icypantherwrites

[icypantherwrites]

Read it now on AO3. Comments super appreciated ♥ (for being my 200th VLD fic on AO3 it's not getting any love. Sad face.)

New Fic: Screaming Your Name (But You Can't Hear Me)

Summary: They told Lance they didn’t want to do this to to him, but they couldn’t risk anyone ruining their plans to save the universe. And so here Lance was, literally locked in a tower by Voltron’s supposed new “allies,”  while they went off to assassinate Keith.

Story snippet:

Lance had writhed and tried to scream — getting one of the guard’s many hands thrown over his mouth — as he was carted away and deposited in this tower that was both impenetrable and horrifically overlooked the courtyard so Lance would see everything but was completely unable to do anything about it.

Already Lance could see Voltron lining up, Keith in position on his side while the king and his advisors assembled into formation across so they could meet in the middle to exchange the crowns.

And the moment Keith had a crown upon his head and the king safely back the sniper would fire and…

And…

Lance slammed his stinging palm against the thick glass as though this time would have somehow better luck than the previous hits and kicks.

All he got for his efforts was a renewed throb of pain in his hand.

He still did it.

He couldn't do anything else and Dios, Keith was going to be…

“Keith!” he screamed, pounding his fists on the glass. “Keith!”

Galrans were supposed to have superior hearing, right?

Keith had to hear him.

He had to.

Dios, he had to.

“Mullet!” he tried. “Keith! Stop!”

Because Keith was starting to walk forward to the center of the courtyard and Dios, no.

No no no no no.

“Keith!” it was practically a shriek. “Keith! Stop! Dios, stop!”

Keith did not stop.

#voltron #vld #fanfiction #fanfic #keith #lance #assassin #assassination plot #forced to watch #angst #icypanther #icypantherwrites #Screaming Your Name (But You Can't Hear Me) #ao3

[icypantherwrites]

Update on AO3 Situation + Final RAINN Support Event

(this is a little long, but please, if possible, read to the end.)

AO3 has *finally* reinstated my fanfiction To Become the Nightmare and in a way this nightmare situation is over. I'm still extremely frustrated and disappointed though with AO3 especially as I am 99.9% certain the only reason my issue was finally addressed was because I tagged their support page on Twitter/X rather than any of my emails and communications to their actual Policy and Abuse team. They also provided no apology or reason for the delay or an explanation for why their staff provided a 1-week timeline that they then ignored for 3.5 weeks. I'm grateful to have my story back, but this entire ordeal has been awful in so many ways.

I will also admit on a personal note it was also disheartening to see how many folks sent me messages, asks (to the point I locked them down on Tumblr) and comments on AO3 stories (of which I'd know there'd be even more if AO3 hadn't made the blanket decision to lock down all guest comments) wanting to know where I'd be updating now, getting upset over the fact I use Patreon as they don't want paywalls to read my works, asking about the status of current stories and former stories, etc. and very rarely, if at all, even taking into account how all of this was affecting me.

I have poured years into posting on AO3, on making it a platform where I have over 2.5 million words worth of stories for everyone to enjoy, and am dealing with AO3 painting me as some villain because I linked to an organization to try to help sexual assault victims, and their complete lack of communication on top of all of that felt intentional. It's put me in a really bad mental health state and coming in daily to see multiple people asking and asking about how will *they* read my stories and making me feel guilty for not updating just... it really hurt. And the answer was I didn't know entirely what was going to happen and was still hoping for the best outcome with AO3. And contrary to some of the accusations I received, I never intended to put all of my new and upcoming works behind a Patreon paywall and certainly never planned to delete any works other than the single one I mentioned (and I explained why that was). I may have used Patreon's platform (because it has better formatting than say Tumblr) and made the works posted there available to the public (anyone can join as a free member, fyi), but that was never the end-game and the fact so many people got mad and angry and posted honestly kind of cruel asks and comments... I'm really hurt. I'm a person too and I share my works with my own time and energy and to have everyone so embroiled in this "me me me" energy when I was really struggling with what AO3 did, just... makes me not want to post anymore anywhere at all. I won't do that because I won't punish those folks who have been supportive and kind, but please, take a moment before you comment to think how it feels to be the recipient of a message like that. That's all the energy left I have to spend on that but please, be kind. Be understand. Be appreciative for what you do have and remember always that authors have feelings too.

Going forward I'll be looking to get back to updating existing stories and publishing some backlog on AO3 during this suspension/lock; however, I will be holding off on that until AO3 lifts their own blanket ban on guest comments as I know there are plenty of folks who prefer to engage that way and/or haven't yet been able to get accounts. You may have seen as well that my account, given that it seems to be AI-bots leading the reason for the guest ban, has been locked down to only AO3 accounts able to read my works. That will remain in effect until AO3 releases theirs and it may be something I ultimately do to protect my account and my works in the future, but for now once the current AO3 situation has been resolved that will go back to access to guest accounts as well.

In the meantime, with To Become the Nightmare restored and the fact my earlier RAINN support events have thus far yielded $2 for me to donate (which hurts in other ways xD Come on y'all, financial support for a great organization and some emotional support and love for the author, what's not to like about that?) I'm going to do one final event to try to raise some funds for RAINN and at least try to make a small, positive difference in all of this mess.

For the remainder of this week, anyone who leaves an engaged comment (100+ words, no quote-backs in that word count, about the fanfiction at hand) on To Become the Nightmare I will donate $2 per comment to RAINN. It would also personally mean a lot to me as this story never really had a lot of comment engagement in the first place AND on top of that it got a really, really toxic comment. I unfortunately get those folks regularly on sexual assault recovery fanfictions I write because they refuse to accept that everyone heals in different ways AND also refuse to take accountability where if they don't like what they're reading they have the power to hit the back button on their browser and just not read it. I left that particular comment up (you can see it on page 2) if you want a taste of some of the people I still encounter to this day. Anyways, it would mean a lot to hear from those who may want to read it, but given that it both a; has sexual assault and b; is an M-rating please do read it at your own discretion. I'm posting the full summary below and please read the warnings tagged on the story. I'll post an update at the end of the week with how much we managed to raise for RAINN (and if you'd like to donate on your own too, please feel free~! ♥)

To Become the Nightmare

Summary: [College AU] “And if you didn’t want to have fun,” nails dug into Lance’s skin as the grip tightened and Dios, he couldn’t move, he couldn’t move, “then you shouldn’t have been such a pretty little tease, freshie. You wanted to hang with the big boys? Well,” he chuckled, “welcome to the real party.” Hot breath wafted over Lance’s face as the upperclassmen smirked down at him. “Now let’s get it started.”

#voltron #vld #lance #langst #fanfiction #fanfic #icypanther #icypantherwrites #rainn #donation #support #ao3 #archive of our own

[icypantherwrites]

RAINN Support Event: Day3

For each story that I link to and post a quote for, if you leave an engaged comment on the day it is posted I will donate $1 to RAINN. For reference, an engaged comment is 100+ words about that story and those words cannot include copied text from the story to beef it up (if you have over 100 words without that and would like to quote, feel free). In the event I post a chaptered fic you do not have to leave a comment on the final chapter; any chapter of the work works :) Also do not mention donations or any type of "monetary" word in your comment as apparently I can get suspended again for even others commenting such.

I'll keep a running tally on each day's quote for how much I'll be donating and I'll donate the final amount at the end of April or whenever AO3 restores To Become the Nightmare, whichever comes first. Please feel free to share these posts to help spread the word and raise even more money for RAINN!

Current total to donate: $1

Ginger and Lilac Tea (April 22, 2024)

“The universe is full of beautiful stars,” Coran said quietly. “Each star is unique, is beautiful, and shines. But they are all alone. However, with a constellation… it brings those lonely stars together so that they, for however brief a time, are not quite so alone, and make something even more beautiful together.” 

Keith’s eyes stung and he hurriedly blinked, hands curling into fists on his thighs.

And then he startled as a hand descended on his shoulder and gave a gentle squeeze.

“We are like the stars, Keith,” and the use of his name had Keith startling and looking up to find Coran’s eyes upon him. “We each have our own bit of brightness to add to the universe. And we shine brightest when we come together and can share our light with one another.”

#Voltron #VLD #Keith #Coran #Support #Keith angst #kangst #protective Coran #IcyPanther #icypantherwrites #fanfiction #fanfic #Coran the gorgeous man

[icypantherwrites]

RAINN Support Event: Day 2

For each story that I link to and post a quote for, if you leave an engaged comment on the day it is posted I will donate $1 to RAINN. For reference, an engaged comment is 100+ words about that story and those words cannot include copied text from the story to beef it up (if you have over 100 words without that and would like to quote, feel free). In the event I post a chaptered fic you do not have to leave a comment on the final chapter; any chapter of the work works :) Also do not mention donations or any type of "monetary" word in your comment as apparently I can get suspended again for even others commenting such.

I'll keep a running tally on each day's quote for how much I'll be donating and I'll donate the final amount at the end of April or whenever AO3 restores To Become the Nightmare, whichever comes first. Please feel free to share these posts to help spread the word and raise even more money for RAINN!

Current total to donate: $0

A Fight He Didn't Want (April 21, 2024)

“I’m sorry,” Lance’s breath was warm on the back of his ear. “I’m sorry, Keith. That you had to do that. I, I know it must have been so hard and… and scary.” He let out a huff. “I know I’d be scared.”

Lance’s arms tightened.

“But… but no matter how hard it was and how scared you were… you did it. You brought Shiro back, Keith. You saved him. He’s… he’s going to be okay now, because of you. He did listen to you when, when he couldn’t hear any of us."

#voltron #vld #fanfiction #fanfic #support #keith #lance #platonic klance #shiro #season six fix it fic #fix-it fic #fix it fic #season 6 #icypanther #icypantherwrites #rainn

[icypantherwrites]

Someone recommended to me to message AO3 daily until the situation is resolved regarding To Become the Nightmare and while I generally try to avoid annoying the people who hold all the power in reinstating my story, I'm to the point where clearly that is not working. And if I am going to go by the end of April if they fail to resolve this, then I am not going to go quietly.

To that, in order to show them what actual support looks like and to give myself a little taste of the same, I'm including in each message a quote from one of my stories showing support, listening, compassion and/or empathy. And if you recall, I had mentioned I wanted to do something to support RAINN once my story was restored. Unfortunately my plans to do a writing drive event are done and over with as I no longer have any motivation or energy for it as this entire nightmare has just bled me dry. So instead of that, I'll be the one donating for this event and y'all will be the participants :)

For each story that I link to and post a quote for, if you leave an engaged comment on the day it is posted I will donate $1 to RAINN. For reference, an engaged comment is 100+ words about that story and those words cannot include copied text from the story to beef it up (if you have over 100 words without that and would like to quote, feel free). In the event I post a chaptered fic (which is the first one) you do not have to leave a comment on the final chapter; any chapter of the work works :) Also do not mention donations or any type of "monetary" word in your comment as apparently I can get suspended again for even others commenting such.

I'll keep a running tally on each day's quote for how much I'll be donating and I'll donate the final amount at the end of April or whenever they restore To Become the Nightmare, whichever comes first. Please feel free to share these posts to help spread the word and raise even more money for RAINN!

First story, here we go :)

Absent (4/20/2024)

“We’re all a little broken, Lance,” Shiro had said quietly. “But that’s why we have each other. We build ourselves back up. We support one another. And there is nothing that we cannot fix together.” 

#voltron #vld #writing #fanfiction #lance #lance angst #support #Rainn #Rape Abuse and Incest National Network #Donation #fanfic #Absent #Empathy #compassion

[icypantherwrites]

Fic Update: Here, Chapter Five

Chapter Snippet:

Sniper was not comforted by the fact the enemy only numbered one. Sorcerer was the most dangerous, the most unpredictable — minus the strange magic Yellow wielded over him and he had to ignore him, had to end him before he was ensnared again — and the one that scared Sniper most.

He would need to act fast.

His legs bunched beneath him, hidden by the blanket over his lap.

Sorcerer had finished crossing the walkway now and was standing outside his cell’s door, a small smile on his face as shifting jewel eyes tried to meet Sniper’s as he called out a soft greeting of, “Hello, Lance.”

Sniper pointedly looked away.

“I see you enjoyed your food goo,” Sorcerer continued. “I am glad. I was not quite sure how hungry you might be so,” he patted the pot in his arms, “I brought down a full batch. Would you be able to assist me and retrieve your dish so I may fill it? I’m afraid I’m not quite as spry as I used to be and this old back of mine isn’t so good for bending over.”

Sniper’s eyes widened ever so.

Sorcerer was inviting him to stand up, to place himself in a position where he would be within perfect striking distance.

How foolish was Sorcerer?

Or…

Sniper’s eyes narrowed.

Was it a trap?

But a trap for what? They had no reason to suspect anything and he was already in their captivity. If they’d truly felt he was planning something then the logical response would have been to refuse him food or to bring in multiple members to hold him back while the food was distributed.

They hadn’t.

Probably, Sniper’s lip curled slightly, yet another attempt to try to gain his trust. As though he would be swayed by such. 

Read it here

(unfortunately at this point this story is not likely publishing on AO3)

#voltron #vld #lance #langst #sniper #sniper trilogy #fanfiction #fanfic #assassin lance #assassin #torture #brainwashing #manipulation #coran #bamf lance #icypanther #Here #icypantherwrites

[icypantherwrites]

Fic Update: Missing, Chapter 11 (FINAL)

Shiro slowly approached his bed, pausing at the foot of it. 

Lance didn’t say anything, heart thumping loudly.

“I owe you an apology.”

Shiro’s words cut into the air as the door closed behind him and Lance tried not to tense at the fact he was alone with Shiro.

Nothing, nothing was going to happen.

“I owe you an apology,” Shiro repeated, slightly softer that time and his eyes — charcoal no longer smoldering, not piercing — seeking out Lance’s. “What, what I said to you earlier… it was inexcusable, Lance. I,” he swallowed, “I thought I was making the best decision for Voltron and for your own safety, but… but I didn’t look beyond what facts I thought I had and I refused to listen. And,” he let out an almost bitter laugh, “even if I had my earlier actions towards you would have made it almost impossible for you to speak up. I was out of line, Lance. And I know that this apology can’t make up or erase what I said or what you felt, but… but I hope it can be a step in the right direction.”

Shiro went silent and Lance stayed the same.

His hands were starting to tremble around the mug and he bit his tongue as a bit of hot tea sloshed over the rim onto his fingers. 

Shiro sounded sincere.

He sounded like he’d realized his mistake.

So then…

Why did he still not feel right?

Why did everything still feel so wrong inside?

Read it here

(posted up through chapter 7 on AO3)

#voltron #vld #lance #langst #hurt lance #lance whump #whump #angst #shiro #kuron #fanfiction #fanfic #Missing #icypanther #icypantherwrites

[icypantherwrites]

I posted this update in regards to my AO3 account on chapter seven of Missing today but for the folks not reading that story, please read below (paraphrased slightly).

AO3 seems to have made the choice for me as to my future on the AO3 site as we are going on nearly six weeks now since they initially suspended my account and they have not re-instated my hidden story, To Become the Nightmare, nor have they responded to any of my emails (of which I have sent three, nothing crazy, over these almost six weeks) asking for a response.

According to their own words, there would be a 1 week review period for a staff member to confirm the "offending" paragraph was removed (it was) and they would either re-instate or delete the story accordingly. That deadline of their review was April 5 and clearly nothing has yet been done or addressed. And at this point, I don't think AO3 ever plans to respond to me or re-instate my story and with that decided I can no longer support this platform and continue to post my works here. Unless something changes very, very soon, I am done with AO3.

I will finish up Missing and Touch of Fire but after much thought I will be deleting Worth(less) given that story is not even 25% posted on this platform and I don't want to linger here for months trying to finish it up.

If anything changes I will post an update here, on Tumblr. I had planned actually a writing event on Tumblr once To Become a Nightmare was re-instated to turn this awful situation into a positive one and (hopefully) bring in some donations to support RAINN's mission and help sexual abuse victims, but this storm doesn't seem to be abating and I won't be able to do as I'd hoped. But thank you to all who have stuck with me these many years and especially to whose who engaged with my works and left such kind words about my writing on my stories ♥ It truly meant the world.

#icypanther #icypantherwrites #ao3 #archive of our own #To Become the Nightmare #RAINN

[icypantherwrites]

Fic Update: Bottled Ocean, Chapter 44

Chapter Snippet:

Lance gave the barest shake of his head and Lotor’s smile morphed to a frown and previously amused eyes narrowed.

“You misunderstand, Lance. This is not a request, this is the next experiment and one of the utmost importance. Any refusal on your end will result in a missing finger on Shiro’s and I daresay at some point you will not have the magic nor energy to fix such again, assuming I even allowed you the opportunity.”

“I,” the word came out a gasp as panic clawed at Lance’s insides as there was no escape from Lotor’s cruelties, “I c-can’t.”

“You have not even tried,” Lotor countered. “And delaying will not provide you any assistance. On your feet now. Shiro, you too as it appears your presence will be required further.”

Even if Lance had wanted to stand and follow the order his legs wouldn’t listen to him where they were folded beneath his body and his hands wouldn’t stop shaking to put them on the ground to even try to push himself of and he didn’t want to because Lotor was going to make him go into the bottle and he was going to drown again but if he didn’t get up then Shiro would get hurt but he couldn’t move and, and—

And a warm hand — firm and heavy but not sharp and piercing — landed on his shoulder and Lance’s head jerked up.

Shiro’s soft charcoal eyes, a bit red-rimmed and strained on the edges but kind, looked down.

“I’ll help you up,” the man said softly and Lance’s gaze darted behind Shiro to Lotor, but the Night Elf was only smirking and didn’t seem to mind the exchange. “Hold onto my hand now,” and Shiro was releasing his shoulder to offer said appendage — fully healed and okay and if Lance didn’t feel so sick and scared by all that had happened maybe he’d feel a bit more in awe of the fact he’d reattached a body part and his magic had worked and he was still a Mer inside but it just made him want to puke — in front of him.

Lance forced his own in front of him to wrap tightly about Shiro’s and with more strength than Lance was expecting Shiro heaved and he found himself going up, his feet striking the floor and he wobbled but Shiro was pulling him forward to rest against himself and the arm came around Lance’s back to steady him.

And, he realized a moment later, hug him.

His eyes stung.

“It’s going to be okay,” Shiro’s breath was warm on his ear. “It’s going to be okay, buddy.”

Lance gave a jerky nod even if he wasn’t sure how that was possible.

He knew he couldn’t swim with Human legs. He knew the moment he went into water he would go under and then…

Read full chapter here

Bottled Ocean summary:

Lance knew the moment he saw the one-armed Human man in pain, bleeding and tied up like bait in the ocean that the people on the nearby ship were the ones Mers like him were warned to stay far, far away from. Lance knew the moment he saw the one-armed Human man in pain, bleeding and tied up like bait in the ocean that the people on the nearby ship were the ones Mers like him were warned to stay far, far away from.

But even with such a warning there was no way of knowing how dangerous this particular ship, belonging to Night Elf Captain Lotor, could be.

And even had he known, Lance’s actions would have been the same. The man, Shiro, needed help. Shiro’s younger brother, a half blood Human / Night Elf and fellow abused slave needed rescued. And Lance could not, would not, turn away from those in need.

But all actions have consequences.

Lance is captured and now the fate that awaits him is as a test subject as Lotor seeks to unravel all of the legends, the mysteries and the magic of the Mers. His only hope is an escape alongside Shiro and Keith. But the clock is ticking as Lotor’s experiments and methods grow more cruel, more violent, and if they don’t escape soon… the only freedom any of them will find will be in death.

#voltron #vld #fanfiction #fanfic #lance #Mer!Lance #shiro #lotor #keith #Bottled Ocean #angst #whump #torture #violence #lance angst #lance whump #protective Shiro #platonic shance #mermaid #merman #icypanther

[icypantherwrites]

Fic Update: Here, Chapter Four

“He is planning something.”

Shiro was not the only one who turned to look at Coran, who was watching the monitor screen where Lance was now tipping the bowl of food goo and using two fingers to shovel it into his mouth, a heavy set to his face.

“He is planning something,” Coran repeated quietly, turning away from the screen. 

“What do you mean, Coran?” Allura frowned. 

“I felt it,” Coran’s hand lifted to press against his heart and Shiro’s eyes widened.

That’s right.

Coran had told him before that between his orange colored quintessence and the fact he was Altean he had the ability to read emotions.

And he…

He thought that…?

“He is still scared and confused,” Coran said, “make no mistake those are the forefront emotions he is projecting. But when I made mention that more food goo would be provided there was a flicker there. A flicker,” Coran’s expression was grim, “of not just focus but of killing intent.”

“An ambush,” Keith said bluntly, arms crossed.

Coran nodded. “I fear the same. He has made the realization that for food to be brought in a person will need to accompany it. And with that realization he has no doubt concluded therein lies his chance for not just to escape, but,” Coran swallowed, “to complete his mission.”

Which, given the events that occurred on Zlato, they could figure out what that was.

To kill them.

“He doesn’t have a weapon,” Pidge pointed out. 

“And there’s the cuffs,” Hunk added, even as his gaze flicked back and forth, hands nestled inside one another. “They’d, they’d stop him.”

“They will stall him,” Shiro said quietly. “But they won’t stop him.”

He knew that better than anyone.

He’d fought Lance three times now and all three times…

He’d lost.

Lance was beyond dangerous and despite the fact he had no real weapons at his disposal that would not stop him.  He was a trained assassin and if he had moved on from the mindset of being a trapped prisoner then it meant he was contemplating his mission and how to finish it. 

And that tenacity, Shiro knew, was not just from the conditioning. Lance didn’t give up and it was a trait the Galra had no doubt twisted for their own use. 

“So we don’t give him the chance,” Keith said. 

Read it here

Here Summary: [Third and final part to the Sniper trilogy] Voltron has rescued Lance but the person with them now is not the same boy they once knew. Even outside the Galrans’ influence Lance believes himself to be Sniper, an assassin to the Galra Empire with his final mission to eliminate Voltron. It’s going to be a long, difficult journey that they know won’t end even when Lance does remember them as then he’ll also remember all of the horrors he committed as Sniper and have to come to terms with what he did. But they do know they’ll be there for him every step of the way because Lance was gone, he’s been found and now he’s here, with his space family, to stay.

#voltron #vld #lance #langst #team #team as family #Sniper #Assassin Lance #brainwashing #ambush #Here #icypanther #icypantherwrites #sniper trilogy #fanfiction #fanfic #story #whump #angst #conditioning #torture #violence #shiro #keith #hunk #pidge #coran #allura #lance centric

[icypantherwrites]

Fic Update: Bottled Ocean, Chapter 43

Been forever since I posted a Bottled Ocean update on Tumblr (or really any fanfiction updates, but just not really feeling the energy to do so since not too many folks reading anymore and no audience on Tumblr on top of AO3 still not unlocking my story despite removing the link and mention to/of RAINN (which is also still bullshit)). Lots happening though in this Mer!Lance and Slaves! Shiro and Keith whumpy story so might try to resume chapter snippets for it at least (if I can remember). Enjoy :)

Chapter 43 snippet:

It took Shiro a second to realize Lotor had addressed him in his spiel as his brain combined ‘inside’ with the knife and he’d thought Lotor was about to cut Lance but he…

Wanted Shiro’s blood?

Shiro held said appendage out with only the back of his mind knowledge that Lotor was not so stupid as to remove his arm — and the knife was not a bonesaw, it wasn’t — lending him the ability to do so.

He still bit down on his tongue as Lotor, after sliding the arm sleeve back, cut a sliver on Shiro’s arm that immediately welled with blood.

And Lance’s head shot up so fast Shiro winced at the whiplash as those dark ocean eyes zoomed in right on Shiro and he had the strangest sense of deja vu of Lance doing the exact same thing when—

Shiro’s breath caught as he realized it was the exact same reaction as to when Keith had been brought above deck injured and sick and how Lance had been hyper aware of the other boy.

And the common factor?

Shiro glanced down at his arm where crimson was starting to drip down.

“Ah,” Lotor’s voice was soft and delighted and it made a shiver roll down Shiro’s spine. “And so the legends are true. Mers,” his thumb smeared along the wound and lifted up a now red finger, “are attracted to blood.”

He turned to Lance, who shrank back at his approach, and Shiro could see the corner of Lotor’s mouth curl up in amusement at the reaction. “Tell me, Lance,” he knelt in front of the boy and thrust his bloodied finger at Lance’s face and he recoiled even more. “Do you smell it? Taste it in the air? What drives you to it?”

“I…”

Lance’s voice was barely a whisper and he was shaking, face pale. “I just… do.”

“That is not an answer,” Lotor’s voice hardened slightly and he turned to look over his shoulder at Shiro. “That sounds like insubordination, does it not, Shiro?”

“I, I don’t know,” Lance stammered, voice rising in pitch as Lotor summoned a crackle of lightning to his fingers and turned to face Shiro and Shiro fought to remain impassive as he knew what was about to come.

It was just pain.

“I, I swear. I don’t,” Lance continued. “Pl-please. I don’t know. I, I just felt it—”

“Felt it?” Lotor interrupted him and Shiro held his breath as a purple wreathed hand remained inches away from his chest. “But you did not touch it.”

Lance shook his head. “The, the wound. I felt—”

“Of course,” Lotor breathed, whirling back around so quickly his hair slapped Shiro in the face but it wasn’t lightning and the man’s voice was back to excited. “Of course,” he repeated, pulling out his notebook. “With Mers' affinity for healing magic it would make sense that they can sense the wound and therefore are highly attuned to blood. Fascinating. The legends are true but,” he chuckled, “not in the way we interpreted.”

Read the full chapter here

#voltron #vld #lance #langst #shiro #hurt lance #hurt shiro #whump #torture #angst #lotor #bottled ocean #icypanther #icypantherwrites #mer #mer fic #merman #mer!Lance #mer lance #slave

[icypantherwrites]

I am so terribly sorry for the late reply (see my most recent post for why I've removed myself from the fanfiction world right now and I wasn't in the right headspace to give this the response it deserved last week) but please allow me to gush a little bit now, @arrowcomix, about your beautiful work. ♥

This is first off such a lovely and wonderful surprise and I am so touched you took the time to make artwork for one of my stories. Thank you so so much ♥ I am also over the moon to see someone actually draw Lance from Flying Free as I cannot tell you how much I always wished someone would because I too am a sucker for anything with wings and winged!humans have been a personal love for me ever since I watched Escaflowne.

The attention to detail for all of those feathers is insane in all the best ways. I love love love how the edges are, literally, feathered and you get that beautiful sensation of softness, movement and damn do I want to pet them so bad (author rights gets to pet the Avian wings, right? ;p). They are so beautiful and you truly did them justice for how revered they are in my little AU (or, well, by Avians at least and the humans who respect them).

I love the pose you picked too for Lance as it feels both very protective and also vulnerable and that's so perfect for his character. It's just absolutely wonderful and thank you again so much for taking the time to draw this and share it ♥

Yes, I'm still alive, I just have a masters degree and job now. Lol.

Anyhow, I wanted to draw some fan art for @icypantherwrites . Her story Flying Free was a super fun read and I wanted to show it some love in my own way. I'm a sucker for anything with wings. I hope you like it Icy. :)

#voltron #vld #lance #flying free #fanart #voltron fanart #avian #winged human #icypanther #icypantherwrites

[icypantherwrites]

Thank you so so much to the person who reported my account to AO3 for commercialization and a violation of TOS because of this author's note on one of my stories:

"In this particular story, while unresolved from a criminal standpoint, Lance does at least have Keith's support and that can make a world of difference. So many do not even have that though (and especially in red states where if you tell the wrong person... living in a dystopian nightmare) so I wanted to take a moment to link you to RAINN -- the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network -- if you ever need to reach someone, if you ever need to talk, and, if you're like me, able to donate so victims can receive help and support."

Apparently the phrase "like me, able to donate" is a solicitation. It takes a sad, bitter person to go through years of my works to report such an innocuous sentence designed to help others and just as crappy for AO3 to determine that somehow that is a violation. I can't count how many charity zines I've seen advertised on AO3 or causes that creators are passionate about and want to share it with their readers, but apparently someone hates me that much. I'm used to the trolls (not used to, there's no getting used to the sheer hate and cruelty leveled at me because you don't like what I write rather than being an adult and hitting the back button) but I've accepted that. This though? This is just the reaction of some jealous, awful person that unfortunately has lasting repercussions.

I've now been suspended for 14 days. Apparently that's my sign to never try to advocate for charities again that are out there trying to help people. I hope whoever you are that felt the need to report my author's note about supporting a charity that you're happy with yourself.

Due to this, I may also be refraining from posting works going forward on AO3 because I have no idea at this point the limits people will go and what AO3 Support staff will somehow find valid. I will have to go back and scour my posts for any mention of charity zines (and heaven forbid what charity they supported) to wipe them out less I be seen soliciting for donations again.

Not that anyone is really reading my works these days, but whelp, I won't be posting for at least 2 weeks on AO3 to at minimum finish up the stories I already have there. I'll still be posting as normally scheduled on Patreon.

And while I can't do anything about AO3, if you'd like to make a positive difference I do highly encourage anyone to donate to RAINN and make some sunshine and rainbows out of this nasty storm ☀🌈.

#people suck #ao3

[icypantherwrites]

New Fic: Here

Summary: [Third and final part to the Sniper trilogy] Voltron has rescued Lance but the person with them now is not the same boy they once knew. Even outside the Galrans’ influence Lance believes himself to be Sniper, an assassin to the Galra Empire with his final mission to eliminate Voltron. It’s going to be a long, difficult journey that they know won’t end even when Lance does remember them as then he’ll also remember all of the horrors he committed as Sniper and have to come to terms with what he did. But they do know they’ll be there for him every step of the way because Lance was gone, he’s been found and now he’s here, with his space family, to stay.

Chapter Snippet:

“I won’t tell you anything.”

The words were near biting in their intensity, in the furrow to Lance’s brow as he glared dark ocean eyes in Coran’s direction and beyond them Shiro could see Keith and Pidge freeze in their tracks as Lance spoke his first words since he’d awoken.

But they could not hide the fear that swam in them as they darted from Coran to the items in his hands and back to his face, his body still trembling slightly.

“That is perfectly all right,” Coran smiled reassuringly at Lance. “I was not planning to ask any questions of you.”

The briefest crease of confusion crossed Lance’s face before his eyes widened and then his entire expression shuttered into a near blank mask that Shiro could only imagine was the one he wore beneath his actual mask, but…

Why?

Why had—?

Shiro’s breath caught.

Lance had assumed he was about to be interrogated, of which Coran had sought to alleviate with his words and smile.

But with that option removed Lance could only see one other outcome.

Shiro swallowed, hands curling at his sides.

Torture.

He was preparing himself to be in pain. And, clearly…

This was far from the first time he’d done so.

Shiro’s stomach both clenched and turned over while his heart somehow managed to crack even more.

Read chapter one here

#voltron #vld #fanfiction #fanfic #Here #Sniper #assassin Lance #lance #langst #lance whump #lance torture #hurt lance #shiro #coran #hunk #team as family #protective coran #protective shiro #whump #angst #hurt/comfort #icypanther #icypantherwrites

[icypantherwrites]

Fic Update: Bottled Ocean, Chapter 38

Chapter snippet:

It had been about four hours by his best count that he’d been tied up to the mast and Lance was starting to feel a little sick.

Although he wasn’t actually sure that was the right word for it.

His stomach was a bit upset but it was less of a nauseated sick than a painful knot although it had nothing on the tight sensation traveling up his arms and chest where, just as he’d feared, the position was proving to be more than uncomfortable.

Shifting even slightly though did nothing to alleviate it and only sent a new tremor of pain through his shoulders and the only thing that helped at all was trying to sit a little taller but then that made his back hurt.

But more than that pain…

There was a prickle making its way across his entire body that was making him feel ill. He’d experienced a bit of it back when he’d pull himself up on the Holts’ deck for extended periods and Katie had always said it was sunburn, but Lance had never burned like the Holts’ did. Pale skin versus dark, Katie had reasoned, but he was still able to burn even if it wasn’t as obvious.

And, well, Lance definitely would say he felt a bit like he was burning as the sun had risen fully into the sky and while not yet the hottest heat of the midday it was hot enough.

And this prickle was moreso than before. Maybe it was the amount of time he’d been out in the sun, Lance reasoned, as at most he spent a couple hours fully on the Holts’ deck and this was at least double that.

Plus he was thirsty.

He swallowed painfully again against the dryness of his throat that he’d never really felt in his life and he did not like it.

His lips were starting to feel funny too — not smooth anymore but sort of rough and almost flaky — and licking them to moisten them made them hurt and made his throat feel even drier so he was trying not to do that.

And his tail…

Lance gave it the barest flick — well aware he wasn’t supposed to look like he was trying to escape and he wasn’t but he didn’t want his Night Elf guard to think otherwise — and even that action felt hard and the prickle was there too and it just sort of made him want to vomit and he didn’t understand why.

What was this legend of the Mers that Lotor wanted to find? Lance couldn’t think of anything in their history that involved any type of sun exposure other than sometimes in the darkest, coldest cycles some Mer needed to go to the surface to see and feel the sun to warm themselves and bring light back to their eyes. But Lance didn’t feel cold.

He just felt hot.

He couldn’t even summon up a tiny smirk at the self-compliment as it just made his stomach roll again.

He…

He really didn’t feel good.

Read the full chapter here

#voltron #vld #langst #lance #fanfiction #fanfic #lance whump #lance voltron #lance vld #mer Lance #mermay #merman #mermaid #shiro #keith #lotor #violence #torture #sick lance #hurt lance #hurt comfort #iycpanther #icypantherwrites #Bottled Ocean

[icypantherwrites]

New Fic: Screaming Your Name (But You Can't Hear Me)

Summary: They told Lance they didn’t want to do this to to him, but they couldn’t risk anyone ruining their plans to save the universe. And so here Lance was, literally locked in a tower by Voltron’s supposed new “allies,”  while they went off to assassinate Keith.

Story snippet:

Lance had writhed and tried to scream — getting one of the guard’s many hands thrown over his mouth — as he was carted away and deposited in this tower that was both impenetrable and horrifically overlooked the courtyard so Lance would see everything but was completely unable to do anything about it.

Already Lance could see Voltron lining up, Keith in position on his side while the king and his advisors assembled into formation across so they could meet in the middle to exchange the crowns.

And the moment Keith had a crown upon his head and the king safely back the sniper would fire and…

And…

Lance slammed his stinging palm against the thick glass as though this time would have somehow better luck than the previous hits and kicks.

All he got for his efforts was a renewed throb of pain in his hand.

He still did it.

He couldn't do anything else and Dios, Keith was going to be…

“Keith!” he screamed, pounding his fists on the glass. “Keith!”

Galrans were supposed to have superior hearing, right?

Keith had to hear him.

He had to.

Dios, he had to.

“Mullet!” he tried. “Keith! Stop!”

Because Keith was starting to walk forward to the center of the courtyard and Dios, no.

No no no no no.

“Keith!” it was practically a shriek. “Keith! Stop! Dios, stop!”

Keith did not stop.

#voltron #vld #lance #keith #fanfiction #fanfic #protective lance #sniper #assassin #Screaming Your Name (But You Can't Hear Me) #icypanther #icypantherwrites

[icypantherwrites]

New Fic: Warm

Keith knows the odds aren’t good for finding the missing four-year-old boy who wandered into the forest almost two days ago alive. But when Lance pushes them to go just a little further they find the child. He’s hurt though and freezing and in need of care. Lance is a natural at it and Keith… Keith discovers he’s not so bad at it himself.

Read it here

#voltron #vld #lance #keith #fanfiction #fanfic #lance is good with kids #Keith is also good with kids #comfort #cuddles #Warm