#and to feel Lance as a friend was strangely pleasing

[klaissance]

nobody asked but here is my pitch for a princess and the pauper klance au

Princess Allura of Altea generally likes her life. She lives in a palace with her father, King Alfor, her quirky tutor and longtime friend Coran, and her lady-in-waiting Romelle who she definitely is not in love with. Don't worry about it.

Her being totally not in love with Romelle is something to not worry about at all because actually, as of fairly recently, Allura is engaged! To a man (ew) she's never met (double ew): Prince Keith of Marmora. Their matrimony is to solidify an alliance between Altea and Marmora which, if everyone's being honest, is mostly to haul Altea out of its recent troubles. The kingdom is floundering and its people have been suffering for too long; this alliance with Marmora offers a fresh start and a royal wedding promotes economic stimulation, etc etc politics politics

Allura loves her people and her father so she's gonna suck it up and do this. But she can't and won't be jazzed about it all the time. Sometimes she wishes she could be anyone but herself, with the freedom to make selfish choices.

Anyway down in the town there is this boy named Lance McClain and he just so happens to have a vaguely similar facial structure to Altea's princess (rip this has to be a blue-eyed Lance story to work, huh) and he works at the dress emporium under Monsieur Iverson who is, frankly, an abusive boss. But Iverson is funding Lance's sister's education. The McClains need this, and so Lance pricks his fingers and works every waking hour for pennies that he never even gets to see. Lance loves his family so he's gonna do it but he can't and won't be jazzed about it all the time. Sometimes he wishes he could be anyone but himself, with the freedom to make selfish choices.

do u feel me on this guys

also Allura has five cats named Onyx, Ruby, Emerald, Sapphire, and Topaz and she loves them very much. But Sapphire has been acting strange recently...

Lance has this cat that he calls Blue that he doesn't actually have but she shows up night after night at his window and he feeds her and she lays on his lap while he works and he loves her very much

......it's the same cat *hold for applause*

anyway Romelle takes Allura into town to "run errands" or something but really it's just a date and one of Allura's last tastes of freedom before she gets hitched to whoever this Keith dude is

and Sapphire slips away and dashes through the streets and Allura chases her down and finds her perched on a windowsill in an alley being fed by a stranger who looks a little familiar and oh--

Lance and Allura finally meet and look at each other and are like woah we could definitely be siblings genetics are so weird

Bonded by their shared cat they get along splendidly and have a nice and surprisingly deep talk about their respective plights, and Allura promises to call on Lance soon

The next morning Coran and Romelle go to the princess only to find her bed empty save for a note that says she's taken the cats and run away...

The note is sus and then Sapphire shows up (from spending the night at Lance's.) Coran and Romelle know Allura would never leave just Sapphire behind, so they're immediately Not Buying It but they don't know who they can trust, and also this is a disaster because Prince Keith and his entourage are literally coming to visit today so they need to fix this asap

Romelle remembers the boy from the village who looked weirdly like Allura and she has the best/worst idea of all time...

Cue "To Be A Princess" as performed by Coran and Romelle at Lance, who by the end of the song is unclockable he's so good at princess cosplay

When "Allura" appears at dinner as scheduled, Alfor's advisor Zarkon and his shitty son Lotor are shook but they stay quiet

you guys lotor as preminger is so funny pLEASE

AND THEN KEITH SHOWS UP

Keith and his diplomat friends, The Holts, and his captain of the guard Shiro, pull up to dinner to meet Keith's future wife

Keith's a gay man he's not thrilled about this. She's certainly a handsome woman, if her portraits are to be believed, but there's nothing to be done about it. Lifelong bummer for Keith. Such is princedom.

So Keith and co. show up in Altea and they meet the princess and Keith swears she's a little broader in the shoulders and sharper in the jaw than he'd expected but chalks it up to shitty portraiture. He'll hire the court painter from Marmora when they're married.

Lance in his princess costume is like "oh lord he's fine" but then they go on a bunch of weird dates and mostly bicker a bunch because Keith hates that he's forced to be here and Lance is just sort of like that

meanwhile Allura's like busting her own ass out of the mines and lotor sings how can i refuse *hold for standing ovation*

and since Sapphire didn't get kidnapped with the other cats she's still around and Lance talks to her in the bath and is generally just being silly goofy and Keith happens to walk by and hear Lance talking in his normal tone to somebody named "Blue" and the door happens to be a little open and Keith happens to peek--he doesn't even know why he literally doesn't even like women--and wait just a fucking second that is a boy and a wig on the floor and Keith to himself is like 'um should i complain about being lied to, something wack is going on here' and then he's like 'wait I'm gay and he's hot let's see how this plays out' and says nothing LMAO

but then their little dates get way more interesting because Keith is trying to tease out this secret and also is like,, actually interested

maybe they do a horseback riding date where Lance gets to wear pants and have the big platinum wig tied back and he feels a little more like himself and he and Keith hardly even bicker anymore they just sort of have a great time together and Lance feels a little insane for this whole thing but he really likes him but he has to tell him the truth and he's literally about to admit it

but then Lotor comes back from checking on Allura in the mines and knows the princess at the palace is a fake so he calls Lance out and rips the wig off, the whole thing, and Lance is thrown in the dungeon when moments ago he was literally a hair's breadth away from kissing Keith on the mouth UGH life is so cruel

Lotor and Zarkon convince Alfor that Allura is dead and they plot to strike and stage their coup during her funeral or something idk

But meanwhile Romelle and Allura and the cats are power-lesbianing their way out of the mines, and meanwhile meanwhile Keith busts Lance out of jail and they go also to the mines to try to save Allura

just four gays and their cats standing at the mines like ok what now

they bust into the funeral proceedings and wreck Lotor's shit, Allura definitely throws him over her shoulder and skips him like a rock and they explain everything to Alfor

Lotor and Zarkon go to jail and Altea is saved even without the marriage alliance because Allura and Romelle found extra stores of quintessence locked in the geodes in the mines or whatever

Lance is now so thoroughly sponsored by not one but two royal families that his family will want for nothing ever again--his siblings are put on royal scholarship to any school of their choosing in either Altea or Marmora. Lance himself has always wanted to travel, so he does, and he writes letters to Keith the whole time and when he returns Keith is waiting for him and they do a big gay double wedding with Allura and Romelle just like in the Barbie movie <3

the end

#THIS ONE GOT AWAY FROM ME YALL #i think i cooked #somebody tell me this isnt perfect #oh wait u cant #klance #klance ficlet #sort of #my writing #princess and the pauper au #like am i nuts for this #maybe #vld au #i just think this has all the pieces #lance and allura as besties #allura and keith as disaster gays #klance spiced with mistaken identities #chefs kiss

[the-iceni-bitch]

You’ll Never Go Down to the Gods Again

Part VIII/X

Pairing: soft!dark (but mostly soft) Alpha!Ransom Drysdale x naive!stepsister Omega reader

Words: ~3.2k

Summary: Ransom should have taken you and run as soon as he admitted his feelings. He doesn’t know if he’ll ever forgive himself.

Chapter Warnings: A/B/O, DEAD DOVE DO NOT EAT, explicit language, sexual assault, attempted forced bonding, forced unknotting, Alpha fight, talk of medicine and hospitals

A/N: Listen, this is such a dark chapter, you guys. I do feel absolutely horrible about everything I’m going to put these two through over the last chapters, so please don’t hate me. And listen to the warnings!! This could be extremely upsetting, but I have put all relevant warnings up front, in spite of the fact they spoil a lot of the chapter, so be mindful.

I am no longer doing taglists so if you want to stay up to date on all the latest filth, follow my sideblog @the-iceni-library and turn on notifications!

“You are so royally fucked.” Curtis shook his head and watched Ransom bury his face in his hands, leaning back in his chair and sucking on his teeth as he thought things over. “Why didn’t you just take her and run?”

“She wants the goddamn ceremony.” Ransom gulped down his coffee and took another shaky breath as he fought the urge to let himself collapse against the table. “And I can’t tell her why it won’t happen. I keep trying but then she looks at me like I’m her whole world and I can’t do it. I thought I had more time.”

“It’s been four weeks, you knew your parents were coming back from DC today, man.” Curtis breathed deeply when the man just gave him a wretched groan. “I don’t know what you want from me, Drysdale. I could’ve gotten the both of you out with time to spare if you hadn’t dragged your feet, but I feel like your best bet is gonna be your grandfather.”

“I can’t talk to Harlan about this.” Ransom frowned as he ran his fingers over the lip of his cup. “He might not kill me, but he has his own fucking strings attached to his help, and I don’t know if that’s any better.”

“Well, you’ll have to do something. I do not envy the next few weeks of your life.” Curtis snorted and flagged down the waitress for some refills. “Can’t believe you fell for your fucking toy.”

“I couldn’t help it.” Ransom downed his fresh coffee and winced when it burned his throat. “You met her, you know what she’s like.”

“Yeah yeah, addictive.” Curtis rolled his eyes as he considered how weak his friend was. “Speaking of which, Lance is still on his fucking bender, so you’ve gotta worry about him trying to kick your ass on top of everything else.”

“That fucking bastard.” Ransom snarled when he thought about how ugly the man’s attitude had turned, wanting to spit at the memory of all the texts he’d gotten from him that detailed how he was going to split your cunt in half before Ransom finally blocked his ass. “Don’t know what the fuck is wrong with him.”

“He doesn’t like feeling left out. Especially when it comes to Omega pussy. You know this.” Curtis sipped on his coffee and leaned back in his chair. “Man can’t stand to hear the word ‘no’.”

You smiled warmly when you heard the elevator coming up to the apartment, smoothing your skirt over your hips and bouncing a little on your toes as you looked forward to seeing Ransom again. Your mate, you couldn’t stop thinking about him and missed him terribly whenever he wasn’t home. Hopefully he would like all the ideas you had for your bonding ceremony, you’d been looking at magazines all morning.

“Hi Ran… oh.” Your smile fell slightly when it wasn’t Ransom who stepped off the elevator, tilting your head at his friend Lance and trying to remain friendly when he gave you a strange look. “Hello Alpha Tucker. Ransom isn’t here.”

“Oh shoot, I was hoping to pick up something he borrowed from me.” Lance licked his lips when you just hummed pleasantly and ducked your head in a shy way, prowling closer to you and breathing in your scent deeply as he clenched his fists at his side. “You’re all by yourself, sweetheart?”

“Mmhm, but he’ll be home soon.” You kept your eyes down when you slid away from him towards the kitchen, feeling his gaze on you and trying not to act too uncomfortable about it. “Do you want some water while you wait?”

“No, thank you.” He was too close to you, you could feel your hackles going up when he scented your hair unexpectedly. “I want what your asshole brother has been teasing me with for months without letting me have a taste.”

“I don’t understand what you mean, he’s not my brother.” You managed to twist away from him again, your eyes starting to sting with unshed tears when he growled at you. “I-I think you should leave, please.”

“You let your brother fuck you, but you cringe when I barely even touch you.” Lance snarled when you recoiled as he tried to grab your wrist. “He owes me, I want to feel that sweet little Omega cunt, and I don’t think you can stop me.”

“P-please don’t talk to me like that.” You choked on a whimper when he just gave you a mocking pout. “Ransom and I are going to be bonded, this isn’t appropriate.”

“Oh, no shit?” Lance laughed when you nodded, tossing his head back then startling you when he lunged in your direction. “That just makes this even better, come here.”

This time you ran away from him, tears streaming down your cheeks as you heard him charging after you and tried to figure out what to do. You couldn’t understand why one of Ransom’s friends would be acting like this, a bond was sacred, that was why they had all helped prepare you for it. He should be happy for you and Ransom and respectful of the promise you’d made to each other, there must be something wrong with him.

You saw your phone and snatched it up as quickly as you could, yelping when Lance almost grabbed you before dodging away from him and sobbing as you tried to dial. All you wanted was your mate, your Alpha, you could feel yourself panicking as Lance kept getting closer and closer to catching you and you were worried you were going to pass out from the fear.

“Hold on, she’s calling me.” Ransom couldn’t stop from smiling slightly when your name came up on his screen. “Hi bunny, what’s going on?”

“Ransom-“ you screamed when Lance finally caught you and threw you to the floor, weeping when he grabbed you by your hair and slapped you across the face when you tried to crawl away. “Please…”

“That’s right you fucking beg me, you little bitch.” Ransom was already on edge but as soon as he heard Lance’s voice he rose to his feet with a snarl, tossing the chair out of his way and storming towards the parking lot while Curtis just gave him a worried look. “You manage to call your brother? That you, Drysdale?”

“Tucker, what the fuck are you doing?” Ransom felt like he was going to snap his phone in half, shaking violently and giving Curtis a ragged look when he caught up to him. “If you fucking touch her…”

“Little late for that, bud. Hold still, slut.” Ransom heard another smack and winced when you sobbed. “You could’ve let me have her months ago, but you had to be a bastard. So I hope you enjoy listening to me break this bitch before I bond her, since you were too stupid to do it yourself. Scream for me.”

You shrieked when he ripped your skirt up around your hips and tore off your panties, sobbing desperately as you tried to close your legs and failed when he knelt between them and grabbed your thighs in a bruising grip. Lance grinned wickedly when you started crying even harder as he spat on your cunt, screwing your eyes closed and turning away from him when he turned the phone on speaker and dropped it next to your head before he pulled out his cock.

“No, you fucking look at me.” Lance chuckled when you did as he commanded, curling over you and licking the tears from your cheeks while you kept whimpering uselessly. “Make sure you’re nice and loud so your ‘Alpha’ can hear you.”

He groaned when he pushed inside you and you wailed, grabbing your wrists and pinning them above your head while he glared at you and started to fuck you violently. You hated that your body was reacting to him, and that you couldn’t break his gaze while he pounded into you and made you cry even harder as you felt your stomach growing tight.

“Bunny… bunny, I’m sorry.” Ransom shot an absolutely venomous look at Curtis when he told him to hang up the phone so he didn’t have to listen to what Lance was doing, choking on the ugly mess of emotions that were rising in his chest. “I’m not leaving her. That asshole better hope Diskant and the cops get there first, because I’m going to fucking kill him if it’s me. You hear me Tucker? Bunny, just hold on, please.”

“Oh, she’s holding on great, this cunt has the tightest fucking grip I’ve ever felt, shit.” Lance chuckled when you whimpered at him grinding against your clit, slapping you when you wouldn’t let him pry your jaw open then spitting on your cheek when he was able to shove his fingers into your mouth. “You hear how fucking sloppy she is? Can almost understand why you didn’t want to share her. Think she’s gonna come already, what a fucking whore.”

You tried to fight it, but you couldn’t, your body arching while your fists clenched and your toes curled as unwanted pleasure washed over you. As soon as your vision returned to normal you began to break down, shaking and weeping uncontrollably when his face filled your vision and he kept pummeling your sensitive cunt like he hated you. The sound of Ransom’s voice over the phone was barely helping, making you cry more as you longed for him to hold you and tell you this had never happened.

“You know he tricked you? You fucking idiot.” Lance snarled when you whimpered Ransom’s name as the asshole apologized again like a moron. “Just wanted to see how much he could fuck with you and ruin your parents’ plans. No one wants a ‘prepped’ Omega, they want fucking virgins. He didn’t give a fuck about you.”

“Y-you’re lying.” You were bawling at this point, Ransom switching between trying to comfort you and screaming about how he was going to kill Lance as you felt your body betraying you again while his knot started to swell. “Ransom loves me.”

“I do, I love you bunny, don’t fucking listen to him.” Ransom snarled when Curtis practically jumped the curb as he pulled in front of the apartment building, ripping the door open and sprinting inside even as he heard the sound of sirens getting closer.

“Oh, sounds like big brother is home, and perfect timing, fuuuuck.” Lance bellowed when his knot locked him inside you, pumping you full of his cum with erratic jerks of his hips while you gushed slick all over him. “Look at this, so swollen and pretty, gonna look so good with my mark.”

“No, please.” You couldn’t take it when he brushed the tip of his finger over your mating gland, shuddering when he leaned down to smell your neck and gazing towards the elevator when you heard it moving. “Just stop.”

“Pathetic, just like your brother you love to fuck so much.” Lance grinned when you wailed and started struggling again at the feeling of his teeth scraped over your gland. “Can’t wait to see his fucking face when I bond you right in front of him.”

The elevator doors opened and you broke again when Ransom stepped off and saw you still locked with Lance, screaming and trying to push him off when you felt his teeth starting to pierce your skin. You barely had time to register the vicious roar that tore through the air in the apartment before Lance was suddenly ripped away from you, the blinding pain of having his knot forcibly wrenched out of your cunt making you howl as your vision went white and you curled your body in on itself.

Ransom hardly even heard your cry when he wrapped his hand around Lance’s neck and started slamming his fist into his face, snarling and throwing the man into one of the brick columns so hard the whole building seemed to shake. He only had a moment to see Curtis scooping you off the ground and cradling you against his chest before Lance charged him, the bastard landing a solid hit to his jaw and and almost tearing his elbow out of the socket before Ransom wrapped his arm around his middle and slammed him into the floor.

You were still weeping and shivering as you held onto Curtis desperately, begging for your Alpha even as you watched him beat Lance through the floor with both his fists like he really was going to kill him. The elevator door opened again and suddenly the apartment was full of strangers, a Beta and an Omega you didn’t know gently taking you from Curtis and wrapping you in a blanket while he joined one of the police officers in trying to pull Ransom off of your assailant. They weren’t making you feel any better, though, no matter what soothing sounds they made or when the Omega started to try to scent you, you wanted your mate. He was what you needed, Lance lied, he loved you, if he didn’t come to you soon you were going to start screaming and ripping your hair out.

“He’s down, he’s fucking cuffed Drysdale, holy shit.” Paul and Curtis had to both hold Ransom back once they managed to pry him away from Lance, the two of them watching him warily while he kept glaring at Lance’s bruised and bloodied form while the cops dragged him away. “Calm down, shit, come over here:”

The Beta who was helping you managed to flag Paul and he pulled Ransom over to you, both he and Curtis relaxing once the man set eyes on you and his face softened as he fell to his knees in front of you and sobbed. They let him pull you into his arms when you mewled for him, allowing him to start scenting you obsessively as you wept in his arms and he crooned to try to soothe you.

Ransom hated how you looked, hated the bruises on your face and how you winced when you tried to move the leg Lance had dragged you down by and the handprint around your throat. He almost lost it again when he noticed the blood that was smeared on your thighs, rumbling into your neck instead even though the thought of that asshole’s knot ripping you apart made him want to go and finish what he’d started. His chest was aching from how wretched he felt at you being in pain, growling when he saw the Beta from the critical response team reaching for you and wrapping you tighter in his arms.

“They have to take her to the hospital.” Paul stood well back from Ransom since he was still so keyed up, and trying to invade his space while he was comforting his injured mate didn’t seem like the best idea. “But you can go in the ambulance with her.”

“That’s not…” the Beta sighed when Diskant gave her a meaningful look, nodding and radioing the rest of the team to let them know the situation before standing up. “Come with us.”

You clung to Ransom as he carried you down to the ambulance, whimpering into his chest when there were even more Alpha police officers outside and you started to feel distressed again before he started scenting your hair. They could barely get you away from him to strap you onto the gurney, but he stayed with you and calmed you down and as soon as they started driving he was rubbing his face against the insides of your wrists and holding your hand and you felt less hysterical.

Reaching the hospital didn’t take as long as he wanted it to, the desire to keep scenting you and get rid of that fucker’s stink overwhelming even as they pulled into the ambulance bay. Your fingers were still wound tightly with his while they rolled you into the trauma ward and you were swarmed with doctors and nurses. They kept trying to pull you away from him and you cried every time, shivering and pulling him closer and not paying any attention to the frustrated sighs they kept letting out when you shook your head each time they asked him to leave.

“Sweetie, we have to take pictures of you.” The Beta doctor that had finally come in seemed to have the greatest measure of patience, giving you space after a nurse took your blood and letting you lean your head on Ransom’s chest while your sobbing started to calm down. “That could upset your Alpha, and he has injuries that need to be looked at. Would you be okay if one of us takes him into the next room so we can help both of you?”

“I don’t…” you saw the split skin on Ransom’s knuckles and the blood that was smeared across his face, reaching up to touch the bruise on his jaw and sniffling when he winced. “Just, you’ll be right next door?”

“Right next door, promise.” The doctor nodded at Ransom when he kissed your forehead before separating from you, letting one of the nurses lead him away before she stepped closer to you and took your hand gently. “And he’ll be back so soon.”

You just whimpered and sat up slowly, Ransom getting one last look at you shaking and letting the doctor look at your bruises before the door to the room swung shut. Ransom had trouble relaxing being apart from you, even though he knew they were helping you and that he would have probably gone into another frenzy if he had to see the full extent of your injuries. He kept thinking he heard you cry, though, and the fact that he would jolt every time he did was making the nurse who was working on cleaning his knuckles exasperated. Even though it only took maybe ten minutes it was too long, Ransom just grunting and storming back to your room while they tried to give him instructions about taking care of his wounds.

“She’s alright, we gave her a sedative.” The doctor tried to reassure Ransom when he immediately sat next to your bed and started nuzzling your cheek while you rested. “She should recover well physically, but I want to make sure she gets counseling. I’ll come back with some referrals and to go over some other things once everyone else is here.”

“Who the hell else is coming?” Ransom brushed your hair out of your face and pressed his lips to yours when you sighed deeply.

“We had to call her emergency contact, it’s procedure.” The doctor didn’t seem to notice the way Ransom tensed up, reviewing your chart as she started to back out of the room. “Her father should be here any minute.”

#natalie writes #you’ll never go down to the gods again #alpha ransom drysdale #ransom drysdale #ransom drysdale x you #ransom drysdale x y/n #ransom x you #ransom drysdale x female reader #ransom drysdale x reader #alpha lance tucker #dark!alpha lance tucker #lance tucker x you #tw sex assault #tw sa #chris evans #chris evans character #sebastian stan #sebastian stan character #a/b/o #dead dove do not eat

[bullet-prooflove]

WITSEC Part 3: Truth be Told - Will Halstead x Reader

Tagging: @daniacat​   @misscharlielulu​   @cosmic-psychickitty​   @tonio-dawson​     @brianbabygirlzvonecek​   @afriendlyneighborhoodhufflepuff​ @ikbenplant​     @gummybabey​    @rosaliedepp​    @annieradcliff​   @mrspeacem1nusone​   @sowrongitslottie​   @readingbookelf​    @earthtolottie���   @crazy4chickennuggets​   @cixrosie​     @halsteadloversworld​   @zaidatorcuatomorgado​   @horny-and-sad27​    @oneandonlychicago​     @lxna-mikaelsxn​   @1234-angelika​   @wolfers-stuff​      @directioner5life​   @bradshawsdarlin​  @aaronhtchnrs @mysoulisasunflower @luckyladycreator2 @willhalstead-rhodes  @zephyrmonkey  @bluecrush129  @thespottedcreature  @celilice1  @whoreforhondo @one-sweet-gubler @anime-weeb-4-life @issac918 @99-reasons-to-live @hermionelove @cupids-lover @bbyxoo @legit9thlunaticwarrior @upsteadlogic @laylasbunbunny @lelaart @genius2050 @nu1freakshow @whovianwholikesgirls

PREQUEL - MOMENTS  (NSFW) - Why did you and Will break up?

Part 1: Got You - Will and you come face to face after a traumatic event.

Part 2: Phoenix - Will contemplates the events that led him to this moment.

You’ve been back six weeks when a suspect takes you over the edge of the fire escape with him. The two of you had been grappling and before you knew it, the rusted guardrail gave way, and you were tumbling towards the concrete below. It wasn’t high enough to kill you, but the perp had broken his leg and you thought from the agony that lanced through your left shoulder that you may have dislocated it. Which was why you were now sitting in one of the trauma rooms in the Chicago Med waiting for the pain killers to kick in so Doctor Choi could pop it back into the socket.

You would have preferred to be anywhere else right now, but protocol dictated that both you and the perp were taken to the nearest hospital. Being back here without Will was strange, you swore you could feel his ghost haunting the trauma bays as you lay on the bed staring at the ceiling.  You wondered what people thought of you, of this situation. Will leaving just as you came back from your tenure in the FBI. Did they think you had a part to play in his disappearance?

You heard the curtain draw back and tipped your head expecting to see Ethan, instead you were confronted with the stoic expression of Natalie Manning.

“I thought the two of us should have a chat.” She said as she drew the curtain shut behind her.

“You know what Nat? I’m really not in the mood.” You informed her, gesturing at your arm.

“You’ve been dodging my calls.” She said, coming to stand alongside the bed so the two of you were eye to eye. “And if this is the only way the two of us get to talk so, be it.”

“I forgot how much you enjoy a captive audience.” You snarked, meeting her ferocious gaze with one of your own. “And we both know why I haven’t been picking up the phone.”

“Things have changed.” Jay told you back in a hospital room in Virginia. “He’s getting married.”

It had been a blow, you had to admit that, but you swallowed down that anguish because Will deserved to be happy. You were glad that he’d found someone to love him, to care for him, someone who could put him first.

“I’m pleased he found someone.” You told Jay. “Someone to look after him.”

Jay shook his head, before his hand came to rest on yours, squeezing lightly.

“No, you don’t understand.” He said quietly. “It’s Natalie, he’s marrying Natalie Manning.”

It had been like someone had stabbed you right through the heart and twisted the knife because Natalie had been a friend, a close one. It was Natalie you had first told about the job you’d been offered, Natalie who had encouraged you to take it because this was a once in a life time opportunity, Natalie who had told you not to worry, she would keep an eye on Will.

“You can’t be mad at me for falling in love with him.” Natalie said softly.

You knew how empathetic Will was, how understanding, how compassionate. He dived into everything with his heart and his soul, and it was invigorating to be around someone who lived like that, who wasn’t scared to be honest about who they were and what they wanted. He was easy to love.

“But I can be mad at you for pursuing him.” You retaliated. “Tell me, were you in love with him the whole time we were together or was it just after I left?”

Natalie’s lips clamped together, her gaze lowering. And you knew, you fucking knew.

“The whole fucking time?” You whispered. “Was our friendship even really about me and you?”

“I liked you.” she shrugged. “I cared about you.”

“You just cared about him more.”

Natalie said nothing, you sat there reeling at the information. You had suspected of course but suspecting and knowing were two different things and it felt you had been doused with ice water, your brain couldn’t function as you backtracked over your entire friendship with Natalie.

“Why did you come back?” she asked you. “Why now?”

You clenched your jaw, you could feel that pain and that anguish building up inside of you, you’d lost everything. Your lover, your friend and almost your life and Sarah, you had lost Sarah. It was acute and violent the grief, it washed over you like a wave.

“I didn’t come back for Will.” You fold her.

Her shoulders seem to relax at the statement, her fingers twisting the engagement ring on her finger. The one you’d found in his jacket pocket, the night you had told him about the job.

“Did you know about the investigation?”

“No.” You said honestly. “I got back a couple of weeks before it went down. It wasn’t even on my radar until that night.”

You didn’t tell her you had been on medical leave until the day it happened. Your first day back in Intelligence was when you realised something was going on with Jay. You’d been the only one left in the Squad Room when he had gotten that phone call, you’d heard Will’s name and you knew, you just knew something was horribly wrong.

Tell me, you had begged him. Jay could never lie to you, he knew you were the only one that was as invested in saving Will’s life as he was, that wasn’t focused on taking down a target. He filled you in on the way over to Med, you watched as he persuaded Connor to bring his informant out of sedation and you thought of the toll it must have taken on Will. How much pressure he had been under, how sick he must have been to be involved in something like this to have to hide it from the people around him, to balance so precariously on a knife edge of two lives.

When you’d seen him standing there, covered in blood you thought he’d been hit, and the air had rushed out of your chest. When he moved towards you, his hands running through your hair with that wrecked expression you couldn’t help but fall for him all over again. Those feelings you had buried, they never really went away. All you could feel was relief. Relief that he was alive and standing there before you and for the first time in two years you felt like you could breathe again.

“He’s moved on.” Natalie’s voice penetrated your thoughts drawing your attention back to her.  She fixed you with a hard gaze as she walked back towards the curtain, one hand gripping it. “You should too.”

Big Fan of Will! Get added to his tag list!

Like My Work? - Why Not Buy Me A Coffee

#will halstead x you #will halstead x reader #will halstead imagine #will halstead

[autisticlancemcclain]

Lance was very… particular about things, Keith noticed. And it wasn’t just him, obviously. Their whole team was pretty particular. Hunk, for example, had to have all his tools organized and straightened before he could work on something. If they weren’t, he’d stop whatever he was doing to straighten them out again. Keith had taken to polishing his knife (and other small tasks like that) in Hunk’s workshop, so he could straighten the man’s tools for him, and then he wouldn’t have to start over. (As an added bonus Hunk had all the drama — Keith would rather make friends with the business end of Pidge’s bayard than admit it, but he enjoyed listening to the gossip now and then.) Allura was very particular, too. Her holoscreens and data files for the Coalition were so meticulously organized and colour-coded that they were beautiful even to Keith, who didn’t much care for folder organization.

All of them had their quirks, their strange hills to die on. But Lance? Lance had a particular way of doing everything, it seemed. Which made sense, given who he was as a person — aka someone who could, in one word, be described as ‘extra’. (And, yeah, Keith is well aware that he’s telling on himself by having noticed all Lance’s quirks at all. He knows damn well that the only reason he knows that Lance is — and he’s saying this with all the fondness in his heart — a weirdo, is because he watches Lance, all the time, and does everything he can to be around him. He knows. He’s had his embarrassing realization. He’s accepted the L. He likes watching Lance, because he likes Lance. A lot. It’s whatever.)

One specific thing that Keith noticed is that Lance plans out who he’s going to sit next to at dinner in advance. There’s no real real rhyme or reason to it — Keith spent a while trying to figure out a pattern, but gave up after about a week of complete randomness. He seems to sit next to whomever he pleases, for very specific reasons that only he knows.

Hold on, now, you might be saying. It really sounds like you’re just reading into it, and Lance just sits at random places every day.

And, yeah. That would be a fair assumption.

If it weren’t for one small thing.

See, no matter what time Lance arrives in the dining room, he’s the last to sit down. Always. Even if he’s the first there, even if he’s the one to cook. He’s somehow the last one to sit down. He waits for everyone else to sit, looks at the table for a moment, visibly makes a decision, and then sits beside whomever he’s chosen. It’s because of this that Keith’s sure he’s right. (Again. Keith knows it’s a stupid thing to put so much effort into observing, but he can’t very well turn it off. His brain focuses on things it finds interesting. It follows the dopamine. And, as humiliating as it is, Keith’s brain has decided Lance is a great source of said chemical.)

There is some pattern, Keith supposes. If Lance knows someone has had a rough day, or looks tense, or hasn’t been taking care of themselves, he sits next to them. He does it when Allura is particularly homesick, so he can subtly steer the conversation into happy memories of Altea to cheer her up. He does it when Shiro is tense and shaking from a day of bad memories, so he can joke and tease until Shiro is laughing so hard he sprays milk through his nose. He does it when Coran is weary and exhausted, making sure everything Coran needs is in reach so the advisor feels a little less drained at the end of the meal. He does it when Pidge hasn’t done anything but code for several days, quietly scooping extra portions on her plate and nagging her into an early bedtime. He does it when Hunk is fidgeting anxiously and shivering, keeping a constant hand on Hunk’s person and telling wild stories from home until Hunk’s smiling again.

He does it for Keith, too, although it took him a while to realise. Whenever Keith is snappy and irritable or blank and sad, Lance will invent some stupid game where he’s ‘definitely better at than you, Mullet, so eat that!’ until Keith has perked right up and started arguing right back and playing along with so much intensity that he forgets why he was so upset in the first place.

Yeah. It’s definitely one of the many reasons why Keith likes him so much. He’s always had a soft spot for the kind ones.

Most of the time, though, everyone’s feeling pretty good. There’s no one who needs Lance’s strength or wit or humour to go to bed with a weight lifted off their shoulders. No one Lance needs to care for.

On these days, Lance sits with whomever he carefully chooses. (Keith is pleased to note that, on a good chunk of these occasions, Lance sits with him, but that’s neither here nor there.)

Today, Lance is sitting with Hunk, who’s deep in conversation with Shiro. To entertain himself, he’s taken to playing out some dorky drama, using his utensils as action figures and silently mouthing out dialogue. (Keith wants to repeatedly bang his head on a wall, because holy shit, that’s such a dweeb thing to do and it shouldn’t be endearing but it is and Keith wants to kiss his stupid face so badly.)

Suddenly Coran sneezes across the table, one of those great big dad sneezes, and Lance startles, his fork going flying.

“Aw, man,” he mutters, immediately bending down to grab it.

Without breaking away from his conversation, Hunk reaches over and covers the corner of the table with his hand, so when Lance shoots back up, he only brushes Hunk’s fingers instead of braining himself on the hard edge or the table.

Keith blinks. As soon as Lance is upright, Hunk pulls his hand back, and Lance goes back to playing with his utensils like he never dropped one in the first place.

Hunk looks completely unchanged. Lance doesn’t offer thanks, or even acknowledge what Hunk did in the first place.

Neither of them noticed the reaction. At all.

Keith hides a smile in his hand. It figures that Lance is so clumsy that Hunk has security measures in place for something as harmless as eating dinner, and even more so that Hunk has to do them so often that he doesn’t even notice he’s doing it. It figures that Lance spends so much time watching other people and anticipating their needs that he’s completely oblivious to any of his own.

“What’s funny?” Pidge asks, squinting at him.

Keith shrugs, but the smile stays firmly on his face. “Nothing.”

Pidge squints harder. “There’s definitely something. You look all… squishy.”

“It’s nothing,” Keith insists, but can’t quite stop himself from flicking his gaze towards Lance.

It does not escape Pidge’s notice, unfortunately.

“Oh, I see,” she says with a smirk.

Keith rolls his eyes, ignoring the flush on his cheeks. “Whatever. I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Oh, nothing, nothing. Just embarrassed on your behalf. Personally, I can get through a meal without making painfully obvious heart-eyes at my super embarrassing middle school crush, but to each their own.”

“It’s not a middle school crush,” Keith says, elbowing her in the side. “It’s — whatever. He’s just kind of cute. That’s all. I can just — I’m just saying, objectively.”

“Uh-huh. Sure. Loser.”

At the very sound of ‘Keith’ and ‘loser’ being spoken in the same sentence, Lance perks up. “Why’s Keith a loser? Besides all the regular reasons.”

Keith cuts a slightly panicked look to Pidge. He swears to god, if she even implies to Lance that Keith maybe kind of admitted he finds the blue paladin a little tiny bit cute in, perhaps, certain lighting —

“He drinks all of his water before touching his food,” Pidge says instead, and Keith lets out a sigh of relief before registering what she said.

“Hey, that doesn’t make me a loser,” he argues.

“It kind of does,” Allura interjects gently. “Sorry.”

Lance laughs, and Keith is so caught up in the sound that he forgets to defend himself.

He scowls at Pidge’s widening smirk.

Whatever. It’s — it’s just a crush. A measly, tiny, itty-bitty crush. Keith’s sure he’ll get over it soon.

He risks a quick glance over to the crush in question, who has abandoned his utensil telenovela in favour of enthusiastically explaining the intricacies of Terran marine biodiversity to the Alteans. His smile is so wide it crinkles his eyes, almost completely hiding the warm brown irises.

Keith huffs, shaking his head at his own audacity. Get over Lance? Who’s he kidding?

#it’s been a while since i wrote smth so disgustingly fluffy!! #vld #voltron #keith #keith kogane #lance #lance mcclain #pidge #pidge holt #hunk & lance #pidge & keith #team as family #mom friend lance #autistic lance #adhd keith #pining keith #klance #observant keith #truly so much pining like it’s ridiculous #my writing #fic fragment #brown-eyed lance

[sequinsmile-x]

Stained Glass Windows - Chapter Thirty One

Life was complicated, but they wouldn't have it any other way.

-x-

Hi friends!!

As always, thank you so much for your love for this fic <3 It means the absolute world.

I really hope this all makes sense, I have spent my weekend watching the Vanderpump Rules Reunion and melting in my very hot apartment, so my brain is mush.

Please let me know what you think <3

-x-

Words: 3k

A full list of warnings for the fic can be found on the Series Master List and will be updated as we go along.

Read over on Ao3, or below the cut

His chest burns. Pain that he couldn’t describe lancing through him, but he couldn’t show it. Couldn’t give the man perched on top of him, smirking as he pulled the knife out of his abdomen, the pleasure of knowing he was in agony.

“I wonder where that girlfriend of yours is. She’ll be here soon, won’t she?” Foyet says, his eyes sparking with something that scares Aaron more than the prospect of dying. He needs Emily to stay wherever she is, he needs her to stay distracted by whatever has distracted her to keep her away from this. Away from him.

Aaron grunts as the knife is pulled out of him again, the involuntary noise drawing a smirk out of Foyet as he leans in again. 

“I’m excited to meet her properly, I didn’t realise you were together when I last saw you. I’d have had some more fun.”

It makes him furious, the threat towards the woman he loves enough to break through his stern facade. He watches as Foyet’s evil smirk spreads further over his face, delighted to have pulled a reaction from him. He opens his mouth to say something else, but is interrupted by the door bursting open. 

“FBI. Put down the knife.”

For the first time since he’d been attacked, Aaron feels genuine fear. He looks at her and their eyes lock, and the determination in hers terrifies him, her grip on her gun as firm as her voice had been.

“Agent Prentiss,” Foyet says, his voice dripping with false kindness, “Nice of you to join us.”

Foyet reaches for the gun next to him, and Aaron lays there, unable to move, his body paralysed by pain and shock, as he watches it unfold. Emily is fast, but Foyet is faster, and Aaron can’t even make a noise as the guns both fire and he watches Emily fall backwards, knocked off her feet by a bullet. 

___

Aaron gasps as he sits up, heaving air into his lungs as he tries to shake off the familiar nightmare, ridding himself of how his subconscious would twist the truth into something that he knew had never happened. 

He couldn’t believe it had been a year. That 12 months had passed since Foyet had been laying in wait for him in his old apartment, determined to ruin his life for the sin of doing nothing other than this job. He often wondered what would have happened if Emily hadn’t arrived when she had, taking out a serial killer with a single bullet. He wondered what his plan would have been. If Foyet would have killed him or tried to take everything from him, making him wish he was dead. Foyet had planned it out meticulously like he always had, but he hadn’t accounted for Emily being as fearless as she was. 

“Aaron?” 

He turns at the rasping sound of her voice, smiling softly as he watches her switch on her bedside lamp before she shifts towards him, a feat that was no longer as easy as it once was, her pregnancy now in its 28th week. She blinks blearily at him, rubbing her eyes as she tries to clear sleep from them. 

“I’m ok, sweetheart,” he says, reaching over and placing his hand on her stomach, smiling at the feeling of the baby moving, “Go back to sleep.” 

She rolls her eyes at him and sits up, grunting as she does so, “Yeah, right,” she says sarcastically as she settles with her back against the headboard, “I’m going to go back to sleep when you’ve clearly had a nightmare.”

Despite his still racing heart and the lingering fear in his veins, he smiles. Foyet may not have accounted for her, but there was a time when he wouldn’t have either. It was strange to think how much had changed in a year. How they’d gone from moving in together to having just moved again into their new house with a baby on the way and a ring on Emily’s finger. She’d not only saved his life, but she’d changed it for the better. She loved and understood him in ways Haley hadn’t been able to, and she fought fiercely for him all the time.

Even if it was him she was fighting. 

He leans back against the headboard and puts his arm around her, leaving no gap between them as their shoulders overlap as he pulls her into his embrace. 

“Did you dream about him?” She asks, taking his hand and placing it back on her bump, well aware that the movement of the baby soothed him as much as it did her. 

Aaron hums in response, allowing her proximity, the smell of her, to lull him back to reality, the final grip his nightmare had on him fading, “Yeah, I dreamt about him. It’s been a while.” 

At the start, he dreamt about it most nights. The fleeting, vague, memories he had of the first couple of days in hospital were only of the pain he was in, the medication hardly touching it, and the dreams that he’d have when they sedated him. That’s what he remembered. That, and her. 

Even now he isn’t sure how often Emily left the hospital whilst he was there. She’d disappear from his room occasionly only to return wearing new clothes with her hair scraped back into a pony tail, but she was never gone long enough to have gone back home. He knows JJ had a key to the apartment they’d just moved out of, so he’s sure she would have gone there to pack up some of Emily’s things. 

She had been a constant by his side. Her hand in his or trailing through his hair when he woke up in pain and confused, her reassurances soft as she told him he was safe, that the danger was gone. He’d seen her do the same for Jack if he had a bad dream when he was over at theirs, her presence alone enough to soothe the young boy, and he knew he’d have a lifetime of watching her do it for the child she was currently carrying. 

“It’s understandable,” she says, watching him carefully, her eyes lingering on the tightness in his jaw, “Anniversaries like this are hard,” she turns her head, her lip catching his cheek, “You could have died.” 

She hears the catch in her own voice and sighs as she leans in closer to him, her grip on his hand tightening. He wasn’t the only one who had nightmares about that night. She still felt awful for how long she’d been on the phone to Penelope, laughing and joking about her evening plans as the man she loved was being attacked by a man intent on destroying him. Knowing that she’d killed Foyet, that she’d removed that threat from their lives before he could truly start whatever he’d been planning on, did nothing to ease her guilt. 

When she dreamt of it she’d dream that she was too late. That she’d lost him and arrived at his apartment to find his body, his eyes lifeless and unseeing as he laid in a pool of blood she could still see if she thought about it too much. She knew that his dreams were similar. That he dreamt of watching her get killed by Foyet as he laid there unable to move, cursed to watch his worst fears come true in front of him. 

“I’m right here, sweetheart,” he says, turning his head to kiss her, his lips stamped against hers, “I’m right here.”

She nods, smiling wryly, “I’m supposed to be comforting you. You’re the one who had the nightmare.” 

“You are comforting me,” he replies, kissing her again, “Just by being you.” 

She chuckles, shaking her head at him, but her smile slips away as she watches him rub his chest through his tshirt over the spot she knew had his thickest scar. “Is it hurting?” 

He hums, nodding as he rubs at the phantom ache in his chest, “I know it’s in my head, but it hurts. I can almost feel the knife…” he drifts off as he feels her tense against him, he sighs, “I hate them,” he says, pressing the scar harder than necessary, desperate to feel anything other than the dull ache.

“The scars?” She asks, pulling his hand away from his chest before she starts rubbing at his chest herself, hoping that her touch could help in some way. 

“Yeah,” he replies, tension seeping from him as he feels the warmth of her fingers through his shirt, “Every time I look in the goddamn mirror I see them and think of him.”

She pauses before she responds, making sure to use her words carefully, “I don’t,” she says softly, and he looks at her, his brow furrowed in confusion, “I don’t hate them, and I don’t think of him.” 

He sighs, knowing she was trying to make him feel better, “Em-”

“I don’t hate them because they show that you survived. That I still have you,” she blows out a breath, feeling the now familiar press of tears at the back of her eyes due to her hormones, her once famous control over her emotions long gone at this stage of her pregnancy, “I don’t hate them because they are made of you, and I could never hate anything that was.” 

He smiles, unsure what to say at first as what she has said sinks in. Even after almost two years together, the second anniversary of the drive back from Ohio that had changed everything just around the corner, he was still blown away sometimes by how much she loved him.

“That sounds like something you’d tell me was cheesy if I said it to you,” he replies, his smile and the shine to his eyes, the fear she had seen when she first woke up replaced by love, says everything he struggles to put into words. That he loved her and the life they were building. That he was unsure what he would do without her. 

She laughs, shaking her head at him, “Well, I am pregnant with your spawn, maybe the baby is affecting my sensibilities.” 

He raises an eyebrow at her, “Don’t call Nugget ‘spawn,” he says, leaning down to kiss her bump. She places her hand on the back of his head, pulling him in for a kiss as he sits up straight again. “I don’t think of Foyet when I see the scars Aaron, not for a second. I only think of you. Ok?” she says, holding him in place until he nods, his forehead gently knocking against hers, “Good.” She pulls him in for another kiss, deepening it this time as she swipes her tongue over his lower lip, chasing him as he pulls back. She smiles at him, her body suddenly thrumming with need that she knew she couldn’t entirely blame on her hormones, “Want me to prove it to you?”

“It’s 2am, Em. Don’t you want to go back to sleep?” He asks, his breath catching in his throat as she grasps at the hem of his t-shirt, her fingers trailing underneath, hot against his skin. 

“Yes,” she replies, kissing him again, smiling as she nips at his lower lip, “But after.”

He smiles, cupping her cheek as he pulls her in for a kiss this time, tasting her love for him on her lips. He pulls back just enough to talk, his breath skipping over her face, “After sounds perfect.” 

___

Emily yawns as she settles onto the couch, her arm around Jack as he settles into her side still dressed in his pjyamas. She had a fleeting moment of regret of the very early morning sex with her fiancee when the little boy bounded into their room at 7am demanding breakfast, but it passed. A long Sunday ahead of them with the promise of pancakes made by Aaron and a nap she’d no doubt end up having in the afternoon. 

It was Jack’s first weekend staying at the new house, everything now fully unpacked and the keys to the her apartment handed over to her new tenant. He loved the space he had to run around and his new room and had convinced Emily to watch cartoons with him on their brand new, very large, TV that they’d bought for the living room. She smiles as Jack settles in further to her side, his hand on her bump as he watches the TV, and she takes a moment to simply bask in her environment. 

She was in her house. Her home that she shared with the love of her life. He was currently making them pancakes, the sound of his out of tune humming and the clanging of pans travelling down the hall from the kitchen. She had a little boy she loved as her own snuggled up to her side, his hair and pjyamas rumbled from sleep, and her baby shifting in her stomach. This was the life she’d always wanted, the one she thought she’d never have, and it still felt like she had to hold onto it tightly, worried that if she didn’t, if she allowed herself to get too comfortable, it would all get taken away. 

“Emily?”

She looks down at Jack and is immediately met with his wide curious eyes and his furrowed brow, a thoughtful look that he shared with her fiancee. A look she hoped their baby would inherit. 

“Yes, honey?” 

His brow only furrows deeper and she feels a flick of anxiety rush through her, and he looks down at her stomach, “You’ll be Nugget’s mommy right?” 

She nods and runs her fingers through his hair, tidying it up a little bit, “Yes, I’ll be their mommy,” she says, unable to deny that the flip in her stomach has everything to do with the thought that she’ll be someones Mom, and nothing to do with said someone doing their morning kicking routine.

“And Daddy will be their Daddy?” 

“That’s right, Jack,” she confirms, wondering where he was going with this but letting him get there by himself, his need to work things out by himself something that was apparently genetic. 

“So the baby will live here all the time?” 

It clicks in her head and she wishes more than anything that Aaron was in the room, that he was here for the conversation she had thought was coming for weeks. She smiles softly at Jack and nods.

“Yes, sweetheart, the baby will live here with us all the time,” she replies, her heart aching as she sees something close to disappointment flash across his face, “Because Daddy and I live together. You were very small so probably don’t remember it, but you, Daddy and Mommy all lived together once.” 

“When Mommy and Daddy loved each other?” He asks, and it makes her sigh. She knew she couldn’t explain to a four year old that they still loved each other, just not in the way that they needed to to make it work, the way that Aaron now loved her. 

“Yes, when they loved each other,” she replies simply. It was yet another time that made her wish things were simpler. That this little boy didn’t have to ask these questions, and that she didn’t have to navigate the complications of being an addition to what had once been a family. 

“But I don’t live here all the time.” 

She freezes, the statement unexpected, and she nods, treading carefully as she answers, “No, you don’t,” she replies. Her tongue peeks out to lick her lower lip as she looks at him, waiting for a response that doesn’t come before she carries on, “Do you want to?” 

He shrugs and then shakes his head, “I’d miss Mommy. But I miss you and Daddy when I’m with Mommy. I don’t want to miss Nugget too.” 

She has to stop herself from crying, her jaw tight as she clenches it to force the tears back and she clears her throat, “Nugget already loves you so much, Jack,” she says, smiling encouragingly at him, “Daddy and I do too.” 

He nods, sighing as if he had the world on his shoulders. “I wish I was here more.” 

That certainly was unexpected, and she knows for a second she doesn’t cover her reaction well. Ever since she’d been in Jack’s life this had been their arrangement. They had him on weekends, and if they happened to be away on the weekend they made it up during the week. Emily knew it wasn’t enough for Aaron, that his limited time with his son was painful for him, but she had never thought it was her place to suggest they asked for more time. It wouldn’t be practical either, not with them both still in the BAU. 

But that was about to change as soon as the baby was born. 

“You want to spend more time with us?” She asks, making sure she’s not putting words in his mouth, something she didn’t want to be accused of by Haley if they were to discuss a change in custody with him, and he nods. Any further conversation is cut off as Aaron walks into the room, unknowingly interrupting. 

“Breakfast is ready.” 

Jack is up and out of the living room before anything else is said, as if he hadn’t just been talking about something serious. Aaron looks at her as she stands up off the couch, batting off any help from him, intent on not needing it until it was absolutely necessary.

“Are you ok sweetheart?” Aaron asks, looking at her curiously, and for a moment she hates that he can read her like a book. She considers telling him, but knows now isn’t the time - that it was something they’d need to discuss, and then he’d need to discuss with Haley, in more depth at a later date. 

“Yeah,” she replies, walking over and kissing him on the cheek, “I’m fine.” 

-x-

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[fe-fictions]

Do you have any stories left for the Archest of Archers? I need more Virion/Robin in my life

(How about the Kissed By Another prompt...but in reverse!!!! This is such a good story, I can't believe I had posted it sooner!)

It was always whispered behind your backs, but you and Virion knew that people kept talking.

He was still flirtatious, and he would let a pick-up line slip here and there, but you didn’t mind it. Virion promised he wasn’t going anywhere. He would always rein his behavior in when you expressed concern.

But you knew his personality. You would feel terrible if he changed things about himself just to please you. It wouldn’t be healthy or fair.

So you trusted him, and you ignored what others said. You weren’t worried, and you weren’t offended. However, that all came to a stop one fateful day.

“Do you think that everything will truly go back to normal once this war ends?” virion asked you, the two of you working away in the armory and polishing the various blades and lances that Frederick had assigned you both.

You tilted your head, curious what was running through Virion’s mind.

“I would assume so, yes.”

“Well, the problem for me is that…my normal would be returning home to Rosanne. It is across the sea, amour. Would be comfortable leaving your friends behind?”

“Hmm.” You paused your work, “I don’t know. That’s a hard question.”

“I worry you would be anxious having to live in a new place. You would not have much support, and that would be uncomfortable, non?”

“It wouldn’t be ideal, but you know that you’re all I need, right?” You responded with a soft smile, “Where you go, I go. I can write letters and visit everyone else. Chrom will be the least happy about it, but he’ll get over it. He’s a tough kid.”

“I am so happy to hear you say so, mon ange.” Virion beamed at you, “You are so brave, and so beautiful, and so very perfect in every possible way…ah, but I have been so blessed by the gods with such a wonderful woman.”

“You can just say ‘I’m glad to hear it’.” You giggled.

Virion laughed. “Ah, but where would the fun in that be?”

He grinned at you, leaning forward to steal a quick kiss. You broke apart just as the tent flap opened, and Virion was called by Ricken for some important task.

“I’ll be back soon, amour. Leave some polishing for me, hm?”

“I will.” You beamed at him, watching him leave with his usual flourish. You shook your head when he bowed dramatically to you. You had married quite the theater man, which you realized fairly early into your marriage.

You reflected happily on your relationship, humming while the polishing continued. You finished two more lances before the tent opened again.

“Welcome back-”

“Thank you, Tactician.” 

You started when a voice that wasn’t your husband’s hit your ears, and you looked up to find a soldier, a Myrmidon, entering the armory.

“Oh, forgive me- I mistook you for my husband.” You told the man with an embarrassed chuckle.

“No matter. I was actually looking for you, hoping I could have an audience alone with you.”

“Is there something I can help you with? Is there a problem with your formation or your partner? I’d be happy to reassign you if that were the case.”

“None of that. It’s nothing to do with battle. Rather, this is something a bit personal.”

“All right…” You didn’t like how strange his request was. You had no idea what to do with this- Frederick had mentioned something about chain of command before. This man had to be breaking some sort of rule.

“I’ve learned something about your husband, ma’am. It could damage his reputation, and yours…which in turn would cause harm to Lord Chrom.”

“What sort of information do you have on Virion, of all people? I know him pretty well. He’s never done anything to make me suspect otherwise.”

“Even with his excessive romantic behavior?”

“If that’s the sort of information you have, then no, I’m not worried at all.” You said with a deep frown, “If this is some sort of sick joke, I’m not laughing.”

“It’s not like that. It’s serious.” He held out a piece of paper that had all sorts of scribblings on it, but you chiefly recognized Virion’s name, and the Valmese Kingdom among the lines of text. 

“Virion is from Rosanne- it’s close to Valm. Why is this important?”

“You don’t know enough about Valm to understand how serious this is, ma’am. The Valmese aren’t our friends. They’re allied with Plegia. Supplying weapons and funding them so they can win the war.”

That didn’t sound good. Virion’s name attached to it sounded worse.

“What does that have to do with Virion?”

“He’s helping facilitate the transactions through his connections in Rosanne; an ally of Valm.”

The blood turned to ice in your veins. 

Virion? A traitor?

“If word were to get out that there’s a traitor in our ranks, it would undermine the entire army. No one would trust anyone. You’re married to the man- you think anyone would do as you say, knowing you’re connected to a rat?”

“Virion’s no rat! He would never betray his friends, let alone Ylisse!” You protested so passionately, the strange soldier was taken aback. His surprise was soon replaced with a smirk.

“This is what I was afraid of. You’re more than willing to go to bat for him, but that’s a problem. We have to make sure this is properly investigated before anyone’s name is cleared. Your word is nothing unless there’s proof. Right now, the evidence is stacked against him.”

You bit your lip, frustrated into silence and confusion. He was right.

“So, I thought I should come to you first with this information.”

“I see. But until I can verify any of-”

“Ah-ah. Not so fast. You’re not going to be investigating any of this. You’re far too close. That, and I’m concerned you’ll try and tell someone about what’s going on. We can’t have that.”

“What do you mean?”

“I mean, that if you try and tell anyone about what you found out today, I can make sure that everyone knows your husband is a traitor, and you’re his right hand who’s helping him every step of the way.”

“Excuse me?”

“Breathe a word and I end the game before it starts. But if you keep quiet and do as I say, then Virion and you will be just fine.”

“You want to blackmail me?” You seethed, “What in the gods’ names is wrong with you?!”

“Nothing at all. But you have to give me what I want.”

“Which is?”

“A kiss.” 

You were pretty sure you didn’t hear that right.

“…What did you just say?”

“I want a kiss from the Chief Tactician, Ylisse’s most beautiful woman.” He said with a toothy grin, leaning closer. “You’ll do it, won’t you? You wouldn’t want your husband’s reputation destroyed. Just think of the way you’ll be outcast, treated like enemies of the state…you’d be imprisoned for treason.”

You glared daggers straight into that man’s soul. He was truly a disgusting creature.

“That’s all you want, huh? Just a kiss?”

“I couldn’t ask for more.” He assured you, leaning even closer. You wanted to vomit. “Just remember, all of this stays between us. A word of it gets out, and you’ll both regret it.”

“Fine.” You hissed. You grabbed the man’s collar without another thought, and smashed your mouths together. It was the absolute least pleasant kiss you could have ever given to anyone, and every second it lasted you felt a part of yourself die inside.

You weren’t the only one.

“Robin.”

You practically shoved the man off, gasping when Virion’s voice hit your ears. He was rooted to the spot as he stared at you.

At the man whose mouth had just been on yours. On his wife’s.

His Robin.

Though…you weren’t really his, were you?

Your mouth fell open, stumbling to explain yourself, but you stopped short. You felt the soldier’s eye on you, heard the paper with the damning evidence crinkle in his hand. 

You couldn’t say anything.

“What…what is this?”

Oh, his voice. He sounded so shocked. So hurt.

“Virion, i-it’s not…”

“Oh, it is.”

You swiveled around to look at the man whose grin was filled with pegasus dung. He was enjoying this.

“My…apologies.” Virion’s hand faltered from the canvas. He looked away.

“Virion-”

“I didn’t mean to intrude.”

He was gone.

————————-

The  following hours were a blur. You didn’t remember the Myrmidon disappearing, but you were alone and couldn’t see past your tears. 

You tried to find Virion, running all around the camp and calling for him. No one had seen him. Maribelle thought she’d seen him rush from the armory, but there was no clear indicator where he went.

So you waited in your tent. Your shared tent. You sat on your cot, feeling overwhelmed with all sorts of feelings you couldn’t process. 

You wanted to know why the man wanted your kiss in exchange for Virion’s protection. Why did that matter? What was he really after?? 

Yo were so muddled up with thoughts, but the one that kept twisting up your heart was Virion. Every time his face flashed in your mind, you wanted to curl up and die. His eyes were devoid of love. They were so full of pain. 

You weren’t willing to test that man’s threat, saying that he had ways of finding out if you’ve kept quiet or not. 

It was a threat you weren’t willing to test. You had a terrible feeling that Virion was in danger. You just wanted to tell him that much.

So it was surprising when, long after the sky turned dark, that Virion stepped into the tent. It took him all of two seconds to realize you were there, and his eyes locked with yours. His hand clenched on the fabric, but he closed it just the same.

He looked away from you the quickest he could.

“You’re here.” 

“I am.” You confirmed with a weak nod. The air was so thick with tension it was suffocating.

How were you supposed to explain kissing another man in front of your husband? Let alone without being able to say the real reason?

Virion broke the silence, first With a quiet laugh. A bitter, cold laugh.

“You know, it is quite funny. Everyone always said that I would betray your trust. That I would hurt you, that you deserved better than a filthy old tramp, like me.” His words became chilled. “I never thought it would be the other way around.”

“Virion-”

“Non, Robin.” He stopped you fiercely, and you forgot how to breathe. 

He hadn’t called you by your name like that, before. So filled with anger, and hurt.

“I think we can both agree you have done more than enough.” He was falling apart. “I have always…been willing to do what you asked, Robin. If I ever hurt you, or made you worry- I told you to stop me. I would change for you in a heartbeat. A heartbeat! Yet it was not enough, was it?”

You couldn’t even respond. You were shellshocked by the words coming out of his mouth. By the betrayal in his eyes.

“Was I ever enough for you? Did you ever even- was this a marriage of convenience? All this time, hiding a secret lover, going behind my back and betraying my trust and my love for you because you never felt the same? Yet you didn’t have the courage- the love enough to tell me the truth?”

You were both crying.

Virion swallowed hard, running a hand through his hair. “Robin…I trusted you, with my whole heart. I was willing to commit to you. I do not want to know how long this has…I do not want your reasons. I only wish you told me, before. It could have saved us both the trouble of heartbreak.”

He pulled at his glove, and you feared he would discard his ring. The one that matched yours, that weighed so painfully on your finger.

“Virion…please let me say something.” 

“What can you say?” He barked out a laugh, “You honestly think I can find any explanation you had for me believable at all? I heard your words! ‘That’s all you want? Just a kiss’?”

Oh.

“‘All of this stays between us’?? Your secret romance you had the gall to sneak about in broad daylight? When you knew I was coming back?? Ha!!” 

He shook his head, his hand falling to his side.

“…Ha.”

“I…” Your hands were quaking in your lap. Your heartbeat was deafening in your ears, but you couldn’t bear it. “Can’t say much.”

Virion looked down at you, expression cold and unmoving.

“But I need you to trust me.”

His eyes widened. He couldn’t believe the words you spoke.

“Do you really think that I could do that to you?” You asked him softly, “Without reason?”

He looked away. “Does that matter? I know what I saw. This isn’t some trick or misunderstanding- that was deliberate.”

“It was.” You confirmed, standing on your feet now that your legs had stopped shaking. He looked to you again. More hurt. “But there’s more to it. I promise you, I-I just can’t…I can’t explain. So…please, trust me.”

You grabbed your knapsack from the foot of the cot. You slung it over your shoulder, brushing past your husband.

“I’m not going to force you to be here with me. I’ve got things I need to do. So please, just…don’t fall apart just yet. Don’t quit on me.”

It was all Virion could do to let you leave.

The moment he was alone, in the silence of his broken home, that he sank to the ground. He was a mess.

————————-

The days that followed were uncomfortable and strange for Virion. 

It was clear he was off, but if someone asked what was wrong he wouldn’t answer. He found out that you disappeared the next morning. You left a letter to Chrom telling him you would be back soon.

The prince sent out a search party for you when you didn’t return the next day. Two nights in a row, Virion was alone.

On the third day, Chrom called for Virion’s audience. He was in the council tent, and he had a man bound in a chair, covered in bruises.

The man you kissed.

The man Virion immediately punched.

“Hold on a second, don’t do that!” Chrom grabbed Virion’s arm. 

“I appreciate you doing this for me, but I’m perfectly capable of beating this man down, myself.” He growled, trying to push past to get another hit in.

“I didn’t do this. Neither did Frederick.” The lieutenant, who intended to hold Virion back, stepped forward.

“This man is involved in a plot to undermine the Ylissean Army. He was going to use you to do so.”

“Me?” Virion’s brow furrowed. 

“Robin found evidence this man was planning a coup. He blackmailed her with ‘evidence’ that you were working with the Valmese. Your background from Rosanne left  weakness in your credibility. In order to protect you, Robin started this investigation.”

He was floored.

The Archest of Archers didn’t know what to think. His head was swimming, his heart was pounding, and it was all he could do to stare at Chrom. The prince gave Virion a letter that was covered in your handwriting.

His fingers quivered with every word he read.

“There is a small squadron of men who are working against the army. A Myrmidon from the 16th platoon has organized a team of soldiers, all tied to Valm in some way. I’ve discovered a hidden base of operations; a fort 11 miles west of our campsite. I will be back within a fortnite, this matter put to rest.”

“Eleven miles west…?” Virion’s brow furrowed, looking to Chrom. “S-she has gone alone? Is she engaging with these men??”

“Considering she sent this one back to us in this state…I wouldn’t doubt it.” Chrom gestured to the man Virion was contemplating punching again.

“When will she return?”

“We don’t know. Miriel is working with Tharja to pinpoint her exact location, and Cordelia is scouting the west for the fort. As soon as we get everything we need, we’re going after her. We wanted to know if you would join us.”

“Yes.”

Virion’s heart was soaring. Surging.

“Very well. We’ll send for you as soon as we’re ready to leave. Until then, we have a few more questions for this man.”

It was Chrom who eventually had to push him out of the tent to keep him from “assisting” with the interrogation. As soon as he was out, though, he was rushing back to his tent. Your tent. Your home.

He had never readied for battle so quickly. The ring on his hand burned as his blood did. He paced the tent, back and forth, ready to leave immediately.

He needed to bring you home.

He needed to apologize. Tell you he loved you. That he was so unbelievably lucky to have someone willing to risk everything, even his trust, to protect him. You did that for him.

His resolve to marry you all over again quickly dissipated when Miriel came to his tent, breathlessly informing him you returned.

You were in the infirmary.

————————-

It was mere hours after Virion had started pacing in his tent that you had come back. He sprinted across camp.

He raced past Chrom and Frederick, who had made it to the healing tent just before he did, but he wasn’t letting anyone get to you first..

“Whoa-” Chrom didn’t even realize the blue blur was Virion until Frederick put a hand on his shoulder, stopping him short of following.

“We should give them some time. He was clearly worried.” Frederick suggested. Chrom couldn’t agree more. Especially after Libra stepped out with a blush on his cheeks.

Best to give them some time.

Virion burst into the tent without hesitation. He found you, sitting up in your cot, plasters and bandages wrapped around various parts of your body.

Yet you looked calm, unmoved by the pain stinging your skin.

“Robin,” Virion gasped. You snapped up to look at him, finding the man crossing the tent to your bedside. 

“Virion…I-!” He engulfed you in his embrace before you could even apologize. He fell onto the cot, hugging you tightly, burying his face in your hair.

“Mon amour.”

Oh.

“Mon coeur, ma femme, mon Robin parfait et bien-aimé…” He squeezed you closer, his voice trembling when he felt the tears wet his tunic. “I am so very sorry.”

“Why are you apologizing?” You sounded almost jovial. It was enough to make Virion pull back to look at you, finding the tears in your eyes enough to make his spill over.

“Because I did not listen to my heart.” He grimaced, wiping at the tears that slipped down your cheeks. “I knew…I knew that you would never betray me. I trust you with my life, yet I…I should not have said any of those terrible things to you. I must have hurt you so much.”

“Virion, you watched me kiss another man.” You reminded him (somewhat bitterly). “You had every right to say those things.”

“Not to you.” He cupped your cheek, his expression twisted with regret. “Not to the woman who risked everything to protect a foolish man like me.”

“You’re not foolish.” You whispered, pressing into his palm. “You’re intelligent, and strong, and kind, and you’re the man I love. Don’t ever question that.”

“Never.” He kissed you, deeply, his hand sliding from your cheek to your neck, pulling you into him as much as he could.

This was what he wanted. Holding his wife as close as possible, lips parting only long enough to draw a breath before kissing you senseless again.

He wished to erase the bitter taste of that man’s lips. The disgusting ploy to undermine his trust in you, to destroy his marriage so Virion himself would be an easier target…

The two of you lost track of time, then, hugging each other and comforting one another for all you were worth.

You later learned the Myrmidon in question wasn’t just trying to undermine the army. He had a personal vendetta. A man from Rosanne, seeking revenge for allegedly destroying his home with his lack of leadership.

You didn’t believe a word of it; you knew there were problems in Virion’s past, but never would he actively destroy another man. He wasn’t capable of it, let alone so that a man would try to end his marriage and his army.

It only confirmed the truth you already decided upon. You were returning to Rosanne with him, to help repair the land that had fallen apart in his absence. No matter how hostile or poor the state of affairs, you weren’t leaving his side.

It just confirmed for Virion you were absolutely the one he needed.

You lost count of the kisses he drowned you in, the night you returned to your tent. He made it clear that you were trusted, loved, and he would never question that ever again. Though to be on the safe side, you promised you wouldn’t kiss anyone else, no matter how dire the circumstances. 

He promised in return to give you plenty of kisses so you’d get your fill. As if you could ever possibly get enough.

#virion #robin #fe 13 #fe awakening #fire emblem awakening #virion x robin #fe fictions #fe-fictions #f!robin #fem!robin #f!mu #kissed by another #angst #hurt and comfort #God i love hurting this man so much #i think some of my fluffiest and angstiest pieces are for virion #idk what it is abt the flirty arrogant weirdo becoming a loyal loving husband but that just DOES SOMETHING to my HEART

[silversdragonemporium]

The Heart

Ship: Dimitri Alexandre Blaiddyd/Byleth Eisner (nonbinary)

Summary:

A strange meteor falls from the sky, and Dimitri feels compelled to go investigate it. When he does, he meets with Byleth. A being that is beyond any comprehension.

Who is Byleth? Where did they come from? And why is it that when Dimitri is near them, everything just feels... so right?

(Written for Dimileth Trick or Treat)

Warnings: Existential angst? I guess? Also gore.

Rating: Mature

AO3 Link

There was a deity. Falling from the sky. A perfect being. Neither male nor female. Not old nor young. Their hair burned bright green trailing behind them as they fell. They landed on the mountains just outside Fhirdiad. Dimitri knew those forests well. Then, there was a strange sensation. Or was it a sound? It was like a chirp, but one that he could feel in his body. And it grew so strong, that he then realized that he didn’t have a body, but that there was nothing but the feeling of joy, of homecoming, like when one awoke from a nightmare with their parents hugging them, reassuring that all will be fine. “Find me”, a voice beckoned.

And then, he woke up. Back into his cursed existence. Not a shapeless, limitless, serene awareness… but as Dimitri Alexandre Blaiddyd. The cursed king of a frozen wasteland.

Dimitri didn’t want to move. He wanted to recapture the feeling that he had for that one moment. But the chirp, or vibration, or sound was no longer there. He could only feel the faint echos of it inside his skull, leaving behind the sensation of loss at being so far apart from where he belonged.

“Your Majesty!” Ingrid, one of his childhood friends turned knight, barged into his room. When she saw him on the bed, she allowed herself a sign of relief. “Apologies for the intrusion! The guards on duty reported that the falling star came close to your tower. But they must have been mistaken.”

Dimitri immediately sat up. A fallen star?!

“Where did it land?!” Dimitri demanded, recalling the deity’s plea.

“Huh?” Ingrid stared at him in confusion. “Um… I think the report said that the meteor landed in the mountains nearby.”

Dimitri didn’t hesitate to get out of bed and run towards the stables. He had to find where the fallen star had landed.

“That’s it,” Ingrid said, dismounting from her pegasus and slowly walking towards a glowing green stone that was embedded into the ground. “Please stand back, your Majesty.”

Dimitri pulled the reigns of his horse, looking at the glowing green-glowing piece of rock. It looked just like in his dream. There was no doubt about it. Someone —something— wanted him to come here. But why?

He then felt the same strange chirp from his dream. Dimitri could feel it in his head, in his heart, pulsing and shaking him.

“Did you hear that too?” He asked to Ingrid’s back, who had stepped closer to the fallen star.

“Glenn?” Ingrid let out a gasp. “Glenn…!”

“Ingrid?” Dimitri asked. But she couldn’t hear him. She dropped her lance and ran towards the glowing green meteor.

“It really is you,” Ingrid smiled, as she opened her arms to embrace someone he couldn’t see. “I missed you.”

There was a blinding glow, and the next thing Dimitri knew, Ingrid wasn’t there.

“Ingrid?” Dimitri approached the rock with some trepidation. There was no trace of her. It was almost as if… she had never been there. 

What was going on?

Once he stood right in front of the meteor, Dimitri felt a compulsion to reach out and touch it. Despite knowing that that was probably a bad idea, he found himself reaching out to it.

When he did, he saw the same figure he had seen in his dreams. Neither male nor female, not old nor young. A perfect being, with a perfect smile.

“Thank you,” said the being. “For bringing her back to us.”

“Us?” Dimitri asked.

“She is reunited with all of us,” the figure said with a smile, tapping the meteor. “See here.”

When Dimitri looked into the meteor, the world around him vanished for a moment. But he saw Ingrid and Glenn locked in an embrace. Next to them was his own father, and stepmother, and—

“Now she won’t be alone ever again,” the deity said with a smile.

Dimitri tried to claw his way into the meteor. “Please… I beg you. Let me go with them!”

“Everybody will return to us eventually. You will enough join us in due time.”

“But I want to get back with them now!” Dimitri cried. “Since that day that I lost everything, there is nothing I’ve wanted more than…!”

There was that chirp again. And Dimitri felt surrounded by love, by peace, by fulfillment. Cherished and safe. All of his anguish had vanished, and now he was truly free.

But then, that moment quietly faded, and he was back in the forest, with the deity looking at him with glowing eyes that were framed by glowing hair. They were the most beautiful being he had ever seen. If he couldn’t have that eternal bliss that he had felt right then, then Dimitri would be satisfied by merely drowning in their mesmerizing presence.

“We called you for a reason,” the diety said. 

“A reason?” Dimitri asked.

“You are the only one that heard us. The only one that can fulfill everybody’s deepest desire.”

And Dimitri knew what they were talking about. Even if it was only for a fleeting moment that he experienced that paradise, he knew that keeping it all to himself would be horribly selfish. He had an obligation to allow all of his subjects to experience it for themselves. The more that got to return to the joy of where they belonged, the better.

It was his duty as king. His sole purpose in life: to lead his people with wisdom and care.

“Call us Byleth,” said the diety.

The meteorite was about as big as a fat housecat. And it was heavy, too. Even with the boon of his crest, Dimitri still had to take breaks as he hauled the rock back to Fhirdiad. Perhaps, he was more exhausted because he hadn’t slept much and was also leading his horse and Ingrid’s pegasus by the reigns.

“You are not physically exhausted,” Byleth had said, their presence manifesting next to Dimitri, as if they were walking next to him. “Your mind is the one that’s exhausted. Beholding us is something you are not used to, yet.”

That made sense, in a way. Though Byleth’s eyes and hair had glowed at nighttime, now that dawn was breaking he could admire more of their sublime beauty with his eyes. Such spectacle was so impressive, Dimitri found himself unable to look directly at them for long periods of time. If looking at them was hard, why shouldn’t carrying them around also be exhausting?

“So… this thing is you?” Dimitri asked.

“What you are holding is the physical manifestation of our heart. While we are not usually limited by the physical realm, we were severely weakened. We imbued that heart with all of our essences and memories. Once we regain our strength, it will have served our purpose, and no longer be needed.”

Dimitri nodded. He really didn’t understand what Byleth was saying. But, considering just how confusing and inscrutable every single thing they said was, he decided that asking for clarification would only end up with him being even more confused than before.

“That is alright,” Byleth said with a smile, seemingly understanding what he was thinking. “For now, just consider our heart where we must reside because we are currently weak.”

“How can you get stronger?” Dimitri asked.

“The more people return to us, the stronger we become,” Byleth’s serene smile fell, and for a moment, Dimitri thought that their radiant look dimmed. “In my old planet, everybody was part of The Heart. But one day, a group of travelers descended from the stars. When one of their kind joined the heart, the distant travelers were frightened by it. They tried to destroy all of The Heart, and I’m afraid that I’m the only one that could…”

“They killed everybody they could find, didn’t they?”

“It wasn’t just everybody they could see,” Byleth said. Dimitri saw that tears were quietly slipping from those gem-like eyes. “By destroying The Heart, they tried to erase every single being that had once lived in our planet. They wanted to force us to live an individual existence, separated and alone… and to vanish into nothing after death.”

“I can’t completely understand, but…” Dimitri looked down at the heart he was carrying around. “When I was a child, I was also the sole survivor of an attack that killed everybody that I loved. Ever since then, I’ve lived with the weight of my guilt. Sometimes, it’s so overbearing, I feel like I’m choking.”

Ingrid’s pegasus seemed to dislike the dark turn in the conversation, as it whined and pulled back from Dimitri’s hold on the reigns suddenly. Dimitri tried to hold on to its reigns, but it managed to break free, puffing and beating the ground with its hoof.

“There, there,” Byleth shushed, and they gently reached out to pet the pegasus. It immediately settled down. “Go back with Dimitri. He won’t hurt you.”

The pegasus meekly walked over to Dimitri. He took its reigns back.

“That’s the thing…” Byleth muttered. “The ones we loved are not truly gone. In the end, they all come back.”

Dimitri smiled. Though Byleth was as radiant as before, he realized that looking at them was not nearly as difficult as before. 

“What the fuck is that?” Felix asked with a glare, crossing his arms. “And where is Ingrid?”

“This is Byleth’s heart,” Dimitri explained, walking past Felix as he carried the heart into the castle. “Ingrid joined it.”

“What?” Felix yelled. Dimitri could hear his footsteps trail behind him “Get back here, you boar! Don’t just ignore me…!”

Dimitri really didn’t mean to close the throne room door on his face. It was just hard to keep it open since he was carrying Byleth’s heart. He carried the precious meteorite all the way to the throne, and he placed it on the seat.

“Do you like it Byleth?” Dimitri asked.

“This is the seat where you take office,” said Byleth. “Why place our heart here?”

“I will help you regain all of your lost strength,” Dimitri explained, feeling mildly feverish from the excitement.

Before Byleth could respond to him, Felix had kicked down the door, his face red with rage. Or, perhaps it was exertion? The throne room doors were heavy.

“Don’t just ignore me when I’m talking to you!” Felix stomped over to the throne. “What did that thing do to Ingrid?!”

Felix drew his sword.

Dimitri couldn’t recall much of what happened next. Somehow, Felix’s head had ended in his hands. There was a crack, and then the head wasn’t a head. And Felix wasn’t Felix anymore.

When Dimitri saw his hands, covered with his friends blood, he felt sick. It was like he wanted to puke, and cry and scoop out his own eyeballs all at the same time. 

But Byleth gently stopped him. Before his madness consumed him, he heard— felt— that vibration, that sound, that sensation. And for another moment, everything was right and perfect in the world.

“It’s alright,” Byleth’s voice resounded within him. “He is with us now.”

And upon hearing that, Dimitri felt great relief. Though it seemed that he had just viciously crushed his childhood friend’s skull, he had truly done none of that. Felix had just joined Ingrid.

Ever since that day, Dimitri opened the doors to his castle. What once had been a rare occasion, was now a daily routine. Most people came to visit him to request certain favors. Some pointedly did their best to ignore the glowing meteor now permanently residing on the throne of the Kingdom of Faerghus. Others did stare at Byleth’s heart, but made no other comment.

And then, it all changed when Sylvain came to visit Dimitri.

“Your Majesty,” Sylvain had said with one of his usual, insincere smiles. “I heard that something happened to Ingrid and Felix. And that it involves that hunk of space rock that you hauled in one day.”

“This is Byleth’s heart,” Dimitri explained, gently patting the glowing stone. “And they joined them.”

“So, are they inside the stone?”

Dimitri turned to Byleth, who was standing next to him, illuminating his life with their usual radiance. They nodded, ever-so slightly. 

“In a way… yes,” Dimitri said, turning back to Sylvain. “Would you like to see?”

Sylvain had narrowed his eyes with clear skepticism. Nevertheless, he took a few cautious steps towards the throne.

“Don’t worry,” Byleth cooed, as gently as they had calmed Ingrid’s pegasus on the morning Dimitri had carried their heart. “There is nothing to be afraid of.”

Dimitri took Sylvain’s hand, and lead it to touch Byleth’s heart.

When he touched it, there was another bright light, and Dimitri saw Sylvain gasping as he saw Felix and Ingrid, just the way he remembered them. But before he would be able to join them too, the vision vanished.

“You did good, Dimitri,” Byleth’s voice encouraged him gently, enveloping him in a soothing, gentle warmth. “Thank you.”

When he returned to, Sylvain was completely gone. Which wasn’t surprising, as he had joined with Byleth.

Ever since that day, more and more people began to outright ignore Dimitri when they came into the throne room, instead opting to lovingly gaze upon Byleth’s heart, or sometimes to even throw themselves to join them.

A part of Dimitri couldn’t help but feel a small sting of rejection. After all, Byleth was seemingly taking in everybody that wanted to join them. Noble and commoner, thieves and saints, children and elders. It seemed that everybody was welcome.

Except him.

But at nights, whenever Dimitri laid between wakefulness and deep sleep, he could feel the sound that had first managed to soothe and calm the raging storm within him. And that way, Dimitri knew that Byleth hadn’t forsaken him. That he still had a role to play, and that once he was ready, he would never know fear, pain, isolation or anything else again. There would only be Byleth and everybody else he had loved, forever together.

Dimitri didn’t know how much time had passed.

However, he did notice that the castle and the markets were emptier than before. Had all these people decided to join in with Byleth? It was likely. Who would want to spend the rest of their live, being forced to face the horrors of reality, when one could simply just avoid all that and just be one with Byleth?

However, one day, his largely empty castle was suddenly flooded by soldiers.

Soldiers clad in crimson red.

Leading them was none other than Edelgard, Dimitri’s stepsister. As the few remaining knights had tried to stop the invading advance to the throne room, Dimitri knew that he had to prepare for battle.

“Byleth,” Dimitri whispered to them. “I’m sorry. I had promised you I’d strengthen you but I…”

“It’s alright,” Byleth said. “You have done a brilliant job, Dimitri. Thank you.”

And Dimitri wanted to argue that no, he had truly not done anything of worth. But before he could self-depreciate himself, Byleth spoke up.

“Remember. Everybody will return to me in the end. No matter what happens today. In the end, all will be fine.”

And that had been enough for Dimitri to steel himself for the battle to come. 

The door broke down. And amongst a sea of blood, only Edelgard remained standing.

“Here you are, mad king,”Edelgard flicked the blood off her axe. “When I first heard the rumors, I didn’t want to believe them… to think, that you’d sacrifice your own people to some demon!”

“It’s not like that!” Dimitri exclaimed. “If you only knew, El—”

“Don’t call me that! You no longer have the right to call me that!”

“But Byleth is no demon. Byleth is…”

Everything, everywhere, everyone. The only home he ever needed. The only one that understood him.

“It’s all that stupid rock’s fault…” Edelgard turned her intense glare towards Byleth’s heart, sitting calmly upon the throne. “I will free you from its grasp!”

“No! Stop!” Dimitri scrambled, trying to dive in to stop her axe. But before he could stop Labraunda, it hit Byleth’s heart.

As if trying to comfort Dimitri, Byleth emitted that sensation that allowed him to feel the peace of being one with them, his parents, his friends, everybody he had ever known and loved—

All except El.

When he came back to, Edelgard was still cracking Byleth’s heart to dust.

“Stop…!” Dimitri cried. “Don’t hurt Byleth…!”

He crawled to the sparkling dust that had once been Byleth’s heart. When his hands scooped the dust up, he couldn’t feel, see nor hear them.

“No… Byleth… Byleth, please answer me…”

“Now pick your weapon, King of Delusion!” She challenged. “I will cull you and your madness from this world!”

Dimitri wept. Where was Byleth gone? And everybody else that had returned to them? Was he forced to live the rest of his life, knowing that he would forever be incomplete?

That fate… was cruel.

“Pick your weapon!” She screamed, holding Labaruna in her hand. “Fight me!”

He looked up at El. Saw the fear, the anguish in her eyes. As if she knew, that if he didn’t fight her back, the Dee that she had once known was truly dead, along with the stone that she thought was just a stone.

Dimitri bowed his head, Byleth’s heart slipping between his fingers. What was the point of it now? Edelgard had been too efficient. Dimitri would have been a fierce monster just to defend Byleth. He would have reveled in the thought of even claiming her head and spilling all of her blood to the soil.

But now?

Now, none of that really mattered.

“Byleth…” Dimitri cried. “You said I’d be with you... You promised me… Everybody returns to you in the end.”

He felt a piercing cold strike his left arm, followed by vague, liquid warmth running down his side. Then he heard a wet, slapping sound. When he rose his eyes from the dust that had been Byleth’s heart, he noticed that there was an arm on the floor. It had been cleanly cut off from the base in one single strike.

“Oh,” Dimitri turned to look at himself. Right.

That had been his arm. The warmth he was feeling was his own blood flowing out. And the piercing he felt must have been someone cleaving it off. That made sense.

“Wh-what is this?” Edelgard stuttered, the bloodstained Labraunda still dripping with her stepbrother’s blood. “Why are you—?!”

“Why are you surprised?” Dimitri asked. “You were the one that cut it off.”

“That’s not—! What’s wrong with you? Why are you not screaming in pain?!”

“I’m…” Dimitri looked back down at the stump where his arm had been, and then at the arm that was still on the floor next to him. He noticed, that his blood was staining the dust that had been Byleth’s heart, dying the pale green a crimson red. “I’m not in pain.”

“That’s impossible!” She screamed. “Nobody can just not feel something like that!”

“Maybe,” he mused. ”I’m nobody.”

“Shut up! Shut up!” She swung her axe around blindly. 

More parts of Dimitri were cut. Guts, viscera and entrails were spilled out from his body by the force of Edelgard’s incisive axe. Just as she had mercilessly chopped down Byleth’s heart until it was little more than sparkling green dust, she had also pulverized her stepbrother until there was nothing but red, red, red.

And when she was done with her rampage, she had fallen on her knees, tears slipping out of her eyes.

“Dee,” she lamented. “Dee, I’m so sorry…”

Now… why did she do all that, if she was going to feel bad about it later?

It’s okay, El.

It really doesn’t matter.

You might not be ready today.

But someday, maybe at the end of time, you will join us too.

Everybody will.

#dimileth #dimitri alexandre blaiddyd #byleth eisner #nb byleth eisner #fe3h fanfic #silvercoldbrew #silverfic:complete #dimilethtrickortreat

[kaunis-sielu]

A Payment: 8

You enter The Bar through the back door and are pleased to find Daisy pouring a lemon water for you.

“Had a feeling you might show up.” She tells you with a little smile, “Glad you could get away from your husband.”

“Husband being a very loose term.” You tell her sliding onto the chair across from her.

“I assume you’re going to tell me everything?”

“Yes, of course.” Outside of Lance and Bobbi, Daisy is the only friend you’ve got. She’s from this life, grew up with parents that worked with yours, her mother the leader of her company and Daisy had been all in. Then she’d met Grant.

He’d charmed her, convinced her that he loved her and wasn’t interested in her part of her mother’s business, which was all lies. After they got together he’d taken over her share of her mother’s business, had her mother killed then took over completely. Now your father was running things, considering he didn’t trust Grant to do much of anything that wasn’t a surprise. You’d been living in Boston when it all happened and when Daisy had reached out for help you’d given it.

“What happened?”

“Grant. Of course.” She scowls, “He got himself into some trouble with Steve and in order to get himself out of it I was given to Steve.”

“What? And you don’t want me to kill him?”

“No.” You tell her, and you don’t, strangely you trust him. “I’m safe, I’m out from under my father and Grant’s thumbs and so are Lance and Bobbi.”

“You paid your dues?” Daisy says looking surprised, Lance nods.

“Yea. And Steve is paying me triple what Ward was and I didn’t have to pay him any dues.”

“Wait, what?” You’re surprised by all of this information, not having to pay to be part of any mob company is unheard of. Paying dues assures whomever you’re working for that you won’t betray them, that you have stock in the company.

“He said I was your man so if you wanted me to pay dues I’d pay them to you, not Steve.”

“You never have to pay me dues.” You tell him and he nods, “and he’s paying you more?”

“I mean your father pays as little as he can but Steve is paying more than he should. And I told him but he said he’d pay whatever he had to to keep you safe.”

“Does he know about your mom?” Daisy asks and you shrug.

“I certainly haven’t told him. He’s just the new owner of the golden cage.”

“Doesn’t sound like he’s got you in a cage.” Daisy says sounding amused and you glare at her.

“I snuck out tonight. He insisted on coming to Boston with me. I’m in a fucking cage.”

“Oh,” Daisy knows how much you value being able to do as you please. Asking for permission to do anything makes you feel like you’re trapped under your father’s thumb all over again.

You spend an hour and a half with Daisy, you give her a hug and promise to stay in touch before slipping back out the back door and directly into a furious Steve.

“Queenie.” His voice is low and tight, his arms are folded over his chest. He doesn’t usually call you Queenie so you feel like you’re in trouble.

“Hi Steve. What are you doing here?”

“What are you doing here? Last time I saw you you were in my bed sound asleep.”

“I had business.”

“Like hell.” He growls, “get in the god damn car.”

“I’ll walk thank you.” You snip back at him and much to your shock Steve scoops you up and throws you over his shoulder then deposits you against the side of his car. “Steve!”

“I woke up, and you were fucking gone. No note. Nothing.”

“And?”

“And?” He snaps,

“I don’t get why you’re so pissed.”

“You are my wife. The woman who I have promised to protect, love and cherish.” You scoff and he frowns down at you.

“Mob men don’t love their wives.”

“Like hell they don’t.” He sneers and you can’t help but laugh.

“Please Steve. I’ve been in this game as long as you have. I know how mob marriages work. I’m here to help keep peace between your company and my father’s.”

“That’s not why you’re here.”

“Right.” You scoff again and he crowds your space, one of his legs is between yours and he has you pinned completely against the car now. Steve is so close that when you take a sharp breath of surprise your chest brushes against his.

“You think that a mob boss can’t love his wife? You think that he can’t want her? Desire her?” He rumbles into your ear, “Oh Honey, when you finally admit that you want me, when you’re begging for me to please you, you’re going to know how fuckin’ wrong you are.” He moves away just enough for you to see his face and when he sees how stupid his words have made you he gently pinches your chin between his thumb and pointer finger then tips your chin up tilting your head back. He drags his lips along your jaw, ghosting your skin and for a moment you forget to breathe. Steve’s eyes meet yours again and whatever he sees in them causes him to hum lowly. He curls a hand around the back of your head and neck then presses his mouth to yours.

You can’t think straight with his mouth pressed to yours. His other hand burns a trail down your side as he teases your lips apart, he pulls away from you suddenly and you blink up at him in surprise.

“I said I wouldn’t touch you until you wanted me to.” He takes a half step back and damn him you want to keep kissing him but not because you’re into him. He’s just a good kisser or whatever.

You glare up at him and Steve laughs, “all you have to do is ask Sweetheart and I’ll kiss you silly whenever you want.”

“You’d love that.”

“As much as you would Sweetheart.” He flirts you roll your eyes at him and then get into the car. He follows you into the back then Lance climbs into the front.

“You didn’t stop her from taking off because?” Bucky snaps from the driver’s seat as he pulls away from The Bar.

“She wasn’t in any danger.” Lance says coolly and you have to bite back a grin.

“She’s always in danger when she’s not with Steve. You know that.”

“Wait, what the hell does that mean?” You interrupt leaning forward.

“Nothing.”

“Fuck you, it’s not nothing.” You snarl, you know you’re tired but you also know that something is being kept from you. “Steve,”

“It’s nothing to worry about yet Darlin’.” He says keeping his head back against the seat and his eyes closed.

“Then tell me.”

“Just some chatter we’re keeping our eyes on. Shang-Chi and the Ten Rings brought it to my attention. Have you met him?”

“No. What’s the chatter?”

“I think you’d like his wife Katy.” Steve continues like you haven’t asked a question.

“I hate you both.” You huff folding your arms over your chest as you scowl at Steve.

“Say it like you mean it Sweetheart.” He says lazily, his eyes still closed.

“Fuck you.”

“I’d love it if you would.” He says and you have to clench your teeth to keep from screaming. Why do all the men in your life insist on being so fucking infuriating?

You don’t speak for the rest of the ride back to the hotel. You just sit, with your arms folded, tightly over your chest and scowl out the window. You know it’s not the most mature look but what the hell was all that about? He just kisses you like that, not all sweet but like he needs you to survive and then just pulls away and says forget it? You will not beg him for his affection.

You don’t wait for him to get out when you get to the hotel, his hand wraps around your wrist and you glare back at him right as two shots ring out.

“Buck! Go!” Steve snaps dragging you backwards on the seat as Bucky stomps on the accelerator. Your door slams shut as the car lurches forward, since Steve had pulled you back against him the door skims your toes. “Sweetheart you okay?” You nod,

“Queenie?” Lance asks, “you good?” When you don’t verbally respond he looks over his shoulder, “Queenie?”

“Good. I’m good. Holy fuck.”

“Steve, where the fuck am I going?” Bucky asks as he zips through the streets.

“Airport.”

“Our stuff?” You mumble.

“Leave it.”

“You could have Daisy pick it up?” Lance offers and you nod,

“Yea, yea we could. She’d do it.” You agree, you were just shot at. Who would shoot at you? The more you think about it the more pissed you get. You wipe at the tears on your face and Steve catches one of your hands.

“Honey? You’re okay, we’re safe.” Lance glances back in concern then a little half smirk.

“Oh, she’s fine. Those are rage tears.” Lance tells Steve.

“What?”

“I’m going to fuck someone up as soon as I figure out who the fuck did that.”

Tag list:

@andahugaroundtheneck @connie326 @also-fangirlinsweden @lumar014 @loving-life-my-way @pagina16ps @emdying @dumblani @valsworldofcreativity @blackwidownat2814 @sky0401 @dontbescaredtosingalong @abschaffer2 @patzammit @inkedaztec @newdaynewyearnewlife @sophham

#mobster!steve rogers x reader #mob boss!steve #mob boss! steve rogers #avengers mob au #mob boss!steve rogers x reader #mobster!steve rogers #a payment story #mob boss!steve rogers

[6rookie-writer0110]

The last dream

Sara Lance x Reader.

Request - Hiya, may I please request Reader is Mazikeen's best friend (from Lucifer) and is dating Sara Lance

Everyone on the wave rider saw how happy you became when your best friend arrived. You introduced her to the team, everyone is getting to know Mazikeen.

“Maze this is my girlfriend Sara Lance and she is the captain” You smiled.

“So this is your girlfriend,” Mazikeen said.

She starts to look at Sara up and down, she doesn't smile. Mazikeen is very protective of you and she has been your best friend for many years now.

“Yeah, we are dating. Y/n makes me very happy” Sara said.

Mazikeen glares at Sara. Mazikeen will stay in your room. Now you and Mazikeen are alone in your room.

“Y/n, are you really happy here?” Mazikeen asked.

“Why would you ask that?” You asked.

“Why do you want to be a hero? You are always risking your life and you are dating the captain” Mazikeen said.

“This doesn't seem like you, Mazikeen. I am happy here and I care about them and they care about me” You said.

“I always care about you, Y/n. I don't want you to pretend that you are happy when you are unhappy. Remember your last ex?” Mazikeen said.

“I remember. I mean it, I'm really happy being here and I like being a hero. It sucks sometimes but I still like it” You said.

“Fine” Mazikeen said.

----

Mazikeen is trying to get used to living on the wave rider. It's hard to get privacy and everyone is so loud.

“Why is everyone standing on line?” Mazikeen asked.

“We are waiting to use the bathroom. Stand in line before anyone else comes” Behrad said.

“Wait, this has to be a joke,” Mazikeen said.

“It’s not a joke. I thought it was a joke too, but we only have one bathroom” Spooner said.

“My sister takes forever when she takes a shower. Z, hurry up!! We need the bathroom” Behrad yelled.

“I will be out in five minutes!!” Zari yelled.

“I don't know, how Y/n gets used to this” Mazikeen said.

“It took me a while to get used to it,” Spooner said.

Mazikeen walked away and she starts to complain to you about some stuff.

----

Mazikeen went on her first mission with you and the team. Mazikeen didn't want to wear the disguises but you convinced her to wear them. At first, the mission was going fine then it went downhill and the team needed a new plan.

“You are one strange captain,” Mazikeen said.

“Good or bad?” Sara asked.

“Little of both. If Y/n, died then I would have to kill you” Mazikeen said.

“I would never let that happen. It feels like you have a problem with me” Sara said.

“I do have a problem with you,” Mazikeen said.

Sara and Mazikeen start to argue. Everyone tries to calm them down, you stand in the middle and try to be the peacemaker.

✫ ✯ ✬ ✫

You and Sara are alone in her bedroom and sitting on the bed.

“Mazikeen doesn't like me and she doesn't support our relationship,” Sara said.

“I know, she is hard to get along with. But she is still my best friend” You said.

“Y/n, I'm not telling you to choose a side. But, I will try again to get along with her even she wants to kill me” Sara said.

You kiss her on the lips and Sara starts to smile. Sara did kiss you back and she wrapped her arms around you.

----

You and the team have to bowl to save the earth.

“So if we don't play then we will all did?” Mazikeen asked.

“Yes. We need you and Sara to get along so we can win” You said.

“Y/n is right. We need to work together” Behrad said.

“Fine, I will play nice,” Mazikeen said.

“Good” You smiled.

You wanted to give her a high five but she didn't give you a high five. Instead, Behrad gave you a high five. You, Sara, and Spooner are the best players but Spooner is out because of her hand.

“Mazikeen, you have to play,” You said.

“You know I hate bowling,” Mazikeen said.

“I know, but I don't want to die. So, get up and play” You said.

You and Mazikeen glare at each other. She starts to play, she made a strike and you cheer for her. She still won't give you a high five.

“One day, you will give me a high five” You smiled.

“You are such a dork,” Mazikeen said.

“I’m your dork” You smiled.

“Dork” Mazikeen smiled.

✫ ✯ ✬ ✫

You and the others have to dress western. Mazikeen didn't like the outfit, so she made the hotter so she can show off her cleavage. Sara starts to talk about the plan and Mazikeen didn't agree with the plan.

“There's no point in making a plan if it will go downhill in one minute,” Mazikeen said.

“Maze, play nice,” You said.

Mazikeen rolled her eyes at you and Sara.

“Fine, I will play nice,” Mazikeen said.

“Good,” You said.

The plan went downhill, now there is a bar fight.

“Finally, I can test out my toys” Mazikeen smiled.

Everyone is fighting. Mazikeen stabbed a guy but she didn't notice the guy behind her with a gun. Sara grabbed the knife and threw it at the guy, Mazikeen saw what Sara did and she was impressed by it.

“That was cool. But thanks” Mazikeen said.

“I was an assassin before meeting Y/n,” Sara said.

You and the others noticed Mazikeen and Sara fighting side by side. After the mission, Mazikeen made drinks for everyone on the wave rider. Now Sara and Mazikeen are alone...

“Y/n is my best friend. I don't want anyone to hurt Y/n. And I can see how much Y/n likes being on the team and loves you. I don't ever want to lose Y/n” Mazikeen said.

“I truly care about Y/n and I promise you I won't hurt Y/n. I don't want Y/n to pick between us. I know you mean so much to Y/n. I want us to be friends even when we don't see eye to eye” Sara said.

“Okay, we can be somewhat friends,” Mazikeen said.

Sara and Mazikeen smiled at each other and they have another drink together.

---

You and Mazikeen do spend time together alone.

“I’m really glad that you are getting along with Sara,” You said.

“Ugh, Y/n don't go soft on me” Mazikeen teased.

You and Mazikeen giggled and she hugged you.

#sara lance x reader #gender neutral reader #legends of tomorrow imagine #sara lance imagine #lot imagine

[empty-blog-for-lurking]

What happenes if/when allura shiro and lance meet in the shrödinger reality au? Theres do many ways this meeting could go wrong..........

Also shiro having a brother in this au is such an interesting plot point.. Shiro is slowly descending into madness by his memories halucinations and stuffing severed limbs into potted plants pots and kuro is like 'im so glad my brother has a new hobby:) hes been so passionate about gardening recently! I wonder what fertilizer is he using to make them grow this well.. also why is the floor do slippery nowadays'

and the answer turns out to be maybe-propably-not-real severed body parts

The way i see it (and i am basing this on vibes), that they didnt even notice or remembered. The way Lance's Thing works is that he 1) goes usually unnoticed, like pebbles on a road 2) even if you notice him, or talk to him, or he talks to you as long as you are not the one he's targetting (which rarely ever happens) they dont usually 'recognize' him. It is like how some animals dont recognize their own reflection, maybe some people would feel off about him, some people would be curious about him and some people would be able to notice and remember him (like that one doctor) but ultimately they wont be able to pinpoint what exactly is wrong just a constant feeling of wrongness. 3) they usually wont remember him. They might feel like they are forgetting something, or something is missing but usually they will forget about him.

However again the pebbles on road metaphor applies here. If you dont notice him, you just dont notice him, if you had one passing glance, you'll forget about him instantly, if you noticed him, talked to him, examined him, you are more likely to notice some details meaning you would realize that Something is Wrong, meaning you will remember him for a bit longer.

Which is how i feel Lance's first meeting with Shiro and Allura is going to go. They wont notice him, or recognize him, or remember him. I imagine there's some serial killer case both Allura and Shiro got dragged into with Allura was a witness (she was trying to understand wth us going on and trying to understand this world and oh shit that person just attacked someone) and Shiro kinda being a suspect cause he's being odd according to his friends, and Lance who has decided that he can do a better detective job than the cops (and he's 100% right) and also he thinks said serial killer is the one who 'killed' him. They do meet Lance and because they do remember or have dreamt Lance from their vld timeline, they are able to notice something is off about that guy, but they lose track of him and they kinda forget about him but do keep getting this nagging feeling that they forgot something important

Allura and Shiro do not get along at first. Allura who remembers Everything is like "Shiro? Shiro! Shiro it is you!! It's me Allura!! Oh thank voltron and guardian i found you this world is so strange and a total fake" and Shiro who has been trying to suppress his dreams for past few months is like- "Who tf are you??? I dont know who are you or what this voltron is but please stay away from me" (<=lying). And like Allura who was so desperate to have traces of her old life back, started to pretty much like trying to reach out to him (aka pester him). Eventually Allura is able to convince him that, yeah she indeed is both girl in his dreams but also real and Real af, and while he does Not believe her, he is also just so tired of the paranormal bs he is dealing with and if this Weird stalker lady can help him than on god he's taking that help.

And yep (in my mind his brother is Kuron) and while he doesnt show it, he is Very worried about Shiro. He reasons that he is just coping with his accident and dealing with loss of his arm and dream job and the Trauma™ (and technically he isnt wrong) but he can also tell this is something beyond That. However he has decided that he'll give Shiro space, let him come to him on his own, be supportive and strong and smiley for him. But yeah he's glad that Shiro is getting into a new hobbies, even if he is too into it sometimes.

#stolen identity au #empty answers #It'll take a While and a Lot of detective work to like bring them all together #But yeah #Need to work on the timeline #And the plot #And like everything #Anyway #thanks for asking!!!!!

[coopsgirl]

The Shadow and the Sunrise - Chapter 4

Read on AO3 here: https://archiveofourown.org/works/45918361/chapters/117255877

Story Summary: Ranyare, a member of the original eldar who awoke on the shores of Lake Cuiviénen, has survived into the Third Age and has lived hidden away from others in Fangorn Forest. Forced to come out of hiding, she meets the elves of Lothlórien and Greenwood. Much to her surprise, she and Thranduil become friends and together they will work through their pain and traumas to finally find peace and love.

Chapter 4

Many centuries passed and the first millennium of the Third Age came to a close. The elves of Thranduil’s realm prospered and had made great strides in replenishing their numbers after losing so many at the end of the previous age. They were happy and their joy made Thranduil happy too but he did not feel whole. He missed someone, someone he feared he would never see again. Ranyare had indeed lived unbothered in Fangorn but recently she had begun experiencing a strange series of dreams. She saw a black cloud moving over the trees until they became dark and twisted. It felt so real and dreadful but she tried to put it out of her mind. One afternoon she was walking to the spring to fetch water when a small yellow bird began circling her head and chirping cheerily. Many birds had been her friends throughout her life and this was the most recent one to befriend her. “Good morning little bird.” The bird noted that she looked tired and she explained the distressing dreams she had been having. “I do not believe this is a vision of Fangorn. I think it might be Greenwood. I do not know what to do.” “Yes you do. Follow your heart.” These words came from the bird but were not spoken as usual. Ranyare heard them in her mind and the voice was that of a man, warm and comforting. Before she could question this, she heard the voice again. “Follow me!” and the bird flew back in the direction of her camp. As she was running to keep up with the bird, she knew she must go to Greenwood. “I will send you help” the bird said as they reached her camp, now speaking as it normally did, and then flew off through the trees. Ranyare quickly packed a few things and just as she finished, a large deer came out from the trees and knelt down indicating she was to get on its back. She rode the animal to the edge of the forest and was then on her own from there. She walked day and night only stopping for short periods to rest until the edge of the wood was in sight.

As soon as she walked in amongst the trees, she could feel a change in the atmosphere. It was a lovely Summer day but the air suddenly felt colder and almost claustrophobic the closer she got to Amon Lanc. When she was close enough to see the fort off in the distance she stopped and was frozen in place. Orcs walked along the parapets and she could see none of the elven soldiers. She quietly snuck around to the back of the guardhouse, the entrance to the old city, and saw the bodies of the slain elves. One elf however remained alive as she saw his chest moving up and down in very shallow breaths. She could see no orcs from her position so she quickly ran to him and knelt down beside him. “If I help you, do you think you can walk?” she asked looking into his eyes. “No” he said in a raspy voice as each breath became more labored. “I must get you out of here somehow.” “No. Tell the…king we…were ambushed. They…mean to…take…the fort.” “I will not leave you. Not again” she said as she grabbed his hand and held it tightly to her chest against her heart. He did not understand what she meant by ‘not again’ as he delivered his final words. “You…must…warn…them. Please…go.” She watched as the last bit of life left his body and his head fell limply to the side and away from her gaze.

Realizing she could do no more for him, she let him go and began to run. The tears flew from her face as she dashed through the forest. She was not alone however as an orc thought he heard something and he was also running her way. Ranyare heard his footsteps as he began to close the distance between them. She stopped and quickly climbed up a tree hoping he would soon give up and retreat back to the fort. She held tight to the tree trunk as she sat crouched on the branch watching the creature stalk around below her. “I smell you elf!” he shouted with disdain. He soon sniffed out her location and began to climb the tree with a sickening smile on his ugly face. Ranyare reached into her pocket to retrieve her knife, unfolded the blade, and then hid it behind her back. “A she-elf! You’ll regret crossing my path girlie” he said with a sickening smile as he got close enough to see her. His voice nearly made her blood run cold but she took a deep breath and once the orc was within reach, she sliced his throat with one quick movement. He made a horrible gurgling sound as his black blood spurted out onto her and then he fell, landing with a thud and the sounds of bones cracking. Ranyare couldn’t see any others who may have followed him so she climbed down and ran.

She only stopped when she reached a point where she could barely breath and would stay still for no than a few minutes until she started running again. Her long legs carried her quickly across the great distance to the Woodland Realm and when she at last reached the entry gate she banged on the door and screamed for them to let her inside. “I must…see the king” she said practically panting as she desperately tried to catch her breath. The guards recognized her and one of them ran to fetch Thranduil. She was in a terrible state as she still clutched the knife in one hand and was splattered with orc blood. Her silver hair was practically wet through and through with sweat and stuck to her face and neck. The king came out to find her sitting on the ground still trying to recover from her great endeavor. Without saying a word, Thranduil picked her up and carried her inside to the room she had once used. Each time she tried to speak he would shush her and tell her to rest. He could feel how quickly her pulse was still racing and her breaths were short and shallow. He laid her gently on the bed and managed to pry the knife from her hand and place it on the bedside table. He then called out for his butler Galion. “Bring us some Miruvor and water immediately!” He sat on the edge of the bed beside her and held her hand. “Are you hurt?” She shook her head ‘no’. “Try to breathe slowly and deeply” he said doing it himself as an example for her to follow. Ranyare did the same and after a bit, she felt better. Galion brought the drinks and Thranduil poured her a small glass of the Miruvor used by the elves as a type of healing cordial. After she drank it, he offered her a glass of water which she also quickly drank and then asked for another.

“Tell me what happened to put you in such a state” he asked as he pulled her hair away from her face. “Orcs have taken Amon Lanc. They killed everyone there. One soldier was still clinging to life and he told me they wanted the fort. I tried to save him but…he was too far gone and he…he died in my arms.” Thranduil’s heart nearly stopped at this surprising and dreadful news. He pulled her up towards him and held her tight. “He told me to run and I did. I had to warn you” she said and she squeezed him tightly as well. “You have orc blood on you. What…” “One chased after me and I killed him. No others followed” she explained not letting him finish his question. “How did this happen? Why were you there?” He pulled away just far enough so he could look in her beautiful grey-violet eyes that he had seen so many times in his dreams. “I have been dreaming of a darkness covering the forest. I believed it was Greenwood and I knew I needed to warn you.” “I have felt something strange myself of late but could not understand it” Thranduil said and then he kissed the top of her head and gave her one more embrace before he let her go and stood up. “How many orcs did you see?” His voice was now strong and determined. “Fewer than a dozen but I do not know how many were there that I did not see.” “I must go at once. Please stay here until I return. Promise me you will.” “I promise. But you must also promise me that you will come back unharmed” she said as she lay down on the pillow still quite exhausted. He smiled and said, “I will do my best.”

A company of his most capable soldiers were quickly assembled and they rode in haste to Amon Lanc. The orcs were no match for these fierce elves and they dispatched them all but one. The prisoner was brought before the king whose silver armor shone brightly in the sun causing the orc to wince and squirm in a futile attempt to get away from the light. “How did you come to ambush my soldiers?” Thranduil said coldly looking down at the wretched creature who was kneeling before him. “You’ll never know…elf.” He said the last word with much disgust and then spit upon the king’s boots. The soldier holding the ropes tied around the orc’s hands behind his back yanked it a little tighter but the king gave him a look as if to say not to be too rough. “Your kind is not clever enough to have done something like this on your own. If you tell me what I want to know, I will allow you to leave here alive and return with a message to whoever sent you that our forest will never fall to your kind.” The orc laughed and said, “You are no match for the one who sent me. He means to have this forest and you can’t stop him. They didn’t see us coming because we were hidden from sight. Oh yes, he is that powerful. But I will give him your message all the same.” “Release him” Thranduil said and the soldier jerked him up onto his feet and cut his bonds. “You will not win this fight elf.” Those were the last words that orc ever spoke as the king’s sword moved swiftly and silently separating his head from his body in one stroke.

--

Thranduil entered the room where Ranyare slept. It was mid-afternoon the day following her arrival, but she was still recovering her strength as she had pushed herself to the very limit of elven endurance to reach them as quickly as she did. He picked up the chair in front of the vanity table and placed it beside the bed so he could sit near her. Her pack was sitting on the bedside table and he noticed something sticking out of it that looked familiar. He pulled it free and realized it was the tube containing the drawing he had given her and when he opened it and found the paper still inside, it warmed his heart and he smiled.

“I knew that was you, even before I opened my eyes” Ranyare said as she awoke and turned to face her visitor. “And how exactly did you know that?” he asked with a smirk. “You always smell of Vetiver. I like it. It is warm and comforting, like being in the heart of the forest. A very kind elleth gave me some lovely rose scented soap for my bath. I have always made my own soap but it is fairly crude and did not have such nice scents. Oh, I know I am babbling; I suppose I do not want to hear any bad news you may have brought. I am however very glad to see you returned safely.” “We all returned safely and we brought back our fallen brethren so they may be properly laid to rest.” “That is very good news indeed” she said sitting up. Thranduil didn’t yet have the heart to tell her the rest of the troubling tale and decided he would save that for another time. “I should go and let you rest. I only wanted to check and make sure you were doing well.” He rose and moved towards the door. “I am feeling much better. Could we dine together later?” “That would be wonderful” he said as left her and then immediately went to the kitchen to plan the perfect meal.

Later that day, he knocked on her door and announced that dinner was ready. “You look lovely” Thranduil said as she was wearing a simple light blue dress and had put her hair in a long braid. “Thank you” she replied as she blushed a bit at the compliment. “Is that the staff I made for you?” she asked as he held it in his hand. “Yes. I was planning to leave it as you made it but after you left I had it plated in silver. If it was the only thing I had to remember you by, I wanted it to last.” Ranyare smiled and took his arm as they walked to the dining room. “I kept your drawing as well” she confessed. He already knew this but he said nothing about it, simply smiling instead. “I hope you still like venison and roasted potatoes with honey cakes for dessert.” “You remembered” she said a bit surprised that he had indeed remembered that had been her favorite meal when she spent the Winter with him so many centuries ago. He looked her in the eye and said in a very serious tone, “I have forgotten nothing about the time we have spent together.”

They enjoyed their meal and then went outside to spend the Summer evening in his private garden. She had not seen it when she was there earlier as the plants went dormant for the cold Winter. He knew the name of every flower and bush and seemed to beam with pride as he showed her around. “Do you tend the garden yourself?” Ranyare asked. “I do. It was my mother’s and I helped her with it from time to time. Before she sailed West, I promised her I would always look after it.” “You have done a fine job. Everything is so beautiful. I do not think I have ever seen roses this color” she said as she stopped to admire the blooms that were a shade of pale purple. “A result of my mother’s very green thumb. My father used to tease her that she spent more time in her garden some days than with him.” His face practically lit up when he spoke of his parents. Ranyare had long wondered what it was like to have parents or a family. She was fine on her own but there was always a tiny bit of her that couldn’t help but wonder what it would be like to be part of a family. “Speaking of your father, how are you doing in regards to dealing with your anger towards him?” Before answering, Thranduil sat down on the stone bench in the center of the garden and she sat beside him. “I have forgiven him. None of us are perfect and while he did have his flaws, pride and stubborness in particular, he was a good ellon and a wonderful father.” “I am glad to hear that” she said truly happy for him. “How have you been?” he asked. Ranyare sighed and then answered him truthfully. “I am tired. So very tired of carrying this pain for so long.” “I would do anything to lessen your grief and burden.” She looked up at him and smiled. “Part of the reason I returned was to warn you of what I saw in my dreams but I also wanted to see you again. Your friendship was very special to me. I often felt at peace when you would visit and I have missed that…missed you.”  “I felt a true kinship with you and it hurt me quite deeply when you left.” “I am sorry. Is there any possibility that I could have your forgiveness as well?” “I would forgive you in an instant mellon nin, but I do not wish to repeat this cycle. Will you stay for a while and then run away once again?” Ranyare hung her head and was quiet for a bit. “I am tired of running. I am tired of solitude.” He gently lifted her chin with his fingers and said, “Then stay here, with me.”  She nodded and he put his arm around her and she leaned her head against his neck and closed her eyes. For a moment, they both felt a sense of overwhelming peace and they stayed in that same spot for many hours until the sun rose.

Thranduil left her to have breakfast alone as he had business to attend to although he would have much preferred to stay with Ranyare. She did not see him for much of the day and when she caught sight of Galion in the late afternoon, she asked about him. “He will join you for supper my lady.” The king’s long-time friend and faithful butler had been sworn to secrecy by Thranduil as to the nature of his business as he wanted to tell her himself. “If you do not mind my saying, we are glad to have you back amongst us and your presence has greatly lifted Thranduil’s spirits. He has not quite been the same since you left long ago.” She smiled and thanked him for the kind words. Her heart beat a little faster too knowing how much he had missed her, just as much as she had missed him.

“What does this mean?” asked one of the realm’s elder members as he along with several other elves were gathered in Thranduil’s throne room including key figures of their defense forces. “I am not sure but I can tell you that something nefarious has taken up residence at the old fort and I do not believe it is a force we can fight with swords and arrows” the king replied. “Please my lord, tell us exactly how it looked and what you felt” one of the marchwardens asked. “We easily dispatched the orcs and as we were leaving, I saw it from the corner of my eye. I turned and could see a dark cloud low in the sky moving towards the fort. It settled over the structure and all around it everything became very dark. I order the soldiers to retreat back to the tree line as I moved closer to it. My horse was reticent to go so I made my way on foot. With each step I could feel the presence of something evil bearing down upon me until I could physically go no further.” This stunned the elves as they knew their king to be one of their strongest members, both in body and in will. “I fell back with the others and we watched for quite some time with no change in situation.” “I am loathe to utter this name, but it is possible Sauron has returned?” one of the younger elves, who was born after the Dark Lord’s defeat, asked. Thranduil couldn’t help but shutter at that name but this was also something he had wondered. “I suppose it is possible. It is also a possibility that it may be one of his minions, perhaps one of the Nazgul.” “Surely we will not simply accept this abomination!” one elf practically shouted as this was quite an upsetting situation. “Of course we will not” Thranduil said calmly. “I have sent a company to monitor the situation and I have also sent letters to King Amroth and Lord Elrond asking if they have had any similar troubles.”  

The meeting ended and the king went to join his guest in the dining room. She could tell something was upsetting him and as they waited for the meal to be served, he explained to her what he had seen. Neither spoke while they ate and as their appetites were both diminished, they merely picked at their food and ate little. “Come with me” Thranduil said tenderly as he rose and extended his hand to her. She took his hand without speaking and together they walked to the garden. “Are we to be left alone once again to fight this enduring evil?” Ranyare asked as they walked along the little path. Her voice was weary and filled with anxiety. “Eru made this world and the Ainur helped shape it, and it is for us, all the children of Ilúvatar and we must defend and protect it. They have not abandoned us but instead they give us the strength and wisdom to do what must be done.” She was quiet for a while and then she began to think of all the times birds had come to talk with her. They gave her news of the world and were often quite helpful such as the one who brought her the deer who enabled her to quickly reach the edge of Fangorn on her way to warn Thranduil. Suddenly she halted as the realization dawned on her that maybe her dream was a warning from them and that those were not mere birds after all. “Thranduil, I think you may be right. Perhaps they have been helping us in ways we did not even realize.” He was surprised at her words but delighted in hearing them. “Often have the Valar come to our aid. Ulmo gave Turgon the inspiration to build the hidden realm of Gondolin and then also sent Tuor to warn him of its impending destruction. The Númenóreans were given multiple warnings in the forms of clouds shaped like Manwë’s great eagles to turn away from Sauron’s evil ministrations. We have free will and do not have to follow their signs or advice, but they do still often try to help.” She smiled up at him and said, “I have been so blind and so consumed by my own failings that I did not see. It was easier to blame them for not helping us sooner than to face my own weakness.”

Just at that moment, a small yellow bird flew by them and landed on a nearby rose bush. A bright glow began to emanate from around the bird and in a flash it had changed into the shape of a tall man. He stood before them clothed in a long green robe with his dark hair falling loosely over both shoulders. His bright eyes looked upon them both with love and his smile quickly put them at ease. “I am Taurënur, a Maia in the service of Oromë. Long have I waited for this day when your faith would be restored and you would know peace.” Ranyare recognized his voice as the one she had heard in her mind when last she saw the little yellow bird. “It was you. All those times, all the different birds, it was you” she said stepping towards him. “Yes my child. I was sent from Oromë to watch over you. It has laid heavy on his heart that he was not able to save all the firstborn of Ilúvatar from suffering at Morgoth’s hands. You and Nowë are the only elves left in Middle Earth from those earliest generations and it has been my honor to watch over the both of you.” “Nowë is still here? I thought I must be the only one” she said as tears filled her eyes and one broke free running down her cheek. He gently wiped it away with his thumb and then reached down to take her hand in his. “He is the lord of the Grey Havens and he builds the ships sturdy enough to make the journey to the blessed Undying Lands.” “That is Círdan. The elf whose name you did not recognize” Thranduil said stepping forward to join them. “Why did you not tell me who you were?” she asked confused why he kept his identity a secret. “Faith is strongest when you find it for yourself and you will need your faith to be strong for the dark days that may be coming. I know what you saw Thranduil, but do not let fear into your heart. You are strong and you are a great king. Help will soon come from Valinor in the form of counselors to guide the free peoples of Middle Earth through whatever tribulation may lie ahead.” “Thank you. We are always grateful for any help that may come from Eru or his blessed Ainur” Thranduil said with reverence as he put a hand to his heart and bowed his head.

“Please, can you tell me what happened to my friends. The ones who were taken, and the ones I left behind?” Ranyare asked with such desperation that Taurënur did not hesitate to answer. “They are safe and protected in Aman.” So relieved was she to hear this that she fell to her knees, while still holding his hand, and she laughed with great joy as if a weight as massive as the Misty Mountains themselves had been lifted from her heart. “So many times I wanted to tell you, but that would have given myself away and I was not permitted to do so until you found your faith again.”  “Thank you” she said almost in a whisper as she was still so overcome by the glad tidings. Taurënur helped her to her feet and then extended his other hand to Thranduil and the king stepped forward and took his hand. “Your parents are also together again.” Thranduil was too overwhelmed to say anything but he graciously nodded to the Maia. “I must return home now, but I feel confident that I am leaving you in loving hands.” With another burst of bright light, he turned back into a bird and flew away to the West.

Notes:

Taurënur – Forest friend

#the shadow and the sunrise #thranduil #thranduil fanfiction #thranduil fan fic #tolkien tag #tolkien fanfiction #fangorn forest #greenwood the great #middle earth #elvenking #amon lanc #orcs #maiar #fighting orcs #tolkien elves #valar #ainur #expanded middle earth history #lee pace #thranduil drama

[observeroflaplace]

Part 1 - No Name, No Memory

I don’t recall much of what came before.  I was starving; and I collapsed in hunger.  The trees taunted me with their vibrant life and fruit just out of reach, and the plantkin with their voracious ambling towards me.  The last things I saw before blacking out were the horrid stench of a Morbol, a few arrows, and a lance with a wooden haft.

The next thing I knew, I had an IV drip in my arm and I was being shaken awake by a Midlander in her early 40’s and a yellow military uniform, and a pale Moon Keeper who looked like she herself could barely stand by her own strength, trying to feed me soup.  As it turns out, she couldn’t really; she was supported by some kind of Magitek brace which helped strengthen her legs or something, and she was still a bit shaky without leaning on her stick.

At the time, I wasn’t sure why, but it felt as though I had yet to feel such warmth and generosity.

The Hyuran woman spoke first, holding out a hand to halt the eager Miqote.

“Ah, good.  You’re finally awake.  Can you tell me your name?”

I paused and thought hard.  My head was a fog.  Nothing felt right.  I was dizzy, and when I looked upon the worried face of the Miqote, I-

“Au- Auuu…”

I gripped my head in pain.  Something was close.  My heartbeat - or what I felt was my heart - beat loudly in my ears.  And worst of all, it was right there.  It was on the tip of my tongue.  My name, whatever it was-

[$v’€||? &u£’m]

“Hey!  Hey!  Look at me, okay?  Just look at me and hold onto my hand, please!”

A small fist pressed itself gently into my palm.  It was small, and curled around a wooden crook.  It was cold and pale, but it helped ground me.  I don’t know why this child brought such a reaction from me, but she also helped ground me from it.

I breathed deeply.

I’m embarrassed to think about the amount of fussing that went on after that.  I think the Midlander woman was about to try and administer something to settle my nerves.  Before she could though, I stopped her.

“Enough…  Please, that’s enough.  I don’t remember, but… Can I… have my soup please?”

The Midlander looked down at me with a concerned, motherly glance.  It was clear she didn’t buy that I didn’t remember my name.  That said, she could not deny the fact that I couldn’t say it, or even quite think it, for whatever reason.

“That’s… Tricky.  I’ll have to put you down as unregistered then, at least until your mind clears up a little.”

I nodded.

“T-thanks..?”

Sensing my questioning tone, the woman answered before I even strung the sentence together.  She offered her hand to shake mine, before taking the bowl of now-lukewarm soup and spoon from the Miqote to hand to me.  I sat up and took the offerred soup, as she introduced herself.

“Koivana Karpe.  Former Captain of the Twin Adders.”

After a brief and a little too awkward pause, the Miqote looked around, breaking the silence with her own answer.

“And I’m Shelke!  It’s- It’s nice to meet you!”

She bowed a little too quickly and lost her balance, dropping her walking cane.  Koivana and I reached towards her to help catch her, though Koivana was too far away, and I ended up spilling the soup over myself and the blanket.  Still, I caught the girl as she fell, thanks to being much closer to her.

“W-warm…” She cood, contentedly.  Like I was her mother or something.  Strange, considering she couldn’t have been much more than 5 years my junior.

As I helped her back onto her feet, going from patient to momentary carer, Koivana looked at me, eyebrow raised.

“Strange.  She hardly acts like that around anyone - not even me.  Well, there is one other person…”

I blinked in surprise.  I’d taken Koivana for Shelke’s adoptive mother.  She sighed and shook her head.

“I know what you’re thinking, but no.  I’m not her mother.  That would be Sviette; who unfortunately is off doing business in Ul’dah at the moment on behalf of a friend.

Hearing that name, I felt another dizzy spell.  It nearly took me off my feet, as the sound of a heartbeat filled my ears.  Before me I saw the image of a woman in gray, synthetic armour; standing proudly over a battlefield.  She guided soldiers into the fray, cutting down man and beast alike.  Her stature was large, towering even over many of the men; and a notable feature of her helm was a canine motif, with pointed ears.  That of a Jackal.

Though the pain subsided quickly, I found myself on the floor, cradled by Koivana.  Her expression was both that of concern, and of…  Suspicion.  As though she’d figured out something I hadn’t.

“I wonder…”

“Hmm..?”

“Tell me, what do you know about the Echo?”

((I hope @feelingkoii doesn’t mind this cameo by a certain retired Serpent Captain! More to come later.))

#ffxiv writing #Shadowbringers Spoilers #Don’t get too attached #Koivana Karpe

[lliinnkk]

I guess this is a fanfic?

I made a little thing inspired from Yuri's rain scene in his route, which you may be able to tell is arguably my favourite scene in the whole game. I haven't written anything in at least 5 years so I am out of practise and this is kind of just a rough draft but I wanted to put this out there anyway, especially since the tag is so dead :3 I could've continued it a bit more and I might do but I like the place I left it.

Since its an au from my daydreams tho, the main character is different and there are themes of paranoia/trauma

Please enjoy :)

I haven't titled yet but I guess I'll just call it Rain.

A long day at school meant a well-deserved lazy evening in bed. Faith could be found none other than under the covers, consumed by endless scrolling. Lights off and stomach full, a pause in the music from her headphones led Faith to notice her bedroom window. The curtains open, late September had turned the wind brutal and the skies dull. A thunderous sound accompanied the rioting of the orange leaves. It was raining. How long had she been in bed for exactly?

She sat up simply staring at the window for a moment, thanking no god in particular that she was safely indoors. Her thoughts hurried to the dolls, who were all out there somewhere, so she sent each a text to ask if they all had umbrellas. The thought of any of them being trapped in that havoc turned her stomach.

Before the bottled water could be raised to her lips came Lance's response. He was busy with his duties as the discipline guide and has already checked the weather forecast long in advance so the smartass had taken an umbrella when he left for school that morning. Who knows how many worst case scenarios he's already prepared a thousand solutions for?

Faith wasn't sure if the room had always been this chilly. The next reply came through as her head finally poked through the top of a fluffy white jumper: Tei apologised that he'd be home late from work again today, saying that the manager would lend him an umbrella. Yeonho was also dining at the cafe Tei worked at with some friends who offered to walk him home. Although Faith knew his friends to have overstepped a few boundaries, she trusted Yeonho wasn't so naive as to bring these people right to their doorstep. Maybe.

It was entertaining to mindlessly play with the settings on the bedside lamp. Bright and dim, flashing, fading, in and out. Forwards and backwards through the rainbow. Pink. Purple. Blue. Green. Yellow. Orange.

Red's reply came cheerily, explaining that the drama club members would walk home together, sharing coats and umbrellas and hats. It was cute the way he signed off with an emoji.

The droplets drummed against the glass, creating a methodical pattern of swirls and dots and lines. Fingers painted the transparent canvas with cats, dogs, stick men with top hats. The smiley face drooped and the whole artwork seemed to cry. Was the stick woman aware that her hair and her clothes and her body and her face were all crafted from tears and watery blackness?

The phone kept ringing. Perhaps if she kept ringing Yuri would reply eventually. Ringing and ringing and ringing. To admit, it wasn't strange for Yuri not to reply. He frequently came home late, spoke to strange women and showed off money from an unknown source. Everyone was used to his disappearances by now but Faith just couldn't shake the feeling that this might be the last time he disappears.

Time stood still yet raced ahead fast as light simultaneously. Pushing down those thoughts certainly wasn't an unfamiliar task, nor was it a pleasant one. Those thoughts of all the different ways you could lose everything you've ever loved all in the blink of an eye. Those thoughts of fighting, screaming, pleading, bleeding. Those thoughts of all the worst things happening all over again. Those thoughts of being left alone, all over again. All over again.

She turned the music up.

Escapism was the answer but it never lasted forever. Thoughts disappeared but feelings remained. Faith itched. She couldn't sit still. By the time the next song started, she found herself dressed at the door, armed with two umbrellas and a weapon.

Again, she welcomed the soft feelings of dread and anxiety, a dull ache she felt in her chest every time she went outside.

She turned the music up.

The rain didn't feel totally real, she thought, nestled under the clear round shelter of the umbrella. It was a small thing. Eyes fixed downwards at soaked feet, dodging hurriedly through roadside puddles. In truth, Faith wasn't even sure she could get to her destination if she was only staring downwards but this didn't seem to be a problem as her feet marched on determinedly, fully independent from the rest of her body.

Her world felt tiny, compressing, crushing her deep into herself. Distant from her body, she couldn't move, couldn't stop moving. Autonomous feet. Thoughts. Fear. Rain. Always rain.

She turned the music up.

Faith arrived at school. For a second, her body allowed herself to stop moving. She only noticed now that she was trembling all over. She left a damp trail up the stairs. It wasn't any warmer indoors.

Of all places, Yuri should be here. Pray to no god in particular if you're ever to look for him wherever the hell he goes to after school.

The volume couldn't possibly go up any higher. She turned the music up.

Uncertain of whether it was a good thing or a bad thing, Faith finally stood face to face with the music room door. She took her headphones off. The storm behind her hadn't calmed. She couldn't hear anything.

Is Yuri in that room? Maybe he is. Even if he is, what if he's not ok? Will opening this door welcome the sight of blood and tears and pain? Had Yuri gotten in a car accident on the way home? Was he mugged? Assaulted? Murdered? Kidnapped? All of the above?

This is stupid. That stuff didn't happen. Yuri's probably having the time of his life at a wild party right now. All this because of some rain? Seriously? It's just rain at the end of the day. There's only so much rain can do to you.

But if it's just rain then why isn't he answering? What could he possibly be doing with his phone on without answering the calls? It'd make more sense if he was at a party but considering the time, he couldn't have left school yet. Yuri is unpredictable and unexplainable but he takes his job as a teacher seriously and wouldn't be so irresponsible to run off and play.

He has to be in this room.

Frozen in place. What's beyond that door? Does Faith even want to see it? If she were so weak, she could go home right now, never to face the horrid truth awaiting. She could throw everything away, kill everyone and then herself, just to prevent them from witnessing the bloodbath shielded only by a plank of wood.

But what would be the point of coming? What's the point of thinking these thoughts if never to confirm their stupidity yourself? After all, whatever's beyond the door will still be there whether you witness it yourself or not.

There's no other choice. Gulping down a heaping portion of dread, Faith pushes open the door.

A tidal wave of relief morphs into shame. Warm golden light spills out, illuminating the scene of a man in an elegant black suit playing a grand piano against the rain's dreary dark backdrop. Slender fingers dance across white keys in precision, beautiful face caught in a focused expression, stopping every now and then to edit a page of sheet music. Peace.

An eternity passed by in a single second as Faith took in the view but she shied away from it to kneel off to the side where she couldn't be seen. The grip she holds on her weapon burns her hand. So stupid. Why is she here? She's lived in a much safer world now for so long yet she still isn't used to it.

No matter how much she fights for the present, the past can't change. She lost so much and still can't accept it.

A pause in the piano playing led Yuri to notice the open door. A quiet sound hid itself amongst the thunderous rioting of the rain. Someone was outside. How long had he been playing for exactly?

He turned the music off.

I hope you enjoyed reading!!! I had a lot of fun writing this and am so proud of it!!! ^^

#my post #nameless the one thing you must recall #nameless the one thing you must recall au #paraportal #nameless #nameless cheritz #cheritz nameless #whump

[four-loose-screws]

FE7 Novelization Translation - Chapter 7 Section 7

If you would like to start from the beginning, read a missed part, etc., click here!

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Chapter 7: Those Who Slither (“False Friends” in localization) (Section 7)

Hector left the room as well to chase after Eliwood.

By the time he was out the doorway, Eliwood was already nowhere to be seen, and he had no idea where his friend was.

There, he found Oswin approaching him, who had been standing in wait outside the room.

“Lord Hector!”

“Oswin! Eliwood came this way, right?”

“Lord Eliwood ran outside through that gate.”

"Got it!"

"Lord Hector! Please wait a moment."

Hector started to chase after Eliwood the moment Oswin gave his answer, but Oswin's sharp voice stopped him. "What is it, Oswin?"

"We should return to Ostia for a short while. It is… difficult for me to agree that we should assist Lord Eliwood… and Pherae any longer."

"...What are you trying to say?” Hector furrowed his brow, not knowing what Oswin was getting at.

"We should be thinking of Ostia's immediate future now that we have suspicion that Marquess Pherae was involved in a rebellion."

"Oswin, take that back." Hector said quietly. His words were harsh and filled with his anger.

"Lord Hector, I know how you feel, however…"

"I know Eliwood's father very well, so I am telling you, he is someone we can trust. And if you serve me, then shouldn't you always be sincere with me?"

Oswin sighed at his words.

To trust someone to the very end, no matter what rumors may spread. And even if doing so resulted in betrayal, still, one should maintain that trust once it had been promised. Such thinking was the same as those of a knight's vows to their lord.

Once a knight vowed their loyalty to their lord, they would continue to serve no matter the struggles that would result. Even if it led to their death, they would obey their lord once their vows were made.

That was what Oswin had vowed as he stood before Marquess Uther of Ostia.

"...Look. You are my Brother's retainer. No matter how devoted he wants you to be in protecting me, you do not have to go so far. Return to Ostia, Oswin. You've been a great help. …I thank you."

"...I apologize from the very bottom of my heart… for my extremely rude words about Marquess Pherae." Oswin bowed his head deeply and knelt down where he stood.

Hector, on the other hand, flew into a panic over his sudden change in behavior. "Oswin! I get it! That's enough!! You can stop kneeling in front of me!!"

"No. Please allow me to take a knightly vow here."

"A… knightly vow?" Hector questioned. Oswin was acting so strange he was doubtful. 

Oswin raised his lance.

It was a completely ordinary Iron Lance. But it was a very meaningful lance, as he had used it for many years as a valuable companion on the battlefield, ever since Uther had given it to him when he gave his first knightly vows.

"Please accept this lance. Then return it to me after you give it your blessing."

"Oswin, you're really…"

"I am a knight in service to Ostia. Until now, I have dedicated my lance to Lord Uther alone. However… …Now, I wish from the very bottom of my heart to serve you as well. Would you please grant me that honor?"

Hector's uncouth manner of speaking that was entirely improper for a noble, and his violent behavior… made this current next-in-line of Ostia known as a strange man among the people, but beneath that mask hid a truly noble, lordly man.

And that man was a lord worthy of serving and risking his life to protect. Oswin was sure of that.

"Oswin…"

Understanding Oswin's feelings, Hector accepted the lance and gave it his blessing.

ー

After Oswin finished his knightly vows, Hector chased after Eliwood outside the gate. Located there was a garden built separate from the castle, though perhaps because Marquess Laus was focused solely on preparing for war, the once breathtaking flower beds were now run rampant with weeds.

In almost exactly the middle of that garden was Eliwood, standing around in place and looking utterly discouraged. But Hector did not know what he should say to him.

His father might have participated in the rebellion. That doubt, for Eliwood, who respected his father Elbert, was painfully shocking, and it wasn't unthinkable that it would spiral him into a depression.

But he could not just let his friend stay like this forever.

"Eliwood…" Hector said without thinking about it.

Eliwood responded with his eyes still looking down at the ground, "...Father is alive. And… I cannot imagine that he would ever support a rebellion. There… must be some explanation for everything…"

"I believe it. I think too that your father would be the last person to do such a thing. That's why… we should figure out where your father is and what really did and didn't happen. We can report to my brother after that."

"Hector, I'm sorry…" Eliwood looked up and expressed his gratitude. 

Hector, as Ostia's next-in-line, had a duty to report everything to Ostia now that he'd heard a rebellion was being planned against them. But out of his concern for Eliwood, he decided to put that off. No… he was doing this because he himself trusted Elbert.

Eliwood could not thank his friend enough for his thinking of him at a time like this.

"Don't make that face. Your father is alive. Isn't he?"

"Yes, of course he is!” Eliwood's expression brightened, and he nodded.

"Marquess Laus… The Black Fang… and this mysterious man Ephidel… We will find them and prove Father's innocence!!"

There were many, many mysteries unfolding along the path before them.

Eliwood vowed within his heart to stop at nothing until they had dispelled that darkness.

-

To be continued…

#fire emblem #fe #fe7 #fire emblem 7 #the blazing sword #fe7 the blazing sword #lyn #lyndis #hector #eliwood #japan #japanese #translation #gba #game boy advance #novel #light novel #fe7 novelization translation

[pangolen]

merlin liveblog tag quarantine post

edit: hit tag limit and got onto desktop to make it a readmore instead

tags were:

#merlin you are so FUCKING stupid

#the camera zooming everywhere is so good

#arthur and morgana have such incredible sibling energy even from the start #also i want the afanc to be some guy in a suit so bad #ALSO imagine if arthur had known about merlin's magic starting from this ep #i'm p sure that's not the case tho but i mean. i never actually finished watching the series

#i bet there's fanart somewhere of bird!merlin and bear!arthur. somewhere #i'm not gonna go look for it tho

#merlin truly causes as many problems as he solves

#gaius: you're being mature. too mature. suspicious.

#ugh gwen please don't be into merlin you can do so much better #also merlin do better @ falsifying documents #also uther is so frustrating. mr head it's a joy to see you but jesus christ

#gwen truly gets paired with Everyone and actually you know what good for her

#haha lancelot has a lance now

#merlin you're so fucking bad at hiding your magic it's insane you don't get caught by anyone who would hate you for it

#'the law is the law' uther you're literally the king

#how old are merlin and arthur supposed to be anyway

#AH! beetle episode #also probly once i'm done watching all this #i'll try rereading that longass fic i have in my bookmarks #one of the five million time travel fics in this fandom

#adhd KING #it's time for merlin to Touch Everything!

#god this is such a cheap plot it's painful

#oh ok so arthur is 25 or around that age #good to know #so was his actor! neat! #then can we also extrapolate merlin's age as 22ish or is that wishful thinking

---

anyway uther continues to be frustrating. they should just let the beetle kill him.

oh also as long as we're extrapolating ages, that would make gwen about 28 and morgana a mystery because mcgrath's dob isn't on wikipedia so it's impossible to know. i also can't remember if morgana is supposed to be older or younger than arthur. oh well!

i want to ruffle merlin's hair

oh these are the lake fairies or whatever right

i am bundling morgana up in a blanket and holding her close. she needs COMFORT she needs someone who BELIEVES her!!!!!!!

merlin is truly too good of a friend

it is kinda sweet actually that arthur trusts merlin so much that he can even struggle under an enchantment forcing him to believe someone else over him 🥺

(i'm such a sucker for soulmates you guys)

THE THING IS... i think this early on arthur would have been willing to keep merlin's magic a secret, if it came out in the right way. like yeah he'd feel betrayed and conflicted but once he cooled down like. it would become pretty obvious that merlin has been using it to help him. and probably save his life on multiple occasions, even only this far into the series. ughhhhhh

GROANS mordred episode......... makes morgana's villain arc so much more annoying later........ like hey! look at all this compassion she has!! haha yeah. so anyway morgana is evil now and only cares about how she's technically a rightful heir to the throne <3

ajsvdjsvdjd "what if magic isn't something you choose... what if it chooses you..." rly love that the first episode is like "people have to actively choose to learn magic otherwise they can't do it" and at this point it's "actually magic is innate"

idk man if a dragon told me i had some great destiny i would suspect it of trying to sell me something. no matter how big and cool the dragon was and even if it sounded super wise and spoke in riddles. strange women lying in ponds distributing swords etc.

damn dude that's your DAUGHTER where's ur fucking heart. #1 worst dad award

yeah merlin just throw it in a lake. it's a good thing no mortal man knows how to SWIM.

merlin really should've come clean in this episode (moment of truth). destiny or not this is probably the safest time to do so. like merlin you KNOW worst case scenario, arthur leaves you behind in the village. best case scenario, he accepts you fully and swears to keep your secret and respects you more, AND you get to use your innate talents to help your home village. ugh

like he DOES get to use magic but someone else covers for him. it's stupid. and the ending is supposed to be like "see it's better he doesn't tell arthur" but like. is it. is it worth it for another 5 seasons of hiding and pretending he can't do incredible things. that doesn't have to be the crux of the series

hedge maze episode i guess

if i ever see someone portray morgana as keeper of the brain cell i will fling myself into the fires of hell. she's JUST as impulsive as merlin and causes just as many problems.

tho admittedly gwen is probably more likely to be assigned Brain Cell Keeper. but she's so likely to go along with what the others come up with i don't think that's a fair assessment of her either

merlin just let uther die already jeez

also you should visit the dragon sometimes just to talk. why is it always "i need your help" "i need your advice"? it's never "hey do you want company". also lmao @ merlin asking for help to protect uther

"arthur's not ready" damn that sucks. can it be any worse than uther tho? (ok probably)

also GOD uther is SO READY to trust in morgana's intentions even tho she's consistently proven herself to be manipulative and more than willing to go against him when she disagrees with him on something. like yeah i meant what i said earlier about her being compassionate but she is also manipulative & selfish and it's incredibly stupid for uther to trust her

"that would make me as bad as him" ok gwen i guess but like. imo you could kill multiple people before you were anywhere near as bad as uther

"your father was the greatest man i've ever known" and so you fucked his wife lmao okay

"i know i'm not an easy man" LMAO

oh he regrets it that means it's fine then alls forgiven

oh rip merlin. it was a nice run

man. merlin's little brother energy is truly off the charts

ok season finale let's go

MAN. i love this monster it's so fucking cool

SIGHS. UTHER.

hey why DID he take merlin to go fight the questing beast. as far as he knows merlin is a clumsy servant with limited fighting ability

i mean it's GOOD that he brought him but still.

i thought arthur was scratched, not bitten?

yeah that was definitely a scratch. maybe it's another case of the cgi not matching the script

i don't remember who dies in arthur's place. hunith? it wasn't gaius, right? (was it???) w/e i'm stopping after this i think regardless

shcsjdvdjdvd is he going to carry that rainwater all the way h--oh nvm it's Water Which Has Been In The Cup not, drinking directly from the cup. anyway i think gaius is going to die. i feel like i should remember this

could you imagine if merlin actually died from this lmao. welp that's the show! roll credits!

is this show implying that merlin was kept safe because he had the rabbits foot

oh i guess it was hunith then ok. rip. narratively gaius would've been more impactful.

ah. THIS is why i couldn't remember who died alright

thinking about that art where two people keep working their way around the other to protect them from a bullet or whatever

merlin is going into the avatar state now

also i think killing nimueh should count here and let gaius live—ah

oh okay. so no one we care about died then. okay.

this show is so fucking stupid

lmao dragons pissed

yeah okay that's enough of that. liveblog done!!!!!!!!

#pangorambles

[the-rat-house]

Under the cut was the original thing I wrote for Galacta and Morpho.

THIS ISN’T CANON TO THE BLOG! And I should rewrite it to be it’s own thing to just. Post lol. And because I, like most things I write, wrote it in the middle of the night on discord.

But a little insight to the muses nonetheless.

Uhh warning for some repetition and Galacta internally being really mean towards Kirby specifically.

Again.

Again.

Again again again againagainaginagainAGAIN!

Freedom thrust upon him only to be wrenched away just as easily. Fights with people who don't know him; who use him. The Strongest Warrior in the Galaxy, naught but a fun little challenge. A plaything. A toy. His worth measured only in his power to entertain them. To stop them, to have them prove their worth.

Nothing but a man forced to live forever to be everyone else's tool.

Not allowed to die- no, no, he doesn't want to die. But he can't even if he did and by the stars he may not have been pure but this was far worse than even sealing life away in Jamba Heart; at least evil got to stay away knowing they were allowed to rest!

Pink eyes flick around fast. The pink one - KIRBY THE BASTARD IS KIRBY- and his friends- JUST WAIT JUST WAIT UNTIL YOU ARE TOO STRONG, KIRBY, JUST WAIT- stand there. Staring. Watching. Preparing.

Another fight.

Again.

Not again, please not again not AGAIN-

A splash of orange above him.

He looks up. A butterfly. It glows. Energy emanates from it in waves. Hot like fire.

'It's coming to me.' He thinks. Of course it is; it's always him, is it not?

Of course it is. It lands on his lance.

'Aeon Hero.'

The voice is not something he can describe. Neither is the magic he feels coursing through his lance, its magic channeling abilities being thrust back upon him in firey glory. It burns- stars, it burns- yet it is most welcome. Unfamiliar and different. Burning like death...

Is he dying?

No.

No, he will not die.

His own power surges against the onslaught.

'What are you?'

'Judgement.'

Internally, he scoffs.

'Judgement!' Bright light begins to glow around him. The attackers are backing away.

'Many lives scream around you.'

What a strange way to word things. Nonsensical, really.

'Do they scream louder than me?'

'They do not.'

Can anything scream louder than him? How could it? He has been screaming for so long. It must have been forever, at this point. Across time, space, dimensions aplenty. Oh, how he screams. No one ever hears.

'I do.'

Galacta Knight closes his eyes.

'I will not die.' There is a certainty and will behind the thought that shakes everyone to their core, though it's impossible for them to know why.

'I will not die. But I will yield.'

The burning grows stronger, yet twists, bending to Galacta's will.

'I give myself to you in everything but my spirit. Judgement.'

The light explodes, forcing the onlookers to look away. Shielding their eyes as the Aeon Hero evaporates into-

Into-

Into-

...

Peace. Warmth. Solidity.

Galacta Knight opens his eyes. Right away he knows that this is somewhere within himself. He stands upon a ground of crystal, looking to a sky full of stars. Fire, so much fire, so far yet so deep within him.

How wonderful. How peaceful. Alone, by his own choice.

For the first time in so long, he feels happy.

'I do not understand.'

The voice rumbles around him, from nowhere, from everywhere. It's comforting.

'This is not freedom.'

"It is." Galacta says, shedding his armor and mask; there was no use for it here. It weighed him down. "I chose this. My freedom is choosing my isolation."

Silence booms around him for seconds - or perhaps hours. He can't tell. He doesn't really care. Opening his eyes, he sees an entity in front of him.

A Batamon, dark as void with beautiful red wings that make the air feel like hell itself. The sensation is wonderful. That must be his savior.

"Thank you, Morpho." The words flow easily, like he didn't have to move a muscle to even bring them into existence.

The butterfly knight tilts its head slightly.

'Morpho?'

"It fits you." Is all Galacta says in explanation.

It stares at him. Morpho stares at him. He smiles lazily at them.

'Very well.'

Whether it likes the name or not does not matter. Judgement is now Morpho. So says the Aeon Hero, whose screams had finally been met with kindness. No longer is this his fight.

Hatred burns as an endless fuel. Galacta Knight will provide that fuel.

#non rp #mun art #lore tag #(sorta? explains some things with gala and morpho despite being noncanon) #(also yes i definitely have mentioned this story and rewriting it before but i don't recall when that was) #(nor if i ever actually posted the story itself SO if i have made this exact post before im sorry akjlghsd)