jimin has helped through hard times

Chimchim is a healer within so I sense that he has helped them 

“I see light in my own darkness”

Also I feel like they’ve had a troubled past that has turned into love

Jimin was the light that helped them see their true lovable self.

Kim Taehyung ☾✧゜

Mira Bai: true freedom

Okay so this is someone VERY independent

Although they love Tae to death, they know to love themselves first

I can see Tae being a bit intimidated by this way of thinking at first

But learn later that this is his type of person

Yeshe Tsogyal

It came to mind an academic

Whether it is a teacher or an investigator

That academia vibe

A true intellectual

Very curious about life and averything that surrounds them

Just like Tae

Tae most likely learns A LOT from this relationship

And is very fascinated by their brain

Kali

“I release all that doesn’t serve me”

This someone knows what they want

And there is just no way around it

Like the first card said, they love Tae but life plans are life plans

Someone that loves to walk their own path

A very grown-up vibe to them

And listen I don’t wanna fall into daddy/mommy issues

really

But I’m gonna go ahead and say this is some type of inner child healing for Tae

Two very similar POVs but with SO DIFFERENT perspectives

Both curious, but Tae’s comes from a child-like place whereas his s/o views it as something greater, the purpose of the universe type of way.

Jeon Jungkook ☾✧゜

Sehknet

This card was very straightforward with the message

Someone that has been through shit

Jungkook is their well-deserved break at all the trials that the universe has put them through.

“I am pure strength”

I also feel like this is someone that tends to be an avid activist

VERY VERY passionate

and definitely tired of everyone’s bullshit

an old soul, VERY VERY OLD

“I honor my anger by giving voice to it”

Pope Joan

WHEN I TELL U

this is someone spiritual to the BONE

“Soul is limitless”

I got the ‘I will turn the world upside down to find you’ vibe too

Like

They know Jungkook is their person

And honestly? They are thriving to just watch how the universe is trying to apologize to them by putting Jungkook on their path

Someone very wise, more so in the sense of life than academic type

Parvati

THIS IS A PAST LIFE CONNECTION

like- really really had it coming for both of them

“I am a love that doesn’t leave”

They are also very very committed to this connection

They put their 110% spiritual self on this

I sensed the ‘healer meets healer’ type of connection once they meet

Also

Since this is a very old soul I feel like their soul journey is almost over and Jungkook is kind of a legacy for their learnings.

As always I hope you enjoyed! Feel free to request any other general tarot reading! Have a great day! I promise I’m working on all my other requests, this reading just suddenly came to me and i just had to do it.

#bangtanarmynet #networkbangtan #hyunglinenetwork #kwritersworldnet #btswriterscollective #bts tarot #bts astrology #bts tarot reading #bts imagines #bts imagine #bts headcanon #bts scenarios

[hillnerd]

For the ship and word game: Harry/Ginny, snitch ♥️

Thanks for the prompt! Hinny as parents - James is twelve. :)

SNITCH

It was December and so it was a cold grey day. There was no other kind of day in Scotland in December.

Despite the rather miserable weather, Ginny was jubilant as she trudged through the snow towards the familiar Quidditch pitch, red sweater on under her thick winter coat.

James had sent a letter late in the night. It was barely legible, and mentioned something about Quidditch. The follow-up letter from Teddy helped clarify things. James was in the reserves for the Gryffindor Quidditch team, and was getting to fly his first game thanks to a chaser getting a bad case of Fwooper Flu.

No one had ever come to her games at Hogwarts as her mother had never been comfortable Apparating and couldn’t spare the Floo powder, while their father was always busy at work. It wasn’t something she particularly resented, but looking back she would have liked them to see her and cheer her on for her games.

Harry was off on a mission, but Ginny could spare the time, and was happy to get a chance to see James playing his first ever game. It was strange being back at Hogwarts after so many years. She’d been back a few times for memorials back in the early 2000’s, but it had been over a decade since then, and much had changed. In some ways it was the same- the Quidditch pitch didn’t look all that different, but the pathways to it had changed, the seating, and she was having trouble finding the locker room.

“Ginny!” she heard a voice call, and saw Neville waving in the crowd. She enthusiastically waved and jogged over.

“Hey Nev!” She smiled and gave a hug.

“Here to see James?”

“Yes! Though, I’ve not clue where the locker rooms are! Where’d they move them to?”

“Ah! Those are on the South side now. The old ones had a lot of old spell damage and got torn out, oh, five year ago now?” he explained, leading the way to the locker room.

She could hear the sounds of teens excitedly gearing up for the game.

The team were mostly students Teddy and Victoire’s ages, if she had to guess by the look of them. James, by comparison, looked tiny and pale. He was bouncing both his legs as he sat at his bench, hands running through his hair. He was already with uniform and pads on, while the rest of the team were more languorous in getting their pads in place.

She’d been exactly the same her first match as a Harpie.

“Knock knock,” she said, fully entering the room. The teens quieted down seeing there was an adult in the room, while James shot to his feet.

“Mum!” James cried out with a smile, before carefully schooling it to a much cooler nonchalant look. “Erm, what are you doing here?”

“Came to see your first big game, of course,” she laughed.

“Oh wait- that’s Ginny Potter!” cried out an eastern asian girl. One of the tall teenage whipped around, a furious blush on his face, before shutting his locker that had an old poster of hers. She remembered the row she’d had with her mum over the poster and how she wasn’t ‘fully in her uniform’ for the shot. Another kid, Oliver Wood’s daughter she’d met a few times over the years, gave a quick wave.

“Yup,” she said with a winning smile. “Best of luck, to all of you. Go Gryffindor!”

She caught James’s eye and was surprised to find him looking rather cross. She gave a quick gesture with her head to the door and he joined her just outside.

“Excited for your match?”

“Well I was…”

Oh dear. She could feel the tween angst rolling off of him.

“Everything alright?”

“Why’d you have to come into the locker room? No one else’s parents did that.”

“You sure about that? Because I know for a fact Oliver Wood was there for the first few years of your Keeper’s games.”

James bit his lip, adjusting his rectangular glasses.

“You sure?”

“Oh yes. And he wore full regalia and painted his face, so you’re old mum isn’t too much of an embarrassment by comparison.” She had no idea if Oliver Wood had done this, but it was the first embarrassing thing she could imagine to make her look a bit less bad by comparison.

“It’s not that you’re embarrassing…” he said, digging the toe of his shoe into the ground.

“Oh?”

“I just… I want them to be thinking about how I’m good on my own. Not because of you.”

Oh. She’d not considered that as being a thing, but completely understood the sentiment.

“Hey, I can leave if—”

“No… No, I want you here. I’m glad you came,” he said, before furtively looking around him then leaning in to hug her.

“You’re going to crush it, James,” she whispered in his ear. “Remember to really tuck in your heels and arms when you’re doing any hard sprints. And look farther down the field so you can get a big picture of the whole game and really slow things down. Oh, and ‘give to get’ on your tight turns so that—”

“I know, I know!” James said, putting a hand through his messy auburn hair. It wasn’t as messy as Harry’s, but she had a feeling he’d been running hands through it more than usual.

“Best of luck, darling,” she said with a kiss to his forehead.

He gave her one of his most confident smiles, flashing his straight teeth, and for a moment she could just picture what he’d be like when he was quite grown up, a thought that terrified her.

“See you after the game,” she said, giving his hair a ruffle as she went to find her seat.

She looked for Neville amongst the stands, but spotted a familiar head of dark hair beside him.

“Harry?” she called out. He turned and grinned at her, wearing a Gryffindor scarf and facepaint on his cheeks.

“Go Gryffindor,” he said with a grin.

She smiled back, loving that he’d somehow made it to the game. She also loved how mortified James would be later. She was the cool parent; today at least.

“Nice to see you in your old colors,” she said, taking a seat beside her husband. “Thought you had a mission today?”

“The great thing about being Head Auror is you can push those off on other people,” he said, taking hold of her hand. “Plus it’s his first game. I couldn’t miss it. It’s nice to have someone in the stands rooting for you when you’re taking on something daunting.”

She gave his hand a squeeze.

“Yell super loud when James flies out. He’ll love it!”

James might act embarrassed, but she was sure he actually would love having his father there cheering him on.

When James flew out Harry gave a giant whoop, which made James show off with some loop-de-loops instead of going red faced like Albus would have.

The match was a good one, and James was keeping up very well with players years older than he. She glowed as he followed her advice to ‘give to get’- slowing down on turns so he could gain more smooth speed on the long runs.

He was a natural chaser and she couldn’t be more proud.

James was in a perfect tail slide transition with his Quaffle when a bludger was his his direction. Too intent on looking down the field, and with all the cheers, he missed her and Harry’s scream as their son took a Bludger to the back of his head and went tumbling from his broom.

There were a number of spells on the field to prevent a student from making impact with the ground (something they could have used back in her and Harry’s day). It did nothing to prevent the terror scraping at her insides seeing her little boy put on a stretcher with blood running down his temple, glasses smashed and laid on his chest. Harry’s jaw was set and he made an incongruous sight looking so grim while adorned in the bright face paint.

James was rushed to the hospital wing, and she and Harry stayed by his side the whole way there. All his cousins and Teddy came to visit, but they dispersed once they knew James would be alright, with the exception of Teddy who opted to stay.

James was healed and bandaged up by Hannah Longbottom. Despite knowing James was fully healed, they opted to stay until he woke up. Teddy nodded off in a nearby chair, his hair subconsciously turning the same color as James’s as he slept.

Ginny stood looking at James’s sleeping face until her vision blurred. She could picture him when he was just a tiny baby, his look of mischief on his face as he padded along the halls on pudgy legs, toddling after Teddy and Harry, wanting to be so grown up.

Harry took her hand and squeezed it.

“He’s alright, love.”

“I know,” she replied, swiping at her eyes. “I can’t stop thinking of him as a baby, for some reason.”

Harry gave a dry laugh. “I’ve been thinking the same thing. Is it just me, or is being a parent a bit like having a time turner? In the blink of an eye you can see your twelve year old as a baby or when he first walked.”

“Especially when they’re asleep,” she said, stroking James’s lightly freckled cheek. “I’m glad you came today.”

“Me too. He flies just like you, you know,” said Harry before standing beside her.

“I was thinking some of those loop-de-loops looked like you at that age.”

“Naw, all his brilliance is from his Mum,” he said, leaning in to gently kiss her.

“Eurgh…” James gave a grunt, squinting at them. “What happened?”

“You got a bludger to the back of your head. Same injury your dad had in his sixth year.”

“Wicked…” said James, before his eye went wide. “Who won the game?”

“Gryffindor, even though they didn’t catch the Snitch. You Chasers were that good!” said Harry, sitting beside James.

Ginny could picture James’s first broom ride, with Harry excitedly following beside him so he wouldn’t slip off the tiny broom.

#hinny #james sirius potter #fan fiction #hp fanfiction #ginny potter #my writing #snitch #harry potter #hp next gen

[wanderinginksplot]

Hiya, I was wondering if I could please request 3 (Echo) with B+O (Injury/sickness recovery + first kiss)? I don’t really mind who’s in recovery or whether it’s 501st echo/bad batch echo, I just thought these prompts would lead nicely into a confession between our two main characters; also I just want to say I love your writing!! ❤️

Aww, thank you so much for the request and for being so kind, Anon! Sorry this took forever, but I’ve been stuck in an idea block for a week or two, and I ended up writing about four different versions of this. You’re very sweet, but you probably shouldn’t be nice to me, because apparently, it makes me write one-shots that are way too long. So here’s a 2700 word one-shot...

Also! It ended up being a tad spicy toward the end. Nothing anywhere close to M-rating, but more than I usually write in one-shots.

Echo + Injury/Sickness Recovery + First Kiss

The first time you met Echo, you didn't like him very much.

You were in the medbay for a sickness that was taking Coruscant by storm, hitting nat-born GAR members especially hard. As a nat-born intelligence officer, you had been ordered to the GAR's main medbay, which had been sub-divided into large bays full of cots. Almost every cot was filled with GAR personnel who needed treatment for the same sickness.

It wouldn't have been bad if you had been able to take the meds right away and start the healing process, but you had been on a dangerous mission and fought the sickness off for longer than you should have. It had worked and you had survived your mission, but you were severely dehydrated. The medics - all clone troopers, by that point - had ordered you to stay until you were fully healed and they could get your fluid levels back where they should have been. Faced with no other options, you had agreed.

And then the 501st had arrived. 

Through your IV, you had gotten through half a bag of a liquid you preferred not to think too hard about. The medics promised that your meds would be kicking in soon, and you would feel much better before the day was over. For the moment, you felt nauseated and every part of your body ached, especially your head.

When the troopers came in, their white armor painted with blue accents in various styles, they were so loud that the rest of the medbay went quiet. 

One of the medics, his hair shaved short to show off a set of intricate tattoos, hurried up to them as he pulled off his gloves. You could hear his hissed question from your bed on the other side of the large room. "What are you idiots doing here?"

One of the men beamed at him. "We're in trouble!"

You scoffed to yourself. You had no difficulty believing they had gotten on someone's bad side. 

The tattooed medic rubbed his temples. "Hardcase… what did you guys do now?"

You had heard stories about the rowdy 501st from other operatives. They were supposed to be a nightmare to work alongside, all explosions and heroics without any grasp of subtlety. 

One of the other men stepped forward and seemed to be offering an explanation, but he did it in a voice pitched low enough that you couldn't hear him. You were grateful for that, and did your best to fall asleep.

It wasn't to be, however, as one of the 501st made his way down the row of beds in your direction. He chatted with some of the other patients, laughing loudly at their responses. By the time he reached you, you could have cheerfully put a blaster to the 5 tattooed on his temple.

"And how are you doing today?" the trooper belted out. 

"In a lot of pain, actually," you snapped at him, a visceral response to the effect his voice had on your roiling stomach. "Can you please talk more quietly?"

There. A please. You were being polite.

"If I'm quiet, does that mean I can stay over here with you, pretty lady?" he asked with a wink, settling onto the foot of your bed.

You eyed him stonily. You felt revolting from the effects of the sickness, and you were wearing a GAR-issued medical gown besides. ‘Pretty’ was an attempt at flattery, and not even a believable one.

"Fives," the medic with the head tattoos admonished, stepping up to your bedside as well. "Stop. She doesn't feel well and she doesn't need you hanging around, making it worse."

"Me?" Fives asked, sounding both shocked and offended. "We both know I only make things better, Kix."

You sighed and wished with your whole soul that they would both go away. You just wanted to sleep.

"Besides," Fives continued, "We were ordered to help in the medbay. You wouldn't want me to disobey orders, would you?"

From the look on Kix's face, he had lined up a scathing retort that you were dying to hear, but you needed to make a brief announcement. "If this conversation continues right here, I am going to vomit."

You had never seen two grown men move so quickly. You would have smiled if you didn't feel so rotten. 

"Echo," Kix called softly with a worried glance in your direction, beckoning yet another trooper over.

This one had no tattoos, but you vaguely recognized him as the only trooper you hadn't been able to overhear earlier.

"Get Fives away from here," Kix ordered. "Keep him productive and occupied, but don't let him talk."

Echo nodded and gave you an apologetic nod. "I'm sorry about him," he said, indicating Fives, who looked deeply offended.

"Please," was the only response you could muster, cradling your head delicately in your hands. From the bit of your peripheral vision that wasn’t blocked by your palms, you watched his shoulders slump slightly as he towed his brother away. When you finally fell asleep, your dreams were full of Echo’s disappointed face along with strong feelings of guilt.

The second time you met him was only a few hours later. You were having fever dreams. The medication had apparently worn off and no one had noticed. In your dreams, you had called a medic over a dozen times, but you always woke to find that you hadn’t said a thing, and fell asleep again before you could.

It was one of these shallow, fitful dreams that Echo interrupted. “Hey. Hey! Shhh, you’re having a nightmare. Wake up.”

Thoroughly confused by the world of the surrounding medbay, you squinted up at him. “Echo?” He nodded and you launched right into the speech you had prepared in your sleep. “I’m sorry I was rude earlier. I just… my head hurt, and you guys are loud, and-”

“You don’t have anything to apologize for,” Echo assured you, crouching by your bedside to put himself on your level. “The 501st - and Fives in particular - is very loud. It’s our best quality.”

You snorted at that and Echo’s kind face broke into a warm smile. “You should get back to sleep. It’s really late. Or early. I’m not sure which, but everyone else is asleep, and you should be, too.”

“I think I need some meds, actually,” you admitted. “I feel like death.”

Echo frowned and reached up to brush his fingers over your forehead, flinching back almost immediately. “Kriff, you’re burning up! Hang on, let me grab a medic for you.”

You nodded, but grabbed his wrist before he could leave, “If you bring me some water, I’ll love you forever.”

It was just a childish hyperbole, something you and your family had said whenever you had asked for a favor, particularly a minor one. Echo didn’t seem to have the same connection with it, based on the way he had frozen in place and was staring at you with wide eyes that flashed between your face and your grip on his wrist.

Clearing your throat, you released him and corrected yourself. “I mean, please? I’m very thirsty.”

Echo turned around a moment later and you sighed, hoping your hot face looked like the flush of a fever.

You were half-drowsing when Echo came back with Kix in tow. You jumped a bit when Kix said your name, and Echo was quick to soothe you. “Easy, easy. It’s just us.”

He handed you the biggest glass of water you had ever seen and retreated halfway across the medbay before you had chugged half of it.

The next day, you were actually feeling better. Granted, ‘better’ was a relative term, but you didn’t actively want to die any more, and that was something. The only thing messing up your day was the lingering awkwardness between you and Echo. Every time his circuit around the room took him past your cot, he would avoid your eyes. 

From your calculations, he looped around the gigantic medbay room every six minutes or so. On his next lap past, you softly asked, “Echo?”

You had meant to be subtle and quiet, but you were still a bit less hydrated than you should have been, and it came out as a horrifying croak. If someone had called your name in that voice, you would have immediately run away, but Echo just turned slightly and looked your direction.

“I’m sorry for last night,” you apologized.

“You already said that,” Echo reminded you gently. “The 501st is loud. I understand why you weren’t happy with us.”

“Not about that,” you forced out, half-wishing you could just let him think you had been delirious with fever and thus not responsible for anything you had said or done. “I mean that I’m sorry for saying the whole love you forever thing. It was a joke, but I feel like it landed poorly.”

“There’s no need, really,” Echo told you. He smiled then, a small sad smile. “We clones don’t get to see much good in the universe. Not with this war going on. Even though you were joking, it was nice to hear something like that.”

You stared at him, trying to keep the poker face the GAR had hired you for.

“Besides,” Echo said with a laugh, “if you want to see how a bad joke really sounds, hang out with Fives for a few minutes. You’ll have plenty of opportunity to see the difference!”

You chuckled at that and the smile he gave lit his whole face as he continued his patrol. You watched Echo leave, thinking hard. It was ironic that this was the conversation where your heart had melted just a touch. It wasn’t love, not yet, but this third exchange left feelings that were inappropriate considering that you had known him for less than a day.

That night, you couldn’t sleep, betrayed by all of the napping you had done during the day. Echo was patrolling the room again and noticed you on his fourth lap.

He crouched by your bedside once again. “Can’t sleep?”

“Nope,” you admitted with a sigh. “Can you?”

Echo frowned. “I can, but I’m on watch right now.”

“On watch,” you repeated skeptically. “For what?”

“Someone has to make sure the patients are doing okay while the medics sleep,” he explained. “It’s a very important job.”

“Your brothers are all playing sabacc in the corner,” you pointed out. “Go join them. Or, better yet, get some sleep. I haven’t seen you take a break yet.”

“You were unconscious for over half of the day,” Echo reminded you. “I could have been on break then.”

“You weren’t,” you told him confidently. “Because you wouldn’t have known that I slept the whole time.”

Echo frowned. “You’re too smart to work for the army.”

“Intelligence officer,” you explained simply. 

Lifting his eyebrows in exaggerated shock, Echo leapt to his feet and gave a dramatic salute. You pretended to aim a kick in his direction and you both dissolved into muffled giggles in an attempt not to wake any of the other patients.

“If you won’t try to sleep, at least sit down?” you requested, indicating the foot of your cot as you struggled to sit up so you could move out of his way. “You’re stressing me out. I can’t be expected to get better if I’m stressed.”

“We can’t have that,” Echo teased. He helped you sit up before he did anything else, but the awkwardness of the position left him hauling you up by your armpits. You were thankful that you had found the strength to walk to the sonic shower that day, at least. “Not like I can get sick from you, anyway.”

Echo sat talking with you for hours, even after his brothers had all drifted off at their sabacc table. Before you fell asleep again, he brought you another giant glass of water. You accepted it with a smile. “Thank you, I really appreciate it.”

He nodded and left so you could get some sleep. By the time you had finished the glass, he was on the other side of the medbay and couldn’t hear you mutter, “Love you forever.”

For the next few days, Echo lived by your bedside. The conversations you had made you laugh so hard that you went into the occasional coughing fit and got the evil eye from Kix. So, you were less pleased than you had expected to be when Kix told you that you could be discharged the following day.

That night, you couldn’t sleep. Getting your sleep pattern back under control was going to be the biggest struggle, you reflected, staring at the massive beams supporting the ceiling.

“Excuse me, ma’am,” Echo teased, walking up. “Shouldn’t you be asleep?”

You waved a hand around dramatically. “I’m trying to commit these beautiful surroundings to memory. If I’m leaving tomorrow, I’ll need to remember the enchanting way the dust clings to that wall over there.”

Suddenly serious, Echo asked, “You’re leaving tomorrow?”

You nodded, and couldn’t tell if it was your imagination, or if he really looked disappointed. Still, he mustered a smile. “I’m glad.”

With a falsely offended gasp, you replied, “You’re glad I’m leaving? That’s rude!”

“No, I mean-!” Echo sputtered, grimacing at you when you started to laugh. “I’m glad you’re getting better. Even if you’re just as mean as the day I met you.”

“Yeah, I’m terrible,” you agreed with a grin. 

“You are not,” he countered immediately. “You’re sweet and funny and- I’ll miss you. Selfish, huh?”

“I’ll miss you, too,” you admitted. “I guess we’re both selfish. But, hey, you’ll finally get some sleep now!”

“I suppose I will,” Echo said with the ghost of his usual smile. “At least we can have one last overnight conversation. Unless you’re too tired?”

You rolled your eyes at him. “Sit down, Echo.”

The two of you talked for hours that night. The medbay steadily got more silent and your eyes began to ache. Try as you might, you were still recovering from your illness and the point came when you couldn’t fight it off any longer. You fell into a light doze as Echo was talking.

You were dimly aware as he finished his sentence and waited for a response, but you couldn’t make yourself say anything. Echo gave an amused sounding hum and stood from your cot. You immediately missed his warmth, but felt like he was still standing by you.

Soft lips pressed against your forehead and left as Echo started to move away. “What was that cop-out bantha dung?” you asked blearily. 

Echo jumped a bit and stared down at you, but you were half-asleep, impulsive, and you knew what you wanted. You sat up to grab his shoulders and brought him back down to you, kissing him with as much fervor as an extremely tired person could muster.

He kissed you back, opening his mouth to release an almost-soundless groan, and you were suddenly wide awake. With both of you actively participating in your embrace, it didn’t take long for the pair of you to get carried away. 

When you finally broke apart, it was only because someone had cleared their throat sharply. 

Echo pulled back, bracing on his forearms to look up at Kix while you peered at the medic from under Echo’s chest. When had he gotten on top of you? His hip brushed against your upper thigh and you abruptly didn’t care anymore.

“I take it you’re well enough to be released from here?” Kix asked, a raised brow accentuating his smirk. 

You glanced around to find that half of the medbay was awake and staring at you and Echo with expressions ranging from bleary bewilderment to amused approval. Some of Echo’s brothers were awake as well, though their faces ran heavily to outright shock.

“Uh, yeah. I’m ready to go home,” you agreed, glancing up at Echo. “Wanna come with me?”

Echo nodded and glanced up at Kix. The medic shrugged and looked at the ceiling. “No, I have no idea where Echo went. He worked several around the chrono shifts and then he disappeared. I assume he went to get some well-deserved rest. Sign here.”

The last part was directed at you and you obligingly scrawled your name on the datapad he was holding out in your direction. 

“Your personal effects are in the front room,” Kix informed you. “Drink some water now and then, would you?”

“Of course, thanks,” you said absently, attention already stolen away by the fascinating blush creeping up Echo’s cheeks. You slipped out from under him and grabbed his hand to tow him behind you. “C’mon. You’re gonna love my apartment.”

---

A/N - ahh, why did this end up being such a novel? Sorry about that! If you want to read similar works, check out my masterlist or make a request based on this post (or make something up and I’ll do my best!). Thanks for reading!

#star wars #star wars the clone wars #sw tcw #tcw fanfic #tcw #echo #echo x you #echo x reader #kix #fives #illness #first kiss #star wars fanfiction #fic request

[five-rivers]

Danger First

Chapter 10

.

@pocketramblr :)

.

One day - and not even a whole day, because of travel time and Inko wanted Izuku home for dinner- simply wasn't enough time to master a quirk. Although he could turn Float on and off, now. So, they made plans to come back next week, and the next, up until the sports festival. Which. Wow. Really was only two weeks away.

Izuku had never realized how close to the beginning of the school year it was.

He was going to die.

"You're not going to die," said Mr. Yagi. "I'm not going to say the sports festival isn't important, because it is, it's one of the best ways to make professional connections for students, but not doing well isn't the end of the world, especially not in your first year. No one expects you to be perfectly polished."

"But," said Izuku, "I'm supposed to be the next you! I've got to stand out, right?"

Mr. Yagi looked very guilty. "I... may have given you that impression when we were first training, yes. But, since then, with all my research into the past holders... few of them were popular, flashy heroes. If you want to walk the same path as me, that's great. But you don't have to. Even I didn't really start that chapter of my life until after college."

Izuku looked down at his hands, letting silence fill the space between them as he contemplated Mr. Yagi's words. "This isn't about me manifesting One for All differently, is it?"

"What? No, no of course not, my boy. I mean, it certainly helped me come to this conclusion, I wouldn't have done so much research without it! But I certainly hope I would have come to the same conclusion eventually, even so."

"Okay..." said Izuku, still dubious.

"I mean it," protested Mr. Yagi. "Most of my work is essentially underground, you know. There's a reason the battle trial was what it was."

"H-huh? You? Underground? But you're so recognizable!"

"Am I? I firmly believe in bringing all my resources to bear in the fight against evil! Ha ha!"

His laugh devolved into a cough, and he fumbled for a handkerchief. But he recovered quickly enough.

"I guess that makes sense," said Izuku, cautiously, once he thought Mr. Yagi wasn't going to start coughing again.

"You didn't think I stayed number one by popularity alone, did you?"

"I- the formulas the Hero Commission uses to determine rankings are secret, and it only includes spotlight heroes, so when I extrapolated the hero billboard rankings, yes, I assigned a high weight to popularity. There were always some discrepancies between my predictions and the end results, but I figured I missed some events, or the commission assigned them different values…"

"That's quite impressive, my boy. But, though popularity is a factor, the HPSC does take unpublicized fights and rescues into account. Assuming you report them…"

That was the second time Mr. Yagi had mentioned not telling the commission something.

"Do you, um, do you do that a lot? Not tell the commission things, I mean."

"Eh? No, no, I try to stay up on my paperwork. I get a lot of help from Naomasa, though. Some heroes, especially independent ones, without an agency, do have trouble keeping up, sometimes."

"It's just… the other day you said something about not telling the commission about All for One."

"Ah," said Mr. Yagi. He drummed his fingers on the steering wheel. "You're quite right. How should I put this… The HPSC knows All for One exists, and I have made them generally aware of his modern exploits. I haven't told them about his ability to give quirks, though they may know through other avenues, there are certain battles I've had with him that I haven't told them about, and they do not know about One for All."

“Why not?”

“Villains aren’t the only ones who seek power,” said Mr. Yagi. “The HPSC provides a vital service, and I think what one does matters more than why one does it, but… it is my observation that many of the people there are more concerned with personal power than doing the right thing. And positions of power and authority tend to draw in those who would abuse those things."

"Even heroics?"

"Especially heroics. The HPSC Ethics Review Board is supposed to stop that, but no system is perfect." He shook himself. "But look at me! I was trying to give you a pep talk, not saddle you with doubts about the government!"

Izuku laughed, nervously. "I mean, you've definitely distracted me from the sports festival…"

“Yes. The sports festival. Don’t worry about making a big spotlight combat debut. If you want to focus on rescue, or investigation, or the underground, I’ll support you all the way.” He paused. “You do need combat, though, because, because of-”

“All for One?”

“Yes, exactly. All for One.”

.

“Way to kill the mood, guys,” said Banjo.

“I think the mood was thoroughly dead already,” said Yoichi.

“Unlike your brother,” said En. “Ninth’s father.”

“Come on, it was just a little omission of information. It wasn’t even a lie!”

“It was definitely a lie. You’re so lucky that my relief about you not being a pedophile eclipsed my righteous fury regarding your mendacity.”

“You know, the fact that you’re delivering that completely deadpan gives me doubts about the fury part.”

“I’m mad at you.”

“You love me.”

“Doesn’t mean I can’t be mad at you.”

“Hey, hey, wait a minute,” said Nana, making a ‘T’ shape with her hands. “Time out. Ninth’s father is All for One.”

“Yes,” said Yoichi, hanging his head, “I thought that had been established.”

“So, are we… What Toshinori is saying is completely valid, by the way… but, are we expecting this kid to fight his father? Is that a thing we’re doing?”

“Uh,” said Yoichi, “in our defense, we did think he was dead.”

“Maybe Eighth will get ‘im before Ninth has to deal with it,” suggested Banjo. “He’s got to have a better chance of that, now what with Fa Jin and all.” He paused. “But, you know what would give Ninth an even better chance, if he does have to fight his deadbeat dad-”

“He’s not a deadbeat,” interrupted Hikage.

“What?”

“Calling him a deadbeat would imply that he is neither supporting the Midoriyas financially nor regularly in contact with them. He is on both counts.”

“What?” squealed Bango.

“Did you miss his phone call with his father immediately following his return home after the USJ attack?”

“Oh,” said Yoichi, “no, I was very aware of my brother’s evil, evil voice. It’s just that these guys were too focused on scolding me to listen to anything I had to say. I still can’t believe he sent someone like that to attack his own son’s class.”

“Didn’t he, like, kill you?” asked En.

“No, my death was largely unrelated. You’ve got to remember, I was a chronically ill fugitive from the law with no money. Who told you that he killed me?”

Everyone looked at their immediate predecessor. Yoichi tracked the path back to Third, who had gone very stiff.

“What the heck, Third? You were there when I died. Why would you tell Hikage that?”

Third did not answer.

“Actually, what did he tell you, Hikage?

“Oh, it was very moving and heroic. It happened while you were saving a busload of metahuman orphans. You sacrificed yourself to let them get away from All for One. I even cried a little.”

“Is it weird that I’m now disappointed in myself for not dying like that?”

“Very,” said Nana.

“What were we talking about before this?” asked En.

“I have no idea,” said Banjo.

.

Izuku delayed going to class, nervous about everyone's reactions to his quirk. It wasn't that he thought they'd reject him, but more that he had no answers for the inevitable questions.

But he also didn't want to be late.

"Todoroki was so cool!" Hagakure exclaimed as he opened the classroom door. "He was all like, blam, bam, swish! And- and he checked whether or not I was there first, before attacking, which was super cool of him."

Todoroki's expression was halfway between 'statue' and 'help, I've been hit by a truck.' "Cool?"

"Very cool."

"You've grown since the first day, kero."

"Ah! Midoriya!"

All heads turned towards him. In the next second, he was hugged by several people, which was more friendly skin contact than he'd had since… ever, probably.

"Eep," he said.

"We were so worried about you," said Uraraka. "We made a group chat, after, but since you were unconscious…"

"Hm," said Monoma, "your quirk still is definitely a stockpile…"

"Monoma!" shouted Iida. "Did you join this hug just to copy quirks?"

"And what of it?"

"But speaking of quirks," said Jiro, "you can fly now? We kind of went along with it at the time, but that's kind of different from a sensory quirk."

"I know," said Izuku, "and I have no explanation."

"Maybe your quirk stockpiles danger," said Monoma, contemplatively. He rubbed his chin with one finger. "That could be why you can sense danger- you're stockpiling it. Then, when the danger gets over a certain threshold, you can release it as flight… why are you all looking at me like that?"

"Oh, nothing," drawled Kaminari. "Just that you're more thoughtful than you look, pretty boy."

"I don't want to hear that from you."

"Th-thank you, Monoma! I'll have to mention it when I go to quirk counseling next."

Which may or may not be this afternoon, depending on how Mr. Aizawa felt and- His head snapped to the door. "Mr. Aizawa's coming!"

They all rushed to their seats. The door creaked open.

"Oh my gosh, he's a mummy."

.

"Iida?"

"What is it, Midoriya?"

They were having a bit of a break during English while Present Mic cycled them through for short sessions with Hound Dog.

"I didn't have a chance to ask you earlier, but how's your brother?"

“He’s alright! It’s the first really major injury of his career, so he’s going to take it easy for the rest of the month, to make sure his engines heal properly. He’d prefer not to of course, but, ah, there is a silver lining.”

“That’s good,” said Izuku, encouragingly.

“I really shouldn’t be happy about it,” said Iida, rubbing the back of his neck, “but he’ll be able to come see me during the sports festival, and he probably would have been too busy if he were active.”

“I think it’s okay to be happy about good things, even if they happen because of bad things,” said Izuku. “It isn’t like we can go back and make the bad things not happen, after all…”

“That’s very true, Midoriya! What a mature way of thinking about things.”

Izuku didn’t know about that, but he was willing to take the compliment.

.

“Midoriya,” said Shouta, who was absolutely and unquestionably recovered enough to teach. Even if he had zoned out in the corner of the room in his sleeping bag all morning rather than trekking back to the teacher’s lounge… or teaching any of his other classes… shut up. “What are you doing at the window?”

“O-oh. Mr. Aizawa. I didn’t know you were awake?”

It was, maybe, a little unfair to single Midoriya out like that, since the entire class was standing by the window, and the way Uraraka, Sero, and Midoriya were closest to it, with Monoma a close fourth, was concerning, but Midoriya was the first one Shouta saw, and the one most likely to to cave and tell him what was going on.

“Midoriya.”

“R-right. Well, going out the door seems a little unpleasant today, so we thought we’d switch it up?”

What did that even mean?

“We were going to bring you with us, of course,” continued Midoriya.

What did that even mean?

“Out the window.”

“Um. Yes.”

“What kind of unpleasant are we talking about?”

“Battle trial unpleasant?”

Shouta groaned and hauled himself up, walking over to the door. He looked out the window and made note of all the students from other classes standing out there, circling like sharks. Great. Maybe they needed to have an assembly about respecting boundaries or whatever, especially if the people whose boundaries were being crossed were potentially traumatized.

Something to bring up at the next staff meeting he attended. Which… would probably not be soon.

Anyway.

He opened the door.

(“A mummy,” whispered someone.)

(First his kids, then these kids… he wasn’t that wrapped up.)

(Was he?)

“What are you all doing here?” he asked, voice rasping rather more than he wanted it to.

The students didn’t seem inclined to answer. Someone did mutter something about the sports festival, but it was far from the complete answer that Aizawa wanted.

“Right. Whatever. Scoping out the competition is one thing, but you are aware that class 1-A is recovering from a traumatic experience. And you’re blocking traffic. Clear off.”

The crowd slowly dispersed. Shouta sighed. He knew this would only be the first of many such incidents. He made a note to talk to Nemuri about whether or not she’d be willing to donate some of her class time to talk about public relations.

.

“You know,” said Nemuri, “if you actually rested, Recovery Girl would be able to heal you.”

“I know nothing of the sort,” said Shouta, glaring at his desk in the staff room. “I’m forgetting something.”

All Might walked in. “Er, young Aizawa,” he said. He paused for a painfully long, awkward moment. “Are you still meeting with young Midoriya today?”

“Crap.”

.

Did Izuku expect Mr. Aizawa to come to their meeting? No. The man had casts on all of his limbs. But, he hadn’t cancelled it either. So, better safe than sorry, right?

But it had been a while, now. Izuku could probably safely assume he wasn't coming after a half hour. He got up, packed his bags, and reached out for the door handle-

Only to freeze as Mr. Aizawa yanked it open and pulled Mr. Yagi into the classroom after him.

Izuku scurried back to his seat.

"Nothing physical today," croaked Mr. Aizawa. "We're going to figure out your quirk."

“O-okay,” said Izuku.

Aizawa collapsed into the seat behind the teacher's desk. “To be short, this quirk, One for All or whatever, is complete nonsense.”

“Uh,” said Mr. Yagi. “Sorry?”

“Sorry,” whispered Izuku.

“You should be. Not you, Midoriya. You’re fine.”

“Okay?”

“Right. So. You’ve got two quirks right now. Danger Sense and Float. Unless something else showed up over the weekend?”

“No, it’s, um, it is just those two right now.”

“And you’ll most likely get Smokescreen, Blackwhip, and that strength enhancement eventually. Plus two mystery quirks.”

“That is what I’ve been able to find out,” said Mr. Yagi.

“So, we have to figure out some way to get all those under a coherent umbrella that can account for the mystery quirks, and before the sports festival, so the evil immortal supervillain doesn’t notice that you have quirks just like a bunch of people he had personal beef with.”

Mr. Yagi cursed in English. “I hadn’t thought about that.”

“Yeah, I wonder what else you haven’t thought about. Maybe this year I can get Nezu to take my suggestion about doing hero names before the sports festival seriously. You know we’ve had people stalk students before because for some godforsaken reason we use their real names? I need a drink.”

“Ah, water?”

“No.”

“Young Aizawa, you’re a teacher…”

“A career choice I question daily. Midoriya, do you have any thoughts about how to make your quirk make sense in a way that won’t get you killed or abducted by the HPSC?”

“I- Does that happen?” despite his conversation with Mr. Yagi over the weekend, he still had generally positive thoughts about the hero commission.

“I have no idea. Wouldn’t put it past them.”

“Well, um, I was talking to Monoma earlier, and he said something about stockpiling danger, and how it might let out the stockpile as the energy necessary to levitate- which, really, would be a fascinating quirk if it did work that way- but I thought it might also work for Smokescreen and the strength enhancement? I mean, general responses to danger are fight, flight, or hide, so the strength enhancement is fight, Float is flight, and Smokescreen would be hide…”

“That might work. What about Blackwhip.”

“Yeah, that one has kind of stumped me.”

“Blackwhip sure is a problem,” agreed Mr. Aizawa.

.

The ghosts started laughing. “You’re a problem, Banjo,” chortled Nana.

“Come on, guys, that isn’t funny!”

"It is! It's hilarious!"

"They were just talking about All for One tracking the kid down and killing him!"

The mood sobered quickly.

"Considering that he is Ninth's father," said Hikage, "I suspect it's far too late for that."

"Yeah," said Yoichi. "But, just to be safe, and in case there are other weirdos out there, new rule: no giving him new quirks in public. Not that we can do anything about when he eventually manifests the stockpile…"

"What if he's going to die?" asked Hikage, raising his hand.

"He already got your quirk, why do you care?"

"We'd like to hear it," said Banjo, somewhat forcefully.

"Well, if he looks like he's going to die, do whatever you can to stop that from happening, I guess. But chucking a quirk he doesn't know how to use isn't always going to be the beat answer."

"Wait," said Nana. "Hold up a second. A few days ago we were talking about the potential for multiple quirk brain damage, weren't we?"

"Oh, good catch," said Yoichi. "I guess I forgot to mention it, which means Nana is the only one I'd trust babysitting my nephew in the event a quirk rewound him to elementary school age-"

"That is a suspiciously specific scenario," said En.

"-and all the rest of you are fired. You didn't even question giving him more quirks? Really?"

Hikage raised his hand. "I assumed you had discovered that Ninth had a constitution capable of handling multiple quirks, similar to yourself and your brother."

"That is true. Okay, Hikage would be another exception, but he's disqualified from babysitting for other reasons."

"That's fair."

.

"So we need something that can do all that, and has tentacles," said Izuku, squeezing his bottom lip in thought.

"Yeah," said Mr. Aizawa. "Honestly, even really dumb ideas would be welcome right now."

"Why are you looking at me?" asked Mr. Yagi.

"You know why."

There was only one creature Izuku could think of that could do all the things Izuku one day might be able to while maintaining room for the two mystery quirks. "Cthulhu."

Mr. Yagi looked mildly scandalized at the suggestion.

"Nah, it'd have to be something like eldritch. Cthulhu's trademarked in Japan, and that can give you aboveground types trouble."

"What is it a trademark for?" asked Mr. Yagi.

"Ask Midnight. I don't want to talk about it."

"Ah," said Mr. Yagi.

"The problem with that is that you currently have no justification to call it that. Now if you already had Smokescreen…"

The adults looked at him.

"... I don't think it's going to just show up like that," said Izuku.

.

"Why not?" asked Banjo, staring at En. "They practically asked you for it."

"Well, first off, I live for drama, so jot that down."

"Huh? What about me?" asked Yoichi.

"Nothing, it was just an idiom. Second…"

.

"...Right," said Aizawa. “For now, then, we’ll have to give it a temporary name, because it’s starting to get to the point in time where it’ll actually be illegal for you to not register it.” He shuffled his casts. “Yagi, start filling out those forms with what he can do currently. Midoriya, make sure you check him when he’s done. For now, we’ve got to come up with a name.”

“Um,” said Izuku. “Float’s the only one that’s really visible, so I could just call it Float?”

“Vetoed. You aren’t picking a name that the immortal supervillain knows.”

“He did seem to only refer to people by quirks unless he really hated them,” said Mr. Yagi. “Except his brother, who he always called ‘my foolish brother.’”

“Focus on the paperwork.”

“And he called himself by his quirk name as well,” mused Izuku. “Do you think it was a side effect? Quirks have document impact on people’s personalities-”

“Focus.”

“R-right. Um. Feather Fall? No, that’s part of a game. Flight Reflex?”

“Good enough for now,” said Aizawa. “Flight Reflex it is.”

#bnha #boku no hero academia #danger first #danger first au #fic #fanfic