#it's why she stayed in the gauntlet in the first place

[pentacass]

Wake Me, Break Free - 2 AO3

Chapter Summary: we've had the hurt. now it's time for some comfort, babyyy [Shadowheart/f!Tav]

Solistre feels the explosion propel them off their feet. Shadowheart’s armoured body slams into hers, and she falls on her back, coughing out the last breath in her lungs when Shadowheart lands on top of her. She hears a pained grunt, and feels a trickle of liquid soaking the fabric at her stomach. While Shadowheart rises to her elbows with effort, Solistre reaches down to touch her own leathers, and finds them intact. Then she sets her fingers on the ragged gash in Shadowheart’s armour, finding it slick and dripping with warm blood.  “You’re bleeding,” Solistre says, as armoured fingers brush away a tear from the corner of her light-stricken eyes.

#take this away from me I DON'T WANNA LOOK AT IT ANYMORE #baldur's gate 3 #bg3 #shadowheart #solistre #yzwrites #i love that some readers wondered if sol will keep her distance after what shart said to her #i'm like no!!! lmaoooo i love it yall give her too much credit #this bich couldn't stay away even if she tried #she cannot stop herself from loving people; it's what gave her so much grief back home #it's why she stayed in the gauntlet in the first place #every instinct is screaming at her to leave but how can she leave without her heart?

[html-nae]

T R A P S O U L

42!Miles x fem!OC

Part 4 of the 42!Miles x fem!OC series

WC:777

Love.

Love, by definition, is an intense feeling of deep affection.

Or

A strong affection for another out of kinship of personal ties.

Or

Attraction based on sexual desire.

It could be anything or everything you hope for.

Or

The feeling can haunt you.

Love or Lust? Is a question that the majority ask.

All of us ask.

Love is when you try to place them or it out of your mind. But you can’t. You can’t think of anyone or anything else. Just them.

If he danced, she danced. And if he didn’t

She still did.

I hope you find some peace of mind in this lifetime. Or at least something you can call your paradise. Give it a chance Morales.

That’s the same advice Harmony would give him any time he felt stressed.

Say yes to me, I’ve got my eye on you.

Harmony never said those words out loud. She refused, she valued their friendship too much.

She was willing to stay if he left, just so he would have someone to come back to if he decided to return.

He stayed in her mind.

Just like Gwen stayed in his.

Just like Harmony stayed in Miles’.

Not her Miles. The other Miles.

The Miles that knew who she was. The Miles that would burn the world down just to make her happy. The Miles that would sacrifice anyone and everyone to keep her safe. The Miles that loves her.

He’d give anything to spend a few hours with her again.

Hours.

It’s been hours since she heard from Miles.

Don’t let him forget about me.

She didn’t want to relive this feeling of being alone. Harmony didn’t want to keep crying in the silk cloth of her pillow. She didn’t care how long it took.

All though she should've.

As long as she was with Miles, a smile adorned her face. He was her own personal sun. Always bubbly, but left her cold and alone at night. Just to pop back up again the next day and do it all over again.

Harmony hated to admit it, but she was scared.

It felt like he didn’t care.

Why am I still here?

She didn’t mean to be complacent with the decision he made.

But why?

Why her?

Did he think of her every night before he went to sleep or did he think of Harmony for hours on end?

Hours.

It’s been hours since she heard from Miles.

A knock sounded from her window.

Maybe he didn’t forget about me.

Harmony thought while throwing back the comforter.

Not Miles.

Miles’ suit wasn’t white.

Nor did it have a hood.

Or pink.

It was Gwen.

Harmony raised a brow and opened her window, the outside air was cooler than it was inside her room. It was almost 10 at night and the city was lively.

You could hear the laughter from where they were. You could see the fluorescent lighting from the neon signs that were still lit and wouldn’t be turned off until the sun came up the next day.

It was calming.

Calming would’ve been the word to describe the music that was playing on the record player a few feet away.

It would’ve been calming if the coolness against his face wasn’t coming from a metal gauntlet that covered the hand of the other version of himself.

It would’ve been calming if he wasn’t tied on a stiff punching bag. His back was aching.

Everything was aching, like it had been for hours.

Hours.

He’s been here for hours.

If he wasn’t glitching then he was begging for his escape.

Or he was taking blows.

His face was covered in dirt and more bruises.

He was exhausted.

Miles from Earth 42 didn’t bat an eye.

He was envious.

Envious of what Miles had back on Earth 1610.

He had Harmony.

He wondered if she was like his Harmony.

She shined like the patent leather on his new 11’s.

She read him like a book, like he was the Bible and she was the reverend.

Miles spent hours talking about his days as a youth to her.

Exposing all his demons and exposing the reasons he was the way he was.

While Miles was too scared to exposed himself, Harmony knew him better than he knew himself. She got him. She hugged him. Told him she missed him.

He fell in love for the first time.

And now that was all gone.

He was envious of everything that he lost.

Everything and anything he hoped for was gone.

Taglist:

@urmotherswhor3 @not-aya @ihavenousernamewhyy-2 @erensbbg @reneuv @notsaelty @blackwxdo @bajadotcom @delulu4yuta @soseoulol @literalawkwardsimp @m9rgaux @kimchikim @mama-2001 @shoyofroyoyoyo @littleshybunbun

#spider man #miles morales x reader #earth 42 miles #earth 42 miles x reader #miles x reader #spiderman x y/n #across the spiderverse #miles molares #gwen stacy #across the spider verse spoilers #into the spider verse #spiderverse oc #spiderverse spoilers #spider man: across the spider verse #spiderman

[cosmichorrorsarestillnicerthanme]

Can you write NSFW a/o SFW of elphet with a !Male S/O, that has a dragon gear

This basically turned into its own mini fic...

Also, why is pink so hard to make?

Now! Your wish is my command!

Warnings: Smut written by an Asexual at the end, impregnation kink, breeding kink

The two of you met for the first time when Elphelt was leaving the castle and you were turning in a bounty.

The two of you were both heading in the same direction, that direction being nowhere in particular.

So, the two of you just started walking.

Eventually, Elphelt introduced herself.

You did the same.

After a few days, the two of you had struck up a friendship and had officially become traveling companions.

Slowly, Elphelt found the direction she wanted to go.

And seeing as you had nothing better to be doing at the time, you followed her.

It was around this time that Elphelt noticed the Gear Suppressors you wore.

It was also around this time that Elphelt saw what happened when you took them off.

All it took was for a wild gear to wake up, and nearly kill the both of you.

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

Elphelt groaned as she regained consciousness, the last few minutes being a blank aside from the Gear sending her flying far, far away.

Though not so far away as to where she couldn’t see what was happening.

The massive hulking brute of a Gear roared as the white fire shot skywards as your hair grew five times its length, your nails sharpened into claws, your blood red eyes and the twin Gear brands on the back of your hands glowing as the inferno roared around you.

After that, the flames completely engulfed you, making it impossible for Elphelt to see you.

“I dislike using this too much. It’s all kinds of… nasty.” your distorted voice cut through the roaring flames, and then a Gear’s Brand appeared before you and a thunderous boom rang out.

In an instant, the entire upper right half of the massive gear was burned away.

“Madhouse Shot.” you declared as the inferno around you ceased.

In the place you stood was a creature that walked a fine line between machine, man, and monster.

A body of gunmetal gray, hair like fire that was held back by the spiked ridges of your now mask like face, metal and flesh merging into one across your entire body, razor sharp claws, your Brand now made of metal and five times as large and forming a sort of gauntlet.

Elphelt didn’t have time to admire you for long though, as the gear began to rapidly regenerate.

“Hmm… you're a tough one.” your distorted voice muttered as you grabbed your right wrist, closing your fist tight and opening it a few times before speaking once more with a sigh “Then it looks like I’ll have to be a little meaner.”

You raised your closed fist pointing directly at the Gear before speaking.

“Carnot Cycle Subjugator.”

In an instant the heat radiating off of you increased a thousand fold, the ground below you melting and bubbling, trees around you drying out and beginning to burn.

Then you opened a finger, and in turn, the heat multiplied several times over.

The ground then began to actually melt into slag, trees ignited, and all moisture in the air vanished.

You raised a second finger, and even Elphelt, despite how far away she had been flung, was struggling against the heat while the massive gear was pushed back by wave after wave of heat burning away his flesh.

“That should be more than enough. Now, stay very, very still. I don’t want to have to vaporize more of this place than I have to.” you declared before exhaling.

Then you said two words.

“Incinerators Anthem.”

In an instant, a wave of fire shot out from between your fingers.

Though, calling it merely “Fire” was doing it a great disservice.

It was more akin to a laser, completely vaporizing the Gear.

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

After that, Elphelt was practically attached to you at the hip.

She was extremely curious about how there was a humanoid gear like you.

Though, she was a lot more excited about your firepower.

As soon as she was able to, she called Ramlethal and told her all about it.

To say that Ramlethal nearly blew a gasket upon hearing the story was an understatement.

You were quite surprised she didn’t fly over here herself to throttle Elphelt herself.

However, she was apparently dealing with a “Sassy Lost Child” that was trying to “Kill Evil Twink Jesus”.

She then had to hang up.

You were deeply concerned by this information.

To Elphelt, it was just another tuesday.

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

A while after this, Elphelt started looking at you… oddly.

Like you were a piece of meat.

She also kept mentioning how “Hot” you were.

You didn’t understand this.

If she wanted to stay cool, she should stop booking rooms with only one bed.

This woman was an enigma to you.

Though.

Eventually.

With a great deal of obvious hints, especially in the lyrics of Elphelt’s songs.

You figured out what the answer to the Enigma of Elphelt Valentine was.

And not once had you ever felt so hot.

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

Elphelt was very public about the whole thing between you two.

She wanted EVERYONE to know exactly who she was with.

She wanted no doubt that you and her were official.

She even got the marriage papers framed.

The whole shebang really.

The wedding was a private affair.

Despite that, Slayer and his wife, Sharon, still managed to slip in since they both liked Elphelt’s songs.

Especially the ones about her falling in love with you.

No one questioned them.

They knew better.

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

The honeymoon was perhaps the single most physically straining month of your entire life.

If you weren’t a Gear you are completely sure that you would have come within a hair's breadth of death multiple times.

A fair few times was due to Elphelt just being so excited that she crushed you in a hug.

The rest of the times were due to you and her fucking like rabbits.

How such a small woman could have so much energy for sexual deviancy terrified you.

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

“AHH~!” Elphelt screamed in ecstasy as you slammed her into the side of the cliff with enough force to crater it, fucking her pussy like a wild animal and lighting her nerves on fire with every thrust.

“Oh~! Fu- Harder! Harder damn it! Show me how strong a Gear REALLY is!” Elphelt shouted to the heavens without care, knowing that there was not a single soul within two thousand miles of the island the two of you were on.

And you were not one to disappoint your beautiful wife.

So, you let loose a little more, your hair growing longer, nails sharpening, and magic infusing your body with power.

You didn’t transform all the way, you didn’t need your flames for anything here after all, but you transformed enough to get all the strength you had to spare.

This was more than enough for El to know she wasn’t going to be doing anything you didn’t want her to.

You had all the power you needed to turn her into a mess, just like she wanted.

So, you did just that.

You fucked her until the crater you made when you slamned her into the side of the cliff became a cave.

You fucked her until her mind was mush.

Until her throat had gone hoarse from screaming.

Until she instinctively wrapped her legs around you so tight that you could barely move.

Until the only thing coming out of her mouth was moans of pleasure and her incoherently mumbling about how this wasn’t a safe day for her.

Neither of you cared about that though.

The only thing you cared about was making sure that everyone knew exactly who Elphelt belonged to.

The only thing Elphelt cared about right now, with the last few shreds of sentient thought in her mind, was making sure everyone knew who you belonged to.

And so, she made sure you plowed her until her cunt was raw.

She egged you on, she made sure that every time you filled her pussy until it overflowed she had her legs locked tight around you, and she made sure to let you know exactly what was going to happen to her after the honeymoon, when the inevitable pregnancy began.

Every.

Exquisite.

Detail.

#guilty gear #guilty gear x reader #elphelt valentine x reader #elphelt valentine

[eemcintyre]

Something to Talk About (Tom Cruise)

TW: Literally nothing. Pure unadulterated fluff.

Summary: you and 90s!Tom are secretly married, and while on vacation (specifically, enjoying a nice breakfast), you two realize that the press has finally caught you together and published photos of you.

A wholehearted thank you for all of the support and positive feedback on the first fic I posted, I was so pleasantly surprised!

Y/N stirred, rolling over in the king-sized bed and wrapping the white sheets tightly around her shoulders, her eyes still closed. After a few moments of stillness as she slowly awoke, she extended one arm from her mass of blankets to reach for her husband.

For officially one year, Y/N had been able to call Tom Cruise her husband, and to celebrate the anniversary, he had agreed to take a weeklong break from work so they could go on a trip together to France. Provence was one of their favorite places to visit, due to the charming sights, as well as the tight security at the condo they always stayed at.

The latter aspect was particularly appealing, as most of the world actually didn’t even know that Y/N and Tom had dated. They had been introduced by a mutual friend in the filmmaking industry, and apart from them, only a few of their closest friends and family were aware. After the scrutiny and ridicule Tom had received during his past relationships, she and he had decided to wait as long as they could before someday having to reveal their relationship to the public. Y/N was also a behind-the-camera worker when it came to movies and was not used to any kind of intense media attention. They didn’t even wear wedding rings out in public and had opted out of buying an engagement ring as well, lest the accessories get noticed in paparazzi photos.

As Y/N blindly pawed at the spot on the mattress next to her, she was surprised to discover that Tom was not there. As she began to more fully wake up and register her surroundings, she detected the smell of food cooking, and the faint sounds of The Temptations and pans sizzling.

She tentatively rose to an upright position on the edge of the bed, loosening the knots in her hair with her fingers. Wearing one of Tom’s white t-shirts, a pair of pajama shorts, and a pair of socks, she treaded curiously in the direction of the kitchen. The room was bathed in sunlight, and a breeze floated in from the open sliding glass door leading to the balcony, gently ruffling the linen curtains.

Tom, his hair mussed, dressed in a t-shirt and boxers, was intensely focused on the pan and skillet in front of him on the stove, containing pancakes and bacon. The table was set with a small bouquet of flowers and a glass pitcher of orange juice that reflected patterns onto the table as the sun cut through it. His back was turned, allowing her to watch him silently, leaning against the doorway as he sang under his breath. Launching into a small spin while carrying a bowl of fruit to the table, he eventually saw that he was no longer alone. His gaze fell to the floor, and he shook his head, chuckling in embarrassment.

“Morning, sunshine. Hopefully I didn’t wake you too early.”

“No, I was just enjoying the show,” she grinned, stepping through the doorway to the spot on the floor behind him so she could slip her arms around his torso and rest her chin on his shoulder. “You didn’t have to make breakfast.”

“You’re just afraid that I’ll burn the place down,” he joked, leaning into her touch. “Or that my pancakes will be better than yours.”

In mock outrage, Y/N unwrapped him from her arms and shot him an appalled look, shoving him playfully. “Oh, you’ve thrown down the gauntlet now, chef.”

“Why don’t you withhold judgement? I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised,” he retorted slyly, taking her plate in one hand and the spatula into his other and tossing several steaming golden-brown blueberry pancakes onto her plate. While allowing the food to cool, they poured themselves some juice.

“Squeezed it myself,” he said, and she looked at him incredulously. “No, it’s Minute Maid,” he laughed.

“Wow, and I thought you were really going all-out. What kind of self-respecting chef doesn’t squeeze their own orange juice?” she rolled her eyes, tilting her head back as she joined in the laughter.

They sat silently in each other’s presence for a moment, as the pancakes finally reached an edible temperature.

“Well, neglecting the orange juice was a smart choice, because these are incredible,” she praised him, nodding for emphasis.

“Thank you, thank you,” he tipped his head in a dramatic bow.  “And you doubted me.”

“I’ll never do it again, sweetheart.”

“I wish I could have caught this moment on tape.”

“Shut up!”

They leisurely enjoyed their breakfast at the table while reading the news of the morning from several local and international newspapers. It was only the sounds of the birds singing, the waves in the distance, and the breeze, until suddenly, Tom’s gaze shot upward at Y/N, who began choking on a mouthful of food. Clinging to the paper she had been reading, she reached for her juice with her other hand and cleared the obstruction before Tom felt the need to panic. Her hand clutching her chest, she managed to slow her breathing again, but her face still looked ill, unnaturally pale, and her eyes were transfixed with the newspaper.

“Honey, what’s wrong?” He leaned forward with his elbows on the table, and she handed him the paper. He was met with a large headline in the entertainment section which prompted him to check that area of the other newspapers on the table as well. All echoed phrases along the lines of:

“Tom Cruise spotted on vacation with mystery woman.”

“Source claims Tom Cruise finally off the market again.”

“Shit,” he sighed, setting the papers face-down on the table, and running both hands through his hair. Each article was also accompanied by paparazzi photos of them coming and going from the condo and talking on the balcony.

“Can we turn this orange juice into a mimosa?” Y/N groaned. “What happened to five-star security?” She became shaky. “Oh, I think I’m going to be sick.”

Tom was visibly displeased but holding it together a lot better than Y/N. “Hey, it’s okay. I mean, we knew everyone was going to find out someday. Think about it- maybe it’s for the best, we won’t have to sneak around anymore. And they don’t even know who you are yet…”

“But they’ll figure it out soon enough and then tear me apart,” Y/N replied. “They’ll pick apart everything about how I look, and all my personal business will be in the open…”

“You don’t know that,” he insisted, taking her hands from across the table. “If they have any sense, they’ll love you. Maybe you’ll be Hollywood’s next It-girl,” he grinned. “But we’re not going to let it ruin our anniversary trip, and we’ll take whatever comes and just keep doing us, okay?”

She nodded wordlessly, managing a small, uncertain smile.

“Remember, you said you’d never doubt me again.”

“I didn’t realize that was going to come back to bite me so soon,” she griped, the color slowly returning to her face.

“Hey, I have an idea,” Tom began, rising from his chair with Y/N’s hands still in his, bringing them both to their feet.

“What?”

“Let’s really give ‘em something to talk about.” She noticed that he was guiding them in the direction of the balcony.

“W-what are we doing?”

Once they were within full view of the entire complex and any photographers who might be lying in wait, he moved in for a kiss.

“Tom, you’re fucking crazy!” she dodged it, trying to look shocked, but unable to suppress a giggle, and she soon joined in.  

#tom cruise #tom cruise fic #tom cruise imagine #tom cruise x female reader #tom cruise x reader #fanfiction #tom cruise fanfic #tom cruise fluff #fluff #fanfic #one shot #x reader #imagine #creative writing #self insert #reader insert #just for fun #just roll with it

[thesongweave]

Fights

They all suffered injuries in their adventures across the wilds, sure. Before Halsin and Jaheria joins the company, the healing and treatment of wounds tends to fall between Alathea and Shadowheart. What they can't fix with their spells has to be dealt with through potions, poultices, and good old fashioned bandages.

So the first time (after admissions of feelings...) Thea takes a serious injury in combat while Gale was back at camp...

TW: injury

EDIT: updated with some spellcheck, lol.

They'd had an argument that morning - gods know Gale had been thinking about it almost non-stop since, especially since he had decided to stay in camp to get some space and cool off.

For the life of him though, he couldn't quite recall what had STARTED the argument in the first place ..

Maybe it was the shadows, the looming threat of Moonrise ahead...

They had already been there once, freed the surviving tiefling refugees &and some gnomes - slipped back out with none the wiser.

Then came a brief stop at Last Light before heading off after Balthazar.

It was that night he'd stolen away, turned the shadowy sky to stars and confessed to Thea how he had been feeling, and found she felt much the same.

They had been dancing around each other for some time now, really, but if he wasn't worrying about the orb, then Mystras command....

Gale had not wanted to burden Thea with his feelings just for him to turn around and die. But, he felt it not right to leave things unsaid, either.

The next morning, they'd run into Raphael, the damned devil. He wanted Thea and company to take care of a...well, Raphael was rather vague on what they'd find, but he wanted a thing taken care of. In exchange for information for Astarion.

Then there was the gauntlet of Shar, hidden under the Thorm mausoleum...

And now they were camped there, amongst the ghosts and the crumbling walls.

At any rate, Thea and Gale, who usually saw eye to eye on most things, did not see so this morning. So the bard, stewing from the... disagreement, had struck on out to finish the trials with Shadowheart, Karlach, and Astarion in tow.

Gale had been attempting to read, unsuccessfully, when a sudden commotion broke the silence that had been the camp. He heard Wyll shout out for him, which drew Gales attention to the returning adventuring team.

What he saw made his blood run cold and the blood drain from his face. Shadowheart, magic glowing around her hands, and Astarion flanked Karlach. All three were bloodied and battered, but it was, of course, the smaller figure that Karlach carried in her arms that drew the wizards gaze.

"Thea, oh gods no," he thought, book discarded quickly to the side as he grabbed his staff and ran up, "please, no..."

Karlach was laying the elf out in a hastily laid out bedroll by the fire pit, Shadowheart never ceasing in her healing magic - for all the good it seemed to be doing. Why wasn't it working?

"What happened!?" Gale felt a disconnect. He heard himself talking, but it sounded miles away as his eyes took in Theas unconscious form.

Like the others, she was covered head to toe in blood. She was unnaturally pale, paler than Gale had ever seen her.

Halsin had swooped in next to Shadowheart, partially blocking Gale from Thea. The former first druid set straight to work.

Everyone was talking, fast and frantic, but Gale wasn't listening, their voices all blending together to make an almost overwhelming buzz in his ears.

Trying not to panic, the wizard stepped around Halsin and Shadowheart, finally finding a spot to kneel next to his lover, praying frantically that it looked worse than it was.

"Fuckin - fuck me, but we didn't hear them coming. More of those undead justiciars, they portaled in behind us--" Gale picked out a bit of the story.

"They were in us before we knew it." Karlach was on the edge of being frantic, herself. Thea was her best friend, after all, and the tiefling made it a point to keep an eye out on the elven bard.

Gale gulped, seeing the broken haft of an arrow protruding from Alathea's midsection. It wasn't the only wound, of course, just the thing that drew his attention first.

"Healing not working--"

"Might be cursed--"

Shadowheart's and Halsins voices blurred together. Gale tried to listen, but his mind just kept playing back the angry words from that morning.

Why had they even argued in the first place? Why did he let her go angry? He should have been there...

Was she even breathing? Gales's mouth was dryer than paper.

She had to live. Gods, please, she had to. It couldn't end now, not like this.

He reached a shaking hand out to Thea's face, fingers just barely brushing her skin.

She was so cold.

"-- Gale!!"

Shadowheart's sharp voice snapped the wizard back, out of his own mind.

"Bloody hells. I think it might be a bone-chill curse. I cannot remove it - can you?" The cleric's tongue was sharp, a hint of exasperation edging into the panic that was in all of them.

Gale swallowed, trying to focus. Nodding, he faced Alathea's much to still body, just managing to focus enough to recall the incantation for removing curses.

Magic flowed from his fingers into the elf, the magic floating like must through the air as it settled over Thea.

There was a quiet over those gathered now, waiting...

"There!" Halsin exclaimed, soft streams of healing magic finally taking hold. "Come, Shadowheart. We may yet save her."

There was a flurry of activity as the two worked, quick as they could. Karlach and Astarion tried, maybe only half-heartedly, to get Gale to move to give some room, but let it go when he refused to move.

The few minutes it took for the druid and cleric to work their healing spells dragged on for what felt like an eternity to Gale.

Both healers sat back once they were done, sweat-soaked and exhausted.

Halsin was the one to turn to Gale, concern and worry clear in his features. "It is up to her, now. We have done all we are able to. Shall we move her elsewhere to rest...?"

Gale blinked, tearing his gaze from Thea. He had been so focused on watching her breathing...

"Ah, yes. My tent. I will watch her, of course." Gale felt lumps growing in his throat and stomach.

He'd never argue with her again if he had any say in the matter. Whatever it took to have Thea open her eyes once more.

Halsin nodded, standing and moving to pick the much smaller elf up. Gale stopped him, standing and gently gathering his lady love up in his arms. The druid nodded in silent understanding, simply resting a hand on Gales shoulder a moment before turning away.

"You will get me if anything changes, hm?" Shadowheart asks as Gale turns towards his tent.

He just nods.

Thea is so very light, he realizes. He noted it before, but now...well, he holds her just a bit closer, just a bit tighter.

She's so very still.

~to be continued~

#bg3 #baldurs gate 3 #tav x gale #gale of waterdeep #gale x tav #bg3 companions #gale romance #bg3 gale #gale bg3 #gale dekarios

[xoxoavenger]

Clean

pairing: Steve Rogers x Fem!Reader

summary: There was nothing left to do When the butterflies turned to dust that covered my whole room

word count: 3680

warnings: very angst, comforting ending of self recovery, mostly working through a bad breakup and learning how to forgive, you can play a fun game of how many popular media references lizzie can make in one chapter

1989 masterlist main masterlist

"Steve," Y/N said as the world seemed to quiet for a bit. Steve turned to look at her. "I just, I want you to know that-"

"Don't." Steve looked away, shaking his head. "We aren't gonna do that right now." He told her, but she grabbed his arm.

"Steve, I love you. Are you listening? I love you and I want you to know-"

"Y/N," Steve looked at her again, and she held his gaze. "No one is going to die, alright? We're all gonna be fine." His eyes told a different story, one they both knew.

"Steve," She started, but everyone turned when Thanos stepped out of the portal.

It was a losing game from there.

He went through them with ease. One by one they ran at him, and one by one they were simply thrown to the side. Y/N had ran with Steve, the two thrown to the side. She was flung against a tree, a cut off groan making it's way out of her lips as she slid to the ground. The air had been knocked out of her, and she was sure her ribs were at least cracked. Steve helped her up quickly and the two ran back. At that point, however, everyone had been knocked out. Steve held Thanos for a moment while Y/N stabbed into his back, causing Thanos to let out a cry of anguish. Steve had tried to take the gauntlet off, but in a quick move Thanos threw Y/N off and knocked out Steve. Y/N looked around, noticing Wanda in the background. She had to give her more time.

Y/N jumped back up, trying not to pay attention to aching in her body. She took a katana out of the holder on her back, running at Thanos. It was no use, however, because he just used a stone to throw her against the ground, which knocked her out, and then against the closest tree for good measure.

When she came to, Steve was above her, holding her close.

"Steve?" She got his attention, noticing the look of defeat on his face. "What happened?" Before she could get a response, Bucky was walking up to them.

"Steve?" He asked. Y/N had the time to turn her head as she watched him fade to dust, which made her heart race.

"Oh no." She groaned, losing feeling in her legs. Sure enough, when she looked down she too was turning to dust.

"Y/N," Steve muttered, hand on her face. She covered it before she couldn't feel her hands. "Please, no," Y/N opened her mouth to say more, but she was gone before the words reached her lips. Steve's head fell back in agony, and he let out a groan as tears began to race down his face.

She was gone. She was the last one left, and she was gone.

"Oh God."

~

It had been five years. Five years put a strain on some people, she knew that. She knew it would take time to adjust. They had been staying in different rooms, Steve getting used to living with someone again. She thought it was getting better. She though that maybe, just maybe, they'd begin going back to how they used to be.

She had to say, when Steve asked to talk to her alone in his room, the room they used to share, she didn't think it would be this. As she sat on the bed they used to sleep in every night, Y/N felt her heart quicken just a bit.

First he explained time travel. He explained how they got the stones in the first place, how they were planning on giving them back because of the timeline and whatnot. She listened through it, wondering the whole time why he had asked her to meet him privately if he was just going to explain how they brought everyone back. He wasn't even explaining what he went through in the five years.

Then, he pulled her heart out of her body.

"It's my mission to put them back where we got them." He told her. She nodded, still confused. It was silent for a second as they both thought about what to say.

"Do you want me to go with you?" She asked when he didn't continue, thinking maybe he needed her to come with him - wanted her to come with him. A mission together, just like years ago when they were Avengers. Just like before.

"No," He said quickly, then scooted away from her slightly. "No, I want to go alone."

If she had to pinpoint the moment she began to realize that things would never, ever be the same, it'd be right then. Right as he moved away from her.

"Okay," She didn't know why, yet. She wasn't sure why he would want to go alone, why he would sit her down just to tell her all this, why he would move away when she asked if he needed help. But she knew it wasn't good. "Are you alright?" She asked, because all she could think about was his well-being. All she could think about was him. Her heart was racing in anticipation.

"Y/N," He didn't answer her question, instead turning his face to look at her for the first time since they had sat down. He looked conflicted, he looked sad, but he also seemed somewhat relived.

That was what worried her - the relief.

"Steve?" She whispered, her heart racing too fast for her body to keep up with. "What's going on? You can talk to me." She put a hand on his shoulder, but he just got up and stood in front of her. She looked up, and he put his hands together, pressing them to his lips. She stayed on the bed, letting him have some space. She couldn't move if she wanted to - she was sure her legs were numb. Her stomach was rolling with anticipation, with dread.

"Tony and I had to go to an old base in the seventies to get the Tesseract. When I went back, I saw Peggy, and I," He shook his head and cut himself off as Y/N felt her heart drop. She felt every piece of it shatter, felt it fall. She looked up at Steve, at the man she loved what felt like days ago. At the man who loved her days ago - it wasn't. It had been five years for him.

But somehow it only took a moment in the seventies for him to change his mind.

"Steve," She whispered, tears beginning to fall from her eyes. She knew what he was going to do. She couldn't think of anything else to say, anything to make him stay with her. She felt the tears drowning her, making her gasp for breath as the understanding that Steve was leaving her shook her entire being.

"Y/N, I'm sorry. You don't deserve this. It shouldn't be you, but it is." He told her, letting his arms fall to his sides. She stood up, looking at him with a tilted head. Tears raced down her face but she could only feel rage vibrating through her body. She was still drowning, but now changing her tactics to trying to swallow the water and make the burden easier.

"I don't deserve this? That's all you have to say?" She asked, squinting her eyes. Steve looked away, a tear falling from his own eyes. It enraged her, the fact that he was crying. "Seriously, tears? No, look at me." She told him, the deep breaths doing nothing to fend off the tears choking her.

"I know you don't understand-"

"You're right. But I understand that I love you. I loved you for years and now you're leaving me for a woman you kissed once." She knew it was rude of her to say out loud, that Steve and Peggy had a connection, but it was unfair to her. This was wrong and it wasn't even her fault.

"You were gone for five years." He told her, which made her even more angry.

"That's your defense? You're using the fact that I was snapped away out of my control?" She yelled throwing her hands out. "Is this what you do, Steve Rogers?" She shook her head, looking away. She was using his own name to insult him.

Her heart was on the floor. It was in shambles on the floor as Steve continued to look away.

"You are not a true hero, Steve." She muttered, a finger on his chest now. It heaved with a sob, which made her even more mad. "You, Captain America," She spat his name as if it were a curse, digging deep. "You are the worst. You're a terrible friend - you're being a terrible friend to all of us. All of us that you're leaving for one girl in the past." She sniffled but she knew it wasn't going to help her sinuses.

"I feel stuck here! I don't belong here." His words may as well as have slapped her across the face. She wanted to scream, but she knew he wouldn't hear her. He would never truly hear her again.

"You don't belong here with me? With Bucky and Sam?" She questioned, licking her lips and tasting salt from the tears. She knew the answer - he had already told her. "You know what? You're a shit lover - shit boyfriend - but you're a worse friend. I'm your girlfriend, your love, but Bucky is your best friend. He was there with you before and now he's here and you're leaving him." Y/N hit her hands against her legs, letting out a scoff.

"Bucky already knows." Was all Steve said.

"Oh, and I'm sure he loved the idea. I'm sure he told you that it was great and that you deserve it." She told him. He finally looked at her, face puffy and tears falling.

"Don't I?" He asked, furrowing his brows. "Don't I deserve happiness?" Him actually punching her across the face would have hurt less.

Happiness.

Happiness that she couldn't give him, apparently. She let out a sob, her body moving with it. He had cut too deep, and the dam she had been able to momentarily erect crumbled before her.

"Sorry, I was unaware that the only way for you to get happiness was with a woman you kissed one time and apparently never got over. Tell me, when we kissed were you imagining her? When I fell asleep in your arms, would you pretend I was her? How about when we had sex? This whole time, you've been pretending that I was someone else," She pressed her lips together as she watched him shake his head. Her voice was high with emotion, unable to continue.

"No, it's not like that." Steve tried to defend. Y/N was fired up now, rage flowing through her veins. She pushed Steve - obviously he didn't stumble much.

"You wear those Stars and Stripes like you're so high and mighty. You aren't. You aren't righteous, Steve. You may be a superhero and you may have the power of the gods, but you are not good. You break hearts when you feel like it because you're Captain America and you can get away with anything. You, Steve Rogers? You are a coward." She moved to leave the room, taking another breath as tears continued to make their way down her face. They were all the way down her neck and making her sweater wet. "You're a coward and I would have never done this to you." And with that she left.

Back in her room, the one that she had never seen, she waited patiently for Steve to leave. It didn't take long, and while she was waiting she pulled out the box that Rhodey had given her when she first moved back into the apartment. It was all her things from the Compound that he had luckily packed up and saved before the place was blown to pieces. Most of the items were small, like a blanket and a couple of books. But there were some picture frames. She pulled one out, her favorite one. It was of her and Steve, when he had taken her to Brooklyn and they looked around where he grew up. The picture was taken on the Brooklyn Bridge, Steve with his hat and sunglasses so he wouldn't be recognized and Y/N leaning up in her sundress with a hand on Steve's abdomen to steady herself. She's looking up at him, all the love in the world in her eyes. And Steve, he's got his hand around her waist pulling her close, but he's giving the camera a closed mouth smile.

She had always been more in love. She had always fallen harder. She was bound to break.

The door shuts, and she doesn't wait a minute before she's letting it out. She screams, the tears coming back full force as she lets the pain was over her. She knew Steve would still be able to hear it, but she also knew he wouldn't come back. He'd let her scream her throat raw, let her drown in her own tears, before he admitted to hearing her pain.

~

She didn't see Steve again for four years.

"Hey," Sam walked into her room. She had been living with Sam and Bucky for three years at that point, and the three had gotten pretty close. Her and Bucky bonded over their mutual loss, and Sam helped them get through it. Together, they formed an unlikely group that had the capacity to yell at each other in the kitchen before sitting down in front of the tv and watching their shared tv show during dinner.

"Hey," She put down the book and looked at the two, sitting up. They looked sad. "What's wrong?" She swung her legs over the bedside and stood up.

"It's Steve." Her heart clenched at Sam's words. After all these years, his name still made her heart race, still made her want to cry. She hadn't gone with Sam and Bucky to say goodbye, she hadn't been there when Steve handed off the shield. She declined to visit him when her housemates would go, and she continued to cut all contact from him.

Because once again, he had lived a life while she had been stuck in the same place.

"What about him?" Y/N asked, watching Bucky walk through the room. He was clearly distraught about something, so Y/N could guess pretty well what he was going to say before he said it.

"He's not doing too well." Bucky told her. She had known for awhile that Steve was close to death, that it was only his super solider blood keeping him alive. He shouldn't have even made it this long.

"That's unfortunate." She told them, crossing her arms and looking at the ground. She wasn't quite sure what to say about that. She didn't want Steve to die, of course, but she wasn't close to him. She didn't even know him.

"He wants to see you. Before he goes." Bucky mentioned, staying close to the door near Sam.

"Well, maybe he should have thought about that four years ago." She kicked her legs back up onto her bed and grabbed her book again. "Well, four years and, of course, eighty years after that for him." She pretended to read her book in hopes that they would leave, but the boys just stepped in.

"We think it could be good for you to get everything out while you still can." Sam said gently. Y/N didn't even look away from her book.

"What's left to get out? Steve left me, the girl he'd been dating for three years, to be with the girl he kissed once before going into the ice." Y/N was obviously still upset, but she'd let go of a lot of it throughout the years. Therapy helped, but time had as well.

Still, she wasn't ready to see Steve. She had kept the pictures in a closed shoe box in her closet, one that hadn't been opened since she put them in there right after her breakdown.

"Maybe you should tell him that." Bucky suggested, and Y/N rolled her eyes.

"I did, back when he told me he was leaving. It obviously didn't have much of an effect." She didn't want to talk about it anymore - she just wanted to go to sleep to escape her problems, to pretend that this wasn't her life.

"You've held this grudge for long enough, don't you think?" Bucky asked, and Y/N threw her book at him quickly. He caught it, obviously, and she rolled her eyes.

"He was your best friend! And he left you! I don't think you've held it long enough." She was angry, and Sam could see this.

"We understand he hurt you, but you need this closure." Sam Put a hand on hers, and she flinched away.

"He hasn't seen me in what, eighty-four years? He's never asked for me before." She moved to get up, to leave her own room and go anywhere that the two men weren't.

"He has been asking for you." Sam said, causing Bucky to shake his head and let out a sigh. "Every time he's seen us, even when he first came back, he asked about you." It was a secret that Bucky and Sam had been keeping for years, believing that they were doing her a favor.

"I don't care." She said, but from her hesitancy it was clear she cared a little bit.

"I understand how you feel. More than anyone else could. But talking to Steve will help." Usually, it was Sam acting as a therapist. This version of Bucky, the one that actually tried talking about her problems with Steve, was seldom let out of the shell.

"You just don't know that." Y/N shakes her head, but she's actually considering it. She has held this grudge for so long, and she knows it's wearing down on her. She's far enough out that she thinks she can handle seeing him, can talk to him without screaming. "But, I am willing to try." She tells them, and both of the men try not to look too happy while their eyes widen.

She just wants to be free of this.

~

"Y/N," Steve speaks first when she walks in. He looks so different, and she lets herself wonder for the briefest of moments if this is how Steve felt talking to Peggy when he came out of the ice.

"Hello," She doesn't know what else to say, so she shuffles further into the room until she's standing at the foot of his bed awkwardly.

"I didn't think you'd come." His wrinkled face is so full of wonder, the kind that makes her heart sigh in remembrance of the Steve she loved. "I asked for years, and I thought I'd die before you agreed." She decides not to tell him about the fact that she didn't know he had been asking, because it likely wouldn't have changed anything. She still wouldn't have given in and visited him, and opening up an argument on someone's death bed was generally frowned upon.

"I did want to see you." She tells him truthfully. "I just didn't want to get in trouble for yelling at an old man." The joke breaks some of the ice, but she knows, with a heavy heart, that there will always be a wall of ice up when she's around him.

"I deserved it." He says, which is the last thing she expected him to say. "I'm not going to waste my breath saying to you what I did years ago, but I am sorry." She knows that what he would say today would be the same excuses and apologies from four years ago, so she just nods.

"I wish I could say I forgive you and fully mean it," She starts, genuinely wanting to give him this satisfaction before he dies. "But I can't lie to you like that. You hurt me in a way I didn't think was possible. And I've learned to let a lot of it go, but a part of me will always resent you for it." She feels the tears gather in her eyes before she blinks up at the ceiling.

"Y/N," He starts, but she shakes his head.

"I'm sorry. I know you probably wanted closure before you died, and I'm sorry I can't give it to you." She takes a shaky breath and looks in his eyes, the same blue eyes she used to watch fall asleep every night.

"It's okay," He tells her with a small smile.

"I partially forgive you." She says with a small smile, and he just shakes his head.

"That's enough." This Steve is so different, so much more mature. She's reminded that he's lived a whole lifetime without her, while her years have been filled of trying to forget and avoid his presence.

"I'm sorry." She walks to his side, grabbing his outstretched hand.

"You don't have to be." She can finally take a deep breath with his words.

On the walk to her car, she can't help but think that he didn't apologize. Which is fine, because she wasn't expecting him to, and she's okay without it. She notices halfway through the walk that it's raining and she can't help but feel like this rain is a sign. She can finally let go of everything she's been holding onto; she can finally let go of Steve.

That night, she opens up the shoe box. She looks at the pictures, ending with the one on the Brooklyn Bridge. It isn't until she takes them out of the frame and sees the drops that she realizes she's crying. She puts the pictures back in the box, out of the frame, and when she looks up at the ceiling this time, she finally feels free. The cry was a way to get the last of her emotions out, and when she's done, she smiles.

She's finally clean. 

//

tags: @avada-kedavra-bitch-187  @one-sweet-gubler @thefandomplace @punzoquackk @mcueveryday @icequeen1371

#steve rogers x reader #steve rogers imagine #steve rogers #marvel imagine

[sweetnsour1]

12:18

Fluff, Bakugou x g/n reader

Happy Halloween🖤

“Y/n…I don’t think he’s gonna’ pop out of the fridge.” You blinked away the heavy glare from your face, wondering how long you had been making the beer sweat as you reached for a cold one.

“Hmm…no idea who you’re talking about.”

“Oh really?” Her words were half sung, carrying the unmistakable melody of you’re-a-fucking-liar.

You stayed silent, feeling relieved when Mina dropped it. She was more interested in spinning around the kitchen in search of a bottle opener. You leaned back, careful to not dent the papier-mâché gauntlets you were sporting. The counter would’ve dug into the small of your back if the thick belt of your costume were placed any lower. You looked down the orange and black covering your body.

“Will you stop makin’ faces? Although….it does kinda complete the look.” You took a sip of your beer in reply, laughing when she finally realized they were twist off caps.

“This was such a dumb idea.”

“Hey! It was my super cute idea. Everyone else is having fun wearing each other’s OG hero costumes.” You felt a pull on your mask, turning to glare at the pink finger that had flicked the explosive accessories attached to them. “You’re just mad you had to dress as him.” She booped your nose, preemptively transitioning your glare to a laugh.

“Ugh, sorry. This costume just turns me into such an asshole.”

“Hmm, maybe that’s true for Bakugou too.”

“Nah, he’s still an asshole eight costumes later.”

“You keepin’ track, huh?”

“Oh, shut up. It came up when I had to search for pics of this stupid thing.”

“I see. So how many hours did you spend staring at pictures of the man you allegedly hate?”

“Oh my god. You’re impossible.” You waited for your laughter to stop before taking another long drink. “I don’t hate Bakugou. I just said he’s an asshole.”

“I think you like him.” Mina danced out of the way, dodging most of the beer you accidentally sprayed her way.

“The fuck? That’s the stupidest shit I’ve ever heard.”

“Man, you really do sound just like him.” She was faster this time as she leapt out of your gauntlets reach.

“You are such a brat…raccoon eyes.” You stuck out your tongue, but followed her out of the kitchen.

She didn’t understand. Mina was lucky, she’d gotten Red Riot in the blind draw. She had just dug through Kirishima’s closet and was now wearing most of his original costume. You, on the other hand, wouldn’t be caught dead asking Dynamight for a fucking favor. Although, you had regretted the time you’d spent looking at stupid fan pages after work, trying to find any content showing his high school hero work. The quantity hadn’t really been an issue, but the quality was…unexpected?

You hadn’t meant to land on so many sites thirsting after the man that pissed you off every day. You hadn’t even known until a couple weeks ago, how many people would kill to be in the Bakugou proximity you were forced into daily. They would love to be shouldered away from the coffee pot as he stomped through the break room, lecturing you about being a sleep deprived idiot. They’d find a deeper reason for why he was such a condescending prick when you forgot to put something in your report…or why he even felt the need to check your reports in the fucking first place. He wasn’t even your superior…much less your boss. They would have spent the last week wondering what it would be like to kiss him every time his lips parted into that annoying shitty smirk of his. But you…you’d never think those things.

You drained your beer, almost knocking yourself in the face with your costume when you swiped the back of your hand across your lips. You wouldn’t let yourself think those things. That’d be too…you grabbed another drink from the bucket of ice on the table. Mina was so wrong, and you knew exactly how to prove it.

“Hey, so that American guy we borrowed got Deku in the draw right?” You scanned the room, quickly spotting the bright green ears.

“Yea, but he-“ She smiled when she caught onto your line of sight. “Why? You think he looks good in it?” You rolled your eyes, passing her your drink.

“I don’t know if anyone looks good in a bright green rabbit onesie, but I’ll go check.”

You tried not to get distracted while you crossed the room, but Mina’s party idea had been really fucking cute. It was fun seeing everyone dressed as everyone. You only nodded to anyone trying to catch your attention. You were on a mission. And yet, you couldn’t stop thinking of the report you’d submitted today. The one Bakugou hadn’t read because he had left early. It was stupid. You were angry every time he showed up in your doorway with a report he hadn’t been given. And yet, you were even angrier today when he hadn’t. Maybe those fans online would know…have a headcanon. You frowned, stomping the rest of the way to the Deku two heads taller than you were.

The American hero looked like he might’ve gotten carried away with the thickness of the boots or something. You didn’t remember him being so fucking tall. You noticed his mask was down as the beer fell back to his side. Perfect…just go for it. It was a party, right? You tapped the green back of the costume, feeling a twinge of jealousy at how much more soft and comfortable it seemed compared to yours. When he turned, you grabbed the front, tugging him down to meet your lips. Take that, Mina. Someone who liked Bakugou wouldn’t have done that. You squirmed when a heavy hand on the back of your head kept you from pulling away. You finally broke free from him.

“The fuck are you-“ Red eyes silenced you. Your mouth was left open and useless as he skirted his gaze down and up your body.

“Tryna get a job as my sidekick?” Your mouth snapped shut. You knew you probably did look just like him as you glared and fucking spun on your heel, ready to stomp away. He was just such-

You couldn’t move further. He had a hold of your arm above the gauntlet. You waited to be yanked backwards for an explanation, but he shifted himself around instead, releasing your arm when he stood in front of you.

“Calm down, Dynamight.”

“It’s actually Great Explosion Murder God Dynamight.” You tried to keep snarling, but it was too hard not to laugh halfway through the name. There’s no way you’d have been able to keep glaring anyway…not when he was smiling at you like that.

“Sorry, a nerd should know better.” He swatted at his green ears, making you…giggle? You caught pink and red movement across the room. This really wasn’t the show you’d expected to give Mina. He grabbed at your cheeks, pulling your gaze back to meet his. “Ya look good.” You swatted his hands away as soon as your brain stopped being so sluggish.

“I always look good.”

“Yea…you do.” You were almost too distracted by the darkening of his eyes to notice his arm snake around your waist. You stumbled into his chest when he pulled you, instinctively moving your hands up to brace the impact. “So what am I gonna have to do to get another kiss?” You were halfway ready to explain your mistake when you felt it. The not so steady beating beneath your fingertips. He was-

You looked back into red, confirming your suspicion. For once, he wasn’t making things difficult. He made it easy. Easy to see the way his eyes darted down to your mouth before staying firmly focused on your gaze. Easy to feel the way he tightened his grip. Easy to hear the way his voice softened around your name when you didn’t answer. He was nervous. You smiled, but didn’t move any closer. Fuck it.

“Ya just gotta ask, ya fuckin’ nerd.”

a/n obviously Katsuki lost a bet with the bakusquad that got him stuffed into a rabbit

This story was inspired by an ask sent in by the lovely @cheezitwh0re

Masterlist

#Bakugou #Bakugou x reader #bakugou x y/n #Bakugou fluff #Bakugou imagine #bnha #bnha fluff #bnha bakugou #bnha imagine #katsuki bakugou

[totally-not-here-for-the-smut]

Hi, it's me again! I hope I'm not being annoying, but can I have headcanon for M6 with a MC who accidentally took aphrodisiac? Thanks!

Not annoying at all! Happy to be your smut dealer lol

Before we start, a disclaimer: I imagined this scenarios in a situation of uncinditional trust and consent. I've often read of "funny" fantasy situations with potions & love magic involved where one character ends up being intimate with another just because they unknowingly took (or were given!!!) something to have them behaving in that way. To me, this is the fantasy equivalent of rape. Having someone consent to sex or being involved in a continuative relationship while under the effect of *anything* it is not ok. So, I really want to specify that this HCs are consensual, and happen in an established, explicit relationship in which consent is unconditional (of course, such a situation is possible only in a fantasy setting. No irl relationship has unconditional and total consent).

Aphrodisiac Headcanons

♤•••♧

Tw: light bdsm, embarassment, rough

There are a few things to keep in mind while working at a magic shop. First thing is, there are no such things like "substitutions". When cooking, you can switch eggs with seed jelly and flour, or butter with milk, and expect a decent result. With magic, you can't. You know this, but sometimes mistakes do happen. Switching sage with white sage it's so easy in a dark evening... and breathing in the vapors that rise from the cauldron can create unexpected events.

Portia is delighted by your attentions, today. She can't wrap her head around why you're so eager to see her, though. You knew she was working, but couldn't stay away from her... after all, the palace is so big that's easy to "get lost" in it, and the thunderstorm is dark and noisy... Who will be able to hear her moaning?

She's on her knees now, her head firmly pressed against your groin by your greedy hands. It wasn't hard to get her there: you brought her to the brim of an orgasm as she had her hands buisy doing laundry, and then threatened her to leave her that way if she didn't follow your indications. Luckily, she didn't see through your bluff, and literally fell at your feet... but in reality, you could have never truly resist to make her come.

Lucio doesn't seem to realize what happened. Of course you can't wait to be with him! You end up spending the day in bed, going so many rounds that eventually the bedsheets are soaked in sweat... and something more.

When Lucio is finally drained and exhausted -for the first time you bettered him!- he starts wandering how the hell your all up and ready for more. He tries to go one more round, but he's done, and almost passes out on top of you. You look at him sleeping, wondering if you could hack his magical gauntlet somehow to ho ahead, but eventually you decide to let him sleep. Who knows, maybe Nadia is still awake...

It takes a few seconds for Asra to understand what's happened. He stops you halfway, he takes a look at your mistake and he knows right away that him alone would end up destroyed before you'll be satisfied. The solution it's clear and simple. Orgy.

-work in progress! Tumbr app is giving me some problems lately ^^" I'll add the other m6 in a bit

One thing Asra doesn't lack is a wide list of friends who will gladly have a ride. The desert house is the perfect place, so isolated and silent... well, until it's filled up with moans. As you're engaged in various filling activities, you cast a glance at him, and see him sitting in the middle of the room, surrounded by men and women both, almost like an ancient dionysian demigod in a bacchanal.

At first, Muriel doesn't understand why you're like this, today. When you manage to stop blabbering and staring at his bare chest, you explain to him what happened. He's not exactly embarrassed, but he doesn't want to be with you if he has reasons to think you only want him because of some external factor. So, you ask him, you beg him and you pray him and cry, because you need him to fuck you, but there's no way to convince him.

Eventually, he agrees to lie down next to you, on his bed. You spend the night trebling close to his body, wishing to have more than his body heat that radiates from the tight hug he's holding you in. By the morning, you're exhausted and your tights are so, so wet. The effect is wearing out.

Only then, Muriel agrees to take you, slowly, as you struggle to stay awake just as your body struggles to stretch around his girth. He has a sweet smile, now that he knows you want him nonetheless... but is there a glimpse of fun in his eyes?

#the arcana #the arcana game #portia devorak #portia x reader smut #portia x reader #portia devorak smut #asra the magician #asra alnazar smut #asra alnazar #asra x reader smut #asra x reader #muriel arcana #muriel of the khokuri smut #muriel smut #muriel x reader smut

[angelsmist]

WAR OF HEARTS - 2

prompt: your sister, princess afia and princess shuri had been placed into an arranged marriage. this did not work in your favor, because of your secret feelings towards shuri. soon, it grew into hatred, and you and shuri could barely be in the same room without some type of argument ensuing. but, that tension’s gotta be released somehow…

contains: kinda smut towards the end, but not really in detail

authors note: thank y’all for the love on the first part omg 😭 i don’t write full on smut i’m sorry but i’ll still continue this storyline cause it’s fun writing tensionnn

also please lmk what you’d like to see from this story in requests!!

tags - @ziayamikaelson @nil-eena @taleiakirby @remwritess @letitias-fav @szalipcombo @noneofyabuisnezs @luxuriouslokistan-3 @prettymuchboodup @miiyafantasy @realaffatar @slytherin-34

it had been around two weeks since your interaction with shuri, and it constantly replayed in your mind since the night it happened. everytime you saw her, that was all you could think about. she knew it, too. she could tell the effect she had left on you, and she loved it.

she was gaining dominance, and you absolutely hated it. the bickering between you two was always leveled, but she was now slowly raising above you. you refused to let that happen.

you needed the chance to gain the upper-hand.

lucky for you, the opportunity came up pretty soon. your parents had sent you and afia to wakanda to socialize or something like that. you two were used to it. sometimes shuri or t’challa would be the ones to come to your nation, and vice versa. in this case, you and your sister were in wakanda.

you hadn’t intended to see shuri any more than you needed to. you hated the arrogant laughs you’d receive from the princess every time you shrunk under her gaze.

so, when you received a call from Kimoyo Beads that were gifted to you from the nation, you were more than surprised to see it was from shuri.

she had informed you that she was working on something in the lab, but was stumped on one thing. she knew that you’d be a great assistance with the obstacle and required your help.

originally, you were going to decline. but it was almost twelve in the morning. so it wouldn’t be unusual if you showed up in pajamas that were somewhat distracting. just as a retaliation to what happened before.

you wore black shorts with white lines tracing on the hem of them. your thick thighs were just the icing on the cake to go with the way it made your butt pop. to go with the shorts, you wore a flowy, white crop top that stopped just above your belly button. normally, you would just wear any random clothes to sleep as long as they were comfortable, but clearly, this was not a normal situation. your hair was packed messily into a ponytail.

you entered shuri’s lab and realized the only two people left were already getting ready to pack up and leave. perfect.

griot spoiled the fun for you and informed shuri of your presence.

“princess shuri, princess (name) is approaching.”

her body slowly turned away from the table she was seated at to look at you. she still held the same confident smirk she always had since that night. well, until your appearance registered in her head.

you continued to act clueless about the fact that her eyes were looking everywhere except for your gaze. you made your way over to the stool she was at, clearing your throat. “it’s late shuri. this better be important.”

“uhh,” she dragged out, trying to stay focused on the task at hand. “the details are, uh, on that tablet.”

you hummed in acknowledgment, mindlessly picking up the device from the table, swiping upwards to get the information displayed as a hologram in front of the two of you.

you bent one knee slightly to rest your body on it, knowing it’d get some type of reaction out of shuri.

“okay, so, from my understanding, you’re trying to fix the vibranium gauntlets? killmonger attacked a while ago. why now?”

“not that i owe you an answer, but i was still recovering from the blip. remember that?” her last words had clear sarcasm in them.

“obviously,” you retorted. the blip was a time you did not like to bring up. fortunately, you didn’t have to endure the pain of losing your loved ones for five years, but it was hard to adjust to.

that was almost two years ago, and you preferred to leave it in your past.

shuri brought out the gauntlets from under the table carefully, setting laying both of them out in front of you. she pointed at the actual lethal part of the gauntlet. “erik crushed this part. i was able to put back together, but they don’t work. i can’t figure out why.”

you stared at the gauntlets momentarily. after that, you sauntered over to the hologram of the schematics. you were aware that shuri had a perfect view of your backside. still, you refrained from letting even the tiniest smile show on your face.

“i think you underestimated just how much damage killmonger did to this. maybe you’ll just have to remake the blaster part of the gauntlet. but of course you didn’t consider that, did you?”

when she didn’t answer, you turned around to see what had her occupied. apparently, it was you. she was out of her stool and much, much closer to you. once again, you bit back a smile, looking slightly upwards to meet her eyes. “did you hear me, princess?”

“you think i don’t know what you’re doing?” she inquired, taking a threatening step towards you. you could tell she had already began to trying to get control by the look in her eyes. but you knew that she wouldn’t get to. not this time.

“enlighten me,” you replied.

she let out a scoff at your fake obliviousness. shuri took yet another step. “you come into my lab, dressed like that, and expect me not to see through your act?”

you placed a hand on your hip. “i’m not sure if you’re aware of this, but normally, people are asleep by twelve in the morning. i simply just didn’t feel like changing.”

the udaku let out a sigh of frustration. you couldn’t tell if she was actually upset or just sexually upset. or both.

“is this about the other night? did i leave you feeling some type of way?”

“i think you’ll have to remind me of what you’re referring to,” you teased, raising an eyebrow. to even the field, you took a step towards her.

you didn’t actually expect her to reply. you thought she’d just make a face. “you know…the night where you almost kissed me.”

your jaw dropped a bit. you were offended “me? i almost kissed you? you’re the one who brought your face towards mine. you wanted me to kiss you.”

“and yet i’m the one who walked away,” she grinned. you dropped your head, averting her gaze. you didn’t have anything to say to her, seeing as she wasn’t wrong.

you must’ve been staring at the floor for a few seconds. your attention was grabbed when you saw someone else’s shoes come into your view.

you looked up, knowing who they belonged to. shuri tilted her head, looking almost sorry. she was maybe a foot away from you.“nothing to say? no comeback, or insult for me?”

maybe this could still work in your favor. you moved your head forwards to her face, narrowing your eyes. “what happened was a mistake. i can assure you it won’t happen again.”

“i’m not sure you actually mean that,” she said, bringing her face closer to yours as well.

you just needed her to do one thing. just one thing and you could call it a nights just…one thing.

when you saw her brown orbs finally drop to your lips, you let the smile you had been hiding this entire time slip.

she was so close to you. so close. that’s when you knew you had won this match. satisfied, you moved your body backwards, ready to walk away from princess. you were done for the night.

but apparently, shuri was not.

you felt her hand grip onto your wrist, preventing you from moving any further. the girl was certainly stronger than she looked.

she brought you into her chest. then, she used her finger to lift your jaw up to look her in the eye. “don’t ever think for a second that you could make me fold.”

with that, she hungrily dived onto your lips. the sudden action made you take a step or two back, but shuri chased your face the entire time, not letting your lips lose contact with hers.

you had about a million alarms going off in your head, many of them drenched with guilt. but shuri was like a drug, and you couldn’t get enough.

you gasped quietly when you felt her cold hands trail up your torso. they moved upwards, eventually reaching beneath your loose shirt. shuri used the gasp you let out as an opportunity to slip her tongue into your mouth.

her hands dropped back down to the lower side of your body, making their way to your thighs. she softly tapped the both of them, pushing you against a glass table that was behind you. you understood what she was trying to get you to do, so you hopped onto the table with her help.

once you were on the table, shuri finally took her lips off yours, making her way down to your neck. you took this as an opportunity to speak. “my sister-”

she stopped kissing your neck almost immediately, making you suddenly feel bare.

she looked you in the eye, and you couldn’t see anything but lust beneath them. “your sister doesn’t care what we do.”

you had a lot more to say, but you didn’t. as wrong as it felt to be doing this, you didn’t wanna stop. she started back onto your neck, sucking harder than before.

“don’t you dare leave a mark,” you warned, trying to stifle the sounds you wanted to make feeling her mouth on your collarbone.

shuri spoke against your skin, making your insides tingle and send shivers down your spine. “shhh.”

she moved back up to your lips, rougher this time. her lips tasted amazing. you were dreading the end of whatever this was. the princess tugged at your shirt, silently asking you to remove it.

it came off easily, and as soon as it was removed from your body, she grabbed it and hurled it across the room.

“just so you know, this is a one-time thing,” you breathed out before lunging for her lips like she was water in a desert.

you could feel her smile against your lips. “you and i both know that’s not true.”

#shuri x reader #black panther fic #shuri udaku #fanfic #shuri x f!reader #shuri x you #shuri x black!reader #shuri x fem!reader #aesthetic

[spinchip]

NEVER THE DARK

Chapter 10

Read on Ao3

Prologue - Chapter 1 - Chapter 2 - Chapter 3 - Chapter 4 - Chapter 5 - Chapter 6 - Chapter 7 - Chapter 8 - Chapter 9

WARNINGS for his chapter: Kai feels minor effects of alcohol withdrawal. Kai and Samira drink together, feeding Kais alcoholism. discussions of blood and passing mention of needles. Discussions of death and murder. Chapter art includes depictions of body horror focusing on multiple eyes

WE DANCE ROUND IN A RING AND SUPPOSE// BUT THE SECRET SITS IN THE MIDDLE AND KNOWS

They don’t leave immediately. In fact, Samira insists on dessert- which ends up being the petals off a sweet flower grilled and served hot that she doesn’t stay to eat. 

“I have other things to attend to,” she says pointedly, “I’m the one that keeps this place running. I can’t shirk my duties to hang out with you every time you show your face, Birds. Even if we are best friends.” She grins teasingly at that before her face turns serious again.

“I’ll arrange supplies for your trip and have a room prepared for the rest of you.” She announces, standing with a clap. “You do not need to check in before you leave. Come back in one piece, Birdy.” She says the last part directly to him, pinning him with a stern look that’s soft on the edges.

Kai can’t help the creeping dread that blooms from the center of his chest, a malignant tumor of suspicion and worry that increases each time Samira smiles at Birdy. They were awfully chummy. Didn’t Birdy say Samira was bad news? Then why did they seem so close? The whole situation makes his skull throb. Or maybe that’s just his persistent headache.

“I will return with three funeral flowers.” He promises with a nod.

And now Lloyd is going off alone with the possible double agent. Kai’s only solace is that Samira hadn’t had the chance to speak to Birdy alone, so if he was planning on double crossing them she had no way to know who they were or what they were capable of. If it comes down to it, their elemental abilities might be the card up their sleeve that saves them.

“Wox will return to escort you to your room. For now- sit, eat, talk about me behind my back, I don’t care.” She sweeps out of the room, the click of her black heels fading as she retreats.

Kai rounds on Birdy, pinning him with a sour look he says, “So how dangerous is this mission you two are going on?” At the same time Nya asks, “What else can you tell us about the gauntlet?”

Birdy chooses to engage Nyas question first, “Nothing.” He says, angling his mask towards her, “I did not know the true origins of the armor. I was bluffing.”

“What?” Jay squawks.

Up on the Dias, Barath throws his head back and laughs. It’s a hearty guffaw, one that makes the Ninja jump since they’d completely forgotten the man's presence. He pushes his chair back and trots down the stairs, “Oh, that’s rich! She would be so mad!” He giggles, “Only you could pull off something like that. How’d you know she’d cut in?” He pulls out his chair and throws himself into it, forgoing a spoon to drink his cold soup directly out of the bowl.

“She is from Cloud Kingdom,” Birdy explains, “She cannot allow a story to be told poorly, not one that she knows well.”

“That’s quick thinking.” Nya praises.

Kai crosses his arms, “Can we get back to the matter at hand? Super dangerous mission, remember?”

“Yeah,” Uneasily, Lloyd laces his fingers together, “What exactly are we going up against?”

Barath speaks before Birdy can, “Poisonous gas!” He announces enthusiastically, “Caustic, acidic, deadly- it attacks living cells quickly, burns through skin and bone until you’re dead. Sad.” He takes a moment to make a sad face before snapping out of it, “Not immediately of course. There’s a time limit before it eats you to the point of no return. But it makes your head fuzzy, all disoriented until you can’t find your way out. It’s called the Graveyard, and for good reason! That’s where you’re headed.” He pokes Lloyd in the chest with his unused spoon.

Cole looks at Birdy, ”How are you and Lloyd supposed to go in there?”

“Lloyd will not be going in at all.” Birdy says firmly, “I will go in alone.”

“Birdy’s whole situation, whatever it is, makes him unusually resistant to the mist. Wish he’d let me put him under a microscope! Your mutation must be incredible.” Barath informs them with a dreamy sigh, “He can last longer than any other man brave enough to make the trip- hours, in fact. The mist will get to the point where it will start to eat at his clothes before Birdy here feels a tingle. Please let me dissect you?”

“No thank you.” Birdy lets him down gently.

“You’ve never seen his mutation either?” Nya jumps onto that piece of information curiously.

Birdy answers for him this time, “No.”

Barath leans forward to whisper slyly, “Only one person has seen his face and lived to tell the tale!” He sits back and lets a heartbeat pass, “That’s Samira.” He clarifies.

“We figured.” Kai comments dryly. “You look normal, what’s your mutation?”

“It’s rude to ask about others mutations.” Barath says blithely as he sets down his empty bowl, “Lucky for you I don’t care for manners!” He grabs the hem of his shirt and lifts it up to reveal a torso criss-crossed with scars upon scars, some fresh and pink and others old and faded. they’re big nasty looking things, as if his skin had been brutally flayed and torn.

He points right above his belly button where a teeny tiny protrusion is budding, just barely formed enough for them to be able to tell that it’s a little hand, “Extra limbs! Arms on arms, really. I grow them easy! And I lose them quickly, but it’s for my research so it’s worth it.” He puffs out his chest proudly, “I’ve pet some of the most ferocious animals the realm has to offer! Not without casualties of a few arms, but who cares about that when the pursuit of knowledge is a fine justification.”

He drops his shirt and goes for his dessert, chewing on the leaves absently.

An awkward pause passes, but before any of the ninja can break it the sound of clunky boots fades in. Wox thunders his way up to the cavern opening with a sour look on his face, “Oy, you lot ready to be shown to your chamber? It’s all nice and ready for ya.”

“Wox!” Barath greets pleasantly, “You’re overdue for a check up. Do let me look at your mutation sometime soon, yes yes!”

“Sure thing Doc. Maybe once I’m off duty as these trespassers babysitter.” He sneers the last word as the Ninja stand from the table and approach him.

Nya bristles, “We don’t need a babysitter.”

“No, you don’t, because you shouldn’t even be here. Samira should have thrown you in prison after she first laid eyes on you! But for some reason she likes you,” He swings his head around to pin Birdy with a yellow-eyed glare, targeting him with that last accusation, “Even after you-“

“If you want a rematch, Wox, all you have to do is ask.” Birdy says, but his voice is… off. Monotonous. Dead. It’s like Wox triggered a coldness in his demeanor that the Ninja hadn’t seen before, “Allow me to end this pettiness and stop wasting both of our times.”

The insult makes Wox’s lips curl to bare brutal white fangs, and he responds by crowding into Birdys space, “Oh you can bet this fight won’t be a waste, Butcher. You remember our first scrap, don’t ya? Not so cocky then, were you?”

Birdy takes a step back, and Kai can almost see him snap out of and shake off that chilling persona he’d just worn so easily. He knows for certain that Birdy doesn’t break eye contact with Wox out of fear. His mask tilts toward the ground in some deeper, more insidious shame or guilt, “I apologize for lashing out. We have made a deal with Samira. Please, escort us.”

Wox’s fur, which had stood up stiff and straight at Birdy's initial insult, lays flat again. He backs down too, stepping back out of his space “I spoke outta line too.” He says and even he seems surprised at his words, “Let me show you to your room.” He turns and marches out of the room. Birdy follows him and determinedly doesn't look back at the Ninja. When Kai glances at the others, he sees his own expression mirrored on their face. What was that?

Finally, they were feeling that same suspicion he was.

He leads them back down the hall to a fork in the pathway, taking them into the dark of the new tunnel without missing a step. He pauses briefly as they come upon another fork in the road. He motions to the left path and jerks his head at Birdy, “This is your stop. Down the hall to the left, you know the way. Ila is waiting for you two.” He glances back at the others, “The rest of you will follow me.”

Birdy looks at Lloyd for a moment before they both split off from the group. “Wait, Lloyd-'' Kai breaks away too, going to Lloyd's side. He pulls him into a hug, “Be safe. Don’t let your guard down.” He says it loud enough for everyone to hear, not hiding the dark look he shoots Birdy's way that promises swift and violent retribution if Lloyd comes back with a single hair out of place.

“I won’t.” Lloyd promises, “Don’t get too bored waiting on us to come back.” He gives him a pointed look that Kai knows means snoop around!

He waves to the rest of them as he and Birdy finally disappear into the darkness.

“I have a bad feeling about this.” Kai mutters, continuously glancing back at the path where they parted. Wox’s ear flicks like the words irritate him, but doesn’t comment.

“Birdy has been nothing but helpful.” Cole reassures him.

“I don’t trust Birdy.” Kai ignores Cole's words, running a hand through his Mohawk nervously.

Wox leads them through a series of elaborate interconnected tunnels going up and down and around so many times Kai’s not sure he knows his left from his right anymore. He leads them down another hallway filled with doors and stops at a random door, pushing it open with his foot. The room… is nicer than Kai was expecting. It’s huge and cavernous, with high vaulted ceilings and stone floor. This is no architectural craftsman ship to the walls, just smooth stone that rounds where it meets floor and ceiling. Several bed palettes are set up on the floor layered upon plush carpets and dry purple moss that insulates from the cold floor. There’s a low table on the other side of the room with pillows on the floor as seats, a pitcher filled with water and a stack of cups sitting on top for them. Thin fabrics are hung up around the walls to add a bit of warmth to the sterile walls.

As the Ninja file in, Wox starts on what sounds like a memorized speech, “As you are guests, you are permitted to leave your room at any time and use the amenities offered by the palace as follows: Restrooms, Public Bathhouse, Kitchen, and Library. At your request and with supervision, you are welcome to tour the rooftop garden or the Jelly farm. As your allowance to stay here depends on an agreement between another member of your party, you are not permitted to leave the premises until the deal has been completed. Caphishe?”

“We understand.” Nya nods with a tense smile, “Thank you.”

Wox ducks his head a bit, suddenly shy, “Ain’t nothing.” He says gruffly, looking away from Nya, “Boss asked me to make sure you all are settled, so call my name if you need anything.”

“Well, actually, I am interested in the Rooftop gardens or the jelly farm.” He’d already thrown himself down on a bed mat, but Cole sits up in curiosity at Wox’s words.

Tilting his head, Wox ruminates over the request, “Didn’t expect ya to want a tour so soon,” He admits, “I’ve a few things I’ve gotta tend to, but I can come back in an hour or two and escort you.”

“That’s… very kind.” Kai says slowly.

Wox seems to understand the implication of the words, “Samira appointed me as your lots handler. It’s my job, and I’ll do it well.” He crosses his arms but there’s no fire to the action, “We may be warlords, tyrants, and monsters but there are rules here we follow. It’s just how it is.”

He steps out of the door and does a casual salute, disappearing down the hall before they can ask any further questions. Nya makes sure the door is closed before turning back to the others.

“So this is bad.” She grimaces.

“That’s an understatement.” Kai crosses his arms, flopping back onto a random bedroll.

Cole lays back down himself, “We’ve trusted Birdy to get us this far,” he starts, “We just have to trust him to get us to the end.”

Nya busies herself by dumping the realm of madness water from the pitcher out in the corner and filling it with clean water they can freely drink. That done, she paces for a moment before rearranging the pillows on her own chosen bed. Kai stares up at the ceiling, thinking. He’d just let Lloyd walk away. It’s not like he could stop him- Lloyd was his own person, a whole grown man who could probably whip Kai’s butt in a fight if he wanted to (Damn chosen one special powers…) but the image of him disappearing into that dark hallway plays on repeat in his head. What if Lloyd didn’t come back? And Kai just let him go without a fight? With a stranger? He was being ridiculous, Lloyd could handle himself, especially against someone like Birdy. He would be fine. Kai worried anyway. FSM his head hurt, all he wanted was a drink.

A shadow passes over Kai's face and he opens one eye to Jay standing at the edge of his bedroll. He’s about to ask what he wants when Jay nudges him with his foot, “Scoot.” He orders, looking at Kai expectantly. When Kai stares at him too long he eloquently clarifies, “Scoot over.” with a firmer love tap.

Kai shuffles over and Jay collapses next to him, sighing as he melts into Kais warmth. It’s… nice. It’s been a long time. He puts his palm flat against Jay's back and tries not to think about Zane.

At some point, he falls asleep, because next thing he knows is Nyas hand on his shoulder shaking him awake. “Do you want to go with us to see the rest of this place? Wox is at the door.”

Rubbing the sleep out of his eyes, Kai dislodges his arm from under Jay's head (waking up the man in the process if the sleepy ow! is any indication.) “I'm coming,” Kai shakes the remnants of sleep off as he stands up, stretching. He would be more snappy with her for waking him if he wasn’t instantly reminded of their predicament. That was the first substantial rest he’d managed to get the entire time he’d been in the Realm. These past few nights he’d felt so restless and off.

Cole lingers on the edge of the conversation. He waits a moment before saying, “You two looked cute.” Which he offers carefully.

“You should have joined us.” Kai says automatically.

Shrugging, Cole averts his eyes, “I didn’t want to ruin the moment.” He admits with a cough as Jay stands, finally dragging himself to the land of the living.

Frowning, Kai squints at him quizzically, “How would you have ruined it?”

Cole pins him with a bewildered expression, as if he can’t believe Kai would even ask. “Nevermind.” he says with a sigh, turning away.

“Hey,” Kai reaches out and takes Cole's elbow, “What’s up? I'm listening.”

“That’s a surprise.” Cole shoots back immediately.

Kai recoils at that, totally lost. Behind him, Jay is looking awkwardly between the two of them, just as lost.

“Let's just drop it.” Cole mumbles, “C’mon, Nya is waiting on us.”

They join Wox and Nya at the door, “Hey, you look nice.” Jay comments, “What's the occasion? Got a hot date?”

Wox, who’s fur has been freshly washed and combed, and who’s wearing a noticeably cleaner looking tunic and wraps, flattens his ears at Jay, “I always look like this. I appreciate hygiene and fashion.” He says with a scrunch to his eyebrows, as if attempting to read off a cue card in his head “And I have a sensitive soul.” He adds randomly, sneaking a glance at Nyas face.

Nya blanches, catching on, “RIGHT. Well! Why don’t we get this tour over with?” She guides Wox ahead of her, turning to shoot Kai a look that screams why me?

“Of course, my lady.” He snatches up the opportunity to link their arms, even if it’s awkward with his mutation, “I’ll start with the bathrooms-”

After a quick potty break and a snack in the kitchens, Wox motions to a large set of double doors, “The Library, but trust me, ya don’t want to go in there. The place doubles as Baraths study, and the good doctor is a bit… unhinged in his work. One second you’re stopping in to say hello and the next the fur on your face is burnt off as a result of one o his experiments.” He scratches at his chin fur irritably, “Let’s move on to the Garden.”

As they turn away, Nya shoots Kai a look over her shoulder before turning to Wox, “So, what do you like to do in your free time?” She asks sweetly, stepping in time with him.

Kai gets the hint as Wox’s attention is centered solely on Nya. He nudges Jay and motions back to the library and Jay connects the dots with a thumbs up. He slips away from the group to go poking around. The pattern repeats in the rooftop gardens, this time Cole gracefully bowing out to poke around the seed beds and strange plants. Kai is given the opportunity to snoop once they cross into the Jelly Farm.

The hallway they’re trekking down dramatically opens up to a massive cave, the ceiling vaulted hundreds of feet above their heads and the floor dropping away into deep black pits. Archways branch off the path they walk like intricate natural scaffolding, some natural but several more are manmade, all looping in on each other. Each pathway connects to others to make large round enclosures, and within each of these floats a massive sky jelly. They look even bigger than Kai first thought they were, the ghostly sheet-like bell nearly bouncing off the ceiling and the arms and tentacles glowing softly far beneath him. Railings made of steel and rope line each of the bridges other than certain access points, where workers covered in strange full body hazmat suits seem to be rappelling down the animals to collect the venom dripping from the tentacles.

Wox motions down a path towards the far wall, a little notch cut out, “That’s Samira's office. Off limits to anyone other than her.” He says warningly as Nya opens her mouth, apparently not smitten enough to bend the rules for her.

Which is Kais' cue to leave. As Nya prods Wox to tell her more about the Jellys, Kai splits off from the pair and expertly sneaks around the occasional worker or patrol before slipping into Samiras office. It’s a short hallway that leads to a heavy wooden door that he picks the lock open easily. Once he’s inside, he closes the door silently and gets to snooping.

Or he would have. He stalls once he turns around to face the room and there, sitting on her desk, is a nicely bottled dark liquor that calls his name. He swallows thickly before snatching up the bottle and immediately uncorking the top- it smells like some deep spice that doesn’t exist in Ninjago, tantalizing and exotic. He brings it to hover at his lips before his rational brain bonks him on the head. No! Now is really not the time, Kai! He scolds himself, setting it down with a thunk and rounding her desk to get a look at the paper stack there. He doesn't read a word of it, glancing back up at the drink.

A taste couldn’t hurt. All he’d wanted since entering this realm was a drink- it was all he could think about. He deserved it, didn’t he? For doing so much? For putting up with that stranger? He flips over the glass that was next to the decanter and pours himself a generous glass before he can think. He dilly dallies again, swirling the cup. He really shouldn’t. He stares at if for a long time, longer than he cares to admit.

He puts the glass down and shifts a stack of papers to the side- it looks like Samiras personal notes. He paws through the pages and grimaces as fresh ink streaks his fingers, lingering on each page until a specific word sticks out to him. The page was dated a handful of months ago.

Birdy scared me today. He lashed out after I confronted him about Farley, I thought he was going to hurt me-

Kai doesn’t process the words, his eyes skittering back over to that drink. He licks his lips. Fuck it.

As he picks up the glass to take a drink, the door opens.

Samira doesn’t look surprised to see him, but she does raise a brow at his actions. Nobody says anything for a long moment before Kai slowly sets the glass down, hand twitching towards the handle of his sword that he kind of can’t believe they let him keep, “Calm down.” Samira rolls her eyes, stepping over to a cabinet shoved against the wall and pulling out another glass from the top drawer, “I’m not upset.”

“You’re not?” He asks as he watches her pour herself a glass.

She sighs and it's a put upon thing, “You’re a ninja. It’s in your nature to snoop, and Wox is woefully easy to distract.” She tips back the drink and savors the taste, “Though I figured I'd find this room ransacked for information, not… used as a refreshment bar.”

He winces but picks up his cup again, “Yeah, well…” He doesn't have anything to say so he just swallows down a gulp of whisky-adjacent liquor.

“Hey,” She warns, “This is for sipping. Savor it.” She orders. When he obliges, she doesn’t quite smile but she does nod her head back towards the main room, “Take a walk with me.”

It is an exceptionally smooth drink, spiced and warm. It still burns going down, but it's a good burn. Kai feels like all his headache and lingering irritation melts away with each sip.

He falls into step beside her as they drink together. She swirls her drink in her cup as people call out hellos to her, “It was chaos when I first came here.” Samira runs her fingers lightly over the rope banister, “You may think my methods are harsh, but please remember who I am dealing with- these people have been exiled for grievous crimes. They cannot think I am soft. My strength as their leader is what makes this place run so smoothly.”

“...Okay.” Kai doesn’t know what to do with this conversation.

She motions him along another path, taking him down a hallway into a room filled with machinery. Vials of paralytic poison sit to one side with several people working around the humming contraption. Kai and Samira watch as bottles upon bottles of glowing pink liquid are fed into the assembly line. It chugs and churns until a measly five perfectly round pink marbles come rolling out on the conveyor belt at the end of the line. Samira picks one up, examining it, “There was no community, no society- just violence and lots of pain.”

“Mutations are hard on the body, Kai. uncomfortable at best, agony at worst.” She keeps the marble and leads him back out to the jellys. She walks up to one- this Jelly is older. Its bell lay flat and thin across its head with scars and tears along the edge, it’s missing a few tentacles and several lures, and it’s a few shades duller than the other animals that fill the room. It’s floating lower than all the rest too, the luminescent tentacles it has left drag across the floor so far beneath their feet. Samira leans against the rope confidently, “I saw Miss Emma here use her poison on a horse-“ She starts, patting the animal on the head where the poison doesn’t seep, “Paralyzed it and ate it right up, and it gave me an idea. She numbs you first, before she eats you. If I could use her poison, refine it just right, maybe I could take that numbness and use it to take away that pain.” She holds up the marble- the pill, “And with a bit of help from Barath, I did it, and I built Oasis around this thing right here. It’s amazing how easy it is to bring people together when pain is out of the equation.”

“Why are you telling me all this?” Kai asks with narrowed eyes.

She sobers up, sipping at her whisky, “After all I’ve been through, Red, I know pain. I can see it.” She takes a moment to really study him, “You’re in a lot of pain, Kai. Aren’t you?”

He looks away, down at the glass he’s suddenly gripping so tight his knuckles are turning pale.

“That’s why you chose to drink instead of looking for information, isn’t it?” She looks at him kindly, face the very picture of a supportive and worried mother.

Kai’s not sure why his hands are shaking or why he suddenly feels so exposed and vulnerable- maybe because he hasn’t been able to drink since they came here, and he’s been deprived of the usual escape into intoxication, but he finds himself talking before he can think, “His name was Zane. He died saving me and I… I was too helpless to do anything to help him.” he blinks down at his cup. He should stop drinking. He throws the rest of it back like a shot anyway.

“Here.” She says gently, handing him the pill, “It works just as well on emotional pain.”

He looks up at her suspiciously, “You don’t want anything in return? I just saw how hard it is to make these.”

“Oh Kai,” She smiles and pushes the pill into his hand, closing his fingers around it herself, “The first one is always free.”

Barath doesn’t blink from where he’s huddled at his desk, writing chicken scratch in a leather-bound notebook when Jay slips in. There’s no way he doesn’t notice him, not with how his large desk directly faces the door, or how Jay immediately side steps into a stack of books and sends them thumping to the ground. For a place Wox had called the Library, there’s not much library happening. There are a few shelves lined along the wall, sure, but most of the books are piled into sections on the floor while the actual shelves are filled with notebooks, files folders, and active experiments or samples. Jay carefully avoids looking at the clear front glass container packed with bags of blood.

That’s the first time Barath addresses him, “Squeamish, Jay?” He sounds more subdued than he had at dinner, the energy in his private lab more serious and careful than the looseness of Samiras grand hall. “It’s quite normal to feel that way. Not used to blood?”

Jay approaches the desk that Barath still hasn’t looked up from, “I’ve dealt with blood plenty, but it’s not something I can get used to.” He laughs awkwardly, “blood belongs in the body, not out of it.” He jokes.

“You would be surprised, perhaps, at how prevalent hemophobia is here. I’ve drawn blood from warlords, serial killers, and much worse who close their eyes as I prep the needle. Seems a bit backwards, doesn’t it? I suppose it's different when it’s their blood.” He finishes his entry in the book and flips it shut, finally looking up at Jay, “I’ve never been frightened of blood! It’s fascinating, really, especially the samples I've seen here. So unique. Would you like to see?” already he’s stood up and strode to the fridge, pulling out a drawer filled with blood cultures neatly labeled.

“Uh, I'm- it’s okay! Really. I mean it.” He laughs nervously, “Uh, shouldn’t you be more careful with those? Whoever organized them is probably gonna be ticked off.” He adds on, raising a brow.

Barath continues to paw through the samples, humming as he picks up a few possible candidates before casually tossing them back. The neat labels on top juxtapose his haphazard actions, “I organized them.” He says blithely, finally picking out a sample he liked and slotting the draw back into place with a slam, “I have never cared much for consistency, Jay. That's why I chose to come here.”

Jay feels his jaw drop, “You chose to come here?”

“Of course!” Some of that energy from dinner spills into his body language, a pep in his step as he approaches one of the large sheets in the room, “Look around you, Jay! This is a veritable garden of Eden- a buffet for the mind. This world is ever changing, ever growing! I’ve learned more here than I ever thought possible. What I thought I knew in my home realm has all been dashed away by this realm's chaos. What I thought I knew yesterday will be wrong today. How delightful!”

He pulls away the tarp to reveal a mechanical monstrosity, several tubes and knobs, cords that lead into a strange metal box. There’s blinking lights and baubles and it takes Jay too long to realize it was a microscope. “I am on the front line of an uncharted world, Jay. My books, my papers, my research is the first of its kind. How thrilling! What ecstasy!” He slots the blood sample into place.

Jay can’t help but be drawn to the machine like a moth to flame. It’s not exactly well put together- the welds are a bit ugly, the machine is over engineered and clunky, but it’s clearly far more advanced than the microscopes Jay had seen in Ninjago. “Did you build this?” He asks, ghosting fingers over mis-matched metal.

Barath grinned with all his teeth, “It took a while to figure it out. I admit, I took some of my old equipment for granted.” He had years here to try new things, and the cobbled together mishmash of it showed. “Are you sure you don’t want to look? The way the mutations affect the blood is quite a show.”

It’s tempting, but Jay felt a little queasy just thinking about it, “I… didn’t come here to talk about blood.”

With a shrug, Barath looks into the barrel himself. He takes a moment to adjust the knobs, “I know that.” He says, picking up a small trigger stick and holding the button. There's a series of several flashes and the box next to the microscope hums to life, printing off several sheets of paper, “You came to snoop.”

Jay blanches, “W-What! No way, I just wanted to- Wox led us on a tour, and the library is free for us to use so- so-”

Barath leans away from the instrument to smile at Jay, “I’m not angry, Jay! Come now, you really believe that Samira, Wox, and I don’t know your intentions sneaking off from the tour like you did? Do you really believe Wox, one of the more fearsome and brutal warlords of Chima, didn’t notice the party getting lighter? We are criminals, Jay. We expect this!” He grabs the stack of papers and scurries back to his desk, taking out a quill and ink so he can begin to carefully label and date each image he took of the blood.

“Oh.” Jay says simple. There’s a pause, “So you don’t mind if I poke around?”

Barath looks up from his work and sizes Jay up for a moment. He takes a break from labeling the papers to lace his fingers together on top of his desk, “I’ll do you one better: Any questions you have, you are free to ask. My mission is the pursuit of knowledge first and foremost, and I will share that knowledge whether Samira wants me to or not. I will tell you the truth!”

Well, that sounds a lot easier than flipping through books all night. He moves another stack of books off of the chair in front of Baraths desk and sits, twiddling his thumbs.

“Well?” Barath prompts.

“I uh… don’t know what to ask.” He admits.

That seems to baffle Barath, “You’re in a world where people grow multiple eyes and it rains acid, and you have no questions whatsoever? Where’s your whimsy?!”

“Okay, okay! Um… So, Samira, is she like- the original banished person? She was here first? Is that why everyone listens to her?”

“Oh, no!” Barath leans back in his far more comfortable looking chair, “Samira is far from the first! But you won’t run into any of those- we call them the Ancients. They are gone now. Dead, mostly, or lost to their mutations long, long ago other than- well.” He gets a sparkle in his eyes, “I have this theory on mutations- it’s physical of course, but I believe a great deal of how and why you mutate depends on the strength of your character and will! The stronger your constitution, the longer you keep your sanity.”

“The last of the Ancients was alive just a handful of years ago. It’s a name you know! Birdy.”

“Birdy…? But Birdy is still alive.”

Barath grins, “The Birdy you know is alive, yes, but he didn't just take that mask from her. He took her name as well- of course, that was not her true name, just the moniker she went by here. She had an iron will and never once bowed before anyone, even at her lowest.” He shifts back to Jay's original questions, “Samira is the leader of Oasis because she is good at bending people to her will, at figuring out exactly what people want, what they need, and how to use that to control them. Samira made these people rely on her, and how she has all the power.”

Jay picks at his nails, dread filling his stomach as he thinks over Baraths earlier words, “Did Birdy- current Birdy... kill the old one?” He asks, feeling a cold wash over him at the idea that Lloyd was out with a murderer.

Barath takes a long moment to think, “Perhaps I should tell you all I know about Birdy.” He says, suddenly solemn, “But you must be warned- this is not a conversation had lightly. Can you handle this truth?”

“I have to know.” Jay says firmly.

Barath begins to speak.

“Oh!” Ila says, startled.

Cole spins around to face her, feeling a hot flush of embarrassment that she’d caught him playing in the dirt in one of the garden's grow beds, “Uh, I wasn’t doing anything weird.”

She laughs a little, stepping into the greenhouse more. The garden sprawled up one half of the palace roof (mountain top?), stairs leading from one platform to the next. They were on the second platform out of three where several large greenhouses took up nearly every available inch of space other than walkways, “You just surprised me,” She says lightly, “I took longer than normal to clean up the kitchen, I thought I would have missed you.”

That seemed… weird. Did she know he would be there? Maybe Wox told her they were going on a tour..? “Were you trying to miss me?”

She pauses too long to be anything other than strange, “No.” She says finally, “Do you like the greenhouses?” She asks politely.

He drops it uneasily, “It’s cool in here, yeah. I’m not familiar with any of these plants, though.”

“I help tend to the garden, I could probably give you a quick rundown.” She offers, stepping up beside him to examine the plant he was in front of.

“No, that’s okay- but I was wondering… If these Funeral flowers are so important, why don’t you grow them here?” He gestures around, “Instead of making dangerous trips into the Graveyard?”

“Oh, well,” She turns around and sits on the edge of the wooden planter, “Funeral flowers don’t produce outside the graveyard, despite our efforts. We tried filling a greenhouse with the fog but it never lasts, and the plants never flower. In fact, come with me!” She stands again and beckons him to follow with one of her tentacles, leading him out one greenhouse and into the next. They weave between planters until they come upon an ordinary looking bundle of green grass. It looks like it would be right at home in a field on Ninjago, “Here they are. Funeral flowers.”

“These?” He squints at the plain green things.

“I told you, they won’t flower. Usually a flower stalk would be right in the middle of these with a white bud, but no matter what we try they just don’t grow outside the graveyard.” She sits down again, “They’re strange, delicate plants.”

“So now you have to trek into the mist for them.” He nods.

“We didn’t used to have to go so far,” She admits, stretching each of her tentacles out like she's working out a sore muscle, “They used to grow right on the edge of the mist- big patches of them. Barath was the one who discovered them. We didn’t know what we know now, and we picked them without thought- but Funeral plants don’t survive a rough harvest. We yanked the flowers, and the roots died, and now we have to travel deeper and deeper for them.”

“What’s so special about them?” He finally asks, sitting next to her.

She tips her head to the side, looking up through the glass ceiling at the swirling red sky, “It’s a cure.” She says seriously, “It reverses mutations, brings back fingers and skin as long as you're not too far gone. One plant is enough for thirty pills, each enough to significantly improve mutation symptoms. One pill can buy you nearly anything you could ever want here, that’s how valuable they are.”

Cole whistles low, “Wow.” He looks at Ila, considers how human she still looks, other than the tentacles, “You’ve had one?”

“Three total over the years.”

“Samiras had a lot more than that, I'm guessing.”

Ila shrugs at that, “I’m sure she has, but I don't know exactly. Samira has looked the same for a long, long time, so I think she uses her supply to regulate instead of cure.”

“Birdy?”

“Birdy has never accepted a cure pill.” She tells him, “He’s got some issues about that stuff.”

Cole quirks a brow, “What, does he not want to owe Samira anything?”

“More like he doesn’t think he deserves good things.”

There’s a pause as Cole chews on that. Birdy had been nothing but understanding and kind to them, even listening to Cole's input when he had it. He hadn’t seen a dark side to Birdy other than maybe his earlier interaction with Wox, but everyone was so certain he was this dangerous, unstable guy. Even Birdy himself.

“What can you tell me about Birdy?” He asks finally.

“He’s courteous and polite,” She starts, “He always offers to help me clean the kitchen, or even cook. He does favors without asking for anything in return.”

She stops, and Cole waits.

“And?”

“...And he’s hurt a lot of people.” She forces out, and then begins to talk.

Nya hangs off Wox’s arm and tries to keep him talking, both of them marching along random hallways as he tells her about the construction they did to reinforce the walls along this particular corridor, “This whole place was a nest, once. Like a termite mound, but for some other animal- we don’t know what. It was long abandoned when Samira laid claim to it.”

She hums along, prompting him to go on when they round a familiar hall. The hall with their room in the middle- Nya glances behind them and there are no Ninjas in sight, “Why don’t you show me the library again?” She asks, leaning against him with a bright smile.

He rumbles out a low laugh, “I like ya, Nya, so I’ll let you in on a little secret.” He leans in a bit, “I know your friends aren’t behind me anymore.”

She jumps away, fully expecting him to be angry at their trickery, but he doesn’t seem bothered at all. Nothing happens for a long moment, they just stare at each other, “...You’re cool with that?”

“We expected it.” He says simply.

“Oh. huh.” She runs a hand through her hair, “Well, thank you I guess. I’m just gonna…” She motions to her door awkwardly, stepping over to it and going for the handle.

“Nya, wait.” He takes a step towards her, “There’s something I need to tell you.”

“Oh, Wox.. um, i’m flattered but I don’t…”

He snorts at her attempt at a gentle rejection, “Don’t worry, darling, that’s not what I was going to say.” He debates for a moment, “I was not lying before, I do like you, Nya. You remind me of someone I once had the privilege to love, but there is no room in my heart for anyone but my better half.” It occurs to her suddenly that all his earlier nerves around her had simply... vanished. He was... pretending? So that she would think she had the upper hand..?

She feels her confusion show on her face, “Then…?”

His face grows serious, “The people of this realm are not good people. I know that, I've seen many of them at their worst… But Birdy is by far one of the most dangerous people here. It is wise for you to cut your losses and leave him, for your own sake.”

“What are you saying?” She feels herself turn pale, sweat beading on her forehead.

“Banishment to this realm is rare now. It doesn’t happen anymore, the people here now are all that there will be. Ever. Yes, we all have our dark and violent pasts, but there is an honor code between us all now- we don’t kill. We fight, we hurt, we steal and we lie, but we do not kill. Those that do are exiled, made to live in the deserts and wastelands… But Samira likes Birdy, so she allows him to break some of our rules. He should not be here, Nya. He is a murderer.”

Kai pockets the pill, unsure about taking it. He wants another drink, But Samira seems less inclined to share her liquor. They walk together for a while longer in silence.

“Birdy and I are not friends,” She says suddenly.

Kai looks over at her, confused, “Huh?”

“He is a valuable asset to me, but we are not friends. I protect him because it is in my best interest to stay on his good side… but I see myself in you, Kai and I must be honest with you. I have to warn you.” She says seriously, coming to a dead stop in a dark corner between the scaffolding walkways.

“Warn me? About Birdy? I knew he was bad news!” He huddles closer to her, eager to uncover the truth.

“You have good instincts, Kai. Bad news is an understatement.” She motions him to follow her and she quickly leads him back to her office, pouring the both of them another glass of whisky to steel her nerves before she lays everything out on the table for him. “This is a place for the realms worst villains, Kai. You don’t know the kind of horrors I've listened to people brag about- but what little I’ve learned about Birdy has eclipsed those stories completely. He was the Emperor to the Never Realm, and while he was in power… he destroyed crops, leaving his people with nothing. His dungeons were always empty because he killed his prisoners before they ever stepped foot in a cell. Devastation, wanton destruction, massacres, genocide- he took part in it all. He didn’t even bat an eye. He decimated his land for power, Kai.”

Kai feels dizzy, sipping at his drink so the burn will center him. Sure, he wasn’t the most trusting, but even he wouldn’t have expected that type of laundry list for the soft spoken Birdy, “But he seems…”

Samira looks down at her cup, face pinching in sorrow, “Not too long ago, only a year and a half at most… he came into Oasis drenched in blood. He had a traveling companion, a fox from Chima…” She looks up at Kai, anguish in her eyes, “He wasn’t a threat to anyone, Kai. Farley wasn’t even supposed to be here. Birdy slaughtered him- we never found his body.”

Kai shook his head because that just… it couldn’t be. Not Birdy. It didn’t even sound plausible!

Samira reaches into her desk and pulls out a photo- it’s obviously old, not taken by a modern camera like the ones from Ninjago. It shows the market on the outskirts of town, filled with people. Ila is at the center of the photo smiling sweetly. Samira points behind her, at a figure in the crowd.

“Look.” She says urgently, “Really look.”

It’s a fox, slender and young, but everything else falls away. Kai’s vision tunnels. Strapped to the foxes hip is a unique copper dagger, blade curved and wickedly sharp, with an amber stone embedded in the hilt.

It’s the same dagger he’d seen Birdy use almost every day since they’d met.

The same dagger he’d used to prepare meals, to shred wood for kindling, to cut away stubborn vines so they could easily walk along the forest path. It’s the same dagger.

“That knife belongs to a dead man, the mask belongs to a dead woman. I know he killed Farley, he told me himself. He’s carrying around trophies, Kai…and I am scared to think that you or any of your friends might be next. I believe you're safe for now- he wants you alive for some reason, it’s important you are alive… but wherever he’s leading you… I don't know, Kai. I worry the next time I see him, he’ll be wearing red. Another trophy.”

Kai swallows down the rest of his cup and shakily pours another.

Birdy was a murderer. A monster.

And Lloyd was alone with him.

#ninjago #lego ninjago #kai ninjago #jay walker #nya ninjago #cole brookstone #zane julien #lloyd garmadon #ninjago never the dark #ninjago au #alcoholism #blood #needle mention #death #murder #samira: i love manipulation ! #multiple eyes #body horror

[plethomacademia]

Edit: this is now in chapter five of my slow burn

Original post: Well here's a ridiculously horny thing I just wrote for my fic. It's of course for the chapter that is after the one I am supposed to be writing and is part of a series of drabbles but I want to share it now because I think it stands on its own.

Synopsis: The Dark Urge wants to try out Enver's gauntlet. Enver discovers a new kink. 644 words. Rest of the story is my pinned post!

Triggers: blood, light choking, people who just need to fucking kiss already.

----

“Can I ask you something?”

Gortash looked up from the map of the city he had just been drawing on. He and the Bloody Hand of Bhaal were in the middle of discussing a proposal he had just received from another weapons trader. She, obviously, was not paying attention. “Maeve, when have you ever not just asked me whatever is on your mind?”

She ignored the barb. “Your gauntlet. How does it work?”

He looked down at the golden gauntlets. He had just come from another meeting and was in his full regalia. This pair was new, better fitting his station as a lord than his old black set had. He had shucked off his coat when they had started working and he did suppose this was a novel view for her, his arms covered in gold up to the elbow. “Well, it’s jointed to mimic the human anatomy. Quite intricate and honestly, it was hard to get the design right. You latch it higher up the elbow, like so.” He showed her how it disconnected near his right elbow using his two clawless fingers on his left.

She watched, her head tilted. He had seen that look so many times as she dissected something with her mind. “Do you think I could try it?”

Anyone else he would deny, but he did love seeing her curiosity piqued by something. He finished undoing the latches, then took it off and held it out to her. “By all means. It will be too large but you can get an idea of the mechanics.”

She took the gauntlet from his hands gently. After she struggled with the moving pieces of metal, he helped slide it onto her arm. He was right, the latches were far too wide to stay up on their own, but she was able to keep it secure enough to flex her fingers. She spread them wide, then tightened them into a fist.

Enver swallowed. Well this wasn’t how he had expected the day to go.

Maeve tested the sharp claws against the inside of her other forearm, pushing them in enough to dent the skin.

“Careful!” he said right when she looked up, her eyes wide.

“Oh Enver, this is positively wicked.” She held it up in front of her face, spreading the hand and looking at it as if her fingers were covered it jewels. “Would it work to…” She trailed off, cocking her head at it as if figuring something out.

“Would what —“ he began to say, but he stopped as she closed her eyes, putting her golden hand to her throat. He watched as she settled her fingers around her own larynx, first gently feeling out how to place her thumb and fingers. Then she began to press. The sharp tips of the gauntlet first pressed in her skin, then a couple fingers just pierced through, letting a bit of blood well up under the curves of metal.

“Maeve,” he said in a warning tone.

Her eyes flew open. They were wide and feral, her smile broad and sharp. She dropped her hand and he couldn’t help but look at the red crescents framing her throat, the little bits of blood beginning to drip.

“I see why you wear those, that has to be terribly fun. Just ripping out a person’s throat.” She laid her arm on the table, undoing the latched and sliding her hand free.

Enver cleared his throat. “Yes. Well. Sadly for you,” he said as he picked up the gauntlet, “it’s much more of a Banite custom than one of Bhaal.” After he had secured the gauntlet to his arm once more, he reached in his pocket for a handkerchief and offered it to her

She dabbed her wounds, then looked back at the maps. “Yes, it’s too bad. Now, what was it you were saying?”

#dark urge #dark urge x gortash #durgetash #bg3 spoilers #lord enver gortash #bg3 #is it a new kink though #you know that man has choked someone before

[waltwhitmansbeard]

This is not from any prompts list, and you can ignore it, but it was inspired by the date night drabble.

Could I prompt you to write about the first time Vax and Keyleth go on a date during the day after Vax gets his daylight ring in Vamp Machina?

this is the au!

She takes him to her favorite spot in the city, on the eastern edge of the large public park, where there's a spot between two majestic, twisting oaks that perfectly frames the rising sun. She doesn't know how long it's been since he's seen a sunrise. Sometimes it's better not to ask.

He's jittery, nervous, his eyes continually flicking down to the silver ring on his right hand, as if he doesn't believe it's there, as if he doesn't believe it will work. She covers his hand with hers and smiles. "You're going to be fine."

He smiles, but it's not the easy smile she's used to, curling and teasing. "I know. It's just..."

"A lot."

"A lot."

They've rolled a blanket out, a stack of morning pastries and fruit in front of them that Vax seems too anxious to eat. It's a new dynamic, his nerves and her bemused calmness. Normally he's the one talking her down from the ledge, but it's nice, being the one who is absolutely confident that everything's going to be fine.

She checks her phone—three minutes to go. She squeezes his hand. "Are you ready?"

He lets out a half-manic laugh. "Yeah. Yeah."

"Listen, if it doesn't work, I'll cover you with the blanket."

His anxiety is a surprise, really, given that he barely blinked before hurtling through the gauntlet of murderous Clasp members in order to get her and Percy out. She wouldn't've guessed that a little sunlight would cause more trepidation than that. "You think it's not going to work?"

He gives a little shrug. "No. It'll work."

A ringing endorsement. "It's okay to admit you have doubts in my and Pike's abilities."

He shoots her a look. "I do not."

"Then why are you so worried?"

His leg jiggles. His gaze shifts between her and the place where the sun is rising in mere moments. "I don't know."

She curls into his side, tips her head onto his shoulder. She's hugging his arm in both of hers. "Well, I can't wait. No more shadows for you, mister."

He huffs out another laugh, and just then, the first blood orange sliver of the sun crescents over the horizon, bathing the two of them in pale, distant light. Vax flinches on instinct—how many times in his long unlife has he pulled back a curtain a little too early, stepped a little too far from the shadow?—but...nothing. No pain, no searing along his skin, no flames. Just sunlight, radiant, piercing, and so, so colorful. It takes so little time for the orange to give way to yellows and pinks, the early clouds soft brushstrokes blending the colors together.

She doesn't see any of it. She watches his face, the tiny shifts in his eyes and mouth as the beauty of it settles over him in waves. He is awed, slack-jawed and speechless, as the sunlight reaches the parts of him she's never seen in such clarity.

"Your eyes are beautiful," she murmurs, and his head snaps to the side, like he's forgotten she's there. And oh, what colors in his eyes! Golds and bronzes and warm browns, rich and sparkling. His pupils widen as he sees her, too, for the first time, the sun climbing higher and higher to cast new rays on them both.

"Your hair," he breathes, and her hand flies up, suddenly self-conscious. He laughs, all tension gone, and pulls the hand away. "No, it's...wow. Wow."

She puts her hands on either side of his face and pulls him in for a kiss. He can't stop grinning, so she grins, too. "I'm so happy," she whispers, voice nearly lost beneath the cheerful morning birdsong from the trees overhead.

"Can we stay?" he murmurs. "Watch the whole thing?"

As if she'd ever ask him to leave. "As long as you want."

#ask #ravendruid #wow lol this took forever bc i could not write anything i liked #and i still didn't but hey gotta post something #critical role #critical role fic #cr fic #critical role au #cr au #vox machina #vox machina fic #vox machina au #tlovm #tlovm fic #tlovm au #vaxleth #vaxleth fic #vaxleth au #my fic #vamp machina au

[jahayla-parker]

Bewitched Love : Peter Parker x Reader

Part 5

Bewitched Love Series Navigation

Desc. & Warnings: 1.5k wc, see navigation for description and warnings

Recap:

Upon Ned and MJ confirming that y/n’s audio was still synced with the cellphone on Peter’s suit, his panicky state increased. He was pleased there wasn’t a communication glitch, but he was worried as to why she wasn’t answering. Seemingly having the same worry as Peter, MJ began asking y/n various questions to get a response .

Peter tucked his head to his chest to get closer to the speaker. “Y/n?!” He all but shouted, his body tensing. Why wasn’t she able to answer?

“Sorry,” y/n breathily responded. She took a loud deep breath, “one second”.

“What’s going on?” Peter asked tensely.

Y/n took another deep breath as she used her energy to push back against the ground cautiously. She didn’t want to hurt whatever this thing was, especially if it was one of the guys from the other universes they’d summoned. But, y/n had to hold him off until she could get to Peter. The glowing figure was emitting an unwelcome sensation in y/n, putting her on edge. Especially since it was close to Peter while this guy was between her and Peter.

When she had a second without being hit by a sandstorm, y/n dashed toward Peter. She repeated the Latin term celeritas in her head until she was a good distance away. “The-,” y/n huffed, “-the sand wave thing is back”.

“Where are you?” Peter asked, worry growing as he recalled the sand rolling oddly around them as they first entered the woods.

“I’m-" y/n cracked, hit with another rush of sand.

“Y/n?” Peter, Ned, and MJ asked simultaneously.

“-my” y/n’s voice chipped through the speaker, “-way”. She could hear how broken up her voice sounded through the speakers. Y/n suspected the latest wave of sand likely affected her earpiece. But she wasn’t going to stop to clean it, she needed to get to Peter.

“Peter, focus” Ned ordered. “What is the guy in front of you doing?”

Peter sighed, “I don’t know”. He watched the mystical figure closely. “It looks like he’s charging,” Peter muttered.

“Web him and get it over with,” MJ advised.

Peter did as MJ suggested. Only, his gauntlet ring floated through the guy, sending a tree back to the crypt instead. Just as Peter went to try again, he was hit in the chest by a blast from the glowing guy. As he landed on the ground, Peter could hear his phone crack and his coms being knocked out.

Y/n made it to Peter just in time to see the energy blast hit him. She ran towards him, only to notice the sand guy that had stopped fighting her had now reappeared in front of Peter. Except, he seemed to be shielding Peter from the glowing man.

“Woah” Peter gushed, standing up. He glanced over his shoulder at y/n with soft eyes. “Y/n, stay back” he pleaded, turning back to the sand figure.

Y/n complied, but held one hand towards each otherworldly object. Her abilities allowed her to sense the differences between energy types and sources. As such, she has confirmed both of these… things… men… mystical figures, something else..?, did not belong to this universe. The energy sources felt… old. As if made from technology from decades prior.

“Peter, it's me” The sand guy stated. When he saw Peter’s confusion, he sighed. “Flint Marko. You remember?”

“I'm Peter,” Peter agreed with a nod. “But I'm not your Peter” he said hesitantly.

The sand Flint Marko grew slightly taller. “What do you mean, ‘you're not my Peter’?”

“He’s my Peter” y/n answered, trying to step around Peter. “You’re not from here," she said sympathetically.

Flint’s sand figure shifted again as he drew closer. “What the hell is going on?” He hissed.

Peter stepped closer to Flint in a slanted manner. It was clear he was protectively placing his body between y/n and Flint. “I'll explain everything, but first can you help us stop this guy?” He asked, nodding towards the glowing man. Peter looked between y/n and Flint. “You two surround him, I’ll pull plug,” Peter said.

Within seconds, Y/n and Flint were fighting the electric man. They were trying to keep him distracted and steadily in one place. To do so, they surrounded the man as his form turned from blue to yellow. They shared a concerned look before trapping the man in an unbreachable sand tornado. Y/n was speeding up the wind and creating a cycle while Flint pushed gushes of sand at the guy.

Still, the guy evidently had enough power to fire a shot of energy at Peter. Peter was about to try some evasive maneuvers when he saw a bubble form around him. He had to force himself not to cheer as he beamed brightly at y/n. Peter knew she’d been working on her protective powers lately; including extending those energy forces to guard others.

Seeing Peter had been effectively protected from the blast, y/n lowered the shield she'd formed around him. She gave him a timid smile before returning to helping Flint.

Peter turned and started to web the posts of the electrical towers. Within a few moments, he had a variety of web strands connected to multiple towers and pulled them downwards.

Y/n floated down from her position in the sky near the tower’s electrical wires when she was what Peter was doing. She and Peter landed at the same time, a few feet apart. Y/n watched nervously as he removed his Spider-Man mask. She knew he was doing it to show Flint Marko his face; alleviating any doubt that her Peter wasn’t telling the truth earlier.

Y/n was silently watching Peter interact with Flint when the electric man appeared. Only, this time in human form… and naked.

Peter quickly blocked Y/n. Part of it was for her safety, and of course, partially because the guy was in the nude. Peter looked at Flint as the new guy neared them and muttered “I got my body back”.

Peter spared a glance at y/n quickly before addressing the man. “Hey, um...” he mumbled. Peter cleared his throat nervously. “This is gonna sound really crazy, but this isn't your universe”.

“Another universe?” The man responded, eyeing the two other guys suspiciously.

Peter nodded. ”Uh-huh”.

Flint Marko frowned and turned on Peter. “What?”

The glowing guy smiled wildly. “That's what I was feeling. The power. It's different. I like it” he exclaimed. An electric flash raced through the man’s eyes, putting everyone on edge.

Flint promptly held up his hands. “Easy, buddy.”

Y/n sidestepped Peter, her hands glowing and ready to fight.

Peter glanced around the tense group. “It's actually my fault that you're here,” he sighed, trying to relieve the tension.

“Like... Like the universe? Or the woods? I hate the woods,” The electric man said, voice wavering slightly.

“I meant the universe, sir,” Peter promised.

Y/n sighed, slowly lowering her hands. “Look, we’re going to help you get home, okay?”

Flint looked at her and gave a small head bob, trying not to snicker as he realized she too was looking everywhere but the naked electric guy.

“So what?” The new guy asked. “Y'all just gon' stand here and act like I ain't butt-ass naked?”

Flint Marko kept his eyes on y/n. “I am,” he deadpanned, smiling softly as y/n nodded as she looked at the ground.

Peter shook his head. ”Uh, no, no...” he mumbled as he looked around for an option. When he saw the power station outpost for the area’s workers, his vision focused in and saw it was filled with uniforms. “Hey,” Peter said, as he held y/n’s arms so she knew he was talking to her. He stifled his chuckle as she continued to stare at the ground despite nodding in response. “Can you grab-“ Peter began, looking back at the guy over his shoulder upon realizing he didn’t know his name.

“Max” the man nodded. “Or, Electro,” he said, flickering some energy in his eyes again.

Peter swallowed thickly and looked back at y/n. He squeezed her shoulders supportively. “Can you get Max some clothing from that outpost?”

It didn’t take y/n long to return with clothes. Especially once she realized she didn’t need to walk or even fly all the way to the outpost to grab them. Instead, she tried a new summoning spell. Y/n closed her eyes, picturing the worker uniforms she and Peter saw on their way in. With the image in her mind, y/n attempted to order her energy to pull a set to her. “Adducere ad mi” y/n whispered, focusing intently on the picture in her mind.

Y/n tried to hide her proud smile as she spun towards the others with the uniform in her hand. Her eyes were open now, but still cast downwards to avoid seeing Max in his current state of undress. Had y/n been looking up, she’d have seen the same proud smile on Peter’s face as his eyes flashed his amazement.

Everything was going fine until Flint Marko freaked out when Peter sent Electro to the undercroft upon him getting dressed. Peter of course tried to calm Flint. But, when it didn’t work, y/n tried to step closer while explaining what was going on. Only, Flint took it as an advance and tried to strike her with a surge of sand.

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[0perfectimperfections0]

What if the robot dog bitten Lou. (When he broke the portal or during the gauntlet)

Alright! I made a wheel with keywords for each of the (14) asks in my inbox. So, I'll be tackling them in the order of which the WHEEL has decided.

All hail the magic wheel.

Lucky you, Anon! Yours is the first.

I may also need to mention that I had just written down the 14th ask when I realized there were also drafts of asks that I had started on...

But I'll get to those...later. These 14 are the majority anyway.

<><><><>

Of course, the dog would be the first obstacle in the house. It loomed over them, pupils dilating as it looked at each of the dolls. Nolan had skidded to a stop and just barely dodged having metal jaws clamp on his legs. Lou turned to run, shoving Tuesday out of the way before the dog could pounce on them.

Even then, something pinned Lou down to the floor. It wasn't until he turned to see the dog's head laying on the ground, holding one of Lou's legs in her mouth, that he realized she had pierced through him. He bit down on a scream, feeling hot white pain shoot through him.

This stupid, ignorant, mangy, mutt--

He clenched his fists and bit down harder on his tongue. The pressure was released just as fast when the dog realized what she had done. She was only meant to serve as a hindrance to the dolls. It was not intended for her to actually hurt them.

Bad dog, she whined, leaning over Lou as he turned onto his back. Bad, bad dog.

Lou glared up at her through watering eyes and barely spared a glance at the decently sized hole that his stuffing was escaping through. "You st--" he cut the insult short as he breathed heavily. She just got carried away. She just got carried away. She didn't mean it.

The other dolls, outside of the Uglies, hurried to finish the Gauntlet. Moxy and the others did a double take, debating if they should go on or help Lou. Mandy urged Moxy forward. "He'll be fine. Serves him right for what he tried to do to us."

They left.

Red ears and black eyes peaked around the wall. Luckybat quietly hung back from the group and stayed to make sure Lou was alright.

The blond grunted and tried getting back up on his feet. The dog whined again, ears drooping. "It's alright," he huffed through another sharp pain, "it was an accident."

No matter how hard he tried, he could never find it in him to get mad at her. It wasn't the first time he'd tried going through the Gauntlet (in vain attempts to leave this forsaken Institute) and on more than a few occasions she ended up hurting him. But they were both stuck here. They had been for at least a decade, now. That understanding was what kept him from spewing out his anger toward her.

They both got carried away sometimes with the training.

Lou felt something push under his arm. The dog was nudging it up with her nose, giving him something to lean his weight on. "Good girl," he praised quietly.

LuckyBat watched, curious. This was...a new side to Lou. He never acted this nice with the dolls. Why was he so nice with this robotic dog?

"I need your help," Lou looked at her. "Those Uglies are about to ruin everything. I need a way to stop them."

She whined again. You keep fighting and never get anywhere, Boy.

He could practically see the statement in her eyes. "I can't let them pass. It'll all be over if they do. I'm going with or without you to stop them." Lou took a small hop forward on his good leg, prepared to do just that. The back of his suit was pulled taut and he was lifted off the ground. The dog angled her head to gently ease him onto her back.

It would be a fruitless effort, she knew. But when the boy had his mind set on something, he saw it through. It was best to let him follow whatever plan he had in place and let him realize it wouldn't work out.

It humored her, really, watching him run the Gauntlet times before. Especially when he had very little knowledge on how it worked. The fumbling little doll could barely beat the clock, even without her interference.

She noticed the red bat on her way down the stairs, but made no sign that she acknowledged him. Her Good Boy wanted her help.

And no, they didn't beat the timer. They didn't stop the Uglies. The dolls still revolted against her Good Boy.

But she was there to catch him when they so ruthlessly tossed him.

She was there to carry him toward the least fatal punishment that had been thrown out there.

And she was there to gently pick his water-logged body out of the washer and to someplace safe where she could take care of him.

His plans didn't usually work out. But neither did hers. Only one of her plans ever came to fruition each time.

And that was to always be there when he needed her.

#uglydolls #lou #fanfiction #writing #short story #ask #answer #went in a different direction than i thouhht i would #hope u like it #robot dog #i call her Bella #hurt/comfort

[xaytheloser]

the lengths the beasts and elder would go for benign oh my god

we already know the beasts are fucked up but oh little do we know elder faerie is probably just as fucked up as them, that man wouldn't even think to hesitate to do some horribly drastic shit for benign

if benign were to somehow get hurt to a near crumbling state, elder would not even hesitate to make a deal with shadow milk, no hesitation to use dark magic to aid in her recovery

"Help me, I'll free you from your prison."

"Why should I believe you?! You're the one who locked us in this stupid tree in the first place!!"

"Benign Butter is hurt." "Help me and I will set you free."

shadow milk wouldn't hesitate either now knowing the reason for elder faerie making a deal with him, because if they were in opposite positions, he'd likely do the same

elder faerie knows he shouldn't be selfish, shouldn't be freeing the beasts period, but he already lost white lily, he refuses to lose benign butter

the beasts refuse to lose her too

and the most surprising part? everyone is completely civil with each other, because this is benign they're worrying about, they all share a common goal in the moment, and lord knows benign would hate for them to be fighting in a moment where they should be working together, so they're being as polite with each other as they can be

"love makes you do stupid things" is a quote that has never applied anywhere more than it applies here, because it's completely foolish and stupid idea to free literal evil incarnate just to save your wife from death that isn't even guaranteed

and something to make that quote even truer? elder willingly breaks into the home of one of the witches to acquire more life powder for benign's recovery, with shadow milk and eternal sugar's help!!! he strictly goes against the rule of the witches and steals from them just to help her because he is not losing his wife!! THEY are not losing THEIR wife!!!

poor benign is probably mortified when she's fully recovered because elder specifically went against his duties as the guardian of the silver tree and outright freed her former comrades to save her, and he has absolutely no explanation for it!! but low and behold- the beasts actually stay civil after she's recovered!

why do they stay civil? because they learned just how deeply elder faerie cares for her, and actually them too, because he went to some fucking cracked ass lengths to get them all free to help him with her recovery, entirely took it upon himself to fight tooth and nail to keep THEM safe while they regained enough strength to fight on their own and travel back to the silver kingdom

they learned he cared about them just as much as he cared about benign when he rushed to their sides to protect them from a severely mutated yeast spore more than likely caused by dark enchantress's bullshit somewhere on beast-yeast, shielded them from all sorts of attacks while they recovered and still fought to protect them when they were back on their feet and beating the absolute shit of the massive bastard of a spore

when benign wakes up, she's greeted by the faces of her former comrades huddled around her, all quietly checking on her and a sleeping elder who had been crying just hours before until he passed out, and the moment they realize she's awake, their expressions erupt into pure joy, burning spice goes to yell but eternal sugar smacks a hand over his mouth and reminds him the fae king is sleeping, to which burning spice sheepishly shrinks back before practically tackle hugging benign, nearly jostling elder from his place draped over her lap, causing eternal to shake her head as she and mystic go to join the hug

silent is miraculously without most of his armor, at least the heavy duty stuff, instead wearing a severely modified robe from elder's closet with just his gauntlets and boots, plus the joint coverage pieces like shoulder pads and knee pads, and shadow milk is surprisingly back in a set of scholar's robes (he wanted to look the part for going into dark magic again but also the robes were just fuckin' comfy man)

mystic is, well, being mystic, they're in tears, but they've sucked it up and are keeping their voice as even as they can as they nuzzle up to benign, whispering about how glad they are that she's okay as they hold her hand, gently rubbing her fingers and humming softly

eternal's expression is the softest of the beasts, she knows benign is probably still exhausted, but she's genuinely delighted that their dear companion is okay, that she's alive, and she can't help herself from coiling her tail around benign's arm, if only to feel her pulse just a bit better, to make sure she's alive

burning is trying so hard not to jump around and shout in joy because elder is sleeping, but it's still very clear just how happy the spicy boy is about her recovery, he hugs her so tightly but so gently at the same time that it's almost disorienting

when elder wakes up, lifts his head from benign's lap, benign can see his face, can see his puffy red eyes from crying and staying up so late worrying about her, shadow would tap elder's shoulder, making him start to turn his head, only to realize benign is awake, and actually properly wake up from there in an instant, and he's in tears for the fourth time that night

elder has the biggest loving grin in his face as he hugs her, sobbing joyfully into her dough as he laughs in a way that seems like he's absolutely lost it, and truthfully he probably has given the lengths he went for her safety, but nonetheless he's laugh-crying and he hugs her and everyone joins in on the hug, even silent who i imagine wouldn't have been the biggest on hug unless it's a really important or special moment

i can't imagine benign being anything but confused about the situation, the outfit changes of some of her former comrades, the fact her former comrades are like legitimately free and moving around, the fact they seem to be getting along surprisingly well with elder like they've learned something about the fae king that makes them respect him

but screw it, who's she to complain if her spouses are getting along?

of course, elder has a mountain of things to explain to her, and he is not going to get away with sweeping it under the rug, but for the moment explanations can wait

anyways resurrection through considered highly unethical means is the greatest show of love in existence nobody is allowed to fight me on that /silly WOOOOOO I LOVE MORALLY FUCKED UP AND COMPLEX RELATIONSHIPS AND CHARACTERS AISNHDUAHWEIAHWEIAWEIHAW

oh my god wait here me out guy oh my god Elder Faerie corruption arc Elder Faerie corruption arc Elder Faerie corruption arc-

'elder faerie is probably just as fucked up as them, that man wouldn't even think to hesitate to do some horribly drastic shit for benign' what if this man just fucking snaps- GOD EVIL AND FUCKED UP ELDER FAERIE BRAINROT

#Xay answers

[starfall-spirit]

The Siren's Song

Siren Masterlist

Word Count: 912

Chapter III: The Bargain

Feyre woke to a soft speech and wood creaking above her. Strange and out of place in her day-to-day life. Then there was a hard pallet of some kind beneath her. Air she was breathing. Sand crusted to her skin. And two men she had never seen watching over her. This was no place for a siren to find herself. 

The panicked shift in her breathing alerted the two humans to her state of consciousness and the low conversation halted. Both were quite handsome, by human standards. Nowhere near as attractive as the captain she’d met when she first surfaced, but handsome all the same. Neither said a word, waiting for her to hang herself, apparently. She couldn’t help the broken sound that left her when she spotted the short-haired one resting a casual hand over the knife at his thigh. 

“Clearly there’s been some confusion here,” she said, pouring her gift into every word as she mastered her fear. “I’ll just be on my way home and-”

“Don’t try it, sweetheart,” the longer-haired one said. “We sailors aren’t too fond of magic and your pretty little voice won’t be muddling anyone else’s head so long as you’ve got that bracelet on.”

She took a sharp breath in. Her voice was her only weapon. She lived beneath the waters and had no reason to learn to fight on land. She eyed the nullifier with distaste. The thin band of silver was just loose enough on her wrist to allow circulation, but there would be no removing it without access to whatever key fit the mechanism at her pulse point. She looked between the two again, wondering which possessed that shot at freedom.

The man’s words clanged through her a second time. “What do you mean muddling anyone else’s head?”

The door creaked open then, drawing the speaker’s attention. The one wielding the dagger had yet to move his eyes from her. “Honestly, Rhysand,” a hard female voice was saying. “One would think you’d learn after all these years.”

“Amren, if I-Well, hello darling. Awake at last, I see.”

Fuck. They were local sailors. Residents of Hewn Harbor. Serving the captain she met before making her way to sea. Before that storm. And then she’d fled, off kilter from the interaction, and one of those cresting waves had sent her head straight into the rocks. “I just want to go home.”

“And I want to know what a Siren’s doing strolling through my port when our treaty is supposed to keep you confined to the waters. Start talking.”

“I was getting a gift for someone. I was on my way back to the water. Please, I don’t want to cause any trouble. I want to go home.”

He jerked his chin and the quartet behind him slipped out of the house. “There are rules set. A treaty between our ancestors that’s been upheld, as far as I can tell. Until now.”

“Yes.” 

“I have three options,” the captain continued, pacing the small room. Feyre didn’t know why he was dragging this out. Just looking at their peoples’ bloody history, who he was and what she was, she knew she was going to die today. “I could do as the treaty entitles and report your offense.”

Throw a gauntlet and force Tarquin to bring her to trial. Risk starting a war that could bring the citizens of Adriata and neighboring coves to land if she was pardoned. And that was if the humans and those rare and precious magic holders on land hadn’t developed some sort of technology to strike hard and heavy through water.

“I could kill you myself,” he suggested. “Or—” He smirked, looking all too pleased with himself for her comfort. “—we could strike a deal.”

Her nerves spike at that option more than anything, despite it clearly being the best choice for her. “A deal?”

“A deal. Sirens can remain out of the water for as long as, what, a week?”

“Five days is safer, seven pushes the limits.”

He considered her for a moment, hunting for a lie. She couldn’t risk it at this point. “Very well. Five days, you’ll stay on land. Then you may return to your people for the same amount of time. You may even tell them of this bargain, should anyone wonder after your absence. When that time is up, you will return to either the harbor or the ship. You’ll be made aware of our routes. I know your kind are quite skilled in navigation.”

Though it was more rumor than fact, it was quite possible sailors had once relied on the mer to guide their ships after a storm blew them off course or as night clouds blocked the stars from view. If he or his crew estimated their route, Feyre would find them.

“If you fail to return…”

“I understand.”

“Good.” He cocked his head. “Now tell me your real name.”

She pursed her lips. “I already told you, it’s Claire.”

“You’re also a horrible liar. If we’re to know one another, it will require honesty.”

She huffed. “Feyre. My name is Feyre.”

“Feyre." She wasn't quite sure why the sound of it sent a shiver down her spine. "Go home, Feyre,” he murmured, apparently changing his mind about her restrictions. “I’ll extend the crew's time in the harbor. Our bargain will begin when you return. The fifth sunset, I expect you back on land. Is that clear?”

She swallowed. “Crystal.”

@goddess-aelin // @shallyne // @the-lonelybarricade // @the-lost-changeling // @faeriequeensuriel // @pandavelaris // @s-uppertime // @acotar-fanns // @reverie-tales // @acourtofwips // @jealousveronya // @darling-archeron // @elentiya-whitethorn // @gwynkyrie

#feysand #fanfiction #acotar #the siren's song #the bargain has arrived