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bipp-bopp-time-to-stop · 1 month

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A Divine Devotee

It's finally here and I'm at 100 followers! It's still sinking in for me but I wanted to do something to celebrate. Given how loved "Far More Than Just A Mask" is, I decided that a part two to it would be great for my 100 follower fic. Getting it written, like all of my fics, was something of a process so I hope it's at least as good as the first part. Hope you all enjoy!

TW: Yandere themes, blood, descriptions of a violent ritual, gore, cannibalism (accidental, technically), nudity, Fierce goes absolutely mental and no one has a Good Time TM

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Learning to live with the Fierce Deity in the flesh was something you expected to be akin to a thorn in your side. He was, in a way, just that. Were he not tasked with something, he was beside you. Even if he wasn’t by your side for whatever reason, that didn’t mean he still wasn’t with you in some capacity.

That strange bond he forced created between the two of you was still present. With every passing day, it seemed to weaken but you doubted it would every go away. In the present, it was hard to send little more than a handful of words over the bond, so the two of you relied on emotion. You never really thought about what it would feel like to be emotionally connected to another person (much less a god) but what you got wasn’t something you expected.

Emotion did not radiate off of him in a way you could sense it. It wasn’t some visible aura around him nor did it replace your own. Rather, it was a feeling in you body. Your being would alight with a hot flash at his anger or your extremities would slowly turn numb and freeze at despair. Your lungs would stutter and your eyes would sting with his sadness and your heart and brain would flood with dopamine at his joy. Not matter how he felt, it was always extreme.

Yet, when you once asked him what your emotions felt like, he described it as trying to sense the presence of a mouse. Your emotions, quite simply, were but a whisper to him. Despite that, he claimed he always did his best to sense and feel them. You had no choice but to experience his emotions so he felt it only fair that he try to do the same.

It had confused you, at first, as to why it was like this. Why he was so extreme and you weren’t in the eyes of the bond. Although he may be “talkative” with you, he’s typically quiet and rather neutral around the rest of the boys. All it took was some few minutes of thinking when the answer quite literally appeared in his name.

Fierce Deity.

He is a god and you are a mortal. Gods, in comparison to mortals, live at an unreachable extreme. It would certainly explain why Fierce always had that air of intensity to him. It would also explain why you felt so minute in comparison to him. It made you worry about what the future may hold. Would he eventually grow tired of how little you were in relation to his divinity? Would his boredom lead to him simply leaving or acting upon his name towards you and the group to amuse himself? Pessimism was easy to reach your mind nowadays and you know (you hoped) that such thoughts could never come true, but your brain refused to shut up.

Large bulky arms secure themselves around you and startle you from your spiral. The smell of rancid iron assaults your nose and the seeping wetness of your clothes makes it clear that you’re going to say goodbye to yet another outfit. A weighty head rests itself upon you and the rumbling hum that sounds though the chest pressed against your back resonates through your nerves. As the arms strengthen their embrace even further, you find yourself being slowly lifted from the ground.

“What ails you, dearest?” Fierce inquires. He audibly huffs and puffs in the scent of your hair but such oddities have long since lost their weird factor on you.

“Nothing too important, Fie- uhm, honey. Just my brain not wanting cease its ramblings. What… about you?” You respond as you look down at the arms around you. He wasn’t drenched in blood but it was certainly splattered on him. Not in huge amounts (at least huge in comparison to the typical gore he seemed to wear), but enough to tell you that something- or someone- was now dead. For the sake of not developing a headache, you hoped it wasn’t the latter.

“I brought us food. Elk,” Fierce stated. Ah, that would explain the strange and distant cry you heard some thirty minutes ago. And, for the next thirty minutes, you’d be avoiding the bloody scene that would now be accompanying camp. The double helix sword Fierce wielded was great against monsters but too rough against prey. As such, he simply resorted to using little more than his hands when it came to ending them. You had seen the end product of this method only once and it was sight that you vowed to never look at again. The bent neck, torn skin, smashed head, and splinters of bone poking through the pelt… ugh, there goes your appetite.

As silence continues to permeate the atmosphere, the embrace around you eventually loosens. Fierce’s footsteps crunch and squish on the forest floor as he moves away from you. He stops once he’s fully in view and you can’t help but stare at his face. It would be wrong to say he was anything less than beautiful. His face- his true face- was so similar yet different to the mask made in his likeness. His tattoos, still red and blue and angular, were more weathered like warpaint. His hair, still silvery white and straight, had turned into billowing locks due to the passage of centuries. And his eyes- oh, those eyes- were still so intense. They didn’t glow white hot with rage and were no longer blank slates. Rather, a ring of steely gray and blue surrounded his pupils. The colors reminded you of both the swinging steel of battle and the common hue of blue that existed in the eyes of most of the boys. A small feature, you wonder, that may have been picked up from Time.

“If you choose to accompany me to go get cleaned up… then I assure you that there will be more to look at then,” Fierce offers with a slight lit in his voice. His lips are ever so slightly turned upward as are his brows. Perhaps not as poetic as Wars’ pick up lines, but still effective enough to get your heart pumping.

“Well, after you got me dirty, I have little choice but to join you,” You sigh and follow behind the man. He lets out little more than a small chuckle, one of triumph, but you don’t let it get to you. Had you declined his invitation, he’d no doubt be left in a cranky mood. And, whenever Fierce was feeling all around unpleasant, it would always lead to most unpleasant things.

As you walked behind the god, you vaguely noted how the forest started to thin out before stopping completely. Stretching out before you was a sizeable lake. It was hours away from Ordon, hence why you never saw it in game or never heard Twilight mention it, but it was a reminder that there was so much more to every Hyrule than a screen could ever show. The surface of the water was still and stained a variety of oranges and pinks with the setting sun. Even after basking in the spring sun for the entire day, the water would undoubtedly still be cold.

A clinking sound catches your attention and you look over at Fierce just in time to see his chestplate fall to the ground. By now, his hands are fiddling with the buckle of his belt and you advert your eyes away. This wasn’t the first time you’ve both seen Fierce naked or bathed with him, but there was still a layer of reserve you had towards him. You had accepted the fact that you were now his lover (not that you were going to be left with any other choice) but there were certain aspects of a romantic relationship that you weren’t ready for yet. Perhaps it was because you were scared of taking such a leap. Or, maybe, your feelings didn’t run deep for the god like his surely did for you. Whatever the case was, constantly adventuring, fighting, and dealing with the Shadow made it hard to try and sort out such complex thoughts and conflicting emotions. For now, you had little choice but to go with the flow.

Once Fierce had waded deep enough into the water to where only the start of his hips and the beginning tufts of his happy trail peaked above the water did you go about getting undressed. The deity was kind enough to keep his eyes trained elsewhere until you were in the water much like him. An involuntary grunt fell from your lips as you waded into the cold waters but the sooner you got washed off, the sooner you’d be out of the lake.

After a quick dip below the surface to fully wet your body, you were whisked into Fierce’s arms. He carefully placed his arms around your midsection as not to touch an private parts of your body. The warmth that radiated from him was welcome in the face of the biting temperatures of the lake. Without his armor or thick clothes to cover up his body, you had full view of picturesque divinity. It wasn’t superhero level of muscle nor veiny, but was certainly a warrior’s build. The expanses of his muscles were only heighted or barely hidden by a suitable layer of fat. The fat only added to his weight to make him more solid and even harder to push around as well as helped soften any blows that may befall him. Unsurprisingly, his body was littered with scars of battles and wars waged so long ago that the history books likely couldn’t recall them. His hands were wide and large as well as covered in callous. You felt envious of the ways he made certain flaws and imperfections look so desirable.

“You ought to work on ‘shutting up’ your brain more often, dear (Name). It’s no wonder you experience so many headaches,” Fierce hummed out as he began to card a hand through your hair. With a few kisses placed to the crown of your head, you were distracted enough from your thoughts yet again to focus on the now. You didn’t bring any soap with you, but you hadn’t been splattered with blood like Fierce was. For now, the water should be enough.

Fierce begins to ladle water across your shoulders before you can even cup your own hands. Once fully wet, the man goes about rubbing your skin both to wash off any blood or grime but to also soothe your muscles. Even with the rough skin that coated his palms and fingers, his touch and motions were gentle. The gesture was nice and a welcome feeling to the stiff knots littered throughout your neck and shoulders, but it was also strange.

Not strange in the fact that it came from your lover, but from a god. It was the mortal, no matter the nature of the relationship, that did acts of service for the divine. Brought them food, made sacrifices in their name, and lived, breathed, and died by their beliefs. They’d heed every order given to them no better than a well trained dog. There were, of course, exceptions to this standard.

And Fierce was quiet the exception.

He acted as if you were the sole reason he existed. He brought you food, gifted you things from trinkets to treasures, and even shouted out your name in battle as if it was waged for you. Even with your hesitance towards him at times, he never once faltered in the way he acted. Any positive sign from you, from a compliment to something like a kiss on the cheek, only seemed to embolden him further. You had to be scarce in affection with Fierce even if it may have seemed harmless at the time.

Gods are dangerous beings, after all. Their sorrow drowns lands and their anger scorches the earth til’ naught but ashes remain. Their envy chokes the life out of whatever it can bind itself around and even their happiness can lead to slaughter. But their love? That’s a whole other beast to deal with.

Whenever Fierce felt as if he hadn’t been given enough affection recently, he sought to gain it by doubling his efforts. Instead of picking the ripest grapes from the vine for you to snack on, he’d uproot the whole plant and drag it back to camp for you. Instead of gifting you a new tunic or bracelet, he’d dump entire wardrobes of clothing and accessories upon you (kindly cleaned of gore, naturally). Instead of handing you a few monster parts he picked up after battle as a little trophy, he’d make let you watch him harvest them. He’d force ask you to tell him which parts to tear away next. From ripping out teeth and twisting off horns to gutting them and pulling out their innards, he did it. Given a monster’s tendency to puff away into nothing more than smoke upon death, the beasts were always forced to stay alive.

Yet, after receiving love and affection, he could be even worse. Smothering to the point you weren’t allowed to do nearly anything without his “help”; walk, eat, change, or bathe. He’d be willing to bite at anything that came near the two of you during his moments of love, leaving you with little choice but to distance yourself from the rest of the group. In the moments where he was nothing short of lovesick, you were left with very few options as to calm him down. Some days you’d have to act indifferent towards him to get him to back up whereas others required you to just submit to the affections like a doll for him to hug and squeeze. If you didn’t manage to subdue him fast enough… bad things happened.

Like right now.

You had been whisked away from your bed in the middle of the night. Despite your pout and complaints, Fierce did little more than hum as he carried you out of the castle. The guards that were littered about the grounds hardly acknowledged the two of you (most certainly out of fear of what Fierce would do to them). The only familiar face you passed by was Impa, but the woman only spared you what you believe to be her attempt at a sympathetic gaze (no doubt Wars had filled her and Zelda in on the relationship between you and the deity).

As Fierce’s long legs carried you through Hyrule castle and out of the city’s protective walls, you could only fathom what awaited you. He was always one to make sure you had a proper amount of sleep each night, so this deviation in routine had your stomach twisting. As he began to venture into the woods, a little tune was hummed under his breath and his fingers idly tapped against your back. A harmless gesture any other day or situation, but it meant he was excited. No doubt to show you something and to explain his scarce presence over the past few days.

“You’ve always shared a lot of your culture with me. Food, celebrations, talk of your society and how it functions, and even what love is like in your world,” Fierce finally broke the silence of the forest (why are the woods quiet? Why can’t you see any fairies fluttering around?). “I thought, perhaps… I could do the same. It’s not much, but I still want you to enjoy a few things I did back when I was in my prime.”

With those partially cryptic words finally spoken, you were set down on your own two feet and spun around. In a small clearing of the forest now sat a little feast. Placed upon a round but sizeable table were multiple plates of decadent food. Some dishes were familiar to you such as a fragrant seafood stew prepped with lobster, crab, prawns, and fish. Strips of glazed and tender gourmet meat rested upon a suitable bowl of rice. There was also a charcuterie and meat board loaded with all sorts of treats. The sight was enough to get your stomach rumbling and you sat down in the smaller chair at the table. With the hot and fresh food before you (no doubt kept that way with the use of a little magic), your worries could wait for a moment.

“This is but a sliver of the food that use to grace the tables I ate at. While this little feast lacks many things, mainly ambrosia and entertainment, I do hope you enjoy it,” Fierce states as he watches you dig into whatever was closest to you. The food tasted just as amazing as it looked and smelled, so Fierce had to have gotten help from someone. Perhaps Wild or the cooks at Hyrule castle? Whoever it was, you were grateful to them.

As you enjoyed some of the gourmet meat and rice bowl, another plate was slid over to you. It appeared to be a standard plate of steak but the meat on the plate wasn’t beef. It looked similar to beef, but it sooner looked like a filet than a steak. Not to mention that the smell may have been meaty and savory, but not beef like. It was also generously covered in a thin, dark sauce and plated with a small pile of what you imagined was the Hyrule equivalent of home fries.

Curious to try the new dish, you moved it closer and brought your fork and knife to it. You did your best to slice against the grain and pulled away with a good bite of the meat. After a quick dip in the sauce it came with, you plopped it into your mouth and began to chew. It was soft and tender and had a similar mouth feel to regular steak, but the taste was far from that simple. It had the meaty heaviness that came with red meat but it’s taste was a bit closer to poultry. The tangy sauce helped cover up the subtle, bitter aftertaste of the food.

“What do you think? It’s the one dish I prepared myself,” Fierce commented as he watched you. He practically seemed to be on the edge of his seat and his eyes bore straight through you. His eagerness towards your commentary was strange given how innocent this little date night had been so far, so you decided to not question it too much as not to ruin the mood.

“It’s an interesting taste. It tastes good and the sauce is a good pair for the meat, but it’ll still take some getting used to,” You replied before taking another bite out of the meat. Since this was the plate Fierce had specially prepared himself, it would be nice of you to finish it.

“I also made a drink. It’s not as close to the mortal made ambrosia as I hoped it would be, but I hope you enjoy it,” Fierce pipes up yet again as he hands you a wine glass full of what looks similar to red wine. It’s darker in color, though, as well as more opaque. When you go to taste it, you also notice that it’s just a bit thicker than normal wine. While there is the taste of grapes and alcohol in it, there’s also a noticeable twang of raspberry and something else you can’t put your finger on. Much like the meat, there was subtle, bitter aftertaste. You offer Fierce a nod of approval and, for the moment, that’s that.

The midnight meal passes by rather peacefully. The forest is still all too quiet for your liking but at least you and Fierce keep each other company. When it eventually becomes too much to take so much as another bite out of any of the food, the deity also sets down his utensils along with you. As you sit and digest your food, Fierce goes about packing up the leftovers and storing them in his own enchanted pouch.

Instead of picking you back up and taking you back to the castle, Fierce beckons you to follow him closer into the forest. You comply, albeit a bit sluggishly due to a full belly and the early stages of fatigue. Wherever he’s taking you next mustn’t be far or else he would’ve picked you up.

The next spot he takes you to is dark and ill lit by moonlight. You can make out what appears to be a… tub? It’s clearly filled with liquid and had all kinds of petals scattered around it and in it. Underneath the earthy and floral scent of the scene, there’s another smell that you turn your nose from. With it being smothered by everything else, though, the most you can describe it as is a stale musk.

Gently, Fierce begins to pull away the pajamas covering your body. He keeps his actions slow and steady so you could make him stop at any time. You don’t as you understand he wasn’t going to do anything bad to you and, before long, your night clothes and underwear are neatly put to the side. Fierce helps you into the tub and let’s your body slowly sink into the liquid. There’s a noticeable thickness to the liquid- like a thinned out syrup. Aside from that and the smell, it was only luke warm. Were there more moonlight or just any light in general, you’d be able to properly see the color of the liquid.

Fierce kneels down by your side and begins to rub the liquid into the parts of your body that aren’t submerged. He says little aside from a few orders to move one way or the other. Whatever elixir it is that you’re bathing in is also added into your hair and generously applied to your face. Your best guess is that this was some sort of soak that Fierce must have done to himself way back when. Whether it was going to be beneficial for you or not would be something you could get figured out later.

“I imagine you’re curious about all of this,” Fierce murmurs out as he continues to “wash” your hair. “The meal, this bath, and what more I may have planned…”

“Well, yes… that’s been in the back of my mind the entire time,” You confirm after a moment of hesitance. That telltale churning in your gut was starting to act up but you did your best to hide it. You weren’t the only one nervous, though, as Fierce also seemed to be getting anxious as well. It buzzed through the bond like a bee’s nest. Nervousness was a rather rare emotion for the deity and it made your blood run cold at whatever he may be planning.

“Remember… how I promised that my love for you is eternal? Well, it is but… you’re not,” Fierce sighs and the bond is flooded with sadness that threatens to make you sob until the sun rises. Thankfully, it doesn’t last for much longer as Fierce seems to focus his train of thought elsewhere.

“Y-Yeah?” You cough out after a bit. Fierce remains still and silent for a few moments despite your stare. Slowly, his eyes meet yours and the intensity that stirs within them could have been enough to kill.

“I think I’ve figured out a solution to that.”

What?

What did he mean by that? Was… was he planning on turning you into a god? Or, at the very least, immortal? There’s little else his comment could be interpreted as. But how would such a thing even be possible? As far as you can recall, you’ve stumbled across nothing in Hyrule or its history that hints at mortals being able to ascend to divinity.

“Fierce, how… is that even… I-”

“You need not stress, dearest. The process has already begun and you’re fairing quite fine so far,” Fierce smiles.

What?!

You nearly leap out of the tub and scramble across the ground. Your wild dreams of escape are shattered as Fierce quickly wrangles you into his hold and attempts to calm you down. He even tries to send calming and relaxing sensations across the bond but it does little to soothe your frantic mind. Not only that, but you managed to get to a point in the forest where there was more moonlight. The pale light illuminated your bare skin and it only showed red. Red, red, red, red, red.

It’s blood. You had been soaking in blood.

By some miracle, you managed to not upheave tonight’s meal. That didn’t stop you from kicking and screaming to get away from Fierce. Unlike times before when he had crossed a line, Fierce showed no sign of backing off. He kept you pinned to the ground and simply took any blow you sent his way head on. It was simply a matter of letting you tire yourself out.

“Shh… it’s okay, you’ll be fine, (Name),” Fierce hushed as he pressed the side of your head against his chest. His heart beat was slow and steady like a bass drum. It contrasted the never ceasing allegro of your own heart and you worried that, at this rate, you’d end up fainting.

After quickly adjusting his embrace around you, Fierce lifts you up and carries your body to the next destination of this “date night”. Your kicks had lost their wind and had become little more than wiping your foot against him. You try to look at anything but the red ick still clinging to you or Fierce. Vaguely, standing just above the tree line and nearing the horizon lines, were the tallest towers on Hyrule Castle. It was so far away that you couldn’t really see the flags mounted on their peaks flapping in the breeze nor would anyone there be capable of hearing the loudest scream you could make (would anyone even come to your rescue if they heard you? Who in their right minds would think to try and fight against a god?)

Something cold and hard presses against your back. Your view shifts as Fierce lays you down on stone and quickly goes about securing your arms and legs. It doesn’t take a genius to figure out that he’s laid you flat on an altar. What ritual he had planned was for him to know and for you to cruelly find out.

“I’ve never wanted to hurt you before and I still don’t. I will never feel the urge to harm you but… I have to do this. If I don’t, then you’ll become victim to your mortality and I’ll be left alone. I can’t exist without you anymore, (Name)... I can’t,” Fierce whines and that sadness from earlier crashes over you again. Your thoughts turn to the darkest possibilities given your current state, but things are made abundantly clear when a hidden dagger is pulled from beneath the god’s linens.

You’ve never seen a dagger that looked so ritualistic before. It’s blade was carved and sharpened from the tooth of a beast and runes or words of a language you couldn’t read were etched into the blade. Its handle was made from stained and wrapped leather that had a few brilliant feathers bound in it. For the first time since properly meeting him, you could see Fierce’s hand shake as he poised the blade.

“I think… you’re ready. You’ve been strengthened enough to take my blood tonight. You’ve drank, ate, and bathed in my essence. Now, it is time for it to enter your veins- raw and unfiltered,” Fierce muttered. With care and precision, the blade was brought to your skin. Enough pressure was applied so that it began to cut through the layers of your skin. He stopped just shy of your sternum and began to pull the blade down the length of your torso. It was a slow and agonizing pain you couldn’t describe so you only screamed. You screamed and screamed and screamed. You fought against the bindings that held you but it was to no avail.

The blade finally stopped just past your pectorals before pulling away. Fierce laid the blade against his hand and sliced in deep. A small sputter of blood spattered out as a result and it feels like fire when it makes contact to your open wound. The pain is only amplified tenfold when Fierce presses his cut palm down on the slash of your chest. Your voice raises to an octave you didn’t know was possible as what feels akin to liquid fire begins to spread through your chest. This is only worsened by the icy sting of sadness and despair as Fierce struggles to keep a lid on his own emotions. You can see his lips moving and know he’s mumbling something but you can’t tell if it’s some kind of mantra to complete the ritual or a shoddy attempt at keeping himself calm.

As his blood spreads out further and further, you find that the world is becoming more and more incoherent. Black spots smudge your vision and static feels your ears. Fierce’s face, contorted into so much pain and anguish, is the last thing you see before passing out.

Your mind feels as though it’s drifting around on the inky waters of unconsciousness. Even though this feeling is unknown to you and you don’t know what awaits you when- if you wake up, you feel peaceful. There is no pain to feel and no sights to disturb you. All you sense is your body drifting along and the occasional noise. The noise is that of someone speaking or shouting or crying- you can’t tell. It’s so distant and sounds as if it’s underwater. It’s like a siren call that plays on your curiosity and empathy to open your eyes. To wake up and investigate or comfort whoever it is that’s calling for you.

“...p… wa… up…”

Perhaps you weren’t unconscious. Maybe you were dead? It’s possible given the… trauma? That you just went through? (What happened? The pain the pain the pain the pain the pain the pain It’s all gotten so blurry? Golden Three preserve me save me)

“Ple…. wake… please, (Na… up…”

Were you now drifting down the River Styx? Maybe, maybe not. It had always been portrayed as hellish and depressing, but you felt so peaceful. Maybe Hyrule just had a nicer one that home did.

“Golden Three, please… pray that they… return them to… give me back my…”

Hmm… the waters were beginning to feel a little choppy. Were you finally arriving at your destination? Whatever that meant…

“(Name), please! COME BACK TO ME!”

Your eyes snapped open as breath returned to your lungs. You were stuck staring straight up at the inky abyss above you. Somehow, the night sky was now bespeckled with glittering stars and you could better make out the twisting and mixing nebulas of color.

Your head lolled to the side and you saw that Fierce had devolved into the dictionary definition of a mess. Tears streamed down his cheeks and smears of red were all over him. His hair was bunched up and knotted- no doubt from him pulling and tearing at his own hair. Heavy and harsh breaths racked his frame as he was nearly hunched over your body. His stillness was enough to convince you he had turned to stone until his entire body seemed to go lax. He toppled over and landed across your bare skin but neither you nor he cared much about that at the moment.

“You came back… you came back…” He gargled out. His voice, once deep and smooth, was now crackly. He buried his face against your body to hide his expressions from you as he clung to you like a child to their blankie.

“What… happened?” You finally croaked out as you took in your surroundings. Everything was so… sharp. In focus. You could make out the the individual veins on the leaves of nearby trees. You could see dew beginning to form on grass a distance away from where you were laying. Fluttering high above the trees, you could also see the flying and swooping forms of bats. Its like you were looking at everything through the lens of a telescope.

A metallic rattle then click alerts you to the shackles (when did those get there?) on your wrists. Fierce had managed to get up and was working on getting you freed from them. Once unbound, he wasted no time in scooping you up and hurrying through the forest. You gripped onto him as tightly as you could before you felt him come to an abrupt stop. Icy cold water was splashed over your body and Fierce used his shirt to wipe you off. The shirt was quickly stained red and you hadn’t realized you were positively coated in dried blood.

As your skin was cleared of the red ichor, you realized that your chest looked rather weird. The skin was scarred but the scar itself was strange. It was a thin but long and straight line down your chest. It wasn’t your skin’s natural color, but silver like it was made of metal. Feeling it confirmed that it was still your skin and nothing else.

You turn your head upwards to ask Fierce a question but not even a word gets the chance to fall from your lips as Fierce kisses you desperately. Romance and love aren’t the present emotions to be felt in the kiss- it’s despair and relief all wrapped up in an overwhelming amount of guilt. The kiss lasts long enough that you eventually have to claw at Fierce’s chest to push him away. Sweet air flies back into your lungs and you’re left huffing and puffing yet again.

“I’m sorry… I’m so sorry,” Fierce whispers as he hangs his head low. You knew he was apologizing for more than just the rather crude kiss, but your brain was in a fog. You still couldn’t place what had happened for him to be so distraught.

“I remember… eating? Yeah, we were eating in the forest and then you took me somewhere. I was soaking in… in something but after that… everything’s a blur…” You mumbled out and massaged a sudden ache in your temples. Trying to remember what happened, even if it was only a small detail, made your head pound.

“I…” Fierce starts to speak but stops himself. Amongst the whirlpool of emotions in his eyes and bubbling behind the currently closed doors of the bond, you could see that Fierce was thinking. He was thinking about how to phrase his next words carefully. It was odd behavior coming from him given that he preferred to be bluntly honest. “It… doesn’t matter anymore. Things spiraled out of control for a moment but… but everything is okay now. I promise.”

It didn’t exactly feel like a lie (It is it is it is run run run run no longer trust him, don’t love him, stop listening to him, stop) but it wasn’t the truth. Whatever happened had scared Fierce- a man you once thought incapable of feeling fear. Because of that reason alone, you took his word.

“Let’s get back to the castle before the boys or the princess start to wake up,” You state as you try to take control of the situation. It works as Fierce nods and stands up. He lets you stand on your own two feet while he runs off to go get something. After a minute, he returns with your night clothes in hand. He doesn’t speak up or do anything as you get dressed. Once it’s time to start heading back, he doesn’t pick you up but rather walks alongside you, hand in hand.

The small yet noticeable deviations in Fierce’s habits made it clear he was still in some state of shock. You didn’t know what to do to snap him out of it or if you should just let it run its course. You decide on simply intertwining your fingers with his and giving his hand a gentle squeeze to let him know that you’re here and you’re okay (no no no no no no no don’t do that, don’t encourage him, it makes things worse, so so so so much worse).

“(Na… (Name)?” Fierce whispers out. His tone makes him sound like a distraught child wanting to call out to their parent or older sibling. It’s fear and hurt ready to break past the dam that’s barely holding it in.

“Yes, honey?” You hum and give him a small smile.

“You’re… here, right?” Fierce asks. The snarky part of you wants to scoff at the question but you understand that now’s not the time for that.

“Yes. I’m right here,” You confirm and squeeze his hand again.

“You… won’t… ever leave me, will you? I don’t want to be alone again,” Fierce mumbles. Your heart clenches (no, don’t, don’t feel sympathy for the monster) as it’s clear Fierce is thinking back to the time he was trapped in the mask. No doubt being left along for decades, if not centuries, between wielders left him with a fear of abandonment. God of war he may be, it didn’t mean he wasn’t (a monster, a torturer, a villain) without feeling.

“I won’t leave you. I won’t leave you or the boys. You’ve all been through so much and deserve some kindness after all of the cruelty,” You claim, your voice stern and firm much like the statement itself.

“You… love me? You love me, right?” Fierce finally asks the question that had been brewing in his chest. His eyes, ever the window to his soul, showed all. The searching, the yearning, the despair, the anguish, the fear, the worry, the sadness, the hopefulness, the happiness, and the love (the insanity, the madness, the darkness).

“Fierce, I… yes… yes, I do love you,” You admit. It was true (no it wasn’t). Perhaps it was because he never gave up on you despite how conflicted you felt. He waited and was there for you every step of the way without even having to ask. It may have been intense, it may have a bumpy ride, but you were here now. Here with your hand in his and with a clear mind (it’s all so warped and foggy, he won’t let me think straight).

“Will you love me for eternity?” Fierce inquires. His tone is a bit lighter now, as are his eyes. It’s as if the increasing weight of the world was finally lifted off his shoulders. He was still patiently waiting for your answer.

“Hmm…”

Don’t say it…

“Eternity is a long time, honey…”

Eternity is forever, I’ll be trapped with him forever…

“But…”

No, please…

“Yes, Fierce…”

No… no…

“I will love you for eternity.”

#yandere linked universe #yandere linked universe x reader #yandere lu #yandere lu x reader #yandere lu fierce deity #yandere lu fierce deity x reader

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neonghostlights · 9 months

Text

A/N: Next chapter is going to be the last one ):

Summary: You haven’t been the same since you woke up in the hospital with memory loss after the earthquake hit Hawkins. When strange things start happening and you feel like you’ve started losing your mind, a group of strangers offer to help. Even though you’ve never met them before, they seem to know you better than you think.

Warnings: Blood, Vecna Related Gore, Injury, Weapons, Guns, Hospitals, Medication, Reader's mom, Self-Sacrifice, Death, 18+Only

Wordcount: 4k (I honestly thought this would be longer?)

Series Masterlist

Part Fifteen

“I’m going to be the one to confront him,” El said as she sat beside you on the couch.

Your skin prickled from her nearness. You still weren’t completely comfortable with being around her. Dustin said it’s because of Vecna. You could only hope that he was right. She seemed like a good kid, just with a lot of weight on her shoulders. It would be nice to actually have a conversation with her after all of this was over.

If there was going to be an after for you.

“And I’m going to stay out of your way,” you add, confused on how to stay out of the way when you’re in your own head. El said that you’d figure it out when it was happening though.

The group was here at your house, even including Nancy and Jonathan who drove back to Hawkins for this. Even Hopper and Joyce Byers showed up; two people you would never expect to see in your house.

What was really surprising was the amount of weapons they had brought with them. When you asked why Dustin gave you a small, “just in case.”

Just in case of what, you didn’t know.

Nancy even had a damn shotgun with her that she handled expertly. It was so surprising to see.

She gave you a tight smile, like she wasn’t sure how to talk to you. Honestly, you weren’t sure how to talk to anyone here besides Eddie and sometimes even that was rough.

“No pool this time?” Nancy asked El as she handed you a glass of water.

“No. I’ve been practicing,” El said in a hushed voice.

Nancy gave Jonathan a worried look who just shrugged.

Eddie was pacing back and forth, tapping a hand against his jeans and sometimes snapping to a song that no one else could hear. He would pause for a second, searching for your eyes like he was going to say something to you but then he would just start pacing again instead. He was nervous, probably more so than you were.

“I don’t think this is a good idea,” Eddie announced finally, ceasing his pacing to come sit beside you. He placed an arm around your shoulders. You leaned into him, finding a sense of comfort in his presence.

“What else are we supposed to do? We can’t let him stay,” Robin argued from where she stood across the room with Steve, their own weapons in hand.

“I know. It isn’t safe though,” Eddie explained, hands moving dramatically in the air. He was scared to the point that you almost expected him to snatch you up and run away.

What if he did? Would you find a place together and say damn your memories? You could get to know him again. You could learn to feel for him the way he says you used to. You could live a life of just you and him before Vecna ended you once and for all.

“I think we’re past any of us ever being safe,” Steve said slowly.

You looked at Eddie, silently begging him not to argue anymore. The more freaked out he got, the more freaked out you got, like your bodies were connected and reacting to each other.

“I think we should start,” El announced, raising her hands to place them on your temples.

“Wait!” Eddie blurted out, grabbing your hands. “I love you so much. I just need you to know that.”

“I know, Eddie. I know I don’t remember anything but I know deep down I love you too,” you said, feeling the tears well up in your eyes. You wished you could voice to him all the things you were thinking. This could be goodbye, afterall. Maybe it would be easier for him to let you go if just left it at that. He didn’t deserve to suffer anymore than he already did.

Eddie pulled you to him, hugging you tightly.

“I’ll see you soon,” you whispered into his ear. You felt his body warm against yours.It might have been a lie to tell him that. Only time would tell.

You pulled away, wiping your tears and avoiding looking at him. If you saw him crying you would lose your bravery.

“I’m ready. Let’s hope this works,” you told El, closing your eyes and waiting to feel her enter your mind.

You felt her fingertips touch your temples with a feather light touch and then nothing at all.

When you opened your eyes to see what had happened you were no longer sitting in your living room.

The world spun and you felt motion sick. Your vision went back and forth and you grasped onto the metal chains on each side of you. You were swinging on a swing set. Your short legs pushing you back and forth. The back of the swing jostled and the chains clinked as a strong hand pushed the back of the swing to make you go higher.

“See!” Your dad called out with a laugh in his voice as you went higher. “It’s not that scary, right?”

Younger you let out a breathy laugh, adrenaline still coursing through your blood from the rush. “Nope! I can’t wait to prove to Tammy that I’m not a baby!”

Your dad chuckled from behind you.

You remembered this now. You used to be afraid of heights so much that you refused to get on the swingset at school. Kids at school used to pick on you for it so much that you came home and begged your dad to help you get over your fear.

Your heart clenched as you looked back at your dad, alive and happy. He smiled at you like there wasn’t a care in the world. You wondered if he would still smile at you like that now that you were back to being afraid.

Your surroundings started to wisp away like smoke. Changing to a new scene.

The plastic phone was clutched to your ear as you stood in your moms kitchen, leaning against the wooden paneling of the wall. Your face was twisted into a worried expression as you twirled the cord of the phone between your fingers.

“What do you mean Will Byers is missing?” You ask Nancy on the other side. You chewed a piece of skin off your lip, tasting a hint of blood on your tongue.

You remember this day. You had been home sick with a cold and Nancy Wheeler had called to let you know that Jonathan Byers brother hadn’t been home and they couldn’t find him. You knew who Will was, you had babysat him a few times when he was a little younger.

Little did you know, this was going to be the start of a lot of strange things for you.

You're wooshed into a new memory, this time you’re in a shed with Nancy, Jonathan, and Joyce. It’s so hot and you're dripping sweat. You’re trying to get the mindflayer out of Will to save him but it wasn’t going well. It was hard watching him suffer like that. Even after your group eventually won against the Mind Flayer, the memory of that night still affected you. You wondered for months after if this would ever really be over.

You snapped into another memory. This time, you were holding onto Max while watching Billy die. She’s screaming and trying to pull out of your arms but you can’t let her get too close to the monster or you’ll lose her too. Glass and blood glisten around your feet and it crunches as you try to stay steady and hold her back. You think that she’ll never forgive you for not letting her go to him.

You’re thrown through bits and pieces of memories, all of them making up a bigger picture. You cry, laugh, love as you watch the way your life had played out before Vecna and the upside down destroyed it. You know these people, your family that you found through fighting monsters together. You love every single one of them like they were your own blood.

Another memory, this one you’re thrown so hard into that your head spins and the ground hurts underneath your knees.

You’re frantically pressing on Eddie’s wounds, trying to stop the bleeding. Red lightning lights up the sky in flashes, mocking you as the tears stream down your face.

Eddie had sacrificed himself to the bats to save you and Dustin. His body had been ripped apart by the sharp teeth while he screamed so loud that it echoed off of the ruined trailers in this hell.

Dustin sobbed on the other side of Eddie, trying to help you while you barked orders at him. He shouldn’t have been here. He shouldn’t have to see this.

“Stop,” Eddie croaks out, voice gurgling from the amount of blood flooding his mouth. Some of it dribbles against his pale skin, staining his chin.

“I can’t stop, Eddie,” you say through clenched teeth.

“Baby,” Eddie said, a cold hand brushing against yours. You look up at him and he’s staring right back at you with this look on his face that’s telling you he’s giving up. It rips your soul apart.

“No,” you say, shaking your head while you sob. You held more pressure to the wound on the side of his neck while Dustin focused on what he could reach on Eddie’s torso.

Eddie stared at you, each blink taking longer and longer as his eyelids fluttered.

“I’ll do anything. I’ll do anything. Please don’t let him die,” you think, not bothering to say the words out loud. No one had been listening to your begging so far. You and your friends had been abandoned and you would all die here, one by one. This horror would never stop until it sunk its teeth into every living thing in its way. How stupid of all of you to think you could be the ones to stop this when the government couldn’t even keep it contained.

“Anything?” A voice echoes in your head, responding to your innermost thoughts and making you flinch.

It definitely wasn’t God and there was only one evil guy that you knew of that was making himself at home in people’s minds. Vecna.

You squeeze your eyes shut, understanding who it was speaking to you. You had never heard his voice before this but you knew it was him. It felt like a million spiders crawling up your spine and sent an ache to your head.

You knew him like you would know the villain's voice in a horror movie. He was evil but he was also powerful like El. If anyone had the ability to save Eddie it would be him.

“I’ll do anything. Please make this stop,” you think.

“I can save him but it’s going to cost you,” he tells you.

You would sacrifice your life for Eddie’s. You would give him your last breath just so his lungs could fill with air again. You would hand over your soul if it meant he would make it out of here. He could have it all.

You prayed that if he killed you, they wouldn’t leave your body down here to rot amongst the rest of the dark decay of this place.

You could feel him starting to invade your mind, prying through it like he owned it. Faint claws scratching against your memories, flicking them away like they meant nothing. You knew what he wanted then, you could feel him settling in. “Let me borrow your mind. I need a place to rest.”

He didn’t want your life. He wanted the rest of you. For some reason, that seemed worst. Disappointing.

You took one glance at Eddie. He was deathly still, eyes staring off into the distance, his chest rising just slightly enough to make you wonder if it was a cruel and hopeful trick of the eye. It didn’t matter what happened to you anymore as long as Eddie was safe. If you made it out of here alive your friends would save you from whatever condition Vecna had left you in. You knew they wouldn’t let you go even a week without figuring out something was wrong with you.

Vecna was a parasite, a psychic vampire. He could take your mind, twisting and warping to his heart's desire if it meant that Eddie made it out of here breathing. He could take your body, using it as a nest to build himself back up. He could make it the perfect home for him to get stronger if he wanted to. The world would just have to deal with the consequences of your decision later.

You heard Vecna laugh in your head at your thoughts like he knew something you didn’t. Goosebumps rose on your skin but you couldn’t say no. There would be no point in living in a world without Eddie.

Eddie had sacrificed himself for you, and you were sacrificing yourself for Eddie.

“DO IT!” You yelled in your head before everything went black.

You're alone in a hospital bed when you open your eyes. This was a memory you had buried so deep down. You had thought it was a dream once, a fuzzy one that you wake up barely remembering. This is one you had thought to once be due to the drug induced haze you were in for a while.

Your limbs feel heavy, like they didn’t quite belong to you. Something had happened but you couldn’t remember what. An accident maybe? There’s an ache in your head, just behind your eyes.

People are yelling and there’s shuffling at the end of the bed. Something hits the metal frame, jolting you awake even more as your limbs jolt from the surprise. Your mom is screaming at someone and a feeling of dread is pooling in your stomach. The high pitched shrill of her voice is making your head hurt even worse than before.

You peek your eyes open slowly. They still feel heavy like there’s weights attached to your eyelashes. You blink a few times, trying to make out the scene in front of you. The room is dark with only the light of the hallway pouring through the open door; you can see a bit of the full moon through the blinds of the window across the room.

There’s a man in your room, holding himself up by the metal footboard of your bed. He’s hunched over, clutching his sides as he breathes heavily. There’s a line of blood dripping down his arm in a stream. He’s staring at you with a determined look. You can’t make out his features much because your eyes are still fuzzy, or maybe the medicine had messed with your eyesight.

“Get him the hell out!” Your mom is screaming at one of the nurses who looked like she’d rather be anywhere but in this room with your mother. The other nurse is talking to the man softly, trying to coax him away from you.

When he realizes you’re looking at him he stumbles forward, hands clutching the railings of the bed to bring himself closer. For a moment, you’re worried that he’s going to fall and hurt himself even more than he already was. He’s barely moving and each step makes his face twist in pain but he doesn’t stop approaching you. The blood is dripping on the floor now and splattering onto his hospital gown.

“He ripped his IV out,” one of the nurses complained as she rushed out of the room for something. The other nurse that was being yelled at by your mother stands back unsure what to do as she glances frantically around the room with her hands up in the air.

“Hey,” the man says softly as he gets close to you. “It’s me.”

His voice croaks when he talks to you and it scares you. You push yourself away from him as much as you could in the small hospital bed, pulling the thin blankets up like some sort of shield.

His face crumples and it makes your chest hurt but you don’t know why.

“Baby, look at me. You know me,” he begs. His hair is wild around his face, shielding his features from you even more in the dark room.

You shake your head quickly. You don’t know this man and he’s scaring you. Maybe he was some sort of monster sent here to haunt you. The thought makes your heart speed up to a gallop in your chest. He reaches a hand out but it’s the one covered in blood and it makes you jump.

“Mr. Munson, sit down before you hurt yourself. You can not be in here.” The nurse is back with a wheelchair and an older man is with her.

“Sit the hell down, Eddie.” The older man demands as he pulls the bleeding man into the chair. The man lands with a painful thump into the seat, holding onto himself around his torso.

There’s a security guard being dragged into the room by your mom. You hadn’t even noticed she left, too preoccupied by the stranger in the room.

“Do you know him?” The security guard looks at you, pointing a bored finger at the man that’s now crying in the wheelchair.

You look at him for a moment, taking in as much as you could. He looked familiar, like someone you may have passed on the street before, or maybe someone you once saw at the grocery store and then dreamt vividly about later that night. But, no. You didn’t know him.

You shake your head. “No, I don’t know him.”

“Turn the light on,” the man in the wheelchair begs with a broken voice. “She can’t see me, it's too dark in here.”

The nurses grab the wheelchair, taking the man out of the room despite his begging. Your mom is following them, yelling some more and threatening to send him to jail.

They leave you alone in the room and you fall asleep again.

Wooden planks pressing into your back wake you up this time.

You lift yourself until you're standing in the foyer of a worn down house. Vines cover the walls and the wallpaper is peeling. Little particles float in the air, telling you exactly where you were in case there was any confusion.

This wasn’t a memory. This was right now.

You had never been inside the Creel house before, only passing by to and from school. You remember Nancy explaining what they found in here after she, Steve, Robin and the kids had explored it while you hid with Eddie.

The fact that you could remember that made you happy, but it was short lived.

A chime of a clock could be heard echoing through the house so loudly that it vibrated the walls surrounding you. At any second these walls could crumble.

The floor looked like someone had taken an ax to it. Sharp planks of wood jutted out everywhere. You were sure you were still in your head, so you still needed to be careful since if you got hurt here, then it would most likely reflect into the real world too.

You heard a loud thud from upstairs. You were torn, either you could stay down here and wait, hoping the El could pull you out soon and be done with it or you could go upstairs to investigate.

You wanted to hide but what if you were supposed to go up there? What if this was another piece to getting your memories back even though it didn’t feel like you were forgetting anything anymore?

You grabbed a loose piece of sharp, splintered wood from the ground. It would have to make a good enough weapon.

With your piece of wood in hand, you silently crept up the stairs, hoping that the rotten steps wouldn’t give out beneath your feet. Another thud shook through the house, this time coming from the attic, followed by a scream.

You rushed up the steps, reaching the attic door and throwing it open.

El stood in the center of the room, hands pushed forward. Blood dripped from her ears, nose and eyes. You stifled a gasp when you saw Vecna pushed up against the wall, held in place by her mind.

You had seen him in your nightmares before. He had been in front of you the whole time, torturing you.

He was fighting it, thrashing against the wall in hopes to break free from her invisible restraints. El was struggling, her blood dripping faster and sweat breaking out on her brow, making her short brown hair stick to her forehead.

“El!” You yelled as Vecna lifted a hand to use his powers back on her. He was weak still, if he was at his full strength this would have already ended badly for you and El.

“I can’t hold him!” El gritted out, pushing her hands forward again to throw an extra bit of strength.

You look down at the sharp piece of wood in your hand and another memory came back to you.

Steve had once asked if you could drive a stake through Vecna’s heart. You were about to see if that theory was correct.

You rushed past El, coming face to face with the monster on the wall. Without thinking, you shoved the stake into his chest, right into his heart.

He looked you in the eyes as he died, black blood squirting out of the wound in his chest and covering your hands. You could feel the weight lift off your head, the pressure that lived for so long in your brain that you hadn’t even realized it was there.

You turned to face El, her own blood running down her face. The walls started to shake again, dust fell from the ceiling covering the tops of your heads.

“We need to go,” she said before you woke up.

The living room was so bright compared to the dark interior of the Creel house. You blinked a few times, trying to adjust to the lighting.

El’s hands were no longer on your head, instead she was pulled away and held tightly by Joyce and Hopper. You looked around the room, searching the faces of those around you.

The people that you had fought beside, bled beside.

Your family.

You slapped a hand over your mouth, trying to keep in the sob that threatened to escape. You hadn’t even realized anyone was touching you until he slid next to you, cupping your face as best he could between two calloused hands. A worried look was etched on his face. This was the moment of truth.

When he entered your field of vision you wasted no time grabbing him and pulling him to you, bringing his surprised lips to your waiting ones. He froze for only a second before he caught up to what was happening and started moving with you. You could taste the mint on his breath and feel the warmth of his full lips. You had done this so many times before and it sent a rush of joy through you that you remember him. It felt like home.

He let out a sigh of relief against your mouth. He pulled away for only a second, against your protests to ask, “Do you know who I am?”

You looked into two beautiful brown eyes, the ones you had loved for so long. Eddie, the love of your life and your soulmate. The man who tried to give his life for yours but you gave yours in return.

“I remember you,” you finally said, putting him out of his misery.

He stood from the couch, pulling you up with him in a tight embrace.

“I love you, Eddie,” you said into his neck, running your hands through his hair to soothe his trembling body.

“Marry me,” was all he said before kissing you again.

#eddie munson au #eddie munson x reader #eddie munson x y/n #eddie munson fanfic #eddie munson #eddie munson imagine #eddie munson series #eddie stranger things #eddie munson x you #eddie munson angst

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winterchimez · 6 months

Text

Addiction | Lee Sangyeon

SUMMARY: you were tasked to assassinate the infamous Twilight. but what happens when it turns out that after all this time, your target was just right next to you, and it just so happened that your boyfriend is the man you have been hunting for as long as you can remember.

PAIRING: spy!Sangyeon x assassin f!reader (feat. police!Haknyeon)

GENRE: spy x family au, fluff, angst, crime, some crack & humour, slight thriller

WARNINGS: nc-17, violence, blood, fighting scenes, mentions of weaponry (guns, kunais, etc.), kissing, betrayal, a rather heartbreaking ending, Haknyeon is there for the chaos

WORD COUNT: 10k

A/N: happiest birthday to the loml ❤️ i've always wanted to write a spy fic for him and i finally got the chance to do it for his birthday 🥹 i've tweaked some bits from the manga but there will be scenes/scenarios that might seem familiar to those who are a fan of the series!! yes, Sangyeon is Loid while reader is Yor 🤭

“Code name: Lunala, reporting in for duty.”

As soon as you heard that you were approved to enter from the other side of the room, you turned the doorknob slowly and opened up to see that your chief, The Shopkeeper, was already expecting your arrival.

Walking towards the chief, you noticed tons of folders scattered around messily on the table, indicating that the chief hasn’t been in the best mood, or rather, has been pretty frustrated with a particular case, or rather, someone.

Once you have reached close enough to keep a fair distance, you clasped your hands and placed them behind your back before speaking up to question why you were summoned in the first place.

“You have a mission for me, sir?”

“Indeed, I have. And it is rather a tough one. Hence I needed higher-level assassins like you to handle the job.” The Shopkeeper responded as he furrowed his eyebrows.

As he got up, he directed your direction towards the whiteboard situated right beside him, Upon closer look, you could see that The Shopkeeper himself had been hunting the individual in question for weeks now, judging from all of the available information and the red strings that connected a picture or a clue from one end to the other.

Most of the time, the Garden Assassin Syndicate, better known as the Garden, are often tasked with assassinating individuals who threaten Ostania. You were part of the group for the past three years, more or less. Joining the association wasn’t by your own choice, though—you were eventually scouted by the Shopkeeper himself after witnessing how you have managed to wipe out an entire army from your previous job.

Back then, you weren’t part of any organisation whatsoever—you simply killed for the sake of living, earning some pocket money to provide for yourself and your little brother, Haknyeon. You often listened to the news and bought the daily newspaper as well, for there were individuals out there who posted their requests to kill anonymously. If you were to take the job and succeed, you would be paid at a specified location later on in the day without ever meeting who your employer was.

It was a risk, but you simply had no choice because you were born and gifted with such skills, and you had nowhere to go but to turn to assassination as a profession. As long as it was enough to keep you and your brother alive, it was all that mattered to you.

When you were accepted into the Gardens three years prior, it was a vast improvement for you and your little brother. Not only would you be paid loads, but you would also get a safe rooftop above your head each day. But it came with a cost—you had to have two different identities, and no one was to ever find out about your affiliation with the organisation itself.

Including your brother, Haknyeon.

You took up the job because you had no other choices, and continuing with what you have done in the past was getting too dangerous for you to handle alone—it also risked the chances that your brother would eventually find out about your little “side job”.

After years of training and experience, you have risen to the ranks of being one of the higher-level assassins, often tasked to handle more gory and challenging jobs. So that was why you were summoned here today by the Shopkeeper himself.

However, you had to blink twice when you looked at the board just to ensure you weren’t seeing things wrong.

“With all due respect, sir, this is the man you would want me to assassinate?”

“Indeed. We have kept him on our radar for long enough, and I think it is about time that we make the move to put a stop to his schemes.”

“But sir… that’s Twilight, Westalis’s well-known spy. Why would we have to assassinate such an individual when they do not have contact with us at all?” You were starting to ponder this whole scenario. Indeed, the chief might have made a mistake. Targeting the spies? That would call for a war between them and the assassins.

“I know what you might be thinking, Lunala. But I believe once you start tracking him down, you will understand why. And a fair warning, we do not have much time, and I need you to close up on him as soon as you can, and I expect you to report back to me immediately before I give you your next mission.”

With the chief’s stern and firm demeanour, you knew that there was little to no chance of persuading him or changing his mind. Hence, you reluctantly accepted the offer, reassuring him that you would find more clues along the way as well.

Walking out from the door, there was only one question that pondered in your mind.

What exactly is there about you, Twilight?

Sangyeon’s POV

“My my, if it isn’t my number one loyal customer!!” Freddie shouted out loud as he witnessed how Sangyeon slowly made his way towards his store.

“You flatter me too much, Freddie. How are the sales today by far?”

“Not much, like the usual. But now that you’re here, I expect a big order from you, no?”

Sangyeon chuckled. “You know me well. I will be getting two kilograms worth of roasted peanuts. They’re for the kids in the orphanage right across the streets.”

As Freddie started bagging Sangyeon’s order, he couldn’t help but smile at his answer. He knew that Sangyeon came every week to do the same deed, but he wasn’t sure why he would risk it all and do it on his own rather than letting the multiple organisations available that dealt with cases like this take over such trivial matters.

Every single time Freddie tried to ask Sangyeon about it, he always got the same reply, more or less.

“The only reason I became a spy was to bring a much better life for the kids in both Westalis and Ostania. I wish to create a world where no more children would shed tears.”

Freddie could only sigh and smile back at him. Sangyeon was such a kind-hearted soul, and yet he was always out there risking his life in all of his missions.

He has indeed built a reputation for himself, for Twilight is now well-known across the country to be the best spy there is out there. Because of that, the director could always rely on him and often gave him missions that could end up in a life-or-death situation. But Sangyeon never once complained and always took off the offers available. It was just the way he was.

Just when Freddie thought Sangyeon would leave after getting the two kilogram worth of roasted peanuts, Sangyeon took a few pennies from his back pocket and passed it to Freddie as a tip. However, Freddie’s eyes widened as he looked at the coins themselves.

It was Cipher F.

Without much hesitation, he immediately invited Sangyeon into his store, looking around to see that nobody had caught up with what they were up to before closing the door.

As they walked deeper into the store, both of them hopped into a wooden wardrobe located at the very end of the room before pulling a hidden lever in one of the walls as they travelled down to the basement.

Here was where Sangyeon and Freddie would often discuss detective work hidden away from the busy streets of Ostania. It also served as Sangyeon’s little base for when he needed to trade some weapons or even elicit Freddie’s help for some profiling assistance.

Freddie immediately went to turn on his computer as he quickly sat down and started typing away, seemingly trying his best to decipher the person that has been trailing Sangyeon for a while now. In the meantime, the spy himself was browsing through the walls filled with new weaponry that could prove to be helpful in his new missions to come as he picked out a few guns and began examining them as well as loading them.

As Freddie finally managed to narrow down to a few names and asked the agent himself to have a look, he couldn’t help but tease his old friend a little while scrolling through the browser page.

“Damn, Twilight, have you gotten rusty to have someone trailing you like this in broad daylight?”

“Oh sweetheart, I never fail, nor do I let my enemies come close to me within a five-metre radius. Which certainly means whoever this person may be is far more dangerous than all of the usual criminals that I deal with.” He wasn’t ready to admit that he had been tailed with, and his blood was starting to boil now to think that whoever this was would think they would get their hands on the infamous Twilight himself.

After a few more scrolls down the page, Sangyeon immediately laid his hands upon Freddie’s that were situated on the mouse, as he asked him to zoom in to have a closer look at the profile of this person.

Upon closer inspection, Freddie was certainly not buying it, thinking that this individual would stand no chance against Sangyeon himself.

“Twilight, are you sure that you have gotten the right person? As far as my eyes do not deceive me, that is a woman alright.”

“Not just any woman, Freddie. She’s the infamous Lunala from Gardens.”

Sangyeon knew exactly who you were. He has had a good amount of encounters with the assassins from your association throughout his whole life as an undercover agent for the Westalian Intelligence (WISE). Unfortunately, the spies from WISE are not usually on good terms with the assassins from Garden, and things typically turn out sour at the end of each mission. Sangyeon himself has had a few ones that turned out pretty ugly at the end.

He has never encountered you in person before, but he has undoubtedly heard about your deeds and your reputation, as you have certainly made a name for yourself among the spies and assassins. This has piqued his interest. No assassins have ever dared laid their hands upon the Twilight himself, for they would be losing their heads first if they did.

So what exactly is your mission? Why, of all people, would you target the best spy in Westalis?

Sangyeon was pumped up to figure out your motive, and he was determined that he was going to get you first before you could even try anything funny.

He quickly geared up and took the necessary equipment before he gave Freddie a quick wave goodbye.

“It has been a while since I’ve been this pumped and excited for a mission.”

Y/N’s POV

“YOU DID WHAT????” You screamed at your younger sibling, unable to fully absorb the information dumped on you.

“I did the right thing, noona! It’s about time you settle down and get married.” Your younger brother Haknyeon crossed his arms as he sat on your couch.

Apparently, Haknyeon was getting very concerned about your love life—especially when you were already 27 years of age and had never once dated or had an actual boyfriend. At this point, he was extremely worried that he would have to accept the fact that he would not be having nieces and nephews to spend time and play with.

If you were, to be honest with yourself, you were also desperate in trying to find a partner for yourself. You have been hearing tons of whispers and receiving loads of side eyes at work, for you were one of the last ones who has not been giving out marriage invitations or even an engagement announcement while all of your co-workers have done so. You have always heard that maybe nothing was charming about you—hence why no guys would want to dedicate and spend the rest of their lives with you.

But you certainly did not expect your brother to intercept and find you a date for tomorrow night.

“Be at the Four Seasons Hotel tomorrow at 8:30 pm sharp, I have booked a table for you both and he would be anticipating your arrival.”

“You are insane.” You were the one crossing your arms now, scoffing that your brother did such a thing before you turned your heel and decided to retire back to the comforts of your room.

That got Haknyeon jumping up from the couch and running in front of your door, stretching out his arms to prevent you from stepping into the room before giving him an actual answer.

“Come on, noona. I promise you that it will be worth it. Look, he is a psychologist. Moreover, I’ve even done a background check back in the station before I got off work, and I can assure you that he is clean in my books! It wouldn’t hurt to just try it out for the night and see if the man of your dreams is finally right in front of you.”

Haknyeon then kneels to the ground, giving you that signature pouty lips as he clasped his hands together. “Pretty please?”

After staring at him for five seconds, you immediately slumped your shoulders and gave out a huge sigh, nodding your head, which made him jump up to give you a tight embrace.

“If he turns out to be a whole different person from what you have described, I swear I will kick you out of my apartment and you will be banned from entering my house.”

“Deal.”

God, this was such a bad idea.

That was the only thought that filled your mind as you rubbed your sweaty palms together as you sat in your seat, waiting for your date to arrive.

Being all anxious about the dinner, you arrived half an hour early, apologising to the staff members that they had to accommodate you way earlier than the expected time.

But you have told yourself that you would rather be the one waiting instead, so here you were—sipping your water every minute to calm your fast-beating heart down while constantly checking the time on your phone.

As the clock struck at 8:30 p.m., a deep husky voice resonated above you.

“You must be Y/N, right?”

You quickly lifted your head to find a tall brunette male wearing a black suit with his hair parted to the side. He seemed pretty tall, about 176cm in height, and he was holding a little bag before he extended out his other free hand to give you a handshake.

Panicking, you quickly stood up to return the handshake, which made him smile at you. As you both sat down, he immediately took out the item that was in the bag that he was holding—a red wine.

“I hope that you are fond of drinking red wine. At least, that was what your brother has informed me of.”

Oh, you were so going to kill Haknyeon after this.

There was a problem. You have never told Haknyeon about your alcohol tolerance and how you were certainly not going to survive drinking a few glasses of red wine. But as a courtesy, you have no choice but to accept the offer and to act as if nothing was wrong about it.

As the man poured both of you a glass and the food came, you were both enjoying the ambience and the company for he was a pretty chatty man himself. He knew how to break the ice and not make things uncomfortable for you both. It was the way he was always so engaged in every conversation or topic that either you or he has come up with, and he never judged any of the answers you have provided.

What was more intriguing was his gaze upon you. There was something about it that just drew you in, which made you felt comfortable and wanting to share more with him.

And how attractive he looked.

As you both chatted more, you eventually found out that he was indeed a psychologist, and he worked at the local hospital in town. He was well-trained in his job, for he would often be sent back to Westalis, his hometown, to treat the patients there. In other words, he is going back and forth between both countries, trying his best to help as many patients as possible.

You, on the other hand, introduced that you were working as a clerk in the Berlint City Hall, and how you mentioned that you were just an ordinary person. But apparently, your date did not agree with this information as he gently laid one of his hands upon yours, reassuring you that you were doing more than enough to serve the city.

Oh, how you were starting to fall in love with him.

It wasn’t long before you realised that you had yet to get his name this whole time that you were chatting about other topics. When you finally asked, it was a name where you knew that it would undoubtedly fit a fine gentleman like him.

“Oh, my deepest apologies where was my manners?” He gently wiped his mouth clean with the given napkin before putting that signature smile back onto his face.

“You can call me Jayden.”

You were now trying your best to balance yourself as you were tipsy and actually on the verge of being blackout drunk. Jayden was extremely worried for your well-being, so he was still beside you as you started walking down the streets. As much as you tried your best to tell him that you were okay and would call it a day, he was not buying it and started to grip your hands and placed them over his shoulders while his other hand laid gently on your waist.

“There’s no way I am letting you go home alone like that. Please, let me at least take you to your doorstep.” He replied firmly, clearly not giving you any room to fight back anymore.

It seemed as if you were left with no choice but to allow him to give you a helping hand as you both strolled towards the direction back to the comforts of your home.

It was then you both heard a gunshot.

Both of your eyes widened and your ears perked up from that loud sound as you both turned towards the direction of where the source of the sound came from.

Squinting your eyes, you eventually make out a few figures running into the dark alleyway down the road, carrying a gun as they begin shooting again.

That had sobered you up before you freed yourself from Jayden’s grip and took off running towards that direction, ignoring Jayden’s calls for your name.

Getting drunk and having a low alcohol tolerance was your weakness, but that does not mean that Lunala’s skills would diminish in any sort of way. You were now putting on your assassin persona, scanning the place to find traces of where the individuals may have gone. That was when you noticed a few scratch marks on the walls, and you quickly followed the direction towards the sound of the gunshots.

It took you a few turns before you finally found yourself in a corner, witnessing the group of thugs who were aiming their guns at a poor individual holding a bag that probably contained something that they were after. Your footsteps did not go unnoticed, for the thugs immediately turned back to aim their guns at you. Luckily for you, and not so luckily for them, you were now sober enough, ready to land a punch and kick to knock those thugs out.

In one swift movement, you ran towards one of the individuals, knocking the gun out of their grip before throwing a punch right into their face—causing the individual to fly across to the other side. The other thugs began to panic as they were surprised that a woman like you possessed such strength. Their hands began to tremble before one of them decided to put on a brave face and lunged towards you.

It turns out it was a horrible move to make because he would eventually be knocked out cold and tumble down the alleyway thanks to your brute strength. Not wanting to waste more time, you quickly took out each individual at a time, successfully knocking out all of the weaponry they possessed in their hands.

Dusting off your hands, you slowly walked towards the individual before that familiar voice made your eyes widen, and you turned your back to face the source of where it was coming from.

“Woah, Y/N. What exactly happened here?”

Damn it. It was Jayden.

There was no way you would tell him that you were an assassin, so possessing combat skills was part of your forte. You were struggling to think of something before you heard some shifting noises coming from behind you.

“Umm… I-It’s not what you think it is—”

“Y/N! Duck!”

Within a swift motion, Jayden quickly made his way towards you before throwing a punch at the individual holding the bag in their possession towards the ground. You were confused as to why Jayden did precisely that before he slowly bent down to face the individual himself. He quickly took the bag out of their grip before looking back at the individual grunting on the ground.

“Well, it must have been very bold of you to steal these jewellery pieces from the local art museum. Unfortunately, luck was not on your side for tonight.”

“Why you…”

“Oh, if I were you, I would save up the energy, darling. You were clearly in no way better than the thugs who were chasing you down the streets.”

“W-what? How did you know—”

“Oh, I do know, alright.” Then Jayden’s voice went down an octave lower, and the look in his eyes would be enough to send shivers down one’s spine. Unfortunately for the individual, he now finally recognised who exactly he was dealing with.

“Y-you… you’re… Twi—” The individual was knocked out cold by Jayden once again, only this time, he would not be waking up anytime soon. Jayden gave himself a huge sigh of relief before he stood back up, turning back to you with that signature smile of his.

“Well, that was something. I am sorry if I terrified you in any way. I hope you’re alright, Y/N?” Jayden questioned as he examined you to see if you were left with no scars. But that wasn’t what concerned you the most. That brute strength he had shown back then was not something an ordinary individual could pull off. Sure, maybe someone who possessed martial skills could do it anytime—but something just felt off.

You needed to know. If he genuinely does possess something else rather than just being an ordinary psychologist.

“J-Jayden… how did you know—”

“Oh, you meant that individual back there? Well, working with patients across the country has gotten me a fair amount of networks that I could rely on to keep up with the latest news. That also meant individuals like him who escaped from the facility and did the dirty work on the streets.”

Hmm… okay. That does seem plausible.

“And to be fair, he was about to inject you with some sort of liquid with the syringe he possessed in his hands right into your neck, so I had no choice but to knock him out cold.”

Syringe? Liquid? How exactly did this happen?

You quickly turned to look back and examined the scene, and sure enough, your eyes landed upon the shattered syringe with the liquid now oozing out onto the floor.

How could you not have noticed this before?

It seemed as if your date had somewhat of a keen sense and could detect certain things that you couldn’t, which was odd since you usually never miss out on a single detail.

Maybe it was the influence of alcohol. You reasoned to yourself, not wanting to ponder upon this topic for too long since your head is starting to hurt now as if it were the after-effects of the alcohol.

Jayden noticed how you were placing one hand on the side of your head as you closed your eyes to deal with the pain that was starting to get more prominent than before.

He calmly took off his suit and draped it across your shoulders, now holding you close to him once again.

“Let’s go home now, hmm?”

It has been a week since that fateful incident.

You were typing away on the computer at work, but almost every five minutes, you would get distracted as your mind constantly wondered who exactly your date was.

There was just something about him that just stood out. You couldn’t pinpoint what it was, for you struggled to find the exact words to describe it yourself.

You searched for as much information about him as possible from the city hall’s database. Still, all that you could come up with was just as he had described himself: an ordinary psychologist who travelled back and forth between Westalis and Ostania to treat as many patients as possible.

At the same time, you tried asking your brother Haknyeon about Jayden himself, but the answers were the same as you had predicted. You undoubtedly did not tell him about the suspicions you have had about the man himself—there was no way Haknyeon would find out about your side job as an assassin anytime soon.

You sighed as you leaned back into your chair, closing your eyes to eliminate the frustrations. That was until the telephone from the table rang, and you quickly picked it up, expecting it to be from your higher-ups from the office.

“Code name: Lunala. Report for duty.”

Your mission for the night was to assassinate the chairman of the Lee Corporation, as it was a task given by the state government.

It was an A-rank mission, meaning you would do the dirty work for the state government. Sure, they have gotten their people to handle assignments like this, but they care about their reputation too much to get their hands dirty.

Since the Gardens took on side jobs for the government and they were the ones who authorise you people to keep the organisation up and running, you assassins have learnt the hard way to keep one of your eyes closed and continue with the job as quickly as possible.

Making your way towards the hotel, you got through the security team quickly with your forged pass. As you finally reached the top floor where the chairman would be hiding, you slowly approached the two bodyguards who were guarding the doors and tried your best to woo them before finally drawing out both of your kunais as you slit their throats. As they dropped to the ground one after another, you gently knocked on the door, earning a response from the other side.

As the door opened, you wasted no time but to dash towards the first person that was within your sight, taking him out in an instant. All of the other men quickly armed themselves and charged towards you, but your quick reflexes beat them to it as you aimed for all of their vital spots.

Now that all the bodyguards were out of the way, you slowly walked towards the chairman, who was panicking as he got up from his chair and quickly grabbed one of the pistols from the ground, aiming it towards you.

“S-stop… please don’t kill me… I’ll give you whatever you want!!”

“Unlucky for you; you have no room to determine whether you would live. It is I who is going to end your life tonight.” You replied bluntly before getting yourself into your offence position and started charging towards him.

It was then the walls above came crashing down, and an individual jumped right in front of you, grabbing onto both of your wrists.

You tried your best to fight back, but clearly, the individual was way stronger than you were, still holding onto your grip firmly, not planning to let you go anytime soon.

The individual was wearing a hood, so it was nearly impossible to determine what they looked like. The only thing you could make it was their dark brown eyes.

“I’m so sorry, sweetheart. But I shall be taking the chairman with me.”

You narrowed your eyes, trying to figure out ways to escape from the individual while conversing with them to keep them engaged.

“Who are you? And what makes you think that you’ll be winning against me?”

“I’d like to think I am pretty good at my job.”

“Prove it then.”

It was then you kicked into the individual’s abdomen, causing them to take a few steps back before you aimed one of your kunai into their direction and threw it, only for it to miss and land towards the ceiling.

But it was part of your plan, for your aim was to get them to follow the direction of the weapon so that you could launch an attack when their defence was at its lowest. The individual caught on quickly, and he could defend themselves by crossing their arms to shield themselves from your punch before the both of you began a non-stop one-on-one combat with the individual.

Surprising to you, it seemed as if their stamina was not diminishing at all, even when you both have been brawling against each other for a good ten minutes now. If this keeps up, you know it won’t get you anywhere, and you need to assassinate the chairman to prevent him from escaping.

With one final punch, both of you retreated to each end of the room, quickly getting back into your defence position with both of your kunais in hand. The individual then promptly took out a handgun, aiming it straight towards you.

“Sweetheart, I do not wish to hurt you.”

“Bold of you to assume that you would actually be able to leave a scratch on me.” You taunted the individual while you were trying your best to catch your breath.

Before you could reason your next move, the individual then aimed the gun towards the ground and shot. To your surprise, the weapon did not contain any bullets, but rather a good amount of smoke was coming out from the gun itself. As you took a tiny whiff of it, you knew that you were in big trouble.

Sleeping gas.

It was too late for you to run as the smoke quickly engulfed the room. You tried your best to keep yourself awake, but eventually, you collapsed to the ground as your eyes began to close.

Before you blacked out, you could vaguely make out the individual’s last words before they eventually left the scene.

“...forgive me, Y/N. This is part of my job too.”

You were awakened by the beeping noises seemingly coming from your side. You tried your best to open your eyes amidst the bright light shining into your face as you tried to make sense of your surroundings.

You then found yourself lying down on a bed with an IV drip inserted into one of your arms. An oxygen mask was placed over your mouth to help stabilise your breathing. Just as you were about to get up, you heard that familiar voice as they entered the room.

“You’re awake, Y/N.”

You turned towards the door to see your date from the other day walking towards you while holding a tray of food that he had prepared. As he placed them down on the table situated beside you, he gently gave you support as you slowly sat up from the bed.

“I’m so glad you’re okay, Y/N. I was worried sick about you.” He expressed his genuine emotions while trying to remove the oxygen mask away from you.

So many questions were running through your brain, and you tried your best to eliminate the ones where you could potentially risk yourself exposing your identity. Instead, you went for a general question that you hoped would somehow be acceptable in the current situation you were in.

“How did you find me, Jayden?”

“It just so happened I had a conference at the Lotte World Hotel. We were all told to evacuate when there had been an intruder reported at the top floors. The chairman of Lee Corporation was supposedly one of my clients that I was supposed to meet up with after my conference was over, I went up to the top floor to see dozens of men who were killed in cold blood. And it was also where I found you lying there on the ground.”

Mentally, you were cursing yourself for messing up the mission and nearly exposing your cover. Out of all people, you just had to encounter your date from the other day—as if what happened that fateful night was not enough to embarrass yourself or expose your identity even further.

While you were busy furrowing your eyebrows, Jayden took a seat on the side of your bed and gently placed one of his warm hands onto yours, which, to be completely honest, made your heart skip a beat.

As you looked up to meet his eyes, you could tell he had this genuinely concerned look, as if he was about to cry.

“Y/N. What exactly is your job?”

Oh, hell no.

This has been the number one question that you have been trying your best to avoid since the day Haknyeon set you both up on that very first date. What happened the other day would have blown your cover if Jayden had just asked if whatever happened back then was your doing. But given the circumstances now, especially when he found you amidst the dozens of dead bodies in the hotel, even an average person would think that something is not right in that situation.

As you were doing somersaults in your mind, you tried your best to keep calm and respond in the most natural way you possibly could without causing much further suspicion to be thrown at you.

“W-why would you say that?” You chuckled nervously.

“I don’t know… Y/N. I’m pretty sure you weren’t just there for fun, and I don’t think an ordinary clerk from Berlint City Hall would have business with the chairman. You could have lost your life if I didn’t find you there and then.”

You lowered your head to look back at the bedsheets, not knowing what to say. Perhaps you could tell him that you work for the State Security Service (SSS)—that would be a reasonable answer to buy some time for now. But there was a problem. Your brother Haknyeon is part of SSS, and there is no knowing if Jayden would do a little background check on you later on—that is, if he doesn’t trust you enough.

Or worse, you never know if he might have contacts from SSS, given that he is a famous psychologist in the country. He must have his networks to access pieces of information as quickly as possible—

Your train of thought was cut off when you were pulled into an embrace. Jayden rested one of his hands on your head as he began stroking your hair, and he gently rested your head in the crook of his neck. He rubbed his cheek against your soft hair, inhaling your scent before eventually speaking up.

“Y/N… I may not know much about you yet, but one thing I know for sure is that I do care a lot about you. That date that we’ve had the other day? It wasn’t just some ordinary date. I genuinely do like you and have slowly started to take an interest in you. You have no idea how I have been yearning to see you again, and only to have my heart dropped when I found you unconscious in the hotel.”

Your eyes widened at the sudden confession and embrace, but it seemed he wasn’t done letting out his feelings just yet.

“Y/N. I want to get to know you more, and in order to do that, I want to protect you at all costs. Even from the other day in the dark alleyways, I was so glad that I came in time to save you. So will you accept this offer?”

Never in a million years would you have thought you would score in a relationship. You have never dated, heck, no man has ever taken an interest in you. Who would’ve thought that a simple blind date set up by your very own brother would land this opportunity for you.

Jayden then slowly pushed you away, only for him to grab both sides of your shoulders, looking desperate into your eyes.

“Please? Will you give me a chance, Y/N?”

You were now having an internal battle with yourself. As much as you want to reject him, merely because of the dangers of your actual job and you were supposed to keep your close contacts to a minimum. But your heart says otherwise.

It would have been a lie to say that you weren’t smitten by him on that very first day that you both met during that date. You were entranced by him, and you thought that he might be a little too good for you, thinking that there was no way you would deserve a man like him.

But now that he has made the first move and confessed to you, that paints the whole situation differently.

Say no, Y/N. Do not risk it all—

“Yes, Jayden. Let’s make this work.”

Immediately, he threw himself over you, causing you both to fall back onto the bed. It was as if he was a puppy wagging its tail; being all happy would’ve been an understatement at this point. He was hugging you tightly and rubbing his cheek against yours, and you decided to return the favour.

“Thank you, Y/N. I’ll be sure to make you the happiest woman alive.”

“Ju Haknyeon, I swear you are so dead this time!!”

You slammed your apartment door open and screamed at the poor young fellow, who turned their head towards your direction while stuffing his mouth with his favourite chips. The young fellow was confused as to why you were so mad that your face was slowly turning into the colour of a bright red tomato at this point.

“Now, what have I done wrong this time, noona? I thought we were on good terms now that you have an actual boyfriend—”

“BOYFRIEND. Thanks for clarifying that. Because tell me why my little brother made an effort to announce to the majority of Berlint City Hall that I am engaged and ready for marriage within six months??”

That was when he remembered what he did, and his mouth formed an ‘o’ shape.

You were not having it, as you quickly stomped towards him and grabbed his bag of chips away, causing the male to whine and cling to you.

“B-but noona!! It is clear to everyone that you have been head over heels with Mr Jayden. Indeed, it would be natural to let people know that engagement is possible now.”

“You have no idea how badly I want to kick you out of my apartment like RIGHT NOW.”

Just as you were about to drag the male towards the front door, he suddenly screamed out something, which made you drop everything that you were holding right onto the ground.

“By the way, Jayden called a few minutes ago and said he will be waiting for you at the Four Seasons hotel!!”

You gasped. “Well, why didn’t you tell me this earlier!!”

You were now rushing into your bedroom, digging out clothes that would fit the theme and ambience of the date as you tried your best to fix your makeup as quickly as possible before dashing out to the front door again.

You waved a quick goodbye before you slammed the door shut, causing Haknyeon to grin as he pulled up another bag of chips he was hiding behind the couch.

“Noona is down so bad for him at this point and I am loving this.”

It turns out that Jayden booked the same exact hotel and table for the night to commemorate your third month as a couple.

It was crazy to think how time passed so quickly and the both of you have been having so much fun together. Jayden would always meet you after work right outside the city hall, and the two of you would often go cafe hopping on weekends too. For the first month that you were together, he booked two tickets to the local aquarium—all thanks to your brother Haknyeon who told him that you have an abnormal obsession with penguins.

For your second month, the man himself got two tickets for you to head to the local zoo because they were hosting an annual Halloween trick-or-treat event where all individuals, from kids to adults, were free to participate. It was then you showed off your childish and bubbly persona—something that Jayden himself truly really loved. It was rare for him to see you in such a manner since usually you were more shy and reserved. But it was good for a change.

So for tonight, he decided that it would be great for you both to just wind down and relax with a candlelight dinner at the very first place you both met, sharing about how each of your days has been for the past week. The both of you haven’t been able to meet up with one another for a while since Jayden was away in Westalis for a conference. So it was good to have him back now.

Or so you thought.

“Say, Y/N. There’s something important I need to tell you.” He took a sip of his wine before placing it down on the table.

“What is it?”

“I think… I might be gone again for a while.”

“Oh, no it’s fine—”

“No, I meant like… for a long time, that is.”

Oh.

As much as you were sad for him to leave again when he just got back, you couldn’t help but understand that it was his job to travel around the country for his career, meeting with clients and treating as many patients as possible. You tried your best not to portray how sad you would be in your emotions and your response, but clearly, Jayden could read your body language easily.

“I’m sorry, Y/N. I know I’ve just returned and have to leave again. It’s not fair for you at all.”

“Oh my god, no, please! I mean. You do what you have to do, Jayden. It is work, after all.”

This time, he took both of your hands into his and he gently placed a kiss on top of your palm, now looking back up to you while interlocking your fingers with his.

“I promise. I will be back sooner or later. I will keep you posted by writing you letters often. I love you, Y/N.”

Trying your very best to hold back your tears, you leaned in to give him a quick peck on the lips before responding to him.

“I love you too, Jayden. More than anything.”

It has been close to a month now since you last encountered your boyfriend. It felt like yesterday when you had just dropped your boyfriend off at the Ostania train station, hugging him tight and not wanting to let him go despite the train master calling for the remaining passengers to board the train as soon as possible.

Eventually, you did let go, but not before Jayden leaned in to take a final whiff of your scent and kissed the top of your forehead, promising he would return in the blink of an eye.

At the very beginning, the both of you exchanged letters quite often—at least you would get a letter per week from one another. Jayden would often update you about his life in Westalis—talking about how he saved this one blind man who was about to be run over by a herd of horses on the streets, how he almost spilt his director’s coffee because he insisted on carrying five to six cups at once, and how the children from the orphanage home loved his company so much so that they are begging their caregiver to send him at least twice a week to play with them.

You often giggled reading through his letters, it always felt that he was always near and never far away, and you loved the way he could make you smile even through his writings. Every time you got his letter, you would rush back to your apartment, ignoring how Haknyeon called you out to cook him his favourite marinated pork ribs for dinner because you had more important things to do.

You would often write back to him the same day his letter arrived, so by the next morning, you could drop it off at the local post office and eagerly wait for his notes for the following week.

But unfortunately, the letters stopped coming a week ago.

It was very odd, to say the least because it all happened so abruptly that there was no reason for him to have stopped doing so. You tried writing a bit back more than usual but to no avail. You even tried your best to contact his office in Ostania, but it seemed that they hadn’t been receiving any updates from their very own psychologist himself.

Something must have happened to him. As much as you did not want to think about it negatively, you just couldn’t help but fear that something terrible must have happened. But still, you tried to place your faith and trust within him, holding onto the fact that he will indeed return for you.

So you have decided to search for clues about his whereabouts every time you were sent on a mission by the Gardens. You would make full use of your time staking out enemies while finding potential clues about even the tiniest detail that could lead you to Jayden.

There hasn’t been any luck, but you were determined and not ready to give up any time.

Jayden, wherever you may be, I will be looking for you.

The banging sounds of gunfire resonated in the city as the SSS were hunting for a mastermind criminal that had gotten on their radar for the past few months.

The criminal himself has evaded capture for the longest time, and when the SSS finally located his whereabouts, they couldn’t help but contact the Gardens to ask for their assistance. In response to that, the Shopkeeper sent his best assassins to help hunt down the criminal and to bring him back either alive or dead—naturally, you have been summoned due to your rank and also to guide the rookie assassins as part of their training.

With your lead, you instructed the SSS to stake out the buildings on the ground, sending in as many soldiers as they possibly could to narrow down the chances of escape for the criminal himself. Meanwhile, the assassins would take on the buildings from the top so that if the criminal escaped from above, you and your team would stop him.

You were examining the whole crime scene from below, watching how the soldiers from SSS had already begun firing, which indicated that the criminal had revealed himself. With that, you phoned your fellow assassins through your earpiece, signalling them to get into their offence position and watch the scene below carefully to ensure that the criminal does not escape this time.

As you slowly got deep into your work, you felt as if someone had been standing right behind you for quite a while before you eventually drew out one of your kunais and aimed straight into their face, only to be stopped by their firm grip on your hands.

Your eyes widened as you saw who it was—the hooded individual back from the Lotte World Hotel.

“So, we meet again.” The individual taunted.

You scoffed; your blood was boiling again. You have already been humiliated once by them, and you certainly were not going to let them take advantage of you any longer.

“You have interrupted me once, and I will not let you do the same again.” Rage was now pulsing through your veins, and your grip on your kunai hardened. Oh, how you wanted to kill this individual so badly now.

“Try me, then.” The individual challenged. Before you knew it, they freed you from their grasp and you immediately threw a strong punch towards their abdomen, only for them to escape your quick reflexes before they did the same towards you.

It was then you were reminded of the scene back in the hotel. Knowing that this individual somehow had the skills and reflexes that were on par with yours, you knew that battling them like this would take you nowhere. This time, you would need to use your wits to win against them instead.

As you were trying your best to come up with something, you were unfortunately disrupted by an ear-splitting scream from your earpiece—it was from one of your subordinates.

Holy crap—

The individual took this opportunity to see that your defence was weak, and they quickly charged towards you, pushing you straight towards the wall on the rooftop. You grunt at the sudden impact; not going to lie it actually did hurt quite a bit.

Suddenly, the individual began speaking up again, it seemed as if they were not done taunting you.

“Look how the tables have turned. I would’ve expected more from the infamous Lunala.”

“What do you want? I’m sure you’re here to disrupt our mission, aren’t you?”

“It’s a yes and a no. I had my own personal reasons for coming here tonight.”

You scoffed. “Mixing up personal reasons with work? Now, that’s professionalism done incorrectly—”

“Y/N. Do you not really know who I am?”

Wait a minute.

That voice. It sounded so familiar yet so distant. It was as if your mind were playing tricks on you, thinking that this person is someone you are acquainted with. But who could it be? You tried your best to narrow it down. It could be one of the criminals from the past that you’ve dealt with. Or maybe a past Garden assassin? You have heard that some have gotten away—

It was then the individual lifted off their hoodie, revealing the one that you would’ve least expected to see in this current situation you were in.

“J-Jayden??”

“It’s been a while, Y/N.”

But… but how? So many questions were going through your mind, and you were confused with this whole situation, trying your best to convince yourself that you’re stuck in this terrible dream and you’re actually asleep.

But you knew that it would be impossible. In reality, you were on a mission, and it just so happened that you had encountered your boyfriend, whom you had not seen in so long, in the worst situation possible.

However, it seemed as if you finally made a connection in your mind, and you needed answers right away. If Jayden were the man standing before you now, that would also mean…

“Yes, Y/N. I was the same guy in the Lotte World Hotel the other day.”

No way. “And you actually had the audacity to save me when it was you who wanted to kill me in the first place?”

Jayden took in a deep sigh. “You see, Y/N. Things have changed, and it certainly did not go according to as planned.”

“Well, I don’t want to hear it at all.”

“Actually, I think you might want to.”

His grip on you loosened slightly before he ducked his head down, trying his best to find the right words to explain the whole situation to you in the most positive way possible.

“Y/N. Meeting you was… I don’t know. I would want to say it could be a blessing in disguise, or maybe not.”

Your blood was already boiling and you were on the verge of tears, and quite frankly, you have no idea how much longer you could restrain yourself before you combust. “Cut to the chase, Jayden. Tell me what exactly is your true motive.”

“I was convinced…that all assassins were always on the opposite side between us. Based on past experiences, I’ve lived with the mindset that people like us just don’t get along with the Gardens. So, it was pointless to even think about wanting to make amendments and change history, all of that biz. At least that was what I thought.”

He now slowly moves his hands so that they are holding onto your shoulders instead, and he looks straight into your eyes, also trying his best to hold back his tears.

“But you proved me wrong, and I was wrong to target you in the first place. Unfortunately, because of how dangerous my job is, I can’t let things like this get the best out of me, let alone emotions hinder the way in my profession—because that would put the people I care about in grave danger.”

“Why is that… Jayden. What, or rather. Who exactly are you?” It was your time to pose the question back to him. It took him a few seconds to compose himself before blurting out his true identity.

“I am the man that you’ve been on the hunt lately, Y/N.”

No. No, it can’t be. You did not want to accept reality. It would seem as if you would be better off killed—oh, how badly you have stooped so low to discard the Lunala that you’ve worked so hard over the years to build up.

Love was dangerous. That was why assassins like you always struggled to find a partner—especially when they were from the other side.

One thing is clear now, the man in front of you is no longer your boyfriend. In fact, he is actually your worst enemy right now, and you were the same to him.

The only question is: who will make the first move to kill the other person?

It was then you let your emotions get the best out of you, as you finally let the tears that you have been holding up for so long drip down onto your face. You didn’t care if you felt vulnerable at this moment; you just needed to vent your feelings.

You sobbed before finally began to ball up your fist and started hitting Jayden on his chest.

“Why? Why did you just have to come into my life? If all that hadn’t happened, I would’ve just carried out my mission most easily and quickly as possible.”

“Perhaps, it was also my fault for thinking that I would surely get away and perform my mission well like how I’ve always done in the past. But it just so happened that you were the first one to prove me wrong.”

Jayden didn’t resist as you continued hitting him in the chest, which he deserved for failing to keep his composure as Twilight.

Just then, he suddenly moved his hands to cup your face, lifting your teary face to meet his. “We don’t have much time, Y/N. But before we part ways, let me just do this for once.”

Slowly, he leaned in to close the distance between you too. His lips felt warm against yours, and you didn’t hesitate to return the kiss. Jayden kissed even harder as he moved his hands to your back, pushing in and wanting to taste you more. As a tear dripped onto your face, he gently moved his fingers to wipe them away.

This is wrong. So wrong. But neither of you could resist it.

When you both finally parted and tried to catch your breath, he rested his forehead onto yours before whispering.

“We will return to being enemies the next time we see each other again, but just so you know, Lunala will always have a special place in my heart, even if my actions prove otherwise.”

With one final look into your puffy eyes, he pushed you away and quickly made his way towards the edge of the building; he took one final look at you before saying his potential last words to you.

“Sangyeon. Lee Sangyeon. That’s my real name.”

Within a flash, he jumped from the building and ran into the darkness, never to be seen again.

You were brought back from reality by your subordinates ringing you through the earpiece, and you tried your best to compose yourself and wipe your streaming tears away before you finally responded.

“Tell the soldiers from SSS to secure the entire premises. We have another individual to assassinate for the night.”

Sangyeon’s POV

It wasn’t part of his job to have encountered you tonight. In fact, he was tasked with capturing the criminal and bringing them back to the headquarters in one piece, all while avoiding the SSS at all costs. It just so happened that the Gardens were called forth for the mission, and he knew that you would be there guiding the rookies.

There was a reason that he had been avoiding you for the past month. It was true that he has got to attend some conferences as part of his psychologist persona. But the main reason he left was because he knew that things were starting to get more dangerous than they already were—he began to develop feelings for you.

His main reason for even accepting Haknyeon’s call in the first place was because he knew that you were the famous Lunala, and it was as if pure luck that the opposing party were the first to make a move instead of him. It was something that he was thankful for in the first place.

Things started fine at the beginning, he was going to get close to you, gain your trust, and eventually wait for the right time to confront you about you trailing him for the past weeks.

His record has always been perfect: no flaws, no mistakes and most definitely, he has only been diverted from his mission so badly once you came into the picture. He realises the growing addiction that he has developed for you and suddenly, you became the most challenging mission that he would ever be assigned to.

He constantly blames himself whenever he thinks about his mission, how much he has let his guard down, or how this is not who Twilight is. But every time he does that, the soft, pure and bubbly image of you pops up in his mind.

Never would he have thought that he would fall in love, especially when he had gone through a difficult childhood himself, having the lack of love nor attention from his actual parents. There was just something about you that made him change his mind—that the world did not just have to revolve around crime and anger.

So he did what he knew was best for the both of you, him leaving before it would be too late to do so. He was not going to put your life in danger, and it would kill him to find out that you would get hurt all because of him and his actual job.

And for the first time, since he was known to become the infamous Twilight, he had a failed mission written in his books.

“Is it an addiction, Y/N? Because you were not an easy mission to fulfill.”

A/N: i know i have been writing long oneshots lately shush—

masterlist

taglist: @deoboyznet @kflixnet @k-films @flwoie @zzoguri @kyusqult @tinkerbell460 @cheonsafics @sulkygyu @jaerisdiction @lngwayup

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gatorbites-imagines · 2 years

Note

Hi✨. How are you?. Hope You re feeling great today, love u so much 🙂💐. It's me again jeje. Just LOVE your writing SO MUCH.

Am thinking of a one shot, male reader x Bucky Barnes or Steve Rogers, R is a shape shifter, but something happends fighting with Hydra, they experiment on him a few days and when the Avengers rescue him, change of shape because of a strong sound because he is scare.

He ends up changing to a puppy, being scare of everything and everyone talking to him and trying to touch him.

So Bucky or Steve take care of him for a few days until he changes again to a human.

Love u 💞

Bucky Barnes x Steve Rogers x Shapeshifter male reader

Headcanons

What about both? ;)

Im doing great, thanks for asking. Hope you’re doing well too.

I tried to shake the shapeshifting abilities origin up a little, hope that’s alright ^^

Sorry for the super long intro, I just got way too carried away with this haha

- You were one of the last members to join the avengers, it was first after the attack on New York by the chitauri that you responded to the request SHIELD had sent you.

- You weren’t fully human, the child of a Skrull and a human. Normally Skrull could only shapeshift into other humanoid like creatures, but because of your mixed blood you could transform into animals and alike. Your normal form also looked mostly human, except for slightly sharper ears, slimmer pupils, and sharper canines along with the teeth around them being sharper. You hid these features using your powers.

- You were raised on earth by your parents, your Skrull parent taking the form of a human. You had known Nick Fury your entire life because of his connection to the Skrull, and him wanting to keep in contact incase you or your family ever were put in danger.

- As time passed you mastered your abilities, you realized that a normal life just wasn’t for you. So, you started to do missions for Nick and taking a vigilante like position before that was a common thing to do. You worked in the shadows most of the time, and after getting hurt a few too many times Nick demanded you be trained, which is how you met Natasha and Clint.

- The three of you would fight together at times, and they were both shocked when you used your abilities around them for the first time as they assumed you were a normal human like them. You didn’t tell them you were part alien, so they just assumed you were a meta.

- You ended up joining the avengers, and in the beginning the others were cautious about you, all except for Natasha, Clint and interestingly enough, Thor. You had an inkling that he somehow knew of you being part Skrull, as he referred to you as his fellow brother from space.

- But as time passed and you all went on missions together and lived together you became closer. Through this you got to know Steve more, and as time went on the feelings of friendship became something more.

- You didn’t confess to him because you couldn’t imagine him wanting to be with someone like you, and you didn’t want to ruin your friendship.

- Though you would turn into a large dog at times so Steve would cuddle you. Natasha and Clint could see right through you and the archer would tease you about it. This resulted in you transforming into a tiger and chasing him around the tower.

- When Bucky came along, he came to the tower instead of hiding away, which made it, so the civil war didn’t happen at all.

- Bucky was very uncomfortable around people and twitchy as he still had the trigger words inside his head. He was only comfortable with Steve.

- After a mission, Bucky was extremely tense and looked like he was gonna have a panic attack, so you transformed into a cat and curled up beside him. He ended up petting you with his nonmetal hand and it helped him calm down.

- This became a ritual that after missions and alike, you would go to Steve and Bucky’s shared floor and cuddle with Bucky and sometimes Steve in the form of an animal.

- When the trigger words were removed, the three of you kept this up even though you didn’t need too.

- Before you knew it you fell in love with Bucky as well, which made you turn into a snake and curl up in the bottom of your closet. You wouldn’t confess because Bucky was way out of your league you told yourself.

- Little did you know the two super soldiers felt the same way about you, and when they realized they both liked you they decided to confess to you together, and you could decide if you only liked one of them, both, or neither of the and they would respect that.

- The day they were planning on confessing you were kidnapped by Hydra. They too thought you were a meta and wanted to harvest your DNA or turn you into a weapon they could use.

- This resulted in you being tortured and experimented on for days or weeks as the avengers and SHIELD try to find you with everything they can.

- When they finally find you, its Steve and Bucky that find you first. You’re strapped to a table in nothing but pants with all kinds of new scars and cuts and bruises.

- When they come close you whimper like a scared animal but don’t transform as you can’t when your strapped down. They move slowly and quietly reassure you that your safe.

- When you’re free they sit you up and are about you patch up your worst cuts and bruises when gunshots are heard. You yelp and transform, not even focusing on what form your taking.

- You end up transforming into a puppy and curl up in a ball with your face under your paws, shaking all over.

- The super soldiers bring you back to the helicarrier and you are treated to the best of their ability, as you make loud painful and scared noises when anyone but them try touching you.

- They try to ask you to transform back, but you just whimper and cover your face with your paws, hiding away into Steve’s chest whose holding you.

- When they get back to the tower the avengers try and figure out what to do. That’s when Fury arrives and tells them to give you time because its normal for your species to take the form, they’re most comfortable with.

- That’s when it comes out you’re part alien, but at this point all the avengers don’t care much and don’t see you any differently. It’s agreed that Bucky and Steve will take care of you as you’re only calm with them

- And so, the two super soldiers take care of you. It results in a lot of cuddling and kisses on your furry forehead.

- You take a lot of naps on their chests or laps, just sleeping off the pain medication and stress. They made sure to take care of your cuts and bruises and change the bandages.

- They also get you your favorite snacks as you can still eat human food in other forms.

- At some point they have to wash you, so they do it by putting warm water in the sink and carefully cleaning your fur and paws, making sure to not get soap or water in your face or ears.

- You end up spending nights in bed with them, and if it was any other time you’d be blushing and freaking out by seeing them both shirtless and being in bed with them, but you’re still exhausted and sleep on the pillows between them.

- One morning you wake up feeling way too hot and like your being squished between something. That’s when you wake up more and see Bucky’s face Infront of you and feel an arm around waist from behind.

- That’s when you realize you have transformed back into a human. You try to wiggle out of Steve’s hold, feeling very embarrassed and like you have ruined your relationship.

- Steve and Bucky wake up, and Steve pulls you in close again, until your snug in his hold and he kisses the neck of your neck softly. You blush and swear you’re dreaming, especially when Bucky leans in to kiss you on the nose.

- You start stuttering, the control you had to make yourself appear human all the time slipping away, revealing your ears, pupils, and teeth. Bucky just chuckles softly and kisses you on the lips carefully before telling you to go back to sleep and when your all fully rested, you’ll talk.

- You’re still blushing when Bucky scoots in closer to you and wraps his arm around you as well, but as both soldiers fall asleep, even if you don’t mean too, you fall asleep too, still half convinced it’s a dream.

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cypherverze · 1 year

Text

CHAPTER TWO

Hardest Part of Ending is Starting Again

an avengers x john wick crossover fanfic

You can access the previous chapter here: Chapter One | Series Masterlist Access

PAIRINGS: avengers x teen!reader (platonic) , tony stark x niece!reader , john wick x daughter!reader , peter parker x female!reader

SUMMARY: Deciding on taking a walk around the city to get some fresh air, your feet had brought you back to where your parents are and to a place that holds a lot of memories for you. Abram Tarasov had began making his moves and had an encounter with a few of his men.

AUTHOR’S NOTE: i had decided to make this story a series! i’m really happy that i get to share this story with you. there are a lot of exciting things that will happen, and it makes me super excited. the reader and peter’s relationship will be in a slow pace, their relationship will develop slowly as the story progresses, so i hope that you’ll be patient with the development. also, notes and comments are highly appreciated.

REMINDER: this is purely fiction, i had made fictional connections so that my fic would make sense. i don’t own the characters in my story. please do not repost or copy my work in any way.

WORD COUNT: 4,115

WARNINGS: foul language, gory scenes and descriptions, blood, guns, knives, and violence.

DIVIDER BY: @delishlydelightfuldividers

After two days, you had already been given the clear that you can now leave the med bay. The pain from your wound and injury are still there, but nonetheless it’s getting better slowly. You head to your own room, which Tony had built for you when he found out that you’re his niece, despite of not living in the compound, he had always told you that you are welcome anytime. You also stashed some of your spare briefcase in your room, in case of emergencies.

You decided to take a shower, then change into a plain white shirt, some leggings, and running shoes. You put on a gray oversized hoody over your plain white shirt, never forgetting to place your phone in the front pocket of the hoody, and brushed your hair, putting on the black baseball cap. You wanted to go get some fresh air, maybe walk around the city and see wherever your feet takes you. Before you leave the compound, you dropped by the lab to check on Tony and Bruce.

“Knock, knock,” You knock on one of the table and saw your uncle doing his stuff, together with a boy. “Working with a new partner, I see.”

Huh, he’s kind of cute. You thought.

“Hey, (Y/N). Good to know that you’re already out of the med bay, and yeah. Bruce is currently out right now, so I’m with this underoo,” You smiled at your uncle. He dropped the screwdriver that he was holding and turned to the boy beside him, “Parker, meet my niece, (Y/N). (Y/N), meet Parker.” He smiled at the both of you and quickly going back to what he was doing.

You walked towards them in a slow pace, you reached out your right hand to introduce yourself properly to the boy.

“Hi, I’m (Y/N) Jovanovich, Tony’s niece. Glad to finally meet my uncle’s intern and protégé.” You smiled softly at the boy.

“H-Hello, the name’s Peter Parker.” He shook your hand, but retracted it right after and scratching his nape.

He’s shy. He’s shy and you find it a little bit cute.

“He’s the boy that I’m telling you about, if ever you decide on transferring to his school, you can hangout with him and his friend so that you won’t feel alone at a new environment.” Tony said, still focused on what he’s doing.

“You’ll be transferring to Midtown?” Peter asked.

You nodded and sat down by the desk, checking out the cups that holds a few amount of pencils and ballpens.

“Yeah, but it’s still a pending decision. I have important things that I can’t leave behind.” Peter nodded at your reply, but you weren’t able to see it because you’re too busy on checking out the pencils and ballpens infront of you.

You grabbed a pencil, you noticed that it has been newly sharpened, and twirling it between your fingers. You smiled softly, you remembered when your father had told you that he had killed some guys at a bar by just using a pencil. Young you wondered back then if you’ll be able to do it as well, maybe today’s your lucky day. You had always been on the lookout for new and innovative ways to eliminate your targets, why not try it with a pencil.

‘Anything can be a weapon, Воробушек’

The sudden memory of your father had appeared in your mind, smiling at the memory softly as your stare at the pencil in your hand. It seemed like an unlikely weapon, but you are willing to try anything, it had always been resourceful, and you knew that sometimes the simplest tools could be the most effective one. Like father, like daughter…what can you say?

“Hey, uncle Tones?” You called out.

“Yeah?”

“Can I borrow one of these pencils?”

“Sure, go and knock yourself out.”

With a flick of your wrist, you launched the pencil across the lab. It hit the wall with full force and a satisfying thud, even left a mark, and you nodded to yourself and grinned in satisfaction. Tony was taken back at what you did, he wasn’t expecting it, even Peter.

“The fuck did you just do?!” Tony looked at you, eyes wide.

You stood up from your seat and retrieved the pencil from the wall, you shrugged at your uncle and smiled at both men.

“Just trying out some new stuff. Who knew pencils can be deadly, if one knows how to use it,” You twirl the pencil again in your hand, “Did you know that my dad killed a few guys at the bar with just using a pencil?” Peter’s eyes widened.

“A-Are you an assassin? Like Ms. Romanoff?” You turned to Peter.

“She is,” Tony answered for you, and you turned to Peter, winking at him, “Don’t do that again, (Y/N). If you do it again, I’m banning you from the lab.” Tony sternly said, hands on his hips. You gave him a thumbs up.

The pencil was sharp enough to penetrate the skin, it might not be as lethal as a knife or a gun, but it was certainly better then nothing. Testing your aim again, you saw an empty can of soda, you threw the pencil again aiming on the empty can. It hit dead center of the can, you smiled to yourself proudly. You remind yourself to buy a box of pencil and always have one with you whenever you work, it’ll come in handy if ever you need to write something when you’re not using it as a weapon.

“(Y/N)! What did I tell you?” Tony glared at you, you just smiled cheekily at him.

“That’s so cool!” Peter cheered.

“Stop cheering! At this rate she can end up killing us with a donut, imagine dying from a donut,” Tony said, “Can’t believe that you’re a literal killing machine.”

You and Peter both laughed at his remarks, putting up your hand to give Peter a high five, and he gladly returned the gesture.

“Well, I’m gonna be heading out for a while. Gonna walk around the city to get some fresh air, I’ve become a bit crazy being stuck in med bay for two days, I need to touch some grass,” You retrieved the pencil, exchanged it for a sharper one, “I’ll borrow this for a while, I’ll make sure to return it right after. I’ll be home before dinner, bye! It’s nice meeting you, Peter!” You gave him a salute and went out of the lab.

“You too!” He shouted, “(Y/N)’s pretty cool, Mr. Stark.” Peter smiled.

“Yeah, but not as cool as me.”

Twirling the new pencil in your hand, you walked through the hallways of the compound. You know that you would need to practice more to really master this silly thing as a weapon. You are not your father, he can easily use random objects as a weapon and mastering it quickly. Things cannot be mastered in one day, but your father had managed to defy the saying.

You had been walking aimlessly around the city, not knowing where to go. You remembered that you need to buy a couple box of pencils, and yes, you are damn serious about this whole pencil thing being one of your many weapons. But you decided that you’ll drop by at the school supplies store on the way back to the compound, you’re kind of a bit lazy to bring the plastic with you around.

You continued on walking around, until your feet brought you right in the entrance of the cemetery. A cemetery that you’re very familiar with. It’s the cemetery where your parents are buried. A soft gush of wind passed by as you walked quietly through the rows of gravestones, your footsteps being muffled by the soft grass beneath your feet.

As you approached the plot, where you can see clearly the tombstone of your parents, you felt a lump rise in your throat. It has been a total of six months since you had visited them, and in that six months, a lot of things had happened—including meeting the avengers and finding out Tony Stark being your uncle. But no matter how many months or years had already passed by, the pain of their loss still weighed heavily on your heart. Taking a deep breath, you sat down on the grass, facing their tombstone, you began unconsciously softly tracing the letters that is engraved on it with your fingers, sighing.

“Mom, dad. It has been a long time hasn’t it, huh? Sorry if I’m not visiting you on a regular basis, it’s just work has began being difficult. I sure know that if you guys are still around, I’ll get an earful on how I’m out of my mind joining the criminal underworld.” You let out a sad chuckle.

“Especially you, dad. I know that you had gave up everything just to escape this kind of life, to give me a normal life, but only for me to fall back into it. This is not the life that you wanted for me, but let’s face it, my childhood was never normal while growing up. When I lost you both, I don’t know how to cope up, to deal with the grief. I became so closed off, keeping everything I’m feeling inside of me, I don’t know how to release it. Joining the criminal underworld…I saw it as an opportunity to be an outlet for me, to release all of the emotions that I bottled up. Eventually, it worked like magic. Been doing it all of my life, up to now, and I’m really good at it dad, I know that you’ll be proud of me.”

“You know, Abram Tarasov is onto me, dad. He found out that I’m your daughter, turns out that he still haven’t moved on from you killing his brother and nephew. He decided to come for me, he blew up our family home two days ago,” You scowled, picking off some grass out of anger, “I’m sorry, but I can’t let this one go. It will always be an eye for an eye.”

For a person that knows you’re an assassin, it’s a strange sight to see. An assassin visiting someone in the cemetery, but it was one that brings you a sense of peace. In a place where death lingers, you feel a strange sense of connection to the people that you had lost, it’s as if your parent’s spirit still lingered in the air around you, and as you spoke every word, you felt the guilt. You knew that the life you live is a dangerous one, one that could end in violence and bloodshed at any moment.

You know very well that your parents love you so much. They had instilled it into you ever since you’re young how much you’re loved by them, they would always remind you of how much they love you so much. Despite the person who you became today, they know that they will still love you no matter what. You turn your gaze into the distance, noticing that there are flowers that are placed on the graves, except your parent’s. You chuckled lightly.

“I’m sorry I didn’t bring any flowers for you, guys. It should have been a walk for some fresh air, but unknowingly, my feet brought me here. But don’t worry, in my next visit, there will be a flower.” You smiled.

You brushed off the dirt from your hands, you placed a kiss on your palms and placed on both of your parent’s tombstone. With a heavy heart, you rose to your feet and brushed off the grass from your clothes.

“That’s the only time that I have for today, I need to be home soon before dinner, but I’ll visit again soon. I love you guys, so so much.”

As you turn to leave the cemetery, you couldn’t help but feel a sense of longing. The longing of living a normal life, a peaceful one, where death was not a constant companion. But you knew that it was a dream that could never be realized. Making your way towards the exit, footsteps echoing in the silence of the cemetery. You know that the moment you leave this place, you’ll be coming for Abram Tarasov with full force. A personal mission to finish, and you would do it with all the skill and determination that you have. But in the silence of the cemetery, you could not help but feel the weight what you’re about to do, you do this for a living, why are you feeling this way? You are already used to it. Even if you can have a choice, the outcome of those choices will always be your demise.

You decided to go home. Not the compound, but to your family home. You know that your father’s briefcases are still in the house, buried on the ground, and you’ll be needing it. When you arrived, the place had been completely destroyed, but the place had been left untouched. You began searching first for the bracelet that your father had given your mother during their anniversary date, and the watch that your father always use during his work. Those are the things that keeps you grounded, things that gives you sense of comfort, knowing that they’ll always be by your side. As for Daisy’s collar, it was already being used by Koda.

You found the bracelet and the watch in a rubble, you let out a sigh of relief that both of the item were not destroyed, thankful that the watch was not shattered. You put them inside of your hoody pocket, but then out of nowhere, you get this sudden feeling of someone watching you, that someone was with you in the area. You gripped your pencil inside the pocket, slowly turning around.

You stand corrected, there was someone with you. You had always known that a day like this would come. After all, when you make a living out of killing people, it was only a matter of time before someone comes for you. You found yourself backed up into a corner, surrounded by a group if heavily armed men. You are quick to recognize that they are Abram Tarasov’s men, and they were determined to kill you once and for all.

You are not going down without a fight. With a steady hand, you are gripping the pencil inside the pocket of your hoody. It was a waiting game, you waited for the first attacker to make a move. The first man charged forward, wielding an SOG Seal Combat Fixed Blades. You quickly drew out the pencil from your pocket, looking at the scene, it’s laughable. A man wielding a knife against a girl that only has a pencil to defend herself. But with one swift move, you had sidestepped the man’s attack and stabbed the pencil right into the man’s throat.

As the other attackers are closing in on you, you moved with fluid grace, movements that are precise, quick, and lethal. You had dodged all of the bullets that had been fired from their guns, managed to disarmed them, and delivered fatal blows by just using the pencil that you had borrowed from Tony and Bruce’s lab. Talk about luck, you are just like your father when he had took down the men in the club from the past.

It was a brutal and bloody fight, but you are a master of your craft, you know how to stay alive. You moved quickly, using the environment to your advantage, just like what your father had taught you, and taking out the men one by one. When the last attacker had finally lay dead on your feet, removing the pencil from the side of his head, you let out a ragged breath. You had completely forgotten that you have a wound that is healing and you had just fought a group of heavily armed men. You had also sustained a few bruises, but at least won the fight.

“Suck it, Tarasov. You think sending your men against me while I’m injured can stop me? Think again.” You smirked.

You looked around you, it was a carnage. A bloody mess. Some of the blood had managed to stain your hoody, groaning in annoyance because the stain will be difficult to remove. You put the pencil back in your pocket and wiped off the blood from your hands. You pulled out your phone, dialing a number.

“Hello, I would like to have a dinner reservation. Thank you.” You ended the call.

You searched around the house and found your father’s sledgehammer. You had easily located the area in the house where he keeps all of his briefcases, you lifted up the sledgehammer and began hitting the ground repeatedly until the floor cracks. You put down the sledgehammer and began removing the rocks, pulling out the briefcases from the ground. You opened it to check and it’s still intact, stack of gold coins is still there. You heard a sound of a vehicle, you stood up and saw Charlie getting out.

“Good evening, Charlie.” You nodded at him.

“Good evening, Ms. Jovanovich.” He motioned his team to begin with the work.

Charlie’s team had managed to dispose the bodies, and sweep the area clean. With no traces of the carnage that had just recently happened, you grabbed a 12 gold coins, 1 gold coin for each bodies and softly gave it to Charlie as a payment for the services.

“Thank you, Charlie. I’ll be seeing you again soon.” He nodded.

His team packed it up and left the area. You went back to your father’s briefcase and closed it. You are bringing it with you back to the compound. You know that you have to keep moving, you need to remain one step ahead of Tarasov. You winced a little from your body pain, and prayed to God almighty that your wound had remained close. Tony is going to have a motherfucking field day again with you.

You grabbed the briefcases and slipped away from the area, disappearing into the shadows of the night. The drop by the school supplies store will be next time, you needed to go back to the compound since it’s already a bit late and you told Tony that you’ll be home before dinner. You made a quick stop at the public restroom, to check on your wound. You were relieved that it hasn’t been busted with all the fighting that you did today, you need to thank Doctor Cho for the immaculate stitches that she did.

“Ms. Jovanovich has arrived.” Friday announced your arrival.

The team are preparing for dinner, Wanda had been the one in charge in cooking. You came in, carrying briefcase on both hands. Koda was the first one who noticed you, barking in happiness and running towards you. Putting down both of the briefcase, you kneeled down and ruffled his head.

“Hey buddy! Sorry I didn’t take you with me today. I had some errands to tend to, but I hope that you had a fun time spending with the team.” You smiled.

“He had his fun, alright.” Sam chuckled, “You don’t mind me taking him out? I took him out today for a jog.”

“No, it’s fine with me. Thanks you so much for keeping an eye on him while I’m gone. He usually doesn’t like to be left behind.” You smiled at Sam.

“It’s no problem, kid. He’s a fun dog.”

“If you don’t mind me asking, what’s for dinner?” You stood up, you set the briefcases aside.

“I’m cooking paprikash, I hope you’ll like it.” Wanda smiled at you.

“It smells delicious, Wanda. Thank you,” You smiled at her, “Where are the others?”

“Natasha and Clint are still doing their training, but they’ll be out soon. Vision, Tony, and Bruce are currently at the lab. What happened to your clothes? Did someone spill some stuff on you? Hope you didn’t kill the person,” Sam joked. You removed your baseball cap, there are new additional gashes littered on your face, “Yo! Did you really beat up the guy? I was just kidding!” You chuckled.

“No. Someone didn’t spill stuff on me,” You made your way to the couch, where you saw both Steve and Bucky are seated, “I went to visit my parents at the cemetery and dropped by our house to retrieve a few belongings after the fire. Then Tarasov sent a few men after me, knowing that I’ll come back there.” You emptied the pocket of your hoody.

A bloody pencil, which you forgot to clean. The bracelet and watch, and your phone. You proceed on removing your hoody because it’s starting to burn your skin, the blood starting to stain as well your white shirt underneath.

“What?” Steve said, concern radiating off of him, “You should have told one of us that you’re going there. We could have accompanied you, especially that you have an injury that’s currently healing.” He added.

“Nothing happened, don’t worry. I managed to kill them off. It’s kill or be killed,” You shrugged, “I’m glad that I made a little trip at Tony and Bruce’s lab, and borrowed a pencil before I left the compound. I wasn’t carrying a gun or knife with me, just the pencil. So, long story short, I killed them off with just this trusty pencil!” You picked up the pencil, it still has some blood on it and showed it to the guys.

“Remind me not to mess around with you. It seems like anything you get your hands on can be a tool to kill.” Sam said.

You laughed at him, and suddenly out of nowhere, Bucky put out his hands up to you, motioning you to give him a high five. Without hesitation, you gave him a high five.

“Good job, kid!” Bucky proudly said to you, you smiled at him.

“Well, I’ll go get changed, need to wash these blood off of me. It’s beginning to reek,” You put your hoody on your shoulder and grabbed your stuff from the table, “Is the Parker boy still around?” You stood up.

“No, he just left an hour ago. Why?” Steve replied.

“No reason. Just wondering, met him before I left the compound earlier.” You grab your briefcases from the floor, “He’s kind of cool, cute too.” You shrugged. You saw that the team are smirking at you.

“You crushing on the spiderboy, huh?” Sam began poking your sides in a playful teasing manner.

“What?! No!” You whack Sam’s hands away from you.

“Why are you getting defensive all of a sudden?” Wanda chimed in, laughing. Sam still poking your sides, playfully teasing you.

“Hey! Stop poking me! Sam! Don’t make me hit you with this briefcases that I’m holding!” You playfully threatened, causing him to back away. Raising both of his hands in defense.

“Just saying! You look cute together,” Sam chuckled, “Don’t worry though, he’ll be back again tomorrow.” You stepped a little forward in a stance, scaring Sam a little bit, and causing the team to laugh.

“Stop teasing the kid, Wilson. You don’t want to end up in one of those briefcases.” Bucky pointed at the briefcase that you’re holding and laughed.

“If I were you, I’ll follow Bucky’s advice.” You smirked.

You began making your way towards your room, with Koda following you and sniffing the briefcases that you’re holding. When you arrived at your room, you gently placed the briefcases on your bed and Koda jumping right on the bed, resting on one of the briefcase.

“You know who these belongs to, buddy?” You pet his head, “I know, buddy. I know, I miss him too. I’ll take you with me when I visit mom and dad, but it has to wait, okay? I still have work to finish. When work is over, I promise we’ll visit them.” You smiled at Koda.

You sat at one of the bean bag chairs, staring at Koda. Reeling back on the conversation that you had with the team a few minutes ago, you thought about it. Are you really starting to develop a crush on Peter? You shake your head.

Too soon.

You had just met the boy, it’s too soon to establish your feelings towards him. Yeah, he’s pretty cool, you can be good friend of his. Yeah, a friend. It’s better to just be friends with him instead of you developing some silly crush on him.

TRANSLATIONS:

Воробушек - Little Sparrow

TAGLIST:

@sirimiripetrichor @nimo-jay

#avengers imagine #avengers x teen!reader #peter parker x stark!reader #avengers x reader #peter parker x reader #peter parker x wick!reader #tom holland peter parker #tony stark x niece!reader #john wick x avengers #avengers x john wick crossover #avengers fic #peter parker x female!reader

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punks-never-die205 · 9 months

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Souled Out

Fem Reader x Demon!Eustass Kid

CW: Blood, religious tones, original creation myth, ritual, violence, dubious consent, 18+

Summary: Ever since your 25th birthday you've stopped getting sick, and your hair has stopped growing. It's harder and harder to connect with your emotions, and while you're flourishing at your job, you realize something is deeply wrong. You're almost 50 now, and still in the body of your 25 year old self. Something has to give, because you can't just write things off as looking young for your age.

Chapter 1: Soul Research

Your furniture was in another room, piled on top of your bed, leaving the living room completely devoid of items. You weren’t worried about how it might look to someone if they came in, that mess was going to be the last thing they noticed. You had pulled up the carpet as well, square by square, and tossed it into the spare bathroom you rarely used. Except for a concrete floor and bare painted walls, there was nothing else except for you in the living room.

Well, you, blood, and animal fat, but functionally it was empty.

You had no need for a two-bedroom apartment, but it had the floor space you needed and was cheaper than renting an entire house. If this worked or failed completely, you’d replace the carpet yourself, and if this only mostly worked, you probably wouldn’t have to worry about things like security deposits anyway.

Or your job. You had cashed in all your time off so you wouldn’t have to go back for a couple months, but expecting this to be resolved by then wasn’t part of your plan. You just wanted to survive the next month well enough to return to work at some point after that.

Markings were painted all over the walls, floor, and ceiling in blood. Sigils and scriptures you had found and done your best to verify over the last decade. The culmination of your research and the trials and errors of others. The blood stank, but not enough to bother you, and honestly the smell was less offensive than the sharp acrid stench of paint, so you managed to ignore it easily enough.

You placed the tallow candles you had made in the locations you needed, lighting them after they were set. You had considered beeswax candles, but the trials that had succeeded were clear - everything had to come from something that didn’t survive the harvest. It had to be a proper sacrifice, and not a symbolic one, and you weren’t going to try and eradicate an entire hive of angry bees when you could just buy tallow.

You sat in the middle of the smaller empty circle meant for you and focused on the larger circle in the center of the room. The markings were two-fold, they included your offer and built a barrier between you and what would appear.

Assuming anything wanted to accept.

Assuming anything existed to help.

Shaking your head, you tossed your doubt away, focusing on ritual. You had pointedly decided to cast away your doubts about whether demons actually existed and give yourself to the belief. After all, the reason you were even doing this was because the impossible had happened to you already.

Learning demons were real at this point would simply make for yet another thing you wanted nothing to do with, and yet still had to deal with anyway. Beggars and choosers walked different paths, and you were beyond being able to be choosy. Besides, the blood had been easy enough to get, but you really wanted this to work so you didn’t have to make another set of tallow candles. The consistency was weird, and you didn’t like how it felt on your fingers.

All you needed to do was focus on the words of the offer, sending them through the channels the sigils had connected you to. This was the only part that worried you, not only were all the instructions frustratingly subjective, but you weren’t sure if you could do it. The reason you were even trying this was because you were missing an important part of yourself, and you needed help in retrieving it.

If that missing piece was imperative to “reaching out” or “putting your intent into it”, then you were functionally fucked. You twinged with the faintest frustration and anger, trying to at least hold onto the energy of those emotions and throw them into supposed aether. You wondered if it would make your request sound rude or not and found a small smirk pulling at your usually blank expression at the idea of being rude to a demon.

You might have dust in place of emotions at this point, but time, at least, was something you had in excess. So you didn’t get impatient when nothing happened right away.

After a few long moments, you felt the floor shiver. That, or your legs had twitched from sitting so still for so long. Another shiver and then indisputable proof of the effectiveness of your research. The scripts and sigils of blood were glowing. Enough to overpower the candles in the room, but not so much that you were forced or compelled to look away from the center circle.

A hand broke through the floor, or more accurately it broke through the light reflected off the floor, for the foundation of your apartment room remained unblemished. You had successfully created a door of light using tallow candlelight and blood to summon a demon. You had found a successful recipe in your research and now you were going to learn if it was a good one.

It was like cooking for the desperate and depraved. Step one, preheat your living space to bloody, and once the sun goes down light your animal fat candles and pray to faceless gods. Summoning times may vary, you can use a toothpick to see if it’s done correctly.

The clawed hand was attached to a massive arm, and you were a little concerned that whatever had answered your call would be too big to fit in the living room. But, if the research was right, it shouldn’t be bigger than the circle you provided, and so far, the research had been correct. Even the parts of it that were painfully subjective.

A second hand showed up and both arms descended until they were touching the rim of the circle, bracing against it. There was a strong shudder as something pulled itself through the portal and into your living room. It reminded you of a city worker popping out from a manhole, only this creature was neither a man, nor coming up from a sewer.

Easily almost seven feet tall, and nearly as thick, a human-shaped creature stood in the circle. Dark golden eyes glimmer in the candlelight, and wild red hair, almost like fire crowns the head. Smooth marble white skin, flawless and enticing, flushed pink in places from the blood that rushed under the surface, shimmering as the tallowed flames flickered against it.

If not for the curved horns coming from its head, and the whip-like tail coming off the curve of its chiseled ass, you could have easily mistaken it for a model covered in pale makeup. The creature’s humanity came into question again as those predatory golden eyes settled on you, after it was done taking in the rest of the room. A shiver of dark scales rolls over its skin, settling over its hands and feet and staining the marble look such a deep crimson as to be almost black.

It gives you a toothy grin, dripping in approval, curiosity, and hunger. You look from the eyes to the floor as it crouches down in the circle and practically caresses you with its gaze. Human or not, the height and width weren’t the only thick things on that body.

You were a little concerned this beast had only answered your call for a singular reason, and the anticipation of that reason was rock hard between its thighs.

“You did this right, I’m impressed.” The voice is like rough sex and heavy metal music. It’s like hearing the personification of anger whisper words of love into your ear. It would be intoxicating if you could still be intoxicated, but even objectively it was a good voice.

It puts a claw near the edge of the circle and there’s a hiss as a line of smoke sizzles the tip of its claw. “You didn’t even make a rookie mistake like using your own blood.”

“Pig’s blood,” you answer and see its eyes flicker. “Mixed with sanctified water.”

There’s a low whistle. “You really did it right. I could’ve broken plain blood - human or not - but consecrating it was a wise move.” It takes a moment to admire the work. “Good penmanship too.”

“… Thanks.” You weren’t entirely sure where this conversation was going, but you didn’t want to speak unless spoken to. If you piss it off, it can leave back to where it had come from easily. Nothing in the ritual was designed to imprison it - just to protect you.

A hairless brow arches up and the creature regards you closer. “You know, I’m not complaining, not yet anyway, but you’re seriously calm.” It muses, its eyes taking you in with apt appraisal.

“I’m not a fan of the ones who are ready to piss themselves before I’ve even said boo, but you’re something else. I thought it was shock at first, but your heart rate is steady, and you’re not sweating. You're dressed - another smart move - so maybe you did enough research that you’re truly not surprised, but no amount of books would be enough.”

It leans forward, pushing against the limits of the circle it’s in. There’s no smoke coming from its face, and instead it looks like the circle is trying to stretch to accommodate it. “You’re the first one to do this right in centuries, so no one taught you, and it means you hadn’t seen it before.” The eyes narrow. “Why are you so calm?”

The words didn’t make sense. “Plenty of people have done this successfully. That’s how I was able to research-.”

“Not the right way though. They always make mistakes. If you had made mistakes, little morsel, I’d be taking what I wanted and leaving you without a deal.” It says, shifting its hips suggestively. “You could’ve tried begging me at that point, but all human bodies give out before I’ve been satisfied, and none of you so far are any good at begging properly.”

“I would like to make a deal.” You say evenly, returning the gaze. “In exchange for my body and my soul, I need your help.”

The wicked grin splits its face, and it laughs. “To the point then! Go on little mouse, tell me what it is you want of me, and I’ll decide if your body and soul are payment enough! If it’s entertaining, I may even devour you sweetly at the end of it.” It promises, long twisty tongue licking lasciviously along painted lips. “I don’t have to make it hurt, and if you’re lucky maybe you’ll cry my name with those pretty lips in a way that please me, and then I’ll let you warm my cock sweetly for eternity.”

You hadn’t felt emotions for a long time, but the energy rolling off the beast in front of you was enough to twist your core. Heat and desire pooled in you, but almost as soon as they had burned the feeling was gone. Nothing lingered anymore.

Nothing except anger, and a desire to get what was taken from you.

“Someone - something - stole my soul.” You say, and the barest memories of anger bubble up in you.

“I want it back.”

#Souled Out #eustass kid #x reader #eustass kid x reader #supernatural au #one piece fanfiction #reader insert

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rydenwrites · 2 years

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HELLO HARPIES!!! ♥

I’m baaaaack with another chapter for y’all and I hope the thirsty pics above lured you in ;)

No, Steve doesn’t have a beard or that hair in the fic (according to me of course) but the pic was hot as fuck so sue me.. I’m only human, okay?!

Chapter 61 of ‘Blood must have blood’ is now live! ENJOY! ♥ ♥ ♥

The sun was beaming down on them, slithering its way through the tree tops to cast interesting shadows on the ground as the birds were chirping away on the branches. Safe to say, it was a beautiful morning to do some maintenance work on their bikes and enjoy the weather, and at least pretend that they weren’t just procrastinating. It wasn’t like all they could think of was you or anything…

Both men were crouched down beside their bikes which stood between them, tools and bolts and nuts scattered across the driveway as they cleaned them and oiled all the parts that needed it. They took excellent care of their motorcycles, and it showed; they were always in tip top condition, shining and glistening in the sunlight as the loud exhaust roared in the air like an angry lion when they sped down the country roads. Even now, deconstructed and left bare as they waited in silence, Steve and Bucky made sure to keep them clean and away from any stray drops of oil. It was a great way to keep their hands and minds busy. At least for a while.

“What do you think Jess thinks of motorcycles?” Bucky asked as he screwed back one of the now clean bolts.

Steve raised a quick eyebrow as per usual. If Bucky had a signature smirk, then Steve had a signature brow raise. Along with a quick head tilt to the side. It was all a part of the fine machinery that made up Steve Rogers.

“I don’t know. I mean, Millers had a bike so maybe she connects it to him, and I doubt that’s a very fond memory.”

“Yeah…” Bucky muttered lowly. “At least our bikes are different, though, right? That’s gotta count for something.”

“Yeah,” Steve said as he rose to his feet, a rag in his hands to clean them. “Besides, something tells me Jess wasn’t really someone he was trying to impress, with his motorcycle or otherwise.”

Bucky scoffed as he picked up a wrench from the ground and got to work on securing the nuts and bolts back in place.

“I think you’re right, pal. That guy was all about talking a big game, but when it came down to it, he was nothing more than an insecure little boy with shiny toys to impress chicks with. Nothing more fundamental than that. And I doubt anything about that was very impressing to Jess.”

At least they both had more depth than that.

Go to AO3 for the full chapter!

See you there! ♥

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spell-cleaver · 1 year

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The Protégé Chapter 11: What a Glowing Introduction!

One reckless speech and one very calculated one have grave consequences at the Festival of Light. Things are explosive, and there haven't even been any actual explosions - yet.

"Citizens of Naboo," she began. "Honoured guests. Eight-hundred and seventy years ago, Naboo joined the Republic. Then already a strong, intergalactic democracy, they reached out to provide us with the support needed to recover from our own tyrannical monarchy and foster the longstanding democracy we enjoy today."

Luke smiled to himself, even as he wondered where this was going. He twisted his head to look for Sabé in the stands behind him—there she was, besides a handful of Boss Nissil's officials. Her face was pinched in thought.

"But the Republic is dead. It was a slow death that it suffered: mired by corruption, self-interest, and individual lust for power. All that we have left of it are the lessons it gave to us on Naboo, and what we can take forward from them. We are part of what remains of a great system, and we shall cherish its legacy for as long as our own democracy endures.

"And yet, this glorious Republic was not perfect," she continued. "It provided connections and friendships across vast expanses of space. Whether a mile, a parsec, or half a galaxy away, we could meet each other. We could foster relationships. And in these relationships, form a symbiotic circle. The harmony Naboo holds, between the humans and the Gungans, is evidence of the wondrous things this produced." She nodded to Boss Nissil. "But this does not mean this connectivity was inherently a good thing.

"Many of you were alive during the Invasion of Naboo. Empress Amidala here, standing beside me, fought against it with her sweat and tears. Many of those who weren't so lucky to escape to Coruscant fought against it with their blood and even their lives."

Luke gritted his teeth. Actual rage passed over some of the handmaidens' faces at the slight, but Amidala kept hers impassive.

Read the rest on AO3 or on FFN!

#the protégé #sabé #darth vader #padmé amidala #luke skywalker #pooja naberrie #my writing #random words on a page

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quietwingsinthesky · 10 months

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WIP Wednesday

I was tagged by @heavenssexiestangel for this, and i've got a snippet of a raphael & michael apartmentverse fic that i've had on ice a while. no title yet but the document is just called 'thunderbolt'

(not sure who to tag for this tbh cause im. very tired rn lmao. but feel free to share what you're working on if you see this!)

and here's the little snippet <3

Finally, he turns to the window and to where Raphael has seated themselves. They’ve carried one of the chairs from the kitchen over, and they’re seated with their legs crossed, staring out the window. Raphael rests their head on their arm, and their arm on the indent of the windowsill. Their forehead is pressed against the cool glass, tired eyes lighting up with each thunderous strike. He could imagine it as their grace, but Michael can also see their slow exhales fogging the glass, an undeniable reminder that they are human still, no matter how the sky calls out for Raphael to take to it again.

Michael doesn’t want to wake Lucifer up by dragging another seat across the room. Instead, he sits at Raphael’s feet, leaning back until the top of his head bumps the window. He can feel the minute vibration of the walls in time with the thunder. It takes Raphael a minute to acknowledge him. First, they let one leg drop from where they’re crossed in the chair. Their foot falls over Michael’s knee, bright pink sock not matching the black one he can see on their other foot.

And after another minute, Raphael finally speaks without preamble, “We left them alone.” He follows their thoughts as though they were his own. The connection of their grace has been severed by their mortality, but Michael and Raphael have been two quarters trying to make up the whole of four parts for a very long time.

That made him too sure of himself in the first few weeks of their humanity. He knows how Raphael thinks, he often knows what they will do before they do it, but he very rarely understands what Raphael feels. What any of them feel. It’s hard enough trying to wrangle the constant, conflicting emotions he has.

But Raphael has turned their eyes to the heavens. Michael keeps his head down when he asks, “Are you worried about them?”

Worry is too small a word. Michael can’t make the breadth of the responsibility that he, that they were left with fit into any other, and so, he doesn’t try.

Raphael’s foot twitches, toes curling against his leg. He sees lightning flash from the window, cutting their silhouette against the ground in front of him. Slight variations in the body they inhabit, enough that it looks less and less like the woman it once belonged to and more like...

Not like Raphael. Nothing on Earth could look like Raphael.

But, like the apartment with the various flowers Lucifer brings to set at the table and the scuffed corner where their shoes all pile up and the spot beside the sink where two of their last pristine cups and one glued together mug are drying, it is lived in. It is home.

Neither of them know the full price of that.

“They weren’t made for freedom. They are soldiers. They follow. And we abandoned them.” Raphael says abandoned like it cuts their mouth. It’s an old wound that leaves the word dripping blood. Michael draws his knee up, the one that Raphael’s foot isn’t balanced on, and searches for reassurance and faith to share with them.

It unsettles him how long he takes to find it.

#spn #michael spn #raphael spn #fanfiction #tag game

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ghostfaceaddams · 2 years

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Gentleness of a Criminal

Part Two

a/n: sorry for the long wait! hope you all enjoy the next installment.

warnings: 18+, minors DNI; mention of violence and blood, cursing.

word count: 3,387

prev. part | upcoming... part

“Home” was a penthouse in the heart of the city. Most places were closed after two am, so there wasn’t any traffic to slow them down. None of it mattered to Ash; time wasn’t really an aspect she was feeling any connection with. She was just going through the motions, like a remote control was controlling her motor movements.

The building loomed before the quartet like an inviting doom. All of the sparkling lights of the city and the height of the building were things Ash had only ever seen in movies and tv shows. It seemed too luxurious to be true. Even as Bucky and Wanda helped her out of the car and had to use a keypad and voice command from Wanda, Ash didn’t think any of this was actually real. Between what just happened to her dad and these lavish things, she felt like she was dreaming.

Inside the elevator was paneled with dark, wood and fancy railings. She stood obediently beside Wanda as Bucky stood in front, choosing the correct floor for them. The ride up was spent in silence, the elevator being pulled up as smoothly as butter spreading over toast. Ash kept her focus on the floor the whole time, but her eyes were distant. She just kept seeing her father broken and wondering why anyone would want to hurt him. He was kind to everyone and never asked for anything. Why would three men randomly break in and beat him nearly to death?

The questions. They were asking him questions. Ash couldn’t remember what the questions were, but she knew her father would have answered if he knew anything about them. Or if he did and didn’t say anything, it had to be for a good reason. But that would mean he was caught up in the knowledge of something dangerous, and her dad never got involved in things that weren’t his business.

The whole thing was making her head throb and her heart clench.

There was a ding and then the elevator doors were sliding open. Bucky stepped out first, checking the penthouse while Wanda swayed over to the kitchen. Ash scuffed her feet out so she was standing right in front of the elevator. Her neck felt disgustingly stiff as she tried to move her head to take in the new place. To the left was a wide, metallic kitchen with bright lights overhead. In front of the kitchen, overlooking the windows to the city, was the living room. To the right was the biggest bathroom Ash had ever seen and a huge bedroom. There were stairs to the left as well that led to the second story which housed Wanda’s office, two bedrooms, and two bathrooms.

The first floor was bigger than the entirety of Ash and her father’s house. She felt like a tiny ant in the middle of it all. Everything was so neat and tidy, not even a speck of dust in sight. If she wasn’t so caught up in the whirlwind of earlier activities, she would have been in awe.

“All is clear, Boss.” Bucky announced as he sauntered over to Wanda.

Ash hadn’t even noticed Wanda getting out a bottle of wine or filling her glass with it.

“Thank you, James. You’re free to go.”

Bucky nodded his head in affirmative and retreated to the elevator. Ash had to take two miniscule steps to the side to allow the man into the elevator. As the silver doors slipped shut, Bucky flipped his lips up in a comforting smile. It was sweet, but it did nothing to thawe the shock in Ash.

“You should probably take a shower. I’ll lend you something of mine to wear and I’ll show you to your room.” Wanda finished her glass and gently slid it over to the sink.

Ash’s desolate eyes followed the older woman to the staircase and up the first three steps before it registered with her to follow. She could feel how sodden her socks were as she walked across the hallway and up the stairs. Every piece of clothing was clinging to her like an extra layer of skin. There was a noise in the back of her mind whining about how uncomfortable she was, but it was inconsequential.

Wanda made a right and flipped the light switch to reveal a bathroom as big as the one downstairs. Every inch of it was a pristine white or metallic, gray. Looking down at herself, Ash was drenched in rain and blood, and probably many other things. The thought of dirtying up this perfect bathroom was the first thing to actually wake her up. She widened her eyes, her eyelashes sticking together grossly as she did so, at Wanda as the dirty-blonde started the shower. It was a walk in shower, perfectly see through, and there was a wide bathtub beside it.

“There will be fresh clothes on the bed, which is on the other side of that door.” Wanda nodded to the door to the far right in the corner. “When you’re done changing, I’ll bandage up your hands for you.”

Ash frowned and looked down at her hands. Why would her hands need to be bandaged up? She hadn’t done anything between leaving the house and getting to the bar. When she examined her hands though, she saw her left hand speckled with blood where crisps of glass had nicked her. There was a large gash in the middle of her right palm, blood seeping into the crevices and slipping in between her fingers.

‘How did I get these?’

“Take your time.” Wanda’s voice matched the softness in her eyes, a welcoming pallet for Ash’s injured heart.

After Wanda walked past Ash and quietly shut the door, Ash was left completely alone with her thoughts. The running of the showerhead smoothed out any excess distractions and was able to drag her closer to the water. She had to tug harder than expected to get her jacket off, but once it was off she felt a little lighter and not so tense. Sopping clothes always made you feel paralyzed. With nimble fingers, she lifted her shirt up and over her head, letting it collapse on top of her jacket. She struggled out of her shoes and jeans next, then unclipped her bra and shimmied out of her panties.

There was dark water that was left behind as she walked to the shower and stepped in. She had stepped in so many puddles with pebbles of asphalt and other unknown substances. The same was being washed from her pale skin, cascading down her body and slipping into the drain. The water was warmer than the rain had been previously, and it wasn’t until her body was shuddering violently that she realized she was cold.

She dipped her head down, letting fresh water wet her inky black hair. She kept her arms curled around herself to try and stave off the coldness, to trap all of the bad memories flooding her mind. All she could do was stay in that stance with the water cascading down her as she kept thinking about her father and how she had failed her mother.

*****

The towel Ash wrapped around herself like a cloak was the biggest and softest towel she had ever been cocooned in. Between the warmth of the towel and the Wyoming king sized bed, she wanted to just crawl on top of the navy comforter and close her eyes. Her body was at its wits end and needed to lay down, and her mind wasn’t far behind either. She remembered Wanda mentioning her hands though, and she figured she should listen to Wanda. Wanda was the one her father had sent her to after all.

Ash reached out and slipped on a black pair of panties, the towel clinging to her shoulders. She shimmied on some dark green and black baggy, plaid pants. The towel fluttered to the floor as she got into her pants, letting her back be whipped by cool air. She quickly put on the white t-shirt left and looked at the door. With the naivety of a child, she calmly walked out of the room and went in search of Wanda.

One look down the left side and Ash knew it was a dead end. She looked right and began padding down the hall where there was light being emitted. The staircase created a donut hole in the middle of the second floor. You could go left or right around the curve to the end that was crossed off as Wanda’s quarters. Right in the middle was an office, a large oak desk with a leather chair and papers all around. To the right was a bathroom and to the left was Wanda’s bedroom. She had her bed against the east wall and her dresser against the west wall with a tv mounted above it. Straight ahead were windows outlooking the city.

Sitting at the desk with her head bent over papers was Wanda. She had changed out of her previous attire and was only in baggy black pants and a white button up shirt. The first couple of buttons were left undone, leaving her chest on display. Ash’s eyes slipped down the accessible skin and down the dip, between the valley of-

“Ash.”

The raven-haired girl jerked her head up at the sound of her name. She was met with sparkling, green eyes and a serene smile that brightened the whole room. The corners of Wanda’s eyes were crinkled as she smiled, something Ash couldn’t help but notice. Ash also couldn’t help but notice the way Wanda’s nipples were peeking through her shirt. Wanda rotated her chair so it was facing her bathroom and pushed herself up and out.

“Take a seat.” Wanda motioned to the top of the desk.

Ash looked at the desk with papers elegantly littered around it and back to Wanda venturing further into her bathroom. Swallowing hard, Ash tiptoed over to the desk and perched herself on top of the sturdy, oak desk. She didn’t have to wait long for Wanda to return, supplies in hand. Wanda kept her head bent down as she poured peroxide onto a cloth and cleaned Ash’s hands.

“Good thing is your hands aren’t infected.” Wanda’s voice was raspy and there was the sound of an accent again.

Ash bit the inside of her cheek to keep from hissing at the sting in her hands. She watched as the liquid fizzed and bubbled all over the cuts and subsided. Wanda reached over to pick up a different cloth and dab the liquid away.

“Your accent,” Wanda lifted her head. “What is it?” Ash looked up, their eyes meeting.

Wanda smiled and dipped her head back down. Ash couldn��t tear her gaze away from the older woman’s celestial face. Wanda was just as beautiful close up as she was from afar. Her skin gleamed healthy under the lights and purred of smoothness. Every eyelash was strummed like a chord by Apollo and the dip of her nose was so smooth. That smile, so small and yet so electric. There was something moving around inside of Ash, but she didn’t pay it any attention.

“It’s Sokovian.” Wanda answered as she swabbed the cuts with vaseline.

“You’re from Sokovia?” Ash asked, stitching her eyebrows together.

Wanda’s smile widened. She nodded her head as she wrapped up the raven-haired girl’s hands with compression bandages.

“I was raised there until I was twelve, then my father moved us here for his work. I’ve been here ever since.”

“Us?” Ash was quick to pick up on the mention of other people.

Wanda made direct eye contact with Ash when she smiled. For a moment, Ash forgot she had even asked a question. She was paralyzed by the older woman’s brilliance.

“Me and my siblings.”

“How many siblings do you have?” Ash asked softly.

Wanda wrinkled her nose and leaned in close to the younger girl, about causing Ash’s heart to give out. “You’re very inquisitive, aren’t you?”

Ash’s mouth felt dry as the older woman moved away from her and glided to the bathroom. She could still see those green eyes sparkling like trees on a summer day and a nose crinkled innocently. Wanda had smelled good too, like vanilla and something else, something sharp.

“I just like to know about the woman I’m living with.” Ash quipped once she was able to find her voice again.

Wanda’s eyes twinkled as she looked back at Ash. The raven-haired girl missed the look just by a second, her head turning towards the bathroom too late.

“Do you move in with women often, Ash?”

Ash. It was the second time Wanda had called her that tonight, three if you counted the time back at the bar. Ash didn’t know why she liked the sound of her name falling from Wanda’s lips so much, or why Wanda was even saying it as much as she was. She did know why that comment made her cheeks flush scarlet; Wanda had meant it in a sensual way, something Ash had never experienced. Wanda had probably perceived Ash’s comment that way though, so she was only reacting on what she thought to be true.

Ash always had a quick wit, something to follow up someone else’s bullshit. She wasn’t a sensual girl though. Even she was shocked by her comment and the numerous meanings behind those words, like people hiding behind blocks. Hiding; that’s what Ash did best.

“No.”

Wanda almost didn’t hear Ash because of how soft her voice was and how her head was beant down.

Ash lightly traced her left pointer finger over the gash in the middle of her hand and desperately tried to remember how she got that. Her left hand she could reason; when she climbed down from her window, she had scraped it on a branch or even the ground. Bark can cause tiny cuts the same as glass. But her right hand, it didn’t make any sense. The more she tried to think about it the more it made her head ache and her chest tighten.

She closed her eyes and shook her head. Those men had burst into the house, her dad was downstairs and she was upstairs in her room. When she heard the bang, she came out to see her dad being held up and beaten, then she left. There was no time to cut her hand. She-nothing happened!

“Ash, what’s wrong?”

Ash jerked her head up to find Wanda crouched down in front of her, her smooth hands on the young girl’s knees. She could feel heat crawling over her body like spiders and eating into her skin, down to her stomach. But that was nothing compared to the pounding in her head. She could swear there was a siren going off in her head. For a moment, she thought Wanda could hear it too from the worry consuming her eyes.

“I don’t remember how I cut my hand.” Ash admitted.

Wanda pressed her lips together and swallowed as a wave of sadness crashed over her entire being. All Ash could do was stare at Wanda and await some sort of explanation from her. Even if Wanda said, “I don’t know” that would be better than Ash not knowing. It didn’t make any sense, but it to Ash.

“Sometimes, during a traumatic experience, we block out things we don’t want to remember.” Wanda explained gently, her accent prominent. Ash’s eyes widened as the raspiness of Wanda’s accent caressed her gentle ears. God, Ash had never heard anything like it. Somehow, the accent was softening the blow of what she just heard.

“So…I could be forgetting things that could help find my father?” It was the conclusion Ash had come to.

Wanda’s lips puckered and her eyebrows stitched together in a frown. She shook her head slowly, then more firmly and lightly held onto Ash’s wrists.

“Even if that’s true, it doesn’t matter. I’m going to use every resource I have to find him, Ash. I promise on my life we will.” The older woman’s voice was full of vehemence as she declared her prime to the other girl.

Ash shook her head like she was a cartoon character sprinkling dust off out of her hair. “Why are you so willing to help me? You’ve barely known me for three hours.”

Wanda shrugged. “Your father told you to go to Danvers if anything bad happened to him, you’re keeping his word as much as I am keeping my father’s word.”

Ash’s eyebrows tugged together at that statement. “Your father? What-what does he have anything to do with this? Does he know how to save my dad?”

Wanda simultaneously dropped her head and released a sigh as she stood up, her grasp on Ash disappearing. Even with her head down low, Ash could tell that something had shifted in the other woman. Whoever had promised to find her dad and cleaned up her hands, this wasn’t the same woman as before. If anything, it was the woman who had first spoken to Ash back at the bar.

Maybe Ash couldn’t trust anyone. What was she doing relying on this woman to help her find her dad? It was clear Wanda was only doing it because she had to.

“My father has put me in charge of running the family business until he says it’s time for him to resume control. While I’m in charge, he said that if Charles Xavier or anyone in relation to Charles Xavier asked for help, I am required to help them.” Wanda recited, subconsciously nodding her head along to the tune of the mantra.

Wanda flicked her incandescent eyes up to Ash’s bleak ones. All either one could do was stare at the other and blubber over their thoughts internally.

“So you’re just doing this because you were told to?” Ash didn’t know why else Wanda would do it, maybe she was hoping the woman was doing it out of the kindness of her heart-and you can’t really blame her with that promise Wanda had given, but she didn’t think Wanda would be doing this because she was told to. How heartless could that be.

Wanda pursed her lips together, her eyes hardening over like molten lava turning to stone. “I was told to, yes, but I can tell how much your father means to you. I am not without compassion Ash, I hope my actions from here on out prove that and you won’t forget it.”

Ash twisted her eyebrows together and slightly dipped her head to the side. She was beginning to get whiplash from this woman; one moment Wanda is being quick and thoughtless, then she’s being selfless and nurturing, just to seem heartless and back to upstanding. The young girl was learning not to trust and distrust anyone based on first impressions, but right now she was at a loss of what to do. Surely, if both fathers knew one another and were willing to help the other, that meant Ash could trust Wanda.

But trusting Wanda to find her dad didn’t mean she had to trust Wanda with her life, or that they even had to have a relationship. All Ash was doing was staying at Wanda’s place while Wanda helped to find her dad, and then everything would go back to normal. Or as normal as can be, after four men break into your house and kidnap your dad causing you to flee.

Wanda’s eyes flitted down to the ground and back up, past Ash’s form. “It’s late, and it’s been a long day, you should get some rest. Close the door on your way out.”

Ash stared incredulously at Wanda as the older woman sat back down in her desk chair and waited to scoot forward. She shook her head and hopped down from the desk, her thigh bumping Wanda’s knee. She ignored the shock that jolted down her leg and instead stormed out of the room, purposely forgetting to close the door on her way out.

There was a sigh and then a soft, “goodnight, Ash” and then nothing but silence. Ash wished her mind could sound the same.

#wanda maximoff #wanda maximoff x oc #wanda maximoff fic #wanda maximoff x f!oc #lobstersthoughts

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satohqbanana · 2 years

Text

Aveyond: The Prince and the Witch Chapter 3

Previously in the last chapter:

The morning arrives with equal parts hope and despair. For Nicolas, it's that Ella is alive, but the cure may not be easy to procure. For Lars IV, it's that Uthar has approved of his proposed plan, but wants him to take along Nicolas and friends on the journey.

So starts the adventure to visit the 11 major witch covens.

And so, upon Uthar's recommendation, Nicolas and his friends set off for Candar.

As before, the wolves still littered the frosty forest of the White Pass. The difference from then and now was that, under Ella's direction, the combined efforts of Shaen and Candarian citizens paved proper roads through the Spire Mountains and opened up an easier route between their kingdoms.

The party comfortably followed the trail on horseback, courtesy of Uthar’s grace. The equines braved through the thick, cold slush of the land as the somber skies graced the land with a little more snow and icy winds. Despite the route being “easier”, it didn’t mean the travel was much more comfortable than if they were to take the longer route through the Spire Mountains.

They had two things to do: go to Candar and give Ella’s mother the bad news, and go to Thais to ask help from the local mages and pick up Jack. Leading the party were Ava and Gavin, who had been discussing what to share with Queen Ella III. Lagging behind were Rye and Emma, leaving Nicolas in the middle, surrounded by his companions.

Though, despite the somber silence of the White Pass, peace was fragile. In the future, they would also have to deal with the wicked sorcerer, Lars IV.

Thankfully, before they left, Uthar held the sorcerer back. The sorcerer had a daring and dubious plan against the witches - investigating eleven covens scattered all over Aia? Even if he was of witch blood himself, this only guaranteed his prior connections with them and not if they were truly friends. What's even more worrying was that he seemed to be somehow familiar with the witches who attacked them. Who could say if he would not suddenly change loyalties?

No one could ascertain if the sorcerer was trustworthy. Thus, Nicolas and his friends all dreaded the moment the sorcerer would officially join them.

"Do we really have to join up with the guy?" Rye loudly asked, after yet another rant about the sorcerer. "He's weird."

"Hah!" Gavin looked back. "Look who's talking!"

"You know what I meant, dude! It's not like we need someone like him to accompany us, don't we? Not even Prince Uthar likes him!"

"Rye 'as a point," agreed Emma. "That sorcerer 'as such a, dare I say, volatile mood."

"A volatile mood, and this superiority complex or something! Besides, what can he even do? Hey, Nicolas! What did the guy do, anyway?"

Nicolas replied, "He summoned vines and a huge wave. That's about what I know of his abilities." And competently held off against three witches. And gazed at him with eyes filled with uncharacteristic concern. And spoke to him with an unlikely gentleness. Things that weren't worth mentioning given his antics with Uthar that morning - perhaps things Nicolas imagined in the chaos of the battle.

"That's it?" Gavin whistled. "He sounds like baggage."

Then Ava spoke in a low voice, "You guys do know he's going to lead this quest, right?"

Everyone groaned.

Of the party, Ava was the one leader they relied on when Ean wasn't available. When Ean led, she covered the rear; when Ean was busy comforting his girlfriend, Ava took control. With the elves gone, she was their obvious choice for leader. Not only that; she commandeered a crew of difficult pirates!

However, Uthar's word was also absolute when it came to Ava. If Uthar entrusted their lives at the hands of the haughty sorcerer, it meant that he assigned Lars IV as the party's leader.

Not a very promising situation at all. It smelled like convoluted politics.

“In that case, we’ll simply have to set our boundaries,” Ava decided. But what about Uthar’s word…? Oh, well. Ava could handle almost anything, anyway.

The party's conversation eventually veered away to their past adventures. While talking of the elves, the snowy trees turned into a grassland, and the grassland became a kingdom fortified with pink and purple walls.

They finally made it to Candar.

Emma quickly pulled Rye away to visit some old friends and relatives, and while Nicolas would rather sightsee, such privileges were only made available to Gavin. Ava quickly pulled the prince next to her as her husband and his horse merrily skipped away. Tch, tch!

"Where do you think you're going, Nic?"

Nicolas scowled. "...to explore."

"Nonsense!" Ava grinned. "You're coming with me. It'll be good for you to hear how to break out the bad news to someone important."

Well, he did ask her to straighten him up.

Nicolas begrudgingly followed her as she went on to explain how it was with Uthar back in the day. He liked Ava; he liked knowing about the old Uthar too. He just didn't really like how the process also involved him challenging his discomforts.

The pair made their way to the castle and sought an audience with the queen. Nicolas thought there wasn't much resemblance between Ella III and her daughter, but he could feel the same grace and poise he did from his future sister-in-law emanating from her mother.

"What brings you here? Were you not in attendance at a party in Shaenlir?"

Ava nodded. "You are right, Your Majesty. However, I bring you news most upsetting, if you would hear it."

The queen's stern face softened. "...please tell."

"During the party, we were attacked, and your daughter, Ella IV, has been struck by a sleeping spell."

Gasps arose from the hall. "A sleeping spell?!"

"Worry not, Your Majesty, for her health is in favorable conditions. However, none of our friends and allies can wake her. Even with Prince Nicolas' expertise, all the best we could do is defend her from our foes. On behalf of Prince Uthar of Thais, we sincerely apologize for we were not able to do much more."

"I..." The Queen cleared her throat and continued with a dignified countenance. "Thank you for telling me this, and thank you, Prince Nicolas, for helping my daughter."

Nicolas flubbed his words, but he managed out a simple, "You're welcome," at Ava's encouragement.

As the Queen turned to her soldiers and servants, the prince dwelled on her words. How could he not? What did he even do for Ella? The one who really dealt with the problem the most, as much as he hated it, was Lars IV. Not only did the sorcerer fight the witches off, but also he diagnosed what might have caused Ella's deep sleep and suggested a possible solution (albeit shady) to their witch problem. After that, the sorcerer somehow managed to restore himself to full health despite the wounds he sustained.

Now, Nicolas could admit he hadn't been such a good prince. However, to say that he had not been a good healer... that stung.

With their business done, Nicolas followed Ava down to the streets of Candar.

“Isn’t it great? The Queen will send the kingdom’s best mages to help Ella!” Ava announced. But, when Nicolas didn’t respond, she asked, “What’s wrong?”

“She thanked me, even though I couldn’t do anything for Ella.”

She placed a hand on his shoulder. “You did what you could. It’s useless to dwell upon things you cannot change.”

Nicolas nodded. “Okay.” Working harder to be a better healer was better said than done, really. What else was there to learn in the art of healing, and who could be his teacher? If he asked the sorcerer, it would be as if Nicolas admitted his weakness to someone he didn’t trust. In the places he’d been to, he couldn’t remember if there was another formidable healer or white mage to request guidance from. The old man in Greystone Pass had nothing else to share but his knowledge of magic shields, and while that greatly helped in combat, that was not healing.

Oh, well.

He and his friends would grab something to eat, then they’d resume their travel down to Thais. And once they talked to the mages and bailed Jack, it would be time to head to Bogwood and face Nicolas' oh-so-favorite witches to interrogate them.

And, of course, deal with Lars IV.

Oh, joy.

On the other side of the mainland, Lars IV trekked down the Spire Mountains. His braids swayed behind him as he dashed through the terrains, his feet running on magic. He had been held up in Shaenlir for far too long, and he had to meet Nicolas and his party in Thais immediately.

Now, the party was supposed to temporarily stop in Candar and drop by Thais to pick up another friend of theirs before heading for Bogwood. Lars IV supposed he could just meet them in Bogwood, but he wanted to meet the last member of their party before they went to Bogwood. He badly wanted to leave a few people behind. The fewer people he had with him, the fewer he would need to worry about - all the better, on a trip that he fully intended to take on alone.

He soon had sight of the river, and through his witch blood, he summoned the magic of the water towards himself. The water propelled him down to the sea next to Thais, and soon, he found himself in the so-called City of Clocks.

Time to get some information.

The people were rather worried, but they weren't too panicked. Uthar must've done a sufficient amount of information control. Even so, that was not any concern for Lars IV. He merely wished to know if Nicolas and his companions had already passed by, and the guards said they hadn't seen the party at all.

Alright. Next on the agenda: the old party.

The Thaisians spoke of two weary elves who accompanied Nicolas just the year prior. There were also four others: a pirate, a warlock, an archer, and a swordsman, descriptions that fit the current company Nicolas had with him. There was also a rumor that they picked up a thief from the prison, a young boy to be a little more specific, but no one was too sure of that.

So Lars IV paid a visit to the prison. The crooked jailer seemed too busy to even greet him properly, and with a smirk, the sorcerer eyed each cell. There were three prisoners who fit the criteria of “young boy” - two of which had eyes that held the innocence of someone who understood little, perhaps street urchins who had stolen bread for their starving families. The last one was this one rather tall, oddly-proportioned boy with a mischievous grin. Given that his last adventure would’ve taken place about a year ago or so, it made sense that he would’ve grown a bit by then.

Though, before Lars IV could do anything further, a noisy bunch arrived in the prison. Composing himself, he turned around and smirked upon seeing a familiar carpet of golden hair.

“Fancy seeing you guys here!” he greeted Nicolas’ party, who stared back with eyes wide and mouths agape.

“Sorcerer!” Nicolas pointed at him. “What are you doing here?!”

“Weeeell, a great dragon told me you had a friend in jail.”

Just then, a hand shot from a prison cell. It was the lanky teenager. Good. “That’d be me!”

The faces of the green-haired couple immediately lightened up, and they volunteered to settle the matter with the jailer. Lars IV found himself being taken outside and shoved with his back towards the wall. Ah, yes, the true difficult personalities of this party: the pirate and the warlock.

“Listen well, Empire brat,” spat the pirate, “Uthar does not fully trust you, so we have no reason to put our faith in you. You will not be the leader of myself or my friends.”

Really? Bullying him this early on? Cooly, the sorcerer answered, “Alright. I’ll be your guide, then. You may do whatever you want, as long as we reach all the covens.” That wasn’t really a problem. He knew he had no real place in their group, and it would be foolish of him to demand it.

Though, he still added, “Even so, you do know that you’re putting me in a rather awkward position, don’t you? Uthar did put your lives in my hands, after all.”

“We’re not children. We can handle ourselves fine.”

“And besides,” added the warlock, “You’re not the only one who knows of the witches here.” His voice was obviously graciously laced with jealousy. Ohoh?

Regardless, Lars IV shrugged. “Alright. Do as you please.” He’d give them a chance, as he had initially planned. That would be his opportunity to observe their strengths and weaknesses, to see how their relationships play out, and to pick out the excess baggage for this trip.

The fewer lives he put at risk, the better.

And just as the couple walked away, the sorcerer found himself face-to-face with someone’s chest. Furrowing his brows, he looked up and almost forgot to breathe.

Nicolas.

“How did the likes of you get here before us?”

“...magic.” Goodness. He even almost forgot how to speak.

“Magic? Really? Is your magic why you’re also up and about, despite that rather pitiful state I left you in the other night?”

“Err… of course. I had to do something, since I was in so much pain.”

Hurt passed through Nicolas’ eyes. Quickly, Lars IV added, “...don’t worry about it. I know how to heal myself, too.”

“No, I should apologize. Healing is my responsibility.”

“It’s not.”

Now, Nicolas looked very offended. The sorcerer braced himself for a more explosive reaction, but instead, the healer hesitated to speak before whispering, “...sorry.”

Why? “Don’t be.” Why was he apologizing?

“What do you mean?”

“I mean what I mean. I can take care of myself.”

“What? You, you were already half-dead when you–”

“I can take care of myself.” More firmly this time.

The healer pressed his lips into a thin line, before groaning out, “Whatever!” and walking away.

The sorcerer could only watch with eyes wide open. This couldn’t be real. This was not the Nicolas he expected to talk to. The Nicolas he knew of would’ve berated him for the insult, for Prince Nicolas Pendragon was one of the best healers in Aia. It would not be easy to find one so skillful as him anywhere else, and he took great pride in that.

Besides, wasn’t it true that Lars IV himself would’ve been in charge of his own health? If he was half-dead, he would’ve found a way to close his wounds and restore his energy; if he was dead, he would just revive himself. Nicolas did not need to be so concerned.

Ah… so, he was concerned, huh… Too bad Lars IV was not a person who apologized sincerely. If this was part of the cards he - no, she had been dealt with, then so be it.

Princess Lestari had had to deal with situations far worse than this, anyway.

#aveyond #av2 #aveyond the prince and the witch #anne's av2 au?#annelaurant writing

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fenrirswoodhq · 2 years

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meet ASHA EDARA-BAKSH

Hey, isn’t that ASHA EDARA-BAKSH. I thought they went away for the summer? Did you hear they might be a WITCH, and have a connection to SAGA’S COVEN? What I do know for certain is that they’re 32, and they’re LIONHEARTED and SHORT-TEMPERED. They’re originally from LONDON, UK, and have been back to FENRIRSWOOD for TWENTY-FIVE YEARS living in WOOD ROAD. I wonder if they still work as a BARRISTER. Best if they stay safe for now.

TW: murder, death, trauma, ptsd

You’re born on the cusp of spring, bringing forth vitality and hope to a family in desperate need of it. You fill once-barren arms and they call you a miracle, a slim chance, an unlikely hope – magic. Because it’s magic that cursed your mother’s womb and magic that healed it. You healed it, somehow. Your magic is strong, and your presence is stronger, demanding to be heard, to be felt. You blow into every room like a hurricane and they wonder if you’ll have an affinity for air, flitting from one place to another, without a care in the world. Your footsteps are so sure, so confident for such a small thing and they wonder if you’ll instead ground yourself in earth. But your temper. Oh your temper is explosive from the start, a volcano set to erupt at a moment’s notice and they’re sure you’ll fan the flames within yourself, that fire that was there the moment you were born.

Instead, water calls your name. And you hate it. You’re at war with yourself from the start. Water is fluid. Water can be fixed. It can be as hot as a summer’s day as cold as winter’s night, and so can you. But you hate it. The push and pull tears at you even from a young age. You struggle with your magic but your mother and father have an abundance of patience. After all, they waited so long for you to arrive. So when your magic shows, even when you struggle with it, they’re right beside you. Until they’re not.

You’re seven now, and you feel older than ever but you’re still too young to know what blood-feud means. What consequences curses actually carry. You’re too young to understand what’s happening when magic fails your parents. When you’re woken up in the middle of the night by the sounds of glass shattering and the noise of voice yelling. By chaos. You hide, or you try to, and you tell yourself to be brave until they break down your bedroom door. You don’t remember if you cried. You don’t remember anything but the white hot heat of fire, the searing pain of flame kissing flesh, and the sound of your own screams filling your ears.

When you wake, you’re surrounded by somewhat familiar faces. Neesa and Amir Baksh. Your parents' best friends. But your parents aren’t there. It’s so strange, to wake up in a hospital, arms wrapped like a mummy’s, not a parent in sight. So you ask, voice hoarse and wheezing. It feels like glass scratching the inside of your throat and it feels like glass piercing your heart when they tell you. But that doesn’t make sense. Your parents aren’t gone. They’re not dead. That’s impossible. Your father, so strong and solid, and your mother, so fierce and protective…they wouldn’t leave you. They wouldn’t. They wouldn't. They wouldn’t. And who are Neese and Amir anyway? How close were they actually? You reach for your magic, for that stormy ocean that lives inside you and find…nothing. You try again and again and again and you’re hysterical, explanations of a centuries-old feud, of bad blood, of how they’d arrived too late for your parents but just in time to save you from the worst of it – they mean nothing but they still fill your dreams when you drift off, magic soothing you into sleep.

Your parents weren’t part of a coven. They’d long since struck out on their own, thinking that London would be vast enough to protect them. To protect you. You have no one but the Baksh family who take you in as one of their own.

Life looks different now. You’re part of a coven. You have siblings. But it’s not the same and you spend the first years of your life in Fenrirswood resistant to all of it. Your magic is stubborn. It takes nearly two years for it to come back. For you to feel it again. The coven leaders say it’s been there all along, simply dormant and waiting for you to be ready but you don’t feel ready. You still feel like that scared girl, hiding under your bed. You’ve seen what magic can do, you’ve felt the sting of it used like a blade, cutting through opponents mercilessly. You’ve felt the loss and barren wasteland it leaves behind.

You don’t want it. You resist it. And the storm rises up in you again, waves crashing against your ribcage. Let us out. Let us out. You resist until you can’t. When you answer the call and open that door, it’s a tsunami rolling over you. Everyone says it’ll take time, of which you never feel like you have enough of. And patience, which you know you definitely don't. But something pushes you forward. An invisible force that tells you your parents would’ve wanted you to move on. To grow. You continue to fight it but a little less each day until, one day, you don’t even notice that voice is gone. It’s just you, and your magic.

It’s your magic that heals you in a way your new family couldn’t. You throw yourself into training, each instructor reporting to your parents that you’re impatient. Demanding. Impatient. Volatile. Impatient. Obsessive. Impatient. But you need to be. Because magic is what keeps out the nightmares. What keeps you from waking up screaming, just before the flames of your nightmares consume you. It’s what keeps you connected to your parents, what keeps their spirits alive with you, helping you. Comforting you.

So the years pass. You improve your magic but not your patience. You speak your mind, even when you shouldn’t, and you drive your parents crazy with the trouble you get yourself into. But even they would prefer a third call to the principal’s office because you were outspoken in class to watching you sleep the days away in bed when waves of sadness hit. And they still do. It doesn’t matter how much time goes by, there are days when it threatens to overwhelm you. On days when they should be there, you withdraw into yourself, cocooning yourself to the world, the stormy sea calms and gives way to something darker beneath the surface. Grief is a stone in your pocket, weighing you down at times. You miss your graduation from uni because of it. But sometimes that same grief is what drives you forward. Determinations that no one ever goes through what you’ve been through.

You think you can make a difference. You think that there are people, witches or otherwise, who are trying to escape situations that have become chains around their lives. Like your parents’ fear had been. Choking them until they died by the hands of those who’d wish them harm. You don’t know if you’re cut out for it but you become a barrister, working towards a future where no little girl, magical or otherwise, has to hide under her bed again.

When the bodies start piling up, you leave your busy life in London and return home to Fenrirswood. Questions fill every conversation and while answers are sparse, you’re confident in your decision to come home. You’ve already lost one and you’ll be damned if another slips through your fingers. So you ball your hands into fists, holding on tightly to the things that matter most.

Played by G. Portrayed by Sobhita Dhulipala.

#death tw #murder tw #ptsd tw #trauma tw #st.nonlocal #sp.witch #nbh.woodroad #aff.sagascoven #all.char

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atlas-of-a-human-soul · 3 years

Text

Draw your swords, pt. 6

Summary: Losing someone can make you realize what was already there and the Darkling is about to find that out the hard way.

Warnings: angst, violence, swearing, bit of fluff

Part one // Part two // Part three // Part four // Part five

=================================

Five days have passed and the Darkling had never stopped looking for his wife. His men never saw him rest, sleep was simply never on his agenda. He barely ate at all, merely giving time for the rest of them to gather their strength.

He was restless, constantly questioning how this could have happened. No matter how he looked at it, the Darkling felt guilt consuming him. Without his rage, he worried the guilt would have paralyzed him. Had he not went on a pointless hunt for something that’s likely a tale, she would have been right by his side, antagonizing him.

It’s been hundreds of years since he felt this way, as if his heartstrings are being pulled by someone other than himself. In this search for Y/N, he realized she is consuming. After all, she might have been right – a part of him may actually care for her. He cursed that part of himself over and over again as result.

They’ve tracked her toward Fjerdan borders. Every now and then, they would find bodies on the road, their throat cut or stabbed right through the heart. Sometimes, he found them alive still. He never refrained from calling on his shadows, trying to draw useful information to close in on their whereabouts.

Y/N never saw him use his shadows before. He couldn’t help but wonder if she’d disapprove of the means he’s using to find her. After all, she called him a demon on their wedding night. She would never accept him as he is, he had no doubt about that.

Did she want to be found by him?

The first body they found, the Darkling smiled. He didn’t question it was her hands who have taken the man’s life. There was no concrete proof, but he was certain of it. Every body found felt like her own version of breadcrumbs.

Closing his eyes, he exhaled heavily. If she managed to set herself free so many times to leave what was now five dead men behind, he couldn’t help but worry for her safety. What was the price of each crumb she left?

It wasn’t just the exposure to snow he worried about – and he did worry as she got cold too quickly and he was the one to warm her up before. Who’d warm her up now?

The darkness of the forest gave him cause to worry too – she may have tried to hide it, but he knew she was afraid of the dark. He realized it when her breathing turned shallow and fast their first night together just as she extinguished the candlelight. The next night, he left his candle to burn long into the night.

Something stirred inside him, a beast has awakened. Despite the war his heart and mind waged, he wondered if he’s his own worst enemy. Maybe it was time to let someone in. For too long, he had been alone in the shadows of his past lives.

Why is he repeating the same mistakes?

How can he be afraid when he married a woman who never blinks in the face of danger?

His heart was ice and stone until she came and now the ice has started to melt. All he’s done is hurt and destroy, but he wanted out of the loneliness that clings to him.

She was right, as hard as it is to admit it. He’s a demon, a devil that walks the earth and he cares. Because of her he hopes he might love again and he can’t let anyone take that from him – hope is the only thing stronger than fear. And when a devil falls in love and discovers hope, it’s the most hauntingly beautiful sight. They should fear him as he will go to the depths of hell to protect her.

While his eyes may have been closed, his heart jumped as a bright flash forced him to open them again.

He was never given a chance to be soft. His hands had to be bloody, to have people fear him. Only when they feared him, they wouldn’t hurt him. Now was the time to show them just why they fear him.

“Where?” He growled out, looking to Ivan and Fedyor who were looking at the sky.

“East”, Fedyor replied hastily, ready to follow Kirigan who set off in said direction without a second thought. He didn’t order anyone to follow, but they did.

Ivan and Fedyor walked two steps behind their general, alert as the flash had awakened them from a deep slumber. They weren’t the only ones shaken, unsure what they’re walking into but none showed fear as their general lead them straight to the source. Their loyalty, their belief in general Kirigan runs deep.

Except for David. He was afraid. He didn’t want to be in that forest and he didn’t want to be in danger, but he trusted Kirigan. Besides, Y/N was nice and Genya seemed to like her. So he came along too.

Kirigan walked in strides, the snow didn’t slow him down. His hands formed fists, his face twisted in anger, but his heart pounded in his chest as he had no inkling what he might find. All he knew was that he had to get there, fast.

As if made of darkness itself, the Darkling emerged on what looked like a battlefield. The trees surrounded a small clearing covered in snow that melted under the spilled blood – still warm as it poured from the dead surrounding her.

She’s on her knees, two Fjerdans chaining her up as if she’s a wild animal.

“You think you’re scary, huh?” She spat at the Fjerdan’s feet – a crimson liquid, Darkling realized. She’s bleeding.

“That’s adorable”, she chuckled maniacally as she held her fierce gaze on the Fjerdan stood before her. They pulled her left hand behind her back and her right hand in front as they tightened the chains that were secured over rope that laid just beneath.

Darkling’s blood boiled. It is fear that brings rage, that hot burning anger that seeks to harm. Once again, he was afraid, not of her but for her.

Four more Fjerdans came from behind the trees, all covered in blood. “Fucking bitch”, one of them kicked her in the ribs and he couldn’t take anymore. He could kill them easily for what they’ve done – he’s killed every one of them he ran into in the past five days without even blinking, regardless if they were involved in her disappearance or not.

“Mister, I’ve seen scary and you don’t have his handsome smile.”

Licking his lips, the Darkling nearly smiles at her remark. There’s no possible way she means anyone else but him. Looking at his Grisha, he found them nearly all in position. They would attack in a minute, swiftly and deadly.

Yet in a moment of carelessness, he missed the Fjerdans realization they’re being watched. Too quickly, more of them appeared. The pitiful human managed to land a few consecutive blows to Darkling’s face before drawing a dagger.

Angry, dark eyes showed the Fjerdan that the Darkling’s brain is in a different mode, that he has switched gears from empathy he had for his wife to cold emotional indifference. Never once has he directed this mode in Y/N’s direction, yet it emerged when he sensed a threat to her life, letting out a part of him that was full on protective.

Grunting, the Darkling’s eyes narrowed at the human who dared to sink the blade into his heart. Despite his immortality, he could still hurt. The pain of a stab wound felt just as it would if here as fragile as the human before him.

But he’s not human at all.

Connecting his hands, the Darkling lifts his head as he summons the darkness that spills from every corner of the forest. “Foolish”, he sneers, “Attacking me in the dark?” The Darkling smirked, walking past the petrified Fjerdan, allowing his shadows to administer a thousand cuts for his transgression.

As he walked toward the middle of the circle, his shadows followed, aiding his Grisha in taking the rest of the Fjerdans so quickly that Y/N gasped.

Looking around in shock, she found Kirigan kneeling beside her.

“You have a knife”, she coughed into her shoulder, “A knife in your chest.”

“I promised”, he gasped for breath as he pulled the knife from his chest. “That I would protect you and I intend to keep the damn promise.”

On the brink of tears, her lips quivered before she laughed. “I thought you’d let them kill me.” Better to laugh than cry, she thought.

Frowning, he shook his head. “That would be too easy”, he waved David over who stood at the tree line, wide eyed. “If anyone’s going to kill you, it should be me.”

Even with tears blurring her vision, she giggled at his stupid remark. She had tried so hard to free herself.

It wasn’t the first time she had been captured by enemies, she knew what to do. But there were so many of them. Each time she freed herself, they would descend upon her. She managed to run, twice, each time they dragged her back kicking and screaming.

Despite his words, Y/N didn’t believe Kirigan would come for her. She had to be her own hero and she tried. In the end, she used everything at her disposal – everything.

Feeling the chains drop, Y/N glances at David, “Thank you.” The ropes were cut as well, but she didn’t move. Truth be told, she wasn’t sure if she could stand on her own and asking for help would wound her. Rubbing her bruised wrists, she reluctantly looked at Kirigan.

“Here”, Kirigan offered his hands. Truth be told, he wanted to carry her, but he knew her pride wouldn’t allow it.

Hissing, she forced herself up despite Kirigan’s offer. “I am perfectly capable of walking on my own.”

He’d have asked her again because she trembled when the wind blew. Her hair was matted with blood, her face red and not from blushing. He could see the damage they’ve done more clearly now as she bent to take a deep breath as if the simple act of breathing hurt her.

Staring at her, he nodded despite his better judgment. Her breathing was ragged, dragging her feet as she walked. She felt his eyes on her, it unnerved her. All she could do is hope her legs don’t give out, but it felt as if they would betray her any moment now.

“Go and make camp ahead”, he ordered his Grisha to speed up as he realized her stubbornness would kill her. Stepping before her, he wrapped an arm around her waist. There would be no asking her for permission this time, he’ll not allow her to deny his help. Hoisting her up in his arm, he held his breath as she cried out in pain.

“I’m sorry”, he whispered, “I didn’t mean to hurt you.”

How could he not bring any healers? How could he have been so stupid?

Groaning, she sent him a stern glare yet found no anger in his. His eyes are like the ocean - they have the potential to destroy, yet when the waves reach the shore, they dissipate, leaving soft designs in the sand as a gentle reminder of its presence.

Leaning into his embrace, Y/N let out a gentle sigh of resignation. She’s been caught in the riptide and for once, she doesn’t want to fight it.

“I really thought I’d die”, she admits reluctantly.

Feeling him stiffen as he held her in his arms, Y/N frowned. Perhaps she shouldn’t have said that, or anything at all. This isn’t what they do, they don’t bare their hearts open.

“And when I faced death”, she continued regardless. Tilting her head to look up at him, she let out a shuddered exhale. A shy smile adorned her lips as their eyes shared a gaze so tender, an outsider would believe them to be in love.

“I thought how silly it is that I don’t know your first name.”

Snorting, Kirigan raised his eyebrows, “Really?”

“Yes”, she breathes out.

Looking at her now, the Darkling couldn’t believe this is his wife. The woman who infuriates him so often seemed so small, so fragile in his arms. Her gaze held remains of the horrors she was cast into and yet he never saw her as earnest before.

“I married you and I don’t even know your name.”

Licking his lips, he stops. Truth be told, no one actually knows his name. His name was long forgotten, a piece of his soul he had left behind in the fold. He promised himself he’d never utter it while he lives. He had promised he would never be that man again.

Unfortunately for him, he seems to be breaking his promises lately.

He promised her he’d protect her and he failed, just as he promised himself he’d never care for her and yet he does.

“Aleksander”, he mutters, still unsure if it’s the right decision. He placed one of his greatest secrets in the hands of a woman who’d see his world burn. He gave her power she never should possess and yet he’s not afraid. No one could make him fear anything after the ordeal he was put through since she decided to tear down his defenses.

Smiling softly, she closed her eyes. Resting her head on his shoulder she felt satisfied. It may be small, but finding out his name felt like a victory. She was born to play this game, it was her destiny. He is her destiny.

Waking up, she found herself wrapped in several blankets inside a tent. Grunting, she struggled to sit up on her own. It seemed to be dark still, but she had a blue light lantern lit inside. She may not know who left it there, but Y/N was thankful. Despite her fear of dark, she found it odd she did not fear Aleksander’s darkness at all.

When his shadows nearly encased her in the clearing, she didn’t fret or worry. She smiled.

As contradictory as it may seem, she wished he was with her now. Her entire body ached and still, she was more bothered by the empty spot beside her. Shaking her head, she bites her lower lip. Would it be so bad if she showed a sliver of vulnerability for a single night? Would making a small concession such as this truly take away her power?

Before she has a chance to change her mind, she’s already outside of her tent. The cold chilled her to the bone, biting every inch of exposed skin. Teeth chattering, she looked to the tent next to hers as it was the only one so close – seemingly intentional.

Trying to open it in the cold seemed impossible as her fingers shook violently. Feeling faint, she wondered why she couldn’t just stay in her own tent for the night. Surely it would have been a better idea than to admit she’s scared to be alone.

A warm liquid trickled down her lip and she nearly laughed at her own idiocy. The darkness and cold and her own injuries have all been fairly good reasons for her to just sleep and try to recover and she still tried to find her husband who showed so much disdain for her in the past.

Just as she was about to give up, a familiar head of hair peaked through.

Shivering, she wipes the liquid from under her nose with the back of her hand. Looking at it, she realizes it’s blood. There’s a slightly dazed look in her eyes, the blood loss suffered over the past days leaving its mark.

Looking up at Kirigan, her lips tremble and she sways slightly as her legs threaten to give out. “I didn’t know who else to go to”, she mumbles meekly before collapsing into Kirigan’s arms.

No…Aleksander’s arms.

Pulling her inside, he wrapped her in his arms as she shivered. Covering her with blankets didn’t seem to help either, but he had confidence it would soon enough.

She closed her eyes, clinging to him and selfishly, he smiled. It brought back memories of the night she climbed atop of him to warm up, he assumed. She didn’t know he was awake then, but she did now. She trusted him enough to seek warmth and as her shivers stopped slowly. That’s when the Darkling realized he would never deny her anything she asked of him.

“Fuck”, he whispers under his breath and her eyes open.

He looked at her in a haunted way, a shadow of a bruise marred his jaw and she reached up to touch it, her chest aching when he nuzzled into her palm. They have never been quite as tender with one another, never so intimate. It felt surprisingly nice.

“Are you hurt anywhere else?” She asked, feeling so emotionally raw. Physical pain and lingering fear of impending death must have weakened her for a short while. Surely, she can allow herself a few moments of humanity?

He caught her wrist and pulled her hand down to press flat over his heart. “Here.”

Drawing a shuddered breath, her eyebrows knitted in worry. That’s where the knife was, she remembered with guilt. He could have died for her. Hating him requires too much energy; one she had little to spare. For the night, he can just be her husband and she will just be his wife. What harm can it do?

“Why did you come for me? Didn’t you say you wouldn’t fight for me?” Her confidence wavered as he sighed, brushing his fingers along her cheek. Not only did he come for her, but he murdered men for her.

Blinking slow, half in a daze as a low-grade fever began to grip her too, she had no more strength to deny how beautiful he is or how disarming his charm is. He may never love her, but she could…she could love him. If she ever fell for him, she knew she’d never be able to unlove him. She wouldn’t want to and that…that felt oddly comforting. For once, she was too tired to listen to her mind that preferred to set the world on fire rather than care for him.

As her eyes closed and her face relaxed, he stayed awake. He didn’t understand it, but he embraced the warm feeling spreading in his chest as she fell asleep.

“I’d burn this world for you.”

=============================

Tags: @bruxa0007 @rangotangomango @kaitlyn2907 @thestoryofmylife9 @shelivesindaydreamswme @hxrgreeves @safetyhtom @kaqua @savannah-elliott @all-art-is-quite-useless @azure23x @girlmadeofavocados @ashdab2611 @acciorudolphx @ladyblablabla @wckedheart @xceafh @sanna2020 @tarkanelima-blog @takethee @mellifluous-cosmos @marvel-ousnesss @tea-effect @starlightofsolaria @p3nny4urth0ught5 @blackbirddaredevil23 @sarcastic-and-cool @slytherinsbiggestproblem @within-thehollowcrown @notthatchhavi @musicconversedance @freakytillthemoon @lgkoval @honeyofthegods @queenmalhinewahine @misselsbells06 @whatthefluffrichard

PART 7

#the darkling #the darkling x reader #shadown and bone #aleksander morozova #general kirigan #aleksander x reader #aleksander morozova x reader #aleksander kirigan #general kirigan x reader

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chocolatecakecas · 3 years

Text

Quality Family Time: Baby Jack ficlet

for the bah discord besties<3

In Dean's humble opinion, the week was off to a pretty good start. Sunday, he and Cas took Jack to the library and let him go wild in the children's section, then let him run off his "excitement about literature" in the park, ending with lunch at their favorite diner, which is Dean's humble opinion qualifies as a pretty great Sunday afternoon. And then Sammy and Eileen finished up their hunt earlier than expected, and they even brought back Claire and Kaia as a surprise. Meaning they got to all have a much-needed family dinner, movie night, and catch up with the girls. And they decided to stay for a few days, which meant extra babysitters, which really meant, he and Cas could have their date night this week. And of course it also meant Dean had a few days to just hang out with his family, watch some movies, watch his kids bond, run some stupid errands, cook some big meals.

Now it was Wednesday, and Dean was spending the day with Eileen and Jack, while the others opted to help Sam with the supply run. Eileen was getting a movie queued up for Jack's nap, while Dean got a start on some laundry.

(read the rest under the cut)

He was currently running out to the garage to grab the blanket he keeps folded in Baby's trunk, smiling fondly at the memory of Monday's date night.

So yeah as far as Wednesdays go, Dean was having a pretty good one.

At least, he was.

Dean's stomach dropped as he flicked the lights on, barely registering the clang of his keys hitting the floor, standing frozen in the doorway.

He's hallucinating, he must be. There's absolutely no way that-

He squeezed his eyes shut, counting to ten while he tried to will away the hallucination with his mind. But unfortunately for Dean, he didn't have that kind of mind power, because that thing was still sitting there when he opened his eyes.

Fuck.

Forcing his feet to move, Dean stepped further into the garage, reaching out a shaking hand as he inched forward.

He'll just touch it and his hand will go through it, and he can blame this hallucination on that questionable burger he ate at some local joint they all went to last night. It'll be fi-

Dean's blood turned to ice as his hand connected with cool metal. He quickly jumped back in shock, jaw hitting the floor.

Because last time he checked, Dean didn't leave an 18 foot long Lightning McQueen sitting in his beloved Baby's parking spot.

He tried to speak but all that came out was an incoherent squeak, as he raced around the car inspecting every inch of it.

He couldn't get any of the doors open or the hood for that matter, but as far as he could tell it seemed to be a real car, despite being a cartoon look-a-like.

Well, at least it wasn't talking.

"Ka-chow"

Dean slumped over onto the roof of the car, banging his head, fists following in defeat.

Because there was a Lightning McQueen look-a-like with a toy voice box, parked in the garage of their super top-secret underground Bunker, in place of one of his most prized possessions.

Maybe he spoke too soon about having a pretty good Wednesday.

Why is this happening? How did this thing get in here? Where is his Baby? Is she alright? Can he even get her back? How the hell did this ev-

Son of a bitch.

"Jack!" Dean called, voice coming out more strangled than he'd care to admit.

Of course. Cars had become Jack's new obsession over the past week, they first watched it on Friday night and he's insisted on watching it at least once a day ever since.

Dean groaned scrubbing his hands down his face. There's truly never a dull moment with a half-Nephilim toddler.

Jack probably didn't even realize what happened. Sometimes his powers react before his mind can catch up with them, like when he subconsciously made all of his toys come to life after Toy Story became his favorite movie. The kid probably didn't even know about the Cars wannabe parked in the garage, besides his kid would never tamper with Bab-

"Dee! You found Lightning!"

Dean's jaw once again found its way back down to the floor. His own kid.

He turned to see his four-year-old come bounding into the garage, practically bursting with joy.

"What the hell"

Dean tore his gaze away from Jack to see Eileen frozen in the doorway, who's jaw also joined Dean's on the floor.

"Look see it's just like Lightning, Dee!" Jack cheered as he ran over to check out the car, regaining Dean's attention.

"Uh...ye-yeah buddy. I-I can see that bu-" Dean began sounding pained, only to be cut off by Jack.

"It's a real car, Dee. You can drive it! And look I gots all the stickers on it too"

"Yeah kiddo, bu-"

"And it can talk too! It says all of Lightning's things! Do you like it Dee? Where you surprised?" Jack asked as he wrapped himself around Dean's legs, smiling up at him without a care in the world.

Dean still mostly in shock, glanced up at Eileen who looked to be in the same boat, except she was holding back barely contained laughter.

Great no help from his best friend, traitor. So Dean shakily knelt down placing his hands on Jack's shoulders.

"Listen, Squirt. I was definitely surprised. But yo-"

"Oh my god"

Dean's head jerked up to see Sam, Cas, Claire, and Kaia now standing with Eileen in the doorway, dropped grocery bags spilling out onto the floor. All of them too stunned to move, except for Cas who luckily must have noticed the distress in Dean's eyes.

"Jack, Baby. What is this?" Cas asked, quickly making his way over to them, quickly kneeling down beside Dean.

"I made Baby into Lightning! Ta da!"

"Wait, that thing is my Baby?" Dean asked voice cracking.

And of course, that's what did it.

Sam doubled over in laughter, Eileen, Claire, and Kaia quickly following, and Cas was beside him, clearly trying to conceal his laughter.

"God this is the best thing I've ever seen" Sam wheezed in the background, and if Dean weren't still reeling he'd walk right over and punch him.

Cas placed a grounding hand on Dean's shoulder, all while trying to bite back his smile. Well, Dean appreciated the gesture, at least he was trying to be considerate, unlike some people he knew.

"Bug, do you remember what Daddy and I told you about using your powers?" Cas begins, trying and failing to sound stern.

"That I can't make my toys be alive! And I didn't Baby isn't alive, and she's not even a toy!" Jack explains with a smile.

"Yea-yeah Squirt, but the second part of that little talk was that you shouldn't use your powers unless you ask Daddy, or me, or Uncle Sammy or Aunt Eileen, remember?" Dean supplied after he finally got his gears spinning again.

"Ooooohhh. Oops, sorry!"Jack shrugs and he even had half a mind to at least look a little bit sorry, but it's drowned out by another fresh wave of laughter.

"I'm so glad we decided to stay longer, does stuff like this happen all the time?" Kaia laughed behind him, as Claire wiped the tears from her eyes.

"Oh I'm so glad my distress is amusing to all of you!" Dean shot back, voice still a little unsteady, which only caused them to laugh harder. Cas met his eyes, as he squeezed his shoulder, scooting closer.

"Squirt it's okay, just uh don't do it again....now where exactly is the real Baby?" Dean asked cutting right to the chase, not missing the look Cas gave him for glossing over the whole "don't use your powers without asking" lesson.

But there was time for that later, because right now his Baby was currently a firetruck red cartoon racecar with eyes.

"That is Baby. I just made her look like that, it's her. See!" Jack explained jumping up and dragging Dean over. Everyone else followed suit, Sam giving him a shit eating grin as he handed Dean the discarded keys.

To Dean's surprise, the key unlocked the car just like baby, and the interior looked exactly the same.

"Wow kid, this is honestly pretty cool" Claire complimented with a low whistle, which earned her a death glare from Dean, only making her laugh harder.

Unbelievable. All of his kids have it out for his car today.

Dean heaved a sigh as he watched his family examine every inch of the car, not bothering to hold back their laughter at this point.

"Well, I guess it's a good thing we didn't watch How to Train Your Dragon" Cas quipped wrapping Dean in his arms as he pressed a quick kiss to his lips. Dean flopped over and laid his forehead on Cas's shoulder, letting a soft laugh escape.

"Yeah well, at least my car wouldn't have been caught in the crossfire" Dean groaned back, feeling Cas' laugh rumble in his chest.

"Yes I know this is a tragedy, clearly the real live dragons would have caused less damage-well less emotional damage anyway"

"Woah, look at that, he's got jokes. Alright everyone step away from the racecar" Dean smirked, yelling that last bit as he pushed away from Cas' chest. He made his way over to Jack who was currently in the driver's seat (keys nowhere near the ignition of course), showing everyone how the horn says McQueen catchphrases now.

"Alright Houdini, while the Lightning McQueen trick was very cool, and we've reminded you that we don't use powers unless we ask. It's time to turn him back into Baby, capiche?" Dean said in the most no-nonsense tone he could manage as he kneelt down to Jack's level.

And of course Dean's very logical, very simple, very warranted request resulted in an uproar from his family.

"Wait you aren't even gonna take it for a spin?"

"You've literally got thee Lightning McQueen sitting in your garage"

"Dean c'mon one dri-"

"Nope. Not happening. Now way am I driving that thing" Dean cut in, flinging his arms out for emphasis and effectively silencing the traitor-his family.

Then he felt a little tug on his shirt.

"Please Dee? One time, then I change Baby back?" Jack asked with his best puppy dog eyes, and Dean quickly made a mental note to kick Sam's ass for teaching him that.

And as he slowly tilted his head back up, he was met with four pleading faces, all hovering around the car He desperately turned his gaze towards Cas knowing he'd be the voice of reason, he'd neve-

"Well, it would be a waste not to take the car for at least one ride" Cas shrugged almost sheepishly, barely hiding his grin. Dean stared back into his eyes trying to will him to change his mind, but he knew it was pointless.

Dean sighed his defeat, running a hand down his face. Damnit

"Fine, one drive-and I mean one. Twenty minutes tops" He shouted, throwing his hands in air in exasperation as everyone cheered.

And when Dean found himself driving back to the bunker four hours later, he and failed tried to hid his smile. He glanced in the mirror at Claire and Jack passed out, while Kaia and Sam held a whispered conversation in the magically (which Jack may or may not have had a hand in) stretched out backseat. Eileen turned in the front seat joining the conversation, as Cas sat in the middle, pressed up against Dean.

Cas gave his hand a squeezing, shooting him a knowing smile, which only earned a nudge from Dean.

So yeah, maybe Dean did almost have a heart attack earlier in the day. And maybe he did have to let a bunch of annoying people in the next town over pose for pictures with the car when they stopped for dinner. And maybe the horn said "Ka-chow" and "I am speed". And maybe the drive was more than twenty minutes. But in Dean's humble opinion, it was still a pretty good Wednesday after all.

Lightning McQueen be damned.

Tag list pt 1:

@wormstacheangel @smiledean @chaoticdean @midnightwings-deancas @jellydeans @sunshine-jack @archervale @wikiangela @subbydean @organicpurplepants @you-cant-spell-subtext-without

@tkdwolf2012 @doemons-blog @rolling-stoned-girl @skylerkernaghan @icefire149 @dakiaty @seffersonjtarship @angeltiddies @feraldean @teamfreebees @keshetcas @jewishdeanwinchester @martymar1963 @midnight-sparks-studio @aestheticflyer26

@athenixrose @slipper007 @misha-moose-dean-burger-lover @winchester-novak @lyonessrampant @thiscowboyisbisexual @carverera @milfcodeddean @blue-eyed-cutiepatootie

#a very normal fic. nothing weird here at all #very normal<3 #i actually think im really funny #im fine<33333 #nothing strange. just baby jack and a fambly #bec writes #baby jack truthing #destiel fic #destiel #plantdadcas #dean winchester #seraphcastiel #rambleoncas #userzaddy #uservilma

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fandom-imagines-stories · 3 years

Text

There With You

Peeta Mellark x Reader

Words: 2532

Summary: A panic attack during the Victor’s tour leaves the reader gasping for breath backstage. Her fiance is able to calm her down, but now she’s afraid that what’s real and what’s pretend will blur together.

Notes: This is another kind of comfort fic based on my own experience, so I hope someone out there can connect with it. I love reading things to help calm myself down, so I hope that my comfort imagines can do that for somebody else. Plus Peeta is one of my comfort characters, so it works out. (Also, the reader has taken Katniss’ place in this scenario. Still love Katniss, but this fit the story)

Warnings: Panic attack, anxiety, the like (This is not a depiction of every kind of panic attack. This is just what I have experienced in the past)

None of this was supposed to happen. There wasn’t supposed to be two of you. There weren't supposed to be riots. The romance wasn’t supposed to be real.

Then why was he the only one keeping you from sprinting off that stage?

Peeta’s fingers were intertwined with yours as he spoke to the crowd, keeping you grounded. You tried to focus on the sound of his voice instead of the hundreds of eyes staring up at you. You looked up at the screens and saw her looking back at you. Her. The first person you’d ever killed and you couldn’t even bring yourself to think of her name.

Your breathing hitched and you could feel the squeezing, twisting grip around your throat. No no no not now. Not in front of the entire crowd. What would President Snow do to you if you broke down in front of an entire district? What would he do to Peeta?

“Thank you.” Peeta finished up his speech and a few people in the crowd reluctantly applauded. His eyes locked on your face, seeing a single tear fall down your cheek and he quickly led you off the stage.

He knew that District 9 would be the hardest for you. He still remembered the knife and the blood and the gore. You had killed her to save him. And now you had to live with that for the rest of your life.

The doors closed behind you and you immediately fell back against them, clutching your chest with your free hand. You ripped open the buttons on your high-necked dress, foolishly thinking that it would make it easier to breathe. The invisible hand had closed around your throat, knees crushing down your chest. When you closed your eyes, Clove was on top of you, choking the life out of you slowly, whispering all of the ways she was going to torment Peeta once you were gone.

“Let’s get her out of here.” Haymitch said, his expression a mix of worry and unease. He knew the image of a weak Victor would mean more problems that you weren’t ready to deal with. He remembered what it was like to be under the eye of the Capitol.

“I can’t… I can’t do this. Peeta, I can’t keep-” You gasped in between shaky breaths. Your vision was blurred at the sides and you were gripping the door to keep from collapsing. “I-I-”

“Shh, it’s okay. You don’t have to talk now.” Peeta said, putting a hand on your cheek. “Can you walk to the train?” You nodded, but couldn’t seem to bring your hands away from the door. Peeta looked back at Haymitch and Effie for a moment before turning back to you. “I’m going to carry you, okay?” You must have nodded because he kissed your cheek before scooping you up in his arms.

Your hands released the door and instead latched onto the lapel of his jacket. Every part of you was shaking and the weight on your chest was only getting heavier.

“P-Peeta.” You cried, feeling the tears welling up in your eyes.

“I’ve got you. We’re almost there.” He tried to hide the crack in his voice, trying to be the strong one for you, but seeing you like this split his heart in half. Haymitch and Effie huddled around you, trying to block the two of you from any prying eyes or cameras.

You didn’t notice when they finally got you onto the train. In your head, you were still on that stage, staring out at the little brothers of the girl you murdered. You thought for sure you were suffocating. Every breath was becoming harder and more painful than the last and the blackness at the edge of your vision was growing.

Peeta sat down, holding you in his lap and gently stroking his fingers through your hair.

“It’s okay. It’s okay. I’ve got you. You’re safe. You aren’t in the arena. You’re here with me.” He buried his face in your neck, gently pressing a kiss to the place between your shoulder and your spine. “You’re with me.”

“I’ll never leave that arena.” You whispered, your voice so quiet you weren’t sure if he even heard you.

This was far from the first attack you’d had since winning the games, but it was certainly the worst.

Haymitch and Effie just watched you with sympathetic eyes for a moment before leaving the two of you alone. Peeta held you tight until your breathing started to return to a steady pace. While your vision cleared, your body couldn't stop shaking and you couldn’t seem to pry your hands away from his jacket.

“I’m sorry.” You sniffed, trying to wipe panicked tears away on your sleeve.

“You have nothing to be sorry for. I shouldn’t have made you go out there with me. I knew what it was going to be like for you and I should have-”

“They wouldn’t have let you go out there alone.” You shook your head. “There’s no hiding from them, Peeta.” You repeated your words like an echo, over and over again. “I’ll never leave that arena.”

“Then I’m right there with you.” He pressed a gentle kiss to your forehead and stood up, keeping you pressed against his chest. “Come on, we should try and get some sleep before we reach the next District.”

He carried you to your compartment and tucked you under the covers. He crawled up beside you without you having to ask. It had become an unsaid thing between the two of you. You kept the nightmares away as best as you could and when one of you woke up afraid, you weren’t alone.

Peeta had proposed for the cameras the day you left for the Victor’s tour, but it was all for show. The Capitol ate it up. When you really said yes, it was a week prior, just the two of you in the calming quiet in a meadow outside of the fence. It meant more that way.

Of course, Effie had picked out an extravagant ring for you to wear on stage and everything. It was gaudy and heavy and enough jewels to feed three districts for a month. But like the faked proposal, it wasn’t what was real.

You twisted the small bronze band around your finger, examining it in the faint light coming through the train windows. You had been awake for about an hour now, but Peeta’s peaceful sleep kept you from stirring. You rested in the warmth of his embrace and listened carefully to the slow, comforting sound of his heart beat.

You wanted to stay in this moment forever.

“Rise and shine you two.” Effie burst through the door and Peeta instantly went rigid beneath you, jolting up and pushing you behind him. You couldn’t see his face, but his expression frightened Effie. “I’m sorry, I didn’t think, I-”

“No, Effie, it’s okay. Really.” He said apologetically, his expression softening. “We’ll be out for breakfast in a second.”

“Alright. Don’t be long. I know they want to do a feature on engaged life. A little romance might be just what you two need.” She gave you both a small smile before walking out, the door sliding shut behind her. Peeta laid back on his elbows, blowing out a low sigh.

“I didn’t mean to scare her. I just heard the door open and all I could think was that someone was here to take you away.” He pulled you back down to him and gently pressed his lips to yours. Truthfully, he’d been in the middle of a nightmare when he heard Effie enter. He thought that the images in his head were becoming real.

“She’ll be okay.” You concluded, drawing circles on his chest . “Effie is tougher than she seems. And she knows what we’ve been through.” Despite her bright and sometimes obnoxiously optimistic attitude, you knew that Effie wasn’t a mindless pawn from the Capitol. She saw what the games did to you. She saw the children behind the victors.

Breakfast was mostly had in a settled quiet. While neither of you said anything, Haymitch glanced over at you and you nodded to let him know that you were okay. It was that silent understanding that was the foundation of your relationship with your former mentor.

“They’re doing an update interview to see how the Capitol’s darling lovebirds have been enjoying their tour.” Haymitch said gruffly. “Which means lots of blushing and doe-eyes from you two.”

“That won’t be hard.” Peeta noted, looking over at you. He meant it sweetly, but something about it sent a shiver of dread down your spine. You ignored it, giving him a small smile.

“It’s comforting to know we won’t need to convince anybody of the whole hopeless romantic thing.” Haymitch made a face. “You two do a wonderful job of making me nauseous all on your own.” Effie smacked him with her rolled up napkin.

“I think it’s wonderful.” She mused dreamily. “How something like that could bring you together.”

You stiffened, keeping your eyes on your plate, pushing your eggs around mindlessly with your fork. Sometimes you forgot that this was still all a TV show for people to gawk at. You would be the star crossed lovers from District 12 for the rest of your lives. No amount of real emotion you felt for Peeta was going to erase that.

The other three seemed to notice your shift and finished their meal in silence. Haymitch excused himself to the dining car for likely the rest of the day and Effie left to work on the speeches you’d have to read in front of District 8. You hadn’t eaten a bite, opting to sip slowly at your coffee instead.

“Just a few more days and we’ll get to go home.” Peeta said, noticing your empty stare and untouched meal. You just nodded, not really hearing him.

“So tell us, Peeta, when did you know that you wanted to propose?” Caesar grinned into the camera.

“Honestly, I knew the moment we stepped out of the arena that I wanted to spend the rest of my life with her.” Peeta gave your hand a squeeze and looked at you with complete and utter adoration. Caesar gasped in awe, eating up the fluffy romance that Peeta was perfect at portraying.

Is that all this is? The thought penetrated your mind before you could stop it. A performance? Is everything he says for the sake of the camera?

“I’m not sure if I’ll ever forgive you for not including me in the moment, Peeta.” Caesar pouted. “But it was just so sweet I can’t stay mad at you!” The two laughed and you forced a loving smile. “Really, proposing in front of the bakery just before you left for the tour- why, it’s probably the most romantic thing I have ever seen.”

“I’m glad it came off that way, because I was a nervous wreck!” Peeta exclaimed and they laughed again. You had to admire his acting ability. Maybe that’s what scared you so much.

He’s just performing. Is he performing with you?

“I think we all want to know,” Caesar beamed, turning his attention to you, “what was going through your head, Y/N? When Peeta got down on one knee?”

You pushed any doubt from your head and just focused on everything you knew was real. “Honestly, Caesar, I can’t think of a happier moment in my life. I never knew what I was missing until we found each other.”

“Don’t these two just make you believe in love, Claudius?” He gushed to his costar. “We’ll let the two of you get back to your tour, but I can’t say how excited we are to have you all to ourselves here in the Capitol.”

“We can’t wait.” Peeta grinned. You both smiled broadly, waiting for the little red recording light to turn off. As soon as the cameras were gone, Peeta lifted your hand up to his lips. “That went well.” He muttered against the skin of your palm.

“Yeah. I think they definitely believe that we’re the perfect couple.” You hadn’t meant to say it so bitterly, but as soon as the words left your mouth, Peeta’s expression changed.

“What’s wrong?” His eyes were different, the charisma that was there with Caesar was gone. His worry seemed to stem from something real, but you just couldn’t convince yourself that it was.

“Nothing.” None of this is real. It’s all just the games. What if you’re still in the arena? What if this is all in your head? You broke away from him, trying to hide the panic growing and growing inside you until it was all you could feel. You could hear him saying your name, but it sounded garbled and far away, like he was whispering in the rain.

What seized you now was unlike you’d ever felt before. Not only was it the dark panic that blurred your vision and tightened your throat until you couldn’t breathe- it was a complete disconnect from reality. It was like you were trapped inside one of their screens and you were banging on the glass, trying to get out.

You didn’t realize you had fainted until you woke up in Peeta’s arms. His was sitting up, cradling you in his lap like he had before, only now you were in your room and you had a blanket draped around your shoulders. You jerked away, your mind still terrified that even this wasn’t real.

“Woah, hey it’s okay. I’m right here.”

“This isn’t real. None of this is real.” You whispered in a panic, still trying to push away from him. This was the Capitol. They were in your head. “You aren’t real.” As hard as you shoved against him, his strong arms were locked around you. He pressed a kiss to your temple, holding you closer.

“I’m right here. I’m real. Just breathe. Come on, stay with me.” While his voice was soothing, your vision was still blurred with hot tears.

“We can never escape this. Every second of our lives belongs to them. Nothing is real. It’s all theirs.”

Peeta pulled away, taking your hand in his. He slid the bronze ring off your finger and held it up.

“This is ours. It’s not Snow’s, it’s not the Capitol’s, it’s ours. It’s real and it’s ours.” He put the ring back on and moved your hand to his chest. You could feel his heart beating beneath your fingertips. “I’m real,” He looked at you with a gentle and yet intense love, “and I am completely yours.”

You wiped away your tears and laid a hand on his cheek. “Peeta-”

“And no matter the nightmare, no matter the fear, or when your mind takes you back to the games, just remember I will always be there with you.”

He pulled you back to him and the two of you remained- away from the cameras and away from the Capitol. At least for now, you weren’t victors. You were a boy and a girl who had saved each other.

#peeta mellark #peeta mellark x reader #hunger games #catching fire #haymitch abernathy #effie trinket #the hunger games imagine #josh hutcherson

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