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#but now he's already got a job in the afterlife
little-pondhead · 6 months
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Classic "promised-at-birth-to-the-Ghost-King" story, except the contract never states how, exactly, the King is to use the offered soul. Usually, one would be offered as a bride or sacrifice. But with Pariah Dark sealed away, his retainers got a little lazy in the last few millennia. They just made some generic contracts and practically handed them out like candy.
When Danny took over as king via conquest, that included all the weird and messed up soul contracts the previous retainers had signed. And since ghost magic was a thing and seemed to have it out for Danny personally, many of these contracts updated their terms and conditions as soon as that crown hit Danny's head, reflecting the new King's subconscious desires and personality.
This caused many issues with those still around to profit from these contracts. Some people lost their power, some gained more, and some were unbound and kicked to the curb. A few special people found themselves dropping dead after their less-than-ethical abilities disappeared.
Danny was unaware of the chaos he had unintentionally caused for quite a while. It was only brought to his attention when a letter arrived on his desk one day with a copy of someone's valid contract enclosed. The new changes have been highlighted, and a separate note is attached.
It seems that in exchange for blessings of near-immortality for her infant son, a mother had offered Pariah Dark both their souls in order to ensure her child's survival during harsh times. (The souls were to be collected upon death and were to be used as soldiers in the King's Army.) The mother's soul had returned to the Keep decades ago and was recently assigned to tend to the gardens, while her son seemed to have grown into a fine gentleman and was still alive. He used his mother's gifts to serve his country and loved ones well, it seemed.
At first, Danny didn't see what any of this had to do with him. If the mother was already a part of his kingdom, and the son would be eventually, why was a letter about the whole thing showing up before him?
Then he read the revised contract, which bore his magical signature. A signature that overruled the power of Pariah and binding it to him.
'...and as such, in return for the abilities stated above, [Mary Pennyworth] and [Alfred Pennyworth] will fulfill the conditions detailed below, upon pain of Ending.
[Mary Pennyworth], when returned to the Kingdom of Dark Kingdom of Stars, will work as a lieutenant in the Skeleton Army caretaker in the Gardens of Pluto.
STATUS: COMPLETED
[Alfred Pennyworth], when returned to the Kingdom of Dark Kingdom of Stars, will work as a general in the Skeleton Army caretaker of the King and his Court.
STATUS: PENDING'
Danny had to re-read the contract several times to understand what it was saying. He now had a caretaker? What did a caretaker do? Was it like a ghost parent? Could this guy ghost-ground him??
He sighed and pressed the speed dial on his phone for Tucker. Time to find out who the hell this Alfred Pennyworth guy was, and how to break a magic contract when it wasn't even fulfilled yet.
Meanwhile, Alfred had just found the original copy of the contract amongst his mother's belongings after it glowed and drew him in. The paperwork cleared up a lot of mysteries he'd always wondered about himself, even if he disapproved of his mother's methods. Nonetheless, he smoothed out the aged paper with dark green ink, noted the fresh (sloppy, a teenager?) signature, and began preparing to meet this supposed new King and his Court.
It wouldn't hurt to make introductions before he died, after all.
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twisted-tales-of-all · 6 months
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First and Last Dance
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Summary: After dying, you refuse to follow your reaper into the afterlife before experiencing what sex feels like. Pairing: Park Seonghwa x afab!Reader Genre: Smut, Horror, One-Shot Tropes: virgin!reader, grim reaper!AU, first and last time Word Count: 2.4K Contains: mild corruption kink, mentions of alcohol and drugs, discussion of dying in a fire, waking up disoriented, memory loss, cursing, pet names (sweetheart, love, baby girl, sir), unprotected sex, oral (f. receiving), marking, praise, multiple orgasms, fingering (f. receiving)
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"Ugh," you groan as you wake up, gripping your head tight thanks to your hangover. "Fuck, did I really do that much last night?"
Looking around with squinting eyes, you find yourself in an unfamiliar room. The dark grey walls and black-out curtains certainly help your headache, but you can't remember how you got here or where here even is.
The creak of the door draws your attention. In walks a beautiful man with hair like raven feathers and an outfit matching the dark room. Quickly, your brain runs through an empty shelf of memories, trying to figure out whether you did something with this gorgeous man and forgot. Patting your body, you find all your clothes on your body, but not quite intact. Noticing holes in the fabric, you push down the covers to figure out the damage. Strangely, you find scorch marks all over your shirt - a burned hem cutting its original length, small holes with blackened edges from sparks flying onto the flammable fabric, even a full sleeve missing.
Before you can ask about the night prior, the stranger speaks, "You probably don't remember. That tends to happen." He pulls a chair closer to the bed, sitting back and relaxing. As if running on a script, he rallies off information, "Last night, you were at a party. An accident happened, where someone dropped a lit cigarette into some spilled alcohol. Not very many people survived, as the alcohol fire spread quickly and most of the party goers were impaired by the various drugs and alcoholic drinks."
A fire? You remember everyone's screams shifting from excited to terrified, but can't remember the flames themselves. With that big of a disaster, you wouldn't have expected to forget, even under the influence.
"At least I made it out safe."
"You didn't, Y/N." The man reveals with a look of boredom on his face, "That's why I'm here. My name is Seonghwa, and I'm a reaper. It is my job to collect the newly deceased and lead you into the afterlife."
"No."
Finally showing emotion in his reaction, Seonghwa doesn't know what to say, frozen in shock. Nobody has outright denied him like this. They've fought, cried, cursed him, and even struck him, but nobody has had your composure to simply say no.
"I can't die yet. I haven't done so many things. I've barely even hugged people I found attractive. What about my first kiss, my first time? Or traveling with someone I love? I can't die when I haven't done any of that. Send me back."
There it is. A line Seonghwa's heard time and time again. But this time, it's framed differently. No first kiss? Seonghwa empathizes with you, as a reaper who often wonders of the joys of living. Reapers, of course, weren't granted that chance; forged by the gods of death with the sole purpose of easing their jobs, reapers often face a tedious, repetitive life. Most were okay with it, as that is all they ever knew, but everyone hears stories of those driven crazy after too many interactions with humans.
"I cannot send you back. You're already dead, and that's out of my powers. I simply lead you to the proper afterlife."
Your posture drops as he explains this. All you ever wanted was a sweet love story in your life, and now it won't happen. Despite this, your urge to at least try something still rages within you. So much so that you don't even try to stop yourself from asking Seonghwa a desperate question.
"Could you show me what love is like? Or at least let me feel what it's like to kiss and touch someone?"
Caught off guard by the unexpected request, Seonghwa forgets his words for a moment, his mouth hanging open slightly. You look at him, anticipating his answer and hoping he'll give in.
"You want to kiss me? To touch me?"
"Why not? You have a pretty face, a nice voice, and probably a body sculpted by gods. Why wouldn't I? You seem nice, too."
Something in the naivety of your words pulls at him. Urges he didn't know he held surface as you pout at him, and he can't stop himself from wanting to show you everything he can before leading you to your final resting place. Here, in the confines of these smoke-colored walls where time stands still and everything lies in limbo, Seonghwa breaks his personal protocol to indulge in something dark bubbling inside him. Without saying another word, he pushes himself off the chair and kisses you. He moves so fast that you can't catch your breath before his lips are mingling roughly with yours. Your hands find their way to his chest while his snake behind you, one on your upper back and the other resting on your hip.
He brings you closer, tightening the gap. As you both pant out in breaks from the sloppy kiss, your body heats up. Although you're certain you can't be kissing very well based on how much more work he's doing, he doesn't seem to pay it any mind. His luscious lips overtake yours with ease, you feel every movement amplified. The moment his cold hands slide under the remaining fabric covering you, it feels so enticing against your hot body, cooling your back down with a simple touch. Slowly, you find him guiding you to lie on the bed. He hovers above you, looking down on you as he appreciates the look on your face - a look begging for more but not knowing what that might entail; a mix of fear and longing.
Your innocence spurs him on more than he thought possible; even just seeing you looking at him and trying to steady your breathing drives him insane. His usually loose pants much more snug thanks to his erection, Seonghwa refuses to hold himself back. With a quick swipe of his hand, your shirt rips apart, revealing your bare stomach and beautifully adorned chest. With a deep growl and another swipe, your pants fall to the sides of your legs, leaving you lying under him in your matching bra and panty set.
"What a wonderful color on you." His hand lingers on your waist as he admires how well the color of your underwear suits your skin tone, "I almost don't want to rip it off of you. Almost."
Leaning in, Seonghwa leaves kisses all over your uncovered body, marking you in places he knows will feel best for you - under your ear, along your collarbone, on both hips, right above the covered portion of your chest. Although his kisses are soft, his marks turn aggressive as he sucks hard and even bites down on some spots.
Along with the rough marking, his hands make quick work of the little remaining fabric on your body. When his lips reach fabric, he quickly works to remove it. Unlike before, he takes care not to rip apart your undergarments, bringing a temporary sense of kindness to his actions. Unbeknownst to you, he's careful with them so he can hold onto them after you leave him - a souvenir of sorts. That kindness doesn't last long, not when your naked body is on full display for him. Looking down at you, he can feel himself salivate at your inexperience as it leaves you slightly covering yourself in nervousness. His eyes darken before he moves further down the bed, spreading your legs to place his face snuggly between them.
"Y-You don't have to-"
"Sweetheart," he growls as he peeks up at you, "What fun would it be if I didn't show you everything?"
Kissing and nibbling the skin on your inner thigh, his silky black hair prickles against your other leg. The closeness of the sensations to your throbbing core makes you squirm involuntarily. Feeling him chuckle against your thigh, your hands fly to your face as it heats up from the embarrassment. After giving both thighs plenty of attention, he centers himself, proud to see you soaking already. Running a finger through your folds, he uses your arousal to coat his fingers before sliding them inside you, one at a time. At the first insertion, your body tenses in response to the newfound sensation. You expected that you'd feel similar to when you do it, but the angle, the size, the speed - everything feels so different. He moves the finger in and out before adding his second one, stretching your tense body out some more.
He kisses your thigh as his fingers curl inside of you, "Relax, sweetheart. Believe me, it'll feel so much better when you untense yourself. Breathe. Enjoy it."
At his coaxing, you close your eyes and take a deep breath. Letting yourself relax, you notice the knots in your body fading, replaced with the intense warmth of your core and the slow, intoxicating movement of his fingers inside you. Noticing this, Seonghwa leans in, swirling his tongue around your folds and quickly finding your clit. He's careful and calculated in his movements here, not wanting to overwhelm you just yet. But he knows exactly how to work you up, and you feel something build inside you. You recognize this feeling and let your hips grind against him as you chase after the high you desire. He flattens his tongue against your clit, the roughness and pressure sending you over the edge. He continues curling his fingers perfectly inside you as you ride through your orgasm, the feeling rippling through you.
Slowly removing his fingers from you, you wince at the emptiness, but he caresses your cheek and shushes you as he lifts himself again. Dragging his shirt over his head, you gawk at his torso. He's slim but well-built. Not quite six-pack well, but the soft lines running down his abs look better without the added dimension. You lift your hand to drag your fingertips over his body, but he's too busy tearing his pants down to give you a chance. Your gaze drops as he moves, drawn to his cock standing tall and proud. You were right - he's definitely sculpted by gods, and whoever made him needed to be worshipped even more. How could a dick be good-looking? Everything you'd seen before was not for looking, but his looked delicious, curving upward slightly and built to spread someone open in the best ways.
While you're busy gawking at him, he climbs above you again. Grabbing your jaw roughly and forcing your gaze back to his face, he smirks.
"My face is up here, love. What could possibly be better to look at than this face?"
Crashing his lips against yours again, he doesn't need to hear an answer. Holding himself up with one arm, he moves a hand between his legs. Grabbing himself, he coats his length in your fluids by rubbing himself between your folds. The small touches leave you begging for more as he pulls his lips off of yours.
"Please... I need it."
"Oh? You need it? What a gorgeous sentence to fall from your breathless lips. Well, let me oblige."
Lining his tip up with your entrance, he slowly pushes in, stretching you out even with such a small amount. Growling with a clenched jaw, he manages to keep his pace despite wanting to bury himself entirely inside you. After a painfully long wait, he bottoms out inside of you. His length brings tears to your eyes, but they don't overflow. The burning stretch shifts away after a while, but your breath remains caught in your throat.
Pecking your lips and rubbing your cheek with his knuckles, he praises you, "You're doing so well. You can take all of me. Good job, baby girl. Let me know when you're ready."
His kind words calm you down, allowing your breathing to return to you. when the burn fades completely and your body adjusts to his size, you wiggle a bit, urging movement.
"Use your words, sweetheart. Are you ready?"
"Yessir. Please move."
Once again, your innocence feeds his urge to ruin you entirely. With your sweet voice and naivety of what it'll feel like when he moves, he throws out his plan to ease you into everything. Pulling back slowly, he slams into you, his hips hitting your thighs on impact. He keeps going at this pace, roughly slamming into you again and again. Your eyes roll back into your head and your mouth falls open, noises messily leaving your lips as your brain muddles. His hands grip your thighs, fingernails digging into your flesh as he uses his grip to pull you into him. Filling the room with the sounds of sex, Seonghwa's head falls back for a moment as he enjoys the feeling of your warmth enveloping him.
"Seonghwa," his name falls softly from your lips, "I'm gonna-"
Unable to finish your sentence as your orgasm crashes upon you, Seonghwa groans at the sensation of you finishing around him. He picks up his pace, sloppily pounding into you as he chases his own high. Leaning forward into you, his head falls into the crook of your neck, teeth gripping onto your skin as he finishes inside you. Feeling the warm liquid shooting into you, you feel strangely complete, as if all you needed to feel alive again was a grim reaper's cum.
As Seonghwa lies on top of you, your collective pants now the only sounds in the small room, you thank him for obliging in your silly request. The embarrassment of begging a total stranger to take your virginity finally hits you, so you add a small apology at the end.
Brushing your hair with his fingertips, he replies, "Don't apologize. Thank you for letting me be your experience, it awakened and quelled a desire I didn't realize I had."
"'Your experience,' that's funny. Since it's my first and last, right? You'll be all I know." You poke fun at the situation in front of you, trying to relieve the nerves slowly gathering about the afterlife.
"Good." He growls out deeply. "Keep it that way. It makes me so happy knowing that you really are all mine."
Tags: @dimpledsatan-recs @mo0nbeams
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bunniesanddeer · 9 days
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Hi,
Just recently found your stories! I love how you write Alastor! I have a request and I apologize if its long.
Reader arrives at the hotel and unbeknownst to everyone they can see people’s pasts, mainly their earthly lives, once they touch them. Which usually isn’t a problem until she meets Alastor. They see his past as well as the fact that his soul is owned by a mysterious entity.
As time goes by, Alastor and reader form something of a friendship and he can sense reader is powerful and repeatedly tries to get them into a soul deal. One evening while at the bar, he’s trying to make a deal when reader, somewhat drunk, states “no power I have can help you with your deal.”
One of those “oh shit” moments and reader runs only to get caught by a very agitated Alastor. They explain how they know and don’t know who the deal is with etc trying to calm him down. He realizes they have known this whole time and not spoken of it so he feels he can trust them.
Sorry sorry sorry this longer then it sounded in my head!
Hi! Sorry this took so long! So much has happened, and yet so little. In the middle of trying to buy a home, and my full-time job has been kicking my butt. Sorry if this is OOC, or anything like that. I have been having a hard time writing at all!
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Everything
Pairing: Alastor X Reader
Warnings: Mild horror.
Word Count: 2,093
Maybe it was the psychology degree. Maybe it was that strange empathy that had been instilled into you as a survival response. Either way, you don’t know what caused it; when you ended up in Hell, because of course you did, you found out you had a strange ability, one that startled you. At a single touch, the entirety of someone’s life was made known to you; all their secrets, their thoughts, and even their afterlife. Their lives were heavy burdens, and so you settled on wearing gloves. You could minimize the damage to your psyche, and to your soul, if you avoided it entirely. No one would find out, if there was no risk of you using it.
Time was hard to measure in Hell, and so you couldn’t tell how long it took you to find a comfortable, enough, routine in Hell. You wore soft gloves, and only took them off when alone, or when they got soiled. You had a job, and you were living a boring rerun of your life on Earth. That was until you saw the advertisement for the “Hazbin Hotel”, looking for employees. You recalled the Princess, Charlie, making a fool of herself on the news only a few months prior. She was endearing, and the reminder and call for employees drew your attention. Without thinking too hard on it, your decision had been unconsciously made. You were going to apply. 
The main lobby was large, and had family portraits of the royal family hung on the wall. There was a bar and couches on the far side of the room. There was no one but the bartender in the room. The grumpy cat at the bar drew your eyes, and so you made your way to him. 
“Ah, hello?” You called to him, trying not to startle him. 
Sharp pupils lazily flickered towards you, and the cat-man let out a grunt. 
“I’m here to maybe, apply for a position here,” you continued. You extended a hand and introduced yourself. “I was a therapist, and although it has been some time-”
“I don’t care. You’ll be talkin’ to Charlie,” the bartender interrupted, taking a swig of his drink. “She probably already knows you’re here.”
Sure enough, a white blur was bounding down the steps, exuberance filling every part of  her form. “Oh hello! Hello! My name is Charlie,” she said, grabbing at one of your hands and shaking your whole body with her handshake. “You said you were a therapist?”
Now that she had settled into being mostly still, you could make out her features better. She had blonde hair, loosely tied, and cherub cheeks. Her large eyes were filled with such wild hope, that you feared ever needing to tell her ‘no’. This was the Princess of Hell, Charlotte Morningstar. 
“Uh, yes, I was!” You try to match her tone, and notice other people filling into the lobby. “I specialized in correctional counselor. I worked with those in the prison system, trying to help them avoid recidivism. Along with programs in the prison, we helped them acclimate back to civilian life, and keep their records clean! I also worked with some after they left.”
Charlie’s eyebrows shoot up into her hairline. “Oh wow! That would be PERFECT.” You watch her smile grow, and she turns to the woman that was now standing next to her. “You hear that, Vaggie? This is great, right?”
Although you were hesitant, this felt like the right move. So with a little forced pep to your step, you accepted the offer she made only minutes later, and joined the Hazbin Hotel team. That was before you realized Alastor was there. 
Months into your stay was the first time you accidentally touched anyone. You had been in your room, organizing some of your things, when Alastor barged in, yelling about some Angel Dust annoying him. The two of you had a weird friendship going. He would poke and prod you, and you would laugh it off and speak your mind about what you thought was ‘wrong’ about him — all in good fun, of course. Because of your general comfort with each other, he liked to barge into your personal space more and more often, and it had led to a few close calls. Now, though, was far too close. You weren't wearing gloves, and he had his arm wrapped around your shoulders.
“My dear, you simply must tell Angel Dust that his attempts at wooing are preposterous!” Alastor flipped you around so you were facing him. “He has no musical talent at all, I’m sure! How would it ever work?”
You scrunched up your face, and stared up at him. His bright red pupils widened as you laughed. “Al, I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
“Ah, what fooey!” Alastor grabbed at your hand before you could pull it away, and it happened. Everything. All the terrible words and looks in his childhood. His mother’s soft smile, and her softer hands cupping his face as tears rolled down his cheeks. Angry voices telling him to leave. The cool feeling of metal under his hands. Warm liquid pooling beneath his feet. The chains wrapped around his throat. The abject hate he felt. The way every single choice he made had to be done precisely. The spark of joy he had to smother around people he loosely defined as friends. The control he desired like smoke in his hands. And then it was gone, and Alastor was giving you an odd look. 
“Are you alright, dear?” His head cocked, and the static that constantly coated his words quieted down. His thumb rubbed across your bare skin once, before he pulled his hand away from you, letting it clasp around his microphone. 
“Uh, yeah. Zoned out there, for a moment. No worries,” you said, trying to discourage his well-known prodding. You couldn’t handle it, right now. You shrugged your shoulders. “I didn’t get much sleep, last night, I’m sorry.”
When he finally let it go, and went back to his ranting, your mind slowed down. Now that it had happened, it was only a matter of time before something slipped. Would you die, because of what you knew? Would his master order him to slaughter you, or would he do it happily himself? Or would he use you, thinking that your power could save him, when the inevitable confrontation occurred?
You could only worry and wonder. There was nothing you could do to change it now. And so you kept your mouth shut, and waited.
The inexorable fate that awaited you, came weeks later, when the staff had settled in together to drink. Angel Dust was working, Sir Pentious had squirreled himself away in his room, and Charlie and Vaggie were out having ‘date-night’. The group, including Alastor, were several drinks in. 
Husk poured Alastor another drink, rolling his eyes at the Radio Demon’s antics. Alastor was telling a wild tale, and it had you and Niffty cackling, although it seemed she had heard it before.
“And just as he turns back to yell at me, he slips, and falls! Splat! Straight onto the concrete!” Alastor lets out a raving cackle. Niffty giggles, her drink splashing a bit as her whole body shakes. You wipe a tear from the corner of your eye, and try to calm your breathing.
“That is so fucked up, Al. Why?” You wheeze. “Why do you do this?”
“Because-” and he hiccups, which sets you off into more giggling. “Because life is a tragedy, and tragedy is hilarious.” He sets his drink down, and slots himself onto your seat, squishing you as he does. “As you know, my dear, I take quite a liking to anything that makes me laugh.”
He’s incredibly drunk, there is no way he isn’t, because he fucking taps your nose with one red claw, and mutters “Boop”, under his breath. You shake your head, feeling like you’ve drank more than you had. Your eyes feel the tiniest bit fuzzy and you laugh at the strangeness of it. 
“Are you alright, Al?” You ask, scooting over just a little, trying to get him off of your hip. “You seem out of it.”
Husk grunts, “He’s always like that with whiskey and rye. Should’a seen him a couple years ago-” His voice cuts off, and you look over to see the death glare Alastor is giving him. It settles when the bartender stays quiet with an eye roll. “Oh, whatever.”
Alastor hums, and then returns to looking at you. “You know, my dear, I could really help you out, down here, if we were to make a deal! Imagine setting up your own little clinic, and helping all the wayward souls down here!” He giggles again, and his smile widens. “Or you could manipulate them all to do your bidding with your strange mind medicine!” 
You shake your head. “C’mon Al, you know I’m not interested in that.”
Alastor shakes his head, his ears flopping back a little. “Then not that! There is plenty I could give you, for just one, little deal!”
Without thinking, you mutter, “I have no power that can help you with your deal, Al.” 
Your heart stops in your chest, and you stare at Alastor as his entire demeanor changes. His eyes are wide, and his pupils are tiny pinpricks of light in his dark sclera. His hand grips at the arm of the couch, and you know you’ve fucked up. Before he can say anything, you dart up, and out of the lounge. 
With the sudden surge of adrenaline, you feel nearly sober. Your feet pound at the floor as you dash down the hall, and up the stairs as quickly as you can manage. You slide around a corner, and sprint down a hallway before you hear the static. 
The normal white noise has been replaced with a thick static, heavy with screams, and the hall is getting dark. It feels as if the torches on the wall are being snuffed out, even though you can see them still softly glowing in the dark. Your heart pounds, and your breath catches as you hear Alastor’s music playing at a distance. He’s not nearly far enough behind. Is there anywhere in the hotel you could even hide?
It doesn’t matter, because he’s right behind you in only seconds. His form has grown enormous, and he takes up the entirety of the hallway. One large hand stabilizes him by pressing against the wall, and the other wraps around your torso, fingers wrapping around your form easily. He squeezes you, just enough to let you know how much power he has over you, and he brings you level to his face.
“How do you know?” His voice is rough, and deep, and the static and screams re making your head hurt. When you don’t immediately answer, he squeezes just a little, and shakes you. “HOW DO YOU KNOW?” 
You let out a rough sob. “I can just tell. If I-” your voice cuts out as you cough from the previous exertion. “If I touch someone, I know just about everything about them, from their mortal life, to here in Hell.” Tears roll down your face, and you heave. “I tried to avoid touching you! It’s why I wear gloves! But you caught me off guard a few weeks ago!”
Alastor’s gaze doesn’t waver, but his expression does, just a little. You keep talking.
“I didn’t tell anyone, and I wouldn’t! That goes so far against my morals. You know that. Haha. Patient confidentiality.” You squeeze your eyes shut. “I’m sorry. I wish I could have prevented it, and I wish I could help you now that I know, but I can’t!”
Your form is set on the ground, and you want to curl up, so badly, but you don’t. Instead, you open your eyes, and see Alastor, at his normal size, adjusting himself. 
“Yes, well, I suppose there’s nothing to be done.” He flicks his eyes to you. “If you say anything, ever, I’ll gut you, do you understand?”
You merely nod, and he nods in return. He takes a breath, and then offers you a hand, and you take it. 
He gives you a sly smile, as you are wiping your face off with his handkerchief. “I’ll get a deal out of you, yet, my dear!” And he says nothing more, as the two of you make your way back downstairs. 
You hope, with everything you are, that he doesn’t.
Thank you for reading! My taglist is pinned on my page. I will try to have the two other requests I'm working on out soon! Sorry for the wait. Having a chronic illness, a job, and house huntng is hard, haha!
Taglist: @wen01203 @alastorssimp @girl-nahh-two @numetalnerd2007 @justchillingandhavingfun @alastorssimp @wen01203 @lemonyboy97 @fairyv-ice
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A DC X DP IDEA #17 Cinderella
Imagine dis…
Danny has many types of occupations throughout the fandom, from being a member of the JL or JLD to a humble engineer or café barista that wants to live a somewhat normal life. But what if we turn him into a janitor working at the prestigious Gotham Academy
Danny never would have thought he would end up being a janitor at an academy for rich kids in Gotham, a thought passed by as he mopped the floors diligently.
Despite his early years of being a vigilante, he hangs his cape the moment he noticed other heroes popping up as well as being able to fix the Infinite Realms. The JL members used to look for Phantom to offer their tillage and wisdom but when the Ghost King, himself, was able to have some sort of compromise between the humans and ghosts, Amity became a hotspot for the paranormal under the protection of the Ghost king when the Ecto acts had been destroyed in favor for the meta law.
Phantom disappeared, it was one running theory that he finally left to rest, or even that he became a permanent ghost knight for the king as some sort of knighthood for protecting both humans and ghosts during hard times.
The explosion in the Nasty Burger still happened but instead of having all of his loved ones die in that tragic fate, he managed to save his best friends as well his sister. Vlad tried to take them in as a way to show his good faith as well as to show remorse for the things he had done and now trying to make it up to the children. At first, the trio and sister are skeptical as both siblings are the last remnants of his beloved Maddie. But he had proved himself to be a better person despite his quirks, which is his obsession that turned into some sort of protection/obsession/love towards the people he considered family after their deaths.
Danny is now free to enjoy his remaining human life before he joins the afterlife permanently. As much as he wanted to go and join NASA in space, he couldn’t even pass the physical exam to join the program. So, he took his sister’s advice to enjoy his life to the last bit this world has to offer. Even if he still wasn’t crowned king, he started acting king as well as attending various lessons to become king. Vlad offered Danny to be his heir at his company but he refused stating that being a king is already hard work. Add to the fact he had a limitless and infinite amount of funds that he could simply travel the world as many times as he wanted as well splurge money as if it was candy he would still have infinite funds in his treasury. He had joined his now daughter to enjoy the wonders of the world as well visiting and touring to the endless worlds that connected to the Infinite realms. But once he had finished his travels, he had exponentially grown into a fine man in his late 30s. Gaining Jack’s height whilst Maddie’s built, he is a very definition of a twink.
But he wanted to lay low, something mundane, something that can keep him busy as he was itching to do something ever since he returned to his hometown. As much as he had grown, he is still having the mind of an impulsive teen in his teens and threw a dart in which state to settle in and took a computer generator to choose which job to do.
Gotham and the janitor were the ones that showed up and landed a dart in. He thinks it is perfect as not many would be looking into a janitor.
He packed up his things and applied for a job in Gotham Academy as a janitor and immediately settled in his small apartment in Crime Alley when he received approval for his new job.
It has been a week in his new job and he couldn’t be prouder than being able to blend in without the use of his powers. Messing up his hair to make his head a rat’s nest as well as adding some soot in his face, hands, arms, and overalls to make him look like a homeless who had got the job out of pure luck as he kept his back hunch like Clark Kent, Yes he is not slick in hiding in plain sight as he had gotten away in inverted colors but those glasses are not doing a great job.
This new school year he felt that there has been a new buzz in the atmosphere as real Blood Wayne is now attending. The real son of Bruce Wayne one of the rumors said, he had observed in the far at the kid and he looked like his father aside from his colors.
He noticed the kid is not comfortable around the others who tried to talk to him. Broke some spoiled kid’s nose for talking too much about being friends in the right sort. Some girls tried to get close to him by touching his shoulder or being too near his bubble and broke the poor girl’s wrist. Talked too formally and weirdly that he didn’t have any friends aside from Superman’s son, honestly that poor disguise is being passed from Superman to the son at least Bruce Wayne has the sense to have separate personalities from his playboy persona to his Batman persona.
Honestly, he couldn’t even blame the kid for the things he had done that landed him in the principal’s office.
One day when he was taking his lunch in a hidden place in the academy when the door suddenly slammed open and quickly entered the Blood Prince aka Damian Wayne, and immediately relaxed at the door being shut. He quickly looked alarmed at the stranger in the same room but after telling to Damian that he is the school’s janitor by showing his id to prove immediately and visibly relaxed. But to Danny’s eyes, he still looked ready to pounce at Danny for breathing wrong.
A small grumble of stomach destroyed the tension in the room, as Damian Al Ghul Wayne began to feel embarrassed for not only forgetting his lunch, not noticing the janitor, and even being cornered by kids who wish him harm. Damian still didn’t understand why his father had forbade him to fight anyone who are disrespectful to him, leaving him no choice but to run like a coward. The janitor that he had seen a few times around the academy offered him his sandwich which he tries to deny as he is vegetarian, the janitor Daniel, pulled out a vegetarian sandwich that he kept, as he explained that it became a habit of him when his friend who is also a vegetarian forgot their lunch.
Reluctantly Damian received and thanked the janitor and hesitantly took a bite but was surprised at the flavor of the generous amount of vegetables as well as some substitutes that gave so much flavor. Then Daniel, call him Danny he insisted, and offered him a small Tupperware filled with various fruits as dessert. Both began to chat about mindless things up until the bell rang as a reminder at lunchtime ended. Danny called out that Damian is always welcome at this little hidden place to escape or just have a quiet time by himself, Damian just nodded silently and the next day Damian appeared at the door and asked for Danny’s permission to enter the room which Danny laughed and gestured Damian to enter.
From that day on a bond formed between the two.
Damian would spend his lunch breaks and free time in the safety of the hidden room and he is always greeted by Danny still in his soot-filled overalls and messy and rat-like hair in a corner. As they both eat their respective lunches each day, slowly but surely Damian became open to the humble janitor, He would pop different questions starting with the mundane and normal questions and about the vocabulary of normal teenagers that his brothers use some absurd words that left him frustrated at the meaning nor the action behind it. Danny happily answered Damian’s question as Damian would come home each day becoming a real boy.
This made some of the Wayne kids horrified at who taught this demon spawn what yeet means. Some cackled at what could they do to further corrupt Damian. Damian let the rest of his supposed siblings come up with whatever theory on how he learned such vocabulary as it was, he and Danny’s little island of secret and peace at school, away from his imbeciles of brothers as well his noisy classmates.
Danny stared at the piece of an envelope as if it had offended him. Vlad asked him if he could be his plus one at the upcoming Wayne gala for another charity by Bruce Wayne and since Brucie Wayne was not getting younger he had thrown a masquerade ball as a theme in the said gala since it was nearing the Halloween season. Danny had thought about denying the invite but with the thought of Vlad rarely asking Danny things he reluctantly called Sam. Despite distancing herself from her surname she kept some of her connections during her teens and got Danny a good tailor for a suit that resembles during the Victorian era with the color scheme black and silver add a toxic green and silver mask which he crafted himself that goes well with his suit that covers his entire upper face leaving his mouth and hair visible.
When Vlad picked him up, he noticed that he got him got slacked jawed at Danny’s overall appearance. Maybe it is because he had straightened up his back and showed his real height, maybe it’s because of his tiny waist that is visible despite wearing a full vest and suit or maybe it is because of the mysterious air that Danny seemed to surround him with as he demands command and respect just standing silently as he let Vlad gawk and compare between the badger and feral little shit during his teenage years to the person sitting across the limousine looking like a noble right out of the Victorian era.
Bruce didn’t pick for tonight’s gala theme but due to Dick’s insistence that Damian never actually experienced a masquerade ball along with Jason’s persuasion to attend the gala so that he could live out his nerd self-made, Bruce made it real. Now all of his children are scattered and he could see Tim at the edge of the window the verge of passing out. Dick drags Damian to enjoy the theme while Jason is releasing his inner theater kid using the other higher population of Gotham as his supposed audience for his dramatics. Since no one can see which masked guests contain the Waynes made it is easier to ignore and evade both media as well the upper socialite of Gotham.
He was about to grab a glass of champagne from the tray of a passing waiter when he fainted slipping to enter his Brucie persona when he was immediately grabbed from his waist as if to watch him.
As he is about to thank the man for catching him, he wasn’t about to slip, when he suddenly forgot how to talk.
A man a lot taller than Bruce himself has a slim build but Bruce could see some muscles that seem show themselves just for Bruce to see through, wearing a Victorian-style suit that seemed to complement the mask that covers the man’s entire upper face showing for Bruce to see a wolfish grin at him as a fluffy amount of hair rests on top of the man.
The man introduced himself as Nightgale and both men seemed to hit off. Both felt comfortable in each other’s company so they both escaped the main lobby that contains the guests as they both chat amicably at the porch without noticing the cold wind bothering the two. Bruce never once went into his Brucie persona nor he felt the man was lying.
Bruce was about to introduce himself when he heard the loud crashing of the window allowing Joker and his goons to enter the gala thus destroying the mood.
Bruce didn’t let it show but he is annoyed at the Joker’s timing as he tried to escape to change into Batman. Suddenly Nightgale grabbed him by the wrist and carried him outside bridal style, Bruce didn’t suddenly feel his heartbeat suddenly getting faster he didn’t feel his ears getting warmer as Nightgale seem to carry him out to safety, no he didn’t. Some goons tried to stop the two but Nightgale continued after he had quickly disposed of the goons that blocked their way. He didn’t feel his heart skip a beat at the fact that this man seemed to protect Bruce, the Batman like he was some princess in need of saving.
Both he and Nightgale suddenly found themselves in a hidden garden that only the Waynes knew of. Bruce didn’t feel his breath taken away by this mysterious man when he let Bruce onto his feet once again as the moon shines at them making Nightgale look so ethereal.
As soon as Nightgale heard the stroke of midnight he left Bruce after kissing the back of his hand as he kneeled in revelry.
Bruce didn’t freeze at the spot; Bruce didn’t get himself tranced at the event and had Alfred fetch him and drove him back to the manor. Bruce didn’t act like a girl in high school, squealing at having her crush notice her and ask her out as he sat behind the car back to the manor.
After teasing their father at his predicament, they are now invested in the man who seemingly took their father’s attention as well as able to develop some sort of crush on him at the gala. Jason is fully invested as he read too many novels and now sees Bruce as a main character in need of help to find his prince charming.
Danny is just minding his own business as he kept sneezing at random times and asked himself if the dead can get sick.
 PS: If someone out there wanted to continue or make a fic about this you are free to do so, don’t forget to tag me though.
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mouse-fantoms · 6 months
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Thinkin about the boys being like “it’s Halloween, we’re ghosts we have to be spooky!” And Julie is like “…pff good luck 😂” bc I mean just look at them,
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Luke’s like “😠 no we’re ghosts we can be scary”
Reggie’s like “yeah we can be spooky!”
And Julie points out, “…none of you wanted to take care of the spider that was in the garage the other day bc it would come back as a spider ghost and haunt three.”
“In their defense, we haven’t seen a ghost spider before and didn’t want to test the theory.” Alex defends.
Bc Julie can always see them, it takes the spookiness out of everything. They can’t make anything look like it’s floating to her bc she can see that they are holding it, they can’t float or anything bc they haven’t figured out that part of being ghosts. After feeling like they’re out of spooking options they decide to resort to the classic ghost stereotype in media of using a white bed sheet.
They just wait in the garage for someone to come by and spook em but turns out it’s Julie and she once again cannot be spooked and this time she says their downfall was choosing the garage bc since she already links the garage with them she already knows there’s ghosts there so it doesn’t catch we off guard to see “ghosts” in there.
They decide to throw in the towel, they cannot spook Julie at all bc she has a good point and good reasons for not being able to be spooked.
When she leaves the garage she left the door partially open and the boys are like “huh she didn’t close the door kind of weird? Luke you go close it.” As he has his hand on the door to close it all of the sudden in the crack of the door in his vision he see a white figure with a black face who does a “BOO!” cry. Luke stumbles back and falls to the ground out of fear as shouts “AHHHH!” which match Alex and Reggie’s cries who were near the door and who saw the sudden figure appear just as Luke had. They suddenly hear laughing from behind the door.
“Good job Carlos.” They hear Julie’s voice and the white figure, who they now realize is short and has a black sharpie drawn on face opens the door to reveal her. “That was perfect.”
As Alex and Reggie help Luke up from the floor and they’re trying to process what happened they see that the white figure takes off their white sheet to reveal that they are in fact Carlos. They see Julie holding out a high five that Carlos returns with a smile on his face, proud of his part.
“You recruited your brother to scare us?” Reggie doesn’t know how to feel considering he always join in on Carlos’ “paranormal videos” and how much the two have bonded bc of them.
“You scared ghosts with a ghost?” Alex points out the irony.
“You can’t just do that!” Luke holds his heart like he’s trying to relax his breathing. “My life just flashed before my eyes.”
“Your afterlife.” Reggie corrects him with a whisper.
“That’s how you properly spook someone.” Julie smiles.
It takes them a second to collect themselves but once they do they can’t help but laugh and congratulate Julie, she got them good.
Julie explains that Carlos already had the sheet with the drawn on sharpie face ready bc for several years he got Ray multiple times with that same gag. Every Halloween seasons it’s like a tradition for him to spook Ray and even though Ray suspects it his son still gives him a fright bc he always catches him off guard. It was just her idea for him to use it to spook other people which was definitely worth it
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biconickyoshi · 2 months
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Okay y’all… I was very critical of eps 3 & 4 (especially 4) of NAtLA. Then all of a sudden eps 5 & 6 kinda slapped me in the face with how much better the show suddenly got.
Spoiler-free thoughts first:
Zuko, Iroh, and Aang have cemented themselves as the best parts about this adaptation - which is really funny considering I’m currently writing a longfic AU where Zuko and Iroh discover Aang in the iceberg right after Zuko is banished at age 13 and end up becoming the first members of the Gaang (albeit reluctantly at first lol). Episode 6: “Masks” (the Blue Spirit adaptation) was so good, I’d venture to say that it actually improved and fleshed out some things from the original series.
Episode 5: “Spirited Away”, while not as good as E6, was not as bad as I heard people say it was going to be. I think that the changes they did make didn’t bother me nearly as much as the changes they made in the last episode, and it was actually entertaining.
There were several scenes that made me cry in both of these episodes (moreso in episode 6, which I’ll get into further down in the spoiler section). These are the scenes that I feel like really tapped into the heart of the original show rather than feeling like a soulless remake.
Now for my in-depth thoughts (INCLUDES SPOILERS):
EP 5: “Spirited Away”
- Staring out, I was bummed because I had just rewatched the first two eps of the original animated series lol.
- It was an interesting choice to have all three members of the Gaang get stuck in the Spirit World, but I think it worked.
- Wan Shi Tong just showing up randomly was a bit unnecessary, but I suppose it will be kinda interesting to see him again in S2 since he’s already met the Gaang
- Hei Bai plays a much smaller role in these eps, but I strangely didn’t mind that either?
- Seeing Katara’s last memory with her mom was devastating, especially the fact that she had to witness her death and hide in the igloo with Kya’s charred body :(( she definitely has severe PTSD.
- Even Sokka’s memory made me tear up a bit
- Koh being the villain and a soul-eater or whatever was a bit of an odd choice, but I guess I can see why they did it. I do prefer him just being an asshole who steals ppl’s faces lol
- Appreciated the Fog of Lost Souls reference from the LoK lore
- Aang reuniting with Gyatso made me cry. I know some people didn’t like him being in the Spirit World, but I really liked it. Also, the fact that Gyatso was the first person to tell Aang that it wasn’t his fault the Air Nomads died, and that if he had been there he would have died too? THANK YOU! My poor boy has been berated enough for “abandoning” the world.
- We got some interesting lore about the afterlife for humans from Gyatso and Aang’s convo, which we’ve never gotten in AtLA media before. Idk if it’s just for Air Nomads, but Aang mentions that Gyatso stayed behind instead of “seeking enlightenment”. I know that the end goal in Buddhism is to reincarnate until you eventually achieve nirvana, so I wonder if that’s what they were alluding to (I’m not an expert on religions so pls correct me if I’m wrong)
- Oh yeah, I forgot June is here lmao. As a queer person I loved her (bc beautiful goth woman) but I didn’t like the weird choice to make her hit on Iroh - I guess to contrast the Iroh being creepy towards her thing in the OG series. I wish they would have just had them interact normally tbh, no weird “flirting”
EP 6: “Masks”
- Here we go y’all. The best episode in the show so far and probably the best the show is gonna get this season. I’m still pretty shocked at how good this one was.
- I think the decision to include flashbacks to Zuko’s Agni Kai was a good decision here. It felt like an appropriate episode for them and the flashbacks were very well done.
- In general, Dallas is doing a phenomenal job at portraying a Zuko who is angry and aggressive, yes, but also so very sweet and compassionate at his core. I love when little inklings of his true self shine through.
- Roku was… not what I expected. He was very much more of a lighthearted and jokey person… I didn’t hate it, it was just unexpected lol. I wonder if they did that to contrast him with Kyoshi. Which, speaking of, I’m glad Roku clarified that Aang doesn’t just need to be a merciless warrior (and that he didn’t berate Aang for “abandoning” the world like she did). But I still am annoyed about the mischaracterization of Kyoshi in general.
- RIP Shyu :/
- Thought it was kind of strange how June captures Aang at Roku’s temple lol. Like how did she get on and off the island??
- Zhao continues to feel like a completely different character to me lmao. I think this version is pretty funny, but it’s so weird to see Zhao being portrayed as so goofy and incompetent when he was such an intimidating force and the main villain of Book 1 in the OG series. Just a weird direction they went with his character.
- The Yuyan archers look cool as fuck. 10/10 no notes
- Still not sure how I feel about Azula already being this insecure and jealous of Zuko. I think it makes her feel a bit more realistically like a child, but the whole point of Azula’s character is that she is really good at maintaining this cool and calm persona on the surface, which she uses to scare and manipulate people. I can see her maybe getting to a point later on to where she hardens herself into that though. We’ll see.
- Baby Zuko asking Iroh how he looks and his little smile 😭😭😭😭 I had a physical “aww” reaction to that. THAT’S MY SON (me and Iroh shouting in unison)
- War Room scene was handled very well. No complaints. I like how Ozai tried to test Zuko with battle strategies.
- Blue Spirit break out scene was extremely close to the original, and it was really good. They adapted it almost shot for shot with all the important parts.
- Here’s probably my favorite part of the episode: Zuko and Aang’s talk inside the abandoned house after they escape from Pohuai!!!!!! Gahhhh I could gush about this scene all day. I love how they expanded it to be an actual friendly conversation between Aang and Zuko. Like we get to see Zuko’s true self coming through - the sweet, kind boy we know he is. Zuko and Aang just have such great chemistry as well, wayyy more than Aang has with either Sokka or Katara. Like I adored them bonding over painting and caligraphy!!! I think this is the best acting we’ve seen from Gordon so far, and Dallas did a phenomenal job switching back to that hurt, angry version of himself (of course a trauma response). And the fact that Aang said “sorry, I didn’t mean to hurt you” when he blocked Zuko’s firebending attack??? My sweet boy 😭
- The final flashback to the Agni Kai was really well done too. I’d already heard Zuko fights back, which I wasn’t sure I’d like, but I actually didn’t mind it. I really liked that they showed Zuko’s hesitation whenever he did actually have an opening, and that was what angered Ozai the most - Zuko showing compassion, “weakness”. Daniel Dae Kim is of course doing a phenomenal job (no surprises there), and I really liked that Iroh actually attempted to stop Ozai at one point. It also looked like young Azula had tears in her eyes, which I again actually liked because it humanizes her.
- I loved that Aang was still there when Zuko woke up on the boat 😭 he wanted to make sure he was okay!! I full on started crying when we got the “do you think we could have been friends too?” lines from him. Again, Gordon killed it. I love how you can tell that Aang knows Zuko has been hurt and that’s why he acts the way he does. He doesn’t blame him for any of it. 10/10
- the last flashback to Zuko in his bed recovering from the burn… god the tears just kept flowing. I really liked the choice to have Ozai almost give Zuko a chance to like… idk understand why he did what he did, and how compassion is “weak”?? And then Zuko’s response to give people a chance 😭😭😭 as if I couldn’t love him any more!!! And then of course Ozai gets pissed. But seeing baby Zuko just cry in his bed UGH I’m dehydrated at this point
- Of course I can’t finish this review without mentioning the 41st division. What an incredible way to expand upon the source material by making them Zuko’s crew!!! It shows just how much Zuko truly cares about others and it moved me so much (once again to tears).
I don’t have high hopes for the last two episodes, but honestly, if this is what the live action can be, it gives me a bit of hope (at least for future seasons). I really think that Dallas, Gordon, Paul, and Daniel were the stars of this ep and are a big part of what made it so good.
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blackopals-world · 8 months
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Oh, okay, I see! Umm. I have a couple things to throw out, that also have my own thoughts and I was also thinking of other possible Yuu ideas if you’re interested in them( just what their “!” Is for and personality, not who they’re matched with) and up to hearing about them. Uh. This ask though is for the creature post and-
Me, a person who loves mythology and folklore: My time has come-
Theatre kid!Yuu as a changeling(or some other shapeshifting creature, I know of the background surrounding changelings and can understand why one may be uncomfortable with changelings(I am also the ✨neurodivergent✨))
Harpy!Yuu as a Manananggal(I know that harpies are already mythical creatures, but think about it)
Maid!Yuu as a Brownie (yes, you read that right, though it can also be spelt “broonie” or “brùnaidh” and they are a type of fae, but ,ah)
Special Forces!Yuu as a Grim Reaper(I just think it’d be neat if their role was to guide and protect the dead on the way to the afterlife instead of being what people usually expect/think of reapers, and also because they themself are often depicted as scary and dangerous, and they are, but they more so just. Guide souls to the after)
Vet!Yuu OR Marine Biologist!Yuu as a Selkie(I want them to go on a rant of how selkies are NOT half seal half human, their lower body is NOT that of a seal!(this is my being frustrated by Selkie designs that aren’t actually selkies, but the art is still really good/nice))
Oookay, that’s all of them that I had prepared. Uh. And of course, these are just suggestions, you don’t have to add anything if you don’t want to or you can pick and choose which you’re interested, I hope this isn’t coming off as forced and I apologize if it does-
🎭Theater Kid!Yuu- Shapeshifter
The ultimate actor.
Can play any role and use any voice.
They spend time endlessly rehearsing.
Likes to play pranks by pretending to be an injured animal to have people take care of them.
Allergic to iron.
Will not use their powers responsibly
They don't consider any one form their true form. They simply are.
Agender icon.
"What's gender? Is it edible?"
🧹 Maid!Yuu- Brownie
Got inside after someone left a bowl of cream out
They set up shop and began cleaning at night.
During the day they hide out in the form of a dormouse.
They have a fuzzy tail
They fix up broken items. You might find an extra mismatched button on your shirts.
Don't leave a mess on purpose. It's impolite.
If they feel taken advantage of they with make a mess and leave.
Leave out a treat for them and they will reward you in kind.
You'll never lose an item again. It will appear just where you remember it. Unfortunately, that always the last place you look.
🔫Special Forces!Yuu-Reaper
It's hard work and the coworkers are the worst.
One of the many reapers tasked with dealing with the recently deceased.
Really prickly due to being constantly tasked with the most stubborn ghosts.
"Shut up before I kill you again!"
Believes Sam was a Reaper (is he? Possibly)
Their skin has white skeleton tattoos. But when they are working their skin turns translucent and reveals their actual skeleton.
Enjoys their job when they actually get to do it without problems.
Believes in the myth they tell all reapers about that guy sisyphus.
Their favorite job is chasing down wondering souls that are on the run.
💉Nurse!Yuu - Caladrius
They have white wings.
Gets confused for a angel but they are firm that they are not.
Their job is to take sickness and transfer it into their body. Then they fly away with it as they disperse it, healing themselves.
Gives away feathers to ward off danger and illness.
Hates that Savanaclaw students use them as a cat toy.
A long suffering birdy who is losing too many feathers.
🩺 Vet!Yuu- Werewolf
Not the same as beastmen and is firm about that.
They look human most of the time but the whole transformation thing gets in the way.
Is still a vet but if now they are liable to snap their jaws at patients.
They love a good nap in the sun but must resist.
Jack knows to keep his head down if he doesn't want to get along. That just how wolves do. Make nice in the pack or be pushed out.
They don't imprint. If you say that they will rip out your throat.
They don't have soulmates. They have normal relationships like normal people. They just believe in loyalty to make relationships last. They can change partners but they usually don't.
🌊Marine Biologist!Yuu- Selkie
Not a mer just a cute rolly polly seal.
Such a friendly face, but they have sharp teeth.
Keeps their seal skin hidden away.
These days if someone does take their skin they are trained to attack them. Watch out they go for the fingers first.
The seal skin is unique to every selkie so it can't be replaced.
They will always choose the ocean if it came between it and love. But Yuu is a strange Selkie.
They know the tale of Ursilla, a human who loved a male selkie. This is part of why they believe they are destined to be with Azul so that history repeats itself.
Selkies lure their human partners into the sea and most tales say they never return. Yuu attempted with Azul not knowing he was a mer. Very embarrassing.
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kori-dearest · 20 days
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Aoughh lamb designs 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻 design notes under the cut
Pre genocide:
- in my heart sheep society was a small closed city with many, smaller nomadic groups, mostly moving around to sell luxury artisan goods like wool and textiles <333
- The Vessel (who I’ve named Latifamb, I’ll explain it later) was a traveling guard for one of these merchant groups, hence why he is already skilled with many of the weapons The Crown provides.
-the way sheep names work is a lamb gets a given name, and their family’s suffix is put at the end of that name. So The Vesseel’s given name is Latif, and his family suffix is -amb.
-i love tassels, so a lot of their clothing is tassel based <3
- their colors are mostly blue to make the white of their wool look even whiter.
-cleanliness is wildly important to Sheep, as their wool is their livelihood.
- Latifamb keep his wool as long as he can without it getting in the way of his work, mostly because his coil pattern is perfect for many of the crafts his partners enjoy making.
- he has a husband and two wives, all of whom he adores with his entire heart <3 this is shown with two earrings in his left ear, and one in his right, all three handcrafted by the spouse they represent <3 one of his wives was pregnant, and he was preparing to have a nose piercing to signify his new role as a father when news of the Bishops’ genocide came.
Sacrifice:
- Latifamb was out of the city on a job when the news first hit, and though the group tried to return to their city before it got really bad, they were too far away to make it in time. Latifamb’s family was gone, and he removed his jewelry to signify their passing- only leaving the earring of his pregnant wife in hopes that they would meet again, and he could properly meet his son.
- he did his best to protect his group, but eventually failed, and ran to protect himself. He feels an unimaginable about of shame for leaving them, despite the fact that they were dead long before he could have saved them.
-he becomes malnourished and thin, his wool oily and falling out from stress.
- he develops a limp in his right leg, one he never seems to shake
- he was finally captured and put to sacrifice, his clothing ragged and his wool dirty, wishing for nothing but a quick death and to see his family in the afterlife.
-instead, he became The Vessel.
Cult Leader:
- Latifamb continues the Sheeps’ naming convention, allowing each follower to keep their given name, and just adding the Amb suffix, because they are all his children now <3
-he learns that death is not the end for sheep, and reconnects his earrings- as well as gets a nose ring for his never-born son
-as the years go by, Latifamb forgets his own name, only remembering his family suffix. The One Who Waits calls him The Lamb, so… that must be his name.
- there are very few animals with wool left, so locking his wool seemed the easiest way to keep it protected.
- the lamb adorns his locks in gold rings to signify each of his followers, removing and replacing them as his flock grows and wains.
- he still needs shearing now and then, and he makes a minor celebration out of it- mostly a feast, and he makes a show out of teaching his disciples how Sheep would handle their wool and make crafts with it, allowing younger followers to use his wool in their own works.
- he is a gentle, quiet soul. He treats his followers fairly, and would do anything for them. He’s very well known for his occasional rambling life lesson stories- if you ask him for any advice he’ll give it to you, but you definitely have to hear one thousand years of Lamb Lore before you get a straightforward answer.
-he visits Narinder often, mostly to chat between missions. Though he adores his followers…. It’s much easier to talk to someone who actually understands the loneliness of eternal life.
-he has a little pouch on his ankle which he keeps a single coin in. He gives it to Narinder every revival as a small “tithe” for revival. Narinder never asked for it, nor does he ever require it, but they’re both so used to the habit that they just can’t seem to stop.
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wardenparker · 1 year
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Down the Rabbit Hole - Epilogue
Jack ‘Whiskey’ Daniels x female reader Co-written with @absurdthirst​
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When Jack accidentally shoots a civilian on a mission he takes on not only the guilt of the man’s death, but inherits his soulmate as well. To you, it’s a dream job with more perks than you can imagine - but for Jack it’s a nightmarish complication. Even more so when he starts to develop feelings.  
Rating: Mature, but this blog is always 18+   Word Count: 7k   Warnings: Family reunion, pregnancy, references to deceased spouse/child, cemetery visit, character death, vague afterlife references. Summary: Jack’s birthday on the ranch is celebrated with a new surprise.  Notes: This story has been so near and dear to my heart, and my absolute love of one sweet cowboy has made it even more precious. A few people have asked and there is always a possibility of coming back to revisit our soulmate pairs, so we’ll just have to see if these two have any more stories to tell in the future. Until then - stay tuned for a preview of the next soulmate story - The Viper’s Bride - later today!
Ch 1 ~ Ch 2 ~ Ch 3 ~ Ch 4 ~ Ch 5 ~ Ch 6 ~ Ch 7 ~ Ch 8 ~ Ch 9 ~ Ch 10 ~ Ch 11 ~ Ch 12 ~ Ch 13 ~ Ch 14 ~ Ch 15 ~ Epilogue
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"Grammy! Grampa!" The shout goes up through the house – two little voices in unison as the front door of the ranch house swings open and two sets of stampeding feet come thundering toward the front hall at top speed. Even though you and Jack are moving a bit slower these days, it's nice to see family, especially for an occasion like this one. The fact that all the two of you have to do is show up is something of a fringe benefit. The other half of your entourage is right behind you, as Jackson won't let you or his father carry your bags into the house from the truck. He's greeted with an equal screech of "UNCLE JACK!" and your two grandkids veer slightly off course immediately to launch themselves at their uncle.
“Already replaced.” Jack pouts, rolling his eyes playfully as the kids clamber all over the youngest. “Jane still loves us. Jane? Honey? Where are you?”
"We're not as fun to climb on as Uncle Jack is," you chuckle under your breath as your younger child stands tall for his two nephews to climb all over like a tree in the yard.
"Dad?" The voice from the kitchen is loud enough to be heard over the din without shouting. "Mom? I'll be right out; I'm just putting the finishing touches on the cake!"
Jack chuckles when your face falls, obviously hoping to get here before she had made dessert. “You know it’s coconut cake.” He murmurs, pressing his lips to your leathery cheek. The years have been kind to you, still as gorgeous as the day he had tucked tail and ran from you.
"Of course it is. My baby knows what she's about." That sense of pride in your children is as bright as it was for their first smile, first laugh, first step, first word – first anything. Jackson might be the one running the restaurant with you now, but his older sister is something of a miracle in the kitchen in her own right.
"You made it!" When Jane appears from around the corner a second later, her apron is covered in all the evidence of an enormous project gone very right and there's coconut flakes still under her fingernails, but she's smiling as wide as can be and holding out her arms to hug both of her parents at once. "Happy birthday, Daddy."
“Thank you, honey.” Jack doesn’t deny his birthday anymore, doesn’t insist that it’s not to be celebrated. The parties that have been held have been a joyous reminder of the life he has now, a bittersweet remembrance of what could have been, but the ache has lessened over the years with the annual visits to Daniels Ranch. “Kacey still workin’ or is he around?” He asks.
"I barely got him inside twenty minutes ago, so he should be out of the shower soon." Jane squeezes you both tight and smiles, happy despite being tired. That's motherhood in a nutshell. "His family should be on their way right about now. They didn’t want to overwhelm you by taking over the house right when you arrived but they promised not to be late for dinner."
“Hope he’s ready to drink some whiskey and lose money to me after the kids get to bed.” Jack chuckles, having brought a few bottles from the distillery.
"Kayce's on a budget this year." Your daughter rolls her eyes fondly and laughs. "I don't need him losing the house during the poker party after I just redid the kids' bathroom."
Jack snorts and grins at his eldest child. The long-standing joke about betting the house always amuses him. Jane had found she was soulmates with Aiden’s grandson when they were just nine and ten years old. So every summer they had come back, making sure the young soulmates had a solid foundation and the boy liked ranching better than farming. He now ran Daniels Ranch and the board had been dissolved just a few years ago.
"What can we help with, sweetheart?" Despite Jack teasing you that it's perfectly okay to slow down and even consider retiring now that you've officially passed into senior citizen status, you just can't help yourself. No matter where you are or what you're doing, you have to dig your hands in.
“Nothing.” Jane is just like you, a consummate entertainer. Loving to provide good food and good times for those she loves.
"I don't know how you do it." You shake your head and give Jane another hug just as you hear footfalls on the stairs in the next room. "When you and your brother were that little I was throwing potlucks and pool parties. You've got your great-grandma in you. She could do absolutely anything with perfect style."
“Mom, come on.” She snorts rolling her eyes. “The only reason you did that was because dad put his foot down about you not running yourself ragged.”
"Then somebody ought to tell that husband of yours—" The exaggerated words come with a smile, knowing Kayce can hear you from the stairs. "That he ought to be helping out, too!"
“Sorry.” Kayce rubs a hand through his still damp hair and grins sheepishly. “Had a problem with the calves out in pasture twelve. They keep escaping and turning up in the creek.”
"Don't trouble yourself, honey. We just got in." It's not that you have favourites by any means – but if you could have chosen a son-in-law by hand, you certainly couldn't have chosen anyone kinder or more loving for your only daughter than Kayce. "The boys are already climbing on their uncle, and Janie didn't leave a thing for me to help with. So I have nothing to do but give out hugs, I suppose."
“Well, I can accept one of those.” Kayce holds his arms out and wraps them around you for a hug. “Thank you for coming. It’s so hard to get away. And I know this is tradition.”
"We wouldn't have missed it for the world." Turning around to find where Jack's gone, you smirk when you see that he's snuck into the kitchen to admire his birthday cake and swipe a finger through the frosting bowl.
“Daddy!” Jane huffs, turning around to see where you are looking. “What?” Jack cries, pretending he hadn’t just stolen some frosting. “I had to test it! You know that’s my role.”
"He's worse than the kids," you laugh, shaking your head at him before looking back at Jane and Kayce. "At least let me help set the table? Don't make your Mama feel useless."
Jane narrows her eyes at you for a moment before she sighs, relenting. She knows how it can be to want to help and be told it’s not necessary. All while watching someone run around. “The birthday china.” She gestures towards the large cabinet along the wall.
“The birthday china.” Grateful to not be relegated to the position of old lady who sits in a chair just yet, you hustle into the kitchen while you listen to Jack play with your grandsons out in the other room. What the family calls ‘birthday china’ is actually the beautiful china dinnerware that Jack and Abigail had received as a wedding gift that had been relegated to the house’s cupboards and left behind when Jack left for Louisville so many decades ago. Now it is used consistently, every time there is an adult birthday to celebrate on the ranch.
Jack walks back into the dining room to watch you fuss over the place settings with a fond smile. Wrapping his arm around his daughter and squeezing her against him. He might not be as strong as he had been when she was a little girl, but he is thankful that Ginger has managed to keep all of you spry. “Thank you, honey.” He murmurs softly. “This is just what we needed.”
“You can come up as often as you want, Dad. You know that.” Jane settles against her father comfortably, always having been a bit of a Daddy’s girl and enjoying the comfortable presence of having him close by. “You are retired now. Even if Mom refuses to.”
“I know.” He shakes his head. “Still can’t get her out of that kitchen. It’s her baby now that you two are grown.”
"It was her baby even before we were born," she laughs softly. "That restaurant is my older sibling, and also somehow my brother's baby." The Rabbit-Hole, she always says, is just another member of the family.
“It’s woven into the fabric of our lives and most of your memories.” Jack admits, praying that his children are happy with their lives. He had given them the opportunities to do whatever they wanted and yet each of them had chosen a path that was damn near a family legacy.
"And some day when Jackson finally finds his soulmate, it'll be part of their kids' lives, too." It's more or less an open secret in the family, what Statesman is all about. And because they are so aware of the inner workings, Jackson always likes to say that his soulmate must be one of the agents. Who knows whether or not it's true, but it certainly does speak to his mischievous heart.
“That boy is just as stubborn as I was.” He chuckles, shaking his head as he looks over at where he’s rough housing with the boys.
"If we thought he'd be happy without knowing them, that would be one thing," Jane shrugs with sympathy in her eyes. "But I know he wants to find them. It'll happen eventually." After all, she knows how lucky she is. If Kayce hadn't broken his arm when he was ten, they might not have known they were soulmates until they were much older.
“He would be. He’s a romantic at heart.” Jackson doesn’t say much about it, but Jack knows the boy’s worried. He doubts the kid doesn’t have a soulmate, he’s just sure they’re playing hard to find.
“It’ll happen.” Jane hums confidently, always seeming like she knows something the rest of the family doesn’t. Her Mona Lisa smile always keeps everyone guessing. “Why don’t you get settled, Daddy? Aiden and Sheila should be here soon and we can all tuck in to this big birthday dinner.” She grins at him. “I’m gonna tell Kayce to get the grill going.”
“Shit.” Jack pouts at his daughter. “I’m gunna drink a beer and advise the boy on how to cook those steaks perfectly.” He teases with a wink. He tries not to interfere, but he’ll give his son-in-law a hard time on principle alone.
“Shocking that you would do such a thing,” Jane teases, waving her father off to follow the sound of roughhousing so she can say hello to her little brother. Though adulthood has kept them apart for a few years now, they still talk mostly every day and remain as thick as thieves.
Stopping by the fridge, Jack grabs two beers, knowing Kayce will want one as well. Grilling is horrible thirsty work and it seems only right to do it with a beer in your hand. Stepping outside, he watches as the younger man lights the grill. “Reports from the ranch have been really good.” He offers, striding over to hold out the beer. “Seems like everything’s going alright?” It’s a statement and a question. Giving Kayce an opening to talk about anything that’s on his mind.
“Can’t complain.” The younger man takes the bottle that’s offered to him gratefully and nods, looking out over the back yard of the much-larger ranch house since he finished the last set of renovations. “We just hired on two more permanent sets of hands.” He looks to his father-in-law curiously. “You remember the Pruitt family? They say they’ve been in the valley as long as the Daniels have, but that could just be big talk.”
“Pruitt...Pruitt…” Jack hums as he thinks back, looking over the yards towards the barns and bunkhouses. “Think I remember them. Seems like they were always kinda down on their luck?”
"Long as I've known them, yeah." Methodical in his work, Kayce goes about setting up the grill while the two men talk. He'd always thought of Jack Daniels as an unofficial uncle right up until the day he realized he was in love with Janie, and it had saved him a whole heap of fears that seemingly all of his friends had gone through with their own fathers-in-law. "Anyway, the two boys are just out of high school. They've been helping us during the season for years and gettin' pretty good with the work, so we were glad to take them on full time."
“I trust you made a good decision then.” Kayce has always had a good head on his shoulders and thought about the future. “You’ve done a damn fine job runnin’ this place.”
"We need everything to be running smoothly." The sheepish grin that Kayce flashes his father-in-law is broad. "Three kids is going to be a lot of energy running around this place and until they're old enough to be helping hands themselves, Janie wants to make sure I have the hands I need."
“Three—” Jack stops, a grin immediately blooming across his face and he reaches out to slap Kayce on the back. “Pretty soon you’re gunna have your own baseball team out here.” He chuckles, proud about another grandchild. “Anyone else know yet?”
"Not yet." Puffing up proudly, Kayce leans back on the porch railing and lets his smile take over. "Jane wants to tell everyone at once, but I figured...it's your birthday. Getting to be the first to know is like an extra gift."
“It damn sure is.” Jack beams, nodding in agreement. “‘Though I’ll let her think you didn’t say a word.” He promises, looking off towards the Daniels plot. Where Abigail and Timmy are resting. “Been thinking about things for a while.” Jack admits after a moment of silence between them. “I want to make sure that the trust for the ranch is in yours and Jane’s hands. Completely take it over.”
He wants to say that it isn't necessary. That he doesn't mind working for his wife's father. Because he doesn't – not really. It's a big company and a big responsibility to have the running of the whole thing. But Kayce also knows he can manage it now. After a whole childhood of watching his father run the family farm and being privy to all the ins and outs of Daniels Ranch, he and Jane can handle a big family and an even bigger business. They have the right know how and support system for that. "I'm honored that you trust us with the legacy," is what is says instead, looking to Jack with a nod. "This place is a hell of a responsibility and you know we take that seriously."
“I know you do, which is why you and Jane are the right fit for this place.” Jack huffs. “Something about working for yourself that makes it extra satisfying too. You – you have the spirit of a Daniels.”
"It helps that you were there every summer while I was growing up." Though the visits were never too long they always happened, and the two families had been close for practically Kayce's entire life. Getting visits from his grandparents' good friends had just been a thing that happened and it never seemed odd to him – and then he broke his arm in peewee football and all hell broke loose in their families as people started celebrating the fact that he'd have a scar from the surgery to fix it.
“It took a long time to be able to come back here. Your granddaddy’s sister used to love this place.” Of course Kayce knows the family history and respects it. “Figure that same blood runs through your veins as well. It calls to this place, and I’ve never had a doubt in my mind you were the perfect match for my little girl.”
"That little girl is a mischievous woman now." Moving while he talks means Kayce is pulling steaks from the cooler and counting things out to make sure he has enough of all the right cuts for the adults before he starts pulling out burger patties for the kids. "She's dead set on playing matchmaker for her brother. I keep telling her it'll happen when it's meant to."
“She just wants to see him happy.” Jack can’t blame her. She’s so settled in and focused on her life and the joy that she obtains from it, it’s not hard to want that for her little brother. “Plus, she likes to meddle. Too much like her mama.” He chuckles, turning and admiring you through the glass.
"Nothing wrong with that." After all, Jane's similarities to her mother were obvious just as easily as looking at her. "And I think...with being expecting again and all...she's enjoying the domesticity of the thing. First trimester's been a hell of a lot easier this time than with the boys, which has her thinking it might be a girl."
“A little girl.” Jack smiles and chuckles. “Oh I can’t wait to spoil her then.” He enjoyed having a little girl, and he knows Kayce will too.
“We won’t know for sure for a few weeks.” It doesn’t matter though; he knows he’ll love any child that he and Jane welcome into their family. “If it is, she’ll have two very protective brothers looking out for her.”
“Yes she will.” As rough as the boys could be, they were equally protective of each other. He has no doubt that would extend to another sibling. “She’ll hate it when she’s older.”
“She might,” Kayce admits with a laugh. “But her mama and I sure won’t.”
Jack can’t deny that, humming happily as he watches the meat sizzle on the grill. Life is damn good, especially for a man who never envisioned having this at one point in his life.
"You boys plotting the crime of the century out here?" When you stick your head outside to see how things are moving along, it's obvious that Jack and Kayce are just enjoying the afternoon together in peace, something that you're pleased to see every single time. "Kayce, your parents just got here, honey. Grandparents are on the way, they said."
“Yes ma’am, thank you.” Kayce nods towards you and then closes the lid on the grill. “We might as well go say hi. It’ll be a while.”
"Known the boy since he was in diapers, and he still calls me ma'am." You shake your head as Kayce walks past you into the house and hold your hand out to Jack. "Everything going well?"
“Everything’s coming up roses, sugar.” Jack hums, moving over to take your hand and pull you into his arms for a kiss. “Have I told you today that I love you?”
"Only twice." Decades later, you still melt a little every time Jack holds you tight. But it's still always so easy to tease him. "You're slipping a little, honey."
“Damn, I’ll have to tell you again.” He presses his lips to yours gently. “I love you, sugar. I wouldn’t have this life without you. I wouldn’t be here right now if it weren’t for you.”
"Happy birthday, Jack." Every year it got a little easier, until the bittersweet memories turned nostalgic and the day was no longer one to dread. Now it's a day for smiles and cake, for presents and playing with the kids – and then grandkids. It's a day that he's happy to wake up on instead of dreading. "I love you. So much."
“I love you too, sugar.” Jack promises, smiling at you. “And you’re gonna love our present today. It’s something for both of us.”
"Oh yeah?" You laugh a little, nudging your nose against his. "Did they replace the sleeper sofa with a great big, fluffy mattress for us?"
Jack snorts, shrugging. “I don’t know, that sleeper sofa is comfortable. And I’m not letting our daughter try to take it again.”
"I'm going to remind you that you said it was comfortable when you back hurts in the morning." It's just a little tease, but you can't help it. Enough years and decades with Jack and the joy in being together still hasn't faded from your relationship.
“I don’t think I’ll be complaining this time.” Jack predicts with a grin. “Only complaint you’ll get out of me is if she can’t have coffee in the house anymore.”
It takes a second, but your head tilts curiously just in time for the shit eating grin to spread across Jack's face. "No?" You're beaming right along with him in no time. "Number three? Really?"
“Just told me.” Jack nods. “He’s about to puff up out of his chest he’s a proud as a peacock.” He chuckles, knowing he had been just a proud when you were pregnant with Jane and Jackson.
"Are we the last or the first to find out?" Jane and Kayce have always been so proud of their family each time it's grown, you can't imagine that they wouldn't make a very big deal about letting people know. Kayce must have been busting at the seams to tell someone.
“The first.” Jack admits. “Kayce told me it’s because it’s my birthday.”
That earns him an amused giggle from you, and you shake your head fondly. "Granddaddy's privilege, that's what that is. Come on, love. Your daughter wants to know what else you want to do this week but hang around the house with the boys."
“Do you want to go with me to visit them?” Jack always asks. Even now. Never wanting you to feel uncomfortable, so it’s always a question. You’ve always come with him, but he won’t be upset if you wanted to stay and visit with Jane and the kids this time.
"Of course I do." He always asks, and your answer is always the same. "I've got to keep her updated on all the things you leave out of your stories." The gentle smile on your lips tips upward, and you lean forward to press your forward against his. "I know she's up there with Timmy and Grandma Jane and my parents looking down on us, but I still only get to talk to her once a year. It's tradition."
“It is tradition.” Jack smiles softly. “I want to be buried here.” He admits. “With you, if you want it. Surrounded by my soulmates.”
"I guess I always assumed you would be." In fact, no other alternative had ever really occurred to you. Not in all the years that have gone by. "It's your whole family up there. I always figured we would join them eventually."
“I didn’t know if you’d want that.” Jack won’t disrespect your own wishes. You have a say in this too.
Your fingers lace through his as easily as they did the very first time, and you let that soft smile warm through you. "I want to be with you. In this life and for whatever happens next."
“Whatever happens next.” The commotion inside causes him to turn towards the door and he grins. “Looks like Aiden and Sheila are here. Want to go say howdy?”
"We better, before Jane comes to get us." There's time to steal a quick kiss, but you're still smiling excitedly. "If she's waiting to tell everybody all at once, she'll be itching to give the news as soon as she can."
“Remember to act surprised.” Jack smacks your ass playfully as he guides you towards the door. “And I still want some birthday sex later on.”
He manages to get a little chirp of surprise out of you, and you just laugh. "Of course, cowboy."
“Damn straight.” Re-entering the house to join the chaos, hugs and back slaps are exchanged. Aiden’s claims that Jack’s getting old are countered by good natured ribbing about how only one of them is a great-grandparent. A testimony to how far Jack had come in his journey to healing from the loss of Abigail and Timmy.
You help Jane pass drinks around, still an entertainer at heart, and pretty soon even the kids have settled a little. "So, of course we know that everybody is here for Dad's birthday dinner," she beams at her assembled family, smile burning even brighter when you go to sit next to Jack and Kayce takes your place by her side. "But we just wanted to say thank you for coming and...give everyone a little bit of news."
Jack manages to school his expression to look just as expectant as everyone else around the table. “What’s goin’ on honey.”
The boys look positively bored, but Jane smiles at her young sons and beams out at the rest of her family. "Well..." She blows out a breath and squeezes her soulmate's hand. "In about seven and a half months...Jamie and Carter are going to be big brothers."
The squeals of happiness and gawfs of surprise are loud, making it a rush to jump up and hug Jane and shake Kayce’s hand or slap him on the back. The comedy of the scene is your two young grandsons clamoring to get to their mother as soon as possible, with five-year-old Jamie placing both hands on Jane's belly and informing his three-year-old little brother in his wisest tone possible that the baby can hear everything as long as you talk right at Mommy's belly button.
"At least he's chosen that as the speaker and not something else," you joke, going to put your arms around Jane and give her a tight hug. "Congratulations, Janie. You must be completely over the moon, huh?"
“Excited and wondering what the heck we were thinking.” Language is censored for the boys, considering Jamie had informed the youngest that ‘son of a bitch’ was the pain when you hurt your hand.
“You were thinking how much you love the baby phase,” you stifle a laugh so the boys don’t overhear. “They’re adorable before they learn ‘no’.”
“That word is going to be banned.” She rolls her eyes and laughs, still beaming as her hand caresses her stomach.
“I’m going to take you out for a little pampering while I’m here,” you promise her, remembering how much work two little ones was. She’ll be in it deep with three. “Shopping, eating out, even a pedicure while you can still see your toes. Mom and daughter day. What do you say?”
“That sounds wonderful.” Jane would never suggest that you leave Kentucky, the restaurant still your baby, but sometimes a girl just needs her mom. Especially when she’s pregnant.
“A whole day. Your Dad and brother can hang back with the boys or help Kayce out on the ranch.” Laying a kiss in her hair, you end up sniffling back a few proud tears. “You’re an amazing mama, Janie. I’m so proud of you.”
“Thank you, mom.” Jane hugs you again. “I will take that as the highest of compliments coming from you. You set the bar very high.”
“We come from a long line of good moms. We got lucky that way.” Pressing a kiss to her hair, you step back before you can get too emotional, and wipe an errant drop of water from your cheek. “Gettin’ sentimental in my old age,” you joke. Everyone is well aware that you’ve always been sentimental.
“I want you and dad to come out when the baby’s due.” Jane automatically requests, just like you have been present for the others. She knows it’s a given, but you also don’t push and want her to call the shots.
“If you want us there, consider it done.” You hadn’t missed the births of your first two grandchildren and you certainly wouldn’t miss the third.
“I do.” Jane grins. “I think this might be the last one, from us anyway.”
“And three is a wonderful number. You’ll always be busy and you’ll have a house full of love for a very long time to come.” The way she just radiates happiness doesn’t make the wheels turning in her mind, though. You’re her mother. You taught those wheels which direction to move in. “But go easy on your brother, okay honey? He’s doing amazingly at the restaurant and he’s happy there.”
“I won’t say a word.” She promises. “I’m just worried about him.”
“I know, honey.” Spending half your lifetime always worried about your children because you love them means you have complete sympathy for that. “But he’ll find who he wants to be with. Soulmate or otherwise.”
“You’re right. I know.” Jane looks over at where Jackson is talking to Kayce’s grandparents and smiles. “As long as he’s happy.”
******
It’s that evening when you park the truck on the hill on the east side of the property, absorbing the last of the August sunshine as you both step out of the cab to visit Abigail and Timmy. It’s almost like going to see an old friend after so many years of this, and you still take Jack’s hand in yours to give it a supportive squeeze before stepping up to the matching headstones.
There is now a bench off to the side, allowing for a lengthier visit, or for Jack to sit down if his back is sore. “Hey, sweetheart.” Jack smiles as he sees how neatly Kayce has kept the family plot. He and Jane had taken over the flower gardens planted around the two headstones since Aiden wasn’t able to come out as often as he had when he was a younger man. “Told you that we’d be back.”
He says it every time, as though Abigail was there raising an eyebrow in surprise to see him, and you always chuckle a little. “Brought you a daisy,” you murmur as you put the flower down - your own tradition that has never faltered. “And some news.”
“Of course you’re gunna tell on me.” Jack teases, although he’s very aware of what news she’s bringing. “Timmy, you’re bein’ good for your momma, aren’t ya?” He asks, his heart aching like a tiny little arrow pierced it at the thought of his first baby boy.
Sometimes over the years, you could have sworn that a breeze came at just the right time to be an answer, or that you felt a flash of cold even in the August heat. Sometimes you could have bet your life on hearing a faraway voice. But it’s always a comfort to be here for your visit. “Of course he is,” you nod, squeezing Jack’s hand.
“I know.” Jack murmurs softly. “Wish I coulda seen what kind of man he woulda become.”
“He’d be thick as thieves with his brother and sister, and a mountain for his nephews to climb on, just like Jackson.” Of course Timmy would be older by now – outgrown the nickname and become Tim or Timothy – but you can’t help picturing him the same age as your own two kids.
“Yes he would have.” Jack chuckles and closes his eyes, imagining it as he holds your hand.
"Not a whole lot has changed this year, Abby." You've taken to speaking to Abigail so conversationally that sometimes you slip a little and call her Abby like an old friend. "But Janie just let the family know that she's expecting again. It'll be all any of us talk about for the next seven months."
“We’re getting older too.” Jack admits, feeling his age today for some reason. He’s lived twice the years without his first wife and son than he had with Abby. “Slower. You’d laugh at my groans getting up.”
"He sounds like a creaky mattress," you tease, imagining that you can hear the sound of a laugh in the wind.
“It’s what happens when you put my body through the rigors of being an agent for so long.” Jack rolls his eyes but he’s grinning at you. “Still think both of you would be given me hell if you knew one another.”
"I have no doubt." Lifting your connected hands, you press a kiss to Jack's cracked knuckles. There’s more time spent, laughter shared and small snippets of life from the Statesman grounds. Nearly an hour passes before you say your goodbyes and Jack leads you back to the truck.
"Gets harder to get into this thing every year," you laugh, letting your frustration at having to hoist yourself into the tall truck roll off your shoulders instead of getting upset about it. Approaching old age is a privilege that you don't take lightly.
“We might have to get one of those trucks with the fold down steps.” Jack snorts, smirking at you.
“Or convince our daughter to have one vehicle on the ranch that is less than five feet off the damn ground,” you huff good-naturedly. “I might never have been an agent, but I’ve still done a number on my knees.”
“All that runnin’ around in the kitchen.” Jack pats your knee fondly and looks at you before he starts the truck up. “I love you, sugar.”
“I love you, too, honey.” It’s not as easy as it used to be to lean over and give him a kiss, but you still manage it. “Let’s go back home and see the kids.”
“Yes ma’am.” He smiles softly and puts the truck in gear after he starts it. “Been thinking about maybe sneaking you off to the old foreman’s cabin.” Jack hums playfully. “Since it’s empty now.”
“Oh yeah?” The suggestion makes you chuckle, so glad that the attraction between you has never waned. “We could do that.”
“Yeah.” He might not be able to set a pace that completely wrecks you or pushes your – no longer needed – IUD out of place, be he can still make you shake in pleasure.
You hum, watching him as he drives back down the hill toward the main house. "I guess I know what we're doing tomorrow then."
“Still not too old to chase you around the bedroom.” Jack teases, winking at you playfully. His dark hair is nearly white and his craggy wrinkles are much deeper than they had been when you met, but he’s still the same cowboy.
Kissing the back of his hand again, you sit back in your seat and chuckle softly. "I sure as hell hope not. Though I don't know how fast I'm up to running these days anyway."
“It’s been a good day.” The setting sun off to the west is always a view he has loved, going back to when he was just a little thing running around this land. “The perfect birthday.”
"You say that every year." With varying degrees of sarcasm at certain times, of course. But today he seems as sincere as ever. And he's right – at least this time. It really has been a fairly perfect day.
“I mean it to.” He insists. “I’m a blessed man, sugar.”
"You're just excited to have a new grandbaby," you tease, giving his hand a squeeze. Of course you believe him - that he loves his life and feels blessed by it - but you also know for damn sure that a good part of his giddiness comes from that good news. As it should. Being a grandparent agrees with Jack.
“Of course I’m excited to have a new grandbaby.” Jack huffs. “I never expected to have a baby for the longest time, let along three grandbabies. Especially not with another soulmate. I’m damn blessed by you.”
That softens you and you lean against Jack's shoulder as he drives. "I love you, too, honey."
The silence between you is soft, welcomed like a warm blanket. So much time together had been spent that he can almost hear your thoughts. “When we find out what they are having, I want to see what kind of specialty dessert you’re gonna make for the restaurant.” Every one of the kids and grandkids have their own dessert that’s featured during their birthday month.
"Janie said she's been craving onions." Both of you chuckle as he pulls the truck into the driveway of the main house. "So I don't know if it will be a dessert this time. Maybe a tart or an onion tarte tatin."
“Interesting.” Jack chuckles. “If it’s a little girl, she’s gonna be a spitfire.”
"Because would be so unusual for a Daniels." The expression on your face is nothing short of amused. All of you are well aware that spitfire is a description that could apply to anyone in your family.
“Absolutely.” He agrees. “We’re just so…boring.” His eyes slide over to watch your reaction. “No passion.”
"None." You shake your head as solemnly as you can manage, barely keeping your face schooled into something serious. "We are a complete blank canvas. No emotions or opinions whatsoever."
“That’s us.” His chuckles can’t be contained now, rolling out freely as both of you describe everything the Daniels family is not.
"Come on, my love." Unbuckling your seatbelt and stretching, you lean over the center console again to kiss him. "I want to cuddle up with my passionless husband and watch a movie with our kids before bed."
“Sounds like the perfect ending to the best day.” Jack hums, counting his blessings for how lucky he is.
******
In the years since Jack had died, it hadn't made any sense to stay in Louisville. Working the line – or even front of house – at the restaurant was too physical to be sustainable for you and the place was running brilliantly in Jackson's capable hands. It turned out that his soulmate really was a Statesman agent, and you had watched your son take on much the same life that you had lived happily, with his husband.
Retirement had given you options, of course, but you hadn't wanted to be apart from Jack, so you had readily become a full-time grandma on the ranch in Montana. Every day saw another trip to the cemetery on the hill and spending time with your growing grandchildren. Six years went by almost in the blink of an eye, except for the ache of missing your soulmate. That never seemed to dissipate no matter how many wonderful memories you held on to. It lived in your heart each day to be swallowed down like a bittersweet pill, until the day that you had laid down for an afternoon nap and closed your eyes for the very last time.
“Hello sugar.” Jack’s smile is brilliant, young. The lines old age had given him are smooth, the dark spots on his skin clear, his stooped posture straight as he stands in front of you, looking just as hale and hearty as the day he had met you. Holding out his hand, he helps you up from the bed and pulls you into his arms. “I have missed you. So much, but I’ve been watchin’ over you.”
“Jack.” When you can practically jump up out of the bed and into his arms, there is no question of what’s happened. The moment holds only the barest pain, knowing what you’re leaving behind, but the joy you feel at being reunited with Jack completely outweighs it. “Honey, I missed you.”
“I was with you every step of the way.” Jack promises, right before he presses his lips to yours in a kiss that has been sorely missed in the past six years. Watching you and ghosting a kiss over your skin isn’t the same as you knowing it’s him.
“What happens now?” If you had ever worried that you would feel fear in this moment, that worry is soothed instantly by the fact that it’s Jack here to show you what comes next. Or maybe this is all it is, and kissing him really is your own private heaven like you always said.
“Well…sugar, there’s someone that wants to meet you.” Jack murmurs, pulling away and looking behind him with an equally brilliant smile.
“Finally.” A sweet, soft voice has a hint of a happy giggle in it. Abigail steps forward, looking beautiful and healthy although she is not rounded with child. She had appeared to Jack as she had been before the pregnancy. “I have so much to thank you for.”
“Abigail!” There is no question of who this is – you had seen so many pictures of her in your life that you recognize her as an old friend as the two of you fall into a deep embrace. “I didn’t think— maybe I should have— I’m so glad to finally meet you.” Though you can feel sobs shake you a little, there is no sadness. It’s more of a powerful wave of relief that washes over you in this moment.
“I wanted to come. I needed to make sure you know how much I appreciate you.” There’s no jealousy, no bitterness that you spent more time with Jack than she had. There is nothing but joy and elation at finally greeting the woman who has shown her so much kindness and respect. Abigail pulls back and smiles at you while Jack watches the exchange.
“I don’t know what to say,” you admit, feeling a little overwhelmed by the moment. Without fear, you’re left to simply adjust to whatever this next step is. “I’m just glad it’s the two of you here.”
Nodding, she steps back and allows Jack to take your hand. “Sugar, we will always be here.” He promises, and points with his other hand to the side. “And we can always watch over the kids and grandkids.”
You nod, taking Jack’s hand firmly in yours before reaching for Abigail with your other. Though you had never expected her to come, it’s an enormous comfort that she’s here. “I’m ready.”
Jack grins at you and winks. “Ready to go down another rabbit hole with me, sugar?” He asks, overjoyed that he gets to spend eternity with both you and Abigail. His soulmates.
“As long as I get to be with you, we can go anywhere you like.” It’s what you hoped for, when you thought of this moment, and the fact that it’s come true means you’re ready for anything.
“Then let’s get this train a movin’.” Jack squeezes your hand. “Heaven awaits.”
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ma3-author2 · 1 year
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Campfire Cooking In Another World x Reader
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Finally, I got the chance to post this! Take note that this chapter is between chapters 3 and 4 in the manga. (For reference.)
What I really like about this chapter, not only that it took me days (4 days) to complete it as I always got sidetracked, is that it mainly focuses on the development.
I've never really tried tonkatsu, but I would like to try some. (I'm planning on making it with bread cramps as I don't have any Japanese ponka.)
Chapter 3: "The Kingdom of Feeneen” A new place, a new discovery, or perhaps a new blush?"
____________________ Previous Chapter ---> Part 1 /// Part 2
"There it is. The border of the kingdom of Feeneen."
You heard Werner say it, and seeing it from afar, you couldn't help but gape your mouth in excitement and curiosity for what you would discover upon entering it. The only problem was that the group couldn't easily enter without the guards who were guarding the border and were now asking some questions.
You didn’t find it a problem, as it’s their job to know who will enter first before letting them in. What you find a problem with is how Mukoda doesn’t really have any common sense, but hey. He's just a human; he's not perfect. But he's been doing it since you two arrived in that world.
‘Or maybe not. He also acts like this at work.’
"How about I go first and explain?" Werner volunteered to go first to try and sweet talk the guards.
-L/N-san. Do you think everything will go well? -
-Let’s hope it will. I don’t want to pay any fines. This gluttonous beast almost took it all.-
Mukoda sheepishly chuckled at your remark. I mean, he could give you some of his money, but knowing you, You will refuse it. After the group arrived at the front of the gate, it wasn’t long before you received a very warm welcome, and that was by them pointing their many spears. (A: Oh? Lol)
Maybe it was instinct, as you and Mukoda had raised your hands to show that you were not a threat or going to commit any sort of crime.
"Is that the legendary Fenrir, who is really your familiar?" Edgar, who calls himself the captain of the fourth knight squad, asks you two to explain it to him.
-Legendary? Huh! Don’t make me laugh! He’s more of a gluttony legend.
-...Really L/N-san…?-
Mukoda sighs, introducing Fenrir and confirming that it is what they think. "Yes, we have formed a contract with this Fenrir." As soon as he let out those sentences, every guard stood with caution and shock visible in their faces.
This is their first time facing one, and they fear that with one wrong move, they will wake up in the afterlife.
Seeing their faces, it was your turn to talk. "Don’t worry. He will not harm even a single hair. If he ever did so. Take him." You explained that you were pointing your palm at Mukoda, who has a face of betrayal.
"L/N-san! Are you serious?!" in which you simply smiled at him.
-Don’t worry, I will visit you-
-L/N-SAN!!-
"...Hmm, even so. He’s still a legendary beast that can destroy a country; is he really not going to do any harm to this kingdom and its people?" Edgar is figuring out if it’s really safe to let Fenrir in.
"He won't, and he would already have done so if he wanted to, yet he didn’t, which means we came in peace. I know you're worried, but this glutto- *Cough* Fel will not touch anything or destroy the country. Right?" You glared at Fel, who was now snarling at you.
He definitely heard that you were going to call him gluttonous. Oh, how he wanted to refuse any request you made, but seeing how you gave him a look, The look of ‘If you don’t cooperate, you won’t eat anything for a whole week.’ With a wide eye looking at him.
Even if he's the legendary beast that people or any beast should fear, he's fearless. For the first time, he felt it.
"J-just like she said, I won’t cause any problems, and D-don’t compare me to dumb monsters. If they don’t mean any harm to me, then I won’t do anything to them."
Edgar, who hummed, is still debating if he would risk letting this legendary beast inside, but upon hearing the others telling them how Fenrir even hunts for their food and hasn’t done anything bad,
In the end, you and Mukoda can celebrate as he lets the group in. The only thing that stops you from celebrating is:
"Those with no guild card have to pay 5 silver coins for each person and also 2 silver coins for the beast," the guard said, pointing at Fel.
You could only clinch your palm, as this gluttony beast is not only a food addict but a money eater as well. Mukoda, who saw your expression, had volunteered to pay Fel, but you stopped him by telling him that you were also responsible for it.
This is the thing he really likes about you: you may look like a selfish person who doesn’t want to pay for someone's dinner, which in fact you should if you’re the one who invited them. (Like a first date rule.) For Mukoda, it was the opposite.
"We’re in!"
"It was really scary when we were surrounded." Rita and Vincent exclaimed, followed by Mukoda and you thanking them. If it weren’t for them, you two might be dead.
"...But it seems Mukoda-san and Y/N-san are going to get busy from now on."  Once you two heard Werner, leaving only Mukoda confused and you sighing at his airheadedness,
"Eh? What do you mean?" Mukoda asked only to choke on his saliva when his eyes landed on yours. It's really not a big deal to react that way; it's just you deadpanly looking at him.
‘Really?’
‘Ha-ha..’
Werner then continued telling Mukoda that the captain looks like he’s thinking about writing a report, and this, of course, will get to the ears of the Marquess of the area; furthermore, the king will also know about it.
"You two don’t plan on staying?"
"Yeah, we talk about it and are still thinking about going around lots of places," you replied to Werner, who nodded at what you said.
"So you’re two going on a trip again?"
"Yup, if you have any places that you want us to go to, that would be great."
"Hey, how long are we going to stand here?" Fel jumped in, only for his irritation to be replaced by a sudden cough when you eyed him. You sigh at Fel not only does he need to diet but to have patience as well.
And beside, who wouldn’t want to go sight-seeing and sell the stuff from the online supermarket you and Mukoda have? In this world, that stuff might be dangerous, but it’s a good way to get instant money after all, since you're in a different world where the ‘stuff’ you two have doesn’t exist in that world.
Or you two can open a restaurant.
"Then, Mukoda-san, Y/N-san, I think you should register at the adventure guild."
"The adventure guild?" Mukoda ask. He first glanced at you, but seeing your clueless look, he clinched his palm. Finally, you're also clueless and won’t judge him.
"You two paid for the fee to enter the kingdom, right?" Werner continued as he saw you two nod. "If you can prove that you’re from either the adventure guild or the merchant guild, you won’t have to pay that fee; this is really necessary for traveling."
"Ah, so like a train card!"
"W-what she meant to say is like a ticket to enter a kingdom," Mukoda immediately said as Werner and the others looked at you confused. He then sheepishly chuckled as he shared that you two are more suitable to be merchants than adventurers, which you agreed with.
Werner, hum seeing what you two are pointing out, but even so, "But still… Mukoda-san, Y/N-san. Let me ask you something. Fel-sama hunts for his own food, right?"
"He better be." Werner dryly chuckles at your remark and then continues, "Then what about dismantling the beast for its meat? For us, it’s not a problem, but after we have finished our quest,"
You nodded, seeing his point. With them, it wasn’t a problem, but with them gone, you don’t want to dismantle a dead beast; you don’t even know how to dismantle a fish. What more to an unknown species?
Your ears immediately perked; did you hear him right? You can sell the part that can’t be eaten. And being an adventurer would bring more? You would gladly take that opportunity, even if you could only earn bronze coins. Hey, money is money.
You're not stealing from Fel; he's just paying you two for the food he keeps asking for. So it’s fair and square.
Mukoda doesn’t know if it’s right to be an adventurer, as he hardly sees himself as one, and he can’t picture how he would be on a real battle field, but for you? He could only sweat-drop as you were busy smiling at the thought of the benefit.
This was hard for him, but when he heard Vincent tell him that if he's still unsure of which one to become, he can register for both.
"Huh…? Is that allowed?"
"Well, there aren't that many, but it’s not like it’s never been done before, for example, by a wandering merchant or ingredient store owner."
Soon the group arrives in front of the town near the border, which is called Fariell. Instead of getting hyped like Rita, you and Mukoda could hug the money bag that was now getting thinner by the second you entered, as even the town has an entrance fee.
‘We should really register for a guild soon.’
‘Agree.’
Vincent, who nagged you two mutteringly to look upfront and at the view of it, just seeing this person's joyful look leaves a trace of bitter taste. The look he gave you two is like, ‘Oh, this person has a legendary beast! I can get some advantage of it!’ or maybe this person reminds you of those fake friends and co-workers.
"You two must be Mukoda-sama and Y/N-sama, right? I am the marquess Rindel’s servant, Edmon. I am pleased to be your acquaintance! Actually, the Marquess Rindel-sama has been waiting to meet with you two!"
As he kept going and going, trying to sweet talk you two out of getting what he wanted, it helped by leaving a more irked image above your forehead. Mukoda on the other side dryly chuckles at your expression; if he wouldn’t stop this guy from talking, you would.
Oh, how he reminds him that you only have a few sweet talks.
"No, no, a common traveler like us shouldn’t be meeting with the marquess," Mukoda explained, but even when he tried to politely decline this fuck- this guy still continued. You were about to join in when Fel went first, and he is now glaring at this person.
He already knew what this marquee aimed for, and he doesn't like it even a bit. "Hey you, you still don’t get it, do you?! My master and mistress don't want to meet you."
"This-this is Fe…Fenrir-sama!" The marquess was surprised at Fenrir's appearance, and just like he heard, this magnificent beast is really special. He then stumbled forward only a little inch for Fel to hear him say, "Fenrir-sama, please go with us to..."
"He won’t go with you, and neither will we. Didn’t you just hear that my companion here has already declined? Why are you still pursuing us? That’s harrasment. If you keep going, I will let this gluttony eat you instead. Are we clear?" Cutting his words and threatening him, looking at him and saying that you will do it if he won’t leave soon.
And seeing him run off to who knows where, almost stumbling down, the group who was watching and listening felt a sudden cold running down their spines. In their mind, ‘She is really Fel-sama master all right.’ Pointing out that if Fel was just a pup and growing by your side, Yup.
"L-L/N-san, isn’t that a bit too much?" Mukoda asked, but instead of answering him, Fel did it for you.
"No, she did the right thing. Idiots like that can’t understand if you don’t do that much... " Fel then quickly looked at you, eyes expressing an irritation look, and said, "You dare continue to call me GLUTTONY!? you!"
Mukoda and the group could only watch as the two of you started to bark at one another. While you two are busy, Werner asks Mukoda if it’s alright to decline that marquess, as those nobles are really uptight when it comes to keeping their appearance.
"I haven’t thought about that yet…" Mukoda is more worried about the two who still continued. At this point, you two are gaining a lot of attention.
"I don’t think the noble’s private soldiers can go up against Fel-sama to begin with." Franka mentions, followed by Vincent, that if it’s against Fenrir, a worthy foe would be an ancient dragon.
"An ancient dragon, huh? yeah that is the only enemy that can match my power." Fel said he stopped his barking to tell this to the group, even if it ruined his ego and pride that someone could match him, but was replaced by an irk when he heard you cough.
-Are you laughing at me?!-
-No, but really? Any beast or human can’t match your hunger. At least I saved your pride. Right?-
-Shut up!- Fel's face was covered in red; was it anger? Or embarrassment... at least he's still number one, and as he told this to the group who asked him if he fought one, oh, how he wanted to lie and tell them that he won. He's not really a beast who likes to lie, but because of you, he's thinking about it.
But hey, even if he's a prideful and now gluttony beast based on his mistress description, He would never lie. (Lol)
You really did see him as a gluttonous beast rather than a scary beast, but maybe that is much better than fearing him. It’s still early to say it, but for you, Fel is not that bad. Maybe because you only have 2 gold coins and 5 silver coins, you saw Fel and decided, that ‘Hey, I’m running out of money. Is it my fault? Or him? Hmm, why not both? So it’s fair?’
Okay, maybe that’s too much and not a good reason to act like a bitch. After all, sooner or later, you'll get the feeling that Fel will be the companion who will help you and Mukoda survive this new place.
It saddens you to see the group leaving as they complete their mission, even if you only met them for a short time. You felt that closeness.
"We’re going to go turn in the report about this," Werner said as he retracted the paper that you and Mukoda signed.
"Guess that means we’re parting ways here." Mukoda also felt sad; after all, this group is the first to join you two on your first journey.
"Please keep the meat left from the red boar, and if you feel your split on the parts from the rock bird is not enough, then..." Werner wanted to say that the group could give the rest back, but you and Mukoda stopped him.
"No, we have already troubled you guys too much, thank you for escorting us here."
"And here to replenish your energy on your way back, think of it as a thank you basket." You added Mukoda sentence by giving them a basket full of freshly baked bread that you bought, or rather, free stuff from your skills.
You've got to thank Fel; if it weren’t for him, you wouldn’t get this free stuff. Just seeing the group exclaim in happiness as you took it out of your item box and they can’t wait to eat it at the same time as thanking you continuously.
"Wouldn’t they get suspicious as to where you got it?" Mukoda whispered next to you, and in return, you smiled at him, and that smile almost made him flustered. Is it because the sun is shining at you, making the atmosphere warm?
"No, they won’t. They will be too busy eating it to think of it."
No, it’s not the sun or the warmth, because that warmth has already been on him from the beginning. (A: If it’s cold, I could warm it for him. Hehe. *Oven sound when the food is finish* what are you thinking? (--)
As the group waves farewell, they thank you two again, sharing how it was a fun and memorable trip, mostly because of the food, on which you also agreed.
"What should we do next, L/N-san? We managed to get out of the Rayseer kingdom, and we don’t plan on staying in the town for long. Should we register at the guild first?"
"To be honest, I need to find a job first."
"Eh? Why?"
"I… don’t have enough money to get a guild card, and I don’t know how much the fee is…" You sheepishly chuckled. It wasn’t the first time that you did this, and Mukoda already knows that look.
"Don’t worry, it’s on me."
"But you don’t have to; I can just find a quick job to earn money."
"No, I can't let you, and beside, even if I’m an airhead sometimes, you're also one; you’re in a new place, and we don’t know what they will give you... so just to make sure and keep things safe, I will handle the fee."
You don’t know if you will be grateful or offended by him. Now you feel what he felt when you gave him a side eye.
"Please bring the air-headed Mukoda-san back."
He could only snort at your remark, and seeing him like this... Is it just the heat? As you felt your cheeks burning?
"Are you okay?"
"A-ah! Yes! Should we go?"
Maybe it’s not, or maybe it is. You don’t know; you're still thinking about it. Fel, who was watching, scoffed at it. Already knowing where this would lead in the end, all of a sudden he felt this unease.
Hmm, maybe because if you two got a child together, all your attention would be on that little bean, and the food he got might be reduced! Or, in the worst case, he won’t get anymore of that delicious food. No, that can’t happen!
"I can’t let that happen! You two better be safe, understand?!" In translation, he meant
-You two better use protection!
But for you and Mukoda, it meant that he was worried that you two would get killed in an accident and that his food would stop coming. Kind of sweet and selfish of him.
"Understood?!" Fel repeated that, as you two didn’t give him the answer, he could finally huff out when he heard it.
"Yes"
"Yeah"
‘Are we really the masters or him? Should I just sell him rather than the item?’
‘Patient L/N-san. I’m starting to think like you if you keep going’
But really, what kind of legendary beast drools whenever he thinks of food? Wait, that's kind of funny, but any living being would too if they were really gluttons or simply very hungry people.
You don’t blame him because you also drool at Mukoda food (A; himself *when he's cooking the delicious food* but yeah, him). That is when you are too lazy to stand up and cook real food.
THE GUILD
After you arrived in front of the guild without waiting and immediately got in, the first thing you noticed was how busy the people are, and for the first time, you felt like you were about to get your first interview in this world.
It may not be a modern job, but inside this guild, it is not different when it comes to an interview room; this guild also has a job, and the advantage of it is that you can pick any sort of job you want, not only taking a mission every day with a different kind, taking a quest out of the board, and going back to get the reward.
In short, you're just inside a game, playing it in reality rather than on Windows.
"Sorry for making you wait... My name is Michaela. I will take care of you two today. Thank you for choosing our guild."
You swore that this world is unique not only for its uniqueness and the many beasts, but also because the people here are hella fine. You wonder what soap they use to have that shiny skin. You should check later only to brush off that thought, as you don’t have any money to buy one.
"About earlier, we’re sorry for the ruckus." You said that 10 minutes ago, when you three walked in, the people got scared and screamed because of the sudden appearance of Fenrir.
"Oh no. It’s my fault for being inconsiderate. Well then, let me introduce these to you two first."
Michaela has begun telling you about the guild, and you must remember that every guild has its own symbols and name. The guild you three are in is a cross-continental organization.
A picture of a scale You don’t know what that means, but whoever decided to name this guild just crossed the board and thought, "Hey. Let’s go with this.
After Michaela shared the brief introduction, she continued by saying that the merchants are divided into five levels.
"Annual taxes and fees are based on their ranks. The taxes collected by the guild will be paid to each kingdom as a tariff" Of course, you should have seen this coming. Just like any job out there, taxes are a thing.
She then shared that depending on the fees, the entrance fees will be reduced or voided, which makes traveling between kingdoms or cities more swift. That's why you're there because of the entrance fee.
"However, if you conduct illegal businesses, you will be punished and your membership will be revoked. What level do Mukoda-sama and L/N-sama want to register for?"
"Hmm, let's see... For the moment, I don’t have any plans to open a stall or a store, so I think I will go with the iron rank. What about you, L/N-san? Didn’t you plan to open a store?" Mukoda asks, eyes averting at you.
"Yeah, but you know me. That store won’t last a month, so... I will go with the iron rank as well."
"Okay then, I will be back to give you your membership card. Please wait." And before Michaela could walk away, you called her, asking if there were any fees that you two needed to pay to get the membership card.
And to your relief, "It’s free for a first timer, but if you lose it, you will have to pay to have it remade. So please be careful with it."
Soon she came back with a two-silver card, and seeing your name on it, somehow you two have the ability to write and read their language, and it's a good thing that you don’t need to study for it.
"Oh, by the way, do you have a buying service here?" You ask, "We collected some stuff on the way here, so..."
Mukoda was about to ask what you meant by that, as the stuff was all at the Iron Will group. Only to shut his lips when you mention that he should be quiet.
"Oh, if it’s something that can be legally traded, then we can take them all"
"Then I’ll see you tomorrow, Michaela-san. We will bring the stuff here."
Thanks to Michaela's sharing where you can find an inn that also accepts monster companions, you are now at the barn near the inn, as the owner didn’t expect that the monster companion would be that big.
You also didn’t expect that Fel would cost that much for one night.
"L/N-san, what do you mean that we have some stuff to sell?"
"Oh, that, I’m planning to sell the item we can buy at the online store. Now I know what you're thinking; it’s not illegal to do, as it’s like selling the item you no longer use. And I will only sell an ingredient that already exists here."
Mukoda, hum seeing your point. He too plans to do it as the money he has is getting shorter, hoping that 1 or 5 golds will be enough.
"Hey, I’ve been starving since noon. My stomach is rumbling hard. Can you cook now?" Fel interfered, and he was right as you heard the rumbling, or maybe yours as well.
Thanks to the Iron Will group, there’s still some pork left. Now, what you really like about this world, aside from the skills you get, is the item box. A summoned warrior’s skill can contain a limitless amount, and the items that are stored in it are not affected by time.
You wonder if the tree student knows about it.
"What will you cook, L/N-san?"
"Hmm.. I’m craving for white rice."
"Oh, me too. Should we cook it?"
"Sure, but, if we wanted to cook some rice, we needed a gas stove and some other stuff for the rice to cook. "The problem is I’m short right now, so I will simply cook a tonkatsu or kakuni."
"Well, it's a good thing that there are no fees on the card, so I can buy those things." L/N-san, can you cut the meat and season it while I handle the rice?"
You really wanted to decline, but who are you to refuse it? Plus, tomorrow you can earn money and give Mukoda his money back. You just hope you can at least get six gold coins from it.
While Mukoda is busy handling the rice, here you are at your very own cooking show. If he gets the chance, you will also have yours.
The first thing you did to make the tonkatsu was moisten the panko, which is basically panko that has a little more moisture. (Picture it as a fluffy part of bread.) You then sprayed a little water on the panko to moisten it. (The spray that you got at the store only cost 1 bronze, while the panko cost 5 bronze.)
You then slice the meat and fat. For you, having more fat on the meat gives it more flavor as it produces its own oil when it is placed in a warm pot, but in this case, more meat is much more enjoyable.
Using the knife, you pounded the pork to expand the texture. Satisfied with the result, you then continued it by adding the black pepper and salt. While waiting to let the pork observe the season.
You went to put the eggs in the bowl, mixing the egg yolks until they settled to a plain yellow. Afterward, you went to buy flour and bread cramps. (The bread cramps are for you, as you like yours crispy, and it added more flavor to it.) It cost you around 4 bronze.
Fel was quietly watching you as you placed the meat on the egg yolks, coated it with flour, went back to dip it in the egg yolks, and finally coated it with a rough flour. (Panko.)
He continued to watch you as you repeated the process, and he couldn't help but ask as to why you have a different coating and only a small portion of the other coating (bread cramps).
"This one is mine; I’m making a tonkatsu, and the common thing to use for coating is panko. I just like mine with bread cramps."
"Uh, what?"
You dryly chuckle if you let him eat one; you fear he will ask for more, and you already coated all the meat (with panko) except yours that you were just coating, and it was enough for just two people as you plan to give Mukoda some.
"I’ll let you taste it tomorrow."
"I don’t know why you don’t want to tell me, but make sure you will cook it tomorrow."
"That is, if you hunt for the meat, and is it hard for you to ask nicely?"
If it weren’t for Fel titling his head and acting cute, oh, how you wanted to pet him. Fel on the other side wasn’t sure what you meant by that; this is always how he speaks. Is it just you, or are your cooking skills getting better?
As you gently place the meat in the hot oil and see it shimmer, followed by a tasty smell, and feel yourself drooling at it,
"That smells good, L/N-san; oh, is that Tonkatsu?" Mukoda commented, sniffing the air as it left a good aroma. His eyes then landed on the separate bowl. He almost forgot that you like yours crispy.
"Yup, and you know how I like mine crispier; I also made one for you."
"Oh, thank you. The rice is almost ready. but you should have asked me to buy the ponka and bread cramps. I wouldn’t mind." He said this, sweating at the ingredients laying on the table and the wrapper on the empty box.
"It’s fine, and you already handled the rice, so let me handle this one."
"Oi! Is it ready yet? I’m starving!"
Mukoda snorted at Fel's eagerness to taste the food you made. Well, for starters, he too can’t wait to taste your food. (You)  Just seeing it cook and neatly placed it on the plate.
If you ever continue to open a restaurant, he won’t get tired of going and eating there every day. He will be your number-one regular customer. It really satisfied you to see their reaction as they took a bite. Cooking can be a very hard and tiring thing to do, but hearing and seeing them this happy is enough to replace your hard work.
"This is so good!! One more, please! Though I really want to taste that other one, I will wait tomorrow." You chuckled at Fel's bluntness, yet it left you with a big smile that he wasn’t lying about your food being good.
"L/N-san, this is really good!" Mukoda compliment taking another bite, pausing for a bit as he looked like he was thinking of something. "L/N-san, this will be better with ‘That!’"
He doesn’t need to say more, as you already knew what he meant. As for Fel, who looks confused, "What was what?"
"This!" As you showed the soy sauce, you were not waiting for anything and immediately poured the garlic soy sauce and radish-flavored soy sauce. You've got to thank Mukoda for mentioning it, as it just adds more spark to the food.
"It’s the same red pork, but the taste keeps changing. This is really miraculous!" Fel said, licking the sauce at the corner of his mouth.
"Right! Whoever invented this is a genius!" You replied, taking a big bite at the tonkatsu, followed by a mouthful of rice. Imagine it as you're riding a bus home with music in the background or on your headphones.
Thinking of a scenario as you view the outside world Either looking for the best comeback for the person who fought with you or just the story that you want to be in and changing some plot
What you didn’t know while you were busy enjoying the food was that Mukoda, who was eyeing you, couldn’t help but also think of a scenario. It was very different from what you were thinking.
The thought of going home with you and how you welcome him with a big warm hug served with a big warm meal, or a k-kiss?
‘N-no, no. That’s impossible—why am I thinking of this? I- *Sigh*’ Still, he smiled at the thought of it and hoped that one day he would have enough courage to tell you. The only thing stopping him from continuing it is that he fears that once he says it, your friendship will be ruined.
He heard many stories about how friendship can be ruined if one party confesses, and the person who confesses with them often sees them only as a friend.
Fel, who was watching at the back, shook his head, even though Mukoda didn’t say it in words. Fel already knew by the way Mukoda was eyeing you. Fel then huffed. He must do what he needs to do, and with his help, even if he gets his food reduced, that will be a long time before it happens.
-Kid, I will help you, so don’t worry!-
-W-what? Er… Fel, what do you mean--
-Foolish human, even if I will get less food. I will help you tell her how you feel. So don’t worry, as I will handle it for you--- mmph!!!-
It's sad to say Fel didn’t get the chance to stand up as Mukoda had shoved him away, causing both of them to fall down. As for you, you only look at them in such confusion that you soon laugh as the sauce gets all over their faces.
"What are you two doing anyway?" You ask, holding out your hand for him.
"N-nothing! I thought I saw a spider, so-- hehe" Mukoda lied, eyeing Fel to be quiet, and as he took your hand, oh, how he loved his instinct, which cost him, or rather you, to explode.
He sweetly took the left rice at the corner of your lips, rather than taking it like a lost coin. He brushes his thumbs across those lips of yours.
Fel, who huffs proudly -My work here is done!" but - He could only cry silently at the thought of the food reducing.
*Sob Sob*
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elvenbeard · 21 days
Note
Soft OTP asks #9???
HIII this took me a hot minute öaskdhfasf. Thank you so much for asking!! I had this in my drafts forever and just didn't get around to editing it, but now finally here we are 👀
Prompts Handsome As Fuck
(Cyberpunk 2077 fanfic, Kerry Eurodyne x V, 1127 words; prompt: Write about your ship getting dressed up in fancy outfits together.)
“You want one of my ties?” V asked, and Kerry had to pause for a couple of seconds to ensure he’d heard him correctly. His hesitation made V’s head appear from behind the open doors of the wardrobe, and his expression changed from neutral expectation to laughter as he saw the face Kerry made.
“A tie? Do I look like I wear ties to ya?” Kerry asked with played offense and gestured at himself up and down rapidly. His shirt was still unbuttoned, he couldn’t find his belt, and he was already looking forward to switching his suit pants for something more comfortable – or nothing – as soon as they were back home later. He hated that the label made him go to this party, a formal cocktail event… that wasn’t exactly Kerry’s specialty, and the dress code only made it worse.
V snickered and the sound pulled Kerry’s thoughts back to the present. He was glad V’d be there with him tonight, happy to come even, as he didn’t get to dress up fancy for his job at the Afterlife really. He could, technically, but he chose not to, for a variety of reasons.
“Do I look like I wear ties?” V asked, posing to showcase his tattoos, fingers running through colorful strands of hair.
“Well, no,” Kerry shrugged, flustered, “Most of the time, at least. Today a little bit.”
V chuckled softly and returned his attention to the wardrobe briefly. He was already pretty much ready to go, dark pants and shirt, a sleek red blazer, his hair slicked back. It was still way shorter than back when they first met, too short for styling it much into a shape he liked. But he’d finally dyed it in his favorite colors again at least.
Kerry smiled to himself, and before getting too lost in thought once again continued to dig through a bunch of clothes on the armchair by the bed. Finally, his fingers got a hold of the smooth synleather belt he’d been searching for. At the very bottom of the pile, of course. He swiftly put it on and flinched slightly when a hand tapped him on the shoulder.
“Sorry,” V whispered apologetically – he really moved too quietly for his own good sometimes.
“Try this one, goes well with the shirt,” V smiled and handed Kerry a dark blue blazer with fine woven stripes of gold.
“That’s none of mine,” Kerry said as V helped him slip into it, expecting it to be just a tiny bit too tight around the shoulders, and the sleeves a tiny bit too long for him. Sharing t-shirts and other stretchy or less-fitted clothes was no issue between them, but when it came to tailored evening wear – or shoes – the problems began. Yet, this blazer fit Kerry like a glove…
“Now it is,” V grinned and, holding on to Kerry’s lapels, gave him a quick sweet kiss on the lips, “Looking handsome as fuck.”
“You… gonk,” was all Kerry managed to say, too surprised, taken aback, fingers trailing over V’s hands first, then feeling the soft, velvety fabric of the blazer.
“This fits me better than my goddamn wedding suit,” he muttered.
“Yeah, cause your stylist has no clue what she’s doing,” V said with a self-confident shrug, and Kerry chuckled.
“Thank you,” he then just said and kissed V back before slowly stepping in front of the mirror to take a look at himself. And damn yeah… he looked criminally hot, the colors of the jacket accentuating his cyberware and eyes, contrasting with his bare chest.
“Think I’m just gonna leave my shirt open,” he said, turning to see himself from different angles.
V laughed as he passed by behind him, and Kerry noticed him checking him out shamelessly. As he should, Kerry had never felt as good in a suit before.
“You can pull it off,” V said.
“You could, too!” Kerry said, gesturing loosely at V’s shirt buttoned all the way to the top.
“Prefer it like this.”
He picked a dark red tie out of the closet then joined Kerry in front of the mirror to put it on. Kerry watched as swift fingers flung the fabric around and skillfully turned it into a pretty knot.
“My father never taught me that kinda stuff,” he mused a little absentmindedly.
V paused for a moment.
“Neither did mine,” he said seriously, “Some guy in an old video tutorial did. Also taught me how to shave.”
Kerry realized his mistake.
“Ah, fuck… sorry, sometimes I…” he started, but V laughed.
“It’s fine,” he said, tie done neat and tidy, and gave Kerry a quick peck on the cheek before turning to leave, “Kinda flattering, in a way. That you forget it sometimes.”
“Love ya. Just the way you are, V,” Kerry said quietly and turned away from the mirror to follow V downstairs. Their Delamain had just passed by the bedroom windows and landed outside.
V petted the cat goodbye, then they both left the penthouse through the northern patio door.
“I didn’t always,” V mused quietly and Kerry almost paused in his tracks, “Love myself the way I am, I mean. Y’know what I bought from my first paycheck that didn’t go straight to Vik?”
“The newest braindance wreath?” Kerry teased.
“Okay… from my second paycheck,” V corrected himself and Kerry laughed.
“Hmm… not sure.”
“A fitted shirt, that actually didn’t really fit me all that well,” V said, “And a worn-out second-hand blazer, and an awful tie. I’d never owned any of those, my mother would’ve tossed it all out the moment she saw it. And even though I looked like shit, the euphoria when I saw myself in the mirror in that fit was unreal.”
So much suddenly clicked into place with V and his clothing choices for Kerry that he’d never considered before. V sighed as they reached the AV, the door sliding open as they approached.
“Kinda dumb, I know,” he said, “Putting so much weight onto a piece of fabric and outdated gender norms.”
“It’s not dumb at all,” Kerry shook his head and took V’s hand as they sat down inside while Delamain gave his little welcome speech.
“I’m a firm believer in ‘do whatever the fuck makes you happy’. Even if it’s something ‘kinda dumb’ like dressing however you wanna. If it makes ya feel good, go for it.”
V chuckled.
“Thank you,” he said quietly and rested his head on Kerry’s shoulder, “Love ya.”
“Love ya, too,” Kerry said, fingers entangled with his handsome date’s, his mainline, his big, unexpected late-life love story that he couldn’t even have dreamed of... The man that kept surprising him each day by showing him new ways to love himself unconditionally.
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vylad243 · 2 months
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Ok but being an assassin sounds so cool and I’ve never seen that headcannon before 👀👀 I can just imagine everyone thinking he was just, like, a businessman who got dumb luck on his powers or something.
Maybe someone mentioned it one day as an insult “What do you know? Your only sin was capitalism” and Vox just stops short and is like “???? I’ve killed thousands of people???”
Tbh I’d love to hear more about it if you have the time and will
Thank you! I wanted something unique! Everyone went for the business side of him, but I loved him being an assassin and getting a T.V. for a head to fuck up his balance and ability to hide himself because he hides in the shadows. His punishment is taking away things he used to his advantage, but he's very flexible and can adapt easily.
Assassins typically do things for money, so he would be portrayed as some kind of businessman down in Hell because money would have always ruled his life. He just wasn't fortunate enough to rise in the ranks as a businessman because he either had an unfortunate upbringing or he was outed for being trans and bisexual and it ruined any credibility he had.
It's also way Vox always has weapons on him in every book I write. He doesn't believe in an assassin being unarmed, so he has weapons all across his body. He even has a few non-angelic blades inside his skin that he would claw out if he was truly backed into a corner.
Vox uses people's addictions to his advantage because he had to do so as an assassin to really get his victims isolated. Vox's ability to keep people entertained and feed into their addictions is something that he used as a living person. Vox was very efficient, and he was already an outcast, so he wasn't afraid to start dabbling in illegal shit.
Vox is meant to be shown as a powerful person who can manipulate the situation to his advantage, and I think that's why he isn't a businessman. Most business people can't get away with the amount of shit Vox has done in Hell, but someone whose entire job is lying and ruining people's lives could get away with the shit Vox does.
It's also important for me to show that no matter how bad of a person Vox was in his living life and afterlife- he still doesn't deserve the abuse he was given by Valentino. Just because he killed people or stalked others doesn't mean he deserves to be hit by his own partner. It fuels his desperation and ruthlessness because of fear, and it affects his job. He stopped being an assassin in Hell because he started making more mistakes because of what was happening to him. He's shown to be a businessman only because that's all he can handle. He can throw himself into that kind of work mindlessly and crunch away on the numbers without a care in the world
Hope that makes sense! I'm in a moving car right now
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plazmafields · 1 month
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Oh boy you better get your asses ready because I just beat the game again on 2.1+ and I think it actually has interesting implications for Kerry’s romance. SPOILERS FOR THE SUN ENDING SPECIFICALLY!
Like many other players, I got the Sun ending the first time I played, and (other than when I’m roleplaying a new type of character) it’s the ending I always go for and consider canon for my main oc Vesper. Over on the subreddit(s), people seem to view this ending as definitely 100% implying that V finds a cure and lives to see old age. While of course I would love my character to live a long and happy life, I don’t think that’s the case. V free floats off into space toward a several trillion dollar heavily guarded spacecraft filled with the most elite of the elite. That job was a suicide mission, and I interpreted this ending as V going out with a bang so they could finally, actually become a real Night City legend.
I believe Kerry knows this. When he calls you during the credits, Kerry asks you in a casual tone to buy some olives on your way back, then his voice gets soft and he goes, “Actually, you know what, forget it. I’ll buy them myself.” He does this backtracking in conversation several times during his romance, and I always read it as him being uncomfortable talking about his feelings. He stops himself from apologizing to V during A Like Supreme: Kerry gives V the gun he tried to shoot Johnny with, V reminding him that he was actually aiming the gun at V’s head. Kerry says “yeah…” in an apologetic tone and then starts saying “And earlier when–” then stops himself and says “nevermind.” Kerry also does this during Boat Drinks. He starts by saying “You shake things up, V. Make me feel…” trails off for a second, then stutters before saying “uh, I mean.” It sounds like he has a habit of stopping himself when he starts to feel he’s being too vulnerable.
Now, during the Sun epilogue, Kerry doesn’t hesitate when he tell’s V “I don’t want to lose you.” This would normally be a very vulnerable thing to say, and Kerry’s shown that he always backtracks in moments such as these. He even goes so far as to repeat it and make direct eye contact as he says it again. This makes it seem like maybe he’s done some emotional growing and is now more comfortable talking about his feelings, specifically with V. So, if that were the case, why does he restart the habit of backtracking in the credits call? He doesn’t backtrack during the emotional part, when he tells V he wants them to spend more time together and try to be less busy for one another. He only corrects himself when he talks about V coming back. Because he knows V isn't coming back. Even before that, right before V gets on the flying Delamain to head to the Afterlife, he says “Take care of yourself.” to Kerry, which feels very final, like he doesn’t think he’ll see Kerry again.
With all the other romances, saying goodbye in the mansion makes perfect sense. Panam is leaving with the Aldecaldos, Judy is leaving Night City for good, and River expresses that he feels their relationship doesn't feel equal. The conversation V has with Kerry feels very much like any of their other conversations throughout the game: Kerry talks about his stuff, then once he’s gotten it out of his system, asks how V is doing. But with some notable, very subtle changes.
Kerry is always excited to talk about himself, and rarely asks much about V unless he’s making sure V isn’t already dead. The text that actually sparked me wanting to put these thoughts to paper is the one where Kerry takes a personality quiz and it labels him as a narcissist. He’s self absorbed, sure, but he doesn't have the psychiatric disorder Narcissism as far as I’m convinced. Whichever reply you send, his responses are pretty funny. However, getting that text reminded me that the first time I played Cyberpunk I really wasn’t all that into Kerry as a character, and definitely not as a romance option.
So, the conversation you have in V’s mansion in the Sun ending is actually much more V focused than previous interactions with Kerry. When Kerry asks if you’re alright, even if you say everything’s fine, he still insists that he’s there for V and willing to talk, cuddle, fuck, whatever V needs. This is in stark contrast to when you call Kerry on the rooftop before picking your ending. During that call, he definitely notices something is off with V and asks if he’s ok, but doesn’t press any further when V says he’s fine. His dialog in the Sun ending is strangely caring for Kerry, who otherwise always seemed like V was more of a convenient side-piece with whom he shared a mutual friend. Obviously, as I’ve played the game more and considered Kerry’s quests and dialog options from different angles, I really like him as a character and see much more of his depth than I did on my first playthrough.
Now here’s why playing the game on version 2.1+ is important: 2.1 added dates with your romance options to the game (the “I really want to stay at your house” repeatable quest). If you were to consider the new texts, dialog, and gift responses from the perspective of any of the other endings, Kerry’s replies sound somewhat out of character. The phrasing, the word choice, the tone is all Kerry, but the sentiment is decidedly not so. “I really like you, V. Thought I should remind you.” after the first time he goes over to V’s. His response to getting the flowers or car, he’s almost too complimentary; I feel like Kerry would mention everything wrong with the gift first, then admit that he actually likes it, but still find a way to show his appreciation without saying the words “thank you, V.”
However, if you put everything added in 2.1 into the context of the Sun ending, it starts to feel like Kerry is growing as a person. That’s what his whole quest string was about, sure, but you don’t see him put any of those personal changes into practice after Boat Drinks (mostly because all the romance options just stop leaving their houses once you reach the end of their questlines). So the sweet, appreciative texts after dates and gifts, leading into the way he’s much more focused on V and their relationship during the Sun ending, It actually feels like a natural growth for his character. It’s like the dates, the gifts, the cute little replies, are all the beginning stages of him becoming a much more attentive partner in the Sun ending. Kerry even says himself, before V gets on the Delamain, that their relationship has changed his outlook on life and helped him reprioritize things. The 2.1 additions actually make it feel like we watched that journey begin for him, instead of it just being told to us after a time skip.
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faroreskiss · 9 months
Text
The Power of Understanding / Part 2 (v2)
Read on Ao3
Rewritten v2 posted on: 2023/09/10
Cheat Sheet
Chapters: Pilot, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5, Part 6, Part 7, Part 8, Part 9
Summary: You have been with the Chain for a while now, as their "scholar" and translator. You know everything about them, because you are from our world. But do they know the truth about how you can understand everyone? Loosely based on the same reader in my NSFW fic, which is a very loose prequel to this one, and a work in progress. More background info to come, if I feel like it :D Isekai reader, but she doesn't know about the Linked Universe. Warnings: None. SFW. Maybe Teen? Points of interest: This is your thing if you are into the mystery of chain being able to talk to each other. I am an actual trained linguist IRL, hence this HAD to be written! Some fluffy Twilight x Reader content in this chapter.
So, what was happening to you today? You just couldn't stop thinking about Twilight for some reason. You even carried your work over the stables, having to inhale the smell of horseshit around you. 
But he was just... there. Not like he has been far away lately. You’ve literally been stuck with him (and the rest of the chain) for around two years. Your ‘situationship’ with Wild was still there, and the rest of the chain was aware of it, you were guessing.  You both weren’t exactly super subtle about it, hand holding and such and sometimes a small kiss here and there, but you were never explicit with it either. Nobody questioned anything, everybody had their… quirks, you guessed. 
Did they think you were just in a relationship, you wondered sometimes. Were they even familiar with the word, situationship? Gods, what would they think of the involvement of you, Zelda and Link at the same time, if they knew? Technically, everybody had their room in the house in Hateno, but, well... Ah, you really missed Zelda too, and her delicate fingers on… You took a breath and then sighed. You were getting distracted.
Anyway, nobody owes anyone explanations in the Chain that you learned. That was the agreement of the Links, in which you were indirectly included. If they don't want to tell, you don't force them.
Except, you pretty much knew everything. Well, you weren't really familiar with any game where all the Links were together except maybe some fanfiction where they met in the afterlife, but Wild didn't "exist" back then, from your perspective.
Now, Time was out with the others, getting some business done in Castle Town. Wild also joined him to get some ingredients for the recipes he learned from Malon.
Back to Twilight... You were watching his strong arms, brushing the horse gently. He definitely had a tall stature compared to the other Links. The Links you are in contact with are ranging from their mid to late twenties, maybe early thirties (except Wind, though he was still almost a 16/17 -year-old teenager). So, most of them were fully adults.
"Hey, I can feel ya starin', ya know, Trivia Queen,” he said with his Ordona drawl that occasionally made an appearance, sighing, while still brushing his Epona.
Right. That was your nickname. When you first arrived, you kept spouting things about them that you supposedly should not "know" about, which made the Links (except Wild, he was used to it) extremely suspicious. Over time, they got used to it, especially after finding out about your "job" at Wild's world, as a historian, linguistics scholar. So they left it at that.
The other rule was that you were not supposed to discuss one Link with another, unless you are sure you are not revealing any secrets.
...which was a rule that was established right after you revealed that Twilight is Wolfie, to Wild. Seems like the Old Man already knew (you and Wild joined the chain pretty much as the latest additions), and it was his idea to come up with it. And it was kind of unfair because Wild said he already knew Wolfie from his initial adventure! Hah, good riddance. It did end up being revealed to everyone anyway, after his near death experience.
Fair to say, you were the persona non-grata for a while. And that nickname was not Trivia Queen, but it was Trivia-something else for a while (Thanks, Vet).
"Mhm," you idly replied.
Twilight raised an eyebrow, catching you lost in thought while the stables filled with the scent of horse dung. "Hey," he called out again, his voice carrying a mix of amusement and curiosity. "Lost in your own world again?"
You sighed, blushing slightly, and tried to shake off the daydream of you and him in a big bear hug. "Yeah, just got a bit distracted," you admitted, turning your attention back to the ranch's budget paperwork. "These numbers can be quite mesmerizing, you know."
The rancher chuckled, his eyes warm as he continued brushing his Epona. "If you say so," he replied playfully. "But I have to admit, you manage to make even the most mundane tasks seem fascinating."
You couldn't help but smile at his compliment, feeling your heart flutter slightly. "Thanks, Link. You know how to make a 'trivia queen' blush," you teased back, trying to keep the conversation light-hearted.
His grin widened, and he leaned against the stable door, looking at you with that undeniable twinkle in his eyes. "Oh, really? Well, consider it a skill I've honed over time," he said, winking playfully.
You playfully rolled your eyes, trying to hide the butterflies in your stomach. "I suppose I'll have to keep my guard up around you, then," you replied, feigning a serious tone.
Twilight chuckled, and for a moment, the two of you locked eyes, a silent understanding passing between you.
"You wish you could," he winked.
There was an unspoken awareness that, despite the friendly banter, there were lines he would not cross. You respected his relationship with Wild, and he respected your history with him. And of course, the fact that everybody's existence is but a flicker...
Yes... Who knows how long you will still be here anyway? Even the stuff with Wild and Flora is as dangerous as it is. You can literally disappear and get back to your own world, leaving them behind.
This was the thing that was stopping you from the other type of "feelings" you could catch. You never spoke about this with Wild or Flora. To be fair, not like there was any time to. You… literally had the most intense moment of intimacy one night, and less than 24 hours after that, you and Link were taken in via the portal and met with 8 other Links. Poor guy even hesitated to sleep with you in the same bedroll, literally the night after. 
 And since the adventures with the Chain started, there was this weird gloom between you two sometimes (both missing Zelda), but the respect you have for each other never disappeared. That was another unspoken agreement.
The moment you want to speak about this awkward issue of you having a heart big enough for love for other people, the reality of your existence would be bare.
Anybody can disappear, forever, anytime.
Time's return broke the moment, and you both quickly resumed your tasks, acting as if nothing significant had transpired. "So, what were you two chatting about?" Time inquired with a sly grin.
"Just discussing the ranch's budget," you replied casually, keeping things vague.
The Old Man raised an eyebrow but seemed to take your word for it. "Alright then, just remember we've got some preparations to make before the next portal appears," he said, his eyes flickering with a knowing but serious glint. It wasn't the first time he witnessed something like this.
You nodded, grateful for the diversion. "Of course, I'll get back to work."
As the day went on, you couldn't help but steal glances at Twilight, his presence always managing to captivate you. Though you were the "translation magic" of the group, your understanding of him went beyond language. It was a connection that had been forged through shared experiences and unspoken feelings of the last couple of years, despite the initial incidents you had.
And as you continued to work alongside the Chain, you held onto the hope that, in the midst of all the chaos and adventure, there might be a chance for your paths to intertwine in a more profound way. For now, you would cherish the friendly banter and the secret glances, knowing that no matter how many worlds you traveled, Twilight would be a part of your heart's journey, for now.
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Jake the Gatekeeper
So, anyone else want to talk about Jake being the gatekeeper? And how in death, Jake had been locked up and prevented from doing his job? YET HE STILL DID IT.
So what is a gatekeeper? Please feel free to correct me because sometimes my meaning gets lost in my inability to language at times... But they are in charge of keeping things running. Keeping people where they need to be and keeping memories and ares of the inner world locked off from those not meant to see.
Basically they go, "That memory? That memory only causes you to be in horrible pain. You don't need to keep looking at it." And they lock it up. Sometimes in a room, sometimes in a box, sometimes just somewhere out of reach.
They also go, "Hey. You shouldn't be fronting right now" and they can pull you out of that seat. They are grounding. They can help people stay grounded, they can help people front. They are in charge of keeping the traffic flow going. It's sort of a big deal.
Some never front. They have a lot going on inside and they like to stay there. Some front a lot, letting others rest, giving themselves time out.
(Side tangent, I know a system where the gatekeeper was having a stressful time thanks to a new medication. They decided to take a day off and didn't tell anyone else. They just went to their area and disappeared for a day. The rest of the system went into PANIC mode for the whole day. Someone that usually only fronts for an hour at a time got stuck in the front position for the day and couldn't switch out, everyone else didn't know what to do and ran around looking for the gatekeeper. When they finally came back it was a lot like that scene from community where he walks in and everything is on fire).
SO. Marc and Steven have no idea about Jake, about what he does, and how important he is. If we follow that Steven holds emotional/spiritual protector and Jake holds gatekeeper AND physical protector, Jake is a busy man.
When they die, things get a little messed up. Steven is locked up, Marc is lost in his own tormented emotions/memories/thoughts and whatever else the afterlife is doing to him, and Jake is locked up.
Here's the interesting part. Was Marc even supposed to find Steven? Was it a fluke? Did Marc choose to find Steven because he needed his emotional support? I believe yes. He has to OPEN the door to get into Steven's room and then free Steven from the sarcophagus that is closed.
YET: Just down the hall from Steven's room, there is an OPEN DOOR and the Sarcophagus is upright and halfway through the damn doorway.
He can't get out because Marc does not let him. Marc is in control here and he is not ready to know about Jake. BUT LOOK AT HOW FAR JAKE IS TO GETTING OUT ON HIS OWN.
Even more, most of the doors are STILL LOCKED.
Steven happens into the important door and locks Marc out. Marc can't get into these doors on his own. Only Steven is actually opening doors here. When Marc is in panic mode, none of the doors open. The only door he actually gets through on his own opens by itself, inviting him in. Steven is already there, ready for Marc to come back.
Steven is navigating the memories, probably with the help of what ever if happening in the Duat, but he is still in control. Even falling into the memory of the night Marc met Khonshu.
But what if Jake is the one navigating them? The doors are locked. The memories are a mess. Jake can't get out, but he still might have control. What if he's the one that let Randall out to guide Steven? What if he's the one that pulls them through the never ending staircase of pain? Lets them fall into the desert with Khonshu?
What if Jake understands that it's time to let Steven do his job because he can't? What if he realizes at long last that it's time that Steven knew about his own job? Marc is spiraling and becoming too destructive. Too much is at stake and Marc would rather just die than face anything. So finally as they die, Jake is like, "Steven, I can't do this. It's your turn." And the gates are opened.
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tacagen · 4 months
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rating thawne's deaths on a 10 point scale
snapped neck: 6/10. ok. not good, not bad, well-deserved, timeless, impactful. i love the way thawne is still complaining about that one though.
flashpoint: 9/10. imagine becoming a living paradox and proceeding to rant about how your speedster nemesis cant hurt you now (very normal way to put it btw.) only to be pierced by a fucking sword. dumb and classic, all good here.
the button: 100/10 THE DUMBEST DEATH OF THEM ALL AND MY ALL TIME FAVORITE. also a classic, imagine being told multiple times that youre going to die and fucking carry on like youre the Smartest here and nothing could ever happen to you and actually ima adopt you barry. thawne's character at its finest.
running scared: 8/10. not bad. ironic last words and 'on my life i swear' about the promise he intended to break all along. once again, dead because he couldnt shut the fuck up and look around him. iris, my beautiful tired of thawne's shit queen, I STAN.
the flash cw season 1: 5/10. dont remember it much asides from being totally pointless as it has 0 effect on thawne's existence further and our beloved Genius of Time Travel, who can Calculate Every Single Timeline Consequence To His Actions revealing his fucking name to his ancestor and bullying him into murder by suicide.
legends of tomorrow season 2: 10/10. love this one. top 10 reverse-flash moments. my dude got together like 15 other versions of himself for each to do practically fucking nothing other than to group pose and die. an honorable mention: poor black flash who got called a monster just for trying to do his timeline protection job and who endured all of thawne's shit only for it to turn out completely pointless as well. then again if you think about it, everything that happens in cw is pointless.
the flash cw season 6: 2/10. does that even count as a death. makes zero fucking sense. 2 points only for thawne being a total loser and resembling negaduck's 'crisis on infinite darkwings' death.
suicude squad: hell to pay: 10/10. i gave this 10 points already just for his last words 'fuck my life'. again, DOESNT KNOW HOW TO SHUT THE FUCK UP WHICH GETS HIM KILLED. thawne believing in the afterlife in the first place feels out of character to me though.
finish line: 0/10. it was very hard to waste a character like that without even realising it AFTER WRITING HIM WITH SUCH A DEEP UNDERSTANDING BEFORE but you've done it, williamson ⭐
legends of tomorrow season 7: 7/10. very balanced death, little bit of thawne having zero fucking braincells, little bit of meaning. not even complaining about the concept, silly little domesticated rat doing his silly little job of preserving the timeline. i approve.
jurassic league: 10/10. first i suggest we just stop and think for a moment about the fact that we got a DINOSAUR THAWNE in a list of deaths. second THIS PREHISTORIC DUMPLING GOT FUCKING EATEN. third insert an extinction pun. perfect understanding of thawne being a fucking joke of a character and meme potential.
flashpoint beyond: 12/10. did NOTHING in the plot. meant NOTHING for the plot. just spawned as a corpse and looked pretty in the morgue (10 points already purely for The Page) and i respect that. 1 more point for the button encore and another to martha wayne. thank you for your service queen, we'll never forget your impact on this one.
knight terrors: the flash: 8/10. this mf lasted exactly 3 pages. neat but a bit sad if you think about it. not only got killed unprovokedly but his prescious museum he just tried to protect got damaged as well. didnt even get to finish neither the tour or his point about barry not being able to wake up (again, only tried to help in a way by that?). also i like the way he's once again a creation of barry's subconsciousness acting suspiciously fruity.
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