#In his left hand he holds a lit torch

[comfortless]

got a startling number or requests for this, so here’s a part two for captured mercenary! König x noblewoman! reader..!

content/warnings: 18+. minors do not interact. medieval au, dubious consent, slightly rough smut, abduction.

On the twelfth day, you finally understand how to punish König.

The nightly incidents have grown more frequent, sometimes thrice before the sun rises. Even once when you had caught his eye from across the yard whilst he bathed in the pond. A heavy hand had curled around his manhood with the most obscene words you had ever heard a man speak spilling from his panting mouth.

You merely stared like an innocent fawn in the face of a starved hunter then, but as the day passed a deep sorrow seemed to take root, one that should have been left well enough alone. König is not an animal, but… he is an unwed brute whose very appearance had most of the servant girls running for their quarters with their hands shoved protectively into the laps of their skirts.

He’s lonely. You had reasoned that must be why he’s so hellbent on torturing you to tears, to harass you with that leaking, throbbing pillar between his thighs. His insults have come to a stop. The man you took in for a pouch of copper is more of a pity than a terror at all.

With the sleepless nights beginning to weigh down on you, puppeting yourself day by day grows to be the most awful task. He’s always lurking close: it’s what he’s here for. König’s eyes never stray from you.

It’s getting to him, too.

The midwife, of course, shyly told you that a lady of your status should hold fast to her maidenhood until the eve of her wedding. But… once the dutiful words had been spilled, she immediately followed them with laughter, explaining that some men just needed to be subjugated, hinting that that was possibly the solution to what has you so downtrodden.

You couldn’t help yourself, not when he glanced up at you in the midst of training, his sightless mimicry of an opponent made up of wood already felled and settled into the dust at his feet. You could always feign your innocence, accuse him of imagining things should he say a word. Though, you’re guilty, just as guilty as him as you reveal your body to him where you sat perched upon the window sill.

The fluttering, innocent fabric of your gown is pulled from your shoulders and pushed down your hips to pool upon the floor. The laces of your corset are hastily untied to follow down. The underdress is all but torn away when you notice the way he halts in place, jaw tightening and eyes going wide.

Like the most malevolent of nymphs, you don’t offer him a taste when he comes storming into the castle chasing that glint of hope. You wind yourself through the halls, fully clothed as he huffs and growls just beyond your shoulder of how it is cruel and dangerous to tease a man.

Something about the way he boasts of doing so much for you to receive so little in turn conjures laughter from your throat. It is not often you’re able to treat a man this way, and even less often have you learned a thing about war, but you’ve certainly turned the tables in this ridiculous battle.

Those warnings of his fall entirely on deaf ears.

Then comes the night you no longer sense him positioned beyond your door. You sleep uninterrupted and warm, safely tucked between layers of cloth and down. The comfort of not being stirred awake by clamoring and grunting jolts you up with worry, because by this time it’s unnatural.

The peace of the night is heavy; the castle is entirely silent, no heavy soles meeting stone floors or hushed voices whispering secrets. There are crickets chirping beyond your window where a cool breeze drifts in to flutter curtains, but not a sound otherwise.

You push past your own apprehension to try the door, to seek him out with your innocent fretting, only to find that past that wooden barrier no one is stood guard.

A torch is lit and stationed upon the wall in König’s place, and the looming darkness further down the blackened hall feels so inexplicably ominous that your courage is diminished the second you place you find your footing over the threshold of the door and step out to have it envelope you in full.

König is not the only thing that would swallow you whole if you allowed it.

The realization dawns on you with each fragile step upon cool stone. He’s left you to fend for yourself, likely run off to have his fill of brothel girls and find a new band to strike you and any other pompous noble down. Your castle and your servants would all be ash come the dawn if he so chose… but it isn’t that thought that fills your heart with dread whilst you make your way out of these silent walls.

There’s a clamor coming from the stables when night air brushes over your face, the breeze pushing your hair into your eyes. You’ve heard the sound many a times when one is preparing to ride, the gathering of a saddle whilst the horses press their hooves to earth and watch on in preparation. There are no chores to be done elsewhere, and no servant would be given permission to leave the safety of the walls this late into the night.

König is leaving, abandoning you and his duties.

That’s what bothers you more than the thought of some awful demise.

You can’t place why it even matters. He’s been nothing short of a terror since the day he stepped foot in this place. He doesn’t bring your heart any soothing, only leaves it in wreckage and strikes up a wetness between your thighs. The man is not special, only cruel and ugly, sharp and bloodied like the swords he looks upon with far more passion than he’s ever given to you. Yet, the thought of being without him is haunting.

The walk across the yard feels as though it takes an age. You refuse to cry before him again, have those callused fingers wipe away your tears, but the scowl you force is only as daunting as the look of a forlorn puppy. You can’t find it within you to hate him, even when you try in earnest.

Your hand grasps at the wall of the stable as you peer inside to find the very scene from your imaginings. A horse is readied with as many supplies as it can carry, sacks of what you assume to be stolen food and weaponry hastily fastened to its sides. König is there, of course, shushing the animal with feed as the gate shuts behind him.

He would wait it out here until the night deepens and there would be no chance of anyone coming to stop him, all others preoccupied with their dreaming. As much as you would have preferred to find the sense to return to your own mattress and wait for the sun, your steps lead you inside instead. To him.

“What are you doing?” Your hiss is meek, hushed, and you know you sound more the part of a scorned wife than any authority at all. Your eyes don’t even meet his, cast down to the loose hay at your feet blanketing the dirt floor.

The man only sounds elated at the sight of you, at the idea of being caught amidst his further wicked behavior as he explains to you exactly what you already know. He does not shy away from approaching you, either. You only realize then you’re still dressed for bed without a weapon, just this loose, white gown and a betrayed stare. You’re no threat to someone like this, if anyone at all.

“You want me to stay?,” he hisses right back, taking liberty over your state to draw a hand up to your face, tilt your chin up so your eyes do finally meet his. The sadness remains in his eyes, deeper than you could even fathom, but accompanying it now is a crying madness.

Subjugate, you remind yourself when your lips press to a line. You could play the part of someone braver, bring him to his knees with words and promises up until morning where he would assuredly receive a good lashing.

The hand on your chin crawls down to your neck, thumb petting your pulse with even strokes.

“You can make me,” he continues through your bitter silence. The smirk upon his face is not charming, only cruel again; likely the same look he would give to the void each time he has heard you unravel at the mere thought of him.

You separate yourself from him with a wounded glare, barely keeping yourself together at the thought of finally allowing this brute to unite with your being in such a way. The reasonings as to why you should not are a blur now, reeled back by a more demanding series of thoughts. A secret you could keep, just as long as…

“You really will? If I allow you to…”

“Ja,” König answers simply, gives you a firm nod as to further express his answer. The truth of it was, he finds you dumb. After many months being here, you’ve picked up on a few words of his mother tongue and still he seems to think of you as a simple woman. “Zeig mir deine pflaume.”

You think you may even look the part of some naïve, overly trusting creature when your gown falls to your ankles to rest of the hay covered floor.

The man does not kiss you, only weighs your breasts in his hands, squishes them and paws at their plushness until his breathing grows heavy. He’s grown hard beneath his tunic already, without so much as a moan or a touch from you, but with his eyes locked onto what lies between your trembling legs and the flesh in his hands you almost feel a swell of pride.

His face dips to press into your chest, an eager tongue snaking out to wet you… everywhere. Perhaps he isn’t the most experienced with women, perhaps he’s only sampled what the brothels had to offer.

There’s no care for your pleasure here, only a tentative exchange made clear by the way he gropes at you with such force and tugs your nipple between his teeth as shallow pants and low whimpers leave your parted lips. The bites grow in intensity until you bring your hands to his scarred face to shove him away, only then does he relent back to feverish licks.

A hand trails down to your hip, all too eager in its exploration. There’s no warning when he tests your willingness, pets at your cunt like a well-loved pet. And damn it all — you are wet, as much as you would like to be frigid and resentful here, your body sings for him with soft whines instead of birdsong and dew over the petals of your own flower. He hums appreciatively while suckling at your tit, pushes a finger into your slit so suddenly your body jolts forward to grasp at his shoulders for purchase.

“Not here…” You try to reason with him. There are beds in the castle and walls so thick not a soul would hear. You didn’t need to be fucked in a stable like a breeding mare, it’s unbecoming for both of you.

Not that König even had the sense to listen. You’ve placed a hearty offering at the altar of a starved god, and he would be a fool to allow room to have it snatched away.

The response he gives you is not in words. It’s with a sudden spin that leaves you grasping at the gate of an empty stall, your back to him. You’ve never felt quite so vulnerable, never so horribly heartbroken when this beast chooses to take you from behind instead of nice and slow, in a bed that smells of lavender and incense.

There’s a soft rustling as he pulls his cock free from his garments, his head pressed to where your shoulder and neck join where he whispers what you imagine to be pure filth in his mother tongue, takes in your scent with panting breaths. The fat tip of his cock is diligently rubbed against you in hasty strokes, gathering your wetness until you feel yourself beginning to quiver.

Any chance to turn back is ripped out of your grasp the second he loses patience and begins to feed your drooling cunt each girthy inch. The hands that directed your face with most of your interactions are now cinched firmly against your waist. The sounds that leave him now are unlike any you’ve heard prior; a hand as hard and rough as his could never quite feel the same as what you’ve blessed him with.

“You feel…” He halts momentarily when he’s stuffed himself into you entirely, listening to each soft sound that’s pulled from your lips as you shake around him, for him. He doesn’t need to speak, really… you feel it too, the immediate heat and immaculate bliss of being joined in such a way. You’ve seen that horrid, thick thing countless times but to imagine it would feel so heavenly inside…

“Fick mich… so tight…”

His fucking becomes rampant when you cast him a look over your shoulder, one of utter rapture. Any patience he feigned is lost, because his cock spears you open again and again at a pace that jolts you in place and has your nails splintering the wood in your grasp. The teeth that pulled and bit at your nipples sink into your shoulder to keep those foul words contained, but does little to stifle the desperate groans and keening whines. The sounds of impact join him, filling up the shush of the night air.

Though you try to keep yourself contained, when a hand rises to squeeze at your breast and pinch your nipple between two coarse digits, any hope of biting your tongue is snuffed out. The sounds of your pleasure only add to his derangement; his thrusts become almost unbearable as he fills you with the length of his cock, pulls out to where his tip snags at your entrance only to fully bury himself again in quick repetition.

You don’t even come before he grows sloppy. Each stroke comes less intent, shifting from too fast or far too slow. It’s maddening, the way he sinks in to press his balls to your clit, already drenched in your essence, like a proper lover only to pump you like a common whore following.

He announces his impending orgasm to you in a grunt before sinking his teeth into your neck. Your hand detaches from the gate to slip between your thighs where König immediately grips your wrist as directs each movement as you circle your clit. There’s no tact or beauty here. He forces you to set a rough pace, desperate to feel you squeeze around his cock before he fucks his seed into you; the brute grows impatient and bats your hand away entirely as he pinches and flicks at the nub until you sob, because as torturous as it is, it works.

You’re brought to an abrupt end, eyes squeezed shut and jaw tightening as your hips jolt to meet his palm and your cunt pulls him in to pulse. He laps languidly at your neck while he gives you only a few stilted thrusts before the entire affair comes to an end. König doesn’t have near enough sense to keep himself contained, how no curious servant was pried from their bed by the pleasured bellow he lets out then is remarkable.

The man who fucks his palm near thrice a day still manages to fill your cunt to bursting with his seed. It slips down your thigh when he pulls away from you, tugs at your cheek to take in the view with a satisfied grunt that makes you want to recoil from him in a fit of misery. Maybe even love, because you find yourself so regrettably content now that you wouldn’t even mind sleeping in this sour smelling stable if only he would keep an arm around you…

König’s thoughts are elsewhere. He adjusts himself back into his clothes and pulls your gown from the floor to present it back to you. There’s no romance, only a subtle hint of something more than disinterest when he flashes you an almost boyish grin while you straighten yourself out as best you can.

A warm bath followed by a pillow beneath your head would be nice, but instead this romp blesses you with more dread.

The horse König had so diligently prepared is led out of its stall, and you… You’re hardly given a moment to react before you’re seated on the saddle by a pair of thick arms, the owner of which follows suit while you shoot him an uneasy glance. The question of where he’s taking you is only met with a palm curled over your mouth and an affectionate peck to your temple. You’ve no intention of being thrown off a horse or further tempting fate, even if it seems the easier route than whatever this proves to be.

“My lady wants to stay with me..,” he purrs as the reins are forced into your hands. That same hand slips down to push up your gown again and pivot your ass to rest over his crotch. “So she will come with me, hm?”

The cock finds its way inside of you again as the horse takes quiet, metered steps. Your eyes grow wet with tears unshed, and your protestations are muffled by that grip over the lower half of your face. König seems almost sympathetic even with the transparency of his renewed arousal throbbing inside of you; his hand falls free from your mouth as the horse carries you both past the threshold of the gate, replaced instead by a kiss both fiery and soothing.

You sulk and demand he return you home, to the safety of that stone nest, only to be shushed each time by a sweet press of his mouth to yours, your cheek when you will yourself to turn away. His free hand pets at your side, your breast, any where he can touch to calm your trembling. It doesn’t help… much, but your heart does seem to soften amidst the confusion and bereavement.

“I will take you home,” he mutters as he toys with your clit again, beckoning you to grind back against him. Your head lolls back again his shoulder, dazed and shaky from both his touch and his horrible deceit.

Home. Back to whatever pit of sulfur and grime he came from to drag you back down into it with him.

“… I’ll take care of you, little dove.”

It’s a shame this gentle side of him only decided upon showing its face when the roles reversed in his favor. Prisoner or wife, you meld against him wholly, sigh your pleasure as he whisks you away.

#könig x reader #konig x reader #tw: dubcon

[dracowars]

omg plz do a pt. 2 for the sectumsempra post!!! it can be the reader and Draco in the hospital (they're best friends to lovers) and he's comforting her cuz she really hates the scars that were left and it ends up being angst to fluff! you can also add something that has to do with Draco getting revenge

sectumsempra² | draco malfoy

pairing: draco x reader

word count: 1,1k

summary: where y/n feels insecure about her scars and draco is out for revenge

a/n: again, sorry for taking so long, there are a lot of things happening in rl right now :( second part of sectumsempra!

warnings: angst, cursing, mentions of injuries, mentions of scars

universe: harry potter

“You have gotten quite a hit there, dear. You are really lucky you weren’t subject to the curse for any longer”, Madam Pomfrey casually mentions while examining the small puncture marks left all over your body. “I don’t know what lasting damage it would have done to you otherwise.”

Forcing a smile at her words, you really do not feel like thinking back to what happened. Even though you can hardly remember what happened, you do know that you wanted to help Draco so badly and suddenly you were faced with a pain that was unbearable. All of this resulted in your entire body being disfigured now, the wounds have left scars all over your skin as if you had been pierced by a dagger or sword thousands of times, each time in a different spot. When Madam Pomfrey asks you to change into a new white shirt to cover yourself, you quickly do so.

These scars make you feel extremely vulnerable and when Draco, who has been by your side the whole time after bringing you here, holding your hand tightly in his throughout the treatment, gives you a pitying look, you feel even more insecure about yourself and your body.

You do not want him to see you like this, with all these horrible scars on your skin.

“You should apply this ointment on the wound residue every day until it eventually fades. Unfortunately, there will always be some traces of what you have been through left behind”, the nurse explains before she hands you a tube of the appropriate ointment, which you accept with a quiet thanks. Saying goodbye to her, you make your way out of the hospital wing and into the silent corridors of Hogwarts, which are now lit up by torches on the walls since it has become dark outside in the meantime.

On your way you pursue no real goal, but only silently walk down the corridors hand in hand, simply enjoying each other’s company. Laying your head on Draco’s shoulder and hugging his arm tightly, his stride eventually slows, and you sense that something is wrong immediately, that the silence has made him think.

Tenderly taking your face in his hands, as if you could crumble to dust at the slightest touch beneath his fingers, he looks deep into your eyes, his pupils reflecting not only affection but also fear and anger.

“Don’t ever do that again, do you hear me?”, he finally says firmly, rubbing one of his thumbs along your cheekbone. It almost sounds like he blames himself for you getting hurt when in the end it was solely your own decision to join the fight and help him, protect him. Though you have to admit that you did not plan on almost dying.

“I would do it again every single time. For you”, you softly but sadly smile because you know that your words are true. No matter how awful and unbearable the pain that unknown curse caused you, you will let it hit you every time if it means that Draco would be spared.

“I know, and I hate and love you for it at the same time”, Draco giggles, shaking his head in defeat while realizing that there is no point in arguing with you because, ultimately, he would be doing it the other way around as well. In the future, he will do everything in his might to ensure that you are never harmed again. Not when he can prevent it. Seeing you like this was the worst thing Draco has ever experience and he never ever wants to feel this fear again that he might lose you.

And all this because of Harry Potter.

Just the thought of that bastard infuriates Draco, which is why he quickly lets go of your face in order to clench his fists at his sides, bowing his head to the side at the same time. Immediately reading the change of emotions in Draco’s face, you take a cautious step towards him. He does not even have to say anything for you to understand what he is thinking about at that moment. You just know it and that is why you enclose one of his fists with your two hands, opening it hesitantly.

“He is not worth it.”

“He almost killed you, Y/N! He nearly took you away from me and fled like the fucking coward he is”, Draco suddenly bursts out, but you do not even flinch when he raises his voice and looks at you furiously, but also desperately. “He deserves the worst of the worst. The next time he crosses my path, I swear to Merlin I will-”

“Don’t”, you interrupt him and put pressure on his clasped hand. “You are so much better than him, Draco. So much better.”

Slowly snuggling closer to his chest, you can feel his rapid heartbeat pounding against your cheek. Carefully, you place one of your hands on the spot right above his painfully beating heart and gently stroke over it. For a moment you ignore the scars that smile at you from the skin of your hand.

“You are so much better than him, you need to see that”, you repeat to make sure that Draco really gets what you are saying. Eventually your words seems to have an effect as Draco’s body slowly relaxes beneath you and he wraps one of his arms around your waist, squeezing you even closer so he can fully enjoy your proximity. Especially now that he was not sure if he could ever feel you again.

He knows you are right. However, he can’t promise that he will remember your words the next time Harry Potter crosses his path.

“And you are stunningly beautiful”, Draco whispers softly, running his free hand up your back to your head, which he then guides towards your face. Gently placing his lips on yours, the feeling almost overwhelms him. He does not see how he could ever live without you, or your kisses.

Breaking the kiss for a moment, he takes your hands in his and kisses your knuckles and the back of your hand like a true gentleman, leaving a soft kiss on any scar he finds. While you noticed that something was going on in his mind, he also noticed that something was wrong with you. It took him a moment to realize that you were feeling insecure about the scars that are now covering your beautiful body.

“Never let anyone tell you otherwise, okay? You are beautiful, inside and outside”, Draco admits honestly, a slight smile on his lips as he speaks against yours. “These scars are just proof of how brave and courageous you are. Proof that you will always get back up, no matter what.”

#draco lucius malfoy #draco malfoy #draco malfoy imagine #draco malfoy os #draco malfoy ff #draco malfoy one shot #draco malfoy one shots #draco malfoy fic #draco malfoy fanfiction #draco malfoy imagines #draco malfoy angst #draco malfoy fluff #draco malfoy x reader #draco malfoy x y/n #draco angst #draco fluff #draco x reader #draco x y/n #draco fanfiction #draco fic #draco ff #draco fanfic #draco one shot #draco one shots #draco os #draco imagine #draco imagines #hp imagine #harry potter fanfiction #hp one shot

[another-lost-mc]

Your dreams are haunted when you sleep at the Demon Lord's castle.

BARBATOS x gn!Reader 0.8k words | NSFW | Dark/creepy elements. Implied non-con (somnophilia). The Creepy Castle AU [Part 1] NEXT

You feel haunted as you walk through the shrouded hallways of the Demon Lord’s Castle. It’s the middle of the night and you should be asleep.

You were asleep, until a fleeting dream left you gasping for air and gripping your sheets. 

It’s not the first time you’ve had strange dreams in this place. Diavolo insisted you have your own guest room available whenever late nights working at RAD made the walk back to the House of Lamentation too daunting. Last night you offered your help to Barbatos, and as the clock reached the eleventh hour he invited you to stay.

The room available for your private use is small but cozy, big enough for a comfortable bed and small writing desk in the corner. There is a painting above the dresser - a fallen angel, faceless with broken wings and feathers bloodied on the ground around them, and a serpent with hungry eyes lying in wait by their feet.

Sometimes you dream you’re on a bed of feathers and there’s a tail slithering across your skin. You wake up to the sensation of a tongue flicking against your thigh and aching arousal between your legs.

When you look at the painting, you wonder what the angel felt at that moment. Did they embrace the serpent’s tantalizing seduction? Did they feel the same rush of lust and fear that you do?

The castle is eerily still this time of night. It’s lacking the light and warmth you’re used to when you visit for dinner or attend one of Diavolo’s bustling parties.

You follow the candle lit torches to the kitchen. It's quiet and you think it’s empty, but then you see light under the door.

You knock softly before stepping inside. 

Barbatos looks up from his seat at one of the countertops. There’s an old-looking recipe book open in front of him, but when he sees you, he shuts the cover and pushes the book aside.

He looks different than usual. The top buttons of his shirt are undone and you can see glimpses of his pale chest. The sleeves are rolled haphazardly to his elbows.

It’s difficult not to stare - he never looks like this. You clear your throat and hope he doesn’t notice.

(Of course he notices.)

He sees your unsettled countenance and pulls a chair out for you so you can sit with him. He watches you stifle quiet yawns and he offers to make you herbal tea to help you sleep.

You both sit in silence. Your hands are wrapped around a warm porcelain cup. He leans an elbow on the counter and rests his chin on his hand while he watches you.

“Do you have trouble sleeping often?” he asks quietly when your cup is empty and you’ve refused a second serving of tea.

You shake your head. “I have dreams sometimes and they wake me up.”

(You don’t call them nightmares because they’re not nightmares, are they?)

“Would you like to talk about them?” he offers.

The thought of sharing even a glimpse of what your mind conjures is enough to make your face warm up for an entirely different reason. “No, thank you. Your company is enough.”

And it’s true, the companionable silence that settles over both of you is comforting. You're not sure how much time has passed. You don't even realize how drowsy you are - you almost make a fool of yourself and lean too far over in your seat in an effort to get more comfortable.

Barbatos is quick to catch you before you end up sprawled across his lap. His hands are gentle when he holds you against him.

“Let me escort you back to your room,” he says. You don’t have the energy to refuse.

The walk back is slow, fog-like, a blur. You don’t notice much else except for Barbatos at your side, his arm brushing against yours while you walk, and the soft shuffle of your slippers on the stone floor.

You think you feel something brush against your bare leg underneath your housecoat - but when you startle and glance down, you see nothing but your feet on cold, grey stone. Barbatos tips his head to the side questioningly, but you shake your head and keep walking while you swallow around the lump in your throat.

He opens your door for you but touches your arm gently before you step inside.

“Are you going to be alright?” he asks. In the dim lighting of the hallway, his eyes are like glittering pools of black water. 

Your voice cracks when you tell him you’ll be fine. You don’t know what else you could possibly want of him in the middle of the night. You can’t even begin to guess what he might offer you if you ask him to stay.

He bids you pleasant dreams when you slip into your room, and he closes the door behind you. You shrug off your robe and let it fall into a heap on the floor. The covers are cool when you slide into bed and you roll onto your side. You close your eyes and ignore the painting of sin in your room, the greedy serpent that follows you into your dreams.

Outside your door, a demon with a barely-there smile and forked tail waits for you to fall asleep.

#series: the creepy castle #obey me barbatos #obey me barbatos x reader #barbatos x reader #obey me barbatos x mc #barbatos x mc #obey me barbatos x you #barbatos x you #obey me yandere #yandere barbatos #obey me x reader #omswd x reader #obey me fanfic #omswd fanfic #x reader #tw noncon #someone dropped this 🚩 #gn!reader

[endless-ineffabilities]

your heart's serrated edges are much like mine own (18+)

dark!Aemond Targaryen x dark!fem!reader

synopsis: Prince Aemond Targaryen and his Lady wife may just be the biggest assets of the Greens. Two ruthless, determined and cunning lovers, who are crazy about each other and will stop at nothing to get what they want.

themes/warnings: violence, language, torture, f*cking, choking, it's a slightly dark romance so be warned! - strictly 18+!!!!

recommended listening: angel - massive attack // mad - echos // bottom of the deep blue sea - MISSIO // daydream in blue - I Monster

word count: 2k ▪︎ masterlist

a/n: this delicious little thing had been sitting in my drafts for far too long, so I just had the sudden urge to feed into my Aemond fantasies and finish it! Enjoy.

Aemond twists the knife in further, deeper, causing the spy's eyes to roll back in his skull.

This imbecile, this apparent whisperer, had been caught attempting to lace Queen Alicent's wine with poison. Luckily, you had been there to catch him in the act. You were quick to incapacitate the man with a blow to the head, rendering him unconscious. You never had much patience for the White Worm's lackeys, and this distaste heightened significantly after the atrocities committed by Blood and Cheese.

Aemond found you, sitting prettily in your chambers, a picture of perfect calm. As if you did not have a man gagged and unconscious by the hearth.

"What is this, my darling?" He crooned. "Having a bit of fun?"

"You will find that this is justified, my love. And you will want to take this cunt's head off yourself."

"Is that so?" He questioned, amused at his Lady wife's brazenness.

"Mhmm," you purred, pulling him closer by the lapels of his leather tunic, "I missed you today."

"Council business," His eyes rake over your figure - the only prize that makes everything worth it. "I missed you as well, as always. Come here." He jutted his chin out to you once, beckoning.

His hands wound tightly around your hips, as he kissed you. His tongue found yours, melding against each other. The kiss grew rough, teeth nearly grinding against teeth. He pushed you back onto the table, making you hold onto it with palms outstretched, as he assaulted your neck with peppered bites.

The moment was divine, up until the man regained consciousness, squealing like a wild boar upon taking in his surroundings.

"Fuck's sake," Aemond cursed at the intrusion, still keeping hands on you.

"Well, my love?" You pressed a kiss to the corner of his mouth, and dragged a finger along his sharp cheekbone, your query hanging in the air. Will you feed into your darkness with me?

"Hmm," he smirked slightly, lips pursed, "shall we amuse ourselves then, ñuha ābrar?"

My life. It tugged at your very soul when he called you that.

"Let us go play, dear husband."

Which brings us here in this damp cell, poorly lit by a few torches, with Aemond's precious knife buried deep in the thigh of the man who calls himself Bane.

Bane's skin has become so pallid and colourless. Having lost a significant amount of blood, it is only a matter of time before he fully loses consciousness. Or he might die. What difference does it make? Another used-up pawn in this fucked up war.

"Tell us what you know," Aemond growls, his voice dripping with malice, as he crouches in front of the snivelling man, "and we might just let you live." A mere embellishment, you know that Aemond would never let him live either way.

You stand behind Aemond, your left hand stained with Bane's blood. You are responsible for the first incision done on his skin, and that had been many moments ago.

Now, the man is but a husk of what he used to be, but much to your annoyance, he remains defiant, haughtily turning his cheek to you and Aemond when bombarded with questions.

Evidently, he knows more than what he is letting on. He could reveal the identities of the rest of White Worm's spies, the whole lot of them having infiltrated the castle under the guise of regular employment.

You did not know who to trust. Not truly. Except for your husband, and him alone.

"Fuck you." The man spits, blood spilling from his lips. "Fuck all of you. The Blacks are coming for all of you. All of your women and your children. Especially that traitorous cunt of a false King." He should have stopped there, but he makes a grevious error and continues, glaring right at you, "Even you, whore. You think your prince can save you? No. No. You're going to-"

Aemond's fist clashes once again with the remnants of Bane's teeth. Blood splatters on his beautiful, taut face.

The one-eyed prince, your one-eyed prince, with crimson smeared across his enraged face, and his sapphire eye exposed, would be able to strike fear in anyone's heart.

But not yours. The sight of him, unhinged, exhilirates you.

He growls, "You will never speak to my lady again. You will never even so much as glance at her, because I will gouge your eyes out. Then, I will rip you apart, and send the pieces of your mangled corpse to those Blacks whom you are so blindly loyal to."

"It seems that we have no further use for this worm, my love." You crouch beside him, gazing at him in admiration and reaching forward to push a stray strand of silver hair away from his face.

Bane freezes, realizing that he may just be speaking his final words, "I have heard talk about the pair of you... how... how absolutely fucking besotted you are with one another. And now I see why. You both are insane!"

"Oh?" You smile "If loving my Aemond renders me insane then so be it, little worm."

"Hmm," Aemond stands and pulls you with him. He then wastes no time in capturing your lips, snaking his tongue inside, wanting more. Always more of you.

You moan against him, feeling pumped with adrenaline. Reaching down to his breeches, you quickly find out that your dear husband has grown quite hard.

He bites your lip when you squeeze his length, making you groan against his mouth.

"My beautiful, beautiful, wife." He pulls back to look at you, his sapphire eye glinting in the firelight.

"Let me go!!" Bane screams again, unable to stomach what he sees, "Fucking let me go, you cunts!"

Bane continues squirming, his wrists twisting against his metal shackles. Right outside, Ser Criston Cole stands guard, although the need has never arisen before. Aemond and Lady Y/n always knew how to handle themselves. They were skilled in keeping their prey subdued.

Not many knew of the true extent of yours and Aemond's shared madness. The methods you both employ could rival that of Maegor the Cruel.

But the Blacks have forced your hand. At every turn, they have picked and plucked off important people in your lives. Without any shred of clemency.

Sure, it is a war. And it is only fair that you and Aemond would seek to retaliate.

Only you and Aemond could do things so methodical, and so wicked. Aegon does not have the stomach to do all that is necessary, even with him being King.

"Let me go, and I won't tell anyone what happened here." Bane grows desperate. "I... I swear on the Seven!"

Aemond makes a clicking sound of disapproval with his tongue, as if scolding a child. "But as it stands, Bane, we have no reason to trust you."

When Aemond carves Bane's eyes out, he screams his throat bloody, the grating sound echoing mercilessly in the darkness of night.

Until all is quiet, save for the sound of hungry lips devouring each other. Until the final blade has been pushed into Bane's heart, and you and Aemond - two lovers soaked in blood - practically attempt to carve a piece out of each other, with groping hands, biting kisses, his manhood pressed against your covered core.

Tempting, torturing, trembling.

"I need you," he whispers. "I need you now. And forever."

"Then have me."

You blindly find your way through your chambers, only focused on each other. Hurriedly taking off every piece of clothing, every damned hindrance, until skin only meets skin.

Finally, you are both uncovered. You take a few steps back until your ass meets the cold surface of the wooden desk, upon which you sit on the edge haphazardly.

Leaning back, and spreading your legs, every inch of you is bared for Aemond. The lips of your cunt drip with liquid pleasure, aching for only what he can give you.

"Mm." A hundred years could pass of just this, a thousand, forever, and Aemond would never tire of the sight in front of him. His lady, his love, offering herself up to him for the taking.

He takes his time in walking towards you, savouring the sight, as you do him. Your eyes are near pitch-black with desire as you drink him in, the sharp planes of his figure, his endless silver hair, his sapphire eye.

And his long, girthy cock glistening translucent-white at the end. You bite your lip, and whine, "Hurry now, Aemond."

He laughs deeply as he finally reaches you. He licks a stripe on your chest and your collarbones, cleaning off dried streaks of blood. When he kisses you, his tongue tastes of rust. Of the man whose life you just ended.

"Your skin tastes divine," he purrs, as his cock grazes the edges of your folds. He grips your back with one hand, urging you closer, steadying you, and his nails dig into your flesh in their intensity.

"Do not torture me, husband." You plea, for fear that you might explode, and you just might push him down to the floor and ride him until dawn.

He laughs again, almost tauntingly, "Why, dear wife, what is it that you want?" He whispers close to your ear, "Do you wish for me to fuck you? Do you want my cock inside you, my lady?"

You grip his hips and urge him forward until his cock breaches your entrance, only just.

"What the fuck do you think I want?" you growl at your husband. "Fuck me."

"As my lady commands." And with that, and no other word of warning, he enters you to the hilt, the sting of his size only a slight tinge compared to the maddening pleasure.

"Is this what you want?" His voice is deeper now, thick with need. He leans over you as you prop yourself up on your elbows, his pelvis moving relentlessly. His thrusts quickly grew sloppy and unhinged. His palms brace themselves on your back, as he lowers and takes a nipple between his teeth.

"Agh!" You squeal, and he sucks your breast soothingly. "Don't stop."

He buries his face in your neck, breathing you in. He slows the assault of his length inside your increasingly sore pussy. But the thrusts remain deep, his balls slapping wet against your ass each time.

"Can I... shall I...?" He pants, knowing you will understand.

You stare at your lover. Your dark, breathtaking other half. You respond, without a doubt, excitement taking a hold of you. "Yes. Do it, my love."

He seems a tad apprehensive, but equally wanting, so you guide his hand to your neck, gingerly splaying his fingers on your skin.

"Do it," you repeat.

"I love you," he swears, his fingers beginning to tighten, his cock burying deep inside your dripping cunt again and again. "I love you forever."

You feel the familiar pressure on your windpipe. Bearable, with only the mildest hint of discomfort. Aemond would never dare hurt you badly. This serves to spur you on even more, and you grip his forearm.

You tighten your legs around his torso, and use your heels to help propel him forward. Deeper, if that were even possible.

"Harder," you say. "Fuck me, Aemond."

He moans, his lips pulling back from his teeth, eyes glazed over as he looks down upon his love. His hand clenches your neck even tighter, and you welcome it, feeling lightheaded.

"I love you," you gasp with utmost sincerity.

Two deranged lovers, glistening with sweat and cum. Deep maroon patches of dried blood from an hour before, melting on their skin. Writhing, squirming, whimpering against each other as moonlight filters through the sheer forest green curtains.

With strangled cries, they spasm into each other near simultaneously. Prince Aemond Targaryen collapses on top of his wife in bliss. He looks up at her and finds her in the same state.

He rights himself, reaching to the faint impressions of his fingers on her neck. "Are you alright, my love?"

"Am I alright?" She grins, then plants a soft kiss on his lips. "Shall we go again?"

#aemond targaryen smut #aemond targaryen imagine #aemond targaryen #aemond targaryen x reader #house of the dragon #ewan mitchell #ewan mitchell x reader

[bloggingnsfw]

Werewolf Breeding Pt 1

Werewolf x Reader Werewolf x Y/N

Warning: Breeding, Slight Dub-con (maybe), Creampie, Rough sex,

Part 2

I originally wrote this with a girl named Arya being taking by a big bad werewolf but changed it to Y/N for you guys!

Inside the dark cavern lit only by the flicker of distant torches, Y/N could feel every movement of the massive grey werewolf approaching her. Its heavy footsteps echoed against the moist stone walls, creating an ominous, almost sensuous soundtrack to what would transpire between them. As she stood there, naked, vulnerable, and trembling with excitement, she knew that this was more than just another lustful encounter – it was the start of something extraordinary and deeply profound.

As the alpha werewolf loomed over her, its mighty frame casting a shadow that seemed to consume the whole chamber, she felt an insatiable thirst growing inside her, begging to be quenched.

The air around them crackled with raw energy, the sounds of panting breaths and heaving chests filling the otherwise silent space. Inch by tantalizing inch, the wolf lowered itself towards her until they were face to face, their gaze locked together.

The alpha male stared deep into her emerald green eyes; his intent unmistakably clear. With one swift motion, he took hold of her hips and guided himself into her, causing Y/N to gasp sharply. Her body welcomed him eagerly, embracing the immense power and intensity of the werewolf's cock as it filled her completely. She wrapped her legs tightly around his waist, holding onto him like a lifeline.

Each downward thrust made her groan with pleasure, while each upward stroke had her whimpering in anticipation. Their bodies moved in harmony, becoming one flesh. The soft sounds of their lovemaking reverberated throughout the entire cave, echoing across the damp stones like whispers from the gods themselves.

Without warning, the alpha began to quicken his pace, his movements now marked by desperation and urgency. As sweat dripped from his brow, his calloused hands held onto her slender waist possessively, digging deep into her skin.

With each forceful plunge, he growled with satisfaction, knowing he was taking full advantage of her ardent response. It wasn’t unusual for the alpha to dominate a mate—it was how nature designed these creatures to reproduce—but tonight felt different somehow. The intensity between them was palpable; an undeniable electricity coursed through their veins, binding them closer than ever before.

"Oh god!" she cried , her voice strained and ragged from her continuous pleasured gasps. "I can't…

. . I can't…," Y/N cried again, unable to contain herself any longer. The surge of intense desire rocketed through her core, overwhelming her with wave after wave of euphoria. Each orgasm sent shockwaves through her petite form, leaving her quivering and utterly seduced by the wolf's strength. As if reading her mind, the alpha slowed his fervent rhythm slightly but kept moving within her. The feeling of being claimed so passionately by such a magnificent creature left her speechless and awestruck.

Unable to speak due to the overpowering waves of bliss coursing through her, Y/N could do nothing but revel in the animalistic intensity of their coupling. The thought of conceiving a child with this otherworldly creature fueled her eagerness even further.

Her back arched violently, fingers clawing the rough stone wall behind her, Y/N let out a shriek of pure ecstasy as her climax hit hard and fast. Throbbing with the force of a thousand sunrises, she couldn't believe the depth of pleasure she experienced.

Climactic spasms wracked her small frame, drawing shudders from the tip of her head to the soles of her feet. The sight of the alpha wolf, his own eyes glazed with ardor, caused goosebumps to rise along her neck. Y/N threw her head back, exposing her throat to him. The smell of their combined heat and exertion hung heavily in the air, a tangible manifestation of their fierce bond.

Still joined, they lay panting, catching their breath together.

For a moment, neither spoke nor moved, simply basking in the warmth of their shared experience. Then, without warning, the alpha wolf raised himself on all fours once more, his massive frame towering over her. With a low rumble in his chest, he positioned himself between her spread legs, ready to claim her yet again.

Y/N looked up at him, her eyes wide with both fear and fascination. Despite the size difference, she found herself wanting to submit fully to the wolf's primal instincts. She reached up and ran her hand lightly down his flank, tracing the outline of his powerful muscles. Feeling the warmth radiating from his body, she allowed herself to surrender entirely to the moment.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

If you wanna be tagged in smut post put your username in to this form and I'll add you to the tag list

#smut #smut writing #monster #monster smut #werewolf #werewolves #x reader #reader insert #werewolf x reader #werewolf x human #x y/n #werewolf x y/n

[ahlyasimps]

Green Carnations [S.S]

Pairing: Sebastian Sallow x GN Reader

Summary: You’ve been spending an awful lot of time with Poppy and Sebastian starts to feel jealous.

A/N: Sebastian is 100% a carnation guy and you CANNOT convince me otherwise. Totally the type to get you a bouquet of multi-coloured carnations and act like he didn’t spend an hour trying to get them to be just the right colours. He’s a loser (affectionate). Y’all only ever make out in this fic and the reference to the 'super top secret, Ms. Scribner does not approve' rendezvous was just because Sebastian likes dragging you to explore the restricted section with him. We’re keeping it family friendly today

You and Sebastian sat in the dimly lit undercroft, surrounded by the ancient stone walls and flickering torches. You were both dressed warmly, wrapped in thick cloaks to ward off the chill that permeated the air. While you normally enjoyed the colder temperatures of the Undercroft it was unusually cold today.

Sebastian leaned back against a pillar, his arm around you shoulders as you chatted quietly. The two of you had been dating for several months now, and spending time together in this secluded spot felt both romantic and exciting. It had fond memories for you both. It was where Sebastian taught you Confringo (a spell you used far too often you think), and it was even where he confessed his feelings for you.

As you talked, Sebastian absentmindedly played with a strand of your hair, a soft smile on his lips. You leaned into him, feeling safe and comfortable in his embrace.

For a while, you both simply sat in companionable silence, enjoying each other's company and the peaceful stillness of the undercroft. Eventually, Sebastian spoke up.

"I'm really glad Ominis isn't here," he said softly. "He'd surely complain about the noise we make."

You turned to look up at him in confusion, "What do you mean?," you said. But before you could continue your sentence your lips were stolen by his.

Sebastian had leaned in to kiss you, and you eagerly returned the gesture. You spent the rest of the evening lost in each other's company before calling it a night, Sebastian's hand around your waist as he walked you to your common room.

The next morning you decided to do a bit of research in the library. Poppy had owled you asking for help finding Snidgets to protect them from poachers. According to her, your best bet of finding these endangered creatures was by meeting with centaurs so she asked you to accompany her. You were pulled out of your reading when you felt a tap on your shoulder.

Looking behind you, you spotted Sebastian standing behind your chair. You looked up, smiling warmly when you saw him. "Hey, Sebastian," they said. "What's up?"

He gave you a mischievous smile "I found something that I think you'll want to see. How about I take you there tonight, pumpkin?"

You groaned at the nickname before pouting apologetically "Sorry Sebby, I've got something planned tonight. Meeting Poppy later."

He furrowed his eyebrows at that. "This is the 4th time this week you've been blowing me off to hang out with Poppy. I'm starting to feel a bit neglected" He pouted at that but if you had looked closely, you would have seen his fists clench.

You smirked at that and reached up to take his hand. "Don't be silly," you said. "We can have our 'super top secret, Ms. Scribner does not approve' rendezvous another time."

"I'll hold you to hit then," Sebastian replied but his voice sounded a little strained. Like he was upset. You couldn't quite tell though since the both of you were talking quietly.

"I've got potions now, I'll see you later," And with a quick kiss on your cheek, Sebastian left.

Night fell and so you bundled yourself up in a warm cloak, grabbed your gloves and snuck out of your dorm to go meet Poppy in the forest.

The encounter went better than you expected to be honest. Not getting turned into a pin cushion on sight was already an improvement from the countless scenarios you had envisioned. As you made your way back to Hogwarts alone (Poppy spotted a Mooncalf and ran off), you spotted a figure in the distance.

At first you were weary but as you got closer for a better view you realized it was Sebastian.

"Sebastian!" You whisper-yelled, happy to see your boyfriend. "What are you doing here?"

You quickly realized he looked pissed off.

"Just what were you doing with Poppy?” He asked, his tone dark. "I saw you sneaking out and followed you but you come back with your hair tousled, clothing askew and you even snuck off in the middle of the night to go see her!" His voice was getting louder now.

"If you don't want to be together anymore, just say so instead of constantly blowing me off and acting so secretive!" The more emotional he got, the more tears formed in his eyes.

"You... you thought I was cheating on you?!" You felt your heart break at the betrayal in his eyes.

"Well what do you want me to think? All the time it's 'Poppy this,' or 'Poppy that,' and whenever I ask what the two of you do, you never give me a straight answer!"

"Rowena, no Sebastian! I love you, I'm so hopelessly in love with you that I would literally take a crucio for you! It's just... Poppy swore me to secrecy but I'll tell you. Just, don't breathe a word of this or she'll send a hippogriff after me."

And so you explained everything, from the dragon fighting ring to the Snidget rescue mission and by the end of it, Sebastian looked even more pissed off but for a different reason.

"A dragon fighting ring? Poachers? Do you know how dangerous that is?! What if you've been seriously injured?!" He grabbed you into a tight, bone crushing hug before running one of his hands through your hair.

"Thank you for telling me but please, let me join you both next time. I know you can take care of yourself but at least let me come so I can have peace of mind."

"I can owl Poppy about it, say I think you'll make a good addition to the team so it doesn't sound like you're joining because I told you everything."

He laughed into your hair, "Sounds good." “I’m sorry Sebastian, I never want you to feel this way.” You cupped his face with your hands “You’re it for me.” He learned into your hand and smiled, a large genuine smile before bringing his face closer to yours.

"Oh wait!" You exclaimed before he could continue, wriggling yourself out of his embrace. "We still have time now, what did you want to show me?"

Even in the dark you could see Sebastian's blush, "Ah.. well... just come with me." He stuttered out (very unlike him) and dragged you by the hand back into the Forbidden Forest.

He took you to a clearing and there, bathed in the moonlight was a field of light green carnations. You walked forward and looked at them in wonder. "Oh, Sebastian! They're beautiful!" You turned around to look at him, a bright smile on your face.

He smiled bashfully, "I found them while I was exploring, they were starting to wilt so I've been taking care of them. Then I came up with the great idea of trying to dye them different colours. So far I've only been able to make them turn green."

You chuckled "Rowena, you're SUCH a Slytherin, everything is green with you lot."

"Hey!" He exclaimed, pretending to be offended and ran towards you catching you in his arms before you both went tumbling down in a rain of petals. Giggling you reach your hands up to grab him by the back of the head, bringing his lips near yours. "Thank you Sebastian, truly," and your lips then slotted together like they were a perfect fit.

"You know, maybe another reason why you could only manage to dye the carnations green is because you were green with envy," You laughed at that, loudly while Sebastian levelled you with a glare that would've buried 6 feet under. "It was a genuine concern," he said pouting.

"I know, and I'm sorry I made you feel that way." You giggled before continuing "I'm afraid you're stuck with me bird boy."

"My last name is Sallow... not Swallow."

"Eh, I quite like your new nickname."

And as you both lay there, under the stars in a sea of green carnations, you felt that nothing could ever make you happier than this moment with him.

#sebastian sallow #sebastian sallow x reader #sebastian x reader #sebastian sallow imagines #sebastian sallow imagine #hogwarts legacy #hogwarts legacy imagines #hogwarts legacy imagine

[anami-io]

There's no need to exchange pleasantries.

ღ Scaramouche/Wanderer x F! reader.

Note: A scenario in which you and scara/wanderer/Kunikuzushi head up the mountain to thaw the ice. (I know aether or lumine does it but let's just pretend it was you guys for the time being!) You also happen to run into some old friends along the way. Some jealousy rouses in scara, which causes him to realize his feelings toward you. See what else happens as you read loves! :3 

PS: I listened to the album for dragonspine - Vortex of legends while writing this!

Warnings: Mentions of you getting sick. Slight swearing. 

Word count : 3,966

ღ

You have to admit. heading up the freezing mountain in Dragonspine wasn’t entirely what you’d expected it to be, for starters. You didn’t expect yourself to love the scenery as much as you did before you arrived. The hike was indeed a bit challenging. A few treasure hoarders stopped you in your tracks as you both made your way toward the next huge pieces of ice that you guys needed to thaw. Not to mention some fatui agents had also tried to stop you as well. There was a bit of an awkward silence that sat between you two as you continued your way up Dragonspine. You however were just a bit annoyed, as you recall your earlier attempt of trying to spark up a conversation. 

From Kuni’s perspective, he sighed as the strap on his hat flew against his face, making him raise his arm to move it away. The wind began to howl in your faces, he sighed once more and glanced over in your direction. You squinted and continued forward, your scarf covering your mouth.  Walking up to one of the torches that were lit up near the path. You placed your gloved hands out and sighed for a moment. A certain feeling began to build up inside Kuni as he glanced toward your face. The small glow of the fire illuminated your face in the cloudy atmosphere. He glared a tiny bit. You were talking non-stop before and after you left Sumeru city. Even your journeys after. What happened now? 

“Why are you so quiet?” He asks with a hint of annoyance.

You glanced up at him surprisingly as he said this. Only for a moment, as you stood up straight, your scarf stooping below your chin. You thought for a moment before a smug look was then plastered onto your face. 

“I thought there was no need to exchange pleasantries.” You gave him a small smirk. His eyes widened before he scoffed and turned on his heel. You didn’t see the embarrassment on his face.. 

“Moron,” he mumbles

“I forgot that humans get cold,” Kuni spoke as he then continued his way, taking the lead this time. 

“Wait for me!” you said as you ran after him. He took a turn into some type of cavern. You saw the elemental monuments and took a step forward before you stopped and saw two Ruin Guards who were currently sitting on the ground.  

“Shit.” You whispered.

“I don’t think that they’re powered. Think about it, they would have already gotten up.” Kuni speaks, his back against yours. 

“Yeah but I bet they’ll power up when we finish this puzzle.”

“You said you needed to finish this commission though. We can take them unless you're too weak, I can do it myself.” He smirked 

“Ugh I'm not weak you ass, you’re right about me needing to finish this commission though.” You groaned 

 It took a good few minutes but you got the puzzle done. Your theory had been correct about both Ruin Guards turning on after the puzzle had been finished. Both Ruin Guards indeed stood up, and a strong gust of wind and snow began blowing around you both. Kuni and you both made swift work of taking care of both of them. You let out an exhale when suddenly a huge Ruin Grader crossed your path in front of you. Your breath hitched as you summoned your weapon. 

“You’re fucking joking,” you stated making Kuni hold out a hand in front of you. Standing in front of you as he then rose into the air quickly taking care of the annoying machine. 

“Thanks,” you sighed as you exhaled softly before pausing and sneezing softly. 

“Let's head up.” you finished. Kuni glanced up at the sky for a moment seeing that the once bright sky was now dark and cloudy.

“I think we should find somewhere to stay for the night and get some rest,” he states 

“Why are you tired?” you ask in confusion, it’s hard to believe that he could ever be tired. You thought to yourself.

“It’s not for me,” he sighs, pinching the bridge of his nose.

 “Then?” 

“Are you seriously this dense?” he asks 

“Rude I understand now, I’m fine, let's keep moving.” You started as you made your way back down the path. After fighting a few hilichurls, samachurls, and mitachurls. You finally made your way to a tiny cliff with a clearing. You began to feel a bit weird, tired actually. Panting as you made your way forward. 

“[Name], I’m not kidding anymore let’s head to mondstat and find an inn or-”

“Kuni, I said I’m fine-” you stopped as you felt dizzy, your vision blurring. You heard a ringing noise in your ears whilst also hearing shouting and growling. Your gaze made its way toward a white and blue blur to your left. A Frostarm lawachurl growled and pounded its hands on its chest, getting ready to attack. Your vision began to fade into the abyss as you felt yourself being yanked backward and a blur of blonde and white before the world fell into complete darkness. 

  ღ ღ ღ ღ ღ

Waking up to see a blur of red made you groan softly. You began to slowly sit up before you were pushed back down softly. 

“What the hell are you doing, lay back down.” you heard Kuni’s familiar voice. You slowly regained your vision after blinking a few times.

“What happened?” you asked groggily.

“You fainted because you were beginning to catch a cold, now it’s worse,” he stated before moving the covers above your shoulders. His hand grazed past your cheek making your heart jump for a moment. He then looked straight toward you for a moment.

“Shit, you’re burning up again damn it!” He states he sighs before turning and walking toward another part of the room. It was then that you took a look at your surroundings that you realized you were at an inn in mondstat. 

“Drink, now.” he held a cup toward you. 

“Okay mom.” you joked, making him glare at you for a moment.

You tipped the cup to your lips before tasting the bitterness of what you assumed was medicine. Sucking it up, you finished it before letting Kuni take the cup from you. You sighed and laid back down before resting your eyes once more. 

“Don’t ever do that shit again.” you heard Kuni’s soft low voice reach your ears making you snap your eyes back open. 

“What?” you asked, he snapped his gaze back toward you with wide eyes. 

There was an awkward silence for a few moments as you two stared at each other before he scoffed and got up. He then said something that you couldn’t make out.

“Nothing. I have to go and get something. I’ll be back, go to sleep.” He states without looking back before walking out the door and closing it behind him. 

“Well okay.” you frown as you think back to the look on his face.

Was that..Fear? Sadness? 

ღ ღ ღ ღ ღ

You heard a knock at the door and slowly woke up from your sleep and slowly sat up. 

“Come in,” you stated, throat a little dry. 

That’s when a familiar girl dressed in red walked in. 

“[Name]!” Amber stated as she made her way over to your side of the bed. She reached her arms out and gave you a gentle squeeze.

“You’re okay.” She smiles as she pulls away.

“Amber, it's so good to see you! I missed you!” You smiled before you both began to catch up a tiny bit on things.

“Who is that boy that's been here with you?” she asked as she gave a tiny smug look.

“He’s my travel partner and friend. I call him Kuni.” You held your hands up. 

“Mhm, I see. You know when he and albedo brought you in, he looked so scared. Yelling for us to make sure that nothing happens to you or else. He was pretty scary himself.” Amber gives you a cute eye-closed smile while laughing nervously and scratching the back of her head. 

“Really?” You asked as you then pictured the scene in your head. Your face began to heat up. 

“Yeah well, anyway I brought you this!” Amber smiled as she held out a tiny red pin that resembled the cute bunny ears on her head. 

“I’ve been meaning to send you a letter or find you because I’ve missed you, but you’re always traveling so it was kinda hard ha.” She said sweetly. You glanced down at the small cute gift. Tearing up a tiny bit at how sweet Amber could be. 

“Thank you Amber I love it!” You smile and wrap your arms around her. After pulling away you smile and turn to glance around the room.

“Was Kuni in here or?” You asked 

“Last thing he said was that he needed to get you more medicine, that he was heading to liyue. For now he wanted you to rest so just try to take it easy. Oh! I brought you a book from the library, Here!” 

She reached into her pouch that hung from her belt and pulled out a small book, handing it over to you. 

“I know that you liked these type of books so I picked one up for you since you were practically asleep for a day already-”

“A DAY?!” You thought it was just a nap.

“Hey hey relax! You were really tired and sick! Kuni? Was it? He’s the one who’d been taking care of you all day yesterday and ever since you were brought here into the inn.”

You turned your gaze to glance worriedly out the window, guilt eating your insides. You couldn’t exactly understand why you felt this way. You did know that you deeply care for Kunikuzushi AKA Scaramouche. Ever since you had run into Aether and decided to travel along the famous traveler for a few journeys. You were there the day that those mysterious meteors had appeared, meeting him changed you. From the very moment that you met him, you saw right through him.You recall the night that you had spent camping out near the meteor occurrence. 

You glanced at the dark night sky to see another meteor flying into the ground from afar. Running off toward the sight, your body ached a bit due to being tired. Coming to a halt, the air around you made you feel light headed. It was then that you realized you weren’t alone, over toward the left far side of the crash to see that mysterious boy from earlier. His eyes were closed as if he seemed to be remembering something. It looked like it pained him, the frown on his face was clearly evident that this boy had been through a lot in his past. His eyes snapped open, his gaze flicking toward you. 

“You again.” He grumbled, he then wiped that frown off his face. 

“Where are your f-”

“You’ve been hurt before.” Lips moved without thinking.

His eyes widened, he looked purely surprised to hear you say this.

How could this strange mortal know anything? I can tell that she is being sincere.

Her eyes.

Her expression.

“I’m sorry..” she muttered.

“Nevermind that, It was nice running into you again but I have to go.”  He turned and took off. 

“[Name]?” you heard Aether call out making you turn.

“You can’t just leave like that, you scared me..” Aether trails off, his eyes held fear and worry. Looking as if he was on the verge of tearing up. Your eyes flashed with guilt.

“I know I’m sorry.” You reached out and gripped his shoulders in reassurance. Giving a soft smile before turning to glance in the direction of where that boy had gone, only to see that he had already disappeared. Or so, you thought.

From the top of the cliff above you, his eyes lingered on you as the blonde haired traveler guided you back to your campsite. 

“You’ve been hurt before.”

He watched as you tried looking for him but never spoke of him. Scoffing as he turned and made his way back.

Back to the present

It was already evening in Mondstat, the sun beginning to set and he still wasn’t back yet. 

Where was he?

 You do understand that Liyue isn’t exactly close but still. Archons, you already finished your book Amber had given you. You sat up and pulled the blankets off of you, Getting dressed into your usual gear and outfit. You opened the door to your room and stepped out, making your way toward the exit. Stepping out into the city of freedom, the wind blew softly against your face, and through your hair. Gazing toward the sky and your mind immediately thought of Venti. 

Strolling through the courtyard and making your way toward the Knights of Favonious headquarters. Entering the building made you feel nostalgic as memories of you and the traveler meeting everyone flashed through your mind. Your lips tugged into a smile, beginning to miss him a tiny bit wondering how Aether was doing.

You walked through the doors of the library, and made your way down the staircase, toward the section of your choice. That’s when you heard a familiar high pitched voice coming from another section. You immediately walked toward where you heard Paimons babbling and met face to face with Aether,Albedo,and Paimon. 

“[Name]! What are you doing here?!” Paimon exclaimed in disbelief.

“Yes I was just about to ask you the same question.”

“I see you’re doing better after the attack, I’m glad you’re well, though you really shouldn’t be out of bed and should be resting, how are you feeling?” Albedo’s voice reached your ears.

“Yeah about that-”

“An attack? What happened, are you okay?” Aether asks 

“I’m fine honestly, Me and Kuni were just trying to finish a commission and it was in dragonspine so I caught a cold and almost got attacked by a Frostarm Lawachurl.”

“I was able to deflect the attack and saved her while her partner pulled her out of the way when she fainted. I managed to take out the Lawachurl with one blow, but after that He kept threatening to kill me if I got too close. He seemed very wary of me and didn’t trust me one bit. It took a bit of explaining but we got her to my lab and got her a potion. Brought her to Mondstat where we took her to the infirmary. He threatened me and Amber telling us that we’d better make sure nothing happens to her or else. After she was treated, he took her to the  inn.” Albedo explained, you sighed when he mentioned how Kuni threatened to kill him.

Aethers arms caught you off guard as he gave you a tight hug.

“I’m so glad you’re okay.” He whispered, making you smile softly and return his hug.

“I was just thinking about you when I walked in, I missed you.” 

“I missed you too, it’s so nice to see you again-”

“Hey don’t forget Paimon! Paimon missed you too!” you laughed.

“Has your temperature risen at all since then? Shall I prepare some potions?” Albedo places his gloved fingers along your cheekbone. 

“[Name]!” you heard a familiar voice making you pull away from Aether.

You turned and felt your hand get tugged toward Kuni.

“You’re supposed to be resting, you’re still getting over your cold idiot!” He speaks

“Kuni,”

“Traveler,” There was a brief moment of silence before Kuni pulled your hand again.

“Sorry to cut this reunion short but she needs to be in bed right now.”

“I’m fine!”

Kuni softly smacks his hand against your forehead making you glare at him.

“Your fever is coming back moron, I told you to rest,” He turned toward the traveler and Albedo for a moment.

“Excuse me but I’ll be taking her back with me.” He finished as he began dragging you back to the inn.

“I’ll talk to you soon Aether!” You said softly and he glanced at Kuni and you surprisedly before returning your smile and a wave. 

As you both made your way back toward your room at the inn, he closed the door behind you and pushed you toward the bed. He turned his back toward you and picked up a box that laid on the dresser. He opened it and took a bottle out pouring the substance into a cup. Turning toward you he pushed you to lay back before handing you the cup. 

“Drink it, then go to sleep.” He watched as you took the bitter medicine in before laying down. He walked toward the door and walked out into the living room. You sighed and closed your eyes. Soon enough you fell asleep. 

“No! Wait please! Anything but the Gnosis! That’s mine, don’t even try!” 

“[Name]?” Aether called out to you.

“It doesn’t feel like a victory..” You whispered before turning away from the former harbinger. Seeing the pain in his face and hearing it in his voice made you unable to stay any longer.

You sat up with a gasp, tears wanting to prick at your eyes. Those were memories that you hated to remember, due to the way they made you feel. Yet no matter how hard you try to push them back, they continue to eat at your mind. No luck with falling asleep now. Your mind wandered to Kuni. The hurt he must’ve felt. You couldn’t take it anymore. 

“Kuni?” You call out a bit loudly. 

After a moment you hear some movement and shuffling, before the door opens and Kuni pops in. 

“What?” He asks with a small glare.

“I can’t sleep-“

“No you can’t get up, just close your eyes.” He said as he was about to close the door.

“Wait!” 

He paused.

“I was gonna ask if you can come and talk with me until I fall asleep?” 

He stood quietly for a moment before closing the door and taking a seat in the chair beside the bed. 

“Thank you,” you smiled before getting a little dizzy, your face fell, laying back into the bed. 

“I wanted to say a few things since we haven’t really been able to talk since I’ve been out. I’ve also been thinking about a lot of stuff.” Your voice made Kuni glance toward you.

“About what?” He tore his gaze from you toward the window.

He sounded a little cold with his tone. Trying so hard not to make eye contact with you.  

“Thank you, for taking care of me, I really appreciate it.”

He continued to glance out the window as you spoke.

“Hmph.” He scoffs 

You frowned softly and scooted toward the side he was near. Grabbing his hands in yours making him glance up at you.

“I really mean it, the fact that you went all the way to liyue to Bubu Pharmacy. When Amber told me, I pieced it together. I really appreciate you, I also want to apologize for not listening to you when you suggested that we should go to mondstat. I was reckless and stupid. I understand now..” You gripped his hand before reaching the other to tilt his hat up to a perfect angle, that way you could see all of his face. 

He looked a little flustered for a moment, like he wasn’t expecting this. Glancing into your eyes before turning his gaze toward the window. 

“Yeah well,” he started before he squeezed your hands as well.

“You should know I’m always right.” He glanced back at you. 

You rolled your eyes.

“I’m being serious here,” You glared 

“I really appreciate everything you’ve done so far to take care of me. We’ve been traveling together for quite some time now. If anything were to happen to you at all. I would do the same for you, because I really care about you. I wanna tell you something.” You pulled his hat off and placed it on the desk. Standing and Pressing both hands to either side of his face while glancing down at him. A stunned look decorating his face. 

“Puppet or not, you and I aren’t that different when it comes down to it, I believe that you have come so far to prove that you have more of a heart than anyone else. You have feelings.” You grabbed his hand and laced your fingers with his. 

“Because in my mind,”

“You’re human as far as I’m concerned.”  You whispered sweetly. His eyes widened, his breath hitching. Those familiar words. His face appeared in mind, the moment that he said those words. The smile on his face. 

“You deserve to be with your family and friends.”  Niwa’s smile and voice found it’s way back into Kuni’s mind.

“I just want you to know that you aren’t worthless. You are so much more. You may have chosen the wrong path once but now, You walk with those who care. No matter what anyone says. You deserve to be with family and those who make you feel like you’re home, I’m glad you’re here.” You smiled at his widened gaze. Tears pricking at his eyes. Teeth clenched. 

“Can I hug you?” You ask softly.

“…” 

His hands gripped at your arm. You automatically knew that was a yes. So you wrapped your arms around him and hugged tightly. Tears pricking at your own eyes as you softly caressed the back of his head. Playing with his hair. It was at that moment that you pulled him to lay along with you. A warmth spreads throughout your chest, your heart beating rapidly. You two laid there, with him in your arms and you letting him cry everything out.

ღღღღღ

Opening his eyes to glance around the room. He sat up with wide eyes. 

“Did I actually sleep for a bit?” He glanced down at his hands. His mind wandered to the previous conversation you both had. He smiled softly before turning to glance at you. That’s when his smile dropped. Your eyes were squeezed shut. Your hair sticking to your forehead. Teeth clenched and hands gripped the blankets. Your fever must’ve gotten worse. 

“[Name]!” He grabbed your arm to turn you onto your back. He flinched back once he felt how your temperature had risen. You were practically burning up. 

“Shit!” He ran toward the dresser and checked the medicine box. To your luck there was nothing left. He sighed in frustration before tossing the box toward the wall. Putting his shoes on, hat, putting your shoes on. Draping a cloak over your shoulders before picking you up onto his back and carrying you outside. He had to do something quick before it got even worse. With that he took off toward the gates of mondstat.

ღ ღ ღ ღ ღ

Part 2 anyone? Anywho I’ve been working on this for maybe a few weeks trying to perfect it I hope you guys love it!🥺 - may <3

sorry for any errors I tried my best to edit it as best as I could! good day loves!

#wanderer x reader #scaramouche #kunikuzushi #genshin requests #genshin men #genshin x y/n #genshin x reader #scaramouche x reader #genshin men x reader #xiao x reader #aether x reader #albedo x reader #cyno x reader #alhaitham #kaeya x reader #tighnari x reader #diluc x reader #kaveh x reader #heizou x reader #kazuha x reader #kamisato ayato #kamisato ayato x reader #thoma x reader

[themotherofblood]

CHAPTER 1| RIVER OF GOLD |

The Lady | T.L x READER |

series masterlist | main masterlist

~ and if I was a child, did matter? If you got to wash your hands. ~

“He scares me, just a little. Not a violent way I suppose but as if he knows everything about me, though he might if he paid for spies. I am to be his wife, never thought I’d lay with a Lannister and yet here I am. Father has forbade me from writing to Doran, he would be mad at me. Lannisters and us have had a bitter history, my sweet aunt lost at the cost of war but perhaps this would be my first taste of power. I would be his wife, I would hold the sword.”

Grey, the skies were grey in the Westerlands. Black adorned every noble lord and lady's bodies as they stood by the falls. Five children stood as they mourned the death of their mother, along with many other houses who had only come to pay respects; out of obligation. Only five young bodies knew the truth of what had happened.

"Our princess took a terrible fall." the Maesters and handmaidens said, a truth laced with an ugly lie.

Our mother killed herself

The silk that wrapped the former princess's body held the further truth, if one peaked in they would see her bashed left cheek from the impact, a little lower they would see her crushed collar bone and even lower they would see blackened bruises from the fall. They would also see scars, yellowing bruises and fingerprints all over her skin, the testament to the brutality she had to suffer at the hand of her lord husband.

She was gone, and a candle that all five children held in the storm; blew out with her. The oldest boy Jeagir stood with his arm around his sister, you. Her hands rested on the shoulders of her two younger sisters Ellia and Nyela and their Maester Crasden, that stood next to them with an asleep toddler in his arms; the youngest Loren.

While the younger girls wept silently, their older siblings silently boiled in rage. All four children were handed torches as they walked to the four corners of the pyre their mother laid on, a Dornish priest went on with words that were muffled in the noble children's ears. While some remembered the screams from that night, some could only hear the crackling fire in their hands. In unison they lit the four corners of their mother's final rest. She would be safer now, nobody would hurt her now.

Your mother had written to you six moons ago, "Fly back to me, child." She had written. Her Martell uncles had managed to get her on a ship within the next day of the letter's arrival. The ship flung the banner of House Martell and delights filled the cargo of the ship for their dear sister.

"Give her my love." Doran Martell had said as he kissed the top his niece's head, a girl he had raised as his own for the past twelve years.

The morning you arrived to Lannisport, your receiver and long friend Fredrick also brought the doomed message.

"Princess Elina took a terrible fall."

One look at your mother's dead body and the guilt in your mother's handmaiden's eyes, the horrified sullen eyes of your sisters and the rage in your brothers eyes. You knew.

Your mother killed herself.

Lannisport was controlled by the most powerful family in the Westerlands, the Lannisters. More specifically Tywin Lannister. That man knew everything that went on in his lands and surely a Dornish ship with Martell sails entering his harbour was to be brought to his attention. He had ridden out that day, as he did every other day to visit Lannistown and the port. Mostly to set his own eyes upon the visitors from Dorne, he had taken extra guards as a welcome party.

He watched from high ground as the ship docked itself, five boats emerged from the ship. One with a golden pavilion shade, harbouring most likely a person of noble decent. He wondered if the Martells finally had come for his head, but out emerged a young lady at best in a pink Dornish dress, you.

His brother Kevan had rode down to the ports to enquire about the arriving party before riding back to his brother. Tywin watched as a man stood with the banner of his sworn house Maerilys, he watched as the man greeted you dressed in pink, then he watched you speak and for a moment all the colour drained from your face. It seemed as though everyone around you had frozen too, then he watched as your hand came up to your forehead, your lips widen as all the men and women that came with you hung their head low. A message came for him too, a rider rode out from Casterly Rock with the message.

"Princess Elina Martell of House Maerilys has passed."

Kevan too returned from the ports.

"That's Lord Maerilys's eldest daughter."

Tywin had arrived to Deep Den after the funeral, he had known Princess Elina personally having been a close companion to his late lady wife Joanna, the woman wasn't much older than him but he knew wits when he saw it, though he never liked the man she married. Lord Loren Maerilys, clearly named after his ancestor but Tywin knew that man held no kingly qualities. The house provided a good chuck of the Lannister fleet and armies, siege weapons and other labour personnel to Casterly Rock.

Lord Maerilys was a cruel man, the Mad King had his own reasons but Maerilys was another kind of evil, he flaunted his affairs in his lady wife's face, he beat her and humiliated her. Princess Elina on the other hand suffered through it all, many never understood why, she was Dornish. If she had written about the true brutality of her husband to her brothers. They would have landed an army right at her front gates to take her home. She never did, she suffered it all.

When you were born to the household, Lord Maerilys was not pleased, had it not been for his advisors and Maesters, he would have thrown your babbling form into the sea to wash off your existence, to another father you may have been a delight, a gorgeous little girl. But to your father, you were weakness, you couldn't carry their house's name.

Maester Crasden protected you as alittle girl as best he could, keeping you for longer lessons or away from your father's sight most times. However she you fell in the trap of your father's violence, instead of staying in your bedchambers one night as your mother's muffled wails rang through the halls, you hid a dagger stolen from the armoury in your skirts and walked into your parents chambers. Your little hands were ineffective, the blade you wielded ended up giving you a bigger cut than her father and a swollen bruise to her cheek from a backhanded slap.

"You insolent cunt! I could have your head for this." He screamed like a mad man as the little girl's glare never left him. That night her mother wrote to her brothers for help for the first time. She urged them to take her daughter, to raise her as their own with her nieces and nephews.

"Protect my girl, do not let her flame die." She had written.

Tywin had strayed from his riding party for a while, he rarely got to breathe in the country and the serenity of its views. He wanted to tarry a bit, as his riding party prepped for his arrival. The Old Lion had taken a guard along with him, surely he was learned enough to know that he was safe no where. There was a faint rush of water from the great falls in the mountains by Deep Den, the birds sang their songs as the air in the forest remained thick and humid, and Tywin walked through it all like he owned the forests. He had taken a long deep breath, closing his eyes as his head lifted upwards, allowing himself to unravel for just a moment. Though his moment of peace was interrupted by the whoosh of an arrow that nearly missed him and lodged itself onto the tree trunk behind him.

His guard drew their swords, at alert as Tywin sat strong on his horse. All of them looking around to find the source of the attack, a rustle in the bushes and most of them were prepared to fight. Until from the bushes and vines emerged your figure dressed in commoner rags, out of breath and sharp as you looked around before your eyes widened at the men with their swords out. You hands instinctively held tighter on your bow as your chest heaved, looking at all three men skeptically; until the armour they wore gave their true identity away. Lannisters.

You dropped the bow, raising your hands in defence. Gulping at the glare, the lord had fixated on you. If you weren't mistaken, you stood in the presence of Tywin Lannister. Comely and stern looking man.

"Forgive me, my lord. I thought you were a deer," you looked at him apprehensively, as you prayed to the gods, that this man knew nothing of your identity.

"Clearly not," He nodded at his men to sheath their steel.

Tywin didn't trust the girl, and the only way he knew that he would make out of these woods without killing you, was to take you with him. You were clean, too clean for a commoner. Your posture and nimble fingers, too relaxed to be an assassin. You looked familiar and yet he couldn't quite put a name to the face.

"Who are you girl?" Tywin commanded, his eyes capturing every detail of the sweet maiden before him. The velvet of your dress pointed that you were no mere peasant girl, though your unruly hair and mud over your hands would unlikely make you of noble birth.

"I am a kitchen wench, from the Den my lord," you tried to hold his gaze to not seem as if you were lying through your teeth. The lord gave you a grunt of answer before turning his horse around.

"Come along then. No girl like you should be out here alone." He ordered but you stood your ground

"Forgive me my lord, strange men offering escort in the middle of the woods, not exactly reliable," you made your case "I can find my own way home." With that you ran, abandoning your weapon. You ran through the very well known forests as the Lannister guards wandered deeper into the forest with no avail.

You huffed in exhaustion as you returned home, sweaty and covered in dirt. What was to be a trip to clear your head turned out to be a rat chase. The maids all looked scared for their Lady, for surely if Lord Maerilys saw his daughter in this condition, not only would he have your head but also the gaurds that were supposed to be escorting you.

"You must change, before your father sees you my lady." A man called out, Fredrick Serrert. When you had left the shore he was merely a boy but when he came to receive you, he stood a man grown at nearly six foot three.

Down in the Deep Den's hall, Lord Maerilys. A stubbed, and disgruntled old man greeted their liege lord. Both lord exchanged words of formality before Tywin walked himself to the rear gardens, where a burnt out pyre of ashes remained, still gusts of simmering smoke emitted from it. There laid Princess Elina, he still remembered her face, how young him and his betrothed were when his father had brought him along to their wedding. An elaborate affair, the Dornish princess was set to marry the older Maerilys brother, yet tragedy struck Daven Maerilys and her "condition" (the birth of your brother) left her in choice but to wed the younger brother Loren Maerilys instead.

"They say you look for a wife, Lord Tywin." Lord Maerilys asked, the old lion just nodded in reply.

"I have three. The older one just returned from Dorne, and my two younger one's are yet to bleed but should be of cause my lord." Tywin's face scrunched up in disgust, though his face looked away from Loren, he couldn't believe what he was hearing. Sure Tywin had imposed a marriage on his daughter, but sell out your daughters that young. Then out of the blue, it hit Tywin.

"Kitchen wench." He scoffed under his breath. He hadn't been outsmarted in a while but surely he was looking forward to meeting this Lady as he put a name to the familiar face. He remembered you from the docks

All the Maerilys kids poured out one by one. Olyvar came first, head held high and the spitting Dornish image of his mother, behind him trailed the two younger girls, Nyela and Ellia. They stood in a line as Tywin was introduced to them, he shook the oldest boy's hands and charmingly complimented the little girls on their hair. Then burst through the doors was another, your hurried feet found you standing next to your little sisters, with a toddler in your arms. You gracefully bowed.

"This is my eldest daughter." your father introduced you, every cursed word you could think of you used on yourself internally. You prayed that he would keep his mouth shut about earlier, and thank the gods he did.

"And who might this be?" Tywin gestured at the child wriggling in your arms, your sweet brother you had only seen painted palm prints off in your mother's correspondences

"Harolld Maerilys, my lord." you voice spoke up, a lot gentler then earlier, almost a whisper as you tried to not startle the child.

Tywin that night thought of the proposition Lord Maerilys put forth, there was something about this girl that just made you tick. Tywin wasn't a child that merely beauty would sway him, though you were quite a sight he had seen in a while, full lips, expressive eyes. There was something commanding about you, the way your eyes never left his, your head held high even admist all this sorrow. He saw a gain in this too, an alliance between Martells and Lannisters, you were important enough for them to send you home with Martell sails.

The next morning he made his wishes heard, he would court you for the week he was to reside at Deep Den, and leave with a bride by him.

You were having none of it, a screaming match broke out in the hall. As servants and soldiers turned a deaf ear to them yet again. You had nothing against this wedding but you refused to leave you little sisters behind at the hands of a monster.

"The girls will leave with me to Dorne!" You yelled over your father's voice

"You watch it girl, I could sell you and sisters for a lump sum and no one would bat an eye!" Your father threw back, menacingly nearing your proximity. However you weren't a child anymore, you stood your ground glaring up at your father. His hand shot forward, yanking your head up from the root of your hair making you yelp out in pain.

"Hurt me, go on. My uncles will cut your hands off if I tell them about this." your words were laced in venom and yet the truth. Doran Martell, was viciously protective over you and Oberyn, your sweet uncle Oberyn. You were his sunshine, though he may never see you more than just his little niece, your heart once yearned for more with your Uncle Oberyn. Many whispered at Sunspear that you had given your maidenhead to him and how you wished that were true.

"My lord." Maester Crasden's voice made Lord Maerilys push his angry daughter away, as tears threatened to roll down your face. You sat on the chair with your head on the table, rubbing the spot your father had held onto. Crasden came over, his fingers gently parting your hair to check for injury, you sweet lady would be fine.

"Marry him child." you scoffed at Crasden but he looked at you as if he wasn't finished, he sat down next to you.

"You would be the Lady of Casterly Rock, our liege lady," he cleared his throat before going on "you could order your sisters away to Dorne." His hand patted your cheek "You would hold power, I could not help your mother child. Let me help you."

The old maester's words had sunk deep within you as you began to ponder on the topic of your marriage and finally gave in, other than Tywin's cruelty on the battlefield and politics, there was no account of him ever imposing himself on women, you began to think of if you'd be safe and the only way to confirm your queries would be from the source itself.

You and Lord Tywin had found yourselves in your mothers gardens, you had called for him yourself and Tywin was curious to hear what you had to say.

"I realise how auspicious of a union this is, however I have questions and terms of my own before I agree to this." you kept your voice strong as you voiced yourr feelings on the matter.

"Go on then, my lady." Tywin walked past you to sit down.

"I truly hope that you know my disdain isn't toward you my lord, but merely a worry for my prospects." you stated as you sat down across from him, you didn't want to elaborate further, not wanting to slander your father in front of his liege lord.

"I am aware, my lady" Tywin's stress on the word made you look away. If your mother's troubles had been so known, how come none of these vast noble lords come to her aid.

"You needn't worry about me imposing myself on you" He suggested making you look at him, grateful and confused

"You would be well looked after and eventually sponsored for when the time came for your duties at Casterly Rock." He elaborated further.

"I knew your mother, I have a debt that still needs to be paid." The mere mention of your mother made the your eyes gloss over.

"And I would be safe?" There was a gentle crack to your voice.

"You would be safe." He reassured you, the green of his eyes glinting against the sun.

So it was setttled, Lady Maerilys was to wed Lord Tywin Lannister, ravens flew from Deep Den to Castley Rock, The Red Keep and to Sunspear. The news of this alliance spread through both families, both his children and the Martells were furious at about the wedding but it was done. A small affair at the Great Hall, you wore your mother's ivory dress that was fit to your sizing, that morning your mind nearly changed again as you tried to make a break for the ports but was stopped by Olyvar. If not for yourself then you performed her duties to protect her sisters.

"Father."

"Smith."

"Warrior."

"Mother."

"Maiden."

"Crone."

"Stranger."

"I am hers and she is mine."

"I am his and he is mine."

"From this day until my last day."

A chaste kiss between the two sealed this union. You were now Lady Lannister of Castley Rock, and hell was to pay if anyone tried to hurt you.

next chapter

#tywin lannister x reader #tywin lannister x you #tywinlannisterxyou #tywin x reader #tywin lannister x oc #tywin lannister #tywin lannister smut #tywin imagine #house Lannister #lannisters #house martell #got x you #got fanfiction #got x reader #game of thrones fanfiction #game of thrones #a song of ice and fire #a song of ice and fire fanfic #Charles dance #Charles dance x reader

[jurassic-park-inthe-world]

Protect Me? (Zach Mitchell)

Summary: Zach Mitchell and the reader, Y/N, have been best friends since childhood. When Zach takes her to Jurassic World, it's a game of survival.

**********************************************************************

The day he met her, he fell in love. That's how Zach says he and Y/N met, but when Y/N herself is around, he says they met in the seventh grade, when she moved to Michigan from Alaska. She was used to the cold, it didn't bother her, and neither did the kids whispering how weird she was for still being obsessed with dinosaurs. She got along great with Gray, because they both knew things about Sauropods and long-necks and T-Rexes and Triceratops and this and that kind of dinosaur.

Over time, Zach started falling for her. At the time, he was still with Ashley, his now-ex, and he hated thinking that he was leading her on, even though he thought--no, knew--that he had no chance with Y/N. So, as friends, he invited her along to Jurassic World, their aunt's dinosaur theme park.

Time Skip

Zach, Gray, and Y/N got off of the boat docked at Isla Nublar. The hills and mountains spread around them like a green maze, and the wooden dock was warm from the sun. Y/N grinned, taking it in. She loved nature, it was her happy place. She liked to often sit near rivers or streams and draw them in motion, or listen to the rain and sleep, even if she got cold and a little wet. "It's so pretty here," She said, and Zach grinned, shaking his head. "You and nature, I swear." She giggled, and Zach blushed.

"Who's that?" Gray asked, pointing at a woman with black hair and dark shades covering her eyes. She was dressed in a power suit, a pale gray color that covered a white shirt. She had pale gold shoes on. In her slim hands, she held a sign: ZACH AND GRAY MITCHELL, Y/N L/N. "Let's find out," Y/N said softly.

Time Skip

"What the hell just happened?" Y/N choked on water as she swam to shore. Zach and her pulled Gray onto the mud, and Zach said, "We were almost eaten." He blew water from his nose in a short huff, and Gray said, "That's why Aunt Claire wanted us to come back. We should've gone back." He whimpered, and Y/N gently helped him up, shaking water from her hair. "Well, let's just get back to the park, okay?"

They wandered around for a long time and found a set of doors covered in vines and moss. "The old park!" Y/N cried happily, running up the steps slick with moss. "Careful, careful." Zach scolded as she ran inside. It was a disaster, but it was beautiful, like an old castle left in ruins. She could see the beauty where everything must've been. "They built over it," Gray frowned, touching a wall with painted Velociraptors on it. "Makes sense, they didn't exactly tell anyone this happened." Zach muttered, picking up a banner. He turned to Gray. "Still got those matches?" Gray opened his "dork pouch" and took them out, handing them to Zach, who lit the banner like a torch. "Come on." He said, and they followed.

They had just entered the old Visitor's Center when a large, scaly foot slammed down and crushed a leaf-covered statue. "Run!" Zach yelled, and they bolted. Y/N tried keeping up but didn't see a large vine and root entangled together on the floor and tripped, flying forwards. "Ow!" She yelped, and the dinosaur, the one that tried to eat them on the waterfall, snarled and started leaning down. She froze, but knew that this thing didn't see like the T-Rex; it went off thermal radiation, not sight. Suddenly, the thing howled, and she saw Gray jamming a huge stick in the dinosaur's leg, making it scream and roar in pain. "Come on!" Zach was yanking her to her feet, and as they passed, they grabbed Gray. Making it into a garage, they saw a gasoline Jeep. Pausing, they waited to hear the dinosaur's loud steps. After a moment, they heard them, stomping away. "He's leaving," Gray whispered. Zach adn Y/N weren't listening. He was holding her close, breathing deeply to calm himself. "Are you okay?" He asked, face inches from hers. She nodded, breathless. "Yes." For a moment, they stared at each other. "Jesus, just kiss her." Gray snapped, moving to the Jeep.

Zach grinned, kissing Y/N, and she kissed back, feeling safe. "I...I love you," She whispered, and he blushed, a small smile on his face. "I love you more."

#jurassic world #jurassic park #zach mitchell #zach mitchell imagine #zach mitchell x reader #gray mitchell #dinosaurs #prehistoric #tyranosaurusrex #indominus rex #velociraptor #love #romance #fiction #fanfic

[websterss]

𝐖𝐎𝐑𝐑𝐘 - 𝐁𝐑𝐄𝐓𝐓 𝐓𝐀𝐋𝐁𝐎𝐓

𝐑𝐄𝐐𝐔𝐄𝐒𝐓: You get hurt protecting Brett and Lori.

𝐖𝐀𝐑𝐍𝐈𝐍𝐆(𝐒): Angst

𝐖𝐎𝐑𝐃 𝐂𝐎𝐔𝐍𝐓: 1,341

𝐏𝐀𝐈𝐑𝐈𝐍𝐆: Brett Talbot x fem!Reader  

𝐀/𝐍: Hope you enjoy it! :)

𝐌𝐀𝐒𝐓𝐄𝐑𝐋𝐈𝐒��

The front doorbell had caught Deaton’s attention from the back. The jingle alerted him someone entered the clinic. He knew he had to be cautious.

“We’re closed!” Deaton called out. Though the hushed whispers of voices were enough to pique his sudden interest. He walked back to the front desk and stopped upon seeing Satomi, along with the sight of you barely holding onto Brett’s neck as he tried to keep you upright. All your shoes squeaked from the water. Lori was on your right, letting you lean some of your weight against her.

There was a loud heavy pour outside. It had been raining.

“Satomi. It’s nice to see you again.”

“I wish it was under better circumstances.” Satomi looked back at you. Black blood spilled past your lips.

Deaton opened the little gate door to let you all pass through towards the examination room. Deaton immediately cleared the center metal table and informed Brett to place you on top of it. You began to panic not wanting to be out of his hold. Your eyes grew big as you reached out for him.

“Hey, hey it’s okay. I’m here.” Brett pushed you back down gently. 

“Y/n I’m going to need you to relax okay? It will make it harder if you struggle.” Deaton looked down at you. “What was she poisoned with?”

“It’s Wolfsbane. She was hit with a bullet.” Brett said.

“Wolfsbane. I thought so.” Deaton grimaced. “Well I’ll need to get it out of her system before-“ You interrupted him as you let the silver bullet clatter onto the table. Deaton stared at the bullet speechless. Brett let his mouth hang open.

“I-I already…took care of it.” You said in labored breaths. Then you fainted. Your head fell back on the table with a tiny bang.

“Very well then…” Deaton gave a tight-lipped smile to the three of them, then turned his back to search for the thing he needed. He faced the group again and lit the blowtorch up.

“Woah woah woah. What are you gonna do with that?” Brett stood up straighter, as he eyed the flames burning fast.

“Well seeing as I’m left with no other choice.” Deaton edged the torch closer to you. “I have to burn it out of her.”

“Satomi?” Brett looked to her for reassurance.

“Deaton knows what he’s doing. It’ll be alright Brett.” She nodded.

Brett looked back to Deaton and then to you.

“You might wanna hold her down.”

Brett swallowed thickly before pressing his hands on your body. Satomi and Lori followed suit. The second the flame touched your skin. Your eyes sprung open. Glowing yellow, as the pain became too much. You pushed against the hands holding you down but they only kept pushing harder.

“Hold her!”

“We’re trying!” Brett yelled.

You roared out in agony as the ache grew and grew. It didn’t take long till your body gave out and you fell unconscious again.

-

“Is she gonna be alright?” Lori asked him.

“Her wounds appear to be healing now. Slowly, but healing.” All eyes drifted down to you. Your chest rose and fell with each inhale of breath you took.

“She pushed us out of the way.” Lori held her arm. She was distraught. You were suffering because of them. You had pushed them out of the way when the blast of a gun rang out. It hit you when it should’ve hit one of them. “It should’ve been one of us lying here.”

Brett placed a hand on her shoulder rubbing it back and forth for comfort. “She saved us. Half the pack got away but most of them weren’t so lucky. I told her to run, but she stayed back with me.” Brett recalled what had happened to you.

“What the hell are you doing? I told you to run!” Brett held you at arm's length.

“Well, you should’ve told me to do something else. When are you going to learn that I’m not going to listen to every word you say in this relationship.” You sputtered as the water got into your mouth. Your hair stuck to your face. You blinked rapidly, it was hard to see in the dark, but it grew more difficult with the heavy downpour. “I mean some of the shit you say is really stupid-” Brett cupped your face.

“Shut up.” Then leaned down to press his lips against yours. He pulled back slowly before giving you a once-over. “Are you hurt?”

“No.” You let your eyes drift from his chest to his face, then to his shoulders. No signs of injury. “Where’s Lori?” You looked behind you to see her standing a few feet away. “Lori?” You inched closer, but Brett put his hand out to you.

“Lori you alright?” He asked her. He stepped forward and laid a hand on her shoulder. Once he saw past her shoulder he realized why she stood so still. A red dot was aimed at her chest. Brett quickly pushed her behind him, blocking her view from it. 

“Brett…” You stepped closer seeing two more red dots inch their way up their bodies from the ground. “Move.” You risked another step. “Brett, move!” That’s when the blast rang out. You had shoved your body into their sides causing a domino effect. The bullet had made its hit, but it didn’t meet its right target. You groaned feeling pain shoot up your system. 

“Y/n!” Brett quickly helped you up. “Can you walk?” One shake of your head was enough to have him hoist you onto his back. Lori running in front of you two. “Lori go!”

It wasn’t out of the ordinary to watch one of your own get hurt every now and then. It came with life as a werewolf, the path some of you were born into. Satomi had restored what little hope you had when she found you. She saved your life. You owed her everything, and now there she stood brushing back the hairs on your face, watching your face contort in discomfort. You were in pain, and the black veins running up her arm were enough to show for it. You were one of her own. She took you in after you and your parents were on the run. You were given the chance to keep running, but it came with the cost of your parents stopping and fighting back. Satomi found you hiding in fear in a cave. She offered herself as a friend, a mentor. As an alpha. She made sure you weren’t alone.

It was rare to see Satomi show any other emotion. Her expression remained mostly stoic and reserved. Strength and anger is what most came across, but it was moments like these that Satomi let her guard down in front of her betas. She let a tear shed and it didn’t go unnoticed.

“We got her here in time, Satomi. She’s okay.” Brett spared his alpha a glance. “Besides you know how she is, she’ll be back to herself in no time, begging you to make your beef stew tomorrow.” Brett’s eyes crinkled at the thought. It brought a smile to Satomi’s face.

Satomi had let her head fall down. She spared your unconscious state a glance every now and then. She strained her ears enough to hear the slow rhythmic pattern of your heart beating. It was still there. It was enough to bring her some comfort.

“Her heart is slow.” Satomi frowned.

“But it’s still beating. That’s all that matters.” Brett put his hands out and placed it on top of hers. 

“I don’t know if I can’t take losing any more of you.” Satomi looked up at Brett and Lori.

“You’re not. Besides, we got Scott’s help now. This Deadpool will be over before you know it.” Brett offered a bit of peace of mind to his alpha, but even she knew that things were never going to be truly over. Not with the life you all lived.

“Let’s hope so, my dear boy.”

#brett talbot #brett talbot x reader #brett talbot imagines #brett talbot imagine #brett talbot one shot #brett talbot x fem!reader #teen wolf #teen wolf imagines #teen wolf x reader #teen wolf imagine #my gif #writings by juls

[thiniceofeternalyouth]

MISLEADIN' ME SERIES: CHAPTER SEVEN

WISH UPON A PAPER PLANE [2 pt.]

⊳ Gojo Satoru x f!reader

series masterlist

Genre: angst, fluff, sci-fi, cosmology.

Chapter warning&tags : ooc, slight manga spoilers, profanity, mentions of alcohol, violence, murder;

Words count: ~11.5k

⊲ previous

Sitting on the bed, you stared blankly at the box that peeked out from behind the open closet door. The box was wrapped in purple paper and tied with a satin blue ribbon. Its night-lit edges reflected in your eyes, and the intrusive thoughts wouldn't come out of your head. You were frustrated. However, you weren't angry about why he'd stayed by your side or frightened that he might not change his mind, or if he did, why he hadn't told you. The only regret that settled in your chest was that you'd found out before December seventh.

The feeling didn't want to leave your chest, but you couldn't afford to sit still. As you walked to your closet and slammed the door shut, you glanced at your phone's screen and saw the low battery. You put it to charge and left the room.   

From downstairs, you could hear a lot of activity: creaking floorboards, rustling jackets, children running and squealing, Frank's low exclamations, the clinking of cutlery or the clinking of tongues. As you went down to the first floor, each wooden step beneath you made a pitiful creaking sound.

You were barely downstairs when you were nearly knocked over by a passing Mike (who didn't even look in your direction afterward), who was out the front door in two seconds.

"I see ya've got this under control, don't ya?" you asked a panting Frank who was trying to hold a wriggling Tris in his arms while trying to pull off her snow-wet woolen tights to replace them with dry ones. "Now," you squinted taking Tris in your arms. Lifting her into the air, you looked into her eyes. "Either change the tights or no paper planes this year," your words made her chubby cheeks puff up even more, but she immediately went limp and fell silent.

"Ya're not much of a carer," Frank shook his head and sat the little girl on his lap again. "Couldn't ya've been gentler?"

"Weren't ya the one who threatened little me to take away all my toys if I didn't go to bed at nine at night?"

"That was a long time ago and not true," Frank muttered and finally pulled the tights over a motionless Tris.

"Listen," you began squatting down in front of them and began to put warm pants on the girl. "Lock Nael out of town."

Frank raised his eyebrows in surprise. "I thought ya two were allies."

"He owes me, Frank," you said grudgingly, wrinkling your nose. "As soon as he gets the chance, he's gonna set my ass up."

"Watch your mouth," the man snorted and flicked you on the forehead. "I'll shut him out, but aren't ya afraid of further questioning?"

"I think he'll understand why," you waved it off, and not wanting to talk about the subject any further, you immediately moved it. "Are the others outside already?"

"Sent them out to hand out torches to people," Frank informed. "We're already behind schedule today, two hours up the cliff and it's dusk outside."  

"Then let's hurry up," you rushed them already pulling on your clothes yourself.

You looked at yourself in the mirror and wrapped the warm scarf around your neck. Even though Frank had assured you that you were fine after your bath that morning, you were still relieved that there wasn't a single blackened strand on your head, just your own hair color.

The steps creaked again, so prolonged and pitiful that they sounded as if they were about to fail, a sign that more than one person had went down the stairs.

Danielle appeared on the steps holding a folded paper plane in one hand and holding her side with the other. She struggled to move her feet, and on the next step, when she nearly stumbled and flew down, Megumi snorted irritably and picked her up.

He gave you a brief nod as he walked by and sat Dany on a stool near the entrance. He silently began to put her shoes on.

"Bun," you turned to the girl worriedly. "Wouldn't ya rather stay home?"

Megumi didn't even let Danielle utter the first word. "I already tried to talk her out of it," he muttered sullenly. "But she's just, she-" he stammered and clenched his teeth with such force that jowls showed on his face beneath his lower jaw. "I'd rather carry her in my arms than change her mind."

"Dany," you said in a quiet voice. "Why don't ya stay after all?" girl only shook her head.

You were just as quietly called out by Frank. "Hey," you turned around, and he gestured for you to come over to him. "I don't approve of her antics, but I think it's especially important for her right now," Frank whispered into your ear, and you kept your eyes on Danielle. "Besides, she has a caring young man. Oh, and I'll see to it, if anything."

You didn't say anything, but just accepted it. You couldn't just lock a fully self-aware and almost adult person in the room. "Whatever ya say. I'll go to others."

The door was right in front of you, but it seemed like a long way to get there: all from worry. What's going on with her? If she's sick, why not go to the doc? Why didn't she say she wasn't feeling well in the first place? She already told you it wasn't pregnancy (and you trusted her) - could it be that it's just some food poisoning? All these questions were beating against each other in your head forcing it to spin.

When you were finally outside the door, the frosty air finally brought you to your senses. You turned your head up into the clear night sky: at first you thought it was stargazing, but when you looked closer, you realized that the stars were the same glowing sparks Axel had shown you earlier. Unlike the stars, it weren't stationary: the sparks were moving from side to side, falling and rising, intertwining with each other as if dancing. One of them seemingly the boldest, flew right up to your face. You gingerly raised your hand and touched it with the tip of your index finger - the sparkle vibrated like a giggle and immediately flew back up into the sky.

It was good that there were no clouds in the sky, so there would be no precipitation that would soak the fragile paper planes. There was no headwind that would have prevented them from taking off. 

A loud clamor came from the side of the bridge. You couldn't see the bridge from the corner of the house, but you could see the main street that led to it - even there was a huge crowd. It would be no easy task to break through it and find the others, especially given the mood of the town now: everyone would try to stop you just for chatting or exchange mutual congratulations. That was the way it was done with absolutely everyone who passed by.

Burying your face deeper into your scarf, you avoided the slippery spots and started down the hill straight into the main street.

Nathaniel couldn't call himself a pedantic man, but every time he saw a hair or lint on his or someone else's clothes, he was tempted to brush it off, or when a corner of a piece of paper was knocked out of a stack of papers, he'd put it back in place in one motion. Now it was not the presence of an extra pair of shoes in his hallway that annoyed him, but the fact that they stood unevenly.

The man carefully moved one shoe to the other and exhaled in relief, but the next task was more difficult: to deal with the owner of the shoes. He did not hesitate and ignoring the dread hunger immediately went to the ajar door of his office.

At Nathaniel's desk sat a man whose black hair was braided into a tight black braid. He was filling out paperwork, and Nathaniel shuddered when the man licked his finger once more to loosen the sticking sheets.

"Ah, here you are," said Christian looking at him over his glasses. Without waiting for an answer, he buried his face in the papers again, and the room was filled with the sound of a pen squeaking.

"What are you doing in my house?" asked Nathaniel indifferently, clutching his palms together and hiding them in his wide sleeves.

Christian smirked skeptically, adjusting his glasses on the bridge of his nose. "Your job."

Keeping a calm expression on his face, Nathaniel didn't think to react to the barbed remark. "I don't receive guests at this hour. You should go."

"You know...," Christian said in his drawling voice, scratching his chin thoughtfully, and pulled an already-written sheet from the stack. "I had a terrible craving for peaches the other day. I wanted them so badly that I couldn't think of anything else. Big, juicy ones. I can't get those at the grocery store. It's all plastic," he held up two sheets of paper - the one he'd just filled out and the one he'd pulled from the stack. Christian held them up to his face, his eyes running from one sheet to the other as if comparing something. "A lot more of our people have been killed this year, haven't they?" the question was unexpected and clearly out of context. "Now, what am I talking about," Christian looked pensive. "Ah, yes. I had to go to the market. So, I wandered around looking for peaches," he put the sheets back down and swatting at them with his hands, slowly rose from his chair. "And I saw an old lady. Her counter was filled with seeds. Seeds of fruits, vegetables, and... flowers," he walked up close to Nathaniel and abruptly pulled something out of his pocket. Clasping a clear bag of creamy beige dust between his index and middle finger, Christian shook it right in front of Nathaniel's face. "Are you going to explain where a fucking huckster got the seeds of black orchid from?" he hissed, but broke off into a shout at the last word. "You don't have so many tasks and one of them is to just keep watch and buy up seeds, and if you don't want to do it yourself, you have people to assign it to!" yelled Christian, and Nathaniel phlegmatically brushed the saliva off his cheek with his hand. "What if the demons saw this? What would they do to her? Don't you feel sorry for granny?" he asked in a mocking tone.  

"If I remember correctly, we all have equal responsibilities. You have no right to show up at my house and hurl accusations. It's as much your fault as it is mine."

"Remind me who put you in the superior chair?" asked Christian in a low voice squinting his eyes contemptuously.

"Y/N did," Nathaniel replied, cocking his sharp chin. "And as you can see, I don't kneel at her feet. I'm not going to kneel at yours, either."

Christian's eyes widened with indignation, and his nostrils began to flare with rage. "You are out of line," despite his angry face, Christian spoke in as calm a voice as possible. "She may have helped you, but I could easily get rid of you."

Nathaniel raised his eyebrows defiantly. "Shall we call a council?" he inquired. "So let's do it. I think the rest of the higher-ups who unlike you have relatives and children living in Hopetown, would be very interested to know why you're trying so hard to sneak in.

Christian felt as if he'd been punched in the chest, and he immediately exhaled all the anger out of himself. "How are you-"

"You're not the only one with ears everywhere. Honestly, I don't care why you need to go there. I just want you to remember that just because you've been sitting a hole in a superior's chair longer doesn't make you more important."

Christian took a deep breath. Exhaled. Repeated. He backed up a few steps and leaned against the table. "I wonder why, of the five of us, only you have access to the town?" he asked and threw a bag of creamy beige dust in Nathaniel's face. He caught it with a deft movement.

"Probably because I don't act like an arrogant idiot," Nathaniel pointed out indifferently and tucked his hands back into his sleeves along with the bag. "You have two minutes to leave my house," Nathaniel said and turned on his heels and headed for the door. Pulling the handle toward him, he added: "The lad won't kill her. So leave the two of them alone," Nathaniel tossed over his shoulder.

Christian clutched his hand to his face as if he'd just been punched. "I need to...," he mumbled. "I just need to talk to someone who's doing their job properly. Or else my head's going to burst."

At the very path that began at the bridge, you silently pushed the empty crates aside. Your tongue ached from the endless congratulations, and your feet ached from being stepped on at least a dozen times as you made your way through the crowd.

You watched the people leaving the path, and the city seemed so empty now that you could hear the quiet hum of the golden sparks that hovered above it. Kyle's shout of 'torches overhead' was still ringing in your ears, and you shook your head trying to get rid of the sound.

Itadori fidgeted with the unlit torch; he glanced around at the rest of the people present. "Anyone have a lighter or matches?"

"Don't worry about it," you assured him shoving one of the few overflowing torch boxes toward the bridge, away from the path. "Ya'd better catch up with the others. And ya two too," you turned to Danielle and Megumi who was holding her shoulder.

You picked up your backpack from the ground and opened it; it contained a stack of blank sheets of paper and a few dozen pens, the conclusions drawn from past years when someone had either lost their paper plane or it was crumpled and, as a consequence, no longer able to carry fulfill  innermost dreams and wishes. "I think I've got everything," you muttered to yourself and slung your backpack over your shoulders.

At the same time, Megumi picked up a weak Danielle in her arms, but watching such a scene you weren't at peace with joy for them, only worry. She'd been holding up fine for a year, had she only just gotten down?

Gojo's voice pulled you out of your thoughts. His tone was childishly whiny, but no less demanding. "Can't we do the same?"

"Nope," you stretched watching their distant silhouettes. "I'm afraid I can't carry you far."

"Bully," Gojo muttered under his breath. "That's not what I meant," he added even more quietly.

You turned around to Kyle who was waiting just for the two of you. "What about ya? Going forward as usual?" Kyle remained silent glaring at the man who stood directly behind you. "Hey," you muttered crossly and snapped your fingers in front of his face. "If ya're gonna kill someone with a stare, do it more discreetly."

Gojo's arms wrapped around your waist and pulled you closer to him. "Don't worry, big brother. I'll take care of her," he said, and smiling broadly, rested his head on the top of your head. Kyle didn't seem to care what he said - he was already vividly visualizing the scarlet trickles of blood coming out of Gojo's nose.

Barely escaping the clutches of his fantasies, Kyle finally turned his gaze to you and looked straight into your eyes - you only blinked slowly, your eyes squeezed shut letting him know that everything was okay. You were comfortable. "Okay, I'll go."

"So what?" you inquired indignantly, exasperated by his terseness. "Not even an annual tutorial?"

Kyle exhaled in relief, laughing softly as a cloud of steam covered his face for a second. "Ya know yourself. Keep an eye on the laggards, and keep an eye out so it's not like last year. I don't really wanna spend all night again looking for a kid in a snowy forest who just happened to fall asleep in his own bed before the procession. That's it, I'll go now."

"Aren't ya forgetting something?" you asked sternly, tapping your forehead lightly with your finger. Kyle gave you a quick peck on the forehead, and then, taking a step back and looking you in the eye, he turned the triangle he'd made with his fingers downward: lights came on the horizon. He hurried out onto the path afterward, and at the same time, the arms around your waist squeezed you as tightly as if they wanted to be one with you.

After standing like that for a moment, you tried to unhook his hands, but to no avail. "I heard from a reliable source that you wanna live in a dumpster."

"What did I do wrong?" he snorted irritably into your hair. You tried to tear his hands away from you, again without any chance of success. It was time for the forbidden moves - you pinched his nose. "Ouch!" he exclaimed quietly and his palm flew to the sore spot on automatic; you immediately jumped out of the embrace. "You know, you act like that and I'll turn on infinity and you'll never touch me again," he mumbled resentfully, rubbing his nose with his fingers.

"Is it worth mentioning that all this time ya've been the first to seek to touch me?" you rubbed your forehead thoughtfully, but when you saw his indignant look and the way he took a deep breath, gathering more air into his lungs, you immediately returned to the original topic. "Look," you began softly. "I know Kyle seems rude, but he just... um," you stammered trying to string the information together into something concise and blurry. "He has some trust issues. So please forgive him for this behavior, but ya... Could ya please not provoke him? At least on purpose."

It was noticeable how he frowned his eyebrows slightly, and the way he clasped his hands together across his chest gave him an even stranger serious look. "What do you mean? I didn't provoke him."

You opened your mouth, but closed it again. His lack of understanding confused you, and what made it even more confusing was that you couldn't tell if he was really serious right now or if it was just part of another joke. "I mean, 'I'll take care of her?' What was that for? There are tons of ways to piss him off, but ya chose this one-"

"Okay, cease," he stopped you, and put his hands on your shoulders for good measure. "Maybe I didn't really think about how it would sound to you from aside, but... ahem," you tried to look him in the eye, but he was trying too hard to avoid your gaze staring somewhere behind you. He kept hesitating to continue, biting his lip, and then opening his mouth again, trying to get a word out. "I just... I really meant it."

You chuckled nervously. "You can't even take care of yourself."

"It's because you spoil me!" he whined in a reproachful tone, and when he heard your impish laugh, he shook you gently by the shoulders. His reaction only made you laugh even more, and he started doing something weird - still holding onto your forearms, he started rocking you back and forth. You shook your head dazedly, drilling him with a questioning look. "What are you-" you didn't have time to say before he turned ninety degrees with you and shoved you into a snowdrift. 

You sank into it, but that didn't stop your laughter from spreading, now more like the whistling of a boiling kettle. "What is that-" you barely got it out in a choked voice, your chest refusing to take in air. "That-that's your whole revenge thing?"

"Not revenge," he hissed raking the snow that was on sides with his big hands and dumping it right on your face. "Justice!"

While you were floundering, he's already buried your legs in the snow. As soon as you were able to lift your body up, he shoved you back down.

"Ouch," you squeaked squeezing your head into your shoulders. "It seems I got snow down my back. It's cold!"

"What?" he exclaimed restlessly, immediately pulling you to him. He fussily but gently wiped the melted snow from your face with his palms, and when he reached under your scarf to wipe the back of your head, he felt that it was completely dry.

"Hey ya," you said quietly, squinting your eyes slyly. "The strongest sorcerer in the world as naive as a five-year-old."

He looked at you as if you'd stabbed him in the back with your dagger. Still sitting in the cold snow, he sighed dramatically and turned away from you, hand resting on his cheek. You knew it was just a joke - he'd pulled that trick more than once. Nevertheless, you crawled up behind him and rested your chin on his shoulder. He was lazily tracing patterns in the snow with his finger, not paying attention to you, and you had no choice but to rub your nose against his neck - once you did that, you looked at his profile again. "Some of us won't live to be old," he muttered turning his head slightly toward you. "Perhaps that someone is you. I'll kill you myself."

"Yeah," you said smiling. You started to pinch his sides: maybe it didn't have the same effect through the thick fabric of his jacket, but he started to smile - you could see the corners of his lips lift. "I know," you pulled away from him, but as always you didn't notice the way his gaze dimmed as you did so. "We should go." 

It was a joke. Just a joke.

To the tinkling music of the heavy chains sang someone's long painful whimper. The woman's hands dangled limply in the shackles, and almost all of her fingers were missing their nails - and the ones that were left had small, thin nails hammered under them. As she struggled to move her arms, she sobbed raggedly and then began to cough up choking on her own blood.

She tried once more to raise herself up, and once more she failed. She couldn't feel her legs at all, and through the shroud of tears and pus she tried to see if they were still there.

As a child, the captive was a decent girl - an obedient daughter, a diligent pupil, always trying not to upset her mother and father. As a teenager, she tried to ignore all of the attentions and was immersed in her studies - she was too concerned about her own future. Of course, she fell in love at university, but is that a sin? With that man, she had a happy marriage, though not without minor scrapes and quarrels, but she never betrayed her beloved husband. They had two wonderful children, to whom the woman tried to give everything, and if it was not enough material resources - she made up for it with all-consuming maternal love.

The captive didn't understand what she did wrong.

She used her willpower alone to force her weakened body to sway sideways - sitting still was much more painful. That made the chains rattle with renewed vigor, and the man who had been tirelessly correcting the painting on the wall before finally turned around. "What's wrong, sweetheart?" He walked over to her and gently cupped his fingers around her chin forcing her to look into his eyes. "Thirsty?" the woman nodded weakly, though it was as her head had just dropped from helplessness.

Pouring water from the carafe into a glass, the man cupped her cheeks and brought the glass to her mouth. Her swallowing reflex was almost non-existent as the water ran down her neck, washing away the fresh blood and soaking the old dried one. "Here ya go," he said softly, scrutinizing her face. "Feeling better?"

The woman only covered her eyes, and he immediately removed his hand from her; the captive's head collapsed back against her chest.

However, the man paid no further attention to her; he put the empty glass on the table and returned to painting. He circled the canvas with his hands, barely touching it - he wanted to feel every stroke of paint, but lacked the courage to apply more force. "One of the three studies of the crucifixion," he whispered reverently, unable to take his eyes off the painted bloody human body writhing on the bed. "Ya really don't know where the others are?"

The captive was silent.

The man exhaled quietly and clenched his teeth only to unclench them and smile again. He turned and walked over to the woman again and squatted down in front of her; the captive clenched into a ball, as tight as she could be with her chained limbs. "Ya're an honorary restorer at the Solomon Guggenheim Museum, did they really not tell ya where paintings were taken?" he gently tucked a strand of her dirty hair (what little was left of it) behind her ear, and the tone of his voice was so soft and enveloping that the woman nestled her cheek against his hand.

"Rei," a voice hit his eardrums, and it was so annoying that the man didn't hear the clinking of chains or the thump against a weakened and gaunt cheek, he only heard the whimpering of the cornered woman. "Not tired of sitting in the shadows yet?"

"Who am I hearing," Ray noted sardonically, getting to his feet and adjusting the collar of his suit. "Ya know I can see better from the shadows," he sat down tiredly on the couch directly across from the newly acquired painting, crossed his legs. "Unless ya wanna offer me something interesting."

"I know what you're getting at," noticed the voice. "No. You treat chances the same way you treat money. Wastefully."

"Oh, come on," Rei waved it off examining the blood painted on the picture. His whole skin itched with the urge to add the real thing to it. "I got too... over-excited that time. This time I'll just blow her head off."

"Blowing her head off won't be enough this time!" came a voice so loud that blood flowed from Ray's ears. He wiped the scarlet liquid away indifferently with the back of his hand. "And as far as your games have gone, that's as far as she's been able to go. It's your fault she's walking around our territory and besides... opening it up to others."

"How much longer ya gonna spray?" asked Rei through clenched teeth. The voice had no right to say things like that: somehow, they were part of the same whole. It was their fault.  "Just tell me what needs to be done."  

"Let's start with her rear," the voice suggested calmly. "Weaken it preferably, remove it as a priority."

"Be specific."

"Check out the redhead's habits. How she dresses, who she likes to socialize with, how much she sleeps, what she eats, what toothpaste she brushes her teeth with, down to what time and how often she goes to the bathroom."" 

"Where has our former majesty gone," Rei sighed staring blankly at one point. "If queens used to sit between our legs while kings licked our heels, now we have to watch some broad in the latrine."

The voice didn't answer.

The captive had long since gotten used to the man talking to himself from time to time, but what she couldn't get used to was his fits of rage right afterward. Each time, she hoped - no, not just hoped - prayed that in a fit of rage he would finally kill her.

She heard his footsteps approaching. Unable to lift her head, she began to sob quietly. An agonized and tearing moan escaped her chest as he grabbed the rest of her hair with a jerk. "So ya're not gonna tell me where the rest of the paintings are?" he bellowed in her face.

The woman wanted more than anything to shout 'I don't know, I don't know, I don't know!" but her voice had long since given up - the words wouldn't come, and she only had to shake her head from side to side. 

Rei's face contorted. He grabbed the woman's face squeezing her cheeks - and it was unclear whether it was his gray strands or his eyes that were turning black faster. He was breathing heavily, and the woman felt pain - his growing claws digging into her cheekbones. "Okay," he whispered softly.

A second ago, the room was filled with convulsive sobs, but because the rage was confined within the four walls, it was replaced by the sound of tearing mandibular ligaments. The woman let out one last loud gurgling wheeze, after which everything was replaced by the sounds of blood dripping to the floor and the final clanking of old iron chains.

In the cold December, there was no music more beautiful to Rei than this.

The fire seemed to be warming the frosty air and pushing the winter out of its glow, but it was not the only thing warming people now, they were warming each other themselves. Some of them were already walking with their arms around each other, drinking songs; some were stealthily taking a few sips of wine or something stronger from their flask fidgeting around. Tired children were already sitting in the arms of adults comfortably as it was possible; other children, more active, were running from side to side, playing catch-up under the concerned shouts of older ones. Every passing person left footprints in the white snow, there was no better proof than this that someone was here, and that someone was alive.    

It was a well-traveled and known road, but still the responsible adults led the younger ones by the hand, and the responsible younger ones led the older ones by the hand. Everyone was looking out for each other - everybody wanted to get to the cliff safely.

Frank had moved Tris from one hand to the other four times already, and she had refused to get off and walk on her own since the beginning of the trail. The man berated himself for it: just as he'd done with the three of you, he couldn't refuse Tris; he pestered himself with thoughts that she might grow up to be too spoiled, but if you hadn't, maybe this time it would be all right, too.

Frank never thought of himself as a good father. He kept going over in his head what he had given you and what more he could have given you, and it didn't seem enough, because he had missed the most important thing of all: your childhood. While you were growing up and trying to learn about the world getting bumps and scrapes, all he did was cut the throats of others. Higher-ups praised him a lot and often, but he hardly remembered it, but he sure remembered Rachel's delight at his first cooked breakfast, Kyle's brief but meaningful nod when Frank finally managed to explain to him how to use his ability of lighting, and your snide laugh when all the infant formula from the bottle he'd just fed Tris ended up on his shirt.

"Ya tired?" turned Frank to Itadori who had already been carrying Mike in his arms for about twenty minutes.

"No!" exclaimed Yuuji tossing the slumped Mike higher on his shoulder and grinning broadly. "I'm very resilient."

"Frank?" Yuta picked up the conversation peering out from behind Frank's big shoulder. "What happened to us? I mean... why did the sorcerers split up?"  

"Son, it's been over a couple or three thousand years," Frank chuckled and was about to pat the boy on the top of his head, but remembered his busy hands and snorted unhappily. "I'm not quite sure I can say exactly what it was about. Although... My grandpa used to tell me that it was all because of the promise system."

Yuta tried to catch up with Frank, whose stride could be compared to three steps of a normal person. "Promise system?"

"I think you've met something like that," Frank hummed shifting Tris from one hand to the other. "All of this filth trying to negotiate something one way or another," Itadori looked further away with each word he said. "Long time ago, when the demons started to realize they couldn't cope, they started to negotiate with the sorcerers. Of course, at first, for just a 'small favor' the demons promised mostly more powers. Some sorcerers thought that this is a great opportunity: the more they will have strength, the more people they can protect, and other sorcerers didn't like it, because there is no limit to human greed, and all this will not end well. So we parted ways. I dunno how it happened, and I can't say that we had nothing to do with it... But as time went on, the caste of sorcerers that had given up on the idea began to be covered with dirt, and rumors have two properties: they spread very quickly and in addition, they grow with details that come from nowhere... and years later you look at it and don't understand why it was necessary," Frank sighed heavily. "Ya boys," he nodded his head at Yuta and Itadori. "Ya don't even know what the promise system is at all, do ya? I don't think your older generation is aware of it either... Nor of the existence of demons in general. And we're all just a thing of the past. But be that as it may, and whatever happened between our ancestors... I'm glad we're back together."

Yuta and Itadori looked at each other in confusion.

"We're glad to have met you too," said Yuta, and smiling, got all flushed.

"Stop it," chuckled Frank, and he thought he pushed Yuta lightly with his shoulder, but boy didn't fly off into the snowy bushes only because of his intense training.     

"So how the promise system work?" blurted Itadori, and Frank raised an eyebrow in surprise at this unfamiliar pressure. "It's just..." he swallowed the thick saliva that rose in his throat like a cork. "Forewarned is forearmed."

"How-how... Unfairly it works," Frank spat in indignation. "Demons can watch ya for a long time, digging into your head for your most secret desires, and once they know... They come to a person and offer them a deal. If the terms aren't agreed upon onshore, the default is five years. I don't need to tell ya what happens if you don't fulfill the terms... If a person has done everything they were asked for within the specified period, they can also ask the demon to do something for them, and everything works the same way with deadlines. All this works in the opposite direction: a person can first come and ask for something. With one adjustment - the demon can pretty much say no."

"Can't a person refuse a promise?" queried Yuta confusedly.

"Son, ya think those bastards are gonna stick a piece of paper under your nose and ask ya to sign it?" Frank panted so hard that Tris wrapped her arms around his face. "All they need is your mental assent. They don't care what you say out loud. You can tell them fu- ahem, you can tell them no, but if they nailed, you're in trouble. You won't even know it. That's why... That's why hunters are taught not to want anything from childhood, and if they do, to keep it so deep inside that no bug can get to it."

"Why not turn this to your favor?" boiled Itadori. "Why not in return for their wants just ask that they all die?"

Frank marveled at the amount of stilted anger sitting in the pink-haired boy. "We tried," the man shrugged. "But we got the impression that the very concept of death itself was unfamiliar to them. The hunters tried different formulations: 'die' - only the body died, 'fade away' - only the body disappeared, 'burn in hell' - maybe they did burn, but they came back. Hunters tried to set impossible tasks, but if we take into account the fact that we want to keep humanity intact, there is no such thing. Ya can ask for the sun to go out, but there's no way to be sure they can't. But what if they could and would do it? Even if there was something impossible for them to do, all demon 'requests' result in a huge loss of human life, and it is too disproportionate and unfair that several human lives are taken in exchange for one demon life. I believe there is some formulation that will make them finally disappear, but so far, the hunters have not found one. The only two working methods now are judges and void killings. I hope you never fall for such a thing."

Amidst the chatter of all the people walking down the slope, only their voices were hushed - each buried in his own thoughts. Almost every minute each of them caught an occasional nudge on the shoulder and a loud apology as people hurried to the cliff.

Something - if intangible, but something to lean on - began to emerge in Itadori's memories. Their pact with Sukuna. The only thing he regretted now was that the curse had never learned how brightly human rage could burn. "Kid," Itadori yanked back so that Mike nearly fell out of his arms. Kyle, on the other hand, looked into his eyes searching for how he was feeling. "Everything okay?"

The anger in Yuji's eyes was immediately replaced by confusion, confusion replaced by awkward nods of the head. "Yeah," muttered Itadori. "Yeah, everything's fine. Kinda."

Kyle looked calm, but he still didn't relent and kept his hand on the boy's shoulder. "Why don't we wait a while," he pulled him aside and they stopped letting a group of cackling people pass by. Looking around, Kyle noticed that they were separated from the rest of the people by a few dozen feet. "No more bad thoughts popped into your head?"

Itadori's eyes became as round as two shiny coins. "No, no, of course not!" the boy rambled excitedly, and when Kyle was back on the path, Yuji scrambled up beside him.

"Look," Kyle began softly, choosing his words. "It's unlikely that I'll ever fully understand what ya've been through - it's not like I've ever had someone sitting inside me and controlling me intermittently. Besides, I can't promise you that the pain will ever diminish, but what I can guarantee ya for sure that time will change in size," Itadori noted to himself: the more times it was mentioned, the less pain he felt. Did repressed anger sit in him? Yes. Did grief sit in him? Perhaps. However, the pain flowed out of his body like water through the tiny openings of a huge sieve, or it still sat in him, but as a captive and overgrew the vines of a newfound hardness of character. "I know when the fruits of your labors are invisible to the eye, we can't help but wonder what it's all for. After all, the world would look the way it does now without us: calm, peaceful. We completely forget that it looks like this only because we had the courage to take on such a burden. Ya know what I mean?"

Itadori didn't dare blink, afraid that tears would come out of his eyes again, and tried not to sniffle, though his nose tickled unpleasantly. He nodded his head once not daring to answer, fearing that the brokenness in his voice might come out of his mouth.

"Cold today, huh?" asked Kyle casually, wiping his eyes with the palms of his hands. "Even my eyes are watering."

"Yeah," Itadori blurted out and began to wipe his eyes hastily with one hand. "True," he felt a sense of gratitude in his chest, and it came as sharply as the darkness of winter: just a blink, and there was darkness outside the window instead of sunshine.

They had been walking for a long time; the forest around them began to thin giving way to a landscape of bare rocks and cliffs covered with snow. The last turn showed on the horizon, and people along with their lights were turning and disappearing from sight. "I was talking to ya like a child," Kyle said. "Now I'll tell you like a man: you chose it for yourself. Get your balls up and take responsibility," Kyle was surprised at the harshness of his statement. They were already at the turnoff. "Still, there's something ya need to see. I hope that for you this day will be one of those memories that will generally justify living like this. Now look," they finally turned, and Kyle nodded toward the climb up to that very cliff.

Itadori stopped dead in his tracks, and he did it so suddenly that the people walking behind him crashed into his back.

However, he didn't feel it.

It was the third time the raven flew over your heads - Gojo kept throwing anxious glances at you, but you didn't seem to notice the bird, only stared ahead.

When the raven stopped silently circling over your heads and finally made a sound as if to attract attention, Gojo couldn't stand it, and behind his back - so that you couldn't see - he jerked his palm sharply, and the raven immediately began to fall straight into the crowns of trees. "Is it still far? " he asked diverting your attention and at the same time watching the bird's body fly downward.  

"We'll go around that corner and almost done. We'll just have to climb up."

"If we're almost there, why haven't I seen a single person coming back?"

"We throw them off a cliff," you replied indifferently, shrugging your shoulders. "An annual sacrifice," you continued to tease him, and as he watched not a single muscle on your face flinch, he squinted his eyes suspiciously. "It's just a joke," you chuckled and nudged him lightly with your shoulder. "There's another road back there. The first year we organized all this, we didn't think about the way back. The road got so crowded... So we had to build another one as a matter of urgency."

"We passed one turn into the woods, didn't we," he drawled thoughtfully. The raven just appeared just as you approached it. "You mean that way?"

There was no point in lying now: when you were on your way back, Gojo would realize this wasn't the right road. "Nope," you shook your head. "It's just a cutoff."

It was obvious to a fool that it wasn't a shortcut - there was nowhere to cut. He was about to launch into another joking drama about your mistrust, but he shrugged it off - maybe that was all he deserved.

The last light on the horizon had already gone out; you were inevitably approaching the turn as well. "If that doesn't capture ya spirit, I don't even know what will."

"What are you talking about?" he asked puzzled, flapping his eyes.

You took his hand intertwining your fingers with his and turning the corner, leading him onto the final path. "Look."

He always knew exactly what he was doing: saving lives. He hardly did it out of the goodness of his heart - though he certainly had one - but rather to gratify his ego once again and to feel the power that had been flowing through his body since birth. He'd never seen the result of his labors and he'd never been interested in it, and no one knew or praised his name outside the sorcery world - he hardly cared.

Nevertheless, what was there left to do now with the feeling that filled his gut as inevitably and irrevocably as the coming of tomorrow? That feeling was reflected by hundreds of lights in his glittering eyes.  

Those lights stretched and rose upward, and they did so as tenaciously as any hope can survive. What goes hand in hand with hope?

Every man could move a mountain long before he even knew he could do it. You just have to believe - if not in God or mythical creatures, if not in your relatives or science, then at least in yourself. For somewhere in the most secluded corner of the earth, faith kisses the hands of hope tenderly every time and assures it to go forward, no matter what.

What keeps them both going?

He unconsciously shifted his gaze to you - he was scrutinizing your half-hidden profile with an edge of his eye, and your eyes reflected the same lights as his. 

The answer held his hand.

"Did you…," he stammered hearing his voice hoarse, and coughed quietly. "Did you do all this?"

"We!" you exclaimed confidently. "We did it all," you added quietly, but still firmly, and exhaled the exhilarating feeling that made your heart beat faster. "Let's go, the only thing missing there is our light," you shook the torch quietly. "I hope ya made plane?"

"Of course I did," he replied trying to suppress a smile.

"Won't ya show me what ya've written?" you asked peering into blue eyes.

"Dream on!" he hissed indignantly, pressing his hand to his pocket.

When you came up, there were hardly two dozen people left on the cliff - all the others who had made a wish had already gone down to the town to drink wine, eat delicious food, warm themselves by the fire and tell stories.

Still holding Gojo's hand, you walked around the embracing couple, and then you led him over to the cliff and nodded ahead. He puckered his lips, but you'd never say it was from embarrassment - his face was already red from the biting cold.

He carefully pulled out a paper plane and noticing you somehow furtively peering out from behind his shoulder, he clutched it to his chest with childish stubbornness. "Turn away!" he commanded. You, on the other hand, made a helpless and begging look and tried to peek again. "I said turn away!" you snorted and turned away: for the first time It didn't work out.

There was a quiet rustle and then silence, even the wind was quiet. The silence was short-lived; a few seconds later you heard an indignant cry. "Hey! It's gone!" he turned back to you, and you could barely keep from laughing: that was the look on Tris's face when she found out the snow wasn't sweet at all.

You threw up your hands and shrugged. "They always disappear, there's nothing ya can do about it."

"I thought it was just me," he snorted puffing his cheeks, but there was relief in his voice. "Now it's your turn!"

"Then turn away," you mocked him. 

"How dare you!" exclaimed Gojo clutching at his heart.

"Turn away, or you'll leave poor me without wish," you sounded like you were about to cry, and without thinking he immediately turned away. He furrowed his eyebrows in bewilderment, realizing what he'd just done.

A small manipulator, that's who you was.

You turned slowly toward the cliff. You looked down at your empty hands and bit your lip so hard that you could taste the metal in your mouth.

"That's it," you squeezed out a cheery voice with the kind of difficulty that people use to squeeze the remnants of toothpaste out of an empty tube. "We can go."

"Can't we... Stay here a little longer?" he asked quietly. "I know you have a raid in a few hours, but still. I really want to hang out here with you."

"Sure."

Just as you were about to sit down on the edge of the cliff, an indignant shriek reached you. "Y/N!" Itadori was already running towards you at full speed with Mike in his arms, with Kyle running after the boy. "They're all missing, aren't they?" seeing the dumbfounded expression on your face, he added: "Planes! Everyone's missing them?"

"Uh?" you shifted your gaze from Kyle to Yuji confusedly. "I mean… Yes?"

"Thank goodness," Yuuji exhaled in relief.

"That's what I said," Kyle muttered quietly, wrinkling his nose annoyingly.

"Ya look like fucking yakuza. I wouldn't trust ya too," you wished you could say it to yourself; for under Kyle's gaze, your skin felt like it was starting to burn. "Itadori," you turned to the boy. "Ya okay?"

"I- Well, yeah... Yeah," he looked at you, and the way you regarded him made it all clear to him. "Did you... tell her?" he asked Kyle, and he sounded both embarrassed and ashamed at the same time.

"Just don't take offense to him, no one in our family knows how to keep their mouth shut, but it never gets any further," you assured Yuji. He looked at you, but didn't dare to look up at Gojo, afraid to see the disappointment in his sensei's eyes. "Alright, ya guys go have fun. We'll be here for a while," you patted Itadori on the top of his head, and with a glance you indicated Kyle to keep an eye on him. Your older brother seemed to accept your choice shoving his hands in his pockets and following Yuji out. 

There were no people left on the cliff at all - even the couple who had been hugging each other was gone. You were left alone, and now no one could stop you from sitting on the cliff.   

"What was that just now?" asked Gojo watching Itadori leave.

You knew what you were going to do. Break the reassurance given to the boy. "He kinda...uh, he tried to kill himself," you muttered quietly, looking down at your swaying legs. 

It was too rare to hear him like this, in utter confusion and denial. "What?"

"Didn't he tell ya?" you asked uncertainly. "Those events in Shibuya... Sukuna overran the control and slaughtered people, so Yuji blames himself. We only got there towards the end; we didn't have time to do anything. And besides, Itadori thinks Megumi became a vessel for Sukuna because of him too."

"He...," he couldn't speak normally because of the rising lump in his throat. "He was telling me, but it was so casually, and I really thought that it might bother him, but not that much."

"Ya thought wrong then," you mumbled not taking your eyes off the distant tree crowns. You could hardly see them from here, but you looked like they were the most interesting thing on earth.

Without realizing it, he was looking at you pleadingly, but you refused to even turn in his direction. "You too?" he asked so bitterly that you immediately looked up at him. "You think I'm a shitty teacher too? A shitty person? A selfish asshole who doesn't care about the feelings of others," the last phrase came out of his speech - it sounded like it was an assertion. 

"Satoru," you addressed him softly. The words you were about to say forced you to look away again. "I honestly have no idea if this will mean anything to ya, but... I'm proud of ya," you exhaled and without letting him get a word in edgewise, you began to jabber gesticulating vigorously. "I mean, ya've had so much strength since birth, and where strength is power, and power, it... it corrupts. But just look at ya. I don't care why exactly you're protecting people, but ya do. I don't think anyone taught ya the right thing to do either, so ya're probably just doing what ya can. Ya take custody of children, ya've even defended so many in front of your higher-ups, and most of the curses are sitting in corners shaking like mice just because ya exist, even though ya could have just tucked the world away and enjoyed it. But here ya are," you were so out of breath you had to take a pause. "Ya're here, and instead of burning some city to the ground, ya're throwing a paper plane. So yeah... I'm proud of ya."

You chuckled nervously; sometimes you just wanted to kill yourself for being so chatty. In the silence, you just wanted to tell him not to take it all in stride.

"Wanna be my best friend?" he blurted out and froze - his heart was racing too fast; he wanted to rip it out of his chest for a second so it wouldn't get in the way of hearing your answer.

"I...," you began confusedly. "Ya know, first... I have a question too."

Shut your mouth. Shut up, shut up, shut up.

"Yeah?"

Just be quiet. It's okay; everything was going well as it was, you don't need to break anything with your little hands.

"Is it true?" you asked calmly enough, despite your earlier excitement and equally emotional monologue. "Is your pact with Christian true?" your hand that was resting on the cliff twitched, and a pebble that had been resting under the snow flew down the cliff. Enough time passed for it to finally reach the ground, but Gojo still didn't say anything. "Gonna say something?"

What you heard made you round your eyes. It wasn't his words that surprised you, it was his voice. It trembled. "How long have you known?" 

You rubbed your forehead perplexed. Of all the answers he'd chosen, he'd chosen this one? "Yeah I'd love to say something like 'don't take me for an idiot, maybe I'm a fool, but I'm not stupid, and I knew about my position from the very beginning' and blah-blah-blah, but no. Nael told me this afternoon. I guess ya realized it yourself - I don't think ya ran into the storage all out of breath just because ya wanted to help."

His soul was a cloth of rubber threads, and with every word you said the threads snapped one by one. Where before Gojo had been able to sprawl on top of you without hesitation crushing you into the bed to your grumbling of displeasure, now he barely had the courage to put his palm over yours - you could feel that it wasn't just his voice that was trembling. "I-I can explain everything-"

"No doubt ya can," you said indifferently. "Ya must have been promised to be paid well. Maybe not even in money. Or not just money," you listed the options cheekily. "Or ya were simply told who I am and what I've done, and even a man like ya who has a few second chances scattered in his pockets for everyone decided it was best to get rid of me. Ya know what?" a chuckle escaped your lips. "I don't wanna know. I don't know what's worse."

Gojo wanted you to look at him at last. He wrapped his hands around your face and pulled you to his face. When you tried to break free of his grip, though without much enthusiasm, a painful whimper escaped from his lips. Why weren't you angry? He would have been so happy to take a slap from you, or a scream, or just a bucket of slop on his head. However, it was as if you didn't care. "I was so mad- I was so mad at you then. I was just angry, I didn't even know I could do that- And then you came in with those damn mochi and-"

"Enough," you said sternly, and he stopped talking. You struggled to pull his hands away from you - his grip was strong, but you could barely feel it on your face. "Ya've had a year to tell and now any explanation will look like an excuse," he kept looking at his hands and wondering why he missed you. You rose from your place and panic gripped him - he may not have had the right to touch you anymore, but he wouldn't be able to stand it if you disappeared from his life altogether. Still clutching at you desperately, Gojo jumped to his feet and stared into your eyes, shaking his head frantically, as if begging you not to leave. He was unable to say anything. He looked so confused and distressed that you had to soften your voice. "Ya know what we're gonna do? I'm going on a raid for three days, so ya'll have time to think it over," you said backing away from him a couple steps. "Think it over well. If you do stick to your agreement - leave, and if we meet again, we'll talk differently, but if you change your mind, then... just stay. Just stay and we'll never revisit this topic again."

"Okay," Gojo tried to sound as calm as possible, but here were his telltale hands still reaching for you. He barely lifted them, and then yanked back. "Can I... Can I at least hug you?"

"Nope," you shook your head. "We aren't friends yet or anymore."

"Let me..," Gojo began, but immediately fell silent, and you were dying for him to say something already. You could have just kept your mouth shut and everything would have been fine. "Let me walk you out, okay?"

"Deal."

Already dressed in your uniform, you raced around the room like a lunatic. If everything at home was a mess, at least you knew it was your mess, but in Hopetown, you had to work hard to find everything you needed.

Without taking off your original mask, you put on your work mask and started screwing filters into it, all in a hurry. When you were done with the respirators, you quickly tied your hair into a ponytail and grabbed your phone - the charger fell out of the socket and clattered on the table. You furrowed your eyebrows - you hadn't pulled that hard. You glanced at the screen. There was almost no charge.

The phone was not charging the whole time.

There was no time to deal with it - the main thing was to remember what date it was. With these thoughts, you grabbed your backpack and started looking for your watch, but everything but it came up. You remembered that you had taken it.

There was a knock at the door. "Come in!" you shouted out in a rush still digging in your backpack.

"Y/N?" asked Gojo quietly. "Almost midnight. You'll be late."

"Yeah, yeah, I know," you were already throwing the contents on the floor in panic. There wasn't even time to ask anyone for watch.

"Hey," he softly called out to you intercepting your hands. "Calm down. What's wrong?"

"Watch!" you exclaimed. "Watch. I can't find it," you mumbled anxiously combing out the loose strands.

He reached for his hand - the clasp clicked. "I'll give you mine, okay? Don't worry," taking your hand, he started to put the watch on you.

You stared at it all in utter shock. You'd never experienced anything like this before - the blood in your ears was rushing so hard you couldn't hear your hitched breath. "Ya... Ya can't do that. Ya can't give them to me."

"It's just a watch," finally snapping it onto your hand, he barely denied himself the urge to kiss your palm. "If it bothers you that much, you can just return it later."

"Oh!" you exclaimed as if it had hit you. "Yeah, sure," you checked the time on your phone screen against the clock. It was all coming together. "We should get going."

You ran out into the street and you took a quick stride toward the deserted place not paying attention to whether he was following you. Two steps across the bridge, you ran past the storage and on to where there was not even a hint of any building or presence.

Gojo followed you. Your quickened gait was like his normal stride, so he could easily keep up. He lacked the resolve to even look at your back, but he couldn't let you go without saying anything. He couldn't.

You had already reached a small and deserted field. The dark rustling forest in the background was eerie; or rather, it would have been if your thoughts hadn't been cluttered with other things. "Okay," you said stopping him. "I'll take it from here," he nodded briefly, and wrapping his arms around himself, watched helplessly as you walked away.

You took a dozen steps and stopped when he called out to you. "Y/N," Gojo's voice was so faint you hardly recognized it. You turned around - there he was, still the same one standing in front of you: tall, with disheveled white hair, and the blue of his eyes could be seen even from the distance that separated you, but you couldn't explain to yourself why the feelings were different now. "You belong in mine now," he said quietly, but it sounded like he was whispering these words right in your ear.

He'd never seen you look like that before; you looked down, and he could tell your mouth was open, but he knew you weren't going to say anything. You shifted your gaze back to him, and he had enough to catch a glimpse of your grateful look that he almost lunged at you. Сlosing your eyes and making a barely visible bow with your head, you turned away. Gojo immediately covered his eyes with his hand to keep from being blinded by the purple flash.

When he took his hand away, he knew he would be alone. Gojo was well aware of that, but he still hoped, and that hope turned into something else: the idea that next time he wouldn't let you go so easily. Maybe, he wouldn't at all.  

[Timeless, Void; Time on watch 11:58pm]

Each of the voidrunners had gotten bilateral pneumonia the first time they'd entered the void. Not surprisingly, having come in here for more than the hundredth time, the cold stabbed at your face with sharp blades of ice.

As soon as your feet touched the ground, you began to run. Every step you took left black sand rising behind you, and the dust cloud seemed to chase you. There was nothing but a glowing purple line on the blackening horizon - and you ran straight for it, all the while looking around for something that stuck out. In simple words: anything.

Run.

Trying to distract yourself from the cold and the upcoming hungry and exhausting days, you started playing songs in your head, any kind of melodies: happy, sad, annoying, contagious. The sand under your feet crunched so nastily that it was better to run on broken glass, but you were never offered a choice.

Run.

Your peripheral vision picked up a growing purple flash; you looked back, and it was another rift. So some demon was coming out of that point, and if you were extremely lucky, it wasn't an loner, which meant there might be a settlement nearby.

Run.

You turned toward the rift, looking around much more carefully now. Nothing. You ran up the hill, thanking the creators of this place once again that at least there was no wind - otherwise you'd be tired of getting sand out of your eyes.

As you ran up the hill, your inner instinct barked at you to duck - and you did so obediently and sharply, and something flew over you. Still not slowing down, you looked in the direction from which the thing was thrown - there was a loner standing there. He was covered from head to toe in black ugly patterns that had a life of their own and crawled across his skin, blackened uncut hair falling over his face covering the same dark eyes. Loner looked at you and grinned in a way that showed all of his teeth, and the only thing you wanted right now was to knock them out.

You turned sharply in his direction, and changed from running to pacing. 

"Shading."

The demon bent his head sideways unnaturally, and his eyes flickered - he straightened up again, ducked down a little, and began to spin around, seeking.

"Relocate."

Wherever and however he turned, you were always at his back. You looked at the spectacle for a moment, with one hand you dug into his face, pulling him close to you, and with the other, you gave him two quick dagger strokes between his collarbones, before he could even wheeze as he fell to the ground.

Emerging from the black haze, you resumed running, not looking back as the demon you had just killed crumbled into immediately vanishing ash.

You had been running for a long time, but it was as if the rift wasn't getting any closer. Another descent and another long ascent, and finally the purple-colored sand told you that the rift wasn't as far away as it seemed.

Only in that light was an unfamiliar dark spot. Another one?

You've gone back to a step - getting close enough to the figure, you saw that this certain someone was lying curled up, not moving.

You shoved him with your foot, but there was no response. With an annoyed exhale, you grabbed the man's head, and when you saw his face, you let it out in horror. It was Megumi. "Hey!" you exclaimed worriedly, pushing and braking him. You put two fingers to his neck and exhaled in relief when you found a pulse. "Come on," you started slightly slapping his cheeks and shaking him by the shoulders.

It was your fault. Getting rid of Sukuna, you led Megumi through the isolation, but you didn't realize the boy would be so strong that one time would be enough for him. However, how did he end up here? "Come on, open your eyes!" you whined lifting his eyelids with your thumbs. They immediately fluttered open. "Okay, good!" you encouraged him, though you doubted he could hear you. You pulled off your mask and leaned it against his face - it wouldn't fit him because of the customized shape, but it was better than nothing.  "Come on, help me," you put his hand on the mask and he clutched at it, whereupon you picked him up by the waist and put his arm around your shoulder and waddled towards the rift.

He was barely moving his feet and almost all of his weight was on you; you were walking with your legs bent about halfway over. "It's okay," you assured him in a cheerful voice. "We're almost there. If you can get in here, you can definitely get out."

Once at the rift, he fell down and pulled you with him. "Pull yourself together!" you said anxiously, picking him back up. "Here," you said taking off your watch and quickly putting it on him. He wobbled from side to side, and you grabbed his shoulder each time bringing him back into place. He looked up at you - from under half-closed eyelids, he was staring at you with a stubborn look as if refusing to leave. "Don't worry, I've got another one, it's fine, just go," you immediately went behind his back not wanting to be under such scrutiny, and began to nudge him towards the rift. "Straight to the doc, got it? That's it, go. I'll be back in three days," you still pushed him to the rift, and he barely had time to turn his head to look at you - he immediately disappeared. You exhaled noisily, and leaned over and rested your hands on your knees, cursing under your nose.

When the adrenaline was finally out of your body, you looked down at your hand where your watch should have been. Pressing your lips together, you pulled out your phone - the screen showed five percent charge. "I guess I fucked up," you swallowed a lump in your throat and clicked your tongue. You buried your face in the palm of your hand trying to calm down - your hair was starting to darken from the roots.

In three days, you're not coming home.

The only thing left to do was run.

next ⊳

#gojo satoru x you #jujutsu kaisen #gojo x reader #gojou satoru x reader #jjk angst #gojo angst #gojo fluff #gojo satoru x reader #gojo x y/n #gojo x you #gojou x reader #gojo jujutsu kaisen #gojo satoru #gojou #gojou fluff #gojou satoru x y/n #gojou satoru x you #gojou x y/n #gojou x you #jjk gojo #jjk gojou #jujutsu gojo #satoru gojo #satoru

[oliviajdjarin]

Azriel Shadowsinger: Worst Fear— Worst Nightmare

Pairing: Azriel x fem!reader

Summary/Teaser: “The place was so cold he could see his breath as he exhaled, and he took one last step forward before the screaming started. It took his brain a few seconds to recognize whose it was, but it took his body no time at all.”

Warnings: major trigger warnings of burning flesh, screaming, crying, panic attacks, blood, death, and even more panic attacks. Reader is naked, cries, and dies in the dream, but softness at the end I swear.

A/N: Thank you so so much to @peachyxlynch for requesting this. This fic was truly a labor of love, and I really hope you enjoy.

SJM Masterlist

If you’d like to leave a like, comment, reblog, or ask, it would be much appreciated <3

“What’s your worst fear?”

You asked him this nonchalantly. As if it wasn’t something he dreaded every minute of every day, and he didn’t experience it every time he closed his eyes.

“My worst fear?” he responded, trying to match his tone with your lighthearted one.

“Yes. Your worst fear.”

He exhaled through his nose, and ran his thumb across your bare hip bone. The bedsheets hid the majority of your dewy bodies.

He didn’t want to explain it. Bring it into existence. Even the chance of it happening made him want to vomit.

So he showed you.

He lifted his hands from your hair and your hips, and gently guided your fingers along the scarred tissue of his hands. You traced down from the tips of his fingers to the middle of his wrists. Not an inch of skin went unnoticed.

It was one of the very few times when Azriel didn’t completely loathe them, and one of the many times you adored them.

“You,” he said. “Feeling this kind of pain. Ever.”

~~*~~

He knew he shouldn’t have spoken it into existence.

With no memory of how or when or why, Azriel found himself standing in a darkened hallway so tight he couldn’t breathe.

His back was pressed against a cold wall, so he had no other way to go than forward.

His heart beat loudly in his ears, and his breath quickened with every step he took.

The hall was dark and empty and endless and soulless.

After what seemed like hours of walking, Azriel began to notice the walls getting thinner and thinner. The stone turned into poles, and the frigid walls opened up into cells.

Cells.

Azriel was in a prison. A vacant, shadowed prison.

Suddenly, as if the place itself was waiting for his realization, a row of obsidian torches lit up across the wall to his left, then to his right.

The lights went on and on and on.

But yet, Azriel remained completely alone.

His back and shoulders hurt from holding them so tensely, and his eyes began to water as defeat settled into his stomach.

He had no choice. He had to go on.

The place was so cold he could see his breath as he exhaled, and he took one last step forward before the screaming started.

It took his brain a few seconds to recognize whose it was, but it took his body no time at all.

He dropped all sense of reason, panic, and logic.

His body knew you, and he trusted it would take him to you.

He ran so fast his wings started lifting him into the air, and he only picked up the pace when shades of orange and red began to peak through a group of cells further down.

Your screams got louder, and his mind went blank with dread. His throat was swollen with nausea and tears.

Finally, Azriel was able to think straight enough to recognize the vibrant colors bouncing off of the stone walls.

Fire.

He could no longer feel his body.

“Y/N!” he screamed, and you responded with a piercing screech of his name.

“I’m coming!” he responded, and was finally within reach of your cell.

He was already mapping out how long the deaths would be of whoever put you there.

He collapsed onto your cell door, grabbing it and shaking it so harshly that centuries of dust and dirt released, and his eyes fluttered at just how blinding the flames were. The heat washed over him, and more tears dripped into his mouth as he screamed.

The sight of you.

He could already feel it warping his mind, feeding off of him like a parasite. It would swallow him whole for the rest of his life, and every day in the Hel he deserved to see for letting this happen to you.

On your knees, naked, and burning. The same spots his own hands had been burned, only this time, it was you instead of him.

This was not just his worst fear, but his worst nightmare.

The flames reflecting in the defeat of your eyes was what caused him to finally break.

He screamed out in agony, and began attempting to rip the cell door from the ancient stone.

“Hang on,” he screamed. “Hang on.”

Your eyes locked with his, and you began to sob.

“It hurts Azriel. It hurts.”

“I know it does baby. I know.” He was sobbing right along with you.

He had heard others say that they could forget the intensity of their pain, but Azriel had never forgotten that.

He continued to tug on the ancient stone, pulling with any of the strength he had left. His shouts of frustration echoed, and the flames grew higher and hotter against your flesh.

Your sobs had slowly come to a stop as he pulled and ripped against the stone, and you licked your blood covered lips.

“Azriel,” you mumbled softly.

“I’ve almost got it,” he said breathlessly. His chest rose and fell quickly as he continued to yank, and his tendons began to pop out of his neck.

“Azriel,” you repeated. “Look at me.”

“Stop.”

“It’s okay.”

“Y/N stop.”

“You can’t—”

“Yes I can.” He rammed his body weight against the stone—once, twice.

It was the third time that he knew he would never be able to get it to budge. He pressed his forehead against the bars and allowed his head to hang low. His exhaustion and grief wouldn’t allow him to catch his breath.

“I’m not…I can’t let you—”

“Azriel, please.”

He shook his head, squeezing his eyes shut as tight as he could. He didn’t want to look. He didn’t want it to be real.

“Just let me look at you. That’s all I want.”

His shoulders shook, and he squeezed the cell’s poles so hard his knuckles went white.

He swallowed, still unable to breathe, and looked into your gorgeous eyes. They still captivated him, so much so that he was unable to look away.

You were now laying on your side, facing him. He could tell you were using the last of your strength to keep your eyes open.

His heart was in pieces. It would never leave that cage.

“I love you Azriel. More than anything.”

Your eyes fluttered shut, and your body went limp.

This wasn’t real.

“No.”

This wasn’t real.

“Y/N.”

This wasn’t real.

“Y/N wake up,” he screamed. “Wake up.”

Gone. You were gone.

He pounded against the cell. He felt his knuckles and hands cracking, but he didn’t care.

“Wake up!”

He heard a whisper of his voice, like some sort of echo in his brain, but be ignored it.

“Get up Y/N, I’m not leaving.”

“Azriel,” the voice whispered again.

“I’m not leaving. I’m not leaving,” he whimpered, still sobbing your name over and over again. He fell to his knees against the stone.

“Azriel,” the voice whispered again, softly and hesitantly. “It’s a dream. Wake up baby.”

“Wake up.”

That was the last thing he heard before he was pulled from the darkness.

~*~

Azriel woke up to the feeling of falling. He lurched so far forward the entire bed rocked, and his sweaty fists were squeezing the sheets so tightly it stung.

Sheets.

He was in his bed.

“Az?”

He jolted. He didn’t mean to, but he did, and you sucked in a gasp.

He felt sweat drip down his naked chest as he turned to look at you, and he tried to blink away his tears. Their stickiness covered his cheeks down to the top of his neck.

Your cheeks didn’t look much different.

You blinked away your own tears and sniffled, looking radiant in the moonlight. The freshly cleaned sheets covered your nude body, but he still saw the tops of your collarbones.

Gorgeous, as always. His heart-rate slowed ever so slightly.

“It was—it was just a dream,” you sputtered out. “I promise. I’m okay. You’re okay.”

He continued to suck in quick breaths, seeing you dead on the cold prison floor, and his lungs refused any oxygen.

“Say it,” you whispered, scooting closer to him. “Say what happened.”

He had had moments like these before. You had talked him down from each one.

“You,” he began. His throat felt too small to speak. “You…you didn’t—”

You shushed him. “Slow down. Breathe. Then speak.”

Your voice was so gentle. So pure.

He exhaled, and more tears dripped down his mouth as he described what he saw.

“Your—your hands. They were burning, like mine did. Only…you were naked. In a cage. And I couldn’t—”

His own sob cut him off, and you slid your hand on top of his scarred one. You ran your thumb over the textured skin.

“I couldn’t…save you. You died in front of me, and I wasn’t strong enough to—”

His leveled breath turned hysterical, and you understood.

“Oh Az,” you whispered, and pushed his head into your chest, letting him fall apart.

He wrapped his arms around your middle, and tucked his head into you as tightly as he could.

“I can’t lose you,” he cried. “I can’t.”

“And I can’t lose you,” you replied into his hair. “But I’m right here. I’m right here.”

You stroked his hair and let him lament for a long while. He cried until he exhausted himself, and could not produce anymore tears.

He then kissed all the way up your body—the center of your chest to the side of your neck—and ended his worship on your mouth. He kissed you hard, so hard you both exited the embrace panting.

“I will never”—kiss—"ever”—kiss—“ever, let that happen to you.” He kissed you once more. “Ever.”

“I know baby,” you replied, and traced his cheekbone with your thumb. “I know.” He looked just as luminous in the moonlight.

You kissed the tip of his freckled nose before saying, “now let’s go to sleep.”

He nodded, and gently pushed you down onto your back. You smiled up at him, and he had never seen such a stunning vision. It knocked the little air he had left away.

He smiled, breathless from the look of you, and shook his head.

“I love you.”

“I love you,” you responded, and pulled him on top of you.

He smiled, showing his perfect teeth, and laid his full body weight on top of you. Guarding you. Protecting you.

If one of you ever fell, he would make sure it would be him.

He exhaled a breath of relief, and you kissed into his hair.

“You’re all I’ve ever wanted, and I’m never leaving you. Ever.”

Tag list: (If you’d like to be added to the tag list, please let me know! I apologize if your tag is not working or is not added)

@leahkenobi @notquitehero @azaideen @katiebellf @llovelydove @tinasbookishlife @sayhito @lovelyladymayyy @seraphqueen123 @sayhitomommy @wickedazriel @xxpeachyxo @icarusave @forever-paramore-blog @peachyxlynch @evlynclia @feyretopia @wingedmiken @moonslattes @hollyismentallyillhelp @esposadomd @red-highlady @bsenpai-blog @buttercake2234 @perssepeony @whor-3-crux @avengerswhre @mystic-sculptor @wolfyland07 @are-y0u-sirius @hilism @tooobsessedsstuff @simplysensually @hernameispa @ladylizzieofdarbyshire “I-am-fascinated @em---r

#azs azz #azriel and you #azriel/reader #azriel angst #azriel fluff #azriel x you #azriel smut #azriel x reader #azriel shadowsinger #cassian x reader #nesta archeron #elain archeron #rhysand #feyre archeron #acotar #crescent city #acosf fanfiction #acomaf #acofas #acowar #tog imagine

[jazzfordshire]

I'm back with more viking au questions, because I'm a bit excited. Is it a one shot? Planning on both being Scandinavian? Where is it set?

It's likely a multichapter, and Kara is Scandanavian but Lena is Anglo-Saxon. And I'm probably going to set it in Wessex or Mercia!

Here's a lil sneak peek

-

Two of the male warriors are engaged in some kind of game of strength, wrestling each other drunkenly to the ground while the rest of the clan cheers them on, and while Lex is watching the ruckus with a neutral expression Lena has become accustomed to reading his moods from the smallest of cues. His contempt for the Norse is evident from his place at the centre of the high table.

In Lena's distraction the chair beside her, which had been blissfully empty, is filled in a blur of furs and blonde hair.

It's the woman who had been at Clark Jorelsson's side this morning. The one whose intense gaze had lit Lena aflame.

"Gods, I'm thirsty," the woman says, grabbing the nearest mug of ale and downing half its contents in a few moments. She's panting for breath when she finishes, a thin line of foam gracing her upper lip as she grins. "What I wouldn't give for some good honey-mead!"

"Is our ale not sufficient?" Lena says delicately. She folds one leg over the other, and the flaxen-haired woman's eyes dart down to track the movement. They stay there perhaps a shade longer than is proper.

"Simply an unfamiliar brew. But I am a far-traveller. I search out new experiences," the woman says, setting the mug down with more restraint than her brethren – these Norse are all so loud, so exuberant in their feasting. Singing and shouting and fighting with each other for sport. This woman is quieter than the rest, despite her warrior's stature. Her presence is a balm.

Lena hums. "And here I thought all Norse warriors were simply machines of war."

The woman snorts. "Only when we have to be."

"Tell that to the monks at Lindisfarne."

The woman's grin widens. She stares at Lena for a moment, seeming delighted despite Lena's borderline antagonism, and finally she holds out an arm to clasp.

"I am Kara Zorelsdottir. Clark is my kin."

"Ah. So you are to be my kin too, then?" Lena says, her own words tasting bitter in her mouth. The reminder of a marriage she didn't agree to. She glances across the room, where Clark is sitting slumped in his seat with a mug of ale in each hand. He looks about as thrilled with the situation as Lena feels.

She takes Kara's arm. The blonde's grip is firm and strong; the defined muscles of her forearm shift under Lena's hand, hidden by her furs. Kara's smile dims a little at Lena's words.

"That seems to be the way of it."

Kara's grip loosens. Lena finds she's loath to let it go, but she releases Kara's arm and settles back in her seat.

"My clan tries to make violence a last resort," Kara explains. When a passing servant moves to refill her mug as he passes, Kara holds a hand over it with a shake of the head. "Which is why we left home. Got tired of all the raiding. We just want to live in peace."

"And my marriage to your cousin is what will seal it for you," Lena says. Kara's mouth forms a tight line. The sputtering torches and roaring hearth fire in the centre of the hall flicker across her face, throwing her handsome features into stark detail.

"That’s Jonn’s hope."

"Clark himself doesn’t seem to hold the same hope," Lena notes with a nod in his direction. Kara chuckles humorlessly.

"He has a beloved back in Norway. Her father disapproved of the match, but he still pines for her." Kara takes an idle swig of her half-full ale. "I think he’s crazy for not jumping for joy when he saw you."

Lena's heart kicks a fierce drumbeat in her chest.

"Do you?" Lena says, managing to keep her voice even with great effort. Kara shrugs. She pulls a coin from her pocket, flicking it between her fingers in a thoughtless movement that Lena is sure took much practice.

"I told him if he’s to have a chosen match, at least he got the most beautiful one in Christendom."

Lena's whole body flushes with pleasant warmth.

#wip game

[holylulusworld]

Before you (1) - Prologue

Title: Before you (1) – Prologue

Square filled for Marvel fluff bingo 2021 (expired): Medieval au

Square filled for @marvelfluffbingo​: Medieval au

Square filled for @anyfandomaubingo​: Medieval AU

Summary: King Steven Grant Rogers once was a good king and a gentle alpha. Now he’s a cruel shadow of his former self. Can he find the light again?

Pairing: King(Alpha)!Steve Rogers x Maid(Omega)!Reader

Warnings: angst, language, grumpy Steve, scared reader, scenting, hand around throat (no choking/non-sexual)

Before you masterlist

AFG AU BINGO masterlist

2021 MARVEL FLUFF BINGO masterlist

2022 MARVEL FLUFF BINGO masterlist

Silently walking the halls of the castle, you try not to make a sound. One of the elder maids is walking next to you, huffing as she has to accompany you once again.

You’re new to the castle and tend to get lost in the endless hallways. “You can’t always get lost,” she snarls. “I got better things to do than keeping an eye on you.”

“Please forgive me for my mishap,” your voice barely above a whisper you follow her lead. You don’t want to anger the elder maid. “It won’t happen again.”

“We are chambermaids and are proud to serve the king, and his adoptive brother. Do not damage our reputation. It’s worse enough the king became-“ she bites her tongue and shakes her head. “Never mind. Clean the rooms, and don’t waste time. Go in. Go out. Don’t get seen.”

“Yes,” you whisper guiltily. Last time you fell into an easy conversation with one of the guests at the guest wing. A young girl, all alone to visit her uncle. One of the lords. “It won’t happen again.”

“Of course, it won’t happen again. One more mistake, and you’ll end up washing the sheets. Life of a laundress is much harder, I can tell,” she jerks her head toward a dark corridor. “It’s your turn tonight. He wants his room clean, and for you to disappear. Do not look at him, and don’t talk.”

“Whose room is this?” you glance at the dark corridor. “And why are there no torches lit? It’s pitch-black.”

“You’ll just go to the room at the end of the corridor. The one with the king’s crest,” you shudder as the maid tells you it’s your turn to clean the king’s chamber.

“Am I going to become his chambermaid?” your throat suddenly feels too dry, and your legs are going to give in. “I never was at the king’s chamber before.”

“Silly girl. Mawd got sick. She was a little too friendly to one of the knights,” she narrows her eyes as you don’t want to hear about Mawd’s mishap. She’s one of the few maids being friendly to you. “Well, she won’t return anytime soon, that wench.”

You flinch at her harsh tone and the awful word she used. Mawd was nothing but sweet and kind to you.

“So, I’ll only clean his chamber tonight?”

“We clean the chambers in the morning when they are not around,” she tuts. “The king sent for Mawd to clean his room. He sometimes throws things around. I got no time, and the other maids are already asleep.”

She pushes you toward the dark corridor, hiding she’s too afraid to enter the king’s chamber, and that this is the reason for sending you into the lion’s den.

“Will it be dark inside the chamber too,” frightened, you look at the dark corridor again as she huffs behind you.

“Inside there will be no candles lit. You’ll have a fire in the fireplace, and you can use your candle. Don’t go inside one of the other rooms to the left or right of the room. These are forbidden.”

“I won’t,” you take a deep breath and slowly start walking toward the dark corridor. You shudder as it seems this part of the castle is colder than the rest. On wobbling legs, you walk toward the door with the king’s crest, swallowing thickly as you stand in front of the door.

“Stop staring at the door,” you can hear the maid but are too scared to answer her. You stare at the crest, feeling your heart speed up. You never got so close to the king’s chamber before and now you feel like you don’t belong here.

“I-“ with shaking fingers you reach for the door handle, holding your breath as you slowly open the door. It creaks loudly and you cringe, hoping the king is not in one of the other rooms.

You silently step inside the chamber and close the door behind you. The other maid was right, it’s pitch-black in here too. The fireplace provides the only light in the chamber.

“Who are you?” you shriek, startled as someone barks at you. You drop the candle to the floor, screaming as the only light you had gets robbed from you.

“You’re not the chambermaid cleaning my room.”

“I-“ while the man slowly gets up from his seat, you walk backward, stumbling over something on the ground. You end up on the floor, scrambling away as the man towers over your shaking form.

“WHO ARE YOU?” he growls at you. “You are not supposed to be here. What do you want? Steal my crown. Who sent you?”

“I-I shall clean your chamber, your highness…I mean my king. Mawd got sick,” you stammer. You can feel something cold poke your chest and you are sure, this is your end. “I was sent here, your highness…please.”

“Get up and leave. You talk too much,” he turns around to stumble toward the bed, grumbling under his breath. “OUT! I DON’T WANT YOU HERE!”

“Sorry…so sorry,” you scramble to your feet. “I can’t leave. You wanted Mawd to clean your room.”

“Do you want to die?” you feel the air shift as the king turns back around to storm toward you.

His hand is suddenly around your throat, and you get pushed against the wall. He breathes heavily and growls like a feral animal. Everyone was right. They told you the king is more like a feral animal than a man. He turned dark and now all that’s left of him is a beast, ready to rip you apart.

“Your maj-esty,” you whimper in fear. “I was told to come here. Mawd is sick. She cannot come here…please.”

You feel his breath fan over your neck, and you are sure he will just rip your throat out. Closing your eyes, you accept your fate. You pray to see your family again as the king buries his face in the crook of your neck.

“Go, and don’t come back or you’ll not leave this room ever again,” he snarls as he drops his hand from your throat. “I won’t tell you twice.”

“What about the chamber,” you croak, rubbing your sore throat. “D-o you want me to send someone else.”

“I didn’t send for anyone,” he breathes in your face. “No one is allowed to enter my chamber for the next days. Everyone knows that.”

You sidestep the king, carefully moving toward the door. “I’ll go, your majesty. I’m sorry.”

“You’re scared, huh?” he muses, watching you blindly grasp for the door handle. “Good. I don’t want you near my chamber ever again, omega.” He purrs the last word, or so you think.

Your heart is racing, and you can barely think straight as you finally find the door handle. “GO NOW!”

You almost ripped the door open to run along the dark corridor, crying and whimpering as you run straight into a solid chest.

“Careful, little one,” two strong hands keep you from falling to the ground. “What happened?”

“I must go,” you frantically look over your shoulder. “He doesn’t want me here…”

“The king, I see,” the man softly speaks. “He scared you, huh? You know that he’s not a beast, right? Steve is just…”

“Steve,” whispering the king’s name you wonder what the man wants to tell you as the king barks in your direction.

“Get out of my sight!”

“Steve,” the man says as you wiggle out of his hold to run away. “Can you not scare the little mouse to hell and back? She’s new here, just you know. Maybe she will be a good chambermaid.”

“I don’t want her,” Steve slams the door shut to return to his favorite place to hide from the world. The darkest corner of his bedroom. “She smelled too good…”

>> Part 2

Tags in reblog.

#Before you (1) - Prologue #afgaubingo #marvelfluffbingo #steve rogers #king!steve x peasant!reader #king!steve rogers x maid!reader #steve rogers x reader #king!steve x reader #steve rogers x you #alpha!steve rogers #steve x reader #a/b/o #medieval au

[totkdaily]

Day 1: Below and Above

We walk down stone steps into the darkness, lit only by the torch in Zelda's hand. I feel awake for the first time in years. It's only here, heading into the unknown, that I realise some part of me has been asleep since we defeated Calamity Ganon. That thrumming in my veins, the low buzz in my ears as our footsteps resound against stone, wisps of Gloom around us. The Princess walks with purpose. I circle her tightly, trying to guard her from every side. She would have protested, once. Now she knows what manner of thing her Swordsman protects her from.

We find murals of ancient conflict. Zelda drinks in these hints at ancient knowledge, but something about them sets my skin alight. I can barely hear her, so focused on any hint of danger. The Demon King. The Imprisoning War. History. Stories. She’s delighted by how much knowledge she’s uncovering about the distant past. Somehow it doesn’t feel so distant to me, but I can’t explain it to her. I just wait, and follow.

The tunnel opens up into another chamber, wide and deep and dark, and something in me recognises this room. I reach for the Princess, but it’s already too late. The thing at the centre is moving.

A husk of a man, all tendons and muscles and no skin at all. But those eyes that shoot to us, to her. He shudders up from his splayed position. Was the green hand holding him in place, or sustaining him? There’s no time to work it out. The Princess picks up the stone, and I wish just once she would stop being a scholar long enough to keep her safe.

He speaks, and it means nothing but malice. He knows us. He knows her. He lashes out and I swing the Master Sword, relieved at last to unleash that thrum of unease into action. The sword shatters in the face of him. It can’t. It shouldn’t. It has. A fragment catches what would be his cheek, and his blood boils outwards. He’s reaching up, past the stone above. The castle. So much fought for, so much rebuilt, and it’s all vulnerable to this unseen threat below. As his power crawls up through the stone I feel the burning pain in my sword arm.

The ground shudders and cracks. I reach for her. It’s all I’ve ever known to do. Her hand stretches for mine as she falls away from me into darkness.

And then, light. 

Another hand grasps mine. It's the last thing I know.

I wake somewhere else. Another enclosed space, but soft golden light instead of that sinister red. The Princess is gone. My hair is longer than it was – please, it can’t have happened again. I failed to protect her once before, and slept for 100 years before I could free her from the darkness of the Calamity. My arm… it’s strange to me. Dark green and longer nails and wrapped in strange jewellery. 

That voice… could it be the voice of the creature? But no… he says he gave me his arm. Replaced it, just like that. I listen to him mechanically - Rauru. He knows Zelda. 

This place feels old but untended, the vines thick and ancient. I carry the remnants of the Sword, useless now. Corruption scars its surface as it ruined my arm. 

The consoles, the blue teleportation site, the machinery - it reminds me of Sheikah tech, but it’s different. When am I? The designs are strange, the green light unfamiliar. 

I know I’m being reckless, jumping without a paraglider. But the instinct doesn’t lead me to harm - and I find trousers, which is a relief. 

I'm above the clouds. Floating islands... Zelda said the Zonai came from the sky. I can see the Gerudo Highlands, Death Mountain - erupting. This is Hyrule. But it’s changed, I’m sure of it. How long was I asleep? These ruins are old. Have I slept another hundred years? I can't have left my Princess for so long again.

Time to jump.

This place is quiet and strange. Some of the constructs attack, some speak to me with kindness and melancholy.

One of the peaceful ones, a Steward says the Princess left the Purah Pad for me. She was here? How long ago? Is this where the light took her? The construct says she's waiting for me. I can't keep her waiting. I swore never to do that again. 

The sky darkens as I explore this island. These constructs have just... been left. They're so old. Everything they were built for is gone. I know how that feels, though they don't seem to. What does that mean for me - have I slept so long that I’ve missed the rise and fall of a civilisation? 

The Stewards’ patience touches me. Rauru's sadness at the last vestige of his people touches me. Wherever I am, it's so old. Is this what comes after Hyrule? Or… what came before? And where is Zelda?

#totkdaily #totk #day 1 #i uploaded some of this to AO3 before for full disclosure #but tumblr made more sense to me as a platform #not every day will be this verbose - but A Lot Happens to our lad on his first day back #zelda #loz #legend of zelda