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#sorry your straightness prohibits from holding such powers
okay so if yall remember, last weekend i watched a performance of romeo and juliet with my class. in that production, they made the frankly amazing decision of making mercutio and benvolio gay, and not only that, but gay for EACH OTHER.
now, when i first read it and benvolio was introduced, i immediately told the class he was gay. instantly. and my prof was like "nah, hes not gay, they sometimes make mercutio gay but not benvolio" and i was like ma'am. that man is gay.
i, a gay, say that he is gay, and you, a straight, have no say in this.
so then we watched the production and she was like "what??? i cant believe benvolio's gay??? and hes a simp for mercutio???" while i was sitting there like hmm i wonder who could have told you this and so she went back in to the play and scoured the whole thing for textual evidence and apparently found none and i was like ??? ma'am i knew he was gay from the get-go it's not textual for obvious reasons but have you seen that man? he is Gay with a capital G.
i love my lit teacher but man, straight people really do see themselves as the default and the normal and making them see someone as gay requires evidence and proof like why? hes gay? period. why does it matter to you?
so anyway
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skiyoosmi · 3 years
Text
post-break up heartaches
verse 3. in the warmth of your love and the comfort of your touch
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⤷ sakusa kiyoomi, miya atsumu
⤷ verse 1 | verse 2
⤷ play. i'll be fine somehow by benjamin ingrosso, remember the mornings by clinton kane
commissions: open
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⇢ SAKUSA was hardly a believer of gods, firm with following his principles of crediting only the existence of things he can see with his own eyes. he detested myths, fairytales, anything that is far from reality. he thinks they're foolish; you thought otherwise— you adored anything that had something to do fiction, always finding the comfort of it being an escape from the harsh world you live in. it was the very same reason why the living room of the apartment you used to share with him was filled with shelves, full of books that you've read countless times but never got tired of them.
he heaves a sigh as he enters the apartment, shoulders drooping because like any other day, he is met by nothing but silence. his figure stops by the doorway leading to the said living room, eyes scanning the said area with a profound longing swimming in them. he imagines you standing there, bright orbs that were full of wonder looking up the shelves that were much taller than you, in a dilemma because you have no idea what you wanted to read next. and then you'll probably sense his presence because you'll soon turn your head to his direction, giving him a beautiful smile that somehow lifts his mood up. you always felt him, you've always felt everything for him.
"welcome home, kiyoomi."
he feels his heart becoming heavier because after a few seconds, he's pulled back to the reality. you were gone... you weren't coming back and it's all because of him.
"let's get divorce, yn. i... don't feel anything anymore."
he wonders what made him think that way, because his present state was obviously the exact opposite of what has been said to you. regret pools even in the deepest pits of his stomach as he remembers it all— the dinners you prepared with only care and love for him in your mind, his monotonous voice as he spoke those words oh so carelessly, your failed attempts of giving him an understanding smile, only for your lips to wobble as you held in your cries,
i understand, kiyoomi... j-just send me the papers and i-i'll sign them as soon as possible.
the doorbell brings him back from his trail of thoughts, a small light of hope ignited within him that maybe... just maybe it's you. to his disappointment, he's faced by a delivery man, a brown envelope being held out to him, "mr. sakusa kiyoomi?"
he nods, cautiously taking the said object and signing some papers before coming back to the darkness of his house. carefully, he tears it open, his insides slowly but surely becoming twisted altogether as he takes out the contents of the envelope.
hello kiyoomi, you weren't sending any document to me so i took the initiative to get the divorce papers. i guess you're still busy with work so that's understandable. i signed it. i don't want to hold you back from your happiness so yeah, this is it. i... i just want to thank you for making me feel so many things for all the years. it was a pleasure being your wife. it might be a bit overbearing but keep in mind that i'll always love you, my feelings... they're all for you, no matter how many years may pass. goodbye.
sakusa was hardly a believer of gods... but as his hands clutch the diamond ring you once wore close to his chest, he begins to pray to all of them— to give him the power to turn back time, to undo the agony and pain he gave you, to let him see your smile once more, to give you each and every bit of his feelings again—
but like any other day, he is met by nothing but silence.
⇢ ATSUMU furrows his eyebrows together due to the sudden ringing of his doorbell because as far as he can remember, he wasn't supposed to have any guests today. he had already planned to sulk his day off away by watching some sappy dramas and movies, your favorite ones— so who in the world decided to break his agenda?
he huffs, placing the remote he was previously holding on the coffee table, and stands up, footsteps heavy as he trudges towards the door, eyes widening when he sees you through the peephole. he swears he's never opened the front door so fast, "yn!"
his heart quickly thumps against his chest as he takes in your form; despite the slightly visible bags under your eyes (he thinks it's due to you overworking as usual— he hopes it's because you're thinking of him the way he thinks of you), you shone bright like every single day that passed and he can't help but wonder what made him think of letting you go that night. i can find someone better than you, someone who won't bother me every fucking second just because they're so needy for attention, his words echo in his head.
he tries to give you a strained smile, cringing internally as he looks right into your eyes that held nothing but pure anger and disappointment for him, "we're not friends, atsumu. not anymore so drop the friendly act."
you walk past him and heads straight to the painfully familiar bedroom, ignoring the rushing footsteps behind you, along with the quiet begging that escapes his mouth, "i love you, yn. i'm sorry, please."
"i'm just here to get my things, not make amends with you and our relationship," you reply, harshly swallowing the vile feeling that attempts to get out of your throat, "i... i just... i know love isn't supposed ask for something back... but don't you think it was too one-sided considering we're in a relationship, tsumu? i barely see you and talk to you without you feeling all bothered and annoyed. i get it, you're tired... but i am not a punching bag, you don't get to take it out on me every single time you come home."
you take a deep breath, cursing because this was not in any of your plans for today. shoving the last pieces of your remaining things as quick as possible and slinging your bag over your shoulder, you take one last look at the room you once found comfort in, only feeling your heart clench because this same scenario was exactly what happened on your last night here— same break up scenario, same hearts aching, same atsumu looking at you regretfully, same hand that reaches out for you as you both stand by the doorway.
"stay... please. i can't do this without you," he croaks out, the grip on your wrist tightening because he's terrified, scared to let you go, scared that you slip out of his hold and never return.
you don't reply for a moment, not even sparing him a glance, before removing his hand, "i'll... give you a call... maybe... maybe not... i don't know."
you know you'll never do. you think he knows that too— still, he holds onto the hope your words provided him.
but no calls came despite him waiting until past midnight and as he lied on his bed, chest contracting due to the pain his heart feels, he chokes out a pathetic laugh,
so this is what you felt like when i broke countless promises that i made to you, huh, yn?
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© SKIYOOSMI, 2021 — reposting, translating, editing, copying and any kind of plagiarism are strictly prohibited, thank you.
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kasienda · 3 years
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thanks for tagging me in the WIP ask game! i'm still working on my own post, but in the meantime: celebrity status? 👀
This story is basically Marinette having to deal with being a celebrity. She's constantly hounded by fans and reporters wanting pictures or quotes, and it's making it harder for her to find safe places to transform and her parents are constantly frustrated/worried with her for being late or absent to things. On a bad day, she snaps at an akuma victim, and even though she immediately apologizes her snapping is the thing that's all over the internet. She goes to Adrien for help with her PR problem, and they get close. And things improve for her... until someone snaps a picture of Ladybug and Adrien making out. And then to protect him, she kinda throws her own reputation to media wolves. ...
Preview:
"Thank you, Chaton. I never know what to say to reporters. You’re a lifesaver."
"I'm always at your service, my lady." He said with his trademark grin and a two fingered salute.
They were about to part when his cat ears swiveled. So weird!
"We have picked up an extra tail," he pointed with his eyes. She glanced and saw their stalkers.
"Thanks for the intel. I'll be careful."
He waved her good-bye and they took off in opposite directions. Unfortunately, this meant she couldn't go straight home, which is what she wanted more than anything. She just wanted to curl up into a bath.
Her earrings beeped. Three minutes.
Some quick yo-yoing spiderman swings meant that her tail on foot or in a car would never be able to follow her, but she had to always set off in a different direction. She couldn't be seen always headed towards the same neighborhood day after day.
Another beep. Two minutes.
She had lost her tail. But she was in the wrong part of the city - the buildings here were huge overflowing mansions, with wide open spaces. She needed an oasis.
She turned a corner and suddenly knew exactly where she was. She turned toward the Agreste mansion. Adrien had a window open and everything.
Beep. One minute.
She didn't think about it, just quickly dove towards the potential haven. It wasn’t ideal, but it was better than throwing herself at the mercy of some stranger. Hopefully, if she didn't quite make it she'd be able to trust Adrien not to look.
She landed on the smooth marble floor with a thud.
"Ladybug?" surprised green eyes greeted her.
"I'm about to time out," she stated without preamble.
He pointed to his bathroom. She had barely closed the door, when her transformation dissolved, and an exhausted Tikki fell into her hands. She let herself release a sigh of relief. That had been far too close.
"Uh... Ladybug? Are you okay?"
She suddenly realized where she was and exactly who was on the other side of that door. Heat flooded her cheeks.
"I-I'm fine," perhaps she should explain. She opened her purse, only to find it cookie-less. She cursed.
"You sure you're okay? Can I get you anything?"
"Ummm... Do you have any cookies? Or sweets?"
"Cookies? That's not fair..." his words faded into dissatisfied mumbling.
"Y-yeah. Cookies. Is that okay?"
"Just a second!"
His footsteps faded for a second. Only to return a few seconds later. He tapped on the door. And she started.
She opened the door a crack. And his hand slipped in, holding out the treat.
"You're in luck! My diet usually prohibits sweets. But my friend, Nino, occasionally hooks me up with some black market macarons from the best bakery in all of Paris."
Tikki inhaled the pale sandwich cookie in one bite. Before giving Marinette a nod.
"Spots on," and in a flash she felt the rush of Ladybug's power flow over her, somehow making her both less and more anxious. She opened the door.
"I'm sorry for stealing your rare treat. I promise I will make it up to you."
He waved away her concern. "Don't worry about it. I'm always willing to make a sacrifice or two for my favorite superhero."
"Me? I'm your favorite?" she asked, heat blooming under her mask.
"No competition!"
"T-thank you."
They stared at each other awkwardly, before looking away.
"Uhh... Do you mind if I lay low here for a bit? I was trying to lose a reporter who was following me. I'm confident they lost track of me by the time I ducked into your room, but I'm worried they'll keep combing the neighborhood for a while."
"You don't have to explain. I completely understand," his eyes were so soft. Green like a meadow in the spring.
She was struck by his sincerity. Of course, as a celebrity he probably had a lot of experience with dealing with the press. And she let herself relax.
"My room is your room!" he gestured grandly for her to take in the whole area.
She giggled. "I don’t know if this actually counts as a room," she commented, taking in everything from the grand piano to the foosball table to the rock climbing wall to the arcade. "It's more like an amusement park."
Adrien shrugged, some of the brightness in his eyes fading a bit. "My father tries to make sure I never have to want for anything."
"Do you not like it?"
He shrugged again. "It's pretty cool, but what’s the point if there's no one to share any of it with?"
She took another look around. With that context the room felt positively cavernous.
“Sounds lonely.”
He ducked into her line of sight, a smile stretched across his face. “I don’t have to be lonely today. You’re here.”
She blushed, and offered him a shy smile.
“So, what’s it like being a superhero?” he asked.
He was obviously trying to change the subject. She allowed it.
"Flying over rooftops is pretty cool. Constant life or death situations are stressful. What’s it like being a supermodel?"
He laughed. "Lots of responsibilities. Very little freedom."
"Sounds boring."
"Yeah."
"Let's do something fun then."
...
"Why did you come here?" Adrien asked, pulling out a passionfruit macaron from her gift box.
“I may have heard that you were grounded for defending me on the Ladyblog. And wanted to come cheer you up!”
He smiled. “Mission successful then!”
"And uh... this may sound stupid... but I also need some advice."
"Advice? On being a superhero?" Adrien asked with furrowed eyebrows.
"On how to deal with being famous,” Ladybug said.
"So... why'd you pick me?"
"Umm... you're the only famous person I know?" Which wasn’t strictly true, but Jagged Stone wasn’t going to give good advice. And it’s not like Ladybug knew Jagged. Marinette did.
"Glad you think so highly of me..."
"I-I didn't mean it like that! I wouldn't be here if I didn't trust you!"
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littlefreya · 4 years
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The Kitten & The Bear - Part 2
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Read Part 1
Summary: Walter’s bratty wife has gotten herself in trouble with the law. meaning her own husband. 
Pairing: Detective Walter Marshall x OFC (first person pov)
Word count: 4k
Warnings: Bratty behaviour, dominant BDE husband, abuse of power, arrest, bondage, teasing, grinding, loads of sexual innuendo, mentions of oral, promiscuous behavior, fingering, lewd and dirty talk, manum sasquatch Walter.  
A/N: So both Marti and I were so anxious you guys won’t like it and we were literally overwhelmed by the amazing reception, so thank you so much guys! As promised, here is part 2! The thickens plot! Reminding you this is a collab between @wolvesandhoundshowltogether​ and I based on your role play game. 
Title: The Kitten & the Bear
With the alcohol flushing through my veins, mingled with the sheer exhilaration of anger, I became more daring than ever.
“I think you are just scared because we both know you are never going to tame me.”
With the harsh grip of Walter's arm, I was yanked from the hood, turned and forced to look at his face.
"Do I look like I'm enjoying it?" It resonated in his mind that he was going to have to take his own wife, whom he'd just arrested, to the precinct where everyone knows him. 
'For fuck's sake!' This may jeopardise his career at MPD. A detective having a wife with a police record... 
'Fucking great'.
It's one thing that I acted like a brat at home, but that was his workplace, where he'd have to take me - looking like that. 
His cock twitched as he looked at my dress again.
~~~
Colder than the air itself, the deprived energy in Walter's cerulean gaze cut like diamonds. There was a battle in his glassy cold stare, and I recognised that furious desire, being the only person who really knew Walter Marshall. His hand was still on my wrists, pressing the cuffs hard against the small of my back and my thighs slightly parted as he stood too close.
I trembled and not just from the chilling cold. "If you are asking for my sincere opinion, then yes, I think you are, by the look of it," I answered and gandered down his groin and back at his face, giving him a bitchy grin. "I strictly remember ending with your head between my thighs last time I wore this dress" I provoked. "Hold on to that memory, it's going to be a while." 
Walter cocked his head to the side, pretending to think about my ultimatum, before suddenly stepping closer to haul me flush against him. I felt not only the warmth of the bulge at his groin but the cold hard outline of his gun against my stomach. I gasped as he leant close to my face and his lips hovered over mine while he ground his hips against me. 
A moan escaped me when he suddenly pulled back.
"Don't make threats you can't keep. Your little cunt is always hungry for attention."
Keylah and Stephanie exchanged astonished glares between them as they watched the heated battle. I continued to frown, trying to remain stoic, but the creeping chill made me tremble as the freezing metal of the car pressed against the back of my knees.
His obliviousness to how cold I was, the way he was treating me and his words only further fuelled my anger. I was like an unleashed hellcat, unable to stop my own stupid mouth.
"Don't test me. Both you and I know how clingy you are Mr. "promise-me-you'll-never-leave-me." I spat back his own words to him. Words he blurted out in a vulnerable moment the night before while he was making sweet, intimate, passionate love to me. 
It really was a low blow from my side.
Walter felt like his stomach got headbutted by an angry bull when my cruel words registered. The previous night he found me at home with the entrance door unlocked while I'd been blasting music. He had an exceptionally shitty day as a criminal who abducted a woman from her own home had to be set free for lack of enough evidence against him.
The fight that followed between us culminated in passionate makeup sex. He asked to be handcuffed to the headboard so that he wouldn't unleash all his desperate anger and accidentally hurt me. In an especially vulnerable moment, he begged me never to leave him, not for what he does nor for who he is. 
And here I was, throwing it back to his face.
"Fucking bitch," he hissed so only I could hear it. I gasped as I could see the exact moment Walter transformed back from my husband to the cop who responded to the crime scene. As if he suddenly needed to hide behind the mask of a stoic, invulnerable officer.
Without another statement, he grabbed one of my forearms, dragged me to the open back door of the car and tossed me inside. My upper body landed on Keylah's lap while he circled the car, got in the driver's seat and started the engine.
"Pig!" I shouted at him as Keylah helped me adjust and deliberately pushed me to sit in the middle seat so I could stare at him during the ride to the station. I leaned back, looking at him through the rearview mirror. He was not staring back, keeping his forbearing eyes on the road.
"Sooooo…" Stephanie uttered, "Magnum, is it really 10 inches?"
Walter just glared at Stephanie but provided no answer. After a moment's pondering, he threw a glance at me through the mirror, and drew one of his brows up, challenging me to answer Steph.
I crooked my eyebrow back at him, spreading my legs to show him the red silk panties I wore beneath my dress. 
"Well you know, it's basically a cock that has a man attached to it." 
Keylah snorted and shook her head with disbelief, "No fucking way she is that lucky, I call bullshit, sorry Walter." 
Again Walter didn't reply to her, just straightened in his seat a little and cocked his chin forward, keeping one hand on the steering wheel. If his whole demeanour wouldn't have answered Steph's question, it was my blush, visible even in the dark backseat, that made it clear that Walter's big dick energy did not end with the energy. Both girls gasped. 
"Fuck, bitch!" Keylah squealed, and they both started giggling while I remained silent as the blush permeated to my chest. 
"But what I want to know is if the police baton's thick too," Stephanie added and stared at me. I remained quiet for a moment, spreading my legs further for him to see the sticky patch at the apex of my body. Between every street lamp, the light danced over the backseat, illuminating the girls and me.
"Look at him," I finally uttered, "everything is thick and girthy, especially his skull".
The girls howled with excitement.
My lewd reference to Walter's size and girth made the corner of his mouth twitch almost unnoticeably as he was watching the road with an unbearably cocky expression. His eyes then ventured to the rearview mirror. Immediately they widened, and his face hardened simultaneously when he noticed the little dark spot on my panties between my spread legs. He instantly turned his head back to the road and switched the radio on. 
I could see the little twitching muscle in his cheek, his jaw straining as he noticed me spreading my legs. The fact that the gals wouldn't shut up about his cock and began making jokes didn't help either. I squirmed slightly on the leather seat and bit my lip, letting him see what he can't have. 
"Magnum, I bet you are one of them who likes it when she gags on your big fat cock."
"Steph, I'm sitting right here!" I called out. "You can just ask me, and I'll tell you how deep he likes to go!"
"I bet, Jen has a broken cervix, that's why she takes a lot of days off from work," Keylah laughed. "Detective Walter Marshall, cervix destroyer." 
Losing all patience Walter slammed the break, and we scrambled forward against the partition.
"SHUT THE FUCK UP, ALL THREE OF YOU!" His eyes were blazing as he turned his head back and looked at us between the two front seats. "Do you even understand you're going to a holding cell?" 
But before Keylah or Steph could blurt out some snarky comment, I breathed out "Yes, sir", which immediately short-circuited Walter's mind. He was the one yelling for silence, yet I quieted him with two syllables. He bit both his lips, turned back and started driving again.
The girls glared at one another, shivering, unable to hide the twinge of exhilaration from Walter's alpha behaviour and how it broke me into submission. On any other day, I'd have told them to back off from my man, but we all knew it was prohibited to speak right now.
The rest of the drive to the station passed in lingering silence. Keylah brushed and fixed my hair carefully while I glared at Walter - half angry, half lustful and utterly missing my husband. Still, my ego prevented me from showing any emotion other than rage. 
As he finally parked the car, I looked at the giant stuffed bear next to him. Still rather intoxicated I whispered to the girls "there are two of them."
~~~
After Walter parked the car, he remained seated for a couple of seconds. The reference that he was my big bear sent little tendrils of softness straight into his heart at a most inconvenient moment and looking at me through the mirror he only started to realise that I will be exposed at the police station. 
Care, duty and the desire to discipline me were warring inside of him.
"Keylah, Stephanie, get out and give us a minute" he orders the girls. 
~~~
The girls opened the doors from each side. They quietly exited the police car, giving me a sympathetic look and standing outside, hugging themselves from the cold of the night. I kept quiet, looking at Walter and waiting for him to speak while chewing the inside of my cheeks.
 It was then that I realised how painful my wrists were with the cuffs around them. I wanted to go home, I hated him right now. 
Walter sensed my hatred and distress and opened his mouth to speak, "The better you'll behave, the quicker this will be over." 
He waited for a response, but I said nothing, so he drew his brows. "If you decide to behave yourself, I'll take off your handcuffs right now, and you can retain a shred of dignity at my workplace." Still nothing. "So the way this will go down depends entirely on you." 
My legs began to jump anxiously while I kept gnawing at the soft tissue of my mouth until it began hurting, "you proved your point, Walter, I want to go home now," I answered with irritation, feeling completely helpless. He gave a heavy sigh and lowered his gaze to the red slutty pumps around my feet, 
"This wouldn't have happened if…" I began speaking.
Forcing his eyes from my red shoes and mouth-watering legs, Walter interrupted me by shooting me a hard look, "...if you hadn't vandalised the store. Don't even try shifting the blame."
He got out, stepped to the back seat door, leaned in and pulled me out. I stood on wobbly legs when he gave me one last chance. "I ask again. Can you behave yourself enough to go in without handcuffs?"
His sheer hulking height and his broad shoulders dwarfed me. Even with these heels, I was puny compared to him. But then again, Walter was known as the largest guy in town. Visibly shaking, my legs almost bucked down as he looked at my face anticipating an answer. What agitated and excited me most was how professional he remained.
"I'm not going to run or hurt anyone," I said matter-of-factly. "I'm still your wife, not some criminal in case you forgot." I looked away from him, indicating that I was hurt by his mistreatment, wrongly thinking I deserved special treatment.
"I haven't forgotten that you're my wife," Walter retorted. 
How could he ever? 
Taking out a small key from his pocket, he turned me to uncuff my wrists and continued behind me, "But as far as this whole ordeal is concerned, tonight you are first and foremost a person in custody, and I'm the arresting cop, so behave accordingly."
His words and the sensation of his fingers around my wrists made my entire skin tingle and become riddled with goosebumps. For whatever reason other than him being my husband, I was longing for him despite my anger and how degrading this situation was, perhaps even because of it.
"Yes, Sir", I answered coldly, my eyes floating to the dark sky before he guided me toward him and our eyes met fiercely. 
The way our gaze clashed made time stop. He could see the scared longing in my glare, and I could see for the first time tonight his inner conflict.
I didn't have time to further contemplate this because Walter's hand shot out, grabbed my nape and pulled me close to a devastating kiss. He drew my head so that my ear almost touched his mouth so he could whisper, "It's going to be alright, my little wild cat."
Both Stephanie and Keylah gasped behind us and then whispered between them, giggling like cheerleaders. 
My chest was nearly empty as I looked up to his gaze, my lips swollen with need. It became very apparent that we hadn't touched one another for the last 24 hours and fuck, I just wanted more. No matter how aggravated and humiliated I felt, I wanted my big grizzly bear to touch me. 
He spun me around to lead me in. My legs almost failed me. It was cold, I was shaken from the kiss, and the last thing I needed was all his colleagues seeing me like this. 
Walter headed into the building followed by us. It provided a very comical scene as I insisted that Walter bring the teddy bear in for me. When we entered the bullpen, everyone got quiet seeing the big scary cop with a huge stuffed bear under an arm, surrounded by the three dolled up, tipsy babes. 
The sergeant blurted out "What the hell?"
I beamed at him "Hey, Sarge. How's Sue? We came to party!"
"No, they didn't." Walter cut in angrily as everyone was ogling me.
I couldn't help but smile and wink at all the guys, behaving as if this was nothing but a show, while both Stephanie and Keylah snickered seeing all the baffled looks. It was as if the moment we had an audience, we regressed into thinking we owned the place, marching past Walter as if he was our guard dog rather than our captor.
I flung my hair from side to side, snapping my heels and swaying my hips to emphasise the curve of my ass. I could feel the shift in Walter's demeanour, and I suddenly paused and bent over in front of him, pretending to fix the strap of my heel so he could get a good look of my ass.
"What's going on?" the sarge asked amused and Walter had to blink fast to drag his eyes off my slutty pose.
"They are the perps of the store vandalism." 
Everyone's jaw dropped, but I shrugged innocently.
"I just wanted a teddy bear," I pouted.
Having had enough, Walter grabbed my upper arm and signalled to the girls to follow us to a desk.
"You want some coffee, ladies?" Toby asked with literal heart eyes.
"They are NOT guests." Walter hissed, but I answered sweetly, "Milk, no sugar, please."
He pushed me down on the chair, and by the firmness of his grip, I knew he was forcing himself to be as gentle as possible. My ass hit the hard plastic with a small huff, and I giggled at the smack.
"Don't move!" Walter grunted as he went to get the paperwork. Obviously, the girls and I began whispering between us, giving Walter sneaky glances and then chuckling loudly.
Not understanding Walter's message, Toby came along with a hearty cup of coffee, handing it to me.
"You're a saint," I thanked him and took a gulp, groaning as the liquid hit the back of my throat. "That's a really great tie, Toby," I then added and got up to lean forward on the desk, grabbing his tie and examining it up close.
I knew every single guy at the station was currently staring at my ass, whether they wanted to or not. It took me back to prom year when every guy in school had wanted to get a piece of me, and none of them had a flying chance. I couldn't deny I loved the attention, especially after having none of it all day long as my husband was acting more like a cop than a lover. 
Walter marched back to the desk, ordering the lovestruck Toby to fill out the reports of Keylah and Steph, and dragged me away. 
The officer at fingerprinting jumped as a huge sasquatch of a detective kicked the door open and marched in, dragging a smirking babe with him. 
"C-can I he-"
"I'll handle it. Get out" Walter barked at him. The guy scurried away, and Walter sat me down, circling the fingerprinting station. I watched mesmerised as he silently, methodically prepared the ink pad.
Intimidation struck the chords of my heart as I watched my husband being completely efficient and professional. I was impressed, having met him when he'd already been in the police force I never had a chance to see this part of his life. It's something he always kept away from me, afraid it would terrify me.
Well, I was terrified indeed, and the fact that he was actually going through with the entire process made me tremble.
"Can we drop the act?" I asked when there was no audience left. I crossed my legs together and folded my arms around my chest defensively, "or are you keen on putting your wife behind bars as well, so no one but you gets to have her?"  
Walter's nostrils flared, but he simply said "It's not an act. Charges will be brought against you. My guess is parole or community service," he explained as he pressed my fingers on the ink pad and then on the respective brackets on the paper one by one.
My lips trembled as the information sank in and I jumped up from the chair just as Walter finished with my left pinky. 
"I don't want it! Neither parole nor community service!" I burst out, "You're my husband!" my voice hitched, "Do something!"
I looked at the stern, unimpressed glare he was giving me and then frowned as he simply rolled his eyes at me. But of course, what made me think I was the first person to beg him not to charge them? 
"Sit. Down." He answered calmly while I stood infuriated and shook my head with protest.
"You have the very power to make these charges go away! You are doing this on purpose!" I pointed my ink-stained finger at him and started stomping my feet in the ground. 
"What if I'll march right out of this room? You going to throw me into a cell, Walter? Oh oh, excuse me, Office Marshall, SIR!" I slurred with disrespect.
"I don't know what you mean by "this", but the only thing I'm doing on purpose is my fucking job", Walter said in a menacingly low voice. "And yes, if you march out of this room without my permission as arresting officer, I am obligated to throw you in a cell." He leaned back in his chair and stared in my eyes with unflinching confidence.
"You gonna throw me in a cell!? Your wife!?" I cocked my eyebrow at him daringly. "You sure about that?" I stretched up and straightened my dress, pulling the hem down over my thigh as it kept riding up.
Walter tilted his head unimpressed, his brows rising as if he was waiting to see if I was really willing to risk challenging both his authority and power. 
"I'd think of the consequences if I were you!" I spat out and turned on my heels and snapped at the door, opening it wide open and stepping outside courageously. 
I walked out of the room and started running in the empty hallway, my heels clicking loud. It didn't even take me ten steps when Walter's body pressed to my back, pushing me against the wall. He turned me toward him, and by the time I understood what was going on, he put back the handcuffs on my hands in the front. He then dragged me to the interrogation room's anteroom where people were working. 
Walter didn't stop at the sight of them, he took me to the interrogation room where one wall was a one-way mirror. 
"WALTER!!!" I shrieked, panting with both shock and effort while he hauled me by my nape and forced me down on the chair, making the metal chair hit me hard on the ass. 
Adrenaline surged through me, my breasts rose up and down in the cleave of my tight dress.
"Are you fucking out of your fucking mind?!" I screamed at him and then peered at the mirror, realising everyone could see us. "If you don't take me home now I will never speak to you again!" 
Walter refused to be baited. Stepping out to the anteroom, he shut the door behind him so that I won't hear what he was saying to them. The officers gawked at him. "Get out", he said in a low voice, and they jumped and rushed out. 
Unbeknownst to me, Walter locked the anteroom's door with a flick of his wrist, making sure no one would disturb us, then he turned back and marched in. He circled the desk and sat on the edge, one of his thighs almost touching me. My glossy eyes rounded up as I stared at him. 
"That's enough," he said in a low voice as if there were still someone watching through the mirror. 
I looked at the mirror frightened, thinking of the audience who sat there before redirecting my gaze to Walter. My heart was racing so badly I could feel it in my ears. 
"Walter, I swear I'm not going to speak to you ever again" I fumed. He was giving me a condescending look and fuck, he was too attractive when he was angry and pumped of authority. I couldn't help but clench my thighs beneath the desk.
Walter ignored the pang I caused him by blackmailing him with our relationship as he watched the top of my thighs rubbing together. He hardened his face, stood up and walked back to the chair on the opposite side of the desk.
He said nothing but I got inspired by his arousingly hard look. Glancing at the mirror behind where the cops were watching, I decided that the only way to get to that thick cop brain of his is causing a scandal that will force him to take me home.
Taking a deep breath, I regained my forces and tried to appear as strong as I could. An opposing force to his absolute control of the situation.
"Do your colleagues know you stalk your wife?" I asked him, my voice dropping lower, my eyes cutting into his like daggers. Walter gave an unimpressed glare, slightly shaking his head at me.
"Tell them, Walter," I spread my legs wider only for him to see my striking red panties again as I angled my pelvis to give him a better glimpse. "Tell your friends at work what a sick, controlling perv you are, following me like the guys you arrest." 
Walter put his elbows and forearms down on the desk interlocking his fingers, and leaning forward, his burly shoulders appearing even more intimidating. 
"I could tell them", he said in a calm voice, "but they'd see that the way you're behaving totally justifies it."
He knew exactly what I needed. I needed to be put in my place, but not by the cop. 
By the husband.
He made a show of glancing down my soaked panties, and he licked his lips, not entirely an act. I WAS delectable for him.
"The way I'm behaving?…" 
Fury simmered in my veins, my breath short and slightly heavy as Walter not only kept his cool but also visibly exhibited his raw sexual desire. It did nothing but made me want to grind myself on the chair.  
I shifted involuntarily, spreading my thighs even wider in a primal invitation for him to conquer my defenceless offering. I was like a soft little rabbit caged in a room with a big hungry wolf, and his hunger was for more than just food.
"How exactly am I behaving, detective?" I drawled, challenging him, unwilling to back down.
Walter shifted his eyes from my face to my spread legs, then looked back in my eyes. At the same time, he leaned back against the back-rest of the chair, arms crossed on his chest, his lax pose, implying that he was completely comfortable with what he was about to say.
"Like an attention-seeking, cock hungry whore," he stated in an even tone.
His words hit me like a slap on the face, whatever decency I had left was completely lost to me right now. I pushed myself up from the chair, causing it to fall behind me with a sharp echo. 
"Excuse me?!" I called out angrily, holding my cuffed fists against my chest, knuckles white with tension. 
"YOU ARE THE ONE ACTING LIKE A PERV STALKING ME AND MY FRIENDS!!!" I shouted and looked at the mirror, trying to peer through the people sitting in the room. 
"Yeah, you hear me? This is the man who should be under arrest!" 
Not thinking twice I climbed onto the desk and marched toward him, peeling my dress up my thighs, exposing myself above his face. 
"Tell them, tell them how much of a big fucking pervert you are, sitting in the dark and stalking women. Did you jack off in the patrol car thinking about this all night long?"
When I finished shouting and just stood on the desk panting, he slowly stood up, turned around and walked to the door. My heart dropped thinking he was leaving me here, but Walter only went to look the door. The clicking sound reverberated in my core, causing a spike of fear and adrenaline in me. 
He walked back to the desk, and quick as lightning, grabbed my hip and thigh and yanked me down. His powerful arms braced the impact so it won't hurt me, but the air was knocked out of my lungs. 
I was lying on the desk, knees drawn up, while Walter leaned above me, one of his palms on the desk next to my waist, the other grabbing one of my knees, and slowly trailing up on my thigh with an ominous caress.
"Now that you've informed them about what kind of man I am, I don't need to hold back, now do I?" he drawled, the hand reaching the apex of my thigh and his thumb sweeping against the wet fabric of my panties. 
The world turned black for a moment as the initial shock took over. My body was spasming with fear and as I regained my control over my muscles again my eyes floated to the huge windowed mirror.
A terrible chill coursed through me as I saw him hovering above me in our reflection. All big and burly, my protective husband looked like nothing but a large predator while I was his helpless victim, and the thought that people were watching us and not doing anything to stop him was horrifying.
His thumb caressed over my covered mount, making my whimper and shaking my head with protest.
"Stop…" I called out, my voice puny and weak as my lungs gave in. I held my cuffed wrists to my chest and stared at him begging. "Stop, they're watching, Walter!"
"You kept on throwing at me that you are my wife, demanding special treatment here," he said coldly as he grabbed the chain of my handcuffs, yanked it over my head and slammed it down to the table, forcing me to stretch my arms and arch my back meanwhile his other hand pulled the line of my wet panties aside, and to my utter horror and forbidden excitement he slowly, very slowly pushed a long thick finger inside me. 
"How's that for special treatment?" he drawled in a dark, lustful voice.
"Walter!!" I whispered urgently, shuddering across the desk while my body unwillingly pressed further into his finger by natural, primal instincts. My face rested to the side, and I glared at the mirror again. "Walter, please, don't! They're watching us!"
I was at a complete loss of power, bound, defeated, knowing very well he could do whatever he wanted, and I wouldn't even have a fighting chance. My body was taken captive by the forbidden desire, and I did all I could to mentally fight him. I tried to close my thighs around his arm and desperately kicked my legs while shooting my glossy gaze back at him. 
Walter pulled his finger out, causing my pelvis to lift as my pussy mourned the loss. He reached over my torso and pushed his wet finger in my mouth, pressing down my tongue with it, forcing me to taste myself. 
"Let them watch," he growled. He pulled his digit out and licked my wetness and saliva off it. He let go of the chain, and I pulled my arms back to my chest as I watched him sit down on his chair, pull my panties down and stuff it in his pocket. 
"Ready?"
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pacific-rimbaud · 3 years
Note
27 - panville (lets pretend its after their wedding) (lets also pretend this isnt me trying to extend bright objects epilogue in every way I can) (but just because you are the real queen of this ship)
Drabble #27: “I’m pregnant.”
by PacificRimbaud
Pairing: Pansy Parkinson x Neville Longbottom
Tags: WWII AU, unplanned pregnancy, hospital, brief mentions of war
Wiltshire, May 1944
“I’ve had a letter.”
Lavender’s voice dipped to a conspiratorial low, as though a letter was a secret Pansy both had an interest in and ought to be party to.
“From which one?”
Pansy shut off all attention to Lavender and inspected the label on a bottle of morphine tablets. Finding it sound, she filed it away in the back of the second shelf from the top in the medicine cabinet, and made a sharp graphite tick on the inventory form. 
“Lieutenant McLaggen. The fellow from Dunfermline. Oh, thank you.” Lavender received a wrapped bundle from one of the laundry girls, and set it down on the center of the table on the opposite side of the room. “He’s going to be in London next month, and wants me to come over on the train.”
Ticking at her form, Pansy fitted away a third vial, made another tick, and then filed a fourth in a martial row moving forward in the cabinet.
“You need to be careful with all that,” she said.
“Oh, I am.” Lavender checked the tag on the laundry. “I might seem silly, but I’m not daft.” 
Pansy scraped her pencil so hard against her form that it tore a small hole in the page.
“I’m glad to hear it.”
“You alright?” Lavender asked, hand paused at the task of untucking the edges of the bundle.
“I’m fine.”
Lavender laid out the edges of the cloth wrapping, removed a stack of cloth face masks, and set them on the shelf in front of her. “It’s only you look a bit flushed, Pans.”
Pansy tightened the aperture of her attention down to a ruthless diameter, wide enough for nothing beyond the minute detail of dates printed on pasted labels and the tick of her freshly sharpened pencil.
Once the old bottles were secured at the front of the shelf and the new ones filed behind them, Pansy closed the cabinet doors and brushed her hands against the cotton of her pinafore.
“I’m going to get some air,” she said, her shoulder nearly glancing against Lavender’s on her way out the door.
“Alright, love,” Lavender called after her. “I’ll tell you about the letter I’ve had from Second Lieutenant Creevey when you’ve come back.”
For a long while, Pansy had thought of the hospital as a cheap robe hung on the exalted bones of Thornwood Abbey. The war would end, and it would fall away as immaterial and disposable as the wrapping on a parcel.
No stain, no echo, no vibration of its requisition would be left behind.
It would be her sanctuary once again, and only hers, free to take her tea in solitary silence by the large window in the drawing room, watching the mallards dabble in the lake.
As it was, the drawing room was filled with men who sent up prayers to God if they woke with a headache from the anesthetic.
Day by day, Pansy felt the memory of her home drain away, replaced as it needed to be by the urgent and essential now.
She passed Daphne in the hall outside the room where her servants used to eat their dinner. She intended to keep up her pace and offer nothing beyond a tip of her head, but Daphne slipped her hand into the crook of Pansy’s elbow. 
“Your captain is looking for you,” she said quietly. “I’ve tried to deflect him, but I think he’s gone to Pomfrey already and knows you’re here.”
A voltaic shimmer traveled down the surface of Pansy’s skin and back up again.
“Fucking hell.”
Pansy turned around and stalked off in the other direction, abandoning the idea of a turn around the rose garden.
She nearly escaped to the nurse’s dormitory that was once her own, solitary boudoir.
But naturally he recalled the narrow service stairs in the east wing, and opened the door to descend just as she arrived at the top.
“Pansy,” he said, almost breathless with a sort of half-panic. “I’ve been looking all over for you.”
“Neville.”
He held his hat at his side, pinched between his spare, muscled fingers.
His hair was never fully tamed, and the impacts of having put his hat on his head and then removing it again made themselves clear.
Pansy flattened herself against the wall of the confining stairwell, grasping her own forearms in her palms behind her back.
“Well?” she asked. She pursed her lips and lifted her chin, fluidly performing the impatience and imperious nonchalance that constituted the entirety of her personality as far as most people were concerned.
“I’m leaving.” He breathed in, an intake of air meant to fortify and compose. “Today. Just now, actually.”
His dark eyes scanned her own, but her vision caught on the pink line of scar tissue running from below his left ear, over his cheekbone, through the outside third of his left eyebrow, then turning back to end in a jagged half circle at the hairline at his left temple.
The scar and a Victoria Cross he kept folded in a handkerchief at the back of his top bureau drawer were the only mementos he had been given for a wound that had done everything in its power to end his life.
The desire to trace it with her fingertips flooded her with so much force that she pinched the skin of both her arms hard enough with her fingernails that she sucked in a breath through her nose.
“I wish you all the luck, then, Captain,” she said, leaning hard into the clipped tones of her breeding to mask the quaver in her throat.
“Pansy, please.”
She might have persisted—would have persisted—had he been any other man, but his hand was at her hip, and then his elbow was crooked behind her nape, and she was in his arms, sighing against the mouth that had been mercifully spared of injury for her own selfish, covetous, unappeasable use.
“I’m going to write to you,” he muttered against her jaw.
“I told you. I won’t read them.”
“I don’t care.”
Pansy took his hand in hers, and folded it over her breast.
She might have known better. Should have known better.
He made her mindless with want.
His hand closed hard, in the way that she liked best, over her too-tender breast, and she gasped with the pain of it.
He pulled back instantly, skin flushed and lips heated for her, and stared at her with an expression of hurt and confusion that she hated, instantly and forever.
“Pans, I’m so sorry. I—”
She prayed, earnestly, fervently, for his stupidity.
But there was only one time she’d known him to be a fool.
His thinking was both careful and thorough, and after a moment his skin paled.
“You’ve been avoiding me for a week,” he said.
She wouldn’t tell him.
She refused.
He would go, and meet the enemy at the door with nothing to remind him of her except the knickers she’d folded into his pocket on the afternoon he’d first taken her, breathless, his scar still red, against the grass bordering the rushes at the edge of the lake.
He would go, and there he would be stupid, beating back disaster with the hard brick of his self-sacrificial love.
Maybe he would come back to find her Miss Parkinson of Thornwood Abbey, sitting in her drawing room with a cup of tea.
Maybe he would come back to find her another man’s wife.
Maybe he would come back with no desire to find her anywhere.
Maybe he wouldn’t come back at all.
“Pansy.”
She was hard as flint.
She was so soft.
She could have told him the hour of the disaster with devastating precision.
Lying on her back, a prohibited object in his bed, she’d been lost with him moving in her, bleary eyes half closed, muting her voice against the sweat at his shoulder, heels at the small of his back holding him tight to her as she gasped out that she loved him.
She had hoped he hadn’t heard, but outside the borders of her own unbearable arc of sensation, she was aware that he’d finished inside her.
If she’d moved immediately after, it might have been possible to have done something, but she couldn’t care about anything beyond how it felt to be held in his arms.
In the dreary dark of the stairs, he studied her with dogged and patient intelligence.
And then his fingertips stroked down her belly, and flexed over the secret below.
He moved quickly then, ducking down and tossing her over his shoulder, and marching with singular purpose up the stairs to the second floor.
Below her, the familiar carpet of her ancestral hall streaked away from the backs of his heels.
He finally stopped at the mahogany door to what was once the least-offered guest bedroom in the east wing, and pushed it open with startling force.
He set her down on her feet in the middle of the room, and tightened one of his long arms around her waist.
The chaplain sat at his desk ramrod straight, auburn hair slicked into an adamant wave over his forehead and spectacles perched on the bridge of his nose. He cradled a pen in his hand, poised over a sheet of paper.
“Captain Longbottom. Nurse Parkinson,” he said, mannerly and terse. “To what do I owe the pleasure?”
“I’m going to need you to marry us, Father Weasley,” said Neville. “Straight away.”
Father Weasley laid his pen down in a strict perpendicular to his page, and folded his hands together at the edge of his desk.
“I’m afraid you’ll need to submit the proper paperwork. Then Major Weasley will have to approve. He’s on leave in Devonshire at the moment,” he said, shifting his pen a millimetre to the right, “and isn’t expected to return until Tuesday.”
“Get Brigadier General Moody to sign off on it. He’s downstairs in the wards.” Neville’s hand tightened on Pansy’s waist. “I’m...that is so say we’re—”
He turned to Pansy, pink-cheeked, eyes shining, and smiled with half his mouth like an absolute clot.
Pansy couldn’t bear to look at him. Instead she stared hard at Father Weasley until he puffed a beleaguered breath through his nostrils.
He looked at the face of his wristwatch, then drew open a drawer at the side of his desk, and pulled out a blank form.
“You’ll need a witness.”
Neville released Pansy’s waist, stalked to the door and stuck his head out.
“Malfoy,” he called out. “You’re needed.”
Half a minute later, Captain Malfoy strolled through the door entirely unbothered, half-eaten apple in hand.
“Hullo. What’s going on then?” he asked.
“Give me your ring,” said Neville.
Malfoy looked down at the emerald ring on his little finger.
“What do you want my ring for, Longbottom? Go and get one of your own.” He looked Pansy up and down. “Where’s your wee cap gone, Pans?” He took an enormous bite of his apple. “I shouldn’t think the priest has it.”
“Father Weasley’s marrying us just now,” said Neville. “You’re needed as witness.”
Malfoy laughed. “What? Right now? What’s the bloody great rush?”
“I’m pregnant, idiot,” said Pansy.
Malfoy’s eyes widened. “Well that’s extremely naughty of you.”
With an effort, he pulled the ring off his finger and tossed it to Neville.
“You’d better have something a fair sight better than that in your vaults, Longbottom. I hope you’re aware that our Pans has champagne taste.”
Pansy tucked her hair over her ear. “Fuck off, Draco.”
While Father Weasley scribed at the form, Pansy tucked her hand in Neville’s, and turned to face him.
“I’m going to write to you,” he said quietly, rolling Draco’s ring in his fingers. “Constantly. I don’t care whether you read them.”
For two weeks, Pansy had watched the mirror with mounting terror.
She’d seen her soft, glassy eyes. Her swelling breasts. The heat rising visibly at the surface of her skin.
Fatigued and faint, nauseated and utterly sick with love and longing, she shifted to fill the open geometry of Neville’s body.
“Normally we’d get two days, Pans, but we’re...I can’t—”
She pulled up on her toes, and his arms tightened around her, lifting her nearly off the floor and into the warm space he kept reserved for her at the side of his neck.
“Were you going to tell me?” he whispered hoarsely.
“You can’t worry,” she muttered against his pulse. “You’re not allowed.”
“I’m going to use every last piece of paper I’m given.” He pressed his face into her hair. “I don’t care if you read a single one.”
Pansy breathed him in, using every sense to press him hard into the soft wax of her memory. “I’m going to read them all.”
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porcelain-blue · 3 years
Text
Let Me Help Your Aching Bones
Canon Divergence AU where Lan Zhan doesn’t run away from Wei Ying after kissing him in the Pheonix mountains. 
----- 
What if it didn’t turn out the way it did; not fire and blood and years of Wei Ying’s absence like a discordant note of a guqin song?
What if Lan Wangji catches Wei Ying right before he hatches his plan to liberate the Wen civilians? Maybe it would be something like this.
The dark circles and angry set of Wei Ying’s shoulders feels like a punch to the gut, and leaves Lan Wangji’s chest tight, out of breath. It feels like the boy he fell in love with is fading before his eyes, and Wangji must do something about it before Wei Ying is lost. He has a sour feeling in his gut, a grim certainty that if he does not reach him now, Wei Ying might forever be lost to him.
So he goes, corners Wei Ying during the Night-hunt on Phoenix mountain, pushes him up against a tree as the dusk settles around them like a lover’s embrace. He cannot help himself, despite his shame, his patience and heart frayed beyond measure after months of worrying, worrying about Wei Ying dead, and after the brief elation of hearing him alive, worrying about Wei Ying dying, eaten from inside by the resentment of the path he walks. 
He kisses him, and there is enough of the sunlit boy he fell in love with in Wei Ying’s response, fluttery and flighty, an awkward laugh even as he is pushed against a tree and kissed by a stranger. Wei Ying’s hands flex despite being pinned, and something in Lan Wangji’s heart breaks, knowing that even in this vulnerable a situation, Wei Ying is compassionate enough to not fight, to let someone take something Wangji is sure he thinks is expendable, for the sake of another. His hand pinning Wei Ying’s wrist spasms at the thought, angry that Wei Ying could give something like this away, ashamed that he himself is the one taking it, when it was not something that belonged to him. 
Wei Ying does not belong to him.
He pulls back, guilt coursing through him, and hesitates a moment before releasing Wei Ying’s hands. He pauses, waiting to see what Wei Ying would do. 
He does nothing, and Wangji’s heart lurches. He can almost imagine Wei Ying’s mind working, quicksilver in its deductions, assuming that someone had plucked up all of their courage to approach him when he couldn’t see them, holding himself back instead of pulling his blindfold off, so that he doesn’t embarrass his attacker.
Wangji knows Wei Ying well. He would give everything for the sake of another. Wangji knows how, having taken for himself the sweet breath of Wei Ying, knows that he cannot bear to see Wei Ying give anything else to him without wanting it. Lan Wangji will do everything in his power to stop Wei Ying burning himself whole for the world.
For that, Wangji must atone. He does not run away. He grips Bichen so hard that he is sure a lesser sword would shatter in his hands, the way he is sure his heart will do soon. He speaks.
“Wei Ying,” he says, softly, with shame.
At his voice, Wei Ying stills. Wangji knows he has been recognised, and he feels like everything inside him will break at once.
Wei Ying rips off the ribbon, staring at him with wide eyes, a flush still high on his cheekbones. 
“Lan Zhan?” He says, confused and unsure.
Lan Wangji steels himself. Lying is prohibited. He gathers every ounce of courage that has been pressed into him since he was born, every virtue and precept that has formed into his core and he prepares his integrity like a weapon he is using to stab himself with.
“Wei Ying. I am sorry. I have taken what I should not have. I have forgotten myself.”
He bows, back straight even as his hand shakes around his sword, and hopes that Wei Ying can see that at least in this he is sincere, he regrets.
---
Wei Ying is quiet for many moments, the shock of seeing Lan Zhan bowing so deeply almost eclipsing the shock of seeing Lan Zhan in front of him after that kiss. The usual animosityshamelonging that usually surges in him at the sight of Lan Zhan’s stupidly perfect face has apparently been kissed out of him temporarily, and Wei Ying feels like he can breathe without the dead in his lungs for the first time since he came back with Chenqing in hand and the dead at his fingertips. 
“Lan Zhan, what-what why? Were you the one who..?” He doesn’t know what to say, even as heat flushes through him at the idea of Lan Zhan kissing him. Kissing him! It is obvious, though, in the shame and pink in Lan Zhan’s ears that he is he one who had taken Wei Ying’s first kiss. Despite how ridiculous the situation is, something soft unfurls in his heart at the sight of Lan Zhan like this, so noble, so full of integrity after doing something that, apparently, his heart desired. Wei Wuxian thinks of the cloud recesses, the sharp straightness of Lan Zhan as he kneels beside him and takes the punishment that Wei Ying had gotten him into. He hasn’t changed at all. The pain that pricks him at the sight of such perfect morals comes back, then, and Wei Wuxian wonders what the paragon of virtue is doing, kissing him in the backwoods of the Phoenix mountains. 
Still though, the first kiss of his life from the man he has been in love with for years tugs stronger than his self esteem, for once tugs stronger than the gaping hole in his chest where his golden core once was, where now resentment pulses like a sick parody of what power his body once held. It tugs, and the soreness of his lips and wrists pull him right into the present, and Lan Zhan is still here, trembling and bowed in shame.
He steps forward and places his hands gingerly under Lan Zhan’s elbows, pulling him out of his bow and tilting his head so he can look him in the eye. Lan Zhan’s mouth is pressed into an unhappy line, despite being a little swollen, and his eyes-
Oh.
His eyes are soft and looking at him like Wei Ying is going to break, like Lan Zhan, Hanguang-jun, one of the twin jades of Gusu, cares. He looks frighteningly like he is about to cry, and Wei Wuxian finally sees in that perfect face that what he assumed was derision and judgement was something far simpler and purer- it was worry. 
“Lan Zhan. Lan Zhan, I’m not mad, please don’t cry,” he stammers, still gripping onto Lan Zhan’s elbows as though those two points of contact in his palms are the only thing keeping him from becoming unmoored.
“I’m not mad, it’s not a big deal, it’s just a kiss, even though it’s my first one, so you should be really proud, okay?” Nervous chatter pours out of him as he shakes.
“I just. I just need to know. Why? Lan Zhan? Why did you kiss me?”
If it is for a joke he will shatter, and the only thing that is allowing fragile hope to grow in him is the knowledge that Lan Zhan is the most honest man he knows, the most un-shameless, un-flirtatious person ever to exist in the cultivation world. So by process of elimination-
“Because I care for Wei Ying,” Lan Zhan says, resolute even as the flush travels even further down his neck. He has chosen this path by not running away, by revealing himself to Wei Ying. At the very least, he is glad to know that by owning up to his lack of control has returned him to himself, and his own character. Honesty comes from him now, as it always has, frank and unvarnished.
“I have always cared. Since we fought in the cloud recesses. I did not show it well, then, but I am tired of lying,” he continues before Wei Ying can interject or object, determined now to get the words clawing out of his chest a space to exist. 
“I do not expect anything from Wei Ying, and if you wish it you will never see me again. But I.. I wanted Wei Ying to know, that he does not have to do things alone. I will stand beside you, if you wished it.”
Wei Ying is staring at him, mouth agape. He closes it, opens his mouth, and closes it again. After a moment, he speaks. 
“Lan Zhan, are you serious?” He looks lost, and Lan Zhan wants to hold him until he knows he is found, if Wei Ying will let him.
He nods. “Lying is prohibited, Wei Ying.”
Wei Ying huffs a little laugh at that, and Lan Zhan’s poor, pathetic heart jumps at the sound, and impossible hope beating with his blood. 
“Lan Zhan, did you forget that I’m going down the path of evil? I thought you didn’t approve? Your reputation is going to get dragged through the mud if you’re with me, you know that, right?” 
Wei Ying’s hands are clutching at his sleeves, and they are warm through the fabric of his robes. Lan Zhan frowns, and answers haltingly, as honestly as he knows how to.
“Wei Ying is not evil. There is something else that I do not know. You are not one to be reckless without reason. And… my reputation is good enough for both of us.”
He cannot help but be a little petulant as he says it, even as he flushes with guilt. Arrogance is prohibited. It is true, though, and Lan Zhan is not above using his social position if it means he can help Wei Ying through this.
Wei Ying groans, and pulls his hands back toward himself, leaving Lan Zhan’s elbows and forearms bereft of his warmth. His heart drops, fearing that Wei Ying will want nothing to do with him now, that he messed up and now he will be unable to even watch him from afar, but the Wei Ying drags a hand down his face and sighs, looking back at him with a wry smile that is achingly familiar. 
Wei Ying steps closer, looks at Lan Zhan with eyes more open and clear than they had been for years, even. A hand comes up to rest over Lan Zhan’s heart, fingers curling slightly in the white fabric. 
“You’re serious. You really are.” The dawning realisation tinges his voice with awe, and Lan Zhan dares to hope, again.
“If I said. If I said I was going go against all the sects. What would you do?” 
“I would help.” The answer is simple, a clear, honest truth.
“If I said I was weak, I couldn’t fight equally with you without the demonic path, what would you do, Lan Zhan?” 
He hears it now, in the crack in Wei Ying’s voice, that they are closer now to the thing that is haunting Wei Ying, that is hurting him in a way that turns him into somebody that Lan Zhan does not know.
“Then I will protect you. And I will help bring you back, when the powers are too strong. If Wei Ying will allow that.”
A sharp intake of breath comes, and Lan Zhan hates to hear Wei Ying’s breath hitch like that, like a small broken thing when Wei Ying is always stronger than anyone he knows. But, Lan Zhan amends, if Wei Ying is wounded and hurt and not strong, Lan Zhan will protect him until he is again. 
The hand curled into his chest tightens, snagging the fabric and pulling Lan Zhan forward, until his chest hits Wei Ying’s forehead. They stay like that for a while, and Lan Zhan finds patience in him again, having said all he could say. Wei Ying’s shoulders are shaking, and he is mumbling into Lan Zhan’s chest, his voice broken and muffled. 
“You. You’re crazy, Lan Zhan. You’re so fucking crazy. I must be too, I shouldn’t let you go down with me, but god, I want to,”
Lan Zhan places his hand over Wei Ying’s, closes his palm gently over the white knuckles. 
“Then let me. But I will not let either of us go down.”
Another watery laugh. Wei Ying nods, and his head up at Lan Zhan, and smiles.
“Yeah. Yeah, okay, I’ll allow it, Lan Zhan. Please, please stay with me, I like you so much, I don’t want to let you go now,” Wei Ying pleads, as he cranes his his neck up to look at Lan Zhan, their breaths mingling now, puffs of white in the settling cold of the mountain night
Lan Zhan’s heart soars as he leans down to graze his lips against Wei Ying’s. 
“Then I will stay.”
Every nerve inside him feels cleaved open, every sense alight and narrowed in on the sight weight smell taste of Wei Ying this close to him, kissing him shyly and softly, so unlike the heated press of their first kiss earlier, but so much better.
The night-hunt ends and Wei Ying and Lan Zhan are the only two cultivators who haven’t gotten a single kill, and the cultivators murmur amongst themselves that the infamous Wei Wuxian must not be that powerful, must be all talk and hot air, and Wei Ying finds that he does not mind.
———-
Wei Ying goes to Gusu with Lan Zhan after, telling Jiang Chen that he needed to pay respects and catch up with Lan Zhan. After an irritable slap to the shoulder and a reminder to not cause trouble, Wei Ying is free to go. He feels lighter, now, even though technically nothing has changed him, but he still feels that the pull of the resentment is weaker, frail and easy to break out of. He runs to catch up with Lan Zhan, who is walking at the back of the group travelling to Gusu.
Lan Zhan looks up when he sees him, and while his face is impassive as ever, Wei Ying sees his eyes soften, and warmth suffuses him at the knowledge that that look is for him.
They talk, quietly, about everything and anything, carefully skirting around what they both want to say, mindful of the other disciples. When they finally stop at an inn, Lan Zhan gracefully talks his way into letting them share a room since they did not account for Wei Ying accompanying their party. Wei Ying plays along, dutifully bashful and thanking the esteemed hanguang-jun for his hospitality. The years had tempered his mischievous spirit, but his silver tongue, now reigned into a shape resembling propriety, makes the sect leader and other disciples pause and reassess him against his reputation. He smiles, and they retreat for the night.
Despite the temptation to get Lan Zhan back into his arms and continuing the whole kissing thing, he knows he must get some truths out of the way. Ushering Lan Zhan to the table, he puts up a silence talisman on the door and window before joining Lan Zhan at the table.
He looks beautiful, in the low light of candles and moonlight, straight backed and gentle faced. Lan Zhan has always been patient, and now that the patience has extended to him, Wei Ying truly understands why he is heralded as the paragon of virtue. He thinks about himself, his reputation, the gnawing hole inside him, and tries not to freak out about the two of them together. At the very least, he does not want to disrespect Lan Zhan, who would not be here if he did not mean it.
So he talks. He tells Lan Zhan what happened at Lotus Pier, lets his voice shake and talks into the quiet of the room, and Lan Zhan listens, ever so patiently as Wei Ying spills the truth that has been suffocating him for months. 
Core melting hand, Jiang Cheng’s own golden core melting away to nothing, the mountain, Wen Qing. How the golden core he had developed now sits behind the sternum of his brother, how Jiang Cheng must never know.
“Wei Ying.” 
Lan Zhan’s voice sounds so broken, and Wei Ying tamps down the desire to lash out, fear and shame squirming inside him as he wonders whether Lan Zhan will even want him now, knowing what he knows. His heart stutters until Lan Zhan is kneeling in front of him, grasping his wrists gently with his long, slender fingers. Wei Ying waits. 
“I will protect you, so you do not have to shoulder this alone.” There is something warm and fierce inside those golden eyes, and Wei Ying’s breath stutters as finally, the last knot in his heart loosens, the burden of shame and secrecy halved. He knows, knows that Lan Zhan will not coddle him, knows truly that he is no longer on this godforsaken path alone.
He holds Lan Zhan’s hands in his own, and squeezes his thanks, throat too constricted to reply. Lan Zhan seems to understand, and his eyes do that not smiling but smiling thing again as he moves back to sit, keeping one hand clasped with Wei Ying’s. 
The warmth of Lan Zhan’s hands is an anchor, and he finally breaches the topic of the Wen civilians, and his plan to liberate them.
“What was Wei Ying planning to do?” There is no judgement or censure in his voice, and Wei Ying lets his eyes close for a second as he replies.
“Go in, play the flute and fight my way out?” It sounds feeble, when he says it like that. A small furrow appears between Lan Zhan’s perfect eyebrows.
“Wei Ying.” Ah, there, there’s the censure.
“Wei Ying is usually smart, what happened this time?” Lan Zhan sounds pained, and Wei Ying sputters in indignance. Before he can protest, Lan Zhan continues. 
“What about after? If you liberate them all alone, who will heal you, or them? Where will you go? How will you feed yourselves?” 
The familiar defensive anger wants to surge forth again, wants him to throw the warm hand off his own and tell Lan Wangji that he can do all that and more by himself, but even as his blood heats along with the resentment he knows that Lan Zhan is right, and his plan had been incredibly short sighted. He drags his free hand across his face and through his hair, and sighs.
“What do you think I can do, then? No one else cares, all the sect leaders think all Wen people are dogs for slaughter. What am I supposed to do, Lan Zhan?” 
Lan Zhan thinks for a moment, considering all the information he now has.
“The sect leaders don’t care about the Wen civilians, but they do care about losing face. Now that they are vying for power to fill the Wen clan spot… reputation is important to them now. It’s why they like using you as a scapegoat, so they seem whiter against your black.”
Wei Ying nods, patient. Lan Zhan is like he always is, precise, laying out his answer as though they were at their desks in front of Lan Qiren in the lecture halls of the Cloud Recesses. 
“Wei Ying’s strength is his power and cultivation, but you forget you have other skills.”
Wei Ying blinks, tilting his head to the side in question.
“Your mouth, and shamelessness,” Lan Zhan says, ears going pink. “Wei Ying is good at talking around people until they see your point. If we use it well.. we might be able to turn the tide. The Jin sect will be wary of another uprising.”
The surprise at his shamelessness being a good thing in Lan Zhan’s books notwithstanding, Lan Zhan does have a good point. Wei Ying smiles, wry and soft. In the horror of the past few months, the loss of his home and core, he had forgotten parts of himself and tried to fill the holes with darkness and power. But Lan Zhan remembered. 
He nods in assent, and they start to plan, talking through the night.
———
They begin the next day. Lan Zhan had played Cleansing for him that morning, pulling the roar of resentful energy in him down to a manageable hum. He feels better than he has in months, and greets the Lan Xichen with grace and a genuine smile. Lan Zhan’s brother smiles in surprise, and they have a relatively calm morning as they prepare to continue their journey to Gusu.
Along the way, he chats with disciples of the Lan sect, gossiping with them until their wariness bleeds away when they see that Lan Zhan is amicable with Wei Ying’s antics. They gossip about everything and anything, and slowly the conversation moves towards the Wen clan.
It doesn’t take long before one of the Lan disciples, bless their virtuous hearts, wonders aloud about all the civilians in Qishan who aren’t cultivators. Some of the older disciples shush him, but the topic has ignited an ethics debate, and Wei Ying makes a well placed comment worrying about another clan becoming a new Wen clan with too much power.
Soon most of the desciples are talking about it, enough so that when they stop for a meal at another town, the waiters and innkeepers, mouths loose with such a large party of paying customers, ask them about it.
Wei Ying regales them with the stories, knowing that cultivator gossip is usually eaten up very willingly. He lets the disciples at the table talk first, so that he isn’t the one spreading the story.
“Are there kids too? And old people?” The innkeeper asks, alarmed.
“Yes, they’re just normal people with no cores,” a Lan disciple piped up, indignant with righteousness now that everyone is talking about the Wen camp. “How can they do something like that, they’re just defenceless people!” 
A round of restrained, but unanimous assent goes around the table.
“Aiya, what can we do?” Wei Ying says, sighing with exaggeration. “I tried to bring it up, but the sect leaders probably have more important things to consider, I guess.”
He lets a little bit of bitterness come through the slump of his shoulders, the perfect image of a disappointed young man who tried to do the right thing.
“I guess it’s true that people only care if you’re from an important clan, no one listens to me because I’m just a commoners kid. Maybe those Wen people are also just commoners to the big sect leaders…”
He looks at the innkeeper and the disciples gathered around their table. Their eyes are suspiciously wet, seemingly moved to tears at the idea of the inequalities of life. Wei Ying knows that most of the disciples have never had to consider just how much higher their lives are valued just because of their birth, and smiles at the reminder that he can always count on Lan sect disciples to be full of empathy, even if they are a little lacking in street smarts. 
Lan Zhan, who is quietly eating by Wei Ying’s side, puts down his chopsticks, having finished his meal. 
“They can only be helped if all the sects come together. It would be unfortunate that the cultivation world lets more bloodshed happen even after the Sunshot Campaign has concluded.” 
The juniors look on in awe, and quickly chorus their agreement. 
“You said it right, Hanguang-jun, it’s true, I would hate to be compared to the Wen sect especially so soon after the uprising!”
The conversation continues after the innkeeper leaves their table, and Wei Ying knows that in days, every traveller will be regaled with the story of the plight of civilians suffering just because of the prejudice of the big sects, and also that the infamous dark cultivator Wei Wuxian is actually a tragic underdog that is maligned because of common birth.
———-
 A night before reaching the cloud recesses, the party camps in the woods, with Wei Ying and Lan Zhan accompanying the junior disciples on the night patrol. When they encounter a few angry corpses, Wei Ying nags at the juniors, pushing them to deduce the situation from clues on the corpses, while playing chenqing just enough to keep the disciples safe. Between the two of them, it becomes a practical lesson, and the corpses are dealt with magnificently by the students, and by the end of their journey, at the very least the Lan disciples have lost most of their fear of Wei Wuxian, cultivator of darkness. He eventually becomes senior Wei, and he ribs them all with good nature as Lan Zhan stays behind and beside him, watchful but never overcrowding, a warm, comforting presence. 
They finally reach the cloud recesses, and Wei Ying is ushered into the jingshi for the first time. He laughs at the austere decor, amused and fond as he settles down by Lan Zhan at the guqin.
The notes sound, resonant and rich with spiritual power, and Wei Ying feels Cleansing wash over him, then Rest, calming his mind as the music sinks into his empty, sluggish meridians.
“Thank you, Lan Zhan. It.. it feels better now. Clearer.”
Lan Zhan nods, hums a response, and finally he is there, close and clean and smelling of sandalwood, pressing his forehead into Wei Ying’s as he kisses him, chaste at first and then insistent, hungry. Wei Ying feels like he shouldn’t be allowed to have this, not while people are dying and hurting and maybe he could do something about it, but the spiritual power humming in his veins anchors him, reminds him that he is doing something, that this might, probably will be, more effective than whatever stupid plan he came up with without Lan Zhan. 
For once, he decides to trust, and lets himself go, sinking into the steady wet warmth of Lan Zhan, tugging at him till he is lying atop Wei Ying, chest to chest and dark hair spilling around them, tickling Wei Ying’s nose.
“I still don’t believe you like me like this, Lan Zhan,” he teases, voice lilting as he cards his hands through Lan Zhan’s hair.
“Mn, I was not truthful before. You did not know because I was too afraid.” Lan Zhan’s voice is wry but open, and the warmth and honesty of it all bowls Wei Ying over. It’s dizzying, the knowledge.
“Aiya, you Lans and your show no feelings rules. I’ve been flirting with you for so long, and you didn’t know I liked you? Lan Zhan, I gave you cut sleeve porn!”
Lan Zhan sputters, pale skin giving way to a deep flush at the memory.
“I know now. Wei Ying can keep flirting with me, I will not misunderstand again.”
The determination in his voice makes Wei Ying laugh, terribly fond and almost normal again. He pulls him down for another kiss, and smiles into Lan Zhan’s mouth as he asks, “Did you read any of it? Did you think about doing any of that stuff to me, Lan Zhan?”
The thought makes a bolt of heat rush through his spine, and Wei Ying feels like he is drowning. Lan Zhan presses his face into his neck, embarrassed. Wei Ying heaves himself back up onto his elbows, taking Lan Zhan up with him. The shift pulls the fabric of his inner robe apart, exposing a wide expanse of collarbone and chest, the brand mark an angry welt on his left.  The sight draws a breath out of Lan Zhan, who gently reaches fingers out to graze at the scar. Wei Ying’s breath hitches, and again, that bolt of heat curling in his body at the sight of Lan Zhan’s pale eyes darkening at the sound. 
He licks his lips and summons some of that famous shamelessness that he is known for, pulling his robe open further in invitation. Lan Zhan’s eyes open even wider, and the sight of him staring at Wei Ying, lips spit slick and bruised, eyes wide and dark with his hair in disarray is enough to pry a groan out of Wei Ying.
“Lan Zhan, please, you can.” He clears his throat, and tries again,  “You can touch me. In fact please, please Lan Zhan, I need, I want you to touch me.”
At those words, Lan Zhan finally moves, wide hands splaying on his chest as he runs his palms down Wei Ying’s body, callouses catching on smooth skin until they reach his belt, and after getting a breathless nod, he pulls the belt loose, parting his inner robe completely.
Wei Ying whines at the cold air against him, trying to hold off his embarrassment at being laid bare, flushed and aroused. He tugs at Lan Zhan’s robes, pulling them off his shoulder. Lan Zhan shrugs out of his own robes, bends down to kiss Wei Ying, and wraps his hand around him. He can’t help but gasp, hips bucking as Lan Zhan begins to stroke him, and Wei Ying is going insane, knowing that Lan Zhan is doing it. The thought of being the only one to see Lan Zhan like this, debauched and breathless, sends a thrill through him, and before he loses all his composure he grasps at Lan Zhan’s biceps, squeezing at them until Lan Zhan shifts further up, close enough for Wei Ying to reach down between them and- 
Oh god. 
Lan Zhan is thick and heavy in his hand, the soft, keening sound Lan Zhan makes when Wei Ying grasps him sends a jolt right through every vertebrae in him. He takes a shuddering breath, and wriggles down until their cocks are lined up against each other, gasping at the searing sensation of blessed, perfect contact. Lan Zhan’s fingers stroke the both of them together as Wei Ying gasps into his mouth, incoherent moans and pleading escaping him as he rocks up against the man he has loved for years without knowing that he was loved in turn. The cracking edge of loneliness and warmth chokes him, and he sobs a little, mindless with emotion and pleasure as he crests closer to the edge. 
“Lan Zhan, Lan Zhan, please,” he breathes, “I’m close, please, please,” he trails off into more incoherent mumbles as Lan Zhan strokes them hard, once, twice, and Wei Ying throws his head back and arches against the hard floor, pleasure whiting out every other thought in his brain outside of Lan Zhan’s name, Lan Zhan’s body, Lan Zhan against him heavy and solid and perfect as he follows Wei Ying, hips and hands stuttering until they lie panting, pressed together in a sweaty tangle on the floor. 
After some time Lan Zhan shifts up, leaving to grab a cloth to wipe them both clean before pulling Wei Ying up on his feet. He winces, rubbing his sore back.
“Lan Zhan, why didn’t we do this on your bed? You have a perfectly good bed right there!”
Lan Zhan hums, fond and warm.
“Next time,” he says, leading him to the bed and settling the covers around them as Wei Ying’s brain tries to process the idea of a next time, tucking it somewhere safe like an idea to be treasured. He smiles, warm and sated, snuggles closer to Lan Zhan, and drifts off to sleep, more content than he has been in a long time.
————-
In weeks, the rumours of the Wen camp in Qiongqi has spread far and wide, exaggerated and heated by the indignant murmurs of innkeepers and travellers spreading news where they go. The general dissent and disapproval from the people is palpable, and while that normally might not have any effect, many minor clans, many of which live more off taxation than actual exorcism and hunting, were starting to lean towards the general public. Coupled with the testimony of Lan Wangji, whose flawless reputation somehow caused the rumour that Wei Wuxian had been tamed and brought back to the light by the righteousness of the Lan clan, meant that the general animosity had been moved off from him and towards the Jin sect.
Caught between wanting to bristle at the idea of needing to be tamed and somewhat pleased that Lan Wangji’s reputation didn’t seem to suffer much from his acquaintance, Wei Ying endeavoured to fan the rumours, behaving relatively nicely while maintaining some roguish impertinence to ward off any suspicions. 
He goes back to Lotus Pier, drinks his shijie's soup and finally apologises to both her and Jiang Cheng for making them worry. He doesn’t tell them about the core, but he tells them about being thrown into the burial mounds, how he had to fight his way out with resentful energy, and talks about how it makes him angry and violent. He apologises, and means it.
Jiang Cheng’s hands are clenched at his sides, and Wei Ying thinks he’s going to get yelled at before he’s roughly pulled in for a hug, too tight to be called comfortable, but he wants to cry all the same. 
“You idiot,” Jiang Cheng grits out, and Wei Ying laughs and pats his back, swallowing hard around the lump in his throat when he feels Yanli join the hug from behind. For a moment, it feels like they’re children again, huddled together in the dark. 
When they finally pull free, he and Jiang Cheng talk.
“What about the resentful energy now?” He asks, evidently confused by the general lack of dark foreboding brooding that Wei Ying is doing.
“Ah, Lan Zhan is helping me. His ah, guqin keeps it under control so I can practice controlling it,” he explains, sticking to the truth. His brother seems surprised at that, and Wei Ying can see the moment his brother comes to his conclusion, the familiar brows furrowing as he nods in assent.
“I’m glad he’s willing to do that for you, then.” Everything else he is thinking goes unsaid, but Wei Ying smiles, understanding. He thinks, with this, the relationship between YunmengJiang and GusuLan might improve, if Jiang Cheng upholds propriety and gives due thanks to the Lan sect for helping a member of the Jiang sect. For the first time in months, Wei Ying settles into that knowledge that he still has a place in Lotus Pier.
They talk about the Wen clan next, almost coming to an argument again. But the notes of Lan Zhan’s guqin are still humming in his veins, and he stills himself, patient, remembering all the things that Jiang Cheng is. He knows now that Jiang Cheng is scared, angry and hurting, and wants his revenge wholly. He feels small to Wei Ying, now, and it is clear to him, without the resentment crawling in his lungs, to give his shidi what he needs.
He pulls Jiang Cheng roughly into another hug, tight, and lets his grief for Lotus Pier bleed through honestly, for the one person who would understand, who was there with him all.
“Jiang Cheng, I know. I want to burn everything to the ground for them too.” He shakes his brother, who is still a little shell shocked at the embrace, anger and grief in his eyes as he tries to understand why Wei Ying doesn’t want to kill every person named Wen. He tries to swallow the anger bitter betrayal and listen to his brother.
“I was there too. I wanted everyone dead. I used the dead and had them rip Wen cultivators apart till you couldn’t even tell their corpses were human anymore.”
Jiang Cheng nods, and lets him continue.
 “Think of Wen Qing and Wen Ning, shidi. Think about Shi Jie,” 
Jiang Cheng jerks at the mention of their sister.
“Do you really think she’d be okay with us running around and killing a bunch of children and old people? Are you okay with letting her see us go so low?”
Jiang Cheng falls to his knees, bringing Wei Ying down with him. His grip on Wei Ying’s arm is tight, and Wei Ying feels the fury and grief and sorrow, knows his brother feels things fully, incandescently, just like his mothers zidian, and Wei Ying holds him through it.
“Then what am I supposed to do, Wei Wuxian? I can’t just let it go. They’re gone, and there’s nothing else I can do!”
Wei Ying pulls him up, forcing his back straight and chin high. 
“Shidi, we do the right thing. We do the right thing because that’s what shushu taught us, so shijie can still smile at us. When she has kids with that stupid peacock, we can take care of them with our heads held high and tell them we were the good guys. They’re gone,” And at this, Wei Ying chokes a little, the words thick on his tongue, uncomfortable in the way that honesty always is, but he tries.
“Theyre gone, but we’re still here. I’m still here, shijie is still here. We can’t forget that.”
Jiang Cheng presses his eyes shut, and Wei Ying knows that every instinct is screaming inside him. He waits, knowing his brother, hoping that the boy he grew up with is still there, the boy who is quick to anger but quick to forgive, who loves harder than he hates. He hopes he has reached him, the way Lan Zhan had, reminded him of the lighter things he has forgotten.
Jiang Cheng nods, eventually, resolute, bitter.
“The Yunmeng Jiang clan will do what needs to be done.”
———-
Lan Zhan conces Lan Xichen easily, knowing his brother walks with virtue in his path. Instead of discussing whether or not to help, the discuss how to help, in a way that is in keeping with the limitations and powers of their sect.
Lan Qiren, proud that the Lan sect has been attributed to bringing Wei Wuxian into decorum and propriety, credits Wangji and Xichen, and listens to their petition, clearly listing the responsibilities their sect to live by their rules, to uphold virtute and not tolerate arrogance, cruelty, and violence. 
Lan Qiren signs and stamps his name, aligning GusuLan with the other sects petitioning for non-cultivator Wen civilians to be released, in return for "the recognition by all clans herein to pledge allegiance to a Jin sect that is wholly unaffiliated with the very actions that led to the Sunshot Campaign.". The threat of another uprising from the united front of the major sects is very much implied. 
The pressure is unanimous, and the Jin sect, wary of another campaign against them, decide that a bunch of commoners are not worth the censure and trouble they are receiving. A couple branch families are made scapegoats, and the Wen civilians are released to a shouldering Qishan.  
They eventually settle, moving further to the outskirts of Qishan province where the fires have not spread, and change their names to a different character Wen, to start rebuilding their lives. 
Wei Ying visits with Lan zhan, delivering supplies as reparations. It feels like absolution, to see turnips and potatoes sprout after some time passes, green and tender. He buys Wen Yuan toys, throws him in the air and drinks with the uncles in the new Wen village.
Lan Zhan talks to Wen Qing about Wei Ying's core, finds out what he can do to at least help alleviate the physical symptoms of a body used to having one, that now must do without. 
Wen Qing gives him a list of herbs that Wei Ying must take nightly, as well as a reminder that Cleansing must be played after every battle that Wei Ying fights with resentful energy. 
Lan Zhan nods, grateful. He will always be happy to play for Wei Ying. 
They return home to the cloud recesses, pausing on the way to stop by the one month celebration of Jin Ling. Wei Ying has made a bell for him, and Lan Zhan has brought a tiny flute, small enough for a young child to play, when he is old enough.
----
When they finally are done paying respects and enter the safe haven of the jingshi, Wei Ying lets out the breath he has been holding onto.
"We did it, Lan Zhan. The Wens are safe, I have a nephew, I can't.. I can't really believe it." 
Lan Zhan pauses from setting up the guqin, walking over softly to pull Wei Ying into him.
"Do I really.. can I really have this?" Wei Ying asks, and Lan Zhan tightens his arms around him.
"Yes, Wei Ying. You can have this." 
He kisses his forehead, his temples, and pulls him towards the guqin to soothe the ache in his beloved's bones.
After Cleansing, after Rest, he plays WangXian -forget envy- the two of their names a song he imbues with the depth of his love, and lets his spiritual energy suffuse the notes that sink into Wei Ying’s meridians, enough to soothe the ache.
When the song ends, Wei Ying is calm and warm and soothed, and they go to bed amidst soft touches, curled up around each other.
----
The "treatment plan", as Wen Qing puts it, works, and for the most part Wei Ying manages to cultivate his demonic path in peace without it taking a hold of him. He spends his days tinkering, coming up with talismans and inventions that change the way cultivators have worked for centuries. 
He takes the juniors on night hunts, relishing in thr act of teaching, of being surrounded by people and laughter and the thrill of improvement. 
He goes to Lotus Pier regularly, even though he has made his home in Gusu with Lan Zhan, at which Jiang Cheng scowls and punches his arm to hide how happy he is for Wei Ying. He helps, when he can, with the rebuilding of YunmengJiang, lends his expertise and mediates between GusuLan and YunmengJiang.
He visits his nephew Jin Ling even more, teasing him and teaching him. With Jiang Yanli's influence, his pride is tempered by humility, his anger is wielded towards injustice, and his laughter is free and clear like a chime when he plays with his uncle, getting in trouble for stealing lotus seed pods and running amok. 
---
He goes home, to the Cloud Recesses, to find his husband, to drag him out to go play with rabbits and otherwise do mischief instead of working.
Pulling Lan Zhan to him, he kisses him. 
"Thank you, Lan Zhan, for staying that day on Phoenix Mountain. You could have run away, but you didn't, and I'm here now because of you." 
Lan Zhan pulls him close, and murmurs against soft hair. 
"Between us, there is no need for thanks or apologies, Wei Ying."
He walks amongst the cloud recesses, feeds rabbits with Lan Zhan, and is content, no longer alone.
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definitelyseven · 4 years
Text
deal | three (m)
summary: when your step-mom unexpectedly offers you a deal you can’t resist, you decide to give her a taste of her own medicine by seducing her potential suitor, Im Jaebum.
one (m) | two | three (m) | four (m) | five | six (m) | seven | eight (m) | nine | ten | eleven | twelve (m) | thirteen | fourteen | fifteen | sixteen | seventeen - final |
You stood in front of the mirror, examining the dress that was wrapped tightly around your body. The dress fit perfectly and accentuated every part of your body. It showed just enough cleavage to tease. You smoothened the dressed out with the palms of your hand before taking a deep breath. Why did you have to go to the party with him tonight?
When you reached half-way down the stairs, you saw Jaebum waiting for you by the door. He makes eye contact with you and flashes his beautiful smile. You get nervous just at attention he was giving you. “You look beautiful,” he commented when you reached to the bottom of the stairs. 
“You don’t look so bad yourself,” you said giving him a subtle smile. In fact, you didn’t think someone could look this handsome, but he did. His suite fit perfectly on him making his broad shoulders even more apparent, more muscular. You bit your lip slightly thinking about having his arms around your naked body. 
“Ready?” he asked sticking his elbows out slightly for you to wrap your arm around his. You nodded and walked out of the house with him. 
The car ride to the party was quiet. You kept glancing over at him, watching his hands grip around the steering wheel. God, he was gorgeous and just the thought of having his arms around your body made your core tingle.
“What’s going on in that little head of yours?” he asked, breaking you away from your dirty thoughts.
“N-nothing,” you said turning to him with a smile. “Why can’t Eunbi come with you?”
“I needed her help with something else. She’s taking care of that now,” he said before reaching over to your thigh. His hand laid gently on your thigh, thumb stroking your skin, sending shockwaves to your core. If you weren’t wet before, you sure are now. “Don’t be nervous. I’ll be here and I promise I won’t let anything happen to you.” 
“I’m not nervous,” you lied. You reached for his hand that was on your thigh and moved it up your thigh, close to your core. He takes his eyes off the road and looks at you. “Eyes on the road,” you teased before brushing his hand off your thigh completely. He chuckles before glancing back at the road. 
Jaebum’s arm never left your waist as you walked into the big ballroom. His grip tightened when he hears your small gasp at the sight of the amount of people at the party. As much as you didn’t want to admit, you were nervous. Your dad always went to parties like this, but he’s never taken you. This was your first one. You always wondered what was so great about these parties that he had to leave you and your mom at home alone almost every night. You’ll finally know, finally understand. 
“Mr. Kim,” Jaebum said to the man approaching you. He moves his arm off your waist to shake his hand.
“Mr. Im,” the man shakes Jaebum’s hand and turns to look at you, smirking. He was older than Jaebum, but nevertheless, still handsome. “What a pleasant surprise.”
“This is my-”
You watched Jaebum struggle to introduce you so you decided to take the lead, “I’m Jaebum’s friend, Y/N. Nice to meet you,” you said extending your hand. Mr. Kim brings your hand to his lips, giving it a gentle peck. 
“What a beauty,” he said with your hand still on his. Jaebum protectively wraps his arm around your waist again, giving it a gentle stroke before pulling your body close to his. You pulled your hand away from Mr. Kim. “I must say Jaebum, I didn’t expect to see you here.”
“Figured I had to attend these things every now and then.” 
"Having trouble with that deal you have with Mr. Park?” Mr. Kim said with a devilish smirk. 
“Thanks for your concern. I wouldn’t worry so much about me, you should worry about yourself. Your stocks really plummeted after the scandal about your affair,” Jaebum refuted. You bit your lip, holding back a laugh. 
“Dance with me,” you asked turning to face Jaebum, before Mr. Kim was able to respond. He nods excusing yourselves away from Mr. Kim. 
“I might have punched him in the face if you didn’t pull me out of there,” Jaebum said pulling your body close against his. The both of you moved slow, swaying to the music. It was difficult for you to understand how attracted you were to him - with every touch, he made your core tingle and being this close to him wasn’t helping. You thought it was torture because he probably didn’t even know he had that affect on you. “So, I’m you friend now, huh?”
You smirked and whispered in his ear, “I think daddy is a more suitable nickname for somewhere private, don’t you think?” 
He chuckles, pulling you closer to him. His hand lowers to the back of your spine, just before you ass, “Mhmm, say that again princess.” Hearing him call you that made your core wet. You could feel the stickiness in between your panties. 
You brushed your lips gently on his earlobe before whispering, “Daddy.” He pulled your lower body close to his with the hand that was on your back. His length rubbing against your dress, you let out a small moan in his ear. “You like when I call you daddy?” 
“Just as much as you like to be called princess,” he said before brushing your hair to one side, exposing your bare shoulder. He leans down and gives it a small peck. 
Someone clears their throat behind you, making the both of you turn to look at who it was - Mr. Kim.
“Can I steal her away for a dance?” 
Jaebum didn’t want him to look at you, let alone touch you. You assured him that it would be alright. He agrees, leaving your side for the first time that night. 
“Now tell me why a beautiful women like you, is with someone like him,” Mr. Kim says, pulling your body close to his. It felt different. He was handsome, yes, but you didn’t feel anything from his touches. You felt cheap. 
“If you keep calling me beautiful, I might just blush,” you said sarcastically. 
“Beauty and humor. Come play with daddy tonight,” he offered whilst moving his hand down to your ass. 
“Mr. Kim, if your hand goes any lower, I would start to think you’re reaching for something else other than my back,” you retorted before grabbing his hand on your ass and bringing it back to your waist. 
“Oops,” he said half-heartedly. “What do you say? How much?”
“Mr. Kim!” you said pulling away from him. “I suggest you start respecting me and yourself. You don’t want another scandal,” you warned him which makes him laugh out loud. 
“Oh baby! What kind of party do you think this is?” 
“What do you mean?”
“Look around - old men, young women. You don’t think they’re the wives of these rich businessmen.”
You looked around and he was right. All the women here was around your age, give or take. 
“It’s a bring and trade party, baby. Bring a women and trade for another for one night.”
“These women are escorts,” you said in disbelief. 
“That’s a nice way to call them,” Mr. Kim said before reaching for you. You stepped back.
“I’m sorry, I need to use the restroom,” you said before walking away from him and out of the ballroom.
“Y/N!” you hear Jaebum call, but you ignore him and walked away faster. How could he bring you here? What does he think you are? Tears began to form in your eyes as you hear him run after you. Your stupid heels was prohibiting you from walking any faster. “Y/N!” he calls again before grabbing your arm. “What happened? Did he do something to you?”
“What kind of party is this?” you asked him with tears in your eyes. He was shocked by your question. 
“Y/N...I’m sorry, please let me explain.”
“Were you going to trade me for another girl tonight? Is that what you think of me?” you asked tears falling from your eyes.
“No, no...” he said cupping your cheeks in his hand and wiping away your fallen tears. “Of course not, baby.”
“Then why did you bring me here?”
“I needed to bring someone I trusted. I trust you,” he said pulling your face close to his. “I promised I wasn’t going to let anything happen to you.”
You shut your eyes, letting more tears escape. He wipes your tears away as quickly as they fall. 
“Let me tell them we’re leaving and head home,” he said comforting you.
You didn’t say a word to him on your way home. To be honest, you didn’t know what to say so it was better to keep your mouth shut. You could tell he was walking on eggshells with you. He kept glancing over at you every now and then, but you kept your eyes straight ahead unlike earlier before.
“Y/N, will you please stop and listen to me?” Jaebum asked entering the front door after you.
“What?”
“Please, I wasn’t going to let anything happen to you. You know that,” he said reaching for you.
“Those girls are human beings. How can you guys treat them like that? Like we’re objects. It’s degrading!” 
“I know, but there’s nothing I can do. These parties have been going on since before I was even born. These men are rich and powerful and they want to fool around. We don’t force anyone to do anything they don’t want to,” he explained.
“And that makes it okay?” you said crossing your arms.
“No, that’s not what I’m saying,” Jaebum sighs taking a step close to you. He rubs your arm. “At least when I’m there, I know I can save one girl from a bad night. I never had relations with any of them. You have to trust me.”
You sighed looking away from him. He was right.
“Daddy!” Minguk said running into Jaebum’s arms. “Are you fighting with Y/N?”
“No buddy, we’re just talking. Why aren’t you asleep yet?” 
“Sorry Mr. Im, he wouldn’t sleep unless you tucked him in,” the babysitter said. 
“Don’t worry about it. I’ll call you an Uber home,” he said letting Minguk down on his feet. You squatted next to him. 
“Sorry cutie, were we being too loud?” you asked stroking his cheek. 
“Don’t be mad at daddy,” he asked rubbing his eyes. Poor little thing must be so tired, it was already midnight.
“Let me tuck you in,” you said picking him up and bringing him into his room. You changed his diaper and put him to bed. You sat and watched Minguk sleep for awhile, making sure he was comfortable and deep asleep before leaving.
“Thanks for tucking him in,” Jaebum said as you closed the door to Minguk’s room.
“No problem,” you said with a subtle smile. 
“Y/N, I don’t want you to mistaken that I don’t respect you,” he confessed, walking towards you. You shake your head; you didn’t think that. “I don’t want you to be upset with me,” he said cupping your cheeks again. 
“I’m disappointed, but I’ll get over it,” you tell him honestly. “Goodnight, Jaebum.”
“Goodnight,” he said leaning down to kiss your cheek. His lips linger on your cheek for awhile before he pulls away. You walked back to your room, letting out a big sigh. His skinship made your body heat up again.
You undressed yourself and stepped into the shower. Your thoughts wander to earlier this evening when Jaebum pressed his lower body against yours, feeling his length on you. You moaned at the thought. 
You reached down, feeling your juices already coating your core. It’s been awhile since you’ve been touched by a man, and being this close to Jaebum everyday made it more unbearable. Pleasuring yourself was nothing compared to the real thing, but this would have to suffice for now. You let your thoughts wander to how you wanted to be fucked by him.
--
His body was pressed against your back as he slightly angled your leg upward so he can push himself into you in one motion. You moaned throwing your head back onto his shoulder. Your chest against the cold shower wall made your nipples go hard. Jaebum wrapped his arm to the front of your waist, quickly finding your clit. “Tell me what you want, baby,” he whispered in your ear. You moaned as he started playing with your clit. He runs his fingers up and down your folds, pinching and pressing your clit to give you maximum pleasure and pain. “Tell daddy what you want, princess,” he said thrusting harder and harder into you. 
“I want to cum all over your cock, I want you to mark me and fuck me till I’m sore. Please daddy...” you begged. He turns you around to face him, picking you up in his arms, before ramming his cock back inside you. You threw your head against the wall as the hot water hits your body. 
“You’re so hot,” he says before taking your breast in his mouth. He flicks his tongue over your nipple before sucking and biting on it. 
“Yes daddy, mark me up...” you moaned out hugging him tighter.
“Think you can handle daddy?” he asked. You nodded quickly as he thrusted his cock deeper into your core, making your core clench around him. He continues to thrust into you roughly, pulling all the way out and then shoving himself back into you. “Be a good girl and cum on daddy’s cock,” he moaned out as he connects his lips onto your neck, rubbing your clit vigorously. His thrusts combined with the circular motions on your clit made the pit in your stomach grow. You were so close, but you wanted this to last. You clenched your core around his cock, holding this position to calm yourself down. “Fuck baby, keeping doing that and I’m going to spill my seed into you,” he groaned. You relaxed your core and allowed him to keep thrusting into you.
“Daddy,” you whimpered, feeling yourself about to come undone. The hot water mixed with your heavily breathing was creating so much steam in the bathroom, it made it hard to breathe.
“That’s it baby, let it go,” he said giving your clit a pinch before rubbing it some more. 
--
You rubbed your own clit vigorously chasing your own high as you dreamed about Jaebum fucking your tight pussy. “Daddy...” you moaned out, feeling yourself close to climaxing. You leaned your head against the shower wall, reaching for the shower head. You turned the pressure on high and aimed it at your core. The intense water pressure hitting your clit pushed you over the edge, cumming to the thought of Jaebum’s cock inside you.
You sat down on the shower floor, chest heaving up and down, coming down from your high. 
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The Queen of Demons 2/?
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Pairing: Erwin Smith x OC, Levi Ackerman x OC
Rating: Gen (the rating will go up as the story advances! But it will totally be explicit ;D)
Warnings: None for now, but sexist and misogynist upbringing (Eva's father is a huge asshole).
Word Count: 3449
ALSO POSTED ON AO3
A/N: Second chapter, woooo!! We are slowly getting more into plot details B) There's so much stuff I have already written out that I cannot wait to show you all
CHAPTER 2: THE DEMONS OF ELDIA
Eva tried to control her breathing the best she could while maintaining her gaze on the Chief, frozen.
That imposing figure standing proudly on top of the stairs was her husband to be.
Her father’s voice echoed loudly in her mind, chastising her for her lack of manners. How dare she stare at her betrothed? She was being rude, uncouth, and back in Gottesreich this wouldn’t have gone unpunished.
Eva didn’t see the way those calculating eyes narrowed when she teared her eyes from him and resumed the stance she was taught to maintain: head down in a display of submission, eyes glued to the floor and mouth shut. She also didn’t see a pair of steel gray eyes bore into her, watching every move she made.
The Chief kept talking, despite his inquisitive gaze towards the Princess, while Moblit translated, introducing everyone on his side. It prompted Eva to look up again and meet everyone’s eyes out of courtesy, knowing it would be disrespectful and rude if she didn’t, but never stayed too long as she accidentally did with the Chief.
The Princess was surprised at the variety of shapes and sizes of Eldia’s best warriors, going from tall like that giant with the big nose, moustache and crossed arms –Mike, was it?–, to short and slim, like the man with black hair and impassive grey eyes with a permanent scowl etched on his face –Levi, the Chief’s right hand man, she should really remember that–, and more. But Eva couldn’t hide her shock when she saw women amongst them. This would be absolutely prohibited back in Gottesreich, not to mention the punishment for even thinking of stepping on a man’s role. But these women looked proud, fierce, and Eva couldn’t help but envy such confidence being openly displayed a little bit.
Eva felt her father’s disapproving eyes on the back of her mind, and reprimanded herself internally for even wondering about how it must feel to be in their shoes. Eva had her own role, her own duty to perform, as her Father incessantly reminded her; thinking about such things would lead her nowhere. She was here for one single and very clear purpose.
“Please, come inside, I’m sure we all want to be out of the cold.” Moblit’s calm voice shook her out of her reveries. The Chief gestured behind him, towards the entrance of the Great Hall, with a hand on his belt and his arm open to his side, a polite smile on his lips.
Prince Hans reciprocated the smile, nodding and looking at his siblings as if on cue to follow him inside. Flora and the soldiers that accompanied them were ushered away from the monarchs, only letting the personal bodyguards go in with them, as protocol demanded, and it caused a knot on Eva’s stomach to not know where Flora was being taken. She only hoped they would all be alright. Sensing her distress, Moblit turned to address the royal siblings and ease her mind.
“The horses and luggage will be properly taken care of, as well as your men and maidens, your Highnesses. Any request you shall have please make it known, and we will try our best to comply.” Eva wanted to scoff at that, having several requests herself. She wanted to go home, please.
“Thank you kindly, Moblit.” Prince Hans replied. Eva prayed to God the Eldians would keep their word.
Upon entering the Great Hall warmth instantly greeted them, as well as a breathtaking view. Eva didn’t want to admit it, but the interior of the Great Hall was beautiful. It was composed of wonderfully sculpted wooden pillars with the same intricate markings and runes from outside etched in them, truly the masterpiece of very skilled artisans. She could even make out some animals on the relief carvings, merging with the patterns. The whole room was illuminated with the pale sunlight from the windows, as well as the warm glow of the fires roaring to both light and heat the room better. At the far end of the hall there were more steps, leading to a wooden platform where a big, imposing chair with thick pelts draped over it rested, undoubtedly like a throne. There was a smaller one next to it, with the beautiful markings and soft-looking pelts too, and Eva felt a chill at the realisation that it was for her.
They were led to a table surrounded with chairs, goblets already prepared to be poured wine to the guests. The Chief sat down, inviting his guests to do the same as him and his second in command. The Princes imitated their host, sitting on the opposite chairs and getting comfortable in them, and Eva waited for them to be already seated to do the same, silently, not drawing attention to her and carefully maneuvering her cloak and dress skirts to be in the pose she was taught to sit in: back straight, knees together and hands resting on them, crossed but never closing them in fists, legs–
“Wine, your Highness?” Moblit’s soft voice startled her, looking at the Eldian servant holding the wine decanter right above her goblet, waiting to pour it. Eva quickly looked at her brothers, already having been served and goblets in hand and taking a sip. Even if back at Gottesreich’s court it would be improper for a lady to drink wine out of a social gathering, it would be impolite and disrespectful to refuse.
Be good. Cause a good first impression. Be good. Don’t bring dishonor to your Kingdom. Be good–
“Yes, please.” Eva tried to not let her voice raise too much, knowing she shouldn’t be speaking while her brothers or other men were.
Eva didn’t notice the way the Chief’s eyes quickly shifted to her upon hearing the small exchange, too engrossed on maintaining proper Gottesreichan manners.
The Princess ventured a sip from her goblet and was met with a rich, powerful flavour with a hint of spices in it exploding on her taste buds. Her eyes widened and eyebrows rose, trying not to cough at the strong wine; that would be beyond rude and disrespectful. She gulped down the Eldian wine, hoping no one noticed it.
One of the Chief’s warriors, the giant one (Mike! She had to start remembering names), huffed, amused at her reaction. Her wish was not met as she also saw the Chief chuckle into his own goblet while listening to Moblit’s translations.
Perfect. Just perfect. Way to make good impressions.
The conversation seemed to momentarily change its topic as the Chief asked something and everyone became silent. Moblit’s voice made her look up from her goblet.
“Not used to strong wines, your Highness?
Eva’s gaze briefly traveled from Moblit to the Chief, who was looking at her with the corner of his mouth lifted, as well as one of his bushy eyebrows. The Princess hurriedly looked at her brothers, who were awaiting as well. Hans encouraged her with a slight nod. They were waiting for her response.
Oh.
“I am deeply sorry, my Lord, I meant no disrespect.” Her grip on the goblet tightened, trying her hardest to not let her voice waver. “I am indeed not used to strong flavoured wines, or wines themselves.” She tried to finish with a polite smile.
The Chief’s eyes had a curious glint in them, nodding at Moblit’s words. He replied something, and Eva dreadfully awaited Moblit’s translation. She really hoped she didn’t offend him or any of the Eldians present.
“Then, what are you used to, your Highness?”
This much attention on her was making her nervous. They shouldn’t be focusing the conversation on her, there were more important matters to discuss than her tastes!
“Coffee. Or tea, also, my Lord. But do not fret over it, I am sure I will get used to wine in no time.”
Would she? Eva doubted it, but if she had to, she would. Although she would deeply miss her morning cup of coffee…
The Chief hummed, instantly turning to one of his men to tell them something, and Eva watched as the warrior disappeared to carry on the Chief’s errand. She looked back at the Chief, seeing him share a brief smile at her before returning to the previous topic.
Eva tried to pay attention, but the thought of having hurt the Eldian’s feelings gnawed at her.
The warrior returned some time after with a steaming cup in his hands. Eva noticed he was that short warrior that stood next to the Chief when both parties presented themselves, with the cold and impassive grey eyes. He offered the cup to Eva, patiently waiting for her to take it. The Princess obliged, thanking him even if she knew he probably didn’t understand a word she said.
“My apologies for not having coffee, your Highness. I hope tea can suffice.” Moblit once again spoke to her, the Chief turning to face her in his chair, awaiting her response.
“Please don’t apologise, my Lord. This is more than enough.” Eva briefly looked down at the cup, then up at the Chief with another polite smile. “I am thankful for your kindness.”
Smile, smile, smile. Always smile.
Trying to divert everyone’s attention away from her and let the conversation go back to where it was, Eva ventured a taste. Her nose picked up the delicious aroma of the tea, and her mouth was filled by the sweet flavour, finishing with a touch of spiciness at the end that made her want more. Eva raised her brows, surprised but satisfied. She took another sip, erasing any traces left of the wine from before. It wasn’t coffee, but this tea was an agreeable alternative.
“I take it you liked it, your Highness.” The Chief wasn’t done with the conversation, and Eva didn’t understand why the Chief was so adamant to make her talk, or even try to engage her into a conversation besides the ones between the princes and himself. She wasn’t there for that.
“I do, my Lord. This is a blend I haven’t had the chance to try before, thank you for letting me have a taste of it.”
The Chief let out a soft chuckle and began talking again. Eva awaited Moblit’s translations, delicately holding her cup.
“Ah, I’m afraid I am not the tea expert here. Levi is, so please feel free to ask him more about his blends.” The Chief gestured towards the short warrior, who nodded in acknowledgement.
“I will. Thank you, my Lord.” Another polite smile on her lips.
That seemed to end the conversation for now. Eva kept drinking the tea, listening to what was being said. She shouldn’t zone out, not when this concerns her too.
The Gottesreichan Princes excused the King for not coming himself to Eldia because of urgent matters that required his presence, but Eva knew the truth behind that, having heard her father with the other advisors in the throne room already discussing plans beyond her daughter’s marriage, and being greeted by her brothers the same day they departed with sad smiles on their faces.
It left a bitter taste in her mouth, knowing the King, her own father, couldn’t stay away one minute from his plans on how to maintain the Kingdom’s borders, or how to expand them, too.
He didn’t even think about walking her to her awaiting carriage, and she was graced only by a quick kiss on her forehead when Eva went to look for him and found the King still in his chambers. But her father made sure she didn’t forget how his daughter would represent their beloved Kingdom in foreign territories, how she had to bring both civilization and manners to the barbarians. All this, while intensely staring at the map hanging on his wall.
Not a single look at her.
The King was not at the courtyard to send them off. Did not wave goodbye, did not do what any father would do when they knew their daughter would never come home again to start a new life somewhere far away. He only expected her to do a good job as she was taught to do.
This is all Eva knew about fatherhood from the day she was born, an absent paternal figure that only looked at her when she did good. And she always strived to do good. She had to. Father would spare a glance if she did.
Hans often tried to unconsciously supply and fill that void her father left when he wasn’t chained down by his own princely duties, recalling when she was a little girl how he would take her to the Capital’s festivities and let her stuff her mouth full of sweets. Or when he would indulge in her imagination and games, running around the castle slaying dragons, which often made Friederich play the part of the dragon going down with theatrics that put court jesters to shame, or playing hide and seek, or when the royal tailor made a new dress for her how he would compliment and praise the craftsmanship, and of course how she looked pretty in it.
The days where both her brothers took her on strolls around the Castle woods were the happiest for her, getting to hop from horse to horse and run around the meadow without being reprimanded for it. Rolling in the grass, chasing birds and squirrels, picking up flowers to make flower crowns that would lately put them on both her brother’s heads...
Sadly it ended when Father decided it was time for Eva to start her studies and long preparation to be his perfect little princess. Her brothers had less and less time to spend with her, and Hans was almost absent all the time with the pressure of being the Crown Prince.
Still, Hans and Friederich found a little loophole in Father’s strict schedule, using their diplomatic travels as a perfect excuse to make their little sister tag along, always with the excuse to further prepare her for her upcoming future.
But now there was no little loophole anymore.
The Chief and the Gottesreichan princes were discussing dates and procedures, and agreed on carrying on the Eldian traditions and rituals, as well as have the ceremony here in Eldia. Eva had uselessly hoped it would maybe be carried in Gottesreich, respecting the bride’s lineage, or maybe a double one, but her wishes would not be granted. She drowned her sigh with a sip of her tea.
They finally decided that a spring wedding would be the best, knowing the roads were hard to travel with the immense amounts of snow in them, and they wouldn’t want the guests to be inconvenienced by it. Besides, for Eldia spring was important, and it would be just perfect to celebrate a wedding. The Chief tried to include the Princess on this decision, asking her if she liked spring, which she replied that she did, not really enjoying the cold.
That settled it then. It meant two months of preparations, approximately. Maybe a few weeks less, depending on the weather conditions.
Two months.
Dread twisted her stomach.
“I hope you will find your life here pleasant, your Highness. I understand the shock and differences between our people, but we will accommodate you the best of our capabilities.”
The Chief was paying attention to her again. Why? Why was he trying to fake kindness? Eva knew he only pretended because her brothers were present, why else would he? Eva was just an asset, a bargaining chip, so why go to such lengths for someone from another Kingdom such as her? A twisted sense of humour? That would fit, weren’t they demons?
Her father made her memorise the words and movements she was about to spit and act out, telling Eva how that is what every man wanted to hear from their future bride. Eva found the comment crass, even coming from Father, but still complied as she was trained to do.
Eva set the cup on the wooden table, moving gracefully as she let her right hand touch her heart, lowering her head in the submissive display she was taught to never slip out of.
“Thank you for your consideration towards my well-being, my Lord.” Head still lowered, eyes closed— “I hope I can perform my marital duties beyond your expectations, my Lord, and that I am to your liking. I will do my best to ensure your needs are met and fulfilled.”
Eva then resumed her previous position as she heard Moblit translate her words. Eva ventured a look towards her brothers, finding twin saddened expressions on their faces. She was shocked. Did she not do good? Alarmed, the Princess looked over the Chief, pushing aside the protocols and needing to know she did not displease the Chief, that Father wasn’t wrong.
The Chief looked troubled himself, as if some suspicions and thoughts he had from before had been confirmed right that instant. No no no– this was disastrous! Father told her it was imperative she did it, that it was what those brutes wanted from their wives, so why was the Chief not overjoyed to see such an obedient, docile behaviour from her?
The Eldian warrior looked like he wanted to say something that was on his mind, but ultimately decided to close his mouth. The Chief seemed to thoroughly think about what his next actions and words should be, so instead of replying to the Princess as she thought he would do, with a lecherous and satisfied smirk, he chose to tightly smile and bow his head as if in acknowledgement of her words.
It didn’t settle well in her stomach, and Eva had never been more confused than she was right now.
What was this man playing at?
Moblit’s strong but soft voice cut through her musings.
“You surely must be tired from the journey, your Highnesses. Please, allow us to escort you to your rooms so you can rest until tonight’s banquet. Baths will be ready, too.”
Yes please! Eva wanted nothing more than to run to the safety of four walls and a tightly closed door, and Flora to embrace her like she always did when Eva got overwhelmed.
“We indeed are, thank you. Those carriages don’t do anyone’s back a favour.” Hans laughed, accompanied by Friederich’s chuckle and the Chief’s shaking of shoulders. Eva was eagerly awaiting for Hans to get up so she could follow and get out of there, too. A warm bath sounded so nice. “Eva, do you mind going before us?”
Wait.
What?
From Hans apologetic face, and Friederich’s gaze avoiding her, this was something they had planned beforehand.
“Brother,” Eva tried not to raise her voice or make her desperation known. She didn’t want to go alone, to be alone with those people supposedly taking her to her rooms. What if they didn’t? “please.”
“Eva,” Hans turned to face her, getting a hold of her tightly clasped hands. “we are deeply sorry– no, don’t give me that look, we are.”
Like Hell they were!
“Hey, Birdie” Friederich always used that nickname with her since they were little kids, so him using it right now conflicted Eva’s feelings. Her brother always used it when he wanted to make her feel safe, but right now it wasn’t really working. “Trust us. We will be right behind you, okay?”
“But–“
“We only need to discuss some matters, that’s all.”
“Hans–”
“Yes, very boring matters that will make you fall asleep. You go rest, Birdie.”
When her brothers synched with each other it was a losing battle for Eva. Knowing this, she promptly closed her mouth into a thin line, resigned. Swallowing down a sigh, Eva forced a smile on her lips as she spoke to the Eldians, focusing on the Chief.
“Excuse me for my behaviour, my Lord. I will gladly take your offer and let you men discuss what you need to talk about.”
The Chief nodded, asking Levi once again to comply with his requests and accompany the Princess to her room, taking almost every guard with him. Eva gracefully raised herself from her seat, making a short reverence to the people present in the room.
“Thank you for the tea, my Lord, it was most delicious.”
Eva followed Levi to exit the Great Hall, leaving the three men inside and trying hard not to dwell in it. She had no right to pry into men’s matters, and she best accepted it quickly. They watched her disappear through the door with Mike’s towering form closing the little entourage.
It hurt both brothers, but it had to be done.
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arc-saber · 3 years
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The Way Forward - Part 3
Oh my GOD.  This is the first “part” that hacks off in the middle of a scene.  What’s editing!?  Ppfffsssh? v(o_o)v
PART 1
PART 2
I agonized on this part.  I hope it doesn’t read like it.  How’s that burn? STILL SLOW, MATE.
PART III
Watching the Jedi was surreal.  He stood astride a line of mythical and completely ordinary that Din was having trouble resolving.  He was not a large person and more slender rather than compact like many smaller fighters.  Had Din not definitely seen him destroy a platoon of dark troopers three years ago, he would not have assumed by looking at him that he could.  He also, to Din’s surprise, had a prosthetic hand, which did the heavy gripping up until the point at which he let himself drop, with hardly a sound, to the shelf of debris at the base of the canyon wall.  Once landed, the first thing he attended to was to straighten the glove he wore, ostensibly to cover some inevitable wear and tear to the prosthetic.  It looked like a habit.  Not vain.  Not disturbed in any way.  But a part of him he took care of, perhaps in some reverence to it or the story that had forged it.  
But for all the disarming solidity the Jedi presented, there was the equal measure of the unknown.  It was that which prickled at the back of Din’s neck when, abruptly, the Jedi turned and extended that gloved hand, and the rafts of floating debris began to drift towards him over the acid.  Din checked his footing more than once as he felt his own raft move under him, drifting to the shore as if pulled by some invisible cable the Jedi had conjured.  He’d seen that power before in Grogu, but to be subject to it himself was unnerving, particularly when it was performed so casually. As soon as he was able, Din made the hop from the floating scrap to the more secure bank of it.  When he got his footing and had himself braced with a hand on the canyon wall, he turned to the Jedi again.  “Thank you—”
He was looking at the hilt of the Dark Saber, extended towards him.  “Don’t thank me yet,” Luke Skywalker was saying, his own gaze directed upwards.  “I still haven’t figured out how we’re getting back up.”  When a moment of silence had passed, he looked back to find Din staring at his offering with uncertainty.  “This is yours, isn’t it?”  
It didn’t escape Din that he’d tried to return the sword to Bo-Katan with almost those same words.  It was funny.  He sighed, but took the hilt back.  “Not really.”
The Jedi raised a brow at him and the corner of his mouth curled a little.  “Not really?  That sounds like a story.  Well, you have the space to carry it anyway.  I’m at capacity.”  He did indeed have a single silver ring on his belt upon which hung his own weapon.  Din said nothing as he looked at it, remembering something the Armorer had told him years ago about the Jedi and the Mandalorians.  Grogu had proven to him that that enmity was not innate.  But he was only a child.  It had been right to entrust him to one of his own kind, but encountering this fully realized sorcerer on his own … it felt different.  Precarious. An ancient enemy didn’t cease to be an enemy just because they hadn’t been around to fight in recent times.
In spite of all of that and of the dire circumstances and any number of more pressing questions he could ask in that moment, there was only one that immediately occurred to him and that he forced himself to bite down on.  It wasn’t that he was afraid to ask.  Or maybe he was a little — the last time he’d seen this Jedi, he’d been taking Grogu away to be trained.  Now he was here alone.
“He’s doing well.”
“What?”
“Grogu.  He’s doing well."
Once again, the hair on the back of Din's neck prickled as the Jedi replied to his thoughts. It was the answer he'd hoped to hear, but even as his chest unexpectedly tightened to hear it, the manner in which it was delivered left him in stunned silence for a moment before he could goose himself into a reply. "I— Good— uh, good," he said warily, then after another moment,  added: "Don't do that."
Luke had gripped the canyon wall again and was testing a foot hold with one boot when Din made his gruff demand. His expression was almost a little surprised and for an instant, Din felt himself tense up again.
"I'm sorry.  It’s just that you’ve wanted to ask since you recognized me.  It was hard to tune out.  How are you at climbing?”
Din swallowed and suddenly his helmet felt like it was trapping all of his body heat.  It hadn’t occurred to him until now that Jedi simply read thoughts whether they wanted to or not.  Considering that, it became almost impossible to try to regulate the thoughts that sprang, panicked to the forefront of his mind.  He watched Luke keenly for any further indication he could tell what he was thinking.  The look he was receiving seemed only interested in the answer to his last question.  
“I’ll manage,” Din replied, slowly holstering his blaster, then searching for somewhere on his belt to tuck the Dark Saber.  Just moving as much as he had in the past few minutes had his ribs aching, but it didn’t strike him to bring that up. It was a little disappointing, however, that a Jedi didn’t have a better solution than the one he’d come up with himself.  “No… magical power for this?”
Luke Skywalker’s ready smile emerged again and he laughed, letting his head bow down in a self depreciative gesture Din wondered over.  “That is… a long way up.  Even for me.  I was still figuring out what I’d do if I found you unconscious down here.”
“That’s a comforting thought…” Din shook his head and took a breath meant to shove down his physical discomfort before trying to find hand holds in the canyon wall.
In short order, it became clear that the plan was for Luke to scale the wall with relative ease and point out good hand and foot holds for Din on his much more laborious way up just behind him.  Luke chose a slightly weaving path upwards that could have been informed by his journey down just minutes before, but it seemed like when he paused, he was listening to something that dictated where he placed his hands.  For his part, Din pushed himself to keep up.  His ribs stung with pain whenever reaching forced them to spread and every handhold he had to form his straight fingers around send a prohibitive pain straight up to his shoulder.  But he gritted his teeth and willed his body to move.
Climbing the compacted scrap wasn’t like climbing a geological cliff face.  In some ways, it was easier with more gasps and protrusions to grab, but at the same time, it seemed to be constantly shifting as well.  As long as they kept moving, none of the chosen foot holds would crumble beneath them, but when Din finally felt as though the strength was draining from his overly taxed hand, he ground to a halt on the cliff face, head bowed and his breathing loud in his ears.  Alarmingly, he could hear Luke pause just above him and say something, but it didn’t pierce the sudden rushing down in his ears.  Just as he tried to move his head and investigate the problem, one of his footholds gave under him and the extra weight immediately crumbled his handhold as well.  He was plunging downward.  A discouragingly familiar sensation.
When he came to a halt, it wasn’t an impact.  No part of him jerked in whiplash.  He’d simply… stopped falling, but the news hadn’t reached his flailing limbs as he strained futility for something solid.  There was nothing.
“... — have you!”
Din finally realized that the Jedi’s voice was calling down to him.  Arms still slowly wheeling as if he were treading water, he craned around, disoriented until he could find the dimly illuminated canyon wall and the figure of Luke Skywalker above him — farther than he’d been, but not as far as they’d been from the canyon’s floor.  Din himself was simply hanging in midair and it only took him a few long and confusing seconds to discover that that could be.  Luke’s hand extended towards him, reaching but his fingers tense as if they already supported something.  Perhaps they did.  But with his attention divided between clinging to the wall and holding Din up with his sorcery, it was clear he was losing  footing as well.  
“I have you!” he repeated, voice strained as well for the first time since they’d met.  “Don’t be afraid — I’ll get you up…”
That was a tall order, but it occurred to Din that something in the Jedi’s reassurance made it seem as though Din’s own state of mind might be lending itself to the success or failure of whatever magical process was occuring.  With great effort, he froze, keeping his arms, legs — even his face — still as he hung there in the Jedi’s power.  Then gradually, lightly and as if he were nothing more than the control knob from his old Razor Crest, he felt himself floating upwards.  In a matter of moment, he was once more level with Luke, but it didn’t last as his trajectory continued upwards before he drifted within even an arm’s length of the wall.  In passing, he could see that the Jedi had also lost some ground, possibly sliding a ways down the canyon after him in whatever effort he’d made to catch him.  His prosthetic hand held him up and one foto hung loose out into the open air while the other was hooked — uncomfortably it seemed — over a protruding pipe, bearing much of his weight during his focused endeavor.
Din couldn’t focus on what Luke was doing for long.  Soon he was a few meters over the other man’s head and reaching out for a ledge that was tucked into the canyon wall.  It was barely wide enough to perch on, but it was a better resting spot than any they’d seen yet.
“Grab hold!”  Luke was saying, but Din was already pulling himself in and onto relatively solid ground with overwhelming relief.  
“I’m up — you can stop!” he called down.  He saw Luke release his energy and sag against the wall for a moment as he sought a more comfortable hold.  Din hastily flattened himself down on the ledge, laying on his stomach to reach a hand down.  Something was off about the Jedi’s posture.  He managed to pull himself up those few meters, but when he could reach Din’s offered hand, he readily took it without suspicion and only gratitude on his pale face.  Din managed to haul him up by rolling himself over and curling his arm up at the same time, assisted by whatever foot holds Luke had found to walk himself up the wall and ultimately collapse over the ledge as well.  
It was close quarters, so by the time they were both seated and panting, they were shoulder to shoulder and Din, in a moment of pure reflex, had braced an arm across the Jedi’s chest and grabbed a protrusion of scrap on the other side of him, acting as a living safety strap.  Instead of having something clever and blunt to say about it, however, Luke simply sagged there for a moment before laying his head back against the wall.  
“Thank you.”
They’d both said it at once, then to the inquiring tilt of Din’s head, Luke lolled his own to the side and flashed a strained smile. “Not sure I’m going to be doing my best climbing from here on.”  Blue eyes darted a look that was meant to be followed down to the ankle of the leg he was gingerly holding out and away from the ledge.
After a moment of profound silence in which they both likely contemplated their ridiculous situation, Din offered the only coherent observation he had:  “I didn’t think Jedi got injured.”
“Tell that to the last decade of my life,” Luke replied with a laugh.
If he’d thought Din would laugh as well, he’d be disappointed.  “The kid… is he going to have a decade like that?”  Din could feel something turn over in him — a pressure he hadn’t been aware of until it threatened to burst.  The only reason he’d been able to live with himself for these past few years and the only reason he’d been able to let the unknown man walk off that bridge with Grogu was that the Jedi had seemed larger than any danger in the universe and he knew that if Grogu learned to use that power, he’d finally be safe from those who hunted him.  Safer than Din could keep him.  
Today he’d seen some of the Jedi’s humanity and it had startled him.  As kind as he seemed, he was fallible after all and that had let doubt enter Din’s mind in a chaotic haze.  Instead of delivering Grogu to safety, had he handed him over to a life as hard as his own had been?
Luke had looked down curiously at Din’s arm, still slung across his chest, but now more of a sprung trap than a safety harness.  When he turned back, looking at Din as if he could see through his visor, he seemed a little sad.  “After all this time, you’re still worried. Everyone should have a father like you.”  Then he shook his head.  “I said I would protect him with my life.  And I will.  But I can’t protect him from having his own.”
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aporeticelenchus · 4 years
Text
Martin sways slightly as the train hits a bump in the tracks, trying to keep both of the paper cups he’s holding from spilling. Jon’s so distracted trying not to stare that it takes him a moment to process Martin arriving at their seats and handing him a cup of hot tea.
“I thought the dining car was closed for the night,” Jon says, because apparently he can’t turn his brain off after all. He’d gone by earlier, actually, with the thought that maybe he could bring something nice back for Martin, and a prickly part of him feels outdone somehow.
Martin eases back into his seat across from Jon, setting his cup on the small table between them. The train car is almost empty; Jon isn’t sure if it’s the odd hour or perhaps some vestiges of the Lonely clinging to their skin and seeping into their surroundings. He’s even less sure what it means that he likes the dark, quiet silence around them – even after everything they’ve been through in the last few days. He should really be throwing himself into crowds, not savoring the illusion that he and Martin are the only two people in the world. 
Martin looks up at Jon and then looks down again, running his finger around the plastic lid of his cup as if distracted by something. “Hm? Oh, yeah, it was closed. But you know, I summoned all my evil strength and used my mystical spooky powers to- oh come on, don’t look at me like that Jon, they just had a little cord up around the snacks counter and I jumped over it and took some teabags. Left a few bills in the tip jar after.”
That solution had never even occurred to Jon. He’s unaccountably charmed. “A criminal act! I’m shocked. Does this make me accessory to a crime?”
Martin blushes slightly and looks absurdly adorable. In Jon’s completely objective opinion. “Yep, that’s me: international wanted man of mystery. Better watch out if you’re going to keep such dastardly company.”
Jon can’t help but smile. “At least we’ll have a good story if anyone asks why we’re on the run.”
Martin nods sagely. “Wanted for tea crimes.” He takes a sip from his cup and grimaces. “Ugh, it isn’t even any good. I thought villainy was supposed to sweeten the prize.”
“No, that’s honey. See, I have learned many tea facts.” Jon somehow keeps a straight face as he takes a sip himself. When he looks back up, Martin is staring at him. “What?” Had he said something off? He’s trying, he really is; he doesn’t know what this thing is now between him and Martin, even as he’s come to a clear realization of what he wants it to be. He doesn’t want to make assumptions or, or do anything that might make Martin uncomfortable, now that he’s finally back in Jon’s life. Was he accidentally flirting? He doesn’t think so, but he’s hardly an expert on what is and isn’t flirting activity, and Martin is still looking at him with that look on his face and-
“I love you,” Martin says. The direct simplicity of it takes Jon’s breath away. “I know you- you probably already know and all, everyone knows, but I just. I wanted to say it myself. To you. I’m sorry if it’s inconvenient, but actually, I’m not sorry at all, you’re wonderful and brilliant and there’s this thing you do with your eyebrows that gives me the stupidest butterflies in my stomach. So. I love you. I have for a long time, and I’m pretty sure it’s not going to stop any time soon. Just so we’re both clear.” Martin nods to himself, as if he feels he’s finally settled an important point, and takes another sip of his tea with hands that are only barely shaking around the paper cup. “Right then! On to something else. Like how this tea was probably developed as an attempt to get around the Geneva Conventions prohibition on torture, because really-”
“Can I kiss you?” Jon blurts out. Everything he wants to say, every eloquent speech he might give in response is jumbled up in his head, but that thought is very clear and it falls out of his mouth before he has time to gauge if it’s a good idea.
Martin’s staring at him again, looking frozen for a moment in shock, which might be either a bad sign or a good one, Jon has no idea. “I. Uh. Wow. Do- do you want to?”
“Yes, very very much,” Jon answers with complete truthfulness.
The smile that breaks over Martin’s face is pure sunlight, made of clarity and light and truths Jon has been searching out for months. “Yeah,” he breathes out softly, “I’d really like that too.”
---
(NB: I started this as a post season 4 followup to Lacunae, though you don’t have to have read that for this one to make sense.)
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knight-queen · 3 years
Text
Lunatic Parade Azusa Mukami– (Chapter 4)
[O1] [O2] [O3] [O4] [Final] [Care for Vampire]
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Place: Glimmer Main Street, Front of Wagon
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Yui: (We bought a Spa ticket from the flower boy…)
(I didn’t know that it has such a refreshing feeling…)
*Azusa appeared*
Yui: It will be best if we get another chance, right Azusa kun?
Azusa: Yes...it’s because...we have been enjoying the Spa...since the Carnival… It was fun…
Yui: (My body is feeling nice and warm. I am so glad since we have been able to spend time together like this in a while…)
(But, right now...there’s something that we must do…)
Hey, Azusa kun. So, ...what can be the treasure that is unique…?
Azusa: I also tried to investigate many sources...but...I wasn’t able to find the...exact answer…
Just...in the reply to the letter that I sent to Ruki...there was something interesting about this case…
Yui: Huh? Really?
I am not sure...whether there is such a treasure or not, but…
There’s a valuable thing...which is buried near the Castle town...he said…
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Yui: A valuable thing...Oh...I wonder if it’s an unique treasure…
Azusa: I don’t know...what is it…
However, today is the finale of Parade...looks like...you don’t have much time…
More than that, unless you can find a treasure, you have to rely on that valuable thing. ((The one Ruki told them))
Yui: You are right...What ‘bout asking the flower boy one more time? Maybe he knows something about that?
Monologue—
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A treasure which is one and unique —
We went to the flower boy for the confirmation of our thoughts, he said that there’s certainly a treasure like that.
He weaved his neck when he realized that he doesn’t even know if it is true or not.
Looked like, to know the truth, we had to enter the underground corridor.
… ...At this point...we got no other choice but to choose the direct path.
We took our step for the underground corridor.
End of Monologue
Place: Underground Corridor
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Azusa: Be careful...Eve...there’s a waterway here or you will fall down…
Yui: Thank you…
(Haa...Don’t continue walking in cramped passages...Does people really live here…?)
Underground Dweller A: Hm? You guys are…?
Yui: Ah, I am sorry. There is one thing that we want to ask you.
Azusa: We ... come here to confirm and investigate...if there’s any unique treasure out here...but…
But...do you know something about that treasure?
Underground Corridor’s People A: Hm….
This circuit runs like a mesh through the castle town and the underground was roughly excavated.
But I haven’t heard anything about finding a treasure…
Yui: Is that so…
Underground Corridor’s People A: But I can say something if it’s just a legendary thing.
At the end of the circuit, there is a place where a giant gem is placed on.
It’s a common fact here that the gem must not be moved, you know?
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If you are interested to give it a try then turn on the left and then you will find the gem along a straight line.
Yui: Thank you so much!
(A gem that shouldn’t be moved, huh…?)
Azusa: Eve...let's give it a try...I think that place is quite suspicious…
Yui: Yes...but...maybe we won’t be able to progress…
Azusa: Why’s that…?
Yui: Underground ...we can’t touch anything here he says…and there are also many other prohibitions about it.
If we break these rules, then we’ll be cursed and punished. For this…
(If we face this situation then…)
Azusa: Curse, punishment or whatever...I will undertake...all of it…
Yui: But...you will…!!
Azusa: Nothing is...painful than...if you don’t exist anymore…
I can’t be scared in the first place...if I am not sure about this myth…
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Right now...we don’t have...any other clue...We should accept this opportunity…
Yui: …! *Blushing*
Thank you , Azusa kun…
*After a while*
Yui: This is the gem that we can’t touch…!?
(It’s unexpectedly big...perhaps it should be called a rock rather than a gem…)
(Can we be able to move that…)
Azusa: Looks like...there are residents...over there, so, let's get a good understanding...from them…
Yui: Let’s do it…
*After a while*
Yui: Um...excuse me.
Underground Corridor‘s People B: Miss and sir? What’s up, coming to place…
Azusa: We...want to move that giant gem. Can we attempt...to try that out?
Underground Corridor’s People B: Ofcourse. Moreover, I request you to do that!
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Azusa: Eh!? But, I heard that we shouldn’t touch that…
Underground Corridor Residents B: There’s not a single one who still believes that myth.
Because this stupid thing is here, we residents who live here are not able to make a detoure.
It’s just like a wish or a fulfillment.
(He meant, “Everything working out as desired”, but it sounds a little confusing to me.”)
Yui: (Is that okay if we do it…)
Azusa: Okay then...without delaying anymore...I will try to do it...
Yui: Try your best, Azusa kun
*After a while*
Azusa: Almost there...right…haaah *Tries to move that gem*
Haah...gh...haa *tries more harder*
Yui: (Even though Azusa is trying to push with full power, but...it’s not enough…)
(Alright, I will join him too)
*Yui runs for helping Azusa*
*Azusa is closer to Yui now*
Yui: —I will help you too, Azusa kun!
Azusa: Gh, Thank-you...gh…
Yui: Let’s...do it..gh——
Azusa: Kh...ghh…!!
Yui: —haah..hah…
(What should we do? Looks like the gem won’t move even if we push forever…)
Selection
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Suggest to have a break
Challenge this one more time + (Correct)
Yui: Azusa, what about changing our way of pushing?
Azusa: Huh?...such as...pushing it from the right side…?
Yui: Maybe we should apply some tips on how to apply energy…?
Azusa: If it’s the case, then let’s try to... push from below…?
Yui: Yes, that should do it...I think.?
Azusa: Um...lower your waist a little….
Yui: (Azusa kun is close…!) *Blushing*
Like that…?
Azusa: Exactly…
Now...let’s do it...Eve...heeeh! *Tries to push it*
Yui: —Gh! Gh…!! *Tries to push it*
*Failed*
Yui: Haah...haah…
(No sign of movement...not at all...What should we exactly do?)
*Sound of footsteps*
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Yui: (...! I can hear the footsteps...quite a few people…)
Azusa: Eve...watch out...You can’t leave from my side…
Yui: Y-yes…!
Monologue —
—While doing so, a number of people gathered around me and Azusa. I was confused because I didn’t know what to do.
Azusa kun also seemed to bite his lips making an intricate facial expression.
End of Monologue
*Screen back*
Azusa: ...Hah….
???: Uuh...excuse me, please let it to pass~
Yui: (Eh? That voice…!)
Flower Boy: You two…! Sorry for being late. I have brought some helpers with me!
Yui: (Eh? It’s the boy from the flower…!) ((Shop))
Azusa: All the people here...they all come here...for helping us?
Flower Boy: Yeah, they all gathered here to support you…
Yui: Thank you…!
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Azusa: I am really...thankful...to everyone.
Flower Boy: We also bring a rope. By using this, let’s bind the gem to pull it altogether!
Yui: (— Um...this should do it.)
(A huge bunch of people are gathered like this...as if it’s a tug of war.)
Azusa: Okay then...when I will give you a signal...we all will start pulling at once…
Let’s start...one — two and…!
*They all start pulling*
Yui: ( It’s moving…)
Look, Azusa! The gem is starting to move…!
Azusa: Haah, hah….That’s good…
Let’s go for it once more…!
Yui: (Just a little…!)
*Sound*
—Kh? Hot water began to spout…!?
*Screaming sound of people*
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Flower Boy: E-Everyone! Calm down! First, find shelter—!
Yui: (Water’s gradually expanding! If it’s like this, then we will…!)
Azusa: Yui san...this way…!
*Azusa hugs Yui*
Yui: Azusa kun…!?!
Azusa: Hold on to me tightly…! Don’t leave me, not even once…!
Yui: Yes!
*Screen black*
Azusa: Don’t worry, I will...protect you…!
*They get out*
Place: ディアマンテの泉 / Diamante Fountain
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Yui: ...nh…
Azusa: ...Ghh!...this...place...is…
Flower Boy: Ah, you two! I am so glad! Finally you come to your senses!
Yui: (This is Diamante fountain? We were dragged into the stream water in the underground corridor...I thought)
What about others who were inside…!?
Flower Boy: Don’t be fussed about that...they all are safe.
Yui: Haah! I am glad.
Flower Boy: The hot spring was settled down and it really caught others attention.
Yui: I see. By the way...where have you been until now…?
Flower Boy: I came back from my work and was waiting here until you get back your conscious.
Yui: You didn’t have to...Thank you so much!
Flower Boy: Above all, if I had to say then pleasure was flowing into everyone.
Yui: Pleasure…?
Flower Boy: Yeah, the truth is that...the gem was placed there for stopping hot spring water!
Azusa: What about the treasure…?
Yui: Gem was used for that hot spring...right?
Azusa: Haah!?
Yui: What happened? Isn’t that good because everyone is so pleased about that…
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Azusa: No...it’s no good…
Yui: Eh?
Azusa: Because of this, we can’t face Earl…
We won’t be able to...get back your heart…
Yui: Azusa kun...
Flower Boy: ...ah, I remembered something important! Azusa SAN, please come here.
Azusa: Hm?...Eve, wait a little…
Flower Boy: You know...that…*Whispering*
Azusa: Huh?...Is that so…?
Yui: (What are they talking about?)
(I am a little interested…)
Azusa: That’s it…!
Yui: (What’s so sudden…? His expression was gloomy but now it’s…!?)
*Azusa comes back*
Yui: Azusa kun?
*Azusa gets closer*
Azusa: Let’s go...Yui san!
Yui: (He holds my hand so suddenly…!?) *face red*
*Starts walking*
Yui: W-wait! Where are we going?
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Azusa: To the castle…!
Yui: Ca-castle!?
But the unique treasure...—
(No, let’s be silent...I am sure that Azusa has something in his mind.)
(I have faith in Azusa)
*Continues to walk*
Place: Bernstein Castle, Front Gate
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Azusa: Somehow...I am feeling like I am back…
Yui: Oh, I remembered that this was the place where we visited very first.
(Azusa kun remembered pretty well…)
Yui: I hope Earl Walter will come out…
Azusa: It’s okay...of course he will come…
Yui: (What if he doesn’t....)
Azusa: You are looking so...depressed...Are you okay…?
Yui: Yes…
Azusa: I am not kidding...be lively…
Azusa: Nh...
Yui: …!?...
Azusa: Count on me...Yui san…
Yui: Th-thank you, Azusa kun…
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(He is really reliable...If it’s the Azusa of now, then everything's alright…)
*After a while* 
Azusa: … … …
Earl!...I have brought the unique treasure! ((Loudly))
Earl Walter: Ho? What’s that could be?
Yui: (He isn’t showing himself, I can only hear his voice—!? From where…?)
Azusa: To me...the one and only alternative treasure is…
the spirit of Yui san…!
Yui: ?! Me?
Earl Walter: Fufu! Don’t make me laugh!
Which part of her spirit is compared to the treasure which is only one and unique?
Azusa: You really don’t know…
Because of her, I was rescued from any obstacle…
Thanks to her, that...I was able to change myself like this…
Yui: Azusa kun…!?
Azusa: I didn’t have any confidence...anxiety….and anxiety….for that, I used to hate myself…
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But...now...I have become strong. I care about myself…
It was only possible, because she...supported me, she believed me!
Her kindness changed me…
That’s why I say...her spirit is the only treasure which is irreplaceable…
Yui: Wait, Azusa kun...like that, to me, the unique treasure is only you.
Azusa: Eh…?
Yui: Just like Azusa’s feelings about me...I also...feel the same thing about Azusa...
Azusa: Yui san...!
Yui: I...I received a lot of help from Azusa kun.
So many times, even right now, he protected me.
To me, the only irreplaceable treasure is Azusa kun…
Azusa: Haah...Yui san...Thank you…
Earl Walter: … … …
It’s enough. I am fed up with hearing this boring love affair...
Yui: (Eh? Love affair?)
Earl Walter: But I come to understand everything. It’s a relationship that respects each other’s efforts, right?
I have been watching everything.
You were able to overcome this difficulty.
Certainly, she is that kind of human just like you described.
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Therefore, I shall give back the heart.
Yui: Eh!?
Azusa: Hah? Is that true…!?
Earl Walter: Yeah, of course your heart is already enough to be called a treasure….
I was testing you by stealing that…
You passed pretty well. Especially right now, it was extraordinary.
Yui: We p-passed, you say…
(Using my heart for such a game like this—)
*Heart beating sound*
Yui: ...ugh…
*Screen turns white*
Yui: (In my body...I am feeling a strange feeling but…)
Azusa: Yui san...are you okay?
Earl Walter: Place your hand on the left side of the chest. By doing so, you will understand everything.
Yui: Eh!?
(It’s true...my heart is beating…)
Azusa: Which means...we can live together from now…?
Yui: Looks like so!
Earl Walter: Fufu!~To become delighted like this, it’s not good.
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Just like you will continue walking on the right path from now, if you lose that path at the same time, this treasure will become mine…
*Earl Walter disappeared*
Yui: —!?
Azusa: Earl...disappeared?
Yui: Somehow, we had to swing until the very end.
Azusa: But...it’s fine, I don’t care…
*Azusa hugs Yui*
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Azusa: Because from now on, I can freely live together with you…
It’s already enough to make me happy….
Yui: I also feel the same…!? Azusa kun...from now, I want to live together with you….
Azusa: Yui san…
*Fades to CG*
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Azusa: Thank you...it’s a promise..nnh...*kiss*
—The END of Chapter O 4
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mythiccheroacademia · 4 years
Text
It’s for the Best
A/N: So uhhh...mayhaps I was in my feelings about college and it translated into beating angst into the best boi Sero. This might also be a little something before I disappear into the library again for an indefinite amount of time. Idk. Don’t ask me. But enjoy it
Pairing: Sero X Fem!Reader
Warnings: a lot of cursing, implied sexual activity, angst, no one’s right in this situation
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3
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It’s for the Best
This year hadn’t been kind to you. It hadn’t been kind to anyone. It was Class 1-A’s second year of U.A., and things were tough. Everyone who attended/once attended U.A. knew of the second-year slump.
It was an awful period of time where the students weren’t freshies, but they weren’t seniors either. They were stuck within that awkward in-between. The middle-child of the school. They were growing up. The work was harder. And there was more pressure to look towards the future, but not enough for faculty to really give them a lot of attention.
The feeling of abandonment layered with overwhelming stress could do a number on a student’s mental health.
And it showed between you and Sero’s relationship.
You two were the power couple of your class. The both of you were such a perfect fit, it was heart-warming. Like soulmates, where one was, the other was soon to follow. You two were as natural as air. You just made sense.
So it was worrying when the two of you began fighting.
Of course, couples fight. You’re supposed to once in a while. It was a healthy thing to do. But what you guys were doing was anything but healthy.
You could count the number of times the two of you had a disagreement in the year and a half you dated. They were usually small and ended within the next hour. Forgotten by the next day.
However, this was different. Maybe it was the stress and the existential crises all the students were having every five days, but you two were fighting. A lot.
One day it would be because the other was too clingy. Or maybe it was because someone forgot to text back. Sometimes it was because someone was being too reckless. Other times it was because someone was being too indifferent.
It was always one thing right after the other and it hurt. You both knew nothing would be solved without talking about it, but there wasn’t any time! Between training, studying, and interning, there was barely enough time in the day to eat. Forget about talking, you barely saw each other throughout the day. Sometimes, all you’d hear from the other was a simple “good morning” text to last you for the next two days.
On top of being physically exhausted, you were mentally drained. You couldn’t think straight and your emotions were running amuck when 20 minutes had passed and Sero hadn’t shown up outside the dorms for your date. For the second time that month.
It was past 8pm. Boys were prohibited from going into the girls' dorm, and vice versa, but you didn’t care. You had business to deal with.
You stomped your way through the common room to which the boys sputtered, surprised.
“Y/N? You can’t be in here. Aizawa-Sensei will do room checks any minute,” Kaminari said.
You ignored the statement. “Where’s Sero?”
“Um, in his room but—”
“Thanks. This shouldn’t take long,” you stated. The hard tone in your voice made the blonde frown in worry.
That didn’t sound good.
You left and once you got to his room, slammed the door open with a force that displayed your anger. The sight of him lazily swinging on his hammock, a book in his hand, made you seethe. The sound of the door slamming shut reached through his headphones.
“Hanta.”
“Y/N?”
Sero looked at you, confused as to why the glower on your face was so fearsome. He tilted his head before his eyes widened and he smacked his forehead. He quickly got off the hammock.
“Shit, the date,” he cursed. “Y/n, baby, I’m so sorry. I was studying for Japanese Lit. and I forgot.”
Your eyes followed him as he walked towards you.
“It’s Friday night.”
“I know, but you know how I struggle in that class. I was trying to get a head start.”
You placed your hands on your hips. “We haven’t seen each other in four days and you're telling me you couldn’t stop studying for 2 hours?”
He rubbed his neck and sighed. “I know. It sounds shitty when you say it like that. I apologize, baby.” He went to hold your hand. “Why don’t we—”
“Don’t fucking touch me,” you bit and he jerked to a stop. Anger colored your vision, you went to leave. If you stayed longer, you would say something you would regret. “Just forget about it.”
But Sero put a hand on the door to your dismay. He was pissed over your attitude and, quite frankly, didn’t have the time or energy to deal with it.
“Don’t start this shit again, y/n.”
“Excuse me?”
“You’re being a brat and throwing a temper tantrum. Cut the attitude because I’m not putting up with it.”
“Don’t talk to me like I’m a child,” you said, voice rising.
Sero was quick to match it. “Then stop acting like one.”
You grunted and walked to the other side of the room to put some space between you two. Being near him was making you even more irritated.
“You’re always talking down at me like I’m lesser and it annoys the fuck out of me! I’m your girlfriend, not your daughter, you jerk.”
“What the hell? No I don’t!”
“Yes you do!”
“Well I’m sorry you feel that way, but that’s not true. You’re overreacting.”
“Overreacting? You just did it again,” you exasperated. “You just invalidated my feelings.”
Sero crossed his arms, lips in a firm line. Instead of the light expression he usually wore, his face was tight with bristled anger. Sero was a calm guy by nature, but his temper could be a monster when he was pushed.
“What is this really about? Obviously, you feel some type of way. So, lay it on me,” he shrugged. He was trying to look unbothered, but it wasn’t working. It looked like he was being arrogant and it made you want to scream.
You nodded your head. You’d play his game.
“Okay. Fine. Let’s talk about how you don’t try.”
He had to make a face at that one. Did he hear correctly?
“Who?”
“You,” you pointed. “You don’t try. You’ve missed our date for the second time in two weeks and you don’t care.”
“I apologized.”
“You’re always apologizing after the matter. You never text first, you almost never plan dates anymore, and you barely remember to even say hi to your fucking girlfriend!” you listed.
“That’s fucking bullshit, and you know it,” he shouted. “I do try! Every time I try to find you during lunch, its always, ‘Oh, I’m studying.’ Or, ‘I promised Momo I’d sit with her today.” Or sometimes, I never get a text back.”
“I always apologize for it!”
“Actions speak louder than words.”
You rolled your eyes. “That’s rich coming from you.”
“Oh fuck off,” he waved you off.
All restraint was gone and the two of you started going back and forth, releasing everything you bottled up over the months.
“It’s not my fault I’m busy during the day like every other normal fucking student!” you shouted.
“I’m busy too!”
You narrowed your eyes. “So busy that you can’t make time for a date?” you yelled.
“You’re so worried about the date, I can’t even remember that last time we fucked, y/n!”
“Of course that’s all you care about,” you scoffed. “That’s all you ever care about!”
Sero’s frown deepened and he pointed at you warningly. “Don’t you dare. Don’t you even dare try to pull that one on me. I don’t only care about the sex and you know that,” he said.
He was so offended with that one. You had been insecure about guys only wanting you for your body because that was the only time you were approached. You made him work for your trust and he worked hard as hell to ensure you never thought he was only with you because of that. He’d be damned if you threw it back in his face.
You don’t know when the two of you got so close, but you didn’t appreciate his finger pointing like that at you.
“Could’ve fooled me. And get your finger out of my face,” you seethed, pushing it away.
Sero’s neck had gotten so red that it was a surprise he wasn’t shaking out of fury by now.
“You wanna know what I really think? You’re a controlling, uptight, hypocrite that can’t go two seconds without being the center of attention and you need to grow up. I have more important things in my life to worry about than someone who bitches about every little inconvenience,” he spat.
Your brows raised in feigned amusement and you laughed. Although, it was more incredulous than anything else.
You clasped your hands together and shrugged your shoulders. “Well if I’m such a hypocrite and a controlling, uptight, bitch, why are you with me?”
Not even a beat passed before he answered.
“I don’t know,” Sero said with the same tone.
“Then maybe we should break up.”
He shrugged. “We should.”
For nearly half a minute, the two of you stood there in silence. You stared at Sero as he averted his eyes to the wall, refusing to make any other comments.
Accepting what just occurred, you nodded your head in acknowledgment.
“Okay,” you simply said before calmly leaving his room.
Sero couldn’t watch you leave in fear of breaking. But it wasn’t until you completely left the hallway that he dragged his hand down his face, sighing as his eyes began to burn with tears.
What the hell did you two just do?
712 notes · View notes
twstwonderlandstuff · 3 years
Text
Jamil with a doting and loving little sister
why the fuck does this exist- i dont fucking know
Spoilers for Scary Halloween Event ahead!
“Karin!” A young girl with long, dark hair yelled. “Please don’t run!”
“Eh? But aren’t you excited to see your big brother, Aniq?” Karin shot back, her loose, white hair flitting through the air. “I can’t wait to see what Scarabia’s doing for Halloween this year~!”
“I am too, but...” Aniq forcefully pulled Karin back, leaving Aniq to pout. “I can’t have you ruining the Asim family name looking like that.”
“Eh? But I’m the 12th, it’s not that important.” Karin dragged out, dramatically walking back towards her right-hand (wo)man/best friend. Pouting, she reluctantly let Aniq tidy her appearance- carefully tying the whit turban back in place, tugging the aqua-blue sleeveless top so it covers her decently, making sure the matching colored parachute pants reach her bottoms and shining the golden jewel that rests on her sandals it’s Jasmine.
“There, much better.” Aniq gave her a once over, satisfied at the appearance. “Wait, let me do yours too!” Karin insisted, roughly cleaning Aniq’s image. 
“Ah, don’t-” Aniq gave up, letting the girl do as she pleased- well, it’s not like anyone can see them, right? Just in case, Aniq gave the room they were in (Karin’s room) a onceover, glad that nothing was amiss.
In contrast to Karin, Aniq wore a very simple black cloak that draped gracefully over her shoulders and a collared, midi-length, grey dress that has buttons running its entire length. For a pop of color, orange, curly-toed shoes line her feet (it’s a witch)
“There~ you look better, see?” Karin grinned. “Now we can both look good!”
“Well, I guess... thanks.” Aniq replied, twirling around. “Well then, my lady, shall we go?” She teasingly asked, offering Karin an arm.
“But of course. We can’t have our brother’s anxiously wait for our arrival, can’t we?” Karin answered in kind, looping her arm in hers. 
“They don’t even know we’re coming, how are they supposed to wait?” Aniq sighed. “I wonder if this is really ok...”
“It’s fine, chill. My dad already said ok, and I forced your parents to take you with me!” Karin casually replied, stepping out of the room. A glare from Aniq made her soften her voice.
"You and your abuse of power...” Aniq sighed. “If my parents knew I told you to...”
“Hihihi... ahh, just relax already! We’re going to have fun, and you are prohibited from being anxious, do you understand?! This is a command straight from the master herself, okay?!” Karin commanded, booping Aniq’s nose.
“Hai hai~” The two of them laughed good-naturedly, chatting light-heartedly about other things.
*
"Woah!” Karin exclaimed. “Is this what NRC looks like when it’s Halloween?! It looks so cool...!”
“I know right?!” Aniq noticed a man with what seems like bandages, but made into clothes on him. “Oh, there’s a guy sitting there- let’s ask him for the directions of the Scarabia dorms- oh wait, isn’t that the dorm leader of Octavinelle?”
“Hmm, maybe? I think I remember someone looking like that when we came here last year.” Karin hummed, walking placentally towards the guy. “Excuse me, do you know where the Scarabia venues are?”
"Oh, welcome and happy Halloween. Yes, they are located in the Mystery shop.” Azul explained. “Do you have anything else to add?”
“No, that’s all. Thank you, and happy Halloween!” Aniq replied, flashing him a quick thank you smile before leaving with Karin. 
“Eh, you remember the way?”
“Duh~ I mean, do I not have good memory?” Aniq flexed lightly, grinning.
“Oh yeah, you helped me cheat on that test one time-”
“Ahhh shaddup don’t talk about that!” 
“Eh- but you’re the that brought up the topic!” Karin argued back.
“No, you did! I didn’t say a word about tests!”
“Oh yeah.. ahaha...”
“Ah, what am I going to do with you?” Aniq sighed, shaking her head and smiling. 
*
“There they are- oh...” Aniq’s spirit dissipated after seeing to long, long line that stood in front of the Mystery Shop. “H...how are we supposed to find big bro and Kalim-san now...?”
“Ahh, I don’t know...” Karin echoed, sighing sadly. “But I’m so lazy to wait in line...”
“I’ll wait for you, you go do something else.” Aniq suggested. “I think we passed a haunted house or something. You love those things, right?”
“Yup, thanks Aniq! Karin playfully teased, pressing her lips on Aniq’s cheek. “See ya!”
Aniq blushed deeply, but managed to wave her off. “Honestly, that girl...!” She grunted under her breath, a little bothered. “She’s way too affectionate...”
Aniq aligned herself in the queue, looking around. It certainly is more crowded then last year. I wonder why- oh, right, because of that picture of the ghosts and the cat. Ahh, I kind of want to see the cat... it looks so cute! She thought, smiling at the thought. And the cute girl too... I wonder why there’s a girl in NRC? Ah well, I can ask big bro, can’t I?
She grinned happily at the thought and accidentally overheard the chatter of a few people.
“Ahh, I wonder what angles I should take for the waffle?” Girl A pondered, asking her friend.
“I think from up high is good because the lighting is better. That way, the post will definitely get more likes.” Girl B answered, concluding Girl A’s response.
“Hey, are we going to actually eat the waffle? No, right? It’s so annoying to walk around holding this around...” Girl A sighed, hesitantly looking at the waffle store.
“But it says not to throw it here...eh, I’m sure its fine since everyone is doing it too!”
“Right, right!” The two continued chattering, but Aniq’s eyes went straight for the trash can.
She glanced at the pile of waffles and containers surrounding the trash can. Ahh, I don’t think big bro is going to enjoy that... She spotted several caterpillars and slugs on the trash can and sighed. Most definitely not.
Silently, quietly, she muttered a spell: Spread your wings, and turn the ugly to good.
After a few seconds, the pile of trash became a flight of butterflies, which quickly dissapeared and flitted into the air, along with the caterpillars and slugs.
“Woah, the trash just dissapeared! Is that the way they clean the trash?” Girl A gasped, shaking Girl B by the shoulders.
“So pretty! Let’s throw some more trash so we can see it again! Maybe if we put it on Magicam it’ll become viral!” Girl B added. 
That’s not what I meant to do! “Don’t-” The word slipped out before Aniq could stop herself. The two strangers in front of her glared at her. 
“Have you been eavesdropping on us? That’s rude.”
“Ah- I’m sorry, but I couldn’t help it when you said that you’d continue littering.” She countered calmly.
“Why not? It doesn’t hurt anyone, right?”
“Well, there is a sign clearly indicating that you shouldn’t throw trash, but if you ignore that, then yes, the actions you did obviously have no impact at all.” She chastised sarcastically, pointing towards the sign. 
“Ahh, so annoying! Let’s just wait for the waffles another time. I’m tired of waiting in line anyway.” Girl A said, shooting a dirty glance at Aniq, which she subtly ignored. 
“Yeah.. oh, let’s go to Savanaclaw! Maybe the rumor that...” The 2 customers walked away, letting Aniq take their place. 
**
2 people away from my order... come on, hurry up! Aniq thought impatiently. Ah, shit, where’s Karin?
She hurriedly pulled out her phone and called. After precisely 3 rings, Karin’s cheery voice rang from the other side. 
Hello?
Is everything okay on your end?
Ehh, are you worried~?
When am I never worried? Aniq deadpanned.
That’s true, yeah. I’m okay! I took a picture with THE Malleus Draconia, can you believe it?! I mean, there were these people who tried touching him, but I got a brain, so I didn’t do that. 
Heh?! Really? Woah, they have some guts! Aniq replied in surprise. 
“Next.” She stepped forward one step, noticing that the server had some wolf ears attached to them. Hmm, I don’t remember Scarabia students having animal ears... it’s probably for the costume.
Oh, and I found the cute girl in the picture you were talking about! 
Eh, did you find the cat and the ghosts too?! Send me the pictures ya! Aniq reminded her.
Yup, will do~ Karin replied fleetingly. They were swarmed with people haha! I pitied them, so I just... watched as the throng of people overwhelmed them. The people were saying something about the Malleus Draconia challenge, or something.
Eh, really? What’s it about?
Like, they have to film them touching him. Isn’t that crazy?
Well, more like moronic but yeah, I guess. I heard a few people talk about Magicam here too. ‘Let’s upload the waffle pictures! It’ll definitely get a lot of likes!’ then they throw it away! So stupid, right? Karin snorted.
...Are there people in the area-
Oh shit-
Oh my god you dumbass- Aniq could hear her friend laugh. Well, order some waffles for me, okay? I’m headed over there right now.
Aight then, bye!
Bai bai~
Click.
“Next, please!” The Scarabia student called, prompting Aniq to eagerly step forward, happy to see her big brother-
“Oh, is that you, Aniq?” Kalim cheerfully asked, prompting Aniq to quickly bow. 
“Ah, Kalim-sama!” Kalim laughed. 
“Raise your head up, jeez! I told you over and over you don’t need to do that, ya know~” Kalim lectured playfully, resulting in a quiet giggle from Aniq.
“Yes, master!” She inclined, using her left hand as a salute. “Can I take a picture- after I order, of course!”
“Sure!” Kalim agreed. “So, what do you want?”
“2 NRC waffles, please.” Kalim cringed at the word. “You’re going to actually eat it, right~?”
“Of course! What’s the point of buying food you’re not going to eat?” She casually answered back. 
“Don’t be so casual, Aniq.” Jamil’s voice floated through the booth. She grinned once she saw him. 
“Big bro!” Jamil was quick to give her a head pat, which she radiated from. “Aha, sorry... it slips out sometimes.”
“Hmm.” Jamil replied. “Kalim, the residents of Scarabia are asking for your help. Can you handle it by yourself?”
Kalim nodded, putting a thumbs up. “Leave it to me!” He then left to help with whatever needed to be done.
Aniq eyed her big brother. “Oh, you’re donned in a costume too, big bro.”
“All vice-dorm leaders and leaders are required to wear the costumes.” 
“Oh, did you make it, big bro?” Jamil shook his head. 
“No, Vil did- Pomefiore dorm leader.”
“Ahhh, you mean the pretty guy in charge of the mirror of chambers?” Jamil nodded. “I saw it on one of the flyers plastered on the walls.” 
"Ah, that makes sense. Ah, Aniq.”
“Mhmm?”
“Can you guess the theme of our dorm venue? I’ll add in a special treat if you guess it right.” Jamil teased, watching his sister’s eyes light up. 
“Really?! Well, um...” Her eyes quickly darted to take in the surroundings. The ragged carpet draped across the trees and roofs, with lanterns hanging from the trees. “Well, it’s very LHS (Land of Hot Sands)… oh!” She gasped, clicking her fingers. “Is it recyclable material? The carpets are made out of rags, and the lanterns out of reusable plastic.”
Jamil hummed, genuinely pleased. “You’re right.” Aniq beamed at the praise. ““I assume you’re with Karin?” He questioned.
“Mhmm, but she’s in the haunted house, or wherever Malleus Draconia is in. ”Oh, by the way, bro, what’s with the trash piling in front of the station? Are people really just buying the waffles to take pictures on Magicam?” Aniq asked, watching his eyebrows furrow.
"Unfortunately.” Jamil sighed. handing her the cones. "We tried telling them off, but they wouldn’t listen. They also bugged with Kalim’s tail.” Jamil smiled smugly, giving her the scones back. “Oh, and thank you for the trash.” 
“Ah, you saw, big bro?” She asked happily. Jamil shook his head. “You shouldn’t be using your UM so casually.”
“I know, I know, but it did help, right?” She grinned, but before she could continue, someone behind her whispered: “Oh my god she’s taking so long!”
“Oh, right!” Aniq quickly realized. “Um, chocolate for me and Mint choc-chip for Karin.”
“Of course.” Jamil got right to it, taking the wrappers from their containers. 
“How’s everything going, big bro?” Jamil raised an eyebrow at the question. “You know what I mean, with Kalim-sama... and everything.” Aniq asked, staring straight at her brother, who sighed deeply. 
"Don’t say that out in public.”
“But I’m worried! You’re doing okay, right?” Aniq frowned.
“It’s been... decent. He still treats me like a friend, no matter how many times I shrug him off. It’s annoying.” Jamil hissed, putting more force then usual when putting the waffles. “I’m just thankful nobody- except you- knows about this back home.”
“Ahaha... Kalim-sama is always like tha-” Her phone rang, interrupting her talk.
Hell-
ANIQ SOMETHING HAPPENED!
Jamil, well understanding the circumstances, quickly handed her the waffles, mouthing ‘For free.’ Aniq grinned in thanks and waved goodbye, walking away. 
What happened?!
I found this cute guy, and- Aniq wanted to slap her.
Oh my god, I thought you were in ACTUAL trouble you dumbass!
Hehe- anyways I found this really cute guy and he’s got ears and- OH MY GOD HE’S COMING MY WAY- oh nevermind he’s walking away...
Aniq couldn’t help but laugh at her friend’s simping level. I’ll be there right away. Maybe we can get you to score a date with him.
so basically lads
Aniq (which means classy in Arabic haha see what I did there): Jamil’s younger sister
Karin (a play on the Kalim’s name): Kalim’s younger sister
also they cute Karin’s just rlly affectionate 
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Text
Disclaimers, Rules, FAQ, and Resources
Hi everyone! Here’s the official one-stop post for this blog and how it runs. I’m excited to get things moving again after my long hiatus!
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Note: as of April 20, 2021 I am putting a temporary hold on answering advice asks. The inbox is still open for advice, but I’m just going through some personal things and need a little break, so I might not respond as soon as you like. Submissions will still be posted and my own suggestions will still be coming! Thank you~
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This is a list of the topics asked very, very frequently and a quick answer to them. If I find your ask to be redundant and think it can be answered on this list, it will be deleted. This is not meant to ignore you; this is to keep ask traffic lower so that I can answer more people instead of repeating the same answer for one general topic.
“Would it be wrong of me to get revenge on [person] for [reason]?” - Yes. I don’t ever condone revenge for any reason when it comes to relationships. Don’t stoop to their level. Don’t give them the satisfaction of knowing you’re angry/upset with them. The best way to say “fuck you” to someone is to cut them off and move on, because you’re taking away the power they held over you.
“I’m in an LDR and my partner isn’t reaponding to my texts like they used to.” - Communicate. LDRs have no room for not responding to texts and calls because that’s the only way you get to connect. If they still aren’t willing to talk after multiple attempts to discuss the issue(s) at hand, you can give them an ultimatum or just leave.
“How do I get my crush to notice me?” - Talk to them. If you’re wanting to get their attention, reach out to them.
“How can I start a conversation with my crush?” - Casually compliment them, find something in the environment to comment on or send them a meme “accidentally”. It’s not creepy to start a conversation, and it could lead to a new friendship or something more! Just don’t rush things.
“How do I impress my crush?” - Be yourself. Seriously. If you try to be anything other than you, or if you do things you usually never do or don’t like to do, it won’t end well. If you did manage to reel in your crush and start dating, it would be under false pretenses and likely wouldn’t last long.
“I confessed to my crush, but they rejected me.” - Accept their answer. No means no, no exceptions. The worst thing you could possibly do is keep trying to get them to say yes. If they offer to stay friends after they reject you, it’s your choice to keep them in your life or to move on.
“I have a crush on someone who is already in a monogamous relationship.” - There’s nothing wrong with having a crush. What matters is that you do not, under any circumstances, interfere with their relationship. It will hurt to see them with someone else, but if you love them, you should respect their choices and who/what brings them happiness.
“I have/my partner has a crush on someone else.” - If you’re dating casually, this isn’t super uncommon, but if it bothers you, say something. If you’re in a committed relationship, this could be an issue because one of you doesn’t have your heart fully in it. If you feel like you two have become distant or that the trust is broken, communicate and determine where to go from there.
“I have a crush on someone, but they’re [sexuality, gender].” - In the same way they respect your gender and sexuality, you need to respect theirs, too. If they express interest outside of their sexual orientation, you can be there to support them, but do not force things unless you want to push them away or break your bond with them.
If you feel your question isn’t answered here depite being related to something on the list, or you need more specific advice, please don’t hesitate to reach out after you have read this list thoroughly and completely!
Resources (USA)
Crisis text line: Text HELLO to 741741
Domestic abuse hotline: 1-800-799-7233 (SAFE)
Sexual assault hotline: 1-800-656-4673 (HOPE)
Suicide prevention hotline: 1-800-273-8255 (TALK)
Substance abuse services (SAMHSA): 1-800-662-4357 (HELP)
Trevor Lifeline (LGBTQ mental health crisis hotline): 1-866-488-7386
Eating disorder helpline: (Call or Text) 1-800-931-2237, via NEDA
Dating issues/abuse: via loveisrespect.org
Birth control information: via Planned Parenthood
If anyone has resources for the UK, Canada, Australia, or any other country, please let me know. I want to only have the best and most reliable ones here, and it’s difficult to know which ones to include. Thank you in advance!
…………………
About Me
My main is @serenityfive! If reply to you in a post, that’s where I’ll be talking from. Same with if I follow you or I’m scrolling through and liking stuff on your blog. I like to pick a blog at random in the notes and look around since I’m trying to find people to follow despite tumblr being dead!
I started this blog in 2018 to express my feelings for a guy I had a massive crush on who eventually became my boyfriend. We have been together for 2 and a half years now and are living happily in Colorado! My side of our story can be found here 💕
So, a little bit more about me... I’m 22, I like cooking, gaming, cats, nature, and I have a strong interest in health and nutrition. I’m currently finishing my associate’s degree and want to obtain a certification in surgical technology!
I’m happy to make people smile with this blog; you guys are very fulfilling and kind, and I thank you! If anyone wants to chat, just hit me up~
With love,
Lily
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inessencedevided · 4 years
Text
The Untamed, episode 43 - watching notes
The sun is setting on this show for me and I'm not ready to say goodbye yet 😔
(As if I will! Ha. Imma blog about nothing else the next ... probably years)
Last time on Sophie watches the untamed: We're still in the restricted section. The twin love-struck idiots of lan and wwx found the Collection of turmoil and suspect Jin Guangyao of intentionally bringing about Nie Mingjue's qui deviation.
As much as I love the "hihi. Wwx is wearing his boyfriend's underrobe" aspect of this, I also like the visual incorporation of lwj's colour scheme into wwx's clothes. (Not just through the undertone, his black tone also has slight grey seam.) It's as if now that they are finally fully committed to each other, wwx is displaying it for all the world to see
Jin Guangyao tore out a page to hide the evidence. That's not how to do that!!!
My heart is breaking for Lan Xichen. He looks like a man standing on a train track and watching the light speed towards him in horror while he's unable to move away
Feels like exactly no one on this show is getting their happy ending
*thinks about yi city and cries forever*😭😭😭
"Wangji, Jin Guangyao,in my eyes, is a totally different person from how you and other people see him." And we all know that lwj knows exactly what that's like
PARALLELS! 😭
(Sorry, I have a thing for those)
And lwj looks so pained
Thinking about it, it's now the man lwj loves against the man lxc loves (in whatever way. I still ship them. Not sure if its "canonically" romantic though). They can't both be right, so ... one of them is going to get their heart broken
Great, first the Yunmeng brothers, now the lan brothers are breaking my heart 🥺
Lwj says he's visiting "Grand Master", that's Lan Qiren right? What happened to him anyway? Haven't seen him in ages
I love how, even though it is wwx's word against jgy's right now, lan Xichen is still genuinely kind towards wwx
The whipping scars! I hadn't even thought about those anymore 😳
I'm probably going to get my heart ripped out soon, but before that
"You are not qualified to talk to me."
Sickest. Burn. Ever.
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Also, no disrespect to the actor, but that's a backpfeifengesicht if I've ever seen one
(Backpfeifengesicht: "German compound word for a 'face that should be slapped'. Ex:. When GWB smirks on TV, my German friend Uwe tells me that he sees a 'Backpfeifengesicht'." Urban dictionary)
He went to burial mount after wwx was killed??? 🥺🥺🥺
I've noticed something with lwj. When he's distressed, he won't look people in the eye or not even at their faces, just in their very general direction. To me it seems like he almost... can't? Any thoughts on that? Cause I'm intrigued but I can't think about it too much right now cause I'm already writing half an essay in this commentary again 😅
Oh fuck YOU Jiggy!!!
Holy shit ... holy shit
Lan Wangji 🥺🥺🥺
He fought against everyone?
This is how he showed his grieve???
He went to the place wei Wuxian had called home and ... what? Protected or ot so they wouldn't desecrate it? To search for him? To ... what?
Oh god, Wangji! 😭
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That image... I'm speechless. It's so powerful
He's half-mad with grieve and kneeling in the ruins of his dead loves home, having fought himself to exhaustion and I'm... not okay 😭😭😭
He had to repent for THREE YEARS??
Oh no, you don't
Holy ...
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Holy shit
How can my heart break and be so full at the same time 💔🥺
Lan Wangji ... my love
I'm ... so proud of him and yet so sad
Here he is at his lowest, finally standing up to the orthodoxy he knows to be wrong
This is inhumane 😳
The corporal punishment of the lan sect always was but THIS
Fuck them
Or Lan Qiren specifically
That's his nephew. How can he even look at himself?
"Eradicate evil. Establish laws. Than goodness will be everlasting."
IT'S NOT THAT FUCKING EASY!!!
WHAT EVEN IS "GOODNESS"? WHOSE VERSION OF GOODNESS? DEVINE EVIL! HOW FAR REACHING INTO THE PRIVATE SVERE SHOULD THUSE LAWS BE? DOES IT STOP AT "DON'T STEAL FROM PEOPLE OR AT "DON'T PICK YOUR NOSE AT DINNER"?
what I'm saying is: there are about 200 ethical question ls being raised by this rule alone!
And now lan Wangji had 3 tears to contemplate them
Wwx asking "why would he bother ...?" BECAUSE YOU ARE LOVED YOU GODDAMN IDIOT!!
Ohhh! We're getting their parents' story 😱
Oh this IS a Lan episode 💙
So another Lan falling quickly and never looking back?
I'm sensing a pattern here 🤨
Wait what?
Let me get this straight:
Their father loved a woman who DID NOT love him back and then killed one of his teachers
(And I hope we find out why. That sounds like there is a REALLY interesting story there)
Then he takes her to cloud recess and DESPIT HER NOT LOVING HIM, marries her, fathers two children with her (um... how voluntary was that????) locks her up (as punishment for the murder?) then locks HIMSELF up and then fucks of and leaves his children with their uncle
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What kind of disaster human being was their dad????
Did he do the right thing WHEN HE MARRIED AND PROBABLY RAPED A WOMAN WHO DIDN'T LOVE HIM???
NO!!!
The fuck kinda question is that ??
If you have to marry her against her will and then lock her up, guess what? That's not love, that's wanting to possess someone
I hope that maybe the connotation is different in the og Chinese,but I'm not holding out much hope
That explains why Qiren is such a lovely character through 😒
But god, my heart breaks for lwj and lxc :'(
Little Lan Wangji!!! 🥺🥺🥺
Oh darling ...
Oh no ...
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Look at him look at his crooked little headband😭😭😭
He went there every month!!!
Oh Wangji 💔💔
Stubborn, steadfast, loving Wangji!
That seals it. I KNEW why he was my favourite character
He isn't so passive all the time, because he feels too little! He feels entirely too much!!! 😭😭😭
And that explains why lwj was so worried about wwx's demonic cultivation harming him!!! 😭
Oh god, it was such an old hurt for him. I had no idea 🥺🥺🥺
All of these characters need a therapist
Lxc playing the flute to what ... deal with his emotions? Express his grieve? Remeber their mother? (And god, do I want to know more about her!!) Either way, It's making me tear up 😥
"It's so difficult to determine others personalities depending on our perspective." Welcome to the human condition, my friend 💙
And that's love
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I ... wish I could show you my face right now
I'm smiling through tears right now
It's so utterly beautiful
He looks so vulnerable here! With his hair (almost) down
And given what we've just learned, that's remarkable!!!
He closed himself off became the immovable stone-faced second Jade of Lan and yet, somehow, wwx wormed his way into his heart and sure, both of them needed to overcome a lot, but here they are, vulnerable and open,not letting their parent's fate decide theirs
I'm... *sniff*
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I can never get enough of lwj with his hair like this!!
It's so domestic, so soft
And look at his face! 😭
And mister "alcohol is prohibited" is now serving it 😭
Oh my god this scene is so beautiful
I'm speechless
Was the second flute Jin Guangyao as well?
At this point I'm just expecting more plot-twists
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He looks so young! 🥺
Both of them are exhibiting so much growth in this episode!! Wwx realising that the fact that the cultivation world had always looked for a scapegoat and that he himself was just the most convenient target, that it's not to any personal failing of his, that's HUGE!
And I'm so proud of him :')
Lwj starting to play in the distance :')
This is so utterly peaceful
My heart is bursting 😭😭😭
The music, the scenery ...
Also, both thinking they have a clean conscious!!! 😭😭😭
Again, it's them holding the same morals that's important! I cannot tell you how happy that makes me!
(But wwx still cannot drink like a normal person :D)
The contrast to lxc sitting alone couldn't be starker 😔
Wait, why are there puppets at burial mounds again?
Are we going back to burial mounds? I'm weirdly excited 😅
Aaand Jin Guangyao just proved to them that he's lying. Poor Xichen
Yup, I'm pretty sure his heart just snapped in half
Little Apple!!! I've missed him 😁
Gosh, they're laying it on thick with the domestic husband bliss this episode and I'm here for it.
I love lwj's soft smile when he looks at bunnies so much!! 🥰
Bunnies, bunnies everywhere
It's the invasion of the bunnies
Who ever is the show runner *banging pots and pans together* IT'S GAY!! cab you all hear me? These two love each other! It's G - A - Y!!! Gay!!!
Probably
Lwj's shocked look when wwx says that he's not popular with little animals, as if to say "how dare they!" :D
Holy shit ... HOW MANY SCENES CAN THEY INCLUDE IN THIS EPISODE THAT MAKE THEM LOOK SO GODDAMN MARRIED???
Is wwx sitting side saddle?
Wwx plays wangxian :')
He finally remembers how lwj recognized him :')
Sneaky, show, very sneaky :D
Wwx about to casually steal some melons, lwj *wordlessly takes out money* ^^
MIANMIAN!!!! AAAAAAHHHHHH!
I'd given up hope that we'd see her again!!!
I'm so happy I could burst!!!
Lwj's little exasperated head-shake before he stands up from crouching behind some hay 😂
Aww, look at her family! 😍😍😍
She build her own live :')
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And look at this badass woman protecting the ones she loves!!!
ARE YOU KIDDING ME WEI WUXIAN??? You don't remember her???
You better remember my wife!!!
Aaand another freeze frame. But I'm willing to forgive it because THIS EPISODE WAS SO GODDAMN BRILLIANT!
It made me realise why I was so drawn to lan Wangji as a character. Of course he is mu favourite character! He ticks every single box
Let me explain. My favourite characters almost always share the following characteristics: seems either cold and distant or ethereal and aloof, as if they are above such puny human things like feelings™️(bonus if they're actually not human and their argument is "I'm [insert species]. We can't feel [insert emotion they are definetly feeling very strongly]"). then, over the course of the story, we (along with they themselves because they were in denial) discover that it's not that they feel too little, they feel entirely too much. They're a sea of emotions so deep that the surface is calm, but don't you dare be near them when the storm is coming because all hell will break loose. (extra bonus point if that storm involves them rebelling against the oppressive society they were born into and adhered to until then because they realise their consciousness won't allow it any longer.) afterwards they realise that making themselves vulnerable once in a while is actually a good thing and they proceed to fuck the Rebel™️ who they've secretly been in love with the entire time, a feeling they only now allow themselves to act on
The last part sadly isn't always canon, but who has ever had time for that?
You know what this episode made me realise most of all? The Lan sect are just as human as the rest of them. In fact, they seem to be especially prone to acting rashly on strong emotions. (I don't remember the exact story, but didn't the founder of the Lan sect also have some kind of tragic love story?) It should be obvious, but the impression you get is that they are so detached from their wants, so rigorous and disciplined in their righteousness, that they are almost super-human. But no. Thise 3000 and some rules? They weren't born out of some enlightened mind that had the secret of live figures out, they're a crutch. Abiding by them without question rids one of responsibility to make even the tiniest moral choice for oneself. But that won't work because a) they're bounty to contradict each other at some point and b) that's not how human beings work. They're messy and unpredictable and beautifully complicated. The way Lan Qiren choses to apply them, he completely disregards that. At that point, the rules aren't there anymore to grant a harmonious society, but simply for their own sake. (Or maybe as a wall to hide behind)
@sweetlittlevampire @fandom-glazed @elenirlachlagos @allhailthedramallama @luckymoony @kyrrahbird @i-love-him-on-purpose
I think this liveblog has been the longest so far. I'm sorry for going on so many tangents, but lwj's backstory hit me really hard. I hope you guys weren't too bored 💚
(I also apologise for the mountains of typos that probably accumulated in this post. I'm too tired to check.)
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annabethsgodcomplex · 3 years
Text
Hunters of Artemis Adventures: Two Hunters, An Empousa and a McDonald’s Happy Meal
(So I decided to go ahead with the Hunters of Artemis stories thing I was going to do. I present to you my first one. Hope you guys like it)
‘McDonald’s’ Bella said, while pulling her hair back into a braid.
‘Isy, that’s an incredibly random way to start a conversation.’ her friend Maria replied. ‘Would you mind elaborating?’
‘I was thinking that we should go to McDonald’s.’
‘Why?’
‘Normal, non-death related purposes?’
Maria sighed. ‘Like those deer bones we were going to leave behind and you tried to hide from me?’
‘No idea what you’re talking about’, the daughter of Hades grinned cheekily. ‘But the McDonald’s may be for death related purposes. Just a little bit…’
‘Do continue.’
‘You know how we visited Camp Half-Blood the other day and I was talking to my brother Nico?’
‘Half-brother.’
‘Same thing. Anyway, he was telling me how to summon the dead with Happy Meals.’
‘Let me guess, you want to try it. And you want me to help.’
‘Correct. If you help you can choose who I summon.’
‘How could I say no to such a tempting offer?’
‘Is that a yes?’
‘Of course.’
‘I’ll just grab my weapons and some mortal money and we can head off.’
‘Sounds good.’
Bella darted off to her tent and picked up her bow, her hunting knife and an axe she found in one of the trees and decided to keep. ‘I’m back!’ she called out to her friend.
‘What’s with the armoury?’ Maria giggled. ‘You planning a fight?’
‘Nah. Just wanna be prepared.’
‘Fair enough.’ Maria fiddled with the chopsticks she wore in her hair. They had been a present from her older brother in Italy before she’d joined the hunt in the renaissance period. They were all she had left of her brother other than memories. Bella slung her bow over her back and stashed her hunting knife in her belt. She struggled to find a place for the axe. Maria giggled watching her friend try to stuff it in various places before turning it into a silver brooch with a symbol of Hades on it.
‘Nice trick, how did you do that?’
‘Like my sister Hazel, I have control over precious metals. I prefer my death related powers but the metals thing always helps in a pinch. Let’s Naruto run to McDonald’s!’
‘Naruto… run?’
‘Right sorry. I keep forgetting you’re not from this century. It’s an anime thing. Watch me.’
‘Ok.’ Maria said, confusion etched on her features. Bella ran, leaning forward with her arms straight out behind her torso. ‘Now you try Mari!’ Hesitantly, Maria mimicked her friend’s actions as the ran through the woods. They ran to the edge of the woods and stopped. ‘So was that supposed to achieve something?’ Maria asked.
‘Other than fun? Not really. It’s just more fun than normal running.’
‘It’s certainly… interesting. I guess.’
‘You loved it.’
‘I didn’t hate it.’
‘Good enough.’ A cheeky grin took over her features, a glint of danger in her eye. As much as her friend liked to feign a cheeky sort of cheerfulness, Maria knew there was a certain darkness within. Bella had once confessed that she felt a constant pull to do something terrible. She scared even herself. She had been bullied relentlessly by a pack of boys in the mortal world and she joined the Hunt to get away from them and what she’d done. She’d found a new family in the Hunters of Artemis but Maria worried her friend’s darkness might come back if she could no longer control it. Maria pushed the thought out of her mind. She trusted her friend could control herself. Maria grinned back.
They headed into the shop. It wasn’t too busy, they had beat the lunch time rush but the few people in there didn’t seem like much to worry about. An elderly couple ate at a table in the far corner, some teen troublemakers who must have been ditching school hung around together casting glances in their directions before Bella pulled out her hunting knife and glared at them. ‘Bella!’ she hissed. ‘Put that thing away. We don’t need the police getting involved. We’re already sneaking away from camp. Imagine what would happen if we had to be escorted back in handcuffs!’
‘Ok, ok. But did you see the way they looked at us? Men. Ugh.’
‘True’ Maria giggled. ‘But they’ll have got the picture now thanks to you and your knives.’
‘You say the word ‘knives’ like it’s a bad thing.’
‘Well consider bringing knives out in public is considered a threat, it probably is a bad thing.’
‘Touché’
Maria rolled her eyes and went up to the counter to order. ‘Stay here and don’t cause trouble’ she told her friend.
‘No promises’. As Maria went to order, Bella noticed a young girl, around the age of 5 or 6, staring at them intently. She had a Monster High-Style fanged lipstick accessory in her hair. The girl’s gaze was piercing and sent shivers up her spine. There was something off about her and she didn’t want to stick around long enough to find out what it was. When their food was ready, Bella said to Maria, ‘There is a creepy girl staring at me and I don’t like it.’
‘You’ll live.’
‘Look at her! She’s creeping me out. I think she might be a monster.’
‘Are you sure?’
‘Of course I’m sure.’
‘Then let’s get out of here before we get confirmation of that. Lady Artemis will be worried if she finds out that we’re missing and it’ll be worse if we come back dead. You know how she is.’
‘Yeah. I don’t want to get a lecture.’
They left the store and the girl followed. They quickly realized they weren’t going to get out of there without a fight. ‘Maria. Get your weapons ready. We’ll most likely need to fight our way out of here.’ Maria nodded. ‘Need a weapon Mari?’ her friend asked. ‘I brought 3.’
‘No. I’m good milady.’ She pulled the chopsticks out of her hair and pretended to rearrange her dark curls into a neater updo.
‘Excuse me. I’ve lost my mummy and I need help.’ A child’s voice called out. They turned around and saw the little girl. Instead of looking lost or worried, she was smirking and a sadistic light flared in her brown eyes. The smirk turned into a fanged grin. Her voice changed from child-like to demonic. Maria held her chopsticks in and ‘x’ position and they morphed into long swords. Bella on the other hand was having a crisis. ‘Mari which weapon should I use. It’s so hard to pick!’
‘Use your bow, it will give you a better range.’
‘Good idea.’ Bella unslung her bow and loaded it with an arrow. ‘Bring it on Empousa! Fight me like a woman! Or are you scared enough to fight like a man?’
‘Good one.’
‘Thanks milady’ she replied with a mock bow.
Unbeknownst to the girls and the Empousa, Artemis had appeared at a safe distance. She was prohibited from intervening unless necessary by the ancient laws.
‘Well, well, well.’ The Empousa snarled. ‘Let’s see how your so-called immortality holds up against me. I heard you can still die in battle. I’ve always wanted to hear the screams of a dying huntress being ripped to shreds by my talons.’
‘Oh bring it on! I haven’t had a good workout in centuries!’ Maria called out. ‘This is your last chance to turn back.’
‘You talk a big game huntresses. You amuse me.’
‘We’re used to big game. It’s what we do’
‘Your bark seems worse than your bite, Empousa.’ Bella chimed in. ‘Oh wait. That’s for dogs! You’re like what? One quarter donkey?’
‘And 50% chicken it seems.’ Maria smirked, preparing to strike.
‘Okay Maria. On three. You take one side, I’ll take the other.’
Maria nodded. ‘One…two…three!’
‘I normally go for men’, the Empousa growled, growing impatient with the smack talk. ‘But I must say ladies, you’ve earned your deaths as much as them’
A dangerous glint in her eye, Bella snarled. ‘We’re nothing like men!’
‘You just won a free trip to Tartarus Resort!’ Maria taunted. She advanced with her swords, slashing savagely at the Empousa. ‘Nice one Maria!’ Bella called encouragingly, firing arrows at the weakest points on the monster and avoiding its bronze leg. ‘How’s it looking? You got her other side covered Mari? I’m almost out of arrows and she’s still breathing.’ Maria slashes at the Empousa’s donkey leg, crippling it. ‘I’m ok!’ Maria called back, dodging the monster’s attacks and slashing her in several places. She chops the monster’s hand off and calls to her friend ‘Isy. End her! Now!’
Bella stashed away her bow and brought out her hunting knife. She lunged at the monster’s heart, landing a fatal blow that causes the monster to disintegrate into dust. Maria’s swords turn back into her signature chopsticks as she places them in her hair. ‘Good job kiddo.’ She smiles. Panting, Bella turns around. ‘You too milady. You were quite impressive out there. We should get back to camp before anyone notices we’re missing and starts to worry.’
‘We’ve only been gone for a little over an hour.’ Maria pointed out.
‘That may be so, but I’m incredibly noisy and it won’t take long for them to figure out why the Camp is awfully quiet.’ She retorted, flashing her friend a cheeky grin.’
‘Very true.’ Maria laughed. They turn to head back to camp after picking up their bag of food and spot Artemis. ‘Oh. Hello milady.’ She said with a curtsey.
‘Hi milady,’ Bella said awkwardly, attempting to look innocent. ‘How’s the… weather?’
Maria laughed at her friend’s attempt at innocence.
‘Where have you two been?’ Artemis fretted. ‘I was worried sick when I couldn’t find you!’
Maria attempted to explain the situation. ‘My apologies milady. We were just…’
‘Just what?’ Artemis countered. ‘No note. Bows gone! You could have died at the hands of that Empousa! Or worse men could have kidnapped you!’ They all shuddered at the word men.
‘In our defence milady. That wouldn’t have been likely for us but you’re right I suppose.’ Maria admitted.
‘Regardless of if it could have happened or not, I had no idea where the two of you were!’ They started off back to camp, Artemis chastising them.
‘So,’ Bella piped up. ‘Do we get a punishment or is this a first offence sorta thing?’
Maria facepalmed at her friend’s bluntness. Artemis cracked a smile. ‘No my dears. No punishment except for making me worried out of my mind.’
‘Milady.’ Bella said softly. ‘You worry too much. We’re very capable and you have trained us well.’
‘I know my dears. I just worry for you. You and the other Hunters are the daughters I will never be able to have.’
‘I understand milady.’ Maria replied. ‘But we know how to take care of ourselves. You saw that.’
‘I guess you’re right but I don’t have to like it.’ Artemis allowed. ‘Now I’ve changed my mind about not giving you a punishment. You are so cleaning up after the campfire tonight. But if you’re lucky, Thalia might pitch in to help the both of you.’ They all shared a laugh as they made their way back to camp, the sun starting to set behind them.  
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