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#i sketched this forever ago and ignored it because it was getting too beyond my skills

recklessmark · 3 years

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chapter four: you’re my first kiss

—from DISCRETION series

Summary: you incidentally met a notorious CEO and your gut told you that you must claim this man. and even the fact that he’s engaged to someone else didn’t stop you from achieving what you want.

Pairings: CEO! Mark x Designer! Reader

Warnings: none

Words: 1520

—previous: chapter three-i love him forever, is it better than you yet?

“I come to see Y/N.”, it’s a familiar voice.

Alicia turns around, she hesitantly speaks to the man. “Sorry, Y/N is really busy. You can tell me if there’s a problem.”

She knows Mark Lee is not someone she can get involved with but you’re now looking like a corpse, nothing different from Ursula from The Little Mermaid. If she lets anyone see you like this, you will definitely murder her and cut her body into pieces. Moreover, you’re drained, Mark is the powder with a fuse like you, just add some friction, this whole studio will utterly explode.

Mark is getting too impatient now, taking advantage of Alicia thinking about the situation, he passes her to directly open your office door.

“Wait! No-“, Alicia sighs, silently collecting her stuff, in case that you’ll fire her.

Closing the door, Mark’s eyebrows tighten as he sees plenty pieces of wedding dress fabric on the turfed carpet. There’re some mannequins wearing lavish wedding gowns.

You ignore the sudden noise in your room, continue tucking your face in your paper sketch. You’re in a rush, this is the last dress, you have to complete it in time.

“Ali, grab me a black coffee cup, I definitely can stay up all night.”

Mark quietly leans on the doorframe, listens to your demand. You feel something weird, Alicia always do things immediately, why she hasn’t left yet, neither speaking up.

You angrily yell, “God just fucking go out!”

“You’re getting mad at me?”

You froze at your seat, your dark-circle eyes widen, not even dare to look up. With this appearance, you will be traumatized with embarrassment if you raise your head. You instantly open a drawer of your working desk, finding sunglasses and a mask, putting them on before standing up.

“Wow, Mr Lee has time to visit me huh?”

Mark weirdly looks at you, and steps forward. You anxiously make two steps backward, “Mark, if you need to say something just say it. No need to be this close.”

Normally, you’re like magnet whenever you see him, worry that someone will be faster than you even for a second. But now you’re trying to make a distance from him. Also wearing sunglasses and face mask indoor, he wonder do all designers act like this?

“Take them off.”

You chuckle nervously, “To preserve the prettiest image of me in your mind, we should better talk like this.”

But who is Mark Lee? He will follow what you said?

Seeing Mark doesn’t back off, you’re getting more and more frantic, and your body surely can not bear his. He quickly spreads his arm out, firstly the glasses, pitifully laying on the carpet.

“Y/N, you...”

You sigh, taking your mask off, revealing the exhausted face. “What do you want? I don’t have time.”

Mark feels something hurt in his chest. He finally can see an arrogant person like you being like this but he can’t find a hint of happiness. “I can’t call you. Where’s the dress? You’re gonna ruin the wedding by letting the bride be naked huh?”

Your face lights up like you’ve just found another universe. You didn’t think about that but now you will consider whether you should do it.

Your eyes wander around the room, your index finger points at a silver suitcase in the corner. “Over there, come have a look yourself.”

He glances at you and then walks towards the suitcase, unlocks it.

You actually put a lot of efforts into that dress, even the material is super pricey. Although it takes a lot of money and time but you are satisfied with the result, you didn’t make it for Kim Yeri, you made it because Mark asked.

“You like it? My competency is way better than you anticipated right?”, you cockily say.

“Right, very good.”, he nods.

You’re surprised, Mark never praised you like that. Staring into oblivion, a shadow lands onto your figure, you snap back to reality. Looking up, your face is now an inch from Mark’s. His fingers tilt your chin up, “I didn’t see you a few days, you missed me to even turn out like this huh?”, he sighs.

You giggle, decide to get along with his joke. “Right, and you have to take responsibility for me.”

You think it was just a simple joke, there’s no way Mark would accept that stupid accusation.

“Okay!”, he nods, seriousness glinting in his eyes.

Your mind has just been blown away by his simple ‘okay’, “No more joking, I have lots of work to do, if there’s nothing else you can go”. You move away from the hand on your chin, walking towards the sewing machine to finish your work.

“When will you be done?”, he checks his watch.

You stop a bit, look at the watch on your wrist to estimate the time. “If you stop irritating me, probably before this afternoon.”

“Alright, I’ll wait.”

A warm feeling fills up your chest, except of Alicia, no one has said they would wait for you, and the potential reason for that is none of them can actually wait.

Marks takes his phone out, decides to call Yeri.

“Mark!”

Yeri picks up the call without hesitation when the contact’s name appears on her phone. She’s been worrying when Mark told her he was coming to your place to see the wedding dress.

“Yeri, I’m busy today. I’ll bring the dress to you tomorrow, bye.”

Yeri has a lot of things to say but the things she heard were two sentences and the sound of the ring-off call. Her face displays an unbelievable look, she frantically messages you.

Alicia sees your phone brightens up, a message appears. She frowns, it’s from a stranger, after thinking a little bit she decided to bring the phone for you. She wants to know what’s happening inside too, the curiosity is kicking in her.

Knock! Knock!

“No one can come in! Go!”

Alicia deadly heard Mark’s voice, she stomps on her feet, confusingly speaks up.

“Y/N! Someone texted you she wanted to send you her paintings. Can I answer for you?”

With a speed of light, you run to the door, snatch your phone from Alicia’s hand and mumble a quick “thank you” before slamming the door shut. Alicia is so confused now, she didn’t even a see a single thing and you already closed the door. She’s getting more curious now, wondering what are you doing inside that she can’t see.

You smirk, the messages are continuously blowing up your phone. Until the phone stops vibrating, you speak to Mark. “Your fiancé really wants to control you that much huh? She even demanded to see me, why do I feel like we are cheating on her?”

He glances at you, lets you continue talking.

“Shut your phone down.”

“For what.”

“She’s calling you.”

He doubtfully comes to take your phone,

[10:26am] you: “I’m not being with Y/N, don’t bother her.”

His feeling for you is going up day by day. You did that to make Yeri think both Mark and you are playing with her, didn’t you? As you expected, his phone rings few seconds later. You quickly pick it up, also on the speaker mode.

“Mark! Why did you lie to me? You’re with Y/N, aren’t you? What are you doing with her? You want to cancel our wedding right? Fine, I’ll do it myself!”, her voice sounds angry.

You smile in satisfaction, she’s threatening Mark? Who she thinks she is? He slightly shakes his head, hang up the call and sit back again. He keeps Yeri besides him that long cause he thinks she knows how to behave. Many people want Mark but they’re all not as fortunate as her. All of a sudden, you just appear out of nowhere, smarter, prettier, more talented, more prominent than her. She certainly doesn’t want to lose everything. Everything she did few minutes ago has just blown all good impressions of her in Mark. He now only wants to push that girl far away from him as much as he can, he doesn’t know if he can control himself not to get furious at her.

You look at Mark’s no-emotion face, tracing his jawline with your hand.

“Baby? Don’t get mad okay? The wedding is carefully planned, I even made a beautiful dress like that. You can not cancel it.”

Mark suddenly pulls you down by your arm, a second later you feel something wet on your lips. He kisses you, his tongue licks your lips delicately. You can only squeeze your eyes shut, feeling the tender kiss on your lips.

He only pulls away when you’re dying for air, you collapse in his embrace. “You kiss so bad, don’t tell me you’ve never kissed someone.”

You stand up again, “You’re the first one I ever kissed.”, you honestly say.

Although you do have a lot of ex boyfriends but you never went beyond holding hands or hugging. Mark Lee is the first person you allow to cross the barrier. But little do you know, when he heard he’s your first kiss, he wants to actually cross the barrier even more.

Mark grabs your waist, pushing you down to sit on his lap.

“What’s now Mark? I haven’t finished my work.”

“You can work later. Now answer me, no one has fucked you right?”, he stares into your wide-opened eyes.

—next: chapter five-distraction

taglist: @nuoyii @jjikyuu @generantionct @keemburley @skrtbeepbeep @sunshinedhyuck @jenotation

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talkfastromance4 · 4 years

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/clementine/part 3: Ashton Irwin

Thank you all so so much for giving this new series a chance!🧡It will probably be structured like my Luke&Lily series where I’ll have open discussions about this family with little blurbs and then some one shots like these. Catch up below and please tell me what you think! Much love🧡

Part 1 // Part 2

Word count: 3.5k

Warnings: sweet moments, mentions of pregnancy

Masterlist

•••••

Preparation for the baby began minutes after Y/N and Ashton celebrated the happy news in their garden and after many photos that Ashton took. He had her pose in the swing then sit on the edge of the pond so the vases could be seen behind her. She thought his excitement was so wholesome it wasn’t hard for her to have a genuine smile as he had her hold one of the vases. When he stuck a small orange flower in her hair she used that opportunity to give him a quick kiss.

“I’m so happy you’re happy,” she whispers.

“I’m over the moon,” he grins, eyes twinkling like stars. “Can I ask why you chose the colors orange and green?”

“Uhh…well. I really love your album and it’s like…” she touches her belly lightly, “this baby is our own superbloom.”

More kissing ensued then Ashton was rattling off paint ideas and how the room next to theirs would be the perfect nursery once he finally cleaned out the leftover packing boxes and some of his things he shifted there to make room for her stuff.

He began sketching the nursery right away but kept his drawings away from her until he could color them in, so she’d have the perfect visual of what he saw in his mind’s eye.

Later that night while they were getting ready for bed, after he checked the locks and security cameras he found her in their bathroom with her shirt yanked up to her breasts and her shorts pulled down a little staring at her reflection. She twisted every which way, a glowing smile present. He’s only known for a few hours and she’s already glowing.

It’s not until he shifts his focus from her face to what she was looking at, a small round bump. Ashton becomes transfixed as he admires her and the life that is very apparent growing within her.

“Do you see this?!” she squeals finally turning around to face him.

“I do see, and it’s incredible, angel,” he smiles moving behind her. He places his own hands over the small roundness of her belly then turns them towards the mirror. “You’re so beautiful.”

He rubs her stomach, fingers tickling her skin until she’s sighing against him. “You’re sure you’re happy?”

“I’m beyond happy, angel.” Then he frowns spinning her around so she’s facing him. He turns her chin up. “Why do you keep asking if I’m happy?”

“Because this wasn’t planned, and I don’t want you to feel stuck with me or something…” she shrugs, eyes lowering in shame.

“You can get that out of your head right now,” he cups her cheeks forcing her to look at him. “Remember when I told you there’s no downside to us not using protection? I meant it. Yes, we absolutely should have used protection, but this isn’t a bad thing, yeah? I’m so happy we’re having a baby.”

He kisses her forehead then her lips once, twice, three times. His hazel eyes search her face for more signs of doubt, but he sees the resolve appear.

“Okay, you’re right,” she sighs. “I’m overthinking it. I’m happy too.”

***

As months go on and Ashton continues to clean out the soon-to-be nursery, Y/N’s showing more and more. Their friends and family were ecstatic about the news of their bundle of joy that would be making their arrival in the middle of June.

Ashton has been more than happy being her support as her body continued to change. He made sure she had plenty of fluids, taking all the necessary prenatal vitamins, gave her the best herbal teas and didn’t mind running to the store for her odd cravings. For a straight week all she wanted was an apple and chicken sandwich.

The holidays went by and Y/N had a constant glow about her that radiated to everyone in proximity. Even through her migraines, nausea, back pain and heartburn, she was still extremely happy to be pregnant.

Mornings are spent by Ashton speaking to the baby while he rubs her belly. He and the boys have started working on the nursery and at nighttime Ashton has set up a little woodshop in the garage where he’s making the crib. He wants it to be circular and painted a light green.

She enjoys watching him work, loving the way his muscles ripple and flex, his sweat making his tattoos shine. Her raging hormones were also very apparent and fired at all times. Once, when Ashton came home he saw her crying on the couch because she had a really good sex dream and was very upset when she woke up. As of late, their best position is from behind while laying on their sides, fingers interlocked and Ashton’s lips on her neck. Because of her heightened arousal, her orgasms happened very quickly.

She’s eight months along now, both her and baby are extremely healthy. Her baby shower (that Ashton insisted on attending) is this weekend in their backyard, but the girls wouldn’t let them lift a finger.

They’re sitting out in the garden now watching the fish swim around lazily as dragonflies kiss the top of the sparkling water. The garden has expanded even more with overflowing green ferned plants and a small bird bath.

“I was thinking of having pork chops for dinner tomorrow and don’t forget we have a doctor appointment on Friday,” she tells him while playing with his fingers. They have more callouses now from all of his woodshop making, the crib is finished and drying in the garage. She looks over at him to see he’s staring off into the distance. “Ash?”

“Hm?”

“What are you thinking about so hard?” she taps her fingers delicately on his temple.

“I’m thinking about the night we met,” he sighs bringing his other hand to cradle her belly. “Do you remember?”

“Of course, I remember. Why are you thinking about that?”

“I had a thought that night and it popped in my head just now,” his fingers create soothing circles on her stomach.

“What thought?”

Ashton ignores the question and starts telling the story of the night they met fifteen months ago.

They were strangers then, both of them agreeing to a speed dating night but there was a twist, it was held in the dark. The waiters wore night vision glasses and walked the daters to their tables, fate had Ashton and Y/N be at the same table.

“They really took ‘blind dating’ literally, huh?” she laughed nervously trying to break the tension. She’s only been on less than a handful of blind dates but this one takes the cake.

“Yeah, I get the concept, but I wish I could see you,” he complimented. Her teasing piqued his interest immediately, she sounded feisty but also clever. “You sound pretty.”

“Yeah? How does pretty sound?” she giggled.

“Just like that,” he pointed then placed his finger down since she couldn’t see it. “Your personality is in your voice. You’re funny and witty and your giggle is just adorable.”

“Well, thank you,” she said feeling her face warm up. “You have a nice voice too.”

“I’m Ashton.”

“Nice to meet you, Ashton, I’m Y/N.”

The evening continued with more laughter as they tried to eat their food in the dark. It took them forever to find their forks and couldn’t stop laughing as they patted the table trying to find a knife.

“Maybe we don’t need one?” he asked.

“But it’s chicken! I don’t want to pick it up with my fingers, we aren’t in the stone ages.”

“Maybe it’s already cut?”

“You test it first.”

She listened as his fork stabbed onto the plate, then it clattered while he yelped in surprise.

“Did it bite you?” she laughed.

“No, it’s just very hot! Be careful.”

When the date has ended with a chocolate mint, the host of the blind dating soirée thanked everyone for participating and said if you’d like to meet your date face to face then take the door on the left, if not then come out the way you came. Ashton and Y/N’s nerves heightened, would the other walk through the left door or leave?

She followed the waiter to the left, hoping Ashton did the same. They had nametags on so it would be easy to find your date if you chose to meet them afterwards. She blinked a few times when the light from the streetlamps met her eyes and standing below a hanging flower basket filled with orange flowers was Ashton.

He smiled at her as she approached, her arms crossed over her chest as a slight breeze drifted through the street.

“Nice to put a face to the name,” he said.

Attraction was immediate and after a few minutes of chatting he asked if she’d like to get a coffee down the block. She accepted and told her friend she’d see her later. Her friend was going to a movie with the girl she had dinner with, and they were already holding hands. Y/N smiled that they hit it off right away.

Ashton and Y/N stayed at the coffee shop until it closed, neither of them wanted the night to end so he invited her back to his place. Normally she would never do that on a first date, but the way she and Ashton connected was unlike any other first date.

He gave her a tour of his house then turned on some music that floated outside onto the patio where he flicked on the small bulbed lights. He noticed she kept shivering and made a fire in his small pit, thankfully it was gas so it would warm up quickly.

“Thank you,” she smiled leaning closer to the flames.

Conversation was so easy between them, they discussed the universe, books, music, everything under the sun that helped define a person. When Lord Huron’s song ‘The Night we Met’ started she gasped.

“I love this song! I know the lyrics are sad, but it makes me feel like it’s a happy nostalgic song, you know?” she said.

Ashton stood up holding out his hand. “Care to dance?”

She stared up at him in shock, excitement and nervousness flowed through her, but a small burst of confidence had her hand fitting into his. He pulled her from her chair then held her close as he shifted from side to side. As the song continued the electricity between them accelerated.

The song stopped and crickets filled the silence.

“Can you keep playing that song?” she asked quietly.

Ashton nodded taking his phone from his pocket and clicked on the song again, making sure that it would be on repeat. He pocketed his phone then took her hand back in his picking up where they left off on their dance. They inch closer, their interlocked hands cradled between their chests. The yearning song mirrored their actions as his forehead pressed to hers.

On the third round of the song he found his own courage by pressing his lips to hers, soft, warm, and perfect. He felt her nerves slip away with his as the first kiss delved into a kiss that felt like a lifetime. It was new but felt so familiar that transcended time.

In that moment he decided that this was the girl he’s going to marry, start a family with, and dance to music under twinkling lights when they’re seventy-five years old. This blind date opened his eyes to a world of possibilities with her and he wanted them all.

The next day the state of California issued a statewide lockdown and their journey began.

“When we were dancing on the patio and we kissed for the first time,” Ashton says coming back to the present, “I knew then that I was going to marry you.” He leans down and kisses the highest point of her belly before taking her hand.

“Y-you did?”

“I know we haven’t talked about marriage, but…with this little one on the way soon I’ve been thinking about it a lot.”

“We can talk about it,” she nods.

“What are your thoughts on it, angel? I’m feeling some hesitation,” he smiles but it doesn’t meet his eyes. He concentrates on their hands folded together over their baby.

“No, no! Hey,” she turns his head, so he looks at her. “I want to marry you; I’d go right now and waddle down the aisle, but I just don’t think it’s the best time right now. With the baby coming soon we’re going to be really crazy getting a schedule down and we’re going to be extremely tired…”

“You’re right. I don’t want to rush things. But you do want to marry me?” his hazel eyes widen a little.

“Of course, I want to marry you,” she smiles pecking his lips quickly. “I probably would have married you the night we met to be honest.”

“Yeah?” he grins.

“Yes, crazy boy.”

“Come on, why won’t you tell us what you’re having!” Luke whines adjusting his pacifier necklace. It’s their baby shower and one of the games includes wearing a necklace of pacifiers, if you hear someone say the name ‘baby’ you got to take their pacifier. The one with the most won a prize.

Ashton and Y/N had the envelope of the sex of their baby at her four-month ultrasound. Neither of them were really desperate to know so the envelope stayed on their nightstand. Each night they bounced back names and settled on two for either a boy or a girl which they also haven’t shared with friends or family. It’s not that they were scared someone would steal their names, but they liked having it just be known to them.

On the morning of their baby shower she found Ashton eyeing up the envelope after his shower.

“I’ve been thinking about opening it, too,” she smiled picking up the white envelope. Scrawled on the front were the words ‘Baby Irwin’.

“Do you want to?”

They opened it together, tears filling their eyes as they read the one syllable word underneath ‘you’re having a…’ they hugged and kissed in excitement then Ashton kissed her belly.

“Hello baby love,” he murmurs. “We’re having a party for you today, where you’ll be getting lots of clothes and toys. You’re already such a joy, your mama and I love you so much.”

“We’ll tell you,” she nods.

“As soon as Y/N gives birth we’ll let you all know,” Ashton finishes.

Luke was the only one affronted by not knowing, he wants to know the name and everything.

“But that won’t be until the middle of June!”

“Luke, relax. We promise you’ll be the first to know,” Ashton rolls his eyes as he hands Y/N another gift.

They’re all sat by the flower oasis; the fish splash every now and then almost is if they want to know what the gender of the baby is as well. She’s been spending a lot more time in the flower garden, talking to the baby and imagining sitting out here on the swing watching the fish swim.

The nursery is finished, one wall is painted in orange flowers growing up to the ceiling. A green plant sits in the corner next to the teal armchair. Ashton’s circular crib is all set up along with the other furniture in the room and some toys are scattered around. The room is absolutely perfect.

Y/N’s become a bit more emotional now as her due date draws closer. When opening presents are finished and they’re all eating cake (Luke was disappointed there wasn’t blue or pink frosting hiding inside) she teared up.

“Hey, are you all right? Does something hurt?” Ashton asks swiping away a tear from her cheek.

“No, I’m just so happy,” she cries dabbing at her eyes with the peach napkin. “All of our friends and family are here because they already love our baby so much.”

“Oh, angel,” he smiles as she hides her face in his chest. He rubs her back affectionately and kisses the top of her head. “They love you, too.”

As the party dwindled down, she went upstairs to lay down, her feet swell a lot more these days. Ashton helps clean up and brings the gifts inside the nursery. When the last guest leaves he’s exhausted as well and heads upstairs.

She’s sprawled across the bed her pregnancy pillow enveloped around her. That thing was a God send; it was the only way she could sleep through the night without any pain. Ashton was glad it helped her sleep; the only downside was that it was much harder for him to cuddle her close.

He removes his blue silk pants and tugs off his light pink shirt (an outfit choice he wore to mess with Luke) and joins her on the bed. He kisses her forehead, brushing his fingers through her hair then holds his hand on her belly. He feels a slight kick from the baby, and he smiles.

“Don’t wake mama up, baby love,” he smiles, “she’s had a long day on her feet. Take a nap with us.”

Ashton rests his head on the pillow then begins to hum a song until the baby’s kicking ceases and the family of three snooze together until dinner time.

Ashton is about to pull his hair out. It’s been two weeks past Y/N’s due date and she’s miserable. They’ve been trying everything their doctor has recommended to induce labor, spicy foods (after it made her cry she tossed that idea out the window), eating bananas, using the exercise ball and walking. But to no avail, their little baby was as stubborn as Y/N and Ashton.

She’s not sleeping well; she gets nearly six headaches a day and can’t stand for longer than ten minutes without her back hurting. Ashton has suggested trying to have sex as that’s the number one trial to induce labor, but she shot that down quick too.

“Ash, listen, I love you and you know I think you’re sexy, but sex is the furthest thing on my mind right now. I feel like a whale and I’m so hot and uncomfortable…”

When tears sprung in her eyes he never brought it up again but still, he wants their baby to arrive now so she’s not in this state anymore. She’s sitting on the couch with her feet propped up on the coffee table, a fan blasting on high directed right at her.

“Do you want anything to eat or drink?” he asks leaning over the back of the couch.

“No,” she grumbles rubbing her stomach. “Can we try walking again?”

“Around the block?”

“No, just the backyard,” she sighs trying to sit up. Ashton helps her stand then holds her elbow with one hand resting on her back. “My womb can’t be that comfortable.”

Ashton smiles but doesn’t say anything. He learned two weeks ago that any form of compliment towards her womb accommodations made her angry. She sighs when her feet touch the warm patio then into the soft grass.

They start from the opposite end of the flower oasis where now a small well resides with vines growing up. Ashton holds her hand as they walk through the garden, each section resembling a chapter in this part of their life. It’s filled with color and vibrance and was made from love. When they reach the koi pond, Felix, Oscar and Patricia are gathered together near the edge.

“Can you hand me the food?” she asks.

Ashton removes his hand to grab the fish food and hands it to her. She pops it open then sprinkles the food into the water.

“Do you think they know I’m pregnant?” she asks.

“Maybe…are they like dogs in how they can sense it?” Ashton asks.

“I don’t know. I like to think they know. All right,” she sighs heavily, “lets’ head back inside.”

As soon as she crosses the threshold, she hears a small pop then something trickling down her legs. She gasps and looks down at her feet to see water covering her orange colored toes (courtesy of Ashton painting them since she can’t see her feet). Her water broke. It’s time.

“Um, Ash?” she reaches towards a chair and holds onto it.

“What’s up, angel?”

“My water just broke.”

“In the pond? How? Wait—what?!” he spins from the fridge and stands in front of her. His eyes widen. “Okay, stay right here, let me get you some new pants and we’ll go to the center.”

After twelve hours of labor, their baby girl was born on July 1. They both cried tears of joy at the sight of her, her face was a perfect circle with long lashes and an already apparent pair of dimples on her round cheeks. Ashton couldn’t stop staring at her as Y/N held her in her arms, he strokes his finger over her forehead gently. The peach fuzz of her skin is warm and already familiar.

“Here’s our superbloom,” she smiles to Ashton.

He meets her gaze, eyes filled with love and admiration that she carried their baby girl for this amount of time. He kisses her and rests his forehead against hers.

“Our darling Clementine.”

•••••

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#ashton irwin one shot #dad!ash #ashton irwin fluff #ashton irwin writing #ashton 5sos #dad!sos #clementine #ai writing #ashton one shot #ashton fluff

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krispydefendorpolice · 4 years

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The Demon’s Bride (6)

Yikes, anyone else having trouble posting new posts on tumblr. When I went to write this up literally the only option I got was a text post. Did formatting change on the apps? *shrugs* oh well. Time for the next chapter.

So it’s been a long while since my last update. Work drags me down and I didn’t have the energy to commit to writing the ideas running through my head. (Look forward to more of my Drabble ficlets because of that.).

A couple weeks (?) ago I asked for a vote and I got 2 out of 2 for Demon’s Bride so here’s the next chapter. Enjoy.

Beginning Previous Next Masterpost

————————————

After Damian dropped Marinette off at the hotel she went inside and found a few of her classmates waiting in the lobby.

Nino was the first to see her. Standing up he called out, “Dude. Where have you been? We were so worried.”

Nino, Alix, Kim, and Max crowded around her as she entered.

“Sorry guys. My phone died on me,” holding up the dead phone for them to see, “so I couldn’t call for a ride or taxi. And I thought the hotel was reasonably close enough to walk. Forgot to account for Gotham’s Crime life though.” She added tapping her head with a closed fist to indicate the knucklehead move.

“You’re alright?” Nino asked.

Marinette hearing the unvoiced question nodded. “Fine. I had the criminal handled before the Bat and his brood showed up. Them actually getting there was what took so long.”

“Here Max,” Marinette said taking the glasses from her purse and handing them to the young man. “I also gave him some sugar cubes before and after our trip so don’t let him guilt you into believing I’m starving him either.”

“He tries it every time,” Max said replacing his frames with the pair Marinette handed him. A small ball of light briefly manifested before the small horse Kwamii hid in Max’s open bag.

“So what happened with Bustier after I left,” Marinette asked Nino as the group headed towards the elevator to take them to their rooms. Alix, Kim and Max fell back a step to follow behind the other two.

Nino pressed the call button before answering. “We told her you were still in the restroom before leaving the restaurant and again after boarding we told her you weren’t on. Markov even did a video recording of her reactions as well as a sweep of the bus to prove you weren’t on when we told her.”

Marinette raised an eyebrow. Ms. Bustier had ignored all that from her friends and left her behind anyways?

“She’s even worse here than at home.” Alix voiced what they were all thinking.

“Did you...?” Marinette trailed off.

“Report filled out, sent in and as of five minutes ago reviewed and filed by the Commandant. He’s waiting for a follow up from you.”

Alix and Marinette got off when the elevator stopped. The boys would go to the floor above where their rooms were. “Thanks guys. I’ll do my check in before going to sleep and let you guys know about any changes in the morning. Do we still have a free day?”

“We haven’t heard anything about it changing but Juleka sent a text a few minutes ago that she thinks something might come up for the fashion district based on what she’s heard so far?” Max said.

Marinette whined to herself, “She would choose something I like to try and spoil. Night guys.”

The doors closed on their calls while Marinette and Alix walked to their shared room and opened the door.

Marinette used the washroom to shower first since she had just been fighting an Akuma. While Alix was taking her turn, Marinette opened her now charged phone and started a video call.

“Bonjour Commandant,” she greeted when the call was answered and an older Chinese man appeared on the screen.

“Bonjour Marinette. The team and I expected your check in almost an hour ago and the others on the trip with you hadn’t heard anything.”

Marinette shrugged one shoulder. “My phones battery was already low and Voyage travel tends to be a coin toss on how it affects electronics. When I got back to the restaurant my phone was dead and I had to walk to the hotel.”

“And it took over an hour to get there?”

“Well no,” Marinette admitted. “I ran into one of Gotham’s criminals and had that handled easily,” she said before the Commandant interrupted, “but the Bat-clan showed up and... I ran into an old friend and we took a moment to catch up.”

“You ran into an old friend? After the Bats showed up? This friend wouldn’t happen to be a Bat would they?”

Marinette shrugged but smiled so that the man knew he got it right.

“And you won’t say anything because it could compromise identities.” The Commandant finished for her. “Alright, does it change any plans for this week?”

Marinette paused thoughtfully reviewing what would be happening that week. “I don’t think so. I know him but he doesn’t know about me being LadyBug.”

She smiled brightly, “actually I would love to keep that a secret for now and surprise him with it at the meeting. Oh! Can we get Viperion, Ryuko and Abeille to come to the meeting as well? We can get them to come across using Voyage so travel won’t be a problem.”

“Do they know this old friend?”

“Yes. Well, Viperion, Ryuko and Jiuweihu do.”

“Ah,” he said with understanding at the mention of the others who knew the friend and sighed. “How likely am I to have a revolt if I don’t somehow get this approved?”

Marinette smiled mischievously. “Oh very likely. Viperion will let you know from the start what he thinks about missing this chance but it will be Ryuko you will need to watch out for.”

The Commandant shook his head tiredly. He remembered the last time Ryuko had objected to something and the entire team had faced her wrath over it. “I will do what I can. As for the trip, I would like the team to stay together in pairs or as a small group on the class free days and with the class on the group days. There’s no need to push even your luck in Gotham with the way that the teacher is likely to neglect to take your safety into consideration.”

“Bien Sûr. We’ll be on our best behaviors,” she gave him a cheeky grin and saluted before ending the call.

“You know, if anyone had told me you were like this when we first met all those years ago I would have called them crazy,” Alix commented as she left the bathroom, towel drying her wet hair.

“That’s because you only knew Marinette. Mari is only for family and the team,” Marinette explained as she sat on her bed and pulled out her sketchbook.

Alix tossed the damp towel in the bathroom before pulling out a couple cookies and some carrots from the hotels mini fridge they had stocked that afternoon when they first arrived.

After placing them on the rooms small table two small Kwamii’s flew from their hiding places, one from Marinette’s purse and one from the suitcases in the corner where the girls kept their things.

“So what did the Commandant have to say,” Alix asked as she jumped onto her bed.

“He wants us to stay in the group as much as possible during the trip. Pairs at the very least. And he told me to stay out of trouble. Not in those exact words but the intent was clear.”

“Now why he would think that LadyBug would need orders to stay out of trouble is beyond me,” Alix joked.

Marinette glared at her before turning it on the Kwamii’s where they laughed on the table.

“No respect. I get no respect,” she mumbled humorously before turning the book to Alix. “What do you think?”

“It looks like a traffic light,” Alix observed the costume. “I’ve never seen you use that color combination together.”

“It’s the characteristic colors of the Robin uniform. I don’t know why they’ve chosen those colors but every Robin used them in some variation.” Marinette went back to sketching and adding tweaks to the costume.

“So Robin’s the childhood friend?” Alix asked.

Marinette froze.

She didn’t hear Alix call her name two more times. It wasn’t until a hand in her face had her reacting (and boy would she have to apologize for nearly dislocating Alex’s shoulder for her concern).

“Ouch,” Alix mumbled rubbing her arm. “You could have just said I need to keep it quiet,” she added as she stood up from the bed.

“Sorry Alix,” Marinette apologized.

“Nah, this’s my fault,” she gestured to her arm, “I know better than to startle you or the others on Alpha team. You okay?” She asked. “You kind of spaced out on me.”

“Yeah,” Marinette said. She laughed at Alix’s disbelieving look. She cuddled Tikki and Fluff who had come to her after finishing their foods. “I will be fine,” she corrected herself. “I’m just so used to keeping identities a secret and I’m not sure how Da... How my friend would feel if his identity was outed without his knowledge. We sort of have plans to see each other during the class free days so you’ll probably see him without the mask.”

“I can get that,” Alix said remembering when the team was in the dark about each other’s identities just a year ago. It had been an added stress on top of fighting for them to worry about protecting a secret with no end in sight. If given a choice she would definitely choose what they had today over what they’d had before. She mimed zipping her lips and locking it with an imaginary key that she threw over her shoulder.

“So he’s a hero too?”

Marinette shrugged. “I think so of course but most of the research I did before the trip indicated that the city and the heroes’ themselves mostly consider them to be vigilantes though.”

“Is there a difference?” Alix asked.

Shrugging, Marinette closed her notebook and turned off the light. “Isn’t it an “In the eyes of the beholder” kind of thing. A “your hero is my villian and my vigilante is your hero” thing, at times.”

“Do you trust him?” Alix asked.

“With my life,” Marinette answered immediately. “I’m not gonna keep LadyBug a secret forever. Just timing the reveal for the best effect,” she pointed out.

Alix snorted, “please let me be there when you do. I want to see the explosion on Commandant’s face.”

Marinette laughed with Alix as night finally settled down around them.

————————————

No recommendations this week but go check out @bluerosette23 Daminette masterlists if this interested you.

@mellownieice @mystery-5-5 @indecisive-mess-named-me You three sent me votes or a really sweet ask that I appreciate so you get the first tags this post.

@mindfulmagics @ozmav @bluerosette23 @vivilakitty @actualaster @multifandomscribette @mochinek0 @inevitableenquere @zebrabaker @poshplumcot @tog84 @luciferge @sonif50 @ravennightingaleandavatempus @northernbluetongue @actual-human-disaster @clumsy-owl-4178 @aarushi-03 @g-arya @moonyloonyx @fertileleaf @shreky-boi @thanks-captain-obvious @panda3506 @hinata3487 @thequestionablyhuman @dontgiveaflyinflip @dast218 @chocolatecatstheron @asianfrustration13 @slytherinsheashire @weird-pale-blonde-person @yin-390 @mycupisbroken @vixen-uchiha @kuroko26 @autisticlinx @worlds-tiniest-spook-pastry @mariae2900 @zalladane @hypnosharkrebeldreamer @tbehartoo @novicevoice @violatiger8 @thebookish3lf @fandomkitty8 @redscarlet95 @gingersnapnoir @chewbaccaatemythoughts

That’s the end of the tag list folks. I will tag you first if you send me an ask or vote for the next weeks update. What will it be?

Demon’s Bride or Miraculous Future?

#daminette #maribat #marinette x damian #Betrothed AU #The Demon’s Bride #DLDR #dead dove don’t eat

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profoundnet · 4 years

Photo

PROFOUND MEMBER MASTERPOST FOR SEPTEMBER 2020!

Featuring Destiel/Gen works by @friendofcarlotta, @nickelkeep, @castielslostwings, @haybibiboi, youfoundmykeys, @goldenraeofsun, @aishitara, @vaudelin, @one-more-offbeat-anthem, @shealynn88, Feathers7501, @sketching-fox, @mittensmorgul, @andimeantittosting, sapphirecobalt, shadowkat83, @maleyah-givemetomorrow, Endellion, ArielAquarial, @allmystars-i, @darcydelaney!

Join us on Discord!

Masterpost below the cut.

FriendofCarlotta - @friendofcarlotta - FriendofCarlotta

The Heroes’ Journey (E, 36k)

When you perform a spell to defeat God himself, there’s bound to be side effects — such as every version of Team Free Will getting zapped to an alternate universe. The former residents of the Endverse find themselves in an underground bunker full of the kinds of food they haven’t seen in years and clothes that magically fit them. As Dean adjusts to life in a world where Croatoan never got out of control, he faces some tough questions: Can he forgive Sam for saying yes to Lucifer? And is his relationship with Cas really beyond saving? The residents of the bunker, meanwhile, wake up as employees of HunterCorp, whose CEO is one John Winchester. Being around people Dean lost years ago is no picnic, and it’s changing the dynamic of his relationship with Cas in ways he never expected. But is the change meant to last, or will they fall back into old patterns when they return to their own universe?

Tags: Canon Compliant, Post-Canon, Case Fic, Angst with a Happy Ending, Sharing a Bed, Slow Dancing, Top Castiel/Bottom Dean Winchester, Homophobia, Internalized Homophobia, Recovery From Drug Addiction

Home (G, 2.2k)

This is the story of a car, and the boy who loves it so fiercely, it becomes a home. As the boy grows into a man, his car is the one constant in his life. Until, one day, he meets an angel, and "home" takes on a new meaning.

Tags: Canon Compliant, POV Impala, John Winchester's A+ Parenting, Angst with a Happy Ending, Angst and Fluff, Kid Fic, Castiel and Dean Winchester Are Great Dads

nickelkeep - @nickelkeep - nickelkeep

Huckleberry, Cherry, or Lime (E, 5.7k)

Two men. Two Identical injuries. For Dean and Cas, is that where the similarities start or end?

Tags: Alternate Universe - Modern Setting, Misunderstandings, Fluff and Smut and Humor, No Angst, Minor Injuries, Stitches, Hurt Dean Winchester, Hurt Castiel, Hurt/Comfort

Text Me in the Morning (T, 2.7k)

"Just blowing off steam?" Sam glared at Dean. "So, you haven't been honest with him, or you haven't been honest with yourself?" "Excuse me?" Dean set his mug on the table and crossed his arms, staring at Sam. "It means that you're in love with Cas, and won't admit it. Figures my brother is a coward."

Tags: Canon Compliant, Established Castiel/Dean, Secret Relationship, Long-Suffering Sam, Sam is a Little Shit, Sam Winchester Ships Castiel/Dean, Misunderstandings, Texting, Castiel and Dean Need to Use Their Words

castielslostwings - @castielslostwings - Castielslostwings

After the End (E, 27k)

In 2014, Dean Winchester led a raid on the asylum in Detroit where a Sam-wearing-Lucifer was waiting for him. Everyone knows what happened next: the Chitaquan soldiers who accompanied Dean died horribly at the hands of Lucifer’s minions while Lucifer murdered Dean in the garden below and warned the Dean from days past that no matter what he tried, he would always end up there. There were no survivors. Or were there? This story picks up where “The End” leaves off, from Castiel’s perspective from inside the asylum, a twist of fate, and conditional divine intervention no one saw coming. It details what happens after Lucifer dies, Dean lives, and the world doesn’t actually stop turning. A canon-compliant “fix-it” fic for the Endverse and a Dean and Cas who deserved better. Or: "The End" was not the End. This is the story of what came after.

Tags: Endverse fix-it, Happy endverse, temp MCD (dean's canon death in the rose garden), low-angst, canon-compliant (I swear, this is a happy fix-it), explicit sex, s15 tie-ins.

Wait For It (E, 44k)

With Chuck out of the picture and Jack stepping up as the New God, Team Free Will suddenly has to face the most difficult mission they've ever tackled: moving on. Change is tough, that's a given. What's not new? Dean's coping mechanisms being the absolute worst. Problem is, this time, his stubborn refusal to leave the past where it belongs lands him in hot water that's so deep, even Castiel may not be able to pull him out in time. An epic post-canon love story about a hunter who can't seem to look forward and an ex-angel who is done looking back.

Tags: Post-canon, Alternate ending to Season 15, illustrated, getting together, love confessions, hurt/comfort, kidnapped Dean, BAMF Castiel, explicit sex, very happy ending. Accompanied by art by @ladyrandombox.

lovemuppet - @haybibiboi - lovemuppet

“How Do You Like Them Apples?”: A Co-Pearenting Fic. (T, 1.4k)

based on a prompt by Cryptomoon: "Neighboring long time orchard owners, Dean of Winchester Family Apples and Cas of Eden Farms have been bitter rivals their whole lives. Eden Farms grows pears and Dean thinks that's absolutely stupid because it's Eden, they should grow apples. But that's beside the point. They've hated each other since they could walk. Now they each have taken over their family's farms and do their best to civilly ignore one another. Until! Some trees on the edge of their properties spontaneously cross breed and they are forced to figure out what to do with these co-parented Pearapples. Applepears?"

Tags: Enemies to lovers, au where pears and apples are the same genus, affronts to god and science, jokes? about homicide.

“The Only Rest You’ll See For Hours” (G, 441 words)

Prompt by saltnhalo: 30 minute speed writing based on knightiesart sky doodles. (I used the two desert looking ones)

Tags: post series band aid, no one dies, everything's fine

youfoundmykeys - reafre

grip (SFW)

“You’re the one who gripped me tight, and brought me back to light...” art by reafre date: 18-23 September, 2020 tools: pencil, watercolour, pearl watercolour on paper.

Tags: video, hands, soft, anniversary

goldenraeofsun - @goldenraeofsun - goldenraeofsun

Ridin’ the Quarantine Out (E, 8.5k)

“Like I said,” Dean says, chuckling, “no one’s ever died from blue balls. So you can't go out there and break quarantine to bang some rando.” Cas doesn’t find this funny in the slightest. “No human has died,” he clarifies. “What the hell are you talking about?” Dean narrows his eyes. “If you think some weird fact about guinea pigs is gonna sway-” “I’m an incubus,” Cas interrupts. “I will literally die if I don’t feed.”

Tags: They were quarantined, incubus!cas, virgin!cas, first time, top!cas, bottom!dean, dom sub undertones, mentions of COVID-19, mutual pining

aishitara - @aishitara - aishitara

K-I-S-S-I-N-G (M, 3.9k)

Sam’s been breathing down his neck about every little thing lately. He eats too much bacon. Drinks too much beer. Drives too fast. Avoids Cas like his life depends on it. Dean huffs out a breath. Sam hasn’t actually called him on /that/ part, but if the conversation they’d had a few days ago about… that time Castiel was dead was anything to go by, he was certain his brother was going to corner him any second now and point out how Dean had been doing such a good job of hiding from him and Cas. He wasn’t… he wasn’t hiding, okay? He just… happened to be anywhere at all in the bunker that Cas wasn’t. Not on purpose. Just. Because. Of reasons.

Tags: Fluff, a wee touch of the angst, Sam Ships It, First Kiss, Love Confessions, Sort Of, Feelings, Dean just doesn't want to talk about it ok

vaudelin - @vaudelin - vaudelin

a world well done (M, 54k)

After five years of being overlooked for the job title of his dreams, Dean has grown accustomed to his fair share of disappointment. But the guy who got the position, a nepotistic hire named Castiel Novak, is really pushing the boundaries of his patience. Too bad the guy’s a dud, but the legacy project has survived worse. Castiel can be as antisocial as he wants and hide out in his office all he likes; Dean will just batten down the hatches and ensure his team weathers the storm coming their way.

Tags: AU - Modern Setting, Enemies to Friends to Lovers, Misunderstandings & Miscommunications, Slow Build

one_more_offbeat_anthem - @one-more-offbeat-anthem - one_more_offbeat_anthem

Roll With It, Baby (T, 13k)

August 1987. Indianapolis, Indiana. The Pan-American Games are back again, and professional roller skaters Castiel Milton and Dean Winchester are supposed to be teammates--and friends. Over their six years on the US team, they’ve done their best to get along, but with Cas as a roller figure skater and Dean as a roller hockey player, they sometimes miss the mark. But something’s different this year, at their second Pan-American Games. Maybe it’s the sultry end-of-summer heat over the main stadium at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Maybe it’s the competition. Maybe it’s Rick Astley's recent hit single "Never Gonna Give You Up." Whatever it is, the next two weeks are going to change things…potentially forever.

Tags: 1980s, the mixtape, professional roller skating, friends to lovers, mutual pining, first kiss, mild homophobia

shealynn88 - @shealynn88 - shealynn88

The Light Will Guide You Home (E, 4.6k)

Dean is visiting his long-distance friend for the first time. He knows what he wants, but does Cas feel the same? Dean laughs. “Cas, is that you? Can I…?” He reaches out for a hug, then draws back in embarrassment. The human-like form throws him off, but he knows it’s impolite to initiate physical contact with a Luminate, he’s studied the culture for over a decade.

Tags: consentacles, sci-fi AU, alien!Cas, human!Dean

Feathers7501 - Feathers7501

Dreams of Blue (G, 1.1k)

Dean is leading his best life... or is he?

Tags: memory wipe

sketching-fox - @sketching-fox

Along My Restless Palms (NSFW)

Comission done for Kat, the first of my bidders on @ficfacers 2020! Her request was to illustrate this specifc scene (where Dean dreams about Castiel in the Highlands - YES, they are wearing kilts) in the Fic Along My Restless Palms!

Tags: highlands, kilts

Caring for the wings (SFW)

Comission for Jennifer, one of winner bidders on @ficfacers 2020! Her request was the fluffiest thing ever: Chibi versions of Dean and Castiel, and Dean taking care of Cas´s wings, with the feathers all fluffy, like those little dogs after a bath and air drier on the Pet Shop.

Tags: chibi art, wings

mittensmorgul - @mittensmorgul - MittenWraith

Happy Resurrection Day (T, 3.7k)

The world didn't end, and Dean and Cas finally get to choose each other. It only took twelve years and a little road trip back to where it all started.

Tags: post canon, road trips, getting together, first kiss, anniversary

andimeantittosting - @andimeantittosting - andimeantittosting

A Gentleman’s Inheritance (M, 11k)

For the Supernatural Regency Bang. Castiel Shurley has always done his duty by his family. When his father dies, Castiel inherits not only the title of Viscount, but also deep debts. At his aristocratic mother's behest, he agrees to court Miss Celeste "Charlie" Middleton—a wealthy heiress, but the daughter of cits. Though they are not in love—and though he secretly has feelings for her cousin, the charming Dean Winchester—Castiel and Charlie soon agree to wed. But Castiel's life is upended by the arrival of his scandalous Aunt Amara, who reveals that he is not the son of Charles and Naomi, but illegitimate, taken from his unwed mother to serve as Charles’s heir. When she carries out her threat to reveal the truth to the world, Castiel loses his title, his home, and his place in the world. Feeling honour-bound to break off his engagement, he finds himself invited to stay instead, as a member of Dean and Charlie's unconventional household, and learns the meaning of freedom.

Tags: Alternate Universe - Regency, Disinherited Castiel, Forced Adoption

sapphirecobalt - sapphirecobalt

The Bee Knocker Story (M, 7.2k)

Dean recalls the infamous bee knocker that started it all. Or, the one where Cas is upset and Dean goes to great lengths to cheer him up.

Tags: Established Castiel/Dean Winchester, Domestic fluff, emotional hurt comfort, Artist Dean, gardens and gardening

shadowkat83 - Shadowkat83

Sober (G, 605 words)

Dean leans against a tree trying to come to terms with what he is seeing and feeling. How did everything end up like this? Lyrics Sober by Bad Wolves

Tags: Endverse, Songfic, angst, implied relationships

Maleyah (Katherine_Kat) - @maleyah-givemetomorrow - Maleyah

Hot Wings Cas (SFW)

Yoga teacher Castiel for my fic Hot Wings and Magic Hands

Tags: yoga teacher cas, idiots in love, wing tattoos

Take A Breath (SFW)

Time for a breath and a break. The ending they deserve with Sam, Gabe, Charlie and Jody in the background (if you squint)

Tags: the end of the road, married, breathe boys, cuddles

Aceriee-art’s DTIYS (SFW)

Art for Aceriee-art's DTIYS challenge

Tags: dtiys, aceriee-art, sassy Dean, blatant use of emojis

Thank You Cas Kisses (SFW)

Cas blowing kisses at the viewer, cause thank you

Tags: thank you, cas blows a kiss, tiny bee

Endellion - Endellion

You Make Me Want to Stay (G, 1.5k)

A teenage Dean meets a boy named Castiel at one of the many high schools he goes to and this time when his dad says it's time to move on, he doesn't want to.

Tags: implied/referenced homophobia, AU no hunting, AU highschool

Brutus (G, 216 words)

Sam and Cas and a dog. Dean can't resist Cas' puppy dog eyes.

Tags: fluffy, cute

ArielAquarial - ArielAquarial

The Right Kind of Motivation (E, 2k)

Alone in the house for the first time in months, Dean is having trouble finding the motivation to clean. Castiel decides it’s time to bring out the big guns, and Dean is more than willing to play along. Can be read as a standalone.

Tags: Established Relationship, Domestic, Alternate Universe, Dick Pics, Masturbation

allmystars - @allmystars-i - allmystars

Brownies and Blowjobs (E, 2.3k)

"It’s fucking 2020, I should be able to watch Netflix nude while making brownies without you getting preachy about it." Dean wants Castiel's attention, but he doesn't know how to ask for it, so he bakes brownies... completely naked.

Tags: Blowjobs, Handjobs, Friends With Benefits, Smut, Naked Baking, Porn Without Plot

darcydelaney - @darcydelaney - DarcyDelaney

Bookworm (T, 2.1k)

Cas asks Dean to spend the day reading with him at a brewery. It's not Dean's ideal date at first, but it doesn't stop him from falling in love with Cas all over again.

Tags: Brewery, Date Night, Fluff

#dean winchester #castiel #destiel #deancas #spn #profound monthly masterpost #profoundnet #september masterpost #member art #member fic

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composereggwrites · 4 years

Text

Imprint Zine: New Creators’ Spotlight

This is my full article for the twewy @imprintzine!!! There’s still digital copies available of the full zine, and some merch left too!!! It was a blast to write and work with the other participants!

If you like this and wanna chat with me about it hit me up here or in my twewy discord!!!

Ao3

NEW CREATORS SPOTLIGHT

Hello again readers, and welcome to this month’s New Creator Spotlight! We find up-and-coming artists of all types to highlight! From fashion, music, and art, we know how to find the hidden talent in Shibuya and illuminate them all for you to see!

Mr. Mew Creations

First up is Mr. Mew Creations, a new fashion brand led by the fabulous Eri and Shiki Misaki. This duo has taken the fashion scene by storm with their innovative ideas and inspiring designs. From dresses to bright three-piece suits, these two push the boundaries of how we define outfits.

The star of their debut collection is a marvelous dress suit! It’s a dress, and a suit, combined into one! The top half is styled as a silken tuxedo jacket in bold fuchsia, with a pale lavender undershirt and iridescent pearl buttons. The bottom half, however, is a skirt designed to evoke the image of an elegant ball gown. The slip is comfortable enough to wear all day, while providing a backing to the outermost layer, which is a cascade of feathers dyed a stunning cobalt blue.

They have a myriad of other pieces in this lineup, going beyond the binary while staying fashionable and comfortable. From a simple purple shirt with embroidered orange foxes along the hem, to a yellow sweater with a detailed pink squirrel on the front, there’s a wide variety to choose from!

We sat down with the girls for an interview in their studio to talk about their threads, and they had a lot to say!

Thank you for interviewing with us. Could you both introduce yourselves for our readers?

Eri: Yeah sure! Thank you for interviewing us! I’m Eri, the lead designer of our two-person team, Mr. Mew Creations! I do most of the conceptual work, putting ideas down on paper and seeing where that gets us. Shiki definitely helps with that, but her talent shines in, well-- She can tell you!

Shiki: Hah, yeah! I’m Shiki Misaki! I’m the seamstress, so I made all the outfits you can see here in our workspace! Taking what Eri gives me, I bring our ideas to life! We’re both good in each other’s field, but together it feels like we’re unstoppable. She’s handed me some amazing designs to work with, and some I never thought I’d be able to turn into reality. The star of our show, the dress, was one of those. It almost ended up in the trash on more than one occasion, actually. We had to completely redesign it multiple times because we’re both perfectionists, and because someone sees the laws of physics as a challenge to beat. Eri likes to see how far we can push things past their limits, but we work best together because I can reel her back in if it goes too far.

We’re glad you two make such a good team! What led you to make the half-dress, half-suit outfit?

Eri: We wanted to design something that ignored gender norms. Something that defied them, without defaulting to a vaguely-masculine, androgynous look. The fact that clothing is gendered is ridiculous, and there’s this idea that men’s clothing is the default when you want a “gender neutral” item. We decided to go in the opposite direction, and add as much gender as we could, without being limited to one gender.

Shiki: It, like most of our line, is inspired by one of our friends. This dress was originally designed for him, before we decided to use it as part of our lineup. Gender is weird, and the society we live in makes navigating it more confusing than it needs to be. To be able to wear what you want, without worrying about the perception others have of you, without worrying about the way you’ll be labeled? That’s the ideal we strive for, and we hope our work can make a difference.

You said your friends inspired your line. What can you tell us about your creative choices?

Eri: Our friends are unique individuals, and we are too, so we know how to take a look at what people want, and what they need. Not everyone has the perfect model body. Not everyone wants to wear the high-fashion bling, or keep up with all the latest trends. The trick is to find what people want to wear, and design that, instead of chasing what’s trendy. If it’s stylish, people will want it, but it has to look nice and fit right.

Shiki: Just because something is comfortable, doesn’t mean it can’t have style. People are going to notice if you’re not at ease in the clothes you wear, and that unease ruins otherwise perfect appearances. We custom make everything here, and as the seamstress it’s my job to take what Eri gives me for the design and bring it to life. Doing that, while taking sensory issues into account, and ensuring nothing irritates the person who will be wearing it, is of the utmost importance.

Can you tell us a bit about yourselves and your brand? How you got started, or where your mascot came from?

Shiki: Oh! Our mascot, Mr. Mew, was the first thing I ever made. I still have the original, and I carry him around with me. My quality of work has improved a lot, but he’s a big comfort item. He helps me face all the big scary monsters of the world, and I want him to be there to help others too.

Eri: We met when we were younger, back in middle school. I’ve always been good at making friends, but Shiki was a lot more shy then. Actually, we got in an argument, once when we were 15. I was so worried, I thought I was going to lose my best friend forever over a misunderstanding. Thankfully, we worked it all out, and here we are now! She’s a wonderful seamstress, and all of our friends are so supportive, so it’s nice. I don’t think we’d be where we are today without each other, and the help of everyone in our lives.

It’s clear that these girls put lots of effort and dedication into what they do!

These girls offer more than some great threads! The namesake of their brand, Mr. Mew, is an adorable cat, and you can get merchandise of him too! Show off your love by picking up one of their plushies, cat ear headbands, and more!

Check out their full line at https://MrMewCreations.Com

Neku Sakuraba

The artist of the month is none other than Neku Sakuraba! If you’ve taken a walk around Shibuya, you’ve already seen his stuff! This graffiti expert has been gaining a name for himself with stunning displays of color and intricate designs. If you frequent 104 or Molco, you’ll have seen his stylish bold lines on ads for some of the stores!

He first started making waves in the art world last December, when he put up a mural in the Miyashita Park Underpass. Dubbed Hachiko’s Guardian Angel by the public, it features a glowing figure standing over Hachiko, with white feathery wings stretched out over Shibuya’s night-time skyline. There are people at the base of the statue, and musical notes fill the outer space. We reached out to Sakuraba himself for commentary, and managed to secure an interview in his studio!

The space was big, half-finished paintings and sketches scattered across the room. Cans of spray-paint, colored pencils, and charcoal were everywhere. Interestingly, we also spotted a couple Mr. Mew plushies laying around. A second guest, a friend of Sakuraba’s who insisted on being called Joshua, was also in the studio.

But without further ado, the interview:

Thanks for welcoming us to your studio! Can you give us an introduction?

Neku: Right, hi, thanks for interviewing me. I’m Neku Sakuraba. Music geek, CAT fanboy, unwilling follower of fashion trends. That one over there [he gestures toward his friend] is Joshua. Please ignore everything he says. He decided to be here for “moral support,” but I think he just wants to tease me.

[Joshua, at this, gasped, and said, “I would never!” but as requested, his further commentary has been cut from the interview.]

Got it! What inspired you to start making art?

Neku: I’ve always been a doodler. My mom has artwork from back when I was six. The big moment of inspiration for me, when I went, I want to do this, was when I saw CATs art. Looking up at the mural in Udagawa for the first time, back when I was ten, I felt a spark, and I haven’t let go of that feeling since. It’s been rough, I’ve struggled with mental health issues, but art has always been a solace in the dark. I never thought I’d make it this far, or get as much recognition as I have. It’s amazing, and wonderful, and terrifying all at once.

You first got popular because of the mural you put up last December, in the Miyashita Park Underpass. Can you tell us anything about it?

Neku: Oh, yeah! It was the first mural I’d ever done, and I drew a lot of inspiration from Shibuya. In my head, I’ve nicknamed it Shibuya’s Composition. The piece is loosely based off a dream, if I’m being honest. The glowing white figure in the center, with the wings, is meant to be a guardian of Shibuya. Someone who helps the city grow. Meanwhile, the people at Hachiko are waiting for their friend to show, but he can’t, because he’s watching from above, protecting them from afar.

Fascinating! Do you feel like there’s a story you can make from that, one you might tell in the future?

Neku: I don’t think this is ever going to be a story or comic, unfortunately. It’s more of a personal piece. A few years ago, I only had one friend, my first friend, but I lost him. When he died, I isolated myself, and it took a lot from some special people to draw me out of that shell. Even now, I wish I could see him again, and the idea of him still being out there, watching over me and my new friends, comforts me when I miss him the most. I guess I’m like Hachiko, waiting for a dead person to come home.

I’m sorry for your loss. Can you tell us anything about your other artwork?

Neku: I do a lot of graffiti-style works. There’s no other big murals out there by me yet, but I’m working on a few designs right now. People have commissioned me to do stuff ranging from tattoo designs to album covers and store promotions. One of my favorite things to do when I make art, though, is to take the mundane and re-imagine it as something mystical. Why can’t you make foxes purple? Who says there isn’t danger lurking in the shadows? What’s stopping me from adding fire and lightning as weapons, from creating fantastical fights?

Another big source of inspiration is Shibuya. I’ve grown up in this city, it’s my home. If I can look around and see things others don’t? Then I can put that down on paper. Whether it’s as simple as catching the neon lights illuminating the Scramble, or the leaves falling around Hachiko, I can see that, pull it apart, and let my imagination run wild.

That’s pretty cool. You mentioned doing album artwork earlier, so can you tell us what it was like to design the cover for the latest album by The Albatross?

Neku: It was fun! I can’t tell you anything about them, obviously, but it came as a shock when they asked me if I could take on this project. In hindsight, it makes perfect sense. But what I can say, without getting myself vaporized on the spot, is that it was enjoyable, and they’re fun to work with. Even if they’re kinda a priss. The amount of artistic freedom I had was nice, and I think we collaborate well together. So there might be more partnership between us in the future, but nothing’s certain yet.

Wonderful! With that, one last question: what motivates you to create?

Neku: Art has always been an escape for me. It can be pretty, or loud. It can shout your thoughts from the rooftops or disguise them under the rustling of leaves in the wind. You can influence others with it, if you’re lucky. I create art for myself, first and foremost. But if I can provide a glimpse into my own secret garden, and let others see pieces of who I am in my work? Then I’m glad. I want to share it. I want to make my mark on the world, and provide others with the escape I once sought.

This up-and-coming young artist is going to be a big name someday! With his talent, dedication, and heart, Neku Sakuraba might just be the next CAT!

If you want to support him, you can find information about him, his store, and his commission prices at https://nekusakuraba.com

The Albatross

Our final creator of the month, someone a bit less new, but never interviewed, is The Albatross! Their first album, Noise, featured CAT artwork on the cover: an albatross in flight, with TV static cutting through the image. These two are a mysterious duo, but The Albatross takes the title of most elusive. Despite gaining fame from fans latching onto CAT art, The Albatross has never given the public a single word.

Until now, that is! With their second album, Pulse, set to release in a couple of weeks, they have consented to an interview for the first time!

The album artwork was done by Neku Sakuraba, and it features a feathered white wing, sprouting from the right-hand side of the image. Some of the lower feathers have been replaced with graffiti-like designs.

As for the music itself, their first album featured orchestral tracks, heavy on the violin, alongside electro-punk tunes! Some were instrumental, while others had lyrics. Pulse is looking to be the same style, but rather than the dark themes of Noise, it contains brighter, more hopeful songs.

We went through a lot of paperwork, involving multiple non-disclosure agreements, and the interview took place over a call while they utilized a voice changer, but it was worth it! And we’re happy to share what we’ve learned with you!

Thank you for choosing to have your first interview ever be with us! Can you give us an introduction? Nothing too personal is required!

Albatross: You were the only ones I felt were trustworthy, and the only ones completely willing to honor my anonymity. Also, a friend may have bribed me into it with promises of ramen. As for introductions… I am The Albatross, composer of music, avid Tin Pin fan, and a nerd when it comes to all things Shibuyan. History, culture, the trends. I thrive off her, it’s like the city’s got a pulse that matches my heartbeat.

Shibuya is amazing, we agree. Can you tell us why you chose your alias?

Albatross: There’s a lot of symbolism in the albatross. The bird can be a sign of good luck for sailors, historically. In the poem The Rime of the Ancient Mariner, though, one of the sailors kills an albatross, and thus it becomes a curse. He bears the burden as the other sailors hang the bird around his neck, reminding him of how he’s doomed them all. I’ll let fans keep speculating on why I picked it, though. I can’t give away all my secrets here.

Of course. We wouldn’t want you to spoil all the fun! How do you make your music?

Albatross: It’s amazing what you can do with technology! I know how to play the violin and piano, so any parts in my songs with those are actually me playing, but for the rest I use a few different music programs! For vocals, I outsource it to Shibuyan singers, but all lyrics are still written by me. In the end, I weave everything together, and finagle it so it fits.

Sounds like a lot of work. Where do you get your inspiration for it all?

Albatross: From Shibuya! This city has a life of her own. Feet tapping against pavement, voices reaching through the air, all the beeps and honks and the myriad of noises that resound in every corner; it all creates a rhythm, it creates music. Sometimes I’ll sit and let it all wash over me. The city holds so much, a million stories fighting for attention. They echo in my head, begging to be told, so I write them. I turn them into music in the hopes of expressing their messages for everyone to hear.

The tone between your first and second album has changed a lot, from what the previews are showing. Is there a reason for this?

Albatross: Yeah. I’m going to be blunt. When I wrote and released my first album, I was suicidal. Completely isolated from the rest of humanity, with no friends or good experiences to fall back on for comfort. My only outlet was music, and because I was so depressed and misanthropic, my work reflected this. I saw the world as poisoned, felt like people would never change, and thought my existence contributed to the negativity.

But now? I have friends. Someone entered my life, not quite of their own free will, but they stuck around. They dragged me into the sun, undoing all my self-sabotaging attempts, and they helped me grow. Helped me learn to see the good in humanity again. Shibuya is full of life, full of creativity, of people trying to do their best and help others. I wasn’t able to see it before, vision clouded with my own preconceived notions, but they… Removed the tinted glasses from my face, so to speak. And this is why my new album is more hopeful and lighthearted.

You mentioned mental health, just now. Are you able to elaborate on any of that?

Albatross: Mhm, I can. It’s not pleasant, but… Mental health isn’t talked about enough, even though it impacts so many people. I’ve had depression for years now. I still do. Some friends and a few bonding experiences doesn’t magically cure everything. There is no magic cure. What helps is finding people you can rely on when things get tough. If I lock myself in my apartment, I used to hide away for weeks. Now, though? One of them comes knocking after a few days, with ramen and orders to shower. Sometimes it can feel like you’re going to shatter into a million pieces. But instead of falling apart in secret and cutting myself on the shards of glass, I have people who hold me as I break, minimize the damage, and help me piece myself back together.

Recovery is not a straight line, and there’s no end to the winding trail you take. What’s important is having friends there with you. People who help you stand up when you stumble, who help you make camp when you need to rest. Find someone who makes you feel safe enough to fall apart. Someone who can be there to pick up the broken shards, and help you create something new and beautiful with the pieces.

The Albatross is still a mystery to us all, but hopefully their words and music have reached those of you who need to hear them!

They don’t have an official website, but you can find The Albatross on your preferred music streaming service, or head to a local music shop to pick up their stuff! Don’t forget to pre-order their newest album, Pulse, and if you haven’t grabbed Noise yet, be sure to snag that too!

And that’s all for our New Creators Spotlight this month! Be sure to get next month’s issue for all our latest stories, and to discover the up-and-coming talents of Shibuya!

#twewy #the world ends with you #Subarashiki Kono Sekai #Joshua Kiryu #Neku Sakuraba #shiki misaki #eri #eri twewy #yoshiya kiryu #imprint zine

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marshmallow-phd · 6 years

Text

White Out

Part of The Untamed - EXO Wolf Universe

Genre: Supernatural, Wolf Au

Pairing: Kyungsoo x Reader

Summary: Bouncing place to place was just how lived your life. Settling down just wasn’t in your plans, especially with your past. But when you meet Kyungsoo, there’s suddenly a future in front of you that you never imagined possible. With both enemies and friends of the pack arriving in town, you’ll be pulled into a danger that you never asked for. Will you stick around for Kyungsoo or will you do what you do best and run?

Warning: none

Part: 1 I 2 I 3 I 4 I 5 I 6 I 7 I 8 I 9 I 10 I 11 I 12 I 13 I 14 I Final

Kyungsoo let his eyes flicker back and forth between his alpha and Kris. There was a silence amongst the wolves for once, as if everyone was afraid to even breathe.

“Jiyoung,” Jongdae whispered. “I think you should go home.”

Nodding, Jiyoung reluctantly peeled away from her mate and made her exit to the back door. Kyungsoo could hear her footsteps against the grass and then finally her car driving away.

With a heavy sigh, Junmyeon took a step back, allowing the three wolves to step inside the house. Still, the only sound was of the door clicking shut behind them. Perhaps everyone was too stunned or worried to make any sort of conversation beyond the original acknowledgement and Jongdae asking his mate to leave. Junmyeon simply stood in his spot, eyes cast downward, focused on nothing, and his hands in his pockets.

Leave it to the maknae to finally break the tension.

“Oh, screw it.”

Sehun pushed through the others until his path to Luhan was clear. The two twin-like wolves embraced, releasing just a fraction of the tension in the air.

“Let’s take this to the table,” Junmyeon suggested and turned around before getting an answer from anyone. He was already sitting at the head of the table, still not meeting anyone’s eye, as everyone else shuffled in.

Kris, Luhan, and Tao were hesitant to take a seat, waiting for the others to be settled first. Sehun yanked on Luhan’s arm, making sure he took the seat next to him. Tao glanced at Kris before dropping in the seat beside Jongin. The only chair left was right next to Junmyeon.

Kyungsoo could tell Kris was trying to save face as he took determined steps. Without a word he took the chair and turned towards Junmyeon.

“Did you get my letter?” Kris asked in a hushed voice.

Junmyeon nodded, still not looking at the other alpha. “Yes, I did. How did they find you?”

Throwing his hands up, Kris shook his head. “I don’t know. Last I’d heard, they were in a completely different country. We’d been staying low, never settling in a town, never engaging with other packs. I thought I had it handled.”

“Yeah,” Junmyeon scoffed, looking at Kris for the first time. “That was your specialty, wasn’t it? Handling things. Isn’t that what you said when–”

“Stop!”

Everyone whirled to look at Yixing in shock. Usually during meetings, he was the levelheaded one, never raising his voice or speaking out of turn. But now a pained, twisted expression painted his face.

“Can we please not fight?” Yixing asked in a tone closer to his normal voice. “Just let what happened in the past stay there. If you want, it can be revisited in the future, but after we figure out how to take care of the hybrids and keep our mates safe.”

“Mates?” Tao echoed in surprise, his eyes big and round. They might have sensed the bond between Jiyoung and Jongdae, but the other girls were still in town, just getting out of class and not at the house where the wolves obviously wanted them to be.

Minseok nodded proudly. “Yeah, we’ve got our mates. Six of us have, at least.”

“Five,” Kyungsoo corrected.

Jongdae shook his head. “Oh, no. You still count. Just because she doesn’t know, doesn’t mean you aren’t mated.”

“You’re one to talk,” Baekhyun mumbled.

“Hey!” Jongdae whined. “I thought we agreed to drop it!”

“What happened?” Luhan said, fighting a losing battle to hold back a laugh.

“I’ll tell you later,” Minseok offered. “Yixing’s right. We need to stay on topic with the hybrids.”

“Omegas are coming into town already,” Junmyeon informed the three other wolves. “Kyungsoo encountered one just over an hour ago or so. So, if the three of you are to stay, you stay and help protect the town. In turn, we’ll help you when the hybrids arrive. Deal?”

Kris looked to Tao and Luhan, who nodded encouragingly. He turned back to Junmyeon. “Deal.”

“Alright.” Standing up, Junmyeon headed for the stairs. “Your old rooms are still free.”

Kris was frozen in his seat, staring out at nothing with his hands folded together in front of his mouth. Sehun tugged Luhan away with Tao trailing behind. A few others splintered off, going their own ways to get out of the tension still left behind.

“Hyung.”

Taken out of his trance, Kris lowered his hands, looking to Chanyeol. “Yeah?”

The usually obnoxious giant was stoic now, careful with what he said next. “Are you okay?”

Kris nodded. “Of course. I’m always okay.” His eyes flickered over to the younger wolf. “Kyungsoo?”

“Hm?”

“Don’t ever let her go.” With that little piece of advice, Kris stood up and walked out the back door.

“He still blames himself,” Chanyeol stated, keeping his eyes on the door.

Kyungsoo stood from his seat. “You would, too.”

Before the other could respond, a heart wrenching howl pierced through the night.

As soon as your eyes opened from your deep sleep, you threw your pillow across the room. It was just a reflex, a way to release the built up frustration brought on by your brain’s betrayal. You’d dreamt of him.

You didn’t even know his name. But your mind decided that he should star in your dream.

It wasn’t even that elaborate of a dream. Just the two of you, walking along a river hand in hand. You couldn’t remember any of the things that he said to you, although you sure they were sweet and kind and nothing that you deserved.

Thinking back to the night before, you sudden felt guilty. He’d helped save you from that asshole and then you yelled at him, told him to go away without even a thank you. You were too defensive, you knew this about yourself, but you couldn’t help it.

The sudden urge to see that boy hit you like a snowball to the face.

“No, nope, no way,” you scolded yourself, jumping out of bed and ignoring the pillow that was now lying on your floor as you made your way to the bathroom.

He was just a boy.

A cute boy.

With cute lips and big brown eyes that you could stare at forever and a softness that seemed impossible and –

You slapped yourself.

Looking in the mirror, you stared at yourself as if you were crazy. “What the hell is wrong with you?”

You shouldn’t be thinking about him like that. You shouldn’t be thinking about him at all. Thinking led to attachments. Maybe this place was a bad idea. Maybe you should have chosen another town.

But you couldn’t leave now. You still have several months to go on your lease and you liked your job at the bakery. After talking yourself up as a reliable person, the last thing you could do was tell him you were leaving. He depended on you quite a bit and you couldn’t just leave him out dry.

Sighing to yourself, you figured you could stay and that this weird momentary lapse in judgement would soon pass. Besides, it was time to get ready for work.

That little thought put you in a better mood until you reached your kitchen and caught a glimpse of your calendar. It was your day off.

Days off weren’t good for you.

Everyone else relished in them, but you had no idea what to do with yourself when you didn’t have a schedule. Your whole life had been one big schedule and so free time was a concept you didn’t quite get, never knowing what to do with it. But you could only wander around your apartment or watch TV for so long.

So, on a strange whim, you packed up a messenger bag with your sketch book and other essentials before taking those brave steps out your front door.

It took you a while to settle down. You must have circled the business district four times in the past forty-five minutes. Finally, you spotted a coffee shop that didn’t seem to be swimming in customers. You liked the feel of the place as soon as you walked in. The shop was one of those nicer coffee shops where the furniture all matched and the walls were a decent color but it also wasn’t an overpriced Starbucks. However, as soon as you walked up to the counter you had to catch a groan in your throat.

The girl manning the register was one of Kimberly’s friends from two days ago. You were praying that she wouldn’t recognize you, but the way her face lit up when you made eye contact told you otherwise.

“Hi!” she greet.

You gave a pathetic wave of your hand that had been clutching to the strap of your bag for dear life. “Hi.”

Sensing your hesitation, the girl, whose nametag read “Jiyoung”, quickly went back to cashier mode. “What can I get for you?”

“Just an iced mocha,” you replied.

Nodding, Jiyoung rang you up and told you that your order would be right out.

You found out a small round table free that sat near the window, taking in the unusually warm sunshine. Absentmindedly, you just let your fingers draw whatever they wanted.

You weren’t the best. Hardly an artist. In your opinion, your drawings were mediocre. Nothing too fancy, but at least you could get some details right.

Jiyoung came up to you and placed your drink down on the table wordlessly. Something in her smile seemed mischievous, but you shook it off to your imagination and sipped at your drink.

A chime went off a few minutes later, startling you. Then you panicked.

He walked through the door, along with the boyfriend from yesterday, Kimberly, the girl you recognized as Ji Yeon, and another boy that you hadn’t seen before.

In a flash you were packing up your things, not even caring about the fact that you’d only finished about half your drink. You practically ran out the door, probably looking like a maniac in the process. You got stuck at the crosswalk, both signs giving off the bright orange hand telling you no.

“Wait!”

A whimper actually escaped you as you reluctantly turned around. The boy was standing just outside your personal bubble as if he could see the invisible line and graciously chose not to cross it.

“You forgot your drink,” he said, holding the plastic cup out to you.

Taking it, you mumbled a quick, “Thanks.”

After a few second of silence, he spoke again. “My name is Kyungsoo.”

You battled whether or not to give him your name as well. But as distant as you were, you still didn’t want to seem rude.

“I’m (y/n).”

His face lit up with the smile he gave you and you lost the battle against your muscles, smiling back, but not as bright.

“It’s nice to meet you, (y/n).”

Again, silence. You shifted from foot to foot anxiously. Your mind wanted you to just turn around and run away, but something else, something stronger that you didn’t understand, kept you rooted there.

“I’m sorry, by the way,” you said suddenly, startling yourself. The guilt you felt when you woke up this morning was still lingering. At his confused expression, you clarified, “About last night. You were just trying to help and I was completely out of line. I shouldn’t have yelled at you like that.”

“Don’t worry,” he replied. How was that voice even real? “I wasn’t upset. I understand.”

“Okay,” you nodded. “Good.”

The crosswalk light changed to the walking man and you leapt at your chance to escape. Except he was faster.

Grabbing your hand to stop you, Kyungsoo held you in place. You looked at him with surprise, but it wasn’t from his actions. It was from the heat radiating from his fingers that held your own. The touch… it was nothing that you had ever experienced before. Like electricity, but softer somehow, and more effective. It kept you there, like a statue, too stunned to move.

“Can I–” Kyungsoo visibly swallowed. “Can I take you to dinner?”

Shaking your head, you pulled out of his grip. “No.”

The blow of the rejection was so evident on his face that you wanted to tell him yes just to make him smile again. But he’d asked you on a date. There was no way you could do that.

So, instead, you took off across the street. Safe on the other side, you glanced over your shoulder to find him still standing there, still staring after you. This time, your mind was stronger and you pushed yourself back to the apartment before you could even think about turning around.

@lost-girl-inc

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shianhygge-imagines · 6 years

Text

Eternal [Ardyn/Reader]

The Sequel to my first Ardyn story, Ephemeral.

Beyond @wroniec‘s work, I’ve not found any artwork that would fit the story. Because this is the end of the two part story of Ardyn and Reader. And I feel like Ardyn deserves to rest in peace, which is why I used the above gif. (Also, gifs and artwork used in this fic do not belong to me)

If you’re reading this on mobile, I’ve inserted a ‘keep reading’ line, but it may not show. This is a warning. THIS STORY IS LONG.

|Masterlist Link|

-----------------------------

754 M.E. Galdin Quay (2 years before the events of Kingsglaive)

In your dreams you see the man with the amber eyes. In your dreams, he comes and he goes, always offering sweet words and guilty apologizes.

Come with me… Come travel with me…

You see the outstretched hand in front of you, worn and rough, yet welcoming. When you look up, there is that hopeful grin and earnest eyes, red-violet hair shifting at his tilted head. You feel the warmth of a fire near you, and it illuminated the man’s beauty. Casting shadows along his beautifully sculpted face.

Please don’t leave me. I’m sorry. I’m so sorry.

You can feel him, pressed up against your back, a wetness on your exposed shoulders, and his lips at the nape of your neck. His arms… you see them lightly wrapped around your waist. And you shiver from the continued attention the man gives you. You think to yourself… I love him.

I love you. With every single fiber of my being, I love you.

You can hear the sounds of water gently falling outside as you stare up at the man. You feel the silky sheets beneath your naked body and the heat radiating from the handsome man above you. There is a need growing within your core, and there is desire and love radiating from him as well.

You know that I love you, right, Y/N? For all of eternity I will love you.

In these dreams, he speaks your name. Always, there is love whenever he speaks to you. He never speaks to you with a harsh tone, never raises a hand, rarely ever yells. And his voice, ever so soothing, mellifluous, a honeyed tenor, caresses you. And it’s a willing seduction when he tells you that he loves you. Cheerful and always honest.

When you were younger, you allowed this fantasy, this dreamscape to pull you into its seductive embrace. But as you grew older, you had to scold yourself. That wasn’t you. Right? It was a mere product of your imagination created in that haze of loneliness whenever you realized, with jealousy, that everyone around you had fallen in love and were living their lives to the fullest. Yet here you were, nearly twenty eight years old, trapped in this god forsaken seaside room because of whatever stigma that had been plaguing the populace. It started off as simply fatigue, slowly evolving into waves of pain that hit your body in the most unsuspecting of times. Before you knew it, you could barely move from the waist down, and you started having disturbingly dark thoughts.

After all your thoughts concerning those foreign memories, as you’d started to regard them as, they were what kept your mind clear from the darkness, even as all around you, the darkness firmly gripped the minds of other normal people. These people, who you met during your time in various hospitals, when the darkness consumed them, always seemed normal, checking out of the hospital… only to disappear, pronounced deceased mere weeks later.

You’d given up on treatments a long while ago, content to spend the last of your days in a room at the Galdin Quay, silently fighting the disease with the memories that were yours yet not, and sketching them into various pages that littered the room’s table. Your heart had told you to leave the hospitals. Had told you to stay in the expensive port town. For what, you didn’t know. But you would wait, so long as that man in your dreams kept the darkness from clouding your mind.

~~~~~~~~~~~

Ardyn Lucis Caelum.

It had been so long since the man had gone by that name. So long since he’d heard his true name pass through another’s lips save for his dreams.

In his dreams, the red-violet haired man relived those events of 2000 years ago. He saw that person’s smile, heard their kind words, felt their body on his.

We won’t see each other again, Healer.

In his dreams, he can see that person’s eyes filled with regret, inner desires hidden, but he could see them still. That desire to hold onto him. To stay near him. “Healer.” Yes. That was what he was known as, once upon a time. Though it seemed like a fairy tale now. And though the person had said that they would never see him again, they did. He had made sure of it.

Ardyn, I need to speak with you.

In his dreams, he remembered how he left that person. How they had pled with him to speak. And how he had left them. Forsaken them because he was too much of a coward to tell them. He could imagine that person, their arm outstretched towards him as he shut the door.

Goodbye, Ardyn. I hope you live happily

And he relived the time that he had almost lost that person. His cowardice, and his ignorance had driven them away. How he had begged them to stay. How he had proclaimed his love. That journal entry. A goodbye that he could not accept. His arms around that person, his face buried, pressing tearful kisses on the nape of their neck. A promise to never let them go again.

With this vow, I promise to love you. As you were, as you are, and as what you’ll become.

The promise that person made as they became one. The only light being the moon and the glowing runes surrounding them. Wet bodies overlapping and meeting in rhythms, like the waves on the beach behind them.

For all of eternity, I’ll love you, Ardyn.

And their last words before their eyes closed forever. His screams as he awakens from the nightmare, only to realize that it had been reality.

He had grown accustomed to the world as it molded before him in the 2000 years of his cursed life. The luxury that the people couldn’t afford a millennia ago, he had embraced. But there were some remnants of the past that he held fast to.

Ardyn gently brushed the tips of his fingers on his lips, a silent reverie as he thought back to that person. That person’s name was forever lost to the world, erased by the ones that wronged him and his beloved. But standing at the exact same place where he had consummated their marriage 2000 years ago, Ardyn still remembered that person’s name. Like a song forever stuck in his head.

Y/N. My beloved.

“What I wouldn’t do to hold you in my arms again.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The paper was coarse under your fingers as you roughly scratched at the surface with your pencil. Outside your room, the ocean waves crashed against the sand, and the setting sun poured light into your room, illuminating the sketch with a fine lighting that almost brought the man from your dreams to life.

Somnus.

You’d taken to referring to the man in your dreams as such due to the absence of his name within the land of dreams. Somnus meant sleep, after all, and as he only existed in your dreams, it seemed fitting to name him so. It’s funny, to have a clear image of one man forever repeating in your mind, but no actual name.

“In my dreams you haunt me, Somnus.” you muttered, setting the pencil down to lightly trace the contours of his face with your fingers, careful not to smudge the delicate lines. “And when I am awake, you haunt me still. But you keep me safe, don’t you?”

A wave crashed in a particularly violent manner outside the room, drawing your attention from the sheet of paper clutched in your hand. What you saw left you speechless and frozen, wondering if you were dreaming as the sketch fell from your hands, fluttering to the wooden floors as you struggled to stand. One staggering step after another, you left the wheelchair to press your hand against the ceiling high windows. You didn’t notice the noise you made when your legs gave away, sending your weakening body crashing to the floor. All of your focus was on the figure standing across the water, staring out at the ocean, the setting sun lighting his face just as the sketch did moments before.

Behind you, one of the attendants burst into your room, panicked and asking if you were harmed. But you ignored the worried man, face pressed against the glass separating you from the lone figure.

“I know you.” you gasped unevenly, your voice wavering as you stared. When the man turned his gaze from the ocean to walk away, you cried out, “No. Don’t leave!” But he couldn’t hear you. Your eyes widened as Somnus continued to walk away, and you found yourself struggling to your feet, body moving on it’s own. And with a burst of energy, you were running. Out of the room and through the restaurant, the employees staring after you in shock. It had been over a year since you were able to stand, much less sprint as you did. Something within you, something old, seemed to possess your body as you ran down the wooden bridge.

Don’t leave me again. Please don’t walk away and abandon me. You found yourself thinking with desperation.

You saw him get into an old vehicle, pinkish maroon in color with a white racing stripe, and panic fueled you on, “... stop…” you croaked out, out of breath, but still running. The engine started, and you grit your teeth, yelling, “STOP! ARDYN!”

Your cries went unheard. You were too far from the man, having only gotten about halfway down the wooden bridge by the time the man had turned on the engine of his car. And by the time you had yelled, he’d already pulled out of the parking space and driven away.

Ardyn.

That was his name, you realized, as you fell to your hands with a strangled sob, watching the car drive up the hill and out of view. And then, fear. How did I know his name?

He left me again.

A pain pierced your skull and the throbbing in your chest, which you didn’t realize had been there, increased tenfold as the worried attendants at Galdin Quay surrounded your prone form.

Why? A distorted voice rang in your head, echoing as if someone hit a cymbal next to it. Why does he keep leaving me?

A flash in your mind, and you were suddenly watching as the man, Ardyn, was walking out the door of what seemed like an ancient Altissian home. But it wasn’t like the dreams, where you were an active participant of the events. No. This time was much different. You were the observer, watching the scene unfold as if in a movie. You saw yourself, or someone bearing your resemblance, reaching out towards Ardyn as he shut the door to the home. It was painful, even as an observer, to watch your doppelganger reach out a hand towards the closing door and whisper…

“Don’t leave.” you muttered at the same time as your doppelganger whimpered into the empty room, tears falling down their cheek as they bowed their head, shoulders hunched over. It looked as if your copy was about to collapse in on themselves as they struggled to keep from openly sobbing.

“Did he forget?” the figure wondered in a broken voice, now openly sobbing their heart out. “Amicus Amor.”

Amicus Amor… you thought with a tilt of your head at the peculiar holiday. You’d read about it. An ancient Lucian holiday that ended a thousand years prior in favor of adopting the same calendar as Altissia, Tenebrae, and Gralea, as its replacement. But what did this mean? How were you living the events of something that you didn’t live through? Who was the person who looked like you? Why were you reliving their memories?

And then, with a violent pull of your consciousness you were made to bear witness to something you should have never been able to dream about.

The end of their story.

For you now stood atop a wooden platform, behind a man with a whip, watching with abject horror as a crowd gathered below to bear witness to the spectacle. Your copy and Ardyn, chained by the wrists opposite one another, both being stripped of clothing before the jeers and cries of the crowd. To your right, you heard a man cry out for the death of the Scourge-bringer and his whore. You couldn’t move as you watched the whipping, the branding of your copy as they took a hot iron and pressed it to your copy’s shoulder. Ardyn’s screams and tears as he was forced to watch the torture. And when they pulled the iron away, your eyes fixated on the mark, instantly recognizing it. You’d know that mark anywhere, for you bore the same mark on your own shoulder, in the exact same place. And you had to tear your eyes away as the men surrounding your copy started to discard their own clothing and you came to the terrifying realization.

You’re me.

You allowed your own tears to fall when your sight locked onto Ardyn’s tears as he struggled against his captors, shouting your name in fury and horror.

That scene was the last thing you were allowed to witness as you felt your being get pulled back. And just as suddenly, you were back in Galdin Quay, sobbing against the wooden floor of the long bridge.

You didn’t struggle as you were carried by the resort’s attendants back into your room. You didn’t remember it all, but you’d witnessed the end to your story two thousand years ago. A past life that had been happy despite it all, and that had ended in tragedy because of betrayal. And now, as the reincarnation of someone who perished two millennia ago, you were dying again. This time, ironically, slowly succumbing to the ailment that your beloved had traveled to heal all those years ago.

And you half laughed and half sobbed at the cruelty of the Astrals.

“Why?” You questioned, bringing a hand up to cover your eyes, “Why would you bother giving me life again? Why would you let me see him only to have me know that I’ll be taken from him again? Were you not cruel enough the first time?” With all of your being, you wanted to be held by him again, so see him stare at you lovingly again. “I won’t play your stupid games.” you grit your teeth, uncovering your eyes to glare out the window. “I can’t put him through that pain again. He doesn’t have to know me in his new life.”

You found a firm resolve as you decided that you wouldn’t look for him. That you wouldn’t be a part of his life again.

“I just want him to be happy.”

Of course, the Gods rarely ever listened to the pleas of mere mortals.

Gods… Goddesses… all fickle things. Controlling. Demanding. Manipulating. Childish. You should have known better that the Astrals would do everything in their power to not grant your wish. Though it didn’t matter, you found out only a mere three days later, when you were asked by Dino to give him the privilege of escorting you to the ancient rune site only for him to leave you with an apology when he was called away to discuss his growing hobby.

It had been a peaceful few days, reasonable, you thought, what with the recent warm weather and lack of rain. You’d been enjoying the nice weather, not uncharacteristic of south Leide, although your mind and heart were in turmoil. You had become a host to the Starscourge, a plague on the human race that could only be healed by the Healer blessed by the Astrals. The Oracle. For a brief moment after your realization, you had hope to be cured, but upon looking at the current politics of Eos, it didn’t look like the Oracle Lunafreya would be leaving the continent across the ocean any time soon.

“And so I slowly rot,” you chuckled bitterly, gazing out at the seemingly never ending ocean. “I’m not sure if I should be happy that you’re keeping me safe, Ardyn.” You closed your eyes and leaned back into your wheelchair, basking in the golden rays as you took in a deep breath of the salty air. “Of if I should resent you for prolonging my suffering.” You laugh at the absurdity, “Oh who am I kidding, the current you won’t remember little old me.” a melancholic gleam glinted in the depths of your eyes, “We both died that day. I’m not the same Y/N as back then, and you’re not the same Ardyn.”

It is when you turn your wheelchair to wheel away that you see him approach, sauntering as he did all those many years ago, and looking almost as he did the day the two of you died. His strong jaw, which had been home to a fine beard, was now shaven down with only a bit of stubble left to decorate his handsome face. His eyes were still the amazing amber that you remembered, bright and cheerfully mischievous, but now, you could see a darkness that your Ardyn never held. And you wonder, almost offhandedly, of the suffering a person had to endure to adopt such darkness. A darkness, you ruminate, that lurked within your own gaze. Snapping your attention, rather forcefully, back into focus, you immediately turned your head away from the approaching man, hoping that he didn’t see your face as you wheeled past him and onto the sand.

You kept your head down and your hand over the wheelchair controls. You didn’t want to look at him, and you didn’t want him to look at you. Waves crashed onto the sand only several meters away and the sound of your wheels running over stone and sand seemed to thunder in your ears, but still you could hear the light humming of the man passing you. Two meters away, then one, and suddenly the two of you were passing side by side, and while your breathing stalled, your wheels did not. Ardyn still continued on humming and sauntering along. One meter, two meters, three… the distance grew again and with it, the ache in your chest.

Part of you had hoped that Ardyn would notice you. If not as you use to be, but as an interesting stranger in passing conversation. But another part of you, the one born within this millennia, reasoned that of course Ardyn would not notice you. After all, a large white sheet separated the two of you. Lost in your thoughts, you still somehow managed to return to Dino’s side, tugging on the side of his dress shirt to drag his attention from his phone. And as the good friend he is, the platinum haired man would smile gently and hang up his phone, assisting you back to your sick room.

From your sickbed you watched him, feeling like an absolute creep, but finding that it was easier to hold back when you kept your distance from him. You watched Ardyn until the sun started to set, casting long shadows along the cliffs surrounding the beach as Ardyn strolled away from the spot you stood at only a few hours prior. You didn’t want him to go, but held hope that if the beach called to him like it called to you, then he would return.

The next few days you watched the beach, scanning for any sign of Ardyn, but he didn’t appear.

You waited weeks.

But nobody came.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

100 Days

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

You came to the conclusion that you were cursed by the Astrals. It seemed as if the dreams became more vivid and frequent after you abandoned hope of being with Ardyn’s reincarnation. And with the increased frequency of the dreams, was the slowed progress of the Starscourge. A prolonging of your inevitable fate.

After waiting to die for the past few months of your life, you’d grown sick of waiting for the end on the sunny beaches of Galdin Quay. For the last moments you had in your life, you wanted to do that which had bound you and Ardyn together. Without much thought, you’d packed all your belongings into a rented car and drove away from the sunny beach resort, ignoring the worried protests from the employees.

Honestly, even though your body still suffered from exhaustion, driving down the long stretches of road was the most free that you’ve felt in years. Making the occasional stop for gas and rest, you got to experience the entirety of Lucis for the first time since those days in your previous life. It wasn’t the same as riding on the back of a Chocobo, but you sincerely thought that your body couldn’t handle sitting on the feathered creature’s back for long in your condition. The first stop on your list was your place of birth in this life, and the place of your death in the previous. You would begin where you met and lost Ardyn.

Your memories of the great city from your current life was heavily foggy, muddled from the sudden intrusion of your past memories. In your mind, you remembered the city as energetic and lively, bustling with people at work and enjoying their lives. But your soul remembered the dirt roads, and wooden or stone shanties that provide shelter to the various farmers in the outer rim of the Lucis capital. You remembered the center of Insomnia, the public gathering around the circle in front of the palace. And you remembered the wooden platforms that the public had lynched you on before ending your life before your husband’s eyes.

Once inside the walls of Insomnia, you’d parked your rented vehicle in the public handicap parking and opted to roam the city in your wheelchair. It was irresponsible, exploring a large city without assistance, what with you being technically handicapped, but the lack of dependency allowed you to forget about your condition, choosing, instead, to embrace the joy of living.

For the longest while, you chose to forget about how your life had ended all those years ago. But upon returning to the city of your death, you were forced to acknowledge the tragedy of your life so many years ago. Sitting in a coffee shop located just a stone throw away from the Citadel, and therefore, where you’d died in your previous life, you winced, almost as if you could feel the whip and blades colliding with the skin of your back. Regis Lucis Caelum was a kind and caring king, and it seemed that his son took after his demeanor, but it startled you that two such individuals could have descended from such a sly and cruel man such as Izunia.

Izunia… you pondered, glaring into the dark liquid of your cup. That man had taken everything away from you. You were happy living with Ardyn in the middle of nowhere. Content to leave the accursed capital to live out your days. But to be killed over something so trivial... Even if the Crystal and the Six had taken Ardyn’s right to Ascendence away, it had been Ardyn’s forked tongue that had painted your husband as a monster. The grip you had on the ceramic cup tightened and your face twisted into a grimace.

Not even two hours later, you were on your way out of the city, ready to escape the dark thoughts and memories.

Izunia… I hope you’re rotting in the darkest pits of hell…

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

97 Days

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

A day later, you found yourself staying at a rest stop in Duscae, selling a few of your drawings for some easy money. Of course, you couldn’t bear to part with your drawings of Ardyn, instead opting to sell the sketches of Galdin Quay and of landscape from your past life. Due to your medical condition and the tension between kingdoms, you’d decided not to travel to Altissia. Besides, you’d had enough of Altissia to last you several lifetimes. The only place of significance remaining that you had to visit before allowing yourself to die in peace was your home. There was a pained smile on your face when you pulled out of the rest stop, the windshield wipers working overtime in the heavy rain. It had been a few thousand years since you’d been home, and you doubted that anything remained of the small wooden home, but neither that nor the dangers of Costlemark Tower deterred you from continuing on your way, parking the car on the side of the road to climb over the barrier, forced to continue on foot and in the rain.

The rain and wind pelted you from all sides as you proceeded forward, conscious of how fast the light was fading, and how your hair stuck to your face despite the hood of your raincoat blocking a majority of your head. Not even five minutes on your feet, and you were starting to feel the fatigue from the Scourge, sapping at your remaining energy, forcing you to frequently take breaks. Before long, the light had faded from the sky, and you were forced to proceed in the dark with only a flashlight to light your way as you walked past Costlemark, knowing that your home was only just beyond the rock formation that seemed to make up the back wall of the ancient tower.

As your exhaustion grew, you could feel the darkness within you rising, its black and purple tendrils slithering out of your core. And as you proceeded forward, weak arms reaching out to scale the rock face, you pondered if the Scourge was what kept the daemons away from you, knowing from your past life that the daemons and Scourge were host and parasite. It was a sign, perhaps, that you hadn’t long to live after all. This realization only spurred your movements, determined to at the very least die on the spot you’d called home once upon a time.

So despite the slick from the rock face, the rain water running down the edges to loosen your already slack grip, you held on with all your might and pulled yourself upwards, inch by inch.

No doubt your hands were cut up from the abuse, but you didn’t stop climbing until you reached the top.

You expected empty space, ruins, or even regrown forest. Anything but what you were actually greeted with.

On the spot where you and Ardyn had built a small wooden home, was the exact wooden home you’d left all those years ago with the exception of the reinforced steel decorating the structure, and the beds of flowers decorating the path around the house. Despite the storm raining down wind and water, the small home seemed to glow for you, as if welcoming you back. And despite the fact that the structure might belong to someone who wasn’t afraid of the daemon infested tower, you found that your feet carried you towards the slate tiled path towards the structure.

You wanted to cry, overwhelmed that your home from centuries ago was still standing, that it had been taken care of and loved. Standing at the front of the door, you stretched out a hand to grasp the doorknob, surprised to find that it was unlocked despite the keyhole. Your breath hitched when the wooden door swung open to reveal a room of darkness.

“E-Excuse me?” you called into the home, “The door was unlocked…” When nobody replied, you gulped and stuttered, “I’m entering…”

The light from your flashlight illuminated the darkness to reveal a modern country home, clean, but to your surprise, all the furniture was in the exact same place where you’d arranged. The floors, now covered in smooth wooden planks compared to the dirt floor of centuries past, shone with polish when your flashlight ran across. Someone lives here… or someone regularly visits. You thought to yourself as you shrugged off your raincoat and boots. To the side of the door, you found a coat and shoe rack, and only after leaving the soaked items in the proper place did you proceed into the home, which, to your surprise, was much larger than you remembered. You didn’t have much time to ponder upon the layout of the home, as you started to feel the effects of the Scourge tenfold, sapping you of all your remaining strength. You barely had time to find the bed before your body gave up and collapsed, sending your unconscious form crashing into the sheets.

~~~~~~~~~~

96 Days

~~~~~~~~~~

You awoke the next day at around noon, feeling extra crappy and on the verge of sickness due to falling asleep while most of your clothes were still wet. The storm had passed overnight, leaving the skies clear as you sluggishly pushed yourself away from the bed, feeling guilty for dampening the sheets with your wet clothing. Groaning due to the pressure on your face, you allowed your eyes to run across the room as you stood on unstable feet.

The room was mostly empty except for the occasional potted plant, but what caught your eye wasn’t the plants, but the bookshelf littered with cookbooks, leather journals, and one peculiar box. To any other, the box would simply look like an antique storage case, but to you… it was something more important. With bated breath and wide eyes, your hands stretched out to grasp the ornate box, dark wood etched with various swirling patterns, and a golden lock in the shape of a jagged crystal. Ardyn had gifted the box to you as one of his many surprise gifts during your brief time together, he’d fashioned the box with his own hands, earning many cuts and wounds to his hands in the process. You’d cherished the gift despite the simplistic design as it was a symbol of Ardyn’s love and devotion. Tears gathered at your eyes when you hesitantly unclasped the lock to find the inscription under the lid:

To my Light, my Love, my Heart. May we live happily in this life and the next. And may we find each other always. Forever yours, Your Beloved Husband, Ardyn Lucis Caelum.

A sob escaped your lips as the tips of your fingers ran across the words, “Ardyn… I’m sorry. I can’t keep that promise.”

When you went to close the box, you eyes landed on the only item within the box. A bundle of papers, yellowed and brittle with age, bound in leather. Refusing to believe that it was what you thought it was, your hands trembled to set the box back down on the shelf in favor of picking up the leather bound papers. Untying the string, your shaking hands carefully opened up the flap of skin, and suddenly, you couldn’t hold in your sobs.

“You left, Ardyn. Again. Not even a day after you returned, you left again, brushing off my comments that we needed to speak. After all this time, I finally found the courage to speak to you, and you ignore me, running out the door to your new companions. Perhaps, in one of my previous entries, I’ve expressed how lonely it was in a home, alone, and in a different nation, but I’ll express it again. It has been lonely here, in this home, without you. Since the moment we arrived in Altissia, I’ve rarely seen you. You come and go, leaving me behind. And I know for a fact, that I’ve been replaced.

I’ve been your friend for nearly three years, Ardyn. Three years, we have traveled together. Three years, we have been companions. But companions. That term. It’s a temporary thing, isn’t it? Companions are meant to be replaced. And I’ve been replaced. Not only as your companion, but as your friend. I’ve lost the place by your side. No. It’s foolish to think that I every even had that position, isn’t it? I’ve lost my use to you. Lost my purpose to stay at your side. You don’t need me anymore. And it hurts.

Why would I think this? I find myself asking and answering that question far too often when you are gone. If I still help a place by your side, you would spend more than a day or a night at home before you leave again. And at first, I believed you were merely in a rush to save lives. But today, you left again. On the Eve of Amicus Amor. I had thought that we would spend the Lucian holiday with each other, as we did the years before. It was a holiday in which you found great importance, so I hoped that you wouldn’t forget. That you wouldn’t leave again. But you left, and I doubt that you would forget your favorite holiday. So, one assumes that you no longer hold the same regard towards me as I to you.

And for the past month, I’ve been deliberating on leaving, Ardyn. That I should return to the place in which I am wanted. To a place where I am loved.

It was foolish, I think, for me to have fallen in love with someone that I could never have. Yet, I hoped, that maybe, I could be worthy of you. Worthy to stand at your side as more than a companion or friend. I should have known that you could never love me.

I’ve started preparations to leave within the next ten days. A long journey back to Insomnia no doubt. But I doubt you’ll be back before I leave. And I doubt that you’ll ever have to read these.

Goodbye, Ardyn. I hope you live happily.”

It was the last journal entry you wrote before deciding to leave Altissia. Before Ardyn had begged for you to stay. Before your marriage. Before moving into a home together. Before Izunia sentenced you both to die.

“Oh dear. Do we have a trespasser in our midst?” A sly and mockingly light voice sounded from behind you, making you freeze in place, hand coming up to silence your sobs in fear. “How rude… going through another man’s private possessions.”

Despite the hand over your mouth, your shoulders continued to shake as you sobbed, eyes closing as tears slid down your cheeks. The tone of voice had immediately send your entire mind and body spiraling down into despair as both remembered who had spoken to you in such a way before. Izunia.

“Turn around, my dear.” the person continued, “And do take care not to drop those pages. They are very precious. I don’t know what I might do to you if you damaged them.”

Setting your old journal back into the ornate box, you slowly allowed yourself to turn, tears still sliding down your cheeks as you revealed yourself to the voices owner.

Immediately, your eyes locked with amber, and suddenly, your tears fell for a completely different reason. Try as you might, you couldn’t hold back the name that tumbled from your mouth, “Ardyn…”

Maybe his name wasn’t the same as your long deceased husband, but it was the same man you’d been watching on the beach during your stay at Galdin Quay. Now that you were facing him with only a few meters between you, you could see the wrinkle lines on his face, once again seemingly years older than you. His eyes were the same, that beautiful and striking amber. But looking closely, there lacked that bright twinkle in his eyes. Something that you had loved about him in your previous life. But by the Six, his clothes. You bit your lip anxiously. His clothes were so similar in style to your husband’s.

With all the thoughts running through your mind, your eyes hadn’t left the man’s form, you noticed the corners of his mouth pull into a sneer. “Oh?” The sound came out like a question, but was drawn out as he took several steps forward. Slow, leisurely, in the same manner as that man. The lookalike slowed to a halt less than two feet from you, and suddenly you were forced to tilt your head up, calloused hand tilting your chin with a firm grip. “Do I know you? I’d think that I’d remember someone so…” his words trailed off as his amber eyes roamed over your form, “so… tragically pathetic.”

The words were like a blow to your chest. Pathetic? Was that going to be the words that Ardyn’s reincarnation spoke to you upon meeting once again? Your heart ached, the gaping hole growing when those words left your husband’s lips. Simply having his face and name was enough to throw your heart into a dark pit. Just like in Altissia, I’ll have to endure. The awed expression on your face dropped completely, replaced instead, by a stone cold blank slate, light fading from your eyes as you leveled the man with a fierce glare. “You don’t get to say that I’m pathetic.”

The grip on your chin tightened when you tried to pull away. The sneer deepened as the man bent down menacingly, “But don’t I? After all, you’ve intruded upon my home. Violated my precious belongings. Slept on my bed. As someone who is homeless… without worth… I’d say that you are tragically pathetic, my dear.”

“This is not your home. And those letters are not yours.” You snarled back, latched your hand onto his arm and digging your nails into the exposed skin. You were playing with fire, challenging a man so different from your husband. But you didn’t expect to suddenly find yourself on the floor, cheek stinging from the sudden backhand that the man had collided with your face. Sitting up, you brought a stunned hand up to caress your cheek, pulling away to find that you were bleeding from the impact.

“My dear, you should silence yourself while you’re still alive. Maybe then, I’ll grant you a quick and painless death.” the sudden sound of the Armiger activating sent you reeling back in shock as the familiar purple of your husband’s weapon was brought out. The edge touched the skin of your throat, pricking it and drawing a swell of sudden red liquid. “Might I have the name of this tragic soul?”

You breathed in and out heavily, eyes still trained on the blade. It shouldn’t be possible. That’s Ardyn’s weapon. His power. How does he have it? Your eyes shifted to peer into pitiless amber, searching for even an ounce of humanity to appeal to. When you found none, you smirked and closed your eyes, resigned. You were going to die young regardless, might as well die with your sanity intact. “It seems that we’ve both changed too much for it to matter.”

“Hmmm. A pity.” the blade pulled away from your throat for a moment, but you knew that it would descend to swiftly end your life.

In your mind’s eye, you pictured your husband reaching out to you with open arms. It was like that moment so many years ago, the blade descended with a hiss.

“For all of eternity. I’ll love you, Ardyn.”

There was silence for the longest moment, but no pain. With a frown, you cracked open an eye, only to see that the blade had stopped mere centimeters from your neck. Confused, both of your eyes opened and made their way to your executioner’s face. And for the first time since your meeting, you found an expression of horror on his face. “Y-Y/N…” the name, your name, escaped his lips in a fragile whisper, as if saying your name too loud might cause you to disappear.

You blinked impassively, “That is my name, yes. Though I didn’t give it to you.”

“My beloved.”

“Look, are you going to kill me or not?” You snapped impatiently, a bit peeved that you’d said your final words and revealed yourself.

“But you look so different.” Amber eyes roamed your face in disbelief, until he found what he was looking for. And when his did, Ardyn’s weapon dematerialized into beautiful purple shards. “Of course… reincarnations wouldn’t look exactly alike.” And suddenly, the man was knelt before you, gently gripping your chin. “How could I have not recognized those eyes?”

With a violent snarl, you ripped your face away from the man’s hold, shuffling to your feet. You didn’t understand what was going on, but you would be beyond stupid to let your husband’s lookalike touch you when he’d hurt you so easily. “Get away from me.”

A gentle smile appeared on the man’s face, “Now, Y/N. I thought you knew me? You remembered those letters and this home, after all.”

“You’re NOT my husband!” You denied vehemently, caught between bursting in tears and attacking. “My Ardyn would never have laid a hand on me!” Your hand rose to clutch at your cheek, still dripping blood. “Never!”

The man had the audacity to look ashamed and sorrowful, rising to his feet to reach out a hand towards you. “My darling, I’m so sorry. I wasn’t controlling my temper. I’d never intend to hurt you. Please, forgive me?”

“F-forgive you?” You let out a laugh in disbelief, “You would have killed me if I didn’t utter my parting words from two thousand years ago.” Shaking your head, you took another step backwards. “No. You’re not my husband.” Taking a few tentative steps forwards to judge the man’s reaction, you muttered wearily, “I’m leaving.” Ardyn made no move to stop you as you walked past him to put your boots and coat on. Now seemed like a good time to find a quiet place to live out your days.

You took one step outside the door when Ardyn’s voice met your ears again. “I thought we vowed to love each other. As we were. As we are. And as we will become.” The words were spoken with dejection and longing, “Are you going to abandon me, Y/N? Now that I’m no longer the same?”

“You hurt me.” It was the only reason you gave, but it was the one that made the man flinch. “I can’t trust someone who would willingly hurt me, even if the person has the same face as the man I married in another lifetime.”

“Then live with me for a few days, here, in the home we once called our own.” Ardyn turned around, eyes shining with a familiar desperation. “If you find that you can’t love me as you once did, then you can leave.”

“And if I can find myself loving you again?” you frowned, eyes narrowed into slits, “Then what?”

Ardyn leveled you with a confident smile, “Then we pick up where we left, and live out the rest of our days together.”

You frowned, tempted by the offer, but forced yourself to turn away from Ardyn, your heart aching. “No.” You weren’t sure that you could put yourself through that pain again. Years ago, you’d allowed yourself to fall in love with Ardyn because of your innocence and purity. But that fantasy of blissful happiness had long since been ripped from you two. The two of you have the possibility of being happy, but with the Scourge wreaking havoc on your body, you knew that that happiness would only be temporary, and before long, you’d be taken away from Ardyn again.

“Y/N!” There were hurried steps and suddenly you were stuck in a firm, yet warm embrace. “Don’t go… Please.” His voice broke as he pled, wrapping you in the same embrace as when he begged you to stay in Altissia.

“I can’t, Ardyn. What you want is impossible.” You resisted, twisting in his embrace to find escape.

“And why is it impossible? There is no Izunia to come for our heads, nothing to endanger our time together.”

“BECAUSE I’M DYING!” You screamed, thrashing in his embrace, which only tightened at your revelation.

Ardyn’s arms stealthily turned you to face him when you stopped struggling, pulling you into his chest in a comforting hug when you started to cry. “I know, Y/N. I can sense the Scourge within you.” Ardyn confessed in a hushed whisper next to your ear. His right hand raised dramatically to rest over your heart as he spoke, and your breathing stalled. Was it possible for him to still have the ability to take away the Scourge from your body? As if reading your thoughts, Ardyn clarified. “I can feel its corruption nestled deep in your heart, but I’ve long since lost the ability to take that pain away.”

A frown appeared on your face. “Long since lost? You mean because we both died? That you’re no longer a Lucis Caelum?” Of course, you thought, perhaps we are reincarnations of Y/N and Ardyn from two thousand years prior, but that doesn’t mean we’re the exact same. “If that’s so, then why are you able to use a power that only the King and his men can use? Do you work for King Regis? What is going on?” Too many question. Too many mysteries. Was something meddling in your lives?

A sly smirk appeared on Ardyn’s face as he brought his face down to nuzzle the side of your head affectionately. “If you can find that you hold the same love for me in three days, as you did two thousand long years ago, only then will I give you the answers you so desire.”

Your tears had long since stopped falling, and instead a scowl took its place at the sly smirk in front of you. In all honesty, despite the fact that Ardyn’s face was exactly the same as it had been years ago, you found yourself picturing Izunia’s face with that sly expression. Your fists tightened in hate, wanting to punch that smug grin off his face. You want so badly to say what you’re thinking. Why the hell are you acting like Izunia? You want to ask it so badly that the tears gather at your eyes from the frustration. Because you knew that if you asked that, then Ardyn would either not answer your question, or lash out at you. Instead, you let out a tearful whisper, “Fine.” You blink the tears away and take a deep breath to calm yourself, leveling a stern glare at the man before you. “I’ll stay with you for three days. Nothing more. And if in those days you raise a hand to me or abuse me in any way.” In a show of seriousness, you pull away from his strong arms and extend your own to point out over the view of the forest, “Then I will leave, and you will never find me again.”

Try as you’d like, putting all your effort in being stern with your decision to leave should he ever harm you, you couldn’t stop the shudder and tremble of longing that crept up your body when Ardyn took an easy step to gather your face into his hands. Gently stroking your cheeks as he brought his head down to rest his forehead on yours, Ardyn allowed his amber eyes to close, shoulders relaxing as his chest seemed to give a rumbling purr. An aura of contentment rolled off the man in waves, nearly knocking you over from the demeanor whiplash. “You won’t regret your decision, Y/N. I’ve waited so long to hold you in my arms once again. So many years longing for your embrace.”~~~~~~~~~~~

“Days and nights of your memory haunting my thoughts and dreams.” you whispered, closing your eyes as well, giving in to the contentment radiating from your soul as well as Ardyn’s. “I’m not sure if this is a blessing or a curse…”

“Let us not dwell on such thoughts, My Light.” Ardyn chided, his eyes opening to look into your eyes lovingly, “Whatever time we may have together, we’ll spend them to the fullest.” When you nodded, eyes closing once more to show your compliance, you suddenly felt strong arms lifting you up, bringing a blush of embarrassment and shock to your cheeks as you struggled to find support from your new position, “You must be tired, my dear, come, I’ll run a bath for you.”

“You have plumbing in the middle of the forest?”

“You’d be surprised at how much time I had to figure it out, My Light.”

~~~~~~~~~~~

95 Days and 4 hours

~~~~~~~~~~~

You sat on the bed and hummed in contentment, watching as Ardyn finished washing the dinner dishes in the next room over.

True to his word, Ardyn had prepared a hot bath for you to soak in, though only after you insisted on showering first. And while you washed yourself of the dirt, Ardyn quietly disappeared to another room, letting you relax with the hot water. To your immense surprise, Ardyn had prepared and cooked dinner for you, carefully putting together an assortment of ingredients into a delicious stew to warm the two of you up from the harsh autumn winds. It was a near replication of the stew you’d prepared two thousand years ago, with the occasional change in herbs and vegetables. You found yourself pleasantly surprised at the abundance of flavor, consuming not one helping, but three, to fill your empty stomach.

Initially, you’d only decided to have one bowl, so as not to overindulge in the food. But one Ardyn took notice of your stealthily growling stomach, he’d filled your empty bowl back up with more stew. When you’d tried to politely refuse the second helping, Ardyn had tsked and insisted, saying, “It would hurt my feelings if you held your appetite back, my love.”

So you grudgingly at the next two bowls, nearly stuffing yourself to the brim under watchful amber eyes. During dinner, you’d engaged Ardyn in small conversation, inquiring about his skill in the culinary arts.

“I once had a loving wife, who cooked delicious meals for me.” Ardyn began, grinning widely, his face lighting up and taking off several years from his aged face. “Their name was Y/N, and they tried to teach me to cook when I failed to boil even an egg. I remember their cute pout when they saw how incapable I was. But one day, Y/N died.” The grin disappeared and the years came back, casting shadows and deep wrinkles into Ardyn’s face. “In Y/N’s memory, I attempted to recreate every dish that I remembered them making, pouring years of my life into perfecting the culinary arts so that one day… if I ever meet them again, I could hopefully impress Y/N with how much I’ve improved since we last met.”

His dedication brought tears to the corner of your eyes, a heavy throbbing pain settling in your chest. You were touched that Ardyn would dedicate a part of his life to your memory, but you blinked the tears away and willed the pain to go away. It was difficult, but you had to stop thinking about the events of the past. This was your time to make new memories with him. So you gathered your courage and shot a hesitant smile at Ardyn, delighting in the way seeing your smile brought a smile to his face again. “I’m happy that you wanted to remember me so much, Ardyn.” His lips parted to interrupt, but you spoke quickly, cutting him off, “But you didn’t have to learn how to cook just to impress me. If you were a poor man, my feelings for you would be the same.”

“But you wouldn’t love me if I were cruel and evil.” a wistful smile, but there was a gleam in his eyes, implying that this was more than an observation.

You cast your eyes to the empty bowl in front of you, ashamed. “I don’t know if I could, Ardyn.”

The atmosphere turned tense as Ardyn rose from his seat and took the empty bowls from the table to wash. There was no acknowledgment from Ardyn, even as you stared at his back, so you found yourself retreating into the bedroom, where you’ve been since, laying in the bed and staring up at the ceiling.

The sheets under you had been changed when you were in the bathroom, but the gesture had you thinking heavily. What did you hope would result from this? What did Ardyn hope would happen here? But you knew the answer to that. To both questions.

It’s a hope that we might be what we were, and what we lost.

While you were thinking, you didn’t notice the slight dip of the bed right next to your head. “When we were apart, it felt like a part of me was missing. Just an emptiness in my chest that throbbed right at the edges.” Ardyn spoke, his right hand coming up to grasp at his chest. “But now that I found you… I feel like we’re further apart than ever. It hurts more… like…”

“Like I can see you and touch you,” you demonstrated by taking his hand in yours as you sat up to look down at his hands, scarred and calloused as you remembered. “But there’s no closeness, no light. Not like the warmth we felt all those years ago.”

“Only darkness around us.” Ardyn chuckled cynically, running his thumb over your knuckles gently before his other hand lifted to caress your face. Once his amber eyes locked with yours, you found yourself leaning into his touch, craving his touch, his affection, his love. “Let us illuminate that darkness, Y/N. So that we may find eachother again.” Ardyn brought his face closer, leaning his forehead to yours in a gentle thump. “Please.” he whispered, mellifluous tone turning husky. “Let us learn to love once again.”

Releasing a shuddering sigh, you closed your eyes and nodded. “Yes. Let’s learn to love again.” When Ardyn proceeded to touch an intimate part of your anatomy, however, you promptly blushed and pulled away, “TOO FAST!”

Two strong hands caught you around the waist, halting your escape by pulling you back into firm arms. Ardyn laughed, burrowing his face into the crook of your neck, “I jest, Y/N.” You could feel the content smile on Ardyn’s face, simply pleased to hold you in his arms. “We’ll go at whatever pace is comfortable for you.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

92 Days

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Three days blew by too quickly for you when the situation was so cheerful and carefree. Each day, Ardyn came to relearn you. Of the disease that has plagued you for a good part of your life. Of your talent in drawing. Of the fact that you could barely go most days without the use of your wheelchair. Of the help that your memory of him had provided in keeping the Scourge at bay for so long. And you, in turn, learned that Ardyn had spent his time wishing to see you, hoping that the Six were not so cruel as to keep you away from him. You learned of Ardyn’s true feelings. Of his anguish in learning that that which he once took unto himself had gone and infected you, depriving him of your life once more.

You also learned that, no matter what he may have done upon first meeting you three days ago, that you still wished to stand by Ardyn’s side. The you now, and not the you from years past, loves the current Ardyn, more than you could logically comprehend. So on the morning of the fourth day, you woke up earlier than usual, in hopes of surprising Ardyn by kissing him awake. Only to find that Ardyn was awake before you, lying on his side on the bed, lazily staring at your face as he played with your hair.

Noticing that you’d woken, Ardyn’s eyes found yours with a lazy smile, but you knew that he needed your answer.

Will you stay?

A smile slowly rose to your lips as you brought your face closer to Ardyn’s, his hair tickling your cheeks as you pressed a slow kiss to his lips. Humming in pleasure, Ardyn kissed back with a passion, licking your bottom lip and sucking, arms moving to wrap around your waist. In the morning sunlight, the two of you kissed leisurely, moving from shy kisses to bold, eventually getting to a point where hands started to roam.

Growl

You wanted to ignore the noises coming from your stomach, continuing to kiss Ardyn, your hands having just finished exploring his bare chest, now rested at the edge of his lounge pants. Ardyn chuckled and pulled away from you with a last kiss, bringing a pout to your face, “Now now, Y/N. Patience. We’ll get to the fun soon enough, but only after you’ve been fed, my love.”

With a huff, you playfully shoved Ardyn off the bed, delighting in the yelp that left his mouth when his back collided with the hardwood. “Don’t speak as if I’m the only horny one here, Mister!” Leaning over the edge of the bed, you gave a triumphant smirk at the betrayed pout that Ardyn had on his face. “Oh come now, it doesn’t hurt that much. Besides…” you let a devious expression slip across your face as you licked your lips. “I like seeing you beneath me.”

Instantly, Ardyn’s lips were on yours again, having crawled to his knees to meet your lips. “Hmmm. We’re never going to eat at this rate, my dear.” he purred against your lips, tilting his head to make sure that you were always above him. “I never knew you preferred the top.”

“Mmmm… I like watching your expressions.” you confessed, lifting both hands to bring Ardyn’s lips to yours, biting his bottom lip gently before moving to his left ear and whispering, “I also like it when you whispered in my ear.” The shiver of pleasure and excitement from Ardyn further encouraged you to speak of your past dirty thoughts. “I’m weak for your voice. If you whisper in my ear, it gets me aching. When you moan in my ear… It drives me over the edge.”

And then, you’re under him, feeling his mouth feast upon the skin covering the crook of your neck before he pulls away to stare lustfully into your eyes. “Let’s see how many times I can bring this body to the edge, Y/N.”

“Last time you brought me to the edge five times.” You pant, breathless and aching for more of Ardyn’s touch, “Let’s see if we can make it seven times.” It was a clear challenge towards your lover, your intent made clear by your half lidded eyes meeting his own amber. “Make love to me. Make me crave your every movement. Make it so that I can only say your name. So that I forget my own.”

The almost evil smirk on Ardyn’s face gave you a clear answer as he sensually began to kiss you, hands roaming and disrobing you as you were distracted. You let out a heady moan as Ardyn leisurely kissed down your chest, spending some time at your nipples, pinching one as he lavished the other with attention, his warm mouth closing around the hardening form of one and sucking. Simply from his minor attentions, you found yourself beyond wet, your core aching and pulsing in anticipation. Ardyn only moved on from his ministrations when he’d removed your underwear, throwing your last article of clothes across the room as he descended, his mouth finding your sex and sucking, lusty amber eyes staring directly into your eyes as he worked.

He would do everything you asked him and more. He won’t make love to you. He’ll worship your body, your love, your soul. His touch won’t just make you crave him. You’ll be ravenous, only content when you’re with him. He promises that you won’t be saying his name. Ardyn will have you screaming his name. And you won’t forget your name. You’ll remember that Y/N and Ardyn are synonymous with one another. One is not without the other.

And you knew this, the entire time. As his hand played with you, bring you over the edge three times before he’d bothered to disrobe himself, working himself with your fluids before allowing the two of you to be one in body and soul for the first time in two thousand years. In the light of the late morning sun, Ardyn took you, making you come three more times before flipping positions, allowing you to be on top, riding him to completion for the seventh time that day.

Coming down from the high, Ardyn pulled your body towards his own, wrapping the both of your sweaty bodies with the covers. “I keep my word, Y/N. We belong to each other. For all eternity.”

“I love you, Ardyn.”

“I love you as well, Y/N.”

~~~~~~~~~~~

30 Days

~~~~~~~~~~~

It’s been a month since you’d accepted that you’d spend the rest of your natural life with Ardyn. A little more than a month of love making and sweet gestures. It seemed as if the two of you had simply continued from where your lives had left off two thousand years ago. But the happiness and contentment seemed to be almost firmly held in place by Ardyn. You’d yet to gain any of the answers you wanted and were promised. Any attempt you made to get your answers, Ardyn would expertly dodge the question by teasing you or doing something sweet.

It made Ardyn seem like he was hiding something from you. This became shockingly apparent when you noticed that Ardyn disappeared at night when he thought you asleep. And given that you slept for more than ten hours due to the fatigue that the Scourge caused, you didn’t notice his absence until you’d woken up from a nightmare a few nights prior to find his side of the bed empty. Since then, you’d made attempts to wake up in the middle of the night in order to prove to yourself that perhaps it was a one time thing. That Ardyn really wasn’t disappearing at night to go somewhere. And when Ardyn continued to leave every night since, you started to feel the insecurity creep up within you. A dark gnawing monster that liked to manifest itself briefly as the dark tendrils of Scourge.

Poor poor child. You think that he’d still love you after all these years? Surely a new life for you meant a new life for him as well. You’re not the only important thing in his life.

If he doesn’t love me, then why would he have preserved this place, or made it better? Liveable, even. I am important to him.

How important are you? That he keeps you locked up in this small shed in the forest?

It’s to protect me.

Or… it’s to keep you hidden. As if he’s ashamed of you. Or he leaves at night to visit another. A lover, perhaps. A wife. Children. Family. A life away from you.

In the darkness of the woodland home, you sat in silence on the floor, leaning against the wall. The fire in the fireplace had long since died, the only remains being the slightly burning embers within. The bed was cold, Ardyn’s side long since cooled hours prior, and your own losing its warmth. You took a deep breath and exhaled, not bothering to argue with the dark thoughts any more. You’d known long ago that the Scourge had won the battle over your body. Nowadays, you felt like you could barely stand, much less sleep for less than 12 hours at a time. You barely had feeling in your body. Sex didn’t feel the same as it did months prior, and even now, when the temperature was so low that you could see your breath, you couldn’t feel the cold creeping into your bones.

You only felt happiness when Ardyn was near, what with him being your light. But it seemed as if that was about to leave as well.

Outside, the snow fell heavily, the wind howling as it shook the house. It was during times like this that you felt at your lowest. Alone, at night, with the Scourge bringing dark thoughts to your mind’s eye. To stop yourself from doing anything foolish, you’d taken to the floor, staring blankly at your journal, just trying to muster as much positive thought as much as positive. You would do this until your eyes were tired enough to sleep, crawling into bed and closing your eyes. When you next open your eyes, it was morning, and Ardyn was staring right back at you.

Unlike the past few mornings, however, you didn’t fake a smile and kiss Ardyn on the lips. Instead, your eyes remained hollow as you asked, “Where do you go at night, Ardyn?” His amber eyes widened considerably at your question, probably surprised that you even noticed his absence at night. “Do you not want to be with me, Ardyn? If you have another life… I think you should be honest with me.”

“You’re not making much sense, darling. I love you. My absence at night has nothing to do with my love for you.” Ardyn denied, visibly horrified and offended that you would even call his love into question.

“And yet there are so many things you hide, Ardyn.” You snapped, turning away from your lover with a decisive turn. “Can’t you answer my questions?” I don’t have long. You left it unspoken.

“The truth will only hurt you, Y/N.” Ardyn attempted to argue, though his voice sounded too weak, knowing that you will get what you want.

“I’m hurting anyways, Ardyn.” you countered easily, hating that your voice sounded so hollow, so dead.

“I was never reincarnated.” You turned back to face Ardyn immediately, intrigued and confused as he continued, eyes meeting yours sheepishly. “I can’t die, Y/N. Taking the Scourge unto my being has made me immortal. I can die over and over again, but my form will always come back.”

A vague spark of emotion streaked across your face as you sat up, hands taking Ardyn’s face, “You’re the same Ardyn… from two thousand years ago?” At Ardyn’s nod, you bit your lip in hesitation before asking, “Can I… can I see your other form?” The words were barely out of your mouth before you were face to face with Ardyn’s demonized form, the Scourge within him calling to the Scourge plaguing your body. “Where do you go at night, Ardyn?”

“To work on ending this eternal suffering.” your face scrunched up at how vague, yet specific Ardyn’s answer was. You wanted specifics, details of the plan, to make sure that Ardyn wasn’t doing anything foolish, but Ardyn interrupted you before you could ask for more details. “I can’t Ascend, Y/N. I can’t find peace. You can’t imagine what horrors I’ve endured when we were both sentenced to die. When I woke up to find you dead by my side.” Shaking hands rose to take your face, “Of how many times I’ve tried to end my own life hoping to reunite with you. To find brief respite in the cold grasps of death, only to come back to this waking hell.” His eyes close, body shaking in a brief show of weakness. “Even now, just holding you is like a dream. A cruel dream that I know will be ripped away from me. So please, Y/N. Don’t ask questions. Let me end this suffering. So that we can be together at last, in the afterlife.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

1 Day

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

So you didn’t ask anymore questions. Instead, with whatever will you had left, you cherished the moments you had left with Ardyn. Sharing smiles and laughs. The small and innocent things that would soon be ripped from your lives by fate. Until the day you were unable to wake from your dreams, body slowly showing signs of dissolving in Ardyn’s arms. He’d known that you weren’t going to live past the winter, but Ardyn still couldn’t stop the tears, or the sobs that plagued his body as he held you in his arms. Ardyn knew the signs. The moment the body started to seep the small particles of Scourge, you had no more than a day to stay in your physical form before you soul was taken and turned into a daemon.

“I’m sorry, Y/N. Wait for me.” Ardyn cried, bring his hand to your chest in a motion to stab, “I’m sorry it had to come to this.” With a quick summon of his weapon, Ardyn impaled you with his glaive, ending your life before you could turn into a daemon. Losing you this time was no less painful than it was the first time, Ardyn lamented as he cradled your body, watching as it dissolved into light. But this time, Ardyn knew that you would wait for him.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

12 Years later

~~~~~~~~~~~~

You hummed a cheerful tune as you tended to the many flowers in the garden, unconcerned that all around you was empty except for the blue sky and familiar home behind you. When you’d woken up, you’d found yourself lying in the flower garden, as if placed there gently by some unknown force. At first, you’d called for Ardyn. Worried for your beloved, and scared at the sudden warmth and peace. You’d hollered at the top of your lungs for Ardyn, finding that your voice never wavered, that after hours of yelling, your voice had yet to turn raw. That after hours of yelling, the sky didn’t change color. That you felt no fatigue at all. No hunger.

It was after these observations that you’d realized that you’d died. That you were dead.

You wept for hours, or was it days, in the fields outside the wooden structure before a woman in all white appeared before you, her blonde hair let down to gently frame her face. You didn’t even notice that the younger woman was in front of you, too busy crying into your hands, until she spoke in a wise but gentle voice. “Y/N. Don’t weep. You’ll be with Ardyn again. Simply have patience and keep hope in your heart that he will return to you.”

“How do you know that?” You demanded, hiccuping as tears continued to fall from your eyes.

The woman smiled gently, kneeling down in front of you, bringing her hand to your face, thumbs gingerly brushing the tears away. “I know because I, too, wait to return to my beloved’s side.”

Still tearful, but making an effort to stop the tears, you whimpered, closing your eyes and holding onto the woman’s hands. “What’s your name?”

A patient smile. “Luna.”

“Could you stay with me, Luna?” a sheepish request, “Until you have to go meet your beloved.”

The smile didn’t leave Luna’s face as she took a seat next to you in the garden. “I’ll wait with you.”

You learned that Luna was the Oracle, deceased from her efforts to aid King Noctis rid the world of the Starscourge. You learned of the tragedy that was her life. Of how she endured the hardship in the hopes of living a happy life with Noctis. And you wished, that in death, that Luna would finally find peace. You didn’t have to explain who you were, it was evident that Luna knew who you were, but you didn’t think she cared. In the afterlife, the both of you found solidarity in the hope that you would both be reunited with the men that held your hearts.

As you hummed, playing with the sylleblossoms that started to grow in the gardens, you didn’t notice the river that seemed to form a few feet away.

Luna had left moments prior to reunite with her beloved. The two of you weren’t tearful when you had to part, however. Just happy for each other. Both of you knew that with Noctis’s arrival, Ardyn would be following closely. Your wishes would come true.

A gust of wind directed your attention to the sudden appearance of the river, and watched, mesmerized, as the river formed, and after it, the fields on the other side seemed to change into a forest. With bated breath, you watched a tall form exit the forest, making his way towards the river. Recognizing the man, you ran towards the river, only to be stopped by an invisible wall. Frowning, you placed your palm on the wall, staring at Ardyn as he sauntered towards the river, as if he didn’t see you.

He walked until he too stood on the bank of the river directly opposite of you, stopping when he seemed to bump into a wall. You saw him frown before reaching up to touch the invisible wall as well. The river seemed to speed up, splashing a torrent of water against the banks, blinding both you and Ardyn as you both brought you hands up to cover your faces.

When the splashing died down and you both lowered your arms, the river was gone, and your eyes locked. With giddy smiles, the two ran at each other, pulling each other’s forms into an embrace. You were together finally. No death looming over the two of you. No one getting in your way. Just your love for eachother.

Eternal.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

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#ardyn izunia #ardyn lucis caelum #ffxv #final fantasy xv #ardyn x reader #x reader #shianhygge #shian imagines

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katymacsupernatural · 6 years

Text

Love Ever After

Dean Winchester x Reader

1300 Words

Story Summary: Eavesdropping when she shouldn’t, Y/N overhears Dean talking about being in love with someone.

This is for my Fabulous Fake Title Challenge run by myself and @just-another-winchester. This fic is for @amanda-teaches

Yawning widely, you climbed out of bed, the smell of coffee driving you from it’s warmth, knowing it was past time to get up. Glancing at your clock, you winced when you saw the time, realizing you had been asleep a lot longer than you had realized. Slipping a pair of jeans on and a sweatshirt, you couldn’t ignore the hint of coffee any longer, needing the jolt of caffeine to get you going.

Stumbling down the hallway, you could hear Sam and Dean talking in the kitchen, sounding extremely serious for this hour of the day. Rounding the hallway, you were almost to the kitchen when your name was said.

“How are you going to tell Y/N?” Sam asked his brother, raising your interest. You knew eavesdropping wasn’t nice, but you couldn’t help yourself. You wanted to hear what they were saying.

“I have no idea,” Dean muttered. “I have no idea how she’ll take it, and truthfully I’m a little nervous.”

“Dean, you’re the one that’s in love,” Sam continued. “And Y/N needs to know.”

“Don’t you think I don’t know that!” Dean exclaimed, as you stood there, your hand over your mouth. Dean had been acting a little weird the past couple of weeks. Awkward, acting nervous around you. There had been times you had caught him staring at you, his eyes hooded, and know you were wondering if he had been trying to tell you each time.

You were heartbroken. You hadn’t realized that Dean had been seeing anyone, let alone long enough to fall in love. He had always seemed so sweet to you, and you had hoped that maybe one day he would become more than the friend he was now.

You considered running, away from the heartbreak you knew to wait you inside. But that wasn’t who you were. You always faced things head on, even when it was something as disheartening as this.

“Dean, just don’t wait too long. You know how things can get turned around when you do,” Sam muttered, as you forced yourself to move forward, to step into the kitchen.

Dean’s gaze landed on you straight away, his eyes huge, as Sam smiled at you. “Didn’t think you’d be up yet,” Dean muttered.

“The smell of coffee woke me up,” you muttered, stepping into the room, trying to paste a smile on your face but failing miserably.

“I’m out of here,” Sam exclaimed, leaving you alone with Dean.

Smiling up at you, Dean handed you your favorite mug, already filled with coffee exactly how you liked it. “So Y/N, I was wondering if you and I could have dinner tonight? I have something I want to tell you.”

He seemed nervous, almost shuffling his feet as he waited for your answer. “Sure,” you grumbled, knowing what he wanted to talk about, wishing he would get it out of the way.

“Great!” He exclaimed. “I’ll do everything, just meet me in the war room, around six?”

Nodding, you took your coffee, escaping to your room so you could finally stop hiding the misery that you felt.

________

It was almost six by the time you forced yourself out of your room, your eyes still red and puffy from your earlier bout of crying. But you were ready now. Your shoulders were straight, your heart pounding as you made your way into the main rooms of the bunker.

Dean already had the place set up nicely. Some of the emergency candles lit in the middle, the finer china placed on each side, towards the end of the table. There were even folded napkins, with the silverware placed on top, fancier than anything you had ever seen in the bunker. He had gone through a lot of trouble, especially if this was to let you know he had fallen in love with someone else.

Confused and out of sorts, you stood there, tracing the edge of the plate with your finger when his footsteps startled you. “There you are!” He exclaimed, a large tray in his hands. Expecting his usual burger, you were surprised to see some sort of chicken dish, along with a salad and breadsticks. Wine was off to the side instead of the usual beer, confusing you even more.

Pulling the chair out for you, he waited until you were sitting, sliding it in.

“So, what did you want to talk about?” You asked him, watching as he swallowed heavily, his eyes wide.

“Let’s eat first, then we can talk. I even made pie,” he stuttered, effectively evading your question. Humoring him at first, you took a bite.

“Dean, this is amazing!” You exclaimed. “But where’s Sam? Is he gonna be joining us?”

“No, Sam’s gone out for the evening,” Dean explained, “I just wanted it to be you and me tonight. Like a date.”

Almost choking on the meal in front of you, you took a sip of wine, staring up at him. “But how can it be a date when you’re in love with someone else?”

“What?” He exclaimed, looking even more shocked than you. “What gave you that ridiculous idea.”

“I heard you and Sam talking this morning. About you being in love. Figuring out how to tell me. Well, I’d rather you’d just get it up and over with and we can go back to being friends.” You spoke fast, trying to keep the heartbreak from your voice.

“Damn it, I didn’t want you to hear it like that,” he muttered, running his hand along his mouth. “Y/N, I set it up this way to make it special.”

“Why would I want it to be special?” You asked, standing up, ready to leave. “Why would hearing you love someone else need to have a special occasion?”

Ready to race out of the room, Dean reached up, stopping you. “Y/N, damn it. That isn’t what’s happening! I set this up so I could tell you I’m in love with you!”

“What?” You cried, turning to see the truth etched on his face. “But, Dean, I never expected this.”

“I know,” he sighed. “I’m horrible at letting people know how I feel. At first, I didn’t want to tell you because I was afraid. Afraid that you would leave me. That something bad would happen because of it. Then, I couldn’t figure out the right time to tell you.”

Relieved beyond a doubt, you threw yourself into Dean’s arms, happy that things had turned out better than expected. “I hope that means you feel the same?” He asked, his arms tight around you.

“Of course!” You assured him. “Dean, do you know the moment I feel for you? It was on that freezing cold night, coming back from that hunt in Colorado. My coat had been ripped, and you gave me your leather coat, placing it over my shoulders. It smelled amazing, and I couldn’t help but fall for the man who had wrapped me in it.”

“Really?” He seemed surprised. “I can’t tell you how nervous I was.”

“Dean, you should have listened to your brother along time ago. Then I could have been enjoying more of your cooking. But I am ready for that pie now.”

“See, I knew you were the girl of my dreams.” Dean smiled, placing a soft kiss on your lips before moving on to get the pie.”

Dean/Jensen Tags:@acreativelydifferentlove @a-girl-who-loves-disney @akshi8278 @anokhi07 @aubreystilinski @bebravekeeponfighting @colette2537 @crusadedean @deanwinchesters-impala67 @haelyn @horsegirly99 @ikeneasul11 @its-not-a-tulpa @just-another-winchester @msimpala67 @lenaabs @love-charmer-sketch @ruprecht0420 @shadowhunter7 @sizzlingbearpolice @sleep-silent-angel @sortaathief @superseejay721517 @thesaneone @torn-and-frayed @wonderfulworldofwinchester

Forever Tags:@16wiishes @4401lnc @amanda-teaches @andreaaalove @angelsandwinchesters @artisticpoet @atc74 @be-amaziing @bemyqueenofdarkness @bohowitch @brooke-supernatural16 @brunettechick @camelotandastronauts @captainradicalpassion @chelsea072498 @clairese1980 @captainemwinchester @createdbybadappreciation @darthdeziewok @destiels-new-girl @donnaintx @dont-you-dare-say-misha @dslocum89 @duckieburns @docharleythegeekqueen @emmazach @emilicious-7 @emoryhemsworth @ericaprice2008 @essie1876 @generalgoldfishldrm @goldenolaf25 @growningupgeek @imboredsueme @internationalmusicteacher @ithinkimadorable-67 @iwriteaboutdean @jayankles @jensen-gal @just-another-busy-fangirl @karlee-fay-my-wayward-son @keelzy2 @li-ssu @littleblue5mcdork @lowlyapprentice @mellowlandrunaway @mogaruke @my-squirrel-and-moose @nanie5 @newtospnfandom @oneshoeshort @percussiongirl2017 @pilaxia @pizzarollpatrol @plaid-lover-bay25 @rosegoldquintis @roxyspearing @samanddeanmyheroes @sandlee44 @shamelesslydean @sillesworldofwriting @sgarrett49 @skyewardolicitycloisdelena91 @spnbaby-67 @spn-dean-and-sam-winchester @spnwoman @sunskittlex @superbadassnatural @tardis-full-of-fallen-angels @teamfreewill92 @thebikiniinspector @thing-you-do-with-that-thing @tmccarney @totallovelesson @tunadean @vvinch3st3r @wildlandfox @winchesterbrothers-inc @winchesterxtwo @winchester-writes @zombiewerewolfqueen

#fabulous fake title challenge #dean winchester x reader #supernatural x reader #supernatural reader insert #katy writes #dean winchester fanfiction #supernatural fanfiction

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angelinarecs · 6 years

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Stargate SG-1 Rec - *Updated*

More Stargate fics! Because I can never get enough of this show. You can find my full rec list here.

Organized by pairing (or gen), and then alphabetized by title. Summaries (which have been copied from their respective stories) and descriptions are provided. Notation at the end of the description indicates if a story is completed or a WIP.

Gen

Arachne’s Chase - “Sergeant, fire in short bursts. We don’t have many rounds, try to make each shot count, okay?” Sam looked him in the eyes; she was totally calm. Uncertainty had gone now; she knew what she was fighting. She wasn’t too sure on their odds of surviving, but then that wasn’t anything new. “You can do this, Sergeant.” She watched as his face set in a determined expression. It wasn’t a face suited for ferocity but she gave him credit for trying. Drama/Adventure. Sam and Walter get stuck off world trying to hold their own against giant spiders. Walter keeps freaking out and Sam just wants to get home. A good look at both Sam and Walter’s characters as well as a decently written action scene. One-shot.

Fortitude - This was written for a LJ Sam Carter Ficathon, and deals with the first mission for Sam after her encounter with Jolinar. Adventure. Sam tries to prove her mettle in the field, both to herself and her teammates. She fails to take care of herself and follow orders in the process. A good look into what must have been a trying first mission after everything that happened with Jolinar. One-shot.

Infirmary After - Sam’s turn to concentrate on breathing. Enough time passed that Janet was wondering if she’d even answer, wondering what she’d do if there was no answer. “Embarrassed,” Sam said at last, her voice too low to carry much beyond the bed. “Ashamed. Not so much that it happened - I really did get my head around that years ago, played it over and over and over until I desensitized myself to the possibility - but that they saw. That it happened in front of… of… That they’re never going to look at me again without thinking of it.” Drama. Compelling and hard-hitting, this story doesn’t need to be graphic to touch on the horror and also high likelihood of being raped in the dangerous world of SG1. The trauma is dealt with well, both from the Sam’s perspective and from the perspective of the team unable to stop it. This story should be commended for showing that a plot dealing with trauma does not need to be graphic to be shocking. One-shot.

Keeping Score - Sam is good at staying alive. Adventure. Sam remembers her past as she fights to stay alive and make it until her time finds her. One-shot.

Talking Strategy - TAG to The First Commandment. Friendship. After the death of Jonas Hansen, the guys try to get Sam to open up about her past with him and work through the funk she fell into. Some really lovely team moments in here. One-shot.

The Blue-Jello Metaphor - They were all eating Jell-O out of the long dessert glasses. She had her usual, the blue raspberry vivid and bright. The boys all had red Jell-O. She looked beyond them to the other tables. Every single person in her line of vision had red Jell-O. She glanced up at the dessert case along the food line. There sat the other glasses of blue. She knew that if she turned the other direction and looked at the other half of the cafeteria, there’d be more red Jell-O. She was the only blue. She stared down at her cup. She was always the only blue. Surrounded by a sea of red. Humor. This story gives an endearing and humorous look at a disgruntled Sam as she tries to navigate Air Force, team, and dating life as a genius scientist. I find this to be a good character sketch and really love the team dynamic portrayed. One-shot.

The Knife’s Edge of Madness - Alternate ending to Desperate Measures: What if Sam had managed to escape on her own without the team finding her? Angst/Drama. Trapped with few memories in the aftermath of Jolinar’s death, Sam finds herself sheltered in a hospital officially as a Jane Doe. While I don’t normally like stories about amnesia because the plot lines are often absurd and the handling of amnesia is almost never medically or psychologically accurate, this story manages to have a plausible explanation for the tramautic memory loss and explores several issues in memory retrieval and concepts of identity accurately and compellingly. This examination gives the reader a fascinating view of Jane coming to accept she’s Sam and relearning the whole process with her. One-shot.

The Most Wonderful - SG1 aren’t exactly where Jack wants them to be for the holidays. Gen. Set in early seasons, so it smells like original team spirit. Angst. Jack and Teal'c are left to save Sam and Daniel after they are trapped on an alien planet. Jack just wants to get home for Christmas. One-shot.

Under Fire - “She blinked up at him. “What happened?” she murmured.

“You tell me. One minute you’re doing a favorable impression of GI Jane, the next you were face-first in the dirt,” the Colonel said.“ Adventure/Drama. Carter and most of SG1 are injured offworld and have to struggle back to the gate, holding their own against three-foot, carnivorous lizards and other Jurassic threats. Set early in SG1’s history, the story explores team dynamics as well as providing a good inner monologue for Sam as she struggles to reconcile her skills and gender in a male-dominated world. The audience follows along through Sam’s POV, learning little bits and pieces about the situation as Sam does. Very good use of In Medias Res too. Overall, just a really well conceived, written, and executed story. One-shot.

Undertow - “Samantha Carter,” she managed to spit out, along with a mouthful of blood. Her tongue probed the gash inside her cheek and she was grateful to find no loose teeth. “Captain. United States Air Force. Service number 456731479 .” She couldn’t remember the question, but she knew this was the right answer – the only answer she had.“ Adventure/Hurt/Comfort. Carter and the team are captured offworld and Sam is being questioned/tortured after captors believe her to be a Goa'uld. The story is told from Sam’s POV and is as disjointed as he drugged thoughts would have been. Very well executed overall. One-shot.

Unsuspecting Universe - Two teammates alive, seven Jaffa dead. And one Captain Samantha Carter with a junked up weapon, and a glitter in her eye that boded badly for the universe. Adventure/Drama. Sam saves the team again with a McGyvered weapon and a little bit of luck. Jack is concerned that the universe will never be the same again. A fun look at Sam’s technical and tactical skills in the field. One-shot.

With Great Power - And what would you call me, a Tau'ri woman who can use the weapons of the gods? she challenged, power coursing through her until her whole body felt like static electricity was firing along every muscle and nerve fiber. No content to warn for. Adventure. BAMF!Sam has to get the boys out of trouble. The rest of the team are left to pick up the pieces, and their teammate, when it’s all over. An interesting look at the interaction between Sam and the ribbon device. One-shot.

Sam, Daniel Friendship

Eroding Away the Mountains - “If she’s learned anything over the past five years, over all the years of her life, it’s that the universe never pauses for you to catch up. Whatever happened yesterday, tomorrow will still come, because even time loops don’t last forever, and she has responsibilities that can’t be ignored. So she’ll go back to the Mountain, her lab, and a job she loves, even when it hurts.” Friendship. An exploration of Sam and Daniel’s friendships through a series of hikes. I really enjoyed that the friendship was built organically over time and that the loss of Daniel resonates with reader almost as much as it does with Sam. Bonus team interaction as well. One-shot.

Reckless - “This was the Sam that always surprised Daniel. Not the scientist or the soldier, but another person all together. Someone defined by an edge of recklessness that she normally hid underneath her levelheaded exterior.” Adventure. The gang is captured and Carter leads a minor revolt to save them. Sam-centric, but told from Daniel’s POV. This use of POV is a really creative character exploration for both Carter and Daniel. One-shot.

West - They gave her food and water and drew her a map to the city of Reata far away, where perhaps she could find the men she sought. “Stargate. Chapa Hi?” she said, so perhaps it was a farewell. “Chapa Hi,” they said in return, and sent Thaywood-ware-thees on her way with their best wishes. Adventure. Seperated from her team, Carter is stranded offworld where she doesn’t speak the language. She travels from town to town, continually getting sent further west, in search of her team and the Stargate. One-shot. Story is deleted!

Sam, Teal'c Friendship

A Star At Dawn - While rescuing natives from a threatening volcano, SG-1 is caught in an avalanche. Angst/Drama. Teal'c is buried and Sam is injured. It’ll take both of them working together to live through the night. A welcome look at the friendship and bond between Sam and Teal'c, especially in the wake of losing Daniel and O'neill. One-shot.

The Working Hour - “I suppose you think I’m pretty weak.”

Teal’c looked up and realized she been watching him watching her. He shook his head. “No. I do not think you are weak. You have a warrior’s heart and a quick brain. You fought well, and you prevailed. That is not weak.” Adventure. Set early Season 1, Carter and Teal'c are stranded offworld and injured. Cue Carter being badass and Teal'c trying to reconcile his past as Apophis’ First Prime and his new role on the team and coming to trust a woman. I really enjoyed the writing style and the interaction between Sam and Teal'c. One-shot.

Sam/Janet (yay for underappreciated ships!)

Ten-Thousand Suns - Sam is trapped in the rubble after an earthquake collapses a building on an alien world. Hurt/Comfort. Janet and a team of specialists try to keep Sam alive long enough to free her from the rubble. For her part, Sam is just trying to keep it together as she fights for her life and fights for the realization of those that she loves. Featuring underappreciated ships that actually make a lot of cannon sense and ascended!Daniel. One-shot.

Jack/Sam

Camelot Episode Tag - What was Sam thinking at the end of Camelot? And what happened next? Sci-fi/Angst. The story follows Sam directly after the Ori arrive through the supergate and her recovery from free-floating in space. Bonus Married!jack/sam. One-shot.

Going Under - Set in Season 3. SG1 visit an alient planet, but their attempts at a meet and greet go wrong. Captured, seperated from the Colonel and under dire threat, they must find Jack and make their escape. Team fic, with S/J elements, but strictly within canon. Adventure. A planet-of-the-week story featuring BAMF!Sam, awesome team dynamics, and some hinted Jack/Sam. This story handled the adventurous and perilous atmosphere along with the friendship and working relationship of the team. Complete.

Patience - Patience may be a virtue, but it can also get you killed. Hurt/Comfort/Drama. Things have been tense between Jack and Carter lately and Jack suggests some time off for the overworked scientist. When Carter doesn’t show up to work the next day, Jack figures she took him up on his offer. Little does the team know that Sam is trapped in her car just outside Cheyenne Mountain. A story with Sam in peril and Sam getting herself out of peril. Also hints of Jack/Sam. One-shot.

Remember Days of Gladness When Sorrow is at Hand - “For the thousandth time that week, Sam felt her eyes prick with tears. You wouldn’t know it by looking at them, but all three of her guys could be ridiculously sweet sometimes.” S8 post-Threads fic. Canon S/J with a side of teamy goodness. Friendship/Romance. Carter is still grieving over the loss of her father and still coming down from defeating the replicators. Her team surprises early one morning with helping hands to give her the dream home she always wanted. Jack and Sam also have some nice, if awkward, conversations. One-shot.

Three Wishes - Mistaken for a genie, bashed on the head and captured along with Sam, Jack wakes up with wishes in mind… Friendship/Adventure. Poor Jack is just trying to get through their latest missions, and Sam is just trying to get both of them home. Fun Jack/Sam friendship and/or pre-relationship. One-shot.

Tumbling Down - “Hours later, Sam is leaning against the window, letting the cool glass leach the heat from her face, with Cam’s hand resting lightly on her left thigh. Across the booth Daniel is slumped back, third cup of coffee in his hand and Vala draped half-asleep against him… Atlantis is wonderful and it’s the command step her career needs, but sometimes she misses her team so much it hurts. She doesn’t known if it’s better or worse to know they’re still exploring the universe together without her.” Friendship/Romance. An episode!tag for SGA Trio. Sam returns Earth to heal after breaking her leg in the Pegasus Galaxy, her team and Jack take care of their injured teammate. Sam revisits some memories of her time on SG-1 and muses on the life - and relationships - she built and left behind. One-shot.

#stargate #stargate sg1 #jack o'neill #teal'c #daniel jackson #samantha carter #janet fraiser #stargate fanfiction #angelina's recs #jack/sam #sam/janet #this is my fandom for life #nearly 20 years and counting

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embklitzke · 7 years

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Awakenings - Book 6 - Chapter 7

The world ended on an August Sunday. This is the story of some of those who survived the end of everything.

Seven

An hour past sunrise found Thom out at the wall, expression grim, pacing its length, searching for weaknesses, places he could improve on what they’d already worked so hard and spent so much time to build. It was their first line of defense, though, that wall, and if they were going to have to face Leviathan—or something worse—he wanted to be ready.

He had a family to think about, damn it all. He was going to be ready.

Seamus came to him out there, stood watching for a few long moments. Thom knew he was there. The why didn’t matter, though he knew that the older man wouldn’t keep his silence forever. Soon enough, he’d break the silence.

Until then, Thom was content to move up and down the wall with a small sketchpad and pencil in hand, sketching and jotting notes.

Shore up the wall at the north end. Needs repairs at eight meters. Add a blind at the fifteenth meter. Blind at the twenty-fifth meter. Signs of weakness at twenty-seven meters.

“A wall may not stop that bastard,” Seamus said at last. He stood with his hands in his pockets, squinting at Thom in the glare of the morning sun.

Thom grunted, tucking his pencil above his ear and stuffing the pad into his back pocket as he walked over to inspect a gouge in the concrete at thirty-one meters—not too far from the gate, now. “At least we’ll have a first line of defense,” he said.

Seamus made a quiet noise in his throat, lapsing into silence for another few moments as Thom continued down the wall. “What about the defenses on the back side of the village?”

“The ravine-side? We have choke points and rubble to stop him there,” Thom said, then turned. “Why?”

“The ravine and the wardings might not stop him,” Seamus said, his voice grim. “We can’t rely on those forever—or the Wild Hunt.”

A chill washed over Thom. “What do you mean?”

“Something isn’t right.”

Understatement of the century, there. Thom shook his head. “Tell me something I didn’t know.”

“This isn’t a fight we win with defenses or strength of arms, Thom.”

Then I don’t know how the hell we’re going to win it—luck isn’t going to save us this time, either, now is it?

“Defenses are all I’ve got,” Thom said bitterly, turning back to his work.

Seamus fell silent again. If he’d angered the Prince of the Aes Dana, Thom didn’t care.

He kept to his work, moving toward the gate.

Defenses and a stubborn streak—and a gift I can’t master, a gift I don’t fully understand—that’s all I’ve got to protect my family.

I’ll be damned if I can’t find a way to make that be enough. One way or another, it’s going to have to be enough. I don’t have anything else. Not now. Not yet.

Not yet.

Seamus moved down the wall with him, never more than a dozen feet away, a sentinel watching, guarding. Thom tried to ignore it at first after their brief exchange, but the words gnawed at him.

Something isn’t right.

This isn’t a fight we can win with defenses or strength of arms.

His jaw tightened. He was still a dozen yards down from the gate when he turned away from it, toward Seamus. “What aren’t you saying?”

“Jameson wanted to be the one to tell you.”

“J.T.’s not here. You are. What the hell is going on, Seamus?”

“Something happened at the barrow,” Seamus said. “Something was digging there, trying to undermine the wards. Phelan and Matt found it, then Phelan sorted it out. They told me because they thought I might have some insight so I went out to take a look myself. They came close to their purpose there.”

Cold shot through Thom. “Their purpose,” he echoed, his voice dull. “What was that?”

“They want our dead,” Seamus said. “It’s likely they only pulled back because they could sense what was happening on that field when Hecate went up against Pluton. That would scare the bold out of anyone.” His lips thinned. “We both know she doesn’t have another fight like that in her.”

“Do we?”

“I do,” Seamus said. “That was personal, what she did out there. I know what that looks like. Hell, I’d like to have the opportunity to do it to my father-in-law, for what he did to my daughter, me, Leinth. He’d have done it to Leinth’s child, too, if he’d ever known of it.”

Thom winced, saying nothing. He stared at the wall for a long moment before his gaze shifted back to Seamus. “What was out there?”

“It was hamrammr. It seems that they’re not done with the lot of you yet.”

“Are you planning on abandoning us already?” Thom asked, the words bitter on his tongue. “Last I checked, you were part of us.”

Seamus exhaled, closing his eyes for a moment. “I’m sorry. Poor choice of words—though I’ll point out that I wasn’t here the first few times you dealt with them and so far as I know, they don’t have a real reason to be coming after me.”

“That you know of,” Thom said. He wanted to be angry at Seamus, but he found his ire fading quickly, replaced only by weariness and resignation.

Because we don’t have enough problems already—what’s one more? Why not send Vammatar’s avengers after us, too?

Thom shook his head. “How long ago was it? Do you know?”

“That they were digging? During the fighting out here, I’d imagine. It was the perfect distraction. No one would have noticed until it was too late, had they been successful in their aims.”

“Their aim being to get to our dead,” Thom said.

Seamus nodded. “That’s what appears to be the case, in any event.”

I don’t want to think about what they’d want to do with our dead. Thom’s lips thinned. “But they failed.”

“So it would seem.”

Thom nodded, his gaze drifting back to the wall. Suddenly it seemed like too small a thing, not enough to protect what was most precious to him.

But what else do I have?

Nothing else.

He sighed. Seamus put his hand on his shoulder and Thom closed his eyes.

“How did you manage it?” he asked softly. “Day after day, year after year, finding ways to protect your people against shit like all of this?”

Seamus smiled crookedly. “I didn’t have to. My father did, then I was sent away—it became Teague’s problem for a time, but only after most of the old threats had already retreated, when they came back before all of this hell began. I don’t envy you, Thom, not at all, but I am intending to help—in any way that I can.”

Thom managed a crooked smile. “Fantastic. Figure out a better way to defend the settlement—and tell me what the hell you meant when you said that maybe we couldn’t rely on the Wild Hunt to help.”

Seamus winced and looked away. “I had hoped you wouldn’t ask.”

“If you’d hoped I wouldn’t ask, you shouldn’t have said anything.”

“Too true,” Seamus said with a rueful smile. It faded as he turned away, stared out over the field, the churned and broken earth, the spot where Pluton had died.

“Something feels wrong,” he whispered.

Thom held his breath and waited.

Seamus did not disappoint him, though he stayed quiet for a few seconds more, just staring at the spot.

“I led them for centuries,” he said slowly, as if the weight of the years and the memories had settled on his shoulders again, pressing him down with their magnitude. “They became my family. I knew them as well—better—than I knew myself. The past few weeks—hell, the past few days—something has started to feel off, to feel wrong. I don’t know what it is. I have no explanations. It’s just a gut feeling, one I can’t shake.”

“What do you think it is?” Thom asked.

Seamus considered the question, still not turning away from the broken ground beyond the gates and the walls. “I don’t know. Once upon a time, I would have chalked it up to paranoia, but now I’m not sure. I’m not sure of anything anymore, to be honest. I wish I was.” He shoved his hands deep into his pockets, exhaling a heavy sigh. “I begin to wonder, though, if someone has started to pull on their strings—it’s not impossible. The old ways are breaking down. We—the Hunt, I mean—the Hunt used to be something that stood aloof from the wars even as we rode into them. We were a force of nature, a thing not to be trifled with. If we came, they would quake in fear.”

“They?”

A weak, rueful smile curved Seamus’s lips and he glanced back over his shoulder toward Thom. There was regret in that smile, regret mingling with a sort of sad nostalgia and longing. “Everyone. The Otherlanders. We would ride into their wars on nobody’s side but our own, taking who and what we wanted because we wanted them, because we could. They feared us for that, hated us for that, but they could never quite touch us, never quite manipulate the Hunt in the ways they hoped to. Even selling me to them, that didn’t have the outcome that my wife’s father had hoped. He had hoped for some allegiance, some loyalty, considering the magnitude of the boon he’d gifted them.”

�� His smile turned into something almost wicked. “Instead, he got what he deserved.”

“You took your revenge on them,” Thom said, looking away. Behind him, Seamus sighed softly.

“I didn’t. My brothers in arms taught him a lesson about respect.”

“Nothing to do with you?”

“Everything to do with me. I just wasn’t involved.” Seamus dried up alongside him and rested his palm against the wall. “They won’t linger here forever as much as some of them want to and the way the world is changing I fear has left them vulnerable to outside forces in ways that we never have been before. It worries me.”

“Does it worry everyone else the way you still talk about yourself like you were still one of them?”

Seamus winced. “I deserved that.”

“It wasn’t an attack. Just an observation.”

Seamus drew a deep breath and exhaled it slowly. “Like I said. It’s hard to separate myself still. It was part of my identity for too long.” He closed his eyes. “The point remains that we have work to do on the defenses at the back side as much as we do here.”

“The way you were talking made it sound like either way would be futile.”

Seamus exhaled. “I hope it wouldn’t be,” he murmured. “Truly, I do.”

Thom grunted, staring at the wall. “This is all I’ve got, Seamus. And if we lose the Wild Hunt, I’ve got no idea what we’ll do. I don’t know if we can turn back whatever shows up without them. Now you’re telling me that I might lose them.”

“Worse, they might turn if the right pressure is applied.” Seamus shook his head. “Don’t ask me what the right pressure is. I don’t know. Nothing’s certain these days, not anymore.”

“Fucking perfect,” Thom muttered. He closed his eyes and sighed.

I’ll just have to keep hoping, I guess.

That’s pretty much all I’ve got.

Awakenings is a fiction serial written by Erin M. Klitzke. It updates three times a week at http://awakenings.embklitzke.com. Full chapters will be released here on Tumblr once a week.

Like what you see? Consider becoming a patron on Patreon!

#Awakenings #original fiction #seamus vaughan #Thom Ambrose #post-apocalyptic #webfic #web fiction #Erin's writing #webfiction #mythology in fiction

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okimargarvez · 6 years

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METEOROLOGY- Rain

Original title: Meteorology.

Prompt: climatic metaphors, phases of love.

Warning: none

Genre: drama, romantic, comedy, angst, family, friendship.

Characters: Luke Alvez, Penelope Garcia, BAU team, Phil (Luke’s partner), Phil’s wife, Roxy, Derek Morgan.

Pairing: Garvez, Phil x Lucille.

Note: Multichapter.

Legend: 💏😘😈👓🔦🐶❗👨‍👩‍👧‍👦💍🎈

Song mentioned: Via con me, Paolo Conte.

Meteorology- Masterlist

MY OTHER GARVEZ STORIES

RAIN

If the rain surprises you halfway, and you walk faster to find shelter, going under the gutters or in the uncovered places you will wet anyway. If, however, you admit from the beginning the possibility of wetting you, you don't bother from it, even if you wet yourself anyway. The same mood, by analogy, applies on other occasions. (Yamamoto Tsunetomo, Hagakure)

Every time you repeat "I'm okay" you lied. Whenever you raise your shoulders or sketch a smile, start a play that you don't even notice yourself acting. You're actor and at the same time spectator of your actions. It's certainly easier to pretend it's all right for you, which she's still here and not just in spirit form. But everything that happens seems a pretext to bring her in the center of all your thoughts. You deny and cancellations so many thoughts as "I have to ask Mama for an opinion, she sure knows" since you lost count.

You get up every morning with the same neutral expression. Even when you're alone just giving yourself the luxury of a vent and by dint of repress it (you only notice it while you tie your shoes, it has been a year already) you're no longer able to feel such emotions. And gradually you cease to feel in general, isolate you from the outside because others let you do it.

And it's perfect so, nothing you'd like more. No one who stress you, who demand more than you can offer. No one who notices that you're not dying, because you're already dead. In general, no one. Except for that dog that's just looking at you now with its head tilted to one side. The only privileged creature who understood everything, which went beyond the mask. You caress it with gentle gestures and thrust your face into its fur. It would be nice to stay here forever.

Unfortunately, the reality waits for you and breaks the quiet through a phone ringing, abandoned on the bedside table. You sigh, to grant yourself another moment. Then you give up and answer.

-Alvez. What? Thank you for warning me, Rossi. Yes, I'll be there in twenty minutes. All right, you too.-.

Yours is a lonely job, you do not have a partner to compare yourself (no more in the last four years), you are simply entrusted a tot missions, every month, depending on the degree of difficulty assumed. They send you all the information you need to make it work the best. You study for hours those lines, trying to become the person who will go unnoticed in the environment that makes up the context, the habitat where you will live for a few days. You always camouflage yourself to perfection, you are, without modesty, because others say that, the strongest, the best in this kind of work.

Before Phil, you liked it too: hunting, wait, surveillance, setting the trap. The capture of the prey. But the whole game stopped when he was seriously injured. And you might be successful. You have discovered that you are not invulnerable or a superhero as you believed until shortly before.

You take a look at Roxy, lying on the bed with a sad expression. Scientists say that dogs do not realize the time pass, they don't have the ability to see if is spend an hour or a whole day and so suffer less of us. But it's not Disney's or Warner Bros cartoon style anthropomorphism and it's not about projecting emotions and human actions on animals. Your dog's eyes are sad, bigger and shiny than when you’re playing with it in the yard or in the evening while you’re watching a movie napping on the couch. You're ready to discuss with whoever of the question, to fighting with wholeheartedly. No one will ever convince you that Roxy doesn't know that you' won’t come back soon, or if the case that Rossi mentioned to you is as it seems, perhaps you'll be away for many days (you have already warned Jessica of this possibility).

The day hasn’t started yet and you're already tired. Once you couldn't wait the time to go to work. Also, to resume the conversation with Phil, left open the day before. He always repeats the same thing: "When do you decide to find a girl? Lucille and I are tired of having you as a third wheels". And your answers, always elusory. The truth is that a woman able to put up with you is probably never born and Roxy is certainly the great consolation prize that the Tenant Upstairs has sent to you to overcome this lack. Not that you don't want to go home and find there a pretty girl just lying by your dog. But now you’re resigned not to reclaim more. You're incapable of settle for and all the women you have known aren't too good for you; they're never even remotely comparable to her.

This is the only thing that hasn’t changed, today like four years ago.

You must stop comparing all the girls you know with your mother. No one will ever win. Do you honestly not see it? The wise words of your best friend resound in your mind. Without any results.

You enter the subway, ignoring the infinite flow of humans that moves like a swarm of insects around you. Where will they be directed? Why are they in such a hurry? Do they know that those few seconds or minutes they save won't do anything when they will start vomiting blood or their body eat itself?

The train arrives, stops and vomits all passengers, a scene that reminds you of the Soviet films of the 1920s that so passionate your brother, documentarist. Yet many of the bystanders try to enter before all those who want it has come down. Someone pushes you, and right in front of you a blond woman stumble. You don't have time to think about trying to help her; you watch her to waver and then remaining standing, just because people around her drag her away with them.

The doors close behind the girl and the wagon leaves. You notice that she turns herself, but everything is blurry, you can only see a few traits of her face, especially a pair of glasses and sad eyes that lie behind the lenses, so big and absent. But not for apathy, like the others. You recognize that gaze. It's that greet you every morning reflecting your image in the mirror.

You stare her until she disappears; at no time she seems to realize that you exist, even if her head is turned in your direction.

You feel a bit upset, but then you forget it all. Another train arrives, you get aboard, and you try not to hear any speech. Soon liberation comes. You get down, looking at umbrellas and waterproof popping up like mushrooms among those who are waiting to take your place on board.

While you obliterate the ticket at the exit, you hear the warning. Someone committed suicide on the other line. Most people puffing, some like you have the smart idea of not saying anything. As soon as you reach the stairs that lead outside you notice the change.

Moisture permeates the air. You haven't prepared anything to repair yourself. So you enjoy all the caresses you receive in the rain which fits so well with your inner mood.

#garvez #luke alvez #penelope garcia #meteorology

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