#I’m so glad we got this quest | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

too-deviant · 1 month

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jackie and wilson.

previous | next series masterlist.

summary: you haven’t been given a quest, but you have made it your personal mission to make luke castellan smile.

paring: luke castellan x unclaimed!reader

word count: 4k

content: luke is still a moody teenager, reader is still the fly he cant get rid of. does he really want to, though?

notes: these first two parts feel very introductory but it gets juicy as we dive a little further in the next parts hehe. also who do we think readers godly parent is?

PART II — and lord, she found me just in time

For a hotshot lawyer, your mom couldn’t lie for the life of her. Every time you brought it up, she’d always quip that she didn’t need to be a good liar to be a good lawyer, since all new evidence is legally required to be disclosed to both parties before they are presented in court. Therefore, there is no lying, only brief twisting of the truth. She was good at that — clearly.

“You said you didn’t want me to leave you!”

The wooden floor of Chiron’s office wasn’t the most comfortable of lounging places, but you’d accidentally kicked the radiator after tripping over a horseshoe and Mr. D — who had escorted you there when you’d asked about speaking to your mom — had just sighed and told you to use the mist currently spraying from it as a form of communication. The whole Iris Message thing was still unusual to you, but at the same time, you’d tripped over a horseshoe because the owner of the office was half-horse. Does it get weirder than that? Probably not.

You leaned back on your haunches, disbelief written all over your face at the scene you…walked in on? Called in on? Iris Messaged in on? Whatever — you were more worried about what you were looking at than the right terminology to describe it.

“Oh — sweetie!” Your mom was quick to hop down from the kitchen counter, pushing the man who had been standing between her legs away from her so forcefully he fell back into the living room.

“What was that?” You heard him ask from afar. Your mom chuckled, buttoning up her blouse.

“The answering machine.” She excused, “I completely forgot I was supposed to call back my daughter. Would you give me a minute?”

The man agreed with a huff and your mom pushed the kitchen door closed with a click before looking at you, narrowing her eyes and crossing her arms, “I didn’t. I sure do now!”

“I’ve been gone for, like, two days!” You exclaimed, “And you’re already inviting your boyfriend over? How old are you?”

“Oh, let it go.” The woman chastised, shaking her head and attempting to push down her amused smile. “I was bored.”

“Bored.” You chuckled, “Of course.”

“But I miss you.” She said then, smiling sweetly and leaning her hip on the island, “How’s camp?”

“It’s great.” You grinned, “The people are great, the food is great. Turns out, I am super with a spear.”

“A spear, huh?” Your mom nodded, “No surprise there, you’ve got a hell of an arm.”

You hummed excitedly, the previous event long forgotten as you filled her in on your first few days at camp, “One of my friends in cabin nine offered to make me a personal one.” Your mom furrowed her brows, “Children of Hephaestus. Blacksmith guy.”

“Right.” She nodded with a click of her tongue. “Well, I’m glad you’re enjoying yourself.”

“I’m glad you’re enjoying yourself.” You smirked cheekily, ignoring the scoff and evil look she sent you in response.

“Alright. I best go.” She interrupted just as you went to make another comment about her guest, “I will see you at the end of summer. Okay?”

“Okay. Love you.”

Truthfully, you were happy to spend the rest of the day talking to your mom — it was so hot that morning that you’d thought about sacrificing your breakfast to Apollo in hopes that he’d ease up a little. You decided against it and just sent your prayers to each of them in general, hoping maybe your dad could fess up to actually being your dad.

Clarisse had suspected you would soon join her in the Ares Cabin — something about your skills with a spear and the swift right hook you sent Chris when he made one too many comments on your form during your training session with her. You weren’t even sure why he’d been there, but you could probably fathom a guess if you judged by the looks he sent her whenever she wasn’t looking.

After the exciting discovery that yes, you were good at something, Mr. D had come by to say you could either call your mom now or never. You chose the former option, obviously, and you only regretted it slightly as you heaved yourself up from the ground — already missing the sound of her voice.

You didn’t let it linger, instead you pushed the creaky door of the Big House open as gently as you could, even though it still swung back against the wall, and nodded at the pair sitting on the porch, currently in a heated card game you couldn’t recognise. They didn’t look at you for long, Chiron muttering something about meeting the Demeter kids by the fields to test your gardening skills before putting down a card that made Mr. D grumble in his seat.

You were trudging through the grass, huffing when the longer bits tickled your legs and made you go all itchy, when you spotted a body sat by the hearth in the horseshoe of cabins. You lit up, changing course and jogging over to them, “JoJo!”

Luke looked up at you, frowning, “What?”

His curls fell over his eyes and he shook them away, only to squint at the sun that shone into them. You sidestepped, your shadow proving ample shade so he could focus on you, and you stammered a bit when his face fell into focus. He was pretty.

You let out a breathless chuckle, folding your arms, “From Horton Hears a Who.” He shows no signs of recognition, “You’ve never seen it?” Again, his face did little to answer you, so you shrugged, “Whatever. I’ll get an answer out of you one day, I’m sure. We’ve made steady progress.”

“Have we?” He hummed, picking at the worn sleeve of his hoodie.

“Of course we have, ya’ nutmegger.” You quipped with a short chuckle, grinning when his eyes snapped back to yours.

“You still haven’t told me where you’re from.”

You tutted, “Where’s the fun in that? You gotta find out.”

He huffed, “Whatever.”

Since his outburst about New England the day before, Luke had done a considerable job at avoiding you. Well, you didn’t think he was doing it on purpose — he just wasn’t obligated to spend time with you anymore now that you were cleared to roam camp on your own. You’d seen him at breakfast, perched silently on the end of the bench and staring sadly at his soggy oatmeal, but then Clarisse had whisked you off to the training fields with Chris hot on her tail and you hadn’t seen him since.

You weren’t completely sure why you were so determined to break his shell. Maybe it was because you knew he never used to be this way — that underneath the deep frowns and annoyed huffs, was a happy boy who would spend days in the sun with his teeth bared in a wide grin — and you yearned to get a peek of who Luke Castellan used to be. To bear your eyes on the side of him he kept away and to find out why he did so, to understand him on a level deeper than anyone around you did, or even deeper than you understood yourself.

Or maybe because he’s hot.

Either way, you weren’t letting him slide away that easily. No sir. You straightened your back, “Going to the gardens.”

No reply, as usual.

A huff, “Mind walking me? I don’t wanna get lost.”

He looked at you, brown eyes flitting over your expression, before licking his lips and standing, “Fine.”

You grinned then, wide and sunny, “Great.”

You knew where the gardens were — hell, you could see them from where you stood, the two teenage sons of Dionysus chasing each other with sticks while the Demeter kids scowled at them. But you were new, and Luke was ‘the guy’ for all the new campers, so really he wasn’t allowed to say no.

You were desperate to know more about him; his favourite sport, movie, colour. Anything irrelevant that you could see in public and think: Luke. You just didn’t know where to start — he could shut down at any given moment, so which question was more fitting to ask before he built up his walls and fucked off?

You settled for something easy — something subtle that wouldn’t hint towards you asking about him. An easy question that any reasonable tour guide would have to answer.

“So, do you guys host any…mortal activities?” Looking up at him in question, brows raised as he once again made no indication that he’d even heard you speak.

But he had, “Not usually. Sometimes on weekends we’ll play volleyball on the beach, and I think Lee Fletcher has a soccer ball he kicks around but…” He shrugged, “No. Not really.”

You hummed, “You said we. Do you play volleyball?”

Nice one.

Luke stiffened a little, sort of appalled that you’d swerved the question on him so easily, but he answered with a grumble, “Not anymore.”

“Why?”

He shrugged, “Grew out of it.”

“Huh.” You said then, facing forward with a nod and continuing your trek through the long grass, occasionally reaching down to scratch your calves, “I don’t think I’ll ever grow out of baseball.”

Come on, Castellan, take the bait.

“Baseball?”

“Yes!” You exclaimed, a little too excitedly for it to be a simple answer to a simple question. You lowered your volume and gave a more collected nod, “Yeah. Yes. I’ve played since I was old enough…little league.” You let out a weak chuckle, suddenly shy about the subject.

Luke nodded at you, “First base?”

“Left field.” You corrected with a proud smile, “I got legs.”

“Oh.” He replied, a little caught off guard at that. Although, he was also caught off guard when you said you played baseball.

You were debating whether or not to press when a gangly blonde boy with dark purple eyes jogged up to you and held out a wicker basket, “You’re the new kid right?” He didn’t wait for an answer before thrusting the basket to your chest, “I’m Pollux. We’re picking strawberries, c’mon, I’ll show you the best way to get ‘em.”

You weren’t sure there was a specific tactic to picking strawberries, but you stepped to follow him anyway. Turning your head to send a thankful smile to Luke for walking you down, you spotted him looking between you and Pollux with furrowed brows — then he noticed your stare and swallowed, nodding, “Uh, see you later.”

“Bye.” You replied, slightly starstruck. He walked off, but he did it slowly as if he was unsure of where to go next. You were positive he had somewhere to be — big shot counsellor and all — but as you stood, one foot in front of the other, face turned back to watch him go, he seemed to stutter in his steps at the top of the hill, deciding where to turn. His beaten converse led him west, and Pollux yelled you out of your stupor so you could help him and his brother pick strawberries.

As suspected, your strawberry-picking skills were pretty much the same as everyone else’s — really, how can one person be any better at picking strawberries than another? It’s a very simple task. Either way, Castor and Pollux didn’t envision you as their long lost sister, and the Demeter kids apparently couldn’t smell it on you that you were one of them, whatever that meant, so you were back to your search for daddy dearest — at this point, you weren’t even sure if you wanted to find out anymore. All this hassle and for what? It’s not as if he was going to attend the daddy-daughter dance with you, no matter which god he might be.

“So, do you, like, know Luke or something?”

Henry Furstatt was a Demeter kid a couple of years younger than you, who had been set the task of walking you to the lake where you would rejoin the Hermes cabin on their canoe lesson. He wasn’t very talkative until you’d put some distance between yourselves and the strawberry fields, where he posed his question.

You glanced at him with a thoughtful frown, “I mean, he’s been showing me around the past couple days, so…I guess —“

“I meant like,” He swallowed, waving his hands around, “from before. Did you know each other before you came to camp?”

“Oh.” You responded, tucking a loose hair that had fallen in front of your face away, “No. Why’d you think that?”

Henry shrugged, his loose-fitting camp shirt doing wonders to hide the movements, “Dunno. He just hasn’t talked to many people since he got back from his quest…but he’s talking to you.”

“Well.” You were suddenly a little sheepish — were you pushing Luke too much? Was your constant questioning making him uncomfortable? You were only on a mission to find out more about him because he interested you, but did you interest him, or was he ready to boot you as far as you’d fly? “He has to, doesn’t he? He’s still a counsellor, even if he does hate everyone here.”

“True.” He settled with a nod, fiddling with a daisy he’d picked while you were walking.

You breathed a content sigh when you finally stepped out of the grass — the summer blooming made it slightly unbearable to walk through, tickling at your legs the whole afternoon. The beating sun didn’t make you feel any nicer, but you just wafted your shirt a little as you walked past the Hermes cabin and towards the dock.

Camp was always noisy; something you’d grown accustomed to the longer you stayed there. You never really noticed it until you were alone, but the chatter of the kids filled the air the whole day and only really faded out when they all went to sleep. It was slightly unnerving to sit in the silence, and the loud murmurs often comforted you — made you feel less suffocated as the new kid. Less eyes on you, the better.

You were so used to the noise, in fact, that you almost completely brushed past the argument that was brewing outside the Ares cabin just a few metres away. Fortunately, Henry spotted the commotion, and pulled you to a halt in favour of staring at the ever-growing crowd.

You followed his eyeline and spotted a burly looking boy with black hair — when he moved his head and the sun hit the right spots, you could see dark red highlights swimming in his locks. You thought that was a little bit much, but you forfeited commenting on it considering the giant machaira that hung on his back.

The boy in question was sneering at someone in front of him, but the corners of his mouth were perked up in an amused smile that made you think he wasn’t angry yet, but he sure was getting there. You couldn’t see who he was talking to, but as Henry ventured closer, you were forced to follow and eventually his words reached your ears.

“—big shot golden boy finally got himself a quest and doesn’t fancy sharing the details.” He laughed, deep and low in his throat.

Henry patted someone on the shoulder, and they stepped aside to let him into the circle. You stayed behind him, watching over his head and finally checking out the opponent. Your eyes stopped on the familiar figure, and his familiar curls that hung over his eyes — eyes that were glaring daggers in the Ares kid’s direction, casting shadows over his cheekbones and making his scar look a little menacing.

The boy continued after Luke showed no signs of replying, “We get it, Castellan. You failed, but that doesn’t mean you get to gatekeep the whole thing.”

“Dean, man.” You finally noticed Chris, standing off to the side of Luke and glancing at his brother in apprehension at the boy's words. “Back off.”

Dean just snorted, “Don’t defend him, Rodriguez. We let him mope, now it’s time for him to spill the beans.” He took a step closer to Luke, “What happened on your quest?”

You had only known Luke for two days. You weren’t sure if he was the type to fly off the handle, swing before reasoning, but you suddenly became aware that neither did anyone else. Sure, these people had known him for years — but you’d heard it from enough people to know that he was a different person these days. After his quest a couple of weeks ago, people had been walking on eggshells around the boy. Maybe a month ago, he would’ve calmly walked away and let Dean simmer in his anger. But now? Nobody could be sure, but judging by the look in his eyes, darkening by the second, you might be able to fathom a guess as to what he’s going to do with his hands now that they were rolled into fists.

“I mean, is this about glory? Because you won’t exactly be sharing it — ya’ can’t share what you don’t have.” Dean let out a chortle at his own joke, looking between his friends around him and grinning with them.

Luke stepped forward. And — you couldn’t blame anyone, really. After that last comment, you were all expecting fists to be swung. It was only reasonable. Maybe the old Luke wouldn’t have done it, but this new Luke was looking increasingly more angry at the world as the days went by, so when he took one measly step forward, the crowd around him let out a collective woah! and put their hands out to stop him from lunging. Including yourself.

Only he wasn’t about to punch Dean. His hand stayed dormant at his side, the only clear movement was the single step closer he’d taken to match the one the Ares boy had made earlier. He was only really stepping forward so his next words would hit harder — that’s all it was, words. They died on his lips when he realised the implications of his actions, looking between the outstretched arms and tense faces.

He looked at Dean, “We can discuss quests when you get your own.”

Then he walked off, past the crowd that didn’t bother stopping him. Looking around, you saw the looks on their faces — shame, from assuming Luke would evoke such violence off the sparring mat. You definitely felt it, but you didn’t stick around long enough to confirm that with anyone else. Instead, you left Chris to berate Dean in place of the head counsellor and followed the boy in question as he huffed up the hill towards the edge of the woods.

“Hey!” You said, breathless (you were not an uphill climber). “Hey, Luke!”

He hesitated in his steps like he did earlier, but he didn’t turn around. His head twitched a little, like he wanted to look but was holding himself back, but you simply rounded him until you were face to face. The anger had long since dissolved from his expression, replaced with soft confusion.

“Hi.” You huffed, still recovering from that incline, “Are you okay? That guy’s a dick.”

“I know.” He replied, short as usual.

You licked your lips, still catching your breath, and nodded. He remained silent, looking around you like he was just waiting for you to leave. You decided to take the hint, muttering lowly, “Okay, sorry for bothering you.”

But his hand reached out, circling your wrist just as you passed him. You looked at Luke, raising your eyebrows, watching as he stammered on his words, “I, uh, you aren’t bothering me. I just…”

He let go of you and you stepped back to your precious spot. Behind him, the crowd had dissipated, Dean long gone. Chris remained, staring up at the pair of you on top of the hill. You couldn’t pinpoint his expression, but he seemed to hesitate before turning his back. You looked up at Luke.

“Why did you…come after me?”

You scoffed a laugh, “What? Anyone would’ve, it’s like…common decency.”

He twisted his expression, looking amused and devastated all at the same time, “But they didn’t.”

He was right; before you’d set off up the hill, everyone had just been watching him walk off. It seemed a little out of character, but then again, you didn’t know these people as well as you thought. Luke let out a sad chuckle, shaking his head, “Everyone’s sorta given up on me now that I’m…”

“Moody and depressed?” You finished, raising a single brow. You smiled at him, and it lifted into a grin when he smiled back, albeit only slightly. But you’d take it. “I just think that they’re a little unsure.”

“They’re scared, is what they are.” He said firmly, staring at the ground in mirth, “Their precious golden boy won’t clean up all of their messes anymore and they’re scared that they’ll have to start looking after themselves.”

“I don’t think that’s true.” You said, even if you didn’t believe it. How could you? You didn’t know these people, Luke did. “They’re just worried about you.”

He scoffed, finally moving his head up and meeting your eyes. He went to say something, presumably another quip about the campers, but stopped himself. Backtracked. Instead he said, “Aren’t you angry that you haven’t been claimed yet?”

That was a deep question. You sat on it for a couple of seconds, reeling at the sudden shift of conversation, until you finally let out a low puff of air and shrugged, “I don’t really know how I feel. Why? Should I be?”

“This camp, it’s —“ He huffed, “It helps you, sure. But it also forces you to…mould yourself into the perfect kid for — for a parent who doesn’t care enough to watch you grow up. Help you live, use their divine powers when a dragon is clawing your fucking face off!”

He’d stepped closer to you, unknowingly, that final shout making you wince a little at the volume. He stopped then, evening his breaths and stepping back with an apologetic expression. You brushed it off.

“A dragon clawed your face off?”

“Yeah.” He chuckled weakly, “Tell anyone and I’ll kill you.”

You smiled at him, shamefully admiring his face. Now that he wasn’t glaring in anger, and his face was more relaxed, you could see the whites of his eyes. His lashes, unreasonably long, and his lips that were so plush you were close to asking him if he took a trip to see Dr Miami while he was on his quest.

“Gods.” You murmured under your breath, “You’re so pretty it sorta pisses me off.”

Luke laughed then — a genuine chortle that shook his chest and made passers by glance in his direction. His grin was uncharacteristically wide and for a second, a brief moment, you saw it. Luke Castellan, the one everyone looks up to. The one they turn to in times of peril, the one they giggle and gossip about under the shade of the fir trees.

Then you knew your answer to Luke’s question. No — you weren’t angry that you hadn’t been claimed. In fact, you didn’t think you’d care even if you were so long as he was smiling at you like that.

He calmed down, catching his breath, his face relaxing back into that cool expression he’s always got on. Maybe your eyes were playing tricks on you, but you were sure he looked a little less tense than before. He nodded, waving a hand, “Alright, Sunny. Let’s go canoeing.”

“Sunny?” You asked, walking alongside him.

He clicked his tongue, glancing down at you, “If Apollo won’t claim you as a child of the sun, then I will.”

“Alright.” You smiled softly, looking forward so he wouldn’t see it and run off. You picked at your nails, “So long as I can call you JoJo.”

“Let’s watch that silly movie it’s from and I’ll decide if you can call me that.”

“Deal.”

🏷️ @katherines-imagines @lovingjasontoddmakemewanttocry @jennapancake @cobaltskiez @loveryoushouldcomeoverr @m00ng4z3r @mischiefmoons (comment to be added/removed!)

#sunny!verse #@lia’s works #luke castellan #luke castellan x reader #luke castellan x you

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ajbullet · 3 months

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Poseidon finally physically stepping in to save Percy when there was no other option. Every other time, he trusted Percy to get himself out. Whether it was figuring something out on the quest or fighting Ares, Poseidon only gave as much help as he believed Percy needed to succeed on his own.

Until Percy couldn’t do anymore. He couldn’t stop Zeus from killing him anymore than he could drive that taxi, so Poseidon finally appears and lays down his pride, arguably the most important thing for gods, in order to save Percy’s life.

Poseidon isn’t the perfect father, but as far as gods go, he’s arguably the best and I’m glad we got to see that so well portrayed in the show.

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sully-s · 26 days

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Batman Quest To Get A Birkin Bag

Ok so I have a very indulgent, SuperBats head fanfic that keeps me company on days that I forget to charge my earphones while walking my dog and to bore my wonderfully accommodating friends over dinner.

Long story short it’s a character study about Clark after his death. Doomsday kills him becuase we do not subscribe to Synder movies in this household.

Mostly its about Bruce grieving and reflecting on his ten+ year marriage with the man of steel with a large helping of the Justice League members bonding and finally getting to know Bruce and in turn Clark. (Kal never really got to say specifics about his life because Bruce wanted to keep his identity secret therefore a lot of Clark's life was private.)

For most of the fic Clark’s dead. But I'm one for angst with a happy ending so he comes back. How he comes back I have all kinds of versions but I just want to share this really silly one that I’m slightly obsessed with.

It’s about two years after Clark died. Currently, Bruce and Hal are off-world for a two-month mission. Shortly after they leave the League are battling some sorcerer who's in possession of a Jinn. During the battle two of the three wishes are used and at the end it's Flash who gets to use the last one.

He wishes for Clark to be revived back to life.

Jinn says he can't do that

Flash thinks of course just like in Aladdin you can't bring the dead back, make someone fall in love or wish for more wishes.

The Jinn is like how dare you think that's not within my power of course I can bring back the dead, I can't bring back Superman because Clark's not dead. he's just in his grave too weak to break out of his grave due to the lack of sunlight.

Flash hears this and immediately rushes over to dig up Kal.

The next month and a half are all about Clark adjusting to the changes over the last three years (Like having a new kid at the manor: Tim) Meeting new members (Green Arrow, Martian Man Hunter), and really bonding with his teammates ect.

While waiting for Bruce's return Clark asks Barry what he'd like.

Barry is confused

Clark clarifies that Barry was able to bring back one of Bruce's loved ones “to life.“ That’s never happened and for a man like Bruce who loves deeply for his family he going to be very grateful and he will not take “I’m just glad I could help” for an answer. So Barry needs to think of something or Batman will.

Barry doesn't know what to ask for but knows that Bruce is rich. He figures this would be a great time to get that designer bag that Iris always wanted but they could never justify ever buying. (Listen I don’t know if Iris is a designer girly but in this fic she really just likes this one bag.)

So Bruce and Hal get back and after the big celebration party, the JL held for Clark and Bruce's reunion. Bruce approaches Barry thanks him and asks if there’s anything he can do.

Thinking Barry is going to ask for a house, pull some strings with his Brucie persona so he can better his life at his job or status. Maybe ask for Bruce to fund or set up a wellness program for people in Central City.

But Barry is just like: Uh well Iris has always liked this bag.

And Bruce is thinking Really Barry You brought the love of my life back to life I’d move mountains (without Clark’s help) for you and you want some designer bag for your wife?

Bruce: Do you have a picture?

And as soon as Barry shows him the bag Bruce knows moving mountains would be so much easier.

The bag Barry wants to get is a Birkin Bag.

Now if you know anything about Birkin bags 1. they’re stupid expensive. 2. If you can afford one that doesn't mean you get to buy one. Hermes the company that makes them has this irate practice that you have to work up a good relationship with the store and the sales associates in said store to even get the privilege to buy a Birkin (usually by buying a ton of other Hermes products you don’t want.) Sometimes you buy half the store but if you’re not a high-profile client or they don't like your image they just brush you off and postpone your chance to ”buy” a Birkin. And if you do all of the above prerequisites You don't even get to pick the bag they "give" you one. Want a pink colorway? Sorry here's lime green you're welcome.

Now Barry has no knowledge of any of this and just thinks a Birkin is just some overpriced bag. The problem is Iris only likes this one colorway ( Size 35cm, Red Alligator Exterior, Gold hardware, Yellow Slik interior ect.)

This is going to be near impossible.

But In Bruce's mind, Flash did the impossible in bringing back Clark (Bruce thinks Clark was wished back to life because that's the story everyone is sticking to. Because the emotional trauma of letting Bruce know that Clark was alive the whole time rotting away in a grave for 2 years is not on anyone’s todo list.) So he will get this bag Even if it kills him. He's the goddamn Batman.

And all this lead up is to what I'm actually obsessed with

I just love the idea that Bruce is running around Brucie-ing it up to try to get in Hermes' good graces but his image of being a drunk playboy is activity stopping him from buying any bag.

He calls up the Daily Planet and starts setting up all these puff PR-boosting articles to up his image. Which starts rumors becuase Burce Wayne doesn’t do interviews so why now?

Gotham elite catches wind that Burcie Wayne wants a Birkin richest man in America can't get one. So they all start getting Birkins. They ware them to his galas, just to troll Burcie. The elite jump on the waitlist inflating the list to stupid long. Hermes starts to wear the exclusivity of Brucie Wayne as a sign of good taste and prestige. Bruce searches the second-hand market and can't find the colorway Iris's wants.

Bruce goes undercover as a worker for a local Hermes store to become his own sales associate just so he can get around the prejudices of Bruce Wayne image and start racking up a sales history. (He just selling and buying to himself lol.)

So Bruce is playing a luxury salesman using his background of old money and Alfred’s butlering to woo potential buyers. Working his first retail job ever. Having to suck up to management so he can plead his case about Bruce Wayne. Using his access to get informed on what bags are currently available, who’s on the waitlist, where they rank, and criteria on how and what moves you up the list ect.

After months and becoming the number one salesman, he makes his case to allow Brucie Wayne to buy a bag.

It’s declined.

So he switches tactics.

He just makes a new cover as a recently won lottery winner looking to burn cash and wants to burn it with Hermes. And starts a new sale history. Using all of his knowledge and intel about what gets you on the waiting list.

He gets stonewalled a few times by former co-workers that he gets around by blackmailing them with gossip and infractions he witnessed or was told In confidence when he was a fellow sales associate.

Finally, his lottery winner persona is put on a waitlist. The only problem is he’s at the very bottom.

So what does he do?

He suties up As Batman and starts intimidating all those who are higher on the list than his lottery winner cover rocketing him up the list.

He hits a roadblock when he tries to scrace a woman on the list who doesn’t believe he’s actually Batman becuase “Why would Batman even want with a Birkin?”

Which leads to an escalation that gets him an earful from Superman who’s called to the scene by said woman whos terrified after Batman strings her upside down over the edge of her high-rise penthouse.

Clark offers to buy the bag becuase who wouldn’t want that kinda of PR endorsement?

Which Bruce vittamently refuses becuase it would cheapen the gift.

Finally, after a week of terrorizing wait-listers, his lottery winner persona is “given“ the opportunity to buy a bag.

But disaster strikes when that lucky break he thought he got because he was next on the list was actually bad luck becuase the person was bumped off becuase they bought the bag that Bruce had painfully calculated to purchase which was the only bag that would be made in the next 3 years that has the colorway that Iris wanted.

So Bruce tracks down and comforts the buyer in the dead of night as Batman. The buyer freaks out and says they didn't even want this colorway and really wanted a Caranery yellow ostrich skin colorway and if he could get her that one she'd trade for it.

This leads Bruce to play matchmaker for a series of buyers that have Birken Bags they don't love and would trade for their dream bag. And after months of fetch questing and matching sad Birken owners around the world with their dream bags Bruce he pulls it off. He finally gets a Canary, yellow ostrich skin colorway Birkin bag trades it for Iris’s dream bag. Only to find out it was ruined in a car crash that was caused by an alien invasion 2 months before that the JL had a particularly nasty time with and it was Bruce’s Batmobile that was thrown into her parked car.

The bag is a mess the zipper borken, missing hardware, leather scratched. But Bruce so done with everything accepts the trade and takes it back to the cave. Where he proceeds to 3D scan the bag then composite a CAD model and starts to collect all the raw components of the bag himself.

Getting only the best materials (much better than what Hermes was using) Talking to Killer Corc on how to find the best alligator pelts. Flying to India to personally pick out the red dye for the color. Mining the gold for the hardware from an asteroid that was threatening the Watchtower.

After he has everything Bruce proceeds to by hand construct an exact replica of Iris's dream bag. Essentially making the most over-budgeted fake to exist. Where he finally gives it to Barry (who has no inkling of the time and effort Bruce has put into this side project that has taken the better part of a whole year) who jokes in saying “Oh wow takes 12 months to run to the store huh?”

#Shit I'm never going to write #Fic Idea rambling #Silly Ideas #Superbat #The Flash #Batman #Superman #Burcie Wayne #bruce wayne #Messing Around #DCAU #Stupidly long #I'm great at parties ;)

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nvoirs · 1 year

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Could you do a Leon one shot where him and the reader are still in Spain and he catches Luis checking the reader out? Causing Leon to reveal his lust and love for the reader

I love this so much oh my gosh, here you go <3

You were glad that you and Leon had met Luis. The man was a ball of sunshine and he brightened up your mood when he cracked jokes every once in a while, he was also determined to help in your ‘quest’ as he called it.

“Luis, you really know how to make a crowd laugh.” You walked alongside him as Leon trudged behind his gaze hard but that’s just how he always was. You didn’t expect Leon to care if Luis was basically flirting with you, staring you up and down every time he engaged in a conversation with you, he’d never so much as shown a romantic interest in you.

“Senorita I only impress the best ladies, you could say that I’m a ladies man.” His big grin made Leon want to punch it off. His irked expression dissipated and his hands unclenched dropping at his sides when you glanced back at him giggling from Luis’s comment.

“Hey Leon, we can stop here and take a break.” You gestured to the small empty cabin, no ganandos in sight to try and snatch up Ashley.

“Baby eagle will be safe.” You added on. In reality, you were so exhausted your legs were sore from all the sprinting you’d done.

“Alright.” His curt response was expected. Ashley pipped up by Leon’s side clutching his arm which made you a bit annoyed but you really had no reason to be since you were shamelessly flirting with Luis. But Leon didn’t care, did he?

She mumbled about how she hated that stupid code name she was given, like what even is baby eagle? Her grumbling made you roll your eyes, as Leon made her sit down on the chair in the creaky old cabin.

“Take this time to rest.” Ashley nodded at him, her heart eyes evident had you turning your back and shutting the door harshly. Leaning your shotgun against the stony moss covered wall you pulled off your fingerless gloves before stuffing them into your back pocket.

You hadn't heard the creak of the cabin door open and Leon make his way around to you. “Cleaning weapons without me? No fair.” you gave him a look before turning around and continuing cleaning your handgun with the now dirty rag.

“What's up with you? you and Luis were just having a party of a conversation before.”

That pissed you off. “And have you got a problem with that Agent Kennedy?” The surname basis made Leon flinch as he trapped you between his arms caging you between the cabin wall and himself.

“Why are you really pissed, Agent?”

“I don't know, maybe ask Ashley.” You shot back. Oh shit you dumbass.

“Oh? don't tell me you're jealous of the president's daughter's hospitality, don't be It's just the way she was brought up.” His hand inched its way towards your leg, you could smell the mint of his breath gently fanning over your startled face.

“I'd say you have a little crush on me.. no? Forcing It onto Luis to get back at me.” His free hand that wasn't holding his gun came in contact with the softness of your dirt caked skin. He wiped a streak of mud with his rough padded thumb from under your eyelid and you let out a small squeak.

“I bet you'd like it if I did this, wouldn't you.” You weren't even thinking straight as Leon pressed against you, slotting your mouth against his as you drank in his sweet lips. You muffled gasps and whines had him chuckling as he pulled back, a string of fated saliva still connected.

“Luis and Ashley are only behind this wall, maybe talking but they'll probably hear you if you make a sound.”

Your eyes widened when Leon unzipped your tactical pants in one swift motion, pulling them down to your mid thighs. Exposed and vulnerable to Leon's intentions he had a full view of your underwear that was collecting your wetness inside. He got you so wet it kind of scared you if he was going to see he would never let you live it down.

“Pink panties? that's so cute.” His cooing made you shiver, but you let him do as he pleased. His fingers dipped into the side of your underwear as he shamelessly stroked your bare cunt. The short gasp that you let out had him continuing. Latching his mouth onto yours again drinking in your cries of pleasure, as he shoved two of his fingers into your sopping mess of a pussy.

The thrusts were fast and you could hear the squelching of your cunt as Leon pumped his fingers inside of you. A third finger rubbed at your weeping clit, sending electric bolts of pleasure through your weakened body. Your watery eyes were rolling to the back of your skull, legs trembling like jelly as he literally forced your orgasm from you. You came on his fingers whimpering into his mouth, your pussy still clenching around his fingers as he pulled out.

“Open your mouth, know you'd love it, such a slut.” Leon tutted as you opened your mouth eagerly sucking on his fingers tasting yourself on them.

“Please Leon, need more.” Clenching your thighs together, as you stared up at his looming figure. His arrogant stare intimidated you as he grinned.

“Maybe if you don't go near Luis, you're still indebted to me. I think I deserve something for my efforts.”

And you were dropping to your knees before he could even ask.

#leon kennedy #leon scott kennedy #leon kennedy smut #leon kennedy x reader #leon kennedy x you #leon re4 #resident evil smut #residentevil4leon #resident evil 4 #leon kennedy re4 #reader insert

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larkspurglove · 1 month

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OH MY GODDD THE NEW TRAILBLAZE MISSION IT’S SO GOOD BUT ALSO NONE OF MY THOUGHTS ARE COHERENT AAAAA

Major spoilers for 2.1 ahead!!!!

So first off to the people that voted for Aventurine and Sunday in this poll how does it feel to be right?

ANYWAY THAT WHOLE ENDING WAS FUCKING INSANEEEE, Aventurine walking INTO the Nihility????? And he might not ever come back???? Acheron showing off the true extent of her emanator powers?????? Gallagher being the twist villain and also somehow in control of Something Unto Death???? What the fuck?!

My brain is a mess right now I’m just rotating all of the story in my brain and a hundred miles a minute. The next stuff is just going to be me word vomiting my reaction to stuff in a vaguely chronological order.

First off I LOVEEE how Aventurine-focused the Trailblaze mission was. I was kind of assuming it would be a 50/50 split between focusing on Acheron and focusing on Aventurine but it seems like they’re saving Acheron’s backstory for 2.2 or 2.3.

The little appearance of Boothill??? And how he immediately threatens violence?????? Just a silly guy I can’t wait for him in 2.2 I wanna see them fight. Also I wonder if Constance is making empty promises because it’s possible.

Back to Aventurine, DAMNNN I knew his backstory would be tragic but it’s even more gut wrenching than I expected. The reference in his achievements too??? ‘What do you want Sibyl?’ ‘I want to die.’ THE PROGRESSION FROM AVENTURINE STICKING WITH THIS UNTIL THE END WHERE EVEN THOUGH HE COULD POSSIBLY DIE FOR REAL YET HE DECIDES FO CONTINUE FORWARD BECAUSE EVEN IF WE’RE BORN TO DIE THERE’S A POINT IN LIVING LIFE AND PREPARING FOR THAT INEVITABILITY???? OH MY GOD.

Sunday’s also a scary dude. Maybe being an emanator does that to people but when he did that Harmony mindfuckery on Aventurine I was almost certain that he was going to die because of that. I was also SO pissed at Ratio for selling Aventurine out only to learn they were actually double crossing SUNDAY was insane. I’m glad he finally got to be angry about Robin’s death towards the end though, most of the downtime between 2.0 and 2.1 has been me wondering ‘man his sister just died why doesn’t he feel more distressed.’

Ngl I’m probably gonna dedicate a whole post to Aventurine in this update because 90% of the time I was playing the quest I was either thirsting over him, internally sobbing for him, thinking he was gonna die, or waiting to get back to his POV.

Gallagher is one hell of an enigma because Sunday implies that he’s made up of different ‘aspects’ of each Family member who’s died over however long the dreamscape deaths have been happening, yet he has a past with Siobhan and apparently knew Mikhail??? Like what the fuck????? How long has this been going on????

(Edit: so the use of ‘enigma’ was NOT a pun, when I played the trailblaze quest someone goofed up and forgot to add the line where Sunday calls Gallagher a follower of The Enigmata. Yeah that’s a pretty big lore drop to forget to add.)

I do wish it was foreshadowed slightly better though because the most we get is him being very vaguely sad about his past and also like two people going ‘who the hell is Gallagher.’

One thing I didn’t expect to happen was for a ‘Sam is Firefly’ reveal. Like I had seen the leaks before (not out of my own will sadly) and kind of expected for it to be a 2.2 reveal. Either way yayyyy Firefly is alive!!!

I’m sad that we didn’t really have an Acheron and Welt team up, or at least that we didn’t see more of it. It was kind of hyped up to be a whole B-plot but turned out to only be a few scenes. I’m not complaining because we get a little teeny bit of Welt characterisation but I’m still sad.

I like how Sparkle kind of just shows up to either be a nuisance or a conveniently timed piece to move the plot forward. It’s very fitting with being a Masked Fool.

There’s a lot more I want to scream about but it’s all Aventurine related and I’m gonna save it for its own dedicated post.

2.1 is so fucking good 2.2 and 2.3 better stick the landing.

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ludibriadormonoteista · 5 months

Text

Slay the Dragon

Papa Arc: Son… The time has come. The infamous Yellow Dragon has been terrorizing our village for far too long.

Jaune: I hear you, father. I have been training my whole life for this.

Papa Arc: Indeed, you have. Take the family sword. You shall honor the oath you took and slay that foul creature.

Jaune: I will see that it is done, father. *Takes his leave*

Papa Arc: Now, hold on a minute. *Grabs his shoulder*

Jaune: Yes, father?

Papa Arc: Before you go, I want to make one thing very clear. I said Slay. Not Lay.

Jaune: …Yeah, I got it the first time.

Papa Arc: Slay, son. Not lay, not laid, not bang, not bed, not consummate, not taking her out for dinner. I want you to KILL that dragon.

Jaune: Father, I don’t-

Papa Arc: It’s a giant DRAGON for heaven’s sake. That monster is responsible for wiping out dozens of villages a year and has killed far more people than you will ever meet in your entire life. So PLEASE! Don’t waste your breath trying to woo that blasted creature!

Jaune: Dad, I’m seriously not gonna-

Papa Arc: I cannot stress how much we need that bitch dead, and the very last thing we need is for you to try and stick your dick in it!

Jaune: D-DAD!

Papa Arc: I want you to take this sword and plunge into the beast’s heart! Chop it into pieces if you must! Don’t stop until the life has left its eyes!

Jaune: ALRIGHT, GEESH! *Calms down* For the last time, I’m not gonna seduce the dragon or anything. I don’t even know where you got that idea from.

Papa Arc: I just want to make sure you understand what I’m saying.

Jaune: Father, I’m not one of those dragon-lovin’ degenerates from the southern islands, okay? You don’t have to worry about that.

Papa Arc: Glad to hear it. *Clears throat* Go forward, son. Make your ancestors proud.

Jaune: Yeah, yeah… *Finally leaves*

Papa Arc: Phew! Crisis averted. Ain’t that right, honey?

Mama Arc: It’s not gonna work, Nicky.

Papa Arc: What makes you say that?

Mama Arc: Take a good look. *Shows her dragon tail* I still can’t believe you convinced our son I’m a lizard Faunus.

Papa Arc: So what if I got lucky and got myself a wife because I couldn’t read instructions properly?! I could’ve been killed! I don’t want Jaune to make the same mistake and risk getting scorched to death.

Mama Arc: I don’t know, Taiyang’s spawn did seem very lonely last I checked. And that was 20 years ago.

Papa Arc: Well, then Taiyang’s spawn shall find plenty of companionship in the fiery pits of hell. For our boy Jaune will not rest until the Yellow Dragon’s life has been claimed by the sacred Crocea Mors-

[}}]

Yang: S’up, in-laws! I’ve been meaning to meet you guys. Huge fan of your work here. *Slaps Jaune’s back*

Jaune: *red* Yang, please…

Papa Arc: *Disgruntled noises*

Mama Arc: Oh, you must be our boy’s fiancé he wrote about. Come now sweetie, let me show you around the house.

Yang: You got it, mom! Can’t wait to meet my new sisters. Later, hubby~

Papa Arc: Jaune… What did I tell you?

Jaune: Tell me what?

Papa Arc: The thing we discussed? Before parting on your quest?

Jaune: What thing- Oh. Ooohhh……

Papa Arc: Do you have anything to say for yourself, young man?

Jaune: *Hand on the back of his head* I guess it slipped out of my mind…?

Papa Arc: Oh, something did slip, alright.

Jaune: It-It’s nothing like that! It all happened so fast, and-! Look, she’s on the run from a whole evil cult or some shit and I wondered if you and mom could let her crash here for a few weeks.

Papa Arc: And you didn’t think the neighbors would suspect anything from the blond girl with dragon horns waltzing around our house?

Jaune: I don’t know, I just figured we could tell everyone she’s a Faunus. Just like mom.

Papa Arc: *Wincing* About that, son…

#rwby shitpost #rwby #jaune arc #yang xiao long #dragonslayer #yang x jaune

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givemea-dam-break · 4 months

Text

daughters of the evening

⭒⭒⭒⭒ in which luke’s descent from good may be found.

pairing: luke castellan x (fem) reader

a/n: hey guys!! first fic in a while and i know, i know, pjo book readers are disappointed in me… but i’m just a girl! i’m literally just a girl! please enjoy my brain baby i love her :) i love writing quests so much, so this was really nice to write for my first fic back on tumblr. i hope you guys enjoy! if anybody wants to be added to my pjo taglist, let me know!

warnings: canon typical violence, book spoilers, blood/injury description, rusty writing

words: 5.8K ⭒⭒⭒⭒

(y/n) couldn’t remember when the change in Luke became permanent.

She could remember the hints of something at the corners of his eyes, something that bit at the happiness that filled them, eating away at it like rot on wood. She could remember the slow decline in his respect for his father, respect that had barely been there for years, though was now bridging on outright disrespect.

She could remember the crux of it all, the very moment in which all of the little things began to coalesce into something ugly. A flash of claws, the deep scarlet of mortal blood followed by shimmering gold ichor. The horrible sound of screaming. Gleaming fruits of gold. Gorgeous, blooming green trees towering above them that concealed the violence below.

It was after the quest that Luke, her Luke, was never the same.

⭒⭒

“I don’t remember San Francisco looking like this.”

Luke’s lips curled into a smile. “You’ve never been to San Francisco.”

(y/n) rolled her eyes. “I’ve seen it in movies through which I have lived vicariously. It’s in one of the Indiana Jones’s, right? Looks different.”

“Those movies are from the eighties,” Luke said. “So, yeah, it’s going to look different.”

Charles Beckendorf, their questmate, heaved a sigh. “Do you guys ever stop?”

“Stop what?” (y/n) asked.

“Being annoying? Flirting? Whatever you want to call it.”

Her face felt awfully hot and she found herself unable to even look in Luke’s general direction. It was a comment that had been made many times in the past, one she was sure Luke was sick to death of, but she found herself yearning for comments like it. They meant that maybe she wasn’t dreaming up something between them.

Either way, she didn’t acknowledge it, rather stuffing her hand into her unzipped backpack and scrounging around until finally she found what she wanted. With a dramatic flair, she revealed three paper maps, each embellished with their names written in colourful pen at the top.

A moment of silence, then Luke said, “Why do we need a map each? Can’t we just share? And where did you even get those?”

“I got them back in Salt Lake City, before we happened upon that massive crab, you remember the one? All blue and slimy.” She pressed the maps into their hands. “There are multiple because knowing you both, you’ll lose them and I’m not buying any more. But, look! They’re colour-coded. Green for me because, duh, Demeter. Orange for Beckendorf, red for you. We can at least make this quest for some stupid apples interesting.”

Beckendorf raised a brow, giving her a strange look. “With glittery gel pen?”

“Glittery gel pen makes everything better,” she insisted. “I’m glad you acknowledge that. Now, come on. With all this talking you two have been doing, we don’t have much time to spare. You’re like a pair of gossiping grannies.”

The two shared a look over her head, one they thought she didn’t see, but it only made her hold back a laugh. They were a relatively upbeat group as it was, but she prided herself on keeping the mood light, especially when danger was looming. With the might of glittery gel pens, a travel-size game of Monopoly, and a cheesy puns book they had picked up off the side of the road, they would be unstoppable should their enemies need a good laugh.

It wasn’t that they weren’t capable of what was ahead of them that she felt the need to joke around, it was just her regular nerves. The three of them were experienced and powerful demigods, skilled fighters and strategists, the best of the best. Luke had his immense skill with a sword and the mind of a trickster; Beckendorf had the brains and strength of a blacksmith, and could sense a trap a mile away and disarm it in moments; (y/n) herself was a powerful daughter of Demeter and, though not to the standard of Luke, was also skilled with a sword.

They hadn’t faced much trouble before. They were a tried-and-tested trio, having been on multiple quests together in the past and finding themselves working well together.

This time, it seemed like a match made by the Fates. A quest ordained by Hermes, Luke’s father, to retrieve the Apples of Immortality from the Garden of the Hesperides - gardens and plants being the domain of Demeter and, by extension, (y/n). And, no doubt, there would be many traps or the need for a strong mind, hence Beckendorf. He was a year or two younger than she and Luke, but had proved himself upon countless occasions. She trusted him with her life.

Almost a week now they’d been on this quest, and still she felt like a giddy child. Almost seventeen and, at her big age, she was holding back smiles and giggles befitting of a schoolgirl with a crush. Part of it was gratefulness that a demigod such as Luke had chosen her to join him on this quest, even after being friends for years and having gone on numerous quests together already. Part of it was simply that she was madly in love with the boy.

She glanced at him from the corner of her eye, then, watching the way the afternoon sun gleamed on his face, setting his dark eyes alight with flame. There was a curious smile on his lips, one that concealed mischief and intelligence; one she had loved for as long as she could remember. His hair was messy after days of travelling and not bothering to fuss with it - she dreaded to think of what her own looked like, the only mirror she had being her sword - but there was something so extremely endearing about it. Wild curls that gave his lightly-freckled face even more life.

Their maps didn’t help their hunt for the Garden an awful lot. For what had to have been at least two hours, they stumbled around the city, turning this way and that, earning odd looks from strangers.

“For being the son of the god of travellers,” (y/n) said, “you are horrendous at reading a map.”

Luke gave her a nudge with his elbow as he scanned the map. He was grinning. Her stomach was doing cartwheels. “Maps make sense enough, but I think these ones are out of date.”

“Maps don’t go out of date, stupid.”

Beckendorf was holding back a smile. “I think he’s right. I think our maps are too old.”

(y/n) glowered at them, plucking their maps from their hands. Fine. They didn’t deserve to hold maps graced with her glittery gel pens anyways.

“Well,” she said. “Unless either of you have any ideas, we’re going to be stuck wandering for hours. Come on, Luke. Use your magicky journey powers. They got us this far.”

His eyes shone, and her knees felt a little weak. She loved it when he looked at her like that, when she had said something funny. It was as though the heavens themselves had descended and flooded his face with light and beauty. She couldn’t look away.

“It’s a big garden,” he retorted. “Find the big garden, daughter of the mighty Demeter!”

She knew he meant it as a joke - the sarcasm was practically dripping from his voice - but there was something in his tone that she couldn’t identify. Something deeper than a simple sarcastic comment. This had been a pity quest, of sorts, she knew. Luke had been getting restless and his father had wanted to satiate him, but it wasn’t enough. He was displeased with the gods, to say the least.

But he kept a good lock on his expressions, on his words. She wouldn’t have suspected a thing had she not known him as well as she knew the feeling of grass beneath her feet.

Eventually, combining their powers and the single brain cell that seemed to be taken by Beckendorf, they found their way to the Mount Tamalpais State Park, which was not open to visitors now that the sun was setting.

They stared up at the distant mountain, the sloping greenland and towering trees that led towards it, and heaved a synonymous groan. Quests could never be even slightly easy, it seemed. Why would the gods let them head to a random park in the city when they could have them trespassing in a state park at night, lives in the hands of the monsters and animals alike that roamed the woods? The gods would rather have them arrested than have something be easy.

“You’re kidding, right?” Beckendorf said. “We don’t have to walk all that way?”

(y/n) frowned. She wished more than anything that they could just turn around and leave, a feeling she did not often get on quests. But something didn’t feel right. There was a twist in her gut, a deep intuition that told her something was going to go wrong.

But her gut was also pulling her towards the mountain. There was a power there, unlike any she had felt before, and she wanted to know what it was.

“We’ll be fine,” she insisted, though she didn’t feel entirely sure herself.

She was the first to make the step towards their darkening fates. If she had known the outcome, she would have turned and fled immediately.

The three of them trudged up the path, flicking on torches when the sky grew darker and the ground in front of them too hard to see. It gave them an eerie glow, entirely unlike the warm glow of their weapons. All of their features were in stark contrast to the dark surroundings; Luke’s cheekbones, Beckendorf’s eyes, her brownbone. It was disconcerting, and it felt all too much like they were the lead characters in a ghost story.

She was considering turning back about halfway there. The tug in her gut was becoming stronger, almost unbearable, and her head was pounding, filled with the worry of the possible incidents that had not happened yet.

The only thing that kept her going was Luke’s pinky finger wrapped around hers.

Maybe he felt her nerves, so acute that she feared her sinews and tendons and bones could snap at any moment. But Luke knew her. He had known her since they were barely teenagers. He knew her better than she knew herself: every habit she had; every face she made; every hint of a feeling before she knew it was coming. He had some deep understanding of her, one that would have made her feel vulnerable in any other situation with any other person. Luke was not any other person.

His pinky was wrapped around hers tightly, warmer than the rest of her body put together. It curled around hers just so, acknowledging her worry. His jacket sleeve brushed hers.

It wasn’t until they reached the Garden at the foot of the mountain that his hand wrapped around hers fully, encasing it entirely in warmth and comfort. His palms were calloused, fingers ribbed with light scars, but she could not imagine it any other way.

The Garden of the Hesperides was easily the most beautiful place she had ever seen and was likely the most beautiful place she would ever see. Stars hung above them in the night sky, glittering so brightly it was as though they could reach out and touch them with their outstretched fingers. Lush green grass coated the ground beneath their feet and beyond, speckled with flowers so bright they almost glowed in the dark. It was bristling with life, so full of it that (y/n) could feel it all deep in her bones.

But the source of the power lay further afield.

A tree, much taller than the rest, stood at the centre of the garden, boasting more golden apples than (y/n) could count. Its branches swayed in the faint breeze in mesmerising swoops, and the scent of fresh fruit laced with something that could only be described as addictive brushed over them. A faint mist swirled around the trunk of the tree, glittering slightly in the moonlight.

“Holy Hephaestus,” Beckendorf murmured, slack-jawed.

“That’s one big tree,” Luke said.

“You certainly have a way with words,” (y/n) said.

His hand only squeezed hers in response. She could feel his heartbeat in his wrist. How was it so steady?

There was a shift in the wind, then, and a soft bite came into the air. Goosebumps prickled the skin of their arms, raising the hair there. She wasn’t sure if she was imagining it, but she swore she could hear the faintest lull of singing voices and could feel the weight of some large presence in the air. Nothing could be seen but the beautiful garden and the decadent tree in the centre.

“Luke Castellan,” said a soft voice. Luke visibly tensed, eyes narrowing at the usage of his surname. “(y/n) (l/n). Charles Beckendorf. We have been expecting you in our Garden for quite some time now.”

The voice seemed to come from everywhere and nowhere all at once. But, finally, after a few moments, the speaker emerged from the fine mist.

She didn’t look like much, appearing to be barely older than (y/n), but there was something about her surrounding aura that suggested she was much, much older. Dark, inky hair tumbled over narrow tawny shoulders, framing even darker eyes that shone with unknown magic. The woman seemed to blink slowly, as if bored or tired, and it looked as though she were merely floating over the ground rather than walking. It was hard to tell. Her Greek chiton covered her feet.

“We are the Hesperides,” she said, voice ever gentle, as four more women appeared, each almost identical in appearance. “Daughters of the Evening. Nymphs of the Sunset. Protectors of this Garden. What is your business here?”

There was a cockiness to Luke’s smile then, one that had (y/n) on edge. “If you’ve been expecting us, then surely you know our business.”

The lead Hesperide drew nearer, stopping a few feet away from their trio. Her sisters gathered at her sides, dark eyes sparkling with stars and cold curiosity and something overtly bitter. The demigods were clearly unwelcome here, but they intended to make a game of their quest.

(y/n)’s hand squeezed Luke’s in warning. He spared her a glance, her heart drawing still when his warm eyes met hers. His chin dipped slightly in a nod, and he gave her hand a squeeze before turning his attention back to the Hesperides.

“We’ve been sent here on a quest by my father Hermes,” Luke announced. His voice held more confidence than she felt. “We’re here to retrieve a golden apple.”

It was strange watching the Hesperides’ heads tilt in unison as if they were each an extension of the other. Voices lulled around them, soft and gentle, and the worry seeped from her very bones. Her hand fell from Luke’s. Something felt strangely at ease in her stomach despite their circumstances.

“You may try,” said the lead Hesperide. Her skin glimmered like marble in the moonlight. “Our dearest Ladon protects this tree with his life. He does not sleep. Every second of every day, he guards our gift from Gaea, the goddess Hera’s wedding gift. Do not think it will be easy to pass him.”

The Hesperides seemed to fade into the mist, then, their bodies becoming light and transparent as they slowly backed away until nothing was left but the faint singing swirling around them. The voices gave (y/n) a strange feeling, as though pulling her towards the tree.

“Who’s Ladon?” Beckendorf asked.

The three of them stood for a moment, watching the swirling mist.

“A dragon,” (y/n) said. “A big dragon.”

She could feel his presence, she realised. The heavy weight that had settled over them upon entering the Garden, it couldn’t be anything else. Even still, she could feel him through the ground, like an impending sense of death and doom. She’d had similar feelings before, an innate knowledge that the strawberry fields were close to wilting one year. Campers had called her crazy, but she knew. The earth knew.

And it knew now. She was horribly aware of the heaviness in her gut that surrounded the bright power of the apple tree. It could be nothing but Ladon.

“Any ideas, Luke?” she asked. “You’re our idea guy.”

He scoffed. “Since when? You’ve been dragging us around by our ears this entire quest.”

But he could see the nerves that she felt. He knew how strange this was for her, to feel so deeply worried about a quest. He knew something was wrong.

“I’ll get the apple,” he said, and his shoulders rose with confidence. His hand, the one that had held (y/n)’s moments ago, twitched just so. “I’m the fastest out of the three of us. You two, keep our friend distracted.”

There was a deep grumble at that moment, as if Ladon were making himself known. It shook the ground and the boughs of the tree trembled. Sweet-smelling apples tumbled into the mist.

“Wouldn’t it make more sense for me to get the apples?” (y/n) asked. “You brought along a daughter of Demeter for a reason.”

He smiled softly at her. “That’s not the reason I brought you along.”

And, before either she or Beckendorf could protest his stupidity or question his statement, Luke’s glowing sword materialised in his hand and he was running into the mist.

The mist spread apart as his feet made contact, and (y/n)’s heart dropped. Beckendorf, one of the bravest demigods she had ever met despite his age, had a tremor in his hands as he pulled free his sword.

Within the mist was the largest monster (y/n) had ever seen. It was wrapped around the tree in a serpentine-like way, scales glimmering in the moonlight like molten copper and bronze. Massive claws sunk into the dirt surrounding the tree, at least the length of her forearm and as wide as Beckendorf’s. Every breath it released shook the branches of the tree as though caught in a gale.

The most horrifying part: the dragon had a hundred heads.

She had read about Ladon, had familiarised herself with the myths surrounding the Hesperides. Days before the quest, she and Luke had sat down at the canoe lake, poring over old history books that told the tale of Heracles and his Twelve Labours, one of which was the very quest they were being made to repeat. Luke had made a joke of it back then, unhappy with the quest he had been given and disbelieving that what they faced would be much of a threat.

But Ladon was no joke. It was an entirely different thing seeing drawings of the dragon and seeing him in real life. His hundred heads slithered through the air like snakes on the water, luminous yellow eyes watching the demigods with piqued interest.

Even Luke faltered.

A deep breath came from all two hundred of the dragon’s nostrils, washing over them in a hot, acidic wave. The smell alone was horrendous, like an old, decrepit sewer filled with rotting rats, and it had the hairs on her arms standing and her eyes burning.

She was worried that she may never be able to move again, frozen in place by the sheer might of Ladon, but when Luke turned to look at her, blood flooded into her veins again. He was counting on her. She wouldn’t let him down.

Ladon expected a frontal assault. He was waiting for Luke to attack, watching like a predator on prey, but he did not expect the very tree he protected to act against him.

With a heave of energy, (y/n) stretched out her arm and watched as the tree’s trunk began to swell as if filling with liquid. Ladon’s serpentine body writhed around it, twisting as he moved to accommodate the growing tree. The branches above him shook, dipping towards the ground slowly. Too slowly.

The dragon seemed to realise what, or who, was causing the change, and snarled ferociously. It was at that moment that Beckendorf grabbed a ball of Celestial bronze from his belt and, with a strong arm and remarkably good aim, threw it at the beast.

An explosion of green ignited before them as the ball slammed into Ladon’s thick hide. The dragon roared, whether in pain or fury, and set its bright gaze on (y/n) and Beckendorf.

Fear coursed through her body. She could hardly breathe. The branches wavered, pausing the pursuit to the ground. Beckendorf launched another one of his Celestial bronze bombs.

A pity quest, that’s what this had been. But, maybe, it was more than that. Maybe this was Hermes’ punishment for Luke wanting more from his life. Maybe this was (y/n)’s consequence for falling so irrevocably in love with Luke - for feeling the way she did, she would have to follow him to impossible circumstances.

But none of them deserved it.

It was at that moment that Luke took his leap.

With speed befitting a child of Hermes, he leapt onto Ladon’s mighty body, feet finding purchase on his rough scales, and launched himself upwards towards the descending branches.

For a moment, there was hope. Even Heracles had not retrieved the apples by facing Ladon, but maybe Luke would. Perhaps Luke would succeed where Heracles had not. Pride swelled in her heart, coated her tongue like warm honey, and she almost smiled.

Copper-coloured claws flashed in the moonlight. A chorus of soft, harmonising voices swirled around them like mist.

Mistake, they sang. The boy has made a mistake.

There was a cry of pain so guttural that (y/n) felt it in her soul. Her feet were moving before she could truly comprehend what was happening. The grass tried to reach for her ankles, tried to stop her in her mission, but nothing could. Had a god stood before her, she would have found her way past them. Nothing could stop her, not even this dragon that caused such fear in her bones.

She reached Luke as Ladon wound around the tree tightly, snarling protectively. Something in the beast’s demeanour hinted at pain beneath the danger, and when she saw the gold blood pooling just a few feet away, she knew why.

A claw, one of Ladon’s, severed from the knuckle down lay strewn in the grass. The dragon hissed as Beckendorf snatched it up, hefting his sword as (y/n) pulled Luke away.

He was bleeding badly. A deep gash ran from the tip of his brow down to the corner of his mouth, somehow missing his eye but cutting just above and below. His skin was already becoming dangerously pale. Her hands were covered in blood. His blood. She was going to be sick.

“Hey,” she murmured, gently laying his head on her lap. Her hands trembled as she reached into her bag. “You’re okay. You’re okay.”

Luke shuddered, eyes half-lidded and struggling to find something to focus on. “Are you -?”

“I’m fine,” she said. After a terrible moment, one that took far too long, she pulled free a small vial of nectar, wrapped tightly in old face-cloths to keep it from smashing in her bag. Her hands couldn’t stop shaking as she tried to unwrap it.

Beckendorf knelt beside her, claw at his side, and took the vial from her hands. She didn’t know how his hands could be so steady. She could hardly breathe. Not with Luke so injured, not with Ladon eyeing them hungrily.

He handed the vial back, and she propped Luke’s head up slightly. With a hiss of pain, she managed to open his mouth just enough to pour the small amount of nectar in. He swallowed with a struggle.

There was no telling how long it would take the nectar to work, but they couldn’t stay there under the watchful glare of Ladon, who looked ready to attack again. (y/n) took a trembling breath.

“Beckendorf,” she said, “are you able to carry him? At least until we can get out of this place. I can try - I can clean the wound when we’re safe.”

He nodded and hoisted Luke up into his arms, careful not to jostle his head too much.

She didn’t realise she had been crying until they stopped.

Beckendorf set Luke down on a soft patch of grass beyond the Garden, and (y/n) tucked her jacket underneath his head. The nectar seemed to be working, albeit slowly. Some colour was returning to his skin, but it was hard to see under all of the blood.

“You’re okay,” she murmured again, but she wasn’t sure who she was telling. She wiped her tears with the back of her hands.

She grabbed one of the face-cloths the vial of nectar had been wrapped in, soaking it in water from her water bottle, and slowly brought it to Luke’s face.

His eyes seemed to have some ability to focus now, watching her beneath a glaze of pain. It tore her soul in half to see him in pain, wincing as she gently dabbed the blood from his cheek. Her fingers were stained. His cheek was, too.

“I’m going to keep watch,” said Beckendorf. “Those Hesperides gave me a bad feeling.”

(y/n) nodded, watching for a moment as he trudged a few feet away, just out of earshot, but her focus soon returned to Luke. She tried not to think too much about how his hand was gripping her knee as she cleaned the rest of the blood.

“Is the nectar working?” she asked when she saw his eyes drooping. “What does it taste like?”

His gaze found hers, warm and cloudy. A pained smile fought its way onto his lips despite the slowly-healing scar on his cheek. She could see the skin trying to sew itself back together with the aid of the nectar.

“That smoothie you made a few months back with the - with the camp’s strawberries,” he uttered. “And whatever those green leaves were.”

She found herself smiling despite the red coating her hands. “Mint. And it was that good, huh? Last I checked, nectar for you tasted like that weird concoction of Coke and Sprite you liked so much.”

For a moment, his eyes grew distant before refocusing on her face. They flickered over her features as if seeing them for the first time. His hand felt awfully warm on her knee.

“Anything you make is better,” he said.

“Is that so?” She brushed his hair back from his face softly, cleaning the last bits of blood.

His skin was still stitching itself back together, but the nectar seemed to have stopped the bleeding. Second by second, blood flooded back into his face, giving him the colour that seemed to have been leached from his skin.

He nodded, his smile seeming as though it pained him less. His hand slipped from her knee, coming up to wrap itself around hers. The cloth fell from her fingers and onto the grass. Her fingers were still wet, though in the dim light she couldn’t tell if it was from water or lingering blood. She didn’t have the stomach to find out.

“You said you didn’t bring me on this quest because of my mother,” she said cautiously. Her heart was pounding in her chest. “So why did you?”

A soft squeeze of her hand. “This wasn’t a quest I wanted to do without you,” he said. “I like having you by my side. You give me strength.”

She was sure he could feel her pulse beating rapidly in her fingers, but he didn’t say anything about it. He didn’t need to. It was entirely likely that he was able to read her mind, he knew her so well. And she was okay with that.

“You’re stupid, you know,” she said, but her voice wavered.

“Stupidly brave?” he suggested. “Stupidly handsome? Stupidly charming?”

“I’m supposed to be supporting you right now,” she grumbled. “Not the other way around.”

His cocky grin was back and her heart fluttered. “Which one is it?”

“Which what?”

“Stupidly brave, handsome, or charming?”

All three, she thought. All three and so much more.

“Stupidly stupid,” she decided.

Her thumb grazed his cheekbone, the one without the scar, and a shiver ran through his body. His hand tightened on hers and his smile softened into something more personal. It was the kind of smile she would have leapt into Tartarus to ensure its permanence on his lips. Soft and kind and reserved just for her. If she'd been standing, her knees would have buckled.

“You give me strength, too,” she murmured.

A sliver of hair slipped in front of her eyes, and moments later, Luke’s free hand was there, gently brushing it away. His eyes sparkled. They seemed clearer now, less agonised.

The events of the last hour - gods, it had felt like much longer - came crashing back onto her at his touch, asphyxiating and terrifying. Overwhelming guilt filled her veins and arteries with terrible speed, sapping all the strength from her bones. Her fingers trembled once more.

“I’m sorry,” she said. Her throat felt suddenly raw. “If I’d done a better job distracting Ladon, maybe you wouldn’t be hurt.”

Luke’s eyes were dark for a moment, swirling with something she couldn’t identify, but they softened seconds later. His hand rested on her cheek, warm and comforting, but she couldn’t bring herself to look at his eyes now.

“This is not your fault,” he said, and his voice was remarkably strong. “This is the gods’ fault. It’s my father’s fault. But it is not your fault.”

She tried to believe him, truly she did, but looking at the fresh scar on his face, even having been almost entirely healed with nectar, had her heart heavy in her chest.

He knew this. Gods, he knew her every thought. His hand slipped from hers, cupping her other cheek and tilting her head so that she would look at him properly. There was a flush to his cheeks now - good, it meant he was getting better.

“My father did this,” he insisted. “You hear me? This was not you. And, gods, believe me when I say that I’m glad it was me that went for the apples and not you. I couldn’t live with myself if you got injured.”

But you did, she wanted to say - no, scream. How do I live with that?

“I’m okay,” he said softly, cautiously, as if talking to a child who had just woken from a nightmare. “I’m okay.”

His hand fell from her face, taking hers in its grip once more, and placed her fingers on the newly formed scar.

She jerked back, terrified that the sensation would cause him more pain, but he just gave her that smile again, the one that made her knees feel like jelly, and pressed her fingers to it once more. Already, the skin was raised and slightly twisted, accommodating for the injury. She could faintly feel his pulse beneath his skin, slow and infuriatingly steady.

“It doesn't hurt,” he promised. His voice was so reassuring that she could feel it in her bones, and she was half-convinced he was secretly a child of Aphrodite, blessed with charmspeak. “I’m okay because of you.”

Her throat was achy. “And Beckendorf.”

He gave a small laugh. “And Beckendorf. But mainly you. You’ve given me strength.”

It was then that the world itself seemed to stop. He was leaning upwards, bringing her face close to his, and his lips brushed hers so softly that she feared she may have been dreaming the entire encounter.

She could taste the faint remnants of metallic blood, though it was easily brushed aside. Luke’s lips were slightly wind-chapped but she found herself uncaring when they slotted perfectly against hers.

This kiss was something she had been waiting years for, and it was better than she could have ever dreamed. The feeling of his hands on her, his lips against hers, it was something that could not be replicated in a dream, like flying for the first time and feeling the clouds beneath your fingers.

It was addictive, more so than the stupid apples that had caused Luke such pain, and she found herself wanting more. It was an effort to pull away from him, but eventually, she did. Beckendorf was only a few feet away and she didn’t want to make him uncomfortable. It would make for an awkward journey home.

“You don’t know how long I’ve been waiting to do that,” Luke murmured.

Finally, there was a smile tugging on her lips again. “You’ve no idea how long I’ve been waiting.”

It took another hour or so before Luke was well enough to get moving. The dark trails gave all of them a bad feeling, and (y/n) wasn’t able to shake the almost hypnotic choral voices of the Hesperides until they were out of the State Park. Luke was shaky on his feet for a little while but his strength was returning.

And with it came anger.

Not anger at (y/n) or Beckendorf, no. He still smiled at them as usual, fingers entwined with (y/n)’s so tightly it was as though he was afraid she would slip away. Jokes still slipped past his lips despite the events of the evening.

But he was filled with fiery rage. It was hidden, but (y/n) could read him like a book. She had seen the inklings of it throughout the previous days of their quest, had seen it more clearly while she was cleaning the blood from his face - this anger, though, was pure. Harder to mask.

He had already been furious with his quest, a detail he had tried to keep hidden from her. He hated the idea of repeating history and the fact that this quest was simply made to satiate him, to prevent him from growing restless at camp and questioning the authority of the gods.

This was a breaking point.

It became clearer the more time passed. As the days and weeks went by, he would hold her hand like a lifeline and kiss her so softly it felt as though she was dreaming, but the anger never left. It ate away at him, dimming his smiles and reducing any respect he had left for the gods until there was nothing left but a shadow of what had once been there.

The scar never faded. It became a reminder of what he believed to be the gods’ failure. His failure.

He was still her Luke. The Luke she had known and loved since she was thirteen. She was just terrified of what he might become.

#givemea-dam-break #luke castellan x reader #pjo luke x reader #pjo luke castellan x reader #pjo x reader #percy jackson and the olympians x reader #luke castellan #percy jackson and the olympians #pjo #x reader #fanfiction #luke castellan fanfiction #pjo fanfiction

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yanderambling · 1 year

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Ohh my goodness, can we get more of crimelord and puppy-like reader, with time jump when the reader is receptive and soaking willingly in crimelord' love and loving them back? 🥰🥰🥰 (A huge time jump i suppose haha) Maybe reader even licks/kisses the once-wounded hand? Wagging their tail? Cuddling crimelord to sleep? Nuzzling? Omg now I have hyperfixation

ahh i’m so glad you enjoyed!! thanks for this prompt, i had so much fun with it! i hope you like this one too <3 (it kinda got away from me a bit lol)

pairing: Crimelord!Yan(gn) x Puppy Hybrid!Reader(gn)

words: ~1.4k

if you'd like to read the original post, you can find it here!

CW: 18+, yandere behavior, referenced past abuse, implied ptsd

As soon as you start warming up to them in any given area, Monty pushes a little more. They always move at your pace, but they just want to get as close to you as possible- they’re gentle but damn persistent.

Earning your trust instantly became their top priority, all their ill business delegated to their inner circle, and they don’t regret it a bit. They revel in watching you relax into your new life, and they take every setback in stride, meeting you with nothing but gentleness and endless praise. It’s infinitely gratifying to see you accept comfort and affection, and they give it to you in abundance.

You can be sure that they'll be petting you whenever they have a free hand, nothing calms yet excites them like the slide of your fur through their fingers, and they can’t get over the domesticity of simply sitting down and running their hands over you like it’s the most natural thing in the world (it is, for them at least). If you start getting closer, cuddling, crawling into their lap, they won’t be functional for the next few hours at least- the proximity alone is enough to make them fear hyperventilation, but the thought that you’re seeking them out for comfort (or even just some kind of entertainment in this giant, empty house) makes them dig their nails into their skin to make sure they don't float outside of their body. Sometimes you feel their grip tighten the slightest bit around the back your neck, their arms pull you a little closer, but when you look up they only meet you with a barely stifled manic grin.

Monty would also love to feed you by hand, they’ll do it for every meal if you let them. Once you’re more comfortable, they’d get a little less careful, letting their fingers slip into your mouth from time to time. The feeling of your teeth and tongue against their skin, so gentle now from when they first felt it, leaves them weak-kneed and lightheaded (if you suck on them even a little, they might just faint).

If you were to express remorse over their scarred hand, it would melt their heart, but they would discourage any guilt you might feel. They actually delight in bearing your mark (if you hurt any of their staff while you were still adjusting, they're lucky if all they left their service with was a scar- they weren’t worthy of even the illusion of your claim). Still, they would never stop you from licking them, they'll always take your “kisses” however you’ll give them (your tongue against their skin feels like the caress of an angel, a pureness they can feel cleansing them within, each motion a sacrament).

The first time you wagged your tail when they entered a room, Monty had to check their camera feeds to be sure it even happened. They had walked downstairs in the morning and greeted you in the living room, where you were most mornings you woke early, when they heard the soft, telltale thud thud of a tail against the couch. Sure enough, when they rounded the corner, there you were- a hesitantly friendly grin on your face as the end of you tail tapped a steady rhythm on the cushion. They nearly choked on the emotions that clenched their chest in that moment, and they felt newly rejuvenated in their quest to earn your love trust. Every time you show that same excitement at their presence from then on, it's all they can do not to melt into a puddle at your feet- and it only gets harder as you grow more comfortable.

They would love to give you a collar. They’d give you options, endless varieties of materials and colors and styles for you to try on- you’d probably have to make a whole day of it. They still feel their pulse pick up whenever they look at the proof of your bond, which you so proudly display (to their staff and the few shopkeeps in their pocket that have been sworn to secrecy to provide essential services, and to let you leave the estate on occasion). They often like to just hook their fingers through it and let their knuckles rest against your neck, a sort of subtle claim that settles some primal part of them, if only slightly.

Monty is a pretty big person, and remarkably strong, so you can bet they’ll be picking you up and carrying you around whenever you’ll let them (once they can stop their arms from going weak and shaky every time they feel your body against their chest). They take immense pleasure in scooping you up from wherever you may be- lounging on the sofa, standing in their garden, sleeping in their bay windows- and just carrying you about with them, or sitting you on their lap and stroking you until you settle into a doze (you’ve spent many evenings splayed across their legs or cuddled tot heir chest while they reviewed reports and receipts). They feel their heart soar every time your weight settles into their arms, so completely at their mercy, so hardened to everyone else yet allowing them your complete vulnerability; they could cry. (They have.)

This would probably take the longest, but Monty would never give up hope of getting you to share a bed with them. They might start by letting you sleep in their bed while they sleep on and watch you sleep from a surprisingly luxurious pullout. The sound of your deep, even breaths is almost enough to calm their racing heart- or maybe it’s actually making it go faster. They can't focus on anything else enough to tell, just knowing that you trust them enough to sleep in their room sends them into a flustered, shivering tizzy. They spend most of those nights obsessively memorizing the outline of your silhouette, struggling to convince themself that it wasn’t a dream (maybe they’ve snuck a few pets in when they just couldn’t hold back any longer, the feeling of your fur against their fingers always making their chest clench so wonderfully they've definitely taken closeup photos of your captivatingly peaceful face in the moonlight).

Once you two make it into the same bed for a night, they can hardly contain themself. You actually get a little worried, watching your sweet master shake and shudder in place beside you, their body sweaty and hot to the touch oh sweet lord you’re touching them but when you ask if they’re okay, they just nod fervently (their mouth is too dry to speak, and they’re fairly certain they wouldn’t be able to formulate words anyhow). They don’t really sleep that night either, and it would probably take them a couple nights to make any more moves forward unless you initiate (and that still would be so delightfully overwhelming).

They would try to hold you, ideally you two would cuddle up as close as you could be without being under each other’s skin (though they might actually prefer that). They would be happy with being the big or little spoon, too. Being curled around you makes them feel like they’re protecting you, like you want them to protect you, and they love feeling every line and curve of your body under theirs. But they would also delight in being wrapped in your arms, feeling your comforting weight around them, your breath against their back, letting themself be vulnerable to you.

It would probably take a couple nights before they get any actual rest in that bed. They’ll relish every second.

Waking up to you feels like a dream, and they always have breakfast delivered to the room so they can watch you lounge about, all rumpled and sleepy as you lazily nibble at the bites they hold to your mouth (so different from the frenzied way you used to gorge yourself, like you thought it might be taken from you and you weren’t sure when you’d get more. Monty intends to hunt down every last person that made you feel that way, and they’ve already made good progress).

They can, and do, spend hours upon hours just watching you- basking in a sunbeam on their sofa, napping in bed, exploring their vast estate- they’re basically always with you even when you don’t know it. The only time you two are apart is when they have to take care of business in person, which is pretty rare but still crushes their soul each time it happens.

But it’s necessary, in their mind, to keep you removed from all the sickness and violence in the world; they’re well-versed in dealing with violence, as they know you are too, and the thought of exposing you to anything of the sort is nauseating. They have a need to protect you from that darkness, to ensure that you never feel even a fraction of the way you’ve felt your whole life. And they do just that.

And, as long as you’ll let them (even if you won’t), they always will.

thanks so much for reading! feel free to send a request <3

check my pinned post~

#yandere x reader #soft yandere #gn yandere #gn reader #criminal yandere #hybrid reader #puppy reader #yandere oc #yandere scenarios #yandere requests #requests open #tw yandere

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lisbeth-kk · 7 months

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Sherlock fandom.

Can you forgive me?

John feels nauseous when Sherlock gets his will. They’re allowed to open the grave to prove the great detective’s theory. Sherlock wants John to come, though he really should’ve known better, according to John. It’s their second crime scene together since Sherlock came back from his faked death, and things are strained between them. Their co-habitation is tense and awkward, which makes John itchy and half-mad with anger and sorrow equally measured.

John’s told everyone that he went to visit Sherlock’s grave twice a month, but the truth is that he’s only been there once. He couldn’t bear to see the black gravestone with Sherlock’s name on it. It doesn’t help much that the grave that’s about to be opened, is only a few metres away from Sherlock’s fake grave. John hasn’t dared to look in the direction out of fear that he’ll do something terribly stupid, like falling apart in front of half of the Yard.

“Are you alright?” Sherlock murmurs beside him, having taken a break from pestering the men with the shovels.

“If you have to ask, the answer should be obvious,” John mutters under his breath.

His hands are balled into fists in his jacket pockets, his body stiff and alert. Sherlock draws a breath and is about to speak, when Lestrade calls him over. The grave is open.

“Empty, like you said,” Lestrade tells Sherlock. “How on earth did you know?”

Sherlock speaks rapidly, leading the yarders in the direction of the man who’s faked his death, and Lestrade takes his leave.

“Aren’t we going with them?” John asks hoarsely when Sherlock stands beside him again, gazing over at where his gravestone once was.

“No, they don’t need us anymore today. I’m taking you home, and then we’ll talk, and I’ll tell you why…”

Sherlock’s voice breaks and John looks shocked at him.

“Alright?” John asks and places a hand on Sherlock’s back.

Sherlock’s body shakes and John acts on instinct, forgetting all about his anger. He pulls Sherlock in for a tight embrace, relishing the sudden proximity of this madman.

“Can you forgive me, John?” Sherlock whispers with a trembling voice.

“I don’t know,” John says honestly. “But, by the state of you now, I guess it was much more to your absence than a crazy and exhilarating adventure. Tell me.”

John leads them to a secluded bench close to where John stood and begged a dead man not to be dead, two years ago. When John had told Sherlock about it, his reply had been – “I know. I heard you.”

His voice had been soft, even affectionate, but at the time, it’d just irked John. He wanted to scream and shake Sherlock and ask him why he hadn’t told John. Why he wasn’t allowed to come with him. Why he’d let him grieve like a widower. He hadn’t but it had taken all his willpower to act calm and just nod, pretending everything was business as usual. Which it wasn’t.

It should feel strange to hold Sherlock like this. Soothing him, stroking his back, whispering “shh”, and “I’ve got you”, and “I’m so glad you’re back”, and “I’ve missed you.” But the truth is, it feels utterly natural, a thing John’s longed to do for ages. Even before the Fall.

Sherlock’s head rests comfortably on John’s right shoulder, and his breathing eases, grows steadier. Time to confess.

When Sherlock’s finished telling John about the snipers, Moriarty’s unexpected suicide, his quest to hunt down and destroy the dead man’s network, ending it all by telling John about his last days away, in Serbia, captured and tortured; it’s John’s turn to break down. He weeps in Sherlock’s arms, hiding his face in the crook of Sherlock’s neck, letting Sherlock stroke his hair, rocking him, whispering “I had no other choice”, and “I would’ve taken you with me if I could”, and “you were always on my mind”, and “I missed you every second I was away from you.”

When they walk past the empty grave, John shudders. He turns around to locate Sherlock’s gravestone, but it’s no longer there.

“Mycroft had it removed last week,” Sherlock says. That’s why I needed you to come along today, so that you could see it with your own eyes.”

John nods and turns to face Sherlock. He grips the lapels of Sherlock’s coat, pulls him closer, looking him square in the eyes.

“I forgive you,” John says softly and leans in to kiss Sherlock’s lips.

@flashfictionfridayofficial @totallysilvergirl @keirgreeneyes @calaisreno @phoenix27884 @a-victorian-girl @safedistancefrombeingsmart @peanitbear @topsyturvy-turtely @helloliriels @gregorovitchworld

#flash fic friday #flashfiction #sherlock fandom #sherlock #john watson #sherlock fanfic #bbc sherlock #johnlock #post recheinbach

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melalot · 1 year

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TSATS BOOK REVIEW/ANALYSIS (aka i go over things i feel was misinterpreted in the book)

So I read TSATS book, and I’m realizing that a lot of stuff in the book was misinterpreted so I’m just gonna write this here to drop my 2 cents.

Beyond this point there is spoilers

So personally y’all I loved the book, mainly because of how different and refreshing it is from other books.

I know this book had a co-writer, and honestly I’m glad there was a co-writer because I think the co-writer understood something that I felt like Rick has underplayed in many of his books.

How trauma affects people.

I mean this book was FULL of it, and I think it really flew over a lot of people’s heads as to how crucial Will and Nico’s past experiences and trauma’s shape them as they are and their whole relationship - now let’s go into more detail.

First I want to say - to me this wasn’t a book about them going on a quest to Tartarus to save Bob. To me this was the story of Solangelo. I mean we literally have the nymph ask them both to tell them the story of them. And the book shifts between their current conflicts, while showing the past of how they came to be, how that led up to them now.

And I also want to remind you guys that they’re both 15 year olds, and that they’ve only been together for almost a year. Their relationship is still developing, but for what already is there? I am so surprised and honestly amazed and proud of how strong they are together, they balance each other out perfectly.

Let’s start with Will.

I keep hearing about Will being shown as a chill guy that is laid back and stuff - but I feel like you guys are literally forgetting BOO Solace who literally made it his point to be adamant about having Nico realize he wanted to be his friend, and how he takes on the burden of healing every camper that comes to his infirmary. Like this boy ain’t chill - he’s got fucking anxiety y’all!!!!

But I loved reading Will’s POV and I loved reading the way he viewed himself and his relationship with Nico. Will is a son of Apollo, and he hasn’t been out in the real world as much as other demigods have like Percy and Annabeth and Nico, and the other 7. Sure he was at the Battle of Manhattan and he went through some things in the Gaea war, and some with Nero BUT actually going into a quest willingly like that? He never has, so he may not have as much of an understanding as other demigods will about their time in war and their struggles.

Will also didn’t have the same upbringing as Nico. He is a completely different individual. And I’m bringing this point because of the moments in the books where Will would talk badly about the Underworld and where he didn’t seem to understand it the way Nico did.

Of course he wouldn’t understand it the way Nico did - he wasn’t Nico, but also he was surrounded by people who viewed the Underworld as a creepy place, so yeah Will kinda got roped into that stereotype. But you know what I admire about Will? That he recognized that he didn’t understand, and that he tried to view it the way Nico did, and eventually he did. Like sure he realized Nico would get irritated with him at times - but also they weren’t talking about what was really bothering them in those moments - so both of them had a right to be upset.

I think Will was just also afraid of Nico going back to his old ways. We saw throughout the book that he was afraid of Nico leaving him, that he’d realize they’re too different - his insecurities about it. Because Will hasn’t gone through what Nico went through, and by the book, they’re supposed to be polar oppostites, but he didn’t let that stop him from from trying to understand his boyfriend.

Will also had trauma with feeling like he had to fix everyone. He was a healer, he was the son of apollo, optimism and fixing things was his thing. I think the important thing towards the end of the book is him realizing he didn’t need to fix anyone, especially not Nico. Because Nico didn’t need fixing, he just needed someone who accepted him and understood him as he is. And Will came to understand that when he said he didn’t want to keep a version he made in his head of Nico, because he recognized that he was trying to fix him all along and was going about it the wrong way. Will allowed himself to accept some of his own darkness, which in turn gave Nico some of his light. Honestly it was truly beautiful that they added that part about love isn’t about people coming to save you from your tragic life and make you sudddenly love yourself. As per will and persephone’s convo - love is a choice made everyday. to understand and accept the person you want to be with.

Now with Nico

Honestly it felt so refreshing to read Nico that was a lot happier and more himself and comfortable in his skin. To read about him accepting himself and being proud of it and being so openly affectionate with his boyfriend and vulnerable, is a complete 180 - and it goes to show how much he has healed because he himself DECIDED he didn’t want to shut people out of his life anymore

The patience Nico also had with Will in understanding that will was a different person so it would be harder for him to understand his second home was incredibly important, bc even tho he got irritated at him for it, he also recognized that he couldn’t be mad about something that someone didn’t understand. but he also saw how much will was trying, and will came around towards the end. they talked about what bothered them, they had their fights, but they RESOLVED IT.

another thing i loved about nico is his ability to want to understand another person and see their perspective. he did it with nyx and i thought that was so powerful, because it showed how he doesn’t see things in black and white, that he understands that the way people were brought up affect how they are in the real world, why he is the way he is. but he also doesn’t let it excuse them for their actions.

this whole book was about changing your life because YOU wanted to. understanding and accepting your past and trauma and learning to live with it BECAUSE you wanted to. Understanding one another to make a better relationship BECAUSE love is a choice.

the message is right there!!

so yeah, this book wasnt about a quest to save bob

it was their story, and it was absolutely amazing

the story of how they got together, their first kiss (which hello even if it was after the death of jason, they had gone months dating each other and let me just say the gays have a way of being impulsive mfs lollll, i still thought it was so them) the way they took care of each other, and the kisses, and the jokes, and the ways they understood each other so well and their train of thoughts and the sun lamp and the tokens and the ring and just them

they’re soulmates

anyway ty for coming to my ted talk, this book was amazing and i loved it

#tsats spoilers #tsats #TSATS review #the sun and the stars #the sun and the star #nico di angelo #will solace #solangelo #will and nico #spoiler

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laviethepooh · 1 year

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summary. working with your rival alhaitham is one thing, but getting sick while working on a project is another.

ft. alhaitham x gn!reader (ft. your best friend kaveh)

cw. modern!au, rivals to lovers

wc. 2.4k

notes. grey >>>>> gray but of course the ugly version is the american way of doing things. anyway kaveh and i are besties, you can ask hoyoverse about it <33 also alhaitham might be very ooc i wouldn’t know, i have to do a bunch of quests to do the archon quest-

“and for our last pair, we’ll have y/n and alhaitham,” the teacher announced, fixing his glasses.

you shot your head in his direction in disbelief. he didn’t seem too fazed about it which made you confused. of course, having two of the smartest students in the class working together would produce incredible results, but you couldn’t imagine working with him by choice. you were best friends with his roommate kaveh and all the two of you would talk about is how insufferable he was. alhaitham always did things perfectly and it did nothing more than anger you, especially if he ended up doing better than you.

at the end of class, you approached your new partner.

“well, i guess we should plan a day to work. would it work to do it at your place or something? they turned off the heating at my place.” you said, scratching the back of your head.

you were partially asking because it was true, the heating was out and since it was winter, it was way too cold to focus, and partially asking because you knew kaveh would be there as well. you hoped that kaveh would make things less awkward because the tension would be inevitable.

without even looking at you, he responded, “sure. just make sure you don’t get distracted by kaveh. we’ll meet at 3 tomorrow then.”

and without letting you respond, he walked out of the class, leaving you dumbfounded. you supposed you’d just have to go with his plans since you doubted he would even listen to you if you suggested something else.

you prepared some of your project that day in preparation for working with alhaitham. you had felt a little dizzy when you woke up and throughout the day, but assumed nothing of it. when it was almost 3, you sent a text to kaveh letting him know that you would be coming and when you walked up to the door, you were glad that kaveh was the one that opened it for you.

“where’s alhaitham,” you asked as you went inside, not seeing your gray-haired partner.

kaveh shrugged and gave you a sly grin. “i made him get groceries so we could hang out for a bit.”

you broke out into a smile. “thank god. just thinking about having to work with him makes me so stressed.”

he rolled his eyes. “that’s literally what i’m saying. anyway, we should put on a show or something-”

the two of you turned to the door when you heard the jingle of keys and the lock clicking.

“oh my god,” kaveh whispered to you, “why is he here so early?”

you looked back at him with wide eyes, “how am i supposed to know?”

the door opened to an alhaitham with bags of groceries.

“oh,” he said, monotonously, “you’re here.”

he gave the several bags of groceries to kaveh who almost fell due the weight of all of them. your partner then ushered you into the kitchen where you could see several papers stacked on top of each other. despite the number of papers and items there were, it seemed to be an extremely neat table. like the true gentleman he was, he offered you a seat and you placed all of your own research onto the table.

“kaveh!” he barked out to the poor kaveh who was putting the groceries away. “go buy dinner or something!”

you sent kaveh an sos signal through your eyes and he matched it. but unfortunately, he didn’t have much of a choice but to leave the two of you alone since he knew alhaitham would get mad if he didn’t have the perfect working environment.

now that it was just the two of you in the apartment, you got to work on the project. the preparations went smoothly and alhaitham seemed impressed that you had already come somewhat prepared. similarly, you were glad to see that he had held up his part of the project.

however, as the day continued, you noticed your head started to feel a bit heavy. you kept drinking water, hoping that it was simply dehydration, but then you started to feel much colder than you did in the morning and were starting to feel chills.

“hey.” you poked your partner. “did the air conditioner come on or something? why is it so cold?”

he looked at you with an eyebrow raised. “no? it’s winter, why would we turn on the air conditioner? did you not bring a jacket?”

you shook your head in response and alhaitham got up from his chair and into his room. when he came out, he was carrying the school sweatshirt and held it out to you. you stared at it, wondering why he was showing it to you. was this supposed to be some sort of motivation for the project?

“put it on. you said you were cold.”

oh.

you took the hoodie, muttering a small thanks and put it on. you didn’t feel much better, but you definitely felt a bit warmer with it on and could smell his cologne. you continued to work while wearing his hoodie, but you could slowly feel that your condition was worsening. were you seriously sick? but the presentation needed to be finished…

“y/n?”

though your head was cloudy, you could hear your partner call your voice out. his voice was indicating he was annoyed. you rested your head in your arms, mumbling something about a 5 minute break. you heard him scoff.

5 minutes must have passed, because you could feel someone trying to shake you awake.

“y/n?”

you mumbled something again, but it was probably incoherent. your head was throbbing and pins and needles were attacking your whole body. you felt a cold hand press against your forehead.

“you’re burning up. are you feeling alright? you need some rest.” you could hear alhaitham speak, but none of it was comprehensible.

you felt your chair get pushed back and alhaitham lift you up. your whole body felt heavy and you could barely get your arms to wrap around his neck for stability. he tried to put you down, but you resisted, clinging onto him. eventually, your drowsiness won you over and you let go and your head fell onto soft pillows.

“oh my god, why would you put them on your bed???”

someone’s screeching voice woke you up. you felt terrible. your headache was worse than before and chills were running up and down your whole body.

“can you be quiet? although with that loud voice of yours, i’m sure y/n’s already awake by now.”

“i’ll pretend you didn’t say that if you give me some of the soup you made.”

“it’s for y/n.”

“yeah, i think you made more than enough for just one person. let me have some!”

“i said be quiet!”

you sat up, but your whole body felt like it was made out of lead. walking over to the kitchen felt much harder than it should have, but you needed to tell kaveh and alhaitham to shut up. you also needed a glass of water or something.

“y/n!” kaveh raced over to you. “did that stupid alhaitham overwork you?”

his voice was ringing in your head and you held up a hand to signify that you wanted to be quieter and he mumbled a “my bad.”

“no, i must have just been sick, i dunno,” you murmured as you staggered to the kitchen.

alhaitham handed you a glass of water and you downed the whole thing. you felt a bit more hydrated, but that wasn’t anything compared to how the rest of your body was feeling. you wanted to cry. you still needed to work on the project, even if you weren’t behind schedule and you weren’t in the comfort of your own home either.

“hey kaveh,” alhaitham ordered, “go get some medicine for y/n.”

kaveh grumbled something incoherent and slammed the door before peeking his head out to apologize to you (but not alhaitham) and then it was just you and alhaitham left in the apartment.

the two of you stood in silence for a moment before alhaitham handed you a hot bowl of soup and spoke up.

“i’m sorry, i didn’t realize that you were ill. i would have postponed the meeting if i had known.”

you shook your head and immediately regretted it as your head throbbed again. “i didn’t realize i was sick either. it’s not your fault. and thanks for taking care of me.”

“no, i think it is my fault. i had overworked you.”

“no, it’s not your fault, i have a bad immune system.”

alhaitham let out an amused sigh. “you’re really never gonna let me win, are you?”

you chuckled hoarsely, “i guess i can’t help it.”

you sat down on the couch, knees pressed against your chest, your hands clutching the bowl tightly. you were still wearing his sweatshirt, you realized.

“i’m more sorry though. i must be disappointing you since you already have so much on your hands and yet you have to take care of me as well. hell, you put me on your bed instead of the couch and made me soup. i’m making all of this turn into shit. i was supposed to help you with this but instead i let you down.”

your partner was silent for a moment. so it was true then.

“you know, i was elated when i heard that you were my partner.”

what?

“in fact, i had asked the teacher to put us together for this project and i was honestly surprised when he agreed. i’m sure you know already, but putting the two smartest students in the class wouldn’t be balanced. y/n, you can probably tell, but i wouldn’t put anyone in my bed and make them soup if they were sick. even if they were a close friend, i would have asked them to go home.”

what was he talking about? your drowsiness was starting to return.

“you can’t be falling asleep on me right now. i’m about to confess to you.”

what??? your attention was fully on alhaitham again and this time you were fighting against your need to sleep.

“seems like that got your attention” alhaitham laughed, “y/n, you could never let me down no matter what you did. isn’t that what it means to like someone?”

he walked over to you and pressed his hands against the side of your face. “did you hear me properly? i said i like you.”

“more than kaveh?”

“tch. obviously. i like anyone more than kaveh.”

“why? kaveh’s so funny!”

“don’t talk about other people like that in front of me. say nice things about me instead.”

maybe it was because you felt groggy, but your filter was practically nonexistent. “hmm. i guess you’re really hardworking. i didn’t realize it but you’re nice, too. your things smell good. and you’re good looking, i suppose.”

your eyes were starting to close on their own but you were sure alhaitham was smirking right now. he took the untouched bowl of soup from your hands and you could hear him set it down on a table.

“if you wanna be able to work on the project, you’ll have to make sure you recover properly first.”

you wanted to say something else to him, even a thank you since it didn’t seem like you had properly shown your gratitude. however, your exhaustion won you over once again and you went back into dreamland.

when you woke up again, you were staring up at alhaitham’s bedroom ceiling again. you looked over onto the side, instinctively looking for your phone but instead saw alhaitham’s head resting beside you. you nearly jumped out of the bed but realized that he had pulled up a chair next to the bed and must have fallen asleep while looking after you.

you were so slow to realize how nice he was. you were always under the impression that he was some insensitive guy who spent his whole day studying nonstop but it seemed that you were wrong.

as you sat in the bed, staring off into space, you remembered his confession. as your face started heating up, you cursed yourself internally. so many unexpected things had happened today but the most strange one was the fact that your biggest rival liked you? the words that you (stupidly) said about him before were certainly true, and you weren’t upset that he liked you. did you like him back?

even though you knew how busy he was, he had taken so much of his own time by taking care of you instead of just taking you back to your home. you had the feeling that if you were to be with him, he’d take immensely good care of you.

but then you remembered kaveh. should you ask him about what you should do? no, you knew for a fact that he wouldn’t approve of it at all.

you and your overthinking mind. you needed to make a decision following your first thoughts. it was unexpected, but you felt like you wanted to just go on a date with him just once. it felt so weird to be thinking of someone you rivaled for so long in a romantic interest but it didn’t feel wrong. you were always so certain about everything that you did whether it was which school you wanted to go to or who you wanted to work with. all of a sudden, your rationality had gone out the window.

“alhaitham,” you whispered, shaking his shoulder, “wake up!”

perhaps it was because you were in almost the complete dark or if it had anything to do with the new lens that you were seeing him from, but he suddenly looked much more handsome. he looked like some sort of fairy or angel now. this made absolutely no sense whatsoever. but wow, the way he was just looking up at you right now made you blush.

“do you need something?”

you blinked. you had almost forgotten why you woke him up.

“do you really like me?”

although it was dark, you could see him furrow his eyebrows. “did you think i was lying? i do. and i have for a while.”

“then,” you hesitated for a moment unsure if you were making the right decision, “can you go on a date with me?”

#lavie.txt #alhaitham #genshin impact #alhaitham x reader #alhaitham x y/n #genshin x y/n #genshin impact x reader #kaveh #alhaitham be like “I WINNNN”#also i can't imagine what kaveh would say once he learned that y/n asked him out #he would be screaming crying throwing up on the ground begging y/n to take it back rn #also not y/n literally asking alhaitham if he likes y/n more than kaveh #the way my kavetham/haiveh heart was FIGHTING ME #also obviously haitham accepts it like he'd be stupid not to #but i was like i don't think i should drag this on any longer #rivals to lovers

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yuesya · 1 month

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AAAAH IM SO HAPPY ABT THE MONDSTAT AU!!! I love love loooove your world building and I’d love to see what you do with the Archon war. Honestly you’ve only written two snippets and they’ve already got me hooked. I love the venti shiki parallels with how you have her naming godself(??) after Dec (Idr his full name T~T) just like venti and Barbatos! It neatly covered one of the questions I had from the first snippet and it makes me giddy. Of course, I’m still full of questions like what would Mond look like under Shiki’s care (tho mond would still have the hands off approach they had under shiki, and dance might be added to their roster of things to be know for?) and where is venti?? Does he remain a lil sprite or does he still gain power? Pausing my lore questions to giggle at the idea of shiki at an archon meeting stone faced with wind sprite venti zipping around, they’re both so silly…sigh. Anywho, thank you so so much for your wonderful AUs and also for sharing your amazing writing <3

Thanks! Glad you're also having fun with the Mondstadt AU haha.

I don't recall it being mentioned anywhere in-game that the bard who led the rebellion was named 'Venti,' but we do know that the current physical form that Venti takes is modeled after his deceased friend. Venti's character quest was probably one of my favorite character quests in Genshin haha.

In this 'verse, Shiki's name as a god would be 'Balor,' except she later uses the name 'Decarabian,' in memory of the original Decarabian. Playing around with the idea that the human-name she eventually uses is 'Silke.' (Frisian diminutive form of 'Cecilia,' and German diminutive of 'Celia,' 'heavenly.' Plus, if you squint at it there's a vague resemblance to 'Shiki'.....?)

Hey, if Shiki and Venti become friends, then Mondstadt gets dancing AND music/singing. Perfect for festivals!

There are a lot of ways things could go in this AU haha. Something else that might also be interesting to play around with -forbidden knowledge. We know that the forbidden knowledge in the game is defined as 'information/power that originates from outside of Teyvat.' So... Shiki's eyes and her abilities... what would they be defined as under Celestia's purview?

#QA #zenith of stars au #mondstadt au #genshin au #anyways #thanks for reading anon!#happy that other people also enjoy my silly little ideas haha

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c-rowlesblogs · 11 months

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im really glad the gollum game is not good. there is no timeline where that game should have been good. that is an obscure ps2 game that slipped through the cracks of time and accidentally got developed in 2023. it was meant to release on ps2 and have a hilarious but fun and dedicated speed run community and that was it. if it was good we would have had some quantum issues

I do think the jokes about it being a PS2 game that fell through time are funny, but I do wish the game had been good. I think it could have been wonderful as a smaller-scale game more focused on atmosphere and story rather than platforming and repetitive little quests. It actually makes me a little sad that the backlash to the game is SO gloating and hyperbolic, because it’s got lots of people insisting a game about a character like this could never be good, and who would want to play Gollum as a protagonist anyway, and it’s like… me! I’d want that! I’d love a videogame set in a world of grand epic battles and world-conquering evil plots and wise, powerful wizards and brave warriors where I’m playing as some weird little freak who just gets swept up in the middle of it all.

There is a universe where this point-and-click game studio made a smaller, moodier, more story-forward game that still of course would have its detractors (“ew, who wants to play as Gollum?”) but would be polished and satisfying enough to be a solid game for people who would like that sort of experience. And I do wish that universe was this one.

#gollum game #gollum #lotr #the lord of the rings #catie talks #ask

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art-missy · 11 days

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Overwhelmed (Gekko x Reader)

Part. 1

Part. 2

Thousands of apologies for my bad English again. And I also apologize to your eyes for my dull and childish writing style.

Gekko found you funny. Well, he also found you cute, interesting, mysterious, badass, hot… But right now, he found you particularly funny.

It has now been two weeks since the Disney movie night and Gekko and you took the habit of drawing together in his room. Just you two chilling with some music, drawing peacefully while his critters either rest in their globular form or mess around. The first time you came into his room it was awkward. You barely talked to each other but Gekko seemed nice and he always wanted to put you at ease. He was glad you did not know how excited and nervous he was. You had brought your drawing book and shyly showed him some of your artworks. He felt so honored that he did not stop complimenting your style. And in the end, you ended up having a good time together. You got to know each other and he discovered a funny, sweet and caring person under this witty and cold mask of yours. The little crush he had on you bloomed into a severe infatuation.

He let out a small chuckle when you huffed in irritation and glared at your pen.

“What’s going on ?” He asked.

“It ran out of ink.”

You looked down at your pen with a ferocious scowl, as if internally insulting each atom of it with a burning passion. He gave you another pen and reached out for his phone to change the music. You accepted the pen and looked at it attentively, as if challenging it.

“You better not disappoint me.” You muttered under your breath.

The slight scrunch of your nose as you focused back on your artwork achieved to melt his heart. He found you so adorable yet so amusing.

“So, what are you drawing today ?” He asked.

“No idea. My brain is doing side quests again.”

With a small peek, he managed to see the outlines of what looked like a bunch of colorful puppies in your drawing book.

“Side quests ?”

“You heard me right.”

Somebody suddenly knocked on the door and you raised your eyes from your drawing book to shoot him an interrogating stare. He shrugged and opened the door to see Neon and Jett.

“Oh. Jett, Neon, how are you ?” He smiled.

Seemed like time was up. Your alone time with Gekko was over. Time for him to go back to his extrovert friends.

“Hey Gekko !” Jett smiled back. “We were about to run some errands. Wanna go with us ?”

Neon’s eyes settled on you as you stood up from Gekko’s bed, your stuff in hands.

“You can come with us if you want.”

You shot her a blank look and shook your head.

“I’ll be fine. But thanks for the proposal.”

You walked towards the door to exit the room but Gekko stopped you.

“Hey,” He smiled gently at you, pressing a gentle hand on your shoulder. “Are you sure you don’t want to come ?”

You freezed and looked at him. His eyes were sinking deep into yours and his smile was heartwarming. You took a deep breath and nodded.

“Certain. I had a tiring mission this morning. I’m not in the mood for going out.”

And socializing.

For a second, you saw a flicker of disappointment in his warm brown eyes but it quickly disappeared. And you did not notice the quick glance Neon and Jett shared.

“Okay. But I’ll buy you those snacks you talked to me about.” His warm smile enlightened his face. “Sounds good ?”

You sometimes did not understand why Gekko was being so nice with you. Even when you did not know each other that well, he always tried to include you. You oftenly asked yourself why. ‘Because you're my friend’ he would say. But there was something in his actions that would hint something a bit more than friendship. You wondered if he wanted to be your best friend.

“Sounds fine.” You finally answered. “But may I ask why ?”

His hand gently squeezed your shoulder as he leaned a bit closer to you.

“Because I know you like these specific snacks. And I want to make you smile for once.”

You raised an eyebrow and tilted your head, your eyes half-lidded with boredom. Once again, you did not understand. Why so sweet ? Why so welcoming ? Gekko was like a touch of icing sugar on a crepe : everything tastes better with him.

“It’s just a snack.” You blankly replied. “Not the peace in the world. Or a Higher Brothers concert.”

Jett and Neon snorted but Gekko’s smile did not falter.

“I know. But you love these snacks and that’s enough.”

You looked at him with an indescribable stare and Gekko suddenly felt self-conscious. What was happening in that mysterious mind of yours ? Your stare was so intense that he could feel your eyes on his skin as if they were physically touching him. It was in these kinds of moments Gekko wished he could read your mind. Especially now that you were contemplating him with all the intensity and concentration your eyes could give. But how could he read the mind of someone who had a habit of keeping people at arms’ length ?

“Do…I have something on my face ?” He asked.

“Yes.” You replied. “A smile.”

You then walked out of his room and disappeared in the hallways, unaware of the look of longing in his eyes as his gaze followed you until your figure vanished around a corner.

“Did we cockblocked you or something ?” Neon suddenly blurted out.

Jett let out a booming laugh and playfully nudged Gekko’s arm. “You really have to check your rizz skills !”

Gekko rolled his eyes as he snapped out of his contemplation. Of course, most agents of Valorant knew about his feelings for you. He was so obvious with it that everyone wondered how it was possible that you hadn't noticed. You were hyper observant on the fields, but in your everyday life you seemed so oblivious. How could you notice a sniper from the other side of the site without turning around, but be so blind when it comes to his feelings for you ? How could you be so oblivious to his eyes begging for yours to notice them, his body begging to embrace yours and his ears begging to hear your voice ?

He let out a deep sigh and looked at Jett with a sheepish smile while rubbing his neck. “Oh really ? I thought my skills were good.”

Neon shook her head and gently patted his shoulder. “Apparently your charming smile isn’t enough !”

Charming smile. Charming. Gekko’s smile was indeed charming. Like a little piece of sun ray warming your heart. And you did not understand how a silly little charming smile could have the ability to manipulate your pulse. How these warm brown eyes could freeze you in an instant. How these freckles could fascinate you. How his gentle facial expressions were printed in your eyes like when one looks at the sun for too long. How his eyes shined everytime you complimented him. How his gentleness could give your stomach such sensations. And as you speed-walked in the base hallways, you wondered if Gekko had some sort of hidden powers. Some powers that may influence you biologically and disturb your train of thoughts. That would also explain why your heart was beating faster than usual. Or why your stomach felt so jumpy without feeling particularly sick.

You felt confused. And you seemed uncharacteristically lost when you barged into Cypher’s lab.

“I don’t feel like usual !”

The sentinel lifted his masked face from his chess board and looked up at your disoriented expression with a curious tilt of his head.

“I am afraid that you confused me with Sage, dear.”

You ignored his sentence, set your drawing stuff aside and took a seat in front of the chess board as he rearranged the pawns with swift movements.

“I think it might be hormonal or something.” You said as you moved a pawn on the chess board.

“Once again, I recommend you see Sage.” Cypher also moved a pawn and your game of chess began.

“I think Gekko might have done something to me.”

“Oh this is getting interesting.” He propped his chin on his knuckles. “Please, tell me more.”

Even if you could not see it, you knew he had a Cheshire grin under his mask.

You moved another pawn and sighed.

“As you certainly know, Gekko and I took the habit of hanging out together in his room.”

Cypher nodded and moved another pawn. “I indeed already knew that. Both of you are pretty photogenic together on my cameras.”

You let out an annoyed groan and rolled your eyes. You should be used to it by now, but Cypher’s teasing oftenly managed to catch you off-guard.

“I know this is technically a compliment, but it sounds creepy coming from you.”

The sentinel let out a soft chuckle.

“My apologies if my words made you uneasy but please, continue.”

You rolled your eyes again and proceeded to explain how you felt these days each time you walked out of Gekko's room. How you felt flushed when he gave you compliments. How you found Gekko’s habit of gently squeezing your shoulders pleasant and how you found yourself oddly longing for each time his hands would make contact with your shoulders. And you finally told him that you suspected Gekko to have some hidden radiant powers that could manipulate you biologically. All of that while slowly losing your game of chess.

“Ah youth !” Sighed Cypher with a dreamy tone.

“Here’s the boomer talking.” You groaned as you lost another pawn. “Do you really think I should go see Sage, though ?”

“Oh you were actually listening.” Cypher giggled. “To answer your question, I think you should talk to Gekko.”

“About his probable other radiancy.” You nodded. “I wonder if he noticed.”

Cypher let out an amused sigh and shook his head. “The only radiant abilities Gekko has is his links with his critters, dear.” He moved another pawn and the slight shake of his shoulder indicated to you that he was silently laughing under his mask. “I can’t tell if you’re being oblivious or if you’re just too innocent.”

You frowned, not understanding his comments, nor his amusement.

“What do you mean ?”

Cypher tilted his head and you heard another giggle from him. He then leaned over the board and talked with a soft tone.

“Love is more meaningful when it is naked.”

You shot him an unimpressed look and threw a pawn at him that he easily caught. You raised an eyebrow and squinted your eyes a little.

“Is it another proverb from your country again ?”

Cypher nodded “It is.” He leaned back on his chair. He looked at you deeply (you could literally feel it) and his body language showed amusement. “Gekko and you are honest youngsters. If you communicate with each other, everything should be fine.”

“Communicate ?” You frowned again. “Well we communicate quite well during missions but I’m not talking about something mission related, you cheap Stormtrooper.”

Cypher’s demeanor this time showed surprise with a slight hint of exasperation. He still could not tell if you were oblivious or too innocent. He suspected that you could not understand romantic logic.

You heard someone calling your call sign and you turned around to see Reyna walking in your direction, her eyes hard and cold as usual. But you were not impressed. While most people of the HQ were intimidated by her, you were one of the rare agents who were not frightened by her presence.

“Do you know where Gekko is ? I checked his room but he wasn’t there.”

You heard another small chuckle from Cypher but you chose to ignore it.

“He’s running errands with Jett and Neon.” You said with a shrug.

Her eyes narrowed a bit on you but she nodded. She looked at you as if she knew something that you should but in a different way than Cypher. Cypher always knew things that other people should know. Reyna was currently looking at you with a hint of curiosity hidden behind an analytical stare. But she brushed it off, thanked you and walked out of the room.

“Look at you, getting along with your in-laws.” You heard Cypher singsong.

You turned towards him and shot him an interrogating stare.

“In-laws ? I think you got the wrong English word.”

“No no. I got it right.” He snickered but immediately stopped when somebody barged into the room.

It was Iso and he seemed in a hurry. He called your name with a certain urgency.

“An emergency mission just fell on us. Brimstone wants you in the team.”

You frowned and stood up quickly from your chair. You stole a quick glance to Cypher who nodded at you quietly, took your stuff off the table and followed Iso outside the room.

“An emergency ?” You repeated as you walked behind Iso in the hallways. “Right now ? We just defused a spike this morning.”

Iso’s pace was quick but not rushed. He glanced in your direction and left out a soft hummed sound.

“Something about a surprise attack. Brimstone will tell us more in the VLT/R.”

★★★ ★★★

When Gekko came back, he was so disappointed to learn that you were not there because of an emergency mission.

He was so excited to finally taste these snacks you liked so much and he wanted to taste them with you. So when he got back to HQ, he ran towards your dorm room and knocked. Killjoy who was passing by had to tell him that you had to go. He looked down at the pack of snacks in his hands with a saddened expression. Compassionate, the German engineer patted his slumped shoulder with an empathetic smile.

“It’s probably not a long mission.”

Killjoy had never been so wrong. It has now been five days and Gekko had never known a better way to understand the expression ‘worried sick’.

The base did not have any news from the team sent on the field since day one.

Missions are usually not that long and the headquarters always had live information on how the assignments are going. So saying Gekko was worried was a great, if not gigantic, euphemism.

He barely slept, hardly ate and he was far from being focused during training. His mood worsened when Sage had told him that they still had no news from the team sent on the field. His state worried more than one agent and even though his friends tried to distract him, he only had you in mind. He constantly tried to ignore the horrible scenarios his mind made up about you being severely injured or worse. Scenarios where he loses you in the most painful way possible without having the time to confess properly. Reyna had tried to revive his appetite by cooking his favorite Mexican dish but he did not even look at the plate. Phoenix, Jett, Neon and Clove had tried to coax him with a new video game without much success. Breach tried to make him laugh with some dad jokes without much results. Even his radivore critters could not manage to lift his mood. And because of Gekko’s lack of reaction, Wingman, Dizzy, Thrash and Mosh became more and more depressed. They became almost inactive, staying in their globular form most of the time.

On the sixth day, Gekko was pitifully laid on his bed, holding the packet of snacks he had bought for you against his chest when he heard Neon speaking from behind the door.

“We have news ! According to Viper they’re coming back this evening !”

Gekko jumped from his bed, nearly stumbled on his feet and opened the door with precipitation. Neon jumped in surprise, a small spark of electricity dancing over her pigtails.

“This evening ?” Gekko gasped out. “For real ?”

His radivore critters became more lively behind him, Wingman jumping on his shoulder, Dizzy flying in circles around their head, Thrash floating around their feet and Mosh bouncing everywhere behind them. It was as if they suddenly came back to life.

“Yeah, for real !” Neon looked at him from head to toe and left out a saddened sigh. “Are you alright ?”

Gekko nervously ran his fingers through his lime-green hair and shot her an uncharacteristically tired smile.

“Me ? I’m fine. Perfectly fine. Perfecto. Why would I not be fine ?”

A nervous tic animated his face and his hands were slightly shaking.

“Gekko, you look like an amalanhig.”

“A what ?”

Neon shook her head and sigh. “A Filipino zombie-like creature.”

“I’m not a zombie.”

“Oh yeah ? That’s not what my eyes are telling me.” She stepped back a little to take a better look at him, gestured vaguely at him with a sigh then shook her head again. “Just look at you ! You were that worried, huh ?”

“I mean, yeah.” Gekko looked at his feet and rubbed his neck. “What if something happened ? What if I didn't have time to confess ?”

Neon hugged him tightly, patting his back with empathy. “We’re Valorant, you idiot. The best fighters of this freaking dimension.”

Gekko returned the hug with a long sigh. “Yeah, you’re right.”

They stepped back from each other and Gekko frowned a little.

“Wait, why are they coming this evening and not right now ? The VLT/R can literally travel at the speed of light.”

“The team needs to have some rest first. They’re chilling in a hotel. Apparently the mission was pretty hardcore. Sage was literally screaming instructions on the comm earlier. I’ve never seen her like that before.”

The young initiator’s eyes widened in surprise at her words. The Chinese healer was usually so calm and collected that it was difficult to imagine her screaming or even losing control of her emotions.

“Man, I hope the team will come back okay.”

The simple fact that someone like Sage lost her cool gave him shivers through his spine. He wondered what happened during this mission to make Sage lose her usual calm and collected self but at the same time, he did not really want to know. All he hoped for was his friend's safety.

Well at least, with his mood lifted by the news of the team's arrival, his appetite came back to Reyna’s greatest joy. He ate as if to compensate for all the meals he missed. Harbor had forbidden him to train, saying that he needed some rest and Gekko did not complain. He played video games for a few hours before walking out of his room. He needed some fresh air, so he walked in the garden and he understood why you liked spending your time here. It was so peaceful and refreshing that he felt his soul healing even though it wasn't hurt in the first place. He let his critters roam around and enjoyed the soft fragrance of the different flowers. He pulled his earbuds out and started a playlist with some music you had recommended to him. And as Meddle About by Chase Atlantic played in his ears, Gekko sat down on the bench where you both spent the night together two weeks ago.

The wind made the plants whisper and the sun gently caressed his skin while his thoughts brought him back to two weeks ago, to your first non-mission related conversation. He found it funny how your relationship evolved, even though you were still quite mysterious to his eyes. Not surprising at all, you were Cypher’s protégé.

Despite the fact that you spent a lot of time in his room these days, he still knew so little about you. Most of the time, he was the one talking. He tried to ask questions about your life before you joined the protocol but you were pretty vague about it. He knew you took down a whole K-SEC facility and that was how Cypher knew about your existence and how the Valorant protocol took interest in you. He remembered how the duelists went crazy when they heard about someone taking an entire facility down all by themselves. Even Brimstone was impressed. He also remembered Iso saying he had a slight idea of who you were. Same for Fade. Iso was an assassin and Fade a Bounty Hunter. Maybe you were a famous name in the underground world. That would explain why the Chinese duelist and the Turkish initiator had heard about you before you joined Valorant.

Cypher had been the one in charge to recruit you. Gekko remembered Sage saying that the sentinel had to travel a lot to get you and he kinda wondered why. It took Cypher a complete month to bring you to the Headquarters. Gekko remembered being so curious about the new agent that he hid behind a pillar with Jett, Neon, Clove and Phoenix as Deadlock gave you a tour of the base. You immediately noticed them and shot them a glacial glare that froze them to place. You made such a strong first impression that the young initiator had grown more curious about you. And that leads to his actual infatuation for you.

Gekko noticed the VLT/R in the sky flying back to the base and he understood that he spent an hour daydreaming on the bench. He now comprehended better why you liked staying here so often. The sun was slowly settling and the wind grew slightly colder. He stood up, gathered his critters in his cross-body bag and rushed back inside to his dorm to get the pack of snacks he bought for you a few days ago. He then hurried towards the hangar as the team climbed off the plane. He looked around and did not see you anywhere. He walked towards Iso and Yoru who were putting their gear away and asked them where he could find you.

“In the infirmary with Sage.” Iso simply replied.

Gekko’s eyebrows knotted in a frown. “The infirmary ? What happened ?”

“Everything’s fine.” Yoru rolled his eyes. “Your crush just went apeshit during the mission and got dragged in the infirmary right after we arrived by Sage. Must admit that it was kinda impressive. Scary even.”

Gekko noticed Iso’s tired eyes landing on the packet of snacks in his hands. The Chinese duelist lifted an eyebrow but said nothing.

“Even though we stopped at that hotel for a quick sleep and shower, we’re still beat.” Yoru groaned. “Sage must be treating the injured ones.”

Gekko nodded, nervousness clenching his stomach. “Okay. Thanks, guys !”

He ran towards the medbay, ignoring Viper’s complaints about him running in the corridors and barged in the infirmary to only find Sage storing some gauze in a cupboard.

“Gekko ?” Sage looked at him with eyes wide opened by surprise. “Is everything alright ?”

He looked around and found you nowhere.

“Everything’s cool, Sage.” He sighed.

Sage let out a soft humming sound.

“I think you might find who you’re searching for in the dorm quarters.”

Gekko looked at her with so much gratitude that the Chinese healer felt as if she just saved his life. The young initiator then sprinted to the dormitories. He turned around a corridor and finally saw you as you were about to open the door of your room. He accelerated and screamed your callsign despite noticing your headphones on your ears. He stopped right in front of you and tried to catch his breath back, his hands on his knees. You finally noticed him and raised an eyebrow as you pulled down your headphones.

“Are you dying ?” You asked him and Gekko had never been so happy to hear one of your witty comments. “Seriously, you really have a habit of running uselessly in these damn corridors like a headless chicken.”

He straightened his back and took a better look at you. You looked slightly exhausted and the bandages on your arms caught his attention.

“Are you okay ?”

You stared blankly at him then let a deep sigh out of your lungs. “You’re the one who just ran through several corridors like a shattered soul lost into madness.”

Gekko took a step closer and gently grabbed your shoulder. “And you’re the one who just came back from an almost week long mission.” His hand gently squeezed your shoulder – as if to be sure you really were here – and he felt your breath hitching. “And you came back hurt.”

He took a better look at your bandaged arms and his brows furrowed in worry. You put a soft hand over his and sighed again.

“I’m alive, Gekko. I’m still breathing, walking and soon relaxing.”

“But your arms–”

“It’s fine.” You interrupted him. “Sage kidnapped me and applied some ointment on my arms before releasing me and goddamn this woman has strength !”

Gekko was clearly not amused. He looked at you with an uncharacteristically heaviness in his eyes. His full body was leaning towards yours and his eyes were deeply sinking into yours with an unusual gravity.

“You should rest.” He said simply, his voice unusually deep.

Your eyes narrowed on him and you raised an eyebrow. “Well, you too. Your dark circles are worse than Fade’s and I did not think it was possible until now. Was sleeping an option ?”

Despite the sarcasm in your tone, he could hear the worry in your voice. He gently squeezed your shoulder again. He took a deep breath and raised his other hand to reveal the packet of snacks.

“I bought this for you.”

Your eyes widened when you saw the colorful packaging of your favorite snacks and you looked at him with surprise. You leaned back against your door and he took a step further towards you.

“How did you know I love these ?” You asked. “And why did you buy them ?”

He smiled gently, his warm brown eyes still anchored into yours. “You told me you loved them the other day and you got me curious. So, I wanted to taste them.”

“Oh. So you liked these ?” Your eyebrows raised slightly as you asked but Gekko shook his head.

“I haven't tasted them yet. I wanted to taste them with you.”

“With me ?”

He nodded and his eyes were still sunk into yours. You took a deep breath and mumbled an ‘okay’ with an indescribable stare and opened the door of your dorm room. It was the first time you invited him inside. He now had before him a new aspect of you. His eyes traveled to the decorations ; the different posters on your walls, the impressive collection of books on your shelves and the comfy-looking armchair and bean bags beside it, the different arts supplies on your desk, the cute little charms and goodies on your computer.

Gekko took a seat on your bed and kept looking around. “Damn ! Your room’s so cool !”

“I already know that, but thanks.”

He chuckled and observed you taking off your shoes and your jacket. He patted the space beside him and you joined him. You looked at him and tilted your head slightly.

“When did you buy these ? It’s not the day of errands.”

Gekko opened the packet and a sweet smell caressed his nose. “The other day with Jett and Neon. When I came back, you were gone for this mission.” His hand dived into the packet to take one snack and handed it to you before taking one for himself.

“Oh. But you could have eaten these until now.” You bit into the snack and a soft smile appeared on your lips when the taste danced on your tongue, your eyes closing in delight.

Gekko’s pupils dilated when he saw you smiling. “True. I could’ve. But I already told you : I wanted to taste them with you.” He took one bite. “Snacks taste better when you eat them with someone.”

‘Someone you love’, he wanted to say. Gekko’s eyes were stuck on your smiling face. It was the first time he saw your smile and it made him feel so giddy inside. And damn these snacks were good. They tasted like heaven. Gekko quickly took another one and his throat let out a noise of satisfaction.

“I don’t understand.” He heard you muttering. “Why are you like this ?”

Gekko paused, then looked at you. “What do you mean ?” He frowned when he noticed your lost expression. “Did I do something wrong ?”

Your fingers were clenched on your lap and your shoulders were tense. “You’re always like this with me. You try to include me every time in the base activities, you stay with me when I’m alone, you always tell me these cool things, you remember my existence every time, you always run across the whole base like a lost and wheezing puppy to see me and now…you just bought my favorite snacks to share with me. Why ?”

Gekko blinked and stared at you with a dumbfounded expression. “Because you’re my fr–”

“Don’t you dare give me your ‘power of friendship’ bullshit !” You interrupted him. “What do you want from me ? You could spend your time with your friends yet you chose to stay with me. And you always act so sweetly towards me and…and…your eyes are always looking at me with something that I can’t fathom !” You took a deep breath. “How do you make me feel these things that I don’t understand ?”

Saying that Gekko’s eyes were wide open would be a great euphemism. If they could pop out to roll on the floor like two marbles, they would. And after a moment of silence, he let out a booming laugh that shook the entirety of his body. Gekko thought that it was his nerves finally breaking because of the lack of sleep. Or maybe that big sensation of joy that was energizing his whole body at your words. He wanted to jump everywhere, to hold you tight and to make you spin. But after seeing your offended stare, he knew it was a bad idea.

He calmed down a little, a smile still illuminating his face, and kneeled down before you, grabbing your hand in his. “How do you feel when I do this ?”

He could not help but find you adorable when he saw your eyes widening. He rarely saw your face being so expressive. He was now certain that you felt something for him, even though you seemed quite oblivious of your own feelings.

“Gekko, are you on drugs ?”

The randomness of your question made him crack a chuckle. He hid his face in the palm of your hand and chuckled a little, peeking at you through your fingers. “No. Why’re you asking ?”

“Your pupils are fucking dilated.” You frowned a little.

His smile widened against your palm. “So are yours.”

Gekko rarely felt so giddy. It was maybe because of the skin-to-skin contact and the fact that he had your complete attention but his stomach felt so jumpy and his heart had never been so loud. His breath was slightly shaky and his eyes sparkled with joy.

“So, how do you feel ?” He asked again.

“I…” Your frown deepened and Gekko felt your fingers twitching slightly on his face. “Are you trying to bully me ?”

Gekko gently shook his head and planted a soft kiss on your palm. “No, cariño.” He said softly. “I just want to be sure we’re on the same page. How are you feeling ?”

He felt your breath hitching and you suddenly started to avoid his gaze. “My legs feel weak, my heart is beating faster than a cheetah on cocaine and my brain is not braining anymore.” You whined and withdrew your hand from his soft touch. “What did you do to me ? Whatever it is, stop it !”

Gekko chuckled with fondness. He sat back next to you on the bed and gently grabbed your shoulder. “I didn't do anything.”

“Liar !”

He gently squeezed your shoulders and he felt you shivering. “I didn't do anything, I swear ! I feel the same way about you !”

He felt you freeze at his words. Even your breathing stopped. Once again, he wondered what happened in your mind. Did he mess things up ? Did he break his chance beyond repair ? Your sudden lack of reaction terrified him. He was about to call you when suddenly, Wingman jumped out of his cross-body bag to hug your face tightly, a few joyful gurgles escaping him.

“What the–”

You jumped on your feet and took the radivore in your hands.

“What the matter, you crazy Haribo ?” You asked.

Wingman let another few excited gurgles out, his movements energetics and almost exasperated.

Gekko suddenly stood on his feet and took the radivores from your hands. “¡Se lo iba a decir!” He whisper-shouted to the small critter. “There was no need to interrupt us.”

Wingman let out a few chirped noises, raising his hands to heaven like an exasperated friend. The small creature massaged its temples and uttered a sigh. You observed the small interaction with a raised eyebrow. The amount of disappointment radiating from Wingman almost made you lower your eyes. From your point of view, it seemed like Wingman was scolding Gekko.

“I’m not a coward !”

You cleared your throat, interrupting the small interaction. They both looked at you.

“What's happening ?” You observed with stupefaction Wingman performing an acrobatic jump to smack the back of Gekko’s head.

“Ouch !”

He then went back into the cross-body bag, waving at you in the process. You stared into Gekko’s eyes with a lost and dumbfounded expression.

“What just happened ?”

Gekko cleared his throat and took your hand. “Let’s forget about that, yeah ?” He guided you towards your bed and sat you down. He then sat down next to you and grabbed your shoulders again, leaning towards you. “I’m about to do something that might be uncomfortable for you. Don’t hesitate to push me if I’m going too far.”

He leaned a bit more, testing the water. He saw you frowning a little, silently asking him what he was doing. His hands slid from your shoulders to cup your face.

“Don’t hesitate to push me if I’m going too far.” He repeated.

You just stared at him. He leaned a bit further, looking into your eyes and finally pressed a soft, gentle and loving kiss on the lips he’s been fantasizing for weeks. He felt you jump a little in surprise and lean back faintly. Your eyes were slightly unfocused.

“I…am pretty sure friends aren’t supposed to do that.” You whispered.

Gekko’s eyes were smiling while his thumb was caressing your lower lip. “You didn't push me.” He leaned further again. “Did you like it ?”

“I think we’re both tired.” You sighed and the smile in his eyes faltered.

“You don’t love me ?”

“Love ?”

Now that was interesting. You’ve never seemed so lost. And Gekko had never seen your eyes so wide open. The amount of shock and surprise in your eyes was a truly rare sight. You grabbed Gekko’s wrists to push his hands off your face.

“Well, yeah.” He nervously rubbed his neck. “That’s what we’ve been telling each other earlier, right ?”

“What ?”

“The sensations you described to me. I’ve been experiencing the same kind of thing for a while now. And I’m in love with you.”

“Oh.” You answer simply, nodding slowly. You stared blankly at him and your eyebrows started to furrow. “Oh !�� The information sank slowly into your brain as the furrow of your brows faded into a raise. “Holy shit !”

‘Love is more meaningful when it is naked.’

You now understood what Cypher meant a few days ago. And as your hands landed over your mouth in shock, you took a better look at Gekko. Despite the fatigue on his face, you found him handsome. The bags under his eyes did not manage to diminish the lively sparks in his gaze, the nervousness of his current made him adorable. And those soft and generous lips sweetened by the snacks…

“Shit.” You muttered. You blinked and started to massage your temples. “Shit shit shit shit shit.”

“Hey, you okay ?”

“My brain chemistry failed me ?” You gasped.

It was now Gekko’s turn to seem lost. “What ?”

“How could I be in love with you ? I don’t even know your name !”

“Mateo.” He said simply.

“I didn't ask !” You whined.

He let out an amused chuckle. Once again, he found you adorable and funny at the same time.

“But I thought we both were sick and I was about to propose we go see Sage together !”

Gekko uttered a booming laugh and let his back fall on your mattress, his body quivering. “Man, you really are something else !”

You looked at him with fatigue. You were both tired, and your nerves were cracking. You let yourself fall next to him. You let out the most tired sigh you’ve ever uttered and hide your face behind your hands. Gekko’s laugh calmed down and you felt him turning towards you. You let out another tired sigh. You now had an explanation for these strange body reactions each time you and Gekko were close. You now knew why you thought so much about him during that damn mission, wishing to feel his warm hands squeezing your shoulders each day. How you craved his presence. You were in love with him.

You never thought it would happen to you.

You’ve been through so much and were alone until Cypher found you. You did not despise that loneliness, it was a comforting one. And even when you arrived at the base, you tried to seek that comfort again but Cypher never allowed you. He introduced you to Iso, saying that you would get along well and he was right. Iso was like an older brother for you now and you found yourself liking to think that he saw you as a sibling as well. And through Iso you got to know Deadlock better and discovered you both shared an interest in novels. You thought having these two with you was more than enough. Then how the heck did Gekko and his fling of funny colorful creatures manage to slither in your cocoon ? How did he manage to make you crave for his presence ? How did he manage to make you fall for him ?

The idea of falling in love never ever crossed your mind. It never happened to you, so why now ?

“So, what now ?”

You heard him propping himself on one elbow and felt his eyes on you. “I wanted to ask you out. I want us to be a couple.”

You lower your hands from your face and look up at him. You bit nervously your lower lip. You wanted to hide yourself, to run away. But you were tired. And you internally facepalmed yourself when you thought about Cypher’s cameras in the corridors outside your room. He certainly already knew Gekko was in your room. You knew that he would ask you in the morning what happened between you two around a cup of tea and a game of chess. But for now, you wanted to be honest with Gekko.

“I don’t know how to do these kinds of things. How to be a couple.”

If Cypher heard you, he would have been proud of your achievement.

He smiled fondly at you and took your hand. “Figured. But that’s okay. We can take our time. And I can teach you.” He planted a soft kiss on your palm. “But do you want me as your boyfriend ?”

Your eyes widened and your stomach fluttered. Embarrassed, you tried to turn your face away but Gekko caught your chin to prevent you from doing so.

You cleared your throat and grabbed his wrist. “I want to try. But you’ll have to be patient with me.”

The smile Gekko shot at you could possibly make you blind. He gently squeezed your hand in his. Your stomach fluttered again and your heart shivered.

“You have no idea how happy I am right now.”

“Gekko, your smile is literally blinding me.”

His smile widened and his eyes softened when you yawned. Of course, you just came back from a tiring mission, and he barely slept during the week. Gekko laid his head next to yours. He was radiating happiness. Despite being tired, you literally felt that he wanted to jump in excitement.

“Can I stay here with you ?”

You turned your face towards his, your noses now touching.

“Are you taking advantage of my tired state ?” You raised an eyebrow.

Now look at him throwing you that boyish smile of his. Wasn't he charming ? Happiness was radiating from him.

“Totally.” He playfully wiggled his eyebrows. “I dreamed of this for weeks, you know. Plus, you owe me that. I was so worried about you that I barely slept these past few days."

Now you were certain that Cypher would definitely make you spill the tea in the morning. He had to be so amused right now, watching his screens and wondering what is happening inside your room. And as Gekko closed his eyes, you thought that maybe you were unconscious in the middle of the mission and that you were dreaming. You were back in the base after a hard week, you now knew that you had feelings for Gekko – shared feelings – and now you were sharing your bed with him. It felt like a fever dream. You hardly believed it.

I'm not really satisfied with ending...again. ಥ⁠‿⁠ಥ

But that's fine. I'm learning. <⁠(⁠￣⁠︶⁠￣⁠)⁠>

Anecdote : the proverb said by Cypher was also said to me by my friend's father. This man had a thing with proverbs and likes to write them in a cute little notebook with cute little annotations. He also like sharing them and it helped me a lot during certain events of my life.

Anecdote 2 : I wrote this part while listening Meddle About by Chase Atlantic.

Will I post a third part ? No idea. My brain and my will are two different forces that rarely meddle with each other's paths.

Thank you for taking the time to read this. I wish you a lovely day/evening/night.

#gekko x reader #valorant x reader

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