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lokisgoodgirl · 2 years

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The Wetsuit [Avenger!Loki x Fem.Reader]

Part of the Hostile F*cks Collection A link to my Masterlist is HERE Summary: (1) Loki dons a tight wetsuit on a mission (w/c 3.2k) Warnings: 18+ Minors DNI. Graphic descriptions of Loki in a wetsuit. Smuttish. Tension. Thirst. Language.

“I’m telling you, it’s completely unnecessary Rogers.” Loki scoffed as Steve raised a silencing hand. The men had been bickering all morning. It had become clear that the Quinjet could get no closer to the Hydra base without arousing suspicion. The only way to meet the final destination was on foot...and through a winding river canyon, no less. A neoprene-clad Barton approached Loki, shoving a flaccid wetsuit against his chest. “Change.” he growled, as Loki bristled. He rolled his eyes, swiping the suit with disdain.

The god began to slowly unfasten the buckles of his heavy leathers, the low clink making your eyes flicker upwards as you adjusted your harness. He was looking right at you.

“Cripes, not here Laufeyson. There’s a lady present.” Steve huffed, gesturing to you with frustration. “Take it to the Quinjet. And hurry up, we don’t have all gosh-darned day.”

“A ‘lady’ may be rather overstating it...” Loki said haughtily, a smile tugging at his lips as your face screwed up in mock-hurt. He was being even more of an arsehole today than usual. And that was saying something, you thought. “I can dry myself with magic, unlike you.” he sneered, “I have no need for this...thing.” Loki held the wetsuit pinched between his thumb and forefinger, observing it with abject disgust. Steve threw his hands in the air, bringing them down in tight fists as he tried to compose himself. “This isn’t a fashion show, Laufeyson.” he huffed, placing his hands on his hips. “You need to start taking these missions seriously. Starting with assigned kit. It’s for your own safety. Now get.” Loki smirked, turning towards the Quinjet with a swirl of his leather overcoat. You watched him swagger up the ramp, letting out a loud sigh as Barton hovered over you. “All set, Y/N?” he mumbled, tightening his harness. You nodded. The canyon was short, but treacherous. Varying water levels snaked through a maze of rock, full of tight spaces and descents. But you should be able to make it in an hour, if everyone behaved themselves. “Has Laufeyson ever canyoned before? I can’t imagine him doing a lot of technical outdoors on Asgard” you said warily. Clint shook his head. “I dunno, man. Which is why Steve wants you spotting him.” You stood, affronted. “Spotting him? You can’t be serious. He’s a ‘god’, I’m sure he can handle some slippery rocks.” Barton shrugged, as Rogers patted your shoulder, handing you a helmet. “Thanks” you mumbled, popping it on and fastening the clip as both men’s eyes turned upward towards the ramp. Loki made his way leisurely down the slip like a runway, a theatrical snap of his fingers causing the ramp behind him to rise obediently just as his feet hit solid ground. Your stomach did an unwelcome somersault, the skin of your own wetsuit suddenly feeling tighter. Much tighter.

He looked off to the side, casually running a hand through his loose, shoulder length hair. His raised bicep flexed against the insanely snug material, the pale sharpness of his exposed jawline flashing like a blade above the fabric’s high neck. Fingers brushed through dark curls, scraping backward. Your eyes crawled down his frame at a snail's pace, the unforgiving wetsuit accentuating every carved inch usually masked in layers of leather. Steve folded his arms, his biceps bulging against the same standard issue. It’s not the same though, you thought as your eyes swung back to Loki. Why is it not the same? The god came to a stop in front of your trio, spreading his arms. “How do I look?” he purred with a smile, shooting you a wink as Steve rolled his eyes. “Just dandy.” Rogers spat, holding out a helmet to his wilful colleague. Loki released a forced laugh, shaking his head. “I think not, Rogers. This contraption is a step too far. It’s insulting.” Steve grunted, shoving the helmet to Loki’s chest before striding towards the canyon mouth. Barton jogged after him as you clipped the final piece of your hip harness together. You saw a flash of green out the corner of your eyes as the unattractive headpiece vanished in his hands, Loki’s smug face beaming at his small defiance. “It’s for your own safety, you know.” you muttered sarcastically, setting off to follow the others. Loki’s condescending chuckle floated over your shoulder, catching up quickly with effortless strides. You entered the water in silence, wading up to your thighs in the narrow canyon entrance, finding your footing. Loki moved quietly behind you; his looming form strangely graceful in these unfamiliar surroundings. You watched Barton and Rogers disappear nimbly over a jagged rock-face ahead. “I’m supposed to go behind you, actually. Safety stuff.” you murmured, remembering Steve’s orders as you paused to let Loki pass. His torso brushed against your back, a waft of his fading cologne invading your senses. “What a shame…” he whispered as he passed, approaching the rock-face confidently. Curling tendrils of hair fell across his brow as a coy smile tugged at his lips. “My loss is your gain, I suppose.” he said with a wink, making you roll your eyes. He ran his large palms over the nearest boulder, searching for purchase. A knee raised to slot his foot into a tight ledge, the suggestive angle of his leg making your breaths suddenly short. God above, you thought as his muscular ass clenched beneath the tight neoprene. Those long, thick thighs braced as he moved against the rock, heaving himself to the summit with ease. The way the stretch of the wetsuit hugged every agonisingly perfect stretch of flesh was sinful. Obscene, actually; you thought, as Loki looked down at you smugly from the precipice. You sighed, shaking your head as you began your ascent. He was such a dick. “C’mon guys, keep up.”

Rogers stern voice echoed ahead, bouncing against the rock walls which curved and cut the canyon sides. Loki’s hand extended downward, his long fingers curved to offer you help. You batted him away, hoisting yourself over the edge as he settled back on his haunches. You searched the landscape for your teammates, two black figures disappearing round the curve on the horizon. “Fuck.” you whispered under your breath, positioning to slide sideways down the other side of the rock to the water below. Loki chuckled, enjoying your frustration. “What?” you spat, trying not to look at his broad shoulders shifting maddeningly in that goddam wetsuit. “You’re slowing us down with all your…your...” Alarmingly, you couldn’t stop your eyes roaming across his chest, taking in the elegant power of his rippling shoulder muscles shifting beneath the black. His wrists rested casually crossed; thick forearms placed on his knees as he squatted tauntingly in front of you. He leant forwards, licking his lips as his keen eyes narrowed. “My what, Agent?” he murmured coyly, head tilting to the side. How you wanted to rip down the zip tucked under his angular chin, rub your hands on the insides of that fabric, grasping at the sacred, forbidden skin beneath. You would peel the tight layer from his body, ravenously silencing that sanctimonious tongue as he moaned into your mouth like a whore. Exposing every inch of taut, naked muscle you wanted to fuck yourself against. Slowly.

There was a sharp intake of breath as you lost your footing, sliding ungracefully down the rock-face on your stomach to the shallow water below with a thick splash. You surfaced, spluttering to the accompanying sound of Loki’s deep laughter. “Elegance personified, Agent. I’m so glad I have you to chaperone me. Truly.” he goaded through ebbing mirth, scooting expertly down the side with one leg extended before slipping into the water. You splashed him in the face, the look of shock in his eyes filling you with unbridled glee. “Come on.” you said firmly, thankful that the cold water had at least spared your rising embarrassment. “We need to catch up.” Having established that Loki did not in fact need any help, your pace quickened. Nimble climbs and descents across the uneven, aquatic landscape; Cap and Barton coming into view on occasion when the unforgiving canyon allowed it. Vegetation like a Jurassic jungle surrounded the high walls, life growing upwards towards the narrow sky. “Beautiful, isn’t it?” you murmured, looking up as you waded slowly through peaceful waters; pushing branches from your path. “Indeed.” Loki said absent-mindedly, pulling the back of your hip harness sharply before you could run face-first into a jutting shelf of rock. You stumbled backward, falling against his solid stomach. His hands clasped around your waist, long fingers ghosting the curve of your breasts through the wetsuit. Your palms steadied against his thighs, feeling yourself involuntarily squeeze the hard flesh through the maddeningly fitted neoprene as water sloshed up your front. Your breath hitched as he leant down, the warmth of his skin an unexpectedly soothing pressure where the angle of your jaw met the neck. His smooth cheek pressed against yours below the line of the helmet. “Eyes front, Agent. Didn’t you learn your lesson earlier?” he muttered huskily, releasing you with a gentle shove.

Heat rose in your cheeks as you waded ahead towards a low thunder of falling water, indicating a high drop was imminent. “Are we jumping?” he chirped innocently, keeping pace by your side. You could feel his unrelenting eyes searing into your profile as you tried to focus. You shook your head. “It’s too risky. My information says it’s a twenty-meter drop, rocks below. There’s a passageway down about half of it, and then we should be able to scale the rest of the descen-” Loki’s fingers curled around your wrist, pulling you to face him. His eyes sparkled with mischief, pulling a lip between his teeth as he wound up to say something infuriating. “So cautious, Agent. Don’t you ever have any fun?” he purred, squeezing your wrist before you swiped it away. “Why are you such a dickhead, Loki?” you hissed, splashing towards the small passageway entrance visible at the side of the steep falls. “Actually, Laufeyson..." you continued haughtily, "I’m surprised you haven’t made any of your infamous comments about ‘tight spaces’, or being wet. It’s pretty low hanging fruit today. I’m impressed at your restraint.” Your breaths grew quick as he came closer, signature swagger still in full force – even knee deep in water. His eyes were alight, the saturated wetsuit clinging to his body like a needy lover. Your lips pressed together as your gaze reluctantly hovered on his crotch, the noticeable bulge of that legendary cock shifting as he leant one arm against the boulder behind you. “I find that fruit is sweeter the higher one has to reach for it” he muttered darkly, those inviting lips stretching in a self-satisfied smirk. His pupils widened as his eyes flickered across your defiant features. You inhaled sharply as he ran an strand of your soaking hair through his fingers, pushing it underneath your helmet.

“And besides, I don’t think I need to highlight your wetness further, Agent. You seem to be doing an excellent job of that on your own.” The words smouldered, the sultry tone of his bedroom voice making you clench beneath the lapping water. He cleared his throat, breaking the silence that hung in the humid air. “I’ll go first, shall I? Since I am somewhat an ‘expert’ on tight spaces, as you yourself so keenly noted.” He winked, dipping around you towards the gap at the base of the boulder. The hole was narrow, walls slippery with moss and residue which spread into the darkness beneath. Loki braced against the rock above, lowering one leg through. You wet your lips as his triangular back muscles folded inward. Those ridiculously defined arms bulged as he steadied; the tight wetsuit gathering obediently between his shoulder-blades. “Uhhh…gods” Loki groaned loudly, the gutturally sensual noise taking you by surprise as his head fell dramatically back. Wet curls coiled against his shoulders as his jaw clenched, blending into the skin-tight wetsuit clinging to his long body. “...this is disgusting” he muttered casually, wiping his fingers on the adjacent rock before sinking into the darkness. That’s what he sounds like when he cums, you thought; your eyes widening as you tried to imprint the memory in your brain. Fuck. “Agent?” he called upward after a hazy minute had passed. “There’s no escaping it this time. I must insist you accept my assistance.”

You muttered curses as you lowered into the tight gap. There was a bend in the rock, your waist curving around it as your feet felt for grip on the walls below. Loki’s hand curled around your ankle, making you yelp in surprise. “I’m here” he murmured from the gloom, “I need you to lower onto me. The situation is rather tenuous.” “Tell me what to do.” you said, noting the unexpected quiver in your voice. You heard Loki inhale deeply, assessing the situation. I must seem like such a fucking idiot right now, you thought, leaning your helmet with a clunk against the rock in front of you. Loki’s fingers squeezed gently at your ankle. “Move this foot to the right, down the ridges...yes, that’s it...and shimmy yourself down the gap. I shall guide you.” he said confidently, as your brow furrowed in concentration. You always forgot how much you hated cramped spaces until you were in one. Or maybe it was just the irritant waiting for you below. “Where should my other foot go?” you panted, contorting your body to comply to his request in the snug crevice, wetsuit tugging against the rough stone. “Right here.” he murmured, the crown of his damp hair just visible downward between your spread legs. He looked up, the angle of his tilted face making breath catch in your throat. There was no cynicism in his eyes, no clever retort; just concentration. And was that...concern? His hand slid up your calf, fingers wrapping around the back of your thigh and moving your leg to the side. Your dangling foot hit a hard surface, pressing down firmly. “Hold on to me.” he said, every syllable perfectly enunciated. Your bare fingertips bumped over the rockface, a lingering mistrust simmering in your stomach as you reluctantly did what he asked. Loki’s hard muscles tensed as your hands slid over his broad shoulders, the cold dampness of the neoprene clinging like paint to every dense curve. You thought you felt him shudder as your thumbs grazed his collarbone beneath the wetsuit; wide eyes looking up at you like a willing sub. The sound of your breaths magnified in the tight space, drips of water sounding from somewhere in the crevices all around. You tore your eyes away from his, looking down to the side, a sharp drop beneath the god rolling into endless blackness.

“Fuck” you muttered, “Operations doing a fantastic job with geo-intel again…” “I think someone in Operations has it out for you, darling.” Loki goaded, his hands sliding up to your waist. “Now slide down and sit on me. From there you can go ahead first around the ledge.” You raised your eyebrows in disbelief at the audacity of your infuriating colleague, biting your tongue. For all his annoyances, he was acting as a bridge between you and a potentially slippery doom. Loki had jammed his body between a steep, seemingly bottomless crevice. His back was firm against the rock behind him, legs pressed solidly to the opposite side. One foot sat confidently on a flimsy jut of stone; the other leg bent at a ninety-degree angle pressing his knee against rough rock. His thighs muscles stood out beneath the dark wetsuit, slivers of light catching the flex of his straining femur. He leant his head back against the rock, messed hair falling sluttishly around his jaw as he jutted his chin. Had he always been this fucking sexy? Surely not.

Loki’s fingers slid over your hips, grasping the harness strapped around your legs. He gave it a playful yank, his eyes twinkling in the darkness as a heavy silence grew between you. Wordlessly you lowered, trembling knees giving way as your back scraped down the harsh surface; landing on his waiting thigh with a soft thump. You gasped, his leg pressing upwards against your pussy. Your swollen clit twinged with traitorous desire as you squirmed, the tug sizzling like wildfire through your core. Sinful thoughts swirled in your mind as his sturdy limb settled between your legs, his warm breath fanning your cheek. Loki exhaled through his nose, a deep growl seeping from his sinuses with every rise of his chest in the darkness. Your fingers loosened their grip on his shoulders, resting gently at the top of his biceps. There wasn’t room to move them anywhere else. The god’s nose brushed your cheekbone, his hands settling on your hips, pulling you further up his thigh.

"Safety first, Agent. Remember?" he murmured, soft lips ghosting your ear.

You grunted as your wetsuit pulled against your centre, tugging gently against the delicate pleasure beneath. The surface of your skin simmered with frequency, every hair fighting to stand on end beneath the damp suit. You could feel a growing slick of arousal sliding between your folds. With growing alarm, you realised that you had never been this turned on in your life. Ever. It’s just the wetsuit, you thought, unable to look away from his intense gaze cast in shadow. It’s just that damn wetsuit. You cleared your throat. “Right. Here I go…” you whispered.

The exit of the formation was to your side. A well-placed heave and a short scramble over a ridge all that stood between you and freedom.

In your concentration, mapping the route you’d take, you didn’t register one hand slipping over the god’s chest, brushing down against his lap. You flinched, realising that your fingers rested on Loki’s manhood; far too thick and pronounced to be anything less than semi-hard beneath the tight fabric. You grimaced, continuing to stare off to the side, not wanting to acknowledge the overstep. Not wanting to see his surely self-satisfied smirking face as he relished your discomfort...or worse, your desire. His cock twitched brazenly beneath your fingertips, Loki’s breath hitching as you shuffled on his thigh. A small involuntary groan escaped your lips. “Oh dear.” Loki goaded, a smile curling at the edge of his lips in the shadows. One dark brow rose, the effort of containing a grin skirting his dimples. “It looks like you’ve found yourself between a rock and a hard place, Agent.” You rolled your eyes, reaching up to grasp the ragged overhang as your heart pounded. “Let’s get you off, shall we?” he smouldered, running his palm over your lower back. A violent shiver ran down your spine as you quickly pulled yourself across the gap Loki had filled with his ridiculously built body. Perhaps falling to my death at this particular moment wouldn’t be such a bad thing, you thought; as a buffet of fresh air blew against your heated face. You shuffled around the corner tentatively, exiting the passage; grabbing a branch growing from the cliff-face as a waterfall thundered to your side. The descent was quick. Or maybe you were just distracted.

Loki was visible out the corner of your eye as you silently descended the treacherous rockface, hitting the waist deep pool at the bottom with a grateful splash. He jumped down beside you, dipping his hands in the water and running them through his hair. Large hands rubbed down that devastatingly torso, the wetsuit straining and stretching against the pressure of his fingers as his eyes rose slowly to meet yours. You looked away quickly, a wave of relief descending as you spotted Rogers and Barton waving on an embankment ahead. Or was it disappointment? Loki’s forearm brushed against yours, the gentle pressure making you straighten as you stared stoically ahead.

“It’s been a pleasure bonding with you at last, Agent.” Loki smarmed. You tilted your head to the side, gaze fluttering upward. A smile flickered at the corners of your mouth as Loki's eyes narrowed, searching your upturned face for the truth he knew was there. The god slid his thumbs into the waist of his hip harness, the downward motion making the edges of his abdominals visibly clench. You swallowed, hearing him chuckle. “If ever you find yourself in a tenuous situation regarding another tight passageway, darling…” he purred, brushing his fingertips against your bicep; “I am always at your service.” Without another word he waded forward, making his way towards the men waiting ahead. You watched the solid expanse of his lower back emerge from the water as it grew shallow, the hard curve of his godly ass coming into view. His shoulders glistened, the broad muscles in full view as he flicked his wetted hair. Loki's ass shifted beneath the skintight suit with every powerful clench of his thighs. The lines of his harness dug into firm flesh as he effortlessly scaled the final rise of rock against the embankment. Sodden curls fell around his cheekbones as he threw you one last lingering look, dripping with feverishly arrogant eroticism. Damn that fucking wetsuit, you thought with a rattling sigh, biting your lip.

- Continued in The Wetsuit: Tight Passageways Part of the Hostile F*cks Collection

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the-soliloquies-of-sadists · 2 years

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#343

“When I told you that you could move in my spare room in my basement, when your parents threw you out for being gay, I knew you had no money. I said I’d figure something out. Well pussy-fag, I figured it out. Every morning your job is to eat my shithole….

“Bitch, don’t act so surprised. I know you are a pig. I know you like what you see; your towel is not hiding your rock-hard pecker. I’ve known for a while you’ve been into men. I heard from a buddy that you frequent the bushes at the river front boat launch, not just frequent, but you suck or get fucked by a number of fishermen, dads, hell any man that makes his way into those bushes. I asked Coach James about you, and he said that he caught you getting cornholed by quarterback Jenkins. The only reason why nothing came of that is that Jenkins turned 18 and you were still underage, and he didn’t want his prize quarterback in any trouble. I’ve known for some time—well before I saw you walking on the road to town—that you were a service minded faggot. Now drop the towel and get that tongue to service my shitter.

“Oh fuck! You can lick the crack on occasion, but I need for your tongue to spend most of its time inside my hole…. Like that. Fuck.

“I know you had the hots for me for some time. Every time I would go into the Starbucks you work at in my Deputy uniform, you failed miserably to mask your lust for me. It’s so easy to spot a hungry sperm burper with a cop fetish.

“I knew you were still underage. So I waited and watched over the next couple months, casually asking key men about you. Once you graduated and turned 18, I made sure that your conservative parents knew that you were a pole rider who frequented the boat launch. Then I waited for you to make that long walk into town from their farm. That’s when I picked you up and brought you here.

“Fuck your tongue feels so good inside. You do have experience tongue fucking a man’s shithole. Every morning, I want you to service me with your tongue. Then every time I get off work, you will help me undress and meticulously fold and store my uniform. Afterwards, we will go into the playroom through that door.

“Here pull back. Let’s go in there now…. Leave the towel on the floor. I want you naked at all times from now on. Follow me. Now you can look at the meatiness of my ass and appreciate it. In this room, I have all the toys and equipment that it takes to satisfy me. You look terrified. Good…. Don’t worry, it’s going to take you time to get you ready for all this. Hell, it’s going to be a while before you actually see my dick, not just over-flowing in my jock.

“Ha! That made you look down. Go ahead stare at it. It’s fucking huge, and it’s not even hard.

“Your service to me is going to come in stages. The first thing, see that chair in the middle of the room? Next to it you see the table with the whisky and a cigar. I want that ready to go before I get off shift. After you undress me and put away my uniform, we will come down here.

“That cabinet over there is a humidor. It holds over 4,000 cigars, but right now I have about 1,200 in it. You will be trained on everything cigar related. Every day you will select one for me to enjoy and set it on that table next to the chair.

“That is a wet bar over there. You will pour me a whisky from one of my dozen or so varieties. Again, you will be trained on everything whisky related. A double on the rocks will need to be placed next to the cigar and the TV remote.

“I have over three thousand porn videos. You are to select one and have it playing when I come in. It should be muted. I would also like voiceless smooth jazz playing over the speakers. You will get to the point to where your selections of cigar, music, whisky, and porn all work together for my enjoyment.

“When I come in here, it’s to relax after a long day at work. I want to hear soothing music, a nice cigar, some smooth whiskey, while watching hot porn, and a faggot’s tongue worshipping my shitter. See that hole in the seat? Your face is going to be under it when I plant my beefy ass for you to clean.

“Go on, around back and climb under it. This chair was specially made for me by this rim chair designer who lives in the mountains with his slave. Your head should fit snug but fine. There should be neck support.

“You look like you always belonged there. Before I sit, I am going to show you my cock. It’s not going to be hard, but you can appreciate its size. Open your mouth. You ever drink piss? No? That’s going to change right now. I don’t expect you to swallow it all at once, but do make an effort. You won’t get my dick until you have earned it by drinking my piss and cleaning my shithole.

“Oh fuck. You really must want my dick. You aren’t freaking out like most other boys. Swallow as you fast as you can, then open up for another piss load. That’s good. Don’t worry, I’ll have you well trained in no time. Now it’s time for my ass.

“The best part of this chair is that you cannot pull yourself out if I am sitting on it. There’s very little movement side to side. Your mouth is perfectly aligned with my shithole.

“You are to clean it, regardless of condition. I don’t care if it stinks of sweat or piss, you clean it. I don’t care if there are skid marks, you clean it.

“It’s dark hunh? You will find that the claustrophobia is rather liberating. Focus on two things, my shithole and your mouth. There is nothing in this universe other than those two things. Going forward, you will put a blindfold on and noise cancelling headsets. Again, it all comes down to my shithole and your mouth.

“Now it’s time for me to relax, truly relax. Oh, that just slipped out. Consider that me blowing you a kiss.”

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crazyk-imagine · 9 months

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Life from a New Perspective

Pairing: Edmund Pevensie x Fem!reader

Characters: Peter Pevensie, Susan Pevensie, Edmund Pevensie, Lucy Pevensie, Fem!reader, Reepicheep, Oreius

Warnings: Fluff, fighting, Narnia in another battle, this came out of nowhere, I don't know where this was really going but I went with it, stupid backstory for the storyline to make sense, Edmund needed to meet his match, this is oddly cute, I thought this was going to be cringey but I proved myself wrong lol, the title is 100% based on P!ATD song

Word Count: 784

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You stop, breathing hard with the prickling sensation of the people chasing you are getting closer. You spin around and see a familiar-

You furrow your brows, fighting stance barely weakening. "Reepicheep?

The brave mouse lowers his sword and calls out your name. "I thought you died?"

"When has anything ever taken me down?"

He nods, "I knew I chose you for a reason."

"You did no such thing."

"Uh- sorry but you two know each other?" You turn to the dark-haired man.

Your eye twitches. "Royalty?"

"He is the second king of old."

"The young man?"

"I prefer to be called by my name."

You close your eyes, not wanting to shout at someone with royal status. "What's your name?"

He furrows his brows, confused about how much yet so little you know about him. "You don't know?"

"I prefer not going into town."

He raises a brow, “that’s not concerning to hear.”

“People don’t like me.”

“I wonder why," he mumbles, not meaning for you to hear.

You scoff, “until next time, Reepicheep.” You jump over a log and tale off.

“Now, look what you’ve done,” says the mouse.

“Me? If anything, it was you.”

“I did nothing to run her off. I’m the reason she stayed but then you opened your big mouth.”

Edmund rolls his eyes, “whatever, let’s go.”

They take off, meeting with his siblings and a few of their warriors.

“What are we going to do now?” Susan asks.

“We can go to the river and see who will be willing to fight from there?” Peter offers, not entirely sure where else they can go to find more Narnians.

“We would have had a good swordsman had you not talked,” Reepicheep grumbles.

“What’d you say?” Lucy turns to him.

“His majesty ran off our only hope.”

“What’s he talking about?” Peter turns to Edmund and then the mouse. “What are you talking about?”

“The sarcastic decided to open his mouth and run off my apprentice.”

“Apprentice?” Lucy chimes in. “When did you have an apprentice?”

“Well-”

A group of bandits come up from behind the trees.

“Where did your apprentice go?” Peter shouts, kicking the bandit back.

“How am I supposed to-”

You jump the tree branch you were perched on and swing across the way, kicking the one sneaking up behind Edmund.

“There she is.”

You duck just in time, giving the mouse a bridge to climb and attack. “Looks like we meet again,” you nod to the third eldest Pevensie.

“Looks like we do.”

“Let’s see if you fight as good as you talk,” the corner of your lips twitch.

“Believe me, I’m good with a sword.”

“Care to make a wager?”

“Like?”

“If we make it out of here alive, we spar together?”

“You’ll lose.”

You shrug, “I’ve always wanted to be defeated by a king,” you wink and run to help Lucy.

“Look who’s decided to come out of the woodworks,” Oreius says.

“Guess who’s still in the woods,” you respond.

“You’re still not funny.”

“I disagree. I’m hilarious.”

“I think Edmund’s found his match,” Lucy whispers to his siblings.

“Were they flirting while we were fighting?” Peter asks, still baffled about it.

“They were,” Susan pats his arm. “Is everyone alright?”

“Well, if everyone’s fine. I’ll be off now,” you try to sneak away when your favorite mouse stops you.

“Hold on there.” He stands upon a rock. “You’re not leaving so fast. I haven’t seen you since that idiot got thrown out of town.”

“What?”

“Yeah, after you left, we found him stealing from everyone and threw him out.”

“No one believed me.”

“I did, that’s why he's gone.”

You smirk, “I knew there was a reason we met.”

That certainly quiets him down. “I believe there is someone else for you to meet.”

“I don’t like what you’re implying.”

He shrugs, giving the young king enough time to walk up to you. “You fought well.”

You slowly turn, “I didn’t need to save you nearly as times as I thought.”

“I didn’t need saving.”

“That’s what you say but who was the one to take down the bandit sneaking up behind you.”

“I had it handled.”

A smile dances across your lips, “I know. I just wanted to mess with you.”

He stares at the ground, trying to ignore the heat in his cheeks. “I- that was uncalled for.”

“Someone’s got to keep you on your toes.” You skip over to the other siblings and introduce yourself, throwing them off; on one hand, you can be deadly and fight and on the other, you can be as sweet as can be.

It intrigued Edmund a little too much for his comfort.

#the chronicles of narnia fanfic #the chronicles of narnia fanfiction #the chronicles of narnia imagines #the chronicles of narnia imagine #the chronicles of narnia #the chronicles of narnia x you #the chronicles of narnia x reader #edmund pevensie #edmund pevensie imagines #edmund pevensie imagine #edmund pevensie fanfic #edmund pevensie fanfiction #edmund pevensie x fem!reader #crazyk-imagine #edmund pevensie x you #edmund pevensie x reader

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ideasarestuckinmyhead · 9 days

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I think the bittersweet trio going on a camping date or something in the same spot Sugarboo talked to Seth would be super cute maybe? (⁠*⁠´⁠ω⁠｀⁠*⁠)

Camping date.

Sugarboo sighed as they tried not to slip while walking the trail. Seth planned the date this week for the trio, saying how he wanted them all to be in the same spot where he felt they met before. Alphonse was chatting about how one of the older men tried to make a comment on him and he shut it down. Both boys were just talking in front of Boo as they enjoyed the view of their boys enjoying themselves, it's been a while since all three have went on a date.

The basket in their hand made them think of the reactions to the goodies they made for the date. Smiling a bit wider Boo's thoughts were interrupted by Seth, who was worried that they were walking slow for some reason.

"Sugar you good? Do you need help carrying the basket?" Worried filled his tone as he asked them. Causing Alphonse to stop and look behind him as well now both were looking at them. Giggling at the boy's worry for them Sugarboo waved their hand nonchaluntly.

"I'm fine just enjoying my partner's having a good time is all. And I don't need help carrying this little basket, hell I could carry some more." Sugarboo was't allowed to carry another bag only the basket. The boys made sure they couldn't saying they would do the heavy lifting for them and not to worry.

"Nope! Your not going to be carrying anything else. Your not use to these trails like we are, Boo." Wagging a finger Alphonse knew if they didn't stop Sugarboo they would try and carry everything for them. "Plus don't want you to slip and hurt yourself. These trails haven't been kept right after Seth left." It was true most of the trails in the forest were kept up by Seth. He was really the only one that went through those woods daily, other than the occasional townie wanting to hunt a deer or rabbit for a stew.

"He's right Sug, don't worry were almost there anyways! It's a beautiful view. I was so exited when I found it because I wanted to show you two!" Giddiness was in the brown haired man's voice as he cut down some bushes to show a clearing. It looked like something out of a fairy tale, a willow tree in the middle with flowers everywhere and a river by it.

"Oh my god Seth this is beautiful!" Awe was in Sugarboo's voice as they looked around the clearing. Seth was smiling at the praise and looked at Alphonse who was smiling at him.

"Ooo Sethfrey wanted to show off huh?" Teasing lightly Alphonse walked with Boo to the Willow tree. Seth gave Al a 'really?' look but decided not to comment and just help set up for the date.

"Here Al grab the other side of the blanket." Both boys started to place the blanket down while Sugarboo looked over the groups things. Just to check if they had everything.

"Cimeome boo you made us triple check before we left remember? Dint worry everything's in there." Easing SB's thoughts Alphonse and Seth finally placed the blanket down. It was one that a older woman made for the three of them. It had candies, ghost, sweet treats and even some little mothmen on it.

"Yeah sug, pinkie is right." The pinkette threw a side eye at the brown haired man for the nickname. "Also, even if we forgotten anything. I'm glad we're all here to have a good time." Sugarboo smiled at their boy's, they always did know how to calm their mind.

"Place some rocks down at the corners so the blanket don't move too much. I'll set the food up okay?" Giving instructions the boys nodded and went to find good heavy rocks. Boo was humming a tune as they set the blanket, smiling wider as the boys joked around by the river. Then rushing back with four good rocks to place down, after doing so they marvled at Boo's food they made.

"Bone apple teeth." All three giggled at the saying before eating some of the food. They all made sure to not eat so much in the morning before going on the date. With chatting and eating they finished quickly. So they decided to play some games to pass the time before they had to set up their tent.

"TAG YOUR IT!" Alphonse slapped Seth's arm before running away.

"HEY NO FAIR!" Jumping up Seth threw a devilish smirk at Sugarboo.

"AH! NO NO NO NO!" Scrambling to try an get away Boo was able to swerve away from Seth's out stretched arm. Laughter was all around them as Seth got Alphonse.

"No tag backs!" Hearing this Alphonse set his sights on Boo. Who, sprinted away from him. Laughing manically the pinkette ran after them and Seth was giggling at the sight of them.

After Boo finally got tagged the person who was it switched a few times before they called it off. Panting all three fell on the blanket joking around and giggling like children again.

"God you guys run fast." Groaning Boo flopped their head on Alphonse. Who made a noise when their head connected with his stomach. Seth laid his head on Boo's stomach and all three looked at each other.

"....Wanna swim?" Questioning the two looked at Seth who was smiling. Pushing themselves up Boo started stripping to their underwear.

"I'm so going to jump in!" Cackling at the boys made the ki k into action. Following the bakers lead they rushed to the river for a afternoon swim. The water was cold but after running so much it felt heavenly.

Playing in the water for a couple of hours tired the trio out even more. But the boys had enough strength to make the tent quickly since day light started to slowly turn dark. Boo set up some lanters for the three of them and changed to their sleep wear when they weren't looking. After finishing the tent Seth made a small bond fire for them to sit at.

Alphonse made a clothing line with a. Stick and the tree. Handing up the wet underwear so it can dry easier. After all three were changed and clothed Alphonse went through his bag. Pulling out ingredients to make smores he showed the other two.

"What's camping without making some smores?" The other two thanked him as they were given a skewer and a Marshmallow to burn to their liking. A debate in what was the best type of burning for a Marshmallow all three had made their arguments. It caused Seth and Alphonse to take theirs a bit more.

"Why would you scorch your Marshmallow so much??" Giving a disgust look at Seth's very burnt Marshmallow. The brown haired man in particular rolled his eyes at the childish face Al was pulling.

"Sorry that I like to to be a bit smoky with the chocolate. Not everyone is crazy about candy as you are hon." It was true Boo though as they munched on their smore. Alphonse always like his stuff sweet and if he could he'd make everything extra sweet.

The debate went on that their specific way of cooking the Marshmallow was superior. Then how to build the smore did too, Al liked to melt the chocolate a bit but Seth said it'll just get messy. That was another rargument in itself, but they agreed on how to use the gramcrackers.

"Are you both done with the arguing?" Yawning out Sugarboo looked at their boy's that was still kinda heated from the argument. Both nodded at the tired person.

"Go lay down hon we'll clean up okay?" Not fighting Alphonse's words Sugarboo went into the tent and laid in the middle. Closing thie eyes for a bit they waited to fully fall asleep with their boys next to them.

"Sug? Why're you still awake?" Quietly asking Seth went to their left. Getting cozy he then saw Sugarboo open their eyes.

"Wanna sleep with...both of y'all next to me..." Sleeply saying Boo pawed the masks high before for Alphonse. Who awed at their sleepy state.

"I'm here Boo give me a sec together comfy 'k?" A nod was his response. Finally getting into place on Boo's right they smiled at both of them.

"Night..." Getting good nights from both boys they finally passed out.

#red rants #yuurivoice #yuurivoice alphonse #yuurivoice seth #red answers #red writes

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the-really-lonely-mountain · 2 months

Text

Along for the ride, to Erebor - Part 4

Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3

Summary: Transported to Middle Earth, you must Join Thorin Oakenshield's Company as they travel to reclaim Erebor! OR: My take on the classic 'modern girl in Middle Earth' troupe. This is the second installment, so we are following the second movie of The Hobbit trilogy, and falling deeper in love with Kili on the way! This is the first part for the second movie.

Tags: Kili / Reader, Reader-Insert, Slow Burn, Modern Character in Middle Earth, During The Hobbit, How Do I Tag, Canon-Typical Violence, Kíli Is a Little Shit (Tolkien), implied soulmates, Dwarf Culture & Customs, Freeform, light smut, it's really just a brief description nothing too detailed, Holding Hands, Cuddling & Snuggling, Sleepy Cuddles, Protective Thorin Oakenshield Company Members, Dwalin & Thorin Oakenshield Friendship, Fluff and Humor, Domestic Fluff, Tooth-Rotting Fluff, Where In Middle-Earth Is Gandalf?, Hair Braiding, Dwarf Courting, My First Tumblr Fic, Alternate Universe - Everyone Lives/Nobody Dies, Fíli & Kíli & Thorin Live, Thorin Oakenshield Lives, Fíli Lives (Tolkien), Kíli Lives (Tolkien), this chapter is domestic as hell, sword fight training, kili is a big ole softy and i love him so much for it

Word Count: 4,977

A/N: Hey y'all!! It's been a crazy couple of months let me tell ya! good god! I've decided to finally post the next part of the story to tumblr despite it not having been beta read. I'll use you guys as my guinea pigs lol so if you see anything that doesn't make sense or is spelled wrong, I'm begging you to please tell me. I can't wait to hear what you think about my pride and joy! <3

Image credit: @iamjaynaemarie

Divider credit: @cafekitsune

The company climbed down the tall rock into the forest below. Having rested on the long flight over, everyone was prepared for a day of walking. Nothing notable happened except innocent conversation to pass the time and the forging of grapes with Bilbo for a snack.

The sun dipped closer to the horizon, casting long shadows through the trees. Thorin found a small river to make camp nearby. Gloin made the fire then Bombur started cooking the food. While the stew was being made, Fili and Kili practiced their swordsmanship under the watchful eyes of Thorin and Dwalin to provide guidance. The dwarves had found a log and brought it over beside the fire. You knelt in the grass on the fire’s side parallel to the log. The others were leaning against it on the opposite side, smoking pipes and making jokes and commentary about the training. You pulled out your thread spools and measured out the first color. You realized you didn’t have scissors and asked the merry gathering in front of you if they did.

“Nah lass,” Dori said, “Our weapons aren’t sharp enough to cut thread, they’ll only fray it” He kicked Nori to quiet him when he started to protest the quality of his weapons, “You’ll want to ask Thorin to borrow his sword.”

You swallowed thickly and looked over at the man in question where he stood with his arms crossed next to Dwalin. He always intimated you but approaching him alone to ask a favor made anxiety spike straight through you.

They were several feet away, but the clanging of metal was still quite loud. The brothers had removed their shirts, as men often did, to escape the insulated heat it provided. Not that you were complaining, eye candy is always welcome in a world of forests and furs.

You timidly approached the taller man as he instructed the brothers. You waited till they started fighting again to say in a shy voice: “Um Thorin?”

He glanced at you to acknowledge your inquisition, “Yes, what is it?” He sounded impatient.

“May I please borrow your sword?” You pointed to the weapon strapped to his side, “I need it to cut some thread” You tried not to sound as scared and skittish as you felt. He looked at you blankly for a moment, surprised by your question.

Kili threw his brother back several feet, allowing him a few seconds to turn to you with a confident smile.

“Hey Y/N,” Kili said, making you and Thorin look at him. You couldn’t help but smile and sheepishly blush as you tried not to ogle his ripped upper body dripping in sweat.

“Hi Kili” you swayed back and forth a little without realizing it. Thorin took note of your fond reaction to his nephew.

Fili let out a mighty roar as he jumped on the back of his brother, taking advantage of his distraction. The dwarves on the log laughed and you giggled at them as they goaded each other on.

“I’ve got you now brother!” Fili triumphantly exclaimed.

“I think not!” Kili replied with a strong thrusting attack.

Thorin sighed, “Very well” He untied his sheathed sword from his belt and handed it to you. You thanked him and began walking back to your previous spot. He looked at the line of dwarves who were still chuckling lightly against the log, “Make sure she doesn’t kill herself” he said to them. They all nodded, including Balin who found this ironic remembering their conversation about leaving you in Rivendell. It would seem the dwarf king was taking a liking to you.

You kneeled, unsheathed the great Goblin Cleaver a few inches, and positioned the hilt between your knees, so it stayed standing on its spine. You measured 7 lengths of thread at about three feet and rubbed them against the fine elfin blade which cut them in one pass to make makeshift embroidery thread. You repeated that 5 times to end up with two groups of pink, two groups of blue, and one group of black thread. You did your best to keep them separated as you bunched them together to fold them in half and tie a loop at the end that you could hook onto a button of your coat. You sheathed the sword and returned it to Thorin knowing he wouldn’t like being without his weapon. You sat on the side of the log with everyone else and secured your coat in your lap so you could pull taught against the threads. You separated the threads and began knotting them over and across each other like how you learned to make friendship bracelets at summer camp. It gave your hands something to do as you sat idly watching the boys trash talk then turn serious and start fighting again.

“What are ya makin’ Y/N?” Ori asked as he watched you.

“I’m making a bracelet” You replied, pleased to see the others taking an interest in your crafting.

“Why’s that lass?” Bifur leaned over to see what you were doing exactly.

“So I can eventually make one for everyone else” You explained how it’s a tradition of sorts in your world to make bracelets for those you care about as a show of kinship and the enduring strength of your friendship and bond. “Since I can’t fight beside you all on the battlefield yet, I thought this could be another way I show my commitment to the company” You smiled at the group. You’d grown very fond of them during your travels and hoped they enjoyed your company as much as you did theirs.

“That’s a very sweet tradition, Y/N,” Balin said, “We look forward to receiving your gifts” The rest of the dwarves confirmed it with ‘Aye’s and a strong nod of the head.

“Supper!” Bombur called while stirring the pot. Everyone got in line except the training group who was going one last round. You all sat down in your previous spots along the log to see the finale of the night’s training.

You finished your dinner quickly so you could take advantage of the distracted troublemakers as well as the river on the other side of the hill. You grabbed your bag and told Gandalf you were going to the river to wash up. You knew he’d keep an eye on the dwarf who often followed you like a puppy and missed you when you weren’t by his side.

You see, Kili had to share most of his things with his brother; toys, motherly attention, food, and this included the women he was interested in. They usually fell for Fili because he was more mature, older, and looked more dwarfish than Kili who had very fine features for a dwarf and was five years younger than his brother. He initially assumed it would happen again with you, so when you didn’t show any interest in his brother, only in him, he couldn’t put into words how happy it made him.

At the river’s edge, you placed your bag and makeshift towel (your shirt from your old world) on a rock and took off your clothes. The water was chilly but nothing a sit by the fire couldn’t fix. You washed your hair and body with the elfish soap you got in Rivendell. As you rinsed in the steady current of the water your thoughts began to wander to what Gandalf said about your predicament.

You felt pulled to Kili, he brought comfort and calmness to a feeling you didn’t even know was in need. His smile and his laugh, every memory and moment you made and shared with the handsome prince of Erebor begged you to stay in Middle Earth.

It was decided then.

When you stood to squeeze the water from your hair you noticed the sun was beginning to set. The others would want to bathe too, or at the very least wash their hands. You dried off and dressed and took a deep breath to enjoy the welcomed privacy one last time.

You reappeared beside the wizard, “Thank you, Gandalf, that was very much needed” You sat next to him on the ground in front of the fire to warm up. “I may be traveling with brutes, but I needn’t smell like one” You joked. He chuckled over his pipe at this.

“I’ve decided to stay here Gandalf.” You informed him. “Something about this place is calling me to stay.” You needn’t tell him about the intense pull to Kili, right?

“Splendid my dear,” He smiled fondly at your decision. “I’m sure you’ll find Middle earth rather agreeable.”

You smiled up at him, happy to have his support.

The boys were still going at it. Kili was making a great effort, but Fili got the upper hand, making Kili’s sword fly out of his hand and sail through the air to stick in the ground. Kili kept fighting though, trying to get Fili’s sword from him. Fili had to force him to the ground with his arms pinned before Kili surrendered.

“Good job lads, good work,” Thorin said as he helped them up. Coins were exchanged against the log from the bets the company members made. The boys started walking towards their bags, but Kili swerved at the last moment to approach you. Your hair was still slightly damp from the river, so it was obvious you’d just bathed. Being the mischievous sweaty dirt-covered mess he was, Kili held his arms out to you for a hug. You watched him in horror as he continued to walk towards you.

“Ew, no Kili stop!” You held your hand up to stop him but to no avail.

“Awe Y/N, just one hug?” Kili pleaded with puppy dog eyes.

You quickly stood and laugh a little at his persistence, “Don’t you fucking dare!” you said and dashed away.

“Come on Y/N, no need to play hard to get!” Kili strained as he chased you around the log and back toward your bags.

“Aaahh!” You made a sharp turn to narrowly avoid a grimy Fili, who stepped in your path, the little shit. This closed the gap so Kili could grab your arm and pull you toward him.

“Nonononononono!” you pleaded as he wrapped his beefy arms around your shoulders, making sure to rub his sweaty dirty face against your hair and pet the side of your face with his equally dirty hand. “Kili!” you drew out the last syllable in complaint.

“You smell so good” He had the nerve to say.

“You smell like Ori’s unwashed socks!” You pushed at his chest still trying to get away. Everyone chuckled at this. “Get off me, ya big olaf” you managed to wriggle out of his grasp, “I’m not coming anywhere near you till you bathe,” you said dead serious, and pointed to the river.

“As you wish” Kili bowed with a smirk, he grabbed his bag on his way to the river to join his brother. You sat in your by the fire with a small smile that seemed permanent whenever you were around him.

You were working on your bracelet when the brothers returned. The sun had dipped below the horizon making darkness seep into the crevasses of the world. Kili sat behind you on the same long stone Gandalf was perched on and touched the ends of your miraculously dry hair (the elvish soap is magic idk). You stiffened at the unexpected but not necessarily unwelcome contact.

“Can I braid your hair Y/N?” he asked innocently as pink dusted his cheeks. You whipped around aggressively, pulling your hair out of his hand in the process.

“No cause you’re just going to get it all tangled and I’m going to have to spend all night brushing it out!” You weren’t looking forward to that, you thought he was just trying to prank you. Kili’s pout was as cute as ever.

“My dear,” Gandalf budded in before Kili could sulk away, “Braiding hair in dwarfish culture is similar to your tradition of making bracelets for friends, but they take it much more seriously.”

“How much more seriously?” You asked, intrigued about the nature of Kili proposition.

“It’s like…” The wizard took a draw from his pipe while he thought of the words to properly explain it to you, “asking someone to dance, it’s special and a more intimate way of getting to know someone.”

“So, like a date?” You tilted your head in question. You understood his analogy; braiding allows both people to show their level of craftsmanship and commitment, with the added benefit of practicality and looking very nice in the end when done with love and care.

“A bit” Gandalf smiled at your naiveite, “Just know our dear Kili is not trying to prank you when he asks to braid your hair, quite the opposite” He took another draw from his pipe and looked back at the fire.

“In that case, you may braid my hair Kee” You flipped your hair back over your shoulder. You couldn’t see the beaming smile that grew on his handsome face. You dug through your bag to find the hairbrush and other trinkets from Rivendell which you handed to Kili. He kept them in his lap while he brushed your hair. If he came across a knot, he was sure to be incredibly gentle. You enjoyed the physical contact and attention very much.

“Any requests?” He asked sounding confident in his abilities.

“Whatever you think would look best” You couldn’t help but smile a little.

He used your brush to part your hair down the middle. He started braiding at your nape closest to the part. After that you didn’t pay very much attention to what he was doing, instead just relished the experience.

He finished one side and secured it with a bead from your stash, “How’s that feel, too tight?”, he asked and adjusted pieces here and there to make it lay perfectly.

“It feels great!” You chirped happily. You reached a hand to feel what he’d done so far but he shooed it away.

“Not yet, you’ll ruin the surprise!” He started working on the other side.

By the time he was done, you were so relaxed you’d almost fallen asleep on his leg.

“Done!” he said, you could tell he was very pleased with his work, “How do you like it?” He sounded a bit nervous.

You ran your fingers over the braids, feeling how they turned and curved at certain points and went straight in others.

“Kili this is amazing!” You said, very happy with the state of your hair. He let out a breath he didn’t realize he was holding. “Thank you!” You looked back at him with a smile that was as big as his.

“I’m afraid I can't properly reciprocate though, I don’t know how to braid hair like this, I can only do normal braids.” You regretted never having learned how to French braid now more than ever. “If that’s how this works” You quickly corrected in a slight panic.

He was elated you wanted to return his deed at all, “That’s fine!” He tried not to sound too excited and be cool about it, “I can teach you if you want” he offered.

“I’d appreciate that!” You smiled.

You switched places, so he was sitting between your legs facing the fire. The position was innocent, but his thoughts were anything but. Images of your face beautifully contorted in pleasure from his tongue exploring your most private and intimate parts were most welcomed.

“May I take this out?” you lightly touched the silver clip that held his hair out of his face.

“Sure” He happily shrugged. You dug through his brown hair where the clasp was supposed to be, but your trembling hands couldn’t find it in all his hair.

After he heard you huffing and puffing and hadn’t felt his hair fall from the clip he asked in a soft voice, “Do you need help?”

“Yes,” you sighed, embarrassed you couldn’t even get a damn clip undone. He reached back, and struggled for a few seconds but undid the clasp, and handed it to you.

While you brushed his hair you thought of what you should do to it, or more what you could do with his hair given your limited abilities. You brushed through a few knots if any.

“I think I know what I want to try to do,” You touched the sides of his head just above his temple, “I want to do two small braids on the sides of your head, but I want the topmost part of your hair not to be braided.”

“Let’s try it!” He explained how you needed to part the hair and how to get started. You had his head lying against your thigh in an admittedly awkward and uncomfortable position, but he was quite the trooper. You had to restart the first braid three times but, in the end, he talked you through it and you tied it off with a bead.

“How did you learn to braid so well” you asked, struggling to grip all the pieces of the second braid properly and not pull the strands out of his head.

“My mother was insistent I learned. She knew my brother would have no trouble learning this facet of courting, but she feared I would spend all my time shooting arrows and never learn how to properly court girls.” He talked fondly of the memories, “So one summer when I was about to come of age, I came home from running amuck every day and she’d sit me down at her tapestry’s and make me braid the tassels that ran around the border.”

“Were you any good?” You asked curiously.

“Oh yes, I was very good! For a while, I was even better than Fili!” He was very proud of that.

“Why did he get better than you? Lean forward please,” you politely asked.

“He’s quite the lady’s man, so he had plenty of girls to practice on,” Kili sounded like that brought up memories that weren’t very pleasant. You finished the second braid with a bead like the first.

“Lay your head down for me again” You softly asked, gingerly guiding his head to lay against your other thigh, “Awe, baby Kili didn’t get any coochie did he” You fake pouted to tease him, gently scratching his scalp absentmindedly while you rested your neck for a moment. He liked it, more than he’d care to admit. “I’m in the same boat I’m afraid” You parted the other side of his hair.

“Oh? How so?” He was very surprised by this, “I’d have thought men were practically throwing themselves at you.” This made you laugh and blush.

“I’m awfully flattered you think that highly of me…” You took a moment to focus on a particularly difficult part, “But men from my world didn’t talk to me.”

“I find that completely unbelievable.” He was floored by this.

“I’m serious! I was never asked out on a date and the few times I asked for someone’s number they turned out to be self-centered losers with a ton of issues” You hated how much time you’d wasted on them. He couldn’t wrap his head around that and had to hold his tongue from proclaiming his thoughts of your perfection.

He turned to look at you despite your protests, “Then they are truly blind,” He couldn’t have been more sincere. His eyes blazed in the firelight with a mix of ferocity and sadness on your behalf.

“Thank you, Kee,” You smiled at him. He assumed his previous position so you could end the braid with a bead like the two before and then started on the last one, “And those silly girls are truly blind as well.” You wanted to kiss his slightly flushed cheek.

You were both in your own little world, where the troubles of the outside couldn’t get to you…or the onlookers and peanut gallery for that matter. Gandalf had moved to sit with the company who had been watching from across the fire on the other side of the log since Kili finished your first braid. They couldn’t quite hear your conversation, but they knew their beloved Kili was having the time of his life.

Fili was very proud of his brother. He talked about you all the time, was looking at you all the time; the man was whipped. Fili had to hear about you the entire time he was bathing, poor thing, and he finally got fed up with his brother not making a move.

“Kili, just ask to braid her hair for god’s sake” Fili huffed while he waited for his brother to finish in the river. Kili’s eyes lit up like a forge with the breath from bellows, and his face flushed like he did when he hammered out a new blade.

“I think I will,” Kili nodded, distracted by thoughts of engaging in such an informal and somewhat intimate act.

Thorin was very pleased you were trying to repay his nephew’s advances in equal measure. He’d seen the poor boy flounder with crushes in the past as he tended to be immature, and girls mistook that for uncaring and unable to provide. Something about you brought out the best in his nephew though, he’d never seen him act so mature, for this Thorin was willing to stay some of his distrust and pessimistic opinions about outsiders, at the very least about you.

By the time you finished the last braid, Kili had made himself very comfortable against your leg, with his arm wrapped around your calf, fidgeting with the laces of your boot. He looked so tranquil you hesitated to tell him you’d finished, not ready to leave the sanctuary you were in. You leaned back against your hand while you stared into the fire and gently scratched the nape of his neck.

He hummed half asleep, “Mmm that feels good,” His words were a little slurred, but it made him all the cuter.

You stayed like that till your bottom began to protest the hard rock beneath you. He was right on the cusp of sleep when you shook your leg beneath him, gentle with guilt.

“Kili, I gotta get up,” You softly tried to rouse him. He hummed in protest. “Besides, don’t you want to know how the braids turned out?” You admired your work with pride.

He sat up and stretched to wake his muscles then ran a hand over his new braids, “Wow Y/N! These are so good!” He looked back at you impressed, “You picked up on that fast!”

“Thanks, Kee!” You blushed as you ran a hand over the intricate lines in your hair, “They aren’t half as good as yours, but I think I did great for my first time” You smiled, pleased with yourself.

“Come show us!” someone from the log called, followed by various iterations of the same thing from others. Ever supportive, they were eager to see what you’d both made.

Kili stood and you followed him to the log. You turned so he could show off his creation. The dwarves were very impressed, a few coming up to inspect closer. When Kili turned to show your work, the company was even more impressed given it was your first time.

“Next time you’ll have to make beads for her, Kee” Fili teased making him and Bofur laugh at how Kili blushed.

“Make beads? What does that mean?” You asked the group in confusion.

“You’ll understand when the time comes,” Thorin said in an uncharacteristically happy tone. “For now, we shall rest” With that everyone began prepping their bedding for the night.

You laid your bed roll beside Kili’s like usual, but Bombur reminded you to clean the dishes before they were put away. Gandalf accompanied you so you could see with the light of his staff. Everyone was asleep when you returned to camp, except Thorin who was on watch.

When you sat on your bedroll, which was naturally next to Kili’s, he looked up at you, barely awake with a dopey smile.

“You look so pretty,” he said quietly, drawing out the last syllable of pretty. Red bloomed over your cheeks and down your neck. He loved your hair like that, he loved it even more that he was the one who did it.

“Go to sleep, Kee,” You whispered so you didn’t wake the others, but couldn’t help but smile as you lay on your bedroll next to him.

“But then I can’t look at you” He pouted, quite distraught about this revelation in his sleepy daze.

“Well, no, I suppose you can’t…” You nibbled your bottom lip as you thought of a solution, “Would holding hands appease you, sleepy prince?” you asked and held out the hand that wasn’t cuddling your coat to your chest. He was too out of it to catch your nickname for him. He nodded and held your hand in his, making both your hearts beat just a little faster.

You closed your eyes and rubbed your face against your coat to find a comfortable position. You could feel his eyes on you.

You opened your eyes to see him staring directly at you, “Good night, Kili” you said in a strong nonnegotiable tone.

He hummed and smiled and closed his eyes, “Good night, Y/N.”

~~~

Kili felt your hand grow tighter around his, drawing him from sleep. Then he felt you pulling against it like you were trying to alert him to danger in the camp without making a sound. He opened his eyes ready for war and saw no danger. He looked at you confused but realized you weren’t awake. You were whimpering and mumbling as your head thrashed from side to side.

‘She’s having a nightmare’ he quickly thought. He squeezed your hand and gently shook it.

“Y/N” He tried not to let his worry raise the volume of his voice, “Wake up.”

You didn’t respond, your mumbles turned into clear pleas for help, making him fret even more.

“Y/N!” He shook your shoulder vehemently, “You need to wake up” He had an urgency in his voice. You feebly fought against his hold on your shoulder.

“Please!” you gasped, still breaking from the nightmare when you opened your eyes, “No, please let go!” You begged and continued to push against his hand with tears in your eyes, not knowing who he was while sleep still clouded your vision and mind.

“Y/N, Y/N look at me” he moved his hand from your shoulder to the side of your neck and cheek to call your attention to him, “It was just a dream, you’re safe now.” When you met his eyes, he recognized just how rattled you were.

You were breathing rapidly, and tears were making your eyelashes sparkle in the firelight. He could feel your rapid heartbeat where his hand laid over your pulse point. He could tell you were beginning to wake up because you softly uttered his name and the hand that was fighting his on your neck gently wrapped around his wrist.

“You’re safe, I promise,” His eyebrows were pinched together in worry. You nodded and took a deep breath to try to keep the tears away. It’d been a very long time since you’d had a nightmare that bad.

Kili pulled your bedroll closer to his, “Come here,” He gave you a hug to comfort you, “Do you want to tell me about it?” he asked when you pulled back from the hug too look at him. You laid your head on his upper arm and kept your cuddle coat close to your chest.

“I-I was in a forest at night and there were goblins and orcs and Wargs coming to attack me and-” You were talking quickly, the bad dream still too real, “and I was all alone and I couldn’t defend myself…” You trailed off, the waver in your voice making it hard to talk. “I was so scared, Kili,” You tried to curl into yourself.

“Hey hey hey, look at me” He held the side of your face again, “You’re safe,” he said. You took a deep breath and nodded. “I’d never let anything happen to you, aye?” He promoted you to get you out of your head. You took another deep breath and nodded.

“I’m ok” you repeated “I’m ok.”

“Yes, there ya go!” He nodded, relieved you were coming around. His thumb swept over your cheek to wipe a tear. You took a few minutes to calm down. Kili was falling asleep, but he needed to know you were going to be ok.

“Thank you, Kee,” you said, your whispered voice no longer shaking with fear, he gave a hearty nod in reply before he yawned. His arm was going numb where your head was lying on it, but it was worth it when you rubbed your face against it to get comfortable as you did in that way, which he found utterly adorable. You appreciated the physical comfort you would have never had in your world.

“I’ll teach you how to fight tomorrow” he whispered over a yawn, his eyelids getting heavy again. He moved his hand from your neck to hang over your waist. He wanted to pull you into him, so you’d feel protected on all sides, not for any other selfish deeply personal reasons of course, but he didn’t want to make you uncomfortable.

“I’d like that very much,” you smiled and watched as he fell back asleep, not snoring but breathing heavily in that way which you found so adorable. You felt safe with his hand on your waist and fell asleep not long after him with thoughts of training together dancing behind your eyes.

Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3

Taglist: @letmelickyoureyeballs

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zerkinoff · 7 months

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being attracted to men is embarrassing not in the way everyone talks about but in the way like talking to purebred dog owners about the cat you found in an alleyway. oh you went on a beautiful art museum date. that’s nice. last week we threw rocks at fish in the river

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theconstitutionisgayculture · 7 months

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Any time someone condemns the actions of Israel killing children you accuse them of hating Jews. That only makes sense if you think killing children is inherently a part of Judaism.

Hoo boy, you are very dumb, for real.

Okay, I'm going to explain this to you even though you either, already know it and you're just pretending not to because that's the only way you can avoid having to admit how wrong you are, or you're too stupid to grasp basic English conversation. So I know it's pointless and I know you're still not going to get it. But here we go anyway.

Israel is a majority Jewish country. Anti-semitism, or hatred of Jews if that's too big a word for you, is often dressed up in "criticism" of Israel. Since October 7th, a lot of people who claimed to not be anti-semites because they were only "criticizing" Israel have been loudly celebrating an attack where Hamas terrorists raped, murdered, and kidnapped people who were mostly Israeli Jews. They have taken up chants of "Globalize the Intifada" (The Intifada is a Palestinian movement to eliminate Israel and all the Jews in it, so this is a call for the global elimination of all Jews) and "From the river to the sea" (which is a call for the destruction of Israel and all the Jews in it so "Palestinians", which are not a real cultural or ethnic group by the by, can occupy all the land between the Jordan River and the Mediterranean Sea). Since these people are cheering a brutal attack on Jews, and supporting the destruction of the only majority Jewish state in the world along with the murder of every Jew who lives there, and calling for the global extermination of the Jewish race, they are anti-semites. (Remember that means they hate Jews).

Following along so far?

Probably not, but let's continue anyway.

Hamas is a terrorist organization. In 2007 it was elected into power. Shortly after, it won a civil war to stay in power. That makes it the ruling power in what's called the self-governing territory of Gaza. That ruling power sent soldiers into Israel, a legitimate nation recognized as such by most of the world, and attacked its citizens as well as the citizens of other countries. Israel responded by declaring war. Now, if this had happened with any other nation in the world, there would be very little debate about Israel's justification in defending itself and the abhorrent nature of Gaza's attack. But since Israel is a mostly Jewish state, that's not what's going on. Western leftists are gleefully showing their hatred of Jews by demanding Israel not strike back and not defend itself and instead just sit there and let themselves be destroyed.

Now, by any sane standard, Israel would be justified in turning the entirety of Gaza into molten slag. Remember, the 10/7 attacks were carried out by the ruling power that was originally voted into that position of power. When the terrorists returned from their attack, where they raped and/or murdered some 1,200 people, many of them children, the citizens of Gaza celebrated. They cheered as Hamas terrorists led naked hostages who were bleeding from their vaginas from being brutally gang raped through the streets. They cheered as their children surrounded Jewish children who had been kidnapped and taunted them and threw rocks at them. Ever since Israel freed Gaza and allowed them to govern themselves, Gaza has supported terrorists who want to kill every Jew in Israel. But Israel has no interest in destroying Gaza completely. They just want to wipe out Hamas and let the Gazans go back to governing themselves. They even went so far as to let the enemy know where they were going to attack so civilians could evacuate.

And what did Hamas do in response?

They refused to allow anyone to leave.

Because Hamas has a long history of hiding behind Gazan civilians. They build their terrorist bases under schools, hospitals, and mosques specifically so Israel would have to choose between attacking those locations or allowing Hamas to attack them with impunity. They make sure civilians are in the path of every Israeli bomb because they believe that Gaza is a "nation of martyrs" and they know that every dead Gazan civilian is a prop they can show to the largely Jew hating western media as "proof" that Israel is some kind of evil, genocidal country. They want that perception to flourish worldwide so, when they do finally manage to kill every Jew in Israel, they can say it was justified. They were just fighting back against their oppressors. They were decolonizing. (Ignoring the fact that the Arabs were the ones who colonized the Jewish land and then began exterminating all the Jews that still lived there, or who fled to live in other lands, to the point where there are almost no Jews left anywhere in the Middle East except in Israel)

So when people ignore the mountains and mountains of proof that Hamas are the ones responsible for the civilian deaths in Gaza, because their strategy relies on dead children and dead civilians, because they do everything in their power to make sure children are between them and Israeli bombs and bullets, they are doing so knowing that they're giving support to a terrorist group that wants to murder all the Jews in Israel. They are showing their hatred of the Jewish people by promoting lies and joining the cries for "global Intifada". So yes, when people blame Israel for the dead children that Hamas killed by forcing them into the line of fire during a war, they are doing it because they hate Jews.

And if you think calling out that hatred means anyone thinks killing children is a part of Judaism, then you're either stupid, or you hate Jews too.

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slashbitch2 · 11 months

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blood, betrayal and granola bars PT2

part one Natasha Romanoff x Fem!Reader W.C: 7.9k Words

The following day you both walked with a renewed energy, snacking on berries that Natalie scavenged and sharing out painkillers from the first aid kit. With the forest sloping downwards, some of the pressure was eased from your aching feet, while the thick snow that invaded your boots thinned out. Still, several times you slipped on the icy surface. Several times Nat laughed at you.

Eventually you reached a river running through the valley, which was flowing beyond its banks, having only recently thawed from the freeze. The water was deeper than usual and moving too fast to swim through. It was the first real obstacle you had encountered on the journey, and yet while Natalie only saw it as something to overcome, you saw opportunity…

“There is no way that’s going to work.” The redhead called down to you. She was sat further away, watching amusedly as you approached the bank. “And if you fall in, I’m not going to save you.”

You grasped securely onto the stick you had found and sharpened with a piece of flint. A rudimentary tool, but one you were proud of assembling. “So, you’ll save me from a bomb but not a river?"

“Not when that river is a series of freezing cold rapids.”

Upstream there was a rock jutting out, impeding the water around it. You decided to head towards it. “Haven’t you ever been to a theme park? The river rapid rides are always the best!” You called back to her.

“Actually, no.”

Momentarily distracted from the task at hand, you turned back to Nat, mouth agape. “You’ve been in America long enough to develop an accent, but not to go to a theme park?”

She shook her head. “In case you haven’t noticed, I live a rather busy life.”

“What? Does SHIELD not give you paid holiday?” Throughout the duration of your time together, you hadn’t really acknowledged each other’s opposing profession, let alone bring it up in conversation.

But it didn’t seem to deter Nat. “And HYDRA does?”

“Actually…” Reluctantly, you tore your gaze away from her, raising the sharpened stick above your head. “Paid days off and health insurance. It’s not a bad deal.”

“In return for what? Committing countless assassinations, orchestrating the great conflicts of the world…”

“That’s not all that different from SHIELD.”

She huffed and paused for a second before speaking. “Maybe not. But as you said, at least SHIELD wasn’t founded on Nazi ideology.”

“Please, HYDRA came from SHIELD. It’s been there from the start- Besides, it’s not like we idealise that side of history.”

“Anymore.”

You glanced back at Natalie and saw the gleam in her eyes. You took a breath, shaking off the mild irritation that had risen within you during the debate, and focused back on your hunt.

A flash of silver swam by, disturbing the riverbed around it. The water clouded for a few seconds as you scanned the space for another glimpse of the fish, then threw the makeshift spear. Nothing. You could already picture Nat saying, “I told you so.”

You bent down to retrieve the spear before it was carried away by the current, the edge of your clothes getting soaked in the process. You shivered, clenching your jaw and trying to ignore the chill that suffused across your entire body.

Another splash of water, you threw the spear again. This time, instead of dirt from the riverbed clouding the water, red liquid did. You pulled the wooden stick out from the river, seeing a fish lodged on the sharp end of it.

“Told you so.” You said smugly,

Natalie was already looking at you, a mix of surprise and impressed. An inexplicable heat rose to your cheeks. Beyond just feeling proud of yourself, you found you enjoyed the way she gazed at you. If you were to ignore the circumstances, the continuous pain inflicting some part of your body and the general state of exhaustion, you couldn’t help but admit that you were enjoying your time with her.

Part of you longed to voice this thought. But instead, you opted to say, “I think it’s your turn to light a fire.”

Unfortunately, your clothes didn’t dry off until the end of the day. You had found a shallower section of the river to cross, yet that didn’t stop the bottom half of you to remain soaking wet. Although being at a lower altitude meant the snow had all but melted away, it did nothing to lessen the cold breeze which ate away at your energy, nor stop snow from lightly falling all around you.

The flakes were just beginning to settle on the ground as the sun started to set. By this point, you were ready to collapse quite literally anywhere when Nat pointed off into the distance.

“There!” She exclaimed. As much as you tried to focus in on where she was pointing, all you saw was a mound of rock sticking out of the forest floor. “Cave.”

Stifling a laugh at her inarticulate explanation, you squinted off into the distance yet were unable to see anything. “I know the last couple days have been tiring, but I still expected you to have more eloquence than a caveman…”

She rolled her eyes at you then began marching over.

You trailed after her, mockingly saying, “Cave- ug. Go.”

But for all you mocked her, there was a section of carved out rock, providing the perfect shelter as the sunset clouded over with the promise of more snow. After a quick once over to confirm no other creatures resided inside, you began to set up for the night. On this occasion, you had a fire lit in no time, both huddling round it and sharing out the food you had gathered throughout the day.

The wind howled outside, whistling through the cave entrance. You couldn’t decide whether it was an eerily beautiful, or unsettling sound. The one thing you were certain of, however, was how thankful you were to have come across shelter. Endless light flurries of snow were being carried by gusts of winds, and you knew that despite their weightless appearance, the impact would sting against your skin like knives.

Shaking off that particular idea, you turned back to the fire, eyes scanning over the orange glow which illuminated every crack and crevice of the rock walls. Your gaze then fell to Natalie, who seemed lost in thought. You took the opportunity to trace over the defined lines of her profile, the strands of red hair that had come loose around her face and the mesmerising green of her eyes.

Despite having been surrounded by greenery the last couple days, you were able to admire the depth of their colour anew, as though you had never seen green meadows or fern forests before. And you were certain that should you never see any natural greenery again, the colour of her irises would be sufficient to replace it.

Suddenly, Nat was looking back at you. She licked her lips. Your eyes traced the subtle movement. Usually, holding her attention made you tense, but not in this case. Not when she was looking at you so openly, so hesitant yet curious. She stared at you as though you were a comforting presence amongst all of this. As though she were savouring something inevitable that was growing between you. Something you didn’t dare to name.

You tore your gaze back to the fire and cleared your throat, your mind racing for something to say.

“I’d kill for literally anything other than berries.” You complained, ending the silence between you.

In comparison to the fish that you had caught and cooked earlier, which was anything but gourmet, the berries tasted like flavourless mush.

“Sure, I’ll just get out Uber-Eats and we’ll see what’s available.” Natalie said sarcastically, pulling her knees to her chest.

You noticed she was shivering and couldn’t help but soften at the sight.

“Do you want my jacket?”

Natalie glanced at the sand-coloured jacket you were currently wearing. It had already acquired several stains, which wasn’t a surprise seeing as you hadn’t taken it off once. Except for now, when you slowly slipped it off your shoulders, down your arms and held it out to her.

“What’s the catch?” She asked, suspiciously eyeing up the kind gesture.

You smirked. She already knew you too well.

“Your real name.” You replied simply.

Nat considered the trade for a second, then grabbed the jacket from you and pulled it on. She sat silent for a beat but kept her promise. “It’s Natasha.”

“Natasha?” You repeated. “Wow. Real creative secret alias. I never would’ve guessed.” You couldn’t help but laugh at her, the difference between her real and fake name being so minimal that it hardly mattered.

“Shut up.” Natasha leant back, a grin playing across her lips.

“What about your surname then? You persuaded, eager to use your generous moral high ground to find out as much about the enigmatic SHIELD agent as possible.

“Oh no, now that wasn’t part of the deal.” She raised an eyebrow cockily, though you could tell her words were sincere.

“Why? Is it topic secret knowledge?” You teased. “If you tell me then you’ll have to kill me?”

“Something like that.”

“Well now I’m only more curious.” As much as you wanted to know, something in her resigned posture and pleading expression persuaded you not to push the subject any further. “But save that piece of information for another day. I need some kind of motivation to keep going.”

You stood up, turning your back to Natasha and the fire to retrieve the first aid kit from your backpack. At multiple intervals during the day, you made sure to change the makeshift bandages and plasters covering your body in some attempt at keeping everything hygienic.

“Let me do that.” Natasha offered upon seeing what you were doing.

You looked over at her, surprised to find you weren’t suspicious in the slightest of her intentions. Despite the fact that you ought to be enemies, entirely distrustful of one another, you trusted Natasha with every bone in your body. Over the last couple days, a mix of necessity and basic empathy had sparked an unexpected alliance between the two of you.

No, not alliance. Friendship. Respect. Enjoyment of each other’s company. And you were certain Nat felt it too, and so allowed her to gently take the first aid kit from your hands.

You smiled at her gratefully, aware that your eyes likely conveyed a lot more than just that and sat back down in front of the fire. She crouched down behind you, hands lightly roaming over your combat suit and assessing where the darker stains of blood were. You flinched at the contact, then relaxed into her open palm.

“It’s just the cut on my upper back and the one along my forehead I’ve been treating.” You explained.

“Are you sure? There’s a rather nasty one down here as well.” She poked a finger into your side to prove a point, causing you to jerk away from the sudden sharp pain.

You hissed through your teeth as the pain subsided. “Yep. Gotta ration supplies.” Then tugged down the top of your suit to draw her attention back to the main injury.

“Alright, hold still.” She set to work unwrapping the bandage you had crudely looped round your shoulder and arm. “This part might sting a bit.” She warned, preparing the antiseptic.

You grimaced, assuming she was going to be much more thorough with the treatment than you had been.” Just get it over with.”

Natasha began delicately cleaning the cut, putting more consideration into the work then you had expected.

“You’ve clearly done this before.” You commented as she started rewrapping the bandage in record time.

“And you haven’t?” She stood up to check, or rather admire, how much better the gauze was looking, then moved to sit in front of you and begin work on the gash along your forehead.

“Fair point.” You conceded, averting your gaze anywhere except Natasha. “But still, I’m glad it’s you out here with me.”

You risked a glance back to Nat. She was close. Closer than you had ever been to her before. If you shifted forwards even just an inch, your lips would brush. You could close the gap so easily. You could bring her impossibly closer. You could-

“Is that gratitude I’m hearing?” She smirked. Her voice was low and raspy, her gaze darting all over your face. Beyond the smirk, a newfound hope was etched into her expression, which only softened further as your eyes met, lessening the distance between you even more.

“Maybe.”

Natasha’s smirk only grew as her head titled down slightly. For a second, you thought she might lean in, that she might kiss you… Until her attention turned back to the first aid kit, abruptly ending the building tension between the two of you.

She returned to tending to your injuries, this time the gash along your forehead. “It’s a miracle this didn’t come with a concussion.” She muttered, stroking a finger along the bruised and bleeding skin.

Your lips drew back in a weary smile. You hadn’t thought back on the whole ordeal much- or truly appreciate how lucky you were to even be alive. You had Natasha to thank for that, not that you would ever be able to recognise her efforts. Once these couple days together were over, once you returned back to civilisation and back under HYDRAs radar, the safest thing to do would be to forget any of this ever happened. To forget Natasha, for her own safety.

Your heart sunk at the idea.

“You know, I think I’m entitled to some information about you.” Natasha stated suddenly.

“How come? I thought we had a deal. The jacket for your real name.”

“Yes, and now I’m fixing this mess of your attempt at first aid. I think you owe me.”

You tutted in lieu of shaking your head, trying to stay as still as you could. “I was going to offer rebandaging your shoulder in return.”

“I don’t accept.”

“No?”

“No.” She sat back on her heels. “Tell me something about yourself instead.”

You exhaled, racking your brain for an interesting enough fact about yourself that didn’t compromise your identity. “You’ll have to be more specific… There’s just too many interesting things about me to share in one night.” You joked.

“Too interesting or too top secret?”

“Both.”

“Fine.” Natasha thought for a moment, pursing her lips- which you admittedly were rather fixated on. “Tell me about your childhood.”

Now that was something you were happy to regale her with, and began happily recounting your early life in as much detail as you could remember. Natasha listened with rapt attention, even as she finished her first aid and packed everything up, even as you tended to her shoulder in return, her focus never left you. She laughed at all the right moments, offered comfort at the more difficult points and asked only the right questions.

And then, in the dying embers of the fire, Nat told you about her childhood. The Red Room, her temporary family, her tenure as a Black Widow assassin.

“Your surname.” You were laid down facing her in the fading light of the fire when it clicked. “You’re Natasha Romanov. SHIELD’s infamous Black widow. An Avenger.”

The identity of SHIELD’s most prolific assassin had only come to light recently with HYDRA unveiling their grand plan. As your organisation stepped into the limelight, so had Natasha, subsequently becoming a top priority for elimination. One of your superiors had told you that as long as she lived, so did the public’s support for SHIELD since she represented a link between the beloved Avengers and the secret service that she served.

Across from you, Natasha nodded; the movement almost imperceptible. Her pupils darted uncharacteristically nervously across your face trying to gauge how you would react. “Does that bother you?”

Of course it didn’t. Out here in the middle of nowhere, none of it mattered.

“No.”

She frowned. “Well, it should.”

“Well, it doesn’t.” You snapped, though not unkindly.

Natasha’s past didn’t matter to you. All that mattered was your time together, in which you had grown fond of her. The real her. Not some made up identity or emotionless figure, but her. You were trained well enough to recognise a liar, which she most certainly was not. Nobody would be able to keep up appearances in the circumstances you were under, let alone remain so authentic yet likeable. You had come to accept the unavoidable fact that she was your only motivation, your only solace through this harsh reality.

Even now, in this freezing cold cave in the middle of the Russian wilderness, you were at peace because of her. You shivered, unsure whether it was due to the cold, or the intense feelings you had repressed for so long.

“You’re cold.” Natasha commented, ever observant. She sat up. You realised it was to take off the jacket.

“No, don’t.” You swallowed, summoning up as much bravery as you had left. “Just- come here.” You patted the rock-hard ground next to you, and waited, watched as Natasha sized up the offer.

You let out a breath you didn’t realise you had been holding when she shuffled over to you. Then found yourself at a loss of breath again when she lay down next to you. There was a moment of stillness, of darkness as the final light from the fire dwindled away. And then an arm stretched round your waist, hand resting at the base of your spine.

Instinctively, you scooted closer, turned so her front was against your back, and settled in the embrace instantly feeling warmer.

The two of you intertwined so perfectly, so comfortably. It felt so natural that you wondered how you had ever slept without her by your side before. Now that was a thought you really couldn’t entertain.

“For body heat.” You explained unnecessarily to the silence, more to convince yourself rather than ease any non-existent awkwardness about the situation.

Natasha hummed in agreement. The vibration sending a pleasant warmth through your own body. It was in this soft embrace that you fully relaxed, comforted by the gentle rise and fall of her chest, lulled to sleep by the rhythmic sound of her breathing, the warm breath fanning across the back of your neck.

It was perfect.

Natasha was the first one to wake up and carefully untangle herself from you. It wasn’t until sunlight started to filter into the cave that you awoke, bringing an end to the privacy of your own little world within the rocky walls. You panicked momentarily upon realising Nat was nowhere to be found, but upon reaching the entrance to the cave, she reappeared with a rejuvenated expression on her face.

“There’s smoke rising in the distance, just beyond that hill.” She pointed to the rather steep incline you had been dreading to face, from which sunlight was only just peaking over the summit. “I think we might be near a settlement.”

Her suggestion filled you with renewed hope, though you were hesitant to show it, too preoccupied by the question of what would happen once you reached civilisation. Despite everything, would Nat turn you over to SHIELD? Would she reveal what she had discovered about your identity? That would almost certainly get you into trouble. Perhaps even put your life at risk.

Or would you go your separate ways pretending to have never met? No- you were certain that was impossible.

“Alright then.” You gazed out at the horizon and preparing yourself for whatever awaited you. “Let’s get moving then.

To your relief, and dismay as much as you tried to deny it, Natasha was right. As you crested the hill, a small village sprawled out on the flats below. It consisted of about fifty houses, one factory with two soot covered chimneys, a handful of fields with some ill looking cows and one road leading in and out. Hardly a luxurious welcome back to civilisation, but what else were you expecting.

Natasha’s pace quickened as you drew nearer, something you really shouldn’t take personally, yet did. Any reasonable person would be relieved that your journey was coming to an end, would be counting themselves lucky to have survived and covered so much distance without any issues. In fact, you yourself were rather looking forward to a change of clothes, a comfortable bed and food that wasn’t foraged or hunted.

It was hypocritical of you to think, but jealousy and insecurity took Natasha’s eagerness as a sign that she was well and truly sick of you. Ready to leave you behind for good.

As you drew near to the outskirts, walking in between the old wooden houses scattered untidily about, a dog came running out to bark at your arrival. It leapt and bounded around you, signifying to all nearby that someone was arriving. You and Natasha walked side by side in silence, feeling the weight of several pairs of eyes tracking your movement. An old man sat on the porch of his house grudgingly and brazenly stared you down, a clear sign that the town didn’t usually see many visitors.

The whole atmosphere was uncomfortable.

“I’m assuming you speak Russian fluently.” You muttered to Nat, clenching your jaw and squaring back your shoulders.

“да.” Was her response, which she then translated as meaning “yes.”

“I gathered that.” You passed yet another resident who looked ready to spit on you, finding the town didn’t become more accommodating the further in you travelled. “Have at it then.” You gestured round the area which appeared to be the main street, although the name hardly did it justice.

There was no formal road or signs naming it, rather a more defined set of tire tracks that marked it as the most frequented street. One of the buildings had a sign labelling it as a grocery store, though was the smallest on the street. You could hardly imagine it would provide much beyond the basics- yet the main problem remained that you had no money on you, nor form of identification or anything.

Nonetheless, it was where Natasha went, and where you wordlessly followed her to.

As predicted, the shop didn’t have much produce to choose from. You browsed aimlessly as Nat spoke to the woman behind the counter, who was the first person not to glower at you. Although you understood some basic Russian, you left the two to talk, occasionally picking up on words you could just about decipher meaning from.

Nat returned to inform you that the woman- Anya- had a room above the shop that she was renting out, and that the town had an ATM located by the factory. Nat had already devised a plan that you would allow Anya to show you round while she went to retrieve cash. You truly had no idea how Nat planned to do so without a credit card, but decided it was best not to question her methods.

“I’ll be back in half an hour at most.” Natasha must have seen the doubt on your face as she informed you before departing.

“Alright.” You swallowed back your hesitancy and nodded, feeling rather strange to be separating from Nat for the first time in days. The urge to reach out and hug her suddenly arose, though you were quick to quell it. You smiled reassuringly instead, watching as she darted out the door and back into the cold Russian air.

“This way, yes?” Anya announced in strong accented English, beckoning for you to follow.

Trying your best to put on a grateful expression, you nodded and accompanied her up a rickety set of stairs to the spare room. Anya did her best to present the property, though the language barrier made it difficult, coupled with the fact you were anxiously glancing out the window every other minute in hopes of catching sight of the redhead returning. Although the spare room was just as she had described. A room. Nothing more, nothing less. One bed, one armchair, one dresser and a view out to the ‘main street.’

The bathroom was downstairs, next to the shop storage room- tad unhygienic- and was hardly an improvement on the amenities over the last few days. Still, you listened attentively and smiled politely as Anya gave her tour. She seemed grateful that someone was finally interested, and you couldn’t help but feel bad about the fact you were only going to rent it for a few days. But with no hotel in town, there were no alternatives.

You and Natasha hadn’t spoken about how this was all going to play out, being too afraid to have hope. Now that it was actually here, you found yourself rather conflicted, unable to plan further ahead than the next five minutes.

Anya ended her tour in the storage room, where you spotted something which sent a thrum of excitement suffusing through your body. A phone. Simply hanging from the wall, available for use at any time. Such a mundane object, and yet it brought you into the present, back to reality with a sudden jolt of realisation. All it would take was typing in the eleven digits, lifting the microphone to your mouth and speaking. But who would you call?

A family member? They would certainly be glad to hear from you, but likely unable to help your current situation.

The Embassy? You would be able to leave Russia more anonymously that way, making HYDRA less likely to question your lacking presence following the destruction of your base.

Or HYDRA themselves? They were the most obvious answer. You were a high ranking official, and they would willingly send aid to your location. You could be back in no time, with little effort beyond corroborating some account of the event. But that would put Natasha in danger.

After all you had been through together, you wouldn’t put her through that.

You at least owed that to her, and crushed the idea as quickly as it had come. You would allow her to disappear first, or for you to go your separate ways before contacting HYDRA.

You heard the door of the shop open, your heart skipping a beat at the sound knowing who it was likely to be.

“Hey.” Natasha grinned at you, her hands clutching literally wads of cash.

“Welcome home, honey.” You joked, watching as Nat placed the money down on the counter. She started counting out the correct amount, Anya’s eyes lighting up as she collected the bills. From what you had picked up from their earlier conversation, she had paid her about a month’s rent. There was no need to give her so much since you wouldn't be staying long, but your chest warmed in recognition of Nat’s considerate nature regardless.

“There’s a tiny restaurant in the middle of town- if you could call it that. The place is basically a shed in some guy’s back garden.” Nat explained. “But I was thinking we could go for dinner.”

“Dinner?” You repeated, face flushing at the connotations.

“Yeah.” She shrugged. “It’s a meal you have after lunch, in the evening before bed-“

“Very funny.” You interrupted with a roll of your eyes. “Yes, I would love to go to dinner with you, Miss Romanov.”

“Alright.” Nat smiled to herself, said something to Anya who nodded vehemently, then turned back to you. “But shower first?” She suggested, to which you gasped playfully.

“Not a fan of the Eau de forest?”

She scrunched up her face.

“Fine. I get the hint.”

Showering had never felt so good. Even if the water was cold, and the shower floor was somehow sticky, it was still blissful…

For some extra cash, Anya had provided you with clean clothes from her own wardrobe, which meant you were able to change out of your disgusting, blood soaked, dirt encrusted combat suit and into fresh, clean fabric, which felt amazing. Even if her fashion sense was very traditional, the dress length very conservative, and Natasha finding your appearance highly amusing, you were grateful, nonetheless.

However, to your annoyance, Nat somehow looked perfectly normal in the style. Daresay she made it look good. But you weren’t jealous, instead considering yourself lucky that you were able to admire her at all.

The next couple hours were spent simply doing nothing. After your shower you all but collapsed into the old armchair in the corner of the room, which was so plush and easy to sink into that you had fallen asleep within five minutes. You would’ve preferred to take the bed, but had decided to leave it in case Nat wanted to sleep.

You weren’t sure whether she did or not, as next thing you knew, she was gently shaking you awake. The room had succumbed to darkness, apart from the last vestiges of sunset casting a purple hue through the window. For a brief second, you had no clue as to where you were until your gaze fell upon Natasha.

She was leaning over you, eyes blinking sleepily as she waited for you to jolt back to life. Your initial confusion became inconsequential at the sight of her; so open and vulnerable, so close to you in the fading sunlight. You swelled with pride at earning her trust so easily. It had come so naturally to you, in a way that it never had with anyone else, and in return, you cared for her more than you dared to admit.

“What time is it?” You pushed yourself into a seating position, if only to pull yourself closer to Nat.

“Six-thirty.” She answered. “We both fell asleep.”

You yawned, stretched and reluctantly stood up, ignoring the click of your overworked joints.

“Do you still want to go to dinner?” Nat asked.

You shot her an incredulous look. “Of course. I never pass up the opportunity for some fine Russian cuisine.”

“All naturally sourced, I’m assured. If you’re lucky there might even be buckthorn on the menu.”

You groaned. “If I even think about eating those damn berries ever again, I’ll throw up.”

“Is that a threat?”

“Yes. On you.”

Nat chuckled, grabbed something on the end of the bed and chucked it over to you.

“This jacket, seriously?” You stared at the sand-coloured item, which was almost brown by this point.

“Returned to you as promised.” She shrugged playfully.

“I’m not sure I want it back anymore.” Regardless, you tugged the jacket over the ridiculously puffy sleeves of the dress Anya had leant you. “How do I look?”

Her gaze swept from head to toe. You couldn’t help but bask in the attention.

“Like you’re ready for a night out on the town.” She concluded, opening the door for you.

The two of you strolled leisurely through the deserted town, both ignoring how each other’s stomachs cried at the promise of proper food. Part of you wanted to run to the restaurant, part of you wanted to savour your remaining time with Nat, and part of you was sensible enough to realise you had no idea where the establishment actually was.

In fact, you would’ve walked right past it if Nat hadn’t directed you inside.

The building was quite literally a wooden shed attached to some guy’s house, promising anything but the finest. The interior was rustic at best, the walls made from spruce logs stacked unevenly, and illuminated by a single string of fairy lights stretched across the square room. There was only space for three tables, with two already having been pushed to the side, and the third sat conveniently next to a space heater.

“Wow. Business is booming. Are you sure we’ll be able to get a table?” You joked, trying to spot the owner of the establishment. It felt like you had walked into someone’s home rather than a public restaurant.

“Give it a chance. It’s charming.”

At her reasoning, you focused on Nat in lieu of judging the place too harshly. You found that anywhere would have been good enough so long as she was there with you. Whether it be an uncomfortable cave, in the elements weathering the cold together, or in a secluded town with no real recognisable restaurant, you were able to appreciate it. Purely because of Natasha Romanoff. The woman who ought to be your enemy, yet you had never brought yourself to hate.

As you sat down on the rickety wooden chair opposite, you saw in her soft expression that she was the same. Neither said it but you both felt it.

Less than a minute after taking a seat, a waiter did emerge. He was perhaps the youngest person you had seen in town so far and spoke no English, but was kind. After leaving you with a handwritten note that was supposed to act as the menu, Nat briefly translated everything he had said. That he ran the place by himself, acting as waiter, cleaner and chef, and that you were the first customers he had seen in weeks besides his parents.

“You’re right. This place is charming.”

“Oh, so you’ve changed your mind now you feel bad?”

“Is that so wrong?” You leant forward on your elbow, trying to peer at the menu which Natasha was hiding behind. “I’m supporting local businesses.”

“How can you be supporting when I’m the one with the cash.” She held the menu out to you. “The wine is imported so it’s all in English.”

You took the sheet of paper from her. “I’ve been meaning to ask; how did you use the ATM without a card?” You skimmed down to the readable section, eyes flittering across the albeit short list of drinks.

“That’s a secret I’m afraid.”

“Of course, it is.”

The waiter returned and promptly took your orders. Not understanding enough Russian to read the menu, you had allowed Natasha to pick something out on your behalf. You weren’t really sure why, considering that in the grand scheme of things she knew nothing about your likes and dislikes, but that hadn’t seemed important at the time.

“I would ask how you are,” you said, denting a silence that hadn’t exactly been awkward, “but I think I already know the answer.”

“Tired.” She answered with a lopsided grin. “But I’m kind of used to it now.”

“Don’t worry, I won’t keep you up too long.”

Natasha didn’t say anything as the bottle of wine arrived in a chilled bucket, surprisingly well presented despite expectations. He poured out two glasses, bowed his head politely and left.

You rested your hand around the glass, studying the light golden colour of the liquid amplified by the warm lighting. In it, you saw sunrises over snowy hills, you saw dwindling firelight reflecting on cave walls, you saw the warmth of Natasha’s auburn hair.

A hand rested faintly atop of yours, fingers steadily seeking permission to intertwine with your own. Slowly, you untangled your grip around the stem of the glass, turned your hand over and felt her palm slide softly against yours. Neither you nor Natasha said anything, content to lose yourself in the humble contact.

After a minute, you glanced up at her, taken aback by the sad, far-away look on her face. You wondered whether it had dawned on her that your time together was running out, whether she was as distraught about that fact as you.

But no, that explanation didn’t suit her. A more fitting label would be regret.

“Hey.” You spoke softly as to draw her attention back in a gentle manner. “What exactly did you order for me?”

She didn’t glance up from your connected hands but smiled. “I thought it was meant to be a surprise.”

“Alright.” You conceded. “I trust you to pick out something good anyway.”

The palpable guilt on her face only worsened. A daunting sickness began to rise up through your chest, evoked by the chilling sensation that something here wasn’t quite right. Nonetheless, you were determined to enjoy yourself, and so persisted with the evening as though a tense suspicion wasn’t present in your mind at all times.

Natasha did eventually seem to snap out of whatever she was feeling, and conversation begun to flow easily between you both. You were able to talk about nothing and everything at the same time: only teasing, light-hearted conversation that you both held onto as if it were the most important thing you had heard in your entire life.

The waiter returned with your dishes about twenty minutes later. You still had no idea exactly what Nat had ordered for you, but it was delicious nonetheless, being the first real food that you had eaten in days. The meal filled a void you had become numb to in all you endured, a newfound energy returning to your body.

Placing down your knife and fork, you looked up at Natasha fondly, admiring her as though it were the last time. Her hair washed and recently dried fell down her shoulders in natural waves of red- almost the same shade as her lips, you noticed. Her eyebrows were furrowed, and her eyes appeared darker than usual, though the corners of her mouth quirked up. The cuts and bruises across her face remained, but with less contrast against the pale of her skin, as any mark of that last few days together was gradually fading.

And as they faded, your emotions- your hurt- only grew. For you soon realised what she had done.

The sound of helicopter blades whirling through the crisp night air came into focus, grew closer and closer, louder and louder. You cocked your head to the side an inch to try and pinpoint from which direction they were approaching.

“Here comes the cavalry…” You murmured bitterly.

“Y/N.” Natasha reached out to firmly grab your hand, her grasp no longer tentative. “Don’t run.” She glared at you imploringly. Then added, quieter, “Please.”

You stared back at her, your jaw tightening as you willed any reaction to keep at bay. “Why?” Your eyes shone with betrayal. “Just for SHIELD to capture me? To interrogate and lock me up?”

“That won’t happen.” Despite the certainty of her words, her voice shook. “I won’t let them-“

“Then what?” You interrupted. “They let me go with my identity compromised? HYDRA would have me killed in a heartbeat.”

“Not under SHIELD surveillance. We can protect you.”

“And what kind of life would that be?”

“One with me.”

You paused, your mind going blank.

“It might not be perfect,” She continued. “But I don’t want to leave you just yet.”

You detected a hint of fear in her voice, recognising the toll it had taken on Nat to say what she truly felt. But as much as you felt the same, anger swirled around inside of you like fire, stoked by even the slightest of things. “I didn’t take you as such a selfish person.” You snapped.

You were wasting time, and shot up from your seat, throwing your napkin down onto the table. The building was likely to be imminently surrounded by SHIELD agents, you needed to escape before it was too late.

You surveyed the room, blinking away the tears already welling up. Going out the main entrance would lead you back into the centre of town to be easily trapped, whereas the door the waiter went in and out of would probably take you through his own house. You decided that was the better option, grabbing the jacket from where it was hung over the back of the chair and preparing to run.

Natasha abruptly stood up, tried taking a step towards you, shock and hurt reflected in her gaze.

You had truly upset her and immediately wanted to apologise, but instinctively took a step away from her. “I’m sorry I can’t-“ You tried, but found yourself at a loss for words. “It was nice knowing you, Natasha.” You forced out instead.

Nat opened her mouth to say something. Then closed it again.

So, you turned on your heels and ran. Her betrayal weighed heavily on your heart, but you refused to let it slow you down.

You burst through the backdoor, shoving past the waiter who was returning to collect your empty plates. He grunted at the impact, but you just carried on through the back garden and into his house, trailing snowy footprints along his carpet you. The helicopter above only grew louder, and out the windows you saw shadowy figures drawing nearer, surrounding the house. You had no weapons on you, and the long dress didn’t allow for much movement, but under no circumstances could you allow yourself to be captured.

You walked briskly through the living room and into the kitchen, stopping as you spotted a knife gleaming on the countertop. Deeming it sharp enough, you grabbed it, plunged it into the hemline of your dress and roughly dragged the blade along the fabric. You heard a terrible tearing sound and continued to frantically pull at the cut section until you had ripped all the way around.

The door you had entered through slammed open once more. “Y/N!” It was Natasha. Your heart sunk down into your stomach.

You would’ve preferred an armed SHIELD operative…

Without a second thought, you dashed out the side door, where nothing but an expanse of snow-covered fields awaited. A horrible sense of Deja-vu surfaced in your mind as you realised you were practically going to relive the last couple days of traversing the Russian wilderness, only this time alone and without any supplies or real weapon.

“FREEZE!” Like an answer to your unvoiced prayers, the first SHIELD agent arrived on the scene. He was young, fresh faced and inexperienced, but aiming a gun square at your chest.

You ducked, heard a bullet fire, then rammed straight into the man and slammed him into the ground. His gun flew out of his hand, skidding across the icy surface. You ungracefully launched yourself over the weapon, grabbed it and stood up.

Under the cover of darkness, you aimed it at the soldier, breathing heavily as he looked up at you with wide, innocent eyes.

“Go.” You spat, gestured for him to run and watched as he hauled himself up.

He glanced at you fearfully, then turned and sprinted back in the direction of town. You summarised this was most likely where the main group would be waiting to ambush, and instead looked out in the opposite direction for where to aim for. About half a mile away was a gathering of trees. With the helicopter still hovering somewhere above, you would need the covering of the forest to truly disappear.

“Y/N?”

You squeezed your eyes shut, tried desperately to ignore the desire to turn and face her. You knew it would only slow you down, and perhaps that was what she intended to happen. You knew Natasha Romanov would be your downfall… And yet, you still spared a glance back.

Natasha was stood in the doorway of the house, the light from behind casting her shadow onto the sheet of snow. Despite everything, you couldn’t help but think how beautiful she looked like this; studying you so intensely, her face carrying such raw emotion that you could hardly stand to see her this way. Guilt. Loss. Shock. Hope. Screw your entitled sense of betrayal- you wanted to wipe the weight of what she had done from her conscience.

You threw down the gun, crossing the distance between the two of you in a span of three seconds. She stepped down to meet you, arms wrapping around your waist as your hands grasped hold of her face. You pulled her in, lips crashing together as she leant into you. Her lips were chapped but warm, fervently pressed against you as though the need for oxygen had entirely dissipated.

Natasha kissed you urgently, held onto you desperately, hopelessly. Yet in her embrace, everything else faded away to become inconsequential. Her arms tightened around your waist as your lips parted, a plea not to let go. You took in a shuddering breath, rested your forehead against hers and kept your eyes closed, content just to be with her.

For the first time since meeting Natasha Romanoff, you felt you fully understood her. This wasn’t some ploy to make you change your mind or distract you long enough for SHIELD to catch up, nor was it even a goodbye. This was her assurance that someday things would be different, that your story wasn’t over.

That someday you would meet again and finally get it right.

You opened your eyes, finding Natasha’s still to be closed. Reluctantly, you removed your hands from her face, kissing her cheek so that she would just look at you one last time.

And with that, you separated, keeping your gaze fixed on her for as long as possible.

Natasha swallowed her grief. “I’ll distract them.” She nodded, then smiled at you sadly. “Now run.”

Too grateful for words to convey, and too distraught to even try, you bent down to grab the gun before sprinting into the cold Russian night. Your lungs burned; your body ached with each step as you dashed for cover amongst the trees. Your heart was thudding in your chest- as though it wanted to escape and fly back to Natasha, to whom it now belonged.

You reached the forest, an inescapable sense of familiarity dousing you in cold disappointment. Thorny bushes scratched at your exposed legs, mud splashing up your calves. You skidded to a halt in a ditch, crouching down to catch your breath momentarily. You knew you would need to run further to truly disappear from SHIELD, but with the light dusting of snow leaving an easily trackable path, you would need to throw them off the trail first.

Hands patted down your form, looking for something to leave behind somewhere to mislead them. A loose thread of fabric from where you had torn the dress, a strand of your own hair, anything… Feeling something solid in the jacket pocket, you reached in, fingers brushing against plastic.

You frowned and pulled out the mystery object.

An unconscious smile stretched across your lips as the neon green wrapper of a granola bar fell into your open palm; left behind, half eaten by Nat. You turned the inane trinket over in your hand, feeling strangely nostalgic for not so long ago when something caught your eye.

Barely visible in the dim light was a note scribbled on the inside of the packet. The writing was smudged and almost illegible in the small blank space, but your trembling hands unfolded it with the upmost caution.

If you don’t hate me for what I did. Flat no.4, 34 Peterdy St, Budapest- NR

You exhaled deeply, leant back on your heels, and stared up at the night sky.

Natasha had known you would run, already having prepared a second chance: this one you wouldn’t miss. And you certainly didn’t hate her for it. In fact, the brief enigmatic note set your heart soaring, as in that moment, you knew your journey with Natasha Romanoff was only just beginning.

next >

#natasha romanoff x reader #natasha romanov x reader

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journeytothewestresearch · 5 months

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Sun Wukong's Final Battle

Journey to the West (Xiyouji, 西遊記, 1592) chapter 99 describes the Monkey King's final battle as a fierce, stormy confrontation against demons wishing to steal the hard-won scriptures for themselves. This takes place shortly after the pilgrims and holy texts are dumped into a river by an annoyed river turtle spirit:

Master and disciples had just climbed up the riverbank when suddenly a violent gale arose; the sky darkened immediately and both thunder and lightning began as rocks and grit flew everywhere. What they felt was One gust of wind And the whole world teetered; One clap of thunder And both mountains and streams shuddered. One flash of lightning Shot flames through the clouds; One sky of fog Enveloped this Great Earth. The wind's mighty howl; The thunder's violent roar; The lightning's scarlet streaks; The fog blanking moon and stars. The wind hurtled dust and dirt at their faces; The thunder sent tigers and leopards into hiding; The lightning raised among the fowl a ruckus; The fog made the woods and trees disappear. That wind caused waves in the Heaven-Reaching River [Tongtian he, 通天河] to toss and churn; That lightning lit up the Heaven-Reaching River down to its bottom; That thunder terrified the Heaven-Reaching River's dragons and fishes; That fog covered the shores of Heaven-Reaching River with a shroud of darkness. Marvelous wind! Mountains cracked as pines and bamboos toppled. Marvelous thunder! Its power stirred insects and injured humans. Marvelous lightning! Like a gold snake it brightened both land and sky. Marvelous fog! It surged through the air to screen the Ninefold Heaven [Jiuxiao, 九霄]. So terrified were the pilgrims that Tripitaka held firmly to the scripture wraps and Sha Monk threw himself on the poles. While Eight Rules clung to the white horse, Pilgrim twirled the iron staff to give protection left and right. That wind, fog, thunder, and lightning, you see, had been a storm brought on by demons of yin energy" [yinmo, 陰魔], who wanted to snatch away the scriptures the pilgrims had acquired. The commotion lasted all night, and only by morning did the storm subside. Soaked from top to bottom and shaking all over, the elder said, "Wukong, how did this storm come about?" "Master, you don't seem to understand," said Pilgrim, panting heavily, "that when we escorted you to acquire these scriptures, we had, in fact, robbed Heaven and Earth of their creative powers. For our success meant that we could share the age of the universe; like the light of the sun and moon, we would enjoy life everlasting for we had put on an incorruptible body. Our success, however, had also incurred the envy of Heaven and Earth, the jealousy of both demons and gods [guishen, 鬼神], who wanted to snatch away the scriptures from us. They could not do so only because the scriptures were thoroughly wet and because they had been shielded by your rectified dharma body [zhenfa shen, 正法身], which could not be harmed by thunder, lightning, or fog. Moreover, old Monkey was brandishing his iron rod to exercise the nature of pure yang energy [chunyang zhi xing, 純陽之性] and give you protection. Now that it is morning, the forces of yang are evermore in ascendancy, and the demons cannot prevail." Only then did Tripitaka, Eight Rules, and Sha Monk realize what had taken place, and they all thanked Pilgrim repeatedly (based on Wu & Yu, 2012, vol. 4, pp. 363-365).

師徒方登岸整理，忽又一陣狂風，天色昏暗，雷閃並作，走石飛沙。但見那：一陣風，乾坤播蕩；一聲雷，振動山川。一個熌，鑽雲飛火；一天霧，大地遮漫。風氣呼號，雷聲激烈。熌掣紅銷，霧迷星月。風鼓的沙塵撲面，雷驚的虎豹藏形。熌晃的飛禽叫噪，霧漫的樹木無蹤。那風攪得個通天河波浪翻騰，那雷振得個通天河魚龍喪膽。那熌照得個通天河徹底光明，那霧蓋得個通天河岸崖昏慘。好風，頹山烈石松篁倒。好雷，驚蟄傷人威勢豪。好熌，流天照野金蛇走。好霧，混混漫空蔽九霄。諕得那三藏按住了經包，沙僧壓住了經擔，八戒牽住了白馬；行者卻雙手輪起鐵棒，左右護持。原來那風、霧、雷、熌，乃是些陰魔作號，欲奪所取之經。勞攘了一夜，直到天明，卻才止息。長老一身水衣，戰兢兢的道：「悟空，這是怎的起？」行者氣呼呼的道：「師父，你不知就裡。我等保護你取獲此經，乃是奪天地造化之功，可以與乾坤並久，日月同明，壽享長春，法身不朽。此所以為天地不容，鬼神所忌，欲來暗奪之耳。一則這經是水濕透了；二則是你的正法身壓住，雷不能轟，電不能照，霧不能迷；又是老孫輪著鐵棒，使純陽之性，護持住了；及至天明，陽氣又盛：所以不能奪去。」三藏、八戒、沙僧方才省悟，各謝不盡。

I really like the idea of a battle between a divine force of yang energy and demonic forces of yin. This is a common occurrence in Chinese Folk Religion—e.g. a Tangki spirit-medium channeling a god to exorcise evil spirits.

But the above description really sets my mind alight with images of the confrontation. Monkey peers through the pouring rain to see an unfathomably large demon army the likes of which the cosmos has never seen. It contains innumerable commanders, vanguards, and an ocean of spirit-soldiers armed to the teeth. This demonic force would be the joint effort of demon kings and jealous gods wanting immortality and salvation for themselves. [1] Monkey takes this assault on the scriptures as a personal insult given his great effort in helping procure them.

A demon commander might say something like, "Leave the scriptures and the priest if you value your life!" Then Wukong would scream:

Who said that? Who the FUCK said that? Who's the slimy, little, demonic shit, twinkle-toed, cocksucker up there, who just signed his own death warrant? [Surprised silence from the army] Nobody, huh? The fairy-fucking-godmother said it! Out-fucking-standing! [pounds chest three times in a row] I WILL BEAT YOU ALL UNTIL YOU FUCKING DIE!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (Adapted from dialogue spoken by Gunnery Sergeant Hartman from Full Metal Jacket (1987).)

In all seriousness, though, his speech should be a chilling threat similar to Subodhi from chapter 2:

[Y]ou can be assured, wretched monkey, that you'll be skinned alive. I will break all your bones and banish your soul to the Place of Ninefold Darkness, from which you will not be released even after ten thousand afflictions! (Wu & Yu, 2012, vol. 1, p. 125) ... 把你這猢猻剝皮剉骨，將神魂貶在九幽之處，教你萬劫不得翻身！

Anyway, the army commences its attack, the commanders sending forth wave after wave of spirit-soldier units wielding thunder and lightning as their weapons. In response, Monkey's body explodes with millions or even billions of hair clones to meet the oncoming storm. Each one wields the magic iron rod, which dispenses pure yang energy along with every ass kicking. The resulting battle is beyond imagination, with various units of Great Sages working to both defend the scriptures and Tripitaka but also drive back and decimate the malevolent force. Wukong succeeds in routing/destroying the entire demon army by dawn of the next morning.

Note:

1) The Buddha states that the scriptures of the Great Vehicle are "for the cultivation of immortality; they are the gate to ultimate virtue" (Wu & Yu, vol. 1, p. 205).

Source:

Wu, C., & Yu, A. C. (2012). The Journey to the West (Vols. 1-4) (Rev. ed.) Chicago, Ill: University of Chicago Press.

#Sun Wukong #Monkey King #Journey to the West #story idea #Lego Monkie Kid #LMK #scriptures #JTTW #demons #spirits #thunder and lightning #army #epic battle

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fuckyeahdindjarin · 5 months

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Goodbye 2023

It’s such a cliche, but this year has literally been the highest of the high and lowest of the low. It started promisingly, in gorgeous New Zealand on our honeymoon (with TLOU premiering the same day as our outbound flight!). Never could I have imagined that 9 months later, we'd be mourning a pregnancy loss in neighbouring Western Australia.

I didn’t know what a cairn was when my husband took this picture at Lake Tekapo, two weeks before Joel stacked rocks by the river for Tess in episode 3. I’m not really a spiritual person, but finding this random photo in my album and being able to retrospectively attach meaning to it is an unexpected source of comfort.

These few months have been so hard that writing has been relegated to the back of my mind. But I will take this moment to celebrate Palomino, my pride and joy that I said goodbye to this year; and also Seams, which happened completely out of the blue, despite me thinking I would never write for post-outbreak Joel; and everything else in between.

In my grief, I threw myself head first into starting @fuckyeahpaperco, and it has been a lifeline. Having something to focus on, learning how to run my own business, kept my head above the water when things got really difficult. I have no words to describe how grateful I am for the way you guys supported me and embraced my little venture. Thank you.

To my amazing readers, customers, mutuals, friends - thank you for being there for me when I most needed it. I am so incredibly lucky to have all of you and I don't know what I've done to deserve you. I feel so guilty that I haven't replied to all of your words of kindness, but please know that I’ve drawn so much strength from every single one. I'm sorry if I haven't been able to show up for you guys the same way in recent months, but as I heal, I will try my best to do so.

To round this off - today, on the last working day of the year, we signed a new tenancy agreement and got the keys to our new home. We are literally closing the door to 2023 and everything that happened, and I'm hoping there are happier days ahead.

Here's to 2024, I hope it will be kinder and gentler for all of us ❤️

#personal #goodbye 2023

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talonabraxas · 5 days

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Quetzalcoatl 🐉 Talon Abraxas

Creation Myths

Quetzalcoatl-Ehécatl and his crafty brother Tezcatlipoca were in the business of creation. In some incredible escapades, they created the earth, sea and night sky and were regents of the first two ‘suns’, or world eras of the existing five. When the brothers separated the sky from the earth, they even turned into the trees that held the two apart, earnings the names of Quetzalhuéxotl and Tezcacahuitl.

Quetzalcoatl’s life-giving ability gave rise to many of the things around us. On a lone voyage, he went to find the bones of the dead in the underworld, known as Mictlan. After many trials and tribulations he was able to escape Mictlan and carry the bones to Tamoanchan, home of the gods. He ground the bones and mixed them with his blood, creating the first humans of the 5th (and current) sun.

In another act as creator, Quetzalcoatl threw his semen at a rock and from it grew a bat that approached the fertility goddess Xochiquetzal (Quetzal Flower), biting her between the legs. From her wound burst beautiful flowers that the bat took to the lord of the underworld, Mictlantecuhtli, who bathed them in the water of his subterranean rivers and perfumed the blossoms.

Many other creation myths revolve around Quetzalcoatl, some including the creation of the maguey plant, and the discovery of corn

Quetzalcoatl was often represented as the life-giving wind, with a beak or mask protruding from his face. With this appendage he was able to sweep the roads clean before the arrival of the rain gods (pic 5). Under the guise of wind, he was called Quetzalcoatl-Ehécatl and was considered a great cultural hero. This image from the sixteenth century Codex Borbonicus (pic 8, right) shows his conical hat made from the fur of an Ocelot. A recurring feature in Quetzalcoatl-Ehécatl’s iconography is a conch chest ornament. Called ehecacózcatl (wind jewel), the shell has been interpreted as an association with the womb and the generation of life. The conch shell is symbolic of the ancestral bones from which Quetzalcoatl created humankind as we know it.

Quetzalcoatl-Tlahuizcalpantecuhtli, the Morning Star

The legend of Ce Acatl Topiltzin Quetzalcoatl goes on to tell us that after a long pilgrimage towards the east, our hero found himself so thoroughly defeated by his brother Tezcatlipoca that he threw himself on a burning pyre in an act of self-sacrifice. From the smoking remains rose the morning star, Venus, who is represented by Quetzalcoatl in his guise of Tlahuizcalpantecuhtli. He accompanies the sun across the sky during the day. This image from the Codex Borgia (pic 9) shows Tlahuizcalpantecuhtli displaying the quincunx: five circles associated with Venus. His hair is red and his body painted with red and white stripes. He is featured on the left in the upper and lower panels of the page. On the right hand side is Quetzalcoatl-Ehécatl.

Tlahuizcalpantecuhtli served as patron deity of astrological knowledge and was of profound importance in religious books in the Central Highlands and Oaxaca. Used for divination, these documents were called Tonalamame (sing. Tonalamatl), and displayed the portents of the 260 day lunar calendar known as the Tonalpoualli (Counting of the Days). Tlahuizcalpantecuhtli was considered patron of this calendar (Yólotl González-Torres,1991).

Xolotl, the Evening Star

Tlahuizcalpentecuhtli could only guard the sun as it crossed the daytime sky. However, Quetzalcoatl had another invocation that would help Venus through the underworld as the Evening Star: Xolotl, the dog (pic 10). Considered by some to be Quetzalcoatl’s double, assistant or twin, Xolotl aided Quetzalcoatl when he descended to the Mictlan to recover the bones of humankind. In Náhuatl, the word Xolotl was often associated with the concept of twins and physical deformity, so statues of the deity often portray a dog with twin heads, or ragged ears and running sores.

Interests: Saving the world (or making it), preserving life, cultivating knowledge and recognising beauty.

Day Sign: Wind

Trecena (13 day week): 1 Jaguar. According to sixteenth century friar Bernadino de Sahagún and his native informants, he also presided over 1 Reed. This last period was considered to bring bad luck because it was represented by Quetzalcoatl in his forceful guise of Wind. The trecena was marked by the Aztec nobility who made offerings in Calmecacs, learning institutions for noble children. Children born during 1 Reed were thought to be ill-fortuned, and the calendar foretold that all they gained in life would be “taken by the wind” (Sahagún, book III, chapter VIII). To save children born during the worst phase of 1 Reed, the Aztecs held childrens’ naming ceremonies on or after the 7th day of the week (7 Rain) as the following days were more auspicious.

Powers: As we know from stories of old, Quetzalcoatl’s physical powers and intelligence knew no bounds. But what were his monster-killing, sky-lifting and star-forming capacities in the face of his sneaky brother Tezcatlipoca? Quetzalcoatl and Tezcatlipoca were brothers in divine myths, where they worked together as creators, and against each other in acts of destruction. In the Legend of the Suns, their battles saw them topple each other as regents of individual worlds. As humans, Tezcatlipoca’s trickery thwarted the priest Quetzalcoatl (myth of Ce Acatl Topiltzin Quetzalcoatl). The cosmic battle between the two brothers has been interpreted as a dualistic opposition between creative and destructive forces (Taube, 1993, p82).

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welcome-back-to-hoimycraf · 3 months

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A man arrived in town yesterday.

Actually, let her rephrase that- a man washed up in town yesterday.

She’d woken rather abruptly to the familiar sound of rocks shredding lumber like paper, and knew that another had been claimed by the sea. Gem sighed, pulling herself out from under the comfy, warm blankets that she oh-so desperately wished to return to and threw on her large jacket to protect her pajamas from the salt.

Hopefully whoever had crashed was alright, but she knew better. The stony shoal at the base of her lighthouse had taken plenty of lives in only her first few months of being its keeper, and she only expected more to follow. She made her way down the spiraling tower.

Through the dim light of the entryway she found the telephone at its usual spot behind the stairs. Gem hoped the operator was awake as she pressed the earphone to her head, listening past the buzzing for his voice. She tapped her foot impatiently as the seconds went on. Finally, she reached her hand up to rattle the receiver and get his attention. The slacker! she thought, though she really couldn’t blame him for neglecting his duties this late at night. It seemed to work, as his bumbling voice swiftly answered on the other end.

“Sorry- uh, what number?”

“Mumbo,” she spoke as clearly as she could through the crackly static, “I need Scar. As soon as possible.” She vaguely wished she could afford to be more polite, but she quickly stamped the thought out. Mumbo would understand.

“Ah! Okay, will do!” The faint sounds of movement started over the line as he worked the wires. Knowing it would take a moment, she let him fish for the information he wanted. “So, what happened this time?”

The lighthouse keeper sighed, a sound she’d become quite familiar with over the months. “An accident at the shore, probably a bad one, judging by the sound.”

An understanding hum carried through. “Understood. You’re on route to Scar now.”

“Thank you.”

After a bit more waiting through the growing sense of urgency caused by the ringing of the call later, the man’s voice, much too bright and cheery for the hour, crackled through the other end. “Hello! Mayor Scar, at your service!”

“Scar? It’s Gem. We’ve got an emergency at the lighthouse,” she started, attempting to give as much detail in as little time as possible. “Bring medical supplies and…” The words died on her tongue, but she cleared her throat. “Some body shrouds.”

“Alright, we’ll be there as soon as we can. Be safe out there,” he finished. It was rare to hear Scar be so serious, but she supposed the guy was just concerned for her being out on the slippery cliffs in the dark.

“Will do.” The low tone of the line going dead prompted her to set the earphone back in its rightful place, but her hand ended up slipping and banging the receiver. She said a silent apology to Mumbo.

Gem knew she was wasting time leaning her head against the wall, but she needed some damn air alright? She took a deep breath to sober up before gearing up to face her burdens. She made sure to grab her flashlight from its home on the shelf beside the door that was there in case of nights like this, only pausing for a moment at the knob to prepare herself for whatever viscera she might find past it.

The night was dark, as usual, with very little moonlight to allow her to see. She felt along the flashlight’s corroded surface to find its switch, the beam flickering to life once she found it. Though she wanted to, she wasted no more time in her search. Someone, maybe even multiple people were counting on her. She was the bringer of life and death in this moment- she only had to choose which she would be.

Her journey down wasn’t very long until she first saw signs of the wreck. Pieces of debris floated past her feet, on its way down to the mouth of the river. From what she could tell it was… bamboo? Who builds a boat out of bamboo? Whatever. It wasn’t her job to question it.

The detritus only became thicker the closer she got to the base of the lighthouse, the shallower water between the rocks providing ample view of the wreckage. Among the rope and bamboo sat something much more eye-catching.

A person laid face down in a pool of water. Their heavy red sweater, while good at keeping out the brisk wind of the night, only served to soak up seawater like a sponge. As Gem approached, she heard them groan lowly- in pain or annoyance, she couldn't tell. At least they were alive, thank god. "Are you alright?"

"Ugh,” they grumbled, lifting their head from its place in the wet sand. “Blasted raft, couldn't even handle a few pebbles," they complained, picking themself up and brushing off sludge from their pants. Their distinct English accent caught her off guard with how out of place it seemed- though she supposed Mumbo and Joel were British as well. “And I got my clothes dirty, great.”

Gem blinked in shock. That was what they were worried about? “I’m sorry?”

The person whipped their head up to look at her. It seemed like they just noticed she was there. “Oh. Uh- hello,” they said, shifting from foot to foot awkwardly. The only sound she could hear aside from the crashing of the waves was their sopping hair dripping onto the stone. Gem couldn't even tell if it was brown or blonde.

“Are you alright?” She eyed them up and down, but they looked to be in good condition despite the circumstance. In fact, she couldn't find a single scratch on them- or even a rip in their soiled garments for that matter.

“Never been better!” They grinned, clapping their hands together in a way that startled Gem with the sound. “Now, where can a guy find something new to wear around here?” They- he? looked around as if he would spot a shop on the beach.

“Uh-”

Thankfully, the situation was taken out of her hands as the sound of automobiles rumbled up behind her, blinding her with their headlights when she turned.

“Gem? You found a survivor?” Scar’s voice was a nice touch of familiarity as he climbed out of the driver’s seat.

The rest of the night was a blur. She assumed the shock came from the man- which she now learned was Grian- being so nonchalant. Weird name, but who was she to judge? Her best friend’s name was Etho, so she had little say in the matter. What truly was weird was how calm he was. It was like he hadn’t washed ashore in a new, unfamiliar place. Once she made sure he was safely in the hospitality of the town, she made her way back to the lighthouse. She had expected to find a gored body earlier that night. Luckily, she seemed to be wrong about him.

>Next<

psssst @bed-of-ashes asked me to tag them so i did ^^

#fanfic #my fanfic #hermitfic #hermitcraft #hermitcraft 10 #grian #geminitay #mumbo jumbo #goodtimeswithscar #mayor scar

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aerynwrites · 7 months

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Loss

Halsin x gn!Reader

A/N: Based on this request - I hope this helps in some small way, nonny! Losing a pet is incredibly hard and my heart is with you! <3

Word Count: 898

Warnings: Scratch has passed away in this (it is not described just mentioned!), pet death, grieving, slight angst, emotional hurt comfort, established relationship.

The small clearing by the river offers little solace despite it being your typical get away from camp.

The usual calming gurgle of moving water and the gentle breeze does almost nothing to soothe the aching in your heart. The worn red ball in your hand rough against your palm as you squeeze it, dutifully ignoring the churned earth several feet behind you.

You miss Scratch.

You miss the adorable little pup so much your heart aches and tears still threaten to spill despite having already cried so much you thought you’d run yourself dry.

You and your other companions had put him to rest just yesterday, and while you’d all been there for one another at first, you’d all drifted to grieve in your own ways.

You’d been the one to pick his resting place, knowing the playful dog had loved this little place as much as you do. You remember how he’d race after the ball when you threw it, even happily leaping into the river if you threw it there. You remember how he’d come running back over to you, shaking himself off and drenching you in the process, making you laugh as he’d pant happily at you.

The thought makes your throat tighten and tears build up anew, and you almost let out a quiet sob, until the sound of quiet footsteps approach you.

You don’t have to turn to see who it is. Halsin has been your rock through all this, holding you close as you cried or rubbing soothing patterns up and down your back as you recounted memories.

Even now, he settles at your side on the soft grass, his leg pressed against yours as his arm slides around your waist to hold you against him in a warm embrace.

He doesn’t say anything, just holds you in comforting silence as he waits for you to talk if you so wish. You know he’s also perfectly content to just hold you as you work through your grief.

You take a deep shuddering breath. “I miss him so much,” you say softly.

Halsin’s arm tightens around you, head turning to press a kiss to the crown of your head. “I know my heart, we all feel his absence,” he says, voice gentle.

“I just can’t believe he’s gone,” you tell him, voice wobbling. “I woke up this morning and almost forgot. I still looked for him when I left the tent until I remembered…”

A quiet sob leaves you as you turn to hide your face in Halsin’s shoulder. His arms wrap around you fully now, gently adjusting until you’re in his lap, face tucked into the crook of his neck as you cry.

“I hold your grief in my heart,” Halsin says softly, running his hand up and down your back gently. “Death is a part of nature, part of the way life is meant to progress,” he tells you, “but that does not make it any easier.”

His words create a small sense of relief in you. At first you felt foolish for being so upset about Scratch. You have so many other things to worry about, and like Halsin said, death is inevitable. But his affirmation of your grief somehow makes it easier to work through it.

It’s okay to be sad. A thought that hadn’t really crossed your mind until now.

“Just know,” Halsin speaks once more, “that it will hurt for a time. You will wake and feel that grief in your heart and in your soul. But in time it will fade, even though the memories still remain.”

You nod against him, arms tightening around him as he continues to hold you.

He’s right. You’ll be sad for a while, but eventually you’ll be able to remember the happy times with the loveable dog without grief clouding the memories.

Even now you find yourself smiling through your tears as a certain memory flashes through you.

You move so you’re not tucked so tightly against Halsin, your cheek instead resting gently on his shoulder as you speak.

“Do you remember when Scratch brought a dead rabbit to Gale’s tent?” You ask, wiping at your tears.

Halsin laughs, eyes crinkling with the action. “I do indeed. I don’t think I’ve ever seen the wizard so incensed.”

You let out a weak laugh of your own. “I know, and even though he was upset, even he couldn’t be mad at the poor thing,” you recall. “I think he even begrudgingly thanked Scratch when he just sat there wagging his tail like he’d done the best thing ever.”

Halsin nodded, smiling. “He was always a thoughtful beast,” he says. “Always bringing little trinkets to everyone.”

“He really was the best dog,” you whisper, settling further into your lover.

“He was. And he will be happily held in our hearts and our memories.”

You sigh as you embrace Halsin again, sitting up to press a quick kiss to his lips before returning to your spot on his shoulder.

“Thank you,” you say softly. “For being here.”

Halsin tuggs you closer. “I wouldn’t be anywhere else, my heart.”

You smile, and as Halsin holds you in his arms, the sounds of nature surrounding you both, you swear you can feel the brush of fur against your side before it drifts away on the breeze.

You know then, that everything will be okay.

#Halsin x reader #bg3 x reader #halsin #bg3 halsin #bg3 #baldurs gate 3

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that-basic-simp · 8 months

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Get Away From Her

Karlach X Fem! Reader CW: Language WC: 2.5k+

Snuggling into the crook of Karlach's neck, I took in her aroma, which was oddly comforting with it being a mix of blood and ash. I think it was just the fact that I was laying in her arms, her warmth radiating off of her and keeping me warm in the cold nights. She was already a warm Tiefling, but with her engine, it made her extra warm. While it was hard to touch her when we first met at the Sword Coast, but after getting her the much needed upgrades, she was finally able to touch me. And we spent that very night together and relishing in the fact she was able to hold and touch me.

But this feeling of freedom was bound to wear off as I got this creeping feeling of something coming for us. Maybe it was coming for Karlach, but whatever was coming, either for me or for her, we were going to protect one another. I know Karlach can hold her own against anything, but when it comes to me, she will absolutely lose her shit and will rage like a burning forest fire to ensure I am safe and in her arms. I love that about her, but it was going to be her down fall.

Feeling her stir, she rolled onto her back, taking me with her. I laid on her stomach and admired everything about her. From her cut and singed hair, to her broken and intact horn, followed by the amounts of scars she had from her fighting in Avernus and the scars from the engine. My finger traced the little exhausts that had to be implanted in her shoulder. Going down her shoulder, I went over the scarring that was there. I stared down at the engine as it was flashing red and orange, like a burning fire in the night. Brushing the pads of my fingers over it, the heat it was emitting was a bit overwhelming, as it was still burning hotter than normal. If only there was something I could do to ensure that her engine doesn't blow. If only Zariel didn't do this to her.

Remembering what Zariel did to me, I let out a sigh and placed my head on Karlach's chest, moving with the rise and fall of it. My legs intertwined with hers and my tail wrapped around the end of hers. Whenever we were doing something together, fighting, sitting, eating and talking with one another, our tails would always find one another's and intertwine together.

Pushing myself up, I got up and stretched. Karlach's face contorted as her arms were waving in the air. I chuckled as it reminded me of a child searching for their mother. Kneeling down, I pressed a kiss to her forehead before running my hand through her hair.

"Y-Y/N," she mumbled.

"I'll be right back, Karlach."

"Be careful."

I stood up and walked towards a river that was nearby. As I was wandering, I took in a deep breath, still not used to breathing in good quality air and not just ash and burning bodies. While I was in Avernus with Karlach, I was a slave to Zariel. Being her other prized Tiefling was never good for me and it enraged Karlach even more when we got to know one another, along with the others we met along our journey. Crouching down, I ran my hand in the water and felt how cool it was, how it conformed to my hand and parted through the gaps of my fingers. I loved how water was able to transform, such as a solid, mist, and liquid. And how it was able to shape things, such as the ground and erode rocks and dirt. This place was beautiful and I didn't want to leave.

As I stood up, I heard something click behind me. Slowly turning my head over my shoulder, a devil came out and shot me in the shoulder blade with an arrow. Grabbing my sword from its sheath, I charged towards the devil, but another one came out and threw rope around my ankles. Falling onto the ground, more devils came out and started to tie my hands behind my back.

"KARLACH!" I yelled, but rope was put around my mouth. I just hope it was enough to wake her up.

Hearing numerous footsteps coming towards me, I found Karlach was with Wyll and Shadowheart, some friends we made along the way.

"Y/N!" she yelled, rushing towards me.

A portal opened up and I was thrown through it, the devils following. Before Karlach could reach us, it closed.

My frustrated grunts and the sound of wood crashing onto the ground echoed throughout the small woods we were in. Tears were streaming down my face as I swung my axe through various trunks of trees, causing them to fall down as they were getting narrower. I let out a scream before turning, hurtling my axe towards an unknown target, but it landed right into a tree.

"FUCK!" I growled, my hands forming into fists as I could feel my engine starting to get increasingly hotter.

"Karlach," Shadowheart said.

"Don't you fucking say anything!" I snarled.

"Karlach," Wyll began.

"Nothing from you either, Wyll!"

"We're going to get her back," he said softly.

"How can we get her back?!" I growled. "She's gone! She's gone! They fucking took her back to Avernus! Back to Zariel! They took my love away from me!"

I let out an exhale as more tears slid down my face, staining my red skin, "They took her away from me."

It enraged me more. I clenched my jaw together to where I thought my fangs were going to go right through the skin of my lips.

"She has to pay for what she has done!" I snarled, fire errupting around me. "She can't get away with it! I am going to be the one to fucking kill her!"

I stomped to where my axe landed and removed it from the tree. I knew how to get back and I was going to get her back.

"Karlach, we're going to go with you," Shadowheart said.

"I am going alone. I know Avernus and anything and everything will kill you on sight," I said, swinging my axe to place it on my shoulder. "Besides, you have a life here. Maybe when I'm in Avernus, I can get this thing checked out," I knocked on my chest, a metal sound emmitting from it.

"You're going to come back to us, right, Karlach?" Wyll asked.

"I am certainly going to try," I said as I opened the portal back to Avernus.

Taking in a deep breath, I already heard the devils and imps screeching and crying. I stepped through the portal and it closed on the other side. Facing the palace in the distance, I sighed, feeling my engine was starting to calm down and become what it was before I left Avernus.

"Alright fuckers," I held my axe tightly and headed towards Zariel's palace. "You better have not laid a finger on her."

Blinking my eyes open, my ankles and wrists were still bound together and the rope was around my mouth as well. My weapons were removed and were propped up against the wall in front of me. Wriggling around on the ground, I tried to get myself up to on my knees. But as I was trying to do that, I heard footsteps coming towards me. I stopped whatever I was doing and waited, since I knew Zariel would most likely be the one coming towards me. I was right.

"Y/N," she hissed.

I growled, even though it was muffled.

"Those devils made short work of you. Heard you didn't put up much of a fight."

I growled again, trying to defend myself and my honor.

"Now then, since you're back here with me, you're going to get back to working for me. Do you know how hard it was for the other slaves to cooperate? At least you don't put up a fight when you're taking orders from me. You know better."

I sighed and just laid still on the ground, knowing I won't be able to move freely now that Zariel was in front of me.

"Let's get you back to your cell and I will come get you when I need you."

Zariel disappeared and some ofher other slaves came over to where I was. Grabbing at my bindings, they dragged me to where I was going to be. Once I was placed back in the all too familiar cell, they removed my bindings and removed the rope from my mouth. Coughing and gagging, the slaves walked out of the cell and closed the door, locking it up. Sitting up, I moved to where my back was pressed up against the wall. I pulled my legs up and tucked them into my chest, my head resting on my knees as my tail wrapped around my legs. Tears slid down my face as I closed my eyes, wanting nothing more than to feel Karlach's warm engine whirring underneath me. The feeling of her warm, yet calloused hands rubbing up and down my back, her soft breathing lulling me to sleep. It made me cry even harder now.

"Y/N?"

Picking my head up, I found the last person I'd least expect to be here.

"K-Karlach?"

"I'm going to get you out," she said and was about to raise her axe, but an invisible force pushed her away and she landed on the ground.

"Karlach!"

"It's so good to finally see you, my champion," Zariel's voice echoed down the hallway as she made her way towards us.

Karlach immediately got up and bared her fangs at Zariel, stepping towards the cell.

"You better have not laid a hand on her!"

"Why would I do that?" Zariel asked as she opened the door and stepped towards me.

Appearing before her was a whip I remember all too well. The scars on my back and arms served as a painful reminder of it. I cowered as Zariel grew closer to me. Karlach ran into the cell and grabbed one of Zariel's wings, pulling her away from me.

"Get away from her!" Karlach yelled, steam coming from the little exhaust openings in her skin.

"Now, now, Karlach. Remember who you're dealing with," Zariel turned and smacked the whip across her cheek.

"Karlach!"

She stumbled backwards, some blood dripping onto the floor. Picking her head up, Karlach snarled at Zariel.

"I never wanted to come back here for as long as I lived. I would rather let the engine inside of me combust before I came back!"

"Why are you here?"

"To get Y/N back. To return her to a place she belongs."

"What about you, Karlach?" Zariel asked, tilting her head upwards. "Don't you want to go with her?"

"I desperately want to go back with her, but first, I wanted to know what you were going to do to her."

"A slave must be punished for leaving their master without permission. She was the most loyal slave I had so losing her took a toll on the work here. Now that I have her, I will punish her before putting her back to work."

"Is that all then?" Karlach asked.

"Yes."

"Fine. Take me in her place. Set her go and not only will I fight for you, but I will work for you."

"Karlach," I said, getting up, but Zariel put her wing in front of me.

"Go on," Zariel said.

"If you grant Y/N her freedom, and you actually let her keep her freedom, I will return to Avernus. No devils will harm her. No devils will bring her back here to make sure she works for the rest of her life. Is that understood, Zariel?"

"That is understood, but I want something out of this deal, too."

"As long as it doesn't involve her."

"What I want is simple: you. I want you to continue to be my champion. I want you to be more than just my champion, too. A hard worker that comes whenever I beckon you. You are to stay beside me no matter what, Karlach. Is that understood?"

I found Karlach's eyes. She was in pain for coming back here, but she wanted to ensure I was safe and I would get back safely. I could tell she wanted to go through with this, but I didn't want her to.

"Karlach," I began.

"I'll do it," she said.

"No!"

"Splendid. You have five minutes," Zariel said and walked out of the cell.

As soon as she was out of sight, I rushed towards Karlach, back into her arms. Those strong, warm, comforting arms I'd never feel ever again.

"Karlach," I whimpered into her chest as I held her close.

"I'm going to be alright, Y/N. I'll find a way back to you."

"Please, Karlach. Don't do this."

"Hey," she pulled away and found my eyes. She placed her hands against my cheeks and brushed the tears away. "I want you to be safe."

"What about you, Karlach?"

"I'll be fine."

"Are you sure?"

She nodded her head, "While I'm here, I might as well figure out how to fix my engine so if and when I get out of here again, I can live a long life with you."

I wrapped my arms around her neck and pulled her in for a hug.

"No matter how long I have to wait, I will wait for you."

She smiled and kissed the side of my head, "I'll do whatever it takes to get back to you."

Zariel came back into the cell and pulled Karlach away from me.

"No!" I yelled, trying to grab onto her.

"Time to go, Y/N," Zariel said, a portal opening up behind me.

"Karlach!"

"It's going to be alright, Y/N," she flashed a sad smile to me.

Tears slipped from my eyes and dripped onto the ground as I was being pushed towards the portal.

"Take care of Clive for me," she said, some tears forming in her eyes. "Taters."

More tears slipped from my eyes, "T-Taters."

Even if I wasn't part of her family to know the origin of it, she told me about it and it became a thing between us now. Since no one else knew and only we knew, it was our secret way of telling each other that we loved one another. Finally being pushed through, I fell onto my back and watched as her face was the last thing I was shown before the portal closed. Getting up, I found myself to be in the same woods I was captured. Wyll and Shadowheart were there as well. As soon as I stood up, they came over to me, making sure I was ok.

"W-Where's Karlach?" Wyll asked.

I sniffled, wiping my eyes as I walked over to where we were sleeping earlier. Her bags were exactly where they were and Clive was sitting beside them. Bending down, I picked up the litle bear and clung onto it, holding it close to my chest.

"S-She stayed with Zariel in exchange for my freedom," I breathed out, trying not to cry again.

"She didn't," Shadowheart said.

"She did."

"What now?" Wyll asked.

I reached down and grabbed her bags along with mine, still holding Clive close to my chest.

"We move forward," I said, walking past them with my head down.

Tears slipped from my eyes as we adventured across the Sword Coast. Every night we would set up camp, I would look into Clive's button eyes and think back to Karlach. Tonight was no different. I stared into his button eyes and I held him close to my chest. Staring straight up into the stars, tears filled my eyes and slid down my face, hitting the ground.

"I miss you, Karlach. I love you."

#karlach x reader #karlach #baldur's gate 3

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