#anyway elder brother figures include

[general-cyno]

ehh it's just me musing but. I do find it a little curious that (depending on who likes whom I guess) cora is usually either seen as some saintly flawless goofy figure or a brainwashed cop who got killed because he refused to try and save his brother. I do think his character is not exactly easy to pinpoint, considering he appears for a very short time and in a flashback nonetheless, plus the fact that he's dead means no further fleshing out of his character - broadly speaking - outside of the people who knew him and are willing to provide insight on what he was like, though that'd still be kinda biased.

however I believe there's actually a bunch of things that were straight up shown and some that can be pieced together from what little panel/screen time he had: ie how he's seemingly more bad tempered, impulsive and violent than he's portrayed as in fanon at times, albeit motivated by his own priorities at the moment (trying to kick the shit out of law to stop him from exposing cora to doflamingo) + his sense of what's right and wrong and to whom it applies (punching medical staff and setting hospitals on fire for mistreating law, whom he'd been trying to help).

specifically about the navy and doflamingo part... it irks me a little, tbh. partly because it removes what little agency cora had during the flashbacks and sort of waters down his motivation to stop his brother. it's not just whatever crimes doflamingo was committing or planning to back then and the navy wanting to put a stop to that - the thing is that cora was influenced, at least to an extent, to oppose doflamingo based on their childhood experiences with (ofc) the more negative ones, which include doffy murdering their father right in front of him, overshadowing anything else. as he tells law, cora can't fathom how their kind parents could've borne someone as evil as his brother. and yet. that's the other thing. cora was very much a child, and younger than doflamingo at that, when the elder DQs chose to leave marijoa and all that it entailed after. between all the traumatic events he lived through and later being raised by a marine (sengoku of all people), I'll be the first to say his perception of those events, of their parents and doffy himself is not really the most unbiased or reliable. we don't see him questioning the existence of celestial dragons (beyond warning law he's in danger when cora finds out about the D) nor the nature of the WG/the marines and the antagonistic role they play in OP's universe. we didn't have him long enough for those things to be put to question deeply anyway, especially not wrt to doflamingo, so imo it makes sense that his focus wasn't on "saving" but stopping him.

that said... he does witness the worst of it, kind of. through law. law is the very reason why I don't agree with the idea of cora being simply a brainwashed cop. this guy watched how people (those who should care) mistreated, dehumanized and demonized a sick child over prejudices caused by the lies the nobles and WG itself relied on to sweep their own corruption under the rug. he saw first hand how all those doctors ran to call the WG to kill the child and how they answered to do that. and what did he do? he lied and betrayed the organization he'd been part of (presumably for more than the years he spent undercover) and the man who'd raised him like a son just to save the kid that everyone, even the so called justice, had turned his back on and would've gotten rid of if given the chance. heck, when he first brought up the topic of law with sengoku, the man basically told him not to favor him too much for it could jeopardize his mission.

but perhaps the biggest proof is that he lied to law about being a marine when the latter directly asked if cora was one. as he later admits, cora lied to him about this because he didn't want law to hate him - and knowing all law lived through (flevance), seeing some of it himself (their hospital shenanigans) and what law told him as well, cora knew he had plenty of understandable and justified reasons to hate anyone ever slightly associated with the marines or the WG, including cora. to me, someone who's completely blinded by the navy/WG propaganda and follows their every order to the letter without thought wouldn't have denied his own affiliation nor been so determined to ditch being a marine and make an enemy out of those institutions (even if that also meant betraying his father figure) just to save, protect and do right by a child who'd been clearly failed by them. at no point did cora ever try to argue that Not All Marines, much less express any other sentiments of that sort to law.

on a similar vein, despite insisting doflamingo was evil and an agent of destruction - law is also the proof cora was somewhat aware that his brother (and people like doflamingo) normally don't pop out of nowhere and do Terrible Things just because. that maybe in other (better) circumstances, doffy might've become someone different and/or made different choices. after all, cora is the one who points out the similarities between doflamingo and law, and eventually does his best to turn law's life around so that he won't follow the same path. should he have tried to save doflamingo as well? when? how? would it have worked? who knows. and if you ask me, regardless of their similarities at that moment in time, doffy was already a grown ass man compared to law and cora himself was just an even younger kid when shit hit the fan in their childhood. I'm not sure doflamingo (as an adult) would've been particularly receptive of "help" either, considering his disdain for the kindness in cora and their father that he saw as a weakness. not to mention waaay too many other factors that come into play also (trebol and co's grooming and influence for example). still, one of them did pull the literal trigger in the end and it wasn't cora, so there's that.

all in all, for a character with such a short lived amount of time in the story - cora is quite the complex one and so very compelling. characterizing him as just strictly one thing or the other can be a little reductive but the fact that his character can be explored beyond that in the first place (once more, despite his lil bit of alive and onscreen moments) is what's fun and says a lot about the writing itself.

#tp #one piece #donquixote rosinante #donquixote corazon #I need to chew on him like he's a dog toy #mentally ill abt a dead guy who was in like 5 out of 1000+ chapters. life is good #also before someone misunderstands fics and such are free real state these characters are dolls to play with #I'm talking abt canon specific scenarios

[pianocat939]

I'm sitting here stranded by snow the height of a 6/7-year-old child and just living with it. It's fucking winter wonderland and it's great.

This can be read as romantic/platonic whatever you interpret it as.

(To be honest, I feel like there really isn't any) Tw: If you aren't used to snow you might die hah weaklings

December Disentangle

"I'm cold~ Give me an arm or a leg~" Leo whines, arms outstretched with layers upon layers of blankets on his body. He shivers, the frosty temperatures chilling his veins.

"If it'll get you to stop whining then sure." Y/n unamusedly stares at him for a moment before sinking onto the sofa next to him. They cross their arms, staring at a random wall.

While the pair rest on the furniture, Donnie and Mikey are in the lab, bickering with each other.

"You need to get the power up and running again really soon because I am not having them stay so cold! Think about how uncomfortable they are right now!" Mikey complains to his elder brother, his brow muscles furrowed in dismay. He turns around, clutching a few candles in his hands.

Donnie sighs in frustration as he hurriedly rewires everything while trying to figure out the breakage in the electrical current. "'Angelo I'm almost having a breakthrough here, now make sure to tuck in the edges of the blanket to maintain enough body heat...For them at least, since we're not warm-blooded."

"Get it up and runnin' Donnie! I put my trust in you, my man!" Mikey calls out as he exits the lab, plastering a smile on his face as he excitedly skips to the duo on the couch.

Leo dramatically puts a hand to his chest, a snarky tone coming out from his mouth, "When will Donald get the power working again, I'm literally freezing!" He kicks his feet over Y/n's legs, trying to take as much space as possible.

"Now, now, Leo, he's working really hard and is going to get it back soon. Anyway, move over! I'm cold too!" He pushes Leo's legs aside and sits down on the other side of Y/n, nuzzling his face onto their arm.

"What are we going to do about those candles? Did you just bring it out here for nothing?" The middle one questions, further leaning back into the cushion. Despite their interrogation, no response answers back, just some grunts of acknowledgment.

"I gotta lighter here. Let me light 'em." Raph enters from a distant corridor, holding a firearm-shaped contraption. He takes the candles from Mikey's arms and lights them one by one, placing them on the table in front of the couch. "There, should be a bit warmer."

He stares at the warm bunch and steps closer, hesitating about what he should do. He walks to the edge of the sofa, and then falls forward, crashing onto the other three's laps. Yelps of surprise and complaints come from the group, not impressed with Raph.

"Raphhhh, you're heavyyyyyy!"

"Ow! I already have Leo's legs on my lap!"

"EXCUSE ME, MY LEGS ARE GONNA GET CHOPPED OFF!"

Raph chuckles and nuzzles closer, absorbing the heat trailing through the bodies. "I'm cold too, y'know. Now stop complaining."

They don't persist and try to sleep, having nothing to do with the power out.

——————————————————

"Brothers I have gotten the power back up, now we shall be able to return to our daily routines..." Donnie trails off, processing the sight before him. He frowns slightly, his shoulders slumping a little. "As much as I hate physical touch, I wish to be included in your group." He walks up to one of the arms of the sofa, and climbs upon it, sitting quite close to Leo's shoulder. He leans back, resting his head on the top of the couch.

Winter, a time of cold yet brings even the strongest to the warmth.

——————————————————

I wonder how the turtles survive in New York sometimes. Like it's probably not as bad as I live but it's still the North (I suppose in the Rottmnt version Splinter's human genetics might make them more resistant). Idk thoughts at midnight ig

Sorry I haven’t much in a while, procrastination takes over my brain.

- Celina

#ROTTMNT #rottmnt x reader #rise of the teenage mutant ninja turtles #rise of the tmnt #tmnt2018 #Raph #Leo #Donnie #Mikey #tmnt #tmnt x reader

[lightphieric]

Virtue's Last Record: Now's Your Chance To Be A

Left D-10 knows he's different from the other Myrmidons. He just can't figure out how. Title from the Deltarune OST. CWs: Cults and religious abuse, including of the physical variety. Bullying/peer abuse. AO3

He’s sixteen when he’s given the title of commander. He accepts with the grace and humility that’s been beaten into him. Once his elders have dispersed and he’s alone with his own generation, he whoops and hollers and blows raspberries at his peers – future subordinates, now. He even names a few he threatens to subject to ritual purification as soon as the title is official.

This is exactly what he’s always felt he deserved. The Myrmidons are supposed to be a race of equals, but he has always been treated like he is lower. His brothers simply don’t like him. That’s what they act like, at least, to the point of locking him out of the dormitories or sneaking foreign substances into his food. It’s not fair. He’s pretty much owed some power to make up for what he’s been denied.

The reason he’s given as to why he was chosen was some line about being the perfect physical specimen. He’s seen the same photos of Left that everyone else has, so he knows it’s bullshit. His nose isn’t quite crooked enough, his eyes sparkle too much and he’s not so bowlegged. D-15 would have been a better fit if physicality were the only criterion. Still, he knows better than to complain. Whatever Brother’s rationale, it’s elevated him to the station he deserves and he shouldn’t question that.

His subordinates continue to do nothing but question. When his voice finally dies from too much gloating, he starts to hear how his brothers scoff and laugh. He overhears C-02 wondering aloud if some mistake has been made; the older Myrmidon is the first one he sentences to a public lashing (the purification he threatened them all with is out of his authority, as it turns out – he’s military, not a priest). But even as he establishes himself as ruthless and thirsty for vengeance, he doesn’t feel nearly as feared as he ought to be. He still feels so many eye rolls at his back.

He's the commander of the Myrmidons now. And yet, he feels like he’s right back where he started, beaten down by the disrespect of his brothers. It’s just not fair, and the anger roils bitterly in his gut. They were all supposed to be the same. It would be so much easier if he was the same. But there is something different about him. Brother sees it. The Myrmidons see it. And unfortunately for him, if he can’t be greater than the rest like he is in Brother’s vision, that means that he can only be lesser.

His faith is strong. He never doubts Free the Soul or the holiness of his Master. But the question of whether he is truly fit to serve them lingers in the back of his mind. When he meets her, the question grips him by the throat and pulls him down into sin. She tells him her name – Monique – and raises a brow as she waits for him to share his own. He finds himself panicked and flustered; he’s already exchanged a word too many with this outsider, but she’s so beautiful he doesn’t want to let the conversation die.

I’m a great leader, he reasons. The rules don’t apply to me.

I’m a weak disappointment. I can’t be expected to keep up with the rules, anyway.

It’s the first time he ever identifies himself as Dio, a corruption of his Myrmidon identification number that that makes him sound like he’s not what he is. Monique smiles; she likes the sound of it. She spends the night showing him what a life outside of the Myrmidons could look like. He can’t get his brothers out of his mind, however. He knows he’s proving them right, acting pathetic and unworthy.

Then again, Monique is quite the irresistible temptation. If he ever manages to pull himself away from her, he’ll have proven himself more worthy than the rest of them combined.

#zero escape #dio vlr #fanfiction #my writing #virtue's last reward #vlr spoilers #suggested supplemental reading if you've read sinners/saints tbh

[mistfallengw2]

TIME FOR MORE BARELY COHERENT RAMBLES

On the topic of Aurelia being "not a mother but weirdly motherly" towards others, I want to point out that in her mind that means making extra sure they're looking after themselves (food, sleep, being safe), that they know how to fight just in case, that they can ask her to help with anything, instinctively prioritizing their well-being during combat, and of course awkwardly hovering around them if she feels like they could need help (words are hard so that's the next best thing). That's a given with Adamas and he's the only one she's forward about it (calling him son and so on), but what makes it extra amusing to me is that she ended up with more "kids" than expected by consistently acting like that regardless of her being Commander-levels of busy. [under readmore because it got long oops]

- Aurene is as close to a daughter to her as an elder dragon can, to the point she and Adamas (and Tocchix by proxy) refer to each other as siblings. Aurelia has complex feelings about it due to external factors (mostly self-doubt and such), but surprisingly she's overall okay with it, at least in private.

- Tocchix is in the previously mentioned awkward spot of being her son's adoptive brother, and she genuinely cares for him beyond what's expected in regards to Adamas's wellbeing. On Tocchix's side, things are similar and he admires her a lot, and he quickly settled on considering her extended family, akin to Alyt (who he calls his aunt for simplicity).

- Markus was the first to help her after she tumbled out of the Mists, and he did so in spite of her being almost feral due to the trauma of it all. In turn that sparked lots of motherly and protective feelings towards that kid who has now grown up into a fine Lionguard, but it'd be weird for a charr to consider a human like a son, right? As for Markus, you could refer to Aurelia as his mother and he'd need a few long seconds to register what you said (to be fair, for a long time he did want her to stay at the farm and become his second mother).

- Taimi jokes a lot about her acting like a mother and fretting about her health because it's annoying to her, but she also likes seeing Aurelia being a softie in general. To Aurelia, that's just looking out for her like anyone should (you gotta make sure all soldiers can keep up, especially if younger or wounded), and seeing her grow up in spite of her difficulties made her particularly attached to the young prodigy. She likes listening to her ramble about stuff beyond her ability to comprehend.

- Braham is in a weird spot, because she doesn't want to be Eir's substitute, but she does feel like she has to take on the role to make amends for failing to save her. Braham obviously had a lot to unpack in the mommy issues department, and Aurelia was "okay" with letting him unleash his grievances on her (something something she feels like Adamas should have done that with her, so that feels deserved in her mind), though she did draw the line when he put himself in danger. Now that things are settled, the dynamic is healthier and he does genuinely consider her as the mother figure that is there when he needs it, and jokes about it are not uncommon (picked it up from Taimi).

- All of the above's partners get gradually included in the motherly treatment by extention. It's in the name after all, you know, children in-law. Still, it's often done to a more awkward degree, because she's more intentional with it. Maeveryl likes her so they don't mind (HoT was a rough time, but in hindsight they appreciated her being realistic about things), Deryn thinks she's awesome (and she's used to having additional parental figures anyway), Huki was a bit intimidated at first but now thinks it's a cute thing (and pushes Tocchix to be more forward with her), Fynn and Kai find it funny (mostly because they can poke fun at Markus for it), Gorrik is Gorrik (Aurelia did try to show interest in bugs one time, and now he eagerly prepares lectures in advance). - Ellara called her mommy once as a joke and she never recovered.

#Aurelia is basically that “batman orphan birds” pic. I still need to draw her like that #rambles #Aurelia Dragonwings

[robotnik-mun]

An Alternative Take on Enerjak

Well its been a while since I jawed about anything Sonic related, so, I thought I might share this. As many of you are aware, I’ve pretty harshly criticized the Knuckles Lore as devised by Ken Penders. And with good reason- a LOT of it doesn’t really hold up under scrutiny. That said? I actually like a lot of the ideas presented, at least on paper, and that includes ol Enerjak.

So I got to thinking of an alternative take on Enerjak’s story- something that follows similar beats while maybe explaining his actions and defeat a bit better. So, hope you enjoy this... whatever it is. Because while I do like later additions to the Enerjak idea, a part of me is still attached to the notion of there being only one Enerjak. Even if Penders own writing contradicts the notion... but, anyway, I had a Thought, and I figured I might as well share.

Okay basically it goes like this-

Several generations ago, Angel Island was created when the echidna scientists Jordann and Kayla-La used the power of the Master Emerald to save their home city of Echidnapolis (and the smaller Echidna cities and towns that surrounded it) by lifting it into the sky, and in doing so lifted an enormous, island-sized chunk of the surrounding land.

Unfortunately in doing this, the Echidna accidentally stranded several neighboring populations of non-Echdina on the island with them- most infamously the Dingo, whose civilization was utterly destroyed by the creation of the Island. Once a major power in their own right, the Dingo are little better than refugees on Angel Island. Receiving no help from the Echidna, the Dingo gather what they can and resettle elsewhere on the island. To survive and conserve resources they gradually organize themselves into a nation that functions like a massive army, where military officers hold all positions of leadership.

After generations of advancement and planning, the Dingo surge forth against their ancient enemy and thus set off the first Dingo War. This is the time in which Jordann and Kayla-La’s descendants, Dimitri and Edmund grow up. A pair of brilliant scientists specializing in Chaos Energy, the two are grimly aware of the fact that the war is going against the Echidna and there is a good chance their people could lose. Despite the technological advantage, the Dingo are ruthless, relentless and unyielding.

The brothers then devise a desperate plan based upon the old legends of the Master Emerald- building a device, the Chaos Siphon, in order to transfer the power of the Master Emerald into an Echidna and use its power to defeat the Dingo armies in a fell swoop. When the Siphon is completed, the pair present their plan to the Echidnapolis Council of Elders.

While the military applications are acknowledged, the brothers’ proposition is denied. The reasons range from practical- worrying that interfering with the Master Emerald’s energies could damage or even destroy the island, to religious- the Master Emerald is a sacred gift from Aurora and it is sacrilege to treat it in such a manner. 

You can pretty much guess how it goes from here- Dimitri, his pride wounded and his desperation mounting as the Dingo advance closer and closer to Echidnapolis, decides to take matters into his own hands. He breaches the Hidden Palace of the Master Emerald and uses the Chaos Siphon himself, and in doing so grants himself tremendous power. Using his newfound power, Dimitri becomes the champion of the Echidna people- by his hand the armies of the Dingo are destroyed, and almost overnight Echidnapolis is saved and Dimitri is proclaimed a hero.

At first things are good. Dimitri uses his new powers to help repair the damage done to the Echidna settlements, gaining much favor and admiration in the eyes of the public. A few even declare him to be the second coming of Aurora... those closest to Dimitri, namely his brother, begin to notice unsettling changes in his personality. While Dimitri was always a little full of himself, he begins to demonstrate a hubristic and vindictive streak that wasn’t previously there. He becomes increasingly distant and increasingly ruthless in fighting the Dingo, until things escalate to the point where he personally levels the Dingo capital of Dingopolis despite the Dingo no longer being a threat.

Edmund can only watch in dismay and increasing terror as Dimitri’s actions win him further support among the Echidna. Echidnapolis slowly begins to split down the middle, between those who support Dimitri and those who are wary of any Echidna holding his power. Things grow worse as Dimitri increasingly begins to act independently of the Council of Elders and becomes increasingly high-handed and controlling. With the Dingo no longer a threat he begins to focus on the ‘enemy within’ Echidnapolis itself, targeting criminals and ‘criminals’.

The inevitable then happens. Using his powers, Dimitri overthrows the Council of Elders and declares himself the new ruler of Angel Island. In his speech to the population Dimitri raves about how Echidna technology is a divine gift that has allowed him to become a God, and how he has been chosen to reclaim the world for the Echdina and resurrect the Echidna Empire of old and take their rightful place as the Fifth Great Civilization. He then renounces his old name and declares he is “Enerjak”, a name derived from the ancient title of Ehn-Ra-Ja’k, a title of Echidna emperors meaning “The God Made Flesh”.

Echidnapolis security forces scramble to contain Enerjak, but it is no use. Nothing can stand against his power, and Echidnapolis becomes his own private domain. He uses his powers to raise a great tower that will serve as his own personal fortress. He sets the population to begin work to expand the city, with plans to convert the entire island into a massive warship that will be used to conquer and control all of Mobius. Edmund, confronted with his brother’s descent into full blown megalomaniacal insanity, makes an impossible choice. Using the research of the Chaos Siphon, Edmund builds an Anti-Chaos weapon- a spear that will absorb the energy and kill his brother.

When the weapon is completed, Edmund then sneaks out of Echidnapolis and approaches the reclusive and mysterious Fire Ants. Hearing rumors of their telepathic abilities, Edmund beseeches them to help him in stopping Enerjak. Realizing that Enerjak will eventually become a threat to them as well, the Fire Ants agree to aid in defeating Enerjak. Within Enerjak’s dark tower Edmund approaches his brother and gives him one last chance to change course, to return to the Siphon and remove his powers as originally planned. Enerjak rebukes his brother and attacks him.

At that moment the Fire Ants make their move. Using their collective telepathic might, they focus the power of the Hive Mind against Enerjak... against the Echidna godling, it is just enough to inflict pain on him and distract him long enough for Edmund to draw the spear, and impale Enerjak against a rock. Seemingly killed, the tower sustained by Enerjak’s dark will crumbles. Edmund barely escapes with his life, and Enerjak is buried beneath the rubble.

In the aftermath of Enerjak’s madness, the Echidna begin to rebuild... and begin to ask serious questions about themselves and whether or not their science and technology has led them down a dark path. While the Echidna debate, Dimitri’s young son Menniker mourns the loss of the father he idolized... and in his grief, he swears his father whispering. A terrible schism will break apart not only Edmund’s family but the Echidna people on the whole, with centuries of conflict and bloodshed resulting.

And all the while, beneath the ruin of his tower, Enerjak lays dormant. Not truly killed by Edmund’s weapon, his body remains as if in stasis even if his last shred of power lets him reach out in small ways.

Centuries after his defeat, another will use the power of the Chaos Emeralds to defeat another tyrant... and the energies released by the use of the Seven Emeralds will give Enerjak the nudge he needs to overcome his predicament.

Enerjak Lives...

Aaand that’s a revised take on Enerjak’s backstory! KEep in mind I haven’t thought out the whole story of the Brotherhood and Legion after that, and honestly if you want a great generational story of the Guardians you should scope out @sally-mun​‘s The Brotherhood series. Seriously, it’s good!

Otherwise? Yeah, just something I was mulling over. Hope you can get something out of all of it.

#Sonic the Hedgehog #Archie #Dimitri the Echidna #Enerjak #Edmund the Echidna #Dark Legion

[casspurrjoybell-17]

HEART'S DESIRE - CHAPTER 33

*Warning: Adult Content*   

After breakfast, Montreal Hunter, helps his father with the dishes, washing and rinsing them in a pair of big, outdoor basins.

"So, how's it feel?" Monty asks, handing Joseph Hunter a clean pan to dry. "Giving up the Alpha, I mean."

Mr Hunter takes the pan and dries it carefully.

"Good, in a way. Like setting down a load I'd forgotten I was carrying. Course, I worry for my boy. Dane's got a habit of picking up loads that aren't his to carry."

Monty glances aside to where his elder brother, Alpha Dane Hunter sits with his mate, Julian Hart and their children, at the table beneath the spreading boughs of the old tree, looking both wild and regal, the Wolf lord and his Fae prince.

"He carries it well, though," Monty says.

Mr Hunter smiles. 

The morning light catches in his gray hair and his face bears the marks of many years but his back is straight and his spirit is strong.

"That he does," he says, allowing a hint of pride into his tone. 

"And what about you, Montreal? How does it feel to be Mated at last?"

Monty’s face warms and he plunges his hands in the soapy water, fishing for another dish. 

"Good. Happy."

"Good. I want to see all my children happy before I'm called to the great Wild beyond."

"Hey now, none of that." 

Monty keeps his tone light but his heart constricts at his words. He hands his father a platter and he wipes it dry. 

"No harm being realistic. You heard what Doc Meyer said."

"She said you'd be fine, long as you take care of yourself."

"Gotta listen between the lines, son," he says, his dark eyes glinting as he looks askance at me. 

"Lot of 'ifs' in there."

"Dad."

Mr Hunter waves his hand at his son.

"Stop. It is what it is and I'm not going anywhere yet. Figure I got a few good years left in me. Best to keep expectation low, is all. Better to be pleasantly surprised than to hope the moon never sets and be disappointed when it does."

Monty hands him another dish and he dries it before placing it in the stack.

"Anyways, there are many roads to happiness. Finding a Mate's just one of 'em. Plenty folks, Wolves included, live full, joyous lives without ever focusing all their love on one person. You, though..." he glances at Monty again. "I think you need somebody to love you, Montreal and I'm glad you found that in Kit."

Monty looks over to where his little fox lover sits with Noah and Sasha, the former showing him how to download books to a tablet the latter had given him and his face warms again.

"Me, too, Dad."

Mr Hunter flicks his son playfully with his towel, prompting him to get back to work and wash the next dish.

"Hey, once all this blows over," he says, as if all their troubles are a small, passing thunderstorm, 

"We'll have a proper celebration for you two. Maybe in the spring. I always thought Wolf weddings should be spring affairs."

"I'd like that," Monty says, feeling his face grow warmer still. 

Monty can see it clearly in his mind. Kit, looking like a little slice of heaven, with flowers in his hair.

                                                       ~ ☾ ~

The following days are busy and exhausting, as Dane puts them all to work, training for battle. 

Some are already well-honed weapons, like Freya but some of us are a little out of practice when it comes to Wolf warfare. 

Sasha throws herself into it with surprising vigor, finding emotional release in physical exertion and even the Outcasts join in, Ophelia runs with the Wolves, while Ed watches little Kitka and the twins. 

Julian, Ambrose and Darius each have their own strengths and as Monty watches them, he can't help thinking Dire Ferrault would be a fool to attack them outright. 

Noah agrees.

"That's why he'll go the 'Challenge' route," he says, sitting beside Monty on a fallen log as they take a break from 'practice' to eat some lunch. 

"One-on-one, Alpha-to-Alpha. Either he wins and takes our Pack or Dane wins and sends his packing."

"What's the point of all this, then?" Ed asks, pouring Sasha a glass of lemonade from the pitcher. 

"If y'all are just gonna follow these 'Wolf rules' anyway?"

Noah pushes his glasses up his nose. 

"If we can avoid unnecessary bloodshed, we will," he says. 

"That's why the Challenge exists, it stops Packs from tearing each other to shreds by letting the leaders do the fighting. But we have to be ready to defend ourselves, nonetheless. Ferrault wants our territory, he's less interested in our Pack, especially our non-traditional members. If things go badly, everyone who's not a full-blooded Wolf will be in danger."

Monty Hunter look around. 

Not a full-blooded Wolf, covers a good portion of the people he loves. 

Elena snorts. 

She sits across from them with her husband, Martin on another bench-like log, clothed in a loose robe for ease of Shifting form. 

Monty had been a bit surprised when she'd joined them but he’s less surprised to hear her express herself now.

"This is the trouble with mating outside the Packs," she says. 

"Diluted blood is weak blood and weak blood makes a weak Pack. The rest of us suffer for it."

"Elena..." Martin remonstrates gently. 

"That isn't true."

"Isn't it?" she snaps, her eyes cold and hard. 

"Why should our children be endangered for your brother's..." she cuts herself off, thankfully and huffs. 

"All I'm saying is, there is value in tradition. It exists for a reason and to flout it invites bad luck."

She looks across at Ed as she says this and at little Kitka in his arms. 

He stares back, undaunted and bristling and Elena looks away first.

"I'm tired," she announces, rising. 

"I'm going home to rest. Martin, come."

With a glance of apology, he follows her. 

Monty watches them leave and feels a twinge of guilt twist his heart. 

He'd been putting off the conversation he meant to have with Martin because they'd all been so busy and he'd seemed happier than he'd seen him yet, these past few days.

 As he trails after his mate and disappears among the trees, Monty realizes he can't put it off much longer. 

If there's a chance Elena sympathizes with Dire Ferrualt's views, she could be a weak link and Dane needs to know.

                                                        ~ ☾ ~

The next day, Martin doesn't join them, though. 

He says he has some work to do and needs to finish a manuscript. 

Ed and Ophelia are absent as well and Monty hopes it's not because of what Elena said. 

Troubled by the possible rift, Monty decides to visit Martin that evening after dinner, when he knows Elena will be gone for her night shift at the hospital. 

They're about halfway through their meal, however, gathered inside around Sasha's table, when Dane's phone rings.

“It's the sheriff," he says, looking at the screen and excuses himself to answer it. 

He listens to whatever the sheriff says and Monty can tell by the way his face goes through about four shades of grim that it's not good news.

"Understood. We'll be there soon." 

Dane ends the call and looks up at them. 

"There's been another fire," he says.

"Where?" Freya asks, on her feet already.

"The mobile-home park."

Kit gasps. 

"Ophie?"

Dane nods. 

"She's alright. But... I'm afraid Ed and the baby are missing."

"Fire is my element," Ambrose says, rising as well, with Noah at his side. 

"I may be able to help."

"I'm coming, too," Monty says.

"Me, too," Astrid Hunter offers. 

"No matter what happens, good or bad, Ophelia will need support."

In the end, only Julian and Mr Hunter remain behind to watch the twins, while the rest of them pile into various vehicles and head for the edge of town. 

They see the lights before anything else, the orange blaze of fire lighting the sky amid the flashing red and blue of firetrucks, ambulances and sheriff's cars. 

Ed and Ophelia's trailer is not the only casualty and it looks like half the park is ablaze. 

Police have cordoned off the area, keeping people back and trying to account for all the residents. 

Monty spots Ophelia immediately, mostly because four large deputies are fighting to restrain her and keep her away from the flames. 

She screams and cries, soot streaking her pale face and her voice is raw with smoke and anguish. Monty and Kit go to her as Dane goes to find the sheriff. 

The rest hang back a bit, surveying the scene.

"Ophie," Kit calls and she breaks free of the deputies and falls into his arms, sobbing helplessly.

"My Ed. My baby." she cries. 

"Oh God, my baby."

"What happened?" Monty asks, kneeling at her side as she and Kit sinks to the ground. 

"Can you tell me?"

"I just went for groceries," she wails.

"We were all out of milk and Ed was tired, so I went. And when I came back..." she gestures at the fire helplessly.

"You're sure they were still... inside?"

She shakes her head.

"I don't know, I don't know! They won't let me get close."

Monty glances up as a hand settles on his shoulder. 

Ambrose stands above him. 

"I'll look," he says. 

"The fire won't harm me."

He slips away into the shadows, evading the deputies. 

Astrid Hunter joins them, draping a blanket around Sasha's shoulders and wrapping her in a hug. 

She continues to cry and cough with a rough, dry bark that hurts to hear. 

Astrid Hunter leans close and sniffs at the soot and ash clinging to her hair.

"You breathed the smoke?" she asks. Sasha shakes her head and coughs some more. 

"Not much."

Monty leans in for a sniff as well but doesn't detect anything particular. His mother always had the best nose, though.

"What is it?"

"Wolfsbane, if I'm not mistaken."

"You're not," Noah says, joining them with a rag pressed over his mouth. His eyes are red and watering. 

"It's in the smoke. This was no accident."

Ophelia collapses into tears again, crying Ed and Kitka's names, the keening sounds tearing little holes in Monty’s heart. 

Meanwhile, despite their willingness to help, there's not much any of them can do. 

Shortly, Ambrose returns. 

He must have taken his clothes off before going into the flames because they're still intact and not smoldering. 

He shakes his head. 

"I'm sorry, Ophie. There's no trace of them. Just fire and ash."

She continues to cry and Kit and Monty join her with tears of their own. 

Abruptly, she stops and looks up, red-rimmed eyes wide. 

Then they hear it, too. 

A  distant call above the roar of the fire and the shouts of those fighting it.

"Ophelia. Ophelia."

She's on her feet. 

"Ed!?"

A figure approaches from the dark, a bundle of blankets in its arms. 

The blanket shifts and Monty sees Kitka's golden curls and sky-blue eyes, wide with fear and recent tears. 

Choking back a cry, Ophelia runs to them and the three collide in an embrace, Ed weeping as openly as his mate as he kisses her and strokes her sooty hair.

"We hid," he says. 

"We hid in the woods. But it was Kitka who saved us. She must've smelled something and she started to cry. I looked outside and saw the smoke starting, all around, in a ring. So I just grabbed her and ran. A moment later it was all flames. A moment later and we'd..."

Ophelia silences him with another kiss, squishing little Kitka and then kissing her, too, speechless with joy and weak with relief. 

It takes a while but at last they're calm enough to give the sheriff statements and be cleared by the EMTs. 

Ed and Kitka are unharmed and fortunately Ophelia hadn't breathed much smoke. 

Finally, with the fires under control and everyone accounted for, we leave, bringing Ophelia and her family with us. 

It's late when we get back to Sasha's house and all the lights are off inside. 

Julian had probably put the twins to bed hours ago and not wanting to wake them, the rest of us stay outside. 

Monty and Kit surrender their tent to Ophie and Ed, they can sleep under the stars in their fur, if need be. 

The others busy themselves gathering supplies of blankets and toiletries for their guests and Sasha offers to lend Ophelia some clean clothes, as the two wear a similar size. 

She goes inside to get them and then they hear her scream. 

Dane drops the basket of soaps and towels he's carrying and sprints after her, Monty and Kit and on his heels. 

Sasha kneels beside her father where he lies on the kitchen floor. 

Dane dashes past her and up the stairs, while Monty drops to his knees and check for a pulse. 

He finds one and hangs his head with relief. 

A moment later, Dane returns, grim-faced and furious. 

"They're not here," he says.

With sudden clarity, Monty Hunter understands... the Outcasts weren't the real targets, after all.

[always-inquilab]

Father Figures are OUT!!! FUCK FATHER FIGURES!! ELDER BROTHER FIGURES ARE IN!!!  I JUST WANT A BROTHER WHO WILL TEASE ME AND MAKE FUN OF ME BUT ALSO PROTECT ME AND PUT HIS ARMS AROUND AND BE LIKE IT’S OKAY YOU’RE SAFE NOW, YOU’VE GOT ME, US AGAINST THE WORLD, ALWAYS. YOU KNOW?!!?!!?! FATHER FIGURES CAN’T DO THAT, WE DON’T NEED THEM, THEY’RE DISAPPOINTMENTS!!

#and if youre like oh why not an elder sister #why do you not want an elder sister #bet its ur internalized misogyny #why do you need big strong man to take care of you huh #bet u secretly think men are stronger or whatever #then let me tell you #no #its because i am THE ELDEST SISTER!!! #AND IT SUCKS!!! #BEING THE ELDEST SISTER SUCKS SO MUCH PLEASE MY GOD #I WOULD NOT WISH THIS BURDEN ON MY WORST ENEMY #anyway elder brother figures include #nie mingjue #lan xichen #alec lightwood #i suddenly cant think of any but i know they are there #steve harrington #alastair carstairs

[suguruswife]

Slashers reacting to their future S/O trying to cheer them up.

includes: Bo and Vicent Sinclair, Thomas Hewitt, Michael Myers and Billy Lenz X GN S/O.

Warnings: Mentions of cannibalism and violence. Nothing explicit. Maybe ooc.

Well, I literally saw Black Christmas two days ago and it was entertaining. I liked Billy and Jess was hot as hellllllll

The best way to get to a man's heart is to cook him something delicious, or so people say.

Anyway I hope you like this :)

Vicent Sinclair.

You haven't heard from Vicent since today's fight he had with Bo.

Clearly it was a very one-sided fight, Vicent would never go against Bo but that didn't mean he didn't get angry.

It had started when Bo had gotten out of control with one of the victims to the point where they were unrecognizable. It was practically impossible to fix them and Vincent was disappointed that yet another victim was wasted in that way.

Thus began Bo's screams, blaming everyone, exclaiming that you were all a bunch of useless and that he was the only one who contributed things to the house.

Once again, the elder twin's fury caused great tension in the house.

So after not having seen Vicent all day, you decided to bring him something to snack and do, maybe that would cheer him up.

"Hey, Vin, can I come in?" you heard a hum of affirmation and walked in, a tray in one hand and a notebook in the other.

Your eyes saw a concentrated and visibly frustrated Vicent, he seemed to be making a small sculpture. Taking a deep breath, you slowly approached him.

"I heard what happened today, Vin. I figured maybe you were a little down so I brought you cookies with some tea." You laughed when you saw how he turned abruptly at the mention of the cookie. "In my family we always ate something sweet when we felt bad or wanted to activate our brain."

You put the plate next to him and saw how his gaze fell on the notebook you were holding.

"Oh, this? I thought we could draw something together to, you know, distract ourselves," You couldn't see his face but you felt the curious look from him, so you continued, "You don't have to force yourself to do anything with me, it just seemed like we could do an entertaining activity just the two of us." The words came out calmer than ever, fearing to provoke him even more.

But it was Vincent, he wouldn't be mad at you even if he wanted to.

Suddenly, you heard the creaking noise of the chair, you saw how the man got up and went to grab another chair. Another chair for you.

"So, can I stay?" The only answer he gave you was a slight nod.

Feeling bold, you rested your hand on his and saw how now his head turned towards you.

"It's okay to feel frustrated when things don't go well. It's not a bad thing to feel angry at yourself or others, that makes you human, Honey. And that's what you are, a human." Giving one last strong squeeze to his hand, you withdrew your hand and began to pull out the colored pencils, without noticing that the man next to you had become too nervous.

Shaking hands from your touch and a heart full of happiness at your beautiful gesture.

He already knew who he'd draw in this activity.

-

Bo Sinclair.

Tense atmosphere? You and the occupants of the house knew a lot about it when Bo was angry.

The routine was always the same, the older brother would arrive at noon to have something made by you or Vicent for lunch, and as soon as he finished, he would go back to doing his 'job'. Simple and easy.

Until everything wasn't simple and easy. 

There were times when the victims would put up a rude fight, causing the moody and violent Bo to emerge. Who, in turn, took it out on others.

You heard him enter and just by the speed and noise of his footsteps, you'd deduced that today he came with his underpants crossed. So you decided to do what you thought was the most logical. Cook something for him.

"Hey Bo," you greeted as you watched him stiffen in anger.

"The hell ya wan'," he barked as he tossed his shotgun on the chair.

You sighed at his pitiful state, "I have some food for you, I made it about about twenty minutes ago but it's still edible and hot."

"Just wanna rest my ass on this chair for a bit, I don't need your little shit, got it?"

You slowly retreated from there without making any noise, leaving a frustrated Bo who was kind of glad to drive you away. He wasn't in the mood to deal with anyone.

The silence of the house did not last that long, it was only present until the noise of your footsteps echoed through the room. Bo sneaked a glance your way, seeing how you were holding an appetizing plate of Omelette. He could also deduce that you did it because it looked just how he likes it.

"Here ya go, brought you an omelette, just how you like it," you said while placing the plate in front of him.

Bo frowned at the food. Enough shit he had today with visitors, if you were trying to tease him...

"Seeing you so down made me kinda sad, eating is gonna be good for you, you know." You smiled mischievously while resting your hands on your hips.

"I told ya i don't wan' your shit, give it to Vincent or throw it away."

"You told me you didn't need my little shit, not that you didn't want it," you paused, analyzing his reaction before continuing, "I think I'm not being clear enough, you have to eat," you insisted, resting your hand on his chair.

"According to whom?"

"Nature, Bo-bo. Your only food today was oxygen and the smell of dirt. Try something healthy, you'll like it." You started marching towards the kitchen again until you heard a strong knock behind you.

"You're so fuckin' weird." Bo's words came not with malice but with confusion. It hurt you to see how he thought he didn't deserve kindness, but you dismissed it and kept listening to him. "You ain't required to do these things, behave normal," he muttered as he cleaned his shotgun with a handkerchief.

You stood still before simply answering what you said before.

"I explained myself a moment ago, it made me kinda sad to see you down, Bo. Now, you have to eat something and calm down, I can do you a favor and prepare your bath too."

The fact that you worried and even made the omelette just the way he likes it… just warmed his heart. It seemed like he was finally going to get some peace and quiet on this day.

"Yeah, maybe that wouldn't be so bad," Bo simply replied without giving you a second glance, and if you had been paying close attention, you would have noticed the slight blush on his ears.

While taking a bite, Bo thought about what he could give you or prepare to thank you for your… decent act. He had seen you look at a cute necklace from one of the victims a few days ago, maybe he could do something about it.

The way you would react already appeared in his mind, causing him to smirk in anticipation. Yeah, it would be a nice thank you gift.

-

Thomas Hewitt.

Thomas hadn't been doing well for the past few days.

Starting with the fact that a victim almost escaped, almost.

Then the poor man had to endure Hoyt's screams, which got worse day by day. From the use of the word retarded to animal.

As a consequence, Thomas stormed off to the basement. He didn't even go out to eat, just to kill.

All of this caused your stomach to churn with guilt, even if you knew Charlie was a bastard, you hoped he didn't mistreat Thomas in this way, since practically thanks to him there was 'food' on the table.

Thomas Hewitt was not a killing machine, and you were willing to prove it to him.

You approached the basement with clean clothes and some food made by you -clearly having normal ingredients- you had decided to make a salad with potatoes for Thomas. It wasn't much but it was the most elegant and healthy thing the Hewitt house had.

You knocked three times on the door and asked, "Hey, Tommy, are you there? I brought you something to eat."

You heard absolutely nothing, not a reply or a wood creak. Your first thought was that that was Thomas's response, his silence said more than a thousand words and even though maybe he wanted to be alone, you couldn't do that to him, it was clear as daylight that he wasn't at his best and was carrying a lot of stress and pressure.

So almost hesitating, you started to open the basement door slowly. The worst you could see would be a mangled corpse but it's not like you haven't seen one before, after all, the main menu was human meat.

"Thomas, are you there?" your voice echoed all over the place, due to the low light you could hardly see anything, so all you had to do was call the big man.

A heavy noise ahead caught your attention and you began to hear footsteps heading quickly towards you. Fear and terror filled your body and you couldn't help but let out a yell, thinking it was someone else.

After seeing Thomas in all his glory, with a bit of blood here and there, you calmed down and walked over to where he was to pat him on the arm.

"Oh god, you almost scared me to death." You let out a laugh at his confused face, he seemed taken aback with the whole act from before.

"Sorry for the intrusion, I wanted to know how you were doing after these... intense days. I know things can get a little heavier with the hot weather and stuff, but I want to tell you that you're not alone, okay?" You smiled as you gave him a little squeeze on his shoulder, you weren't sure if he felt it or not but you just wanted to convey your support.

After seeing a nod from him, you decided to continue, "You... You are nothing of what he said, you know that right? You aren't an animal or an idiot, I see you as a person, as a man." You could see how he shuddered at your touch, his reaction made you feel a bit sorry for him, you had heard from Luda Mae about what Thomas had been through and it certainly wasn't a good thing.

As you looked him straight in the eye, you didn't notice how his hand slowly went up to caress your cheek. You accidentally stepped back and regretted your careless movement which consequently caused the salad in your hand to fall.

"Oh," you said slowly as you and Thomas lowered your gazes to the ground and then up to look at each other.

You let out a chuckle at the situation, and you were absolutely sure that the man in front of you did the same.

"You should laugh more, that's good for us." You smiled at him one last time before going upstairs.

"Ah, I'll be back quick to clean up this mess and make you another salad. Good luck in the meantime."

And so you left, leaving behind a man grateful for your nice words, he certainly felt better now. Though now also felt something in his stomach, dismissing it as hunger, he decided to go back to his work.

-

Michael Myers.

Impossible to detect when The Shape was angry. At least his anger was not physically noticeable.

He still doesn't have enough confidence in you to show the man under the mask, which kind of frustrated you because that meant you couldn't analyze his expressions (if he had them).

So you got a big surprise when you returned home and the first thing you saw was blood stains. Bloody footprints, to be more specific.

Michael had started to be very clean about his 'activities' since you asked begged him to stop bringing dead things home. So the fact that there was a disaster in the house alarmed you, the worst went through your head and you searched all the places until you reached your room.

There was the man, lying on your bed, with a visible wound on his shoulder. You didn't even bother to tell him anything, you went straight to get the first aid kit.

After grabbing everything you needed to heal a wound, you went back to your room to help Michael.

"Mikey, I'm here now, I came to help you," you mumbled quietly so as not to scare him -it's not like you could either- you saw how he turned his head towards your direction, waiting to see your next move.

you put the materials on the floor next to your bed and directed your hand to his shoulder to check how bad the wound was, just for his hand to hold you tight. So tight and strong that even a groan of pain escaped from you.

"What's wrong with you? You usually let me take care of this. You know it'll get worse, Michael."

Ignoring your pleas for him to stay and let you attend to him, he left. You knew something was wrong as soon as you heard a door slam. To say that Michael was angry was an understatement, he was furious and you weren't sure you wanted to know the reason behind it.

It had been many days before you heard from Michael again, when he came back he was the same as before but visibly calmer. You didn't want to challenge the killer but it certainly bothered you that he used your house as a hotel.

"Coming back so fast? Did you realize that you had a deep wound on your shoulder and decided that now I can take care of it?" Knowing that he was not going to answer you, you got down to work and brought the materials along with something to snack on.

Settling down next to him, you began to grasp the bandages, without taking your eyes off your task. Although the gaze of the man next to you was heavy, you no longer felt insecure, on the contrary, you felt more comfortable with him than with any other man you've ever met.

"Mikey, I have no idea what happened to you that you behaved so weird but I want you to know that you don't bother me, not anymore. If it was for a victim, I bet they got what they deserved and you don't have to keep worrying about them." You kept doing his bandage while you wiped the dried blood off him, silently admiring the new part of his body you were seeing.

"There you go, you look like new." Getting up from your awkward position, you turned your gaze towards Michael and decided to ask him, "Do you want something for dinner?"

He surprised you when he shook his head indicating that he didn't want to. Has he eaten something strange? Oh for god's sake, the smell he must have.

and then, a lamp was lit in your head, Michael must associate dinner with real and healthy food. Maybe...

"How about... eating cookies and cake with milk?"

You saw how he got up from the couch while nodding. Perhaps the best thing wasn't to pamper this man but it was that or possibly get stabbed.

You just laughed before speaking, "Michael, you're gonna be the death of me." You kept laughing until you saw his head lean left, almost curious. You froze.

"No, Michael. It was just an expression. If I die, no one will be able to make you cookies with just the right amount of sugar." You smiled to yourself as you headed into the kitchen.

"Come on, we have a lot to eat."

Michael wanted to keep you, he really did, and he would make sure to have you all to himself anyway.

In the meantime, he may take a break from his work and sit down to eat delicious things with a cute person.

-

Billy Lenz.

Billy and his mood were always unpredictable.

There were times when he was a cuddly bear and other times when he was a dirty bastard. No offense but that's what he just was.

You've heard him yell a lot of things, obscenities to be clear. But you've never seen him genuinely angry.

That was until now. Now you're watching him throw everything in his path into the attic, from the ugly old dolls to the rocking chair.

You weren't going to lie, that gave you a chill, you didn't know what Billy was capable of and he seemed to be quite impulsive.

So you remembered what you once saw in a movie, one thing about cooking a man something and it'll make him happy. So, should you follow that advice?

"Oh shit, this recipe is so difficult. We are talking about cookies, how difficult could it be?" you cursed the cookbook you had in your hands, at this point it would be better to give up and buy the sweets. Saving yourself two hours of stress at least.

You heard a noise behind you that made you jump instead, you would never finish getting used to the sensitive wood of the house.

"Billy! What are you doing here?" you asked looking at the man in front of you, this time it wasn't the overwhelming darkness of the attic, so you could see him clearly.

"Cookies for Billy?" You saw how he was pointing and staring at the bowl behind you with hungry eyes. Big fan of sweet things.

"Yes, I'm making them for— BILLY NO," you exclaimed in horror as you watched him eat the raw dough. He simply dipped his finger in and brought it to his mouth.

"Billy, they are not finished yet, you have to wait." You slowly approached him and patted his shoulder. "I'm making them for you, I saw you quite angry today and wanted to cheer you up."

He hummed slowly as he turned to you. Looking at you with an indecipherable gaze.

"Billy likes sweet things but he would prefer something sweeter," he said with a look that you knew very well. That was probably the look he had when he called home and blurted out over the phone.

You let out a little laugh and replied, "If you are good and wait for the cookies, I may give something else to you." The words seemed to finally cheer the man up, you hoped he didn't take the promise too seriously.

With a nod, he went to sit next to you, carefully watching your every move around the kitchen.

Surely he took the promise seriously but didn't keep it. As soon as the baked goods came out, he was already eating like five. You had to chase him a couple of times and he kept ignoring the fact that he was burning from the cookies.

With tears in his eyes, Billy walked over to you and hugged you, swinging you from side to side. Almost like a dance between two lovers.

"Beautiful, beautiful partner," he mumbled over and over again, causing you to blush at his compliment.

You returned his hug and whispered, "You're beautiful too, Billy."

The man could feel happiness radiating from himself, and he didn't know if what he felt in his stomach were butterflies or the hot cookies that were possibly melting his organs, but it didn't matter because you looked beautiful in his eyes anyway and he wouldn't trade this moment for anything. He wouldn't think of letting go of you until you ask him nicely.

Good luck, you'll have to bribe him with more of your baked goods.

#michael myers x reader #billy lenz x reader #thomas hewitt x reader #bo sinclair x reader #house of wax #michael myers #bo sinclair #thomas hewitt #billy lenz #michael myers x you #bo sinclair x you #thomas hewitt x you #billy lenz x you #slasher community #slasher fic #black christmas #vincent sinclair #vincent sinclair x reader #vincent sinclair x you

[dragoneyes618]

Ivypool stared at her daughter's body. Bristlefrost lay at the edge of the Moonpool, so still, with only the faintest stirring of her gray fur to show that she was breathing.

It shouldn't have been like this. It should have been Ivypool instead.

She shuddered.

"They'll be fine," Tree told her. Tree's son, Rootspring, had also braved the Place of No Stars.

"You don't know that." Ivypool hissed. "You can't know that. You don't remember the Great Battle...."

"The one where you could see the spirits walking the earth?" Tree asked. "So tell me."

Ivypool opened her mouth, but she couldn't speak.

It was always like this, whenever someone asked her about the Dark Forest or the Great Battle. She never spoke to anyone who hadn't lived through it about it. They couldn't understand.

The elders told stories of it-scary stories, the kind no cat was allowed to hear until he or she was at least seven moons old, but the elders told stories nonetheless. Lionblaze had spoken to both of his litters about his experiences. Jayfeather didn't speak to anybody. The warriors would tell their children, or make too-casual references. But Ivypool did none of those.

You spied for us in the Dark Forest! the apprentices always said excitedly whenever they found this out. What was it like? You must have been so brave!

Didn't they understand-no, they couldn't understand, no one could understand-that she hadn't been brave, she'd been terrified, but she'd had no other choice? She'd been sucked into the Dark Forest by her own petty jealousy, like so many others, and once she found out the truth-how could she go on training like nothing was wrong, now that she knew what she was being trained for? And she couldn't simply stop dreaming herself into the Dark Forest. Once the Dark Forest cats had set their sights on you, you could never extricate yourself from their clutches. You couldn't just leave. Beetlewhisker had been proof of that.

Once again, in her mind's eye, she saw Beetlewhisker's body on the muddy ground of the Dark Forest, his neck twisted at an unnatural angle, the fur around his muzzle stained with blood, his wide, terrified eyes staring desperately at her.

"It's not-" she tried to tell Tree, but she couldn't.

She'd attacked Flametail. Well, his spirit, but wasn't it the same thing? And then Tigerstar-Tigerheart, then-had jumped in front of her, blocking her, refusing to let what was left of his brother be destroyed, and ironically, this was what had cemented her loyalty to the Dark Forest, as far as its residents were concerned. Even Hawkfrost had said so.

Hawkfrost.

He'd been so kind at first, so understanding. He said he knew what it was like to have a sibling who was always better than you. He said he could teach her new hunting and fighting skills, so at least she could be better than Dovepaw in something...

She remembered his ice-blue eyes as he'd tried to kill her, any trace of warmth that had ever been there gone-it hadn't been there in the first place, had it? She remembered the pain of a hundred small wounds-

She remembered Hollyleaf's broken body lying on the ground, her blood almost invisible against her ebony fur, her breathing raspy as she strained to speak to her kin in her last moments.

Brambleclaw and Hawkfrost, fighting in a blur of fur and claws, almost indistinguishable from one another, a crack and a gasp and an exhausted brown figure staggering away from another one collapsed on the ground-

And a single, terrifying moment as, in the dim light, she could not tell which one had won.

Antpelt's body, lying on the ground as his blood soaked the earth of the Dark Forest, his eyes angry, sad, scared, his fur in her claws, his blood in her mouth. She had killed him. He was already dead, yes, but had he gone to the Dark Forest after he died because he deserved to go there or only because he had died there?

And she had killed him.

It kept her up at nights.

For a long time after the Great Battle she had been afraid to sleep at all. Sometimes Jayfeather had given her poppy seeds-if she was in a deep enough sleep, she couldn't dream herself into the Dark Forest, right? Other times she had simply slept in the medicine den, trusting that Jayfeather would sense if the Dark Forest visited her.

She hadn't known yet then that he'd lost his powers.

But the Dark Forest had never come back.

Until now.

The Dark Forest was treacherous, unholy, generations of cats' nightmares made flesh, home to the worst cats ever to walk the earth.

And she had let her daughter go in there.

Tree was still waiting for an answer, she realized.

"It was terrifying," she managed, but that alone brought up a whole slew of memories: Sorreltail's kits covered in their mother's blood, Firestar collapsing as Tigerstar faded, a flaming tree toppling down from the heavens like a brand from StarClan. "ThunderClan alone-we lost six cats, including our leader. The other Clans-combined, we lost more than twenty cats. Each Clan has a memorial to them. I can tell you their names." She knew the name of every single cat who had died in the Great Battle.

She had trained with many of them, in the Dark Forest. The Dark Forest trainees had been disproportionately targeted by the Dark Forest-the ones who had fought on the side of the Clans, anyway. The Dark Forest did not take betrayal lightly. However, all the Dark Forest trainees of ThunderClan had survived that terrible night, perhaps because their Clan was lucky enough to have the Three.

Dark Forest cats had died in the battle, too. Not nearly as many dead as the Clans had lost, of course. And of course, a few Clan cats, like Redwillow, had joined the Dark Forest upon their deaths. But Hawkfrost, Brokenstar, and Tigerstar were all definitely dead. Lionblaze had said he'd kill Shredtail.

She didn't know what other Dark Forest cats, if any, had died. The Clans had been too busy mourning their many dead to compare notes for a while, and when they finally had, it had been with problems of the living.

But she wished she knew for sure which cats her daughter might be facing. Mapleshade, Sparrowfeather, Snowtuft, Thistleclaw...

Of course, if any of them realized that Bristlefrost was her daughter, she was probably as good as dead.

I should have gone with her.

Then they would know who Bristlefrost was immediately. They would probably kill Bristlefrost just to torment her.

I should have gone instead of her.

What sort of mother let her kit put herself into danger that she herself had experienced?

What kind of mother was she?

Bristlefrost was young and naive and idealistic. She had no idea, no idea...

She should have given her more advice, told her more about the Dark Forest. She should have told her all about it, how to find her way around, notable landmarks-like the woodpile, or the river-or which cats to avoid-everyone.

I should have gone instead of her...

She wished Fernsong was here.

She wished Dovewing was here.

She wished Whitewing was here.

She wished she was a kit again, three moons old and completely, blessedly oblivious to the world outside the ThunderClan camp or why Dovekit was always able to find her when they played hide-and-seek.

She took a step toward the Moonpool, but she felt cold and her legs began to shake so hard she had to sit down.

"Are you all right?" Tree asked, looking concerned, but she didn't answer.

The Dark Forest was closer to the Clans now than it had been in moons, and she was terrified.

The Three had no powers to help them now. And StarClan was gone.

She should have gone instead of Bristlefrost. What kind of mother let her own daughter put herself in danger in her stead?

But every time she thought of the Place of No Stars she remembered tall, bare trees, and a rotting woodpile, and a viscous, filthy river, and eyes and claws lurking in the ever-present shadows under the starless sky, ready to pounce on you at the first sign of weakness-

And she couldn't.

And so she let her own daughter enter the Dark Forest, knowing full well what Bristlefrost was going to face, and did nothing.

Like a coward.

#ivypool #bristlefrost #tree #tree warriors #the place of no stars #dark forest #the dark forest #the great battle #the aftereffects of spying on the Dark Forest and then turning on them and witnessing a lot of deaths #warrior cats

[spotsupstuff]

idk why, but the fact that FT Macaque glamoured pupils onto his eyes has me cracking up.

When did he start glamouring himself anyway?

"Why are you so afraid to come? Mǎ jiě says the rest of the troop is mostly nice.”

“Yeah yeah yeah, I know, just... ‘mostly’ doesn’t really cover all of them. I’m...” The little shadow sighs and hugs his knees closer to his chest.

The two slightly extraordinary monkey brothers have been having this back and forth for at least half an hour now.

Shíhóu found Liù’ěr sitting by the brook near their hideout in the trees, all alone, staring at his reflection with some sort of frustration. Of course, the moment the lighter monkey made a peep, the look was gone and his little brother was forcing a smile like he has been for the past few days.

Elder sister told them that it was time they joined up with the rest of the monkeys of this mountain. For safety, she said. So they can make friends their age as if having each other wasn’t enough. As if Mǎ and the two nice elder gibbons that sometimes visited their tree hole dwelling weren’t enough. Shíhóu accepted it fairly quickly.

But Liù’ěr hasn’t.

And hiding it from sister was one thing and hiding it from his twin was another. There was no lying to Shíhóu, not when he couldn’t believe the lie himself.

So when the older one pressed the issue, he hung his head in defeat and mumbled that he’s scared. That they won’t accept him. Make fun of him and laugh or maybe be scared right back because he’s just so...

Different.

“I don’t understand why you are afraid.” says Shíhóu, balancing on top of one of the stones at the edge of the stream. “You are just a kid! Just like me.”

The other groans, hands sliding down his face as he blows up. “Easy for YOU to say!! I’m weird!!! I’m all see-through and I get lost in the shade of the trees so easily that sister had to put bright red ribbons on me! My eyes glow, I don’t exactly have visible pupils and it also took Mǎ jiě like two weeks until she ACTUALLY managed to hold me because her hands kept going through me! Forgot about that one!!” The little monkey shakes his fists in front of himself before falling backwards on the wet grass.

Shíhóu stays uncharastically quiet for a good while, racking his brains to figure out how to prove his sibling wrong. But nothing comes up and he frowns and gets up to lie down next to the other instead.

Staring up at the leaves, just with his lone two ears out to listen, he does realize that maybe this time he won’t be able to outfox this problem.

One could maybe call that a problem too, that he sees Liù’ěr more as his little brother than anything else. The see-through thing, falling through shades, glowing eyes... that’s all Liù’ěr things. That’s just his little brother things.

And even though it’s frustrating when Liù’ěr just toggles something so all things physical just go through him- especially when the little one hides in a corner, trying to stay away from both of his siblings rather than talk about what bothers him... not being able to give him a hug when he so obviously needs one kills both Shíhóu and elder sister Mǎ so mercilessly- Shíhóu still doesn’t see it as strange much.

Maybe he should. Just so he could understand someone‘s side in this situation.

“...even sister says I’m weird.” whispers out Shíhóu’s shadow, an edge to his voice betraying how close he is to tearing up.

“Hey.” He replies firmly. “Don’t take it out of context like that. She said, word for word, ‘Yes, you are weird. But you are your weird and I love you, weird included, don’t I? If somebody’s going to bitch about it I will claw out their eyes. Maybe they will see you better for what you are then.’ There’s nothing wrong with being weird, I’m also weird!!!”

Huff. “You said weird so many times it doesn’t even sound like a word anymore.”

“I’m trying to make a point here!”

“Mmh...” is all he has to say. The shadow drapes over his sibling, nesting his head against Shíhóu’s chest. Seeking comfort and an escape from this too hard thing to get through. Shíhóu, being the good brother that he proudly is, wraps his arms around the wonderfully solid body of the other. Squeezing him lightly, cooing softly.

Before staring up into the leaves again, lost in thought.

There’s got to be something, right? Maybe they could ask sister for help with making a mask for Liù’ěr. Elder sister Mǎ was very nifty!! And even if a mask wouldn’t work, she has probably seen the whoooole world at this point. She could figure something out. Totally!

Maybe they could throw palm leaves over Liù’ěr.

...or maybe that isn’t completely such a good idea. That could scare the other monkeys even more. A leafy ghost... who has ever seen a leafy ghost on Huāguǒ shān?? That’s a terrifying image. Wouldn’t help with Liù’ěr’s problem at all.

What about...

The leaves shift in the wind, light filtering through them just right to catch Shíhóu in the eye. He yips and bats at the light with his hand, shielding his face from it and-

Hey. Hey hold on.

“LIÙ’ĚR!!!!!” He shoots up with a giant grin, clutching the other’s biceps.

“Oh good Heaven, what-”

“I think I know how to help!!!” Shíhóu yells right into his brother’s face.

It takes a little for Liù’ěr to actually register what was screamed at him, taken aback by the volume, ears pressed against his head and all, but then- “Y-you do??” He asks and there is so much hope in that sentence and in the white almost-blank eyes that Shíhóu can’t help but enthusiastically nod.

“Yeah!!” The lighter monkey sets the other on the ground, beckoning to the shifting shadows of the leaves. “See?”

“What do I see?”

“The shadows shift.” Shíhóu, now calmer, patiently explains. “They move, they change how they look. And you are a shadow as well! Maybe you can shift as well.”

Tilt of a head, as he mulls it over. “...like in the stories that Mǎ jiě told us about big yāoguài?”

“Yeah, like in those!” Shíhóu nods again with a smile.

“What if.. I can’t do it?”

“I believe in you. You can. We are weird enough that it might actually work.”

#Spot says stuff #lmk #fruit twins au #mk sun wukong #mk monkey king #six eared macaque #mk macaque #my writing #I WANTED TO DRAW SMTH FOR THIS. and the idea WAS there but i was failing hard at the execution so heres a writin

[ihaveafandom-problem554]

Taking care of child Muzan

....

- Your not being called "mom" or "Dad"

- Your being called "Woman" "Man" " [Name] " "Elder" "Guardian" or even "old person"

- It was either that or he was going to call you something that was going to make people wanna call CPS

"If you could do a poor job to take care of me, so can some other adult. Your not special."

- Does he mean that?

- Maybe..

- He loves to stay in quiet places with you, like libraries, and small coffee shops

- Likes to read..

- He really likes to read

- He's either in his room reading or- Ok nevermind you can find him everywhere with a book, so you don't have to worry about him

- Sometimes he'll even follow you with a book

- It's basically a talent now, he knows exactly where he's going even if he's nose deep into a book

- He's a "good" kid

- He insults everything

- And everyone

- He gives you this slide glace when you show any sign of illness

- Not only because he doesn't want to get sick, but to make sure your not dying on him

- Likes both tea and coffee, but likes tea more

- You both have little tea sessions

- Has sensitive skin, so you have to buy very expensive skin products for him

- Has a god-complex

- Also picks out what will be for dinner (Not all the time, but it's nice to give him that option, He gets excited )

- Usually kids love sweet treats, but Muzan really loves Strawberries

- Like, you have no idea why either

- You bought a lot of sweet treats for him one day and he just made a face and said

- "Where are the little red-ish fruits you used to buy?"

- Muzan's smart yes.. but he just doesn't know the name for certain things

- "[Name]! Where is the beaded circular piece of jewelry that goes around one's neck... And if their not careful, someone could use it to choke them until they are completely unconscious. Most likely dead. It's most likely seen on woman"

- ".... Muzan sweetheart, are you talking about a necklace?.."

- Tantrums? uhh can you even call it that?

- Like, yeah he acts up sometimes.. but could you even call it a tantrum?

- But anyway, it depends.. like, on some days it can be a very heated argument that will only end when one of you walk away in anger

- But on other days.. He completely ignores you or insults every little thing you do

- Physical touch on these days are a big no no

- You know what Muzan's nails look like right?

- Yeah imagine being scratched by those every time you get a little to close to him

- He hates it when he scratches you with his nails

- But then he'll blame you for it

"I-...It was your fault for getting close. You... You provoked me!.."

- When the situation's over, he pretends nothing happened

...

- You need to teach him how to apologize, cause he has no idea how

- Like he might say sorry but it's quiet and meaningless

- On good days you go to your private library and read together

- Read to him, you might have a smoothing voice

- If not shut up he's trying to read

- "Muzan!? where are you?? I told you not to eat all the strawberries, I'm gonna make a-"

Opens door to see Muzan(with makeup) struggling to putting on a woman's Komodo

- "G-Get Out...NOW-"

- " You want me to help you? I know how to tie the sash."

- "...I-...I suppose I do need some assistance with the sash.."

...

- He was terrified to see your reaction to him dressing as a women but he would rather die than let you figure that out

- Tell him he looks beautiful and help him tie his sash

- No cause he really struggles with the sash, he has no idea how to tie it

- Go out with him while he's dressed up as a girl

- He likes it

For my selfish needs have Rui as his younger brother he'll love him

- You wanna take him to school?

- He will NOT make friends

- He will insult everyone including the teachers

- OK maybe he'll make one friend

- Nakmie

- You got really excited when he did

- Oh but she gets to stay over everyday and eat dinner with you as well

"Let me guess you invited your friend Nakmie? Doesn't she have a home to go to"

"Her parents don't care for her as well as you do, and we can't have a child under those living conditions, can we?"

...

"H-hi madame"

"Hi Nakmie.. you want something to eat?"

#demon slayer #kimetsu no yaiba #kny #demon slayer headcanons #kny headcanons #demon slayer muzan #kny muzan #kimetsu no yaiba muzan #muzan kibutsuji #Child Muzan #muzan headcanons

[ratcandy]

CoGR Abridged/Summarized

Hello hello! My name is Clam, otherwise known as Squeakyclam on Ao3, and this is a heavily summarized/shortened version of my HK fic Camouflage of Great Renown. For anyone somehow finding this that doesn't know what it's about, CoGR focuses on Zote and his story through the game and what preceded it. He recounts his entire life up until the end of what's known in canon, and this includes a whole lot of angst, growth, realizations, and Trauma Revelations.

Oh, and he's a nosk. Zote is a nosk. Yep.

I've had a few requests for a summary, as the work is super long and reading through 130k+ words of Zote dialogue may not be for everyone, hehehe so I've compiled all the important plot points and wrote them out here in order of his story, rather than the plotline CoGR goes through specifically (in which big events in his history are revealed later on).

If I had to recommend reading the fic for anything, it'd be the... impact, I suppose? 'Cause reading the summarized events here will NOT be anything like reading it in CoGR. Seeing as the fic is all in Zote's pov and he actually has to force himself to admit all of this aloud. But I digress!!

Here's a summary of Zote's life according to CoGR.

THIS IS A VERY, VERY LONG POST DESPITE BEING A SUMMARY. I'm sorry, CoGR just has a lot happening! T/W for mentions of death.

A lot more heavy stuff happens in CoGR, but in this summary I do my best to step around those subjects. If you think more T/Ws should be added, let me know, and I'll put them here

Nosks were a species that inhabited Deepnest, specifically living in a den towards the nest's depths. It split off into lots of tunnels and caverns that each nosk lived in. "Society" there was very hostile and unwelcoming, as nosks valued brute strength over just about anything else. Caring for another nosk - be it kin or otherwise - was considered weak. "Burdens" to the den, such as nosks that were badly wounded, would/could not hunt, or were simply getting too old would be killed off. Death in and of itself was very common and hardly anyone would bat an eye at it.

Think the Mantis Tribe but largely feral and without a shred of decency of morals.

Runt donning mask of citizen was born into the nosk den alongside his brother, who would become hunter donning hide of tiktik.

(Before anyone asks, these are just the naming conventions that nosks have. No one but the nosk superiors - the leaders of the den - are granted actual names.)

A third egg was among them, but the brother broke it open and ate the younger sibling not long after hatching.

The two were born under a superior (their mother) and her chosen mate (their father). They were expected to grow up strong and eventually overtake their mother and become superiors. Or, one of them would, maybe.

The runt (Zote) was immediately scorned by the mother, as he was extremely frail and useless, and she just about killed him off right after he hatched - but his father stepped in, and the runt was left alive.

Zote grew up to be a weak nosk who could barely defend himself in a den full of beasts that would gladly kill him if doing so wouldn't be a direct offense to a superior. His brother was cruel to him, his father berated him constantly, and his mother was hardly in the picture at all. Only ever watching him distastefully from afar.

His father did, however, train him, if only sparingly. The least he could do to keep Zote alive. (Doing so would be a death wish were any other nosks to find out about it...)

However, an elder in the den - hunter donning mask of weaver - gained Zote's attention as she told him fantastical stories from outside the den. This elder had spent a good portion of her life among the Weavers, initially being sent to learn about them (to make them easier to hunt) but growing interested in their culture and choosing to stay. Until she did something to get her chased out.

At any rate, she told the stories from the Weavers to Zote, alongside news of what was happening outside of Deepnest. This caused the runt to become obsessed with the idea of being a knight, as the stories just sounded!! So amazing and heroic and awesome and!!! :D Yea!! He wanted to be just like that!

To the point where he even carved a sword out of the shellwood... with the den elder's help. He named it Life-Ender eventually.

At some point, however, his father found out about all this. His father figured that the only way to eliminate this problem - as wishing to be something heroic that saved lives or whatever was SO unnosk-like (and would get him killed) - was to kill the den elder.

Before she died, the elder told Zote to run away from the den, and not to return no matter what. The idiot did not run, and because of this, he witnessed the Den Elder's death at the hands of his father and some other nosks.

Man! this does, however, cause Zote to be more... "open" about his ideas. By this I mean he begins carrying Life-Ender around instead of hiding it in his nest. what do you mean it's a comfort item what! no he's just rebelliously showing off how much he wants to be a knight. totally. 100% /s

well, anyway, not long after this, the idiot's father dies at the claws of his mother. Zote unfortunately witnesses this as well. When he tries to run, his mother catches him, nearly killing him as well. Luckily(?), this attempt is thwarted by Zote's brother, who was very distraught over their father's death. The brother swears to kill the mother before storming off. Zote runs into hiding (still in the nosk den), and begins devising his plan so to get the hell out of there.

Of the few times that Zote leaves his nest after his father's death, 90% of them ended with him getting pummeled by his brother. The latter was livid, blaming the father's death on Zote and frequently bursting into fits of emotional rage. Rage is great for nosks, other emotions not so much.

On one occasion in particular, the brother goes too far, nearly killing Zote. In the scuffle, Life-Ender is shattered, and that sends Zote into a blind anger (mixed with survival instinct as he's About to Die). Zote then kills his brother.

A crowd had gathered around them during the fight. In that crowd was Zote's mother, who looked to him approvingly after he'd killed off his brother. This terrified Zote, so he gathered the pieces of Life-Ender and fled the den forever.

Stopping at the hot spring in Deepnest, he made a disguise for himself based on the vessels that nosks would often capture. He made a new name for himself, took on an entirely new identity, and decided to abandon the idea that he was ever a nosk. He would just go to the City, be knighted by the King (who he'd heard of from the stories the Den Elder would tell him), and live out his life as a knight. Just like he always wanted. Not as a nosk. because he's not that.

The events that follow now are just very short summaries of things that happen throughout cogr.

- He breaks a statue in the Queen's station on accident after a bug finds him there. as a nosk. oops

- He obliterates the entire uoma population /j and burns himself in the process

- He repairs Life-Ender originally using mushrooms in the Fungal Wastes. Fungal adhesion is real I checked I swear

- He makes it to the City of Tears! and while there, he

Gets caught by Hegemol who mistakes him as a vessel

Drowns in the City's gutters

Purchases a cloth to wrap around Life-Ender

Hears the Pale King talk one (1) time and immediately decides he hates him

- While leaving the City, he finds a grub. That grub never really gets named, but as he frequented calling the little thing "Fiend," and the grub eventually began responding to that title, he just considers it a name for them now.

- Zote travels with the grub throughout the Crossroads until he drops them off with the Grubfather, being rewarded for reuniting them but overall feelings pretty :( about it.

- He then goes to the. So you know the houses that are underneath the Gruzz Mother's lil arena? Yea that place. he goes there and "guards" it, becoming that place's self-proclaimed knight.

- then he starts being paranoid about the grub and returns to the grubfather only to see all the grubs have been stolen. he presumes Fiend is dead from this point on (and dodges around ever using the word).

- Then he goes back to the lil town place only to see everyone's infected :(

- We then spend TEN CHAPTERS!! in Greenpath. In which he

eats a plant and dies

Stands in No Eyes's tomb.

Visits the Lake of Unn (and nothing bad happens)

Sees a nosk at the entrance to Fog Canyon and proceeds to have a panic attack

Kills everything

Gets caught by the Vengefly king

Gets saved!

has a breakdown

Yells at Ghost and then Leaves

- Canon starts!

- He stops in Dirtmouth, listens to Elderbug talk, gets told the Myth of the Great old Nosks who are now all Extinct. The news that nosks are now extinct freaks Zote out a little, but he absolutely refuses to return to Deepnest. He doesn't need to make sure. It's fine.

- In an effort to convince himself not to go to Deepnest, he goes to the City again, thinking it can't possibly be all that ba-- oh no everyone's dead!

- he inadvertently steals a map marker from Ghost and decides to use that as a pin for his cloak

- Zote returns to Deepnest. He's very upset with himself for this, but he just has to know if all the nosks are actually extinct now.

The answer is yes

but before that he gets caught by dirtcarvers and put in a web and has to be saved. this makes him angry

Upon seeing all the dead nosks once he gets to the den, and noticing that the last nosk was mimicking Ghost (evidenced by the mask left behind) before it died, he decides that he's gotta Kill Everything again

- more specifically we're going to the Colosseum now.

- Zote's fear of water evaporates as he goes through the secret passage in the King's Station to get to Kingdom's Edge. He only found it because he saw Ghost go that way

- While at the Kingdom's Edge, he gets caught by the Fools, who he stupidly challenges and then immediately gets caught by.

- sits in dumb baby jail for a while. mean to tiso

- Then the colosseum battle happens! He does not win he then gets dropped down into kingdom's edge with little regard toward whether he's dead or alive

- He grabs a Fool's helmet before leaving, going back to Dirtmouth, and intending to bury that thing

- this goes wrong as he bumps into Bretta. He then sits and talks with her for God Only Knows how Long, spacing out while doing so, and not even noticing when she eventually gets up and leaves him.

- He buries the helmet, shuts himself away in his house, and gets stuck repeating his precepts to himself. At the end of CoGR it is revealed that he hasn't been talking to anyone, and is instead talking to himself endlessly as no one is left to listen to him

and that's it! that's cogr. yeah

#clamtalk #cogr #camouflage of great renown #zote #hollow knight #fanfiction #nosk zote #nosk #uh #yeah #long post #VERY long ramble #I guESs? #it is a very long post anyway #cogr summary #so i can find it again later #anyway. now to wait for someone to show up in my dms and be like ''wait that didn't happen/that's wrong!'' because memory of my own fic? #nonexistent #yea. that's all #thanks for coming

[btsqualityy]

Assuage: Chapter 4

Yoongi x Reader

Genre: ABO (Alpha/Beta/Omega) dynamics, angst, fluff, smut, enemies to lovers

Warnings: None to note.

Author’s Note: This chapter is the last of the introductory things to the universe and this is where the story will start to pick up more! I hope you guys enjoy it!

A few days later, Yoongi was sitting at the front counter in the hardware shop, sketching out a design for an armoire that an Omega in the pack had put in a order for. Kibum was quickly giving Yoongi more and more responsibilities within the shop, and that included designing some things. He had to admit, it sort of scared him but he also enjoyed it. 

Yoongi had never really been particularly good at anything (except for hunting but that was expected for him being a Prime Alpha), so discovering this hidden talent for woodworking and carpentry was doing wonders for his psyche. 

Just as he added some small designs onto the sketchpad, he heard the telltale ringing of the bell above the front door and when he looked up, he saw you and Hyorin stepping inside. 

“Hi Yoongi!” Hyorin greeted him happily, her hands on her large baby bump as she waddled over to stand in front of the counter.

“Hey Hyorin, Y/N,” he replied stiffly, his eyes narrowing at you when you only nodded at him. “What can I help you with?”

“I just came to put in my formal request for a crib,” Hyorin smiled brightly. “Since Namjoon and I only have a little less than two months until this pup comes, I figured now would be a good time.”

“Yeah, it should be,” Yoongi nodded, reaching over and grabbing the order book and flipping it open to a clean page. “Anything specific that you’d like, such as colors or wood preference?”

“I’d like oak, for the whole thing,” Hyorin began. “And maybe a white or cream canopy.”

“White or cream?” You repeated. “You sure you don’t want something different?”

“Since we don’t know what we’re having, I want it to be gender neutral,” Hyorin shrugged. “And you know how Joon and I feel about the whole “blue for boys and Alphas and pink for girls and Omegas” thing.”

“Hey, I was just making sure,” you held your hands up in surrender. 

“Anything else that you’d want?” Yoongi wondered after writing down what Hyorin had said. 

“Maybe a rattle,” Hyorin added. “Joon was telling me that you guys got a shipment of plastic in from Seoul the other day.”

“We did,” Yoongi nodded. “Anything specific in regards to the design?”

“Whatever you come up with is fine,” Hyorin shrugged. “I’m not picky.”

“Alright, I’ll tell Kibum when he comes back and I’m sure he’ll want to get to work on it right away.”

“Oh no, tell him not to forget about any of your other orders just because of mines,” Hyorin chuckled. “Me and this little one can wait.”

“I’ll make sure to let him know,” Yoongi smiled lightly.

“Well, I have to go because I told Namjoon that I’d sit in on his meeting with Jin,” Hyorin sighed as she looked at the clock on the wall that showcased the time. “I’ll see you later Y/N-ah?” 

“Yeah,” you nodded.

“Ok. Thank you Yoongi, and tell Kibum that I said thank you too,” Hyorin smiled as she turned to walk out of the store. 

“No problem,” Yoongi called out after her, watching as the door to the shop shut behind her before turning to look back at you. “Why is she sitting in on Namjoon’s meeting with Jin?”

“What do you mean, why?” You wondered. “She’s Pack Omega.”

“Exactly, she’s an Omega,” Yoongi nodded. 

“Is this more of your sexist bullshit coming out?” You scoffed. “In our pack, the Pack Alpha and Pack Omega have an equal amount of power. And to answer your question, she’s sitting in on the meeting because Jin is the Head Omega of the pack, which means that he looks out for all of the unmated Omegas and the newly presented Omegas. He wanted to talk to Namjoon about some things and Hyorin is going to be there because she used to be Head Omega before her and Namjoon mated.”

“Oh,” Yoongi uttered.

“Running a pack is a big job, even for two people and Namjoon is smart enough to realize that as good as his intentions might be, he can’t understand what Omegas go through because he’s not one,” you continued. “That’s why he leans on Hyorin sometimes.”

“And the pack still respects him?” Yoongi wondered.

“Of course. Traditionally, the only person that an Alpha will back down for is their mate so he’s not doing anything completely unheard of,” you shrugged.

“It is to me,” Yoongi replied. 

“You know, maybe you should have Tae teach you our pack history and laws if you’re going to stay here,” you suggested.

“I don’t plan on staying,” Yoongi shot back, his eyes widening when you just snorted in reply.

“Please,” you rolled your eyes. “You’re working in the hardware shop with Kibum, which no one has done in years, mind you, because the man is off his rocker half the time. If you think he’s gonna let you leave, then you got another thing coming. You’re definitely staying.”

“Regardless,” Yoongi continued, ignoring your words. “Who said that I wanted to learn more about your pack anyways?”

“It was just a suggestion. I mean, I figured that you were tried of looking like a complete dumbass anytime you talk to someone around here,” you smirked. “But hey, if you wanna stay in the dark, that’s on you.” You then turned around, swiftly walking out of the hardware shop. As the door shut behind you, Yoongi realized that maybe you had a point. He had been staying with your pack for almost a month now and his previous blissful ignorance was quickly turning into just plain ignorance. As he thought about it, he figured that having just a little bit of extra information could help him out.

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

“God, I never thought you’d ask!” Taehyung squealed as he led Yoongi into a large room, where the walls were covered with floor to ceiling bookshelves. They were in the Head Hall, where all of the records of the pack’s history, laws, and every event and birth within the pack were kept. 

“I only want to know the basics Taehyung,” Yoongi tried to say, jumping out of his seat slightly when Taehyung dropped a large book down onto the table in front of him. 

“Our pack is almost 100 years old,” Taehyung smiled as he sat down next to Yoongi. “There’s more than just ‘the basics’ to be learned hyung.”

“Well, where should I start?” Yoongi wondered.

“Start here, with our family,” Taehyung told him as he opened the book and flipped the pages until he was almost to the end. “You don’t have to learn about the beginning of the pack right now, but starting with our parents would be a good point.”

“Ok,” Yoongi nodded, looking down at the page and beginning to read.

Alpha Kim Chan-woo rose to the coveted position of Pack Alpha in our year of 1990 after winning in ritual combat against his Omegean sister, Kim Dohee. In 1993, he was mated to Omega Park Mi-hee who then gave birth to two pups; a son named Namjoon in our year of 1994 and a daughter named Y/N who followed swiftly behind in our year of 1995.

Nothing of significance is to be noted of the family of our Pack Alpha and Pack Omega, until our year of 1998. While on a treaty trip to visit a pack in Daegu, Pack Alpha Chan-woo and Pack Omega Mi-hee came across an orphaned pup. Not being able to bring themselves to leave him alone, they allowed him to come back to pack territory with them, intent on welcoming him into their family.

The council of pack elders were staunchly opposed, citing the issues of lineage that could be encountered once their pups were of age. However, the two of them (especially Pack Alpha Chan-woo) were insistent on giving the abandoned pup a loving home and family. The councils of elders relented and since the little pup could not remember his name, he was dubbed ‘Kim Taehyung’ by Pack Omega Mi-hee, and he served as the last addition to their family.

“Wow,” Yoongi muttered before looking over at Taehyung. “Your parents sound like amazing people.”

“They were,” Taehyung nodded with a soft smile. “Here, we can skip forward a little bit.” Taehyung reached out and flipped forward a few pages, skimming over one before motioning to Yoongi for him to continue reading.

In our year of 2009, Pack Alpha Chan-woo and Pack Omega Mi-hee’s first born son, Namjoon, presented as an Alpha at the age of 15. There was a glorious celebration, as it’s known to be a blessing from the Gods to have a first born son become an Alpha. Their last born son, Taehyung, presented as well two years later as a Beta at the age of 16. This caused a great commotion, as there was only one other living Beta in the pack at the time, and he was an Elder. 

After the presentation of Taehyung, there were many rumors abound as their daughter, Y/N, had not presented yet. Finally, in the autumn of our year 2012, Kim Y/N finally presented and surprised the entire pack. The celebration was unlike any the pack had seen in years, rivalling and even surpassing that of her elder Alpha brother. 

“Why was Y/N’s presentation so important?” Yoongi asked Taehyung. 

“That’s not important,” Taehyung said quickly, making Yoongi’s eye narrow. Taehyung moved forward and shut the book closed, pulling over another one and opening it up. “That’s enough about the history. Why don’t you read some of our laws and beliefs?”

“Alright,” Yoongi replied slowly, looking back down at the book. 

This pack prides itself on being a place where Alphas, Betas, and Omegas are treated fairly and equally. In order to have a harmonious pack, the talents of all three subgenders are needed and without any of them, a pack cannot be fruitful. 

An Alpha’s job, of course, is to be the breadwinner of their respective family. They are also the first line of defense when it comes to the safety of the pack, and are expected to protect it as such. However, Alphas are also expected to respect Betas and Omegas, especially the latter. While a pack wouldn’t be able to survive without it’s Alphas, too many prideful Alphas can lead to the eminent downfall of a pack. It is important for Alphas to be able to take a step back, realize that they don’t have all of the answers, and be able to turn to those who do; all for the good of the pack. 

A Beta’s job is to be the supporter of Alphas and the confidants of Omegas. Betas have a hard job, because they are the closest to our non subgendered humans while still having the feelings, senses and thoughts of subgendered humans. Betas have the ability to not be as clouded by hormones and pheromones' as their Alpha and Omega packmates, which gives them the invaluable role of peacekeeper within a pack. Without Betas, a pack would dissolve into turmoil. However, it can be hard for Betas to remember this so reminding them of their importance is of the utmost priority; all for the good of the pack.

An Omega has what’s arguably the most important job within the pack; they are the main ones who give birth to and teach our pups. Within this pack, Omegas are always to be treated with the utmost respect, as our pack would have no future without them and their guidance. While Omegas are free to do what they please within this pack, many of them chose to stay home with their pups or devote their talents to teaching our pups, which are all extremely selfless decisions. Without them, Alphas would not have people to lean on, Betas would not have anyone to confide in, and the pack would die out. Treating them with the love and respect that they deserve only leads to happy Omegas who are content with their lives; which is all for the good of the pack.

“You know,” Yoongi spoke up suddenly. “I never thought about Omegas this way.”

“How did your old pack view Omegas, hyung?” Taehyung wondered. “I mean, you have to admit that your views are a little...sexist.”

“Basically, Omegas were objects and not people,” Yoongi shrugged. “They were there for Alphas to fuck and that’s it.”

“Ugh, one of those packs,” Taehyung rolled his eyes. “Well, does it make sense? The way that we view and treat Omegas?”

“Actually, yeah it does,” Yoongi admitted. “Like I said, I just never thought about it like this.”

“That’s understandable hyung, and it’s not completely your fault,” Taehyung replied. “We can’t help the way that we’re raised. The only thing that we can do is try to change our mindset, if you want to.”

“I guess that’s true,” Yoongi sighed. “Hey, can I ask you something?”

“Anything.”

“What’s with the tattoos that you, Y/N, and Namjoon all have?” He wondered.

“Oh, you mean this,” Taehyung smiled, reaching over and lifting up the sleeve of his t-shirt on his left arm, showcasing the small, circular tattoo that was there. “It’s a crest.”

“Your family’s?” Yoongi guessed.

“Yep. After our parents died and Namjoon became Pack Alpha, we all got them since we’re the children of the former Pack Alpha and Omega,” Taehyung explained. “Namjoon has his right on the center of his chest because he’s the center and head of the pack. Y/N has hers on the right side and I have mines of the left because we’re Namjoon’s main supporters and we’re always going to have his back, through anything.”

“That’s amazing,” Yoongi found himself smiling lightly. “I kind of wish I had a family like you guys.”

“You can hyung,” Taehyung said, reaching over and setting his hand on Yoongi’s shoulder. “I know that you keep saying that you don’t plan on staying, but I really don’t want you to go back out there on your own. We can give you a nice life here and you won’t ever have to risk what happened to you before happening again. So, will you stay?” 

Yoongi couldn’t help but to chuckle because despite the façade that he had been putting on in front of Taehyung and everyone else that he talked to, he realized that he had already made his decision a while ago and he had a sneaking feeling that he wouldn’t regret the words that tumbled out of his mouth. 

“Yeah, I’ll stay.”

#bts #bangtanarmynet #bts reactions #bts abo #bts imagines #bts yoongi #bts suga #suga abo #yoongi abo #yoongi x reader #suga x reader #suga smut #suga angst #suga fluff #yoongi fluff #yoongi smut #yoongi angst #abo bts #werewolf bts

[ibijau]

Writing prompt: How about a forbidden relationship AU for Xisang? Might include some character tweaking here and there, but somehow, Jin Guangyao's murder attempt fails and this causes the Nie Sect to essentially go to war with the Jins due to lack of evidence. The rest of the sects pick a side, except for the Lans, who are neutral as Xichen tries to desperately mediate the situation between his sworn brothers before this cold war escalates. To Nie Minjue, this makes him no better than actually siding with the Jins, and so, he cuts ties with the Lans as well.

He can't trust anyone outside of his own sect, he knows that now.

Cue an exasperated Nie Huaisang just trying to keep his brother from losing his mind even further while plotting to take down Jin Guangyao and also falling in love trying to manipulate a certain pretty Lan to help him in the process.

In truth, it was Lan Qiren that Nie Huaisang had been trying to contact. He'd been just as furious at Lan Xichen as his brother when Gusu Lan had announced they would would stay out of this conflict between Qinghe Nie and Lanling Jin.

Almostas furious.

It was hard to be as angry as Nie Mingjue, these days. A side effect of that failed murder attempt. His mind had never fully recovered from nearly falling into a Qi deviation and since that day Nie Mingjue was... different.

Nie Huaisang had figured that what had been caused by music might be solved by music, so he'd written to Lan Qiren. He'd been terrified of the man when he was young, but since the war they'd developed something Nie Huaisang might have been tempted to call friendship, if he'd been the sentimental type. They chatted at discussion conferences, they played weiqi when they had the chance, they wrote to each other more frequently than they did to others...

They usedto write.

Of course, Nie Mingjue had forbidden contacts with enemy sects now. And that meant almost the whole cultivation world these days, but especially Gusu Lan.

Still, Nie Huaisang had managed to send a secret message to the Cloud Recesses, begging Lan Qiren to come meet him at a certain place. He hadn't signed his letter but had dropped some hints as to his identity, and of course he hadn't been stupid enough to directly mention the other man's name either. There was always the chance of the letter being intercepted after all.

And it had been intercepted indeed.

Because when Nie Huaisang went to that meeting point he'd suggested, he found the wrong Lan waiting for him in that hard to find little clearing.

“Huaisang!” Lan Xichen exclaimed when he saw him at the edge of the clearing, before running toward Nie Huaisang and taking the younger man's hands in his own freezing ones. “I was almost sure it would be you, but I couldn't be certain... I'm so glad to be seeing you.”

“I wish I could say the same,” Nie Huaisang retorted, too shocked to bother with manners. “You're... why are you here? Surely you don't think you're the person I want to see?”

Lan Xichen's smile, already so strained as to look desperate, fell. His grip on Nie Huaisang's hands loosened for a moment, before tightening to the point of near pain.

“But you wrote to me,” he said. “You said you needed help.”

“I do need help, but not from you.”

When Lan Xichen only looked more confused and hurt, Nie Huaisang scoffed.

“You had your chance to help, er-ge, and instead you told everyone that you had no idea who was telling the truth between da-ge and san-ge.”

Lan Xichen released Nie Huaisang's hands and took a step backward, quickly putting some much welcome distance between them.

“Did you make me come here for this?” he asked, sounding wounded. “I thought...” He paused, and sighed. “Of course you're angry. You have every right to be. But Huaisang, I'm not...”

Lan Xichen sighed again, and glanced around, as if fearing someone might here what he would say next. It was unlikely anyone else would be there. Nie Huaisang had found this deserted place while trying to catch a bird, and had figured out quickly that it was isolated from the human world. So unless Lan Xichen had been followed... and it was unlikely. Lan Xichen had his faults, but he wasn't easy to catch by surprise, not for these things anyway.

“Gusu Lan isn't like other sects,” Lan Xichen explained, lowering his voice. “A Lan sect leader is never a tyrant. Not anymore. I am a figurehead, with the elders making every important decision for the sect.”

“So what, you're saying you're not neutral after all?” Nie Huaisang scoffed.

Lan Xichen severely nodded.

“Jin Guangyao could play that song to perfection,” he said with a grimace. “He could not have made any mistakes.”

“Yes, well, he still...”

“I mean that it cannothave been an accident if he played the wrong song,” Lan Xichen said. “I taught him personally, I made him repeat it countless times, I made sure that he could have played it perfectly even without the score if needed, and he never missed a single note. Which I told the council of elders. They were... not happy to hear my opinion on that matter.”

Nie Huaisang blinked a few times. “But... but why not just tell people anyway? Who cares about some stupid old men, why not...”

“They have Wangji,” Lan Xichen said.

“He's on their side?”

“No. But he's... I cannot explain too much, I have sworn secrecy,” Lan Xichen sighed, clenching his fists. “All I will say is that Wangji has done a great wrong in the past, and while the council of elders have agreed to show mercy, they're now threatening to have him suffer the true punishment for his crime if I act rashly and throw our sect into another war. I cannot let my brother die.”

So you're choosing him over Mingjue, Nie Huaisang almost shouted, only to realise he'd do the same. There was no friend in the world he wouldn't sacrifice for the good of his brother. Already Jiang Cheng, once one of his favourite people, was dead to him for siding with the Jins.

“But you're still here,” Nie Huaisang said. “Why?”

“You wrote that you needed help,” Lan Xichen replied a little too softly, averting his eyes. “Of course I came.”

His cheeks were a little pink, and combined with the rest...

Oh.

Well, wasn't that interesting.

Nie Huaisang took this new information into account, added it to what he knew about the Lans in general, that Lan in particular, and wondered if he could use that to his advantage.

Probably.

A man would do for a lover what he might not do for a friend, and it looked as though Lan Xichen only needed a little push to rebel against his elders.

“You're right, I do need help,” Nie Huaisang admitted, controlling his voice to sound just a touch whinier, the way he always used to do before he was forced out of his preferred comedy by the threat of war. “Er-ge, I really don't know what to do,” he said, concocting a lie close enough to the truth that Lan Xichen could actually do something useful about Nie Mingjue's state, vague enough that even if Lan Xichen betrayed them nobody would know the true state of Qinghe Nie's leader. “I really need help! I'd been trying to reach your uncle, but since you're here, and... I don't know who else to turn to, and if you'reon our side... if I can't trust you, who can I trust, rigth?”

Lan Xichen, bless his sweet and gullible soul, eagerly nodded, and took Nie Huaisang's hands again as if to comfort him. It was almost too easy, and Nie Huaisang could see how Jin Guangyao had gotten so much out of Lan Xichen.

Nie Huaisang was almost sorry for Lan Xichen, who was about to have his feelings toyed with, but...

But nothing mattered except saving Nie Mingjue, and time was running out.

Surely Lan Xichen would understand putting one's brother's life above everything else, wouldn't he?

#xisang #mostly one sided at that point but still #nie huaisang #lan xichen #mo dao zu shi #mdzs #jau writes #might continue later #if I figure out how #forbidden romance au

[satsuma-saturn]

Hey how are you?

Can you please write a hc where the brothers have a huge fight one day and when they go to see how mc are before hear and see everything, they're surprised bc mc doesn't seem to be affected by that, and when one of the brothers ask why they aren't scary they are just "believe me or not, I've seen way worse back in my house" and then the boys just try to fight less bc they want mc to have a good experience with the concept of family, since they don't have this

(I'm really sorry if it don't make sense)

A/N: As someone who gets triggered around yelling and fighting, this was therapeutic to write. I just imagined MC growing up with their parents screaming at each other daily and just fighting, which is low-key what I grew up with. Sorry if they seem a little too similar or if this isn’t exactly what you wanted, I’ve just been sitting on this for way too long. ALSO I didn’t include Mammon, Asmo, and Beel b/c I couldn't think of a situation with them fighting anyone else, so that’s why they don’t exist in this HC. Not that they aren’t capable, I’m just having a small brain moment. I’m just not entirely happy, but I have rly bad writer’s block and need to post it. Anyway, enjoy!

Warning(s): fighting (arguing), screaming/yelling

The Brothers’ Reactions to MC not Being Affected by Their Fighting (Lucifer, Leviathan, Satan, Belphegor)

Lucifer

It wasn’t unusual for him to have some sort of spat with one of his younger bothers, sorry, brothers

More often than not, it was Satan or Belphie, since they seemed to have some vendetta against him

Or he was simply yelling at Mammon about some overdue, unpaid bills

Maybe even Asmo, for bringing uninvited guests into the House of Lamentation

Yet, the fight earlier in the day was worse than usual

There was a screaming match between all of the brothers over something trivial

Afterwards, the eldest had wandered the house, in search of you

Upon finding you, he was surprised to see that the fight had not terribly affected you

When questioned, you reveal to him that it isn’t an unusual thing for you to hear, especially

He frowns at this new information, perturbed that you’ve had to listen to this at home

So, he makes an effort not to scream at his brothers so much, especially while you’re around

His pride would never allow you to know how that affects him, though

Leviathan

It was definitely Mammon

Once again, Mammon had taken money from his younger, otaku brother, and Leviathan isn’t having it

Now, the three of you are in the sitting room, with Levi unleashing his anger upon Mammon, who is at your side

You sat there, listening to it all

Mammon was defending himself, meanwhile, Levi was trying to get his money back from the elder brother so that he would be able to buy some limited edition Ruri-chan figure

After dinner, you were in your room, working on homework that you had been procrastinating on for too long, as you didn’t want to do it

Your DDD buzzed and lit up, indicating a message

It was from Levi

He was asking you to come to his room

Putting aside the unwanted homework, you immediately decided to head over to the otaku’s room

As usual, it was dark, and Levi sat on the floor, controller in hand

When you approached him, he silently handed a controller to you, without even as much as a glance in your direction

You thanked him, for both the controller and the silent apology, even if the fight had not affected you much

Satan

Once again, Beelzebub had eaten the brothers out of house and home

Satan was getting sick and tired of it

Every time it was his turn to cook, he’d check the pantry and fridge, only to discover that everything was gone

There was literally no one else it would be, other than Beel

Now, he’d have to go to the store before dinner, or there would be nothing to eat

No matter how many times he told his younger brother to stop eating everything, he still did it anyway

He was starting to get heated, not wanting to spend his hard earned money on food that they’d have, had it not been for his glutton of a brother

That’s it.

Stomping up the stairs and down the hall, he kicked open the door of the twins’ bedroom, to you sitting on Belphie’s bed, chatting with the twins

Your mouth opened in shock at the ruined state of the door, but he paid no mind

Instead, he stood in the doorway, unleashing his wrath on Beel

Belphie clapped his hands over your ears, but you could still hear the fourth oldest, loud and clear

After his tirade, his emerald eyes swung to you, Belphie’s icy hands still over your ears

He said something to you, but you couldn’t hear him

With a visible sigh, he disappeared from the doorway, leaving the three of you in a stunned silence

Later, you were in your room, when your door creaked open

It was Satan, coming in to apologize for his earlier outburst

You told him not to worry about it, since you were used to it

He simply stood and stared at you, unsure of how to apologize or even react

Of course, he felt awful about it

But later on, you found a new book in your bookbag, with a written apology inside the front cover

Belphegor

It does not take much for this demon to get pissed off and want to fight someone

If anything, he would most likely be fighting Lucifer, given how much they’re at each other’s throats

Lucifer was pissed that Belphie was caught skipping class yet again

So, you sat, listening to Lucifer lecture the sleepy demon, though he was relatively calm, for his temperament

Belphie wasn’t having it, though

Instead, he starts arguing back, eventually escalating the situation to an all out fight

Even though you were meant to be studying with him, there was no way you could be in that situation anymore

Though you were used to it, you didn’t feel the need to sit there and listen to the yelling

Later on, you located Belphie in the planetarium

He had been napping, but woke up as soon as you stepped in, which was highly unusual for the Avatar of Sloth

You sat next to him, and he pulled on you, wrapping his arms around you

He nuzzled into your neck, whispering a quiet “sorry”

Though he didn’t say anything else, you knew what he was apologizing for

Before you could even reply, he was already asleep

“It’s okay, I’m used to it…”

#obey me #shall we date? #shall we date? obey me #swd obey me #headcanon #request #request answered #obey me lucifer #obey me leviathan #obey me satan #obey me belphegor #obey me headcanon #om headcanon

[writingwithacupoftea]

The Perfect Birthday Present

Summary: Y/N Shelby’s birthday was fast approaching, and Tommy has no idea what to buy for her. Who would have thought that a night of drunken antics would give him the perfect answer?

Word Count: 2462

Y/B/M = Your birth month

A/N: Is this fic basically a belated birthday present to myself? Yes. Is it completely different to the one I planned? Absolutely 😂 Hope you all love this one as much as I do 💜

Upon Tommy's arrival back to Arrow House, Mary could tell as soon as he stepped out of the car that he was in a foul mood, even by his standards.

He'd been in London for the past week, sorting out some business. That part of the trip had gone well, Tommy had conceded, but the same couldn't be said for the other part of his mission: finding a birthday present for Y/N. In the past the Shelby's had clubbed together to buy presents, however this year Tommy wanted to get Y/N something special that was just from him.  

It was to be a thank you, really, for having put up with his shit for so long, yet never wavering in her loyalty to him. To say that he was supposed to be the one looking after her, for Y/N was his little sister, the roles had definitely been reversed over the last few years: she had helped him through his nightmares and opium addiction, provided him with brutal and blatant honesty (no matter how much he sulked or raged afterwards until he realised that she was right), and had dropped everything to move to Arrow House with him and Charlie after Grace's death.

To say that he was grateful for Y/N would be an understatement.

But seeing as everyone knew that Thomas Shelby was abysmal when it comes to talking about emotions, he wanted to show it in the only way he knew how – spending ridiculous amounts of his money on her.

He had dragged Ada through all of the best shops in London, looking for something spectacular to gift to Y/N. Tommy had ignored Ada's reminders about Y/N's love for simplicity and the little things: in his eyes, Y/N deserved the best that money could buy, so that's what he would get for her.

Yet nothing that they had looked at seemed quite right – it just wasn't Y/N enough. He should've realised then that Ada was right.

So Tommy returned to Warwickshire a day earlier than expected, empty-handed, exhausted and annoyed at himself.  

Curiosity took over, however, upon hearing music echoing through the halls of Arrow House. After following it, even Tommy's seemingly ice-cold heart melted slightly at the sight that greeted him home: Y/N has dug out the old gramophone, which hadn't been used since Grace had died, and she was dancing around the room with a whiskey in one hand and a half-smoked cigarette in the other.  

Tommy smiled softly at the sight of his sister swaying to the music, unaware that she was being watched. She looked young and happy and carefree, a far cry from her usual reserved and guarded self. Tommy forgot about his own troubles just watching her, enjoying seeing Y/N so alive.

But quickly, his mood changed and the smile vanished. Tommy found himself mourning, almost, the life that Y/N should've had, but because of him she could never live. Times like this shouldn't have been a rarity for his little sister: her whole life should have been filled with the unabated joy that exuded from her in this moment. Instead, she looked over her shoulder at every turn, cleared up the mess after each of his mistakes and constantly walked the streets with a target on her back.

Y/N chose this moment to turn around, having noticed that her glass was empty once again, and was momentarily stunned at seeing Tommy. That feeling passed in an instant, however, and she found herself barrelling across the room, throwing herself into her brother's arms. "TOM!" Her delight could be seen from a million miles away.

"You alright?" He rubbed her back gently as they hugged, and he noticed the strong smell of whiskey on her. "How many of those have you had?" Tommy gestured to the empty glass sat on the table, which Y/N was now refilling, along with a second one that she poured for him.

"Only one or two, Tom." Despite her best efforts to look and sound innocent, what Y/N didn't realise was that her flushed cheeks and the devilish glint in her eye gave her away, causing Tommy to smirk in amusement.

The track on the record changed to a lively Charleston, which only sounded vaguely familiar to Tommy's ears, however sparked far more of a reaction from his sister. She gasped loudly and downed her drink in one, slamming the glass down on the table, causing Tommy to raise his eyebrows at her. Y/N had a large smile plastered on her face as she exclaimed "Oh , I love this one!" She ran to turn the volume up, and started dancing once more.

"Won't this wake Charles up?" Tommy wasn't in the mood to deal with the screaming baby, especially if he was already fast asleep.

"Oh no, Tom, he's the reason I got the gramophone out in the first place. What I've discovered over the last few days is that your son adores music." Y/N turned to face Tommy, and adopted the matter-of-fact tone that she used so frequently with him. "A little dance to something upbeat to tire him out, then you put something gentler on and in no time at all he's out like a light."

Tommy felt guilt bubbling up inside of him, replacing his amusement at his younger sister's drunken state. Y/N had managed to find the solution that he had been looking for since Charlie's birth in a matter of days. It showed how little he knew about his own son, and was just another thing Y/N had had to figure out on her own, another problem that she had taken upon herself to solve for him.

Following Tommy's long silence, Y/N looked over at her elder brother, noticing the sad and far-away look on his face, and held out a hand dramatically towards him. "Will you join me, Tom, or have you forgotten how to dance?"

"I'm tired, Y/N/N. Another time, perhaps."

"So you have forgotten."

"Remember who taught you how to dance, sweetheart." His gaze softened as he recalled fond memories of his sister stepping on his toes. "Anyway, I don't think I could keep up with you now I'm older, as you kindly keep reminding me."

Y/N smirked at this. "Yes, Tom, but I'm older as well... that's how age works." She grabbed his hands in hers and started to force him to move his body a little to the music. "Come on, old man, you're not doing anything to help those creaking bones of yours!"

Tommy sighed, realising that he wasn't escaping, and reluctantly started to dance a bit with her. Y/N cackled at how out of practice he was, his movements stiff and face void of emotion, and was determined to get her older brother to loosen up before she went to bed.

***

A couple of hours later, the room was filled with laughter and both siblings had uncontainable smiles on their faces.

Everywhere was a mess. Records were strewn across the table, as they had quickly been through every one and couldn't remember which ones they liked the best; the furniture had been shoved to the side to make more space, with Tommy's suit and tie discarded on the sofa; and empty bottles of alcohol and various glasses were dotted around the room.

It's safe to say that Y/N had succeeded in her mission – Tommy was the happiest that she had seen him in a long time. She wished that this night could last forever, just her and her favourite brother in their own little world, where none of their worries could touch them.

***

The clock on the mantlepiece would have told Tommy that it was now the early hours of the morning, but he paid no attention to it

A slower tune played as the brother and sister swayed together in the middle of the room. Y/N was half-asleep, exhaustion having taken hold as her body caught up with the amount of alcohol she had consumed. It was rare for her to spend so much time with Tommy these days, despite having moved into his home, and she refused to waste one second of it while he was in the right mood.

As for Tommy himself, he was thinking; not at the fast-pace at which his thoughts usually raced, but just thinking. Well, more reminiscing. He hadn't spent a night like this since before the war; in fact he hadn't come close to feeling this free and at peace since before the war. Even when Grace was still here, his mind was more often than not occupied by business.

He thought about the not so little girl wrapped safely in his arms. Placing a soft kiss on the top of her head, he wondered ‘When did she become so grown up? Where did the time go?’

Breaking the quiet between them, Tommy only just heard his sister’s drunken mumbles of “This is the best birthday present ever,” and felt his heart melt even more.

He observed the contented smile that rested on his sister’s face and realised that Ada was right about Y/N: she lived for the special little things in life, she lived for family and for love, not money and jewels.  

Y/N lived for moments like this… and, just like that, Tommy knew what the perfect present would be.

***

Two days later, and it was Y/N’s birthday.  

Since it was a Sunday, all that she had wanted to do to celebrate was to have a big lunch with all of her family. So, the whole Shelby clan, spouses and children included, piled into Arrow House for one very chaotic afternoon.

Y/N couldn't have been happier with how the day turned out. Arguments were kept to a minimum (but Y/N secretly enjoyed the slight bickering that inevitably occurred), she was able to play with all of her nieces and nephews in the garden to her heart's content, and the whole of Arrow House had a buzz about it.

Even Tommy didn't seem to be as grumpy and pre-occupied as usual. Something had changed in her brother since that drunken night, and Y/N couldn't quite put her finger on what it was. But it was a change for the better, so she wasn't going to complain or question it. Despite her longing for a night like that again, she knew that it was an unrealistic dream: Tommy had far too much on his plate nowadays, even if Y/N thought that it would do him the world of good to let go every now and again. And, Y/N admitted to herself, she had missed her big brother much more than she realised.

But Y/N didn't dwell on that for too long, knowing that she'd miss out on things if she spent too long in her own head (such as John, who had just fallen out of a tree in an attempt to beat his own children in climbing it).

***

It was dusk before the family left, and as much as it was one of the best birthdays that Y/N could remember, she was glad for the quiet and a bit of time to herself.

After eating some more birthday cake and having a cup of tea on the bench in the garden, watching as the stars gradually appeared in the Y/B/M sky, Y/N retreated back inside having discovered that it was nearly midnight.  

Mary informed her that her brother had already gone up to bed for the night. On any other day, Y/N would have been surprised at this bit of news, knowing how late Tommy normally stayed up to work; but her family was exhausting when they were all together for half an hour, never mind half a day, so she quietly padded up the stairs to do the same.

Her attention was immediately drawn to a large box that rested on her bed the moment that she entered her room. Y/N would’ve been suspicious if it wasn’t for the note that sat on top of it:

“Happy birthday, sweetheart.

Love,

Tommy x”

Excitement and intrigue building up inside of her rapidly, she untied the messy bow (Tommy had clearly tried his best) and lifted the lid. Inside she found four new records and two bottles of whiskey. For a moment she was confused, but then she found a second note:

“For the next time…

T x”

Y/N felt her heart swell with emotion and tears began to line her eyes as she smiled.

She threw on her nightdress and wandered down the hall to her brother’s bedroom. Knocking gently, she pushed the door open slightly, just enough to stick her head around it. Tommy’s crystal blue eyes locked with hers and she suddenly found herself wondering why she was there at all: she and Tommy were both awful at things like this (when then were sober, anyway). There was a reason why he left the present somewhere that she would find it by herself, rather than giving it to her himself.

Suddenly feeling awkward, Y/N smiled slightly and nodded, not knowing what to say to her brother. As she began to close the door again, Y/N heard a slight chuckle from inside the room and Tommy softly called her name.

She shuffled back into the room, looking at anything but her brother sat on the bed. "I know it's late, but I just wanted to say -" But she was unable to finish that important sentence, a loud, long yawn having escaped her.

When she opened her eyes again, Y/N saw, to her surprise, an amused smile playing on Tommy's lips. He pulled back the covers on the other side of his grand bed, and raised his eyebrows, silently posing a question that he hadn't asked for a long time.  

In recent years, Tommy hadn't been overly affectionate: Y/N guessed that it was just another side effect of the war. So, when the opportunity arose for Y/N to get a hug from her brother (who used to give the best hugs, not that she'd ever tell her other family members), she would never refuse.

She half-ran over to the bed and snuggled under the duvet before Tommy could change his mind. Cuddling into his side and letting the warmth envelope her, the siblings lay there in silence for a while, perfectly content.

As Y/N's eyelids began to flutter shut, she mumbled into her brother's chest a soft "Thank you, Tom," that he only just caught.

Tommy tightened his arms around his Y/N's frame in response and pressed a kiss to her hair. He turned out the light next to him as he felt his little sister's breaths even out, and whispered so that no one else could hear: "No, darling, thank you."

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