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cheeseburgersstuff · 3 years

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Hi💖Can u pls write like steve rogera x reader, where steve got badly hurt in a mission and end up lossing his memory and forget about his wife(reader) and his marriage reader tries to help him remind.. lot of angst with a happy ending please..💗

Reminisce

Steve Rogers x Reader

Warnings: language, mistakes, shitty plot, kinda idiot Steve (not really) a Lil bit of angst...

A/N: thank you nonnie for the ask and I'm sorry it took me so long :') and still, it's shitty...

Word Count: 2.8k

master-list.

You ran towards the infirmary with tears running down your face. It might be an overreaction to someone else considering how he would be just fine but you knew he was hurt. You had a weird feeling before he even went on that mission, a restlessness inside you that you couldn’t express.

The sight made you stop breathing for a moment. “Oh Steve” you whispered seeing your husband laying on the bed embraced by the wires. The right side of his face was swollen, bruised, and a nasty cut on the left side towards his lips.

He was still unconscious. Doctor Cho came out of the room. You rushed towards her.

“How’s he?” your voice, hoarse because of crying.

She sighed and looked at you with sympathy. “Can’t say anything till he becomes conscious. But you can meet him now” she said with a smile before walking off.

You entered his room with shaky legs and sat near him. He looked tired, a frown covering his face that you wanted to smooth out with your fingers. But you were too afraid to touch his injured face, your heart cleaned seeing him like that.

putting your hand on his while resting your head on the space on the bed, a fresh tear escaped your eye.

--------

You woke up feeling a hand jerking away from yours. You sat up and looked at a confused Steve.

“Hey, it’s okay,” you said trying to comfort him but he looked panicked. You went outside to call the doctor.

Steve was trying to free himself from the wires when you got back. You ran towards him to stop him.

“Hey, relax babe” you put your hands on him, causing him to stop. But before he could utter a word the doctor came in.

“Good morning captain rogers.” she greeted cheerfully coming towards him to check him up.

“What happened to me” was what he said.

The doctor kept checking his injuries. “You got severely injured on the mission. Kept everyone worried especially this lady here” she smiled, pointing towards you.

Steve frowned, his hurt hurting like hell. “What mission?” he didn’t remember going on any mission and why would you be worried about him.

“You shouldn’t be worried about me agent y/l/n”

Both you and doctor Cho exchanged looks at his words. This was getting serious.

Doctor Cho sighed and signaled you to follow her. You left a confused Steve behind and followed her.

A frown covering her face, “I think you have an idea what is happening to him.” she said, sympathy in her eyes for you.

Yes, you knew but didn’t want to accept it. When you didn’t reply she sighed explaining it to you. “He is having amnesia, most probably retrograde amnesia where he can’t remember things before the injury. We can’t say what he remembers what he doesn't but by the looks of it I think he doesn’t remember you are his wife”

“Yeah I know, he called me agent” it came out ruder than you anticipated but she understood your anger even though it wasn’t her fault.

“We will have to do CT scans to know how severe the damage is. And maybe he is going to heal soon because of the serum” she placed her hand on your shoulder. Her words soothe your worry a little bit.

“And you could help him heal too, it wouldn’t be easy though. You have to be careful not to overwhelm him with too much information” saying this she left, probably preparing for the CT scans.

With a sigh, you returned to the room. Steve was still sitting on the bed with his head in his hand. You sat down beside him, patting his shoulder gently so he wouldn’t get scared.

The soft eyes he gave you, reminded you of the time he came out of the ice. When you were assigned to guide him to cope with his new life. He had the same look when he was trying to understand how to use a smartphone and then looked at you with confusion, silently pleading for help.

He was asking for help again but this time you weren’t enjoying this, you were scared. What if he never…

“What’s the last thing you remember?” you asked softly.

“The last mission I remember is with you Nat and Rumlow, to free the hostages. But we came back, reported to fury, and then went home. That’s it” that was two years ago, a month before you two started dating.

So he doesn’t even remember us dating. You thought.

“Steve, I know it would be difficult to understand, to accept but what you remember happened two years ago.” you didn't know how much to tell him before he started to panic but for now he looked okay. Trying to take in the information.

You took the ring beside the table, they took it off his finger and showed him. “Um.. this is” you were hesitant to tell him but it was important. You showed him your hand with the wedding ring.

“We got married,” you whispered looking at him, trying to read his expressions.

You knew how emotional he was about his relationships, and suddenly knowing he was married would be a shock.

Steve took your hand in his and caressed the finger as if trying to remember but there was nothing.

Nothing, he could think off and smile. It was a bit painful to know you are married and not know anything about it. That day, your life with that person.

“Hey, it’s okay. You are going to be fine. We are going to retrieve everything back” you said his face in your hands.

You didn't know how you were going to do that or how much time would it take but right now it was important to give him hope.

He nodded and got out of your grip. Suddenly the doctor came in to take Steve for CT scans.

His ring was still in your hands, you didn’t give him, nor did he ask for it…

You brought Steve to your floor after the CT scans. You cleaned the bedroom especially for him considering how difficult you find cleaning your room.

There was an awkward silence between you two. You never felt this way with him even when you two didn’t start dating.

“You should change and take a rest, I’ll bring you dinner” you smiled to which he just nodded and watched you go.

It wasn’t that he didn’t like you anymore. He did like you, and with what he remembers he was thinking of asking you out but suddenly you are his wife and…

His head hurts thinking about that, so he laid on the bed thinking this all to be a dream.

You went to the kitchen where everyone was eating and talking. When they saw you coming they stopped and stared at you.

“I’m just here to make dinner for him. His head hurts constantly, I think he is thinking too much” you sighed. The team gave you sad smiles.

“It’s gonna be alright y/n,” nat said, coming towards you. She hugged you before you started making something for your husband.

You came back with a bowl of soup and saw him lying in bed with closed eyes but you knew he wasn’t sleeping. You sat near him and ran your fingers through his hair causing him to open his eyes. You smiled at him.

“I brought you soup, you have to take your medicines after that.” again just a nod and he took the bowl from you.

You got up and continued watching him, no glance at you, no smile, nothing. You knew you had to be patient but it still hurts seeing him behaving like a stranger.

With a sigh, you went to the bathroom to change for bed…

It’s been 3 weeks since lost his memories and you were trying very patiently to help. You were always there for him, wake him up with a smile, usually, you would kiss him but now everything stopped as he was distant from you. But now things were a little bit better as he would often give you a little smile. You made him his favorite food. You took him for walks and to dinner, where you two had memories.

Yesterday you took him to the restaurant where you went on your first date. You were noticing his expressions the whole time if he would get a spark of his past but there was nothing. And even if he felt something he didn’t show it. He barely showed any expressions now.

Today you were going to take him to the central park, that was where you took him first when he came out of the ice.

You personally had a lot of memories there with your family.

Maybe if you talked about the same things you did that day, that could cause an effect on him.

You sighed happily and went down the floor, to find him. He was on desk duty these days, which was funny. Considering the captain who always gave everyone else that pathetic job as a punishment, was doing it himself. And that everyone was mostly you, the favorite target of Steve Roger’s wrath.

You went towards his desk but didn’t find him there. So after asking FRIDAY you were heading towards the laboratory.

You were about to enter but stopped hearing their voices.

“I don’t know tony. It’s not like I don’t like her but…. She is being too much for me. She is always there, when I wake up I see her face, on breakfast lunch dinner. Then going to bed. And now she is taking me outside. It’s… so overwhelming.” Steve sighed.

Normally Steve Rogers didn’t babble his tensions out when anyone asked him what happened. But now when tony asked this question he couldn’t help but let out everything he was thinking for the past three weeks.

Tony gave him a sympathetic smile, “maybe you should talk to her then. Tell her she needs to give you space. She isn’t like that, Steve, she is worried too and maybe that’s why she didn’t even realize that.”

Steve considered his words and indeed before going out of the laboratory. You on the other hand left before he could.

Here you were trying so hard to help him get back to normal and he was taking you, as too much.

You marched towards your room and packed your stuff. Maybe you should shift back to your floor giving him his space back.

Well, you were being too much y/n. You thought. But for him, and if he had any problem he should have talked directly to you.

You sighed. He was normal with everyone but you, or maybe everyone was normal with him but you.

You took your bag and went back to the other floor. Now you also would try to be normal, acting as if nothing happened and wait for some miracle to heal him.

After making your old bedroom look presentable you decide to head towards the gym to let out your frustrations. But on the way you found Steve, who had the audacity to smile at you.

“Umm… I was looking for you,” he said softly. This made you even more annoyed. He was acting as if he didn’t bitched you to your friend just half an hour ago.

“Why?” he flinched at your tone which wasn’t meant to be that harsh.

“We were supposed to go for a walk” you sighed and gave him a forced smile.

“Not today Steve. I am a bit tired.” you were about to walk away but stopped.

“And Steve, I think we should stop this for some time. It must be overwhelming, huh, you know I can be too much sometimes,” you whispered the last part. He barely caught it but he heard. And watched you walk away.

One week passed and he was restless. You weren’t there, he barely saw you the whole day. He couldn’t even sleep at night. It wasn’t just because of the guilt of his words, it was your presence that soothes him, your warmth. Even though his mind didn’t remember his body was used to being around you.

He was in the kitchen making coffee for everyone when you walked in. and it hurt him when you didn’t even look at him and started preparing your breakfast.

“Hey, your coffee,” Steve said, passing a cup towards you.

“Steve she doesn’t drink black coffee-like, everyone” nat said looking at him.

Steve shocked his head, “no I didn’t make her—” he stopped in the middle of his sentence.

You looked towards your cup and it was filled with cream and an outrageous amount of sweetness, just like you loved your coffee.

You looked towards Steve who was giving you a nervous smile, while everyone remained silent. “Thank you” you muttered and walked out with your cup.

With a smile and happy tears in your eyes, he subconsciously made you a coffee. He remembered.

Still, that didn’t mean you are going to be on friendly terms with him.

The mission was successful but tiring, you were returning in the jet with Tony nat and clint. Sitting in a corner you smiled lightly thinking about the moments before going to the missions.

Steve came to you, “be safe” that’s what he whispered before giving you a peck on the cheek, hesitantly. As if you would slap his face hard for kissing you.

You chuckled before closing your eyes to take a nap…

He was sitting at the desk doing his work when Sherline? What was her name? Came to him with a more than a friendly smile. She was a new receptionist always needing help with stuff especially when Steve is around. She bent down when you walked in with a file on the mission.

Not again… that was what you thought. You knew what he must be on his display by the flustered face and the way he was averting his eyes.

He smiled hesitantly before trying to explain whatever that recipient girl was asking him.

“Captain Rogers” you called, with authority causing both of them to look at you. The girl instantly straightened and walked away before greeting you. Your eyes followed her as she went away before coming back to him.

The look of disappointment you gave him, reminded Steve of a memory, somewhere deep inside his head.

“Captain Rogers” your voice was stern as you looked at Sharon and then Steve. She was there for some work Fury asked her to do, and also got a chance to see Steve as well. You were annoyed from a hectic mission after a week to submit your report and seeing them together annoyed you even more.

“Hey y/n” Sharon greeted with a smile which you returned with your forced one. You marched towards steve and threw your file on the desk.

“Report,” you said before walking away.

With the same look of disappointment, you came near him and threw your file. Steve looked like a kicked puppy when he looked up.

“Report” the voice seemed like it was coming from a distance. He was watching you go away and involuntarily called your name.

“y/n” he kept calling but you didn’t stop. He left Sharon there and ran towards you. He grabbed your arm, causing you to turn. “What?” you spat…

He remembered, he remembered what he said after that, your wrist in his hand and you, still thinking what the fuck he wants?

“Will… will you go out with me” the words left his mouth. He suddenly smiled looking at your expressions. Your eyes got wet, while you chuckled.

“You..”

“Just a little bit” he whispered.

He took your hands in his, “look y/n I’m sorry about those words. I was just” but you stopped him. “I understand,” you smiled sadly. “Doctor Cho warned me not to be overwhelmed. I just got too much, I know”

“Will you give me another chance, will you help me with this?” he asked.

“Of course babe,” you said before giving him a long-overdue hug. It felt so good to feel him against you after so long, his arms wrapped around you. Now he felt like your husband.

“Now can you give me my ring back?” he said, showing you his empty hand.

“Hmm, lemme think about it. Think if you even deserve it or not” you said squinting your eyes at him.

He pretended to be wounded at your words only to receive a scoff from you. You turned and walked away leaving him there alone.

“Buy me dinner first, then I’ll decide” you shouted behind you, causing the captain to smile shyly.

#chris evans x reader #steve rogers x reader #chris evans #captain america #steve rogers #marvel #captain america x reader

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orsuliya · 3 years

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Dear General, just talk to your wife!

Let it be said: any male hero who interferes in his partner’s reproductive ability without her permission and/or knowledge is usually immediately cancelled in my eyes. That is certainly the case for any piece of media set in modern times. Fantasy/historical heroes get a bit of leeway depending on the cultural context, although not always. But the thing is, just as there are no blanket excuses, there are also no blanket condemnations. And you know what?

I do have to give Xiao Qi a get-out-of-immediate-cancellation card in this case! But not before examining his motivations and all mitigating circumstances. To be clear, I’m up to episode 37 at the moment.

So prepare yourself for Five Reasons Xiao Qi Is Very Much Not Cancelled (But He Certainly Deserves A Very Stern Talking To And Then Maybe A Hug).

To recap: Xiao Qi was told that Awu’s health is fragile and while she is able to get pregnant, any pregnancy is very risky and a considerable danger to her life. Upon hearing this he is visibly moved; three months later, when Awu comes back from the temple, there is a re-do wedding at the Yuzhang Manor, during which Xiao Qi announces that Wang Xuan is going to be the only woman in his life. At some point – either at the temple or after the wedding – Awu starts taking medicine prescribed by the Imperial Physician. The medicine, as Auntie Xu later discovers, is actually a tonic, which can be used to prevent conception. Eventually, though, after a year or two of continuous use, it will render a woman infertile for life. As of episode 37 (41 if I choose to trust the raws) Awu does not know what is going on.

And now onto the list!

1. The man is probably the most panicked he has ever been in his life and his mental state is not that great at the moment.

The first thing to remember is that this whole ‘let’s make Awu infertile’ decision is not taken in a void. It is not a case of an isolated event; the choice comes at an end of a veritable Trauma Conga Line. The exact timeline is very muddled, but in the last few months (up to a year) Awu has been: kidnapped, rescued, attacked by assasins, forced to deal with a rebelling city and then a siege, sent straight into a murderous conspiracy and then recruited to deal with a coup… and only then she was put in the very centre of a second coup courtesy of Daddy Wang. Which caused her to lose her child and her mother on the same day. And let’s not forget all the broken illusions about her family and her first love. That’s a lot to deal with and she is pure steel with a spine of titanium, there is no doubt as to that. But she is not the only one who’s had a really hard year.

From the kidnapping onwards Xiao Qi has been with Awu on this road; more often that not away from her physically, true, but from the moment he declared her his wife who will share his life and death…? He’s been in 100%. And being the strong, dependable, ride or die guy has taken its toll, one way or another.

It is quite noticeable that with every Big Damn Heroes moment he pulls off he gets more and more affected. The bridge rescue and its aftermath? Cool as a cucumber; the guilt and responsibility is certainly there, no fear though. Breaking of Huizhou siege? He’s proud as hell of her accomplishments, but he really came at the very last moment – she was getting ready to be killed rather than taken hostage. And there is this noticeable undertone of relief there. The Red Wedding? By then he is panicking. Hard. Which he readily admits, so it’s not pure conjecture. This man, who has never been afraid of attacking armies and not really afraid of death either, is scared as f***. Mind you, it’s not like he’s ever had anyone to be really scared for before; his soldiers are a different case altogether. And this time he was late, which makes for a really fertile soil for various ‘what-ifs’ during those two days when Awu is unconscious. He was late despite basically pulling off a miracle and risking entering the capital with only 10 000 troops.

And then and only then Daddy Wang pulls out all the stops. Two days of watching his unconscious wife is nothing compared to what happens then. First she runs into the middle of opposing forces, completely disregarding any danger to herself. For him (and her father, but that is beside the point)! I am sure that Song Huaien relayed her words to Xiao Qi once the dust settled. Then... Princess Jinmin dies and Awu starts bleeding.

After… After he claims responsibility for Princess Jinmin’s death. There is no doubt he is feeling doubly, triply responsible for the miscarriage. He can’t really help his wife. And he is grieving for their child. Not only for Awu’s sake, but for his own too.

It all culminates with the Imperial Physician telling Xiao Qi that there is another battle to be fought, one which Awu will probably enter with minimal hesitation and in which he is not going to be able to pull a Big Damn Heroes rescue. So in that moment he clutches at his heart… And – at least I think that’s the moment - takes a split-second decision: NOT AGAIN. Everything after that? He’s only holding to a chosen course.

2. He is feeling guilty as all hell and is overcompensating hard.

Xiao Qi is the epitome of a hyper-responsible hero. And not in the ‘Woe is me, everything is my fault!’ way that brooding heroes tend to veer to. No empty anguish or dramatic self-flagellation there! He is very matter of fact about both his responsibility and perceived guilt. Soldiers die under his command? He will honour their memory and take care of their families. Awu gets kidnapped by his personal enemy? He will admit his guilt without any excuses and offer recompense. Princess Jinmin becomes a victim of a stand-off that he did not even provoke? He will take the blame and then redeem himself by swearing an oath that he will not fail to protect Awu. And he takes his oaths very, very seriously, otherwise the Ma family would have a Really Big Problem.

All that responsibility comes from both his own character and the force of habit. Nobody ever worries about me, he says. To his soldiers he is the strong, infallible one and so he keeps this facade intact despite knowing it’s a load of bull.

So this hyper-responsible man has unwittingly sent his wife into danger, into battle (!) three times already (kidnapping, rebellion in Huizhou, Zilu’s coup) and was part of the reason she entered the fourth one. And while she has acquitted herself brilliantly every time, she paid a very steep price for saving him/the Empire. In his mind, he owes it to her and to Princess Jinmin for it to never ever happen again. And so he is not going to send her into the battle of childbirth for anything under the sun! The thing is, Awu is brave as hell and would enter it willingly in a blink of an eye. So he is arranging things so that she can never do that in the first place.

3. Xiao Qi is trying to spare Awu from mental and emotional anguish. It’s a pattern and one wildly spiraling out of control.

It’s really, really starting to show that Xiao Qi is used to being regarded as the infallible one, the one who must always find a solution and save as many people as he can. And while it is not a problem in Ningshuo, when he needs to tell Awu the truth about her father (and still he hesitates!), it tends to come through quite strongly in moments of stress and/or danger. Which is understandable, I think. In Ningshuo the stakes are not as high, everybody is safe and they are in the middle of Xiao Qi’s fortress, the very centre of his power. If there is any place he feels safe and at home, it’s right there. The capital is a wholly different kettle of fish; even on his first visit Xiao Qi is – quite reasonably – wary and on guard. For him the capital is behind enemy lines. So he reverts to his Infallible General mindset more and more: he keeps telling Awu things, but not all of them (money) and not always immediately (Hulans asking for a bride). Which is really stupid of him since Awu is in many areas just as smart - if not smarter - than him.

It’s not only the Infallible General mindset, though. In fact, that is the least of the problems there. By this point the panic is really setting in and so is the guilt. There is one more thing, though. Xiao Qi has this tendency towards self-deprecation. He does not wallow in it, but the undercurrent of his perceived social inferiority emerges from time to time, moreso in the capital. And it does factor in his behaviour; I sense that he has this need to keep deserving her. Coupled with devotion, it pushes him into a very touching, but also potentially dangerous single-mindedness.

Saving Daddy Wang by kneeling all night long clearly shows that Xiao Qi will stop at nothing to spare Awu’s heart, life and health. Personal pride? Enmity towards Daddy Wang? Political expedience? Disregarded completely. So what’s a year or two of lying if it means Awu lives? He’s set himself a Goal: protect Awu, just as he promised before Princess Jinmin’s grave. And it’s really been blinding him since.

Notice that he did not tell her about saving Daddy Wang either. She had to find out from His Imperial Spudness! True, it all worked out fine then, but whatever his reasons, he still did not tell her. And yes, I get that his reasons were really noble, but! But it is still a pattern, one that I hope she will break him out of rather sooner than later.

4. He is making a great sacrifice too; hear me out! And he does not leave himself an out.

This is the kind of argument that launches a flaming discussion, so please, be gentle. Anyway, we are not going to speak of whether any man has the right to make unilateral decisions about his wife’s body, that’s neither here nor there in this case, since it does not really enter into consideration in the drama itself.

What is clearly very important in the drama is the idea of family lines. The Wang and Xie families are all about this idea of legacy and bloodlines. Bloodlines are Important: propagating the bloodline is Wang Su’s main duty and both families fight over whose blood will sit on the throne. This clan mentality is clearly a Very Serious Business. Admittedly, Xiao Qi is an outsider to the clan-based society of upper classes. But even though his primary social group consists of his brothers-in-arms, he is very acutely attuned to the idea of family being the most important thing. It shows in many aspects of his life: in the care he gives to his soldiers’ families, in the consideration he gives Awu when she encounters another heartbreaking truth about her relatives and in the way he seems to take for granted that she will not stop caring for Daddy Wang no matter what. Also, he clearly likes kids, the mysterious shadow child gave us this much.

So it is not out of the realm of possibility that he would really like to have a child of his own. And why wouldn’t he? Awu may have trouble bearing him children, but there is nothing stopping him from taking a concubine or a dozen for this very purpose. Any other man in this drama would have (maybe except Zilu…?). And the society would not judge him, especially if the truth about Awu’s condition came out. It really is not a monogamistic society. Moreover, since Daddy Wang is not in the picture any more, nobody can even try to force Xiao Qi to keep to one bed (or poison his concubine…), not with his current position and power.

And what is the very first thing he does after Awu comes home? He declares – in public and with great pomp! - that Awu will be his only woman, thus staking his honor and reputation on all his children being hers. Which with the tonic in play means that there will be no children. It is a decision he takes very deliberately and in direct response to the previous events and the Wangs’ fall from grace. In fact, I wager this whole monogamy clause is a way not only to quell the rumours and stop any scheming families in their tracks, but also to keep things fair as much as it is even possible. Awu will not have children, well, neither will he.

5. He is setting himself up and preemptively hogging all the guilt and blame.

The short yet very poignant exchange with Pang Gui in episode 37 makes it clear that Xiao Qi knows quite well he is going to be found out sooner or later. Sure, he would rather that Pang Gui kept mum about everything, but in reality he leaves it wholly up to his judgment. Which tells me that Xiao Qi is not willing to ‘kill’ for this secret. In fact, it might suit his plans if it were to come out… though not at the moment. Maybe after the requisite year or two, once Awu is no longer in any danger. Relying on what we know about his character, I think he is wholly prepared for the truth to eventually come out and then to take all the blame. And I mean ALL the blame. As in: Awu will have no reason to blame herself for her fragile health and thus inability to bear children, if it’s actually Xiao Qi’s fault. He will have gotten her infertile, so her actual ability to give birth safely will be immaterial. She will put all her anger on him and not on herself, and anger he can take, it’s her getting quiet that he can’t cope with. And to hell with what it does to their marriage, she will be alive. Is it stupid, stupid thinking? Sure. But quite probable when you’re dealing with a man this hyper-responsible and clearly unused to family dynamics.

And that’s that. Do I think he is being a single-minded fool? Sure. The man is not perfect after all! Does he need to talk to Awu? Of course, but I get where his unwillingness to do just that comes from. Is it going to bite him in the ass really, really hard? Oooooh, is it! But Xiao Qi is not cancelled and if Awu forgives him, then so should we all.

#this rant may be long and unneeded #but so very satisfying #XIAO QI IS VERY MUCH NOT CANCELLED #why? because I say so #feel free to disagree #the rebel princess #monarch industry #rebel princess meta

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faofinn · 3 years

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No. 4 - TRUST FALL

@whumptober2021

@whumptober-archive

“Do you trust me?” | taken hostage | pushed

Finn had decided to ride out with Fao, much to both his parents and guards' upset. He didn't understand why there was such an issue - the kingdom faced a threat and he should have been there to face it. Just because he was the prince, it didn't mean that his life was any more important.

They'd travelled a day or so on horseback before the terrain became too unsteady and the weather too poor to carry on. They'd done the best they could to find shelter, and then to make a fire.

Fao was much more willing to start one than he'd normally be, which only increased Finn's suspicions that he'd directed them further away from where he'd intended to go. His lack of reluctance, however, was not unwelcome; the cold had seeped into Finn's bones and he couldn't shake it.

Fao crouched on the cold floor, trying to breathe some life into a little fire. He struggled a little, everything soaked, and swore under his breath as he did.

“Finn? Can you see to the horses? Make sure they’ve got water.”

"There's plenty around them." Finn groaned. "We're almost drowning in it."

“They can’t drink the rain.”

"What do you think I'm going to get them?"

“You know what I mean. They can't drink from the fucking sky, can they?”

"They should be able to." Finn huffed, standing to sort them. "Would make it easier."

“Can you drink from the sky?”

"Yes."

Fao rolled his eyes. “Of course you'd say that.”

"Can't you?"

“Well, yes, but that's not the point.”

"It's precisely my point."

“Just water the horses!”

"You're extremely grumpy today."

“I'm always grumpy.”

"Moreso today." He told him, settling down by the struggling fire. "Can't you hurry? I'm freezing."

Finn ignored the following complaint from Fao, choosing instead to sort his pack out. The food they'd caught earlier made his stomach turn and he hastily put it away. One night wouldn't be the end of the world. Instead, he curled up by Fao, using the other man's body for warmth.

Fao frowned, and softened as Finn pressed up to his side. He adjusted his cloak to sit over his shoulders and keep him a little warmer.

“Are you alright?”

"I'm just tired, I can't get warm." He admitted quietly.

“The fire will be warm soon. It just needed a little patience.” He said gently.

"I'm still cold."

Fao shrugged off his cloak and fully draped it over Finn. “Here.”

Normally, Finn would have protested, but instead, he took it gratefully. "Thank you."

“We can’t have you getting cold.”

"Why do you always sound like such a dick when you say things like that?"

“I was being genuine!”

"Still sounds like a dick." He said. "I knew you weren't. I'm just used to you taking the piss out of me."

“I'm capable of being nice.”

"Sure you are."

The fire was starting to grow now, finally taking hold. It warmed Fao, so hopefully would warm Finn too.

“It happens on occasion.”

He hummed. "I guess. Are you okay to take watch?"

“Yeah, go on. Get some rest.”

Finn shuffled closer. "Thank you."

“Anything else you need?”

He shook his head, already drifting. He just needed some sleep, he'd feel better once he was warm and rested.

“Sleep well.” Fao murmured, shifting his weight a little to sit better - it was going to be a long night.

Finn slept fitfully, finally stirring just before dawn broke. Despite the fire still burning, he was cold. The pain in his head was crushing, and nausea curled in his stomach. He knew it wasn't anything he'd eaten; he’d skipped the evening's meal. Fao had moved from where Finn had curled on him, now sat opposite from Finn as he tended the fire. Finn struggled to his feet, he needed to relieve himself and lying down wasn't doing him any good. He balanced himself against the trees surrounding him, heading away from their camp for privacy.

“Morning! You're up early.” Fao called, carefully watching Finn as he headed out of the camp.

Finn grunted in response, too asleep to bother with an actual reply. After a few minutes, he headed back, stumbling towards Fao.

Fao didn't miss the way the Prince stumbled. “Careful. Are you alright?”

"I don't feel so good." He admitted quietly.

“Sit. You've not eaten in too long, it's probably that.”

His stomach twisted at the thought of food. "I'm not eating."

“You ought to eat.”

Finn sat heavily, leaning against Fao. "No."

“You need your strength. What's wrong?”

He shook his head. "I must just be tired."

“You don't look particularly well.”

“I don’t feel particularly well. I told you that.”

Fao sat up straighter. “Talk to me?”

"About what?"

“How you feel. Dizzy?”

He shook his head. "Off balance."

“Is that not the same thing?”

"Of course not."

“Sick?”

"I haven't been."

“Feel it?”

He hesitated before nodding slightly. "Yes."

Fao rubbed his arm, in a gesture he hoped was soothing. “I suppose that's why you don't want to eat.”

He leaned closer instinctively. "It is."

“I've got you.”

"How far away are we from home?"

“Far enough.”

"We weren't following the trail, were we?"

“No. We had to go off and out deeper.”

"You were just keeping me away from the fight. I knew I shouldn't have trusted you."

“I have a duty to protect you, Finn.”

"And I have a duty to this kingdom!"

“And that duty requires you to stay alive.”

Finn groaned as he stood, swaying slightly. "My duty requires me to protect it!"

“If you go and get yourself killed, you’ll be no use to anyone. The best way to protect the kingdom is to keep yourself safe.” Fao said, standing up alongside Finn. “Careful. Sit back down, come on. You’ve gone pale.”

He pulled away. "No."

“Finn, come on.” Fao said, reaching out for him. “You’re no good to anyone if you’re passed out.”

"Don't touch me." He snapped. "I'm getting Toren and going."

“Don’t be ridiculous, Finn.” Fao snapped.

He rolled his eyes. He didn't need to follow Fao’s orders, he needed to be away from him.

“Finn!”

Finn made it halfway before he had to stop, bracing himself against a tree. He clasped??? his head with a quiet whimper, falling against the bark. He felt as if he'd been poisoned, and the only person around him had been Fao.

Fao rushed over to him, an arm on his shoulder. “Finn, come on. Let’s sit down again.”

He didn't have much of a choice, his legs already given way beneath him. "Was your fault."

Finn was heavy in his arms, and Fao groaned. “Careful, careful.” He said quietly. “I’ve got you.”

"You've poisoned me."

“I’ve not, you’re alright.”

Finn shivered, wrapping his arms tighter around himself. "I'm not."

Fao reached out for his pack, pulling it closer and digging around for the vials of liquid he kept. Finn often got like this, ever since an accident as a young child. “I’m gonna look after you. Take some deep breaths for me?”

"You're doing it again." He tried to pull away.

“I’ve always protected you in the past.” He said gently. “Do you trust me?”

It was harder to focus. "No."

“It’s alright, Finn. I’m going to help you.”

"Please."

“You need to drink this, Finn.” Fao said gently, fingers closing on the cool glass. “It’ll make you feel better.”

"It's poison." He reached a shaky hand to push it away.

“I promise it’s not.”

"You drink it."

“It’s for you. Your medicine.”

"No."

“From the physician. To help you feel better.”

"Swear?"

“Swear on my life.”

Finn took it from Fao, quickly downing the liquid. It was foul, as most of the cocktails were, but Fao had told him it would help. Despite his confusion and paranoia, he knew that Fao wouldn’t really hurt him. He'd always protected him.

“That’s it. It’ll make you feel better, hmm?”

"It better." He murmured.

“It will. I’ve got you.” Fao said, an arm around the younger man. “I’m here to keep you safe. I’m always going to keep you safe.”

#whumptober 2021 #whumptober day 4 #whump #whump writing #whump prompt #trust fall #do you trust me?#medieval au #faolan blackwood #finn daniels #fao blackwood #brain injury #always fun trying to describe seizures and a brain injury in a medieval au #seizures #epilepsy #traumatic brain injury #mysterious medication #fao is very done with finn tbh #as per usual

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nimmy22 · 3 years

Text

A Mistake: Chapter 3

They weaved through the streets of the lavish neighborhood doing their best to lose their pursuers. They crushed countless flowers and shrubs beneath their feet as they jumped from backyard to backyard. The sound of gunfire forced them to pump their muscles harder, run faster as the rain beat down on them without mercy.

Why was no one calling the police? A commotion like this would at least draw crowds of families curious about all the noise or the dead bodies littering the street and their neighbor's home.

Sherry tripped, skinning her hands and knees on the pavement. She had a second to cry in pain before Cara was already pulling her up to continue.

"I can't. It's too hard." Sherry cried, breathing laboriously as her lips trembled. "Can we take a break?" She struggled to contain her tears, knowing full well it wasn't the best time to start crying.

"I'm sorry, Sherry but not here. We have to keep moving," Cara warned, glancing behind her. She saw no one and didn't hear any gunshots, but that didn't make it safe. "I can't let them take you, Sherry. Come on, just a bit more, and we'll find help."

Sherry nodded before she began to run again. However, one step, and she yelped, wincing in pain as she put her weight on her knee. It hurt worse than when she fell off her bike while trying to teach herself. She was alone and had to patch things up herself until her mother finally noticed days later.

"What's wrong?"

"M-my knee hurts," Sherry whimpered, watching the older girl move closer to inspect the wound. Blood trickled down the little girl's legs before getting washed away by the rain.

"That looks bad," Cara sighed, turning her back to the little girl before squatting down. "Here, get on my back. I'll get us out of here."

With Sherry clinging tightly to her neck, Cara ran to the edge of the residential area and down a dirt path leading straight into the Arkley mountains. She hoped to find a hiding spot for them to catch their breath and figure out what to do.

They hid inside the base of a tree, only having each other to keep warm. The spiderwebs were all forgotten, as the girls' fear was now too exhausted. There was nothing left to spare for the tiny arachnoids fuming over their ruined webs.

What felt like hours passed, and the girls grew too cold and tired. The little Sherry's knee wasn't looking so good, the bleeding had stopped, but an infection may already be brewing beneath the skin given where they've been.

Seeing the young girl wince every so often, Cara decided it was time to move again. She needed to find help. Perhaps the men all killed each other during whatever conflict brewed up tonight.

Carrying the young girl on her back again, Cara left the forest to walk along a side road. She was on the lookout for a passing car. But their luck was too dry at this time in the night despite the rain.

"Thank you, Cara. I don't think I would've made out without you."

"I... didn’t do anything. I couldn't fight. All I did was grab you and run. God, I'm so damn useless." Cara let out a long sigh and stared down at her feet.

"You're helping me now, aren't you? You could've just left me or...or listened to those men and gave me up, but you didn't. I will definitely ask daddy to give you a raise." Sherry giggled and rested her head against Cara's back. She knew that if her friend wasn't there tonight, she would've been in the dark all alone or worse. She might've stayed hidden in that closet only to be found by the armed men. She didn't have anyone to develop the skills of hide and seek with.

"Oh, you better, or else I'm suing somebody for the years shaved off my life tonight. Your dad sure pissed off some powerful people. Who sends a whole armed squad on some doctor's house?"

"Daddy says there are people who wanted to buy his medicine, use it for bad things. But he told them no, and now they want to steal it." For a split second, Cara imagined Mr. Birkin dealing drugs with a gang, but that image didn't last long. The disheveled, nervous reck of a man with a million things to do simply didn't look the type.

"Did he keep it in the house?"

"I don't think so," Sherry shook her head.

The older girl pondered over it, agreeing with Sherry. If Mr. Birkin had kept this medicine in his home, then surely the security would've been better. And he especially wouldn't leave his only child alone in the house with it.

"They wanted to use you as a hostage. Probably force your dad to give them what they wanted."

"Daddy probably wouldn't care if they took me,"

"Hey! don't say that. Your parents love Sherry." Cara stopped walking and gave the little girl a shake.

"Then where are they? They are never home."

"Their work is very...important, I suppose,"

"More than me?"

"No! Not like that. I mean... it's just a lot-"

"Cara, look! There is a car coming!" the little girl jumped with excitement on Cara's exhausted back, but she paid it no mind as her eyes greedily drank the glow of the headlights coming down the road.

"Thank god," Cara exhaled deeply, feeling as if all her worries had just vanished. "Wait here, I will flag it down."

Cara stood in the middle of the road and waved both arms, trying to get the driver's attention like a madwoman. She definitely looked deranged, out in the rain in the wee hours of the morning. The headlights became increasingly more blinding as the car came closer. She couldn't tell the color of the car or anything about the driver.

The driver showed no signs of stopping, the speed fast and steady. "Please stop!" Cara shouted, her eyes pleading. "Please!" She won't waste the opportunity, god knows when the next car will drive by. She refused to move, standing her ground as the car sped towards her. Neither her racing heart nor the car slowed. For a moment, she thought it was the end, becoming roadkill at seventeen, having done nothing with her life.

But then it stopped, screeching to a halt inches from her shivering form. Cara let her hands fall to the hood, knees almost buckling beneath her. The hood felt warm and soothing against her icy skin. As she moved to the driver's side, she recognized the design of the police cruiser, one explicitly assigned to the STARS unit. Her heart pounded as a new source of hope offered itself to her. This seemed too good to be true.

"Thank you so much for stopping, officer! It's been a hellish night." Cara said, glancing over with a smile at Sherry, who responded with her own.

The door opened, and the officer stepped out, shining a bright flashlight at Cara. She was blinded and had to shut her eyes. "I know this will sound crazy, but please hear me out. I was babysitting this little girl when a group of armed men broke into the house and then-"

"Where is Sherry?" He asked all too calmly. Cara frowned. It wasn't his sense of calmness that unnerved her. It was the familiarity of his voice.

'Of course, it was too fucking good to be true.'

"Wait, how did you know her name was Sherry?" Cara demanded, taking several steps back. While his shades were missing, his slicked blond hair stood out to her. The rain dowsed her like buckets of ice. "You..."

"I won't ask again," He warned, walking towards her with a hand resting on his belt, ready to draw his gun. His eyes were an icy blue, radiating with the power of his cunning intelligence.

"I won't give her to you. Sherry, run-"

"Uncle Albert? Is that you?" The young girl limped over to them with newfound vigor and threw her arms around the older man. He hugged her for a moment before pushing her away, his eyes searching her for injuries.

"Sherry, no! get away from him," Cara jumped forward, snatching the little girl's hand, pulling her away.

"It's ok, Cara. He's daddy's friend." The little girl shook Cara's grip off her before hopping back into Wesker's arms. Sherry snuggled into the warmth of the older man, completely oblivious to the way Wesker stood, looking down at Cara. He cocked his head to the side with a conceited expression. Clenching her fists, she decided she didn't like him.

Wesker loomed closer to Cara, enjoying the way she stumbled back to get out of his way, almost tripping over her own feet. He deliberately bumped into her shoulder as he carried Sherry to the other side of the car, settling her gently into the back seat. He could've chosen the closest door, but where was the fun in that?

Cara stood dumbfounded, staring as the man who had only hours ago slit a man's throat and was now slapping a bandage on a little girl's knee in the backseat of a cruiser. She watched him with narrowed eyes as he tended to the little girl, finally noticing his police uniform.

"Who are you? Why are you pretending to be a cop? Who were those people? What are you going to do with Sherry?"

"I am an officer of the law."

"That's a load of shit. Say, in the slim, extremely slim chance you are actually a cop, shouldn't there be more...officers? Backup? A news station? A public statement? Something like this wouldn't happen in Raccoon and no one crowding in to watch."

"I handled it," Wesker said, strapping Sherry in the backseat before shutting the door. The little girl was already on her way to snoozing off.

"I don't understand, why-"

"Enough with the questions." He hissed, grabbing her arm. He found the little thing a pretty sight, but that mouth of hers was dangerous. "You better kill off that curiosity of yours before it lands you somewhere you'll never leave as a warm body. Don't be another babysitter we have to send a severance package to."

"You're going to kill me," Cara's laugh was void of humor, succeeding in tipping her tears down her cheeks.

"Just be quiet and get in the car."

"Why should I? You could change your mind in a split second and put a bullet in my head."

Wesker twisted her arm behind her back before shoving her against the passenger door. "Then don't tempt me," his hot breath tickled her ear as he delivered his warning. "And if I did go for it, I wouldn't simply kill you. I'll get everyone you love. One unfortunate accident after the next." His hand trailed up her back to wrap around the back of her neck. She whimpered as he shoved her face harder against the glass.

Cara shuddered, processing the gravity of her situation. The man was a trained killer and supposedly an officer. She had already witnessed him kill, had felt his icy blade to her neck. There was no doubt in her mind that he would deliver on his warning. The real question was when?

The first person to cross her mind was Claire. Truly, there were so few people that Cara cared about and who cared for her. The Redfield siblings only had each other, and Cara couldn't live with the guilt of being the cause of her friend's death. Claire was her anchor when everything spun out of control in her life. She would do anything to protect those important to her.

"Fine," She grumbled, taking out her frustration on her bottom lip. She sunk her teeth into the cracked flesh until she tasted the metallic flavor, but that didn't help get rid of the bad taste already in her mouth.

"Great, now we can finally get out of the rain." Wesker stepped away from Cara, already missing the warmth of her body. Perhaps he should've prolonged it for a few more minutes, drove her further into tears. The thought alone stirred something inside of him.

The tension left Cara's body as her arms were freed, and she rubbed her abused muscles, cursing the bastards' existence. She would do all she could to never again make his acquaintance. He started the car as soon as she was seated.

She banged her head against the window as he suddenly leaned over her. "The hell are you doing? I knew it! You already changed your mind," She hissed, failing miserably to shove his hands away.

"Safety first." He purred, a low chuckle leaving his lips as he reached over and buckled her seatbelt in one swift movement. She sat straighter than she ever did her whole life and simply stared straight ahead. She decided that if she simply ignored his existence, he would cease to be, and she'd wake up from this horrible, horrible nightmare. Her body has to be taking revenge for all the heart-disease heavy foods she'd been stuffing herself with, concocting such an awful nightmare for her. How is this a wake-up call if she couldn't pinch even herself awake?

It took too much effort for Cara to keep her eyes on the road. She immediately attributed it to sitting next to a killer. There was definitely no other reason. She kept shifting in her seat, unable to stay still. On the other hand, Sherry was out cold in the back, a fuzzy blanket draped over her.

Cara's fidgeting halted as Wesker tossed something into her lap. She picked it up with furrowed brows, inspecting it. It was some kind of badge, but not just any badge. It identified him as Albert Wesker, captain of the STARS alpha team. It looked legit, something similar to what Chris was issued. She has a thousand questions, but the man with the answers was the most uncooperative bastard she ever met. One more question and she's sure he will throw her out of the moving car.

'He was a cop, a crooked one. How many more in the police could be trusted? Who could help her? Was Chris- No! he wouldn't be part of something like this.' Cara's thought, mind fighting itself, too many thoughts wanted to be the focus.

"You were quite the shatter box not too long ago. Why so quiet now?" Wesker asked, enjoying the sequence of emotions flicker across her face.

"You practically told me to shut up," she tossed the badge onto the dashboard before resting her head against the window. She knew she was in way over her head.

"I said to stop the questions. You can still talk,"

"No."

"Alright then, suit yourself then."

It must've been the warmth of the car or the fatigue of the night that lulled Cara to sleep because she was startled awake by a ridiculously high-speed bump. Her sleep hazed eyes scanned her surroundings before she sat up straight, recognizing where she was.

Wesker had parked the cruiser right in front of her apartment building, a living place for the lesser members of society as it was all they could afford. Her wide eyes found him, and she audibly swallowed. "How did you know where I live."

"Of course, I help my dear friend run background checks on all his employees. One in his position needs to be incredibly careful with whom he uses." Wesker said, reaching an arm to rest on the back of her seat. She recoiled away as if stung by a bee.

"Is this your home, Cara? Can I come with you?" Sherry asked, having woken from her sleep minutes before. She leaned forward, resting her chin on her uncle's muscular arm.

"I-"

"Maybe next time Sherry. After we drop off Cara here, we're going straight to your parents." Wesker said, a sense of finality in his tone that had the little girl obediently return to her seat.

Cara opened her mouth to protest him knowing her name but remembered his background check and shut her mouth. He must know everything legally in the record on her, including her parent's colorful histories.

Unbuckling his seatbelt, Cara was surprised to see him exit the car. He came around to her side and knocked on the window, mentioning for her to get out. He barely gave her space to get out as he stood right by the passenger door with his arm resting on the roof of the car. She was forced to brush past him as his towering frame refused to step back. She caught the scent of gunpowder, soap, and the faintest traces of a cologne. And of course, blood. Despite her terror, she found herself taking a deeper inhale than she intended.

"Tonight, you watched Sherry until her uncle came home, and then they gave you a ride home because of the rain. Nothing. Else. Happened. You understand?" Wesker said, bending down to be at eye level with the trembling girl. With surprising tenderness, he moved her hair out of her face, but his eyes were anything but. She stood very still, wishing the ground would swallow her up. Her attempt at looking away was met with a firm grip on her chin, forcing her to look at him. "Do I make myself clear?"

"Crystal." She answered, voice cracking under the weight of her emotions. A lump formed in her throat as her eyes welled up, but she refused to cry.

"Don't mess up if you can't handle the consequences." Satisfied with his work, he stepped away, watching as the girl raced home.

"You can be so mean, Uncle Albert," Sherry whined once the officer returned to the driver's seat.

"Really? I didn't notice."

#resident evil #Albert Wesker X OC #albert wesker

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thenovelartist · 4 years

Text

In My Arms Again

Oh look, yet ANOTHER fandom I’ve written for.

I have stayed away producing content for either of the Ikemen games I play, but I couldn’t help it when @chocolate-parfait wrote this positively precious childhood friends headcanon for Ikemen Sengoku that I have been dying over for weeks.

So, I have caved and written out Ieyasu’s headcanon with my own little twist since he is my second favorite character in the game.

(Note: normally, I use “MC”, but I used my OC’s name “Kisa” this time.)

...

A four-year-old shouldn’t have to be nursing his wounds alone.

But such was Ieyasu’s reality.

As the son of his clan’s leader, his job was to be sent as a hostage in order to keep in the good graces of the much more powerful Imagawa clan. But they knew they were more powerful, and that made them cruel. Cruel enough to take out their rage on a four-year-old for even the slightest of offences.

Cruel enough to leave him crying alone in his room.

Weak. Nuisance. Rat. He’d only been here a matter of a couple weeks but those were the only words he heard.

“I wanna go home,” he’d whispered under his breath more than once. “I wanna go home.”

“Are you okay?”

Ieyasu jumped at the sudden voice, turning to see a girl sitting there with a worried look on her face. He scrambled away, turning his back to her and hiding in the corner. “Leave me alone!” he cried.

That day, she complied.

But not the next. Or the one after that. Or the one after that.

Eventually, she offered him a bite of the treat the palace chef had given her, and though hesitant, he took it. He thanked her, knowing he got pounded for being an ungrateful brat if he didn’t, and she flashed him a big smile.

It took a full year for him to show her a smile back.

It was small, and he was still scared, but she was nice enough for him to be okay with smiling. And she seemed really happy to see it.

The first few years of his childhood as a hostage wasn’t much more than that: be left to his own devices to wander around the castle, get beaten if he was underfoot or near anyone remotely angry, and seeing Kisa. If he was lucky, she showed him her toys or books. It was her who had taught him how to read. His captors hadn’t taken any care to teach anything yet, though he’d once heard one of the vassals complaining that they would have to teach the little brat swordsmanship soon, in accordance to the agreement set with his parents.

He’d learned later that that vassal had been Kisa’s father.

He didn’t care, per se. It did make him very nervous for something bad to happen to him or Kisa, but he didn’t care that she was the daughter of one of the men who constantly beat him. She was not like the others. She was the only person he could trust.

Then came the inevitable: the day Kisa’s father discovered their secret meetings.

Ieyasu had to pretend the broken ribs didn’t hurt with every breath he took as he hid away in his room, the threat running over and over through his head. “Stay away from her, you rat.”

He didn’t want to, but he didn’t have a choice. For Kisa’s sake, he needed to keep his distance.

But she just kept coming back. Ieyasu tried his best to lie to her face, yelling about how much he hated her and wanted her to leave him alone. As much as it killed him, he had to drive her away. He didn’t want her to go; he wanted her to stay. He wanted one of those hugs she liked giving him. He wanted to hug her back. But he knew he couldn’t have those ever again.

However, the day came when she snuck into his room with a bruise around her eye. And Ieyasu snapped. His anger got the better of him as he demanded to know who had hurt her, and when she admitted it had been her father, he swore that one day, he would make her father pay for what he did to her.

Despite all the yelling, despite him having grabbed her hard and pinned her against the wall in his fury, she just smiled. “I knew you still cared about me.”

Something in Ieyasu changed that day. That was the day he gave up trying to chase her away. It was also the day he began having a hard time looking at her without his chest getting tight.

It was a feeling that never went away; that tightness in his chest persisted around her. He found himself thinking more and more often of just how cute she was. And he began loathing when she wasn’t around. She was the only bright spot in his life. No matter how badly beaten he was that day, no matter if his swordsmanship “training” was manageable or just miserable, one glimpse at her could make the pain of his bruises on his body and soul fade away for a moment.

However, he sometimes wondered if that pain was transferred to her. Because oh how she fussed over his bruises.

“They don’t hurt.”

“How can they not hurt?! Look at them!”

“It’s fine.”

“You’re bleeding all over your floor. You are not fine!”

“You don’t need to fuss over me, you know.”

“Well, someone has to. And apparently, that someone is me, so you can deal with it.”

Ieyasu swore they had that conversation often, but shockingly, no matter how many times they got into that argument, he never got tired of it. Because someone cared. Someone cared about him enough to get mad when he was hurt.

He could tolerate those fights for that reason.

It was thanks to her that he began learning medicine. She had seen him injured so many times that she’d taken up reading any book she could on how to help treat him. And then he’d always read them next so he could learn how to treat himself before she got all riled up over it.

And that was life up until he was seventeen and he was finally released to go back home.

No one cared to send him off, and he didn’t care if they did. The Imagawa clan in general had taught him one thing: he was still hopelessly weak. He’d been trampled over and over and over again, leaving him feeling nothing but bitterness and hatred towards them, and self-loathing for his own ineptitude. He had to get stronger. He had to. He wouldn’t let them trample anyone else like they’d trampled him. And he swore he’d never let himself get trampled by anyone again.

“Were you really going to leave without saying good bye?”

Ieyasu turned towards Kisa’s voice, unsure if he was happy or disappointed to see her standing there. She was the only one person he’d originally been okay with seeing him off. The one person he’d originally wanted to see him off. Despite being the daughter of one of the strongest and most important vassals of the Imagawa clan, he would never do her the disservice of associating her with the clan he hated. To him, her family name held no meaning. She’d been the only one to care for him in the thirteen hellish years he’d survived here, and she would be the only thing he missed.

But that’s why he wanted to leave without her noticing. He knew that if he saw her now, she’d crack his resolve. He’d made up his mind that he’d become a man without weakness. But she reminded him that even if he shed all others, there would always be one weakness his heart could never let go.

“I thought I said good bye last night,” he said, recalling their evening. She’d snuck out to see him, as she always did. She had cried both saying she was happy for him but that she’d miss him dearly.

And he never could stand the sight of her tears.

So, just as he’d learned over the years, all he did then was open his arms, inviting her to sit in his lap so he could hold and soothe her. And she had come, like a trained dog. He’d had to wipe her tears away and rub her back to get her to settle, things that settled him, too. Having had her there, snuggled against him… his heart had swelled with emotion he never dared put a name to. He loved being sweet with her. Loved it to a fault. If he had his way, that would never change.

But life was cruel and never worked out the way he wanted it to. The fact she had been in his life for as long as she had, an angel in the middle of hell, was blessing enough.

“I still want to see you off,” Kisa said. “And give you a couple things before you left.”

He quirked a brow as she extended a folded cloth to him. “I stole these from the kitchen. Sweet buns.” She then extended a jar to him. “And this is healing salve for your bruises.”

Surprised, he took the offered gifts, unsure just how to respond to them.

“And lastly.” She pulled a large package she had been holding under her arm to give to him. “This is for you.”

He took a moment to pack the first two gifts in his saddle bags before taking the last, large package from her. “What is it?”

“Open it.”

He unwrapped the fabric to reveal an outfit. A kimono, overcoat, and scarf, all in sunshine yellow. A color as warm as her smile.

“Do you like it?” she asked.

As much as he tried, he couldn’t keep back a grin from his own face. She was too cute, too precious for her own good. “Yes.”

Instantly, her smile brightened. “I would have given it to you last night, but I had to finish up sewing it this morning. I’m just glad I finished it before you left. I would have been kicking myself forever if you’d left before I had the chance to give it to you.”

He couldn’t have that. Not her. Anyone else, he couldn’t have cared less, but he wanted to protect her from everything, even regret. “Thank you.” Those words left his mouth far too rarely, and she deserved to hear it more. The least he could do was grant them to her now.

Her smile grew impossibly wider. “You’re welcome.”

To show his appreciation, he dared to put on the scarf before packing away the other two items. It clearly pleased her, which always made him happy. He tried to never think too hard as to why that was.

Her smile soon faded, though. “Ieyasu.”

“Hm?”

“Will… will I ever see you again? Or… is this good bye forever?”

Oh, damn it. Don’t make that face. This was another reason he didn’t want her to see him off. Because he knew she’d get all misty-eyed and he’d be screwed.

He approached her, taking out a handkerchief to give to her. “Don’t cry,” he muttered.

She took it and dabbed her eyes. “I’m trying not to. I told myself last night to expect to never see you again. You’d never want to come back here, so why would I see you if I knew you’d stay as far away from here as you could? I told myself that, but I just… couldn’t help but ask in case… in case there was any hope that I’d see you again.”

Tears were running down her cheeks freely by now. And that little bit of water was enough to shatter his resolve to abandon her completely. He’d resolved to let her go. To leave this place and leave memories of her behind. But he couldn’t now.

He took her in his arms and slowly stroked her back, and she shoved her face into his chest, causing his heart to pound rapidly. “I… don’t know,” he said.

She sniffled. “Is that really the best answer you can give me? Because it’s okay if it is, but…”

He sighed, giving her a squeeze. She clung to him, sniffing hard, clearly in an attempt stop her tears that were already soaking through his kimono.

It’d be irresponsible of him to promise he’d return for her. To say he’d come take her away from this place. Because if he did come back, it would be with the intent to destroy this clan. She had to know that. She had to. And what would she think of him then? If he cut down her family, her father, and then approached her demanding to run away with him.

No, he… he was deluding himself if he thought she’d still take him so easily then.

“I don’t know what’s going to happen in the future,” he said. “So, I won’t bother making any promises I can’t keep.”

“Fair enough,” she relented, though that didn’t mean she let him go for a while.

And when she did, she wiped her tears one last time before handing him back the handkerchief. “Sorry. It’s a little wet.”

He looked down at it, a little embroidered symbol on the bottom corner. His name. “Keep it,” he said.

“But… I made this for you.”

“You made several of those for me,” he said, stepping away before he got any more ideas to stay and never let her go. “You can keep one in return for the outfit.”

Returning a gift she made you. That’s just insulting. But he couldn’t think of anything he else he could possibly give her in return as a thanks for everything she’d ever done for him.

She gave him a lopsided smile before clinging to the handkerchief. Stop being so cute, dammit! “Okay,” she whispered. “Maybe then you’ll come back for it one day?”

He swallowed hard. “I don’t know.”

She nodded. “Fair enough. Just know I’ll always hold out hope you will.”

“You might be disappointed,” he warned, getting on his horse to further distance himself from her before he gave into the desire to take her in his arms again or, even worse, throw her on the horse and kidnap her.

“I’ll take my chances.”

She was so stubborn, but that was one of the things he liked about her. “Good bye, Kisa.”

She smiled, but it was sad. That wasn’t the last smile he wanted to see from her, but he supposed that couldn’t be helped. “Good bye, Ieyasu. Safe travels.”

And with that, he turned his horse around and rode off, leaving behind the one thing he’d ever deemed important in his life.

…

Though he’d always sworn his revenge, he didn’t know when or even if he’d see it through. But now, far sooner than he’d believed, he marched through the hallways he’d once been imprisoned in. Lord Nobunaga, the leader of an ever-more powerful army that Ieyasu found beneficial to ally himself with, was marching by his side as they inspected the palace they’d only recently laid full siege to. They just had to ensure that the man they’d placed in power here was doing his job correctly.

As Ieyasu marched down the halls, he couldn’t help but recount his past. Of all the times he marched fearfully in these halls. And how now, though he knew he still wasn’t strong enough, he was finally strong enough to hold his head high as he traversed this unfortunately all-too-familiar territory.

His heart was hard as he strode along the hallways with Nobunaga. However, as he glanced out over the center gardens, he had to do a double take.

Because there, observing the flowers with a sad expression, was a face he never would have been able to forget.

“Ieyasu.”

Realizing he’d stopped walking and now had Nobunaga glancing impatiently back at him, Ieyasu hurried to catch up to his lord. “Sorry,” was all he said.

Nobunaga rose a brow, then looked out over the gardens, eyes landing on Kisa. He smirked. “Far be it from you to get caught up with a beautiful woman.”

Ieyasu grunted dismissively, hoping the heat of his face didn’t translate to a blush that could be seen.

Nobunaga quickly dropped the teasing in favor of marching onwards, and Ieyasu followed suit. Though, he’d be lying if he said his eyes weren’t drawn to Kisa for as long as she was in eyesight.

And maybe he just imagined it, but he swore she looked up just as he disappeared around a corner.

…

After the meeting, Ieyasu couldn’t stand it much longer. His heart had been a mess since the moment he’d seen her, and no matter what he told himself, the desperate need to see Kisa again wasn’t going away.

And he didn’t realize just how much that desperation showed on his face until he caught Nobunaga giving him an odd look again.

“Sorry,” Ieyasu quickly said, catching up to his lord who, he realized belatedly, was several paces ahead.

“You’re distracted. Why?”

“Nothing of importance.”

Nobunaga quirked a brow at Ieyasu, proving he didn’t believe it for a moment.

And Ieyasu knew it would be better just to come clean. “That girl… I knew her growing up.”

“And?” Nobunaga pressed. “That’s reason to be surprised to see her?”

“She was kind,” Ieyasu answered, wanting to give as little as possible. “That’s all.”

Slowly, Nobunaga grinned in amusement. “I will depart shortly, with or without you. Do whatever you need to do.”

To say Ieyasu was shocked was an understatement, but he also knew this chance his lord gave him was not one to be taken for granted. “Thank you.”

And with that, the two men parted ways.

Knowing she wasn’t in the gardens, he decided to check any place he thought Kisa could realistically be. Starting with her room.

He’d only been there once but knew the way by heart. That was the place he as a child swore would stay clear from to avoid a beating. But now, it was the best place to start.

And luck was on his side.

When he arrived, the first thing he saw was a handkerchief attached with string to the door. Normally, it would mean nothing to Ieyasu, except that his name was embroidered to the bottom corner. If that wasn’t an invitation for him, he didn’t know what else it could have been.

“Kisa?” he called out, and near instantly, the door flew open, revealing the face of the woman his heart never could let go.

In a flash, they found themselves in each other’s arms. Ieyasu clung to her as though she’d disappear any second, and he refused to let that happen.

“I knew it,” she whispered, voice warbly with tears. Her hands clenched his overcoat tighter, the one she’d made him all those years ago. “I knew you’d come back.”

Ieyasu didn’t have any words he could say and simply settled for squeezing her even tighter while a grin slowly grew on his face.

After a long while, they let each other go, but didn’t stray far. Ieyasu was loath to take his hands away from her completely. Though he did reach up to swipe her tears from her cheeks. “I’m glad to see you again,” he eventually said.

Her smile brightened, rivaling the sun. “I am, too. What are you doing here?”

“I made an alliance with the man who now owns this domain. We were here to observe how it was functioning.”

She simply nodded, her grin turning strained.

His smile faded. An apology sat on his lips, but he just couldn’t get the words to roll of his tongue. He wasn’t sorry for destroying the clan that had treated him so badly. He wasn’t sorry for taking over their domain. But, he was sorry that he had inadvertently hurt Kisa in the process.

In the end, he couldn’t get an apology off. Other words came tumbling out instead. “Has it been difficult for you here? Since…”

Her smile disappeared completely, and though Ieyasu felt that pain in his heart, there wasn’t anything he could do but let it sting him. “Yes and no,” she said. “No, your takeover hasn’t disrupted the lives of the townfolk or anyone here any more than to be expected.”

“I’m sorry.”

He wasn’t sure who was more surprised by those words: her or him.

However, she was the first to react, giving him an understanding grin, one soft yet pained. “You don’t need to apologize,” she assured. “I understand why you did what you did. And it would be unfair of me to get angry at you for it.”

Those words meant to soothe only pained him more. How could she be so understanding? To the point she didn’t hate him. To the point she could look at him with a smile still.

His cheeks felt warm, and he couldn’t resist the urge to pull her close and hug her again.

He didn’t deserve to so much as be on speaking terms with this woman. Yet he also had a burning desire to never let her go again.

“Have you been all right?” he eventually asked. “Since the siege?”

She sighed, and when she shook her head into his chest, his gut twisted uncomfortably. “My father arranged a marriage for me.”

Ieyasu’s jaw fell to the ground as he felt an ugly tightness searing in his chest. “What?”

She nodded, unable to meet his gaze. “He didn’t want me to be a maiden as we were taken over by a new power because he refused to have me be available to… well, be available for your lord to take, so he arranged a marriage for me. The man is on a trip for business now, though he said he would have been back by now and that as soon as he returns, we’ll be wed.”

Ugly, bitter feelings burned in Ieyasu’s gut. Like hell he was going to just let some man take her away when it was already clear as day that she was unhappy with the thought of marrying this man. So, even though he knew he was being impulsive and irrational, he really didn’t give a damn. “Get your things.”

Confusion flashed across her face. “What?”

“Don’t you want to come with me?” Ieyasu said. “Or do I have to kidnap you?”

Surprise quickly replaced the confusion. “You… you want to take me away?”

“You don’t want that?”

“No, I do.”

“Then go get your things. I’m leaving now, and you’re coming with me.”

Honestly, Ieyasu couldn’t stop those word from pouring out of his mouth, surprising even him. But he also can’t say he regretted them. He couldn’t leave her. He just couldn’t. Not again. She was too cute and precious and sweet and good for him to just walk away and leave her.

With a little coaxing, Kisa did eventually go into her room and pull out a bag to start packing her things in. Halfway through, she slowed. “Ieyasu.”

“Hmm?”

“I… I don’t mind, but are you taking me as a hostage? Or…”

“No.”

“Then…” She turned around to face him. “Just to escape this arranged marriage?”

She looked him in the eyes, and Ieyasu’s heart softened to the point he couldn’t deny the reason to either himself or to her. “I’ll marry you,” he said. “When we get back to Azuchi.”

Those words hung in the air, but as the began sinking in, Ieyasu began to truly imagine a future with her. One where they could spend time with each other freely without sneaking around. Yes, they wouldn’t spend every day together, but those days would be the exceptions when he had work as opposed to the permanent reality. The thought of being married to her, sharing a room and futon, building a family, spending the rest of his life with her at his side…

Yes. He could say he wanted all of that and found himself more than willing to fight for it.

Especially when she gave him a smile like that, her big, doe eyes a little misty but still gleaming brightly. “Really? You mean that?”

His heart was breaking slowly, and he was sure he wasn’t going to recover from this. “I do,” he said. “I know I’m not the strongest man you could find, and I’m busy often working for my lord. And I travel frequently between my domain and Azuchi, so I’d have to drag you with me. But I can provide well for you and keep you safe to the best of my ability.”

She giggled, and his gut tightened. He hadn’t realized how desperately he needed to hear that sound from her until now. “You certainly have a way with words. That was a very persuasive proposal,” she sarcastically said, smile still on her face.

He felt his cheeks heat up, quickly turning away with a grunt.

Out of the corner of his eye, he saw her walking over to him. That’s when he felt her hands on his cheeks, causing them to heat up even more as she turned his face back towards her. “Ieyasu,” she said, voice sweet and soft. “I never saw you as anything but very strong.”

His heart was racing by now, and words failed him completely. He couldn’t move his head, but he also couldn’t meet her eyes, glancing away.

“And if you really do mean it,” she said. “There’s nothing more I’d love than to become your wife.”

It wasn’t fair. Here he was proposing, yet he was also the one flustered beyond belief. She was there, being her sweet, precious, adorable self, willingly admitting she would love to become his wife, and yet, he found it nearly impossible to do anything more than stand there like an idiot.

Eventually, he pulled himself together enough to wrap her up in his embrace, cuddling her close to his chest while his heart pounded and his head spun. “I love you.”

His face was undoubtedly red now, and so he held her tighter so that she wouldn’t see how embarrassed he was to admit that. Yet, at those words, she clung to him tighter. “I love you, too, Ieyasu.”

And those words, in the end, were the words that made him absolutely adamant that he would never let her go again.

#fanfiction #ikemen sengoku #Ikemen ieyasu #ikesen ieyasu #fluff

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cherishingstydia · 4 years

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You’ve Got My Back, And I’ve Got Yours

Trigger warning: mentions of gunshots and blood(not graphic or descriptive)

Buck has always wanted to keep Maddie safe. She’s his big sister, but he is very protective, and has always felt it’s his duty to keep her out of harms way. Now she’s in danger, and he has to save her.

The dispatch center is on lockdown and there are men in fake police uniforms holding the workers hostage. He wants to get in, but there are armed police officers surrounding the building, but he can’t leave her not now when she needs him the most. He still feels guilty about Doug taking her, even tho she’s told numerous times it wasn’t his fault.

With Chimney yelling, and insisting they let him through to save her it was just the distraction needed for him to slip by with out anyone noticing, but one person noticed. Eddie followed along.

“Eddie you can’t do this.” Buck demanded.

“Remember when I said you could have my back any day? Well you told me I could have yours. Well consider this me having your back. Anyway If you really think I’d let you go in there alone you’re crazy.” Eddie said.

The two of them snuck in and could see the area of which the workers were being held captive.

Buck saw one of the men in a fake police uniform raise his arm gun in hand he froze it was like everything he wanted to do he couldn’t. He wanted to grab Eddie and drop to the floor, but terror took over. This was it he was gonna be shot, but better him than Maddie. The man didn’t even seem to notice him or Eddie but he still fired the gun in their direction.

Before he could even compute what happened Eddie had pushed him to the ground.

“Thanks for having my back.” Buck said.

“Any day.” Eddie winced as he clutched his side.

“Eddie you’re hit.” Buck panicked and pulled Eddie to a near by closet where he could hopefully tend to the wound.

“Listen to me if anything happens.” Eddie said.

Buck removed his button down leaving him in a white V-neck he using the shirt to apply pressure to the wound as he cradled Eddie in his arms.

“Nothing is going to happen! We are gonna get you out. Gonna save them all.” Buck cried.

“Chris already lost his mom and if he loses me. I need you to be there...I know you will be, but I need you to raise him. I know how much you love him. Promise me you will.”

“Eddie I-“

“Promise me!”

“I promise.” Buck cried.

As soon as he heard Bucks promise his consciousness began to fade.

“I’m so tired.” Eddie said hoarsley

“Eddie stay with me please. Don’t leave me. I need you, Christopher needs you. You have to stay. Come on Eds I love you...please.....please don’t leave me.” Buck cried as Eddies eyes closed completely no longer fluttering back open.

“Please.” Buck cried as his tears soaked Eddies hair. “You’re a fighter!! Keep fighting.”

Buck didn’t know how long they were in that closet was it minutes or hours?

It felt like hours. He was praying for a miracle.Petrified that two of the most important people in his life needed him, and he was helpless. The worry the gunman would find them and finish the job before help arrived was overwhelmingly terrifying. Buck heard footsteps approaching the door. The door opened and Buck saw a man in a police uniform. He lowered his head into Eddies shoulder cowering in fear.

“I found them!” The man yelled.

Suddenly he saw Athena and he knew he was safe.

“Eddie was hit.” Buck cried as he looked down at the blood soaked shirt.

Athena radioed about the gunshot wound to get Eddie the help he needs:

“What about Maddie and Everyone else.”

“Maddie is fine. Eddies is the only injury that will require the hospital.” Athena said.

Buck didn’t even truly realize what was happening as Eddie was removed from his arms and put on the gurney. He walked out led by Athena. He was in a daze all the events were cloudy.

“Evan!” Maddie ran and wrapped her arms around Buck. “Eddie must’ve been hit by the warning shot. He shot his gun a few times to scare us.”

“It’s my fault.” Buck choked as tears streamed down his face.

“This is not your fault.”

“It is! I was stupid and reckless and now Eddie might die because of it.” Buck shook his head.

“Evan listen to me. Yes I will say neither one of you should have snuck in, but it is not your fault and it is not Eddies fault. The men who were arrested are completely at fault.” Maddie assured.

“I was supposed to have his back. I can’t lose him if he dies I-I-I can’t do it. I told him I would take care of Chris. I can’t...I’d want to, but I’d be so broken. That’s nothing a child should have to go through. This kid has been through more than any one I know. I couldn’t even keep him safe for one day, I can’t keep you safe, I can’t keep Eddie safe. I’m a fraud I’m supposed to save people it’s who I am, my job, but when I really need to I fall short every single time.”

“Stop it!” Maddie yelled. “You need to stop right now. I know this is awful and I know how much Eddie means to you. You have to realize you can’t blame yourself every time someone you love is hurt or in danger. You always want to take care of everyone else. Now let me take care of you.”

Despite being a foot taller than Maddie Buck was crouched down enough to where Maddie was cradling him. Her arms tightly wrapped around him and hand gently rubbing his head as she hummed.

Bucks breath was erratic, but slowly began to get back to normal.

“Hospital. I have to go I should’ve rode in the ambulance but I couldn’t. I was too scared. I’m such a coward.”

“They wouldn’t have let you ride along and you know it. Even brave people can be scared sometimes it doesn’t make you a coward it makes you human. Ev you ran into a hostage situation a coward would never do that. You’re brave. Braver than anyone I know. Look I know you, and you never give up so please have some hope and some faith that Eddie will be ok, and if you can’t it’s ok I have enough for the both of us.”

Buck got to the hospital and it felt like the entire place was spinning. He could hear the echoing of voices,but couldn’t focus enough to hear them. It was all so real, too real. Two words seemed to breakthrough for Buck to hear.

“Eddies ok.” Bobby said as he placed a hand on Bucks shoulder.

“He is? He was unconscious.” Buck said.

“It was just shock. He lost some blood,but the bullet didn’t hit anything vital. He’s gonna be ok.” Bobby said.

Buck collapsed to the floor fully sobbing. Bobby joined him on the floor arms wrapped around him as he wept.

When Eddie was finally allowed guests Buck went in, but he was asleep from the pain medication. Buck sat by his bedside holding his hand.

Eddies eyes flicked open.

“Eddie.” Buck said softly.

“You look like shit.” Eddie laughed wincing slightly from pain.

“Well it’s been a rough day. I thought I was gonna lose you.”

“You can’t get rid of me that easily.” Eddie smiled.

“This is all my fault. Eds I’m sorry.” Buck said eyes once again full of tears.

“Did you mean it?” Eddie asked.

“Of course I meant it I’ve never been more sorry. Eddie you were shot because of me.”

“You saved me. You got me to a safe place to wait for help.”

“You never would have been there if it wasn’t for me.”

“ I couldn’t let you go alone. It was my choice there’s nothing you could have said or done to stop me. Now I’m gonna ask again Did you mean it?”

“Of course Eddie! I’m so sorry.” Buck apologized.

Eddie shook his head. “You love me?”

Buck went wide eyed. “You heard that?”

“Every word.”

“I meant it. Every word.” Buck said as he sat on the edge of Eddies bed.

“I love you Buck. You saved me.”

“That’s bull shit you wouldn’t even be here if it weren’t for me. You would be at home with Chris.” Buck sighed.

“Hey.” Eddie placed his hand on Bucks thigh. “This is not your fault. Just because something bad happend doesn’t mean you should blame yourself. I trust you more than anyone.”

“How can you? I lost Chris and now this?”

“A natural disaster and a hostage taker are not your fault. You know this is one of the reasons I love you. Your compassion for others...you care so much, maybe even too much. Evan I promise you nothing you mentioned was your fault. Nothing at all. You got me to a safe place, you kept pressure on the wound, YOU saved me just like you saved my son.”

Eddie reached his arms out to hug Buck. Buck laid next to Eddie in the hospital bed. Eddie left a soft kiss on a Bucks temple.

“Do you believe me yet?” Eddie asked.

“I’m starting too.” Buck batted his eyelashes. “Why are you taking care of me? You’re the one in the hospital.”

“Yeah, but I can see you’re hurting. I can’t stand seeing you like this.” Eddie said snuggling closer to Buck.

“YOU WERE SHOT.” Buck let out a small laugh. “You’re the one who needs a o be taken care of.”

“Yeah, but you are hurt too and love is the best medicine.” Eddie smiled.

“I’m gonna be with you every step with your recovery, and there’s nothing you can do to stop me.”

“There’s no one I’d rather have being overbearingly protective, and taking care of me than you.” Eddie laughed wincing slightly.

Buck sat up quickly. “Oh no I’ll get the nurse.”

“Buck it’s fine. They literally told me there would still be some pain even with the medication. You being here and making me smile is what I want and need. Thank you.” Eddie grabbed Bucks hand and gave it a gentle kiss.

“You’ve got my back, and I’ve got Yours.” Eddie smiled softly.

“Any day.” Buck grinned

#buddie #eddie diaz #evan buckley #cherishingstydiawrites

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orcinusorca1617 · 4 years

Text

Favorite Star Wars Fics

REBELCAPTAIN

Floating, Sinking shuofthewind

Somewhere in her is the sinking feeling that they weren't supposed to survive.

[In which they all live, in a manner of speaking, and they keep going, in spite of the odds.]

[Post-Rogue One. Runs through A New Hope. Eventual Rebelcaptain.]

whetstone shuofthewind

They're finished with their first mission. Now it's just the matter of downtime.

[Part of the floating, sinking universe. Mostly just fluff.]

Restless jenniferjun1per

Jyn needs to sleep, but she can't seem to get comfortable.

You Still Are leralynne

The scar zigzags down her side, puckered white along the ridges of her ribs. Cassian’s fingers still the first time they brush over it. With her head on his chest, she can feel his intake of breath.

A Long Pause leralynne

“Be quiet!” Jyn hisses. “I hear something!” Cassian stills. And then slowly, very slowly, he lifts his lips from Jyn’s collarbone.

slowly, and then all at once caramelle

It's probably sheer stubbornness, Cassian thinks wryly.

Even so, it doesn't mean he's just going to leave her like that.

Or, the one where Jyn has a habit of falling asleep around the apartment, and Cassian develops a habit of carrying her back to bed, because he's a Gentleman, and a Good Friend.

There For You guineapiggie

They reach Yavin IV and Jyn has every intention to lock herself in the room they've given her and not come out ever again. However, someone strongly disagrees with that plan.

flight lessons ignitesthestars

“One hundred percent of the crashes I have experienced involved you, Jyn Erso.” K2 informs her pleasantly. “Given that no other flight experience I've been involved in has experienced an abrupt descent, I can only conclude that you - oh. You're bleeding.

Or, Jyn is slightly impaled and Cassian sees to her wound. Emotions are had.

Won't You Let Us Wander (series) angel_deux

Cassian came back for her. Again and again. After Scarif, that complicates things for Jyn, who's used to running | 13 part series.

Cuddling for Warmth leralynne

“Jyn is shivering,” K2 observes, with the kind of bland indifference only possible when one is a droid incapable of experiencing just how goddamn freezing this planet is.

Bloody Little Worms Kobo

Jyn Erso is accustomed to being jolted awake. Saw Gerrera shaking her awake at every hour of the night, keeping her on her toes; the rough shift from hyperspace to realspace rattling the frame of a ship; Imperial guards smacking their batons against iron bars; nightmares, images of her father’s last breath or the echoing smack of Cassian’s back against steel bars: Jyn is accustomed to those.

A white hot grip on her lungs? This marks the first time she’s awoken to that.

Closer muggleindenial28

"They don’t speak on the way down.

They don’t acknowledge the distant shrill screams of TIE Fighters and X-Wings outside.

They don’t think about how they’re not going to get out in time."

They make it off Scarif, but not without scars.

like real people do mollivanders

“I have an idea,” she says, mind whirling as she steps towards the room. “We need a reason to be here like this.” He follows close behind her and she can practically feel the tension washing over him. In contrast, the plan forming in her mind has provided her with a calm clarity. He closes the door behind them before she props it ajar/

They need to be caught.

Beach House lyresandlasers

“Never say I don’t support you,” Jyn lifted his head into her lap, cradled in crossed legs.

cover me, i'll cover you mollivanders

“Are you hurt?” he asks blindly, reaching for her only to snatch his fingers back as she lurches away. He forgets she’s like a feral animal when she’s injured, used to being the only person having her back. “Let me see,” he says, trying to force authority and calm into his voice, both to reassure her and take control of the situation.

Inside, he’s anything but.

I hear the revolution rebsrising

The babble sounds through the baby monitor, soft and quiet, but enough to wake two well-trained soldiers still adjusting to the safety of peace.

Bodhi's Perspective rebsrising

It’s a simple scene - and that’s what strikes Bodhi the most. They kiss like they’re going to do it everyday for the rest of their lives. And he hopes, not for the first time, that they have the chance.

We Can Turn Over and Start Again kyrdwyn

After Scarif, Jyn starts over, with a new mission, and an unexpected friend.

Fifteen Days clashofqueens

It's hard to hold on to a happy ending during a war, and in the final days of the Rebellion, Jyn might lose hers.

Lay Down My Shields katsumi

Jyn comes down with a strange reaction to a foreign plant, but it doesn't seem like a big enough deal to bother anyone with. That is, until she faints in the middle of the hallway.

Run to Me in the Rising Dawn katsumi

Jyn has never had anyone stick around before. The battle is over now, but the war rages on and Jyn is already preparing for the day when she loses Cassian, too. (She doesn't realize he's terrified of the exact same thing.)

the quiet we hold ithacas

After Scarif, Cassian wakes up broken. He and Jyn learn to fix each other.

We Should laurie2000ann

Jyn could have died trying to save Cassian and he’s pretty angry about it.

Let's Give 'Em Something to Talk About astoriamalfoys

“Couldn’t sleep?” he asks her, a wry smile twisting his lips. Jyn ducks her head. “Nightmares or the medicine?”

It’s meant to be an easy conversation, but she says, “I was worried about you,” and his heart stutters to a staccato instead.

Han x Leia captainkitten

Important Thing of Awesomeness™ meets Dumpster Fire of a Human Being™

REYLO

we could plant a house, we could build a tree Like_A_Dove

Ben takes a deep breath. “It’s—it’s a project. Conceptual art. You wouldn’t get it.”

Rey presses her lips together to keep from laughing. She plans her next words quickly and carefully, determining what will get her the best reaction. “Really? Looks like you ruined a bedsheet to me.”

His reaction does not disappoint. “Get out.”

Parenthood (series) pontmercy44

What to expect when you're expecting the child of a rich, womanizing, alcoholic, unredeemable asshole? And what to do when the unexpected, improbable, irrational happens?

What She's Worth g_girl143

After being sent to train under his uncle in the Jedi academy, Ben Solo meets a youngling girl who would change the course of his life. An alternative universe companion fic for Claudia Gray's "Bloodline" novel. A scenario in which Ben Solo and Rey are fellow students of Luke's Jedi Academy and the events that led to the birth of Kylo Ren.

A Proposal by Any Other Name LucidLucy

Rey and Finn have been A Thing for a long time now. Since she was eighteen, to be exact. When Finn leaves on a trip to Europe for six months for work, Rey finally chases after him to Dublin to do what he seems to be putting off: propose. | Leap Year AU

If You Trust What's in Your Heart (What Better Can You Do) TheJGatsby

After the war, Rey likes to savor the peace on her own sometimes. Then she's not alone anymore.

Black Gloves, Orange Soup Solia

While the dwindling Rebellion starves, awaiting their chance to attack a First Order supply vessel, Rey is trying to keep busy repairing the lightsaber. As luck would have it, her Force-bonded rival Kylo Ren is knowledgeable on the subject and keen to help, but he is also very... distracting.

A Good Fall ohwise1ne

Ben Solo refuses to take a stunt double and pays the price when he breaks his leg filming his latest action blockbuster. His new physical therapist, Rey Sanders, seems to be the only person in Hollywood who doesn’t recognize the infamous Kylo Ren – and for some reason, he finds himself fighting to keep it that way.

A Royal Mistake reyofdarkness

Ben Solo (aka The Playboy Prince): Prince of Alderaan and tabloid sensation, never seen with the same girl twice.

Rey: Mechanic, blissfully unaware of Ben Solo's very existence.

Until Paige recruits her for a night servicing the Met Gala, host to a diverse class of guests, including royalty. It is there that a chance encounter gets Rey caught up in a pair of pretty eyes and a charming personality that she knows she should stay far, far away from. The universe, however, seems to have other plans. Hot Tip: Don’t look up your crush’s sex tape.

The End of a String Silvershine

A bridge still exists between the Supreme Leader of the First Order and the rebel known as Rey. As the connection winds tighter, the line between enemy and friend continues to blur, and Rey's loyalties are called into question. A force bond can bring companionship and support, but it's not without its dangers... or delights.

No Ill Will Castiloar

His face set into a resigned expression before tapping his phone with a final flourish, sending whatever excuse he made. She almost jumped when he squarely met her gaze. “Me? Your hostage? I’d almost think you like having me here.” Even with the congestion he managed to drop his voice low enough to make the quip weigh heavy.

variations on a theme of you disasterisms

"Who knows?" Luke darted a faint smile at Ben and Rey as they stewed in silence and disbelief. "The two of you might even learn to get along. Right, Leia?"

"Like a house on fire," the General deadpanned. "Complete with screams, flames, and people running for safety."

"Indeed." Luke's blue eyes twinkled. "There may be no survivors."

As Hard As I Try... KKetura

When her friends find out about her force bond with Kylo Ren, Rey finds herself more alone than ever. But in her forced solitude, she slowly discovers a better understanding of herself and the man to whom she's inextricably linked.

lying restless (as the dawn comes near) TheJGatsby

They have a tradition for nightmares.

you gotta stop doing that semi-hiatus

She caught herself right before the words ‘you gotta stop doing that’ slipped from her lips, saving her from having the explain why she randomly started talking to herself in the hallway.

Why Her? Aramenialys

Just one last battle. One. Then they can be done and put everything behind them. That was the plan. Then it's smashed to bits, and Kylo has to figure out how to come back from tragedy and form a new one. A short drabble/oneshot about Rey dying and (redeemed) Kylo learning to cope.

Quiet issueswithjedipedagogy

He wasn’t sleeping. She had caught sight of him in the darkness, blinking awake to the strange vacuum the bond created around her; the quiet focus on two souls that seemed to make everything else fall away.

Soft Things catmusing

Kylo Ren wakes up aboard a familiar and yet unknown ship. His body aches and it hurts to remember but there is Rey of light.

Aphelion ambiguously

Stranded on a barren planet together, Rey and Kylo Ren have only each other to help them survive.

Vulnerability and Soft Hair smallenoughtofit

After two years with the Resistance, Kylo Ren still lacks any real security or relationships outside of his tenuous whatever-this-is with Rey. And Rey still wonders what his hair feels like.

the remedy is the experience (i won't worry my life away) TheJGatsby

Rey gets sick, and she isn't very good at letting people look after her.

Proper Sleep tearoomsaloon

Much to her frustration, Rey can no longer properly sleep unless she's snuggled between Ben's glorious pecs

ad infinitum hyperphonic

for the prompt: Rey and Kylo telling Leia, Rey is pregnant. Leia had no clue.

any way you want it thegoodlannister

rey helps ben begin to work through the process of making decisions - even really simple ones - for himself. rehabilitation is a slow process in the aftermath of the mess snoke has spent three decades making of ben's mind.

It Will Come Back ReyloTrashCompactor

“Honey, don’t feed it. It will come back”

A Series of Firsts Tandy

Ben (or is it Ren?) and Rey sitting in a tree, K-I-S-S-I-N-G. First comes love and then comes marriage, then comes baby in a baby carriage.

A story told in firsts.

Dark Prism whythokylo (OpalElephant)

Rey awakens again, except this time it's to a life she can't recall with a man she only knows as her enemy. My attempt at a long form, dark AU. (Formerly titled Aphelion)

A Few Small Repairs TourmalineGreen

Rey buried her face in her blankets. She wasn’t crying. She wasn’t going to allow herself to feel anything. Rain was just water, and so were tears. It would all dry, in time. The storm would pass, and then she’d keep going. That’s how it always had been, and that’s how it was going to be.

She would be alright, after this. She would find a way, find something…

what ails you thegoodlannister

or: three times ben solo was sick and one time kylo ren was. unabashed reylo and even more unabashed hurt/comfort.

100 Ways to Say I Love You AquaWolfGirl

Taken from a list on Tumblr of 100 Ways To Say I Love You, 100 little oneshots leading up to Valentine's Day.

I'm always in this twilight (in the shadow of your heart) disasterisms

Coded on a secondhand datapad in a run-down motel room in Mos Eisley, deleted and never sent: Everything about us was a whirlwind.

Written on a scrap of durasheet in a Tion Cluster outpost, the words fading after a while into air and ghosts: You shouldn't have forgiven me for any of it.

Scraped into the bark of an oak tree on the Argazdan homeworld: You won't believe the dreams I have about you.

the one with the lust writing-reylo

She has bigger things to worry about than that.

The most pressing of which is reclining in her bed, shirtless.

“Can you move?” She asks, unwinding her scarf and shrugging off her huge jacket.

Milking It thewayofthetrashcompactor

“Rey.”

The voice was deep and familiar, rough with exhaustion, and echoed across the gap closed by the Force.

She ignored it, hunched over on the edge of the cot she'd been sleeping on. She wanted nothing more than to lean back and curl up into an unconscious ball again, but another voice, this one much closer, called her name again.

morning in the burned house disasterisms

Leia's not really surprised at all, to be honest, but, for the sake of his pride, she should probably pretend to be.

find a thread to pull, and we can watch it unravel again_please

The war is over, Snoke dead at Rey and Kylo's hands. The two of them find themselves feeling a bit out of place as the Resistance celebrates and decide that the answer is a bit of good old fashioned Corellian whiskey. Enjoyed responsibly, of course. And in private.

Because You're There disasterisms

Three years ago, Rey had not yet climbed Everest.

Presenting the first half of my fic/art trade with the lovely lilithsaur, based on her trash triplets x 2 universe. The gist is that there are three Solo boys— Kylo, Ben, and Matt (the character from Adam Driver's SNL skit)— and three Kenobi girls— Kira (dark Rey), Rey, and Daisy (undercover Rey).

Sword of the Jedi (series) diasterisms

“What do you think?” Luke asks his nephew. “She has potential.”

“She bit me, Master,” is Ben’s stiff response. “Any opinion I give would be biased.”

Or: Everyone is connected, even if, sometimes, it's just by the skin of our teeth. Even in the midst of darkness, still, luminous beings are we.

Reign OptimisticBeth

Alternate Ending to "The Last Jedi." Rey accepts Kylo Ren’s offer in return for the lives of the retreating ships.

Political maneuvering is not Rey's forte. She must adjust to life as the First Order's first lady, making friends and enemies along the way and indulging in sweet awkward romance with her Ben.

Burgeoning Hope crossingwinter

#ShesPregnantAndHesDumbAndHasntLeftHisJobYet

miles from where you are mooncactus

After an argument over Star Wars fandom with a "gatekeeping, entitled monster" with the cryptic username of KyloRen, Rey finds herself stuck in a series of unavoidable video calls.

Prisoner orphan_account

Rey has been running all her life. She had known since she was a small girl that she was born with the powers that had been cursed and labeled evil by the galaxy. Running had worked for so long, that she was almost surprised when the bounty hunter Kylo Ren had caught her trail. But they might have more in common than they both originally thought.

Hand of Fate sweetestcondition

Rey is offered a choice at the end of Star Wars Episode VIII: The Last Jedi. This time, she takes the hand of Kylo Ren, grasping at the chance to transform the First Order from the inside. She hopes to create a Resistance from within, starting with the heart of Ben Solo. | feat. KoR, Kezzik

keep me in your clouded mind hi_raeth

Flu season has claimed its latest victim: Rey’s roommate, Ben Solo. But it’s fine. She’ll get him dressed, bring him to the hospital, and everything will be okay. Things are totally under control.

Except for the part where Ben has completely lost his verbal filter and keeps babbling about his feelings for her.

Exile Ernzo

The war is over and the First Order has fallen. Ben has returned home to face his consequences.

A story of Rey and Ben finding peace in the aftermath of war as Ben accepts his punishment.

made a rebel of a careless man's careful daughter disasterisms

The First Order does not exist, what is dead stays dead, and they grow up together at Luke's Jedi Academy.

Or: The one where everything was beautiful and nothing hurt.

(Then again, it's Ben and Rey, so maybe things hurt a little.)

A little ginger, a little honey Areah51

Rey is sick, and Ben shows up where he's not wanted, but in the end, we all need someone to take care of us when we're ill.

my wildest wind (come blow into my room) meritmut

“Would it have been so terrible?” he asks. “Staying?”

Could we have had this? she thinks, like she always does.

Non-consecutive ForceTime vignettes in the days, weeks and months after Crait.

Play to Win Enterprisingly

Ben Solo – aka KyloRen – is a professional gamer, playing the first-person-shooter StarKiller for the internationally ranked eSports team, The First Order. He’s made a name for himself as a ruthless competitor with a ferocious temper and top-notch skills that can’t be beat. That is, until a mystery player named ReyOfLight begins thoroughly trouncing him whenever they cross paths.

Unwell AquaWolfGirl

Jakku was cold, but nothing compared to Hoth. While staying at the old Rebel base, Rey catches a cold, and someone is a huge worry wart over the woman who denied his offer.

The One Where He Decides writing_reylo

He’s on the bridge and he’s alone.

The First Order are no more.

It only took him a year, carefully manipulating every weak mind he came across, emotionally manipulating the ones he couldn’t.

Embers sciosophia

All the myriad things he’d been—someone who made her laugh; the warmth on the other side of the bed; her best friend—those things, Rey had buried.

Rey left Ben two years, three months, and sixteen days ago. But who's counting?

Interstellar Transmissions LovelyThings, ricca_riot

Rey’s interrogation at the hands of Kylo Ren triggered an awakening in the Force, as well as an unwelcome bond that links them across the galaxy and grows stronger every day.

What Stays and What Fades Away astra_inclinant

Her feelings for Kylo Ren are quiet, not acknowledged, but deeply felt. She cannot make peace with them and send them from her mind.

Or, everyone is emotionally stunted and no one has healthy coping skills.

Our Heaven is Just Waiting FrostedFox

It's his turn to fall wounded before her, and her turn to decide where to go from there.

If only she could convince him to stay alive.

make it look just the way i planned TheJGatsby

Ben buys the painting on a brokenhearted impulse, and somehow it ends up being exactly the right choice.

(Based on the song Paint Me a Birmingham)

#reylo #rebelcaptain #star wars #sw tfa #sw tlj #kylo x rey #ben solo #cassian x jyn #rogue one

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anotheruselessfangirl · 5 years

Text

Chapter 15

FINALLY! I can't believe how long I took to sit down and write this. I've been working on different things, but I promise the next and final chapter should be coming soon. Meanwhile, enjoy the drama in this chapter, which you can read the full version of here.

ALSO, if you’re interested in some writing advice, you can follow my new blog. I created it not just for writing tips, but to promote my first novel which I hope I can release this year. If you’re perhaps interested, you’ll find all the news about it there.

15-The Enemy Side.

There was only one thing in the cell and it was the bed I woke up on. Neither the pillow nor the mattress would be of help to hit someone, so I removed them to check the box spring underneath. It was made out of pieces of wood and maybe if I pulled one of them, I could use it. I checked each part of it until I found a piece that was loose.

-Yes!

With that done, I put everything back in its place. I had two strategies. I thought that if a guard came in, I’d knock him out. But if it was Shingen or Kenshin, I’d try to reason with them. They were men who had fought against Nobunaga, I didn’t trust my strength or speed to defeat them. However, I would consider my options even with a common soldier. I’d have to catch them off-guard to be able to hit them.

I would’ve been scared if it wasn’t because I was getting used to this time period. I was determined to survive and I’d fight to the last second to do it.

Yet, my determination started waning as time went by. I was so ready to escape, but no one was coming near. The place was silent as a crypt, no outside noise filtered in. The loneliness made my mind betray me, by giving me thoughts that I was trying to avoid. I realized, by that time they already must’ve given Nobunaga the fake news that I was dead. I worried about his reaction, that he did something which got him killed. I couldn’t bear the idea of getting out of here, just to find out he didn’t make it.

I shook my head, trying to make the negative thoughts go away, but my hands were trembling now. If anyone came in, I felt like I’d be more invested in finding out what happened to him, rather than attempting to escape.

The overwhelming silence began to scare me, as the light started getting lower. Night was coming near, and soon I’d be trapped in complete silent darkness. My stomach growled for some food, my mouth got dry with thirst. If they weren’t going to kill me, they’d have to bring me something to eat and drink, right? It didn’t seem like they’d let me starve to death.

Fear was taking over me, when I finally heard a door opening. I stood up with a mix of panic and relief, trying to see who was coming. And the person I saw was one I didn’t expect, yet I realized I should have.

-Sasuke? – my confusion turned into realization as my memory started working –I forgot! You work for them, don’t you? That’s why you were in Azuchi. Wait, did you have something to do with this? Sasuke, did you bring me here?!

-I assure you I had no part in this- he finally spoke as he moved the engine that lifted my cell’s bars –Lord Shingen must’ve realized I had some sort of attachment to you and would be against taking you hostage, so they didn’t tell me anything about this.

-How did you find out? – I asked while getting out. The feeling of freedom was remarkable, but I still had a few questions left.

-I was on the field, in the battle against the Oda, when I heard Masamune and Hideyoshi talk about how our side had taken you. It was then I realized something even more important, the reason why Nobunaga could’ve been absent.

-He wasn’t there? – fear came back to me as I heard Sasuke explain everything.

-Mia, you need to get out of here quickly.

-What about you? What if they find out you helped me?

-Yukimura assured me, before I came here, that he’d be answering for me as Lord Shingen’s closest vassal. Plus, I don’t think neither he nor Kenshin would be happy that Nobunaga died at the hands of someone else. They might even thank me for saving him.

He seemed fully confident in what he was saying, but there was something that still wasn’t clear for me –What do you mean save him? Where is he?

-The Oda were surprised when they saw Lord Kenshin in the battle. They said Nobunaga had received a challenge from him, but Kenshin knew nothing about it. And if our side didn’t defy Nobunaga, there was only one person left.

-Kennyo- I said, cursing the man in my head.

Sasuke put a hand on my shoulder and got closer to me –I believe Nobunaga must’ve made a deal with Kennyo, offering him what he wants in order to save you.

He didn’t tell me what that involved, but I could make up the idea in my head, and it made my blood get frozen with terror.

***

Nobunaga arrived at the old temple of Honno-Ji. He didn’t see anyone there, but he was confident his enemy would show up. He climbed the steps to enter the place and walked towards the centre of it. Once he reached that spot, he took his sword, still in its sheath, and put it on his lap as he sat on the floor to wait, which he didn’t need to do for long.

Just a few minutes, and he could hear footsteps approaching. He was staring at the wooden floor, and only looked up when the man was right in front of him.

-You really came alone- Kennyo had a bit of surprise in his eyes full of rage.

-Did you do your part? – was all that Nobunaga asked.

-If I tell you I didn’t, what would you do?

He chuckled and just looked down –Hope.

He was looking for some hint of doubt in Nobunaga’s intentions, but he wouldn’t find any. Nobunaga had already made peace with the idea of his death. If Kennyo didn’t give Mia an antidote to save her, then at least his dying would open back the portal to take her back home. Her time surely had advanced medicine that could save her. So, one way or another, at least she’ll get to live. And if she went back to her time, she’d return to the life she should’ve lived if they had never crossed paths.

Because dying was his real destiny, and sooner or later, destiny would’ve set them apart. It had been foolish of him to think he could have something as precious as her, after all that he’d done.

#nobunaga oda #oda nobunga #ikesen nobunaga #nobunaga oda fic #oda nobunaga fic #ikesen #ikemen sengoku #ikesen fic #ikemen sengoku fic #nobunagaxMC #nobunagaxOC

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sillykittypaws1 · 3 months

Text

Hi! You can refer to me as Kitty! (She/He/It)

I am a 16 y/o, queer girlboy who has been on tumblr for a looong time under many aliases. Previous accounts were very much banned due to the edgy shit I used to post haha..

But this newer account, i’d want to focus on the political, and physical attacks that the Is***li government is pulling on the people of Gaza. I’ll be sharing some niche weapons (such as specific chemicals) how to treat wounds that occured due to the specific attack, so on and so forth.

I would want to share something about myself that I am ashamed of… And my personal story to why I am doing, what I’m doing right now.

I was (inherently brainwashed) by my friends to believe that the Israeli people are under attack. And to post and spread awareness of the Israeli victims. At the time, i wholeheartedly believed them. I posted as much as I could about the Israeli victims, but I had never really seen evidence of the victims.

A few weeks ago, I started questioning whether or not my friends were posting the truth. Because, I had recently seen many many many videos of Palestinian people suffering. And I hadn’t seen one from the Israeli side (other than the 4 videos circling around Oct. 7th.)

I realized that I was pushing false narratives about the “Political Issue” that is occurring between the Gaza Strip and Israel. (Political issue in quotes because it is not political, it is a GENOCIDE being committed.)

I started doing genuine research on the issue using very real and raw sources. (Such as, videos shared of Palestinian families that still speak kindly of Israelis. And, a few court documents regarding South Africa’s case against Israel.)

I have come to the (very obvious) conclusion that Israel is not the victim, but Israel is the oppressor. (Shamefully) It was very hard for me to “switch sides” and during my research phase, I was just hoping for something that shows Israel being the victim. But nothing came up. The reason why i hoped there would be some evidence of Israel being a victim? Because I didnt want to believe my friends would push such false narratives about this issue.

If you read all of this, thank you. I want my story to be heard, and I want people to give slight grace to those who are confused in what to believe in. Please dont wish harm upon those people, but rather pray for them, or kindly push them in the right direction. I wish no harm to anyone.

🕊️

TLDR: I was brainwashed by my very close friends to believe in Israel being the victim.

#about myself #i stand with palestine 🇵🇸#gaza strip #🇵🇸#free palestine #free palestine 🇵🇸#gaza #palestine #lgbtq #from the river to the sea 🇵🇸#free gaza 🇵🇸#filistin 🇵🇸#palestine genocide #israel is fully capable of providing medication and food but chooses not to and that's what i'm talking about #now before anyone says anything i think it's important that hostages get their medicine but i also think palestinians should too #who i am

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robininthelabyrinth · 5 years

Text

Eyestealer 4 - ao3 link

Fandom: Naruto Pairing: Senju Hashirama & Senju Tobirama (mostly gen, hints of other relationships later)

Summary: Hashirama really doesn’t approve of the thoughtful way his father looks at his younger brother’s bright red eyes. He’s sure it doesn’t mean anything good for anyone.

He’s right.

——————————————————————————————

Hashirama really likes Madara.

The other boy is the first person he’s ever met that really gets him, equal to equal, and Hashirama can feel his heart expanding with joy at how they talk and play and tease the way he’s never had a chance to do with anyone else before.

It was a chance meeting by the riverbank that brought them together. Hashirama isn't sure what brought Madara to linger out there, but he himself was there because he couldn't bear to be at home.

Everything had started going wrong with Kawarama’s death.

First there’d been that funeral, and Hashirama opening his stupid mouth about everything he was feeling, only to get punched like he hasn’t in years – Tobirama stood up for him, in his own way, and ended up paying the price for that, as always, but this time when Butsuma left him lying on the floor he didn’t get up again.

Unfortunately, Hashirama’s healing could only go so far.

Worse, whatever had gone wrong with Tobirama’s eyes was still there, leaving him bedridden for weeks, chakra-weak and drained – Hashirama, desperate to prevent Tobirama from being punished for not adequately preserving his reserves, tells everyone he caught pneumonia, which has many of the same symptoms – but luckily for Tobirama he’s young.

Too young to be dealing with the sort of debilitating impairment that one usually only saw in the few who managed to reach a very old age, in Hashirama’s opinion, but Hashirama has learned enough of medicine and healing to know that Tobirama’s youth is the only thing saving his life: his chakra coils are not yet fully matured, not yet rigidly set in place, and so they’re able to mutate around whatever-it-is that’s draining him. They’re able to adapt – and so he lives.

(The medic that used to treat Tobirama when he was younger died on a mission he should never have been sent on, and Butsuma lets no one else treat his despised second son so Hashirama has to do the work himself. He wishes he could at least get a consult with one of the other medics – describing his brother’s condition in words really isn’t doing the trick.)

Little Itama, who always loved Tobirama best of all – he’d even dyed his hair white to be more like his beloved brother, though he’d only managed half of it before Tobirama found him playing with bleach and stopped him – spent most of the time Tobirama was in bed worrying over him.

Not even Butsuma’s lectures and occasional punishments could stop him from sneaking away from everything – training, dinner, even playtime – to linger by his bed and curl up by his side, giving him hugs, reading him stories, and even trying to feed him until he was better using anything (food or otherwise) that came to hand, using logic that made sense only to a small child.

Hashirama thought it was cute. Butsuma thought it was weakness.

It saved his life.

If Itama hadn’t slipped out of the campground in the middle of the night to visit Tobirama, worried that his favorite older brother wouldn’t be able to fall asleep without a good-night hug, he would have still been there when the Uchiha attacked. He would’ve ended up just like Kawaram, and Tobirama’s heart would have broken forever.

It ended up getting broken pretty thoroughly anyway.

It was Tobirama’s own suggestion that Itama be sent to foster with the Uzumaki, acting as a guarantee of well-being between the clans and to set the ground for a closer alliance: a hostage from the Senju, purportedly sent to be trained in whatever branch of the sealing arts he showed a knack for, instead of demanding that the Uzumaki provide one of the Senju clan heirs with a wife to act as the same. Diplomatically, it was a stroke of genius – the Uzumaki, delighted by the unexpected offer rather than the demand, doubled their contribution to the Senju war effort, filling their coffers and lending more of their warriors, and there was always the possibility of a marriage later on, once Itama was old enough to return to them a fully grown warrior.

Hashirama knew that Tobirama raised the idea only because he knew the safest place for his brother to be was behind the whirlpools. He wanted for Itama to live more than anything – more, even, than the joy of having him be by his side.

But what Tobirama did not know, what none of them knew, was the Uzumaki did not foster lightly: the child would be theirs and no one else’s, bound to their land and their service for at least fifteen years and the option to stay should he wish, and while his family could write they could not lightly visit.

They even changed his name, calling him Uzumaki Itama, and, though he still lived, in the end they’d lost another brother all the same.

Tobirama was walking again by the time Itama left, the weakness gone and draconian training resumed, and most of the time it was as if nothing had every happened.

(Sometimes, like the day Itama left, he shook like a leaf that’s lost its tree.)

Butsuma hadn’t even bothered waiting until the dust from Itama’s travelling party had faded out of sight before he started talking about arranging marriages, his own and maybe even Hashirama’s, in order to ensure that the Senju clan had a proper line of succession in place.

It's because Tobirama doesn't count, ‎in Butsuma's eyes. No matter that Tobirama has started killing for him, no matter that even the Uchiha are impressed enough that they've already started targeting him, no matter that he continues in his punishing training despite the fact that his exhaustion had gotten so much worse, no matter that for the sake of his father's love Tobirama has never disobeyed his orders even when Hashirama knew he desperately disagreed with them - nothing will ever change how Butsuma feels about his second son.

Hashirama really wants to kill him right now, to the point that even Tobirama has told him to go be elsewhere lest he be tempted to actually do it.

So he went to the river.

And by the river, he met Madara.

He doesn’t tell Madara that he’s there to avoid murdering his father, since he thinks it might come across as a bit creepy, but he does tell him just about everything else. His hopes, his dreams – together they start turning those wistful thoughts into actual plans.

Peace.

A village.

A place where children can be children, and no brother need ever die so young. A place where their brothers – only Tobirama for him, since Itama is gone; and a matching brother named Izuna for Madara – can grow safely and happily.

“We’ll need a good police system,” Hashirama says one day as they’re lying on the riverbank, cloud-watching. “In the village, I mean.”

“Hn? Of course. Justice is important.”

“Not just justice. Protection. The whole point of this peace would be to make sure children like our brothers are safe, right?”

Madara looks at him sidelong. “Safe from war, yes. Not safe from everything. We can’t wrap people in blankets and keep them locked at home all day, no matter how much better it would make us feel.”‎

He sounds wistful, and Hashirama couldn't agree more. Being wrapped up in a blanket and home all day sounds like a decent life to Hashirama, and if he didn’t know how strenuously Tobirama would object…unfortunately, he does, and he’s pretty sure Madara is right.

“That’s not what I mean,” he says, going back to looking at the sky. “I mean – well. The best defensive wall in the world won’t help you if the next attack comes from inside; isn’t that a shinobi saying?”

“I’m pretty sure it goes ‘the thick skin of the fruit doesn’t prevent rot from within’, but I get your point. Wouldn’t catching spies be T&I’s job, though, rather than the police?”

Hashirama rolls his eyes. “Not spies. Citizens, clansmen: people who are part of the village but who aren’t doing right. Like parents who don’t deserve to have children.”‎

He knows Madara is looking at him, knows he’s frowning, but he doesn’t look back.

“Parents who hurt their children for no reason,” he says, eyes fixed on the sky. “Parents who beat them, or who never give them a kind word. Parents who hate them. I know you think family’s important, but it’s better to be an orphan than to have a parent like that.”

"Surely that would be a clan matter?" Madara asks hesitantly. He values family more than Hashirama does, but then, he seems to actually like most of his, even if only begrudgingly. Even his father, who he complains is far too harsh and cruel, doesn’t seem to inspire true hatred in him. For all of his friend's outward grumpiness, Hashirama suspects Madara is probably a friendlier person than he is. "A clan would never allow -"

"Even clans that value face more than children? If they're willing to sacrifice them for their wars, they'll sacrifice them for their pride." Hashirama's voice is bitter, even if his face is calm, and he doesn't know how to make it anything but. He doesn’t like being angry, he vowed long ago that he wouldn’t be, but sometimes it creep through no matter what he does. "Leave it a clan matter, and it's the same as doing nothing."

“I’m not sure I agree,” Madara says. “But - we’ll have a police. And no one, no one, will be above it. Not even clan heads. Not even the most important person in the whole village.”

Hashirama feels Madara’s hand come down on his shoulder and squeeze, conveying sympathy and comfort and offering his own strength to add to Hashirama’s own.

Hashirama smiles.

“Let’s go for a run,” he suggests, changing the subject. “I bet I can beat you.”

“The way you didn’t the first six times?”

“I’m getting faster!”

“You’re so lazy you should consider getting a sloth contract.”

“Says the person who’s probably going to get a contract with dust mites if he doesn’t wash his air more often…”

“Why, you -!”

Hashirama really likes Madara.

But, like everything else good in his life, it gets ruined eventually.

Unsurprisingly, Butsuma is involved in that.

Hashirama blames him, even if it was Tobirama who told on him.

Tobirama is terrified on Hashirama’s behalf, Hashirama can see it in his face and his stance, and he would never have asked his brother to disobey a direct order from their father, not when Hashirama knows what the consequences would be.

But –

It still hurts, seeing Madara pick his family over their dream.

It hurts, it hurts, it hurts –

And then everything changes.

Hashirama already knew in his bleeding grieving heart that this day on the riverside would be a significant one in his life, burned into his brain, and he could see that Madara feels the same way, sees the red he’s been taught from birth to fear ignite behind those beloved features.

But Hashirama’s never been scared of Madara, not the way he’s been trained to be scared of the Uchiha, and so, for the first time in his life he looks fully into the gaze of the Sharingan –

And he recognizes it.

The crude artwork they had at home, exaggerated and monstrous, had concealed the truth, but the Sharingan isn’t monstrous at all. It’s just red.

Red, shining bright, with spinning black tomoe.

Just like Tobirama’s.

A stolen Sharingan will never turn off, his memory reminds him. A punishment to those who dare: that it will eat their chakra reserves to nothing, and brand in their mind forever all that they see –

(“I remember that I’m scared,” Tobirama said, curled in on himself, frightened by a memory he could not place, a memory that could not be his own. “More than anything. And then he laughs, and rips my eyes out.”)

Hashirama doesn’t actually remember how the battle ends, or how they make it home; he knows distantly that Tobirama looks at him, pale with worry and guilt, and that Butsuma doesn’t look at him at all, not even once, but he can’t really bring himself to care.

Nothing penetrates the shock. The horror.

Nothing, that is, until they make it back to their home within the Senju compound, and Butsuma says, “Tobirama, kneel.”

That wakes him up.

“You’re not punishing him,” he says, catching his brother by the shoulder before he can drop to the floor in automatic instinct. “He obeyed your orders.”

“I suppose you’re right,” Butsuma says thoughtfully. “It is you who will be punished this time. Mokuton or no, you betrayed the clan –”

Hashirama can’t help but snort in disbelief. “I betrayed the clan?” he says, and he can hear the near hysteria in his voice. “I betrayed?”

“You consorted with an Uchiha –”

“Oh, yes, consorted with an Uchiha,” Hashirama says, and he’s angry now. “I supposed that’s much worse than stealing their eyes.”

That stops Butsuma.

“How could you?” Hashirama demands. “Eye-stealing is forbidden! Every clan in the Fire Country – every dojutsu wielder in the world – will unite to destroy us!”

Tobirama’s eyes – red, red, red eyes, the black hidden behind lenses that never seemed to have any purpose beyond that tiny color change, that tiny but infinitely significant color change – flicker back and forth between the two of them.

“What are you talking about, anija?” he asks hesitantly. “He didn’t take anyone’s eyes today.”

“Not today, no,” Hashirama says, and he’s so angry – so furious, imagining the child their father robbed before he killed, seeing in his mind’s eye that it could so easily have been one of the brothers Madara lost – that he doesn’t even think about the damage his words might do. “But your eyes came from somewhere.”

Tobirama goes quiet.

“Red eyes, I heard you say.” Hashirama’s gaze is fixed on Butsuma. “I was only a child, but I heard you. Red eyes – that's what made you think you could hide away your theft, wasn't it? Eye-stealing like a common bandit, like a bloodline thief, and no one would notice –”

“I did,” Butsuma says, and he’s not even sorry. There’s not the slightest trace of shame in his features, only a savage smugness. “And I was right. How many Uchiha has he killed, over the years? How many Senju saved? How many battles won? And it’s all because of that!”

“It is not!” Hashirama howls. Even if he valued warfare, which he doesn’t, he can’t abide hearing such filth said about his brother. “Tobirama won those battles, not his eyes!”

“It doesn’t matter,” Butsuma says, and he’s got a savage, mean-spirited smile. “You said it yourself: if anyone finds out, our entire clan will be exterminated. So rage as much as you like, Hashirama; it changes nothing.”

Hashirama’s fists are clenched so tight that he can feel blood dripping down his palms.

“And as for your little Uchiha ‘friend’ –” Butsuma starts.

“You lift one finger against me,” Hashirama says, and he finds to his surprise that his voice is quiet, calm, even. A bit like Tobirama’s, actually. He doesn’t know how that happened, but for some reason it makes Butsuma recoil where none of his screaming ever has. “You lift one finger against me or my brother, and I swear to you that you will be dead.”

Butsuma can tell he means it, too, so he just scowls. “You will fight him in the next battle,” he promises, savage, meaning Madara. “And he will keep killing Uchiha.”

That time, he meant Tobirama.

With that said, Butsuma turns and stalks out of the room.

That’s no more than Hashirama expected, so he lets him go.

Only then, as the red haze starts to fade from his eyes, does he think to look at Tobirama.

Tobirama is sitting on the floor, his legs splayed out before him as if they had simply stopped working. He’s still in his armor, his precious sword negligently dropped to the floor for probably the first time in its existence; his hands are limp in his lap, and he’s staring vacantly into space.

And suddenly it occurs to Hashirama what his reckless words and furious revelations might have done to the person he loves most.

“Tobirama,” he says, dropping down beside him. “Tobirama, no, it’s not your fault –”

“They’re my eyes,” Tobirama says dully. “Or – not mine, I suppose.”

“They’re yours now,” Hashirama says quickly. He doesn’t want Tobirama to get any ideas about ripping them out of his own head or anything like that; that seems like the sort of thing his surprisingly noble-hearted brother might do when he’s not thinking straight. But he means it, too: Tobirama has had them his whole life; they’re his and no one else’s, no matter whose they were originally. “You were only a toddler, a baby, when – when he took you away. I remember it. It must have been then…I was so angry and scared that day. I didn’t know what they were doing, only that you were gone and something bad was happening.”

Tobirama nods, his motions still sluggish with the shock. “Did Mother know?”

Hashirama hesitates.

If what your father is doing works, Tobirama will see better than you, he remembers his mother saying. So it’s a good thing!

His silence is enough. Tobirama bows his head as if the weight on his shoulders has just grown heavier.

“She never said no to Butsuma,” Hashirama says, trying desperately to help lighten that terrible burden. “You know that! It’s not her fault, not really; she never stood up to him, not once, not for anything –”

“Like me.”

Hashirama stops. He hadn’t thought of it that way.

His mother, who feared nothing but her own husband, who loved him in her own way but was beaten down further and further, taking up less and less room, breaking apart piece by piece until the day she died, and even then only her sons knew that the poison in the sake that killed her came not from a clever enemy but from a flower she’d asked Hashirama, all unknowing, to grow for her.

(He remembers that she said the purple nightshade he’d grown was as beautiful as her children, the last thing she’d ever said to them, and he still doesn’t know if she meant it as a compliment or an insult.)

“You’re different from her,” he says, helplessly, and hopes that it’s true.

Tobirama is silent.

And then –

“I don’t need genjutsu to fight.”

Hashirama blinks, confused by the sudden change in topic. “What? I mean, no, of course you don’t, but what does that matter?”

Tobirama looks up, his gaze steely even as he looks away from Hashirama’s eyes, avoiding them the way he always avoids everyone’s eyes. His genjutsu has always been perfect – strong as a Sharingan, Hashirama said once, laughing, and he regrets it now – but Tobirama’s strong dislike for looking people in the eyes had always weakened his use of it.

(Butsuma ordered Tobirama never to look in any of his clanmen’s eyes, and they’d thought it was a rare show of mercy, but now they know the real reason why.)

“I’m not going to use it anymore,” Tobirama says. “I can’t do anything about the memorization, or the copying; that’s automatic. But I’m not going to use them.”

“What about…” Hashirama trails off.

He doesn’t really want to talk about what’s started happening recently, on the days when he and Tobirama snuck out to the forest together – Hashirama to practice his Mokuton, and Tobirama to see what happens when his eyes turn to pinwheels.

Neither of them realized why at the time, thinking it was some sort of jutsu backlash, but it's not, is it?

All those things that happened - all those strange things, the black water that he can summon from nowhere, boiling hot like burning oil and killing what he wants and nothing more. Or the way time itself sometimes seems to slip and slide around him now in ways that don’t really make sense, with projects that require four hours rest suddenly being ready after four minutes, and an afternoon of heavy training and they still made it back in time for lunch, and that’s just what they’d found out by accident.

Those are all from the Sharingan.

Tobirama frowns. “I don’t know,” he confesses. “I – Uchiha are fire, though, not water. It’s tied to the eyes, for sure, but…that one is mine.”

My last gift from Kawarama, he doesn’t say, but Hashirama knows he thinks of it that way. Hashirama thinks that if it’s a gift, it’s more of a poisoned chalice, reminding Tobirama every time he uses it that for all his wondrous new powers he’d rather have his brother.

(Hashirama noticed, too, how they had suddenly become the eyes to Tobirama, not his eyes, even though Tobirama had probably had them longer than the original owner by now. Even though he’d never known any other. It made Hashirama wonder what had happened to the original set, though knowing their father they’d probably been thrown out like trash.)

“That makes sense to me,” he says instead.

He doesn’t mention the rare times Tobirama’s eyes go purple; Tobirama hasn’t noticed it yet, Hashirama’s never really found the right time to bring it up, and now really seems like a bad time. He’ll mention it eventually.

Maybe.

Maybe not, if what he’s heard about the Rinnegan’s ability to resurrect people at the cost of the life of the user is true. Maybe that makes Hashirama more his father’s son than he ever wanted to be, but –

He’s not going to let Tobirama trade himself for anyone.

#senju tobirama #senju hashirama #uchiha madara #senju butsuma #senju itama #my fic #eyestealer

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manggojooz · 5 years

Text

Sugar & the Beast (Part 4)

pairing: Suga/Yoongi x Jin x OC

word count: approx. 3,366

genre: drama, sageuk (Joseon dynasty stuff)

summary: A very loose Joseon adaptation of Beauty and the Beast.There’s a rumour about the Prime Minister’s son, that he sometimes act like a human and sometimes acts like a beast. Dang Seol’s only family, Myeongjo, left for Hanyang one day and never came back. Seol finds out that Myeongjo was taken to the Prime Minister’s house and seeks to find her only family back but ends up coming face to face with a human-beast.

warnings: none

previous parts: Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3

Seol recognises the guard whom Myeongjo said she had bribed. She sneaks up behind a pillar close to him under the cover of the night and gestures for him to meet her behind a tiny room. He says something to the other guard standing outside what was presumably Myeongjo’s room before making his way to meet Seol.

“You shouldn’t be seen around here”, he whispers.

“Technically they didn’t tell me where I can or cannot go. And I have a message for Myeongjo. What will it take for you to help me pass the message to her?”

“Nothing from you”, he replied. Seol paused momentarily. “My daughter had a weird disease but Myeongjo gave me a medicine that saved her and I cannot thank her enough. If there’s anything that the two of you need... just let me know.”

“Then I will be grateful if you pass her this message... tell her it’s from me... just say that ‘there are three’. She will understand. Thank you...”

Without asking anything, he bows his head slightly and heads back to his duty.

Seol turns to head back to her room, recalling the events in the morning where she first saw the mark on Gangjeong’s wrist. Jin had brought over some medication for Gangjeong and saw Seol staring at the black mark. When Seol looked at Jin, he seemed nervous but didn’t say anything, instead he quickly changed the focus to the burns on Gangjeong’s hands.

Suddenly, out of nowhere, a hand grabs her arms and slams her against a nearby tree, breaking her thoughts. Her eyes meet another pair, which sucked in whatever moonlight that fell upon them.

“Gang...”, Seol almost called out Gangjeong's name upon seeing his face.

“What are you doing here?”, his hushed but seething tone raised goosebumps on the back of her neck.

“Min Yoongi?”, Seol stammers.

He smirks, “So, you know who I am now? Good, then I think you owe me an apology.”

“What for?”

“For your attitude to me in the streets the other day.”

“What did I do wrong to have to apologise to you?”, Seol was frowning at his haughtiness and also from the slight pain she felt as he pushed her against the tree.

“There are rules in this place and you don’t seem to know them”, he lets go of his hold on her, “The first rule here is that people like you do not question people like us.”

“What are people like me? And what makes you different from us?”

“Power. Do you know what that is? Power is when I don’t have to answer to anyone, even if I want to take your life right here right now... or perhaps, your shaman mother’s life?”, he replied cocking his head to one side.

Seol’s eyes widen in shock, was he saying that Myeongjo is a shaman? Seol never knew about this.

She steels herself again before saying, “If your father chose to keep us alive then I will assume that there must be a reason why. So, I don’t think you can just do whatever you want with us.”

Yoongi’s eyes squints to mock her in the moonlight, scoffing apathetically, “He thinks a shaman will help him cure this curse but why would she do that when it was her friends who cursed this family in the first place? If you want me to leave her alone, I suggest you consider doing as I say...”

“What do you want from me?”, Seol mutters, she hated being threatened, but this was his house, and the darkness of the night coupled by the darkness in him, eroded her resolve.

“Let’s see... how about your obedience? If you follow my rules, I won’t touch your mother. As a start, kneel down.”

Appalled, she could only watch the icy expression on Yoongi’s face turn into smugness.

“What?”, she gasps softly.

“Kneel”, he repeated. “I’ll take it as your apology. Or you could just watch me drag your mother out here and make her beg for your life instead. Your choice”, he shrugged.

Seol grits her teeth, everything she has experienced since she entered Hanyang has irked her soul. Who was this man to act this way? What was so great about him? Why was he bestowed these so-called powers that he carelessly abused?

Tears build up in her eyes, another lesson etched into her mind. She slowly lowers her stature, kneeling down, knowing for the first time what it felt to be ‘powerless’.

“I have no idea about what you think power is. But do you know what I think it is?”, Seol asks quietly as she knelt on the grass, “I think it is a knife. It is nothing but as good or as bad as the person who wields it. And do you know what is the difference between man and beast? A man will make good use of the knife but a beast will choose to hurt others with it.”

There was something growing within Yoongi’s eyes, and it wasn’t just anger. He reaches out his hand to raise her face like how his father did.

“You are a smart girl. Then, you should know very well not to anger a beast”, his voice was dripping with menace. Everyone knew him as the beast, he knew fully well what Seol was insinuating about him. He was used to people running away from him, fearing him, despising him. In some way, he was used to being the beast.

But he is a result of a shaman’s curse, and he hated Seol because she was Myeongjo’s daughter. Perhaps this was the best way to get back at the shaman. He wanted her daughter to be the one to break the curse but in order to do so, he needed her loyalty.

“What’s going on here?”, Jin’s voice was like a ray of light that broke through the darkness. The moment Jin laid his eyes on the other man towering over Seol, he recognises him.

“What are you doing, Yoongi?”

“Nothing much. Just educating my new guest about the house rules. Why are you here at this hour?”, Yoongi replies rather genuinely as he shifts his attention to Jin, dropping his hands from Seol’s face. From the way he spoke, Seol deduces that Yoongi must be around the same age as Jin, since he doesn’t refer to him as "hyung”, the same way Gangjeong does.

“I thought I’d see you tonight”, Jin uttered towards Yoongi.

“Why? The kid whined about the headache again?”, Yoongi scorned.

By now Jin had made his way next to Seol. He extended his hand to help Seol up, but she was hesitant, feeling Yoongi’s presence.

“It’s fine. Get up”, Jin said to Seol lightly. Yoongi observed the interactions between the two of them this whole time. He grasps that Jin must have been acquainted to Seol during this time. Jin turns to look at Yoongi disapprovingly, but he has more important things to discuss with him.

“Let’s talk in private”, Jin suggests. Yoongi narrows his eyes lazily, holding his lips tightly together and nodded in agreement.

---

Jin paced around Yoongi’s room, lit by only a few candles, just the way Yoongi liked it.

“I heard your father found the shaman you’ve been looking for”, Jin started.

Yoongi nodded leisurely from where he sat.

“So, is there another cure?”

“It’s going to take time.”

“You know you don’t have time...”, Jin sounded worried.

“That’s why I’m trying this way too.”

“What do you mean?”

“That girl. The shaman’s daughter.”

Jin was suddenly much more concerned. “What are you trying to do, Yoongi-ah?”

“Fulfil my original destiny. Remember I told you, the shaman who cursed me said that the curse would be broken if I could gain the loyalty of someone who was betrayed by my father or anyone related to them by blood?”

“So?”

“Her mother... she was one of the shamans that served in the palace, the only one who got away that night. If her mother fails to find any other cure, she has to break the curse for me. Since we are holding her mother hostage, I can easily make her a loyal servant.”

“That’s not true loyalty...”, Jin frowns.

“How is that any different from the ‘loyalty’ your father commands as the King? Human wants and emotions are fickle. If you don’t control them, you never know when they will betray you. At the end of the day, loyalty is but as real as the reins that tie the horses.”

Jin was not prepared to start a squabble with Yoongi on this topic. He had to head back to the palace, albeit not without leaving Yoongi a warning. “Your father has done more than enough. You know better than anyone since you are suffering the consequences. Do what you want to but don’t hurt anyone.”

---

As Jin heads back to the palace, he thinks back to his childhood days – a much younger Yoongi and Jin used to spend time at a Seodang together. They were so full of stupid antics; sneaking in snacks during lessons, Yoongi’s favourite being those gangjeong sweets.

Yoongi used to fall asleep during lessons and Jin would kick him in the shin to try to wake him up, leading younger Yoongi to startle awake and whining loudly in his pouty mannerisms. Both would somehow end up being punished to kneel in the sun, reciting passages.

Jin smiles wistfully at the memories; if only his father never became the King, if only he never became the crown prince. What would have been different now?

---

“Dang Seol... Dang Seol!”, Yoongi yelled into the empty maid’s quarters in the morning light, looking for Seol.

Seol comes out from her room at the other end of the yard to see what was going on with all the shouting. When she sees Yoongi, she immediately turns to go back inside.

“Ya! I was calling for you, did you not hear me?”, Yoongi shouted across. “Did you forget your lesson from last night? Are you going to disobey me? Can you handle the consequences?”

Seol stops, grinding her teeth in anger.

---

Yoongi slouches against the chair he was sitting on. “I think I have made my proposal very clear yesterday night. You will do as I say from now, deal?”

“So, you are asking me to be your slave in exchange for keeping my mother alive? I seriously don’t get why you think I will agree to this. It's not as if you could just kill her when your father is clearly holding her for a reason.”

“Firstly, I am not asking, I am instructing. And secondly, I’m not telling you to be my slave, I am telling you to be a loyal servant to me until your mother finishes the task she is supposed to do here. If she fails, I don’t think my father will bother what I intend to do to her.”

“What’s the difference? And what exactly is this task my mother is working on?”

Yoongi shrugs, “No need for you to know that. Anyway, enough with this talking, follow me.”

---

Seol was seated before a middle-aged woman, clearly a seasoned servant in this household.

“The young master prefers to sleep in during the day, so he often skips breakfast. He likes to do his work at night, but he doesn’t like his room to be too bright...”, the motherly-sounding woman rattled on as she glances towards Yoongi from time to time nervously. Yoongi just sat leaning against the wall, napping.

Next up was a fine young swordsman, Seol vaguely remembers that he was one of the people who were following Yoongi when she first saw them in the streets of Hanyang.

He was busy reciting the security protocols in the Min household until one line catches Seol’s attention in particular, “This is primarily my job but you should also be aware, if the young master is ever in a dangerous situation, you have to do everything in your ability to protect him and that includes laying down your life.”

Seol looks at him in astonishment. Why would you do that for essentially a stranger.

“The prime example of loyalty, my head bodyguard, Jaeyoung”, Yoongi slurs out in a low energy manner, opening his eyes partially and raising his hands to give a thumbs up.

“Why do we have to die for you? Are our lives worthless? You are not even the King.”

Yoongi opens his eyes, sober now. “I’m not the King, but do you know who gave the King the throne he now sits on?”

“Young master... be careful with your words”, Jaeyoung tries to get Yoongi to stop.

Yoongi glares at him. “Is it not the truth?”, he turns back to Seol, “You shouldn’t think the King is the only one who has power. You want to stay alive? You want to thrive in this country? Then you have to fall in line behind true power. The second thing you should know about power is that it rewards whoever is loyal to it.”

---

From then on, Seol started running errands for Yoongi, starting from the small things, such as bringing him his tea, setting up his meals, even flipping the pages of his books, which she didn’t mind since she could take the opportunity to read them as well. And the ritual went on for about a week.

Just like she was told, Yoongi does stay up till late every single night, sometimes practicing the gayageum, sometimes reading. Seol would always become sleepy much earlier. Once she dozed off while preparing the ink that Yoongi requested for writing.

Yoongi watched as she nodded off, he was obviously annoyed but he somehow felt sorry that he was doing this to her just because she was the daughter of a shaman. He was never one to hold any soft feelings for long, so he picks up one of his brushes and hurls it towards where she sat.

Seol startles awake when the brush hits her right on her forehead. She picks it up and grimaces at Yoongi.

“Why are you giving me that look? You shouldn’t be falling asleep here when the master hasn’t even rested the whole day.”

In her state of half-awakeness, Seol busted out a rebuttal, surprising Yoongi so much he almost dropped the other brush he was holding. “Of course you are able to stay up so late! You only wake up around mid-day. I, on the other hand, stay at the maids’ quarters and they are all up so early in the morning making a ruckus and I can’t even sleep past daybreak.”

Yoongi’s eyes shifted between her and the paper before him, “If your room is too noisy in the morning you can sleep in the room next to mine instead”, he proposed with a straight face.

Seol looks up, horrified. He quickly backpedals the suggestion instead telling her to go back early and rest for the night.

---

Seol was walking back to her room when she took a detour to where Myeongjo was held. She peeks from behind the pillar; no luck again tonight, sighing when she sees the guards on duty outside Myeongjo’s room is not the one she knew. There are so many worries and questions weighing on her mind, and she really needs to talk to Myeongjo.

“Why are you hiding out here? I thought you were so tired you would fall asleep even walking back...”, his voice whispering into her ears almost made her jump out from her own skin.

“Not-nothing, do you need something?”, Seol stammers.

Yoongi eyes widened as he slowly nods his head, lips perking up like he was impressed by her, “I see the training is paying off. I don’t need anything, go back and rest, stop sneaking around.”

As Seol dutifully walks away back to her room, Yoongi headed towards Myeongjo’s room instead.

---

“Seol-sshi”, a familiar sounding voice called out her name, stopping her on her way towards the kitchen to check on the lunch being prepared for Yoongi.

“Your highness”, Seol bows to a beaming Jin.

“Where are you going?”

“To check on the lunch being made for that young master, he’s making me do all his chores now”, Seol points angrily towards the direction of Yoongi’s room.

Jin’s expression turns stoic, “He’s really...”, Jin mumbles with a frown but cuts himself off.

“Now that I see your highness, I just realised, I haven’t been seeing Gangjeong for some time around the house”, Seol wonders.

Jin flinches, laughing awkwardly while avoiding Seol’s eyes, not wanting to respond to that. “Yoongi’s lunch... do you need help with it? From what I remember you aren’t really a kitchen-person.”

Seol pouts at the friendly insult and Jin smiles again at her, ushering her towards the kitchen.

---

Seol finally brought Yoongi’s lunch into his room, after telling Jin to wait outside and that she’ll call him in once she checks that Yoongi is up.

But Yoongi was not up. Seol cautiously heads over and taps him. “Stop tapping me, I’m not feeling well, take the food away.”

Seol picked up his hand and felt his pulse, “Everything seems fine, why are you acting like a whiny baby?”

“Whin-whiny?!”, Yoongi was not in the condition to argue with her, he knows this feeling all too well.

“Don’t come over to my room again until I ask for you. And remember, your loyalty lies with me, don’t listen to anyone else, otherwise your mother...”

Seol throws down his arm and stood up abruptly, fuming. “Stop it. Stop threatening me with my mother’s life. Have I not done enough the past few days? I can’t believe Gangjeong has a brother like you, how are the two of you so different? You are really the worst.”

Yoongi sits up with much difficulty as he clenches his fist, “Don’t compare me to him, he’s weak”, he says angrily but winces in pain.

“Maybe he’s weak, but do you really think what you are doing is a proof of your strength?”, Seol jabbed.

Yoongi’s head was pulsating in pain and he held it in between his hands, darkness creeping before his eyes. He can't let her witness this.

“SHUT UP AND GET OUT!”, he yells.

Seol was frightened from his sudden outburst and she shakily makes her way towards door. But just as she opens the door, Yoongi doubles over and lands on the floor, groaning from the pain before he passes out.

Seol sees him and instinctively ran over, “Yoongi-sshi, Yoongi-ssi!”, she was sure she didn’t feel anything strange from his pulse earlier. What is going on? Maybe she should check again.

She picks up his left hand, pushing his sleeves up and she froze. There, on his wrist, was the same azalea mark she had seen on Gangjeong’s arm – the same three black petals.

“Yoongi-ah!”, Jin had entered the room, running over and holding onto Yoongi’s motionless body. He is edgy when he sees Seol staring at the azalea mark on Yoongi’s wrist.

“Seol, leave, go outside”, Jin commanded in a gentle way. But Seol was still in a daze, that was when Yoongi started to stir awake.

“Hyung?”

Jin nervously looks at him before turning to Seol, trying his best to think of what to do next.

“Hyung, how long has it been?”, he directed his question at Jin.

Seol looked closely at the man who had just awoken. It can’t be, she thought. But she grabs his left hand and examines it.

“Seol-sshi. Why are you here? You shouldn’t be here”, the man said worriedly. There it was, although they were only vaguely visible, she was sure they were burn marks that had almost completely healed, a few dark red spots on his palm, likely from oil splatters.

“Gang... Gangjeong?”, Seol stutters.

He was worried that she would find out, because that would place her in danger. But he was happy to see her again, and he was happy to hear her call his name.

“It mustn't have been too long then... seeing that you still remember my name.”

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shriting · 5 years

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Tomb For Butterflies

Twenty years ago, Galra "contracted” a group of humans and transported them to Naxzela to work in the mines. Soon people realized the so-called "job” was nothing but indentured servitude: only the Galra can sever a contract and set their human worker free.

Nowadays most humans on Naxzela work - and die - in the mines.

Takashi Shirogane managed to win the gladiator tornament two years ago; he was granted freedom and sent off planet. It was presumed he was gone for good, until one day Keith found him unconscious on his doorstep...

Shiro wasn’t supposed to be here. That was all Keith could think of when he found Shiro passed out in the slums. This was where people ended up if they failed in life. Keith belonged here, but Shiro didn’t.

(not) written for @sheith-prompt-bang; prompt D26 - Slums AU.

Shiro sighs. "We have to be patient."

"I'm tired of being patient!" Keith clenches his fists. "We have to do something."

"Kidnapping the Altean princess to ransom her for a spaceship is a bad idea, and you know it. Lotor would never let us leave the orbit alive."

"I know, but I can't just sit on my hands and wait for you to come up with a plan to save everyone! They don't even want to be saved, they're happy wasting their lives away as Galran slaves."

Shiro studies him for a moment.

"And you're okay with that?"

"No, but... I just...” Keith loses his fighting vigor quickly. Still, he’s stubborn. “I want us to leave this place. You have nothing to hold you here on Naxzela, and neither do I. We could run away and never come back."

"It's risky," Shiro shakes his head.

"It's better than running Galra errands and cleaning their filth for the rest of our lives!"

"Which is why we have to take everyone with us when we run."

"There are hundreds of people! There's not a single ship in the universe big enough to get everyone on board!"

"Then we need several ships, or we need to remove the Galra and take Naxzela for ourselves."

"How?” Keith demands an answer. For the moment, Shiro has none. Keith sighs. “Shiro, this is madness. What you want is impossible."

Shiro crosses his arms.

"Then we have to make it possible. I won't give up on you, and I won't give up on the rest of our people."

"They gave up on themselves!" Keith retorts hotly, his eyes glistening, angry, betrayed. Shiro remains calm. He can be stubborn, too.

"Which is why we have to keep trying to restore their faith. I have a plan, but I'll need your help, Keith, and I'll need you to get your job as a delivery driver back."

Keith pauses, and his eyes grow darker.

"This is because of Adam, isn't it?"

"In part, yes," Shiro admits easily. He has nothing to hide. “Because of everyone else, too.”

"So, what if Adam asked you to leave with him? Would you have done it?"

Shiro looks him in the eyes.

"Two years ago, I asked Adam the same thing you were asking me,” he said. Taken aback, Keith stares at him wide-eyed. “To run away together and be free. You know what he told me? No human can truly be free while their brothers and sisters are suffering in captivity. He'd sooner give up his life protecting his community - our community, our family - than abandon our people."

Keith frowns.

"But you left anyway. You were gone for over a year."

"Yes. And I returned with supplies and a plan to save everyone, because Adam is right. I can't abandon them, and I can't abandon him. He's the only family I have ever known."

"You're the only family I have left," Keith says quietly.

Shiro knows, and he nods.

"I know."

Keith bites his lip. "Do you still love him? Adam."

"I care about him.” Shiro shrugs. It’s not as difficult to admit as it has been before because now that’s all there is. A tender shadow of an old flame; it doesn’t hurt anymore. The door is closed, and Shiro is ready to move on. He simply wishes to give Adam a chance to find his own happiness too - as a free man, not as a Galra slave. “I care what happens to him. I don't want him to end up chewed up and spit out by the Galra. He deserves better."

"Better than you?"

Keith’s question hits him hard. Keith’s eyes are sharp, there’s something dangerous lurking behind his stern gaze, something that makes Shiro shiver.

He looks away.

"Maybe,” he says. His voice is a whisper. He forces himself to speak up. “Adam is braver than me, in a way. To lead the life he does, serving as a mediator between our people and the Galra - it takes courage. I'm too selfish for that: I want to be free. I can't be what our people need... what he needs."

Keith scoffs.

"I think you are exactly what our people need.” He catches Shiro’s glance and insists, “we won't win our freedom from the Galra by playing nice. We need to fight back. We need you."

Keith doesn't say 'I need you', but it lingers in the air nevertheless.

Shiro needs to change the topic quickly.

"Let’s discuss the plan of the attack."

The plan is simple. Lotor organizes a gladiator tournament this weekend; which means there will be weapons. Lotor should invite Shiro as an honorary guest to remind everyone it's possible to win one's freedom by fighting in the arena, so Shiro has enough leverage to be among the spectactors. He has recruited enough Galra supporters to stage a riot. As a delivery driver, Keith has to make a few trips to smuggle the weapons inside and stash them under the seats. When the time comes, the Blades of Marmora will create a distraction to allow Shiro to take Lotor hostage. From then on, Shiro negotiates the termination of all contracts.

Of course, Keith realizes what it all means.

"What happens after our people are safe?” he asks when Shiro is finished with the explanations. “What happens... to you?"

"That's not important."

"It is to me!” Keith leans in. “I won't let you sacrifice yourself."

Shiro smiles.

"You have just said it yourself. You need me to fight for you. That's all I'm good at, fighting. I can't be the wise leader Adam is, but if I can give you - all of you - a chance, I won't hesitate to do my part."

"You're ten times the leader Adam is! He can't see farther than his own nose!” Keith looks furious. Shiro wants to reach out and smooth his unruly hair and pet him like a kitten; he doesn’t. “Do you really think Prince Lotor will let us live peacefully after being held up for ransom?"

That question wipes every trace of a smile from Shiro’s face.

"No.” He can feel his stomach churning. “Prince Lotor won't let anyone do anything, because when the time comes, he won't be in the picture.”

"Wait...” Keith pales. “You mean, you're going to..."

"Kill him? As soon as I can." Shiro won’t lie to Keith, not even to spare him the gruesome details of the plan. If they are to succeed, they have to be ready for anything. “It's the only way to make sure he won't launch a pursuit after you. Cut off the snake's head."

Shocked, Keith stares at him with his mouth agape.

Shiro raises an eyebrow. "What, did you think I was going to let him go? After everything he's done?"

"No... but a cold-blooded murder..."

"This is not a game, Keith. What do you think happens in the arena? How do you think I won my freedom?” For a moment, Shiro has to squeeze his eyes shut to chase away the memories of dismembered bodies and raspy dying breaths. He shudders. Then he opens his eyes and looks at Keith. “Lotor makes people fight each other to the death, serving nothing but his own personal amusement. He makes us live in these shambling shacks, he makes us eat garbage and die from Green Lung - an easily treatable disease long since cured by Alteans. Do you really want to defend him after everything the Galra has done? I say Lotor deserves a taste of his own medicine."

Keith sighs.

"No, you're right. He deserves it. I just..." he looks up to meet Shiro’s eyes, and now he has a determined look on his face. “I can't let you do it alone, Shiro. I can't lose you too."

Overwhelmed with a bittersweet hope, Shiro smiles.

"You'll be alright. After all this is over, you'll move to a nice peaceful planet, Adam will find you a nice civilian job--"

"No! To hell with Adam!” Keith grabs him suddenly, his eyes full of fire. Shiro gasps as Keith’s hands squeeze his shoulders. “I'd rather live a thousand lives as a Galra slave than live one life without you. Shiro, I... you're my brother, and I love you. I... I love you. I can't let you do this."

Shiro blinks. "...what did you just say?"

Keith's face is bright red. He let something slip, something he didn't mean to say just yet, not like this. He looks away.

"I... can't let you sacrifice yourself," he repeats the wrong part in a whisper.

Shiro shakes his head.

"I’m sorry, but we might not have a choice. I've already spoken with the Blades, the plan is set in motion."

"Then I'm going with you." Keith faces him again. There is no way to change his mind now. “We'll capture Prince Lotor together, and whatever happens next - I'll be there for you."

"Keith..." Shiro sighs.

"It's non-negotiable. I won't let you march to your death all alone.” Suddenly, a cocky grin blooms on his face. “Besides, how do you plan on dealing with the Altean princess? You're going to need backup."

Shiro is grateful. He is so, so grateful - and frustrated beyond himself. That brave, stupid, beautiful boy, doesn’t he get it? Doesn’t he understand?

"Keith, my plan - I'm doing this for you! So you could have a normal life. Don’t you understand? I can't lead you on a suicide mission."

Keith is unfazed.

"So let's make sure we both come out of this alive, because I'm coming with you whether you like it or not.” He bites his lip. “Shiro... If something happens to you, if you... I will never be free with that weight on my conscience. I don't want to have 'a life' without you, understand? I want us to be free - together."

"Keith..." Shiro swallows. "I..."

Keith looks at him, eager. His lips are parted slightly, inviting. Shiro wonders what kissing him right now would lead to - would it really be that bad? Keith would kiss him back and stay the night, this night they could spend it together, and knowing the inevitable danger is closing in, knowing they might not get another chance, Shiro really really wants to--

"I think you should go home tonight. If the Galra notice your absence, they might refuse to give you the delivery duty back."

Keith blinks, nods almost absent-mindedly.

"Yes. You're right." He nods again, this time with more awareness. "Yes, I should go."

He turns to leave.

Despite all his rational reasoning, Shiro reaches after him before he can stop himself.

#sheith prompt bang 2018 #sheithpromptbang #sheith prompt bang #sheith #voltron legendary defender

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xathia-89 · 5 years

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A Clash in a Faraway Town

Mitsuhide was enjoying himself far too much for my liking. We were on the way to a small town near Echigo where there had been reports of Kennyo and his men staying, but we were posing as a married couple to avoid the suspicion of sending Akechi anywhere by himself. He did stick out like a sore thumb with the air of a kitsune around him, but then again, he never returned from any of his trips empty-handed either. So how he did it, I would never know or understand. I was sat in his arms on top of the horse with our things bundled onto the saddle.

I was wearing a heavy and almost permanent blush on my face. Mitsuhide was using me as his entertainment on the long trip, whispering into my ear about the sort of things married couples do, and teasing me with the lightest of touches. It was all a reminder that I hadn’t been intimate with anyone since long before my arrival in the Sengoku era, and I was finding it impossible to ignore the alluring tone that the kitsune was able to play like a sweet melody to me. I was fidgeting in the saddle, squeezing my thighs together, and nothing got past the sharp gaze of Akechi.

“A little frustrated?” He murmured, his teeth grazing my lobe and his hot breath on my skin sending shivers down my spine.

“We can’t be much further away,” I snapped, eager to get some space between me and the man.

“Luckily for you, we aren’t, kitten,” the last word was practically a tantalising gasp of anticipation. I was starting to think that walking there would be a much better idea. “And I won’t let you get off the horse until we’ve arrived.”

“Get out of my head,” I grumbled, turning my head out of his range.

I leapt off the horse the second his arms weren’t around me anymore. I gave a tight smile to the man in the stables who was handed a small pouch of coins, presumably to deny all knowledge of us and look after the horse. Then my hopes were all dashed as we were shown to a room with a double futon it in.

“We are married,” Mitsuhide chuckled at my fallen face as we unpacked our things. “Don’t worry, Hideyoshi made me promise on Lord Nobunaga that I wouldn’t do anything improper, so you’re safe from my night time advances,” he smirked.

“Do I at least have something to spend at the teahouse and in the market?” I sighed. “I didn’t get a chance to pack anything beyond my clothes and necessities with the five-minute warning I had.”

Mitsuhide was stunned as I turned to look at him with raised eyebrows. “Yes, I was given your babysitting money,” he added, handing me a pouch of coins.

“I’m going to change behind the screen, peek, and I tell Hideyoshi about everything,” I threatened, picking up my night clothes.

Mitsuhide was a surprisingly good actor I found as we perused the market. I was looking at the things on sale, whilst Mitsuhide was listening for information to buy. His hand was respectable, around my waist telling other men that I wasn’t available. I picked up some of the local produce, and I was made to jump when Mitsuhide handed the money for it straight over to the stall holder, and then sensually fed me just to make me blush it seemed.

“I will tell Hideyoshi if you don’t stop it,” I scolded him, careful to keep my voice down as we walked to the teahouse. I knew that he needed to disappear and have a scout about, and I was more than ready for a chance to cool down.

Once my tea and sweet rolls had arrived, Akechi slipped off, making a comment about preparing for tonight. It sounded romantic and mysterious to those around us, and the only reason for a man to leave his young wife alone.

I nearly dropped my cup when Sasuke appeared with a sheepish introduction.

“What are you doing here?” I asked in shock.

“Probably the same reason you and Mitsuhide are here,” he admitted. “Though it’s more that you are his cover,” he added with a shrug.

“Sounds like those rumours are coming from the same source then,” I replied, pouring myself out a top-up of the brewed tea.

“Lord Kenshin has been asking about you,” the ninja gave a glimmer of a smirk, as I paused and blushed whilst remembering our last meeting. “I don’t think he wants to admit you’re an Oda princess yet.”

“Well, I wasn’t keen on coming to terms with him being an enemy warlord,” I stammered. “But that didn’t seem to stop either of us when we found out,” I added on with a slight smile.

“I’m still working on stopping his plan of riding over in the middle of a battle and kidnapping you from the Oda camp,” Sasuke chuckled, pushing his glasses up his nose.

“It’s romantic in a Kenshin manner,” I conceded after pausing for thought. “Anyway, I should go, I have time to use the hot springs and I wanted to abuse it,” I smiled, waving at the ninja as I left.

It was dark, and I was dozing by the time Mitsuhide came back. He had been involved in a scuffle and staggered through the door. I rubbed at my eyes, before leaning over to get my first aid kit.

“I didn’t think you’d be that prepared,” the kitsune sulked whilst I cleaned his wounds. “Given that I ran into a group of Kennyo’s men, I would say that the rumour has some base to it at least. What did you get up to today anyway? I heard that you were talking to someone in the teahouse before leaving for the hot springs.”

I was glad it was dark, just so that I had that extra bit of cover for my expressions. I had to remember that Mitsuhide had ears everywhere. “It was no one important, a passing conversation that didn’t involve me being teased,” I frowned, making sure to add a touch of frost to my tone. “Which was a refreshing pace.”

“Touchy, touchy, princess,” Akechi breathed and then laughed as I packed the medicines away in a huff.

I made sure to leave without the kitsune the following day. It was my routine to wake up at dawn, and I knew that nowhere would be open yet, but it would be my chance to see the town before it started. I loved to admire sleeping places and watch as everyone started their day. The guesthouse owner was already a little suspicious of how we were acting, a married couple that came and went separately, especially when it appeared that the wife was trying to escape the husband.

I was standing on the edge of the market and saw the fruit merchant from the previous day. I paused and smiled as I wandered over to his stall. He was stronger and swifter than he appeared, a rag had covered my mouth and nose before I could comprehend what was going on.

Sasuke was perched on the edge of a rooftop at the fringes of the market. He was blind to those who weren’t looking for him, but he hadn’t seen Natsuki all day. The ninja had seen Mitsuhide wandering around, which meant that the princess was also meant to be here. It was starting to concern him as he then spotted his own Lord wandering the streets. When he had returned to his hut the previous night, it was to the ninja’s surprise that Kenshin had already invited himself in, and was waiting patiently for a report. Sasuke had tried to avoid letting the God of War know that Natsuki was present, but he seemed to sniff out that a detail was being withheld from him, and the ninja was forced to confess that the woman who Uesugi was desperate to kidnap constantly was within reach. Kenshin then made the bold declaration that he was staying, because the rumour clearly had enough of a base that Oda would send someone to check it out, and it had nothing to do with the presence of the Princess.

Kenshin and Mitsuhide never met, and Sasuke could breathe as they both left in a different direction. He made a note that the fruit merchant hadn’t turned up that day, something that he had gleaned from conversations that were out of the ordinary. Then he caught a glimpse of another scout behind all the stalls, he went into the forest as the ninja followed without another thought.

A hut in the middle of a forest, it seemed quite cliché really to the ninja, and he would recognise the hairstyles of disgraced monks from a mile away. He had the location now and the enemy as he practically flew back to the town. He needed to find his Lord, and also the enemy.

Kennyo was sat opposite me. My feet were bound and attached to the centre pole, there wasn’t a lot of movement range available but at least my hands weren’t bound so I stood a chance of trying to get comfortable on the straw that was laying around me. He was trying to break me down into tears, stop me being so stubborn as I cocked an eyebrow at the man.

“It’s been nearly three days, what’s the point in clinging to hope? You clearly aren’t missed,” he sneered.

“You’re using me as bait, so you’re just getting edgy about the fact that no one has tried yet,” I corrected him, holding my head high.

“And your escape attempt?” He snapped.

“Give a girl some credit,” I scoffed. I had been fed and watered on a regular basis since my arrival. It was never anything fancy, but it was better than the way that many would treat their hostages. “I’m not a warlord, you can’t attack me like one,” I reminded him. “I haven’t locked my emotions away.”

“Why are you so insistent on knowing what I feel?” Kennyo was pacing like a caged animal, and snarling at me. Staying calm was the key as I kept watching him.

“Because to want to kill someone is a strong desire, so I’m trying to understand your point of view in all of this,” I replied. I couldn’t back down, I couldn’t appear submissive at any point in this, or all of my efforts would be futile. “If I understand you, then maybe I can help you and stop all this bloodshed.”

A noise escaped the former Abbott’s throat, and he stormed out of the room. It was going to be a fight to get him to see me as anything but a threat, but he was also trying to threaten me as he would one of the warlords, who had all shut away their emotions in case of scenarios like this. I imagined that Mitsuhide had thought I may have just run away, the only way to escape his teasing as I pondered on the thought of Sasuke having noticed, and tried to stake the place out.

I knew that I had a small army of sorts outside, but then an image of Kenshin turning his God of War mode on made me smile. He had sent me a letter promising that I would be kidnapped from the Oda forces soon enough to live as the Lady to his Lord in his castle, and I never doubted for a second that Sasuke had talked his Lord out of a few ideas. Then for some reason, Mitsuhide’s teasings all came to mind. Kenshin had never made a mention of anything physical, but I knew that he was a man as much as anyone else, and it was going to be needed under that exterior he kept. I smiled as one of the aides brought me in a small bowl of stew and some water. They kept their guards up around me and never uttered a word, but I just needed to stay friendly.

“Why do you care so much?” Kennyo was back again, it was late in the evening as he walked into the room with a candle to guide his way.

“I hate war, it’s necessary, and I understand that. But I work as a healer, and I see all the injuries and all the hurt that comes from it,” I softly spoke. My head was resting against a ruined haori that was fashioned into a straw-stuffed pillow, and I kept my eyes closed, I had been about to fall asleep when he came in. “I can see the hurt in you. Something killed a part of you, and I want to understand that, so I can stop it happening to anyone else before you all annihilate each other through war.”

“Stop talking to me like I deserve salvation,” he snapped loudly, making me bolt upright and flatten my body against the nearest wall.

“You are the only person who thinks you’ve damned yourself,” I corrected him. “You can still be saved, you’re leading everyone around you onto your path, and it’s constant destruction! You can stop it all if you admit you are hurting, and I can help!” I shouted.

“I’m not sullying you with my damnation,” the former Abbott declared, slicing through the bonds on my feet and then shoving me out of the hut door. “Go back to safety, and don’t get yourself dragged back onto the battlefield, you’re too pure for all of this!”

“You’re hurting and grieving,” I was shouting at the top of my voice, disturbing all of the soldiers around me. “You can stop all of this and get your life back!”

I was suddenly in a familiar set of arms. “Natsuki!” Kenshin was swaddling me with his body. “You’re okay,” he gasped, tilting my head back and kissing me passionately in the moonlight. All of Kennyo’s men were frozen in time, unsure of what to do. Their enemy was stood in front of them, but he didn’t seem to have even noticed their existence. Especially when I was swiftly picked up in his arms and walked to the forest where his horse was waiting.

“Don’t tell me it’s just you and Sasuke,” I groaned as he mounted the horse behind me.

His smile made my stomach flip and my heart melt. “Don’t be silly, it’s just me,” he corrected, turning his mare around and heading towards Echigo. “I told you I was going to kidnap you soon,” he breathed down my ear.

“I wasn’t expecting this soon,” I admitted, holding onto him and the saddle as the horse pounded through the terrain. “I think Nobunaga may need to know so we can collect my things,” I smiled up at him.

“Maybe,” the God of War shrugged his shoulders.

“Also, I know you had Sasuke with you,” I tapped him on the nose, “I assume you put him on clean up duty,” I sighed.

“Stop being so good at reading me,” Kenshin’s lips brushed my ear, and sent a shiver up my spine. “No one will escape unpunished for hurting you.”

“I wasn’t hurt,” I replied, leaning closer into the man to reassure him. “He’s hurting, just like you were before I started to help you. He didn’t hurt me.”

“I still want his head for daring to touch you,” Uesugi muttered with jealousy.

“You can touch me all you like once we get to some privacy,” I teased him, rubbing my nose along his neck. My laughter escaping through the air as I felt the pace of the horse increase from under us.

Mitsuhide had been too late it seemed to play the knight in shining armour to rescue the princess. He had seen the way she looked at Kenshin, and the way they interacted made him green with envy. She had been right in his arms, and it had never felt more right for the kitsune. The way she reacted to his every word, the way she tensed up and squirmed about. Her voice wavered on occasions, and it was honey to him. He slipped back away into the shadows, his Lord would not be happy about the loss of his Chatelaine, but seeing the Princess’ smile in her lover’s arms was all that he could hope for.

#ikesen #ikemen sengoku #Ikémen Sengoku #kenshin uesugi

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loki-hargreeves · 6 years

Text

Curiosity Killed The Cat - Bucky Imagine [PART 3]

[PART 2] [PART 4]

Warnings: gore, drugs/medicines

Your P.O.V.

Oh God my head was killing me!

I wasn’t sure if my eyes were open or not. Everything was pitch black around me. I tried to move my head when I noticed I had a bag around it. Instant panic kicked in and I attempted to get up, only to learn I was tied to a chair. Oh God.

What happened?

Where on earth was I?

‘‘You’re up early’‘ A manly voice filled the silence I woke up in. Although I couldn’t see, I could tell the voice came from behind me. My heart jumped to my throat from fear and I stopped tugging the chains that kept me down. This couldn’t be real. This had to be a fucking nightmare! Whatever this was, it was more than just terrifying.

‘‘Did we gag her? Why is she so quiet?’‘ The same man spoke again, apparently to someone else in this room. I wasn’t even sure if I wanted to see my surroundings. Footsteps approached me and soon, someone took the black bag off my head, throwing it on the floor. My eyes met some bright lights so I shut them immediately. Another reason was that I was terrified to see what was around me. ‘‘Ah - she’s just scared’‘ This man laughed at me when he noticed that nothing kept me from speaking.

‘‘Where am I?’‘ I dared to propose a question. Finally, I opened my eyes to reality. I was in a very dull room. Everything was grey and metallic. I didn’t focus on details because I was too scared to do so. Then I saw the people in here. By the huge, security door I saw two armed guards. Behind a computer stood a bald man dressed as a scientist and the man in front of me was dressed in a blue suit. He had blonde hair and a very familiar face.

He was just smiling at me.

‘‘Do you really think we’d tell you that?’‘ The man laughed at me, making me feel bad. I had no idea what they wanted from me or why I was here in the first place. I wasn’t a bad person. I wasn’t rich, so they couldn’t use me as a hostage to get money. I didn’t know anyone super important. I.. oh god. That’s when it hit me. This had to be about Bucky!

The same second I realized that, I remembered what happened outside by my home. The phone call, the dreadful elevator ride down, James Barnes himself out there and Timmy’s dad, Owen.

‘‘Is Owen alive?’‘ I ignored what he just said because I was worried. If he was dead, I could never forgive myself. TImmy would be devastated! He’d be all alone. Tears began to gather in the corners of my eyes as I waited for an answer from this man. He sighed at me before he pulled a chair from the desk further away. I watched as he put it in front of me and he sat down.

This man looked so much like some guy who was always on the papers. Too bad I was unable to think clearly so I couldn’t put a name on the face.

‘‘Is that all you can do? Ask stuff?’‘ He spat rudely. I didn’t expect him to be polite. He was a part of this madness, whatever it was, I just knew it was bad. They had a man that should be dead and they had kidnapped me because I knew. ‘‘Journalists are so foolish. You are not a cop, Y/N. You shouldn’t have investigated these things’‘ I was scolded like a child. At least now I knew for sure why I was were. It was because of James Buchanan Barnes. Because I fucking bumped into him at his friend’s exhibit.

‘‘You know what they say, curiosity killed the cat’‘ The man told me like some sick maniac. Was he threatening me? Would he kill me? Although I was utterly terrified, I knew they hadn’t gone this far to let me go. So begging for my freedom would be useless. ‘‘But satisfaction brought it back’‘ I tried my best to sound less scared, just to displease them.

His ugly smile was wiped off his face once I said that. ‘’Don’t get sassy with me, I’m not in the mood for that’’ He warned me very sternly. Yes, it freaked me out but I wanted to hide that. The Avengers knew I looked into this. Maybe they would find me? But then again, who was I kidding? I was a nobody, people like them couldn’t waste time on me.

The man nodded to the guards who then opened the heavy door. ‘’Come here!’’ He yelled at someone and only a second later, the person entered the room. Once I recognized who it was, I shrunk in my chair. It was James! ‘’Shit’’ I whispered what I thought. James wore the same black outfit that made his strong, metal arm visible. This time he didn’t have the mask on his face nor the black eyeshadow but he seemed just as intimidating. He held a gun and he had that deadly, blank look in his eyes.

He didn’t even look human. The man who once used to be Bucky was just a killing machine. He probably killed my neighbour and I was damn sure it wasn’t his first victim.

Seeing him pushed my tears to my cheeks. I feared this was it. I would soon and no one would ever find me. Just the thought of being wiped out of existence like this made me tremble. No words could possibly explain my fear. I just sat there and watched as James walked further in and he stared at me so intensely it almost hurt.

‘‘W-what do you want?’‘ I stuttered weakly, hoping there was a way out of this mess. The blonde man sighed again which was disgusting. He seemed like that rich snob who couldn’t care less about a human life, as long as he was successful. Wait a minute - was that Alexander Pierce? The resemblance was striking. It had to be him. But I had learned to keep my thoughts to myself now. At least about identities.

‘‘You know too much, sweety. We cleaned your apartment, your desk, all your devices. The last place with all that information is your tiny little mind’‘ Alexander told me mockingly, probably trying to make me feel bad about myself. I clenched my jaw and held my breath to hold back some hateful words. ‘‘We killed your boss too. Damn, you shouldn’t have showed him that article’‘ He added more horrible information. Yes, my boss could be an asshole but he was a man and he had a family.

‘‘No!’‘ I cried and attempted to tug myself out of the chains. I could feel my heart breaking in my chest as the news sunk in. Someone died because of my mistakes! Someone’s husband, a father, a friend was dead because of me! Knowing that put a weight upon my shoulders that crushed me. ‘‘No..’‘ I whimpered sadly as hot tears kept streaming down my face. They were unstoppable now.

This was a living nightmare..

‘‘Oh yes, sweetcheeks. Don’t deny the truth’‘ Alexander purred and cupped my cheek. It wasn’t gentle either, he really held onto the side of my face. I wasn’t sure what was happening to me but my entire body screamed that I had to hurt him. So once his hand made contact with my cheek, I tilted my face and bit him hard. Honestly, feeling how my teeth sunk into his flesh was disgusting but he was an asshole who deserved it. It was all I could do anyway. It made him shriek out in pain and he pulled his hand back forcefully. ‘‘You psycho bitch!’‘ He spat and slapped me.

The blow to my face stung like hell. My entire cheek felt like it was burning thanks to the pain. No tears could cool that down. It took me by surprise and it also took all my words away from me. ‘’Do that again and I’ll make sure the soldier here plucks out all your teeth one by one’’ Were the last things Alexander said before leaving. I heard the guards shutting the door which meant I was left alone with James and the scientist guy.

What would they do to me?

‘‘Can I please go home?’‘ I breathed out and faced the scientist. He was just on his computer like this wasn’t anything new to him. Finally, he faced me and I saw his small, ocean blue eyes. ‘‘After I’m done with you, this will be your home’‘ He answered me eerily. His respond sent shivers down my spine and I stared at him like he was a monster. What would he do to me? Would this mad scientist fuck me up? Would I be an experiment?

I glanced at James who still just stared at me. His empty expression crept me out so I looked away, facing the floor. I didn’t want to end up like him. These people just minded their own business as I sat here against my will, crying as I feared for my life. Now all I could think about was my boss and all the other people who were possible victims of these maniacs. The guilt would never let me be. I felt horrible..

‘‘Be quiet, I can’t focus’‘ The scientist nagged. I wanted to yell at him but I remembered the threat. I could be killed. So I bit my lips together, tasting blood while doing so but I did my best to drown my sobs. For a while, it was quiet. Silent tears kept rolling down my face, making me feel pathetic. Then they stopped. My pain didn’t leave but I was convinced I ran out of tears for a while.

It felt like forever but I decided to look at James. He stood stood there on the same spot with the gun in his hand. Although I was terrified of the man standing in front of me, I couldn’t say he was ugly. Yes, right now he looked like he could kill but I couldn’t forget my first thoughts of him. It bugged my mind how he seemed so sweet in the exhibit and now there was barely a resemblance of joy in his eyes. They were just..blank.

What had they done to him here?

‘‘D-did Owen die?’‘ I asked him, hoping he wouldn’t be as angry as Alexander. ‘‘I never shoot to miss’‘ He responded coldly which felt like a punch in the gut. Was that a yes? I didn’t wish it to be but I wasn’t stupid. This was so unfair! Poor Timmy. That kid didn’t deserve this and neither did Owen.

‘‘Time for your medicines’‘ The scientist interrupted my mourning. I didn’t even raise my gaze to look at him. I couldn’t find any energy for that. Now I was the one with a blank gaze as I stared at the grey floor. What on earth had I done? People were dead because of me..

It was my fault.

The scientist grabbed my arm and I decided to see what he was doing. He was holding a needle in his other hand and it made my heart skip a beat. ‘’No, please don’t’’ I pleaded as the sharp thing neared me. His grip on me tightened and soon, he injected some mysterious and questionaly substance into my body. The pain of the needle was nothing compared to the feeling of the chemicals going into my veins. I squeezed my eyes shut and held my breath to shut up. It didn’t surprise me when I failed tho.

Whatever he put into me felt like acid burning through my veins. It spread wildly, taking over my arm, my chest, my abdomen and legs and soon my entire body was trembling from pain. Desperate whimpers and cries filled the room and I began to yank my limbs. I had no control over my body anymore. ‘’Help!’’ I screamed although I knew there was no help to get. Then I gasped for air. What the fuck did he do to me?!

I locked eyes with Bucky again and I could almost swear I saw the slightest hint of remorse in his eyes. Before I got my hopes high, my vision blurred. Every sense in my body weakened. I fell limp against the chair, my ears locked all sounds out and I couldn’t see anything. My body got covered in a thin layer of sweat although I wasn’t doing anything. It was clear that whatever that asshole of a scientist injected in me was not good..

‘‘What the hell?!’‘ Someone yelled which was the first thing I heard once I woke up. This time, I noticed I was on a surgical table of some kind. My body was pretty much numb but it didn’t seem like I couldn’t walk. There was a horribly loud mess near the room I was in. It sounded like some wild animal had stormed in and a dozen people tried to put it down.

I didn’t have a memory of my last few hours and my head was foggy, like I was on drugs or something. So I got on my bare feet on the cold ground and decided it was a good idea to go to the source of the loud people. Slowly but surely, I got out of the room I was in and into the dark, grey hallway. I turned to my right and took support from the wall as I walked. Damn I felt strange.

I blinked slowly, walked slowly, thought slowly. My vision was blurry and I had slight double-vision. I felt sick. Was this a hospital? No. I was here before but why? I couldn’t remember.

Once I saw armed people from a distance, I stopped walking. They were all pointing at someone with guns who was strapped down to a huge chair device. I narrowed my eyes and tried to see the person clearer. The metal arm gave it off, it was James Barnes. The soldier. Was he the reason I was here? It had to be. I had some sort of a memory of him by my home but it was very unclear.

Some old blonde guy stood in front of him but I couldn’t hear what he was saying. Everything was a mess in my head right now so even if I would’ve heard, there was no way I could’ve processed anything. The man was familiar too. It’s like I knew everyone here so I didn’t hesitate to walk even closer to them. ‘’Hey’’ I tried to speak but it came out as a whisper. My voice was nowhere to be seen. Maybe I was sick after all?

All of a sudden, James shrieked out in pain. It wasn’t a small, scared shriek. It was loud, raw and full of pain. It was so awful it made me stop again. Although my state wasn’t the best, I felt sick as I listened to the cries of pain. Hearing it made me sick. I wanted to cover my ears and eyes but I couldn’t. My body was so weak and dumbfounded by everything. I didn’t think that could help someone. This wasn’t a good place..

I just stood there as it seemed like he was going through literal hell. I was close enough to see he had something in his mouth and a device that was connected to the sides of his head. It didn’t look good. I wanted to go in there and help him but I was scared. My mind was running in circles because I struggled to remember who these people were or why I was here. So I stood there and tried to think and so I lost time.

The blonde guy walked away from James and he spotted me. It was Alexander Pierce! ‘’Where am I?’’ I mumbled very quietly but he seemed to hear me. Pierce looked at me for a while until he decided to come closer. ‘’How do you feel?’’ He asked me mysteriously, almost curiously. I just watched as he nodded to some armed guards who approached us immediately. Would they strap me down to a chair like that too? I looked over at James who had passed out and some doctor removed the thing from his mouth.

That doctor or scientist seemed familiar as well. Then I remembered something. He injected something in my body and it hurt like hell. It was probably actual acid or something close enough because it had knocked me out like a bullet. ‘’What have you done to me?’’ I asked Pierce slowly, finding it strange how I spoke. Everything about me seemed off.

‘‘It’s not finished yet, Y/N. You should return to your room, let the professionals do their jobs. You’ll be as good as new, trust me’‘ Alexander told me darkly as a guard grabbed my arm harshly. It stung because it was the same arm that took the needle. Helplessly, I was forced to walk with him back to the room where I came from. I didn’t want to go there. I just wanted to grab James and escape, for some reason I didn’t know. But one thing was for sure, if they treated him that bad, there was no way in hell he wanted to be here.

Just like that, I was tossed back into the room. My legs didn’t carry me and I landed on the floor, face first. All air was knocked out of my lungs from the impact which scared me. Luckily, only a few seconds later I gasped for air and began to breathe again. Before I got up by myself, a guard grabbed my shirt harshly and literally picked me up. Then he placed me on the table I woke up on. ‘’No, please. This is..wrong’’ I attempted to talk him over but I failed desperately. He tried to strap me down, starting with my wrists.

But I wasn’t planning on giving up that easily. As the guard grabbed my wrist, a sudden burst of energy seemed to come out of nowhere. I gritted my teeth together and pushed him away from me, hitting his chest and caused him to hit the wall a few feet away. The guard grunted out harshly as another one took out his gun.

What the hell did I just do?

I couldn’t believe that I sent a heavy, strong man flying into a wall just like that. It shocked me, to say at least. Whatever they had began to do to me was definitely not good. Were they turning me into a emotionless monster as well? ‘’Oh my..god’’ I gulped and finally lowered my hand. As if on cue, a bunch of guards stormed into the room and some of them grabbed my arms and legs. The rest held me at gunpoint, preventing me from doing anything. They were all yelling something but it got all mixed up in my head. I couldn’t focus on anything else than the insane thing that just happened.

I had to get out of here..

[PART 4]

Author’s Note: HYDRA gotchu now

Tags: @buckysleftarm1 @twigleektribute23 @iraniq @embrycallsgirl @blackroseyaz @puddins-princess @r-alexandra01

#Bucky #Bucky Barnes #James Buchanan Barnes #Bucky Imagine #Bucky X Reader #Bucky X You #Bucky fanfiction #James Barnes X Reader #James Buchanan Barnes Imagine #Sebastian Stan

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