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fanfictilltheend · 1 year

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You should see me in a crown - Chapter 5 (Y/N Grimes/Negan Smith)

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Chapter 4 // Chapter 6

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A/n: Thanks for reading! Let me know if you want more. Also, I haven't written in this verse in literally years so I hope it feels cohesive. Let me know! I have one more chapter planned but not written yet so it may take a lil while. If you guys want more than that you have to let me know. Also, I have a Joel miller x reader in the works requested to me on tumblr. We have made it to 15 followers on tumblr lmao come join in the squad! Y/N is like 20 in this and Negan is whatever age he is in season 7 so if that’s too much of an age gap please turn back!

Warnings: 18+ smut do not interact if not 18+ afab!you, daddy kink, kissing, age difference, abusive!Rick Grimes, protective Negan, sexual touching, oral sex, multiple orgasms, cumming untouched, facials, attempted orgasm denial

Summary: Negan expresses doubts and things look grim for a while until they don't.

When I wake up the next morning, Negan is gone from the bed. I figure he's probably busy running an empire, so it makes sense, but part of me is still a little sad I'm alone. I have imagined waking up in his arms so many times it feels a little disappointing to be on my own.

So I put on my clothes then enter into the living room area and there’s Negan eating breakfast and reviewing some maps at the dining table. He’s wearing these black reading glasses that make him look very sexy in my opinion.

He looks at me, lowering his glasses on the bridge of his nose, then back to his maps. He doesn't greet me.

That’s strange.

“Hey,” I say. “Are you mad at me or something?”

“What?” he asks breaking into a smirk, but his expression is distant. “Mad at ya? What makes you think that?”

Maybe I'm just overthinking things, but something in his vibe is definitely different. He's looking at me guiltily like he's my teacher about to tell me I'm failing tenth-grade English or something. Not like a guy who wants to fuck me.

“Nothing,” I mumble, forcing the thought away. “So what are we doing today?”

“I was thinking,” he begins, avoiding my eyes. “I think it’s time to get you back to Alexandria.”

“ What?” I spit, feeling like I've just been socked in the chest. I don’t believe this. “After everything I told you about Rick you think that's a good idea?”

“What? No, not like that,” he replies dismissively. “I’d beat the shit out of him first to get him to leave you alone and all and I’d always be there to reinforce the idea, but then I think you should get home to your family after.”

“Did I miss something?” I ask, thinking he’s kidding. “I thought it was cool to stay here for a while…”

I try to sit down in his lap, but he frowns and pushes me away lightly.

What the fuck?!

“Shit, do you not like me anymore?” I ask incredulously, so deeply hurt by his rejection I don’t even tear up. “I mean, are you embarrassed by me or something?”

“Listen, Y/N, I’m not one to beat around the bush: I'm ending things between us,” he says softly, avoiding my eyes. “It’s for your own goddamn good too, believe me.” He narrows his own eyes when he sees the disbelieving look on my face. “I mean we’re mortal fucking enemies for Christ sake!”

“That can’t be the reason!” I nearly shout, absolutely flabbergasted at this turn of events. “You didn’t care about that yesterday!” I shoot back, still not fully believing him. “This is bullshit. I know you like me.”

“Do you?” he asks in amusement, but perhaps also cruelly. “Yesterday you thought there was a distinct chance I was a goddamn evil supervillain who was manipulating the shit out of you to get to your dear old dad. Maybe that’s all this was.”

I swallow, studying his face. Is he telling the truth? He can’t be, can he? I know what we’ve been feeling is real, right? I’ve never liked someone as much as I’ve liked him. But then something clenches in my stomach.

“Is that why you won’t all-out fuck me?” I ask, dejectedly, my heart now in my throat. “Or let me see your dick? ‘Cause you never really liked me?”

That would make sense. Maybe he really did play me. I’m crying now too, my lip trembling. Tears are streaming down my cheeks. That’s just fan-fucking-tastic. But it would explain why he’s been so slow to have sex.

“Hey, don’t fucking cry!” Negan exclaims, panic and guilt covering his features. And then his light eyes turn into an even worse expression: pity. “We’ve only had a thing for like a couple of days! You can’t like me that much. What about your merry band of Alexandria men? The ones who wanna fuck you and all. How about them? What do you have to cry for?”

“Fuck you,” I say, rubbing the tears from my eyes. “I made them up. There are no guys back at Alexandria who want to fuck me. I made them up to make you jealous. Because I like you, okay? You make me feel so safe and special. I don’t believe you could fake how nice you’ve been to me. But tell me right now it was all fake and I’ll b-believe you I guess. I’ll leave you the fuck alone. I respect boundaries…”

I am straight-up ugly crying right now like a little kid and I wipe my nose on my sleeve, sniveling. Be more pathetic! I think to myself. But that asshole really did hurt my feelings.

“Maybe I happen to believe you’d be better off without me,” Negan begins slowly in his deep, gravelly voice, not really meeting my eyes. “Maybe I believe I’ll hurt someone as genuine as you.” He looks up at me. “I’m an asshole, Y/N, what can I say? I have five wives. And you’re just this kid with a shining light in her. I’d kill anyone who lays a finger on you and I’d never fucking live with myself if I hurt you or put that light out.”

Oh. So that’s what this is about. He’s scared of hurting me. I’m flattered, but he really is a fucking idiot!

“So then don’t hurt me,” I tell him. “It’s that simple. I mean, you asshole, breaking up with me — whatever this is — hurts so fucking bad. Don’t do it. And choose not to hurt me in the future. And then keep making that choice. You’re a smart and capable man. I think you can treat me right if you try. And what am I? Some of grandma’s fine fucking China? I can take a little heartache if need be. I’m not a pussy and you said it. And here’s the last thing I’ll say about this: you’re catching feelings for me. I know it. I see it in your eyes.”

He blinks at me funny and I know I’m right.

“Need to get your eyes checked then,” he mocks stubbornly.

“Fuck you, don’t push me away because you’re afraid,” I tell him.

“Fine,” he relents with a sigh. “Let’s just say, you may have a smart little brain in that hot fucking head of yours,” he admits, uncrossing his arms. “Maybe I am falling a little too fast. And maybe it fucking terrifies me.”

Aw, that’s actually really sweet! I knew the feelings I’m feeling weren’t one-sided. I wonder just how deep he’s fallen because I know I am head over heels. He just had to be a dick about it though…

“I haven’t felt this way since…” he trails off.

“Since Lucille?” I finish for him.

“Fuck. How’d you know, kid? It’s like you can read my goddamn mind. But yeah, since Lucille. She was a real spitfire, same as you. Only you’re a bit softer and sweeter. She would have liked you…” he trails off again, looking distantly into the past and over his bat which is lying on the chair next to him.

“I’m sorry for your loss, Negan,” I tell him honestly. “I bet I would have liked her too.”

He reaches out a big hand and ruffles my hair and I swat his hand away, grinning stupidly.

“So now that we’ve got that angsty shit out of the way, you won’t try to send me home now, right?” I ask. “And you’ll kiss and touch me again ‘till I can’t breathe?”

He looks like he’s trying to resist, but pats his lap and I sit in it, my heart beating quickly.

“Maybe just maybe you’ve convinced me to let this shenanigan continue,” he breathes into my ear and I shiver.

“Apologize for scaring me,” I command, grinding down on his lap.

He grunts in surprise and starts to get a little hard.

“I’m not big on apologies,” he tells me cockily. “Plus maybe you scare me a little.”

“In a good way?” I ask, grinding down on him again.

“In what I now think is a very good way. And maybe I’ll make it up to you right now for failing to see it from the start.”

He reaches his hand down my pants and starts rubbing my clit and I let out a whine.

“You know what would really hit the spot?” I ask as he works me, trying not to sound so absolutely wrecked by him. “And would prove your undying devotion to me?”

“What’s that?” he asks cockily, sticking a rough finger deep inside me and I moan. His finger is so big and fills me up so much compared to one of mine.

“If I could see your cock?” I whimper as he begins to finger me at an earth-shattering pace, in and out.

He grins.

“How do you ask, baby?”

“Please, Daddy can I see your cock?” I ask nicely.

He reaches his other hand down and undoes the button on his khakis and pulls out a very hard-looking dick. I may not have seen too many dicks in my day, but I do know a nice one when I see it. It is long and girthy and the reddish head is nearly purple. Goddamn. My mouth waters.

“Can I touch it?” I whine eagerly, now soaking wet.

“There’s my dirty girl,” he chuckles. “But not until you cum.”

“Well then get to work!” I challenge, grinding into his fingers, dripping down into his lap.

“With pleasure,” he chuckles. “Ride my fingers, baby.”

He rubs my clit some more with his thumb and then curls his finger deep inside me. I practically seize.

“Jesus,” he laughs, his eyes lighting up. “All this for just one finger?”

“And your dick,” I remind him, moaning. “How about another finger?”

“So greedy," he chuckles in approval. "But anything for you, baby girl.”

He does as he’s told and I feel so good and turned on I’m going to cum soon.

“Now, tell me what you like about old Negan Jr,” he commands, licking the shell of my ear, stroking his cock. “Since you were so goddamn eager to see him.”

“Do you mean your dick?” I snicker incredulously.

“At least I don’t call it my goddamned ‘meat wand’ or my ‘quivering’ fucking ‘manhood’ like I bet you read in some of those romance novels I saw in your bedroom. That could be arranged.”

“Shut up!” I snort, wanting to ask him how he knows so much about romance novels. “Keep fingering me, asshole,” I say because he’s stopped. He starts up again, hitting just the right spot. I let out a low moan. “But I’ll bite. Your cock is so hot and big, Daddy. I don’t know if it will fit in me.”

“You are very tight, princess,” he agrees, adding a third finger, pushing in and out of me so fast I see stars.

“And it looks like it will stretch me so well,” I whimper. “Can’t wait to suck it.”

Negan groans.

“Can I touch it now, please?” I whine, dangerously close to the edge.

“Not until you cum on Daddy’s hand. Go on, baby girl,” he tells me fondly.

He fingers me so hard and so fast I lean back into him and cum with a small sob, and he doesn’t stop until I am an oversensitive, spasming mess.

“N-negan!” I moan desperately, only a puddle of a human being at this point.

But even then he doesn’t stop, grinning a wicked grin, and I am riding over the edge again and I cum twice around his fingers as he hits that perfect spot inside of me, letting out a little scream.

“Jesus, sweetheart,” Negan grins in my ear as my body stops its spasming. “That was so hot.”

“That’s the first time I’ve cum from you,” I remark, panting. “But not the first time I’ve cum because of you. That felt so good, Negan. Way better than when I touch myself. Can I touch you now?”

“Anything for my dirty girl. Go on,” he teases as I look into his dancing hazel-brown eyes.

I reach down between my legs and stroke his throbbing cock and the soft flesh is hard as diamond.

He groans deeply, smiling at me stupidly.

“I’ve been waiting so fucking long for that,” he tells me. “Wanted it to be just right for you.”

“Me too,” I agree. “But it always would have been just right. Don’t you know?”

I spit into my hand and start working his cock and Negan moans appreciatively into my ear and my heart pounds deliciously.

“Feels so good, angel,” he whines in my ear. Precum is leaking down my fingers. The shaft and fat head are so swollen. I love when he calls me that.

“Can I put you in my mouth, Daddy?” I ask, reaching down to touch myself, even though I am so spent. Heat still surges between my legs.

“Are you sure, baby? Don’t wanna make you lift a finger,” he tells me seriously. “This is allegedly my apology to you.”

“Who said this was for your benefit?” I ask. “Plus maybe I like spoiling you too.”

“Well, aren’t you a goddamn sweetheart. If you insist…Fuck!” He groans as I get between his knees and bring the warm head to my mouth. “Shit, Y/N, I’m not gonna last if you keep sucking me like that. Taking me so well…”

I am so wet between my legs. He tastes so good and those hot little moans and groans he makes against me are driving me insane. I take as much of his length as I can fit in my mouth which is about three-quarters. The rest I jerk with my hands.

“I’m close, baby,” Negan grunts. “God, just looking at you. Can’t remember the last time I was this fast to cumming. But watching you cum from my fingers alone, twice no less. That just tickles my fucking balls! Literally. Fuck!” he grunts.

And just as he’s about to cum, I think, I pull off of him completely and squeeze his cock.

“Y/N?” he asks desperately, staring down at me, thrusting his cock into midair. “What the flying fuck—“

“Think you get to act like you’re leaving me and then cum? Dream on.” I announce, playing him at his own game, getting back at him from before. I let go of his cock.

Negan starts to laugh, but then his face contorts into a look of utter reverence and he cums anyway, untouched, squirting cum all over my face. That asshole!

Looks like I fucked up the timing or maybe he’s just that in control of his body...Goddamn.

“Oh my god!” Negan laughs through panting, when he calms down a little, his mouth wide open. He looks awed, almost starstruck. “That wasn’t on purpose, I swear! You’re just that hot I couldn’t fucking help it I guess!”

He throws his head back, snickering with laughter as I wipe cum out of my eye.

“You’re so fucking adorable I can’t get enough of you. Literally. First, you give me an amazing blowjob, and then you think you can play my game? But you just weren’t fast enough, baby. I love it! I told you no one will ever be as bad as me. Oh, come on, lighten up.”

“Maybe I’m smiling under all this jizz…” I say. “You wouldn’t know though. Now, help clean me off, you complete motherfucker.”

His eyes soften down at me and he takes off his undershirt to clean me up. He pulls me up into his lap, against his bare hairy chest.

“You’re a sweetheart. Truly.” He tells me. I lean against him so tightly I can hear his heart beating, not wanting to ever let go. “That’s part of why you scare me so much. I’m sorry I was a dick, alright? That shit about sending you home was dumb of me to even suggest when I care about you as much as I do. I think I just don’t know how to deal with how I feel about you, Y/N. It’s new for me.”

“You’re also just a dick,” I point out. “But I appreciate the sentiment.”

“Haven’t cum like that in ages,” he tells me seriously, his voice vibrating through his body against my ear. “Just from looking at someone like that. You’re so beautiful, baby. Can’t believe you thought you could play me! But God, you looked so pretty with my cum on your face,” he muses. “That image is going in the spank bank for sure. Even if you ditch me for my dick behavior. It’s gonna be in the motherfucking spank bank hall of fame.”

“You’re so gross,” I inform him. “And a dick and a jerk and an asshole, but somehow I still like you. So I guess I’ll take you back.”

“Who said you ever let me go? I’ve got you fuckin’ wrapped, baby.”

He leans down to kiss me long and hard and I positively melt into his mouth and I know he’s right.

“Negan!” Simon suddenly calls from another room. I look up and sit up straighter and so does Negan. “Bossman, we have a goddamn visitor. You’ll never guess who it is…”

A/n: Can you guess who it is???? Feedback please or just leave a like or reblog if you enjoyed!!!!!! Chapter 6 will be coming soon but I have to finish writing it and know that people actually want me to post it.

Chapter 6

Masterlist

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spacemilkies · 1 year

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hopeful hearts pt. i

pairing: (past) jedi!reader x dagan gera

rqt: [] yes [x] no

wc: 11k+ (lmaoo i have a problem)

a/n: spoilers!! also, there will be a second part to this.

synopsis: the world is never as simply as it appears. but you learn that unraveling it often comes with more consequences than you can handle.

You stand patiently beside your master outside the council rooms of the Jedi Temple. As you wait, you take in the surroundings: the smooth marble floors, the tall pillars that hold up the ceiling, and the large doors that lead into the chambers.

Some may call you undeserving, others unlucky, but what you know to be true is that one does not take an apprenticeship to Santari Khri lightly. The woman saw potential in your inquisitive mind, and the years under her tutelage have filled out a healthy promising history for you both.

You feel honored to have been chosen as her Padawan when she ascended from Knight to Master, and you hope that in the coming years she will witness you following in her footsteps. For now, you soak up all the knowledge you can gather from observing her interactions with fellow Jedi and council members.

Today is no exception.

Suddenly, your master's voice cuts through your thoughts, "Padawan, I would like to introduce you to Jedi Knight Dagan Gera."

You turn your gaze to the man beside her, who stands tall and proud with a confident aura. You’ve heard the name, not only in passing, but from Santari’s lips on a few occasions. Although typically lacking the mellowed patience it holds today, in the past, her frustration has bled through her otherwise carefully crafted mask of resolve. Apparently, the Kage is also notorious for his hardheadedness as he picked and prodded at Santari’s research. It seems, however, that in recent months they have maintained a stable truce.

Santari never fails to voice the importance of building bridges, even those that take special bricks to mold. And Dagan is a particular one indeed. He is known as a renowned Jedi Knight who once dueled and defeated a Gen'dai. His features are striking, with pale skin and silver eyes that seem to pierce through your very being.

Santari makes easy conversation, and you can't help but admire his beauty. However, as he deflects more inquiries than he responds to, you can’t help but feel as though he is rather impersonal and stoic. Everyone has their uses, but you can find none toward your benefit in Dagan Gera.

You sense your master's amusement at your reaction, and she lets out a laugh before turning to you.

"Return to your studies, Padawan. I wish to speak with Dagan privately," Santari says before gesturing for the Kage to follow her.

As they walk away, Dagan gives you a fleeting look, leaving you with mixed emotions. His gaze is molten despite its brevity, and you can't help but feel drawn to it, despite your unease.

▁▂▃▄▅▆▇▇▆▅▄▃▁▂.

Hours pass as you train in the sparring room, trying to improve your lightsaber skills. You are steadily rising towards your trials to become a Jedi Knight, well-versed in the knowledge of the Force, but lacking in your combat prowess.

As you pause for a break, Santari calls for you. "You’re steadily improving. You make me proud," she says with a small smile.

"Thank you, Master Khri," you reply.

She gestures for you to follow her to the sidelines of the arena, away from the bustle. As you walk, you can't help but ask, "Did everything go well with Knight Gera?"

A knowing glint flashes in her eye and you know you've been caught. "Padawan, I'm afraid I gave you the wrong impression of Dagan Gera," she begins, and you look up at her in surprise. "Despite your force sensitivity, I’ve told you often your emotions bleed quite freely. But do not worry, no one was offended by your mistrust."

You feel embarrassed at being caught. The lingering glances the man had given you now make sense. Santari never spoke beyond a person’s intentions, making you believe that Dagan Gera was about to be a more pasing face. Perhaps he would be partnering with Santari’s archive retrieval system?

From what you've heard of him, he's well-versed in both battle and exploration. Maybe there was use to him yet.

"I think it would be beneficial for you to practice your lightsaber skills under his tutelage," Santari says gently.

You hesitate at the suggestion, surely your progress was slow but getting better. But Santari's expression is one of firm resolve, and she continues, "He has agreed, so your worries should not linger there. It will be good for you both, as he apparently also needs practice on how not to scare away apprentices."

As Santari finishes speaking, she places a comforting hand on your shoulder. "Trust me, Padawan, this will be a good opportunity for you to learn from someone with a different perspective. And who knows, perhaps you will find some common ground with Knight Gera."

You nod, taking in her words. While you still feel uneasy about the idea of training under Dagan, you know better than to disobey your master's orders. "Yes, master. I will do my best," you say with a determined tone.

Santari nods, a small smile playing at the corner of her lips. "I have no doubt that you will, my Padawan. Now, let's return to the temple and get some rest. You have a big day tomorrow."

With that, she leads the way back to the temple, and you follow behind, your mind already turning to the challenge that awaits you in the form of your upcoming trials to become a Jedi Knight.

▁▂▃▄▅▆▇▇▆▅▄▃▁▂.

As you approach the training grounds, your heart starts to race with nervous anticipation. Today is the day of your first training session with Dagan Gera, the infamous Jedi Knight tasked by your master to teach you the ways of the lightsaber.

Dagan, expectantly, is already waiting for you, standing tall and composed in his traditional Jedi robes. His silver eyes meet yours, and you feel a surge of excitement mixed with a tinge of fear. You take a deep breath and try to calm your nerves.

"Good morning, Padawan," Dagain greets you with a nod. "Are you ready to begin your training?"

You nod, trying to hide the excitement in your voice. "Yes, Knight Gera."

Dagan walks over to you and inspects your posture. You try to stand tall and confident, but you know that your faults are showing. He frowns slightly and shakes his head.

"Let's start here," he comments. "Your stance is too wide, and your weight is too far forward. You're leaving yourself vulnerable."

You feel a flush of embarrassment creep up your neck. "I'm sorry, Knight Gera. I'll try to do better."

Dagan doesn't respond immediately. Instead, he stands in front of you and demonstrates the correct stance. "Your feet should be shoulder-width apart, and your weight should be evenly distributed between them. Your knees should be slightly bent, and your hips should be pushed forward. This will give you a stable base and allow you to move quickly and efficiently."

You try to mimic his stance, but it feels awkward and unfamiliar. Dagan notices your struggle and steps closer to you.

"Let me adjust your posture, this is more fitting for your height." he says. He places his hands on your hips and gently shifts them forward, adjusting your stance. You feel a jolt of energy shoot through your body at his touch, and you try to compose yourself.

But before you can dwell on it too much, you blurt," Are implying that I'm short?"

Dagan is taken aback by your question at first, not quite recognizing the jest. You can see a flicker of confusion on his face before he quickly composes himself.

"Short? No, not at all," he says, his voice calm and collected. "Your height is not a fault. It's all about how you hold yourself."

He steps forward and adjusts your stance, moving your feet and shoulders into a more balanced position. You can feel the difference immediately, the weight shifting more evenly across your body. Dagan's hands are warm on your shoulders as he adjusts your posture, and you can't help but feel a sense of trust in him.

"See? It's all about finding the right balance," he says, stepping back to admire his work. "Now, let's try a few basic movements. I want you to focus on your breathing and the movement of your body. Let everything else fall away."

You nod, taking a deep breath and trying to clear your mind. You can feel Dagan's eyes on you as you start to move, his gaze sharp and focused. You try to ignore it, focusing on the task at hand.

But after a few moments, the tension becomes too much. You blurt out another joke, trying to lighten the mood. "You know, I've heard stories about your duels. I'm not sure I'm ready to face you yet."

Dagan's expression softens, and he chuckles. "Oh, I'm not that intimidating, am I?" he says, his voice light. "I'm here to help you learn. We'll take it at your pace."

You feel a wave of relief wash over you, and you realize that maybe Dagan Gera isn't so unapproachable after all. You start to relax, focusing on your movements and your breathing. Dagan watches you closely, offering the occasional correction or bit of encouragement.

Dagan steps back and nods in approval. "That's better. Now, let's begin."

He ignites his lightsaber, and the blade glows golden in the early morning light. You do the same, and the humming sound of the lightsaber fills the air.

Dagan takes a few steps back and gestures for you to attack him. You hesitate for a moment, unsure of what to do, but then you lunge forward with your lightsaber.

Dagan easily parries your attack and counters with a swift strike. You barely manage to block it, and you feel a wave of panic wash over you. You're clearly outmatched.

"Relax," Dagan says calmly. "Don't let your fear control you. You need to be calm and focused in combat."

You take a deep breath and try to calm your nerves. You attack again, this time with more precision and control. Dagan continues to parry and counter, but you're starting to get the hang of it.

As you continue to spar, Dagan offers advice and critiques your form. You find yourself relaxing in his presence, and you even crack a joke about your height. He is taken aback for a moment, not recognizing the jest, but then he smiles.

"Ah, I see what you did there," he says with a chuckle. "Very clever, Padawan."

You can't help but laugh too, relieved that he's not as unapproachable as you initially thought.

▁▂▃▄▅▆▇▇▆▅▄▃▁▂.

Training with Dagan had become a new fixture in your life, and each session left you feeling like you had only scratched the surface of the mystery that was Dagan Gera. Despite this, you couldn't help but feel drawn to him, his enigmatic presence captivating you in a way that you couldn't quite put into words.

You've been hesitant to ask Santari about Dagan, even though you're certain she's aware of your curiosity. Her warm but guarded smiles make you feel foolish for even considering asking. Instead, she always steers the conversation towards your studies, a topic on which you both can easily connect.

As you sit in the library, surrounded by towering shelves of ancient tomes and manuscripts, you feel a sense of calm wash over you. The soft rustling of pages turning fills the air, and the gentle scent of parchment and ink tickles your nostrils, pulling you deeper into the world of the Force.

This place, with its endless supply of knowledge and secrets, has become your sanctuary. The books here are like old friends, their yellowed pages and faded ink a testament to the wisdom they contain. You know that you could spend a lifetime in this library and still only scratch the surface of what it has to offer.

But as you lose yourself in the study of the Force, you hear footsteps approaching. You don't need to look up to know who it is. The sound of the footsteps is unmistakable; you've become rather familiar with Dagan's gait from your sessions together. You take a deep breath, trying to steady yourself.

"Santari told me that you were a quick study. I'm find myself still surprised yet curious." Dagan says, his voice even and measured. "He gestures to the books, "You study often?"

You look up, trying to hide your surprise. It's rare for Dagan to initiate conversation outside of your training sessions. "Of course, Knight Gera," you reply, sitting up straighter in your seat. Combat was expected, but knowledge was coveted within the Order.

As Dagan leans against the table, you can't help but feel a flutter in your chest. You try to ignore it, knowing that the Jedi Code forbids attachment, but you can't help but admire him. His eyes seem to gleam with a depth of knowledge that you find irresistible, and his calm demeanor is both reassuring and intriguing.

"Tell me, what do you know about the Force?" Dagan asks, his voice low and smooth.

You take a deep breath, recalling all the information you've learned over the years. "The Force is an energy field created by all living things. It surrounds us, penetrates us, and binds the galaxy together. Jedi use the Force for knowledge and defense, never for attack."

Dagan nods, seemingly impressed. You can't help but feel a sense of pride at having pleased him.

"And what do you know about the Jedi Code?" he continues.

You recite the code flawlessly, feeling a sense of confidence that comes from knowing you've impressed him. "There is no emotion, there is peace. There is no ignorance, there is knowledge. There is no passion, there is serenity. There is no chaos, there is harmony. There is no death, there is the Force."

Dagan's eyes flicker with approval, and for a moment, you feel like you could get lost in them. You shake your head, trying to focus on the task at hand.

As the conversation with Dagan continued, your admiration for him grew stronger with each passing moment. You found yourself hanging on his every word, captivated by his knowledge and wisdom. He had a way of making even the most complex concepts seem simple.

But then, partway through an explanation, Dagan's attention flickered to the darkening sky through the window, and his brow furrowed. You realized with a start that you had lost track of time, lost in the Jedi Master's presence. You offered no complaint as he rose to leave.

"Thank you for the conversation," Dagan said with a slight nod of his head. "I see why Santari felt as though we may improve upon each other."

As you watched him leave, your heart heavy with longing, you couldn't help but wonder what it would be like to have a mentor like him. Someone who could guide you on the path to becoming a Jedi Knight, to unlock the full potential of the Force within you. The room suddenly felt empty without him, as if the very air had lost its vibrancy. You knew that you had much to learn, but you felt more determined than ever to follow in Dagan's footsteps.

Dagan Gera remained an enigma.

▁▂▃▄▅▆▇▇▆▅▄▃▁▂.

Dagan had been your mentor for a few weeks now, and while your training had been rigorous, you found yourself enjoying his company more and more.

As he observes your stance, you take in the way his eyes move across your body, analyzing your posture and movements with precision. You can feel a warmth spreading across your cheeks, and you quickly focus on the task at hand.

You begin the exercises, each movement fluid and graceful under Dagan's watchful eye. The sound of your lightsabers clashing fills the room, creating an almost hypnotic rhythm. As you continue, you find yourself lost in the moment, your mind and body focused solely on the task at hand.

After what feels like hours, you finally come to a stop, sweat dripping down your forehead. You look up at Dagan, who nods in approval. "You're getting better," he says, a hint of pride in his voice.

You smile, feeling a sense of accomplishment. "Thank you, Knight Gera," you say, feeling a twinge of nervousness as you address him so formally.

He notices your discomfort and his expression softens. "Please, if it benefits your success, than as your instructor, the pleasure is mine." he says, a small smile playing on his lips.

You feel a rush of warmth at his words, and you can't help but feel a sense of closeness between the two of you. You begin to walk towards him, your eyes locked onto his, and he meets your gaze without hesitation.

As you approach him, your heart begins to race, your mind filled with thoughts and emotions you never expected to have. "Dagan," you say, the sound of his name leaving your lips feeling foreign and yet somehow perfect.

He looks at you, his eyes searching yours for a moment. "Yes?" he replies, his voice barely above a whisper.

You take a deep breath, feeling a sense of bravery you never knew you possessed. "I just wanted to thank you," you say, your words slow and deliberate. "For everything. You've been an amazing mentor, and I feel like I'm really starting to learn from you."

Dagan nods, his expression serious. "You're a quick learner," he says, a hint of admiration in his voice. "And I think there's still so much you can achieve."

You feel a sense of pride at his words, and you find yourself leaning in closer to him. The space between the two of you feels electric, and you can't help but feel drawn to him in a way that surprises you.

As your eyes meet once again, you feel a connection between the two of you that goes beyond the student-teacher dynamic. You realize that there may be something between you and Dagan, something that you never expected to feel for anyone, let alone your mentor.

But before you can act on those thoughts, Dagan clears his throat, breaking the moment between the two of you. "We should probably call it a day," he says, his tone professional once again.

You feel a sense of disappointment at his words, but you know he's right. You nod, feeling a sense of awkwardness between the two of you that wasn't there before.

As you both walk towards the exit, you can't help but feel a sense of longing for something more. You realize that there may be an unspoken attraction between you and Dagan, and you're not sure how to handle it.

But as you leave the training room, you know that you'll continue to grow closer to Dagan, no matter how difficult it may be. You're willing to take the risk, willing to explore these newfound feelings, and willing to see where this may lead.

▁▂▃▄▅▆▇▇▆▅▄▃▁▂.

You sit across from Santari in her study, surrounded by shelves of books and various Jedi artifacts. A pot of tea sits between the two of you, steam rising from its spout. You take a sip, savoring the warmth that spreads through your body.

"So, how is your training with Dagan going?" Santari asks, setting down her cup and leaning forward. "I hardly get the opportunity to see the two of you, but from what I hear, you're steadily gaining promise. I'm proud of you."

You smile at her words, feeling a sense of accomplishment wash over you. Santari's praise means a great deal to you, and you're grateful for her guidance and support. But beneath the surface, you're struggling with a growing attraction to Knight Gera, and you know that such feelings are not allowed in the Jedi Order.

You try to push those thoughts aside and focus on the conversation at hand. "It's going well, thank you," you reply. "Knight Gera is an excellent teacher, and I feel like I'm learning a lot."

Santari nods, but you can sense a speculative look in her eyes. You worry that she might suspect your feelings for Dagan, despite your efforts to conceal them. You take another sip of tea, hoping to avoid any further questions.

But Santari surprises you by changing the subject. "I've been working on a new research project," she says, reaching for a datapad on her desk. "It's about the history of the Jedi Order and our connection to the Force."

You're grateful for the change of topic and listen attentively as she explains her research. You find yourself getting lost in her words, impressed by her knowledge and dedication to the Jedi Order. As she talks, you can feel your mind clearing, the worries about Dagan fading into the background.

Santari finishes her explanation and looks up at you. "What do you think?" she asks.

"I think it's fascinating," you reply honestly. "I've always been interested in the history of the Jedi Order, and your research sounds like it could shed some new light on it."

Santari smiles, pleased with your response. "I'm glad to hear it," she says. "I'd love to have your input as I continue my work. Perhaps we could discuss it further at a later time?"

You nod eagerly, feeling a sense of excitement at the idea of collaborating with Santari. As the conversation continues, you find yourself growing closer to her, feeling a deep sense of admiration and respect for the Jedi Master.

But as the meeting comes to an end, you can't help but feel a twinge of guilt. Your growing feelings for Dagan still linger in the back of your mind, and you know that such emotions are forbidden within the Jedi Order. You push those thoughts aside, determined to focus on your training and your duties as a Jedi. But deep down, you can't help but wonder if there's a way to reconcile your growing attraction to Dagan with your devotion to the Jedi Order.

▁▂▃▄▅▆▇▇▆▅▄▃▁▂.

As you wander through the Jedi temple, your thoughts swirl around your training and the constant struggle to improve your skills. Your eyes glance towards the garden, where the stars shine brilliantly in the clear sky. You pause, taking in the beauty of the night sky before you notice Dagan sitting on a nearby bench, his gaze fixed on the stars above.

You hesitate for a moment, not wanting to interrupt his peace, but before you can turn to leave, he senses your presence and calls out to you. You awkwardly make your way over and sit next to him, unsure of what to say.

"Recognize any of the constellations?" he asks, breaking the silence.

You admit that you know some, but not all. He chuckles, his silver eyes glinting in the moonlight. "For a book nerd, I expected more."

You huff in response, "Maybe you should tell me what book you're reading, and I'll be a better study."

Dagan turns to you, and you're momentarily lost in the way his eyes sparkle. "No books. Just immersion in the stars."

You realize that, as a Jedi Knight, he has likely had more adventures than you. You think back to your own childhood, where your Force sensitivity had saved you from a mundane village life. You had always dreamt of traversing the stars, but even now, you felt so far from that reality.

Lost in your thoughts, you look up and find Dagan studying you. Before you can comment, he turns his gaze back to the sky and points out a constellation you don't recognize. He names it and tells you more about it. "It shares a similar structure to one near my home planet. Not as beautiful, but admirable all the same."

He gazes at you from the corner of his eye, "I've found that even away from home, a few things share the same truth."

You catch his gaze, feeling a warmth spread through your chest. You quickly turn away, trying to hide your blush. You realize that you're catching feelings too quickly, but you can't help but be drawn to him.

As the silence settles around you once more, you find yourself lost in thought, pondering the complexities of life as a Jedi. You're brought back to the present when Dagan speaks up, "You know, I hardly ever get to see you during training. But from what I've heard, you're making steady progress. I'm proud of you."

You feel a swell of pride and gratitude at his words, and a smile breaks across your face. "Thank you, Knight Gera."

He glances at you, "Call me Dagan. We're not so formal out here."

You nod, grateful for the opportunity to connect with him on a more personal level. You fall into easy conversation, discussing the intricacies of Jedi training and sharing stories from your past.

As the night wears on, you find yourself feeling more comfortable and open around him. You're drawn to the way he listens intently and shares pieces of himself with you.

As you stand to leave, Dagan turns to you with a glint in his eye, "Same time next week?"

You nod, a smile spreading across your face, "I'll be here."

As you walk away, you can't help but feel a warmth in your chest. You know that the Jedi Order frowns upon attachments, but you can't deny the budding interest you feel for Dagan. You know that it's a slippery slope, but for now, you revel in the feeling of connection and understanding that you share with him.

▁▂▃▄▅▆▇▇▆▅▄▃▁▂.

As you approach the training grounds, you catch sight of Dagan. He stands tall and regal in his golden robes, a figure of authority and wisdom. His agenda has changed, and he nods for you to follow. You comply, intrigued by this sudden deviation from routine. Dagan leads you through winding roads and past familiar buildings until you are nearing the surrounding forest. Doubt creeps up on you, and your steps falter. Dagan notices and a quirk tugs at the corners of his lips. He seems to relish the moment, saying, "I wondered how long it would take you to question my actions."

You huff in response, refusing to be baited. "It’s not my place to question a Jedi Knight."

Dagan raises his brow in interest, finding your blind trust admirable. "Trust in my master, who trusts you," you amend.

Dagan shrugs, as if the two are one and the same. You can't help but agree, and your curiosity is now fully unleashed. You observe your surroundings more freely, taking in the familiar terrain of the path leading down from the Jedi temple. You know the right route to take, and the forest will only swallow you momentarily before opening up into the bustling market below. Younglings and Padawans rarely make the journey alone, but on occasion, Santari would take you on nature walks to get away from the pressures of the council. You can't come up with a feasible reason for Dagan, however. He doesn’t seem like the type to need company for a shopping trip.

The Kage humors your inquisitiveness, stating, "It has become apparent that mentors should not only bog down their apprentices with only training." He gestures to the stretching trees above, saying, "I thought some light meditation may be beneficial." He’s offering something outside of combat, which is not surprising, as mentors offer variety to avoid overwhelming their Padawans. But Dagan is not your master, and he is only instructed to oversee your training. This is an extra direction of his own will, and it reminds you of the moment you shared under the stars a few nights back.

"So you brought me out here to sit and think?" you ask, feeling a newfound confidence.

Dagan snorts at your newfound confidence, and you know that he is playfully mocking you. "I’m led to believe there is more for you to learn," he says.

You can't see his face, but you know that he is leading you through familiar steps and some that are not so familiar. The vegetation thickens, and the day’s warmth is beginning to seep into the morning. But underneath the canopy of treetops, the sun isn’t as palpable, making for a pleasant journey. Just when you were starting to question just how big the forests could be, you finally notice the inevitable thinning and the faint sound of running water.

As you approached the clearing, the air thickened with moisture, enveloping you in a warm embrace. The scent of the nearby river filled your lungs, infusing your senses with a refreshing coolness. The small pool of water in the center of the clearing caught your eye, clear and untouched by human hands, as if nature had created it as a secret sanctuary. It was a peaceful respite from the hustle and bustle of the nearby markets, and you couldn't help but feel that you were closer to the temple than ever before.

Dagan's words resonated with you as he spoke, his voice low and soothing. The silence of the temple walls could be deafening at times, and the gentle sound of the water cascading over rocks was a welcome change. You found yourself nodding in agreement, lost in your own thoughts.

As Dagan lowered himself to the edge of the pool, you couldn't help but admire his grace and poise. His movements were deliberate and controlled, as if he had done this a thousand times before. His pale skin was illuminated by the sun, creating a halo of light around him that seemed almost ethereal. The kage truly were a vision of natural beauty, and you couldn't help but feel a sense of awe in their presence.

“I would be impressed that you are able to mediate standing, if your eyes weren't open.”

A sharp retort caught in your throat. You quickly fell to your knees, ignoring the sharp pain that shot up your legs, and tried to follow his lead. The sound of his laughter was infectious, and soon you found yourself smiling, the tension in your muscles easing at the sound.

“Just relax, little one. This is meant to be a reward. Enjoy it.”

As you closed your eyes, the sound of the running water filled your ears, a soothing melody that washed over you in gentle waves. The occasional chirp of a bird or rustle of leaves in the breeze served as a reminder that you were still connected to the natural world, even as you attempted to quiet your mind.

Opening one eye, you watched as Dagan remained completely at peace, his body still and calm. It was easy to get lost in his presence, to forget about the outside world and the troubles that came with it. A small part of you wondered if he had brought you here for his own selfish desires, but the majority of you found solace in the fact that he had taken the time to share this moment with you.

“I suppose, it was too much for me to ask you to manage a perfect mediation on your first time.”

Caught again, but this time you didn't shy away from his intense gaze. In turn, he seemed to admire the fact. Incentives, you pushed.

“I remember you promising a lesson? ‘More to learn.’”

As you spoke up about his promise of a lesson, his amusement filled the air once more, a deep and resonant sound that vibrated against your skin. You clumsily arranged yourself in a more comfortable position across from him, eager to learn and grow under his guidance.

“You have an interest in space travel, yes? But you’ve only travel from your planet here?”

As you nod in response to Dagan's question about your interest in space travel, memories of your first interplanetary journey flood your mind. The nerve-wracking experience had turned out to be the best time of your life, offering a glimpse of the opportunities that lay beyond the mundane routine of your village. The feeling was almost as exhilarating as the first time you discovered the Force. You knew that it would be years before you ascended to Jedi Knight status, but the prospect of more freedom kept you motivated.

“I was similar when I first left Quarzite.”

Dagan's words bring you back to the present, and you find yourself curious about his own journey. He speaks of his home planet, Quarzite, and the underground life that he had led. You can almost envision the caves speckled with crystals that glittered like stars, imagining the suffocating beauty of such a place. The Kage's pale complexion, a result of their subterranean cities, intrigues you, but you wonder if you could give up surface living for such a life. The high atmospheric pressure would likely have left the Kage with no other choice.

“Tell me about Quarzite.”

If Dagan noticed it wasnt posed as a question that a Padawan should be asking rather than demanding, he made no note of it. Instead, he slipped easily into the inquiry.

“It’s colder than here. Naturally, since most life thrives underground. Most of my life was spent in caves speckled with crystals that glittered like stars. It was suffocatingly beautiful but I’ve come to appreciate what the rest of the galaxy has to offer.”

You could relate to the feeling. Though not trapped underground, your village was stuck in a mundane routine that provided life but not much excitement. You were raised into your roles; an intricate design that kept the life cycle going. You wonder if the Force was a freeing to you as it was to him.

It seemed like too intimate of a question, so you deflected for something more neutral.

“Do you have a favorite planet?”

As Dagan speaks, you sense a deep yearning in him, a restlessness that no destination has yet satisfied. His travels, despite being numerous and decorated, seem almost methodical, as if he is searching for something that he has yet to find. His favorites, if he has any, remain elusive. You find yourself wondering if he, too, is seeking the same kind of freedom that the Force has brought you.

“You seem to enjoy them all, but they don’t seem like your favorite.”

His silver eyes briefly harden at your question, but they soften just as quickly, as if he has accepted your curiosity.

“I’m still looking for the perfect oasis. Coming from a planet plagued by war, it’s something of a childhood dream to find a place of promised peace.” He smiled, but it did not quite reach his eyes if the lingering pain overseeded the optimism.

Above, a cool breeze picked up and the clearing shadowed as a cloud blanketed the sun. Dagan frowned, coming to a quick unanimous decision.

“It appears as though our meditation will need to be cut short. But I would call it a success. I hope the lesson was fruitful.”

As you pick yourself up, you find yourself in agreement with his assessment of the lesson's fruitfulness. Day by day, you feel as if you are unraveling the mystery of Dagan Gera.

▁▂▃▄▅▆▇▇▆▅▄▃▁▂.

The morning sun rose over the lush forests of the Jedi temple, casting a warm glow over the towering trees and shimmering lakes. A gentle breeze carried the sweet scent of wildflowers through the air as you made your way to the training grounds.

The oasis reprieve was days behind you now and it was time to return back to your duties. Even in his absence, it seemed as though everyday you were learning more about the Kage.

Dagan was a formidable duelist, but he was also an adventurer with a mind best suited to be intertwined with the never ending galaxies. Beneath his prestige, he was still a man and one with goals like any other.

It seemed as though unintentionally, he was become somewhat of a distraction. Though fortunately, the root of it was not yet easily deciphered as Santari made her own assumptions.

Your master’s laughter echoed against your ears from the memory of her steering you away from the temple steps just an hour earlier.

“Dagan needs to temper his patience. And you could learn to be a little more spontaneous.”

Her hands pressed against your shoulders encouragingly,” I look forward to witnessing both of your progress.”

And thus became yet another, session with the notorious Kage Jedi Knight.

Dagan was waiting for you as usual, his silver-grey hair and piercing silver eyes shining in the morning light. The Kage Jedi Knight was always an imposing figure, standing tall and lean with the lithe grace of a predator. But as you approached, his lips turned in a way the eased the nerves to melt away.

"Good morning, little one," he said, his voice low and melodic. "Ready for our session?"

You nodded, a faint smile tugging at the corners of your lips in response. Dagan had a way of making you feel at ease, even when the other Padawans made you doubt yourself. As you began their warm-up exercises, you couldn't help but admire the way he moved - so effortlessly, so fluidly.

But then Dagan turned to you, and his quirked lip made your chest thud in anticipation. "Now, let's see if you can keep up with me, little Padawan."

You sparred with your lightsabers, the sound of humming blades filling the air as you traded blows. Dagan was quick, too quick for you to keep up. But you focused on the Force, on the flow of energy around them, and found yourself anticipating his moves enough to remain on guard.

"Good, good," Dagan murmured, his eyes gleaming with approval. "You're starting to get it."

As you took a break, Dagan sat down next to you, and your body reacted to the contact of his shoulder brushing against yours, sending a flush of heat through you. You couldn't help but feel drawn to him; he was so close, so alluring.

"You know," he said, his voice low and conspiratorial. "If you were as good with a lightsaber as you are with literature, you'd best even me."

You laughed, a soft sound that had him humming in return. "I don't think that's possible."

He chuckled, and for a moment, you sat in companionable silence, watching the dappled sunlight filter through the leaves.

But then he turned to you, his gaze intense. "You know, you don't have to be the strongest warrior to be a great Jedi. Sometimes, it's the ones who struggle the most who end up shining the brightest."

You looked at him, feeling a sudden warmth in your chest. Dagan always knew how to say the right thing, to make you feel like you were worth something.

As you resumed their training, you found yourself lost in the moment, your mind and body focused on the task at hand. two of you sparred with your lightsabers, the sound of humming blades filled the air as you traded blows. Dagan was quick, too quick for you, and you found yourself struggling to keep up with his movements. But with each passing minute, you began to find your footing, channeling the Force to guide your movements and anticipate his attacks.

Then, in a moment of pure instinct, you lunged forward, your lightsaber barely missing Dagan's shoulder.

He stepped back, his eyes wide with surprise. And then, in a move that caught you completely off-guard, he side stepped and rotated around your form. You then felt his arm come across your shoulder with the butt his lightsaber pressed against the vulnerable part of your neck.

For a moment, you stood there, caught in the trap of his side gaze. your heart was pounding in your chest, your breath coming in short gasps. Dagan was so close, you could feel the heat of his body, the soft brush of his breath against your cheek.

The moment was electric, but just as quickly as it had arrived, it was over. Dagan pulled away, clearing his throat and readjusting his posture. your heart was pounding in your chest, your mind racing with thoughts and emotions that you didn't quite know how to process.

You looked up at Dagan, searching his face for any sign of what he was feeling. But as always, his expression was unreadable. He simply gave you a small nod and said, "Let's get back to training."

The rest of the morning passed in a blur. You struggled to focus, your mind constantly wandering back to the moment with Dagan. you were acutely aware of his presence beside her, the heat of his body and the soft brush of his breath still lingering in your memory.

Dagan pushed you harder and harder, each swing of his lightsaber demanding your full attention and focus. You could feel the sweat beading on your forehead, your muscles straining with effort. But you didn't give up, driven by a determination to prove yourself to your master and your peers.

And as the session drew to a close, you were surprised to find yourself feeling invigorated, energized by the rush of adrenaline that coursed through your veins. You turned to Dagan, expecting to see a proud smile on his face, but instead, you saw a flicker of something else in his eyes.

It was a look that you couldn't quite place - a mix of admiration, respect, and... something else. Something that made your heart skip a beat and your stomach flutter with nervous excitement.

Dagan seemed to sense your unease, and he flashed you a reassuring smile. "You did well, little one," he said, his voice soft and gentle. "I see great potential in you."

You felt a warmth spread through your chest at his words, a sense of pride and accomplishment that made you stand a little taller. But beneath it all, there was something else - a sense of longing that you couldn't ignore.

Dagan was a Jedi Knight, and you a Padawan. The Order had strict rules against attachments, against giving in to the temptations of the flesh. And yet, you couldn't help the way you felt, the way his touch sends shivers down your spine and his voice made your heart race.

As the training drew to a close, Santari returned from her council meeting. You were relieved to see her, hoping that her presence would help to dispel the tension that had been building between you and Dagan.

But as Santari greeted them, you couldn't help but feel a twinge of guilt. You knew that you knew that the fledgling emotions that you held for Dagan that were inappropriate for a Jedi Padawan. With a deep breath, you tried to push aside the conflicting emotions and focus on the task at hand. Santari had summoned you for a reason, and it was your duty to fulfill it. You exchanged a quick nod with Dagan, a silent agreement table the moment for another day.

As you left the training grounds, your thoughts were consumed by the memory of Dagan's touch and his gaze. You couldn't help but wonder what might have happened if Santari hadn't interrupted when she did, if you had given in to the impulses that stirred inside you.

▁▂▃▄▅▆▇▇▆▅▄▃▁▂.

The night air was crisp as you stepped onto the training grounds, the hum of your lightsaber the only sound. The light of the blade pierces through the darkness as you practice your moves, hoping to drown out the feelings that have been consuming you. Lately, your thoughts had been consumed with Dagan. You had tried to meditate on it, to push the thoughts away, but they kept creeping back in. You know that attachment is against the Jedi Code, and you have tried to meditate on it, but the thoughts keep creeping back in.

As you stood there, trying to focus on the hum of your lightsaber, you couldn't help but let your thoughts wander. Lately, they had been consumed by Dagan, your Jedi Knight instructor. It wasn't just his stoic demeanor or his impressive combat skills that drew you to him. It was the way he spoke with such passion about his dreams and ambitions, and how his eyes seemed to light up whenever he gazed out at the stars.

But as much as you tried to meditate on these thoughts and let them pass, they continued to haunt you. You knew that attachment was forbidden in the Jedi Order, and you didn't want to risk losing everything you had worked so hard for. So you had thrown yourself into training, hoping that the hum of the lightsaber and the discipline of the combat drills would drown out the noise in your head.

You raised your lightsaber and began to move through the familiar forms, hoping the physical exertion would help clear your mind. But the more you moved, the more the thoughts swirled around you, like a swarm of insects. You were a Jedi, and you knew the dangers of attachment. The teachings of the Order were clear, and yet you couldn't help the way you felt.

As you moved through the forms, your mind kept wandering to Dagan. His strength and determination, the way his eyes sparkled with silver light when he talked about his dreams. You couldn't help but admire him, and you knew that admiration was turning into something more.

Your movements slowed as you realized that you were the root of the problem. It was your own feelings that were getting in the way of your training. You couldn't afford to let your emotions cloud your judgment, not when you were a Jedi in training. You lowered your lightsaber, feeling defeated.

That's when you heard the sound of footsteps approaching. You turned to see Dagan making his way towards you, a small smile on his face. You tried to smile back, but your body became closed off, defensive.

Dagan's expression turned to concern. "What's wrong?"

You hesitated, not wanting to admit your weakness. But then you saw something in his eyes that made you feel safe. So you took a deep breath and confessed. "I...I can't focus. My thoughts keep getting in the way."

Dagan's frown deepened. "What thoughts?"

You hesitated, not wanting to admit your weakness. But then, something in his eyes made you feel safe. "I'm...I'm beginning to feel an attachment. And I know it goes against the Jedi Code, but I can't seem to stop it."

Dagan's eyes softened, and for a moment, you felt a glimmer of hope. "What if it's not such a one-sided thing?" he said quietly.

You looked up in surprise, and before you knew it, Dagan's hand was cupping your cheek. His touch was gentle, and you could feel the warmth of his breath against your face. And then, without warning, his lips were on yours, and everything else fell away.

The kiss starts chaste, hesitance from both parties.

But then Dagan presses against you more, and the soft push of his tongue prods until your lower lip gives away. You feel soft and vulnerable, yet trusting and allowing for him to savor the taste of you.

For a moment, you let yourself get lost in the sensation of his embrace. You knew that this was wrong, that you were putting your training in jeopardy. But in that moment, you couldn't bring yourself to care. The stars above seemed to twinkle in approval as you leaned into the kiss, feeling the weight of all your doubts and uncertainties melt away.

▁▂▃▄▅▆▇▇▆▅▄▃▁▂.

As the days passed, your relationship with Dagan blossomed into something beautiful and captivating. Despite your attempts to keep it hidden from your fellow Jedi, small gestures of affection and tenderness would often slip out in moments of privacy.

Each passing day brought you closer to Dagan, and you found yourself growing more attached to him. His presence alone would make your heart flutter with excitement, and his touch would send a shiver down your spine. The sound of his voice was like music to your ears, soothing and reassuring you in times of stress and doubt.

You reveled in the stolen moments of intimacy: the subtle brushes of his hand against yours, the small kisses shared in secret, and the way his eyes lit up whenever he looked at you. It was as though you were living in a dream, a perfect world where nothing could go wrong.

Despite your growing attachment to Dagan, you knew that your relationship was strictly forbidden by the Jedi Code. The nagging voice in the back of your mind told you that what you were doing was wrong, but every time you were with Dagan, all thoughts of the Code would fade away, and you would be lost in the warmth of his embrace.

One day, after slipping away from Dagan, you ran into Santari. Her expression was stern and guarded, sending a chill down your spine. You couldn't help but feel a sense of dread wash over you, wondering what she may have seen or heard.

The happiness you felt earlier slipped away, replaced with a gnawing sense of fear and uncertainty. You knew that the consequences of your attachment to Dagan could be severe, and the thought of being torn away from him filled you with a deep sense of sorrow.

As you looked into your master's eyes, you could see that she knew what was going on between you and Dagan. Whether she would report you to the council or keep it to herself remained to be seen, but you knew that your fate was now in her hands.

The air around you felt heavy, suffocating, as she gestured for you to follow.

▁▂▃▄▅▆▇▇▆▅▄▃▁▂.

You stand before Santari, your Jedi master, feeling a knot of anxiety forming in your stomach. You have sensed that this conversation was coming, and now that it's finally here, you feel unprepared.

Santari's eyes, usually warm and comforting, are now piercing and scrutinizing as she looks at you. "Padawan," she begins, "I have noticed the growing closeness between you and Dagan. It's not something that can be easily hidden from someone who has been trained to read the Force."

You swallow hard, trying to find the right words to respond. "Master Khri, I..."

But she interrupts you. "I know that you care for him deeply," she says, her tone softening. "But as a Padawan on the path to becoming a Jedi Knight, you must consider the consequences of your actions."

She pauses for a moment, and you can see the concern etched on her face. "I put too much trust in Dagan to know when to stop," she continues. "I did not consider the fact that his feelings for you could cloud his judgment. And now, I fear that you both may be putting your personal desires ahead of the Jedi Order."

You feel a pang of guilt at her words. You have been struggling with the same thoughts, wondering if your attachment to Dagan is getting in the way of your duties as a Padawan.

"I know that you have feelings for him," Santari says, "but you have to understand that your role as a Jedi Knight comes with responsibilities that require you to put the greater good above your personal desires. You cannot allow yourself to be distracted by attachment."

You nod, feeling the weight of her words settling heavily on your shoulders. "I understand, master," you say softly. "I know that the Jedi Order forbids attachment for a reason."

Santari nods, her eyes softening once more. "I only want what's best for both of you," she says. "I don't want to lose two of the important people in my life."

You can see the genuine care and concern in her eyes, and it brings a sense of comfort to your heart. "I will do my best to uphold the Jedi Code," you say, determination in your voice.

Santari smiles, a glimmer of pride in her eyes. "I have no doubt that you will," she says. "Remember, the path of a Jedi is not an easy one. But with discipline and focus, you can overcome any obstacle."

You bow respectfully, feeling a sense of renewed purpose. "Thank you, Master Khri," you say, "for your guidance and wisdom."

As you leave her presence, you feel a sense of clarity and purpose wash over you. You know that the road ahead will be difficult, but with the teachings of the Jedi Order and the guidance of your master, you feel confident that you can navigate the challenges that lay ahead.

▁▂▃▄▅▆▇▇▆▅▄▃▁▂.

You try to avoid Dagan's presence as much as possible after the discussion with Santari. It wasn't easy, considering how close the two of you had become, but you knew it was for the best. You didn't want to be the cause of his downfall or yours, for that matter. You kept your distance, avoided his gaze, and tried not to let your eyes wander towards him when you were in the same room. But it was only a matter of time before he noticed your distance.

It started with small attempts to talk to you, to ask how you were doing, but you always found an excuse to leave or to avoid the conversation altogether. It wasn't long before he started cornering you, trying to find out what was wrong. You couldn't keep up the act forever, and eventually, you found yourself in a secluded corner of one of the gardens, with Dagan standing in front of you, his arms crossed over his chest, a look of frustration on his face.

"Why are you avoiding me?" he asked, his voice firm but not angry.

You tried to deflect his question, "I'm not avoiding you, Dagan. I've just been busy with my training."

"You've been avoiding me for weeks," he said, his voice rising slightly in frustration. "I know you, and something's not right. You can't keep pushing me away like this."

You took a deep breath, "Dagan, it's not you. It's me. I can't do this anymore."

"Do what? What are you talking about?"

"This... us," you said, gesturing between the two of you. "I can't keep pretending that everything's okay, that we're just friends, that there's nothing more between us. We both know there is, but we can't act on it. Not as Jedi."

Dagan's expression softened, and he took a step closer to you. "I know what you mean, but we can't ignore our feelings either. We can't pretend they don't exist."

"But we have to," you said, feeling the weight of the Jedi Code on your shoulders. "We're not supposed to have attachments. It only leads to distraction and pain."

"That's not true," Dagan argued, his voice passionate. "Attachment can give us strength, it can give us something to fight for. You and I, we have something special. We can't just ignore that."

"You know the rules, Dagan," you said, feeling the frustration rise in your chest. "We can't risk our positions as Jedi. We have to focus on our training and our duty to the Order."

"But at what cost?" Dagan asked, his voice softening. "Do we have to sacrifice our happiness for the sake of the Jedi Code? Is that what it means to be a Jedi?"

You opened your mouth to argue, but the words caught in your throat. You knew he had a point, but you couldn't ignore the warnings of your master. You took a deep breath and looked away from Dagan, not wanting to face the conflict in his eyes.

"Dagan, I don't know what to do," you admitted, feeling the weight of the decision on your shoulders. "I don't want to lose you, but I don't want to put your future in jeopardy either. I don't want to lose my chance at becoming a Jedi Knight."

Dagan sighed, his hand reaching out to touch your arm, but you pulled away, feeling the weight of your doubts weighing on your shoulders. "I understand," he said, his voice low. But his tone holds the burden of the opposite.

"I know," you said, feeling the heaviness of the situation bear down on you. "I wish things were different.” Truly… You had spent too many nights already experiences a different reality with Dagan in your dreams.

Dagan's face softens, and he lets out a sigh. "We’ll… figure this out. But please, don't push me away. "

"There is nothing to figure out," you reply softly. "It’s best if we maintain what we have as friends. We are that still… right?,: you whisper, fear bubbling back up.

Dagan takes a step closer to you, his eyes locking onto yours. "Of course. You know I harbor that much for you and even more. So let us fight for it. Together."

You feel your resolve falter at his words, your heart yearning to believe him. But you know it's not that simple, the Jedi code is clear on the matter of attachments.

"We can't do that, Dagan," you whisper, taking a step back. "It's not just about the code, it's about the danger of distractions. We have a duty to the Jedi order and the galaxy, and we can't let our feelings interfere with that."

Dagan's expression hardens, his frustration mounting. "Is that all I am to you? A distraction?"

"No, of course not," you reply quickly, regretting your words. "But our feelings for each other could cloud our judgment, and that's not something we can risk."

Dagan stares at you for a long moment, his eyes flickering with emotions you can't decipher. "Fine," he says finally, his voice strained. "If that's how you feel, then so be it. But don't expect me to just sit idly by and watch you slip away from me."

With that, he turns on his heel and stalks away, leaving you alone in the garden with the weight of his words heavy on your heart.

You stand there for a long while, watching the sunset bleed across the sky, feeling the cool breeze brush against your skin. The garden is peaceful, yet you can't shake the turmoil inside of you. You want to be with Dagan, but you know it's not that simple. You have a duty to the Jedi order, and your responsibilities as a Padawan far outweigh your desires.

As the stars begin to twinkle overhead, you take a deep breath and steel yourself for the road ahead. The journey to becoming a Jedi knight is fraught with challenges, but you know that this is just another test on your path. You'll do what's right, even if it means sacrificing your own happiness.

▁▂▃▄▅▆▇▇▆▅▄▃▁▂.

You throw yourself into your training, finding solace in the routine of it all. Santari gives you extra tasks and meditation techniques to improve your connection with the Force, and you take them on eagerly. You find that the more you focus on your training, the easier it is to push thoughts of Dagan to the back of your mind.

But even as you immerse yourself in your training, you can't help but notice Dagan's absence. It's not just the fact that you miss him, but there's a part of you that wonders if he's avoiding you. You try not to dwell on it too much, but it's hard to ignore the emptiness in your heart.

Santari seems to sense your struggles, and one day she sits with you in the gardens, her eyes full of concern. "You know, Padawan," she says softly, "it's okay to feel hurt. Love can be a beautiful thing, but it can also be a painful thing. You have to learn to navigate those waters carefully."

You look at her, taking in the soft lines on her face and the way her eyes seem to see into your very soul. "But how do I know what's right?" you ask, your voice trembling slightly.

She smiles, placing a hand on your shoulder. "That's something you have to discover for yourself. But always remember that the Jedi way is one of balance. You must learn to balance your emotions with your duty as a Jedi."

You take her words to heart, and you begin to try and find that balance. You throw yourself into your studies and training, but you also take time to reflect on your feelings and what you truly want.

▁▂▃▄▅▆▇▇▆▅▄▃▁▂.

As the weeks pass, you start to feel more centered. You're still dispirited about Dagan, but you've come to accept that the path forward is more stable. You're content to focus on your training and the journey that lies ahead of you.

You sit quietly in Santari's office, listening to her words as she instructs you on your next task. It's been another few weeks since you last saw Dagan, and months counting, and you're starting to feel the lingering strain of his absence. It's growing beyond mournful to concern as you consider the welfare of the Jedi knight. You try not to dwell on it, focusing instead on your training and the instruction given to you by Santari. But it's hard, and the ache in your chest persists.

As you listen to Santari, the door to her office suddenly opens, and in walks Dagan. You're surprised and caught off guard by his sudden appearance, but you can't help but admire the beauty that still clings to him outside your memory. He catches your gaze and gives you a small, quirked smile before turning to Santari.

"I have news."

Dagan begins to speak, telling Santari how he's been meeting with the council and has been given the duty of traversing the galaxy to discover new planets to house the order away from the empire's reach.

Everyday, the empire dawns closer and Jedi are forced to fight for their shores as their current known bases are no secret to the empire. Both Santari and Dagan has before expressed their interest in exploring new planets for the order to expand upon, but the opportunity was weighted by the burden of resources needed when they were better served towards defenses.

But it seems as though Dagan has found away around the council's hesitance as he leans forwards, palms braced against the back of the chair.

"We've discovered a galaxy outside of the empire's reach. It's outskirts edge the unknown with plenty of planets left undiscovered." His excitement bleeds into your senses, radiating from the palpable effort he must have put into this venture over the last few months.

You're reminded of a time that Santari confident in you when she admitted to not liking Dagan. She feared the stonic nature of the war-driven Kage, but later noted his somberness as he redirected his goals towards creating a new source for the peace he fought for. Overtime, their visions aligned and from it came understanding and later friendship.

"We have narrowed down a few options, but the council has tasked me with creating a team to assist in the search."

He thus he asks for Santari's support, knowing that her aspirations would be a leading favor. However, her responsibilities sober the initial ardor. Settingly back in her seat, she reaches for her data-pad idly. You're reminded of the objectives she had set for herself while delegating her own.

"I ... cannot leave my post right now, Dagan. You know I support your efforts, but my role is best suited here." Your master has the best control over emotions bleeding than anyone you know, but for a moment, even you can feel the palpable disappointment.

You can't help but feel like you're invading a privacy suited for a friendship that had aged longer than your connection to either of them. But before you could attempt to step away, Dagan brought you to pause with a hand.

You can't help but tremble at the warmth of his hand enclosed around your wrist as he maintain eye contact with your master while offering an alternative: a request for you to join him on his journey instead.

He explains that he brought it up with the council to use this as an opportunity to prepare you for the trials. You're shocked and can't believe what you're hearing. Santari narrows her eyes suspiciously, and you can tell her opinion teetering with the new information brought before her.

She regards Dagan quietly, and they have a stare-down, each one sizing up the other. Eventually, she asks him if he believes he's in the best position to protect you. The implication is two fold to encompass both physically and from the wrath of the order. Dagan steps closer to her, his confidence palpable as he replies with a resounding "Yes."

Santari is quiet for a moment longer before sighing. Her gaze drifts to you and down to the grasp Dagan has yet to let go.

"With the council's approval, there is not much more I can do, I suppose." You can't help but feel a bit uneasy, knowing that as your master, she has the final say in the matter and could deny it if she wanted to. But she's not, and you know that she's allowing this to happen.

She turns to you and says, "This is an opportunity for you to prove your maturity, Padawan. Do you believe in yourself?" Dagan turns to you, hope shining in his eyes, and you can feel the desperation emanating from him through your Force sense.

This wasn't just a trial to lay the foundation of your step towards ascension, but the framework that would design your path as Jedi.

And with this decision, you would be accepting the fate of not stepping alone.

You nod, your resolve solidifying. "Yes, Master," you reply, your voice steady and determined.

Dagan grip flexes and you feel a sense of relief and joy wash over you. You can't believe that you're going on this journey with him, but at the same time, you're nervous and unsure of what lies ahead. You know that the trials will be difficult, but you also know that you have to trust in yourself and in Dagan.

Before the Kage could pull you away, Santari asks for a private conversation with Dagam and urges you to begin readying yourself by closing up any lingering tasks.

Obedietny you depart with a hesitate on Dagan part to let go, however, you find that you couldn't distance yourself further than the garden. Too much had transpired in a short amount of time for you to focus on anything other than what they could possibly be discussing without you.

You had suspected that Santari had a similar discussion with Dagan at some point before the months had distanced you all, which only made you more anxious about what more this new discovery had prompted.

▁▂▃▄▅▆▇▇▆▅▄▃▁▂.

You found yourself pacing back and forth along the garden path, your mind racing with all sorts of possibilities.

It was true that Santari had given her acceptance, but that had been towards your newly appointed role, not necessarily the severed but still visibly prominent connection that persisted between you and Dagan.

Would you be in for a separate conversation later detailing her expectations?

At last, Dagan emerged from the office, looking more relieved than you appeared. He practically dragged you away from the garden, leading you towards a secluded cove where you could speak without interruption.

"I'm sorry you had to wait so long," Dagan said, wrapping his arms around you in a tight embrace. "But it's good news, I promise."

You hugged him back, though the source of anxiousness remained . "What ... did she say?"

Dagan pulled away slightly, looking at you with a serious expression. "Santari has indeed given me permission to include you on my exploration team."

You felt your heart skip a beat. It was everything you had ever dreamed of – the chance to travel the stars, to discover new worlds and new experiences. But at the same time, the reality of leaving everything you knew behind, of embarking on such a dangerous and uncertain journey, was overwhelming.

Not to mention the present dilemma he was still edging around.

"Dagan, are you sure this is a good idea?" you asked hesitantly. "Did Master Santari have any ... doubts?"

Dagan took your hand, looking at you with a gentle smile. "She voiced her concern," he said softly. "But I assured her that I was capable of mitigating the responsibly. We have the ability to carve a new space—a better home. A place where we wont have to hide."

You looked into his eyes, seeing the sincerity and determination there. You knew that he truly believed in this, that he was passionate about exploring the unknown and achieving his goals.

"I'll go with you," you said finally, feeling a rush of excitement and fear at the same time. "But we have to be careful. We can't just rush into this blindly."

You were speaking both on the journey and the fragile future ahead.

Dagan nodded, his expression serious. "I understand," he said. "And I promise you, we'll be mindful. I won't let his opportunity escape."

He pulled you close once more, kissing you deeply. You felt a surge of desire flood back in after weeks of absence as his lips met yours, feeling a sense of completeness that you had never known before.

"I care for you," he whispered against your lips. "And I promise you, no matter what happens, I will always be here for you."

You smiled, feeling of warmth and happiness flooded through you.

And so, the two of you began to plan, to prepare for the journey ahead. You spent weeks researching and gathering information, studying maps and charts, and gathering supplies and equipment. You met with scientists and experts, learning everything you could about the planets and stars that lay ahead.

As the day of departure drew near, you felt a sense of nervous excitement, a sense of anticipation that bordered on fear. But through it all, Dagan was there, his steady presence and unwavering determination giving you strength and courage.

And then, at last, the day arrived. You stood on the launch pad, watching as the ship that would carry you to the stars was fueled and prepared. You felt a sense of awe and wonder of the future paved ahead.

#dagan gera x reader #dagan gera imagine #star wars jedi survivor x reader #star wars x reader #star wars imagine

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grasshopperdoingdogpaddle · 5 months

Note

I was wondering: do you have any thoughts on what it would take for Omi to truly join the heylin side (with Chase) out of his own free will?

Omi's loyalty is intrinsically tied to his love. Omi wants to follow someone who he loves and trusts and respects, and who he'll get to fight for. It's a bonus if that person loves him back.

The person he loves the most by default is Master Fung, which is why Omi on the Xiaolin side but also willing to bend his morals or go against his own opinions or throw away his life if he thinks Fung has ordered him to (i.e. with the Bird of Paradise).

So the most automatic way to get Omi to join Heylin is if Master Fung did. Omi would just follow him there. If Master Fung somehow became one of Chase's fallen warriors, and they couldn't get him back, Omi would go with him. He'd have many questions, but he'd go with him.

Barring that course of action, though, there are some ways in the same vein:

If Omi permanently loses Master Fung. In which case, Chase could immediately jump on the chance to offer a way forward while Omi was feeling raw from grief. Omi could go Heylin in a "Chirin's Bell"-like path, training to get stronger to get vengeance for that loss by any means, or he could go to Chase just because that's all Omi has left. Chase would have to jump on the opportunity pretty quickly though, because left to his own devices, Omi may just wander off into the frozen tundra again after something like this.

If Omi grows apart from Master Fung. There's an ongoing distance growing between them all throughout the series that Omi one-sidedly tries to bridge. While there's never going to be an explosive falling out betwen Omi and Fung, he probably will eventually come to learn that Master Fung is never really going to be what Omi desperately wishes he was to him. And in that absence, the only other person in a mentor-like role for Omi to fall back on would be Chase. That's why Heylin Omi said all he wanted was to be with Chase, and that's why in the alternate reality, Omi stayed with good Chase instead of jumping into the Yin-Yang dimension no matter the risk to get back Fung like he did in the main verse. So in a way, Chase's best bet is to just keep up this friendship he has with Omi, especially after the finale when Omi's lived this alternate reality of a whole life with him, and after which Omi seems to be accepting how things are at the temple. Omi is willing to do little bad things here or there or compromise his morals for Chase already, so it's possible for things to go in that direction.

#xiaolin showdown #omi #chase young #master fung

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synergysilhouette · 1 month

Text

"Mean It" (Villain song from "Stargazer")

To clarify: this is one of my villain songs. That's correct, ONE of them. I currently only have two (but maybe I'll do a duet). To follow with the radio sound I was going for, I kinda going for a pop-rock/alt pop vibe for this. I'd actually been putting this song on the backburner, but I felt inspired today! Note: I'm still working on Act I of my rewrite, and this is in 2 or 3 (haven't decided yet), so lyrics may change as I go on. I also made a little mood board at the bottom for the vibe I wanted to replicate.

(Verse 1)

You bought me flowers

When no one else could ever buy your time.

You bend to authority so easily,

I guess that's how I made you mine.

I said what I thought you'd like,

Turns out it's what you needed.

The illusion of autonomy,

Who cares? You like the way that you're treated,

But...

(Pre-chorus)

I tripped you up,

You fell in love,

Gave me your heart,

That wasn't smart!

Now it's all done,

I've had my fun,

You left your team,

Find a new dream!

(Chorus)

Promises, promises,

I tell you what you wanna hear.

How can you get it though your head?

We all want you to disappear!

Broken doll, marionette,

You've outlived all your usefulness.

You're a liability,

Trust me, I've seen it.

Think about the things I've told you.

All that praise, I didn't mean it!

(Verse 2)

I've got admirers for days,

What made you think that you were special?

All those years waiting in the wings,

You failed when I tested your mettle.

You hurt others to get ahead, can't say I blame you.

But what do you have to show for it?

Meaningless letters, a blissful kiss,

Your green eyes grew so wide.

Burn it all, send it back,

I don't care about the feelings you have inside.

So...

(Pre-chorus)

So look at them,

And then look at me

My friend or foe,

What does that mean?

I threw you out,

You crawled right back

I treated you like you did them

What good's a wolf without the pack?

(Do I get a discount? Hahaha!)

(Chorus)

Promises, promises,

I tell you what you wanna hear.

How can you get it though your head?

We all want you to disappear!

Broken doll, marionette,

You've outlived all your usefulness.

You're a liability,

Trust me, I've seen it.

Think about the things I've told you.

All that praise, I didn't mean it!

(Bridge)

My heart belongs to myself,

I put yours up on my shelf.

I wonder how it must've felt.

To have your frozen heart melt.

Red flames dance before my eyes,

I still remember it, to my surprise.

That fear, it makes you so small.

Now here I am, taking it all.

(Chorus)

Promises, promises,

I tell you what you wanna hear.

How can you get it though your head?

We all want you to disappear!

Broken doll, marionette,

You've outlived all your usefulness.

You're a liability,

Trust me, I've seen it.

Think about the things I've told you.

All that praise, I didn't mean it!

(Outro; slower)

If I came running to your arms

Crying with guilt from all the harm

I had to do to keep you far,

Would you buy it, that you're my star?

"I didn't mean it, let's forget

Nothing is written, nothing's set"

If you do, I hate you even more

Than I thought I ever could before.

But if you were crueler, more abusive,

Dedication, I could use it.

Make your destiny, let me see it,

And I'll be your queen,

This time I mean it.

Lemme know what you think! Like I said, revisions may happen, but when they do, I'll be sure to highlight it when I post the appropriate arc.

#disney #disney animation #disney villains #wish #mean it #olivia rodrigo #billie eilish #demi lovato #ashnikko #miley cyrus #rina sawayama #disney princess #disney wish

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imichelle-l-rigby · 7 months

Text

Reflections: Cillian Murphy’s Limited Edition

Season 3, episode 1

———————————————————————

*I am a music prof (predominantly classical vocalist), and I LOVE listening to Cillian’s music choices! That being said, sometimes I won’t like a song simply because of a vocalist (it’s a professional hazard - sorry!) 👩‍🏫

** The following are my own observations/opinions. We may not agree, and that’s ok! That’s what makes music fun! 😊

*** I wouldn’t say I’m well-versed in Cillian’s music preferences, but I do enjoy them (for the most part). I always wind up adding to my own playlists after listening to Cillian’s recommendations.

———————————————————————

And without further ado… my reflections!

🎵 Set 1 (24 Track Loop - Halleluhwah)

This seems to be all electronic music focused. He’s done entire episodes around electronic music before, so I’m enjoying the sampling. Great way to start!

I also remember him saying somewhere that he takes time creating sets of music. I appreciate that and it helps the flow and continuity so much.

Side note - it’s taken me a looooong time to appreciate electronic music, but thanks to Cillian, I now can say I like it

24 Track Loop: reminds me of the first composers to play with recorded sampling compositions in the ‘50s (Varèse comes to mind), but the “track loop” is reminiscent of early minimalist recordings in the late ‘60s, especially with how repetitive some of the sounds become.

Diskhat: yeah, I’m definitely getting ‘50s experimentalist vibes! Reminds me of John Cage’s prepared piano pieces (and honestly it may be quoting some but I’m not sure so this is a guess), but mixed with some funky grooves! As weird as this is, it’s growing on me and I kinda really like it!

Halleluhwah: nice vamp at the beginning 😎 this is definitely something that could get stuck in my head and I wouldn’t mind it!

🎤 Talking break:

I missed hearing him talk about music!!! 😊

“It’s been a minute now”

How many times can he say “back” in a 5 second time span??? 😂😅

“… very amenable to light housework.” Great! Do you think if I ask nicely he’ll come clean my house while I’m at work??? 😂

When he’s talking about the above 3 songs, the “insistency” is so true. They all have elements of a continuous underlying pulse, which is pretty common in electronic and minimalist music.

I do find fault with his term “atonality” - atonal music has no pitch center, but the pieces just played DO have a pitch center.

“Turtles have short legs - which they do!”

🎵 Set 2 (fix-Guns of Brixton)

Fix: not my favorite song, but peaceful. I neither like nor dislike

Guns of Brixton: ok but this has been stuck in my head since I heard it 😂 I really like it!

🎤Talking break:

Yes Cill, covers are so appreciated!

🎵Set 3 (Look Down From the Bridge - Pale Blue Eyes)

Look down: nice, chill. Again, not my favorite, but I don’t dislike it. Interesting instrument choices. 👍

Pale Blue Eyes: I like everything about this except for his voice. I wish I liked it, but I don’t. 🤷‍♀️ if I had to describe it, his voice sounds thin, and the voice teacher within me wants more.

These songs seem like great examples of storytelling within music, so I definitely see why Cillian likes them.

🎤Talking break:

He sounds so pleased knowing his factoids 😂😂😂 never change, Cillian!

Drella is my favorite thing now! 😂

🎵Set 4 (No No - Three Drums)

No No: why isn’t this mentioned in the track list??? THIS IS AMAZING AND I AM LOVING THE POLYRHYTHMS! I’m having so much fun rhythmically that I can’t even focus on the lyrics I have no idea what they’re saying 😂😂. ✨ This is prob my fave song of this episode. ✨

The way these songs blend into the next is so satisfying 😌

Three Drums: I like how this is a “cool down” from the craziness of No No, but also pairs really well. Nice and chill. It’s a feel good song and such a vibe. 😎

🎤Talking Break

THE TERRIBLE IDENT RETURNS!!! 😆

Sugar is a great song!

The exclusive - omg 😳😂

*whisper* exclusive

🎵Set 5 (All Your Fails)

All Your Fails: If bop is still a term, this is a bop! *dancing along* 💃 but seriously, the vocal line has so many upward leaps that it reminds me of a lot of boppy pop music. I’m digging this!

To be fair, I tend to like Broken Social Scene, so it makes sense I’m into All Your Fails.

🎤Talking Break

The way he says “woo” without any enthusiasm 😂

🎵Set 6 (It’s Love - Minor Meditations)

It’s Love: ok, I’m in love! 😍😍😍 acoustic guitar is beautiful, and I’m enjoying these harmonies.

Minor Meditations: nice segue with the acoustic guitar selections. 👍 the title is cute and punny, too! AND THE PICARDY THIRD AT THE END!!! 😎

🎤Talking Break

“… excellent! … wahoo wahoo wahoo”

🎵Set 7 (Wahoo - Where Did Our Love Go)

Wahoo: for a song with such a happy title, this was quite bluesy in terms of lyrics! And the funk and jazz bits - What a twist!!! 🙀

Girl group power!!!!!!! I love listening to artists recall how hits came to be.

Where Did Our Love Go: YES I LOVE THE SUPREMES!!!! 😍😍😍

🎤Talking Break

As much as he talks about W. Kerry, I feel like I need to go! It sounds gorgeous!

🎵Set 8 (To War - Jah Nuh Dead)

To War: this guy is playing the fire out of the concertina! 🔥

Side note - I am sooooo into traditional music! It’s one of the things I study, and many composers find inspiration from traditional music of various regions. I have such respect for the genre that I could go on, but I won’t to save y’all’s sanity 😅

Again, the transitions between songs are soooo well done!

Master Crowley’s: the drone and pedal points are so effective! The inclusion and intentional omission actually do a lot in building momentum. It’s also so cool how eventually everything fades into the background and you’re left with just sonorities, and then you go back and get a mix of everything! 💯

Jah Nuh Dead: Sinéad!!! I hadn’t heard this song before, and it’s absolutely beautiful and haunting. It takes a special person to keep you captivated and carry their own against such bare/sparse accompaniment. She has such a unique voice. She’ll truly be missed.

I’m guessing this is the Irish set 🍀

🎤Talking Break

Ya gotta love it when he fangirls over bands!

SINÉAD!!!!!!

🎵Set 9 (Fairlies)

Fairlies: so this is what happens when Irish musicians go to HOT climates? Jk jk 😂 no, I really like this. Some interesting lyrics!

🎤Talking Break

I kinda miss flip phones.

🎵Set 10 (I Am A River)

I Am A River: this is a bright song, and I mean that in terms of timbre. All the instruments and even the vocals are very ☀️☀️☀️ it definitely paints an image in your head/imagination

🎤Talking Break

No!! Don’t shut up! I love your rambles!

“Aylesbury Boy, in a kinda animated buffalo character” - what on earth does they mean??? Bullwinkle???

🎵Set 11 (Aylesbury Boy)

Aylesbury Boy: I’ll be honest, I don’t like this. It’s got a lot of funny words in it, a decent background rhythm, but it’s not my jam.

🎤Talking Break

Ok, an album of covers is a great idea.

“Stop talking. Listen to it” 😂

🎵Set 12 (Three Hours)

Three Hours: I’m really digging the backing track. It’s got some fun sound effects, but what I really like is the driving rhythm against this free-flowing vocal line. Nice contrast!

🎤Talking Break

I like how he talks more as the show goes on 😂

New content! 🙀

“Outrageously reasonable questions”

I’ll be honest, the non-advent music calendar confuses me 😅

“Cardboard aperture”

THE IDENT. OMG.

🎵Set 13 (O Barquinho - Till the Morning Comes)

O Barquinho: yep! This is bossa nova!

Till the Morning Comes: the piano and other background music reminds of Penny Lane 😂😂😂 I genuinely can’t even listen to the song properly because I keep expecting Paul McCartney to burst in with some vocals 😂😂😂😂

🎵Talking Break

Oh dear. We’ve gotten to the experimental poetry part of the show! This could be good or bad 😅

“I like jazz for the principle of what jazz is” - Nordine

Well Nordine, if that’s your stance, then I appreciate your performance of Coral for the principle of what it is, as a non-musical reinterpretation of jazz.

“A flight of musical fantasy within structure.” Ya know, not a bad definition of jazz. You do improvise over a pre-arranged chord progression, so that makes sense!

🎵Set 14 (Coral - nightclub)

Coral: not gonna lie, this is my least favorite selection of the show. HOWEVER, I will give credit where it’s due! I do appreciate that he’s got word plays, puns, and other poetic devices all over the place. That stuff mimics some of the techniques you’ll find throughout jazz. Now what’s really cool is the background music - you can hear bits and pieces influenced from different eras of jazz, such as New Orleans, swing, some bebop, and more modern stuff as well! Even though I hate it, I appreciate what it does.

Also, I first thought this song was a cheesy ad 😂😅 I definitely can tell he’s a voice actor

Nightclub: I like this a lot! Crazy how it goes from insanity to something really sweet, funny, and enjoyable. The background music is so ethereal and although a bit random, it’s great! The contradiction is like “salty and sweet” snacks. It shouldn’t work, but it does. Although I guess it mirrors some of the temporary images in the poem, like the smoke disappearing.

🎤Talking Break

Whoa. Cillian put the backing track in?! Good choice, dude!

🎵Set 15 (Remember Begum Rokheya)

Remember: ok I love this!!!! Polyrhythms galore, and the instrument pairings are so much fun! 😍

🎤Talking Break

“Approachable mellow” - does this mean there’s mellow stuff that isn’t approachable? I’d love to hear an example

🎵Set 16 (I Smile for E)

I Smile for E: I like the contrast between verse and chorus. Going from a minor key to major gives an auditory version of “smiling” nice touch! But I’ll be honest - idk why this is more “approachable” than other mellow songs 😅😂

🎤Talking Break

I’m not sure he’s saying “Hinoki” correctly. It looks Japanese to me? But idk. I’m not an expert and he’s definitely more informed than I am

“Useful music” - isn’t all music useful in some way? 🤔

🎵Set 17 (Hinoki Wood - Woman In Late)

Hinoki Wood: an interesting choice of instrument. You can tell it’s an old upright that needs a bit of maintenance, but it does have some charm.

Woman In Late: ok, so we are back to the tape loop concepts seen at the beginning of the show! Kinda cool how he’s circling back. Anyway, the “tape loop,” or looping of small lengths of recorded tape, was a thing done at the beginning of the minimalist trend in the ‘60s (think Reich or Riley) to create this fuzzy sound effect seen here. I love how you hear that influence in so many corners of the music world!

🎤Talking Break

“Delicious”

What???! The last song??? 😭😭😭

Yay! New music!

“Mind yourselves”

🎵Set 18 (Unknown Summer)

Unknown Summer: I’m digging it 😎 This has some amazing dissonant vocals and it is soooooo satisfying. I don’t like the crackle effect in the background, but it does help build this “distortion” they’re building in the song. It’s kinda fun to put that distortion against the “clear” blue skies. I see what ya did there… 😂

———————————————————————

Ah! That’s the end!!!

Thank you so much for reading all this. I honestly can’t believe anyone is interested in my rambles. Anyway, hope you enjoyed! I’ll write again next week for episode 2!

Tag list:

@iammrsrogers @deliciousnutcomputer @mariamoonie @brownskinsugarplum76 @look-at-the-soul @kj-davis @neverroad @teapothollow @thepurplearmyposts @possessedmarshmallow

#cillian murphy #Cillian Murphy’s limited edition

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noonaishere · 3 months

Text

Music of the Heart [J.YH] - eighteen | thinking about hats

You walked into the recording studio to find Hongjoong sitting by himself. “Oh, good, you’re here.”

He turned as you walked in and put your stuff down.

“Something up?”

“I was thinking about one of the group's backlogs-- Desiré?”

“What about it?”

You sat next to him. “Have you ever checked the line distribution on that group?”

Hongjoong rolled his eyes. “If you’re going to tell me you hate it, that was done by the producer that left. I kept trying to reign in one of the girls who wanted more lines but he kept overriding me.”

“Ah-- well… that’s the member that left, right?” You looked at him expectantly.

“I know I shouldn’t talk shit about other people - especially if they no longer work here - but, yeah. It was her.”

You nodded. “Okay, so, she left and they haven’t had a comeback since then, so I was wondering what the plan was for them, going forward. Are they still under contract?”

“Umm…” he thought. “I don’t know if they’ve been approached about a comeback yet. Why?”

“Well, I think we can maybe correct some of the issues that… the guy who left caused.”

“I think I know what you might bring up, but, go ahead and tell me.”

“I don’t think Guy Who Left knew how to utilize their rapper properly.”

“What do you mean?”

“She’s barely in the song and then when she does show up, her flow is the same in every single song. It’s always at the same bpm and it never varies in any of the raps.”

“Well, I think our ‘friend’ wrote the raps himself.”

You scoffed. “He wasn’t very good at it.”

Hongjoong snorted a laugh. “Was that all?”

“In almost every song the rapper had nothing to do until her part. Why even have her?”

“I think it’s because of their time of debut: everyone had to have a rapper, even if they didn’t use them.”

“Can she sing? Maybe we can give her a few more lines in the bridge or something so she has something to do.”

“If she’s not opposed to it, I don’t see why not.”

“And for her rap verses, I think we should add more of an exaggerated beat behind them. It would make sense when it’s the bridge, and it would help to emphasize her part more. Or maybe we can pare down the melody so it’s not fighting against her. We should also vary her flow so every song doesn’t seem like it grinds to a halt when she starts rapping.”

“That’s good feedback. Unfortunately I think their songs might be handed over to another producer for their next comeback.”

“Oh… really?”

“Yeah. I believe it was a request they made before our ‘friend’ actually left, and before the member who left also left.”

“They didn’t leave together, did they?”

“Separate things.”

You sighed. You got up and got your notebook out of your bag. Hongjoong was quiet for a few moments before breaking the silence.

“You had a lot of ideas though, huh?”

“Oh,” you shrugged, “just stuff I thought about while I was transcribing.”

He nodded. “It’s always a bit sad when you think of things and can’t realize them creatively.”

You nodded.

“But, we have more groups and soloists than just Jongho who will have comebacks, so maybe you’ll get to be more involved with one of them.”

You looked at him for a moment before nodding. He was probably just being nice. After all, how much could a bassist affect the production or sound of an album?

“Hey everyone.” Maddox sang as he walked through the door. “Look who I found in the hallway.”

Jongho followed him in with Yunho carrying his stuff behind him.

“‘Found’ hyung? We were in the lobby before you.”

Maddox put the coffee carrier on the table and hung his coat up. “Po-tay-to, po-tah-to.”

“I thought it was ‘to-may-to, to-mah-to.’”

Maddox sighed dramatically. “Well, we’ll have to call the whole thing off. And I had booked such a nice venue, too.”

You chuckled and got your order from the carrier, placing everyone else’s on the table so they could grab them.

“T/n, can you come in later than me once in a while so I don’t have to always get the coffee order?”

You smiled. “I wasn’t aware my promptness was putting such a damper on your life.”

Maddox smiled in response. His request obviously wasn’t a real one.

“He’s our beloved Goldfish Boy. It’s impossible for him to come in on time, no matter how many times I’ve told him to.”

Maddox’s cheeks reddened with a slight tinge of shame. “But hey! I always get everyone’s coffee. If it weren’t for me, you’d have to get it yourselves.”

“Truly our lives would be for the lesser,” you nodded.

“I can’t tell whether you’re joking or not.”

You smiled. “I’m not.”

Hours later, as recording dragged on, you had all decided a break was in order. Hongjoong left for the bathroom, Jongho was listening to the track again while Yunho looked at his phone as he sat at the table. You were sitting on one of the couches with your bass, working on a bassline, and Maddox was slumped in one of the couches looking at his phone.

“Hey.” He said as he leaned over.

Upon looking up his face was so close to yours that you jumped back in your seat. “--What?”

Out of the corner of your eye you could see Yunho look up at your startled question. He stared at you and Maddox.

You moved back further. “What?”

He shoved his phone into your face. “What’s this called? A cap?” He had the hat section of a clothing website open. He pointed at the type of hat he meant.

“Are you trying to make me blind?” You pushed his hand back as you tried to make your eyes focus on the screen.

Yunho looked back down at his phone.

You looked at the hat for a couple seconds. “A snapback?”

“Ahh, yeah! Snapback.”

You laughed softly.

He leaned back and looked at the screen wistfully. “I want to buy one but they don’t go well with my face.”

“No?”

He shook his head as he scrolled.

“Try… maybe a cadet cap then? If you really want a cap-type hat. Personally, I would suggest something with a full brim like a fedora or a panama hat. If you wear it further back on your head so it frames your face, that would look nice.”

He turned to you. “You think so?”

“Mhm.”

“Hmm..”

He went back to scrolling and you left him to his millineristic thoughts.

About two or so hours later, after Jongho and Yunho had left for the night, you and Maddox became aware of a constant drone of Hongjoong’s keyboard. The two of you looked up from what you were doing and looked over at Hongjoong. He was slumped over his keyboard, most of the keys on it being pressed down by his torso, arms, and face as he slept.

Maddox looked at you for a moment in astonishment, stood and checked him. “He’s alive.”

You stifled a laugh.

“But dead asleep.” Maddox shut off the keyboard. “Let’s go home.”

“You’re going to leave him like that?” You asked quietly.

He nodded and responded as quietly as you did. “Laying like that? He can sleep through anything. I didn’t even have to turn the keyboard off, he would have slept through it.”

You laughed as quietly as you could as you both put your things together and left the studio.

“But I’d rather we don’t get yelled at for the electricity bill.”

You exhaled another laugh.

*ᵐᶦˡˡᶦⁿᵉʳᶦˢᵗᶦᶜ ⁻ ᵒᶠ ᵒʳ ʰᵃᵛᶦⁿᵍ ᵗᵒ ᵈᵒ ʷᶦᵗʰ ʰᵃᵗ ᵐᵃᵏᶦⁿᵍ ᵒʳ ʰᵃᵗˢ

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#Yunho #Jeong Yunho #Ateez #Ateez smau #Ateez fic #Ateez au #music industry au #enemies to lovers #childhood friends to lovers #reader fic #ᴍᴜsɪᴄ ᴏғ ᴛʜᴇ ʜᴇᴀʀᴛ

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magneticflower · 9 months

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Ok. What was that about songs? I’m READY. Totally all ears.

Are there any about Inej’s happy tie laughter and - Wylan’s fund for his father’s lawyer?

ask me about six of crows

AhH, thank you for indulging me sjsjs I am so sorry it took like 3 to 5 business days to finally answer this--- I was letting myself get too carried away with songs before I eventually made myself cut out down lmao.

I'll put the rest under readmore for the sake of sparing anyone who does not care sks

Oddly enough, I'm not starting off with Kanej but with Helnik because the song West Coast by Imagine Dragons makes my heart ache when I think of them. I could put every single lyric on here buT I'll refrain-- sorta. I'll make sure to just elaborate on this one and the Kanej one I have ---

In particular though--- the bridge describes their ending so well.

"I'll change my ways if you would stay And all your tears that you have cried will go away Oh, just grant me one more day Oh, my love, please don't give up See the Devil at my door I see the future of the ones that I've ignored I guess I was born to be at war And, my love, I won't give up So, my love, please don't give up."

Matthias being so ready to just go with Nina wherever that may be. Matthias wanting to to just be with her one more time that he uses every last bit of strength he has to make to her before he dies. The war line alluding to both of them and their lives as soldiers. It just HITS me in the heart 'cause it reminds me of them especially when I think of it all leading up to their moments together in Crooked Kingdom and Matthias' oath to her.

The pre-chorus also --

"I ain't no Superman, I ain't no Holy Ghost I'm just the one who keeps you up at night, you love the most I'll be your strong man, I'll be your West Coast I'll be the sun, I'll be the waves, I'll be the one you love the most."

---

For Kanej, the song Easy for You to Say by 5SOS. Once again, I want to throw out all the lyrics of the song fit Kaz's pov but I will stick to only one verse ----

"I feel it in moments, a semblance of free Between all the gaspin', I finally breathe So I hold on so tightly in times that I see Someone with striking resemblance to me A darkness that holds me and loves when I bleed It locks all the doors and then hides all the keys Wish someone had told me what I couldn't see A glimmer of hope that was starin' at me."

This song in particular come to when thinking of the infamous, "I will have you without armor, Kaz Brekker. Or I will not have you at all," because the song is about saying one thing but having a hard time following through and that definitely happened with Kaz then. He was trying to be honest--- but the timing was off and wasn't ready to commit to what he needed to be willing to do to be with Inej.

"Easy for you to say Harder for me to take This nostalgia in my bones Why can't I forget it?"

I have more songs for them but this one has struck me the most at the moment.

----

And here I'll just narrowed it down to one or two songs (for most, couldn't help myself with Inej and Kaz) and won't go on a tangent for any of them for the sake of brevity haha.

The Crows as a Whole: Rescue Me by OneRepublic, Sharks by Imagine Dragons, Crossfire by Rag'nBone Man; Seven Nation Army cover by Haley Reinhart (Post-Modern Jukebox) Inej: Hallowed Ground by Bishop Briggs. Mine by Phoebe Ryan, Wanted by OneRepublic, Art of Survival by Bishop Briggs, Praying by Kesha Kaz: Cutthroat by Imagine Dragons, Payback by Vo, Lost by NF Feat Hopsin, Blinding by Florence + The Machine Jesper: Run and Go by TOP; Bang! by Ajr, Mistake by NF Nina: Dear Departed by The Band Perry; Baggage by Bishop Briggs Matthias: Changing of the Guard by Rag'n'Bone Man Wylan: Not Today by TOP Kanej: Kings by The Pierces Helink: Nostalgia by The Band Perry Wesper: So Tied Up by Cold War Kids (Specifically book wise) Bonus one for the Trio (Kaz, Inej, Jesper): Next to Me by Imagine Dragons

End of tangent but feel free to ask me about any of the songs if you wanna know why I chose them for the characters -- and feel free to tell me any songs you associate with the characters!

#i totally respect if you don't even read any of this 'cause I get far too carried away and I appreciate you asking nonetheless!!#six of crows #crooked kingdom

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the-simply-bagels-rabbit-hole · 1 year

Text

If you can tell a story you can put it into a song

Most music/songs are basically poetry but no one seems to notice

Songwriting can be a difficult task

First you do the chords (I play guitar and accordion so I use those) you can maybe use a website to help

Then you need to find the right words

But before you do those things here is some Important things you need to do

Topic

What are you writing about? Whats the story here. It can be a story or even vibes/feeling.

Chords

Some chords do well together some dont a song can be great without music but if you want it start here. What fits the mood?

Melody

Some things you do for this is

1. Having a recording thing out (like your phone recording using an app)

2. Loop chords

3. Sing singular notes

4. Focus on the rhythm that is key in this

5. Go up with the chords or go down what ever feels better

6. Combine everything together

Next what you want to do is

Write the lyrics

This can happen by the following

1. Singing gibberish (its ok to sound bad you are learning and practice makes perfect)

2.this is very important WRITE IT DOWN (what can you do if you can’t remember it? You cant do it so write it down)

Next what you need is a structure

It goes by this (you can also make your own or change it to your will)

1st is. Verse 1

2nd is. Pre-chorus

3rd is. Chorus

4th is. Verse 2

5th is. Pre-chorus

6th is. Chorus

7th is. Bridge

8th is. Chorus

By the way you can change it but if you are a beginner try with this first if you want

Some tips can be

1. Read poetry look for creative ways to say simple things

Also as a nice tip to this is add the five senses here is a example

Original:there is no one here

With the five senses:open roads, not a soul around, loud winds and the silence of this town nothing but chills running down my spine

2. Make a playlist of your favorite songs and study them, study the things you like about it and the style

3. Do copy work

What is copy-work you may ask?

Well copy-work is when you write down a song word by word and analyze it and study the lyrics

4. Journal, write your ideas down save them when you cant think of any, it can be feelings thoughts how your day was good or bad

I hope this helps you on your journey friends and happy songwriting

#song lyrics #songwriting #how to make lyrics #tips #music tips

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stillwanderingflame · 5 months

Text

twenty questions for fic writers

A little writing meme I got from @/alightbuthappypen. I always like looking back on my writing and some of these questions sent me on a fun trip down memory lane.

How many works do you have on AO3?

26. I have a lot more saved or posted to LJ but when I created my ao3 account, I was trying to pick the "best of the best" to share.

2. What's your total AO3 word count?

379,781. My tendency to write long fic has only grown over the years.

3. What fandoms do you write for?

Oh boy, in roughly this order I’ve written for: X/1999, Weiss Kreuz, Assassin’s Creed (Ezio’s games), Overwatch, X-Men: First Class, Prometheus (sort of), Captain America, and Mo Dao Zu Shi/The Untamed.

4. What are your top 5 fics by kudos?

Found: Extremely Friendly Fox (魔道祖师 - 墨香铜臭 | Módào Zǔshī - Mòxiāng Tóngxiù)

lost whenever you go (魔道祖师 - 墨香铜臭 | Módào Zǔshī - Mòxiāng Tóngxiù)

A bridge in the dark (陈情令 | The Untamed (TV) )

The Agreement (Assassin's Creed 2)

dying of thirst (魔道祖师 - 墨香铜臭 | Módào Zǔshī - Mòxiāng Tóngxiù)

Until my first MDZS event, The Agreement was managing to hang in at top 3, despite the writing being 10 years old. People like smut, I guess.

5. Do you respond to comments? Why or why not?

I do try to but I’m often behind, especially when it comes to event fics where comments might come in faster than I can get to them. As a reader, I never expect a response so I hope people don’t feel bad when they don’t get one, but as a writer I really want to show my appreciation for someone taking the time to leave a comment. Also, sometimes readers leave their thoughts and I want to talk more about them!

6. What is a fic you wrote with the angstiest ending?

The angstiest fic I can think of isn’t on ao3. It was part of a set of fics I wrote for an AC BigBang long ago that were based on a fanmix. Sad song = sad ending.

I don’t generally write angst but if I had to pick from what's on ao3, it’d be my Weiss Kreuz fic since that’s pretty fraught until the end.

7. What's the fic you wrote with the happiest ending?

Um, all of them. 😆 Almost everything I write has a happy ending and usually some pretty sappy moments. Found: Extremely Friendly Fox is probably the lightest, happiest thing I've written.

(Or maybe Soothing Waters because that is literally just an excuse to write a soft moment between Ezio and Leonardo.)

8. Do you get hate on fics?

I don’t think I have. I’ve had someone leave a comment disagreeing with what I wrote in a scene but they weren’t overly rude about it.

9. Do you write smut? If so, what kind?

Yes. A lot. Half of my ao3 fics are explicit. 😂 ‘What kind’ is an interesting question. I guess I've written many kinds, from vanilla to BDSM and even a couple of darker fics that I don't have on ao3.

10. Do you write crossovers? What's the craziest one you've written?

Yes, I really like taking characters from one universe and dropping them into another. I don't usually combine the casts from both 'verses (although the Tron fic is an exemption). It's more that I think the characters from one 'verse would be interesting to write in a different setting. The craziest one is a X-Men: First class/Prometheus crossover that is probably nothing like you'll picture.

11. Have you ever had a fic stolen?

I hope not, but I had had my fic added to Goodreads, which I don't love.

12. Have you ever had a fic translated?

I've had someone ask but they were posting on Wordpress so I don’t follow up to see if they posted it.

13. Have you ever co-written a fic before?

Yes, but not posted anywhere. I co-wrote a Devil May Cry 3 fic with a friend, and then another friend wrote a fic set in one my fics universes, if that counts. We collaborated on characterization details.

14. What's your all-time favorite ship?

This is an impossible question. 😆 I am as in love with Schuldich/Yohji, a pairing I first wrote about 13 years ago, as I am with Lan Wangji/Wei Wuxian, which I've most recently written for. And Ezio/Leonardo will forever be in my heart. I guess I love some more than others but I can't pick an all-time fav.

15. What's a wip you want to finish, but doubt you ever will?

From recent wips: I have a Jin Ling POV fic that’s the fourth in my vampire AU series that I really want to finish but every time I go back to it, I’m convinced it sucks and no one wants to read the POV of a kid (even if I think JL’s POV is the most interesting for this scenario). I’ll probably never finish it unless I can get over that block.

An even better answer because it's sat around longer: a X-Men: First Class/Mercy Thompson universe crossover. It's XMFC with werewolves, but werewolves as they are in the Mercy Thompson books. Charles is an omega but it's nothing like omegaverse. I'm still really proud of how I blended those universes but omegaverse is so wildly popular, and this is nothing like that, so I figured it had no audience. I was so close to finishing it too. 🥲

16. What are your writing strengths?

I'm bad at seeing my own strengths so I'll have to go with the kind of comments I receive and those are usually that: the sex was hot, the emotional beats landed well, or that I had a wild/unusual idea and I made it work.

17. What are your writing weaknesses?

This is easier to answer. I struggle with writing sex scenes, even if they're usually received well. And I struggle to write the "connective tissue" between the scenes I picture most clearly. Sometimes this is the whole middle of a fic and sometimes it's just small scenes that are needed to tie together two things I've already written.

18. Thoughts on writing dialogue in another language for a fic?

I usually avoid writing complete sentences in languages I don’t know but I am guilty of sprinkling of lot of (probably unnecessary and incorrect) Italian into my AC fics.

19. First fandom you wrote for?

For unposted fic: self-insert Star Wars (original trilogy/novels universe). For something that was posted publicly (before the days of ao3): either X/1999 or Weiss Kreuz. I don't know which came first.

20. Favorite fic you've written?

Another impossible question! I have favorites for different reasons. It’s No Good was my first longfic and a favorite because I love that pairing and there’s so little of it that’s not dark.

From my recent work, probably Searching for answers. It’s a niche kind of crossover but I’m really proud of it and want to believe the emotions came through as meaningfully as I tried to write them.

And you know what? Special shout-out to Feelin' Nauti because I re-read that while going through all my ao3 fics and I'm just really proud of the emotion I managed to capture in a 7k fic. (I need to figure out how to do that again.) Plus, I think it has a lot of good lines in it.

#writing meme #writing

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amchara · 2 years

Text

Weather Change (Kit/Ty)

Kit Herondale, Ty Blackthorn (Kit/Ty), original characters

Wordcount: 5,121 words (one-shot to kick off The London Files)

Rating: Teen, cw description of serious injuries

Summary: It’s been almost five years since an epic line-up of Shadowhunter heroes and their allies closed all the portals to Hell. Now, demons are scarce and the Nephilim are searching for their purpose in this new world. Centurion Ty Blackthorn has been sent to London to investigate a potential new threat, while Kit Herondale has taken up a post helping to rebuild the London Enclave. But when their first patrol goes horribly wrong, Kit and Ty realise there may be larger problems emerging in the Shadow World, drawing in not only Shadowhunters but their mundane friends and Downworlders alike…

Notes: Post-TWP established Kit/Ty. Set in the same 'verse as Effortless but you don't need to have read that story to understand this one, except to know that Ade and Ellie are Kit's school friends from Devon.

(This is the last of my Ao3 reposts before I begin posting the new fic tomorrow. This story could be considered the prologue to it, so highly recommend reading it before the new one. ;)

“I hate London,” Kit said, as they sat on a narrow, slippery ledge of a building above Commercial Road, in the city’s East End. It was drizzling lightly and despite their weather-proofed gear, he could feel the wet drops slowly inching from his neck down to the rest of his body.

Ty glanced over, giving Kit a sceptical look. “You don’t- you kept talking about how excited you were to come back and patrol with the London Institute. And have proper chocolate again. And the fact you’d be closer to Jem, Tessa and Mina. And-”

“Yeah- yeah, okay,” Kit said, interrupting. “But we’re trading hot L.A. summer weather and perfect surfing conditions,” he grumbled. “For this miserable August night.”

“So it’s just the weather then,” Ty said, with a small smile on his face. He wasn’t looking at Kit anymore but his eyes were scanning the poorly-lit street in front of him.

Kit huffed in mock outrage but he conceded the point. “Yeah, fine- it’s just the weather. I am looking forward to using that fireplace when we get back.”

After arriving by Portal earlier that morning at a hellishly early time, they had ensconced themselves in the historic Herondale townhouse on Curzon Street, with preserved decor and plush interiors. Kit had then discovered the fireplace in the corner of the room they had crashed out in for a few hours to adjust to the time difference, and Ty, being the type fascinated by fire, had also agreed they should light it once they had returned from patrol.

“How much longer do you want to wait here until we move on?” Kit asked, as he stretched his neck, shivering at the cold water inching into his ear.

“Five more minutes and then we head down to Tower Bridge,” Ty said. He took out his phone and covering it from the rain, checked something. He looked up and frowned. “But this was the most likely location, according to the reports.”

“Right- but these attacks and sightings have been reported all over London, right?”

“Concentrated in the east though,” Ty reminded him. “But not related to Jack the Ripper loca-” he stopped and straightened up on the ledge. Kit mirrored his position and looked in the same direction. With his night vision rune, Kit could see a flicker of odd, greyish-yellow light flicker at the edge of a nearby building

Ty had already started climbing down, his long limbs nimble as he made his way to the ground. Kit followed with less finesse, careful with his handholds on the slippery surfaces. He jumped the last few feet and stood beside Ty, who had already pulled out an unlit seraph blade from his belt, his face intent as he followed the willowy light as it vanished around the corner.

Kit came to stand by Ty’s shoulder. “Seraph or non-seraph weapons?” he asked, his voice barely above a whisper. Demon attacks had dwindled in the past few years after the dimensional portals had all been sealed but Shadowhunters continued to carry seraph-created weapons regardless, for mopping up and- in Kit’s opinion, because they were the iconic Shadowhunter weapon. But they weren’t as useful as in the past and these new ‘wraith’ attacks, as the reports had called them, were unclear as to whether seraph blades worked or what weapon was best to defeat them.

Ty turned slightly and he showed the small handheld crossbow in his other hand. “Both, I think,” he said.

Kit nodded. He pulled out his own selection of adamas weapons and traditional ones.

Then they rounded the corner and prepared to fight.

Shit, Ty’s injuries were bad. Under the dim street lights, his blood looked as black as his hair as Kit lifted up his shirt. The tough gear fabric had probably prevented the worst of the damage but that wasn’t saying much, Kit thought. Ty looked down at the massive gash on his side, the glass, mud and rubble mixing with his blood and his eyes widened as he looked up at Kit. But he didn’t say anything, just kept breathing in small, shallow pants.

“Ty…” Kit gripped his hand, forcing himself to also take slow breaths as he assessed it. It looked bad, he thought, but he could tell almost immediately it wasn’t life-threatening. But having trained a bit with Tessa and Catarina in field medicine, he knew that this type of wound wasn’t one that could be healed with a few iratzes - it would required cleaning the debris out first, several salves and other steps, including blood loss runes, before even a simple healing rune could be applied.

“It’s not going to kill me,” Ty said, in a low voice, squeezing Kit’s hand back, as if to reassure him.

“No- but it’s going to be fucking unpleasant to deal with,” Kit told him. “It’s okay though- let me just figure out how to best get you help.”

Ty nodded, his face relaxing in trust as Kit pulled out some gauze from his small medical pouch on his weapons belt and gently packed the wound. Then he gave Ty a quick kiss on his forehead, amid the dark, damp tangles of hair and pulled out his phone.

He called a number but it rang through. Kit looked at his phone and frowned… one other option to try before they had to make their way to Westminster and call on the Silent Brothers. He looked over at Ty, and could see that the colour of his face had drained to an even paler alabaster and Kit knew that he was working with limited time before Ty passed out from the blood loss.

Hey, do u know if ade is working at royal london tonight? x

kit!!! thought you werent back until tomorrow! Yea i think so but im not his keeper or girlfriend so dont rely on me. Xxxxxx

Kit’s phone buzzed again.

u still on for brunch at spitalfields? i want to hear all about u and tys la exploits Xxxxx

yeah xxx

Kit clicked his screen off. He wasn’t entirely sure they would be up for a tell-all with Ellie in the morning but it was easier to say yes at the moment, given how relentless she would be otherwise.

He drew an amisso rune on Ty’s abdomen, just below the wound and giving him a reassuring squeeze on his arm. “Here’s the plan,” he said. “We’re going to head to Ade’s work and see if he can get the glass out, that way I can do proper iratzes on it.” He also quickly sketched the Silent Brothers diagnostic rune that he wasn’t supposed to know but Jem had taught him anyway. Good, no internal bleeding.

Ty’s eyes opened. “To a mundane hospital?” He sounded surprised but he let Kit help him to his feet and they started slowly making their way out of the narrow alley. Kit kept glancing upwards but it appeared the wraith had disappeared, at least for the moment.

“Yeah- it’s just a couple blocks from here,” Kit said. Or, at least, he hoped his memory was correct. He knew it was only a short way from Commercial Road.

They picked their way through small side streets lined with Victorian-era terraces, blocky modern flats, Bangladeshi fabric export businesses and fried chicken shops, guided both by Kit’s faint memory and google maps until they reached a bulky blue and grey building complex and Kit could see the sign that read: Royal London Hospital. Supporting Ty, he could feel his shallow, painful breaths and Kit suspected he had also broken or bruised some ribs when he had been thrown into the shop window.

He and Ty followed the signs to A&E around to the front of the building, skirting around the bright yellow and green ambulances and slipped through the sliding doors, two black-clad young men invisible to the eyes of the mundane patients sat around them.

Fortunately, it didn’t take too long to locate Ade. Kit could see him standing at some kind of station, his tall frame with his back to Kit, talking to other nurses and doctors. Kit was just about to figure out how he could get his attention when Ty suddenly buckled in his shoulder. Kit looked over in alarm, and could see Ty’s eyes fluttering and Kit could hear a steady drip, drip, drip of blood around Ty’s shoes.

“Kit- I uh,” Ty said weakly.

“I know, I know,” Kit scrambled to find a spot where he could lay Ty down. Most of the cubicles were occupied in the small treatment area and there weren’t many side rooms either. But then he spotted a small linen cupboard area and he hustled Ty over and had him sit on several piles of them. He hoped the mundanes wouldn’t notice the blood- while they were glamoured, their blood was not.

As Ade next walked around, Kit slashed a line through his glamour rune with his stele, and reached out, pulling Ade into the area they were hiding in. And was rewarded with a punch in the face.

“Arghh,” he said and Ade dropped his defensive boxing posture once he realized who was in front of him.

“Kit?” he said, his voice rising in disbelief and he ran his hands through his black curls as he took in his friend. Then he narrowed his eyes. “You’re bleeding. What the fuck are you doing here? Are you hurt?”

“It’s not mine, it’s Ty’s,” Kit said, and Ty, with white-faced effort, also removed his glamour.

Ade let out a small whistle as he took in the scene and the injured Shadowhunter in front of him. With a professional air, he took in Ty but his voice was sharp as he glanced over at Kit. “Why can’t you heal him?” He gestured. “With your - you know, glowy magic.”

Kit couldn’t help but wince. Even a few years on, it hurt to think about what he had had to give up in the fight to save the world. “Sorry, fresh out of it. We need your help.” He quickly outlined Ty’s injuries as Ade knelt down and looked briefly as Kit lifted up Ty’s shirt. His dark brown eyes assessed Ty and his hands were gentle as he lifted up Kit’s field bandage. Ty, who normally didn’t like anyone other than Kit and his family touching him, shuddered briefly but didn’t move otherwise, his grey eyes half-closed. Kit touched his shoulder and Ty leaned into him.

Ade sat back on his heels. “Right I need to see the patient in cubicle four but lucky for you, I’m supposed to go on my break once I finish with them.” He handed Kit a few wadded-up linens. “Use these if the bleeding continues but it looks like you’ve stopped the worst of it. At least, until I look at getting those glass fragments out.”

“Thanks, Ade,” Kit said. “I owe you.”

Despite the late hour and his tired face, Ade’s face split into a wide smile. “You do, mate- this is my first week as a junior doctor. I did not need injured Shadowhunters on my shift on top of everything else.” He clapped Kit on the shoulder as he stood. “Back soon.”

“So, by my account we probably broke about five laws tonight,” Ty said, his voice raspy and exhausted as he sat down on the narrow bed.

“So, fewer than usual,” Kit said, shrugging. “I’ll take the win. Shirt off - let me give you the necessary Marks and then we can finally sleep.”

He could see Ty’s focus on him, and knew that he wanted to talk about the way the patrol went down and why Kit hadn’t called any of the London Enclave. But that was a conversation for the morning. He deflected. “Since when are you worried about laws? Usually you’re keen to whip out the Blackthorn motto whenever we encounter a roadblock that can be solved with a good rule-breaking.”

Ty gave him a wan smile. “Not worried- I like to keep track though.”

They were Ade’s small staff accommodation room, less than a block away from the hospital.

Ade had tossed Kit his key after he had finished picking out the glass and cleaning Ty’s wound. “There’s no way Ty’s going to be in any state to travel back to your place tonight- unless,” he gave Kit a speculative look. “Unless you can teleport?”

Ty had let out a short laugh as he leaned on Kit to stand up. “Not yet.”

Kit knew he could call Tessa and ask for a Portal - but it was three am on a weekday and while he knew Tessa wouldn’t care, he didn’t want to risk waking Mina.

He had shaken his head and Ade nodded. “So use my room until I’m done with my shift. I should be finished and back around eight.”

While it might’ve been polite to refuse after all his friend was done, Kit had been both physically and mentally exhausted and a close by bed sounded like heaven.

Ade watched them go. “And you’re sure on-”

“No blood transfusions,” Ty said. “I’m not even sure our blood is compatible with yours.” Ade did a quick double take and looked like he wanted to ask questions.

“It’s fine- now that the glass is gone, I can do something about that with runes,” Kit had reassured Ade. “And we’ll be out of your hair by morning- thanks.”

Kit bit his lip as he concentrated on drawing the necessary healing runes on Ty’s torso. An agony rune - meant to heal more serious injuries - and a couple of iratzes and amisso runes. He paused and assessed Ty’s state before he drew a sanglier - a blood replacement rune. It was a powerful rune but could be dangerous if the bearer wasn’t strong enough. But given what Ade said about blood loss… kneeling in front of Ty, Kit could see that although he looked drawn, his colour was better than it had been under the bright hospital lights and his face was no longer tight with pain.

He bent down and drew the intricate rune. A hand came down on his head, and he could feel Ty stroking his hair in an absent way, hissing slightly as the Marks took effect.

Kit took a moment to just breathe, in the moonlit room. He placed a kiss on Ty’s hand and then moved to take a place beside him on the bed, slipping his arm beside him in an embrace taking care not to jostle where Ty was healing. Ty leaned his head against Kit’s.

“Lie down,” he said after a few minutes. Ty stirred against him and Kit realised he had almost fallen asleep. He didn’t protest as Kit helped him lie down, his eyes already shut by the time he hit the pillow.

Despite his exhaustion, Kit didn’t move to sleep right away. He watched Ty’s bare chest, a swirl of black marks and pale skin, rise and fall slowly. Shadows pooled in the delicate bone structure of his face and Kit was reminded of the first time he had met Ty. How beautiful.

He sighed and kicked off his boots and stripped off his gear. On Ty’s injured side, the temporary staples that Ade had put in were slowly falling out, as the skin knit back together and Kit grabbed them so Ty wouldn’t roll onto them in his sleep. He tossed them in his hand, small flashes of silver, as he attempted to put together the chaotic scene that had preceded Ty getting hurt.

The wraith, a blurry humanoid figure of greyish-yellow fire, had spotted them as soon as they had rounded the corner and had taken off with unbelievable speed. They had given chase, Ty much closer to catching up to it and Kit trying to keep up. Ty had managed to corral it in a narrow alley behind a housing estate and Kit had run around the back of the buildings, attempting to cut it off.

But between that time, something had gone badly wrong and Kit had turned up to broken glass and an alarm going off and Ty lying scarily still in the wreckage of the storefront window, and the wisps of the wraith running away.

Beside him, he could feel Ty stirring and a hand pulled him down onto the narrow bed. “Stop trying to solve it now - I’ll tell you everything in the morning,” Ty whispered in his hair, his voice thick with sleep. “Come to bed,” he said.

“All right,” Kit said, leaning down to kiss Ty’s temple and the responding happy hum from Ty helped ease some of the tightness in Kit’s chest. He curled up around Ty’s warm body, listening to the steady patter of rain against the window as he fell asleep.

Kit woke up to his phone buzzing on the side table beside him. He fumbled for it but was prevented from it by Ty’s arms tightening around him.

“No,” Ty muttered sleepily.

“Ty- I have to-,” Kit disentangled his limbs from Ty’s and attempted to reach again. But before he could, a brown hand reached up and handed it over to him.

Plucking his phone out of the air, Kit peered over the side of the bed. Ade blinked in an owlish manner from the nest of blankets on the floor. “You’re welcome,” he said, yawning widely.

Kit looked down at his phone which read: 11:37

“Shit,” he said. “Sorry- we forgot to set alarms and-”

Ade waved him off. “Don’t make a habit of it but I’ll forgive you this one time.” He grinned. “Plus, you both looked so sweet, ye mighty Shadowhunters all curled up like a couple of puppies.”

Kit fought the urge to blush. “Yeah, we’re adorable, we know,” he said. Speaking of… he turned to look over his shoulder to see Ty now awake and following the conversation. Kit sat up fully and he took a moment to check in. There were a few shadows under Ty’s eyes but he noted Kit’s look-over and he nodded.

“I’m better,” Ty said, to both Kit and Ade who had also popped up to check on his patient. Ty sat up, still bare-chested, and swung his legs down, standing up to show Ade the side that had been injured.

Ade whistled as he took in the practically-healed skin. “Incredible,” he said.

“Yeah,” Ty said, with a small smile. “Go ahead- ask the questions you want to,” he threw a glance over to Kit. “As Kit said last night, it’s not like we’re going to get in trouble for breaking a few more laws.”

“You have no idea how much I’d like to take you to a uni lab and run some tests,” Ade said, wistful. “I know that-”

Kit could see a familiar investigative gleam in Ty’s eye and interjected. “Maybe another time we can go over how we can completely smash the Clave rule of no mundane medical treatment more than we already did… but I think we had a fairly good crack at it last night and we should head out and let you sleep, Ade.”

He looked down at his phone, noting the seven new whatsapp messages he had received. “And Ty and I need to go buy some clothes that are suitable for meeting up in public with Ellie.”

“Buying clothes?” Ty looked a bit out, he generally wasn’t a fan of shopping.

“I’ll be quick,” Kit assured him, patting him on the thigh. “But we can’t go out looking like we’ve not changed from the BDSM club.”

Ade smirked as he took in Ty only in his gear trousers and the fact that Kit’s gear was currently in a pile on the floor. “I mean, you could. It’s London mate and East London at that… but do you really want to give Ellie that much ammunition? Alongside that?”

Kit was confused until Ade pointed to his hair, which had come out of its tie over the course of the night. “Oh, right,” he said, suddenly remembering that Ellie hadn’t seen his new hairstyle. He shrugged. “I mean, it’s only fitting I have the right hipster clothes to match, right?”

Ade cackled. “Truth.” Then he sobered. “Right, so you going to be all mysterious and broody demon hunters and disappear again for another six months? Or am I going to actually get an explanation this time?” he sounded disapproving.

“Nope, no radio comms silence from Faerie this time around. We’re-” he jerked his head over to Ty, with a smile. “We’re both assigned to London for the next little while. So it’ll be our base.”

“Lit,” Ade said, and he reached over to give Kit a fist bump, and offered one to Ty as well, who reciprocated after the slightest hesitation.

“Are you coming for some food too?” Ty asked, his eyes focused on Ade’s shoulder. He pulled on his gear shirt, and grabbed his airpods out of his pocket.

Ade hesitated. “I should probably sleep a bit more before tonight’s shift.”

“We’ll buy you coffee,” Ty said. “And breakfast.” Kit looked over at him, suddenly suspicious. It wasn’t that he thought Ty and Ade didn’t get along- they had met several times, in Devon and the one time Ade had visited L.A. but Ty’s voice held a note of… something else. Ty noticed his gaze and he shrugged. “We owe him.”

“Yeah, of course-” Kit said. “Anything you want at Spitalfields…”

He figured Ty would let him know what was up soon.

Being the middle of the summer and a rainy day at that, Spitalfields Market was busy, the crowds buzzing under the steel and glass roof. Kit, Ade and Ty bought their food quickly from the surrounding food stalls - a savoury crepe for Ty, some spicy noodles for Kit and a large pulled pork sandwich and black coffee for Ade - and then retreated to the outdoor tables under a covered awning to wait for Ellie.

She arrived shortly after, a whirlwind figure in a floral dress, a light denim jacket and oversized sunglasses despite the rainy day. Her hair was a deep mauve colour, with a fresh undercut on one side and swept behind her multi-pierced ear on the other.

“Kit!” She jumped on him from behind, giving him a kiss on his cheek, and Kit turned and picked her up into a hug, her vanilla and peach scent flooding his senses. He set her down and she popped her sunglasses off, to give him a severe look with her bright blue eyes. “You’ve gone full L.A. again, I see.” She reached up and felt his bun.

Kit swatted her away. “Hey, the man-bun has gone transatlantic, we saw several just in front of Liverpool Street Station alone. Plus, you know it looks good on me.”

She pursed her lips as she gave him her usual once over. “Yeah, fair. It seems to be the never ending trend… at least you haven’t gone for the scruffy facial hair too.” She grinned though, and sat down, looking across to Ty and Ade.

“Ti-bae-rius, looking gorgeous as always,” she said, winking at Ty.

Ty, who had become used to Ellie over the years, said evenly. “Hi Ellie.” And continued to eat his crepe, his eyes switching between watching the interaction in front of him, and taking in the surrounding area.

Ellie turned next to Ade. “Ade.. you look- tired as all hell,” her voice was sympathetic. “I thought you’re on nights all this week?”

Ade nodded. “Yep. But I had an interesting night when this one-” he nodded at Kit. “Dragged this one looking half dead,” he pointed at Ty, “into my A&E department last night.”

Ellie’s jaw dropped. “Ooh- that’s why you texted me!” She poked Kit. “Right- spill the tea, now!”

And Kit launched into the official reason why he and Ty were in London, explaining Ty’s new posting to the European Centurion office (Ade: “Even post-Brexit?” Ty: “I don’t think the Clave follows mundane politics that closely”), and Kit’s subsequent invitation from Evelyn Highsmith, the ancient head of the London Institute, to help rebuild the London Enclave.

Kit didn’t explain the other reason: that Ty, alongside Anush and some of the other highly specialised Centurions had been called in to investigate the recent appearance of the never-before-seen ‘wraiths’ and determine what kind of threat they posed to the Downworld and Shadowhunters.

Kit looked over at Ellie as she lit her third cigarette and blew a cloud of smoke away from the table but the wind direction had it drifting back over them. He could see Ty getting irritated from the constant smoke, and to be fair, Kit was as well. “Those things will kill you,” he said to Ellie.

“Live fast, die young- isn’t that the Shadowhunter model anyway?” Ellie said lightly, holding the cigarette up in her hand.

He gave her a look, and gave the tiniest of nods over to Ty. Ellie took the hint. “Well, to be fair I never was one anyway, so I suppose I can’t use the excuse,” she said, and she stubbed it out.

Ellie gave him a bright but brittle smile before looking away. Kit was troubled by it and mentally made a note to reach out later to her to see how she was doing. He knew from her infrequent texts that she was back studying at a London university after she had taken some time off after her mum’s death. But he wondered more about the Shadowhunters comment - Ellie, as a mundane with the Sight - had almost completed the training program at the Shadowhunters Academy a few years ago, before she left when her mother had first been diagnosed with cancer. She hadn’t returned to it and given the circumstances Kit had never pressed her on it but now he wondered if he should.

Ellie nudged him. “So… other than your boyfriend almost dying last night, what else is new with you both?”

Ty frowned at that. “Bit soon, Ellie, thanks.”

Ellie waved it off. “Let’s move on from the past, I always say- are you still listening to those true crime podcasts, Ty? Any new recommendations?”

Ty accepted the peace offering, and the conversation moved on to lighter things, as Kit caught up with his friends and Ty joined in until he grew bored of their switch to British mundane politics, and pulled out his newest book. Ade went and bought a box of sourdough donuts and they were all pleasantly full by the time Ellie jumped up, looking at her watch and saying that she had a tutorial at three and needed to leave and Ade decided he’d try to sleep for a few hours before his next shift. They left with promises to text and arrange other meetups, now that Kit and Ty were going to be based in London for the next while.

Kit sat back after they left, and enjoyed people-watching from his side of the table, while Ty nodded along, earbuds in, as he read his book. Eventually, as it so often did, Kit’s eyes were drawn back to Ty. The way his long, graceful fingers flicked through his paperback back, the way his narrow but muscular body filled out the black undershirt and jeans that Kit had bought from a trendy shop on Commercial Street, covered by the white and grey plaid shirt that matched his eyes, the same colour as the cloudy skies above.

Ty could feel Kit’s eyes on him, and he put down the book, and paused his music. He watched as Kit reached out to trace the Voyance rune on his hand. “I’m fine, you know.”

Kit let out a long breath. He had been of two minds in the morning whether they should’ve just canceled on Ellie but last night’s escapades didn’t appear to be still affecting Ty. Or he was being very good at hiding it, which had occurred in the past… but Kit didn’t think that was the case now.

“I know,” Kit said. “But we need to talk about last night with that wraith and-”

“And why you didn’t want to call the London Enclave-” Ty said. He tilted his head at Kit. “Was it to do with the fire message you got right before we went out?”

Kit wasn’t surprised Ty had mostly figured it out- and to be honest, he hadn’t intended to hide it anyway, just focus on it when they had returned from the patrol. “No, that was just a check in from Aline asking if we had made it okay and to chew me out for leaving the training room in a mess before we left.” He dug out his phone. “It was this anonymous text that says ‘the London Institute is rotting from within. Tread carefully, Herondale’.”

He handed his phone over to Ty, who read the message and then hit a few buttons, which Kit assumed was the additional tech side stuff that he was good at.

“Intriguing,” Ty said, handing back the phone. “I can try tracing it when we get back.”

Both he and Kit considered the townhouse, which had last been updated in the 1960s and didn’t have many modern conveniences, such as wifi. The few times they had stayed in the past, they had used hotspots.

“Maybe you should visit Blackthorn Hall to do it,” Kit said. “Dru and Ash are there this weekend, right?”

“Yeah,” Ty said. “Plus, Julian’s wanting us to come to dinner as soon as possible.”

“Sounds good,” Kit said, standing. They started making their way back towards the underground, idly discussing the reasons for the message - Kit suggested it had to do with the fact that he had heard there were still remnants of the Cohort that hadn’t been kicked out - before he asked Ty his initial thoughts on the wraith encounter.

“I’m not sure,” Ty said, his face serious, as they picked their way around a busker. “It had surprisingly fast reflexes when I had it cornered and its strength was also unexpected for its size.” He looked over at Kit. “I’ll be more prepared next time.”

Kit nodded. He put his hands in his pocket, hoping that Ty took his own advice. “Okay-” he sighed. “Looks like there’s a few more things we need to be aware of, now that we’re here.”

“Oh, also the fact that Ade had vampire glamour on him,” Ty said conversationally. “We should look into that too.”

Kit stopped short. “What? How could you tell?” People streamed around them into the entrance of Liverpool Street station, no one paying attention to the conversation.

Ty rolled up his sleeve, showing Kit one of his many Marks, one that Kit wasn’t familiar with. “Remember me telling you Divya and I have been working with the Spiral Labyrinth to develop a glamour-detecting rune? This is the prototype.” He looked thoughtful. “I’m fairly certain its vampire glamour… could also be warlock but that tends to have more of a windy feel than bone-chilling cold feel.”

“Right,” Kit said. “We’re fixing that one straight away.”

“Agreed,” Ty said. “But I have no doubt we’ll be able to sort it out quickly,” he said with a graceful shrug.

Kit laughed. “Yeah, it is us, after all. Holmes.”

Ty smiled at Kit. “Watson.”

Then they went underground, letting the bustle of London continue above.

New story - "Herondales Don't Fail" starts posting tomorrow!

Taglist: @dontmindmyshadowhunting @sandersgrey @of-same-steel-and-temper @thomastaircompassrose @thechangeling @mferraz @kestrafagnor @gabtapia @alldagayships @blindbandit1515 @silvermagnolias @chaotic-halfblood-kit @fighting-god-69 @lifeofbrybooks @all-this-panic-still-no-disco @heloisacosta23 @kitheronthorn @idk-i-just-really-like-tsc @t0wergirl @immortal-enemies @ahumanbeingtryingherbest

#tsc fanfiction #kit herondale #ty blackthorn #kit x ty #the wicked powers #post canon #hurt/comfort #secrets of blackthorn hall #my fanfic #tsc: london files #alicantenet #oc ellie harris #oc ade olawale

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