#The Black Catatonic Scream

[introspectivememories]

#AUUUGH WAILING SCREAMING CRYING SLIDING DOWN THE WALL SOBBING #BROCEDES PLEASE WHY COULDN'T YOU TWO HAVE BEEN NON-FAMOUS #WHY DID YOU DRAG ALL OF US INTO YOUR SITUATIONSHIP #my mom is sick of me wailing about them. nearly collapsed at work when i remembered 'yes... and team-mate' #sliver springs is going platinum in my house rn #how can you be childhood friends and just fall apart like that? i think about falling out with tas like that and i go nearly catatonic #yeah you're a 7x wdc winner and you got the one wdc that you wanted but was it worth it? was this loss worth it? would you do it again? #going by the interviews they probably would and that's why they fell out in the first place. i literally cannot imagine caring about some #trophy over my childhood best friend but like i guess that's why they're pro level athletes and i'm in my room posting about them #anyway what the fuck was up during f1 photographers during their fallout? why is every photo of them cinematic? did you know we'd be using #them? did you know we'd go crazy? or were you also like 'oh this is cinema in the making. i gotta capture this.'? #anyway for all of that want to know where the quote is from‚ it's jacob black from twilight when bella is getting turned into a vamp #stephanie meyer had one (1) banger line and it was this #brocedes #brocedes edit #f1 edit #f1 web weaving #nico rosberg #lewis hamilton #nr6 #lh44 #formula 1 #web weaving #please ignore my absolutely atrocious photo editing skills. thank you imgflip!!

[alienpossession]

"Now this is what I'm talking about," murmured the alien under its breath using its human puppet's voice

As the field commander of its race's mission on Earth, it's very important for Flicker (its code name) to look representative of its authority. At first, the body Flicker stumbled barely lived up to its high standard as a 4-time new planet expedition lead. But, noting the fact that it has limited time to be exposed directly to Earth's atmospheric condition, Flicker made the decision to lunged directly at the curious human who watched it fell from the night sky and looking quite amused when he first seen Flicker in its "portable" form

The 8 inches insectoid quickly latched itself to the human's temple and from there, it expanded its form and covered the entirety of the human's face in just under a minute. Then, it dissipated quickly as it ensured that the human wrapped by it already paralyzed as more of its extended form entered into the human through the ear, nose and mouth. Soon, as it resides on the brain, it covered the brain in its black, sludge like form before directly spread across the human body. Flicker's expansive capability caused the human's skull to crack as the nerd's lanky form quickly ballooned with muscles, or what seemed from the naked eyes as muscle

Working on the base mass, Flicker managed to expand the nerd's form around 30-40%, shooting up the nerd's weight from 125 lbs to close to 175 lbs and increased its height from 5'6" right at 6' tall. Flicker tapped into its human's vessel memory to proportionately distributed the muscle mass based on the nerd's memory of the stronger human it encountered before. The word "frat", "gym", and "jock" repeatedly flashed alongside the bigger guys this vessel witnessed, so Flicker modeled the nerd's body accordingly. His chest puffed up from rib-cagey and flat-looking into sizable pillowy pecs coupled with visible six-pack abs, while its back popped like the set of swimmers the nerd happily supported just a couple weeks ago or the gymgoers he envied as his body simply gained additional masses out of the blue.

But Flicker was not done, he's big, but simply not big enough just yet. In order to grow even bigger, it required another source of masses, so using the nerd's memory and calculating its chances for a more discreet arrival, it controlled the nerd to walk to the campus gym that's going to close in half an hour

Jeff Wrabel realized that everyone already left the gym so he did some final round of cleanup before heading back to his dorm. As a sophomore student athlete on partial scholarship, working in the gym is his way to be in better favor with the administration and also for him to get additional working out time. It's not like the small-town wrestler would directly be on the mat from the get go during his freshman year and with the incredibly packed roster, he probably would be still on the reserve until his junior year. Minding his own business and wearing the headphone given by his rich girlfriend, his back faced the entrance and he didn't realize that the nerd entered the gym. The noise cancelling feature caused him to be pretty much deaf to the external noises and before he even realized, he's thudded to the floor after the grown nerd lunged at him from the back. The headphone rattled to the ground and as he screamed in pain while trying to check his assailant, he's suddenly paralyzed as the nerd grabbed his head while their legs started to merge.

Jeff left in a catatonic state while the nerd, due to Flicker expansive yet malleable form, started to sank further into Jeff's body. As soon as the two bodies merged, Jeff's body started to expand as Flicker gained additional masses to work on. The wrestler legs solidified into just the right mixture of the tightness achieved from constant running while additionally packed with sizable muscle from twice-a-week leg day. His butt lifted and gained additional curvature as the nerd's lean and mean expanded form merged with Jeff's bubbly ass. The changes spread upwards as their core strengthened followed by upper limbs that simply turned into irresistible sinewy landscape that showcased strength and dedication to improve one's body. Jeff's eyes already rolled to the back of his head while drool escaped his mouth as more and more of Flicker and the nerd merged with his form. Around 10 minutes later, the unholy blend of men and extraterrestrial life form emerged victorious in the middle of the quiet gym flooe. It stood tall at 6'5" and weighed around 220-225 lbs as steam released from his body.

The merged brain now solely filled with the singular consciousness of Flicker while the two human simply existed as memory to be tapped by the alien. Breathing oxygen from the now expansive set of lungs felt very refreshing and normal for Flicker as it grabbed the dropped headphone that belonged to Jeff. He put it on and a rap song started to play right away as he marveled at the sight in the mirror of his shirtless form, the tattered shirts on the ground right next to him due to his expanding form should be picked too and then thrown away while he tried to check whether glasses is still necessary for his vision or not

After skimming through the two human memories, Flicker headed to the locker room to grab the gym bag that once belonged to Jeff. He admired his form one more time as he walked pass a mirror

"Now this is what I'm talking about,"

And he snapped some pictures to document himself. He then focused at the task at hand, he cannot go back to Jeff's dorm, but with around 500 of its field operatives descended like a falling star in the next couple of minutes, all he needed to do is to simply walk out from the gym and let his operatives spot the glow his form radiated to guide his operatives to crash landed on the area it marked. Not like the glow he emitted is visible to the human eyes, only to its kind, and based on Jeff's memory, the male Greek Row seemed like the perfect spot for its operatives to land themselves and started their hunt for their vessel

***

After 2 times rewriting this due to Tumblr weird glitch, I finally write something outside of "Body a Day" prompt for a while. Thanks to the pictures for hitting my head like a wrecking ball of inspiration

#alien possession #merge tf #male muscle growth #male takeover #male transformation #flicker series

[jasmines-library]

I'll Make This Up To You

WHUMPTOBER DAY SIX: Prompt: made to watch

Summary: after being kidnapped by the joker, Jason is forced to watch you being tortured when you beg to take his place.

Warning: Blood, beating, gore, cursing, punctured lung.

Word count: 1.3k

MASTERLIST ⛤ WHUMPTOBER WORKS

🕸 ⋆ ⁶𖤐⁶ ࣪⋆🕸

Your entire body throbbed. Your wrists hung limply from rusty chains that dangled from the ceiling. Your bare toes struggled to relieve the burning that spread down your arms and into the sockets of your shoulders, but your bare toes only skimmed the floor, not providing you with a fraction of release. The groan, and clanging of the chains on the other side of the room, alerted you to the other presence in the room. He was still wearing his black suit with the red bat insignia printed across his chest. 

“Hood?” You murmured from across the room, trying to grab his attention. The boy groaned, bleary eyed before mumbling your name in response.

“Are you okay?” He asked, testing the strength of his chains albeit to find that he was firmly stuck. 

“Yeah” You nodded. “What happened? I don’t remember anything besides-”

A blinding light piercing through the darkness. Shattering glass, a scream. Then nothing.

“The crash.” Jason finished for you. 

You were about to speak again; to utter another string of words when you were silenced by a catatonic laughter. 

The Joker barged his way through the double doors to the room. They slammed loudly against the wall as pushed up his sleeves. Although Jason was still wearing his mask, you could sense the fear rising in his body. 

“Isn’t this nice?” He said, walking around the two of you. “My two favourite birdies all in one place.”

He smiled a toothy grin, his face too close to yours for comfort before whipping back around to Jason and wiggling his fingers. “How’s it hanging Little Robin? Did ya miss me?”

Jason tried to recoil from the man before him, but the chains only allowed him to swing feebly back and forth. This elicited another manic laugh from the Joker. 

“Now, I would say that I'm sorry to do this to you again, but that would be a lie, wouldn’t it?”

He ran his finger along Jason’s hooded jawline, before trailing his fingers down to his neck and to the hem of his mask which he tore from his face. 

“Hiya, Jaybird.” He said, giving him a wink. Jason stiffened at the nickname. “Oh how I missed this pretty face.”

“Fuck you.” He spat.

The Joker pulled back, placing a hand to his chest in mock hurt and cackling once more. “Your words wound me, Jason. Like father like son I see.”

The sound of an old, metal cart being pushed with a squeaky wheel by one of his goons filled the room. On top of it lay an assortment of weapons and tools, two of which you identified as yours. Another man tugged in an old camera.  “I think it’s time that we send the bat a message.” he trailed his fingers along the edge of the tray, before picking up a small knife and twirling it between his digits. “He needs to stop getting on my last nerve and you, my little birdy, need to learn to keep your mouth shut.”

His last sentence was exaggerated with a swing of his arm, which landed a well placed cut to Jason's cheek. 

“Hey!” You yelled, squirming against your restraints. “Get the fuck away from him!”

The suit-clad man spun around slowly, tilting his head and the knife towards you.

“Oh? The little bird has something to say. Tell me, Y/N,” He provoked as his goon removed your mask from your face. “What are you gonna do about it? What are you gonna do when I drive your very own knife through your beloved Jaybird’s heart? Hmm?”

“I told you to leave him alone.” You spat back in his face. 

The Joker's eyes turned dark as he narrowed them coldly at you. His grin dropped as he turned back around and slashed another line against Jason’s face. He groaned, eyes wide as he began to relive his past time with the man. You felt your heart clench, you couldn’t let him go through that. Not again, you couldn’t watch as he tried to fix himself. You couldn’t watch him suffer again. 

“Stop it!” You yelled at him, only for the other man to cover your mouth firmly with his hand. You fought hard, shouting until your voice went hoarse. “Please…hurt me instead.”

The man stopped, a shit eating grin exaggerated across his features. “Smile for the camera.”

~~~

Your head hung limply, chin resting on your chest. Blood trickled down your temple, oozed from your nose and clung to almost every inch of your skin. Inch deep cuts lay littered across your skin, along with a multitude of  The sound that left your mouth was barely a scream as he drove the knife into the flesh of your thigh. 

Jason had tried to keep from crying out; each yell or vulgar comment leaving you with another scar to add to your collection, or another fingernail ripped out from its bed, but he couldn’t bear to watch you suffer in place of him. It made his stomach twist into knots. He prayed that Tim would be able to hack the livestream that Joker was feeding to the cave and reach you before something fatal happened.

Jason squirmed in the chains. They clanked together loudly. “Leave her alone!”

The man tutted before you, turning away and leaving the knife lodged within the muscle.The vigilante was about to let out a sigh of relief when he watched the Joker's fingers dance over the various bloodied tools and towards the wooden bat. 

Before the dark-haired boy could make another sound, the bat was slammed into your ribs. You gasped, eyes flying open as you swung on the chains. You heaved a ragged gasp as he swung hard again, crying out as you felt your ribs shatter. You let out a haggard cough, tasting the copper on your tongue as blood coated your tongue and dribbled from your mouth. The rib had punctured a lung.  

The villain's laughter morphed with your and Jason’s shouting. The wooden bat clattered on the floor, but was soon replaced by Jason’s pistol. He cried out loudly.  “I hope you’re watching, Batsy.” Joker, picked up the camera, zooming in on your face. “I want you to see the light leave her eyes.”

“I’ll do you one better.” A voice sounded behind him.

Looking over his shoulder, the villain was greeted with the dark cowl of Batman’s suit. The taller man grabbed the villain, swinging him into the wall. The three other boys jumped into action, tackling the goons. Fueled with anger and determination, it didn’t take long before they were releasing you from the shackles that tugged agonisingly on your body. 

You landed in a heap on the floor, wheezing loudly as Jason collapsed to his knees beside you, fingers pressing harshly against your thigh. You whimpered. 

“I’m sorry. Stay with us, I'm sorry.”

“I’m fine- ” You tried to dismiss Jay’s worry. You didn’t want him to feel any guiltier than you knew he already did. Your head dizzied as you were hoisted into the air by a strong pair of arms. 

“I’m sorry.” He repeated it like a mantra. “I’m sorry. This is my fault.”

You shook your head. “Jay…this is not your fault.”

“But-”

You cut him off with another ragged cough, spilling more blood from your lips. He forced his legs to move further. 

“Not your fault.”

Instead of fighting back, he decided to pull you closer. “I’m gonna get you fixed up Y/N. I promise. I will make this up to you.”

🕸 ⋆ ⁶𖤐⁶ ࣪⋆🕸

<- DAY FIVE ⛤ DAY SEVEN ->

🏷️ taglist

@senjoritanana

@deans-spinster-witch

#whumptober #whumptober2023 #whumptober23 #no.6 #made to watch #Batfam #Batfamily #batfam x reader #batfam x sister reader #Jason Todd x reader #red hood x reader #blood #gore #torture #injury #broken ribs #rescue #fanficion #writing #dc x reader #Batfamily x reader #batfam x injured reader #angst #dc

[wen-kexing-apologist]

Dead Friend Forever: Squicks and Triggers

Hello friends, I am here to sing my praises for Dead Friend Forever and implore as many people as possible to watch it. I know that it is in the horror/slasher genre and there are some pretty heavy things going on in it, so in case you want to jump aboard the incredible writing, story-boarding, editing train that is DFF but are worried about the content, here are as many of the possible squicks and triggers I could find. Color coded time stamps are where something plot relevant happens. If you are not able to watch that scene you are welcome to reach out to me via DM or ask for a summary of what occurs: 

Episode 1

00:31- A bloody altar with offerings that include intestines

00:43-00:51- creepy masked figure wielding an ax followed by significant blood splatter

01:00-01:19- intro sequence includes creepy masked figure, gun, bloody handprints, knife

1:35-1:55- blood and intestines, mentions of ritual animal sacrifice, close up on intestines crawling with maggots. Reference to mass suicide (These are all only on screen for less than a second at a time, and interspersed among the primary visual of the main characters sitting in the back of a truck)

02:52-03:00- Vomiting      

16:17-16:30- two audio cue semi-jumpscares, no visuals and nothing happens 

18:40-18:41- Jumpscare 

19:16- 19:28- random disembodied hand painted completely black appears from nowhere and slides across a character’s crotch

20:10-20:14-  jump scare of creepy masked figure and under scoring 

20:33-20:48- Blood on ground 

25:12-25:23- sounds of screaming 

25:50 - blood trail on the ground 

26:01- masked figure appears 

26:12- character run straight in to a sharp branch and is impaled 

29:41-29:45- blood

30:16-30:19- blood, including blood pouring out of a mouth 

30:34-30:38- blood, including blood pouring out of a mouth 

36:38-36:40- jumpscare

37:37- Blood, catatonic person impaled by branch visible throughout the scene

39:28-39:29- jumpscare

39:33- 39:35- creepy masked figure

40:10-40:12- jumpscare 

40:12-42:27- scene is interspersed with visual of unconscious, impaled character

Please note 42:27 is the end of the episode, next episode preview occurs after that, there is potentially triggering stuff in the preview. For space saving reasons I am not going to do the previews, just skip them. 

Episode 2

General Content Warning: At many different points in the show you will see a character catatonic and impaled laying on the couch. He will (for the most part) remain this way throughout Episode 2-4. From this point forward I am only going to add squicks and triggers around that character unless some sort of change or special attention is called to the character. 

Episode 2 begins at 00:40

004:47-05:09- intro sequence

05:26-5:45- knocking, lights flickering, objects falling and breaking

06:04-7:00- horror movie shit, door unlocks, smoke appears, creepy masked figure enters with heavy breathing, close up on mask with blood, cut after a swipe with an ax

10:48-10:52- flashback to the creepy shit that happened in the bathroom [6:04-7:00]

1:47-12:49- close up of bloody impalement 

15:14-15:26- a raised and bumpy rash akin to boils 

15:26-15:28- creepy masked figure seen in mirror

23:18-23:25- creepy sound

24:30-24:32- close up of the impalement wound with squelch sound effect 

26:38: jumpscare

26:59-27:02- egregious amounts of blood pouring out of every visible orifice 

27:04-27:12- visual of blood dripping down a character’s face from the eye sockets and the mouth 

27:13-27:55- character being strangled to unconsciousness, appearance of creepy masked figure in background

28:00-28:04- disembodied, agonized screaming 

28:32-28:35- bloody rag and knife 

36:52-36:53- man drives straight through a garotte stretched across the road 

37:06- 37:11- decapitated body spurting blood

38:02-38:04- close up of decapitated head

38:49-38:58- gagging sounds 

39:09-39:11- decapitated head 

39:53- jumpscare of creepy masked figure

43:17-43:20- decapitated head

43:33-43:40- decapitated head, decapitated body, something starts moving underneath the decapitated body’s t-shirt

Episode 3

Recap is 00:00-03:09 and contains potentially triggering content (as listed above) 

03:10-03:16- decapitated body and then decapitated head depicted on screen

06:50-07:17- Show intro- same deal

10:36-10:38- dead body 

12:27-12:47- close up of decapitated head, followed by pooling blood and the sound of flies, squelching and something moving underneath the shirt of the decapitated corpse

12:58-13:00- something moving underneath the shirt of the decapitated corpse with squelching

13:11-13:28- something moving underneath the shirt of the decapitated corpse with squelching, close up of decapitated head, dog sniffing at the decapitated corpse

15:25-15:27- jumpscare, creepy masked figure throws an ax 

22:04- character grabs at the impaled object, squelching sound

25:18-25:21: blood

26:12-26:18-  significant blood smear 

26:49-27:09- bloody tapestries, bloody altar, bloody statues

27:23-27:33- bloody tapestries, bloody altar, blood splatter

28:37-28:46- bloody figurines, intestines and other organs covered in blood and maggots underscored with creepy piano music 

30:22-30:28- bloody altar, bloody statuettes 

30:29-31:40- attempted ax murder by creepy masked figure, it approaches from behind, its mask is covered in blood, there is a grapple but no one is maimed

32:50- 34:12- creepy masked figure on screen pushing over empty coffins to find where people are hiding 

34:43-35:02- characters trapped in coffin 

36:38-37:49- attempted ax murder #2, two characters being strangled, creepy masked figure on screen 

38:43-39:21- seizure on screen 

40:27-40:52- character threatened with gun

40:57-41:06- creepy masked figure

Episode 4

00:10-00:40 - Show Intro

00:40- - Show recap, includes potentially triggering content from Ep 3

01:47-02:26- seizure on screen

03:20-05:30- character held at gunpoint 

05:32-05:40- close up of a bloody impalement injury followed by choking sounds from seizing character

06:05-07:30- close up of a wound which is then sutured (suturing begins at 06:42)

08:15-09:09- characters trapped in coffin, starting to lose oxygen (they do escape)

11:42-11:56- creepy masked figure 

12:23-12:25- jumpscare

13:07-13:09- silhouetted figure lurking in background with creepy whisper sound effects 

13:35-13:49- figure reappears in background with creepy whisper sound effects, character shown covered in blood 

13:57-13:59- close up of blank faced character covered in blood

19:23-19:27- vomiting

20:19-20:24- vomiting

24:38-24:41-FLASHING LIGHTS

24:43-25:00- creepy masked figure, on screen seizure, lots of rapid camera cuts of someone choking interposed over the seizure

25:01-25:06- blood dripping out of an eye, eye opens red and full of blood

26:52-27:33- unconscious body sits up, turns head slowly, and then looms menacingly over someone while creepy music plays underneath 

27:36-27:49- very creepy smile, impaled object is slowly and painfully starting to be pulled out of someone’s body

28:00-30:24- creepy smile, gaping wound seeping blood, close up of wooden stake dripping blood, threatening character at gunpoint, struggling for a gun.

30:29-32:27 character death, distressed sobbing, CPR  

37:56-39:58- characters being threatened at gunpoint

NOTE REGARDING EPISODES 5-8: One of the main threads of episode 5-8 is pretty severe bullying, there are overtones of romantic feelings between an adult and a minor that does eventually lead to a sexual relationship, lots of mental illness related plot, etc. I am going to mark some of the more explicit scenes when it comes to this, but just want to warn in advance that I will not be able to time stamp everything because these are fundamental to the plot

Episode 5

00:10-00:40- show intro 

00:40-01:10- recap, which includes some potential triggers from ep 4

45:32-46:05- severe psychological distress

46:05-46:17 suicide attempt via drug overdose (interrupted before anything happens)

Episode 6

00:00-00:40- show intro 

15:05-17:26 scene contains hints at attraction between teacher and student

23:08-23:12- jump scare of creepy masked figure 

23:19-24:27- creepy masked figure + jumpscare

33:00-33:23- character being beaten

35:57-37:13- police interrogation that includes flashing camera lights

38:50-39:50- character in emotional distress while parents fight about him in his presence 

42:53-44:06- suicide attempt via drug overdose (interrupted with character being forced to spit pills out)

Episode 7

00:00-00:40- show intro

01:04-01:10- character being forced to spit out pills during suicide attempt (in the recap) 

19:00-19:02- use of the “r” word

24:00-24:23- creepy masked figure, character being strangled

26:10-30:00- clear attraction between teacher/student, including the teacher putting his hand on the student’s knee and holding hands

30:00-31:00- flirting and kissing between teacher and student (kissing begins at 30:34)

40:08-43:33- teacher/student with sex scene (sex with minor beginning at 41:34)

44:02-44:50- teacher/student sex scene 

45:00-45:23- revenge porn posted on social media, video of teacher/student sex visible

49:25- 49:54- psychological distress that includes character hitting himself in the head repeatedly

Episode 8

00:00-00:40- show intro

05:23-05:28- implication that character was hit by car

06:00-06:46- parents arguing about how bad their child is while he watches 

07:44- 08:42- emotional distress

09:20-09:22- child slapped by parent

11:07- 12:04-psychological distress

13:19-13:35- person impaled 

13:40-13:47- creepy masked figure

13:52-14:12- lots of blood coming out of orifices, strangulation, creepy masked figure 

14:12-15:17- Severe emotional and psychological distress

24:30-25:37- creepy masked figure + knife attack 

29:38-30:40- police interrogation

43:42-44:02- creepy masked figure and character being strangled 

#dead friend forever #dff #dff the series

[nobody-nexus]

Sinful! Pomni Lore

Polina was dragged by two people while in a straitjacket. She kicked and wiggled, tears streaming down her face as she screamed, her voice echoing throughout the hallway. "NO NO NO! PLEASE! I DIDN'T DO IT! NO PLEASE!" She cried out to no one's response. Her frazzled hair covered her eyes, making her look just as crazy as people see her as. She was put into a dark room. The room itself had others within. People on computers and people in chairs with headsets on. She couldn't recognize ANY of them, however they all had orange jumpsuits on which only meant that they were all prisoners just like her. The men that were dragged her undid her straitjacket only to grab her by the wrists. There was an empty seat at the very end... One just for her. She struggled as she tried to fight them, however there was nothing that could be done

She was forced into the chair, her arms and legs strapped down tightly to it. She looked over to see the person next to her. They were a dark-skinned person, pink dyed hair that was dying out, the pink only really visible at the tips of their dreadlocks while the headset on their head obscured basically everything else. She tried to fight it, but her skinny figure was nothing for the straps. IVs were stuck into Polina's arm, making her wince. Then some noise canceling headphones were put on her, everything becoming incredibly muffled and hard to hear. People were talking, but she didn't know what. She witnessed a machine appear from the ceiling, a headset on the end. She struggled more, aggressively attempting to escape as....

....................................

She awoke in a kitchen. One that was gray and lifeless. She looked around in confusion. Where was she? She looked down at her own figure. Her feet weren't feet. They were hooves. Hooves on goat like legs. She tugged at her outfit. Dark red and dark blue with some yellow is what covered her. And a tail! She began to panic. Where was she!? WHAT WAS SHE!? She hyperventilated as she looked around. Suddenly, a voice appeared. "Oh! A new prisoner" She quickly turned to see a... man? Was it a man? He had four cards for a head and wore blue and gold. "Are you okay?" He showed his abnormally large hands as he stepped closer. She screamed. "G-GET AWAY FROM ME! What are you!? W-What am I???" She backed up and hit a counter, seeing something shiny out of the corner of her eye. "Well, I am Able. And I need to wait for your records to come into my database. For now, how about we just talk?" Able said as he only stepped closer, reaching out and touching her shoulder

It stun. It STUN. She yelped as she recoiled, putting her hand on the counter and feeling something on it. She grabbed it and pointed it at him. "D-Don't touch.... me...." She realized that she was holding a knife. She looked at it for a moment as she twitched for a moment. Adrenaline ran through her as she started to smile. Able retracted his hand as he noticed her eyes turned into scribbles as she started to laugh. She was breathing quickly and heavily, but laughing all the same. "Heheheh... HAHAHAHAHAHAHA" She twitched a few more times before lunging at Able, tackling him to the ground due to the sudden burst of energy she had. Able noticed that knife glitch out in her hand as she stabbed it into his card face. He screamed as an alarm started to go within the kitchen, but she didn't HEAR it. Out of nowhere... The goat girl was picked up. She thrashed in the unknown thing's grasp as soon enough the knife was taken out of her hands. Suddenly, she stopped moving, going into a bit of a catatonic state, limping like a ragdoll in her hands. "A new one and she's already attacked you? That's new" It was a sun faced woman that help her in one hand. "Should she go into the cellar?"

Able was bleeding black, and certainly seemed in pain, but somehow kept a cool head. "No" He replied as he got up. Sun looked at him with surprise. "But sir, she assaulted you. You are bleeding" She gestured while she spoke. Able snapped his fingers as he brought up some screens in front of him. "I have her files. She suffers through an intense PTSD whenever holding anything that could be considered a weapon. Besides... That knife is malware. That's why it harmed me so badly. It seems that malware saw her and decided to have its fun" Able was surprisingly calm despite the pain- but he's been through worse. "Hmm... Very well. I shall take her to her new cell. When she wakes up, we shall do our new prisoner protocol"

"Yes, Sun. Thank you for the assistance"

#the amazing digital circus #amazing digital circus #the digital circus #digital circus #tadc #pomni #tadc pomni #tadc au #au #sinful circus au #au info dump

[tac0tesseract]

Glitch Time

“The Boy King is weak,” said High Priest Ay to the general, Horemheb.

Emma shot the priest and he dissolved into dust.

No, that was after.

There were realities where Kira hadn't found them in time, realities where she'd died while out scouting or had never been on Ecates at all. Oddly, there were no realities wherein their little squadron of seven had ever been prepared for the Naiki attack; each and every time, they were caught in varying degrees of surprise.

Emma watched the facility burn, watched the researchers flee as floe worms burst from the ice to devour them like grapes. She watched instances where Marsh and Sarah failed to eject in time. “I can bail you out again, like I did with the worm,” Emma said over private coms to Daughter, “But this time I want something in exchange.”

Emma shot the priest and he dissolved into dust.

None of that happened.

She shivered in the cockpit, blinking in a vain attempt to focus sundered vision. Chaos raged all around her but most of her consciousness was sinking into the Lich's velveteen waters. It was impossible to process time without Sam, but here she was trying to do it all by herself anyway. She had to.

The threads of time were so silver, so beautiful, so cold. Emma reached for one, pulled; Knell began to move faster. That was in the future.

The hammer fell, the hammer fell, the hammer fell.

There were no words in any human language for how horrible the sound was. The Tokugawa caved like an empty soda can and there was nothing left of JW to even scrape out of it.

She jumped.

She jumped.

She jumped.

The hammer obliterated the Lich and turned Emma into human paste instead. She drank deeper, pulled a new thread, engineered a reality where the Demolisher was now meters away. This time, Thresher could react. The hammer never fell. She was back at her soul vessel.

Emma shot the priest and he dissolved into dust.

No, not yet. Breath came ragged; she convulsed in the cockpit. Emma fumbled the threads and the missiles landed and now her mech was missing an arm and she was crying laughing screaming and she couldn't move and she couldn't move and she couldn't move and she couldn't see and she reached for the threads she had to hold the threads she had to pull the threads her team needed her where was Sam where was Sam when was Sam why wasn't Sam here?

A hand caressed Emma's face. She looked up. The field was a ruin of burning bodies. She watched herself, in the third person, lift the Unraveler and fire.

Emma shot the priest and, finally, he dissolved into dust.

The battle was over.

She couldn't even rely on GANDALF to take her back to safety. That, too, she had to do by herself – but by now she was deep underwater. Sound and vision came muffled. She followed on mental auto pilot behind Harvester's blurry outline, only able to track him because he glowed so bright. Somehow, that got her back into the maintenance bay.

Once there she managed to power the core back down, but thereafter vacillated between raving and catatonic in the cockpit, clutching her ankh amulet in both hands. Until today, she could have counted the number of times she'd had to glitch time like this on both hands and still have a few fingers left over. Ostensibly, that was why her boss had wanted to print a Lich in the first place, but...Emma had never had to use the core like this twice in one day, let alone twice in one month. Today, she'd done it twice in as many hours.

New threads of reality kept flowing past her eyes. She didn't know how to make it stop. No wonder Sam felt so exhausted, living like this. Tears flooded in the longer she watched. The facility and the people inside of it were safe – that was the most important thing, she knew. But it was far from perfect. The generator should have never taken a hit. Actium and Black Baccara should still be standing. That mysterious Monarch chasing Knell should have never gotten away.

The core was out of power now, but maybe...maybe once it was recharged, she could try again and get it right...

For now, all she could see were a thousand-thousand realities, none of which were her own. She saw everything she could have done different. She watched deaths on repeat. She saw angles of existence normally invisible to human eyes, and hidden truths spoken of only in the Lessons. This happened every time she used the core, but...it'd never lasted this long before.

Emma laughed, and cried, and, somewhere in the remaining depths of her fraying consciousness, prayed desperately for it to stop.

#lancer rpg #lancer ttrpg #lancerrpg #horus #emma tansy #just a thingy i wrote in response to last session's battle #it was pretty horrific #anyway i figure messing around with time without proper safe guards is what drives most lich pilots mad #drink deep and descend

[savage-rhi]

Mending Shadows // Chapter 32

Summary:

Y/N was a simple Scavenger of Lucis, until meeting a deadly blow at the hands of an infected creature. At the crossroads of death, they are found by Niflheim’s cryptic Chancellor with his own agenda. Now bonded to Ardyn Izunia, and tossed into the world of Niflheim, Y/N struggles to cope with their new life as an Imperial Icon all the while battling their feelings toward their fate and that of Ardyn’s.

Click here to read on AO3

Tuti had never been so frightened in her life. With her back to the wall, she attempted to gather her bearings. The task was proving to be a futile effort, for her lungs clamored for oxygen. Her throat felt shattered with every inhale of breath. She was quite surprised to have a voice given her consistent screaming. A part of her subconscious that wasn’t falling apart at the seams joked she could’ve passed as an operatic singer in another life, for her air capacity seemed unyielding. 

Unyielding…Gods, she wished to have such strength. Her fingertips quivered against the cobblestone upon her back, wondering if she should look around the corner. A terrible crunch had Tuti reconsider tactics as her body flinched. Low growls intertwined with a quelching noise that fanned the flames of dread inside of her. She could feel it slither down her back, causing her legs to tremble. 

Tuti knew what awaited her around the edge, and the ghastly sight that would surely burn into her conscious for all time. Yet her curiosity was tempted to take a gander at what Y/N was doing to the bodies. 

Only for a second…She told herself. Just one second…

Tuti sealed her lips tight--took in a deep breath--and inched little by little.

As her head turned she resisted the urge to gasp. Six to seven corpses were scattered around. She and Y/N were a long way from the building that MedZin originally trapped them at. Tuti reminded herself there were plenty of lost souls to be found, and her eyes followed a trail of fresh blood. She settled her gaze on Y/N's back. 

Tuti squinted her eyes to get a better look. Y/N was crouched above the body of a woman. Although she couldn’t make heads or tails of what was happening, she knew Y/N was eating her. The squishy noise of flesh being ripped had Tuti’s stomach fighting the urge to throw up as goosebumps trailed the fine hairs along her arms. 

Gods be damned upon me…Regret took the form of tears in the corner of her eyes.

Tuti knew she should’ve bolted when the men unhanded her to deal with Y/N’s daemonic state. She should’ve ran like hell until her legs could no longer carry the weight of her guilt, but devotion was a fickle thing. She couldn’t in good conscience leave Y/N behind. Not even if they had become a monster and massacred all who tried to stand in their way. Y/N was important, and so was witnessing every horrible act they committed. 

Tuti’s thoughts were interrupted as Y/N's growls began to stagnate. Their breathing quaked, and they suddenly flung the corpse away from them. 

Tuti jumped as the body tumbled off to the side. The strength behind the shove had her grimace. She could only imagine what her poor body would've felt had she been on the receiving end. Her pondering ceased as her eyes once again followed Y/N. 

Y/N started to crawl on all fours as if bipedalism was an uncommon state of being. Their head violently shook from side to side while anguished shrills crept past their lips. Eyes tightly closed as bits of light from the sun trickled into the room. Suddenly, Y/N began to choke on warm blood that flooded their entire throat. Their body heaved as contents from their stomach began to spill. Black bile and bits of meat collapsed onto the floor, creating a noise that sounded like expired milk meeting concrete. The sensation was beyond words and disgust. Painful wheezes were the only noise Y/N made for a time. 

The purge of flesh had momentarily snapped Y/N’s conscious out of its catatonic state. They collapsed on their side, only to scramble to their knees once they caught a whiff of the vomit that lay not far. Weakly, Y/N forced the upper half of their body to rise. With heavy breaths, Y/N opened their black and yellow eyes as their head leaned back. They stared at the ceiling as the world twisted in disarray. They had no idea who they were, or what was going on, but everything felt terribly wrong. 

Y/N slowly brought their hands up to their eyes. A blotched purple hue plagued their skin as did black spider webbing. Then there was the blood. A murky red that nearly camouflaged well against their clawed fingertips. The copper smell inflamed their nostrils, and their heart skipped a beat. For a split second, Y/N became aware of what was going on. Tears instantly streamed from their eyes, mingling with the same black bile that touched their chin and mouth. The scourge--catching wind that it's hold was failing--attempted to steer it's vessel in another direction. Y/N felt their skull split in half as their brain was doused in sickness. 

Throwing back their head, Y/N let out an inhuman screech. The sounds devolved into melancholic growls. More sun came through and they covered their eyes. In a frenzy, Y/N dug their nails into their scalp to relieve themself of pain. Their cries weakened further, and their normal voice started to peak through the cracks of daemonification.  

All Tuti could do was cover her mouth as she watched. Her own tears had become heavy as she witnessed Y/N attempting to shine through the monstrous mask. She could scarce believe it. That there was someone that still remained underneath all that. 

A loose lightbulb overhead suddenly dropped near Tuti’s location. She gasped into her hand, observing the shattered glass then looked up. Y/N was staring right at her, unblinking. 

“By the six, Y/N…” Tuti stuttered. “Don’t come here. Please. Please. Don’t come here.” 

Y/N’s head canted to the side in a swift motion. The movement reminded Tuti of a bird cocking its head out of curiosity. Y/N sniffled and leaned forward. Once again on their hands and knees, they slowly crawled toward Tuti. Y/N's features went neutral while never taking their eyes off of her. 

Tuti wanted to scream.

Most would’ve followed animal instinct and run, but Tuti froze. She tried to rationalize her choice to remain, given what she witnessed when the MedZin soldiers attempted to flee. They were cut limb from limb in a matter of seconds. Perhaps if she stood her ground, this creature at the helm of Y/N’s body wouldn’t see her as a threat. By all accounts this was stupid, but she had no other choice but to lock in as Y/N was no more than ten feet away now. 

Y/N’s head twitched as they sniffed the air. Blinking a few times, the neutrality they wore began to shift. Fright plagued the dark eyes that stared right at Tuti. Uncertain what to make of her, all the while remaining attentive to what she’d do next. 

Tuti felt like she was going to have a heart attack.

“It’s alright,” Tuti whispered, more to herself than to Y/N. “It’s alright.” 

Y/N seemed to be hypnotized by her words, and Tuti let out a breath she had been holding back. The purr like snort Y/N let out would’ve been almost endearing had they not been consuming a person moments ago.

“Y/N, it’s okay.” Tuti nodded as her lips quivered into a smile. “Everything’s going to be fine!”

Everything’s going to be fine, but not for the dead...Tuti recalled the body count and bit her lip. Now wasn't the time for survivors guilt. Not when she had Y/N more or less settled down. 

“Y/N,” Tuti murmured. “I’m going to get help. Do you know what that means? I’m going to fetch the Chancellor. He’ll be here, and you’ll be okay. You hear that? You’re going to be just fine. He’ll fix this!” 

She took one step backward and all hell broke loose. 

Y/N lunged forward, snapping their mouth in rapid succession at Tuti while they attempted to grab her. Tuti let out a high pitch scream and bolted. Panting heavily, she sprinted down a hall and made a right. Her body slammed into a door, and she let out a pained yelp. She ignored whatever bruises were gained and continued to run as the sound of Y/N's brisk claws rapidly trailed. Suddenly, Tuti felt a huge weight upon her back as Y/N launched themself at her. 

Tuti shrieked and she tumbled to the floor with Y/N. Save for the stinging lacerations Y/N inflicted, Tuti couldn't make heads or tails of what was going on. She yelled and used her weight against Y/N, and forced them both to roll over several times before coming to a stop. Tuti felt the wind knock out of her as Y/N slammed her to the ground. Frantically, Tuti's right arm reached out for whatever was near, and pulled a rifle off a MedZin corpse and used it to block Y/N's mashing teeth from reaching her face at the last second. 

“Y/N! Stop it!” Tuti bellowed. Her plead fell on deaf ears as Y/N kept snapping. The material of the gun was being peeled away quick, and Tuti knew she didn’t have long. Her eyes rapidly glanced between both their bodies, and using all her strength, Tuti pushed up and kicked Y/N not once but several times in the abdomen.

One pained cry after another escaped Y/N, and while stunned, Tuti adjusted the rifle and used it to hit them across the face. The power behind Tuti’s hit forced Y/N off as they plummeted to the side and away from her. 

Tuti scrambled to her feet and ran before Y/N had the chance to recover and finish the job. She ran so fast that the muscles in her calves began to spasm. 

“You there, miss!” An Accordo trooper beckoned Tuti to come forth. “Miss, do you need help? We’re looking for survivors of an explosion! Miss! Miss!”

Tuti didn’t register the soldiers who had come to search for survivors. She didn’t hear Y/N let out a haunting scream, nor did she hear the conversation the men had amongst themselves as to what caused it. She didn’t hear them make haste toward Y/N’s location. She didn’t hear the yells, the gunfire, or the sound of an unknown weapon going off, causing Y/N pain beyond measure that the daemonic voice all but disappeared as the human within called out her name. 

“TUTI!” 

Her ears fell numb to the world, and she didn’t stop running.

After what felt like an eternity, exhaustion had Tuti come to a halt. Out of breath and wheezing, Tuti forced her dry eyes to look around and figure out where she ended up. Buildings that hadn't been touched by the earlier attack greeted her as did a clear sky. The smoke was long gone, and there were seldom few down this road, save for Accordo troopers securing the area. It didn't take long for Tuti to realize she was in one of the districts closest to the port. 

“Thank heavens,” she said in between harsh breaths. She grimaced at feeling her clothes stick to her skin from all her perspiration, and felt guilty. This was nothing compared to what Y/N was enduring--that is if they were still alive. Tuti didn't have time to entertain the thought any further as a strong hand gripped her shoulder. She felt the world spin and she screamed. 

Ardyn flinched from the screech, making a face as he shook his head. “Tuti?”

“Chancellor Izunia?” Tuti’s bottom lip quivered, happy to see a familiar face. She threw her arms out and embraced him. "Oh thank the six!" 

Ardyn was dumbfounded as his arms flew up to avoid being fully ensnared. He acknowledged Tuti had a forcible strength despite her small frame, and wasn't sure if that shocked him or the fact someone genuinely sounded relieved to be basking in his presence. He looked down and his gaze met hers. Tuti's heartsore eyes reminded Ardyn of a devout praying before the heavens to be freed of strife. 

“Y/N is back there! I couldn’t do anything but watch. There was so much blood! Y/N’s not themself, and I don’t know what to do! What are we going to do? I didn’t want to run, but what choice did I have?! Y/N tried to kill me and I…Chancellor, what are we going to do?!”

“My dear, you’re going to let me go for starters.” Ardyn grimaced as he calmly coaxed Tuti’s arms and hands away from him. He composed himself the best he could, and softened his hardened gaze. “Second, I need you to breathe. Can you do that?”

“I don’t know if I can. I don’t know if I can do that!” 

“You can and you will if you care for what happens to Y/N!” Ardyn stated firmly. He somewhat prided himself in the fact he scared her, for Tuti's disposition immediately changed like a switch going off. She shook like a cat who had nearly drowned as Ardyn gestured for her to follow his motions, taking in a big inhale followed by an exhale. Little by little, she started to regain her old self from what he gathered. 

“Good, good,” Ardyn replied eagerly. He only had so much patience to aid someone with a basic mindfulness technique. 

“Chancellor--”

“Tuti,” Ardyn rested both hands upon her shoulders, minding not to put his weight on her. He made a great effort to not sound hostile, nor give away the desperation that was tugging his pulse. “It’s imperative I know where Y/N is at. I need you to tell me everything.” 

“I…alright,” Tuti swallowed. She studied Ardyn's features, noting how tired he was, and she felt a pinch of intimidation run down her body. She also couldn't help but notice how golden his eyes were. Not like the earthy brown tones she had seen in many common people, but an almost ethereal hue that felt dangerous. For a second, Tuti thought she was looking at Y/N's daemonic eyes. Her breath hitched and she averted her gaze. No longer having the strength to be reminded of what almost killed her. 

“Y/N and I were heading for the port to evacuate. The Imperial caravan at the hotel was long gone by the time Loqui and I found them. We took to the smaller roads to avoid the crowds. Then out of nowhere, there was this…explosion. It was like a star fell from the heavens and blinded us. The impact sent Y/N and I flying in opposite directions. When I came to, I frantically looked for Y/N before I was manhandled by these people in black uniforms with a red patch--MedZin I think. They talked so fast, but they planned to take Y/N with them and kill me.” She had to pause for a moment, shuddering from the implications of her fate had Y/N not taken to rage. 

“And then?” Ardyn besought. 

Tuti let out a breath. “Y/N suddenly turned into…something else. A daemon. One by one, our adversaries were slain, but MedZin tossed another one of those bombs at us. Y/N retreated deeper into the building to avoid it. I stupidly chased, and Y/N just kept getting more and more violent. MedZin retreated at that point because Y/N overwhelmed them--"

“Do you know where the men ran off to?” Ardyn interrupted. 

“No,” Tuti shook her head. “I wasn’t paying attention. I was too scared Y/N was going to find me. There was a moment I thought Y/N came to their senses, but they tried to attack me. I ended up hurting them, and I think Accordo troopers went seeking them out.” she pointed past him. “The building, it was several blocks down that way…you can’t miss the impact site of the bomb.”

Ardyn let go of Tuti’s shoulders and made a fist. His fingers were loosing blood from the pressure he applied.

“Chancellor, I beseech you I didn’t mean to leave Y/N behind,” Tuti sniffled. She could sense the brief hostility that traveled through him, despite his hands no longer being upon her body. “I’m so sorry--I thought…”

“Don’t speak any further,” Ardyn breathed. He resisted the urge to strike, knowing most would’ve done what she did in order to survive. Using his right index finger, Ardyn poked underneath Tuti’s chin and coaxed her to look up before letting go. “You have my sincere appreciation for what you’ve confessed. What come may, I’ll handle everything.”

“T-thank you, Chancellor.” Tuti weakly gave a bow with her head. As she rose, she followed Ardyn’s hand while he gestured toward a group of Higher Imperials from afar, being escorted by two magitek soldiers. Her heart skipped a beat, knowing there were familiar faces. 

“Go to them,” Ardyn encouraged. “Now.” 

Tuti glanced over him one last time before she found the courage to pick up her feet again. 

After taking in the destruction nearby, Ardyn shadow stepped and headed for the spot Tuti had pointed out. While he transcended through space like nothing, he suddenly felt his body wanting to give out, and it did just that. His breathing raced as the scourge traveled through him, and Ardyn suddenly came to a grinding halt. 

“Oh Gods…” He hoarsely whispered, feeling his heart cease like it had been grasped by someone with a tight grip. The last time Ardyn felt his heart stop beating was when Somnus struck him down during their duel for the throne. He remembered it well. Pain and confusion danced in harmony as air left his lungs, and the muscle of his heart desperately pumped without realizing the action would be its undoing. Ardyn felt that same suffering both physically and metaphorically in the present. 

Multiple points on his body started to become inflamed, as if the very fibers of Ardyn's muscles wanted to break through his skin. He then heard horrid screams pulse in his ears, and behind his eyes he saw a familiar daemonic entity wearing Y/N's face. The scourge felt beyond excited. The rush of despair Ardyn felt at the last second on Y/N's behalf at Outpost 98 came back to haunt him with a vengeance. Y/N--his Y/N--was close to the finish line just as before. 

“Pull yourself together!” Ardyn snarled. He once again shadow stepped as if the gods themselves were trailing him in a hunt. 

Minutes passed, and Ardyn neared the site of the explosion. He didn’t want to waste time, but couldn’t resist taking a gander at the impact point. A hint of a sulfur like odor hung in the air which caused him to grimace. He then picked up on a bouquet of scents that had the scourge in his body attempting to shirk away. The hivemind didn’t like this. Not one bit. 

“A suffoco was deployed,” Ardyn said quietly to himself, and looked ahead to the large hole that led inside the building. A shroud of screams came tumbling out, and Ardyn braced himself for the worst as he ventured forth into the fray. 

The interior of the building was an abysmal mess. What was once a lavish series of offices and intricate halls was now a pigsty of debris, brick, and blood. Ardyn didn’t envy whoever worked here. He imagined how tedious the task would be picking up after the carnage he had observed left and right. The foul sweet smell of the scourge within Y/N’s blood waft in the air, and like an addict, Ardyn eagerly followed the trail. 

A noise with a rhythmic tap rang in his ears before the explosion went off. Ardyn lost his balance, and slouched against the wall nearest to his right. It felt as if the rays of the sun kissed through all layers of his flesh. A pained moan fell past his lips. His right hand reached for his chest, and trembled up his neck as a strain took hold. 

Confusion rampaged across Ardyn’s eyes while he rapidly glanced around. With each pass of air through his lungs, Ardyn felt his organs clamoring for relief. The commotion was far away. He hadn’t been hit by a suffoco, but by the gods, did it feel like it. 

As his ears rang, the rapid tempo of a pulse soon took over as the dominant noise. It wasn’t his heartbeat, but that of another. It hit him all at once as his mind seemingly began to download information at a speed unfathomable to a mortal. 

Y/N couldn't breathe. They were alone, terrified, and suffering. The scourge had given up its lust for dominance over the host, and was attacking the body from the inside out in a crude attempt to relieve itself of affliction. Ardyn felt his body flux in temperature. One moment boiling, the next cold as ice. The daemonic entities that resided within screeched so loud, that Ardyn shouted while covering his ears. Falling forward, the shrieking evolved into desperate murmurs of incoherent thought. 

“Y/N,” Ardyn gasped. His brain felt like it was melting, but he tried to keep himself afloat. The sclera of his eyes became a pitch black void, and Ardyn instinctively began to follow the voices and Y/N's pulse. 

With every step, Ardyn felt agony like no other wash over his soul. He nearly tripped over himself a few times, not used to taking on the burdens of a mortal. Despite discomfort, he persisted on his path. Gods be damned anyone or anything that got in the way of the impulse he felt enslaved to. The very atoms of his being desperately yearned to be with who his scourge had imprinted upon. 

Soon enough, Ardyn arrived in the room where he assumed Y/N would be. He stopped to catch his breath and looked downward. Bodies of Accordo troopers littered the area. He couldn’t sense any other life present, until heavy breaths captured his attention.

Ardyn watched in dismay as Y/N suddenly emerged. Like a fish out of water, Y/N crashed and tumbled into everything. In between hysterics, Ardyn noticed Y/N's skin sizzling with an artificial smell that was likened to a rich spice. Y/N had been directly hit by a suffoco, and the light magic within the orb had triggered asphyxiation. He could feel the light that had penetrated attempting to purge the scourge by any means necessary. 

Ardyn briefly recalled witnessing demonstrations of the weapons use from Accordo officials. It was one thing to watch in trials, but another to helplessly observe a daemonified creature go through such suffering. He was pulled out of his head as Y/N choked while trying in vain to scream, and made direct eye contact with them. 

Despite a pair of abyssal eyes staring him down, Ardyn could see the human showing through. A desperate plead haunted Y/N’s features, and he felt his blood run cold knowing subconsciously what Y/N was telling him despite not having full control of their actions:

They were making their peace with the end. 

“No, no, no!” Ardyn shook his head. His voice teetered on the edge between human and monster, enough to startle Y/N. “You don’t have the right to do that! You don’t have the damned right! We don't take the easy way out, Y/N!" 

For a moment, Ardyn thought he had them under his control until he witnessed Y/N’s scourge veins rapidly pulsate. It was like witnessing a caterpillar attempting to burst out of its cocoon in a bloody mess. During his turmoil, Ardyn didn't pay attention to the fact Y/N suddenly attacked him. The punches made him snarl, and he felt Y/N cut open his left arm with a swipe of their clawed fingertips. Ardyn let out a pained hiss as Y/N flung themself off and retreated. 

“Y/N, come back!” Ardyn beseeched with a yell. “Y/N!” 

He chased after them and Y/N collapsed against the legs of a table nearby. Their airway now almost completely blocked, they began to let out a sickening wheeze. Ardyn came to their side and fell upon his knees. He gathered Y/N's body into his arms. His tear brimmed eyes desperately searched them over while he tried to shake them back into consciousness. 

“Oh no, no, no! Y/N!” Ardyn's voice strained while his mind flickered between the past and present. Y/N's painful rasps intermingled with the somber breaths Aera had taken before she had perished. History was repeating itself in a way that crushed him more than the blade of Somnus piercing his back, and Ardyn desperately cried out as Y/N violently escaped from his grasp. 

Amidst the sudden jolt, Ardyn froze as an idea leeched into his head. If the panic could be settled, if the scourge could be reassured--like he had done for Y/N's flares in the past--perhaps there was a chance of survival. Instinct beckoned him to give more of his scourge to Y/N, and to lure Y/N's pain to a singular point. 

Ardyn's mouth fell open as he saw the irony of their roles being reversed. It was now Y/N's turn to feed off him in order to heal. While the thought seemed counterintuitive, he had to try. He couldn't--no, he wouldn't go through a painful loss again. He rapidly began to think of ways to get the scourge into Y/N. There was nothing sterile like a syringe near, and he scarce doubted such an item existed in an office setting. Ardyn nearly settled for hovering his injured arm above their mouth and letting the scourge drip, but he realized Y/N could choke further.

"There's gotta be some damned way to-!"

Ardyn looked down at his sliced arm, watching blood and dark bile seep from the wound. His heart skipped a beat as revelation cleared his mind, then carefully brought the injured limb to his mouth and started to suckle. Ardyn could feel the underside of his tongue fill with scourge, and he tried to contain it without it falling to the back of his throat. After consuming much, he lifted his head. Blood and scourge oozed from the corners of his mouth as a determined fixation lingered in his gaze. 

While Y/N began to rise from the ground, Ardyn’s right hand grabbed a hold of their head from the chin in a tight vice. He forcibly turned them around. Y/N gagged out a hoarse yell in protest. The whites of their eyes were pushing and pulling against the darkness. Ardyn could sense through their agony that they didn’t want to fight him, but had no control over themselves. Not in this sorry state. 

Before Y/N had the chance to attack, Ardyn brashly pinned Y/N to the ground with his body. Either side of his arms caged their head. He leaned forward and Y/N cried out as his left hand cupped the side of their face. Ardyn let go of his hesitance, tilted his head, and softly pressed his lips to Y/N's. Closing his eyes, he forced his tongue inside their mouth and remained still, letting the scourge he had gathered slowly descend into Y/N's body. 

Little by little, Ardyn felt Y/N's trembling cease. He calmly breathed through his nose, and flinched when his throat captured one of Y/N's gasps. The scourge was definitely distracted. He could feel it begin to sync up with his own, losing its fear to the light that he was snuffing out. Gods be damned to all hells known if this wasn't going to work. This had to work. He would make it so.  

As the seconds ticked on, Ardyn moved his mouth ever so slightly. His tongue lifted and tugged against Y/N's, controlling the flow of the scourge. The sound of Y/N's heartbeat in his ears began to dissipate as his own increased. He felt a moan from Y/N reverberate through his mouth, and impulsively returned a groan of pleasure. Euphoria began to flood him, which confused Ardyn greatly. He shouldn't have been deriving any sort of satisfaction from this act yet his nerves melted. His knees grew weak as he felt Y/N's bottom lip feebly tug. If he didn't know better, they were trying to kiss him back. 

Ardyn tried to not allow such sentiment to interfere with his aid. This was nothing but a transaction to ensure both parties would survive, yet he could feel himself succumbing to the similar affections he craved at the springs. There was a part of Ardyn, a part he denied, that hoped the kiss would linger. He prayed even harder that Y/N wouldn't pick up on these feelings through their bond. 

Ardyn's face flushed with warmth while he slightly opened his eyes. He admired the little imperfections in Y/N's skin before the hand that was cradling their face gripped further. His thumb brushed upon their flesh delicately and he closed his eyes yet again and deepened the dark kiss. His movements were deliberately slow, giving Y/N plenty of time for their body to settle and even push him away should they be fairing well. Ardyn could feel Y/N's scourge merge with the hivemind that flickered in the back of his subconscious. It wouldn't be long before it would become dormant at his behest.

A muffled groan from Y/N’s end had Ardyn freeze. The noise wasn’t feeble and broken but strong, indicating to him that Y/N could breathe freely. He relinquished whatever desires that held him, and lifted his lips from Y/N’s. His eyes carded over their face, relief grasping him at seeing natural color return to Y/N’s flesh. Save for the small patches of scourge markings, they were by all accounts normal. He hoped in mind, that similar results would show. That Y/N was still there, in their head and in control. 

Ardyn removed himself from Y/N. He adjusted his legs, now sitting upon his knees as he bundled up Y/N close to his chest. While supporting Y/N with his left arm, Ardyn used his right hand to softly nudge their face. Fear tip toed around him as he pondered the what ifs. Y/N wasn’t dying no longer. The scourge all but confirmed that, but such assurance from spirits of darkness did little to calm the erratic ache of not knowing in full. 

“Y/N,” Ardyn whispered in plea. “Y/N, talk to me. Talk to me."

He stilled when Y/N opened their eyes. There was no trace of a familiar set of amber orbs looking upon him as if he had held up a mirror to himself. 

“Hi,” Y/N croaked. The word was faint and scratchy, but it was enough. Shortly after, Y/N closed their eyes and passed out. Their body and mind too worn to comprehend the world.  

Despite them passing out, words couldn't convey nor touch how relieved Ardyn felt in this moment. To be free of loss's burden was a blessing sweeter than all the sins he had committed upon others. Ardyn closed his eyes while settling down his nerves, and embraced Y/N tightly to him. Had he been a pious man, perhaps the gods would've deserve some praise for the occasion, but alas not. He saved Y/N himself. An immortal--Adagium--saved someone with his own curse. 

“What are you doing?” 

Like a mirror being crashed into, Ardyn’s body stiffened at the intrusion of Loqui's voice. He was rattled out of his peace, and the deep yellows behind his black eyes constricted while he growled under breath. 

“Chancellor, what are you doing with Y/N?” Loqui’s voice grew louder. He stepped forward, and his mouth fell open. Shock fell upon his face as he caught glimpse of the scourge markings that covered Y/N's legs. "Y/N's...no, Y/N's a daemon?" 

Ardyn kept his back to Loqui, shielding the majority of Y/N from him. His shoulders quaked as the relief he had felt seconds ago, began to burn off into a resentful anger. 

“This can’t be!” Loqui stepped back. He shook his head. “Did the attackers infect Y/N?!”

“No,” Ardyn lowly replied. 

“So then…” Loqui’s voice trailed off as he started to put it together. He could feel his face turning a pale. “Has Y/N been sick this whole time?” 

“You were supposed to be watching them!” Ardyn bellowed. He turned his face to the side; daemonic features long gone yet his animosity remained. "You stupid, reckless, boy!" 

The sudden scream had Loqui jump and lose his train of thought. He watched Ardyn rise to his feet with Y/N in tow. Despite being scared, Loqui felt weeks of pent up frustration toward the Chancellor come tumbling out. He stood his ground, and glared while firmly talking back to Ardyn. 

“Chancellor or not, you will not address me as such!” 

“I can damn well call you by the name of every filth on Eos if it would give me pleasure!” Ardyn spat. “Y/N and I argued for a day and night over you being their guardian while I attended the empires affairs in Altissa, and your negligence almost cost them everything!” 

“You can’t pin this all on me!” Loqui retaliated. “My commands from the battalion take precedence in the event of--!”

“Precedence? Don’t make me laugh!” Ardyn interrupted with a bitter scoff. “I know you all too well, boy. You walk in the shadow of your father and wished to be seen in the same light as he. That’s why aiding the House of the Courts benefited you versus keeping Y/N--and Tuti for that matter--safe from our enemies! It wouldn’t bode well on your resume, no, but saving Madam Secretary and all those Higher Imperials would’ve done numbers for your reputation! Admit it you little leech!”

“You don't know a damn thing about me, and you should talk! Like you've done any better regarding Y/N's welfare!" Loqui countered. “All this time Y/N has been sick with the starscourge, and you didn’t do or say anything about it? Does the emperor know?! Is Chief Besithia aware of that?!” 

“I am not privy to disclose or break Y/N’s confidence to the likes of you, regardless of how highly they’ve spoken of your character!” Ardyn yelled. “Y/N’s burdens are mine and Chief Besithia’s responsibility, not yours nor anyone else!” 

“So Y/N is a pet project then? Something for you and the Research Ministry to poke and prod at?!” Loqui felt his blood boil at the mere thought. “The laws are clear, Chancellor that we ease the suffering of those afflicted! The starscouge is a fate worse than death, the whole world knows that even our enemies! You're an inhuman monster for this! If you cared anything for Y/N, you'd-!" 

“Don’t you DARE tell me I don’t care about them!” 

The air stilled as both men froze, staring one another down. 

There was a time that Loqui believed while he could never beat the Chancellor in a game of wits, he could physically usurp him. The feelings of betrayal and anger tempted Loqui to prove his point. His mind was already made up, yet his body didn’t move to the commands of his conscious. Loqui was surprised. The fury behind Ardyn’s words were long gone, but the presence of an unfathomable rage lingered like a sickness that refused to part ways. 

Ardyn never once flinched. His firm posture--the way he held Y/N protectively to him--indicated to Loqui he had struck a nerve so deep, that the false bravado Ardyn displayed among the public could devolve into something dangerous. He had just earned himself a little taste of it. The very nerves under his flesh tinged at the realization. 

Loqui let out a snort, and lowered his head. Literally bowing out of a potential brawl. He made as fist as Ardyn began to walk with Y/N in tow and stopped. Loqui could feel the Chancellor’s eyes raining daggers upon him, and refused to look him in the eye. 

“There’s a thousand ways we can go about this, but I’ll keep it simple.” Ardyn coldly spoke. “Speak of Y/N’s condition to anyone, and I’ll ensure unfathomable suffering befalls you and your kin.”

Loqui flinched. “You’d really resort to that?”

“To protect Y/N, and the interests of empire itself, yes.” Ardyn firmly replied. He leaned in closer so he was nearly whispering in Loqui’s ear menacingly. “If I had half a mind, I'd encourage the Imperial army to demote you to such a low rank that worms would take precedence over your value. Alas, I will not be moving forward with such commands. I do this kindness for Y/N by sparing you, but make note: this will be the first and last time you ever question my sensibilities. Is that quite understood?" 

“Yes…”

“Yes what?” 

Loqui grit his teeth. “Yes Chancellor.” 

“That’s what I love to hear.” 

Loqui’s emotions were teetering on the edge at the way Ardyn mockingly said love. He didn’t know if Ardyn was mocking his feelings to Y/N, or if the Chancellor himself was admitting his own emotions in a subtle ploy. Mind games were not Loqui’s forte, nor did he ever want to become a person who enjoyed said things. It was best to let it go, despite having the urge to chuck his sword right through the man's chest while his guard was down. 

Enraged and at a loss, Loqui didn't hear Ardyn make his departure. Nor did he hear him state he would be seeking medical attention for Y/N. Loqui peered up and watched as Ardyn disappeared down the hall, leaving him with eviscerated corpses. The likes of which Loqui couldn't fathom. He grimaced as nausea curled its finger around his chin and tempted him onward. 

As he left the massacre behind him, Loqui couldn’t help but wonder if it was Y/N or the Chancellor who had committed these violent acts. Knowing Y/N was tainted by the scourge, it had to be them. But there was something about the Chancellor’s manner that him questioning everything down to his loyalties. He couldn't help but wonder how far the rabbit hole went, and wished more than anything, that he could lean on the wisdom of his father. 

#mending shadows #ardyn izunia #ardyn lucis caelum #ffxv ardyn #ardyn x reader #canon x reader #gender neutral y/n #final fantasy xv fanfic #ffxv #final fantasy xv #fanfic #fanfiction #a03 fanfic #ao3 fanfic #ao3 link #ao3 writer #chapter 32 #plot heavy

[ghoulie-67-baby]

Try and stop me Part 2 - Shadowhunters.

Summary: You seek some comfort for you newly festering wound.

Warnings: Changing clothes, pet names, angst, crying, heartbreak.

Pairing: Lightwood family x Adopted!reader.

Word count: 1,370.

Note: This may be a little angsty projection from me so I apologise profusely.

I hadn't thought through this as much as I should have considering it was pouncing down with rain and I was wearing Jeans, black boots and a thin jumper. Most people would have grabbed a coat but I was so angry and aching to leave that I hadn't thought about it. So as I stomped through the streets, drenched and freezing I cursed myself thoroughly.

I had told Jace, Alec and Izzy they would know where to find me but I didn't even know where I was going. I let my mind zone out and wander, my feet carrying me wherever they felt like. Puddles splattered up my calves soaking me to the bone as I just walked and walked. All I could think of was how Robert was lucky I didn't reveal what I knew but my Mom didn't deserve the heartache of that so I had kept his filthy secret though every fibre of my being screamed against it.

The already dark skies blackened as the evening turned to night and I was violently shivering as I walked down the streets, ignoring the looks I was getting off Mundanes. My aching feet carried me down street after street, alley after alley until they carried me to an apartment I didn't care to pay attention to. Icy hands clenched as they knocked painfully against the wooden door that stood before me. I felt like my eyes had sunk into their sockets, long dried up from tears, and my lips were chapped from the cold and me biting them. I waited patiently as my head throbbed and pounded before knocking on much louder this time. A voice behind the door sounded extremely annoyed at the disturbance and the locks on the door jiggled and clicked open after a few moments.

"So help me if this isn't important then I will turn you into a hamster and keep you in a cage!" The door swung open and I lifted my head wearily to meet the gaze of the person, who was dressed in silk pyjamas. "Y/N? What on earth happened to you?" Magnus' voice softened considerably at my state and I just glanced down at Chairman Meow who wound himself between the Warlock's legs. My eyes welled up, much to my surprise, at the softness of his voice.

"I'm sorry to interrupt, it's just, that I'm not welcome at the institute at the moment." I could barely speak above a scratchy whisper. "I just let my feet carry me and they brought me here. I was kind of hoping you would know what to do." My eyebrows furrowed as I spoke, confusing myself with what I wanted from him. Magnus' hand reached up and tucked a dripping straggle of hair behind my ear as I trailed off.

"Come in Cupcake, let's get you warmed up." Gentle hands guided me into the apartment and I stood silently as he wandered around getting towels and clothes for me. My mind was foggy until he stood in front of me and lifted my chin with his finger. My lip trembled as I stared into his eyes, willing myself not to cry anymore.

"He doesn't want me Mags, he never did." A look of confusion took over his features. "Robert doesn't want me. I'm not good enough. I tried to be, but I'm not." The warlock shook his head gently.

"Let's get you comfortable and then we'll talk. You'll get ill if you stay in these any longer. You're too fragile for magic at the moment so by hand will have to do." I was almost catatonic as he took me to the bathroom to change but I just stood in the middle of the room, not being able to move as my head was overloaded with thoughts. Eventually, he gave up and got me stripped out of the sodden wet clothes, incredibly respectfully, before slipping me into a pair of his grey bed joggers and a long-sleeved t-shirt. His warm hands then guided me back into the living room and onto the cloud-like cushions of the sofa. Within moments I had a hot cup of tea on the coffee table, a hot water bottle on my lap, a blanket around my shoulders and a very concerned-looking Magnus who had sat himself beside me giving me his full attention.

"We were having dinner as a family and he asked me why I hadn't been training so I explained how I'd fallen behind on the books and he started to tell me how I should have caught up because I'd had four years to get it done and that I'm lazy and don't work hard enough." My voice was hoarse and tired. "He never wanted me, Magnus, from the moment Maryse took me in he's looked through me like I'm a ghost. He told me I've never really been a Lightwood, that I take advantage of them." I clenched my fingers together as I spat out his words. "He wishes he hadn't let Mom take me in."

"Don't say that Pumpkin, of course, he wants you, you're his daughter too." I laughed bitterly as the first lot of tears slipped out.

"No, that's the thing. He said it, out loud, in from of Mom, Jace, Alec and Izzy. He said they didn't have to take me in and he was starting to wish they hadn't." I watched as his eyes widened in horror and his thumb brushed my knuckles softly. My lip trembled like a child's whilst my chest heaved.

"I just wanted him to see me. I wanted him to be proud of me and to love me like he loves them. I just wanted him to notice how hard I was trying, wanted him to see how everything I did was to make him happy." My voice broke and my vision blurred with tears. "I just wanted a dad. I've never asked them for anything. But I just wanted him to be my dad." Instantly I broke and my barriers released. My face streamed and I fell forward, letting Magnus catch me against his chest holding me as close as he could. My sobs and wails filled the room as my heart ached in my chest though it threatened to jump out.

The pain that I felt was nothing like I had felt before. Not even like what I felt after my parents abandoned me because this time I had lost someone that I actually loved. Lighting strikes of anguish struck me over and over, doubling me over to the point where I struggled to breathe from my crying. As my body shook, the force of it made Magnus' body shake too though he didn't mind. The Warlock held me, a hand on my back and the other cradling my head as his own tears dripped into my hair. I could hear myself saying the same words as I sobbed; He doesn't want me, it was like venom to my system, taking over and shutting it down, breaking me down by the second until I lay boneless in the arms of the Downworlder.

I didn't have the energy to cry anymore, didn't have the words to make myself feel better, didn't have the frame of mind to think clearly or the motivation to try and deal with this properly. My sobs had stopped and silent tears ran down my reddened cheeks and onto Magnus' already-soaked pyjama shirt as Chairman Meow nuzzled into my hands, providing his own comfort which I gladly accepted.

"Get some rest Pumpkin, we'll talk about this when you've got a little more energy." Magnus swung my legs up on the sofa and settled so I was lying with my head on his chest as he wrapped me up in a mountain of blankets. My skin was still cold to touch and I burrowed against his warm skin with a tired sigh as I closed my eyes and willed sleep to come. Eventually, I managed to drift off to the sound of the Warlock's heartbeat, his soft humming of an unfamiliar song and the gentle purrs of the cat that was curled up on his chest beside me.

#shadowhunters imagine #shadowhunters imagines #shadowhunters #the mortal instruments imagines #the mortal instruments #lightwood siblings #alexander lightwood #izzy lightwood #alec lightwood #isabelle lightwood #jace herondale #jace wayland #maryse lightwood #robert lightwood #magnus bane x reader #magnus bane

[nickcharleswife]

It's still Wednesday and I'm feeling excited, so I present my first ever contribution to WIP Wednesday.

This is from a fanfic I've so far referred to as "Allison Lives" and yet it's gonna get very complicated & is setting up to be a crossover. So anyway, without further ado, I give you one of my favorite sections thus far:

When Stiles can’t take the silence, he stands.  At first he thinks he may step into the hallway, out of the room of buzzing sound, but he dreads the check-ins if he’s out of sight for too long.  Instead he goes for the deserted dessert table.  He reviews the leftovers.  His mouth has been drier than ever before, so he tops off his water cup. There’s a commotion at the entrance to the room.  Mr. Argent has come inside.  Melissa brings him to their table, sets down a glass of water and a slice of cake she’s had ready for him.  Stiles turns back to the dessert.  The vanilla sheet cake is gone so he ponders the merits of chocolate, if it would be more worthwhile than the dry cookies baked by some old lady from the pastor’s church.  “It’s a family recipe,” he overheard.  He doesn’t believe family should let family eat dry cookies, that’s what his mom told him anyway. The rain has let up finally, falling as a drizzle rather than in sheets.  It was unusually heavy rain anyway for this time of year.  However, it’s as he goes to pick up another slice of cake that he sees it.  “It” is the shape out by the grave, a person cloaked in a long jacket and hood. “How do you feel about poisoned swords?” echoes across Stiles’s mind.  He doesn’t remember when the nogitsune said it. The person by Allison’s grave turns slightly.  If Stiles squints, he’d say the profile is female, but he can’t tell.  They’re dressed in all black.  He squints again and catches as their face turns towards the admin building.  He sees a gloved hand come up, a shushing motion at their lips.  Short black hair is swept back under the hood from where it crept out. The way she moves is undeniably familiar.  Who is she?  Who?  He feels a name at the tip of his tongue. How do you feel about poisoned swords? Stiles feels the world slow down, feels the edges of the plate slip from his fingers.  There’s the sound of cake laden paper hitting the table, of a clatter of plastic utensils.  Voices rise, a few approach. Stiles is locked on the fading figure, watching as she disappears around the side of the building. “Stiles?  You okay, bud?”  His dad’s voice is close, probably blocking his borderline catatonic son from the rest of the room. Stiles isn’t sure the last time he was okay.  He’s sure of very little these days. However, he’s increasingly certain that whoever’s ashes they buried, cried over, dropped flowers onto, and Mr. Argent screamed at the sky about - Stiles is sure they were not Allison Argent’s.

#this is all subject to potentially drastic changes #and has absolutely zero planned completion date #stallison #maybe? #stiles stilinski #allison argent #teen wolf #nora's fics

[prettybrownelf]

From Eden

Non MLM/NBLM DNI

Prologue 

Pairings- Knight! Eddie Munson x Prince! Male! Reader

Summary- The only heir to the thrown of your kingdom, you are finally faced with the final realization that your life will never be your own

Word Count- 1436

Content Warnings- Royal AU, Suicidal Ideation

(Chapter 1)

A country formed from flowers and a child born with fangs. The cries of an infant who already knows he is nothing but a political piece. The world rejoices as the babe drowns in his tears, the smiles of his parents cause his voice to go unheard. They bow in his sight as the whispers begin amongst the kingdom.

“A child born from Eden.” 

Oh, how sweet is the sound of a child's first cry. 

That's what your mother always says. She loves to go on and on that she knew you were a boy based on the way you cried. She would ramble on about how strong your lungs were, and how tight you would grip her finger, clear signs of a strong boy. The grip seems to have gotten weaker as the years passed. 

Now, standing in the sun-filled bedroom of your parents, the familiar overwhelming anxiety of your life fills your stomach. The talking of the midwives drowns out your thoughts as the newborn girl they just delivered cries in your mother's arms. 

“It's a girl, Your Grace.” The midwife smiles.

Of course, it is.

The Gods loved playing this sick joke on you. Your mother has had three girls in the last six years in her attempt to have another heir to your father's throne. Every cry of a baby girl only made you sink deeper into your overwhelming anxiety. There is no one else to fill your role, and there never will be. 

A rough hand lands on your shoulder. Forcing your mind back to reality. Your father's stern eyes silently tell you to leave the room as the women take care of the newborn child. Your feet carry you before you can have a second to think. The fresh air of the castle hallway is only a temporary safety as your father shuts the door behind him. 

“Another girl.” His voice is too harsh for your ears. Your voice comes out weak as you try to look him in the eyes. “Yeah.” He shakes his head as he takes a deep breath. The energy he puts in the air chokes you as your gaze adverts to the marble floor. “May I be excused?” The sound of your voice makes you want to vomit as your father gives a sharp nod. 

You immediately make your way down the hall, taking the same, multiple turns to your bedroom. It's too much, it's always too much. An annoying huff comes from outside your door, making your brows furrow. 

The same guard you've had since thirteen years old stands at your door as you quickly pace into the room too large for only one person. 

Throwing yourself onto the circular black bed, you finally allow yourself a moment to breathe in your own air. 

Another girl, another princess, no one else to fill the role of heir. It's only you, the only son, the only prince, the only one able to carry on the generation. The entire weight of the family tree hangs on your shoulders. You often wish you could hang yourself from it. 

The sun's burning gaze stings your back, but your body refuses to move. Completely catatonic on the soft mattress, your thoughts are interrupted by a hard knock on the dark wood door. ‘There's truly never a moment of peace here.’ “Yes?” Opening the door, your ‘favorite’ guard stares at you through his helmet. 

“Your mother wants to speak to you.” You can see bits of his long brown hair from inside his iron helm, his dark brown eyes never leaving your form. “Whatever Eddie.” You murmur as you stomp past him. You can practically hear him roll his eyes as he follows you. 

“You don't need to follow me.” 

He glares.

“I'm your sworn protector my Lord, I am to be at your side at all times.” 

You almost scream as you turn away from him, hearing his armor clang as he follows behind you. “You didn't follow me when I saw the child, why do it now?” Eddie struggles to keep up with your long strides as he gives an annoyed grunt. “The only reason I stayed at my post is because you snuck off to see her without me, or anyone else, knowing.” You roll your eyes as you stand in front of your mother's door, looking up at the tall knight. “I'm the prince, I can do what I want.” Eddie stands post at the door as you shut the wood behind you. 

The light shines on your mother's face from outside as she lies on the bed. She's covered in sweat still as he reaches a hand up to beckon you to her. It takes a second for you to move to sit on the seat beside her bed. Her sweaty, cold hand takes on your own as she looks up at you. 

“My sweet son.” Her voice is hoarse as he rubs a thumb along your knuckles. “Mother, you should be resting.” She gives a small laugh as she looks up at the ceiling. “I know my dear, but I needed to speak with you.” Your throat grows dry as you stare at her. Her eyes wander back to you as she takes in your gaze. “My darling boy, my only son.” You knew where this was going.

“You already know what I'm going to say, don't you?” She gives a half-hearted laugh. She always knew how to read your mind. “Yes, I do.” She closes her eyes in the sun as she relaxes her body. “We will have to start looking for a wife for you.” Bile forms in your throat as you attempt to keep your composer. “Your father found a lot of girls, but one of them certainly stood out to me.” You rub your hand against hers as you attempt to act like you don't want to throw yourself off the balcony. 

“Who is she?” Your mother is already smiling as she fights against the sleep craving to take her body. “Her name is Nancy, she's a sweet girl. And our families have been allies for centuries.” 

The Wheelers, a powerful family, especially in trade. Joining the houses would be powerful. Breath reenters your lungs as you stare at your mother's eyes. “Is she the only one? Or are there more?” Your mother's hand leaves yours as she gets herself more comfortable in the bed. “There are more, but I believe your father wants you to marry Lady Nancy.” A small nod is all you can muster as you allow your mother her moments of rest. 

Eddie's head snaps to you when you leave the room, walking along the castle halls with no real destination. 

Nancy Wheeler, of all people here. There's nothing wrong with the girl, or the group of other lords and ladies she acquaints herself with, she's just so, proper. There's no way you'd be able to get out of this if she's the one you had to marry. Knowing her she's already been told and is planning on the big day. 

“Son.” The rough voice of your father stops you in your tracks as Eddie bows.

“My Lord.” Your father nods to him as he stands next to you. 

“(Y/n), I'm assuming you talked to your mother?” 

You nod as your weight shifts from one foot to the other. “Good, I've decided to refuse the rest of the proposals. Lady Nancy will be sailing in by the end of the week with her acquaintances as we make plans for the wedding.” He says it so finally as if you have no say in the matter as if he isn't talking about the rest of your life. “Of course my Lord.” 

The sun is already setting, so you decide to go back into your room, your safe haven, of course with Eddie following you. “I'll be out here my Lord.” You roll your eyes as you slam the door behind you. The large open balcony beckons you, but your legs carry you to your bed instead. You throw your boots off and get into anything besides the uncomfortable outerwear you're forced to be seen in. The bed always seems to become comfortable when your emotions become too much for your body. Tears are already flowing out of your eyes as you attempt to silence your cries on the pillow. Is this all you'll ever be? Forever the crying babe, reckoned with the knowledge that your life will never be your own? Are tears falling from your eyes going to be your legacy? From birth to death?

#male reader #x male reader #eddie munson x male reader #stranger things x male reader #royal au #stranger things royal au #bottom male reader #bottom reader

[morsmordream]

Azkaban sucked. Majorly.

Not that it came as a surprise to Sirius, or any of the other prisoners in the High Security Wing.

But it really, really fucking sucked.

He had been beyond furious at first, at the whole injustice of it all. Sentenced to Azkaban, without a trial, for a crime he didn’t even commit?

Him, the Heir to the Most Noble and Ancient House of Black?

The Ministry had an absolute nerve considering it, never mind actually doing it.

Day one, he sobbed and screamed and prayed to the Gods for this to be a cruel joke. How could James be dead, how could Lily be dead? How could he, of all people, be accused of causing their deaths? How could Peter, mousy weak little Peter, have betrayed them and landed him with the blame?

Day two, he dried his red-rimmed eyes and made sure the guards knew exactly what he would do to them if he wasn’t locked in a cell, patrolled by soul-sucking creatures. He was a Black, through and through, even if he had tried to be better than his relatives. His magical core was dark, as were the spells he cast best, and he was eager to do some practice on the Aurors- former colleagues or not.

Day three, he got some company. Cousin Bella, her husband Rodolphus, his brother Rabastan, and little Barty Crouch. Regulus’ best friend, the Head of the DMLE’s very own son, a terrified nineteen year old boy. He didn’t deserve to be here, especially not without a trial. He had only broken the wards around Longbottom Manor for the other three, hadn’t even been told what they were doing.

The days blurred together after that, even as he carved a tally mark into the stone wall for every day that passed.

Azkaban was so much worse if you were lonely, if no one was able to ground you as the Dementors passed. He got over his animosity towards the four around him, forgave and forgot as best as he could.

He started to understand why Barty was Regulus’ best friend. The boy was a genius, unbelievably talented in all sorts of magic and it accompanying theory.

They would sit against the bars dividing their cells together, hunched over copies of the Daily Prophet, morning and evening. Barty was just as big of a gossip as Sirius was himself.

“Merlin above, Barty! You’ll never believe it! Lucius Bloody Malfoy, on the Hogwarts Board of Governors?”

“Unbelievable,” Barty would scoff, “That bastard would grease palms for anything.”

“Alecto Carrow is betrothed to Cassius Travers, apparently. Could have sworn that she was a lesbian.”

“What? I always thought she was shagging her brother? Was Travers not married to Penelope Borgin, anyway?”

“Keep up, Barty, why, her death was announced 17 editions ago!”

“So Carrow and Travers can actually fucking murder his wife, and yet we are in Azkaban?”

As the days turned into weeks, and weeks turned into months, Sirius saw how badly Barty was being affected by the Dementors. So much worse than the rest of them. He was too young to suffer like this, though just over a year younger than Sirius himself, his mind couldn’t handle the torture.

Some days, Barty was all but catatonic, rocking backwards and forwards against the bars separating their cells. Sirius would sit with him, those days, his back pressed against Barty’s own, trying desperately to keep him warm and grounded.

337 days in to their life sentence in Hell, Sirius had finally had enough.

He had been training his wandless magic as much as he could. Azkaban didn’t have magic-dampening wards on the cells, the Dementors simply drained so much of their magical core that casting was virtually impossible. But Sirius was an Animagus, sleeping as Padfoot, and he wasn’t as drained as the rest.

On that fateful day, day 337, Sirius picked the perfect time. An hour after the morning Dementor patrol, and 45 minutes after the Auror guards had delivered breakfast- according to his Tempus charm. He had been meditating almost constantly for three days, and he was as ready as he ever would be.

He stood, adopting the perfect posture that had been drilled into him since he learned to so much as crawl, and willed the door to his cell to open.

Somehow, it worked.

The four around him were silent, stunned to disbelief. He strolled out of his cell, and, with a flick of his wrist, unlocked their cells too.

Sirius had suffered for the Order, went to Prison as an innocent man without the Order fighting for him. He was done, he had had enough.

He cared about two things, now.

He would keep his godson safe, for James and Lily, and he would make damn sure Barty Crouch Jr lived the rest of his life outside of a cold, dark cell, for the little brother he never got the chance to say goodbye to.

The Ministry would regret the day they threw Sirius in Azkaban, and Albus Dumbledore would not live to rue the day he left him there.

#sirius black #dark sirius black #hp fandom #harry potter drabble #hp drabble #harry potter fandom #barty crouch junior #barty crouch jr #sirius in azkaban #azkaban #harry potter

[goorehound]

Hey, I’m still alive. It’s been a while since I’ve written. Lol. Here’s a random unfinished draft for ghostsoap from god knows when.

pairing; ghost x soap

rating; mature?

warnings; trauma, dissociating, flashbacks of sorts

“Captain, he’s not fucking talking.”

Exfil wasn’t for hours, and panic was clawing up the sergeants throat. Ten minutes, it had been an excruciating ten minutes since Ghost had slumped himself wordlessly down. Slipping against the wall until he was hunched on the floor, wall taking the brunt of his weight.

The lack of conversation and engagement with jokes had been expected at first.

But ignoring John’s questions on a mission? Eyes vacant, locked hazily on some odd point? That was not expected.

A few more firm pats against the cheek of the balaclava, met with the same blank gaze. Glossy and unseeing.

“Is there any blood, MacTavish?”

He scrambled to check again, patting down Ghost’s sides and once again checking the floor. Nothing.

“Still no.”

Could it be a head injury? John lifted both hands to carefully feel around Ghost’s head. His pupils looked fine enough, no wet spots, no ripped fabric.

The quiet from Price seemed to drag on for hours.

“You’ll need to give him some time.”

More silence.

“He’ll be alright, Soap.”

Immediately, John deflated to sit in front of Ghost. Realization dawning as he stared across at his lieutenant, who appeared to be existing in an entire different reality. This was mental, then, was it?

John couldn’t have known how familiar that family had looked. Slaughtered, left to bleed out like pigs, tainting the floor of their home with the very last shared household memory. A small body made infinitesimal by the engulfing pool of dark blood.

Blood so dark it was almost black.

Mouths and eyes cracked open, so easy for a shattered mind to warp into agonized expressions. A choir of screams and gurgles to match, ringing in ears so sharply he was certain so certain he would go deaf.

John couldn’t have understood that Ghost questioned if his brother had always looked that gaunt, hallowed cheeks and sunken in eyes. Should Simon have checked in more?

Fucking Simon. Why was that the least painful name to remember?

Simon deserved no remembrance.

But John really couldn’t have known. Instead, he was left dumbfounded. At a loss on how he could possibly support Ghost through it, and how he would avoid being maimed when Ghost inevitably realized Soap had been there to bear witness through what was likely something very private.

Horrified that Simon had been through so much he could be left catatonic to deal with it.

Instinctively, he rested a hand on one of the man’s knees. Soothing, firm enough to be felt but hardly enough to be constrictive. He switched off his mic and began to speak. Talking about anything he could think of, calm and quiet, none of the rushed and panicked questions from earlier.

He shared stupid animal facts Gaz had passed on to him. Recited jokes he’d planned out to impress him.

#yes i know that he would never be allowed on any missions with this intensity of ptsd #but also I don’t care and I do whatever I want #ghost x soap #ghostsoap #fic #writing

[gatheredfates]

what is the river? to carve the land or drown in? | azuma yumishi

Do you want to read all of my FFXIVWrite prompts? You can do that here!

FISH OUT OF WATER a person who feels awkward or unhappy because they are in a situation that is not familiar or because they are different from the people around them. Mentions of behaviour directly related to PTSD. The drabble doesn’t reference it as such, but you can get the implication. Also mentions of racism/terrorism/war crimes/etc. as it pertains to the Garlean empire and their treatment of their occupants.

A sense of helplessness was what possessed Azuma to wonder if the accident had affected her brain as well as her legs. She had always thought herself relatively adaptable; she was able to live a blended life as a second-generation Doman — one foot on land, the other deep in Sui-no-Sato — and when the Garlean’s invaded she was able to pantomime their desires enough they believed she might have the chance of assimilation. Her entire life had been a series of adaptations; the loss of her mother, her homeland, her father —

Then, just as suddenly as her adaptability started, it stopped. 

She could barely think about the death of her father. It was as if a serpent had woven its way around her heart, its body constricting the muscle until she couldn’t breathe, and she swore she was dying anew. The first time it happened the chirurgeon thought it a product of her injury, and she dared not choke out the panic of seeing spots of black as they whisked her back to bed.

She did not think about what might have become of her best friend. The thought that Siyoh could be dead, or worse — worse, more than anything, knowing the Garlean empire — had her lying in bed for days, panicked and catatonic in one. What if she was conscripted to some far-off land or forced to warm their bed? What if she was alone? What if she was afraid?

Then there was the torment of trying to adapt to Eorzea. It was the angst of knowing she should be grateful for everything they offered her, knowing she could give them naught, and she did her best to convey it whilst also feeling so alien she felt as though she were merely the audience to her own story. 

She listened to strangers converse in a language she could barely understand, so used to Siyoh’s patience as she tried to translate, and her concentration so often ebbed before her body did.

The bed she laid in was not her own. Only in the deepest of sleep did she feel like she was home, until open eyes to an elevated perch made her feel as though she were falling. Some of her countrymen had come to bed on the floor, but it wasn’t like she could get there now, could she?

A few of the able bodied had come to making their own food, but the ingredients were different and lacked many of the usual spices. It wasn’t bad, she had to remind herself of that, but it wasn’t the same.

Everything was different, different, different. She wanted to scream — why couldn’t she manage with one thing? Why did it feel like that one thing was the tipping point that threatened to sent her over the edge?

Her father had always commending her on weaving like the river, able to carve the land to suit her. Now, Azuma felt as if she were drowning in it.

#the burnout is so real dudes this was a slog #but i did it #so i am still proud of myself #｡･ﾟﾟ･ — 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐞𝐫 : azuma #ffxivwrite2023 #my writing

[dimensionhoppinghybrids]

In any criminal organisation there was always a underground market somewhere, somehow. A black market where those that either didn't want to get recognised or had ulterior motives went too to get their needs.

Through either trinket or substance, information, or at times, flesh.

These kind of markets always found a home somewhere, at someplace. Like a stubborn infection.

And it was this that Joseph had been trying to find in secret. He hadn't told the trio, or anyone of his plans. He had changed their lives in this alternative universe. Given them the life they could've had. Should've had.

It was something that both relieved and weighed on his hearts. All for different reasons. One of them being the fact that any such a drastic change, brought on more drastic changes in return.

And now he was facing one of those changes that he'd inadvertently put in place. The black market here had been going on for years, and had been peddling in things that Joseph always fought against.

But instead of it being done in a more quiet but open secret, the mishandling of young adventurers was being done now through capture and through an exchange of money, trade or favors. Things were secret sure, but it left a different kind of trail. One Joseph aimed to stop.

It had taken Joseph a good while to find the place, but now that he had, he had to act fast.

One whiff of the suspicion they were made and all of these bastards would fly to the darkest corners without a trace.

It was why he was so glad he now had his inary abilities. And why that strength was so important.

A cage of white hot electricity surrounded the area, and Joseph crashed through the roof with a crack of stone and metal, his tails extending out, puffing to make himself look bigger and more threatening. He didn't need to make it an act. Because even if he wasn't tall or big, he was still a threat.

And the guards inside knew it. With a slam of an alarm, all the buyers and owners of different stalls made to book it, but found themselves get struck by shadowed tendrils as they snaked out from every which shadow, tripping or holding them up by just the slimmest of margins. The tendrils didn't need to be strong to buy time for Joseph as he used his magic to form deadly barriers to prevent any escape, or chances for possible backup to get the supposed merchandise away.

Joseph gave a wicked, and cruel grin as his tails swayed with his cruel mood.

"Now, now." Joseph crooned to those he had entrapped. "Dont be hasty. The party. Has just. Started."

He said with a snarl and a bark. Electricity costing his body, his eye glowing a golden Amber, his mechanical eye a crimson red.

And the howls of fear, anger and pain was the only thing heard of those left inside.

The few that made it out the doors, never even got the chance to scream as the electric ward zapped away, like swatting flies down.

It took an hour of fighting, and making sure that no one played possum to get out of the judgement Joseph had decided.

For cruel monsters like these, death was the only thing he felt could be done. Too many connections would only lead to most getting away or be impacted in minor ways. Or perhaps he just didn't trust the justice system. Jack and Ruric had more faith, and he envied them for it. He didn't want them to break that faith. Because what he had found in locked cages, malnourished, abused, and beaten, were Pokemon of different ages and sizes. Some held young babes, having been captured and intended as servants, some meant to be used for fighting rings. Some not.

Those he found mainly catatonic. And those that were hale enough helped those that couldn't right now help themselves.

The cage of electricity had lomg since been put down, and Joseph used a flare to pop it into the sky.

He knew a rescue team would be by soon, and knew these people would be okay.

The op had been rushed and untidy. But it had done its job. And none of the victims had been hurt in the crossfire.

"Remember now," Joseph said, putting his finger to his lips. "I was never here." He said, hoping they would keep quiet. At least, for a time.

He would need time to find a way to explain it to Ruric.. He was going to be mad. But it would be worth it. Well to him at least.

With that said and done, he'd take the chance to slip into the shadows.

Once again, not knowing the true consequences of his actions, until much, much later.

----

"BREAKING NEWS; SMUGGLING AND BLACK MARKET RING THWARTED & GUTTED!"

Was the headline of many newspapers about a few days later. It didn't take long for news to travel fast, and for the contents to be told. At least, the photo of the site itself only held a picture of the front door, being held open like a looming dark maw, with police tape over the exit, like a horrid scene of a horror flick.

The papers didn't hold all the truth of what was found inside, but it described of finding several well known criminals, and a few of those known in either higher circles or influential circles being found among the dead. Described only in having; "Terrified expressions, like judgement finally came calling its dues," was quoted from a coroner.

The victims found near the site by rescue teams were said to be malnourished and abused, but found in good spirits.

When questioned about their rescuer, most kept quiet, except a young Ralts that said in a quote; "A spirit fox came to make all the hurt go away. Forever." And that was all he would say.

When prodded for more, the Ralts retreated into the group, none saying more.

Investigation is going into finding this strange spirit fox, but it is evident to say, justice came to those with nefarious deeds.

#striking down like a thunderburner (joseph) #drabble (lore)

[asumofwords]

it’s really upsetting to think Aemond was probably banging Alys while his wife was being assaulted by his brother… and to think he was stupid enough to think Aegon wouldn’t do anything. There’s only so much pain reader can go through before she just becomes catatonic if she hasn’t already. And if you follow canon, Alys will become pregnant… well 😔

I’m failing to see why reader agreed to the treaty when it didn’t seem like the Blacks were even in need of it? Weren’t they in a good position especially after Rook’s End?

I hope when Aemond finds out, it destroys him and maybe it will finally be what ends him and Alys since she can see all these prophecies~ but did not foresee this… or elected not to tell him. And he gets angry cause he realizes him essentially choosing to lay with Alys/having her is a weakness and is what directly contributed to what the poor reader went through.

It’s too bad Cregan Stark isn’t really in this story cuz my fan casting of him is ATJ after seeing the man in the Kraven poster/trailer 🥵 Reader needs a loyal good Stark man without all the incest and 🚩

Aemond really put his last thread of trust in Aegon and he will have to reap the consequences when he gets back :(

Our poor reader has had nothing but sorrow and agony this whole time

Rooks Nest didn’t happen in this fic, so (SPOILERS AHEAD) Rhaenys is still alive and well, and Aegon is not half burnt to a crisp and crippled. So essentially the Blacks and Greens are on equal playing grounds at that point, but feeding the navel army would cost more than the Blacks have access to at that moment, hence the treaty!

Alys certainly sees much and more, and speaks what people want to hear, and what will keep her safe. She has her own agenda in this war !

Omg I saw the Kraven poster and SCREAMED

That man IS SO FINEEEEE FUCK

[aro-aizawa]

whumptober 2022!

okay im gonna try and get a headstart on writing for whumptober this year because i am determined to get further than filling 5 prompts bc if i can pass that goal then i’ll be in a better shape to keep the momentum going and do even better next year. THAT BEING SAID i v much would love to continue in the same manner and take requests. so! here are the fandom’s i’ll be writing for this year, and the characters i gravitate towards:

batfam (i have almost zero canon info outside of all the movies and whatever i read in fanfics but i love the family dynamics sm, and this is my current hyperfixation so prompts are v much more likely to be filled): - tim drake

miraculous ladybug - marinette dupain-cheng

danny phantom - danny fenton

avatar the last airbender - zuko

fullmetal alchemist - edward elric

my hero academia (maybe - my mha fixation is like the furthest orbit rn so no clue if it’ll come around before the end of october but if the prompt is good who knows - midoriya izuku

you’re allowed to request as many times as you like! however, sometimes i just won’t have any inspo from the request so it might not make the cut, sorry! i’m also pre-emptively replacing some prompts and blacking others out so i don’t have to write anything that makes me feel icky or just isn’t my jam, or so i can write prompts that are v much my jam. so here’s the prompt list!

1. a little out of the ordinary - stabbed / marinette ✔  [ao3]

adverse effects | alt: stabbed | "this wasn't supposed to happen”

2. nowhere to run - caged / izuku ✔  [ao3]

cornered | caged | confrontation

3. hair’s breadth from death - gun to temple / edward ✔

gun to temple | “say goodbye” | impaled

4. dead on your feet - hidden injury / marinette || can’t pass out / marinette

hidden injury | waking up disorientated | can’t pass out

5. every whumpee’s needs - hyperthermia / tim

blood loss | running out of air | hyperthermia

6. proof of life

ransom video | “i’ve got a pulse” | screams from across the hall

7. the way you shake and shiver

shaking hands | seizures | silent panic attack

8. everything hurts and i’m dying - stomach pain / tim

stomach pain | head trauma | back from the dead

9. the very noisy night

sleeping in shifts | tossing and turning | caught in a storm

10. poor unfortunate souls - waterboarding / zuko

taser | whipping | waterboarding

11. “911, what’s your emergency?”

sloppy bandages | self-done first aid | makeshift splint

12. what could go wrong?

alt: ambushed | cave in | rusty nail

13. can’t make an omlette without breaking a few legs

fracture | dislocation | “are you here to break me out?”

14. die a hero or live long enough to become a villain

desperate measures | failed escape | “i’ll be right behind you”

15. emotional damage

lies | new scars | alt: touch starved

16. no way out

mind control | paralytic drugs | “no one’s coming”

17. hanging by a threat

breaking point | stress positions | reluctant caretaker

18. let’s break the ice

“just get it over with” | treading water | “take my coat”

19. enough is enough - knees buckling or repeatedly passing out / danny

knees buckling | repeatedly passing out | head lolling

20. it’s been a long day

going into shock | fetal position | prisoner trade

21. famous last words

coughing up blood | “you’re safe now” | take me instead”

22. pick your poison

toxic | withdrawal | allergic reaction

23. at the end of their rope

forced to kneel | tied to a table | “hold them down”

24. fight, flight or freeze - blood covered hands / marinette

blood covered hands | “i don’t want to do this anymore” | catatonic

25. silence is golden

lost voice | duct tape | “you better start talking”

26. no one left behind

separated | rope burns | “why did you save me?”

27. pushed to the limit

muffled screams | stumbling | magical exhaustion

28. it’s just the tip of the iceberg - sensory overload / edward

alt: sensory overload | punching the wall | headache

29. what doesn’t kill me...

sleep deprivation | defiance | “better me than you”

30. note to self: don’t get kidnapped

manhandled | hair grabbing | “please don’t touch me”

31. a light at the end of the tunnel

comfort | beside vigil | “you can rest now”

#whumptober 2022 #PLEASE i need to get back into the habit of writing #this always happens when my gaming fixations over take everything #and it doesn't help i've got a new fandom fixation too so i've been consuming all the fanfic on that i can lol #im gonna try and write as many prompts as i can before october starts to give myself a lot more of a buffer #i think last year i started only a few days before october #we're in august baby so i wanna get a headstart by a month