#White Shell Inn

[athanasius-symposium-of-writings]

i was wondering if i could request a combination of ❛ so good for me. look how much you came. ❜ and ❛ have a little trust in yourself, i know you can take it. ❜ w/ good endind astarion and including the topics of virginity loss? maybe taking place after the events of baldurs gate ^3^ thank you so so much your time and im looking forward to read more of your incredible writing!

<3 ngl i wrote this to 'To be loved' by aurora lol

Send asks using this prompt

Rated Explicit

Two rings. They are a matching pair bound by magic, warding magic shared between the rings. The magic of love, the lover's embrace.

Astarion gives you his left hand, you place the ring on his ring finger. The same action is repeated by you and his actions match yours.

It is a private wedding, or as close to one can get as close to, and takes place in the inn room for two. Those special ones for honeymoons.

Dark flames from purple-scented candles, the moonlight shines through the open window, and those ruby eyes shine with gentle warmth.

You found a pretty white outfit and Astarion wears one of those fancy black suits with a coattail.

With Selûne as the witness in this clear night with the moon up high and the stars dazzling in the sky, silence as there is peace, soon to be gone in the morning, but tonight you both will bask in each other as if the world is brand new.

The first of many nights to be lived.

You kiss him with a laugh, how could you not be happy!? "I like your last name. I'm taking it."

"My last name?" He half expected to take yours, "Sweet thing." He kisses your cheeks, your forehead, your nose, "You can have anything of me."

You stare at the wonder of this world, your world in your arms, "All that I am, let us share eternity with each other." No longer will he have to face the darkness alone, it will be with someone— With you. His sun, dawn breaking through the shadows.

Love. Gods, it is as if his heart is racing.

This is a wedding night, a night he wants you. Wants everything he can feel against his skin, every inch of your body to ache for him, and to experience sex because he wants it— And because he wants to share this first night of everything with you.

In this room, with only the moon as the light and witness, he guides you to bed.

"Are you sure? We can do other things." You show genuine concern.

"Yes," Taking a deep breath, "With you, I want this." Confidence and certainty, the ability to consent.

You read his face then your mind stirs as you feel his touch on your mind, just as you had opened your mind to express your feelings to him, Astarion lays bare his emotions and desires. The desire to love and be loved.

His magic is dark, yet soothing. Yours is warm, light, wild, and untamed.

"Astarion."

"If you will have me."

You smile then nod, "Thank you." Though he feels he should be thanking you for giving him something he thought he lost: freedom.

Everything that freedom entails returned to him, though you take no credit for his victory, he is grateful you were by his side.

His lips take yours, guiding you with slow easy movements for you to match him. "Good pup." Your cheeks burn as your hands reach up, fingers tracing the shell of his ears, "(Name)." His eyes flutter shut, his lips seek yours, hands on your hips.

"So good for me," Smiling above you as he gets to be first to see you like this, "Look how much you came." The spell to see through each other's eyes is an inspired one you created to be his mirror. To use the innocent spell to show you the wonders Astarion is doing is… You can't hide, he won't let you hide from his adoration.

Tonight, every night or day, for as long as time will allow: he will be loved and you will know his desires, bare and raw.

"Astarion, oh! Ah, Gods."

Wow! It is like dying! Astarion chuckles from your thoughts as you cum once more by his hand.

"I can't!" Panicking as you never felt so much at once.

"Have a little trust in yourself, I know you can take it. My little love, breathe in and out."

Love and lust, it is as if he is your missing half. Astarion groans at the way your mind races with so many emotions for him. Raw and messy, he never will doubt ever how much to truly love him. Boundless and limitless.

When he is finally inside of you, two bodies made one, he has to stop himself from cumming so soon from how tight you are. The spell doesn't help as you both feel the union not only from yourselves but each other too.

Your nails scratching his back, your legs locking close to you. His fangs bite into your neck, his grip fierce as he moves. Your hips moving with his, your body singing for him.

You can feel how happy he is, he can feel how amazed you are.

The evening seemed endless, and maybe Selûne stayed a little longer in the sky for some love birds.

#anon ask #baldur's gate 3 #reader insert #astarion #astarion x mc #astarion x vampire spawn!tav #astarion x you #astarion x reader

[anantaru]

𝗢𝗨𝗧𝗗𝗢𝗢𝗥 𝗙𝗨𝗖𝗞𝗜𝗡𝗚 !

˖˚˳⊹ outdoor fucking feat. diluc : zhongli : xiao : kazuha : ayato : childe x fem! reader from the 5.5k event special

˖˚˳⊹ warnings: nsfw : exhibitionism

˖˚˳⊹ 𝗗𝗜𝗟𝗨𝗖

in a way, diluc felt as if he had to be ashamed of being so fucking aroused by the fact that someone might catch the both of you while he‘s been fucking you behind his tavern. You‘re rolling your eyes when he grabbed onto your hips harsher to set up a steadier pace, balls smacking against your behind and staining your ass with previous release which was now pooling down your shivering legs. "More." you‘re mewling against him now, diluc‘s arm looping around your body to push your back against his chest, letting you feel his warm breath against your teary stained cheek. "say that again." his free hand, —that wasn‘t holding you tightly against his chest—, tracing softly against your skin and travelling to where you loved it the most.

two of his fingers were now swiping left and right your clit while simultaneously snapping his hips forward your abused cunt. Diluc couldn‘t quite place how it came to this or what made him fuck you so sinfully behind his tavern. The cold air was ringing through his body, jacket messily thrown next to the both of you with his gloves on top of it, his shirt was half unbuttoned— just enough to expose his hard chest. You‘re throwing your head back at the feeling of his pulsating cock grazing over your walls, biting back a moan once his digits picked up on pace, glistering with your juices and messily leaving splotches over your clothing. "fuck." he‘s so close now, —could practically feel his climax against his tongue—, mind almost turned hazy as you clenched down on his shaft, keeping him still deep inside you when he finally released his warm seed into your desperate cunt, filling you to the brim. For a second he‘s refraining from pulling out, leaning close to your cheek to tell you soft praises, completely forgetting the fact that the both of you were still outside, hiding from the views of others.

˖˚˳⊹ 𝗭𝗛𝗢𝗡𝗚𝗟𝗜

it‘ll always start with the both of you going on a beautiful walk, zhongli and you enjoying the soft flow of the wind ringing against your ears. Call it getting needy from the heat or just being desperate to feel his touch but it‘ll always end in him picking you up to push you against a tree, —hiding you both from spying eyes—. Your legs would wrap around him and put more pressure against his back to have him close. Zhongli‘s moaning against your mouth at the sensation, thrusting up into your tight cunt and rubbing over that one sweet spot that‘d make you unravel against his touch.

"darling." zhongli couldn‘t help it but grin lovingly against the shell of your ear, pretending that he wasn‘t very much aroused by the fact that you were biting back your moans so no one could hear you. Zhongli was only agreeing to fucking you against the tree because you seemed so needy! that‘s what he‘d tell you but in reality he was getting hard by the sole thought of pleasuring you with the danger of someone catching you in the act.

you‘re covering your mouth with the palm of your hand while the other one was looped around zhongli‘s neck for additional support. The grip on the natural flesh of your hips got harder with every snap of his pelvis forward your wet warmth, his seed and your juices beginning to stain your disheveled clothing and pooling down his balls, slowly drippling down the floor. He gives himself a few more pumps forward before releasing himself in thick white ribbons into your tight cunt, warm cum filling you up to the brim as you bit down on your tongue to refrain from making any sounds, the thrilling feeling of climaxing outside like that would always make it more memoriable by a tenfold.

˖˚˳⊹ 𝗫𝗜𝗔𝗢

having you spread out on the roof of wangshu-inn while fucking you silly was always something that made xiao throw his head back and the pleasure hitting him different in a way he couldn‘t quite place. The fact that people might spot or hear you was so unbelievably sinful but also exciting! xiao wouldn‘t voice it though, wouldn‘t want you to know he‘s getting so hard by the mere thought of fucking into you outside. His grip on your hips tightens when he felt you clench around his fat girth. "xiao." you‘re mewling at him, warm tears pooling down your cheeks from the immense pleasure he inflicted on you.

he’s quick to shush you though, hiding your lips with the palm of his hand while snapping forward with an even faster pace, balls slapping against your cunt and collecting both your juices and his cum. "I‘m-" xiao‘s sentence getting interrupted by his own moves when he slightly retracted his hips a bit forward to reach even deeper into your cunt. Your legs spread open further for him to nestle himself deeply into you, his hands caging you in when he lowered his hips to meet your lips with his own. The two of you looking into each other‘s needy eyes, his gaze raking down in between your lower bodies to see the sticky substance connect you both, a sinful masterpiece in his eyes when he snapped forward again, pride filling his ego when your mewls escaped your throat. Archon‘s, it was so maddeningly hot to him, xiao knew he wouldn‘t forget fucking you like that ever again.

˖˚˳⊹ 𝗞𝗔𝗭𝗨𝗛𝗔

the hustle and bustle on beidou‘s ship was always immense, yet what the workers there didn‘t see was how kazuha and you were hiding from their sight. He‘s knuckles deep inside of your warm cunt right now, grazing with his fingernails through your walls to spot your ever so needy sweet spot. He‘s visible smug too! Whenever you‘d gasp at his skilled fingers he‘d make sure to show you that proud grin of his.

kazuha will always try to keep the conversation going, to make people around you think the both of you are only talking and not humping into each other like you actually were. There‘s a high pitched chuckle from his side when you‘re slowly retracting your hips while he‘s thrusting his fingers up your pussy, the squelching noises being overshadowed by the usual noise of the ship. Fuck, it was so unbelievably sinful right now, you were clenching and throbbing against his digits, grasping over every single shockwave he‘d inflict on your needy cunt. He‘s leaning forward now, kazuha‘s breath coating your lips as he smiles lovingly at you, the both of you thoroughly enjoying each others company and warmth. You‘re crying out his name in small chants as kazuha‘s usual words became more passionate, mixed with utter desire to make you cum on his skilled fingers.

˖˚˳⊹ 𝗔𝗬𝗔𝗧𝗢

during meeting breaks it can become quite normal for ayato and you to disappear and fuck in the room next to where all the people were. Would they hear you? To be honest, could be. Do the both of you care? to some extent yes, to some, the answer was no. The welcome thought of your warm pussy engulfing his hard throbbing cock was just way too maddeningly hot to pass up on, he figured. ayato is quick with it too, flipping up your skirt to expose your drenched panties to his eyes to feast on.

he‘s licking his lips at the sight, jaw clenching as he finally snapped his hips forward into your wet heat. One arm would always loop around your waist to keep you close against him while the other was lazily pushed against your mouth to keep you from moaning out screaming his name. Ayato‘s nerves tickling at the thought of someone hearing you was turning his groin on fire even more, pace gradually increasing and thrusting in and out your messy hole.

the both of you didn‘t have much time so ayato just had to be quick with it :( groaning out sweet praises of love and passion against the shell of your ear while simultaneously fucking into you downright breathtakingly. He‘s so close now, practically feeling his orgasm deep inside his gut when he finally spilled his seed into your cunt, filling you to the brim while exclaiming a deep and dark whine, mixed with an airy chuckle. He‘s so far gone now, ayato doesn‘t even know how he‘s supposed to go back to the meeting room without wanting to fuck you again.

˖˚˳⊹ 𝗖𝗛𝗜𝗟𝗗𝗘

during his usual work regarding collecting the debt of various clients it can actually quite often happen that ajax can get frustated in more and many other ways. Naturally, it‘s your duty to make him feel good in whatever form imaginable, being his s/o and all. At this point childe wouldn‘t even want to go to a hotel, he‘ll find a secluded area out in the wild to have you spread open for him. he‘s fisting his cock in front of your drooling cunt that was already glistering wet with your juices.

he‘s chewing on his lower lip in concentration, hips moving forward to get embraced into your tight pussy, the look on your face utterly lewd he could‘ve released from it alone. "fuck, i‘m so hard" he‘s groaning out while leaning forward your body, sharing each others body warmth. "Imagine someone seeing us right now." the dark chuckle that escaped past his throat was making a shiver run down your spine, yet it was arousing in a way you couldn‘t quite place.

your arms looping around his neck as you pulled him close for a kiss— which was more tongue than anything else—, yet you knew ajax liked it that way. His hips stuttering after every other thrust to tease you while you were crying out his name in soft chants now, the both of you being more than aware that it was highly possible that someone might‘ve heard the both of you right now. You‘re feeling dizzy as his pace increased, him snapping forward while his hard cock was decorated with a faint white ring of your juices around his shaft. Ajax certainly was very much aware that he wouldn‘t be able to hold out long with you ruining him like this.

5.5k event special

do not! share, copy or repost my work. ✎ ©ANANTARU 2022

#genshin impact x reader #genshin smut #genshin impact smut #genshin x reader #diluc smut #diluc x reader #zhongli smut #zhongli x reader #kazuha x reader #kazuha smut #xiao smut #xiao x reader #childe x reader #childe smut #ayato smut #ayato x reader #tartaglia x reader #tartaglia smut #cw exhibitionism

[justpoliteconversations]

Gifts [Linked Universe Four]

It started with a little white lie. Four should have known those don't end well for him.

One of the fic requests from this Post. It grows.

Masterlist

TW: None.

Disclaimer: Don't own The Legend of Zelda franchise. Linked Universe is the fan creation of jojo56830.

---

No matter what time he's thrown into. No matter where in the world Four's feet carry him. He can always count on the local Minish population to find him. It was simply the nature of the small race, to find and to hide small treasures in which the world above may in turn find and cherish.

And so, Four thought very little about accepting gifts from his small friends (his family). From every corner of Hyrule, across every small village and thriving metropolis, from the skies of Skyloft to the hilly slopes of Hateno, he accepting them all with open hands.

Shiny stones. Unusual seeds. Small pieces of metal. Colorful craps of cloth. Shells, amberfied bugs, bells, flowers, leather straps, hair ties, buttons, nuts, lost keys, dried herbs.

Little things. Lost things. Interesting things. And the list goes on and on. Anything the Minish found value in (even if the rest of the world didn't understand it), they would gift him, just as they gifted such things to each other. It was simply the way they lived, and Four had no problem indulging them a bit. It was such a small thing, hardly worth getting upset over even if he didn't always appreciate the small piles of accumulated gifts taking up prescious pack space.

It was such a small thing. He hadn't thought of the consequences when he'd lied.

"Hey! Why you've got all them things?" Wind asked as his usual curious self was prone to do, bright blue eyes shining with interest as he took in the pile of tiny odds and ends piled on Four's inn bed.

For his part, Four didn't think twice before replying. Didn't even bother to look up as he rooted around in his pack for his smithing tools. "I just like collecting things."

"Oh." Wind replied quietly, eyes taking on a contemplative shine.

Had Four noticed, he could have put a stop to everything before it even happened. If he'd have just looked up he would have caught the glimmer of delight that took home in Wind's eyes, the aura of intent radiating off the boy like an ill omen.

Had he been paying attention, he would have noticed the soft honey-brown curl of hair and equally soft hazel eyes staring in from the slight part of the door. And the piercing baby blue tucked in right below them, calculating in their ferocity.

But he didn't. He'd been focused on the task at hand and he'd forgotten himself. And more importantly, he'd forgotten about the enemy that was his brothers helpfulness.

He should have been known better.

And now he's paying the consequences for his inaction. And actions.

One would think the path to Four's misfortune was a slow, ominous slope overlooking a vast pit of good intentions. And in a way, it was.

Except the part where there would be explosions and rock slides and the crash of thunder closing in from all sides simultaneously down in those depths. The winds howling great swarms of debris and sand and dust, sweeping over it all in vast waves, racing up the sides of the steep slopes with fierce abandoned. Turbulent waters gushing from their banks and over the tops of mountains in torrents that brought down whole forests into the chaos.

In other words, it would be the very essence of his brothers' heavy handed affections given form in the shape of one minor observation and the lie that fanned that flame into an inferno.

And it started with Wind. Because it's always Wind. Of course.

He'd given Four sea shells. Three perfectly shaped ones in bright, smooth colors of white, blue and pink. Beautiful patterns of brown and silvery blue faintly etched into the bumps and rounded spikes spread across their glossy surfaces. One was big enough to hold up to his ear and (by Wind's reckoning) hear the ocean. The smallest fit at the very center of his palm, so small he could form a fist around it.

Four had been touched by the sweet gesture, and had smiled and ruffled the youngers hair. He'd put the gifts in his pack, just besides the collection he'd amassed from his Minish brethren, and that had been that.

Or so he'd thought.

Hyrule had come next, offering an assortment of oddly shaped seeds and a tiny apple (fully formed, just no bigger than a grape). From his own private collection, Hyrule had said shyly, blush high on his cheeks and on the tips of his ears. His mouth twisted into a bashful smile.

It was honestly a curiosity for Four, who had never even seen such seeds before (in any of their timelines), despite his Minish connections. So it was with genuine enthusiasm that he'd taken the small collection from his brother, fingering through them with open interest.

He hadn't thought to be suspicious of the silence that had enveloped the camp as he mumbled excitedly to himself about his newest gifts. Even going so far as to mime eating the tiny apple in one exaggerated bite, much to Hyrule's flustered delight.

The very next day, Warriors came to him with a rather stunning collection of coins. Most of which the smith had no idea which country (or even time) they came from, only that they were all immaculately polished and a few even looked to have been restored at some point. Most were in languages he didn't even understand. If they even were languages.

Confused by the gesture, but intrigued nonetheless, Four had thanked the Captain with a smile and a few questions as to the origins of some of the more outlandish ones. To which he promptly discovered Wars hadn't a clue, he just thought Four'd appreciate them more than himself.

The wording had been suspect to the small smith, but he'd let it go. Never look a gift horse in the mouth and all that.

He should have. It was like the flood gates had cracked open and all of his brothers suddenly wanted to ride the waves that were sure to follow.

Twilight had come to him during one of his  night watches and handed him a bag of something relatively heavy and metallic sounding. It turned out to be horseshoes. Or, more precisely, it was a collection of horseshoe shaped items that came in all shapes, sizes and materials.

When questioned, Twilight explained that he's seen Four forging some at Lon Lon Ranch and thought he'd be interested in the different types of experimental shoes he'd collected during his lifetime of husbandry. There were even some for deer, much to Four's befuddlement.

Right on the heels of that odd exchange, Sky had approached him with a whole set of little wooden weapon's models piled onto his palm. One for each weapon type he'd seen used by the chain, Sky had explained, handing them over to the confused smith with a tired smile.

And it was quite the collection indeed. Swords, hammers, whips, boomerangs, bombs and any number of items Four had never though he'd see translated so well into small wooden replicas. Even the bow looked delicate and ornately detailed, the string shape so fine he feared it would break at the slightest brush of wayward breeze.

Four hadn't had the time to question why before Sky had stumbled back to his bedroll and was out like a light.

Legend had come next, looking as surly as ever (though shy too, which was nearly as uncomfortable for Four as it clearly was for him). He'd tossed down a bag of something heavy next to the smith, told him he had no use for them but he'd heard the smith enjoyed things like these, and then stomped away.

They were rocks. Or, more precisely, they were magical stones. Not quite concentrated or powerful enough to be the center piece of any enchanted jewelry, but they were beautiful nonetheless. Most took the form of minor gems or unusually colored or textured pebbles.

Not that Four was ungrateful, but the whole encounter was very, very odd. If somewhat useful. Utilized correctly, these could be used for some light enchanting practice.

Time had sat next to him during one of their extended break times some days later and started pulling out empty bottles from his pack one after the other. Most were so miniscule Four hadn't even realized what they were at first. The smallest being barely the length of his thumb nail, though a few were nearly the width of his palm.

A collection he'd been keeping around in case they may one day be useful, Time had explained, his one eye shining with merriment (mirth, Four thought, but dismissed it. for surely he'd misread the slight pull of his eldest brother's lips).

Very confused, but accepting the bottles being handed to him nonetheless, Four finally asked. "That's fascinating and all, but why are you giving these to me?"

"Oh?" Time had hummed, eye twinkling (with mirth, Four's mind whispered again). "Wind told us about how you enjoy collecting things like these." His eye seemed to take an almost fey quality then as he handed Four the last bottle. "And that you were growing quite the collection already. So, we thought we'd contribute."

Four almost opened his mouth to question, before it finally clicked.

He had said that, hadn't he. At the inn when he was trying to keep Wind from asking too many questions.

"Well," Four began, somewhat nervously. "I just-"

"Hey!" Wild interrupted as he came bounding up to the pair with a wide smile, slate in hand. "I got some stuff for your collection, Four!"

Four didn't have time to speak before Wild was opening his Sheikah slate and out came...

Everything. Everything and nothing at all. Just piles and piles of any conceivable (and inconceivable) thing that anyone could just pick up off the ground in a fit of fancy. Stacks so high Four had to crank his head back to stare wide-eyed at the still growing piles. Objects so outlandish a few seemed to be (pulsing? beating? moving?) imbued with unknown magic.

It just kept coming, much to Four's growing horror. Until blessedly it stopped, and there Wild stood before it all, hands on his hips and a smug, beaming expression on his face so bright it could blot out the sun.

"Voila! I gathered everything I could find for you! Now you'll have all the weird stuff you could possibly need!" He rasped in that scratchy voice of his, turning his head in a near circle to take in the rest of the chain with an air of victory so pungent it smelt of bokobline guts. (No, wait. Those pulsing things are bokobline guts.)

A moment of silence, until Time broke it. "Well?" He asked the smith kindly (deviously).

Four's brain scrambled to come up with something, anything to salvage the situation. But when Wild's expression dimmed and he started to fidget uncertainly, Four's mouth was moving before his rational thinking could intercept.

"Thank you, Wild! I was just shocked you took an interest is all! It caught me by surprise!"

And the beaming smile was back, along with a rasped. "Of course I'd be interested! I even got you the most, because I love you the most!"

'Oh. Oh no!' Four's eyes darted around at the rest of the chain, and sure enough there it was. Sky was looking contemplative, Hyrule just as much so as he looked at the acorns littering the ground. Wars had that competitive gleam in his eyes, Wind looking just as fired up by the declaration and Legend had a stubborn glare that spoke of many bad things for Four's future (and pack space, damned hoarder).

And it was at that moment that Four realized that he was staring over the edge of a steep, steep slope. And far below that slope were the smiling, loving faces of his brothers ready to bring the unfathomable chaos that was the helpful nature of eight Goddess ordained heroes.

And all Four could think as the hands of fate tilted and he was sent spiraling into the chaos was.

'Maybe they're secretly Minish kin too!'

'Shut up, Red.'

---

Back to the shadows for now.

#linked universe #linked universe four

[starsidesky]

Let's just say that there's a couple of Baldur's Gate 3 characters who are currently living rent-free in my head. A situation that has stirred the writer in me. So here's a little vignette (honestly, I wasn't sure what to title this) about Isobel contemplating the aftermath of Act 2. (Potential spoilers)

Dust

For the first time in a century, the sound of mirth rings through Moonrise, and Isobel stands in near disbelief. Her thoughts are still racing on battlefield adrenaline. A small sleep-deprived fear trembles in her mind: the fear that this moment might be snatched away, that she might wake inside the Last Light Inn. Scorned by the realization that all of this was naught but a cruel dream. But one look at the sky and a solid pinch are enough to put her uneasy thoughts to rest.

The Harpers are enjoying some merry-making in the wake of their victory. Their strange new-found allies have generously offered to share their food and strong drink alongside whatever is deemed safe from the tower cellars. Aylin has eagerly joined in the celebration; her laugh is as magnificent as it is unmistakable. A hearty sound that carries throughout the towers like it had never left. The cleric decides it would be a crime to pull her angel away too soon. A hundred years caged in the Shadowfell had no doubt left her deprived of the most basic humane courtesies. She definitely deserves to celebrate.

Isobel draws a cold, shallow breath and stifles a coughing fit. The ale must be affecting her poorly, as the torchlight suddenly feels harsh to her eyes. She tolerates it for a while, but the celebrations get louder as the night goes on. Despite the lifting of the curse, the air in the hall feels muggy and suffocating, and a slight headache settles upon her brow soon after. All it takes is the drunken singing of a few dozen Harpers to persuade the cleric into the calm night air.

The moon from Moonrise had always been beautiful – a century couldn't hope to change that. But the same could not be said for Reithwin itself. Beneath the moonlight, the village Isobel had known so well seemed little more than a hollow shell.

A ghost, an echo of what once was.

At the center of it all stands the statue of her father, his expression listless and placid. The same way he looked when she first awoke.

A chill snakes down her neck.

She’s running barefoot, clad in cambric burial garbs, dodging creeping vines, and thorny brambles. White dots of lantern light chase after her; her father is amongst them. A mangled root catches her foot, and she tumbles downhill into a heap of thorns. Disoriented, she crawls away, pressing her back to a scraggly tree. Her lungs burn for breath, but no matter how much she gasps, her vision swirls with sparks.

Calling upon her goddess means risking discovery. Instead, she clasps a hand over her mouth.

The rumble of a galloping horse crests the hill, pulling her back to herself. The bony, half-rotted steed brays as it winds through the foul miasma. Her father screams from its back, sobbing, begging. His dark, anguished pleas echo through the marrow of her bones. She winces with every one, hot tears streaming down her cheeks.

The sound remains burned into her memory. Sometimes, late at night, she thinks she hears it still. Isobel thanks Selûne that he did not find her that night.

Once more, she gazes over the ruins of Reithwin and her heart twists. She spent a century dead, while so many good people - people she knew - suffered and perished for want of one man’s grief. Yet here she stands, and they do not.

She recalls the many hideous stories the Harpers told about the source of the Shadow Curse and the monster Ketheric became. At first, she could hardly believe it. The gentle, kind man - the man who'd raised her - chose to forsake their goddess, forcibly convert their people to Shar, and butcher those who would not. That wasn't even accounting for what he'd done to Aylin!

So much death and destruction, and for what?

"While I hold little love for Ketheric," Aylin's armored boots settle upon the stone behind her. “That monster was not your father.”

Isobel turns to face her, desperately trying to hold her emotions back, but to no avail.

In one fluid motion, Aylin pulls her into her embrace as her wings sweep around her. They’re a welcome shield from everything beyond. Isobel leans into her, her head resting against her breastplate. She listens quietly to the slow rhythm of her heart, the rise and fall of her breath, as Aylin rests her jaw upon her head.

“You are not to blame for his mistakes.” Aylin says softly.

Isobel finds her voice soon after, “I know.”

#baldur's gate 3 #bg3 #dame aylin #isobel thorm #dame aylin x isobel #ketheric thorm #angst with a happy ending #hurt/comfort #titles are hard

[windsweptinred]

I saw a post a few days back where someone was asking for Christmas traditions Dreamling suggestions... Well it's not quite a tradition. But Christmas was always a time for balls and dances. And there are so many Hob must have known and loved which have been lost to time. Picture this, Christmas Eve, inside the the abandoned shell of what was once the White Horse Inn. The interior strewn with candles, Christmas decorations, your choice... And a dance for every century.

(Bonus points if you invite Crowley and Aziraphale. Let the Angel have dance partners for the gavotte... Have a heart. 😅)

#dreamling #ineffable husbands #hob x morpheus #crowly x aziraphale #dream of the endless #hob gadling #aziraphale #crowley #fic prompt #Dreamling Christmas

[steelcladbutterfly]

Yandere Poseidon

My current longest work to date. There will be a character sheet added shortly, and the link will be added down below for this specific version of Poseidon. (UPDATE: link has now been posted) Obviously, this won’t be fully historically accurate, but then again who looks for complete historical accuracy on a yandere fic.

Character Sheet

The Greek god of the oceans and earthquakes. Also said to be the creator of horses. 

This ended up being 52 pages long and a little over 18,500 words. Hope you enjoy.

The village of Whesprey was a relatively peaceful place that was a few minutes inland from a large beach with white, sandy shores. However, many large rocks were also present, looming up from the ground like the shattered remains of a lost golem. Many even suspected it was such, because of the designs etched all over the surface of every single rock. 

Mist was often present, leaving many travelers spooked when they visited, suddenly having large, jagged rocks appear silently out of the mist in front of them. It was honestly amusing to you. You enjoyed exploring the beach, finding new shells and rocks washed up on the shore, sketching out the designs present on those rocks whenever you were hiding out from any angry villagers, mad at some prank you pulled on them. The other villagers were fine with the beach. They were somewhat superstitious, but no one attempted to stop you from going. 

Of course, Beorn, the owner of the tavern and inn where you worked at as a barmaid and waitress, was always worried you would slip and fall from your reckless behavior. He acted like an overprotective brother or lover and would always clam up and blush if you teased him about his behavior. He was so easily embarrassed, it was always a laughing fit for you compared to the rest of him. Well over six feet tall, with a natural glower and dark eyes and hair to match, he made it incredibly easy to avoid any really bad encounters among the general drunken crowd. Or any of the angry travelers or villagers you had chosen to prank that week.

Cassandra Mitchell, a close friend, was one of the only villagers you had yet to mess with in your pranks. She always seemed to know exactly when, where, and what the prank would be. It was disappointing, but she had a bit of a pranking streak herself, telling you every so often where to set up a trap or what type of ingredient to stealthily slip into a pie. The day when Mrs. Uvaj made lemon pies and you switched out the sugar with salt was a glorious day. The looks on everyone’s faces was priceless. 

Of course, you had instantly given yourself away when you started laughing hysterically and didn’t look like you had eaten a lemon like everyone else did who had tried the pie, leading to a few bumps from Mrs. Uvaj’s ever feared wooden spoons.

It was still worth it, of course. That had also been the day you started listening to all of Cassandra’s suggestions for pranks. And, of course, you were never disappointed. You were actually often doubly lucky due to the open nature of the village, people stopping into kitchens and meals and living rooms to greet each other or have a meal together or just to see what was happening.  Your pranks aside, the nosiness of any neighbor was always satisfied. 

~~~~~ 

“Get back here!” 

You laughed loudly, racing through the street with your bag thumping against your lower back and legs, glancing over your shoulder and smiling teasingly at Ford. He had a pink blush set high on his cheekbones and shaggy hair still slightly damp as he raced after you, even as titters exploded in the crowd around him as they caught sight of his now bright pink hair, previously a ruddy maroon, bobbing about a half a foot above the general public. Not as tall or as broad as Beorn, but just bulky enough to make the pink hair look absolutely more ridiculous on him. It was his own fault of course, allowing you to help him pick out a new shampoo. 

You just hadn’t expected him to use it and come looking for you just as you were passing by on the way to the woods for more kindling. Luckily, Cera had come as well, your fellow worker shaking her head in exasperation when Ford had burst out the door with cheeks as pink as his hair. As you let out a bark of laughter and he immediately lunged at you, she had shouted after you, “I’ll just go on ahead!” 

You had waved at her as you danced out of Ford’s reach and took off down the street with him in fast pursuit. Even with the crowd and the laughter, Ford doggedly pursues you even as you watched, with fascination, from the corner of your eyes as his blush spread down his cheeks and over his neck. “You’re not likely to catch me any time soon Ford! Are you sure you don’t want to just give up?” 

You snickered and sped up, breaking through the last of the crowd, loud laughter and the stomping on cobblestones changing to grass and dirt and the muted thumping of feet on the terrain. You were heading towards the beach by this time, hoping for enough mist and a lucky break to leap up on one of the rocks and evade capture. If you were captured, he’d likely change your hair to an equally embarrassing color in retaliation. 

Your highly structured and well thought out, not really, code of pranking would crumble if you let that happen. Or, at least, you would then have to suffer the same humiliation until the dye wore out. And, of course, that’s humiliating. Beorn would laugh at you. So would Cassandra. And while you didn’t mind being the butt of someone’s joke, the idea of staying as it for more than a few days wasn’t your idea of a good time. 

You perked up upon seeing the beach, only to become disappointed when you could clearly see the ocean glittering in the distance. After all, if you could see the ocean from here, it meant there certainly wasn’t a lot, if any, mist for you to hide in. Darn, guess you’ll just have to climb the rocks and hope Ford gives up after awhile. 

As you went to do that, out of the corner of your eyes, you noticed a prone form. Stopping abruptly, you let out a huff as Ford bowled into you and then, promptly let out a wheeze as the force knocked you over and him on top of you. “Get offa me!” 

Ford scrambled off with a smirk but, just as he opened his mouth for a smug comment, you scurried over to the form you had seen. 

“Hey! I was just about to...” 

Ford jogged over, already ready to complain, but had trailed off as he saw the man on the ground. “What the hell happened?” 

You rolled your eyes. “I don’t know dingus, maybe your hair surprised him so much he had a heart attack and died.” 

“Really?” 

“No!” 

“Well, what happened then?!” 

“I don’t know! But yelling about it sure isn’t going to do anything to help!” 

He pouted at that, but quieted down. After making sure he wasn’t going to say anything else, and also silently cheering that he likely forgot about dying your hair in revenge, you inspected the man. You were certainly no doctor, even if many of your stunts ended with you getting your scrapes and bumps checked out by Mr. Ava after Beorn threw up enough of a fuss about your injury of the day, but the man looked to have near fatal wounds. 

He was likely washed up onto the shore, which explained a lack of old crusted over blood, but the gore filled sight of deep lacerations in his arms and legs, with a gaping wound on his side, deep enough to expose the rise and fall of his rib cage and a few glints of bone was more than enough to make you queasy. The choked sound from over your shoulder and the sound of a hand slapping over a mouth, likely to prevent himself from throwing up, indicated Ford felt the same way. You grew worried, noticing the ashen pallor of the man’s face and the black strands of his hair sticking, partly from sea water and partly from sweat, to his pain filled face. The gash to his side likely didn’t help him with breathing either. 

“This is bad,” you stated worriedly, “We need to get this guy some help and fast. Ford, run back to town and get Mr. Ava, a stretcher, and anyone able bodied enough to lift it with this guy on it. If you hurry, Cera may still be in town.” 

When he hesitated and the man you were trying to set into a more comfortable position let out a weak groan of pain, you snapped at Ford. 

“Hurry!” 

That did the trick. He bolted off like a startled deer, bounding off back in the direction of town. You watched him for a few moments, before a slight movement and a sudden, light squeeze of your hand brought you back to the man. He was looking up at you, bright aquamarine orbs peeking up at you from between dark lashes and squinted eyelids. 

“Ah, don’t move too much, you’ll aggravate your wounds!”

You quickly settled him back down when he tried to shift his body upwards. You kept him there, when he parted his lips and spoke in a cracked and raspy voice that was most likely indicative of dehydration or heat exhaustion.

“Where am I? Are you the one who saved me?” 

You snorted lightly, reaching into your bag for the water skin you always kept for trips out of the village.

“No, I just found you stranded in this beach, but don’t worry, help is coming! You’re lucky you got washed ashore here, you’re only a few minutes away from my village, Whesprey.” 

The look he gave you as you held the water skin up to his mouth was weird. His eyes crinkled as he gave you a dopey grin that didn’t completely fit the rest of his striking features. He looked a bit like a puppy getting a treat for the first time, not very dignified whatsoever.

“But you did save me, angelfish. You’re here now, aren’t you? You could have just left me.” 

You blinked, but smiled even as you gave a huff of amusement as you tilted the container slightly, allowing some water to trickle down his parched throat. 

“Anyone could have stopped and helped. I mean, most people don’t just see a heavily injured person lying on the ground in an out of the way location and pass them by without a moment’s hesitation. Common decency and caring for one another is a thing after all. Now be quiet, you’ll choke if you try to drink while speaking.” 

Frowning, you glance down worriedly over the man’s wounds once more, noticing welts and bruises alongside the open lacerations slowly oozing out blood. You kept him as still as you could, mentally noting down all the injuries you could see and slowly giving him more water for another ten minutes before you heard the sound of footfalls and the rustling of plants from behind you. Glancing over your shoulder, you noted Ford’s pink hair  bobbing up and down at the lead, followed closely by Beorn, Mr. Ava, the Mitchell twins, and Cera. 

You were relieved to see them, but you were curious about how Ford had managed to convince the twins to help. Both men usually tried to stay away from work, preferring to laze around and flirt with any pretty travelers passing through. Personally, you would have just used any blackmail you had on them to get them to do something. Either that or convince them to help you with a prank, only to trick them into doing some work. 

However, your answer quickly arrived as Rion looked over the man, stating, “You were right Ford, he is awfully pretty looking. Don’t you agree Raymond?” 

Raymond agreed with his brother of course, nodding in agreement. You deadpanned at Ford as he chuckled nervously. “What? It was the only way I could think of to get them to help.” 

Mr. Ava had pushed his way to the front by then, slowly kneeling down beside you, as the others unfurled the stretcher Beorn had carried through the woods. “What’s his status currently?” he asked you quietly. 

“Well, you can obviously see all the injuries, but he also appears to be having trouble breathing, he likely has heat exhaustion, and I’m pretty sure some of his injuries came from being knocked against things. He appears to have washed ashore, so who knows how long it’s been since he landed here or even when he was first injured.” 

Mr. Ava hummed in acknowledgement as his eyes flitted over the wounds and the curious look in the man’s eyes as he watched everything unfold around him. “He seems to still have most of his wits about him, so I’d like to bring him to my clinic before I start any procedures. Ford, the foolish boy, pulled me away before I could grab my medical bag.” 

You snickered. Ford making a fool out of himself even now was hilarious. Of course, you quickly stopped as you were swiftly whacked across the head. “Now, now young (Y/n). No need to laugh at the poor boy. I’m sure he’ll be getting plenty of that already from that pink hair you gave him.” 

You pouted, rubbing the back of your head lightly, noticing that the man had tensed up slightly when you had gotten whacked. “Boo, you’re no fun. And how did you even know that was me? Any number of people could have done it.” 

At the dry look he shot you, you smiled. “Yeah, yeah. I know. I’m the only one who would do it.” 

The man looked ready to say something, but Rion quickly interrupted him. “Oi, old man! We’re ready over here!” 

Mr. Ava glanced over, asking him to bring it over. You backed up a few steps to allow them to carefully maneuver the man onto the stretcher and lift him up. You aimed to walk ahead to help clear the way, but a sudden tug at your hand stopped you. You glanced down, seeing a large, tan hand enveloping your own. You followed the arm up to meet pleading, aquamarine eyes.

“Please.” 

You hesitated for a moment, but seeing as the man didn’t seem likely to let go of your hand anytime soon, you acquiesced to his mostly silent request. Beorn frowned slightly at your entwined hands, but said nothing of it, his hands tightening slightly on his handle of the stretcher. The walk back into town stayed mostly silent, with only a few scattered conversations among the twins, Ford, Cera, and Mr. Ava. The man squeezed your hand lightly loosening and tightening his grip with a faraway look in his eyes. He seemed like he had something he wanted to say, but wasn’t sure how to phrase it. 

This continued until you reached town, where the crowds parted, murmuring amongst themselves as the stretcher bearing the wounded man passed by. At this point, the grip on your hand tightened considerably and didn’t loosen. Looking down, you were somewhat surprised to see him almost glaring at the crowds around him. A great hatred of crowds you supposed. You squeezed his hand lightly in return, startling him out of his hard stare at a handful of tittering ladies, Mrs. Uvaj among them. He looked up at you and you smiled at him in return. 

Your smile twitched somewhat as a look of wonder filled his face, uncertain about why that look had appeared. At this point, you had arrived at your destination. Once inside he was placed down on a cot. Cera left, stating she needed to get started on collecting firewood, Ford raced off, likely to try to find something to get the dye out of his hair faster, and the Mitchell twins were pulled away by the group of women who likely wanted their fill on who the stranger was. 

Beorn waited for a moment in the doorway as Mr. Ava asked him if he would be willing to put the man up in a spare room at the inn, or in the worker’s quarters. “Well, I suppose it would be no problem, but why?” 

“If he stays here, those darned ladies will be waiting at the door, tittering and gossiping away, staring at the man. That’ll only distract me from my patients, including him. I still obviously need to fix him up, but if you could put him up for recovery and until we manage to find where exactly he even came from, that would be extremely helpful. Also, doing it out of the kindness of your heart, you’ll feed him, so I won’t have to worry about buying food for someone else.” 

Beorn let out a huff, but smiled slightly. “There’s the real reason. You’re awfully stingy for a doctor, you know.” 

“Oh, I know, I get told that all the time by the missus.” 

“All right, fine. I’ll put him up and feed him during his recovery. Goodbye, Mr. Ava. And, (Y/n), make sure to go help Cera out.” 

You gasped, “How could you Beorn? Assuming I would skip out on my duties simply because of all of this.” 

At the looks both men leveled you, you deflated and pouted slightly. “I’ll get to it.” 

You sighed and moved to follow Beorn’s retreating back, but was stopped by the hand still gripping onto yours. You glanced back at the man who was now looking at you earnestly. “Your name is (Y/n), right? I’m Poseidon. Will I be able to see you again?” 

You blinked, surprised by how fervent he was. “...I suppose,” you started hesitantly, “I will likely be staying in a room close to yours considering I work there, so it shouldn’t be too hard to cut out some time to spend with you.” 

His grip on your hand loosened as the newly dubbed Poseidon smiled brilliantly up at you. You managed to slip your appendage out of his grasp just in time to be ushered out of the room by Mr. Ava. Just before you ducked out of the room, you paused to throw back over your shoulder, “It was nice meeting you, Poseidon.” 

With that, you were fully ejected from the clinic. 

~~~~~ 

The crisp sound of an axe biting into the wood of a tree sounded rhythmically through the air as you jogged through the forest. Collecting wood with Cera was always fun. She was usually the one cutting down the trees and you collected the chopped up wood. You may not be looking for a relationship with her, but her flexing muscles as she lifted and swung the axe certainly didn’t leave you complaining. 

As you arrived, she halted the swing of the axe for a moment, looking over her shoulder. “Good, you’re here. Collect that pile will you?” 

Your shoulders slumped as you looked over at the large pile of already chopped wood. Sighing and rolling up your sleeves, you started collecting the wood scattered in the pile into one of the two wheelbarrows that had been lugged out into the woods. You respected Cera, continuing with her job with no complaints even after you had been chased away by Ford and had helped carry Poseidon into town. 

The chopping sound continued for some time as you lugged the pieces of wood, one after the other. Then, Cera’s voice pierced the semi peaceful silence. “So, what was with that man anyway? Did you find out where he came from? Or what happened to him?” 

You glanced up and caught your breath, before answering. “I don’t know yet. He gave me his name before I left, but that’s the only thing I got before I was shooed out by Mr. Ava.”

Cera paused, her dark green, gold rimmed eyes taking you in steadily. “Hmm,” she hummed noncommittally before continuing chopping, “I suppose he was heavily injured. I just don’t like a stranger arriving out of nowhere with no real reason for why they arrived.” 

You snorted at that, before full out laughing. “Well, that’s just like you Cera, always suspicious of those you don’t know.” 

“I prefer cautious. And you are also the same as always. Easily amused.” 

You laughed again at that. “Ha! You’re not wrong!” 

The banter continued for some time as the two of you finished collecting the wood and picked up the handles of the wheelbarrows to begin the slow journey back to the village. 

~~~~~ 

Once back in town, you distributed one barrel full of wood to the townsfolk, popping in for a brief moment in each house to put a few logs in their own pile of firewood. Doing so at Mr. Ava’s clinic showed him with blood coated forearms and Poseidon knocked out cold either from a sleep agent or from the pain. Or both. 

After the distribution was finished, the other wheelbarrow trundled over to the inn’s stable to drop off the wood for all the rooms in the inn, as well as for the large fireplace contained within the walls of the tavern. It was set up behind the small stage, so during winter, whoever was performing would be silhouetted by the flames. It often provided many of the performers with dramatic lighting. The musicians usually complained about some ash getting caught inside their instruments though. 

The tavern was most often filled in the mornings and evenings with people, as travelers were served a complimentary breakfast if they stayed at least a night, and evenings brought entertainment and the flow of alcohol, drawing in travelers and locals alike. Most nights were relatively peaceful, but the nights with rousing entertainment usually lead to a slip in inhibitions, leading to raucous drunks with no problem trying to slap your ass when you went by. 

Apparently, you pranced about, bouncing a little more than walking, when you were on duty for serving and that drew their eyes. Of course, Beorn, and Cera for that matter, managed to stop most of the handsy drunks, but the more persistent needed a little more scaring. And the really persistent were often thrown out and found passed out near the door in the morning. Of course, you usually just laughed it off, as easily amused by that as any of your pranks, much like Cera had said earlier. 

Arriving at the back door that lead into the kitchens of the tavern, you parted ways with Cera, her heading back into the main avenue of the village with a list of ingredients, while you headed in through the kitchens, waving at the cooks and heading into the side door from there that lead down a hallway for any workers that would choose to live there. Most had homes of their own, but a few chose to stay. The assistant cooks often stayed to be ready for early mornings learning under the head chef and older, more experienced cooks. Beorn owned the entire establishment, having been passed the reigns of it after his mother had taught him all the ins and outs of the business before she retired, so he had his own quarters at the end of the hall. The maids who looked after most of the inn usually had rooms they stayed in, for customers could come in at any time of the night. You also had your own quarters, the rooms to the left of Beorn’s. The rooms to his right were currently empty, so you assumed Beorn would have Poseidon be placed there.

Your parents had died from the same strain of illness that had struck his father during a harsh winter many years back. Many others had been struck with it as well. While life did continue on, many had lost someone important to them that winter, so there was one day of established mourning for all the lives that had been lost. 

Walking down the hallway, you were startled when one door suddenly banged open and a hand shot out and grabbed you, tugging you into the room. You waved your arms around in vague fighting positions while you kept your eyes clenched shut when the sound of giggling stopped you. Cracking open your eyes, you slumped slightly when you saw it was Mindy, Tessa, and Jenna that greeted you. Three of the maids who often worked the night shift, they shared one of the bigger rooms in the hallway, and you had gotten to know them as they provided most of the gossip you used for various pranks. It helped that they were younger and more approachable then Mrs. Uvaj’s gaggle of ladies. 

“What do you need?” you asked them, wondering why they chose to suddenly drag you into their room. 

They glanced at each other, failing to hide the smiles about to break out on their face. When you raised an eyebrow at them, Tessa stepped forward at last. “Well, when we were passing through town, on the way back from visiting our Mamas, the whole town appeared to be in a tizzy. Of course, the ladies refused to tell us what was going on, but Cassandra, when we passed by her, mentioned that you would know what was going on. So we waited for you.” 

You squinted your eyes slightly, before whirling around and shaking your fist. “Darn it, I should have known Cassandra would do something like this.” 

You turned around once more and looked at their pleading eyes. “I don’t know. You guys will probably make a big deal out of this.” 

“Oh come on,” Mindy begged, “Just tell us, please?” 

You balked at them closing in on you, with clasped hands and large, questioning, pleading eyes. You whimpered slightly. 

~~~~~ 

The loud chorus of squeals from behind your defeated form signified your defeat. You sighed, closing the door on the loud screeches. You had tried to stay strong, but it was three against one. You ended up telling them everything. “If it was Ford or the twins trying to do this, I wouldn’t have given in,” you muttered to yourself, “Curse my weakness to their large, pleading eyes.” 

They always managed to pull something over on you, no matter how you tried to resist. Whether it was Cera’s arms, the maids and their puppy eyes, or Cassandra and her mysterious aura, they had something to make you give in. The sound of laughter ahead caused your head to perk up. You were surprised, and slightly embarrassed, to see Beorn leaning in the doorway to his room. 

“Ah, you heard all that didn’t you?” 

He chuckled. “Of course I did. Besides, it’s not like that’s a secret really. You’re kind of like the twins, falling for anyone pretty. Only with you it’s more in line with something pretty about them than simply looking pretty.” 

You groaned, finally making it to the end of the hall, and face planting against his chest. “I just can’t help it Beorn! Everyone has something to them! I mean you have very pretty eyes. And a pretty smile for that reason whenever you actually smile. It’s so not fair, I mean even Ford has the cute shaggy hair going for him.” 

A rumble resounded in his chest as he laughed, with a slight blush on his cheeks, but only a lopsided smirk on his lips. “You need to stop worrying about all that (Y/n). Thanks for the compliments though. Now,” he stated as he escorted you to your room, “Get some rest. All that running around and saving strangers and giving into the girls’ demands must have tired you out. Don’t worry about working tonight, just get some rest.” 

You hummed in agreement, getting under the covers. “Poseidon, the stranger, was pretty too. Pretty eyes and a pretty face. His smile was cute. Like a puppy.” 

You mumbled, turning over and drifting off to sleep as a concerned hum from Beorn vibrated in the air quietly, as he closed the door behind him, leaving you to the peaceful land of your dreams. 

~~~~~ 

The next week passed by in relatively the same way. There was still a little hubbub from Poseidon’s arrival, but the village had all but settled down already. You were kept busy with work and pranks, this time on the large Mitchell family. The twins took it in stride, Rion and Raymond getting pastel blue and green that went wonderfully with Ford’s still bright pink hair. Mrs. Mitchell was in a tizzy over every single one of her cooking implements being in the wrong place; it had taken you a whole night, but it had been worth it to see her so flustered. You hadn’t seen someone basically self destruct from kitchen tools before. It was glorious, you were still chuckling when you thought about it, even if you got a sizable lump from her for it. Mr. Mitchell, on the other hand, was stuck chasing the chickens you had released for an entire day alongside Richard, their eldest son. 

Cassandra had, of course, avoided all of the traps you had set for her, but you had managed to get quite a few of her other siblings with them. Kitty had been flung into the pig pen and had spent the better part of the day giggling as her mother tried to remove the layers of mud she was caked in. Most of it wasn’t even your fault. She had just started to roll around and play with the piglets before her mother could drag her out. Ollie, on the other hand, had spent several hours freaking out about all the flour that had been dumped in his hair after he set off one of your trip wires. You got a scolding and a few hours of dishwashing as punishment when Ollie went complaining to Beorn and it was found out the bag of flour had come from the kitchens. It was still funny to see his meltdown. Ollie always did have really nice hair though. You only wished he wouldn’t see it as such an important part of himself. The youngest two, Mack and Trish, had burst into Cassandra’s room before she could return and were doused in glitter for their troubles. Somehow they managed to have it be set off on them so that not even a speck of glitter got into her room. That was a punishment in and of itself for you. Luckily, they didn’t tattle on you. Mrs. Mitchell did look close to an aneurism when she finally finished cleaning Kitty off only to come across her two youngest chasing each other while covered in glitter and shedding said glitter everywhere. 

While you had been busy with that for a while, when you arrived home at the end of the week, with a few specks of mud, glitter, and soap on you, it was to the sight of Mr. Ava conversing with Beorn as one of the cooks helped Poseidon down the hall of the workers quarters. You, of course, only then remembered that Beorn had agreed to set Poseidon up for his healing process. As you walked closer, you caught the tail-end of their discussion. 

“Yeah, it was tricky to reset the bones and to stitch up that wound in his side, but getting it clean was the hardest part. All the sand that was stuck in the blood, eugh! It put me off meat for a while to say the least,” Mr. Ava was saying when he noticed you coming over, “Ah! (Y/n)! Back from the fray I see!” 

Beorn excused himself to make sure Poseidon was settled in the right room, and walked off, leaving you to a conversation with Mr. Ava. 

“Oh, you know it. I think I upset Mrs. Mitchell the most. You should have seen her get mad over spoons! Spoons! Ha ha, it’s still funny.” 

You smiled, chuckling slightly, while Mr. Ava rolled his eyes. 

“That’s just like you. Oh yeah, Poseidon was rather upset you didn’t visit him. He looked like a dejected puppy actually, which really didn’t match the structure of his face.” 

You gasped excitedly, waving your hands slightly. “I know, right!? I mean, it’s still cute, but it’s cute in a weird way because of his face! It doesn’t look like it should be able to pull cutesy faces!” 

That managed to pull a slight chuckle from Mr. Ava. “I must agree. But you do have a weird way of stating it. Anyways, seeing him dejected might just suggest that you have an admirer in that man. ...Puppy love, I suppose. Though it may have just been the heat exhaustion, I’m sure seeing the way you usually act will reveal his true feelings.” 

You laughed. “That was kind of an insult wasn’t it! Ah, my heart! I’m not sure I’ll be able to live on! Ohhh, Mr. Ava! You wound me.” 

You dramatically staggered about, clutching at your heart, before collapsing at his feet. You ruined it immediately after by snorting and starting to laugh again. “Puppy love! That’s great!” 

He shook his head at you before walking off. “Always so easily amused, aren’t you? But I suppose that’s a good thing. After all, where would we be without fun?” 

You scrambled up, still smiling, and waved the doctor off. At that point, you popped into the room across from yours to see how the temporary guest was getting along. Hopefully , he was pawsome. You halted at the pun and looked around, before deflating when you realized you hadn't said it out loud. You shook it off easily enough, poking your head in to see Beorn and Poseidon having what looked like a staring contest. Oh, wait, no, they were just glaring at each other. 

“Hellooo,” you trilled as you popped up, startling them both, “And how has life been progressing for you guys, hmmm?” 

Poseidon perked up, while Beorn relaxed and smirked at your idea of changing the mood. “(Y/n)! I’m glad to see you. You didn’t visit me. I was left with that cranky old man and giggly old ladies peeping in from the door for a week!” 

You giggled to yourself. “Sorry Poseidon, I was caught up in...stuff. Yeah, stuff! But hey, you’re here now, aren’t you? Now I can spend time with you!” 

His eyes lit up when you said that, but you were swiftly guided out by Beorn before he could say something in reply. You saw Poseidon frown and resume his glare at Beorn’s back as he hovered over you protectively, before your eyes were drawn away when Beorn started whispering to you. “(Y/n), that guy is strange. You can’t just promise to spend time with him when you don’t even know what he wants!” 

You focused on Beorn, grabbing the sides of his face with your hands before you replied. “Beorn, sweetie, pretty eyes, bro, I know that. But I also know that that man is still hurt right now. What can he do to me?” 

From between your hands, you felt heat in the squished cheeks you held, but he still raised an eyebrow at you and asked dryly, “And?” 

You pouted and let out a humph. “And he acts like a puppy which is absolutely adorable. Come on Beorn, let me hang out with the cute puppy guy. I’ll do anything you want in return?” 

He inhaled, but paused at what you said, looking thoughtful. “Anything?” 

You pulled his face close, touching foreheads and looking at him with a serious expression. “Anything. ....As long as it in no way embarrasses me.” 

His cheeks grew even darker and warmer, but he let out a snicker. “Of course not. Wouldn’t want the one embarrassing everybody to become embarrassed herself.” 

“See, now you’re getting it.” 

“Alright, fine, you can hang out with him. As long as you’re fine with sharing a meal with me, for the whole time, mind you, at least twice a week.” 

You laughed at that. “Hey, why not, it can be like a date! A family date! Thanks Beorn!” 

You kissed him on the cheek and skipped back into the room, closing the door behind you, leaving the red-faced Beorn behind you. He sighed, staring at the closed door longingly. “Yeah, like a date. Wish it could just be that.” 

He sighed once again, walking off dejectedly. 

~~~~~

Once you had closed the door behind you, you flounced over to the bed and settled in the chair beside it. Poseidon looked rather eager when you had come back into the room. “What? Did Mr. Ava not provide good company?” you asked teasingly, “You seem rather eager for someone to talk to.” 

He rubbed the back of his head bashfully. “Am I really that obvious?” 

“Yeah. It’s kind of cute actually, like a puppy. I can almost see the tail wagging.” 

The look on his face sent you into a fit of giggles. It was a mixture of shock, embarrassment, and amusement. “Hey, stop that,” he protested as you continued your laughter, “It’s not that funny!” 

“I-I’m sorry,” you apologized, trying to stop the fit of laughter his expression had started, “But, in all fairness, your reaction was great. Just the right mixture of affront and confusion.” 

He huffed, but began a conversation readily. “Anyways, what was the stuff you were busy with exactly? I somehow doubt that it’s anything really serious.” 

You gasped in mock anger. “How dare you! I’ll have you know that my pranks are a very serious business to me!” 

“So it was pranks was it? No I get it, pranking is a very good reason not to visit an injured, lonely man all by himself with a grumpy old codger who refuses to get into a conversation about anything other than your injuries with you. Really, truly, I understand.” 

You shook your head at that, but laughed anyways. “Are you trying to emotionally manipulate me to keep you company? Because honestly, all you had to do was throw me another one of those goofy smiles you gave me when we first met.” 

“Really? Wait, goofy?” 

“Oh yes, it was extremely goofy. It didn’t look right with your features whatsoever. What it was however, was absolutely adorable.” 

You nodded with a grave expression on your face. The look he shot you then had the corners of your lips twitching up before you were suddenly laughing hysterically, right alongside him. Of course, you grew worried and reached out to steady him when he began a coughing fit.

“Sorry,” he said as he clutched at his side with a look of pain present on his features, “That aggravated my side. That old man would be so angry to learn that as soon as I’m out of his clutches I manage to hurt myself again.” 

You snorted at that. “Yeah, that sounds like him. Should I leave then? Let you rest?” 

You moved to get up, but a hand shot out, in a fashion similar to when you had first met, and clutched onto your wrist. He shot you a pleading look. “Please, stay a little while. I could use someone to keep away the boredom or, rather, to keep me from going stir crazy.” 

“I suppose I can stay for a little while. How about I tell you about the time I managed to mess with Mr. Ava?” 

So you stayed, talking and laughing the hours away. You lost track of time until finally Cera arrived to tell you that you were already late an hour ago for your shift. At that point, you scrambled up, giving your goodbyes to the suddenly subdued man who had been laughing and talking just as much as you a moment ago. You assured him not to worry as your room was right across the hall from his. You also promised to visit him more often. You had no idea why Beorn could be so suspicious of him. He was practically harmless, told great jokes, and had really nice eyes and a nice smile to match.

~~~~~

“Oh my, did he really?”

“Yeah, that guy’s great! He may be stuck with limping or staying in bed right now, but he’s great company! Him and Beorn still don’t really like each other, but I guess it has only been a day so far, can’t expect them to automatically get along.” 

A bell like laugh resounded from Cassandra’s lips. She smiled at you, making you duck your head and blush. “Ah, stop that! You’re too cute!” 

Another laugh from Cassandra. “You always say that. So, when are you going to meet Beorn for one of those meals you promised?” 

“How did you- Ah, never mind, of course you somehow know that too. Maybe after this? He did mention he had something set up. Though Poseidon did seem eager to meet with me again.” 

“Hmmm,” Cassandra looked out across the forest from the top of the wall you were both sitting on. It was wide enough to sit on and was situated on top of a hill that had one of the best views for sunrises, sunsets, stargazing, any time really. 

“Well, I’d suggest going with Beorn. Who knows, maybe something will change for the better between you two. Just be wary of getting too close to that Poseidon fellow. Just because he’s new and different doesn’t mean the old and known should be left behind.” 

You laughed, swinging off your perch. “Always a warning with you, isn’t it? Well, I’m sure I’ll be fine. I’ll meet with Beorn, but Poseidon is still very interesting. Besides, he’ll be gone when he’s fully healed, so why shouldn’t I take this time to hang out with him?” 

You waved goodbye to Cassandra and trotted down the hill. She watched you go and heaved out a sigh. “I hope you will listen to me (Y/n),” she said quietly as she watched your retreating back get smaller the farther you went, “You have no idea what the consequences could be otherwise.” 

~~~~~ 

You had arrived back at the tavern to see Beorn waiting out front. You smiled slightly at him, seeing him start when you came into his line of view. You stopped in front of him and executed a little curtsy. “So, where are we going? Anything fun planned?” 

You smiled as he stuttered over his words at your light teasing, but he quickly managed to pull himself together again. He offered his arm to you as he appeared to steady himself for any possible rejection. You rolled your eyes, but smiled and looped your arm through his. He startled slightly, but adjusted your hold on his arm and guided you around the tavern to the small garden that was kept to provide the tavern with fresh fruits and vegetables. 

The sight of a small table with a candle on a pretty, pink, green, and white patterned tablecloth gave you pause. Despite what many in the village may think of you, you weren’t dense. You knew a romantic setup when you saw one. Glancing at Beorn, you felt fondness well up inside you at the nervousness he was currently portraying. You smiled and giggled silently. It wouldn’t hurt to go along with this for a while. Either he would give up or you would see something in him. Whichever came first really, you didn’t mind seeing Beorn in that light. You just didn’t feel that way currently, but love was an ever changing mistress after all, cruel to some, while kind to others.

You thanked him as he pulled out your chair for you. Smiling when you saw your favorite dish and drink set up for you. “Well, isn’t this just fancy? So, should I expect baklava for dessert or did you not plan any for this date?” 

Beorn stammered and blushed. “I-I thought this wasn’t really a date? Wasn’t that the opposite of what you wanted?” 

You sighed, but kept your smile in place easily. “It’s obvious you want this to be a date. I don’t mind but,” you reached out and laid a hand gently on top of one of his own, “I currently don’t feel the same. You may feel that way, but I don’t want you to force me into anything so suddenly. Do you think you can just keep it at this? Woo me if you must, but if I say no, can you respect that?” 

Beorn looked at you with a vulnerable expression on his face. He nodded eagerly, agreeing to that. You huffed out a laugh. “Now you’re the one looking like an eager puppy! Anyways, you didn’t answer my question. Is there baklava or not?” 

“Oh, sorry. Yes, actually there is. It’s one of my favorites, so I figured where’s the harm.” 

“Of course there’s no harm! It’s dessert! There is never, in my humble opinion, anything wrong with dessert!” 

He let out a full laugh at that, smiling widely, and you blushed slightly at the way it seemed to change his whole visage. His usually dark and intimidating features suddenly became lighter. Of course, when he noticed you staring, he blushed and averted his eyes. “What? Is there something wrong with my face?” 

You gasped, slamming your hands on the table and leaning over it slightly. “Quite the opposite actually! If you keep smiling and laughing like that I might fall for you by the end of the evening. You have a very, very pretty smile.” 

He rolled his eyes, but his lips did quirk up into another smile. “You say that about everyone.” 

“Ah, but I extra mean it with you.” 

“Oh, extra mean it, hm? Well, sorry for doubting you.” 

“Of course, you should feel sorry for doubting my magnificent compliment.” 

You tried to keep a straight face as you said this, but eventually you cracked and starting laughing. Beorn actually started to laugh right alongside you. You were happy to see him break through his serious facade. You had known that with all the pressure to succeed with the inn and tavern and taking care of you when his mother couldn’t, after the horrible winter, he had been forced into the more serious, responsible role. So, you had decided to put any feelings you had felt for him other than familial off the shelf until he had begun to actually loosen up some and enjoy life. 

It seems as though the arrival of Poseidon and the suspicions and jealousy had convinced him to take some initiative with his life. Even if the two of you didn’t work out, you would try your best to support the man you had grown up with. You snorted, noticing the few watchers behind his shoulder. He must not have been as stealthy setting this up as he thought. He wasthe man you grew up with, but he was also a pretty eyed goof who was fun to make fun of. 

At the questioning look he shot you, you gestured discretely over his shoulder. “It appears as though you goofed up if you meant this to be a private affair. We have some peepers after all.” 

His eyes slowly widened with realization and he whirled around, seeing the noticeable dyed blue and green hair of Rion and Raymond and heard the squeals of Kitty as they ducked out of view. You burst out laughing at the bright red of Beorn’s face when Rion yelled out, “If you didn’t want us to see, don’t set it up where we can! You’re like an old woman if you’re getting angry right now!” as they quickly scurried away. 

Beorn turned to look at you with a betrayed look on his face as you continued to cackle. “I-I’m sorry, but that comment! An old woman! And your face! Priceless!” 

He sighed heavily and sat back down as you started to quiet down, catching your breath from your fit of laughter. His lips quirked up slightly and his gaze softened even as he rolled his eyes. “Hey, at least they didn’t try to steal the food. Besides, I’m pretty sure they’re just trying to pass their embarrassment about their hair onto someone else. And that’s not myfault, now is it?” 

You hummed happily. “I suppose you have a point there. Anyways, let’s not place blame, as I am obviously not at fault for knowing they would do this,” his eyes narrowed at your choice of words, but you quickly continued, “So, how’s your hobby going?” 

His eyes stayed narrowed from some time, but he did take the bait. The rest of the evening passed peacefully, with him talking about his hobby, then you making a joke about it, then him replying with a dry and sarcastic comment that made you laugh, before he asked you a question of his own. And, somehow, despite the immense amount of time the two of had spent basically growing up together, you both found out a new facet to the other. For you, it was the surprising streak of a jokester, filled with dry wit and intelligent, if rather snappy, comebacks. For him, it was the level of maturity deep within you that many, including him, never really sought to find after seeing the prankster on the surface. 

By the time dessert had been long over with, you were actually just as ready as him for the next date. 

~~~~~ 

A few weeks passed in a similar fashion to before. You worked, talked with Poseidon, and ate with Beorn. The closer you felt to Beorn in a more romantic sense, the closer Poseidon seemed to get to filling in the more brotherly role left behind. He was fun to talk to, had many fantastical stories of his own, and provided a relief of sorts from the rest of your life. You remained mostly oblivious to the tensions rising between the two men. 

During one of your breaks, you had been conversing with Poseidon, telling him a joke when he cut you off by laying a hand on one of your own. You tilted your head, quiet and curious as to what he wanted to say to you. However, he opened and closed his mouth several times, but seemed to still be thinking of the words. Finally, your curiosity overcame you and you blurted out, “What is it?” 

At that, he seemed to have prepared himself to finally begin talking. “Well, I have come to know you well over these past few weeks, as I am sure you have come to know me. I think you are a wonderful person, someone I could see getting to know even more about. And... w-well, I was wondering if maybe...” 

He trailed off and shifted so as to grasp both your hands in between his. He looked at you imploringly, before starting again. “I was hoping I could have the honor of escor-“ 

He was cut off abruptly as the door opened to reveal Beorn. He looked in and noticed the position the two of you were in. He frowned, but started talking despite seeming like he wanted to do something else. “(Y/n), your break is over. You’re needed out as soon as possible.” 

“Ah! I’m sorry, I lost track of time. I’ll get right out there!” 

You quickly got up, ready to leave, but the hands still curled around yours tightened, pulling you to an abrupt stop. You glanced back to ask Poseidon to let go of your hands, but shivered at the dark look on his face. He held onto you but glared at Beorn, practically ignoring your struggles. Finally, you looked pleadingly at Beorn. He frowned further, striding forward and prying the man’s hands off of yours. You gave a quick nod of thanks, before you ducked out of the room with an uneasy look over your shoulder as you closed the door behind you. 

Once your footsteps had faded away down the hall, there was a silence that permeated the room as both men glared heavily at the other. Finally, Poseidon spoke up. “It just had to be you, didn’t it? You keep on ruining my chances.” 

Beorn growled quietly. “Well you shouldn’t get so attached. You’ll be gone soon after all. Mr. Ava should be coming in a few days to approve you to finally be well enough to leave. No idea how you are healing this fast, but the sooner the better. And I doubt you have any chances with her anyways. I’ll still be here long after you’re gone.” 

Poseidon snarled at the man he saw as an obstacle. Beorn had prevented him time and time again from finally asking the one who had saved him out for a date. A courtship could only start with consent from both sides, and if he couldn’t ask her without buffoons getting in his way, then he couldn’t get the consent to start courting her. 

“You shut up!” Poseidon growled, baring his teeth at the fool standing in his way, “If you would stop getting in my way, she would finally be mine!” 

Beorn’s eyes widened at the aggressive, injured man nearly rising out of bed, almost looking ready to rip out his throat with his teeth. He laughed at him, in spite of the undercurrent of fear racing through him. “Ha! Even if you asked, I doubt she would say she wants you! I’ve known her for most of my life and am only now getting close to her finally saying yes to me. Her saying yes to you is as unlikely as her turning me down!” 

He smiled, but tried to back up as the other man’s eyes filled with hatred, and he let out an enraged screech and lunged at him. They grappled with each other for several tense moments, Beorn trying to get the man away from him, while Poseidon tried to strangle, or at least injure, the other. The tense atmosphere was interrupted as the door slid open and Cera walked in, saw what was happening, and reacted the next moment. Within seconds, Poseidon was held in a chokehold by Cera as Beorn caught his breath and stumbled upright from the chair he was leaning against. Another few seconds passed, filled only by the sound of panting and slight growling emanating from the tense man stuck in the hold. 

Cera was the first to break the silence. “I don’t know what this was over, but Beorn, you shouldn’t have taunted this man. I’m sure that’s what you did, your tension with this guy is palpable even from the tavern. Just be lucky that I actually had a reason for coming over here, otherwise this would have become public. Beorn, you are needed in the tavern, so I suggest you go. Now.” 

He hesitated, but the glare Cera sent him got him moving. With a swiftly muttered thanks, he slipped out of the room. His footsteps faded away quickly and Poseidon was finally released from the chokehold. He sent a glare at the door and went to move towards it, but a hand on his shoulder swiftly guided him back to the bed. He growled, but complied. 

Cera once again began to talk. “I’m sorry for what that idiot did to rile you up, but your reaction is concerning. The fact you are able to move this well after so many weeks of bedrest is strange and physically impossible. I doubted you were human from the beginning, but this just proves it.” 

Poseidon let out a chuckle, even with his gaze still firmly on the door. “Of course I’m not. But I know that you aren’t human either. No mortal I know of can move that fast or restrain me when I’m actually trying to escape. And I don’t give a damn if you find my reaction concerning. As long as you stay out of my way, I won’t give you any trouble.” 

Cera narrowed her eyes at the threat, but let a smile slip across her face regardless. “Hmm, most people can’t even tell. You must be clever to have figured out my secret. But I should warn you. Try to harm my people and I will harm you.” 

Poseidon finally looked away from the door. His suddenly bright, almost glowing, aquamarine eyes met Cera’s own and she stiffened at the sight. “I could tell more from your aura when we first met at the beach, shifter. I don’t know why you are here, but trust me, merely getting me in a headlock when I am not completely healed and distracted by that fool does not mean you can come even close to stopping me. So, I’d suggest you. Stay. Out. Of my. Way.” 

He snarled at her and relished in the flinch he managed to draw from her. The shifter was strong, but was certainly no match for him. She had tried to threaten and it hadn’t worked out for her. He stopped her for a moment before she could leave completely. “Tell me why the fool was even called back in the first place, will you?” 

She paused and looked back at him warily, no longer filled with certainty in her movements. “...There’s an....incident. One of the travelers got too drunk and tried to start something with (Y/n). I was told to get Beorn to deal with it. Now if you’ll excuse me, I have to go.” 

He frowned as he watched her slink away, before he fell back into the pillows to wait for the lovely (Y/n) to return. The fact that someone had messed with her just showed she was much too good for this place. Between the fool trying to lay claim to that which didn’t belong to him, the drunken bastards thinking they could mess with her, and everyone else in this awful place, it was no wonder (Y/n) talked with him for so long. The poor dear was sending him a quiet cry for help by staying for so long. Well, it wouldn’t be long before she no longer had to deal with this awful, frankly poisonous rabble. Not long at all. Thoughts of her safe and sequestered away made him smile and finally relax after the fool’s antagonistic words.

~~~~~ 

A few minutes earlier. 

You trotted down the hall, humming happily as you reached the kitchen. A few trays with food were shoved into your hand by a harried waiter. He quickly picked up another two trays as soon as you were steady. “It’s a good thing you’re finally back from your break. It’s chaos out there! Those go to table seven, but be careful, the people there had a little too much to drink already.” 

Then he was off and pushing though the door to the noticeably louder tavern. You blinked and glanced at the trays, noting the many tankards filled with spirits that were only distributed from the kitchen, because of their dual use in cooking and as a drink, and a few large dishes filled with the day’s special. You shifted slightly, unsure if you should wait for the next poor sap to dump the trays on, but the head cook quickly berated you for standing in the way and shoved you out. You stumbled, earning a chuckle from Cera, who was currently on bar duty with another bartender at the other end of the long counter.

You gave her a slight smile, but started moving when someone jostled by you to get to the bar, causing you to nearly spill the drinks you carried with you. You slipped between tables, ducking in and out of grabbing hands, gesticulating arms, and other waiters and patrons also walking around with the ease of years as a waitress. 

Finally, you arrived at table seven, a large rounded table tucked into one of the alcoves, it was out of the way of the rabble, and offered booths as opposed to chairs and was currently filled with empty tankards and several large, drunk men. You walked up and set the trays down to begin distributing the food and drinks. Most of the men were still in enough control of themselves to only ogle at you slightly. But one man, at the end of the booth, was either less in control of himself, hadn’t been around long enough to find out all the rules, or just thought he could get away with it. When you had arrived, he had immediately tried to fondle you. The others at the table had chuckled, but didn’t do anything to back him up when you slapped his hand away. Of course, they didn’t do anything to stop him as he then began to caress your side. 

You began to get uncomfortable, especially as his hand began to slowly drift down, but you were mostly done, so you left him alone to finish your distribution to get away as fast as possible. However, just as you were finishing, you yelped as he pinched your butt. You glared, but said nothing, merely collecting the trays and aiming for the kitchen and Cera to tell them table seven had had enough to drink. But as you turned, your wrist was grabbed and your body was yanked backwards into the man’s lap. You struggled, wrinkling your nose at the strong smell of alcohol on his breath, but you were impeded by his arms. His table-mates merely chuckled again, and did nothing to stop the man from trying to fondle you. 

“Oi! Stop moving, will you girlie?” 

You saw a waiter out of the corner of your eyes hesitate as he caught sight of you from across the noisy tavern. You aimed to wave him off, to either get help or at least draw attention to your plight, not wanting to scream and disturb the other diners meals. However, the man holding you grew annoyed with your squirming and cuffed you in the side of your head. You lost focus as the pain radiated through your skull, but you saw a movement as the waiter headed urgently towards the bar. All you could feel was the man groping you. A sudden voice told you the waiter had arrived and tried to pry you out, but one of the other men quickly shoved him off. The noise in the tavern continued, surprisingly few noticing what was happening, but a few other waiters headed over to try to help, but they were also blocked by the others sitting at the table. 

All throughout this, you tried to struggle, but the pain and the forceful touches of the man distracted you. You squeezed your eyes shut, tears pricking at the corners of your eyes, as you felt one hand move purposefully down from your breasts. Suddenly, it stopped, before a familiar arm wrapped around your waist and tugged you out of the man’s hold. You clutched at Beorn’s neck as he held you protectively, relieved that he had arrived and that he had managed to save you. 

~~~~~

Beorn felt her hold on to him tightly, but glared at the man who had caused (Y/n) to have hold onto him like this. The man had pushed himself up and looked about ready to try to fight him. When he had arrived, the others at the table had taken one look at him and either backed off or made themselves completely scarce. The man, however, didn’t seem to take that into account until he was right in front of him. Beorn calmly handed the shaking woman off to Ford, one of the bulkier waiters on staff that day. Even if the pink hair did make him look slightly less intimidating. 

“What’s your problem man! I was just about to get some action when you came and...ripped her...away...” 

He trailed off, looking less angry and more fearful as he came face to chest with Beorn. Being taller than most other people did have its uses. Intimidation being one of the perks. Beorn tilted his head down and sneered at the man who backed up a few steps and gulped nervously. 

“Hey man, come on. I wasn’t being serious, I would have let her up, seriously! Come on, can’t you give me a break?” 

He narrowed his eyes at the previously confident man before he swiftly moved forward, grabbed him by the collar, and began carrying him towards the door. “I doubt you are being truthful. If nobody had come and scared the others off, you would have just kept going. Men like you are some of the ones I hate the most! You only back off if someone bigger and stronger than you forces you to!” 

He continued to drag the squirming man out the door and a little ways down the street before he heaved and tossed the man away from him. “She obviously didn’t want that, yet you decided to do it! Now get out of my sight before I decide tossing you out wasn’t enough!” 

The man scrambled to his feet, nodding hurriedly, before running away as fast as his drunken body could allow him to. Beorn scoffed, glaring a final time at the hastily retreating back before turning around and heading back through the tavern. He nodded at an oddly shaken Cera as she headed back to her post, before opening the back door to find Ford trying to comfort the shaken (Y/n). 

Ford glanced up and, when Beorn titled his head towards the door, got up and headed back inside. He paused as he drew level with him. “Be careful with her,” he muttered quietly, “She’s never had this happen to her before, so you have no idea how she’ll react.” 

Beorn pursed his lips, but patted Ford on the shoulder and headed over to the slightly curled up form of (Y/n). He knew that already, but Ford telling him that at least indicated he hadn’t done anything to further upset her. The door closed as he sat down beside the woman he had known since childhood and had loved nearly as long. She leaned into him slightly, trembling almost imperceptibly. He lifted his arm and wrapped it around her back, rubbing slow circles into her tensed shoulders. A few minutes of silence prevailed before he felt she had calmed down enough to start talking.

“How are you feeling?” Beorn asked cautiously.

She let out a slight hum, but answered. “I’m fine, I suppose. A little shaken up, but not too badly. I feel if they drink enough, people will likely try anything, after all. But, if he had managed to go any farther though, I don’t know how I would have felt. Is he gone?” 

He tightened his hold on her, pulling her flush against his side before responding. “I kicked him out. No need to worry there. I don’t know what I would have done if I got there too late. I don’t even want to think about it honestly.” 

Beorn was surprised when he felt her wrap her own arms around him. She placed her head on his upper arm, stating, “Well, you don’t have to. You got there in time after all. Now, how about I just help out Cera and you can get back to your job?” 

He smiled and agreed, getting up and guiding (Y/n) back inside, before heading back to his room to finish the paperwork he was doing before he called (y/n) away from the conversation she had been having with Poseidon. He felt he should call Mr. Ava to check on the man soon, as he was getting more bold in his intentions towards (Y/n) everyday. And if the way he had fought him was anything to go by, he was likely almost completely back to his normal state of being. The sooner he was healed though, the sooner he could leave, and then Beorn wouldn’t have to worry about the dangerous man being around (Y/n) anymore. 

But first, he was going to give her a day off and ask the girls to keep her away from Poseidon tomorrow. 

~~~~~ 

The rest of the night was spent behind the bar, assuring various staff and customers that you were fine. Of course, many were also apologizing for not seeing your plight until after it was over. But, you understood, the booth the men had chosen was off to the side and away from the general crowd. Beorn, on the other hand, had to carry the man through that crowd to kick him out. Of course more people would notice that. 

You were honestly even more exhausted than before from answering the repeated questions and apologies, so, when the tavern closed and the remaining guests filtered back to the inn or back to their houses, you stumbled back to your room and fell asleep almost as soon as your head had hit the pillow. The day after, you found out that the man had been staying at the inn, but was kicked out and basically run out of town before you were even fully awake, and that you had been given a day off. You had aimed to spend that day off talking with Poseidon, since he was bound to be released as fully healthy soon, but as soon as you opened your door, Mindy and Jenna dragged you out to town. 

In the whirlwind of clothes and food that they dragged you through, you were told that Tessa still had work, they had found out you had the day off, and well, “Everything is better with three people!” Jenna exclaimed as she thrust a few scarves into your arms to try on. 

You usually didn’t do a lot of the shopping required for the tavern, but you did end up enjoying the day spent exploring the shops and trying out new outfits. By the end of the day, which had come way sooner then you had expected it to, you were carrying several bags filled with snacks and clothes that either you, Mindy, or Jenna had taken a liking to. You parted ways with them in the hall, taking your own small handful of items with you. You stopped at the end, noticing Mr. Ava in Poseidon’s room through a crack in the door. You quickly ducked into your own rooms and dropped off your items, but when you popped back out, Mr. Ava and Beorn had walked down the hallway and out of your sight, appearing to be deep in conversation as they walked away.

Tilting your head curiously, you instead decided to check in on Poseidon, knowing you were more likely to get answers out of him than by trying to interrupt the conversation the other two men seemed to be enveloped in. You knocked out a little pattern on the door before opening it and slipping inside. You giggled when you saw him perk up as you stepped in. 

“Hello angelfish!” Poseidon exclaimed, causing you to giggle again at one of the nicknames he insisted on calling you.

“Hello Poseidon. So,” you started, sitting down in the chair beside the bed, “What’s going on? Sorry I couldn’t visit today, by the way, some of the girls decided they wanted me to go shopping with them.” 

He appeared to frown slightly at that, but he shook it off and began speaking in earnest. “Ah, so that’s why you didn’t come until now. Anyways, the doctor just left, and he told me I’m healed to the greatest capacity that he can tell! I can leave whenever I want!” 

You clapped your hands happily. “That’s great! Now you can get up and explore! Or, do you have to get used to walking again? You were in this bed for an awfully long time.” 

Poseidon smirked and let out a chuckle. “That’s no problem. I’ve been....practicing at night. So, that way, rather than wait until I was completely healed, I figured I could walk around at night for a little while to make sure I’m not stuck learning basic motor skills again.” 

You hummed in thought, tilting your head as you thought it over. “I don’t know if that’s completely safe, but I guess if it works for you.” 

You were still in thought, so you didn’t notice the change in expression on Poseidon. A malicious light appeared in his eyes and a dark smile crossed his face, but he wiped it off soon after, replacing it with a genial grin. He brought you out of your thoughts by placing his hand on one of your own where they rested in your lap. You watched as he lifted it up to his lips and kissed the back. You were flustered and felt a blush spreading across your cheeks as he pulled away and smiled at you. 

“Well, you don’t seem too convinced. How about you come with me to see me off tomorrow morning? That way, you can see me walk perfectly fine.” 

You giggled at the way he perked up slightly, waiting for your answer. “I suppose I could. But, why tomorrow? Surely you don’t have somewhere to be so soon?” 

He smirked at that, and lightly swayed your hand, still held in his own, back and forth. “I suppose I don’t really, but I would much rather it not be a big event. Those tittering old ladies from the doctors office would likely come to that. And, honestly, you’re the only one I want to come with me.” 

You blushed, embarrassed this time, but giggled as he kissed your hand one final time before he reluctantly released your hand as you got up. “Come on, surely the village hasn’t left that bad of an impression on you. But, if you insist. I’ll see you tomorrow morning then, to see you off.” 

You smiled and waved as you slipped across the hallway to your own room. Poseidon watched you leave, a sigh leaving his lips as he collapsed happily back onto the sheets. “Oh, don’t worry, angelfish. The village itself isn’t bad. It’s everyone in it that makes it horrible. I don’t see how you can possibly stand it! Not that it will matter after tomorrow. I’m sure you’ll be happy to accept my offer of courtship and then, together, we can leave this awful place behind.” 

He smirked as he heard the footsteps belonging to Beorn tread back down the hall. When the doctor had arrived, the fool had had a smug air of confidence surrounding him, which only grew as he was proclaimed healthy. Poseidon laughed to himself, knowing the fool thought he had finally won their quiet battle for the lovely’s attentions. Too bad for him. Poseidon didn’t need his injuries to win over the little scallop across the hall. And he was confident that by the end of tomorrow, he would have won the war, leaving the fool behind in misery. The thought of his rival devastated, while he kept (Y/n), safe and protected, in his arms, soothed Poseidon to sleep with a self-satisfied smile fixed firmly in place. He would need the sleep. Tomorrow was a big day after all. 

~~~~~ 

The next day dawned bright and early when you stumbled out of bed. Or, it would have, if you hadn’t been shaken awake even earlier. As you rose from bed, grumbling and groggy, the world was not highlighted in sun, but rather tinged in the grey of early, early morning. You sighed, apparently Poseidon meant morning, as in before the sun was even out. You paused, thinking it over, your sleep clogged gears slowly turning. 

You looked over and, lo and behold, there he was. Poseidon was standing upright, on strong legs, and smiling down at you with a full force smile that still reminded you of a puppy. So, of course, the first thing you said to him was, “How are you happy? It’s morning. Actually, it’s before morning. Morning is evil.” 

He laughed quietly at your disgruntled face. “Not a morning person, are you? No matter, I figured I should wake you up, considering I merely told you this morning. I’ll wait in the hallway for you to get changed.” 

Then, he was slipping out and silently closing your door behind him. You half glowered in his direction, because it was way too early for anything in your opinion, before heaving yourself out of bed. You shuffled around for a few moments as you got your clothes out, it was also way too chilly to be up and about, but you persevered. You went through a few of your other daily rituals, before you were slipping out into the hallway as well. You grumbled to yourself as you ambled down the hall, but the chuckles you heard emanating form Poseidon indicated he heard you. 

“Stupid puppy grin. Getting me out of bed before the crack of dawn. Why does that smile have to be so cute. Curse me and my weakness to that stupid, but oh so tempting, smile.” 

You blushed when you heard him chuckle, and stopped muttering. You were surprised when a heavy arm was thrown around your shoulders. Looking up, you were met with the grin and bright, amused blue green eyes of Poseidon. 

“Oh come now, your muttering was adorable. Do you really think my smile is cute?” 

You scoffed and looked away, “I guess. Just stop pointing it at me, I swear it’s actually emanating light.” 

His shoulders shook with constrained laughter as you arrived in the mostly silent kitchen. There was some sound emerging from the pantry, so you supposed it was the head chef, gathering items for breakfast. You quickly snatched up a few loaves of bread and dried meats before ushering Poseidon out the back door and around into the quiet and still road. The shop keeps would likely be out in another hour or so, a few farmers would probably be waking up even sooner. You headed up the hill to where you had had a conversation with Cassandra a couple weeks ago and settled on top of the wall. You patted the spot next to you. 

“Come on, this place has the best view. We can eat here and then see you off.” 

Poseidon smiled and hefted himself up and over so he was sitting beside you. You handed him half the food you had managed to swipe, before settling down and looking out across the forest. It was peaceful, just being able to sit and eat. Of course, by the time you were finished, Poseidon had managed to eat his own portion and was waiting for you to finish. You turned, ready to get up, but he swiftly reached over and grabbed you around the waist. He then lifted you up and spun around a few times. You giggled and had to put your hands on his shoulders to steady yourself as he slowly lowered you to the ground. You smiled up at him, before walking back down the hill. He smiled after you, his gaze soft and love struck on your retreating form. 

You skipped down the last stretch of the hill and turned towards the entrance of the village. Before you could go far, an arm hooked around your middle and pulled you in the opposite direction, towards the beach. You were confused, but let him lead you through the trees, towards the currently mist enshrouded beach. You figured he had gotten someone to build him a boat or something, but as you were pulled between the rocks you visited and explored on and off, you quickly found out you were mistaken. As soon as you broke free from the rocks and a glimpse at the stretch of the ocean, covered by the mist, but clearly heard, revealed no shape in or around its waters to suggest a boat of any kind. 

You grew uneasy, slowing down slightly. However, the hand that had moved from your waist to your wrist tugged you forward insistently. You glanced up, seeing a determined look on Poseidon’s face, even as he kept walking forward. You stumbled as he picked up his pace, soon striding into the water itself. You struggled as he didn’t seem intent on stopping anytime soon, eventually wrenching yourself out of his grip as the water began to creep up around your thighs. You swiftly half waded, half stumbled backward out of the water. Your breathing was shaky as you shivered slightly, your legs now cold as the cool air kissed at your wet calves. You stared at the man who seemed about ready to drown the both of you as he glared slightly back at you. He took a step towards you and you scrambled several more steps away. 

“Woah, woah, woah! I don’t think so! I agreed to see you off on your way, not off to your death! And I certainly have no intention of drowning with you!” 

You panted slightly from your outburst, as he cocked his head with a confused look on his face. You grew wary, and stepped back several more paces, as a look of understanding dawned on his face and he began to laugh and stepped forward onto dry land.

“Drown? Heh, no, no, it’s quite the opposite actually, lovely. I have no intention of dying, nor do I ever intend on letting it happen to you. My home is below the waves, is all. Now, come on, don’t leave me waiting.” 

He stretched his arm out for you to take. You ignored it though, and backed up again. What he said and his sudden ability to walk despite weeks of bedrest suddenly made sense. 

“You’re an ocean spirit, aren’t you?” 

Poseidon frowned when you ignored his hand, and instead chose to retreat, so he slowly pursued. 

“No, not quite, little star. I’m a god. A god of the oceans. Of course, it doesn’t mean I’m impenetrable. I can still get hurt after all. Honestly, even if you hadn’t found me, I still would have healed, just not as fast. But you did find me. When you came it was like everything became brighter. You were beautiful. I fell in love with you.” 

You retreated farther, even as he stepped closer. A god was powerful. But this one was deluded. And you got the sense that made it even worse. 

“You don’t love me! You’re in love with the idea of me! If someone else had saved you, you’d probably be in love with them!” 

“Maybe at first, but I got to know you and I did fall in love with you! Please, stop saying such hurtful, untrue words, angelfish! I love you, I love you, I love you! And I’ll keep on loving you!” 

You yelped, ducking out of the way as he lunged at you. You scrabbled up one of the rocks, shaking off any hold he tried to land on your ankles. You panted, cautiously eyeing the god pacing around the rock. 

“Come on, lovely,” he called up to you, “Come back down! I’d hate to have to force you! You were the one who agreed to come with me in the first place.” 

You furrowed your brows as you held on to the top of the spire. 

“What do you mean? I agreed to see you off, but I didn’t agree to come with you.” 

You heard a growl and gulped as the sea suddenly started showing choppy waves. Apparently that was the wrong thing to say. You tried to think of what to say that would calm the man down. 

“Look, I’m sure you’re a lovely god, outside of this whole...thing. I’d love to go with you, maybe for a visit, maybe if this whole thing had played out differently, but not long term. My home is here, everyone I care for is here, and I can’t just abandon them.”

You got quieter near the end as you noticed the water calming down. You glanced over the edge of the rock you hung on to, and saw that Poseidon appeared to have stopped moving. You licked your lips, and cautiously hopped down, on the opposite side of where he was standing. When he didn’t immediately try to grab you, you worked up the nerve to glance around the side. When you deemed him shocked you backed up, slowly at first, before picking up speed, swiftly bounding through the woods. 

“I’m sorry! But whatever this is, isn’t what I’m really looking for! Please, just leave me alone! But, I do hope you get home safely!” 

With that said, you bounded out of sight, leaving behind a slowly grinning god. 

Poseidon chuckled, staring straight ahead. 

“She thinks I’m lovely. She wants to go with me,” he chuckled more, his eyes twitching and narrowing, before his smile shifted into a scowl, “But those bastards. That village full of them. She feels as though they should matter to her. Well, don’t worry lovely, I’ll make sure they can’t keep you away for much longer.” 

His breathing picked up as he became excited at the thought of you finally in his arms. He swiftly turned around and strode confidently into the waves. The waters remained tranquil for another day, but at the same time the next morning, they grew tumultuous as several hulking beasts emerged and lumbered through the trees and a storm began to form on the backdrop of broken shards of rocks and torn apart trees. 

~~~~~ 

You raced through the trees, looking over your shoulder every so often to make sure Poseidon didn’t choose to follow you. You burst through the last few bushes and raced down the street, passing by surprised looking shopkeepers, before turning abruptly toward the back of the tavern. When you arrived, you slammed the door shut behind you, startling several cooks. They stopped and stared for several minutes before the head chef yelled at them to get back to work. You heaved for breath, waving off the concerned glances, before walking as fast as you could down the hallway to the first person that had come to mind for comfort. 

You swiftly opened the door and shut it behind you. Beorn looked at you, startled and half dressed. He looked over for a moment before cautiously asking if you were alright. At that, you burst into tears and barreled into his chest, blubbering and explaining what had happened through the heaves for breath and sobs that exited your mouth. He stilled from his half hearted attempts at first to remove you and wrapped his arms firmly around your back, clutching you protectively to his chest. Eventually, he picked you up to sit down on his bed and cradled you in his lap, murmuring soothing words to calm you down. 

“It’s going to be alright. I’ve got you, he isn’t here, everything will be fine. I’m sure if he really is who he says he is, he’s already forgotten about you. Don’t worry (Y/n), I’ll keep you safe.” 

You slowly settled down, sniffling slightly. As you calmed down, he tucked you into his bed, stating he would be back as soon as he could. You whimpered slightly as he left, but slowly relaxed as time passed and nothing else happened. Soon enough, you got restless and ambled over to the bookshelf in his room. A few hours passed as you steadily read your way through the book you chose, before the door opened and Beorn slipped back inside. 

You looked up at him, with the unspoken question of what happened, present in your eyes. He settled himself down next to where you were perched on the bed before answering. 

“Well, there’s no sign of him at the beach, and the waters are calm. And your footprints were the only ones we found leading away from the beach. It seems he’s gone.” 

You wilted with relief into his side. You felt a few stress filled tears slip silently out of your eyes as Beorn settled you back amongst the sheets of the bed. 

“It seems this week is just one stress after the other, huh (Y/n)? You can stay here for now, but if you’re up to it, do you think you can work a shift tonight?” 

You nodded slightly, feeling better now that you have been given confirmation that he wasn’t still there at the beach. Beorn sighed, patting you slightly on the head, before getting on to his own work. You stayed there in peaceful silence, eating lunch with him, before heading off to your shift, getting some minor teasing from Mindy, for staying in Beorn’s room, as you passed her in the hall. Working your shift, it seemed most of the town had already found out what had happened, since everyone was slightly uneasy, but offering heartfelt offers of protection to you. You waved most of it off, not wanting to really be reminded of the incident. By the time you were back in Beorn’s room, stating you felt more at ease if you could stay with him for the night, you were as exhausted as you were two nights ago. You managed to drift off, curled up to Beorn’s warmth, even if he was still stiff and uncertain. He just didn’t know how to handle it yet. It was actually rather cute, how embarrassed and awkward he was about it. It cheered you up, even as the events of the day finally drained you completely. 

~~~~~ 

Heavy thumps resounded at the edges of your consciousness. You shifted slightly, curling more into Beorn’s side, who had, by now, wrapped his arms around you and drew you closer during his sleep. You almost drifted off back to sleep, but the thumping continued, getting louder and louder. Your eyebrows furrowed. Beorn started to shift himself. Suddenly, a huge rumble of thunder and a crack that sounded like a tree being knocked over ripped through the sleepy haze and startled you awake. 

You nearly fell out of bed, but Beorn managed to keep a hold of you, even as he was also suddenly pulled out of sleep. You were both wide awake and panting, as suddenly, drop by drop, rain began to fall on the roof, picking up in numbers as it then began to pound furiously against the roof. The thumping continued, and the sound of trees being knocked over continued, eventually splitting up until it felt like that sound surrounded you on all sides, just as much as the rain did. You glanced at each other for a moment, before racing to pull off the covers, you running to your own room to pull on some suitable clothes, then rushing down the hall, to join the crowd of other workers already standing under the front entrance. 

Looking outside, the rain blocked most visibility, but giant shapes suddenly loomed into view as thunder rumbled and lightning raced across the sky. A few cries resounded as it highlighted giant creatures, draped in what looked like seaweed, with either craggy rocks or glittering, but sharp, coral making up the majority of their bodies. Glowing red and blue eyes looked over the village, seeming to be unimpeded by the lashing rain pounding into the ground. You shook, fearing the worst, knowing where these monsters came from. 

There appeared to be at least five monsters, slowly making their way around the perimeter of the village. A few people braved the deluge to race between houses to check on their neighbors. You slowly backed into the tavern, unnoticed by everyone else, all of who may were too busy gaping at the creatures or braving the storm to check on their families to notice you stumbling to the kitchen to look out the other way. More rain and monsters greeted your sight. You trembled, close to tears, and just about ready to run back inside before you were swiftly yanked out as a tight hold suddenly grabbed onto your wrist.

You tried to scream for help, but a bruising kiss muffled any sound that tried to exit your mouth. Squinting against the rain, you were met with familiar glowing aquamarine eyes boring into you. Your eyes widened and you struggled to escape the hold Poseidon had on you, but he merely pulled you closer, the hand holding your wrist wrapping around your back to pull you flush against his front, the other hand on the back of your head, tilting your head as his tongue swiped across your lips, asking for entrance. 

You refused, continuing to struggle against him as he continued insistently, prying open the seam of your lips. You could feel tears welling up as your struggles slowed as the rain continued to beat down, plastering your clothes to your body, and allowing a deep chill to begin to settle in your bones. The tears began to slip down your face, swiftly lost in the rain, as he began to slowly retreat, nearly dragging you along, still attempting to delve deep into your mouth. You nearly gave up hope, before you felt arms wrap around you and pry you from the god’s arms. 

You trembled, as you heard Poseidon snarl wordlessly as you were ripped from his grasp. He tried to snatch you back mindlessly, not even thinking about the ones who saved you, before he was met with a swift punch to the jaw. You were pulled protectively into the arms of Cera, before being bundled back to the door, where Cassandra held on to you as Beorn confronted the god who tried to take you. 

“I should have known this was all your fault,” Beorn snarled, “I’ll admit, it felt good to finally give you the punch you deserved, but you’d better leave, now.” 

Poseidon chuckled, shoulders shaking, before he began to devolve into maniacal laughter. 

“You’re a fool! I’m not leaving until my angelfish is back in my arms! I’ll admit, I was planning on simply waiting for her to come to me, but then she was at the back door, by herself and staring outside so sweetly... I couldn’t resist myself. Oh lovely, won’t you come over here? Back into my arms?” 

He directed the last part at you, imploringly beckoning you over to him. You shivered, pressing yourself further into Cassandra’s warmth as Cera and Beorn bristled with agitation and fully blocked you from his sight. You heard him growl, before another thundering boom rang out and the rain, somehow, picked up in speed. 

“Fine then. Keep her for now. But I swear, I won’t leave and neither will any of you until she is back in my arms!” 

A blinding flash of lightning and near deafening boom of thunder, and Poseidon had vanished. You cried, scared and horrified that he hadn’t simply left you alone when you asked him to. You soon found out Cassandra had been the one to mention you were gone, having braved the storm to check on you, leading to Beorn and Cera to rush to the back, to find you being held and nearly carried away. You tried to apologize multiple times for this, but they assured you the blame rested completely on Poseidon. 

You remained shivering for a long time, even bundled up and set in front of the fire when it had finally been coaxed to life. Any villagers or travelers who arrived, stayed in much the same position as you. You remained inside, even as the day drew to a close and most of them trickled out through the tempest raging beyond the doors. The real trouble began the next day. Several travelers and farmers were injured trying to leave the perimeters of the village. They had been batted back into the streets by the monsters. 

You gulped, Poseidon’s words from yesterday echoing in your head. Nobody would be able to leave. That’s the purpose for those creatures. You mentioned this to Beorn, whose face grew grim. Without any access to the outside, the travelers would be stuck here indefinitely, the farmers would be unable to tend to any of their crops or livestock, and it meant no chance of running for help. 

The only chance would be to try to survive off any gardens, livestock, and supplies already in the village. The next few days were a scramble to salvage the gardens, cover what could be covered, and keep all food accounted for. You wanted to help as best as you could, so you were stuck grappling with a tarp with the twins to cover the garden at the back of the tavern. While you were cautious because you had nearly been abducted there, you felt safe with the twins there to keep watch for the god. 

When you had finally managed to wrestle the tarp onto the stands that were set up, finishing the patchwork covering, a sigh of relief resounded from all three of you from above the sound of the pounding rain and rumbles of thunder. You giggled, joining in on the laughter the twins were emitting. They began to head in, with you aiming to follow swiftly behind. A whisper of your name caused you to slow, but you ignored it as best as you could and hurried inside. 

~~~~~ 

The storms became worse and more people were injured as a result of attempting to leave. Unrest began to spread, many villagers settling in for the long run, but a few farmers were uneasy and worried about their crops and animals. The travelers were restless, wanting to leave, and, not learning from experience, they continued to attempt to leave, many becoming injured in the process. 

You attempted to bunk down as far away from the storm as you could get. Whispers from Poseidon continued to reach your ears, crooning out the little nicknames he gave you and pleas for you to leave behind the village and come into his arms. They were nearly constant, getting louder if you were near Beorn or Cera, keeping you up at night. You tried to hide it from everyone, but the soothing tea Cassandra kept offering you indicated she knew. You were glad she hadn’t told anyone else, you didn’t want to worry anyone, but you figured if this kept up, you might not be able to hide it anymore. 

The worst part was, the closer you were to the storm, the quieter the sound. This lead to the day you volunteered to collect the vegetables from the garden out back. It was a one person job and the storm would surround you on all sides, but you managed to convince Beorn to allow you to do it. 

You sighed, even with the pouring rain, the whispers were finally gone for now. As you began to collect, you tried your best to ignore the sudden increase in sound as the tarp was lifted, before it dropped back down. You knew what was coming, but you tried to stand your ground as best as you could, squaring your shoulders and ignoring the hands that began to caress your sides and the lips that pressed themselves gently on your neck. You finished your collection on one section, and moved to another. The hands followed, soon wrapping around your stomach. It became harder to not tremble as you felt a chest slowly and firmly press up against your back, and the lips trail up your neck before being replaced by a chin resting on the top of your head. As you finally finished, you tried to shrug off the arms entwined around your body, but let out a wheeze as they squeezed your body in warning. You couldn’t stop your trembles at this point as Poseidon began to sway you back and forth, humming slightly, as you heard a sudden thump and shouts ringing out in the distance, likely the travelers trying to leave again, before he finally broke the silence. 

“Oh (Y/n), why won’t you just give in? I’m waiting patiently for you, but I fear you are being kept away from me by the fool and the shifter. That one sun blessed lady seems to have a good head on her shoulders though. Oh well, I’m sure you’ll be convinced to come to me soon enough.” 

With that ominous statement, he departed with a final kiss placed on the side of your neck. You shivered, unsure of what to do next, other than to take in your haul. As you stepped out, and back across, you grew worried as the whispers didn’t return. As you handed off the vegetables, you headed into the tavern, where a hubbub was gathered. You grew concerned as people parted in front of you, with saddened looks on their faces as you drew near the center. As you reached the middle, you stopped, seeing with clarity what the problem was and what Poseidon had meant by his ominous parting statement. 

You shook your head, tears filling your eyes as you were forced to behold the heavily injured body of Beorn. 

~~~~~ 

Mr. Ava had been brought soon after you saw what had happened. You were in tears, nearly unconsolable as you clutched onto Beorn’s hand. Apparently, he had tried to stop some of the more foolhardy travelers from attempting another run at the monsters, when the one closest had lashed out. One of the travelers had ended up catching the brunt of the attack. He ended up being one of the other men at the table about two weeks ago. He was also dead, with a neck at an angle it shouldn’t be at and at least two limbs mashed into an unrecognizable shape. Another ended up crashing into a table and currently had a huge piece of wood speared through his upper thigh. A few others had also been caught, but only suffered a few bruises and broken bones. Beorn had been right behind the dead traveler. He barely survived, with a dislocated shoulder, multiple fractures in his legs, and several gashes carved into his sides. He looked eerily reminiscent of the injures Poseidon had suffered when you had first found him. 

Eventually, you were escorted away from the scene, and left in your room to calm down, with assurances that Beorn would heal. But you knew what this meant. The travelers hadn’t been able to actually start trying. The monster had lashed out directly and purposefully at Beorn. It was a warning. 

You sniffled, finally staggering to your feet. When you went to open the door, Cassandra met you there. You faltered, but she merely sighed and began to escort you out the back. 

“I wish it hadn’t come to this. If you had listened to my first warning, maybe it wouldn’t have. But it’s too late for what ifs. Head to the beach (Y/n). I....I wish I could assure you that everything will be fine, but I can’t. Just try to stay safe.” 

“W-Wait,” you exclaimed, quickly grabbing her arm, “Tell him...t-tell him... I love him.” 

You sniffled, looking pleadingly at her. A look of heartbreak and acceptance briefly crossed Cassandra’s face. 

“I will,” she promised, leaning in slightly.

Then she was gone, leaving a slight pressure remaining on your lips as she quietly closed the door behind herself. You teared up, but took off through the streets, nearly slipping several times as you lost traction on the wet cobblestones. But soon, you were reaching the end of the village, passing between two giants, one was coral with red eyes, the other was rock with blue eyes. They made no movement to stop you, just watched silently as you raced between them and slipped into the woods. 

The trees you ran through were devastated by the wake of the giants when they first emerged. This meant you not only had pouring rain lashing at your back, rolling down your already soaked clothes to drip down to the forest floor, but you also had the fallen trunks of trees to avoid or leap over. The tears slipping down your face mixed with the rain as soon as they exited your eyes, but still managed to blind you more than the rain ever could. It was a miracle you managed to reach the beach without seriously injuring yourself. 

You stopped short as you arrived, seeing mere fragments of rocks where there once was tall spires carved with etchings of a long forgotten language reaching high into the sky. This made you even more upset for some reason. You gazed off, seeing the figure of Poseidon facing away from you. You hesitated, but, seeing as he wouldn’t stop until you were with him, cautiously made your way over to his side. 

You paused as he merely stood there, looking out across the water with a glare. His jaw clenched slightly, before he spoke. “I really hate that fool. He somehow managed to avoid the killing blow thanks to that idiot. And, of course, the old codger got there in time. I suppose I’m more upset by the sun blessed woman now. She may have guided you out, but as for that kiss, I don’t think I can forgive. Hell, if the fool or the shifter did the same, I don’t know what I would do.”

You flinched at the bloodlust that he exuded, feeling the sudden need to get even farther away from the man than you had wanted to before. You shifted in place, contemplating your options, but he swiftly decided for you, as the aura dissipated, he visibly relaxed, and he turned towards you to wrap you in his arms and tug you closer to him. You squirmed slightly, but knowing the lives that hung in the balance, you went limp as soon as he leaned down for a kiss. He kissed you deeply, you pliantly parting your lips as he asked for entrance this time. You whimpered slightly, and only did the bare minimum to reciprocate, while he took full advantage of your compliance to eagerly explore your mouth. By the time he was done, you were gasping for breath, a faint string of saliva connecting your mouths as he reluctantly pulled away. When he caught his breath, he kissed you several more times, before beginning to walk into the ocean as he murmured to you. 

“Oh, my sweet little star. I knew you would come to me eventually. Those fools tried to mess with your mind, poisoning you into thinking your love for me wasn’t important. I knew a little coercing would convince you otherwise though.”

Knowing the god currently rambling into your ear had no problems threatening an entire village with death to get what he wanted, you felt there had been little choice in the matter in your own viable options. It seemed to come down to give yourself over to the deluded god and save the lives of many innocents, or stay with them and risk having them all die until he either gives up or drags you away kicking and screaming. 

You shifted in his grip as the two of you slowly sunk into the water, a bubble beginning to form around you. You glanced over your shoulder to see the sun finally beginning to break free from the clouds and the monsters begin to turn towards the ocean and slowly lumber back to the waves. You shivered as the water fully enclosed over your heads, a large bubble of air now surrounding the two of you, at which point you finally tuned back into his words after absently noting it seemed to have its own form of gravity as you were currently floating in the middle.

“I don’t really need this bubble of course, but since you are still mortal, and liable to drowning, at least until I figure that tricky little problem out, the bubble shall be the way to go. Don’t worry, I’ll make it so you can still explore! I’d hate for my little scallop to be bored and stuck in one place.” 

He nuzzled into you, scooping you up into his lap as you bobbed in place, the bubble picking up speed, and the ocean turning into a blur of color so as you passed exotic looking plant and animal life in the slightly murky water. You were drawn in by the colors, staring at what you could as the bubble picked up speed. You winced as Poseidon went from nuzzling your neck to sinking his teeth into a particularly sensitive patch of skin on your neck. He peered up at you apologetically, but that didn’t stop him from sinking his teeth into the other side of your neck as well. You whimpered, trying to draw yourself away from the source of the pain, but he was persistent. He kept you still, pinning your arms by holding your wrists together in one hand, while keeping you still by boxing you in his lap with his legs and other arm. Several minutes passed, and by the end of it, not only was your neck in the process of being covered with some large bruises, but your lips were slightly swollen from being kissed passionately. He had then proceeded to pepper kisses on your cheek and over the forming bruises as a wordless apology before he gave you his excuse. 

“My apologies, lovely. But until I can fully make you mine, these will do to ward off any who try to come for you,” he pouted slightly at the teary eyed look you gave him, “Don’t worry, angelfish. We’ll be home soon.” 

He resumed nuzzling your neck, humming with delight. You sighed, looking out at the blur of colors with less awe then before as you contemplated how your life was changing in a way you wouldn’t have thought possible about a month ago. You regretted not listening to Cassandra’s warning earlier. As if hearing your thoughts and disapproving of them, Poseidon nudged at your neck a little harder, drawing your attention back to him. Well, looking on the bright side, you’d probably be able to breathe underwater soon. As he let go of your wrists to hug you, and you raised your arms to lay them on his back to hopefully appease the god with at least a facsimile of a hug, you closed your eyes to the blurred colors outside the quiet bubble you were being kept in, and kept trying to look on the bright side. It was all you could really do at the moment.

Kudos to to anyone who knows what myth Cassandra is based off of. 

Baklava is a rich, sweet dessert pastry made of layers of filo filled with chopped nuts and sweetened and held together with syrup or honey. It is characteristic of the cuisines of the Levant and the broader Middle East, along with Greece, the South Caucasus, Balkans, Maghreb, and Central Asia. 

#yandere #yandere gods #yandere mythology #yandere x reader #long fic #yandere Poseidon

[carnivorousyandeere]

Welcome to the Cliffside Inn; Kurtis Intro

Okay I can already tell that the poll is going to end with people wanting the beach babes so here is an intro for the resort itself as well as an intro for the most outgoing mer so far~

(Can’t decide if he should be octopus, jellyfish, or seahorse though 🤔)(Edit: jellyfish!)

A magnificent coastal resort, that had indeed started as a small inn, was renovated and expanded in the 1920’s and became a hit with stars and starlets of the age. Over the years, the new money crowds lost interest, but old money families still vacation there enough that the place can maintain its vintage decor and unique ambiance.

On a whim, you’d entered a contest for a free trip there. Never in a million years did you think you’d win— but you did. Now here you were, feeling like a fish out of water amongst the rich folk in the lobby, carrying your own threadbare luggage while valets and attendants trailed behind them, carrying luggage more expensive than a new car.

Seeing your distress, a young man waded from behind the front desk and through the crowd to you.

“Hey, you~! You must be one of our lucky new guests?”

You nodded tentatively, taking in his fuschia hair and the bellhop outfit he was wearing. You hadn’t seen any of the other workers with brightly colored hair and pierced ears, and he certainly seemed more relaxed then they were. Then again, the dyed hair could be a good sign that he’s just chill. Maybe there is no dress code policy here…?

He hummed happily. “It’s a pleasure to meet you! I’m the son of the owner of this fine establishment. Might I help you with your bags?”

Of course. Those earrings did look expensive. You smiled politely, “No, thank you. I’ll be fine as soon as I get my room key.”

He pursed his lips, grabbing one of your bags and slinging it over his shoulder before you could protest. “Awww, come on, let me be a gentleman? It’ll make me look bad, letting a cute thing like you struggle up the stairs with all these.”

“What about the elevators?”

“Broken,” he sighed, looking mournfully across the lobby towards the elevators.

You watched as the door opened and people got off the elevator, then more people got in. You looked back at him, and he just shrugged, grinning. You were regretting entering that contest more and more.

He helped you up the stairs, and led you to your room, opening the curtains to show off the view and taking a minute to dramatically fluff your pillows for you. The man walked over to the door, and bowed with a wink, before leaving.

You were about to breathe a sigh of relief, but the door didn’t click shut— he poked his head in one more time. “Oh, I don’t think I got your name.”

You furrowed your brow but told him. How had he known your room number but not your name? “What’s yours?”

His thick eyebrows, also fuschia, shot up towards his hairline. “My apologies, valued guest! My name is—”

“Kurtis!” A tinny voice came through his earpiece loud enough that you could hear it across the room.

Kurtis winced. “Yes, Mom?”

More tinny noise, but not loud enough for you to make out more of the words. “Yes, I’ll be right there.”

He looked back up at you, eyes apologetic and smile tight. “Sorry about that. Duty calls! Please do give us a ring if you need anything, though~!”

And with that, he was gone. Now you could breathe more easily. What an overwhelming guy…

You sat back on the bed, feeling the expensive sheets under you. You almost felt bad even touching something so expensive… almost.

The air was surprisingly cold and dry for a building so close to a warm beach, especially a building as old as this one. Although you supposed they did have enough money to install a new AC system every year if they really wanted to. The decor was mostly in white and pastels, with shell-shaped sconces on the walls and even a small chandelier hanging from the ceiling.

You shivered, stress from the drive here and your arrival bleeding into an overwhelming exhaustion. You pulled the throw blanket from the end of the bed over yourself, and fell asleep.

#beachside resort #cliffside inn #oc Kurtis #my thoughts #yandere #yandere oc #yandere imagines #yandere scenarios #yandere x darling #yandere x reader #yandere x you #yandere cw

[mimisempai]

It's just a risk to take - 1/2

Square and prompt : D3-Accidental Marriage @dreamlingbingo

Daily Prompt : Mystery

Summary

Hob wakes up with a hangover in a hotel room.

First observation: he is not naked. Second observation: he is not alone. Third observation: he doesn't remember anything he did the night before.

But why is he wearing a wedding ring?

Sometimes everything is not as it seems...

Add tags : Getting together - Accidental Marriage

No Archive Warnings Apply

On Ao3

Rating G - 2857 words (1st chapter)

The first thing Hob was aware of when he woke up was the sensation that his head was being screwed up by a drill and his stomach was yo-yoing.

He could feel that it was daylight but didn't dare to open his eyes right away, fearing that it would make his headache worse.

He tried to collect his thoughts but couldn't remember at all what had happened the night before.

At first impression he was not naked and even seemed to be still wearing his clothes from the day before. 

Well, he could still remember that Matthew, Johanna, Dream and he had come to spend a weekend with friends in a luxury hotel, The New Inn, to celebrate the success of his PhD in history. 

But what had happened between last night and this morning?

Finally, deciding to brave the light, Hob slowly opened his eyes, letting them gradually adjust. At this point, he was pretty sure he was in his hotel room. Then he carefully slid to the top of the bed and sat as carefully against the headboard.

It was then that he realized he was not alone in the bed. His heartbeat accelerating slightly, he turned very slowly so as not to aggravate his headache. At first, all he saw was a figure wrapped in the white sheet. He hoped for a brief moment that it was Matthew. After all, it wouldn't be the first time he had spent the night with his best friend. However, the disheveled tuft of hair coming out from under the sheet quickly proved him wrong. It could only belong to one person.

Dream.

What the hell had happened last night?

That's when his stomach chose to rebel, preventing him from continuing to assess the situation and forcing him to run to the bathroom. 

A few minutes later, as he refreshed his face and ideas with splashes of water, Hob thought about the situation.

Dream, in his bed.

He had spent the night with Dream.

Dream and him.

In the same bed.

His forbidden dream.

Talk about a twist of fate.

Of course he had often thought about it. Dream was everything a man could dream of. Although he came across as cold and arrogant at first, once you broke through the shell and he felt confident, Dream was deeply kind, his dry humor was hilarious, and he was full of wit. Not to mention of course his physique that was to die for.

So, naturally Hob had developed deeper feelings for Dream but he had always refused to give in to them. 

Hob had no family and counted his friends on the fingers of one hand so the thought of risking his precious friendship with Dream for something that probably wouldn't last had kept him from crossing the line. He was too used to relationships being cut short because people inevitably left him. That’s why he wasn't going to risk losing Dream that way, and he'd locked his feelings away deep in his heart to never think about them again.

Until today.

Closing his eyes, he tried to remember what had happened the night before and especially why Dream was in his bed. Some fragments came back to him, like flashes, but nothing that would enable him to recreate the evening. 

Staggering a little, he came out of the bathroom and could see that Dream hadn't changed his position and seemed to be sleeping as deeply as before.

Feeling his heart pounding in his head, he thought he should find something to ease his headache first so he could think straight. He looked around the hotel room and found his bag, thinking that with a little luck he would have something to ease his pain. He rummaged through all the pockets and of course it was in the last one that he found a half-full blister of Advil.

He took a pill and went back to the bathroom to swallow it with a sip of water. On his way back to the room he heard his phone vibrate. He hurriedly grabbed it, glancing at the bed to check that the noise hadn't woken Dream before turning on the screen to see that he had several notifications.

Matthew

Hob, mate, is everything alright?

Sent 11:00 pm

Matthew

No response? 

How many drinks did you have? 

Sent 11:15 pm

Matthew

I'm starting to get worried. 

Call me as soon as you get this message!

Sent 11:30 pm

Johanna

So boys, are you having a good time? 

How is the wedding night going ? 😏

Sent 01:30 am

Johanna

Matthew doesn't believe me, 

you better come to breakfast 

before he comes busting 

down your bedroom door!

Sent 9:30 am

Matthew

Tell me Johanna is kidding!

Sent 9:35 pm

Hob read each of the messages with growing confusion and only understood their meaning when he opened Johanna's last message, which included a single photo that made him gasp in shock.

He and Dream were holding hands, big smiles on their lips in front of what seemed to be the altar in some kind of chapel. The banner above their heads left no doubt as to what had just happened.

Congratulations on your wedding!

Without thinking, Hob stood up, grabbed his jacket and bag and ran out of the room without looking back.

He wasn't the type to flee from problems and had always faced them head on, but here, to discover that he had married one of his best friends, the object of his fantasies, and not remember it at all, was too much to face with a hangover on top of it.

Once in the hallway, he leaned against the wall and, short of breath, dialed the number of the only person who could help him.

"Matthew?"

"Hob damn it! Where are you?"

Hob breathed out in relief as his friend's voice continued, "What happened?"

If only he knew.  However, sensing the concern in his friend's voice, Hob simply replied, "It's too long to tell you over the phone. Where are you?"

"We're at the breakfast table in the dining room on the ground floor."

"We?"

"Me and Johanna."

Crap! He had forgotten about Johanna. He loved her, but he really didn't need her sarcasm at the moment. He asked Matthew, "Is it okay to see you alone?"

Matthew probably told Johanna something because Hob could hear whispers but couldn't make out the words. Matthew spoke again, "We'll meet at my room door, it's 0607 on the sixth floor."

"Yeah, that I remember," Hob muttered.

"Great. See you in a bit."

Hob put his phone in his pocket and headed for the elevator. When he reached the hallway where his friend's room was, he saw that Matthew was waiting for him at the door. He quickened his pace to join him and once in front of him, he said, "Matt, I think I screwed up." 

Matthew merely looked at him and nodded before replying in a cryptic tone, "time will tell."

The two friends silently entered Matthew's room and once inside, still in silence, they sat for a few moments still without a word. Then Hob, now that he was settled, realized his state. He was wearing his clothes from the previous day and probably smelled of alcohol, if not of something worse.

A little embarrassed, he said weakly, "Before we start Matt, I... can I take a shower...? I feel worse than shit."

Matthew nodded gently and told him, "Go ahead. And if, as I think, you haven't had anything yet, I'll have some coffee brought up."

Hob exclaimed, "You're the best!" before heading to the bathroom. With a disgusted look on his face, he tossed his clothes into a corner and after adjusting the temperature of the water, he slipped under the steaming stream with delight. The hot water felt like it not only washed away the previous night's grime, but also dissipated the remnants of his hangover.

He heard the bathroom door open and Matthew said softly, "I'll put some clean clothes for you on the sink."

Hob thanked him and finished showering.

Once dry, as he pulled on the jeans and clean T-shirt Matthew had brought him, he tried again to remember the evening before. But everything was still so blurry.

He remembered the evening in the hotel bar. They had gone there after a delicious meal at the restaurant and were having the kind of evening they liked, having fun, arguing and bickering over a drink. Learning that there was a pool room, Johanna and Matthew had challenged each other to a game while Hob and Dream had stayed at the bar chatting and joking happily.

He remembered Dream's sweet smile and the flash of mischief in his eyes as he tried to change Hob’s mind about Shakespeare knowing full well that Hob didn't like the writer. He remembered Dream's laughter when Hob had promised that they would go to a play together.

He remembered the heat in the bar that drove him to consume gin and tonic after gin and tonic, not realizing the devastating effect of the alcoholic drink. After the third one everything became very foggy in his head. 

He had another flash of Dream's hand on his and reflexively raised it to look at it. 

He gasped when he realized it had a ring on it.

A wedding ring.

He never wore rings.

He had to be sure.

After dressing hurriedly, he left the bathroom and, without paying attention to Matthew, went to his phone. He opened Johanna's latest message again and pressed the photo, zooming in on his and Dream's hands entwined.

No doubt about it.

Dream too was wearing a ring.

He murmured, "So it really happened..."

Matthew asked him in a concerned tone as he handed him a cup of coffee, "Are you okay Hob?" 

Hob grabbed the cup, went to sit on the couch and replied, running his hand over his face, "Honestly, I don't know... you... you know anything?"

Matthew shook his head, "I know what Johanna told me, along with the... picture."

Hob took a sip of coffee and sighed, "Damn! I was really hoping it was a joke, but this..." he pointed to the ring on his left hand before continuing, "and what you're telling me, confirms to me that it did happen."

"You really married Dream," Matthew stated flatly.

Hob took another sip of coffee.

"I don't know what to do Matthew..."

Matthew replied barely audibly, "...is it that bad?"

Hob, not sure he heard what his friend had just said, asked, "What?"

Matthew shook his head, "No nothing...did you get to talk to Dream?"

Hob bit his lip and replied, "No, I ran away. I'm so lame." He dropped his head into his hands as Matthew placed a hand on his shoulders and said softly, "I don't know what to tell you... I'm not in your situation. But running away Hob...can you imagine that now he's going to wake up in your room. And besides, he might not remember anything either."

Raising his head, Hob sighed once more, "Yeah, I know. Plus the four of us are going home in the same car later. I know I'm going to have to face him at some point. I just wish I could remember how we got there."

Matthew insisted, "That's why you need to go back and talk to Dream."

Hob nodded and stood up, "You're right, it's not me to run away like that."

"And yet..." retorted Matthew in a breath.

"What?" asked Hob, puzzled.

"Forget about it. Go now."

"Yes, I'll go right now, maybe I will be able to soften the blow gently."

Just as he was about to step through the elevator door, he heard Matthew's voice calling him, "Hob, wait! I just got a message from Johanna, Dream is with her in the dining room downstairs."

While he was talking, his friend joined him and they entered the elevator together. A little later he sat at the table in a slightly awkward silence until Matthew admonished Johanna, "I don't understand why you didn't stop them!"

Johanna smiled and replied wryly, "First of all they are adults and secondly, I thought they were so cute and finally when I saw them, it was already too late."

"But Johanna! They were drunk!" shouted Matthew.

Dream and Hob exchanged a look, a little annoyed that Johanna and Matthew were talking about them while they were just beside.

Obviously Dream had had enough because he interjected, "We're here, so stop arguing over nothing. Now it's done so we'll deal with it like adults. I'm sure it's not the first time this kind of thing has happened here so we'll figure it out."

Hob caught Matthew's gaze on the two of them and saw that he had the same expression he had seen on his face every time there was talk of ending this marriage. As if he disapproved.

Johanna spoke up, "As far as the law is concerned, you shouldn't have much of a problem annulling this marriage. You were drunk so technically unable to give consent that is valid in the eyes of the law." She turned to Matthew, "See, it's not so dramatic after all."

Matthew harrumphed, shook his head, then replied still with the same strange look on his face, "Okay, so we just need to get the papers and when we get back home you two can get it annulled."

Hearing Matthew say the words made it all real and Hob tried to ignore the pang of regret he felt in his heart.

He glanced over at Dream and was surprised to see that his friend was looking at him strangely before quickly looking away.

Matthew stood up and said, "Well I'll go get the papers, you get your things ready and we'll meet as planned in two hours at the car."

Hob couldn't help but find Matthew's tone particularly cold, but figured he was probably imagining things. Besides, he wasn't thinking clearly enough yet to be able to analyze all this. Johanna stood up in turn, "I'll go with him. Since I was a witness, maybe I can be helpful."

Hob and Dream looked at each other and laughed slightly at Johanna's lack of subtlety in leaving the two of them alone.

Once it was just them, Hob grabbed his cup to give himself some composure and asked Dream softly, "Are you okay?"

Dream shook his head, "I feel like a hammer is constantly hitting my brain, but otherwise I'm fine."

Hob rummaged through his bag and slipping an Advil tablet towards Dream, he replied sheepishly, "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have left like that this morning."

Dream shook his head again, "Honestly, I don't think I would have reacted any differently if I had woken up first." He bit his lip and added more coyly, "Do you know what really happened yesterday?"

Hob replied looking even more sheepish, "From the third Gin Tonic on, I don't remember anything."

Dream retorted, "Neither do I. When I try to remember, it's a black hole. I guess we'll never really know the end of the story."

Hob sighed, "I guess."

Silence fell between them, neither of them able to fill it. Hob's throat tightened because he felt like he had lost that connection he had with Dream. Unable to bear the tense silence between them, he emptied his cup of coffee in one gulp and stood up.

"Well, I'm going to my room to rest a bit and pack. See ya."

He didn't wait for Dream's response and turned to leave when he heard his friend call softly, "Hey, Hob..."

Hob immediately turned around, unable to stop that little voice whispering to him that maybe Dream didn't want to cancel the wedding.

"Yeah?"

"Is that..." Dream paused, then shook his head before continuing, "No, forget it, it's not worth it."

Hob asked, puzzled, "Are you sure?"

Dream nodded, "Yes, yes don't worry."

Hob, disappointed, turned on his heels again and left the dining room for good.

Once they returned home, a few days later, they were able to easily get the marriage annulled as Johanna had predicted.

But everything had changed.

They met again to sign the forms that would confirm the annulment. The procedure didn't take long.

Two signatures and that was it.

No more marriage.

As if nothing had happened.

Dream and Hob exchanged a few more words on the steps of the law office building. But the complicity that was theirs before all this was no more. They greeted each other in a stilted way, promising to see each other again soon, but both perfectly aware that it wouldn't be the case.

Hob watched Dream walk away for a long time, hoping he would turn around. But he never did. He couldn't stop his throat from constricting at the thought of what might have been.

But the envelope containing the cancellation papers in his hand reminded him vividly that it was too late.

So he turned around and went home.

Alone.

Chapter 2

_________

Still not beta'd

Still not my native language

Still hoping you'll enjoy this story  🥰

Still thanking you for bearing with me 😝

Masterpost here

Dreamling Masterlist here

#the sandman #the sandman netflix #dream of the endless #hob gadling #dreamling #dreamling fic #centennial husbands #centennial boyfriends #morpheus #morpheus x hob #hob x morpheus #dream x hob #hob x dream

[the-littlest-kojin]

For Shio, Conroy, Brilliant, Ava, Gologa, Statera, Omikhle, Nith, Ban, Gloyn, Odori, Khusel, Alatyr, Blooming, Alha, Cemi'tan, Cholla, R'hia, Sajati, Saldlona, Amis, Lihtbryda, Saltsong, Galdra, Arcas, Amga, Ceru, Taraine, Nehir, Reson, Kin, Orinitt, Surya, Blaidd, Thalassa, Kolokasia, Elucia, and Nahla:

Can you please describe their favorite meal, in character?

This one was a doozy.

Shio: I’d like to be able to say something from one of my travels, but I really can’t. My favourite meal is Gasame Stew, and my family cook it best. Oh - Gasame Stew is when you kill one of those big fiery shelled crabs in the Ruby Sea, and then you throw a bunch of ingredients in its shell, and the leftover heat cooks it.

Conroy:

I’d say that my favourite meal is a rice dish that Corwyn cooks sometimes. I’m… Not sure what goes into it. Fish of some kind, I think. But he’s never let me see the cookbook.

Brilliant:

I’m not sure I have a favourite meal - I love any meal had at home, with people that I love.

Ava:

It’s not much of a “Meal”, but I’m a huge fan of grapes and apples. I’ll happily skip any meal to just to eat a bunch of grapes and an apple or two.

Gologa:

…Ovim, cooked over a campfire. Seared, lightly seasoned. 

Statera:

I miss steaks from home. Proper steaks. Cooked well-done, covered in spices, soaked in sauce. 

Omikhle:

I like a nice meat pie. Chicken, mushroom, pepper, and gravy, all mixed in a nice thin pastry shell.

Nith:

A nice poultry dish, with some pasta, maybe a cream sauce. Heavy on garlic, some peppers. Served with a nice glass of juice, ideally.

Ban:

I haven’t had it for years, now - but I honestly love salted meats, packed for preservation, best. My shipmates used to mock me that I’d eat the preserved foods even when we had fresh available.

Gloyn:

Oh! I had this thing once, with white chocolate and strawberries - it was really sweet. I loved it!

Odori:

There’s this delightful sour chicken dish I love - but it’s a lot of work to cook it for myself, and I don’t really know many other people who cook it. I should cook it again sometime soon.

Khusel:

M’not really sure what food I’d call my favourite. Did have this nice roll once - think it was young karakul meat.

Alatyr:

As a rule, I love the little speciality meals that small town inns have. They all have their own charm, and I love trying them all out! But if I had to choose a favourite, there’s one place by the sea that does great chopped and fried popotoes, served with some poultry - it’s a delight.

Blooming Arrowroot:

I… I guess I eat the same meal every week - it’s just some cuts of beef and some popotoes, though. I don’t really have enough experience with other foods to know if it’s a favourite or not.

Alha: Back home in Meracydia, m’ mates and I would cook up a nice camp bread. Was really nice - kinda miss it. Camp bread, some wild herbs. Good stuff.

Cemi'tan:

I always love eating a nice thick juicy steak - rare and with garlic-mint sauce. Best found at the Quicksand! Momodi does a nice cookup.

Cholla:

The more important part of any meal is the drink - and I like the cheapest, nastiest rotgut you can imagine. With that, a nice hard heel of bread, the kind of shite you can bludgeon a blighter to death with, and some watery stew.

R'hia:

Ain’t no meal more satisfying than one of my catches, butchered up and seared nicely on a grill! Nothin’ like it, and knowing all the work - mine and others’ - that went into it makes it taste all the better!

Sajati:

Curry from Mehryde's! Nothing beats it. None of the mild slop, either - I like the real murderous stuff.

Saldlona:

There’s these thinly sliced cuts of meat I like buying - I think the merchant calls them “minute steak”. They’re really quick to cook, and they go great with some popotoes.

Amis: -Amis stares silently at the asker in disbelief for thirty seconds before closing her door in their face-

Lihtbryda:

I remember, one year - there was a party at Costa del Sol for midsummer, and they served these lovely little flavoured ice sculptures. I can’t remember what they were called, but I had four and I’ve missed them ever since.

(Saltsong and Galdra are both omitted for not needing to eat)

Acras:

My favourite meal would have to be lovely little morsels in pretty clothes who squirm so nicely for me.

Amga:

-A shushing finger is raised as the asker is offered a rabbit, skewered on a stick and roasted over a fire-

Ceru:

I… I used to like…

…To like…

…I don’t remember. The Word won’t let me.

Taraine:

I’ve always enjoyed a nice onion soup - with lots of mutton added, cooked as rare as possible. Heavy on the salt, too.

Nehir:

Buckler Stew, cooked over a campfire, ideally eaten in Gyr Abania as the sun sets. “Savage food”, as I’ve often heard it called.

Reson:

…Boiled rabbit. Some root vegetables.

Kin:

I’m rather a fan of a particular type of udon! Made with tofu pockets of rice and sweeteners, it tastes really delightful - I highly advise it.

Orinitt:

Personally, I’m a fan of kebabs - ideally with a nice strong ale. Good spicy sauce.

Surya:

Honey-glazed ham, served over a bed of mashed popotoes, of course! Spiced wine, warmed to a nice temperature, as the drink.

Blaidd:

Given the choice, I prefer to eat deer - bloody and wriggling, still struggling and kicking its legs, still warm from the chase.

Thalassa:

Hm. I’d have to say sausage, with a sauce made from apple and onion. It’s quite nice, and really simple to cook.

Kolokasia:

Personally, I like sticking to a strictly vegetarian diet - tofus and beans and vegetables and suchlike. As such, my favourite meals are mostly salads and similar.

Nahla:

Favourite? Prob’ly harutsuge, nicely fried up. Rarity, though. Not many places still sell harutsuge.

Elucia: Why, mortals like you, of course, dear asker~

#ffxiv

[battery-low]

some movies/series i have seen/want to see

first slam dunk

blue giant

mary and the witch's flower

sirocco and the kingdom of winds

rascal does not dream of a dreaming girl

the tunnel to summer, the exit of goodbyes

the girl who leapt through time

‌wolf children

boy and the beast

mirai

belle

summer wars

in this corner of the world

metropolis anime

your name

children who chase lost voices from deep below

5 centimeters per second

the place promised in our early days

‌suzume

weathering with you

garden of words

little nemo

‌fist of the north star

vampire hunter d

vampire hunter d:bloodlust

wings of honneamise

ninja scroll

macros plus

patlabor

redline

the melancholy of haruhi suzumiya

the disappearance of haruhi suzumiya

tekkonkinkreet

the case of hana & alice

the piano forest

night is short walk on girl

okko's inn

millennium actress

i want to eat your pancreas

a silent voice

liz and the blue bird

kimi no iro (releasing: 082024)

the heike story

dog of flanders

angels egg

giovannis island

night on the galactic railroad

to the forest of firefly lights

a letter to momo

josee, the tiger and the fish

summit of the gods

kodoku no gurume

time of eve

panda go panda

patema inverted

kabaneri of the iron fortress

orange

gravity

wayne

big boys

small lights

old enough

begrijpt u nu waarom ik huil

schindlers list

colorful (1999, 2010)

‌anthem of the heart

‌maquia

maboroshi

inu-oh

birdboy

‌to your eternity

‌banana fish

‌terror in Resonance

short peace

500 days of summer

summer ghost

chungking express

goodbye don glees

fleabag

one day

lost in translation

manchester by sea

blue valentine

paddington 1, 2

neon genesis evangelion

end of evangelion

evangelion: 1.0, 2.0, 3.0, 3.0+1.0

le otto montagne

the bear

met mes

call me by your name

beatiful boy

beau is afraid

chainsaw man

white lotus

sopranos

band of brothers

monster anime

pluto

master keaton

to your eternity

miss hokusai

‌your lie in april

march sweeps in like a lion

‌a place further than universe

the perverts guide to cinema/ideology

yuki yukite, shingun

everything everywhere all at once

the hunchback of notre dame

coldfish

love exposure

house

in bruges

midnight gospel

‌god father i,ii,iii

‌scarface

‌death parade

one punch man

mob psycho i,ii,iii

bee and puppy cat

plastic memories

‌violet evergarden

violet evergarden (special)

violet evergarden (movie 2019)

violet evergarden (2020/2021 movie)

‌anohana the flower we saw that day

erased

scavenger reign

inuyashiki

over the garden wall

‌bojack horseman

‌better call saul

‌breaking bad

‌game of thrones

severance

‌naruto

‌scrubs

‌moonlight kingdom

‌freedom writers

a sun

handmaids tale

carnival row

7 samurai

kingdom of heaven

persona

a brighter summer day

past lives

perfect days

dear zachary:a letter to a son about his father

paris,texas

time still turns pages

silent love

monster (movie)

wonka

get out

poor things

‌us‌

candyman

‌nope

fionna and cake

audition

on the count of three

sensitive the untold story

lucy

the creative brain

rudy

nyad

‌the whale

memories of murder

taxi driver

after hours

goodfellas

a clockwork orange

eternal sunshine of the spotless mind

‌requiem for a dream

‌children of heaven

‌my sisters keeper

‌hachi dogs tale

the big short

‌gardenstate

‌boyhood

‌perks of being a wall flower

‌into the wild

‌good will hunting

mishima: a life in four chapters

what's eating gilbert grape?

better days

king of staten island

schindlers list

meet joe black

we are who we are

cowboy bebop

yasuke

nr. 10

dead poet society

ghost in the shell

ghost in the shell sac

memories 1995

euphoria

atlanta

the vince staples show

matrix i,ii,iii

animatrix

star wars visions

castle of cagliostro

my neighbour totoro

spirited away

howls moving castle

kikis delivery service

ponyo

the wind rises

whisper of the heart

the cat returns

the boy and the heron

tales from the earthsea

from up on poppy hill

castle in the sky

nausica valley of the wind

porco rosso

princess monoke

ocean waves

only yesterday

pom poko

grave of fireflies

the tale of the princess kaguya

the neighbours yamadas

gauche the cellist

arrietty

when marnie was there

red turtle

samurai shamploo

oldboy

tales of the unusual

insidious

the face of another

rin daughters of mnemosyne

afro samurai

close

paranoia agent

bullet in your head

gladiator

american gangster

american psycho

poltergeist

eyes wide shut

mind game

if beale street could talk

heat

a time to kill

tree of life

mindhunter

blue eyed samurai

twin peaks

#movielist #watchlist #imdb

[yuri-cocaine]

ffxivwrite 2023: fish out of water

Nearly everybody in La Noscea spoke with such a strange, heavy accent that Yuma always ended up feeling stupid after each conversation. Never had she needed to ask people to repeat themselves so much. The reverse was also true—her own Viera accent was so thick, most Lominsans couldn’t understand her either. Every conversation was frustrating.

Yuma made a little figurine out of shells and bits of twine, and propped it against the window of her inn room in the Mizzenmast. She spent some of the gil she earned at Summerford on a book entitled “TALK YOUR WAY TO THE TOP: THE ART OF ACCENTS.” The back of the book promised to guide readers through a ten chapter course in developing a professional accent, so they can one day “hobnob with all manner of nobles and scholars, from the Ul’dahn Syndicate to the bookworms of Sharlayan!” 

She practiced speaking to her shell doll, all through the night. 

The eikons of this land were born of earth and ocean, and Limsa Lominsa stayed forever vigilant against a possible eikon summoning. All buildings had shock absorbant foundations so that they won’t crumble in a sudden quake. Everyone who lived by the sea kept watch for the tide withdrawing too far, and were ready to flee for higher land at a moment’s notice. Sisipu, who ran the Fisher’s Guild, warned Yuma to never go diving in the Galadion Bay, and to never sail beyond the Maelstrom barricade. Wawalago, the true guildmaster, encouraged exploration but also encouraged running away very fast if things go south. 

Don’t call them eikons, Yuma reminded herself. Imperial terms make people jumpy. Give chicken eggs to Qiqirn merchants for a discount. Don’t buy new line and tackle from Hawker’s Alley—go to the gobbies instead. 

She spoke to her shell doll, covering her old accent with a coat of new paint. She practiced her curative magicks until her whole body ached from expending aether. She sat in silence and watched people bustle to and fro, wrapping herself in city noise and hoping that she’ll grow into it, like a child in an oversized coat. 

When this strange new land got too much, Yuma returned to the sea. She plunged into the waters off Zephyr Drift and dove as deep as she could, until the reached the bottom of the kelp forest and the sunlight glinted and wavered from high above. The Kojin’s blessing she had received let her breathe in the sea, and there she sat until the water rumbling in her ears replaced the static in her head. 

Fish of all colors wove in and out of the kelp. Coral butterflies, angelfish, silver anchovies, Merlthor gobies, finger shrimp. Crawling around kelp holdfasts were tiny sea pickles, soft to the touch and vibrant as jewels. Yuma reached out and let a pair of them wiggle onto her hand. One was white as pearls, and the other was lavender. 

Yuma remembered the statue of Llymlaen in the Anchor Yard, and recalled how puzzled she had been to see the Navigator as half woman and half fish. She heard fairytales about mermaids when she was small, but she didn’t think there would be people out there that actually worshipped a mermaid goddess. Wouldn’t it be nice to have a fish tail like Llymlaen and stay underwater forever, Yuma thought. She could even do Limsa and favor and skewer that sea serpent eikon everyone was so afraid of before it could make any tidal waves. 

She played with the sea pickles in her hand, letting them crawl over her fingers, and daydreamed about what she would look like as a mermaid. She would have a bright red tail maybe, to match her hair, or she could have a tail as dark blue as the sea at night. Yuma didn’t want a showy, fanning tail like a betta fish. She would like something sleek and built for speed, like a shark or Ash tuna. 

Suddenly, a shadow of a life ring fell over her, snapping her out of her reverie. Yuma surfaced and found herself staring at the panicked face of a young Roegadyn Yellowjacket. He had been tossing life rings into the water, and now he stared at Yuma like she was a ghost.

“Thank the Navigator yer not dead!” said the Yellowjacket. “Ye’ve been down there so long, I thought ye’d drowned for sure!”

Yuma didn’t know anyone saw her go diving. She swam back to shore, where she shook seawater off her ears, splashing her would-be savior.

The Yellowjacket sighed. “Listen, lady, this is me second day on the job. I didn’t sign up to go fishing for corpses. If ye want t’ go swimmin’, try the beach at Mist. They’ve got an actual lifeguard.” 

Yuma didn’t say anything. She left the Yellowjacket to collect all the life rings alone. 

#ffxivwrite2023 #sprout yuma hopping around limsa

[the-al-chemist]

She Sells

A/N: It’s here! The time has come for @usernoneexistent’s summer challenge, and the first prompt is “Seashells”. In this one, we find Dante Lopez asking for help from an old schoolfriend, and getting more than he bargained for… Warnings: mentions of alcohol, bunnies.

It had been twelve months since the re-opening of the Hog’s Head inn, and in that time it had earned itself a new and far better reputation than it had in the years previously. What had once been a dingy and seedy pub was now a vibrant and lively bar, its traditional features mingled with modern and exotic decor, postcards pinned behind the counter, and a large colourful mural covering one wall.

Even more colourful still was the patterned shirt of the young wizard behind the bar, the very wizard responsible for the changes. Although it was mid-morning, and the bar was closed, Dante Lopez was hard at work, a selection of spirits and measuring tools on the countertop in front of him, along with a notebook and pencil.

To celebrate the bar’s anniversary, Dante had decided to create a series of brand new cocktails, each inspired by a different season. He was currently working on one for summer, using the idea of a beach as inspiration. So far, what he had come up with was good, sweet and summery, but something was missing. Dante dipped the mixing stick into the cocktail and licked it, frowning. What was it?

He cast an eye over his shoulder at the pinboard of photos and postcards behind him, the image of himself and a girl with long brown hair on a beach catching his attention. Both of them were in swimwear, tanned and smiling, with an ice cream in each of their hands.

Ice cream. That was it. A cocktail float.

It was a perfect idea, except for a couple of things: he didn’t keep ice cream in the bar, and he was working to a tight budget, both financially and time-wise. Where was he going to find a large amount of ice cream in Hogsmeade at short notice, for very little money?

The answer came to him quickly, and he immediately sauntered out of the door and into the street outside, walked through the village towards a building down a small lane leading from the main street with bright pink frontage.

Dante was not the only enterprising former Hogwarts student to have taken over an establishment in Hogsmeade village. Madam Puddifoot’s Tearoom - or the Rabbit Food Café, as it was now called - had also in recent years been revamped. Gone were the chintzy pink and white doilies and floral wallpaper. Now, the tearoom was even more colourfully decorated than the Hog’s Head, and far more eclectic, too. There were crystals on all the surfaces, haphazardly knitted bunting was strung up, and several rabbits hopped around the floor.

The café was packed, as it usually was, and Dante had to take care not to bump into any of the customers as he made his way to the till, where a young witch with long blonde hair and round brown eyes was decorating a set of cupcakes, humming to herself quietly as she did so.

“Hi, Saffron,” said Dante, and the witch looked up at him and smiled broadly. “Looks like things are going well this morning.”

“Oh, yes. I’ve made guava cupcakes. I’m making them look like famous artists,” Saffron told him, and held out a cupcake to him that had the face of a one-eared man on it. “Would you like one?”

“Um, no thanks. I was actually wondering if I could buy some ingredients off you, actually. Could you spare me a tub of ice cream?”

Saffron’s smile widened even further, and she nodded her head enthusiastically.

“It’s vegan ice cream.”

“Okay,” said Dante, and Saffron slipped away, disappearing behind a curtain made of strings of seashells, still humming to herself.

“She sells seashells by the sea shore,” she sang. “The shells that she sells are seashells, I’m sure. She sells seashells-”

“I’ve never understood that song,” Dante called after her. “Why would anyone sell seashells by the sea shore?”

“Why wouldn’t they sell seashells by the sea shore?” came Saffron’s disembodied response.

“Well, it just doesn’t seem like a very lucrative business venture, that’s all.”

Saffron didn’t reply, but Dante could see the seashell curtain moving as she rummaged behind it. Closer to him, something else was moving: a blue polka-dot teapot on a shelf behind the till was wriggling, inching closer to the edge of the shelf.

“Um, Saffron? You might want to save your teapot,” Dante called out, and Saffron emerged from behind the curtain with a tub of ice cream cradled in the crook of one arm.

“Hm? Oh,” she said. She handed the ice cream to Dante, reached up to the shelf, picked up the teapot, and pulled a small white rabbit out of it. “Tofu, how many times do I have to tell you? You aren’t allowed to go inside the chinaware.” She placed the rabbit on the floor and tapped it gently on its white rump, telling it, “Hop along now. Good bunny.”

“How much do I owe you for the ice cream?” Dante asked, and Saffron tilted her head to one side, frowning slightly.

“Owe?”

“Yeah, what did it cost you?”

“Oh,” Saffron stopped frowning and shook her head. “I can’t remember.”

“Right, well…” Dante’s voice tailed off as he noticed someone stand up from their table in the corner of the room and leave the café without stopping at the till. He called out to them, “Hey! Come back!”

But it was too late, the customer had already left.

“Do you want me to go and get him? I can go and get him,” Dante offered.

“Get him what?” asked Saffron.

“Just get him, you know. Make him come back.”

“Why?”

“Because he just left without paying!”

“Yes,” Saffron nodded her head and returned to decorating her cupcakes, not looking concerned in the slightest. “Yes, sometimes people do leave without paying.”

“That’s awful, Saff,” Dante frowned. “Have you tried doing anything to stop it?”

“No.”

“Maybe you should.”

“But what about the people who can’t afford to pay anything?”

Dante blinked. “What?”

“What about the people who can’t afford-”

“No, no, I heard you, I just…” Dante shook his head. “If people can’t afford to buy anything they shouldn’t be coming in here to eat.”

“Oh,” said Saffron. “That’s not very fair.”

“It’s just how things work. You want to buy something, you have to pay for it.”

“Yes, I suppose so. Most people do pay something.”

“Something?” Dante’s mouth dropped open. “Hang on. How much are you actually charging people, Saff?”

“Charging?”

“Yeah, how much do you ask people to pay?”

“Whatever they want to pay,” said Saffron simply. Dante was speechless. “Well, cakes go off if they aren’t eaten. I’d much rather they got eaten, it’s ever so sad throwing them away.”

“But… Do you make profit like that?”

“I suppose so. I’ve never checked.”

Saffron started singing to herself, and Dante frowned. He had never thought Saffron to be the most businesslike of his acquaintances, and it appeared that he was correct. He was also far more concerned by Saffron’s lack of business acumen than Saffron was herself.

“Tell you what, Saff,” he said, eventually, as Saffron piped a flower crown and monobrow onto another cupcake artist, “I’ve always been pretty good at sums. Instead of paying for the ice cream, I’d like to take a look at your accounts for you, if that’s alright?”

Dante returned to the Hog’s Head laden with not just a tub of vegan ice cream, but also three bright yellow notebooks filled with the details of Saffron’s finances. He set up for the evening quickly, then spent the rest of the afternoon going through the notebooks, scratching his head with one finger as he did his calculations. And then redid his calculations.

Somehow - miraculously, even - Saffron’s café was making a decent amount of money. For every item she sold at a price far lower than it had cost her to make, she was selling at least three at profit. Considering the number of people that were eating there daily - the sheer number of transactions Dante was sifting through was almost baffling - the Rabbit Food Café was doing plenty well enough. Clearly, Saffron’s business strategy (or lack thereof) was not as ridiculous as he had thought.

He closed the notebooks and left them under the bar as he opened up for the evening. Not long after he had done so, he saw Saffron entering the bar and dancing her way through the crowd towards him.

As she approached, he started to make an ice cream cocktail for her, presenting it directly into her hand as she reached him.

Saffron smiled and pulled a beaded coin purse out of her pocket, but Dante shook his head.

“Don’t worry, Saff. This one is on the house.”

#dante lopez briarwood #saffron summers #harry potter next gen fic #summer prompts 2022

[sleeperswakewriting]

Bride prompt 💖

After Petra’s death, Levi imagines her as a bride if they would have had a romantic relationship (also, her father’s words to him appears in his mind imagining it)

happy friday, here's some angst!

word count: 900

Rating: G

“What do you think about a fall wedding?”

“Tch. You really want to get married when everything is dying around us?”

She whirls around, and her cheeks puff into a petulant scowl that he adores. The golden rays of sunset catch every lock of hair, her freckles prominent in the heat that just died down. He can’t say no, not to her, never to her. So he sighs while Petra swings her legs over the bridge. 

“If that’s what you want,” he concedes and takes her hand. “But when we’re old and celebrating our anniversary with leaves and frost, remember that I told you so.” 

She pinches his thumb and her smile is blinding. “It’s settled, then. Mid October, right after the expedition. That way we can go on our honeymoon. You’ll ask the commander?”

He grunts and peers to the horizon. “I owe Erwin another Titan capture for a week off.” Then his voice lowers while he smirks, his lips ghosting the shell of her ear. “But it’ll be worth it. You, me, a cabin in the woods alone.”

A shudder washes over Petra, her breath hitching as her legs press together. “That sounds amazing,” she whispers. Levi traces a line from her ear to her cheek, then captures her lips in a kiss. Sixty days. Only sixty more days until they will be husband and wife. Levi never thought he’d be the one for semantics on a piece of paper, but he proposed first. He wants everyone to know that she was his. 

And maybe in this shitty world, maybe a declaration of love is daring. 

Petra always dared.

Fate had other plans, though. Levi didn’t plan on coming back to the old barracks — a lifetime ago, with the ghosts of comrades in the stray socks and personal items strewn about. He supposes after Stohess, he wants to decompress, and he finds it hard at an inn. There’s comfort in the routine; his tea, the roaring fireplace, where you hang your laundry. 

No one talks about the company, though. All of these things are haunting as his footsteps echo the empty halls of the once vibrant Special Ops Barracks. Dust lines every corner, and streaks of light pour through the open curtains. One of Eld’s hair ties is on the sink even though Levi told him to put it away. Gunther’s comb remains in place under the mirror. Oluo’s lotion that he swore by. 

Petra’s things aren’t here. That’s in his bathroom after she unofficially moved into his bedroom. 

There’s a rap at the door that shakes Levi from his memories. Frowning, unsure of who could be visiting while the Scouts were put on temporary disbandment, he opens the door, his eyes squinting in the sunlight. 

There’s a courier with a large white box in his hands. 

“Delivery, sir!” the courier says, dropping the box carefully at Levi’s feet. He holds a clipboard out to Levi and procures a pen from his pocket. “Sign here, please.” 

“I didn’t order anything,” Levi protests, but lazily scrawls his signature.

“Well, someone did. And we have specific instructions it needed to be delivered by September first. Good day.” He tips his hat and is off before Levi can inquire further. 

Levi brings the unlabeled box to the dining room. Cobwebs weave the sconces together, and he viciously bats them away while striking a match to the nearest oil lamp. The box is too large and light to be gear, and all packages like that go through the admin office first. No, this is personal, and a sick feeling of violation churns in his stomach. Whoever’s this is, he can send it to their family, one last gift. 

Opening the lid, the air knocks from Levi’s lungs. Vision dizzy, he steadies himself on the table, his palm slapping the wood. It’s bad enough that she haunts his dreams, but seeing this—

It’s Petra’s wedding dress. 

He recalls the day she went into Trost with Nifa and Nanaba. Giggling, with coy smiles and puckered lips, she teased him about all the outlandish accessories she was going to buy just to embarrass him. 

“You’re embarrassing yourself by marrying me, no amount of gaudiness is going to compare.”

He’d forgotten all about it. She mentioned the seamstress said it would take a while and between Trost and Eren, the only reminder Levi has is her ring around his neck.

Holding the dress out, he can see her form. Her height, just a few inches shy of him. The pink ribbon around the waist, how she admitted to wanting a romantic wedding with roses everywhere. Embarrassed by the fact, Levi assured her no one would lose respect for her over a couple of flowers. 

“Go fucking crazy. Get them in your hair. How many times in your life can you order a ton of flowers?”

The veil is simple, and Levi’s throat tightens at the image of roses creating a crown over her. More like a halo now, and he tightly holds the dress to his chest. He closes his eyes. 

“I still think she’s a bit young to get married…”

Every father would say that. Levi wasn’t old-fashioned enough to ask for permission, but Petra was overjoyed at the prospect of her father walking her down the aisle. 

“He never thought I’d get married with my commitment to the Scouts.” She bats her eyelashes at Levi. “Who would’ve thought I could have both?”

He sways to an aimless tune as he holds the dress. He imagines Petra’s smile, how she would’ve cried and he’d tell her she’s being too sappy even though he’d feel the same way. 

The fabric is soft beneath his fingers and he thinks how white is fitting for a bride. 

Even better for an angel.

#rivetra #rivetra fanfiction #levi x petra #my fics

[nymfaia]

catch, sender catches receiver by the waist after they bump into each other. -For Colette :3

" -- Oh!"

Their little village had it's fair share of rainy seasons, she remembered. Colette knew - ... she remembered, a distant, faraway sort of recollection, one yet to be revisited since she became a walking shell. She remembered having to knock dried mud off of her white boots; letting them sit out in the sun to dry, that pair forever an off, dirtied shade of ivory from years of wear in such weather.

She needn't not attempt to recall it. Tethe'alla's sky had turned misty, the morning fog they awoke to becoming a heavy-hearted shade of gray, and then, all at once - the sky fell. Fat raindrops had made mud of well-traveled routes, making the cobble in the little village they visited slick and unsafe.

She didn't have her old, trusty rain boots here, she lamented. The ones she wore now had seen better days, of course - ... but now she would have to wait for them to dry, and knock off the clods of dirt from the soles, and try to dig through her bag for clean clothes to change -

The mud that caked in the sole of her boots had her slip. She yelped, sliding several inches on the cobbles, hands darting out to find something to steady herself on.

Long fingers pinched the side of her waist. She felt them dig into her ribs, finding purchase in some places and frightening rigidity in others. Her chest tightened, fear biting into her heart, hoping and praying that whomever had kept her steady didn't feel the crystalized skin she kept hidden.

And then she looked up, and her anxiety swiftly was pushed aside, replaced by an uproar of embarrassment. Colette braced a hand on Zelos' chest, wet fringe sticking to her forehead and eyebrows as her cheeks were set aflame.

"Oh - Zelos," she sputtered. "I'm okay - thank you."

Her own fingers skimmed his, forcing her smaller palm into his and lacing their hands together, firmly creating distance between him and what she was becoming.

"But - ! Come on. We should find the Inn here," she said, "and get warm and dry. Raine's a good healer, but she won't waste mana on us if we catch a cold!"

@zelotae

#asks. #💡 colette ; hcs. #💡 colette ; asks. #cuties. but also suffer babies

[sukipershipper]

The Red Medallion Sets Sail (PO!! Pirate AU Drabble)

STORY: Mac goes to grab supplies and encounters some of the crew of the fiercest Pirate Ship known to Star Port.

The docks of Star Port were bustling as per usual. Ships of every shape and size were either loading up supplies or unloading and rolling them off to the shops along the street. The little town was dotted with the colour of merchants, customers and sailors coming home from a long journey to kiss their sweethearts ‘Hello’. 

Across the way, a small inn stood. It was an old inn, bits of paint beginning to fade away, and outside it hung a small sign, engraved with the words: “Starboard Bar”

The inside was quaint, lanterns hung on the sides, tables strewn about, patrons sat at some and others sat at the front bar. Two men and a young boy were manning the establishment. One of the men was of a portly build. He wore a simple white, long-sleeved tunic, with an apron worn over top. Simple brown pants and boots covered his bottom half. He was busy serving drinks to the patrons of the bar. Meanwhile, his cohort, a muscular man dressed in similar attire (aside from the pale skin) manned the kitchen. As for the young boy? Well, he was a petite type. Steady built for sure, but short in stature, for a boy his age anyhow. He was dressed in a loose-fitting shirt and grey shorts. Over the top, he wore a simple green vest and his hair was held back with a black and white bandana. He stood behind the bar, making drinks for patrons and setting them on trays for the portly man to take away.

“Mac! Can you-a grab a basket?” The muscular man called, “Dean will-a be back-a soon! Says he has a very-a big-a-load!”, “Sure thing G!” the boy called back as he made his way from the counter to the storage room. It was basically just a large pantry, with a backdoor that led to the outside. The smell of different foods and drinks lingered amongst the stock. The salty scent of the sea as well trickled inside from behind the backdoor. Mac scanned the floor until he found a reasonably big basket, and in good time. A loud, quick tapping of knocks sounded on the door, and Mac smiled as he made his way towards it.

He yanked it open to reveal a much taller teen. His hair stood atop his head in a mop, his clothes were slightly damp and water was still dripping a bit from his sleeves. “Hey man! Good haul this week?” Mac asked with a smile. The taller kid laughed and leaned against the doorframe with a lanky arm, he flicked his head towards the dock, “I don’t know,” he said with a grin, “Come see for yourself and then you tell me”

The boy led Mac towards the dockside, where several large baskets and bags of food lay. A blue shell sat on top of them, so people going by didn’t dare to touch it. So long as they knew what the shell signified of course. Mac stared with wide eyes at the load. “Wo-hoah!” he said in amazement, “Dean this is amazing!”

“Go help yourself! I’ll keep watch” The taller boy said, urging Mac to take some food for the week. The small boy gladly did so and made his way over to the basket, gently setting the shell aside, Mac opened the basket lid. Plenty of delicious foods were bundled inside, and Mac had to wonder where on earth his friend managed to snag them from. The best shops were all the way in the rich end of the bay. No ‘nobody’ could just waltz in there. Maybe he just knew the best places to go, or the best times? Whatever the case, Mac just guessed it would remain one of the many mysteries he just wasn’t ready to hear the answer to. Mac shrugged, reaching into the basket and pulling out several big loads of bread, sauces, vegetables and freshly wrapped fish. They had had a big wave of patrons lately, so they needed lots of stock.

“Hurry up and grab me some o’ that bread!” A shrewd voice called. Mac lifted his head from the basket and looked around. In the corner of his eye, he saw a few men harassing a poor shopkeep, swords and guns drawn and aimed at his poor face. He was scrambling to grab what was requested. Mac couldn’t help but feel bad and wanted to intervene, but his caretakers had advised him never to get in the way of this crew.

The scarlet red ribbon wrapped around the pirate's arms indicated they belonged to a particular crew. The most feared crew known to Star Port. The crew of the Red Medallion. Captained by the fierce Captain Hondo, the Scarlet red ship, marked with a beautiful pattern of the medallion on its side, sailed across the ocean waves, in search of villages to raid and plunder. 

They were no strangers to Star Port. Every 3-4 weeks the ship would drop anchor there and the crew would start terrorizing the poor shopkeepers. This week's chosen troublemakers were Rattigan, aptly nicknamed Rat by Mac. A small, yet very feral-looking man, with scraggly hair that stuck out on all ends, a raggedy vest, shorts, and an eyepatch, even though he didn’t need one. Scratch, one of the larger pirates, sported a striped tunic, a simple bandana wrapped around his head, a fiery red beard, simple pants and boots, and a little squirrel with a parrot's outfit on his shoulder. Finally, there was Sticks, the smallest of the three, he was scrawny, and worse a long-sleeved white tunic, with a  brown vest over top, grew raggedy pants, a peg leg on one foot, and part of what looked like the British flag ripped into a strip that went around his hair. 

“Step lively! Ya two Gobblers!” Rat called, “We got’s a LOOONG way to go! Cap’n don’t want no dilly dalliers and landlubbers!” he merrily skipped away from the stall with a box of loot in his hands, he nearly knocked Mac into the bay as he skipped past him on the dock “Oh, you say that as if you ain’t one yerself! Ya Hoser!” Scratch replied as he thundered down the path with a back over his shoulder, “C’mon, Joey” he called, turning back to their runt. 

“Oui, Oui, Hold on, I-I’m coming” Sticks called back as he hobbled towards his friend with a basket full of treats. He almost made it until a small hole in the dock caught his peg leg, causing him to trip. The basket fell from his hands and into the bay, all its treats inside it being gobbled up by the fish. Thankfully for Sticks, he fell right into the hands of Scratch, who happily helped him to his feet. “Merci, mon ami” he said, Scratch gave a happy salute as he looked at the treats in the water. 

He clicked his tongue in disappointment, “Tch, well we won’t be having any of THAT tonight”, “I-I’m sorry” Sticks said, rubbing his arm in embarrassment.

“Nah don’t worry ‘bout it!” Scratch said, patting his friend on the back, “We’ll last on the rations from last week, now move yer caboose and let’s go!” he said as he continued to the Gangplank. Sticks sighed as he followed suit only to be stopped by a light tap on his shoulder. 

“Excuse me, sir?” 

“AH!” Sticks exclaimed as he drew his sword and pointed it towards his ‘opponent’, he drew it back immediately as he saw Mac with a basket full of treats in his hands. “Oh…it’s you” he scoffed, “What do you want?” 

“Uh…” Mac stammered for a bit before lifting the basket towards the pirate, “...T…this is for you! I uh…stashed a bit of my basket in there for ya” Sticks eyes widened in shock. He looked back and forth between the basket and the boy. Slowly, he grabbed the basket from the boy's hands and brought it gently towards him. “Uh…thank you?” Sticks said with a small smile. Mac simply nodded and waved him off, “No problem, ya landlubber,” he said jokingly, “See ya!”

Mac quickly bounded off back to Dean, who had a less than pleased look on his face, “What are you doing!?” He whisper-yelled, “You could’ve gotten hurt!”

“Oh, relax, it’s Sticks!” Mac scoffed, “He couldn’t hurt a fly if he wanted to…besides he seems pretty friendly”

“That’s the Red Medallion! What about ANY OF THEM is friendly?” Dean asked. Mac simply shrugged as he turned his gaze back to the giant scarlet ship. “I’ve always wanted to go explore the seven seas” Mac confessed, “Feel the wind in my hair! The sea on fingers! The salt in my eyes-”

“I think that last one would be a terrible idea, but whatever”

Mac shot his friend a displeased look as he marched alongside him. “You have to admit, it would be so great to go out on the seas! Yeah?” Dean snickered, “What and go out with the pirates?!” he exclaimed, “Psh, Not on your life” Mac rolled his eyes as the two continued down the sidewalk back to the tavern.

Sticks waved back with a smile as he turned to board the ship. He walked up the gangplank onboard the Medallion, where the rest of the crew were tending to the ship, and cannons, and prepping to leave the port. In the centre, commanding the crew, was a muscular man, clad in a purple coat and hat, with golden edges, and a proud look on his face was Captain Hondo.

“Hoist the sails and prepare to set forth on the Briney Waters!” Hondo commanded, “AYE, AYE, CAP’N!!” The crew responded. Hondo gave a hearty laugh before going into a small coughing fit, “Kuso, that never gets any easier to do” he whispered to himself. “Here, Captain!” Sticks called, “Fresh treats and goodies for the whole crew!”

“Excellent work, Sticks!” The captain cheered, “Now get those down to the galley, savvy?”

“Aye, aye, Captain!” Sticks replied, dashing past the captain and down to the galley. Hondo sighed as he took a deep breath in, smelling the sea air that awaited them. Suddenly, a rumbling sound was heard. Hondo turned his gaze upwards to see dark clouds forming above, “...Oh dear…” he mumbled to himself.

“Captain!” a voice called. Hondo turned to see a man, a metal arm on his right side, a metal leg on his left, dressed in a simple grey tunic, brown pants, very well-polished boots and a neatly wrapped red rag around his head, rushing towards him. This was Crank, the ship’s trusted Navigator, and a worrier about…pretty much everything. “I saw zhe clouds!” he said, pointing to the skies, “I’ve told Bash and Fizzy to pack away all zhe Livery and Veapons for our voyage but, are you sure you vant to sail in zhis veazher?”

“Hmm…” Hondo hummed, scanning the skies as the rumbling grew. “Absolutely not” he replied. He clapped his hands together and turned to the rest of the crew, “AVAST YE SCURVY SEA DOGS!” he called. The crew members immediately turned their attention to him. “It has come to my attention that there is a storm on the way,” he said, gesturing to the sky, “We’re gonna have to park it for tonight, so Batten down the hatches and move your sorry asses to the Tavern, we’ll camp out there tonight!”

Disappointed groans escaped the crew, but at least they wouldn’t have to worry about the ship tipping over. As they set to work putting their stock away, Hondo sighed as he leaned against the edge of the medallion. In the corner of his eye, he caught sight of Mac and Dean entering the tavern's back entrance. Mac was about to head in when he dropped a small red pendant onto the ground. The pendant gave off a light glow as it was caught in the sun's light.

“Oh shoot!” he exclaimed as he quickly grabbed the pendant from the ground and stashed it back into his pocket. Hondo immediately caught this and narrowed his eyes as he watched the boy scurry back into the tavern.

That pendant…it couldn’t be…could it?

He gave a coy smile and chuckled as he stood up from the edge of the ship. “Thank you, Storm” he whispered as he strode off the gangplank and onto the dock. 

This was going to be a very fun night. 

#punch out #punch out wii #punch out!! #punchout #pirate au #punch out oc #little mac #doc louis #pizza pasta #pete zapasta #dean wilson #glass joe #aran ryan #bear hugger #piston hondo #von kaiser #rattigan rattigan

[bluecube92]

Anime Movie List *UPDATED*

Ghibli:

My Neighbor Totoro Castle in the Sky Ponyo Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind Howl’s Moving Castle The Secret World of Arrietty Kiki’s Delivery Service The Cat Returns Porco Rosso Spirited Away Pom Poko Whisper of the Heart Princess Mononoke My Neighbors the Yamadas Tales from Earthsea Grave of the Fireflies From Up On Poppy Hill The Wind Rises When Marnie Was There Only Yesterday Ocean Waves Earwig and the Witch

Pokemon:

Pokemon The First Movie Pokemon The Movie 2000 Pokemon 3 The Movie Pokemon 4Ever Pokemon Heroes Pokemon: Jirachi: Wishmaker Pokemon: Destiny Deoxys Pokemon: Lucario and the Mystery of Mew Pokemon Ranger and the Temple of the Sea Pokemon: The Rise of Darkrai Pokemon: Giratina and the Sky Warrior Pokemon: Arceus and the Jewel of Life Pokemon: Zoroark: Master of Illusions Pokemon the Movie: White-Victini and Zekrom Pokemon the Movie: Black-Victini and Reshiram Pokemon: Kyurem VS. The Sword of Justice Pokemon: Genesect and the Legend Awakened Pokemon: Diancie and the Cocoon of Destruction Pokemon: Hoopa and the Clash of Ages Pokemon: Volcanion and the Mechanical Marvel Pokemon the Movie: I Choose You Pokemon the Movie: The Power of Us Pokemon: Mewtwo Strikes Back Evolution Pokemon: Secrets of the Jungle

Case Closed:

The Time Bombed Skyscraper The Thirteenth Target The Last Wizard of the Century Captured In Her Eyes Countdown to Heaven Phantom of Baker Street The Crimson Love Letter Zero the Enforcer Episode "One": The Great Detective Turned Small

Other:

The Girl Who Leapt Through Time Summer Wars Yu-Gi-Oh! The Movie Yu-Gi-Oh! 3D Bonds Beyond Time Yu-Gi-Oh! The Dark Side of Dimensions Digimon The Movie Card Captor Sakura The Movie Card Captor Sakura The Movie 2: The Sealed Card Revolutionary Girl Utena The Movie Night on the Galactic Railroad Spring and Chaos Professor Layton and the Eternal Diva Lupin the Third: The Castle of Cagliostro Paprika Memories Tokyo Godfathers Patema Inverted Steamboy Oblivion Island: Haruka and the Magic Mirror Perfect Blue Wolf Children A Letter to Momo Princess Arete Akira Millenium Actress The Boy and the Beast Little Witch Academia: The Enchanted Parade Tekkonkinkreet Ghost in the Shell (1995) Ghost in the Shell 2: Innocence 5 Centimeters Per Second The Garden of Words Appleseed (1988) Appleseed (2004) Appleseed Ex Machina Appleseed Alpha Miss Hokusai Your Name Cowboy Bebop The Movie In This Corner of the World The Sky Crawlers Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex: Solid State Society Mary and the Witch's Flower The Disappearance of Haruhi Suzumiya Steins;Gate the Movie - Load Region of Deja Vu Robot Carnival Napping Princess Flavors of Youth Eden of the East: King of Eden Eden of the East: Paradise Lost Legend of the Millennium Dragon Martian Successor Nadesico: Prince of Darkness First Squad Children Who Chase Lost Voices Mirai Godzilla: Planet of the Monsters Godzilla: City on the Edge of Battle Godzilla: The Planet Eater Fireworks No Game No Life 0 Short Peace A Silent Voice Like The Clouds, Like the Wind Jungle Emperor Leo A Wind Named Amnesia The Fantastic Adventures of Unico Unico in the Island of Magic Fuse: Memoirs of the Hunter Girl Mai Mai Miracle Ni No Kuni The End of Evangelion Strait Jacket Evangelion 1.01 You Are (Not) Alone Evangelion 2.22 You Can (Not) Advance Evangelion 3.33 You Can (Not) Redo Evangelion 3.0+1.0 Thrice Upon a Time Modest Heroes Okko's Inn A Whisker Away Tiger and Bunny The Rising Children of the Sea Little Norse Prince Redline Weathering With You Origin Spirits of the Past Genius Party Genius Party Beyond Promare The Life of Budori Gusuko Ride Your Wave The Night is Short, Walk On Girl Welcome to the Space Show Project A-Ko Project A-Ko 2: Plot of the Daitokuji Financial Group Project A-Ko 3: Cinderella Rhapsody Project A-Ko 4: Final Birthday Wonderland Blood: The Last Vampire Venus Wars Maquia - When the Promised Flower Blooms Re: Cyborg 009 Words Bubble Up Like Soda Pop Penguin Highway Golgo 13: The Professional Golgo 13: Queen Bee Puella Magi Madoka Magica Rebellion Lupin III The First Escaflowne The Movie Stand By Me, Doraemon Stand By Me, Doraemon 2 Expelled From Paradise Child of Kamiari Month Bubble Dirty Pair Affair On Nolandia Dirty Pair Project Eden Dirty Pair Flight 005 Conspiracy Trigun Badlands Rumble Urusei Yatsura Beautiful Dreamer The Place Promised In Our Early Days Belle K-ON! The Movie A Tree of Palme Drifting Home The Princess and the Pilot Fruits Basket Prelude Hells Black Butler: Book of the Atlantic Black Jack the Movie Josee, the Tiger, and the Fish

Short Movies: Little Witch Academia Kakurenbo - Hide and Seek Voices of a Distance Star

Movies I want to watch: The House of the Lost on the Cape Goodbye, Don Glees! Giovanni's Island

#anime #anime list #anime movie list