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#tis real hard to talk about the show without even a name
obscure-imagines · 6 months
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wet dreams - Zoro
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🍃staring. Zoro Roronoa x afab!Reader
⚔️ preview. The swordsman feels like a teenager again. His body has never reacted like this to anyone, not even close. It's been years since he had wet dreams, and now they're coming in, hot, heavy, and nearly nightly.
tw/cw. unprotected sex, wet dreams, hand job, blow job, dirty talk, praise, exhibitionism (sex outside in the Crowsnest), cum play/swallowing, fingering, mutual masturbation, multiple reader orgasms, big dick zoro, fingering, overstim, mutual orgasm, etc… I pet names: (hers) angel.
🔫 rating. 18+ explicit I SMUT I wc. 3.7k
⚔️ aus. One Piece Live Action, pwp, acquaintances to lovers, etc…
🍀 mlist + an. I showed Sanji and Mihawk some love so I figured I might as well adore my big three and make it a full set with Zoro.
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Zoro is exhausted. His body feels heavy as he lumbers around the ship, his footfalls a little too loud on the wooden deck. His eyes are practically shutting on their own, but he resists the need to nap.
He's been having problems lately... when he sleeps.
While he's able to keep himself mostly in check around you during his waking hours, his mind - and body - have been betraying him in dreamland.
He's woken up five nights this week with the soft sounds of your moans etched into his memory and his pants ruined with the sticky truth about his feelings for you.
Naps had once been a time of rest, but Zoro has been anything but restful since Luffy convinced you to join the crew two weeks ago.
Zoro hates feeling like he's not in control. He hates the way you seem so real in his mind's eye, only for him to wake up and watch you acting completely indifferently toward him- as if he didn't just watch you go down on his cock in explicit detail- as if he didn't just try to fuck you so hard you couldn't even walk-
Being around you is something like torture. His tongue gets tied, his heart races, and he's unable to hold a conversation with you about anything unrelated to piracy... and even then, he stumbles over his words and gets frustrated with himself.
You're just too beautiful.
The swordsman feels like a teenager again. His body has never reacted like this to anyone, not even close. It's been years since he had wet dreams, and now they're coming in, hot, heavy, and nearly nightly.
He does his best to be the last to go to bed, out of fear that someone will walk in while he's sleeping and hear his problem, hell, he wouldn't be shocked if they could even see it.
It's not even midday and Zoro feels like death. It doesn't help that it's hot out. The wind feels practically nonexistent. Everything is stale, sweaty, and full of tension. Even Sanji, who usually dresses in formalwear, has stripped himself of his button-up, opting for an undershirt instead.
Then there's you. Your shorts don't leave much to the imagination, and Zoro has to tear his gaze off of you every time you get within his line of sight. His cock is practically throbbing in his pants anytime you're nearby- anytime your soft scent lingers in the air when you walk past.
"You look like shit."
Zoro sighs at Sanji's words, refusing to look at the chef who's come to lean on the rail next to him, staring out at the sea.
"I mean it. And I'm not trying to be a dick, but seriously moss head, you look like you need some rest," Sanji presses on. "When was the last time you had one of your famous Roronoa naps?"
"I wasn't aware they were famous," Zoro sighs, this conversation is making him even more tired.
"We all know you get a little scratchy without your beauty sleep," Sanji smirks. "Go on, get some rest. It's a shit day, and it will be even more shit if you're in a bad mood. I'll wake you up for dinner."
Usually, Zoro wouldn't do anything Sanji suggests, he wouldn't even entertain it- but the idea of a nap is having a visceral effect on him. He's reminded of the exhaustion that's overtaken him, and the harsh sun is only making things worse.
Zoro lets out a deep breath. "I guess I could use a little shut-eye."
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You let out a loud whimper as Zoro drags his tongue across your neck, holding you close on the deck of the ship. Above, the stars are twinkling, but to the swordsman, all that matters is you. He can hardly see anything else, his mind completely blank except for the feeling of your hand stroking his cock.
"I need more," you tell him, applying just the right amount of pressure.
He's tried dissuading you from sucking his cock, but you're absolutely insatiable for him. Stroking isn't enough, and the promise of filling you up all nice and snug doesn't satisfy you either- no, you want him in your mouth, and you're very verbal about it.
Who is Zoro to deny you?
With a sigh, he agrees, and you sink to your knees immediately.
God, you look beautiful like this.
Your thumb strokes the head of his cock, rubbing through precum as you bring your mouth closer.
You're always a bit of a tease, licking at him gently, pumping his shaft. Zoro can't help but release a small groan, eyes fixed on you, waiting.
When you finally take him into your mouth, Zoro moans, his head lolling back as he enjoys the feeling.
"That's it, angel," he tells you, reaching down to grab at your head, helping you find a rhythm. "Just like that."
You take him so deep, the tip of his cock hitting the back of your throat much too easily. The feeling of you choking around him has Zoro's abdomen clenching, and a familiar sensation is growing in his balls-
It's as if you can read his mind, your hand snaking up to massage his most sensitive area while you continue practically gagging yourself on his cock.
The sound is absolutely obscene, and Zoro's never heard anything so pretty.
"If you keep sucking like that, I'm going to cum," he warns you, wanting to hold out to finish in your perfect, needy little cunt-
The way you suck on him even harder makes Zoro think you want him to cum. You want him to release down your throat, want to swallow him up like the good girl you are.
Again, who is Zoro to deny you?
"Fuck, angel," he groans, orgasm rising even faster. "You're always so good for me."
You whimper loudly around his cock, stroking your tongue along the vein that runs the underside of his length while squeezing his balls, and that's all it takes for him to cum.
He lets out a grunt as he shoots his load down your awaiting throat, his brows knitted together in concentration and something close to overstimulation. He whispers your name, over and over like a mantra while you suck him dry, eager for every single drop he can give- you're his greedy little angel, and he loves you with every fiber of his being.
You pull off of him when he's done, staring up at him with eyes that reflect the stars above. Then, you stick out your tongue, proving to him that you'd swallowed all he had to give.
Zoro can't help but reach for you, lifting you back onto your feet so he can grab your face and press his lips against yours eagerly.
He treasures the moments you're in his arms, and there's something so satisfying about the salty taste on your tongue-
"Dinner!"
Zoro sits up so fast he nearly falls out of his hammock. His heart is thundering in his chest, and when his eyes quickly dart to the door, he sees that Sanji hadn't bothered to enter, only called out a word of warning.
Swallowing thickly, Zoro looks down at his pants. He can feel his cum, hot and sticky against his skin, his half-chubbed length angrily confined by pants.
Zoro's not sure who's more upset about being woken up from his dream, himself, or his cock.
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Luffy has already gone through half the food by the time Zoro saunters into the dining area. The swordsman's eyes are downcast while he takes a seat next to the captain, and you're kind of glad for that- you want to watch him, but you doubt you'd be able to make eye contact with him right now.
Your skin tingles with the forbidden knowledge that you now have. Your mind keeps replaying the scene you'd walked in on not half an hour ago; Zoro, asleep, his brows knitted together, your name on his lips.
You hadn't stayed long upon finding him in that state, your skin too hot with the realization of what you'd just witnessed, and now, that fevered sensation returns.
You've always had a bit of a crush on Zoro, but you'd never in your wildest dreams imagined that it could be returned. Out of everyone on the ship, Zoro interacts with you the least. He practically avoids you, and you've just spent two weeks thinking he doesn't even like you-
No, this changes everything.
The man with green hair lifts his gaze, and your eyes meet momentarily, only for you to look away, skin flaring again. Your heart is practically beating out of your ribcage, and you can feel your panties sticking uncomfortably to your core.
You'll have to do something about this. You're not sure what- but... you definitely can't go much longer with this kind of unresolved tension. One dinner with a dripping pussy is enough.
You decide you'll have to confront Zoro, and something tells you that you'll thank God for doing so.
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Once everyone is asleep, you slowly tiptoe out of the sleeping quarters. Zoro has been staying up late, keeping watch in the Crowsnest, and you feel like that's a perfect place to talk with him. There's no way he can escape... unless he jumps into the ocean and risks his life- but you don't think it will come to that... or at least, you hope it doesn't.
Carefully climbing the ladder, you think of all the things you can say to him. You're not sure where to even begin, and as you make it to the top, poking your head through the manhole to stare at Zoro's broad shoulders, all the words you'd planned slip your mind.
He hasn't noticed you yet, and it takes closing the ladder cover for him to finally hear you, whipping around with his hand reaching for one of his blades.
Zoro freezes. You both do.
Then his hand drops to his side. "What are you doing here?"
"I thought..." you bite at your lip, "I thought you might want some company."
He gives you a quick once over, then turns to look out at the sea again. "I'm good."
"Why do you act like you hate me so much?" you sigh, ignoring his dismissal and moving to join him.
"I don't act like I hate you."
"You hardly talk to me."
"I'm not a big talker."
You let out another exasperated sigh. There's some truth in what he's just said. "Then I'll talk."
"Go ahead."
Staring out at the sea, you're once again at a loss for what to say. After a few moments of silence, you decide to just... put it all on the table. "I walked in while you were napping earlier."
Zoro goes rigid next to you.
"What were you dreaming about?"
He's quiet, then he turns to look at you. "Sword fighting."
"I didn't think you'd actually lie to me," you frown.
"Who says I'm lying?"
"I just- I don't think sword fighting would lead to you moaning my name over and over."
Zoro looks out at the sea again. "You must think I'm some kind of pervert."
"Trust me, I don't," you assure him. "I'm kind of curious about what we were doing in your dream."
He sneaks a glance at you, and there's a hint of a smile that curls onto his pretty lips. "Yeah?"
You nod. "Maybe... maybe I've been having 'sword fighting' dreams too. We could... compare notes, or something."
Zoro lets out a laugh, shaking his head. The chuckle dies down into a groan. "Fuck." He grips the railing tighter, taking a deep breath. "You really wanna know what we were doing in my dream?"
"Yes, please."
The swordsman turns to face you, crossing his arms over his chest. "You were down on your knees, sucking the fucking soul out of my cock."
If your panties hadn't been ruined at dinner, they're definitely ruined now. "I was?"
"Uh huh. You were begging for it. Begging for every last drop."
Your mouth practically waters at the idea. "And did you give it to me?"
"Of course I did," he says softly, scanning your face. "How could I not?"
"Should we..." Your skin heats at the words about to come out of your mouth, "Can we make that dream real?"
Zoro sucks in a shaky breath. "I think I have a better idea."
"A better idea than me sucking your cock?" You're shocked.
"You're always so good to me in my dreams, maybe I want to be good to you."
Your pussy throbs at the insinuation of what he's saying. Most men would jump at the chance to have your mouth around them, but it looks like tonight, the swordsman wants to be the one pleasuring you-
He's just like the Zoro from your wet dreams, and you have a suspicion that when it gets down to it, he'll be even better.
You can't help yourself any longer, you practically launch your body at him, throwing your arms around his strong shoulders while his hands catch you. Your lips meet as if it's the most natural thing in the world, a soft groan escaping him when you swipe your tongue across his mouth, already eager for entrance.
The kiss deepens, and his hands grip you tighter, pulling you flush to his chest. It feels absolutely insane to be actually doing this in your waking hours- nothing your mind could conjure up compares to the real Zoro-
You can feel his cock already pressing against your hip and it makes you whine loudly, shoving your hand between your bodies to cup him through his pants. He's as big as you imagined he would be, and your pussy flutters with interest.
"Zoro-" you whimper, already needing more.
You've been waiting too long for this, for him-
He groans. "Say that again."
One of his hands joins yours between your bodies, but his slips under the waistband of your shorts, deft fingers rubbing you through your panties.
"Fuck, angel, you're already soaked-"
"Zoro!" you moan, louder this time.
"Tell me you want my fingers."
"God, I need them," you gasp when he leans in, pressing kisses and tracing his tongue along your throat. "I need you inside of me- any of you, I just- I need you!"
"Good girl," he says smoothly, pushing your panties to the side.
His fingers make contact with your dripping cunt, and he teases your pussy lips, just dipping inside enough to coat his skin before he circles your clit.
You cry out, squeezing his cock harder-
"Enough of that," Zoro practically slaps your hand away from him. "Tonight is about you. Let it be about you."
"Fuck, you're too nice to me-"
"Trust me, you deserve it." His fingers sink into your pussy and you moan loudly, leaning forward to begin peppering his own throat in kisses. You thread your fingers through his hair, keeping him close as he begins pumping his digits in and out of your wet core.
You can already hear yourself- the sick squelching of your pussy as he works you open. His palm rubs against your clit, creating a delightful pressure that has your legs shaking and your toes curling.
"You sound so pretty."
Who knew he'd be such a sweet talker.
In the exhibitionistic privacy of the Crowsnest, with the crew sleeping soundly below, Zoro is showing you his true colors, and you couldn't be happier.
No one has touched you like this in too long- but then again, has anyone ever actually touched you like this?
You can't believe how close you already are to cumming. Your skin tingles and you moan louder against his neck, moving your mouth up to suckle on his earlobe.
Zoro groans, and the sound goes straight to your aching core.
"Close already?"
All you can manage is a nod, your eyes closing as you focus on the pleasure of his fingers pumping into your wet hole. "Please-"
"You can cum for me," he tells you. "I wanna hear it."
You can hardly even stand on your own. If it weren't for his strong form, steady under your grip, you're sure you'd be falling. His free palm is on the small of your back, keeping you snug to his front while his fingers work you closer and closer-
"Zoro," you whimper again, feeling tears in your eyes from how tight the coil in your stomach has grown.
"Be a good girl and let go for me. Come on, I know you can do it."
You let out a strangled half sob as your high slams into you. Your entire body tingles with electric energy as your core clamps onto his fingers, which continue inside of you, working you through your orgasm. You shake against him, digging your nails into his shoulders while you whimper and moan, lips pressed to his throat.
"That's it," he praises you, a steady guide through one of the most intense orgasms of your life.
You nearly black out, only for his fingers to slow inside of you, drawing you back into your body. Zoro removes his hand from your pants, and you listen to him suck his digits clean, letting out a small groan at your taste.
"Can I lay you down?" he asks next, tone gentle.
You nod, unable to speak. Zoro softly helps you onto the wooden floor of the small Crowsnest, staring at you with dark eyes that seem to sparkle in the moonlight.
He slowly undresses you, watching as you lift your hips to help him remove your shorts. Your shirt and bra are next, and he's careful to set them nearby before removing his own clothing.
"You still want to do this?" he asks.
"There's nothing I want more."
Once he's naked, Zoro gets between your thighs, holding himself over you while you wrap your legs around his hips. You grab at his shoulders, pulling him in for a kiss.
His hard cock is too enticing for you not to touch, and soon, you're gripping it while your tongues battle. His moans are music to your ears, and you swipe your thumb over the head of his length to smear his skin with precum.
"You know-" he swallows thickly. "After today, after watching you cum on my fingers, I might not last that long."
"That's okay, I won't last long either." Your pussy is already aching for him again, and from the way his cock twitches in your hand, you know he's as into this as you are. "Just fuck me Zoro, please."
He kisses you deeply, allowing you to guide him to your wet hole.
He's big, but you're soaked, and slipping into you is much too easy. He sinks all the way in, his hips flush to yours when he bottoms out. You moan into each other's mouths, and you grab his face, wanting to keep his lips on yours as he begins to thrust into you.
"Fuck, Zoro, it's so good-" you whimper, pussy clenching tightly around him to earn another sound of appreciation.
"Angel, you're fucking perfect," he agrees, pace already quickening.
The sound of skin on skin fills the night air. You open your eyes, looking up at the moon and stars. It feels natural to be with him like this, under the watchful eye of the heavens-
Your nails dig into his shoulders when his hand adjusts your thigh on his hip. He drives deeper into your wet hole, and each thrust has your head spinning.
You can feel him everywhere, and it's the first time you've ever really felt full, complete.
"Zoro," you whisper, gaining his attention as you draw his lips back to your own.
You get lost in him. His cock is filling you perfectly, and his lips feel like they were made to be on your own.
That familiar tightening in your lower abdomen builds much too fast, and each thrust has Zoro grunting and moaning even louder-
"Fuck, angel, I'm close-"
"Me too," you assure him, pressing your forehead to his own and staring into his eyes. "You'll cum with me, right?"
He can only nod as you slip your hand between your bodies, fingers rubbing your sensitive clit-
Your core tightens even more around his thick length and Zoro lets out a deep moan-
"Shit," he mutters, "where should I cum?"
"Inside," you insist. "Cum inside, I'm on birth control, please, I want it, I need it-"
Zoro's hand balls into a fist on the wooden plank by your head, and he groans. "Can't wait-"
"Me neither," you whisper, eyes closing as the feeling ravages your body, "Cumming-"
Zoro buries his face against your throat as you both reach your highs. You can feel him painting your inner walls, making you even more full than you already are with his cock- it's the most delightful feeling.
Your toes curl as he fucks you through it all, his pace even harder than before, if not a bit erratic. The sounds he's making will be something you never forget, and you cling to him like a lifeline, tracing his muscular shoulders and gasping-
It's as if your orgasm lasts ages, and when Zoro's motions finally begin to slow, it's hard to even catch your breath.
He begins to press kisses along your throat again, working his way to your ear, and then your mouth.
You can't help but grin into each soft press of his lips against your own.
"You look happy," he muses.
"That's because I am. Are you happy?"
"Very."
Your smile widens. "So we're done not talking and pretending to be indifferent to each other, right?"
"Completely done."
"Good, because I don't think I could go back to that."
"Me neither," he admits.
"I like you a lot."
Zoro presses another soft kiss to your lips, his pretty eyes twinkling with emotion in a way you've never seen from the swordsman. "I like you too."
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☀️ mlist + an. thank you for reading! If you liked this, check out my fics for Sanji and Mihawk :)
🍭 support me by. sending a tip here or here
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kyrjnie · 6 months
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✿ ✿ 〞safe place
✰ pairings: ot8 x fem!reader
✰ genre: romance, comfort, angst with fluffy ending
✰ warnings: reader has long hair, mentions of cursing and just reader having a hard time at the start, mentions of food
✰ word count: 3.6k + words
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✿ . . plot
growing up, your parents taught you various things about whom to trust, how to save money and how to cook, all things like that. but there is one thing that still makes you hesitant… don’t worry. they said, don’t worry just take a deep breath and relax yourself, everything will eventually work out and being the obedient child you were, you always listened to them because things do work out.
but then why were you feeling as if you weren’t real? as if everything, every person, every feeling that you ever experienced felt like a scene from some novel? what is this feeling? you couldn’t name it; but you hated every bit of it. you hated how your chest hurts and even after rubbing it several times, there’s still a feeling as if there is a rope that is tied around your neck. a rope that’s strangling you and making you feel more and more anxious. you glance at your phone with a blank face, while your mind was facing a war, there’s still a text from him asking about what you were doing. you haven’t replied to him yet.
with a glance at the clock, you wrap your arms around your plushie tighter and close your eyes, trying to settle down this unknown emotion of restlessness. you try to think of him, think of good memories that you created along with him, you try to think of his smiling face and of his words that never fail to make your heart flutter. you needed to hold back until he comes back home and you return back in his arms.
౨₊ৎ chan
when you and chan first started dating, chan was everything you could ask for. he knew what you needed without you saying it, he knew what you liked, he remembered it and had it written down in his journal. it made you feel loved and secure, the two things that you always longed for in a relationship.
chan never failed to make you feel better, he talked to you and listened to your problems intently, as if trying to read between the lines and trying to figure out what went wrong. but with him away on a tour, it was hard. it was even harder to tell him anything mainly because you didn’t want him to worry when he already had so much on his plate. you never want to burden him with your worries. neither do you like to pitied, so will try you keep your emotions to yourself until he comes back.
but looks like that plan is unsuccessful the moment your phone rings and you see his video call. with a soft grunt, you sit up and set your hair before accepting the call.
there he is, sitting on his chair while wearing his signature black hoodie and a wide smile on his face.
“hey sunshine, how are you doing today?” a sentence from him is all it takes for you to break down and hide your face with your one hand and try to get out of the camera’s frame.
“what’s wrong?” his voice is calm, but you know he’s trying not to show his worry to scare you.
you chuckle, trying to brush it off by saying, “it’s nothing just missed you.” but he knows you very well. he knows you well to figure out something is seriously wrong, because until now you would’ve usually spammed him with texts or photos of what you did.
there’s a silence as he just stares at you through the screen before sighing out loud, “i know i’m pretty far from you right now, but you can tell me what’s bothering you anytime. anytime you want, and i’m serious. i don’t want to force you to say what happened so i’ll just talk about how my day went.”
he begins talking about his day, about what he did and what things reminded him of you and what things made him miss you. there’s a smile on his lips, but there’s worry clouded in his eyes, which you pretend not to see and just nod in amusement as he continues to list the things he did.
an hour later, when the two of you hang up, you receive a text from him. it’s a video of you in a garden sitting on a swing and laughing. it brings back a flood of memories from where it started, and you feel like you’re too distracted by the memories that the feeling you had in you earlier, has resided long back. it never fails to surprise you how he can make you feel the real you. with him, there’s no need to pretend. it’s just him and you. he tries his best yo understand how you feel, and considers your feelings sincerely. it’s his love for you that reassures you to not worry. because things eventually do work out.
౨₊ৎ minho
when minho saw you sitting on the couch half- dazed out he knew something wasn’t right. judging the way that even after being home for fifteen minutes he was just welcomed with a nod, it made him sense that something was very wrong. even after cooking your favourite food, there was no smile on your face and it made his heart burn.
without a single word, he heads upstairs. minutes later a shout from him his heard, telling you to head upstairs. so you do and upon entering you could feel your eyes blur as you look at the little pillow castle he created along with a laptop and a pack of chips.
“it was time for movie night anyways,” he sheepishly utters, while maintaining a casual look even though on the inside he is nervous for your reaction. a small smile from you is all it takes for him to return the smile twice as bright along with a hug. it’s the feeling of a warm embrace. that peculiar look of love on his face. perhaps it is also the way his hands are in your hair. but mostly, it’s his eyes that shine with adoration. those eyes that can speak a thousand words and even without anything communication there is still laughter that could be seen.
“do you feel better now?” his voice is calm and you know he’s trying not to force you from the way his fingers trace patterns on your palm.
“yeah, thank you so much,” you mumble and press a soft kiss on his cheek making him smile at you lovingly.
“do you wanna go out for a walk?” he questions suddenly making you look at him in confusion. he gets up while grabbing your hand. and when you nod, he doesn’t hesitate to drag you along with him while running as fast as he could, making you chuckle at his enthusiasm.
it was 11 in the night, yet he still is as energetic as ever. there’s an evident smile on his face as he swings your hand together with his, while walking down the isolated streets. there’s a silence, one that often gets interrupted because of some vehicle honking in a distance, but at least he’s there with you. right when you needed him.
with a fond look plastered over your face, you watch him talk about his day and about some of his annoying colleagues that managed to make his mood go sour. it’s amusing to see the way he takes one glance at you and changes the subject every five minutes, trying to keep your mood up.
౨₊ৎ changbin
“babe? it’s okay, just let me in?”
how long had it been since he had been knocking on the door using every persuasive writing key points he learned in elementary school to convince you to open up the door, but you were stubborn as ever and refused to even budge it a bit. you don’t exactly remember how you both ended up like this. was it because of it felt anxious to show your emotions fully in front of him? or was it the way you thought that he would think you were a crybaby?
“go away, please.”
you try to keep your voice firm, but it cracks the moment you hear him let out a deep sigh and try to coax you, he knew he can’t leave you alone, especially when you’re having a rough time. so he stays there for a moment, trying to think of something that will make you open up.
you and changbin had been dating for over 4 months now. all these 4 months were getting to know each other better and spending time together and eating and cooking together. it was fun. it truly was. with him, you felt like you could actually crack jokes and laugh as hard as you wanted to because he would never judge you. then why were you hiding your feelings from him?
being the type of person, who doesn’t like to share their problems with anyone else, it felt weird when he started asking you how your days were or if you were eating well. soon you got used to it, but you had no clue what to do when you would break down while he’s with you.
“baby? i don’t know what’s troubling you. is it me? or did anyone say something to you?” he questions softly while you try to muffle your sobs.
he waits for a reply, a sniffle, anything and instead hears the click of the door which makes him sigh in relief. he is quick to wrap you in his embrace and caress your head making your body shake from the sobs.
he stays like that for around five minutes before pulling away and cupping your face. he wipes your tears with his sleeves and looks deeply into your eyes.
“i don’t want you to ever lock yourself like that, okay?” he scolds you, but his soft tone says otherwise.
“you had me worried so much baby, if you’re not feeling well, ever, i repeat ever, just call me.”
though he couldn't see it, a soft smile tugs at your lips as you press a kiss to his furrowed brow. he was your safe place.
౨₊ৎ hyunjin
hyunjin drops your favourite chocolate over your lap, before nestling in beside you. wordlessly he copies your position and curls himself on the couch while staring at you. you don’t look at him. you don’t even try to acknowledge his presence, but you can feel it. the scent of his shampoo after he just came from a shower, it’s so familiar and smells like home which makes you sigh in content. even without doing anything and just by staying by your side he manages to provide you with comfort.
“did you miss me?” he cocks his head playfully while grabbing hold of your hands and manages to catch your attention.
“is that even a question?” you retort back making him chuckle.
it’s almost comical how at ease you feel just by his touch, his presence and his words. if there’s one thing that hyunjin is good at which never fails to amuse you, is the way he tries to act according to your moods.
if you’re happy, he’ll match your vibe and take you out on a late night convenience store date. if you’re angry, he’ll buy you some chocolates and snacks and remain patient for your anger to reside. and if you’re sad ( like today), then he’ll just listen or talk depending on whether you open up first or not. it’s not just the way that he loves being with you, but it’s the way that he puts in the efforts to understand you. to understand what’s wrong rather than acting immaturely. so in this relationship, he was the mature one, though at times he loves being babied as well.
“want to talk about it?” he whispers carefully, while glancing at you through the corner of his eye.
with a nod you delve into a ramble about everything that happened in detail. it doesn’t take long for him to begin adding his comments here and there as well. it makes you feel as if someone does observe you. as if, someone does listen to you.
“sorry, am i boring you too much?” you asked in a small voice, confused as to why he suddenly stopped adding on his thoughts.
“i could never be bored. you know why? it’s because i could literally do nothing and sit here, listening to your voice for hours,” it’s not the first time he’s ever said things like these to you and yet, they never fail to make you speechless.
“i need a cuddle,” he changes the subject swiftly and you laugh, “why are you so cute today?”
“i’m cute everyday,” he replies with a blank face as he turns to glance at you.
“i love you, you know that right?” you say with a wide grin on your face and wrap your arms around his neck, squeezing him to death.
“i love you too, but i won’t allow you to kill me,” he huffs.
and there’s a good thing of being with him and eating your favourite pack of chocolates. it’s the best combination in the world. and you wouldn’t want it any other way.
౨₊ৎ jisung
“… are you okay pretty?”
jisung was busy on his phone, when he heard a sniffle, followed by another before he looked up to see you standing before the kitchen counter, clutching the counter pretty hard and with your shoulders shaking.
there’s no reply from you and he grows even more concerned. quickly making his way next to you, he silently shuffles and stands behind you, with his head resting on the crook of your neck and hands wrapped around your waist.
he has no clue what’s wrong but he hates this. he hates seeing you cry, regardless of what the reason might be. it breaks his heart even more when you hold his hand tightly and sob without looking at him. and he hates this so, so much especially when he sees the way you try to hide your tears from him. the least he could do was to be there for you when you feel low.
“i’ll be fine,” you mutter, trying to reassure him but he doesn’t budge even a bit. he stands there, glued to his spot, and just stares at you in worry. it’s almost as if he can read between the lines. i don’t want to be a burden, don’t waste your time on me. it makes him feel as if he failed. as if he failed to assure you that you could rely on him, he feels so frustrated because he loves you so much. he loves you so much that it he can’t help but cry along with you.
upon hearing his sniffle, it’s you that turns around shocked to see him already looking at you through tears. you chuckle weakly as he kisses your nose tenderly.
“why did you have to cry? no i’m crying too,” he whines and tries to wipe his tears but they keep flowing.
jisung had once made this rule of what’s yours is his too, looks like he took it too seriously. he takes away all your pain, all your sorrow in minutes. and you can’t even believe yourself sometimes, of how lucky you are to have a partner like him.
“you’re so silly,” you huff and wipe his tear.
“we’re so silly.”
he wraps an arm around you and pulls you closer, nudging your forehead with his.
౨₊ৎ felix
“she really said that to you?” he voices out his disbelief, as you continue telling how your friend just said something unacceptable.
“i can’t believe this. baby, you need to confront her about it, okay? whenever you’re ready,” he murmurs while pressing a kiss to the side of your head and staying in that position for over a minute.
“she’s my friend though,” you trail off when he sends you a stern look. “friends or not, she can’t just say things like that to you.”
when it came to felix, the most important thing was respect and care. he believed that caring and respecting others is the best way for bonding. even though some people might beg to differ, it’s his personal opinion. and when it came to you… he gets engulfed in this strange, unfamiliar feeling of the need to protect you and keep you safe.
be it even the least harmful ones like just bumping your hand on the wall, keeping the water warm for your bath since you hated it cold and many things that never failed to make your heart flutter.
“are you hungry by any chance?” he asks, while ruffling your hair slowly before brushing them back to make them untangled and gets up, almost about to head to the kitchen but still patiently waiting for your reply.
“it’s fine,” you send him a small smile, making him nod and disappear into the kitchen. minutes later, he returns back with two bowls of ramen and wordlessly places on in front of you and begins digging in.
“i didn’t see any dishes in the sink,” he muttered while glancing down at his bowl, making you pick up your bowl as well.
you found it different. different in a good way, how just talking things out with him is so easy. you don’t have to lie to him. you don’t have to hide your emotions from him. you’re an open book to him. and so is he to you.
౨₊ৎ seungmin
you just wished that you could disappear, if not for long perhaps at least for a day. the way your head is throbbing after your previous break down session is literally the worst feeling in this world (except when your favourite chocolate runs out of the store).
you squint and look around for your medications, but it’s too far away and you don’t even think you have the energy to even speak. but somebody else is faster. a certain someone who’s been watching you closely since the moment he heard you sniffle.
seungmin walks towards you and bends down before handing you a tablet and a glass of water. you give him a small smile and gulp them down together.
“you’ll feel better soon. do you to head to the bedroom to get some sleep?” he murmurs softly and keeps an arm on your knee out of habit.
“it’s fine, i slept in the afternoon anyways,” you reply, making him nod to himself.
there’s silence for a moment before he leaves the room. you look back up when he returns but with a book in his hands and a knowing smile on his face.
he plops next to you, and makes you rest your head on his lap.
with an arm across your stomach and the other holding the book, he begins reading it to you.
you don’t realize when exactly, but in this moment right now, you could feel as if you were bursting out of happiness. out of love and immense affection for the man named kim seungmin.
౨₊ৎ jeongin
“are you asleep?”
it’s been a few hours since he came back home and there is no wonder that he noticed the drastic change in your mood. he didn’t want to point it out thinking you needed time for yourself, but now it was making him feel guilty. he felt guilt creep up into him for not asking you and making you deal with your problems alone.
“not really,” you whisper back and he nods, the action producing a soft sound from the friction of the pillow. a minute later, you toss and face him. his eyes are fixated on you and there’s a sleepy smile that crawls over his face but it drops in an instant when he remembers about your mood earlier.
sighing softly, he tucks a strand of hair behind your ear and rests his hand on the nape of your neck. “i’m sorry for not asking you how you were feeling when you were clearly having a hard time.”
his voice sounds so… sad that it breaks your heart. you shake your head twice before telling him, “you just did what you thought was best. and it did help me clear out a bit of my head. just forget it, i’ll forget it too.”
he tucks his arm under your head and pulls you into his chest, “i’m sorry.”
jeongin didn’t know what to do except for comforting you at the moment, words were forming very slowly in his head and your answers were almost convincing which made him annoyed knowing how carelessly you brush away your feelings.
“do you want to talk about it?” he asks with slight hesitation, his voice no louder than a hushed mutter.
when he receives a nod from you, he smiles to himself and lets his eyes fall shut as he listens to you intently.
your voice slowly trailed off and when he looked down to see your eyes shut, he kissed your forehead gently and tucked the blanket around you properly. at least at the end of the day, he didn’t let you be on your own.
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PERM TAGLIST: @taeriffic 🗯️ @hello-2-u-from-me 🗯️ @ilychee08 🗯️ @sleepyleeji 🗯️ @spacegirlstuff
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wilhelmina-tepes · 11 months
Text
Praise
This is incomplete and I don't know if I am happy with much of it. There are parts of it I love but I feel like it might need a bit of a rework. Thought I would share, may someone else find joy in the idea as well. Mentions of smut with no real smut yet, praise kink, a bit of soft dom Alucard. In my mind he's always an exploratory switch.
“I’ve been thinking, my love,” Alucard turned from where he was cutting plums and slowly walked toward you, “that there are other ways of satisfying those particular desires of yours.”
“Hmm.” You looked up from your book at the kitchen table not quite sure what he was talking about until he gave you a mischievous smile with a raised eyebrow.
“Stand up for me please.” Alucard reached out helping pull you to your feet. Pleasure shot through your body just from his tone, a request you could not deny. “I can give you a sense of my authority without restraining or demeaning you.”
When you had presented the idea, Alucard was fine with being in control so to speak. He even expressed he preferred it to him being vulnerable. But binding and degrading you was a hard no for him. After telling you of his experiences in the past, it was completely understandable as to why he did not want to ever involve anyone being tied down, and humiliation was never on the table because he loved you too much. He could not understand what it was that caused these cravings. “There’s something about giving myself over to your whims that excites me” you told him after practically begging him to bite you, which he also refrained from doing for fear of hurting you. You never mentioned any of this again after that initial conversation because honestly you loved him entirely too much to speak about it. Apparently he had been thinking about it though, much to your surprise. 
You stood not even sure what was about to happen but your body had reacted simply from the tone of his voice—the slow pleasure physically manifested between your thighs.
“Open your mouth.” He stood towering over you, his deep dulcet tone lulling you to obey.
As instructed you opened your mouth. Slowly he slid a long slender finger across your tongue lettling his nail drag just a little but not enough to cause you actual pain. 
“Now close your mouth my love.” Pleasure spiked through your body as the tip of his finger crossed your lips tasting of sweet plums causing a shudder to erupt from inside you. “Now that’s my good girl.”
The praise urged you to melt into his arms, completely at his mercy now.
“Do you understand?” He said softly, running a thumb across your lips. 
“Yes…” Your voice barely a whisper as you stared into those infinitely beautiful golden eyes that were shadowed by pleasure at your obedience. 
“Yes what?”
A million thoughts ran through your mind. What did he want you to say? Not master that was too obscene for him, certainly not daddy neither of you would enjoy that after the issues you both have with your fathers, probably not sir... Perhaps….
“Yes, Adrian.” 
His eyes darkened with lust.
“Yes darling, when we are like this I would prefer you use my name instead of my title.” His voice was low and you could tell he was fighting the urge to take you on the spot. Alas Trevor and Sypha were coming for a visit and would arrive at any moment. “Later you will be rewarded for your good behavior.” 
He leaned in for a kiss but instead ghosted his lips against yours and then smiled showing a bit of fang. An audible whimper left your mouth as your whole body needed that kiss but instead you were met with a chuckle.
“I think the anticipation might be worse than tying you down. I won’t deny you pleasure but, you might have to wait a bit.” He smirked and your mind reeled with possiblities. 
Over dinner Alucard had more of his swagger whereas you could not look anyone in the eyes for fear of what they would see. You had been reduced to a puddle with the most subtle of dominance and you had to admit from him, it was far more intense than any rougher experiences with lovers past. He watched you figit after dinner. Sypha excited about the birth of her and Trevor’s upcoming child, Trevor’s constant teasing about what their child would be named while Sypha argued back, all the while Alucard was content to give you lustful glipses. At one point he had pushed you aside against a wall in the kitchen as you were taking dishes to the sink.
“How wet are you darling?” He whispered in your ear, the feeling of his breath against your skin set your body electric with need. “I could check you know….” The game excited him as much as you now, if not more.
You had audibly gasped but were saved by Sypha bringing her empty plate to be washed. She had only looked at you and smiled as if to give her approval. She and Trevor both were close to Alucard and while they had always been kind to you, there was the lingering feeling as if they had been watching to make sure you didn’t hurt him. 
“That’s a good girl.” He had said leaving you flustered against the wall while he served dessert. 
You were certain that Trevor could tell.
The stolen glances that begged Alucard to make good on his promises. The building tension inside your body threatening to overwhelm you at any moment was making you so unnerved it felt like he was edging you. 
Trevor had seen the way you and Alucard shared a brief moment over souffle. As the fork left your lips Alucard smiled and said “Good, my love?” in the same tone as earlier, a reminder to previous events of the day. You had turned bright red and Trevor had laughed. 
“You two need to finish whatever started before we got here. She looks as if she's gonna burst into flames, Alucard.” Trevor gave a knowing smile.
“Oh, she knows I would never deny her.” Alucard’s voice always aroused things in you but it was worse like this but also…so so good.
You tried to talk about the baby or something you had found in the Belmont library while exploring the Hold but all you could think about was Alucard. 
The souffle was delicious. Everyone had complimented him on dinner, as he was an amazing cook, even Trevor hadn’t given him any shit about it. Sypha had excused herself from the table and was now walking around the castle toward Alucard’s library. You decided to join her deciding that putting a bit of distance between you and Alucard would help the smolder inside you. 
“You two seem very happy and in love. I’m glad. After everything he deserves it.” She smiled her blue eyes wide with happiness and to some degree approval. 
“I do love him very much and I would never hurt him, Sypha. I would fight to protect him from anything and everything.” And you would. You would lay waste to the land if anything happened to him very much like his father did for his mother….
“Good. Now I was going to look through here to find another name to pester Trevor with,” the two of you giggled so that you didn’t hear the approach of your lovers. “I had hoped you had brought some of the books from the Belmont Hold. I keep saying Trefor, we both know he hates it, but we still haven’t chosen a name.” 
While you didn’t hear either of them you immediately sensed Alucard behind you and immediately turned. 
“Darling.” He smiled, licking the point of one of his sharp teeth. 
“Sypha, Alucard has been kind enough to offer us a bedroom on the other side of the castle far away from his.” He cocked a knowing eyebrow at me. “Surely you need to rest.”
“I suppose we should leave the love birds alone. Alucard has been looking like he would devour her since we walked in the door. And she and I were trying to find another name for the baby and still all I can come up with is Trefor.” Sypha's favorite hobby was driving Trevor insane. 
“Please don't think I am a bad host, perhaps wine before bed and I was kind enough to buy a cask of ale for you, Belmont.”
“If you insist.” Trevor smiled and took Sypha by the hand walking in the direction of the kitchen. 
You tried to follow behind but Alucard caught you by the arm as you passed by him.
“I can hear it, you know. The way your heart is racing and there is a faintest smell of desire.” He chuckled darkly. “Would it help if I promised to lick your thighs clean?”
“Adrian…I…” You shivered, unable to take much more.
“That's good, my love. I will make it all better shortly.” Alucard turned and tipped your head upward by placing a finger on your chin. “Now open up, please.”
He smiled watching lust engulf you in desperation. 
You did as requested receiving the same treatment as before but this time once his finger left your mouth he leaned in and nibbled on your bottom lip. 
“This is also a lesson in patience for me but I do enjoy watching you squirm, so much so I believe this will be a permanent game. Now be a good girl and join us for a drink.”
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zoeykallus · 2 years
Note
Hello !!!! Can you do a hot HC with the Bad Batch + Howzer during the wedding night with the reader. Thank you very much !!!!!!!!
Aloha!!!!
Yes I can! Love the idea :)) Oh and Howzer needs more love!
The Bad Batch + Howzer x Fem!Reder Spicy HC's - Wedding Night
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Warnings: Suggestive / Lewd /18 +
Not yet proof read
Hunter
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He will be all over you on the way to your bedroom. You barely make it inside. Hunter can't believe it yet. You two are married and tonight he will make love to you, to his wife.
There is a breeding kink hidden in that man and now that you are married, it awakes inside of him. You are officially a couple now, husband and wife and something about it makes him feral tonight.
You are already almost naked when you reach the bedroom door. He's all over you, hands and mouth very eager, very busy. Hunter want's you so much, it's almost overwhelming.
Foreplay is hot and intense, he eats you out like a starving man, his hands groping every piece of you he can get his hands on. When he takes you he is louder and more demanding than you are used to. But don't worry he is still your loving man, taking care that you feel not just good but amazing.
Hunter is dominant but careful, he would never hurt you. He's dirty talking a lot, telling you that he want's to fill your pussy with cum until you can't take any more. And he keeps that promise. Something about today is different. He manages to stay hard after he shot his first load into your slit. Hunter keeps thrusting into you, your filled pussy making wet sounds, filling the room, together with both of your moans.
When he is done with you, you are spent, full of his cum and most importantly fully satisfied.
Echo
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Sweet Echo, quite the romantic.
He has the bedroom prepared, with rose petals, candles, music and the finest sheets he could find. Echo is soft and sensual but pretty fiery too. You married him, you give him love and today you confirmed that you plan to always do so. His ego has received an enormous boost.
He is proud, in love, happy and real horny.
Echo is an amazing kisser and today it really shows, you can barely take a breath, because kiss by kiss he melts your heart and mind. he undresses you and he loves the satin underwear you picked for today. It's his favorite.
He will be very hands on, very close, very sensual. His mouth will touch every bit of skin on your body. Echo does all the things you love, he spoils you and he enjoys every sound you make in response.
His love is tender but not without fire. When Echo is inside of you, he is close to your body, holding you tight. Every move is a confession of his love to you, he let's you feel all of it.
Merged together you'll here him say, "You are mine and I'm your's, forever. I love you so much"
Wrecker
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He's so hyped, super happy and maybe even a little nervous.
"Hey big guy, this isn't our first rodeo", you say softly.
Wrecker smirks at you, "I know. It's still different, though. You are my wife now. I want to do everything right"
"Honey you know me already, I'm still the same person"
He kisses you deeply.
"No", he says as his lips leave yours for a moment "You are my little lady now"
Wrecker is loving, careful, devoted. Every touch is gentle and careful, but also hot. He is playful making you giggle and laugh one moment and the next his touch makes you sigh in devotion and gasp.
He makes you feel that you made the right decision by tying the knot with him.
With Wrecker on your wedding night, you will laugh, you will love, sweat, whimper and let yourself fall. He's so good with his big strong hands and even better with his mouth.
Be prepared to be limp and spent after he's done with you for the night.
Tech
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He has a plan, even for your wedding night. Don't be surprised if he comes up with new toys and ideas too. Tech is excited, very much so. He is so happy and proud that he can call you his wife now. By the way- he will introduce you to everyone new he meets as his wife first, before he mentions your name or anyhting else.
Tech took care that you got planty of time just for the two of you. He prepared the room, snacks, drinks, music, candles, sex toys... well everything you could ever think of.
But as soon as you are in the bedroom, he doesn't know where to start. There is so much he want's to do and show you, but he feels overwhelmed all of a sudden. Grab his shoulders, whisper softly to him, tell him to relax and come to bed with you.
"We'll figure it out along the way"
It's not the first time you guys are intimate, but for him it suddenly feels that way in some way. Don't worry he'll warm up to the situation, he just needs a little jumpstart.
Tech's main goal is your satisfaction. He never get's tired of finding ways to make you feel good. Fingers, hands, mouth, toys. He's curious and confident enough to do it all. It's actually a HUGE turn on for him, to see you squirm under his touch.
It's not unlikely for him to cum by pleasuring you. Repeatedly.
Crosshair
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This man is pure fire. It's hard not to get burned. Crosshair is intense. He does have a soft side and today you saw it, in the nervousness that had him in it's clutches as you two got married. The little tremble in his hands as you two tied the knot. The look on his face, so warm, soft and a little as if he couldn't really believe what's happening.
But as soon as the formal stuff is done and you are on the way to your wedding night, he is pure fire. You've never seen Crosshair this hungry before. His hands and lips are all over you. Your clothes are shredded, he doesn't take the time to get you out of your dress, he is way too impatient. He wants you naked and he wants you now.
Crosshair knows exactly which buttons to push and he has you begging for his cock in no time.
As he takes you, he talks dirty to you.
"Look at you, you're such a good, obedient woman, taking me so well," he says, giving you a deep, hard thrust.
He makes you cry all night with pleasure and moan his name. But he is closer to you too, you will eventually realize that he never leaves your body, holding on to you all the time, his lips always, on or very close to your skin. As wild and fiery as he may be, he is also very sensual and affectionate.
Howzer
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Sensual. Romantic. Loving. Hot.
Howzer carries you over the threshold in the traditional way. He is charm and devotion in person. He almost literally lays you down on a bed of rose petals. Every touch is warm, gentle, yet intense. Your heart beats up to your throat.
Tenderness and wildness can definitely be mixed together and work out, Howzer is living proof. His kisses are gentle, long, intimate, but also demanding and urgent. And that's how every one of his touches feels.
He takes his time undressing you, even now each touch is accompanied by a kiss, a gentle or suggestive word, often both. Time stands still and yet, it passes far too quickly. You wish for eternity with this man.
His way to love you is long, tender, extensive. Howzer is never in a hurry when it comes to loving you. He will love you in sensual, intimate positions. Pressed against him on his lap, lying under him face to face. He wants to see you when he melts into you, he doesn't want to miss a thing.
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@rintheemolion
@andyoufollowyourheart @clone-whore-99
@brynhildrmimi @kaliel2310
@misogirl828 @tech-deck
@meshla-madalene
@chxpsi
@thebahdbitch
@nahoney22 @ladykatakuri
@darkangel4121
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meggsngrits · 6 months
Text
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»DISTRACTION«
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╰┈➤ Pairing: [self ship] knight!Momo x princess!Meg ╰┈➤ Summary: This is my contribution to @love-and-lore's Sweater Collab! Meg sneaks out of the castle to watch her new bodyguard, Commander Knight Momo, show off her superior skills against the visiting Todoroki Royals. However, Momo catches Meg despite her disguise. ╰┈➤ Contains: Fantasy/Royal AU (without the racism, sexism, and homophobia), SFW, Lil Bit of Angst, Pre-Established Relationship (so before we get together), Meg Cusses, Sword Fighting, Mention of Blood, Shouto Todoroki is TOO PRETTY. ╰┈➤ Word Count: 4.7K ╰┈➤ Author's Note: I hope "tunic" is a fair substitute for "sweater" LMAO. No matter how hard I tried to make sweater happen, it just didn't make sense in medieval times. (I know I picked the theme for the collab, and should have had some IDEA in mind beforehand, but I really wanted to write for me and Momo! T.T) Special thank you to @scarlettriot who may remember us talking about knight!Momo FOREVER ago and greatly inspired this self ship fic with our rambly discord DMs and @blankexpressions-and-falsefires for beta'ing. Shout out to my moots for telling me to keep going even though I had second thoughts and almost decided to scrap this fic for the event altogether; y'all are real ones. <3
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For over a week, I played nice with the visiting royals to our little kingdom. I did my duties as the first daughter, second born to my family – with a smile nonetheless, which is more than my older brother could usually say of me. I dined with the family, laughed at the stupid jokes our esteemed visitors told, and even danced with some of them during one of the balls we put on to celebrate. What were we celebrating? I haven’t a clue, but I showed up with my corset tied tight and my high heels on like a good little princess.
All in all, I was on my best behavior, thank you very much.
Unfortunately, not being able to misbehave was finally taking its toll on me. When I heard there was to be competition between our knights and a few of the visitors, I knew it would be a prime opportunity for me to sneak out and watch the event alongside the commoners. It was always way more fun to cheer and jeer among our people than to sit in the stands next to stuffy royals, my own family included.
It wasn’t at all because I wanted to give a certain pretty, raven-haired knight-turned-personal-bodyguard my handkerchief for good luck. Nope. Not. At. All.
You see, I couldn’t give her my handkerchief as ‘Princess Meg.’ It would be a scandal. An unmarried royal giving her handkerchief to a knight wasn’t uncommon here. The problem was my dearest older brother sought to give my hand in marriage to a “neighboring kingdom” as a part of a future “treaty agreement.” A neighboring kingdom he had yet to name and a treaty agreement that he didn’t yet need. Because of this, I had to appear completely modest and unattached to the public and visiting royals.
As if I gave a fuck what he or any other royal thought of me. I would do what I pleased. As long as I could keep from getting myself caught, of course. Appearances did matter to me to a certain extent. They had to, as much as I wished they didn’t… But that is a story for another time.
The day of the knights’ sword competition, I set my plan into motion. I easily faked being ill that morning. My handmaiden believed the lie, the sweet thing. She even brought me a medicinal tea and forbade me to get out of the bed. I told her around noon that I wished to nap and not to disturb me. She agreed, of course. The groundwork for my plan had finally been laid. All that was left was to don a disguise, sneak out of my room, and make my way to the tournament grounds just outside of the castle.
Once I was sure my handmaiden wouldn’t come to check on me, I pulled my disguise from the back of my wardrobe: a simple pair of trousers, a cream colored tunic, a pair of worn boots, a brown hooded scarf that was large enough to cover my blond hair and face, and a dark blue cloak that was several seasons old with loose threads at the seams. The extra coverage wouldn’t be amiss as autumn seeped deeper into our afternoons now, cooling off the earth and bringing a chill in the evening. This would be the perfect outfit for blending in with the crowds today.
I also carefully picked out a handkerchief that I could give to a certain knight. It had to be one that would catch her eye, but wouldn’t out me as royalty with quality fabrics or colorful patterns. I also didn’t want her to know it was from me... Call me a coward, but what was I to do when my hand was reserved for some unknown royal that had yet to be named by my brother?
“This one,” I said to myself as I plucked the chosen handkerchief from my dresser drawer. It was a soft pink handkerchief made of cotton. I had embroidered roses along just one of the corners some time ago, a symbol of our kingdom and heritage. It was subtle, and not something one would think twice about if studied closely. I tucked the handkerchief into my cloak then slipped out of my room and quickly made my way out of the castle. 
Once outside, no one spared a look in my direction. I was just a worker on an errand, another passerby, no one of importance to the royal family. My boots clicked along the cobblestone that slowly turned into a sparsely graveled dirt road as I got further from the castle and closer to the town surrounding it. Once there, I easily joined the throngs of people walking toward the corded off grassy expansion where we usually held public events. I would be there just in time to skip the royal introductions.
Excitement bloomed in my chest as I got closer, spying a row of knights with their helmets tucked under their arms. Their armor shined brightly, no doubt polished for the event. I had been right, though; I made it just in time - after all the royal bullshittery. I could hear the beginning of the introductions of our very own royal knight guards, including my most favorite knight of all. I stood up on my tiptoes and spotted her high, dark ponytail perched atop her head at the very beginning of the line of knights. 
I smiled wide behind my hooded scarf. We had only been pushed together recently, but she had dominated my thoughts for quite some time before becoming my personal guard. What used to be small peeks from my window while she trained and soft hello’s shared in quiet hallways were now shared carriage rides to events and lessons in self defense. My little crush on her had only blossomed into more due to her close company. The handkerchief tucked into my cloak suddenly felt heavier than before as I thought about gifting it to her. However, I needed to be closer if I wanted to actually give her my handkerchief. 
I ducked under arms and in between bodies until I was able to get to the front of the crowd and close to the rope cording us all off from the tournament space. I put my hand inside my cloak, touching the little square of fabric tucked safely inside it. I would be ready to wave it toward her when it was her turn to accept a token of good luck from the crowd. 
Suddenly, the voices around me hushed as the announcer’s booming voice commanded all attention to our knights front and center.
“At the top of the Rose Royal Guard, and in the first bracket of the armored combat tournament…” as the announcer paused, she stepped forward, chin held high. “I present Commander Momo Yaoyorozu!”
I and the rest of the crowd cheered loudly, even before her name was finished being called. Momo showed no emotion, keeping her eyes above the crowds’ eager faces. That was just like her, I thought. Anyone else would think she’s cool, calm, collected, and just keeping her head on straight for the competition, but I had come to know better lately.
In the short time I had gotten to know her as my new bodyguard, I learned Momo didn’t like crowds or audiences. She was actually trying to keep her wits about her right now with so many eyes on her. They had expectations of her. Expectations that I knew she would surpass.
As the crowd’s cheers multiplied in volume and excitement, I realized she was coming toward us. Handkerchiefs were being held out toward her, chants of her name from pretty mouths, so eager to have her dark eyes on them, to choose them. I clutched my own handkerchief in my sweaty hand, ready to wave it out front in hopes she’d take mine over the others.
Before I could overcome my nervousness and pull out my handkerchief, Momo’s dark, sharp eyes narrowed on me. Her hesitant steps turned purposeful, approaching toward the rope that held the crowd back.
There was no way she knew it was me, I told myself. Yet, she stopped right in front of me, her brows drawn downward in disapproval. She leaned over the rope, her voice a growl that sent a delightful shiver down my spine.
“Aren’t you supposed to be in bed? Sick as a dog, I hear.” Her words were harsh but warm, filling me with the opposite of fear or guilt at being caught.
Sneaking out of the castle wasn’t anything new for me. Neither was donning a disguise. But what was new was getting recognized so easily. Who would have known that my new bodyguard would know me no matter what I wore or how I tried to cover my face? When had she even taken the time to memorize my features so closely? The thought alone made my stomach cartwheel.
“How’d you know it was me?” I asked, unable to hide the grin from my voice.
Momo rolled her eyes, her cheeks flushed from the cool autumn air. “Like I could ever forget a face as pretty as yours, your highness.” She added the title under her breath for my ears alone, her eyes darting to those around me.
Her words carried no spite, only bashful honesty, making my stomach flip again. Before I could playfully retort, she leaned in close and whispered, “What are you doing out here without a guard? In disguise, no less?”
“I just wanted to watch!” I whined.
“No. Absolutely not. Not like this. I can’t have you going back to the castle on your own, either. Meet me near the barracks.” Her tone left no room for argument, yet I gave her one anyway.
“Can’t I watch from the stands?” I asked, making my eyes wider, hoping I could charm her into saying “yes.”
But it was for naught. Momo pursed her lips, her eyes darker than before. “And distract me? I think not. Now, please. To the barracks.”
I heaved a loud sigh, earning myself another eye roll from Momo, before I shuffled back through the crowd. The onlookers hadn’t heard much of our conversation, but many of the fair maidens that had hoped to get her attention only cried out her name louder as she walked away from them to head back toward the barracks to meet me.
At the barracks, she quickly assigned one of the other knights to me, a purple-haired elf that she called Tamaki, and gave him instructions to escort me back to the castle. I tried once more to sway her into letting me stay and watch, but she wouldn’t have it. That was fine, though. I had other ways of getting what I wanted.
I watched her walk back onto the field where the introductions for the opposing knights were being called out now. Tamaki turned to me, his eyes on the ground and his expression bashful. Oh, Momo, you couldn’t have picked a better knight for me. I would have him eating out of the palm of my hand in no time.
“Tamaki,” I said his name softly, making his pointed ears turn crimson. Oh, this was going to be too easy. “Can we pleeeease watch just one match before we go back to the castle??”
“I-I don’t know…” Tamaki stuttered, unable to meet my eyes. “Commander Yao–”
“Pretty pleeeease?” I interrupted, batting my eyelashes.
Tamaki’s eyes met mine briefly, focusing on the little motion as his blush spread to his cheeks. “I-I guess it wouldn’t hurt to watch just one–”
“Yes! Thank you, Tamaki!~” I didn’t even let him finish his sentence before I grabbed his hand and began to pull him back toward the field and crowd. He stumbled a bit before following me dutifully, letting me lead him to the roped off stands.
Lucky for us, Momo didn’t notice that I had rejoined the crowd, now with Tamaki as my babysitter. We were just in time for the first sword competition. We found ourselves a near-front row spot again thanks to the crowd parting once they caught sight of Tamaki’s armor. And even luckier for us, Momo was going first, just as I had expected since she was one of the best knights in our kingdom.
The announcer droned on about the rules, but my attention was focused on my gorgeous raven-haired knight. Momo elegantly flipped her ponytail off her shoulder as she adjusted her heavy leather gloves. Across from her was her opponent for this match. My eyes widened as I instantly recognized him as none other than one of our royal visitors, Prince Shouto Todoroki, the youngest of the Todoroki Royals. 
I would be remiss if I didn’t mention how handsome Prince Shouto was. His split red and white hair was quite a sight to behold as were his heterochromatic eyes: one like a sparkling blue gem found only in the deepest caverns, and the other a beautiful stormy gray that rivaled my own royal eye color. He garnered quite a lot of attention during the last ball we threw for his family. However, the young prince didn’t seem impressed by the flock of young people attempting to ask him to dance.
I hadn’t personally gotten to know Prince Shouto very well, yet. He reminded me much of the stray cats around the castle: a bit cold and aloof, but could probably be swayed to come near with the right motivation. He had donned his own kingdom’s armor for the match and seemed a bit disinterested in the whole event as he blew a strand of white hair from his face. 
Regardless, Momo seemed intent on treating him like any other opponent. She adjusted her grip on her sword, her eyes taking in Prince Shouto’s stance and the way he held his own sword. She had been an excellent teacher to me during our self defense lessons, so I knew that appraising look of hers all too well. She had to have been biting her tongue to keep from correcting him.
The announcer finally seemed satisfied that the contestants understood the rules and that both were ready for the match to start. He took several steps backward until he was off the chalk-lined combat area. In a booming voice, he called out, “You may begin!”
Without waiting even a second, Momo expertly wielded her sword toward Prince Shouto’s left side who parried her strike with elegance befitting of a royal. I could tell she hadn’t intended to actually strike him, but I was unsure if she was testing the waters with him or simply goading him into taking the match more seriously.
She advanced forward, forcing him to take a step back. A look passed between them, but I couldn’t see well enough to tell what that look could have been. Suddenly, Shouto swung his sword at Momo’s side, mirroring her first move in the match. She grinned as she parried it back harder than necessary, making Shouto stumble slightly.
The crowd roared and cheered while Shouto’s bi-colored brows rose into his hairline. Momo attempted to advance again, but Shouto was ready for her this time. He swung his sword toward her, forcing her to stop and block. Sparks flew as their swords connected, making the crowd become louder and even more boisterous. Shouts of Momo’s name could be heard as she continued to try to push Shouto back. Her goal wasn’t to draw blood in the mock battle, but rather have his boot cross the chalked line instead. 
Prince Shouto wasn’t doing too bad considering who he was up against, but he was struggling against the continuous onslaught in which Momo swung her sword against his. He attempted to push her back with a swing of his own, but she blocked it and used the force of his hit against him. He stumbled once more, his boot inches away from crossing the line of the combat area. Sensing her victory was near, Momo swung her sword harshly toward the young prince. 
Overcome with excitement, I joined the crowd, chanting Momo’s name. A mistake I would come to regret.
As soon as my voice joined in, Momo’s concentration had been broken. Her head turned in my direction, bringing her body with it. Her swing came up short, not landing as intended. Just as her eyes met mine, Prince Shouto took advantage of her momentary lapse in concentration, and his sword swung again. 
Instead of blocking, dodging, or parrying it back, she took the full force of the strike. Luckily, Prince Shouto had only aimed for her leg. His sword hit the outside of her thigh where the metal armor had been kept open to allow for movement. The blade cleanly sliced through the leather covering, leaving behind a trail of crimson. Momo’s face crumpled in pain, and she collapsed onto her uninjured knee.
I can’t tell you what was going through my mind at that moment. One minute I was in the crowd, and the next I was bolting over the rope and sprinting toward Momo. My heartbeat thundered in my ears. I couldn’t hear the shouts around us or even what Momo had said to me when I fell to my knees beside her. All I could see was the blood pouring from the wound on her thigh and the guilt weighing me down like a stone in my gut.
A hand on my shoulder brought me back. Tamaki had been trying to pull me up to my feet, but I hadn’t registered it until this moment. Suddenly, all the sound around me rushed back in, including Momo’s shouts of my name. “Meg! I told you to go back to the castle, did I not?!”
Without giving it a second thought, I tugged at the seams of the bottom of my tunic hard until I ripped a wide scrap of fabric from it. Momo’s eyes widened at the sight of a sliver of my bare skin. She cursed under her breath, and her head swung toward Prince Shouto and Knight Tamaki. 
“Shield her!” she demanded, uncaring that the young royal was well above her station.
It didn’t seem that Prince Shouto had thought it over either as he and Tamaki both jumped immediately to shield me from the crowd behind us. Momo began to lecture me, but I ignored her as I carefully wrapped the makeshift bandage around her thigh, stopping the flow of blood for the moment. 
“Princess, how many times must I tell you to do as I ask? You cannot venture around on your own as you please. It’s dangerous! Are you listening to me? I will wring Tamaki’s neck for allowing you to–”
Satisfied that the bandage would hold until the medics could arrive, I interrupted her mid sentence, my eyes downcast. “I’m sorry.”
Momo inhaled sharply, but another lecture did not follow. She didn’t even say “I told you so.” She was silent as I sat beside her, my hands trembling as I fiddled with the torn edge of my tunic. Her hand reached out for mine, stopping me from tugging at the fraying edges. My eyes slowly rose to meet hers.
I swallowed thickly as I took in her flushed cheeks. Her dark eyes that were normally serious and assessing were instead filled with warmth and held mine steadily. Her fingers interlaced with mine as she said softly,  “That is the first time I think you’ve ever apologized. And meant it.”
My eyes welled with tears, but I refused to let them fall here. Instead I quickly blinked them away. “Even bratty princesses know when they fuck up,” I replied instead and gave her hand a little squeeze. “But I don’t fuck up often so don’t get used to it.”
Momo laughed, a sound that sent a tingle down my spine. Her smile was bright even as the medics finally joined us on the field. I moved away from her so they could lift her between them and help her toward their tents to better assess her injury. I followed behind, Tamaki and Prince Shouto still closely trailing me despite my assurance that my cloak and scarf concealed my identity.
As we all settled into the tent, I sat at Momo’s side with Tamaki remaining at my back, watching the medics work on her closely. I already planned to have my personal healer take care of her, but for now, I just wanted to make sure she was alright. The medics confirmed the wound was only surface level and posed no real harm to Momo, which was a relief.
While I was distracted with the medics finishing her bandage before clearing out of the tent, Prince Shouto came to Momo’s other side, his face carefully neutral as he sat beside her. I should have been angry with him for hurting her, but he was simply doing what the competition had asked for. Or so I thought.
“You were supposed to dodge,” the prince said, his usual cool voice sounding almost annoyed.
I blinked once, twice, three times. How fucking dare he?! Where did he get off talking to anyone like that? I didn’t care that he was a royal! He had just wounded someone I cared about. “What in the f–” I began angrily.
“And you were supposed to practice without me. Your stance has gotten lazy, Sho,” Momo quipped back casually, easily cutting me off before I could finish stringing a load of curses together to hurl at a fellow royal, no doubt saving my hide once again.
“Did my ‘bad’ stance distract you? I thought there was something else - or should I say someone else, much prettier than I - that distracted you.” His eyes left Momo briefly to stare at me, a twinkle of mischief in his gaze. “What’s happened to you, Commander?” Prince Shouto smirked as Momo’s lips pursed and her eyes narrowed at him. 
I couldn’t believe this. He smirked… he actually smirked! This was the most amount of personality I had seen from him since he arrived. It seemed the cool young prince had something more to him than just his looks after all.
“We all make mistakes,” Momo replied simply, her eyes remaining on Shouto. I stilled as my heart squeezed uncomfortably. It was most definitely my fault that this had happened in the first place. She would have never gotten hurt if I had just gone back to the castle.
As if she knew I was blaming myself, her hand grabbed mine. A bit of the guilt subsided, but not all of it. Prince Shouto’s eyes followed her hand as it gripped mine, but he said nothing further on the matter. Rather, he ran his hand through his hair and sighed deeply. “I suppose you’re right. Even the best of us trip up every now and then.” One of his brows quirked up in mock amusement, making Momo roll her eyes.
“I wasted my time on training you, that much is for sure,” she said, jabbing a finger at his chest. He brushed her hand away, the move done with familiarity.
I looked between them, the pieces coming together. The little looks they had exchanged during the match, the jokes, how at ease they both were chatting with each other as if they were quarreling siblings… They knew each other!
“Wait, you trained him?” I asked, jerking my thumb at Prince Shouto.
“Of course,” Momo answered. “I train most royalty, even those outside of our kingdom, Your Highness.”
Shouto murmured in agreement, adding begrudgingly. “That she does. No matter how much one does not wish it.”
“Despite your laziness, you are still a fair knight, Sho,” Momo conceded, mocking him right back.
Shouto chuckled, taking her joke in stride. “That is the highest praise you have ever given me, Commander. I really should get back now, though. I’m glad you’re alright.”
Momo waved him off. “Yes, yes. Thank you for checking on me. We will chat later about your lack of sword training, Prince Todoroki.” Momo said, adding his title this time.
He hummed noncommittally rather than answer as he stood. He walked over to my side of Momo’s bed and tugged a familiar square of pink fabric from his sleeve. “I believe you dropped this, Princess Meg.”
I hastily took the handkerchief for his hand and shoved it back into my cloak. With that Prince Shouto bowed to me, a hint of a smile on his face, before he left through the tent flap. As the flap swung back down, Momo turned toward Tamaki who startled behind me at the heated look in her eyes. “Tamaki, I trusted you to take her to the castle. How is it that she’s still here?”
“Commander, I am so sorry–” Tamaki began to profusely apologize but Momo wasn’t having it all.
“I won’t hear any excuses. You disobeyed a direct order.” Her authoritative tone left little wiggle room for him to explain. 
Knowing full well that this whole thing had been my own fault, I quickly cut in. “Please don’t be angry with Tamaki! It’s all my fault. He shouldn’t be in trouble over something that I caused.”
Momo stared at me, her dark eyes looking into mine as she warred inside of herself. Finally, she sighed deeply, and like with Prince Shouto, she waved Tamaki out of the tent. “Out with you. We shall discuss this later. I need to speak to the princess.”
“Yes, Commander. Of course, Commander,” Tamaki spoke quickly as he fisted his hand over his chest as a sign of respect. He then clumsily ducked out of the tent, fleeing back to the barracks.
Once I was sure he was gone, I tried again to explain. “Momo, listen. It truly is my fault. I shouldn’t have dragged Tamaki into my foolishness.”
Momo held up her hand, stopping my plea for Tamaki to go unpunished. “I know. However, he still disobeyed an order, but I promise I will be lenient considering who was involved,” she said as she looked at me pointedly. “It is quite difficult to follow orders when it comes to you. I should know. You’re constantly testing me.”
If not for her gentle smile, I may have taken a bit of offense to her words, but I knew she said them without venom. I huffed and crossed my arms over my chest, making my torn tunic ride up over my stomach. Her gaze zeroed in on the bare skin. She leaned over quickly and wrapped my cloak around my front.
“I cannot believe you tore a perfectly fine tunic when the medics were only steps away,” she chastised, her fingers fussing with the buttons there to keep me covered should anyone walk in.
“There was a lot of blood and I panicked,” I murmured bashfully as I lifted my arms away from my chest for her to reach the other buttons along the cloak.
“Hmpf… I suppose we need to add emergency training to your self defense training as well then. You need to learn how to keep a level head during times of crisis, Princess,” she said as she finished the last button.
“I know how to keep a level head. I just seem to lose it when it comes to you,” I confessed quietly, moving to cross my arms again. As I did, the pink handkerchief that Prince Shouto had rescued slipped out of my sleeve.
Momo paused, her retort lost now as she stared at the small piece of fabric. She gently picked it up, smoothing her fingers carefully over the embroidered roses. She knew what the handkerchief was for… But did she have any idea that I had meant to give it to her? Silence settled over us, neither one ready to ask or explain. 
Eventually, she cleared her throat and avoided my eyes as she tucked the pink handkerchief back into my sleeve for me. “We will have to get you a new tunic, Your Highness. Maybe next time you can give your handkerchief to the knight you have your eye on.”
My heart squeezed painfully in my chest. This isn’t how I wanted things to go, but what could I do? Without thinking it through, I grabbed her hand before she could pull away. “Next time, I’ll make sure she gets it.”
Our eyes met, and for just a moment, I think she understood that the handkerchief was meant for her. Her cheeks turned pink as she chose her next words carefully. 
“I think she would like that very much, Your Highness.”
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onyx232323 · 4 months
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An Adeptus' Last Wish- Zhongchi fic
(19/30)
More chapters here!<33
Summary-
After the Gnosis incident, Childe decides to take a much-needed break away from Zhongli.
However, how was he supposed to react, when all of a sudden Lumine showed up outside his apartment sounding terribly mortified, "Childe......Zhongli.......Zhongli....is in grave danger."
Of course, he was going to do anything to help the dying man.
Sure, he still felt a lot of contempt for him, after what he did, but his heart still loved him.....
But, what he hadn't expected was the sudden wisp of golden light that somehow transported him during the times of the Archon War?!
What the FUCK?!
_____________________
Chapter 19: Mending Spirits, Uncertain Feelings, and the Taste of Freedom Pt. 3
The journey to get there was even rougher than they had all anticipated. 
And after Guizhong declared herself the winner and Morax the rotten egg (who had unfortunately been last to get there…not because he wasn’t fast enough, but because he had caught the meaning of her words later than everyone else did).
The man seemed taken a back at what she called him, but considering all of the other things she used to refer to him, this one seemed to be the least prodding. Although, he did look confused as to why she had said rotten egg out of all the things she could have said and genuinely seemed to consider the intricacies of such a game and the meaning of the rotten egg for a bit before he gave up; which brought a strong sense of nostalgia. 
Even after hundreds of years, it seemed as if Zhongli never truly changed, did he? 
Always the one to think deeply about the meaning of every little thing, even of things that did not necessarily have any real meaning to it. 
After that, they had continued on their journey to get to the aforementioned cavern Sky Bracer had mentioned, without so much as a peep out of everyone else, just the occasional breath and the heavy sound of footsteps. 
Ajax sighed, attempting to steer his eyes away from Morax, sighing even more when he found it hard to do so. 
Although he was hurt, he could not stop his eyes from trailing back to where the man was, almost subconsciously. 
But even so, he refused to look at the man in his eyes.
He did this lest he fall back inside of them and allow himself to be the weaker one of the both of them once more and rekindle…whatever their confusing relationship was. 
But besides that, even if the more stubborn part of him refused to go outwardly talk to the man about what had transpired, the more human part of him wondered if he had perhaps been too harsh. 
After all, the man he was talking to was not a man at all, but an Archon. 
A God. 
He did not know about the trivialities of emotions, did not know of the proper way to conduct himself in front of someone else, and he did not know how to even give a good apology. 
The man had just started to understand what emotions were, and had just begun to properly face and name them. 
So in a way, it was unfair that he was being this harsh. 
And yet, he was hurting, so he felt the need to hurt others, to lash out at the man, to release his sadness in the way he only knew besides tears….anger.  
Ajax had never been one to particularly show his emotions all that well either, always lashing out using violence and spiting out hurtful words whenever he felt hurt himself. And without Zhongli here, without his rock, the person that tied him down back down to Teyvat, he was a mess. 
A bloody mess of conflicting emotions, thoughts, and actions; until his very own mind was nothing more than mush and static noise. 
And while he knew it was not a healthy thing to depend on the man to sort out his own feelings for him….he couldn’t help it. 
Zhongli was patient, kind, and understanding above all else. 
He would take the harsh words thrown his way to heart, but would never truly reveal the true extent of his own hurt feelings whenever Ajax lashed out at him. Instead, he would merely sigh and pull the agitated man into his arms before he would patiently wait until he calmed down and attempt to make the situation better by talking things through. By communicating.  
But it was so hard not to fall into pieces without Zhongli here. 
The awkward and stiff silence continued, coating the already tense atmosphere in a thin silken sheet. 
Only the chirping cicadas, the whistling wind and the abrupt comments from Guizhong about various random things kept them entertained for the rest of the day. All while Ajax attempted to find some peace in all of it, amidst his troubled mind and heavy heart. 
And well, he guessed he wasn’t the only one.
As Madam Ping herself seemed to be doing the same, silently assessing her surroundings, her expression solemn.....similarly conflicted about what to do as well. 
And while she wasn’t mad like he was, she was still hurt. He could tell from the way her eyes seemed to fill with glistening pearls every now and then before she would blink them back and gather her emotions up before they threatened to spill over. 
Ajax himself felt a wave of sudden crushing emotion wash over him at the sight of Madam Ping’s teary eyes and felt his own eyes sting. 
He guessed they were two peas in the same pod, stuck in the same damned boat headed to the same place, weren’t they? 
He blinked back the tears rapidly. 
It was just the wind that made his eyes water. 
Nothing else and nothing more. 
__________________________
It was about nightfall when they finally arrived at the cavern. It was situated between a valley of sorts, only a small few meters away from it, hidden inside of one of the vast openings at the foot of the long rock formations. 
It was surrounded by that familiar golden light, one that Ajax grew to be pretty nostalgic over. One that made his heart ache. 
The silence was palpable to Ajax’s ears, and after a moment a voice spoke up. 
It was Morax, and he had spoken for the first time since they had left the campsite, “Is...this the location?” 
Sky Bracer turned to look at him, guilt heavy in his eyes, as they swept over Ajax and then onto Morax. He gave a short bow before he nodded, “Yes, My Lord…this is the location where we have been hiding for the meanwhile.” 
“Mn,” Morax did not look at him before he continued walking over to the cavern without so much as a warning. 
This abrupt movement caused the rest of them to march over after Morax, startled at his sudden action. 
After a few seconds, they came face-to-face with the glowing protective shield placed over the cavern’s entrance, blocking everything out from entering. Which was rightly so, considering there were many of those Dream Eaters roaming around, ready to strike at any moment. 
Sky Bracer brought up his fist and gave a firm couple of knocks and waited patiently for an answer. 
There was nothing. 
He knocked again. 
...Nothing. 
And again. 
.....Nothing....
And again. 
.....Still Nothing.  
There was no response whatsoever….
Sky Bracer’s face crumpled up to that of concern and he looked back at the barrier before he knocked once again. 
Again, there was no response. 
“They…usually respond after only a few knocks…” he said, looking oddly nervous. 
Madam Ping’s eyebrows furrowed before she said, “....Do you think something might have happened to them?” 
Sky Bracer seemed to consider this before he shook his head, “No…They would have….sent me something if there was anything wrong.” 
“....Don’t worry, shixiong....Maybe....they are just not here at the moment?” Ajax offered, avoiding Sky Bracer’s piercing stare, instead focusing his eyes onto the door in front of them. 
Sky Bracer shook his head, although a small wistful smile found its way onto his face, and he continued on, “I doubt it, shidi…..They would never leave base without a message...They are not careless enough to do something like that..…” 
They all stopped to consider this.
And he was right. 
Unlike Morax, who was sometimes known to run off without any warnings due to sudden emergencies, as he had previously with that strange shadow. Mountain Shaper and Moon Carver were punctual to a scary degree, always making sure to alert the others of their every move in case something happened. 
Call it paranoia like Ajax and Guizhong did, or being precautious like the rest of them believed. 
But either way, it was uncharacteristic of them to do such a thing. 
Madam Ping’s face grew serious once more as she furrowed her eyebrows even more, her eyes narrowing as she stared at the unmoving entrance, “...If they aren’t responding, perhaps something really must have happened to them, we must look for them at once," she withdrew her spear and held it tightly in her arm. 
Sky Bracer paused for a bit before his eyes glowed and he turned his head everywhere, obviously scanning the surrounding area. After a few minutes, he shook his head, “No, their elemental traces are still here, they do not go anywhere else..…they couldn’t have left.” 
Madam Ping’s face hardened even more, “Either way we must get into the cavern, perhaps they are in need of our assistance inside.” 
Sky Bracer gave a curt nod, before he placed his hands on the barrier and soon enough, spiritual energy started to leave his palms. 
It was clear what he was attempting to do. 
He was trying to break the seal formation they had placed. Sky Bracer was risking breaking the seal they had all formed, one that took so much energy to make in order to protect themselves whilst they rested. 
Sky Bracer’s energy flowed through the barrier, as a bit of sweat started to drip down his forehead, stare intense and concentrated.
And soon enough, small cracks started to form around the seal, indicating that it would soon be broken. 
“Halt!”  
A sudden voice sounded out. 
It was….
Mountain Shaper. 
_________________________
He was strangely in his half-adeptal form, looking alarmed. 
Although, Ajax guessed it had to do with the fact that they were just about to bash through the carefully crafted barrier, which judging from the intricate seal, most likely took hours to construct. 
Mountain Shaper glanced at all of them, and suddenly, the alarm that was once plastered all over his face quickly changed to something….interesting. 
It was one that bordered strangely on embarrassment.  
What in The Abyss?! 
Now. 
Ajax had seen Mountain Shaper show a variety of expressions, from disgust, to arrogance, to hatred, to mild irritation and even to subtle joy. But, never in his time here in this world, had he ever expected to see such a usually arrogant and haughty person to show anything like this before. After all Mountain Shaper prided himself on his control of his facial expressions and emotions; never allowing himself to feel any sort emotions that he considered as inferior or weak. 
And besides that, other than his strange expression, his clothes were also thrown askew as his face was bright red, a strange dark red bruise right below his collarbone. Which looked oddly like a mosquito bite, or...something else. 
Sky Bracer went up to Mountain Shaper and gave a short bow, “Apologies, da-ge….We were all worried that something might have happened to the both of you after there was no answer, so I carelessly rushed to destroy the barrier.” 
Mountain Shaper seemed to be even more agitated as he dismissed Sky Bracer with a wave of his hand, “There is nothing to apologize for, it is....fine…” 
This stunned Ajax. 
He had never seen Mountain Shaper be this kind nor forgiving ever before. 
Everyone else seemed to think the same thing as many of them switched confused glances. 
Sky Bracer himself looked taken aback as he coughed and nodded, “I....see......Shushu…." 
Madam Ping went up to Mountain Shaper, and gave a bow, "May I ask, what Shushu was doing?"
Mountain Shaper's expression seemed to grow to be one of irritation as he crossed his arms, "What one does is not any of your business, Mei-mei." 
Madam Ping gave another bow as she said, "....Please allow this one to explain......We were all concerned about Shushu's well-being.....Is there anyone hurt, Shushu?” 
This definitely caused Mountain Shaper to stiffen, before he suddenly coughed into his arm, irritation gone and replaced with embarrassment yet again, “Ah…No....We were just sparring a bit and we may have lost…track of time.” 
Sky Bracer gave another curt nod before his eyes glossed over with understanding, “I see....Well, in any case, I’m glad everything is alright.” 
Mountain Shaper seemed to choke a bit, “Y-yes…But, let’s carry on for now and discuss more prying matters. We have been planning on the attack for a while; however, we have not come to a full conclusion as of now," he began to walk back in as the barrier suddenly opened up, allowing for all of them to walk inside.
One after another, they began to go to the other side of the barrier. 
Inside, Ajax noticed that the cavern was simplistic in nature. 
It was just like every other cave in fact, hallowed out and surrounded by uneven rock formations. 
Surrounding the cave, there seemed to be a few furnishings littering the ground, which accommodated them. They included what appeared to be makeshift sleeping beds, a small fire, a simplistic pot, several miscellaneous weapons and other items strung about the place. 
It was nowhere near cozy, but it somehow gave the feeling of a warm and relatively safe environment, perfect for when you needed to unwind and rest. 
However, the next thing that really hit him was the smell of the place. 
A sweet aroma came and nearly punched him in the nose. 
It seemed to come mostly from one of the beds that were laid there. Annd on that bed there seemed to be a strange substance on it…
The smell was sweet like honey, yet it gave off strong notes of a flower scent with a bit of muskiness, which was all topped off with a spicy after smell. 
Just what was it? 
Maybe one of them carried perfume or something on them and it must have spilled over and splattered the bed accidentally? 
Was the perfume that strange substance that was splattered about the bed? And if so, then why did it look so weird and not like the usual relatively clear liquid that was nearly like water, and instead sort of gelatinous and sticky....?
He decided to dwell on this later and carried on with the rest of the group.
They went over to Moon Carver who was similarly in his half-human form, looking flustered and a bit irritated. His clothes were similarly thrown on messily as if he had been in a hurry to get them on in time, and….was that a bite mark on his neck?
He looked back and forth at Moon Carver and Mountain Shaper, who looked shyly at each other and suddenly it clicked. 
The flustered expressions, the messy appearances, the shy looks, and even the sticky substance on the bed...
Oh..
Oh! 
They had…..ahem… 
Ajax felt his face grow hot as he felt the embarrassment swell up inside his lungs….Now it all made sense why it had smelled like that, it was a mixture of sorts of both of their scents and whatever that jelly stuff they had used was...
Sure, they had ‘sparred.' 
And judging from the obscene amounts of that strange white substance on the silken sheets, it was clear they had ‘sparred’ rather hard it seemed. 
So hard and vigorous that it seemed as if they had lost a sense of time and had failed to notice that someone was knocking on the door. 
Moon Carver began to talk to the others and discussed the plans he, Mountain Shaper, and Sky Bracer had come up with. But, Ajax could not hear a word out of their mouths, much too distracted with the embarrassing truth laid upon his feet (almost literally since it was on their bed). 
His face burned like hot coals and he did not dare to look at either Mountain Shaper nor Moon Carver in the eye as they were speaking.
Guizhong seemed to notice this and while the rest were busy talking, she slipped by them and made her way up to to Ajax who seemed almost frozen still. 
She tapped on his shoulder and said, “Shidi, what is the matter?” Her face looked rather worried, her eyes gentle and warm, filled with nothing but care for her junior. 
He shook his head, “It-It’s n-nothing, shijie…I just…I’ll go outside for now…” 
The smell was overwhelming him, making him remember times with Zhongli and the wa-
Yeah, he really had to leave that place. 
Lest he accidentally embarrass himself further and have to explain why he felt the sudden need to suddenly dip himself inside cold water for a good 20 minutes. 
But it's not as if he hadn’t known Moon Carver and Mountain Shaper were a couple…with the way they always seemed to cling onto each other and always be around the other it was quite obvious they were at least romantically involved. 
And besides, it's not as if he had not noticed the way they looked at each other from time to time. 
But he had never really thought about their physical relationship (though he doubted anyone would think about such a private matter), but anyways, with it being thrust into his face so suddenly, it certainly put things into perspective. 
He cursed his newly found strong sense of smell and he silently prayed to whoever heard him that he would act normally around them after this. 
Ever since he had become an adeptus, it seemed as if all of his senses had improved exponentially. 
So while that meant he would be able to see mostly every single minute detail in battle, taste food in a way he never imagined, hear from very far away, and even be able to feel the sensation of different fabrics more intensely….His sense of smell was the only one whom he did not really enjoy. 
Now, whenever he smelt something gross, it would smell 100x worse than it would if he was human. 
Which made him understand why Zhongli was so sensitive to different perfumes and would always scrunch up his nose at particularly strong smells. 
And, so it felt uncomfortable and like an invasion of privacy to be here smelling someone’s uhhh….
Yeah.. 
Celestia above! Send a meteorite down to come and smite him down at once! 
________________________
Guizhong did not know why Ajax’s face was so red. 
Just why was her dear shidi so embarrassed? 
She had not seen anything particularly embarrassing happen to him, so why was he so bright red? 
“Shidi?....Are you sure nothing happened?” 
He shook his head, his nostrils flaring ever so slightly as he pulled at his collar down in a frenzy as if overheated, and Guizhong could see his pupils dilating (?). 
Just what happened to him? 
She did not understand. 
And she did not further understand why he was covering his nose so urgently with his sleeve, or why he was in such a hurry to leave? 
She curiously wondered if perhaps he smelled something she didn’t and took a cautious sniff. 
Nothing. 
But even so, nothing out of the ordinary seemed to hit her olfactory bulb so she stared at Ajax, “...Shidi…is it....the smell that is bothering you?” 
Her poor shidi looked so tormented and yet managed to nod his head, still covering his nose stubbornly with his hand and refusing to breathe through it. 
She pinched her eyebrows together, “...Do you know where it is coming from?....I can not seem to smell it....” 
Her sense of smell wasn’t as great as some of the other adepti, which probably had to do with the fact that her specific species did not allow her to smell as great as some of the others. 
And she knew just how well adepti like Ajax and Morax could smell, and just how strong their noses. 
Guizhong knew first hand at just how excellent Morax’s sense of smell was, especially since he would scrunch his face up in disgust at particularly concentrated perfumes that would be sprinkled and tried on by various humans down at the marketplace. 
He shakingly pointed towards the messily done bed a few ways away from him, face bright red, pupils constricting and dilating rapidly. 
She stared at the bed, before she felt her face warm up as well…oh.. 
The sheets were somehow thrown in disarray, with one of them turned upwards, which was enough for Guizhong to see splatters of a viscous liquid smattered across them. 
It was obvious what it was. 
And whilst Guizhong was not…experienced in that department, in the slightest. 
She was no fool. 
She knew exactly just what that was, after spending so many years in Teyvat it was hard not to come across such a thing….especially since she spent so much time around other human beings.
And since she was an enjoyer of human’s lovely literature works, and praised their magical way with words and even more fascinating views on life and morals. She too had come across their more salacious works, and out of curiosity she had read them. 
After such a thing, she promptly shut the book shut and vowed to store it in her bookshelf, as though it contained detailed images of the many different uhhmm…poses and acts humans would do in order to copulate and enjoy themselves.....it was rather embarrassing to have it laid out in the opening. 
And so, after such an embarrassing book, she knew exactly what that viscous, semi-transparent, jelly-like white liquid was. 
And the more she inched towards it, the more the smell blasted her nose and made her even more embarrassed. 
She turned towards Ajax, eyes nearly bulging out of her bright red cheeks and mouth gaping like a fish. 
“Is that-” 
Before he could finish his sentence, Ajax pulled a hand over her mouth and nose, and he looked a bit miffed and embarrassed. 
She looked at him and he appeared as if he was about to pass out from sheer mortification. He pressed a finger to his mouth and then promptly pinched his nose, “Shh..” 
She nodded, before she took his hand away and pinched her own nose, before she said, “….outside..” 
He similarly nodded, and nearly rushed straight towards the exit. Guizhong similarly rushed behind him, at the same pace. 
They needed to get out of there as soon as possible. 
____________________________
They made their way to the barrier, rather quickly, determined to get out of there. 
But before they could, they were stopped by Sky Bracer. 
Whose voice suddenly rang out behind them, who nearly stared at them as though they were crazy, “Shijie, shidi…. Why are you both rushing outside in such a hurry….Did something happen?” 
He looked confused if not a bit concerned over them, and Ajax could not bear the way his legs gave out from the utter embarrassment he felt at that moment. 
What should he tell him? 
Oh hey Da-ge, just a heads up our Shushu’s had sex and uhhh the evidence was still left behind. Nothing else, don’t worry. Now, we are just going to head out cause the smell is making me think about my estranged lover. And to top it all off now both me and shijie are embarrassed since we know they both fucked since I pointed it out to her. So, if you'll excuse us, we will go off and clear our heads and attempt to figure out how to ignore this. Thank you, Da-ge! 
Of course he wasn’t going to say that!!!
He glanced over to Guizhong with such a distressed expression, that she let go of her nose and slowly turned back to look at Sky Bracer. 
However, as she did, she noticed that it was not only Sky Bracer looking at them but everyone else as well. 
Damn!
Her eyes flitted at all of them and she let out a small sigh, “...Di-di… we are just going to take a small break from all of this outside…and perhaps enjoy some of the fresh air outside…It is not healthy to be cooped up in such a small place, the air is getting slightly stuffy for the both of us..”
Ajax carefully turned to see them, staring holes into the both of them…all with differentiating expressions. 
Mountain Shaper and Moon Carver both looked afraid and mildly embarrassed as they exchanged glances between the both of them and the bed. They most likely knew what the real cause to their sudden urge to leave was, and seemed as if they wanted to crawl into holes themselves. 
Madam Ping seemed to look confused as she stared at Guizhong and Ajax as if they were acting strange (which they probably were…to be fair). 
Sky Bracer looked more worried than anything, his usual warm smile turning into a small frown that pulled at his lips. 
While….Morax…
Well….he was peering into Ajax with such intensity in his eyes, that it almost hurt to look at….ah… 
And well, he looked to be in a similarly disastrous state as Ajax, with his ears flushed pink as his breathing was slightly shallow and his pupils constricting to an insane degree so much that it looked as if he almost did not have pupils. 
It was pretty obvious he knew what was going on…
Ajax avoided his gaze as he attempted to compose himself and think of anything else but the embarrassing smell that was infiltrating his sinuses. 
Sky Bracer gave a small nod, “I see….then why were you pinching your noses…was there a bad smell of some kind where you both were standing previously?” 
He looked at where Ajax and Guizhong were standing and took a step forward. 
Ajax felt his heart race as he saw the man head over there. 
With each step he took, he felt even more embarrassed for Mountain Shaper and Moon Carver. 
If they were found out, they would most likely get punished, especially if they had to admit to the hold thing. 
He took another step forward and finally Ajax could no longer bear to watch such a scene unfold. 
He immediately jumped forward and grabbed Sky Bracer, “No!” 
Sky Bracer seemed surprised as Ajax grabbed him and pulled him towards where he was standing, hand gripping tightly on his wrist. 
Silence seemed to pass, as Ajax’s words fully cemented themselves into everyone's heads. 
Ajax’s face was bright red as he struggled to breathe the air, the smell filling his lungs and making him dizzy…just what in The Abyss did they use for…. 
Ajax coughed awkwardly when he saw Sky Bracer stiffen in his hold, as he stared at Ajax with a deep intensity, whirlpools of water inside of his eyes as if he was fighting against something within himself. 
Before Ajax could react, Sky Bracer leaned in. 
____________________________
Ajax himself stiffened as he saw Sky Bracer’s face lean into his own, until he was inches away from his face, stunned at what was happening. 
Sky Bracer stared at Ajax for a bit more before something in his eyes changed and softened, the intense look gone, as he gave a shaky breath and touched the back of his palm against Ajax’s. 
After a few seconds let out a small breath of relief as he gave a small smile, “Ah...I’m sorry if I startled you, shidi…I was just testing to see if perhaps you had gotten a fever…Do not worry..” 
Ajax felt his body loosen up as he shook his head, feeling his throat dry up, “Uhm…no…I’m just a bit stuffy as shijie said..” 
Sky Bracer hummed, leaning further away from Ajax before he nodded, his smile growing, “I see, well then, I’m glad you are okay shidi…”  
Ajax smiled, “Thank you, da-ge. ” 
“Anytime, shidi.”  
____________________________
Shortly after, that short outburst had been passed off as Ajax and Guizhong feeling a bit stuffy and needing to go outside….much to Ajax’s relief…and Mountain Shaper and Moon Carver’s relief as well. 
And soon enough, the rest of the group stayed indoors as Sky Bracer graciously opened the barrier for them and accompanied them as well. 
He also said that he needed some air, and that it would be best if they were to be all in a small group in case another attack was staged. 
They walked off shortly to a small creek, similar to the one they were previously at. 
However, the only difference is that this one was less filled with plants and instead, was surrounded by short grass. 
They decided to stop there as Guizhong splashed her face with the creek’s water, Ajax following her example as he too splashed his own face. It was refreshing, and definitely needed as his nose was no longer clogged by that smell….
Seriously, whatever those two must have used, was definitely not just normal oil…
It had something else mixed in, and Ajax clearly did not want to know. 
____________________________
Unfortunately for him. 
There seemed to be another problem inflicted upon him. 
His nape started to feel as if it was on fire, shortly after he splashed the water on his face and had taken a seat by the creek. 
It was seriously itchy.  
As if a hundred tiny bees were stinging his skin, as if his skin was being stung by tiny needles, it itched, really bad. 
He gave a small sigh, tugging anxiously at his collar, as he felt his skin start to burn. 
Seriously? 
Why was his weird bug bite acting up again? 
He scratched at his nape, sighing as the pain slightly lessened. 
He seriously had to get it checked out soon. 
Hopefully as, otherwise he was sure Cloud Retainer would tear his eyes out if she found out he did not treat his wounds properly. 
____________________________
Sky Bracer saw as Ajax sighed, before he retracted his hand from his nape. 
And when he looked at where his hand had been, he paused. 
His gaze darkened and soured as he saw the tell-tale sign of a familiar design on the nape of Ajax’s neck. 
It was a mark.  
The seal that belonged to Rex Lapis. 
It seemed as if the Archon of War had laid his claim onto Ajax, asserting his possession over the man, a way of telling all of the other opposition that his treasure was off the market, a brand on Ajax’s skin. 
And from the way the smell wafted over to Sky Bracer and filled his nose from the mark on his nape, he could tell the jealous Archon had sent it just for him. He felt jealousy prick at him as well, and he wished to bite off the mark with his bare teeth and sink his own claim into the beautiful man. 
But even so, his more logical side chastised him, berating him for breaking his self promise. 
He had to let go. 
He needed to let go. 
And eventually, with time, he would eventually let go. 
So for now, he turned his back on Ajax and carefully walked off. 
Leaving the oblivious man to ponder just what was on the back of his neck. 
____________________________
Sooner or later he met up with Guizhong, who was sitting by the creek a few ways away from him, swirling the water with her fingertips and watching as they caused tiny ripples to erupt from her touch. 
Sky Bracer had long since been gone, and while a part of Ajax wanted to ask why he had taken off so suddenly, another part of Ajax knew why he had left so suddenly. 
While things had been fairly amicable with Sky Bracer and him, Ajax could not shake off the feeling that it had caused their relationship to strain. His abrupt confession and Ajax’s rejection had taken a toll on their previously close bond. 
Ajax felt his heart clench at the thought of Sky Bracer pulling away from him. 
He had grown quite attached to the man, but, even so, he knew it was for the best. Even though he appreciated their time spent together and the many days he would casually strike up a conversation whilst Ganyu steadily slept in the next room. The laughter they would exchange, and the way his presence made him feel soothed and at home, even though they had not known each other for that long. And the warm cup of tea in his hands while he heard the man talk about his interest in plants and flowers. Ajax would always feel content while he held onto the warm cup tightly in his palm, hearing the man ramble and listen attentively to his own worries and interests as he passed a hand through Ajax's hair in a manner that could only be akin to warm affection. 
With Sky Bracer, he would feel safe, and wanted nothing more than to live forever in the moments they got to spend with each other. 
But it wasn’t good. 
He had started to depend on the man for something he previously had. He had started to see Zhongli in Sky Bracer, and had begun to lean on the man to support him, he had started to become infatuated with the man. 
It was starting to become an unhealthy codependency; it would become terrible if Ajax did not set things clear and distance himself from Sky Bracer. 
He knew that Sky Bracer would always be his da-ge and would always support him no matter what. But, even so, something about his confession of the way he still looked at him, made him feel terrible. 
The guilt he felt towards Sky Bracer and felt his heart race made him want to drown in a pit of his own sorrows.
It was terribly gut-wrenching.  
He sighed and made his way over to Guizhong, wanting to get over his feelings of guilt quickly. 
She must have heard him walking over since she looked up at him and enthusiastically waved over to him, “Shidi! There you are! I’ve been wondering where you went off to.” 
He gave her a small smile and walked over to her and sat down, “I was just further down the creek, shijie…..You did not notice me going over there?” 
She gave a small sigh, her cheeks red, “..I might have been caught up in my own thoughts and seemed to have forgotten where you had gone off to…” 
He laughed, “Well….I don’t blame you….especially after that…”  
Her face seemed to grow redder as she waved her hands frantically, “Shh! Shh!! Shidi! Please do not mention it anymore! Your poor shijie might not know does not know if she will be able to face them anymore!” 
His smile grew as he laughed, “Well….I’m just saying….I just never knew they would have done something that intense and hard….I could practically smell just how long they must have been going at it….” 
Guizhong’s face scrunched up as she closed her ears with her hands, “Shidi!~ I already told you not to mention it….I don’t want to imagine it!” 
He barked out a laugh as he leaned forward and stared at the water, “Okay! Okay….I won’t mention it anymore, but seriously….I never imagined I would get to see something like that…This definitely beats the intense and way to serious sex talk Madam Ping gave me…” 
They both gave a light laugh, before they quieted down. 
And once again, Ajax was left in his thoughts. He watched as the water flowed and ripped at every slight movement and admired how clear it was. 
Water was such a pretty thing. 
Especially when the moon illuminated it like this. 
He felt his vision slightly stir and he smiled as he began to twirl a bit of water on his fingers, molding and shaping it into a small flower the more he concentrated on it. 
____________________________
Guizhong’s smile grew at the mention of Ping. 
She knew just how serious her shimei could be. And she felt her face burn up at the mention of her giving the talk to Ajax, already imagining the serious expression as she explained the bird and the bees in an utmost scientific way. Her Shimei could be terribly serious at times, the usual warmth in her smile fading out and being replaced with a dull face as she began to talk in such a methodical way, as she usually did whenever serious topics were brought about. 
Although....Guizhong was certain that Ajax did not need to have such a talk, after all, he was already an adult.
But it was still a kind but embarrassing gesture on her part. 
However, soon enough, those tender feelings started to grow ugly. 
Right….A-Ping.  
Guizhong did not know what she was going to do. 
She knew she had to apologize to Ping and properly explain herself, but there was still so much conflict in her heart. Guizhong knew she wanted her....more than anything, but even so, her heart-wrenching fear gripped tightly at her own emotions.
It was that same fear that prevented her from pursuing her sweet shimei.  
It prevented her from owning up to her actions, proclaiming with all of her heart that she simply adored Ping, that she could and would not live without her. 
A-Ping was everything to her. 
She had become someone so precious to her, even more so than that silly old dragon, someone whom she could share a meal with over light conversation. Even more so than her beloved people, which she held so dearly inside of her heart. Even more than the rest of the adepti, whom she had known relatively longer than her. 
Because after all, A-Ping was only one who understood her, the real her. 
Not the person who was revered in those portraits that portrayed her in such a benevolent light.
Or in those lavish paintings made by skilled painters who painted her to be someone dressed in expensive clothes made of pure lotus silk, all drapped over her shoulders, the colors of the rainbow as she was perched on a small rock, a glaze lily delicately perched inside of her palm as she gently sang to it.
And even those overtly benevolent statues of her, made of fine stone and carved delicately as they had her posed in the middle of a dance, her robes swirling and twirling as she was posed with a serene look on her face, many goods set at the base of the statues, ranging from fruits to precious jewels. 
The Goddess she was expected to be, kind and benevolent even to those who simply did not deserve it, simply was not completely her. She was not the understanding and kind shijie who always lent an ear out for those who needed it. 
A-Ping knew Guizhong at her core. 
And that person was nothing but weak, fearful, and hopelessly lonely.
Guizhong was filled with bitter memories, selfish desires, hatred and a longing to be loved. Even if she acquired wisdom in her long lifetime, she had not acquired what she desired the most. 
And she understood that. 
She understood it all.  
And even so, she had opened her arms wide for her, and had accepted her. She had seen Guizhong at her weakest moments, and had leant her own shoulder for her to lean against when she did not feel like being strong. 
She was allowed to be weak with Madam Ping. 
She was allowed to be herself. 
But, Guizhong could not be with Ping. 
Because of a little thing called fate. 
And well…
Guizhong knew she was destined to die.
Just like the dust she controlled, The Goddess of Dust was bound to become dust herself. 
She knew it was foretold by the stars, by her own premonition, even by the ghost of her own self traversing through time and space itself to share her wisdom. 
In each and every one, she had succumbed to her unconditional love for her people, and if not her, someone else would. 
And that thought, terrified Guizhong. 
She would not bear to see those she loved give themselves up for her. 
She could not watch as they faded one by one because of her. And in this world, she would not allow anyone to suffer so much. 
And because of this, she could not possibly bear to allow Madam Ping to love her. 
Guizhong had personally seen just how much the woman would grieve for her. How much it would affect her, if she chose to be with her. 
She saw as Ping went on a streak of self-destruction. 
She saw as she closed herself off to everyone else, secluding herself up in a mountain and endlessly playing the same song again and again on her guzheng, until her fingertips bled and the flesh and even bone chipped off as her heart went cold. 
She saw as she died of exhaustion, never leaving the mountain and instead turning into a vengeful spirit who would come to haunt the small spring inside the mountain, never leaving, never ceasing to exist in a state of pain. 
Guizhong did not want to make her endure such a traitorous end. 
But, even so, she had promised Ajax. 
She had sworn to herself that she would not let her shaking terror get in the way of her happiness. 
Perhaps she would even be able to prevent such an outcome? 
Guizhong sighed and could only hope that fate was on her side for once. 
____________________________
Guizhong stared at the small flower Ajax managed to conjure up in his fingers, snapping her effectively from her endless thoughts. 
It was a flower she had never seen before, and yet, she had seen it. 
Not in this lifetime yet, but in many others. 
After a while, she felt the mood quiet. And suddenly, all that was heard was the annoying chirping cicadas who did not stop making noise despite the calm peaceful atmosphere, always in such a hurry those little creatures were. 
It felt nice.  
She sighed as she began to twirl a small bit of fire in her hands, a rare habit, she surmised. It was mostly blue, as fire is sometimes, but even so, at its tips it was the slightest bit orange. 
And she mused just how stark her and Ajax’s elements were. 
“Shijie, why do you not use your element in battle?” Ajax asked, the flower long since disappeared from his fingers. 
She paused, and quickly the flame disappeared, “Ah…that is…,” she paused before she continued, “I…do not like it.” 
Ajax raised an eyebrow, “Why is that?” 
She let out a small sigh, “...I guess that is because it reminds me of…someone dear to me from long ago…He too had the same elemental energy…and well...whenever I look at it, I only see his face staring back at me..” 
Ajax did not say anything and merely nodded as if he was not sure what to respond to such a declaration. 
Guizhong did not say anything after that, and the two sat together on the small rock, taking comfort in each other, without the need to say anything more. 
They sat there until morning came, shoulder to shoulder as they slept soundly. 
____________________________
After heading up to meet up with the others, the atmosphere was not as awkward as Ajax expected it to be. 
Which in all fairness, he guessed had to do with the fact that everyone had brushed off the previous day's past strange series of events and prioritized the plan they had conjured up. 
Ajax stretched his neck and shoulder, and felt a tight knot. 
He groaned in discomfort and attempted to stretch them a bit. 
Who would have known that falling asleep on someone’s shoulder and leaning his head sideways could hurt him?
He sighed. 
It was his own fault, he had just gotten so inexplicably comfortable in the midst of the quiet creek that he subsequently fell asleep on top of Guizhong’s head (after she had fallen asleep on his shoulder). 
And, looking at Guizhong, it seemed as if he wasn’t the only one with pain, as she winced everytime she moved that particular side of her upper body. 
He chuckled a bit and made a mental note to go and fetch some of the ointment Cloud Retainer had insisted on putting inside of his bag. It was great on minor wounds such as this, and provided a nice cooling effect on the skin. 
Thankfully, as soon as he stepped into the barrier after a firm couple of knocks, the smell had long since been cleared out. 
The only bad thing about that was now, he could smell the fragrance of silk flowers and glaze lilies amongst everyone else. 
It was strangely more potent than everyone else’s smells. 
It was a nostalgic scent, one that brought memories of past times. 
And that made him uncomfortably scratch his nose. 
He ignored this new development and instead hurried over to fetch his bag to pull out the ointment. 
Which….was made difficult by the sudden bustling activity inside of the cavern, where everyone else seemed to similarly move about the cavern, gathering materials and packing away their items. 
He barely got through it before he retrieved his bag and swiftly opened it, retrieving the ointment and the bandages Cloud Retainer had provided for him quickly, before he closed it. 
He took out a generous amount on one hand, before he paused. 
Ah… 
He had not considered it, but he would have to… take off his top-half in order to properly apply the ointment and wrap it up. And what was worse was that…he would probably not be able to do it himself. Even if Ajax was flexible in most of his body (which benefited him a lot…ahem ), he was not as flexible in his arms. 
Embarrassment threatened to overwhelm him and he passed through the possibilities of who could help him. 
Guizhong would be the easiest option, his most preferred one in fact, but since she too had strained her own shoulder and neck, she would be in pain while wrapping him up. 
Madam Ping was his second option, but who knows where she had gone, since she was not in the cavern. And besides, she would most likely tie it way too tightly that his blood circulation would cut off. 
His third option was Sky Bracer, but since things had been rather tense between them, he couldn’t bear torture the man who was currently attempting to get over him. It would be like dangling a tempting sweet in front of someone, it would be cruel. 
His fourth and fifth option was Mountain Shaper and Moon Carver. 
Mountain Shaper would most likely complain while doing it and would pettily proclaim that he was not as weak as Ajax, and tell him to be careful, in his own strange way of worrying about someone. 
Moon Carver would not complain but instead just do it silently and then soon enough would snarkily comment every now and then. 
And the last option was the one Ajax did not want. 
But as everyone came and went, packing their things and retrieving their weapons, and soon enough the cavern cleared up. 
One person remained. 
His last option. 
Fuck.  
____________________________
Ajax struggled with himself, weighing his options. 
He would either suffer a minor blow to his ego and pride while Morax bandaged him up, or he would struggle to do it himself and do a shitty job. 
Screw it! 
He would do it himself. 
His stubborn nature would always rule over everything else, and his pride and ego would as well. 
Ajax used his other hand to take off the top half of his outfit, first layer and then the second one, feeling the cold air hit his skin and made a shiver run down his body. 
He sat himself down, attempting to avoid making himself known to Morax who was busy packing up the last of his things. 
Carefully, he put the ointment on his neck and did his best to do so on his shoulder, though he was sure that it was not entirely on there. 
He winced at the pain and bit back a groan before he moved to grab the bandages and paused. 
A pair of eyes were digging into him. 
____________________________
He had been at a loss ever since that day. 
Morax had undoubtedly lost himself in the magnitude of his feelings. 
But he could not help himself, especially not after seeing his treasure looking up at him with such worried eyes as he asked him what was wrong. 
It made something stir inside of him. 
It had been festering for many days, ever since Ajax had gotten himself inside of his abode. 
And after his talk with Guizhong, he knew he had irrevocably fallen in love with his beloved treasure. 
His feelings were so brand new, an emotion he had never experienced ever before. It made him anxious, nervous that something would happen to this fragile emotion. He wanted to clutch tightly onto it, and never let go. 
He wanted it all for himself, he wanted the man all for himself.
Something inside of him broke.
An ugly feeling overcame him, as it had before. 
He felt fragile, helpless.  
After an old memory became real in front of his eyes, and as he watched the life drain out of his eyes, he felt guilty. Washing the blood of his former ally off of his skin, feeling it stick onto it no matter how hard he scrubbed himself clean. 
He felt weak to prevent his death. 
He had granted the man pity, and yet, he still chose to end his life. 
He looked at Ajax, looking pitifully at him, eyes wide with concern as he did his best to calm him down. 
Another feeling surfaced. 
He wanted to protect the man. He wanted to prevent anything from happening to him, his priceless treasure, his beloved, his. 
He looked breathtaking, as he stared at Morax. 
But, Morax did not deserve him. 
Even in all of his greed, he did not deserve such a treasure. 
He attempted to prevent his treasure from his own brutal strength, his own ugly feelings, his raging love for him. 
He could not, as his treasure was adamant, trying to get through to such a stubborn adeptus like himself. 
And eventually, after a few words were exchanged, Morax could no longer hold the bitter feeling from taking him, as he looked down at Ajax. 
Morax was afraid. 
He was afraid to lose Ajax, he was afraid to watch him succumb to his death, he was afraid of his treasure being someone else's. 
The irrational part of his mind, the more carnal and impulsive part of him could no longer be held behind any sort of lock and key, especially not after his treasure was leaning towards him, clouds in his eyes. 
His control had waned, and before Morax knew it, he had yanked his face next to his and leaned down. 
His sweet treasure was presenting himself here, all for him. 
He nearly hummed in approval as felt himself being blanketed with the way he smelled, feeling his inner turmoil calm down significantly. He smelled of a sea breeze, salty, musky, and yet a hint of sweet flower was sprinkled in. 
He licked down Ajax’s neck, feeling him yelp and shiver as he continued his ministrations. 
But, his neck was not what he wanted. 
He yanked Ajax around and continued his motions, and traced the spot he wanted the most, feeling as Ajax relaxed into him. 
And then, he sunk his teeth into Ajax’s neck. 
His neck was one of the only things unblemished by the many colorful scars, freckles, and slight hair that covered his body. 
It was untouched, and therefore perfect. 
It would be a great way to showcase that the man was his, and his only. 
He bit down, feeling his teeth sink into warm flesh. And soon after, warm blood seeped into his mouth and he groaned at the taste. 
It was absolutely delectable. 
Bitter yet with a hint of sweat. 
Ajax’s.  
He couldn’t get enough of the feeling as he scooped up every single droplet that dripped out of his neck. A part of him nearly shook with joy as he saw the bite mark on Ajax’s neck, and he felt that strange ugly feeling start to wash over him again. 
It felt content, like it did not want to ever let go of Ajax. 
But, then, the fog cleared. 
Guilt washed over him in waves as he saw Ajax’s nape lazily bleeding with his teeth’s imprints left behind…that unbeknownst to him would soon turn into his sigil. 
He instantly let go of the man, as if he had burned him and muttered a quick apology before leaving. 
He avoided his treasure afterwards, and it seemed as if his treasure did as well. He felt strangely wounded over this, but there were other matters pressing. 
However, even if he told himself that. 
He could not stop his gaze from wandering over to Ajax, the man simply demanded his attention whenever he went, like a fiery sunset. 
He could not tear himself from his gaze, even if he tried to. 
And even if he knew well that they were now a bit at odds with each other, he still could not stop the warm feeling that bubbled up in his stomach from him. 
But soon enough, that strange ire would take hold of him again. 
____________________________
He had gone out after that shadow, and had gotten distracted momentarily. He blinked out of this strange daze and headed back towards their small campsite. 
Just when he overheard voices exchanging conversation. 
He recognized them. 
Morax’s heart warmed at the light and airy voice that he recognized as his treasure and felt his mood darken as he heard that the other voice belonged to none other than Sky Bracer. 
Morax knew he should not have been feeling especially angry at his own comrade, but he could not help it. 
And he could not help it, after finding them both entangled in each other’s arms, looking as if nothing else mattered in the world. 
He saw as Sky Bracer sunk himself deeper in Ajax, and as Ajax calmly passed his fingers through his hair, their bodies pressing closer than comfortable. And his hatred grew as he saw Sky Bracer’s arm locked tightly against his treasure’s waist. 
The bitter feeling rose up and he could no longer contain himself. 
Morax made his presence known by calling out to Ajax, causing them both to detach themselves from each other in a hurry. 
Ajax seemed so frenzied as if he was caught and in a hurry to explain whilst Sky Bracer looked slightly irritated behind his fear. 
Sky Bracer was quick to apologize, but Morax did not care. 
He couldn’t bring himself to care, when the man had carelessly draped himself over what was his. 
It was outrageous. 
The irrational part of him caught on and he sent the man away, wishing to only speak to Ajax alone. 
The man walked off, but Morax could clearly tell that although he was regretful he was caught, he had not been regretful of doing it, and was indeed satisfied with himself. 
He had already come to the conclusion that Sky Bracer loved Ajax the way he loved him. And knew just how much he wanted Ajax, just like he did. 
But he could not have him. 
Because Ajax was his, and he was Ajax’s. 
But even so, a hint of anger took over when he stalked over to Ajax, and leaned over him, asking him what he had done. 
And…
What he did not expect was that Ajax would look back at him with such scorn and bitterness in his face, and yell back at him. 
He did not know what to do. 
Or what to say at Ajax’s bitter words as they all left, one after another out of his mouth, scalding him like hot metal. 
He felt his anger dissipate at Ajax’s words, and felt his feelings heavy in his heart as he gazed at the person whom he adored so much. 
His treasure had been hurt, hurt by Morax’s actions, and the guilt settled in him heavily. As he felt helpless to prevent his treasure from spitting such venom. 
And was even more surprised at the sudden declaration he made. 
Eyes red-rimmed and tears flowing down his cheeks, Ajax screamed, “It makes me think that perhaps…I might have a chance…that I might be able to be yours….that I might be able to be…loved by you…that you…that you…that you might actually…love ME!”  
What?  
Morax was stunned. 
Ajax….
Ajax…..
Ajax....loved him? 
____________________________
Morax did not know what to make of this revelation, just what could he have possibly said? 
Although his treasure had partly admitted to loving him, he had also looked at Morax with such a hurt expression. 
Guilt settled even deeper into his bones, as he could not bear to meet Ajax’s eyes, out of fear of possibly hurting the man more. 
His actions had impacted Ajax, he had even left his own sigil onto his skin out of….possessiveness.  
That was the word Ajax had used against him. 
Morax felt terrible, as he watched his treasure run off, leaving him stumped. 
Soon enough, when he came into the campsite, he felt his heart ache as he watched his treasure laying down, sleeping soundly eyes, nose and cheeks puffy, and adorably red. 
But, those feelings did not last, as Guizhong pulled him aside, iron clad and angry. 
She yelled at Morax, telling him to stop making her shidi sad. 
And that she would pluck every last scale on his adeptal form, if he did not stop making Ajax sad and backed off for a few days until he calmed down. 
The guilt festered, and Morax wanted nothing but to properly convey the intensity of his feelings and apologize to his treasure. 
He had not meant to hurt him. 
But even so, he bitterly took Guizhong’s advice, “I know that you do not mean to hurt him Morax…I know you would not do it intentionally but…” 
She paused, before she continued on, “You must control that side of you….Ajax is not sure that you love him, he is not sure of anything because you have hurt him time and time again…If you want to make it up to him, earn back his trust and controlyourself…I know that is simply part of your nature, as it is in some of us, but this has gone on for too long and I am starting to have my own reservations about the intensity of your feelings.” 
She gave a small sigh as she continued on, “If you do not control yourself Morax, and if you lose your temperament and end up doing something you cannot undo because of your jealousy….,” she looked at him deeply in his eyes, hidden intent behind her eyes, “I will be the first one to seal you beneath a mountain for all eternity.” 
She meant it. 
Morax took her words, and vowed to give Ajax his space, and attempted to come up with a plan to win over his beautiful treasure. 
He would make sure to properly cherish him, to treat him correctly, to be better than he ever was to another person. 
He would make sure he did. 
No matter what it took. 
____________________________
Ajax stilled, staring back at the man who was burning holes into him. 
His long dark hair was messily tied back into a high ponytail, held together by a small black ribbon, eyes glowing ever so slightly in the now darkened cavern, looking rather….down…. 
A small frown sat on his face and his eyes looked rather conflicted, like a…reprimanded animal. 
Celestia above. 
Even after all this time, he guessed that Morax still managed to look cute even in the most odd of situations, which for some reason made him even more mad. 
He let out a small huff and turned around, to not face such an upset expression on the man’s face. 
Ajax fumbled with one of the bandages, managing to mostly get it wrapped around his neck first (after his brain cells eventually caught up with him). 
But, the shoulder was….a different situation. 
He couldn’t get it to wrap around his shoulder, no matter how hard he tried. 
And he really did. 
Attempting to use his other hand to nudge it correctly around his shoulder, but failing and seeing the pathetic bandage fall to the ground with a pathetic bump…. 
Ajax stared at the bandage. 
He did not know whether to laugh or cry at his failure, and instead prompted to try again. 
This time with a different strategy. 
He flung the bandage over his shoulder. 
And well… 
He must have used too much force, as the bandage went right over his shoulder and kept going, stumbling against something. 
Ajax looked back nervously over his shoulder, and nearly wanted to faint when he saw that it was right at Morax’s side. 
Morax blinked when he saw the bandage and looked up at Ajax, an unsure look in his eyes. 
Ajax stared back, unsure what to do as well. 
There was an awkward moment of silence, as they stared at each other, and then at the bandage. 
And then….
Morax carefully grabbed the bandage and stared at it for a while, seeming to debate something before he began to stand up. 
Ajax felt his heart in his throat as Morax walked over, his footsteps lighter than usual as he carefully sat down behind Ajax, who still had his neck craned over to look at him. 
He stared at Ajax before he said, low and cautious, “...Would you….mind…if I…helped you?”
Morax held out the bandage in his hand, looking uncharacteristically careful, as he was face-to-face with Ajax. 
Ajax didn’t know what to say. 
He couldn’t do it on his own, and if he tried to, it would most likely be such a hassle to do, and it would be too loose or too tight in some places. And so, he accepted his ego-devastating defeat and turned his head. 
If he was going to accept help from Morax, he would do so at least sparing his dignity. 
The man had not said anything since then. 
About what he said. 
And, Ajax knew it might as well have been rejection. 
With his silence and the conflicted expression on his face, it was clear to Ajax that the man clearly did not feel the same way. 
Perhaps his assumptions had been wrong. 
Maybe the man only felt some weird possession over him just like he had with Guizhong, maybe he felt protective over Ajax, and he had simply misunderstood his actions. 
And that notion hurt more than Ajax would ever imagine. But even so, he sucked it up and instead blinked back the burn behind his eyes, a numbing sensation overtaking his body and mind. 
If he was numb, then he did not have to deal with the realization that was staring back at him. 
But until he could fully come to terms in his deep denial that the other man did not feel that way, he simply turned away from him and attempted to imagine that it was simply just another doctor or just another comrade that was about to wrap up his hurt shoulder. 
Ajax felt Morax stiffen behind him, before he could faintly feel the trace of the tip of his finger going over his nape. 
He ignored it and felt as his breath tickled his bare skin, causing him to shiver slightly. 
Then, Morax began to roll the bandage up before he carefully began to wrap it up over his shoulder and then under, wrapping his torso a few times. 
Throughout it, Ajax felt the tips of his sharp nails scratch at his skin, causing goosebumps to appear on his skin, feeling his breath come out sharply and uneven. 
Thankfully, it was soon over as Morax tied it and backed up away from Ajax’s back as he stared a bit before he said, “It…is over…” 
Ajax gave a stiff nod, “Mm…thanks.” 
Morax did not say anything else and the sound of his footsteps heading over to the direction he previously was were heard. 
Ajax felt conflicted, his cheeks on fire and his heart racing as he scrambled to get himself together as he packed the rest of his things and retrieved his trusty bow. 
They were already told that they would return as soon as they could, and because the place they were headed off to was close, meant that they would not have to take everything with them. 
And so, Ajax silently put on the two layers of his top half clothes back and strapped on his bow. 
When he had already turned around to face Morax. 
He was already gone. 
____________________________
They were all waiting outside for him when he went out of the cavern, all with differentiating expressions. 
Guizhong waved over to him, with her own neck covered in bandages, which were barely visible under her high collar. 
Oh shit!  
He had forgotten to get the ointment and bandages and give them to Guizhong! 
After the encounter with Morax, he had forgotten to get them and give them to her. 
How could he be so careless? 
He sighed and walked over to her, who was sitting on a rock, her hair being combed through and braided into a long thick braid by Madam Ping who had a light mirth in her smile. 
Guizhong’s own expression seemed a bit more relaxed than usual, leaning back and allowing Ping to comb through her long hair, and melting into the touch. 
Though, if he looked closer he could see a slight smile pull at her lips. 
Perhaps something good had happened? 
He hoped it did. 
Maybe it was better that he forgot about it, because from the way it seemed, everything seemed much less awkward and tense between the two now, a great feat. 
Although, something in him urged that even if the conflict was not completely resolved and he doubted they had fully made up, he was still glad they were on better terms now. 
He went and sat next to her saying, “Shijie, did your neck also get injured?” he pointed at her bandaged neck. 
She nodded, “Yes! I do believe that next time we ought to lay down at least on the rock while we do it….My neck does not think it can take much after that..” 
..Ahhh…
Perhaps it was Ajax’s lack of a pure-minded brain, and his excess of dirty thoughts and his wild imagination, but the way she had worded it sounded like they had not just slept on each other’s shoulders. 
For the first time in his life, he saw Madam Ping’s own eyes look up from Guizhong’s hair and stare holes into Ajax. 
Her stare was not angry, but rather, cold.  
Like those disapproving stares he used to get from Zhongli whenever he would overexert himself and end up all covered in blood at Zhongli’s apartment. 
He could still feel the disbelief on his face and the slight twitch of his eye as he ushered Ajax in and immediately made a bee-line for the bathroom, urging Ajax to ‘please bathe himself.’ 
He did. 
Right after he dragged Zhongli inside the bath and made him bathe himself too. 
Although he had never seen Madam Ping this outraged and simply irritated before. 
At least, not directed towards him. 
Before any more misunderstandings could take place he sent a quick pleading stare at Madam Ping and said, “Shijie… please do not word it as such!...Others might misconstrue what we did by the creek….We simply fell asleep on each other’s shoulders and woke up with pain because of that…” 
This alleviated some of the icy-ness from Madam Ping’s stare but she still sent a small glare his way before her expression lessened and a relieved smile covered her face. 
Guizhong stilled, blinking before the implication of his words seemed to reach her and with flushed cheeks she barked with laughter as she leaned back, “Shidi!~ How scandalous of you, little minx! To imply such a thing!”
He chuckled a bit before he continued, “I’m serious, shijie! People will really think we are going out if you keep wording it so cryptically!” 
Guizhong shook her head, her smile wide on her face, “I doubt anyone would!” 
She then got closer, lowering her voice, “Of course….besides that old dragon and that iron-clad fish… ” 
Guizhong pointed a stare towards Morax and then towards Madam Ping who merely frowned, brought her finger to Guizhong’s forehead before she flicked it, “Ow!” 
She gripped at her forehead, covering Cloud Retainer’s blessing alongside it.
Madam Ping merely looked away, gathering her hair before hastily tying it into a firm braided bun, “...Jiao Ren…not fish,” she sat up before she walked off, polearm in hand. 
Guizhong pouted but did not say anything and instead grumbled, “..So....half-fish then…..hmm....still fish..” 
Ajax barked out in laughter, covering his mouth with his hands, causing Madam Ping to turn back and glare at them both, before cracking a smile and sauntering away to go and discuss further matters with the rest. 
____________________________
They set off in no time, with the rest of them following in silence. 
Nobody knew what to expect on the rest of the God’s army of trapped adepti. 
They had never encountered such a thing, and were especially on edge ever since they set off on this long trip. 
Morax was at the front, covering the rest of them with a firm Geo shield that reached until the very last person, likely to prevent anyone from sneaking up and attacking them. 
Moon Carver, Mountain Shaper, Sky Bracer and Madam Ping were all behind Morax, all in pairs, looking amongst themselves and looking at their surroundings. As if they expected anything to pop out of the thick covering of trees that surrounded the lush grass that covered the ground. 
Meanwhile Guizhong and Ajax were looking at each other, unsure as to whether to talk or just sit in the tense silence. 
Both of them were the chatterboxes of the group, and while they wanted to talk, and were dying to at least comment on the scenery, it felt very out of place to do so. 
And…a part of Ajax wanted to know if perhaps Zhongli became just like that because of Guizhong’s influence. 
He guessed it might have been the case, given the way the both of them talked so passionately and endlessly about their interests and the intricacies of many different things Ajax normally would not usually care about. 
He let out a small chuckle and returned his attention to his surroundings. 
It would be useless to think of such things now, he had to stay focused. 
____________________________
Eerily, nothing seemed out of ordinary as they made their way to where the traces of such energy was the strongest…which unbeknownst to Ajax….was where the God lived. 
However, what they did not all take into account was how cold it was going to be. 
The place the cruel thing lived in was up in the mountains, the highest top where the snow fell carefreely on the surrounding area, making it blanketed in heavy snow. 
The climb was strenuous as they went up the steep hill. 
Ajax, already used to having such low temperatures, was doing fine, more or less. 
It was colder in Snezhnaya, that was for sure. 
But, since he had not been in his motherland, in a long while. He had become quite accustomed to the hot and humid temperature of Liyue, even coming to enjoy it, as the rain was a nice new change to the usual snow that fell. It was not like Snezhanaya at all, and he liked it. 
And so, he was not used to the freezing temperatures that graced him as much as he used to. 
But, the one thing he appreciated was that, with the movement, it seemed to be enough to keep him warm for now. 
After a while, they came across a clearing of sorts, covered with white and red. 
There were many bodies, thrown about the snow carelessly, some blanketed with a light layer of snow, while others laid on top of the snow, their lifeless faces visible to everyone. And surrounding them all was a dark puddle of blood and entrails. 
They walked around the bodies, though it was difficult to do so, with the fact that almost the entirety of the ground was covered in bodies. 
It was hundreds of thousands of them, all people Ajax had no idea about. 
And alongside the blood and snow, there was that same energy around their bodies and seeping out of every pore and surface of their bodies. 
It was a cruel display. 
And the crueler thing about it was the amount of adeptal energy that surrounded them, a clear indicator that they were all adepti. 
It was meant to display the power that cruel thing had over everyone who dared cross its path, one meant to intimidate the others. 
He walked by them and watched how Guizhong nearly gagged, dry heaving and bending over, at the smell and sight. 
He patted her back and covered her nose with his hands, “Breathe through your nose.” 
She gave a curt nod, eyes red-rimmed and eyebrows drawn together. 
They walked until they hit a stop. 
Up ahead, there were many different adepti all looking back at them, wrists and feet tied with chains as they dragged them along as they walked towards them. 
They did not have any weapons on them. 
Everyone seemed to pause as they saw the recognizable trace of adeptal energy running through them, and seemed to hesitate to initiate the attack. 
But, they did not have time to dwell on such things. 
Morax himself seemed to be the most taken back, as his control faltered and his shield waned. 
It was enough for them. 
As in the blink of an eye, the adepti charged forward, the same malicious energy surrounding them once more. 
It was delicious. 
They were brutal, breaking the weakened shield and charging forwards, in a series of vicious attacks as they brought down the very chains they were held by on them. 
Childe did not have time to bring out his bow as he charged forward, meeting their brutal attacks with his own as he brought down his dual spears and quickly changed them to a polearm and then a singular sword to block the attack. 
They had not anticipated it, as they did not have time to dodge and fell to the ground, as Childe surged forward to kill it, he was stopped by Guizhong, “Do not kill them!” 
He stopped, then nodded. 
He had gotten carried away, with the sweet smell of the energy they exuded, energy that wasn’t theirs. 
He controlled his larger instincts that were screaming at him to take the energy for himself and feast on their excess in energy. 
The thing inside him whined in pain, like a wounded animal but he ignored it, shoving it down as he blocked and knocked each of the next adeptus who flung at him, with a certain lifeless expression in their eyes. 
They really did not want to do this. 
Ajax huffed, using his water to form firm ropes as he tied each of them down, and carried on with the next on, and the next one, and the next one. 
And the next one. 
And the one after that. 
And the one after that one. 
And the next after that. 
And the next.
Until, they were all squirming around on the floor, tied by their elements, desperate to keep their lives and follow the command that the cruel thing had said to them. 
Morax ignored them and walked ahead, his destination towards the huge settlement up ahead, a relatively large building, where the cruel thing must have lived inside. 
They were stopped of course. 
One after another, as the adepti charged ahead of them, all with a lifeless and desperate look in their eyes. 
They each got tied down and promptly knocked out as they hurried up ahead. 
____________________________
Soon enough, he entered the main entrance. 
Morax knocked the door down, only to be met with a familiar pair of eyes, surrounded by other adepti who all looked lifeless as well. 
He had seen him before. 
It had been the shadow who had been staring at them, stalking them through the trees, with an almost childish curiosity. 
But, what he had not expected was just how he really was. 
Barely an adolescent in adepti standards, barely manifested and a bit older than Ganyu. 
Morax stared down at him. 
His hair was a muted shade of green, with a weak lighter color underneath, and Morax had no doubt in his mind that it would shine brighter if he was properly nourished. 
Although adepti rarely need to eat a lot of food to survive, as they did not need to eat food on a daily basis like humans, that did not mean they did not need to eat it. 
His skin was deathly pale and he nearly looked ghostly, he was thin and gaunt, a result that was also from malnourishment. 
His clothes were in terrible condition, tattered and thrown loosely on his body. His wrists and feet tied once again with those shackles he previously shattered. 
The boy looked up at Morax, a conflicted expression passed through him before a lifeless one overcame him and he alongside his other adepti charged forwards.
Morax could tell they did not want to fight, as they were weak in their attacks and merely just wanted to use it as a scare tactic. 
It seemed that this God of theirs had truly been cruel. 
Cruel enough that it garnered their loyalty, for fear of their lives being in jeopardy, if not. 
____________________________
Ajax ran up ahead, catching up to Morax who was dodging half-hazardous but quick attacks from…
He squinted his eyes to see what that shadow was and nearly felt his heart leave his chest when he noticed that familiar annoying face. 
It was….that brat!  
The one and only bratty child who was endlessly loyal to Morax. 
Xiao! 
What a sight for sore eyes! 
The brat sent a glare his way when he noticed Ajax staring at him, despite fighting off attacks from someone else. 
Ajax nearly let out a laugh. 
Even though they had not properly acquainted themselves with one another, it seemed it was bound to have that brat dislike him upon first meeting. 
Although…this time, he could attempt to at least be cordial to that brat. 
Because in the future, he would be someone whom he really wants to spar with! 
____________________________
Morax saw as the boy snarled and retreated from Morax’s attack signaling towards his other adepti to get back. 
They all ran into the main room before Morax had a chance to do anything about it. 
And so, he stepped forward, opening the door with a slight push, despite the attempts of so many to keep them all out. 
And in a flash, he stepped forward, feeling a thousand pairs of eyes on him. 
He looked up to see the devil he had not seen in many years. 
It was someone in his old memories.
The fool that tried to usurp and similarly imprison Morax all those years ago. 
Qiong Qi.  
He stared at the thing before him, unbelieving. 
A deep seeded hatred blossomed inside of Morax as he stared into the man as he was surrounded by adepti all guarding him. 
He was a despicable devil, one that feasted great joy from others pain and suffering and guided those who were cruel at heart. He once believed that Morax was just as horrible as he was, and attempted to gain some allyship with him, which he refused. 
He kept trying. 
Day after day, Guizhong helped him up and he stopped. 
Then suddenly, he found out what Morax’s true colors were, and he disliked it. 
He suddenly changed his usual pleasantries and threatened to take Morax and his new order down, and even said terrible things about Guizhong, mostly regarding his own sick ideals about her.
Morax reigned victorious in the last standoff with that horrid creature, scaring him off and weakening significantly for a lifetime’s worth of energy. 
The creature scoffed and ran off like the weak thing it was and Morax believed he would never see it again. 
But, he was wrong. 
And he knew he should have ended his life when he could, instead of relying on the newly implemented morals Guizhong instilled in him. 
Because even with attempts at reform, trash like him, would never change. 
No matter what. 
Qiong Qi snarled at him as he hid weakly behind his terrified guards, who shook under his gaze as it swept through them, tainted with that filthy energy that he spready with every movement of his hand. 
Morax had not expected such a vermin to become such a big problem, but he guessed that's what this creature liked doing the most. 
He liked causing chaos, war and encouraging terrible behaviors in all those he could. 
All done in order to rule over those whom he considered weaker than him, all in the name of obtaining power and mayhem to all those around him. 
He was truly such a cowardly creature. 
Enslaving and trapping those whom he considered inferior to him, to serve his weakened state and to be at his every beck and call. 
Morax understood why he chose such a method to obtain the energy of humans. Since his original form was weak, it made sense why he would obtain it through the means of dream eating. 
“Morax…So that really is you?” Qiong Qi said, smiling too widely as he sauntered over, eyes wide and manic. 
Morax did not say anything. 
Qiong Qi cackled as he hunched over and smiled, “Even after all this time, you are still so terribly serious, Morax….How sweet.”  
Morax felt his patience thin as he retrieved his spear and flung it at him. 
It was blocked by another adeptus, whom the vermin had thrown in front of himself. Morax watched as blood ran down her mouth as she heaved in and out until she fell to the ground, life draining out of her eyes. 
Qiong Qi laughed as he watched her die and reach for help, “AHAHAHAAHAHAHA....Morax, Morax, Morax! You are still so impulsive and straight to the point, aren’t you?” 
The other adepti trembled as the boy avoided looking at her face, though Morax could see the desolate look on his face. 
Morax gritted his teeth, “Quit your games, Qiong Qi! Stop this nonsense and go back into the hole you were once in, sick vermin!” 
Qiong Qi’s grin simply grew as he stared at Morax before he sighed, “My goodness…this has really gone too far…I’m starting to get bored of all this banter,” he pushed the body of the adeptus out of the way before he headed nonchalantly towards another door, presumably the exit. 
Morax charged forward, taking out his spear from the adeptus and going straight towards Qiong Qi. 
Failing to notice. 
The massive trap Qiong Qi had set just for him. 
__________________________
He fell right into a pit of the energy he detested. 
All at once, he felt his lungs fill up with the toxic energy as he was consumed by it. 
It was pure torture, a never ending one, and all over again. 
He was reminded of everything he had done before, of all those he did not get to save, and those who died before his hands. 
It was a nightmare before his eyes. 
As all he saw was brutality, gore, and blood smattered everywhere he looked, eyes covered the terrain staring holes into him as all he heard was the overlapping screams and pleas of those who had died before him. 
He covered his ears, scratching at his eyes until he felt them pool up with blood. 
But the nightmare would not end. 
No matter what he did. 
____________________________
The rest of them hurried after Ajax, turning to see Morax trapped inside of a weird circle  
He was not able to stop Morax from rushing straight into that strange substance on the floor, and he winced when he saw it expand and overwhelm his figure. 
His pupils widened as he felt his heart in his throat, a terrible feeling overwhelming him. 
Fuck. 
He nearly ran straight into it before he was pulled back by Mountain Shaper who screamed at him, “Do not go in! We do not know if it's safe!” 
Ajax felt his heart race anxiously as he pulled at Mountain Shaper’s hand and attempted to go towards where Morax was, but his grip was iron-tight as he squeezed his hand. 
Ajax shook his head, “But he’s trapped inside! We have to get him out! Let go of me, shushu!”  
Mountain Shaper pulled him back to him and slapped him across his face, “Think logically, insolent fool…You are diving straight first into your death without so much as a second thought…Keep your head clear and remember our objectives….We are adepti, we have to worry about the safety of our people first…We will.....worry about him later.” 
This seemed to get through to Ajax who pulled back and felt the sting of his slap bring settle his nerves. He stopped resisting Mountain Shaper’s grip as the rest of the adepti fought against the others. 
He nearly lost it at the sight of Morax trapped and helpless inside of that ball of filthy energy. 
He had to keep it together. 
Mountain Shaper gave a ghost of a smile before he let go of Ajax and blocked an attack headed straight for Moon Carver’s back. 
Ajax gripped his sword tightly as he went to provide back up to Madam Ping who was busy tying the others up with similar wispy ropes. 
He kept his eye on Morax the entire time, watching how the man sunk deeper and deeper into that pool of filthiness, feeling his heart in his throat. 
He had to deal with this faster if he wanted to get him out of there. 
Ajax frantically blocked off attacks and hurriedly rounded up the adepti, who did not struggle much and remained still as lifeless dolls as they got tied together in one large group. 
Ajax nearly shuddered at how they easily accepted defeat, not fighting for their freedom in the slightest. 
Like they had already accepted death. 
___________________________
Alatus did not know what to do as he gazed at Rex Lapis’ eyes. 
They were bright, aggressive and domineering, fit for a War God, he presumed. 
But at the same time, underneath all of that, there was a subtle gentility about them, a certain distant sadness.  
Alatus did not know what to make of them, as he charged forward on his Lord’s command. 
He had to bring his Lord the head of this Rex Lapis, he had to do it. 
Because if he wouldn't, he would face a punishment far worse than death. 
Even if the man looked so pitifully at him, even if he had freed him from his shackles momentarily, and even if he displayed no violence towards him, merely blocking his attacks. 
Alatus still had to follow orders. 
____________________________
Alatus watched as Rex Lapis rushed straight for his Lord, watching him fall directly into his trap, once that he did not notice out of his own disdain and hatred for his Lord. 
A pang of an indescribable feeling washed over Alatus as he watched his Lord leave, and as that fiery-headed man charged forward desperate to go over to Rex Lapis. 
Alatus paused at this. 
Stopping his movements, and moving away from where his other subordinates were charging straight first into the others. 
He felt his heart in his ears as he stared at the scene before him, and watched as Rex Lapis sunk deeper and deeper into that pool of abysmal energy. 
It was the punishment he feared the most from his Lord. 
One that everybody was terrified of ever receiving. 
One that he had experienced. 
Alatus recalled the feeling of that energy invading his lungs, ears, eyes, mouth, mouth, as it invaded his entire body and caused a great amount of excruciating pain. Pain that you could not escape from. 
He remembered how it felt to remember every single detail of his past deeds, every single inch of pain that passed through his body as he remembered the lashings and brutal torture his Lord had inflicted upon him and his own comrades. 
He remembered the feeling of being on the brink of starvation, as he heaved and felt weak, reaching towards the freshly fallen snow and stuffing it into his face, filling his stomach with it until the pain receded ever so slightly. 
The noise of every scream of his comrades as they were publicly executed, tortured, then brutally killed in front of his eyes, as he was helpless to do anything. 
Helpless to stop it all. 
Helpless to prevent anything. 
Too weak. 
Too fragile. 
Not strong enough. 
He remembered it all, and suddenly, he felt compelled to go towards Rex Lapis. His body moved before he knew it, and he drew his hand inside, clenching his teeth in pain as he felt the energy prick at his hand. 
He reached inside, grabbing Rex Lapis’ hand as he roughly pulled him up. 
The man was heavy, but manageable. 
He pulled the man up, until he was back up from that foul energy. 
But, he had underestimated the amount of force he exerted and suddenly, he fell in. 
____________________________
Morax blinked, coughing the energy out of his lungs, feeling as his own energy combated against it. 
He took in heavy breathes as he gathered himself up, reaching for his polearm, and gripping it tightly onto it. 
He felt a hand hold him up and tell him something. 
But he did not make out what they had said, hearing someone talk and mutter to someone else who said something back to them. 
The next thing he felt was a warm hand touching his palm, and then suddenly he sucked in a breath. 
A rush of energy filled him up, clearing up his meridians and making him cough the energy out violently from his lungs, feeling as if it was swallowed up by someone else. 
Suddenly, his vision cleared up as he saw a familiar fiery head and a pair of eyes peering down at him, holding him up and saying something he couldn’t make out. 
“Mo..” 
“M-rax!” 
“Mo-x!” 
Morax curled his head to look at him, attempting to discern his words. 
“MORAX!”  
He snapped up, looking at Ajax, who was staring at him, frantically pouring energy into him, swallowing the infectious energy and holding onto him desperately. 
As if he was about to fade from existence, if he let go even slightly. 
He seemed to notice Morax came to because he pulled Morax into his arms and held onto him ever tighter, continuing to pour energy and take it from Morax’s meridians. 
Morax felt scared for a second. 
Ajax was taking too much of that energy. 
He knew he had a certain gift from the Abyss, the place Celestia had built to punish those who had sinned under her commands. 
He attempted to pull away from Ajax, but was stopped, “No! Don’t move! I haven’t cleared it all, do not move Morax!....please.”  
Morax shook his head, “No…it is not safe…” 
Ajax shook his head, eyes red-rimmed and eyebrows knit together, “Shut up! Do not tell me anything about being safe right now!...You are hurt, I can help you…just let me help you, dammit!!” 
Morax felt his heart in his throat as he felt the space where his gnosis was warm up, like an everlasting fire glowing brighter after being fed a bit of wood after millennia. 
He carefully cupped Ajax’s jaw, holding it with his free hand. He stroked it a few times, seeing how it seemed to cause further distress in Ajax’s face. 
“It is…alright…You do not need to administer so much energy…I have already taken enough…” 
Ajax faltered and seemed to be at odds with himself, before he gave a hesitant nod, “..Okay…” 
He pulled away a bit, but not before carefully stroking Morax’s hand with his cheek. 
The two pulled away from each other, before they heard a loud sigh.
It was Guizhong, who looked somewhat exasperated, “Celestia above! It is like I am watching a seven hour opera about pining lovers…You two are really driving me crazy with all of your sweetness, I feel my teeth rotting and falling out as they speak!...Shidi, I promise you that reckless dragon is fine, his meridians will begin to clear themselves out soon enough, please do not waste your energy…” 
Ajax coughed, cheeks red, “Shijie! Please don't tease me at such a vital time!” 
She rolled her eyes playfully before she shook her head, “Tease? I am simply stating the truth…My goodness…” 
She turned towards Morax, who had Madam Ping at his side, checking his meridians before sighing in relief. 
“And you….reckless and block-headed old dragon!!  I am seriously going to get a huge migraine after seeing the things you do! How many times do I have to tell you that you should analyze your surroundings better before rushing in no matter how you may feel. I swear my veins were about to pop out when I saw where you had landed yourself…Celestia above, Shizun.”  
She looked outraged, as she pointed a finger at Morax, who merely blinked at her before he nodded, “...I will make sure to not rush into situations anymore…” 
Guizhong sighed, “No matter…We must hurr-” 
She stopped. 
She turned towards the space where Morax was once inside. 
Everyone’s attention turned towards the adeptus who had pulled Morax free. He too was similarly trapped inside, drowning in the pool of energy. 
____________________________
Ajax turned to look at him. 
Of course, it was that brat Xiao! 
Even before becoming loyal to Zhongli at least officially, he already was…huh…
He guessed it would always be like this. 
Guizhong stared at it and stepped forward before being pulled back by Madam Ping who shook her head, “No. Do not attempt to pull him out, shijie… This energy…is especially concentrated here…You will not be safe if you come into contact with so much of it at once.” 
Guizhong frowned but nodded, “Okay…But…we have to save this kid…We have to free all of them, they are only loyal because this tyrant is tormenting them so much! They are loyal out of fear…not love or respect...” 
Madam Ping nodded, “I understand…but we cannot risk that tyrant getting away while he gets distracted here…But.....I promise you that we will free them, shijie…We will..”
Guizhong nodded, but struggled to tear her sight from the trapped adeptus. 
Madam Ping looked at all of them, who nodded. 
She was right, they had to kill the source of it all. 
Because the source was the cause of everything. 
____________________________
Morax stared at the youth who had saved him and felt his heart soften when he noticed who it was. 
It was that shadow who had followed them. 
A hint of a smile grazed his lips as he saw him. 
Even despite everything he had been subjected to, he had still found it in his heart to help free him from that terrible plague. 
Morax looked at him and vowed to set him free. 
To guide him and take him as a disciple. 
This one had great promise. 
There was no doubt in his mind that he would be an excellent warrior in no time. 
____________________________
That coward Qiong Qi had not reached far. 
Only reaching a few miles away until they reached him, cowering in fear and begging for mercy as they easily took down his guards one by one. 
“Morax! Please! You do not understand! We could be great together! We could easily bring everyone down to our feet and rule over the entire world! Please! You do not understand what you are doing!” 
Morax huffed, grabbing him by the throat before he brought him down like a doll onto the floor, slamming his body down onto the snow. 
Even if he had a few tricks up his sleeve, he was no mastermind. 
Just a cowardly evil vermin, a plague that infected everyone around him. 
Nothing else, nothing more. 
Qiong Qi gargled his own blood as he screamed, Morax’s grip tightening around his throat. 
“Shut up,” he gripped his throat tighter until there was a firm crack and then, blood sprayed everywhere, covering the snow outside. 
Qiong Qi’s body twitched on the floor as his head got detached from it, and was being gripped inside Morax's arms. 
His lifeless head stared back at Morax, caught between a scream and a laugh as he let go of the head and watched it roll onto the ground. 
Morax stared at it for a bit, before he took out his polearm and sliced both his body and his head into halves. 
His entire body was covered in blood and the dirty energy was seeping like mold out of the body of a lifeless Qiong Qi. 
Morax turned away from it, gripping his polearm by his side before he started to walk back to the previous domain of the dead Lord. 
The rest of the adepti did not question his brutality and merely lifted the guards and hoisted them back towards the domain. 
It would be easier to explain it to them if they were all in one room. 
____________________________
Morax stood face to face with the pit that had once consumed him and slowly started to pour his own energy into it, feeling as it rushed through his meridians and out of his palm. 
The energy fought back, but it was no match to the overwhelming power that flowed out of his hand. 
The rest of the adepti stood besides him, helping pour their own adeptal energy to clear the huge pit of foul energy. 
It started to clear slowly.
And as each particle of that energy started to fade, Morax saw as the boy’s body was being cleared of it as well. 
In one swoop of his hand, he picked up the boy, and poured his energy into him, feeling as his body fought against it. 
Ajax pressed his own palm to the boy’s forehead, consuming the rabid energy inside him and clearing it out slowly within himself. 
It was a slow and tedious process. 
One that left all of The Adepti’s meridians left of little to no energy. 
But, it was all worth it as the boy gasped, opening his eyes in shock and gasping air. Like a human breathing for air after being deprived of it after so long. 
He looked frantically around him and moved around so much that Morax had to hold him down, “Calm down….you are free now.” 
The boy stared at him, for a bit before saying in a voice so faint it was almost incorrigible, “...free…dom..?"  
Morax nodded, “Yes, I have slain Your Lord.....You have been released of your shackles now,” he gripped at the shackles surrounding his feet making them turn into dust with a mere press of his hands. 
A strange light flashed within the boy’s eyes, hope.  
Before he could say anything, there was a sudden large wisp of air as suddenly, a strange object fell from seemingly nowhere, and right into the boy’s palms. 
He grasped at it, and he stared in disbelief at it. 
Ajax stepped closer and his eyes widened. 
It was a vision. 
An anemo one at that. 
Which could only mean that the Anemo Archon had appeared already.
He guessed the brat was the first one to receive such a gift.
Lucky bastard. 
The boy looked up at Morax and then to everyone, disbelief still painted on his face as he grasped at the vision granted to him, staring at it with curiosity, “I…am…free?”  
Guizhong chuckled as she smiled, “Yes, you are free from your shackles, young one….You are allowed to do as you please from now on.” 
Alatus stared up at everyone, before giving a deep kowtow, “Thank…you.”  
Guizhong’s smile saddened as she went to bring him back up, “There is no need for thanks, young one….Be at ease now.” 
Alatus stared at her wide-eyed, as he shook her off, but did not say anything. 
Guizhong smiled, “...Young one, say....what do you plan to do now that you have obtained freedom?” 
Alatus seemed confused before he shook his head, “I…do not know.” 
Morax had a hint of a smile before he said, tone low and warm, “....Well…if you are not sure…then…what do you say about a contract?” 
Alatus blinked, “A...contract?” 
Morax nodded, “Yes, a contract…It is a mutual agreement between both sides, where we both receive mutual benefits to obtain our separate goals.” 
Alatus gave a small nod, “I…understand…But…what does it entail…?” 
“...Serve me and you will obtain the freedom and purpose you so desire. Fight for me and you will see change and peace wash over the world in a few seconds. I have seen great promise in you and you have impressed me…Our contract will allow you to train under me and protect the people in my growing nation. In exchange for what you will give me, you will be granted anything you desire as long as it is under moral guides….What do you say?” 
Alatus blinked, his face filled with something akin to worship and admiration before he bowed before Morax, “This one accepts.....My Lord have saved me from misery, one will follow My Lord until the end of my time and fight for My Lord with every last breath this humble servant can give!” 
Morax smiled, eyes and hair glowing as he said, “Then it is set in stone. Go against it and you shall suffer the wrath of the rock.” 
Alatus nodded furiously, some tears stinging his eyes, “Thank…you…My Lord.” 
Morax touched his head, “Now then…what is your name, young one?” 
Alatus did not dare raise his head, but he shook his head, “This lowly one does not deserve a name…My only title given to me by Qiong Qi was…General Alatus.”  
Morax’s eyes flashed gold as he touched Alatus’ head once more, yet his hand remained, “Then…from now on, Alatus, your name shall be…Xiao….Even if you are gone from the mountains which have housed you, you will always be a mountain demon..”
Xiao raised his head up, blinking back tears furiously as he looked up towards Morax as if he was a venerable saint sent from the heavens himself. 
But Ajax guessed it made sense, since he too would have reacted in such a way if he were to be saved back in The Abyss…Perhaps that’s why he had so much endearment towards Skirk and still has endearment to her even now, despite the terrible way she had treated him. 
He could not blame the brat for reacting like that. 
He laughed, and wondered how long it would take for the brat to finally be strong enough to go against him fully in a fight. And the ridiculous idea that he would get to train Xiao crossed his mind and he nearly burst out laughing right then and there. 
Or the idea that Xiao would send him dirty glares if he got close to Morax…hmmm…he looked forward to that. 
He really wanted to tease the brat, especially after meeting him in such a hurried way back in his own world. 
He sighed and watched as Morax looked like a proud father looking at his son (Xiao)achieve an incredible goal for the first time…
Wait.
Did that mean…
Ajax was technically....
His….father too?!!
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tilda1954 · 1 year
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Silent or Silenced? Missing grantLOVE testimony
As I've watched grantLOVEproject, Alexandra Grant and related personalities post sections of the forthcoming pictorial history on Instagram, what comes through most strongly are the missing witnesses and participants to its growth.
Of course, only sections have been posted, and it's always possible that the people and organizations that seem necessary to a full history are somewhere in sections we haven't seen. But without them, there's no real history of grantLOVE.
If you've read this blog for a while, you'll know that I try to include links to allow the reader to draw their own conclusions and see what the evidence is that I'm drawing on for my analysis. Precisely I've done this for so many previous posts, I'm not going to do that here. This is in part because I'll be naming names and present or previous affiliations, and I'm uncomfortable linking to too many sites or documents that involve them. They are, after all, people with whom Grant no longer seems to associate.
Sue Bell Yank
Grant's ties to Yank go back to the Watts House Project, where Yank worked alongside Edgar Arceneaux. Yank currently is deputy director at 18th Street Arts Center, where Grant had her residency that included the Interior Forest installation. (Although Yank joined after this residency). She wrote a defense of the Watts House Project that included the words Love House but nothing on its status or activity. You can find her writings on her personal website, suebellyank.com.
Moniek Johnson
Johnson was one of the two owners of "The Love House" during the Watts House Project and subsequent solo Love House development, along with her former husband Louis Cerant. Grant continually depicts Johnson as fully behind Grant's ideas, but articles about the Watts House Project's internal disputes point out that Johnson was so dissatisfied with progress on the work that she joined the board as the only owner/member. Johnson can be found on Grant's IG at the awards event organized for grantLOVE in 2019/early 2020, at whiche received a check -- amount unknown, purpose unknown.
Honor Fraser
Grant was a client/artist of the Honor Fraser Gallery between her MOCA Focus Show and her 18th Street Arts Center residency. That time frame includes her initial jewelry sales for the Love House. This time period, roughly 2008 to 2010 or 11, is one in which Grant did not even have a personal LLC, let along any kind of formal registration for her "art philanthropy project." Did the sales fall under her contract with Honor Fraser? Did proceeds go through WHP? Presumably Fraser or her staff know.
Trinidad Ruiz
Ruiz started as a volunteer, then employee for Watts House Project. He became the project manager first for WHP, then for the Love House, at Fulcrum Arts (initially Pasadena Arts Council). Fulcrum Arts was the fiscal sponsor for both WHP and Love House, and this means that Ruiz should know all here is to know about their legal and financial status. Ruiz no longer supports a private webpage, but you can find his professional profile on Linked In.
Will Sheffie
Sheffie went from manager at WHP to acting director when Edgar Arcenaux resigned. He oversaw the remaining years of operation of the Watts House Project as it continued operation to expend existing grant funds and wrap up projects. He reported in depth about the operations of WHP at a talk hosted by Alexandra Grant:
youtube
Oddly enough, although he describes the Love House as his favorite element in WHP, he then seems to say nothing about it in the talk. I sometimes wonder if his comments might have been edited out -- the video is very rough, and I can't tell one way or the other.
It does, however, show that WHP worked very hard to be accountable for the various grants and fundraising it received during its period of activity.
ForYourArt
ForYour Art was founded in LA in 2006. It was/is an interesting hybrid, supporting the arts, but not a nonprofit. It was one of the conduits for fundraising for Interior Forest.
It would be interesting to hear from someone from this organization, or from the organizing committee of artists who supported this project, which raised money in part through LOVE jewelry sales.
Alexandra Darraby
I assume that anything Alexandra Darraby could tell us, whether about Grant's lawsuit to obtain a trademark/copyright for the LOVE brand image, or her participation on the working group guiding the Love House project, is covered by attorney-client privilege. That's too bad.
This is from 2012, a key year in their professional relationship.
My point here is that if you were writing a serious analysis of the creation, performance and outcomes of the grantLOVE project, these missing collaborators and contributors from 2008-2013 or so would be essential,
Nothing visible so far in the book pages displayed by grantLOVEproject or Grant on IG suggests that the book will review or explain its legal status, its actual earnings and donation patterns, and how collaborators were compensated for their work.
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zorilleerrant · 2 years
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Jason thinks the reason Damian is so attached to animals is because he never really found the one that was him. And now he never will.
It’s not like with Jason. He knew exactly who he was, before, died knowing it, and never had a doubt. Or, at least, the version of him that had doubts isn’t one he really remembers clearly, being kind of out of it before the Faustian bargain that brought him all the way back, if not all the way back.
Kitty was a racoon, because of course she was, all tiny searching hands and judging eyes and the instinct to blend into shadows. And she was, before, so often, because Jason had to be quick and quiet and resourceful, too. And she was the day that Jason couldn’t find his mother’s daemon to ask if it was okay to come in, because they were tense, and it was a flexible, useful form. And then it wasn’t flexible anymore, just useful. Useful for years.
He remembers the kinds of looks people gave him, back then, when Kitty just wouldn’t ever change, and the worse ones if they found out she couldn’t except that Bruce had Ace since that night so he just pretended. The way he couldn’t when Damian showed up, nine years old and already alone. Eternal life, yes, but.
Damian carries around a little flask, as if his daemon is shifting from bug to bug, and his glare is surer than any physical measure at keeping people in the dark about it. He’s bad at making friends, sure, and everyone says it’s more how he was socialized than his real personality, but Jason thinks it’s mostly in the fear. If people find out – and that’s why he doesn’t talk about it, even through the wondering, cycling through animals like if he can somewhere find the answer then there won’t be that feeling of promises unfulfilled. Like if he knows then he can finally mourn.
See? Their family says. It hurts, but it’s a healed injury. He hasn’t lost, anywhere along the way, his ability to bond. He stores it in his flask, and his imagination.
Jason carries around a little flask, too. Calls it Kitty. Talks to it, sometimes, when he’s delirious, and doesn’t remember how shitty it’ll make him feel in the morning. Kitty was there, after, helping him claw through dirt, that much he knows. She could change again, he thinks, but she didn’t, not then. He doesn’t know when. She was gone by the time he remembered.
Damian never had one, though. Oh, well, of course he did, back when, but that was years ago at least, before the first time they threw him in the Pit. He doesn’t remember. They never had any favored forms and, as Damian vaguely suggests, sleepily, without prompting, some nights – sometimes they didn’t even have a form at all, just trembling darkness at his side. If they had a name, he doesn’t remember it. He calls his faux grasshopper Iphigeneia, but he doesn’t remember. So he surrounds himself with everything they might have been.
It’s hard to blame Bruce, some days, for assuming he wasn’t human. What’s human that’s all alone, wandering across the city crushing daemons into dust?
And that’s the crux of it, isn’t it. Jason was just some masked homunculus, a simulacrum, a philosophical zombie with a gun to someone’s head. And there the Joker was, in dire straits, and with his daemon all tied up beside him, proving once and for all that he was more human than Jason would ever be again.
(They’re just ignoring the fact that Joker’s daemon is a human, too. Everyone does.)
He can remember the look in Bruce’s eyes too clearly, once he realized, and how hard he fought not to show that look where Jason could see. A member of the family again, he reassures, if never more than half of one. Jason still sees him pull out pictures of Talia, whenever he glances too long at the shadows where Kitty used to sit, but it’s mostly back behind the charming mask, the conversation civil. With Damian –
With Damian, Bruce’s voice breaks every time he remembers. He starts topics, and takes an abrupt left turn, even though all of this stuff is stuff Damian needs to know. More than most, really, when he has no one by his side to help him fake it. It’s not like he’s willing to go to Jason with his questions, after all, engraved cricket cage or no.
Jason can tell he burned the design in by hand, you see. There’s a smudge on the corner of the J that wouldn’t be there if a machine had done it. And the W is just a little too squished.
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lgcjiae · 1 year
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jung jiae gigi◞ ♡   — introduction video!
here jiae was— sitting ready to film yet another introduction video. only this introduction was not like the first one. no longer was jiae just jiae of legacy entertainment. she was gigi of fabula. the first quarter had felt dreamlike for jiae, from the initial reveal to moving into the new dormitories, to spending weeks meticulously studying and memorising her group’s choreography. everything had felt a little too good to be true— until now. the stage name and the pending soft debut with bullet inquiry’s villain dies. a variety show and then the inevitable official debut. it dawns on her that somehow, despite everything— the anxieties and apprehension from herself and the lack of faith from her parents— jiae had finally gone and accomplished her dream. and it felt amazing. 
jiae sits before a camera, as she had done before when filming her initial introduction from her trainee days. she has one minute to reintroduce herself to the public— only this time as gigi of fabula. she hadn’t said much about who she truly was back then, only her motive going forward. jiae recalls wanting to become a singer who was loved a lot and brought joy to others with her music. she had emphasized then that she had much to work on— that she was still lacking. and even now, months on from admitting that to the public, that still remained to be true. even on the brink of debut, jiae knew she had much to work on and that there was still an infinite amount of things she was lacking in. but she knew she would never be satisfied with herself and her skills. she merely had to run forth with the opportunity and push for growth from here on out.
today was just going to be a sit down and talk kind of situation. jiae would supplement the editors with whatever else they needed. she wasn’t too sure of what their vision was when it came to the final introduction video they intended on sharing with the public. but she has faith it’ll be great. it was just up to jiae now to give them something they could truly work with. “hello everyone!” jiae chimes warmly, waving towards the camera she sat in front of. “i am gigi of fabula— it’s nice to meet you!” jiae’s stage name rolls off her tongue with ease. a part of jiae was grateful that she had the opportunity to adopt a stage name, a persona. it would finally sever the expectations that came with her surname and the ties that have followed her around for the past twenty one years. but she also loved how reminiscent it was of her actual name. it didn’t feel too foreign. 
“my real name is jung jiae— i was born on december 30, 2001 in seoul, south korea.” she begins to explain— ultimately, without jung jiae, there would be no gigi. it didn’t make sense to introduce this new version of herself without paying homage to the original. “and from a really young age, i was always singing and dancing! guess it’s kind of fate that i ended up here, right?” she chuckles to herself, eyes turning into crescent moons. “i like fashion and beauty. i like summer and spring! and i also like travelling to new places!” she figures it would be nice for the fans to get to know her on a more personal level, beyond the surface of merely singing and dancing. “as for dislikes, well— i dislike long commutes— and rollercoasters! oh my, they’re scary—” they might as well know her dislikes along with her likes, right?
her minute of content was drawing to a close. she decides to end her introduction sincerely. “the hanja of my name means to know love.” jiae says, waving her hands in front of her like she was presenting something to the camera. “so i hope i can receive a lot of love from fabula’s fans— i know it won’t be for free!” she adds with a pout. “so i’ll continue to work hard and reach for the stars, and earn your love that way!” she shakes both of her hands in front of her, now balled into small, gentle fists. “let’s meet soon!? this has been fabula’s newest member, gigi. please take care of me—bye bye!”
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Bullet Train Review: A Perfect Movie
I go into movies nowadays expecting my enjoyment to be provisional; hedged. The state of culture is such that, while I can still enjoy good things, I almost always have to accept a fuck-up or twelve along the way, so it’s necessary for me to brace for disappointment before I enter the cinema. I continually have to make allowances for the depleted, ragged state of our naval-gazing western culture. I liked Movie A, but it punished one character and rewarded another for functionally identical behaviours and, no, it didn’t seem to know it was doing that. Movie B had some dialogue flaws, but ultimately redeemed itself. Movie C was excellent right up until the wheels fell off and it delivered a proselytising, straight-to-camera speech on a subject the average filmgoer couldn’t give a fuck about. Movie D would have been tolerable if it ended two clever-clogs plot-twists sooner. And Movies A, B, C and D aren’t specific, code-named exhibits: they’re any four of literally hundreds of good-up-to-a-point flicks that have come out since the mid-2010s. It’s not that I’m a cynical curmudgeon who doesn’t enjoy movies (I frequently praise the good ones on this blog), it’s just that my enjoyment is rarely, if ever, pure. It’s almost always tempered by some gripe or other- sometimes minor, sometimes major. Imagine my surprise, then, when I went to see a little action-comedy flick called Bullet Train and it turned out to be a literally perfect fucking movie.
It’s hard to overstate how fucking great Bullet Train is. It’s even harder to adequately express the pleasure I felt in seeing a movie set up and then deftly avoid the mistakes so common to the entire film industry lately. It doesn’t just do everything right by its own lights, it breezes past lesser films with its middle fingers raised cheerfully in the process. Without giving too much away, there’s one character who’s really fucking annoying and thinks she’s smarter and more badass than the entire rest of the cast and, in any other film, she’d get away with her bullshit because she has a sob story background and the right look. Something really fucking funny ultimately happens to her instead.
The premise is as straight forward as its possible to get and still be interesting. There are a group of hit-men, smash-and-grab operatives, wetworkers and gangsters on a train. All of them are after the same briefcase full of money; all for totally different reasons. At the end of the line is the brief-case’s real owner: an unhinged fucking psychopath who ties all the other characters’ backstories together. Obviously, with a ticking clock mechanic and a hot potato macguffin floating about to motivate everyone, things get very bloody and confusing very quickly… and it’s amazingly entertaining.
We see the action unfold mainly through the tired and endlessly sympathetic eyes of Brad Pitt’s codenamed character ‘Ladybug’, who- despite being an incredibly dangerous operative for a shadowy and unspecified organisation- has been doing some work on himself and trying to find his new-age place in the universe. This leads to some amazing moments. There’s a lot of comedic tension to be had from the essential contradiction between Ladybug’s job/narrative function and his meditative, conflict-adverse persona. I don’t want to spoil the best jokes, but there’s a bit where he asks a highly trained assassin if they can’t talk it out while the guy’s earnestly trying to kill him. It’s not until the guy’s actually said no, really unequivocally, that he throws an overpriced bottle of water at his head. Obviously, that’s not a super-funny moment- just a lighter joke between more substantive laughs- but it gives you an idea of the way the film plays with character roles and expectations.
On hand to provide verbal humour are two British wetwork dudes who go by Tangerine and Lemon and have a surprising amount to say about Thomas the Tank Engine and the nature of professionalism.
Oh, and Zazie Beetz shows up to basically just be Zazie Beetz for exactly as long as it’s funny to have her there, doing her shtick and not a moment longer.
The rest of the cast is too large to detail- especially if I want to avoid spoiling anything- but even the characters with less screen time or less comedic roles are excellent. It’s one of those movies where everyone seems to be pulling their weight. Nobody drops the ball or turns in a sub-par performance and, consequently, the whole thing manages to dance on a knife’s edge by balancing serious stakes with unbelievably funny character interactions.
It’s the little things that really make Bullet Train, though. The things I can’t tell you about here because they’re so subtle that you might blink and miss them or so ridiculous that spoiling them would be a crime. All I can say is that I cared about the protagonists deeply by the end of the movie… but also found myself laughing at them so hard that tears ran down my face. It’s been a long time since I left a movie theatre and couldn’t stop laughing for hours afterwards. I have Bullet Train to thank for that all-too-rare experience.
I’m a thirty-one year old man who has been watching the slow-motion car-crash of culture for more than half a decade. I go into movies nowadays expecting my enjoyment to be provisional; hedged… but I came out of Bullet Train feeling like the same wee lad who once sneaked into a showing of a certain age-restricted film because he knew it would change his life. This movie made me love movies again. Thank fuck this exists.
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rumblemuffin-books · 1 year
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Speaking Bones - A Book Review
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Spoiler-free summary: Final volume in the epic Dandelion Dynasty saga. Really stuck the landing. If you like epic fantasy, Chinese history, family dramas and political intrigue, you will like this series! I'm finding it hard to talk about this book without getting into spoilers for the series...
Review continues with spoilers continues after the cut
First book of the month - but what a book it was! Clocking in at just over 1000 pages, this is an intimidating tome.
This purports to be the conclusion to the Dandelion Dynasty saga, and I thought it really stuck the landing. I like how Liu tied up the conflicts and left them feeling "finished" but also being very clear that this not a story, its history and so the history continues on. The final chapters showing the great-grandchildren of the main characters really highlighted this idea of the long arm of history and how what feels like the "right" decision in one moment might not necessarily be "right" in 10 or 20 years.
If you've read the other books in this series then you'll know what to expect - the plot of this book centres more heavily on Dara, the Lyucu-Agon plot taking back seat. There are the usual battle set pieces, interesting bits of history and mythology sprinkled throughout, lots and lots of engineering detail (most of which went over my head), but at the core of it are characters that feel in most places like real human beings.
A couple of things I particularly liked - I like Liu's spin on the "evil" empress. Jia is a very grey character throughout, doing pretty terrible things in the name of a higher goal. He shows her acting as a despot in order to force a coup, to force the political system of Dara to recognise that even an emperor needs to be held in check by a system. Not quite democracy, but certainly closer to meritocracy. A contrast to ASOIAF I think is useful here because while ASOIAF clearly has a disdain for rulers who mistreat their subjects, the fix there is really to put the right rulers in charge. Liu turns away from that and his fix to poor rulers is bureaucracy and meritocracy.
I got properly emotional at (BIG SPOILER INCOMING) Thera's return to Dara at the end of her life and her reunion with Zomi. I wasn't expecting that to happen has Liu has been pretty harsh with his characters before, no worries about killing his darlings here!
I also really liked some of the narrative tricks Liu uses to keep the plot moving. He has a distinctive way of writing battle scenes - he will set a battle over say 4 chapters, but at each decisive turning point in a battle, he will stop and do a long flashback to how the characters prepared for each point in the battle. It helps to fill you in on the backstory as the battle moves along and keeps the battle scene from getting tiresome.
I really enjoyed this series overall. Its a daunting set of books - all really massive volumes, but imho the writing is easy to read and flows past quickly so I didn't "feel" the weight of the 1000+ pages ... well except for when I wanted to take the book anywhere with me!
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skye-huntress · 2 years
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RWBY Ice Queendom Reaction
Episode 12: “Best Day Ever”
I think this was a great way to end the show.
First off, the opening scene, with Ruby and Weiss both writing letters home about their time at Beacon, while the Bees are playing games and sharing books. And of course, Weiss mentions Ruby by name
That scene where Weiss scolds Blake for being so secretive and running off, it really needed to happen. As much as Weiss is sometimes prone to overreact, as I keep saying, she is someone you can go and talk to. She’s not even nearly as extreme or unreasonable as people might intentionally think, RWBY Vol 1 is just full of a lot of intentionally bad first impressions.
Weiss’ love language is making coffee for Ruby.
So I see that Shion Zaiden is talking about semblance evolution. It’s a part of the show that I find most fascinating, with how semblances can be tied to a person’s personality, and their personal growth.
Nightmares only target those with powerful auras and sensitive personalities. Sounds like this Grimm was created specifically to target exceptional Huntsmen. It’s also in a way proof of how much potential Weiss, Blake and Jaune have, which we’re already fully aware of, but it’s nice to see it acknowledged every now and again.
So we have Ozpin talking to Ruby. He’s clearly checking in to see how Ruby feels about being leader after overcoming her first trial in the role. Especially now, I know Ruby has never been fully confident in her leadership, but if it’s what her friends need from her, she’ll rise up to the challenge.
As for the Silver Eyes, I’m not surprised Ruby didn’t really notice, a lot was going on in very quick succession, so it’s hard to recall that one moment when things got very bright. I do wonder how much Ozpin actually knows about the Silver Eyes. He’s never actually talked about it directly with Ruby, and given she had to learn how to use them from Maria, I assume he doesn’t really know how they work. Of course, with him it’s hard to tell. There’s also the question of how much Summer understand and if she did, how much she shared with Ozpin since she apparently had kept secrets from him, too.
At the end of the day though, as important and useful power as the Silver Eyes are, Ruby’s real strength comes from fighting and working together with her friends. She could not have gotten as far as she did without all of their help, even Weiss ended up helping out more than expected even while she was under possession.
Now we have the conversation with Blake, which is similar to what we saw in Volume 2. I don’t know if I have much to say on this, it’s almost word for word what we’ve already seen before just with a different setting.
I see we weren’t quite done with the talks between Weiss and Blake, though this is more specifically about her connection to the White Fang, than her keeping secrets and hiding her problems from her friends.
It’s nice to see them both state their intentions clearly. Blake left the White Fang because they became too radical and violent but she still intends to fight for a better world, even if it is in a smaller way. And Weiss always intended to deal with the discriminatory and exploitive practices of the SDC. She obviously can’t yet, since she has no real power or influence yet, but that’s why she is at Beacon, and far away from her father’s, heck, from Atlas’ influence. She seeks to be the best version of herself so that when the time came she would be ready, and she knows the kinds of people she wants as allies when the time comes. Weiss more than most has a very strong sense of justice and responsibility, perhaps only matched by Blake’s.
Oh yeah, Sun’s still around. But no Penny! 😢 Back to missing her I guess. That feeling of emptiness in my chest is back, I thought I was already past it!
Everyone surprised at Weiss wanting to sit with a “Faunus boy” and she’s looking at them confused. Like I keep saying, she really wasn’t that bad. It’s just that Sun is very mischievous and tends to break the law in a very casual manner, and Blake is… Blake. They can all be very dramatic and extra at the worst of times. Also the best of times.
I also see we got some Arkos training, and even a bit of Renora. Also, yes Nora, Jaune is very weird.
Sisters, friends, *hesitates for a moment*, Weiss? I always felt they had a rather unique relationship that made it difficult to define. “Friend” is just too simple, and doesn’t do what they have justice.
You know what, after all she’s been through in this anime, there is just something so right about Weiss being the one to propose a food fight.
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hviidbrennan6 · 2 years
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Leading Your Team To Success: Top Tips
Perhaps you are not the type that considers himself a leader. Or, maybe you are one but think that you could do a much better job. Either way, everyone can improve their leadership skills, so this article is going to benefit you by explaining a few things that you should know. Allow ample opportunity for your employees to offer feedback and new ideas. Although group meetings are the ideal setting for exchange of information, some employees may not feel confident offering opinions in such a public forum. Work with employees individually as well. This will help you gain trust and get some honest feedback. Learn your employee's names. A great leader takes the time to learn the names of his or her most immediate staff, and even the names of the top performers under them. It shows them that you care enough about them to know them not just as a worker, but as a real person. Keep any problems transparent. Unlike the old leaders who covered up problems, the great leaders of today are more upfront in their communication. Why is this? There is a lot of communication in the world today. The story can get out regardless of whether you wish it would or not. Instead of reacting, control. This is the path of a great leader. Being a great leader is not all about paying too much attention to every move that people make. It is about showing people the best way to do things and allowing them to show you that they are capable. You have to provide encouragement and reinforcements to help them do their best. Good leaders must finish the job. You hear many leaders brag about their projects, but many haven't actually finished them. Those that don't genuinely finish can lose the confidence of their clients. You must set goals and see your tasks through to completion. Remember that nothing is entirely useful until it's finished. Make your goals worthy but also realistic. An impossible goal is asking for failure. That will just make you a terrible leader. How you behave will directly effect how your employees conduct themselves in the office. A leader that is hostile and aggressive can expect a combative atmosphere and lack of trust in the workplace. By displaying confidence and remaining calm in tense situations you set an positive example for your employees to follow. Remember that you are not someone who is perfect. Even as a leader, you still have things that you can learn, and you don't singlehandedly own all the intelligence in your company or organization. Stay humble enough to realize that you are still going to need help every now and then, and the people you lead will think highly of you. in store product demo become obsessive with winning. In today's technological world, most things can be broken down into numbers on paper. Most managers use this to outline important statistics and create monthly goals for the workers. It can be helpful to step back and let the wins fall into place without being pushed. Be confident. If you are not confident about a judgment call, make sure you think it through before you enact it. The respect your team has for you relies a lot on your confidence when you talk to them, when you give orders and when you make judgment calls. As a leader, you probably have certain goals, ethics and values that help to form your leadership model. These are important qualities of a good leader. It is a good idea to write these things down, and then share them with your employees, or team members. This way, they know what you are about, and what is expected of them. You might feel like starting each day or shift with a motivational speech, but this can get old for your crew quickly. As a matter of fact, such tactics are overrated. The biggest impact you make in terms of personnel is who you hire, who gets fired, and who gets assigned to the big projects. Figuring out how to become a much better leader is not always easy. It is hard work, and a true leader exhibits many great qualifications and abilities. Remember all the helpful tips that have been discussed here so that you can always be the great leader you've wanted to be.
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worstloki · 3 years
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maybe the blonde lady will be sigyn?? idk
spanish subs leaked it'd be sylvie, plus casting lists had Kid Sylvie listed at some point and then Loki used the word "enchantment" so we're going with Sylvie/The Enchantress for now
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erodasfishtacos · 3 years
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Crackin’ the Code
prompt: Harry and YN tie the knot in a beautiful castle off the coat of Italy. Harry reflects back on his life before his love. YN has past insecurities creep on on her before the wedding. 
note: this is the necklace that YN receives as (one) her wedding gifts from H and she wears it during the ceremony.
word count: 9k
warnings: smut
***<-- click for visuals throughout (super important for this one shot!)
if you enjoy this fic (which i worked REALLY hard on) please reblog, like, comment, and come talk to me!
please please considering donating to my kofi since all my work is FREE to you guys!
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The world expected an extravagant wedding with week-long festivities, celebrations in destinations only the richest could afford, and all the big names of the business world who ran in his circle.
The media outlets were just waiting, quite impatiently, for the day that the richest man in Europe settled down with a significant other. They would have news stories for decades when it came to the couple.
Of course, Harry Styles was going to marry a household name - the public thought. 
Whether it be an heiress, a model, maybe even an actress? The choices for the most eligible bachelor were limitless.
Any time he was at an event, usually a charity gala or black-tie dinner, paparazzi would take candid pictures of him with any female and then the following day publish an article about how they were a couple.
However, what the world didn’t know was that he’s been in a relationship for a year and a half, has already been engaged after the eight month mark, and moved into pretty soon after but that was hushed.
Nearly no one except a few key employees and family members knew about the couple. Everyone in his office building in the heart of London had to sign NDA’s at the beginning of their job - though almost all of them didn’t know she existed.
Harry did not put any limits on YN for the wedding planning. 
No price, no expectations, nothing. If she wanted ten-thousand people or zero people in attendance that was her call. If she wanted to drop ten million dollars on a wedding or a hundred that was fine too.
The CEO never fantasized about a wedding. 
Well he had but no in the terms most do. He didn’t sit and imagine the venue, the food menu, or the decorations. 
No, he didn’t care about any of that, he daydreamed about the fact that he and someone would commit themselves to each other for the rest of their lives.
Harry wanted to marry his fiance after their first date.
He was usually a very patient man, couldn’t have gotten where he was if he wasn’t. When it came to this, each day he wasn’t married to the love of his life felt like torture.
Since he proposed to her in his briefs in their bedroom, he had imagined her looking immaculate in whatever she chose to wear, exchanging vows of devotion, and then being tied together for life.
He never thought he would get here. He’d never felt a connection with someone like he had with the feisty waitress who bumped into him. Begin to believe that he was broken or lacking emotion because no matter how sweet the girl was he couldn’t see himself with the person.
Don’t get him wrong. 
He took many women out on dates that were downright awful. Asking him about money, suggesting he take them on expensive vacations or buy them a designer item, being too forward and palming his crotch in the middle of dinner.
One of the last dates he went on before he gave up was the one that made him stop looking all together, about six months before he ran in YN.
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It was an expensive restaurant in the heart of London. It had a waitlist for months but one call and they could magically make an available booth for the billionaire within the hour. 
The girl he was sitting across from was a so-to-speak blind date. 
A set up by one of his business partners who stated that they would be a good match. Harry had rolled his eyes at that but couldn’t come up with an excuse fast enough to say ‘no.’
Her name was Aria, she had a respectable job at a local law firm as an assistant to a very well-known lawyer in the area. 
She was beautiful in the way of looking just like an instagram model with long dark extensions, false eyelashes that made it hard to determine what color her eyes were, and an outfit that made Harry a bit embarrassed to be seen with her - short and low cut at a five-star restaurant.
“Yeah, I just got back from Mallorca with a group of friends,” She tells him, flipping through the photo album on her phone to show him pictures. 
When she ‘accidentally’ swipes (and slowly swipes) again so that Harry definitely gets a glimpse of a nude selfie.
Harry internally groans, couldn’t be less turned on by that, and doesn’t acknowledge it - much to Aria's disappointment. 
She was fishing for a compliment, maybe a request for him to take the phone and look closer at the picture like most men would.
Instead he sits back, takes a sip of his wine, and nods curtly, “It looks like you had a good time.”
She stumbles for a second, confused by his sudden standoffishness, and clicks her phone locked before putting it next to her on the table, “Did I offend you?”
He was already done with the date, with the dating scene, with fucking everything honestly. 
What a goddamn waste of a night.
Harry barks out a cruel laugh, “It takes a lot more to offend me than a picture of y’tits but it’s a bit offensive that y’think so little of yourself that you think that’s how y’going to impress me. Those tits didn’t impress me much, darling.”
Aria’s eyes narrow in blatant disbelief at how much of an asshole he was being. 
Granted, she did feel a bit of embarrassment creeping up in her stomach about thinking showing him that picture was a good idea but still, he didn’t need to react like that.
“It really makes sense why you don’t have a girlfriend, it’s because of what an asshole you are,” The girl sneers with venom as she tucks her phone into her clutch, swigging down the last drops of the expensive wine.
He shrugs like he’s unbothered, a nasty feeling quilling in the pit of his stomach as he keeps an outward expression of nonchalance and ease, it make the raven-haired woman even more furious as he replies cooly, “I’m not being an asshole, honesty hurts sometimes. Maybe if you think the way you attract someone is by nude pictures, you should try Tinder or Bumble.”
“I hope you have fun living the rest of your life alone. You may have your money but you’re going to end up alone and it will be all you fucking have,” Aria tells him before pushing out her chair and leaving before the main course even arrives. 
Harry sits there for a moment, swallowing and pleading with himself to not let the nasty words set in because they felt too real and too personal - she had actually struck some type of chord within and it had his stomach churning.
When he pays the bill, apologizing profusely for leaving dinner before the entree arrives but with an excuse of a company emergency - it’s eerily quiet in his car as he drives home to his massive home with no one in it.
It doesn’t happen often. 
He should call his mum, Gemma, Dorothy even to talk it out but he feels so fucking alone because he can’t get it right. He can’t connect with anyone and it is starting to feel hopeless.
He is angry, so angry at himself, that he can’t shake the feeling of it and he feels like he’s losing control because he never fucking talks about his emotions.
A beautiful set of dishware was sitting out his dining room table, the housekeeper had carefully unwrapped them earlier in the day. 
They were imported from Beijing, decorated with real gold, and handcrafted. It had cost him nearly forty-thousand dollars for a set of fucking plates and bowls.
I hope you have fun living the rest of your life alone. You may have your money but you’re going to end up alone and it will be all you fucking have.
It is repeatedly on a loop in his head, glares at the items on the dinner table like they’re mocking him, and he has no wits about himself before he’s taking one of the beautiful bowls and throwing it against the wall as hard as possible.
I hope you have fun living the rest of your life alone. You may have your money but you’re going to end up alone and it will be all you fucking have.
By the time he’s done, his chest is heaving, and his face is red. 
When reality starts to set back in, every single item from the set is destroyed on the floor, the wall’s paint chipped from where he’d hurled them.
He was so fucked up.
-
Harry couldn’t help but relieve the feelings of that nasty flashback. He couldn’t believe that he had been at that point in his life - not when he had the most all-consuming, amazing in every single way woman laying next to him in his bed.
YN had shown Harry that he had never been broken, he had just been waiting. 
She was his soulmate and he had been waiting for her since forever. He truly believed that as he looked at the girl next to him with enough emotion his heart might burst.
She was just...everything.
YN was so fucking funny - the funniest person Harry had ever met. She was loving in a way that made you feel like you belonged. Compassionate in a way that makes you want to be more selfless yourself. Intelligent enough that it was breathtaking and unreal - and that was just the tip of the iceberg.
She was uncaring of who Harry was - in the most perfect way. 
Money wasn’t a personality trait that she defined him with. She loved him for who he was at the bare basics, stripped away from his public life.
She was confident in a way that girls rarely were. 
Bared face and more beautiful than the highest-paid models. 
Her body was her own, embracing every curve and inch of it without any shame. Let herself be authentic in front of Harry which made him feel like he had won a secret lottery.
Right now, she was fast asleep next to him in bed after stuffing herself full of oreos that she was dunking in milk. She ignored Harry’s looks of disgust at the soggy cookies and munched away happily which made him happy in turn.
She still had a dark crumb on the corner of her puffy lips, her mouth parted just the slightest amount, and her face smushed halfway into the pillow. 
The shirt she had on was so oversized she was swimming in it and a pair of soft pink cheeky underwear.
Currently, she was the farthest thing from graceful and Harry loved that so fucking much. 
As they lay mere days away from their wedding, remembering that nasty flashback, he can’t help but remember their first date and how he had known from them that he had finally found a spark, a connection to another human being.
--
Harry cannot remember the last time he had been nervous. 
Maybe back in his teenage years? If that. 
It was an unsettling feeling that was currently pooling in the pit of his stomach as he changed his outfit for the third time before finally being somewhat satisfied with the suit he had picked out - tighter black jeans, black button-up, black blazer - couldn’t go wrong there. ***
YN had texted him asking what she should wear for their first date when Harry told her he was going to keep it simple and take her to a restaurant.
He had to dress nice, it was an expensive restaurant that he had not taken any other dates to before, it was right outside of London - going towards the countryside with a beautiful view of a meadow and stream.
When he had arrived in front of her apartment, well he had never been on this side of town, and it quite frankly looked like the roof of her building was about to collapse at any minute. It was rough to say the least.
Harry had picked out a car he thought would impress her. He remembered her saying the doors of his Lamborghini were stupid so he picked a car with normal doors this time. It was his new Audi Quattro that had cost him upwards of 170,000 pounds. ***
YN had popped out of the front door, her face didn’t read impressed when she saw the car like he had hoped. It was interesting before YN, he did not care whether or not his dates were impressed by him - now he craved it.
She looked extraordinary in a form fitting silky black dress that hugged every single curve of her body perfectly while accentuating them at the same time. Minimal makeup, loose waves, and simple high heels - it was like a dream that he was taking this girl out on a date. ***
When she slips into the passenger seat, the smell of her floral yet cinnamon perfume makes the car smell heavenly, she looks over at him and says, “You didn’t even come open the door for me. We’re off to a bad start, Harry.”
His heart sinks, fuck - he had been blindsided by her beauty that he wasn’t even being a proper gentleman, “M’so sorry, I wa-”
She chirps out a tender laugh, patting his arm, “You’re face, oh my god. I was just fucking with you.”
Harry’s frown turns into a pout, “S’not nice, pet.”
YN shrugs before a bit self-consciously adjusting the fabric around her midsection, “Erm, I hope this outfit is nice enough? It’s really the only semi-decent thing I own.”
He shakes his head in disbelief, “Y’look absolutely stunning. I can’t even believe y’real to be honest, so fuckin’ pretty.”
YN gives him a shy, unsure smile but he can tell she’s preening at the compliment internally (which she totally is).
The restaurant is one of the nicest in England, let alone London. 
There wasn’t even a menu, they just served eight courses over a few hours time by servers in suits with bowties on. 
YN had never felt more out of place.
As they sat down, Harry was proud that he was able to show off his abilities for a good date, YN was looking around nervously before looking up at the server and saying, “We didn’t get menus yet.”
The man gives her a humorous expression before telling her, “We don’t do menus here, miss. Your date is a regular, I am sure he can fill you in. However, we are starting off with a Cabernet from 2001 imported from Napa, California.”
As he pours the wine into their sparkling glasses, she asks unknowingly, “I don’t really like wine. Is there any way I could get a Coke?”
Harry frowns when the server laughs meanly at her, “Ma’am this isn’t McDonald’s. We do not carry soda. I can provide you with water, if you so wish.”
Harry can’t help but snap at the waiter, “Oi, she’s never been here before. Lay off with the attitude alright?”
“My apologies, Mr. Styles,” He murmurs obediently before finishing the pouring off the whine and retreating from the table.
YN is trying to hide how uncomfortable she is but it is still obvious with how she fidgets in her seat, doesn’t quite know what to do with her hands as she doesn’t even bother to reach towards the wine glass.
“This isn’t really your scene, is it?” Harry murmurs, embarrassment with his failure to impress her with an expensive car and dinner. 
It was falling flat and it was the only thing he knew how to do - flaunt his wealth, everyone else had always been impressed.
“No, it isn’t,” She agrees quietly, fingers folding the edges of the cloth napkin to keep her anxiousness directed somewhere, “I appreciate this, er, dinner. I thought we were going to go somewhere like Mary’s.”
Mary’s was a restaurant that was considered ‘nice’ to the commoners in the city. It was a bit more expensive than a pub and the attire was a bit fancier than if you were going out to a bar. 
For someone like Harry, that was not considered a fancy restaurant. 
However, YN was not him and this was not something that she had ever been accustomed to. He now definitely felt like an idiot.
It’s made even worse when a massive plate is put in front of each of them. 
The plate is huge but the dish is merely one scallop with a lemon sauce and sprinkle of parsley on top. YN can’t even try to hide her confusion at the food.
 “I’ve mucked this date up,” Harry sighs, nearly thirty minutes into the actual date. 
YN had taken a small bite of the scallop before setting down her fork and not touching it again - it tasted like dirty feet. Did rich people like that taste?
She decides not to answer directly, “I already know you have money. It doesn’t ‘wow’ me. I was hoping for a fun date, this is….nice but quite truthfully, not for me. I prefer a pub or bowling - this feels more like a business meeting.”
Harry usually doesn’t have dates that are this honest with him. 
He feels embarrassed but he really did appreciate her honesty. He should have known to do something different than this but he was comfortable with his normal pattern.
“Can we get out of here?” YN asks, placing the napkin back on the table and gathering up her small purse to swing over her shoulder.
He feels defeated as he nods, paying for the meal in full as he accepts that he’s fucked up the date beyond repair by being an arrogant, ignorant asshole who doesn’t truly know how to talk to a girl he likes.
It’s quiet as he starts the car and pulls back onto the road, he startles a bit when YN points to a glowing sign of a golden arch and demands, “Go there.”
With a bit of confusion, Harry pulls into the McDonald’s parking lot and then to the drive-thru as she motions for him to do so. 
God, he hasn’t been to a fast food joint in years now if he was being honest.
When they pull up to the screen, YN leans across and shoots out their food order with ease before sitting back with a smug smile, “We’re going to have a date my way.”
Harry sighs with relief when he realizes the date isn’t over - but really just beginning. They sit and chat in the parking lot. He is thoroughly impressed when YN manages a box of nuggets, a fry, and a milkshake without shame.
Not like she should be shameful - just usually on dates women were hesitant to actually eat and instead picked carefully at their food instead. Their conversation in the car is bright, at some points deep and meaningful, but refreshing. It made him feel young again.
After they finished eating, she’s ordering him to drive a bit further out into the country where he can’t help but make the joke, “Are y’taking me somewhere to kill me?” YN smiles happily with a wide grin, “You’ll just have to wait to see.”
It ends up being a lake. A beautiful body of water that was surrounded by trees that were being reflected into the ripples with the light of the moon. The only sounds were of crickets chirping and the light lapping of the water against the small shore. ***
“I used to come here a lot in the summer in high school,” YN murmurs as Harry takes in the scenery of everything. It had been so long since he had appreciated nature - not the bright clear waters in the tropics but something like this.
“S’beautiful,” Harry replies, can’t help but observe this girl he’s infatuated beauty in the moonlight. 
Her skin looks like it’s glowing, the moon sparkling off the twinkle of her iries, and she just looked...ethereal. Like she belonged in the beauty of the wilderness.
He couldn’t believe his eyes - had to blink harshly a few times to make sure he’s not imagining it when she pulls the thin straps of her dress down her shoulders and shimmy the garment down her body until she’s left in a delicate lace bra and cheeky pair of underwear.
Harry, always the gentleman, keeps his eyes (with effort) on her face. Unsure of what is going on in her mind before she turns around with a little run and dives headfirst into the deep waters before popping back up and giggling, “Jump in!”
She’s just so...carefree, adventurous. Harry hadn’t felt free in fucking years.
It has him shucking out of all of his clothing, just down to his tight black briefs before he’s diving in, right next to her, and feeling around. He wraps his hand around her ankle to teasingly tug her under with him before they both surface.
As they wad in the water, YN swims over to him, and wraps her legs around his waist, arms around his neck. Her soaking wet hair was dripping and he was breathing heavy, feeling his ribcage expand against her soft tummy.
She murmurs quietly over the light lapping over the water, “You haven’t even looked at me once.”
Harry swallows, feeling like a schoolboy again, “I...I didn’t want to without permission.”
“I want you to look at me,” YN replies, letting her nose nudge his and her eyes searching into his nervous ones. 
He nods, closing his eyes when he feels her lips brush his, letting his large palms grip at her sides and pull her closer to his chest. Their lips not breaking when his hands begin to explore the intricate, plush curves of her body.
They don’t do anything else, don’t go any further but he groaning when she traces her fingertips down his muscular, defined abs and thumb rubbing over the trail of light hair leading into his briefs.
After a swim, filled with splashing and dunking, they retired to lay in the grass. Both of their backs, looking up at the clear night sky, moon full and stars glittering against the stark darkness that surrounds it.
YN wriggle until she’s tucked into his side, hand running up and down his chest, as she says, “I’m sorry your date didn’t go as planned. I ruined it.”
“Y’didn’t ruin anything. I...I haven’t felt like this in a long time,” Harry admits as he gives off an embarrassed laugh, “I..I’m a little bit scared, to be honest.”
“Scared? Of what?” YN asks, lips pressing against a tattoo on his bare shoulder.
“Because I already am falling for you,” Harry utters, heart racing and his eyes glued upwards and pointedly not wanting to see her interaction.
“That’s a relief.”
His eyebrows shoot up, “A relief?”
“Yeah, I would say. I’m falling too,” YN whispers before leaning up to connect their lips once more as the moon rises further in the sky and the crickets sing a little louder. They lay like that for a very long time.
Harry went home that night for the first time not feeling the empty weight of his loneliness, instead he feel asleep imagining the beautiful, spontaneous girl next to him in his bed.
--
It wasn’t going to be the wedding everyone expected for The Harry Styles. **
There was not many invites set out for this event. It wasn’t the wedding of the century or the most expensive wedding of the decade.
Harry would have let his wife-to-be have this day however she wanted without complaint but could say he was very happy that it was going to a be a low-key event. It was going to be some of YN’s family, though she didn’t have much, and Harry’s extended family. No one from work or business. Just family.
They had just gotten finished with the rehearsal dinner, the couple being ordered to separate rooms for the final night before they were married. It was tradition. 
Harry had walked YN to her hotel room, they were staying at the venue, and pressed her up against the door. His hand coming to weave into her meticulously curled hair and cupping the back of her head, bring her mouth to his.
He wastes no time in letting his tongue find hers, hips coming to press her further back against the aged wood, and his teeth nipping roughly at her plump bottom lip, “Baby, y’gonna be m’wife tomorrow.”
YN’s eyes twinkle up at him like they did during their first date, “I can’t wait. I can’t wait to spend forever with you.”
His fiance laughs kindly as he gets a bit watery eyed, her thumb coming to swipe under his eye, she jokes, “Are you regretting proposing now?”
“Just never knew I could be this happy,” He murmurs against her lips, can’t help but reach around to grip a generous amount of her backside and pulling her flush against him where he’s hardening quickly.
“Mm, down boy. You don’t get the goods until tomorrow,” YN scolds, hand wrapping around his wrist and squeaking when he squeezes harder to get the point across - how much he wants her, all the fucking time.
“Want it now, pet,” Harry whines lowly, grinding his hips forward into her, “Give it t’me, y’mouth, y’cun-”
“Alright lovebirds! Separate now!” Gemma barks to interrupt with the laughter of their childhood friend Chloe.
They pull Harry by the back of the shirt and push him forward towards his room, Gemma smiles back at YN, “Make him put a ring on it before you give it to him!”
“Gem!” Harry scolds with a whine, giving his fiance puppy dog eyes and a pouted bottom lip, “Baby, don’t let them take me!”
“I’ll see you tomorrow, I love you!” YN shouts back, waving and smiling to herself as she opens up the door to her room and then locking it after she steps in. It feels weird being in a hotel room without him but she was a bit sweaty and her nerves were wiry so she decided a nice bath would be a good idea.
-
It’s past two in the morning and she was no less ready to find sleep. The worries of whether everything will be set up properly, if she’ll stutter during her vows, there were just so many things that could go wrong.
Life didn’t even seem real at this moment. 
She was marrying her husband at an amazing castle on the coast of italy with family to surround them in love. She had the perfect dress, the perfect flowers, the perfect partner. ***
She had never had it easy. Never thought she would deserve something like this. Harry had made her feel worthy of all this, they deserved to have a happy ever after. 
When it hits three in the morning, she can’t stand the quiet of the italian countryside anymore, and is swinging her legs over the bed. She pockets the keycard Harry gave her earlier in the day in her cotton shorts before sneaking out of her room.
After she taps the card to the sensor, the large oak doorknob clicks, she slips in and closes the door as silently as possible. YN steps in to the room, Harry's asleep in his bed on his stomach, face smushed into the pillow.
Harry’s facial expression and body language while he was awake was so severe, serious, intimidating. In sleep, his face was lax and his limbs loose. He looked more boyish when he was dreaming.
YN’s heart aches at how much she loves him, pulling the covers up, and crawling under them until she’s jostling him unintentionally, waking him from his light sleep with a mumble, “Baby, y’okay? Wha’s wrong? Y’alright?”
She giggles at his dazy panic, “I just missed you.”
“Mmm,” Harry agrees, pulling her all the way down and rolling on top of her, “Missed y’more.”
“You’re like a toaster!” YN squeals as he’s encompasses her, laying on her with his weight. His lips finding her pulse point and gently sucking. He was barely awake and he still couldn’t stop himself from her finding comfort in her body.
“I’m warmin’ y’up,” Harry growls against her neck before giving her a lick which has her giggling even more and pushing him off until he falls on his back and she’s swing her legs over his waist, straddling him.
“Y’breakin’ the tradition, m’heart.”
YN shrugs, humming while he palms at her belly, and she (much to his disappointment) ignores where he’s hard and waiting for her.
“I want t’sleep with you,” She pleas sheepishly, leaning all the way over to connect their lips in a quickie peck before she’s moving off of him and into his side.
“Never say no to you, y’know that, dovie,” Harry replies as if it’s obvious (it is).
“We’re getting married tomorrow,” YN whispers into the dark, like it’s a secret just between the two.
Harry nuzzles his nose against her temple, “Never wanted anythin’ more than I want you.”
YN can’t help but sniffle softly, overwhelmed with emotion and love, “You’re so good to me. I don’t deserve you.”
“You saved me. You saved me from myself, from where I was going. You gave me hope, feeling again. Y’are m’heart, it fuckin’ beats for you.”
It may not be tradition but YN wouldn’t of had it any other way, sleeping in a magnificent castle on the ethereal coast of Italy in a classic hotel room, and the excitement of their wedding rumbling in both of their stomachs.
--
“You sneaky bastards!” Bethany screeches, door flinging open with Gemma in tow as they intrude into Harry’s room - finding the couple curled up under the covers with Harry spooning YN with his face tucked into her hair.
“Fuck off,” Harry groans, pulling his fiance closer into his chest as she wriggles awake and whimpers lowly, “Mornin’ lovie.”
“Out out!” Gemma shoos, pulling the covers off of them and the sisters showing no mercy while they yank YN out of the bed and titter about how she needs to start getting ready, no time for cuddles, breaking traditions.
“Bring her back!” He whines childishly, hurling a pillow at his sister’s retreating back as they guide YN back to her own room.
“You’ll see her in a few hours!” Gemma shouts back before slamming the hotel room door and leaving Harry to doze off for just a few more minutes.
-
Hair and makeup went fast. 
It was getting closer and closer to actually walking down the aisle towards her soon-to-be life partner and she’s never felt more nervous.
Rosemary and Bethany were all rushing around - attempting to get ready in the midst of getting the bride ready.
YN didn’t want to look like a doll or have any intense makeup. It was a soft champagne smokey eye with dewy skin and a glowing highlight. A nice lip with a bit of glittering gloss.
Her hair was in big, loose curls that cascaded down her back with the front pulled off of her face. A real white flower holding it back.
Then it was the dress. She was anxious about whether Harry would like it or not. She wasn’t sure what he was expecting her to wear - a massive ball gown, a form-fitting mermaid, or something less over-the-top?
It was a show-stopper that had her memorized when she had first seen it - could automatically imagined herself getting married in Italy with this on her body.
It was also one of the only times she didn’t even care about the price tag - she knew this was it. Yes, it was absurd to spend fifty thousand pounds on a dress but it was the one time she took advantage of Harry’s wealth.
It was flowy, reminding her of the soft waves that lapped at the coast of the italian beaches. It was sophisticated, classy with a sharp starch white that billowed into a dreamlike beauty.
What had made her fall in love was the sheer, detailed sleeves that gave the dress more of a vintage, glamour appearance than the modern tight-fit, overly sexy gowns that most brides wore nowawadays. ***
The train was long and sleek. It would trail beautifully down the aisle before being bustled for the reception. It made her feel confident in a way that an item of clothing next had made her feel before.
“Your tits look amazing,” Bethany compliments before giggling when their grandmum pinches her arm for her crude language.
YN couldn’t find it in her to laugh. She felt like her voice was stuck in her throat and it wasn’t moving. 
It started to feel real.
The fact that Harry had proposed, had planned a wedding with her, that he was agreeing to marrying her today.
It was starting to scare her - no, not cold feet but anxiety that he would realize that he could do better than the lowly waitress.
Now, on a normal day, she wouldn’t be having these irrational thoughts. Today was different and it felt too good to be true.
Rosemary and Bethany sense the tension in the room, rub her shoulders, and respect her wishes when she asked for a moment alone.
YN debates picking up her phone, knowing he was busy with his bigger side of the family in the groom’s suite.
She finds herself picking up her mobile, dialing his number, and waiting with bated breath for his syrupy, warm voice to pour through the speaker.
“Everythin’ okay?” He answers, she can hear Anne and Gemma tittering about in the background, yelling at him to get a move on.
“I’m scared,” YN whispers, she holds back her tears because the last thing she wanted to do was ruin her meticulous makeup.
“Leavin’ me at the altar?” Harry jokes lowly, stepping away from prying ears.
YN giggles at his teasing tone, “Never. I…I feel like this is all too good to be true. Like it’s a dream and I’m going to wake up.”
Harry huffs, “Sweetheart. Y’my soulmate, if y’wake up - I’m right there with you, okay? God, if anyone is dreamin’ it’s me. I get t’marry the most beautiful, intelligent -“
Gemma’s voice interrupts him, “You already seduced her into marrying you! We don’t have time for this sweet talk!”
The line goes dead but YN feels much better now.
Rosemary was going to be the one walking her down the aisle to her new husband. It didn’t feel right to have anyone else do it as she was the one who raised her into the strong, independent woman she was today.
YN knew she wanted to have an outside wedding. 
What would be more perfect than a cool evening in Italy? It was what she had dreamed about since she was little without the idea that it would ever happen.
The weather was absolutely perfect. There was a slight warm breeze that would keep the guests from being overheated, the sun was peeking in and out of vibrant white clouds that complimented the blue sky.
She knew exactly where Harry would be standing. 
Underneath a beautiful, dated archway with intricate designs about. 
The old material had lovingly grown luscious ivy that kissed the walls in a swirling, natural design. 
YN would never forget how beautiful that ivy had looked on her wedding day, encompassing the magnificent that was her soon-to-be husband.***
The venue was open, airy but still gave off an intimacy. There weren't many rows of chairs because not many were invited to share in such an ethereal experience where soulmates have found each other and were announcing their commitment to the world.
“Are you ready, my daughter?” Her grandmother had asked quietly as they lined up behind the expansive, old brick wall that hides them from the rest of the ceremony and crowd. She could hear the whispering as people took their seats.
YN nods, her vocal cords refusing to cooperate as she imagines Harry just as nervous on the opposite side with his family. 
When the twinkling, traditional music begins from the small orchestra off to the side - the realization hits her - it is actually happening, right now.
Bethany puts her bouquet in front of her, giving one last meaningful smile at her sister before she takes her cue to turn the corner and begins her walk down the aisle. 
It meant Harry was up there, watching as she was about to appear.
Then the orchestra’s melody became louder, more grand in the signaling for the guests to stand and turned toward the back of the room - awaiting the bride’s entrance to the ceremony. 
Rosemary takes the initiative to hook their arms and guide her past the wall.
YN clutches onto her own flowers as if it’s her lifeline. ***
Every fear, insecurity, moment of self-doubt dissipates when her eyes connect to Harry’s. There is no longer a doubt in her mind that she wasn’t enough. It was a deep, unbreakable stare as Harry’s mouth parts in a gasp of awe.
He was in a suit that was undeniably him. It displayed how fucking regal he was, how it looked like he was handcrafted into the italian design, how it fit him just perfectly.
It wasn’t a normal tuxedo. It was a perfectly tailored, custom (of course) Gucci suit that excentuate his broad shoulders and the nip of his narrow hips *** ***. 
YN can’t even hear the noise of the guests - whispering about how beautiful she looks.
All she can see is her future husband, who swallows harshly as an unexpected sob wracks through his chest at the sight of his bride.
The guests can’t help but look with wide eyes as the man they know - who they’ve barely ever seen smile, let alone cry, cannot control his emotions.
Gemma, who was his ‘best man’ which they deemed ‘best woman’, rubs his back soothingly with a watery smile herself at seeing her brother so estastatic as he looks at the woman of his dreams.
Harry rubs his eyes before meeting hers again.
YN is holding back her own tears as she reaches the end of the aisle.
In tradition as old as time, Harry steps forward and Rosemary passes her hand over to him in a signal that she trusts him to take care of the girl she’s spent meticulous time raising and cultivating into the person she is today.
“I trust you to take care of my girl, she is now yours,” Rosemary tells Harry, her tone is calm and full of emotion as she allows Harry to lean over to kiss her cheek softly.
Harry nods, his usually stable voice shaky as he replies, “I promise, I’ll take care of her until the day I die.”
Rosemary nods before patting his cheek and finding her seat in the audience.
When they are finally standing face-to-face, YN reaches over to thumb off a stray tear that was sliding down his cheek before he turns his head to kiss her thumb then kissing her palm. 
Harry didn’t even acknowledge that there was anyone else watching - it was just him and her.
“Y’look breathtaking, can’t believe y’mine,” Harry murmurs trembling, his chest moving faster than usual and it felt like it was nearly impossible for him to catch his breath as he looked at the woman in front of him.
When it comes to the vows, Bethany hands over her small piece of paper that she had scribbled onto and scratched out multiple times - never quite able to get the wording just right and she says just that.
“I couldn’t find the right words to explain my love for you,” She starts, voice raspy as she looks up to see Harry watching her raptly, eyes intense and only focused on her.
“And maybe there aren’t even words to explain it because nothing felt like enough. It is how I feel a lot of the time with you. I’ll never have enough of you because you’re all-consuming to me. I have never felt happiness like I have with you.”
YN is trying to stifle her tears as she continues, Harry reaches out to rub her arm in reassurance then he lightly brushes over the new necklace he had gifted her, “You’re by far the most complex, closed-off person I have ever met. I feel like you’ve allowed me to crack the code and once I did, I wasn’t disappointed. I’ve cracked my own code, you see.”
“The code to explaining my feelings for you will come with my dedication, love, loyalty to be your wife for the rest of our lives.”
Harry can’t help what he does next despite it not falling in line at the ceremony.
His hands come up to cup her jaw and he sears his lips to hers, kissing her with all the passion and emotion he cannot seem to keep in any longer. It’s too much, has to show her in that moment how much he loves her.
A few of his uncles whistle from the crowd as their wives smack their chests in warning.
YN giggles, returning the kiss before pushing him off. 
The look in his eyes is one she knows extremely well - it sends shivers down her spine and makes her hair stand on end -, the stare down of lust and want.
“Mr. Styles,” The officiant redirects, nodding towards the piece of paper he has in his hand.
“Yeah, sorry,” Harry mumbles, unraveling the wrinkled notecard he had tucked in his inner suit pocket.
“I knew I was in love with you the moment you spilled that drink on me and undressed me in that dodgy employee bathroom,” Harry says with full sincerity, smirking at YN’s blush when he brings up the way they met.
“I tried to talk myself out of it. It was impossible to fall in love in mere minutes of meeting someone but it was the truth. I knew after our first date that I wanted y’to be m’wife. I knew after the second that I wanted y’to be the mother of my babies one day. And by the third date, I was planning on buying you a ring.”
“It sounds insane because it is. I’ve never been an impulsive, spur-of-the-moment, hopeful person before you. You made me throw all that out of the window, you make me feel alive, and when I tell you that you saved me. You saved me, m’love.”
“There is a lot of uncertainty in this world but I can tell you one thing that is absolutely fuckin’ certain -”
“Harry,” YN hisses with an eye-roll at his crude language.
“The one thing that is absolutely certain in this world is that I will always love you, always take care of you, and always do everythin’ in m’power to make you happy.”
The guests in the chairs are quite speechless. 
They’d never heard such passionate, meaningful vows from a couple. 
This was not what they were expecting of Harry who had never once put his heart on his sleeve and right now he’d laid it all out on the table.
--
“YN LN, do you agree to take Harry Edward Styles as your husband? To have and to hold, in sickness and in health, for better or for worse, until the end of your time on earth?” The officiant asks, voice ringing against the walls of the castle.
YN has to take a big breath before she replies in a strong, firm voice as her eyes bore into Harry’s, “I do.”
“Harry Edward Styles, do you agree to take YN MN LN as your wife? To have and to hold, in sickness and in health, for better or for worse, until the end of your time on earth?” The officiant repeats.
Harry, in ever typical fashion, in his loud, booming voice replies, “Of course I fuckin’ do.”
The guests in the audience laugh lightly as the officiant states, “I now announce to you, Mr. and Mrs. Styles. You may now kiss your bride.”
It doesn’t take more than a second for Harry to step forward, grip her face and pull her in for a kiss, it doesn’t matter that their family is there to him as he licks into her mouth which is bordering on obscene before YN brings it back to a softer, more appropriate one.
He whispers against his lips, barely audible, “Can’t believe y’my fucking wife, m’fucking heart.”
--
As people are moving towards the reception area, Harry manages to find a secluded area of the outside gardens where there is no one in sight.
“Baby, baby, y’married me,” Harry is nearly chanting, like he’s in disbelief, at the same time he’s cornering his new bride up against the brick wall with his mouth trailing sloppy wet kisses down her shoulder.
“Mmm, it was everything I ever imagined, it was so beautiful. Everything I had imagined for our day,” YN replies blissfully, hands running carefully through his meticulously styled hair.
When he bends down and lifts up the bottom of her dress, she giggles when he ducks his head underneath all the tulle and fabric, finding a very skimpy pair of white lace panties that are supposed to be saved for later.
“Harry,” YN scolds half-heartedly, it would only take one person to find them in this undeniable inappropriate situation but she willingly let him push her further against the brick and take one of her legs over his shoulder.
“Baby, these fuckin’ panties,” He groans, muffled by the barrier of the heavy fabric, and she hisses when pulls them down to the thick of her thighs and his mouths finds her center within moments.
“Fu-fuck,” She hisses, trying to keep her moans down as he wastes no time in pushing in two thick fingers to curve towards her front as his tongue laps quickly and sloppily on her clit until it feels like she’s about to explode.
“S’right, fuckin’ m’cunt. I have it f’the rest of my life, found the best one,” Harry mutters against her wet skin, almost to himself like he can’t even believe the words, before he’s back to speeding up his fingers to match the rhythm of his mouth until she’s quivering for a whole other reason now.
It takes a few minutes for Harry to calm himself down enough to be able to go into the reception, he tells YN that he can’t even look at her right now because if he does he’ll be perpetually hard throughout the whole thing.
--
The reception is more of a dinner than a party. 
Fairy lights strung above the two long tables where decadent, mouth-watering food was served with the orchestra playing light, melodic music in the background. ***
It was perfect. 
Their family drank, laughed, ate, and were merry. 
Everyone was basking in each other’s company, congratulating the new couple, and enjoying all the beauty that was surrounding them at the castle. 
There is not much more to say than that. 
--
The honeymoon suite was located on one of the highest floors of the castle, away from all of the other wedding guests and staff.
YN was sure it was beautiful but from the moment she was carried over the threshold, she didn’t see anything but her new husband - he was blinding in his beauty. His skin was glowing, a slight sheen of sweat from the reception, and the still warm bite in the breeze. ***
“Sweetheart, baby. Please let m’undress you, y’my wife,” Harry pleas softly, his hands are everywhere - her face, her shoulders, hips - continuously wandering as if it’s impossible to find one place to settle.
“Please, c’mon. I need you, H,” She agrees, letting him take down the zipper on the side of her gown.
The expensive garment discarded on the floor in a pool of fabric as he fully takes in her lingerie set. ***
“Fuck me, darlin’,” Harry chuckles in amazement, fingertips tracing over the delicate lace that was stitched by Alessandro Michele himself for the bride, "Y’body is a god damn dream, look at you. - fuck.”
“Please,” His wife whimpers, voice desperate as his light and careful touches are no longer enough. 
She needs him close, she needs her husband.
“Okay, okay,” He simpers, moving her back until he can have her right where he wants her, on her back in the middle of the massive, blanket-ridden bed - her white lingerie standing out against the dark duvet.
Harry had always imagined this night. 
To have someone laid out underneath him. 
No rush, no urgency but to truly, physically show that person through touch that you love them.
He starts near her collarbone, feathery heated kisses that warm her skin as she welcomes him with heavy weight on top of her so eager he wasn’t even undressed yet.
When his mouth finds her nipples through the sheer fabric, she pushes her chest up in encouragement as he bites at the nubs with sharp but careful teeth that wet the fabric.
“It feels so good, baby,” YN mewls, letting him nip and suck for a moment before pushing him up until he’s rid of every inch of fabric that had been covering his body.
“M’always gonna make y’feel good. I’ll fuck you wherever, wehenver cause you’re m’wife,” Harry grunts, impatiently reaching behind to unclasp the corset until her breasts spill free and jiggle in a way that makes his mouth water.
“Wait, wait,” YN puts a hand to his cheek when he already has his mouth darting out to lap at her hardened nipple.
“Don’t make me wait, m’heart,” Harry grumbles with a furrowed brow, his hand still unable to stop from reaching up to palm at her full breasts, thumbs rolling the nipples as he stares fiercely up at her.
“You know how you got me a present?” YN murmurs, biting back a whimper when a zip of electricity shoots from her nipple down to where she’s already dripping for him, “I got you something too.”
Harry’s face relaxes, it’s like he finds his grounding again, “Baby, didn’t need t’get me anythin’. Y’the best fuckin’ gift I could have gotten. Does look beautiful sittin’ between y’tits though.”
His new wife giggles, “Well I really hope you like mine….it’s non-refundable.”
He looks at her with confusion even more so when she wriggles down her panties and flips on her belly with her arms resting under chin.
Of course, Harry finds it immediately and she can tell by the deep, pleased growl he emits from the back of his throat, “You fuckin’ didn’t.”
“I did.”
It was his name, small and cursive right on her bum cheek. 
After they got engaged, he went out and got her name tattooed on his pec - much to her dismay. 
She had never talked about returning the favor and had kept it the ultimate surprise.
“I think I almost just came from this,” Harry rasps, his fingers tracing the small ink over and over in awe, “Baby, y’put m’name on your bum. It makes y’look like my property, sweetheart.”
“I am yours,” YN giggles, yelping when she feels his teeth graze the sensitive skin before he’s suckling and licking at his name - can’t take his eyes off the beauty of her.
“Yeah, you fuckin’ are,” He agrees whole-heartedly, his hands calming to cup and palm at her cheeks as he fawns over his wedding present, “This is the best present I’d ever fuckin’ received, fuck - never goin’ to get over this.”
He doesn’t want to look away from the tattoo but knows how he wants to fuck his wife for the first time so he flips her onto her back once again, lips finding hers. 
She whispers, hand wrapping around his cock, “Still have to pay you back for earlier.”
“No blowies tonight, pet. We’re goin’ to do it the right way, m’gonna make love to you,” Harry murmurs, his lips finding hers as he bats her hand away to grasp at his thick base. He teases the sensitive head over her clit and entrance a few times before slowly sinking in.
“Ohh, been ready for you all day. You looked like a fucking wet dream standing at the alter, waiting for me,” YN sighs happily, wriggling her hips to adjust a bit before she spreads her legs and lets Harry rest in between them, “Ever since I saw you in the suit, I’ve been waiting.”
“Yeah, baby? I can tell, y’so wet, warm f’me,” Harry praises, his movements are slow and unrushed, their hips meeting gently as he pushes in each time with care, “Can’t believe y’gonna let me have this for the rest of m’life.”
“I love you so so much,” She utters breathlessly as he continues to make her feel so fucking full - emotionally and physically, “Best husband ever, can’t believe it.”
Harry chuckles tenderly, “Baby, I need y’to come soon. I’m so close, never come this quick. The thought of y’being my wife is making it impossible to last then with the tatto-”
YN soothes his hair in understanding, pushing up to meet their lips and allow their tongues to dance as he lifts her thigh against his hip to thrust in with a bit more force. His thumb comes to her clit to spur her along which doesn’t take much with how aroused she’s been all day.
Harry follows right after, much to his embarrassment of his lack of stamina but can you blame him? He has the hottest fucking wife on the planet.
“Round two?” YN smirks as he leans down to pepper kisses all over her cheeks. She knows the night has just begun.
“Mmm,” He agrees instantly, “Now that we made love, m’gonna fuck y’from behind so I can watch my name jiggle on your arse.”
And that’s what he does. It takes nearly no rebound time, flips her on her belly again to gaze and worship his name as he fills out in no time again. His fingers occasionally dip back between her thighs to tease at her entrance before he swipes her own wetness on the tattoo to lick it off.
She’s tired, exhausted from the events of the day but wants to reach that last orgasm before sleep overtakes them. 
On her hands and knees, Harry doesn’t pound into her like he normally would. 
Instead, he eases back in with eyes darting between his wedding present and where they’re connecting, his thumb diligently rubbing hard and steady circle on her nerves.
“C’mon wifey, need y’to not be stubborn,” Harry goads, feeling his release coming again - he pinches her clit with just enough pressure that has her whining before Harry has to hold her up by the waist as she quivers.
It has him finishing right after with a gentle smack to her bumcheek, the skin already tender and sore from all of his attention on the spot as it was.
“I loved your vows,” YN murmurs against his chest. He had wrapped her up in one of the plush blankets and he had pulled on a tight pair of briefs and they were laying on a lounge chair on the blacony under the italian stars.
“I loved yours just as much, y’did crack the code m’love ‘cause now I’m yours forever,” Harry rumbles, his voice raspy with drowsiness.
Little did they know that in a few short years, they would be back under these italian stars with knowledge that they were growing a little product of their love in her belly.
A litte baby named Ivy, just like the beautiful, lucious nature that had decorated the place in magneificent as they spoke vows - dedicating their lives to each other.
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keisurou · 2 years
Text
head full of actor!jean kirstein and nothing else.
actor!jean who doesn’t know how to react to all this attention that he’s suddenly getting. he’s always been on the sidelines, his popularity never soaring as high as eren’s or levi’s. it makes him a little nervous and he can’t help but overthink how he should act in public now. he’s always been so relaxed about his public image before, and it suited him just fine because no one would be paying any attention to him anyway. but now he’s starting to realise why eren is always so snarky about the paparazzi and reporters in public. 
actor!jean who just wants to go to his favourite bar on a thursday night. it’s quieter than it is on the weekends so he doesn’t expect to be bombarded with fans the second he steps foot inside. who leaves and decides he can’t go out in peace anymore without one of those stupid disguises his friends always insist on wearing, and he does exactly that but when the bouncers ask him to remove his glasses and hat for security purposes, he knows he’s fucked. 
actor!jean who stumbles into a small pub that you’re working nights at. it’s small enough that the security guards are nowhere in sight, regardless of the group of burly men who are speaking and laughing much too loudly. but for once, the attention is off of him and he takes a seat in the corner and asks you for a glass of scotch. he’s glad that you don’t ask questions, don’t try to pry and make small talk like so many other bartenders do because it gives him time to admire the way your work so hard from the corner of his eye. who gets all tongue-tied when you ask for his name when he’s about to leave. he’s not worried about getting caught or anything like that, which is a surprise to him, but he actually doesn’t mind giving you his real name and that scares him a little bit. 
actor!jean who gets attached to you a little too easily. it’s only been a few weeks but he can’t help it because you’re so sweet and you actively listen to him in a way that most people never do until they know who he is. and that’s the main problem because he still doesn’t know how to break it to you that he’s the jean kirstein. 
actor!jean who feels so guilty for thinking of you late at night in the comfort of his bed. he hasn’t been with someone in so long but every time he tries, he keeps thinking of you and it makes him sick because you’d definitely be disgusted if you knew. he doesn’t know how to deal with all these feelings and forces himself to keep them under wraps—to keep you under wraps. he begins to lie a lot more smoothly now when connie or sasha ask him where he’s been or why he’s always skipping their weekly game nights. but when filming starts again, he’s forced to work day and night, back to back, and he begins to realise how much he craves your presence. 
actor!jean who is absolutely wrecked to find out that you’re not working at the pub anymore when he finally has time to visit again a few weeks later. who doesn’t understand how you could just leave without a word or even an explanation, and now he’s frustrated beyond relief. who hires private investigators to find out where you are, and shows up at the next bar you’re working at just to see you again. 
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