#i'm drawing rei the way he would want me to draw him coupled with my personal preference for bulky people LMAO

[dk-wren]

Buddy Daddies Week - Fic

Today, Jan. 7th, and the 7th day of my celebration week, marks the one year anniversary of Buddy Daddies episode 1's premiere!

To celebrate, I wrote a fluff fic for this family. In writing this, I learned that writing angst is where I generally feel more comfortable or tend to veers towards. However, since this is a happy occasion, I wanted to attempt my first fully fluff fic for Kazuki, Rei, and Miri. Attempt is the key word because a little angst still managed to slip its way into this fic, so I apologize. I hope you enjoy it!

And before I also add the fic on this post, I just want to express my gratitude and appreciation to everyone who has been following along all this week! It means so much to me that you are spending your time interacting with/reading my posts. I'm so happy there are people still active in the fandom and enjoying my chaos. Thank you again from the bottom of my heart!

And happy anniversary Buddy Daddies!

-Dakota Wren

     A hand on top of his head, gently running through his hair, pulls Rei out of his sleep. Unlike previous times when in a similar situation, where he’d come back to consciousness with a hand gripping his hair, perhaps jerking him around, Rei knows he is safe.

     The sun filtering through the windows and the sound of his partner’s voice, slowly wake Rei up. He can rest easily now that he survived the night, or rather, they survived the night, and are watching the sun rise on a new day, one that’ll mark the start of the next chapter of their lives.

     “Morning,” Kazuki whispers as he continues carding his hand through Rei’s hair. A mumbled “morning” comes out as Rei’s response.

     A faint laugh causes Rei to finally open his eyes and look up at the man he is currently laying on top of, in hopes of catching even a glimpse of the smile that always manages to warm his heart. And from Kazuki’s point of view, when Rei finally turns his attention to him, Rei is wearing a dopey grin he probably isn’t even aware of since the sleepiness was still wearing off. That draws out another laugh from Kazuki, widening Rei’s smile even more.

     “I can’t believe this is the same man that managed to take on the great Suwa organization, who chose to face the Boss by himself,” Kazuki thinks out loud. Rei looks back down, and to a stranger, the way his lips pursed together would make it seem as if his smile had completely vanished from his face. For Kazuki though, he knows Rei’s smile has just evolved to the one he wears whenever Kazuki compliments or praises him. “But, I can believe this is the same man who pinky promised his daughter he would be at her Christmas concert, and wanted to dress up as Santa for her, and ate five sugar cookies to keep up with her-”

     “I get it, Kazuki,” Rei interrupts, this time out of embarrassment rather than annoyance. 

     “And they weren’t small ones either,” Kazuki reminds him, causing them to share a laugh.

     They look at each other for the next few moments, each probably with a hundred thoughts running through their head: how lucky they are to have the other, that they really stood up to the organization and (hopefully) removed themselves from that world, what their second chance for a family would look like, and where they would go from here? After the events of the past couple weeks, the previous night was the first time Rei had slept so soundly. Perhaps it was due to his exhaustion from the day’s events, after all making french toast, storming a mansion, and making it to your child’s recital on time took a lot of energy. But, Rei knew it was likely due to sleeping in an actual bed, and sharing it with the man he loved, and was eager to spend the rest of his life with.

     Since it was on the later side by the time they returned home from Miri’s Christmas concert and party, Kazuki and Rei split the evening routine in half as they helped Miri get ready for bed. She was practically asleep brushing her teeth, so Kazuki had to take over to make sure all the sugar was cleaned off. Even though Kazuki helped Miri with this task, Rei fondly watched both of their reflections in the mirror from the doorframe. And after they finished, Kazuki picked Miri up and carefully handed her to Rei, who would be the papa to tuck her into bed that night. Kazuki made sure of that after everything Rei went through that day.

     “Night, Miri,” Kazuki said as he kissed her cheek, causing her to mumble something that they assumed was meant to be “Good night” while relaxing further into her Papa Rei. Bringing his gaze back to the man currently holding their daughter, Kazuki then asked Rei, “Hey, if you’re not too tired after putting her to bed, let’s talk in my room.”

     “Okay,” Rei replied as they separated. Kazuki entered his room to clean himself up and change into something more comfortable (and less bloody) while Rei took Miri into her room, first placing the now sleeping girl on her bed, then tucking her in before going around her room to pick up her favorite stuffed animals and a book for her bedtime story. About half way through, Rei picked up on the faintest snore. Deciding to instead let Miri be and leave then, he gave Miri his good night kiss and quietly exited her room. As he reentered the second floor hallway, Rei could hear the shower running in Kazuki’s bathroom. Considering he wasn’t in that much of a better state than Kazuki, Rei decided to use the other bathroom to clean himself up and also get ready for a much deserved rest before talking with Kazuki.

     On their way to the Christmas party, Rei cleaned and dressed his arm to the best of his ability while Kazuki drove, hoping that Kazuki’s focus on the road would prevent him from seeing the extent of the damage. Staring into his bathroom mirror, Rei undid the bandage and examined what kind of a state the wound was in. He grimaced as he brought a warm towel to clean off the blood that dried itself around the wound. Reconsidering his next steps, Rei grabbed a painkiller before continuing on with his nightly routine. When it came time to redress the wound, Rei tried to do it as gently as Kazuki would. In the time they had spent working together, if either of them were injured during a mission, Kazuki or Rei would help the other out in dressing them. Rei learned very quickly that a wound could be dealt with and properly cleaned with gentleness once Kazuki began helping him. Efficiency didn’t mean fast and rough, as Rei had done when by himself. However, Rei didn’t feel ready quite yet to show Kazuki the extent of the damage, even if he suspects that will be something they discuss soon. Cleaning up his supplies and dirty clothes, Rei readied himself for whatever talk Kazuki had in mind and headed out of his room.

     Rei knocked lightly on Kazuki’s door, waiting for Kazuki to respond before entering. A soft, “come in,” was heard and Rei walked into Kazuki’s room, who he found sitting on the edge of his bed as he finished wrapping his own wound. Looking up, Kazuki said, “I’m almost finished. Here, let me move this and you can come sit here,” patting the spot next to him on the bed.

     Rei quietly nodded his head and made his way to Kazuki’s side. His wound didn’t look too bad, but still, Rei couldn’t stop himself, “You know, I could’ve taken care of that. Or helped you.”

     A look passed over Kazuki’s face, one mixed with hesitancy but also trust. “I know, Rei. Thank you.”

     Rei shrugged in response, which Kazuki interpreted as his way of saying “no problem.” Slowly moving his gaze up Rei’s arm, Kazuki noticed a bandage peeking out just below the sleeve of Rei’s t-shirt. Turning his attention forward again, Kazuki continued on, “Same goes for you. You already had to deal with your arm once by yourself in the car. It’s only fair I help you out too since you helped me back at the mansion with this,” gesturing to where his leg wound was.

     Rei stayed silent for a few seconds, a neutral expression on his face. Kazuki wasn’t sure how to proceed until Rei broke the silence, “I know, Kazuki. Just didn’t think you needed to see it tonight. It would have kinda ruined how nice the rest of the night was.”

     “I highly doubt that, but if you insist. Please, let me at least look at it sometime soon, as in tomorrow. You’re not alone anymore, Rei, so you don’t need to suffer alone either.” 

     Kazuki shifted his body so that he was facing Rei, taking Rei’s hands in his own. Rei looked at Kazuki, his attention slowly rising from where their hands held each other up to his partner’s warm gaze. “Look, after everything that happened today, I just thought we should talk a little bit about it and what to do next. A longer conversation will probably be necessary to really go over everything, and to figure out what we’re gonna tell Miri. I just thought it might be good to at least start getting everything out in the open tonight.”

     Rei nods his head in agreement, followed by a long yawn. Kazuki could tell that Rei was mere minutes from falling asleep, and even though Kazuki knew Rei could force himself to stay awake, Kazuki didn’t think it was necessary. Truthfully, Kazuki knew this conversation could absolutely wait until the morning, he just wanted to invite Rei to his room on the off chance he didn’t want to be alone that night. Giving it a shot, Kazuki decided to just ask Rei. “Screw it, it’s late, we both had long days, let’s call it a night.” Pulling the covers up, Kazuki slid into bed, looking at Rei, who was also looking back at him from where he remained at the edge of Kazuki’s bed. As he settled the covers and blankets back on top of himself, Kazuki pulled up the blankets for the other side of the bed, telling Rei, “Spot’s yours if you want. No pressure though.”

     While Kazuki had really only wanted Rei to know he had a spot in his room, especially if it meant Rei wouldn’t sleep in their tub, Kazuki hadn’t expected Rei to get under the blankets so willingly, then slowly move himself towards Kazuki. Reaching to turn off his bedside lamp, when Kazuki rolled back over Rei was laying closer to Kazuki than they ever had before. After making quick eye contact, both felt a surge of embarrassment run through them as they both realized how close they were (and without Miri as any sort of buffer). Rei broke away and closed the remaining distance between them, resting his head now on Kazuki’s chest. Holding his breath to the count of ten for Kazuki to say anything, but no objections being said, Rei quietly told Kazuki, “Good night.” Rei felt a hand rest on his waist as he heard Kazuki return a “Sleep well, Rei.” 

     Realizing neither had moved from the position they fell asleep in, Rei also realizes he probably was pressed against Kazuki’s side the whole night. Wanting to check in with him, Rei asks, “How’s your leg?”

     Brushing it off, Kazuki responds, “Oh, it’s fine. Still hurts like hell, but I think it stopped bleeding. Just lucky we got the bullet out almost right away. And based on what you said, we’re lucky it didn’t hit anything too important.”

     “Yep. You might limp for a bit, but in time, it’ll be back to normal again.” Kazuki notices that Rei’s smile never falters, concluding that Rei is telling the truth, or at the least, they have nothing major to worry about in terms of Kazuki’s injury.

     “How’s your arm?” Kazuki inquires, thinking he should be the one to ask since Rei took a (self-inflicted as clarified last night) bullet to the arm.

     For the first time this morning, Rei’s smile truly falls. Kazuki starts to feel bad, but he is also concerned for him and needs to know. “I still can’t feel much…or really move my fingers.”

     “Oh Rei…”

     “It’s fine though. I’d gladly do it again if it means I get to spend the rest of my life with you and Miri,” Rei emphasizes by putting his smile back on, one that Kazuki can tell while a little pained, is genuine.

     “Well, hopefully, you’ll never have to.”

     Kazuki isn’t sure if Rei would feel it, but he grabs Rei’s injured arm and brings it up to kiss the top of his hand. After Kazuki releases Rei’s hand, he stares at the spot Kazuki kissed for a few moments while Kazuki looks fondly down at his partner. Rei interrupts their blissful silence, apologizing, “Sorry I won’t be able to help out as much around the apartment anymore. Bad timing I guess, you know, just as I was starting to get the hang of some things. Give me time though and maybe I’ll be able to use my arm again…or I’ll be able to figure out how to do stuff one-handed.”

     “Rei, you don’t need to worry about that right now. For as much as I nagged you about it before, believe me, that is not my top priority now.” Taking in a sigh, Kazuki continues, “For now, we should be worrying about what we’re gonna do with Miri over the next few days. It's almost Christmas and I have no idea what we’re going to do for the festive season.”

     “I’m sorry I can’t be of much help with that either.”

     “Hey,” Kazuki says while lightly poking Rei’s forehead, “stop apologizing. Neither of us really grew up experiencing a traditional Christmas and we typically had missions on Christmas or Christmas Eve, so neither of us get to feel sorry.”

     “Alright, if you say so. Um…did…did you wanna talk now about whatever was on your mind last night?”

     “Huh? Oh, no, we can deal with that later. Since it’ll kinda be the first time for both of us, I think we should focus on enjoying Christmas and making Miri happy. Is that okay with you?”

     “Perfect.”

     Rei snuggles back into Kazuki, planning to stay right there for as long as possible, or until Kazuki gets up, or they’re called by Miri. Luckily for Rei, Kazuki relaxes back into his pillow, clearly considering falling back to sleep again. In such a state of peace and bliss, Rei is starting to doze off again, when Kazuki shakes his shoulder the slightest bit, telling him “I think our little girl is up. Pretty sure I just heard her walking around outside.”

     And sure enough, Kazuki and Rei hear the jangling of the doorknob, and the slight creak of the door, as Miri pokes her head into Kazuki’s room. “Papa Kazuki, are you up yet?” she asks. Peeking her head in slightly further, a giant smile breaks across her face. “Papa Rei, you’re here too?”

     “Good morning, Miri.” 

     “Morning.”

     Seeing her two papas already snuggled in bed, Miri doesn’t need another invitation as she approaches the foot of Kazuki’s bed, pulling herself up onto it. As Miri makes her way to her papas, Rei pulls himself off of Kazuki and rolls to the side, leaving the spot where he was now open for Miri to crawl into. Plopping down in between her papas, Kazuki gives Miri a big, slightly over the top kiss on one cheek, which Rei follows by a soft kiss on her other one. Giggling at the show of affection, Miri settles herself while Kazuki brings up his blanket so now their whole family is under it.

     “Say, Miri, Rei and I don’t really have any Christmas traditions. And we were so busy with…work…in the past, we never really got to do anything fun this time of year. Did you and your mama have any traditions or do anything special this time of year? We’d love to do something in the holiday spirit with you, but we just don’t know where to start.”

     “Hmmm.” Miri looked deep in concentration, her brow furrowing as she replayed memories of Christmases past. “Mama and I would usually walk around and look at the lights.”

     “That sounds fun. We could do that tonight! How does that sound, Miri?”

     “Really?” Miri says in disbelief.

     “Sure, why not? Right, Rei?”

     “Mmm, sounds fun.”

     “Everything’s so pretty! And so bright! There’s red lights and green lights and blue lights and yellow lights and purple lights and some are on a string and others are in shapes. Mama and I saw one that looked like a snowman and a reindeer last year!”

     “That sure does sound exciting. Is there anything you two would do during the day?” Kazuki continues on.

     “Well, we usually decorated our tree. Sometimes she’d make cookies. And if it snowed, we’d play for hours in it!”

     “I mean, we’re gonna have a white Christmas, so we can definitely play in the snow today.” 

     “Miri, what kind of cookies did you make?” Rei asks.

     “Sugar cookies, and then we’d decorate them together!” Miri excitedly says, likely remembering a fond memory of her time spent with Misaki during a previous Christmas.

     “Kazuki, can we do that?”

     “I don’t see why not? I’ll have to find a quick cookie recipe, but I should have all the ingredients.”

     “Even for the frosting?”

     “Yes, Rei, even for the frosting. I’m not sure about sprinkles though. If I do, they’re probably not Christmas ones.”

     “Mama and I would use icing to decorate too!”

     “We can do that then,” Kazuki laughs. “Miri, Rei, I think we got our day planned out for us then. I’ll go make breakfast, and then afterwards, we can all play in the snow. You two can keep playing while I prep the cookies. Probably after lunch then you could decorate them, unless you want to help make the batter? Which then I guess you can come in early from playing in the snow or we can wait to start the cookies until after lunch. And tonight, we’ll go around town looking at all the pretty lights.”

     “Yay!” Miri exclaims. Funnily enough, her energy level quickly drops, as she starts snuggling next to Rei, on the verge of falling back to sleep.

     “I guess we can sleep in today too,” Kazuki adds after noticing Miri. “You keep her company, I’ll go make breakfast in like…thirty minutes?”

     Leaning over Miri, Rei slowly moves his head towards Kazuki until their foreheads are pressed against each other. Rei softly whispers, truly for Kazuki’s ears to hear only, “Is this really happening?”

     “It is.”

     "We’re really gonna do all that today?”

     “Yes, Rei. You, of all people, deserve to know what it’s like to celebrate Christmas and to celebrate it with the ones you love. And hopefully, we’ll be doing all these things together, maybe even adding some new things in the future, for many years to come.”

     Tilting his gaze up slightly to get a better view of Kazuki, Rei responds, “I’d like that.”

     “Me too.”

     “As long as I have you and Miri, I don’t care what we do or how we celebrate.”

     They smile at each other, nothing but warmth in both of their gazes. Rei then looks down at their now, fully sleeping daughter, not remembering a single time he’d been happier or more at peace. Kazuki takes in the sight before him: his daughter lazily lying between himself and Rei, Rei tenderly looking down at her.

     “Yeah, I wouldn’t have this any other way,” both Kazuki and Rei think to themselves.

#buddy daddies #buddy daddies anime #buddy daddies fic #dk wren's bd celebration week #buddy daddies anniversary #kazuki kurusu #rei suwa #miri unasaka

[quiveringdeer]

nat -- coming to you with some disheveled thoughts bc you have the best sexiest brain -- i was talkin with one of my other friends about canon-adjacent reiner with a secret marleyan s/o 🤔 specifically, reiner starting a family with them and how torn he'd be about having to keep his lil baby a secret 😩 i'm just here to yell into the void with you about this poor teddy bear man

Rory you are too kind to my brain. It is truly just a lump of mush that fires decent thoughts once in a blue moon but let's see here

I know we were all talkin in the server about exactly how much status becoming a Warrior gets you in Marley, and it doesn't seem like much so definitely would need to be a secret baby.

For stuff like this my brain always swings to someone who is either a doctor or scientists. I know it's definitely not always the case but being in such a profession makes me think that person might be more sympathetic to Eldians cause when things get right down to it, the only way they become "monsters" is through the tampering of Marley science and carrying on this legacy of the 9 through--if we're being frank--barbaric practices ((I've been thinking about the intricacies and ritualism of titan transfers though and would love to chat about that in another post/with peeps))

AAAAAANYWHO....

So maybe they're a medic or someone who's consistently in contact with Reiner and the other Shifters and candidates as their primary physician/researcher?? I feel like it'd need to be someone who'd be close enough to be around when they get sent out on the front lines of the Mid East War battles. It took four flippin years, and doesn't seem like the Shifters were used very often due to the heavy artillery.

I'm getting so in the weeds with this and not what you asked lol

But them spending so much time around Reiner, maybe in the interim after taking blood samples and waiting on test results to take more samples they strike up conversation with him? Maybe they're curious about what things were like over in Paradis, but from a like-- what kinds of plants do they have? Is their food similar? What do their schools teach in history ((cause like is it common knowledge that the king guy erased the memories of the folks on Paradis? I don't think so right? Like do the brass in Marley know? @erudianokabe @lemmetreatya yall are like my lore go tos))

But anywho, maybe it's refreshing for Rei to get to talk about what it's like there without having to focus on the people aspect too much. Or at least the people he knew. So he doesn't have to spend so much time balancing the lying and keeping up pretense?

In my canon adjacent insert au, YN is in a similar profession as above + knew Rei and everyone before they got shipped off. And part of what draws them closer together is they're around when Rei experiences a couple DID shifts that get triggered through some things ((I honestly need to do more research to feel comfy writing those but that's my thought))

But yeah, I think you're right it would be really really tough for Rei having to keep his child a secret. Cause hello, cycles repeating much. I think once knowing about said child he'd do everything he could to be their father short of them calling him their father? Ya know.

I don't think his self loathing and chronic depression egged on by shit tons of survivor's guilt would vanish cause of this new love in his life or their baby. Which sucks. Wish brains weren't so dumb and awful. But I think, he'd be trying to figure out how best to set them both up to be taken care of after his time is up in a couple years. Oh gosh. That'd be such a big thing for him too probably!!

I feel like the baby would definitely not be planned. Cause he wouldn't willingly want to bring a baby into the whole secrecy scenario, but also, then not even being able to be around as a surrogate dad in principle cause he'll be dead no matter what before they're even 8 years old would really crush him. :/

#im sad now #but also have so much stuff to think about and research #so this was nice for my own writing thoughts purposes #rory tag #answered asks #aot meta #aot lore meta #lemmetreatya #keiner tag #reiner braun #reiner headcanons

[elwynten]

Chapter 48

Hestia Familia's first Expedition part 2

I looked around to make sure we were safe for the moment. Seeing it is clean, that is, no monsters on land at the moment. I turn to Bell.

"Bell." I called.

"Y-ya, what?" Bell said not sure what I was wanting him for.

"I need to go find someone." I told Bell.

"Wha!? Wh-who do you need to find down here?" Bell asked.

"A friend of Lydo and Rei's." I told Bell.

"You mean…" Welf started.

"Yes, that is exactly what I mean." I cut Welf off as I made a quick glance towards Lunis. I didn't want to let Luvis and his party know about the Xenos, yet.

Welf and Bell caught my glace at Luvis. They both looked over at him for a moment and turned back to me.

Bell nodded his head in understanding. "Yes, I see." Welf said.

"Can I go with you?" Cindy asked me as she walked over to where Welf, Bell and I were standing.

"Are you sure you'll be ok by yourself? You know how the monsters are down here." Bell asked me.

I nodded my head in understanding. "Yes, I can take care of myself. Besides Cindy wants to go with me, so there will be two of us going." I replied.

Bell looked over at Lili for a moment, then he turned back to me. "Go ahead. But don't be gone too long." He told me.

"Sure thing." I said then I did a quick mental search for Dormul and his party. "Dormul's that way." I told Bell and Welf, pointing in the direction I has sensed him.

I turned to the rest of our party. "Iris, Pakima, Rosni. Cindy and I are going to go find our friend. I want you three to stay with the party. I've already told Bell and Welf the direction Dormul and his party is, so you need to stay here and help them find Dormul." I told them.

Iris, Kimmy and Rosni didn't look too happy about having to stay with the expedition party, but they knew it was for the better that they stay with the main group.

"What do you mean you're going to look for a friend?" Aisha asked a little confused.

I looked over my shoulder to make sure Luvis was out of ear shot. I turned back to Aisha and lowering my voice. "One of the Xenos lives in the Water City. I know about where she is so, Cindy and I are going to go find her and see if she wants to live above round with the other Xenos." I informed Aisha.

"Why would you need to find a Xenos? They can get along on their own." Aisha asked me.

"Yes and no. This Xenos is a mermaid so she can't leave the Water City. I'm going to give her the opportunity to have a Companion and see if she wants to live on the surface." I told Aisha.

"Oh!" Aisha said nodding her head in understanding. "I get it. But do you really think you can make it with just the two of you?"

"Iris and I killed the Goliath on the 17th floor to rank up to level three. Then Cindy and Kimmy killed goliath to rank up to level three as well. So, I think we can handle what's on these floors with no problem." I reassured Aisha.

I turned to Cindy. "Come on Naʼashǫ́ʼiitsoh Yázhí (Little Dragon). We have to find the closest exit to the falls." I told her and started heading back the way we had come from.

I followed the same route back that we had used to find Luvis's party until we found ourselves on the cliff open to the Great Falls, just before going back up to the 24th floor.

"Full dragon or just wings?" Cindy asked.

"Just wings. Full dragon would draw to much attention to us." I replied.

"We should add the tail as well." Cindy added.

I nod my head in agreement. "You know more about flying and aerial combat. A tail would give us better maneuverability, so that makes since." I agreed with Cindy.

I took a couple steps back from Cindy and turned so I was facing her. A moment later a pair of titanium dragon wings sprouted from my back and a dragon tail sprouted from just above my tail bone.

"It never gets old seeing you or one of the others grow dragon wings or take on their full dragon form."

"You look good in any form you take." I told Cindy.

Cindy blushed at my complement. To hide her reaction, she grew her own dragon wings, although she grew her natural blue dragon wings and tail, instead of titanium wings and tail.

"You ready?" I asked as I turned to the cliff and started running.

"Right behind you!" Cindy called after me and giggled.

A moment later we were both in the air gliding down to the plunge pool at the base of the falls. When we were about fifty feet from the plunge pool I retracted my wings and dropped into the water.

As I was swimming back up to the surface there was a splash ten feet to the side of me. I looked over to see Cindy had done the same thing as I had, and she is now swimming in the water close to me.

The plunge pool is as large as a lake. It takes up over half of the huge cavern we are in. The water falling into the plunge pool creates a constant mist, and the sound of the water crashing into the plunge pool is almost defining it is so loud. A little over one hundred yards from the plunge pool is the start of the next waterfall going down to the 26th floor.

We swim to the shore and walk out of the water onto the shore. Almost everything is made of a blue crystal. The shore, cliffs, flat areas and valleys.

I turn to Cindy for a moment then I turn on around to face the waterfall.

[*Get ready. The Iguacu will be attacking us any second.*] I sent to Cindy because I would have had to yell to get her to hear me.

[*Iguacu? What are they?*] Cindy asked me.

[*They are swallow monsters also called invisible monsters because of how fast they dive at their targets.*] I tell Cindy.

[*Oh, shoot! How are we going to fight them?*]

[*Watch for the scarlet trail the leave as they dive so you can lead their attack with your own. You just have to be fast. Or with how high your durability is, just let them hit you. With how durable you are they won't hurt you when they hit you. although it will be messy.*] I suggest.

Cindy gives me a dirty look at suggesting she let the Iguacu hit her.

I chuckle. [*You wanted to come with me, Naʼashǫ́ʼiitsoh yázhí.*]

That's when I hear a whizzing sound. I summon my machete and short sword, Dongsang and Kogasu and make a suggestion to Cindy. [*Use your semblance. Absorb the first few attacks then use the stored up kinetic energy to attack the ones still in the air.*] I told Cindy as I step to the side and swing Dongsang, cutting the Iguacu in half.

[*Ugg! That's going to be messy.*] Cindy replied as one of the Iguacu struck her shoulder sending blood and gore all over the place. It was the monster's blood and gore not Cindy's. The impact slightly jolted Cindy, not even leaving a mark where the Iguacu impacted her.

I had activated my Warp Perception ability. It gives the perception of slowing time down, giving me time to think of what to do about any incoming attacks and also giving me time to react to those attacks. This way I can see the incoming Iguacu like they are moving in slow motion.

I make sure Cindy and I are several feet apart. If we were to close together, we would get in each other's way.

I don't try to cut the Iguacu in half, I'm aiming to knock them to the side. If I cut them in half or into pieces some of those pieces will still hit me. Knocking them or batting them to the side will still kill them, but it will prevent me from getting covered in swallow monster blood and gore. That is also another reason I moved a little farther away from Cindy, so she wouldn't be hit by any of the swallow monsters that I hit her way.

The number of Iguacu is increasing. I'm swinging at the Iguacu almost like a "Whack a Mole" game. I take a quick glance at Cindy. I see she is covered I monster blood and body parts. Although she has her had up shooting the ones still fifty to one hundred feet from her with the kinetic energy, she is building up from the Iguacu that are hitting her.

Looking over to see how Cindy is doing was a bad idea. Even though I looked for only a second. That lack of concentration allowed three of the Iguacu to hit me. Like Cindy, they didn't hurt me or even leave a mark, but they splattered me with blood and gore. I have to agree with Cindy… Uuggg!

I give the attacking Iguacu my full attention. Moving my hands along with Dongsang and Kogasu at blinding speed. If anyone happened to be watching they would only see after images and grey streaks as me weapons flash back and forth and up and down, hitting the swallow monsters.

I haven't kept track of time, but it feels like Cindy, and I have been defending ourselves from the swallow monsters for hours, but I'm sure it has only been five minutes or so. Fortunately, the attacks are tapering off. We are receiving sporadic attacks. After another minute the attacks stop all together.

I look over at Cindy. "How are you holding up?" I asked her.

"I'm doing good other than all this mess I'm covered in." Cindy replied with a giggle. Being a dragon, being covered in the blood and gore of her enemy or prey is not a bad thing to her.

"Well clean yourself up. You look a mess." I kidded her.

"You don't look much better." She observed.

I looked down at myself. "Ya, your right." I said and used 'Convenience' to clean myself off with. Convenience creates cleaning bubbles to clean any surface. In moments I'm back to my usual clean self. "That feels better." I said.

"Oh, ya!" Cindy chimed in after using Convenience on herself as well. "That does feel a lot better."

I hear clapping coming from behind me. I can tell Cindy hears it too because she turns to look where the clapping is coming from.

Before I look to see who is clapping, I reach out telekinetically and gather up all of the magic stones and drop items from the swallow monsters Cindy and I killed. Then I turn to see who is clapping. Although I'm sure of who it is.

At the top of the waterfall leading to the 26th floor sitting on crystal strand is a mermaid. Or more specific it is Maria a Xenos mermaid. From the waist down there is a translucent green fish tail, while from the waist up there is a light indigo-blue body of a young girl. She has smooth clear skin, a pair of well-shaped breasts, long hair the same color as her lower half, instead of ears she has small adorable little fins as well as jade-colored eyes.

Seaming so innocent the mermaid looks at me with her sparkling jade eyes.

I raise my hand up and wave to the mermaid. "Hello." I say to her.

The mermaid looks like she could be between fourteen and seventeen years of age. But with monsters she could have spawned six months ago. Because Sky looks to be around sixteen, yet she was spawned less than two months ago.

A strange thought inters my head at that moment unbidden. 'I need to remember when Wiene and Sky were spawned and learn when Fia was spawned so we can celebrate their birthday or spawning day each year. Where did that come from?' I think to myself and chuckle.

I hear wings beating above us. But before I can turn around to look.

"Harpies and sirens at twelve o'clock high. So, get your eyes off your new girlfriend." Cindy tells me with a giggle.

I look up towards the top of the falls and see a 'flock' of harpies and sirens heading our way. I also hear a splashing behind me. Looking over my shoulder the mermaid had dived into the water to get away from the air born monsters.

"Watch out for the sonic attack of the sirens. It could disorient you." I remind Cindy.

"Ya, I remember. Can I take them in the air?" She asked me.

I shrug my shoulders. "They wouldn't be expecting that. Why not. I'll join you as well."

As soon as I said, 'why not', Cindy had started extending her wings. "Should we do tails too?" She asked.

I nod my head in agreement. "Like I said before, you know more about aerial combat than I do, but adding our tails would give us more maneuverability while we are airborne." I replied as I extended my dragon wings and tail.

Cindy extends her wings and tail, then starts running towards the water giving a powerful down beat with her wings. A moment later Cindy's in the air beating her wings to gain altitude.

"Show off!" I yell as I follow Cindy. I extend my own wings and running after Cindy. Moments later Cindy and I are raising up in the air getting ready to have a dog fight with the harpies and sirens.

I summon Sasori although trying to fight with a weapon while being airborne is difficult. But I have Sasori in my hands to intimidate the monsters and for just in case I need it or want to use it.

[two o'clock.] I send to Cindy, seeing a harpy diving down at her. At the same time, I spot a siren to my left. Turning my head, I breath out titanium spindle darts at it.

Harpies and sirens are female, but I think of these monsters as 'it' instead of she or her. I only think of the Xenos as male and female. It helps keep them straight in my mind when I'm fighting part human monsters.

The titanium spindle darts strike the siren in the chest killing it. It's wings collapse as it falls to the water below.

I don't have time to watch it fall as I hear the sound of rushing air. Looking up there is a harpy dive bombing me. Its wings are pulled back with its open talons leading its attack.

Letting my body react without thinking. I twist in mid-air, swinging Sasori around in front of me as I spin. I'm able to catch the harpy just above its waist cutting it in half sending it to the water below along with the siren I had just killed.

'I'm going to have to work with my Team and do more aerial combat training if we're going to be spending very much time in the Water City.' I think to myself as I dive after another harpy that's about ten feet below me.

I catch a glimpse of Cindy doing a strafing run on two sirens, using her blue fire, breath weapon. I don't have time to see what happens to the siren, but I can make a good guess.

I turn back to my own battle. Cindy can take care of herself; she is used to aerial combat with her being a dragon.

As I stab a harpy with Sasori, another harpy slams into my left wing knocking me off balance. "You want to play that way." I say to the harpy, not expecting it to hear me or to understand what I'm saying. I retract my wings.

My Team and I can fly using our Companions flying ability. But the flying ability allows us to fly with or without wings. Flying without wings gives the harpies and sirens less of a target to go after.

As soon as my wings are gone, I create electricity and send out an arc of chain lightning towards several of the monsters around me. Three sirens and one harpy fall out of the air towards the water below.

I look around to find my next target, but the only one in the air besides myself is Cindy.

Cindy looked at me smugly. [*That was fun. It wasn't really even a challenge.*] She sent to me because we can't hear each other over the sound of the falls crashing into the plunge pool below us.

I chuckle where Cindy could hear it in her head. [*Okay, Naʼashǫ́ʼiitsoh yázhí. Let's go meet our new friend.*] I sent to her.

Cindy nodded her head and started gliding to the shore of the plunge pool or rather lake.

As I land, I retract my dragon tail leaving myself 'human' again. Cindy does the same retracting her dragon wings and tail. That's when I hear. "Are you okay?"

Looking around to find where the voice came from. Mari the mermaid is half hiding behind what looks like a crystal rock in the water.

I smile. "We're both fine. Not a scratch." I reassure her.

I point to myself. "I'm Eilwyn, Eilwyn." Then I put my hand on Cindy's shoulder. "She's Cindy, Cindy." I say Cindy's name. "What is your name?" I ask the mermaid although I already know what her name is.

"Eilwyn. Cindy." Mari repeats our names as she points at us as she says our names. "I'm Mari."

"You're a Xenos, right?" I ask her.

At hearing the word Xenos, her eyes go wide, and she give a strong thrust with her fish tail and she jumps up at me. She flings her arms around my neck hanging onto me with her arms.

I put my arms around Mari to help support her weight. She leans in close and sniffs my neck. "You smell of Fia." She tells me.

I chuckle. "I'm not surprised, Fia lives with me." I tell Mari.

Mari's eyes grow big again. "Fia lives with you?" She asks.

I nod my head in agreement. "Yes, she does, along with two new Xenos. Wiene who is a Vouivra and Sky who is a siren." I inform Mari.

Mari points towards the middle of the falls where several harpies and sirens are flying around. The Dungeon had probably just spawned them, replacing the ones Cindy and I had just killed.

"Let's go there." She tells us and points to a cavern.

Since Mari is already in my arms, I carry her into the first chamber that has a stream in it.

Cindy follows me into the chamber as I put Mari down by the stream after checking to make sure there are no monsters nearby.

"Would you like to live with Fia were there are no monsters?" I ask Mari.

"Live with Fia!? No monsters!?" Mari almost yells and claps her hands in excitement as she nods her head, yes.

*[Fia, Wiene.*] I send to Fia, and Wiene.

[*Eilwyn!?*] Fia replied with surprise in her thoughts.

[*Eilwyn, Eilwyn!*] Wiene said my name with excitement.

[*I need the two of you and Sky to go to the pond in the PD, and I need you to change to your natural form.*] I sent to them.

[*May I ask why?*] Fia asked sounding confused.

[*I'm bringing Mari up to the PD so she can live with us. I don't want to scare her with the three of you being in your human forms.*] I told Fia.

[*Oh! That makes since. I'll tell Sky. When can you get here?*] Fia asked.

[*You're coming home!?*] Wiene asked excitedly..

[*We'll be there as soon as the three of you can get to the PD and change to your natural forms.*] I told Fia.

[*I love you Eilwyn!*] Wiene exclaimed.

I chuckled at Wiene's excitement. [*I love you too, Wiene. I love you too Fia.*]

[*I love you, Eilwyn.*] Fia sent. I could feel her blushing.

[*Wiene, could you go tell lady Hestia to meet us in the PD as well?*] I asked Wiene.

[*I'll go tell lady Hestia right away.*] Wiene replied.

[*Thank you.*]

I closed the telepathic connection to Wiene and Fia and opened one to Iris and Kimmy.

[*I found Mari and I'm taking her to the PD at the Hearthstone Manor.*] I sent to Iris and Kimmy.

[*You found her already?*] Kimmy asked me.

[*Yes, we did. She's doing good. Cindy and I are doing good as well. We're going to take Mari back home and get her settled in. Then We'll come back.*] I informed them.

[*Do you want us to tell the party?*] Iris asked.

[*Ya, go ahead and tell them. But try to not let Luvis and his party know what's going on.*] I tell them.

[*We found Dormul and his party. Cassandra healed them.*] Kimmy told me.

[*Oh, that's good. We can talk about them when we get back.*] I added. There is no reason for Kimmy, Iris, Cindy and I to talk about Luvis's and Dormul's parties at the moment. I need to take Mari back home and get her settled in.

I close the link to Iris and Kimmy, then I look at Mari. "Are you ready to go see Fia?" I ask her.

"Yes! I want to see Fia!" Mari said excitedly clapping her hands.

"Close your eyes. This can be a little confusing if you keep your eyes open." I tell Mari.

I pick up Mari in my arms. Mari put her arms around my neck and lays her head on my shoulder. Once Mari's eye are closed and Cindy put a hand on my shoulder, I port us to our PD at Hearthstone Manor.

"You can open your eyes, now." I inform Mari.

Mari opened her eye, and they get as big as dinner plates. "Oh! This is wonderful!" Mari exclaimed as takes her arms from around my neck and starts clapping her hands again.

I leaned down and put Mari in the pond. "There ya go, and no monsters to worry about." I tell her.

"No monsters!? I don't have to hide from monster anymore?" Mari asked.

"Well, I have to make a small correction. There are monsters here, but they are Xenos. So, you don't have to hide from any of them." I corrected myself.

Mari stuck her arms straight out in front of herself, waving both hands back and forth. "Fia! Fia, Hello Fia!" Mari called to Fia.

Fia was walking towards Mari and me. She has a big smile on her face. "Hi Mari. It's good to see you again." Fia said to Mari.

"Eilwyn said I can live here." Mari added just as excitedly.

Sky walk up and puts her arms around me, giving me a hug. "I missed you.

I put my arms around sky and return the hug. "I missed you too." I dropped one arm keeping the other arm around Sky. I took half a step back and motioned to Mari.

"Sky, this is Mari. As you can see, she's a mermaid from the 26th floor. And if things go well, she will be living here with us." I tell Sky.

"So, another Xenos will be living here?" Sky said more as a statement than a question.

I smiled at Sky. "Yes, there will."

Sky looked at Mari and smiled. "Hello Mari. How are you?" Sky asked.

"Sky. Hi Sky. I'm doing good." Mari replied in her usual excited and somewhat childish way, while waving at Sky.

Hestia and Wiene walked into the PD at that time. When Wiene saw me, she ran over and threw her arms around me and gave me a hug. "I love you Eilwyn." Wiene told me.

I chuckled as I took my arm from around Sky and put my arms around Wiene and gave her a hug and I kissed her on the top of her head. I chuckled because most times I'm gone for a few hours, the next time Wiene sees me she tells me she loves me. It's sweet that she does it. "Love you too, Wiene." I told her.

I dropped my arms from around Wiene and turned to Mari. "Lady Hestia, Wiene, this is Mari." I started the introductions. "Mari, this is lady Hestia, the patron of our Familia." I put my hand on Hestia's shoulder. Then I moved my hand and put it on Wiene's back. "And this is Wiene." Wiene is in her Vouivre form at the moment.

Mari waves at both Hestia and Wiene. "Hello lady Hestia. Hello Wiene." Mari says cheerfully.

Wiene giggles at Mari's reaction to meeting her and Hestia. "Hi Mari. I'm glad to meet you." She tells Mari.

"Hello Mari. It is nice to meet you." Hestia tells Mari. Then she looks at me with a questioning look on her face.

"Another one?" Hestia askes me.

I shrug my shoulder and grin. "I believe I already told you about Mari." I said.

"Whatever." Hestia said and looked back at Mari and smiles.

Wiene leaned into me putting an arm around my waist. "Are you going to give Mari a Companion?" Wiene asked.

I nodded my head, yes. "I was planning to. I Just haven't had the time to do it, yet."

I turn to Mari. "Mari, would you like to be able to walk on the land?" I asked Mari.

Mari frowned. "I can't walk on land. I don't have legs." She stated the obvious.

I smiled at Mari. "I know you don't have legs. You see, I have given the other Xenos what I call Companions. These Companions give their partner several different abilities. One of those abilities is shapeshifting. That means if you have a Companion, you will be able to change your shape and look like a human or demi-human with legs. That way you would be able to walk on the land." I explain.

Mari jumped onto the shore and screeched. "AAAAHHHHH! I could walk!? I would be able to walk like you and Fia?" Mari asked excitedly.

I nodded my head, yes. "That's exactly what I'm saying. If you want a Companion, you will be able to walk on the land like Fia, Wiene and I can. You would be able to change into a few other animals too." I told her.

Mari started nodding her head up and down so fast I thought she might hurt herself. "I want a Companion, please. Please, please. I want to walk on land like my friends do."

An otter ran from around the house towards Mari.

Marie Mermaid (Age 14, 6' 3" long including tail) Level 2+ Automation Name; Paivi/F (Pronounced - Pie-vee) Mythical; Bakunawa (Sea krait and Lionfish) Intelligent L2 Strength L1 Agility L1 Speed L1 Durability L2 Regeneration L2 Teleportation L1 Sustenance L2 Elemental Blast L1 (Ice) Size L2 Magical L1 (Mending, Missile, servent or Cleaning) Flight Shapeshift L2 (Bakunawa - Sea krait and Lion Fish) See below Venom L1 (tail stinger, Paralisis) Elemental Blast; Ice Magical; Dancing Lights, Telekinesis, Invisibility

Shapeshift L2; Bakunawa (Sea krait and Lionfish), Demi-Human, Otter, Chocolate Labrador Retriever (because they have webbed paws and like the water), Hawk, Snow Leopard, Scorpion. Paivi can also turn into a mermaid with a Lionfish tail and spines. Bakunawa; A water dragon usually with no legs and sometimes has small wings or large fins.

Demi-Human Form: Cat Person

"Mari, this is Paivi. Your Companion. She is in her otter form right now. Her natural form is a Bakunawa. A kind of sea serpent. And I have to let you know that you and Paivi can talk to each other mind to mind. That means you will be able to hear what she is thinks in your head and she will be able to hear what you think in her head. Although you can both talk out loud to each other as well if you want to." I told Mari.

"But Paivi isn't a human." Mari said frowning.

I chuckled. "She came out in her otter form so she wouldn't scare anyone. Plus, we need to decide what her and your human or demi-human form will look like." I informed Mari.

Mari clapped her hands together. "I get to choose?" She asked me.

Again, I nodded my head, yes. "That's correct. You get to decide. Although one of her forms is a lionfish. That means she will also be able to change into a different kind of mermaid too. So anytime you want to go swimming the both of you can change into your mermaid forms and go swimming together." I add.

Mari clapped her hands again. "We can go swimming together. That will be fun." Mari said excitedly.

"Okay, now we need to figure out what Paivi's human form will be and what your human form will be." I told Mari with a smile on my face.

Mari nodded her head in agreement.

Mari and I talked for several minutes with the help of Fia, Sky, Hestia and Wiene. I also had Wiene get my laptop computer so I could show Mari some pictures of what she could look like.

Mari finally decided she wanted to look like a girl cat person and Paivi will look like a girl cat person as well.

"Now even though you will be able to turn into a cat person and have legs. You will have to learn how to walk. I'm sure everyone here will help you out as much as they can." I told Mari.

"I need to get back to the Dungeon. My Team is waiting for me." I told Mari and the others.

Mari frowned again. "You're leaving so soon?" She said sadly.

"Sorry, but I have to go. My friends need me down there. But I'll be back every day to let Hestia know what we have been doing. So, I'll see you every day, too. And in a few days, we'll be finished with our expedition, and I'll be back home for a while. While I'm gone, you'll have Fia, Sky, Wiene and lady Hestia to talk to. Plus, there are a few other people living here that you should get to meet shortly." I assured Mari.

Mari waved her hands at me, motioning me to come closer to her. I stepped up beside Mari and squatted down. Mari jumped up and flung her arms around my neck giving me a big hug.

"Thank you, thank you, thank you, Eilwyn. Thank you for bringing me here." Mari said as she hugged me.

I put my arms around Mari and hugged her back. "You very welcome. Now I have to go." I told Mari as I took my arms from around her and started to stand up.

Mari let go of me and settled back down in the water with Paivi beside her.

"Oh, Paivi can tell you everything she can do, which means you will be able to do those things as well." I added.

I waved to Mari, and I turned to Hestia. "While I'm here I might as well give you the daily report." I said.

Hestia nodded her head in agreement, and we headed into the house. I told Hestia about the Moss Huge, about Luvis and then finding Mari. Hestia already knew most of what I had told her because of the Companions, Osma, being with us. Although she didn't know what happened with Cindy and I after we separated from the main group. Plus, she likes hearing someone tell her what we have been doing.

Completing my report, I ported Cindy and myself back to the Dungeon to the cliff at the beginning of the 25th floor. From there Cindy and I hurried to find our friends.

We jogged through crystal passageways and chambers, slowing down only to kill any monsters that happened to be in our path. And of course, we took the time to collect any magic stones and drop items from the monsters that we killed. We weren't going to pass up valis and our drop item quota just to save a little time. We were just wanting to rejoin our friends, even though they are not in danger of dying just because we aren't with them.

It only took us about thirty minutes to find our friends in the labyrinth of the Water City.

"Hello!" Cindy called as she saw Aisha a little ways away. "We're back!" she added.

Aisha turned and looked at the sound of Cindy's voice. When she saw who it was, she looked over her shoulder. "Manticore and Dragon are back." She informed the rest of the group.

Aisha turned back around towards us and called out. "That is obvious, or you wouldn't be talking to me, now would you." Aisha told Cindy.

I chuckled. "She's got you there Naʼashǫ́ʼiitsoh yázhí." I said to Cindy.

"No one asked you." Cindy said giving me a dirty look.

Most of the group had turned to look back at us when Aisha told them we were back.

Iris smiled and jumped up and down. She reminded me a little of Mari when she did that. "You're back! Is she safe? How is she getting along with everyone?" She asked excitedly.

"I gave her a Companions already." I started. "She's doing fine so far. Since Mari already knows Fia, they are getting along just fine. Hestia's a little irked that I brought another Xenos to live with us. But you know her, she was fine with Mari being there, by the time I left."

"That's good. I can't wait to meet Mari when we get back home." Iris added.

With Dormul's party and Luvis's party here with us and all of them being Whole and healthy. Some decisions need to be made.

==========

I turn to Dormul and Luvis. "I'm guessing y'all don't have enough supplies to stay down here much longer." I said.

Luvis looked at his battle party then back to me and nodded his head in agreement. "With all the fighting we did with that moss huge, we're almost out of food and healing potions." Luvis admitted.

I turned to Dormul who nodded in agreement as well. "You are correct. We have just enough to make it back to the surface." Dormul said.

I nodded my head in understanding. "I would suggest y'all head back up then. We don't have enough supplies to give out without having to cut our expedition short." I suggested.

Luvis nodded his head in agreement again. "That makes a lot of since. We will head to the surface." Luvis told me.

"Ya, we'll go as well. We wouldn't want to cut your expedition short because of us." Dormal responded.

"Go ahead and let the Guild know about the enhanced species we ran into and killed." I suggested.

"I'll make sure the Guild gets the report." Dormul told me.

Luvis puffed out his chest and thumped his thumb against his chest. "I personally will make the report to the Guild." Luvis said pompously.

Dormul took a step closer to Luvis. "I already said I would make the report to the guild." He told Luvis.

"I know how you'll make the report. I want the report to be accurate, so I will make the report to the Guild!" Luvis said emphatically.

Dormal raised his hand. "Why you…" He started but I cut him off.

"THAT IS ENOUGH!" I yelled shocking everyone there into silence.

"Stop the bickering and petty attitude. Dwarves are no better than Elves and Elves are no better than Dwarves. Both have their good points, and BOTH have their bad points. Learn to get along and you'll be a lot better off." I said commandingly.

Both Dormul and Luvis took a step back and looked at the ground in dejection. The members of their battle parties also looked at the ground as well.

It was silent for several moments before Luvis spoke up. "You are quite right Manticore. It is very difficult to get past old prejudice." He said contritely.

Dormal nodded his head in agreement. "Yes, it is hard to change how we are." Dormal added.

"You don't have to be best of friends. Just be amicable with each other." I told them.

"I know how the Elves feel about being touched by those they don't know or are not on friendly term with. So, I'm not going to have y'all seal your new relationship with a handshake, but I would suggest a fist bump. It still has contact with another person yet is is a very minimal contact." I offered.

I turned to Kimmy and held out my fist to her. Kimmy reached out her hand making a fist and lightly bumping our knuckles together as a demonstration of how to do a fist bump.

"No trying to break the other person's hand or fist. It is just a light tap of the fists." I made sure they understood.

Dormul and Luvis looked at each other for a moment or two before Dormul raised his hand and made a fist facing Luvis. Luvis looked at Dormul's first, then he looked over at me for a moment. He then looked over at his battle party then back to Dormal's fist. Luvis tentatively made a fist and raised it up to Dormul's fist and quickly bumped them together before returning his hand and arm to his side.

"See that didn't hurt one bit." I said breaking any tension there was.

"Not bad at all." Dormul admitted.

"I believe I could do that with non-elves." Luvis said.

"That's good. Now I would suggest y'all head to the surface." I told them.

Some of the members of both parties nodded their heads in agreement. "Good idea." Lena said as she started to make sure they had all the supplies remaining. "Let's get going."

The two parties did a quick check to see what they had before heading towards the 24th floor.

I watched the two parties walk away. I kept an eye on them until they were out of sight, then I turned to Bell. I waited a few more moments.

"Bell." I called to Bell.

"W-what, Eilwyn? What do you need?" Bell asked.

"I've seen something horrible that's going to happen shorty. So, we need to talk about what we are going to do about it." I inform Bell and the rest of our party.

"I-is it that bad?" Bell asked.

I nodded my head, yes. "It will get very bad." I told Bell.

"We need to go to a safe place so we can talk about it." I told Bell and the rest of our group.

I turned to Lili "Lili, where's the closest dead end?" I asked her.

Lili looked at the map she is holding in her hands for a moment. "Then she pointed down one of the tunnels. "There's a small room just a little way down that tunnel." Lili replied.

A few minutes later everyone is in smallish room with only one entrance to it.

"What's up Eilwyn?" Welf asked me.

"I'll tell everyone what is going on once we are inside the PD." I told Welf.

"Okay." Was Welf's only reply.

I opened a portal to one of the PD's. "Everyone inside." I instructed everyone.

Everyone started moving and entering the PD. Once everyone was inside, I close the portal so no monsters or anyone or anything else can get into the PD.

I lead everyone around the house to the patio.

"Girls, would you go get some drinks and snacks for everyone." I asked my Team.

Iris giggles. "We will." Iris said and headed into the house and to the kitchen. She's followed by Cindy, Rosni and Kimmy.

I created enough chairs for everyone to be able to sit and a couple tables set side by side so we can have something to put our food on as we talk.

"Everyone please take a seat." I offered.

Bell had taken a seat, but he stood back up after a moment. "Eilwyn, what is going on?" Bell asked me.

I wasn't going to beat around the bush, so I went straight ahead. "In a day or so, Gale Wind will be going after a member of Evilus. She will attack one adventurer on the 18th floor as well as be accused of killing another member of Evilus, and then head down here to the Water City. This is not really about Gale Wind though. The members of Evilus are the main story. He and some of his cohorts will scatter inferno stones so he can ignite them and destroy a large part of the Water City." I start.

"Why would anyone want to do that!? That's crazy!" Welf exclaimed.

"It is craze. But that is what happened during the nightmare on the 27th floor some six years ago…" I stopped because my Team was setting trays of drinks and snacks on the tables. "Thank you." I told my Team.

I reached out and took a glass of tea and placed in in front of myself. Most of the others at the table took the time to get drinks and some of the snacks.

Once everything settled down again.

"When that happened a Monster Rex was spawned. The Guild named it 'The Juggernaut'. It is extremely fast, dexterous and it can shield itself from physical attacks and magic attacks. It killed most of the adventurers that hadn't died in the explosion that destroyed the Water City." I finished explaining what had happened during the nightmare on the 27th floor.

"Why would they want to do that again?" Daphne asked.

"For one, they want to create havoc and chaos. Another reason is, the guy behind all of it this time wants to put a magic collar on the Juggernaut so he can make it one of his monsters. He's a monster tamer but he uses magic collars to control the monsters. Plus, he wants to kill Gale Wind in the prosses if he can." I answer Daphne's question.

"What are we going to do, then?" Lili asked.

"That's the reason for this meeting. Because the irregular moss huge was killed so soon it has changed what is going to happen. That being, Dormul and Luvis's parties would have had to be taken up to the 18th floor to be healed and to recover. But because that didn't happen, we don't have to take them back to the 18th floor. That leaves us with deciding what to do now. We can go back up to the 18th floor and wait for the false claim that Gale Wind killed someone, which means we will be conscripted into coming back down to the Water City. Or we can stay down here and see if we can get Gail Wind when she arrives and possibly stop the Evilus members from destroying a large portion of the Water City." I give the options of what we could do.

What I didn't tell them is, as soon as I have a chance, I'm going to use Restore Mind on Ryu aka Gale Wind. By doing that, Ryu will be able to get over her guilt of her battle party being killed during the nightmare on the 27th floor, while she survived.

"So, whatever happens, we will be back down here tomorrow?" Aisha asked.

I nodded my head in agreement. "If things go as they should, we will wind up back down here tomorrow sometime." I confirmed.

"Is there any way we can get out of coming back down here?" Lili asked.

I shrugged my shoulders. "I could port all of us back to Hearthstone Manor. But the problem with that is, Gale Wind will more than likely be killed along with dozens of adventurers. And there is no telling what the tamer will do with the Juggernaut once he has it under his control." I told Lili.

"That's not good. That's not good at all." Bell responded.

"No, it's not good." Welf agreed. "I suggest we stay down here and do what we can to help Gale wind out and stop that tamer." Welf added.

"What about the expedition? How are we going to complete our expedition?" Lili asked concerned that we won't be able to complete our original goal.

"It's not likely going to be able to finish the expedition. It will be cut short no matter what. Even if we stay here or head back out, by mid-day tomorrow we will be involved in the Evilus scheme if we want to be or not." I explained. "Although we could spend the next few hours working as hard as we can to get all of the drop items and other materials, we need to complete the exposition."

"I knew I shouldn't have come on this expedition with you guys." Aisha said half seriously, half joking.

"We will also have to get around Bors and the residence of Rivira. They will be headed down here tomorrow as well." I added.

"What are we going to do then?" Daphne asked and looked towards me.

#DanMachi #Monsters #Dungeon #Orario #Is it wrong to try to pick up girls in a dungeon #Hestia #Welf #Bell #Mikoto #Haruhime #Ouka

[akkivee]

dh’s outfits from the hypnami’s staff report and some notes!!!!!!!:

sasara: he showed up to the studio with a black overcoat, a knit sweater and some plaid pants, all without a specific description so i just coordinated with rosho lol. the reporter said sasara didn’t look unlike a college student. he came in and introduced himself very calmly. chalk it up to his experience, but during the pre-recording meeting, where they went over what the radio program was about and its general feel, sasara didn’t ask for much clarification and was very quiet throughout the meeting and right up to the start of the radio. the reporter was actually very worried that sasara wouldn’t be able to deliver the radio with the energy they were looking for. but when sasara flipped the mic on, it was showtime baby; his energy was so high it heated up the recording room (and sasara had his own little handkerchief to wipe up sweat.) he came out of the room glowing and when he told the staff the show was fun, right then and there the staff became insta stans lol

rosho: his outfit is just a simple long blazer and a white collar shirt; stylish in its simplicity. it’s a style that’s apparently popular with old school popular comedians, but google didn’t provide with me specific images to go off of so i took liberties lol. the pocket kerchief is me adding something a little strange to his fit, since rosho, based on his guidebook clothes, likes accessorize with something bizarre (spikes on his shoes lol). he came well prepared to the studio with handwritten notes in a briefcase and actively participated in the pre-recording meeting. his nerves were getting the better of him tho, as he needed to take a moment outside before the recording and his stiff start. but the recording went well and the reporter commented he felt like he was back in school listening to him. after the recording, a young staff member had commented about how he hadn’t gotten into the college he wanted to and rosho took the time to listen and consult with him; it felt like an after school conversation with a chill teacher 🥺 

rei: yes, rei did come to this recording studio with a black glitter shirt, fur coat and a hat with rhinestones LMAO the description implies that his hat was completely covered with rhinestones but i wasn’t drawing that lol. due to his suspicious background, the staff were pretty tense waiting for him to show up. coupled with his height and dark yet flashy ensemble, everybody was pretty intimidated by him, like the staff member who handled his coat took it with trembling hands (to which he cheekily commented the coal was a fake lol) during the meeting, rei was very chatty and pointlessly chatty lmao he kept talking about his meals and how he was still able to eat ramen at midnight and how he never misses a workout etc. LOL the staff were worried about his necklace banging about on the table, but he took it off (commenting how the necklace was the real deal.) but they should have been worried about how loudly and unapologetically rei flips his papers 🤣 the recording took place late at night so the reporter was very confused when after the radio, instead of going drinking like he said he would during the radio, he actually had another job he needed to get done at that hour. suspicious 🤔

#vee is arting #rosho came out thirstier than i uhh i guess expected of myself LOL #i'll just say i channeled sasara energy when i doodled this * coughs* #but it's super interesting that sasara has an off mode like that!!!! #*sobs* and rosho bruh it's unfair how good of a man he is #there's apparently a large window in the studio and the reporter waxed poetic about rosho and that window lol #and on the flipside rei just looked like nightlife incarnate against that window with his outfit #*sniffs* i enjoy drawing bulk so this isn't me being a rei fucker or anything #i'm drawing rei the way he would want me to draw him coupled with my personal preference for bulky people LMAO #c: sasara #c: rosho #c: rei

[mooniefics]

AFTER CONTEMPLATING FOR SEVERAL MINUTES:

reiner braun 🤪 + “please?? just pretend we’re dating. it’s only for today, i promise!”

this is literally the cutest moonie, i'm proud of you for hitting 250!! ilysm 💖✨💕

oh my gosh i’m so sorry this took me so long,, thank u so much for the request n the congratulations mar !! very happy that my first work for this event can be for my love, our one n only reiner ♡(｡- ω -)

in all your years of knowing reiner, you couldn’t say that you’d ever once heard him sounding so frantic.

“please?? just pretend we’re dating. it’s only for today, i promise!”

those were the exact words he’d used over the phone, imploring for you to come to the official marley high ten-year reunion and pose as his girlfriend. despite how you assured him that you were certain no one would judge him for being single, he seemed adamant that it would be the exact opposite. and after a few apologies for your laughter at his predicament and a brief negotiation over his payment of getting you your favorite drink from the cafe near your workplace for the next few weeks, it was a done deal.

though you admittedly felt a twinge of anxiety upon entering the venue of chattering adults, dressed in the best semi-formal outfit you had in your closet, you could see that he was the more obviously nervous one between the two of you.

“just relax, rei.” you murmured, slipping your hand in his and giggling at the way his arm tensed, “these are your high school friends! i’m sure they’ll be surprised enough that you managed to find a nice girl like me all by yourself—“ he huffed disapprovingly, earning another small laugh, “—and only ask about your work or something.”

you barely finished your brief attempt at a pep talk when a loud voice came from somewhere by the food table. “is that you, braun?!”

reiner’s jaw shifted, a sign you’d come to learn meant him holding back a wince, turning to see a man with slicked back hair and a broad grin on his face approaching. based on his heavy-lidded gaze, paired with the red solo cup tipping dangerously horizontal in his grasp, you assumed he was quite tipsy already.

“considering how late you are, i wasn’t sure you’d even show,” he chuckled, still having to peer up at reiner despite still being taller than you, “but the more i thought about it, the more i remembered you never were the punctual type anyways.”

“great to see you too, porco..” reiner replied half-heartedly, palm already getting clammy in your grasp.

you glanced momentarily between them, deciding to come to your friend’s rescue by clearing your throat, drawing the teasing attention away from him. “actually, he was late because of me.” you flashed a smile, leaning into reiner’s side. “just wanted to look my best since i knew i was gonna be meeting his old friends.”

“holy shit..” porco muttered after a moment of silence, hazel eyes blowing wide as he stared at you like you’d disappear if he blinked even once, only breaking his gaze to turn over his shoulder and call out, “piecky, c’mere! i think reiner’s actually got a fuckin’ girlfriend!!”

you barely stifled a laugh at reiner’s low sigh of discomfort, pointedly ignoring how the people around glanced at porco’s shout. “did you seriously used to hang around with that guy?”

“no..” he grumbled back, “he hung around the people i hung around with and always gave me shit for no reason.”

“wow, rei, feeling a little feisty tonight, are we?”

he scoffed as you reached up to poke at his cheek, able to see the pink flush that had settled over his sharp features despite the dim lighting, dodging your inquiry while he looked ahead. “he’s coming back.”

putting on the smile you’d practiced so many times right back on, you caught sight of a cheerful dark-haired woman sidling over to your small group. “reiner?! you seriously got even taller? who’s this?”

you both exchanged names, offering a hand for her to shake which she eagerly took, turning to reiner for affirmation of your identity, to which he said, “yeah, she's my.. girlfriend...”

“how long have the two of you been together?”

“a couple months—”

“—almost a year.”

you quickly laughed off the sudden nerves of giving conflicting answers, turning back to reiner’s friends and recovering with, “we’re not super big on keeping track of dates. you know how time flies when you love someone.” you turned up to reiner, lips perking into a doting smile, “right?”

his cheeks flushed an even darker red, a sheepish smile brightening his expression. “right.”

“looks like you’re the only single one, pock.” pieck teased, laughing when the man rolled his eyes and huffed.

“you’re still with zeke?” reiner asked, prompting her to extend her left hand, waggling her fingers to show off the large diamond ring on her finger.

“yep, engaged for two years now!”

“apparently still too good to come to anything she invites him to.” porco grumbled in response.

“i already told you he’s on a business trip,” she frowned, taking his cup from his hand and taking a generous sip from it, “i’m sure he would’ve come if he hadn’t had somewhere else to be.”

“whatever you say..” he sighed, letting her finish his drink despite his apparent annoyance.

thankfully, your small slip up had been ignored, allowing both you and reiner to relax when the two finally turned their attention back to you. the night progressed much less turbulently than you’d previously anticipated, reiner allowing you to handle any questions directed at your relationship, not saying anything when you frequently slipped in little white lies to make everything seem more convincing. it didn’t stray terribly far from the truth, you were entirely honest about the way you’d met and the things that had made you “fall in love with him”. 

you took a strange amount of joy in posing as his significant other, just as he gave equally genuine reactions when you wrapped his arm around your shoulder or ate something from his plate of food, flustered and smiling all throughout. for a few brief moments, you almost forgot that he was meant to be pretending too. he’d seemed more than happy to see that you were getting along well with all his old friends.

you learned more about reiner in the hour that you’d been milling around the room with him than you probably ever had in the confines of the job environment that you’d met him in—intrigued to hear that he’d been the captain of the football team, feuded with the neighboring high-school’s while being head over heels for the captain of their cheer team, held the title of champion arm-wrestler for all four years he attended marley—little details that you made you would’ve never known had you never agreed to come. the unintentionally intimidating, humble, easy-to-fluster human resources manager that you’d befriended apparently used to be a total jock, always getting himself into trouble. 

and, based on how many times you’d been congratulated on managing to stick by his side for longer than a few months, you could only assume that you hadn’t even scratched the surface of discovering the entirety of reiner’s character.

eventually, your small group of four that’d you started out the night with had reconvened, tipsy from constantly sipping on spiked punch, an excited exclamation from pieck made all of you turn. “look! the photo booth finally opened up!!”

she was already rushing away for the corner of the venue before anyone could say a word, everyone following suit with a laugh as she stuffed a five dollar bill into the pay slot.

“uhh, pieck, i think this thing was only meant for two people.. max.” porco said after drawing open the curtain, earning a frown from her.

“but i want us all to take a picture together!” she slid into the booth despite the observation, turning to you, “c’mon, i’m sure we could all squeeze in if you sat on reiner’s lap.”

you felt your face flush, knowing there was no way to work around her request without raising some kind of suspicion and ruining the act you’d both somehow maintained for the entire night. “sounds like a plan..!”

you could feel how tense reiner was behind you as you got settled on his thighs, hesitating to rest his hands on either side of you while pieck and porco struggled to work the screen before them. you were starting to regret not asking if this was okay with him before agreeing, but you were sure he would’ve found some way out of the situation if he was truly uncomfortable. he only seemed to be preoccupied with the thought of making you uncomfortable, something which made a flicker of affection warm your chest.

“alright! we’ve got four pictures,” pieck announced, “starting... now! and make the first a normal one!”

the first three pictures were the standard photo booth antics—one with all of you smiling normally, one with all of you making the most ridiculous face you could think of in five seconds, and one of all of you arguing over what the third photo should’ve been.

“do something cute for the last one to make up for the messed up one!” pieck demanded through her laughter, pointing urgently at the countdown on the screen, “hurry up an’ kiss or something!!”

you turned back to look at reiner, wide golden eyes gazing down at you, obviously unprepared for the steadily escalating circumstance that was only being intensified by the chanting of “kiss, kiss, kiss!” coming from the woman who’d paid for the photos in the first place. and although you knew you had no obligation to do what she asked just because she had been so kind to you despite only meeting you tonight, or because the timer was winding down towards zero all too quickly, you still found yourself reaching out a hand to settle just under his jaw, heart racing impossibly fast when you realized he was already leaning down to meet you halfway.

his lips were still sweet with whatever juice had been mixed with alcohol, skin warm and blushing from your proximity, the hand that had been resting in your lap wandering to lace your fingers with his. the exchange didn't last nearly long enough, the click of the camera drawing you back to the cramped reality, pieck's cheers through giggles and porco's disgusted scoff for you two to get a room.

"i better be invited to your wedding!" pieck joked, reaching across you to draw open the curtains in a silent sign for you to pry yourself away from reiner.

"likewise." you replied with a smile, almost giddy with excitement as you clambered out of the photo booth.

though reiner's expression just barely passed as casual, his cheeks were burning red, even the tips of his ears flushed as the four of you waiting for the machine to dispense your photos. the function was winding down fast, and as soon as your drawn-out goodbyes were finally finished, you and reiner left, hand-in-hand, much to talk over but neither of you willing to speak until you'd reached the privacy of his car.

you turned to him, smiling in the dim glow on the lights of his dash, laughing softly at his sheepish expression, "i know you said we'd only pretend for a day but.. you think i could request a little extension?"

#moonie's shooting star event 1 #reiner braun #snk reiner #snk #aot #reiner x reader #reiner x you #reiner x y/n #attack on titan #shingeki no kyojin #snk x reader #snk x y/n #snk x you #aot x y/n #aot x reader #aot x you #shingeki no kyoujin fanfiction

[cinnamon-bebe]

Chemtrails (Pedro Pascal x Fem!Reader)

Chemtrails (Pedro Pascal X Fem!Reader)

Summary: "If you died today, would you be happy with the life you've lived?" What happens when you've sacrificed your love for fame and fortune? Despite the glitz and glamour, the Reader is all Pedro can think about. The stars have never been on your side but can you rewrite the plans they have for you?

Warning: Angst, Fluff, Occasional Cursing

Inspired by the song Chemtrails Over the Country Club by Lana Del Rey

"I'm on the run with you, my sweet love

There's nothing wrong contemplating God

Under the chemtrails over the country club"

"Baby what's your sign?"

"You're in the wind, I'm in the water

Nobody's son, nobody's daughter

Watching the chemtrails over the country club"

Pedro's POV

The chatter of a hundred people and yet I still only hear your voice. Memories of your words, from years past.

You asked me what my sign was, I told you I was an Aries. You laughed and told me we shouldn't be friends, the stars say so. The stars say we're incompatible, we'd be at each other's throats. I'm a fire sign and you didn't need any more drama. I kissed you for the first time and told you I'd prove you wrong, you simply smiled and looked off to the chemtrails that flew over us.  

Memories from years past.

I didn't have much to offer you but I told you that you could take my word. At that time, it was worth more than anything I could have given you.

"You want me to defy the stars?" You raised an eyebrow, a smile teasing your face.

"The stars can go fuck themselves." I told you and kissed you again.

We were so young. We were nobodies. Running through the concrete jungle, with your hand in mine. Sun dress and kisses at midnight convenience stores, splitting a hot dog on a summer day because we needed money for the show at 7.

We used to contemplate the meaning of life over a bottle on our little balcony. I asked you if you were happy and you smiled but did not reply.

"If you died today, would you be happy with the life you've lived?" You asked me instead.

"No." I told you. "There's so much more I want to do. I want to be somebody."

I didn't know it then but that was the moment I started to lose you.

Memories from years past.

I find myself sitting at a restaurant now, with more money to line my pockets, pats on the back from strangers. People know my name and it comes out in whispers, as they stare over their expensive plate, getting cold just to catch a glimpse of me.

A beautiful woman sits across from me. As if a movie star isn't a big enough draw, a woman like her only invites more gazes. She looks like she'd just stepped off a screen herself. She gives me all her attention, so much so that she does not register the envious stares from the others around her.

Her lips are moving, perhaps a funny anecdote came to mind or is she telling me about her sister's wedding again that she mentioned before?  I cannot tell you, for my mind is elsewhere, with someone else.

"So would you like to come?" She smiles brightly at me, her perfect teeth sitting between her lips, painted in a dusty pink.  

"Huh?" I snap out of my daze, embarrassed that I was clearly not paying attention.

"Jule's wedding, did you...want to be my date for the day?" She blushes, hopeful.

"Oh. I...uh. I don't know Kate. I have a pretty packed schedule coming up, I don't know if I'll have time." I try to make up an excuse.

"It's too early isn't?" She bites her lip sheepishly. "I'm sorry, I know we've only been dating for a few weeks, I shouldn't have sprung this up on you so fast."

"No no, please don't be silly. I love weddings!" I try to laugh it off. "It's just that, with the new movie coming up, I need to start preparing before we go into production."

"I understand." She nods with a smile, "Comes with the territory when you're dating a big movie star I guess." She looks at me, I'm not sure if she's anticipating a response but I reciprocate with a grin and wave at the waiter for another drink.

Soon enough, she excuses herself from the table to go to the ladies room and I'm left sitting alone at our spot. I grow tiresome of the incessant chattering from the tables around me and I massage the temples of head, wishing I was at home in the comfort of my bed with just the company of my television.

I see glances from a small table to the side of me, a group of young women clearly too shy to ask for a photograph, egging each other on to make the first move over to me. Their hopes quickly dashed as I feel a firm hand on my shoulder, turning me around.

"Pedro?" A familiar voice calls my name.

"Anthony! Fancy seeing you here!" My eyes widen as I pull an old friend down for a hug.

"It's my anniversary with Charlize, we're just celebrating! God I haven't seen you for so long!" He shakes his head, slowly looking me up and down, examining my so-called transformation. I've aged so much since we last we saw each.

"How long have you been here?" I ask.

"A couple of hours, I actually saw you before but I..uh...I didn't want to interrupt your date."

Date? I swallow the word whole.

"You lucky man. She's very pretty." He comments.

"Yeah, she is."

"You could seem a bit more interested though but those are Charlize's words, not mine." He raises his hands up, letting his wife take the blame.

"I must seem like an ass, don't I?" Poor Kate, how spoilt am I to show a woman like her so little interest. "I haven't dated for so long, it's just hard getting back into the scene that's all."

Anthony let's out an inaudible "oh" and I know he's thinking the same thing, I can practically hear the name sitting on his tongue, desperately wanting to come out. 

"How is Y/N?" I break the ice, allowing the elephant in the room an escape before he suffocates along with me.

"She's good, very good actually. She's a documentary film maker now. Her work is amazing, you'd love it." Anthony couldn't help his excitement when speaking about you and I feel an intense pang of sadness and jealousy seeing his eyes light up. To see you, celebrate you. I wonder if you've aged like me or do you still look the same as how I remember. Do you still crinkle your nose every time you hear a bad joke? Do your eyes still get red and glassy when you look at the sky because you're wondering if anyone's looking down on you? I wish I knew.

"Listen, I have to go." Anthony looks back at his wife who gives me a polite wave from a distance.

"It was really good seeing you Anthony, I'm sorry we haven't spoken all these years. It's just with work..." I recycle that old excuse again.

"Don't worry about it...you made it! I know you worked really hard to get where you are now. I know you had to make a lot of sacrifices..." The last sentence, spoken so softly, it was almost drowned out. "I'm genuinely happy for you."

I nod, giving my friend one last hug before I ready for him to turn and leave, instead he hesitates and looks at me.  

"Hey Pedro?"

"Yeah?"

"She still lives in the neighbourhood." He looks down at the scarf in his hand before patting me on my arm. "Just so you know."

With that, he waves me goodbye. Walking back to his wife, who he wraps his arm around. The way she naturally rests into him and slips her hand into his coat pocket as they exit the restaurant, I wonder if I'd ever have that level of intimacy with Kate.  

__________________________________________________

I sent her home in a taxi. "I have an early morning and need to prep for some meetings", my excuse for her this time. Kate's disappointed expression, as I gave her a kiss on the cheek is the last thing on my mind.

Scuffing the cap of my leather shoes, I kick at the pavement. The world moves past me as I hide myself in the bubble of my thoughts. I have no sense of direction, my legs taking me to no intended destination, only letting the neon lights around guide me to where it desires.

Anthony's words were still ringing in my ears.

Would you want to see me?

My mind reminds me of the last time we were together.

"I don't know how much longer I can keep doing this, if I don't leave the city now, I may never get my chanc-"

"Get your chance to do what? Be a star?" You were sat deep in the corner of the sofa, far from me. Your voice calm and monotonous as you watched me pace up and down our tiny apartment. I couldn't decipher your expression, it was as if you knew what I was going to say.

"I want to make something out of my life! I want to prove to everyone and myself that I can make it Y/N. I don't want to waste my life away." I moved towards you, our presence separated by the little vintage coffee table I hated but still bought home because you loved it so much.

"Well then go, I don't want to hold you back from chasing your dreams."

"Y/N-"

"No. It's okay Pedro. I understand...I really do. I don't want to stop you from pursuing what you love." You got up from your spot, you seemed so small to me as you closed the gap between us. Your hand felt so light against my face, like you were disappearing before me. "Don't live in regret because of me."

"Y/N come wi-" I tried to hold you, hold you before you evaporated.

"No. My place is here." You took your hand away, moved back, the space between us grew more and more distant. "I don't have big dreams like you do. I like normality. I like living my life however I want it, do whatever I want, whenever I want. You asked me if I was happy...and I am."

"Would you still be happy without me?"

I stared at you. My gut sank because I already knew this was the end. You didn't have to tell me.

"I don't know..." You managed to smile, even through the gentle tears that formed in your eyes. "But I know you would be without me."

"That's not true." I tried to reach for you but you pulled away.

"We're very different people Pedro...I told you, we're incompatible. It's time we listened to the stars."

My thoughts are suddenly interrupted as I feel a hand rest softly on the small of my back.

"Hello sir, would you like to buy a rose?" An elderly woman smiles up at me. A child stands obediently nearby, holding a bouquet of individually wrapped stems, clearly past his bedtime but still helping Grandma late at night. The child looks tired, sad. Judging by the number of roses still in his hands, they must have had an unlucky day.

"How much for one?" I return her kind smile, taking out my wallet.

"$2. Thank you, thank you so much sir." The old woman sighs in relief calling the child over to bring the flowers for me to pick. Each stem had a handwritten tag with various cheesy sentiments adorned.

....A kiss in exchange for a rose...

...You're more beautiful than any flower but here's one to show you my love anyway...

....Would you be my Valentine?...

....Please forgive me, I was an idiot.

I chuckle at the last one before picking a rose at random.

I take out $100 and watch the old lady's eyes panic as she reaches in her purse to find change. Taking her hand firmly in mine, I assure her it wasn't necessary.

"I'll take one rose for the $100. You keep the rest of the flowers and have a good night okay?"

The woman looks at the child with her mouth agape and then back at me, clearly taken aback by the gesture.

"Sir, are you sure?"

"Yes, take the kid home and get some rest. This one rose itself is worth every dollar." I pat her hand which trembles in mine.

"Thank you! Thank you! Bless you and the woman who receives your rose!"

Taking the child's hand they quickly walk away, whispering to each other and disappearing into the night.

I stare at the flower in my hand and bring it closer to my face, studying the message on the tag.

...Let's defy the stars and write our own destiny.

I stand in the dark of night, illuminated only by the cafe lights ready to turn off for the day. My hand grips the stem as if it weighed a hundred tons yet afraid it would float away like a feather. The frantic honking of the traffic seems to taunt me, the laughter from the bars nearby seem to be mocking this idiot of a man standing in the middle of the streets, holding a flower he paid $100 for.

"Just do it!" I hear a young boy shout at his friend attempting a skateboard trick up the block.

Just do it. I repeat to myself. Just fucking do it.

"Taxi!"

 _________________________________________________

I remember these steps, we used to sit here with the neighbours' kids. Charlie, I think that was his name? I remember little Charlie proposing to you with a plastic ring and threatening to get his kindergarten buddies on me, simply for existing. I can't help but laugh at that memory.

Everyone was in love with you, the young, the old. They couldn't help but fall for your charms, your kindness, the way you'd smile at them even if you've never spoken a word to each other. Everyone was under your spell, including me.

You told me you loved me on these steps.

I had gotten back from a bad audition and couldn't bear to go home to you. I sat here for hours until you saw me from the balcony and came down. You didn't ask me anything. You just sat with me as we watched the kids run up and down the block, racing each other, teasing each other. I looked at you and you gave me a kiss on the nose.

"I love you."

You said it so quietly at first that I pretended I didn't I understand.

You rolled your eyes and pulled my face into yours, telling me you loved me over and over again as you smothered me with your kisses.

That was one of the happiest moments of my life.

Walking past our faded figures, I enter the building and see that nothing has changed.

The walls were the same duck egg green. The bulletin board covered in layers of flyers and advertisement, some new, with plenty dated months back. I wouldn't be surprised if the audition ads I tried out for from years ago were still there.

The smell of various cuisines mingle together to form its own unique indecipherable aroma.

A comforting aroma.

I look to the elevator, still out of order. Obviously.

We only lived on the third floor, the stairs will be fine.

I prepare myself for the incline when a voice calls out to me.

"Where are you going?"

I turn around and see our old building superintendent, decked out in his uniform. Stanley.

"Stan! It's me Pedro! Wow, you're still here!" I walk to him.

"Who?" He looks me up and down, completely confused as to who the hell I am.

"Pedro from 3B upstairs? I used to live with Y/N...maybe you don't remember me because of the moustache." I rub the bottom of my nose sheepishly.

"No...I don't remember you."

Old Stanley, perhaps age is catching up to him.

"I'm just going to see Y/N." I try to resume my journey but he stops me once more.

"No entry into the building if you're not a resident!" He points to the sign on the wall.

"Since when was that a rule?" I throw my hand in the air.

"Since today. We have too many unsavoury men try to come into the building, how do I know if you really know Miss Y/L/N? I'm not letting any potential predators or burglars into the building."

"But Stan she-"

Pointing to the sign on the wall again, he raises an angry brow. Not wishing a full body beat down by ol' Stan, I take myself back out the building like a bad dog.  

I sit on the steps, sighing in defeat. I try to convince myself that coming here is a mistake.

"Defy the stars...pfft! You've been in way too many movies Pedro." I mumble to myself, as I dig my thumb nail into the stem of the rose.

Perhaps we're only given the choice to rewrite our destiny but it doesn't mean destiny would just sit idly by and let you do whatever you want. It's probably for the best. What would I say anyway?

Running my hand through my hair, I get up to leave. The adrenaline from earlier had drained so quickly out of me, that its left me a fatigued mess. Move on Pedro, it's time to go home.

"Hey movie star." A voice calls from above. "You looking for me?"

Your hair falls past your face as you lean over the balcony and in that moment I feel my heart break into a million pieces.

There you are.

Standing before me, even more beautiful than when you left, if that is even possible.

You're wearing a simple white vest and grey shorts, one leg rubbing softly against the other. Your skin bears the warm orange glow reflected from the lights inside your apartment.

You look so raw, so delicate.

Every pulse in my body aches seeing you again.

"Wow." I breathe. "You look..."

You hide your laugh and I can see you blushing from behind your hand.

"Thanks. You look great too. I'm like the...um..." You rub under your nose with your finger.

"Thank you, I grew it out for a role but now people tell me I look like their grandma without it." I shrug, much to your amusement.

"What are you doing here?" You speak, more softly, more seriously.

How do I even respond to this question? I was out on a date with another woman but I bumped into our old friend who told me I should find you? Or should I go with I met an old woman and her kid, who I'm pretty sure were cupid's little minions, sent down to earth to give me a rose and to fuck with me?

"I was just in the neighbourhood. I wanted to see if you wanted to um...go out for a coffee?" I lie.

You look at me incredulously, clearly seeing through my bullshit.

"Everything is shut by now." You simply respond.

"Oh...well maybe we can just talk then?"

You tap the metal rails, where you lay your arms. Are you contemplating whether to come down or throw a bucket of water over me? I guess I'll have to wait and see.

Without saying a word, you disappear out of sight. The lights in your apartment switches off.

What does this mean? Are you off to bed?

Before I could ruminate any more, the doors open from behind me and you slip through.

God, you look even better up close.

My hands instinctively reach out to touch you but I withdraw quickly before you could see. You had wrapped yourself in a fleecy blanket, the threads a deep purple.

Without saying a word, you sit down on the step and I can only follow suit, my mind can no longer make decisions for itself it seems.

You smell the same, that same soft floral scent I used to love. The one I used to breathe in when I'd hold you close to me in bed because I didn't want you to leave for work.

Our knees are so close, they almost touch.

"So what did you want to talk about?"

For a minute I don't know how to respond, I just don't want to stop looking at you.

"I was...I was wondering if you were thinking about me?"

You laugh, I laugh too. Of course you weren't.

"I think about you all the time." You tell me so casually, it catches me off guard.

"You do?" I whisper in disbelief.

"It's hard not to when you're on every other billboard in the city."

Oh.

"I think about you all the time too Y/N."

You smile and look up at the sky. The night is aligned with many stars tonight and they all call for your attention but mine. I feel greedy staring at you but I'm simply making up for all the nights that I was alone without you, all those kisses I've shared with women that weren't you.

"What do you think the stars are telling us tonight?" I ask.

You grin and without looking back at me, you say "I think the stars are laughing at us."

"Do you think the stars have changed their mind about us?"

You finally turn to me, your eyes drop. "I don't think that's how it works Pedro."

"If this is the life the stars have planned for me, a life without you, then I don't want it Y/N."

"Pedro-"

"I thought if I made a name for myself, if people knew who I was, then I'd be sure of who I am...but who I'm meant to be, who I want to be...is to be with you." Your eyes meet mine, coloured with emotions you are scared to express. "I look for you everywhere I go Y/N, in every women I meet but you are always a world away."

"We don't even know each other anymore Pedro."

"You are the only one who has always known who I am, even before me Y/N. I'm still as strange and as wild as I have always been. I'm still as messy and as clumsy as I was before. I still love cheap corner store liquor and dancing terribly in public. I still look at chemtrails whenever they past me...because they remind me of you."

"Chemtrails are bad for you, they say they're chemicals."  You tell me, your voice low and expressionless.

"If I die with you as my last thought, it won't be so bad."

I finally find the courage to reach for you and you don't recoil from me, you let me gently run my finger against the hair that falls down past your face. You close your eyes and I selfishly take you, pulling you towards me.

I rest my forehead against yours and I savour this moment where I can be close to you and not let it be a memory.

"What if I've changed?" You whisper.

"Well then I'll spend the rest of my life getting to know you again."

"If I told you to run away with me tonight, would you?" You open your eyes to see me, your expression as serious as ever.

"You're my home Y/N. I'll go wherever you go. Even if it's to another galaxy, we'll drive a little red Corvette into space together and leave this all behind."

You smile and tug on the bottom of your lip. "You think the stars would still allow us to go to space?"

"Fuck the stars." I say as I take your lips.

Oh, how I've missed the sweetness of your taste; in this moment you are spoiling me rotten. You wrap your arms around me and allow the blanket to drop from your shoulders. The only stars that mattered now are those in our eyes. They're telling me the future and it's you. It's always been you.

The sirens of the city and the plane overhead may be loud but I hear nothing over the sound of your heart beat.

You pull away and we both laugh.

In this moment, we are perfect. I am no longer the famous celebrity that belonged to everyone. I am not a son and you are no one's daughter.

We only belong to each other.

I see you shiver and look towards the door.

"Let's go inside." You get up and take my hand, guiding me back to our home. The one I've longed for ever since I left.

The building is quiet, everyone asleep by this hour but old Stan at his desk. I try to shuffle past as inconspicuously as I could, my hand entwine with yours.

"Welcome back Mr Pascal." Stanley greets us as clear as day, his head not even looking up from above his phone.

"Wha- so you do remember me!"

Sly old dog.

Stanley doesn't respond and concentrates on his screen instead.

You shake your head and pull me up the steps but not before I set down my lucky rose on the desk.

"Good night Stan."

I call out before I chase my love up the stairs, both of us ready to write our next chapter together. I don't know what it will entail but I know if you're in it, it will be the greatest adventure I'll ever take.

"Kids these days." Stan sighs, closing the article on his phone and clicking on a familiar app. Putting his feet up, he relaxes with a smile on his face as the Mandalorian theme song begins to play.

#pedro pascal #pedro pascal fanfiction #the mandalorian #din djarin #javier pena #pedro pascal x reader #narcos #ww1984 #maxwell lord #oberyn martell #game of thrones #frankie morales #triple frontier #pedro pascal imagine #fanfiction #chemtrails #lana del rey

[dabiboy]

Here is part 2! Tbh I want to see more about Natsu's and Rei's reaction, and of course what is going to happen with Dabi, so enjoy the cliffhanger 👀 let me know if you'd like to be tagged!

Part 1

Rencounter [Part 2/?]

Two weeks ago

"Dabi?'' You said in surprise as you opened the door and he stepped into your apartment, ''I thought you were not coming until next week''

''We need to talk, y/n'' He said, not even looking at you. You walked towards him once the door was closed.

''Is everything all right?'' When you were facing him, you lifted a hand to caress his cheek but he abruptly pulled away.

''Stop that, for fuck's sake. Stop that.'' Your jaw dropped slightly, he was usually rough but that rough?

''Stop what?'' You asked in disbelief, moving your hand to its previous position.

''All of this, us'' You noticed how he clenched his jaw and then his blue eyes were right over yours ''This needs to be over, y'hear me?''

''What?'' You asked with a smile, a smile that was there because you thought he was joking, but when he didn't laugh you knew he was not faking it ''You're kidding, right?''

''I'm not kidding. This? You and I? Can't keep happening anymore. And thank me I came all the way here and not just fucking disappear from your life from one day to another.''

''I can't believe this, Dabi. Why? Yesterday you texted me, things were fine and I-'' He cut you off, not even paying attention to the tears in your eyes, or the confusion and pain in your voice.

''I was not made for this, I can't just be here and play the happy little couple with you. So fuck all of this.'' He turned over and started walking to the door again ''Sorry for making you waste your time'' And right then, getting out of the frozen state you grabbed his wrist, making him look at you over his shoulder.

''You're not leaving until you give me a reason,'' Holding back the tears, you spoke ''What the hell? Yesterday you sent me a text telling me that you loved me, that you cared about me and now this?''

''Can't you fucking see it, then?'' He scoffed, turning around again ''I care about you more than I should, y/n. And the only thing I'm doing is dragging you down with me, it is better if I leave.''

''We... We had this type of conversation before, and I already told you that-''

''Told me what? That you'll stay with me until the end? My end is near, and if I don't go to jail I'll die and drag everyone down with me.'' He raised his voice. ''Get away from me, move on. Get a fucking life, one that's better than the shit I give you''

''You don't give me shit, Dabi. I love you, everything about you and how you are when you're with me'' It was impossible to hold back the tears that were escaping from your eyes at that point.

''You think I haven't noticed? How you look at couples in the street? Or the way you smile at the screen when you see your friends sharing their damn life, getting engaged, having kids, moving together. I can't even take you out for a fucking coffee'' He snapped.

''I never asked you any of that! I smile because I'm happy for them, not because I want their lives!'' You snapped to. Why was it so hard for him to understand? ''I'm not planning getting married, either having kids. I don't want the world to know, I give a fuck about posting pictures and stories on Instagram, I just want to enjoy my time with you!''

''You're not enjoying it! You are worried all the fucking time, let me go! Forget about me, get you someone who gives you what you deserve!'' If he could cry, tears would be running down his cheeks as well. ''I'm broken, I'm cursed. I look like a fucking zombie, y/n. Get the fuck away from me before we both go down.'' Dabi said in between his teeth as he hit the table with his fist.

''Listen, I know you. I know you're not a role model, I know you've killed people and done even worse. I'm not romanticizing those actions, they're wrong as fuck but guess what, this society is wrong too. All that Enji did to you? How some actions are done by heroes are hidden? All the pain you went through? All of this is fucked up. But guess what, I fell for you, for the one I knew under all of that pain'' You almost yelled, feeling your eyes burning because of the tears and your heart racing.

''Oh you do? Sorry to break it up to you, but I'm nothing but a monster, a villain who doesn't regret his actions, and will not regret them.''

''The monster that tells me how much he loves me when he thinks I fell asleep? Or the one that plays with my hair when I'm sad?'' Dabi was silent ''Is that the monster you're talking about?''

''Y/n...'' Dabi denied ''You're not getting this. I might hurt you, and I don't want that.''

''You won't. I'm a grown woman, I know where I am standing, and I want to keep standing by your side. ''And I also know you might die soon, so please, don't push me away. Not now'' This time your voice was low, your chin trembling. You felt how his hand pulled you from your nape, making your forehead rest against his. It was his gesture, the one he used to do when he wanted to say he loved you but he couldn't, the one when thanked you for anything, or the one when he wanted just to be close to you but was too ashamed to ask.

''Are you sure about this?'' He whispered ''Are you sure you want to burn with me?'' Dabi's eyes were closed, clenching his teeth as he resisted the urge to kiss you and hold you in his arms.

''Today, tomorrow, and always'' You whispered back, caressing his cheek with your thumb as you sobbed.

............................................

Present time

Crickets and the sound of leaves against branches were the only sound filling the room, that and two lovers' breathing. You used one finger to trace Dabi's chest, drawing imaginary figures on his chest. The side of your body was holding your weight as you kept looking at him under the blueish light. Once you got tired, you pressed a soft kiss on his shoulder and lay down by his side, one hand on his abdomen and your face nuzzled against his neck.

''So you were really willing to burn with me'' He said suddenly, a raspy and tired voice.

''I told you I was'' You said, and then lifted your eyes at him ''How are you feeling?''

''Like shit'' He said, and then looked at the door ''y/n,'' he said in a low voice, still looking at the door ''Are they here?''

''Yes, they are.'' You said softly, having no idea how to approach that topic.

''What a lovely family meeting'' He chuckled and then coughed. ''This is so fucked up'' Dabi said again, moving his head to the side so it could rest on your temple.

''How can you still be an idiot even in this state?'' you said a little amused

''It is just who I am, doll. Can't help it y'know'' you felt a bit coldness in the hand that was on his abdomen, and it were the staples he had on his hand when he grabbed yours and squeezed it tightly.

Meanwhile, outside the room was someone watching every move. Her eyes were filled with tears, should she run over the man laying there or should she just wait? Rei thought that the second option suited best. His first son, the one who was wounded as much as physically and mentally looked in peace while laying next to the woman he loved. She had waited over years, a few hours more were fine. But what was Rei supposed to say to him? Was he going to hate her? Hate Natsu? Dabi was unpredictable, and his reaction had her worried. Maybe she was better at the hospital, isolated from all of that, but she already left her son on his own once, and now she had the chance to at least say sorry.

An hour passed, and you could tell Dabi was asleep again because of the rhythm of his chest, rising and falling slowly. His mouth was slightly open and his traits looked more relaxed. You left a kiss on his cheek before getting up, making your way towards the kitchen. Rei was standing in front of the window with a blanket over her shoulders, but she looked at you when your footsteps were louder.

''Sorry, I didn't mean to interrupt'' You said with a small smile.

''You didn't'' She replied, looking calmer than you expected ''Is Tou-''She cut herself ''Is he okay?''  

''Yes, he's sleeping right now. But tomorrow he'll be better, I think'' You smiled at her. It was hard to find the words, but just when you were about to say something, a male voice interrupted.

''Mother?'' Natsu asked, rubbing his eye with the side of his hand. ''Is everything ok?''

''Yeah, we were just speaking'' Rei said.

''Oh, I'm y/n by the way.'' You said looking at the two of them ''It is not the best way to meet but, here we are'' you shrugged your shoulders. ''I... I need to go to the village tomorrow to get some things, so... You can stay with him in the morning and, you know. I don't want to interrupt you'' you knew his story, and they had a lot to talk about.

''Maybe it is better if you're here. I haven't seen much but you're important to him, so probably he'll feel better if you're here''

The truth behind his words and Rei's agreement on Natsu's statement was that they were not sure what to do or how to act with him on their own.  When Dabi was having hallucinations earlier, he recognized you. Rei saw you and him laying together, and she heard that tiny piece of conversation that told her you were important to him, someone he cared about. After saying that you were going to try and arrive earlier tomorrow so you can be there once Dabi's was awake, you gave them a smile so you could return to the room you were sharing with Dabi.

You lay back down, and you could felt how he moved and held you by the waist, pressing his chest against your torso, forehead against forehead as his hand was on your nape, using his thumb to caress the zone.

''Dabi! You're hurt, lay how you were'' You said worried, not even moving.

''I've been worse. Now shut up and just stay here'' Dabi mumbled, his scent and breathing close so close to you making you feel at home.

''Fine, you whining kid'' you laughed and heard him let out a low chuckle ''Do you need anything before I fall asleep?'' You asked, moving your fingers on his chest.

''A can of beer, maybe. Or you going down on me. Maybe you going down on my as I drink beer, that shit would be nice'' He said with a smile, making you laugh again.

''I'm serious, Dabi. Water? something for the pain?'' You asked again.

''I'm fine, dollface. Just keep your ass here by my side and don't go''

''Guess I could do that''

''You better''

You knew it. The way he held you, his snarky comments to avoid an answer, his hand on your nape, and silence. He was not Ok, he needed you there because he didn't know how to handle things at that point. His mother and brother were there, he saw them for brief seconds but it felt weird. His hate was against Endeavor, even against Shoto, but his mom? She was just another victim, and Natsu? He was there to hear him, to be a kind of support for him, how could he give them the same treatment as Endeavor? Those questions were screaming inside his head, and as they were becoming louder, the tighter he was holding you against his body.

Time kept moving, and before any of you could notice,

Morning came.

...................................

Tag list: @mikasackrmann @babayaga67 @sociallyanxiousmouse @peculiarinsomniac @makeusfreefromthisfandom

#bnha+dabi #dabi #bnha dabi #dabi x reader #boku no hero academia #dabi headcanons #dabi imagine #mha dabi #Spotify

[tropicalchiaa]

The Right Choice

Kylo Ren Au X Reader

This is inspired by the “Personal Playlist” , thank you for the tag @cornmousequeen

Most of my songs are about moving on from something that was kinda toxic

You were at a benefit for a hunger initiative when you locked eyes with him. Kylo Ren the poster child for a hot rich businessman. Your ex-boss' son, biggest opponent, and most essential your ex-boyfriend.

You can't help but think back to Kylo and your relationship from time to time. At the end of the day, it was right for you to leave. Kylo wasn’t always sunshine and rainbows. He was hot-headed, paranoid, and mean. But when he was the man you fell in love with, nothing else mattered but you two.

He is so manipulative that you had to separate yourself from ever being in close contact with him because it was a matter of when not if he would draw you back in. And luckily with a recommendation, you were able to move states to work with another senator but that doesn't stop him from making sure to drop into events he has no business being at like tonight.

Let's start from the beginning. You met Kylo when you were working at Senator Organa’s office. He was a few years older working at a multimillion-dollar company that stood against everything his mother was working towards. Which is why you always heard him coming before you saw him. Screaming something along the lines of “YET AGAIN YOU MAKE ME LOOK BAD WITH YOU HIPPY AGENDA!” You always made sure to steer clear of him when he was on a raging path.

It wasn't until you were invited over to Leia’s house for a dinner party that you formally met Kylo. It came as quite a shock when he was sweet instead of a total menace. You guys flirted the whole time and when the night came to a close there were plans for dinner the next day.

The dinner was extravagant and went even better than expected. You felt as if you could talk to Kylo for hours and never run out of things to say. He was the perfect gentleman and sealed the night with a sweet kiss. After a few more great dates, you guys were an official couple.

The first few months you were shielded from his aggressive side until you came over after he had a bad day. You could feel the shift in energy as you walked through the door, this wasn't the same Kylo you had been getting to know. No, the whole night he was short, mean, and aggressive with you. Calling you rude names and taking instead of asking. But him being his charming self, apologized the next day with a dozen roses while borderline begging.

Sadly, that was the end of the honeymoon phase and the start of your toxic cycle. It wasn't until a few years in when he started to talk about marriage and starting a family that you realized that you could not allow this cycle to continue.

Voicing that you wanted to end the relationship led to months of him being “better” until another stressor came along, and he did the unthinkable. You were in the kitchen when you heard the door slam. You stayed in the kitchen knowing he would be there after he filled his glass with expensive liquor. Kylo stood in the doorway as he said, “You and my mother made me lose a 20-million-dollar account today. Which then caused Snoke and Hux to chastise me on how I can’t control the women in my life. DO YOU KNOW HOW EMBARRASSING THAT IS??” Finishing his rant by huffing in your face. “I’m sorry that happened but you knew what I stood for before we started dating,” you say calmly trying to de-escalate the situation.

“You are right, so you need to quit! I'm tired of all the bullshit I have to face because of you Y/N.” Kylo says as he slams his fist on the counter trying to get you to back down. “No, I love my job and I will not quit just because you can't take some heat,” you say walking away to remove yourself from the situation.

While ignoring him calling your name you start to ascend the stairs until you are yanked back with a deathing pop. You turn to Kylo and stare as it took a few seconds of quiet to realize what happened. You could literally feel the pain shoot up your arm as you watch the color drain from Kylo’s face.

He rushed you to the hospital where you found out you had a dislocated shoulder. With the good cover story told you were able to leave without much trouble after the doctor reset your arm. As you settled for bed that night you told him it was over completely, and for the first time he didn't object as he was hunched over ashamed.

The harassment started a month after you officially moved out. Text from various numbers, calls every hour, showing up to the office whenever he could, and waiting by your car when the day was done begging for forgiveness. Unfortunately, just changing your number wouldn't do much so you had to reluctantly leave Leia’s team and move. His last hurrah before you left was to propose to you in front of the whole office, which ended with him being escorted off the premises by cops because he wouldn't take no for an answer.

Currently, you were living in California and working for a senator's office when you saw him and Rey his new girlfriend at another event he had no business being at. You had managed to keep your distance all night from Kylo and kept close to your date Poe. That was until you were getting your coat so you could leave for the night.

“Y/N lovely seeing you here,” Kylo says smugly. “Not so lovely seeing you, Mr. Ren. bye,” you reply harshly but were stopped by a body blocking your way. “Where are you running off to? I haven't been able to talk to you all night, do you know how much I had to donate to be here? All to see your pretty face, but you won't even give me the time of day. Why is that?” he professes as he reaches out to hold your face.

Looking bewildered you spit back “Kylo we are never going to be anything again. No matter how much money you spend or how many events you crash. We are over forever so move on and try and start a life with whoever you brought,” trying removing yourself from him. Holding you closer he says, “She is not you Y/N... I would do anything to have you back and you know that” sadly knowing exactly how to manipulate the situation.

“Just stop Kylo! That would have worked on me a year ago but no more will I be played like a puppet. My answer is always going to be no.” And with that Poe walks up and saying that the car is here, giving you an escape from Kylo’s suffocating presence. Kylo pulls you into a hug while whispering in your ear “I will always love you Y/N” kissing your cheek gently before releasing you.

As you sat in the car you couldn't help but feel upset and sad. Upset because he made you uproot your life and he still continues to terrorize it. Upset that he has so much power over you. But sad because you will always love Kylo but the cost of being with him was losing yourself. Sad that there will never be him and you again.

Something to get my writing juices flowing again🧍🏾‍♀️

#adcu fic #adam driver #starwars au #kylo ren #black reader #poc reader #tw manipulation #tw abusive behavior #tw stalking

[flourchildwrites]

It’s an ordinary Tuesday for most of the hospital occupants as well as the passersby scurrying on the street below. As Rei ends her call with a reputable cab company, she gazes out the window to watch their comings and goings one last time. From the comfort of her windowsill, she likes to imagine the colorful lives they lead in contrast to the hospital's endless reserve of rooms drenched in muted earth tones. The exception is, as always, a vibrant arrangement of Japanese gentians that sits in her windowsill, sticking out like a sore thumb.

But this Tuesday is different. Her doctors say that this day marks a milestone in her recovery. For what it’s worth, Rei is inclined to agree. She’s packing her bags to leave the hospital. Unlikely though it once seemed, Mrs. Todoroki is going home.

Fandom: Boku no Hero Academia | My Hero Academia

Relationships & Characters: Todoroki Rei/Todoroki Enji, Himura Family, Todoroki Family, Todoroki Shouto

Genre: Flashbacks, Parent-Child Dynamics, Healing, Hopeful Ending

Trigger Warnings: Implied/Referenced Canonical Child and Spousal Abuse

Rating: PG-13

Word Count: 2,993 words (Complete)

A/N: I'm so excited to share the fic I wrote for @todofamzine! I would like to thank the Winter Dawn mod team for being the best damn moderators I have ever worked with and @robinoxel for collabing with me and creating art of Rei to go along with the fic which you can find here. This fic was written before the recent chapters featuring the Todoroki family were published. I did my best to imagine what might have happened during Rei and Enji's past, and any canonical divergence you see is just that: canonical divergence coming from a simpler time. Flashbacks are in italics. I hope you enjoy this fic!

Home is a curious concept for Rei Todoroki. For the better part of a decade, she’s passed her time in a series of well-furnished hospital rooms with bland walls and bleached sheets. Her accommodations are not so cold as to be unwelcoming: extra blankets and plush pillows are a perk of her long penance, not to be taken for granted in spaces like these. But the walls are nearly bare, every wire is tethered taut, and someone somewhere is always—always—watching.

Oddly enough, she’s going to miss that.

It’s an ordinary Tuesday for most of the hospital occupants as well as the passersby scurrying on the street below. As Rei ends her call with a reputable cab company, she gazes out the window to watch their comings and goings one last time. From the comfort of her windowsill, she likes to imagine the colorful lives they lead in contrast to the hospital's endless reserve of rooms drenched in muted earth tones. The exception is, as always, a vibrant arrangement of Japanese gentians that sits in her windowsill, sticking out like a sore thumb.

But this Tuesday is different. Her doctors say that this day marks a milestone in her recovery. For what it’s worth, Rei is inclined to agree. She’s packing her bags to leave the hospital. Unlikely though it once seemed, Mrs. Todoroki is going home.

What she will find waiting on the other side of the recovery divide is still a mystery.

Rei folds her life into two suitcases. One shirt and a pair of pants lay neatly on top of the open case, but beneath the surface, she allows some disorder. The hairbrush she used this morning is stuffed in the middle. Prescription bottles with rattling pills hide between layers of cloth, and there are deep wrinkles in the fabric below, not unlike the tired lines etched under her middle-aged eyes. She’s almost finished, almost ready to relegate the sterile smell of the hospital to nothing more than a memory, but there’s one last thing to pack.

Some of her photographs are framed; others are faded. A few photos are torn, and still, there’s the odd bit of charring on the edges of one or two pictures, courtesy of young Touya’s wild ways. Rei can’t help but smile at her collection of fond memories.

Her eyes flit to an old, framed newspaper clipping, and echoes of Rei’s glory days wrap around her like a favorite cardigan. In the picture, her stance is commanding; her arms are outstretched. A sheet of ice streams from her fingertips as her pale hair fans out from the force of the chilly blast. The sidekick Frostbyte is strong and vivacious, a match for any villain she might encounter in the small locality she protects. The headline beneath her picture speaks volumes: New Sidekick Frostbyte Freezes Crime Rates!

It’s a warm memory, something Rei wants to tuck in her chest and carry with her wherever she roams. She picks up the frame and places it safely in the top compartment of her baggage. Another image, a picture already tucked in her suitcase, draws her attention.

Rei doesn’t know why she keeps the picture. She isn’t sure why Fuyumi pulled the image from the family albums for her in the first place. Perhaps both Todoroki women are sentimental for what was and what might have been. Looking at the staged photograph now, Rei sees hope in the lineless eyes of her younger self, a blushing, traditional bride in a pure white shiromuku. And there’s Enji by her side, a tall, prideful hero made uncomfortable by the humble formality of the Shinto shrine.

The smile fades from Rei’s face; it is replaced by well-earned worry lines as she glances sideways at the blue flowers on her windowsill. She’ll never know how Frostbyte appeared on Enji’s bride-to-be radar. Neither will she ever be certain if her family, eager to capitalize on her early success as a sidekick and drowning in debt, put her profile into the matchmaker’s hands. Either way, the request was made and answered before the young woman could give her blessing.

Looking back, it feels like their first meeting happened lifetimes ago, as if the entire event is witnessed through a pane of frosted glass. But Rei remembers every detail, down to the tea stains on her mother’s best table cloth and the nervous buzz in the pit of her stomach. The scene plays out as though she is on the outside looking in, forever separated from the optimistic young woman she used to be.

...

The Todoroki family seems pleased.

In between courses, Rei’s mother hisses this sentiment in her daughter’s ear. Her father sits politely through dinner, speaking when spoken to and wearing his deference on his sleeve. Enji appears to be nice, though fixated on his work and the pro hero rankings. His mother and father are cordial, especially considering their lofty status; however, their impeccable etiquette is not important. The Todoroki family fortune is the reason her mother and father agreed to this meeting.

The older couples beam at their children when, somehow, dinner devolves into dessert. Their eager matchmaker announces that Rei and Enji should spend a few moments alone to speak candidly about dating with marriage (and children) in mind. Rei, for one, isn’t sure how to feel. She cannot know how a conversation of this nature is supposed to go.

Nevertheless, she stays the course and flashes Enji an accommodating smile as they take a seat on the bench in her family’s small garden. The summer heat does not agree with Rei, but her favorite flowers, bell-shaped blossoms the color of sapphires, are in bloom. They bring her comfort, and Rei doesn’t hesitate to tell Enji that these are her favorite to jumpstart the obligatory small talk.

He doesn’t respond in kind.

“I saw your rescue in Hasetsu,” the young man observes, changing the topic. “The way you fortified the building with your ice quirk was impressive, and I understand there were no casualties.”

Rei does not reply. She merely nods in assent, wondering if he really wants to talk about the ins and outs of their careers when marriage is on the table. For the first time, she glances upward and looks at Enji Todoroki. Impressive height, flaming hair, and cerulean eyes speak for themselves, but there’s also a hint of something sweet and smoldering in the night air that’s coming from him. There’s no denying that the rising pro hero is, as the tabloid papers are fond of saying, a hot commodity.

But the blush that dusts Rei’s cheeks isn’t only from physical attraction, nerves, or the thick material of her best dress. There are worries and concerns, curiosities that Rei thinks should be sated. Her thoughts spill from her lips before she can catch them.

“Why me?” she asks, bolder because of the plum wine passed around the dinner table. “You’re Endeavor. Surely, you have people lining up to-”

“Did no one speak to you about this before our meeting?” Enji interrupts.

The grin wilts from Rei’s face. “What do you mean?”

Enji sighs. He stands and steps forward; his figure illuminates, outshining the moon. His glow erupts into a burst of hellfire, and Enji’s arms are engulfed. The sleeves of his fine suit are ruined, but he doesn’t appear to care. Rei is startled, yet she only feels a gentle heat radiating from the star before her. Enji’s command of his quirk is incredible.

“Power like this comes with a cost,” he remarks bluntly.

He turns to face Rei, and the blaze surrounding his arms contracts, burning brighter. When Enji grimaces, her eyes widen with the realization that he is overheating.

Rei can relate.

“With a quirk like this, my body can only withstand the heat for so long. I assume that it is the same for you and your ice.”

The puzzle pieces connect as reality settles on her shoulders. Their pairing isn’t about temperament so much as temperature; their powers are polar opposites that cancel and complement. Enji reaches out to take Rei’s hand, and instinctively, she drops her body temperature to combat his blaze. Frost meets hellfire, steam rises, and the garden is flooded with fury. When the cloud clears, Rei and Enji remain hand-in-hand. No burns. No ice.

But it is neither luck nor good fortune. It is calculated equilibrium, a quirk marriage through and through.

...

She remembers that there were three dates, three opportunities to be seen and photographed at hotspots near his agency and hers. Matching stories were crafted for the hows and whens of their contrived romance. While they dated, the Todoroki family lawyers drafted an airtight prenuptial agreement.

The contract arrived on a Friday evening, Rei recalls, along with a small package that contained an engagement ring worth more than six months of her salary. The advice from her mother was particularly memorable.

...

“Answer him,” her mother’s voice pleads. “The sooner, the better. Remember your family is counting on y-”

Rei stops the answering machine. She doesn’t need to hear the rest. The older woman’s lecturing tone grates on Rei’s nerves. The pressure from her father is more subtle, but it’s still there. She isn’t sure where the family debt came from; however, she doubts that the schools she attended were inexpensive. Plus, her mother never hesitates to tell her that she should give them more of her paycheck, though the salary of a sidekick is barely enough.

She rolls her weary eyes and tosses the package on the low table of her small living space. Paperwork spills across the surface; the ring box nearly falls to the floor. Rei wants nothing more than to sink into her futon until her next shift rolls around. But Endeavor is not a patient person.

Rei runs through her internal debate once more.

True enough, Enji will be hard-pressed to find a better match than Rei, not for the ends he has in mind—a child with a combination of their quirks. Likewise, Rei knows that she will never rise as high as him on the hero billboard chart. It’s not that she doesn’t want to make a difference, but her countenance is naturally understated. Rei would like to live a quiet life, helping others and supporting her family.

And someday, she’d like to have children too.

Yet, the possibility of a loveless marriage is a difficult pill to swallow, especially since the concept of romance is nebulous in Rei’s mind. Her parents swear that love can take root and grow with time, and Enji is nothing if not dedicated to his goals. Moreover, Rei is not so naive as to pretend that a comfortable life with a steady income isn’t attractive in and of itself.

One last glance at his profile cements her answer. She doesn’t revel in bargaining for a better future as she slips on the engagement ring and signs her name on the dotted line of the prenuptial agreement. Rei calls her parents to share the news and phones Enji to tell him she’s accepted.

As she lies down on her futon to rest, Rei swears that she will plant a garden at their first home, filled with flowers to admire and founded on promises worth keeping. She imagines pretty blooms decorating a harmonious house alongside the pitter-patter of little feet which grow into the large shoes Enji wants filled. Rei consoles herself: if she does a good job of bringing up the next generation of Todorokis, her children will have the luxury of choosing love instead of a contract.

...

Rei admits that hanging up her hero costume was an easy thing to do after the marriage. It was even easier to watch her hardened muscles soften into feminine curves as life took root in her belly. Her parents were proud; Enji was satisfied. Any lingering doubts were pushed aside by the demands of motherhood.

And when Touya’s quirk proved disappointing, Rei tried harder to fulfill her side of the bargain. She can scarcely remember a time in her twenties when she was not waiting for her child’s quirk to manifest or swallowing prenatal vitamins over an anxious lump in her throat.

Fuyumi was born on a crisp December morning eleven months after Enji declared Touya unsuitable for further training. Like clockwork, Natsuo was on the way after their sweet daughter failed to manifest a fire quirk before she turned four. Then, Rei cannot forget how Enji became impatient. Natsuo had not reached his second birthday when her husband decided that he was also a failure. As Rei thinks back on the arrival of her last child, hindsight’s perfect vision highlights chilling insight.

...

“It’s a boy!”

Strong cries rebound off the walls of the delivery room. Rei breathes a sigh of relief as her body shudders from the efforts of her labor. At the end of her bed, the hospital staff congratulate her on another healthy baby as they pass the newborn to his mother. The comforting feeling of an infant pressed against Rei’s chest will never grow old, and she savors this moment with Shouto, mumbling words of love as she holds him. Deep down, Rei realizes that her fourth pregnancy was hard, and secretly, she dreads what her husband will think if this child also has a head full of snow-white hair.

Enji often tells her that he knew the other children were failures the moment he laid eyes on them. On this subject, husband and wife will never agree, but Rei is content that he leaves their upbringing to her. She’s done her best to temper Touya’s attitude, bolster Fuyumi’s confidence, and keep Natsuo laughing.

Rei glances down at the fresh face of her newborn son and is perplexed by the contradiction she sees between his halves. Trembling fingers weave through his hair. Fine white and crimson strands part down the middle. Yet, Shouto’s hair is not his most striking feature. A pair of mismatched eyes blink up at Rei. One is bright turquoise, and the other is a somber gray.

The contrast is uncanny.

“Heterochromia iridum,” the doctor pronounces as if on cue. “That explains his eyes. Usually, it’s a benign condition, nothing to worry about. Considering his hair, I’d say it’s all genetic, possibly related to his quirk.”

Through a blissful haze of oxytocin, Rei registers Enji’s hand on her shoulder. He laughs in an abrasive chuckle that overtakes Shouto’s cries.

“Finally,” he exclaims, “a masterpiece.”

If the doctor and nurses think Enji’s behavior is untoward, they keep the observation to themselves. Rei is too exhausted to fight the relief she feels. She allows her husband to take the newborn baby from her arms instead of insisting that she nurse Shouto straight away as she did with her other children.

“You did well this time,” he mutters.

Rei smiles wearily at the compliment, but it does not sit as well as she believed it would.

...

In retrospect, Rei understands that there was no singular moment that caused the trouble which followed. Rather, it was a collection of compromises that seemed, at the time, to be for the best. Rei gathers the rest of her photographs. Carefully, she thumbs through the small stack and is reminded of all the seeds she and Enji planted in their garden.

Undoubtedly, her children are her greatest love, and she tucks the loose photos in her purse for safekeeping, holding their cheerful likenesses close and the good memories closer. Looking around, Rei realizes that she’s finished packing—all except the vase of Japanese gentians sitting on the windowsill.

Rei prepared for this. She spoke at length with her therapist about the baggage she intends to take into the next phase of her life. Some of it is essential. Never again will she let herself slip so far as to harm someone she cherishes. No more will she suffer the company of people more concerned with ends than means. But when it comes to Enji, Rei is of two minds, torn between the past and the present. Scarred and repentant, he is not the person he once was.

Neither is she.

A brisk knock on the door stirs Rei from her reverie. She turns to address the nurse and is happy to find a familiar face.

“Your discharge papers are ready, and your cab is here, Mrs. Todoroki,” he says cheerfully, already taking her bags. “Are you sure you don’t want your family to escort you home?”

Rei shakes her head.

“They offered, but I want to do this by myself.”

“Fair enough.” The nurse shrugs.

He takes a step toward the windowsill and reaches to collect the flowers when Rei makes her decision. With a gentle expression but a firm palm tilted upward, she halts his kind gesture.

“The flowers stay,” Rei says confidently. “I don’t have room for them anymore.”

It’s a short walk from her old room to the hospital’s front door, but the journey took Rei over a decade to complete. She slips into the back of the cab and passes the driver a slip of paper with the name and address of her new accommodations—a small, refurbished apartment with a low table, comfortable futon, and no answering machine. It's a perfect place for someone starting over.

Rei knows that if she turns around for a last look, she will see Japanese gentians standing guard on the windowsill, but she lets this opportunity pass. As the cab speeds away, Rei commits herself to the good habit of not looking back.

“That’s a nice address, Miss. Where are you headed to?” the driver asks.

It’s been a long time since Rei was called anything other than Mrs. Todoroki. Caught in the small thrill, she doesn’t correct him. She’s grateful for the crowded city’s veil of anonymity and, within it, her second chance.

“Home,” she answers honestly, feeling freer than she has in decades.

#bnha #todoroki rei #todoroki enji #endeavor #todoroki shouto #todoroki family #todofamzine #trigger warning for implied/referenced canonical child and spousal abuse

[sushigirlali]

If You Don't Love Me, Lie To My Face - Part I (Reylo Fanfic)

Part I | Part II | Part III | Epilogue 

Summary: Grifter!Rey helps U.S. Senator Leia Organa's son, Ben Solo, out of a jam when a couple of muggers invade her turf. Afterward, she debates robbing the rich American herself, but can she protect her heart while stealing his?

Pairing: Rey + Ben Solo | Finn + Poe Dameron

Rating: E

Continuity: Modern AU

A/N: For the first time ever, I’ve actually written most of the story before I started posting! I think it will be way less stressful since I don’t have to “keep up” with updates. New chapters will be posted each Friday. Enjoy!

Master list –> AO3 | ff.net | Tumblr

——————

If You Don't Love Me, Lie To My Face - Part I

By: sushigirlali

——————

Kennington, London

——————

There are moments in life that make you question everything that came before. A look from a stranger, an incident at your job, a terrible movie... things Rey Niima was usually able to push past without pause, but tonight, she was finding it extremely difficult to ignore the feeling that her life was about to change forever.

"Hey, give us your wallet!" A pair of brawlers had cornered a man at the mouth of a nearby alley, drawing Rey's attention as soon as she stepped out the back door of her favorite pub, The Black Prince.

"Excuse me?" the would-be victim responded indignantly. His voice was deep with an American lilt, his stature intimidating.

Did these fools really think they could steal from a man like that? But then, not all criminals were as intelligent as her.

"You heard me! I want your wallet!"

Rey hung back from the potentially violent situation unfolding before her, sizing up the assailants. Their outfits were all black, including the ski masks covering their faces, but she couldn't see any identifying marks or gang affiliations. "Must be lone wolves," she thought.

There was something familiar about the tall one doing the talking, but she couldn't place them. It probably didn't matter, though, because the redwood with the nice accent looked like he could take the both of them with one hand tied behind his broad back.

Still, for some reason, she was finding it hard to walk the other way. Definitely not because the man was the most striking person she had ever seen. No, it had to be due to the fact that these bums were causing a ruckus on her turf. At least, that's what she kept telling herself, frozen to the spot as she was.

"Listen, I just got done volunteering at a shelter all day and just want to get home. Please allow me to leave unmolested."

"Volunteering at a shelter?" she muttered under her breath. "Well, fuck. But it's not your business, don't get involved." Rey was turning around to go back inside the pub when the sound of a gun cocking drew her up short.

"Don't make me repeat myself again, pretty boy."

"Whoa, hey, there's no need for that!"

"Then empty your pockets! Now!"

"No," he said crossly. "Put that thing away before somebody gets hurt."

"Dammit," Rey groaned, retrieving the silver baton clipped to her belt. Sometimes, she really hated having a conscience; in her line of work, it was a real liability.

"Hey, get your hands off me!"

"Oh, for fuck's sake," she growled, resolutely stalking toward the turbulent scene. "Oi! You lot!"

The big guy and his sidekick paused to look in her direction. "What?" the leader said in a surprisingly feminine voice.

"Not a guy," Rey mused. "Based on your absolutely abominable bullying technique, I don't think you're getting that guy's wallet any time this century, so why don't you just leave him alone and move along."

"Excuse me?" the woman said threateningly.

"I'm sorry, did I stutter?"

"You move along, little mouse, this doesn't concern you!" the shorter guy spat.

"You do know who's neighborhood this is, don't you?" Rey said tauntingly.

"Yeah?" the first one said dismissively. "So what."

"So, knock it off! We don't need the fuzz coming down here because some hooligans are roughing up a foreigner."

"Hooligans?! And who the fuck are you?"

"Me?" Rey sneered, flicking the baton out to the side so that it extended into a long poll. "I'm no one."

"Phas," the skinny guy said nervously, obviously recognizing her at last, "we should go."

Rey had never been so proud of her reputation as a grifter who was just as likely to steal an expensive piece of art from the peerage in an elaborate heist as kick a thug's ass in the street.

"But the boss—"

"He'll understand."

"But—"

"Phas!"

"Fine. But don't think this is over!" the woman yelled before running off with her companion.

"Well," the American said slowly, "that was an experience I never wish to repeat again." He smiled at her. "Thank you," he said sincerely.

"You're welcome," Rey replied gruffly, still riding high on adrenaline. "Do you always walk around by yourself at night in a city not your own?"

"Do you always save unsuspecting passersby from thieves?" he retorted.

Her phone went off, but she didn't answer it. Up close, the man was even more attractive than she had initially thought. "Suit looks expensive, too… and is that a Breitling?" Perhaps it was her lucky night after all. "Only if they're handsome," she said smoothly.

"Oh, uh…" he flushed at her compliment.

"Hmm… not the reaction I expected." It was kind of refreshing, though. "Sorry, I—ugh, one sec," she said as her cell went off again. "My brother," she explained, checking the caller ID. "I have to take this or he'll just keep phoning until I pick up."

The man shrugged, "No problem, I'll just wait over here." He stepped up onto the curb and walked a few paces away.

Rey nodded and lifted the phone to her ear. "What?" she said shortly.

"Who's the stiff?" Finn asked without preamble.

"Nobody."

"Right," he huffed. "Are you working him?"

"Undecided, stop pushing."

"Whatever you say, Rey. Just be careful."

"I will. Where are you anyway?" she said, humored by his tough older sibling act.

"Hanging outside the pub, just around the corner. Why? You need me?" Finn teased.

"No, I'll catch you later. Don't wait up." She ended the conversation before he could respond and stuffed the phone into her back pocket. "Sorry about that, uh…?"

"Ben," the stranger supplied, moving closer again. "Ben Solo."

"I'm Rey," she said, holding out a hand.

Ben's lips quirked and he gave her a firm handshake, his huge hand dwarfing hers. Rey felt a shiver run up her spine at the brief contact, but she shook it off.

"So, what's that for?" he indicated the weapon still in her hand. "Joining the circus?"

"No," she grinned, "it's a bo staff. I use it for self defense."

"And the defense of others," he said warmly.

"On occasion." She folded the bo staff back into a baton before reattaching it to her belt.

"Can I get you a drink?" he nodded toward the pub. "To say thank you?"

"I was actually on my way home before I… bumped into you."

"I could… walk you home? If you want." He didn't sound desperate, but it was a near thing.

"I'm not from around here," she said evasively. She couldn't really bring him back to her base of operations, which was only a few blocks down the street, but she didn't want to stop talking to him either. "What a dilemma."

"No? Where are you from then?"

"Nowhere."

"Okay… Well, I promise I'm not a pervert or a serial killer or anything," he said earnestly, "so you can come back to my hotel with me if you want. It's late and I'd hate for anything to happen to you."

She crossed her arms. "Because I'm a woman?"

"Hey, I'm 6'3" and double your weight and I almost got jumped like ten minutes ago," he reminded her. "It can happen to anyone."

"Fair enough," she allowed, lowering her defenses. "Still…"

"I can call my security detail if you want verification that I'm not a psycho," he offered. "I'd just like the opportunity to get to know the woman who saved my hide."

Rey's interest sharpened. "That's sweet, but uh… security detail?"

"Yeah," he said nonchalantly. "My mother is a U.S. Senator. I'm in town on her behalf. She was supposed to come herself, but her re-election campaign is heating up and she couldn't spare the time."

"You disapprove," she said perceptively.

Ben's dark brows shot up. "Yeah, actually. You a mind reader, Rey from nowhere?"

"Something like that," she smirked. "I prefer the term grifter."

"Grifter?" he said curiously. "What does that mean, exactly?"

"Oh, you know," Rey winked for effect, assuming the privileged American was about to run in the opposite direction, "I swindle rich people out of their valuables by preying on their weaknesses. Basically, I'm a professional bad guy."

Ben looked hopelessly confused by her explanation. "But you just helped me."

"Well, sometimes I like to help out the little guy." Rey looked him over. "Little big guys too."

"Like Robin Hood?" he said, disarming her with a crooked smile.

"What? I wouldn't say I'm—I'm a hero or anything," she stuttered.

"Well, you're my hero," he said smoothly, holding out a hand. "That's my driver pulling up over there, in the black Jag. Join me? Please?"

"I… okay," she agreed, placing her hand in his, "but just for a little while." This time, she couldn't ignore the shiver.

——————

Alarm bells should be going off in her head, but Rey felt perfectly comfortable with her new companion. It was odd, considering her trust issues, but Ben didn't seem to be only interested in her looks. And she knew she looked good tonight, her dark leather leggings were basically painted on and her lacy bra was visible through a mostly sheer black tank top. Add on her subtle smoky makeup and half-up hair style that emphasized her cheek bones and...

"Rey?"

She loved the way he said her name, almost like a caress. "Yes?"

"Are you hungry? I haven't had dinner yet."

"Oh, sure," she said, never one to give up a free meal. Though she did kinda wish something else was on the menu… "What is wrong with you? You just met the man! Note to self: masturbate more."

"Chinese okay?"

Her mouth watered. "Perfect."

"What do you like?"

"Besides you?" she said without thinking. "Uh, I mean—anything, really. Noodles, if they have them."

Ben let her comment pass, but he was beaming. "I like noodles too. Maybe some kind of chicken? Orange?"

"Excellent," she seconded.

"You're easy," he said, but then caught himself, looking horrified. "I mean to order food for, not—"

"It's okay," she laughed, patting his thigh. "I know what you meant."

"Sorry, I haven't done this in a long time," he said sheepishly, catching her hand before she could remove it.

"This?"

"Gone on a date."

"Oh." Was this a date? Rey couldn't remember the last time she had been on one. Pretty much anytime she'd been alone with a man not her brother in the past ten years it was because she intended to rob them.

"Not that this has to be a date," he said quickly, releasing her hand. "Sorry, I keep saying stupid things."

Dammit, but he was cute. "You don't have to keep apologizing," she replied lightly. "Let's just have dinner and talk and see where that takes us." Maybe the night would lead to some fun extracurricular activities, maybe not, but at least she'd be able to case his place. Based on what she knew so far, the guy definitely came from old money. "Just keep reminding yourself that he's potentially a mark, not a boyfriend, Rey."

"Sure," he smiled, looking relieved. "Hey, Poe?" he said to the driver. "Can you pick up some food after dropping us at the hotel? We're starving."

——————

Ben fumbled a little opening the door, but quickly recovered and ushered Rey inside with a gallant sweep of his arm. The hotel was nice, but not extravagant, something she found odd for the son of a U.S. Senator. Then again, he had apparently been helping out at a shelter all day, so maybe he really was as down to earth as he seemed.

"The bathroom is through there if you need it," he pointed toward the bedroom.

"I'm fine, thanks."

"Okay, I'm just going to grab a quick shower. Poe should be back within the hour, so make yourself at home."

"Can I join you?" she was tempted to say. "Sure, I'll just watch the telly."

Ben nodded and left the room. A few seconds later, Rey heard the water start. Flipping on the TV, she left it on the cartoon channel before having a look around.

There weren't any expensive electronics or pieces of art in plain sight, so Rey could only assume that anything valuable would be in his room. "Oh, well, nothing gained, nothing lost. Better update Finn, though."

Yanking her cell out, Rey sent a quick text to her brother with Ben's name, the hotel's address, and a couple sentences about the modest state of his living room. He answered her almost immediately, sounding concerned.

Finn: Are you sure about this bloke? If you're not there to rob him, I assume that means you're interested in something else?

Rey: Yes? Maybe? I don't know. We just met, but…

Finn: At least text me later, okay? So I don't have to worry

Rey: I will. Love you 3

Finn: Love you too, peanut

Finn: ...check the room safe if you get a chance. Those types of hotels always have them and you never know what might be inside ;)

Rolling her eyes, but knowing he was right, Rey listened for a moment. It sounded like Ben was still in the shower, so she took the opportunity to pop into the bedroom and search his closet. A standard issue hotel safe was at the back, surrounded by some very nice black suits.

It wouldn't have been hard to crack the safe if she had her gear, but her heart wouldn't have been in it even if she did. She didn't want to rob Ben Solo, which was a first. Still, she did appreciate a challenge...

"Did you need something?"

Rey whipped around to see her host in nothing but a low slung white towel. "No, I—uh…"

"Would you like something to change into?" he inquired kindly.

Unable to respond with his magnificent chest and long thighs on display, Rey just shook her head in the negative. His brow creased and she felt like a kid who had been caught snooping for Christmas presents. "Shit, shit, shit, I've totally blown it!" Backtracking to the living room, she wasn't surprised when he followed. "What should I do? Oh, god, I don't want him to think…"

"Rey, what you said earlier… about being a… what did you call it? A grifter? Are you—mmph!" he started, unable to complete his thought as Rey impulsively reached up to kiss him.

But instead of pushing her away and demanding an answer, Ben threaded his fingers through her hair and dragged her closer. Taking his response as permission, Rey wrapped her arms around his waist, gripping his bare back as the kiss went on and on.

Somehow, they ended up next to the couch. Rey pushed Ben into a sitting position and climbed onto his lap, rubbing her clothed core against the tent in his towel. "Rey," he whispered, lips trailing down to her neck, "Rey, I want you."

"Yes," she responded as he reached for her waistband. Coming up on her knees, she growled when he yanked her leggings and underwear down her hips with one forceful tug. Things were getting out of control, going too far too fast, but she didn't care; she wanted him too. "Help me," she demanded, legs trapped by the constricting garments.

"I've got you," he huffed, reaching behind her to unzip her black combat boots and pull her pants the rest of the way off.

Meanwhile, Rey tore her top and bralette over her head before going to work on the towel barely covering his lap. "Wow!" she blew out a breath, zeroing in on his ardent erection when it was uncovered. He was big, maybe bigger than anyone she'd ever been with. Would he fit?

"Fuck," Ben sighed, sitting back to stare at her body, "you're beautiful, Rey."

Feeling weirdly shy about the sincerity in his sinful voice, Rey kissed him again in lieu of a response, reaching between them to spread herself for entry.

"Wait," he said, gasping for air, "what about protection?"

"Implant," she mumbled, rubbing her slit against the tip of his penis. "I'm clean, are you?"

"Yeah, I haven't—oh, god—uh, done it in a while."

"Good." She felt strangely possessive of him, this man she had just met. It pleased her that he didn't sleep around. "Fuck me, then. Raw."

Ben slammed his mouth down on hers again, positioning his dick with one hand and gripping her left buttock with the other. But he didn't ram himself home, instead he teased her hole, sliding only a fraction of the way in before retreating. He did it over and over, mimicking the action with his tongue until she was incoherent with desire, squirming, imploring him to fill her…

And then he was, and she found that he fit very well inside her indeed. His thick cock seemed to be made for her, hitting all the right spots and ones she hadn't even known existed until now. "Ben!" she cried, furiously pumping her hips in time with his thrusts. "This is—you're—"

"I feel it too!" he returned, palming her breast and teasing her erect nipple. "From the first moment I saw you, I—"

She licked his mouth, begging for entrance, not wanting to hear his sweet words even as they made her heart soar. He opened for her, but was obviously frustrated that she had cut off his declaration. Before she knew it, the hand squeezing her ass drew back and lightly smacked against her butt-cheek.

"Oh!" Rey jolted at the slight sting, but it wasn't in pain. On the contrary, she requested, "Again! Ben, do that again, please! I'm—"

Knock, knock.

"Oh, shit, Poe's at the—"

"Don't you fucking dare, Ben Solo," she growled, bouncing up and down on him with renewed vigor. But the driver started knocking harder, likely because of the guttural sounds erupting from Ben's throat. "Come on, man, can't you tell we're busy?!"

"But—shit!" Ben hauled her against him, no longer playing, just looking for relief before his friend broke the door down.

Rey found his soft grunts and swears endearing, so she took pity on him and increased her pace even further. "Come for me, Ben," she instructed, grinding down on him with all her might. "Come now and then we can eat. Or you can eat me, whichever you prefer."

The dirty talk seemed to work, because in the next minute, Ben was biting down on her shoulder, shaking with the force of his orgasm. Not far behind, Rey led his hand to her swollen nub, needing just a hair more stimulation to tip over the edge. Almost instantly, his trembling touch sent her into climax. Still vaguely aware of what's-his-name banging on the hotel room door, she pressed her mouth to Ben's pectoral to muffle her cries and came for what felt like ages…

"That—was—amazing," Ben panted, hugging her so tightly she thought she might pop. "The—best—I've—ever—had!"

"Me—too," she couldn't help but admit.

Loosening his hold, Ben cupped her cheeks and kissed her softly. "Thank you."

"Ah—you're welcome," she said, smiling like an idiot. Before she could lean in again, Poe resumed making his presence known.

"Ben? Are you okay? Answer me! Did that woman kill you? Your mother will be so pissed if you're dead." He hit the door again. "Either answer me in the next ten seconds or I'm going to get security!"

"I'm fine, great, alive, whatever!" Ben called back loudly. "And annoyed," he said to Rey. "Go into the bedroom for a minute while I get rid of him."

"Okay," she agreed, gingerly getting up. They both groaned when he slipped out of her, which Rey found gratifying. "Can I use the shower now?"

"Sure, there are towels under the sink. My sleep shirts are in the top drawer of the dresser," he offered.

"He wants me to spend the night?" she mused, feeling giddy and terrified all at once. "Alright," she said aloud, picking up her clothes and disappearing into the bedroom she'd been casing earlier, "call out if you need backup."

"Will do," he chuckled, "will do."

——————

Ten minutes later, Rey emerged from the bathroom feeling fresh and back in control. Picking a long sleeve shirt out of Ben's dresser at random, she pulled it over her naked body before toweling off her wet hair. The black cotton was as soft as it was big, but Rey didn't mind; it smelled like Ben.

Catching her reflection in the floor length mirror by the closet, she was amused to see that the garment fell to her knees like a sack, giving her already slender body exactly zero shape. "Oh, well, it's not like I plan on wearing it lon—"

A disturbance in the living room suddenly diverted her reverie. Sneaking to the door, she carefully cracked it and peaked out.

"You can't just keep her here!" Poe nearly shouted at Ben.

"Keep your fucking voice down," he snarled back. "You're not my boss or my mother and you can't tell me what to do. I'm a grown ass man!"

"Maybe so, but you're acting like a teenager! You can't just sleep with some chick you picked up off the side of the road when Leia is counting on you to—"

"I told you," Ben said through gritted teeth, "she saved my ass and I wanted to get to know her. I didn't hire her for the fucking night!"

"Could have fooled me," Poe scoffed. "For all you know, she could have been in on the attack and—"

"Get out!" Ben ordered, clearly at his wit's end. "I'll call you when you're needed again, if you are."

"Are you firing me?!"

"Not yet," Ben said grimly, marching to the door and flinging it open. "Just go before I forget that you're my best friend and say something I regret."

"Fine," Poe said, storming out of the apartment. "Let me know when you come to your senses!"

Ben slammed the door shut, then turned around and leaned on it. Scurrying back into the bathroom before he caught her eavesdropping, she started combing her hair, attempting to look natural in case he came in after her. When he didn't, she tried not to feel disappointed.

Leaving her damp hair hanging loose around her shoulders, Rey found him sitting at the dining table in his towel with several brown paper bags in front of him. He looked lost in thought and she hoped he hadn't taken Poe's opinion about her motives to heart. "Wotcher, Ben?" she asked hesitantly.

"Hmm?" he said, looking up at her. "Sorry, I was just...uh…" The arrested look on his face made her toes curl. "Wow, you look amazing."

"This old thing?" she joked, sidling up next to him. "I borrowed it from a mate."

"He has good taste," he said, opening his arms.

"I certainly think so," she said coyly, moving to sit sideways on his lap. Rey curled one arm around his neck and placed the other one on his chest. "Are you still hungry?"

"For food?" he choked, holding her so that she wouldn't slide off.

"Food," she nodded, leaning her forehead against his, "and other things."

One of Ben's large hands inserted itself between her thighs. "These kinds of things?" he murmured. "I think we can—fuck!" he bit his lip as he discovered that she wasn't wearing anything underneath his shirt.

"We can certainly fuck," she teased, "but—oh!" Rey gasped as he stood with her in his strong arms. "Ben? What are you…?"

Before she could get the words out, he'd pushed their dinner out of the way and laid her down on the table. Placing the backs of her knees in the crook of each arm, Ben pulled her forward until her butt was on the edge of the table and her pussy was level with his mouth.

"Having dinner," he said in the most ridiculously sexy tone of voice she'd ever heard, flipping his nightshirt up so that she was bare from the waist down.

"Oh, god!" she whimpered as he lowered his head. "Ben, you don't really have to—ah!" Gripping the back of his head as he started to lick her folds, Rey shuddered every time his long nose bumped against her clit.

"Enjoying yourself?" he said a little arrogantly. "Is this why you came home with me? Cause you wanted me to make you feel good?"

Considering how very well he was treating her, and the uncertainty on his face, she decided to play along. "Yes, Ben, I wanted you the second I saw you!"

He smiled slightly, then resumed tasting her. "So, does that mean you want to come?"

"That would be lovely," she sighed, enjoying the pressure of his wide mouth.

His mouth quirked at that. "Never heard sex described that way before."

"Then you're doing it with the wrong people."

"Oh?" his gaze turned hot. "And how many people have you been doing it with?"

"Not many," she said hurriedly, "and not in a long time."

"Good girl," he said silkily. "So, if I were to put my fingers inside you, would your cunt feel… full?"

"Yes!" she panted, so wet she was dripping onto the table now.

"Let's see then."

Arching her back as he slid two fingers inside her body, Rey realized that she had never really known sexual satisfaction until tonight. She was twenty-five and still basically knew nothing about sex and relationships. "Huh."

Ben stopped moving, lifting his dark head to look at her. "Rey? Is everything okay?"

"Yeah," she said dreamily. "I guess I've just never felt this way before."

He held her eyes for an extended moment, amber striking against hazel. "Yeah, me too." And then he was fingering her again, sucking and teasing her slick opening until she was crying out his name in ecstasy.

Afterward, he scooped her up in his arms and carried her to the bedroom, kicking the door shut behind them. Needless to say, they skipped dinner that night.

——————

Rey grunted as she felt Ben leave the bed the next morning. He had been her heater since the sheets and pillows were strewn about the room. "Come back," she said hoarsely, throat worn from use. "I'm cold."

"Just a moment," he laughed, opening the bedroom door to fetch something from the living room. "Your cell has been going off for an hour straight."

"My cell?" she yawned. Then, "Oh, no." She sat bolt upright. "Wait! Don't—"

"Rey?" Ben called in disbelief. "Who the fuck is Finn?"

——————

A/N: I love Kingsman and always think about Rey being a punk with a heart of gold like Eggsy. I didn't include the spy angle, but I was able to visit The Black Prince, where scenes were filled for the movie, a couple years ago and have fond memories. Anyway, reviews are appreciated! <3 

#reylo #reylo fic #reylo fanfic #kylo ren #ben solo #rey #modern au #my fanfiction #sushigirlali

[jinxthequeergirl]

Promise I'm not slipping away

 (pt.4)

Poe dameron x Solo! Reader

Summary: kylo is sent to find you all the while finding the BB unit

And while your still at the resistance base you have to make a choice

Warning: swearing, shorter than previous chapters.

Song: lets go to war by: Nothing more

Sorry i lied about when this was coming out something happened and i couldn't get to my laptop to finish this

also I’m redoing the playlist so look out for that or let me know if you wanna be tagged in that

But enjoy!

~~~~

"She wasn't on Jakku we searched the planet twice over there was nothing but the wreckage of the ship they got away in." Kylo stated standing before Snoke.

"Well keep searching! They have our best leader!"

Kylo was cut off from defending himself by Hux entering. "We have word of the BB unit, on Takodano." Snoke turned to Kylo.

"We will disgus the matter of supreme leader Y/n after you have retrieved the droid." Kylo nodded and left the room placing his helmet back on his head as he walked along side Hux.

"Make for Takadano!" He demanded as he entered the control room. He stood in front of the big window that looked out into the black abyss of the galaxy before looking down at his hand that held your light saber.

"Where are you?... "

Your eyes snapped open and you sat up. "Kylo...." There was an intense thudding on the door of the bunk you where given.

"Y/n?" You rolled out of bed pulling a coat on and opening the door to poe. "General Organa wants you in attendance for this meeting."

"Uhh ok..."

"Are you ok?" You pushed your hair back and swallowed. "Yea...just a weird dream.." He looked you over and nodded. "Get ready, I'll walk you there." You nodded and shut the door to get ready.

Even as you walked along with Poe you felt something eating you up inside. Your time though a short one at the resistance base was some what enjoyable for you. You spent time with your mother the first night and she explained everything to you. You both sat down just in time for General Organa to start talking.

You went in and out of thought as she thought listened to her talking about making a move on the first order. "They are heading to Takadano! They found poes droid there...with a group of people." You blurted out, The room fell silent, and all eyes fell on you.

"What?"

"Takadano...poes droid with...with the map"

"Y/n...how do you-"

"I just do..." General organa looked at you. "We can trust her...which means start preparing...they'll cause as much chaos as they can till they find that droid! Poe i want you to get black squadron ready!"

You sat frozen as everyone moved around you. You just spoiled everything for the first order. You did it and you weren't even phased. You wanted to do it. "Y/n!"

You where snapped from your thoughts to face general organa. "General..."

"Thank you for your help...I'll be sending you with one of our units so that you can help." You nodded and she walked away but you where soon joined by another man. "Y/n? Your mother has asked i guide you through what our unit does and have you help. I'm Jon by the way." You smiled and followed him as he lead you through the base to get ready.

"Wait wait!" You both stopped when you saw poe racing towards you. "Hey thanks for this! Looks like theirs more to you than just a first order supreme leader."

You gave him a smile in return not even paying attention as he placed something in your hands. "For protection." He looked at you like you had done something good, it was refreshing and filled you with pride. "Good luck out there." He said patting your shoulder before running to the flight hanger.

"Lets go!" You followed jon looking at the jacket he placed in your hands. You pulled it on and ran to meet up with the rest of the group.

"Here’s your blaster. Our goal isn't to kill the storm troopers, its to find the droid and protect who we can." Jon said handing you the blaster.

"Now lets go!" You had landed not to long ago and the ship doors opened. You braced yourself and headed out there ready.

Storm troopers where already destroying everything. "Supreme leader?" You froze when a trooper called out to you. But didn't hesitate to turn around and shoot him.

You took out a few more who where ready to shoot a couple cowering in some ruble.

"Traitor!" You turned to face the pilot who escaped with you. The both of you shared a look before looking at the storm trooper who called out.

The both of you came together. He held up a light saber and you readied your blaster. "Is he talking to you or me?" He asked.

"Hard to say." You smirked as he readied his own weapon. "But its safe to say both of us."

"Fair." You took the first shot at him instantly ducking away allowing finn to take the lead with his light saber. Finn occupied him while you took a shot saving him.

"Thanks."

"No problem." You helped him up. "We need to find Rey."

You looked at him. "Who?"

"My friend she's this girl...she has bb-8." Your attention was caught when another first order ship landed and you watched your brother come off of it heading into the forest.

"Where did they go?" You asked hastily. "The forest." You nodded and ran towards to forest you dropped your blaster as you ran into the woods quickly finding them.

"Kylo!" You yelled stopping him. His light saber was inches from the girls face.

"Y/n..." The girl went flying across the forest floor until she landed on it.

"What are you doing here?"

"I...I decided to stay with the resistance...gain their trust...get information from general organa."

He looked you up and down through his helmet as you moved closer to him almost carefully.

There was silence. Then he held something out to you. "Then take this...come back home...what you've learned about the base is far more valuable than any map...snoke will be pleased."

You glanced at the girl on the ground who gave you an angry look then back to him. You took the other end of the light saber in your hand a small wooden charm slipping through your fingers as you did. You felt something surge through you, something that hurt you, hearing pleading cries and fearful screams echo in your head. You gulped gripping it tighter "Finish her." He said.

You took it from his hand letting the yellow blade of the saber appear. And turned to to her. "You won't get away with this!" She yelled.

"You're right...they won't!" You turned to kylo, light saber instantly clashing with his.

"Rey run!" You pushed kylo from you hoping to get her out of there. "Your a traitor!" He hissed. "Weak!" You blocked his attack. "You lied to me!" You retorted. "About everything!" You attacked again but he was quick enough to toss your saber from your hands this time and send you flying back into a tree.

You hit the ground hard and watched him pull rey back, passed out.

"No!" You pushed yourself up. But he stopped you and suspended you in the air.

"You're weak! You let yourself be tempted by the light side and now you are my enemies !"

He threw you back again and carried rey away.

It took you a moment to get up and find your light saber again but when you did you took off running after him. Eventually making it back to where you had come seeing the orange and white droid you where searching for with finn.

"General! General! Gen-" you stopped when you saw who she was with.

"Y/n?..."

"Solo..."

~~~

"SHE'S WHAT!?"

Kylo flinched only slightly at snokes loud booming voice.

"She...she was wearing a resistance jacket...she fought against me-"

"You lie!" Snoke yelled again pounding his fists on his chair. "She would never! Shes our most valuable asset!"

"What if i told you i found someone better! Someone stronger!?"

Snoke looked interested.

"Really?"

"Yes! She's lost...she needs teaching but she'll learn!"

Snoke leaned back in thought. "Hmmm.."

.

.

.

.

.

~~~~~~

Tagging:

@theamazingprincessofgifs​​​ @stella-nebella​​​ @leilei-draws​​​ @captainlarsonn​​​ @taina-eny​​​ @angelcvsmic​​​ @creativelyquestioninglife​​ @bitch-imma-head-out​

#poe dameron x reader #star wars x reader

[houseswolo]

Day 3 - 'Tis The Season To Be Thirsting

The reveals are running a couple days late thanks to our mods getting lost in finishing @nanowrimo (HUGE PROPS to everyone who participated!) - stick with us, we have some awesome people in store!

"Stand with me, Rey"

@my-jedi-life

(Twitter: @MyJediLife | Ao3: MyJediLife)

What got you into Star Wars?

I was 3 when I saw ANH at the drive in with my family. It's my earliest memory. Fast forward 40 years or so, when my best friend Jennifer decided we were watching SW together online. When I saw Adam's face, I was gone all over again... my obsession came roaring back.

What made you a Reylo? Lightbulb moment!

Honestly... I think I became hardcore Reylo with the hand touch.

Why do you write / make art?

Because I have these idiots in my brain telling me to write their stories, and if I don't I may go insane.

The Object of your Thirst…

CLYDE LOGAN. (Or Adam Driver in all other forms)

Which Adam look do you like the best?

Umm.. his Clyde look. Long hair, scruff... goatee and stache.

Which Adam avatar/ role do you like the best?

It's me, people. Clyde Logan.

Which part of Adam do you like the best? 

His hair - NO - his lips - WAIT - his eyes... everything. I choose everything.

Favorite Star Wars Movie

The Last Jedi

What do you like to write / draw / paint the most?

Reylogan. Soulmates is a close second.

Your TRoS Prediction

Bendemption by Kylo Ren dying to help get rid of Palpy, and being brought back by some very familiar Force Ghosts as Ben Solo... ending with him and Rey and a binary sunset.

If you were an aesthetic... (colors, images, feels....)

Angst, swirls of dark greens, purples and black.

If you were a candy bar, what would your name be?

Sweet & Nutty

What's your ideal environment for writing / creating? 

On my couch, headphones on and music cranked up high.

Are you a dom or sub? 

Sub?

What's the most exotic/wierd place you've gotten intimate?

In the back of a 1966 Volare in a state park.

What's your kink?

Adam Driver

Use three words to describe yourself.

Loyal, creative, loving

Meaning behind your nick / ID name

I am living my best Jedi life? I have no idea. It just sounded cool.

Are you a big spoon or little spoon?

Little spoon.

Do you like it rough or soft? 

Both?

Favorite toy

Uhhhhhhhhhhhhh.....

Favorite fic you read

Forbidden by koderenn, Cable Guy by littlemistake, LWABOC by diasterisms, Unravel Me by UnderTheCancerMoon

Favorite fic you wrote or favorite art you made

River Deep, Mountain High

Favorite SW character besides Kylo and Rey

From the EU: Jacen & Jaina Solo. Maz Kanata and the Mandalorian from Canon.

———

@thoseindarkness

(Twitter: @thoseindarkness | Ao3: thoseindarkness)

What got you into Star Wars?

My Mom when I was a baby, though TLJ brought me into the fandom and publishing fics.

What made you a Reylo? Lightbulb moment!

All the amazing and detailed meta that I saw on Tumblr after TLJ. When I went for re-watches in the theater I wondered how I'd missed all those sexual overtones the first time around.

Why do you write / make art?

Because the voices in my head would drive me crazy if I didn't let them out to play.

The Object of your thirst...

Kylo Ren (in the mask), Ben Solo (out of it), Rey, Hux, Poe, Rose, Holdo. I'm an equal opportunity thirsty.

Which Adam look do you like the best?

That 70's running shoot he did. That's how I like him, lean and wiry, not buff. He's got a great build for it.

Which Adam avatar/ role do you like the best?

Tie between Ben and Phillip Altman.

Which part of Adam do you like the best? 

The way his jowls wrinkle when he's emoting.

Favorite Star Wars Movie

Movie: Rogue One. Story: Rebels.

What do you like to write / draw / paint the most?

The real world in every messy, ugly, complicated detail. I think the idea of literature as pure escapism is flawed. I like to show the world as it is and then reveal the beauty in the imperfections. There cannot be light without darkness.

Your TRoS Prediction

I'm not getting my hopes up for anything and can't wait for it to be over. That's when the story group can have the reigns back and start pumping out all the stories that will backfill what really happened in the 30 years between Return of the Jedi and The Force Awakens. That's what I'm most looking forward to.

If you were an aesthetic... (colors, images, feels....)

I think my username says it all. 😘

If you were a candy bar, what would your name be?

I don't know what it would be called, but it would have dark chocolate, Nutella and raspberry.

What's your ideal environment for writing / creating? 

At my desk at home, one of my comfy hoodies on, a cup of coffee, some good mood music, and a Reylo fic prompt.

Are you a dom or sub? 

Lifelong switch.

What's the most exotic/wierd place you've gotten intimate?

You're going to have to define exotic/weird. I've gotten intimate in semi-public and group settings. I once went through a tollbooth topless while being fondled. Does that count?

(HS: Hells yeah, that counts 😆)

What's your kink?

An inquisitive mind. Not kidding. That will turn me on faster than anything else could.

Use three words to describe yourself.

those in darkness

Meaning behind your nick / ID name

In high school I liked to come up with AIM screen names by creating these evocative incomplete sentences. Like quoting song lyrics without the songs. "thoseindarkness" was one of those names. I liked it so much I've kept it all these years and it's always been either a nerd or writing aligned username for me.

Are you a big spoon or little spoon?

Lifelong switch.

Do you like it rough or soft? 

Yes, please.

Favorite toy

The goat 🐐

Favorite fic you read

Very tough call between Wanting by Minkel23, Score by SpaceWaffleHouseTM, and Requiem for a Monster by roane. They are all *very* different.

Favorite fic you wrote or favorite art you made

All the ones I haven't shared yet. Particularly the canon post-TRoS story I've been sitting on since TJL came out.

Favorite SW character besides Kylo and Rey

Kanan mother fucking Jarrus! Since this is a thirst highlight I may as well tell you... I would do such naughty things to that man. Or have Hera do them for me. 🖤

———

Meet the other Thristies!

Thirst Order Advent Calendar Day:

1 | 2

cc: @tazwren @deadlikemoi @drnucleus @ashtyntaytertot @lostinqueue-ffa @my-jedi-life @shestoolazytologin @kaybohls @nite0wl29 @cosmo-gonika @wilsonthinks66 @roguesinside @areylofan @3todream3 @koderenn @queenoferebor @thereylowritingden @housedadam @house-crylo @houseplaidam

[maneaterwithtail]

A lot of people were acquainted with him through his prolific participation in News & Politics, but to me Aaron was always an author, one half of the team behind Hybrid Theory. That fic was a bastion of creativity, drama, and wry humor; a ludicrous and ambitious premise, played gloriously straight. It provided me with much-needed hope and entertainment in years past. His death comes as a punch in the gut, and takes the wind of optimism out of my sails.

I never knew him well, and now I never will. Rest in peace, Aaron. The world is lessened by your absence from it.

-orm Ember

I didn't want to write this. 

Not just for the obvious reasons, that nobody likes to say goodbye to a friend like this. I didn't want to make this about me, because it isn't about me. I wanted to say something about him, to tell his story, to express the tiniest part of the loss I feel in a way others could understand. 

But I came to realise that it wasn't for me to tell his story. I can't. That story was for him to tell, and unfortunately, he cannot. The only story I have to tell is the story of us. So that's what I'll do. 

I met Aaron Peori when we were both new in high school, about twenty-five years ago. Glace Bay High was the tenth of the eleven schools that I attended in my eleven years of schooling, and so by then I was almost as well-practiced in "meet new friends" as I was in "meet the new local pack of bullies". Walking home, I noticed one guy about my age that always walked alone, reading a book. In other words, a fellow nerd, a weirdo, an outcast. Like me. After a couple of days of spotting this lone reading fellow, he happened to be reading a book by Christopher Pike, an author I also had books by. That was, as the saying goes, an opening.

"Hey, isn't that a Christopher Pike book?" I asked this stranger, casually, as if I hadn't already known.

He looked up at me, not even showing any surprise that some weirdo had walked up and asked about the book his nose was in. "Yes," he said, peering at me owlishly from behind his glasses, then after a moment added, "He's a good author."

By the time we reached home that day, we were already good friends. From that point on, in fact, we were virtually inseparable, aided by the fact that he lived almost literally in my backyard.

From the very beginning, we were creative collaborators. At first, we were using GI Joes and a few other toys in elaborate setpiece dioramas that spanned his house's enclosed front porch, and sometimes spilled out to occupy part of the year as well. Factions, sacrifices, betrayals, and no doubt embarassing-in-retrospect dialogue were all a part of those first afternoons and weekends.

I think he first got a copy of the Marvel Super Heroes RPG from his cousin. Before I'd met him, Aaron and his cousin had both been drawing their own comics about a space-based superhero team called Sonis. Now, with a tool that you could use tell stories about superheroes, and rules to arbitrate - our new great dioramas were ones made of words, not toys. I quickly made my own "expanded universe", about a group of mercenary superheroes called Heroes For Hire. 

At that point, what turned out to be a very long-lasting pattern was set. Aaron was the GM, and I was the player. Aaron created the worlds, and I lived the characters in them. He did want me to be the GM sometimes (it's more fun being the player!), but I was always uncomfortably aware how much better at it he was than me, and so I felt intimidated to pit my own lesser stories against the epics he created.

As time went on, another pattern that would be long-lasting emerged: Aaron and I's stories became vastly greater in scope. He rewrote the resolution system of the game to account for much higher power levels than the original design used (Ochre feats!), and eventually we dispensed with the rules altogether, playing completely free-form with no set rules and only the occasional dice roll. I learned to handle multiple characters at once, and bored at the success easily reached by my insanely overpowered characters, learned to find more fun in getting them in trouble instead. Aaron learned to handle the narrative challenges faced by trying to craft stories about protagonists who had literal "I win" powers, and weren't very likeable to boot.

Very little of Heroes For Hire would be something I wouldn't be embarassed to show off today, but my former internet nom de guerre "Blade" comes from the most central and overpowered character of those days.

About a year before I left Cape Breton, Aaron and I discovered two things of lasting consequence: anime, via his having a comic adaptation of the movie "Project A-ko" in his huge box of comics that I would regularly raid, and fanfiction, which I had been introduced to via USENET by another friend of mine, Mark MacIsaac. After I left, Aaron had more free time, and thus he started writing a story that combined two of his favourite things: the then-popular anime Ranma 1/2, and Star Wars. 

Aaron wrote prolifically, longhand on sheaths of paper, in his inscrutable and typo-laden scrawl. My role in those first stories, for all they were credited under both our names, was just to type these up and edit them - but that wasn't a small task, to be fair. I can type 60wpm despite still pecking with two fingers instead of touch-typing, a skill that dates to those early manuscripts. 

That level of collaboration, though, wasn't enough. Soon we took to role-playing games again, and I took on various Ranma characters in lengthy phone conversations where he was once again the DM. Those games formed several of the plots for Ranma: Curse of Darkness, and the entirety of the plot of Kyoto Chronicles (sadly never actually finished), along with other stories both Ranma and non that never made it to the internet. Again, he would write the scripts and I would type them up, now with more creative control and editing. 

The time came when we once again lived in the same city, able to really collaborate with both of us writing scenes. All of this finally culminated in Hybrid Theory, our longer-than-Lord-of-the-Rings magnum opus, and something we were both pretty proud of despite the various flaws and that we totally botched poor Rei's character arc.

After writing something like that, we were sure, it would be easy to write something for professional publication. But unfortunately, it never came to be. Circumstances separated us again, several promising projects got stalled after a few chapters, and then the grinding workload he faced at his job hurt his ability to write consistently.

But Aaron never stopped writing fanfiction. His mind never stopped working. Most of what he wrote was "junk" in his words, and he wouldn't even show it to me, but he was still thinking up stories and worlds and his favourite thing of all: elaborate fight scenes. He once told me he could write in any series, no matter how crappy or derivative, "as long as the main characters can run up walls".

It frustrates me that I cannot prove to anyone here how brilliant Aaron was, because that brilliance was hidden behind the various flaws in his prose style. His prospensity for typos never did much improve, though he could at least spellcheck stuff he wrote on a computer rather than longhand. He never got hung up like me searching for the exact right word, and so he often just used the same words over and over. For those that read his last work, I can only explain that I took out a ton of "snaps" - "snapped her head back", "snapped his wrist forward", "the snake snapped out" and yet there are STILL that many in there. I was going to do a much more thorough editing pass when it was finished. 

But that is all surface-level. Where Aaron excelled was in his vision for a setting and story. He could take the ridiculous and make it somehow sublime - indeed, he often challenged himself with making ridiculous or cliche concepts work. He could keep track of a million dancing pieces and know precisely which should enter the stage, and from where. It's not that I didn't contribute meaningfully to our collaborative efforts, but I often felt like a child with crayons colouring in the lines of a sketch by Da Vinci. Even if my colouring was good, it wasn't the masterpiece.

His players knew, though. Another habit Aaron kept for the rest of his life was GMing (though he enjoyed playing, when the opportunity was afforded to him), even if he couldn't do it as much in recent years. Aaron was a masterful GM, able to coax out strong story arcs and dramatic moments from players of any skill level, able to make NPCs that the players hated or loved or both, able to coax rambunctious player parties into dramatic clashes and events that never felt railroaded. But perhaps even more than that, he was a master of making game rules work for him instead of against him. Aaron loved role playing game rules: one of his primary hobbies and uses of his spare cash was to buy new gamebooks, even if he never planned to use them for a game. He'd devour them, expertly analyse their strengths and flaws, modify and house-rule them to his liking, and even a notoriously tricky game to GM like Exalted flowed smoothly in his hands.

His set of replacement Dragonblooded charms are still the best and most flavourful charmset ever made for them. And he always maintained that the best game system to run Star Wars with was the pulp action game Adventure! - which was the very last game I'd play with him. He was, as always on these matters, completely correct.

In another world, even with the problems we had, I'm sure Aaron could have been a published author. The problem, if problem it was, was that Aaron's prolificness stemmed from his own joy in writing and creating. Ultimately, if he was more interested in writing about a magical self-insert Sakura than he was in something "professional", then that's what he did. He took note of criticism and changed things if he got it, but ultimately the only critic whose opinion he internalised was himself. He wrote because he enjoyed writing. If somebody else enjoyed what he did, great. If nobody did, he'd write anyway.

Aaron and I were so close that my father asked me if we were gay once. We weren't - I'm straight, and he was (unknowingly at the time) asexual. But we loved each other anyway. We had the kind of easy camraderie and understanding where we could nostalge and talk for hours upon hours, week upon week, and never get bored even when we didn't have really anything to talk about. We were never bored of each other's company. From that very first day we met, we understood each other in ways that nobody else ever did, or ever would. I never pictured my life without Aaron in it. I was going to be a writer, I knew at 15 years old, with Aaron. I was going to move back to Canada someday - and live near Aaron. 

There is a hole, and it cannot be filled. It hurts, and it will always hurt. And yet I am greater for having it. It is unthinkable to wish that I didn't have it. My life without Aaron is unthinkable. I'll have to think of it, maybe another day, but not yet.

Aaron's last few years were difficult in some ways. He stuck in a predatory, horrible job that left him perpetually sick and exhausted, the only thing in the 25 years I knew him that actually forced him to stop writing and GMing for any length of time. He was too proud to take help, too tired to look for an alternative. He nearly died of a perforated ulcer a few years ago, and that added "chronic pain" to his ailments, and being him, he would only take painkillers when it became unbearable. It was unsustainable, we knew it, but he was always reaching for that promotion that would finally bring the shorter hours he had been asking for. In the meantime, he'd always say "Don't worry about me, I'm fine." I wish he had been right.

And yet.

In those same years, Aaron discovered himself. He discovered that he wasn't the strange not-wanting-sex freak he had grown up thinking he was, that there were many people like him out there. He got in touch with the emotions he had suppressed within himself due to a traumatic childhood experience, and while he sometimes had difficulty handling his newfound sadness (he was striken by grief like I'd never seen over the death of his grandfather) or anger (political topics were verboten in our conversations over the last few years), I believe that for all the pain and overwork and lack of creative output he was still in some ways never happier than he was these last few years.

He told me once that he wanted to find a partner of either gender, who didn't need or didn't want sex, but could be with him and hold him close when he needed it. I cried, and told him I knew he could find someone once he was out of that job. He deserved it. He deserved that happiness too.

This forum (although not solely) had a lot to do with him discovering himself, and that is why I felt I had to post about him here. You meant more to him than you know, and to some of you, though I don't know your names, I owe a debt I can never repay. Whoever you are, thank you so much. You helped him in a way I couldn't. The joy and hope of his last years came from the help you gave him.

And that's the end of the story of us. Aaron was exhausted, pushing himself beyond what he ever should have - now, at least, he can rest. Aaron was in pain, but now the pain is gone. There was nothing good or right or kind or acceptable about it, but it can't be changed, it can't be helped. 

Goodbye, Aaron. I love you. Thank you for writing stories with me.

-Chris Mcneil addressing sufficient velocity forums

#rip #fandom #author of hybrid theory #major custom exalted charm wonker #writer #internet opinion guy

[sushigirlali]

Admiration - Part III (Reylo Fanfic)

Part I | Part II | Part III

Summary: Padawan Ben Solo struggles to repel Snoke’s odious influence while coming to terms with his feelings for fellow student Rey of Jakku.

Parings: Rey + Ben Solo

Continuity: Jedi Academy AU; Rey is 19, Ben is 23.

Rating: E

Master list –> AO3 | ff.net | Tumblr

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Admiration - Part III

By: sushigirlali

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Could you move in slow motion? Everything goes by so fast Just slow down a little Save the best part for last

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Ben slowly stirred, shifting as a repetitive pressure in his side started to annoy him. "Poke me once more and see what happens," he grumbled into his pillow.

"Okay, tough guy," a lightly accented voice murmured before jabbing him again.

"Scavenger," he said affectionately, blindly reaching for Rey's lithe form.

She allowed him to pull her next to him, laughing as he pinched her pert bottom. "I borrow parts from the shop one time and—"

"Borrowed?" he interrupted, turning over to face her.

"Fine," she sighed in mock exasperation, "stole, but that doesn't change the fact that I made some much-needed improvements to Master Luke's ship."

Ben snorted, trailing a hand up her body to push a few errant strands of hair behind her ear, "I still remember the look on Luke's face when we found you knee deep in engine parts."

"He was so mad," Rey grinned, taking his hand and bringing it to her lips, "but you took the blame, like always. My hero."

Ben's heart felt full to bursting. "Do you honestly see me that way? As a hero?"

She leaned closer, rubbing her nose against his. "Yes."

All his doubts seemed silly now, when only a couple hours before he'd been sure about them. But Rey didn't see him as a monster or a descendant of the mighty Skywalker bloodline, she just saw him. "I love you," he said softly, cuddling her closer.

"I know," she replied smugly.

"Hey, I'm being serious here," Ben pouted, pinching her butt again.

"None of that now," she laughed, kissing away his frown.

"No?"

"Well," she leered, "maybe some of that. We definitely have better things to do than argue."

"We do?"

"Oh, yeah," she promised, playfully pushing him onto his back again. "Nap time is over, lover."

Ben choked as she kneeled between his hard thighs. "Wh—what are you doing?"

"What do you think?" she smirked, looking him over with hooded eyes. "You really are proportionate to your size, Solo," she said appreciatively.

"Uh…" Ben's brain stalled as she grasped his manhood.

"Loth-cat got your tongue?" she inquired, squeezing him experimentally. "Like this? I didn't get to touch you much before."

"M—move your hands up and down, like—yeah! Like that," he shuddered under her shy caresses.

"Faster?"

"Uh—no," he murmured, closing his eyes against the pleasure; the visual of Rey's small fingers gripping his cock was almost too much.

"Harder?"

"No, thank you." Was she trying to kill him?

"No, thank you? Well, at least you're polite."

Ben's eyes snapped open at her clipped tone. "Rey, what is it? Are you okay?"

"No, I'm fine, just… am I doing it wrong?" she frowned, maintaining the same slow rhythm. "What can I do to make it better?"

"Oh," he said, realizing the issue. "Rey, if you make it any better, I'm going to make a mess," he admitted frankly.

She sucked in a breath, then smiled, "I'd like that, actually. I'd love to make a mess of you."

Ben blushed under her hungry gaze. "You're amazing," he sighed, touching her hair again. But this time, he wrapped his hand around the back of her head and tugged. "If that's how you feel, then would you…?"

"Yes," she said eagerly, already lowering her mouth to kiss his flushed tip. "Mmm, salty."

"Sorry, it's the—"

"Heat?" She paused to lick him again. "I already told you, I like the way you taste." And then she was engulfing him between her pink lips, bobbing her head in time with his harsh breathing. Her movements were a little clumsy at first, but she quickly got the hang of it.

"Rey!" he cried, gripping her hair for purchase. "Wait! I'm—oh, Force!" Ben's back bowed and his dick slid to the back of her throat. "Rey! Fuck! Are you—ah!" His concern dying on his tongue, Ben barely held on as Rey seemed to lose herself in tasting a man for the first time. He could feel her in his mind, probing his fantasies, his desires...

"You already know what I want," he said without conscious thought. "You're what I want. You're perfect, perfect for me." Rey hummed around him in agreement, and the minute vibrations nearly tripped him over the edge. "Wait! Stop!"

Pulling back with a disgruntled glare, Rey wiped her mouth with the back of her hand. "What? We were just getting to the messy part!"

"I want to come inside you."

"Oh!"

"Only if you want me to," he said in a rush.

Rey crawled back up his frame and hovered over his erection. "I want you to," she said, pointedly pressing her dripping pussy against him.

Ben gulped, palming her hips. "You take control, I don't want to hurt you."

"You could never hurt me," she said confidently. "I've been inside your head, remember?"

"I'll never block you out again," he vowed, clenching as she separated her nether lips with two fingers. "I love you, Rey."

"I—ah—love you too!" she gasped, slowly sinking onto his thickness. "Oh, my—Ben!"

"Rey, I—does this feel as good for you as it does for me?" he grunted, trying not to squirm as she enveloped him inch by inch. "Tell me what you need."

She nodded, bracing her hands on his wide chest. "Just—just be still for a minute. It feels good, but you're—a lot." Her thighs tightened on either side of his hips as she determinedly sank lower.

"Take your time, sweetheart," he encouraged. "There's no need to rush."

"I know, but I want—ooh!" she broke off on a moan as the fine hairs of their sex met. "I—I just can't believe this is finally happening! It's—ah! Ben!"

Fully seated within her at last, Ben struggled to fill his lungs with air. The oppressive heat and humidity outside had nothing on Rey's warmth and he felt like he was burning up. Thick fingers nipping into her waist, he made a strangled sound when she unexpectedly flexed her inner muscles. They were a tight fit, but Rey didn't seem to be in any pain. Just the opposite, in fact.

"Are you alright?" she queried after a moment, pushing sweaty strands of hair away from his face.

He cupped her flushed cheeks in answer, pulling her within range of his lips. Instantly feeling more grounded, Ben caught his breath by sharing hers. After what seemed like an eternity, she gently raised her hips, sliding almost all the way off him before forging the connection again, finding a languid pace that had them both on edge. Yet, their lovemaking remained soft and slow, existing in the space of one breath to the next. Of one heartbeat, one soul…

It was then that a word surfaced in his mind, something he had read once is an obscure tome: dyad. The exact definition eluded him, but Ben felt it beating like a tattoo in his mind. Leading him somewhere, drawing him into a separate world… but not alone. No, Rey was there too. Reaching for him… for the balance between them, light and dark. And the moment their hands touched...

Rey suddenly began to shake in his arms, her climax taking them both by surprise. "Ben, I'm—it wasn't like this last time! It's never been like this!" she panted, biting his shoulder, his chest, anywhere she could reach. "I don't know what to do!"

"It's okay, you're safe," he murmured, smoothing his hands up and down her back. "We're both safe forever," he comforted. What's more, he knew it was the truth; nothing could separate them now. They were made for each other.

"Then be with me!" she whined, still teetering on the precipice. "Be with me, Ben! Please!"

"I am." It was freeing to be in love, to be loved in return. He had feared giving into Rey's desires for so long, but now he knew that there was no difference between what she wanted and what he wanted. They were fated, just like Rey had said; soulmates bound through the Force...

Ben groaned harshly as he allowed himself to let go, to come apart in her arms, spilling his seed in an uncontrollable flood of passion. The pleasure was so intense, so sharp, it was almost painful, but then he realized why: Ben could feel Rey's ecstasy as well. "Force, Rey! Do you feel that?"

"Yes!" she screamed. "I feel it too!"

Supporting her weight as her strength gave out and she collapsed across his damp chest, Ben pumped into her a few more times to extend their shared delight. But, inevitability, exhaustion claimed him as well.

——————

You're an unfenced fire! (for last) Over walls we trampled! (for last) It's you I admire! (for last)

——————

Ben roused first this time, shivering despite the fact that Rey was still blanketing him. Though it was barely dusk, the weather had taken a turn. His once steamy bedroom was now cool, the wind wafting in through his open window chilly. "That's weird," he muttered, carefully rolling Rey onto her back as he moved to shut the window.

"Hey, come back," she said groggily, wrapping her arms around his middle from behind.

"I'm here," he chuckled, throwing the latch for good measure, "just hold on for a second."

"Don't wanna," she complained, nuzzling her face against his back.

"You are so greedy," he joked, letting her drag him back to the bed. "We'll have to work on that in class next—oh, shit." Ben froze as he felt his uncle's Force signature approach the front door.

"Are you decent?" Luke called, knocking merrily. "And there's no need to sneak out, young lady, I know you're in there," he added good-naturedly.

"Oh, no!" Rey's hazel eyes were huge in her elfin face as she tracked past Ben to the door. "Ben, what should we do?"

"Get dressed," he said numbly, hastily pulling black trousers and a matching long sleeve shirt from his dresser. He threw the latter at her and tugged on the pants, scrambling to look presentable before their master grew impatient and stormed inside. Quickly looking her over, Ben was pleased to see that his shirt fell to her knees.

"What else?" she asked anxiously.

"Hair!" he responded, grabbing his brush and motioning for her to turn around. Rey complied and he quickly put her to rights, picking up some of her pins and ties off the floor and securing her locks in an Alderaanian plait.

"All done?" Luke said with another knock.

Glaring at the door, Ben ran the brush through his own hair once, then smoothed out his rumpled bed while Rey stowed their discarded clothing in his hamper. "Almost!"

"Are you sure? I can always come back later."

"Just hold on!" they yelled together, giving the room a once over before looking at each other again.

"It's going to be okay," Rey told him, reaching for his hand.

Ben slid his fingers between hers and gave them a squeeze. "I know."

"Right then," Luke said, strolling into the hut as soon as Ben waved a hand to unlock the door. "Now that the two of you have finally figured things out, I must ask that you please cease and desist with manipulating the weather. It's not fair to the other students and inhabitants of this planet."

Whatever they had expected Master Luke to say, it wasn't that.

"What?" Rey gaped.

"Really, younglings, you must have noticed that our moderately temperate planet has suddenly experienced a change in climate today. Several changes, actually." Luke looked thoughtful. "It does seem to be evening out now, though. Likely due to the strength of your dyadic connection."

"So, it was because of us," Ben said in awe, recalling everything that had happened between them today. "Because Rey and I are a dyad in the Force."

The old Jedi texts in Luke's study mentioned Force-users powerful enough to affect the weather of whole planets, but Ben had never considered it could happen in real life. If the legends were to be believed, two Jedi Masters working in perfect harmony could do just about anything. And if those Jedi were also a dyad...

"You knew?" Rey tilted her head in interest.

"I suspected," Ben replied. "It started getting unseasonably hot when we were in the training center and then uh… you know… when we, um…" He trailed off in a mumble, recognizing that his uncle was still very much in the room.

"Ohhh…" she nodded in understanding. "But then why is it so cold now?"

"To balance out the heat?" Ben guessed.

"Precisely," Luke said, sounding amused. "So, if you're going to be together, please don't wait until the balance of the planet is at stake to, you know, be together."

"Are you giving us permission to have sex?" Ben said dumbly.

"I very much doubt I could stop you, so it seems like the prudent thing to do."

"You mean you're not throwing us out?" Rey said hopefully.

"Of course not," Luke scoffed.

Ben's mouth fell open in shock. "And we can still be Jedi?"

"Rey will obviously remain my Padawan when you graduate to Jedi Master, but yes."

"Really?"

His uncle rolled his eyes. "I can see that this conversation is going to take longer than I anticipated."

"But love is forbidden for a Jedi!" Ben exclaimed.

"For the Jedi of old, perhaps, but we are not them."

"No, we're not," Rey agreed, leaning against Ben's side.

"Uncle," Ben said, voice cracking with emotion as he put his arm around Rey for support, "thank you."

Luke beamed at them both, "You're very welcome, nephew. Now, I have some other news I wish to share with you."

"What is it?"

"Since the truth of our lineage has been revealed, your mother has suffered a blow in the Senate. She intends to come stay here for a while with your father."

"They're coming here?" Ben was astonished.

"They want to see you. To explain."

"They do?"

Luke's expression softened. "Of course they do. I'm only sorry they haven't been able to come sooner. You must forgive an old man's foolishness. I've been clinging to what the Jedi were, not what they ought to be. But we're going to change that, from this day forward. Okay?"

"Okay!" they said enthusiastically.

Still, Ben had a few reservations. "Uncle, can we talk later? Snoke's influence seems to have weakened, but—"

Luke waved away his lingering fear. "We can, certainly, but you have nothing to worry about. You will not fall to the dark side, Ben. Not now, not ever." He smiled as he backed up to leave. "Snoke doesn't know it yet, but he's already lost."

Ben knew it too, but nevertheless, it was a relief to hear the words from his uncle, his hero. "Thank you," he said again.

"No problem," Luke winked as he opened the door. "See you around, kids!"

——————

My living example... It's you I admire! My living example

——————

Rey and Ben collapsed onto his bed, laughing uproariously.

"I can't believe it!" she said happily.

"Me either!" he sighed. "All that worry for nothing."

"Not for nothing," she protested, curling into his side. "You needed to work through your fear."

"Thank you for sticking by me while I did." Ben closed his arms around her, kissing her soundly. "I'm glad you didn't give up on me."

"I'm glad you gave me a chance to get through that thick skull of yours," she teased.

"Yeah, well, it's really hard to say no to you when you want something."

"Which just proves that I have excellent taste in partners!"

"Partners?" Ben stared into her bright eyes.

"Life partners," Rey said seriously. "You're stuck with me, Ben Solo. Forever."

"Forever?" Meaning he would have someone in his life who loved him as much as he loved them? Someone who would never leave him alone again? Yeah, he could handle forever. "Deal."

-FIN-

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A/N: Thanks for reading my work! This was actually pretty therapeutic for me since I haven't been able to write much since TRoS. I truly believe that Ben should have reconciled with Leia and Luke and gone on to live and atone for his mistakes. I'll always be crushed that he didn't. Anyway, defy every cynical narrative <3 

#reylo #reylo fanfic #reylo fic #ben solo #kylo ren #rey #reylo fanfiction #jedi academy au #reylo au #luke skywalker #admiration #song fic #my fanfiction #sushigirlali