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iikatsukii · 1 year

Text

3:15 (breathe)

synopsis: story inspired by the song 3:15 by russ

pairings: lo’ak x metkayina!reader

warnings: angst to comfort & minor violence

word count: 6.6k

a/n: ive been writing this for too long but im back with a present 🫶🏾 (also i know this one isnt shortened by a read more thing im sorry guys i tried idk why its not working but hopefully when i get my laptop charger back ill be able to fix it but pls just bare with me just this once)

you had been staring at the roof of your marui for about 20 minutes now. you were dreading getting up. you've felt like this for the past few months but couldn't pinpoint exactly when it started. being the youngest daughter of tonowari and ronal is like asking every boy in the clan to court you. when you chose rotxo, all the boys in the clan were heartbroken. you and tsireya found it kinda funny, to be honest.

you and rotxo have been dating for about half a year now. everything leading up to the relationship had been amazing. the fleeting glances, soft touches, the surprise dates. he had courted you perfectly, so he was over the moon when you finally said yes. his loving actions continued three months into the relationship. then suddenly, you started to notice a shift in his behaviors.

he wouldn't surprise you with dates anymore, he only hung out with ao'nung and his friends, he wouldn't make time for you, and when you did ask to spend time with him, he would brush you off, saying he was busy.

of course, your siblings didn't know about this. rotxo told you not to tell them. "i mean, what would ao'nung think of me? he would never want to be friends with me again," he told you. you sighed, "you're right, rotxo. i'm sorry. i won't say anything." rotxo pulled you into a hug, holding your head to his chest so you couldn't see the smirk he held on his face. on the other hand, you held an expression of self-doubt. like you knew the choice to not speak up was dumb, and you wished you could take your words back, but you couldn't bring yourself to do it.

so you remained in rotxo's arms day after day, putting on a show that everyone believed. never saying anything to anyone. never saying anything about all the harsh words rotxo would say to you, about the loneliness you felt, or about the scars he left on your heart.

tsireya, your twin sister, suspected something was off about your relationship because of how differently you had been acting recently. ever since rotxo started treating you poorly, tsireya would hear you cry yourself to sleep every night. still, when she confronted you about it, you would brush her off, saying she was probably hearing things from how tired she had been. and the thing is, nobody else seems to hear it, so it's not like tsireya can have someone to back her up.

you finally gathered the energy to get up, 2 hours later than you were supposed to, and you groaned, knowing your father was going to kill you. you quickly get dressed, rushing to find someone, anyone who can tell you where your father is. finally, you see a huge crowd, what looks like the entire clan, gathered at the shores of the beaches.

"uturu has been asked.." you heard faintly. as you made your way to the front of the crowd, where you heard your father's voice, you caught the tail end of the conversation. "toruk makto and his family will live among us. my children will teach your children the ways of the water so that your family does not suffer the burden of being useless." you hid behind your father. as he spoke, you looked over to who he was talking to.

a group of 6 darker-toned na'vi were standing huddled together. 2 parents and 4 children. you analyzed each child, still hiding behind your father. the smallest, youngest na'vi was holding her mother's hand, hiding behind her leg, similar to how you're hiding behind your father. the older female, who looked about your age, had an annoyed look on her face. you giggled at her expression, being able to tell that she wanted to be anywhere but here.

then you looked at the taller, assumingly older brother. he looked tight-laced, like he was the perfect child. a golden boy, if you would. not really your type but eh, who are you to say anything. you have a boyfriend, for crying out loud. you shouldn't even be thinking things like this in the first place. you rolled your eyes, ignoring the annoying thoughts in your head, as you looked at the other boy standing next to the eldest son.

that's when you noticed the eyes that were staring back at you. they were the prettiest amber color you've ever seen, accented by… is that hair above his eyes? his eyes glowed in the sun, and his markings? don't even start; his markings running along his body were mesmerizing. but the one thing that interested you was the look he held in his eyes. nobody had ever looked at you like that, and of course, that makes it harder to pinpoint precisely what makes you feel this way. while you were entranced in the visitor's eyes, you failed to notice your own boyfriend noticing you. once the clan's people started to disperse, your sister grabbed your hand and dragged you over to the new family.

rotxo was going to approach you, but he was stopped by ao'nung, who nodded his head back to the water, where they would later meet you, tsireya, and those 'freaks' for lessons. ao'nung missed the furious expression his best friend held. rotxo was quick to fix his face, though, playing nice. he saw the looks between you and that forest boy, and he was not happy about it. he decided to observe from afar before confronting you about anything, not wanting youîu to know that he noticed anything.

as you and tsireya approached the family, you got to take a closer look at the boy before you. your thoughts, though, were interrupted by your twin, "let us show you to your new home," as she and you guided the new family to their home, you could tell their father was trying to stay positive, but the way their mother dropped her belongings when she saw where they would be living was comedic to you. you couldn't help but chuckle at her reaction, not maliciously, of course. you're not like your brother ao'nung and boyfriend rotxo.

"sister, i was late to the gathering. i have no idea who these people are or what's happening." you whispered to your twin. "oh right! where were you, by the way? i had to go through ilu training with the boys alone! it was horrible." she groaned. you sighed. yeah, you're definitely gonna get your ass beat when you get home. "father didn't happen to notice, did he?" you said, already knowing the answer. tsireya just laughed "skxawng." she said, hitting your shoulder. "hey!" you said defensively, ready to hit her back until a hand caught yours. you turned around to see one of the new na'vi boys. it was the younger one.

"as amusing it is to see two sisters-" he started

"twins," you and tsireya corrected at the same time. it freaked both boys out, but they thought it was cute in a way.

"as amusing as it is to see twins bickering with one another, i believe a lesson is in our near future? per request of your father, that is." the tone he used was teasing. how could he speak to you with such confidence when he didn't even know your name? rotxo had never spoken to you like that. his words were always soft, almost shy as if he didn't want to scare you with how loud you knew he could be. for some reason, though, it made you like rotxo more.

but with how things have been going well recently, rotxo isn't that soft-spoken boy anymore. hell, he barely acts like your boyfriend now. so maybe it won't be wrong to get to know someone new? only as a friend, though. you would never dream of cheating, let alone act on it.

you looked down to see that the younger brother, whose name you still had yet to find out, was still holding onto your wrist, waiting for an answer.

oh shit, he's waiting on an answer.

you had zoned out, daydreaming about the boy who was gazing at you equally as curious. thankfully you guys had an energetic little girl to catch your attention. "LAST ONE TO THE WATER IS THANATOR BAIT," she said as she jumped into the water.

you and your sister giggled at the young girl's actions, deciding to jump right in after her. the remaining na'vi jumped in as well as you and tsireya swam, guiding them to where you would have this supposed lesson. as you and your twin swam, she explained everything that had happened while you were sleeping using your clan's sign language. it was making more sense now. this family fled their home, seeking a safe place to stay… uturu…

as you had gotten to the rocks by the beach, you noticed that your brother was there, which could only mean one thing. rotxo was here, too, great. you didn't really feel like pretending to be happy with him around people right now, but you slapped on your usual fake smile, praying to eywa that these newcomers were as easy to fool as everyone else on this island.

you had begun your lessons as usual, you and tsireya being paired up with the youngest son as he was having the most difficulty.

"breathe in. breathe from down here," tsireya said as she placed her hand on lo'ak's stomach. you placed your hand on his heart to check its speed as you continued, "breathe out." you sighed again. "lo'ak, your heartbeat is fast," you said, looking up at him, happy that you had learned his name because now you could address him by his name.

"sorry," he said,

"try to focus," tsireya added, his eyes meeting hers as she spoke. you noticed that when his eyes shifted, his expression remained the same bright, curious look he gave you; he also held with your sister.

maybe that's just how he looks at people, you thought as you continued to help him.

you felt eyes on your back, knowing it was rotxo staring at you. you looked over your shoulder and made eye contact with your boyfriend, smiling and waving at him, getting nothing but a stone-cold look in return. nobody seemed to notice, so the embarrassment was yours alone. or so you thought until you turned back to lo'ak, seeing as he had seen the whole interaction between the two of you. nobody had ever noticed something like this happen. you tried to read the forest boy's expression but couldn't. all you knew was that he didn't have that same bright look in his eyes as he looked at rotxo.

so maybe he doesn't look at everyone like that…

the exchange sent a shiver up your back. you had a feeling nothing good would come of these two interacting, but over the months, rotxo had diminished your self-confidence, finding yourself seriously doubting your judgment. so you ignored the feeling, not thinking it would be worth risking the normalcy in your daily life.

with lessons finally ending, you excused yourself from the rest as you walked back to your marui, knowing that your parents were about to beat your ass. you walked into your home with your ears flat against your head, tail between your legs, and head hung in shame.

"y/n te ronal'ite," your mother sneered.

oh yeah. you're fucked.

"father, mother, i am sorry i do not know why i overslept this morning–"

"this is the fifth time this has happened, child. you do not know why you have overslept five times this month?" your mothers' words were harsh; you knew she was very upset with you because of how you had been acting recently. you also knew she didn't like your relationship with rotxo, no matter how nice she thought the boy was. to her, something was just off, she could hear eywa whispering to her about it at night, but when she awoke in the morning, it became nothing but a second thought as all her tsahik duties became a priority as she started her day.

"mother, i am sorry. i do not know why this is happening, but i promise it won't happen again," you said, falling to your knees and begging your parents for forgiveness. you hated when they were upset with you, from when you were a kid until now—especially your father.

you were a daddy's girl; you couldn't help it. your father was your safe haven, and you hated when he was disappointed in you even more than you hated when your mother was mad at you. so when you looked into his eyes and saw concern and not disappointment, you knew something was wrong.

"ma y/n, what is the matter? ite, if something is wrong, you know you can tell me." your father tried.

this was the one thing you couldn't confide in your father for. usually, you have little to no trouble telling your father what's wrong, but this was different. you couldn't bring yourself to tell him. so you just looked up at your father, tears in your eyes, and said

"nothing is wrong, father. i have no excuse for waking up late, so please issue my punishment. i have to finish my chores for the day," hearing your voice so cold sent a shiver up your parents' backs. that was what made them realize there really is something wrong. no matter how much you deny it, they can finally see past the facade that you've been keeping up.

how have they never noticed? how long has this been going on?

ronal looked at her husband, silently asking him for help. for once, the tsahik didn't know what to do. as attuned to eywa as she was, the great mother can't outright tell her what is wrong or how to solve it, thus leaving ronal feeling hopeless.

useless.

a tsahik who can't even help her own child. what good is she?

tonowari cleared his throat, drawing attention to himself.

"two weeks, ilu keeper. you are to bring and return the villager's ilus as well as headcount the north, south, east, and west pens before the eclipse to ensure all ilus are accounted for. you are dismissed," your father's tone was equally as cold as yours. you knew the game he was playing, and you wouldn't fall for it this time. you knew your father was just trying to reciprocate the attitude you were giving him so you would crack. so you quickly left your home, knowing that if you stayed any longer, you would burst into tears and beg your father to hold you in his arms.

your depression had continued for months after the day of the sullys arrival. things with rotxo had only gotten worse, and to you, it seemed like nobody was noticing your depleting health. but in reality, everyone knew you were sad, but nobody knew why.

except for one person

you were so grateful for lo'ak. he was the only person who noticed. he saw everything and sat you down, saying you couldn't endure this abusive relationship anymore. he saw all the scowls and rolled eyes your boyfriend sent your way when you were looking and when you weren't looking. he also saw stuff that you hadn't seen. like rotxo entertaining different girls throughout the village. all of those girls being the ones who you said were your very good friends, but more specifically, it was your best friend.

you and your sully boy were walking along the shore, deciding to go for a walk after he had returned from his daily chores. the walk was silent, but you noticed the furrowed eyebrows above lo'ak's eyes, indicating that he was thinking.

"if you think too hard, you may end up hurting yourself, forest boy," you teased, giggling at his reaction. the boy had rolled his eyes, relieving his eyebrow of their stress as he nudged your side with his elbow. "hey, watch it," he said, laughing along with you.

then he got serious again, you noticed the stress return to his eyebrows, and you couldn't help but stop walking, concerned for your friend.

"lo'ak, what is the matter?" you asked, voice quiet, almost a whisper. lo'ak had barely heard it over the sounds of the tide washing up against the shore. he was silent for a while, debating on if this was his place to say anything, but the boy was worried for you so he spoke up.

"as your friend, y/n, i cannot allow you to continue to be in this relationship." his words were firm. you knew this was coming, and you were hoping you could avoid it, but in the end, it seemed inevitable. you sighed, exhausted, dropping your facade.

"lo'ak, please. don't say anything to anyone. i am fine, okay? rotxo is just busy, is all–"

"yeah, busy suckin' face with your so-called friends, y/n," lo'ak huffed, tired of seeing you endure this treatment. you perked up at his words, though. what was he talking about?

"what do you mean?" you said as you stepped closer, wanting to look deeper into his eyes to ensure he wasn't lying.

"your boy has been cheating on you with all the girls you call your 'friends', especially your best friend. whenever he says he's busy with ao'nung and the guys, neteyam tells me he sneaks off halfway through. and i've personally caught him with so many girls y/n. he's been cheating on you." the words echo in your head.

cheating?

with your friends?

your boyfriend…

your boyfriend.

a new feeling had blossomed in your chest. it felt like a raging fire in your chest, out of control and blazing with heat. oh, you were pissed. so lo'ak hatched a plan for you.

"take this," he said as he reached up to his neck, taking off his communicator and giving it to you. "wear it tomorrow. and right before eclipse, i want you to go to the west ilu pen. but be quiet when you get there. that's usually where rotxo meets your best friend." the words squeezed at your heart, but the fury in your chest overpowered it all.

"fine," you said as your eyes met his once again. you moved your hair behind over your left shoulder as you turned around, signaling for him to put the communicator on for you.

once it was secure, you turned to face him again, knowing that this would be the last moment of peace you would have until the storm you had been so severely trying to avoid.

"thank you," was the last thing you said to the forest boy before you made your way home. knowing the next day would be one of the worst days of your life.

it was a few minutes til eclipse, and you were waiting in a hidden spot near the west ilu pen just like lo'ak had told you. you had been waiting here for 15 minutes, and neither rotxo nor your best friend had shown up. did lo'ak lie? what reason would he have to lie? it's not like he likes you. lo'ak always uses phrases like "as your friend…" and "friends don't treat friends like that," insinuating that he, too, thought of you as a friend and nothing more, so what reason would he have to lie. you were about to radio him, pressing the button on your neck, because you were getting annoyed waiting here for so long. but then you heard a familiar laugh.

that's your best friend's laugh.

you turned around, peeking through leaves to see rotxo and your best friend holding hands, laughing with one another. keeping your hand against your communicator, you tried to get as close as possible without revealing your hiding spot so that lo'ak could hear everything happening.

"are you sure this is okay, rotxo? what about y/n? you know she's my best friend." your best friends laughter had died down as the two came to a halt.

"ma yawne, you need not worry." your boyfriend reassured.

"but what about her? you guys are in a relationship, and she is olo'eyktans daughter. if we get caught, we're done for. plus, she's been looking so sad recently. i can't help but feel like she knows." tears sprung to her eyes and you couldn't help but roll your own.

"mawey, my love. she does not know. besides, she has been ignoring me recently. i've been left alone, wondering if she's okay. i ask her every day to talk to me and tell me something; i reassure her that i'm here for her and that she can talk to me about anything. she brushes me off, not even giving me the time of day. it is like she has completely shut me out. i feel so left in the dark," your best friend just coos at the boy, pulling into a hug in an attempt to 'hug' him when she really is just trying to push her boobs against his chest. his hand placement wasn't any better. he had his arms wrapped around her waist, pulling her closer to himself if even possible.

OH, BOO FUCKING HOO, IS HE FUCKING SERIOUS RIGHT NOW??

it was taking every molecule of self-restraint in your body not to blow your cover and strangle the man you call your "boyfriend." upon hearing his words, you could only scoff. this is what he's been doing? while he's been ignoring you, leaving you lonely and hurting, he's been out in the village, cheating on you and playing victim, making everyone think you were ignoring him.

you could only roll your eyes as you walked away before you were discovered. you were furious. you knew exactly how you wanted to approach this, thinking based only on your heated emotions, throwing all rational away. as you walked away, your hand fell from the collar around your neck, knowing lo'ak had heard enough. he was probably on the way to your parents' marui right now to tell them everything.

you walked to rotxo's family marui; glad to see the rest of his family is still out doing whatever they do. you could care less. he and anyone related to him could perish, poof into thin air, never to be seen again, and you wouldn't bat an eye. in fact, just the idea of it brings a smile to your face. a smile that instantly dropped when the flap of the marui was pushed aside, revealing your boyfriend and your brother.

"ao'nung, leave. i need to talk to rotxo," you said as soon as you made eye contact with your older brother. you knew he was clueless about what had happened because he was hanging out with his friends all day. supposedly, so was rotxo.

"sorry little sister, but you're going to have to leave. rotxo and i are–"

"AO' GET THE FUCK OUT!" you screamed at your brother, eyes falling to the floor, knowing he wasn't the target of rage, so you probably shouldn't be treating him like this.

your brother was surprised you raised your voice at him but listened anyway, knowing that this wasn't his problem and he honestly didn't care about your relationship as long as rotxo treated you right. and to his knowledge, his best friend is treating you right. rotxo, you told your brother that it was you shutting him out, so ao'nung just assumed this would be another one of those 'irrational arguments' that rotxo always tells him about.

watching your brothers back retreating toward your home, you turned your attention to the man of the fucking hour.

"my best friend? are you serious right now, rotxo?" you asked him to get straight to the point.

rotxo rolled his eyes, groaning because he realized you knew he was cheating on you.

"y/n, don't be like this. my family will be home any minute–" you cut him off.

"i do not care. you are walking around telling people i shut you out? cheating on me? you are out here forcing me to put on a smile, fake happy, so your reputation doesn't get ruined, and you have the nerve to try and bring mine down with you? saying i'm leaving you in the dark. making yourself seem like the goddamn victim?! you're cheating on me, rotxo. FOR FUCKS SAKE." the english word that the sully children had taught you felt like the only word that could adequately convey your feelings.

"using the words that sully boy taught you, huh? you know you've been spending a lot of time with him. you're lucky the only rumor i spread was that you left me in the dark. be grateful that i'm not telling everyone how you've been spreading your legs for that freak." you gaped at his words. how did he know about how much you've been spending with lo'ak? of course, he's completely wrong about what you guys do but he's always busy with his friends, blowing you off, cheating, and not caring who you're with or what you're doing. regardless of how he knew or not, you and lo'ak were friends, and that's it.

"we are just friends. i would not even have to hang out with him if my own shitty boyfriend actually acted as if he fucking likes me. we hang out as all young na'vi do, free diving, ilu racing, sea shell collecting. things i've done with you, my siblings, and countless other friends, like the bitch you are cheating on me with, so why is it a problem when i do it with lo'ak? hmm, rotxo? what's your fucking problem? are you projecting? is that it?" you were blinded by your rage, not even realizing that you had approached your boyfriend, but it felt like your words weren't getting through to him. he still held this shitty condescending smirk on his face, and you were sick of it. so you pushed him with all the strength you had in your body. rotxo fell to the floor pretty hard, groaning in pain as he landed funny on his wrist.

"ah! ha–" rotxo graoned in pain as he gripped his wrist. his gaze met yours as he spoke again "look, she's finally snapped. what? are you going to go, run to your little demon blood? are you going to let him cheer you up like the little slut you are? might as well prepare yourself for tomorrow because when ao'nung asks me what we argued about, i'm telling him i found out you were cheating on me with that sully boy," rotxo stood from his place on the floor, holding a look you had never seen on him before. he walked towards you menacingly as you matched his pace, walking backward until your back made contact with the wall of his home. his hand came up to your neck, squeezing, not noticing that he had once again pressed the button on your collar so lo'ak could hear everything.

“y/n? what's wrong? what's going on?" you heard his voice in your earpiece but kept quiet, not wanting rotxo to know he was about to get caught.

"you're so easy, huh? playing hard to get for everyone in the village when really you just wanted to be a whore for a half-breed freak who has only brought problems and war to our home–" you pushed him off of you, running out his marui with your head down, not wanting him to see your tears as if he hadn't already.

as cruel as rotxo had been to you, he had never called you such degrading names like this.

as angry as you were, hearing someone you once loved say things like that to you felt like a bullet to the heart.

you ran to a hidden oasis within the forest line of awa'atlu. only you and rotxo knew of it, but recently you've found yourself coming here alone much more than you would come here with him.

falling to your knees in front of the river before you, you allowed the dam to break, letting all your pent-up emotions out. you couldn't help but cry to yourself. you hated life like this. you hated living a lie, not wanting to bare this pain anymore. you cried, sobbed, screamed, wailed, anything to get this hurt out of your heart.

rotxo had broken you. he had taken your pure, innocent heart and smashed it to pieces. no matter how much you tried to love and care for him, you realize he would never really love you. it was all just a ploy to get in with the olo'eyktan's daughter. he was just like every other stupid boy on this island. but you fell for him, and you hated the feeling.

and for him to cheat with your best friend, of all people? how could he? did he even love you?

to say lo'ak was worried was the understatement of the fucking year. he was basically having a panic attack rampaging the island after he didn't find you in rotxo's marui when they arrived. lo'ak had come with his family and yours, everyone having heard the cruel words that rotxo had spat at you thanks to lo'aks communication device.

jake and neteyam personally held lo'ak back from killing the metkayina in front of him.

"YOU FUCKER! YOU CALL HER A WHORE WHEN YOU'RE THE ONE STICKING YOUR DICK IN ANYTHING THAT HAS A FUCKING HOLE, YOU PUSSY–"

"lo'ak, that's enough," jake said, trying to restrain his youngest son.

"NO, HE'S RIGHT! DAD, LET ME GO! LET ME BEAT HIS ASS!" lo'ak looked over to see tonowari and another warrior holding ao'nung back, but the look on tonowari's face showed that he was seconds from ripping rotxo limb from limb for what he had said to his daughter.

that's when lo'ak noticed you weren't in the marui. pulling himself from his father and brother's restraints, he ran out, immediately going to all your favorite places on the island, trying to find you.

he searched the shallow reefs on the east side of the island. he visited the ilu pen on the south part of the island because that's where you kept your ilu. he checked the floral shoreline on the northwest part of the island, knowing that you loved getting all your flowers from there, whether it was for your hair, a top, or a gift for the new boy on the island.

lo'ak noticed a forest line near the floral shores, so he also decided to check within that area in case you were wandering around there.

walking through the forest area kind of reminded lo'ak of home. he had been reminiscing on the flora of his home when he heard what sounded like crying—very loud crying.

immediately arming himself, prepared to protect himself or someone else. lo'ak stepped into the clearing, seeing you kneeling over the stream, fists clenched into the ground beneath you as you let out the most heart-twisting cries he had ever heard.

you were crying so loud you hadn't even heard the forest boy approaching you. feeling arms engulfing you, you began to panic. whoever it was immediately tried to soothe your struggles, and much to your surprise, you listened. you felt warmth, security, and comfort. things you never felt around rotxo, at least, not anymore.

"mawey, y/n. mawey. try to match my breathing," it was a familiar voice, but with all the physical and emotional pain clouding your senses, you couldn't pinpoint who it was. regardless, you tried your best to match his breathing, your heavy breaths slowing to quiet sobs and whimpers. it felt like your heart was really breaking. this realization was painful. rotxo didn't love you. he was using you.

you just wanted to be loved, and rotxo made you feel that way for a while. but that was the problem; it only lasted a while. then everything went to shit, and you were left cold and alone while rotxo was out cheating on you and forcing you to fake a smile for everyone around you so that you wouldn't ruin his reputation.

your cries had died down, and you were resting within the hold of the person behind you. his hushed words of comfort hadn't stopped, praising you for controlling your breath as he soothingly rubbed your shoulders. when you calmed down enough, you turned to look at the source of your comfort. it was honestly one of the last people you expected it to be.

you would've thought your brother or sister would find this secret spot before the forest boy did.

"lo'ak, what are you doing here?" you asked him, trying to escape his grasp and wipe your tears at the same time. lo'ak was quick to grab hold of your hands, preventing you from moving away from him.

"mawey, y/n. just relax. i'm here for you, and you can cry all you want to, sevin. i am not going anywhere." his voice was so comforting as he pulled you back into his embrace. you just sighed as you felt another wave of tears coming to your eyes. so you cried it out, relieving every sob, scream, and cry you had ever kept in, and lo'ak stayed with you through it all. never once letting you go and never stopping his whispers of reassurance.

when your sobs died down again, you noticed he intertwined his fingers with yours. you hadn't noticed his hands before. you weren't aware, but your ears perked up a bit, and your tail started to rev to life a bit when you saw he had five fingers instead of four. you wordlessly detangled your hand from his, causing the boy's ears to fall flat to his head.

you noticed his hands. did you see him differently now? his thoughts started as a drizzle quickly forming into a hurricane, but when he felt both of your hands grab one of his pulling it closer to your swollen eyes so you could examine it better, he chuckled. he thought it was cute, seeing you fiddle with his fingers as your soft sniffles continued. if this was distraction enough to keep you from crying, then lo'ak would let you play with his hands 24/7.

you didn't know that lo'ak's hands were his biggest insecurity, so the way you played with them and looked at them with wonder and not worry made his heart swell. lo'ak had not thought his life would be turned upside down like this, being forced to move away from his home and learn new ways of life. he hated it. but willingly getting to know someone and maybe even starting to fall for her had to be the best thing on that list. lo'ak knew he liked you for a while but never made any advances as you were taken. even though he could've been treating you so much better.

he loved how your hands felt in his and how your smile brightened up an entire room. he loved how attuned to nature you were. you hadn't even realized the school of fish swimming around your ankles rested in the river before you. it was as if the animals were trying to comfort you, too, somehow being able to sense your distress.

“y/n. do not listen to him. he is nothing but a lowlife who derives pleasure from others' pain," lo'ak started ranting, not caring if you were listening. he just wanted to speak his mind. "you are beautiful, y/n. the most beautiful, strong, loving, kind, graceful na'vi i've ever had the chance to meet. if moving away from my home means i get to find a new home here, with you, i would fly, walk, jump, or crawl my way here a hundred times over. i would do anything to be with you properly. i want to heal you from that asshole's mistakes. i want to show you what it feels like to be loved. not because you are olo'eyktan's daughter. but because you are you."

his eyes remained focused on yours as he recited every word. but you could tell he wasn't speaking something memorized or forced; he was speaking from his heart. you could hear it, as if eywa herself was whispering it to you. but you were hurt. could you trust someone so soon?

almost as if he could read your thoughts, he spoke up again.

"i know your trust is weary right now, but let me prove it to you. i will court you properly, meet your parents officially, ask for their blessing, i–" lo'ak sighed, almost as if he didn't want to continue, but he did. "i'll even stop fighting with ao'nung." that got a laugh out of you.

"lo'ak, are you sure about that?" you asked, looking up at him through your tears, flashing the first genuine smile he had ever seen on you. he was amazed. if he thought your fake smile lit up a room, then your genuine smile could bring light to an entire clan.

"i would do whatever you want me to do, syulang. i just want to be with you. i want to love you if you'll have me. we can take things at your pace. i'm in no rush because, for you, i would wait forever," he yearned for you, waiting patiently to see if you'll accept him.

you couldn't find any reason not to. this boy had to have been sent to you by eywa. he was meant to be the remedy to heal your heart after this tragic breakup. you were crying, but they were tears of joy and relief. you were finally free. free to feel love. free to feel happy. free to be you.

in the heat of the moment, you felt something wiggling under the ground beneath your leg. looking down, you see a glow worm inching up your leg. most do not know, but since the metkayina spirit tree is underwater, these little glow worms come up from the sand or appear on or around you whenever eywa tries to give you a sign. they're the metkayina equivalent of a woodsprite.

you could only gasp at the sight of the tiny creature. so he really is eywa sent? you thought as you saw a glow worm crawling up lo'ak's shoulder. this caused you to laugh, seeing as he also noticed the glow worm on his shoulder and started to panic, trying to flick the bug off his shoulder without hurting it.

"kehe, don't do that," you said as you grabbed his hand to prevent him from hurting the poor thing. you carefully placed your hand in front of the glowworm, allowing it to crawl into your palm. you took lo'ak's hand in yours, facing his palm up to allow the glow worm to walk from your hand to his.

"what is this?" he asked as he brought his hand closer to his face turning it as the glow worm walked around.

"i've heard about omatikaya woodsprites from kiri. they are like that but for the reefs. they are sent from eywa, meant to be wordless messengers," you explained to the forest boy.

your forest boy.

lo'ak couldn't help but smile at you, processing the words you had said. as he spoke again, he held nothing but love in his eyes, "y/n, i see you. oel ngati kameie," he gently held your face in his hands to ensure you made eye contact with him as he said it to you. you cried even harder because rotxo had never said that to you. and you're glad he didn't because you wouldn't have been able to say this back,

"oel ngati kameie, forest boy."

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cursed-40k-thoughts · 11 months

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"Magnus. Magnus, my son." The tyrant of a thousand systems spoke with a tremor, a quake in the voice that had commanded death for billions without faltering. "Tell me- though I know it cannot be otherwise- tell me, please, that you did not hit that they/them þussy."

Magnus looked at his father, lone crimson eye betraying half sorrow and half disdain, his mane of hair only given further leonin appearance from the they/them energy yet whirling around him as he stood in the ruins of the portal. "You knew," he rasped in shock. "You knew how different it hit. And you hid it. You silenced my rizz, you ordered me like a mere pupil to restrain myself- did you think me weak, father? You held me back from this. Every Celeste player across the galaxy could have been ours-"

"I did not think you weak!", the Emperor roared. The golden guardians behind him flinched. He set his jaw and fixed a burning gaze on Magnus. "I did not fear you would be weak, Magnus, I feared that you would be strong. And was not my fear well-founded? You succumbed."

"Actually, I think they succ-cu-" The Custodian was silenced mid-speech by a mutual glare from the Emperor and the Cyclops.

"You could not hold yourself back! You do not know what has begun, Magnus. Fallout: New Vegas. Bloodborne. Those will be but the harbingers. Ultrakill follows in their wake. Had you been weak this would not have come upon us, but..." The Emperor stepped backwards, as though staggered by a blow.

"I made you strong, my son. Too strong. Too wise, perhaps."

"You'd rather an ignoramus brute? Another Russ?" growled Magnus. His lone eye shone with the dreadful, lethal radiance of a charging plasma cannon.

"I have lived as one too wise in many ages, my son. And it is never a burden worth bearing. You have fallen under its weight, I fear. There is no path of return from the they/them þussy, Magnus. You do not wonder that even I dared not hit it?"

His psykic image began to dissolve, turned into ash and crumpled Monster cans, but Magnus spoke just once more: "Is it no path of return, Father? Or no reason to, once you know the truth of railing it?"

I feel like this has simultaneously done me severe brain damage and opened up new information processing channels I never knew I had

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askmalal · 11 months

Text

The Primarchs and their Brothers, Part 1:

The Lion

II(REDACTED)

“My brother is vastly misunderstood. In many cases, he really -is- the better man. But, unfortunately, lacks the tact to restrain himself from saying it.”

III. Fulgrim

“My brother is not burdened by false modesty, or perhaps any modesty at all.”

IV. Perturabo

“In contrary to what is sometimes said, I like the Lion, on occasion. I think that his tactics are well considered, and his reasoning sound. That does not mean they are always correct, or the reasoning based upon a complete understanding of the situation at hand.”

V. Jaghatai Khan

“He rides well. He speaks well. I do not know I always agree with his actions. But he has never sought my approval, nor I his. This is the way of brothers, and with that understanding, there is little that can be said against his motives, at least, despite his methods.”

VI. Leman Russ

“We are, they say very much alike. Perhaps this is true. I am not, after all, overly fond of myself most days….”

VII. Rogal Dorn

“A competent strategist and operational planner. If I have a significant criticism, it is that he sometimes lacks patience.”

VIII. Konrad Curze

“An utter madman.”

IX. Sanguinius

“The man knows his craft. He knows it well. A competent soldier of much bitter experience.”

X. Ferrus Manus

“Admittedly a great innovator. Horus may be the better politician, but I’d wager he is the more innovative, and arguably, the better soldier.”

XI. REDACTED

“We have a complicated relationship. That does not mean I do not believe in his purpose, even if his methods do not suit my preferences. I know that he is reliable. I know that he can be trusted. I know that he has treated my Legionaries with respect. That is enough.”

XII. ANGRON

“No man can destroy that many worlds and retain his honor.”

XIII. Roboute Guilliman

“A theorist’s theorist. His approach to operational warfare is remarkable. A toast to him, my hard fighting brother. May he know peace one day. For he has earned it!”

XIV. Mortarion

“In full disclosure, though we are often at odds, I credit him for teaching me lessons about warfare I had thought myself above the need to know.”

XV. Magnus

“Little appreciation for culture, though he is well read. A tendency to burn museums, though he is well educated.”

XVI. Horus

“He is an exceptional leader, and by the throne he’ll make sure you know that, one way or another.”

XVII. Lorgar

“A monastic aesthetic but a lack of spiritual direction. I am unsure how best to describe my feelings. I would say that he shows every evidence of greatness. And every evidence of internal conflict.”

XVIII. Vulcan

“He is a very hard man. Not a bad man, but a very hard one. I wish he were a more compassionate one… he has proven himself capable of this, but I am unsure whether he believes has the luxury. That he thinks of it as a luxury is where we differ. “

XIX. Corvus Corax

��Nobility. Feh.”

XX. Alpharius Omegon

“Many people think of Leman as the Emperor’s Executioner. Rarely do they consider the one among us who was born with the executioner’s sword in his hand…”

#malice #askmalal #malal #the primarchs and their brothers #lion el'jonson #the great crusade #dark angels #the primarchs

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neurodiversebones · 11 months

Text

in 2x02 (the mother and child in the bay), brennan keeps emphasizing that without children, booth's life would be easier. that it would be better if he didn't have a son to worry about. this kind of makes her seem like an asshole throughout the episode but like,,, she isn't really talking about parker. she's talking about herself.

brennan thinks that if she were never born, her parents lives would be better and easier. they wouldn't have had to work so hard to stay hidden if they never had kids, and they wouldn't have experienced so much pain having to run away. even if it were just russ-- it would be a lot easier to do what they had to do with just one (adult) child. she feels that if it weren't for her existence, maybe her mother would still be alive.

it's not even that she wishes she weren't born-- she just feels incredibly guilty that she was. these thoughts are expressed through her constant questioning of booth and his happiness with being a parent throughout the episode. she can't imagine a life in which she was not a burden to her parents, and therefore wonders if booth feels the same. she knows booth loves parker unconditionally-- that's what makes it all the more painful. through watching booth, she knows that a parents love is so real, and that is so much worse. the idea that yes, her parents did love her unconditionally, and that caused so much harm. loving her is why her mom is dead, why her dad is the way he is, why she had to grow up with so much pain.

#ough i'm so sad #bones tv #temperance brennan #bones meta #bones headcanon #bones on fox #bonestv #temperance brennan headcanon #tw suicidal ideation #tw si #cw si #cw suicidal ideation

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youstolemyusername1andthat · 7 months

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Uncharted horizonts

Tw:Nothing just click away if you hate long storys I guess

⭒A/n.Did a double uploud today but won't always upload so ⭒

Summery:

"Uncharted Horizons." follows the journey of Keegan Russ and Y/n through the various chapters of their life together. From a spontaneous road trip to a cliffside proposal, their love story unfolds against the backdrop of exploration and shared experiences.

The narrative delves into the complexities of their relationship, including Keegan's mysterious past and the challenges of his investigative journalism career. Throughout the ups and downs, Y/n remains a steadfast and supportive partner, their love becoming a source of strength.

As the years pass, Keegan and Y/n navigate the twists and turns of life, building a home filled with laughter, shared passions, and the joy of starting a family. The story explores themes of resilience, trust, and the enduring nature of love.

Ultimately, the couple faces the inevitable passage of time with grace, standing united against the vast canvas of their shared destiny. The narrative emphasizes the idea that the journey of love is an ongoing adventure, with uncharted horizons waiting to be explored together.

Regenerate

youtube

Keegan Russ stood at the edge of the cliff, overlooking the vast expanse of the ocean. The waves crashed against the rocks below, creating a soothing melody that echoed in the silence. He couldn't help but feel a sense of tranquility, a momentary escape from the chaos of everyday life.

As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting hues of orange and pink across the sky, Keegan's mind wandered to Y/n. She was the anchor in his life, the one who brought stability to his unpredictable world. Their relationship was a blend of passion and understanding, a journey through uncharted horizons.

One evening, Keegan surprised Y/n with a spontaneous road trip. He whisked her away from the familiar streets of the city to a quaint cottage nestled in the hills. The air was crisp, and the scent of pine surrounded them. It was a haven, a place where time seemed to slow down.

They spent their days exploring the wilderness, hiking through trails that led to hidden waterfalls and panoramic viewpoints. Every step was a shared adventure, and every laugh echoed through the mountains. Y/n reveled in the spontaneity, and Keegan cherished the joy he could bring to her life.

Yet, amidst the laughter, there were moments of introspection. Keegan, a man with a mysterious past, often found himself haunted by memories he couldn't share. Y/n, perceptive and empathetic, sensed the shadows that lurked in the depths of his eyes. She longed to ease his burdens, to be the solace he needed.

One night, as they sat by the crackling fireplace, Y/n broached the subject. "Keegan," she began softly, "I can feel that there's a part of you you're not sharing. Whatever it is, I'm here for you."

Keegan hesitated, the weight of his secrets heavy on his shoulders. In that moment, he realized the depth of Y/n's love. He began to unravel the stories of his past, the triumphs, and the scars that shaped him. Y/n listened without judgment, her love becoming a beacon of acceptance.

Their journey together became a testament to resilience and love. They faced challenges, navigated storms, but always emerged stronger. The echoes of their laughter became a melody that transcended the trials of life.

One day, as they stood on the same cliff where it all began, Keegan turned to Y/n. The setting sun painted the sky in hues of gold, and he took a deep breath.

"Y/n, you are my anchor, my light in the darkest storms. I want to spend the rest of my life exploring uncharted horizons with you. Will you marry me?"

Tears welled in Y/n's eyes as she nodded, the weight of the unspoken words exchanged in that moment binding them together in a promise of forever.

Their love story continued, a tapestry woven with threads of joy, sorrow, and everything in between. Keegan and Y/n, two souls navigating the uncharted horizons of life, hand in hand, ready for whatever lay ahead.

And so, as the sun dipped below the horizon once again, casting its final rays on the couple, Keegan Russ and Y/n stood united against the vast canvas of their shared destiny.

The years unfolded like the pages of an epic novel for Keegan Russ and Y/n. Their love story became a symphony of highs and lows, a tapestry woven with threads of joy, sorrow, and everything in between.

After the cliffside proposal, Keegan and Y/n embarked on planning their dream wedding. The ceremony was a reflection of their journey — intimate, surrounded by nature, and filled with personal touches. The vows they exchanged were a testament to the depth of their connection, promising to be each other's strength in the face of whatever challenges lay ahead.

Their honeymoon took them to exotic locales, from bustling cities to serene beaches. They relished in the adventure of discovering new places, each destination etching memories into the canvas of their shared experiences. It was during these moments that Keegan realized the true meaning of home — not a place, but the warmth he found in Y/n's presence.

As the years passed, their relationship evolved. Keegan's career as an investigative journalist took them to different corners of the world. Y/n, an artist with a heart full of wanderlust, embraced the nomadic lifestyle. Together, they navigated the complexities of balancing passion and stability, finding solace in the fact that home was wherever they were together.

Yet, the shadows of Keegan's past lingered, occasionally casting a fleeting gloom over their happiness. It was during a rainy afternoon in a small Parisian cafe that Keegan decided to confront the ghosts that still haunted him. Y/n, perceptive as always, sensed the internal struggle and offered a supportive hand.

"I've been carrying this burden for too long," Keegan admitted, his gaze fixed on the rain-streaked window. "There are things I haven't shared, things I thought I could leave behind, but they've been clawing at me."

Y/n squeezed his hand, a silent assurance that she was there for him. In the quiet corner of that Parisian cafe, Keegan unraveled the remaining chapters of his past, allowing Y/n to witness the vulnerabilities he had guarded so fiercely.

Instead of pushing him away, Y/n embraced him tighter. "Keegan, we all have our scars. What matters is that you're here with me now. We can face whatever comes together."

The catharsis brought a newfound closeness to their relationship. The trust they shared deepened, and with it, a renewed sense of purpose. Keegan's investigative pursuits took on a new perspective — he sought justice not just for others but also for himself, closing the chapters that had long haunted him.

In the quieter moments of their life, they reveled in the simple pleasures. Lazy Sunday mornings with pancakes and coffee, evenings spent stargazing on their balcony, and the comfort of knowing that they had built a life where love was the anchor that held them steady.

As time flowed like a river, Keegan and Y/n faced the ebb and flow of life's uncertainties. They weathered storms, celebrated victories, and embraced the inevitability of change. Through it all, their love remained a constant, an unwavering force that stood resilient against the passage of time.

And so, as the sun dipped below the horizon once again, casting its final rays on the couple, Keegan Russ and Y/n stood united against the vast canvas of their shared destiny. The uncharted horizons that lay ahead were met with anticipation and courage, for they knew that together, they could navigate any journey that awaited them.

The years continued to unfold like the never-ending chapters of an epic novel for Keegan Russ and Y/n. Their love story, a masterpiece painted across the canvas of time, grew in richness and complexity.

After their dream wedding, the couple settled into a cozy home nestled between rolling hills and meandering streams. The house became a sanctuary, a haven where the echoes of laughter and the scent of shared meals permeated the air. It was in this idyllic setting that they built the foundation of a life filled with love and companionship.

As Keegan's career as an investigative journalist flourished, Y/n's artistry found new avenues for expression. Their shared adventures became a source of inspiration for Y/n's creations, each piece telling a story of the places they had been and the emotions they had shared. Their home transformed into a gallery of memories, a testament to a life well-lived.

However, the journey wasn't without its challenges. Keegan's relentless pursuit of truth often led them into the heart of danger. Y/n, though understanding of his passion, couldn't help but worry every time he embarked on a new investigation. Late-night phone calls and anxious waits became a routine part of their lives, a bittersweet reminder of the sacrifices that came with Keegan's commitment to justice.

During one particularly harrowing assignment, Keegan found himself caught in the crossfire of a dangerous expose. The threat loomed not only over his career but also over the safety of the life he had built with Y/n. It was in those moments of uncertainty that their love shone brightest. Y/n, unyielding in her support, became Keegan's anchor as he navigated the storm, emerging stronger and more resilient than ever.

In the quiet moments between investigations, Keegan and Y/n nurtured their relationship. They explored new hobbies together, took up cooking classes, and even adopted a rescue dog named Luna. Their home, once a refuge for two, now echoed with the playful barks and pitter-patter of paws, bringing an added layer of joy to their lives.

As the years rolled on, they welcomed new chapters into their story — the joyous anticipation of parenthood, the sleepless nights filled with lullabies, and the shared pride of witnessing their children take their first steps. Parenthood brought its own set of challenges, yet Keegan and Y/n faced them hand in hand, drawing strength from the unbreakable bond they had cultivated over the years.

In the golden years of their marriage, they found themselves sitting on the porch, watching the sun dip below the horizon. The love that had started as a spark had grown into a steady flame, illuminating the path they had walked together. Keegan, with a twinkle in his eye, turned to Y/n.

"Do you remember that cliffside where I proposed?" he asked, a nostalgic smile playing on his lips.

Y/n nodded, a fondness in her gaze. "How could I forget? It feels like a lifetime ago."

Keegan took her hand in his, the touch a testament to the years they had weathered together. "And yet, every day feels like a new adventure with you. Will you continue exploring uncharted horizons with me?"

Y/n leaned in, pressing a gentle kiss on his cheek. "Always."

Their love story continued, a tapestry woven with the threads of a lifetime. As the sun dipped below the horizon once again, casting its final rays on the couple, Keegan Russ and Y/n stood united against the vast canvas of their shared destiny. The uncharted horizons that lay ahead were met with anticipation, for they knew that the journey, with all its twists and turns, was a story they would continue writing together.

#keegan x reader #keegan p russ #cod keegan #cod x reader #cod mw2 #modern warfare 2 #mw2 #call of duty #cod mwii #Girlfriend!reader #lovers #fluff #fluff keegan #long story #I'd let keegan dominate me #Keegan can have me #hashtag #Youtube

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mlmxreader · 7 months

Text

A Needed Break | John Price x m!reader

『••✎••』

↳ ❝ not 100% sure how you like requests to be formatted so this is my best shot, apologies if it's not right

"Kill, fight, die - that's what a soldier should do" with Price? sad captain tied to his duties ❞

: ̗̀➛ Even when he's gone to Hell and back, Price still can't fully pull himself away from his work, from his duty.

: ̗̀➛ graphic depictions of torture/death, graphic depictions of violence, heavy gore, trauma, swearing, smoking, eyeball torture

•───────────────★•♛•★──────────────•

Price glared at the half empty pint glass sitting in front of him, amber coloured liquid blurred by heavy condensation that dripped and formed a ring at the base; he could still see it all happening, he could still hear the screams and the ringing in his ears, he could still feel the harsh drop of his stomach when he saw what was happening.

It had all been his own fault, he should have guessed that it was a trap in the end, an ambush; he should have known better, he should have protected them.

Their names still ringing in his ears like Kate was sitting in front of him reading them aloud; David Hesh Walker, Logan Walker, Keegan P. Russ, Thomas A. Merrick, John MacTavish, Simon Riley, Gary Sanderson.

Elias Walker, the man in charge of the Ghosts team, told him not to burden the guilt too much; but how could he not?

Elias’ entire family was gone, and the only person to blame was Price.

He could still see it before him.

David crying as he called for his father loudly, his stomach split open and slowly leaking something thick and squishy; in his final moments, he wasn’t a man in his twenties anymore, he was just a scared little boy who wanted his father.

He died before Elias could get to him; alone and scared.

Logan turning to look for David, hoping to see his big brother’s eyes, only to have all the air pushed from his lungs as a bullet cut through his back; with his final gasps for life, he had gone over to his brother’s corpse, and held a dead hand so tightly.

Keegan, pushing Ajax out of the way of falling rubble, only to be caught beneath it himself; Ajax managed to get away, managed to get to the evacuation point with Gaz and Riley.

Keegan wasn’t so lucky, a loud squelch coming from his broken bones as the rubble dropped down heavily onto him.

Thomas screaming loudly as one soldier held him on his knees and popped his eyes out of his skull; they dangled by fine bits of red tissue, swinging slightly before the soldier shot him between them.

John… poor John… locked all alone in that control room as the yellowish gas hissed and overtook it.

Scratching at his throat until it was covered in raw and bloody marks, gagging and choking on his own vomit as he sought relief; heaving in agony as he dropped to his knees. Froth sitting upon his lips, a metallic taste upon his tongue, drowning on dry land.

His skin a greenish yellow, black spots upon his brow and ears, his eyes glassy and still.

The smell of pineapple and pepper was hard to ignore.

Simon… oh, Simon… doused in gasoline and set on fire… his eyeballs melting from his skull and leaking down his face in a thick goo, flailing as he screamed, his skin splitting open to expose the squishy and tender flesh underneath that burned so easily.

Black soot in his throat, he could feel his muscles tense and shrivel as he dropped to the ground, harsh cracking sounds staining his screams as his arms retracted, making him look like a boxer.

He stopped screaming after that.

Gary… his achilles tendon split open by a knife, all the way so that when he stood up and tried to run, his foot nearly tore away from the rest of his leg; blood spilling from the mangled flesh as the string within the back of his ankle audibly snapped.

With a cry, Gary fell, and couldn't even force himself to flip himself onto his back; roughly, he was grabbed by the back of his head, and yowled so loud he nearly collapsed as a blowtorch was put to his eye.

His flesh became mangled, a solid yet moist mass overtaking part of his face in a long stripe; blood squelching down the marks and leaving an orange and red trail behind it.

Skin bubbled and rippled, blisters popping and causing a slim stream of yellow pus to chase after the blood. From a pink rope, the eyeball fell limply, only to be severed and snap the more the blowtorch ripped through his flesh.

With his mouth agape, Gary’s dying breath was cut off as he was forced to swallow and choke on his own pus; thick and sticky on his tongue. A yellow blob stuck to his top lip, wobbling until it slipped past and spluttered into his mouth; if he had any breath, he would have gagged and retched.

Price lost his left leg that same day.

Desperate to get Elias, Riley, Gaz and Ajax to the helicopter for pickup, Price had failed to realise that he was being chased after; he was caught, and although he tried to fight back, he was quickly pinned down.

With a sickly grin, the captor grabbed Price’s knee, and cut off his trouser leg before shoving the razor beneath his skin; they peeled it off, letting it fall to the floor with a wet slap before they were given a saw.

Price screamed and yowled, desperate to fight back, but he only broke away once they allowed it; squirming, he tried to get up, but the bone shuddered and splintered, breaking clean apart.

He growled, convinced it was just a break until he felt his own muscle and tissue pulling away; he was desperate, wide eyed and knowing that his time might be up… but the others missed the first evacuation to grab him, dragging him somewhere safe, far from the other soldiers.

“Oi,” Price looked up, meeting your gaze as he dared to smile a little. “You alright there, John?”

Price shrugged, clearing his throat as he licked his lips and sighed heavily. “Keep thinkin’ about it.”

“You’ll get used to it,” you told him with a firm shake of your head. “I did.”

Price looked at you, taking note of your rough hands and coarse manner. He should have guessed you had been in similar positions; a navalman, in charge of one of the best Trafalgar Class submarines. He should have guessed.

“I dunno,” Price whispered. “I lost a lot of good men back there, Commander and it… it was all my fault.”

“You keep thinking like that, Captain,” you hummed. “And you’re only ever gonna get yourself into a load of fucking shit. You’re no fucking good to no cunt.”

He laughed softly. He could always trust you to tell him the truth, to never walk on eggshells around him. “Kill, fight, die - that’s what a soldier should do… that’s what I was always told.”

“Yeah, and you was told a bunch of fucking bullshit,” you huffed, grabbing his pint glass and taking a long swig. “The fuck do they teach you cunts on land?”

He grinned, nodding slowly. “A load of fucking bollocks, apparently.”

“Look, give me your phone,” you held your hand, and when he handed it over, you quickly used your fingerprint to unlock it. “I’m giving you the name of my fucking… y’know, the cunt that sorts my head out?”

“Yeah.”

“I’m giving you his fucking number,” you tod him, typing it in before handing the phone back. “You should have a natter with the cunt.”

Price nodded slowly, taking his pint glass back and stealing a swig. “And what about my work?”

“Oh, sod your work!” You scoffed. “Don’t be so fucking gammy about it - it’s about time you got a break, anyway.”

“Why?” Price scoffed with a raised brow. “So you have someone to drink with?”

You shrugged, taking back the pint glass and winking at him. “You always were my favourite drinking partner, y’know.”

He wanted to roll his eyes. All the years you had been together, you had never changed; you had been through a lot of shit, just like he did, but you always came back the same. You left everything on the submarine the second it docked.

A calloused and coarse man, Price was sure that you held the world record for bad language. Calloused and coarse, yet you always snuggled into him at night when he was home, and you never wasted any time in telling him you loved him every morning and before you fell asleep every night.

Always remembered his birthday, the holidays, always remembered his favourite coffee brands and his preferred rolling tobacco. Calloused and coarse, yet generous and gentle.

You were never as tied down to your job and your duties as he was, and he envied it more than anything; he envied your lack of instinctual duty, your lack of being tied down. Maybe he should have joined the Navy.

“I’m fucking texting that cunt Elias,” you hummed, pulling out your phone and opening his contact.

Price furrowed his brows. “Why?”

“You need some fucking time off,” you pointed out. “We’re gonna fuck off to Liverpool while I’m on leave, go see your fucking family, you ain’t seen your gran in fucking donkey’s years.”

He didn’t see any point in arguing, just finishing off the drink to go and get another two while you sat there and texted Elias; he replied within seconds, admitting that he had contacted Kate Laswell, and that she was seconds away from authorising it.

She asked not to be contacted for the next few weeks, wanting a break with her wife while she was on leave, so Elias left it at that. You texted Kate, thanking her briefly before you stuffed your phone back into your pocket and grinning at Price as he brought over two pints; he set one down in front of you and took a swig from his own.

“Don’t think I’ll get used to this,” he admitted, tapping his prosthetic.

“That’s why you see the fucking… the what’s-his-fucking-name,” you gestured with your hand, trying to think. “The cunt that helps you with moving and shit.”

“Physio,” Price laughed softly. “And I know, but I don’t think I’ll get used to it.”

“It’ll take some fucking time,” you told him, trying not to laugh. “You’ve only had it… what? A few weeks?”

“Were you serious?” He asked softly. “About Liverpool?”

You nodded, staring at him as if it were the most obvious thing in the world. “Why wouldn’t I be? I need to fucking chat to Mahdi anyway - he’s… helping me with something.”

Price didn’t want to admit it, but he already knew, he had seen the texts when he was using your phone to watch a Liverpool football match; you and his brother, Mahdi, were conspiring to buy a ring so that you could propose.

He didn’t want to crush your hopes that it would be a surprise, so he leaned back in his chair, and he hummed.

“Anything important?”

“A little bit,” you mused. “It’s fine, though, it’s only… small.”

Price wanted to laugh so badly, he could feel it in the pit of his stomach as he clenched his jaw slightly. “Anything I can help with?”

“No, you can fuck right off,” you grinned, shit-eating and sly. If only you knew. “Me and Mahdi got it covered with Alice.”

A hum escaped the back of his throat, and he checked his phone quickly, daring to let out a harsh sigh. “Did you have anything to do with this?”

You looked at his phone when he showed it to you; a message from his commanding officer, demanding he take time off. You shrugged, raising a brow.

“The fuck was I meant to do, John? You need some fucking time off, you need to stop being so fucking tied to duty and all that bullshit all the time. You’ve been through shit, you need to chill the fuck out.”

Defeated, Price put his phone back into his pocket, and glared at you. “You can’t keep doing this, y’know. I do have an actual job to do.”

“And you also have a submariner boyfriend to look after,” you pointed out with a laugh. “It’ll be fine, you’ll be alright… trust me, if there’s any fucking glory in war… it should fucking rest on men like you.”

“You win this round, you muppet,” he smiled, reaching into his coat and pulling out his tobacco, filters, papers and lighter. “You want one?”

“Yeah fuck it,” you leaned over, grabbing an ashtray from the table behind you. “Go on then.”

Quickly, Price rolled two cigarettes, and upon lighting them, handed one to you. “Never say no to free shit, right?”